U.S. patent application number 09/747132 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-02 for tool holder device for hexagonal wrenches.
Invention is credited to Hu, Bobby.
Application Number | 20010010291 09/747132 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21663911 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010010291 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hu, Bobby |
August 2, 2001 |
Tool holder device for hexagonal wrenches
Abstract
A tool holder device comprises a main board, a slide seat
releasably engaged with the main board and including a plurality of
pegs, and a tool holder including a plurality of receptacles with
different diameters for releasably holding wrenches of various
sizes. The tool holder is releasably engaged with the slide seat.
Each receptacle includes a resilient holding member for releasably
holding an associated wrench in place. When the tool holder is
engaged with the slide seat, each peg of the-slide seat is received
in an associated receptacle of the tool holder, and a wrench
received in the tool holder rests on an associated peg with the
wrench being not held by an associated holding means, thereby
allowing ready removal of the wrench from the tool holder.
Inventors: |
Hu, Bobby; (Taichung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RIDER BENNETT EGAN & ARUNDEL
Suite 2000
333 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
21663911 |
Appl. No.: |
09/747132 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/377 ;
211/70.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/377 ;
211/70.6 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 31, 2000 |
TW |
89202016 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tool holder device comprising: a main board; a slide seat
releasably engaged with the main board and including a plurality of
pegs; and a tool holder including a plurality of receptacles with
different diameters for releasably holding wrenches of various
sizes, the tool holder being releasably engaged with the slide
seat, each said receptacle including means for releasably holding
an associated wrench in place; wherein when the tool holder is
engaged with the slide seat, each said peg of the slide seat is
received in an associated said receptacle of the tool holder, and a
wrench received in the tool holder rests on an associated said peg
with the wrench being not held by an associated said holding means,
thereby allowing ready removal of the wrench from the tool
holder.
2. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool
holder includes a first side and a second side, the slide seat
including a first guide groove and a second guide groove for
sliding engagement with the first side and the second side of the
tool holder, respectively.
3. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tool
holder includes a first engaging member and the slide seat includes
a second engaging member for releasably engaging with the first
engaging member.
4. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slide
seat includes two lateral wings and the main board includes two
lateral guide grooves for sliding engagement with the lateral wings
of the slide seat, respectively.
5. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of
two lateral sides defining the longitudinal slot includes at least
one resilient piece extending into the longitudinal slot, said at
least one resilient piece including a slot to provide increased
resiliency.
6. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said at
least one resilient piece includes a protrusion that is in friction
contact with an associated said lateral wing of the slide seat yet
allows sliding movement of the associated lateral wing in the
lateral guide groove.
7. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wrench
is an Allen wrench.
8. A tool holder device comprising: a main board having a plurality
of pegs thereon; and a tool holder releasably engaged with the main
board, the tool holder including a plurality of receptacles with
different diameters for releasably holding wrenches of various
sizes, each said receptacle including means for releasably holding
an associated wrench in place; wherein when the tool holder is
engaged with the main board, each said peg of the main board is
received in an associated said receptacle of the tool holder, and a
wrench received in the tool holder rests on an associated said peg
with the wrench being not held by an associated said holding means,
thereby allowing ready removal of the wrench from the tool
holder.
9. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tool
holder includes a first side and a second side, the main board
including a first guide groove and a second guide groove for
sliding engagement with the first side and the second side of the
tool holder, respectively.
10. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tool
holder includes a first engaging member and the main board includes
a second engaging member for releasably engaging with the first
engaging member.
11. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
wrench is an Allen wrench.
12. A tool holder device comprising: a main board; and a seat
including a plurality of pegs having holes of different diameters
for holding wrenches of various sizes.
13. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the seat
is in sliding engagement with the main board.
14. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the seat
includes two lateral wings and the main board includes two lateral
guide grooves for sliding engagement with the lateral wings of the
seat, respectively.
15. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of
two lateral sides defining the longitudinal slot includes at least
one resilient piece extending into the longitudinal slot, said at
least one resilient piece including a slot to provide increased
resiliency.
16. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said at
least one resilient piece includes a protrusion that is in friction
contact with an associated said lateral wing of the seat yet allows
sliding movement of the associated lateral wing in the lateral
guide groove.
17. The tool holder device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
wrench is a T-shape wrench.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a tool holder device, and
more particularly to a tool holder device that allows easy and
ready removal of hexagonal wrenches (i.e., Allen wrenches).
