GB2446563A

GB2446563A - Storage rack for hand tools

Info

Publication number: GB2446563A
Application number: GB0702725A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jui-Chien Kao
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-13
Filing date: 2007-02-13
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-13
Also published as: GB0702725D0; GB2446563B

Abstract

A storage rack includes an elongated body 10 that can accommodate a plurality of slidable receiving blocks 20. The elongate body can be secured to a wall by means of screw fittings cooperating with holes 11. The elongate body has top and bottom ledges 12,13 formed at the rear and has top and bottom shoulders 14,15. Each receiving block has top and bottom hooks 22,23 for engagement with the shoulders such that the blocks are slidable along the elongate body. Each receiving block has an extension hole 212 for receiving the shank 31 of a hand tool. A side aperture 214 may be incorporated into the block to enable tools to be placed and removed from the front of the rack where space is limited.

Description

1 2446563

RAND TOOL HANGER RACK

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tool rack, and more particularly to a hand tool hanger rack capable of avoiding interference between two adjacent tools when positioning the tool on the tool rack.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A hand tool hanger rack is suspended on a wall so that the worker is able to organize tools of the same purpose on the hanger rack to facilitate the work efficiency.

The hand tool hanger rack is provided with an elongated rack adapted for connection to a wall and multiple receiving seats firmly formed on the elongated rack. Each receiving seat includes a through hole defined to allow extension of the shank of the hand tool.

However, when there are multiple hanger racks are mounted on the wall, only limited space is available for inserting the hand tools into the through holes in the receiving seats. Therefore, the worker has to move aside some of the hand tools to clear out space for insertion of additional hand tools, which is troublesome and waste of time as well as energy. Besides, the receiving seats are fu-mly mounted on the hanger rack such that it is impossible for the worker to change the arrangement of the receiving seat so as to maximize utility of the available space on the hanger rack.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved hand tool hanger rack with an elongated hanger rack and multiple slidable receiving block slidably connected to the hanger rack and each slidable receiving block having an extension hole axially defined in the receiving block so that the user is able to extend directly the shank of the hand tool into the extension hole and the hand tool is thus able to be movable relative to the elongated hanger rack due to the slidable receiving block.

Another objective of the present invention is that the slid.able receiving block further has a side hole radially defmed in the receiving block to communicate with the extension hole such that the worker is able to choose to extend directly the shank of the hand toof into the extension hole or the handle of the hand tool into the side hole especially space on top of and below the elongated hanger rack is limited.

In a different objective of the present invention, it is noted that the side hole has a dimension smaller than that of the extension hole.

In a still different objective of the present invention, the receiving block is movable relative to the elongated hanger rack such that the worker is able to redesign the space on the elongated hanger rack to fit the size of the hand tools.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the hand tool hanger rack with hand tools clamped by receiving blocks on the hanger rack of the present invention; Figs. 2A and 2B are a perspective view showing a portion of the hand tool hanger rack of the present invention, wherein the hand tool is insertable from the extension hole of the receiving block of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the receiving block; Figs. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing the receiving block of the present invention in a different embodiment; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the receiving block in Figs. 4Aand4B; Figs. 6A and 6B are perspective view showing a portion of the hand tool hanger rack in a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hand tool is insertable from the extension hole of the receiving block and the hanger rack has two tracks to adapt to the receiving block of the present invention in this embodiment; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the receiving block in a different embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 8A is a schematic cross sectional view of the embodiment of the hanger rack of the present invention, wherein the hand tool is able to be attached to/detached from the receiving block of the present invention; Fig. 8 B is an enlarged schematic cross sectional view showing the structure of the hanger rack and the receiving block; Fig. 9A is a perspective view showing how the hanger rack is mounted onto the wall; and Fig. 9B is an exploded perspective view showing the hanger rack is affixed to the wall via a threaded bolt; Figs. 1 OA and I OB are perspective views showing the structure of the receiving block of the present invention; Figs. Ii A-11 C are schematic top plan views showing how the side hole of the receiving block facilitates the extension of the hand tool; Figs. 1 2A and 1 2B are perspective views showing different embodiment of the receiving block of the present invention; Figs. 1 3A and 1 3B are perspective views showing still different embodiment of the elongated hanger rack and the receiving block; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the receiving block in the embodiment in Figs. 13A and 13B; Fig iSA is a schematic side plan view showing that an additional element is added to enhance the attachment of the hanger rack to the wall; Fig. 1 5B is an enlarged cross sectional view showing the details of the additional element inside the hanger rack; and Figs. I 6A and I 6B are perspective views showing alternate attachment of the hanger rack to the wall.

