Hammer retaining device

RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/891,910, filed Feb. 27, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

0002a) Field of the Disclosure

0003This disclosure relates to tool carrying devices adapted to be worn by workmen and, more particularly, to an improved hammer carrying device. In one form, this disclosure relates to a tool carrying device rotatably coupled to a user's belt.

0004b) Background Art

0005Since man started using tools he has tried to find a better way of carrying them. Workmen often find themselves in need of both hands while building and otherwise using tools, necessitating a handy place to set the tool, where it is readily available when it is needed again. This has resulted in many different designs of carrying devices from simple cloth loops sewn to a worker's pants or apron, to complex holders which are attached to a workman's belt.

0006Several different designs have been utilized including U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,277 patented by J. J. Hodelka on May 24, 1968. This U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,277 necessitates a particular way of placing the hammer head within the tool pocket as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore there is a retaining clip which is configured to use the neck of a hammer. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,277 is configured for coupling to a rear pocket of a pair of trousers.

0007Another U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,317 B2 patented by James Timothy Borson on Dec. 9, 2003, includes a head retaining portion wherein the claw portion of a hammer and oftentimes the head portion of the hammer are exposed to a workman. Furthermore this patent does not allow the workman to reposition the angle of the holster upon attachment to an apron or a tool belt. In addition, this patent relies on the use of a magnet shown as 3 which would not be effective in hammers not of a ferrous material. Finally, the patent relies on an adjustable member 1 which connects to the neck of a hammer.

0008One other patent of relevance is the U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,883. Patented to L. J, MacKool of Apr. 28, 1964. This patent is designed as a hatchet scabbard, and while it encases the entire head portion of a tool, it relies on several connective means to hold the head and the handle in place. Furthermore, an additional strap is provided to couple the head portion of the scabbard to a workman's thigh.

0009One last patent of note is the U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,590 of an A. J. Bolson of Aug. 13, 1963. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,590 relies on the hammer being in a vertical position, with the handle pointing up. Furthermore, a very specific head retaining mechanism 9 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This retention mechanism would not be very effective in hammers having an exceptionally large face, such as a framing hammer. In addition, should the hammer be of sufficient width between the faces it would not fit into the pouch as described. Finally the attachment mechanism between the hammer holster and the belt of a workman would seem to be somewhat permanent in nature in that it needs to be connected by lugs to the belt of the user. This attachment mechanism seemed to permit constant swaying of the hammer as the workman is moving.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

0010Disclosed herein is a tool retaining and carrying device where the tool to be carried has an elongated handle, and a head connected to the handle. The device has a head receiving portion having a major axis that is generally configured to substantially encase and protect the head portion of the tool.

0011There is further a support structure having a first and second ends. The support structure is coupled to the head receiving portion near the first end and substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the head receiving portion.

0012A connector portion is provided and is attached to the support structure near the second end of the support structure and operatively configured to be coupled to a user. The connector portion also has in one form a positioning system whereby a first member is fixedly and movably attached to a base member and the first member is operatively configured to rotate about a lateral axis and reposition the support structure about the lateral axis with respect to the base member.

0013Finally there is provided a handle retaining portion attached to the second end of the support structure and configured to engage and retain the handle portion of the tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an environmental view of a user in the process of inserting a hammer into a holster;

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an environmental view of the disclosure;

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a side view of the disclosure holding a hammer and connected to a belt;

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a side view of the disclosure with a hammer removed and the sectional position of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5</figref>, <b>6</b> and <b>7</b> indicated;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a top view of the handle retaining structure taken along line <b>5</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an end view of the disclosure taken along line <b>6</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a cutaway view of the belt connector portion taken along line <b>7</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a side view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> showing the teeth and groove portion engaged;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a side view of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> showing the teeth and groove portion disengaged;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a cutaway view of the teeth and grooves taken a long line <b>10</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a side view of the disclosure showing the rotational possibilities of the disclosure;

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> shows a sine wave embodiment of the teeth and groove portion;

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> shows a square wave embodiment of the teeth and groove portion; and

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> shows a triangle wave embodiment of the teeth and groove portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0028Before going into a more detailed discussion, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> there is an axis system <b>10</b> utilized to help describe the drawings herein, and generally the axis indicated at <b>12</b> indicates a longitudinal direction and the arrow points in a headward direction. The axis indicated at <b>14</b> indicates a transverse direction and is at right angles to the axis <b>12</b>. The axis indicated at <b>14</b><i>a </i>of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> indicates a direction toward the face of the hammer, and a <b>14</b><i>b </i>indicates a direction toward the claw of the hammer. Looking at <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, a lateral axis <b>16</b> is shown with <b>16</b><i>a </i>indicating a leftward direction and <b>16</b><i>b </i>indicating a rightward direction. The axes described are for general reference purposes and generally describe directions for ease of description and general orientation of components described herein.

0029In general the disclosure recites an apparatus having four major structures. There is first shown a connector portion <b>22</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, second is a support structure <b>24</b>, third is a head receiving portion/receiving structure <b>26</b>, and fourth is a handle retaining structure <b>28</b>.

