Magnetic Tool Restraint

Abstract

The present invention includes an apparatus and method for magnetically restraining a tool that includes a base with one or more first recesses and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/030,955, filed Feb. 23, 2008, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the field of multi-purpose, versatile magnetic tool holders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In both industrial and consumer settings there has been a growing need for a tool holder that can restrain a wide variety of tools through relying on magnetism. While present day tool holders sometimes use magnetism to supplement a separate restraint, very few are able to rely on magnetic forces alone. Those tool holders that supplement their restraints with magnetism often implement such limited forces that any resulting magnetic restraint remains incidental to the tool holder's functionality. On the other hand, those tool holders that rely purely on magnetism to perform their functions often include so much magnetism, mainly using electromagnets, that the functionality precludes tools with electronic components. Furthermore, modern tools holders that rely on magnetic restraint remain subject to a tool's ferrous properties.

Often, wrench racks provide predefined receptacles often having magnets to supplement restraining capability. While the wrench rack's magnetism is not essential to the restraint it may supplement the rack in keeping a tool in place. When such racks include magnets, such incorporation is usually inconsequential to overall functionality. Furthermore, when magnets are incorporated in such wrench racks and the like, the magnets are usually non-movable and bound to a receptacle. Tool restraints that rely purely on magnetic forces are generally usable only for certain types of tools, due to the use of electromagnets, which although powerful, can cause significant damage to electric motors incorporated in such tools. Thus, while an end user may rely on electromagnetism to hold a standard screwdriver, that user may think twice before holding an electric screwdriver by that same electromagnetic force.

As a consequence of the foregoing, a longstanding need exists for an apparatus and method allowing for the quick, simple, and effective magnetic storage and retrieval of tools whether or not a tool has magnetic properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method are provided to allow for the more efficient magnetic storage and retrieval of tools. The present invention provides a magnetic tool holder that includes a tool holder's magnetic restraint and/or a restraint independent of an individual tool's ferrous properties. One embodiment of the present invention can rely on a tool's ferrous properties to provide restraint, another embodiment provides a restraint for almost any tool by relying on the magnetic attraction of the ball bearings alone or in combination with a surrounding channel.

One embodiment of the present invention is a base with one or more first recesses and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools. The base may include one or more non-magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses. Alternatively the base may have one or more planar faces each having one or more first recesses.

Still another embodiment of the present invention may include a base with one or more first recesses, wherein the base may have one or more apertures spaced about the one or more first recesses. Alternatively, the present invention may include a base, in which at least a portion of the base is magnetic or non-magnetic or metallic or non-metallic or elastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable or ferrous or non-ferrous. Also another embodiment may have a base wherein, at least a portion of the one or first magnetic ball bearings are metallic or non-metallic or elastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable or ferrous or non-ferrous. Furthermore, at least a portion of the base may be plastic or rubber.

The present invention may include a base with one or more first recesses and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools, wherein the one or more first magnetic ball bearings have differing diameters. Alternately, the one or more non-magnetic ball bearings of differing diameters may be disposed within one or more first recesses. Also the present invention may include a base, wherein the one or more first magnetic ball bearings have at least one inner core encased by a shell of an opposite polarity. Furthermore, the present invention may have one or more first magnetic ball bearings having two halves of opposite polarities.

Also the base may have one or more channels, with each channel having one or more second recesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools. Additionally the one or more non-magnetic ball bearings may be included. The base with one or more channels, with each channel having one or more second recesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools, may also have the one or more channels outwardly extend from a surface of the base. The present invention may by designed such that at least a portion of the base is magnetic or non-magnetic or metallic or non-metallic or elastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable or ferrous or non-ferrous. Still the present invention may have one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools, wherein at least a portion of the one or second magnetic ball bearings is metallic or non-metallic or elastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable or ferrous or non-ferrous.

Yet, another embodiment of the present invention may have the base with one or more channels, with each channel having one or more second recesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools, wherein, at least a portion of the base is plastic or rubber. Furthermore, the present invention may have a base with one or more channels, with each channel having one or more second recesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools, wherein one or more second magnetic ball bearings have differing diameters. The base with one or more channels, with each channel having one or more second recesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools may also include one or more non-magnetic ball bearings of differing diameters disposed within one or more second recesses.

