Suspendible Tool Storage Apparatus
A suspendible tool storage apparatus comprised of: a flexible body portion having a front surface, back surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge; at least one suspending member, each connected to the body portion at or near the top edge of the flexible body portion; and a plurality of receptacles, each adapted to temporarily receive a tool. The suspending members allow the apparatus to be temporarily suspended from, for example, the top of a door or the like, and the receptacles can be of any sort adapted to hold any type of tool.
This application claims priority to U.S. No. Provisional Application No. 60/908,965 filed on Mar. 29, 2007.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe invention relates generally to the field of tool storage, and specifically to a tool storage apparatus capable of temporarily being suspended from a door.
Whether doing repair work around the house or construction at a construction site, it is a commonplace practice for lay persons as well as skilled tradesmen to tote their tools from one location to the next and to need to hang the device used to carry their tools. Toolboxes can be heavy, and others that are worn on the person can cause injury due their weight. In addition, repeatedly bending over to exchange tools can further injure the owner. The present invention uses a lightweight material and can be hung from a door, making transportation of the device and the tools between locations easier, obviates the need to repeatedly bend over to exchange tools, and also functions to provide storage of the tools.
As used herein, the term “flexible material” is intended to refer to any material that is capable of being bent, folded, molded, or rolled including but not limited to plastic, fabric, synthetic materials, sheeting and semi-rigid or rigid plastic.
As used herein, the term “receptacle” refers to any compartment, container, device, aperture, strap, or other similar structure that temporarily receives or holds an item, which can be open or sealed (e.g., with a snap, sipper, Velcro or equivalently functional means).
As used herein, the term “tool” refers to any instrument or implement that can be held in the hand for performing or facilitating mechanical operations, e.g., a hammer, saw, file, wrench, tape measure, screwdriver, paintbrush, art supplies, repair items or tools or implements associated with any craft or trade.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONFor the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text hereof to embodiments of a suspendible tool storage apparatus, only some of which are depicted in the figures. It should nevertheless be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that modifications such as the size and shape of the components, positioning of the components relative to one another, materials from which the apparatus is made, and the inclusion of additional elements are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the written description do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Some of these possible modifications are mentioned in the following description. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner.
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals refer to like structural elements in the various drawings.
Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, one embodiment of a suspendible tool storage apparatus is disclosed herein as being rectangular. The suspendible tool storage apparatus might permissibly be somewhat non-rectangular, i.e., circular, ovular, irregularly shaped, or another shape, and still be within the scope of the invention if its functionality is not materially altered.
Referring now to the drawings,
In the embodiment shown, flexible body portion 110 is that portion of suspendible tool storage apparatus 100 to which suspending members 120 and receptacles 130 are attached. In the embodiment shown, flexible body portion 110 is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, it should be understood that flexible body portion 110 can be made of paper products, canvas, cotton or hemp fabric, or any other material that is sufficiently durable, flexible, and capable of having suspending members 120 and receptacles 130 attached thereto.
Also visible in the embodiment of suspendible tool storage apparatus 100 shown in
Also visible in the embodiment of suspendible tool storage apparatus 100 shown in
While the suspendible tool storage apparatus has been shown and described with respect to several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that the same is not limited thereto. The details referred to herein are given as examples, and the invention is of such scope to encompass many variations and modifications thereof as known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the details shown and described herein, but rather cover all such changes and modifications obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Claims
1. A suspendible tool storage apparatus
2. comprised of:
- a flexible body portion having a front surface, back surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge;
- at least one suspending member, each connected to the body portion near the top edge of the flexible body portion; and
- and a plurality of receptacles, each adapted to temporarily receive a tool.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one suspending member is connected to the body portion at the top edge of the flexible body portion;
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible body portion and said at least one suspending member are a singly-molded piece.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein plurality of receptacles is selected from a group of receptacles corresponding to receptacles adapted for tools selected from a group consisting of plumbing, electrical, carpentry, general repair, painting, home decoration, landscaping, gardening, diagnostic, support services and culinary.
6. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said at least one receptacle is selected from a group consisting of singly-molded receptacle, clear plastic, labeled receptacles, pocket structures, apertures capable of insertion, apertures capable of partial insertion, sealed pocket structures and Velcro surfaces to which tools may adhere and magnets capable of gripping tools, or any combination thereof.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least one receptacle is said flexible body portion are a singly-molded piece.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one receptacle is capable of being sealed to prevent loss of a tool contained within said at least one receptacle.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible body portion is capable of being folded.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible body portion is capable of being rolled.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible body portion is capable of being made compact by an activity selected from a group consisting of folding, rolling or fastening or any combination thereof.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a carrying strap to facilitate transport.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each receptacle within said plurality of receptacles is labeled to identify the tool contained within.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each receptacle within said plurality of receptacles is labeled using removable labels to identify the tool contained within.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each receptacle within said plurality of receptacles includes a clear outer layer to make the tool contained within visible.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suspending members may be adjustably placed.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one suspending members is selected from a group consisting of at least one hook, at least one magnet, at least one suction devices, at least one weighted member, at least one curved member, at least one member that attaches to a door, at least one member that attaches to a hinge, at least one member that attaches to a railing, at least one member that attaches to a vehicle door, at least one member that attaches to a railing, at least one member that attaches to a cart and at least one member that attaches to an apparatus having wheels.
18. A suspendible tool storage apparatus comprised of:
- a semi-rigid body portion having a front surface, back surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge constructed of at least one plastic;
- at least one suspending member wherein said at least one suspending member is selected from a group consisting of at least one hook, at least one magnet, at least one suction devices, at least one weighted member, at least one curved member, at least one member that attaches to a door, at least one member that attaches to a hinge, at least one member that attaches to a railing, at least one member that attaches to a vehicle door, at least one member that attaches to a railing, at least one member that attaches to a cart and at least one member that attaches to an apparatus having wheels, wherein each suspending member is further connected to the body portion near the top edge of the flexible body portion; and
- a plurality of receptacles, each adapted to temporarily receive a tool wherein each receptacle is selected from a group consisting of a pocket, a flap, a sealed compartment and a singly molded compartment.
19. A suspendible tool storage apparatus comprised of:
- a semi-rigid, body portion having a front surface, back surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge constructed of at least one plastic;
- at least one suspending member, each connected to the body portion near the top edge of the flexible body portion; and
- and a plurality of receptacles singly molded to said semi-rigid body portion, each adapted to temporarily receive a tool.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein each of said at least one suspending member is selected from a group consisting of at least one hook, at least one magnet, at least one suction devices, at least one weighted member, at least one curved member, at least one member that attaches to a door, at least one member that attaches to a hinge, at least one member that attaches to a railing, at least one member that attaches to a vehicle door, at least one member that attaches to a railing, at least one member that attaches to a cart and at least one member that attaches to an apparatus having wheels.
21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein each receptacle of said plurality of receptacles is selected from a group consisting of singly-molded receptacle, clear plastic, labeled receptacles, pocket structures, apertures capable of insertion, apertures capable of partial insertion, sealed pocket structures and Velcro surfaces to which tools may adhere and magnets capable of gripping tools.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 27, 2008
Publication Date: Oct 16, 2008
Inventor: John Hawkey (Hillsboro, WI)
Application Number: 12/056,357