CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/605,591 entitled “Adjustable Utility Belt System Having Tool-Specific Holders,” by Egan et al., filed Sep. 6, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adjustable utility belt. More specifically, the invention relates to an adjustable utility belt having tool-specific holders. In particular, the tool-specific holders may be used by residential and/or commercial painting personnel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adjustable utility belt. In particular, the present invention relates to an adjustable utility belt having tool-specific holders. The tool-specific holders may be used specifically by residential and/or commercial painting personnel.
During prep work prior to painting and activities associated with painting that require ready access to tools, it is useful to have a utility belt with holders that may be used to access the tools that are associated with the activity. It is difficult, however, to accommodate a utility belt with holders for all necessary types of tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, an adjustable residential and/or commercial painter's utility belt system is provided. The adjustable utility belt system comprises a belt and a plurality of tool-specific holders. In particular, each tool-specific holder comprises a holder body; a belt attachment component; a twist-fastening component; and a tool holder. The belt attachment component has a first end that is secured to the holder body and a second end that is detachably attached to the holder body. Additionally, the twist-fastening component detachably attaches the second end of the belt attachment component to the holder body. Further, the tool holder is attached to the holder body, where the tool holder has at least one portion that is angled so as to provide a wider entry area for tools.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a double tool-specific holder for tools associated with the tasks related to prep work prior to and during the painting process is provided. In particular, the double tool-specific holder comprises a holder body, a belt attachment component, a twist-fastening component, and two tool holders. The belt attachment component has a first end that is secured to the holder body and a second end that is detachably attached to the holder body. Additionally, the twist-fastening component detachably attaches the belt attachment component to the holder body. Further, a first tool holder is attached to the holder body. Additionally a second tool holder is also attached to the holder body, where the first tool holder and the second tool holder share one securing portion.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable residential and/or commercial painter's utility belt system is provided. The adjustable utility belt system comprises a belt and a plurality of tool-specific holders. In particular, each tool-specific holder comprises a holder body that extends horizontally to accommodate a particular shape of a tool; a belt attachment component. Each tool-specific holder also comprises a twist-fastening component and a tool holder. The belt attachment component has a first end that is secured to the holder body and a second end that is detachably attached to the holder body. Additionally, the twist-fastening component detachably attaches the second end of the belt attachment component to the holder body. Further, the tool holder is attached to the holder body, where the tool holder has at least one portion that is angled so as to provide support for angle-shaped tools.
These and other features of the present invention will be described in more details below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a first configuration of a twist-fastening component that is secured to a holder body and that is detached from a belt attachment component, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a second configuration of the twist-fastening component that is secured to the holder body and that is aligned to be attachable to the belt attachment component, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a third configuration of the twist-fastening component that is secured to the holder body and that is attached to the belt attachment component, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a short tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the short tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the short tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a short tool-specific holder having a closed-bottom pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the short tool-specific holder having the closed-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the short tool-specific holder having the closed-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a curved-top, side-angled tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the curved-top, side-angled tool-specific holder having a scooped-top, opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the curved-top, side-angled tool-specific holder having a opened-bottom pouch extending away from the holder body, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 10.
FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of a reversible tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the reversible tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of a tool-specific holder having a pouch detachably attachable to a handle, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the tool-specific holder having the pouch detachably attached to the handle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of an adjustable utility belt having a plurality of tool-specific holders, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of an angle-topped tool-specific holder having an open-bottomed pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 19 illustrates a front view of the angle-topped tool-specific holder having an open-bottomed pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provided in FIG. 18.
FIG. 20 illustrates a top view of the angle-topped tool-specific holder having an open-bottomed pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 18.
FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of a double tool-specific holder having two pouches, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 22 illustrates a front view of the double tool-specific holder having two pouches, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provided in FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 illustrates a top view of the double tool-specific holder having two pouches, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 21.
FIG. 24 illustrates a front view of an adjustable utility belt having a plurality of tool-specific holders, including a masker holder and a double tool-specific holder, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
Many industrial projects, such as construction or painting, require workers to have access to multiple tools. Embodiments of the present invention provide a painter's adjustable utility belt that would be used by people working as painters to hold specific tools used by painters, such as brushes, paint scrapers, sanders, paint cans, caulking guns, maskers, pliers, and utility knives.
