US20090026155A1

US20090026155A1 - Tool Holding Device

Info

Publication number: US20090026155A1
Application number: US11/828,136
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald Bernard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-25
Filing date: 2007-07-25
Publication date: 2009-01-29

Abstract

Disclosed is a tool holding device capable of being clamped to a rail and holding a tool. The tool holding device comprises a primary body, a secondary body and a fastening mechanism. The primary body comprises a tool receiving portion configured to hold a tool; a first arm and a first plate peripherally integral with the tool receiving portion. The first arm is perpendicular to the first plate. The secondary body comprises a second plate and a second arm integral with the second plate. The second arm is perpendicular to the second plate. The fastening mechanism enables in fastening and clamping the primary body and the secondary body with the rail therebetween such that the first arm and the second arm clamps opposite sides of the rail for firmly clamping the tool holding device to the rail.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a tool holding device, and more particularly, to a tool holding device capable of being clamped to a rail and holding a tool for easy accessibility of the tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of tool holding devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, tool holding devices devised and utilized for the purpose of containing tools therein are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the numerous designs encompassed by the existing prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. Such tool holding devices are very handy for workers while working at elevated positions where the accessibility to the ground is not easy. Furthermore, working at such positions, it is difficult for the workers to repeatedly get to the ground to access a variety of tools that are needed during the work conducted at such elevated positions.
Additionally, tool holding devices are attached to worker's body as well as to other structures which are accessible to the worker in the vicinity of a workstation. Tool holding devices for accommodating tools therein, when attached to the body of a worker involve a number of limitations. For example, a tool such as a cordless drill is used while atop a ladder. After one is done using the drill, the drill is inserted into a holster or hook style holder attached to the worker's tool belt. Such an attachment to the workers body restricts the worker in ascending and descending a ladder and makes such arrangement quite cumbersome. Moreover, the fact that the worker is walking around a workstation with a 5-pound weight, (i.e., the drill), attached to the worker's body overloads the tool belt. Such tool holding devices attached to the worker's body are available in the existing art and suffer from the disadvantage of the incapability to hold substantial loads placed thereupon.
Avoiding the disadvantages discussed above in the existing arts, arrangements may be made for attaching the tool holding devices to other structures in the vicinity of the workstation. Accordingly, what is needed is a tool holding device capable of being detachably clamped to a structure in the vicinity of the workstation and configured to hold a tool stably and securely in an upright position for the easy accessibility of the tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a tool holding device configured to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a tool holding device for clamping a rail. The tool holding device comprises a primary body, a secondary body and a fastening mechanism. The primary body comprises a tool receiving portion, a first arm and a first plate. The tool receiving portion is configured to receive and hold a tool. The first arm and the first plate are integral with the tool receiving portion and the first plate has a first slot. The secondary body comprises a second plate and a second arm. The second arm is integral with the second plate and the second plate has a second slot. The fastening mechanism is configured to couple the primary body and the secondary body. The primary body and the secondary body are capable of slidably clamping the rail therebetween from opposite sides of the rail using the fastening mechanism and thereby clamp the tool holding device to the rail, such that the tool may be held in the tool receiving potion.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of clamping a tool holding device to a rail, the tool holding device comprising a primary body and a secondary body. The method comprises the steps of: positioning an secondary body over a primary body, the primary body having a first plate, a first arm perpendicular to the first plate and a tool receiving portion integral to the first plate and the first arm, the secondary body having a second plate and a second arm perpendicular to the second plate; aligning a second slot configured on the second plate with a first slot configured on the first plate; fastening partially the secondary body with the primary body using a fastening mechanism; and clamping the tool holding device to the rail in a manner such that the first arm and the second arm clamps opposite sides of the rail by sliding the second plate along with the fastening mechanism along the first slot for adjusting a width of the rail and tightening the fastening mechanism.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this invention. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool holding device 100 in an unassembled state, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tool holding device 100 in an assembled state, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the tool holding device 100 in the assembled state, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool holding device 100 in a utilized condition illustrating the tool holding device 100 clamped to a rail 210 of a ladder 200 and holding a tool 300, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limited to a particular tool holding device, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The terms “first,” “second,” “primary,” “secondary,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The present invention provides an easy-to-use tool holding device having substantially reduced configurational complexities for the purpose of holding a tool. The tool holding device of the present invention is capable of being detachably clamped to a structure in the vicinity of a workstation. The ‘workstation’ as used herein refers to an area of operation of a worker at an elevated position. Upon clamping the tool holding device to a structure, for example, a rail of a ladder at the workstation, a tool may be held in the tool holding device, thus providing easy accessibility to the tool. The tool holding device of the present invention may be mass manufactured in a cost effective manner and may be adapted to the individual dimensions of the particular structure to which it attaches.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a tool holding device 100 is shown. The tool holding device 100 comprises a primary body 40, a secondary body 80 and a fastening mechanism 90. The primary body 40 comprises a tool receiving portion 10, a first arm 20 and a first plate 30. The first arm 20 and the first plate 30 are integral with the tool receiving portion 10. The secondary body 80 comprises a second plate 50 and a second arm 60. The second arm 60 is integral with the second plate 50. The fastening mechanism 90 is capable of coupling the primary body 40 and the secondary body 80 and slidably clamping the coupled primary body 40 and the secondary body 80 to a rail therebetween. As referred herein, the ‘rail’ is an elongated structure supported at two ends, for example a rail 210 of a ladder 200 (as shown in FIG. 4). Further, the tool receiving portion 10 of the primary body 40 is configured to receive and hold a tool 300 (as shown in FIG. 4) upon clamping the tool holding device 100 to the rail 210. The material used for manufacturing the tool holding device 100 may include, but is not limited to, plastic, steel, aluminum, and the like.