Tool belt pocket kick-stand
A tool belt pocket includes a pocket or pouch for receiving tools or the like. An attachment member is provided for attaching the pocket or pouch to a support device. A kick-stand is attached to said pocket or pouch and movable between a retracted position for facilitating attachment of said pocket or pouch to a support the device in an extended position for supporting said pocket or pouch in a generally upright position when supported on a horizontal surface. The support device may be a tool belt.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to tool accessories and, more specifically, to a tool belt pocket kick-stand.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tool holders of various types have been known. Some tool holders are specifically designed to be used in conjunction with tool belts. Such tool belt pockets or pouches are provided with clips or other attachment mechanisms for attachment to a tool belt, from which such tool pockets or pouches are normally suspended during use. However, frequently, a worker removes the tool holder or pocket from the tool belt at a worksite for any one of a number of reasons. For example, the tool holder or pocket may be bulky, heavy or cumbersome, and there is no need for the worker to continue to maintain the tool holder or pocket supported or suspended from his or her tool belt while performing at a worksite. At such times, the tool holders or pockets are typically removed from the tool belt and placed on the floor or other support surface. A disadvantage that has existed in the past, in connection with such tool holders or pockets, is that they are not typically designed or configured to be disposed or oriented upright when placed on the surface. Therefore, as soon as the tool holder or pocket is placed on the floor or other work surface it becomes unstable and topples over to one side or another, making it more difficult or inconvenient to access items contained within the tool holder or pocket. Even less desirable is the fact that such toppling may cause at least part of the contents, especially smaller objects, such as nails, fasteners or the like, to spill out of the tool holder or pocket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a tool belt holder or pocket, or other such accessory, which does not have the disadvantages inherent in similar prior art products.
It is another object of the invention to provide a tool belt holder or pocket as in the previous object, which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a tool belt holder, pocket or other such accessory, which includes a kick-stand which allows of the tool holder or pocket or other such accessory to be placed on a work surface, while remaining propped up after it is removed or separated from the tool belt.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a kick-stand for a wide range of utility/accessory storage modules, typically used with tool belts or the like, that prevents inadvertent spillage of object, especially small items of hardware, from pockets or pouches normally held upright on the tool belt or mounting system.
These and other objects will become apparent when the drawings of the present invention are considered in detail along with the specification, taken with the drawings as follows:
Turning now to the drawings, in which is similar or identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring to
The module 10 includes a substantially rigid rear wall 12, which serves as a support panel for supporting a plurality of pouches, pockets, compartments or the like. Thus, for example, the module 10 is shown to include a generally flexible wall 14 forming one large pocket or pouch. Secured to the wall 14 is a further sheet of generally planar material 16 intermittently stitched to the wall 14 to form a plurality of smaller open pockets 16a-16d. Additional elements or components may be attached, directly or indirectly, to the rear wall 12 to secure various objects. Examples of such additional elements or components include straps 17a-17c. It will be appreciated, however, that the specific configuration of pouches, pockets, components and the like is not critical for purposes of the present invention. Thus, any number of pouches or pockets or other components may be used consistent with the specific application for which a module is intended to be used, as will be readily evident to those skilled in the art and by artisans in any specific trade.
A finger gripped mechanism 18 is attached to the rear wall 12 by means of rivets 24 used with the clip support system of the type described in the following U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 10/A3 five, 658 filed on Apr. 30, 2004 and published as 20050242144, and Ser. No. 10/838, 601 filed on May 4, 2004, and published as 20050263552. As the finger grip mechanism has been fully described in the aforementioned published applications, it will not be described in detail in the supplication and the teachings in the aforementioned applications are fully incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this description. Clearly, the finger grip mechanism 19 may be secured to the rear wall 12 by any suitable means.
Also secured to the rear wall of the rigid rear panel 12 is a kickstand 22. Referring to
The strap, strip or other generally flexible elongate member 24 is connected to both the lower end of the rear wall 12, as well as the lower end 22b and serves to limit the distance “d” that the lower end at 22b of the kickstand may move away from the lower end of the rear wall 12. The distance “d” is selected to provide the module 10 a desired degree of stability to support the module in an upright position on the surface. Referring to
Once an artisan or worker has completed the work, or no longer requires the use of the module 10, the kickstand can be collapsed or moved to its retracted position by pivoting it along its upper edge at 22a and moving the kickstand in a direction indicated by arrow A in
The kickstand 22 can be formed of any suitable material that is sufficiently rigid to support the module, as shown in
In
In
As should be clear from the foregoing, the kickstand in accordance with the invention allows a user to support or prop up a pocket or pouch on any surface after it is removed from a belt or removed from a wall mounting strip, and allows a worker to maintain the modular pouch upright to prevent tools or other objects from falling out, for example, while lying under a sink or a tight workplace. The kickstand can be made of any rigid structure such as cardboard, plastic or metal rod or any other suitable material that will accomplish or achieve the same functions and provide the same benefits.
While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that the there is no intention to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is the intention to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. Tool belt pocket comprising a pocket or pouch for receiving tools or the like; means for attaching said pocket or pouch to a support device; and kick-stand means attached to said pocket or pouch and movable between a retracted position for facilitating attachment of said pocket or pouch to said support device and an extended position for supporting said pocket or pouch in a generally upright position when supported on a horizontal surface.
2. Toll belt pocket as defined in claim 1, wherein said support device comprises a tool belt.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 10, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 11, 2009
Inventors: Michael Harmik Panosian (Glendale, CA), Joshua Keeler (Glendale, CA), James Stobar (Glendale, CA)
Application Number: 12/001,416