The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Patent Application No. 10 2020 103 316.8, filed 10 Feb. 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiments of the invention relate to a block for receiving tool elements, a tool arrangement and a method of managing tool elements.
Bit holders are known in different configurations and application purposes. In particular, small bit boxes in the size of one or two cigarette packets are used, in which multiple bits are arranged and which are closable with a lid. In the bit box, usually an assortment of different bits is arranged.
It is disadvantageous, that the bit boxes are frequently very large, to receive all bit variants. In this case, the stockpiling of the bit box and the carrying of the same to a location of use are problematic. Or the bit boxes are small, which simplifies the stockpiling of the bit variants and the carrying to the location of use. However, in this case, the selection of bits in the bit box is highly limited.
There may be a need to efficiently organize tool elements.
The subject matters with the features according to the independent patent claims are provided. Further embodiments are shown in the dependent claims.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a block (in particular an ingot) for receiving tool elements (such as bits and/or drills) is provided, wherein the block comprises an elongated (in particular an ingot-shaped) base body and at least one tool element recess (for example a receiving indentation for a tool element) which is formed at the base body, for user-definedly receiving at least one tool element, and coupling structures which are formed at the base body for detachably coupling the block with a tool management device (for example a box with a lid).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a tool arrangement is provided which comprises a block for receiving tool elements with the above-described features and a tool management device with further coupling structures for detachably coupling the tool management device with the coupling structures which are formed at the base body of the block.
According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, a method of managing tool elements is provided, wherein the method comprises user-definedly receiving at least one tool element at at least one tool element recess which is formed at an elongated base body of a block, and coupling the block with a tool management device by forming a detachable operative connection between coupling structures which are formed at the base body and further coupling structures of the tool management device.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a block for receiving tool elements is provided, in which one or more user-selectable tool elements can be received in one or more tool element recesses of the block. By means of coupling structures of the block, the block (with or without the tool elements) can be flexibly and reversibly mechanically coupled with a selectable one of different tool management devices with respective corresponding coupling structures. It is also possible to user-specifically combine multiple blocks with one tool management device. In this way, an intuitively handleable, modular and flexible system is provided, by which a user can simply carryably assort required tool elements, a set of tool elements which is desired by the user, by purely selecting and inserting into the respective tool element recess and by detachably coupling the corresponding block with a tool management device. Such a tool arrangement is configurable and reconfigurable as desired by a user and enables to portably bring a compact and lightweight tool arrangement which is tailored to the requirements of the user to a desired location of use.
In the following, additional exemplary embodiments of the block, the tool arrangement and the method are described.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling structures may be arranged at two opposing side surfaces of the base body. In a corresponding manner, the further coupling structures of the tool management device may be arranged at two opposing side surfaces of the tool management device. This enables an especially stable two-sided mounting of the block to the tool management.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling structures may comprise an outer and tapering insertion slant for guidingly inserting a bearing bolt of the tool management device, which insertion slant leads to a locally expanded opening for lockingly receiving the tool management device. Correspondingly, the further coupling structures of the tool management device may comprise a bearing bolt for being guided through an outer and tapering insertion slant of the coupling structures of the block up to a locally expanded opening of the coupling structures of the block, for lockingly receiving the bearing bolt at the block. In a guided manner, a user can thus insert the bearing bolt of the tool management device into the opening of the block, wherein the user is supported or assisted by the insertion aid in form of the insertion slant. Hence, an error-free robust operation of the tool arrangement is ensured.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the further coupling structures may comprise a tapering projection at the bearing bolt, wherein the tapering projection is configured for, in particular form-lockingly, receiving at the tapering insertion slant of the coupling structures of the block. In this way, a simple and guided mounting of the block to the tool management device is combined with a targeted latching, optionally with a haptic feedback to a user.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling structures may comprise an expansion slit which is adjoining the expanded opening at an inner side. Such an expansion slit facilitates the resiliently receiving and attaching of a block to a tool management device, such that the tool arrangement can be effectively protected against a damage during operation.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the block may comprise a run-up slope which is extending along a longitudinal axis of the block body between a top side and a sidewall, preferably slanted with respect to a vertical and to a horizontal vector. Thereby, a user can insert or remove tool elements, such as bits, in a simple manner by hand into or out of the tool element recesses of the block.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the coupling structures may be configured for selectively coupling the block with the tool management device and for selectively decoupling the block from the tool management device, respectively. The possibility to configure the coupling between the block and the tool management device reversibly and detachably, respectively, enables arbitrarily configuring and reconfiguring and equipping and re-equipping, respectively, a block with a user-defined set of tool elements.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the block body may comprise an insertion recess for inserting a tool, in particular a slotted screwdriver, such that, by inserting the tool into the insertion recess, the block can be levered out of the tool management device.
