Patent Publication Number: US-2019168377-A1

Title: Post lock tool holder for l-shaped wrenches

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of hand held tools. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of hexagonal wrenches and related tools and safety, comfort, and convenience of accessories and tools. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hexagonal wrenches or tool drivers, also referred to as allen wrenches or L-wrenches, have a hexagonal L-shaped body, including a long leg member and a short leg member. The end of either leg member is able to be inserted into a head of a screw or tool designed to accept a hexagonal wrench. Hexagonal wrenches are manufactured and distributed in multiple English and metric sizes in order to facilitate their use with screw heads of multiple sizes. Such wrenches are usually sold in a set which includes wrenches of multiple sizes but are also distributed individually. 
     When using a hexagonal wrench, a user, will insert an end of the hexagonal wrench into the head of a workpiece such as a screw, and will then exert rotational pressure on the opposite end of the wrench in order to tighten or loosen the screw. Multiple sizes of hexagonal wrenches are often used together in order to complete a task. Consequently, it is convenient to store multiple tools of different sizes in a common location. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A tool holder holds one or more tools when not being used. The tool holder comprises a body with a plurality of tool retainers for removably receiving a tool and a plurality of posts for securing the tool within the tool holder body when the tool holder is in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the tool retainers are holding tubes, pockets or slots. In order to couple a tool with the tool holder, a lock door is moved to an open position and the tool is inserted into a tool retainer of the tool holder. Then the locked door is moved to a closed position where it is positioned over the tool and the tool is secured within the tool holder. The tool is securely held within the tool holder body and is not removable when the tool holder is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the tool holder is configured to hold a L-shaped hexagonal or round tool. In some embodiments, the tool holder is able to hold a plurality of tools of different sizes. 
     In one aspect, a tool holder comprises a tool holder body comprising one or more tool retainers, a lock door movable between an open position and a closed position, and a back panel. In some embodiments, the tool holder is configured for holding a L-shaped round or hexagonal tool. In order to couple a L-shaped tool with the tool holder a long leg of the tool is inserted into one of the one or more of the tool retainers. In some embodiments, when the tool is coupled with the tool holder, the short leg of the tool extends at a 90° orientation with respect to the retainer and the long leg of the tool extends from a bottom of the tool retainer. In some embodiments, the tool is prevented from being removed from the tool retainer when the lock door is in the closed position independent of a vacancy of one or more neighboring tool retainers. In some embodiments, the lock door moves to the open position by rotating away from the back panel and about a hinge. In some of these embodiments, the hinge comprises a pivot pin, slide, access or clip. In further embodiments, the lock door is removed from, slid, and/or retracted from the back panel in order to move to the open position. In some embodiments, the one or more tool retainers are configured to each hold one or more tools of different sizes. In some embodiments, the one or more tool retainers are arranged in a single row, multiple rows, over laid side-by-side, or front to back. In some embodiments, the one or more tool retainers comprise holding tubes, pockets or slots. In further embodiments, the tool holder comprises one or more posts that secure a L-shaped tool in place in order to prevent the tool from being removed when the lock door is in the closed position. In still further embodiments, the tool holder comprises one or more securing protrusions that secure the L-shaped tool in place in order to prevent them from being removed when the lock door is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the one or more securing protrusions interlock with the back panel in order to snap fit to the back panel and secure the lock door into place. In further embodiments, the tool holder further comprises a lock that secure the lock door into place. 
     In another aspect, a tool for holding a plurality of tools comprises a tool holder body comprising a plurality of tool retainers, each for removably holding a tool and a lock door movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein when a tool is coupled with a retainer, the tool is prevented from being removed from the tool retainer when the lock door is in the closed position independent of a vacancy of one or more neighboring tool retainers. In some embodiments, the tool holder is configured for holding a L-shaped round or hexagonal tool. In order to couple a L-shaped tool with the tool holder a long leg of the tool is inserted into one of the plurality of tool retainers. In some embodiments, when a tool is coupled with the tool holder, the short leg of the tool extends at a 90° orientation with respect to the holding tube and the long leg of the tool extends from a bottom of the tool retainer. In some embodiments, the lock door moves to the open position by rotating away from the back panel and about a hinge. In some of these embodiments, the hinge comprises a pivot pin, slide, access or clip. In further embodiments, the lock door is removed from, slid, and/or retracted from the back panel in order to move to the open position. In some embodiments, the plurality of tool retainers are configured to each hold a tool of different sizes. In some embodiments, the plurality of tool retainers are arranged in a single row, multiple rows, over laid side-by-side, or front to back. In some embodiments, the plurality of tool retainers comprise holding tubes, pockets or slots. In some embodiments, the tool holder further comprises one or more posts that secure a L-shaped tool in place in order to prevent the tool from being removed when the lock door is in the closed position. In further embodiments, the tool holder further comprises one or more securing protrusions that secure the L-shaped tool in place in order to prevent them from being removed when the lock door is in the closed position. In some of these embodiments, the one or more securing protrusions interlock with the back panel in order to snap fit to the back panel and secure the lock door into place. In some embodiments, the tool holder further comprises a lock that secure the lock door into place. In further embodiments, the tool holder comprises a first set of holding tubes and a second set of retainers. 