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the tool receiving portion 10 is a cylindrical hollow structure. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the tool receiving portion 10 may also be configured as a polygonal hollow structure. The tool receiving portion 10 has a peripheral surface 12 and a channel 14. The channel 14 is configured to receive and hold a tool having a protruded nose portion and a tool body, such that the protruded nose portion is received through the channel 14 and the tool body rests on the tool receiving portion 10 and is held therein. For example, the tool 300 may include, but is not limited to a cordless drill, a soldering gun, a heat gun, a caulking gun and a fastening gun.
The first arm 20 and the first plate 30 of the primary body 40 are configured to clamp a side of the rail 210. The first arm 20 and the first plate 30 extend from the peripheral surface 12 of the tool receiving portion 10 in a manner such that the first arm 20 is perpendicular to the first plate 30. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first arm 20 is inclined to a central axis of the tool receiving portion 10, indicative in FIGS. 1 and 3. Such an inclination of the first arm 20 enables the first arm 20 to clamp against an inclined rail.
The first arm 20 has a first member 22 and a first flange 24. The first member 22 is peripherally integral with the peripheral surface 12 of the tool receiving portion 10. The first flange 24 extends perpendicularly from the first member 22 in a manner such that the first flange 24 is parallel to the first plate 30 and extends in a direction of extension of the first plate 30. The first member 22 and first flange 24 configure an L-shaped structure which enables the first arm 20 to clamp firmly against the rail 210.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first plate 30 is a flat rectangular plate like structure having a first slot 32 extending horizontally along a partial length of the first plate 30, such that the first slot 32 is positioned between a distal edge 34 and the peripheral surface 12. The first slot 32 is configured to receive the fastening mechanism 90 and allows the fastening mechanism 90 to slidably move along a length of the slot 32.
The second plate 50 and second arm 60 of the secondary body 80 are configured to clamp a side of the rail 210 opposite to the side of the rail 210 clamped by the first arm 20 and the first plate 30. In one embodiment of the present invention, the second plate 50 is a flat parallelogram like structure having a pair of opposite inclined edges 52 a, 52 b and a pair of opposite straight edges 54 a and 54 b, (see FIG. 1). The second plate 50 has a second slot 56 and a mold slot 58. The second slot 56 provides a passage for the fastening mechanism 90. The fastening mechanism 90 is capable of being received through the second slot 56 and the first slot 32 for coupling the primary body 40 with the secondary body 80. The mold slot 58 enables in removing the secondary body 80 from a mold used for manufacturing the secondary body 80. Additionally, the mold slot 58 reduces the amount of material needed for manufacturing the secondary body 80.
The second arm 60 extends perpendicularly from the second plate 50 from an end portion towards the inclined edge 52 b such that the second arm 60 is adjacent to the mold slot 58. The second arm 60 has a second member 62 and a second flange 64. More specifically, the second member 62 extends perpendicularly from the second plate 50 and adjacent to the mold slot 58. The second flange 64 extends perpendicularly from the second member 62 in a manner such that, the second flange 64 is parallel to the second plate 50 and extends in a direction of extension of the second plate 50. The second member 62 and the second flange 64 configures an L-shaped structure which enables the second arm 60 to clamp firmly against the rail 210. Further, the second arm 60 is reinforced with a plurality of ribs 66 for strengthening the second arm 60. The ribs 66 are extending perpendicularly from an outer surface of the second member 62 and along the second plate 50 towards the inclined edge 52 b.
In one embodiment of the present invention the fastening mechanism 90 is a nut and a bolt arrangement. The nut and bolt arrangement includes a nut 92 and a bolt 94. The fastening mechanism 90 is capable of coupling the primary body 40 and the secondary body 80. Additionally, the fastening mechanism 90 is also capable of clamping the primary body 40 and the secondary body 80 to the rail 210 upon coupling the primary body 40 and the secondary body 80. As shown in FIG. 1, the nut 92 is a wing nut and the bolt 94 is a hexagonal threaded bolt.
Referring to FIG. 4, the tool holding device 100 is shown in a utilized condition. The tool holding device 100 is clamped to the rail 210 of a ladder 200 and holding a tool 300 such as the cord less drill. The tool holding device 100 may be easily clamped and unclamped to the rail 210 of the ladder 200 using the fastening mechanism 90.
The tool holding device 100 may be clamped to the rail 210 of the ladder 200 by the following method. The method comprises positioning the second plate 50 of the secondary body 80 over the first plate 30 of the primary body 40. Next, the second slot 56 configured on the second plate 50 is aligned with the first slot 32 configured on the first plate 30. Next, the secondary body 80 is partially fastened with the primary body 40 using the fastening mechanism 90 such that the hexagonal threaded bolt 94 passes through the aligned second slot 56 and the first slot 32 and the hexagonal threaded bolt 94 is partially tightened by rotating the wing nut 92.
The hexagonal threaded bolt 94 is passed through the aligned second slot 56 and the first slot 32 in a manner such that a hexagonal head portion of the hexagonal threaded bolt 94 is accommodated completely inside the second slot 56 and a threaded portion of the hexagonal threaded bolt 94 extends out of the first slot 32. More specifically, the second slot 56 is configured to receive and accommodate the hexagonal threaded bolt 94 such that the hexagonal head portion flushes out with a surface of the second plate 50 and provides a smooth surface of the second plate 50 to contact against the rail 210 (see FIG. 2).
Thereafter, the tool holding device 100 is attached to the rail 210 in a manner such that the first arm 20 and the second arm 60 clamp opposite sides of the rail 210 positioned therebetween, by sliding the secondary body 80 with the fastening mechanism 90 along the first slot 32 for adjusting a width of the rail 210. Such a movement of the secondary body 80 enables the tool holding device 100 to clamp rails of different widths. More specifically, the length of the first slot 32 provides a degree of adjustability to the tool holding device 100 for accommodating rails of different widths. Further, the tool holding device 100 clamps the rail 210 upon fully tightening the hexagonal threaded bolt 94 by rotating the wing nut 92.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tool holding device, comprising:

a primary body comprising

a tool receiving portion configured to receive and hold a tool,

a first arm integral with the tool receiving portion,

a first plate integral with the tool receiving portion, the first plate having a first slot; and

a secondary body comprising

a second plate having a second slot, and

a second arm integral with the second plate; and

a fastening mechanism configured to couple the secondary body and the primary body;

wherein the primary body and the secondary body are capable of slidably clamping a rail therebetween from opposite sides of the rail using the fastening mechanism, thereby clamping the tool holding device to the rail for holding the tool in the tool receiving potion.

2. The tool holding device of claim 1, wherein the tool receiving portion is a hollow cylindrical structure capable of receiving and holding the tool.

3. The tool holding device of claim 2, wherein the tool receiving portion is a polygonal hollow structure.

4. The tool holding device of claim 1, wherein the tool holding device is clamped to a rail of a ladder.

5. The tool holding device of claim 1, wherein the tool comprises at least one of a cordless drill, a soldering gun, a heat gun, a caulking gun and a fastening gun.

6. The tool holding device of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the first plate extend from a peripheral surface of the tool receiving portion in a manner such that the first arm is perpendicular to the first plate.

7. The tool holding device of claim 6, wherein the first arm comprises

a first member peripherally integral to the tool receiving portion, and

a first flange extending perpendicularly from the first member in a direction of extension of the first plate and parallel to the first plate.

8. The tool holding device of claim 1, wherein the second arm comprises

a second member extending perpendicularly from the second plate, and

a second flange extending perpendicularly from the second member in a direction of extension of the second plate and parallel to the second plate.

9. The tool holding device of claim 8, wherein the second arm further comprises a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from an outer surface of the second member, the ribs configured to strengthen the second arm.

10. The tool holding device of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism is a nut and bolt arrangement.

11. The tool holding device of claim 10, wherein coupling the secondary body and the primary body comprises positioning the second plate over the first plate in a manner such that the second slot aligns with the first slot and passing the bolt through the second slot and the first slot and tightening the bolt with the nut thereby coupling the secondary body and the primary body.

12. The tool holding device of claim 1, wherein the tool holding device is capable of accommodating rails of different widths by slidably adjusting the secondary body along with the fastening mechanism over the first plate along a length of the first slot.

13. A method of clamping a tool holding device to a rail, the tool holding device comprising a primary body and a secondary body, the method comprising:

positioning the secondary body over the primary body, the primary body having a first plate, a first arm perpendicular to the first plate and a tool receiving portion integral to the first plate and the first arm, the secondary body having a second plate and a second arm perpendicular to the second plate;

aligning a second slot configured on the second plate with a first slot configured on the first plate;

coupling partially the secondary body and the primary body using a fastening mechanism; and

clamping the tool holding device to the rail in a manner such that the first arm and the second arm clamp opposite sides of the rail by sliding the second plate along with the fastening mechanism over the first plate along a length of the first slot for adjusting a width of the rail and tightening the fastening mechanism.