HAMMER HOLDER POUCH

Abstract

A hammer support system including a hammer support device is described. The hammer support device can include an upper support arm forming a first opening sized to enable a handle of a hammer to be inserted into the first opening yet prevent a head of a hammer from passing through the first opening; and a lower support arm disposed downwardly at a distance from the upper support arm, the lower support arm forming a second opening sized to receive a handle of a hammer. An accessory unit can be (i) coupled to the upper support arm and the lower support arm, and (ii) extend from the upper support arm to the lower support arm. The accessory unit can also include at least one pocket and/or storage sleeve for storing a hammer accessory.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed generally to multi-function tool support devices.

BACKGROUND

Construction workers often use tool belts to conveniently contain hardware and tools in easily accessible open pockets. Such tool belts often are configured to support tools, such as hammers, nail punches, scrappers, measuring tapes and other such tools. Hammers have conventionally been supported within single leather straps and in other embodiments, within single metal rings. The hammer supports are typically affixed to a base member with belt loops that enable the base member to hang from a belt. In other embodiments, the hammer supports have been affixed to the outer surfaces of pouches on a tool belt. Typically, the hammer supports are positioned such that the handle of the hammer is at rest beside a user's hip such that a handle of the hammer extends towards the users knee. The hammer is easily accessible in these hammer supports and are relatively unrestricted thereby enabling the hammer to move in the hammer support. However, the hammer often swings uncontrollably when the user is walking causing the handle of the hammer to strike the back of the user's knee and leg repeatedly causing bruising and pain to develop in those locations. Thus, an improved hammer support is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a hammer support system configured to conveniently store a hammer or other such tool in a hammer support device while preventing the hammer from striking a person wearing the hammer support system while the person is walking. The hammer support system may be configured such that a hammer and one or more hammer accessories can be easily inserted into the system support device for temporary storage and easily removed from the support system when the hammer is needed. The hammer support system is a robust configuration that is capable of withstanding continuous abuse typically encountered when used by professional tradesmen.

The hammer support system can include a support surface and a hammer support device attached to the support surface. The hammer support device can include an upper support arm forming a first opening sized to enable a handle of a hammer to be inserted into the first opening yet prevent a head of a hammer from passing through the first opening as well as a lower support arm disposed downwardly at a distance from the upper support arm. The lower support arm can form a second opening sized to receive a handle of a hammer and the support surface and the lower support arm can completely surround a handle of a hammer in the hammer support device to limit the movement of a handle of a hammer when a head of a hammer is supported by the upper support arm. The hammer support device can also include an accessory unit (i) coupled to the upper support arm and the lower support arm, and (ii) extending from the upper support arm to the lower support arm. The accessory unit can include at least one pocket or sleeve for storing a hammer accessory.

The accessory unit can include an upper coupling sleeve extending generally horizontally proximate a top of the accessory unit and an lower coupling sleeve extending generally horizontally proximate a bottom of the accessory unit. The upper support arm can pass through the upper coupling sleeve and the lower support arm can pass through the lower coupling sleeve.

The accessory unit can include at least one pocket and at least one storage sleeve for storing a hammer accessory. The outer cover of the at least one pocket and the at least one storage sleeve can be formed from a single piece of material.

The accessory unit can include a base forming a continuous loop, and the upper support arm and the lower support arm can pass through the continuous loop formed by the base.

The accessory unit can be designed so that (i) at least one pocket is formed between the outer cover and the base, (ii) at least one storage sleeve is formed between the outer cover and the base, or (iii) both. The accessory unit can be designed so that (i) the first side edges of the base and the outer cover are coterminous, (ii) the second side edges of the base and the outer cover are coterminous, or (iii) both. The end edges of the base sheet and at least a portion of an end edge of the outer cover can be coupled together.

The hammer support system can also include a backing that includes the support surface. The hammer support system can include (i) a belt loop extending from a rear surface of the backing, (ii) a clip extending from a rear surface of the backing, e.g., an exterior surface of the belt loop, or (iii) both.

