U.S. patent application number 12/333072 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for tool holder.
Invention is credited to Peter Kahn.
Application Number | 20090145938 12/333072 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40720571 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090145938 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kahn; Peter |
June 11, 2009 |
TOOL HOLDER
Abstract
A tool holder configured to support a tool; wherein the tool
holder includes a clip configured to couple to pants of a user. The
clip includes an exterior member coupled to an interior member
along a U-shaped bend, wherein the exterior and interior members
define an axis of the clip. The tool holder also includes a
cylindrical receptacle that is hollow and coupled to the exterior
member of the clip. The cylindrical receptacle includes an axis
that may be angularly oriented away therefrom such that a bottom
portion of an elongated tool body disposed therein will project
diagonally away from the axis of the clip. The tool holder further
includes an angle adjustment device; wherein the angle adjustment
device is configured to provide selectable adjustment of the
cylindrical receptacle. The tool holder also includes a magnet
disposed along the exterior member.
Inventors: |
Kahn; Peter; (Brookhaven,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADVANTIA LAW GROUP
9035 SOUTH 1300 EAST, SUITE 200
SANDY
UT
84094
US
|
Family ID: |
40720571 |
Appl. No.: |
12/333072 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61012842 |
Dec 11, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/183 ;
224/194 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2005/027 20130101;
A45F 2200/0575 20130101; A45F 2200/0566 20130101; B25H 3/006
20130101; A45F 5/021 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/183 ;
224/194 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A tool holder configured to support a tool, comprising: a clip
configured to couple to pants of a user, including a exterior
member coupled to an interior member along a U-shaped bend, the
exterior and interior members defining an axis of the clip; a
cylindrical receptacle that is hollow and coupled to the exterior
member of the clip and an axis of the cylindrical receptacle
angularly oriented away therefrom such that a bottom portion of an
elongated tool body disposed therein will project diagonally away
from the axis of the clip; and an angle adjustment device coupled
between the clip and cylindrical receptacle and configured to
provide selectable adjustment of an angle between the axis of the
clip and the axis of the cylindrical receptacle.
2. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein a top of the cylindrical
receptacle includes a pair of recessed portions disposed
oppositely.
3. The tool holder of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical receptacle
includes a top circumference and a bottom circumference and wherein
the bottom circumference smaller than the top circumference.
4. The tool holder of claim 3, wherein the clip further includes a
magnet disposed along the exterior member, the magnet configured to
attract a portion of a tool disposed in the tool holder.
5. The tool holder of claim 4, wherein the angle adjustment device
comprises a shaft disposed through a cavity wherein the shaft and
cavity are cooperatively shaped to provide a plurality coupling
orientations the provide selectable angular attachment between the
clip and the cylindrical receptacle.
6. The tool holder of claim 5, further comprising a storage
receptacle coupled to a side of the clip and the cylindrical
receptacle and including a cavity with a top opening, the storage
receptacle configured to allow a user to store elongated items
therein.
7. The tool holder of claim 6, wherein the interior member of the
clip further comprises an enlarged portion disposed near a bottom
end of the interior member and a plurality of support ridges
extending from the interior member towards the exterior member.
8. The tool holder of claim 7, wherein the cylindrical receptacle
further comprises a bias member extending into an interior of the
cylindrical receptacle and configured to cooperate with the magnet
in angling a body of a tool extending through a bottom of the tool
holder such that the body of the tool extends diagonally downward
away from the axis of the clip.
9. A tool holder configured to support a tool, comprising: a clip
configured to couple to pants of a user, including a exterior
member coupled to an interior member along a U-shaped bend, the
exterior and interior members defining an axis of the clip; and a
cylindrical receptacle that is hollow and coupled to the exterior
member of the clip and an axis of the cylindrical receptacle
angularly oriented away therefrom such that a bottom portion of an
elongated tool body disposed therein will project diagonally away
from the axis of the clip.
10. The tool holder of claim 9, further comprising an angle
adjustment device coupled between the clip and cylindrical
receptacle and configured to provide selectable adjustment of an
angle between the axis of the clip and the axis of the cylindrical
receptacle.
11. The tool holder of claim 9, wherein a top of the cylindrical
receptacle includes a pair of recessed portions disposed
oppositely.
