Abstract:
A tool storage apparatus and method of manufacture thereof is provided. Tubular extensions allow storage of tools designed for connection with tubes or cylindrical members. Tubular extensions are connected at an acute angle to a base. The positioning of the tubular extension can minimize the space required for storage. For use with swimming pool maintenance tools, space efficiency can be maximized.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/118,653, filed Feb. 14, 2000, (pending), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus for tools and equipment. In particular, the swimming pool maintenance equipment is stored on the apparatus.  
           [0003]    Swimming pool equipment includes different types of brushes, vacuum cleaner heads and nets or skimmers. Typically, swimming pool maintenance equipment interchangeably connects with a pole. One pole is used with any of the brushes, skimmers or vacuum head. For vacuuming, a hose is used to connect the vacuuming head to a vacuum source.  
           [0004]    The swimming pool maintenance equipment is stored on the ground, on shelves, or other locations convenient for use with the pool. Hooks for holding the equipment can be mounted on fencing or other structures near a pool. Special holders adapted for holding a hose have been used to store the vacuum hose.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,699 discloses an apparatus for holding and storing swimming pool maintenance equipment. The apparatus includes a support bar with brackets. The brackets comprise looped brackets and U-shaped brackets for holding the pole, vacuum hose, or other swimming pool maintenance equipment. However, the apparatus uses a large vertical space for holding all the various swimming pool maintenance equipment. Such space may not be available and is not esthetically pleasing. Also, looped brackets allow the equipment to hang loosely, which may also be not esthetically pleasing or efficient.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY  
         [0006]    The present invention is defined by the following claims and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. By way of introduction, the preferred embodiment described below includes an apparatus for conveniently organizing tools and a method of manufacture thereof.  
           [0007]    Tubular extensions allow storage of tools designed for connection with tubes or cylindrical members. Tubular extensions are connected at an acute angle to a base. The positioning of the tubular extension can minimize the space required for storage. For use with swimming pool maintenance tools, space efficiency can be maximized.  
           [0008]    In one aspect, a tool storage apparatus for conveniently organizing tools is provided. A base is adapted for mounting to a substantially vertical surface. At least one tubular extension connects with the base at an acute angle.  
           [0009]    In a second aspect, a pool tool storage apparatus for organizing swimming pool maintenance equipment is provided. A plurality of tubular extensions extend from a base. The plurality of tubular extensions each have an aperture at an end of the tubular extension. The aperture is adapted to hold swimming pool maintenance equipment.  
           [0010]    In a third aspect, a method of manufacturing a tool storage apparatus is provided. A base is adapted for mounting to a substantially vertical surface. At least one tubular extension from the base is provided. The tubular extension connects at an acute angle to the base.  
           [0011]    Further aspects and advantages of the invention are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a tool storage apparatus.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a side view of the tool storage apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a top view of the tool storage apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a side view of one embodiment of a tool storage apparatus for holding a hose.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and back views of one embodiment of a tool storage apparatus with a clip.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    A storage apparatus is provided for swimming pool maintenance equipment. Swimming pool maintenance equipment is designed for connection with a pole. The tool storage apparatus provides tubular extensions of a same shape as the pole. The swimming pool maintenance equipment is held by the tubular extensions for convenient storage. Further adaptations are provided for storing vacuum hose. Other tools designed for mating with a pole or tube can be stored on the apparatus.  
         [0018]    FIGS.  1 - 3  show a tool storage apparatus  10 . The tool storage apparatus  10  includes a base  14  and a plurality of tubular extensions  12 . Additional components may be used.  
         [0019]    The base  14  comprises PVC, other plastic, metal, wood or other material. For example, the base  14  comprises a PVC tube of any dimension, such as 1½ inner diameter PVC. The PVC tube comprises an elongated element. An aperture  16  may extend throughout the base  14  or just into an upper portion or lower portion of the base  14  for holding a tool. The tubular PVC has a circular cross section as shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the ends of the base  14  are cut at angles but horizontal or other angles can be provided. In an alternative embodiment, a tubular base  14  has a cross section of any shape, such as a semicircle with a flat section for mounting adjacent a wall or a rectangular tube. In yet other alternative embodiments, a solid base without the aperture  16  of any shape, such as rectangular, is used.  
         [0020]    The base  14  is adapted to mount on a substantially vertical surface, such as a wall, fence, pole, board, or other surface. In one embodiment, the base  14  includes apertures  18  for inserting a screw, bolt, rivet or other attachment mechanism to hold the base  14  to the vertical surface. In alternative embodiments, hooks, clips, wire, rope, indentations or other mechanisms are provided for connecting the base  14  to a vertical surface. For example, clips are provided for mounting the base  14  to a chain link fence.  
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the base  14  comprises a pole with a waited floor stand. The waited floor stand maintains the base  14  in a vertical position, and the tubular extensions  12  are provided along an upper portion or other portion of the base  14 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the base  14  is mounted to a frame or other freestanding structure. For example, a wood frame with a substantially vertical surface is connected with the base  14 . In yet other alternative embodiments, the base  14  is adapted to mount to substantially horizontal surfaces, such as a cross bar or the ground. For example, the base  14  comprises a weighted base designed to sit on the ground.  
