Patent Publication Number: US-2023159226-A1

Title: Tool holding system, method and device with cover sheet

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to tool holding systems and devices. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a tool holding system and device with a primary and secondary storage compartment and a rain cover. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Tools including, tape measures, levels, pliers, screw drivers, wrenches, hammers, power tools and others are an integral part of the professional and amateur tool kit. In particular, many projects require multiple tools to be used interchangeably throughout the course of the project. These projects may also require multiple parts and/or fasteners for completion of the project. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A tool holding system and device comprises a tool holder comprising a cover pouch, a cover sheet, a primary storage compartment for removably holding one or more tools and a secondary storage compartment configured to removably receive a parts bin. The parts bin is configured to removably hold one or more additional tools. 
     A first aspect is directed to a tool holding system. The system comprises a tool bag having a handle and a body comprising a primary storage compartment formed by a primary floor, a plurality of perimeter walls extending up from the primary floor and a top opening opposite the primary floor, a secondary storage compartment formed by a secondary floor, a subset of the plurality of perimeter walls extending down from the primary floor to the secondary floor and a side opening opposite one of the subset of the plurality of perimeter walls, a cover pouch having an inner cavity and a bottom opening, the cover pouch extending from an outer surface of one of the plurality of perimeter walls and a cover sheet coupled to the cover pouch via a flexible coupling band and a parts bin configured to fit within the side opening and removably hold one or more tools. 
     In some embodiments, the cover sheet is able to crumple to fit within the cover pouch and to spread out to surround all of the tool bag except for a bottom of the tool bag below the secondary floor. In some embodiments, the cover pouch has a fastening mechanism and a cutout aperture, the fastening mechanism configured to seal the bottom opening except for the cutout aperture when fully closed. In some embodiments, the flexible coupling band extends through the cutout aperture when the fastening mechanism is fully sealed and the cover sheet is positioned outside the inner cavity. In some embodiments, the cover pouch has a second cutout aperture opposite the cutout aperture, the cover sheet has a second flexible coupling band, and the second flexible coupling band extends through the second cutout aperture when the fastening mechanism is fully sealed and the cover sheet is positioned outside the inner cavity. In some embodiments, the subset of the plurality of perimeter walls extend a greater distance up from the primary floor to the top opening than down from the primary floor to the secondary floor. In some embodiments, the cover pouch is positioned on the body opposite the side opening. In some embodiments, the handle rotatably couples between two of the plurality of perimeter walls. In some embodiments, a perimeter edge of the cover sheet has a maximum perimeter extension and includes a cinching mechanism that is able to bias the perimeter edge inwards from the maximum perimeter extension. 
     A second aspect is directed to a tool bag for holding tools. The tool bag comprises a handle and a body comprising a primary storage compartment formed by a primary floor, a plurality of perimeter walls extending up from the primary floor and a top opening opposite the primary floor, a secondary storage compartment formed by a secondary floor, a subset of the plurality of perimeter walls extending down from the primary floor to the secondary floor and a side opening opposite one of the subset of the plurality of perimeter walls, a cover pouch having an inner cavity and a bottom opening, the cover pouch extending from an outer surface of one of the plurality of perimeter walls and a cover sheet coupled to the cover pouch via a flexible coupling band. 
     In some embodiments, the cover sheet is able to crumple to fit within the cover pouch and to spread out to surround all of the tool bag except for a bottom of the tool bag below the secondary floor. In some embodiments, the cover pouch has a fastening mechanism and a cutout aperture, the fastening mechanism configured to seal the bottom opening except for the cutout aperture when fully closed. In some embodiments, the flexible coupling band extends through the cutout aperture when the fastening mechanism is fully sealed and the cover sheet is positioned outside the inner cavity. In some embodiments, the cover pouch has a second cutout aperture opposite the cutout aperture, the cover sheet has a second flexible coupling band, and the second flexible coupling band extends through the second cutout aperture when the fastening mechanism is fully sealed and the cover sheet is positioned outside the inner cavity. In some embodiments, the subset of the plurality of perimeter walls extend a greater distance up from the primary floor to the top opening than down from the primary floor to the secondary floor. In some embodiments, the cover pouch is positioned on the body opposite the side opening. In some embodiments, the handle rotatably couples between two of the plurality of perimeter walls. In some embodiments, a perimeter edge of the cover sheet has a maximum perimeter extension and includes a cinching mechanism that is able to bias the perimeter edge inwards from the maximum perimeter extension. 
     A third aspect is directed to a method of using a tool holding system. The method comprises taking a cover sheet out of an inner cavity of a cover pouch of a tool bag, the tool bag having a handle and a body comprising a primary storage compartment formed by a primary floor, a plurality of perimeter walls extending up from the primary floor and a top opening opposite the primary floor, a secondary storage compartment formed by a secondary floor, a subset of the plurality of perimeter walls extending down from the primary floor to the secondary floor and a side opening opposite one of the subset of the plurality of perimeter walls, the cover pouch having the inner cavity and a bottom opening, the cover pouch extending from an outer surface of one of the plurality of perimeter walls and the cover sheet coupled to the cover pouch via a flexible coupling band and pulling the cover sheet over the tool bag such that the cover sheet covers the tool bag. 
     In some embodiments, the cover sheet is able to crumple to fit within the cover pouch and to spread out to surround all of the tool bag except for a bottom of the tool bag below the secondary floor. In some embodiments, the cover pouch has a fastening mechanism and a cutout aperture, the fastening mechanism configured to seal the bottom opening except for the cutout aperture when fully closed. In some embodiments, taking the cover sheet out of the inner cavity includes positioning the flexible coupling band through the cutout aperture and fully sealing the fastening mechanism. In some embodiments, the cover pouch has a second cutout aperture opposite the cutout aperture, the cover sheet has a second flexible coupling band, and the second flexible coupling band extends through the second cutout aperture when the fastening mechanism is fully sealed and the cover sheet is positioned outside the inner cavity. In some embodiments, the subset of the plurality of perimeter walls extend a greater distance up from the primary floor to the top opening than down from the primary floor to the secondary floor. In some embodiments, the cover pouch is positioned on the body opposite the side opening. In some embodiments, the handle rotatably couples between two of the plurality of perimeter walls. In some embodiments, a perimeter edge of the cover sheet has a maximum perimeter extension and includes a cinching mechanism that is able to bias the perimeter edge inwards from the maximum perimeter extension. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Several example embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like components are provided with like reference numerals. The example embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention. The drawings include the following figures: 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a front view of a tool holder system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a back view of the tool holder system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 C  illustrates a left view of the tool holder system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 D  illustrates a right view of the tool holder system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 E  illustrates a top view of the tool holder system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 F  illustrates a bottom view of the tool holder system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 G  illustrates a front-right perspective view of the tool holder system according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 H  illustrates a front view of the tool holder system with the secondary compartment flap open according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 I  illustrates a back view of the tool holder system with the cover sheet out coupled via a single coupling band according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 J  illustrates a back view of the tool holder system with the cover sheet out coupled via multiple coupling bands according to some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is illustrates a method of using the tool holder system according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to tool holding system and device comprises a tool holder comprising a cover pouch, a cover sheet, a primary storage compartment for removably holding one or more tools and a secondary storage compartment configured to removably receive a parts bin. The parts bin is configured to removably hold one or more additional tools. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of a tool holding system and device as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions can be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application and business related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 J  illustrate front, back, left, right, top, bottom, front-right perspective, front with secondary compartment open, front with cover sheet extended (single band) and front with cover sheet extended (multi-band) views, respectively, of a tool holder system  100  according to some embodiments. As shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 J , the tool holding system  100  comprises a parts bin  104  having one or more cavities for holding parts (e.g. screws, nails, bits and/or other tools) and a tool bag  102 . The tool bag  102  has one or more external flexible or rigid pockets  106 , a rigid handle  108 , a primary storage compartment  110 , a secondary storage compartment  112 , a flexible or rigid cover pouch  114  and a flexible/crumpleable cover sheet  116 . The parts bin  104  is sized such that it fits entirely within the secondary storage compartment  112 . Alternatively, one or more of the parts bin  104 , external pockets  106 , handle  108 , primary storage compartment  110 , secondary storage compartment  112 , cover pouch  114  and cover sheet  116  are able to be omitted. Also, although as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 J , the bag  102  has four pockets on the front, four pockets on the back, one pocket on the right and two pockets on the left, more or less pockets on one or more of the sides are contemplated. Additionally, a size and location of the pockets  106  on the exterior of the bag  102  is able to vary (e.g. instead of four pockets, two double size pockets are able to be used, and so forth). Further, in some embodiments the primary storage compartment  110  is able to include one or more internal pockets. In some embodiments, one or more of the pockets are able to be closed with a pocket fastener (e.g. a button, a zipper, velcro, magnet or other fastener) positioned long the opening of the pocket. 
     The handle  108  is able to comprise a pair of bends  118  and be rotatably coupled between the left and right sides of the bag  102 . In some embodiments, the ends of the handle  108  are coupled through apertures in the sides of the bag  102  such that the handle is able to rotate within the apertures. Alternatively, the handle  108  is able to otherwise be rotatably coupled to the bag  102 . In any case, when the handle  108  is rotated from center to the left or the right, the handle  108  no longer obstructs access to the primary storage compartment  110  due to the bends  118  causing the handle  108  move to the side as it rotates. At the same time, when carrying the bag  102  by the handle  108 , the handle  108  will automatically rotate back into a centered position due to the bends  118 , which enables the bag  102  to maintain stability when carried. Alternatively, the handle  108  is able to be straight and/or non-rotatably coupled to the bag  102 . 
     As shown in the top view of  FIG.  1 E , the primary storage compartment  110  is able to be accessed from a top opening  120  of the bag  102 . Specifically, the primary storage compartment  110  is able to be formed by a plurality of rigid side walls extending vertically upward from a rigid primary floor, but with no ceiling. As a result, one or more tools are able to be placed within the primary storage compartment  110  through the top opening  120 . Alternatively, in some embodiments the primary storage compartment  110  is able to comprise a lid and/or is accessed by opening the lid of the tool system. In some embodiments, two of the walls are able to be taller than the other walls in order to couple with the handle  108 . In some embodiments, a distance between the walls forming the primary compartment  110  that are not coupled to the handle  108  (e.g. the distance between the shorter walls) is able to be sized such that those walls block the handle  108  from rotating into the primary compartment  110  (below those walls). As a result, when the handle  108  is rotated to either side, the center portion of the handle  108  is able to rest on those walls instead of dropping into (and partially blocking) the primary compartment  110 . Alternatively, all of the walls are able to be the same height. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 G and  1 H , the secondary storage compartment  112  is able to be accessed from a front opening  122  of the bag  102 . Specifically, the secondary storage compartment  112  is able to be formed by the primary floor (acting as a ceiling), a rigid secondary floor positioned below the primary floor, and the plurality of side walls extending vertically downward from the primary floor to a secondary floor (e.g. the bottom of the bag  102 ). One or more of the side walls are able to have an aperture creating the front opening  122  through which the secondary storage compartment  112  is able to be accessed. In some embodiments, the side wall(s) having the front opening  122  are able to include a flap fastener  126  and a flap  124 . The flap  124  is able to be sized such that it that selectively covers the front opening  122  when the flap fastener  126  is closed and uncovers the front opening  122  when the flap fastener  126  is opened. Alternatively, the flap  124  and/or flap fastener  126  are able to be omitted. In some embodiments, the flap fastener  126  is a zipper. Alternatively, the flap fastener  126  is able to be one or a combination of one or more buttons, a zipper, a velcro system, a magnetic fastener or other types of fasteners. In some embodiments, the flap  124  comprises a ridged material which is folded down to access the secondary storage compartment  112 . Alternatively, the flap  124  is able to comprise a flexible, stretchable or other appropriately desired material and/or configuration for covering the secondary storage compartment  112 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 B-D ,  1 F,  1 I and  1 J, the cover pouch  114  is able to extend from an outer side of the bag  102  (e.g. opposite the front opening  122 ) and form a pouch cavity that is accessible via a pouch opening at the bottom of the cover pouch  114 . The pouch cavity is able to receive the cover sheet  116  via the pouch opening and is sized such that the cover sheet  116  is able to fit entirely within the pouch cavity. In some embodiments, the cover pouch  114  includes one or more pouch cutouts  130  and a pouch fastener  132  that selectively closes and opens the pouch opening. In some embodiments, the pouch fastener  132  is a zipper that zips the perimeter of the pouch opening (except for the cutouts  130 ) together to close the pouch  114 . In some embodiments, the pouch fastener  132  is a velcro system with a hook portion positioned along the inside of the bottom of the pouch  114  (away from the bag body) and the loop portion positioned along the inside of the bottom of the pouch  114  (adjacent to the bag body), or vice versa. Alternatively, the pouch fastener  132  is able to be one or a combination of one or more buttons, a zipper, a velcro system, a magnetic fastener or other types of fasteners. In any case, the pouch fastener  132  is able to be positioned along the bottom edge of the cover pouch  114  (and/or the adjacent portion of the bag body) that forms the perimeter of the pouch opening. Specifically, the coupling parts of the pouch fastener  132  are able to be on opposite sides of that perimeter such that they are able to come together to couple to each other and thereby seal the pouch opening (except for the cutouts  130 ) and be spread apart to open the pouch opening/cover pouch  114 . 
     The cover sheet  116  is able to be thin and/or flexible sheet sized such that it has a sheet opening leading to a sheet cavity that is able to cover at least the top and sides of the bag  102 . In some embodiments, the edge or trim  134  of the cover sheet  116  that forms the perimeter of the sheet opening has biasing element that biases the sheet opening to be smaller that its maximum size. For example, the biasing element is able to be a spring (e.g. an elastic band) that is shorter than the trim  134  of the cover sheet  116  but is coupled to (e.g. hemmed into) the trim  134  of the cover sheet  116  such that it biases the trim  134  together to the spring&#39;s shorter length. As a result, when positioning the sheet  116  onto the bag  102 , the biasing element is able to be stretched such that the sheet opening/trim fits over the top of the bag  102  and then released when the bag  102  is fully within the sheet cavity causing the trim  134  to tighten around the bottom of the bag  102  holding the sheet  116  onto the bag  102 . Alternatively, the biasing element is able to be a cinching mechanism that is coupled to the edge/trim  134  of the sheet  116  and is able to be manually loosened or tightened in order to secure the cover sheet  116  around the bag  102 . 
     The cover sheet  116  is able to be coupled to the bag  102  and/or cover pouch  114  via one or more coupling lines  128 . The coupling lines  128  are able to be positioned at an edge/hem  134  of the cover sheet  116  and couple to the cover pouch  114  in a location adjacent to the cutouts  130  of the cover pouch  114 . Although  FIGS.  1 I and  1 J  show one and two coupling lines  128  and two cutouts  130 , more or less coupling lines  128  and/or cutouts  130  are contemplated. For example, only a single cutout  130  and a single line  128  are able to be used. In the case where two coupling lines  128  and two cutouts  130  are used (as shown in the  FIGS.  1 B,  1 F and  1 J ), the coupling lines  128  are able to couple to opposite ends of the edge of the cover sheet  116  and/or the cutouts  130  are able to be positioned on opposite ends of the cover pouch  114 . In the case where a single coupling line  128  (and/or a single cutout  130 ) is used as shown in  FIG.  1 I , the coupling line  128  is able to couple to a single (right or left) end of the edge of the cover sheet  116  and/or the cutout  130  is able to be positioned on the same single end of the cover pouch  114 . The coupling lines  128  are able to be a flexible and/or stretchable band. Alternatively, one or more of the coupling lines  128  are able to be flexible/stretchable or rigid, string, band, spring, cloth, plastic, nylon, other material or combination thereof. In some embodiments, the edge cover sheet 
     In operation, the pouch fastener  132  is able to selectively close and open the pouch opening except for where the pouch cutouts  130  are located. Specifically, the cover sheet  116  is able to be held within the pouch cavity by closing the pouch fastener  132  after pushing the cover sheet  116  into the cavity. Further, when the cover sheet  116  is in use (enveloping the top and sides of the bag  102 ) or otherwise outside the pouch cavity, the pouch fastener  132  is still able to be closed with the cover sheet  116  able to remain coupled to the cover pouch  114  (and/or the wall inside the cover pouch  114 ) because the coupling lines  128  are able to extend through the pouch cutouts  130  (which remain open even when the fastener  132  is closed). As a result, the system  100  provides the advantage of enabling the tools and other items within the bag to be quickly protected using the cover sheet  116 . Although the cover pouch  114  and/or sheet  116  are shown extending from the opposite side as the bottom opening  122 , the cover pouch  114  and/or cover sheet  116  are able to extend from any of the other surfaces of the bag  102  including within the primary compartment  110  or secondary compartment  112 . 
       FIG.  2    is directed to a method of using the tool holding system  100  according to some embodiments. As shown in  FIG.  2   , a user unfastens the pouch fastener  132  of the cover pouch  114  at the step  202 . The user pulls the cover sheet  116  out of the pouch cavity of a cover pouch  114  at the step  204 . The user pulls the cover sheet  116  over some or all of the tool holder body  102  at the step  206 . In some embodiments, the user tightens or cinches the edge/perimeter  134  of the cover sheet  116  around the bottom of the too holder body  102  to keep it in place. Alternatively, the edge/hem  134  of the cover sheet  116  is able to be biasing in a tightened positioned (e.g. via an elastic edge/hem band), and pulling the cover sheet  116  over the body  102  comprises stretching the edge/hem  134  to fit over the body  102 , moving the cover sheet  116  over the body  102  and releasing the edge/hem  134  such that it tightens around the body  102  (due to the biasing). 
     The user positions the coupling lines  128  of the cover sheet  116  through the cutouts  130  of the cover pouch  114  at the step  208 . The user fastens the cover fastener  132  closing the cover pouch  114  at the step  210 . It is understood that one or more of the above steps are able to be omitted and/or performed in a different order as desired by the user. For example, the user is able to refrain from re-fastening the fastening mechanism. As another example, the user is able to position the coupling bands before pulling the cover sheet over the body. In any case, the method provides the advantage of enabling a worker to protect their tools stored in the tool holder from dirt, saw dust, water and/or other elements by covering the tool holder body whenever such elements are present. 
     In use, a tool storage system and device, such as described above, has many applications. Particularly, the tool holder body is able to be manufactured from a variety of different materials and weights of materials configured for different tasks. Additionally, the exterior pockets, pouch, cover sheet and/or flap are able to be manufactured from different materials comprising one or more of leather, cotton, cotton/polyester blend, plastic, nylon, vinyl, neoprene, knit, and rubber. The primary storage compartment is able to be used to hold a variety of larger tools and accessories while the secondary storage compartment receives a parts bin capable of storing smaller tools and items, while allowing a user easy and convenient access to those objects. Particularly, it is advantageous to keep small parts next to the tools with which they are used while still keeping them separate for easy access. The pouch and cover sheet provide the advantage of enabling the tool holder to be covered at any time, for example, in a dusty workspace or inclement weather. Further, the one or more cutouts in the pouch enable the pouch to be sealed by the fastening mechanism even while the cover sheet is being used to cover the bag. Additionally, the handle allows for easy transportation of the tool storage system and device. Moreover, because the handle is bent and rotatably coupled to the holder body, it is able to rotate out of the way when a user wants to access the main compartment, but then rotate back into the middle for carrying the tool holder. Specifically, the tool storage system and device is configured to carry a variety of different articles as desired. Consequently, the tool storage system and device as described herein has many advantages. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such references, herein, to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.