U.S. patent application number 10/739672 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-23 for belt hook for a power tool.
Invention is credited to Lawrence, Bobby Lynn.
Application Number | 20050133552 10/739672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34677671 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050133552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lawrence, Bobby Lynn |
June 23, 2005 |
Belt hook for a power tool
Abstract
A belt hook for a power tool includes an L-shaped member having
a free end and an attachment end. The attachment end is configured
for removably and lockingly mating with an attachment point of a
power tool. The free end is configured for coupling to a storage
location, such as a belt. The attachment end includes a spring arm
having a knob that is configured to engage a notch in an opening
defined in a power tool. Where the power tool is a nailer, the
opening extends through the back leg of the nailer. The belt hook
may be positioned on either side of the back leg.
Inventors: |
Lawrence, Bobby Lynn;
(Lawrenceburg, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lorri W. Cooper
JONES DAY
901 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
34677671 |
Appl. No.: |
10/739672 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/269 ;
224/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0575 20130101;
B25H 3/00 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F 2200/0566 20130101;
A45F 5/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/269 ;
224/271 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A belt hook for a power tool comprising: an L-shaped member
having a free end and an attachment end, with the attachment end
configured for removably mating with an attachment point of a power
tool and the free end configured for coupling to a storage
location.
2. The belt hook of claim 1, wherein the free end of the L-shaped
member is configured for coupling to a belt of a user.
3. The belt hook of claim 1, wherein the attachment end of the
L-shaped member includes a spring arm.
4. The belt hook of claim 3, wherein the attachment end includes an
inner ledge, a middle portion having the spring arm, and an outer
stop member, with the attachment end being configured to extend
into and through an opening in a power tool and be turnable within
the opening to lock the attachment end to a power tool.
5. The belt hook of claim 3, wherein the spring arm includes an
outwardly extending knob, configured to removably lockingly mate
with an attachment point of a power tool.
6. The belt hook of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped member has a
first leg and a second leg, with the first leg being oriented
perpendicular to the second leg.
7. The belt hook of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped member is
plastic.
8. A belt hook for a nailer comprising: means for removably
attaching a nailer to a belt of a user.
9. A belt hook for a power tool comprising: a rigid member having a
free end and an attachment end, with the attachment end having a
spring arm, the attachment end configured to engage and releasably
lock into an opening in a power tool.
10. The belt hook of claim 9, wherein the spring arm includes a
knob configured for mating with a notch defined in an opening of a
power tool.
11. The belt hook of claim 9, wherein the attachment end includes
an inner ledge, a middle portion that includes the spring arm, and
an outer stop member, with the outer stop member having an oval
cross-section, the middle portion having a cylindrical shape, and
the inner ledge having a circular cross-section.
12. A power tool comprising: a housing having an attachment opening
defined in the housing; and the belt hook of claim 1, wherein the
attachment end is configured for releasably coupling with the
attachment opening.
13. The power tool of claim 12, wherein the attachment opening
extends through a portion of the housing.
14. The power tool of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a leg
and the attachment opening extends through the leg.
15. The power tool of claim 12, wherein the attachment end of the
belt hook includes a spring arm for locking into the attachment
opening.
16. The power tool of claim 15, wherein the spring arm includes an
outwardly extending knob and the attachment opening includes a
notch configured to accept the knob of the spring arm.
17. The power tool of claim 14, wherein the attachment end includes
an inner ledge configured to abut a side of the leg of the power
tool in the vicinity of the attachment opening, a middle portion
configured to extend into the attachment opening and including the
spring arm, and an outer stop member configured to extend out of
the opening on the opposite side of the leg from the inner ledge,
said stop member configured to hold the belt hook securely in
position on the leg upon rotation of the belt hook.
18. The power tool of claim 12, wherein the belt hook has a first
leg of the L extending perpendicularly from a surface of the
housing and a second leg of the L extending perpendicularly from
the first leg of the L, and the second leg of the L is configured
to engage a belt of a user.
