Abstract:
A holder for ferrous object, comprising: a holder body formed of a ferrous material and having at least one channel, the channel having a width and a depth; and a plurality of magnet members positioned in the at least one channel, the holder body and magnet members defining, in combination, a holding surface for magnetically securing ferrous objects.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a holder for ferrous objects, and more particularly to a magnetic socket drawer for holding and magnetically securing tools such as sockets for a socket wrench, and the like.  
         [0002]     Proper storage of tools is a common problem for mechanics, homeowners and the like, and tools are frequently kept in a disorganized fashion, and in ways which allow easy loss of such tools.  
         [0003]     While various different toolboxes, holders and the like have been provided for storing tools, the need remains for tool storage which provides easy organization and securing of various tools, especially of magnetic tools such as sockets for a socket wrench set.  
         [0004]     It is the primary object of the present invention to provide such a holder.  
         [0005]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear below.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and advantages have been readily attained.  
         [0007]     According to the invention, a holder is provided for ferrous objects, which holder comprises a holder body formed of a ferrous material and having at least one channel, the channel having a width and a depth; and a plurality of magnet members positioned in the at least one channel, the holder body and magnet members defining, in combination, a holding surface for magnetically securing ferrous objects.  
         [0008]     In further accordance with the invention, the holder can be provided in the form of a drawer, which can advantageously be slidably positioned within a cabinet, to allow for further ease in storage of ferrous objects such as sockets and the like. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention follows, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a holder for ferrous objects in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the holder of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a cabinet with a holder in accordance with the present invention slidably positioned therein; and  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate alternate handle members according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     The invention relates to a holder for ferrous objects and, more particularly, to a magnetic socket drawer for magnetically organizing and securing ferrous objects such as sockets for socket wrench sets.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a holder  10  having a holder body  12  with a plurality of channels  14  defined therein. A plurality of magnets  16  are positioned within channels  14  and serve, in combination with the flat surface of holder body  12 , to define a holding surface for magnetically securing ferrous objects.  
         [0016]     Holder body  12  is advantageously a substantially rectangular member, having two long sides  18  and two short sides  20 . In accordance with the invention, holder body  12  is advantageously provided of a ferrous material, preferably steel, and more preferably 20 gauge steel.  
         [0017]     Holder body  12  can advantageously be provided with a gripping member  22 , which in this embodiment is in the form of a hook  24 . Hook  24  advantageously curves upwardly and back toward an opposed short side  20 , from a first short side  20 , as is shown in  FIG. 1 . Gripping member  22  advantageously serves to allow holder  10  to be easily carried, and also allows for hanging of holder  10  from various other supports, if desired.  
         [0018]     Magnets  16  can be any suitable type of magnet, and magnets are preferably selected to provide sufficient holding power to securely hold the ferrous objects which are to be positioned thereon. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, magnets  16  are advantageously provided having opposed flat surfaces defining north and south pole surfaces, and magnets  16  are advantageously positioned end to end in channels  14  with alternating north and south pole surfaces. These alternating surfaces have been found to provide a remarkably strong holding surface for magnetically securing ferrous objects such as sockets and the like.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows an end view of holder  10  in accordance with the present invention, and shows holder  10  having three channels  14 , spaced from each other and positioned substantially parallel to each other, for holding the desired sockets. Each channel  14  is advantageously defined by two channel sidewalls  26  and a channel bottom  28 . Sidewalls  26  advantageously slope away from each other in a direction away from bottom  28 .  
         [0020]     Channels  14  advantageously have a width w and a height h, as shown in  FIG. 2 , and magnets  16  are advantageously selected having a thickness sufficient to position an upper surface of magnet  16  substantially co-planar with the upper surface of holder body  12 . This advantageously strengthens the hold provided by magnets  16  and holder body  12  in combination.  
         [0021]     Magnets  16  can be glued within channels  14  if necessary or desired, or can be held within channels  14  in any other manner as well, for example through rivets, or magnetic hold, or any other type of structure.  
         [0022]     Channels  14  can advantageously be formed in holder body  12  so that they extend entirely to one short side  20 , but not to the other.  
         [0023]     In further accordance with the invention, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , holder  10  can be incorporated into a tool cabinet  30 , wherein tool cabinet  30  has drawer slots  32  adapted for receiving drawers. Holder  10  in this embodiment can be positioned within drawer slots  32 , preferably slidably positioned, so that holder  10  can be slid out of drawer slot  32  to allow easy access to tools or other objects held thereon.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , holder  10  according to the invention can alternatively be provided with a grip member in the form of a ring member  100  which can advantageously be pivotably mounted relative to holder body  12 . In this embodiment, ring member  100  is a substantially rectangular shaped piece of material, for example steel wire, which is preferably itself substantially rigid, but which is pivotably held by a bracket member  102  which is attached to holder body  12  as shown.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows a further embodiment wherein holder  10  has a grip member in the form of a ring member  104  which is slidably mounted relative to holder body  12 , for example in tracks on the underside of holder body  12  or in brackets mounted to the bottom of holder body  12 , as desired. This allows ring member  104  to be positioned between an extended position as illustrated in solid lines and a withdrawn position as illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0026]     It should be appreciated that a holder has been provided in accordance with the present invention which allows for excellent organization and secure holding of tools such as sockets for a socket wrench kit and the like. It should also be appreciated that although the embodiment of the present invention is shown having a hook or curved member for the gripping member, this member can be provided of any other shape as well.  
         [0027]     Still further, the embodiment shown in these drawings includes three substantially parallel channels  14 . Holder  10  can of course be provided having fewer or more channels, depending upon the specific size or dimension of holder  10  to be used.  
         [0028]     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible to modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.