Tool mounting device

A tool mounting device may have a base having a first base flange and a second base flange extending therefrom. A tool support may be connected to the first and second base flanges where the tool support may be adapted for selective pivotal motion with respect to the first and second base flanges. The tool support may have a first arm and a second arm and the arms may be connected by an arm base. The arms may also be adapted to support a tool thereon. A biasing member may be connected between one of the base flanges and the tool support.

FIELD

One embodiment of a tool mounting device is disclosed and depicted. The device may be adapted to mount to a vehicle and support a tool thereon.

BACKGROUND

Utility and working vehicles are known for accommodating tools and equipment needed for various tasks. For example, a trades-person may have a vehicle outfitted with tools and equipment for the various tasks likely to be encountered on a job.

Some trades-people would find it helpful if their vehicle was equipped with a vice. Generally, a vice is a mechanical apparatus with two parallel jaws. A first jaw may be fixed, while a second jaw may be movable with respect to the first jaw so that work objects can be selectively secured therein.

Vices, however, are often large, heavy objects that need a secure mounting, which may not be readily available on most vehicles. Further, it is often desirable to have a large area around a vice to not only accommodate work objects but also so that the trades-person can move about the vice and the work object as needed. At least these limitations have resulted in vices disadvantageously not being located on vehicles at all, or put in less than optimal locations.

In some past instances other has attempted to mount tools, such as vices, on structures that connect with the trailer hitch of a vehicle. It has been found, however, that the single point of attachment at the trailer hitch does not provide a stable mount. This is often because the structures must cantilever the tool mount far from the hitch, which results in lateral, as well as vertical, instability. In other words, the hitch mount is not secure or stable enough to keep the mounted tool from moving. Further, a hitch mounted tool must either be removed from the hitch for storage or kept in place, which exposes the tool to the environment and may impermissibly extend off the vehicle. Neither are good solutions.

In view of the disadvantages associated with the prior art, it would be advantageous to provide a mounting device for a tool, such as a vice, that robustly secured the tool to the vehicle, that also provided adequate workspace for the work objects and around the tool, and that also has a compact footprint.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a tool mounting device may have a base with a first base flange and a second base flange extending therefrom. The device may also have a tool support connected to the first and second base flanges. The tool support may be adapted for selective pivotal motion with respect to the first and second base flanges. The tool support may have a first arm and a second arm and the arms may be connected by an arm base. The first and second arms may each have lip portions adapted to support a tool thereon. A biasing member may be connected between one of the base flanges and the tool support.

In another aspect, the base may have a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface. The first and second base flanges may extend substantially parallel one another and substantially transversely from the upper surface.

In another aspect, the first and second base flanges may be separated from one another by a gap, and the first and second base flanges may be substantially the same shape as one another.

In another aspect, a portion of the tool support may be located within the gap and may be adapted for selective pivotal movement within the gap with respect to the first and second base flanges.

In another aspect, the first and the second base flanges may have aligned apertures and the tool support may have at least one set of apertures aligned with the aligned apertures in the first and second base flanges.

In another aspect, the first and second arms may extend substantially parallel one another and the arm base may extend between the first and second arms in a substantially transverse fashion.

In another aspect, the arm base may have a width that is approximately the same as a distance between the first and second arms.

In another aspect, the first and second arms may each have lip portions that are cantilevered away from the arm base.

In another aspect, the biasing member has a first end connected by a ball joint to one of said lip portions and a second end connected by a ball joint to one of said base flanges.

In another aspect, a tool support stop may extend through aligned apertures in the first and second base flanges.

In another aspect, a tool support pivot may extends through aligned apertures in the first and second base flanges and aligned apertures in the first and second arms.

In another aspect, a spring biased tool support pin may selectively extend through aligned apertures between one of the base flanges and one of the arms of the tool support.

In another aspect, the lip portions and the arm base may be substantially parallel an upper surface of the base.

In another aspect, a body portion of the tool support may be substantially parallel the first and second base flanges.

