Abstract:
A hand tool organizer adapted to be mounted on a wall or door and configured to retain a plurality of tools via profile recesses, where each slidably received tool matches a corresponding recess. The organizer is further provided with side-pivoting doors and slide-out drawers.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/050,451 filed Sep. 15, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a hand tool organizer adapted to be mounted on a wall or door and configured to retain a plurality of tools. 
     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. 
     Keeping commonly used hand tools in an organized manner is an issue for many people. The hand tools, interchangeable parts, drill bits, containers, and the like quickly become cumbersome to maintain in an organized manner. It is also of particular importance to not only maintain these items in an organized manner but to store such items near or adjacent to a work area while preferably keeping items not in use out of the way. 
     Various ways to store these items are known. A common problem with all these systems is the inherent lack of organization. Another problem area is the location of such an organizer device, which usually involves storing on the very workspace to be used, thereby restricting the available workspace area. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which tools can be easily stored and organized in a convenient manner which addresses the problems as described above. The development of the wall-mounted tool organizer fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a wall-mounted tool organizer. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a tool organizer comprising an enclosure including a first side surface, a second side surface, a partial front surface, a top surface, and a rear surface. The tool organizer also comprises a tool panel which itself includes a plurality of tool cavities on a front surface thereof, and disposed and bonded within an interior of the enclosure. The tool organizer also comprises a first door assembly having a first side pivotally attached to a front edge of the first side surface and a second side removably secured to the partial front surface and a second door assembly having a first side pivotally attached to a front edge of the second side surface and a second side removably secured to the partial front surface. 
     The first door assembly and the second door assembly are each pivotally attached by at least one (1) hinge. Each tool cavity comprises an outline of a common tool profile. Each tool cavity also comprises at least one retaining feature extending inwardly from a side wall. Each retaining feature is adapted to retain a tool therein. Each retaining feature comprises a small integrally molded protrusion which creates an interference fit with the tool placed within the tool cavity. The tool panel comprises at least two (2) finger relief areas on opposing sides of each tool cavity. 
     The first and second door assemblies each comprise a handle on an outer surface thereof wherein each handle is integrally molded into a respective first or the second door assembly. The tool organizer further comprises a plurality of drawer openings within the partial front surface and a plurality of drawers. Each drawer comprises an integral rectangular drawer front panel having an integral drawer pull handle upon a forward-facing surface. Each drawer also comprises a rearwardly extending drawer box which provides a rectangular inner space. Each drawer also comprises a provision for at least one (1) removably insertable internal partition. 
     The first and second door assemblies are removably secured to the partial front surface with a plurality of magnets and a correspondingly positioned one (1) of a plurality of steel plates. The plurality of magnets is mounted along a perimeter edge of the first and second door assemblies and the plurality of steel plates are mounted along respective contact surfaces along a perimeter edge. When each magnet is capable of magnetic connection to a respective steel plate. 
     The mounting further comprises a male mounting fixture and a female mounting fixture. The male mounting fixture comprises at least one (1) plate having a plurality of apertures and an offset cylindrical button appendage. The female mounting fixture comprises at least one (1) plate having a plurality of apertures and at least one (1) keyhole-shaped aperture wherein the female plate has an integral offset first ear and an integral offset second ear located on opposing end portions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention 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 wall-mounted tool organizer  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another front perspective view of a wall-mounted tool organizer  10  depicting closed door portions  60   a ,  60   b , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up view of a tool cavity portion  27  of the wall-mounted tool organizer  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the wall-mounted tool organizer  10  depicting a mounting means, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded view of the wall-mounted tool organizer  10  depicting drawer portions  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  wall-mounted tool organizer 
               20  enclosure 
               21   a  side surface 
               21   b  front surface 
               21   c  top surface 
               21   d  rear surface 
               22  tool panel 
               26  tool item 
               27  tool cavity 
               28  retaining feature 
               29  finger relief 
               30  male mounting fixture 
               31  rear plate 
               32  appendage 
               35  female mounting fixture 
               36  front plate 
               38   a  first ear 
               38   b  second ear 
               40  aperture 
               60   a  first door assembly 
               60   b  second door assembly 
               62   a  first door frame 
               62   b  second door frame 
               64  hinge 
               66   a  first inner panel 
               66   b  second inner panel 
               68   a  magnet 
               68   b  steel plate 
               70  door pull handle 
               80   a  first drawer 
               80   b  second drawer 
               80   c  third drawer 
               82  drawer pull handle 
               84  drawer front panel 
               85  drawer box 
               86  drawer opening 
               88   a  tongue 
               88   b  groove 
               90  inner space 
               92  partition 
               94  slot 
               100  structural member 
