Abstract:
A socket organizer includes a planar member having a plurality of recessions to receive various sized tool elements, such as sockets. A portion of the planar member is magnetized to enable the device the ability to securely, but removably, retain each socket when placed into an individual recession. The planar member is rotatingly secured to a support stand. A mechanical connection between the planar member and support stand is provided with a series of detents to enable a user to rotate the planar member to a desired position for access to a particular socket held within the device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/917,682, filed Dec. 18, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a portable apparatus adapted to store and organize tools and tool elements on a stand having a rotatingly affixed display. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As anyone who performs a lot of mechanical work will attest, nothing beats having the proper tool for a job. The proper tool can save time, save money, produce a higher quality job, reduce damage to equipment, and provide for the increased safety of the worker. One (1) tool that is found in many lines of work is that of the ratcheting socket wrench. The ratcheting socket wrench provides for quick removal and tightening of almost every style and size of nut or bolt with the use of interchangeable sockets. However, these interchangeable sockets are easily lost and misplaced due to their small size and ability to roll. Manufacturers have responded with carrying cases to hold such sockets; however, efforts to date have been large, unwieldy, time-consuming to use, and make it generally difficult to find the desired socket size. Accordingly, there exists a need for means by which sockets used with a ratcheting wrench can be easily stored and organized in order to address the problems as described above. The development of the socket organizer fulfills this need. 
     The present invention is an apparatus used for storing and organizing tool elements, such as sockets used with a ratchet wrench. The apparatus includes a central hub rotatingly affixed to a stand, where the central hub is provided with a plurality of compartments, formed by dividers, along the perimeter edge of the central hub. Magnetic material is used on interior surfaces of the compartments. Tool elements of varying lengths and sizes are then inserted in a standing fashion within the compartments such that they are arranged in a radial manner. The dividers are variable, enabling adjustment of the compartment so as to hold many tool elements of different lengths and sizes, including drive connections. The magnetic material is strong enough to hold the tool elements and tools in place easily, yet allow the user to pull the socket out from the compartment without too much effort. The central hub also comprises a magnetic material to hold tools onto a surface thereof. The hub itself can be easily rotated to display tool elements of varying sizes, and is provided with a detent mechanism to control the motion of the hub. 
     Prior art in this field consists of organizational socket case and tool holder devices that incorporate a magnetic structure to magnetically affix the device to a magnetized surface such as a tool chest. These devices suffer from the disadvantage of requiring a magnetized surface to which the device is to be affixed to. If users cannot avail themselves of such a surface then the prior art devices become mere organizational carrying cases. Some prior art devices have various sized socket holders to retain a variety of different size and shape tool elements, but these are fixed in that each compartment is a differing fixed size from the previous compartment. The present invention enables varying the compartment sized with the use of slidably engaged dividers. Another disadvantage of the prior art devices is that they require magnetically affixing tool elements that are specific to the configuration of the device, thereby limiting a user to a dedicated tool set for which the device stores and organizes. The present invention enables magnetic affixment of a variety of different tools and tool elements. These prior art devices further suffer from the inability to easily access the various tools and tool elements affixed thereto. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus for storing and organizing tools and tool elements on a stand having a rotating assembly rotatingly affixed thereto. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to enable effective display of, and efficient access to, each tool and tool element stored in and on the apparatus. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to exploit the magnetic properties of tools and tool elements to magnetically affix them to the apparatus. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a portable apparatus for storing and organizing tools and tool elements without detracting from the utility provided by a stand-alone organizing apparatus. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a handle for ease of transport, the configuration of which will not detract form the functionality of the apparatus. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to enable varying the compartment sizes into which the tool elements are retained. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a means to denote the type and size of tool for each compartment, which can be done permanently or temporarily. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to enable temporary magnetic affixment of various tools to a surface of the apparatus. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a means to mechanically retain the rotating assembly in a desired position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus that provides a means for storing, organizing, and displaying tool elements, such as sockets. The apparatus includes a stand rotatingly engaged with a rotary assembly portion having a plurality of compartments for storing the tool elements. Each compartment incorporates magnetized portions to retain the tool elements while the rotary assembly is turned. The stand is configured to enable temporary or semi-permanent attachment of the apparatus to a flat surface, such as a workbench. The rotating assembly is configured to rotate within a range between zero degrees (0°) to at least three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°+). The rotating assembly stores each tool element in a compartment disposed about its perimeter edge so that each tool element may be accessed through an opening located on each compartment. Each compartment has a magnetic inner surface to retain each tool element placed therein. 
     Alternative embodiments of the present invention include a handle disposed on a top of the stand for ease of transport. Further embodiments enable variable sized compartments with use of divider portions slidingly engageable with the rotating assembly, where each divider preferably comprises a magnetic material. Further embodiments provide for indicia labeling, which may include adhesive-backed labels, molded relief-type characters, etc. Further embodiments have a magnetic member as part of the front panel of the rotating assembly to enable temporary magnetic attachment of other small tools to the face of the apparatus. Further embodiments include a plurality of detents and a ball plunger to index and mechanically retain the rotating assembly at desired positions. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a tool element organizer  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a rotary assembly portion  50  of the tool element organizer  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the rotary assembly  50  taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a shaft portion  70  of the tool element organizer  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  tool element organizer 
               20  stand assembly 
               22  base plate 
               24  back plate 
               26  handle 
               28  mounting aperture 
               50  rotary assembly 
               51   a  front panel 
               51   b  rear panel 
               52  compartment 
               53  first magnet 
               54  divider 
               56  slot 
               58  indicia 
               60  floor panel 
               62  hub 
               64  second magnet 
               66  third magnet 
               70  shaft 
               71  first flange feature 
               73  bushing 
               74  second flange feature 
               75  detent 
               77  ball plunger 
               78  threaded aperture 
               100  tool element 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a tool element organizer (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for storing and organizing tool elements  100 , particularly sockets, as used with a ratchet wrench. The apparatus  10  includes a ROLODEX®-style construction providing a rotary assembly portion  50  which further includes a plurality of compartments  52  for storing the tool elements  100 . Each compartment  52  is made using magnetic portions to retain the tool elements  100  while the rotary assembly  50  is turned. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  includes a stand assembly  20  and a rotating assembly  50  which is designed to store and magnetically retain a plurality of existing tool elements  100 . 
     The stand assembly  20  provides for temporary placement upon, or semi-permanent attachment to, a flat surface such as a work bench, shelf, or the like. The stand assembly  20  provides a unitary structure including a horizontal base plate  22  having an upwardly protruding vertical back plate  24 , and an integral oval-shaped handle  26  which is located at a top portion of the back plate  24 . The handle  26  provides a center opening portion being sized and shaped to allow insertion and grasping using a plurality of the user&#39;s fingers. The stand assembly  20  is envisioned to be made using durable plastic and metal materials. 
     The base plate  22  is to have substantial size and weight to stabilize the apparatus  10  against tipping during use. Additionally, the base plate  22  provides a plurality of mounting apertures  28 , preferably positioned at corner locations, allowing a user to secure the apparatus  10  in a semi-permanent manner to a flat surface using fasteners, if so desired. The back plate portion  24  provides rotating attachment at an intermediate location to the rotary assembly  50  via rotating hub  62  and shaft  70  portions (see  FIG. 4 ). The handle  26  is envisioned to provide an oval-shaped aperture or similar ergonomic means of grasping and lifting to transport the apparatus  10 . 
     The rotary assembly  50  allows a user to access existing tool elements  100  contained within a plurality of compartment portions  52  positioned all along a perimeter edge. The tool elements  100  may be accessed through open top portions of each compartment  52 . Each compartment  52  provides magnetic inner surfaces to retain the tool elements  100  within while rotating the rotating assembly  50 , which may be rotated within a range between zero degrees (0°) to at least three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°+). The rotary assembly  50  includes circular front panel  51   a  and rear panel  51   b  portions being positioned vertically and parallel to each other, and each panel  51   a ,  51   b  having similar diameters. The sides of the compartments  52  are formed by inner-facing surfaces of the front  51   a  and rear  51   b  panels, a bottom surface comprising a floor panel  60  (see  FIG. 3 ), and selectively positioned removable dividers  54 . The tool elements  100  are retained within the compartments  52  via a plurality of magnets  53 ,  54 ,  64  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
     The rotating assembly  50  is envisioned to utilize a plurality of indicia  58  upon an outer surface portion of the front panel  51   a , located adjacent to each compartment  52 , to provide identification of the contents. The indicia  58  may include adhesive-backed paper labels, molded-in relief-type characters, pre-printed symbols, or the like, which allow a user to identify and/or write upon to describe the contents. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , top and sectional views of the rotary assembly portion  50  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The rotating assembly  50  provides a plurality of compartments  52  along a perimeter edge portion. Each compartment  52  is envisioned to be rectangular in shape and may be selectively sized via variably positioned divider portions  54 . The side surfaces of the compartments  52  are formed by the front  51   a  and rear  51   b  panels, further comprising a plurality of equally-spaced and adhesively bonded first magnets  53 . The first magnets  53  are generally rectangular in shape and separated from each other by parallel linear slots  56 . The slots  56  are arranged perpendicular to the perimeter edge of the panels  51   a ,  51   b  and having a width so as to allow sliding insertion of the dividers  54  therein at desired locations. The selective insertion of the dividers  54  within the slots  56  allows a user to create a compartment  52  having a desired length for storing a particular number of tool elements  100  or other related items. 
     As previously described, the front  51   a  and rear  51   b  panels are partially covered by the first magnet portions  53 . The first magnets  53  are envisioned to be sections of polymer magnet sheet material or an equivalent magnetic material. In a similar manner, the floor panel  60  is to include a plurality of adhesively bonded second magnets  64  made using a similar material as the first magnets  53 . Finally, the dividers  54  are envisioned being made of a permanent magnet material or may be made using a plastic base material having adhesively bonded sections of polymer magnetic sheet, in a similar manner as the aforementioned first panel  51   a , second panel  51   b , and floor panel  60  portions. 
     Drive tool elements  100  of varying lengths and sizes are envisioned to be inserted into the compartments  52  in a standing fashion to conserve space. The apparatus  10  is capable of holding many tool elements of different lengths, different sizes, and different drive connection sizes such as one-eighth (⅛), one-quarter (¼), one-half (½), and three-quarters (¾) inch. However, it is also envisioned that the apparatus  10  could be introduced in several models which each correspond to a particular drive connection, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . The front  51   a  is envisioned to provide at least one (1) large third magnet  66  along an outer surface for temporary magnetic attachment of other small tools such as drive extensions, drive adapters, wrenches, screwdrivers, and the like. The third magnet  66  is envisioned to be made of a similar bonded polymer magnetic material as the first  53  and second  64  magnets. 
     The previously described magnetic portions  53 ,  54 ,  63  within the compartments  52  are to apply enough magnetic force to hold the tool elements  100  in place, but allow the user to remove a tool element  100  with reasonable effort. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view of a rotating shaft portion  70  of the apparatus  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The front panel  51   a  and rear panel  51   b  portions are connected to each other along a center line by an integral cylindrical hub portion  62 . The hub  62  provides a means to attach the rotating assembly  50  to the back plate portion  24  of the stand assembly  20 . The hub  62  comprises a hollow cylindrical form that provides securement of a front end of a shaft  70 , which has a rearwardly extending rear end portion that passes through a bushing  73  via a slip-fit. The bushing  73  is permanently mounted within the back plate  24  providing a means to rotate the rotating assembly  50  and shaft  70  portions. It is envisioned that the shaft  70  includes integral retaining first flange features  71  which extend perpendicularly from each end portion. The bushing  73  is envisioned to be a self-lubricating bronze bushing or equivalent bearing component, and is secured to the back plate  24  via integral second flange features  74  that extend perpendicularly at each end portion. 
     The apparatus  10  further provides a means to index and mechanically retain the rotating assembly  50  at a desired position via a plurality of detents  75  and a ball plunger  77 . The detents  75  provide a plurality of equally-spaced circular impressions arranged in a circular pattern being molded-in or machined into a rearward surface of the rear panel  51   b . The detents  75  work in conjunction with the ball plunger  77 , which is threadingly installed within the back plate  22  at a corresponding location so as to align with the circular pattern of the detents  75 , thereby allowing engagement between the detents  75  and ball plunger  77  to retain a position of the rotating assembly  50 . The spring-loaded nature of the ball plunger  77  allows a user to motion the rotating assembly  50  from one (1) detent  75  to another with minimal force being applied. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of preparing the apparatus  10  for use may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  being suitable for storing tool elements  100  of an intended number of tool elements  100 , or a particular drive size; mounting the apparatus  10  to a flat surface such as a work bench or shelf, if so desired, using the mounting aperture portions  28  in the base plate  22  and fasteners, or; utilizing the handle  26  to grasp and transport the apparatus  10  to a job site, as needed; loading the apparatus  10  with existing tool elements  100  by rotating the rotating assembly  50  until a particular compartment  52  is positioned near a top position of the rotating assembly  50 , being retained in position by engagement of the ball plunger  77  and detent  75  portions; inserting dividers  54  in a selective manner within slot portions  56  to obtain a compartment  52  having a desired length; loading the compartment  52  with tool elements  100 , other small tools, and miscellaneous items, as desired; rotating the rotating assembly  50  to another loading position until the ball plunger  77  and detent  75  engage; repeating the insertion of dividers  54 , loading of tool elements  100 , and the rotating process for a desired number of compartments  52 ; applying indicia  58 , if utilizing label-type indicia  58 , along the front panel  51   a  adjacent to each loaded compartment  52  to identify the corresponding contents; and, affixing desired drive accessories  102  and various small tools such as drive extensions, drive adapters, wrenches, screwdrivers, and the like, to the large third magnet  66  located upon the front panel  51   a . The apparatus  10  is now ready for use. 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: locating and obtaining a desired tool element  100  stored within the apparatus  10  by rotating the rotating assembly  50  until positioning a compartment  52  containing the desired tool element  100  at a top position; securing the rotating assembly  50  via engagement of the ball plunger  77  within a detent  75 ; extracting the desired tool element  100 ; detaching other drive accessories  102  from the third magnet  66 , as needed; and, utilizing the apparatus  10  to acquire tool elements  100  and drive accessories  102  to complete a task in a timely manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.