DEVICE FOR STORING TOOLS AND TOOL PARTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for storing tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts, and a method for using a tool tip stored in a container, a small tool stored in a container, or a tool part stored in a container.

[0002] The device and the method are designed in particular to prevent small tools, tool tips or tool parts from being lost during their use.

[0003] On construction sites, tools and tool parts can get lost if they are not immediately returned to their designated place after use. Individual pieces or entire sets of tools and tool parts can also go missing. Searching for lost tools and tool parts can be time-consuming and disruptive. Furthermore, there is a risk of injury to other people from falling tools and tool parts.

[0004] US Patent 7530459 B2 discloses a tool container for storing a handle and several tool tips. The container can be lost during use. US Patent 2012 / 0168472 A1 discloses a holder with a securing cord.

[0005] From EP 3 002 045 A1, a safety lanyard with a self-retracting mechanism is known, which can be used to secure a worker on a construction site. The self-retracting mechanism includes a spring-loaded return winch with which the safety lanyard can be wound up within the mechanism. The device is intended for securing people and not for securing tools. Furthermore, for safety reasons, the design is complex and very robust, and it incorporates several locking mechanisms, making it impractical for securing tools.

[0006] Another self-retracting mechanism is known from US patent 2005 / 0067449 A1. This mechanism has a clip to which a key ring or chip card can be attached. However, this self-retracting mechanism is unsuitable for a large number of small tools and tool parts, as these would interfere with each other, and the attached self-retracting mechanism would also obstruct the user when the tools and tool parts are in use.

[0007] EP 1 379 364 B1 discloses a wearable tool bag in which tools are attached to the bag with a securing strap. However, a disadvantage of this design is that the tool bag becomes very heavy with a large number of tools, and securing tool parts and tips would be too complex and difficult to use. Furthermore, storing small tools and tool parts in pockets is not user-friendly.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is the objective of the present invention to provide a device that enables the simple application of tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts, while simultaneously minimizing the risk of losing these items during use. Furthermore, the present invention should allow the tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts to be used without obstruction. The securing mechanism should not make their use more difficult or impossible.

[0009] The problems of the invention are solved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 12. Preferred variants are described in claims 2 to 11 and 13 to 15.

[0010] The problems underlying the present invention are solved by a device for storing tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts, the device comprising a container in which the tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts are contained or can be received; a fastening means attached to the container; a holder to which a counter fastening means is attached, so that the container with the fastening means is detachably attached or can be attached to the counter fastening means of the holder;a safety tendon, wherein a distal end of the safety tendon is attached to the container, and a self-retracting mechanism for retracting the safety tendon, wherein a proximal end of the safety tendon opposite the distal end of the safety tendon is connected to the self-retracting mechanism in such a way that the safety tendon can be retracted at least partially or completely into the self-retracting mechanism and can be withdrawn at least partially or completely from the self-retracting mechanism, and wherein the self-retracting mechanism is attached to the holder.

[0011] The securing tendon preferably represents a flexible connection between the container and the bracket.

[0012] Small tools are, in particular, in their longest dimension at least smaller than 20 cm, preferably smaller than 15 cm, and especially preferably smaller than 10 cm.

[0013] Tool parts can be assembled with handles or other tool parts to form a tool.

[0014] Tool tips include, in particular, bits and drill tips, as well as interchangeable blades for screwdrivers.

[0015] The holder is a physical component and can preferably be designed as a mounting strip. For example, a wide leather strip or a textile strip can be used as the holder, which is particularly preferred according to the invention. However, a plastic plate or a metal plate can also be used as the body for the holder.

[0016] The self-closing mechanism can be locked and / or triggered. This allows the user to determine when the container is pulled into the holder.

[0017] In the devices according to the invention, it can be provided that the container has a lid, wherein the lid of the container can be opened and closed, wherein preferably the lid is connected to the container, and particularly preferably the lid is connected to the container via a hinge.

[0018] This prevents the tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts from falling out of the container and being lost.

[0019] Furthermore, the device may be provided with a connecting means, wherein the connecting means is attached to the holder, and wherein the connecting means is suitable and intended for attachment to a person, to clothing, to a belt, to a holster or a carrying harness.

[0020] In this way, the holder can be attached to the user, ensuring that the device is secure to the user and always within easy reach.

[0021] It may preferably be provided that the connecting element is a clasp, a clamp, a belt or a loop, or that the connecting element is at least a buckle or at least a snap fastener which can be attached to a suitable counterpart on a belt or a holster.

[0022] The preferred connecting means allow the device to be easily attached to a person or to clothing, a belt, a holster, or a harness worn by a person.

[0023] Furthermore, it may be provided that the safety tendon is flexible or is a flexible cable, a flexible rope, a flexible cord, a flexible line or a chain, preferably the safety tendon is a steel cable, a wire rope, a plastic-coated metal cable or a plastic rope.

[0024] These securing tendons can be easily connected to the self-retracting mechanism and are sufficiently stable for the application, or can be made sufficiently stable.

[0025] It may also be provided that the securing chord provides a flexible connection between the container and the bracket, even if the container is not connected to the counter-fastening element of the bracket by the fastening element.

[0026] This ensures that the container cannot be lost under any circumstances if, during use, it is not connected to the counter-fastening device on the bracket.

[0027] Furthermore, it can be provided that the fastening means is a magnet or a magnetizable plate, in particular a magnetizable metal plate or a magnetizable iron plate, and the counter-fastening means is a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet, or the fastening means is a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet, and the counter-fastening means is a magnet or a magnetizable plate, in particular a magnetizable metal plate or a magnetizable iron plate.

[0028] This allows for an easily detachable connection between the fastener and the counter-fastener.

[0029] The fastening device can be located on the outside of the container. If the fastening device is a magnetizable plate or a magnet, it can also be located inside the container, since the magnetic interaction or magnetic fields for fastening also extend through a plastic housing forming the container.

[0030] Alternatively, it may also be provided that the fastening device and the counter-fastening device are also realized by a Velcro fastener, the two parts of at least a snap fastener, a clamping connection or a plug connection.

[0031] In devices with a magnetizable plate, it may be provided that the magnet or the magnetizable plate forms a bottom or part of the bottom of the container and extends into the interior of the container.

[0032] This allows for a particularly simple construction of the device and, furthermore, the magnetization of the magnetizable metal plate can be used to hold and detachably fix the tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts to the bottom of the container by magnetizing the tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts so that they adhere magnetically to the magnetized bottom.

[0033] It is also possible for the entire container, optionally with or without the lid, to be made of a magnetic or magnetizable material. Preferably, the container is made of a magnetizable material. If the container has a lid, the lid is preferably non-magnetic and not made of a magnetizable material, so that the container is not attached to the counter-fastening element formed by a magnet or a magnetizable plate, if at all possible. Furthermore, the magnetic fields can then be used as a guide to rotate the container into the desired orientation relative to the mounting.

[0034] Furthermore, it may be provided that the tool tips, the small tools and / or the tool parts are contained in the container, preferably including bits and / or drill tips.

[0035] This further completes the device and allows it to be used directly or together with tools.

[0036] It can also be provided that the self-retracting mechanism is or has a rotatably mounted retracting winch onto which the safety cord can be wound, preferably the retracting winch being connected to a spring, in particular a helical spring, wherein the spring is tensioned when the safety cord is unwound and relaxes when the safety cord is wound onto the retracting winch.

[0037] This enables particularly simple and reliable self-retraction of the safety cord. The operating principle of such retraction winches is known, for example, from EP 3 002 045 A1.

[0038] It can be provided that the reset winch is arranged inside a housing, the housing having an opening through which the securing cord is led out of the housing, preferably with the distal end of the securing cord being arranged outside the housing and attached to the container.