The upper support arm and the lower support arm can be discrete elements that are coupled together. The upper support arm and the lower support arm can each include overlapping support legs having attachment regions. Each of the attachment regions can include at least one opening. The upper support arm and the lower support arm can be coupled together via a fastener extending through aligned openings in the respective attachment regions of the upper and lower support arms. The overlapping portions of the support legs can be flat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hammer support system formed with a tool belt with a hammer support device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hammer support device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hammer support device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hammer support device.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the hammer support system.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the hammer support system.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the hammer support device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the hammer support device, including an accessory unit.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the hammer support device, including an accessory unit.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hammer support device of FIG. 8 taken along cutline 10-10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-10, this invention is directed to a hammer support system 9 configured to conveniently store a hammer 12 or other such tool in a tool belt 14 while preventing the hammer 12 from striking a person wearing the hammer support system 9 while the person is walking. The hammer support system 9 may be configured such that a hammer 12 may be easily inserted into the system 9 for temporary storage and easily removed from the support system 9 when the hammer 12 is needed. The hammer support system 9 is a robust configuration that is capable of withstanding continuous abuse typically encountered when used by professional tradesman. In addition, the hammer support system 9 can include an accessory unit 104 coupled to the hammer support device 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the hammer support system 9 may be formed from a hammer support device 10 formed from an upper support arm 16 attached to the tool belt 14 to form an opening 18 sized to enable a handle 20 of a hammer 12 to be inserted into the opening 18 yet prevent a head 22 of a hammer 12 from passing through the opening 18. The opening 18 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the hammer handle yet smaller than a distance from the end of the head of the hammer to an opposing side of the handle at the head of the hammer to prevent the head of the hammer from passing through the opening 18. The hammer support device 10 may also include a lower containment device 24 that is offset from the upper support arm 16 and forms an opening 26 sized to receive the handle 20 of the hammer 12 to limit the movement of the hammer 12 while the head 22 of the hammer 12 is supported by the upper support arm 16. In at least one embodiment, the lower containment device 24 may be offset downwardly from the upper support arm 16. The upper support arm 16 may be formed from any material having sufficient strength to support a hammer 12. In at least one embodiment, the upper support arm 16 may be formed from a metal, such as aluminum, steel, brass and other metals, and other appropriate materials. The components of the hammer support device 10 may be coated such as with paint, plasticized rubber, plastics or other appropriate coating.

The upper support arm 16 may be formed from any shape that is capable of releasably supporting a hammer 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper support arm 16 may have a generally U-shape. The upper support arm 16, the lower support arm 30, the first support leg 32 and/or the second support leg 34 may be formed from a bar having a generally cylindrical cross-section. In other embodiments, the upper support arm 16, the lower support arm 30, the first support leg 32 and/or the second support leg 34 may have cross-sections with other shapes.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper support arm 16 may also include a lip 28 that extends upwardly from a plane in which the upper support a-nm 16 resides and generally away from the lower containment device 24 for retaining the hammer 12 within the upper support arm 16 and for limiting movement of the head 22 of the hammer 12 while the head 22 of the hammer 12 is supported by the upper support arm 16.

The lower containment device 24 may be formed from any device capable of limiting the amount of lateral movement of the handle 20 of the hammer 12. In at least one embodiment, the lower containment device 24 may be formed from a lower support arm 30. The lower support arm 30 may be formed from one or more members that may or may not be continuous. The lower support arm 30 may include the opening 26 to receive the handle 20 of the hammer 12. The opening 26 may be sized the same as the opening 18 in the upper support arm 16 or may be sized smaller or larger than the opening 18. The openings 18, 26 can be circumscribed by the upper support arm 16 and the support surface 102 or the lower support arm 30 and the support surface 102, respectively, such that the handle 20 is surrounded by the opening when the hammer is stored in the hammer support device 10.

