The present invention generally relates to magnetic tool holders. More particularly the present invention relates to a magnetic tool belt and tool belt accessories.
Professional users of small hand tools such as carpenters, seamstresses, auto mechanics, electricians, plumbers, construction workers, as well as non-professional do-it-yourselves are often frustrated whenever they misplace, drop or fumble tools or supplies while doing their jobs. Workers often times wear aprons or similar devices to hold these supplies to keep them close at hand and also to be able to move more freely. However, wearing an apron or similar device has certain limitations. For instance, repetitive reaching in pockets for supplies is tedious. Moreover, wearing an apron or similar device does not help the task of reaching for supplies while holding a perfectly aligned work piece or holding a heavy work piece with one hand and some other tool with the other. Additionally, aprons and similar devices are prone to accidentally spill the tools and work items that are held within the pockets of the apron or similar device. Often this spillage is caused because the worker accidentally knocked the tools or work items over with their hand or because of how the worker is positioned while doing their job. Other times the contents will spill whenever the worker removes the pouch from his waist and puts it down.
Magnetic tool belts and tool belt accessories for holding work items comprise a body having a surface and one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items. The one or more magnets providing a magnetic force for attracting magnetically attractable objects and securing them to the surface such that they are readily available for use. The body comprising a tool belt, tool pouch, hammer holder, belt clip or any other suitable tool belt accessory.
One aspect of the present application is directed to a belt that receives belt accessories. The belt comprises a body having a surface and one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items. The body is an elongated strap having a first and second end, wherein the first and second ends are positioned substantially opposite each other. The belt further comprises, a first fastener coupled to the first end and a second fastener coupled to the second end, wherein the first fastener is configured to removably attach to the second fastener forming a loop. The first fastener and the second fastener are adjustable and thereby allow the circumference of the loop to vary. The second fastener and the first fastener comprise any combination of a hook-and-loop fastening system, a zipper, a button or a buckle.
In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are removably attached to the surface. In some embodiments, the surface comprises a plurality of layers for housing the one or more magnets wherein the one or more magnets are completely enclosed within the plurality of layers. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are accessible from within the plurality of layers. In other embodiments, at least some portion of the one or more magnets is exposed. The shape of the one or more magnets is selected from a set comprising a strip, a ball bearing, and a disc. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are positioned to avoid mutual magnetic attraction between each other. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more magnets comprise a ceramic magnet and or a neodymium magnet.
The surface comprises any combination of leather, cotton, cotton/polyester blends, plastic, nylon, vinyl, neoprene, synthetic leather, rubber or other material. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are distributed across the surface so as to allow metallic work items to be secured to substantially all points of the surface.
The belt further comprises one or more belt accessories, wherein the one or more belt accessories are removably attached to the surface of the belt wherein the one or more belt accessories comprise an accessory fastener for removably attaching the accessory to the belt, an accessory body having an accessory surface and one or more accessory magnets coupled to the accessory surface for holding work items. In some embodiments, the accessory body comprises a tool pouch. In other embodiments, the accessory body comprises a belt clip. In yet other embodiments, the accessory body comprises a hammer holder.
In some embodiments, the accessory surface comprises a plurality of accessory layers for housing the one or more accessory magnets wherein the one or more accessory magnets are completely enclosed within the plurality of accessory layers. Alternatively, the one or more accessory magnets are accessible from within the plurality of accessory layers. In some embodiments, at least some portion of the one or more accessory magnets is exposed. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets and one or more accessory magnets are interchangeable. In some embodiments, the accessory body of the one or more belt accessories comprise any combination of a tool pouch, a belt clip, or a hammer holder.
Another aspect of the present application is directed to a belt accessory. The belt accessory comprises a body having a surface, one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items and a fastener for removably attaching the belt accessory to a belt. In some embodiments, the body comprises a tool pouch. In other embodiments, the body comprises a belt clip. In yet other embodiments, the body comprises a hammer holder. The fastener comprises any combination of a belt loop, hook-and-loop fastening system, a zipper, a button, or a buckle. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are removably attached to the surface. In some embodiments, the surface comprises a plurality of layers for housing the one or more magnets wherein the one or more magnets are completely enclosed within the plurality of layers. Alternatively, the one or more magnets are accessible from within the plurality of layers. In some embodiments, at least some portion of the one or more magnets is exposed. The shape of the one or more magnets is selected from a set comprising a strip, a ball bearing, and a disc. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are positioned to avoid mutual magnetic attraction between each other. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more magnets comprise a ceramic magnet and or a neodymium magnet.
The surface comprises any combination of leather, cotton, cotton/polyester blends, plastic, nylon, vinyl, neoprene, synthetic leather, rubber or other material. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets are distributed across the surface so as to allow metallic work items to be secured to substantially all points of the surface. In some embodiments, the body comprises any combination of a tool pouch, a belt clip, or a hammer holder.