[0039] Furthermore, it may be provided that the self-retracting mechanism retracts or winds up the safety cord with a retraction force that is greater than the weight of the container or greater than the weight of the container with all tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts arranged or to be arranged therein, and / or the retraction force is less than ten times the weight of the container or less than ten times the weight of the container with all tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts arranged or to be arranged therein.

[0040] This ensures that the container, along with any tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts it contains, is automatically drawn towards the self-retracting mechanism and thus to the holder, unless it is manually pulled or held away. Limiting the upper pull-in force allows the container, along with any tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts it contains, to be manually pulled away from the self-retracting mechanism for use without excessive force. Preferably, the pull-in force is less than five times the weight of the container, or less than five times the weight of the container with all tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts currently or to be arranged within it.

[0041] It may be provided that the securing cord is attached to the container and / or the bracket has a guide in such a way that, when the securing cord is retracted, the container is rotated by the self-retracting mechanism so that the fastening means engages with the counter-fastening means.

[0042] This ensures that the fastening element and the counter-fastening element can connect when the container is drawn into the holder by means of the self-retracting mechanism. Such a design can be achieved, for example, by the securing cord forking and connecting it to the container at at least two spaced-apart points. The securing cord can have a split distal end for this purpose. Another possibility would be for the securing cord to be designed as a wide band, at least at its distal end, and connected to the container along a line. Alternatively or additionally, a rail can be arranged on the holder that rotates the container into the desired position during retraction. The magnetic fields between the fastening element and the counter-fastening element can also be used to guide the holder. Further embodiments of this design are known and apparent to those skilled in the art.This design is particularly easy to implement if the fastener and counter-fastener are realized by magnets or by a magnet and a magnetizable plate.

[0043] The problems underlying the present invention are also solved by a method for providing or storing a tool tip stored or storable in a container, a small tool component stored or storable in a container, or a tool part stored or storable in a container, the method characterized by the following chronological steps: A) Releasing the container from a holder, wherein the container is attached to the holder by a magnetic fastening and / or is attached to the holder, and pulling out a safety cord attached to the container from a self-retracting mechanism, wherein the self-retracting mechanism is attached to the holder; B) Removing a tool tip, small tool part or tool part from the container or inserting or plugging a tool tip, small tool part or tool part into the container; and C) Automatically retracting the safety cord into the self-retracting mechanism and securing the container to the holder.

[0044] The holder is preferably worn on the user's body and positioned there.

[0045] When attaching the container to the bracket, the container is preferably fixed to the bracket.

[0046] Preferably, it can be provided that when the safety tendon is pulled out of the self-retracting mechanism in step A), a spring of the self-retracting mechanism is tensioned and that the spring of the self-retracting mechanism is relaxed when the safety tendon is pulled into the self-retracting mechanism in step C).

[0047] It may be provided that the method is carried out with a device according to the invention.

[0048] The method then has the advantages described for the device.

[0049] It may also be provided that before step B) and preferably after step A) the lid of the container is opened and after step B) and preferably before step C) the lid of the container is closed.

[0050] This can prevent, or at least reduce, the risk of tool tips, small tools or tool parts being lost from the container.

[0051] It is provided that the container is attached to the holder via a magnetic fastening and / or is attached, wherein preferably the tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts contained in the container are magnetizable and held magnetically in the container.

[0052] This allows for a particularly simple connection of the container to the holder and also of the tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts in the container.

[0053] The invention is based on the surprising finding that a container which is doubly attached or attachable to a holder makes it possible to secure a large number of tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts to the user without the securing preventing or hindering their use and application, while at the same time providing a safety function against the loss of the container and the tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts contained therein.The self-retracting safety cord ensures that the container, including tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts, is not lost when handled for removal. Simultaneously, the mounting hardware on the container and the corresponding mounting hardware on the bracket provide a detachable attachment, preventing the container from moving freely and thus avoiding malfunctions. This allows for a secure grip on the container during use on a construction site and easy access to the tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts it contains.

