EP4157588A1

EP4157588A1 - Tool holder

Info

Publication number: EP4157588A1
Application number: EP22762100.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Renner
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2021-08-19
Filing date: 2022-08-12
Publication date: 2023-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2042-08-12
Also published as: WO2023020718A1; PL4157588T3; CN115996820B; EP4157587B1; CN115996819A; FI4157588T3; CN115996820A; EP4157588B1; CN115996819B; WO2023020956A1; EP4157587A1

Abstract

A tool holder (100, 100') for holding one or more tools (110, 110'). The tool holder (100, 100') includes a body (101). The body (101) includes at least one cavity (130, 130') to hold the one or more tools (110, 110'). Each of the at least one cavity (130, 130') defines a central axis (Y-Y'), and the tool holder (100, 100') defines a longitudinal axis (X-X'), wherein the central axis (Y-Y') is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X-X'). The at least one cavity (130, 130') is configured to removably receive an extension (116, 116') of a handle (112, 112') of the one or more tools (110, 110') such that when the extension (116, 116') is removably received in the cavity (130, 130'). At least a part of the tool (110, 110') extends along the longitudinal axis (X-X') below the at least one cavity (130, 130'). The tool holder (100, 100') is characterized in that the cavity (130, 130') is defined as a through opening, and wherein the cavity (130, 130') is configured to receive at the same time two tools (110, 110') on two opposing sides of the cavity (130, 130') seen along the central axis (Y-Y').

Description

TOOL HOLDER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a tool holder. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a tool holder for holding one or more tools.

BACKGROUND

A tool holder is used to support and store tools when they are not in use. Many different types of tool holders for supporting and storing tools are known. One example of a tool holder includes a metal bracket suspended from a holder body, which is generally mounted to a vertical wall surface. The metal bracket, in one example, may include a pair of laterally spaced apart and forward extending support arms. The tool handle is inserted between the support arms and the handle extensions rest loosely on the support arms to store the tool.

There have been different problems associated with conventional tool holders having the metal bracket. For instance, if a stored tool is bumped or not properly installed in the holder, the tool may easily fall forward, and may inadvertently or unintentionally dislodge from the holder. A falling tool may cause injury to persons nearby or may cause damage to objects that are hit by the falling tool. Further, conventional tool holders of this type may have the holder body made of a plastic material, while the metal bracket may be expensive to manufacture. This increases the total cost and service overheads of the tool holder.

Thus, there is a need of an improved tool holder which allow simple, convenient, and safe storing of tools. Further, it would be an additional benefit if the tool holder is inexpensive to manufacture and allows to avoid misplacement of the different tools.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a tool holder for holding one or more tools. The tool holder includes a body. The body includes at least one cavity to hold the one or more tools. Each of the at least one cavity defines a central axis, and the tool holder defines a longitudinal axis. The tool holder is characterized in that the central axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The at least one cavity allows to removably receive an extension of a handle of the one or more tools. At least a part of the tool extends along the longitudinal axis below the at least one cavity. In other words, the at least one cavity is configured to removably receive an extension of a handle of the one or more tools such that when the extension is removably received in the cavity at least a part of the tool is extending along the longitudinal axis below the at least one cavity.

Further, the cavity is defined as a through opening, and wherein the cavity is configured to receive at the same time two tools on two opposing sides of the cavity seen along the central axis. Configuring the through opening in this way may allow to securely hold at the same time two tools by introducing the two tools on two opposite sides of the though opening. The two opposing sides are seen along the central axis defined by each of the cavities.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a safe and efficient tool holder for holding the one or more tools. The vertical extent of the tool holder along the longitudinal axis and below the at least one cavity serves as a counter against the gravity that forces the tools hanged into the tool holder against the body of the tool holder. The vertical extent of the tool holder may thus prevent the inadvertent or unintentional dislodging of the tool from the tool holder. Further, the at least one cavity allows to removably receive an extension of a handle of the one or more tools and thereby obviates the need for separate metal bracket as used in conventional tool holders. Thus, the tool holder is manufactured in one-piece thereby saving the manufacturing cost of the tool holder.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least a part of tool below the at least one cavity is about 2 cm. Thus, the part of the tool which extends along the longitudinal axis below the at least one cavity ensures that the tool gets support from the body of the tool holder. This eliminates the general tendency of the tool to hang obliquely and thus allows support and proper hanging of the tool substantially vertically on the tool holder. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the surface of the at least one cavity is formed as to cooperate with the extension of the handle. The at least one cavity allows for secure locking of the tool in the tool holder to prevent inadvertent or unintentional dislodging of the tool from the tool holder.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one cavity is formed around a top part of the tool holder. The at least one cavity at the top of the tool holder ensures that there is sufficient vertical extent of the tool holder along the longitudinal axis below the at least one cavity. This may serve as a counter against the gravity acting on the tools which are now hanged into the tool holder against the body of the tool holder.

