Patent Publication Number: US-10773373-B2

Title: Tool work bag apparatus and method

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Construction and manufacturing workers require accessibility to specific tools for specific tasks. In many instances, tools are inaccessible because of limited mobility and spatial constraints within the work environment, such as, for example an aerial platform lift. Requiring the worker to constantly maneuver to access tools in a limited workspace can be difficult and counterproductive. Having ergonomically accessible tools in a limited work environment is a challenge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mountable fabric coupled to an aerial platform lift. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of a front side of a mountable fabric having a plurality of pockets and a detachable transparent pocket. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a rear side of a mountable fabric having a plurality of pockets and a detachable transparent pocket. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a front side of a mountable fabric having a plurality of rigid strips, a plurality of pockets, and a detachable transparent pocket. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of a rear side of a mountable fabric having a plurality of rigid strips, a plurality of pockets, and a detachable transparent pocket. 
         FIG. 6  is a profile view of a mountable fabric having a plurality of pockets and a detachable transparent pocket mounted on a rail. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart of the method of mounting a fabric onto a rail. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice these embodiments without undue experimentation. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments and examples described herein are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and rearrangements may be made that remain potential applications of the disclosed techniques. Therefore, the description that follows is not to be taken as limiting on the scope of the appended claims. In particular, an element associated with a particular embodiment should not be limited to association with that particular embodiment, but should be assumed to be capable of association with any embodiment discussed herein. 
     An embodiment described herein generally relates to the method of having a tool work bag that is ergonomically designed to assist in the handling of tools, whether for professionals employed in industries like construction and manufacturing, or amateurs. Tool work bags that are attached to the body of a worker can, over time, cause the worker to fatigue (due to the weight of the bag), which can reduce the worker&#39;s productivity and decrease the worker&#39;s mobility. Further, the tool work bag that is attached to the body of the worker may not possess the capability to hold the tools necessary to complete the task (i.e., the tool is too large or too heavy to carry on the person or in the tool work bag). 
     An embodiment described herein also provides a method of accessing tools in limited work environments. For example, aerial platform lifts provide a limited amount of square footage within which a worker may operate. The constrained work environment of an aerial platform lift also limits the quantity of tools that are accessible to the worker. Having the tools laying on the floor of the aerial platform lift or hanging form the aerial platform lift can be dangerous to the worker and those below (e.g. when the aerial platform lift is extended). 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mountable fabric coupled to an aerial platform lift. In one or more embodiments, a fabric  102  is mounted on an aerial platform lift  104 . The fabric  102  may be mounted on a rail  106 . The fabric  102  may be mounted on a workhorse bench (not shown) or other similar railing. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the fabric  102  may straddle the rail  106 , such that one end of the fabric  102  hangs on one side of the rail  106  and the other end of the fabric  102  hangs on the other side of the rail  106 . The fabric  102  is mounted on the rail  106  such that the weight of the fabric  102  is evenly distributed to allow the fabric  102  to not fall off and instead balance upon the rail  106 . In one or more embodiments, a tool  108  may be coupled to the fabric  102 . In one or more embodiments, the tool  108  may be inserted into a pocket (described below in connection to  FIG. 2 ) that is coupled to the fabric  102 . 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a front side of a mountable fabric having a plurality of pockets and a detachable transparent pocket. The fabric  102  may be made of a durable material, such as Haartz® cloth provided by the Haartz Corporation, nylon fabric, leather, polymer, or other similar material durable enough to hold the tool  108  and other heavy items. In one or more embodiments, the fabric  102  has a front side  202 . The front side  202  is the outer surface of the fabric  102  when the fabric  102  is mounted on the rail  106  (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). The fabric  102  may include a first fabric section  204  and a second fabric section  206  opposite the first fabric section  204 . As described above in connection to  FIG. 1 , the first fabric section  204  would hang on one side of the rail  106  and the second fabric section  206  would hang on the other side of the rail  106 . 
     The first fabric section  204  and the second fabric section  206  are separated by a fabric seam  208 . In one or more embodiments, the first fabric section  204  is coupled to the fabric seam  208 . In one or more embodiments, the second fabric section  206  is coupled to the fabric seam  208 . The first fabric section  204  may be sewn to the fabric seam  208  using nylon thread. The second fabric section  206  may be sewn to the fabric seam  208  using nylon thread. In one or more embodiments, the first fabric section  204 , the second fabric section  206 , and the fabric seam  208  may all be one uniform fabric (i.e. one continuous piece of fabric). 