12. The tool holder of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical receptacle
includes a top circumference and a bottom circumference and wherein
the bottom circumference is smaller than the top circumference.
13. The tool holder of claim 9, wherein the clip further includes a
magnet disposed along the exterior member, the magnet configured to
attract a portion of a tool disposed in the tool holder.
14. The tool holder of claim 9, wherein the angle adjustment device
comprises a shaft disposed through a cavity wherein the shaft and
cavity are cooperatively shaped to provide a plurality coupling
orientations configured to provide selectable angular attachment
between the clip and the cylindrical receptacle.
15. The tool holder of claim 9, further comprising a storage
receptacle coupled to one of the clip and the cylindrical
receptacle and including a cavity with a top opening, the storage
receptacle configured to allow a user to store elongated items
therein.
15. The tool holder of claim 9, wherein the interior member of the
clip further comprises an enlarged portion disposed near a bottom
end of the interior member and a plurality of support ridges
extending from the interior member towards the exterior member.
16. The tool holder of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical receptacle
further comprises a bias member extending into an interior of the
cylindrical receptacle and configured to cooperate with the magnet
in angling a body of a tool extending through a bottom of the tool
holder such that the body of the tool extends diagonally downward
away from the axis of the clip.
17. A tool holder configured to support a tool, comprising: a clip
configured to couple to pants of a user, including a exterior
member coupled to an interior member along a U-shaped bend, the
exterior and interior members defining an axis of the clip; wherein
the interior member of the clip further comprises an enlarged
portion disposed near a bottom end of the interior member and a
plurality of support ridges extending from the interior member
towards the exterior member. a cylindrical receptacle that is
hollow and coupled to the exterior member of the clip and an axis
of the cylindrical receptacle angularly oriented away therefrom
such that a bottom portion of an elongated tool body disposed
therein will project diagonally away from the axis of the clip;
wherein a top of the cylindrical receptacle includes a pair of
recessed portions disposed oppositely; wherein the cylindrical
receptacle includes a top circumference and a bottom circumference
and wherein the bottom circumference is smaller than the top
circumference; wherein the cylindrical receptacle further comprises
a bias member extending into an interior of the cylindrical
receptacle and configured to cooperate with the magnet in angling a
body of a tool extending through a bottom of the tool holder such
that the body of the tool extends diagonally downward away from the
axis of the clip; an angle adjustment device coupled between the
clip and cylindrical receptacle and configured to provide
selectable adjustment of an angle between the axis of the clip and
the axis of the cylindrical receptacle; wherein the angle
adjustment device comprises a shaft disposed through a cavity
wherein the shaft and cavity are cooperatively shaped to provide a
plurality coupling orientations the provide selectable angular
attachment between the clip and the cylindrical receptacle; a
magnet disposed along the exterior member, the magnet configured to
attract a portion of a tool disposed in the tool holder; and a
storage receptacle coupled to a side of the clip and the
cylindrical receptacle and including a cavity with a top opening,
the storage receptacle configured to allow a user to store
elongated items therein.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120,
to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/012,842 to Kahn
filed on Dec. 11, 2007, which is incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a tool holder, specifically
to a tool holder configured to support a tool.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Devices for carrying tools are well known in the prior art.
Many such devices are in the form of tool belts of various
configurations which are designed to carry and retain one or more
desired tools while allowing the user to keep his hands free.
Conventional tool belts are provided with leather or cloth loops
which suspend from the belt and which serve as tool retainers.
