Tool holder

Abstract

A tool holder has a holder body with a rear end, a top side, a lower side spaced beneath the top side a distance to define a body height, and a free front end. A storage space extends rearward into a part of the body and originates at an entry opening. The entry opening is open from the top side to the lower side in the free front end. The storage space terminates at a storage region in the body and is oriented extending between the top side and the lower side. The storage region defines a tool handle storage reference axis extending between the top side and the lower side. The entry opening defines a tool handle insertion axis generally within a plane of the free front end at an acute angle relative to the tool handle storage axis. A tool inserted into the storage space must rotate end to end from the insertion axis orientation to the storage axis orientation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to tool holders, and more particularly to a tool holder for storing a tool or multiple tools with handles.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many different types of holding devices for supporting and storing tools are known. One example of a tool holder is a metal or wire bracket suspended from a pegboard mounted to a vertical wall surface. The wire bracket, in one example, includes a pair of laterally spaced apart and forward extending support arms. The tool handle is inserted between the support arms and the tool head rests loosely on the support arms to store the tool.

One problem with known tool holders of this type is that, if a stored tool is bumped or not properly installed in the holder, the tool can easily fall forward and become inadvertently or unintentionally dislodged from the holder. A falling tool can cause injury to persons standing nearby or can cause damage to objects that are hit by the falling tool.

Another type of tool storage rack is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Design Pat. No. D473,991. This design patent discloses a rolling tool cart with a base and an elevated tool handle support rack. The support rack includes a plurality of tool handle receiving slots which are forwardly open for receiving a tool handle therein. The slots are shown to have a narrower width insert section or insert opening extending into a larger diameter or larger width storage section. The handle must be snapped through the narrower width insert opening, which can require exertion of substantial force, to be received and stored in the larger diameter or larger width section.

The insert opening in the holder of U.S. Design Pat. No. D473,991 may inhibit a tool from becoming inadvertently dislodged from the holder. The opening can be sized such that the handle must be forcibly inserted through this opening before reaching the larger sized storage opening. However, if the insert opening is too small for a given tool, it may be too difficult or impossible to insert a tool therein. If the insert opening is too large for a given tool, the tool may quite easily and inadvertently or undesirably exit from its storage slot.

In another example, a wire bracket as described above for use with a pegboard may include a pair of spaced apart and forwardly extending support arms that are upturned on their distal ends. The upturned ends can be configured to help retain tools stored thereon. Additional problems with these types of retaining methods are known. For example, the support arms of a pegboard bracket may tend to bend when loaded. When bent, a tool can easily slide forward off of these support arms even if they include upturned retaining ends.

Other configurations of the metal-type or wire-type support brackets are also known. Many of these types of brackets, are for storing small hand tools such as screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, or the like. These brackets may include a circular opening for downwardly receiving a tool or a handle of a tool therein. The tool is then supported by its tool head or by its larger size handle resting on a portion of the bracket. Such a holder is not well suited for supporting heavy tools or for readily receiving long handled tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of one example of a tool holder constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of the tool holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows a front view of the tool holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of another example of a tool holder constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows a top view of the tool holder of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B shows a front view of the tool holder of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the tool holder of FIG. 1 with a long handled tool tilted and either being inserted into or removed from the tool holder.

FIG. 6 shows the tool holder of FIG. 5 with the long handled tool fully installed in the tool holder.

FIG. 7 shows another example of a tool holder constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and having a plurality of tool storage slots.

FIG. 8 shows another example of a tool holder constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and having a plurality of tool storage slots incorporated into a storage shelf.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention is generally directed to a tool holder that solves or improves upon one or more of the above noted problems with existing tool holders. The disclosed tool holders generally have a storage space that is forward facing and open for insertion of a handle of a tool. The space is configured to receive a tool handle therein when the handle is held upright, but rotated to an insertion orientation. The insertion orientation is at an angle relative to a storage orientation. Once received in the storage space, the tool can be further inserted into the space of the tool holder. The tool handle gradually rotates to the storage orientation as it slides into the space until reaching a storage region of the space.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B show one example of a tool holder 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The tool holder 10 generally has a holder body 12 which can vary considerably in form and structure. In this example, the body 12 is in block form and has a top or upper side 14, a free front end 16, a lower side 18, and a rear end 20. In this example, the rear end 20 is configured to mount to a generally vertically orientated surface such as a wall. The body 12 in this example also has opposite and spaced apart outer side surfaces 22 and 24. The side surfaces 22 and 24 are positioned at and extend between the ends of the free front end 16 and the rear end 20 of the body 12. In this example, the top side has a top surface 25.

The means or structure employed to mount the tool holder 10 can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to a particular type of mounting means. In this example, a mounting flange 26 extends upward from the top or upper side 14 adjacent the rear end 20. The mounting flange 26 includes a pair of laterally spaced apart openings 28 that can be used to secure the tool holder 10 to a surface or to suspend or hang the holder from a surface. In one example, the openings 28 can be configured to receive hooks suspended from a pegboard or other such pre-installed mounting system. In another example, the openings 28 can be configured to receive fasteners, utilized to affix the tool holder 10 to a surface.

As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, and as is described in further detail below, the body 12 can vary considerably in size, shape, configuration, structure, and material, and yet perform its intended function. For example, the body 12 in this example can include a bottom surface (not shown), similar to the top surface 25, that closes off the lower side 18. The body 12 can also have a back surface (not shown) closing off the rear end 20. The body 12 can thus be completely enclosed if desired. Further, the body 12 in such a configuration can be a solid block of material, or can be hollow. Alternatively, the lower side 18 and/or the rear end 20 can be open with only the visible surfaces shown in FIG. 1 being provided. A body having such an open lower side and/or rear end can employ structure-enhancing features such as ribs, beams, trusses, flanges, and/or the like, as needed or desired, to provide or enhance the rigidity of the holder. In another example, the top side 14, front end 16, and/or side surfaces 22, 24 can be open or configured differently from the surfaces shown.

The tool holder 10 has a storage recess or space 30, which is configured to create a contoured, twisting path for a tool handle received and stored in the holder. In the example of the holder 10, the storage recess or space 30 is generally a vertically oriented notch that originates at the entry opening 33 in the front end. The storage space extends rearward into the holder body 12 from the free front end 16. In this example, the free front end 16 has a substantially closed front surface 32, other than an entry or insertion opening 33 into the storage space. As described below in greater detail, the entry opening 33 is configured and arranged to require a tool handle to be oriented in a certain manner in order to insert the tool into the storage space of the holder.

The storage space 30 in this example is formed in part by an upper slot 34 originating at an upper slot opening 36 in an upper edge 38 of the body's front surface 32. The upper slot 34 is positioned generally in a plane of the top or upper side 14 of the body 12. The upper slot 34 extends generally rearward toward the rear end 20 of the body 12 and terminates at an upper slot end 40.

The storage space 30 in this example also is formed in part by a lower slot 42 that originates at a lower slot opening 44 in a lower edge 46 of the body's front surface 32. The lower slot 42 is positioned generally in a plane of the lower side 18 of the body 12. The lower slot also extends generally rearward toward the rear end 20 of the holder body 12 and terminates at a lower slot end 48. The upper and lower slots are vertically spaced apart a distance H, which in this example is a height of the front surface 32.

As can be seen in FIG. 2A, the body has a longitudinally arranged reference axis B that extends normal or perpendicular to and between the free front end 16 and the rear end 20. The upper slot 34 and the lower slot 42 do not extend parallel to the longitudinal reference axis B. Instead, a centerline reference UC, depicted in FIG. 2A, of the upper slot 34 is orientated at an acute angle relative to the reference axis B. The upper slot centerline UC extends from a center of the upper slot opening 36 along a center of the upper slot 34 to the slot end 40. The center of the upper slot opening 36 is offset to one side of the longitudinal axis B. The lower slot 42 is depicted having a similar centerline reference LC extending along a center of the lower slot and passing through the center of the lower slot opening 44. The lower slot centerline LC is also oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal reference axis B. However, the lower slot opening 44 is offset to a side of the longitudinal axis B opposite the upper slot opening 36. The insertion openings 36 and 44 lie generally in the same plane of the free front end 16, but are laterally offset from one another. Thus, the upper and lower slot openings 34 and 42 only partially overlie one another as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In contrast, the upper slot end 40 and lower slot end 48 are arranged in this example to directly vertically overlie one another. As depicted in FIG. 2A, the region where the centerlines UC and LC of the respective upper and lower slots 34 and 42 coincide or intersect defines a long handled tool storage region 50 in the storage space 30. The intersection of the two slot centerlines UC and LC in this example is at about the center of the storage region 50 and the slot ends 40 and 48 are aligned to define a storage axis SA.

