U.S. patent application number 09/792560 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for worker's aid system and modified glove.
Invention is credited to Brunson, Mark E..
Application Number | 20010044949 09/792560 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26892787 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010044949 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brunson, Mark E. |
November 29, 2001 |
Worker's aid system and modified glove
Abstract
A worker's glove comprises a glove body having fingers, a palm
and a back. A hook-and-loop fastening system mounts a worker's aid
device on the glove back. The device is one or more devices
selected from the group consisting of a magnetic container, a
flashlight, a tape measure, a plumb bob, and a note pad. In a
preferred embodiment, the magnetic container is a cylindrical cup
having a magnet for securing screws, nut, bolts and other
magnetizable fasteners within the cup for ready access by the
worker. Several different devices can be stacked on the glove back.
The devices can also be mounted on the butt end of a drill
handle.
Inventors: |
Brunson, Mark E.;
(Bellefontaine, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID A. GREENLEE
P.O. BOX 340557
COLUMBUS
OH
43235
US
|
Family ID: |
26892787 |
Appl. No.: |
09/792560 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60197370 |
Apr 14, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/160 ; 2/161.6;
2/161.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/01594 20130101;
Y10S 206/818 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/160 ; 2/161.6;
2/161.8 |
International
Class: |
A41D 019/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A worker's aid for mounting on a support surface adjacent the
location of use in position for ready use by the worker, said
worker's aid comprising a mounting surface, a hook-and-loop
fastening system comprising hook and loop members, having one
member mounted on said mounting surface, with the other member
being mounted on the support surface such that the members are
interengageable to mount the aid on the support surface, said aid
including one or more devices selected from the group consisting of
a magnetic fastener container, an empty container, a flashlight, a
tape measure, a plumb bob, a level, and a note pad, said mounting
surface being selected from the group comprising a power tool and a
worker's glove.
2. The worker's aid of claim 1, wherein the device is a magnetic
container having side walls extending above the mounting surface
and having a permanent magnet secured to the container between the
side walls, said magnet being operable to attract and secure
fasteners within the container such that the side walls inhibit
inadvertent contact by a worker using the device, while enabling
ready access to the fasteners by the worker.
3. The worker's aid of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface is
located on the back of a worker's glove.
4. The worker's of claim 3, wherein the device is a magnetic
container having side walls extending above the mounting surface
and having a permanent magnet secured to the container between the
side walls, said magnet being operable to attract and secure
fasteners within the container such that the side walls shield the
fasteners from inadvertent contact by a worker using the device,
while enabling ready access to the fasteners by the worker.
5. The worker's aid of claim 1, including a plurality of devices,
one of which is a base device mounted on the mounting surface, each
device having cooperable connectors which connect the devices
together for ready access by a worker.
6. The worker's aid of claim 1, wherein the support surface is
located on the butt end of a power drill handle.
7. A worker's glove comprising a glove body having fingers
extending therefrom, a palm and a back for wearing by a worker, and
one member of a hook-and-loop member fastening system mounted on
the back, a worker's aid device having the other hook-and-lop
fastener member mounted on a mounting surface for engaging the one
member to mount the device on the glove back, the worker's aid
device being a magnet, said magnet being operable to attract and
secure magnetizable objects within the container such that the side
walls inhibit inadvertent contact by a worker using the device,
while enabling ready access to the fasteners by the worker.
8. The worker's glove of claim 7, wherein the device is selected
from the group consisting of one or more devices selected from the
group consisting of an empty container, a flashlight, a tape
measure, a plumb bob, and a note pad, and a magnetic container
having side walls extending above the mounting surface and having a
permanent magnet secured to the container between the side
walls.
9. The worker's glove of claim 8, wherein the magnetic container is
a cylindrical cup, with the magnet secured to the mounting surface
and the side walls extending upward from the mounting surface.
10. The worker's glove of claim 9, wherein the glove palm is
padded.
