Lanyard

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the reconnaissance satellites codenamed "Lanyard", see
KH-6. For the plaiting and knotting craft, see Scoubidou
.

Whistle attached to a lanyard

A lanyard is a length of cord, webbing, or strap that may serve any of various functions, which include a means of attachment, restraint, retrieval, activation, and deactivation. A lanyard is also a piece of rigging used to secure or lower objects aboard a ship.[1]

Origins

The earliest references to lanyards date from 15th century France: "lanière" was a thong or strap-on apparatus.[2]

A typical marlinspike with lanyard

Bosun's pipe, marlinspike, and small knives typically had a lanyard consisting of a string loop tied together with a diamond knot
. It helped secure against fall and gave an extended grip over a small handle.

In the French military, lanyards were used to connect a

holster
for 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.

shells.[4]

Functions

Styles and materials

Light-duty webbing lanyard for attaching keys, with a metal clip similar to that of a leash

The style, design or material used will vary depending on end-purpose of the lanyard. Lanyard materials include

paracord
.

Common styles

  • Polyester imprinted lanyards
  • Nylon imprinted lanyards
  • Tube imprinted lanyards
  • Dye-sublimated lanyards or full-color lanyards

Accessory for electronics

A USB flash drive with a webbing lanyard that includes a safety break-away feature – a predetermined and in this case reattachable segment (in black) meant to prevent accidental strangulation when the lanyard is worn around the neck

Lanyards are widely used with small electronic devices such as

MP3 players and USB flash drives to 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 a cow hitch. Some earphones incorporate the audio signal into the lanyard, meaning it doubles up as headphone cords as well. The Wii Remote
wrist 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

Lanyards are commonly used to display badges, tickets or ID cards for identification where security is required, such as

trade fairs, and backstage passes used in the entertainment 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 as keychains
, 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 including

Jacquard loom weaving, heat transfer, and offset printing
.

Safety strap

Lanyards are also often attached to dead man's switches or "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.

Many

nursing homes
, child care facilities, or factories that require employees to operate machinery.

Lineman lanyards

Lineman lanyards are used by lineworker utility 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

Certain lanyards are still worn on uniforms as decorations similar to an

Military William Order of the Netherlands and the German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship
.

A white lanyard has formed part of the uniform of Britain's Royal 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 the Auxiliary Territorial Service attached to RA units during World War II.[7] Certain battalions descended from the Durham Light Infantry wore green lanyards to denote their past links with the regiment, whose uniform had a dark green Facing colour from 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

References

  1. ^ a b "lanyard lan-yrd." Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary. Springfield: Merriam-Webster, 2004. Credo Reference. Web. 1 October 2012.
  2. ^ Wedgwood, Hensleigh (1855). "On False Etymologies". Transactions of the Philological Society (6): 68.
  3. ^ "lanyard." The Macquarie Dictionary. South Yarra: The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd., 2005. Credo Reference. Web. 1 October 2012.
  4. ^ "Garrison Artillery Volunteers". The Garrison. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  5. ^ "firing lanyard." McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003. Credo Reference. Web. 1 October 2012.
  6. ^ "The Mighty White Lanyard". Army Rumour Service.
  7. ISBN 0-948527-06-4
    , Plate 9, p. 7.
  8. ISBN 0-9508205-2-0
    , pp. 56–8.
  9. ISBN 9781845741471
    , p. 461.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lanyards.
Look up lanyard in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lanyard&oldid=1212344772"