Abstract:
The current invention discloses a safe and inexpensive tool holder designed to accommodates a pry bar or other tools. The holder comprises: a plate member having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the plate member has an elongated holding slot connecting the top surface to the bottom surface and sized to be a loose fit to the pry bar, the elongated holding slot roughly divides the plate member to a proximal section and a distal section; a blocking beam attached to the bottom surface of the plate member, residing adjacent to the elongated holding slot and on the distal section of the plate member; and attachment structures that affix the plate member to the belt. The pry bar holder may further comprise a specially designed backrest that attaches the pry bar holder to a belt. A pry bar can be held vertically through the holding slot. Moreover, the size and shape of the holding slot, as well as the size and shape of the holder may be altered to accommodate other tools that need to be carried around.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/424,290 filed on Dec. 17, 2010, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to devices for carrying tools, and more particularly to a pry bar holder, worn on a belt, to accommodate a pry bar or other tools. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is common practice for craftspeople to wear tool carrying devices, such as a pry bar, on their belts. 
         [0004]      FIG. 1A  shows an isometric view of a typical tool holder. This generic tool holder  100 , intended for carrying a hammer  160 , has a holding loop  110  that is attached to a tool backrest  120 . 
         [0005]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , a craftsperson  130  may attach the generic tool holder  100  to their belt  140  by means of the generic tool holder  100  belt attachment  150 . Once the generic tool holder  100  is attached to the craftsperson&#39;s belt  140 , the holding loop  110  is substantially horizontal and provides a convenient place for a craftsperson to temporarily store a hand tool, in this instance, a  130  hammer  160 . The generic tool holder  100  is a simple, but effective, device that frees up both of a craftsperson  130  hands while ensuring that hammer  160  readily available. 
         [0006]    Another tool that is commonly used in the construction industry is a pry bar  200 , shown in an isometric view in  FIG. 2A . The pry bar  200  is a general purpose tool used for removing nails, opening crates, demolishing walls, lifting and in many other situations where one item has to be moved with respect to another. 
         [0007]    A pry bar  200  is typically made of steel and has an elongated handle  210 . At one end, the pry bar  200  typically has a claw  220  extending in a direction that may be generally perpendicular to the handle. The claw  220  may be joined to the elongated handle  210  by an outwardly curved fulcrum  230  that may have a lateral offset  240  from the elongated handle  210 . At a second end, the pry bar  200  may have a second claw  290 . 
         [0008]    One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that, because of its shape, a device such as a pry bar  200  is not as easily stored on a belt via a generic tool holder  100  as other common tools such as hammers or screwdrivers. A horizontal sectional view of a pry bar is a very slim rectangular shape. The design of the generic tool holder  100  is too simple to ensure that a pry bar  200 , while hanging from such generic tool holder  100 , does not tilt and fall off, with the potential of causing serious injuries or damages. Moreover, the design of the generic tool holder  100  dictates that a pry bar is held very close to the body of the craftsperson  130  because the opening that holds a pry bar is right adjacent to the tool backrest  120 , which is directly attached to the belt  140 . Therefore, due to its shape, either claw  220  or second claw  290  will stay abut the body of the craftsperson  130  and may be pushed against the body and cause injuries. 
         [0009]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , prior art pry bar holders  250  have been produced. Like the device shown in  FIG. 2   b , these prior art pry bar holders  250  tend to be complex. They may, for instance, have a separate pry bar holding slot  260  to accommodate the elongated handle  210 , a separate claw rest  270  to accommodate the claw  220  extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the handle and a handle rest  280  to help prevent the pry bar  200  from twisting. The complexity of the prior art pry bar holders  250  make them significantly more expensive than, for instance, the simple generic tool holder  100  shown in  FIG. 1A . The simple generic tool holder  100 , on the other hand, causes many safety concerns, as indicated above. 
