US20070023471A1

US20070023471A1 - Trowel holder

Info

Publication number: US20070023471A1
Application number: US11/191,523
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicolas Garcia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-28
Filing date: 2005-07-28
Publication date: 2007-02-01

Abstract

A protective tool holder comprises a tool pocket including a front piece having a cutout forming a channel to receive a tool handle, such as a trowel, attached to a back piece by at least one fastener which acts as a spacer. The tool pocket bottom and sides are open, the spacer limiting movement of a tool inserted into the pocket. Openings among spacers allow debris to exit the tool pocket. The tool holder is attached to a belt by an attachment member comprising a front and a rear member that when separated, attach the tool holder to the belt by suspension over the belt. An aperture in the rear member is sized to receive a belt therethrough. The members have upper and lower sections, the lower sections being releasably attached to each other by a second fastener, the upper sections attached to each other by the first fastener.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of this invention is a protective device, particularly a tool holder for carrying a trowel or other tools, that can be attached to a belt worn by an individual, and receives the tool in a tool pocket to protect the individual from being injured by an edge of the tool. Embodiments include a tool pocket having an open bottom and open sides, or an open bottom, with a spacer that limits the movement of the tool within the tool pocket, and openings to enable debris to exit the tool pocket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In trades such as masonry, tiling, concrete, the spackling of sheetrock, applications of plaster, brick laying, roofing and the like, materials such as mortar or adhesive and the like are applied to the work piece by the tradesman using either a trowel, a pointer, a float, or other tool which generally has one or more sharp edges. During the course of the work, the tool may be placed on a nearby surface, may become lost or misplaced, and the tradesman needs to obtain a replacement. To prevent such losses from occurring, or to keep their tools in a known location, tradesmen may insert these tools in one or more pockets of their clothing. Depending upon the tool, the handle of the tool may be inserted into the pocket, leaving the edge of the tool exposed. Such an exposed edge may injure someone who comes into contact with it, or the repeated insertion and removal of the tool may injure the person using it, cut or damage their clothing, or cut through the clothing and cut their leg, thigh, or elsewhere on the person near where the tool is being kept.
Since many tradesmen often utilize more than a single type of tool, many different styles and types of tool belts, carrying devices, and pouches have been developed, either for carrying specific tools such as a hammer, a variety of hand tools, one or more power tools, and the like, so that numerous items can be carried altogether. Some of these devices include a belt enabling the device to be worn by the user; others include a belt clip or other belt attachment means to fasten the device to a belt worn by the intended user. Leather is a material commonly used in the manufacture of tool belts, but is a material which can be damaged or cut when tools having an edge, such as a trowel or pointing device, are repeatedly in contact with it. Such tools can often cut through the leather, and thus possibly injure the person wearing the tool belt.
If the tool belt uses a closed pouch to retain the tools therein, if a tool is inserted which may contain residual mortar or the like which subsequently dries on the tool, the dried mortar may then remain in the tool pouch, and cannot be removed readily. The properties of leather are such that it cannot readily be cleaned using a liquid, such as water from a hose.
Embodiments of the present invention are designed to solve these problems. In one embodiment, the tool pocket has its sides and bottom open, and the spacers that separate the front and back pieces of the tool pocket limit the movement of a tool within the pouch, but also allows debris to exit the pouch. The tool pouch can be rinsed out to remove residual debris.
Another embodiment utilizes a leather tool pocket, that includes a reinforcing liner of a plastic material. The reinforcing material protects the leather from being cut, thus protecting the individual from potential injury. The reinforcing material also facilitates the insertion and removal of a tool from the pocket. The tool pocket is closed on its sides, and includes an open bottom having a means for limiting the movement of a tool therein, and the openings allow debris to exit the pocket. The tool pocket can be rinsed out to remove residual debris. An embodiment can be manufactured from plastic, and can be produced using an injection molding process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a tool holder that is durable and economical to manufacture.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool holder that is compatible with numerous manufacturers' tool belts.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tool holder that can be used by persons working in a variety of trades, or used by consumers.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tool holder that will protect its user from being injured by the tool being inserted and/or removed from embodiments of the tool holder.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool holder which can be easily cleaned because it has either an open bottom, open sides, or a combination of open bottom and open sides.