     The fabric seam  208  may include a rigid material (not shown) that restricts the flexibility of the fabric seam  208 . The rigid material may be detachable or sewn (e.g. using nylon thread) into the fabric seam  208 . In one or more embodiments, the fabric seam  208  is the section of the fabric  102  that is mounted on the rail  106  such that the first fabric section  204  and the second fabric section  206  freely hangs from the rail  106 . The rigid material may be made from durable material such as polymer and/or metal or other similar material. 
     In one or more embodiments, the first fabric section  204  includes one or more pockets  210  (illustrated in  FIG. 2  as  210   a ,  210   b ,  210   c ,  210   d ,  210   e , and  210   f ). The pockets  210  may be sewn into the fabric  102  using nylon fabric or other similar material. Although the first fabric section  204  shows a particular number of pockets  210 , the first fabric section  204  may have a greater or lesser number of pockets  210  than illustrated. Further, each pocket  210  may vary in size, shape, and dimension or may all have one uniform dimension. For example, the pocket  210  may have a pocket width ranging from two inches (5.08 cm) to 12.5 inches (31.75 cm) and a pocket length ranging from four inches (10.16 cm) to 7.5 inches (19.05 cm). The pockets  210  may be made from the same material as the fabric  102 . In one or more embodiments, the pockets  210  hold the tool  108  or other similar items. In one or more embodiments, the pockets  210  would be positioned on the interior side of the aerial platform lift  104  such that if the tools  108  were to fall from the pocket  210 , the tools  108  would fall onto the floor of the aerial platform lift and onto those workers that may be below (i.e., when the aerial platform lift  104  is extended). 
     The first fabric section  204  may include a first fabric end  212 . The first fabric end  212  may include a plurality of hollow notches  214  (illustrated in  FIG. 2  as  214   a ,  214   b ,  214   c ,  214   d ,  214   e ,  214   f ,  214   g , and  214   h ). The hollow notches  214  may be used to hang the tools  108 . The hollow notches  214  may be reinforced by brass eyelets  216  (illustrated in  FIG. 2  as  216   a ,  216   b ,  216   c ,  216   d ,  216   e ,  216   f ,  216   g ,  216   h ) or other similar material. 
     The first fabric end  212  may include a first locking mechanism  218  (not visible in  FIG. 2 , but illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). The first locking mechanism  218  may be made from such material as Velcro® provided by Velcro Industries B.V., or any similar material. The first locking mechanism  218  may be coupled to the fabric  102 . The first locking mechanism may be sewn to the fabric  102  using nylon thread. The first locking mechanism  218  may include snap buttons (not shown). 
     In one or more embodiments, the second fabric section  206  includes a second fabric end  220  opposite the first fabric end  212 . The second fabric end  220  may include second locking mechanism  222 . The second locking mechanism  222  may be made from such material as Velcro ® provided by Velcro Industries B.V., or any similar material. The second locking mechanism may be coupled to the fabric  102 . The second locking mechanism may be sewn to the fabric  102  using nylon thread. The second locking mechanism  222  may include snap buttons (not shown). The first locking mechanism  218  made from a metal alloy. The second locking mechanism  222  may include a magnet. 
     In one or more embodiments, the second fabric section  206  includes a detachable transparent pocket  224 . The lining of the detachable transparent pocket  224  may be made from the same or similar material as the fabric  102 . The transparent portion of the detachable transparent pocket  224  may be made from transparent or see-through material, such as for example,  30 -gauge durable polish plastic, to allow the worker to visually see the contents housed in the detachable transparent pocket  224 . For example, the detachable transparent pocket  224  may be used to hold blueprints, and thus it is more efficient to be able to access the blueprints visually while they remain in the detachable transparent pocket  224 , instead of having to repeatedly remove the blue prints from the detachable transparent pocket  224 . 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of a rear side of a mountable fabric having a plurality of pockets and a detachable transparent pocket. In one or more embodiments, the fabric  102  has a rear side  302 . The rear side  302  is the inner surface of the fabric  102  when the fabric  102  is mounted on the rail  106  (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). In one or more embodiments, the first fabric section  204  includes a first fabric side  304 . In one or more embodiments, the first fabric section  204  includes a second fabric side  306  opposite the first fabric side  304 . The first fabric side  304  may include a first set of snap buttons  308  (illustrated in  FIG. 3  as  308   a ,  308   b ,  308   c , and  308   d ) positioned along the first fabric side  304 . The second fabric side  306  may include a plurality of snap buttons  308  (illustrated as  308   e,    308   f,    308   g,  and  308   h ). 