According to the present invention, the at least one cavity is defined as a through opening in the tool holder. The through opening allows to properly receive an extension of any length, for different types, sizes, dimensions of the extension of the tool.

The through opening according to this invention may denote a through- hole. Particularly, the through opening extends through the material of the tool holder. At the same time the through opening comprises surrounding material around its entire circumferential boundary. Particularly, at least along a section of an axial length of the through opening, wherein the axial length is seen along the central axis of the cavity.

The through opening may comprise a circumferential wall configured to contact an entire circumference of the extension of the handle when the extension is removably received in the cavity. Particularly, this may denote that an outer surface of the extension is in contact with an inner surface of the cavity at least at two different circular positions. In particular on two opposing circular position being distance from each other by substantially 180°. According to an example, the two opposing circular positions are the one at a top portion of the tool holder and the other is on the lowest point of the through opening when the tool holder is mounted to a wall.

According to an example, the at least one cavity is substantially U-shaped.

The cavity may be of any shape, size, type depending upon the application. The U-shape of the cavity may be preferable to receive the extension with different (say circular) cross-section to properly align with U-shape of the cavity.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more cavities includes circular openings. The circular opening of the cavity is most suited to receive the extension with circular cross-section as the extension with circular cross-section properly aligns with the circular opening of the cavity. The circular opening is particularly useful if the extension of circular cross-section is required to be screwed into the cavity.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one cavity is used to receive the extension which is a clamping nut of a tool. The extension of the handle of the tool may be the clamping nut which finds applications with various gardening tools, among others.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tool holder further defines one or more recesses to receive one or more tool attachments. The one or more recesses increases the utility of the tool holder by giving provision to store more than one tool attachments, with an option to hang different tools by their handles.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tool holder includes side portions such as to support any of the one or more tools with the tool holder. This allows vertical or sideways support of the tool(s) with the side portions of the tool holder. Further, presence of the side portions also avoids any oblique or undesired angular orientation of the tool(s) with respect to the tool holder.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tool holder has integrated wall-mounting option including one or more of a screw, nuts, and rivets. Such integrated wall mounting option allows to easily mount the tool holder on different installations such as a wall, a column, a post, and the like.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tool holder is used to mount one or more gardening tools. The tool holder helps in properly organizing and storing various gardening tools when not in use. The gardener thus finds it easy to locate the gardening tool as and when required. Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary tool holder along with tools;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the exemplary tool holder along with the tools;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the exemplary tool holder holding the tools and a tool attachment;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary tool holder; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective side view of a tool holder according to an embodiment of the invention, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention and examples, respectively, incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention may be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward”, "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a tool holder 100. The tool holder 100 of the present disclosure is used to mount (or store) one or more gardening tools which may be any tool say gardening tools and the like, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The tool holder 100 helps in properly organizing and storing various gardening tools 110, 110’ (hereinafter generally referred to as tools 110) when not in use. The tool holder 100 may be manufactured using one or more of thermoplastic material, wood, or metal. However, the tool holder 100 may be manufactured using any other material as used or known in the art, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in Fig. 1, one (first) tool 110 is securely received in the cavity 130. Additionally, another (second) tool 110’ is inserted into the cavity on an opposing side of the cavity 130 seen along the central axis Y-Y’. Hence, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the cavity 130 is configured for removably receiving two tools 110, 110’ on two opposing sides of the cavity 130 seen along the central axis Y-Y’.

