Abstract:
Pneumatic tools are staple elements of constructions sites. Pneumatic tools are often hand-carried to specific locations and balanced on an available surface or between the knees of a worker while the worker uses two hands for related activities. A universal quick-change hook according to an embodiment of the invention can be coupled between fittings of a pneumatic tool and pneumatic hose without obstructing airflow though the fittings and provides a hook stop to protect fittings attached to the universal quick-change hook, preventing accidental activation of a connection release. The universal quick-change hook is configured to support the weight of an attached tool from a wide variety of different support means, such as a ladder, lumber stock, nail, or utility belt. The universal quick-change hook provides a worker with a convenient way to secure a hook to pneumatic tools in rapid fashion to be more efficient and competitive on a jobsite.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/742,627, filed on Aug. 15, 2012, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pneumatic-actuated tools, sometimes referred to as “air” tools, are a type of power tool common at construction sites. Pneumatic tools are a category of power tools actuated by compressed air, usually supplied by a gas or electric compressor, delivered to the pneumatic tool by way of an air hose. Examples of pneumatic tools include nail guns, impact wrenches, and drills. Pneumatic fittings on both the air hose and the pneumatic tool enable connecting and disconnecting on demand. Typically, pneumatic tools are equipped with a male fitting component that mates with a female fitting on the end of the air hose. These pneumatic fittings can be attached and disconnected without the use of tools. 
     Pneumatic tools, because of their remote air supply, are easily carried by a worker to various locations around a job site, often switching to a new supply of compressed air at each location. It is also common for the worker with a pneumatic tool, such as a nail gun, to climb ladders or traverse joists while carrying the pneumatic tool in order to reach a location where the pneumatic tool is needed. For example, during the construction of a roof with asphalt tiles, a worker may climb one or more ladders to reach the roof and subsequently traverse various sections of the roof while placing asphalt tiles at the various sections and affixing the asphalt tiles with nails driven by a pneumatic nail gun. 
     A worker usually keeps a pneumatic tool in one or both hands while working on a jobsite, but must place the tool on a surface or otherwise suspend it from the worker&#39;s belt or a nearby fixture to use both hands freely or to change to a second pneumatic tool. Using a second pneumatic tool may also require detaching the pneumatic hose from the first tool and reattaching the pneumatic hose to the second tool. Workers commonly use pneumatic tools while at the top of a ladder to insert roofing nails on the roof of a building to secure roofing tiles or in other typically dangerous environments. In such dangerous situations, the worker is both safer and more efficient when able to easily stow the pneumatic tool and use both hands where necessary. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a universal quick-change hook designed to accept two (input and output) pneumatic fittings. With an attached pneumatic fitting, the universal quick-change hook is configured to attach to an existing pneumatic fitting on a pneumatic tool. When attached, the universal quick-change hook allows a worker to easily stow or support the pneumatic tool from a wide variety of shapes and objects with the universal quick-change hook while also protecting the pneumatic fitting from accidental disconnection. The universal quick-change hook also includes a hook stop to protect a quick-release mechanism of an attached pneumatic fitting from being accidently struck by an object when the universal quick-change hook is placed on that object to support the attached pneumatic device while also providing attachment and support functions, such as to fixtures or belts, for the pneumatic tool and pneumatic hose. The hook stop of the universal quick-change hook reduces that risk that a pneumatic tool will fall from an elevated support and cause an injury and/or damage to the tool. 
     An example embodiment of the present invention is a universal quick-change hook, comprising a main body having a first end and a second end, a fitting interface region at the first end of the main body, a fitting extension region adjacent to the fitting interface region in a direction of the second end of the main body, and a fitting bend located at an intersection of the fitting interface region and the fitting extension region. The fitting bend defines an inside surface of the main body and an outside surface of the main body. The universal quick-change hook also has a hook region, adjacent to the fitting extension region, and a hook stop, projecting from the inside surface of the main body, at an intersection of the fitting extension region, and the hook region. 
