U.S. patent application number 11/499346 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for universal ergonomic tool holder.
Invention is credited to Sean Michael Walsh.
Application Number | 20080000939 11/499346 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38875541 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080000939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walsh; Sean Michael |
January 3, 2008 |
Universal ergonomic tool holder
Abstract
A unique tool holder, designed to universally secure itself to
various tool handles as well as to tool bodies, providing the
construction industry as well as the automotive industry and the
arborist industry with a universal tool holder. The holder contains
a U-shaped hook that can be secured to many different tools by a
strap that is comprised of hook and loop fastening means. The strap
not only provides the means of securing the hook to the tool, but
provides added tool using comfort when mounted to the handle of a
tool. The holder is not only truly universal, it is also made out
of heavy duty material so as to stand up to the demands of these
industries.
Inventors: |
Walsh; Sean Michael;
(Altamonte Springs, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Sean M. Walsh
807 Agnes Dr.
Altamonte Springs
FL
32701
US
|
Family ID: |
38875541 |
Appl. No.: |
11/499346 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60817236 |
Jun 28, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/02 20130101; A45F
2200/0575 20130101; B25H 3/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/269 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A universal ergonomic tool holder for removably attaching and
carrying a-tool, comprising: (a) a device of a predetermined size,
and shape that is capable of supporting the weight of a plurality
of tools, including, hand tools, electric powered tools, battery
powered tools, air powered tools and gas powered tools, all of
which substantially vary in size, use, and shape, (b) in
combination, said universal ergonomic tool holder includes said
device, and a means for attaching said device to a plurality of
tool handles and tool bodies, (c) said device therefore attaches to
a tool, wherein said tool can be secured to the tool user and any
number of items by said device, whereby said universal ergonomic
tool holder can be secured to said tools of all shapes and sizes, a
portion of said tools being, a battery powered drill, a circular
saw, a caulking gun, a air powered pneumatic tool, a chain saw, and
the like, whereby said tools may be securely held by said universal
ergonomic tool holder to various items common to the construction,
automotive and arborist industries, including and not limited to, a
rafter, a joist, a ladder top, a ladder rung, a sheet of plywood, a
shingle, a pipe, a wire, a branch; as well as allowing said tools
to attach to various parts of a automobile that are handy to
someone in the industry, whereby said tools can also be securely
attached to a tool user's tool bags, tool belt, pant's and belt
loop.
2. The universal ergonomic tool holder of claim 1 wherein said
device of a predetermined size and shape is a U-shaped ridged
hook.
3. The universal ergonomic tool holder of claim 1 wherein said
means for attaching said device to a plurality of tool handles and
tool bodies, is a flexible strap that is predetermined in size.
4. The universal ergonomic tool holder of claim 3 wherein said
flexible strap is comprised of a hook and loop fastening means,
said hook on a first half of a first planar surface, and said loop
on a second half of said first planar surface of said strap.
5. The universal ergonomic tool holder of claim 2 wherein said
ridged hook has a slot formed in a first end of said ridged hook
providing a aperture to provide a means of attachment for said
flexible strap.
6. The universal ergonomic tool holder of claim 5 wherein attaches
to a tool by passing said flexible strap around said tool handle or
said tool body and passing the end of said strap through said slot,
doubling back said strap and engaging said hook and loop fastening
means.
7. A universal ergonomic tool holder that can be securely and
removably attached to a tool, providing increased comfort to tool
users, comprising: (a) a ridged hook of predetermined size, shape,
strength and material that is capable of supporting said tool, (b)
in combination said universal ergonomic tool holder comprises said
ridged hook and a flexible strap for removably securing said ridged
hook to a plurality of tools that vary in size, use and weight,
wherein said ridged hook can be secured to said tool by said
flexible strap, said tool therefrom can be securely held to a
variety of items by said ridged hook.
8. The universal tool holder of claim 7 wherein said flexible strap
is comprised of a hook and loop fastening means, said hook on a
first half of a first planar surface, and said loop on a second
half of said first planar surface of said strap, a second planar
surface of said strap is comprised of a cushioned material.
