GB2380929A

GB2380929A - Tool storage unit

Info

Publication number: GB2380929A
Application number: GB0219465A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Leslie Huish
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-15
Filing date: 2002-08-21
Publication date: 2003-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-21
Also published as: GB0219465D0; GB0122353D0; GB2380929B

Abstract

The unit comprises a plate (15) that, in use, is attached to a supporting structure in such manner as to be disposed substantially horizontally. The plate (15) is so formed as to provide a plurality of spaced tool support formations of a plurality of configurations, e.g. apertures (17, 18), recesses (16) and/or pins (19). The plate (15) is supported by triangular gussets also carrying support pins spaced from the plate.

Description

STORAGE UNITS Field of the Invention This invention relates to storage units and is particularly concerned with the provision of an improved form of storage unit for use in the storage of garden tools.

Garden tools are often hung on pins or hooks, or stacked loosely against a wall of a shed or barn. Such methods of storage are space-consuming and not very safe.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a storage unit that can be used for the storage of garden tools in a space-saving, safe manner.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a tool storage unit comprising a plate which, in use, is attached to a

supporting structure in such manner as to be disposed substantially horizontally, said plate being so formed as to provide a plurality of spaced tool support formations of a plurality of configurations.

Some of the spaced tool support formations are preferably in the form of arcuate rebates formed in edges of the plate.

Some of the spaced tool support formations are preferably in the form of circular apertures in the plate.

Some of the spaced tool support formations may be in the form of pins projecting from edges of the plate.

The storage unit may include additional support formations located beneath and spaced from the plate, such additional support formations being, for example, afforded by a pin or pins secured to support gussets which act between a back plate and the plate having the plurality of tool support formations.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a storage unit, Figure 2 is a rear view of the storage unit, Figure 3 is a front view of the storage unit, and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the storage unit.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The storage unit shown in the drawings comprises a steel or other corrosion-resistant metal top plate 15 and an integral back plate 10 which is formed with spaced apertures 21 for receiving fasteners (not shown) for fixing the storage unit to a wall of a shed, barn or the like in such manner that the top plate 15 is substantially horizontal. As shown, a first pair of triangular gusset plates 12 are welded to the underside of the top plate 15 and to the front of the back plate 10, while a second pair of triangular gusset plates 14 are welded to the underside of the top plate 15 and to the first gusset plates 12. The gusset plates 12 and 14 provide stable support for the top plate 15 that contains tool support formations 16,17, 18,19 and 20. The width of one specific form of top plate can be 320 mm. while the depth thereof can be 298 mm. These dimensions are, of course, given purely by way of example. The tool storage unit may alternatively be formed as a plastic fabrication or moulding.

In the specific embodiment shown in the drawings, there are five tool support formations 16, which are in the form of curvate rebates, and these can be used to support garden tools such as forks, spades, rakes and lawn edges, the tools having shafts which fit in the curvate rebates and heads or the like which rest on the surrounds of the rebates, so as to be located by the tool support formations.

There are two tool support formations 17, which are in the form of circular apertures in the top plate 15, and these can be used to support tools such as hand forks and trowels. There is one tool support formation 18, which is in the form of a circular aperture at the centre of the top plate 15, and it can be used to support, for example, a pair of hand shears. In the specific embodiment shown in the drawings, the circular aperture affording support formation 18 has a greater diameter than the circular apertures affording support formations 17, for example, it may have a diameter of 45 mm. as compared to 40 mm.

Tool support formations 19 are in the form of horizontal pins or pegs welded to the underneath of the top plate 15 and projecting centrally from the sides of the top plate 15. Formations 19 can be used to support garden tools such as draw hoes and spring rakes.

Tool support formations 20 are afforded by a horizontal pin welded to the triangular gussets 12 at positions spaced from the underneath of the top plate 15. The tool support formations 20 can be used to support, for example, pruners and transplant forks.

As will be apparent from the drawings, tool support formations 16,17, 18,19 and 20 are so arranged that, when a plurality of tools of different kinds are supported on the respective formations 16 to 20, access can be obtained to any one of the tools without interfering significantly with any of the other tools.

As will be seen from Figure 4, two of the curvate support formations 16 face towards the back plate 10, and hence towards the wall to which the storage unit is attached. When, therefore, the user wishes to remove a tool from one of the rearwardly facing tool support formations, he or she will lift the tool, and then move it to the rear and subsequently to the side. The movements described above are carried out in reverse to replace a tool in one of the rearwardly facing tool support formations 16.

The invention thus provides a tool storage unit that is economical to produce, and simple to install in a required position.

It enables the user to store a variety of garden tools safely and in a space saving manner.

Claims

Claims :-

1. A tool storage unit comprising a plate which, in use, is attached to a supporting structure in such manner as to be disposed substantially horizontally, said plate being so formed as to provide a plurality of spaced tool support formations of a plurality of configurations.

2. A tool storage unit as claimed in Claim 1, in which some of the spaced tool support formations are in the form of arcuate rebates formed in edges of the plate.

3. A tool storage unit as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which some of the spaced tool support formations are in the form of circular apertures in the plate.

4. A tool storage unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which some of the spaced tool support formations are in the form of pins projecting from edges of the plate.

5. A tool storage unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes additional support formations located beneath and spaced from the plate.

6. A tool storage unit as claimed in Claim 5, in which the additional support formations are afforded by pins secured to support gussets that act between a back plate and the plate having the plurality of tool support formations.

7. A tool storage unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.