     Other embodiments may include a pneumatic fitting coupled to the main body in the fitting interface region in an orientation enabling a direction of airflow though the pneumatic fitting perpendicular to the main body at the fitting interface region, the pneumatic fitting having and inlet and an outlet with flow path therebetween. 
     In some embodiments, the outlet of the pneumatic fitting is a push-type coupler, and the hook stop is arranged to protect the push-type coupler. A pneumatic hose may be connected to the inlet of the pneumatic fitting or the outlet of the pneumatic fitting. In one embodiment, the hook stop extends to a location between the push-type coupler and a location of a hook-side end of a tool, employing a standard corresponding fitting, coupled to the push-type coupler. The tool may be pneumatic-actuated tool. 
     In some embodiments, the hook stop projects from the inside surface of the main body between −20 and 20 degrees off perpendicular from a planar surface of the fitting interface region. 
     In one embodiment, the hook stop has a proximal end at the main body and a distal end distal from the main body, and wherein the hook stop includes a barb at the distal end. In some embodiments, the hook stop is between 0.5 and 2 inches in length. 
     In another embodiment, the angle of the fitting bend is between 30 and 80 degrees with respect to a planar surface of the fitting interface region. 
     In some embodiments, the main body of the universal quick-change hook may include a taper at the second end of the main body. In one embodiment, the hook region includes a taper bend, the taper bend defined by an angle greater than 180 degrees with respect to the inside surface of the main body. 
     In another embodiment, the main body of the universal quick-change hook includes a hook bend, the hook bend located at an intersection of the fitting extension region and the hook region, the hook bend defined by an angle less than 180 degrees with respect to the inside surface of the main body. 
     In some embodiments, the fitting extension region includes a nail hanging hole defined by the main body and extending through the main body. The nail hanging hole may have a subhole smaller in diameter than a head of a nail from which the universal quick-change hook is to be suspended. The hook region may be configured to support the main body against a structure to which a nail is attached when the nail hanging hole of the main body is placed around the nail. The main body at the hook region may define a wrench hole, and the wrench hole may be a hex opening. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is an anchor assembly with an anchor pneumatic fitting. The anchor pneumatic fitting has a mating port gender opposite from a mating port gender of a pneumatic fitting to be coupled thereto. The anchor assembly may be configured to be coupled to a utility belt. 
     In yet another embodiment, a utility belt comprises an attached anchor, where the attached anchor provides a fitting for attaching a device or hose having a corresponding mating fitting. The anchor may be a pneumatic fitting for attaching a pneumatic tool or a universal quick-change hook with the mating fitting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention in an example environment in which a pneumatic tool, such as a nail gun, is employed. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating of an embodiment of the present invention supporting a pneumatic tool on a tool belt. 
         FIG. 3  is a profile view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A-C  are angular views of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is diagram illustrating of an embodiment of the present invention supported by a nail protruding from a surface. 
         FIG. 6  is a mechanical schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention attached to a utility belt using an anchor fitting. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are illustrations of the utility belt and pneumatic fitting anchor used with embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention being connected to a pneumatic hose and the pneumatic tool of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8B  is a diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention being connected to the pneumatic fitting anchor and utility belt of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 9A  and B are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of the present invention supporting a pneumatic tool from various objects. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A description of example embodiments of the invention follows. 
