Drop Prevention Tool Holsters

Abstract

In one embodiment, tool holster includes a body having a front side and a rear side, a tool support element attached to the front side of the body, the tool support being adapted to support a tool, a retractor securing element defining a pocket in which the retractor can be secured, the pocket having a first opening that is large enough to enable the retractor to pass and an opposed second opening that is too small to enable the retractor to pass but large enough for a tether of the retractor to pass, and means for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/428,084, 61/428,062, 61/428,131, 61/428,108, and 61/428,096 each filed Dec. 29, 2010, and each of which being hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Workers, such as construction workers, scaffold workers, iron workers, and maintenance workers often carry tools with them so that they can be quickly accessed. For example, many such workers wear tool belts that have holsters that are designed to hold tools when they are not in use. Because the tools are supported on the worker's person, the worker need not return to a tool box when a tool is needed on the work site.

In some situations, a tool carried by the worker may fall out of its holster. For instance, if the worker is a scaffold worker, a tool might fall out of its holster as the worker climbs about on the scaffolding. In other situations, the worker may simply drop the tool after having removed the tool from its holster. In either case, it is inconvenient for the worker to have to retrieve a dropped tool. Moreover, a falling tool can injure other workers at the work site.

From the above discussion, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a means for preventing tools from dropping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following figures. Matching reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1A is a view of a user wearing a first embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 1B is a view of a user holding a tool tethered to the drop prevention tool holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 3 is a view of a user wearing a second embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster of FIG. 5A after assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster of FIG. 11A with a tool shown supported by the holster.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster of FIG. 12A with a tool shown supported by the holster.

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster of FIG. 12A with retaining strap of the holster shown in an alternative position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, it would be desirable to have a means for preventing tools from dropping. Disclosed herein are drop prevention tool holsters that are specifically adapted to retain tools that either fall out of their holsters or that are dropped by the user. In some embodiments, the tool holsters each comprise a tool support element for supporting a tool on the holster as well as a retractor securing element for securing a retractor to the holster. The retractor, which can be an independent component, includes a biased, retractable tether that attaches to the tool. If the tool either falls out of the holster or is dropped by the user, the tether prevents the tool from falling more than a few feet from the holster. Operating in this manner, the tool holster can be said to provide fall protection for tools. In some embodiments, the holster can be attached to a harness or a belt worn by the user.

In the following disclosure, various embodiments are described. It is to be understood that those embodiments are example implementations of the disclosed inventions and that alternative embodiments are possible. All such embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 10. FIGS. 1A and 1B show the tool holster 10 as worn by a user. In the example of those figures, the user is a worker, such as a scaffold or construction worker, who is wearing a body harness 12 that provides fall protection to the user, for example when the user is climbing on a structure that is high off of the ground. The harness 12 includes multiple straps, which are constructed of a strong, flexible material such as nylon. In the illustrated example, the harness 12 includes two opposed vertical torso straps 14 that wrap around the user's shoulders and torso like suspenders, a horizontal chest strap 16 that extends between and connects to the two torso straps, and horizontal thigh straps 18 that wrap around the user's thighs. As is shown in the figures, the torso straps 14 extend down along the user's torso and connect to the thigh straps 18. In the example of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the tool holster 10 is attached to one of the torso straps 14. As is described below, the tool holster 10 remains in the position shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B because the holster is at least attached to the torso strap 14 at a position above the chest strap 16 and is therefore supported by the chest strap.

FIG. 2 illustrates the construction of the tool holster 10 in greater detail. As is shown in FIG. 2, the tool holster 10 includes a generally flat substrate or body 20. In the example of FIG. 2, the body 20 has front side 22, a back side 24, and a generally rectangular shape having a length that is longer than the width. The body 20 can be made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the body 20 is made of a durable fabric that is composed of natural and/or synthetic fibers. By way of example, the fabric can be a nylon fabric or a cotton canvas. As a further example, the fabric can be a CORDURA® fabric. When a fabric is used, the fabric can be folded back on and secured to itself either by stitching, adhesive, or bonding to provide greater thickness and structural integrity to the body 20. In other embodiments, the body 20 is made of a non-porous plastic sheet material, such as vinyl sheeting.

Regardless of its construction, the body 20 supports various other components of the tool holster 10. These other components include a tool support element 26 in the form of a horizontal strap of material that is attached to the front side 22 of the body 20. In some embodiments, the support element 26 is adapted to support a scaffold wrench, such as the scaffold wrench 28 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The support element 26 is constructed of a relatively stiff, durable material so as to be able to adequately support the weight of the scaffold wrench 28. In some embodiments, the support element 26 is a leather strap. Irrespective of the material from which it is constructed, the support element 26 attached to the body 20 at each of its ends. In some embodiments, the ends of the support element 26 are stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 20. Irrespective of the manner in which the support element 26 is attached to the body 20, the support element forms an opening through which the handle of the scaffold wrench 28 can pass. When the handle of the wrench 28 is passed through the opening formed by the support element 26, the wrench is supported by the holster, as is illustrated in FIG. 1A.

With further reference to FIG. 2, also attached to the front side 22 of the body 20 is a retractor securing element 30 that is adapted to secure a retractor 31 to the tool holster 10. As is described below, the retractor 31 can be a conventional retractor having an extendible tether that is biased by an internal spring so as to automatically retract within the body of the retractor when a pulling force is not applied to the tether. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the securing element 30 comprises a generally flat substrate or body 32 that, like the body 20 has front side 34, a back side 36, and a generally rectangular shape, although the width of the body 32 is wider than the length. Like the body 20, the body 32 can be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material. In some embodiments, the body 32 is brightly colored so as to be highly visible. The body 32 can be, for example, stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 20.

Attached to the front side 34 of the body 32 of the securing element 30 is an outer member 38 that, together with the body, forms a pocket 40 within which the retractor 31 can be inserted and secured. The outer member 38 can also be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material and can be attached to the body 32 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the outer member 38 is also brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the outer member 38 is attached to the body 32 in a manner in which a relatively small bottom opening 42 (e.g., less than approximately two inches wide) and a relatively large top opening 44 (e.g., at least two inches wide) are formed. The top opening 44 is large enough to enable the entire body of the retractor 31 to fit within the pocket 40, but the bottom opening 42 is too small to enable the retractor to escape from the bottom of the pocket. By way of example, the bottom opening 42 is formed by partially stitching, adhering, or bonding the bottom edge of the outer member 38 to the body 32. The bottom opening 42 is large enough, however, to enable a retractable tether 46 to pass through the bottom of the pocket 40. Accordingly, the retractor 31 can be inserted into the pocket 40 through the top opening and the tether 46 can be passed through the bottom opening 42 for connection to the scaffold wrench 28. Such a configuration is illustrated in FIG. 1A.

Once the retractor 31 has been inserted into the pocket 40, accidental removal of the retractor from the pocket is prevented with a closure 50 that can be manually opened and closed by the user. In some embodiments, the closure 50 comprises a hook-and-loop closure that includes a strip 52 of hook material that is attached to the front side 34 of the body 32 and an opposed strip 54 of loop material that is attached to the inside of the outer member 38 (the inverse configuration is possible). The pocket 40 can therefore be sealed by the user after the retractor 31 has been inserted into the pocket by simply pressing the strip 54 against the strip 52.