In this example, a contoured or curved transition surface 52 extends between and connects the perimeter of the upper slot 34 with the perimeter of the lower slot 42. The transition surface 52 generally has a pair of opposed side sections 54 and 56 on opposite sides of the storage space 30 and a rear section 58 disposed generally within the storage region 50 between the upper and lower slot ends 40 and 48. In this example, the rear section 58 of the transition surface is essentially vertically orientated surrounding the storage region 50. The transition surface 52 then transitions from the rear section 58 into the side sections 54 and 56. The side sections begin to gradually tilt or twist moving from the rear section to the entry opening 33 of the storage space 30. The twist of the transition surface 52 coincides with the gradually divergence or offset of the upper and lower slots 34 and 42. Thus, the slant or twist along the side sections 54 and 56 becomes greater moving toward the upper and lower insertion openings 36 and 44.

FIG. 2B shows a front view of the tool holder 10. The center of the upper slot opening 36 in this example is offset to the left of the vertical storage axis SA of the storage region 50. A center of the lower slot opening 44 is offset to the right of the vertical storage axis SA of the storage region 50. An insertion axis IA is illustrated as passing through the centers of the upper and lower slot openings 36 and 44. This insertion axis IA defines an insertion orientation for a tool and for the entry opening 33. This insertion orientation or angle is defined in a plane that lies generally parallel to the free front end 16 of the tool holder 10 in this example. The insertion orientation IA is at an acute angle relative to the storage orientation SA, which in this example is generally vertical. In one example, the difference between the insertion orientation and the storage orientation is about 15-20 degrees. However, the acute angle between SA and IA can vary from less than 15 degrees to greater than 45 degrees if desired, and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, the storage orientation need not be vertical, but instead can be at an angle relative to a vertical reference.

As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the offset direction of the upper and lower slots 34 and 42 can be reversed. The upper slot opening 36 can be offset to the right of the longitudinal axis B of the holder and the lower slot opening 44 can be offset to the left of the longitudinal axis. Further, the degree of offset of the insert openings relative to a longitudinal axis of the holder or other reference need not be identical for the upper and lower slots. The slot orientations need not be symmetric about any particular reference. The slots are simply offset vertically relative to one another in some manner to create the difference in insertion orientation IA and storage orientation SA for the holder to function.

As noted above, the body 12 of the tool holder 10 can be fabricated in a number of alternative configurations. Further, the body 12 can be fabricated utilizing a number of optional methods and materials. For example, a closed hollow body can be blow molded from a plastic or thermoplastic material. A closed solid body can be machined from wood, metal, or the like, or can be injection molded from a plastic or thermoplastic material. A thin wall or panel body structure can also be injection molded and include strengthening features in the structure. A wire form body structure can be fabricated from metal bending operations. The body in any form can be configured and enhanced to add strength, rigidity, durability, and aesthetic design characteristics as desired.

FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B show another example of a tool holder 100 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the tool holder 100 has a holder body 102 with a top or upper side 104 and a free front end 106. Again, in this example, the holder body 102 has a lower side 108 and a rear end 110 opposite the free front end 106. The body 102 has a pair of opposed side surfaces or sides 112 and 114 and a mounting flange 116 extending upward above the upper side 104 adjacent the rear end 110. The mounting flange 116 has a pair of openings 118 for mounting the tool holder 100 in this example in a manner substantially the same as in the prior example. The top side 104 has a top surface 119 similar to the previous example.

In this example, the tool holder 100 includes an alternative construction of a storage recess or space 120. As with the prior example, the storage space 120 extends inward from a front surface 122 of the free front end 106 of the body 102. The recess or space 120 has an entry or insert opening 123 in the front end 106 and extends into the body 102. The storage space 120 generally is V-shaped when viewed from the top or bottom as in FIG. 4. The storage space 120 extends rearward into the body 102 toward the rear end 110 and terminates at a closed end 124.

The entry opening 123 of the storage space 120 in this example is significantly wider than the closed end 124. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, insertion of a tool handle into the large width entry opening 123 would be inhibited to effectively require the tool handle to be rotated to an insertion orientation as in the prior example. To accomplish this, an upper extension 128 of the top surface 119 lies in a plane of the top surface and extends or projects into the storage space 120 from one side of the storage space. A lower extension 130 similarly projects into the storage space 120, but from the opposite side of the storage space, and lies in a plane of the lower side 108. These opposing projections effectively narrow the width of the entry opening 123.

