JP7653697B2 - Device to prevent personal belongings from falling - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a device for preventing portable objects from falling.

For example, as described in Japanese Patent No. 4524464, a tool drop prevention device equipped with a mechanism for absorbing the impact when a tool is dropped is known. Paragraphs 0004, 0005 and Figure 8 of this publication explain the problems of impact force and jumping up when a tool is dropped.

Patent No. 4524464

In the technology described in the above patent document, the reel mechanism, including the biasing member (spring) around the reel, has been improved in order to realize an excellent shock absorbing mechanism. However, when trying to improve the shock absorbing function, the reel mechanism including the biasing member tends to become complicated, which has the disadvantage that the tool drop prevention device tends to become large.

This disclosure provides an improved device for preventing portable objects from falling that can be made smaller.

One embodiment of the portable object drop prevention device includes a main body attachment, a string-like body, a reel for winding the string-like body, a biasing member for applying a biasing force to the reel, and a string winding structure having a case in which the reel and the biasing member are stored, a portable object attachment part for attaching a portable object, and a shock absorbing member provided on the outside of the string winding structure at any of the following positions: between the main body attachment and the string-like body, between the main body attachment and the case, between the string-like body and the portable object attachment part, and between the case and the portable object attachment part. The shock absorbing member has an elastic rope interposed between a root part and a tip part, the rope being any of a chemical fiber rope, a natural fiber rope, and a glass fiber rope, and has a length sufficient to allow the worker to handle the portable object attached to the portable object attachment part around his/her waist without pulling out the string-like body from the reel when the main body attachment is attached around the waist of the worker.

In a first embodiment, the shock absorbing member may be interposed between the main body attachment and the string-like body. In a second embodiment, the shock absorbing member may be interposed between the main body attachment and the case of the string winding structure. In a third embodiment, the shock absorbing member may be interposed between the string-like body and the portable object attachment part. In a fourth embodiment, the shock absorbing member may be interposed between the case of the string winding structure and the portable object attachment part. The number of the shock absorbing members may be one or more. The shock absorbing member may be provided at one or more arbitrary positions selected from the multiple installation positions in each of the first to fourth embodiments.

By providing a shock absorbing member on the outside of the string winding structure, the string winding structure can be made smaller.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the device for preventing portable objects from falling. 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of a method for mounting the device for preventing portable objects from falling.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a portable object drop prevention device 100. The portable object drop prevention device 100 comprises a cord winding structure 1, a cord pull-out end 2a, a shock absorbing member 7, a main body attachment 8, a portable object attachment part 9, and connectors 13 and 14. Any portable object can be attached to the portable object attachment part 9.

The main attachment 8 is attached to the top of the string winding structure 1 via a connector 13. When a worker wears the portable object drop prevention device 100, a safety rope attachment part such as a ring holder may be provided on a work belt or the like, and the main attachment 8 may be attached to this safety rope attachment part (see Figure 2).

The cord winding structure 1 has a pull-out opening 1a. The pull-out opening 1a is an opening provided in a part of the cord winding structure 1. In the embodiment, the pull-out opening 1a is provided on the opposite side of the cord winding structure 1 from the main attachment 8, as an example.

Inside the string winding structure 1, a "reel (not shown)" and the string-like body 2 wound around the reel are stored. The string pull-out end 2a is connected to the tip of the string-like body 2. By pulling the string pull-out end 2a in the direction of arrow A, the string-like body 2 can be pulled out to any length from inside the string winding structure 1 through the pull-out opening 1a. Figure 1 shows an example of the string-like body 2 being pulled out slightly, but the total length of the string-like body 2 is much longer than the state shown in Figure 1. The string pull-out end 2a has a diameter larger than the opening diameter of the pull-out opening 1a so that it stops exactly at the pull-out opening 1a.

The connector 14 connects the cord pull-out end 2a to the base portion 7a of the shock absorbing member 7.

In the embodiment, as an example, the shock absorbing member 7 is constructed as a "guide rope". The shock absorbing member 7 is also an example of a "long shock absorbing member" constructed to have a certain length. In the embodiment, specifically, the shock absorbing member 7 has a root portion 7a, an intermediate portion 7b, and a tip portion 7c. The root portion 7a and the tip portion 7c are each a strip-shaped portion, and the intermediate portion 7b, which is a relatively thin and stretchable rope material, is interposed between them. The intermediate portion 7b is constructed to be relatively thinner, more flexible, and longer than the root portion 7a and the tip portion 7c. The intermediate portion 7b can be bent to any angle and can also be displaced in the twisting direction.

A portable object attachment part 9 is attached to the tip part 7c of the shock absorbing member 7. A portable object to be prevented from falling (see symbol T in FIG. 2) can be attached to the portable object attachment part 9. The portable object may be, for example, a tool.

The main body attachment device 8 and the portable object attachment part 9 may be, for example, a snap hook. The main body attachment device 8 and the portable object attachment part 9 may be any metal or resin attachment device of known structure.

In the embodiment, even if an operator drops a portable object attached to the portable object attachment section 9, the shock absorbing member 7 can absorb the shock of the drop. This has the advantage of preventing the portable object from bouncing back. It also has the advantage of preventing the string-like body 2 from breaking due to the impact of the portable object being dropped. Arrow A in FIG. 1 indicates the direction in which the portable object attachment section 9 is pulled away from the string winding structure 1 (in other words, the string pull-out direction), and a tensile load is generated in this direction when the object is dropped. The shock absorbing member 7 exerts an expansion and contraction function when pulled in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1.

As described above, the shock absorbing member 7 is constructed as a "guide rope" with a certain degree of length and flexibility. This has the advantage that when the user places the portable item connected to the portable item attachment part 9 in a waist bag or the like, the string-like body 2 is not pulled out, so there is no tension when winding it up and the storage can be done smoothly.

Specific examples of the external and internal configurations of the cord winding structure 1 are described below. The cord winding structure 1 may have a metal case as an example, and may have an aluminum die-cast case as a specific example. By making the exterior of the cord winding structure 1 a metal case, a robust structure can be achieved. The cord winding structure 1 has a compact size that does not take up space around the waist. As a variation, the cord winding structure 1 may have a resin case, for example an ABS case.

The string winding structure 1 has the following internal configuration. The string winding structure 1 incorporates a string-like body 2, a reel that winds up the string-like body 2, and a biasing member that applies a biasing force to the reel. The biasing member may be, for example, a spiral spring. Various shapes, members, and mechanisms of this type are already known and are not new, so illustrations are omitted in this disclosure.

The tip of the string-like body 2 is connected to the string withdrawal end 2a. The reel is an automatic winding type. The reel is rotatably housed inside the string winding structure 1 and winds up the string-like body 2. The spiral spring is a winding mechanism that biases the reel in the winding and rotation direction.

The string-like body 2 may be, for example, various metal wires, such as steel wire, stainless steel wire, or piano wire. Metal string-like bodies have the advantage of being resistant to fire and heat, and also having excellent resistance to abrasion and cutting. As a modified example, the string-like body 2 may be made of a flat woven string, and in this case, the material of the woven string may be, for example, a synthetic fiber such as nylon or polyester.

The reel comprises a reel body and a spring holder. An axis is provided inside the case of the string winding structure 1, and the string-like body 2 is wound up by the reel body rotating around this axis. The spring holder is, for example, a cylindrical part provided concentrically on one side in the axial direction.

The spiral spring is a so-called mainspring spring, which is a strip of steel wound in a spiral shape. One end of the spiral spring is attached to the shaft, and the other end is attached to a spring holder on the reel. As the reel (spring holder) rotates in the unwinding direction by unwinding the string-like body 2, the spiral spring is wound around the shaft. The spiral spring is a type of biasing member that generates a biasing force that biases the reel in the winding direction of the string-like body 2. In the embodiment, as an example, a reel mechanism capable of automatically winding the reel is constructed using a single spiral spring with a uniform thickness. This simplifies the reel mechanism, allowing the cord winding structure 1 to be dramatically reduced in size.