Attached to the back side 24 of the body 20 are upper and lower horizontal fastener straps 56 and 58. In some embodiments, the fastener straps 56, 58 comprise hook-and-loop straps made of a fabric or a plastic sheet material that comprise a length of hook material at one end of the strap and a length of loop material at the opposite end such that the ends of the straps can be connected to form a continuous loop. The fastener straps 56, 58 can be stitched, adhered, or bonded to the back side 24 of the body 20 at relatively high and low positions along the vertical length of the body and can be at least spaced from each other a distance that is at least as long as the chest strap 16 of the harness 12 is wide. With such placement, the upper fastener strap 56 can be wrapped around and secured to the torso strap 14 above the chest strap 16 and the lower fastener strap 58 can be wrapped around and secured to the torso strap below the chest strap, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The tool holster 10 can be used to both support a tool (e.g., the scaffold wrench 28) on the user's person and prevent dropping or falling of the tool. As is shown in FIG. 1A, the tool holster 10 is secured to the torso strap 14 of the harness so as to be positioned at the user's chest. The wrench 28 is supported by the support element 26 of the holster 10 and is tethered to the holster by the tether 46, which extends from the retractor 31 held within the pocket 40 of the holster. The wrench 28 can be removed from the holster 10 by pulling the wrench out from the support element 26. The wrench 28 can then be moved away from the holster 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, and used in the normal fashion. As is shown in FIG. 1B, as the wrench 28 is moved away from the holster 10, the tether 46 of the retractor 31 is extended against the retracing force of its internal spring. If the user were to drop the wrench 28, it would only fall from the holster 10 a distance equal to the extendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet. Notably, the retractor 31 will remain in place within the pocket 40 in such a situation because, as described above, the bottom opening of the pocket is too small to enable passage of the retractor through the bottom of the pocket. Furthermore, the retractor 31 will not accidentally fall out of the pocket 40 through the top opening 44 of the pocket 40 because of the closure 50. However, because the closure 50 can be opened by the user, the retractor 31 can be removed for replacement should it become damaged during use.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 60. The tool holster 60 is similar in many ways to the holster 10 described above in relation to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2. Accordingly, similar components are labeled with similar reference numerals in FIGS. 3 and 4 and will not be described again. However, as is apparent from FIG. 3, the tool holster 60 is adapted to attach to a belt 62 of the user instead of a body harness. As will be appreciated from this disclosure when considered as a whole, each embodiment disclosed herein can either be adapted to attach to a vertical strap of a harness, to a belt, or to either.

With particular reference to FIG. 4, the body 20 includes a belt loop 64 that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, the belt loop 64 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 20 onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the back side 24 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the belt 62 can be passed.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a third embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 70. Like the holster 10, the tool holster 70 is adapted for attachment to a body harness. As is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the tool holster 70 includes a generally flat substrate or body 72 that has a front side 74, a back side 76, and a generally rectangular shape having a length that is longer than the width. The body 72 can be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material.

Attached to the front side 74 of the body 72 is a tool support element 78, which is adapted to support one or more tools or other objects. As is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the support element 78 can comprise a piece of durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 72 in a manner in which it forms a pocket 80 that is accessible through a top opening 82. With this configuration, tools or other items can be inserted into and removed from the pocket 80 via the opening 82. Optionally provided within the pocket 80, particularly when the body 72 and/or the support element 78 are made of a fabric material, is a relatively stiff protective member 84 that prevents sharp items from snagging on the inside of the pocket when the items are inserted or removed from the pocket. In some embodiments, the protective member 84 comprises an elongated, flat strip of plastic that lines inside the pocket 80 from its front to back. The protective member can be attached to the front side 74 of the body 72 and can be attached to the inner surface of the support element 78 using stitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the support element 78 is brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

Attached to an outer surface of the support element 78 is a retractor securing element 86 that, together with the support element, forms a pocket 90 within which a retractor 31 can be inserted and secured. The securing element 86 can also be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material and can be attached to the support element 78 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the securing element 86 is also brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

As is apparent from FIGS. 5A and 5B, the securing element 86 is attached to the support element 78 in a manner in which a relatively small top opening 92 and a relatively large bottom opening 94 are formed. The bottom opening 94 is large enough to enable the entire body of the retractor 31 to fit within the pocket 90, but the top opening 92 is too small to enable the retractor 31 to escape from the top of the pocket. By way of example, the top opening 92 is formed by partially stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge of the securing element 86 to the support element 78. The top opening 92 is large enough, however, to enable the retractable tether 46 to pass through the top of the pocket 90. Accordingly, the retractor 31 can be inserted into the pocket 90 through the bottom opening and the tether 46 can be passed through the top opening 92 for connection to a tool or other object.

Once the retractor 31 has been inserted into the pocket 90, accidental dropping of the retractor from the pocket is prevented with a closure 96 that can comprise a hook-and-loop closure that includes a strip 98 of hook material that is attached to the outer surface of the support element 78 and an opposed strip 100 of loop material that is attached to the inside of the securing element 86 (the inverse configuration is possible). The pocket 90 can therefore be sealed by the user after the retractor 31 has been inserted into the pocket by simply pressing the strip 100 against the strip 98.

Attached to the back side 76 of the body 72 are upper and lower horizontal fastener straps 102 and 104. In some embodiments, the fastener straps 102, 104 comprise hook-and-loop straps made of a fabric or a plastic sheet material that comprise a length of hook material at one end of the strap and a length of loop material at the opposite end such that the ends of the straps can be connected to form a continuous loop. The fastener straps 102, 104 can be stitched, adhered, or bonded to the back side 76 of the body 72 at relatively high and low positions along the vertical length of the body and can be at least spaced from each other a distance that is at least as long as the chest strap 16 of the harness 12 is wide. With such placement, the upper fastener strap 102 can be wrapped around and secured to a torso strap above a chest strap and the lower fastener strap 104 can be wrapped around and secured to the torso strap below the chest strap similar to the attachment arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B for the holster 10.

The tool holster 70 can be used to both support a tool on the user's person and prevent dropping or falling of the tool in similar manner to the holster 10. Therefore, if the user were to drop the tethered tool, it would only fall from the holster 70 a distance equal to the extendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 110. The tool holster 110 is similar in many ways to the holster 70 described above in relation to FIGS. 5A and 5B. Accordingly, similar components are labeled with similar reference numerals in FIG. 6 and will not be described again. However, as is apparent from FIG. 6, the tool holster 110 is adapted to attach to a belt of the user instead of a body harness. As is shown in FIG. 6, the body 72 includes a belt loop 112 that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, the belt loop 112 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 72 onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the back side 76 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the belt can be passed.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 120, which is adapted for attachment to a body harness. As is shown in FIG. 7, the tool holster 120 includes a substrate or body 122 having a front side 124, a back side 126, and a generally rectangular shape having a length that is longer than the width. The body 122 can be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material.

Attached to the front side 124 of the body 122 is a first or inner tool support element 128, which is adapted to support one or more tools or other objects. As is shown in FIG. 7, the inner support element 128 can comprise a piece of durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 122 in a manner in which it forms a pocket 130 that is accessible through a top opening 132. With this configuration, tools or other items can be inserted into and removed from the pocket 130 via the opening 132. Optionally provided within the pocket 130, particularly when the body 122 and/or the inner support element 128 are made of a fabric material, is a relatively stiff protective member 133 that prevents sharp items from snagging on the inside of the pocket when the items are inserted or removed from the pocket. In some embodiments, the protective member 134 comprises an elongated, flat strip of plastic that is attached to the front side 124 of the body 122 and attached to the inner surface of the inner support element 128 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding.

Attached to the outer surface of the inner support element 128 is a second or outer tool support element 134, which is adapted to support one or more other tools or objects. The outer support element 134 can have a construction similar to the inner support element 128. Therefore, the outer support element 134 can comprise a piece of durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the inner support element 128 in a manner in which it forms a outer pocket 136 that is accessible through a top opening 138. Optionally provided within the pocket 138 is a relatively stiff protective member 140 that can comprise an elongated, flat strip of plastic that is attached to the outer surface of the inner support element 128 and attached to the inner surface of the outer support element 134 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the outer support element 134 is brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

Attached to an outer surface of the outer support element 134 is a securing element 142 that, together with the outer support element, forms a pocket 144 within which one or two retractors 31 can be inserted and secured. The securing element 142 can also be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material and can be attached to the outer support element 134 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the securing element 142 is also brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

As is apparent from FIG. 7, the securing element 142 is attached to the outer support element 134 in a manner in which two relatively small top openings 145 and a relatively large bottom opening 146 are formed. The bottom opening 146 is large enough to enable the bodies of the retractors 31 to fit within the pocket 144, but the top openings 144 are too small to enable the retractors 31 to escape from the top of the pocket. By way of example, the top openings 145 are formed by partially stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge of the securing element 142 to the outer support element 134. The top openings 145 are large enough, however, to enable the retractable tethers 46 to pass through the top of the pocket 144. Accordingly, the retractors 31 can be inserted into the pocket 144 through the bottom opening 146 and the tethers 46 can be passed through separate top openings 145 for connection to a tool (a pair of pliers 147 and a level 149 in the example illustrated in FIG. 7).

Once the retractors 31 have been inserted into the pocket 144, accidental dropping of the retractors from the pocket is prevented with a closure 148 that can comprise a hook-and-loop closure that includes a strip 150 of hook material that is attached to the outer surface of the outer support element 134 and an opposed strip 152 of loop material that is attached to the inside of the securing element 142 (the inverse configuration is possible).

Attached to the back side 126 of the body 122 are upper and lower horizontal fastener straps 154 and 156. In some embodiments, the fastener straps 154, 156 comprise hook-and-loop straps made of a fabric or a plastic sheet material that comprise a length of hook material at one end of the strap and a length of loop material at the opposite end such that the ends of the straps can be connected to form a continuous loop. The fastener straps 154, 156 can be stitched, adhered, or bonded to the back side 126 of the body 122 at relatively high and low positions along the vertical length of the body so that the upper fastener strap 154 can be wrapped around and secured to a torso strap above a chest strap and the lower fastener strap 156 can be wrapped around and secured to the torso strap below the chest strap similar to the attachment arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B for the holster 10.

The tool holster 120 can be used to both support a tool on the user's person and prevent dropping or falling of the tool in similar manner to the holster 10. Therefore, if the user were to drop one of the tethered tools, it would only fall from the holster 120 a distance equal to the extendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 160. The tool holster 160 is similar in many ways to the holster 120 described above in relation to FIG. 7. Accordingly, similar components are labeled with similar reference numerals in FIG. 8 and will not be described again. However, as is apparent from FIG. 8, the tool holster 160 is adapted to attach to a belt of the user instead of a body harness. As is shown in FIG. 8, the body 122 includes a belt loop 162 that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, the belt loop 162 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 122 onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the back side 126 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the belt can be passed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a seventh embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 170, which is adapted for attachment to a body harness. As is shown in FIG. 9, the tool holster 170 includes a substrate or body 172 having a front side 174, a back side 176, and a generally rectangular shape having a length that is longer than the width. The body 172 can be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material.

Attached to the front side 174 of the body 172 is a tool support element 178, which is adapted to support a tool, such as a box wrench 180. As is shown in FIG. 9, the support element 178 can comprise a piece of durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 172 in a manner in which it forms a pocket 182 that is accessible through a top opening 184. With this configuration, the wrench 180 can be inserted into and removed from the pocket 182 via the opening 184. In some embodiments, the support element 178 is brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

Attached to an outer surface of the support element 178 is a retractor securing element 186 that, together with the support element, forms a pocket 188 within which a retractor 31 can be inserted and secured. The securing element 186 can also be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material and can be attached to the support element 178 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the securing element 186 is also brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

As is apparent from FIG. 9, the securing element 186 is attached to the support element 178 in a manner in which a relatively small top opening 190 and a relatively large bottom opening 192 are formed. The bottom opening 192 is large enough to enable the body of the retractor 31 to fit within the pocket 188, but the top opening 190 is too small to enable the retractor 31 to escape from the top of the pocket. By way of example, the top opening 190 is formed by partially stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge of the securing element 186 to the support element 178. The top opening 190 is large enough, however, to enable the retractable tether 46 to pass through the top of the pocket 188. Accordingly, the retractor 31 can be inserted into the pocket 188 through the bottom opening 192 and the tether 46 can be passed through the top opening 190 for connection to the wrench 180.

Once the retractor 31 has been inserted into the pocket 188, accidental dropping of the retractor from the pocket is prevented with a closure 194 that can comprise a hook-and-loop closure that includes a strip 196 of hook material that is attached to the outer surface of the support element 178 and an opposed strip 198 of loop material that is attached to the inside of the securing element 186 (the inverse configuration is possible).

Attached to the back side 176 of the body 172 are upper and lower horizontal fastener straps 200 and 202. In some embodiments, the fastener straps 200, 202 comprise hook-and-loop straps made of a fabric or a plastic sheet material that comprise a length of hook material at one end of the strap and a length of loop material at the opposite end such that the ends of the straps can be connected to form a continuous loop. The fastener straps 200, 202 can be stitched, adhered, or bonded to the back side 176 of the body 172 at relatively high and low positions along the vertical length of the body so that the upper fastener strap 200 can be wrapped around and secured to a torso strap above a chest strap and the lower fastener strap 202 can be wrapped around and secured to the torso strap below the chest strap similar to the attachment arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B for the holster 10.

The tool holster 170 can be used to both support a tool on the user's person and prevent dropping or falling of the tool in similar manner to the holster 10. Therefore, if the user were to drop the tethered tool, it would only fall from the holster 170 a distance equal to the extendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet.

With further reference to FIG. 9, provided near the top end of the body 172 is a magnet 204 that can be used to support the wrench 180 outside of its pocket 182. For example, the wrench 180 can be magnetically coupled with the magnet 204 so that the wrench is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation above the pocket 182, as is depicted with phantom lines in FIG. 9. With such capability, the tool holster 170 not only supports a tool but further functions as a productivity device. In some embodiments, the magnet 204 is secured in place near the top of the body 172 with a strip 206 of material, such as fabric material, that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body. Shifting of the magnet 204 within the strip 206 can be prevented by providing further stitching, adhesive, or bonding around the edges of the magnet.

FIG. 10 illustrates an eighth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 210. The tool holster 210 is similar in many ways to the holster 170 described above in relation to FIG. 9. Accordingly, similar components are labeled with similar reference numerals in FIG. 10 and will not be described again. However, as is apparent from FIG. 10, the tool holster 210 is adapted to attach to a belt of the user instead of a body harness. As is shown in FIG. 10, the body 172 includes a belt loop 212 that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, the belt loop 212 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 172 onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the back side 176 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the belt can be passed.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a ninth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 220, which is adapted for attachment to a belt. As is shown in the figures, the tool holster 220 includes a substrate or body 222 having a front side 224, a back side 226, and a generally rectangular shape having a length that is longer than the width. The body 222 can be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material. In some embodiments, the body 222 has an internal reinforcement member (not shown) that provides strength to the body and internal padding that dampens impact of tools supported by the holster 220.

Attached to the front side 224 of the body 222 is a tool support element 228, which is adapted to support a tool, such as a tape measure 230. As is shown in FIG. 11A, the support element 228 can comprise a horizontal strip of material that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 222 in a manner in which it forms a slot 232 that is adapted to receive a clip 234 of the tape measure 230 in order to support the tape measure on the holster 220, as depicted in FIG. 11B.

Attached to the front side 224 of the body 222 is a retractor securing element 236 that, together with the body, forms a pocket 237 within which a retractor 31 can be inserted and secured. The securing element 236 can also be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material and can be attached to the body 222 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding.

As is apparent from FIG. 11A, the securing element 236 is attached to the body 222 in a manner in which a relatively small top opening 238 and a relatively large bottom opening 240 are formed. The bottom opening 240 is large enough to enable the body of the retractor 31 to fit within the pocket 237, but the top opening 238 is too small to enable the retractor 31 to escape from the top of the pocket. By way of example, the top opening 238 is formed by partially stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge of the securing element 236 to the body 222. The top opening 238 is large enough, however, to enable the retractable tether 46 to pass through the top of the pocket 237. Accordingly, the retractor 31 can be inserted into the pocket 237 through the bottom opening 240 and the tether 46 can be passed through the top opening 238 for connection to the tape measure 230.

Once the retractor 31 has been inserted in to the pocket 237, accidental dropping of the retractor from the pocket is prevented with a closure 242 that can comprise a hook-and-loop closure that includes a strip 244 of hook material that is attached to the front side 224 of the body 222 and an opposed strip 246 of loop material that is attached to the inside of the securing element 236 (the inverse configuration is possible).

As mentioned above, the tool holster 220 is adapted to attach to a belt of the user instead of a body harness. Therefore the body 222 includes a belt loop 248 that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, the belt loop 248 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 222 onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the back side 226 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the belt can be passed. It is noted, however, that the holster 220 could instead have fastener straps as do other embodiments that have been described above to enable the holster to be attached to a vertical strap of a harness instead of a belt.

The tool holster 220 can be used to both support a tool on the user's person and prevent dropping or falling of the tool in similar manner to the holster 10. Therefore, if the user were to drop the tape measure 230, it would only fall from the holster 220 a distance equal to the extendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate a tenth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster 250, which is adapted for attachment to a belt. As is shown in the figures, the tool holster 250 includes a substrate or body 252 having a front side 254, a back side 256, and a generally rectangular shape having a length that is longer than the width. The body 252 can be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material. In some embodiments, the body 252 has an internal reinforcement member (not shown) that provides strength to the body and internal padding that dampens impact of tools supported by the holster 250.