Furthermore, another embodiment of the present invention may include a base with one or more channels, with each channel having one or more second recesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools, wherein the one or more second magnetic ball bearings have at least one inner core encased by a shell of an opposite polarity. Alternatively the one or more second magnetic ball bearings have two halves of opposite polarities. Another embodiment may include the base where the one or more channels are of different depths and/or one or more second recesses are of differing dimensions. The present invention may also have a base with one or more channels, with each channel having one or more second recesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools, wherein each second recess extends substantially perpendicular to one or more channels.

The present invention may have a base with one or more first recesses and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses and may be used by first lifting one or more tools within the magnetic field of one or more first magnetic ball bearings, then moving one or more tools such that the magnetic field of one or more first restraints increasingly attracts one or more tools, and finally disposing one or more tools whereby the magnetic attraction to one or more first magnetic ball bearings constrains one or more tools. When, the present invention has a base with one or more channels, where each channel has one or more second recesses, and where one or more second magnetic ball bearings are disposed within one or more second recesses and the present invention may be used by first lifting one or more tools within one or more channels of the base and then disposing one or more tools past one or more second magnetic ball bearings whereby the second magnetic ball bearings constrain further tool movement.

When, the base has one or more first recesses or when the base has one or more channels, where each channel has one or more second recesses, the base may be manufactured by injection molding, die casting, sintering, or machining.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:

FIGS. 1a-1d illustrate isometric, front, top, and side views of an embodiment of a magnetic tool restraint.

FIGS. 2a-2d further illustrates isometric, front, top, and side views of an embodiment of a magnetic tool restraint.

FIGS. 3a-3c depict multiple cut-out top and side views of embodiments of the base and one or more apertures spaced about one or more first recesses in which one or more first magnetic ball bearings are disposed.

FIGS. 4a to 4f depict multiple cut-out side views of the base having one or more first recesses in which one or more first magnetic ball bearings are disposed and one or more non-magnetic ball bearings are disposed along with one or more channels, each having one or more second recesses, in which one or more second magnetic ball bearings are disposed.

FIGS. 5a-5g depict multiple cut out side views of various embodiments having a base with one or more channels, where each channel has one or more second recesses, with each recess having one or more disposed second magnetic ball bearings.

FIGS. 6a and 6b depicts two alternative embodiments of a first magnetic ball bearing or a second magnetic ball bearing may be situated.

FIGS. 7a-7c depict alternate isometric views of embodiments in which a base may be arranged.

FIG. 8 depicts yet another isometric view of an embodiment in which a magnetic tool restraint whose base, has a first recess disposing a first magnetic ball bearing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a”, “an” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.

The base, one more first magnetic ball bearings, one or more second magnetic ball bearings, non-magnetic balls bearings, and other parts of the present invention may be made from a wide variety of materials that are, e.g., metallic or non-metallic or magnetic or non-magnetic or elastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable or the one or more second restraints are metallic or non-metallic or magnetic or non-magnetic or elastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable. Also, the present invention may be made such that the base is metallic or non-metallic or magnetic or non-magnetic or elastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable. Examples of materials include metals, plastics, polymers, wood, alloys, composites and the like. The metals may be made from one or more metals, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, magnesium, or any other structural metal. Examples of plastics or polymers may include: nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE), polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polycarbonate, for example, GE's Lexan® polycarbonate, and combinations thereof, among other plastics. The tool restraint taught herein may be molded, sintered, machined and/or combinations thereof to form the required pieces to assemble the tool restraint components.

The present invention may also include magnetic surfaces that help to restrain the tools. For example, a wide variety of permanent magnets may be used with the present invention such as rare earth magnets, ceramic magnets, alnico magnets, which may be rigid, semi-rigid and flexible magnets. Flexible magnets are made by impregnating a flexible material such as neoprene rubber, vinyl, nitrile, nylon or a plastic with a material such as iron flakes having magnetic characteristics and will find use with the present invention. Conversely, the tool may be rendered magnetic and the material embedded or placed into a base for attachment of the tool may be ferrous.

While the bearings depicted in the figures are shown as generally spherical, the skilled artisan will recognize that the magnetic or ferrous attachment point of the present invention may have any shape, for example, linear, triangular, cubic, rectangular, polyhedral, oval, round, polygonal, as long as a contact portion is available to magnetically attract and retain a tool.

FIGS. 1a-1d illustrate various embodiments of a magnetic tool restraint 10, including a base 20 with one or more first recesses 30, one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32, as well as one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50 disposed within the one or more first recesses 30. Furthermore, FIG. 2 depicts a magnetic tool restraint 10 is shown including a base 20 with one or more channels 44, where each channel has one or more second recesses 40, in which one or more second magnetic ball bearings 42 are disposed. In FIGS. 1a-1d show, respectively, isometric, front, top, and side views of an embodiment of a magnetic tool restraint 10 are shown. In these particular embodiments, the magnetic tool restraint 10 has a base 20, one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f, and one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f disposed within one or more first recesses 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f.

