Patent Publication Number: US-6907990-B2

Title: Tool try-on device assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a tool try-on device. In particular, the present invention relates to a device allowing a customer to try a tool such as a wrench before buying it. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 478450 discloses a tool rack including a board having a main portion. Two rows of socket-mounting pegs are provided on two lateral sides of the main portion of the board. A socket is releasably mounted on the respective socket-mounting peg. A tool-holding member is provided on an upper side of the main portion for releasably holding a tool such as a socket wrench. The tool rack can only provide a function of displaying the socket wrench and the sockets. A user could not know the exact operational condition of the socket wrench unless the user buys and uses it. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,174 discloses a display pack having a rotatable security member, allowing a customer to try a wrench before buying. The display pack includes a board having a hole. The rotatable security member includes a shank having a toothed periphery that is engaged with a toothed inner periphery delimiting the hole of the board. An end of a wrench may be engaged with the rotatable security member and turned. The rotatable security member rotates in the hole of the board, with the toothed periphery of the rotatable security member shifting on the toothed inner periphery delimiting the hole. The wrench is operated as if it is fastening or unfastening a fastener. However, the try-on function provided by the teeth-to-teeth engagement is lost once the teeth are worn out. Further, formation of the teeth incurs additional cost in manufacture. U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,015 discloses a tool pack with a flexible portion and a try-on device. The try-on device also uses a teeth-to-teeth engagement to provide a try-on function and thus has the same disadvantages. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a tool try-on device without using teeth-to-teeth engagement. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a tool try-on device includes a body and a frictional retaining member mounted to the body. The frictional retaining member and the body together define a compartment for receiving a rotatable member rotatably mounted to an end of a handle of a tool. The frictional retaining member exerts a frictional force to an outer surface of the rotatable member of the tool for retaining the rotatable member in place unless a rotational force greater than the frictional force is applied to the handle of the tool in a ratcheting direction. 
   The rotatable member is not turned when the handle of the tool is turned in a reverse direction reverse to the ratcheting direction. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, the body includes two through-holes extending from a first side of the body to a second side of the body opposite to the first side of the body, with the frictional retaining member extending through the through-holes of the body and extending across a portion of the outer surface of the rotatable member of the tool, thereby exerting the frictional force to the rotatable member of the tool. The frictional retaining member includes a first end having a hole and a second end having a toothed side. The second end of the frictional retaining member extends through the hole of the first end of the frictional retaining member, with the toothed side of the second end of the frictional retaining member engaging with a toothed wall delimiting the hole of the first end of the frictional retaining member. The body may include a recessed portion for receiving the rotatable member and the end of the handle of the tool. The recessed portion of the body includes an end wall for preventing the tool from being removed. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, the frictional retaining member includes two ends each having a snapping member formed thereon. Each snapping member of the frictional retaining member is engaged with the respective through-hole of the body. The first side of the body may include an arcuate groove for receiving a portion of the rotatable member. 
   In a further embodiment of the invention, the body includes two snapping members formed on the first side thereof. The frictional retaining member includes two ends each having a hole defined therein. The respective snapping member of the body engages with the respective hole of the frictional retaining member, thereby securing the frictional retaining member to the body and exerting the frictional force to the rotatable member of the tool. 
   In still another embodiment of the invention, the body includes two through-holes extending from a first side of the body to a second side of the body opposite to the first side of the body. The frictional retaining member includes two ends each having a hole defined therein. A snapping member engages with the respective hole of the frictional retaining member and the respective hole of the body, thereby securing the frictional retaining member to the body and exerting the frictional force to the rotatable member of the tool. 
   In yet another embodiment of the invention, the body includes a through-hole extending from a first side of the body to a second side of the body opposite to the first side of the body. The frictional retaining member includes a first end integrally formed with the body and a second end having a snapping member formed thereon. The snapping member is engaged in the through-hole of the body, thereby exerting the frictional force to the rotatable member of the tool. A groove may be defined in a joint area between the first end of the frictional retaining member and the body, providing a pivotal section about which the second end of the frictional retaining member is pivotable. 
   In still another embodiment of the invention, the frictional retaining member includes two ends that are integrally formed with the body. A wall that delimits the compartment defined between the frictional retaining member and the body has an arcuate groove for receiving a portion of the rotatable member of the tool. 
