Safety tether for hand tools

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 7395984
APP PUB NO 20060163412A1
SERIAL NO

11339421

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

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Abstract

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A safety device for hand tools includes a casing having a first clasp secured to the casing for mounting to the tool. A second clasp is mounted to a retractable cable connected to a constant tension cable reel mounted within the casing: The cable is payed out of and retracted into the bottom of the housing in its normal use position, and the second clasp is attached to a fixed support or 'lock point' located below the normal working height of the tool. In use, when the tool is held by a worker and the housing is upright, a lock plate is disengaged from a ratchet plate fixed to the retractable reel so the tool is freely moveable relative to the lock point and easily maneuvered. If the tool is dropped, the reel retracts the cable as the tool begins to fall. The device is inverted as it falls below the lock point. As the device turns over, the lock plate shifts under gravity, and the weight of the tool places the cable in tension and tries to counter-rotate the hub, thus causing the lock plate to rapidly engage the ratchet plate and lock the reel, preventing further cable pay out and securing the tool before it strikes the floor or ground.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES INC333 KNIGHTSBRIDGE PARKWAY LINCOLNSHIRE IL 60069

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Mackin, Michael P Chicago, IL 17 237
Szarkowski, Tadeusz C Chicago, IL 1 15
Zito, Donald J Fox River Grove, IL 16 237

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