U.S. patent application number 12/460186 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-20 for tool suspension assembly.
Invention is credited to Jui-Chien Kao.
Application Number | 20110011813 12/460186 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43464548 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110011813 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kao; Jui-Chien |
January 20, 2011 |
Tool suspension assembly
Abstract
A tool suspension assembly has a base and multiple tool holders.
The base is elongated and has a back board and a rail. The rail is
elongated and is longitudinally formed on the back board. The tool
holders are slidably mounted on the rail and each has a clamp, a
tool mount and two oblique guiding tabs. The clamp is mounted
slidably on the rail. The tool mount is tubular, is connected to
the clamp and has a C-shaped cross section, a first part and at
least one second part. The C-shaped cross section makes the tool
mount having an opening. The at least one second part has a
thickness smaller than that of the first part. The oblique guiding
tabs are respectively and obliquely formed on and protruding from
two sides of the opening of the tool mount.
Inventors: |
Kao; Jui-Chien; (Tali City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COOPER & DUNHAM, LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 20th Floor
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Family ID: |
43464548 |
Appl. No.: |
12/460186 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/70.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/70.6 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A tool suspension assembly comprising: a base being elongated
and having a back board having a front side and a rear side; and a
rail being elongated and longitudinally formed on and protruding
from the front side of the back board; and multiple tool holders
slidably mounted on the rail on the base and each having a clamp
mounted slidably on the rail on the base; a tool mount being
tubular, connected to the clamp and having a C-shaped cross section
to define an opening in a side of the tool mount opposite to the
clamp; a first part having a thickness; and at least one second
part having a thickness smaller than that of the first part; and
two oblique guiding tabs respectively and obliquely formed on and
protruding from two sides of the opening of the tool mount.
2. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
guiding tabs of each tool holder respectively protrude outward from
the sides of the opening of the tool mount.
3. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each
tool holder further has two lateral tabs respectively connected to
the guiding tabs and being parallel with the back board of the
base.
4. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein each
tool holder further has two connecting tabs respectively connected
to the lateral tabs and to the clamp of the tool holder.
5. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each
tool holder further has a reinforced tab laterally formed between
and connected to the clamp, the tool mount and the connecting
tabs.
6. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein each
tool mount has two second parts formed respectively at the sides of
the opening.
7. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 6 further
comprising two hanging elements attached to the rear side of the
back board and each having a hanging board having a top, a bottom,
a front side attached to attached to the rear side of the back
board and a rear side; two base hooks formed respectively on the
top and bottom of the hanging board, protruding from the front side
of the hanging board and respectively mounted over and hooking on a
top edge and a bottom edge of the back board; and a panel hook
formed on and protruding from the rear side of the hanging
board.
8. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein each
tool holder further has two connecting tabs mounted between the
tool mount and the clamp of the tool holder to connect the tool
mount to the clamp.
9. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein each
tool mount has two recesses defined longitudinally in an inner
surface of the tool mount to define two second parts on the tool
mount respectively at positions in which the recesses are
defined.
10. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 9 further
comprising two hanging elements attached to the rear side of the
back board and each having a hanging board having a top, a bottom,
a front side attached to attached to the rear side of the back
board and a rear side; two base hooks formed respectively on the
top and bottom of the hanging board, protruding from the front side
of the hanging board and respectively mounted over and hooking on a
top edge and a bottom edge of the back board; and a panel hook
formed on and protruding from the rear side of the hanging
board.
11. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each tool holder further has two lateral tabs respectively
connected to the guiding tabs and being parallel with the back
board of the base.
12. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein
each tool holder further has two connecting tabs respectively
connected to the lateral tabs and to the clamp of the tool
holder.
13. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein
each tool holder further has a reinforced tab laterally formed
between and connected to the clamp, the tool mount and the
connecting tabs.
14. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each tool holder further has two connecting tabs mounted between
the tool mount and the clamp of the tool holder to connect the tool
mount to the clamp.
15. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each tool mount has two second parts formed respectively at the
sides of the opening.
16. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each tool mount has two recesses defined longitudinally in an inner
surface of the tool mount to define two second parts on the tool
mount respectively at positions in which the recesses are
defined.