The portable object drop prevention device 100 of the embodiment configured as described above is used as follows. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a method of wearing the portable object drop prevention device 100. FIG. 2 shows, as an example, a safety rope attachment part such as a ring holder (not shown) provided on the work belt 201 of the worker 200, and a simplified illustration of the state in which the main attachment device 8 on the upper part of the cord winding structure 1 is attached to this safety rope attachment part. When the worker 200 uses the portable object T taken out of the waist bag 202 at will, he pulls the portable object T so as to pull it away from the cord winding structure 1 as necessary. The portable object T is, as an example, a tool. In response to this pulling, the portable object attachment part 9, the shock absorbing member 7, the connecting device 14, and the cord pull-out end 2a are pulled in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1. When a force acts to pull out the cord-like body 2 from the cord winding structure 1 in the direction of the arrow A, the reel rotates in the pull-out rotation direction. As the reel rotates, the string-like body 2 connected to the string pull-out end 2a is pulled out from the string winding structure 1 by any length.

If the worker 200 accidentally drops the portable object T from his/her hand, the shock absorbing member 7 can absorb the shock caused by the dropping of the portable object T, and the shock is mitigated and attenuated. This has the advantage of preventing the portable object T from bouncing up due to the dropping shock. It also has the advantage of preventing the string-like body 2 from breaking due to the dropping shock of the portable object T.

In the embodiment, various modifications described below may be applied. One or more of the modifications may be selected from the group of modifications below, and the selected modifications may be applied to the portable object drop prevention device 100 according to the embodiment.

(Modification: Variation in installation position of shock absorbing member)
In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the shock absorbing member 7 is provided between the string-like body 2 and the portable object attachment part 9. However, as a modified example, the shock absorbing member 7 may be interposed between any two of the components of the portable object drop prevention device 100. The shock absorbing member 7 is interposed between each component from the main body attachment 8 to the portable object attachment part 9, thereby mitigating the drop impact of the portable object T. As an example, the shock absorbing member 7 may be interposed between the main body attachment 8 and the string-like body 2. In this case, the portable object drop prevention device 100 may be constructed such that the main body attachment 8, the shock absorbing member 7, the string-like body 2, the string winding structure 1 that winds up the string-like body 2, and the portable object attachment part 9 connected to the case of the string winding structure 1 are connected in series in this order.

As another example, the shock absorbing member 7 may be interposed between the main body attachment 8 and the case of the string winding structure 1. In this case, the portable object drop prevention device 100 may be constructed so that the main body attachment 8, the shock absorbing member 7, the case of the string winding structure 1, the string-like body 2 pulled out from the string winding structure 1, and the portable object attachment part 9 connected to the string-like body 2 are connected in series in this order.

As yet another example, the shock absorbing member 7 may be interposed between the case of the string winding structure 1 and the portable object attachment part 9. In this case, the portable object drop prevention device 100 may be constructed so that the main attachment 8, the string-like body 2, the case of the string winding structure 1 that winds up the string-like body 2, the shock absorbing member 7, and the portable object attachment part 9 are connected in series in this order.

The number of the shock absorbing members 7 may be one or more. In each of the embodiment and the three modified examples, multiple installation positions for the shock absorbing members 7 are disclosed, and the shock absorbing members 7 can be provided at any one or multiple installation positions selected from the multiple installation positions.

(Modifications: Variations in the configuration of the impact absorbing member)
There is no limitation on the specific structure, material, and shape of the shock absorbing member 7 according to the embodiment. The shock absorbing member 7 may have any function as long as it has the function of absorbing the shock applied to the portable object attachment part 9, and various structures, materials, shapes, elasticity, stretchability, and the like can be applied.

The material of the shock absorbing member 7 may be any of various materials that have a higher elastic stretching function in the tensile direction than the string-like body 2. The diameter of the shock absorbing member 7 may be thicker than the string-like body 2 wound by the string winding structure 1, but can be determined appropriately depending on the material used, and may be thinner than the string-like body 2. Even if the string-like body 2 is a relatively thick material such as a woven string, the diameter of the shock absorbing member 7 may be thinner than the string-like body 2.