     In still further embodiments, a method of removably securing a L-shaped tool with a tool holder comprises moving a lock door to an open position, inserting one or more L-shaped tools into one or more tool retainers of the tool holder and moving the lock door to a close position in order to secure one or more tools within the one or more tool retainers. In some embodiments, the lock door moves to the open position by rotating away from the back panel about a hinge. In some embodiments, the one or more tool retainers are configured to each hold a tool of different sizes. In some embodiments, a tool is prevented from being removed from the tool retainer when the lock door is in the closed position independent of a vacancy of one or more neighboring tool retainers. In some embodiments, the one or more tool retainers comprise holding tubes, pockets or slots. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a tool holder for holding a tool in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a tool holder in an open configuration in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a tool holder holding a plurality of tools in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a tool holder holding a plurality of tools in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a method of removably coupling a tool with a tool holder in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The description below concerns several embodiments of the invention. The discussion references the illustrated preferred embodiment. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to either the illustrated embodiment, nor is it limited to those discussed, to the contrary, the scope should be interpreted as broadly as possible based on the language of the Claims section of this document. 
     This disclosure provides several embodiments of the present invention. It is contemplated that any features from any embodiment can be combined with any features from any other embodiment. In this fashion, hybrid configurations of the illustrated embodiments are well within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of a tool holder is depicted therein. The tool holder  100  comprises a tool holder body having a lock door  101 , a back panel  103  and a hinge  105 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the tool holder  100  further comprises a first set of tool retainers  110  and a second set of tool retainers  120 . In some embodiments, the tool retainers are holding tubes, pockets or slots. As will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the tool holder  100  is able to comprise any number of sets of tool retainers and any number of tool retainers, including one. In some embodiments, the sets of tool retainers are arranged in an overlapping configuration. However, the tool retainers are able to be arranged in any desired configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the tool retainers are arranged in a single row, multiple rows, over laid out side-by-side, or front to back. 
     The tool holder  100  is configured for holding one or more L-shaped tools within the tool retainers. The L-shaped tool is able to have any shape including hexagonal, round, or any other appropriate shape. In some embodiments, each tool retainer is of a size and a dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. In some embodiments, the tool storage tubes are configured for holding a plurality of tools of different sizes. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a tool holder in an open configuration in accordance with some embodiments. The tool holder  200  is similar to the tool holder  100  as described in relation to  FIG. 1  and comprises a tool holder body having a lock door  201 , a back panel  203 , and a hinge  205 . The tool holder body also comprises a first set of a first set of tool retainers  210  and a second set of tool retainers  220 . In some embodiments, the tool retainers are holding tubes, pockets or slots. As shown within  FIG. 2 , the lock door  201  has been opened by rotating the lock door  201  away from the back panel  203  about the hinge  205  and placed in the open position. In some embodiments, the hinge  205  comprises a pivot pin in order to rotate the lock door to the open position. In some embodiments, the lock door  201  is removed, slid, and/or retracted in order to access the first set of tool retainers  210  and the second set of tool retainers  220 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the inside of the lock door  201  comprises a first set of posts  230  and a second set of posts  240  and one or more securing protrusions  207  and  209 . In some embodiments, the number of posts is the same as the number of tool retainers. The first set of posts  230 , the second set of posts  240  and the one or more securing protrusions  207  and  209  help secure a L-shape tool in place when it is coupled with the tool handle  200  and the lock door  201  is placed in a closed position. In some embodiments, the one or more securing protrusions  207  and  209  interlock with the back panel  203  in order to snap fit to the back panel and secure the lock door  201  into place. Although two securing protrusions are shown in  FIG. 2 , as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the tool holder  200  is able to comprise any number of securing protrusions. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a tool holder coupled with a plurality of tools in accordance with some embodiments. The tool holder  300  is similar to the tool holder  100  as described in relation to  FIG. 1  and comprises a tool holder body having a lock door  301 , a back panel  303 , and a hinge  305 . The tool holder body also comprises a first set of a first set of tool retainers  310  and a second set of tool retainers  320 . In some embodiments, the tool retainers are holding tubes, pockets or slots. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a first set of tools  311  has been inserted into the first set of tool retainers  310  and a second set of tools  321  has been inserted into the second set of tool retainers  320 . Although the plurality of tool retainers are all shown coupled with a tool, the tool holder is able to be used without tools in all of the tool retainers depending on the desired use of the tool holder. 
