Abstract:
A plumbing tool transporting and storing device and method for entirely concealing a plumbing tool such as a toilet brush or plumbing plunger, and transporting that tool without risk of dripping effluent or displaying the device&#39;s contents, and for storing the tool efficiently and conveniently. The device is used by placing the tool into the device through a specially designed opening, then picking the device up by its handle, and carrying it to its destination, avoiding unwanted attention as the concealed tool is transported through common areas. The device may then be hung on a surface such as a wall or rack, by a bracket system or by the handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to plumbing tool storage receptacles and transporting devices, and more particularly relates to devices for transporting and storing plumbing plungers or long-handled cleaning brushes. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Plumbing tools of the type used to unplug clogged toilets or sinks, or to clean toilets, have long presented a problem of storage and transportation as they are unsightly and unsanitary. This is a particular problem immediately after using such tools on plumbing fixtures, as the tools are prone to drip water and contaminants onto clean floors, carpets, rugs, and other surfaces in rooms where the plumbing fixtures are located. The tools may also drip in other places if the tools need to be transported from the area where they are used to another location. Such tools threaten particularly to drip unsanitary matter if they must be carried for any great distance after use. 
         [0005]    Add to the real threat of dripping unsanitary effluent from the plumbing tool the perceived threat of such an occurrence, by those who witness the tool being used or transported from one place to another, and there is the potential for uneasiness and discomfort on the part of such witnesses. This is especially germane in an office, restaurant, or other business setting, where one may be required to enter and employ a plumbing tool in a kitchen area or bathroom, and must then traverse the hallways and other common areas with the used plumbing tool in tow. 
         [0006]    Containers for the concealment, storage, and transportation of plumbing tools of the type comprising a narrow, shaft-type of handle and a wider, operable base, such as a toilet brush or toilet plunger, have largely been aimed at providing a non-mobile storage location for such tools, for use typically in the same room where the tools are employed. Some designs for these containers, as is the case for many toilet plunger caddies, have sought to conceal the contents of the containers, often cleverly so. However, these containers are not intended to be used to transport the plumbing tools from one place to another. 
         [0007]    Designs for devices meant to transport the plumbing tools have not been concerned with the concealment of their contents, nor have they provided a means of enclosing the entire plumbing tool in an integral container while at the same time providing a secure means of grasping the entire container in order to remove and transport it. Furthermore, designs of plumbing tool containers have generally focused on devices which would remain on the floor when not being transported, taking up floor space or otherwise occupying space which would have more appeal being unencumbered. 
         [0008]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that the need exists for a plumbing tool transporting and storing device which would conceal a plumbing tool before and after use, allow the user to inconspicuously transport the plumbing tool from one location to another without dripping unsightly and unsanitary matter onto floors or other surfaces, and provide a compact, efficient means of storing the tool, including up off the floor, when not in use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available plumbing tool containers or caddies. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus and method for concealing, transporting, and storing a plumbing tool that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the invention, a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus includes a housing configured to enclose a plumbing tool, of the type comprising a narrow shaft-handle and a wider operable base such as an elastomeric cup or bristle head, an opening in the housing configured to admit the tool, and a handle connected to the housing. 
         [0011]    In a further embodiment, the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus includes an upper portion and a base, permanently connected. The upper portion comprises a housing for the tool, and the base contains a receptacle. 
         [0012]    A method of the present invention is also presented for concealing, transporting, and storing a plumbing tool. The method in the disclosed embodiments substantially includes the steps necessary to carry out the functions presented above with respect to the operation of the described apparatus. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a plumbing tool, providing a housing to enclose the tool, placing the tool in the housing, picking up the housing and tool, carrying the housing and tool to the desired destination, and hanging the housing and tool on a surface. 
         [0013]    Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
         [0015]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a is a rear perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus, with a single cylindrical wall in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a is a rear perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus with an upper portion and a base, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevation view illustrating another embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus with an opening approximately the size and shape of a plumbing tool, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevation view illustrating another embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus with side handles, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view illustrating the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , hung on a surface by means of a wall bracket hook, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a surface mounting bracket for use with the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a side cross section view illustrating the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , mounted on the surface mounting bracket of  FIG. 8 , which in turn is affixed to a surface, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view illustrating the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method of concealing, transporting, and storing a plumbing tool, in accordance with the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0029]    The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  100  comprising a handle  102 , a housing  104 , a top  105  of the housing  104 , feet  106 , an opening  108  in the housing  104 , a receptacle  110  formed by an approximately square floor  112  and walls  114  arising from the floor  112 , and a wing  116 . On the exterior walls  114  of the housing  104 , there is raised paneling  115 , incorporated in the housing  104  design for aesthetic purposes. 