11. A system for aiding a worker while using a hand tool,
comprising a glove mounting one member of a two-member hook-an-loop
fastener system, a plurality of worker aids, including an open-top
container having a bottom and upstanding side wall, the other
member of the hook-and-loop fastening system mounted on the outside
of the container bottom, and a magnet mounted within the container
for attracting and securing magnetizable fasteners within the
container, said members being interengageable to mount the
container on the glove back so that the fasteners are readily
accessible to the worker, but are substantially shielded.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of workers aids
additionally consists of an empty container, a notepad, a plumb
bob, a level, a flashlight, and a tape measure, are mountable
singly or in combination on the glove, each aid having cooperable
connectors which connect the devices together, and at least one of
the aids having said other member of the hook-and-loop fastener
system mounted on it.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates to worker's aids and a glove modified
to incorporate these aids and, more particularly, to an aid system
comprising a plurality of worker's aids that are mountable to a
glove or to a tool singly or in combination to facilitate
completion of jobs which require the use of hand tools.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Many jobs done by workers require the use of hand tools and
many accessories. For example, the job of hanging dry wall requires
the worker to use a hand drill to drive screws through the drywall
to secure it to studs. For high walls and ceilings, this requires
the worker to mount a ladder. In all cases, the worker must keep a
supply of screws handy for convenience and to save time. Usually,
this supply of screws is kept in an apron pouch in which they are
jumbled. When the worker blindly sticks his hand into the pouch to
retrieve a screw, he usually encounters the points of several
screws, which can nick the skin or cut beneath the fingernail, both
of which are painful. The same problem is encountered by carpenters
and their use of nails.
[0005] In addition, many other worker aids are needed for these
types of jobs, such as a plumb bob, a level, a tape measure, note
paper, and flashlight. A worker must hang all these devices from a
tool belt or keep them in apron or pants pockets. If not, he must
dismount a ladder and seek them out. Doing this costs time and
inconvenience, both of which present a problem to the efficient use
of worker's time.
[0006] This problem has been only partially recognized insofar as
fasteners are concerned. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,073--Finnegan, a
wrist band that is secured to a farrier's wrist and includes a
magnet to which attracts horseshoe nails located in a pocket.
[0007] Another proposed solution is to provide a holder having a
magnet that attracts screws and is fastened to a worker's belt, as
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,807--Wright. This device maintains the
screws in an exposed condition, subject to being scraped off by
engaging a ladder, or other impediment, and still requires the
worker to retrieve screws blindly, exposing him to cuts and nicks,
as before. Also, no provision is made for other worker aids.
[0008] However, these patents address only the accessibility of
screws or farrier's nails and do not solve the problem of a
worker's frequent need of accessories, such as tape measure, a
plumb line, a level, pencil and paper, flashlight and other items,
nor do they address the problem of exposed pointed fasteners.
[0009] Thus, there is a need for a system for keeping a plurality
of worker aids for holding screws, and other types of fasteners,
and other items close by a worker in a handy position so that the
item(s) are readily retrievable and are observable by the worker,
so as to eliminate the problems of minor hand and finger injuries
by screw points.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a
system for keeping a plurality of worker aids for holding screws
and other items close by a worker in a handy position for
retrieval, which is observable and eliminates the problems of minor
hand and finger injuries by screw points.
[0011] In one aspect, this invention features system for aiding a
worker while using a hand tool, comprising a glove mounting one
member of a two-member hook-an-loop fastener system, a plurality of
worker aids, including an open-top container having a bottom and
upstanding side wall, the other member of the hook-and-loop
fastening system mounted on the outside of the container bottom,
and a magnet mounted within the container for attracting and
securing magnetizable fasteners within the container, said members
being interengageable to mount the container on the glove back so
that the fasteners are readily accessible to the worker, but are
substantially shielded.
[0012] In another aspect, this invention features worker's aid for
mounting on a support surface adjacent the location of use in
position for ready use by the worker, said worker's aid comprising
a mounting surface, a hook-and-loop fastening system comprising
hook and loop members, having one member mounted on said mounting
surface, with the other member being mounted on the support surface
such that the members are interengageable to mount the aid on the
support surface. The aid can include one or more devices selected
from the group consisting of a magnetic container, a flashlight, a
tape measure, a plumb bob, and a note pad, said mounting surface
being selected from the group comprising a power tool and a
worker's glove.
[0013] In a further aspect, this invention features a worker's
glove comprising a glove body having fingers, a palm and a back for
wearing by a worker, with one member of a hook-and-loop member
fastening system mounted on the back. A worker's aid device having
the other hook-and-lop fastener member is mounted on a mounting
surface for engaging the one member to mount the device on the
glove back. In one form, the aid is a magnet for attracting and
securing fasteners for ready accessibility by the worker. The
worker's aid device can also be one of a group consisting of one or
more devices selected from the group consisting of a magnetic
container, an empty container, a flashlight, a tape measure, a
plumb bob, and a note pad.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the aid device is a magnetic
container having side walls extending above the mounting surface
and having a permanent magnet secured to the container between the
side walls. The magnet is operable to attract and secure fasteners
within the container such that the side walls inhibit inadvertent
contact by a worker using the device, while enabling ready access
to the fasteners by the worker.
