Storage Device For Tools

A device for storing tools, in particular screwdriving tools, having a planar main body which has an inner side and an outer side, wherein holding devices for retaining the tools on the main body are provided on the inner side, wherein the main body is divided up into surface portions by a number of hinges, the surface portions being foldable about the hinges from a tool-removal position, in which the surface portions are located substantially in one plane, into a storage position, in which the outer sides of the surface portions form planar surfaces of a polygonal solid body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for storing tools.

BACKGROUND

Known in particular are bags made out of textile material, which can be rolled up into a storage position from a removal position, in which the planar main body is spread out in a plane.

The object of the invention is to further develop a known tool bag in a user friendly manner.

The object is achieved by the invention indicated in the claims.

SUMMARY

The device according to the invention has a planar main body, which exhibits an inner side and an outer side. Provided on the inner side are holding devices for retaining the tools on the main body. The main body is divided into surface portions by several hinges. The surface portions can be folded around the hinges comprised of bending lines into a storage position. In the storage position, the surface portions enhance themselves into an outer surface of a solid body. This forms a polygonal solid body consisting of several surfaces, for example two broadside surfaces, two narrow surfaces and two end surfaces. The end surfaces can run parallel to each other, giving the polygonal solid body the shape of a prism. The surface portions of the main body can each form a dimensionally stable and flexible planar body. At least the outer surface can be made out of a textile material, making the device haptically appealing. Preferably involved is a soft textile, so that the closed or open device can also be placed on sensitive surfaces, for example the bodies of motor vehicles. As a result of the bending lines, the surface portions hinged together can be placed not just on a planar floor surface. They can also be placed on a free surface, for example a curved surface. In the removal position, the individual surface portions connected with each other in an articulated manner can conform to the surface contour of the substrate like tank tracks. The stiffness of the walls is determined in particular by the stiffness of plastic insertion plates, which are preferably sewn between two textile layers. The two textile layers can be connected directly to each other along the hinges, for example with a seam. The insertion plates can be equipped with magnets, so that the open device is held against a steel substrate by magnetic force. The magnets incorporated in the insertion plates can also be used to fix the device in its closed position. The end faces of the polygonal solid body can be sealed by straps secured to the main body. The marginal edge of the end face can consist of the marginal edge of a hem. The main body can be erected in its storage position on this edge comprised of the hem. An end surface can also be comprised of several straps. The several straps then enhance each other to form an essentially flatly running end face. The tools are secured to the inner side of the surface portions with holding devices, for example consisting of plastic. Gaps remain next to a tool. These gaps allow a user to grab the tools. The gaps are preferably large enough to offer enough space for fingertips therein. In the storage position, these gaps are engaged into by portions of tools that are allocated to other surface portions, in particular those that are adjacent or, in the storage position, opposing. The arrangement selected for the tools is such that the gaps between or next to the tools in the storage position are filled up, or at least partially filled up, by portions of other tools. If the device preferably designed as a tool bag is closed, tools of adjacent or opposing bag sides engage into the gaps, so as to largely fill them out. It is viewed as advantageous that the tools be arranged so as to provide the best possible overview in the open state, while the bag exhibits minimal storage dimensions in the closed state. In particular, it is provided that the broadside surface portions carry holding devices spaced a distance apart from the bending lines. This results in free spaces into which tools secured to the inner sides of the narrow surface portions can enter while closing the device. The tools secured to narrow surface portions can exhibit a width that essentially corresponds to the distance measure between the inner sides of the broadside portions that face each other in the storage position. For example, a ratchet can be secured to a narrow surface portion, whose ratchet head is only a little narrower than the width of the broadside portion. Nuts can be secured to the inner side of the opposing narrow surface portion. Each nut here rests on a holder allocated thereto, which can be made out of plastic. The nut with the largest wrench width has a diameter that is only slightly smaller than the width of the narrow surface portion. In particular, it is provided that elongated tools, such as shaft extensions for a ratchet or the ratchet itself be situated parallel to the bending lines. Shorter tools, for example bits or nuts, are situated with their axes transverse to the direction in which the bending lines extend. In particular, the device according to the invention is a textile tool bag, which consists of two textile material layers sewn together along the bending line. The circumferential marginal edge of the two textile material layers is closed with the use of hemming tape. The straps forming the end face surfaces are secured to one of the broadside portions by means of the hemming tape. The stiffening elements preferably fabricated out of plastic and formed by planar bodies are inserted into the spaces of the textile layers separated from each other by seams and in particular by the seams forming the bending lines. The holders can be comprised of textile or plastic, in particular soft or hard plastic, loops into which the tools can be inserted. It is especially advantageous for the insertion plates or several portions of a uniform insertion plate be joined together by spring webs, which when not stressed hold the insertion plates or their portions in a plane. The webs are bent while closing the tool bag, in particular by 90°. They then deliver a spring force that causes the tool bag to spontaneously fold open when its closure is opened. In a preferred further development, the tool bag exhibits an insert body that stiffens at least two, preferably all surface portions. The planar body exhibits slits in the area of the hinges. The respective area between a slit and the outer marginal edge then comprises a spring web. The insert body can be a planar body consisting of a resilient plastic material exhibiting a plurality of slits running parallel to each other, which are spatially allocated to the hinges. The planar body pocketed in a textile jacket forms webs/bridges in the areas adjoining the slits. The textile layers are joined together by seams, wherein the seams run through the slits.