An embodiment of the present invention is a protective tool holder comprising a tool pocket including a front piece having a cutout forming a channel to receive a tool handle, such as a trowel, attached to a back piece by at least one fastener which acts as a spacer. The tool pocket bottom and sides are open, the spacer limiting movement of a tool inserted into the pocket. Openings among spacers allow debris to exit the tool pocket. The tool holder is attached to a belt by an attachment member comprising a front and a rear member that when separated, attach the tool holder to the belt by suspension over the belt. An aperture in the rear member is sized to receive a belt therethrough. The members have upper and lower sections, the lower sections being releasably attached to each other by a second fastener, the upper sections attached to each other by the first fastener.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tool holder embodiment.
FIG. 2A is a plan view of the belt attachment member.
FIG. 2B is a side view of the belt attachment member in an open position.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating the aperture in the rear belt attachment member, and the belt attachment member's connection to the back piece.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5A is a plan view of a fastener.
FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the fastener of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment.
FIG. 7A is a plan view of the belt attachment member.
FIG. 7B is a side view of the belt attachment member in an open position.
FIG. 8 is a side sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment.
FIG. 11 illustrates the belt clip and its attachment to the embodiment of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a side sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10.
FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 10.
FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a fastener.
FIG. 14B is an exploded view of the fastener.
FIG. 14C is a sectional view taken along line 14C-14C of FIG. 14B.
FIG. 15 illustrates the insertion of a trowel into the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is a tool holder 10, which comprises a tool holding member 20 and a belt attachment member 70 (FIG. 1).
The term “belt”, as used in the context of the present specification, is intended to have its commonly accepted meaning as an article of clothing, or as used in conjunction with a tool belt or pouch. In an embodiment which includes a belt clip as the belt attachment member, the term “belt” is intended to be expanded to include any garment or accessory to which such a device can be attached using the belt clip, and is not intended to be limited only to a belt.
The tool holding member 20 and the belt attachment member 70 are joined to each other at an angle, so that when the tool holder 10 is attached to a belt, the tool holding member 20 is positioned at an angle that is convenient for the user to insert the tool into, or to remove the tool from the tool holding member 20 easily. Depending upon the particular user, this embodiment could be used by either by a right-handed or a left-handed individual, and an alternate embodiment can be manufactured that is a mirror image of the embodiment shown.
Belt attachment member 70 (FIGS. 2A-2B) comprises a front member 72 and a rear member 82 which is longer than front member 72. Front member 72 has an upper end 74, lower end 76, front surface 78 and inside surface 80. Rear member 82 has an upper end 84, lower end 86, outside surface 88 and inside surface 90. An aperture 92 formed in rear member 82 can be used to insert a belt therethrough, providing an additional or alternative means of securing the trowel holder 10 to the user. The inside surfaces of the belt attachment members face each other, and a opening 94 (also referred to herein as a “belt passage”) which will receive a belt therein is formed therebetween. The front and rear members are joined to each other proximate their upper ends by means of a fastener 96. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, fastener 96 is a rivet, but could be a snap fastener or other type of fastener known to those skilled in the art.