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Allen wrenches are widely used in daily life, and tool
holders therefor are used. A typical Allen wrench holder, as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 of Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 311514,
generally comprises a number of receiving holes each having a
flange formed on an inner periphery thereof for holding a
relatively longer section of an Allen wrench. However, the flange
is apt to be worn out after a term of usage and thus loses its
holding function. In addition, removal of an Allen wrench held in
the, e.g., fifth receiving hole requires previous 90.degree.
rotation of four Allen wrenches held in the preceding four
receiving holes. Furthermore, the holder is usually made of plastic
and thus might shrink during manufacture, which may affect the
dimension of the flange. As a result, the Allen wrench may not be
reliably held in place, as itself has a certain tolerance. FIGS. 3
and 4 of Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 311514 illustrate
another conventional Allen wrench holder which comprises a number
of receiving holes each for holding the relatively longer section
of an Allen wrench. Although retaining ribs are provided, the
retaining effect is poor such that the Allen wrench is apt to
disengage from the retaining ribs and thus declines. As a result,
the Allen wrench may completely disengage from the holder. In order
to solve this problem, Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 311514
discloses an Allen wrench holder that includes two retaining points
for each Allen wrench to be held, one for retaining the relatively
longer section of the Allen wrench, while the other for retaining
the relatively shorter section of the Allen wrench. Yet, the Allen
wrench will sway if it only engages with one of the retaining
points. In addition, the user must align the Allen wrench with the
retaining points and then apply a force to insert the Allen wrench
into the receiving compartment so as to hold the Allen wrench by
the two retaining points. However, such operation requires both
hands. Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 295896 discloses an
Allen wrench holder that has receiving compartments defined in both
sides thereof for receiving Allen wrenches. Namely, it is merely a
duplicate of the structure of Taiwan Utility Model Publication No.
311514 and thus has the same disadvantage. In addition, there is a
long and unfulfilled need in a tool holder that may hold hexagonal
wrenches in an upright manner and allow ready removal of the Allen
wrenches for easy use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide
an improved tool holder device that includes a tool holder for
holding hexagonal wrenches in an upright manner and allowing ready
removal of the Allen wrenches for easy use.
[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a tool
holder device comprises a main board, a slide seat releasably
engaged with the main board and including a plurality of pegs, and
a tool holder including a plurality of receptacles with different
diameters for releasably holding wrenches of various sizes. The
tool holder is releasably engaged with the slide seat. Each
receptacle includes means for releasably holding an associated
wrench in place. When the tool holder is engaged with the slide
seat, each peg of the slide seat is received in an associated
receptacle of the tool holder, and a wrench received in the tool
holder rests on an associated peg with the wrench being not held by
an associated holding means, thereby allowing ready removal of the
wrench from the tool holder.
[0007] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a tool
holder device comprises a main board having a plurality of pegs
thereon, and a tool holder releasably engaged with the main board.
The tool holder includes a plurality of receptacles with different
diameters for releasably holding wrenches of various sizes. Each
receptacle includes means for releasably holding an associated
wrench in place. When the tool holder is engaged with the main
board, each peg of the main board is received in an associated
receptacle of the tool holder, and a wrench received in the tool
holder rests on an associated peg with the wrench being not held by
an associated holding means, thereby allowing ready removal of the
wrench from the tool holder.
[0008] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a tool
holder device comprises a main board and a seat including a
plurality of pegs having holes of different diameters for holding
wrenches of various sizes.
[0009] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment
of a tool holder device in accordance with the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool holder device in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating use of a tool holder of
the tool holder device in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second
embodiment of the tool holder device in accordance with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tool holder device in
FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment
of the tool holder device in accordance with the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tool holder device in
FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating use of the tool
holder device in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 through
3, a tool holder in accordance with the present invention generally
includes a tool holder 10, a slide seat 20, and a main board 30.
The tool holder 10 includes a first side 11 and a second side 12
with an engaging member 13 formed thereon. A plurality of
receptacles 14 is defined between the first side 10 and the second
side 12. The receptacles 14 have different diameters for receiving
wrenches (e.g., Allen wrenches) of various sizes. A wall defining a
portion of each receptacle 14 includes a resilient holding element
141 (FIG. 3) that extends into the respective receptacle 14, which
will be described later.
[0020] The slide seat 20 includes a first guide groove 21 and a
second guide groove 21 for sliding engagement with the first side
11 and the second side 12 of the tool holder 10, respectively. The
slide seat 20 further includes an engaging member 23 for releasably
engaging with the engaging member 13 of the tool holder 10 to
thereby retain the tool holder 10 in place. The slide seat 20
further includes a plurality of pegs 24 on which the Allen wrenches
100 (FIG. 3) rest. The slide seat 20 further includes two lateral
wings 25, which will be described later.
[0021] The main board 30 includes two lateral guide grooves 31 for
sliding engagement with the lateral wings 25 of the slide seat 20.
In this embodiment, the main board 30 includes a longitudinal slot
36 with an open side for releasable engagement with the main board
30. Each of two lateral sides 34 defining the longitudinal slot 36
includes a plurality of resilient pieces 32 extending into the
longitudinal slot 36. Each resilient piece 32 includes a slot 321
to provide increased resiliency. In addition, each resilient piece
32 includes a protrusion 322 that is in friction contact with an
associated lateral wing 25 of the slide seat 20 yet allows sliding
movement of the lateral wing 25 in the lateral guide groove 31.