         [0031]    The plumbing tool (not shown) that this invention is designed to house comprises a shaft and a base, and may be a toilet plunger, a sink plunger, a toilet bowl brush, or any other plumbing tool of a similar nature that may drip effluent after use, as known to one skilled in the art. 
         [0032]    The handle  102  of the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  100  is configured to support the weight of the housing  104  and any contents of the housing  104 , during transportation of the housing  104  and its contents. The handle  102  is U-shaped and is connected to the housing  104  at the ends of the U-shape. Alternative configurations of the handle  102 , some of which are shown in later figures, may take the form of a sphere shape, a ring shape, a rod shape; a hole; a molded or otherwise formed recess in the housing  104 ; or any other configuration as would be known by one skilled in the art. The handle  102  is disposed on the housing  104  above the top  105  of the housing  104 , and the handle  102  is continuously integral to the housing  104  beginning at the lateral edges of the top  105  and moving down the walls  114  on both sides until the ends of the handle  102  fade into the walls  114 . In other embodiments, the handle  102  may be connected to the housing  104  in a detachable manner, and in still other embodiments, the handle  102  may be connected inseparably to the housing  104 . In various embodiments the handle  102  may be disposed on the top  105 , on the walls  114 , or on both. 
         [0033]    The housing  104 , in the depicted embodiment, is formed by four walls  114 . The walls  114  are perpendicular to the floor  112  at the location of the floor  112 , but 3 of the walls slant inward at a certain point above the floor  112  to produce a tapered upward portion of the housing  104 , for the purpose of limiting the movement of the plumbing tool shaft, as well as for improving the cosmetic external aspect of the housing  104 . The housing  104  is designed to hide the fact that the housing  104  contains a plumbing tool. Other embodiments of the invention may also hide the nature of the contents of the housing  104 , some by being configured in the shape of a rectangular box, others by being configured in the shape of a cylinder, and others still by being configured in other shapes as known by one skilled in the art. 
         [0034]    The feet  106  are supports, integral to the floor  112  on the external surface of the floor  112 , and are supports upon which the housing  104  rests when set upon the ground. The feet  106  lift the majority of the surface of the floor  112  off the ground to minimize contact of the floor  112  and the housing  104  with water and other material which may have spilled from a clogged sink or toilet onto the ground. 
         [0035]    The opening  108  is disposed on the rear wall  114  of the housing  104 , and is configured to admit the plumbing tool into the housing  104 . The opening  108  approximates the outline of the edges of the upper ¾ of the rear wall  114  on which the opening is disposed. In other embodiments, the opening  108  may be configured in a rectangle shape, and in still other embodiments the opening  108  may approximate the shape of a plumbing tool to facilitate secure storage of the plumbing tool in the housing  104 , and make it less likely for the plumbing tool to fall out of the housing  104 . 
         [0036]    The opening  108  is delimited by two wings  116 , disposed on the housing  104  at the side edges of the opening  108 , to prevent a plumbing tool shaft from leaving the housing  104  if the housing  104  were to be tipped backward. Each wing  116  is shaped approximately like a half-spade or half heart, derived from a spade or heart shape split longitudinally, and disposed with the split edge connected to the housing on a vertical edge of the opening, the narrow end pointing downward. A wing  116  in another embodiment may be shaped like a half circle, or a rectangle, or other shape sufficient to impart the designed functionality to the apparatus. 
         [0037]    The wings  116  are disposed vertically on the housing  104  at the edge of the opening  108 , at a point high enough to allow the base of a plumbing tool to pass through the opening  108 , about two thirds of the way up the edge of the opening  108 , and in the plane of the opening  108 . In another embodiment, a wing  116  may be disposed on the housing  104 , at the edge of the opening  108 , at any height sufficient to allow a base of a pluming tool to pass through the opening. 
         [0038]    The wings  116  are rigid, and integral to the housing  104  at the opening  108 . The wings  116  in the depicted embodiment are nonmovable. In another embodiment, a wing  116  may be rigid and hingedly connected to the housing  104  at the opening  108 , or a wing  116  may be movable and elastic. In both of these alternate embodiments the wings  116  could be displaced to admit a plumbing tool, after which they would return to an initial position to enclose the tool. A wing  116  in one embodiment may be rigidly connected to the housing  104 . In another embodiment, a movable wing  116  may cover the opening  108  entirely, the wing  116  to be displaced in order to put the tool in the housing  104  or withdraw the tool therefrom. 
         [0039]    The receptacle  110  is formed by the floor  112  and the walls  114  rising on all four sides, and rising in a direction perpendicular to the floor  112 . The walls  114  are integral to the floor  112 , and are non-permeable where the walls  114  meet the floor  112  and where the walls  114  meet each other. This is to prevent any water or other effluent from a plumbing tool from leaking out of the receptacle  110  and housing  104 . The receptacle  110  in some embodiments may be made up of a floor  112  non-permeably connected to the walls  114 . 
         [0040]    The housing  104  comprises a top mounting ridge  118 , a side mounting ridge  118   a  and a side mounting ridge  118   b . The mounting ridges  118 ,  118   a , and  118   b  are formed by extensions from the rear wall  114  of the housing  104  into the opening  108  at the very top thereof, and also near the top of the opening  108  at both of its sides. The mounting ridges  118 ,  118   a , and  118   b  are disposed on the opening  108  at a point above the wings  116 . The mounting ridges  118 ,  118   a , and  118   b  engage corresponding parts of a surface mounting bracket  824 , illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Other configurations of the housing  104 , designed for hanging the housing  104  from a mounting bracket or other hanging mechanism as known by one skilled in the art, may exist in other embodiments. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the walls  114  of the housing are perpendicular to the floor  112  below point A. At point A, the front and side walls  114  begin to slant inward, creating a tapered appearance. Two feet  106  lift the floor  112  above a ground surface on which the housing  104  may be placed. A round raised panel  115   a , appearing round when viewed from the bottom as in  FIG. 10 , protrudes from the floor  112  between the feet. 
         [0042]    The corners of the housing  104 , formed where the front wall  114  meets the floor  112 , the two side walls  114 , and the top  105 , are rounded. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  300  comprises a handle  302 , a housing  304 , a receptacle  310  formed by a floor  312  and the wall  314  arising from the floor  312 . 
         [0044]    The handles  302  are formed by rectangular holes near the top of the wall  314 , which wall  314  extends in a cylindrical fashion from the floor  312  all the way to the top of the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  300 . Because the wall is cylindrical, there is only one wall  314  employed in this embodiment of the invention. The receptacle  310  is formed by the wall  314  and the floor  312 , and is watertight around the bottom of the housing  304  where the wall  314  connects to the floor  312 . The plumbing tool is placed in the housing  304  of this embodiment of the invention via the top of the housing  304 , which is open. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  400  comprises a handle  402 , a housing  404 , a top  405  of the housing  404 , an upper portion  420  of the housing  404  with housing walls  414 , and a base  422  of the housing  404  with base walls  423 , a foot  406 , an opening  408  in the housing  404 , a receptacle  410  in the base  422 , and two wings  416 , one of which is connected to the housing  404  by a hinge  417 . 
         [0046]    The handle  402  is a T-shaped handle of cylindrical rods, and is attached to the top  405  of the housing  404 . The receptacle  410  is formed by a floor  412  and base walls  423  arising from the floor  412 . The foot  406  is configured in a cross shape on the bottom of the housing  404  (not shown), and is composed of two rectangular block shapes, intersecting at the midpoint of each. 
         [0047]    Two wings  416  are disposed on lateral edges of the housing  404  at the opening  408 , about halfway up the vertical sides of the opening  408 , and are each shaped like a half-circle. In other embodiments, a wing  416  may be disposed at other locations along the edge of the opening  408 . One of the wings  416  depicted here is connected to the housing  404  by a hinge  417 , and the hinged wing  416  is shown in a swung open position. In other embodiments, both wings  416  may be hingedly connected to the housing  404 , and in still other embodiments both the wings  416  may be rigidly connected to the housing  404 . 
         [0048]    The upper portion  420  of the housing  404  may be inseparably connected to the base  422  of the housing in some embodiments, and detachable in other embodiments. The upper portion  420  of the housing  404  may also be integral to the base  422  of the housing in some embodiments. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  500  comprises a handle  502 , a housing  504 , a top  505  of the housing  504 , feet  506 , an opening  508  in the housing  504 , wings  516  further delimiting the opening on either side, and a receptacle  510  formed by a floor  512  and walls  514  arising from the floor  512 . 
         [0050]    The handle  502  is configured in a sphere shape with a cylindrical rod extending from the bottom of the sphere, and is attached to the top  505  of the housing  504 . 
         [0051]    The feet  506  are configured in a half-spherical shape, and are attached one each near the four corners of the floor  512 . The feet  506  in other embodiments may be disposed at other locations on the floor  512 . 
         [0052]    The shape of the opening  508  is defined in part by wings  516  extending from the walls  514  into the opening  508  on either side of the opening  508 . The wings  516  are long, and run nearly the entire length of the opening  508 , but end with sufficient space to allow the base of a plumbing tool to enter the housing  504 . The resulting space through which a plumbing tool may be admitted to the housing  504  is approximately the shape and size of one type of plumbing tool. In other embodiments the opening  508  configured with wings  516  may approximate another kind of plumbing tool, also comprised of a shaft and base. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of a plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  600  comprises handles  602 , a housing  604 , feet  606 , an opening  608  in the housing  604 , and a receptacle  610  formed by a floor  612  and walls  614  arising from the floor  612 . 
         [0054]    The handles  602  are located on two sides of the housing  604 . The handle  602  may be a U-shaped handle, a rod or a rectangular block shape extending from the housing  604 , or any other configuration as would be known by one skilled in the relevant art. In other embodiments, the handles  602  may be located on the front or back of the housing  604 , or in other locations. 
         [0055]    The opening  608  is narrowed near the top thereof by extensions of the rear wall  614  into the opening  608 . In other embodiments, a wall  614  may extend into the opening  608  at various locations along opening  608 , the extensions running for various lengths of the opening  608  from top to bottom in the different embodiments. 
         [0056]    The feet  606  are configured as runners with a T-shaped cross section, and run the length of the floor  612  from front to back. In other embodiments, the feet  606  may be comprised of rods connected to the floor  612 , and on the bottom of the rods disc shaped supports on which the rods stand. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  100  is depicted hung on a surface  725  by means of a bracket  724 , the bracket  724  being mounted to the surface  725 . The plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  100  is hung on the bracket  724  for storage when not in use. As depicted, the bracket  724  is configured as a hook. The bracket  724  passes through the opening  108 , and the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  100  hangs on the bracket  724  with the interior portion of the top  105  of the housing  104  resting on the end of the bracket  724 . In another configuration of this embodiment, the top mounting ridge  118  may rest on the bracket  724  when the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  100  is hung on the bracket  724 . In yet another configuration of this embodiment, the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  100  may be hung on the bracket  724  by the handle  102 . 
         [0058]    The bracket  724  may be configured as a knob, a rod, or other configuration as known by one skilled in the art. The bracket  724  may be mounted to the surface  725  by means of hardware such as screws or nails, or by adhesive material such as glue or tape, or by other means as known by one skilled in the art. 
         [0059]    The surface  725  may be a room wall, as in a custodial or supply closet, or in a bathroom; a vehicle wall as in a plumbing van or truck; a railing or rack in a plumbing or other kind of vehicle; or other surface where it would be convenient to hang the invention, as known by one skilled in the art. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a bracket  824  comprises a top bracket surface  826 , two side bracket surfaces  826   a  and  826   b , hardware holes  828 , a face  830 , and a base plate  832 . The base plate  832  and bracket surfaces  826 ,  826   a , and  826   b  are formed by rabbets, formed or cut from the bracket  824  to produce a step configuration, with bracket surfaces  826 ,  826   a , and  826   b  and the face  830  forming what appears to be a step or protrusion from the base plate  830 . The sides of the bracket  824  slant inward, creating a tapered effect. 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the bracket  824  is mounted to a surface  825 , with the face  830  in contact with the surface  825 . The bracket  824  is mounted to the surface  825  using hardware such as screws or nails, or using adhesive, or using another method as known by one skilled in the art. The bracket  824  is mounted with the top bracket surface  826  facing upward. 
         [0062]    The plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  100  is hung on the bracket  824  by placing the housing  104  over the bracket  824  via the opening  108  at the top thereof, and aligning the following features: top mounting ridge  118  is aligned with top bracket surface  826 ; side mounting ridge  118   a  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is aligned with side bracket surface  826   a  ( FIG. 1 ); and side mounting ridge  118   b  ( FIG. 1 ) is aligned with side bracket surface  826   b.    
         [0063]    As the side mounting ridges  118   a  and  118   b  slant toward each other in the direction of the top  105 , the alignment is performed by placing the housing  104  over the mounted bracket  824  through the opening  108 , above the wings  116  and below the side mounting ridges  118   a  and  118   b . The housing  104  is pressed against the surface  825  with the rear wall  114 , which comprises the opening  108 , in contact with the surface  825 . The housing  104  is then slid downward along the surface  825  until the side mounting ridges  118   a  and  118   b  begin to engage the side bracket surfaces  826   a  and  826   b , and as these four elements are all slanted inward, the housing  104  begins to seat itself on the bracket  824  the further it is slid down the surface  825 . This hanging process concludes when the top mounting ridge  118  meets the top mounting surface  826 , and the housing  104  can no longer be slid downward. 
         [0064]    The result is that the housing  104  is hanging with the mounting ridges  118 ,  118   a , and  118   b  in contact with the corresponding bracket surfaces  826 ,  826   a , and  826   b , and with the base plate  830  extending beyond the edges of the opening  108  within the housing  104 , to create an interlocking mounting interface. 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the plumbing tool transporting and storing apparatus  100  comprises two feet  106  disposed on the bottom of the floor  112  and integral thereto, parallel to each other and running nearly the length of the floor  112  from front to back. A round raised panel  115   a  also protrudes from the floor  112  between the feet. Each foot  106  is configured in a rectangular box shape. Other embodiments may have a foot  106  configured as a dome shaped protrusion, a cylindrical post, or any other support which would lift the floor  112  off the ground, as known by one skilled in the art. In other embodiments the foot  106  may be connected to the floor  112 , with some embodiments comprising detachable feet  106 , and other embodiments comprising permanently attached feet  106 . 
         [0066]    The schematic flow chart diagrams that follow are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. 
         [0067]    Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. 
         [0068]      FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of a method  1150  of concealing, transporting, and storing a plumbing tool, in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus  100  described above may be used in the method  1150 . 
         [0069]    The method  1150  begins in block  1155 , and in block  1160  a plumbing tool comprising a base and a shaft, as described above, is provided. In block  1165 , a housing, such as the housing  104  described above, is provided. In block  1170 , the tool is placed inside the housing  104  through the opening  108 , with the base of the tool passing through the lower, wider portion of the opening  108 , and the shaft of the tool passing between the wings  116  so that the entire tool enters the housing  104 . The tool then rests inside the housing  104 , with the tool base located inside or above the receptacle  110 . Once the tool has been placed in the housing  104 , it is concealed from view by the nature of the enclosed housing  104 . 
         [0070]    In block  1175  the housing  104  is picked up, and because the tool is located inside the housing, the tool is also picked up. The housing  104  and tool may be picked up by using the handle  102 , or simply by grasping the housing  104  and lifting. 
         [0071]    In block  1180  the housing  104  and tool contained inside the housing  104  are transported to a desired destination. As in block  1175 , the housing  104  and tool may be transported by using the handle  102  to carry the housing  104  and tool contained within the housing  104 , or simply by holding the housing  104  in one&#39;s hands or arms and transporting it in that manner. 
         [0072]    In block  1185  the housing  104  containing the tool is hung on a surface mounted bracket, such as the bracket  824  described above. Then both the housing  104  and tool contained within the housing  104  can be stored in the hung position until needed. 
         [0073]    A combination of steps  1180  and  1185  could result in hanging the housing  104  and tool contained within the housing  104  on a surface in or on a vehicle, and then using the vehicle to transport the housing  104  and tool, or to store them in or on the vehicle. 
         [0074]    In block  1190 , the method  1150  ends. 
         [0075]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.