         [0010]    The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior arts by providing a simple and inexpensive pry bar holder that is safe and easy to use. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0011]    The relevant prior art involving tool holders includes: 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,855 issued to Flynn on Nov. 25, 2003 that describes a holder for a pry bar of the type having an elongated handle, a claw extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the handle, and an outwardly curved fulcrum interconnecting the handle and the claw. The holder includes a loop through which the handle can be inserted in a vertical direction, a seat positioned above the loop for engaging the claw to support the pry bar in a hanging position with the handle captured by the loop, and a bumper below the loop for lateral engagement by the handle to keep the claw on the seat. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,576 issued to Ashley on Jun. 12, 1990 for a “Pouch assembly for carpenters and other tradesmen”. This describes a nail and screw pouch and tool holder assembly includes one or more slidable belt-attached pouch holders with slots through which a belt passes, worn by the user. Each pouch holder, which may be of leather so as to be relatively stiff, has a pouch hanger member formed of a generally horizontal rigid bar or rail with a plurality of depending U-shaped sections, each for supporting and locating a clip from which a pouch or tool holder hangs. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,667 issued to Gallant on Mar. 23, 1993 for a “Tool holder”. This describes a device for suspending T-shaped tools from a belt, toolbox, wall, or other mount, comprising a flat attachment material and a rotating holder body which secures the tool while allowing the tool to be inserted and removed from different angles. In order to ensure that the holder body stays in a useful position, its swing is limited by two stops which act as brakes and are affixed so as to protrude perpendicularly from the attachment material. The invention is designed so that after the tool is inserted into the holder, the head of the tool remains secured by the cantilevering action of a spring-loaded clip against a dead-lock arm extending downwards from the holder body. The opposite end of the tool rests on an L-shaped extending at right angles from the attachment material. The tool is removed by the natural motion of grasping the handle and swinging upwards. This results in the tool being held in an immediately usable manner as it is withdrawn from the holder. 
         [0015]    US Patent Publication no. 2010/013,305 submitted by Stewart on Jun. 3, 2010 for a “BELT MOUNTED TOOL HOLDER”. This describes a belt mounted sleever bar holder includes a belt receiving member of flexible material formed into a belt receiving loop and designed to receive a belt there through so as to securely hold the belt receiving member on a belt. A metal mounting plate is fixedly attached to an outer surface of the belt receiving member and an L-shaped metal sleever bar receiving member with a substantially vertically oriented arm and a substantially horizontally oriented arm is pivotally attached parallel with an outer surface of the mounting plate for limited rotary movements of the vertical arm relative to the mounting plate. The horizontally oriented arm includes a sleever bar receiving opening there through. 
         [0016]    Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention provides a pry bar holder that may accommodate a pry bar with enhanced safety to a wearer. In addition, by attaching the pry bar holder to a specially designed backrest, the combination can be worn directly on a belt without additional attachment structures. Moreover, though the invention is termed as a “pry bar holder,” it should be clear that the basic design of the current invention allows it to serve as holder to many kinds of tools, such as but are not limited to: hammer, screwdriver, wrench, handsaw, vise grips, wire cutter/stripper, pliers, steel chisel, utility knife, drill with bit, and other tools that need to be carried around. 
         [0018]    Several preferred embodiments that share a core design are disclosed herein. In general, the pry bar holder for carrying a pry bar on a belt comprises: a plate member having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the plate member has an elongated holding slot connecting the top surface to the bottom surface and sized to be a loose fit to the pry bar, the elongated holding slot roughly divides the plate member to a proximal section and a distal section; a blocking beam attached to the bottom surface of the plate member, residing adjacent to the elongated holding slot and on the distal section of the plate member; and attachment structures that affix the plate member to the belt. The pry bar holder of the present invention may further include a backrest having a front side, a back side and belt attachment mechanisms, and attachment structures affixed to the plate member to attach the plate member to the front side of the backrest, wherein the plate member is generally perpendicular to the front side of the backrest. 
         [0019]    The pry bar holder disclosed here does not require additional attachment device to be affixed to a craftsperson&#39;s belt. While a backrest is preferably used, the pry bar holder may be worn directly on a belt and the pry bar or any other tool that needs to be carried around may hang vertically though the holding slot on the plate member. The plate member is generally designed to be strong enough to withstand all kinds of tools and it is not easily broken or distorted, reducing the likelihood that the pry bar will fall. The holding slot is generally an elongated hole that fits the sectional shape of a pry bar. Nevertheless, the size and shape of the plate member and the holding slot may vary according to the type, size, and shape of the tool that is to be carried. 
         [0020]    The pry bar holder has a blocking beam that is attached to the bottom surface of the plate member. While the holding slot is generally an elongated hole, it roughly separates the plate member to a proximal section, which is closer to the back rest, and a distal section. The blocking beam may be attached to the bottom surface of the plate member, on the side the distal section. In practice, the blocking beam prevents a pry bar hanging through the holding slot from tilting outward and falling off the holder. Thus, the blocking beam enhances the safety of the pry bar holder. 
         [0021]    Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pry bar holder that is inexpensive. 
         [0023]    It is an object of the present invention is to provide a pry bar holder with a strong and robust plate member having a holding slot for a pry bar. 
         [0024]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pry bar holder that makes it safer to attach a pry bar to a craftsman&#39;s belt, with reduced likelihood that the pry bar will fall off the holder. 
         [0025]    Yet another object of the present invention to provide a pry bar holder that may be directly attached to a belt without additional devices. 
         [0026]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device that will safely, but temporarily, secure a pry bar by adapting a belt worn hammer holder. 