Attached to the front side 254 of the body 252 is a tool support element 258, which is adapted to support a tool, such as a hammer 260. As is shown in FIG. 12A, the support element 258 can comprise a horizontal piece of material that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 252 in a manner in which it forms an opening 262 that is adapted to receive the handle of the hammer 260 in order to support the hammer on the holster 250, as is depicted in FIG. 12B. In some embodiments, the support element 258 is a leather strap. Provided on an outer surface of the support element 258 is a first fastening element 264, such as a first strip of hook material. A second fastening element 266, such as a second strip of hook material, is attached to the front side of the body 252 near its top end.

Also attached to the front side 254 of the body 252 is a retaining strap 268. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining strap 268 is attached to the body 252 at a point between the support element 258 and the second fastening element 266. The retaining strap 268 can comprise a flexible strip of material, such as a fabric material, to which is attached on both sides of the strip further fastening elements 270, such as strips of loop material. As is shown in FIG. 12B, the retaining strap 268 can be attached to the support element 258 when the hammer 260 is supported by the support element to prevent the hammer from falling out of the holster 250. When the retaining strap 268 is not needed to secure the hammer 260, the strap can be attached to the second fastening element 266, as is shown in FIG. 12C.

Unlike the previously-described embodiments, the holster 250 does not include a retractor securing element within which a retractor can be inserted and secured. Instead, the holster 250 includes a ring 272 that, for example, is attached to the body 252 near its top end. The ring 272 may be configured as a D-ring and is adapted to receive a tether, such as the coiled tether 274 shown in FIGS. 12A-12C. The tether 274 can be attached to the ring 272 at one end and attached to hammer 260 at the other end using a further ring that is attached to the hammer (not shown).

As mentioned above, the tool holster 250 is adapted to attach to a belt of the user instead of a body harness. Therefore, the body 252 includes a belt loop 276 that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, the belt loop 276 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 252 onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the back side 256 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the belt can be passed. It is noted, however, that the holster 250 could instead have fastener straps as do other embodiments that have been described above to enable the holster to be attached to a harness instead of a belt.

In the above-described embodiments, the tool holsters have been either adapted to attach to a vertical strap of a body harness or to attach to a belt, but not both. FIG. 13 illustrates a hybrid drop prevention tool holster 280 that is similar in design to the holster 110 shown in FIG. 6 except that the holster 280 can either be attached to a harness or a belt. It is noted that the alternative attachment capability described below in relation to FIG. 13 can be incorporated into any of the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is presented to describe a means for attaching a holster to a harness or a belt irrespective of the particular features of the holster.

As is shown in FIG. 13, the body 72 of the holster 280 includes a belt loop 112 that is formed at a top end of the body. In addition to the belt loop 112, however, the holster 280 also includes upper and lower horizontal fastener straps 282 and 284 that enable the holster to be attached to a vertical strap of a harness. In some embodiments, the fastener straps 282, 284 comprise hook-and-loop straps. The upper fastener strap 282 can be stitched, adhered, or bonded to the portion of the body 72 that forms the belt loop 112, and the lower fastener strap 284 can be stitched, adhered, or bonded to the back side 76 of the body 72 below the upper fastener strap so as to provide enough space for a horizontal strap.

If the tool holster 280 is to be worn on a vertical strap of a harness, the upper fastener strap 282 can be wrapped around and secured to a torso strap above a chest strap and the lower fastener strap 284 can be wrapped around and secured to the torso strap below the chest strap similar to the attachment arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B for the holster 10. If the tool holster 280 will only be worn on a belt, however, the user can optionally cut off the upper fastener strap 282, as well as the lower fastener strap 284, if desired. As a variation on the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, the upper fastener strap 282 can be independent of the body 72 and can instead be merely passed through the belt loop 112 and then wrapped around the vertical strap of the harness.

Several tool holster embodiments have been described in this disclosure. As mentioned above, several alternative embodiments are possible. In one such alternative embodiment, the closure used to secure the retractor pocket can be a closure other than a hook-and-loop closure. For example, the closure can comprise a snap closure or other equivalent closure.

