GB2487051A

GB2487051A - Magnetic tool carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2487051A
Application number: GB1100054.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Edward Perkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-04
Filing date: 2011-01-04
Publication date: 2012-07-11
Also published as: GB201100054D0

Abstract

A tool carrier 1 comprises a body 2 including one or more magnets 8. The maximum length of the body may be 30cm, preferably 25cm and more preferably 20cm. The maximum width of the body may be 10cm, preferably 7.5cm and more preferably 5cm. The carrier may be attached to a user, especially a limb of the user, preferably by means of an inter-engageable fastener (11, 12, figure 2). The magnets may be positioned on or near one surface of the body and preferably mounted so that the magnets are exposed. Pockets 3 to receive the magnet may be provided. Each pocket may comprise a cut-out 5 so that the magnet is exposed. The tool carrier may also have free magnets 13 that can be attached to a tool, at least one of the free magnets preferably being in the form of a split cylinder.

Description

TOOL CARRIER

The invention relates to a tool carrier.

When carrying out installation, maintenance and repair jobs, it is often necessary to use small items such as nails, screws, nuts and bolts. Such items are usually stored away, for example1 in a tool box. Accordingly, it is necessary for the person carrying out the jobs to continually break off from his or her work in order to extract such items from where they are stored.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this problem.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a tool carrier comprising a body including one or more magnets.

Many small items used in installation, maintenance and repair jobs are made from iron or steel. For example, fastenings such as nails, screws, nuts and bolts are all °. : commonly made from steel. Such items will be attracted to magnets, and so will be attracted to the tool carrier of the present invention. This means that the items may be temporarily attached to the tool carrier, and detached when they are required for : **. use. This will remove the need for the user to extract the items from wherever they n..

are usually stored. * a

The tool carrier may be placed on a surface close to where the user is working.

Alternatively, it may be placed in the pocket of the user. The maximum length of the body may be 30cm, preferably 25cm, more preferably 20cm. The maximum width of the body may be 10cm, preferably 7.5cm, more preferably 5cm. This will allow the tool carrier to be placed in most pockets.

Although the tool carrier may be placed on a surface close to the user or carried in one of the pockets of the user, it will be even more readily available if it is attached to the user. Accordingly, the body may comprise means for removably attaching the tool carrier to the user. For example, the body may comprise means for removably attaching the tool carrier to a limb of the user.

The means for attaching the tool carrier to the user may comprise interengageable fastening means. Any suitable interengageable fastening means may be used such as a buckle fastening or a hook and loop fastening.

The body may be substantially planar with the magnets being positioned on or near one surface of the substantially planar body. For example, the body may comprise a strap having inter-engageable fastening means at either end. Depending on the length of the strap, the tool carrier may be attached to the user's wrist, upper arm or leg.

The magnets may be high strength magnets. Such magnets will be capable of holding a number of small items without them becoming accidentally dislodged.

Each magnet may be mounted on the body so that the magnet is exposed. This will ". : mean that each magnet will be in direct contact with the items which are being held * by the magnet so that the attractive force between the magnet and items will not be diminished. * ** * * * ****

The body may comprise one or more pockets for receiving a magnet. Each pocket may comprise a cut-out so that the magnet is exposed.

The magnets may be removable from the body. For example, if the body comprises one or more pockets, the pockets may be open at one end so that the magnets may be inserted into and removed from the pockets, as desired.

The tool carrier may further comprise one or more free magnets comprising means for removably attaching the free magnet to a tool. Using these free magnets, it is possible to use the tool carrier to carry non-magnetic tools. One of the free magnets is attached to the tool in question, and the free magnet is then attached to the tool carrier. a

The means for removably attaching the free magnet to a tool may comprise conventional fastening means, for example, a hook and loop fastening such as Velcro7M. Alternatively, it may be inherent in the form of the free magnet. For example, at least one of the free magnets may be in the form of a split cylinder. The free magnet may then be slid onto and off a cylindrical object such as a pencil.

