AU2010201925B2

AU2010201925B2 - Hand tool rack

Info

Publication number: AU2010201925B2
Application number: AU2010201925A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jui-Chien Kao
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-13
Filing date: 2010-05-13
Publication date: 2014-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-13
Also published as: AU2010201925A1

Abstract

A hand tool rack has a base bracket (10) and multiple clamping elements (20). The base bracket (10) has a baseboard (11) and a rail bracket (12). The rail bracket (12) is formed on the baseboard (11). The clamping elements (20) are 5 movably mounted on the rail bracket (12) and each clamping element (20) has a clamping arm (21) and a tool mount (22). The clamping arm (21) slidably clamps on the rail bracket (12). The tool mount (22) is formed on the clamping arm (21) and has a tool hole (221), a mounting slit (222) and two recesses (224). The tool hole (221) is formed through the tool mount (22). The mounting slit (222) is 10 formed through a front surface of the tool mount (22) and communicates with the tool hole (221). The recesses (224) are respectively formed in the sidewalls of the tool mount (22). 40--.i d iii i

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: Jui-Chien Kao Actual Inventor: Jui-Chien Kao Address for Service: C/- MADDERNS, Level 4, 19 Gouger Street, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: HAND TOOL RACK The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

2 HAND TOOL RACK 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool rack, and more particularly to a 5 hand tool rack that can be mounted on a wall easily and a distance between two adjacent hand tools can be adjusted. 2. Description of the Prior Art A conventional hand tool rack is suspended on a wall, so that hand tools can be organized to facilitate work efficiency and prevent loss of tools. The 10 conventional hand tool rack is provided with an elongated rack adapted for connection to a wall and multiple clamping elements finely formed on the elongated rack. Each clamping element defines a through hole to hold a shank of the hand tool. However, the clamping elements are finely mounted on the rack and 15 cannot be moved to maximize utility of available space on the rack and when the rack is mounted on the wall, only limited space is available for inserting hand tools into the through holes in the clamping elements. An objective of the present invention is to provide a hand tool rack that can be mounted on a wall easily and a distance between two adjacent hand tools 20 can be adjusted. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description. According to a first aspect there is provided a hand tool rack comprising: an elongated base bracket having 25 a baseboard being elongated and having a front surface; 2a a rear surface; a top edge; a bottom edge; two ends; and 5 two bolt holes respectively formed through the surfaces of the baseboard near the ends of the baseboard; and a rail bracket longitudinally formed on and protruding from the front surface of the baseboard and having an upper rail being panel-shaped, longitudinally 10 formed on and protruding from the front surface of the baseboard near the bolt holes; and a lower rail being panel-shaped, longitudinally formed on and protruding from the front surface of the baseboard and being parallel to the upper rail; and 15 a channel formed in the rail bracket between the upper rail, the lower rail and the front surface of the baseboard; and multiple clamping elements movably mounted on the base bracket and each clamping element having a rear end slidably mounted and clamping on the base 20 bracket; a front end; and a clamping arm formed on the rear end of the clamping element, slidably mounted and clamping on the rails of the rail bracket and having an upper holder being a hook and clamped on the upper rail of the 2b rail bracket; and a lower holder being a hook and clamped on the lower rail of the rail bracket; and a tool mount being hollow, formed on the front end of the 5 clamping element, and formed on and protruding from the clamping arm and having an upper surface; a lower surface; a front surface; 10 two sidewalls; a tool hole formed through the upper surface and the lower surface of the tool mount; a mounting slit formed through the upper surface, the front surface and the lower surface of the tool mount and 15 communicating with the tool hole; and two recesses respectively formed in the sidewalls of the tool mount to allow elastic deformation of the tool mount and a distance formed between two adjacent clamping elements by the recesses of the two adjacent clamping elements; 20 wherein a minimum distance between the recess and the tool hole of each clamping element is smaller than a minimum distance between the sidewall of the tool mount and the mounting slit of the clamping element. Fig. I is a perspective view of a hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention, showing hand tools clamped by the rack in phantom lines; 3 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a clamping element of the hand tool rack in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an operational perspective rear view of a base bracket of the hand tool rack in Fig. I mounted on a wall; 5 Fig. 4A shows operational side views in partial section of the clamping element of the hand tool rack in Fig. 1, showing removal of the hand tool from the clamping element; Fig, 4B is an enlarged side view in partial section of the clamping element in Fig. 4A; 10 Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the hand tool rack in Fig. 1 mounted on a wall by threaded bolts; Fig. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of the hand tool rack in fig. 5A; Fig. 6 shows operational perspective views of a portion of the hand tool rack in Fig. 1, showing insertion of the hand tool in the clamping element; 4 Fig. 7 is operational top views in partial section showing insertion of the hand tool in the clamping element in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention, showing hand tools clamped by 5 the rack in phantom lines; Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a hanging board with two hand tool racks in Fig. 8; Fig. 9A is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the hanging board with one of the hand tool racks in Fig. 9; 10 Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the second embodiment of tool mount of the hand tool rack in Fig. 8; Fig. 1I is operational perspective views of the hand tool rack in Fig. 8; Fig. 12 is operational top views in partial section of the hand tool rack in Fig. 8; 15 Fig. 13 is an operational side view in partial section of the hanging board with the hand tool racks in Fig. 9; and Fig. 13A is an enlarged side view in partial section of the hand tool rack in Fig. 8; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a tool mount in 20 accordance with the present invention; Fig. 15 is operational top views in partial section of the tool mount in Fig. 14; and Fig. 16 is operational perspective views of a tool suspension assembly with the tool mounts in Fig. 14.