Another aspect of the present application is direct to a belt for receiving accessories. The belt comprises a body having a surface, one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items and one or more belt accessories comprising a body having an accessory surface, one or more accessory magnets coupled to the accessory surface for holding work items and at least one fastener for removably attaching the one or more belt accessories to the belt.
Yet another aspect of the present application is directed to a method of manufacturing a belt and belt accessories. The method comprises constructing a belt body having a surface, coupling one or more magnets to the surface for holding work items. The method further comprises constructing an accessory body having an accessory surface, coupling one or more accessory magnets to the accessory surface for holding work items and coupling the accessory body to the surface of the belt body.
In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details.
Referring to
The magnets 130 are neodymium magnets, however in some embodiments, the magnets 130 are ceramic or any other type or combination of magnets. Neodymium has been chosen because it is one of the strongest permanent magnets made and does not lose its strength over time. Typically, as shown in
As further shown in
Each of the belt accessories 170a, 170b, 170c comprise an accessory fastener 360 (as shown in
The accessory surface 190 comprises various types and combinations of materials including, but not limited to leather, cotton, cotton/polyester blends, plastic, nylon, vinyl, neoprene, synthetic leather, knit or rubber. In some embodiments, the accessory surface 190 further comprises a plurality of accessory layers 210.
The accessory magnets 130′ are neodymium magnets, however in some embodiments, the accessory magnets 130′ are ceramic or any other type or combination of magnets. Neodymium has been chosen because it is one of the strongest permanent magnets made and does not lose its strength over time. Typically, as shown in
As further shown in
In operation, this design of the magnetic tool belt 100 allows a worker wearing the belt 100 to securely hold metallic work items 140 in readily accessible locations along the tool belt body 110 and the tool belt accessory bodies 180a, 180b, 180c via the magnetic attraction of the magnets 130 and the accessory magnets 130′. By doing so, the magnetic tool belt has the advantage of preventing the spilling of metallic work items 140 as well as making them more convenient to use by ensuring secure and convenient placement capabilities.
The fastener 360 comprises any combination of a belt loop, a hook-and-loop fastening system, a zipper, a button, or a buckle. Alternatively, the fastener 360 comprises any other fastening means. The surface 320 comprises various types and combinations of materials including, but not limited to leather, cotton, cotton/polyester blends, plastic, nylon, vinyl, neoprene, synthetic leather, knit or rubber. In some embodiments, the surface 320 further comprises a plurality of layers 370 as shown in
The magnets 130′ are neodymium magnets, however in some embodiments, the magnets 130′ are ceramic or any other type or combination of magnets. Neodymium has been chosen because it is one of the strongest permanent magnets made and does not lose its strength over time. Typically, as shown in
The magnets 130′ are substantially permanently coupled onto the surface 320. Alternatively, the magnets 130′ are removably attached to the surface 320. Where the magnets 130′ are removably attached to the surface 320, various means can be utilized to removably attach them to the surface 320. These means include, but are not limited to buttons, buckles, snaps, hooks, threads or zippers. In some embodiments, the magnets 130′ are positioned along the surface 320 such that mutual magnetic attraction between each other is avoided. In some embodiments, as shown in
In operation, this design of the magnetic belt accessory 300 allows a worker wearing the accessory 300 to securely hold metallic work items in readily accessible locations along the belt accessory body 310 via the magnetic attraction of the magnets 130′. By doing so, the magnetic belt accessory 300 of the present application has the advantage of preventing the spilling of metallic work items as well as making them more convenient to use by ensuring secure and convenient placement capabilities.
Another aspect of the present application is directed to a method of manufacturing the tool belt and tool belt accessories. This method will now be discussed in conjunction with the flow chart illustrated in
The magnetic tool belt and belt accessories described herein comprise a body having a surface and one or more magnets coupled to the surface for holding work items. By incorporating these magnets with the body of the tool belt and tool belt accessories the present device allows a worker wearing or using the tool belt or tool belt accessories to securely hold metallic tools and other items in readily accessible locations along the body via the magnetic attraction of the magnets. Thus, the worker is able to work more efficiently as they are less likely to fumble or drop tools and other items thereby increasing work production. Further, the present device allows for more flexibility in the worker's body position while working because the magnets prevent tools from falling when tilted, even if tilted completely upside down. Accordingly, the magnetic tool belt and belt accessories described herein have numerous advantages.
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the body of the tool belt and belt accessories of the present invention can be any type of belt or belt accessory body. Further, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the precise structure of these bodies can be substantially varied while still being compatible with the present invention. Accordingly, the device of the present invention can be implemented in several different ways and have several different appearances.
The Patent Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. section 119(e) to the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/998,839, filed Oct. 11, 2007, and entitled “MAGNETIC TOOL HOLDERS,” to the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/003,751, filed Nov. 19, 2007, and entitled “MAGNETIC TOOL HOLDERS” and to the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/004,440, filed Nov. 26, 2007, and entitled “MAGNETIC TOOL HOLDERS,” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60998839 | Oct 2007 | US | |
61003751 | Nov 2007 | US | |
61004440 | Nov 2007 | US |