Method and apparatus for securing a connection
OwnerJames Blairinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The problem of securing a connection in a mechanical structure. fluid line, or electrical line, that can not readily be secured by traditional lock-wiring techniques, is solved through a method and apparatus for securing a connection with a commonly available commercial lanyard and a lanyard retainer. The lanyard retainer has an elongated center section adapted for positioning the retainer adjacent the connection, and means at both ends of the retainer for engaging and retaining the lanyard.
Claims20
A lanyard retainer comprising:
- an elongated central body terminating at a first end thereof in means for retaining one end of said lanyard, and terminating at a second end thereof in a helical spring having closely spaced coils for gripping said lanyard between said coils.
A securing device for a connection formed by a first and a second connector half mating with one another along an axis of connection to join a first and a second line extending respectively from said first and second connector halves, said securing device comprising:
- a lanyard;
- and a lanyard retainer having an elongated central section adapted to position said retainer along said axis of connection with a first end of said retainer adjacent said first coupling half and a second end of said retainer adjacent said second connector half, said first and second ends of said retainer having means for engaging and retaining said lanyard.
A method for securing a connection formed by a first and a second connector half mating with one another along an axis of connection to join a first and a second line extending respectively from said first and second connector halves, said method comprising:
- positioning a lanyard retainer along said axis of connection with a first end of said retainer adjacent said first coupling half and a second end of said retainer adjacent said second connector half;
- passing a first end of a lanyard about said first connector half and/or said first line extending therefrom to form a first loop in said lanyard and securing said first loop to said first end of said retainer;
- routing a free end of said lanyard extending from said first loop at least partially along said axis of connection;
- and
- passing said free end about said second connector half and/or said second line extending therefrom to form a second loop in said lanyard and securing said second loop to said second end of said retainer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.