The isometric view depicts two rows one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f substantially aligned with one row of one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f. This does not necessarily have to be the case in another embodiment. Any number of first magnetic ball bearings 32 may be placed anywhere about the base 20. Furthermore any number of non-magnetic ball bearings 50 may be placed anywhere about the base 20. Neither one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f nor do one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f need to be placed in rows, or organized in any fashion. Accordingly, any non-magnetic ball bearing 50 could be placed next to, behind, in front of, in parallel with, adjacent to, and any number of first magnetic ball bearings 32.

Furthermore, though this particular embodiment depicts a base 20 taking a generally rectangular shape, this need not be the case. The base 20 may have any variety of shapes and any number of planes. For example, the base may take a generally trapezoidal shape, a generally ovular shape, a generally pyramid-like shape. Also, any number of first magnetic ball bearings 32 and any number of non-magnetic ball bearings 50 may be placed about any location, face, or plane of the base 20.

The top view of this particular embodiment depicts two rows one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f substantially aligned with one row of one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f. This does not necessarily have to be the case in another embodiment. Any first magnetic ball bearing 32 and any non-magnetic ball bearing may be located anywhere about the base 20.

The side view in this particular embodiment depicts one or more first recesses 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f in which first magnetic ball bearings 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f are disposed. Though this particular view only depicts first magnetic ball bearings 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e, 32f, another embodiment may have non-magnetic ball bearings 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f disposed within any one or more first recesses 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f in any combination. For example non-magnetic ball bearings 50a, 50b, 50f and first magnetic ball bearings 32c, 32d, 32e may be disposed accordingly in one or more first recesses 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, 30f.

The front view of this particular embodiment is included to show that any non-magnetic ball bearing 50 or any first magnetic ball bearing 32 may be disposed in one or more first recesses 30. Though the base 20 of this particular embodiment does not include any apertures 34, this may be the case in other embodiments.

FIGS. 2a-2d illustrate, respectively, isometric, front, top, and side views of an embodiment of a magnetic tool restraint 10. In this particular embodiment, the magnetic tool restraint 10 with a base 20, having one or more channels 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44f, with each channel having one or more second recesses 40a1, 40a2, 40b1,40b2, 40c1, 40c2, 40d1,40d2, 40e1, 40e2, 40f1, 40f2. For illustrative purposes, the one or more second magnetic ball bearings 42a1, 42a2, 42b1, 42b2, 42c1, 42c2, 42d1, 42d2, 42e1, 42e2, 42f1, 42f2 disposed within one or more second recesses 40a1, 40a2, 40b1,40b2, 40c1,40c2, 40d1,40d2, 40e1,40e2, 40f1, 40f2 have been left out of this particular depiction. In other embodiments one or more second magnetic ball bearings 42 are disposed within one or more second recesses.

The isometric view of this particular embodiment depicts one or more channels 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44f accompanied by their respective one or more second recesses 40a1, 40a2, 40b1,40b2, 40c1,40c2, 40d1,40d2, 40e1,40e2, 40f1, 40f2. Though this embodiment only depicts one or more channels 44 each with one or more second recesses 40 extending about a shorter plane of the base 20, this does not have to necessarily be so in other embodiments. Though the base 20 may have any shape and any number of planes, one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 could extend about any plane of the base. Furthermore any one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 could extend about the longitudinal axis of the base 20. If one were to classify the one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 could extending about the top plane in this particular embodiment, in another embodiment, one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 could extend about the top plane, and another set of one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 could extend about the bottom plane, or a side plane, or just the bottom plane or just the side plane.

The top view of this particular embodiment depicts a base 20, having one or more channels 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44f, with each channel having one or more second recesses 40a1, 40a2, 40b1,40b2, 40c1,40c2, 40d1,40d2, 40e1,40e2, 40f1, 40f2. The one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 do not have to be arranged about the base 20 in other embodiments, while other sets of one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 may be included in other embodiments.

The side view of this particular embodiment depicts a base 20, having one or more channels 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44f, with each channel having one or more second recesses 40a1, 40a2, 40b1,40b2, 40c1,40c2, 40d1,40d2, 40e1,40e2, 40f1, 40f2. The one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 do not have to be arranged about the base 20 in other embodiments, while other sets of one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 may be included in other embodiments.