The invention relates to a further development of the storage device for tools, in which the tools are screwdriver inserts, in particular screwdriver bits exhibiting an axial length of 25 mm and a ¼ hexagonal section, with which the bits are inserted into insertion openings of holders. To this end, it is provided that at least two surface portions each exhibit one or more holding devices. The holding devices can consist of plastic, and be joined with the inner surfaces of the storage device, for example adhesively bonded thereto. Each of the holding devices has a plurality of straight rows that are spaced apart from each other by free spaces, and each exhibit several insertion openings for the screwdriver inserts. The rows of different holding devices are offset relative to each other in such a way that the screwdriver inserts inserted into the insertion openings of the one holding device plunge into the free spaces of the other holding device while closing the device in the storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiment is a device for storing tools, in particular screwdrivers5,7,9,11,13. It has a planar main body1, which exhibits an inner side2and an outer side3. The inner side2is comprised of a first textile layer, and the outer side3is comprised of a second textile layer. Provided on the inner side2are holding devices4,6,8,10,12for retaining the tools5,7,9,11,13, which secure the tools5,7,9,11,13to the main body1. The main body1is divided into several surface portions18,19,20,21,22by several hinges14,15,16,17. The surface portions can be folded, which is shown onFIG. 6. In the storage position, the tools5,7,9,11,13are not visible. Two surface portions22,18regionally overlap, and are secured to each other by means of fastening elements (not shown), e.g., with a button, Velcro or magnet. In the storage position, the textile tool bag resembles a polygonal solid body. In the exemplary embodiment, the polygonal solid body forms a square. The end faces of the square are comprised of straps26, which are recessed somewhat in relation to the peripheral edge of the main body1as the result of re-hemming31.

The stiffness of the individual surface portions is ensured by pocketed planar bodies. The planar bodies are insertion bodies with a rectangular cut, wherein the insertion bodies can be made out of plastic. The flexibility of the main body in the area of the hinge lines14,15,16,17is achieved by sewing the two textile layers directly to each other there.FIGS. 1 to 11do not reveal this type of connection, but the sectional view onFIG. 12does.

The arrangement of the tools inside the device is selected in such a way that the tools5,7,9,11,13provide the best possible overview in the open state, while the bag assumes minimal storage dimensions in the closed state. In particular, it is provided that there be enough space next to the tools and in particular on opposing sides of the tool in the open state, so that a user can there hold the tool between two fingers. This free space can be used for removal and fitting, and is filled up by another tool in the closed state.

Located on the broadside portion20is a holding device10that forms two loops. A long extension shaft for a ratchet is inserted in one of the loops. A shorter extension shaft for a ratchet is inserted in the other loop. Inserted into another loop8is a chuck9, into which a bit5can be inserted. The axes of the shafts11,11′ and chuck9run parallel to the hinge lines14,15,16,17. Situated between the shaft11and bending line16is a free space27. Located on the opposing side of the shaft11between the shaft11and hinge line15is another free space27. Rectangular straps26are sewn on both opposing free peripheral edges of the broadside portion20. The narrow surface portion21joined with the broadside portion20via the hinge line16carries a ratchet13, whose ratchet head has a width only slightly smaller than the width of the narrow surface portion21. The arm of the ratchet13is inserted into two loops12, and exhibits an axial extension that extends parallel to the hinge lines14,15,16,17. If the narrow surface portion21is moved from the open position shown onFIG. 1into the position shown onFIG. 4, i.e., around the hinge line16by 90°, the head of the ratchet13swivels into the free space27next to the shaft11.

The narrow surface portion19bordering the broadside portion20via the hinge line15carries a plurality, specifically nine, nuts7that each exhibit a different wrench width. Plastic retaining clips6are joined with the inner side of the narrow surface portion19, on which the nuts7are inserted in such a way that their axes extend transverse to the direction in which the hinge lines14,15,16,17extend. If the narrow surface portion19is swiveled up by 90° from the open position shown onFIG. 1into the position shown onFIG. 5, the nuts7secured to the narrow surface portion19are swiveled into the free space28next to the shaft11.

The narrow surface portion19is joined with a broadside portion18via the hinge14. The broadside portion18carries screwdriver bits5. Each screwdriver bit5is inserted into a holder4. The holder4consists of a loop. A loop body comprises several loops. The loops yield cavities that extend in a direction transverse to the hinge lines14,15,16,17.

The polygonal portions of the screwdriver bits15(not shown) extend into the loops4, so that the working tips of the bits5protrude out of the loops. Free spaces remain between the individual working tips, so that the bits can be gripped between two fingers.

A free space29extends between the holder4and hinge line14. If the narrow surface portion19is moved into a 90° position relative to the broadside portion18, the nuts7swivel into the free space29. In the closed state, the free space28lies opposite the free space29.

It is viewed as advantageous that the retaining clips6protrude transversely to the surface extension of the inner side3in the open state of the device. This makes it easy to fit and remove the nuts.

The closing strap joined with the narrow surface portion21via the hinge line17is also comprised of a surface portion22. In the closed state, the surface portion22overlaps the surface portion18.

FIGS. 13 and 14show a second exemplary embodiment, which essentially only differs from the exemplary embodiment shown onFIGS. 1 to 12by the insertion body23. A top view of the insertion body is presented onFIG. 14. It consists of a single planar body, which is made out of a flexible plastic. The planar body23has four slits32that run parallel to each other. The planar body23is pocketed between two textile layers. The textile layers are joined together by seams, wherein the seams run through the slits32. The slits32coincide with the hinge lines14,15,16,17. The slits32are completely enclosed, and have a narrow outline. The two longitudinal edges run parallel to each other. Webs33are formed between each narrow edge of the slit32and the outline contour line of the planar body32. These material webs form spring webs. When folding the tool bag from the folded-open position shown onFIG. 13into a closed position, e.g., shown onFIG. 6, the spring webs33are bent by 90°. As a result of their spring bias, the tool bag automatically opens into the position shown onFIG. 13when the closure is opened. The material of the insertion body23can be a fiber-reinforced plastic, for example a fiberglass reinforced plastic.

FIGS. 15 and 16show a third exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which the storage device exhibits a planar main body in the open position, which consists of surface portions18,19,20,21,22joined together via hinge lines14,15,16,17. The surface portions18,20and21are fitted with tools. The narrow surface portion21has a fastening strap21, which holds a screwdriver handle31with an insertion chuck. The broadside portion20exhibits two holders4running parallel to the hinge lines15,16for accommodating bits5. The holders4consist of plastic bodies m with insertion openings for a respective one bit5. The holders4are joined in a planar manner with the inner side of the surface portion20, which also carries two straps26that close narrow sides in the closed position.

Formed in the area of the hinge16is a free space27, into which the screwdriver13can swivel in the closed state.

