The present invention relates to a tool holder for holding and storing one or more tools.
It is often desired to hold a collection of tools, such as writing implements or painting tools, in an organized manner to reduce clutter, permit easy access, and prevent contact between the tools.
Holders are available to hold and store a single writing implement. As an example, United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0121773 A1 to Huang discloses a pen holder including a pair of discrete elastic members that define therebetween a passage that is narrower than the diameter of the pen. When the pen is pushed through the passage, the elastic members deform and exert a restoring force to retain the pen. United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0073399 to Rosenblum discloses a pen holder that is insertable into a lighter socket of a vehicle, and includes a body with an elongated cavity, and a rubber end flange defining an opening that communicates with the cavity. The end opening may be narrower than the diameter of the cavity, and the cavity may have inwardly extending grippers. When a pen is pushed through the opening and into the cavity, the end flange and grippers firmly hold the pen in place.
There are holders which accommodate multiple writing implements. U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,142 to Lyman, Jr. discloses a pen holder defining pen tip cavities, each having a pen tip cavity edge that seals against and supports a pen neck. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,419,320 and 7,819,600 to LaBrasca disclose a marker pen holder defining receptacles, each of which has a snap ring that fits a corresponding snap ring on a marker pen neck. U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,474 to Bewsky discloses a holder comprising a base plate with perpendicularly extending flexible pins having bulbous tips. When a pen is inserted between the pins, it displaces the bulbous tips of the pins, causing them to press against the pen and retain it in place.
However, the above holders are limited in their ability to hold and store a variety of tools having different shapes and sizes. There is a need for a simple and efficient holder that mitigates the limitations of the current holders.
The present invention is directed to a tool holder for holding and storing a plurality of tools. In one aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a tool holder comprising:
In one embodiment, the holder further comprises a surface layer removably attachable to the body. In one embodiment, the surface layer is formed of flexible elastomeric material.
In one embodiment, the body comprises a base portion, a mounting face, and a top portion. In one embodiment, the body is formed of a rigid material. In one embodiment, the material is selected from plastic, wood, or metal.
In one embodiment, the base portion is substantially flat. In one embodiment, the base portion is constructed from, coated, or provided with a material which prevents slippage. In one embodiment, the material is selected from rubber, an adhesive, a magnet, gel, or silicone. In one embodiment, the mounting face defines one or more slots. In one embodiment, the one or more slots comprises a keyhole-type slot. In one embodiment, the top portion is substantially curved.
In one embodiment, the receptacle is closed at one end, or open ended. In one embodiment, the receptacle is tapered and comprises an open-ended drain tube positioned at the base portion of the receptacle. In one embodiment, the receptacle is conical-shaped. In one embodiment, the surface layer extends downwardly into the body to define the receptacle, and the body defines the drain tube. In one embodiment, the body defines an aperture, the receptacle, and the drain tube. In one embodiment, the base portion is removable.
In one embodiment, longitudinal axes of the receptacles are aligned at differing angles to maintain separation of adjacent tools.
In one embodiment, the gripping member defines an aperture which aligns with a corresponding receptacle, and has a transverse dimension smaller than the transverse dimension of the receptacle. In one embodiment, the aperture has a substantially curved or rounded edge.
In one embodiment, the surface layer is configured to lie flush with the top portion of the body. In one embodiment, the body defines a peripheral groove which engages a complementary groove defined by the surface layer. In one embodiment, the body defines a slot which engages a complementary downwardly projecting tab defined by the surface layer. In one embodiment, the surface layer is removably attachable to the body by a fastener. In one embodiment, the fastener is selected from a screw fastener or a split clip.
In one embodiment, the one or more gripping members are integral with the body. In one embodiment, the one or more gripping members comprise an annular member releasably attached to the body. In one embodiment, the annular member defines an aperture and a circumferential groove which engages a complementary annular groove defined by the body. In one embodiment, the annular member is formed of flexible elastomeric material. In one embodiment, the material for the surface layer or annular member is selected from polyisoprene, natural rubber, latex, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, gel, or silicone.