Although useful to some extent, such tool belts present inherent
deficiencies which limit their usefulness. For example, because
cloth is not necessarily a rigid structure, cloth loops may close
when not in use, making it difficult for the user to replace the
tool into the loop with one hand. More over, a loop may lightly
constrict about the tool handle as the tool settles into position,
thereby making it difficult to remove the tool when needed. Similar
problems arise with the use of the more rigid leather loops. Some
improvements have been made in the field. Examples of references
related to the present invention are described below, and the
supported teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference
herein:
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,451, issued to Kahn, discloses a
tool-toting device facilitating the carrying and retention by a
workman of a hand tool having a clip for attaching the device to a
belt such as a workman's tool-belt. A rigid hook depends through
fastening means from the clip and has the ability to swivel as the
workman moves to maintain the center of gravity of a tool attached
to the hook. Rigidity of the hook ensures that the workman will be
able to replace the tool onto the toting device or to remove it
therefrom single-handedly. Further, the hook is rotatably
positionable to permit the workman to position his tool in a
comfortable fashion.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,449, issued to Kahn, discloses 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.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,342, issued to Kahn, discloses a tool
belt tool tote device that is capable of carrying two tools
independently, such as a cordless drill and a hammer. The double
tool tote device comprises a C-shaped clip, a terminal swivel
element and two hook elements. In use, a tool depending from each
hook may freely swivel to maintain its center of gravity so that
the tool will remain securely attached to the tool tote while
remaining easily accessible to the user. In addition, each hook
element is rotatably positionable to permit the user to
independently position each tool in a comfortable fashion. The two
hook elements also can be selectively positioned to retain one tool
element across the breadth of the two hook elements.
[0009] The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of
disadvantages when carrying hammers and other similar tools which
include being bulky, being cumbersome to use, being expensive,
being awkward to use.
[0010] What is needed is a tool holder that solves one or more of
the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may
come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming
familiar with this specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention has been developed in response to the
present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the
problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved
by currently available tool holders. Accordingly, the present
invention has been developed to provide an efficient and effective
device for securing a tool, especially a hammer-type tool.
[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, there is a tool holder
configured to support a tool; wherein the tool holder may include a
clip configured to couple to pants of a user. The clip may include
an exterior member coupled to an interior member along a U-shaped
bend, wherein the exterior and interior members define an axis of
the clip. The interior member of the clip may include an enlarged
portion disposed near a bottom end of the interior member and a
plurality of support ridges extending from the interior member
towards the exterior member.
[0013] The tool holder may also include a cylindrical receptacle
that is hollow and coupled to the exterior member of the clip. The
cylindrical receptacle includes an axis that may be angularly
oriented away therefrom such that a bottom portion of an elongated
tool body disposed therein will project diagonally away from the
axis of the clip. In addition, the cylindrical receptacle may
include a top; wherein the top of the cylindrical receptacle
includes a pair of recessed portions disposed oppositely.
Furthermore, the cylindrical receptacle may include a top
circumference and a bottom circumference; wherein the bottom
circumference is smaller than the top circumference. The
cylindrical receptacle may further include a bias member extending
into an interior of the cylindrical receptacle and configured to
cooperate with the magnet in angling a body of a tool extending
through a bottom of the tool holder such that the body of the tool
extends diagonally downward away from the axis of the clip.
[0014] The tool holder may further include an angle adjustment
device coupled between the clip and cylindrical receptacle; wherein
the angle adjustment device may be configured to provide selectable
adjustment of an angle between the axis of the clip and the axis of
the cylindrical receptacle. The angle adjustment device may include
a shaft disposed through a cavity, wherein the shaft and cavity are
cooperatively shaped to provide a plurality coupling orientations.
The plurality of coupling orientations may be configured to provide
selectable angular attachment between the clip and the cylindrical
receptacle of the tool holder. In addition, the tool holder may
also include a magnet disposed along the exterior member, wherein
the magnet may be configured to attract a portion of a tool
disposed in the tool holder. Furthermore, the tool holder may
include a storage receptacle coupled to one side of the clip and
the cylindrical receptacle, wherein the storage receptacle includes
a cavity with a top opening. The storage receptacle may be
configured to allow a user to store elongated items therein.
[0015] Reference throughout this specification to features,
advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the
features and advantages that may be realized with the present
invention, should be, or are in, any single embodiment of the
invention. Rather, language referring to the features and
advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,
advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and
similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not
necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
[0016] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or
more of the specific features or advantages of a particular
embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages
may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in
all embodiments of the invention.
[0017] These features and advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent from the following description and
appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention
as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily
understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly
described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is
noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The
drawings are mere schematics representations, not intended to
portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that
these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention
and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope,
the invention will be described and explained with additional
specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying
drawing(s), in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a tool holder,
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a tool holder,
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a tool holder,
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a tool holder,
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an angle adjustment
device of a tool holder, according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a cylindrical
receptacle of a tool holder according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a tool holder,
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a tool holder,
according to one embodiment of the invention; and
[0027] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a tool holder,
according to one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific
language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be
understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is
thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the
inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional
applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated
herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and
having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within
the scope of the invention.