For example, by inserting the slit of a screwdriver into the preferably slit-shaped insertion recess in a front surface and side surface, respectively, of the elongated block by a user, by a proper torque and thus with little force, a block which is mounted with a high attachment force to a tool management device can be dismounted without destruction. Such an insertion recess is an intuitively operable feature for a user, to conveniently and force-savingly release the block from a tool management device.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the block body may comprise a sidewall which comprises the coupling structures, with a hollow which is arranged behind it, such that the sidewall can be engaged behind by an engaging section of the tool management device. In a corresponding manner, the further coupling structures of the tool management device may comprise an engaging section for engaging behind a sidewall of the block, which sidewall comprises the coupling structures. In this way, the block is protected also in its longitudinal direction against an undesired release in a form-locking manner.
According to an exemplary embodiment, at the block body, a serial arrangement of multiple tool element recesses may be formed. For example, at least two, in particular at least four, further in particular at least eight, tool element recesses may be provided in a linear arrangement, to accommodate a corresponding number of tool elements in a space-saving manner in the elongated block.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one tool element recesses may be configured for receiving at least one bit, may in particular comprise a hexagonal inner profile. A “bit” in particular may denote a replaceable screwdriver blade without a handle for a certain screw head profile. A reception body of a bit for inserting into the tool element recess of the block may be shaped hexagonally, for example. The reception body may be inserted into a correspondingly standardized bit holder.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one tool element recess may be configured for receiving at least one bit holder, in particular configured for pivotably receiving at least one bit holder. A “bit holder” in particular may denote a connecting portion between a bit and a driving device (for example a battery-operated screwdriver or manual screwdriver). A bit holder may serve for fixing, by means of the bit, an attachment element, such as a screw.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one tool element recess may be configured for receiving at least one drill, in particular may comprise a circular inner profile. A drill may be configured for use in a drill machine as a tool, by which holes can be generated in a rigid material by a rotating motion. Usually, a drill has a cylindrical reception body which can be inserted in a correspondingly shaped and dimensioned tool element recess. Alternatively or additionally to drills, also other tool elements with cylindrical bodies may be received, in cylindrical tool element recesses, for example milling cutters.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the block may be formed integrally, in particular made of one material, preferably as an injection molded article. In this way, a simple and rapid manufacture of the block with a lightweight configuration is possible.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one tool element recess may be formed in an inner end region, in particular as a half hollow truncated cone, to force an inserted tool element to a pregiven inner position at a shell surface of the tool element recess. According to such an especially advantageous configuration, when inserting a tool element with a cylindrical reception body, the cylindrical reception body, when reaching the half hollow truncated cone, can be laterally pushed against a predefined position of the shell surface of the tool element recess. Thereby, a predefined reception of the tool element in the block is ensured.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the at least one tool element recess may be formed in an outer end region, in particular by a pair of pivoting arms, to force an inserted tool element to a pregiven outer position at a shell surface of the tool element recess. Especially advantageously, at an outer side, preferably two pivoting arms can push a tool element which is received in the tool element recess in a predefined direction and thus can definedly position it.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a connection line between the inner position and the outer position may run in parallel to a central axis of the tool element recess and may run offset to it. In combination, the described shape of the inner end region of the tool element recess and the provision of pivoting arms may cooperate synergistically and may ensure a predefined positioning of the tool element at a desired sidewall of the shell surface. Thereby, undesirably displacing a received tool element can be reliably prevented.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool arrangement may comprise at least one further tool management device with further coupling structures for alternatively coupling the at least one further tool management device with the coupling structures which are formed at the base body, alternatively to coupling said tool management device with the block. Descriptively speaking, multiple tool management devices may be provided and may be combined in a user-defined manner in connection with one and the same block and with one and the same set of multiple blocks, respectively. This may be accomplished by configuring the blocks and the tool management device with corresponding coupling structures and by corresponding distances between opposing coupling structures.
According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the tool management device and the at least one further tool management device may comprise at least one of a group consisting of a box (in particular with a lid or without lid), one or a plurality (in particular two) coupling belts, a case, a shelf, a tool trolley, and a vehicle. Also, other tool management devices may be combined with one or multiple blocks according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool arrangement may comprise at least one further block with the above-described features for receiving tool elements. The coupling structures of the at least one further block may be couplable with the further coupling structures of the tool management device. Not only multiple tool management devices, but also multiple blocks may form a part of a construction set whose constituents can be variably combined by a user to adapt them to a respectively desired set of tool elements.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the further coupling structures may be pivotably arranged at a bottom of the tool management device, to be pivoted for supporting a release of a block which is coupled with the tool management device.