Claims

1. A tool holster comprising:

a body having a front side and a rear side;

a tool support element attached to the front side of the body, the tool support being adapted to support a tool;

a retractor securing element defining a pocket in which the retractor can be secured, the pocket having a first opening that is large enough to enable the retractor to pass and an opposed second opening that is too small to enable the retractor to pass but large enough for a tether of the retractor to pass; and

means for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.

2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a generally flat substrate.

3. The holster of claim 1, wherein the body is made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material.

4. The holster of claim 1, wherein the tool support element comprises a horizontal strap that forms an opening through which a handle of the tool can be passed.

5. The holster of claim 1, wherein the tool support element forms a pocket in which the tool can be inserted.

6. The holster of claim 5, further comprising a protective member that is provided within the pocket of the tool support element.

7. The holster of claim 7, wherein the protective member comprises a strip of plastic that is secured to the body and the tool support element.

8. The holster of claim 5, further comprising a second tool support element attached to the first tool support element, the second tool support element forming a second pocket in which a second tool can be inserted.

9. The holster of claim 8, wherein the retractor support element is attached to an outer surface of the second tool support element.

10. The holster of claim 1, wherein the tool support element comprises a horizontal strip of material that forms an opening through which a clip of the tool can be passed.

11. The holster of claim 5, wherein the retractor securing element is attached to an outer surface of the tool support element.

12. The holster of claim 1, wherein the first opening is positioned at the top of the pocket and the second opening is positioned at the bottom of the pocket.

13. The holster of claim 1, wherein the first opening is positioned at the bottom of the pocket and the second opening is positioned at the top of the pocket.

14. The holster of claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises a closure adapted to prevent the retractor from falling out of the pocket.

15. The holster of claim 14, wherein the closure is a hook-and-loop closure.

16. The holster of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a horizontal strap attached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a body harness.

17. The holster of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt.

18. The holster of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt and further comprises a horizontal strap attached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a body harness.

19. The holster of claim 1, further comprising a magnet attached to the body, the magnet being adapted to support the tool on the body when the tool is not supported by the tool support element.

20. A tool holster comprising:

a body having a front side and a rear side;

a horizontal strap attached to the front side of the body, the strap forming an opening through which a handle of a tool can be passed;

a retaining strap attached to the front side of the body that secures to the horizontal strap to secure the tool when supported by the horizontal strap; and

means for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.

21. The holster of claim 20, wherein the retraining strap comprises a first strip of fastening material and the horizontal strap comprises a second strip of fastening material adapted to mate with the first strip of fastening material.

22. A drop prevention tool holster comprising:

a body having a front side and a rear side, the body comprising a generally flat substrate made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material;

a tool support element that forms a pocket in which a tool can be inserted;

a retractor securing element attached to an outer surface of the tool support element, the securing element defining a pocket in which the retractor can be secured, the pocket having a first opening that is large enough to enable the retractor to pass and an opposed second opening that is too small to enable the retractor to pass but large enough for a tether of the retractor to pass; and

means provided on the rear side of the body for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.

23. The holster of claim 22, further comprising a protective member that is provided within the pocket, the protective member comprising a strip of plastic that is secured to the body and the tool support element.

24. The holster of claim 22, wherein the tool support element is a second tool support element and wherein the second tool support element is attached to a first tool support element which is attached to the body, the first tool support element also forming a pocket in which a tool can be inserted.

25. The holster of claim 22, wherein the first opening is positioned at the top of the pocket and the second opening is positioned at the bottom of the pocket.

26. The holster of claim 22, wherein the first opening is positioned at the bottom of the pocket and the second opening is positioned at the top of the pocket.

27. The holster of claim 22, wherein the first opening comprises a hook-and-loop closure adapted to prevent the retractor from falling out of the pocket.

28. The holster of claim 22, wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a horizontal strap attached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a body harness.

29. The holster of claim 22, wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt.

30. The holster of claim 22, wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt and further comprises a horizontal strap attached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a body harness.

31. The holster of claim 22, further comprising a magnet attached to the body, the magnet being adapted to support the tool on the body when the tool is not supported by the tool support element.