WO2015117180A1

WO2015117180A1 - Magnetic holder

Info

Publication number: WO2015117180A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000679
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shane Bryan BLICK
Original assignee: Blick Shane Bryan
Priority date: 2014-02-10
Filing date: 2014-06-27
Publication date: 2015-08-13

Abstract

A magnetic attachment for an implement is useful on construction or repair sites when parking tools or portable equipment on convenient metal surfaces. In one version the attachment is a sleeve for encircling a tool with magnets on one sleeve wall. A screw clamp presses the tool to the sleeve. In another version a hinged door in the sleeve admits the tool. In another version the sleeve is of C-section and supports hoses or pipes on steel surfaces such as studs, rails and site boxes.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION Magnetic Holder TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention concerns attachments for equipment, tools and utensils which enable the user to park them on a convenient metal surface until they are needed again.

BACKGROUND

[0002] On construction and repair sites it is frequently necessary to re-route cables, support hoses temporarily, install frames, hang doors and check levels.

[0003] Small tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, knives and spanners are often carried by tradesmen in a waist belt modified for that purpose. A pouch attached to the belt serves to carry smaller items. Larger items such as spirit levels cannot be carried but are in constant use in construction work and are usually leaned against an upright surface or laid horizontally on a trestle, scaffolding, site box or other handy surface.

[0004] Bending continually to park and retrieve the level is tiring. If the level falls over or drops the liquid levels in the tool may be damaged or rendered inaccurate.

[0005] As steel framing replaces timber framing, the presence of steel surfaces becomes more common on construction sites and in buildings which need repair or alteration.

Prior Art

[0006] US 4,451,810 describes a tool holder for wall mounting which presents a pair of plates with a magnetic bar sandwiched between the plates in turn secured to a wall by brackets. The holder will support a row of tools side by side but only if they are magnetically susceptible. [0007] US Design Patent 374984 shows a hook-on magnetic pad intended to engage a horizontal rail. This is not intended for aluminium or plastic tools and spirit levels are commonly made from these two materials.

[0008] US Patent 2008/0302689 Al describes a cylindrical, multi-compartment toolbox for accommodating hand tools such as drills and spanners. The box is closed with a cap and the cap has a permanent magnet for attaching the tool box to a steel surface.

[0009] These cannot support an aluminium or plastic spirit level because the latter are not attracted to magnets. Spirit levels are therefore in a tool category which require a different mode of support during intermittent use on the job.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] The apparatus aspect of this invention provides a magnetic attachment for an implement comprising a holder operable to attach to the exterior surface of the implement and a permanent magnet fixed to the holder, whereby the combined implement and holder are removably attachable to a support surface to which the magnet is attracted.

[001 1] The holder may be a sleeve capable of encircling the implement or utensil with a clamp which keeps the holder in a selected position.

[0012] In a particular embodiment suitable for spirit levels, the sleeve has a rectangular X- section to accommodate a spirit level. One or more magnets are fixed to one sleeve edge and the clamp is in the opposite sleeve edge. At least one face of the sleeve has an aperture which registers with a bubble of the spirit level to allow reading.

[0013] The sleeve face may have a gap instead of an aperture. This allows the support of implements such as flexible tubes without the need to thread them through the sleeve.

[0014] The or each magnet may be a disc magnet, the exposed surface of which projects above the exterior surface of the holder or sleeve for contact with the support surface.

[0015] The disc magnets may have a central aperture and a fixing screw.

[0016] In another embodiment, the sleeve is long enough to cover the centre portion of the spirit level with an aperture which registers with the central level and extends on both sides thereof with at least one magnet at both ends of the sleeve.

[0017] The clamp is conventionally a pinch screw.

[0018] The sleeve may be a plastic extrusion.

[0019] In a variant, a clamping member may be interposed between the pivot screw and the opposite sleeve edge which houses the magnet or magnets.

[0020] The clamping member may be of channel-section with ends which contact the open ends of the sleeve when sliding toward and away from the edge which houses the magnet or magnets.

[0021] The clamping member ends preferably have stops which abut the sleeve wall which houses the clamp and retain the member in a working position in the sleeve.

[0022] In another variant, the holder is an extrusion of rectangular section made of two halves which are hinged along one corner in order to close around a tool of like cross-section or even an electrical cable which is of different cross-section but is retained successfully in a holder which opens and closes.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0023] 1. The implement can be kept in a safe position close at hand and transferred with minimum effort. [0024] 2. The attachments can be modified to engage the handles of brashes, torches, tape dispensers and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] One embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a side view of a carpenter's spirit level fitted with magnetic attachments. [0027] Figure 2 is a perspective of one of the attachments.

[0028] Figure 3 is a section of the attachment of Figure 2 holding a carpenter's square.

[0029] Figure 4 is a perspective of a variant attachment.

[0030] Figure 5 is a perspective of a variant with a hinged door.

[0031] Figure 6 is a perspective of a variant with front access which avoids threading.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Referring now to the drawings, aluminium level 2 is 7601 x 57h x 27w mm. It has a glass level 4 at each end and a central glass level 6.

[0033] Magnetic attachments 8 are clamped to the level 2 in the positions shown. Sleeve 8 is a PE extrusion intended as a loose fit over the level. It has flat faces 10 and open ends 12. Face wall 14 is 5mm thick and has a window 16 through which glass levels 4 and 6 can be read. The sleeves are spaced so as to carry the weight of the level equally.

[0034] The clamp wall 18 is 12mm thick and has a bore for a screw 20 for clamping the level 2 to the opposite magnet wall 22 which is also 12mm thick.

[0035] Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the magnet wall 22 has raised perimeter 24 and a pair of annular disc beds 26 within the perimeter 24 which are equal in height to the perimeter 24. The disc holders 26 each seat a disc shaped permanent magnet 28 with a central bore for a fastening screw 30 which enters the wall 22. The contact faces of the magnets are 0.5mm above the perimeter 24 and the disc beds 26. A hexagon shaped knob 32 assists screw operation.

[0036] Whereas the screws easily and reliably urge the spirit level against the magnetic wall 22 because the cross-section of the sleeve and level are alike, the clamping ability of the sleeve is extended to implements of different shape by the provision of channel 34. The bridge 36 of the channel is a slide fit in the sleeve and overlies clamp wall 18. Wings 38 extend outside the sleeve and terminate in flanges 40 which overhang the clamp wall 18 preventing its separation from the sleeve when the sleeve is not in use. Carpenters square 42 is held by a single attachment.

[0037] The purpose of the bridge is to enlarge the clamping surface of screw 20 so that a paint brush handle or the like can be gripped by the sleeve.

[0038] The variant in Figure 4 is not a sleeve, in that gap 44 interrupts the second face wall. This type of attachment is to allow reception of implements different from levels, for example plastic tubes which may need to be supported above ground and inserted and removed without threading through a sleeve.

[0039] The variant in Figure 5 has no clamp. The rear wall houses the magnets 28. The front wall 46 is connected to the hinge wall 48 by moulded hinges 50. The hinge wall 46 snaps into the latch wall 52.

[0040] The variant in Figure 6 has no clamp either. Instead the top wall 54 and the bottom wall 56 are symmetrical with a hook-section in order to retain cables. [0041] It is to be understood that the word "comprising" as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form, ie. use of the word "comprising" does not exclude the addition of other elements.

[0042] It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention. Bar magnets for example are also effective for the attachment. These modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A magnetic attachment for an implement comprising a holder operable to attach to the exterior surface of the implement and a permanent magnet fixed to the holder, whereby the combined implement and holder are removably attachable to a support surface to which the magnet is attracted.

2. A magnetic attachment as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the holder is a sleeve capable of encircling the implement or utensil with a clamp which keeps the holder in a selected position.

3. A magnetic attachment as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the sleeve has a rectangular X- section.

4. A magnetic attachment as claimed in Claim 3, wherein one or more magnets are fixed to one sleeve edge and the clamp is in the opposite sleeve edge.

5. A magnetic attachment as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the sleeve face has a gap instead of an aperture.

6. A magnetic attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 1-5, wherein the or each magnet is a disc magnet, the exposed surface of which projects above the exterior surface of the holder or sleeve for contact with the support surface.

7. A magnetic attachment as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the disc magnets have a central aperture and a fixing screw.

8. A magnetic attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 2-7, wherein the clamp is a pinch screw.

9. A magnetic attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 2-8, wherein the sleeve is a plastic extrusion.

10. A magnetic attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 2-9, wherein a clamping member is interposed between the pivot screw and the opposite sleeve edge which houses the magnet or magnets.

11. A magnetic attachment as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the clamping member is of channel-section with ends which contact the open ends of the sleeve when sliding toward and away from the edge which houses the magnet or magnets.

12. A magnetic attachment as claimed in Claim 11 , wherein the clamping member ends have stops which abut the sleeve wall which houses the clamp and retain the member in a working position in the sleeve.

13. A magnetic attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 2-9, wherein the holder has a hinged door which opens and closes to receive and release the implement.

14. A magnetic attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 2-9, wherein the sleeve has a flat rear wall, a top ledge and a bottom ledge, both extending from the rear wall for retaining an implement inserted between the ledges and the magnet or magnets which are in the rear wall.

15. A magnetic attachment as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one face of the sleeve has an aperture which registers with a bubble of the spirit level to allow reading.

16. A magnetic attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 2-4, wherein the sleeve is long enough to cover the centre portion of a spirit level with an aperture which registers with the central level and extends on both sides thereof with at least one magnet at both ends of the sleeve.