Abstract:
Described herein is technology for, among other things, a tool for assisting the attachment or removal of a first fastener and a second fastener to or from a structure. The tool includes a lower portion adapted to magnetically attach to a surface of the structure. The tool also includes an upper portion configured to be spaced a distance from the surface of the structure when the lower portion is magnetically attached to the surface of the structure. The upper portion also includes a holder extending therefrom and adapted to hold the first fastener. The holder is biased to urge the first fastener in a direction of the surface of the structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Attaching complementary fasteners, such as a nut and a bolt, to a structure is ordinarily a simple, one-person job. Situations may arise, however, when the structure is of such size and/or shape that a single person is not able to simultaneously access both fasteners. For example, attaching a nut and a bolt through a hole in the trunk floor of an automobile requires two people to accomplish—one to hold the screw in place while the other tightens the nut from underneath the automobile. Thus, in cases such as this, the otherwise simple, one-person task of fastening a nut and a bolt to structure becomes a two-person job. Moreover, this is undesirable from the standpoint of workman productivity and efficiency. 
         [0002]    United States Publication No. 2005/0155211 by Powell discloses a magnetic bolt holder which has a hexagonal recess for securing a nut or a bolt to a ferrous structure. The Powell device is an insufficient solution to the above-stated problem for a number of reasons. First, the device is designed for a specific size and shape of fastener (e.g., a ¼″ hex nut). Thus, a consumer would be required to purchase a different size/shape of the Powell device for each size fastener being used. Moreover, the magnetic surface of the device is substantially coplanar. The effectiveness of the device is therefore severely diminished, if not eliminated, when used on any non-flat surface. 
         [0003]    Thus, conventional tools do not provide for a customizable solution to the above problem. Conventional tools also do not provide a solution that is adaptable for use with uneven surfaces. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0005]    Described herein is technology for, among other things, a tool for assisting the attachment or removal of a first fastener and a second fastener to or from a structure. The tool includes a lower portion adapted to magnetically attach to a surface of the structure. The tool also includes an upper portion configured to be spaced a distance from the surface of the structure when the lower portion is magnetically attached to the surface of the structure. The upper portion also includes a holder extending therefrom and adapted to hold the first fastener. The holder is biased to urge the first fastener in a direction of the surface of the structure. 
         [0006]    Also described herein is technology for, among other things, a tool for assisting the attachment or removal of a first fastener and a second fastener to or from a structure. The tool includes a main body having a holder extending therefrom. The tool also includes adjustable feet adjustably coupled to the main body and adapted to magnetically attach to a surface of the structure. The holder is biased to urge the first fastener in a direction of the surface of the structure. 
         [0007]    Also described herein is technology for, among other things, a tool system for assisting the attachment or removal of a first fastener and a second fastener to or from a structure. The tool system includes a drive bit adapted to mate with the first fastener and a magnetic fastener holder. The magnetic fastener holder includes a lower portion adapted to magnetically attach to a surface of the structure. The magnetic fastener holder also includes an upper portion configured to be spaced a distance from the surface of the structure when the lower portion is magnetically attached to the surface of the structure. The upper portion of the magnetic fastener holder includes a drive bit holder extending therefrom, which is adapted to received the drive bit. The drive bit holder is also biased to urge the drive bit and the first fastener in a direction of the surface of the structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a top-perspective view of a magnetic fastener holder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a bottom-perspective view of the magnetic fastener holder of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1C  is a side view of the magnetic fastener holder of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1D  is a front view of the magnetic fastener holder of  FIG. 1A ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 1E  is a top view of the magnetic fastener holder of  FIG. 1A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
         [0015]    Generally speaking, embodiments provide for a magnetic fastener holder that is adapted to securely hold a first fastener in place, relative to a surface of structure, so that a second fastener may be attached to the first fastener from a second surface of the structure. For example, a user may place a screw into a correspondingly sized hole in the structure. The user may then position the magnetic fastener holder over the screw to hold the screw place. The magnetic fastener holder will continue to hold the screw in place without human assistance. Thus, the user may then attach a nut, bracket, or other fastener to the other side of the screw without having to hold the screw in place himself and without the assistance of a second person. 
         [0016]    The magnetic fastener holder may be adaptable to hold virtually any size, shape, or type of fastener in place. In one embodiment, this is achieved using an interchangeable drive bit system. In one embodiment, the magnetic fastener holder is adjustable to enable it to be attached to uneven surfaces in addition to typical flat surfaces. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1E , various views of a tool  100 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, are illustrated therein. Tool  100  will at times also be referred to herein as a magnetic fastener holder  100 . As shown, tool  100  has a main body  110 . The main body  110  of the exemplary, illustrated embodiment is of a substantially “U” or “C” shape. However, it will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that various other shapes of main body  110  may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, and not for limitation, the main body  110  may alternatively be of substantially cylindrical, pyramidal, or trapezoidal shapes. 
