US20080251171A1

US20080251171A1 - Tool accessory

Info

Publication number: US20080251171A1
Application number: US12/080,538
Authority: US
Inventors: Monika Alfano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-16
Filing date: 2008-04-03
Publication date: 2008-10-16

Abstract

A tool accessory for a predetermined tool having at least one of jaws and teeth is provided. Such tool accessory includes a covering member manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. Such covering member is removably attachable to a first predetermined portion of such predetermined tool. A securing mechanism is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. Such securing mechanism is operably connected to such covering member at a predetermined location thereon for securing such covering member to such predetermined tool.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/911,979 filed Apr. 16, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to tool accessories and, more particularly, this invention relates to covering devices which cover predetermined portions of predetermined tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, tools as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used to install and repair numerous pieces of personal property. On occasion tools scratch, mar, and otherwise deface the items they are being used upon.
Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Labry, U.S. Pat. No. 2,766,649, provides a cushioning attachment for wrenching jaws having a channel-shaped configuration.
Tartaglia, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,447, provides a pair of pliers including a pair of mating jaws, each of the jaws being lined with an insert made of a tough rubber material in order to grasp an object without marring its surface.
Savage, U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,883 provides a plurality of jaw protectors each having a cavity to receive an associated jaw of a clamping member such as a vise, vise-grip pliers, and the like. The clamp jaws are meant to provide for cushioning and protection of various articles supported between the jaw structure.
Popelak, U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,770 provides a pad assembly for protecting an object being grasped by a pair of pliers. The device includes a first engaging pad securable to a first jaw of a pair of pliers. A second engaging pad is securable to a second jaw of the pliers and cooperates with the first pad during engaging of an object to preclude scratching of the object by the jaws of the pliers.
Sloboda, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,948,172 provides an attachment for vise jaws to protect an item held within the jaws from being marred, such attachment being adaptable for use on vise jaws of different sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tool accessory for a predetermined tool having at least one of jaws and teeth. Such tool accessory includes a covering member. Such covering member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. Such covering member is removably attachable to a first predetermined portion of such predetermined tool. A securing means is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. Such securing means is operably connected to such covering member at a predetermined location thereon for securing such covering member to such predetermined tool.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a covering for teeth and jaws of a tool which will protect the articles on which the tool is used from being scratched, marred, and otherwise marked.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a covering for teeth and jaws of a tool which can be secured such that the covering will remain in place during use of such tool and until such time as a user disengages the covering from such tool.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple mechanism which will protect both a tool and items on which the tool is being used from being scratched, marred and otherwise marked.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism which will increase the gripping power of a tool's teeth and jaws.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a covering device for the teeth and jaws of a tool which will reduce the noise made when such tool is in use.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS0

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a tool accessory has been placed over each jaw of a wrench and covers the teeth of such wrench.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a tool accessory has been placed over each jaw of a pair of pliers.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.
Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-4.
A tool accessory, generally designated 10, for a predetermined tool 12 having at least one of jaws 14 and teeth 16 is provided. Such tool accessory 10 includes a covering member 18 manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. The covering member 18 is removably attachable to a first predetermined portion 22 of such predetermined tool 12.
It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is an elastomer. It is further presently preferred that such elastomer is selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and various combinations thereof. It is presently most preferred that such elastomer is plastic. It is further presently preferred that such plastic is polyurethane.
It is presently preferred that such first predetermined shape is substantially identical to a shape of such predetermined portion 22 of such predetermined tool 12, such first predetermined shape further including a hollow inner chamber 26 having an opening 28 at a first predetermined end 32 thereof for receiving such predetermined portion 22 of such predetermined tool 12.
It is further presently preferred that such predetermined portion 22 of such predetermined tool 12 is a jaw 14 of such predetermined tool 12. It is presently preferred that such predetermined tool 12 is at least one of a wrench, a pair of pliers, a vise, vise grips, and channel locks.
A securing means 34 is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. The securing means 34 is operably connected to the covering member 18 at a predetermined location thereon for securing the covering member 18 to such predetermined tool 12.
It is presently preferred that such second predetermined material is elastic.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, such first predetermined material and such second predetermined material are substantially identical.
According to yet another embodiment, such covering member 18 includes a channel shaped member 42 having a bottom 44 and at least two sides 46 for receiving a predetermined portion of such predetermined tool 12.
In this embodiment, it is presently preferred that such securing means 34 is a strap 48 operably connected at a first end 52 thereof to a first side 54 of such channel-shaped member 42 at a first predetermined location 56 thereon and such strap 48 is operably connected at a second end 58 thereof to a second side 62 of such channel shaped member 42 at a second predetermined location 64 thereon.
In this embodiment it is further presently preferred that such first predetermined material is an elastomer. It is further presently preferred that such second predetermined material is an elastomer. It is further presently preferred that such first predetermined material and such second predetermined material are substantially identical.
While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tool accessory for a predetermined tool having at least one of jaws and teeth comprising:

a. a covering member manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape, said covering member being removably attachable to a first predetermined portion of such predetermined tool; and

b. a securing means manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape said securing means being operably connected to said covering member at a predetermined location thereon for securing said covering member to such predetermined tool.

2. A tool accessory according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material is an elastomer.

3. A tool accessory according to claim 2 wherein said elastomer is selected from the group consisting of plastic, rubber, and various combinations thereof.

4. A tool accessory according to claim 3 wherein said elastomer is plastic.

5. A tool accessory according to claim 4 wherein said plastic is polyurethane.

6. A tool accessory according to claim 1 wherein said second predetermined material is elastic.

7. A tool accessory according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material and said second predetermined material are substantially identical.

8. A tool accessory according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined shape is substantially identical to a shape of a predetermined portion of such predetermined tool, said first predetermined shape further including a hollow inner chamber having an opening at a first predetermined end thereof for receiving such predetermined portion of such predetermined tool.

9. A tool accessory according to claim 8 wherein such predetermined portion of such predetermined tool is a jaw of such predetermined tool.

10. A tool accessory according to claim 9 wherein such predetermined tool is at least one of a wrench, a pair of pliers, a vise, vise grips and channel locks.

11. A tool accessory according to claim 1 wherein said covering member includes a channel shaped member having a bottom and at least two sides for receiving a predetermined portion of such predetermined tool.

12. A tool accessory according to claim 11 wherein said securing means is a strap operably connected at a first end thereof to a first side of said channel shaped member at a first predetermined location thereon and said strap is operably connected at a second end thereof to a second side of said channel shaped member at a second predetermined location thereon.

13. A tool accessory according to claim 12 wherein said first predetermined material is an elastomer.

14. A tool accessory according to claim 12 wherein said second predetermined material is an elastomer.

15. A tool accessory according to claim 12 wherein said first predetermined material and said second predetermined material are substantially identical.