Abstract:
A tool storage unit comprises a plate ( 15 ) that, in use, is attached to a supporting structure in such manner as to be disposed substantially horizontally. The plate ( 15 ) is so formed as to provide a plurality of spaced tool support formations ( 16, 17, 18  and  19 ) of a plurality of configurations,

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to storage units and is particularly concerned with the provision of an improved form of storage unit for use in the storage of garden tools.  
         [0002]     Garden tools are often hung on pins or hooks, or stacked loosely against a wall of a shed or barn. Such methods of storage are space-consuming and not very safe.  
         [0003]     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a storage unit that can be used for the storage of garden tools in a space-saving, safe manner.  
         [0004]     A variety of forms of tool storage units have previously been developed and typical examples are those shown in European Patent Specification No. 0 156 088, French Patent Specification No. 2 787 052, British Patent Specifications Nos. 2 363 711, 2 279 235, 1 586 965 and 1 543 383 and U.S. Patent Specifications Nos. 4,362,243 and 6,360,891,  
         [0005]     It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a tool storage unit that is economical to produce and which is so designed that the mounting of tools on the storage unit can readily be effected.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to the present invention there is provided a tool storage unit comprising a back plate which, in use, is attached to a supporting structure in such manner as to be disposed substantially vertically and a top plate which, in use, is disposed substantially horizontally, said top plate having an outer periphery and being so formed as to provide a plurality of spaced tool support formations of a plurality of configurations, some of the spaced tool support formations being in the form of arcuate rebates formed in the outer periphery of the plate and some of the spaced tool support formations being in the form of circular apertures in the plate.  
         [0007]     Some of the spaced tool support formations may be in the form of pins projecting from edges of the plate.  
         [0008]     The storage unit may include additional support formations located beneath and spaced from the top plate, such additional support formations being, for example, afforded by a pin or pins secured to support gussets which act between the back plate and the top plate.  
         [0009]     The top plate may be in the form of a plastics moulding having a substantially flat upwardly facing surface and having a plurality of reinforcing ribs on its downwardly facing surface. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a storage unit,  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the storage unit,  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the storage unit,  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the storage unit,  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of an alternative form of top plate for a storage unit, and  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is an underneath plan view of the top plate shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]     The storage unit shown in FIGS.  1  to  4  of the drawings comprises a steel or other corrosion-resistant metal top plate  15  and an integral back plate  10  which is formed with spaced apertures  21  for receiving fasteners (not shown) for fixing the storage unit to a wall of a shed, barn or the like in such manner that the top plate  15  is substantially horizontal. As shown, a first pair of triangular gusset plates  12  are welded to the underside of the top plate  15  and to the front of the back plate  10 , while a second pair of triangular gusset plates  14  are welded to the underside of the top plate  15  and to the first gusset plates  12 . The gusset plates  12  and  14  provide stable support for the top plate  15  that contains tool support formations  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  and  20 . The width of one specific form of top plate can be 320 mm. while the depth thereof can be 298 mm. These dimensions are, of course, given purely by way of example. The tool storage unit of FIGS.  1  to  4  may alternatively be formed as a plastic fabrication or moulding.  
         [0017]     In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS.  1  to  4  of the drawings, there are five tool support formations  16 , which are in the form of curvate rebates, and these can be used to support garden tools such as forks, spades, rakes and lawn edgers, the tools having shafts which fit in the curvate rebates and heads or the like which rest on the surrounds of the rebates, so as to be located by the tool support formations  16 . As can be seen from  FIG. 4 , each of the curvate support formations  16  extends inwardly from the outside periphery of the top plate  15  and has a configuration comprising just in excess of a semi-circle.  
         [0018]     There are two tool support formations  17 , which are in the form of circular apertures in the top plate  15 , and these can be used to support tools such as hand forks and trowels. There is one tool support formation  18 , which is in the form of a circular aperture at the centre of the top plate  15 , and it can be used to support, for example, a pair of hand shears. In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS.  1  to  4  of the drawings, the circular aperture affording support formation  18  has a greater diameter than the circular apertures affording support formations  17 . For example, formation  18  may have a diameter of 45 mm. while formations  17  each have a diameter of 40 mm.  
         [0019]     Tool support formations  19  are in the form of horizontal pins or pegs welded to the underneath of the top plate  15  and projecting centrally from the sides of the top plate  15 . Formations  19  can be used to support garden tools such as draw hoes and spring rakes.  
         [0020]     Tool support formations  20  are afforded by a horizontal pin welded to the triangular gussets  12  at positions spaced from the underside of the top plate  15 . The tool support formations  20  can be used to support, for example, pruners and transplant forks.  
         [0021]     As will be apparent from FIGS.  1  to  4  of the drawings, tool support formations  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  and  20  are so arranged that, when a plurality of tools of different kinds are supported on the respective formations  16  to  20 , access can be obtained to any one of the tools without interfering significantly with any of the other tools.  
         [0022]     As will be seen from  FIG. 4 , two of the curvate support formations  16  face towards the back plate  10 , and hence towards the wall to which the storage unit is attached. When, therefore, the user wishes to remove a tool from one of the rearwardly facing tool support formations, he or she will lift the tool, and then move it to the rear and subsequently to the side. The movements described above are carried out in reverse to replace a tool in one of the rearwardly facing tool support formations  16 .  
         [0023]     As will also be seen from  FIG. 4 , three of the curvate support formations  16  face away from the wall on which the storage unit is mounted. It will thus be a very simple matter for a user to place the shank of a tool in one of these forwardly facing support formations  16  and then lower the tool so that the head of the tool rests on and is supported by the part of the top plate  15  adjacent the selected support formation  16 .  
         [0024]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show an alternative form of top plate  25  that is in the form of a plastic moulding having a substantially flat upwardly presented surface and a downwardly facing lower surface from which extend an array of reinforcing ribs  26 . One edge  27  of the top plate  25  is straight and this straight edge  27  is secured to a separately moulded back plate (not shown) that is secured (in use) to a wall or other support surface.  
         [0025]     The periphery of the top plate  25  is formed with five inwardly extending arcuate rebates  28  (corresponding to the rebates  16  of the embodiment shown in FIGS.  1  to  4 ). There are again three forwardly facing rebates  28  and two rearwardly facing rebates  28 . There are three circular apertures  29  in the central part of the top plate  25  but, in this case, the circular apertures  29  are all of one size.  
         [0026]     It will be seen from the above that the invention provides a tool storage unit that is economical to produce, and simple to install in a required position. It enables the user to store a variety of garden tools safely and in a space saving manner. Access to the tools can readily be obtained and placing of the tools in the apertures and rebates can easily be effected.