         [0018]    The main body  110  includes an upper portion  112  and a lower portion  114 . The lower portion is adapted to magnetically attach to a ferrous surface of a structure. To this end, the lower portion  114  may include a plurality of magnetic feet  120 . While  FIGS. 1A-1E  specifically illustrate a tool  100  having four feet  120 , it should be appreciated that other embodiments are not limited as such. Moreover, while the exemplary, illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of adjustable feet  120 , a simpler, alternative embodiment may be implemented without magnetic feet  120  and recesses  118 , wherein the bottom surfaces  116  of the lower portions  114  are magnetized to enable magnetic coupling with a ferrous surface. 
         [0019]    As shown, an exemplary foot  120  may include a vertical member  124  and a horizontal member  123  pivotally coupled together at a pivot point  122 . The vertical member  124  is disposed within a corresponding recess  118  of the lower portion  114  of the tool  100  and is slidably coupled with the lower portion  114  via fasteners  125  and  126  and through respective grooves  127  and  119 . The horizontal member  123  of the foot  120  also includes a magnetic portion  121  for magnetically coupling with a ferrous surface. 
         [0020]    As shown, the feet  120  of the exemplary, illustrated embodiment are fully adjustable, enabling the tool  100  to be attached to surfaces of varying contours. For example, each foot  120  may be independently adjusted to different lengths by adjusting the foot  120  to different locations within recesses  118 . Moreover, the angles of the horizontal members  123  of the feet  120 , relative to the vertical members  124 , may be adjusted to varying angles by rotating the horizontal members  123  about the pivot points  122 . 
         [0021]    The upper portion  112  of the main body  110  has coupled thereto a fastener holder assembly  130 . Assembly  130  includes a drive bit holder  134 , which is adapted to receive a conventional drive bit  132 , such as a conventional ¼″ hex or square drive bit. The drive bit  132  may be any of a variety of different types of drive bits, including but not limited to a Phillips-head bit, a flat-head screwdriver bit, a hex bit, a torx bit, a square Robertsons bit, a nut setter, and a socket adapter. Thus, because of the interchangeability with the various types of conventional drive bits, the tool  100  is configurable for use with a variety of different sizes and shapes of fasteners. 
         [0022]    The assembly  130  also includes a spring  136 , or other functionally equivalent device, that is disposed between the upper portion  112  of the main body  110  and the drive bit holder  134 . The spring  136  is adapted to urge the drive bit holder  134 , the drive bit  132 , and any first faster in communication therewith in the direction of the surface of the structure to which the tool  100  is attached. Thus, not only does the tool  100  initially apply a positive force to the first fastener, but the tool  100  also continues to apply a positive force to the first fastener as the first fastener is secured to a second fastener and thereby potentially drawn away from the upper portion  112  and towards the surface of the structure. An upper shaft  137  of the assembly  130  passes through an aperture in the upper portion  112  of the main body  110  and is secured via fastener  138 . Thus, during use, the upper shaft  137  is allowed to slide longitudinally between a first position (defined by the bottom surface of fastener  138 ) and a second position (defined by the upper surface of drive bit holder  134  and the maximum compression of spring  136 ). 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the assembly  130  is coupled with the upper portion  112  of the main body  110  such that the assembly, and therefore the first fastener in communication therewith, are prevented from rotating when the first fastener is being fastened to the second fastener. It should be appreciated that this may be achieved in a number of ways. For example, the upper shaft  137  may have a non-circular cross-section, such as a triangle, a square, a hexagon, a star, or the like. In order to prevent assembly  130  from rotating, the aperture in the upper portion  112  through which the upper shaft  137  passes may be sized and shaped similar to the upper shaft  137 , to enable upper shaft  137  to freely slide through the aperture while at the same time being prevented from rotating therein. For example, if upper shaft  137  has a ¼″ hexagonal cross-section, a ¼″ (or slightly larger) hexagonal aperture through the upper portion  112  would allow the upper shaft  137  to slide therethrough, but it would not allow the upper shaft  137  to rotate therein. 
         [0024]    Thus, the present disclosure provides for a tool that serves as “third hand” in applications requiring two fasteners to be joined together through a structure that prevents a workman from accessing both fasteners at the same time. The tool accordingly may be used to hold one of the two fasteners in place while the workman attaches the other. Additionally, various embodiments advantageously provide a tool that is adjustable to enable attachment to different surfaces of varying contours. Various embodiments are also advantageously adaptable to be used in conjunction with various different types and sizes of fasteners. Thus, a workman is not required to have a different fastener holder tool for each different fastener. Rather, such embodiments may work in conjunction with convention drive bits, which may be used for altogether separate purposes and which the workman already likely owns. 
         [0025]    The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.