For example, the further coupling structures may be coupled to a bottom of the tool management device by a (preferably integrally formed) hinge at the bottom. By a user pivoting by hand a strip which is connecting, carrying and forming, respectively, the further coupling structures, around a pivoting axis at the bottom of the tool management device, releasing an existing connection between the tool management device and the block may be facilitated and supported, respectively. Descriptively speaking, such a pivotable arrangement of the further coupling structures may therefore serve as a release aid to be able to simply release a fixed connection between the tool management device and the block.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool management device may comprise a biasing unit for biasing a coupled block, which biasing unit is configured such that, by merely opening the tool management device, the block is moved at an outer side of the device by means of the biasing unit. Advantageously, the biasing unit may be configured such that, when opening the tool management device, the block is lifted and/or pivoted. For example, a biasing unit may be a spring which is biased by closing a lid of the tool management device while lowering the mounted block. When subsequently opening the lid of the tool management device, the biased spring can relax while lifting the block. In this way, user access to a block which is mounted at the tool management device and to the tool elements which are received at it can be simplified. Alternatively to a spring, also a magnetic mechanism may be utilized as biasing unit, for example. Alternatively to lifting a block when opening a lid of a tool management device, such an opening may lead to pivoting a block which is mounted therein.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool management device may be configured as a strip-shaped coupling belt to which the block is coupled. In particular, the tool management device may be configured as a pair of strip-shaped coupling belts between which the block may be coupled. Coupling belts are an especially lightweight and one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally scalable and extendable, respectively, possibility to receive an arbitrary multiplicity of blocks. The blocks which are mounted between two coupling belts may be arranged in parallel with respect to each other in a space-saving manner.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool management device may comprise at least one coupling plate which is connectable with a further, in particular identical, coupling plate by corresponding connection structures. “Identical coupling plate” denotes such a one which is identical to said coupling plate with respect to shape and dimensions. A “similar coupling plate” denotes such a one whose shape corresponds to that of said coupling plate, but which may comprise other dimensions, for example. Structures for connecting coupling plates may be formed at similar coupling plates in such a manner, that they can be correspondingly used together. In this way, a modular system may be provided which can be arbitrarily expanded in one or in two dimensions.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the connection structures of a coupling plate may comprise at least one connection pin and/or at least one connection opening. Such a connection pin, due to its shape, may be configured for inserting into the connection opening. Coupling plates with such connection structures may be connected to each other, in order to spatially expand a tool arrangement. For example, it is possible to configure a coupling plate both with connection pins and with connection openings, such that a coupling plate may act both as receiving and as received coupling plate.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool management device may be configured as a belt clip. Advantageously, this may be performed such that, when coupling the block with the tool management device, between the belt clip and the block, a loop for guiding a belt through it is formed. According to such a configuration, a user can conveniently carry the tool management device with the block at a belt and can thus, without the need to use his hands, carry it to a location of use. A belt loop may be conveniently formed by placing a block at the tool management device which is configured as belt clip, such that the mounting is simple and convenient for a user.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool management device may be configured such that, at a side which is opposite to the loop, at least one further block is couplable. In this way, also in case of a mounting to a belt, a considerable number of tool elements can be carried by a user.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool management device may further comprise a plug recess for a bit holder. Separately carrying a bit holder to a location of use may then be dispensable.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool management device may be configured as a box, in particular as a box with a lid. In case of a chest and a box, respectively, which preferably can be closed by a lid, the tool elements which are accommodated in the block in the box can be protected against pollution and damage and against undesirably falling out.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool management device may comprise at least one groove for suspending the tool management device. In this way, the hands of a user may remain free for performing a mounting task. Alternatively, the groove may also be configured with respect to size and dimension such that it can be gripped by a user.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the tool arrangement may comprise a multiplicity of tool management devices which are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction and/or in a transverse direction. Therefore, tool management devices may be expanded in one or two dimensions, in order to form more complex tool arrangements.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the method may comprise equipping and/or re-equipping the block by a user with a set of user-defined tool elements which is selected from a larger reservoir of tool elements by the user. Thereby, according to embodiments of the invention, a freely combinable modular system is provided.
For example, a block which is configured as a bit block according to an embodiment of the invention may comprise a hexagonal recess for one or more bits. A block which is configured as a drill block may comprise a cylindrical recess and optionally a hollow truncated cone-shaped bottom and pivoting arms. In other words, a tool element recess and the tool elements may be adapted to each other with respect to shape and dimension.
In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the following figures.
Same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numbers.
Before, referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described, some general aspects of embodiments of the invention shall be explained.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a block with tool element recess(es) (in particular a bit block as bit receiver) is provided. In this way, a flexibly usable tool arrangement with the tool elements (in particular bits) is provided.