               180  fastener 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. 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 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 wall-mounted tool organizer (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a variety of commonly used tool items  26  discreetly contained within a cabinet-type enclosure  20  having frontal swinging doors  60   a ,  60   b  and a plurality of pull-out drawers  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , front perspective views of the apparatus  10  depicting open and closed door portions  60   a ,  60   b , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  provides an enclosure  20  which provides an open-front shallow box structure including a pair of side surfaces  21   a , a partial front surface  21   b , a top surface  21   c , and a rear surface  21   d . The enclosure  20  provides access and compact storage of a plurality of common tool items  26  therein, via an internal tool panel  22  which is bonded within the enclosure  20  and includes a plurality of tool cavities  27  along a front surface thereby enabling removable insertion and mechanical retention of the tool items  26  within the respectively shaped cavity portions  27  via an interference fit (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The enclosure  20  includes hinged attachment of pivoting first door assembly  60   a  and second door assembly  60   b  portions along opposing frontal edges of the side surfaces  21   a . The hinges  64  are to be integrally-molded into the side surfaces of the enclosure  20  and the door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b . The hinges  64  include complimenting interlocking elements being mechanically engaged so as to allow the doors  60   a ,  60   b  to swing independently outward a full one-hundred and eighty (180°) degrees. The door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b  provide mirror-image shallow box-like structures having perimeter shapes which cover a half-portion of the enclosure  20 , effectively covering an entire front surface of the enclosure  20  when the door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b  are in a closed state. The door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b  may be closed to discreetly conceal the tool items  26  whenever desired. The door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b  include respective first door frame  62   a  and second door frame  62   b  portions which provide rigid perimeter structures. The door frames  62   a ,  62   b  are covered along a rear surface by respective first inner panel  66   a  and second inner panel  66   b  portions forming a decorative recessed front surface when in the closed state. It is understood that when in a closed state, the forward-facing surface of the inner panels  66   a ,  66   b  may be decorated with various colors, patterns, pictures, indicia, and the like based upon a user&#39;s preferences. 
     The door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b  are held a closed state against the enclosure  20  via magnets  68   a , or an equivalent non-locking closure means. It is envisioned that a plurality of magnets  68   a  and correspondingly positioned attracting steel plates  68   b  would be mounted along respective contact surfaces along perimeter edges of the enclosure  20  and door assembly  60   a ,  60   b  portions. The magnets  68   a  and plates  68   b  are envisioned to be molded-in, fastened, adhesively bonded, or otherwise affixed thereto respective surfaces. 
     The enclosure  20 , tool panel  22 , and door  60   a ,  60   b  portions are preferably made of a plastic material preferably utilizing a reinforcing fiberglass blend composition to provide strength and durability. The plastic material is to have sufficient strength to operably enable the integrally-molded hinges  64  which attach the doors  60   a ,  60   b  to the enclosure  20 ; however, it is understood that the portions of the apparatus  10  may be introduced being partially or completely made of other physically equivalent materials, such as wood, composite wood materials, or the like, with equal benefit, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the invention  10 . 
     Each door assembly  60   a ,  60   b  provides a means of opening via respective protruding door pull handles  70  preferably being integrally-molded into the door assemblies or otherwise mounted thereto using common fasteners. Additionally, the enclosure  20  provides a plurality of sliding drawers  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  within the partial front surface  21   b  for the storage of small related items (see  FIG. 5 ). The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be introduced in various overall sizes having a variety of width and height dimensions, and providing attractive external colors and patterns based upon a user&#39;s preference. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a close-up view of a tool cavity portion  27  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The tool panel portion  22  bonded within the enclosure  20  provides a plurality of tool cavities  27  being shaped so as to allow insertion and retention of correspondingly shaped tool items  26 . The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be provided in several models having different combinations of tool items  26  representing different themes which correspond to various applications such as, but not limited to: general household tools such as screwdrivers and hammers, woodworking tools such as saws and chisels, mechanical shop tools such as crescent wrenches and socket wrenches, gardening tools such as shovels and shears, and the like. 
     The tool cavities  27  are arranged along a front surface of the tool panel  22  in an efficient space-saving manner and provide removable form-fitting insertion and mechanical retention of the tool items  26  via a plurality of retaining features  28  integrally-molded along inside edge portions of each tool cavity  27 . The retaining features  28  are envisioned to provide small integrally-molded protrusions which create a slight interference fit with the tool item  26  while within the tool cavity  27 , thereby securely retaining the tool item  26  therein. Furthermore, the tool cavity  27  provides at least two (2) finger relief portions  29  to allow easy grasping and removal of the tool item by a user from the tool cavity  27 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a rear perspective view of the apparatus  10  depicting a mounting means, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. An embodiment of a mounting means is illustrated here depicting a pair of male mounting fixtures  30  and a single female mounting fixture  35 . The mounting fixtures  30 ,  35  act to securely mount the apparatus  10  to a structure  100  such as a wall, a door, and the like. It is understood that additional male  30  and female  35  mounting fixtures may be utilized for further securement of the apparatus  10 , as well as utilizing various other mechanical methods to temporarily or permanently secure the apparatus  10  to a structure  100  without deviating from the teachings of the apparatus  10 , and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the invention  10 . 
     The male mounting fixtures  30  and female mounting fixtures  35  depicted here provide removable attachment of the apparatus  10  to a flat vertical surface, preferably being a door or wall structure  100  via respective interlocking appendage  32  and aperture  40  portions. The male mounting fixtures  30  are shown here including a rear plate  31  portion for mounting to the rear surface portion  21   d  of the enclosure  20  using fasteners  180  such as screws, and an integral appendage portion  32 . The appendage  32  provides an offset cylindrical “button” being sized and positioned for insertion into a correspondingly sized and shaped “key-hole” shaped aperture portion  40  of the female mounting fixture  35 . The female mounting fixture  35  provides a horizontally extending front plate  36  having integral “L”-shaped offset first ear  38   a  and second ear  38   b  portions located at opposing end portions. The ears  38   a ,  38   b  provide a means to securely mount the female mounting fixture  35  to the structure  100  using fasteners  180  such as screws, lag bolts, or wall anchors. 
     Engagement of the male fixtures  30  with the female fixtures  40  is accomplished by pre-installing the female mounting fixture  35  to the structure  100 , inserting each appendage  32  into a corresponding aperture  40 , and lowering the apparatus  10  slightly to lock it in place. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a partially exploded view depicting drawer portions  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  provides a means for storing related items such as drill bits, fasteners, measuring devices, and the like within drawers  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  which are inserted into drawer openings  86  located along the lower front surface portion  21   b  of the enclosure  20 . An embodiment of the apparatus  10  is illustrated here having three (3) drawer units having differing width dimensions including a first drawer  80   a , a second drawer  80   b , and a third drawer  80   c ; however, it is understood that different numbers and sizes of drawers may be introduced based upon a user&#39;s preference, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     Each drawer  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  includes an integral rectangular drawer front panel  84  having an integral or otherwise affixed drawer pull handle portion  82  upon a forward-facing surface. Each drawer  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  also includes a rearwardly extending drawer box  85  which provides a rectangular inner space  90  for storing small related items. The enclosure  20  provides a means of guided insertion of each drawer box  85  into respective drawer opening portions  86  via respective tongue  88   a  and groove  88   b  portions. Each drawer box  85  includes provisions for at least one (1) removably insertable internal partition  92  for the separation of contained items, if desired. The partitions  92  are envisioned to be flat rectangular members which are inserted vertically across the inner space  90  in a slip-fit manner into corresponding slot portions  94  formed along inner surfaces of each drawer box  85 . 
     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 installing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  having desired width and height dimensions, external appearance, and desired set of tool items  26 ; selecting a location upon a structure  100  onto which the apparatus  10  is to be mounted; mounting at least one (1) female mounting fixture  35  to the structure  100  using fasteners  180  such as screws, lag bolts, or wall anchors; attaching the rear plate portions  31  of the male mounting fixtures  30  to the rear surface portion  21   d  of the enclosure  20 , if not previously installed, using suitable fasteners  180 ; mounting the enclosure  20  to the female mounting fixture  35  by inserting the appendage portions  32  of the male mounting fixture  30  into corresponding aperture portions  40  of the female mounting fixture  35 ; lowering the apparatus  10  slightly to lock the female mounting fixture  35  and male mounting fixture  30  portions together; opening one (1) or both of the door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b ; inserting a tool item  26  into a correspondingly shaped tool cavity  27 , if not previously installed, by pressing the tool item  26  against the retaining feature portions  28  of the respective tool cavity  27 ; installing remaining tool items  26  in like manner until all tool items  26  are mounted within the tool panel  22 ; closing the door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b ; pulling the drawers  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  outwardly from the drawer openings  86 ; inserting a desired number of partitions  92  into the slot portions  94  of each drawer box  85 ; loading related supplies, materials, and small tools into the inner space portion  90  of each drawer  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  as needed; and, closing the drawers  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c . The apparatus  10  is now ready to provide discreet storage and convenient access to a variety of tool items  26  and other associated supplies as needed to perform a home improvement project, facilitate a repair, or execute various similar tasks. 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: grasping at least one (1) door pull handle  70  to release the magnets  68   a  from the steel plates  68   b  to enable opening of one (1) or both door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b ; locating a needed tool item  26  on the tool panel  22 ; grasping the tool item  26  by inserting one&#39;s fingers into the respective finger relief portions  29  of the tool cavity  27 ; extracting the tool item  26  from the tool cavity  27 ; opening the drawers  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  to access any needed supplies contained therein; repeating the above steps to extract additional tool items  26  as needed to complete a task; utilizing the tool items  26  as needed; replacing the tool items  26  onto the tool panel  22  by forcing the tool items  26  against the retaining feature portions  28  of the respective tool cavities  27 ; closing the door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b  until the magnets  28   a  and plates  28   b  secure the door assemblies  60   a ,  60   b  in their closed states; and, closing the drawers  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c  using the drawer pull handles  82 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.