         [0027]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a convenient and easy to use, easy-to-attach pry bar holder that may be affixed to a user&#39;s belt. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1A  shows an isometric view of a prior art tool holder. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1B  shows an isometric view of a craftsperson carrying a hammer in a prior art tool holder attached to their belt via a belt attachment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2A  shows an isometric view of a prior art pry bar. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2B  shows an isometric view of a prior art pry bar holder. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  A-I show a first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder: 
           [0033]      FIG. 3A  is a top front perspective view of the first preferred embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the first preferred embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3D  is a bottom view of the first preferred embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3E  is a front view of the first preferred embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3F  is a back view of the first preferred embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3G  is a first side view of the first preferred embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3H  is a second side view of the first preferred embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 3I  is a sectional first side view of the first preferred embodiment. 
           [0042]      FIG. 4A-I  show a second preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder: 
           [0043]      FIG. 4A  is a top perspective view of the second preferred embodiment; 
           [0044]      FIG. 4B  is a top perspective view of the plate member in the second preferred embodiment when the plate member is opened to show the top half and bottom half of the plate member; 
           [0045]      FIG. 4C  is a top view of the second preferred embodiment; 
           [0046]      FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the second preferred embodiment; 
           [0047]      FIG. 4E  is a front view of the second preferred embodiment; 
           [0048]      FIG. 4F  is a back view of the second preferred embodiment; 
           [0049]      FIG. 4G  is a first side view of the second preferred embodiment; and 
           [0050]      FIG. 4H  is a second side view of the second preferred embodiment. 
           [0051]      FIG. 4I  is a sectional first side view of the second preferred embodiment. 
           [0052]      FIG. 5  A-G show a third preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder: 
           [0053]      FIG. 5A  is a top perspective view of the third preferred embodiment; 
           [0054]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of the third preferred embodiment; 
           [0055]      FIG. 5C  is a bottom view of the third preferred embodiment; 
           [0056]      FIG. 5D  is a front view of the third preferred embodiment; 
           [0057]      FIG. 5E  is a back view of the third preferred embodiment; 
           [0058]      FIG. 5F  is a first side view of the third preferred embodiment; and 
           [0059]      FIG. 5G  is a second side view of the third preferred embodiment. 
           [0060]      FIG. 6A-G  show a fourth preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder while it is attached to a backrest: 
           [0061]      FIG. 6A  is a top perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment while it is attached to a backrest; 
           [0062]      FIG. 6B  is a front view of the fourth preferred embodiment while it is attached to a backrest; 
           [0063]      FIG. 6C  is a back view of the fourth preferred embodiment while it is attached to a backrest; 
           [0064]      FIG. 6D  is a top view of the fourth preferred embodiment while it is attached to a backrest; 
           [0065]      FIG. 6E  is a bottom view of the fourth preferred embodiment while it is attached to a backrest; 
           [0066]      FIG. 6F  is a first side view of the fourth preferred embodiment while it is attached to a backrest; and 
           [0067]      FIG. 6G  is a second side view of the fourth preferred embodiment while it is attached to a backrest. 
           [0068]      FIG. 7A-E  show a fifth preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder. 
           [0069]      FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the holder holding a pry bar when the holder is attached to a belt. 
           [0070]      FIG. 7B  is a back perspective view of a plate member of the fifth preferred embodiment of this invention. 
           [0071]      FIG. 7C  is a front perspective view of a plate member of the fifth preferred embodiment of this invention. 
           [0072]      FIG. 7D  is a top view of a plate member of the fifth preferred embodiment of this invention. 
           [0073]      FIG. 7E  is a side view of a plate member of the fifth preferred embodiment of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0074]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0075]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0076]      FIG. 3  A-I show a first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 .  FIG. 3A  is a top front perspective view. Shown in  FIG. 3A  are a plate member  340 , the plate member  340  having a top surface  350  and a plate holding loop wrap  341 , an elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , plate holding loop wraps  341 , a blocking beam  380 , and the attachment structures including attachment beams  390 , vertical beams  375 , and a plate holding loop  370 . The elongated holding slot  360  roughly divides the plate member  340  to a proximal section  363 , which is closer to the attachment beams  390 , and a distal section  366 , which is farther from the attachment beams  390 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded top front perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300  to demonstrate the inner structure of the plate member  340 . Besides the elements shown in  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B  shows the top half  343  of plate member  340  and the bottom half  345  of plate member  340  separately. The top half  343  and the bottom half  345  have plate holding loop wraps  341  and fitting grooves  346  that may accommodate the plate holding loop  370 . Only the fitting groove  346  on the bottom half  345  of plate member  340  is shown here. The top half  343  and bottom half  345  of plate member  340  also have plate holding loop wraps  341 . In addition, the bottom half  345  also has fastener holes  347  that may be used to attach the bottom half  345  and top half  343  of plate member  340  together with fasteners  348 . 