19. A power tool comprising; a housing having an attachment opening
defined therethough; and the belt hook of claim 9, wherein the
attachment end is configured for releasably coupling with the
attachment opening.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The claimed invention relates to a belt hook for a power
tool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Power tools, and particularly pneumatic power tools,
typically include a metal housing that has a handle. A hose is
connected to the power tool in the vicinity of the handle.
Alternatively, with battery operated tools, a battery pack is
installed on the power tool. Oftentimes, power packs are also
installed in the vicinity of the handle. Power tools may be powered
in a number of different manners, including combustion, electric,
powder-activated, pneumatic, battery, and otherwise as known in the
art.
[0003] When not in use, users of power tools often prefer to hang
the tool from a belt or on other objects, such as ladders,
scaffolding or the like at a job site. Power tools are often used
in tight spaces. Therefore, shape and size is important to the
overall power tool design.
[0004] Nail guns are utilized to drive nails or staples into
surfaces. They typically utilize a separate magazine portion for
storing a stick of nails or staples prior to nailing to a surface.
The magazine is attached between respective ends of the main
housing and the handle of the nail gun. Magazines on small nailers
or staplers typically hold a single stick of nails. Additional
sticks of nails are usually stored in a box and the user must
either lug the box around during use of the nailer, or must return
to the location of the box when the nailer magazine is empty.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to the invention, a belt hook for a power tool
comprises an L-shaped member having a free end and an attachment
end. The attachment end is configured for removably mating with an
attachment point of a power tool. The free end is configured for
coupling to a storage location.
[0006] In another embodiment, a belt hook for a nailer comprises
means for removably attaching a nailer to a belt of a user.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, a belt hook for a power tool
comprises a rigid member having a free end and an attachment end.
The attachment end has a spring arm and is configured to engage and
releasably lock into an opening in a power tool.
[0008] In another embodiment, a power tool comprises a housing and
the belt hook, described above. The housing includes an attachment
opening defined in the housing. The attachment end of the belt hook
is configured for releasably coupling with the attachment
opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a nailer incorporating a belt hook
and a storage caddy according to the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the nailer incorporating
the belt hook and storage caddy shown in FIG. 1, but with the belt
hook positioned on the opposite side of the nailer;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the nailer of FIG. 1
showing the storage caddy in an open position;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a belt hook according to the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the belt hook of FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the belt hook of FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the belt hook of FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the belt hook of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the nailer showing the back
leg of the nailer incorporating an opening for receiving the belt
hook;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a partial side view of the nailer similar to FIG.
9, but showing the belt hook installed in the opening in the back
leg of the nailer;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the belt hook installed
in the opening on the back leg of the nailer, taken at line 11-11
in FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a storage caddy according
to the invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the storage caddy of
FIG. 12;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the storage caddy of FIG. 12,
shown with the door in an open position;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a partial side view of the magazine having the
nail caddy installed thereon; and
[0024] FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the magazine
and an end view of the storage caddy, taken at line 16-16 in FIG.
15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] A power tool in the form of a nailer 10 is shown in FIGS.
1-3 incorporating a belt hook 30 and a storage caddy 70 according
to the invention. The nailer 10 is a tool that is utilized to drive
nails, brads, staples, or other fasteners into building materials,
such as building studs or trim work. The nailer 10 includes a
housing 12 having a handle 14, a trigger 16, a magazine 18, and a
nose piece 20. The magazine 18 houses the fasteners. A back leg
extends down from the handle 14 to meet the magazine 18. The back
leg 22 provides a support for the magazine 18 and the handle 14.
The other end of the magazine 18 is connected to the nose piece
20.
[0026] A pneumatic nailer 10 is typically connected to an air
compressor by a hose, which is coupled to the handle 14 utilizing a
fitting 24 in a conventional manner. An air passageway extends from
the fitting 24 through the housing 12 of the tool to the nose piece
20. The nose piece 20 is utilized for driving fasteners into a
surface. The magazine 18 urges nails into the nose piece 20 and the
nose piece cooperates with the trigger 16 in order to allow the
release of nails from the magazine 18 utilizing compressed air.