A second fastener 98 attaches the front member lower end 76 to rear member lower end 86. Second fastener 98 is a snap fastener that can be opened and closed, but could also be a rivet or the like. Using a snap fastener 98 enables the lower ends of belt attachment members to be separated, such that the trowel holder 10 can be easily attached to the user's belt by opening up the snap 98, loosening the user's belt, sliding the opened belt attachment past the top of the user's belt, hanging the trowel holder 10 on the belt, and fastening the snap 98, then readjusting the user's belt so both the belt and trowel holder 10 fit comfortably.
In an alternative embodiment, a snap fastener 98 is used to join the upper ends, enabling front member 72 to be separated from rear member 82 at their tops, enabling the user to either attach the tool holder 10 to the user's belt, or remove the tool holder 10 from the belt, without having to unfasten the belt. Thus, the tool holder 10 can either be attached to or detached from the user's belt by unsnapping the fastener 98 of the belt attachment members, rather than the belt being inserted or removed through belt passage 94.
Variations within the angle of attachment of the tool holding member 20 and the belt attachment member 70 are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
Tool holding member 20 is a pocket into which a tool, such as a rectangular trowel 12 (shown in phantom in FIG. 15) commonly used by masons, spacklers, other tradesmen or consumers, can be retained while not in use. Having a tool pocket on one's person offers the user the advantage of knowing where the tool is, having the tool readily accessible, and being able to store the tool in such a manner that the user is protected from being injured by an exposed edge of the tool. Likewise, persons working in the vicinity of a person using an embodiment of the present invention would be protected from injury.
Tool holding member 20 comprises a back piece 22, a front piece 24, and a plurality of spacers 26 which connect the pieces to form tool pocket 50 (FIG. 2). The back piece 22 is longer than the front piece 24. The lower end 86 of rear member 82 of belt attachment member 70 is attached to back piece 22 by the spacer 26. In the embodiment shown, two spacers 26 are used, but this can vary, depending upon the ultimate purpose of any particular embodiment.
The tool holding member pieces 22 and 24 are made from a plastic material, such as high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), or an equivalent plastic or other material, which can resist cutting from the repeated insertion and removal of a tool such as a trowel. The material chosen is generally rigid, but has sufficient flexibility such that the pieces 22 and 24, and the trowel holder 10 can flex and give with the movements of a user.
Several spacers 26 are positioned between back piece 22 and front piece 24, and the back piece 22 and front piece 24 are spaced sufficiently far apart that a tool, such as a trowel, can be smoothly inserted and removed from the tool pocket 50. The spacers are positioned near the edges of the pieces, and a plurality of openings 32 are created between the spacers 26. Each spacer 26 comprises a fastener 28, such as a rivet, surrounded by a bearing 30 (FIG. 5).
Tool holding member 20 includes a plurality of openings 32 along its outside and bottom. The bearings 30 act as a means to limit the movement of the tool within the tool pocket. Bearing 30 can be plastic, nylon, aluminum, stainless steel or other suitable material.
Front piece 24 comprises a body 34, body 34 having a bottom 36, sides 38 and top 40. A cutout 42 that extends from top 40 partway through body 34 forms a channel 42 into which the handle of a tool is received. Body 34 further comprises an inside surface 44 and outside surface 46.
The openings 32 along the tool holder sides and bottom allow debris that may have accumulated on the trowel to be easily removed from the tool holder 20. In this way the user does not have to remove dried debris from inside a closed pocket, using either their hand or another tool. These openings enable the user to clean out the tool holder 20 by tapping it on a hard surface, and allowing debris to fall out through the openings 32. Should the user want to rinse out the tool holder using a stream of liquid, such as water, the liquid can readily drain from the tool holder 20. Thus, there is provided a means for debris to be removed from the tool pocket, and a means for limiting the movement of the tool within the pocket.
A second embodiment of the present invention is tool holder 100, which comprises a tool holding member 200 and a belt attachment member 1000 (FIG. 6).
The tool holding member 200 and the belt attachment member 1000 are joined to each other at an angle, so when the holder 100 is attached to a user's belt, the tool holding member 200 is positioned at an angle convenient for the user to insert the tool into, or to remove the tool from, the tool holding member 200 easily, while working. Depending upon the particular user, this embodiment could be used by either by a right-handed or a left-handed individual, and an alternate embodiment can be manufactured that is a mirror image of the embodiment shown.
Belt attachment member 1000 (FIGS. 7A-7B) comprises a front member 1020 and a rear member 1040 which is longer than front member 1020. Front member 1020 has an upper end 1060, lower end 1080, front surface 1100 and inside surface 1120. Rear member 1040 has an upper end 1140, lower end 1160, outside surface 1180 and inside surface 1200. A reinforcing piece 1300 is attached to the rear member inside surface 1200. The inside surfaces of the belt attachment members face each other, and a belt passage 1220 is formed therebetween. The members are joined to each other proximate their upper ends by means of a fastener 1240, and reinforced by a row of stitching 1260. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, fastener 1240 is a rivet, but could be a snap fastener or other type of fastener known to those skilled in the art.
A second fastener 1280 attaches the front member lower end 1080 to rear member lower end 1160. Second fastener 1280 is a snap-fastener that can be opened and closed, but could also be a rivet or the like. Using a snap fastener 1280 enables the lower ends of belt attachment members to be separated, such that the trowel holder 100 can be easily attached to the user's belt by opening up the snaps 1280, loosening the user's belt, sliding the opened belt attachment past the top of the user's belt, hanging the trowel holder 100 on the belt, and fastening the snaps 1280, then readjusting the user's belt so both the belt and trowel holder 100 fit comfortably.
In an alternative embodiment, a snap fastener 1280 is used to join the upper ends, enabling front member 1020 to be separated from rear member 1040 at their tops, enabling the user to either attach the tool holder 100 to the user's belt, or remove the tool holder 100 from the belt, without having to unfasten the belt. Thus, the tool holder 100 is either attached to or detached from the user's belt by unsnapping the fastener 1280 of the belt attachment members, rather than the belt being inserted or removed through belt passage 1220.
Variations within the angle of attachment of the tool holding member 200 and the belt attachment member 1000 are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
Tool holding member 200 is a pocket into which a tool, such as a rectangular trowel 12 (shown in phantom in FIG. 15) commonly used by masons, spacklers other tradesmen or consumers, can be retained while not in use. Tool holding member 200 comprises a back piece 220, a front piece 240, a pair of spacers 260, and a reinforcing piece 280. The reinforcing piece 280 is generally coextensive with the length of back piece 220, and is joined to back piece 220 by stitching 300 that runs along the length of the pieces. Additional stitching 300 could be used along the width of the pieces, but additional stitching along the width is not necessary because additional fasteners are employed. Another reinforcing piece 280a is attached to the inside surface 460 of front piece 240 (FIG. 8).
Reinforcing piece 280, 280 a is a plastic material, such as a polyethylene, a polycarbonate, or comparable material, which can resist cutting or gouging by repeated insertion and removal of a tool such as a trowel, yet which is sufficiently flexible to be able to flex with the user's movements. A reinforcing piece manufactured of a plastic has the additional advantage of being able to be cleaned with a liquid such as water. A metal could be used as the reinforcing piece, and can include metals such as, for example only and not intended as a limitation, tin, zinc, a galvanized coated metal or stainless steel.
A pair of spacers 260 are positioned between back piece 220 and front piece 240. The spacers are positioned longitudinally near the edges; front piece 240 is attached to the spacers 260 and back piece 220 by stitching 300 and fasteners 320 and 340, fastener 320 being a rivet, although other types of fasteners known to those skilled in the art can be substituted therefor. Fastener 320 also attaches the reinforcing piece 280 to back piece 220 at one end of the tool holding member 200. Attachment of front piece 240 to back piece 220 and reinforcing layer 280 to form the bottom 500 of tool holding member 200 will be described below.
Front piece 240 comprises a body 360, body 360 having a bottom 380, sides 400 and top 420. A cutout 440 that extends from top 420 partway through body 360 forms a channel 440 into which the tool handle is received. Body 360 further comprises an inside surface 460 and outside surface 480. A second piece of reinforcing material 280 a is attached to inside surface 460 and serves the same function as reinforcing piece 280. Both pieces of tool holding member 200 are protected from damage from repeated insertion and removal of a tool from tool holder 200. The reinforcing pieces 280, 280 a also facilitate the smooth insertion and removal of a tool into and out of the tool pocket. Reinforcing material 280 a is attached to body 360 using a combination of stitching 300 and fasteners 320 in the same manner as reinforcing layer 280 is attached to back piece 220. Several fasteners 320 a attach the bottom part of belt attachment member 1000 to the tool holding member 200. The inside surface 460 with attached reinforcing member 280 a faces back piece 220 and its attached reinforcing piece 280, with sufficient space between them to enable a tool such as a trowel to be slid between the reinforcing pieces. The movement of the trowel or other tool is limited by the spacers 340 positioned towards the bottom of the tool pocket. The row of stitching on the front piece 240 that is proximate the cutout 440 reinforces the pocket and aids in insertion and removal of the tool.
Tool holding member 200 includes an opening 520 along its bottom 500. Opening 520 is formed by a second fastener 340 which also acts as a spacer, second fastener 340 comprising a rivet 540 which is surrounded by a bearing 560 (FIGS. 10A-10B). Bearing 560 acts as a means to limit the movement of the tool within the tool pocket. Bearing 560 can be a plastic, nylon, aluminum, stainless steel or other suitable material. As seen in FIG. 9, the opening 520 is wider towards the middle than it is at the ends, which are near first spacer 260. The curvature, if any, at the bottom is dependent upon the nature of the materials used for the tool holder 10's manufacture, and the tightness of the fastener. Thus, there is provided a means for debris to be removed from the tool pocket, a means for limiting the movement of the tool within the pocket, and means for facilitating the insertion and removal of the tool.
The opening 520 at the tool holding member bottom 500 allows debris which may have accumulated on the trowel to be easily removed from the tool holding member 200. In this way the user does not have to remove dried debris from inside a closed pocket, using either their hand or another tool. The opening 520 at the bottom also enables the user to clean the tool holding member 200 by tapping it on a hard surface, and allowing debris to fall out through opening 520. Should the user want to rinse out the tool holder using a stream of liquid such as water, liquid and/or debris can drain from the tool holding member 200.
Another embodiment 3000 (FIG. 10) is similar in many ways to tool holder 100, but one difference is trowel holder 3000 is open on its sides as well as the bottom.
Trowel holder 3000 comprises a tool holding member 3200 and a belt attachment member 4000 (FIG. 10). The tool holding member 3200 and the belt attachment member 4000 are joined to each other at an angle, so that when the holder 3000 is attached to the user's belt, the tool holding member 320 is positioned at an angle that is convenient for the user to insert the tool into, or to remove the tool from the tool holding member 3200 easily, while working. Depending upon the particular user, the embodiment shown could be used by either by a right-handed or a left-handed individual, and an alternate embodiment can be manufactured that is a mirror image of the embodiment shown.
Belt attachment member 4000 comprises a conventional belt clip 4020 which includes body 4040 and clip member 4060 (FIG. 11). Belt clip 4020 has a lower end 4080, which is attached by a fastener 4100 to the back piece 3220 of tool holding member 3200. In this embodiment, fastener 4100 is a rivet, but could be a pivot pin enabling the trowel holder to rotate, or other type of fastener known to those skilled in the art. Belt clip body 4040 is passed through a pair of slits 3240 formed in back piece 3220.
Variations within the angle of attachment of the tool holding member 3200 and the belt attachment member 4000 are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
Tool holding member 3200 is a pocket into which a tool, such as a rectangular trowel 12, commonly used by masons, spacklers, other tradesmen or consumers, can be retained while not in use. Tool holding member 3200 comprises a back piece 3220 having a pair of slits 3240 near one corner, a front piece 3260, a plurality of spacers 3280, and a reinforcing piece 3300 attached to the inside surface 3320 of front piece 3260. The reinforcing piece 3300 is coextensive with the length of front piece 3260, and is joined to front piece 3260 by stitching 3340 that runs along the edges of the pieces (FIG. 10).
Reinforcing piece 3300 is a plastic material, such as a high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), although polypropylene or other plastics, as known to those skilled in the art, could be substituted therefor, provided the material can resist cutting or gouging by repeated insertion and removal of a tool. A reinforcing piece manufactured of a plastic has the additional advantage of being able to be cleaned using a hose, and not having to be concerned about possible corrosion. A metal could be used as the reinforcing piece, and can include metals such as, for example only and not intended as a limitation, tin, zinc, a galvanized coated metal or stainless steel.
Several spacers 3380 are positioned between back piece 3220 and front piece 3260 near the edges of the pieces.
Front piece 3260 comprises a body 3400, body 3400 having a bottom 3420, sides 3440 and top 3460. A cutout 3480 which extends from top 3460 partway through body 3400 forms the channel 3500 into which the tool handle is received. Body 3400 further comprises an inside surface 3520 and outside surface 3560. Front piece 3260 is attached to the reinforcing piece 3300 by stitching 3300. Both members of the tool holder 3200 are thus protected from damage from repeated insertion and removal of a tool from it.
The combination of the front surface 3260 and reinforcing piece 3300 a are attached to back piece 3220 using a plurality of fasteners 3280 which also function as spacers, so the tool holding member 3200 is open on its' sides and bottom (FIGS. 12-13).
Tool holding member 3200 includes an opening 3700 along its bottom. Opening 3700 is wider towards the middle than it is at the ends.
Side openings 3720 extend the length of the tool holding member 3200, allowing debris which may have accumulated along the trowel to be easily removed from the tool holding member 3200. In this way the user does not have to remove dried debris from inside a closed pocket, using either their hand or another tool. The openings along the tool holding member 3200 enable the user to clean out the tool holder 3200 by tapping it on a hard surface, and allowing debris to fall out. Should the user want to rinse out the tool holder using a liquid such as a stream of water, the liquid can drain from the tool holding member 3200.
Fastener 3280 functions as both a fastener and a spacer (FIG. 14). Fastener 3280 comprises a pair of members 4200 a and 4200 b. Each member 4200 has a head 4220, a body 4240, and a pair of angularly shaped prongs 4260 which extend from the body 4240. Each prong 4260 includes an arcuate outer surface 4280, a pair of walls 4300 and a connector 4320. As seen in FIG. 14B arcuate outer surface 4280 tapers towards the end distal from body 4240, and is shorter than walls 4300 and connector 4320. Extending outwardly along the length of each wall 4300 is a plurality of pawls 4340, which, when the pawls 4340 from a second member 4200 join each other, they interlock and lock the fastener 3280 in place. A spacer member 4360 is positioned between the two members 4200 a and 4200 b to separate the members at a desired distance. In this embodiment, spacer member 4360 is a circular spacer having an opening with an inner diameter that is sufficient to frictionally receive and retain the prongs 4260 of both members therein, although the spacer member can have a configuration that is other than circular. To ensure a proper engagement of the pawls 4340 between members 4200 a and 4200 b, the prongs 4260 of opposite members should be positioned at approximately right angles to each other. In this manner, the pawls 4340 of first member 4200 a engage the pawls 4340 of second member 4200 b and form a tight connection. In the embodiment illustrated, the fastener members are manufactured from plastic, but nylon or other suitable materials could be used. The spacer member 4360 is retained by means of a press-fit or friction-fit, but other forms of positioning, including use of adhesives, soldering, heat melting, or molding of both components together, are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
In the embodiment of trowel holder 3000, the belt attachment member 1000 previously described could be substituted for belt attachment member 4000, with belt attachment member 1000 being attached to the back piece 3220 by fasteners as previously described.
The various embodiments that have been described herein offer body protection to the user against hazards such as cuts, jabs, rips, punctures or the like that may occur from insertion and removal of a trowel or similar tool from a tool pocket. These embodiments can be used with trowels from various manufacturers, and can accommodate various trowel designs used by those skilled in the various trades (such as, but not limited to the concrete, masonry, plastering, roofing, or spackling trades, or consumers). The design of these embodiments includes the ability to be used in an ambidextrous manner, and can be positioned in a variety of positions on the person who is using it. The belt loop portion of these embodiments enables the device to fit on most standard tool belts. The open design at the bottom, or at the bottom and sides, provides the user the ability to rinse out dried cement, small rocks or other debris from inside the pockets. The pocket is both reinforced and lined with plastic, which provides for a smooth, quick installation and removal of a trowel or other tool from within the pocket. The plastic liner also aids in protecting the user from being cut, jabbed, ripped, etc. by the trowel as it is being inserted and removed from within the trowel holder.
While the embodiments described herein have been assembled from separate components, it is contemplated that these embodiments could be manufactured using components, or the embodiment completely manufactured, from plastic molding processes such as injection molding, and the resulting variations within size, shape or configuration of components within such embodiments is intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Therefore, although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration, and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tool holder comprising:

a tool holding member including:

a front piece and

a back piece, the back piece being larger than the front piece;

the front piece including a body having a top region, sides, a bottom region, and an inside surface;

the front piece having a cutout therein, the cutout extending through the body from the top region towards the bottom region, forming a channel between the sides, the channel sized to receive a handle of a tool therein,

the front piece being joined to the back piece by a means for joining, the front piece inside surface facing the back piece, forming a tool pocket therebetween, the tool pocket having sides that are open, and a bottom that is open;

the means for joining separating the front piece and the back piece, the means for joining being proximate the tool pocket sides and the tool pocket bottom, the means for joining limiting the movement of a tool within the tool pocket, and a space formed between two of the means for joining being an opening through which debris exits the tool pocket; and

an attachment member connected to the back piece, the attachment member for attaching the device to a support.

2. The tool holder as described in claim 1, wherein the attachment member comprises a front member and a rear member, the rear member being larger than the front member, the members having an upper section and a lower section, the lower section of the rear member attached to the back piece by a fastener, the lower section of the members releasably attached to each other by a second fastener, the upper section of the members attached to each other by the first fastener, the members separated by a distance sufficient to retain the support therebetween, the tool holder being attachable to the support by suspension over the support.

3. The tool holder as described in claim 2, wherein the rear member further comprises an aperture therethrough, the aperture sized to receive the support therethrough.

4. The tool holder as described in claim 1, wherein the support is a belt.

5. The tool holder as described in claim 1, wherein the attachment member is a belt clip.

6. The tool holder as described in claim 5, wherein the back piece further comprises a pair of slits, and the belt clip is passed between the slits.

7. The tool holder as described in claim 6, wherein the belt clip is attached to the back piece by a fastener.

8. The tool holder as described in claim 1, wherein the tool holding member and the attachment member are joined to each other at an angle that is from about zero degrees to about one hundred eighty degrees.

9. The tool holder as described in claim 2, wherein the tool holder is manufactured from a plastic using injection molding.

10. A tool holder comprising:

a tool holding member including:

a front piece and

a back piece, the back piece being larger than the front piece,

a layer of reinforcing material attached to the back piece, the reinforcing material attached using a means for joining selected from the group consisting of fasteners and stitching;

the front piece being joined to the back piece by the means for joining, the front piece inside surface facing the reinforcing material, forming a tool pocket therebetween, the tool pocket having sides that are closed, and a bottom that is open;

a spacer between the pieces, the spacer positioned proximate the tool pocket sides;

at least one second spacer, the second spacer positioned between the front piece and the back piece, and proximate the tool pocket bottom, the second spacer limiting the movement of a tool within the tool pocket, an opening formed among the spacers, through which opening debris exits the tool pocket; and

11. The tool holder as described in claim 10, further comprising a second layer of reinforcing material, the second layer of reinforcing material attached to the front piece inside surface by the means for joining.

12. The tool holder as described in claim 11, wherein the front piece further comprises a plurality of stitching proximate the cutout.

13. The tool holder as described in claim 11, wherein the attachment member comprises a front member and a rear member, the rear member being longer than the front member, the members having an upper section and a lower section, the lower section of the rear member attached to the back piece by a fastener, and the lower section of the rear member releasably attached to the lower section of the front member by a second fastener, the members separated by a distance sufficient to retain the support therebetween, the tool holder being attachable to the support by suspension over the support.

14. The tool holder as described in claim 13, wherein the support is a belt.

15. The tool holder as described in claim 12, wherein the second spacer comprises a fastener and a bushing surrounding the fastener.

16. The tool holder as described in claim 13, wherein the tool holding member and the attachment member are joined to each other at an angle that is from about zero degrees to about one hundred eighty degrees.

17. A tool holder comprising:

a tool holding member including:

a front piece and

a back piece, the back piece being larger than the front piece, and the back piece being a reinforced material;

the front piece being joined to the back piece by a means for joining, the means for joining being selected from the group consisting of a fastener and stitching, the front piece inside surface facing the back piece, forming a tool pocket therebetween, the tool pocket having sides that are open, and a bottom that is open;

at least one spacer, the spacer positioned between the front piece and the back piece, and proximate the tool pocket bottom, the spacer limiting the movement of a tool within the tool pocket, and an opening formed among the spacers through which debris exits the tool pocket; and

18. The tool holder as described in claim 17, further comprising a second layer of reinforcing material, the second layer of reinforcing material joined to the front piece inside surface by the means for joining.

19. The tool holder as described in claim 17, wherein the support is a belt.

20. The tool holder as described in claim 17, wherein the attachment member is a belt clip.

21. The tool holder as described in claim 20, wherein the back piece further comprises a pair of slits, and the belt clip is passed between the slits.

22. The tool holder as described in claim 21, wherein the belt clip is attached to the back piece by a fastener.

23. The tool holder as described in claim 18, wherein the attachment member comprises a front member and a rear member, the rear member being larger than the front member, the members having both an upper section and a lower section, the lower section of the rear member attached to the back piece by a first fastener, the lower sections of the members releasably attached to each other by a second fastener, the upper sections of the members attached to each other by the first fastener, the members separated by a distance sufficient to retain a support therebetween, the tool holder being attachable to the support by suspension over the support.

24. The tool holder as described in claim 23, wherein the tool holding member and the attachment member are joined to each other at an angle that is from about zero degrees to about one hundred eighty degrees.

25. The tool holder as described in claim 17, wherein the tool holder is manufactured from a plastic using injection molding.

26. The device as described in claim 18, wherein the reinforcing material protects the user against injury from repeated insertion and removal of the tool from the tool pocket.

27. A protective tool holder for individuals using tools having an edge, the tool holder comprising:

a tool holding member including:

a front piece and

a back piece, the back piece being larger than the front piece;

the means for joining separating the front piece and the back piece, and proximate the tool pocket sides and the tool pocket bottom, the means for joining limiting the movement of a tool within the tool pocket, and a space formed among the means for joining being an opening through which debris exits the tool pocket; and

an attachment member connected to the back piece, the attachment member comprising a front member and a rear member, the rear member being larger than the front member, the rear member having an aperture therethrough, the aperture being sized to receive the support therethrough, the members having an upper section and a lower section, the lower section of the rear member attached to the back piece by a fastener, the lower section of the members releasably attached to each other by a second fastener, the upper section of the members attached to each other by the first fastener, the members separated by a distance sufficient to retain the support therebetween, the tool holder being attachable to the support by suspension over the support.

28. A protective tool holder for individuals using tools having an edge, the tool holder comprising:

a tool holding member including:

a front piece and

a back piece, the back piece being larger than the front piece,

a layer of reinforcing material joined to the back piece, the reinforcing material joined using a means for joining selected from the group consisting of fasteners and stitching;

a second layer of reinforcing material, the second layer of reinforcing material joined to the front piece inside surface by the means for joining;

the front piece having a cutout therein, the cutout extending through the body from the top region towards the bottom region, forming a channel between the sides, the channel sized to receive a handle of a tool therein;

the front piece further comprising a plurality of stitching proximate the cutout;

the front piece being joined to the back piece by the means for joining, the front piece inside surface facing the reinforcing material, forming a tool pocket therebetween, the tool pocket having sides that are open and a bottom that is open;

at least one spacer between the pieces, the spacer positioned proximate the tool pocket sides and tool pocket bottom, the spacer limiting the movement of a tool within the tool pocket, and an opening formed among the spacer through which opening debris exits the tool pocket; and

an attachment member joined to the back piece, the attachment member for attaching the device to a support.

29. The tool holder as described in claim 28, wherein the attachment member comprises a front member and a rear member, the rear member being larger than the front member, the members having an upper section and a lower section, the lower section of the rear member attached to the back piece body by a fastener, the lower sections of the members releasably attached to each other by a second fastener, the members separated by a distance sufficient to retain the support therebetween, the tool holder being attachable to the support by suspension over the support.