# US 2002/0178558 A1 · Attachment assembly for closed-loop attachments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2002/0178558 A1 - Document ID: US20020178558A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 09/872,202 - Filed: 2001-06-01 - Published: 2002-12-05 - Earliest claimed: 2001-06-01 - Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Monish J. Doshi; James T. Hartley; Israel V. Castaneda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20020178558A1 ## CPC - F16G 11/14: Devices or coupling-pieces designed for easy formation of adjustable loops, e.g. choker hooks; Hooks or eyes with integral parts designed to facilitate quick attachment to cables or ropes at any point, e.g. by forming loops - F16G 11/02: with parts deformable to grip the cable or cables; Fastening means which engage a sleeve or the like fixed on the cable - F16G 11/046: {by bending the cable around a surface} - G02B 6/3849: {using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes (G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44)} - Y10T 24/3991: Loop engaging - Y10T 24/45764: Component formed solely by flaccid cord - F16G: BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An attachment assembly and method for attaching closed loops of lanyards to dust covers. The attachment assembly and method eliminate the need for tools and enable plastic and other materials to be used in the construction of the lanyard. In one embodiment, the attachment assembly includes a groove and a flange with a slot in it. A closed loop can be attached to the dust cover using this attachment assembly by placing a section of the closed loop in the slot and then rotating the dust cover relative to the closed loop. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device configured for attaching a preformed loop of a selected internal diameter thereto, said device comprising: a flange located in a first plane; a groove adjacent to the flange; and a slot in the flange disposed at an angle to said first plane, wherein the shape of said groove and the angle of said slot enable said preformed loop to be guided into the groove by rotation of said loop relative to said device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the shapes of said flange and said groove substantially prevent unwanted detachment of said preformed loop from said groove. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein the edges of said slot are rounded to prevent shearing of the preformed loop. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3 wherein: said flange is a disk with diameter greater than the selected internal diameter of said preformed loop; said groove is circular with diameter less than the selected internal diameter of said preformed loop; and said groove is aligned in a plane substantially parallel to said first plane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4 wherein said angle of slot is about 45°. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 additionally including a preformed loop attached thereto wherein: said preformed loop is circular and constructed from an elastic material; wherein the flexural modulus of said elastic material enables said preformed loop to be guided into the groove by rotation of said loop relative to said structure; and wherein the flexural modulus of said elastic material substantially prevents unwanted detachment of said preformed loop. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6 wherein said elastic material is engineering grade nylon 6/6. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 additionally including a preformed loop attached thereto wherein said preformed loop is formed from a flexible wire. ### Claim 9 A method of attaching a preformed loop to a structure comprising the steps of: placing segment of a preformed loop inside a slot in a flange of a structure, said structure having a flange in a first plane, a groove proximate to said flange and a slot in the flange disposed at an angle to said first plane; and completing at least one full rotation of said preformed loop relative to said structure so that said slot guides said preformed loop into said groove. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of attaching a preformed loop in claim 8, wherein: direction of said rotation is determined by angle of said slot relative to said first plane. ### Claim 11 A structure for attaching a preformed loop of selected internal diameter to a dust cover comprising: a flange located in a first plane; a groove adjacent said flange; a slot in the flange disposed at an angle to said first plane; and wherein shape of said groove and angle of said slot enable said preformed loop to be guided into the groove by rotation of said loop relative to said structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The structure of claim 10 wherein the shapes of said flange and said groove substantially prevent unwanted detachment of said preformed loop from said groove. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The structure of claim 11 wherein: the edges of said slot are rounded to prevent shearing of the preformed loop. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The structure of claim 12 wherein: said flange is a disk with diameter greater than said internal diameter of preformed lanyards; said groove is circular with diameter less than said known internal diameter of preformed lanyards; and said groove is aligned in a plane substantially parallel to said first plane. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The structure of claim 13 wherein: said angle of slot is substantially 45°. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The structure of claim 10 wherein: said preformed loop is circular and constructed from an elastic material; wherein the flexural modulus of said elastic material enables said preformed loop to be guided into the groove by rotation of said loop relative to said dust cover; and wherein the flexural modulus of said elastic material substantially prevents unwanted detachment of said preformed loop. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The structure of claim 15, wherein: said elastic material is engineering grade nylon 6/6. ### Claim 18 A method of attaching a preformed loop to a dust cover comprising the steps of: placing a segment of a preformed loop inside a slot in a flange of said dust cover, said dust cover having a flange in a first plane, a groove proximate to said flange and a slot in the flange disposed at an angle to said first plane; and completing at least one full rotation of said preformed loop relative to said dust cover so that said slot guides said preformed loop into said groove. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of attaching a preformed loop in claim 17, wherein: direction of said rotation is determined by angle of said slot relative to said first plane.