Lanyard
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Alanyardis a length ofcord,webbing,orstrapthat may serve any of various functions, which include a means of attachment, restraint, retrieval, activation, and deactivation. A lanyard is also a piece ofriggingused to secure or lower objects aboard a ship.[1]
Origins
[edit]The earliest references to lanyards date from 15th century France: "lanière" was athongor strap-on apparatus.[2]
Bosun's pipe,marlinspike,and smallknivestypically had a lanyard consisting of a string loop tied together with adiamond knot.It helped secure against fall and gave an extended grip over a small handle.
In the French military, lanyards were used to connect apistol,sword,orwhistle(for signaling) to a uniform semi-permanently. Lanyards were used by mounted cavalry on land and naval officers at sea. A pistol lanyard can be easily removed and reattached by the user, but will stay connected to the pistol whether it is drawn for use or it is placed into aholsterfor carrying.
In the military, lanyards of various colour combinations and braid patterns are worn on the shoulders of uniforms to denote the wearer's qualification or regimental affiliation.[3]In horse regiments, lanyards were worn on the left, enabling a rider to pull a whistle from the left tunic pocket and maintain communication with his troop. Members of the BritishRoyal Artillerywear a lanyard which originally held a key for adjusting thefuzesof explosiveshells.[4]
Functions
[edit]- An attachment lanyard is a light dutytetherworn around the neck, shoulder, wrist or attached to thebeltas aslingto conveniently carry items such askeysoridentification cards,[1]or as asafety harnessto prevent accidental dropping of valuable handheld items such as acamera.
- A restraint lanyard is asafety lanyardused by construction workers, such as a lineman.
- A retrieval lanyard is a nylonwebbinglanyard used to raise and lower workers intoconfined spaces,such as storage tanks.
- An activation lanyard is a lanyard used to fire anartillery pieceor arm thefuzeon a bomb leaving an aircraft.[5]
- A deactivation lanyard is adead man's switch,where pulling a lanyard free will disable a dangerous device.
Styles and materials
[edit]
The style, design or material used will vary depending on end-purpose of the lanyard. Lanyard materials includepolyester,nylon,satin,silk,polyethylene terephthalate(PET), braided leather or braidedparacord.
Common styles
[edit]- Polyester imprinted lanyards
- Nylon imprinted lanyards
- Tube imprinted lanyards
- Dye-sublimated lanyards or full-color lanyards
Accessory for electronics
[edit]
Lanyards are widely used with small electronic devices such ascameras,MP3 playersandUSB flash drivesto prevent loss or dropping. Electronics designed to take a lanyard usually have a small through-hole built into a corner or edge of the case or anchored to the frame of the device; the corresponding lanyard generally has a loop of thread on the end that is attached to that hole with a simple knot, usually acow hitch.Some earphones incorporate the audio signal into the lanyard, meaning it doubles up as headphone cords as well. TheWii Remotewrist strap is a form of lanyard, keeping the device attached to a player's arm during the often vigorous movements involved in its use.
Badge or identification holder
[edit]Lanyards are commonly used to display badges, tickets or ID cards for identification where security is required, such asbusinesses,corporations,hospitals,prisons,conventions,trade fairs,andbackstage passesused in theentertainment industry.Such lanyards are often made of braided or woven fabric or split with a clip attached to the end. A plastic pouch or badge holder with at least one clear side is attached to the lanyard with the person's name badge or ID card. Occasionally, small items like business cards, pens or tools can be placed behind the badge for easy access. Lanyards can also be used askeychains,particularly in situations where keys can easily be lost, such as gyms, public pools and communal showers.
In these cases, lanyards may be customised with the related name and/or logo of the event, business, or organisation. Lanyards can feature a variety of customisation techniques includingscreen-printing,Jacquard loomweaving,heat transfer,andoffset printing.
Safety strap
[edit]Lanyards are also often attached todead man's switchesor "kill switches" on dangerous machinery, such as large industrial cutting or slicing machines; on vehicles, such as jet-skis or trains; and on exercise treadmills, so that if the operator suddenly becomes incapacitated, their fall will pull on the lanyard attached to their wrist, which will then pull the switch to immediately stop the machine or vehicle.
Some law enforcement officers and members of the military utilise specialised lanyards to keep sidearms from falling to the ground during missions.
ManyID cardlanyards have a built-in feature known as a "breakaway" closure. Breakaway lanyards release when pulled or when pressure is applied. This prevents choking or hanging. Lanyards with a breakaway feature are most often used inhospitalsandhealthcare clinics,schools,nursing homes,child care facilities, or factories that require employees to operate machinery.
Lineman lanyards
[edit]Lineman lanyards are used bylineworkerutility and other workers to prevent falls, although similar straps are also used recreationally by mountain climbers. This type of lanyard will have a section of heavy-duty nylon strapping attached to a metal ring or carabiner which tightens around an attachment point. The strap may be a fixed length or adjustable, and will attach to the wearer to support them against a fixed object or pole.
Uniform accessories
[edit]Certain lanyards are still worn on uniforms as decorations similar to anaiguilletteorfourragère.Among these are the Orange Lanyard in theMilitary William Orderof theNetherlandsand theGerman Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship.
A white lanyard has formed part of the uniform ofBritain'sRoyal Artillery(RA) since the end of the 19th century. Originally a simple cord carrying a fuse key, the braided and whitened lanyard became the recognised distinction of a Gunner.[6]The distinction was extended to women of theAuxiliary Territorial Serviceattached to RA units duringWorld War II.[7]Certain battalions descended from theDurham Light Infantrywore green lanyards to denote their past links with the regiment, whose uniform had a dark greenFacing colourfrom 1903 onwards.[8][9]
Royal Naval Rating wear a white lanyard when dressed in No 1 uniform, the origin of the lanyard was to carry a pouch of gunpowder for the cannon.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ab"lanyard lan-yrd." Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary. Springfield: Merriam-Webster, 2004. Credo Reference. Web. 1 October 2012.
- ^Wedgwood, Hensleigh(1855)."On False Etymologies".Transactions of the Philological Society(6): 68.
- ^"lanyard." The Macquarie Dictionary. South Yarra: The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd., 2005. Credo Reference. Web. 1 October 2012.
- ^"Garrison Artillery Volunteers".The Garrison.Retrieved19 November2013.
- ^"firing lanyard." McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Credo Reference. Web. 1 October 2012.
- ^"The Mighty White Lanyard".Army Rumour Service.
- ^Col J.D. Sainsbury,The Hertfordshire Yeomanry Regiments, Royal Artillery, Part 2: The Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 1938–1945 and the Searchlight Battery 1937–1945; Part 3: The Post-war Units 1947–2002,Welwyn: Hertfordshire Yeomanry and Artillery Trust/Hart Books, 2003,ISBN0-948527-06-4,Plate 9, p. 7.
- ^Norman E.H. Litchfield,The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges),Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992,ISBN0-9508205-2-0,pp. 56–8.
- ^Ward, S G P 1962Faithful. The Story of the Durham Light InfantryNaval and Military PressISBN9781845741471,p. 461.