With reference to Fig. 1, it is noted that the hand tool hanger rack in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated hanger rack (10) with two threaded holes (ii) defined through a side face on two opposed ends of the hanger rack (10) and multiple slidable receiving blocks (20) slidably connected to the hanger rack (10).

Screw drivers (30) of different purposes are clamped by the receiving blocks (20).

With reference to Figs. 2A, 2B, 3 and 4, it is noted that the hanger rack (10) of the present invention includes two ledges, a top ledge (12) and a bottom ledge (13), formed on a rear side face of the hanger rack (10) such that a top shoulder (14) is formed on a top side of the hanger rack (10) and a bottom shoulder (15) is formed on a bottom side of the hanger rack (10).

Each receiving block (20) has a body (21), a top hook (22) extending from a top side of the body (21) to correspond to the top shoulder (14) and a bottom hook (23) extending from a bottom side of the body (21) to correspond to the bottom shoulder (15).

The body (21) further has an extension hole (212) axially defined through the body (21), and a slit (213) defined in a side face defining the extension hole (212) Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B and still using Fig. 3 for reference, it is noted that after the assembly of the receiving block (20) to the hanger rack (10), the top shoulder (14) is received in the top hook (22) and the bottom shoulder (15) is received in the bottom hook (23). A free end of the top hook (22) is abutted against a top side face of the top ledge (12) and a free end of the bottom hook (23) is abutted against a bottom side face of the bottom ledge (13) such that the receiving block (20) is slidable relative to the hanger rack (10). Furthermore, the worker is able to longitudinally extend the shank (31) of the hand tool (30) into the extension hole (212). Further notice is directed to the depiction of Figs. 4A to 4B and Fig. 5, it is noted that the hanger rack (10) is substantially the same as that shown in the first embodiment of the present invention.

The only difference is that the receiving block (20B) now has a top hook (22B) extending outward therefrom to correspond to and receive therein the top shoulder (14) and an abutting arm (23B) extending to abut a side face of the hanger rack (10). Thus with only one hook (22B) receiving the top shoulder (14) of the hanger rack (10) and the abutting arm (23B) abutting the side face of the hanger rack (10), the receiving block (20B) can still be slidable relative to the hanger rack (10).

With reference to Figs 6A, 6B and 7, it is noted that the hanger rack (1OA) has an elongated body (14A), a first bent (12A) formed on a top face of the body (14A) of the hanger rack (1OA) and a second bent (13A) formed on a bottom face of the body (14A) of the hanger rack (1OA) such that a first track (15A) is formed between the first bent (12A) and the body (14A) and a second track (16A) is formed between the second bent (13A) and the body (14A).

The front structure of the receiving block (20C) in this embodiment is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The rear structure of the receiving block (20C) differs from what is shown in Fig. 1. The receiving block (21 C) now is provided with an oblique top arm (22C) extending upward from the body (2 IC), a first cylinder (221 C) formed on a free end face of the oblique top arm (22C), an oblique bottom arm (23C) extending downward from the body (21C) and a second cylinder (231C) formed on a free end face of the oblique bottom arm (23C).

The first cylinder (221 C) of the oblique top arm (22C) is slidably received in the first track (1 5A) and the second cylinder (23 1C) is slidably received in the second track (1 6A) so that after the hand tool shank is received inside the body (21 C) from the extension hole of the receiving block (20C), the worker is able to slide the receiving block (20C) along the hanger rack (1OA).