     In order to removably couple a L-shaped tool with the tool holder  300 , a long leg of the L-shaped tool is placed within a correspondingly sized tool retainer. When the long leg of the L-shaped tool is in the tool retainer, the short leg of the tool extends at a 90° orientation with respect to the tool retainer. In some embodiments, when the tool is held within the tool holder, the short leg of the tool extends parallel to and against the back panel  303 . In some embodiments, when the tool is held within the tool holder, the short leg of the tool is not parallel to the back panel  303 . As seen within  FIG. 3A , in some embodiments, when a plurality of tools are coupled with the tool handle  300  and the short leg of the tool extends parallel to and against the back panel  303 , the plurality of short legs of each tool overlap each other. Consequently, in some embodiments, in order to insert and/or remove a tool from one of the tool retainers, one or more tools is rotated as indicated by the arrow so that the short leg of the tool is perpendicular to the back panel  303 . In this configuration, the tool is able to easily be inserted and/or removed from the tool holder  300 . As further shown within  FIG. 3A , when a L-shaped tool is coupled with the tool handle  300 , the long leg of the tool extends from a bottom of the tool retainer. 
       FIG. 3B  shows the tool holder  300  coupled with a plurality of tools and the lock door  301  in a closed configuration in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 3B , is drawn in order to show the interaction of the first set of posts  330  and the securing protrusion  309  with the first set of tools  311  and the interaction of the second set of posts  340  and the securing protrusion  307  with the second set of tools  321  when the tools are removably coupled with the tool holder  300  and the lock door  301  is placed in a closed position. As described above, in order to removably couple a L-shaped tool with the tool holder  300 , a long leg of the L-shaped tool is placed within a correspondingly sized tool retainer. 
     As shown within  FIG. 3B , when one or more tools is removably coupled with the tool holder and the lock door  301  is in the closed position, the one or more tools are held in place by the interaction of the tool retainers, the posts, the securing protrusions, and the lock door with the one or more tools. Particularly, when the lock door  301  is closed, the L-shaped tools are retained in a compact and orderly manner, which prevents them from sliding or escaping from their individual storage positions, regardless of any vacant neighboring tool storage retainers. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a tool holder in accordance with further embodiments. The tool holder  400  comprises a tool holder body having a lock door  401 , a back panel  403 , and a hinge  405 . The tool holder body also comprises a plurality of tool retainers  435  for holding a plurality of tools  437 . In some embodiments, the tool retainers are holding tubes, pockets or slots. The tool holder  400  shows the plurality of tool retainers  435  arranged in a single row. However, as described above, the tool retainers  435  are able to be arranged in any appropriate desired configuration. 
     In order to removably couple a L-shaped tool with the tool holder  400 , a long leg of the L-shaped tool is placed within a correspondingly sized tool retainer. When the long leg of the L-shaped tool is in the tool retainer, the short leg of the tool extends at a 90° orientation with respect to the tool retainer. In some embodiments, when the tool is held within the tool holder, the short leg of the tool extends parallel to and against the back panel  403 . In some embodiments, when the tool is held within the tool holder, the short leg of the tool is not parallel to the back panel  403 . As seen within  FIG. 4A , in some embodiments, when a plurality of tools are coupled with the tool holder  400  and the short leg of the tool extends parallel to and against the back panel  403 , the plurality of short legs of each tool overlap each other. Consequently, in some embodiments, in order to insert and/or remove a tool from one of the tool retainers, one or more tools is rotated so that the short leg of the tool is perpendicular to its closed door or locked position and the back panel  403 . In this configuration, the tool is able to be easily inserted and/or removed from the tool holder  400 . As further shown within  FIG. 3A , when a L-shaped tool is coupled with the tool holder  400 , the long leg of the tool extends from a bottom of the tool retainer. 