In more detail, a block (in particular a bit block and a drill block, respectively) for receiving a defined number of tool elements (in particular bits and drills, respectively) is provided, which can be individually plugged in the block. According to an embodiment of the invention, this block forms the basis of a storage system for tool elements, such as bits, since the block is insertable in different tool management devices (for example a bit box, a belt box or a drill box) and removable therefrom. In this way, a universally configured and individually equipped block may be available for a user in different application cases, namely in the bit box, at the belt, a machine case, in the drill box, etc. For example, the block can respectively be plugged into the respective tool management device and can be removed therefrom again, preferably by establishing and releasing, respectively, a latching connection.
A block according to an embodiment of the invention generates a basis and forms the basis, respectively, for a system-wide solution of the arrangement and storage and stockpiling, respectively, of bits or other tool elements. For example, a bit block can be removably coupled with a tool management device via a plug reception (compare
A block according to an embodiment may be formed replaceably and may be plugged into a tool management device (such as a bit box, a belt, a case (in particular a machine case), etc.). Such a block can be re-equipped for each application, if necessary. The block may be plugged in a respective tool management device in order to have access to it in a simple manner at a location of use. The bit block or drill block may be respectively equipped from a bit box with a plurality of different bits (for example with different drive types and/or with different drive sizes) for the respective purpose of use. Alternatively, the bit block which is always equipped in the same manner may be carried by a user in different tool management devices for different application purposes (for example in a portable bit box or at the belt, in tool inlays, or in a drill box).
An embodiment of the invention provides a bit block (for example with a hexagonal indentation and a replaceable base portion for a case or another tool management device). Another embodiment provides a drill block (with at least one blind hole and optionally with pivoting arm(s) and optionally with a hollow truncated cone-shaped bottom and a replaceable base portion).
The block 100 which is illustrated in
The block 100 comprises an elongated base body 104 in which a serial arrangement of (in the illustrated embodiment eight) blind hole-shaped tool element recesses 106 is formed. Each tool element recess 106 is configured for receiving a correspondingly shaped tool element 102. For user-definedly receiving at least one tool element 102, a user inserts a tool element 102 in a tool element recess 106 with a corresponding shape and size. In order to be able to receive bits 136 with a hexagonal end, the tool element recesses 106 may be configured as hexagonal blind holes according to
As is best shown in
In more detail, the base body 104 comprises in both opposing end sections a plate-shaped sidewall 128 which is comprising the coupling structures 108 with a hollow 132 arranged behind the sidewall 128. Due to this configuration, the sidewall 128 can be engaged behind by an engaging section 134 which is configured as a vertical strip of the tool management device 140 for forming a firm plug connection.
Moreover, at the same front surface where also the coupling structures 108 are formed, the base body 104 comprises an opening as plug recess 130 for plugging a tool which is not illustrated in the figure, for example a slotted screwdriver. By plugging the tool into the plug recess 130 which is formed as a hole in the sidewall 128 of the base body 104, the block 100 which is mounted and coupled, respectively, at the tool management device 140, can be levered out of the tool management device 140, whereby the corresponding coupling structures 108, 152 are disengaged. In this way, the block 100 can be simply removed from the tool management device 140.
Again referring to
Advantageously, according to
The tool management device 140 according to
As illustrated in
As can best be seen in
As can best be seen in
For managing the tool elements 102 which are here configured as bits 136, a user can receive a desired set of tool elements 102 at the tool element recesses 106 which are formed at the elongated base body 104 of the respective block 100. Prior or subsequently, the user can mount a block 100 which is equipped by a user with the both coupling belts of the tool management device 140 for forming a form-locking connection between the coupling structures 108 which are formed at the base body 104 and the further coupling structures 152 of the tool management device 140. Therefore, the illustrated tool arrangement 120 enables equipping and/or re-equipping of each block 100 by a user with a set of user-defined tool elements 102 which can be selected by a user from a larger reservoir of tool elements 102. In a corresponding manner, a user can select a desired set of blocks 100, in order to combine it with a desired tool management device 140 (for example that one illustrated in
Thus, the tool arrangement 120 according to
According to
According to
Thus,
Hence, according to
Thus,
According to this embodiment, the further coupling structures 152 are pivotably mounted to a bottom 158 of the tool management device 140, to be pivoted for supporting a release of a block 100 which is coupled with the tool management device 140. Furthermore, according to
The release aid according to
Furthermore, in the embodiment according to
A corresponding tool element recess 106 of a respective drill-block 100 may be configured for receiving a drill 142 with a cylindrical end portion and may comprise a circular inner profile for this purpose.
Thus,
In
Furthermore, one of the blocks 100 is pivotably mounted in the tool management device 140. This is the block 100 which is pivotably coupled via a further hinge connection 185 with the lid 174. The other blocks 100 which are illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be noted that “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it is noted that features or steps, which are described with reference to one of the above embodiments, can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other examples described above.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102020103316.8 | Feb 2020 | DE | national |