Patent Description:
Climbers who want the ability to carry climbing equipment, such as spare carabiners, lanyards, slings, and rope, use tool holders attached to their climbing harnesses and/or belts. The tool holder provides convenient access to working equipment. They can be designed to be attached to various locations on the harness/belt based on the user's preference. They are typically attached by specific hardware, such as screws with a matching receiving plate, to provide a secure attachment. A tool holder is known from XP093077584.

The present invention is a tool holder according to claim <NUM>, with a body, gate, and attachment. The body has a J shape with a hook and finger. The gap between the free end of the hook and the finger is an opening into the interior of the body. The body has an optional attachment ring.

The gate has an arm. A radial notch formed by tines in a pivot end of the arm straddles the finger. A pivot pin extends through aligned holes in the tines and finger and secured. The gate pivots on the pivot pin between a closed position where the gate spans the opening, an inside position where the gate is pivoted into the interior, and an outside position where gate is pivoted outside of the body. An optional interlock between the free end of the arm and the hook free end prevents side-to-side motion of the arm when in the closed position. A gate biasing mechanism biases the gate to the closed position.

When a device is being put on the tool holder, the device is pushed against the gate so that the gate opens to the inside position. When the device is in the interior, the gate biasing mechanism forces the gate back to the closed position. When a device is then removed from the tool holder, the device is pulled against the gate so that the gate opens to the outside position. When the device is outside of the interior, the gate biasing mechanism forces the gate back to the closed position.

An optional gate lock prevents the gate from opening when engaged. In one configuration, the gate lock includes a barrel that fits over and rotates about the arm. A pin secures that barrel to the arm and operates as a rotational stop for the barrel as the barrel rotates between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, a lateral slot in the end of the barrel aligns with a lateral slot in the end of the arm, permitting a tab extending from the hook free end to pass through. The gate is free to pivot between the inside, outside, and closed positions. In the locked position, the barrel slot and arm slot are not aligned, capturing the tab, and preventing the gate from pivoting from the closed position. A retaining mechanism maintains the barrel in the unlocked or locked position until rotated manually.

Another configuration of the gate lock includes a barrel with an axial bore that fits over a narrow portion of the arm so as to slide up and down the narrow portion. A pin secures the barrel to the arm.

The barrel slides between an unlocked position, where the barrel bore does not extend over the hook tab and the gate is free to pivot between the closed, inside, and the outside position, and a locked position, where the barrel bore extends over the hook tab and the gate is retained in the closed position. A retaining mechanism retains the barrel in the unlocked or locked position until moved manually.

The attachment secures the tool holder to the flat webbing of a harness, belt, or the like. In several configurations, the webbing is sandwiched between the flat surface on the back of the body and a flat surface on a plate that is secured to the body. Other configurations of the attachment include different clips. Optionally, textured surface(s) help retain the tool holder in place on the webbing.

Objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following drawings and detailed description of the invention.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

The present invention is a tool holder <NUM> with a body <NUM>, a gate <NUM>, and an attachment <NUM>. The body <NUM> has a J shape with a vertical back <NUM>, a finger <NUM> extending generally perpendicularly from the upper end <NUM> of the back <NUM>, and a hook <NUM> with a free end <NUM> extending from the lower end <NUM> of the back <NUM> from the same side as the finger <NUM>. The hook <NUM> can be somewhat squared off, as in <FIG>, rounded, as in <FIG>, or any other desired shape.

The gap between the hook free end <NUM> and the finger <NUM> is an opening <NUM> into the interior <NUM> of the body <NUM> defined by the back <NUM>, hook <NUM>, and finger <NUM>.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the body has an attachment ring <NUM> for attaching items extending from the bottom <NUM> of the hook <NUM>.

The gate <NUM> has an elongated arm <NUM> with a pivot end <NUM> and a free end <NUM>. A radial notch <NUM> formed by tines <NUM> in the pivot end <NUM> straddles the finger <NUM>, as at <NUM>. Lateral coaxial through holes <NUM> in the tines <NUM> are aligned with a through hole <NUM> in the finger <NUM>. A pivot pin <NUM> extends through the holes <NUM>, <NUM> and is secured. In the illustrated configuration, the pivot pin <NUM> is secured by being press fit into either the tine holes <NUM> or the finger hole <NUM>. In the former case, the pin <NUM> pivots in the finger hole <NUM>, and in the latter case, the tine holes <NUM> pivot on the pin <NUM>. Alternatively, the pin <NUM> is the body of a rivet that is installed through the holes <NUM>, <NUM>, or the pin <NUM> is the body of a screw that extends through the holes <NUM>, <NUM>. Any mechanism that provides a pin <NUM> on which the gate <NUM> can pivot is contemplated by the present invention.

The gate <NUM> pivots on the pivot pin <NUM> between a closed position <NUM>, an inside position <NUM>, and an outside position <NUM>. In the closed position <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, the gate <NUM> spans the opening <NUM> between the finger <NUM> and the hook free end <NUM>, preventing access to the interior <NUM>. In the inside position <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, the gate <NUM> is pivoted so that the arm free end <NUM> is within the interior <NUM>, providing access to the interior <NUM>. In the outside position <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, the gate <NUM> is pivoted so that the arm free end <NUM> is outside of the interior <NUM>, providing access to the interior <NUM>.

When the gate <NUM> is in the closed position <NUM>, an optional interlock <NUM> between the arm free end <NUM> and the hook free end <NUM> prevents side-to-side motion of the arm free end <NUM> relative to the hook free end <NUM>. There are a number of methods known in the art to form an interlock <NUM>. In the present design, a radial slot <NUM> in the arm free end <NUM> fits over a tab <NUM> extending from the hook free end <NUM> into the opening <NUM>, as in <FIG>. The slot <NUM> extends in the direction that the gate <NUM> pivots so that the tab <NUM> slides through the slot <NUM> when the gate <NUM> pivots to the inside position <NUM> or the outside position <NUM>.

A gate biasing mechanism <NUM> biases the gate <NUM> to the closed position <NUM>. In the present design, shown in <FIG>, a coil spring <NUM> fits in a closed bore <NUM> in the arm <NUM>. A steel ball <NUM> rests on the end of the spring <NUM> and the spring <NUM> pushes the ball <NUM> into a finger notch <NUM> in the finger <NUM>. When the gate <NUM> is pushed opened to the inside position <NUM>, the steel ball <NUM> rolls out of the finger notch <NUM> to the inside surface <NUM> of the finger <NUM>, thereby compressing the spring <NUM>. When the pushing force is removed, the spring <NUM> pushes the ball <NUM> back into the finger notch <NUM>, whereby the gate <NUM> returns to the closed position <NUM>. When the gate <NUM> is opened to the outside position <NUM>, the steel ball <NUM> rolls out of the finger notch <NUM> to the outside surface <NUM> of the finger <NUM>, thereby compressing the spring <NUM>. When the pushing force is removed, the spring <NUM> pushes the ball <NUM> back into the finger notch <NUM>, whereby the gate <NUM> returns to the closed position <NUM>. Optional rounded grooves <NUM> in the tines <NUM> keep the spring <NUM> and ball <NUM> in place.

When a device, such as a carabiner, is being put on the tool holder <NUM>, the device is typically pushed against the gate <NUM> so that the gate <NUM> opens to the inside position <NUM>. When the device is in the interior <NUM> and hung on the hook <NUM>, the gate biasing mechanism <NUM> forces the gate <NUM> back to the closed position <NUM> as described above.

When a device is then removed from the tool holder <NUM>, the device is typically pulled against the gate <NUM> so that the gate <NUM> opens to the outside position <NUM>. When the device is outside of the interior <NUM>, the gate biasing mechanism <NUM> forces the gate <NUM> back to the closed position <NUM> as described above.

An optional gate lock <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, prevents the gate <NUM> from opening when engaged and can be incorporated into the tool holder <NUM> when the interlock <NUM> is implemented. The configuration <NUM> of the gate lock <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> includes a barrel <NUM> with an axial bore <NUM>, a retainer end <NUM>, a free end <NUM>, and a radial slot <NUM> in the free end <NUM>. The axial bore <NUM> fits over a narrow portion <NUM> of the arm <NUM> and is mounted to rotate about the narrow portion <NUM>. The barrel <NUM> is positioned on the narrow portion <NUM> so that the retainer end <NUM> abuts a radial wall <NUM> formed by the change in diameter of the arm <NUM>, and the barrel free end <NUM> is generally aligned with the arm free end <NUM>, that is, the barrel free end <NUM> is within <NUM> of the arm free end <NUM>.

