Patent Application
20250057302
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a painter tool holder apparatus and, more particularly, to a portable and wearable tool holder apparatus.
Conventional tool holders that hold painting tools are well known and have been in use for several years. Regrettably, most conventional painting tool holders are bulky, making their use difficult when maneuvering through a construction cite (e.g., on a ladder, inside a small closet, etc.). Due to their bulk, the painter tools held do tend to fall off when the bulky tool holder bumps or strikes against furniture or other objects.
Additionally, most conventional painter tool holders are comprised of multiple complex parts and are limited to holding only one specific sized masking tape (also known as painter's tape or simply tape). Conventional tool holders provide different size tape holders to accommodate different sized tapes, which adds to the complexity and part number of the product and further, compels users to keep track of all the different sized tape holders. As importantly, users are required to setup or assemble the correct tape size onto the corresponding, correct size tape holder and mounting the tape holder with the mounted tape onto the tool holder prior to use, which is a time consuming and cumbersome task.
Further, most conventional tool holders that hold painting tools further require that the masking tape be dismounted from the tool holder before dispensation, require the use of both hands to dispense tape, and require the remounting of the tape back onto the tool holder after a desired length of the tape is cut for use. Dismounting the tape before dispensation defeats the purpose of having a tool holder as a user may easily use their pocket to hold the tape instead of the tool holder.
Accordingly, considering the current state of the art and the drawbacks to current tool holders mentioned above, a need exists for a portable and wearable tool holder apparatus that would be small, and would allow for secure mounting of tools, and be comprised of a single piece.
Further, a need exists for a portable and wearable tool holder apparatus that would be easy to use without the need to mount or dismount a roll of tape or assembly of the same for mounting on the portable and wearable tool holder apparatus.
Additionally, a need exists for a portable and wearable tool holder apparatus that would allow for holding of different sized rolls of tapes.
A non-limiting, exemplary aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides tool holder apparatus, comprising:
Another non-limiting, exemplary aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a utility tool holder apparatus for painting, comprising:
These and other features and aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments, taken together with the drawings and the claims that follow.
It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the disclosure, the word “exemplary” may be used to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” but the absence of the term “exemplary” does not denote a limiting embodiment. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. In the drawings, like reference character(s) present corresponding part(s) throughout.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized.
It is to be appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Stated otherwise, although the invention is described below in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and aspects described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention.
Throughout the disclosure, references to the field of painting are meant as illustrative, convenience of example, and for discussion purposes only. That is, the present invention should not be limited in its use to the field of painting but may also be used (without much modifications, if any) for other fields.
Throughout the disclosure, the use of the phrase roll of masking tape, roll of painter's tape, roll of tape, and or tape etc. are considered equivalent and may be used interchangeably.
Throughout the disclosure, the use of the phrase putty knife or blade, painter knife or blade, paint scraper, painter utility knife or blade, etc. are all considered equivalent and may be used interchangeably.
One or more embodiments of the present invention provide for a portable and wearable tool holder apparatus that is small, and allows for secure mounting of tools, and is comprised of single piece.
Further, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide for a portable and wearable tool holder apparatus that is easy to use without the need to mount or dismount a roll of tape or assembly of the same for mounting on the portable and wearable tool holder apparatus.
Additionally, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide for a portable and wearable tool holder apparatus that allows for holding of different sized rolls of tapes.
Tool holder apparatus 100 may be comprised of coupler 102 for detachably mounting tool holder apparatus 100 onto an article 136 such as an article of clothing or accessory for example a pocket of a clothing, belt, etc., thus making tool holder apparatus 100 both portable and a wearable unit.
Tool holder apparatus 100 may further include an open-ended pocket (or pouch or sleeve) 104 for storing a first tool 106 (e.g., putty knife), and a cradle 108 for retaining multiple tools 110 (e.g., one or more roll of tape).
As further detailed below, pocket 104 may be magnetized to allow detachable securing of first tool 106 inside or outside pocket 104. Outside attachment (
Tool holder apparatus 100 may further include cradle 108 that allows storage and use of multiple tools 110 without the need to mount or dismount the tools 110 during and after every use and without the need to assemble the same for mounting on the portable and wearable tool holder apparatus 100. For example, during use, a piece of tape may be easily and quickly cut without having to remove roll of tape 110 from cradle 108.
During work, a user may simply “clip” tool holder apparatus 100 to a belt 136 by coupler 102, dispense desired amount of tape from roll of tape 110 without having to remove roll of tape 110. The user may also remove first tool (e.g., putty knife) 106 from pocket 104 and use it and simply attached it to the outside or external side 120 of pocket 104 for quick and easy mounting and dismounting.
As illustrated in
Coupler 102 of tool holder apparatus 100 may be comprised of a clip in a shape of a pocket hook for mounting onto article 136. It has sufficient rigidity and strength so that it is durable, but flexes to allow mounting of the unit 100 on to various sized articles 136.
A distal edge 122 of attachment side 134 of coupler 102 may be comprised of chamfered lateral edges 124 for easy mounting and dismounting. Chamfered edges 124 function as “dull edges” that prevent damaging of articles 136 during mounting/dismounting of tool holder apparatus 100.
As further illustrated, coupler 102 has a slot 130 with sufficient width 128 for a tight grip of article 136. Attachment side 134 of coupler 102 has a sufficient length 126 for a secure hold of the article 136.