         [0078]    The plate member  340  is a major component of the pry bar holder  300 . The plate member  340  needs to be strong and robust to withstand the weight of a pry bar. In addition, the plate member  340 , especially the part closer to the elongated holding slot  360 , should be strong enough to withstand friction with the pry bar. The plate member  340  may be one or more kinds of materials. The plate member  340  may be injection molded, or may be manufactured using any suitable method. The plate member  340  may be made of any material, including but not limited to, metal such as aluminum, titanium, iron or steel, rigid plastics, thermoplastics, elastomers, hard wearing rubbers, wood or wood products, metals, composites, or any combination of these materials or suitable materials which may become available in the future. Preferably, the plate member  340  of the present invention is made of metal or rigid plastic. 
         [0079]    In this embodiment, the attachment structures include the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , and the plate holding loop  370 . The attachment structures fasten the plate member  340  to a craftperson&#39;s belt. A backrest may be used so that the attachment beams  390  are affixed to the backrest, which is then attached to a belt. Or the attachment beams  390  may be attached directly to a belt. As long as a secure attachment is ensured, any means to achieve the attachment is acceptable. For example, the attachment beams  390  may be attached to a backrest or a belt with screws, rivets, nails, staples, glue, or direct molding. 
         [0080]    The attachment structures may be molded as a single piece or separated as connected parts. The attachment beams  390 , vertical beams  375 , and plate holding loop  370  may be made from same or different materials, including but not limited to: metal such as aluminum, titanium, iron or steel, rigid plastics, thermoplastics, elastomers, hard wearing rubbers, wood or wood products, metals, composites, or any combination of these materials or suitable materials which may become available in the future. Preferably, the attachment structures are made of metal, such as steel. 
         [0081]    The elongated holding slot  360  connects the top surface  350  to the bottom surface  355  and is sized to be a loose fit to the pry bar. The elongated holding slot  360  goes through the plate member  340  and it is where a pry bar  200  may be asserted. Generally, when the pry bar holder is attached to the belt of a wearer, with or without a backrest, the attachment beams  390  are close to the wearer and the plate member  340  is situated parallel to the ground. The pry bar  200  may be asserted through the elongated holding slot  360  with the elongated handle  210  pointing to the ground, while the claw  220  remains above the plate member  340 . Unlike prior art holder  250 , which requires the claw  220  pointing towards the wearer because claw  220  is to be positioned on claw rest  270 , the pry bar holder  300  by the current invention allows claw  220  to point either to or away from the body of the wearer. In general, when the claw  220  is pointing towards the body, it is preferred to have a pry bar holder backrest that provides a barrier between claw  220  and the wearer. 
         [0082]    In this particular embodiment, the plate member  340  may be divided into two parts: the top half  343  and the bottom half  345  of plate member  340 , as shown in  FIG. 3B . This design affords more flexibility in regard to the size of the pry bar that may be carried because the plate member  340  may be removed and different plate members  340  having different sizes of the elongated holding slots  360  may be attached in accordance with the actual pry bar that is to be carried. The top half  343  and the bottom half  345  of plate member  340  are connected with fasteners  348  such as screws. A user of the pry bar holder  300  may just unscrew the fasteners, remove the plate member  340 , and change to another plate member  340  having an elongated holding slot  360  with a different size. 
         [0083]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the are plate member  340  having a top surface  350 , the plate holding loop wrap  341 , the elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , and the plate holding loop  370 . The elongated holding slot  360  roughly divides the plate member  340  to a proximal section  363 , which is closer to the attachment beams  390 , and a distal section  366 , which is farther from the attachment beams  390 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 3D  is a bottom view of the first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the are plate member  340  having a bottom surface  355 , the plate holding loop wrap  341 , the elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , the attachment beams  390 , the blocking beam  380  that is attached to the bottom surface  355  of plate member  340  and resides adjacent to the elongated holding slot  360  on the distal section  366  of plate member  340 , and the plate holding loop  370 . Also shown in  FIG. 3D  are the fastener holes  347  and fasteners  348 . From  FIGS. 3C and 3D , it is clear that the holding slot  360  connects the top surface to the bottom surface of the plate member  340 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 3E  is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half, plate holding loop wraps  341 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the blocking beam  380 , the fasteners  348 , and the plate holding loop  370 . The pry bar holder  300  is symmetric through the A-A line shown in  FIG. 3E . 
         [0086]      FIG. 3F  is a back view of the first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half  345 , plate holding loop wraps  341 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the blocking beam  380 , the fasteners  348 , and the plate holding loop  370 . The pry bar holder  300  is symmetric through the A-A line shown in  FIG. 3E . 