In various embodiments, many painters would wear utility belts to have access to different painting related tools. However, due to the large number of tools in any given project, workers may have to switch out tools in their utility belts during different phases of the painting process, such as a surface preparation phase and a painting phase. This switching out of tools is time-consuming, confusing, and laborious. As such, workers would benefit from being able to quickly switch out different tool holders on a utility belt to hold different tools. For example, a first tool holder may be interchangeable with a second tool holder.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include an adjustable utility belt having tool-specific holders. A tool-specific holder may be formed to hold one particular type of tool. For instance, the tool-specific holder may be formed to hold a paint brush, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Further, the shape of the tool-specific holder may be tailored to meet the size and shape of a particular brand of tool. For instance, a tool-specific caulking gun holder may be shaped specifically to be consistent with a particular brand and/or industrial standard of caulking gun. In another example, the tool-specific holder may be formed to hold a masker, as illustrated in FIG. 20. This masker holder may have an angled component on its sidewalls so as to support an angled portion of the masker holder. In particular, each tool-specific holder is able to be detachably attached to the adjustable utility belt. For example, each tool-specific holder may be detachably attached through the use of a twist-fastening component.
The use of twist fastenings is preferable to alternative securing components, such as snaps. In particular, snaps are too easily pulled apart, while a twist fastening is securable through the use of a twist clasp. Further, twist fastenings are also able to be attached and removed quickly. This allows for the quick changing of tool-specific holders on the adjustable utility belt. As such, embodiments of the present invention include embodiments having twist-fastening components.
Further, each tool-specific holder is interchangeable along the adjustable utility belt. This allows for different sets of tools to be exchanged in quick succession. As such, combinations of tools can be coordinated. For example, a painting project may have three stages, with each stage having its own set of distinct tools. The use of the adjustable utility belt would allow for a painter to quickly exchange the tools of one stage for the tools of another stage. For example, the painter may go to a tool holding area, identify tools for a subsequent stage, and quickly interchange the new tools for unneeded tools. This may be done quickly using the twist-fastening components that attach each tool-specific holder to a belt through the use of a belt attachment component of the tool-specific holder. In further examples, tools that are often used together may be held in a double tool-specific holder, such as a double tool-specific holder as illustrated in FIGS. 21-23. The use of double tool-specific holders may allow two associated tools to be easily worn together.
Additionally, each tool-specific holder may have different properties that are associated with a tool and/or tools that may be held using the tool-specific holder. For instance, each tool-specific holder may have a tool holder component that is secured to a holder body so as to form a pouch. In one embodiment, the tool holder component may comprise a band that is attached to the holder body at two places, extending away from the holder body to form the pouch. This pouch may have a base component or may be bottomless. Additionally, the geometry of the extension of the tool holder may be tool-specific. For instance, the tool holder may extend in a rounded fashion, may extend in a rectangular fashion, or may extend in a triangular fashion.
Further, geometry of the extension of the tool holder may have a specific orientation or it may be reversible. The geometry of the extension of the tool holder may be designed to only allow a tool to be oriented in one direction, or it may be designed to allow a tool to be oriented in a plurality of directions. In particular, the plurality of directions may include two directions that are the reverse direction from each other. As such, a tool-specific holder is reversible when a tool that is placed in the tool-specific holder may be accessible from either side of the tool-specific holder. A reversible tool-specific holder has benefits over non-reversible tool-specific holders in that a reversible tool-specific holder may hold a tool having an oriented handle, such as a caulking gun, that is accessible from more than one side of the tool-specific holder. As such, the reversible tool-specific holder may be placed on either the right side or left side of the wearer of the adjustable utility belt. Examples of these types of tool-specific tool holders are discussed further herein in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 1-3 illustrate configurations of a twist-fastening component in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, FIG. 1 illustrates a first configuration of a twist-fastening component that is secured to a holder body and that is detached from a belt attachment component, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 comprises base 110 and latch 120, both of a twist-fastening component. FIG. 1 also comprises holder body 130, belt attachment component 140, and metal guard 150. In particular, latch 120 detachably attaches holder body 130 to belt attachment component 140. Further, base 110 is secured to holder body 130. In particular, base 110 is secured to holder body 130 by its passage through holder body 130. In alternative embodiments, however, base 110 may be secured to holder body 130 through the use of a securing component, such as a grommet.