The upper extension 128 is bounded within a front edge 132, a rounded front corner 134, and a transition edge 136. In this example, the front edge 132 lies in the plane of the front surface 122 of the free front end 106. The rounded corner provides a smooth transition between the front edge and the transition edge 136. The transition edge 136 provides a smooth transition surface from the rounder corner 134 for the storage space 120. The lower extension 130 is similarly bounded by a front edge 138, a rounded front corner 140, and a transition edge 142.

An upper slot 144 is provided in the upper side 104 of the body 102 and is formed in part by the upper extension 128. The upper slot 144 originates at an upper slot opening 146 aligned with an upper edge 148 of the body's front face 122. The upper slot opening 146 is between, on one side, the upper edge 148 of the front surface 122 above the lower extension 130 and, on the other side, the front edge 132 and rounded corner 134 of the upper extension 128. The upper slot 144 extends rearward into the body 102 toward the rear end 110 and terminates at an upper slot end 150. The slot end 150 coincides with the closed end 124 of the storage space 120 in this example.

Similarly, a lower slot 152 extends rearward into the body 102 toward the rear end 110 and originates at a lower slot opening 154 aligned with a lower edge of the body's front surface 122. The lower slot opening 154 is between, on one side, the lower edge 156 of the front surface 122 below the upper extension 128 and, on the other side, the front edge 138 and rounded corner 140 of the lower extension 130. The lower slot 152 terminates in the body 102 at a lower slot end 158 that coincides with the closed end 124 of the storage space 120.

As with the prior example, a storage region 160 is defined within the confines of the closed end 124 in the storage space 120 and vertically between the upper slot end 144 and the lower slot end 152. In this example, a generally vertically orientated transition surface 162 extends between the top side 104 of the body 102 and the lower side 108. In this example, the transition surface 162 is generally vertically orientated over its entire length and follows the contour of the V-shaped storage space 120. The transition surface 162 has a rear section 164 that connects the vertically spaced apart slot ends 150 and 158 and that generally follows their contour. The transition surface 162 has a pair of forwardly diverging side sections 166 and 168 that form the generally V-shaped storage space 120. The sides 166 and 168 extend vertically between the upper and lower sides 104 and 108 of the body 102. However, it is not the sides 166 and 168 of the transition surface 162, but the upper and lower extensions 128 and 130, that define the tool handle insertion path for the storage space 120 and upper and lower slots 144 and 152 in this example. Otherwise, the relative orientation between the two slots 144 and 152 is essentially the same as with the previously described tool holder 10.

The upper slot 144 has a centerline UC that passes through a center of the upper slot opening 146 and that is acutely angled relative to a longitudinal axis B of the body 102. Similarly, the lower slot 152 has a centerline LC that passes through a center of the lower slot opening 154 and that is acutely angled in a direction opposite to the upper slot centerline, and also relative to the longitudinal axis B of the body 102. As in the previous example, the centers of the slot openings 146 and 154 lie generally in the plane of the free front end 106, but are laterally offset relative to one another as a result of the oppositely projecting extensions 128 and 130. The convergence or intersection of the slot centerlines LC and UC defines the general center of the storage region 160 in this tool holder 100.

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of the tool holder 100. As in the prior example, the center of the upper slot opening 146 is offset to the left side of the longitudinal axis B of the holder body 102 and the center of the lower slot opening 154 is offset to the right of the longitudinal axis of the holder body. A reference axis passing through the offsetting centers of the slot openings again defines the insert orientation IA in this example similar to the prior example.

The transition edges 136 and 142 of the upper and lower extensions 128 and 130, respectively, gradually taper or transition to the respective slot ends 150 and 158. The respective rounded corners 134 and 140 of the extensions define a relatively narrow gap therebetween in this example. This narrow gap is intended to be narrower than a tool handle diameter to be inserted therein. Thus, the tool handle must be rotated end-to-end a desired degree to match the insertion axis IA before being able to pass into the entry opening 123 of the storage space in this example.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the method of use of the tool holders of the present invention using the tool holder 10 of FIG. 1 for illustrative purpose. FIG. 5 shows a shovel 200 as a representative example of a tool having a handle, and in this case, a long handle. The shovel 200 has a long handle 202 and a shovel head 204. To insert the tool 200 in the holder 10, the handle 202 is grasped and rotated within a plane generally parallel to a plane of the tool holder front end 16 to achieve the insertion orientation or angle. The insertion angle is defined by the orientation of the entry opening axis, and is such that a width or diameter of the handle 202 can fit within the confines of the offset slot openings 36 and 44 of the holder 10. Once the handle 202 is at the correct orientation, the handle can be pushed rearward into the storage recess or space 30 between the sides 54 and 56 of the transition surface 52. The handle will be guided by the offset, converging upper and lower slots 34 and 42 and by the contoured transition surface 52 toward the slot ends 40 and 48. Once the handle 202 reaches the slots ends 40 and 48, it is within the storage region 50, as depicted in FIG. 6. The handle 202 will have been reoriented to the storage orientation, which is defined by the orientation of the storage region axis. In this example, the storage region axis is generally vertical. The tool 202 can then be lowered until the shovel head 204 rests on the top side 14 of the tool holder 10.

To remove a tool 200 from the holder 10, the user simply must grasp the handle 202, raise the tool and its head 204 above the top side 14, and then move the handle toward the free front end 16 along the slots 34 and 42 and storage space 33. The divergence of the upper and lower slots, and the contour of the transition surface 52 in this example, will guide the handle 202 back to the insertion orientation allowing the handle to be removed from the storage space 33 as depicted in FIG. 5. The same method would be performed if using the tool holder 100 or another tool holder constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

The upper and lower slots 34 and 40 in this example can be designed and configured to permit insertion of a tool handle into the storage space, and yet to prevent a tool head such as the shovel head 204 from sliding downward through the slots. Further, the width of the upper and lower slots can be designed to accommodate a particular maximum tool handle diameter, and yet to accommodate a wide variety of tool handle sizes. The slot width, slot angles, storage space height, and/or storage space depth can be varied as desired to result in a tool holder with suitable stability for a variety of tools or for a particular intended tool.

The tool holders disclosed herein can be fabricated and utilized as stand alone, single tool holder storage spaces and suspended from a surface, as discussed above. Alternatively, multiple storage space tool holders can be provided in another product configuration. In another alternative, single or multiple storage space tool holders can be provided in conjunction with or integral in other products such as storage shelves, or as a part of an overall storage system.

For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a tool holder 250 with multiple tool storage capability. The holder 250 has a tool holder body 252 is an elongate body but otherwise similarly constructed to the individual tool holder body 12 described previously. A top side 254 of the body 252 is elongate and terminates at a free front end 255 that has a front surface 256 that also extends the entire length of the body. The holder 250 also includes three separate storage spaces 258 in the front end 255, each designed to store a tool handle therein. In this example, each storage space 258 is essentially identical to the storage space 30 described for the tool holder 10 in FIG. 1. However, the storage spaces 258 can optionally be constructed according to the embodiment described above for the tool holder 100, and particularly the storage space 120. Further, alternative storage space constructions can be employed in such a multiple tool holder 250. Additionally, more than one type of storage space construction can be employed in the same multiple storage tool holder 250.

The tool holder 250 in this example includes a mounting flange 260 that extends the entire length of the body 252 adjacent a rear end 262 of the body and upward above the top side 254. The mounting flange 260 has mounting openings 264, which can be utilized to suspend or secure the holder 250 to a surface. Again, the body configuration and construction, as well as the mounting structure and arrangement, for the multiple tool holder 250 can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example of a tool holder and shelf combination 300 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this example, the tool holder 300 is in the form of a storage shelf having a horizontal shelf surface 302 that terminates at a front edge 304. A pair of tool storage spaces 306 extend integrally forward from the front edge 304 of the shelf surface 302. In another example, the storage spaces could be recessed directly into the front edge 304 of the shelf surface if desired. The storage spaces 306 in this example are essentially identical in construction to the space 30 of the tool holder 10 described previously, except that the tool holders 306 are integral with the shelf surface 302. The holder 300 in this example again includes a mounting flange 308 extending upward from the shelf surface 302 adjacent a rear end 310. The flange 308 has mounting openings 312 for suspending or securing the tool holder and shelf combination 300 to a surface. Again, the mounting arrangement and structure can vary considerably.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict two of the many possible embodiments of products that can employ one or more tool holders or tool storage spaces constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the tool holder configurations can be employed in a wide variety of shelf, storage, organizer, and other systems. The tool holders described herein can be employed individually or in combination with one or more additional tool holders in any such object or system.

The configuration of the upper and lower slots of the tool holders described herein have been described in a manner permitting variation in the configuration of the tool holder body. The tool holder body may consist of two vertically spaced apart, horizontally extending plates with essentially no front surface. Though not shown herein, an upper plate can include an upper slot as described herein and a lower plate can include a lower slot as described herein. No transition surface need be provided between the edges of the two slots. The two slots in conjunction would define the storage space and will function essentially identically to the storage spaces of the tool holders described herein. Such a dual parallel plate tool holder could include multiple storage spaces as well.

Additionally, a tool holder can be constructed having a wire form body configuration. The slots can be configured utilizing formed wire creating an upper wire slot and a lower wire. The slots can then be arranged as discussed herein with respect to the tool holders 10 and 100. Such a body will not include a solid top side or a solid bottom side, but the wire forming the upper and lower slots would or could define, for the purposes of this disclosure, the top side and bottom planes of the tool holder body. Such a wire form tool holder configuration could include one or more storage spaces. Further, a wire form configuration could be constructed to hang from a peg board system or directly to a vertical surface such as a wall.

Although certain tool holders have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

Claims

1. A tool holder comprising:

a holder body having top side, a lower side spaced beneath the upper side, a rear end, and a free front end;

a tool storage space having an entry opening in the free front end providing access to a storage region in the holder body rearward of the front end, the storage region defining a tool handle storage orientation axis;

an upper slot positioned at the top side of the body, the upper slot having an upper slot opening at the entry opening of the storage space and terminating at an upper slot end at the storage region of the storage space; and

a lower slot positioned at the lower side of the body, the lower slot having a lower slot opening at the entry opening of the storage space and terminating at a lower slot end at the storage region, the upper and lower slot ends aligned with one another along the tool handle storage axis, the upper and lower slot openings positioned laterally offset relative to one another to define a tool handle insertion axis that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the tool handle storage axis.

2. A tool holder according to claim 1, wherein the top side includes a top surface in which the upper slot is formed.

3. A tool holder according to claim 1, wherein the tool handle storage axis is oriented generally perpendicular to a plane parallel to the top and lower sides.

4. A tool holder according to claim 1, further comprising a transition surface connecting the upper and lower slots over the distance between the upper and lower slots, the transition surface extending from the upper and lower slot openings rearward to the upper and lower slot ends, the orientation of the tool handle insertion axis being defined by the orientation of the transition surfaces at the entry opening.

5. A tool holder according to claim 1, further comprising:

an upper extension extending laterally inward into the storage space in a plane of the top side of the body; and

a lower extension extending laterally inward into the storage space in a plane of the lower side of the body from a side of the storage space opposite the upper extension,

wherein the upper slot opening is defined in part by the upper extension, and wherein the lower slot opening is defined in part by the lower extension.

6. A tool holder comprising:

a holder body having a rear end, a top side, a lower side spaced beneath the top side a distance to define a body height, and a free front end; and

a storage space extending rearward into a part of the body, the storage space originating at an entry opening being open from the top side to the lower side in the free front end, the storage space terminating at a storage region in the body, the storage region oriented extending between the top side and the lower side,

wherein the storage region defines a tool handle storage reference axis extending between the top side and the lower side, and wherein the entry opening defines a tool handle insertion axis generally within a plane of the free front end at an acute angle relative to the tool handle storage axis.

7. A tool holder according to claim 6, wherein the tool handle storage reference axis is oriented generally perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane of the body.

8. A tool holder according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of the storage spaces in the body.

9. A tool holder according to claim 6, wherein the body is a shelf and the free front end of the body is a front shelf edge.

10. A tool holder according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of the storage spaces in the front shelf edge.

11. A tool holder comprising:

a holder body having a rear end and a free front end;

an upper slot extending rearward into a part of the holder body from an upper slot opening in the free front end to a closed upper slot end, the upper slot opening having an upper center; and

a lower slot spaced a distance downward relative to the upper slot and extending rearward into a part of the holder body from a lower slot opening in the free front end to a closed lower slot end, the lower slot insertion opening having a lower center,

the closed upper and lower slot ends vertically aligned and overlying one another forming a tool handle storage region arranged to store a tool handle therein along a generally vertical storage axis, and

the upper and lower slot openings positioned generally in a reference plane of the free front end and being laterally offset relative to one another, the upper and lower slot openings together defining a tool handle insertion axis along a reference passing through each of the upper and lower centers and oriented at an acute angle relative to the storage axis.