U.S. patent application number 12/001424 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for modular hammer loop.
Invention is credited to Joshua Keeler, Michael Harmik Panosian, James Stobar.
Application Number | 20100072242 12/001424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42036605 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100072242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Panosian; Michael Harmik ;
et al. |
March 25, 2010 |
Modular hammer loop
Abstract
A wall organizing system includes a generally elongate track. A
member is provided for attaching the track to a wall or other
substantially vertical surface. At least one attaching member is
slidably and selectively movable along the track between opposing
lateral ends of the track for attaching to an item to be secured to
the wall or other surface.
Inventors: |
Panosian; Michael Harmik;
(Glendale, CA) ; Keeler; Joshua; (Glendale,
CA) ; Stobar; James; (Glendale, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael H. Panosian
2425 Canada Blvd. (#102)
Glendale
CA
91208
US
|
Family ID: |
42036605 |
Appl. No.: |
12/001424 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/666 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2200/0575 20130101;
A45F 5/021 20130101; A45F 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/666 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A modular hammer loop comprising a generally U-shaped member
defining spaced parallel portions and a generally curved portion
and free opposing ends, said parallel portions being spaced from
each other a distance to allow a selected handle of a hammer or
other tool having a handle to pass there-between; and attachment
means at said free opposing ends for attachment over an edge of a
planar object.
2. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said
parallel and curved portions are formed of a continuous rod.
3. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said
attachment means are clips that can slip over an edge of a planar
object.
4. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 3, wherein said clips
are spring clips that are biased to apply spring pressure to the
planar object.
5. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said
attachment means comprise two spring clips one at each free
end.
6. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, in combination with
a tool belt which forms the planar object providing said edge.
7. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, in combination with
a tool pouch or bag which forms the planar object providing said
edge.
8. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said
parallel portions are straight.
9. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said
parallel portions are curved.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to hand tool
accessories, and, in particular, to a modular hammer loop.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Hammers are one of the most commonly used hand tools. For
this reason, tool belts are frequently provided with a hammer loop.
Such loops are typically formed of a U-shaped metal rod that
provides a space for receiving a handle of a hammer while being
dimensioned to prevent passage of the head of a hammer. In this
way, a hammer can be easily removed from or inserted into the loop
as a worker needs to repeatedly use the hammer. This ensures that
the hammer is always available, and easily accessible to the
worker. However, hammer loops of the type under discussion are
frequently permanently mounted on a tool belt or tool bag or pouch
mounted on a belt. This prevents a worker from moving the hammer
loop from one tool belt to another or from one tool pocket or pouch
to another, or simply repositioning the hammer loop to a location
that is most convenient for a particular worker or working
condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a hammer
accessory in the form of a hammer loop that does not have the
disadvantages inherent in prior hammer loops.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a hammer
loop that is simple in construction and economical to
manufacture.
[0007] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
universal hammer loop can be mounted on a tool belt or on a tool
pocket or pouch mounted on tool belts.
[0008] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
hammer loop, as in the previous objects, that can be removably
mounted from one tool belt to another or from one tool pocket to
another.
[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hammer
loop as in the previous objects that can be selectively positioned
and repositioned by a worker to position the hammer loop at a
location most convenient to the worker.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent when it is considered in detail in the below
specification, taken with the drawings as follows:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular hammer loop in
accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tool pocket or pouch,
showing how the modular hammer loop of the invention can be mounted
on the edge of a pocket for attachment to a tool belt.
[0013] `FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
modular hammer loop in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Turning now to the drawings, in which similar or identical
parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and
first referring to FIG. 1, a hammer loop in accordance with the
invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
[0015] The hammer loop 10 is formed of a U-shaped metal rod 12. The
rod 12 has a generally U-shaped or curved portion 12a and spaced
straight generally parallel portions 12b, 12c. The straight portion
12b has a free end that is bent upwardly to form vertical or
upright portion 12d while the straight portion 12c has a free end
that is bent upwardly to form vertical or upright portion 12e.
[0016] Each of the vertical portions 12d, 12e, is welded at 15 to
an associated clip 14. However, the vertical portions may be
attached to the clips 14 in any other suitable or conventional
manner.
[0017] Each clip 14 has a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section
formed by a front portion 14a and a spaced rear portion 14b
connected to the front portion 14a by means of a bridging portion
14c. The front portion 14a is welded or otherwise attached to an
associated upright or vertical side leg 12d, 12e. The rear portions
are each provided at their lower ends with upper and lower inclined
portions 14d, 14e that are inclined to form a retaining edge at 14f
located or situated proximate to the two associated upright or
vertical legs. The depth of each of the connecting or the bridging
portions 14c generally corresponds to the anticipated thickness of
tool belts, supporting wall structures, tool pockets or pouches or
the like.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, a modular hammer loop 10 in accordance
with the invention is shown mounted on a tool bag 16 formed of a
rigid panel 18 to which is there is preferably attached a
releasable finger grip 20 of the type described in the following
U.S. patent applications: Ser. No. 10/835, 658 filed on Apr. 30,
2004, and published as 20050242144, and Ser. No. 10/838, 601 filed
on May 4, 2004 and published as 20050263552. As the finger grip
mechanism has been fully described in the aforementioned published
applications, it will not be described in detail in this
application, and the teachings in the aforementioned applications
are fully incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this
description. Clearly, the finger grip mechanism 18 may be secured
to the rigid panel, by any suitable means.
[0019] The tool bag 16 is shown provided with a series of pockets
22, each of which defines an upper edge 22'. In the case of the
larger pocket 24, a separate upper edge 24' is provided. Any of the
upper edges, as well as straps 26, may be used for attachment of
the hammer loop 10. It will also be evident that the hammer loop
can be mounted on a tool belt or any other belt use the by a
worker. The construction of the clips 14 ensures that the hammer
loop 10 is securely retained on any belt or wall upper edge at
which it is mounted.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, a modified embodiment of the invention
is designated by the reference numeral 10'. In this embodiment, a
front plate 28 is provided, which is secured to the upright or
vertical side legs 12d', 12e' by means of rivets 30. The front
plate 28 curves rearwardly and downwardly at the 28' to form a
lower extension 14g and edge 14h. Thus, in this embodiment, a
unitary clip is provided to which the metal rods is secured,
instead of having the rod secured to to separate clips as in the
first embodiment. Other combinations of clips and metal rods may be
used as long as the modular loop can be securely attached to a belt
or upper edge of a wall forming a tool pocket or pouch.
[0021] The modular hammer loop of the present invention is designed
to allows the end-user to place the hammer loop anywhere on a tool
belt or a tool pocket. Every end-user has different habits and
ergonomic properties. Therefore, this invention provides a diverse
range of users with many choices suitable for them.
[0022] The hammer loop can be made of metal or plastic, as long as
of the clips used are sufficiently sturdy and provide the necessary
retaining properties to securely grip the material forming an edge
on which of they are mounted.
[0023] While the preferred embodiments have been shown and
described, it will be understood that the there is no intention to
limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is the
intention to cover all modifications and alternate constructions
falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *