Multifunctional rotatable tool storage device

Abstract

A combination of adjustable elements that allows the user to assemble a combination of a rotatable large tool carrier and small hand tool storage table that can be attached to a workbench, set on a floor, attached to a ceiling, and because of telescopic tubing, is adjustable in height.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/123,720 filed Apr. 10, 2008 by the present inventors.

BACKGROUND

The American garage has become a disorganized storage shed for lawn and garden tools, assorted hand and power tools, as well as sports equipment.

A typical approach to this issue has been to stack these things in a corner, where they attract a colony of assorted arachnids, insects, and sometimes rodents. Alternately they are lined along walls on hooks, nails and clips. Many implement handles contain a hole or other attachment means which allows the implement to be secured to these nails or hooks.

The space utilization of these methods is not optimum, and valuable space in an already crowded garage or tool shed that could be used for other purposes is wasted. And in order to access the tools stored along a wall, one must approach the tools directly beneath their placement on the wall, often necessitating that items beneath the stored tools be moved or vehicles backed from the garage in an effort to facilitate access to the desired tools.

Various methods for this problem have been proposed in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,644 issued to Joseph A. Weld, Jr. on Mar. 7, 1989, shows a circular rack with hooks and tongs upon which equestrian gear are hung so that they may be rotatably brought into view. Again, this would be inappropriate for a garden implement-retaining device. There are a myriad of references for circular racks, both motorized and unmotorized, which allow items like men's ties to be draped over hooks on a wheel or disk which can be rotated from its center in order to bring the ties into view. The need is for a system that has easy accessibility to large tools, such as gardening implements, as well as the numerous small hand tools that do not require hanging, while maximizing the use of comparatively minimal amounts of space.

Geldenhuys (U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,277) has partly addressed this need with a support mounted rotating implement rack having a releasable means for hanging, retaining, and storing garden tools and other large implements. While an improvement, this approach is limited to situations in which there is a section of clear wall available for mounting the support bracket or a strong low level beam available overhead in an advantageous position in the garage or tool shed. What is needed is a very versatile solution, which can be configured in any number of positions, while offering the user access to a variety of tools, including both large garden tools and simple hand tools that do not have to be hung, with an easy means of placing and removing them.

SUMMARY

This need is met by the instant invention to be described. The invention is an elegant combination of adjustable elements that allows the user to assemble a combination of a rotatable large tool carrier and small hand tool storage table that can be attached to a workbench, set on a floor, attached to a ceiling, and because of telescopic tubing, is adjustable in height.

The invention is accomplished by a rotating implement storage device including at least: an adjustable two piece telescopic shaft having a first end and a second end; a first implement table rotatably attached to the shaft; at least one implement retainer attached to the table for hanging and storing implements; a second implement table rotatably attached to the shaft; and a stop collar for adjusting and maintaining the length of the adjustable two-piece telescopic shaft.

An aspect of the invention is a telescopic shaft consisting of two concentric tubes of different diameters so that the shaft can be collapsed to a first short length or extended to a second longer length.

Another aspect of the invention is at least one first table attached rotatably to the shaft that has at least one implement retainer that functions to hang and store items of variable length. This first table is preferably circular but can take other shapes such as rectangular.

Another aspect of the invention is at least one second table attached rotatably to the shaft that functions as a table to store a variety of smaller items. This second table can be solid or have designed holes to allow insertion and storage of numerous hand tools. This second table is preferably circular but can take other shapes such as rectangular.

Another aspect of the invention is a mobile floor stand that is used to support the telescopic shaft and can be used advantageously to move the storage device is the optimum location for a job. The mobile floor stand can take a number of forms.

Another aspect of the invention is a connecting mount for attaching the telescopic shaft to solid supports. In one configuration the connecting mount can be used to attach the shaft to a ceiling when the storage device is used in a ceiling hanging mode. In an alternate configuration the connecting mount can be used to attach the shaft to a solid support such as a workbench or a floor.

Another aspect of the invention is that the at least one first table and the at least one second table can be configured in multiple ways. For example either can be above the other in a working configuration. In addition the working configuration can be a short shaft configuration, with the concentric tubes collapsed, or a long shaft configuration, with the concentric tubes expanded. And the device can be ceiling mounted, or floor or workbench mounted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the pieces of a floor mount version of of the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is different aspect views of the tables of the instant invention.

FIG. 3 is a possible configuration of the floor mount version.

FIG. 4 is a configuration of a hanging version of the instant invention.

FIG. 5 demonstrates two different versions of an alternate version of the instant invention.

FIG. 6 demonstrates two different configurations of the connecting mount of the alternate version of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1, numeral 100, shows the elements of the instant invention in a floor model. Concentric tubes 110 are of two different diameters and one slides into the other to create a telescopic shaft. A first table 120 and second table 125 are shown that have a central hole for insertion of the tubes of the telescopic shaft. Both tables are rotatable. Flange spindles 108 and 130 are used to position the first and second table in place on the shaft. In addition a stop collar 135 fits over the telescopic shaft to control the extension length of the shaft. One possible mobile floor stand design 115, with legs 140 and leg levelers 145 accepts one end of the telescopic shaft. A decorative end cap 104 is used on the top of the telescopic shaft. This combination of tables, tubes, flange spindles, and stop collar can be used to generate a variety of configurations for storage possibilities for a floor mounted unit.