     Traditionally, pneumatic tools do not include any shape or structure designed to support the pneumatic tool from a utility belt or common features found in environments where pneumatic tools are typically used. To a limited degree, a pneumatic tool can be suspended from an attached air hose, or the handle can be balanced on a wall, but such positions are potentially dangerous and require careful balance to ensure equipment does not fall and strike a person working below. After-market hooks provide additional ways for pneumatic tools to be supported, and typical after-market hooks are connected between the tool and the male pneumatic fitting used for connecting the pneumatic tool to an air supply. However, changing after-market hooks of the typical design is an impractically long process in the typical, fast-paced, construction environment. For example, today&#39;s after-market hooks require a tool&#39;s pneumatic fitting to be unscrewed from a threaded connecting to the tool and, in doing so, require a reapplication of a sealing tape, e.g., Teflon tape, to maintain an air-tight connection. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present intention in an example environment, such as a roofing worksite environment. In the environment, a worker  10  is positioned on an extension ladder  20  with rail guides  21   a - b . The ladder is positioned to reach a roof  30  of a house  40  and the worker  10  is using two hands to support himself against the ladder  20 . A nail gun  120  is suspended from a rail guide  21   a  within reach of the worker  10  by way of a universal quick-change hook  100 , which has features of an embodiment of the present invention. The universal quick-change hook  100  is attached to the nail gun&#39;s  120  pneumatic fitting  121  by way of a corresponding pneumatic fitting  130   b  attached to the universal quick-change hook  100 . 
     During use of the nail gun  120 , an air hose  150  delivers compressed air to the nail gun  120 , allowing the worker  10  to drive nails (not shown) into roofing tiles (not shown), for example. The universal quick-change hook  100  is attached to a pneumatic fitting  151  on the end of the air hose  150  by way of a corresponding pneumatic fitting  130   a  attached to the universal quick-change hook  100 . The corresponding pneumatic fitting  130   b  attached to the nail gun  120  is positioned opposite the corresponding pneumatic fitting  130   a  attached to the air hose  150 , such that both fittings  130   a  and  130   b  are connected to each other through the universal quick-change hook  100  and provide a flow path (not shown) for compressed air to power the nail gun  120 . 
     The universal quick-change hook includes a hook stop  104  to prevent the rail guide  21   a  from reaching the connected pneumatic fittings  130   b  and  121 . The hook stop  104  enables the universal quick-change hook  100  to support the nail gun  120  from the rail guide  21   a  without the rail guide&#39;s  21   a  affecting a quick-release mechanism on the pneumatic fitting  130   b  or otherwise influencing the connection between the universal quick-change hook  100  and the nail gun  120 . Additionally, the hook stop  104  positions the universal quick-change hook  100  and attached nail gun  120  at a given position with respect to the rail guide  21   a . In this example, the universal quick-change hook  100  provides the worker  10  the ability to use a common feature found in environments where pneumatic tools are typically used, i.e., a rail guide  21   a  of an extension ladder  20 , to support a nail gun  120  whenever the worker needs to have both hands free. In other example environments, a worker  10  can hang a nail gun  120  with an attached universal quick-change hook  100  from a loop on a utility belt (shown in  FIG. 2 ), a beam or joist, or an edge of a surface. 
     The universal quick-change hook  100  can be disconnected from the pneumatic tool  120  and pneumatic hose  150  and used with different pneumatic tools and hoses or enabling the universal quick-change hook  100  to stay with the same pneumatic tool or hose. The flexibility of association is used for most jobsites and for the individual worker. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating of an embodiment of the present invention supporting a pneumatic tool  204  on a tool (or utility) belt  260 . A nail gun  220  is suspended from a metal loop  261  on the utility belt  260  with a universal quick-change hook  200 . Utility belts  260  are commonly used to carry tools and often have metal loops  211  to support hammers or other tools too large to fit in pouches attached to the belt  260 . To attach to pneumatic tools, the universal quick-change hook  200  has a fitting interface region  201  with a male pneumatic fitting  230   a  and a female pneumatic fitting  230   b . The female pneumatic fitting  230   b  has a push-type quick release collar. The pneumatic fittings  230   a - b  are connected through the fitting interface region  201  via a common flow path axially through the pneumatic fittings  230   a - b  to allow compressed to be supplied to the pneumatic tool  220  with the universal quick-change hook  200  attached. 
     The nail gun  220  is powered by compressed gas provided through a male pneumatic fitting  221 . Using this existing male attachment fitting  221 , the universal quick-change hook  200  is attached to the nail gun  220  with the corresponding female pneumatic fitting  230   b . The universal quick-change hook  200  supports the nail gun  220  on the metal loop  211  with a hook region  203  and a hook stop  204 . 
     The hook stop  204  prevents the metal loop  261  of the utility belt  260  from reaching the female pneumatic fitting  230   b . This prevents accidental release of the female pneumatic fitting  230   b  from the nail gun&#39;s  220  pneumatic fitting  221  from the metal loop&#39;s  211  striking the release collar  231  of the female pneumatic fitting  230   b . To ensure that the metal loop  261  cannot reach the female pneumatic fitting  230   b  and to keep the universal quick-change hook  200  on the metal loop  261 , a barb  205  is provided on the end of the hook stop  204  to prevent the metal loop  261  from sliding off the edge of the hook stop  204 . The hook region  203  is separated from the fitting interface region  201  by a fitting extension region  202 . The fitting extension region  202  positions the hook region  203  away from the pneumatic fittings  203   a - b  and any attached pneumatic tool  220 . 
     The hook region  203  in combination with the hook stop  204  allows the universal quick-change hook  200  to be suspended from a wide variety of support members. For example, the universal quick-change hook  200  with attached nail gun  220  can be supported by a beam of wood, such as the short side of a typical 2×4 beam, or the hook region  203  can rest against a flat board while the nail gun  220  leans over the edge. Generally, any support member with a width less than the distance between the nail gun  220  and the hook region  203  can support the universal quick-change hook  200 . If the support member is of a width less than the distance of the hook region  203  to the nail gun  220 , the weight of the attached nail gun  220  is entirely supported by the universal quick-change hook  200 . 
     In this example embodiment, the universal quick-change hook  200  enables a worker (not shown) wearing a typical utility belt  260  with a metal loop  261  to easily support a nail gun  220  attached to the universal quick-change hook  200  from the metal loop  261  of the worker&#39;s utility belt  260 . In operation, the hook region  203  of the universal quick-change hook  200  is placed inside the metal loop  261 , and the weight of the universal quick-change hook  200  and attached nail gun  220  rests against the hook region  203 , the hook stop  204 , or both. 
       FIG. 3  is a profile view of an embodiment of the present invention. A universal quick-change hook  300 , with an outside surface  310   a  and an inside surface  310   b , is shown with pneumatic fittings  330   a - b  connected to a fitting interface region  301 . Washers  331   a - b  allow the pneumatic fittings  330   a - b  with threaded fasteners to be screwed together against the fitting interface region  301 . The universal quick-change hook  300  has a fitting bend  311  at the intersection of the fitting interface region  301  and the fitting extension region  302 . A hook bend  312  is provided at the interface of the fitting extension region  302  and the hook region  303 . The hook region  303  terminates with a tapered region  306  and a tapered bend  313 . The tapered bend  313  is defined by an angle greater than 180 degrees with respect to the inside surface  310   b  of the universal quick-change hook  300 . In this illustration, the hook stop  304  protrudes from a point on the universal quick-change hook  300  near the hook bend  312 . 
     For a typical sized embodiment, the hook stop  304  can range between 0.5 and 2 inches in length, depending on the angle of the fitting bend  311  and length of the fitting extension region  302 . The dimensions can be modified for different sized embodiments or different angles of the hook stop  305 . The hook stop  304  is positioned to terminate between the female pneumatic fitting  330   b  and an attached pneumatic tool (not shown). The hook stop  304  has a barb  305  at the free end to prevent a support means (not shown) from sliding between the hook stop  304  and the attached pneumatic tool. The universal quick-change hook  300  can be made out of steel, plastic, or any other material sufficiently strong to support the weight of an attached pneumatic tool. 
