Lid for storing a tool
A lid for storing a tool is disclosed that comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion and a magnet portion positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/568,007, entitled LID FOR STORING A TOOL that was filed on May 4, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a lid for a container for storing a tool, and more particularly, to a lid for a joint compound container with the lid for storing a tool.
Workmen typically have numerous tools for performing work at a job site. Sometimes tools are stored loosely in a pile forcing a workman to sort through the pile to find a particular tool. Tools may also be stored in toolboxes that may be easily carried from job site to job site. Although such toolboxes are useful, some workmen use a particular tool all of the time and it would be convenient to have such tool readily available for use. In particular, drywallers and painters use mud pans for holding a supply of joint compound, spackling, or mud. A tool, such as a dry wall knife or a putty knife, is used to scoop mud or spackling from the pan to be applied on dry wall or plaster. It would be advantageous to be able to store a dry wall knife in conjunction with the mud pan in order for the drywaller or painter to know where the knife is without having to search through a toolbox or a pile of tools. Other workers who use a particular tool would also like the convenience of being able to store a particular tool in a readily available location or position in order to retrieve the tool as quickly as possible. By way of further example, a roofer uses a roofing hammer and it would be desirable to have the roofing hammer stored in a known position relative to a toolbox or another container that stores other roofing supplies such as nails.
Accordingly, it is desirable and advantageous to provide a lid for storing a tool. The present invention is designed to overcome the shortcomings and disadvantages associated with mud pans, toolboxes, or other containers by providing for easy storage of a tool in a lid for covering a container or box. In particular, the present invention saves time by having a tool positioned securely on a lid for a container for convenient retrieval and use by a workman.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one form of the present invention, a lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion, a channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool, and a magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
In another form of the present invention, a lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion, a channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool, a recess formed in the base portion, and a magnet portion positioned in the recess with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
In yet another form of the present invention, a lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion, a first channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool, a second channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool, a first magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the first magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool positioned in the first channel, and a second magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the second magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool positioned in the second channel.
In still another form of the present invention, a lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion and a magnet portion positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
In another form of the present invention, a bucket lid for storing a tool comprises a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion and a circular magnet portion centrally positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
In light of the foregoing, it will be recognized that an object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that is of simple construction and design.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that holds a tool in place when not in use and easily releases the tool for use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that can be easily employed with highly reliable results.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that may be of unitary construction.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that may be constructed from lightweight and inexpensive materials.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool that is capable of storing a conventional tool and does not require a specially constructed tool.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lid for storing a tool in a secure position for easy storage and transportation of the lid and the tool.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred embodiment of a lid for storing a tool constructed according to the present invention. With reference now to
With reference now to
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A tool 60 is shown in
With particular reference now to
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It should be recognized that the lid for storing a tool of the present invention can be constructed of various materials and can be assembled from separable components or formed as a unitary construction. Preferably, the lid for storing a tool will be of relatively lightweight material so that it can be easily positioned or moved for use. Further, although a drywall knife 60 and a hammer 102 have been disclosed, it should be understood that various other tools may be stored in the lid. By way of example only, screwdrivers, knives, jig saw blades, drill bits, brushes, chisels, and braces may be stored in the lid. Also, it is possible and contemplated that more than one channel may be formed in the lid in order for the lid to store two of the same tool or two different tools. As has been described previously, it is also possible that there not be a channel formed in the lid and the tool or tools may be stored above the lid in order to be easily grasped for use.
As has been disclosed herein, the magnets or magnet portions may be of any shape, size, or strength. For example, the magnets may be circular, square, rectangular, triangular, or any other suitable size, shape, or configuration. The magnets may be recessed in the lid, flush with the lid, or placed on the lid so that the magnets extend up from the lid. It is further anticipated that the magnets should be strong enough to hold a metal portion of a tool in place. As previously described, there may be one or more magnets or magnet portions associated with the lid.
From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a lid for storing a tool which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefor. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the lid for storing a tool are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
Claims
1. A lid for storing a tool comprising:
- a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion;
- a channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool; and
- a magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the channel comprises a finger grip portion formed on a side of the channel.
3. The lid of claim 2 wherein the channel comprises a second finger grip portion formed on another side of the channel.
4. The lid of claim 1 wherein in the lid further comprises a recess portion and the magnet portion is positioned in the recess portion.
5. The lid of claim 1 wherein the lid further comprises a pair of recess portions and a pair of magnet portions are positioned in the recess portion.
6. The lid of claim 1 wherein the wall portion is adapted to fit over a container opening.
7. The lid of claim 1 wherein the channel spans a portion of the base portion.
8. A lid for storing a tool comprising:
- a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion;
- a channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool;
- a recess formed in the base portion; and
- a magnet portion positioned in the recess with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
9. The lid of claim 8 wherein the channel comprises a finger grip portion formed on a side of the channel.
10. The lid of claim 9 wherein the channel further comprises a second finger grip portion formed on another side of the channel.
11. The lid of claim 8 wherein the base portion comprises a second recess formed therein and a second magnet portion is positioned in the second recess with the second magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
12. The lid of claim 8 wherein the wall portion is adapted to fit over a container opening.
13. The lid of claim 8 further comprising a hinge portion.
14. A lid for storing a tool comprising:
- a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion;
- a first channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool;
- a second channel formed in the base portion adapted for receiving a handle of a tool;
- a first magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the first magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool positioned in the first channel; and
- a second magnet portion positioned in the base portion with the second magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool positioned in the second channel.
15. The lid of claim 14 wherein the first channel comprises a finger grip portion formed on a side of the first channel.
16. The lid of claim 14 wherein the second channel comprises a finger grip portion formed on a side of the second channel.
17. A lid for storing a tool comprising:
- a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion; and
- a magnet portion positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
18. The lid of claim 17 further comprising a handle mounting portion positioned on the base adapted to receive a handle of a tool.
19. The lid of claim 18 wherein the handle mounting portion has a saw toothed configuration.
20. A lid for storing a tool comprising:
- a base portion having a wall portion along a periphery of the base portion and a handle mounting portion adapted to receive a handle portion of a tool; and
- a magnet portion centrally positioned on the base portion with the magnet portion adapted to hold a metal portion of a tool.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 11, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 10, 2005
Inventors: Claude Breckwoldt (St. Louis, MO), Fern Hammerman (St. Louis, MO)
Application Number: 11/102,992