Tool-holding apparatus

Abstract

A tool-holding apparatus is provided for holding at least one tool. The tool-holding apparatus includes a board and at least two holders formed on the board. Each of the holders includes a stand extending from the board, a first pressing element extending from the stand and a second pressing element for cooperating with the first pressing element of the other holder in order to pinch the tool.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a tool-holding apparatus.

[0003] 2. Related Prior Art

[0004] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional tool-holding apparatus 10 includes a board 11, two rows of holders 14 formed on the board 11, a cover 13 located between the rows of holders 14 for covering spanners 15 (only one is shown) and a handle 12 connected with the board 11. Each holder 14 includes a size mark for indicating the size of a spanner to be held thereby. Each holder 14 includes a first section 16, a second section 17 and a third section 18. A stop 19 is formed on an upper end of the first section 16. A gap 35 exists between the first section 16 of one of the holders 14 and the third section 18 of another holder 14. A gap 38 exists between the third section 18 and the board 11. Near the first section 16 of each holder 14, a recess 39 is defined in the board 11 for receiving a spanner 15. Each holder 14 is an elastomer. As a spanner 15 is put in a gap 35, the spanner 15 presses the third section 18 of a related holder 14 towards the board 11. Hence, the spanner 15 is restrained by means of the stop 19 and the third section 18 of the holder 14. However, a distance between a stop 19 and the third section 18 of a holder 14 is determined according to the size of a spanner 15 to be held by means of the specific holder 14. Each holder 14 is only suitable for holding a spanner 15 with a specific size. It is inconvenient to put the spanners 15 with various sizes in the determined holders 14.

[0005] The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] According to the present invention, a tool-holding apparatus includes a board and at least two holders formed on the board. Each of the holders includes a stand extending from the board, a first pressing element extending from the stand and a second pressing element for cooperating with the first pressing element of the other holder in order to pinch a tool.

[0007] The primary advantage of the tool-holding apparatus according to the present invention is that any two adjacent holders can pinch spanners with various sizes.

[0008] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spanner held by means of a conventional tool-holding apparatus.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the tool-holding apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tool-holding apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tool-holding apparatus of FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional partial view of the tool-holding apparatus of FIG. 4 holding two spanners.

[0015] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4 but shows the tool-holding apparatus holding two spanners.

[0016] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 3 but shows the tool-holding apparatus holding two spanners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tool-holding apparatus 20 includes a board 25, a plurality of holders 24 formed on the board 25 and a handle 21 extending from the board 25.

[0018] Each holder 24 includes a stand 26 extending perpendicularly from the board 25, a first pressing element 27 extending from the stand 26 along a curve, a second pressing element 28 extending rectilinearly from the stand 26 and a protrusion 29 extending horizontally from the second pressing element 28. The first and second pressing elements 27 and 28 are located on opposite sides of the stand 26. The protrusion 29 includes a smooth profile. A stop 32 extends from the stand 26 of each holder 24. The stop 32 is substantially shaped like a triangle. Next to the stand 26 of each holder 24, recess 34 is defined for receiving a spanner 30 or 31 (see FIG. 5). Between the first pressing element 27 of a holder 24 and the second pressing element 28 of another holder 24 exists a gap 33 for receiving the spanner 30 or 31 (see FIG. 5).

[0019] The handle 21 includes a bore 36 for receiving a user's fingers. The handle 21 includes a recess 22 defined in a wall of the bore 36 for receiving a flat element of a rack. The handle 21 includes a groove 23 defined in a wall of the recess 22 for receiving a nail or the like.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the spanner 30 or 31 is firmly pinched by means of two related holders 24. The spanner 30 is put in the recess 34 through the gap 33. The spanner 30 is pinched by means of the first pressing element 27 of one of the related holders 24 and the second pressing element 28 of the other holder 24 and pressed by means of the protrusion 29 of the second pressing element 28 of the other holder 24. The spanner 31 is put in the recess 34 through the gap 33. The spanner 31 is pinched by means of the first pressing element 27 of one of the related holders 24 and the second pressing element 28 of the other holder 24 and pressed by means of the protrusion 29 of the second pressing element 28 of the other holder 24 and restrained by means of the stop 32 of the other holder 24.

[0021] The present invention has been described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variation from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A tool-holding apparatus for holding at least one tool, the tool-holding apparatus comprising a board and at least two holders formed on the board, each of the holders comprising a stand extending from the board and having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a top, with the first and second sides being parallel and extending perpendicular to the board; a first pressing element extending from the first side, away from the second side, and adjacent to the top of the stand with the first pressing element extending from the stand along a curve toward the board and having a free end, with the first pressing element being flexible to move the free end of the first pressing element relative to the first side: and a second pressing element extending from the second side of the stand away from the first side and towards the board and having a free end, with the second pressing element being flexible to move the free end of the second pressing element relative to the second side, with the second pressing member interconnected to the stand intermediate the top of the stand and the board, with the second pressing element of one of the at least two holders cooperating with the first pressing element of the other of the at least two holders in order to pinch the tool.

2. (canceled)

3. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first pressing element extends from the stand to the free end along the curve.

4. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second pressing element extends rectilinearly from the stand.

5. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of the holders comprises a protrusion extending from the free end of the second pressing element parallel to the board and generally perpendicular to the second side of the stand, with the protrusion pressing the tool towards the board.

6. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the protrusion includes a smooth profile.

7. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the holders comprises a stop extending from the second side of the stand adjacent the top of the stand, with the second pressing element located intermediate the stop and the board, with the stop restraining the tool.

8. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the stop is substantially shaped like a triangle.

9. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 7 comprising a recess near the stand of each of the holders for receiving the tool abutting the stop and the first pressing element, with the recess, the stop and the first pressing element defining three points in turn defining a plane.

10. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a handle extending from the board for carrying the tool-holding apparatus by a user, with the handle including a bore for receiving a hand of the user.

11. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the bore of the handle further includes a recess for receiving a portion of a rack.

12. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the bore of the handle further includes a groove for receiving a portion of the rack.

13. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the second pressing element extends rectilinearly from the stand.

14. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each of the holders comprises a protrusion extending from the free end of the second pressing element parallel to the board, with the protrusion pressing the tool towards the board.

15. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 14 wherein each of the holders comprises a stop extending from the second side of the stand adjacent the top of the stand, with the second pressing element located intermediate the stop and the board, with the stop restraining the tool.

16. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the stop is substantially shaped like a triangle.

17. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each of the holders comprises a stop extending from the second side of the stand adjacent the top of the stand, with the second pressing element located intermediate the stop and the board, with the stop restraining the tool.

18. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the stop is substantially shaped like a triangle.

19. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of the holders comprises a stop extending from the second side of the stand adjacent the top of the stand, with the second pressing element located intermediate the stop and the board, with the stop restraining the tool.

20. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of the holders comprises a stop extending from the second side of the stand adjacent the top of the stand, with the second pressing element located intermediate the stop and the board, with the stop restraining the tool.

21. The tool-holding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least two holders are of identical size, with the second pressing element of the one of the at least two holders and the first pressing element of the other of the at least two holders having a cooperation to pinch tools of differing sizes.