         [0087]    The dimension of the pry bar holder  300  may vary according to the pry bar that is to be carried. In general, the width of the pry bar holder  300 , measured as the distance between the attachment beams  390 , may be 5 to 20 cm, and preferably around 8 cm. The height of the pry bar holder  300 , measured from the top of the attachment beams  390  perpendicularly to the virtual plain where the unattached side of the blocking beam  380  resides, may be 5 to 20 cm, and preferably around 8 cm. 
         [0088]      FIG. 3G  is a first side view of the first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half  345 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the blocking beam  380 , the fasteners  348 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 3H  is a second side view of the first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half  345 , the plate holding loop wraps  341 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the blocking beam  380 , the fasteners  348 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 3I  is a sectional first side view, across the A-A line as shown in  FIG. 3E , of the first preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half  345 , the plate holding loop wraps  341 , the elongated holding slot  360 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the blocking beam  380 , the filling groove  346 , the fastener holes  347 , the fasteners  348 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0091]    Here it is clear that the filling grooves  346  of the top half  343  and bottom half  345  of plate member  340  fit together to accommodate the plate holding loop  370 . Together with the filling grooves  346 , the plate holding loop wraps  341  close around the plate holding loop  370  and ensure that the plate member  340  is firmly held to the plate holding loop  370 , preventing the plate member  340  from movement while carrying a pry bar. 
         [0092]    The blocking beam  380  is designed to prevent unintentional falling of the pry bar  200  from the pry bar holder  300 . The blocking beam  380  is attached to the bottom surface  355  of plate member  340 . In addition, the blocking beam  380  is anchored on the proximal section  363  of plate member  340 , adjacent to the elongated holding slot  360 . When a pry bar  200  is being carried on a pry bar holder  300 , the lower end of the pry bar  200 , the elongated handle  210 , may be tilted or swung. Due to the shape of the pry bar  200 , the pry bar  200  may fall through the slot if excessive swing or tilting is allowed. The blocking beam  380  reduces the angle that the pry bar may be tilted or swung, especially when the elongated handle  210  swings or tilts away from the wearer&#39;s body. In such a manner, the blocking beam  380  decreases the possibility that the pry bar  200  may fall from the pry bar holder  300 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 4  A-I show a second preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 .  FIG. 4A  is a top front perspective view. Shown in  FIG. 4A  are a plate member  340  having a top surface  350 , an elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , a blocking beam  380 , and the attachment structures including attachment beams  390 , vertical beams  375 , and a plate holding loop  370 . The top half  343  of the plate member  340  comprises: an overlaying layer  351  and a top half base  352 , wherein the overlaying layer  351  has an extension to form a plate holding loop wrap  341  that wrap around the plate holding loop  370 . The elongated holding slot  360  roughly divides the plate member  340  to a proximal section  363 , which is closer to the attachment beams  390 , and a distal section, which is farther from the attachment beams  390 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 4B  is top perspective view of the plate member  340  when the plate member  340  is opened and the top half  343  and bottom half  345  of plate member  340  are mostly separated except for a connection by the plate holding loop wrap  341 . Shown here are the blocking beam  380  and the plate member  340  having a top half  343 , a bottom half  345 , plate holding loop  370 , and an elongated holding slot  360 . The top half  343  of plate member  340  comprises an overlaying layer  351  and a top half base  352 , wherein the overlaying layer  351  has an extension to form a plate holding loop wrap  341 . There are also protruding snaps  344  that resides on the top half  343  of plate member  340 . The bottom half  345  of plate member  340  has suspension holes  342  to capture the protruding snaps  344 . 
         [0095]    In the second preferred embodiment, the top half  343  and bottom half  345  of plate member  340  are not completely separated. Instead, the top half  343  and the bottom half  345  of plate member  340  are connected with the plate holding loop wrap  341 , which is made from flexible but strong material, such as but not limited to rubber and flexible plastic materials. Once closed, the top half  343  and the bottom half  345  of plate member  340  will be joined tightly together when the snapping holes  342  capture the protruding snaps. It should be noted that the design shown here is only supposed to be representative. For example, instead of snap mechanisms, other structures, such as a hook-and-loop design or screw fasteners, may be used. The protruding snaps  344  do not have to reside on the top half  343 . The positions of the protruding snaps and the snapping holes may well be exchanged without affecting the combination of the top half  343  and the bottom half  345  of plate member  340 . The top half  343  and the bottom half  345  have fitting grooves  346  that may accommodate the plate holding loop  370 . In addition, the bottom half  345  also has snapping holes  342  that may be used to attach the bottom half  345  and top half  343  of plate member  340  together with snaps  344 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 4C  is a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the are plate member  340  having a top surface  350 , the elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , the plate holding loop wraps  341 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , and the plate holding loop  370 . The elongated holding slot  360  roughly divides the plate member  340  to a proximal section  363 , which is closer to the attachment beams  390 , and a distal section  366 , which is farther from the attachment beams  390 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 4D  is a bottom view of the second preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the are plate member  340  having a bottom surface  355 , the elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , the plate holding loop wraps  341 , the attachment beams  390 , the blocking beam  380  that is attached to the bottom surface  355  of plate member  340  and resides adjacent to the elongated holding slot  360  on the distal section  366  of plate member  340 , and the plate holding loop  370 . Also shown in  FIG. 4D  are the snapping holes  342  and snaps  344 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 4E  is a front view of the second preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half, the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , and the plate holding loop  370 . The pry bar holder  300  is symmetric through the A-A line shown in  FIG. 4D . 