The present disclosure illustrates storing of different tools 110, 110’ with the tool holder 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and a tool holder 100’ as illustrated in FIG. 5. The tools 110, 110’ having similar parts such as handles 112, 112’, grips 114, 114’, extensions 116, 166’ which have been simple referred to as tool(s) 110, handles 112, grips 114, and the extension 116 for ease of understanding and clarity considerations. Further, the tool holders 100, 100’ provide different cavities 130, 130’ which have alternatively and interchangeably referred to as cavity 130 for similar clarity purposes. In some embodiments, the tool holder 100 has integrated wall-mounting 140 option including one or more of a screw, nuts, and rivets. Such integrated wall mounting 140 option allows to easily mount the tool holder 100 on different installations such as a wall, a column, a post, and the like. The back portion 104 (indicated in FIG. 4) of the body 101 faces the installations when the tool holder 100 is mounted.

The tool holder 100 includes a body 101, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The body 101 includes a front portion 102, a back portion 104 (shown in FIG. 4), a top portion 108, a bottom portion 109, and side portions 106. The front portion 102 of the body 101 includes one or more recesses 120 to receive one or more tool attachments 150 (shown in FIG.5). The one or more recesses 120 allow to store or house multiple tool attachments 150. The one or more tool attachments 150 may be one or more of a shovel, a rake, a plough, a hoe, a weed puller, a broom, a brush, ice scraper, a trowel, or the like.

The tool holder 100 also allows storing of handles 112 of the tools 110 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The handles 112 may be manufactured from wood, aluminum, or other material without limiting the scope of the disclosure. The handles 112 may be the regular handles or the telescopic handles. Further, the handles 112 may include grips 114 for properly holding the handles 112 of the tools 110.

In some embodiments, the body 101 of the tool holder 100 includes at least one cavity 130 to hold the one or more tools 110. In the present disclosure, the tool holder 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 exhibits a pair of cavities 130 and the tool holder 100’ as illustrated in FIG. 5 exhibits the single through 130’. However, actual implementation of the present disclosure may have any number, type, size, position of the cavities 130, 130’ with the tool holder 100, without restricting the scope of the present disclosure. Each of the at least one cavity 130 defines a central axis Y-Y’, and the tool holder 100 defines a longitudinal axis X-X’. The central axis Y-Y’ is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X’, however some embodiments may have any other angular orientation between the central axis Y-Y’ and the longitudinal axis X-X’ as per the application. The at least one cavity 130 allows to removably receive the extension 116 of the handle 112 of the one or more tools 110.

In some embodiments, the at least one cavity 130 receives extension 116 which is a clamping nut of the tool 110. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the surface of the at least one cavity 130 is formed as to cooperate with the extension 116 of the handle 112. The at least one cavity 130 has an edge 134 allows for secure locking of the tool 110 in the tool holder 100 to prevent inadvertent or unintentional dislodging of the tool 110 from the tool holder 100.

In some embodiments, the tool 110’ having the extension 116’ may be readily made to hold with the cavity 130 of the tool holder 100, as illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1, 2. A user may simply hold or engage the tool 110’ with or around the handle 112’ to move or align the extension 116’, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to move the extension 116’ substantially within the edge 134 of the cavity 130 as illustrated in FIG. 2. In this position of the tool 110’, at least some part of the handle 112’ remains below the cavity 130’ and the extension 116’ at least partially engages with the edge 134 of the cavity 130, while handle 112’ is being supported by one of the side portions 106 of the tool holder 100.

In some embodiments, the at least one cavity 130 is formed at or around the top portion 108 of the tool holder 100. The at least one cavity 130 at the top portion 108 of the tool holder 100 ensures that there is sufficient vertical extent of the tool holder 100 along the longitudinal axis X-X’ below the at least one cavity 130. This may serve as a counter against the gravity acting on the tools 110 which hang into the tool holder 100 against the body 101 of the tool holder 100. Thus, the at least one cavity 130 may be formed at any length along the longitudinal axis X-X’ of the tool holder 100 such that a part of the tool 110 extends along the longitudinal axis X-X’ below the at least one cavity 130 and receives support from the side portion of the body 101 of the tool holder 100.

In some embodiments, the at least a part of the tool 110 below the at least one cavity 130 is about 2 cm, or any other suitable value depending upon factors such as size, weight, profile, type of the tool 110 or the tool holder 100. Thus, the part of the tool 110 which extends along the longitudinal axis X-X’ below the at least one cavity 130 ensures that the tool 110 gets support from the body 101, particularly the side portions 106 of the tool holder 100. This eliminates the general tendency of the tool 110 to hang obliquely and thus allows support and proper hanging of the tool 110 substantially vertically on the tool holder 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates the tool holder 100 having one or more recesses 120 provided at the front portion 102 of the body 101. The one or more recesses 120 include a plurality of equally spaced protruding surfaces 122. The protruding surfaces 122 may be designed to securely engage with the adapter 152 of the tool attachment 150.

In some embodiments, the tool holder 100 may be used to hold the one or more tools 110 by holding the extensions 116 of the handles 112 with or inside the one or more cavities 130. Further, the tool holder 100 may hold the one or more tool attachments 150 of the tools 110 with the one or more recesses 120. This provides a compact arrangement of the tool holder 100 of the present disclosure to safely, securely store the extensions 116 of the handles 112 as well as the tool attachments 150 of the tools 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates the tool holder 100 without any of the tools 110, to highlight and appreciate the role of the cavities 130. In the illustrated example, the at least one cavity 130 is substantially U-shaped. However, the cavity 130 in general may be of any shape, size, type depending upon the application. However, the U-shape of the cavity 130 may be preferable to receive the extension 116 of the tools 110 with different (say circular) cross-section to properly align with U-shape of the cavity 130 of the tool holder 100.

In some examples, the at least one cavity 130 is two cavities 130 separated by a partition wall 132 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The partition wall 132 may be fixed (or in some cases removably coupled) along the length of the cavity 130 such as to form two cavities 130 with generally equal areas around the top portion 108 of the tool holder 100. In some examples, the partition wall 132 may be removably received along the length of the cavity 130 by any suitable means such as glue, screws, rivets, and the like, as used or known in the art. The partition wall 132 may be friction fitted at any length along the cavity 130 such as to form two cavities 130 with unequal areas. This is to cater to the holding of the extensions 116 of different lengths of different tools 110.

FIG. 5 illustrates the tool holder 100’ without any of the tools 110, to highlight and appreciate the role of the cavity 130’. As illustrated, the at least one cavity 130’ is circular-shaped through cavity provided around the top portion 108 of the tool holder 100’. The at least one cavity 130’ may be one or more cavities with different sizes, types, dimensions and positions on the body 101 of the tool holder 100’. The through opening of the cavity 130’ illustrated in present figure may allow to properly receive the extensions 116, 116’ of any length, types, sizes, dimensions of the of the tools 100, 100’ which are illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

As may be seen in Fig. 5, the cavity 130’ is defined as a through opening, in particular a through-hole, wherein the cavity 130’ is configured to removably receive two tools 110, 110’ on two opposing sides of the cavity 130’ seen along the central axis Y-Y’ (for example shown in Fig. 2).

In some embodiments, the tool holder 100, 100’ includes the side portions 106 such as to support any of the one or more tools 110, 110’ with the tool holder 100, 100’. This allows vertical or sideways support of the tool(s) 110, 110’ with the side portions 106 of the tool holder 100, 100’, when the tool(s) 110, 110’ are being supported or housed within the cavity 130, 130’, respectively. Further, presence of the side portions 106 also avoids any oblique or undesired angular orientation of the tool(s) 110, 110’ with respect to the tool holder 100, 100’.