The lower support arm 30 may be formed from the same material as the upper support arm 16 or may be formed from other materials. For instance, the lower support arm 30 may be formed from the same material as the upper support arm 16 and may be formed as a unitary structure with the upper support arm 16 and support legs 32, 34. In another embodiment, the lower containment device 24 may be formed from a fabric strap or other such device for limiting movement of the handle 20. The fabric strap may include a support structure within the fabric for forming the opening 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the upper support arm 16 may be offset upwardly from the lower support arm 30 forming an open space between the upper and lower support arms 16, 30. The distance between the upper and lower support arms 16, 30 is relative to the length of the handle of a hammer 12 to be stored in the hammer support device 10. In at least one embodiment configured to support a conventional framing hammer 12, such as a two pound hammer, the distance between the upper and lower support arms 16, 30 may be about 3.5 inches. In other embodiments, the distance between the upper and lower support anus 16, 30 may be different than 3.5 inches. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower containment device 24 may extend from the upper support arm 16 continuously until terminating a desired distance from the upper support arm 16. For instance, in one example, the lower containment device 24 may be formed from a sheath extending for 3.5 inches downward from the upper support arm. The sheath may be formed from a rigid or flexible material.

The upper and lower support arms 16, 30 may be offset and supported by one or more support legs 32, 34. In one embodiment, the upper and lower support arms 16, 30 may be supported by a first support leg 32 and a second support leg 34. The upper support arm 16 may extend generally orthogonally from the support legs 32. In addition, the lower support arm 30 may extend generally orthogonally from the support legs 32. In one embodiment, the upper and lower support arms 16, 30 may be generally parallel. The first support leg 32 may be attached to a first side 36 of the upper support arm 16 and may extend to a first side 38 of the lower support arm 30. The second support leg 34 may be attached to a second side 40 of the upper support arm 16 and may extend to a second side 42 of the lower support arm 30. The first and second support legs 32, 34 can be parallel from the upper support arm 16 to the lower support arm 30 (i.e., parallel the entire distance from the upper support arm 16 to the lower support arm 30). In one embodiment, the first and second support legs 32, 314 may be formed from the same materials as the upper and lower support arms 16, 30. In another embodiment, the first and second support legs 32, 34 may be formed from materials that are different than the upper and lower support arms 16, 30.

One or both of the first and second support legs 32, 34 may include one or more orifices 44 useful for attaching the hammer support device 10 to the tool belt 14. Connectors 46, such as, but not limited to rivets, pins, screws, and other appropriate connectors, may be used to attach the hammer support device 10 to the tool belt 14. In at least one embodiment, the first and second support legs 32, 34 may each include two orifices 44. The first support leg 32 may include first and second orifices 48, 50, and the second support leg 34 may include first and second orifices 52, 54. Attachment regions 56, 58 may be attached to the first and second support legs 32, 34. The attachment regions 56, 58 may have a width greater than the width of the first and second support legs 32, 34 to enable the attachment regions 56, 58 to include orifices 48, 50, 52, 54.

All aspects of the hammer support device 10 described above apply equally to the hammer support devices depicted in FIGS. 8-10. Similarly, all of the following descriptions, including descriptions of the accessory unit, apply equally to the hammer support devices depicted in FIGS. 1-7.

The hammer support system 9 can include a support surface 102 and a hammer support device 10 attached to the support surface 102. The support surface 102 can be part of the tool belt, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, or a stand-alone hammer support system 9, as shown in FIGS. 8-10.

The hammer support device 10 described herein can also include an accessory unit 104 coupled to the upper support arm 16 and the lower support arm 30. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the accessory unit 104 can extend from the upper support arm 16 to the lower support arm 30. The accessory unit 104 can include at least one pocket 106 or storage sleeve 108 for storing a hammer accessory.

The accessory unit 104 can be formed using any available construction techniques, including but not limited to, assembled textiles and/or polymeric sheets (e.g., secured together using thread, rivets, adhesive and/or other bonding techniques, etc.) and injection molding. The materials forming the accessory unit 104 can be natural or synthetic, and can include flexible and/or elastomeric materials.