9. The universal ergonomic tool holder of claim 8 wherein attaches
to a tool handle, whereby said flexible strap encompasses said tool
handle providing additional comfort to the tool user. whereby said
universal ergonomic tool holder provides a tool user with increased
tool holding possibilities as well as added comfort while using
said tool.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefits of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/817,236 filed on Jun. 28, 2006, by the
present inventor, titled, "Ergonomic tool holder."
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention pertains to a method of securing tools
to promote convenient, as well as safe working conditions in
various tool related industries. More precisely the present
invention relates to a device that can be secured to most tools,
allowing the tool to be secured to any number of articles,
including the tool user.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] Various tool holders and apparatus have been presented and
implemented to enable the holding of, and the securing of various
tools to tool belts, ladders, and materials common to the
construction industry. These holders and tool securing devices are
limited to a few select tools, and do not have the capability to
adequately secure the wide array of tools that are commonly used in
various industries. In general these tool holders are commonly
constructed out of plastic, aluminum, light weight metals and
elastic, and have been found to not stand up to the heavy demands
of the construction industry. There still remains a need for a tool
holder that will meet these demands, and is designed for heavy duty
commercial applications, as well as light duty usage. Many attempts
have been made to present solutions to tool holding and tool
securing needs; however with the broad spectrum of tools that are
used in the construction industries, there is still an unmet need
for a uniquely universal tool holding solution.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,794 to Kahn (2005) comprises a universal
tool holder for carrying a tool or other article, for example, a
cordless drill, nail gun, hammer or shovel is provided comprising a
stretchable cord that is formed into a looped end and adapted to be
wrapped about the handle of a tool in such a manner that it tightly
engages the tool, and a second end having a retainable object, such
as a ball, that is configured to be safely and securely held within
a retaining receiver. The retaining receiver is in the form of a
socket-type receiver configured to correspond to the geometrical
shape of the retainable object such it can removably secure the
retainable object. The socket-shaped retaining receiver can be
incorporated into a variety of articles useful in carrying and
storing tools, including a belt clip, a wall mounting implement or
a ladder mounting implement. By integrating the retaining receiver
into such a variety of articles, any tool carried by the universal
tool holder can be removably secured to the retaining receiver,
thereby enabling a user to suspend the tool from a belt clip,
ladder or wall.
[0009] The uses of the above invention are limited to specific
tools that do not exceed certain weights and shapes, and the design
does not allow the tool to attach to anything besides it's
socket-shaped receiver. There are a variety of tools that this
invention can not safely secure itself to, such as electric drills
with a lower flanged end, air ratchets, air impact wrenches and air
powered chisels. This invention can not support tools of
substantial weight such as chain saws that can weigh up to 35
pounds, as well as circular saws that can weigh 22 pounds, and
large nail guns that weigh up to 14 pounds (depending upon the
manufacturers and models).
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,449 also to Kahn (2000) contains a
tool-toting device for carrying and retaining a hand tool
comprising a clip, a swivel element and a U-shaped hook, the clip
being capable of attachment to a belt, such as a tool belt. The
swivel element is swivelably connected to the clip by conventional
means, such as a semi-tubular rivet such that it freely swivels
about a 360.degree. axis, while the U-shaped hook is rotatably
connected to the swivel element by means of a jam nut-acorn nut
arrangement such that it is capable of rotating about a 360.degree.
axis. In this manner, a tool hanging from the U-shaped hook will
swivel about the 360.degree. axis, thereby maintaining its center
of gravity as the user moves about a construction area. The user
can re-position the hook for comfort and accessibility simply by
rotating the hook about its axis.