       FIG. 4B  shows the tool holder  400  coupled with a plurality of tools and the lock door  401  in a closed configuration in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 4B , is drawn in order to show the interaction of the first set of posts  440  and the securing protrusion  409  with the first set of tools  411  and the interaction of the second set of posts  440  and the securing protrusion  407  with the second set of tools  421  when the tools are removably coupled with the tool holder  400  and the lock door  401  is placed in a closed position. As described above, in order to removably couple a L-shaped tool with the tool holder  400 , a long leg of the L-shaped tool is placed within a correspondingly sized tool retainer. 
     As shown within  FIG. 4B , when one or more tools is removably coupled with the tool holder and the lock door  401  is in the closed position, the one or more tools are held in place by the interaction of the tool retainers, the posts, the securing protrusions, and the lock door with the one or more tools. Additionally, when the lock door  401  is closed, the L-shaped tools are retained in a compact and orderly manner, which prevents them from sliding or escaping from their individual storage positions, regardless of the vacant neighboring tool storage tube slots. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a method of removably coupling a L-shaped tool with a tool holder in accordance with some embodiments. In the step  504 , a lock door of the tool holder is moved to an open position. In some embodiments, the lock door is moved to the open position by rotating it about a hinge to an open position. In some embodiments, the lock door is moved to the open position by removing it from the tool holder, sliding the lock door and/or retracting it. In the step  506 , one or more L-shaped tools is inserted into a tool retainer of the tool holder. In some embodiments, the tool retainers are holding tubes, pockets or slots. Then, in the step  508 , the lock door is moved to a closed position. With the lock door in the closed position, the one or more tools is securely held within the tool holder and prevented from being removed. 
     In some embodiments, the tool holder is designed to be utilized with hexagonal wrenches of English sizes within the range of 0.050 inches to ⅜ inches, including a 0.050 inch hexagonal wrench, a 1/16 inch hexagonal wrench, a 5/64 inch hexagonal wrench, a 3/32 inch hexagonal wrench, a 7/64 inch hexagonal wrench, a ⅛ inch hexagonal wrench, a 9/64 inch hexagonal wrench, a 5/32 inch hexagonal wrench, a 3/16 inch hexagonal wrench, a 7/32 inch hexagonal wrench, a ¼ inch hexagonal wrench, a 5/16 inch hexagonal wrench and a ⅜ inch hexagonal wrench. 
     In some embodiments, the tool holder is also designed to be utilized with hexagonal wrenches of metric sizes within the range of 1.7 mm to 10 mm, including a 1.7 mm hexagonal wrench, an 2 mm hexagonal wrench, a 2.5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 3 mm hexagonal wrench, a 3.5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 4 mm hexagonal wrench, a 4.5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 5.5 mm hexagonal wrench, a 6 mm hexagonal wrench, a 7 mm hexagonal wrench, a 8 mm hexagonal wrench, a 9 mm hexagonal wrench and a 10 mm hexagonal wrench. 
     In further embodiments, the tool holder is designed to be utilized with star shaped wrenches of sizes within the range of T-6 to T-50. 
     Alternatively, the tool holder for multiple tools of different sizes is able to be used with tools other than hexagonal wrenches and star wrenches. 
     The tool holder is able to be composed of any appropriate material, which is of maximum strength and includes properties which resist materials that the holder will likely be exposed to, e.g., oil, grease, gasoline and the like. In some embodiments, the tool holder is materially composed of a variety of resin polymer and copolymer compositions including fillers and reinforcing materials such as glass in order to meet the strength and chemical resistance requirements of the tool. In some embodiments, the tool holder is materially composed of any suitable composition including, but not limited to aluminum or steel. In some embodiments, the tools are materially composed of aluminum, steel or any other appropriate material. 
     In some embodiments, the tool holder is constructed using an injection molded, core/cavity process as is well known in the art. Alternatively, the tool handle is able to be constructed in any known manner. 
     Throughout this description, the term tool retainers has been used to describe certain embodiments. The tool retainers, as herein described, in some embodiments are able to be tubes, pockets or slots for holding the tools. 
     To utilize the tool holder, one or more tools are inserted into one or more tool retainers of the tool holder body. In some embodiments, the tool retainers are holding tubes, pockets or slots. In some embodiments, the tool is a L-shaped hexagonal or round tool. Once the tool is positioned and held within the tool holder, a user is able to easily close the lock door in order to secure to the tool within the tool holder. One or more L-shaped tools are able to be retained in a compact and orderly manner, while being prevented from sliding or escaping from their individual storage positions, regardless of the vacancy of the neighboring tool storage tube slots. In this manner, one or more different sized tools are able to be easily coupled with and removed from the tool holder and stored together in a compact manner. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other various modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.