In another aspect, the lip portions and the arm base may be generally transverse an upper surface of the base.

In another aspect a body portion of the tool support may be substantially parallel the first and second base flanges.

In another aspect, a tool mounting device may have a base having a planar upper surface from which two parallel base flanges extend transversely therefrom. The device may also have a tool support connected to the first and second base flanges. The device may also have a tool support pivot extending through aligned apertures in both the tool support and first and second base flanges. The device may also have a tool support pin extending through aligned apertures in the tool support and one of the first or the second base flanges.

In another aspect, a portion of the tool support may be located between the first and second base flanges.

In another aspect, the tool support pivot may be coplanar with the tool support pin but the tool support pin may be located closer to the lip portions of the tool support compared with the tool support pin.

In another aspect, lip portions on the tool support may extend parallel but not coplanar with the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the figures, one embodiment of tool mounting device10is depicted. The tool mounting device10may be adapted for being located in or on a vehicle12, such as a cargo area14, a bumper, floor, wall, work area, or any area, of the vehicle12. The tool mounting device10may also work equally well mounted on a structure within the vehicle12such as a workbench, a shelf, a partition or the like.

The vehicle12may be such as a cargo van or pickup truck, but other vehicles may be used. Further, the device10may be used in non-mobile locations as well, such as workshops.

Regardless of its location, the device10may have a base16. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the base16may be such as a plate or plate-like structure. The base16may have any size, shape or thickness, but in the present embodiment, the base16may be square or rectangular. The base16may have an upper surface18and a lower surface20. The surfaces18,20may be substantially planar to define a constant thickness between them.

The base16may have at least one fastener aperture22extending from the upper surface18to the lower surface20. In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of fastener apertures22in the base. The fasteners apertures22may be located such as at corner portions24of the base16. Mechanical fasteners (not shown) may be located through the apertures22and into a substrate to fix the base16, and the device10, thereto.

At least one base flange may extend from the base16. In some embodiments, a first base flange26and second base flange28may extend from the base16. The base flanges26,28may extend at an angle to the base16. In some embodiments, base flanges26,28may extend transversely, or substantially transversely, to the base16.

The base flanges26,28may be integrally formed, unitary and one-piece with the base16, or they may be separate components that are separately attached to the base16. In the latter situation, the base flanges26,28may be attached such as through mechanical fasteners and/or welding.

Each of the base flanges26,28may be constructed as a plate or as a plate-like structure. In a plate configuration, each base flange26,28may have an inboard surface30A, B that faces the other and an outboard surface32A, B that faces away from one another opposite the inboard surfaces30A, B.

In some embodiments, the base flanges26,28may be a polygon, such as a quadrilateral. The edges that define the base flanges26,28and their shape may include transitions. The transitions may include radiused portions between edges. The radiused portions may help reduce or eliminate sharp portions between the edges.

The base flanges26,28may share the same size and shape, or they may differ from one another. The base flanges26,28may extend parallel one another, but be separated from one another on the base16. A fixed distance gap34may separate the two base flanges26,28. In some embodiments, the base flanges26,28may extend continuously and without interruption from a front edge36of the base16to a rear edge38of the base16. The base flanges26,28may be set at equal distances from first40and second42sides of the base16.

Each base flange26,28may have a plurality of apertures44extending therethrough. The apertures44may be spaced from one another across each base flange26,28. There may be an equal or unequal number of apertures44in each base flange26,28between the respective base flanges26,28. In some embodiments, at least some apertures44in the first base flange26may be aligned with the apertures44in the second base flange28.

A tool support46may be connected to at least one of the base flanges26,28. One embodiment of a tool support connection, as well as features, is depicted in the figures. The tool support46may be movably connected to at least one of the base flanges26,28. In some embodiments, the tool support46may be pivotally connected to at least one of the base flanges26,28.