[0011] Due to the design of this invention, there are a limited
number of tools that can be securely and safely retained by this
tool tote. U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,147 to Marks, as well as this
patent, both contain a riveted connection ('449 FIG. 12) and ('147
FIG. 58) that weakens the integrity of these inventions, as well as
light weight materials that can fail under heavy usage.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,445 to Axelman (1993) shows a tool
holder with a self-stabilizing swivel mount for selectively
accommodating an air driven hand-held power tool. An article
receptacle is rotatably displaceable upon weight transference from
the tool and is adapted to assume an equilibrium rest position. A
gravity actuated locking lug coacts with the receptacle for
securing the tool within the receptacle. The locking lug is self
releasing when the receptacle is re-oriented to a substantially
vertical position for removal of the power tool.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,741 to Arvin (2001) is a holder for a
cordless power tool having a battery pack, the holder arranged and
constructed to receive and retain the cordless power tool in an
upright orientation, the holder comprising a plate member having a
periphery, a top side, and a bottom side, means for attaching the
plate member to a supporting surface, and at least one side wall
joined to the periphery of the plate member, the at least one side
wall extending upwardly from the periphery and having a top edge,
the top edge having at least one notch, such that when the cordless
power tool is placed battery pack first into the cordless power
tool holder, the at least one notch aligns with the cordless power
tool's battery pack release and the cordless power tool is
positioned an upright orientation with the cordless power tool
battery pack resting on the plate member's top side and being
surrounded and gripped by the at least one side wall.
[0014] Despite the teachings of the prior art there still remains a
need for a tool holder that can bridge the need of securing a wide
array of common tools in the construction industry, as well as
withstand rigorous daily usage without breaking, while still being
manufactured using high speed, low cost manufacturing. Also the
prior art does not meet the need for a tool holder that would allow
various tools to be secured to common items in the construction
industry, such as, rafters, joists, plywood, shingles, electrical
wires, water pipes; as well as allowing the tool to be secured to
the tool user, ladder rungs, and ladder tops. The prior art also
does not fulfill the need for a tool holder that can be attached to
virtually any tool, no matter the weight, shape, or size, and
therefore allow the tool to be secured to whatever is handy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION--OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0015] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention
are to provide the construction, automotive, and like industries
with a uniquely designed universal tool holder, that will meet and
exceed their tool securing needs. Several objects and advantages of
the present invention are:
[0016] (a) to provide tool users with the first ever all purpose
tool holding solution, that will allow for convenient adaptation to
a wide array of tools in many industries;
[0017] (b) to provide tool users with a tool securing device that
will not fail under the heavy loads of tools that previously could
not be secured to the user, much less the materials common to their
surroundings;
[0018] (c) to provide a tool holder that is constructed out of
materials that will stand up to the rigorous demands of tool
users;
[0019] (d) to provide tool users with a tool holder that is capable
to securing the tool itself to a wide array of articles, without
being limited to only to a tool belt receiving clip, a ladder or a
wall hanger;
[0020] (e) to provide the automotive and arborist industries with a
tool holding solution that is capable of securing itself to large
chain saws, as well as small air tools;
[0021] (f) to provide a tool holder that can safely secure tools,
without the danger of failing to perform, when needed most;
[0022] (g) to provide a tool holder that is superior in design, as
well as affordably manufactured, and will overcome a lifetime of
abuse;
[0023] (h) to provide additional comfort to tool users and decrease
hand fatigue from long periods of tool usage, as well as to prevent
tool handles from overheating while in the sun.
Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a
consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARY
[0024] In accordance with the present invention a tool holder
comprises a U-shaped hook having means to attach a strap that
consists of hook and loop fastening means, allowing the hook to be
attached to any number of tools. The tool therefore being capable
of attaching to the tool user, or whatever else is handy.
DRAWINGS--FIGURES
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention
attached to a battery operated drill.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention
securely attached to a circular saw.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a cutaway view of the present invention secured
to a handle of a tool.
[0028] A preferred embodiment of the tool holder of the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 attached to a battery operated
drill, and FIG. 2 attached to a circular saw. The tool holder 10,
20 is comprised of a flexible strap 11, 21 and a U-shaped rigid
hook 12, 22.
[0029] In FIG. 3 a first end of the strap is folded back onto
itself 34 and secured at a predetermined distance forming an
aperture at the first end. The strap is comprised of a material
with hook and loop fastening means on a first planar surface. On a
first half 36 of the first planar surface of the strap is the hook
portion of the fastening means and on a second half 35 of the first
planar surface of the strap is the loop portion of the fastening
means. The strap is rectangular in shape.
