Tool belt with magnetic pouch and method of use

Abstract

A tool belt having a pouch portion in which items such magnetic objects as nails, screws, and bolts may be contained. The tool belt also having a magnet that may be attached to the pouch portion and that provides a magnetic field in the pouch portion in order to attract magnetic objects into the pouch portion. Also, a method of using a tool belt that includes a pouch portion and a magnet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The technical field includes tool belts and methods of using tool belts.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Construction workers often wear tool belts around their waists when they are on a construction site. These tool belts typically include a belt portion that goes around a worker's waist and that is fastened with a buckle. These belts also typically include pouches or other receptacles for holding or containing the nails, screws, or bolts that the construction workers use while working. In addition, a variety of holsters are often included on the tool belts. These holsters typically accommodate hammers, screwdrivers, or other tools that the construction workers know will be needed on the construction site.

[0005] Some construction workers, such as roofers and electricians, often work high above-ground. Hence, when the nails, screws, or bolts that they are using are not properly placed in the pouches of the tool belts, or when the construction workers inadvertently fail to drop the nails, screws, or bolts directly into the pouches, these items may fall far below where the construction workers are working. In such situations, the efficiency of the construction workers may be sacrificed because they eventually have to descend to where the items have fallen in order to retrieve them. Further, falling items may injure those who are standing below the construction workers.

[0006] Hence, what is needed is a tool belt that reduces the risk of articles such as nails, screws, and bolts falling out of the pouch or receptacle that is designated to contain the articles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An advantage of the present invention is that certain embodiments thereof improve the efficiency of a construction worker by reducing the chances of a nail, screw, or bolt falling to the ground instead of into the constructions worker's tool belt, where the nail, screw, or bolt can be easily retrieved.

[0008] Another advantage of the present invention is that certain embodiments thereof reduce the probability of injury on a construction site. In these embodiments, if a construction worker is standing at a substantial height and wishes to put a magnetic object into a tool belt worn by the construction worker, the chances of the magnetic object falling into the tool belt are increased and the chances of the magnetic object falling from the substantial height and causing injuries to other construction workers on the construction site are decreased.

[0009] These and other advantages are achieved, for example, by a tool belt that includes a belt portion and a pouch portion that is connected to the belt portion and that includes a first pouch. The tool belt also includes a first magnet that is connected to the tool belt and that is located proximate to the pouch portion such that the magnet can exert a magnetic field into at least the first pouch.

[0010] Further, these and other advantages are achieved, for example, by a tool belt that includes a belt portion, a receptacle portion and means for exerting a force on an article. The receptacle portion is attached to the belt portion and includes a plurality of receptacles. The article is biased towards at least one of the receptacles and the means for exerting is connected to at least one of the belt portion and the receptacle portion.

[0011] Likewise, these and other advantages are achieved, for example, by a method for storing magnetic objects that includes the steps of providing a tool belt that includes a pouch and a magnet, wherein the magnet exerts a magnetic field into the pouch, placing a magnetic object near the tool belt, and attracting the magnetic object into the pouch with the field exerted by the magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Tool belts and methods will be described, by way of example, in the description of exemplary embodiments, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a tool belt with an inner pouch, a magnet, and an outer pouch that is pivotally connected to the inner pouch;

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a tool belt with an inner pouch and an outer pouch, wherein the belt portion of the tool belt is interrupted by the inner pouch;

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view, across plane A-A, of the tool belt illustrated in FIG. 2 when a magnet is positioned in the interior of the inner pouch and in a sleeve;

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tool belt illustrated in FIG. 2, across plane A-A, when a magnet is positioned in a sleeve and in the interior of the outer pouch;

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of a tool belt with four pouches; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for using a tool belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a tool belt 10 that includes a belt portion 20, a pouch or receptacle portion 30 that is connected to the belt portion 20, and a magnet 40 that is connected to the tool belt 10 and that is located proximate to the pouch portion 30. The tool belt 10 may be used, for example, by a construction worker to hold articles such as nails, screws, and bolts in the pouch portion 30.

