GB2484991A

GB2484991A - A tool tether

Info

Publication number: GB2484991A
Application number: GB1018402.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Dickinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-30
Filing date: 2010-10-30
Publication date: 2012-05-02
Also published as: GB201018402D0

Abstract

A tool holder 1 comprises a tethering strap 3 for attachment to a tool 100 to prevent a tool being lost when it is released or dropped from the user's hand. The strap 3 is preferably detachably but securely attached at the user's hand (or arm, or wrist) and at the tool 100. The attachment means preferably comprises hook and eye (such as Velcro TM) portions 21, 23, 30 or press studs. A collar 2 may be provided for attachment to a user s arm, wrist or thumb. The collar 2 may be adjustable by means of hook and eye tab and patch 21/23. The tool 100 may be attached to the strap by means of clasp 31. This clasp 31 may also comprise a hook and loop portion 30.

Description

TOOL HOLDER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tool holder, more particularly a holder for at least one tool, for attachment by a strap to a user such that the tool is not lost when dropped.

Backwound Do It Yourself, or DIY, is increasingly popular and in general large numbers of people work manually in domestic or other handyman environments.

Persons, or users, working on such jobs may need to climb ladders, stand on chairs or otherwise be elevated whilst undertaking work. This work may include screwing, hammering or cutting.

Frequently whilst working in these elevated positions a user may need to stop using the tool. For example a user screwing a ceiling lighting socket into place may need to pause use of the screwdriver to attach the lamp, or collect another screw or measure a distance, etc. In this event the user needs to have numerous positions or pockets to hand, and may find that this becomes cumbersome or impossible given the size of a screwdriver. Often in similar situations a user will need to climb down from his elevated position repeatedly to collect tools and other necessaries.

In addition or in the alternative, a user in an elevated position or otherwise such as working on a vehicle or engine may drop a tool, forcing them to stop their work and retrieve the tool, either through necessity or general best practice. This can significantly slow down work for a user.

Prior Art

Tool belts are known and frequently used by DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike. The typical toot belt attaches around the waist of a user and has numerous pockets and/or clip, hooks or hangers for attachment or holding tools and other necessities for work.

The tool belt therefore typically serves as an improved pocket system, also allowing a plurality of tools to be hung from hooks on the belt. This can mean that such tool belts are heavy to wear and tools swing uncomfortably when not in use. Tool belts in addition do not prevent tools being dropped from the hand of a user.

United States patent application US 2009 090 754 (HABERLEIN) discloses a belt arrangement for carrying a portable handheld work apparatus, the belt arrangement comprising: two shoulder carriers defining respective longitudinal directions; a pelvis belt; each of said shoulder carriers having first and second ends operatively connected to said pelvis belt; a holder for accommodaUng said work apparatus thereon; said pelvis belt being connected to said holder; a first one of said shoulder carriers having an elastic region for permitting said first shoulder carrier to expand in the longitudinal direction thereof; and, said first shoulder carrier including a length limiter for said elastic region thereof which limits the maximum expansion of said elastic region. Advantageously therefore the present invention provides a tool holder that in use is connected to a user's arm by a strap.

International patent application WO 2004 056 233 (HADLEY et al) discloses a system for attaching a knife or similar tool to a person or an object, comprising a tool and an elastically resilient tool holder, the tool holder having tool attaching means for releasably attaching the tool to the tool holder and at least two holder attaching means for attaching the tool holder to a person, a person's clothing, an object or the like International patent application WO 2004 039 204 (KORIA) discloses a device for carrying of a portable object at a wrist, comprising a wrist band that is arranged at the wrist, a holder in which said object is intended to be arranged, characterised in that the holder is rotatably arranged to the wrist band in a joint, whereby the holder can be rotated from a folded position arranged in connection against the wrist band to a pulled-out position at a distance from the wrist band and in the longitudinal direction of the wrist such that the object is placed in the hand when the wrist band is arranged at the wrist.

Advantageously the present invention provides a tool holder for users who wish to safely use a tool ion an elevated or otherwise dangerous location, where to drop the tool would be problematic. The holder more particularly does not interfere with the movement of the wrist and allows a simple retrieval of a dropped tool.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a tool holder that in use tethers a tool to a user's limb by a flexible elongate strap having two opposite ends; wherein said strap is reversibly attached at one end to the tool and reversibly attached at a second opposite end to the user.