A pin <NUM> extends through an elongated, circumferential slot <NUM> in the barrel <NUM> and is secured in a hole <NUM> in the arm <NUM>. The pin <NUM> can be secured by being press-fit into the hole <NUM>, by threads turned into the hole <NUM>, by adhesive, by magnet, or any other adequate means. Optionally, the pin <NUM> has a head <NUM> for a tighter fit.

The pin <NUM> provides two functions. The first is to secure the barrel <NUM> to the arm <NUM> so that the barrel <NUM> retained on the arm <NUM> but still be able to rotate about the arm <NUM>. The second function is to provide rotational stops, as described below.

The barrel <NUM> rotates between an unlocked position <NUM> and a locked position <NUM>. In the unlocked position <NUM>, the pin <NUM> is against an unlock stop <NUM> at one end of the slot <NUM> and the barrel slot <NUM> is aligned with the arm slot <NUM>. In the locked position <NUM>, the pin <NUM> is against a lock stop <NUM> at the other end of the slot <NUM> and the barrel slot <NUM> is not aligned with the arm slot <NUM>. Typically, the length of the slot <NUM>, and hence to location of the unlock stop <NUM> and lock stop <NUM>, is such that the unlocked position <NUM> and the locked position <NUM> are about <NUM>° of rotation apart. This means that the slot <NUM> extends about <NUM>° around the wall of the barrel <NUM>. When in the unlocked position <NUM>, the barrel slot <NUM> is aligned with the arm slot <NUM> so that the barrel <NUM> does not block the arm slot <NUM>, permitting the hook tab <NUM> to pass through the arm slot <NUM> in either direction. When in the locked position <NUM>, the barrel <NUM> blocks the arm slot <NUM> so that the tab <NUM> cannot pass through in either direction, thereby preventing the gate <NUM> from opening.

In order to retain the barrel <NUM> in the unlocked or locked position until rotated manually, the present invention employs a retaining mechanism <NUM>. One such retaining mechanism is shown in <FIG>. A ring <NUM> sits in a lateral depression <NUM> at the retaining end <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>. The ring <NUM> is a length of spring steel formed into a planar rectangle with an open long side <NUM>, a first <NUM>° bend <NUM>, a closed short side <NUM>, a second <NUM>° bend <NUM>, a closed long side <NUM>, a third <NUM>° bend <NUM>, and an open short side <NUM>. The lengths of the long sides and short sides are discussed below. The open long side <NUM> has a free end <NUM> with a short finger <NUM> bent at a <NUM>° angle orthogonal to the plane of the ring <NUM>. The open short side <NUM> has a free end <NUM>. There is a gap <NUM> between the open long side free end <NUM> and the open short side free end <NUM>.

The depression <NUM> is rectangular and the ring <NUM> sits in the depression <NUM> such that the short sides <NUM>, <NUM> abut the sides <NUM> of the depression <NUM>. The finger <NUM> extends into a hole <NUM> in the floor <NUM> of the depression <NUM> in order to maintain the position of the ring <NUM> in the depression. The ring <NUM> is retained in the depression <NUM> by the retainer end <NUM> of the barrel <NUM> abutting the arm wall <NUM> so that the arm wall <NUM> covers the depression <NUM>.

The ring <NUM> surrounds the narrow portion <NUM> of the arm <NUM>, straddling four flat surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> that are <NUM>° apart. The distance <NUM> between the short sides <NUM>, <NUM> is no less than the diameter of the narrow portion <NUM>. The distance <NUM> between the long sides <NUM>, <NUM> is the same as the distance between opposed flat surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> so that the long sides <NUM>, <NUM> abut the flat surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. When the gate lock <NUM> is in the unlocked position <NUM>, the long sides <NUM>, <NUM> abut the unlocked flat surfaces <NUM>, as in <FIG>. When the barrel <NUM> is rotated clockwise in <FIG> toward the locked position <NUM> of <FIG>, the round perimeter surfaces <NUM> between the flat surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> push against the long sides <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby deforming the ring <NUM>. As the barrel <NUM> continues to rotate, the long sides <NUM>, <NUM> reach the locked flat surfaces <NUM>, permitting the ring <NUM> to snap back to its normal shape, with the long sides <NUM>, <NUM> abutting the locked flat surfaces <NUM>. To unlock the gate lock <NUM>, the barrel <NUM> is rotated counterclockwise.