FIG. 2 shows the two tables from FIG. 1 in more detail and from different perspectives. The second table (125 in FIG. 1) is shown generally by the numeral 200. A top 230, side 220 and bottom 210 view are shown. This version of the second table has numerous holes designed to accept non-hanging items such as brushes, screwdrivers, or pliers. The first table in three perspectives (260,270,280) is shown generally by the numeral 250. In addition to any possible configuration of holes to accommodate non-hanging items as in the second table, this first table is ringed by implement hangers that can take various shapes and can be attached not only around but also underneath the first table. The implement hangers can be used to hang any garage or gardening tools suitable for hanging. Either table can have any number of holes and the holes can be useful for storing non-hanging items such as brushes, screwdrivers, or pliers. Either table may also have flat tray areas without holes for accepting storage of small implements like nuts and bolts. Because either table is rotatable this makes for easy accessibility to tools without reaching around.

FIG. 3, shown generally by the numeral 300, demonstrates one of the possibilities for configuring a floor mounted storage device. The telescoping tubes are configured and held in place rigidly by stop collar 330. The first table 310 with implement hangers around the circumference and underneath (not shown) is mounted at the top and supported underneath by a flange spindle (not shown). It can be used to hang various tools as well as accept non-hanging items in the provided holes. Second table 320 is mounted below supported underneath by a flange spindle (not shown).

For storage needs in which a floor mount is not practical the instant invention provides an alternate version with a connecting mount. FIG. 4, shown generally by the numeral 400 is a possible hanging configuration. The telescoping tubes are configured and held in place by stop collar 410. The first table 420 is configured in place above second table 430. The decorative cap is placed below the second table. In this configuration a special connecting mount 450 is shown on the top of the configuration. Connecting mount 450 is shown with holes that allow nails or screws to be used to attach the mount to any horizontal or vertical surface. With this connecting mount the storage device could also be connected directly to a workbench or table.

FIG. 5 demonstrates two different configurations (500 and 550) of a hanging connecting mount version of the instant invention. In both configurations a stop collar 520 is used to rigidly hold the telescoping tubes in place. The first table 530 and the second table 540 are held in place and supported by underlying flange spindles. Configuration 500 demonstrates a connecting mount 510 oriented to be mounted upward onto a horizontal surface. Configuration 560 demonstrates a connecting mount 560 oriented to be mounted upward onto a vertical surface.

FIG. 6 is a more detailed and larger view of two basic configurations for mounting the storage device to a surface. In the first configuration 600 the connecting mount is locked into place using locking pin 620 in a configuration that allows the invention to be mounted upwardly onto a horizontal surface. In the second configuration 610 the connecting mount is locked into place using locking pin 620 in a configuration that allows the invention to be mounted on any vertical surface.

The floor mounting shown in FIG. 3 and the connecting mounting shown in FIG. 4 are just one combination possible of each. It is evident that the telescoping tubes can be configured to any number of lengths. The first and second tables can be placed anywhere on the combined tubes, with either on top.

While one (or more) embodiment(s) of this invention has (have) been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described above, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essence of this invention. All such modifications or variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A rotating implement storage device comprising:

i. An adjustable two piece telescopic shaft having a first end and a second end;

ii. a first implement table rotatably attached to said shaft;

iii. at least one implement retainer attached to said table for hanging and storing implements;

iv. a second implement table rotatably attached to said shaft; and

v. a stop collar for adjusting and maintaining the length of said adjustable two-piece telescopic shaft.

2. The rotating implement storage device of claim 1 further comprising a mobile floor stand shaped to accept said first end or said second end of said two-piece telescopic shaft.

3. The rotating implement storage device of claim 1 further comprising a connecting mount for attaching said telescopic shaft to flat surfaces.

4. The rotating implement storage device of claim 1 wherein said first implement table comprises implement hangers for hanging any type of tool suitable for hanging.

5. The rotating implement storage device of claim 4 wherein said implement hangers are on the outside circumference of said first implement table.

6. The rotating implement storage device of claim 4 wherein said implement hangers are on the bottom surface of said first implement table.

7. The rotating implement storage device of claim 1 wherein said first implement table comprises holes designed to accept non-hanging items.

8. The rotating implement storage device of claim 1 wherein said second implement table comprises holes designed to accept non-hanging items.

9. The rotating implement storage device of claim 2 further comprising at least one leg attached to said floor stand to provide support.

10. The rotating implement storage device of claim 9 further comprising a leg leveler attached to said at least one leg attached to said floor stand.

11. The rotating implement storage device of claim 3 wherein said connecting mount is oriented to be attached to horizontal surfaces.

12. The rotating implement storage device of claim 3 wherein said connecting mount is oriented to be attached to horizontal surfaces.