   In yet another embodiment of the invention, the body includes a first casing half and a second casing half each having a recessed portion that together define the compartment for receiving the rotatable member and the end of the handle of the tool. The first casing half and the second casing half include aligned holes through which the frictional retaining member extends. The frictional retaining member is mounted around the recessed portions, thereby exerting the frictional force to the rotatable member of the tool. The frictional retaining member includes a first end having a hole and a second end having a toothed side. The second end of the frictional retaining member extends through the hole of the first end of the frictional retaining member, with the toothed side of the second end of the frictional retaining member engaging with a toothed wall delimiting the hole of the first end of the frictional retaining member. 
   The tool try-on device may further include a stop on the first side of the body for preventing the tool from being removed. In an alternative embodiment, the frictional retaining member includes an integral stop extending therefrom for preventing the tool from being removed. The integral stop of the frictional retaining member is preferably L-shaped. 
   Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a first embodiment of a tool try-on device in accordance with the present invention, wherein the tool-try-on device is placed in an upright position. 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along plane  2 — 2  in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along plane  3 — 3  in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , illustrating try-on of a tool in a reverse direction. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a second embodiment of the tool try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a third embodiment of the tool try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along plane  7 — 7  in FIG.  6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along plane  8 — 8  in FIG.  6 . 
       FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 , illustrating try-on of a tool in a reverse direction. 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the tool try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the tool try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along plane  12 — 12  in FIG.  11 . 
       FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIG. 12 , illustrating try-on of a tool. 
       FIG. 14  is a view similar to  FIG. 13 , illustrating try-on of the tool in a reverse direction. 
       FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 12 , illustrating a sixth embodiment of the tool try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a front view illustrating a seventh embodiment of the tool try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a front view illustrating an eighth embodiment of the tool try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  is a view similar to  FIG. 12 , illustrating a ninth embodiment of the tool try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a view similar to  FIG. 18 , illustrating a tenth embodiment of the try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 20  is a view similar to  FIG. 19 , illustrating an eleventh embodiment of the try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 21  is a view similar to  FIG. 20 , illustrating a twelfth embodiment of the try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view illustrating a thirteenth embodiment of the try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view illustrating a fourteenth embodiment of the try-on device in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of a tool try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention comprises a board or body  2  and a frictional retaining member  4 . For illustration, the body  2  in  FIG. 1  is an upright position. The board or body  2  may be formed by injection molding and includes a tool-holding section  21  having a plurality of tool-holding members  22  for releasably holding tools such as spanners, combination wrenches, ratchet wrenches, etc. The body  2  may further include at least one hanging hole  25 , allowing the body  2  to be hung on a wall or the like. 
   Of more importance, the body  2  includes two through-holes  23  extending from a side of the body to the other side of the body  2  for mounting the frictional retaining member  4 . A stop  24  is provided on the body  2  and adjacent to the through-holes  23 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the frictional retaining member  4  in this embodiment is a strap wound around a rotatable member  32  of a tool  3 . More particularly, the strap includes a first end having a hole  44  and a second end having a toothed side  45 . The tool  3  is placed on an upper side (see  FIG. 3 ) of the body  2 . The strap is placed below the body  2 , with the second end of the strap passing through one of the through-holes  23  of the body  2 , crossing an upper surface of the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3 , passing through the other through-hole  23  of the body  2 , and passing through the hole  44  of the first end of the strap. The toothed side  45  of the second end of the strap is engaged with a toothed wall  46  delimiting the hole  44  of the first end of the strap. 
   The strap is tightened to an extent that the upper surface of the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3  is in frictional contact with the strap (i.e:, the frictional retaining member  4 ). Preferably, the frictional retaining member  4  includes a non-smooth inner side or an inner side having a non-smooth section. The tool  3  is retained by the frictional retaining member  4 . Further, a handle  31  of the tool  3  has an end in contact with the stop  24  on the body  2 . Thus, the stop  24  prevents removal of the tool  3  from the body  2  unless the frictional retaining member  4  is removed. This provides an anti-theft function when the tool try-on device  1  is on display. 
   The rotatable member  32  may be rotatably attached to the end of the handle  31  in a conventional manner. In use, if the handle  31  of the tool  3  is turned in a direction, e.g., counterclockwise, and if the rotational force applied to the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3  is greater than the frictional force between the rotatable member  32  and the frictional retaining member  4 , the rotatable member  32  is turned together with the handle  31  relative to the body  2 , as shown in FIG.  3 . 