[0015] These and other objects and features of this invention will
become more readily apparent upon reference to the following
detailed description of a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in
the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a worker's glove having a
fastener container aid installed on its back, according to this
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the glove of FIG. 1, shown without
the aid device;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the glove of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view of a power drill having an aid device
according to this invention installed;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the aid devices
according to this invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another of the aid devices
according to this invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of a stack of aid devices according to
this invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the fastener
container aid of FIG. 1; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a plumb bob aid,
according to this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a worker's glove 10 which has a glove
body 12, fingers 14 and a thumb 16, which are preferably cut out at
their ends 14', 16'. This enables glove 10 to protect the worker's
hand W, yet enable use of the fingertips for maximum tactile use.
Glove 10 further includes wrist straps 18, 20 which are cinched
about the workman's wrist and secured by a hook-and-loop fastener
system 22, 24. The palm 26 of glove 10 is padded to protect the
hand palm.
[0026] A mounting pad or surface 28 is sewn, glued or otherwise
secured to the back 30 of glove 10, and mounts a circle of loop
material 32 which forms one member (here the loop member) of a
hook-and-loop fastening system of common type. Any one of a
plurality or worker's aids can be mounted on loop material 32 so as
to be visible to and readily accessible to the worker. In FIG. 1, a
fastener container aid 34 is shown mounted on glove back 30.
[0027] Fastener container aid 34, shown in greater detail in FIG.
8, includes a plastic or metal container that is preferably
cylindrical and includes a bottom 36 and upstanding side walls 38.
A circular permanent magnet 40 is glued or otherwise secured to the
inside of bottom 36, while a segment of hook material 42 is glued
or otherwise secured to the outside of bottom 36. Magnet 40
attracts and secures a plurality of fasteners, here shown as
drywall screws 44, within the interior of container aid 34, secure
from inadvertent engagement by a workers body or a ladder or a wall
or other object. As seen in FIG. 1, the location on the back of
glove 30 places a supply of screws 44 within the vision of the
worker and convenient for retrieval for use.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates another convenient location of fastener
container 34 aid for ease of fastener retrieval. Here a power drill
46 mounts the hook material on the butt end of the battery case 48
on the end of its handle 50. Since the screws 44 are held
magnetically, they do not fallout and are in convenient reach of
the worker.
[0029] FIGS. 5-9 illustrate other worker's aids included in the
worker's aid system. FIG. 5 shows a pad of notepaper 52 mounted on
a base cylindrical 54 that may optionally house a tape measure or
other aid. In FIG. 6, the aid is a cylindrical flashlight 56 that
includes a lens 58 and a switch 60. FIG. 9 illustrates a circular
container 62 housing a spring-loaded reel 64 that stores a reel of
string 66 having a plumb bob 68 at its end. FIG. 7 shows a stack of
a plurality of aids, such as a tape measure 64, a cable reel 66,
and a partitioned container 68 for holding odds and ends, having
the hook material 70 on its bottom outside.
[0030] To hold the various combinations of worker's aid together,
male 72 and female 74 screw threads are provided on the tops and
bottoms of the various aids. With this system, a worker can
assemble whatever aids are needed and the climb a ladder to begin
work. If an aid is no longer needed, it can be unscrewed and placed
in an apron pocket.
[0031] While only a preferred embodiment has been described and
shown, obvious modifications are contemplated within the scope of
this invention as defined by the following claims. For example, the
hook-and-loop members could be switched, other types of connectors,
such as snap-on or adhesive or magnetic could be used. It is also
contemplated that this invention can be used to attract and hold
any type of magnetizable fastener, such as nuts, bolts, washers,
nails, and screws, or other magnetizable objects useful to workers
such as carpenters, auto workers, and other tradesmen.
[0032] Also, the magnet in the magnetic container, when not used to
attract and hold fasteners, could be used to secure another aid
having magnetizable components. It is important only that the
various aids can be easily attached to the glove or tool and can be
easily assembled in various combinations and be easily
disassembled.
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