[0020] The belt portion 20 has a plurality of holes 50 at one end thereof and a buckle 60 at the other end. Other mechanisms for fastening the belt portion 20 around a waist may be used. When fastened around a waist, the buckle 60 engages with one of the holes 50 and maintains the tool belt 10 in position.

[0021] The pouch portion 30 includes an inner pouch 70 that is attached immediately adjacent to the belt portion 20. The inner pouch 70 may be stitched onto the belt portion 20 or may be fastened to the belt portion 20 by any other means. For example, the belt portion 20 may include an opening (not shown) through which the belt portion 20 may be threaded. Although the tool belt 10 may include only a single pouch, the pouch portion 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes an outer pouch 80 that is attached to the outside of the inner pouch 70.

[0022] The magnet 40 is attached to the exterior of the inner pouch 70 and may be attached to the inner pouch 70 by stitching or any other known method. For example, an adhesive may be used. The magnet 40 may be positioned between the inner pouch 70 and the outer pouch 80 and may exert a magnetic field into the inner pouch 70, the outer pouch 80, or both. The magnet 40 acts as a means for exerting a force on the articles discussed above and preferably biases the articles towards and into one of the pouches 70, 80 in the pouch portion 30. The magnet 40 or magnets used in the embodiments described herein are preferably chosen to be strong enough to exert such a force through the material of the tool belt 10 and particularly into the pouch or receptacle portion 30.

[0023] The belt portion 20, inner pouch 70, and outer pouch 80 may be made from any material that is capable of comfortably fitting against a person's waist and that is sufficiently sturdy and tear-resistant to accommodate the tools (e.g., hammers, screwdrivers) and articles that a person, such as a construction worker, carries with the tool belt 10. Exemplary materials include leather, denim, and nylon.

[0024] The outer pouch 80 may be attached to the inner pouch 70 such that it may pivot relative to the inner pouch 70. In other words, the outer pouch 80 may be moveably connected to the inner pouch 70. When the outer pouch 80 is capable of pivoting, only the portion of the outer pouch 80 that is closest to the inner pouch opening 90 is connected to the inner pouch 70. Hence, the portion of the outer pouch 80 that is furthest from the inner pouch opening 90 may be pivoted or rotated away from the inner pouch 70.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a tool belt 10 wherein the outer pouch 80 has an outer pouch opening 100 that is at the same level as the inner pouch opening 90. This is in contrast to the tool belt 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the outer pouch 80 has an outer pouch opening 100 that is located below the inner pouch opening 90. Also, the outer pouch 80 illustrated in FIG. 2 is fully connected to the inner pouch 70 and does not have the ability to pivot relative to the inner pouch 70. It should be noted that all of the tool belts 10 discussed herein may have holsters or other arrangements for attaching hammers, screwdrivers, and other tools to the tool belts 10.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section across plane A-A of the tool belt 10 illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the magnet 40 is attached or connected to the interior of the inner pouch 70. Further, the magnet 40 is held in place, relative to the inner pouch 70, with a magnet sleeve 100, into which the magnet 40 may be inserted. The magnet 40 may be located at any position in the inner pouch 70. Also, the magnet 40 and magnet sleeve 100 may be of any geometry that allows the magnet 40 and sleeve 100 to fit within the inner pouch 70.

[0027] The belt portion 20 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 is actually two separate sections surrounding the pouch portion 30. In other words, the side of the belt portion 20 that includes the holes 50 is connected to one side of the pouch portion 30 while the side of the belt portion 20 that includes the buckle 60 is attached to another side of the pouch portion 30. Although the belt portion 20 is illustrated as being of equal thickness with the inner pouch 70, the belt portion 20 may be thinner or thicker than the inner pouch 70, so long as the belt portion 20 is attached to the pouch portion 30.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of another tool belt 10 configuration that includes a magnet sleeve 100, wherein the magnet sleeve 100 is positioned in the interior of the outer pouch 80. According to this configuration, the magnet 40 may exert a magnetic field either solely into the outer pouch 80 or into both the outer pouch 80 and the inner pouch 70. Again, the position and geometry of the magnet 40 is not restricted, so long as the magnet 40 and magnet sleeve 100 fit within the interior of the outer pouch 80.