[0029] Reference throughout this specification to an "embodiment,"
an "example" or similar language means that a particular feature,
structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in
connection with the embodiment is included in at least one
embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the
phrases an "embodiment," an "example," and similar language
throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all
refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one
or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording
"embodiment," "example" or the like, for two or more features,
elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily
related, dissimilar, the same, etc.
[0030] Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be
considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment
despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing
each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as
"another embodiment," the identified embodiment is independent of
any other embodiments characterized by the language "another
embodiment." The features, functions, and the like described herein
are considered to be able to be combined in whole, or in part, one
with another, as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly
or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
[0031] As used herein, "comprising," "including," "containing,"
"is," "are," "characterized by," and grammatical equivalents
thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude
additional unrecited elements or method steps. "Comprising" is to
be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms "consisting
of" and "consisting essentially of."
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a tool holder
10, according to one embodiment of the invention; where the tool
holder 10 is configured to support a tool. The tool holder 10
includes a clip 12 configured to couple to a pair of pants of a
user. The clip 12 includes an exterior member 16 coupled to an
interior member 14 along a U-shaped bend 18. The interior member 14
of the clip 12 includes an enlarged portion 20 disposed near a
bottom end 22 of the interior member 14 and a plurality of support
ridges 28 extending from the interior member 14 towards the
exterior member 16. The enlarged portion may provide additional
support and comfort to the user when the clip is disposed along a
waist of the user. The tool holder 10 also includes a cylindrical
receptacle 24 that is hollow and coupled to the exterior member 16
of the clip 12. Accordingly, the hollow receptacle may receive an
elongated object disposed therein. The hollow cylindrical
receptacle may also be described as a hollow frustoconical
receptacle wherein the receptacle tapers.
[0033] In operation, a user may clip the tool holder to belt or
pants and then dispose a hammer-like tool through the cylindrical
receptacle until the head of the tool rests against the top of the
cylindrical receptacle. Advantageously, the tool holder places the
tool in a convenient location about the waist of the user and keeps
the tool from bumping against a leg of the user. Accordingly, the
user may perform other activities while the tool is stowed without
interference from the tool.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevational view of a tool holder
10, according to one embodiment of the invention; wherein the tool
holder 10 includes a clip 12 configured to couple to a pair of
pants of a user. The clip 12 includes an exterior member 16 coupled
to an interior member 14 along a U-shaped bend 18, wherein the
exterior and interior members 16, 14 define an axis 30 of the clip
12. The tool holder 10 also includes a cylindrical receptacle 24
that is hollow and coupled to the exterior member 16 of the clip
12. The cylindrical receptacle 24 includes an axis 32 that is
angularly oriented away therefrom, such that a bottom portion of an
elongated tool body disposed therein will project diagonally away
from the axis 30 of the clip 12. In addition, the cylindrical
receptacle 24 includes a top circumference 50 and a bottom
circumference 52; wherein the bottom circumference 52 is smaller
than the top circumference 50.
