Hand tool retaining device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6237822
  • Patent Number
    6,237,822
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, October 13, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 29, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Garbe; Stephen P.
    Agents
    • Sheldon & Mak
    • Anderson; Denton L.
Abstract
A hand tool retaining device has an elongate backing element, a base element and an elongate guide element having an elongate slot disposed along the backing element. The guide element is disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element and the with head of the hand tool disposed within the slot. An optional retaining clip can be used to removably retain the tool within the retaining device.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention is directed generally to retaining devices for retaining hand tools and, more specifically, to devices for retaining hand tools such as hammers and hatchets.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Devices for retaining hand tools, such as hammers and hatchets, have been known for a long time. However, all previously-known hand tool retaining devices are awkward to use for several reasons. First of all, the prior art retaining devices are generally designed to hang downwardly from the worker's belt, so that tools retained within the retaining devices dangle at the user's side. These and similar designs frequently result in the tools retained in such prior art devices obstructing the worker's freedom of movement. Secondly, many prior art retaining devices do not securely retain the hand tool within the retaining device. Use of such devices presents a danger that the hand tool may come loose from the retaining device and fall to the ground. (This presents a very serious problem where work is performed at elevated locations.) Thirdly, those prior art retaining devices which actually do firmly retain the hand tool are generally awkward to use. In most cases, the user must use both hands to engage and disengage the hand tool from the retaining device.




Accordingly, there is a need for a hand tool retaining device which avoids the aforementioned problems with the prior art in an inexpensive and efficient manner.




SUMMARY




The invention satisfies this need. The invention is a hand tool retaining device for retaining a hand tool having a handle and a head, the head having a base portion, a neck portion and a bulbous portion, the hand tool retaining device comprising (a) an elongate backing element having a top end and a bottom end, (b) a base element disposed proximate to the bottom end of the backing element, and (c) an elongate guide element disposed along the backing element, the guide element having a first exterior side, an opposed second exterior side and an elongate slot which connects the first exterior side with the second exterior side, the slot having a top end, a bottom end, a width between about ½ inch and about 2 inches and an opening proximate to the top end of the slot for placing the head of a hand tool within the slot, the guide element being disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element, with the neck portion of the head of the hand tool disposed within the elongate slot of the guide element, with the base portion of the head disposed outside of the elongate slot along the first exterior side of the guide element and with the bulbous portion of the head disposed outside of the elongate slot along the second exterior side of the guide element.




In a typical embodiment, the elongate guide element is provided by an elongate loop, and the retaining means is provided by a metal clip.




Preferably, the hand tool retaining device further comprises attachment means for attaching the retaining device on the back of the user, so that the retaining device does not impede the user's freedom of movement.











DRAWINGS




These features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures where:





FIG. 1A

is a perspective view of a user carrying a hand tool in a hand tool retaining device having features of the invention;





FIG. 1B

is a perspective view of the user and hand tool retaining device illustrated in

FIG. 1A

, showing how the hand tool can be removed from the retaining device;





FIG. 1C

is a perspective view of the user and hand tool retaining device illustrated in

FIG. 1A

showing the retaining device after the tool has been removed entirely from the retaining device;





FIG. 2A

is a perspective view of a hand tool retaining device having features of the invention;





FIG. 2B

is a perspective view of the hand tool retaining device illustrated in

FIG. 2A

showing the opposite side of the retaining device;





FIG. 2C

is a front view of the hand tool retaining device illustrated in

FIG. 2A

;





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the hand tool retaining device illustrated in

FIG. 2A

further illustrating the attachment and deattachment of head covers used in the invention;





FIG. 4

is an exploded view of the hand tool retaining device illustrated in

FIG. 2A

;





FIG. 5

is a cross-sectional side view of the hand tool retaining device illustrated in

FIG. 3

taken along line


5





5


;





FIG. 6A

is a cross-sectional top view of the hand tool retaining device illustrated in

FIG. 2B

taken along line


6





6


, showing a backing element clip useable in the invention, the backing element clip being shown in the closed position; and





FIG. 6B

is a cross-sectional top view of the hand tool retaining device illustrated in

FIG. 2B

taken along lines


6





6


, showing a backing element clip useable in the invention, the backing element clip being shown in the open position.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well.




The invention is a hand tool retaining device


10


comprising an elongate backing element


12


, a base element


14


, an elongate guide element


16


, and hand tool retaining means


18


. The invention is ideal for retaining a hand tool


20


such as a hammer


0




a


or a hatchet having a handle


22


and a head


24


, wherein the head


24


comprises a base portion


25


and a bulbous poll portion


26


extending from a more narrow neck portion


28


.




The elongate backing element


12


is typically a plate having a length between about 6 inches and about 24 inches and a width between about 1 inch and about 4 inches. The backing element


12


has a top end


30


, a bottom end


32


, a right side


34


and a left side


36


. The backing element


12


can be made from a durable plastic or from a metal, such as aluminum or sheet steel having a thickness between about {fraction (1/16)} inch and about {fraction (3/16)} inch.




The backing element


12


can be a relatively simple flat structure. Alternatively, as illustrated in the drawings, the backing element


12


can comprise reveal tracks


38


which assist in securing the handle


22


of a hand tool


20


within the retaining device


10


. The backing element


12


can also comprise one or more backing element apertures


40


to allow the retaining device to be conveniently stored in an upright position on a nail or hook extending from a vertical wall surface.




Finally, the backing element


12


can comprise one or more handle clip


42


for removably attaching and deattaching the handle


22


of a hand tool


20


to the retaining device


10


.




Preferably, the backing element


12


comprises means for removably attaching the device to an elongate strap having a width between about ½ inch and about 4 inches. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, such means are capable of removably attaching the hand tool device


10


to a substantially vertical strap


44


, such as to the suspenders


44




a


of a user


46


. This important feature allows the hand tool retaining device


10


to be conveniently retained on the back of the user


46


, out of the way of the user


46


during the course of the user's work activities.




As illustrated in

FIGS. 2A and 2B

, such means for removably attaching the retaining device


10


to an elongate strap


44


can include a pair of attachment straps


48


which are closed using hook and loop fasteners


50


. Such means can further include a backing element clip


52


to allow the retaining device


10


to be easily adjusted upwards and downwards along the substantially vertical strap


44


(such as the rear of the worker's suspenders


44




a


).




As illustrated in

FIGS. 6A and 6B

, the backing element clip


52


can comprise a base portion


54


having a non-skid inside surface


56


attached to the backing element


12


. An open/close mechanism


60


is attachable to the backing element clip


12


with a hinge


58


and is sized and dimensioned to removably mate with an open/close slot


62


in the backing element


12


.




The base element


14


is disposed proximate to the bottom end


32


of the backing element


12


. The base element


14


is typically disposed at right angles to the backing element


12


to provide a generally horizontal “shelf” upon which a hand tool


20


can be rested. The base element


14


can be formed integrally with the backing element


12


or it can be a separately manufactured part which is later attached to the backing element


12


. The base element


14


typically has a width which generally matches the width of the backing element


12


. The base element


14


protrudes at right angles to the backing element


12


a distance sufficient to support a hand tool. Preferably, however, the base element


14


does not protrude away from the backing element


12


a distance any further than necessary to retain the hand tool


20


. In a typical embodiment, the base element


14


protrudes away from the backing element


12


a distance between about 1 inch and about 3 inches. Like the backing element


12


, the base element


14


is typically made from a durable formed plastic, other appropriate plastic, or a metal, such as aluminum or sheet steel having a thickness between about {fraction (1/16)} inch and about {fraction (3/16)} inch.




The base element


14


can further comprise a hand tool head cover


64


for substantially enclosing the head


24


of a hand tool


20


retained within the retaining device


10


. Such a hand tool head cover


64


is illustrated in

FIGS. 1A

,


1


B,


1


C and


3


. The head cover


64


provides additional support to a hand tool


20


disposed within the retaining device


10


and further prevents the hand tool


20


from slipping out of the retaining device


10


in a left or right lateral direction. (Where the hand tool is a hatchet, the head cover


64


further protects the user and others from being cut by the blade of the hatchet.) Preferably, the head cover


64


is sized and dimensioned to closely conform to the head


24


of the hand tool


20


to be retained within the retaining device


10


. For example, where the hand tool


20


is a hammer, a hammer-shaped head cover


64




a


is provided, and, where the hand tool


20


is a hatchet, a hatchet-shaped head cover


64




b


is provided. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the head cover


64


can be made from a leather. Plastics, nylon cloth and canvas can also be used. The head cover


64


is preferably removably attachable to the backing device


12


, such as by snaps, hooks, bolts and nuts, etc. The inventor has found that the head cover


64


can most conveniently be attached to the backing element


12


using hook and loop fasteners


66


. Hook and loop fasteners


66


have sufficient strength to rigidly retain the head cover


64


on the backing element


12


, while allowing the user to quickly and easily replace the head cover


64


with a different sized and/or dimensioned head cover


64


. Preferably, the head cover


64


is readily removably attachable and deattachable from the backing element


12


, most preferably without the use of tools.




The elongate guide element


16


is disposed along the backing element


12


, typically disposed at right angles to the backing element


12


, such that the guide element


16


protrudes away from the backing element


12


as illustrated in the drawings.




The guide element


16


has a first exterior side


67


, an opposed second exterior side


69


and an elongate slot


68


. The slot


68


has a width capable of accepting the neck portion


28


of a hand tool


20


. Typically, this width is between about ½ inch and about 2 inches. The elongate slot


68


also has an opening


72


proximate to the top end


74


of the slot


68


for protruding the head


24


of a hand tool


20


within the slot


68


. In one embodiment, the elongate slot


68


linearly increases in width from the bottom end


76


of the slot


68


to the top end


74


of the slot


68


until the width at the top end


74


of the slot


68


is sufficiently wide to provide the opening


72


for allowing the protruding of the head


24


through the slot


68


. In a typical such embodiment, the increase in width from the bottom end


76


of the slot


68


to the top end


74


of the slot


68


is between about ½ inch and about 2 inches.




The top end


74


of the elongate slot


68


constitutes a stop


77


for physically preventing the head


24


of the hand tool


20


from disengaging from the retaining device


10


in an upward, axial direction.




As illustrated in

FIG. 1A

, the guide element


16


is disposed along the backing element


12


, such that a hand tool


20


can be disposed against the backing element


12


with the head


24


of the hand tool


20


resting upon the base element


14


and with the handle


22


of the hand tool


20


disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element


12


, with the neck portion disposed within the elongate slot


68


, with the base portion


25


disposed outside the elongate slot


68


along the first exterior side


67


of the guide element and with the bulbous portion


26


disposed outside of the elongate slot


68


along the second exterior side


69


of the guide element


16


.




The elongate guide element


16


can be a thin strip of material having a “cut-out” which provides the slot


68


. Alternatively, as illustrated in the drawings, the elongate guide element


16


can be conveniently provided by an elongate loop


78


made from steel wire or tubing having, for example, a thickness between about {fraction (3/16)} inch and about ¼ inch. The width of the slot


68


at the top end


74


of the slot


68


provides the opening


72


to allow the head


24


of a hand tool


20


to be protruded into and out of the top end


74


of the slot


68


as illustrated in

FIGS. 1B and 1C

. Conversely, the width of the slot


68


at the bottom end


76


of the slot


68


is sufficiently narrow to prevent the head


24


of the hand tool


20


from being removed from the bottom end


76


of the slot


68


. The elongate slot


68


and the elongate loop


78


can have a larger width at the top end


74


of the slot


68


than the width of the slot


68


at the bottom end


76


of the slot


68


.




As illustrated in

FIGS. 4 and 6

, the upper portion


80


of the elongate loop


78


is attached to the backing element


12


in a backing element bore


82


disposed within the handle clip


42


. The lower portion


84


of the loop


78


is attached to the base element


14


at a base element bore


86


by insertion of a lower end loop screw


88


through a lower end loop aperture


90


. Preferably, as illustrated in

FIGS. 4

,


6


A and


6


B, the backing element


12


can comprise a plurality of backing element bores


82


on at least one side of the backing element


12


and the lower portion


84


of the loop


78


can comprise a plurality of lower end loop apertures


90


so as to allow the effective width of the elongate slot


68


to be adjustable. This allows the retaining device


10


to accommodate hand tools


20


having differing widths of neck portions


28


and poll portions


26


.




Another important feature of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings is that the loop


78


can be installed on either the right side


34


of the backing element


12


or the left side


36


of the backing element


12


. This feature allows use of the retaining device


10


by both left-handed workers and by right-handed workers. As illustrated in

FIGS. 4

,


6


A and


6


B, the backing element


12


has one or more backing element bores


82


on both the right side


34


and the left side


36


of the backing element


12


. Similarly, as illustrated in

FIG. 4

, the base element


14


has base element bores


86


located at both the left side and the right side of the base element


14


. Accordingly, it is an easy task for a worker to move the elongate loop


78


from the right side


34


of the backing element


12


to the left side


36


of the backing element


12


by merely removing the lower end loop screw


88


from a right base element bore


86


on the right side of the base element


14


, removing the loop


78


from the backing element bore


82


on the right side


34


of the backing element


12


, reinserting the loop


78


into a backing element bore


82


on the left side


36


of the backing element


12


and reattaching the lower portion


78


of the loop


78


to the left side of the base element


14


by reinserting the lower end loop screw


88


through the bottom end loop aperture


90


and into the base element bore


86


on the left side of the base element


14


.




In the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the hand tool reining means


18


is provided by a head clip


18




a


for removably retaining the head


24


of a hand tool


20


within the retaining device


10


. Typically, the head clip


18




a


is made from a plastic or from a resilient metal, such as steel. The head clip


18




a


can be made integral with the base element


14


or can be manufactured separately and attached to the base element


14


or to the backing element


12


. The head clip


18




a


has sufficient rigidity to securely retain a hand tool


20


within the retaining device


10


, but is sufficiently resilient to allow for the insertion and removal of the hand tool


20


into and out of the retaining device


12


without undue exertion.




In operation, the embodiment of the retaining device


10


can be used in the following manner. A user


46


of the retaining device


10


first inspects the orientation of the loop


78


on the backing element


12


. If the user


46


is right-handed, the loop


78


should be disposed on the left side


36


of the backing element


12


. If the loop


78


is initially disposed on the right side


34


of the backing element


12


, the user


46


removes the lower end loop screw


88


from the lower end loop aperture


90


on the right side of the base element


14


, removes the loop


78


from the backing element bore


82


on the right side


34


of the backing element


12


, reinserts the loop


78


into a backing element bore


82


located on the left side


36


of the backing element


12


and then secures the lower portion of the loop


84


to the base element


14


by reinserting the lower end loop screw


88


into a lower end loop aperture


90


located on the left side of the base element


14


.




Once the loop


78


is properly oriented with respect to the right side


34


and left side


36


of the backing element


12


, the width of the slot


68


in the loop


78


is inspected for proper dimensions. For smaller hand tools


20


, such as hammers


20




a


having a neck portion


28


thickness of between about ½ inch and about ⅞ inch and a poll portion


26


thickness between about 1 inch and about 1.5 inches, the width of the slot


68


in the lower portion


84


of the loop


78


should be between about 1 inch and about 1 inch and the width of the slot


68


in the upper portion


80


of the loop


78


should about 2 inches. Alternatively, for large hand tools


20


, such as a hammer


20




a


having a neck portion


28


with a width of between about ⅞ inch and about 1.25 inches, and a poll portion


26


having a width between about 1.5 inches and about 1.75 inches, the width of the slot


68


in the lower portion


84


of the loop


78


should be between about ⅞ inch and about 1.25 inches, and the width of the slot


68


in the upper portion


80


of the loop


78


should be about 2 inches.




After having adjusted the width of the slot


68


in the loop


78


, the user


46


attaches a properly sized and dimensioned head cover


64


to the backing device


12


using the hook and loop fasteners


66


.




Next, the user


46


attaches the retaining device


10


to the back of the user's suspenders


44




a


by wrapping the attachment straps


48


around the suspenders


44




a


and closing the attachment straps


48


using the hook and loop fasteners


50


. Thereafter, the height of the retaining device


10


on the back of the suspenders


44




a


is adjusted and the retaining device


10


firmly attached to the suspenders


44




a


by closing the open/close mechanism


60


of the backing element clip


52


so that the non-skid portion


56


of the backing element clip


52


grips the suspenders


44




a


. Thereafter, the open/close mechanism


60


is secured by insertion into the open/close slot


62


in the backing element


12


.




After attaching the retaining device


10


to the suspenders


44




a


, the user


46


places the suspenders


44




a


on his or her person. This conveniently locates the retaining device


10


on the back of the user


46


. The user


46


then places the hand tool


20


into the retaining device


10


in the following manner (as illustrated in FIGS.