The tool support46may be comprised of a first arm48and a second arm50. The arms48,50may be unitary, one piece and integrally formed individually and/or with one another, or they may be individual pieces that are connected together. In one embodiment, the arms48,50may be connected together by an arm base52.

Each arm48,50may have a body portion54and a lip portion56. The lip portions56may extend at an angle from the body portions54. The angle may be such as transverse. In some embodiments, the lip portions56may be cantilevered in an outboard direction with respect to the body portions54. It may be that the lip portions56only extend in the outboard direction and that the lip portions56do not extend in the inboard direction. The lip portions56may extend from top edges58of the body portion54.

The lip portions56may have a constant size and shape substantially along the length of the body portions54, or the size and shape of the lip portions56may vary. In some embodiments, the width of the lip portions56may be substantially constant along the body portions54but they may then increase in width near front end60portions of the body portions54. The increase in width may be such as double with original width of the lip portions56. An increase in width may assist in supporting a tool62, such as a vice, thereon.

The lip portions56may terminate before they reach rear edges64of the body portions54of the arms48,50. In these cases, the body portions54continue without lip portions56to the rear edges64.

The lip portions56may have upper and lower surfaces66,68. The surfaces66,68may define a constant thickness of the lip portions56along their length of the body portions54.

In some embodiments, apertures70may be provided in the lip portions56. Some apertures70may be provide in the increased width portions of the lip portions56to receive fasteners to fix one or more devices or objects, including tools62and/or a vice thereto.

The first and second arms48,50may extend parallel one another but separated by a gap72. The gap72may be provided by the arm base52. The arm base52may extend substantially continuously from the front end portion60to the rear edge64. A non-continuous arm base52, or one that has one or more gaps between arm segments may also be used. The arm base52may have a constant width resulting in the arms48,50extending a constant distance from one another. The thickness of the arm base52may also be constant.

It may be that the first and second arms48,50are mirror images of one another, or substantially mirror images of one another. In cases of symmetry, or substantial symmetry, a line of symmetry74may extend between the arms48,50.

A rear portion76of each arm48,50may have a plurality of apertures78formed therein. The apertures78are adapted to align with the apertures44in the first and second base flanges26,28. Further, the rear portion76of each arm48,50is adapted to fit between the first and second base flanges26,28. In some embodiments, the inboard surfaces30A, B of the base flanges26,28may be located directly adjacent the outboard surfaces32A, B of the rear portions76of the first and second arms48,50. In these embodiments, the inboard surfaces30A, B may be dimensioned such that relative movement between the inboard surfaces30A, B and the outboard surfaces32A, B is permissible.

The base16, the base flanges26,28and the tool support46may be constructed of a robust material capable of being constantly exposed to harsh use and an outdoor environment. In some embodiments, each may be constructed of the same material, such as metal, including but not limited to steel. In other embodiments, the device10components may be constructed of different materials from one another; other metals, composites, polymers and/or plastics may be used.

In a lowered position of the tool support46, the arm base52may be generally parallel the upper surface18of the base16. Further, the lip portion56may also be at least generally parallel the upper surface18of the base16.

A tool support stop80may be located through aligned apertures44in the first and second base flanges26,28. In one embodiment, the stop80may be located through the upper most aligned apertures44in the base flanges26,28. The stop80may be such as a tube or rod-like fastener but other structures may be used. In one embodiment, a bolt with a head on one end prevents the bolt from escaping the aperture44. Threads on the opposite end of the bolt receive a nut that keeps the bolt from escaping its adjacent aperture44. The body of the bolt may be extended parallel the upper surface18of the base16. The stop80prevents the rear edges64of the tool support46from moving past it when the tool support46is in a raised position, as shown inFIGS.3and4.

A tool support pivot82may be located through aligned apertures44in the first and second base flanges26,28, as well as in aligned apertures78in the first and second arms48,50that are aligned with the flange apertures44.