[0035] In operation of one embodiment of the invention a user
attaches a tool holder onto a belt and/or waist of a pair of pants
worn by the user. The user slides the interior member of the clip
about an interior portion of the belt and/or waist of a pair of
pants, until the U-shaped bend is contacting the top of the belt
and/or waist of a pair of pants of the user. The plurality of
support ridges assists in securing the interior member of the clip
to the interior of the belt and/or waist of a pair of pants of the
user. The user then secures a tool to the cylindrical receptacle by
disposing the handle of the tool through the cylindrical receptacle
and resting the head of the tool about the top of the cylindrical
receptacle. When the tool is securely engaged with the cylindrical
receptacle, the enlarged portion near the bottom of the interior
member of the clip counterbalances the weight of the tool, thereby
supporting the tool in a substantially vertical position.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of a tool holder
10 holding a tool, according to one embodiment of the invention
wherein the tool holder 10 includes a clip 12 configured to couple
to a user. The tool holder 10 also includes a cylindrical
receptacle 24 that is hollow and coupled to the clip 12. The
cylindrical receptacle 24 is configured to receive a tool 44 such
that the tool body is angled away from the user while in a stowed
mode. The tool holder 10 further includes an angle adjustment
device 40 coupled between the clip 12 and cylindrical receptacle
24; wherein the angle adjustment device 40 is configured to provide
selectable adjustment of an angle between the axis of the clip and
the axis of the cylindrical receptacle.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a tool holder
10, according to one embodiment of the invention; wherein the tool
holder 10 includes a clip 12. The clip 12 includes an exterior
member 16 coupled to an interior member 14 along a U-shaped bend
18. The interior member 14 of the clip 12 includes an enlarged
portion 20 disposed near a bottom end 22 of the interior member 14
and a plurality of support ridges 28 extending from the interior
member 14 towards the exterior member 16. The tool holder 10 also
includes a cylindrical receptacle 24 that is hollow and coupled to
the exterior member 16 of the clip 12. The tool holder 10 further
includes an angle adjustment device 40 adjustably coupled between
the exterior member 16 of the clip 12 and the cylindrical
receptacle 24. The illustrated angle adjustment device includes a
pair of mating portions coupled together and held by a screw. In
operation, the user may adjust the angle adjustment device by
removing the screw, repositioning the mating portions and
reinserting the screw. Accordingly, an orientation of the
cylindrical receptacle may be altered.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of an angle
adjustment device 40 of a tool holder 10, according to one
embodiment of the invention; wherein the angle adjustment device 40
is configured to provide selectable adjustment of an angle between
the axis of the clip and the axis of the cylindrical receptacle.
The angle adjustment device 40 includes a shaft 42 disposed through
a cavity 44 wherein the shaft 42 and cavity 44 are cooperatively
shaped to provide a plurality of coupling orientations 46
configured to provide selectable angular attachment between the
clip 12 and the cylindrical receptacle 24. The illustrated cavity
includes a plurality of groove sets disposed at a variety of
angular positions about an interior of the cavity such that the
shaft may be positioned in a plurality of orientations.
Accordingly, a user may selectively orient the shaft relative to
the cavity and thereby alter an angular orientation of the
cylindrical receptacle.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view of a cylindrical
receptacle 24 of a tool holder 10, according to one embodiment of
the invention; wherein the tool holder 10 includes a cylindrical
receptacle 24 that is hollow and coupled to the exterior member of
the clip. The cylindrical receptacle 24 includes a top 54; wherein
the top 54 of the cylindrical receptacle 24 includes a pair of
recessed portions 56 disposed oppositely. The recessed portions may
be configured to receive a head and a tail of a tool. One
non-limiting example may be a hammer, wherein the head of the
hammer is configured to rest about one of the recessed portions and
the tail remover of the hammer is configured to rest about the
other recessed portion. One of the recessed portions may be
configured to receive a rounded edge of the head of the hammer and
the other recessed portion may be configured to receive the flat
nail remover of the hammer. Accordingly, a tool may be secured
within a "well" thereby enhancing stability.
[0040] In operation of one embodiment of the invention a user
attaches a tool holder onto a belt and/or waist of a pair of pants
worn by the user. The user slides the interior member of the clip
about an interior portion of the belt and/or waist of a pair of
pants, until the U-shaped bend is contacting the top of the belt
and/or waist of a pair of pants of the user. The plurality of
support ridges assists in securing the interior member of the clip
to the interior of the belt and/or waist of a pair of pants of the
user. The user then secures a tool to the cylindrical receptacle by
disposing the handle of the tool through the cylindrical receptacle
and resting the head of the tool about the top of the cylindrical
receptacle. When the tool is securely engaged with the cylindrical
receptacle, the enlarged portion near the bottom of the interior
member of the clip counterbalances the weight of the tool, thereby
supporting the tool in a substantially vertical position. Then, the
user may adjust the angle adjustment device of the tool holder to a
plurality of coupling orientations, to provide the desired angle
between the clip and the cylindrical receptacle wherein the handle
of the tool is properly orientated and angles away from the
user.