The invention will now be illustrated by way of example only with reference to the following drawings of which: Figure 1 shows schematically a first embodiment of a tool carrier according to the invention; Figure 2 shows schematically a second embodiment of a tool carrier according to the invention; Figure 3 shows schematically a third embodiment of a tool carrier according to the * invention; * ** * ** Figure 4 shows schematically a fourth embodiment of a tool carrier according to the : *. invention; S..,..

* Figure 5 shows schematically a fifth embodiment of a tool carrier according to the invention, in use; and Figure 6 shows schematically a free magnet and pencil for use with a tool carrier according to the invention.

The tool carrier 1 shown in Figure 1. comprises a body 2 having three pockets 3. The body 2 consists of two rectangular pieces of material 4, each having a length of 20cm and a width of 5cm. One of the two rectangular pieces of material 4 includes three square cut-outs 5. The two rectangular pieces of material 4 have been sewn together around their peripheral edge 6, leaving three openings 7 above the cut-outs to form the pockets 3. The rectangular pieces 4 may be made of any suitable material such as leather, A high strength magnet 8 has been inserted into each of the openings 7 so that a magnet 8 is carried in each of the pockets 3. The magnets 8 are exposed through the cut-outs 5.

The tool carrier 1 shown in Figure 1 may be carried in the user's pocket. Small items such as fastenings may be temporarily attached to the magnets by placing them in direct contact with the magnets 8, and may be detached as and when they are required.

The tool carrier 9 shown in Figure 2 is similar to that shown in Figure 1. The body is rectangular in shape and has a length of 23cm and a width of Scm. There is a buckle 11 at one end of the body 10 and a number of holes 12 at the other end of *. the body 10 to enable the tool carrier 9 to be removably attached to the user. * *

*. : In use, the tool carrier 9 of Figure 2 is fastened around the wrist of the user. Small * items such as fastenings may be attached to the magnets by placing them in direct contact with the magnets, and detached as and when they are required. * ** * S S *SSS

The tool carrier 9 shown in Figure 2 is dimensioned so that it is suitable for being * attached to the user's wrist. However, it may be made in a larger size which is suitable for being attached to the user's upper arm or leg.

Figure 3 shows a tool carrier which is similar to that shown in Figure 1 and Figures 4 and 5 show a tool carrier which is similar to that shown in Figure 2. The tool carrier of Figure 5 is removably attached to the user using a hook and loop fastening such as Velcro TM rather than a buckle fastening.

Figure 6 shows a free magnet 13 attached to a pencil 14. The free magnet 13 is in the form of a split cylinder so that it can be slid onto and off the pencil 14. When the free magnet 13 is attached to the pencil 14, it becomes possible to attach the pencil 14 to a tool carrier according to the invention, even though the pencil is non-magnetic.

The above embodiments have been described to illustrate the invention, and are not intended to be limiting. The skilled person will be readily able to devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. *. . * S S * *S

* tests * * *s 0 * S S * 5. * *. * S

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5555et 5

Claims

C[AIMS 1. A tool carrier comprising a body including one or more magnets.
2. A tool carrier according to claim 1, wherein the maximum length of the body is 30cm, preferably 25cm, more preferably 20cm.
3. A tool carrier according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein and the maximum width of the body is 10cm, preferably 7.5cm, more preferably 5cm.
4. A tool carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises means for removably attaching the tool carrier to the user.
5. A tool carrier according to claim 4, wherein the body comprises means for removably attaching the tool carrier to a limb of the user.
6. A tool carrier according to claim 5, wherein the attaching means comprises * * inter-engageable fastening means.
7. A tool carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is : °. substantially planar with the magnets being positioned on or near one surface nt of the substantially planar body.
8. A tool carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnets are high strength magnets.
9. A tool carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein each magnet is mounted on the body so that the magnet is exposed.
10. A tool carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises one or more pockets for receiving a magnet.
11. A tool carrier according to claim 10, wherein each pocket comprises a cut-out so that the magnet is exposed.
12. A tool carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnets are removable from the body.
13. A tool carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the tool carrier further comprises one or more free magnets comprising means for removably attaching the free magnet to a tool.
14. A toot carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the free magnets is in the form of a split cylinder.
15. A tool carrier substantially as described herein or as shown in the drawings. * . * * *.* .et** * * ** * * ** * ** * *. * * * ***sII I