NL1042953B1

NL1042953B1 - Tool storage holder

Info

Publication number: NL1042953B1
Application number: NL1042953A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Govers Jan-Pieter; Quint Govers Lawrence; Ricci Govers Quirine; Patrick Govers Quillan
Original assignee: J P Govers; Quint Govers Lawrence; Ricci Govers Quirine; Patrick Govers Quillan
Priority date: 2018-08-16
Filing date: 2018-08-16
Publication date: 2020-02-24

Abstract

Tool holder for storing tools having at least two carrier arms. Each carrier arm is elongate in a horizontal direction in a vertical plane. Carrier arms in neighboring planes are adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the planes. Each of the carrier arms is adapted for carrying at least one tooi. At least one of the carrier arms is movable between a storage position in which the arm directions of that one of the carrier arms and of a neighboring one of the carrier arms are mutually parallel at a first distance from each other and an access position in which at least distal ends of the one of the carrier arms and the neighboring one of the carrier arms are at a second distance from each other, the second distance being larger than the first distance.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a tool storage holder. Many tool storage systems are essentially two-dimensional in design and attached to a wall. Because the tools are arranged in a two-dimensional plane, they are arranged conveniently and easily accessible in a direction transverse to that plane. A disadvantage of this is that the arrangement takes up a lot of surface area and that high or very low-level tools are difficult to reach, the tools in high positions because one cannot reach that high and the tools in low positions because one has to bend and I or because other objects have been placed in front of these tools.

Furthermore, systems for a more compact storage of tools are known, such as tool boxes and cases. However, such systems entail the disadvantage that the tools are not arranged in a well-organized manner and less easily accessible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution which allows storing tools in a well-organized and easily accessible manner but in which the stored tools occupy less space than in the known two-dimensional arrangements.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing a holder according to claim 1. This allows storing tools and especially slender tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, saws, edges, chisels, knives, drills and bits, in a well-organized and easily accessible yet compact configuration.

The arms allow storing the tools in a number of two-dimensional planes close to each other, so that the tools can be stored in a compact configuration, while by moving the arms away from each other, easy overview of the tools and access to the tools can be obtained. This also means that when suspended from a wall, considerably less wall space is occupied for storing a given amount of tools and that the possibility of storage in an easily portable unit is obtained.

Particular elaborations and embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

Further features, effects and details of the invention appear from the detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first example of a holder according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the holder shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of a first example of an arm of a holder according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of a second example of an arm of a holder according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a second example of a holder according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a third example of a holder according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of a fourth example of a holder according to the invention; and

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are top plan views of further examples of arms of a holder according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is first discussed and explained with reference to an example of a holder according to the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2. The holder 1 according to this example is adapted for mounting to a wall 2. For mounting, known fasteners such as screws and wall plugs can be used, which are not shown.

The holder 1 is arranged for the storage of tools, such as screwdrivers

3. Also, various other tools such as pliers, wrenches, saws, files, chisels, knives, drills and bits, (art) painting tools, needles, yarns, office supplies, drawing tools and medical instruments, and in particular tools with a slender shape and limited dimensions in directions transverse to the length, for example, fitting between parallel planes spaced less than 3, 2.5, 2 cm from each other. In this example the holder 3 has four carrier arms 4, 5, 6, 7 each suspended pivotally about a vertical pivot axis 8, 9, 10. The pivot axes 8, 9, 10 are located next to each other with each carrier arm 4, 5, 6, 7 having a largest horizontal reach in a lever direction 12, 13, 14, 15 away from the pivot axis 8, 9, 10 around which arm 4, 5, 6, 7 is pivotable.

In this example, posts 28, 29, 30, around which the arms 4, 5, 6, 7 are pivotable and which are fixed to the wall 2 by means of wall clamps 36, 37, 38 serve for the pivotal suspension of the carrier arms. However, realizing the pivotability of the arms about the pivot axes may also be realized in other manners. For example, the arms may each be attached separately to an associated post or to the wall via a hinge or be fixedly attached to uprights co-rotatable with the arms.

The carrier arms 4, 5, 6, 7 are each adapted for carrying a plurality of tools in a row in the respective arm direction 12, 13, 14, 15. In a view in a direction parallel to the pivot axes 8, 9, 10, the carrier arms 4,5, 6, 7 are arranged next to each other, the carrier arm 7 being located under the carrier arm 6. The adjacent bearing arms 4, 5, and 6, 7 need not be arranged at the same level. According to the invention, at least one of the arms, and according to this example, all the arms 4, 5, 6, 7 are pivotable between a storage position in which the arm directions 12, 13, 14, 15 of the carrier arms 4, 5, 6, 7 are parallel to one another and an access position in which the arm directions 12, 13, 14, 15 of the carrier arms 4, 5, 6, 7 mutually diverge.

The arms 4, 5, 6, 7 allow storing the tools in a number of twodimensional planes 16, 17, 18 in which the carrier arms 4, 5, 6, 7 extend when in the storage position close to each other so that the tools can be stored in a compact configuration. By swiveling the carrier arms 4, 5, 6, 7 away from each other, an overview of the tools and access to the tools can be obtained easily. This also means that when suspended from a wall 2, considerably less wall space is occupied to store a given amount of tools. Further, the possibility of storage in an easily portable unit is obtained, as discussed below with reference to the second and third examples of a holder according to the invention.

In order to provide easy access to the tools and for easy retrieval and storage of tools, the arm directions in the access position preferably enclose an angle a of more than 30° and more preferably an angle of more than 45°.

To accommodate tools to be carried by the arms, the arms 4, 5 are each provided with a row of recesses 19, 20, each row being directed in the arm direction 12, 13 of the respective arm 4, 5. The arms 6, 7 are each provided with a number of hooks 21, 22. An example of an arm 56 with hooks 71 is also shown in Fig. 3. The hooks 71 may for example be used for suspending a row of wrenches 53.

Fig. 4 shows an example of an arm 55 of which the recesses 70 are in the form of vertical shaft 23 and a passage 24 contiguous with the shaft 23 for introduction of a stem of a tool in a direction transverse to the arm direction 13. The passage 24 is arranged for allowing the stem of a tool to pass through only in a vertically inclined orientation. This allows easy placement of a tool from a side into the recess and easily retrieve the tool sideways, while a positioned tool, which tends to assume a vertical handle orientation, is reliably held in place as a result of the tilt required for the retrieval.

For easy manufacturing and for accommodating relatively long tools, it is advantageous if, as in the examples, the recesses are in the form of through holes.

In Fig. 8, an example of an arm 284 for a holder according to the invention is shown, which has an opening 287 for receiving a chuck or collar of a drilling tool, such as a power drill. In Fig. 9, an example of an arm 285 for a holder according to the invention is shown, which has an opening 288 for receiving a b lade of a jig saw power tool. In Fig. 10, an example of an arm 286 for a holder according to the invention is shown, which has a tray 289 for receiving small items, such as nails, nuts and/or bolts. In general, holders according to the invention are preferably in the form of embodiments within a modular design system, so that users can select and combine bearing structures and arms from a wide variety of designs.

In Figure 5, a second example of a holder 51 according to the invention is shown in which the carrier arms 54, 55, 56, 57 are in the storage position in a housing 76 with mutually parallel side walls 77 on opposite sides of the housing 76. This allows the tools to be stored compactly and safely in an easily displaceable and, in its turn, easily storable enclosure. By closing off the enclosure, unauthorized use of the tools can be counteracted. The housing may for instance be of the size of a standard flight case (47x42x29 cm) with caster wheels or other rollers for easy displacement.

The carrier arms 54, 55, 56, 57 are journaled via posts 78, 79, 80, 81 relative to slides 82 at the topmost side (not shown) and at the bottom side of those posts 78, 79, 80, 81 which are guided relative to the enclosure 76 for displacement only in directions 83 parallel to the carrier arms 54, 55, 56, 57 in the storage positions, back and forth between a rearmost position, in which each arm 54, 55, 56, 57 journaled relative to that slide 82 is located in the enclosure 76 and a front most position (shown in dash-and-dot lines) in which each arm 54 ', 55', 56 ', 57' journaled relative to that slide 82 protrudes out of the enclosure 76 and is pivotable to access positions of that carrier arm 54 55', 56 ', 57'. The slides at the top and the bottom side can be connected to each other in a flexurally rigid manner and have a length in directions 83 parallel to the arms 54, 55, 56, 57 in the storage position that is sufficient to prevent skewing of the slides. The length in directions 83 parallel to the carrier arms 54, 55, 56, 57 in the storage position may for instance be larger than 50%, 75% or 90% of the inner casing size in directions 83 parallel to the arms 54, 55, 56, 57 in the storage position. As guides, for example commercially available tray guides may be used.

As illustrated by way of example by the optional partition of the slides 82 into slides 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d, it is also possible to individually journal each of the carrier arms via an associated one of the posts relative to an associated slide or set of the slides. Then the arms can be moved in and out of the enclosure individually in directions parallel to the arms in the storage position.

Furthermore, a handle arm 89 mounted to the slides 82 and projecting from the slides 82 to a front side of the enclosure 76 may be provided for facilitating moving the slide 82 between forward and backward positions.

Preferably, the arms are each provided with one or more support feet near free ends thereof, the lower sides of which extend to a plane defined by the underside of the enclosure so that the support feet, when the arms are in extended position, rest on a flat surface on which the enclosure has been placed. This prevents the enclosure from tilting forward when so many of the carrier arms are moved outwards that the center of gravity of the holder including the tools carried by the arms lies forwardly of the most forward portion of the enclosure resting on the flat surface on which the holder rests.

In Figure 6, a third example of a holder 101 according to the invention is shown, in which the carrier arms 104, 105, 106, 107 are in a storage position, also in a enclosure 126 in a housing 126 with mutually parallel side walls 127 on opposite sides of the housing 126. Further, also in this example, vertical pivot axes 108, 109, 110, 111 form a row near a rear side 135 of the enclosure 126. In order to gain access to the tools, the side walls 127 of the enclosure 126 are pivotable to an open position about pivots 133, 134 near the rear 135 of the enclosurel26.

This allows the arms 104, 105, 106, 107 to be pivoted apart, so that between two of these arms room for access to the tools is created. In order to easily pick up tools in an upward direction, preferably the top of the enclosure can also be opened.

The pivot axes 133, 134 of the side walls 127 are preferably so close to the rear of the enclosure 126 that, if the side walls 127 are pivoted open, the outer arms 104, 107 are pivotable outwardly over an angle of at least 30 ° and preferably at least 45 °, so tools are easily accessible.

In Fig. 7, a fourth example of a holder 151 according to the invention is shown. The holder 151 is provided with a guide 190 fixed to a wall 152, along which guide 190 the carrier arms 154, 155, 156, 157 are movable from access positions 154, 155, 156, 157 as shown in full lines to storage positions 154', 155', 156', 157', shown in dash-and-dot lines, inside a casing 176. Proximal ends of the arms 154, 155, 156, 157 are mounted to the guide 190 for guided displacement along the guide 190 in horizontal directions transverse to the arm directions. Since the arms 154, 155, 156, 157 are laterally displaceable in a translating fashion, particularly easy access is also provided to tools suspended near proximal ends of the arms 154, 155, 156, 157.

The carrier arms may be suspended for lateral translating movability only, but in this example, the carrier arms 154, 155, 156, 157 are also pivotable about vertical pivot axes 158, 159, 160, 161, which further facilitates access to the tools carried by the arms 154, 155, 156, 157 and avoids exerting a too large moment onto the guide 190.

The holder 151 according to this example is also provided with a casing 176 having an open side. The guide 190 extends from inside the casing 176 to outside the casing via the open side for guiding the carrier arms between the storage positions 154', 155', 156', 157' inside the casing

176 and the access positions 154, 155, 156, 157 outside the casing 176. Thus, the carrier arms 154, 155, 156, 157 can easily be slid between access positions outside the casing 176 to storage positions shielded inside the casing 176.

A casing side wall 177 is provided for closing off the open side of the casing 176. The side wall is mounted to the guide for guided displacement along the guide 190 in horizontal directions transverse to the arm directions between an open position 177 leaving open the open side of the casing 176 and a closed position 177' closing off the open side of the casing 176. The casing side wall 177 has a latch 191 that can be locked when in the closed position. Sliding all the arms 154, 155, 156, 157 into the casing 176 can easily be achieved by pushing the side wall 177 towards the rest of the casing 176 and by closing off the open side of the casing 176 by the side wall

177 and locking the side wall 177' in the closed position, the tools can easily be protected against theft or unauthorized use.

In each of the described examples, the pivot axes are arranged in a straight row. However, it is also possible to position the pivot axes differently, for example in plan view in a circular arc (for example, a quarter or a half circle), a segment of an oval, a trapezoid or a triangle.

The arms may also be made of sheet material with a perforation pattern, in which commercially available tool holders for mounting to a pegboard can be placed. Preferably, upon placement of a plurality of carrier arms which are pivotable about one and the same pivot axis, the arms are pivotable independently of each other, so that tools can also easily be taken out upwardly and placed above the arms which are located under another arms pivotable about the same axis.

Several features have been described as part of the same or separate embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention also includes embodiments having combinations of all or some of these features other than the specific combinations of features embodied in 10 the examples.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A holder for storing tools, comprising at least two elongated support arms, each support arm being elongated in a horizontal direction in a vertical plane, said vertical planes being parallel to each other and at least one first and a second of the supporting arms in adjacent surfaces are adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to said surfaces, each of said first and second carrying arms being adapted to carry at least one tool and at least one of said adjacent carrying arms being movable between a storage position in which the arm directions of said at least one of said neighboring wishbones and the other of said neighboring wishbones are parallel to each other at a first distance from each other, and an access position in which at least distal ends of said at least one of said neighboring wishbones and the other of said neighboring wishbones at a second distance from e each other, said second distance being greater than said first distance.

A container according to claim 1, wherein said adjacent support arms are each pivotable about one of adjacent pivot axes and wherein in said access position said neighboring support arms are oriented in arm directions diverging from said pivot axes.

Holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the arm directions in the access position enclose an angle of more than 30 ° and preferably more than 45 °.

Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the carrying arms are in the storage position in a casing with mutually parallel side walls on opposite sides of the casing.

Container as claimed in claims 2 or 3 and according to claim 4, wherein the vertical pivot axes form a row near a rear wall of the casing and at least one side wall of the casing is pivotally openable about a pivot axis near a rear side of said casing.

Holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carrying arms are mounted via uprights relative to at least one carriage which is guided relative to the housing for displacement only in a direction parallel to the carrying arms in the storage position, back and forth between a rear position wherein each arm mounted with respect to said carriage is located in the housing and a front position in which each bearing arm with respect to that carriage protrudes from the housing and is pivotable to access positions of said carrying arm.

Holder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the carrying arms each bear individually via a corresponding copy of the uprights relative to a corresponding copy or set of the slides.

Holder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least two of the carrying arms are mounted via associated copies of the uprights relative to a common copy or set of the slides.

Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of the carrying arms is provided with a row of recesses, which row is oriented in said arm direction.

Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of said recesses is designed as a vertical shank and a passage adjoining the shank for inserting a tool stem laterally in a direction transverse to said direction of said row. said passage being configured to pass said stem only in a position relative to the vertical inclination.

Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of said recesses is designed as a through hole.

A holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the carrying arms is provided with a row of hooks for hanging a tool, which row is oriented in said arm direction.

The container of any preceding claim, further comprising a guide, wherein proximal ends of the arms are mounted on said guide for guided movement along said guide in horizontal directions transverse to said arm directions.

The container of claim 13, further comprising an open side casing, wherein the guide extends from inside said casing to the outside of said casing through said open side for guiding said support arms between storage positions within said casing and access positions outside said casing.

The container of claim 14, further comprising a casing side wall for closing said open side of said casing, said side wall being mounted for guided movement along said guide in horizontal directions transverse to

5 said arm directions between an open said open side leaving open position and a closed said open side closing position.