5 With reference to Figs. 1 to 4B, a first embodiment of a hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention for holding hand tools (40) has an elongated base bracket (10), multiple clamping elements (20) and two hangers (30). 5 The base bracket (10) may be hung on a surface such as a wall or a tool cart and has a baseboard (1) and a rail bracket (12). The baseboard (11) may be elongated and has a front surface, a rear surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, two ends and two bolt holes (111). The bolt holes (111) are respectively formed through the surfaces of the baseboard (11) 10 near the ends of the baseboard (11). The rail bracket (12) is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the front surface of the baseboard (11) and has an upper rail (121), a lower rail (122) and a channel (123). The upper rail (121) is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the front surface of the baseboard (11) near the bolt holes (111). 15 The lower rail (122) is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from the front surface of the baseboard (11) and is parallel to the upper rail (121). The channel (123) is formed in the rail bracket (12) between the rails (121, 122) and the front surface of the baseboard (11) to allow elastic deformation of the rails (121, 122) of the rail bracket (12). 20 With further reference to Fig. 2, the clamping elements (20) are movably mounted on the rail bracket (12) of the base bracket (10) and each clamping element (20) is hollow and has a rear end, a front end, a clamping arm (21) and a tool mount (22). The clamping arm (21) is formed on the rear end of the clamping 6 element (20), is mounted slidably and clamps on the rail bracket (12) of the base bracket (10) and has an upper holder (211) and a lower holder (212). The holders (211, 212) are respectively clamped on the rails (121, 122) of the rail bracket (12) and each holder (211, 212) may be a hook or a cylinder to clamp on or mount in 5 the rails (121, 122) of the rail bracket (12). The tool mount (22) is formed on the front end of the clamping element (20), is formed on and protrudes from the clamping arm (21) for holding hand tools (40) and has an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface, two sidewalls, a tool hole (221), a mounting slit (222), a guiding face (223) and two 10 recesses (224). The tool hole (221) may be circular or U shaped, is formed through the upper surface and the lower surface of the tool mount (22) near the front surface. The mounting slit (222) is formed through the upper surface, the front surface and the lower surface of the tool mount (22) and communicates with the 15 tool hole (221). The guiding face (223) is formed on the front surface of the tool mount (22) to guide and aid mounting of the hand tools (40) in the tool hole (221) via the mounting slit (222). The recesses (224) may be arc shaped and are respectively formed in the 20 side walls of the tool mount (22) to allow elastic deformation of the tool mount (22). With reference to Fig. 7, the minimum distance between the recess (224) and the tool hole (221) is A, the minimum distance between the sidewall of the tool mount (22) and the mounting slit (224) is B and A is smaller than B, to allow elastic deformation of the mounting slit (222) of the tool mount (22).