The invention will now be described by way of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying simplified, diagrammatic, not-to-scale drawings.
The present invention relates to a tool holder for holding and storing one or more tools. When describing the present invention, all terms not defined herein have their common art-recognized meanings. To the extent that the following description is of a specific embodiment or a particular use of the invention, it is intended to be illustrative only, and not limiting of the claimed invention. The following description is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents that are included in the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims,
The tool holder (10) serves as a depository to hold and store one or more tools. As used herein, the term “tool” broadly refers to any implement or accessory for writing, painting, entertaining, grooming, or eating including, but not limited to, desktop stationary supplies such as pens, pencils, markers, scissors, rulers, paper clips, binder clips, and the like; art supplies such as angled brushes, bristle brushes, staining brushes, sash and trim brushes, disposable brushes, varnish brushes, wire brushes, paint brush extenders, finishing tools, putty knives, taping knives, broad knives, glazier knives, razor blades, spatulas, paint mixers, paint scrapers, and the like; hand-held electronic devices such as smartphones, portable media players, or recorders; hardware tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers; personal grooming tools such as toothbrushes, make-up applicators, tweezers, and combs; and eating utensils such as forks, knives, and spoons.
The invention will now be described having regard to the accompanying Figures. The tool holder (10) is shown generally in the Figures to include a body (12) and a surface layer (14) removably attachable to the body (12). The body (12) defines receptacles (16) for receiving tools or portions thereof, and the surface layer (14) defines apertures (18) bounded by gripping members or edges (20) which substantially align with corresponding receptacles (16) to allow passage of the tools or portions thereof and to releasably grip or grasp the tools upon insertion.
The body (12) comprises a base portion (22), a top portion (24), a mounting face (26) and one or more receptacles (16). In one embodiment, the body (12) may be constructed of a rigid material to provide strength and sufficient ruggedness to support the weights of and repeated contact with the tools. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, plastics, wood and metal.
In one embodiment, the base portion (22) is substantially flat to provide a relatively planar surface for the tool holder (10) to rest on any underlying support surface such as for example, the top of a desk or table. The base portion (22) may be constructed from, coated, or provided with a material to prevent slippage on the underlying support surface. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, high friction, low tack materials such as, for example, rubber; adhesives; magnets; gel and silicone.
The tool holder (10) may also be mounted to a wall or to the underside of a surface such as, for example, a cabinet or shelf. In one embodiment shown in
In one embodiment, the top portion (24) is substantially curved, sloping downwardly from the mounting face (26), as shown in
The body (12) defines one or more receptacles (16) for receiving and accommodating tools or portions thereof. It is contemplated that the number, size, shape, and positioning of the receptacles (16) for an embodiment of the tool holder (10) may vary, as shown by the dashed lines in
The receptacle (16) is configured to correspond substantially to the shape and size of the tool or portion thereof. The receptacle (16) may be closed at one end, or open ended. In one embodiment, the receptacle (16) has a closed end. The closed end or bottom of the receptacle (16) may have any suitable configuration including, but not limited to, flat or conical. In one embodiment, the closed end may be flat for a non-pointed tool. In one embodiment as shown for example in
In one embodiment, the receptacle (16) is open ended. As shown for example in
As used herein when describing a receptacle (16) and its corresponding gripping member (18), the term “longitudinal” refers to the direction in which the receptacle (16) receives the tool, and the term “transverse” refers to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
In one embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the receptacles (16) are aligned at differing angles. As shown in
In one embodiment, the surface layer (14) defines the gripping members (18). In one embodiment, the gripping member (18) comprises an aperture. The aperture comprises a hole defined by a continuous edge (20) extending about the hole.
It is contemplated that the shape of the apertures (18) and receptacles (16) may vary. While
The surface layer (14) is removably attachable to the top portion (24) of the body (12) to facilitate cleaning or replacement of the surface layer (14) and other components of the tool holder (10), thereby preventing or minimizing fouling of the receptacles (16) and other components.