In the embodiment, as an example, the middle portion 7b is constructed of an elastic rope material. The shock absorbing member 7 may be any known rope material of a predetermined length. The rope is also called a "rope," "tie," "strong rope made of twisted fibers or steel wires," or "rope." The rope is also an example of a long shock absorbing member in the embodiment. Known rope materials include, for example, chemical fiber ropes, natural fiber ropes, glass fiber ropes, and wire ropes. As the chemical fiber rope, any one of nylon ropes, polyester ropes, polypropylene ropes, polyethylene ropes, vinylon ropes, and vinylon and polyester blended yarn ropes may be used. As the natural fiber rope, for example, cotton ropes or hemp ropes may be used. As the wire rope, carbon steel ropes or stainless steel ropes may be used.

As a modified example, a rubber rope may be used as the shock absorbing member 7. The shock absorbing member 7 may be a rubber-like elastic body having any other shape other than a rope shape. The rubber material may be synthetic or natural rubber. There is no limitation on the rubber material, and the material of the shock absorbing member 7 may be selected from various rubber materials such as natural rubber (NR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), acrylonitrile rubber (NBR), butyl rubber (IIR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), urethane rubber (U), and silicone rubber (Si). For example, if there is a high need for heat resistance, a material with high heat resistance, such as silicone rubber, may be selected accordingly. Other desired materials may be selected according to needs such as fire resistance and weather resistance.

As a variant, the shock absorbing member 7 may be a metal spring (e.g., a coil spring, spring). If the shock absorbing member 7 is made of metal, it has the advantage of being highly fire-resistant, heat-resistant, and durable. A member that is a metal spring with length is also an example of a long shock absorbing member in the embodiment.

As a modified example, the impact absorbing member 7 may be a belt. The material of the belt may be any of various known materials, for example, natural leather, synthetic leather, any of the various chemical fibers listed above, or any of the various rubber materials listed above. A long belt is also an example of a long impact absorbing member in the embodiment.

In the embodiment, the shock absorbing member 7 has different thicknesses at the root portion 7a, the tip portion 7c, and the middle portion 7b, but the present disclosure is not limited to such a structure. As a modified example, the shock absorbing member 7 may have a uniform thickness. As another modified example, the shock absorbing member 7 may be a hollow tube or a curled cord, and a long version of these is included in the example of a long shock absorbing member in the embodiment. A curled cord is a cord wound in a curl shape, and is also called an expandable electric wire. As another modified example, the shock absorbing member 7 does not necessarily have to be a member with a length like a rope. For example, the shock absorbing member 7 may be constructed in any three-dimensional shape such as a cylinder, a cone, a ring, a sphere, an ellipsoid, or the like. In this case, the function as a guide rope may be omitted.

In this embodiment, the cord winding structure 1 is not provided with a "locking mechanism." Since there is no locking mechanism, the internal structure of the cord winding structure 1 is constructed so that when the force pulling the cord-like body 2 is released, the reel always tries to completely wind the cord-like body 2 up to the cord pull-out end 2a without stopping midway.

In the embodiment, the portable object T to be prevented from falling is described as a tool. However, as a modification, any other object may be used as the portable object. The portable object T may be, for example, a mobile terminal, a camera, or various types of keys. The mobile terminal may be a mobile communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The key may be, for example, a front door key or a car key.

According to the embodiment described above, the shock absorbing member 7 is provided on the outside of the string winding structure 1. This makes it possible to mitigate the shock of a dropped portable object T without being restricted by the structure of the reel or the operating mechanism of the string-like body 2. The technical approach of the present disclosure, which places a simple shock absorbing means on the outside of the string winding structure 1 in the portable object drop prevention device 100, is a groundbreaking approach not seen in the existing state of the art.