         [0099]      FIG. 4F  is a back view of the second preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half  345 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the blocking beam  380 , the snaps  344 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0100]      FIG. 4G  is a first side view of the second preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half  345 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the blocking beam  380 , the snaps  344 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0101]      FIG. 4H  is a second side view of the second preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half  345 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the blocking beam  380 , the snaps  344 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0102]      FIG. 4I  is a sectional first side view, across the A-A line as shown in  FIG. 4E , of the second preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half  345 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the blocking beam  380 , the filling groove  346 , the snapping holes  342 , the snaps  344 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0103]      FIG. 5  A-G show a third preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 .  FIG. 5A  is a top front perspective view. Shown in  FIG. 5A  are a plate member  340 , the plate member  340  having a top surface  350 , an elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , a blocking beam  380 , and a plate holding loop  370 . The elongated holding slot  360  roughly divides the plate member  340  to a proximal section  363 , which is closer to the attachment beams  390 , and a distal section, which is farther from the attachment beams  390 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of the third preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the are plate member  340  having a top surface  350 , a proximal section  363 , and a distal section  366 , and the elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 . 
         [0105]      FIG. 5C  is a bottom view of the third preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the are plate member  340  having a bottom surface  355 , the elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , the blocking beam  380  that is attached to the bottom surface  355  of plate member  340  and resides adjacent to the elongated holding slot  360  on the distal section  366  of plate member  340 , the attachment beams  390 , a horizontal beam  378 , and the plate holding loop  370 . From  FIGS. 5C and 5D , it is clear that the elongated holding slot  360  connects the top surface  350  to the bottom surface  355  of plate member  340 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 5D  is a front view of the third preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340  having a top half  343  and a bottom half, the attachment beams  390  having fastener holes  392 , the horizontal beams  378 , the blocking beam  380 , and the plate holding loop  370 . The horizontal beam  378  is positioned below the bottom surface  355  of plate member  340  and it connects to the attachment beams  390  and the plate member  340  to provide additional support. 
         [0107]    The third preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 , while shares the core design with the first and second preferred embodiments, has certain differences that do not affect the major function of the holder, while allowing the manufacturing process to be more effortless. Here the attachment structures, which include the attachment beams  390 , the plate holding loop  370 , and a horizontal beam  378 , are integrated with the plate member  340 . In essence, here the plate member  340  and the attachment structures are molded or co-molded and form a single piece. Such a design improves the robustness of the pry bar holding. Since the different parts are integrated together, it is preferred that the parts are made of the same materials, as stated for the first preferred embodiment. However, if it is technically possible and desired, the various structures may also be made from different materials. The horizontal beam  378  serves similar functions as vertical beams  375  in  FIGS. 3 and 4  may be considered as intermediary beams that provide additional support to attach the plate member  340  to a backrest or a belt. 
         [0108]      FIG. 5E  is a back view of the third preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340 , the attachment beams  390  having fastener hole  392 , the horizontal beam  378 . 
         [0109]    The fastener holes  392  may be used to attach the pry bar holder  300  to a belt or to a backrest, which may be attached to a belt. Similar structures may be used on attachment beams  390  in other embodiments. Either a screw or a rivet may be used as fasteners for the attachment. However, it should be noted that fastener holes  392  shown here are only meant to be examples as to how the pry bar holder  300  may be attached. Other approaches, such as using a staple gun or permanent glue, may be adopted when it is convenient or economical to do so. 
         [0110]      FIG. 5F  is a first side view of the third preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340 , the elongated holding slot  360 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0111]      FIG. 5G  is a second side view of the third preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder  300 . Shown are the plate member  340 , the elongated holding slot  360 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0112]      FIG. 6  A-G show a fourth preferred embodiment of a pry bar holder  300  when the pry bar holder is attached to a backrest  310 .  FIG. 6A  is a top front perspective view. Shown in  FIG. 6A  are a plate member  340 , the plate member  340  having a top surface  350 , an elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beam  375 , attachment fasteners  395 , a plate holding loop  370 , and a backrest  310  having a front side  315 , suspension hole  325 , first elongated hole  330 ; and second elongated hole  335 . The elongated holding slot  360  roughly divides the plate member  340  to a proximal section  363 , which is closer to the attachment beams  390 , and a distal section, which is farther from the attachment beams  390 . 
