US20080023420A1

US20080023420A1 - Hand tool hanger rack

Info

Publication number: US20080023420A1
Application number: US11/496,613
Authority: US
Inventors: Jui-Chien Kao
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-31
Filing date: 2006-07-31
Publication date: 2008-01-31

Abstract

A hand tool hanger rack includes an elongated hanger rack for connection to a wall and multiple receiving blocks slidably connected to the hanger rack. Each receiving block has a body, an extension hole axially defined through the body and a side hole radially defined through a side face of the body to communicate with the extension hole such that a hand tool is alternately received in the extension hole from either the extension hole or the side hole.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool rack, and more particularly to a hand tool hanger rack capable of avoiding interference between two adjacent tools when positioning the tool on the tool rack.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A hand tool hanger rack is suspended on a wall so that the worker is able to organize tools of the same purpose on the hanger rack to facilitate the work efficiency. The hand tool hanger rack is provided with an elongated rack adapted for connection to a wall and multiple receiving seats firmly formed on the elongated rack. Each receiving seat includes a through hole defined to allow extension of the shank of the hand tool. However, when there are multiple hanger racks are mounted on the wall, only limited space is available for inserting the hand tools into the through holes in the receiving seats. Therefore, the worker has to move aside some of the hand tools to clear out space for insertion of additional hand tools, which is troublesome and waste of time as well as energy. Besides, the receiving seats are firmly mounted on the hanger rack such that it is impossible for the worker to change the arrangement of the receiving seat so as to maximize utility of the available space on the hanger rack.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved hand tool hanger rack to mitigate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved hand tool hanger rack with an elongated hanger rack and multiple slidable receiving block slidably connected to the hanger rack and each slidably receiving block having an extension hole axially defined in the receiving block and a side hole radially defined in the receiving block to communicate with the extension hole such that the worker is able to choose to extend directly the shank of the hand tool into the extension hole or the handle of the hand tool into the side hole especially space on top of and below the elongated hanger rack is limited.
In a different objective of the present invention, it is noted that the side hole has a dimension smaller than that of the extension.
In a still different objective of the present invention, the receiving block is movable relative to the elongated hanger rack such that the worker is able to redesign the space on the elongated hanger rack to fit the size of the hand tools.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hand tool hanger rack with hand tools clamped by the hanger rack of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a perspective view showing a portion of the hand toll hanger rack of the present invention, wherein the hand tool is insertable from the side hole of the receiving block of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the receiving block;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic top plan views showing the attachment/detachment of the hand tool by the receiving block of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective view showing a portion of the hand toll hanger rack in a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hand tool is insertable from the side hole of the receiving block of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the receiving block in the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are schematic top plan views showing the attachment/detachment of the hand tool by the receiving block of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8A are perspective views of the third embodiment of the hand tool hanger rack of the present invention, wherein the hand tool is able to be attached to/detached from the hanger rack of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the receiving block of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of the fourth embodiment of the hand tool hanger rack of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the receiving block of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a schematic cross sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the hanger rack of the present invention, wherein the hand tool is able to be attached to/detached from the receiving block of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is an enlarged schematic cross sectional view showing the structure of the hanger rack and the receiving block;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing how the hanger rack is mounted onto the wall; and

FIG. 13B is an exploded perspective view showing the hanger rack is affixed to the wall via a threaded bolt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, it is noted that the hand tool hanger rack in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated hanger rack (10) with two threaded holes (11) defined through a side face on two opposed ends of the hanger rack (10) and multiple slidable receiving blocks (20) slidably connected to the hanger rack (10). Screw drivers (30) of different purposes are clamped by the receiving blocks (20).
With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it is noted that the hanger rack (10) of the present invention includes two ledges, a top ledge (12) and a bottom ledge (13), formed on a rear side face of the hanger rack (10) such that a top shoulder (14) is formed on a top side of the hanger rack (10) and a bottom shoulder (15) is formed on a bottom side of the hanger rack (10).
Each receiving block (20) has a body (21), a top hook (22) extending from a top side of the body (21) to correspond to the top shoulder (14) and a bottom hook (23) extending from a bottom side of the body (21) to correspond to the bottom shoulder (15). The body (21) further has an extension hole (212) axially defined through the body (21), a slit (213) defined in a side face defining the extension hole (212) and a side hole (214) defined in a side face defining the extension hole (212) to communicate with the extension hole (212) and to be opposed to the slit (213). In order to facilitate the access to the extension hole (212), an arcuate guiding face (215) is defined in a front face (211) of the body (21).
Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B and still using FIG. 3 for reference, it is noted that after the assembly of the receiving block (20) to the hanger rack (10), the top shoulder (14) is received in the top hook (22) and the bottom shoulder (15) is received in the bottom hook (23). A free end of the top hook (22) is abutted against a top side face of the top ledge (12) and a free end of the bottom hook (23) is abutted against a side face of the bottom ledge (13) such that the receiving block (20) is able to be slidable relative to the hanger rack (10). Furthermore, the worker is able to laterally extend the shank (31) of a hand tool into the extension hole (212) from the side hole (214). The advantage of lateral extension of the hand tool shank (31) is that when there is limited space available above the hanger rack (10), the worker does not need to rearrange the space and still has sufficient space for positioning the hand tool. Further notice is directed to the depiction of FIGS. 4A to 4C, it is noted that the dimension of the side hole (214) is smaller than that of the extension hole (212) such that when the shank (31) of the hand tool is to be extended into the extension hole (212), two opposed sides (A,B) of the body (21) sandwiching the side hole (214) will be temporarily expanded by the insertion of the shank (31). Then after the shank (31) is received in the extension hole (212), the two opposed sides (A,B) return to their original positions due to resilience force of the two opposed sides (A,B). The existence of the slit (213) also helps improve the resilience force of the two opposed sides (A,B).
With reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, 7B and 7C, it is noted that the hanger rack (10) is substantially the same as that shown in the previous embodiment so that detailed description thereto is omitted.
Attention is directed to the structure of the receiving block (20A), it is noted that the receiving block (20A) is now provided with a body (21A), an extension hole (212A) defined through the body (21A), a slit (213A) defined in a side face defining the extension hole (212A) and a side hole (214A) defined in a side face defining the extension hole (212A) to communicate with the extension hole (212A) and to be opposed to the slit (213A). In order to facilitate access to the extension hole (212A), an oblique guiding face (215A) is defined in a front face (211A) of the body (21A). Besides, to prevent accidental detachment of the hand tool from the side hole (214A), a sharp edge (2151A) is formed on an end of the oblique guiding face (215A). Therefore, when the shank (31) of the hand tool is inserted into the extension hole (212A) from the side hole (214A), the two oblique guiding faces (215A) help the lateral extension of the shank (31) into the extension hole (212A). Thereafter, the two sharp edges (2151A) secure the shank (31) inside the extension hole (212A).
With reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 9, it is noted that the hanger rack (10) is substantially the same as that shown in the first embodiment of the present invention. The only difference is that the receiving block (20B) now has a top hook (22B) extending outward therefrom to correspond to and receive therein the top shoulder (14) and an abutting arm (23B) extending to abut a side face of the hanger rack (10). Thus with only one hook (22B) receiving the top shoulder (14) of the hanger rack (10) and the abutting arm (23B) abutting the side face of the hanger rack (10), the receiving block (20B) can still be slidable relative to the hanger rack (10).
With reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B and 11, it is noted that the hanger rack (10A) has an elongated body (14A), a first bent (12A) formed on a top face of the body (14A) of the hanger rack (10A) and a second bent (13A) formed on a bottom face of the body (14A) of the hanger rack (10A) such that a first track (15A) is formed between the first bent (12A) and the body (14A) and a second track (16A) is formed between the second bent (13A) and the body (14A).
The front structure of the receiving block (20C) in this embodiment is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The rear structure of the receiving block (20C) differs from what is shown in FIG. 1. The receiving block (21C) now is provided with an oblique top arm (22C) extending upward from the body (21C), a first cylinder (221C) formed on a free end face of the oblique top arm (22C), an oblique bottom arm (23C) extending downward from the body (21C) and a second cylinder (231C) formed on a free end face of the oblique bottom arm (23C).
The first cylinder (221C) of the oblique top arm (22C) is slidably received in the first track (15A) and the second cylinder (231C) is slidably received in the second track (16A) so that after the hand tool shank is received inside the body (21C) from either the extension hole or the side hole of the receiving block (20C), the worker is able to slide the receiving block (20C) along the hanger rack (10A).
With reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, it is noted that the hand tool hanger rack (10B) of the present invention in a different embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, in order to enhance the rigidity of the hand tool hanger rack of the present invention, a substrate (11B) is sandwiched between the elongated hanger rack (112B) and the wall (not numbered). The substrate (11B) has multiple reinforced extensions (111B) extending outward from a side face of the substrate (11B) and multiple laterally defined first connection holes (1111B) each defined in a corresponding one of the reinforced extensions (111B) to correspond to and align with one of second connection holes (1121B) centrally defined in the hanger rack (112B). A connection element (14B), such as a threaded bolt, is extended through the aligned first connection hole (1111B) of the substrate (11B) and the second connection hole (1121B) of the hanger rack (112B) to secure the hanger rack (112B) to the substrate (11B).
After the hanger rack (112B) is secured to the substrate (11B), receiving blocks (20D) are then slidably connected to the hanger rack (112B) via the top hook (22D) receiving the top shoulder (12B) of the hanger rack (112B) and the bottom hook (23D) receiving the bottom shoulder (131B) of the hanger rack (112B).
Due to the existence of the reinforced extensions (111B), when the weight of the hand tool is heavy, the reinforced extensions (111B) are able to reinforce the supporting force of the hanger rack to the weight of the hand tool.
With reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B, it is noted that retaining threaded bolts (40) are extended through the threaded holes (11) of the hanger rack (10B) and into a side face of the wall (not numbered) so as to secure the hanger rack (10B) onto the wall.
From the aforementioned description, the advantage of using the hand tool hanger rack is that even there is only little room available on top of the hand tool that is already attached to the hanger rack, the operator may till attach the hand tool to the hanger rack from the side hole of the receiving block.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A hand tool hanger rack comprising:

an elongated hanger rack adapted to firmly connect to a wall; and

multiple receiving blocks slidably connected to the hanger rack, each receiving block having a body, an extension hole axially defined through the body, a slit defined in a side face defining the extension hole and a side hole radially defined through a side face of the body to communicate with the extension hole and be opposed to the slit,such that a hand tool is alternately received in the extension hole from either the extension hole or the side hole.

2. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein an arcuate guiding face is formed on two opposed faces sandwiching the side hole to facilitate access to the extension hole.

3. (canceled)

4. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hanger rack is provided with a top shoulder extending from a top side thereof and a bottom shoulder extending from a bottom side thereof, each of the receiving blocks is provided with a top hook formed on a top side of the body to receive therein the top shoulder and a bottom hook formed on a bottom side of the body to receive therein the bottom shoulder so that the receiving block is slidable relative to the hanger rack.

5. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hanger rack is provided with a top shoulder extending from a top side thereof and a bottom shoulder extending from a bottom side thereof, each of the receiving blocks is provided with a top hook formed on a top side of the body to receive therein the top shoulder and a bottom hook formed on a bottom side of the body to receive therein the bottom shoulder so that the receiving block is slidable relative to the hanger rack.

6. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein an oblique guiding face is formed on two opposed faces sandwiching the side hole to facilitate access to the extension hole and a sharp edge is formed on a free end face of the oblique guiding face so that the hand tool is prevented from falling out of the receiving block from the side hole.

7. (canceled)

8. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 4, wherein an oblique guiding face is formed on two opposed faces sandwiching the side hole to facilitate access to the extension hole and a sharp edge is formed on a free end face of the oblique guiding face so that the hand tool is prevented from falling out of the receiving block from the side hole.

9. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 5, wherein an oblique guiding face is formed on two opposed faces sandwiching the side hole to facilitate access to the extension hole and a sharp edge is formed on a free end face of the oblique guiding face so that the hand tool is prevented from falling out of the receiving block from the side hole.

10. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hanger rack is provided with a top shoulder extending from a top side thereof and a bottom shoulder extending from a bottom side thereof, each of the receiving blocks is provided with a top hook formed on a top side of the body to receive therein the top shoulder and an abutting arm extending from a bottom side of the body to abut a side face of the hanger rack so that the receiving block is slidable relative to the hanger rack.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. The hand tool hangear rack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hanger rack is provided with a first track formed on a top side thereof and a second track formed on a bottom side thereof, each receiving block is provided with an oblique top arm extending upward from the body, a first cylinder formed on a free end face of the oblique top arm to be slidably received in the first track, an oblique bottom arm extending downward from the body and a second cylinder formed on a free end face of the oblique bottom arm to be slidably received in the second track so that the receiving block is slidable relative to the hanger rack.

14. (canceled)

15. The hand tool hangar rack as claimed in claim 8, wherein the hanger rack is provided with a first track formed on a top side thereof and a second track formed on a bottom side thereof, each receiving block is provided with an oblique top arm extending upward from the body, a first cylinder formed on a free end face of the oblique top arm to be slidably recived in the first track, an oblique bottom arm extending downward from the body and a second cylinder formed on a free end face of the oblique bottom arm to be slidably received in the second track so that the receiving block is slidable relative to the hangar rack.

16. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim, 9 wherein the hanger rack is provided with a first track formed on a top side thereof and a second track formed on a bottom side therof, each receiving block is provided with an oblique top arm extending upward from the body, a first cylinder formed on a free end face of the oblique top arm to be slidably received in the first track, an oblique bottom arm extending downward from the body and a second cylinder formed on a free end face of the oblique bottom arm to be slidably received in the second track so that the receiving block is slidable relative to the hangar rack.

17. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 8, wherein a substrate is securly attached to a side face of the hanger rack to be opposite to the receiving blocks, the substrate is provided with multiple reinforced extensions formed on a side face of the substrate and first connection holes each defined in a corresponding one of the reinforcing extensions, each first connection hole aligns with a corresponding one of second connection holes defined in the hanger rack suh that after the reinforced extensions are extended into the second connection holes of the hanger rack, securing elements are extended into the aligned first connection hole and the second connnection hole and the second connection hole to secure the substrate to the hanger rack so that supporting force of the hanger rack to the hand tool is increased due to existence of the substrate.

18. The hand tool hanger rack as claimed in claim 9, wherein a substrate is securely attached to a side face of the hanger rack to be opposite to the receiving blocks, the substrate is provided with multiple reinforced extensions formed on a side face of the substrate and first connection holes defined in a corresponding one of the reinforced extensions, each first connection hole aligns with a corresponding one of the second connection holes defined in the hanger rack such that after the reinforced extensions are extended into the second connection holes of the hanger rack, securing elements are extended into the aligned first connection hole and the second connection hole to secure the substrate to the hanger rack so that supporting force of the hanger rack to the hand tool is increased due to existence of the substrate.

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)