EP0688637A1

EP0688637A1 - A magnetic device

Info

Publication number: EP0688637A1
Application number: EP95304441A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Emery; David Francis Hutchinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-06-24
Filing date: 1995-06-23
Publication date: 1995-12-27
Also published as: GB9412697D0

Abstract

A magnetic device (10) for holding items magnetically attracted thereto, the device (10) comprising attachment means (12) for attachment of the device (10) to the body of a user and a generally flexible retaining portion (14) comprising a plurality of magnetic members (16) located therein to hold items on the portion (14), characterised in that means (18) is provided to prevent collapsing of the retaining portion (14) through mutual attraction between the magnetic members (16).

Description

The present invention relates to a magnetic device, and particularly but not exclusively to a magnetic device for holding tools.
In many locations where workmen are using tools, appropriate surfaces for resting the tools when not in use are not readily available, and it is known for magnetic tool holders to be attached to the body of workmen for convenient location of such tools.
Known designs of magnetic tool holder comprise a plurality of magnets to hold magnetisable tools to the holder. Whilst such holders prove satisfactory once attached to the body of the user, it is found that they tend to fold-up on themselves as a result of mutual attraction between the magnets thereof. The known holders therefore have the drawback that they are difficult to attach to the body.
This drawback is particularly prevalent when the holder is intended for attachment to an arm of a user. If a user tried to attach known devices to one of his arms he could necessarily only use the other free arm to effect this. Thus, the susceptability to self-collapsing of known devices renders it very difficult for a user to attach them to his own body, since the user would have to try to hold the device in a manner to try to prevent collapsing, whilst trying to manipulate the means of attachment of the device to the body.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more disadvantages of the prior art.
According to the present invention there is provided a magnetic device for holding items magnetically attracted thereto, the device comprising attachment means for attachment of the device to the body of a user and a generally flexible retaining portion comprising a plurality of magnetic members located therein to hold items on the portion, characterised in that means is provided to prevent collapsing of the retaining portion through mutual attraction between the magnetic members.
Preferably the means is resiliently deformable to enable the retaining portion to generally conform to the surface of a body against which the portion is located when the device is attached to a body, whilst being sufficiently rigid to prevent the aforesaid collapsing of the portion.
Preferably the magentic members are arranged in series across the retaining portion, and the means preferably extends generally along the series. Preferably the means extends along both sides of the series of members. Preferably the means comprises one or more elongate members, and preferably beading. The beading may be formed of twisted cord such as hessian cord. Alternatively or additionally the means comprises reinforced stitching.
Preferably each magnetic member comprises a back plate for example of steel, to concentrate the magnetic flux on a surface thereof to which items are attracted. The magnetic members are preferably generally elongate and arranged with the longitudinal axis thereof generally perpendicular to the direction of the series.
Preferably the magnetic members are retained in position on the portion by stitching or other appropriate means such as adhesive or cement. The magnetic members are preferably located between two layers of flexible material of the retaining portion, and the means is desirably located between the layers, preferably generally along two opposing edges of the retaining portion.
Preferably the attachment means comprises a strap extending from a one end of the retaining portion generally at one end of the series of magnetic members and a loop cooperable with the strap generally at the other end of the retaining portion.
The strap may comprise a hook and fleece fastener. The respective hook and fleece parts of the hook and fleece fastener may be arranged on the strap to be interconnectable when the strap has been passed at least partway through the loop and folded back on itself. The attachment means may, as an alternative or in addition, comprise a buckle arrangement.
Preferably the device comprises an arm band for attachment to an arm of a user. The device is desirably a magnetic tool holder.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompany drawing, which is a plan view of a device of the present invention.
Referring to the drawing, a magnetic device 10 for holding items magnetically attracted thereto comprises attachment means 12 for attachment of the device 10 to the body of a user and a generally flexible retaining portion 14 comprising a plurality of magnetic members 16 located therein to hold items on the portion, and means 18 provided to prevent collapsing of the retaining portion 14 through mutual attraction between the magnetic members 16.
In more detail, the device 10 is generally planar and is principally made of a hardwearing flexible sheet material, such as nylon or plastics material. The retaining portion 14 is generally rectangular, and tapers at each end thereof toward a loop 20 at one end and a strap 22 at the other end. The retaining portion 14 comprises two sheets of flexible material between which four strip-like magnets 16 are located in series. Stitching 24 between the respective magnetic 16 retains the magnets 16 in their correct location. The longitudinal axes of the magnets 16 extend mutually parallel and generally perpendicular to the direction of the series. A steel backing plate (not shown) is provided on the in-use, rear surface of each magnet 16 to concentrate the magnetic flux onto the surface 36 to which items are attracted, and to help stabilize the magnets 16.
A length of twisted cord such as twisted hessian-fibre cord or resiliently deformable plastics material 26 extends generally parallel to the direction of the series across the ends of the magnets 16 between the two sheets of the retaining portion 14. The cord or plastic members 26 are sufficiently resiliently deformable to allow the retaining portion 14 to conform to the surface of a body against which the portion 14 is located when the device 10 is attached to a body, but is sufficiently rigid to prevent the retaining portion 14 from collapsing as a result of mutual attraction between the magnetic members 16, when the device 10 is not attached to a body, or is being attached to a body. That is, the resilience urging the bead 26 to straighten is sufficient to overcome the attraction between the magnetic members 16.
The strap 22 is generally narrower than the retaining portion 14, and has one part 30 of a hook and fleece fastener attached on one side thereof. The part 30 comprises the hook part of the hook and fleece fastener, but can comprise the fleece part. The other part 28 of the fastener comprises the other of the fleece or hook part and is located generally in a tapered portion 32 of the device 10 between the retaining portion 14 and the strap 22. The parts 28,30 are attached by stitching. The parts 28,30 are elongate, and adjacent each other with their longitudinal axes co-axial. The free end 33 of the strap 22 is pointed to assist location thereof in the loop 20, which is pivotally attached at the free end of a tapered portion 34 extending from the other end of the retaining portion 14.
In use, the device 10 of the present invention is principally intended for attachment to the arm of a user. The provision of the means 18 is particularly relevant for such devices 10 because during attachment by a user, the user generally only has the other arm free to manipulate the attachment means to attach the device 10. The means 18 assists in attachment by preventing collapsing of the device 10 through mutual attraction of the magnets 16.
To attach the device 10, the device 10 is placed on the arm approximately at the desired location. The strap 22 is brought around the arm and located through the loop 20, up to the tapered portion 32 which tends to prevent further insertion. The loop 20 is thus located at the joint between the parts 28,30 of the hook and fleece fastener. The strap 22 is then folded back over the loop 20, such that the parts 28,30 overlie and face one another. Light pressure applied to the strap 22 onto the arm thereby connects the parts 28,30 to secure the device 10 to the arm.
The surfaces 36 of the magnets 16 are thereby exposed on the body of the user, and tools introduced thereto are retained on the device 10. The strength of the magnets 16 is sufficient to satisfactorily retain tools, such as spanners, sockets etc. thereon for storage, but to allow ready removal of the tools by a user for use. The backing plate enhances the magnetic flux and thereby magnetic attraction of the surfaces 36. Removal is simple reversal of the attachment process.
Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, any number of magnets 16 may be provided. The device 10 may be adapted for attachment to other parts of the body of a user, such as the leg, or waist. The hook and fleece fastener 12 may be replaced by any suitable alternative means. The attachment means may comprise a buckle.
Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

A magnetic device (10) for holding items magnetically attracted thereto, the device (10) comprising attachment means (12) for attachment of the device (10) to the body of a user and a generally flexible retaining portion (14) comprising a plurality of magnetic members (16) located therein to hold items on the portion (14), characterised in that means (18) is provided to prevent collapsing of the retaining portion (14) through mutual attraction between the magnetic members (16).
A magnetic device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the means (18) is resiliently deformable to enable the retaining portion (14) to generally conform to the surface of a body against which the portion (14) is located when the device (10) is attached to a body, whilst being sufficiently rigid to prevent the aforesaid collapsing of the portion (14).
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the magnetic members (16) are arranged in series across the retaining portion (14).
A magnetic device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the means (18) extends generally along the series.
A magnetic device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the means (18) extends along both sides of the series of magnetic members (16).
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the means (18) comprises one or more elongate members (26).
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the means comprises beading.
A magnetic device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the beading (26) is formed of twisted cord.
A magnetic device as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the beading comprises hessian cord.
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the means comprises reinforced stitching.
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that each magnetic member (16) comprises a back plate to concentrate the magnetic flux on a surface (36) thereof to which items are attracted.
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the magnetic members (16) are generally elongate and arranged with the longitudinal axis thereof generally perpendicular to the direction of the series.
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the magnetic members (16) are retained in position on the portion (14) by stitching (24) or other appropriate means such as adhesive or cement.
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the magnetic members (16) are located between two layers of flexible material of the retaining portion (14).
A magnetic device as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the means (18) is located between the layers along two opposing edges of the retaining portion (14).
A magnetic device as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that the means (18) is located along two opposing edges of the retaining portion (14).
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the attachment meaos (12) comprises a strap (22) extending from a one end of the retaining portion (32) generally at one end of the series of magnetic members (16) and a loop (20) cooperable with the strap (22) generally at the other end (34) of the retaining portion (14).
A magnetic device as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the strap (22) comprises a hook and fleece fastener (28,30).
A magnetic device as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the respective hook and fleece parts (28,30) of the hook and fleece fasteners are arranged on the strap (22) to be interconnectable when the strap (22) has been passed at least partway through the loop (20) and folded back on on itself.
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the attachment means (12) comprises a buckle arrangement.
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the device (1) comprises an arm band for attachment to an arm of a user.
A magnetic device as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the device (1) comprises a magnetic tool holder.