7 With reference to Figs. 1, 3 and 4B, the hangers (30) are movably mounted on the base bracket (10) and each hanger (30) has a body (31), two mounting arms (32) and a hanging arm (33). The body (31) may be a panel and has a front side and a rear side. The mounting arms (32) are formed on and 5 protrude from the front side of body (31) and are clamped on the top edge and the bottom edge of the baseboard (11). The hanging arm (33) is formed on and protrudes from the rear side of the body (31) for hanging on a wall. With reference to Figs. 3, 5A and 5B, the base bracket (10) of the hand tool rack can be mounted on a wall by the hanging arms (33) of the hangers (30) 10 for clamping hand tools (40). Furthermore, bolts are mounted through the bolt holes (111) of the baseboard (11) and fastened with nuts after the base bracket (10) of the hand tool rack has been mounted on the wall by the hangers (30), such that the base bracket (10) can be securely mounted on the wall. With reference to Figs. 1, 6, and 8, each clamping element (20) can be 15 moved to change a position relative to the base bracket (10) with the clamping arm (21) of the clamping element (20) being slid relative to the rails (121, 122) of the rail bracket (12). With reference to Fig. 7, the clamping element (20) may undergo elastic deformation when the hand tool (40) is mounted into the tool hole (221) via the 20 mounting slit (222) to clamp the shank (41) of the hand tool (40) securely in the tool hole (221). With further reference to Figs. I and 7, each clamping element (20) can be moved relative to the baseboard (11) by the clamping arm (21) clamping on the rail bracket (12). Then, the distance between two adjacent clamping elements 8 (20) can be adjusted to mount different kinds of hand tools (40). Furthermore, a minimum distance between the recess (224) and the tool hole (221) is smaller than a minimum distance between the sidewall of the tool mount (22) and the mounting slit (224), to allow elastic deformation of the 5 mounting slit (222) of the tool mount (22). With reference to Figs. 8 to 10 and 14 to 16, a second and a third embodiments of the hand tool rack in accordance with the present invention may be hung on a hanging panel or a wall and comprises a base (I0A), multiple tool holders (20A,20B) and two hanging elements (30A). 10 The base (I OA) is elongated and comprises a back board (11 A) and a rail (12A). The back board (I IA) has a top edge, a bottom edge, a front side, a rear side and two hanging holes (I11 A). The hanging holes (11 IA) are defined through the back board (1 A) respectively near two ends of the back board (I IA). The rail (12A) is elongated and is longitudinally formed on and protrudes from 15 the front side of the back board (I lA). With reference further to Fig. 13A, the rail (12A) may comprise two rail elements separately mounted on and protruding from the front side of the back board (1 IA). The rail elements each have a T-shaped cross section to define a rail channel (12 1A,122A) opposite to each other. The rail elements are separated 20 from each other, so a guiding channel (123A) is defined between the rail elements to make the rail elements being resilient. With reference to Figs. 8, 10 and 14, the tool holders (20A,20B) are slidably mounted on the rail (12A) on the base (10A), and each tool holder (20A,20B) has a clamp (21 A,21 B), a tool mount (22A,22B), two oblique guiding 9 tabs (222A,222B) and two lateral tabs (223A,223B). The clamp (21A,21B) is mounted slidably on the rail (12A) on the base (1OA) and has two rail hooks (211A,212A) formed respectively on the top and bottom of the clamp (21A,21B) and respectively held slidably in the rail channels (121A,122A). 5 The tool mount (22A,22B) is tubular, is connected to the clamp (2 1 A,2 1 B) and has a body having C-shaped cross section, a first part and at least one second part. With the C-shaped cross section, an opening (221A,221B) is defined in a side of the tool mount (22A,22B) opposite to the clamp (21A,22B). The at least one second part has a thickness smaller than that of the first part to 10 make the tool mount (22A,22B) being resilient and easily expandable. The tool mount (22A,22B) has two second parts formed respectively at the sides of the opening (221A,22 1B). In the second embodiment as shown in Figs. 10 and 12, the tool mount (22A) has two second parts formed respectively at the sides of the opening 15 (22 1A). In the third embodiment, with reference to Figs. 14 and 15, the tool mount (22B) has two recesses (2212B) defined longitudinally in an inner surface of the tool mount (22B) to define two second parts on the tool mount (2213) respectively at positions in which the recesses (2212B) are defined. The oblique guiding tabs (222A,222B) are respectively and obliquely 20 formed on and protrude outward from two sides of the opening (221A,221B) of the tool mount (22A,22B). The lateral tabs (223A,223B) are respectively connected to the oblique guiding tabs (222A,222B) and are parallel with the back board (1 lA) of the base (10A).