The front view of this particular embodiment depicts a base 20, having one or more channels 44 having one or more second recesses 40. The one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 do not have to be arranged about the base 20 in other embodiments, while other sets of one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 may be included in other embodiments.

FIGS. 3a-3c depict multiple cut-out top and side views of embodiments of the base 20, and one or more apertures 34 spaced about one or more first recesses 30 in which one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32 are disposed. This particular depiction is included for the purpose of showing that one or more apertures 34 may take different forms and be arranged in varying manners. However, the one or more apertures 34 about one or more first recesses 30 may extend in any manner. The one or more apertures 34 may extend throughout the entire base 20 or only through part of the base 20.

One or more apertures 34 may be of a generally circular shape, as depicted in the left most view in FIG. 3. Additionally the one or more apertures 34 may be of a generally rectangular or square shape as depicted in FIG. 3b. Alternatively, the one or more apertures 34 may be of a generally curved shape as depicted in the right most view in FIG. 3. The one or more apertures 34 may be of any shape or size. Furthermore, any of the one or more apertures 34 having any shape may be combined on the base with any other of the one or more apertures 34. One or more apertures 34 does not have to be the same size as any other of the one or more apertures 34. The one or more apertures 34 may extend parallel to the curvature of one or more first recesses 30.

FIGS. 4a-f depict multiple cut-out side views of the base 20 having one or more first recesses 30 in which one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32 are disposed and one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50 are disposed along with one or more channels 44, each having one or more second recesses 40, in which one or more second magnetic ball bearings 42 are disposed. Accordingly the one or more first recesses 30, the one or more channels 44, and the one or more second recesses 40 may take any shape including that of a rectangle or circle. The base 20 may contain any combination of one or more first recesses 30 and one or more channels 44 in which one or more second recesses 40 are disposed.

Each of the one or more channels 44 may have one or more second recesses 40. Some second recesses 40 may have just one second magnetic ball bearing 42 disposed between one or more second recesses 40, as depicted in FIG. 4b, while other second recesses may have more than one second magnetic ball bearings 42 disposed among them. Additionally, one or more channels 44 may have just one second recess 40 in which one or more second magnetic ball bearings 42 are disposed is depicted in FIG. 4c or additional second recesses 40 having one or more second magnetic ball bearings 42 may be included. Furthermore, one or more first recesses 30a, 30c may have one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32 or one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50 disposed within them while other one or more first recesses 30b may have neither a first magnetic ball bearing 32 nor a non-magnetic ball bearing 50 disposed within it as depicted in FIG. 4d. Also, any combination of first magnetic ball bearings 32a, 32c and one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50b may be disposed within one or more first recesses 30a, 30b, 30c as depicted in FIG. 4e. Similarly, any combination of one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50a, 50c and one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32b, 32d may be disposed within one or more first recesses 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d as depicted in FIG. 4f.

FIGS. 5a-5g depict multiple cut out side views of various embodiments having a base 20 with one or more channels 44, where each channel has one or more second recesses 40, with each recess having one or more disposed second magnetic ball bearings 42. Accordingly any of the one or more second recesses 40 may extend from each channel 44 in any direction. One second recess 40a may extend substantially perpendicular to a channel 44, while another second recess 40b may extend substantially perpendicular to a channel 44. Furthermore one second recess 40a may extend to form an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with a channel 44 while another second recess 40b may extend to form an opposite angle between 0 and 90 degrees with a channel 44 as depicted in FIG. 5a. Alternatively, one first channel having a second recess 40a may extend to form an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with a channel 44 while another second recess 40b may extend to form an opposite angle between 0 and 90 degrees with a channel 44 such that each second recess 40a, 40b mirrors one another as depicted in FIG. 5b and FIG. 5c. Any second recess 40 may mirror another second recess 40 over the channel 44.

Also each channel 44 may have sets of one or more second recesses 40a, 40b and 40c, 40d as depicted in FIG. 5d. Alternatively some channels 44 may have a second recess 40a with a set of second recesses 40c, 40d as depicted in FIG. 5e while other channels 44 may have another set of second recesses 40a, 40b while another part of the channel has a single second recess 40c as depicted in FIG. 5f. Furthermore one or more sets of second recesses 40a, 40b and 40c, 40d may be larger or smaller than another set of second recesses 40e, 40f.