     In one or more embodiments, the second fabric section  206  may include a third fabric side  310 . The second fabric section  206  may include a fourth fabric side  312  opposite the third fabric side  310 . The third fabric side  310  may include a third set of snap buttons  308  (illustrated in  FIG. 3  as  308   i ,  308   j ,  308   k , and  308   l ). The fourth fabric side  312  may include a fourth set of snap buttons  308  (illustrated in  FIG. 3  as  308   m ,  308   n ,  308   o , and  308   p ). 
     When the fabric  102  is mounted on the rail  106  along the fabric seam  208 , the fabric  102  folds and hangs freely over the rail  106  (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). In this position, the first locking mechanism  218  may couple to the second locking mechanism  222 . Coupling the first locking mechanism  218  to the second locking mechanism  222  may secure the fabric  102  to the rail  106 . To keep the fabric  102  secured to the rail  106 , the first set of snap buttons  308  may couple to the third set of snap buttons  308 . For example, when the fabric  102  is mounted to the rail  106  and folded (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ), button  308   a  couples to button  308   l , button  308   b  couples to button  308   k,  button  308   c  couples to button  308   j,  and button  308   d  couples to button  308   i.  The fabric  102  is further secured to the rail  106  when the second set of snap buttons  308  is coupled to the fourth set of snap buttons  308 . For example, when the fabric  102  is mounted to the rail  106  and folded (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ), button  308   e  couples to button  308   p , button  308   f  couples to button  308   o,  button  308   g  couples to button  308   n,  and button  308   h  couples to button  308   m.    
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a front side of a mountable fabric having a plurality of rigid strips, a plurality of pockets, and a detachable transparent pocket.  FIG. 5  is a plan view of a rear side of a mountable fabric having a plurality of rigid strips, a plurality of pockets, and a detachable transparent pocket. In one or more embodiments, the first fabric section  204  includes a plurality of rigid strips  402  (illustrated by the dashed lines  402   a,    402   b,    402   c,  and  402   d ). In one or more embodiments, the second fabric section  206  may include a plurality of rigid strips  402  (illustrated by dashed lines  402   e,    402   f ,  402   g,  and  402   h ). The rigid strips  402  may be sewn into the material of the fabric  102  using nylon thread. The rigid strips  402  may be detachable from the fabric  102 . For example, the rigid strips  402  may be coupled to the fabric  102  using Velcro® provided by Velcro Industries B.V., or any similar material. Adding the rigid strips  402  to the fabric  102  adds additional support to fabric  102  for holding tools  108 . For example, the rigid strips  402  braces the fabric  102  such that the tools  108  won&#39;t fall out due to the weight of the tool  108 . In addition, the rigid strips  402  also keeps the fabric  102  from falling off the rail  106 . 
       FIG. 6  is a profile view of a mountable fabric having a plurality of pockets and a detachable transparent pocket mounted on a rail. As discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1-5 , the fabric  102  is mounted on the rail  106 . In one or more embodiments, the fabric seam  208  is positioned along the rail  106  such that the first fabric section  204  and the second fabric section  206  are able to hang freely. The length and the width of the first fabric section  204  and the second fabric section  206  may be adjusted to compensate for weight distribution. For example, the first fabric section  204  may have a length of 27 inches (68.58 cm.) and the second fabric section may have a length of 24 inches (60.96 cm.). The width of the fabric  102  (i.e., the width of the fabric seam  208 ) may have a measurement of 30.75 inches (78.11 cm.) 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart of the method of mounting a fabric onto a rail. The process includes mounting a fabric (such as fabric  102 ) onto a rail (such as rail  106 ), the fabric (such as fabric  102 ) having a first fabric section (such as first fabric section  204 ) having a first fabric end (such as first fabric end  212 ), a second fabric section (such as second fabric section  206 ) having a second fabric end (such as second fabric end  220 ) opposite the first fabric end (such as first fabric end  212 ), a fabric seam (such as fabric seam  208 ) coupled between the first fabric section (such as first fabric section  204 ) and the second fabric section (such as second fabric section  206 ), a pocket (such as pocket  210 ) coupled to the first fabric section (such as first fabric section  204 ), a first locking mechanism (such as first locking mechanism  218 ) secured to the first fabric end (such as first fabric end  212 ), and the second locking mechanism (such as second locking mechanism  222 ) secured to the second fabric end (such as second fabric end  220 ) (block  702 ). Aligning the fabric seam (such as fabric seam  208 ) along the rail (such as rail  106 ) (block  704 ). Folding the fabric (such as fabric  102 ) along the fabric seam (such as fabric seam  208 ) (block  706 ). Coupling the first locking mechanism (such as first locking mechanism  218 ) to the second locking mechanism (such as second locking mechanism  222 ) (block  708 ). Inserting a tool (such as tool  108 ) into the pocket (such as pocket  210 ). 