1


B and


1


C). First, while holding the handle


22


of the hand tool


20


, the user


46


rests the hand tool


20


on his or her shoulder. Next, the user


46


locates the top of the loop


78


with the poll portion


26


of the hand tool


20


. The user


46


then slides the poll portion


26


of the hand tool


20


horizontally until the poll portion


26


can be inserted into the opening


72


in the slot


68


. Next, with the poll portion


26


of the hand tool


20


protruded through the slot


68


, and with the neck portion


28


of the hand tool


20


disposed within the slot


68


, the user


46


slides the head


24


of the hand tool downwards until the head contacts the head clip


18




a


. Next, the user


46


continues to push downwardly on the hand tool


20


until the head


24


travels past the head clip


18




a


to the base element


12


and nests within the head cover


64


. Finally, the user presses the handle


22


of the hand tool


20


against the backing element


12


until the handle


22


is engaged by the handle clips


42


in the backing element


12


. The hand tool


20


is now firmly retained within the retaining device


10


. Because the hand tool


20


and retaining device


10


is disposed on the back of the user


46


, the user


46


has maximum freedom of movement to conduct his or her work activities.




During the course of the user's activities, when the hand tool


20


is required, the user


46


removes the hand tool


20


from the retaining device


10


in the following manner. First, the user


46


grasps the handle


22


of the hand tool


20


and disengages the handle


22


from the handle clips


42


. Next, the user


46


draws the head


24


of the hand tool


20


upwards so that the head


24


is drawn out of the head cover


64


. Thereafter, the user


46


continues to draw the head


24


of the hand tool


20


upwards until the head


24


clears the head clip


18




a


. (Note that, throughout the travel of the hand tool


20


along the backing element


12


, the head


24


of the hand tool


20


is firmly retained within the slot


68


of the loop


78


because the poll portion


26


of the head


24


is retained by the slot


68


in the loop


78


.) After the head


24


of the hand tool


20


is drawn upwards above the head clip


18




a


, the head


20


is drawn further upwards along the backing element


12


until the neck portion


28


contacts the stop


77


at the top of the guide element


16


. The use of the stop


77


prevents the user


46


from inadvertently striking himself or herself in the head by withdrawing the hand tool


20


too rapidly from out of the retaining device


10


. At this juncture, the user


46


then disengages the hand tool


20


from the loop


78


by drawing the poll portion


26


through the opening


72


in the slot


68


. After removal of the hand tool


20


from the retaining device


10


, the retaining device


10


remains on the back of the user


46


, conveniently out of the way of the user


46


, thus maximizing his or her freedom of movement.




Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.