         [0022]    The tubular extensions  12  comprise PVC, other plastic, metal, wood or other material. The tubular extensions  12  are formed at least in part as tubes. An aperture  20  is provided at one end away from the base portion  14 . The aperture  20  is adapted to hold tools. For example, the tubular extension  12 , and/or the aperture  20  are sized the same or similar as a pole used for swimming pool maintenance tools. In this embodiment, 1¼ inch inner diameter tubular extensions  12  are provided and sized to hold a brush, vacuum head, skimmer, and/or any other swimming pool maintenance tool. Swimming pool maintenance tools have tubular elements or extensions that fit within the aperture  20  or over the tubular extensions  12 . The tubular extensions  12  have circular, rectangular, or cross sections of other shapes. Where all of these tools are designed for connection to a same sized pole, the tubular extensions  12  have a similar or same size. In alternative embodiments, the tubular extensions  12  comprise solid cylinders. As used herein, tubular extensions include hollow or solid extensions formed to mate with a tube or formed as a tube, in part or whole.  
         [0023]    The tubular extensions  12  connect at an acute angle to the base  14  as shown in FIG. 2. When the base  14  is adapted to hang in a vertical position with respect to the elongated shape of the base  14 , the tubular extensions  12  are angled upwards. Other angular connections may be used as a function of the intended position of the base  14 . For example, a perpendicular angle of the tubular extension  12  to the base  14  can be used where the base  14  is adapted for resting on the ground. While all the tubular extensions in FIG. 2 are shown at a same angle, different angles for different tubular extensions  12  relative to the base  14  may be used.  
         [0024]    As shown, four tubular extensions  12  are provided. In alternative embodiments, at least one, a plurality, three or other numbers of tubular extensions  12  are provided. The tubular extensions  12  have a same size and shape, but different lengths, cross-sectional shapes or other characteristics may vary from one tubular extension  12  to another. The tubular extensions  12  are equally spaced along the base  14 , such as spacing associated with the types of tools to be stored. In one embodiment, about 4 inches separates each tubular extension  12 . In alternative embodiments, different spacing or spacing that varies between pairs of tubular extensions  12  is used. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the tubular extensions  12  are aligned linearly along the base portion  14 . In other embodiments, the tubular extensions  12  are angled in different directions from the base  14 . For example, pairs of tubular extensions  12  extend at 90° from each other from the base  14  at the same or different horizontal positions along the base  14 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 illustrates the tool storage apparatus  10  with different tubular extensions  12 . Two curved tubular extensions  22  are provided. The curved tubular extensions  22  are curved to more conveniently hold vacuum hose. For example, the curved tubular extensions  22  have an upward hook shape, an undulating curved shape, or other curves for holding hose. In one embodiment, at least the lower most tubular extension  12  comprises a curved tubular extension  22 . In alternative embodiments, a non-lowermost tubular extension  12  is curved. None, one, more than one, or all of the tubular extensions  12  may be curved.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a front and back view, respectively, of the tool storage apparatus  10  with clips  24 . The clips  24  comprise metal, plastic, or other material. For example, the clips  24  comprise spring tensioned metal brackets or metal brackets formed of a semi-circular spring metal. The clips  24  are sized in one embodiment to hold a swimming pool maintenance tool pole, such as a 1¼ inch or 1½ inch hollow metal tube. The clips  24  hold the pole by spring tension or other tension. In alternative embodiments, the clips  24  comprise belts or latches for tying or latchably connecting the pole to the base  14 .  
         [0027]    In one embodiment, two clips  24  near the ends of the base  14  are provided. The clips  24  are arranged or aligned so that the pole is connected substantially parallel to the elongated base  14 . In alternative embodiments, a single clip  24  or three or more clips  24  are provided. The clips  24  are positioned to avoid interference with the tubular extensions  12  and allow the pole to attach to the base  14  without contact or with minimal contact with the vertical surface or wall. In alternative embodiments, clips  24  can be provided for holding multiple devices, or multiple clips  24  can be used to hold different devices.  
         [0028]    The tool storage apparatus  10  is manufactured according to the material used. The base  14  is adapted for mounting to a substantially vertical surface. Apertures  18  are drilled or molded into the base  14 . Alternatively, clips, hooks or indentations are attached or formed in the base  14 . For PVC, the apertures  18  are drilled. For molded plastic, the apertures  18  are formed as part of the mold.  
         [0029]    Tubular extensions  12  are provided by molding the tubular extensions  12  with the base  14 . Alternatively, the tubular extensions  12  are glued, welded, clipped, latched or otherwise attached to the base  14 . In one embodiment, holes are drilled in the base  14 , and the tubular extensions  12  are inserted and glued in the holes. The tubular extensions  12  are provided in acute angle to the base  14  as a function of the direction of the holes drilled in the base  14  or the angle of a cut on the end of the tubular extensions  12  for attachment to the base  14 .  
         [0030]    The clip  24  is attached to the base  14 . The clip  24  is screwed, riveted, glued, latched, formed or molded to the base  14 . The clips  24  are attached to hold a pole or other object substantially parallel to the base  14 . In alternative embodiments, the clips  24  are aligned to hold objects in non-parallel positions relative to the base  14 .  
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the tool storage apparatus  10  is used for conveniently storing vacuum cleaner extenders and other vacuum attachments. The vacuum attachments are placed over the tubular extension  12  or within the inner diameter of the aperture  20  on the tubular extension  12 .  
         [0032]    In alternative embodiments, an adaptor or tube is inserted within the aperture  20  of the tubular extension  12 . The adaptor is sized to hold vacuum cleaner attachments or other attachments of different sizes. The adaptor comprises any cross-sectional shape and hollow or solid tube. In other embodiments, an adaptor is provided for swimming pool maintenance tools. Other types of tools can be stored on the tool apparatus  10 .  
         [0033]    While the invention has been described above, by reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, freestanding base  14  with tubular extensions  12  extending in any of various directions can be used.  
         [0034]    It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood as an illustration of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and not as a definition of the invention. It is only the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the scope of this invention.