Ideally the strap is attached to a user's hand in use, or thumb. Ideally the strap utilises hook and eye, press studs or other attachment at either or both of the user end or tool end.

Ideally the invention therefore provides a securing leash' which fastens around tools to prevent them being dropped, i.e. whilst up a ladder, reducing accidents within the workplace.

The strap is typically composed of a strong tear-resistant material, which is sufficiently flexible to ensure movement, but avoid repeated swinging when unobstructed movement of the strap is possible. The strap in use is typically around 15 to 40cm long when attached at either end.

In some embodiments the strap may be elasticated or have elastic properties in order that an accidentally dropped tool may be easier to retrieve and less problematic when dropped.

In addition the strap is ideally disposed to present the tool to the hand of the user in a uniform predictable way, therefore being wide and flat in profile.

Ideally the attachment to the tool is secure and not prone to movement or rotation, enabling the user to be sure of the orientation of the tool when it is needed. In the preferred embodiment the attachment is made by hook and eye portions, such as Velcro ®.

Separate portions may be provided for tool attachment and strap attachment. This may allow a tool to be configured for attachment to the strap, wherein a separate portion may be removably attached to the tool prior to attachment of the strap, in order to simplify and improve the attachment. In addition or in the alternative a separate portion may be provided for removable attachment to the user, In further embodiments the strap may be attached directly to the tool and/or a connectorfadaptor is directly and/or semi-permanently or permanently attached to the tool, such as a stud attached to the handle.

In further embodiments the strap may be attached to the user and/or the tool by means of a lanyard, such as the strap being a hoop that may be threaded through itself in order to tighten under pressure.

Brief Description of Fiqyres

Figure 1 shows an side view of a preferred embodiment of the device; Figure 2 is an overhead view of the preferred embodiment; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the collar of the preferred embodiment; and Figures 4 shows two embodiments of the holder in use.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The preferred embodiment I comprises a collar 2 for attachment to a user's arm or wrist (not shown) and a strap 3, for attachment to a tool 100.

The collar 2 is adjustable and fastenable by means of a hook and eye tab and patch 21/23. The strap 3 attaches to the collar 2 through an eye 20. The eye 20 allows for the strap 3 to move within the eye 20.

The tool 100 is attached to the strap 3 by means of a clasp 31 that may include hook and eye portions. This clasp is adjustable and fastenable at a hook and eye tab and portion 30.

In addition the shaft of the tool (110) is provided with a removable restraint 300 that addRionally prevents the the strap moving down or off the shaft 110. This removable restraint is ideally provided with an internal anti-slip rubber face and hook and eye corresponding portions for attachment to itself.

In further embodiments the tool may be attached to the strap by means of a stud, zip or button.

The strap in addition in further embodiments may be attached to the collar, and/or the collar to the user, by further means such as a stud, zip or button. Adjustability may be provided in addition or in the alternative by similar means or serration, locking, tensioning, ladder locking or other locking mechanism. At least one lockable cam clip may be provided.

In yet further embodiments a locking nut may be provided which allows a wide range of tools to be used with the holder. The shape of said nut may allow for cylindrical tools, such as screw drivers to be used as well as other tools, including hex keys. This nut is ideally for tools with diameters ranging from 2mm to 8mm being typically teardrop shaped and provided with a grub screw.

In Figure 2 the pictured embodiment employs a restraining band 32 in order to maintain the adjusted strap's (3) length. This band 32 may be in addition to or in the alternative to the hook and eye fastening of the strap 3.

Figure 4b shows the thumb embodiment of the holder, for use with smaller and precision tools which do not warrant the wrist version. Further embodiments may be provided which attach to other parts of the body.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A tool holder that in use tethers a tool to a user's limb by a flexible elongate strap having two opposite ends; wherein said strap is reversibly attached at one end to the tool and reversibly attached at tsecond opposite end to the user.
2. A tool holder according to claim I which reversibly attaches to a user's wrist.
3. A tool holder according to claim I which reversibly attaches to a user's thumb.