A detent retaining mechanism is shown in <FIG>. The narrow portion <NUM> of the arm <NUM> has two rounded depressions, an unlock depression <NUM> and a lock depression <NUM> that are <NUM>° apart. A coil spring <NUM> and steel ball <NUM> reside in a radial bore <NUM> in the barrel <NUM>, where the spring <NUM> pushes the ball <NUM> against the arm <NUM>. When the barrel <NUM> is in the lock position <NUM>, as in <FIG>, the ball <NUM> is aligned with the unlock depression <NUM> and the spring <NUM> pushes the ball <NUM> into the unlock depression <NUM>, retaining the barrel <NUM> in the unlock position <NUM>. To rotate the barrel <NUM> to the lock position <NUM>, enough force must be applied to rotate the barrel <NUM> to overcome the spring <NUM> and move the ball <NUM> from the unlock depression <NUM>. When the barrel <NUM> is rotated to the lock position <NUM>, as in <FIG>, the ball <NUM> is aligned with the lock depression <NUM> and the spring <NUM> pushes the ball <NUM> into the lock depression <NUM>, retaining the barrel <NUM> in the lock position <NUM>.

The present invention contemplates the use of any other adequate retaining mechanisms.

The gate lock configuration <NUM> of <FIG> includes a barrel <NUM> with an axial bore <NUM>, a butt end <NUM>, and a free end <NUM>. The axial bore <NUM> fits over a narrow portion <NUM> of the arm <NUM> and is mounted to slide up and down the narrow portion <NUM>.

A pin <NUM> secures the barrel <NUM> to the arm <NUM> by extending through an elongated, longitudinal slot <NUM> in the barrel <NUM> and being secured in a hole <NUM> in the arm <NUM>. The pin <NUM> can be secured by being press-fit into the hole <NUM>, by threads turned into the hole <NUM>, by adhesive, by magnet, or any other adequate means. Optionally, the pin <NUM> has a head <NUM> for a tighter fit.

The barrel <NUM> slides between an unlocked position <NUM>, where the barrel bore <NUM> does not extend over the hook tab <NUM> and the gate <NUM> is free to pivot between the closed position <NUM>, the inside position <NUM>, and the outside position <NUM>, as in <FIG>, and a locked position <NUM>, where the barrel bore <NUM> extends over the hook tab <NUM> and the gate <NUM> is retained in the closed position <NUM>, as in <FIG>.

An unlock stop <NUM> is provided by the barrel butt end <NUM> abutting the shoulder <NUM> on the arm <NUM> at the narrow portion <NUM>. A lock stop <NUM> is provided by the barrel free end <NUM> abutting the hook free end <NUM>. The slot <NUM> is long enough so that both stops <NUM>, <NUM> can be reached by the barrel <NUM>.

In order to retain the barrel <NUM> in the unlocked or locked position until slid manually, the present invention employs a retaining mechanism. The present invention contemplates the use of any adequate retaining mechanisms, including friction rings and detents.

The attachment <NUM> secures the tool holder <NUM> to the flat webbing <NUM> of a harness, belt, or the like. The present invention contemplates any mechanism the adequately secures the tool holder <NUM>.

In the illustrated configurations of <FIG>, the back <NUM> has a flat outer surface <NUM>. A plate <NUM> with a flat inner surface <NUM> removably attaches to the back outer surface <NUM>.

In the configuration of <FIG> and <FIG>, the plate <NUM> is attached by removable fasteners, screws <NUM> in the present illustration, that extend through holes <NUM> in the four corners of the back <NUM> and turn into corresponding threaded holes <NUM> in the plate <NUM> to secure the plate <NUM> to the back <NUM>. Alternatively, the screws <NUM> extend through holes in the four corners of the plate <NUM> and turn into corresponding threaded holes in the back <NUM> to secure the plate <NUM> to the back <NUM>. Alternatively, there are no screws or holes and the plate <NUM> is attached to the back <NUM> by magnets.