In the embodiment, the shock absorbing member 7 is a "long shock absorbing member" that is interposed between the string-like body 2 and the portable object attachment part 9 and has a certain length. The long shock absorbing member has a certain length, so that the worker 200 can easily handle the portable object T. As an example, the long shock absorbing member may be constructed to have a length that allows the worker 200 to easily handle the portable object T around his/her waist when the string-like body 2 is not pulled out from the reel or is pulled out slightly, and may be constructed to have a length that gives the portable object drop prevention device 100 a total length that allows the worker 200 to easily store the portable object T, such as tools, in a waist bag. The member that connects the shock absorbing member 7 and the string-like body 2 may be a "twisting metal fitting." The twisting metal fitting has two ring parts that are rotatably connected to each other. The twisting metal fitting can prevent the pulled out string-like body 2 from becoming entangled.

In addition, in the embodiment, the automatic winding reel mechanism, which includes a biasing member such as a spring, does not have a locking mechanism, which further simplifies the reel mechanism, and has the advantage that the cord winding structure 1 can be made smaller and lighter. Even without a locking mechanism, the shock absorbing member 7 has a certain length, making it easy to handle portable items near the waist bag 202. Therefore, there is an advantage that the cord winding structure 1 can be made even smaller while still ensuring the convenience of handling portable items.

In addition, in the embodiment, the shock absorbing member 7 may be a metal spring member or a heat-resistant rubber elastic member. This has the advantage that the portable object drop prevention device 100 can be used even in harsh environments.

The portable object drop prevention device 100 of the embodiment also has the following advantages. In recent years, due to the increased awareness of safety at construction sites, measures to prevent tools from falling are becoming mandatory. Many users (workers) who use tool drop prevention devices include scaffolders and scaffolders. These users (workers) often perform relatively bold work, so there is a high demand for products with robust specifications. In this regard, in the embodiment, robustness can be met by making the cord winding structure 1 out of metal. Furthermore, by making the cord-like body 2 out of metal wire, it has the advantage of being resistant to fire and heat and excellent in abrasion and cut resistance, so it can meet needs even in relatively harsh environments. In addition, when used in places such as construction sites, it has the great advantage of being compact in size so as not to take up space around the waist when worn. In addition, since the embodiment uses an automatic winding reel with a spring, there is the advantage that the dangling cord-like body (wire) is easy to move around without the risk of getting caught.

1 Cord winding structure 1a Pull-out opening 2 Cord-like body 2a Cord pull-out end 7 Impact absorbing member (long impact absorbing member)
7a Base portion 7b Middle portion 7c Tip portion 8 Main body attachment 9 Portable object attachment portion 13, 14 Connecting device 100 Portable object drop prevention device A Arrow (cord pull-out direction)
T. Carrying items

Claims (5)

A body attachment;
a string winding structure including a string-like body, a reel for winding the string-like body, a biasing member for applying a biasing force to the reel, and a case for accommodating the reel and the biasing member;
a portable object attachment portion for attaching a portable object;
an impact absorbing member provided on the outside of the cord winding structure at any one of a position between the attachment for the main body and the cord-like body, between the attachment for the main body and the case, between the cord-like body and the attachment part for the portable object, and between the case and the attachment part for the portable object;
Equipped with
The shock absorbing member has an elastic rope interposed between a base portion and a tip portion,
The rope is any one of a chemical fiber rope, a natural fiber rope, and a glass fiber rope, and has a length sufficient for the worker to move the portable object attached to the portable object attachment part around his/her waist without pulling out the string-like body from the reel when the main body attachment is attached around the worker's waist.
Device to prevent portable items from falling. The device for preventing portable objects from falling according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing member is provided between the string-like body and the portable object attachment part. When the force pulling the string-like body is released, the reel of the string winding structure always completely winds the string-like body to the string pull-out end without stopping midway due to a lock.
The device for preventing portable objects from falling according to claim 1 or 2. The root portion and the tip portion are strip-shaped, and the rope is relatively thinner, more flexible, and longer than the root portion and the tip portion.
The device for preventing portable objects from falling according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The string-like body is a metal wire,
The device for preventing portable objects from falling according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shock absorbing member has higher elasticity than the string-like body.

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