[0029] Although a magnet sleeve 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the magnet sleeve 100 is not required and the magnet 40 may be held in place relative to the interior of either the inner pouch 70 or the outer pouch 80 by any known means. Further, the magnet 40 may be attached to the exterior of either the inner pouch 70 or outer pouch 80 or may be placed within the lining of the pouches 70, 80, if such a lining is included in the tool belt 10. Also, all combinations and geometries of belt portion 20, pouch portion 30, magnet 40, and magnet sleeve 100 that are disclosed herein, illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, or that are apparent to one skilled in the art, may be used to construct a tool belt 10.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a tool belt 10 with a first pouch portion 30 that includes the inner pouch 70 and outer pouch 80 discussed above and that also includes a second pouch portion 130 with a second inner pouch 110 that is connected to the belt portion 20 and a second outer pouch 120 that is connected to the second inner pouch 110. Although not illustrated, a second magnet may be positioned anywhere in, on, or between the second inner pouch 110 and the second outer pouch 120, optionally using a sleeve 100. The second outer pouch 120 may either be fully attached to the second inner pouch 110 or may be only partially/moveably connected to the second inner pouch 110, allowing the second outer pouch 120 to rotate like the outer pouch 80 in FIG. 1. If a second magnet is attached on or in the second pouch portion 130, the second magnet may exert a magnetic field into either the second inner pouch 110, the second outer pouch 120, or both.

[0031] The second pouch portion 130 may be connected to the belt portion 20 in a fashion that allows the second pouch portion 130 to be moved along the belt portion 20, if desired. For example, instead of being stitched directly to the belt portion 20, the second pouch portion 130 may include a slot that allows the belt portion 20 to slide through the slot and that allows for relative movement between the belt 20 and the second pouch portion 130. The first pouch portion 30 may also be similarly designed, allowing the construction worker wearing the tool belt 10 to adjust the position of one or both pouch portions 30, 130.

[0032] Although a first pouch portion 30 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and a second pouch portion 130 is illustrated in FIG. 5, any number of pouch or receptacle portions 30, 130, may be used, so long as they are capable of receiving articles such as, but not limited to, nails, screws, or bolts. Further, instead of a magnet 40, any means for exerting a force on an article wherein the article is biased towards the means may be used in the tool belt 10. The pouch and receptacle portions 30, 130 may be of any geometric configuration that allows for an article to be received therein.

[0033] According to yet other embodiments, one or more magnets may be enclosed within one or more polymer bags (or sacks). The polymer bags may then, optionally, be vacuum-sealed around the magnets. In order to attach a magnet 40 that is contained within a polymer bag, the bag may be stitched onto one or more of the pouch regions discussed above. Alternatively, the polymer bag may be subjected to a heat source and bonded to one or more pouch region through partial melting of the polymer bag and/or of the pouch region. This type of bonding through heating and partial melting may preferably be used when the pouch region or regions to which the magnet is to be bonded are polymer-based materials such as a nylon material. Other materials that may be used for the magnet bag or sack, or for the pouch, include, but are not limited to, burlap, polyester, leather, rayon, denim, and other fabrics.