[0027] The belt hook 30 is shown positioned on the left side 26 of
the nailer 10 in FIGS. 1 and 3 and on the right side 28 of the
nailer 10 in FIG. 2. The belt hook 30 is preferably removable from
the nailer 10 and interchangeable with opposite sides 26, 28 of the
nailer 10.
[0028] The back leg 22 of the nailer 10 includes an opening 32 that
extends through the back leg 22, as shown in FIG. 9. The opening 32
is oval or oblong in shape and is sized and shaped to accept the
belt hook 30. In a preferred embodiment, the opening 32 in the back
leg 22 extends entirely through the back leg 22 so that the belt
hook 30 can be positioned on the left or right side 26, 28 of the
nailer 10. The belt hook 30 is positionable on either side of the
back leg 22 in order to allow a left or right handed user to
position the hook 30 on a convenient side. In addition, the belt
hook 30 is configured to be easily removable from the opening 32 in
the back leg 22 in order to allow for use of the nailer 10 in tight
spaces. The belt hook 30 is easily positionable within the opening
32 and removable without the use of tools.
[0029] FIGS. 4-8 depict the belt hook 30. The belt hook 30 is an
L-shaped, rigid member that has an attachment end 34 and a free end
36. The attachment end 34 is for attaching to the opening 32 in the
back leg 22 while the free end 36 is configured for attaching to a
storage location (not shown). The L-shaped member 30 includes a
first leg of the L 38 and a second leg of the L 40. The first and
second legs 38, 40 are preferably perpendicular to one another. In
an alternative embodiment, which is not shown, the first and second
legs are angled at an angle other than 90 degrees, but are
configured relative to one another so that they allow attachment to
a storage location, such as a belt, scaffolding, or otherwise.
[0030] The first leg of the L 38 is cylindrical along parts of its
length. The attachment end 34 includes an inner ledge 42 that is
configured to rest against the side 26, 28 of the back leg 22. The
inner ledge 42 has a dimension that is greater than the dimension
of the opening 32 in the back leg 22 so that it serves as a stop
against the side 26, 28 of the tool 10.
[0031] The attachment end 34 includes a middle portion 44 that is
configured to seat inside the opening 32 of the back leg 22. The
middle portion 44 is cylindrical and includes a cut out 46 that
forms a spring arm 48. The spring arm 48 is resilient and can bend
inwardly and spring outwardly with the application of force. The
spring arm 48 has a spring arm free end 50 that includes an
outwardly extending knob 52. The knob 52 is sized to mate with a
notch 54 defined inside the opening 32 in the back leg 22 of the
nailer 10. The notch 54 is positioned inside the opening 32 so that
the belt hook 30 can only be positioned in a single desired
position, which is obtained upon rotation of the hook 30 into the
proper position. The spring arm 48 together with the notch 54
provide a spring loaded detent for positioning the belt hook 30 in
a specific position relative to the tool 10.
[0032] The attachment end 34 also includes an outer stop member 56
that has a shape and size configured to fit through the opening 32
in the back leg 22. The stop member 56 has outwardly extending legs
58 so that after the attachment end 34 is inserted through the
opening 32 and the inner ledge 42 abuts the side 26, 28 of the back
leg 22, the belt hook 30 can be turned so that the outwardly
extending legs 58 abut the opposite side of the back leg 22 to hold
the belt hook 30 in position. In a preferred embodiment, where an
oval opening is provided in the back leg 22, the inner ledge 42 is
circular, the middle portion 44 is cylindrical, and the outer stop
member 56 is oval or oblong in cross-section. Other shapes and
sizes for the opening 32 and the attachment end 34 may also be
utilized. For example, a rectangular opening and a rectangular
attachment end may be used, where the stop member 56 is
rectangular. In this instance, the inner ledge and middle portion
may remain cylindrical, or can take on another desired shape.