With reference to Figs. 8A and 8B, it is noted that the hand tool hanger rack (LOB) of the present invention in a different embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, in order to enhance the rigidity of the hand tool hanger rack of the present invention, a substrate (11B) is sandwiched between the elongated hanger rack (112B) and the wall (not numbered). The substrate (1 1B) has multiple reinforced extensions (11 1B) extending outward from a side face of the substrate (11 B) and multiple laterally defmed first connection holes (111 1B) each defined in a corresponding one of the reinforced extensions (111 B) to correspond to and align with one of second connection holes (1121B) centrally defined in the hanger rack (112B). A connection element (14B), such as a threaded bolt, is extended through the aligned first connection hole (huB) of the substrate (1 IB) and the second connection hole (1 121B) of the hanger rack (1 l2B) to secure the hanger rack (11 2B) to the substrate (1 1B).

After the hanger rack (11 2B) is secured to the substrate (11 B), receiving blocks (20D) are then slidably connected to the hanger rack (11 2B) via the top hook (22D) receiving the top shoulder (1 2B) of the hanger rack (11 2B) and the bottom hook (23D) receiving the bottom shoulder (13B) of the hanger rack (1 12B).

Due to the existence of the reinforced extensions (111B), when the weight of the hand tool is heavy, the reinforced extensions (11 1B) are able to reinforce the supporting force of the hanger rack to the weight of the hand tool.

With reference to Figs. 9A and 98, it is noted that retaining threaded bolts (40) are extended through the threaded holes (11) of the hanger rack (108) and into a side face of the wall (not numbered) so as to secure the hanger rack (1 OB) onto the wall.

With reference to Figs. I OA, 1 OB and 11 A-lI C, it is noted that the receiving block (20) further has a side hole (214) defined in a side face defining the extension hole (212) to communicate with the extension hole (212) and to be opposed to the slit (213).

In order to facilitate the access to the extension hole (212), an arcuate guiding face (215) is defined in a front face (211) of the body (21)so that when the shank (31) of the hand tool is to be clamped by the receiving block (20) of the present invention, the worker is able to choose either directly from the extension hole (212) or from the side hole (214).

Also, the arcuate guiding face (215) facilitates the extension of the shank (31) from the side hole (214) into the extension hole (212). The provision of the slit (213) provides additional resilience when the shank (31) is extended into the extension hole (212). The advantage of lateral extension of the hand tool shank (31) is that when there is limited space available above the hanger rack (10), the worker does not need to rearrange the space and still has sufficient space for positioning the hand tool.

It is noted that the dimension of the side hole (214) is smaller than that of the extension hole (212) such that when the shank (31) of the hand tool is to be extended into the extension hole (212), two opposed sides (A,B) of the body (21) sandwiching the side hole (214) will be temporarily expanded by the insertion of the shank (31). Then after the shank (31) is received in the extension hole (212), the two opposed sides (A,B) return to their original positions due to resilience force from the existence of the slit (213) to the two opposed sides (A,B).

With reference to Figs. 12A and 12B, it is noted that the structure of the hanger rack (10) is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 4A and 4B. The only difference is that the body of the receiving block (20B) has a side hole (214).

With reference to Figs. 13A, 13B and Fig. 14, it is noted that the structure of the hanger rack(10) is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 6Aand 6B. The only difference is that the body of the receiving block (20C) has a side hole (214).

Figs. 1 5A, 1 5B, 1 6A and 1 6B are substantially the same as those shown in Figs. 8A. 8B. 9A and 9B with only the difference that the receiving block (20D) has a side hole.

From the aforementioned description, the advantage of using the hand tool hanger rack is that even there is only little room available on top of the hand tool that is already adjacent to another hanger rack, the operator may till attach the hand tool to the hanger rack from the side hole of the receiving block.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A hand tool hanger rack characterized in that: an elongated