     In one aspect, the apparatus includes a mountable fabric having a first fabric section having a first fabric end. The mountable fabric has a second fabric section having a second fabric end opposite the first fabric end. A fabric seam is coupled between the first fabric section and the second fabric section. At least one pocket is coupled to the first fabric section. A first locking mechanism is secured to the first fabric end. A second locking mechanism is secured to the second fabric end. When the mountable fabric is folded along the fabric seam the first locking mechanism is couplable to the second locking mechanism. 
     Implementation may include one or more of the following. At least one rigid strip may be coupled to the first fabric section. At least one rigid strip may be coupled to the second fabric section end. The second fabric section may include a detachable transparent pocket. The fabric may be rigid. The first fabric section may include a first fabric section having an array of first fabric side snap buttons. The first fabric section may include a second fabric side having an array of second fabric side snap buttons. The second fabric section may include a third fabric side having an array of third fabric side snap buttons. The second fabric section may include a fourth side having an array of fourth fabric side snap buttons. The fabric may be folded along the first fabric seam. The first fabric side snap buttons may couple to the corresponding third fabric side snap buttons. 
     In one aspect, a method includes mounting a fabric onto a rail. The fabric having a first fabric section having a first fabric end. The fabric has a second fabric section having a second fabric end opposite the first fabric end. The fabric has a fabric seam coupled between the first fabric section and the second fabric section. The fabric has at least one pocket coupled to the first fabric section. The fabric has a first locking mechanism secured to the first fabric end. The fabric has a second locking mechanism secured to the second fabric end. The fabric seam is aligned along the rail. The fabric is folded along the fabric seam. The first locking mechanism is coupled to the second locking mechanism. A tool may be inserted into the pocket. 
     Implementation may include one or more of the following. At least one rigid strip may be coupled to the first fabric section. At least one rigid strip may be coupled to the second fabric section end. The second fabric section may include a detachable transparent pocket. The fabric may be rigid. The first fabric section may include a first fabric section having an array of first fabric side snap buttons. The first fabric section may include a second fabric side having an array of second fabric side snap buttons. The second fabric section may include a third fabric side having an array of third fabric side snap buttons. The second fabric section may include a fourth side having an array of fourth fabric side snap buttons. The fabric may be folded along the first fabric seam. The first fabric side snap buttons may couple to the corresponding third fabric side snap buttons. 
     In one aspect, the system may include an aerial platform having a rail. A mountable fabric is coupled to the rail. The mountable fabric has a first fabric section having a first fabric end. The mountable fabric has a second fabric section having a second fabric end opposite the first fabric end. The mountable fabric has a fabric seam coupled between the first fabric section and the second fabric section. The mountable fabric has at least one pocket coupled to the first fabric section. The mountable fabric has a first locking mechanism secured to the first fabric end. The mountable fabric has a second locking mechanism secured the second fabric end. The mountable fabric is folded along the fabric seam and the first locking mechanism is coupled to the second locking mechanism. 
     Implementation may include one or more of the following. At least one rigid strip may be coupled to the first fabric section. At least one rigid strip may be coupled to the second fabric section end. The second fabric section may include a detachable transparent pocket. The fabric may be rigid. The first fabric section may include a first fabric section having an array of first fabric side snap buttons. The first fabric section may include a second fabric side having an array of second fabric side snap buttons. The second fabric section may include a third fabric side having an array of third fabric side snap buttons. The second fabric section may include a fourth side having an array of fourth fabric side snap buttons. The fabric may be folded along the first fabric seam. The first fabric side snap buttons may couple to the corresponding third fabric side snap buttons. 
     The operations of the flow diagrams are described with references to the systems/apparatus shown in the block diagrams. However, it should be understood that the operations of the flow diagrams could be performed by embodiments of systems and apparatus other than those discussed with reference to the block diagrams, and embodiments discussed with reference to the systems/apparatus could perform operations different than those discussed with reference to the flow diagrams. 
     The word “coupled” herein means a direct connection or an indirect connection. 
     The text above describes one or more specific embodiments of a broader invention. The invention also is carried out in a variety of alternate embodiments and thus is not limited to those described here. The foregoing description of an embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.