If length 126 of attachment side 134 of coupler 102 is too short, it could easily be dismounted or “bumped” off from article 136 with which coupler 102 is detachably connected. For example, during use, bottom outer side 132 of cradle 108 may strike an object, moving the entire tool holder apparatus 100 up and off the belt or pocket to which tool holder apparatus 100 is connected. The sufficient length 126 allows for a long or deeper “grab” of coupler 102 with article 136 with which it is connected so that it is not easily bumped off.
A support side 138 of coupler 102 is of sufficient length 140 to allow easy reach for the tools, but without user elbows bumping any mounted tools. Further, too long of length 140 would allow bottom outer side 132 of tool holder apparatus 100 to contact a floor or some base when user is kneeling or squatting, causing the entire unit to be bumped off. Accordingly, length 140 is of sufficient span to provide clearance for user elbow from striking mounted tools and clearance from the ground for bottom outer side 132 when user is kneeling or squatting.
As further illustrated in
Pocket 104 may further include a bottom opening (or slit) 144 for accommodating different shape (e.g., angle shown in
Bottom opening 144 also allows the overall first tool 106 (and in particular, blade 146) to be further inserted inside pocket 104, with bottom edge 174 of blade 146 extending beyond pocket length 150 and out of bottom opening 144 for a more secure hold and clearance of tool handle 160 from encountering user elbow. This arrangement allows bottom 158 of handle 160 to rest on top periphery 162 of upper opening 142.
Pocket 104 has sufficient internal width 156 to accommodate blades 146 of various widths (e.g., about 2 inches or less). It should be noted that the overall width 156 of pocket 104 may be varied to receive blades 146 with wider span so long as the overall size of tool holder apparatus 100 does not become bulky.
A lateral profile 164 of pocket 104 has a profile depth 166 that varies from upper opening (or slot) 142 to bottom opening (or slit) 144. Stated otherwise, profile depth 166 is tapered at an angle from upper opening 142 to bottom opening 144. Profile depth 166 at the bottom opening 142 is reduced for clearance to freely allow roll of tape 110 to be mounted and dismounted with ease.
An upper portion 170 and a lower portion 168 of pocket 104 is chamfered to further facilitate unhindered mounting and dismounting of tape 110. It is important that a roll of tape is not damage during use otherwise, tape being dispensed would improperly tear.
Pocket 104 may further include one or more magnet housing 112 for storing magnets 114. First tool 106 therefore, may be magnetically attached to pocket 104 for further securing first tool 106 while inside pocket 104. Additionally, first tool 106 may be magnetically attached to external side 120 of pocket 104 (best shown in
One or more magnet housing 112 may be comprised of a lateral blind hole for receiving magnet 114. Preferably, pocket 104 is comprised of two lateral blind holes 112 for receiving two magnets 114 to prevent first tool 106 from moving. The use of a single magnet 114 is possible, but less preferred as the putty knife may still move.
One or more lateral blind hole 112 is oriented transverse the longitudinal axis 118 of tool holder apparatus 100. Magnet 114 may be friction fit inside the respective lateral blind hole 112.
As best shown in
If housings 112 are positioned at or near rear side 172, they would weaken the structural integrity of apparatus 100. Further, such an arrangement would reduce the ability of the magnets 114 to properly secure blade 146 on external side 120 due to further added distance of the magnets 114 from external side 120, which would result in weakened pull of the magnetic field or force on the blade 164.
The disclosed arrangement shown in the figures ensure sufficient magnetic force across the material of pocket 104 and its opening to secure a blade 146 of first tool 106 to external side 120 during use. It should be noted that first tool 106 may be inserted inside pocket 104 only when work is done otherwise, during work, first tool 106 may easily be put away and be secured to external side 120 for easy, quick mounting/dismounting.
As further illustrated, tool holder apparatus 100 includes cradle 108 that may be comprised of a polygonal profile having a support portion 174, a base 176, and a retainer section 178.
Support portion 174 is at a first angle (of about 90 degrees) in relation to base 176, and base 176 is at a second angle (of about greater than 90 degrees) in relation to retainer section 178.
Second angle increases cradle 108 space 186 to facilitate carrying more than one tape 110 while still allowing retainer section 178 to not be too far away from support portion 174 where it may interfere in movement in tight spaces during work. Further, greater second angle facilitates easier mounting and dismounting of tapes 110 by allowing roll of tape 110 to clear the free, distal end 180 of retainer section 178 with ease. Retainer section 178 is of sufficient lengthwise span 182 to provide secure retaining of tapes 110. Free distal end 180 of retainer section 178 includes lateral chamfered edges 184 that facilitate easy mounting and dismounting of a roll of tape.
Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Further, the specification is not confined to the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, inside, outside, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, lateral, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction, orientation, or position. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations/positions and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.
In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
Further the terms “a” and “an” throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The use of the phrases “and or,” “and/or” throughout the specification (if any used) indicate an inclusive “or” where for example, A and or B should be interpreted as “A,” “B,” or both “A and B.”
In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112 (f).
This application claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. Utility Provisional Patent Application 63/520,611, filed 19 Aug. 2023, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. All documents mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. It should be noted that throughout the disclosure, where a definition or use of a term in any incorporated document(s) is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the incorporated document(s) does not apply.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63520611 | Aug 2023 | US |