   If the handle  31  of the tool  3  is turned in a reverse direction, e.g., clockwise, the rotational force of the handle  31  is absorbed by a ratchet mechanism mounted in the end of the handle  31  of the tool  3  without causing rotational movement of the rotatable member  32 . Thus, the rotatable member  32  is not turned when the handle  31  of the tool  3  is turned in the reverse direction, as illustrated in FIG.  4 . The ratchet mechanism allowing free rotation of the handle  31  of the tool  3  without causing rotational movement of the rotatable member  32  may be of a conventional design. 
   A customer may try the tool  3  by turning the handle  31  in the counterclockwise direction as well as in the clockwise direction before buying the tool  3 . This would attract the customer, as the tool  3  is operated as if in a real operation for tightening/loosening a fastener. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a second embodiment of the tool try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements. In this embodiment, the body (now designated by  2 ′) is a box formed by blow molding and includes a recessed portion  21  ′ in a side thereof for accommodating at least the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3 . Two through-holes  23 ′ are defined in a bottom wall delimiting the recessed portion  21  ′ for mounting the frictional retaining member  4 . An end of the handle  31  of the tool  3  abuts against an end wall  20 ′ of the recessed portion  21 ′, avoiding removal of the tool  3  unless the frictional retaining member  4  is removed. Operation of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. 
     FIGS. 6 through 9  illustrate a third embodiment of the tool try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the body includes a transparent first casing half  2 ″ and a transparent second casing half  5  ( FIG. 7 ) that are made of molding injection and that together define a compartment for receiving the rotatable member  32  and an end of the handle  31  of the tool  3 . In particular, the transparent first casing half  2 ″ includes a recessed portion  21 ″ and the transparent second casing half  5  includes a recessed portion  51 , the recessed portions  21 ″ and  51  together defining a compartment for receiving the rotatable member  32  and an end of the handle  31  of the tool  3 , as shown in FIG.  7 . Further, a bottom wall delimiting the recessed portion  21 ″ of the transparent first casing half  2 ″ includes two through-holes  23 ″ through which the frictional retaining member  4  extends. A bottom wall delimiting the recessed portion  51  of the transparent second casing half  5  includes two holes  52  through which the frictional retaining member  4  extends. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the frictional retaining member  4  is extended through the through-holes  23 ″ and  52 , with the first end of the frictional retaining member  4  extending through the hole  44  in the second end of the frictional retaining member  4  and with the toothed side  45  being engaged with the toothed wall  46  delimiting the hole  44  of the first end of the frictional retaining member  4 , which is substantially the same as that for the first embodiment (see FIG.  3 ). The transparent casing halves  2 ″ and  5  are in frictional contact with the outer surface of the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3  under the action of a clamping force provided by the frictional retaining member  4 . 
   Further, the transparent casing halves  2 ″ and  5  include aligned openings  24 ″ and  53  for accommodating the handle  31  of the tool  3  and allowing turning of the handle  31 . A customer may turn the handle  31  of the tool  3  in a direction, e.g., counterclockwise. If the rotational force applied to the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3  is greater than the frictional force between the rotatable member  32  and the transparent casing halves  2 ″ and  5  imparted by the frictional retaining member  4 , the rotatable member  32  is turned together with the handle  31  relative to the body of the tool try-on device  1 , as shown in FIG.  8 . The customer may turn the handle  31  of the tool  3  in a reverse direction, e.g., clockwise, in which the rotational force of the handle  31  is absorbed by a ratchet mechanism mounted in the end of the handle  31  of the tool  3  without causing rotational movement of the rotatable member  32 . Thus, the rotatable member  32  is not turned when the handle  31  of the tool  3  is turned in the reverse direction, as illustrated in FIG.  9 . Thus, the customer may try the tool  3  by turning the handle  31  in the counterclockwise direction as well as in the clockwise direction before buying the tool  3 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a fourth embodiment of the try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention, wherein the rotatable member (now designated by  32 ′) is in the form of an adaptor to which a bit is attached. 
     FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a fifth embodiment of the tool try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention that is modified from the first embodiment. The tool-holding section  21  in the first embodiment is omitted. The frictional retaining member  4  has two ends each having a snapping member  41  formed thereon. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the respective snapping member  41  of the frictional retaining member  4  is engaged in the respective through-hole  23  of the body  2  and thus retains the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3  in place while providing a frictional contact between the frictional retaining member  4  and the rotatable member  32 . 
