Modular hammer loop

Abstract

includes a generally elongate track. A member is provided for attaching the track to a wall or other substantially vertical surface. At least one attaching member is slidably and selectively movable along the track between opposing lateral ends of the track for attaching to an item to be secured to the wall or other surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]1. Field of the Invention

[0002]The present invention generally relates to hand tool accessories, and, in particular, to a modular hammer loop.

[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004]Hammers are one of the most commonly used hand tools. For this reason, tool belts are frequently provided with a hammer loop. Such loops are typically formed of a U-shaped metal rod that provides a space for receiving a handle of a hammer while being dimensioned to prevent passage of the head of a hammer. In this way, a hammer can be easily removed from or inserted into the loop as a worker needs to repeatedly use the hammer. This ensures that the hammer is always available, and easily accessible to the worker. However, hammer loops of the type under discussion are frequently permanently mounted on a tool belt or tool bag or pouch mounted on a belt. This prevents a worker from moving the hammer loop from one tool belt to another or from one tool pocket or pouch to another, or simply repositioning the hammer loop to a location that is most convenient for a particular worker or working condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005]It is an object of the invention to provide a hammer accessory in the form of a hammer loop that does not have the disadvantages inherent in prior hammer loops.

[0006]It is another object of the invention to provide a hammer loop that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

[0007]It is still another object of the invention to provide a universal hammer loop can be mounted on a tool belt or on a tool pocket or pouch mounted on tool belts.

[0008]It is yet another object of the invention to provide a hammer loop, as in the previous objects, that can be removably mounted from one tool belt to another or from one tool pocket to another.

[0009]It is a further object of the invention to provide a hammer loop as in the previous objects that can be selectively positioned and repositioned by a worker to position the hammer loop at a location most convenient to the worker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent when it is considered in detail in the below specification, taken with the drawings as follows:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular hammer loop in accordance with the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tool pocket or pouch, showing how the modular hammer loop of the invention can be mounted on the edge of a pocket for attachment to a tool belt.

[0013]`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the modular hammer loop in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014]Turning now to the drawings, in which similar or identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring to FIG. 1, a hammer loop in accordance with the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0015]The hammer loop 10 is formed of a U-shaped metal rod 12. The rod 12 has a generally U-shaped or curved portion 12a and spaced straight generally parallel portions 12b, 12c. The straight portion 12b has a free end that is bent upwardly to form vertical or upright portion 12d while the straight portion 12c has a free end that is bent upwardly to form vertical or upright portion 12e.

[0016]Each of the vertical portions 12d, 12e, is welded at 15 to an associated clip 14. However, the vertical portions may be attached to the clips 14 in any other suitable or conventional manner.

[0017]Each clip 14 has a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section formed by a front portion 14a and a spaced rear portion 14b connected to the front portion 14a by means of a bridging portion 14c. The front portion 14a is welded or otherwise attached to an associated upright or vertical side leg 12d, 12e. The rear portions are each provided at their lower ends with upper and lower inclined portions 14d, 14e that are inclined to form a retaining edge at 14f located or situated proximate to the two associated upright or vertical legs. The depth of each of the connecting or the bridging portions 14c generally corresponds to the anticipated thickness of tool belts, supporting wall structures, tool pockets or pouches or the like.

[0018]Referring to FIG. 2, a modular hammer loop 10 in accordance with the invention is shown mounted on a tool bag 16 formed of a rigid panel 18 to which is there is preferably attached a releasable finger grip 20 of the type described in the following U.S. patent applications: Ser. No. 10/835, 658 filed on Apr. 30, 2004, and published as 20050242144, and Ser. No. 10/838, 601 filed on May 4, 2004 and published as 20050263552. As the finger grip mechanism has been fully described in the aforementioned published applications, it will not be described in detail in this application, and the teachings in the aforementioned applications are fully incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this description. Clearly, the finger grip mechanism 18 may be secured to the rigid panel, by any suitable means.

[0019]The tool bag 16 is shown provided with a series of pockets 22, each of which defines an upper edge 22'. In the case of the larger pocket 24, a separate upper edge 24' is provided. Any of the upper edges, as well as straps 26, may be used for attachment of the hammer loop 10. It will also be evident that the hammer loop can be mounted on a tool belt or any other belt use the by a worker. The construction of the clips 14 ensures that the hammer loop 10 is securely retained on any belt or wall upper edge at which it is mounted.

[0020]Referring to FIG. 3, a modified embodiment of the invention is designated by the reference numeral 10'. In this embodiment, a front plate 28 is provided, which is secured to the upright or vertical side legs 12d', 12e' by means of rivets 30. The front plate 28 curves rearwardly and downwardly at the 28' to form a lower extension 14g and edge 14h. Thus, in this embodiment, a unitary clip is provided to which the metal rods is secured, instead of having the rod secured to to separate clips as in the first embodiment. Other combinations of clips and metal rods may be used as long as the modular loop can be securely attached to a belt or upper edge of a wall forming a tool pocket or pouch.

[0021]The modular hammer loop of the present invention is designed to allows the end-user to place the hammer loop anywhere on a tool belt or a tool pocket. Every end-user has different habits and ergonomic properties. Therefore, this invention provides a diverse range of users with many choices suitable for them.

[0022]The hammer loop can be made of metal or plastic, as long as of the clips used are sufficiently sturdy and provide the necessary retaining properties to securely grip the material forming an edge on which of they are mounted.

[0023]While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that the there is no intention to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is the intention to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular hammer loop comprising a generally U-shaped member defining spaced parallel portions and a generally curved portion and free opposing ends, said parallel portions being spaced from each other a distance to allow a selected handle of a hammer or other tool having a handle to pass there-between; and attachment means at said free opposing ends for attachment over an edge of a planar object.

2. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said parallel and curved portions are formed of a continuous rod.

3. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said attachment means are clips that can slip over an edge of a planar object.

4. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 3, wherein said clips are spring clips that are biased to apply spring pressure to the planar object.

5. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said attachment means comprise two spring clips one at each free end.

6. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, in combination with a tool belt which forms the planar object providing said edge.

7. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, in combination with a tool pouch or bag which forms the planar object providing said edge.

8. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said parallel portions are straight.

9. A modular hammer loop as defined in claim 1, wherein said parallel portions are curved.

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