The pivot82may be such as a tube or rod-like fastener but other structures may be used. In one embodiment, a bolt with a head on one end prevents the bolt from escaping the apertures44,78. Threads on the opposite end of the bolt receive a nut that keeps the bolt from escaping its adjacent aperture44,78. The body of the bolt may be extended parallel the upper surface18of the base16. The pivot82creates and facilitates respective pivotal motion between the tool support46and the arms48,50.

A tool support pin84may be located through aligned apertures44,78in at least one of the first or second base flanges26,28, as well as in at least one of the first or second arms48,50. By way of example only, theFIGS.1and2depict the tool support pin84in a first aperture44in the first base flange26and a first aperture78in the first arm48where the apertures44,78are aligned. In this embodiment, the tool support84is in the lowered position.FIGS.3and4depict the tool support pin84in the first aperture44in the first base flange26and a second aperture78in the first arm base where the apertures44,78are aligned. In this embodiment, the tool support46is in the raised position.

In one embodiment, the tool support pin84may be a selectively biased, such as through a biasing structure. The biasing structure may be such as a spring90located within or about a housing for the pin84.

In some embodiments, the pin84may be comprise a biased portion86connected to a housing88. The housing88may at least partially locate a spring90therein where the spring90is connected to the biased portion86. The biased portion86may be such as a rod or tube where the biased portion86is selectively biased into one or more of the apertures44,78to secure the first base flange26and the first arm48in one of the positions noted above.

FIG.2depicts two conditions of the same tool support pin84. In the left hand condition, the biased portion86is in the extended condition. Such a condition might be when the pin84is to lock the base flange26to the first arm48. In the right hand condition, the biased portion86is in the retracted condition. Such a condition might be used when the pin84is to be withdrawn from the base flange26and/or the first arm48so that the two can move with respect to one another.

In other embodiments, the tool support pin84may be such as a tube or rod-like fastener. A head portion on the pin84may prevent the pin84from being removed from the apertures44,78.

In some embodiments, at least one biasing member92may be connected between the tool support46and the base16and/or one or more of the base flanges26,28. The biasing member92may assist in slowing the tool support46as it is moved from the raised to the lowered position. The biasing member92may be such as a pneumatic or hydraulic piston, but other pistons, springs of various types and/or other biasing members may be used. In the depicted embodiment, a first end portion94one end of the biasing member92may be connected to the tool support46, such as the body portion54, and a second end portion96of the biasing member92may be connected to one of the base flanges26,28, or the base16. The connections between the biasing member92and the tool support46and the base flanges26,28or base16may be such as through devices that accommodate pivotal or rotational movement. In one embodiment, the connection may be such as a ball stud or similar feature.

The embodiment depicted in the figures shows a biasing member92having the first end portion94rotationally connected to a lip portion56of an arm48and the second end portion96of the biasing member92being rotationally connected to a base flange26. Additional biasing members92may be used, and used in different locations than as shown.

In some embodiments, a foot98may be located on the tool support46. In more preferred embodiments, the foot98may be located on the arm base52. In such a case, the foot98may be located on a lower surface100of the arm base52, opposite the upper surface66of the lip portion66. Further, the foot98may be positioned on the lower surface100of the arm base52such that it may be adapted to selectively contact the upper surface18of the base16when the tool support46is in the lowered position. In other embodiments, the foot98may be located further outward along the lower surface100such that it may selectively contact the substrate upon which the base16is located including a floor100of the vehicle12, or a bumper of the vehicle12.

The foot98may be constructed from many different materials that are resilient and capable of withstanding the difficult working environments including harsh temperatures and uses. In one embodiment, the foot98may be constructed of an elastic material such as a rubber compound, but other materials including but not limited to polymers, fiberglass, metals, and/or composite materials.

Regardless of the construction of the foot98, the foot98may be adapted to absorb and/or cushion any impact from the first and second arms48,50moving from the raised to the lowered position. In some cases, such as where a vice104may be located on the tool support46, if the vice104is further loaded or retaining a heavy object, the weight associated with the tool support46, the vice104and/or the object may be more than the biasing member92is rated to handle. Even if the biasing member92can handle the loaded tool support46, the foot98may add cushioning and sound dampening to the device10.