10 In the second embodiment, each tool holder (20A) may further have two connecting tabs (224A) and a reinforced tab (225A). The connecting tabs (224A) are respectively connected to the lateral tabs (223A) and to the clamp (21 A) of the tool holder (20A). The reinforced tab (225A) is laterally formed between and 5 connected to middle portions of the clamp (21A), the tool mount (22A) and the connecting tabs (224A). With the arrangement of the reinforced tab (225A), the structural strength of the tool holder (20A) is enhanced. With the arrangement of the connecting tabs (224A) and the reinforced tab (225A), the tool mount (22A) is connected to the clamp (21A). 10 With reference to Figs. 14 to 16, in the third embodiment, each tool holder (22B) further has two connecting tabs (224B) mounted between the tool mount (22B) and the clamp (21B) of the tool holder (20B) to connect the tool mount (22B) to the clamp (21B). With reference to Figs. 13 and 13A, the hanging elements (30A) are 15 attached to the rear side of the back board (11 A), and each hanging element (30A) having a hanging board (3 1A), two base hooks (32A) and a panel hook (33A). The hanging board (31 A) has a top, a bottom, a front side attached to the rear side of the back board (1 A) and a rear side. The base hooks (32A) are formed respectively on the top and bottom of the hanging board (31 A), protrude from the 20 front side of the hanging board (31 A) and are mounted over and hook on a top edge and a bottom edge of the back board (1 A) in respective. The panel hook (33A) is formed on and protrudes from the rear side of the hanging board (31A) to be inserted into or engage a hole defined in a hanging panel or a wall. To attach the hand tool rack onto a hanging panel or a wall, with 11 reference to Figs. 9, 9A, 13 and 13A, the panel hooks (33A) are inserted respectively into holes defined in the hanging panel or the wall. Fasteners, such as bolts or nails are mounted through the hanging holes (11 A) in the back board (1 A) and into the hanging panel or the wall. Consequently, the hand tool rack 5 can be held securely on the hanging panel or the wall. With reference to Figs. 9, 11 to 13, 15 and 16, to hang tools (40A,50A), such as a screwdriver (40A,50A), wrench or the like on the hand tool rack, the shank (41A,51A) of a tool is inserted into and held on the tool mount (22A) of one of the tool holders (20A). Take a screwdriver (40A,50A) for an example, the 10 shank (41A,5 IA) of the screwdriver (40A,50A) can be inserted into the tool mount (22A,22B) from the top of the tool holder (20A,20B) in longitudinal direction or via the opening (22 1A,221B) in a horizontal direction. When the screwdriver (40A,50A) is inserted into the tool mount (22A,22B) from the opening (22 1A,221 B), the oblique guiding tabs (222A,222B) 15 can provide a guiding effect to the shank (41A,51 A) of the screwdriver (40A,50A) to allow the shank (41A,51A) into the opening (22 1A,221B) easily. When the shank (41A,51A) enters the opening (22 1A,221B), the C-shaped tool mount (22A,22B) will be expanded to allow the shank (41A,51A) entering into the tool mount (22A,22B). Consequently, the screwdriver (40A,50A) can be 20 securely held on the tool mount (22A,22B) of the tool holder (20A,20B) for storing or displaying. When a user wants to use a tool, the tool is pulled outward from the top of the tool mount (22A,22B) directly or from the opening (221A,221B). When the tool is pulled out the tool mount (22A,22B) from the opening (22 1A,221B), 12 the tool mount (22A,22B) is expanded to allow the shank of the tool to escape from the tool mount (22A,22B). Accordingly, to take the tool into or out from the tool holder (20A,20B) is easy and convenient. In addition, with the arrangement of the second parts having a thickness smaller than that of the first part of the tool 5 mount (22A,22B), the tool mount (22A,22B) is easily expanded to allow the tool to enter into or escape from the tool mount (22A,22B). Additionally, because the tool holders (20A,20B) are slidable along the rail (12A) on the back board (1 IA), the distance between adjacent tool holder (20A,20B) is adjustable to fit with different kinds of tools. Thus, the hand tool 10 rack in accordance with the present invention is versatile in use. Furthermore, with reference to Fig. 9, because the tools can be put into the tool mounts (22A,22B) in a horizontal direction, so the distance between two adjacent hand tool racks on a hanging panel or a wall can be minimized. Accordingly, more tools can be hung on the hanging panel or the wall with 15 the compact arrangement of the hand tool racks. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that 20 various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications in its scope. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms 25 part of the common general knowledge.

12a It will be understood that the term "comprise" and any of its derivatives (eg comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied.

Claims

1. A hand tool rack comprising: an elongated base bracket having a baseboard being elongated and having a front surface; a rear surface; a top edge; a bottom edge; two ends; and two bolt holes respectively formed through the surfaces of the baseboard near the ends of the baseboard; and a rail bracket longitudinally formed on and protruding from the front surface of the baseboard and having an upper rail being panel-shaped, longitudinally formed on and protruding from the front surface of the baseboard near the bolt holes; and a lower rail being panel-shaped, longitudinally formed on and protruding from the front surface of the baseboard and being parallel to the upper rail; and a channel formed in the rail bracket between the upper rail, the lower rail and the front surface of the baseboard; and multiple clamping elements movably mounted on the base bracket and each clamping element having a rear end slidably mounted and clamping on the base 14 bracket; a front end; and a clamping arm formed on the rear end of the clamping element, slidably mounted and clamping on the rails of the rail bracket and having an upper holder being a hook and clamped on the upper rail of the rail bracket; and a lower holder being a hook and clamped on the lower rail of the rail bracket; and a tool mount being hollow, formed on the front end of the clamping element, and formed on and protruding from the clamping arm and having an upper surface; a lower surface; a front surface; two sidewalls; a tool hole formed through the upper surface and the lower surface of the tool mount; a mounting slit formed through the upper surface, the front surface and the lower surface of the tool mount and communicating with the tool hole; and two recesses respectively formed in the sidewalls of the tool mount to allow elastic deformation of the tool mount and a distance formed between two adjacent clamping elements by the recesses of the two 15 adjacent clamping elements; wherein a minimum distance between the recess and the tool hole of each clamping element is smaller than a minimum distance between the sidewall of the tool mount and the mounting slit of the clamping element.

2. The hand tool rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hand tool rack has two hangers movably mounted on the base bracket and each hanger has a body being a panel and having a front side; and a rear side; two mounting arms formed on and protruding from the front side of body and clamped on the top edge and the bottom edge of the baseboard; and a hanging arm formed on and protruding from the rear side of the body.

3. The hand tool rack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tool hole of the tool mount of each clamping element is formed through the upper surface and the lower surface of the tool mount near the front surface of the tool mount; and the recesses of the tool mount of each clamping element is arc shaped.

4. The hand tool rack as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tool hole of the tool mount of each clamping element is circular; and the tool mount of each clamping element has a guiding face formed on the front surface of the tool mount. 16

5. The hand tool rack as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tool hole of the tool mount of each clamping element is U shaped; and the tool mount of each clamping element has a guiding face formed on the front surface of the tool mount.

6. A hand tool rack substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.