FIGS. 6a and 6b depict two alternative embodiments of a first magnetic ball bearing 32 or a second magnetic ball bearing 42. A first magnetic ball bearing 32 or a second magnetic ball bearing 42 may have at least one inner core 52 encased by a shell 54 of an opposite polarity as depicted in FIG. 6a, where one inner core 52 is encased by a shell 54. However, other embodiments may include two inner cores 52, in which one inner core 52a is encased within another inner core 52b which is encased within a shell 54 having an opposite polarity. Alternatively a first magnetic ball bearing 32 or a second magnetic ball bearing 42 may simply be one piece having two opposite poles, as depicted in FIG. 6b. Any first magnetic ball bearing 32 or any second magnetic ball bearing 52 is not required to have the same radius as any other first magnetic ball bearing 32 or any second magnetic ball bearing 52.

FIGS. 7a-7c depict alternate isometric views of embodiments in which a base 20 may be arranged. As displayed, a base 20 may have a generally rectangular shape or a generally pyramid shape having one or more first recesses 30 or one or more channels 44. FIG. 7c depicts a base 20 that includes magnetic ball bearing 32 in conjunction with a variety of tools. For example, the magnetic tool restraint 10 is shown holding a Phillips head screwdriver 70a, a wrench 70b, a monkey wrench 70c, a scratch awl 70d, a hammer 70e or a mallet 70f to which a ferrous material 72 has been attached. The skilled artisan will recognize that the present invention may also use non-magnetic ball bearings in circumstances where the tool to be held and/or organized has been fitted with a magnet. For example, the ball bearings or the tool attachment portion may be ferrous and the tool ferrous or non-ferrous, as long as at least a portion of the tool or a magnetic material is attached to the tool such that the tool is rendered magnetic.

FIGS. 8a and 8b depict yet another isometric view of an embodiment in which a magnetic tool restraint 10 whose base 20, has a first recess 30 having a first magnetic ball bearing 32. In this particular embodiment the base 20 is substantially half-ovular, having a first magnetic ball bearing 32 disposed within a first recess 30. The magnetic tool restraint 10 in FIGS. 8a and 8b are fitted with a hook 82 and a screw 84 (which may also be a pin or peg) for easy attachment to a peg board, a tool strip or other tool organizer.

It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

In the claims, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases.

All of the materials and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A magnetic tool restraint comprising:

a base with one or more first recesses; and

one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools at any point of contact with the magnetic ball bearing.

2. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, further comprising one or more non-magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses.

3. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein the base has one or more planar faces each having one or more first recesses.

4. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein the base has one or more apertures spaced about one or more first recesses.

5. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the base is magnetic, non-magnetic, metallic, non-metallic, elastomeric, non-elastomeric, malleable, plastic, polymeric, non-malleable, ferrous, non-ferrous or combinations thereof.

6. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein two or more first magnetic ball bearings have differing diameters.

7. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein the first recesses is in the form of a slot and the ball bearings may be moved within the slot to adjust the location of the ball bearing within the first recess.

8. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein the one or more first magnetic ball bearings have at least one inner core encased by a shell of an opposite polarity.

9. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein the one or more first magnetic ball bearings have two halves of opposite polarities.

10. A magnetic tool restraint comprising:

a base with one or more channels;

each channel having one or more second recesses; and

one or more second ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools.

11. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, further comprising one or more non-magnetic ball bearings.

12. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein the one or more channels outwardly extend from a surface of the base.

13. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the base is magnetic, non-magnetic, metallic, non-metallic, elastomeric, non-elastomeric, malleable, plastic, polymeric, non-malleable, ferrous, non-ferrous or combinations thereof.

14. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein two or more second magnetic ball bearings have differing diameters.

15. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein the first recesses is in the form of a slot and the ball bearings may be moved within the slot to adjust the location of the ball bearing within the first recess.

16. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein the one or more second magnetic ball bearings have at least one inner core encased by a shell of an opposite polarity.

17. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein the one or more second magnetic ball bearings have two halves of opposite polarities.

18. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein the one or more channels are of different depths.

19. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein the one or more second recesses are of differing dimensions.

20. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein each second recess extends substantially perpendicular to one or more channels.

21. A method for using a magnetic tool restraint comprising a base with one or more first recesses and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses comprising the steps of:

lifting one or more tools within the magnetic field of one or more first magnetic ball bearings;

moving one or more tools such that the magnetic field of one or more first restraints increasingly attracts one or more tools; and

disposing one or more tools whereby the magnetic attraction to one or more first magnetic ball bearings constrains one or more tools.