Tool belt with integrated tool retraction mechanism

Abstract

A tool belt comprising a band for attachment of the tool belt to a worker and at least one pouch attached to the band and defining an interior compartment for accommodating at least one tool therein. At least one guide is formed within the pouch and the guide communicates with the interior compartment. A tool cord retractor is supported by the tool belt, a second end of a tool cord is secured to the tool cord retractor while a first end of the tool cord extends through the guide and is secured to a tool engagement element which is releasably securable to a desired tool. When the desired tool is attached to the tool engagement element and the desired tool is removed from the pouch, the tool cord retractor permits removal of stored tool cord and thereby stores a potential energy for returning the tool cord back to the tool cord retractor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for securing tools in a working environment while maintaining tool mobility as well as tool utility.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the prior art, a variety of different methods and techniques are known and utilized for carrying tools to and around a job site. One problem encountered with workers which are working in an elevated position above the ground, e.g., on a ladder, on the roof, on staging, etc., is that of dropped tools, such as hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. It is to be appreciated that the dropping such tools creates hazardous situation for any individual located below the worker(s), increases the risk of breaking the tool(s) or an item(s) upon which the tool(s) may be dropped, and overall decreases the productivity of the worker(s) who generally must dismount for his / her elevated position in order to retrieve the drop tool(s).SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Wherefore, it is an...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]Turning first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a brief description concerning the various components of the tool belt 2, according to the present invention, will now be briefly discussed. As can be seen in those Figures, the tool belt 2 is generally designed to be worn around a waist of a worker includes am adjustable waist band 4, quite similar to a wide belt, which typically supports one or more pouches 6 around the waist band 4. Each one of the pouches 6 may be directly attached, secured or sewn to the waist band 4 or alternatively may be attached thereto by one or more conventional belt loops so as to allow sliding movement of the pouch 6 along to the waist band 4. Each one of the pouches 6 generally includes an interior surface 10 and an exterior surface 12 was well as a peripheral rim 14 providing access to the interior compartment 16 of the pouch 6. The rim 14 generally defines a pouch access plane A, which separates the interior compartment 16 of the pouch 6 from the exterior environ...

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for securing tools in a working environment while maintaining tool mobility as well as tool utility.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the prior art, a variety of different methods and techniques are known and utilized for carrying tools to and around a job site. One problem encountered with workers which are working in an elevated position above the ground, e.g., on a ladder, on the roof, on staging, etc., is that of dropped tools, such as hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. It is to be appreciated that the dropping such tools creates hazardous situation for any individual located below the worker(s), increases the risk of breaking the tool(s) or an item(s) upon which the tool(s) may be dropped, and overall decreases the productivity of the worker(s) who generally must dismount for his / her elevated position in order to retrieve the drop tool(s).SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Wherefore, it is an...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0014]Turning first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a brief description concerning the various components of the tool belt 2, according to the present invention, will now be briefly discussed. As can be seen in those Figures, the tool belt 2 is generally designed to be worn around a waist of a worker includes am adjustable waist band 4, quite similar to a wide belt, which typically supports one or more pouches 6 around the waist band 4. Each one of the pouches 6 may be directly attached, secured or sewn to the waist band 4 or alternatively may be attached thereto by one or more conventional belt loops so as to allow sliding movement of the pouch 6 along to the waist band 4. Each one of the pouches 6 generally includes an interior surface 10 and an exterior surface 12 was well as a peripheral rim 14 providing access to the interior compartment 16 of the pouch 6. The rim 14 generally defines a pouch access plane A, which separates the interior compartment 16 of the pouch 6 from the exterior environ...

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