[0033] The second leg of the L 40 is preferably flat and smooth and
may include a bend 60. The bend 60 is utilized to restrain the belt
hook 30 on a belt or other surface and to make it easier to place
or remove the belt hook 30 from a belt or other surface.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 11, in operation, the user selects a side
26, 28 of the back leg 22 and inserts the attachment end 34 of the
belt hook 30 into the opening 32 in the back leg 22. The opening 32
in the back leg 22 preferably includes the inner notch 54
configured for mating with the knob 52 on the spring arm 48. The
user inserts the attachment end 34 into the opening 32 until the
inner ledge 42 abuts the side 26, 28 of the back leg 22 and the
stop member 56 is positioned outside of the opening 32 on the
opposite side of the back leg 22. At this position, the spring arm
48 is bent inwardly. The user then rotates the belt hook 30 until
the knob 52 mates with the inner notch 54, at which point the
spring arm 48 snaps outwardly to lock the belt hook 30 in position.
Thus, the user receives a tactile response and may hear a clicking
noise when the belt hook 30 is rotated into the locked position. In
order to remove the belt hook 30 from the opening 32, the user
applies rotational force sufficient to dislodge the knob 52 from
the inner notch 54 and bend the spring arm 48 inwardly. Once the
knob 52 has been dislodged from the notch 54 and the stop member 56
is aligned with the opening 32 in the back leg 22, the user can
withdraw the belt hook 30 out of the opening 32.
[0035] The belt hook 30 is preferably made of a plastic material,
such as nylon. Other types of materials may also be used, as long
as they have sufficient strength to hold a power tool.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the first leg 38 has a length of
about 11/2 inches for the portion of the leg that extends outwardly
from the tool and the second leg 40 has a length of about 21/2
inches. Other dimensions for the belt hook 30 may also be utilized,
as desired. It is preferred that the first leg 38 have a length
sufficient so that the belt hook 30 extends past the outermost side
of the tool 10. Thus, leg length will be dependent on the size of
the power tool. In addition, there may be instances where it is
desirable to have a leg length so that the belt hook 30 does not
extend past the outermost side of the tool. The present invention
incorporates this length as well.
[0037] A storage caddy 70 is shown in FIGS. 12-16. The storage
caddy 70 is a container 72 or storage compartment that is
configured to attach to the side of a tool 10. In the case of a
nailer 10, the storage caddy 70 is configured to mechanically
lockingly attach to a magazine 18 of the nailer 10, as shown in
FIGS. 1-3, 15, and 16.
[0038] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12-16, the storage
caddy 70 is a rectangular container 72 that has a lid or door 74,
an internal cavity 76, and a bottom surface 78. The lid 74 is
openable and closeable and the internal cavity 76 is sized and
shaped to store matter. In a preferred embodiment, the lid is
hinged to the container. In the case of a nailer 10, it is
advantageous to store extra sticks of nails 80 in the storage caddy
70, as shown in FIG. 3. Since nail sticks 80 are typically
rectangular in shape, a rectangular container is advantageous.
Other shaped containers may also be selected depending on the size
and shape of the matter to be stored. The storage caddy 70 also
includes an attachment mechanism 82 for attaching the caddy 70 to a
power tool 10, as is discussed in greater detail below. The lid 74
includes a latch 84 for mating with one of the side walls 26, 28 of
the storage container 72. The lid 74 may have support ridges 86 for
added stability.
[0039] The mechanical attachment mechanism 82 of the storage caddy
70 is shown best in FIGS. 13 and 16. The container 72 has four side
walls 88. The mechanical attachment mechanism 82 includes leg-like
members that are contiguous with and extend from the side walls 88
of the container 72. The leg-like members 82 are shaped to seat
between the ribs 92 defined on the side of a nail magazine 18. The
attachment members 82 may be positioned at either end of the
container 72. Alternatively, the members 82 may be positioned at
spaced positions along the length of the container 72, or may
extend along the entire length of the container 72. In order to
accommodate the attachment members 82, the bottom surface 78 is
raised above the legs 82. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and
14, one attachment member 82 is positioned on an extension 90 of
the container, which may be provided for aesthetic or other
purposes.
[0040] The attachment mechanism 82 is mechanical in that it
utilizes the shape and size of the container for attaching to the
shape and size of a tool. It does not utilize adhesive or hook and
loop fasteners. The attachment mechanism 82 is a mechanical
fastener for conjoining mating parts that are sized and shaped to
fit together, like pieces of a puzzle.