   A customer may turn the handle  31  of the tool  3  in a direction, e.g., counterclockwise. If the rotational force applied to the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3  is greater than the frictional force between the rotatable member  32  and the frictional retaining member  4 , the rotatable member  32  is turned together with the handle  31  relative to the body  2 , as shown in FIG.  13 . The customer may turn the handle  31  of the tool  3  in a reverse direction, e.g., clockwise, in which the rotational force of the handle  31  is absorbed by a ratchet mechanism mounted in the end of the handle  31  of the tool  3  without causing rotational movement of the rotatable member  32 . Thus, the rotatable member  32  is not turned when the handle  31  of the tool  3  is turned in the reverse direction, as illustrated in FIG.  14 . Thus, the customer may try the tool  3  by turning the handle  31  in the counterclockwise direction as well as in the clockwise direction before buying the tool  3 . 
     FIG. 15  illustrates a sixth embodiment of the tool try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention modified from the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the body  2  includes an arcuate recessed portion  26  (c.f.  FIG. 12 ) for receiving a portion of the rotatable member  32 , thereby more reliably positioning the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3  and providing a larger contact area between the rotatable member  32  and the body  2 . 
     FIG. 16  illustrates a seventh embodiment of the tool try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention modified from the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the body  2  includes a stop  24  adjacent to or in intimate contact with the end of the handle  31  of the tool  1 , providing an anti-theft function mentioned in the above embodiments. 
     FIG. 17  illustrates an eighth embodiment of the tool try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention modified from the seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, the stop  24  in the seventh embodiment is replaced by a substantially L-shaped integral stop  42  extending from an end of the frictional retaining member  4 , providing an anti-theft function. 
     FIG. 18  illustrates a ninth embodiment of the tool try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention modified from the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the body  2  includes two snapping fasteners  27  provided on a side thereof, and the frictional retaining member  4  is substantially U-shaped and has two ends each having a hole  43  into which a respective snapping fastener  27  is engaged. A frictional contact is provided between the frictional retaining member  4  and the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3 . 
     FIG. 19  illustrates a tenth embodiment of the tool try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the body  2  includes two through-holes  23 , and the frictional retaining member  4  is substantially U-shaped and has two ends each having a hole  43 . A snapping fastener  47  is engaged into the respective hole  43  of the frictional retaining member  4  and the respective through-hole  23  of the body  2 , thereby retaining the respective end of the frictional retaining member  4  in place and thus providing a frictional contact between the frictional retaining member  4  and the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3 . 
     FIG. 20  illustrates an eleventh embodiment of the try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the body  2  has a through-hole  23 , and the frictional retaining member (now designated by  4 ′) includes a first end  42 ′ that is integrally formed with the body  2 . A substantially V-shaped groove  43 ′ is defined in a joint section between the first end  42 ′ of the frictional retaining member  4 ′ and the body  2 , providing a pivotal section that allows pivotal movement of the first end  42 ′ of the frictional retaining member  4 ′ relative to the body  2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the frictional retaining member  4 ′ may be pivoted from a position shown by phantom lines to a position shown by solid lines, with the frictional retaining member  4 ′ extending across a portion of the outer surface of the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3 , and with a snapping member  41 ′ on a second end of the frictional retaining member  4 ′ engaging with the through-hole  23  of the body  2 . A frictional force is thus provided between the frictional retaining member  4 ′ and the rotatable member  32  of the tool  3 . 
     FIG. 21  illustrates a twelfth embodiment of the try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, two ends of the frictional retaining member (now designated by  4 ″) are integrally formed with a side of the body  2 , defining a compartment  49  between the frictional retaining member  4 ″ and the body  2 . The rotatable member  32  of the tool  3  may be inserted into the compartment  49 . A wall delimiting the compartment  49  includes an arcuate groove  48  configured to receive a portion of the outer surface of the rotatable member  32 . Thus, a frictional force is provided between the frictional retaining member  4 ″ and the rotatable member  32  while allowing rotational movement of the rotatable member  32  relative to the body  2 , which is substantially the same as the above-mentioned embodiments. 
     FIG. 22  illustrates a thirteenth embodiment of the try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the try-on device  1  is incorporated into and thus becomes a part of a tool rack  6  of another type. 
     FIG. 23  illustrates a fourteenth embodiment of the try-on device  1  in accordance with the present invention. Similar to the fourth embodiment, the rotatable member (now designated by  32 ′) is in the form of an adaptor to which a bit is attached. 
   In the embodiments using a stop  24 , it is noted that the stop  24  may be spaced away from the end of the handle  31  while providing an anti-theft function. 
   Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.