[0054] The inventive design of the device minimizes the user's chance of losing or misplacing the container. If the self-retracting mechanism pulls the securing cord tightly enough to always draw the container against the holder, the container is always easily accessible in its usual position and cannot dangle around annoyingly. In particular, a magnetic connection between the container and the holder allows for simple attachment of the container to the holder, which also connects automatically and provides some guidance of the container during attachment.

[0055] Further embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to three schematically represented figures, without, however, limiting the invention. These figures show: Figure 1: a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention in its initial state for carrying out a method according to the invention; Figure 2 : a schematic perspective and partially transparent view of the device according to the invention Figure 1 with the container detached from its holder; and Figure 3 : a schematic cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention along section AA to Figure 1 with a close-up.

[0056] The device comprises a container 2. The container 2 may be made of plastic or be essentially composed of plastic. The container 2 may contain, or be insertable or pluggable, several tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts 3. A fastening element 4 may be arranged on or in a container wall and connected to the container 2. The fastening element 4 may be a magnetizable metal plate or a magnet. The container 2 is in the Figure 1 and 3 attached to a bracket 5 and in Figure 2 detached from bracket 5. Bracket 5 may be constructed with a plastic disc.

[0057] The bracket 5 can have a counter-fastening element 6 to which the fastening element 4, and thus the container 2, can be attached. In this way, the container 2 can be detachably attached to the bracket 5. If the fastening element 4 is a magnetizable plate, the counter-fastening element 6 can be a magnet, such as a permanent magnet, and vice versa. Alternatively, the fastening element 4 and the counter-fastening element 6 can also be designed as a hook-and-loop fastener or a bayonet fitting. Other possible fastening elements 4 and corresponding counter-fastening elements 6 are readily conceivable by an expert.

[0058] A securing tendon 7 is attached to the container 2. A distal end 8 of the securing tendon 7 can be connected to the container 2. A proximal end 11 opposite the distal end 8 (only in Figure 2 (to be seen) the safety tendon 7 can be attached to a self-retracting device 9.

[0059] A connecting element 10 can be attached to the holder 5 for attaching the holder to a belt, holster, or the user's clothing. The connecting element 10 can be a clip suitable for attaching and elastically clamping the holder 5 to a belt or other loop. Alternatively, other types of connection can be chosen, such as snap fasteners or tabs. The holder 5 itself can also be designed in the form of a belt or holster.

[0060] The container 2 can have a lid 12 with which the interior of the container 2 can be closed off to the outside, so that contained tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts 3 cannot fall out of the container 2 when the lid 12 is closed. The lid 12 can be connected to the rest of the container 2 by a hinge (not shown in the figures).

[0061] The container 2 can have a base 14 in which or on which the fastening means 4 is arranged. The base 14 can be made entirely or partially of a magnetizable material or entirely or partially of a magnetic material. By magnetizing the base 14, magnetizable tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts 3 can be held to the base 14 of the container 2. This prevents the tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts 3 from simply falling out of the container 2 and being lost when the lid 12 is opened or when the lid 12 is open. It also helps to maintain order among the tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts 3 within the container 2.

[0062] The self-retracting mechanism 9 can be equipped with a reset winch 16, onto which the safety cord 7 can be wound or may already be wound. For this purpose, the reset winch 16 can be rotatably mounted relative to the bracket 5 via a pivot axis 18. The proximal end 11 of the safety cord 7 can be attached to the reset winch 16.

[0063] The self-retracting mechanism 9 can be closed off to the outside with a housing 20, wherein the safety cord 7 is led through an opening 24 into the housing 20 or out of the housing 20.