         [0113]      FIG. 6B  is a front view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a pry bar holder  300  when the pry bar holder is attached to a backrest  310 . Shown are the plate member  340 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beam  375 , attachment fasteners  395 , the blocking beam  380 , and the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0114]    Here the backrest  310  is specially designed to enable easier engagement with a belt. Unlike the backrest  120  shown in  FIG. 1 , here no additional devices are needed to attach the backrest  310  to a belt. The backrest  310  has a suspension hole  325 , a first elongated hole  330 , and a second elongated hole  335 . The backrest  310  is preferably made of flexible but robust materials, such as but not limited to: leather, synthetic leather, rubber, and semi-rigid plastic. A belt may be threaded through both of the elongated holes, allowing the belt to engage the backrest  310  so that the belt and the backrest  310  are substantially parallel. In alternative, the suspension hole  325  may be used when there are suitable protrusions on the belt. 
         [0115]    The pry bar holder  300  may be either removably or permanently connected to the backrest  310 . When combined, the backrest  310  may be considered a part of a pry bar holder. In this particular embodiment, the attachment beams  390  are connected to the backrest  310  with attachment fasteners  395 , which may be any kind of fasteners such as screws or rivets. When attached, the plate member  340  is substantially perpendicular to the backrest  310 . Accordingly, when the backrest  310  is hung from a belt, the plate member  340  is substantially parallel to the ground and a pry bar that is asserted in the elongated holding slot  360  will be vertical to the ground. 
         [0116]    For the fourth preferred embodiment of a pry bar holder  300 , the attachment structures, which include the attachment beams  390 , the plate holding loop  370 , and the vertical beams  375 , are integrated with the plate member  340 . In essence, here the plate member  340  and the attachment structures are molded or co-molded and form a single piece. Such a design improves the robustness of the pry bar holding. Since the different parts are integrated together, it is preferred that the parts are made of the same materials, as stated for the first preferred embodiment. However, if it is technically possible and desired, the various structures may also be made from different materials. 
         [0117]      FIG. 6C  is a back view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a pry bar holder  300  when the pry bar holder is attached to a backrest  310 . Shown are a backrest  310  having a back side  320 , suspension hole  325 , first elongated hole  330 ; and second elongated hole  335 . 
         [0118]      FIG. 6D  is a top view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a pry bar holder  300  when the pry bar holder is attached to a backrest  310 . Shown are the are plate member  340  having a top surface  350 , a proximal section  363 , and a distal section  366 , and the elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340 , the plate holding loop  370 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the attachment fasteners  395 , and backrest  310 . 
         [0119]      FIG. 6E  is a bottom view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a pry bar holder  300  when the pry bar holder is attached to a backrest  310 . Shown are the are plate member  340 , the elongated holding slot  360  residing in the plate member  340  and roughly divide the plate member  340  into the proximal section  363  and the distal section  366 , the blocking beam  380  that is attached to the bottom surface  355  of plate member  340  and resides adjacent to the elongated holding slot  360  on the distal section  366  of plate member  340 , the plate holding loop  370 , and the backrest  310 . 
         [0120]      FIG. 6F  is a first side view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a pry bar holder  300  when the pry bar holder is attached to a backrest  310 . Shown are the plate holding loop  370 , the blocking beam  380 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the attachment fasteners  395 , and the backrest  310 . 
         [0121]      FIG. 6G  is a second side view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a pry bar holder  300  when the pry bar holder is attached to a backrest  310 . Shown are the plate holding loop  370 , the blocking beam  380 , the attachment beams  390 , the vertical beams  375 , the attachment fasteners  395 , and the backrest  310 . 
         [0122]      FIG. 7A-E  show a fifth preferred embodiment of the pry bar holder.  FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view of the fifth embodiment when it is in use. The plate member  340  is shown inserted in a plate holding loop  370 , which is connected to a generic backrest. The generic backrest is shown attached to a belt  140  by means of a belt attachment  150 . The essential element of the fifth preferred embodiment is the plate member  340 . 
         [0123]    As shown in  FIG. 7A , the pry bar holder may have a plate member  340  that may have a top surface  350  and a side surface  356 . A groove  359  may formed in the side surface  356  of the plate member  340 . The groove  359  may run substantially parallel to the top surface  350  of the plate member  340 . The groove  359  may also be sized to be a secure fit to the inside of a plate holding loop  370  of the generic tool holder  100  that the plate member  340  may be designed for. 
