GB2418662A

GB2418662A - Tool holder

Info

Publication number: GB2418662A
Application number: GB0421735A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jon Meirion Hopwood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-01
Filing date: 2004-10-01
Publication date: 2006-04-05
Also published as: GB0421735D0

Abstract

A tool holder comprises a main body (3) including a plurality of open-topped compartments (5) each having a depth substantially greater than a diametral dimension, such that tools, when located in the compartments (5) are held upstanding to enable visual identification. The holder may form a tool box or bag or an insert for a tool box or bag.

Description

241 8662

TOOL HOLDER

The present invention relates to a tool holder, as either an insert for a tool box or bag or as a tool box or bag.

Existing tool boxes and bags are configured to hold tools in a horizontal orient in the main body thereof, with the result that individual ones of the tools can be difficult to identify, in being hidden among many other tools.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a tool holder, as either an insert for a tool box or bag or as a tool box or bag, which provides for tools....

to be disposed upstanding in the main body thereof, in order to allow for ready identification of individual ones of the tools.

In one aspect the present invention provides a tool holder, comprising a..

main body including a plurality of open-topped compartments, each having a depth and a diametral dimension, where the depth is substantially greater. . than the diametral dimension, such that tools, when located in the compartments, are held upstanding to enable visual identification.

Preferably, at least ones of the tool compartments of at least one diametral dimension have different depth.

More preferably, at least ones of the tool compartments of ones of the diametral dimensions have different depth.

In one embodiment the main body includes tool compartments having diametral dimensions of about 20 mm, about 40 mm and about 60 mm.

In one embodiment the main body includes tool compartments having depths of about 75 mm and about 150 mm.

Preferably, a ratio of the depth to the diametral dimension of the tool compartments is in the range of from about 3.75:! to about 1.875:.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tool holder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a vertical sectional view (along section I-I) of the tool holder of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a tool holder in accordance with a....

second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 illustrates a vertical sectional view (along section II-II) of the tool a..

holder of Figure 3.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a tool holder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the tool holder is configured as an insert for a tool box or bag.

The tool holder comprises a main body 3, in this embodiment of rectangular section, which includes a plurality of open-topped tool compartments 5, each having a depth D and a width W. where the depth D is substantially greater than the width W. such that tools are held upstanding, that is, in a substantially vertical orient, when located in a tool compartment 5, and first and second recesses 7a, 7b at the opposite ends thereof.

In this embodiment the tool compartments 5 have a square section, but in other embodiments the tool compartments 5 could have other-shaped sections, such as a circular section.

In this embodiment the tool holder includes tool compartments 5 of three different sizes. In this embodiment the tool compartments 5 comprise first, smaller tool compartments 5a having a first width, here of about 20 mm, second, medium-sized tool compartments 5b having a second width, here of about 40 mm, and third, larger tool compartments 5c having a third width, here of about 60 mm. In this embodiment the first and second tool compartments 5a, 5b have a first, smaller depth, here of about 75 mm, and the third tool compartments 5c have a second, greater depth, here of about mm. With this arrangement, the tool compartments 5 provide for the accommodation of differently sized, typically shorter and longer tools.

::::e In this embodiment the first and second recesses 7a, 7b act to provide grips by which the tool holder can be carried. :''

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a tool holder in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the tool holder is configured as a tool box.

In this embodiment the tool holder includes tool compartments 5 of three different sizes. In this embodiment the tool compartments 5 comprise first, smaller tool compartments 5a having a first width, here of about 20 mm, second, medium-sized tool compartments 5b having a second width, here of about 40 mm, and third, larger tool compartments 5c having a third width, here of about 60 mm. In this embodiment the first and second tool compartments 5a, 5b have a first, smaller depth, here of about 75 mm, and . the third tool compartments 5c have a second, greater depth, here of about mm. With this arrangement, the tool compartments 5 provide for the ' accommodation of differently sized, typically shorter and longer tools. . In the embodiment the first and second tool compartments 5a, 5b are predominantly located at an outer, peripheral region of the main body 3, and the larger tool compartments 5c are located predominantly in an inner, central region of the main body 3. This arrangement facilitates the visual identification of the smaller tools, as the centrally-located, larger tools do not obstruct visual identification.

In this embodiment the first and second recesses 7a, 7b provide for storage of objects, such as screws or nuts and bolts.

The tool holder further comprises a pair of handles 9a, 9b, here loose straps, which allow the tool holder to be carried as a tool box. In other embodiments the handles 9a, 9b could be rigid, and in one embodiment integrally formed with the main body 3.

In another embodiment the tool holder could be enclosed in a bag, such as to provide a tool bag.

Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, in one modification, the main body 3 could include one or more drawers for storing small objects, such as screws or nuts and bolts. - ee e

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Claims

1. A tool holder, comprising a main body including a plurality of open topped compartments, each having a depth and a diametral dimension, where the depth is substantially greater than the diametral dimension, such that tools, when located in the compartments, are held upstanding to enable visual identification.

2. The tool holder of claim i, wherein at least ones of the tool compartments of at least one diametral dimension have different depth. . a.

3. The tool holder of claim 2, wherein at least ones of the tool compartments of ones of the diametral dimensions have different, :.

depth. lo''',

4. The tool holder of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main body includes tool compartments having diametral dimensions of about a mm, about 40 mm and about 60 mm.

5. The tool holder of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main body includes tool compartments having depths of about 75 mm and about 150 mm.

6. The tool holder of any of claims to 5, wherein a ratio of the depth to the diametral dimension of the tool compartments is in the range of from about 3.75: to 1.875: i.

7. A tool holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures and 2 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.