[0064] The reset winch 16 can be connected to the pivot axis 18 via a worm gear (not shown), so that the reset winch 16 actively winds and retracts the safety cord 7. The safety cord 7 can be unwound from the reset winch 16 by moving the container 2 away from the self-retracting mechanism 9. This tensions the worm gear. When the container 2 is subsequently moved back towards the self-retracting mechanism 9, the safety cord 7 is automatically rewound onto the reset winch 16. The safety cord 7 remains tensioned, and the container 2 remains connected to the self-retracting mechanism 9 via the safety cord 7 at all times. Since the self-retracting mechanism 9 is connected to the bracket 5, the container 2 also remains connected to the bracket 5 at all times.

[0065] The retraction force with which the self-retracting mechanism 9 retracts the securing cord 7 is preferably greater than the weight of the container 2 with the tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts 3 contained therein, so that the container 2 is pulled towards the holder 5 by itself. Equally preferred, however, is the retraction force less than ten times the weight of the container 2 with the tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts 3 contained therein, so that the container 2 can be manually pulled away from the holder 5 when the fastening element 4 is released from the counter-fastening element 6.

[0066] By arranging the magnetizable fastener 4 in the base of the container 2, the magnetic counter-fastening element 6 on the bracket 5, or rather its magnetic fields, acts as a guide for rotating the container 2 into the desired orientation of the container 2 relative to the bracket 5, so that the fastener 4 can connect with the counter-fastening element 6. To assist in guiding the container 2 when pulling in the safety cord 7, the safety cord can be connected to the container 2 at at least two points (not shown).

[0067] A handle 22 can be provided on the lid 12 to make it easier to open the lid 12 of the container 2. According to another embodiment, the lid 12 can also be omitted. The tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts 3 should then be able to be attached to the container 2 in another way to prevent them from being lost.

[0068] Two strips 26 can be provided on the sides of the container 2, which facilitate gripping the container 2 and releasing the container 2 from the counter-fastening means 6.

[0069] The device can be used by a user as follows: The holder 5 is attached to a belt, holster, or the user's clothing by means of the connecting element 10. The container 2 holds several tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts 3. The container 2 is attached to the holder by means of the fastening element 4 and the counter-fastening element 6. When the user needs access to one of the tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts 3 contained in the container 2, they grasp the container 2 and pull it away from the holder 5, thereby releasing the fastening element 4 from the counter-fastening element 6. The container 2 can then be pulled against the retraction force of the self-retracting mechanism 9 to a position suitable for access. This pulls the safety cord 7 connected to the container 2 out of the self-retracting mechanism 9 and tensions the self-retracting mechanism 9.The lid 12 can now be opened, and the required tool tip, small tool, and / or tool part 3 can be removed from the container 2. Similarly, a used tool tip, small tool, and / or tool part 3 can be returned to the container 2. The lid 12 can then be closed again. The closed container 2 can be returned to the holder 5, with the securing cord 7 being retracted back into the self-retracting mechanism 9. If the container 2 is released or dropped, it is preferably drawn back to the holder 5 by the self-retracting mechanism 9 via the securing cord 7, according to the invention. In both cases, the container 2 can then be reattached to the holder 5 via the fastening means 4 and the counter-fastening means 6.

[0070] Tool tips, small tools and / or tool parts 3 are preferably bits, drill tips or tool attachments. Reference symbol list

[0071] 2 Container 3 Tool part / Tool tip / Small tool 4 Fastener 5 Holder 6 Counter-fastener 7 Safety cord 8 Distal end of safety cord 9 Self-retracting mechanism 10 Connecting device 11 Proximal end of safety cord 12 Cover 14 Base 16 Retracting winch 18 Pivot axis 20 Housing 22 Handle 24 Opening 26 Strip A Section line

