GB2385991A

GB2385991A - Magnetic tool holder

Info

Publication number: GB2385991A
Application number: GB0204537A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Rolfe; Darren Everitt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-27
Filing date: 2002-02-27
Publication date: 2003-09-03
Also published as: GB0204537D0

Abstract

A magnetic tool holder comprises a base B with a protruding shaft C and a magnet insert A in which the magnet A is arranged to secure the holder base B to a surface F and also secure a tool D to the protruding shaft C. The protruding shaft C may be hexagonal such that it prevents a spanner D, secured to it, from rotating. The base B and protruding shaft C may be a moulded plastic body which is arranged with a strong permanent magnet insert A such that the magnetic securing forces between the base B and a surface F is grater than that between the base B and a spanner D. The magnetic tool holder may be removed from the surface F by initially applying a levering action to a mounted spanner D in a direction H.

Description

TOOL HOLDER The invention relates to a tool holder with a configured body, which can support specific spanners via a magnetic base and can be effectively attached to any magnetically receptive surface.

This invention relates to a means whereby tools can be attached to ferrous metal equipment or ferrous metal surfaces, through a combination of magnetic attraction and ingenious form. Such that a differential magnetic strength ensures that tools can be separated from the tool holding, whilst the tool holding device remains securely attached to the metal surface on which it has been placed, in any spatial orientation or plane. The form of the device is such that the tool, or tools, that it is designed to hold is (are) the means by which the device is separated from the surface to which it is attached when the time comes.

This invention relates to a device that can be dedicated to an individual tool, a specific type of tool or be capable of holding a variety of different tools either individually or severally at the same time. In the case of devices dedicated to individual tools, it is envisaged that the device remains with the tool at all times as a means whereby it is always available to'park'the tool on any ferrous metallic surface.

The holder is made of a plastic or other non-metallic material. The holder can also be constructed from materials which are luminous in the dark and will therefore be an aid to locating tools at night or in dark places. Each individual holder can be constructed from different coloured material in order to identify a particular size easily in a set. The holder could also be made of an alloy for some physically demanding locations.

This invention will be of benefit to mechanics working on their backs under motor vehicles, cellular manufacturing from light to heavy industry, maintenance engineers working on machinery, mining engineers, telecommunications and power industry engineers working on poles and pylons, DIY enthusiasts, etc. In fact the more difficult the working environment - the greater the benefits of this invention will be appreciated.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which FIGURE 1 shows the side of the holder with a magnet inset and a spanner placed in its intended location.

FIGURE 2 shows a plan view illustrating the possible holder profile to spanner configuration.

One embodiment of this invention is a tool holding device for a ring type spanner as illustrated in figure 1 hereof. (A) is a strong permanent magnet, (B) is a moulded plastic body from into which (A) is embedded and securely held by mechanical interference or adhesion, (C) is the part of the body shaped to mate with one end of the ring spanner (D), (E) is the thickness of the body wall between the magnet (A) and the spanner (D), the dimension of (E) being critical to ensure that the tool is held securely but that the device remains attached to the ferrous metallic surface (F) when the spanner (D) is removed for use in the direction indicated by the arrow (G). When the time comes to remove the device from the surface (F) the spanner (D) is rotated in the direction of arrow (H) and lifted from the surface (F).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An essentially mobile magnetic tool holder comprising a holder body in the form of a protruding shaft and a deep circular base with an inset magnet held within the holder body, the magnet providing the fixing capability of the holder to a surface and also the spanner to holder fixing support capability.
2. A tool holder as claimed in claim 1 where the spanner support also involves a tapered protruding shaft, which is hexagonal and correctly sized to the dedicated spanner, this is to maintain the rotary position in which the spanner is placed.
3. A tool holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a means by which, through a combination of form and differential magnetic forces, a spanner can be frequently, accessibly and safely'parked', with the holder placed on a ferrous surface, in any spatial orientation, ready for further use.
4. The means of detachment being from the ferrous surface by the spanner itself but only when such removal is intended.
5. A tool holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the holder size is specifically dependent upon the spanner size.
6. A tool holder substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.