[0034] In operation, once a tool belt 10 is provided that includes a pouch or receptacle portion 30, 130 and a magnet 40 or other means for exerting a force on an article meant to be carried within the tool belt 10, a person, such as a construction worker, may place a magnetic or biasable article near the tool belt 10. Then, as the article is placed near the tool belt, the article will be attracted or biased towards and/or into the pouch or receptacle within which the magnet or means for exerting a force on the article is exerting a field.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the method described above. Step 140 specifies that a tool belt 10 including a pouch 70, 80, 110, 120 and a magnet 40 be provided. According to step 145, the magnet 40 should be provided such that it exerts a magnetic field into the pouch 70, 80, 110, 120. Then step 150 specifies that a magnetic object be placed near the tool belt 10. Then step 160 specifies that the magnetic object be attracted into the pouch 70, 80, 110, 120 with the field exerted by magnet 40.

[0036] The foregoing detailed description has been given for understanding exemplary implementations of data storage devices and methods for using data storage devices. No unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A tool belt comprising:

a belt portion;

a pouch portion connected to the belt portion, wherein the pouch portion includes a first pouch; and

a first magnet connected to the tool belt and proximate to the pouch portion so as to exert a magnetic field into at least the first pouch.

2. The tool belt of claim 1, wherein the pouch portion further includes a second pouch and wherein the first magnet exerts a magnetic field on at least the first pouch and the second pouch.

3. The tool belt of claim 1, wherein the pouch portion includes a second pouch, a third pouch, and a fourth pouch and wherein the first magnet exerts a magnetic field on at least one of the first pouch and the second pouch.

4. The tool belt of claim 1, wherein the first pouch is a first inner pouch that is immediately adjacent to the belt portion.

5. The tool belt of claim 4, wherein the first magnet is connected to an interior portion of the first inner pouch.

6. The tool belt of claim 4, wherein the first magnet is connected to an exterior portion of the first inner pouch.

7. The tool belt of claim 4, wherein the first inner pouch includes an opening and the first magnet is adjacent to the opening.

8. The tool belt of claim 4, further comprising a sleeve that is connected to the first inner pouch, wherein the sleeve contains the first magnet.

9. The tool belt of claim 4, wherein the pouch portion further comprises a first outer pouch connected to the first inner pouch.

10. The tool belt of claim 9, wherein the first outer pouch is moveably connected to the first inner pouch.

11. The tool belt of claim 9, wherein the first magnet is connected to an exterior portion of the first outer pouch.

12. The tool belt of claim 9, wherein the first magnet is connected to an interior portion of the first outer pouch.

13. The tool belt of claim 9, further comprising a sleeve that is connected to the first outer pouch, wherein the sleeve contains the first magnet.

14. The tool belt of claim 4, wherein the pouch portion further includes a second inner pouch connected to the belt portion and positioned next to the first inner pouch and immediately adjacent to the belt portion.

15. The tool belt of claim 14, further comprising a second magnet connected to the second inner pouch so as to exert a magnetic field into at least the second inner pouch.

16. The tool belt of claim 14, wherein the second inner pouch is moveable relative to the first inner pouch.

17. The tool belt of claim 14, wherein the pouch portion further includes a second outer pouch connected to the second inner pouch.

18. The tool belt of claim 17, further comprising a second magnet connected to the second outer pouch so as to exert a magnetic field into at least the second inner pouch and the second outer pouch.

19. The tool belt of claim 17, wherein the second outer pouch is moveably connected to the second inner pouch.

20. The tool belt of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is contained within a polymer bag.

21. The toll belt of claim 20, wherein the polymer bag is vacuum-sealed around the first magnet.

22. A tool belt comprising:

a belt portion;

a receptacle portion, wherein the receptacle portion is attached to the belt portion and wherein the receptacle portion includes a plurality of receptacles; and

means for exerting a force on an article wherein the article is biased towards at least one of the receptacles and wherein the means for exerting is connected to at least one of the belt portion and the receptacle portion.

23. A method for storing magnetic objects comprising the steps of:

providing a tool belt including a pouch and a magnet, wherein the magnet exerts a magnetic field into the pouch;

placing a magnetic object near the tool belt; and

attracting the magnetic object into the pouch with the field exerted by the magnet.