         [0124]    The plate member  340  may also have a elongated holding slot  360  that connects the top surface  350  of the plate member  340  to the bottom surface  355  (not shown in this figure). The elongated holding slot  360  is preferably sized to be a loose fit to the pry bar  200  for which the plate member  340  is designed. 
         [0125]    The generic tool holder  100  may also have a tool backrest  120 . The elongated holding slot  360  may be sized so that when the elongated handle  210  of the pry bar  200  is seated in the elongated holding slot  360 , and the lateral offset  240  of the pry bar  200  rests on the top surface  350  of the plate member  340 , the claw  220  extending perpendicular to the handle of the pry bar  200  may rest against the tool backrest  120 . 
         [0126]      FIG. 7B  is a back perspective view of a plate member of the fifth preferred embodiment of this invention. In this view of the plate member  340 , the elongated holding slot  360  and the groove  359  may be seen clearly. As shown in this figure, the groove  359  may only extend around part of the side surface  356  of the plate member  340 . The groove  359  may, however, run substantially parallel to the top surface  350 . 
         [0127]      FIG. 7C  is a front perspective view of a plate member of the fifth preferred embodiment of this invention. In this view, the groove  359  and the elongated holding slot  360  may be seen clearly. As shown, the groove  359  may run substantially parallel to the top surface  350  and may be positioned substantially midway between the top surface  350  and the bottom surface  355 . 
         [0128]      FIG. 7D  is a top view of a plate member of the fifth preferred embodiment of this invention. 
         [0129]    The extent of the groove  410  may represent the extent of the groove  359  formed in the side surface  356  of the plate member  340 . The groove  359  may, for instance, extend along approximately two-thirds of the side surface  356 . The groove  359  may also extend for up to the entire circumference of the plate member  340 , or the groove  359  may extend for an angular distance that may range from an angle  410  of 90 degrees to one of 270 degrees. 
         [0130]    The top view of  FIG. 7D  shows that the elongated holding slot  360  may be formed to have a substantially constant rounded rectangular cross-section. The elongated holding slot  360  may also be formed to have another cross section such as, but not limited to, a substantially constant rectangular, oval or elliptical cross-section. 
         [0131]      FIG. 7E  shows a side view of an embodiment of a plate member  340  of this invention. The plate member  340  may have a thickness that is sufficient to provide stable support for the pry bar  200 , holding it in a substantially vertical position. The plate member  340  may for instance have a thickness within a range of 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, or depending of the material and density of the plate member  340  the thickness may be as great as 6 inches. 
         [0132]    The elongated holding slot  360  may be obliquely angled. In a preferred embodiment, the obliquely angled slot may be at an angle in the range of 80 degrees or more with respect to the top surface  350 . 
         [0133]    In a preferred embodiment the plate member  340  may be solid and made of a suitably moldable or machinable material such as, but not limited to, to vulcanized rubber. The plate member  340  may also be made of other materials such as, but not limited to, suitably light metals such as aluminum or titanium, suitably hard wearing wood, plastic or some combination thereof. The material may also be a foamed or other wise perforated or shaped to reduce weight and material costs, and may be coated with suitably hardwearing, but protective coatings such as, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, wood, cork or some combination thereof. 
         [0134]    In order to use the plate member  340  to make a full pry bar holder, a craftsperson  130  may first have to obtain a plate holding loop  370  for which the plate member  340  is designed, typically a common or inexpensive plate holding loop  370  that may be designed to hold a hammer. The craftsperson  130  may then attach the plate holding loop  370  to their belt  140 . Once attached, the craftsperson  130  may then fit the plate member  340  to the plate holding loop  370 . This may be done by, for instance, aligning the groove  359  in the plate member  340  to the inside of the plate holding loop  370  plate holding loop  370 . The plate member  340  may then be securely wedged in with a back surface of the plate member  340  pressing against the tool backrest  120  of the plate holding loop  370 . When the craftsperson  130  is not using their pry bar  200  they may now temporarily store it by inserting the second claw  290  of the pry bar  200  into the elongated holding slot  360  of the plate member  340 , and allowing the elongated handle  210  of the pry bar  200  to slide down into the slot. When the lateral offset  240  of the pry bar  200  comes to rest on the top surface  350  of the plate member  340 , the pry bar will be held with its claw  220  that extends perpendicular to the handle resting against the tool backrest  120  of the plate holding loop  370 . 
         [0135]    One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that although the pry bar holder has been described with respect to a pry bar  200 , a similar approach may be used to adapt a plate member  340  to hold a wide variety of tools such as, but not limited to, a molding bar, a wrecking bar, a claw bar or a double ended claw bar, or some combination thereof. 
         [0136]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.