[0041] The storage container 72 also includes an aperture 94
defined on one of the side walls 88 of the container 72 adjacent
the lid 74 for use in opening the container. Since the storage
container 72 is configured to hold nails, when the container 72 is
entirely filled with nails, it is difficult to open the lid 74. By
using an aperture 94 on the side wall 88 of the container 72, the
user can insert a finger into the aperture 94 in order to engage
the lid 74 from the inside and pry the lid 74 open. The aperture 94
may also be used as a viewing window to determine whether any nail
sticks 80 are stored inside the storage caddy 70.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment of a storage caddy 70, the caddy
70 includes indicia 96 for determining the size of nails stored in
the caddy 70. This indicia 96 may be defined on the bottom surface
78 of the container 72, on the lid 74 of the container 72, or on
another surface, if desired. Warning and instructional messages may
also be provided in the form of indicia on the caddy 70.
[0043] FIG. 16 shows the attachment mechanism 82 of the storage
caddy 70 installed between the ribs 92 of a nail magazine 18. The
legs 82 of the attachment mechanism are captured between the two
ribs 92 of the nail magazine 18 to firmly hold the storage caddy 70
in position. The attachment mechanism 82 is preferably configured
to allow attachment to and disassembly of the storage caddy 70 from
the nailer 10 without the use of any tools. Legs that are shaped
differently from the legs 82 shown in the drawings may also be
used, the invention not being limited to the shape shown. Other
types of attachment mechanisms can also be utilized. For instance,
the caddy 70 may be screwed or bolted onto the magazine 18.
[0044] The storage caddy 70 is preferably positioned on the side of
the magazine 18 where loading of nails occurs in order to provide
easy access to any nails stored in the caddy 70, although the caddy
70 can be installed on either side of the magazine 18.
[0045] In order to install the nail caddy 70 on a magazine 18, the
user first opens the nailer magazine 18 and pulls the nail magazine
cover backward. The user then moves the nail caddy 70 into
alignment with the ribs 92 on the magazine cover and slides the
caddy 70 between the ribs 92. The user then closes the magazine
cover and the caddy is installed. In order to remove the nail caddy
70 from the magazine 18, the user opens the nailer magazine 18,
slides the caddy 70 off the magazine cover, and closes the magazine
18.
[0046] The storage caddy 70 is preferably made of a lightweight,
durable material, such as plastic. Other types of materials may
alternatively be utilized, if desired. The storage caddy can be
molded as a single piece, with the lid hinged to the container with
a living hinge. Alternatively, the lid can be a separate member
that is hinged with a mechanical hinge to the container.
[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the storage caddy 70 is
configured to hold five standard sticks of nails 80. The caddy 70
is also designed to hold the full range of sizes of nails that can
be utilized with the nailer 10. In addition, although not shown,
the caddy 70 may include a built in tool for measuring the gauge of
a nail to determine whether or not the nail is suited for use with
the tool.
[0048] The term "nail" is used herein generically to refer to nails
or staples. Likewise, the term "nailer" as used herein is used
generically to refer to a nailer or a stapler. In addition, while
the above-description was presented in the context of a nailer 10,
other power tools may also benefit from the invention disclosed
herein. In the case of the storage caddy 70, while nails are
discussed as being stored in the caddy 70, any type of matter may
alternatively be stored in the caddy 70, and the caddy 70 may be
specially designed such that the interior cavity 76 is shaped to
accept other types of matter. For instance, with a drill, it may be
desirable to install drill bits or drills inside the caddy 70. For
a power saw, it may be desirable to install extra saw blades in the
caddy 70.
[0049] While various features of the claimed invention are
presented above, it should be understood that the features may be
used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed
invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments
depicted herein.
[0050] Further, it should be understood that variations and
modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the
claimed invention pertains. The embodiments described herein are
exemplary of the claimed invention. The disclosure may enable those
skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative
elements that likewise correspond to the elements of the invention
recited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention may thus
include other embodiments that do not differ or that
insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The
scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth
in the appended claims.
* * * * *