Abstract:
An air tool storage device includes a mounting plate with axial shaft projecting therethrough for receipt of opposed flanged circular retainer members that are spaced apart so as to receive at one radial position an air tool disconnect plug. A body member within the space between the opposed circular retainer members may be rotated to align outwardly extending radial pins with the notches of the retainer members aligned so that disconnect plugs may be positioned on the device or removed from the device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a device for storing multiple air tools such as chucks, blow guns, connectors and the like.  
         [0002]     Air chucks, blow guns and other air tools are produced in a large quantity having many styles and sizes. Although these devices vary in style and size, there are some common factors. That is, almost all include a ¼ inch female pipe thread into which most users install one or two common styles of disconnect plugs. “Style T” disconnect plug is known as an automotive design and “Style I-M” disconnect plug is an industrial design. The I-M plug design has been adopted by most coupler manufacturers.  
         [0003]     Many tradesmen, craftsmen, auto mechanics, mechanics in general and other workers often require access to multiple air tools. Thus, there has developed a need for a device or storage arrangement which will enable ease of access to those tools while at the same time providing a means for storage which is secure and yet which may be portable.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Briefly, the present invention comprises an air tool holder or air tool storage device capable of holding multiple air tool elements or styles of air tools wherein the elements include an end fitting or disconnect plug with a central air passage, an outer, generally circular flange adjacent an inwardly positioned groove.  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the present application illustrate in cross sectional profile the types of disconnect plugs that are used for most air tools as discussed in the Background.  
         [0005]     The tool holder of the present invention is comprised of a mounting plate with an elongate support shaft extending from the plate. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate includes a magnet to attach the tool storage device or tool holder to a surface, for example, to a toolbox, a frame, a steel bench, or any other magnetic surface.  
         [0006]     A first generally circular retainer member is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft and spaced from the mounting plate. The first generally circular retainer member is paired with a second generally circular retainer plate having a substantially similar configuration, shape and further including a flange which extends toward the first plate or retainer member. The opposed retainer members are spaced from one another a distance which is slightly greater than the diameter dimension of the groove of the disconnect plug and less than the diameter of a flange adjacent that groove. Notches in the outer edge of the opposed circular retainer members are provided which define a passage having a dimension greater than the diameter of the flange of the disconnect plug. A body member is located within the interior of the tool support device between the circular retainer members with radially projecting pins capable of receiving and holding the disconnect plug of air tool elements thereon. Thus, the body member may be rotated to a position which will enable placement of an air tool disconnect plug thereon and then subsequently rotated to expose a further pin upon which a second air tool disconnect plug may be positioned. The body member is thus rotational and is typically frictionally positioned between the plate or retainer members. A spring force may be utilized to compress the component parts in a manner which maintains the retainer members generally non-rotatable whereas the body member is rotatable.  
         [0007]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, six or more air tool elements may be stored upon the air tool storage device.  
         [0008]     Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air tool storage device which is capable of holding and retaining more than a single air tool.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of the invention to provide an air tool storage device which may be attached magnetically to a support for ease of access to the air tools stored by the device.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the invention to provide a magnetic air tool storage device which is capable of storing multiple tools and further capable of removal of single tools from the device.  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to provide an air tool holder or air tool storage device which is rugged, reasonably priced, easy to use and which has a capability of storing multiple tools.  
         [0012]     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description as follows.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0013]     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:  
         [0014]      FIGS. 1 and 2  comprise profile or cross sectional views of typical disconnect plugs associated with air tools commonly found in industry;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the improved air tool storage device of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of a first embodiment of the air tool storage device or air tool holder of the invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 4 ; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of the air tool storage device of the invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]      FIGS. 1 and 2  comprise profile or cross sectional views of the disconnect plugs associated with air tools.  FIG. 1  is the so-called Style T and includes a pilot section  10 , an adjacent circular flange  12 , a locking groove  14 , and a body  16 . The opposite end of the disconnect plug is threaded for insertion into a tool and includes a threaded section  18 . A central through passage  20  is provided for the T-Style disconnect plug.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second type or I-M style of disconnect plug. In this style, a pilot section  22  is elongated relative to the T-Style pilot section. A circular flange  24  is provided adjacent a groove  26 . A threaded end  28  is provided for connection to an air tool. A through passage  30  is provided for air flow. The disconnect plugs are associated with various types of air tools such as blow guns and the like. The air storage device of the present invention is designed to be cooperative with both types of disconnect plugs as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0021]      FIGS. 3, 4  and  5  illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. Referring to those figures, the air tool storage device includes a mounting plate  40  which is generally circular and has a magnet  42  inserted on the inside or within the plate  40 . An axially extending shaft or support shaft  44  comprises a threaded bolt which extends through the center opening in the plate  40 . A spacer  46  receives the shaft  44 . A flanged generally circular plate  48  having a generally circumferential peripheral outwardly extending flange  50  and with a notch  52  therein also receives the shaft  44 . A disk  54  in the form of a washer is fitted against the circular retainer member  50 . Disk  54  is preferably a nylon material which is fashioned with a frictional surface on the side facing the member  50  and a smooth, generally non-frictional or less frictional opposite side surface. The circular body member  56  having radially extending pins  58  equally spaced and extending radially outward therefrom includes a recess counterbore  60  that receives a second spacer  62 . Spacer  62  is frictionally fitted against the inside face of a second retainer member  66  and is constructed to be less frictionally engaged against the inside of counterbore  60 . A coil spring  64  fits about the spacer  62 . A second retainer member  66  includes an inwardly extending flange  68  which is circumferential and peripheral and constitutes a substantial mirror image of the first retainer member  50 . The second retainer member  66  includes a notch  70  which is arranged in opposition to the notch  52 . A nut  72  is used to assemble the component parts into the form as depicted in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view illustrating the assembly of the component parts described with two examples of disconnect plugs attached thereto. Thus, a first disconnect plug  73  fits on a pin  58  and a second disconnect plug  74  fits on a separate pin  58 . The first disconnect plug  73  includes a circumferential or circular flange  78  which is sized so that it can slide through the opposed notches  52  and  70  of the opposed plates  50  and  66 . However, the peripheral flange  50  of the first retainer member  48  in combination with the peripheral flange  68  of the second retainer member  66  provide an opening or slot therebetween which fits within the groove associated with the disconnect plug  74 . Thus, it is necessary to align a pin  58  with the opposed notches  52  and  70  in order to insert or remove a disconnect plug and the particular air tool incorporated therewith. The spring and the disk brake or plate  54  insure that the component parts are adequately compressed so that the first and second retainer members are appropriately aligned and retained without rotation by virtue of frictional forces whereas the body member  56  may be rotated with respect thereto. Other alternative designs may be adapted to retain the plates  50 ,  66  in the desired position while permitting rotation of body member  56 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  discloses a second embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6  the component parts are substantially the same except for the substitution of a Bellville spring  80  in place of the coil spring. A body member  82  also has a different configuration inasmuch as there is no spacer counterbore in the body member  82 . Rather, the spacer fits entirely through the body member  82  and the Bellville spring  80 . Otherwise, the component parts are the same and the method of operation is substantially the same.  
         [0024]     In the embodiments depicted, there are six pins  58  which are arranged spaced at equal radial distances about the associated body member  56 . Various alternatives may be incorporated including a different number of pins. The device is designed to hold at least two air tools and in any event. The inclusion of a single notch in the flange of the retainer members may be adjusted as may the position axially of the pins  58 . That is, the notch may be incorporated in the flange of only one of the retainer members and the pins  58  move axially in accord therewith. Various other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention is therefore to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.