The insertion openings of the holding device4for the individual bits5are each arranged one behind the other as a row. A free space28remains between the two rows, into which a bit row situated on the surface portion18engages in the closed state. The surface portion18carries a holding device4with insertion openings for bits5. The surface portion18carries only a single row of bits. Situated next to the row are free spaces27,29, into which the bits resting on the surface portion20can swivel in the collapsed state.

In the fourth exemplary embodiment shown onFIGS. 17 and 18, a narrow side wall21carries a chuck13, which is secured to the narrow side wall by means of a loop12. This storage device also exhibits surface portions18,19,20,21,22, which abut against each other on parallel running hinge lines14,15,16,17. Two broadside portions18,20lying opposite each other in the closed positions are each fitted with holders4made out of plastic for accommodating bits. The holders4have insertion openings for a respective one bit. The insertion openings are arranged in rows running transverse to the hinge lines14,15,16. The rows are spaced apart from each other so as to yield free spaces27,28between the rows. When closing the storage device, the bits of the other broadside portion18,20enter into the free spaces27,28.

The outer edges of the surface portion20each carry a strap26, which in the closed state forms a side wall of the storage device.

Just as in the case of all other exemplary embodiments, the fifth exemplary embodiment shown onFIGS. 19 and 20is a screwdriver storage device with a planar main body in the open state. The main body exhibits a textile outer side, and preferably also a textile inner side. The screwdriver13is here secured to a narrow side surface21. The opposing narrow side surface19carries a holder4for screwdriver bits. The screwdriver bits are arranged in several rows that extend transverse to the alignment of the hinge axes14,15. Each insertion opening has three receiving openings for bits. A chuck9is inserted in one receiving opening.

The inner side of the broadside portion20is fitted with two holding devices4running parallel to the hinge lines14,15. Each of the two holding devices running parallel to each other exhibits several rows of insertion openings for a respective bit5. Each row here also contains three insertion openings, wherein a total of six insertion openings lie one behind the other in a direction transverse to the progression of the hinge lines14. The rows are single-row, so that each bit has two neighbors at most.

Extending between the single-row rows of the storage devices are free spaces27,28, into which bits of the surface portion19or20can plunge while closing the device.

The storage devices shown onFIGS. 15 to 20have a total of five surface portions18to22. In the closed state, the surface portions18,22abut against each other, to some extent parallel to each other. The surface portion22is provided with adhesive agents, which can adhere to the outer side of the surface portion18when closing the device.

Especially the parallel, side-by-side arrangement of several, in particular two, holding devices4made out of plastic for bits, which in particular are fitted with bits5, is of inventive importance in the exemplary embodiments shown onFIGS. 15 to 12. A large enough free space18is situated between the holding devices4, so that the bits4arranged in the holders can be removed with two fingers. The free space28is not just large enough to insert a thumb, but also wide enough that the bits inserted in a holder4of another surface portion18,19can enter it.

Further of independent importance is that straps26are allocated to the surface portion20, which exhibits at least one or more holding devices4for bits5or holding devices4fitted with bits5, wherein these straps form opposing walls of the storage device in a closed state, wherein the straps26in particular are flexibly secured to the edges of the surface portion20, for example sewn or adhesively bonded.

Also of independent importance is the allocation of a handle13or some other screwdriver to a narrow surface portion21, which borders a broad surface portion20, wherein holders4fitted with bits5are allocated to a second narrow surface portion19, which borders the wide surface portion20.

Further of inventive importance is that a chuck9or extension piece is inserted in an insertion opening of a holder4allocated to a narrow surface portion19, and in the closed state of the storage device lies between two rowed holding portions of the holding device4, which are allocated to the wide surface portion20that immediately adjoins the narrow surface portion19on a hinge line15.

Further of inventive importance is that holders4allocated to a first surface portion20exhibit spaced apart rows of insertion openings for bits5, and another surface portion18,19exhibits structurally identical holders4for bits, whose rowed insertion openings for bits5are offset relative to the rowed insertion openings of the holder4of the surface portion20in such a way that the bits inserted in the insertion openings of the respective holding device4plunge into the free spaces27,28of the respective other holding device4.

The above statements serve to explain the inventions encompassed in totality by the application, which each independently further develop the prior art with at least the following feature combinations.