       FIGS. 4A-C  are angular views of an embodiment of the present invention. A universal quick-change hook  400  is shown with a nail hole  407  in the fitting extension region  402  and a wrench tool  407  in the hook region  403 . In other embodiments, the nail hole  408  can be any through-hole in the universal quick-change hook  400  that allows the universal quick-change hook  400  to be suspended against a surface having a protruding nail (not shown), as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The nail hole  408  may have a smaller subhole (not shown) having a diameter smaller than a nail of the nail head from which the universal quick-change hook  400  is to be suspended to prevent the universal quick-change hook  400  from accidentally sliding off the nail. The wrench tool  407  is shown in  FIG. 4  as a protrusion from the hook region  403  having a hex socket indentation; in other embodiments, the wrench tool  407  is out of the hook region  403  as an opening having a hex socket profile or other wrench profile. 
       FIG. 5  is diagram illustrating of an embodiment of the present invention attached to a surface  550  having a protruding nail  551 . The universal quick-change hook  500  has a nail hole  508  through the fitting extension region  502 . The universal quick-change hook  500  is suspended from the nail  551  by way of the nail hole  508 . The weight of the universal quick-change hook  500  and any device coupled to a fitting  530  attached to a fitting interface region  501  of the universal quick-change hook  500  is supported by the nail  551  through the nail hole  508  and the hook region  503  where the universal quick-change hook  500  makes contact with the surface  550 .  FIG. 5  shows the hook region  503  of the universal quick-change hook  500  having a tapered region  506  making contact with the surface  550 . 
     As described above in reference to  FIGS. 4A-C , the nail hole  508  may have a subhole to allow the nail  551  to slide upward relative to the nail hole  508  after the head of the nail  551  has passed through the nail hole  508 . 
       FIG. 6  is a mechanical schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention attached to a utility belt using a pneumatic fitting anchor. A pneumatic fitting anchor  640  is provided on a utility belt  660 . The pneumatic fitting anchor  640  connects a fitting  641  to the utility belt  660 . A universal quick-change hook  600  is shown having a male pneumatic fitting  630   a  and a female push-type pneumatic fitting  630   b , where the male fitting  630   a  is attached to the fitting interface region  601  of the universal quick-change hook  600  with a single washer  631 . The female push-type pneumatic fitting  630   b  is connected to the male pneumatic fitting  641  of the pneumatic fitting anchor  640  on the utility belt  660 . In this configuration, the universal quick-change hook  600  is a support device enabling a utility belt  660  to support objects (not shown) hung from the universal quick-change hook  600 .  FIG. 6  also shows the universal quick-change hook  600  having an integrated socket wrench  607 . 
     It should be understood that tools or hoses having mating fittings corresponding to the fitting  641  of the utility belt  660  can be connected directly to the utility belt  660  without need for the universal quick-change hook  600 . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are illustrations of the utility belt and pneumatic fitting anchor used with embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 7A  shows a pneumatic fitting anchor  740  having a fitting  741  connected to a belt anchor  742  by a support member  743 .  FIG. 7B  shows the pneumatic fitting anchor  740  of  FIG. 7A  connected to a utility belt  710 . The belt anchor  742  secures the pneumatic fitting anchor  740  to the material of the utility belt  710  and fitting  741 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention being connected to a pneumatic hose and a pneumatic tool. In operation of one embodiment of the present invention, a universal quick-change hook  800  is connected to both a pneumatic tool  820  and an air hose  850 . The universal quick-change hook  800  has attached pneumatic fittings  830   a - b  for connecting to both the pneumatic tool  820  and the air hose  850 . Typically, pneumatic tools have a male pneumatic fitting  821  protruding from an end of a main handle  825 . This male pneumatic fitting  821  is coupled to a corresponding female pneumatic fitting  830   b  on the universal quick-change hook  800  by pushing the fittings together along a concentric path  891 . When coupled, the hook region  803  of the universal quick-change hook  800  is positioned adjacent and offset from the handle  825  of the pneumatic tool  820 . A hook stop  804  provides a third surface between the hook region  804  and the handle  825  and prevents an object (not shown) placed against the hook region  804  or between the hook region  804  and the handle  825 , such as a belt loop (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), from reaching the female pneumatic fitting  830   b  and causing an accidental disconnect of a quick release mechanism on the pneumatic fitting  830   b.    