[0041] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate one embodiment of a tool holder 10,
according to one embodiment of the invention; wherein the tool
holder 10 is configured to support a tool. The tool holder 10
includes a cylindrical receptacle 24 that is hollow and coupled to
the exterior member of the clip. The cylindrical receptacle 24 also
includes a top 54; wherein the top 54 of the cylindrical receptacle
24 includes a pair of recessed portions 56 disposed oppositely. The
tool holder 10 also includes a magnet 64 disposed along the
exterior member 16, wherein the magnet 64 is configured to attract
a portion of a tool disposed in the tool holder 10. The cylindrical
receptacle 24 further includes a bias member 60 extending into an
interior 62 of the cylindrical receptacle 24 and configured to
cooperate with the magnet 64 in angling a body of a tool extending
through a bottom of the tool holder such that the body of the tool
extends diagonally downward away from the axis of the clip. The
illustrated bias member is a leaf spring and may be made out of a
material with elastic properties. Accordingly, the bias member may
bend during tool insertion or other times but then may cause the
body of a tool to be oriented away from the user when in a stowed
mode. The bias member may be selectably adjustable in position,
orientation, and/or spring constant by structures and/or methods
currently understood by one skilled in the art upon reviewing the
contents of this application such as, but not limited to by screws,
shaft-cavity combinations, levers, hinges, and the like.
[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates a front elevational view of a tool holder
10, according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein the tool
holder 10 includes a clip 12 configured to couple to pants of a
user. The clip 12 includes an exterior member 16 coupled to an
interior member along a U-shaped bend 18. The tool holder 10
includes a storage receptacle 68 coupled to a side of the clip 12
and the cylindrical receptacle 24 and including a cavity 70 with a
top opening 72. The storage receptacle 68 is configured to allow a
user to store elongated items therein, such as but not limited to
carpenter pencils.
[0043] In operation of one embodiment of the invention, a user
attaches a tool holder onto a belt and/or waist of a pair of pants
worn by the user. The user slides the interior member of the clip
about an interior portion of the belt and/or waist of a pair of
pants, until the U-shaped bend is contacting the top of the belt
and/or waist of a pair of pants of the user. The user then secures
a tool to the cylindrical receptacle by disposing the handle of the
tool through the cylindrical receptacle and resting the head of the
tool about the top of the cylindrical receptacle. When the tool is
securely engaged with the cylindrical receptacle, the enlarged
portion near the bottom of the interior member of the clip
counterbalances the weight of the tool, thereby supporting the tool
in a substantially vertical position. In addition, the biased
member of the cylindrical receptacle angles the tool away from the
user, thereby disposing the tool as to not impede movement of the
user. Furthermore, the magnet is configured to secure the head of
the tool to the exterior member of the clip, thereby assisting the
bias member of the cylindrical receptacle in disposing the tool
handle away from the user.
[0044] It is understood that the above-described embodiments are
only illustrative of the application of the principles of the
present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
[0045] For example, although the figures illustrate a tool holder
including a clip, a cylindrical receptacle, an angle adjustment
device, a pair of recessed portions, a cylindrical receptacle
having a top circumference and a bottom circumference; wherein the
bottom circumference is smaller than the top circumference, a
magnet, a storage receptacle, a bias member, a clip having an
enlarged portion disposed near a bottom end of the interior member,
and a plurality of support ridges; one skilled in the art would
appreciate that the device may include all, one, or a few of these
elements in one embodiment and still perform its intended
function.
[0046] Additionally, although the figures illustrate a clip having
an interior member and an exterior member coupled along a U-shaped
bend, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the clip may
vary in size, shape, design, configuration, color, length, width,
height, depth, and still perform its intended function.
[0047] It is also envisioned that one skilled in the art would
appreciate that the cylindrical receptacle may vary in size, shape,
configuration, design, circumference, and axis to receive and
secure a variety of different sized tools and still perform its
intended function.
[0048] It is expected that there could be numerous variations of
the design of this invention. An example is that the configuration
may be reversed to suit a left handed user and still perform its
intended function.
[0049] Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device
may be constructed of a variety of materials, such as but not
limited to plastic, plastic composite, metal, metal alloys, rubber,
rubber composite, etc. and still perform its intended function.
[0050] Thus, while the present invention has been fully described
above with particularity and detail in connection with what is
presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment
of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to,
variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the
principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the
claims. Further, it is contemplated that an embodiment may be
limited to consist of, or to consist essentially of, one or more of
the features, functions, structures, methods described herein.
* * * * *