In the configuration of <FIG> and <FIG>, the plate <NUM> is attached at one end by a detachable hinge <NUM>, with a lateral, elongated slot <NUM> in the back outer surface <NUM> and a lateral, elongated hook <NUM> at the lower end <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. The hook <NUM> hooks into the slot <NUM>. Removable fasteners, screws <NUM> in the present illustration, extend through holes <NUM> in the upper corners of the back <NUM> and turn into corresponding threaded holes <NUM> in the plate <NUM> to secure the plate <NUM> to the back <NUM>. Alternatively, the screws <NUM> extend through holes in the upper corners of the plate <NUM> and turn into corresponding threaded holes in the back <NUM> to secure the plate <NUM> to the back <NUM>. Alternatively, the attachment is reversed with the hook <NUM> at the upper end of the plate.

In the configuration of <FIG> and <FIG>, the plate <NUM> is attached by springs clips <NUM> at each corner of the plate <NUM>. The clips <NUM> extend perpendicularly and vertically from the upper and lower sides <NUM> of the plate <NUM>, and snap onto the side edges <NUM> of the back outer surface <NUM>. Alternatively, the clips <NUM> extend perpendicularly and horizontally from the upper and lower edges of the plate <NUM>, and snap onto the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the back outer surface <NUM>. Alternatively, the clips <NUM> extend from the back outer surface <NUM> and snap onto the edges of the plate <NUM>. Optionally, the clips <NUM> snap into notches <NUM>.

When the plate <NUM> is attached to the back <NUM>, the webbing <NUM> is sandwiched between the back outer surface <NUM> and the plate inner surface <NUM> in a gap <NUM>, as in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. Optionally, the back outer surface <NUM> and/or the plate inner surface <NUM> are textured, as at <NUM>, to help keep the tool holder <NUM> from sliding around on the webbing <NUM>.

In the illustrated configurations of <FIG> and <FIG>, a clip <NUM> extends from the back <NUM>. The clip <NUM> extends downwardly from the upper portion <NUM> of the back <NUM> and forms a gap <NUM> between the clip <NUM> and the back outer surface <NUM>. The upper end <NUM> of the gap <NUM> is closed and the lower end <NUM> of the gap <NUM> is open. In the configuration of <FIG>, the clip <NUM> is biased toward the back <NUM> and therefore squeezes the webbing <NUM> against the back outer surface <NUM> to hold the tool holder <NUM> on the webbing <NUM>. In the configuration of <FIG>, the clip <NUM> further hooks around the bottom edge <NUM> of the webbing <NUM>, as at <NUM>. The closed upper end <NUM> of the gap <NUM> and the hook <NUM> capture the webbing <NUM> to hold the tool holder <NUM> in place.

Optionally, the back outer surface <NUM> and/or plate surface <NUM>/clip inner surface <NUM> are textured, as at <NUM> in <FIG>, to help retain the tool holder <NUM> in place on the webbing <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A tool holder (<NUM>) comprising:
(a) a body (<NUM>) with a back (<NUM>) having a flat outer surface (<NUM>), a back upper end (<NUM>), a back lower end (<NUM>), a finger (<NUM>) extending from the back upper end (<NUM>), and a hook (<NUM>) extending from the back lower end (<NUM>), the hook (<NUM>) having a free end (<NUM>) extending generally toward the finger (<NUM>);
(b) an opening (<NUM>) spanning the finger (<NUM>) and the hook free end (<NUM>), the opening (<NUM>) providing access to an interior (<NUM>) defined by the back (<NUM>), hook (<NUM>), and finger (<NUM>);
(c) a gate (<NUM>) with an elongated arm (<NUM>) having a pivot end (<NUM>) and a free end (<NUM>), the arm pivot end (<NUM>) pivotally attached at the finger (<NUM>) to pivot between a closed position (<NUM>) wherein the gate (<NUM>) spans the opening (<NUM>), an inside position (<NUM>) wherein the arm free end (<NUM>) is within the interior (<NUM>), and an outside position (<NUM>) wherein the arm free end (<NUM>) is outside of the interior (<NUM>) and opening (<NUM>), the gate (<NUM>) being biased to the closed position (<NUM>); and
(d) an attachment mechanism (<NUM>) adapted for attaching the back (<NUM>) to a webbing (<NUM>).