Latch 120 is connected to base 110. Further, latch 120 is twistable. In particular, latch 120 has at least two positions: a first position and a second position that is rotated 90-degrees from the first position. In this way, latch 120 is able to catch two sides of belt attachment component 140 and hold belt attachment component 140 against holder body 130. In particular, belt attachment component 140 has an aperture that is bordered by metal guard 150. The aperture in belt attachment component 140 may be any shape that is able to pass latch 120 through the shape at a first orientation, but not pass latch 120 through at a second orientation. In this way, latch 120 may be used to secure belt attachment component 140 to holder body 130. Examples of the shape of the aperture in belt attachment component 140 includes a rectangle, a square, a circle, a slot, a triangle, etc.
FIG. 2 illustrates a second configuration of the twist-fastening component that is pressed against the holder body 130 and that is aligned to be attachable to the belt attachment component 140, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 2 comprises base 110, latch 120, holder body 130, belt attachment component 140, and metal guard 150. As in FIG. 1, the twist-fastening component has a base 110 and a latch 120. However, latch 120 is in a first position in the first configuration (FIG. 1), and is in a second position in the second configuration (FIG. 2). In particular, the first position of latch 120 is 90-degrees different than the second position of latch 120. While latch 120 is in a first position, it is unable to pass through an aperture created by belt attachment components 140 as covered by metal guards 150. In particular, when latch 120 is in a first position, it is not oriented correctly to pass through the aperture in belt attachment component 140. In contrast, when latch 120 is in a second position, latch 120 is able to pass easily through the aperture in belt attachment component 140 as covered by metal guards 150.
FIG. 3 illustrates a third configuration of the twist-fastening component that is secured to the holder body and that is attached to the belt attachment component, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 1. As with FIG. 1, FIG. 3 comprises base 110, latch 120, holder body 130, belt attachment component 140, and metal guard 150. However, in contrast to FIG. 2, latch 120 is back to its first position in the third configuration. In particular, the first position of latch 120 is rotated 90-degrees from the second position of latch 120. As discussed above, while latch 120 is in a first position, it is unable to pass through an aperture created by belt attachment component 140 as covered by metal guards 150. Since latch 120 has already passed through the aperture created by belt attachment component 140 as covered by metal guards 150, latch 120 in its first position acts to secure holder body 130 against belt attachment component 140.
FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a short tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4 comprises holder body 410, paint brush 415, first end of belt attachment component 420, second end of belt attachment component 425, twist-fastening components 430, tool holder 440, and securing components 450. The tool-specific holder in FIG. 4 may be used to hold an upside-down paint brush 415, as shown in FIG. 4, or another tool where the breadth of a portion of the tool is wider than the breadth of the tool holder 440 of the tool-specific holder. As seen in FIG. 4, tool holder 440 is secured to holder body 410. In particular, tool holder 440 is secured to holder body 410 using securing components 450. Securing components 450 may comprise grommets; sauter; glue; screws; stitching; staples; or another form of securing two pieces of material together. In particular, tool holder 440 comprises a band having a first end that is secured to the holder body 410 and a second end that is secured to the holder body 410.
Tool holder 440 forms an opened-bottom pouch against holder body 410. Tool holder 440 is also secured to the first end of belt attachment component 420 using securing components 450. Additionally, tool holder 440 is detachably attached to the second end of belt attachment component 425 using twist-fastening components 430. The tool-specific holder may also be secured to a belt (not shown) through the use of belt-attachment components 420, 425.
FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the short tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 comprises holder body 410, first end of belt attachment component 420, second end of belt attachment component 425, twist-fastening component 430, tool holder 440, securing components 450, and belt 460. The pouch formed by tool holder 440 is visible in FIG. 5 as extending away from holder body 410. In particular, the pouch is formed when a band, a part of tool holder 440 and having a first end and a second end, extends partially away from holder body 410. In particular, the first end of the band is attached to one side of tool holder 410 and the second end of the band is attached to an opposite side of tool holder 410. Further, the first end of belt attachment component 420 is secured to holder body 410 using securing component 450.
Additionally, the second end of belt attachment component 425 is detachably attached to holder body 410 using twist-fastening component 430 along with another twist-fastening component (not shown). Further, twist-fastening component 430 is shown at a side view. In particular, twist-fastening component 430 include base 402 and latch 404 that secures holder body 410 against the second end of belt attachment component 425 by passing through a slot-shaped aperture (not shown) in the second end of belt attachment component 425. Further, the slot-shaped aperture is bounded by metal guard 406. Additionally, belt 460 is visible as passing through belt attachment component 420, 425.
FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the short tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 comprises holder body 410, first end of belt attachment component 420, inner portion of belt attachment component 422, tool holder 440, and securing components 450. As seen in FIG. 6, the first end of belt attachment component 420 is secured to holder body 410 using securing components 450. Further, tool holder 440 is secured to holder body 410 using securing components 450. As discussed above, securing components 450 may include stitches, grommets, or other forms of securing tool holder 440 to holder body 410. Further, tool holder 440 comprises a band that forms an opened-bottom pouch by extending away from holder body 410. In particular, the pouch formed by tool holder 440 has rounded corners. In a specific example, tool holder 440 may include a semi-rigid material. In a further example, tool holder 440 may include a rigid material or partially rigid material so as to hold a tool.
While FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an opened-bottom pouch, FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a short tool-specific holder having a closed-bottom pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7 comprises holder body 710, first end of belt attachment component 720, second end of belt attachment component 725, twist-fastening component 730, slot 733, latch 736, tool holder 740, securing components 750, and base 770. The tool-specific holder in FIG. 7 may be used to hold pliers, scissors, or another tool where the breadth of a portion of the tool is less wide than the breadth of the tool holder 740 of the tool-specific holder. As seen in FIG. 7, tool holder 740 is secured to holder body 710. In particular, tool holder 740 is secured to holder body 710 using securing components 750.
FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the short tool-specific holder having the closed-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 comprises holder body 710, first end of belt attachment component 720, second end of belt attachment component 725, twist-fastening component 730, tool holder 740, securing components 750, belt 760, and base 770. As such, FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 5 except that FIG. 8 includes base 770 and FIG. 8 only has one twist-fastening component 730, while FIG. 5 has two twist-fastening components 430, and one that isn't shown. In particular, base 770 extends from holder body 710, where it is secured to holder body 710 using securing components 750. Further, base 770 extends from holder body 710 and is part of tool holder 740.
As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the holder body 710 is attached to the first end of belt attachment component 720 using securing components 750. Additionally, holder body 710 is detachably attached to the second end of belt attachment component 725 using twist-fastening component 730. In particular, twist-fastening component 730 includes base 702 and latch 704 that secures holder body 710 against the second end of belt attachment component 725 by passing the latch 704 through a slot-shaped aperture 733 in the second end of belt attachment component 725 and turning the latch 704 to the position as shown. In particular, slot 733 is a slot-shaped aperture in the second end of belt attachment component 725. Slot 733 is a rectangular shape, but as described in FIGS. 1-3, an aperture that is created in the second end of belt attachment component 725 may be another shape. Further, slot 733 is bounded by a metal guard 706 that is similar to metal guard 150 in FIGS. 1-3. The tool-specific holder may be secured to a belt 760 through the use of belt-attachment components 720, 725.
FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the short tool-specific holder having the closed-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 comprises holder body 710, first end of belt attachment component 720, inner portion 722, tool holder 740, securing components 750, and base 770. In particular, while looking at the top view of FIG. 9 as compared to the top view of FIG. 6, the pouch formed by tool holder 740 is closed-bottom. As such, when viewing the tool-specific holder from the top view of FIG. 9, the area below the tool-specific holder is not visible. In particular, the area below the tool-specific holder is blocked by base 770. Since the closed-bottom of FIG. 9 is fully covering the bottom of the pouch formed by tool holder 740, the pouch is useful for holding tools having a width smaller than the width of the pouch.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a curved-top, side-angled tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 10 comprises holder body 1010, first end of belt attachment component 1020, second end of belt attachment component 1025, twist-fastening component 1030, tool holder 1040, and securing components 1050. As seen in FIG. 10, tool-specific holders may have curved tops to allow for more support with oddly-shaped tools. Further, tool holder 1040 is attached to holder body 1010 using securing components 1050. Securing components 1050 are also used to attach holder body 1010 to the first end of belt attachment component 1020. Twist-fastening components 1030 are used to detachably attach holder body 1010 to the second end of belt attachment component 1025. Additionally, curved-tops may be used to add support for reversible tool components.
FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the curved-top, side-angled tool-specific holder having a scooped-top, opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 comprises holder body 1010, first end of belt attachment component 1020, second end of belt attachment component 1025, twist-fastening component 1030, tool holder 1040, securing components 1050, and belt 1060. As seen in FIG. 11, a side view of the tool-specific holder of FIG. 11 shows a scooped top of tool holder 1040. This design allows more support for tools in the tool-specific holders and decreases the likelihood of tools falling out.
FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the curved-top, side-angled tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch extending away from the holder body, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 comprises holder body 1010, first end of belt attachment component 1020, tool holder 1040, securing components 1050, and side 1070. As seen in FIG. 12, side 1070 extends into the top view of the side-angled tool-specific holder. In this top view, it is demonstrable how the side-angled tool-specific holder is matched to hold tools having similar angles. As such, tools having a similar characteristic angle would fit snugly into the tool-specific holder of FIG. 10.
For example, FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of a reversible tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 13 comprises holder body 1310, first end of belt attachment component 1320, second end of belt attachment component 1325, twist-fastening components 1330, tool holder 1340, and securing components 1350. Tool holder 1340 is attached to holder body 1310 using securing components 1350. Securing components 1350 are also used to attach holder body 1310 to the first end of belt attachment component 1320.
Additionally, FIG. 13 is able to be used to orient a tool in either direction. For example, if a tool having an oriented handle was placed in the tool-specific holder of FIG. 13, the tool may be placed with the handle facing to the right. In an alternative example, the tool having the oriented handle may be placed with the handle facing to the left. Under either example, the tool would be equally accessible given the reversible nature of the tool-specific holder shown in FIG. 13. As such, a reversible tool-specific holder has benefits over non-reversible tool-specific holders in that a reversible tool-specific holder may hold a tool having an oriented handle, such as a caulking gun, that is accessible by more than one side of the tool-specific holder. As such, the reversible tool-specific holder may be placed on either the right side or left side of the wearer of the adjustable utility belt.
Further, the curved top of the tool-specific holder allows for extra support to keep tools from falling out of the tool-specific holder. As such a tool that is placed in the tool-specific holder of FIG. 13 is able to be accessible from either side of the tool-specific holder, and is also able to be oriented to accommodate either side of the tool-specific holder. Additionally, tool holder 1340 is attached to holder body 1310 through the use of securing components 1350. Securing components 1350 are also used to attach holder body 1310 to the first end of belt attachment component 1320. Further, twist-fastening components 1330 are used to detachably attach holder body 1310 to the second end of belt attachment component 1325.
FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the reversible tool-specific holder having an opened-bottom pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 13. In particular, FIG. 14 comprises holder body 1310, first end of belt attachment component 1320, inner portion of belt attachment component 1322, tool holder 1340, and securing components 1350. As shown in FIG. 14, tool holder 1340 is secured to holder body 1310 using securing components 1350. Further, tool holder 1340 is curved to form a pouch. This curved pouch that is formed from tool holder 1340 and holder body 1310 may be used to accommodate a cylindrical object, such as a tool with a cylindrical handle.
FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of a tool-specific holder having a pouch detachably attachable to a handle, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 15 comprises holder body 1510, first end of belt attachment component 1520, second end of belt attachment component 1525, twist-fastening component 1530, twist-fastening component 1535, tool holder 1540, securing components 1550, securing component 1555, base 1570, and handle attachment component 1580. In particular, handle attachment component 1580 is secured to tool holder 1540 using securing component 1555. Further, handle attachment component 1580 may be detachably attachable to a third object, such as a pail handle, using twist-fastening component 1535.
FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the tool-specific holder having the pouch detachably attached to the handle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 15. FIG. 16 comprises holder body 1510, first end of belt attachment component 1520, second end of belt attachment component 1525, twist-fastening component 1530, twist-fastening component 1535, tool holder 1540, securing components 1550, securing component 1555, belt 1560, base 1570, inner portion 1575, handle attachment component 1580, handle 1585, and paint bucket 1590.
As seen in FIG. 16, a side view of the tool-specific holder of FIG. 16 shows handle attachment component 1580 secured to tool holder 1540 using securing component 1555. Additionally, handle attachment component 1580 is detachably attachable to a third object, such as a pail handle, using twist-fastening component 1535. This allows a pail, such as a paint bucket 1590, to hang against the tool-specific holder. In particular, handle attachment component 1580 encloses handle 1585, which is attached to paint bucket 1590. Accordingly, paint bucket 1590 hangs from handle 1585, which is coupled to tool holder 1540 using handle attachment component 1580.
FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of an adjustable utility belt 1710 having a plurality of tool-specific holders, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular, adjustable utility belt 1710 comprises a first tool-specific holder 1720, a second tool-specific holder 1730, and a third tool-specific holder 1740. While tool-specific holders 1720-1740 are of different sizes, each tool-specific holder 1720, 1730, and 1740 is aligned along belt 1710 based on the placement of a belt loop of each tool-specific holder 1720, 1730, and 1740.
FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of an angle-topped tool-specific holder having an open-bottomed pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 18 comprises holder body 1810, first end of belt attachment component 1820, second end of belt attachment component 1825, twist-fastening components 1830, tool holder 1840, and securing components 1850. The tool-specific holder 1840 in FIG. 18 may be used to hold a masker holder 1815, as shown in FIG. 20 and/or may be used to hold another tool where the breadth of an upper portion of the tool is wider than the breadth of the tool holder 1840 itself. Further, tool holder 1840 has at least one portion that is angled so as to provide an easier entry point for the blade portion of a masker holder. By having a flared entry point, the blade has a wider entry area which makes it easier to safely slide the blade into the tool-specific holder shown in FIGS. 18-20. In other examples, the angled portion may be used as support for tools having angled portions. In particular, tool holder 1840 has an angled top so as to support weight of angled components of tools such as a masker holder.
As seen in FIG. 18, tool holder 1840 is secured to holder body 1810. In particular, tool holder 1840 is secured to holder body 1810 using securing components 1850. Securing components 1850 may comprise grommets; sauter; glue; screws; stitching; staples; or another form of securing two pieces of material together. In particular, tool holder 1840 comprises a band having a first end that is secured to the holder body 1810 and a second end that is secured to the holder body 1810.
Tool holder 1840 forms an opened-bottom pouch against holder body 1810. Tool holder 1840 is also secured to the first end of belt attachment component 1820 using securing components 1850. Additionally, tool holder 1840 is detachably attached to the second end of belt attachment component 1825 using twist-fastening components 1830. The tool-specific holder may also be secured to a belt 1860 through the use of belt-attachment components 1820, 1825.
FIG. 19 illustrates a front view of the angle-topped tool-specific holder having an open-bottomed pouch, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provided in FIG. 18. FIG. 19 comprises holder body 1810, first end of belt attachment component 1820, second end of belt attachment component 1825, twist-fastening components 1830, tool holder 1840, angled portion 1845, and securing components 1850. The angle-topped tool-specific holder may be used as a masker holder, where a masker has a sharp edge that is placed within tool holder 1840. In particular, the sharp edge of the masker holder would be placed on the left side of tool holder 1840 as viewed from the front. Further, angled portion 1845 which forms a flared portion of the left side of tool holder 1840 is able to increase the opening area for tool holder 1840 so that the sharp edge of the masker is able to more easily enter tool holder 1840. Additionally, holder body 1810 may be adapted to tools such as a masker holder which extend horizontally. As seen in FIG. 19, holder body 1810 extends horizontally to accommodate the additional breadth of a masker holder.