hanger rack (10) adapted to firmly connect to a wall; and multiple receiving blocks (20) slidably connected to the hanger rack (10), each receiving block (20) having a body (21), an extension hole (212) axially defined through the body (21) such that a hand tool (30) is extendable into the extension hole (30).
2. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hanger rack (10) is provided with a top shoulder (14) extending from a top side thereof and a bottom shoulder (15) extending from a bottom side thereof, each of the receiving blocks (20) is provided with a top hook (22) formed on a top side of the body (21) to receive therein the top shoulder (14) and a bottom hook (23) formed on a bottom side of the body (21) to receive therein the bottom shoulder (15) so that the receiving block (20) is slidable relative to the hanger rack (10).
3. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hanger rack (10) is provided with a top shoulder (14) extending from a top side thereof and a bottom shoulder (15) extending from a bottom side thereof, each of the receiving blocks (20B) is provided with a top hook (22B) formed on a top side of the body (21) to receive therein the top shoulder (14) and an abutting arm (23B) extending from a bottom side of the body (21) to abut a side face of the hanger rack (10) so that the receiving block (20B) is slidable relative to the hanger rack (10).
4. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hanger rack (1 OA) is provided with a top track (1 5A) formed on a top side thereof and a bottom track (16A) formed on a bottom side thereof, each receiving block (20C) is provided with an oblique top (22C) arm extending upward from the body (21C), a first cylinder (22 IC) formed on a free end face of the oblique top arm (22C) to be slidably received in the first track (1 5A), an oblique bottom arm (23C) extending downward from the body (21 C) and a second cylinder (231C) formed on a free end face of the oblique bottom arm (23C) to be slidably received in the second track (16C) so that the receiving block (20C) is slidable relative to the hanger rack (bA).
5. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein a substrate (1 1B) is securely attached to a side face of the hanger rack (112B) to be opposite to the receiving blocks (20D), the substrate (I1B) is provided with multiple reinforced extensions (I1IB) formed on a side face of the substrate (1IB) and first connection holes (1 111B) each defined in a corresponding one of the reinforced extensions (1I1B), each first connection hole (1111 B) aligns with a corresponding one of second connection holes (1121 B) defined in the hanger rack (11 2B) such that after the reinforced extensions (111 B) are extended into the second connection holes (1121 B) of the hanger rack (112B), securing elements (14B) are extended into the aligned first connection hole (1111 B) and the second connection hole (1121 B) to secure the substrate (11 B) to the hanger rack (11 2B) so that supporting force of the hanger rack (11 2B) to the hand tool is increased due to existence of the substrate (11 B).
6. A hand tool hanger rack characterized in that: an elongated hanger rack (10) adapted to firmly connect to a wall; and multiple receiving blocks (20) slidably connected to the hanger rack (10), each receiving block (20) having a body (21), an extension hole (212) axially defined through the body (21) and a side hole (214) to communicate with the extension hole (212) such that a hand tool (30) is alternately extendable into the extension hole (212) either from the extension hole (212) or from the side hole (214).
7. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 6, wherein an arcuate guiding face (215) is formed on two opposed faces sandwiching the side hole (214) to facilitate access to the extension hole (212), a slit (213) is defined in a side face defining the extension hole (212) to be opposite to the side hole (214).
8. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hanger rack (10) is provided with a top shoulder (14) extending from a top side thereof and a bottom shoulder (15) extending from a bottom side thereof, each of the receiving blocks (20) is provided with a top hook (22) formed on a top side of the body (21) to receive therein the top shoulder (14) and a bottom hook (23) formed on a bottom side of the body (21) to receive therein the bottom shoulder (15) so that the receiving block (20) is slidable relative to the hanger rack (10).
9. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hanger rack (10) is provided with a top shoulder (14) extending from a top side thereof and a bottom shoulder (15) extending from a bottom side thereof, each of the receiving blocks (20B) is provided with a top hook (22B) formed on a top side of the body (21) to receive therein the top shoulder (14) and an abutting arm (23B) extending from a bottom side of the body (21) to abut a side face of the hanger rack (10) so that the receiving block (20B) is slidable relative to the hanger rack (10).
10. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hanger rack (1 OA) is provided with a top track (1 5A) formed on a top side thereof and a bottom track (16A) formed on a bottom side thereof, each receiving block (20C) is provided with an oblique top (22C) arm extending upward from the body (21 C), a first cylinder (221 C) formed on a free end face of the oblique top arm (22C) to be slidably received in the first track (15A), an oblique bottom arm (23C) extending downward from the body (21C) and a second cylinder (231C) formed on a free end face of the oblique bottom arm (23 C) to be slidably received in the second track (16C) so that the receiving block (20C) is slidable relative to the hanger rack (bA).