Claims
  • 1. A hand tool retaining device for retaining a hand tool having a handle and a head, the head having a base portion, a bulbous portion and a neck portion, the retaining device comprising:(a) an elongate backing element having a top end and a bottom end; (b) a base element disposed proximate to the bottom end of the backing element; and (c) an elongate guide element disposed along the backing element, the guide element having a first exterior side, an opposed second exterior side and an elongate slot which connects the first exterior side with the second exterior side, the slot having a top end, a bottom end, a width between about ½ inch and about 2 inches and an opening proximate to the top end of the slot for placing the head of a hand tool within the slot, the guide element being disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element, with the neck portion of the head of the hand tool disposed within the elongate slot of the guide element, with the base portion of the head disposed outside of the elongate slot along the first exterior side of the guide element and with the bulbous portion of the head disposed outside of the elongate slot alone the second exterior side of the guide element.
  • 2. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the opening in the guide element is provided by a wide portion in the elongte slot proximate to the upper end of the slot and wherein the elongate slot in the guide element further comprises a narrow portion proximate to the bottom end of the slot, the narrow portion being narrower than the wide portion.
  • 3. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the backing element comprises at least one backing element clip capable of removably attaching the hand tool retaining device to an elongate strap having a width between about ½ inch and about 4 inches.
  • 4. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the backing element comprises at least one backing element clip capable of removably attaching the hand tool retaining device to a substantially vertical strap having a width between about ½ inch and about 4 inches.
  • 5. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 further comprising at least one handle clip for removably attaching and deattaching the handle of a hand tool to the hand tool retaining device.
  • 6. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 further comprising at least one head clip for removably retaining the head of a hand tool to the hand tool retaining device.
  • 7. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the base element comprises a head cover removably attached to the elongate backing element by attachment means requiring the use of no tools.
  • 8. The hand tool retaining device of claim 7 wherein the head cover is attached to the backing element by hook and loop attachment.
  • 9. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the guide element is an elongate loop.
  • 10. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the elongate slot has a width between about ½ inch and about 4 inches.
  • 11. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the elongate slot linearly increases in width from the bottom end of the slot to the top end of the slot by a total increase of between about ½ inch and about 1½ inch.
  • 12. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the backing element has a left side and a right side and wherein the guide element is removably attached to either the left side or the right side.
  • 13. The hand tool retaining device of claim 12 wherein the backing element has a longitudinal axis and at least one pair of bores disposed on its left and right sides, the bores being disposed in parallel with the longitudinal axis, and wherein the guide element is an elongate loop having at least one end portion disposed within one of the two bores.
  • 14. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the width of the elongate slot in the guide element is adjustable.
  • 15. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein the backing element has at least two backing element bores disposed on the same side of the backing element and wherein the guide element is an elongate loop having at least one end portion disposed within one of the backing element bores.
  • 16. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 wherein a stop is disposed at the top end of the elongate slot within the guide element.
  • 17. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 further comprising a hand tool having a handle and a head, the head having a base portion, a bulbous portion and a neck portion, the hand tool being disposed against the backing element of the retaining device with the handle of the hand tool in parallel with and contiguous to the backing element, with the head of the hand tool disposed in contact with the base element, with the neck of the head disposed within the elongate slot in the guide element, with the base portion of the head disposed outside of the elongate slot along the first exterior side of the guide element and with the bulbous portion of the head disposed outside of the elongate slot along the second exterior side of the guide element.
  • 18. A hand tool retaining device for retaining a hand tool having a handle and a head, the head having a base portion, a bulbous portion and a neck portion, the retaining device comprising:(a) an elongate backing element having a top end, a bottom end and at least one backing element clip capable of removably attaching the hand tool retaining device to a generally vertical elongate strap having a width between about ½ inch and about 4 inches; (b) a base element disposed proximate to the bottom end of the backing element; (c) an elongate guide element disposed along the backing element, the guide element having a first exterior side, an opposed second exterior side and an elongate slot which connects the first exterior side with the second exterior side, the slot having a top end, a bottom end, a width between about ½ inch and about 2 inches and an opening proximate to the top end of the slot for placing the neck of a hand tool within the slot, the opening in the guide element being provided by a wide portion in the elongate slot proximate to the upper end of the slot, the elongate slot further comprising a narrow portion proximate to the bottom end of the slot, the narrow portion being narrower than the wide portion, the guide element further comprising a stop disposed at the top end of the elongate slot, the guide element being disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element, with the neck portion of the head of the hand tool disposed within the elongate slot of the guide element, with the base portion disposed outside of the elongate slot along the first exterior side of the guide element and with the bulbous portion of the head disposed outside of the elongate slot along the second exterior side of the guide element; and (d) at least one head clip for removably retaining the head of a hand tool to the hand tool retaining device.
  • 19. The hand tool retaining device of claim 18 wherein the elongate slot linearly increases in width from the bottom end of the slot to the top end of the slot by a total increase of between about ½ inch and about 1½ inch.
  • 20. The hand tool retaining device of claim 18 wherein the backing element has a left side and a right side and wherein the guide element is removably attached to either the left side or the right side.
