US20020190015A1

US20020190015A1 - Tool organizer

Info

Publication number: US20020190015A1
Application number: US09/879,622
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig Dietrich
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-13
Filing date: 2001-06-13
Publication date: 2002-12-19

Abstract

A tool organizer for placing on a structure and supporting a variety of handheld tools and other small objects. The organizer has a narrow body with a central opening to fit over the supporting structure. A plurality of tool supporting members are detachably secured on a continuous side wall of the body; the tool supporting members having hook-shaped, loop-shaped and other suitable configurations. The tool organizer is particularly useful for placing on a lid of an oil evacuation drum and allowing suspension of pliers, wrenches and other similar tools thereon.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to workshop equipment, and more particularly to a device for retaining handheld tools in an easily accessible manner.

Mechanics and home repair people use a multitude of tools during routine car maintenance. For instance, during an oil change, a user may need to have easy access to wrenches, pliers, grease guns, and other similar tools to complete the job. Many people use toolboxes for carrying the tools around the job site and to place them in an easily reachable place. Other people simply scatter the tools around a workshop so that they pick up the tools as needed.

Conventionally, the user selects several tools that he/she knows will be needed for the job and places them nearby, sometimes on the ground next to the automobile being repaired or worked on. In many instances, however, especially with jobs involving repairs and maintenance of different model cars, the precise type of tool needed is difficult to anticipate. Still, it is of a convenience to the user to have these tools available in an organized manner next to the job location.

The present invention contemplates provisions of a tool organizer that can be particularly useful in automobile repair and maintenance shops. It is conventional to use an oil drum for collection of used oil. The existing oil drain buckets usually have a top lid with an opening into which an oil drain conduit is inserted. A funnel may be connected to the free end of the hose to collect evacuated oil from engines, crankcases, transmissions, and differentials. Sometimes, a strainer is included into the drain bowl to strain off items that may be evacuated and prevent their entrance into the oil collection drum. The drain tube is usually secured in the center opening with wrenches or other similar mechanisms. The drum lid or cover can be outwardly convex, partially convex, straight, and can have secondary openings to accommodate drain holes for emptying the drum into a larger container.

The present invention contemplates provision of a tool organizer that can be used with different types of evacuation oil drums and buckets while retaining handheld tools in a location easily accessible by a mechanic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a tool organizer specifically adapted for retaining handheld tools in a workshop.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool organizer that can be used by mechanics and other individuals engaged in the maintenance of cars and other vehicles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool organizer that can be positioned on a lid of a conventional oil evacuation drum and be retained there in a secure, easily detachable manner.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved through a provision of a tool organizer that has a flat tool body carrying a plurality of support members for suspending various objects therefrom. The body has dimensions greater than a corresponding structure, such a lid of an oil evacuation drum. The support members are detachably secured on a continuous sidewall of the body. The support members may be shaped as hooks, loops, rods, etc.

A central opening formed in the body allows the body to fit over conduit connections on the lid of an oil evacuation drum. A cutout next to the central opening or a secondary opening adjacent the central opening allow accommodating secondary drain hoses secured to the container lid.

The body may be ring-shaped, rectangular-shaped, etc. to fit various types of container lids. Some of the containers may have outwardly convex lids. To accommodate this type of a lid, the present invention provides for supporting legs extending downwardly from the body. The lower portions of the legs are shaped to fit the curvature of the lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designed by like numerals, and wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool organizer in accordance with the present invention. [0012]
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tool organizer of the present invention. [0013]
FIG. 3 is a side view of the tool organizer. [0014]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool organizer of the present invention as placed on a conventional evacuation oil drum. [0015]
FIG. 5 is a detail view of the tool organizer positioned on an evacuation oil drum that is provided with a handle. [0016]
FIG. 6 is a detail side view of the tool organizer provided with supporting legs for positioning on the drum with an outwardly convex lid. [0017]
FIG. 7 is a detail view of a rectangular-shaped tool organizer for accommodating a different type of evacuation oil drums.[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIEMENT

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, [0019] numeral 10 designates the tool organizer in accordance with the present invention. The tool organizer 10 has a flat body 12 with a center opening 14. The body 12 has a top surface 16 and a continuous vertical sidewall 18. The sidewall 18 is wide enough to allow securing of various tool-supporting members thereon.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of hook-[0020] shaped support members 20 are detachably secured on the body 12. The hooks 20 can be of any desired size suitable for suspending of pliers, wrenches, and oil filter wrenches. Depending on the demands of the job, the hook-shaped support members 20 can be two or more in number and support American, as well as metric calibrated tools.
One or more loop-[0021] shaped support members 22 are detachably secured on the wall 18. It is envisioned that the handle of a grease gun can be slipped through the loop and retain a grease gun on the body 12 until needed by the mechanic. Other types of securing members, for instance straight rods 24 may be also provided on the tool organizer 10 and be used for suspending various types of tools provided with an opening in the handle.
The [0022] tool supporting members 20, 22, and 24 are secured to the tool body 12 by forcing a portion of the support members 20, 22, and 24 into the sidewall 18 (See FIG. 2). The screws that form parts of the support members 20, 22, and 24 are driven into the wall 18 to extend therethrough and be retained thereon by nuts 26, and washers 28.
In an alternative, if the [0023] body 12 is made as a solid body, the securing members 20, 22, and 24 can be mounted on the wall 18 by forcing the sharpened screw ends into the wall 18 and retaining them on the body 12 in a detachable, interchangeable manner. The support members 20, 22 and 24 may be oriented to extend at an angle to the top surface 16, if desired for convenience of the user.
Some conventional evacuation oil drums are provided with lids that have a peripheral flat portion and an outwardly convex center portion. The evacuation tubes and other conduit connections are usually attached to the lid. The opening [0024] 14 is designed to fit over the lid portion that has a partially outwardly convex lid fitted with an evacuation tube. The size and shape of the opening 14 can be easily modified depending on the type of drum with which the tool organizer 10 will work.
A [0025] cutout 26 is provided in the body 12. The cutout 26 communicates with the opening 14. The cutout 26 allows the tool organizer 10 to accommodate a drain hose, if provided on the drum lid. The size of the opening 14 is large enough to fit snugly around the partially outwardly convex portion of the drum lid.
FIG. 4 illustrates positioning of the [0026] tool organizer 10 on a conventional oil evacuation drum 30. As shown in the drawing, the oil drum 30 is provided with a top lid 32 that carries a primary oil evacuation conduit 34 with a funnel 36. The tool organizer 10 is placed over the lid 32 before the funnel 36 is connected with the tube 34 to rest on top of the lid 32 and to extend outwardly from the periphery of the lid 32. The tool supporting members 20, 22 and 24 extend farther from the drum body 30 than the lid 32.
Generally, no attachment means are necessary for the tool organizer pin to stay in place on top of the [0027] lid 32. However, in some instances, especially when particularly heavy or bulky tools must be used for the job, the body 12 may become unbalanced and shift its position in relation to the drum 30. To prevent disengagement or misalignment of the body 12 in relation to the drum 10, several attachment screws 38 may be provided. The attachment screws 38 engage the outer rim of the drum 30 and ensure that any possible imbalance of the body 12 does not lead to overturning of the tool organizer 10. FIG. 2 shows four such attachment screws 38, which can be as simple as sheet metal screws, inserted through the body 12 to keep the tool organizer in place.
The [0028] top surface 16, being flat, offers additional surface for storing rags, screws, and other small items that are used during the job. The body of the tool organizer 12 can be constructed from fiberglass, wood, and other materials that are not easily breakable and can withstand the physical stresses associated with suspension of numerous tools from the hooks and other support members. The support members 20, 22, and 24 can be made from lightweight material, for instance aluminum covered with a rubberized substance to prevent scratching of the cars and other vehicles being worked on. Of course, the drum 30 can be a drum adapted to collect evacuated oil, transmission fluid, and other changeable liquids.
The [0029] tool organizer 10 can be easily adapted to accommodate different types of containers. One such modification is shown in FIG. 5, wherein a tool organizer 40 is provided with a small center opening 42 and a secondary opening 44 to accommodate a drain hose that is placed away from the center of a lid 46. The sidewall of the tool organizer 40 has a straight cut portion 48 to accommodate a handle that is provided on some of the drums to make them easier in transportation. A plurality of tool supporting members 50 are provided on the tool organizer 40, although only two of such members are shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 illustrates another modification of the tool organizer to accommodate outwardly convex lids that are used on some oil evacuation drums. In this modification, a tool organizer [0030] 52 is provided with supporting legs 54, which can be two or more in number to level position of the tool organizer 52 on top of a lid 56. The lower portions 55 of the supporting legs 54 are shaped to fit over the curved surface of the lid, as shown in FIG. 6.
A plurality of [0031] tool supporting members 58 are secured on the sidewall 60 of the organizer 52 to allow suspension of pliers, wrenches and other tools on the tool organizer 52. A center opening (not shown) is made in the body 60 to accommodate an oil evacuation tube 62, and a second opening (not shown) is made in the body 60 to accommodate a drain conduit 64.
FIG. 7 illustrates the use of a tool organizer with still other types of drum lids. In this embodiment, a tool organizer [0032] 70 has a generally rectangular configuration with a center opening 72 and a secondary opening 74 formed a distance from the center opening 72. This type of tool organizer can be used for positioning on a square lid 76 that is provided with a handle 78 for moving the drum about the workshop. A plurality of tool supporting members 80 are provided on the tool organizer 70 to allow suspension of the handheld tools therefrom.
The tool organizer of the present invention can be easily modified to accommodate various types of containers and lids. The tool organizer can be easily disengaged or detached from the lid and placed on another oil evacuation drum. The use of the securing screws [0033] 38 and of the legs 54 is optional.
It is envisioned that the tool organizer of the present invention be made from a number of non-corrosive materials that can be cleaned, if desired, of grease that will tend to accumulate on its surface. The size of the tool organizer can be easily adapted to accommodate the size of the lid and the peripheral dimensions of the drum. The coating placed on the outwardly extending Hi hooks and rods protects the cars from scratches in case the oil evacuation drum, which is usually positioned on a rolling caddy, is pushed and the supporting members come into contact with the car surface. [0034]
The tool organizer can be placed on other structures, pedestals, etc. to allow suspension of a variety of small tools and objects therefrom. It is envisioned that the central opening made in the organizer body may be used for centering the body on the structure with the help of a peg, rod or bolt, if desired. [0035]
Many other changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. [0036]

Claims

I claim:

1. A tool organizer, comprising:

a generally flat body having a central opening therein; and

a plurality of support members secured on a sidewall of the body for holding a variety of objects suspendable thereon.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a cutout is formed in said tool body adjacent said central opening for accommodating a part of a structure, on which said body is detachably positioned.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a secondary opening formed in said body adjacent said central opening for accommodating a part of a structure, on which said body is detachably positioned.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of legs extending downwardly from a bottom surface of said body for leveling position of said body on an outwardly convex structure.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said legs have a lower portion shaped to accommodate said outwardly convex structure.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said support members comprise a plurality of hook-shaped members and loop-shaped members.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said support members are detachably secured on said body.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said body has a generally ring-shaped configuration.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said body has a generally rectangular configuration.

10. An organizer for hand-held tools suitable for positioning on a lid of a container, said tool organizer comprising:

a generally flat body having a central opening therein to accommodate a primary conduit secured to a lid of the container, said body having a continuous wall extending perpendicularly to an upper surface of said body; and

a plurality of support members detachably secured on said wall and extending outwardly from said body.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said body has a peripheral edge, said edge extending outwardly from an outer periphery of said lid.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein said support members comprise a plurality of hook-shaped and loop-shaped members.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said body is provided with a secondary opening communicating with the central opening for accommodating a secondary conduit secured on said lid.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein said body is provided with a secondary opening formed a distance from the central opening to accommodate a secondary conduit secured on said lid.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein said body is provided with downwardly extending legs to level said body on an outwardly convex lid, said legs having a lower portion shaped to fit on an upper surface of said lid.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein said body has a ring-shaped configuration.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein said body has a generally rectangular configuration.

18. An organizer for hand-held tools suitable for positioning on a lid of an evacuation oil drum, said tool organizer comprising:

a generally flat body having a central opening therein to accommodate a primary conduit secured to the lid, said body having a continuos wall extending perpendicularly to an upper surface of said body; and

a plurality of support members detachably secured on said wall and extending outwardly from said body, said support members having hook-shaped and loop-shaped configurations.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a secondary opening formed in said body to accommodate a secondary conduit secured on said lid.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein said body is provided with downwardly extending legs to level said body on an outwardly convex lid, said legs having a lower portion shaped to fit on an upper surface of said lid.