As used herein, “pocket” is used to refer to a storage compartment with a single opening, while “sleeve” is used to refer to a similar compartment with openings at opposite ends. As used herein, “generally” relates to a direction or shape and minor deviations from that direction or shape (e.g., ±15°, or ±10°, or ±5°, or ±2.5° for a direction or orientation).

The accessory unit 104 can include an upper coupling sleeve 110 extending generally horizontally proximate a top of the accessory unit 104 and a lower coupling sleeve 112 extending generally horizontally proximate a bottom of the accessory unit 104. The upper support arm 16 can pass through the upper coupling sleeve 110 and the lower support arm 30 can pass through the lower coupling sleeve 112. The accessory unit 104 can include at least one pocket 106, as well as, at least one storage sleeve 108 for storing a hammer accessory.

As used herein, “hammer accessories” include, but are not limited to, nail pullers, awls and bradawls. Due to the long, generally L-shaped body of industrial nail pullers, the at least one storage sleeves 108 may be particularly useful for storing an nail puller. Due to the cylindrical shape of awls and bradawls, the at least one pocket 106 may be particularly useful for storing awls and bradawls.

As best shown in FIG. 10, the accessory unit 104 can include a base 114 forming a continuous loop. The upper support arm 16 and the lower support arm 30 can pass through the continuous loop formed by the base 114. The base 114 can be formed from one or more pieces of textile, fabric or plastic.

As shown in FIG. 10, the continuous loop can be formed by multiple sheets of material bonded (e.g., sewn or adhered) together. The sheets of material and/or plastic can be sewn together via stitching 116. For example, end edges 124a, 124b of the base sheet(s) 114a, 114b, and at least a portion of an end edge 126 of the outer cover 118 can be coupled together (e.g. via stitching, adhesive, etc.) proximate the lower support arm 30. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 9, end edges 124a, 124b of the base sheet(s) 114a, 114b, and less than two-thirds of an end edge 126 of the outer cover 118 can be coupled together (e.g., via stitching, adhesive, etc.) proximate the lower support arm 30 (e.g., when a at least one storage sleeve is present). The end edges 124a, 124b, 126 can be coterminous. For example, the end edges 124a, 124b, 126 can be coupled together as a finished seam (as shown in FIG. 10) or as part of a binding. As used herein, “end edge” refers to an edge the extends generally horizontally, while “side edge” refers to an edge that extends generally vertically.

Similarly, the base sheets 114a, 114b can be coupled together (e.g., via stitching, adhesive, etc.) proximate the upper support arm 16. As shown in FIG. 10, a joining sheet 140 can be included between the base sheets 114a, 114b in order to reinforce the coupling.

The at least one pocket 106 can be formed between the outer cover 118 and the base 114. The at least one storage sleeve 108 can be formed between the outer cover 118 and the base 114. In some accessory units, the at least one pocket 106 and the at least one storage sleeve 108 can be formed between the outer cover 118 and the base 114. In some accessory units 104, such as that shown in FIG. 8, the outer cover 118 of the at least one pocket 106 and the at least one storage sleeve 108 can be formed from a single piece of material. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the upper edge of the outer cover 118 can include a binding 138 coupled thereto (e.g., via stitching 116, adhesive, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 9, the first side edges of the base 114 and the outer cover 118 can be coterminous. Similarly, the second side edges of the base 114 and the outer cover 118 can be coterminous. As used herein, “coterminous” is meant to include instances where, while the actual material of the base and the outer cover may or may not terminate at exactly the same point, they appear to do so in the finished accessory unit 104. For example, the first side edges and the second side edges of the base 114 and the outer cover 118 can be coterminous when they are covered by a first binding and a second binding, 120, 122 respectively.

The hammer support system 9 can also include a backing 128 that includes the support surface 102. The backing 128 can be reinforced. In some hammer support systems 9, the backing 128 can include a planar reinforcing member sandwiched between the support surface 102 and a rear surface 130. The edges of the support surface 102 and the rear 130 surface can be coterminous in a continuous-loop support binding 132.