     Additionally, the male pneumatic fitting  830   a  of the hook universal quick-change hook  800  is connected with the female pneumatic fitting  830   b  such that the universal quick-change hook  800  does not restrict airflow between them, allowing for compressed air to be delivered from the air hose  850  to the pneumatic tool  820  when both are connected to the corresponding fittings  830   a - b  of the universal quick-change hook  800 . To connect to the male pneumatic fitting  830   a  of the universal quick-change hook  800 , the air hose is fitted with a female pneumatic fitting  851  at one end. The female pneumatic fitting  851  is coupled to the corresponding male pneumatic fitting  830   a  on the universal quick-change hook  800  by pressing both fittings together along a concentric path  892 . Once the air hose  850  is connected to the universal quick-change hook and the universal quick-change hook  800  is connected to the pneumatic tool  820 , the pneumatic tool  820  and the air hose  850  can be individually disconnected from the universal quick-change hook  800  by disconnecting only pneumatic fitting  851  or  830   b , respectively. 
       FIG. 8B  is a diagram illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the present invention being connected to the pneumatic fitting anchor and utility belt of  FIG. 6 . In operation of one embodiment of the present invention, the universal quick-change hook  800  is connected to a pneumatic anchor  840  on a utility belt  860  having a male pneumatic fitting  841 . The universal quick-change hook  800  has an attached female pneumatic fitting  830   b  for connecting the corresponding male pneumatic fitting  841  of the pneumatic anchor  840 . The female pneumatic fitting  830   b  of the universal quick-change hook  800  is coupled to the corresponding male pneumatic fitting  841  on the pneumatic anchor  840  by pressing both fittings together along a concentric path  893 . Once connected, the universal quick-change hook  800  is stowed on the utility belt  860 , and the hook region  803  and hook stop  804  may be used together as a versatile support means for objects able to fit between the hook region  803  and the pneumatic anchor  840 . 
       FIGS. 9A  and B are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of the present invention supporting a pneumatic tool from a wooden beam ( FIG. 9A ) and a metal rod ( FIG. 9B ).  FIG. 9A  shows a nail gun  920  with a pneumatic fitting  921  connected to of a corresponding female pneumatic fitting  930   b  on a universal quick-change hook  900 . The universal quick-change hook  900  has a male pneumatic fitting  930   a  connected to the female pneumatic fitting  930   b  that is supporting the nail gun  920 . The nail gun  920  can be delivered compressed air though fittings  930   a - b . The universal quick-change hook  900  is supporting the nail gun  920  against a wooden beam  991 , which could be a common 2×4. The hook stop  904  of the universal quick-change hook  900  is resting against the wooden beam  991  and the universal quick-change hook is further held in place by the hook region  903  of the universal quick-change hook  900 . The hook region  903  prevents the universal quick-change hook  900  from sliding off the wooden beam  991 . 
       FIG. 9B  shows a nail gun  920  with a pneumatic fitting  921  attached to a universal quick-change hook  900  by way of a corresponding female pneumatic fitting  930   b . The universal quick-change hook  900  has a male pneumatic fitting  930   a  connected to the female pneumatic fitting  930   b  that is supporting the nail gun  920  such that the nail gun  920  can be delivered compressed air though fittings  930   a - b . The universal quick-change hook  900  is supporting nail gun  920  against a metal rod  992 . The hook stop  904  of the universal quick-change hook  900  and hook region  903  of the universal quick-change hook  900  are resting against the metal rod  992 . 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.