[0030] A slot is formed in the first end of the rigid hook 33 so
that the first end of the strap forming an aperture is coupled 34
within the slot. The second end of the rigid hook is bent to a
predetermined obtuse angle. Opposing first and second legs of the
hook are joined together by a base interposed between them. The
illustration FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of a tool handle 32 with the
universal ergonomic tool holder 30 attached to the tool handle with
the hook 36 and loop 35 fastening system.
[0031] The strap is secured around a power tool such as a battery
operated drill FIG. 1 or a circular saw FIG. 2, so that the first
half of the strap wraps around a handle of the tool and overlaps
the second half of the strap engaging the hook and loop fastening
means.
Operation--Preferred Embodiment--FIGS.1-3
[0032] The present invention is comprised of a unique manner of
safely securing and holding tools. The hook as shown in FIG. 1
reference number 10 allows a means for optimal tool placement
options. Being affixed to the tool itself the hook acts as a means
for unlimited tool placement options. Such as and not being limited
to, tool bags, tool belts, pant pockets, belt loops, ladder tops,
ladder rungs, rafters, joists, plywood, shingles etc. The strap as
shown in FIG. 3 reference number 37 is capable of securing the hook
to any number of tools and various tool related articles. Including
and not limited to, battery operated tools, air powered tools,
power tools, hand tools, wrenches, hammers, caulking guns, airless
paint guns, staplers, air hoses, and electrical cords. Inso the
present invention offers tool users a universal tool holder that
has not yet been available through prior art.
Operation--Alternative Embodiments--FIG.1-3
[0033] There are many uses for the universal ergonomic tool holder,
all of which will increase worker productivity, safety, and it will
allow a more convenient work environment. In the construction
industry, tradesmen frequently use power tools in a variety of
locations. Often, it is necessary to have the tool operator's hands
free for another task in places where there is no convenient
surface on which to place the tool. Carpenters, for example, while
using a power nailer or powered fastener-driving tool to frame a
building, may need to correctly position the next stud before
nailing it into place. While working on roof joists, rafters or on
ladders, the ability to secure the tool in a convenient location,
such as a rafter or a user's belt, facilitates the performance of
those tasks. Tradesmen will also save time and money by keeping
their tools close by and within reach.
[0034] Workers in tool related industries are constantly using a
wide array of tools, presently there is no one means for them to
adequately and efficiently secure these tools, so as to allow them
to work with their hands freely. It is the goal of this present
invention to offer a universal tool holder, in the form of a hook.
The hook being made out of heavy duty material, with a
predetermined size that will allow the hook to be attach to common
11/2'' lumber as well as ladder rungs, and to the user.
[0035] The present invention also offers a means for increased
comfort to tool users. The strap consists of material which
increases cushioning to the handle of a workers tool.
[0036] The present invention also adheres to the automotive
industry, as well as the arborist industry, allowing air tool
users, as well as chain saw users, the same benefits as those in
the construction industry.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
[0037] Accordingly, the reader will see that the universal
ergonomic tool holder of this present invention can be used
throughout the construction, automotive, and arborist industries,
without limitations. The tool holder is highly reliable, completely
universal, designed for heavy duty uses, affordably made, and a one
of a kind tool holding apparatus.
[0038] While my above description contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred
embodiment thereof. Many variations are possible. For example the
invention could be used to secure a water bottle, a flashlight, a
small shovel, pruning shears, a paint can and anything else the
user could think up.
[0039] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined
not by the embodiments illustrated, but rather by the appended
claims and their legal equivalents.
[0040] Although the description above contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example the
hook can be any variety of shapes or sizes. The hook can be
detachable from the strap, it could pivot freely, lock into various
positions and can be formed out of any number of materials. The
hook can also have a magnet built into it, so as to allow the user
to secure fasteners and other items common to the construction and
automotive industries.
[0041] The strap should also not be limited by the presently
preferred embodiments. The strap can be replaced with different
means of securing the hook to the tool, such as, but not limited
to, a elastic band, a rubber strap, a clamping method, and various
other means. The strap can have a mechanical device that allows the
hook to be removed, while leaving the strap attached to the tool
for increased comfort.
* * * * *