  • 21. The hand tool retaining device of claim 1 further comprising retaining means for removably retaining the hand tool within the hand tool retaining device.
  • 22. A hand tool retaining device for retaining a hand tool having a handle and a head, the retaining device comprising:(a) an elongate backing element having a top end and a bottom end; (b) a base element disposed proximate to the bottom end of the backing element, the base element comprising a head cover removably attached to the elongate backing element by attachment means requiring the use of no tools; (c) an elongate guide element disposed along the backing element, the guide element having an elongate slot, the slot having a top end, a bottom end, a width between about ½ inch and about 2 inches and an opening proximate to the top end of the slot for placing the head of a hand tool within the slot, the guide element being disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element, and with the head of the hand tool disposed within the slot; and (d) retaining means for removably retaining the hand tool within the hand tool retaining device.
  • 23. The hand tool retaining device of claim 22 wherein the head cover is attached to the backing element by hook and loop attachment.
  • 24. A hand tool retaining device for retaining a hand tool having a handle and a head, the retaining device comprising:(a) an elongate backing element having a top end and a bottom end; (b) a base element disposed proximate to the bottom end of the backing element; (c) an elongate guide element disposed along the backing element, the guide element being an elongate loop having an elongate slot, the slot having a top end, a bottom end, a width between about ½ inch and about 2 inches and an opening proximate to the top end of the slot for placing the head of a hand tool within the slot, the guide element being disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element, and with the head of the hand tool disposed within the slot; and (d) retaining means for removably retaining the hand tool within the hand tool retaining device.
  • 25. A hand tool retaining device for retaining a hand tool having a handle and a head, the retaining device comprising:(a) an elongate backing element having a top end and a bottom end; (b) a base element disposed proximate to the bottom end of the backing element; (c) an elongate guide element disposed along the backing element, the guide element having an elongate slot, the slot having a top end, a bottom end, a width between about ½ inch and about 2 inches and an opening proximate to the top end of the slot for placing the head of a hand tool within the slot, the elongate slot linearly increasing in width from the bottom end of the slot to the top end of the slot by a total increase of between about ½ inch and about 1½ inches, the guide element being disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element, and with the head of the hand tool disposed within the slot; and (d) retaining means for removably retaining the hand tool within the hand tool retaining device.
  • 26. A hand tool retaining device for retaining a hand tool having a handle and a head, the retaining device comprising:(a) an elongate backing element having a top end, a bottom end, a longitudinal axis, a left side, a right side and at least one pair of bores on its left and right sides, the bores being disposed in parallel with the longitudinal axis; (b) a base element disposed proximate to the bottom end of the backing element; (c) an elongate guide element disposed along the backing element, the guide element being an elongate loop having at least one end portion disposed within one of the two bores in the backing element, the guide element having an elongate slot, the slot having a top end, a bottom end, a width between about ½ inch and about 2 inches and an opening proximate to the top end of the slot for placing the head of a hand tool within the slot, the guide element being removably attached to either the left side or the right side of the base element, the guide element being disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element, and with the head of the hand tool disposed within the slot; and (d) retaining means for removably retaining the hand tool within the hand tool retaining device.
  • 27. A hand tool retaining device for retaining a hand tool having a handle and a head, the retaining device comprising:(a) an elongate backing element having a top end, a bottom end and at least two backing element bores disposed on the same side of the backing element; (b) a base element disposed proximate to the bottom end of the backing element; (c) an elongate guide element disposed along the backing element, the guide element being an elongate loop having at least one end portion disposed within one of the two bores in the backing element, the guide element having an elongate slot, the slot having a top end, a bottom end, a width between about ½ inch and about 2 inches and an opening proximate to the top end of the slot for placing the head of a hand tool within the slot, the guide element being removably attached to either the left side or the right side of the base element, the guide element being disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element, and with the head of the hand tool disposed within the slot; and (d) retaining means for removably retaining the hand tool within the hand tool retaining device.
  • 28. A hand tool retaining device for retaining a hand tool having a handle and a head, the retaining device comprising:(a) an elongate backing element having a top end, a bottom end and at least one backing element clip capable of removably attaching the hand tool retaining device to a generally vertical elongate strap having a width between about ¼ inch and about 4 inches; (b) a base element disposed proximate to the bottom end of the backing element; (c) an elongate guide element disposed along the backing element, the guide element having an elongate slot, the slot having a top end, a bottom end, a width between about ½ inch and about 2 inches and an opening proximate to the top end of the slot for placing the neck of a hand tool within the slot, the elongate slot linearly increasing in width from the bottom end of the slot to the top end of the slot by a total increase of between about ½ inch and about 1½ inches, the opening in the guide element being provided by a wide portion in the elongate slot proximate to the upper end of the slot, the elongate slot further comprising a narrow portion proximate to the bottom end of the slot, the narrow portion being narrower than the wide portion, the guide element further comprising a stop disposed at the top end of the elongate slot, the guide element being disposed along the backing element such that a hand tool can be disposed against the backing element with the head of the hand tool resting upon the base element, with the handle of the hand tool disposed parallel to and contiguous with the backing element, and with the neck of the head of the hand tool disposed within the slot; and (d) at least one head clip for removably retaining the head of a hand tool to the hand tool retaining device.
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Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
2635804 Sep 1988 FR