The hammer support system 9 can also include a belt loop 134 extending from a rear surface 130 of the backing 128. The rear surface 128 can be opposite the support surface 102. The hammer support system 9 can also include a clip 136 extending from an exterior surface of the belt loop 134. The belt loop 134 and the clip 136 can be adapted for supporting the hammer support system 10. For example, the belt loop 134 can be adapted for receiving a user's belt, while the clip 136 can be adapted for securing the hammer support system to the waist band of a user's pants or to another surface (e.g., the top edge of a tool box or a bucket).

As best shown in FIG. 9, the upper support arm 16 and the lower support arm 30 can be discrete elements that are coupled together. In such hammer support systems 9, each of the upper support arm 16 and the lower support arm 30 can include overlapping support legs comprising attachment regions 58.

Each of the attachment regions 58 can include at least one orifice 44. The upper support arm 16 and the lower support arm 30 can be coupled together via a connector (e.g., a rivet) 46 extending through aligned orifices 44 in the respective attachment regions 58 of the upper and lower support arms 16, 30. In order to secure the hammer support system 9 to the backing 128, the connectors generally extend through at least a portion of the backing 128 as well. As shown in FIG. 9, the overlapping portions of the attachment regions 58 can be flat.

In hammer support systems 9 that include a tool belt 14, the tool belt 14 may be any tool belt configured to be attached to a person. In at least one embodiment, the tool belt 14 may include an upper accessory pocket 60 and a lower accessory pocket 62. The upper accessory pocket 60 may be attached to the tool belt 14 above the lower accessory pocket 62. The lower accessory pocket 62 may be sized larger than the upper accessory pocket 60 such that a perimeter of the lower accessory pocket 62 may extend a larger distance orthogonally from a generally planar surface 64 of the tool belt 14 than a perimeter of the upper accessory pocket 60 facilitating easy access to the lower accessory pocket 62. Such a configuration is superior to conventional designs because less commonly used nails, such as cut nails, may be placed in the upper accessory pocket 60 and more commonly used items and larger items, such as 16 penny and 12 penny nails may be placed in the lower accessory pocket 62.

The accessory pockets 60, 62 and other pockets 66 of the tool belt 14 may be formed from a durable fabric such as, but not limited to, CORDURA, SPUNTUFF, and other appropriate fabrics. The lower accessory pocket 62 may include a rigid support board, such as but not limited to a polyethylene (PE) board, such as, but not limited to a high density polyethylene (HDPE), to enable the lower accessory pocket 62 to remain open for easy access to the contents of the pocket. One or more pockets 66 may be attached to an outer surface 68 of the lower accessory pocket 62. The hammer support device 10 may be attached to the outer surface 68. A tape measure clip 70 may be attached to the outer surface 68 for supporting a cylindrically wound tape measure via a conventional support clip attached to a the cylindrically wound tape measure.

The tool belt 14 may be supported in many different manners. For instance, the tool belt 14 may include a belt receiving pocket 70 through which a belt may be inserted. The belt may be connected around the waist of a person to attach the tool belt 14 at the waist of the person. The tool belt 14 may also include a plurality of shoulder strap connectors 72 to attach a shoulder strap 78 to the tool belt 14. The shoulder strap connectors 72 may be, but are not limited to, D-rings or other appropriate connectors. One shoulder strap connector 72 may be attached to a front or backside surface of an upper corner 74 of the tool belt 14. A second shoulder strap connector 72 may be attached to a front or backside surface of an upper corner 76 of the tool belt 14.

The shoulder strap 78 may be any appropriate shoulder strap. In at least, one embodiment, the shoulder strap 78 may include padding and include a slide resistant outer surface to prevent the shoulder strap from sliding off of a shoulder of a person using the tool belt 14. The shoulder strap 78 may include releasable connectors, such as, but not limited to, carabineers, clips, or other releasable connectors.

The tool belt 14 may also include padding 80 on a backside surface 82 of the tool belt 14. In one embodiment, the padding may protrude from the backside surface 82 about ⅜ to about ¾ of an inch. The padding may be any padding capable of withstanding the rigors of everyday use. The backside surface 82 of the tool belt 14 may be supported by a PE board covered with a tear resistant fabric as previously identified.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.