0030With the foregoing basic description of the main general components of the preferred embodiment in place, there will now be a more detailed description of the other various structures. Of course, it should be understood that the description is one form of carrying out the preferred embodiment whereas other methods and assemblies of componentry can be utilized.

0031Looking at <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, it can in one form be seen in that the user <b>18</b> as shown is removing a hammer <b>30</b> from the holster <b>20</b> which is attached to a belt <b>21</b> which encircles the user <b>18</b>. As shown, the hammer <b>30</b> is being held by the user <b>18</b> in such a way that he need not change his grip on the hammer <b>30</b> before putting it into use as a striking implement. A person will normally utilize a hammer with their index finger and thumb in position nearest the head <b>32</b> of a hammer while using the hammer as a striking implement. Many of the prior art examples did not include this feature and could become a hazard if the user were to lose his grip on the hammer <b>30</b> upon repositioning their grip upon the hammer.

0032Now referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, it can be seen how the hammer <b>30</b> is inserted into the pocket <b>29</b> of the head receiving portion <b>26</b> of the holster <b>20</b>. The head <b>32</b> of the hammer <b>30</b> is set within the pocket <b>29</b> of the head receiving portion <b>26</b>, and rotated as shown by the arrow at <b>31</b> such that the handle <b>34</b> of the hammer <b>30</b> is positioned past the slot <b>42</b> of the handle retaining structure <b>28</b> and is held in place in the open region <b>44</b> of the handle retaining structure <b>28</b>. Looking at <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> it can be seen how the hammer <b>30</b> is held in place within the head receiving portion <b>26</b> and handle retaining portion <b>28</b> of the holster <b>20</b>. Of special note is that the entire head <b>32</b> of the hammer <b>30</b> is encased within the head receiving portion <b>26</b>, and is generally aligned along a major axis <b>76</b> (shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) of the head receiving portion <b>26</b>. In this embodiment of the disclosure, the user, other individuals, and fragile aspects of the workplace are protected from the claw <b>36</b> and the face <b>38</b> of the hammer <b>30</b>. Some prior art examples do not include this protection and leave the user and others prone to injury upon coming into contact with the claw <b>36</b>. The claw portion <b>36</b> is potentially somewhat sharp and could cause damage, should it come in contact with a person, or portions of the workplace. Also shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is one possible embodiment of the belt to holster connector portion wherein the belt <b>21</b> passes through a plurality of surfaces defining voids <b>51</b> in the connector portion <b>22</b>. In this way, the holster <b>20</b> is fixedly and movably connected to the belt <b>21</b> which is usually wrapped around a user and adjusted by way of a buckle. In this way the hammer is kept within easy reach of the user <b>18</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0033Now referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> one possible embodiment of the handle retaining structure <b>28</b> is shown. In this embodiment a flexible member <b>40</b> is coupled to the support structure <b>24</b> which can be seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. The support structure <b>24</b> as a major axis <b>78</b> should one form is substantially perpendicular to the major axis <b>76</b> of the head receiving portion <b>26</b>. Referring back to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the hammer handle <b>34</b> is positioned in the open region <b>44</b> of the handle retaining structure <b>28</b>. This is accomplished as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> and described above. The slot is <b>42</b> is described previously and shown again in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. The handle retaining structure <b>28</b> can also include a reverse curve <b>43</b> to ease in placement of the handle <b>34</b> within the open region <b>44</b>. The reverse curve <b>43</b> is comprised in one form by a retaining arm <b>45</b> which has a handle engagement surface <b>47</b>. In one form, the retaining arm <b>45</b> functions or operates as a cantilever-like spring, whereby it is operatively configured to rotate outwardly at the first end <b>49</b> in the laterally outward direction <b>16</b><i>b</i>, thereby retaining the handle portion <b>34</b> of the hammer therein. Of course it should be noted that the slot <b>42</b> can be positioned facing in the rearward transverse direction, and could also could be orientated in the forward transverse region. In one preferred form the retaining arm <b>45</b> is a unitary structure with the base region <b>41</b>.

0034One embodiment of the disclosure is especially useful for some designs of hammers which have an extremely thin neck portion. Several prior art examples include a retaining portion configured to hold the hammer by the neck <b>37</b> of the hammer <b>30</b>.

0035For ease in positioning the head <b>32</b> of the hammer <b>30</b> within the head receiving portion <b>26</b>, a portion of the head receiving portion <b>26</b> is flared outwardly as a reverse curve <b>62</b>. This reverse curve <b>62</b> can also be seen in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. In this embodiment the curved portion <b>62</b> does not extend the entire length of the receiving structure <b>26</b> but only encompasses a very small portion of the receiving structure <b>26</b>. This would also serve to protect the entire head portion of the hammer <b>30</b> from impact from the side.