17. The tool suspension assembly as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising two hanging elements attached to the rear side of the
back board and each having a hanging board having a top, a bottom,
a front side attached to attached to the rear side of the back
board and a rear side; two base hooks formed respectively on the
top and bottom of the hanging board, protruding from the front side
of the hanging board and respectively mounted over and hooking on a
top edge and a bottom edge of the back board; and a panel hook
formed on and protruding from the rear side of the hanging board.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a tool suspension assembly,
and more particularly to a tool suspension assembly that can hold
tools in a convenient way.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] A tool suspension assembly can hold multiple tools, such as
screwdrivers or wrenches and is always attached to an object for
storing or displaying the tools on the wall. A conventional tool
suspension assembly has multiple tool holders arranged at intervals
for holding tools thereon. However, the intervals of the tool
holders on the conventional tool suspension assembly are not
adjustable, such that the use of the conventional tool suspension
assembly is not convenient and versatile.
[0005] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to
provide a tool suspension assembly to mitigate or obviate the
aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The main objective of the invention is to provide a tool
suspension assembly that can hold tools in a convenient way. The
tool suspension assembly has a base and multiple tool holders. The
base is elongated and has a back board and a rail. The back board
has a front side and a rear side. The rail is elongated and is
longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the front side of the
back board. The tool holders are slidably mounted on the rail on
the base and each has a clamp, a tool mount and two oblique guiding
tabs. The clamp is mounted slidably on the rail on the base. The
tool mount is tubular, is connected to the clamp and has a C-shaped
cross section, a first part and at least one second part. The
C-shaped cross section makes the tool mount having an opening
defined in a side of the tool mount opposite to the clamp. The at
least one second part has a thickness smaller than that of the
first part. The oblique guiding tabs are respectively and obliquely
formed on and protruding from two sides of the opening of the tool
mount.
[0007] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool suspension assembly
in accordance with the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a hanging board
with two tool suspension assemblies in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 2A is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the
hanging board with one of the tool suspension assemblies in FIG.
2;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment
of tool mount of the tool suspension assembly in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is operational perspective views of the tool
suspension assembly in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is operational top views in partial section of the
tool suspension assembly in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an operational side view in partial section of the
hanging board with the tool suspension assemblies in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 6A is an enlarged side view in partial section of the
tool suspension assembly in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
tool mount in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is operational top views in partial section of the
tool mount in FIG. 7; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is operational perspective views of a tool suspension
assembly with the tool mounts in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a tool suspension assembly
in accordance with the present invention may be hung on a hanging
panel or a wall and comprises a base (10), multiple tool holders
(20) and two hanging elements (30).
[0020] The base (10) is elongated and comprises a back board (11)
and a rail (12). The back board (11) has a top edge, a bottom edge,
a front side, a rear side and two hanging holes (111). The hanging
holes (111) are defined through the back board (11) respectively
near two ends of the back board (11). The rail (12) is elongated
and is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the front side
of the back board (11). With reference further to FIG. 6A, the rail
(12) may comprise two rail elements separately mounted on and
protruding from the front side of the back board (11). The rail
elements each have a T-shaped cross section to define a rail
channel (121,122) opposite to each other. The rail elements are
separated from each other, so a guiding channel (123) is defined
between the rail elements to make the rail elements being
resilient.
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 7 and 9, the tool holders
(20,20A) are slidably mounted on the rail (12) on the base (10),
and each tool holder (20,20A) has a clamp (21,21A), a tool mount
(22,22A), two oblique guiding tabs (222,222A) and two lateral tabs
(223,223A). The clamp (21,21A) is mounted slidably on the rail (12)
on the base (10) and has two rail hooks (211,212) formed
respectively on the top and bottom of the clamp (21,21A) and
respectively held slidably in the rail channels (121,122).
[0022] The tool mount (22,22A) is tubular, is connected to the
clamp (21,21A) and has a body having C-shaped cross section, a
first part and at least one second part. With the C-shaped cross
section, an opening (221,221A) is defined in a side of the tool
mount (22,22A) opposite to the clamp (21,21A). The at least one
second part has a thickness smaller than that of the first part to
make the tool mount (22,22A) being resilient and easily expandable.
In the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The tool mount
(22) has two second parts formed respectively at the sides of the
opening (221). In a second embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 7
and 8, the tool mount (22A) has two recesses (2212A) defined
longitudinally in an inner surface of the tool mount (22A) to
define two second parts on the tool mount (22A) respectively at
positions in which the recesses (2212A) are defined.
[0023] The oblique guiding tabs (222,222A) are respectively and
obliquely formed on and protrude outward from two sides of the
opening (221,221A) of the tool mount (22,22A).