The pouch formed by tool holder 1840 is visible in FIG. 20 as extending away from holder body 1810. In particular, the pouch is formed when a band, a part of tool holder 1840 and having a first end and a second end, extends partially away from holder body 1810. In particular, the first end of the band is attached to one side of tool holder 1810 and the second end of the band is attached to an opposite side of tool holder 1810. In embodiments, the pouch formed by tool holder 1840 is designed to mold to the shape of the tool that is being held. For example, when tool holder 1840 is designed as a masker holder, the left side of the tool holder 1840 that is shown in FIG. 18 is designed to hold the blade portion of the masker holder securely. Additionally, tool holder 1840 may also be designed using material, such as leather, so as to prevent the blade portion of the masker from cutting through the tool holder 1840.
The first end of belt attachment component 1820 is secured to holder body 1810 using securing component 1850. Additionally, the second end of belt attachment component 1825 is detachably attached to holder body 1810 using twist-fastening components 1830. Further, twist-fastening components 1830 may include a base and latch that secures holder body 1810 against the second end of belt attachment component 1825 by passing through a slot-shaped aperture in the second end of belt attachment component 1825 as described in previous embodiments. Further, the slot-shaped aperture may be bounded by metal guard.
FIG. 20 illustrates a top view of the angle-topped tool-specific holder having an open-bottomed pouch, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 comprises holder body 1810, masker holder 1815, first end of belt attachment component 1820, inner portion of belt attachment component 1822, tool holder 1840, and securing components 1850. Further, tool holder 1840 comprises a band that forms an opened-bottom pouch by extending away from holder body 1810. In particular, the pouch formed by tool holder 1840 has curved corners. In a specific example, tool holder 1840 may include a semi-rigid material. In a further example, tool holder 1840 may include a rigid material or partially rigid material so as to hold a tool, particularly when the tool extends beyond the pouch as shown in FIG. 20.
FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the double tool-specific holder having two pouches in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 21 comprises holder body 1910, first end of belt attachment component 1920, inner portion of belt attachment component 1922, second end of belt attachment component 1925, twist-fastening components 1930, tool holders 1940 and 1942, securing components 1950, and belt 1960. As seen in FIG. 21, the first end of belt attachment component 1920 is secured to holder body 1910 using securing components 1950. Further, tool holder 1940 is secured to holder body 1910 using securing components 1950. As discussed above, securing components 1950 may include stitches, grommets, or other forms of securing tool holders 1940 and 1942 to holder body 1910. Further, tool holders 1940 and 1942 comprise a band that forms an opened-bottom pouch and a closed-bottom pouch, respectively, by extending away from holder body 1910. In particular, the pouches formed by tool holders 1940 and 1942 have rounded corners. In a specific example, tool holders 1940 and 1942 may include a semi-rigid material. In a further example, tool holders 1940 and 1942 may include a rigid material or partially rigid material so as to hold a tool.
FIG. 22 illustrates a front view of double tool-specific holder having two pouches, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provided in FIG. 21. FIG. 22 comprises holder body 1910, pliers 1915, utility knife 1917, first end of belt attachment component 1920, second end of belt attachment component 1925, twist-fastening components 1930, tool holders 1940 and 1942, central connection panel 1944, and securing components 1950. The tool-specific holders 1940 and 1942 in FIG. 22 may be used to hold pliers 1915 and/or utility knife 1917, as shown in FIG. 22. In embodiments, pliers 1915 and utility knife 1917 may be used in preparing for a painting project. For example, the pliers may be used to take out nails and the utility knife may be used to cut items that are not needed. In this way, double tool-specific holder such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 21-23 may be associated with particular stages of a project, and may be interchanged with another double tool-specific holder, and/or with another combination of tool holders, associated with another stage of a project. Further, tool holders 1940 and 1942 share a central connection panel 1944 so as to support weight of two tool components on a single tool-specific holder as seen in FIG. 22.