While a single foot98is mentioned, additional feet that may be located anywhere along the arm base52, or in other locations along the arm base52may be used.

One or more tools, such as a vice104, may be located on the tool support46. The vice104may be supported on the tool support46such as on the lip portion56, and more preferably on the upper surfaces66of the lip portions56at or near the front end portions60of the body portion54. Fastener apertures (not shown) in the vice104are adapted to receive fasteners106extending through the vice104and into the apertures70in the lip portion56to secure the vice104to the tool support46.

In some embodiments, such as depicted inFIGS.5and6, a mounting plate108may selectively receive the tool mounting device10. The mounting plate108may be connected at least partially to the base16. For example, a lower surface20of the base16may sit directly on an upper surface110of the mounting plate108.

The mounting plate108may have a tool mounting device mounting portion112. In some embodiments, the mounting portion112may be plate-like in its shape. The mounting portion112may selectively receive the vice104directly thereon.

The mounting plate108may also have at least one support flange connected to the tool mounting device mounting portion112. In some embodiments, there may be a first and a second support flange114,116. The support flanges114,116may be one piece, integrally formed and unitary with the mounting plate108. The support flanges114,116may also extend at an angle with respect to the mounting plate108, such as transverse the mounting plate108.

In one embodiment depicted inFIGS.5and6, the first support flange114may extend generally parallel the first and second base flanges26,28. The first support flange114may be connected to a secure mount, such as a wall118of the vehicle12or other like structure. The connection may be through mechanical fasteners or the like.

The second support flange116may extend generally transverse the first and second base flanges26,28. The second support flange116may be connected to a shelf support120, such as through fasteners and the like. The shelf support120may be part of a shelf system122or other structures located in the cargo area14.

FIGS.5and6depict the device10mounted in one exemplary vehicle12at one location in the vehicle12. The device10may be placed in locations other than as shown.

In another embodiment depicted inFIG.7, the device10may be mounted on a different mounting plate124. The mounting plate124may be substantially planar except for two upstanding side flanges. The mounting plate124may be adapted to sit on two rails128. The rails128may be used to provide a secure location with floor ribs (not shown) in the vehicle floor102. The rails128may be secured to the ribs, and then the plate124may be secured to the rails128.

FIG.5depicts the device10in a lowered position. In the lowered position, at least one, if not both, of the lip portions56, as well as the arm base52, may be generally parallel the upper surface18of the base16. Each body portion54of the tool support46may be located generally parallel the first and second base flanges26,28. The biasing member92, connecting the tool support46with a base flange26,28, may be in a compressed condition.

The tool support pin84secures the tool support46in the lowered position. The tool support46provides the device10with sufficient length so that the tool104located thereon may extend beyond an opening130of the vehicle12, and perhaps the vehicle bumper. In this manner, the device10provides a clear work area around the device10that is relatively free of objects or obstructions.

FIG.6depicts the device10in an upright position. In the upright position, at least one if not both, of the lip portions56, as well as the arm base52may be generally transverse the upper surface18of the base16. Each body portion54of the tool support46may be located generally parallel the first and second base flange26,28, but of course, it has been rotated approximately90degrees from the lowered position. An extension arm of the biasing member92is now extended from the housing134for the biasing member92. When the tool support46is changed from the lowered to the raised position, the extension arm132moves into the housing134to reduce the overall length of the biasing member92. The biasing member92, which may be filled with fluid and/or springs, slows the movement of the extension arm132into the housing134.

In this position, the tool support pin84has been moved to another set of apertures44,78to secure the device10in the upright position. It can be appreciated that in the upright position, the device10, and the tool104, may be located within the vehicle12with the vehicle doors closed. In another embodiment, the device10can be located outside the vehicle12, such as on a bumper or other exterior structure. In both cases, a compact, space saving design where the device is only deployed if needed is achieved.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present device has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the device can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.