[0024] The lateral tabs (223,223A) are respectively connected to
the guiding tabs (222,222A) and are parallel with the back board
(11) of the base (10).
[0025] In the first embodiment, each tool holder (20) may further
have two connecting tabs (224) and a reinforced tab (225). The
connecting tabs (224) are respectively connected to the lateral
tabs (223) and to the clamp (21) of the tool holder (20). The
reinforced tab (225) is laterally formed between and connected to
middle portions of the clamp (21), the tool mount (22) and the
connecting tabs (224). With the arrangement of the reinforced tab
(225), the structural strength of the tool holder (20) is enhanced.
With the arrangement of the connecting tabs (224) and the
reinforced tab (225), the tool mount (22) is connected to the clamp
(21).
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, in the second embodiment,
each tool holder (22A) further has two connecting tabs (224A)
mounted between the tool mount (22A) and the clamp (21A) of the
tool holder (20A) to connect the tool mount (22A) to the clamp
(21A).
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 6A, the hanging elements (30)
are attached to the rear side of the back board (11), and each
hanging element (30) having a hanging board (31), two base hooks
(32) and a panel hook (33). The hanging board (31) has a top, a
bottom, a front side attached to attached to the rear side of the
back board (11) and a rear side. The base hooks (32) are formed
respectively on the top and bottom of the hanging board (31),
protrude from the front side of the hanging board (31) and are
mounted over and hook on a top edge and a bottom edge of the back
board (11) in respective. The panel hook (33) is formed on and
protrudes from the rear side of the hanging board (31) to be
inserted into or engage a hole defined in a hanging panel or a
wall.
[0028] To attach the tool suspension assembly onto a hanging panel
or a wall, with reference to FIGS. 2, 2A, 6 and 6A, the panel hooks
(33) are inserted respectively into holes defined in the hanging
panel or the wall. Fasteners, such as bolts or nails are mounted
through the hanging holes (111) in the back board (11) and into the
hanging panel or the wall. Consequently, the tool suspension
assembly can be held securely on the hanging panel or the wall.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 2, 4 to 6, 8 and 9, to hang tools
(40,50), such as a screwdriver (40,50), wrench or the like on the
tool suspension assembly, the shank (41,51) of a tool is inserted
into and held on the tool mount (22) of one of the tool holders
(20). Take a screwdriver (40,50) for an example, the shank (41,51)
of the screwdriver (40,50) can be inserted into the tool mount
(22,22A) from the top of the tool holder (20,20A) in longitudinal
direction or via the opening (221,221A) in a horizontal
direction.
[0030] When the screwdriver (40,50) is inserted into the tool mount
(22,22A) from the opening (221,221A), the oblique guiding tabs
(222,222A) can provide a guiding effect to the shank (41,51) of the
screwdriver (40,50) to allow the shank (41,51) into the opening
(221,221A) easily. When the shank (41,51) enters the opening
(221,221A), the C-shaped tool mount (22,22A) will be expanded to
allow the shank (41,51) entering into the tool mount (22,22A).
Consequently, the screwdriver (40,50) can be securely held on the
tool mount (22,22A) of the tool holder (20,20A) for storing or
displaying.
[0031] When a user wants to use a tool, the tool is pulled outward
from the top of the tool mount (22,22A) directly or from the
opening (221,221A). When the tool is pulled out the tool mount
(22,22A) from the opening (221,221A), the tool mount (22,22A) is
expanded to allow the shank of the tool to escape from the tool
mount (22,22A). Accordingly, to take the tool into or out from the
tool holder (20,20A) is easy and convenient. In addition, with the
arrangement of the second parts having a thickness smaller than
that of the first part of the tool mount (22,22A), the tool mount
(22,22A) is easily expanded to allow the tool to enter into or
escape from the tool mount (22,22A).
[0032] Additionally, because the tool holders (20,20A) is slidable
along the rail (12) on the back board (11), the distance between
adjacent tool holder (20,20A) is adjustable to fit with different
kinds of tools. Thus, the tool suspension assembly in accordance
with the present invention is versatile in use.
[0033] Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 2, because the tools can
be put into the tool mounts (22,22A) in a horizontal direction, so
the distance between two adjacent tool suspension assemblies on a
hanging panel or a wall can be minimized. Accordingly, more tools
can be hung on the hanging panel or the wall with the compact
arrangement of the tool suspension assemblies.
[0034] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be
made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *