US20080296335A1

US20080296335A1 - Bolt and screw organizer

Info

Publication number: US20080296335A1
Application number: US11/809,287
Authority: US
Inventors: Mike W. McEwin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-01
Filing date: 2007-06-01
Publication date: 2008-12-04

Abstract

An inexpensive, portable, and convenient organizer for bolts and screws that holds fasteners of various types and sizes. Fasteners may be held in a pattern chosen by the user. Fasteners held may occupy relative positions on the organizer similar to their relative positions on the original mechanical device to facilitate identification for proper reassembly. The organizer may be preprinted or labeled by the user to further clarify sequence, position, or other useful information about the fasteners being held.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to organizers and particularly to a bolt and screw organizer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bolts and screws, fasteners in general, are widely used in mechanical devices of various types and often need to be temporarily removed for maintenance procedures. Because of the number of fasteners that may need to removed, the similarity between them, and the duration of the procedure, it is possible for a mechanic to mistake which fastener goes with a location as well as potentially loose a fastener. The result is that the mechanic spends additional time searching for original or replacement fasteners or equipment is put back together in a state less than originally engineered.
Various methods of holding fasteners are available. An example of a known bolt holder is reflected in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 414,936. However, this device forces the user to conform to the preset layout of receptacles and does not hold them well should the device be turned over.
Another example of a known bolt holder is reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,582. However, this device requires the user to place bolts of the same size in vertical columns and all items held would not necessarily be visible at once. This device is perhaps more useful as a merchandise display.
Another example of a known bolt holder is reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,068. However, this device is only useful in very simple procedures and does little to help with positioning information for an array of fasteners.
Another example of a known bolt holder is reflected in U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,939. However, this device is bulky and requires assembly. Furthermore, the cardboard material is not suitable for mechanic shops where fluids are often present and the grid pattern does not work well with parts outlines.
To aid job performance of a mechanic it is advantageous that fasteners be grouped and held during maintenance procedures.
To aid job performance of a mechanic it is advantageous that fasteners be organized in a strategic manner to convey information regarding relative positioning on the mechanical device.
To aid job performance of a mechanic it is advantageous that the fastener holder has preprinted labeling or facilitates labeling by the mechanic to indicate additional information such as numbered sequences, names for parts groups, and parts outlines.
To aid job performance of a mechanic it is advantageous that the fastener holder be inexpensive and portable.
The bolt and screw organizer disclosed herein meets these requirements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects of this invention are: to provide an inexpensive, portable, and convenient bolt and screw organizer that holds fasteners so that they are not misplaced during a maintenance procedure, to provide a method of organizing the fasteners such that their replacement position and sequence can be identified, and to provide a method of labeling additional information pertinent to the fasteners being held.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
The drawings constitute a part of the specification and include preferred embodiments of the present invention, while illustrating various objects and features thereof. In some of figures, relative material thickness may be shown exaggerated to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a bolt and screw organizer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bolt and screw organizer shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed here are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Referring to FIG. 1, the reference number 10 generally designates a bolt and screw organizer according to the present invention. The organizer 10 includes a surface populated with an array of insertion points 12. The organizer is preferably made of a rigid, yet flexible, material such as plastic or foam, that is inexpensive and easy to fabricate, and allows for gripping of fasteners of a wide range of sizes. A handle 18 allows a specific grip point for carrying. In use, a mechanic can insert a fastener 14 into an insertion point 12. Labeling 16 that can represent the mechanical part shape or other related information may be preprinted or added by the mechanic during the procedure.
Referring to FIG. 2, fasteners 14 may be held by the organizer 10.
While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the invention.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.

Claims

1. A bolt and screw organizer comprising a substantially planar surface constructed of a rigid, yet flexible material, with an array of insertion points for gripping fasteners.

2. An organizer as in claim 1 wherein the surfaces may be preprinted or labeled by the user.

3. An organizer as in claim 1 wherein a handle allows device to be transported to and around job site.