In one embodiment, the surface layer (14) is configured to lie flush with the top portion (24) of the body (12). In one embodiment, the surface layer (14) is curved to lie flush with the curved top portion (24) of the body (12), as shown in
In one embodiment, the surface layer (14) is removably attachable to the body (12) by friction fit or press fit (
In one embodiment, the surface layer (14) is removably attachable to the body (12) by a fastener (
The surface layer (14) is formed of a flexible, elastic material to enable the gripping of tools by the edges (20) of the apertures (18). As used herein, the term “flexible” means capable of bending without breaking. As used herein, the term “elastomer” means a material which exhibits the property of elasticity, namely the ability to deform when a stress is applied and to recover its original form (i.e., length, volume, shape, etc.) spontaneously when the stress is removed. Elastomers typically have a low Young's modulus (i.e., the ratio of tensile stress to tensile strain, expressed in units of pressure), and a high yield strain (i.e., the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically, expressed in units of pressure). Suitable elastomeric materials include, but are not limited to, polyisoprene, natural rubber, latex, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, gel, or silicone. Such materials are durable, lightweight, and are relatively inexpensive. The material may comprise flexible, elastomeric materials which can widen and contract to receive and accommodate a tool. The aperture (18) widens to allow passage of the tool therethrough into the receptacle (16). Once the tool has been inserted, the friction imparted by the edge (20) of the aperture (18) grips or grasps the tool.
In one embodiment, there is no surface layer (14). Gripping of the tool is achieved by an annular member (48) which is releasably attached to the top portion (24) of the body (12) (
In one embodiment, the tool holder (10) may include a lid or case which may be removably attachable to the tool holder (10) to cover or enclose the tools held or stored within the holder (10) for various reasons such as, for example, to protect the tools from dust or contamination, to minimize spillage (for example, if paint brushes are stored with the bristles pointing downward), or to store between uses or during transit. The lid or case may be removably attached to the tool holder (10) by any suitable attachment means including, but not limited to, a hinge, clamp, snap, fastener, and the like. The lid or case is manufactured separately as a component which is removably attachable to the tool holder (10).
The dimensions of the tool holder (10) are not essential to the invention and may be increased or decreased as may be required to satisfy any particular design objectives; for example, the tool holder (10) may be made available in a variety of dimensions to correspond with different sizes of tools. The height or depth of the tool holder (10) may vary in accordance with the length of the tools intended for use with the tool holder (10). In addition, it is contemplated that the shape and color for an embodiment of the tool holder (10) may vary for different applications, aesthetic appeal, or age groups.
It will be appreciated that the tool holder (10) of the present invention is so simple but rugged in construction that it can be made at low cost. The tool holder (10) may be easily fabricated by a molding process including, but not limited to, injection molding and other processes known in the art. In one embodiment, the body (12) and integral apertures (18) may be cast or molded as a single piece. In one embodiment, the body (12) may be manufactured as a single integral unit, with other components (for example, the surface layer (14), screw fastener (42), split clip (44), annular member (48)) being manufactured separately to be attachable to the body (12) to form the tool holder (10).
The tool holder (10) provides holding and storage means, allowing close and quick access to various tools when placed on a desk or table top or mounted to a wall. Tools with sharp points or edges, for example, pencils, knives, and scrapers, can be safely held and stored. In operation, the tool holder (10) may be placed for example, on a desk or table top. The end of a tool (for example, pencil (P)) is inserted through an aperture (18) into the receptacle (16), maintaining constant full contact with the aperture (18) as it is inserted into the receptacle (16). The diameter of the aperture (18) is selected to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the pencil (P). Insertion of the pencil (P) through the aperture (18) increases its diameter or widens the aperture (18) which subsequently grips or contracts around the pencil (P). Frictional forces between the aperture (18) and the pencil (P) hold the pencil (P) within the receptacle (16).
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the scope of the invention claimed herein.