Patent Publication Number: US-2003222035-A1

Title: Yard tool storage device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to storage devices, in particular to a device for safely storing yard tools.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] Long handled tools such as brooms, rakes and shovels have become indispensable implements in and around many homes and work places. Unfortunately, storing even a few of these implements can be difficult, cumbersome and even dangerous. Numerous inventors have attempted to address the aforementioned problem, but they have not provided a storage device with the simplicity, versatility or effectiveness of the present invention.  
       [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,532 to C. Wilke discloses a device for storing articles such as garden and lawn tools. The device has a lid which fits over a conventional trash can. The lid has several holes through which the handles of implements may be inserted, as well as a handle holder situated in the bottom of the can. The &#39;532 invention can be distinguished from the present invention in that the present invention does not have a lid with holes which could limit access for implements with handles such as snow shovels. The present invention also has no bottom, which prevents the accumulation of dirt and debris.  
       [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,998 to Smeller discloses an implement organizer. This device is essentially a lid which mounts onto a receptacle. The lid has several holes defined therein through which several implements may be inserted. The &#39;998 invention may be distinguished from the present invention in that the present invention has no lid, nor a bottom.  
       [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,463 to Dees discloses a tool storage container. The container has an apparatus which is designed to fit into the open top of an appropriate container, and includes a plate member with hooks around its periphery for suspending the member in a horizontal orientation from the upper peripheral rim of the container. The plate has a plurality of openings for receiving the handles of tools. The &#39;463 invention differs from the present invention in that the present invention has no lid, nor a bottom. Also the &#39;463 invention is not designed to be securable to a support structure.  
       [0008] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a yard tool storage device solving the aforementioned problems is desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] The present invention is a yard tool storage device having a tube shaped body with a front surface, back surface, two opposing side surfaces, a top edge and a bottom edge. The body is generally rectangular in cross section with the perimeter of the cross-section decreasing from top edge to the bottom edge. The top and bottom edges of the body are ordinarily rolled toward the outside of the body and function to support the body. Several holes are defined in back surface of the body to allow the body to be bolted or screwed into the a support surface such as a wall.  
       [0010] Once the device is secured to a support surface, implements are inserted inside the device. The device is generally positioned upon the support surface such that the implements extend through the bottom end of the tube shaped body and are supported on a surface, such as a floor. The distance between the floor and the bottom of the tube ordinarily must be sufficient to keep the implements balanced inside the storage device.  
       [0011] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an easy to use device for storing yard tools.  
       [0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a yard tool storage device that will store a variety of tools safely.  
       [0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a yard tool storage device that will be space efficient.  
       [0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide a yard tool storage device that will not collect the dirt and debris often associated with yard implements.  
       [0015] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
       [0016] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a yard tool storage device according to the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of the yard storage device according to the present invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of a yard tool storage device according to the present invention.  
     [0020]FIG. 4 is an plan view of a third embodiment of a yard tool storage device according to the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0021] The yard tool storage device  10  of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, has a hollow tube shaped body  12  with a front surface, back surface, two opposing side surfaces, a top edge  14  and a bottom edge  16 . Ordinarily the body is rectangular in cross-section and its cross-sectional perimeter decreases from the top edge  14  to the bottom edge  16 . One skilled in the art could readily alter the shape of the body so long as it remained hollow and was capable of being attached to a support surface. An attachment device, such as screws  18  or nails, extends through holes defined in the back surface of the body  12  and functions to hold the body  12  fixed to a support surface, such as a wall W. When in use, tools T are placed inside the body and extend downward to a bottom surface such as a floor.  
     [0022]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the yard tool storage device  10 . The body  12  of the invention is secured to a wall W, preferably with screws  18 , but nails, bolts and the like may also be used. The screws  18  are ordinarily placed adjacent to the top  14  and bottom  16  edges of the body  12 . These edges  14 ,  16  are ordinarily rolled toward the outside surface of the body and function to enhance the strength of the body  12 .  
     [0023]FIG. 3 Illustrates a second embodiment  20  of the yard tool storage device. This embodiment has one or more V or U-shaped grooves  22  defined in the top edge of the body  12 . The grooves function to allow especially long tools to be more easily inserted into the body  12 . This feature is particularly useful in areas with height restrictions, such as low ceilings.  
     [0024]FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a third embodiment  30  of the yard tool storage device. In this embodiment support ribs  32  are disposed across the bottom end  16  of the tubular body  12 . These ribs  32  function to support the body  12  and further organize tools inserted into the invention.  
     [0025] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.