Claims

1. A hammer support system, comprising: a support surface; anda hammer support device attached to the support surface, said hammer support device comprising:an upper support arm forming a first opening sized to enable a handle of a hammer to be inserted into the first opening yet prevent a head of a hammer from passing through the first opening;a lower support arm disposed downwardly at a distance from the upper support arm, the lower support arm forming a second opening sized to receive a handle of a hammer, wherein said surface and said lower support arm completely surround a handle of a hammer in said hammer support device to limit the movement of a handle of a hammer when a head of a hammer is supported by the upper support arm; andan accessory unit (i) coupled to the upper support arm and the lower support arm, and (ii) extending from the upper support arm to the lower support arm, said accessory unit comprising at least one pocket or storage sleeve for storing a hammer accessory.

2. The hammer support system according to claim 1, wherein the accessory unit comprises an upper coupling sleeve extending generally horizontally proximate a top of the accessory unit and an lower coupling sleeve extending generally horizontally proximate a bottom of the accessory unit, wherein the upper support arm passes through the upper coupling sleeve and the lower support arm passes through the lower coupling sleeve.

3. The hammer support system according to claim 2, wherein the accessory unit comprises at least one pocket and at least one storage sleeve for storing a hammer accessory.

4. The hammer support system according to claim 1, wherein the accessory unit comprises a base forming a continuous loop, said upper support arm and said lower support arm passing through said continuous loop formed by said base.

5. The hammer support system according to claim 4, wherein: (i) at least one pocket is formed between said outer cover and said base,(ii) at least one storage sleeve is formed between said outer cover and said base, or(iii) both.

6. The hammer support system according to claim 4, wherein: (i) first side edges of said base and said outer cover are coterminous, and(ii) second side edges of said base and said outer cover are coterminous.

7. The hammer support system according to claim 4, wherein end edges of said base sheet and at least a portion of an end edge of said outer cover are coupled together.

8. The hammer support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a) said accessory unit further comprises a base, and(b)(i) at least one pocket is formed between said outer cover and said base,(b)(ii) at least one storage sleeve is formed between said outer cover and said base, or(b)(iii) both.

9. The hammer support system according to claim 1, wherein: (a) said accessory unit further comprises a base,(b) first side edges of said base and said outer cover are coterminous, and(c) second side edges of said base and said outer cover are coterminous

10. The hammer support system according to claim 1, wherein the accessory unit comprises at least one pocket and at least one storage sleeve for storing a hammer accessory.

11. The hammer support system according to claim 10, wherein an outer cover of the at least one pocket and the at least one storage sleeve are formed from a single piece of material.

12. The hammer support system according to claim 11, wherein: (a) said accessory unit further comprises a base, and(b)(i) at least one pocket is formed between said outer cover and said base,(b)(ii) at least one storage sleeve is formed between said outer cover and said base, or(b)(iii) both.

13. The hammer support system according to claim 11, wherein: (a) said accessory unit further comprises a base,(b) first side edges of said base and said outer cover are coterminous, and(c) second side edges of said base and said outer cover are coterminous.

14. The hammer support system according to claim 1, further comprising a backing, which comprises said support surface.

15. The hammer support system according to claim 14, further comprising a belt loop extending from a rear surface of said backing, said rear surface opposite said support surface.

16. The hammer support system according to claim 15, further comprising a clip extending from an exterior surface of said belt loop, said clip and said belt loop for supporting said hammer support system.

17. The hammer support system according to claim 1, wherein said upper support arm and said lower support arm are discrete elements that are coupled together.

18. The hammer support system according to claim 17, wherein each of said upper support arm and said lower support arm include overlapping support legs comprising attachment regions.

19. The hammer support system according to claim 18, wherein each of the attachment regions comprise at least one opening, and said upper support arm and said lower support arm are coupled together via a fastener extending through aligned openings in the respective attachment regions of the upper and lower support arms.

20. The hammer support system according to claim 18, wherein an overlapping portion of said support legs is flat.