As seen in FIG. 22, tool holders 1940 and 1940 are secured to holder body 1910. In particular, tool holders 1940 and 1942 are secured to holder body 1910 using securing components 1950. In particular, tool holders 1940 and 1942 comprise a band having a first end that is secured to the holder body 1910, a central connection panel 1944 that is secured to the holder body 1910, and a second end that is secured to the holder body 1910.
Tool holder 1940 forms an opened-bottom pouch against holder body 1910, and tool holder 1942 forms a closed-bottom pouch against holder body 1910. In particular, base 1946 is used to form the closed-bottom pouch of tool holder 1942. Tool holders 1940 and 1942 are also secured to the first end of belt attachment component 1920 using securing components 1950. Additionally, tool holders 1940 and 1942 are detachably attached to the second end of belt attachment component 1925 using twist-fastening components 1930.
FIG. 23 illustrates a top view of the double tool-specific holder having two pouches, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention provided in FIG. 21. FIG. 23 comprises holder body 1910, first end of belt attachment component 1920, inner portion of belt attachment component 1922, twist-fastening component 1930, tool holders 1940 and 1942, central connection panel 1944, base 1946 ,and securing components 1950. The pouches formed by tool holders 1940 and 1942 are visible in FIG. 23 as extending away from holder body 1910. In particular, tool holder 1940 forms an open-bottom pouch and tool holder 1942 forms a closed-bottom pouch. Base 1946 is illustrated as forming the pouch of tool-holder 1942 as a closed-bottom pouch. In particular, the pouches of tool holders 1940 and 1942 are formed when a band, a part of tool holders 1940 and 1942 and having a first end and a second end and a central connection panel 1944, extends partially away from holder body 1910. A portion of the band is secured at base 1946 so as to form the closed-bottom pouch of 1942, but the band is open-bottom when it forms the pouch of tool holder 1940. In particular, the first end of the band is attached to one side of tool holder 1910, the second end of the band is attached to an opposite side of tool holder 1910, and the central connection panel 1944 is attached to a central portion of tool holder 1910. Further, the first end of belt attachment component 1920 is secured to holder body 1910 using securing components 1950.
FIG. 24 illustrates a front view of an adjustable utility belt having a plurality of tool-specific holders, including a masker holder and a double tool-specific holder, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The tool-specific holders may be attached to a general belt or may be attached to a carpenter's belt as illustrated in FIG. 24. Carpenter's belts have two rows of holes and hooks so as to help stabilize the belt along the waist of the wearer. In particular, adjustable utility belt 2400 comprises a first tool-specific holder 2420, a second tool-specific holder 2430, a third tool-specific holder 2440, a fourth tool-specific holder 2450, a masker holder 2460, and a double tool-specific holder 2470. While tool-specific holders 2420-2470 are of different sizes, each tool-specific holder 2420-2470 is aligned along belt 2410 based on the placement of a belt loop of each tool-specific holder 2420-2470.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include an adjustable utility belt having tool-specific holders. In particular, each tool-specific holder is able to be detachably attached to the adjustable utility belt. For example, each tool-specific holder may be detachably attached through the use of a twist-fastening component. As discussed above, the use of twist fastenings is preferable to alternative securing components, such as snaps. In particular, snaps are too easily pulled apart, while a twist fastening is securable through the use of a twist clasp. Further, twist fastenings are also able to be attached and removed quickly. This allows for the quick changing of tool-specific holders on the adjustable utility belt. As such, embodiments of the present invention include embodiments having twist-fastening components.
Further, each tool-specific holder may be interchangeable to allow for multiple variations of tool-specific holders along the adjustable utility belt. In this way, a plurality of tool-specific holders may be tailored to an activity-specific combination of tools. For example, the tool-specific holders may be tailored to a painting-specific combination of tools, as discussed above. Additionally, the tool-specific holders may be associated with a first stage of painting, a second stage of painting, etc. Accordingly, embodiments may include a first combination of activity-specific tools; a second combination of activity-specific tools, etc.
While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, modifications, and various substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and various substitute equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