A device for storing tools, in particular screwdrivers with a planar main body1, which exhibits an inner side2and an outer side3, wherein holding devices,4,6,8,10,12are provided on the inner side2for retaining the tools5,7,9,11,13on the main body1, wherein the main body1is divided by several hinges14,15,16,17into surface portions18,19,20,21,22, wherein these surface portions18,19,20,21,22can be folded out of a tool removal position, in which the surface portions18,19,20,21,22lie essentially in a single plane, around the hinges14,15,16,17and into a storage position, in which the outer sides3of the surface portions18,19,20,21,22form planar surfaces of a polygonal solid body.

A device, characterized in that the surface portions18,19,20,21,22of the main body are each stiffened by a dimensionally stable and flexible planar body/planar body portion23, and in particular at least the outer side3of a surface portion18,19,20,21,22is made out of a textile material.

A device, characterized in that the device is shaped like a prism in its storage position, and exhibits a stiffness that makes it possible to erect the device stably on a planar floor surface with each of its surface portions18,19,20,21,22and/or with their end faces24,25that face away from each other and run parallel to each other.

A device, characterized in that the holding devices4,6,8,10,12are arranged in such a way that the tools5,7,9,11,13thereby secured to the main body1stiffen the main body1in its storage position.

A device, characterized by free spaces27,28,29between the tools5,7,9,11,13secured to the inner side2, which in the removal position make it easier to remove the tools, and into which engage tools7,13arranged on other surface portions19,21in the storage position.

A device, characterized in that the inner side2and outer side3are each made out of a textile, in particular a fabric, which are joined together by seams running along the hinge lines14,15,16,17, and between which dimensionally stable and flexible planar insertion bodies23are situated.

A device, characterized in that, in the removal position, the main body1forms an angular, in particular an essentially square surface object with hinge lines14,15,16,17running parallel to short peripheral edges.

A device, characterized in that the holding devices are arranged in such a way that elongated tools11,13extend parallel to the hinge lines14,15,16,17and/or that the holding devices4,6,8,12are arranged in such a way that screwdriver inserts5,7, in particular bits or nuts, extend transverse to the progression of the hinge lines14,15,16,17.

A device, characterized that the hinges form precisely four bending lines14,15,16,17, and a surface portion12near the edge forms a closing strap, which adhesively abuts in a planar manner against a surface portion bordering the edge in a storage position.

A device, characterized in that the narrow side surfaces of the polygonal solid body are each comprised of one or more straps26, which are joined with a peripheral edge of a broadside surface along a bending line.

A device, characterized in that one or more insertion bodies23are fitted with magnets.

A device, characterized by spring webs33arranged in the area of the bending lines14,15,16,17, with which portions of the planar body23are joined together, which are preloaded in the storage position and relaxed in the removal position.

A device, characterized in that a plurality, in particular all, surface portions18,19,20,21,22, are stiffened by a shared planar body23, wherein this planar body23forms slits32in the area of the hinge lines14,15,16,17that run parallel thereto.

A device, characterized in that each hinge line14,15,16,17is crossed by a respective two webs33comprising the narrow side of a slit.

A device, characterized in that a first surface portion20exhibits one or more first holding devices4, and a second surface section19,20exhibits one or more second holding devices4, wherein each of the first and second holding devices4forms a plurality of respective straight, spaced apart rows that run through a free space27,28and exhibit a respective plurality of insertion openings for screwdriver inserts5, wherein the rows of the first holding device4are offset relative to the rows of the second holding device4in such a way that, in the storage position, the screwdriver inserts5inserted into the insertion openings of the first holding device4plunge into the free spaces28of the second holding device4, and the screwdriver inserts5inserted into the insertion openings of the second holding device4plunge into the free spaces27of the first holding device4.

All disclosed features are essential to the invention (taken individually or also in combination with each other). The disclosure of the invention hereby also incorporates the disclosure content of the accompanying/attached priority documents (copy of the preliminary application) in its entirety, even for the purpose of also including features from these documents into the claims of the present application. The features in the subclaims characterize independent inventive further developments of prior art, in particular to initiate partial applications based upon these claims.