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, which is taken at a cross-section along line <b>6</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, shows a hammer <b>30</b> being held within a pocket <b>29</b> of the head receiving portion <b>26</b>. As shown, the head portion <b>32</b> of the hammer <b>30</b> has been positioned within the pocket <b>29</b> and is held in place by a hammer head retaining member <b>48</b>. The retaining member <b>48</b> can be a portion of spring material, such as spring steel, polymer, or the like, which creates a frictional force between the head <b>32</b> of the hammer <b>30</b> and the interior walls <b>64</b> of the receiving structure <b>26</b> as the hammer <b>30</b> is inserted or removed from the pocket <b>29</b> to maintain the hammer <b>30</b> from accidentally falling out of the pocket <b>29</b>. Further shown is the reverse curve <b>43</b> of the head receiving portion <b>26</b> previously described. This shows that the upper opening <b>66</b> of the pocket <b>29</b> can be wider than the lower portion <b>68</b> of the pocket <b>29</b> and thus create a larger opening and ease the positioning of the hammer therewithin.

0037Now referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, another aspect of the disclosure is shown wherein the support structure <b>24</b> is rotatable in respect to the connector portion <b>22</b>. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, the solid line indicates a neutral position and the arrow of rotation <b>53</b> shows a possible forward <b>53</b>′ or backward rotation <b>53</b>″ as shown by separate ghost lines. Referring back to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7 through 10</figref> the rotatable structure will be described in some detail. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows a cutaway view along line <b>7</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, revealing a belt connector portion <b>22</b> including the surfaces defining voids <b>51</b> which can be configured to the thickness and width of a standard belt.

0038An elongated member <b>58</b> passes through a first portion <b>70</b> into the connection portion <b>22</b>, and in one embodiment, the elongate member <b>58</b> is a threaded rod such as a bolt or screw which is configured to fit within a surface defining a threaded void <b>57</b> of the belt connector portion <b>22</b>, and threads <b>59</b> of the elongate member <b>58</b> are configured to tension the first member <b>70</b> against the belt connector portion <b>22</b>. The belt connector portion <b>22</b> is designed to allow the user to configure the angle of the tool holster to a comfortable and useful position relative to a belt or other device. This is accomplished through several different portions of the belt connector including an elongate member <b>58</b> and a belt connector portion <b>22</b> in conjunction with the first portion <b>70</b>, which may be designed to be coupled to the support structure <b>24</b>. It also is conceived that the elongate member <b>58</b> could be a screw, a bolt, a rivet or any other similar connector portion. The head <b>74</b> of the elongate member <b>58</b> could be a knurled nut or similar device such that the elongate member <b>58</b> can be tensioned against the first portion <b>70</b> which is thus tensioned against the belt connector portion <b>22</b>. This is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> wherein the first member <b>70</b> includes a set of teeth <b>54</b> and grooves <b>56</b> to a matching set of teeth and grooves in the belt connector portion <b>22</b>. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the elongate member is tensioned and the teeth <b>54</b> are pressed tightly against the grooves <b>56</b>, thus preventing rotation of the first member <b>70</b> in respect to the belt connector portion <b>22</b> around a lateral axis <b>61</b>.

0039As the support structure <b>24</b> is coupled to the first member <b>70</b>, the holster is fixedly and repositionably attached thereto. When the elongate member <b>58</b> is de-tensioned such that the compression spring member <b>60</b> expands and incurs an outboard force between the belt connector portion <b>22</b> and the first member <b>70</b>, the teeth <b>54</b> and grooves <b>56</b> disengage as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. As shown, the first member <b>70</b> is connected to the support structure <b>24</b> and can be rotated with respect to the belt connector <b>22</b> when the teeth <b>54</b> and grooves <b>56</b> are disengaged. This rotation is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> as arrow <b>53</b>.

0040Note that the pivotal mechanism used to rotate the holster <b>20</b> is not limited in its rotation, thus the hammer <b>30</b> can be held in a vertical, head down position, in a horizontal position, or an inverted position, wherein the head of the hammer <b>32</b> is positioned vertically above the handle portion. Any position, including a vertical position with the hammer head and the lowermost position and a vertical position with the hammer head in the upper position are possible.

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, which is a cutaway view taken along line <b>10</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, shows the teeth <b>54</b> and grooves <b>56</b> of the first member <b>70</b>. Further shown is a surface defining a void <b>72</b> configured to the outer diameter of the elongate member <b>58</b>.

0042<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12 through 14</figref> show possible embodiments of the teeth <b>54</b> and grooves <b>56</b>. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> the teeth <b>54</b><i>a </i>and grooves <b>56</b><i>a </i>have sinusoidal wave cross-section. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> the teeth <b>54</b><i>b </i>and grooves <b>56</b><i>b </i>have a square wave cross-section. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> shows an embodiment of the teeth <b>54</b><i>c </i>and grooves <b>56</b><i>b </i>having a triangle wave cross-section. Each of these three separate embodiments has specific uses and varying degrees of adjustability. The number of teeth <b>56</b> and grooves may be increased or decreased, which will change the number of rotational positions possible.

0043While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept.