Impact-absorbing tethering attachment
A tethering attachment assembly is provided for attachment to an apparatus to facilitate connection of a lanyard to the apparatus. The tethering attachment assembly includes a pair of posts and a coil element including metallic material that substantially resiliently retains its state with application of force up to a limit, and is permanently plastically deformable upon application of force exceeding the limit. The coil element has two ends attached to the elongated posts and adapted to form a substantially U-shaped hook when the elongated posts are attached to the apparatus. A sleeve is tubularly disposed around the coil element to substantially cover the coil element.
1. A tethering attachment assembly adapted for attachment to an apparatus to facilitate connection of a lanyard to the apparatus, the tethering attachment assembly comprising:
a pair of posts;
a coil element comprising metallic material that is elastically resilient with application of force up to a limit, and is permanently plastically deformable upon application of force exceeding the limit, the coil element having two ends attached to the posts and including a U-shaped portion when the posts are attached to the apparatus; and
a sleeve tubularly disposed around and covering the U-shaped portion of the coil element.
2. The tethering attachment assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of rivets that pivotably attach the ends of the coil element to the posts.
3. The tethering attachment assembly of claim 2 , wherein the coil element comprises extended portions engaging the rivets.
4. The tethering attachment assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a secondary sleeve disposed at ends of the sleeve.
5. The tethering attachment assembly of claim 4 , wherein the secondary sleeve is disposed around attachment points of the coil elements to the posts.
6. The tethering attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a webbing of material.
7. The tethering attachment assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is configured to tear when the coil element is deformed to expose the coil element.
8. An apparatus comprising:
a housing; and
a tethering attachment assembly attached to the housing and adapted to facilitate connection of a lanyard to the apparatus, the tethering attachment assembly comprising:
a pair of posts attached to the housing;
a coil element comprising metallic material that is elastically resilient with application of force up to a limit, and is permanently plastically deformable upon application of force exceeding the limit, the coil element having two ends attached to the posts and including a U-shaped portion when the posts are attached to the apparatus; and
a sleeve tubularly disposed around and covering the U-shaped portion of the coil element.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the tethering attachment assembly further comprising a pair of rivets that pivotably attach the ends of the coil element to the posts.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the coil element comprises extended portions engaging the rivets.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the tethering attachment assembly further comprises a secondary sleeve disposed at ends of the sleeve.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the secondary sleeve is disposed around attachment points of the coil elements to the posts.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the sleeve comprises a webbing.
14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the sleeve is configured to tear when the coil element is deformed to expose the coil element.
15. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus comprises a power tool having a motor disposed within the housing.
16. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus comprises a hand tool.
17. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the housing defines a pair of elongated slots for receiving the posts therein.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the posts of the tethering attachment assembly are removeably received within the elongated slots of the housing.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the housing includes side through-holes or receptacles arranged to received pins or fasteners for securing the posts of the tethering attachment assembly within the elongated slots of the housing.