Claims

1. Device for storing tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts (3), the device having a container (2), in which the tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts (3) are contained or storable; a fastening means (4) being fixed to the container (2), characterized by a holder (5) to which a counter-fastening means (6) is attached, so that the container (2) is detachably fastened or is detachably fastenable to the counter-fastening means (6) of the holder (5) using the fastening means (4); a securing cord (7), wherein a distal end (8) of the securing cord (7) is attached to the container (2); and a self-retractor (9) for retracting the securing cord (7), wherein a proximal end (11) of the securing cord (7) opposite the distal end (8) of the securing cord (7) is connected to the self-retractor (9) in such a way that the securing cord (7) is retractable at least partially or completely into the self-retractor (9) and is pullable out at least partially or completely from the self-retractor (9), and wherein the self-retractor (9) is attached to the holder (5).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (2) has a lid (12), wherein the lid (12) of the container (2) can be opened and closed, wherein preferably the lid (12) is attached to the container (12), particularly preferably the lid (12) is attached to the container (2) via a hinge.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device has a connecting means (10), wherein the connecting means (10) is attached to the holder (5), wherein the connecting means (10) is suitable and intended for attachment to a person, clothing, a belt, a holster, or a carrying harness, wherein preferably the connecting means (10) is a clasp, a clip, a belt, or a loop, or the connecting means (10) is at least one buckle or at least one snap fastener that is attachable to a matching counterpart on a belt or a holster.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing cord (7) is flexible or is a flexible cable, a flexible rope, a flexible string, a flexible line, or a chain, the securing cord (7) is preferably a steel cable, a wire rope, a plastic-coated metal cable, or a plastic rope.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing cord (7) provides a flexible connection between the container (2) and the holder (5), even while the container (2) is not connected to the counter-fastening means (6) of the holder (5) by means of the fastening means (4).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means (4) is a magnet or a magnetizable plate, in particular a magnetizable metal plate or a magnetizable iron plate, and the counter-fastening means (6) is a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet, or the fastening means (4) is a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet, and the counter-fastening means (6) is a magnet or a magnetizable plate, in particular a magnetizable metal plate or a magnetizable iron plate.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the magnet or the magnetizable plate forms a bottom (14) or part of the bottom (14) of the container (2) and extends into the interior of the container (2).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool tips, the small tools, and / or the tool parts (3) are contained in the container (2), wherein preferably bits and / or drill bits are contained in the container (2).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the self-retractor (9) is or comprises a rotatably mounted return winch (16) onto which the securing cord (7) is woundable, wherein the return winch (16) is preferably connected to a spring, in particular a coil spring, wherein the spring is tensioned when the securing cord (7) is unwound and relaxes when the securing cord (7) is wound onto the return winch (16).

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the self-retractor (9) retracts or winds up the securing cord (7) with a retraction force that is greater than the weight of the container (2) or greater than the weight of the container (2) with all tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts (3) arranged or to be arranged therein, and / or the retraction force is smaller than ten times the weight of the container (2) or smaller than ten times the weight of the container (2) with all tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts (3) arranged or to be arranged therein.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing cord (7) is attached to the container (2) in such a way and / or the holder (5) has a guide such that when the securing cord (7) is pulled in, the container (2) is rotated by means of the self-retractor (9) so that the fastening means (4) connects with the counter-fastening means (6).

12. Method for providing or storing a tool tip stored or storable in a container (2), a small tool stored or storable in a container (2), or a tool part (3) stored or storable in a container (2), the method being characterized by the following chronological steps A) Detaching the container (2) from a holder (5), wherein the container (2) is attached and / or secured to the holder (5) by means of a magnetic attachment, and pulling a securing cord (7) attached to the container (2) out of a self-retractor (9), wherein the self-retractor (9) is attached to the holder (5), B) Removing a tool tip, a small tool, or a tool part (3) from the container (2) or inserting or placing a tool tip, a small tool, or a tool part (3) into the container (2), and C) Automatically retracting the securing cord (7) into the self-retractor (9) with the self-retractor (9) and attaching the container (2) to the holder (5).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the method is performed with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by opening a lid (12) of the container (2) before step B) and preferably after step A) and closing the lid (12) of the container (2) after step B) and preferably before step C).

15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the tool tips, small tools, and / or tool parts (3) contained in the container (2) are magnetizable and are held magnetically in the container (2).