In some embodiments, the one or more cavities 130, 130’ includes circular openings. The circular opening of the cavity 130, 130’ may be suitable to receive the extension 116, 166’ with circular cross-section to allow proper alignment with the circular opening of the cavity 130, 130’. In some embodiments, the cavities 130, 130’ of the present disclosure may be provided with fixing means to properly secure the extensions 116, 116’ of the tools 110, 110’. The fixing means may be a screw, button, flap, clip, and the like to allow users to secure the extensions 116, 116’ of the tools 110, 110’ such that to allow desired holding of the handles 112, 112’ of the tools 100, 100’ with the tool holders 100, 100’. Thus, the present disclosure provides safe, user-friendly, and efficient tool holder(s) 100, 100’ for holding the one or more tool(s) 110, 110’. The vertical extent of the tool holders 100, 100’along the longitudinal axis X-X’ and below the at least once cavities 130, 130’ serves as a counter against the gravity that forces the tool(s) 110, 110’ hanged into the tool holder(s) 100, 100’ against the body 101 thereof. The vertical extent of the tool holder 100 may thus prevent any inadvertent or unintentional dislodging of the tool(s) 110, 110’ from the tool holder(s) 100, 100’. Further, the cavities 130, 130’ may allow to removably receive the extension(s) 116, 116’ of the handle(s) 112, 112’ of the tool(s) 110, 110’ and thereby obviates the need for separate, auxiliary handing accessories (say metal brackets) as used in conventional tool holders. Thus, the tool holder 100 may be manufactured in one-piece thereby saving the manufacturing cost and other overheads.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

100, 100’ Tool Holder

101 Body

102 Front Portion

104 Back Portion

106 Side Portions

108 Top Portion

109 Bottom Portion

110, 110’ Tool

112, 112’ Handle

114, 114’ Grip

116, 166’ Extension

120 Recess

122 Protruding Surfaces

130, 130’ Cavity

132 Partition Wall

134 Edge

140 Wall Mounting

150 Tool Attachment

152 Adapter

X-X’ Longitudinal Axis

Y-Y’ Central Axis

Claims

1. A tool holder (100, 100’) for holding one or more tools (110, 110’), comprising: a body (101), wherein the body (101) includes at least one cavity (130, 130’) to hold the one or more tools (110, 110’), wherein each of the at least one cavity (130, 130’) defines a central axis (Y-Y’), and the tool holder (100, 100’) defines a longitudinal axis (X-X’); wherein the central axis (Y-Y’) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X-X’), and wherein the at least one cavity (130, 130’) is configured to removably receive an extension (116, 116’) of a handle (112, 112’) of the one or more tools (110, 110’) such that when the extension (116, 116’) is removably received in the cavity (130, 130’) at least a part of the tool (110, 110’) is extending along the longitudinal axis (X-X’) below the at least one cavity (130, 130’); characterized in that: the cavity (130, 130’) is defined as a through opening, and wherein the cavity (130, 130’) is configured to receive at the same time two tools (110, 110’) on two opposing sides of the cavity (130, 130’) seen along the central axis (Y-Y’).

2. The tool holder (100, 100’) of claim 1, wherein the at least a part of the tool (110, 110’) below the at least one cavity (130, 130’) is about 2 cm.

3. The tool holder (100, 100’) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the at least one cavity (130, 130’) is formed as to cooperate with the extension (116, 116’) of the handle (112, 112’). The tool holder (100, 100’) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cavity (130, 130’) is formed around a top part of the tool holder (100, 100’). The tool holder (100’) of any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more cavities (130’) includes circular openings. The tool holder (100, 100’) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool holder (100) further defines one or more recesses (120) to receive one or more tool attachments (150). The tool holder (100, 100’) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool holder (100, 100’) includes side portions (106) such as to support any of the one or more tools (110, 110’) with the tool holder (100). The tool holder (100, 100’) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool holder (100, 100’) has integrated wall-mounting (140) option including one or more of a screw, nuts, and rivets. Use of the tool holder (100, 100’) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cavity (130) is used to receive the extension (116, 116’) which is a clamping nut of the tool (110, 110’). Use of the tool holder (100, 100’) of any of the claims 1 to 8 to mount the one or more tools (110, 110’).