[0022] In assembly, the first side 11 and the second side 12 of the
tool holder 10 are engaged with and slid along the guide grooves 21
and 22 of the slide seat 20 and the engaging member 13 of the tool
holder 10 is engaged with the engaging member 23 of the slide seat
20. The tool holder 10 is thus secured on the slide seat 20 with
each peg 24 of the slide seat 20 received in an associated
receptacle 14 of the tool holder 10. Next, the lateral wings 25 of
the slide seat 20 are engaged with and slid along the lateral guide
grooves 31 of the main board 30. It is noted that the protrusion
322 on each resilient piece 32 is in friction contact with an
associated lateral wing 25 of the slide seat 20 yet allows sliding
movement of the lateral wing 25 in the lateral guide groove 31. The
slot 321 in each resilient piece 32 allows slight upward movement
when the protrusion 322 is in contact with the associated lateral
wing 25. The slide seat 20 is retained in the lateral guide grooves
31 of the main board 30 unless the user applies a relatively larger
longitudinal force to overcome the friction between the protrusions
322 and the lateral wings 25 to thereby pull the slide seat 20 away
from the main board 30.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 3, after assembly, the user may
directly put an Allen wrench 100 in an associated receptacle 14
with a relatively longer side (not labeled) of the Allen wrench 100
inserting into the associated receptacle 14 and with an end face of
the relatively longer side resting on a top of the associated peg
24. It is noted that the Allen wrench 100 is not "clamped" or held
by the resilient holding member 141 of the tool holder 10. This
allows the user to readily remove the Allen wrench 100 for use. In
addition, the Allen wrench 100 is elevated by an associated peg 24
and stands in an upright manner which further facilitates easy and
ready removal of the Allen wrench 100.
[0024] The tool holder 10 may be disengaged from the slide seat 20
for separate use. In this case, the relatively longer sections of
the Allen wrenches 100 may be inserted into associated receptacles
14 and held in place by associated resilient holding members 141
projected from the walls defining the receptacles 14, best shown in
FIG. 4. Removal of the Allen wrench 100 can be achieved by pulling
the respective Allen wrench 100 from the respective receptacle
14.
[0025] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified embodiment of the tool
holder device, wherein the main board and the slide seat in the
first embodiment are integrally formed. More particularly, in this
embodiment, the tool holder device includes a tool holder 10 and a
main board 40. The tool holder 10 includes a first side 11 and a
second side 12 with an engaging member 13 formed thereon. A
plurality of receptacles 14 is defined between the first side 10
and the second side 12. The receptacles 14 have different diameters
for receiving wrenches (e.g., Allen wrenches) of various sizes. A
wall defining a portion of each receptacle 14 includes a resilient
holding element (not shown) that extends into the respective
receptacle 14 for holding an associated Allen wrench in place. The
main board 40 includes a first guide groove 41 and a second guide
groove 41 for sliding engagement with the first side 11 and the
second side 12 of the tool holder 10, respectively. The main board
40 further includes an engaging member 43 for releasably engaging
with the engaging member 13 of the tool holder 10 to thereby retain
the tool holder in place 10. The main board 40 further includes a
plurality of pegs 44 on which the Allen wrenches rest.
[0026] After assembly, the user may directly put an Allen wrench in
an associated receptacle 14 with a relatively longer side of the
Allen wrench inserting into the associated receptacle 14 and with
an end face of the relatively longer side resting on a top of the
associated peg 24. It is noted that the Allen wrench is not
"clamped" or held by the resilient holding member 141 of the tool
holder 10. This allows the user to readily remove the Allen wrench
for use. In addition, the Allen wrench is elevated by an associated
peg 24 and stands in an upright manner which further facilitates
easy and ready removal of the Allen wrench.
[0027] The tool holder 10 may be disengaged from the main board 40
for separate use. In this case, the relatively longer sections of
the Allen wrenches may be inserted into associated receptacles 14
and held in place by associated resilient holding members projected
from the walls defining the receptacles. Removal of the Allen
wrench can be achieved by pulling the respective Allen wrench from
the respective receptacle 14.
[0028] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a further modified embodiment of
the invention. In this embodiment, the tool holder device includes
a main board 30 and a seat 50. The main board 30 includes two
lateral guide grooves 31 for sliding engagement with two lateral
wings 52 of the seat 50. The main board 30 includes a longitudinal
slot 36 with an open side (not labeled) for releasable engagement
with the main board 30. Each of two lateral sides 34 defining the
longitudinal slot 36 includes a plurality of resilient pieces 32
extending into the longitudinal slot 36. Each resilient piece 32
includes a slot 321 to provide increased resiliency. In addition,
each resilient piece 32 includes a protrusion 322 that is in
friction contact with an associated lateral wing 52 of the slide
seat 50 yet allows sliding movement of the lateral wing 52 in the
lateral guide groove 31. The slide seat 50 includes a plurality of
pegs 53 having holes (not labeled) of different diameters for
holding T-shape Allen wrenches 110 (FIG. 9) of various sizes.
[0029] According to the above description, it is appreciated that
the tool holder device in accordance with the present invention
allows easy and ready removal of Allen wrenches that are supported
in an upright manner. The Allen wrenches are elevated to facilitate
removal. It is noted that the tool holder is not limited to the
illustrated holding member 141 for holding Allen wrenches in place;
namely, other types of holding member can be used to achieve the
purpose of holding Allen wrenches in place.
[0030] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
* * * * *