Tool holder

Abstract

To provide a tool holder which facilitates mounting of a tool bracket by enhancing a degree of freedom in a mounting angle of the tool bracket in a holder body.SOLUTION: In a tool holder, a tool bracket 1 has an insertion section 2. A storage space 13 is sectioned and formed by a frame section 14 and a stopper section 15. The insertion section 2 is configured to be rotatable with respect to a holder body 10. The insertion section 2 is formed like a plate and is provided integrally with a shaft section 3. The insertion section 2 has elastic pieces 2a, 2b which are elastically deformable to both of right and left sides. When the insertion section rotates around the shaft section 3 to one side, the one elastic piece 2a comes into contact with one inside surface 13a of the storage space 13 and is elastically deformed, so that the insertion section is returned to a prescribed posture. When the insertion section rotates around the shaft section 3 to the other side, the other elastic piece 2b comes into contact with the other inside surface 13a of the storage space 13 and is elastically deformed, so that the insertion section is returned to the prescribed posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool holder for holding a tool. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, tool holders for holding tools, etc., on a worker's waist belt have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tool holder that includes an insert bracket fixed to the tool and a holder body that engages with the insert bracket to hold the tool, the holder body having a storage space into which the insert bracket slides using a groove as a guide, and a stopper that abuts against the rear end of the insert bracket stored in the storage space to prevent it from being pulled out of the storage space.

[0003] According to the tool holder of Patent Document 1, the tool can be attached to the holder body in a locked state simply by inserting the insertion bracket fixed to the tool into the holder body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4172929 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the insertion bracket of Patent Document 1 has a predetermined and constant mounting angle (mounting posture) relative to the holder body when inserted into the holder body and when attached to the holder body. Therefore, depending on the working posture, it may be difficult to attach or detach the insertion bracket to or from the holder body. For example, when inserting an insertion bracket fixed to a tape measure into the holder body, it may be necessary to change the tape measure and adjust the orientation of the insertion bracket relative to the holder body before inserting it into the holder body, which may reduce work efficiency.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tool holder that is easy to attach and detach by increasing the degree of freedom in the attachment angle of the tool bracket relative to the holder body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a tool holder having a holder main body that is held by a user's body, and a tool bracket that is detachably attached to the holder main body for mounting a tool to the holder main body, the tool bracket has an insertion portion that can be inserted into the accommodation space of the holder body at any mounting angle, The storage space is defined by a frame portion that opens upward and a stopper portion that is configured to be slidable, The insertion portion is configured to be rotatable with respect to the holder main body when inserted into the accommodation space, the insertion portion is plate-shaped and is provided integrally with a shaft portion that constitutes a rotation shaft when rotating relative to the holder main body, The insertion portion is characterized in that it has elastically deformable elastic pieces on both the left and right sides, and when it is rotated in one direction around the axis portion, one of the elastic pieces comes into contact with one inner surface of the storage space and elastically deforms, returning it to a predetermined position, and when it is rotated in the other direction around the axis portion, the other elastic piece comes into contact with the other inner surface of the storage space and elastically deforms, returning it to a predetermined position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tool holder that is easy to attach by increasing the degree of freedom in the attachment angle of the tool bracket to the holder body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a tool bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a tape measure. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a holder body attached to a belt-shaped attachment object. [Figure 3] 10 is a front view showing the insertion portion and the shaft portion of the tool bracket accommodated in the accommodation space of the holder body. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a front view showing a modified example of the shaft portion in a state where the insertion portion is accommodated in the accommodation space of the holder body. FIG. [Figure 5] 1. (a) and (b) show modified examples of the insertion portion of the tool bracket of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a rotation suppressing member. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the rotation suppressing member of FIG. 6 is attached to a holder body. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of a rotation suppressing member. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the rotation restricting member of FIG. 8 is attached to a tool bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a tool bracket 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention attached to a tape measure M. The tool bracket 1 is used while being fixed to a tool such as the tape measure M, and is detachably attached to a holder body 10 shown in Fig. 2, for example, to attach the tool to the holder body 10. Here, tools to which the tool bracket 1 can be applied include not only the tape measure M, but also hammers, crowbars, ratchet wrenches, electric screwdrivers, and bags, tool holders, and the like for storing these tools.

[0011] The tool bracket 1 has an insertion portion 2 that can be inserted into the storage space 13 of the holder body 10 at any mounting angle, and a shaft portion 3 and a base portion 4 that are integrally connected to the insertion portion 2. In this example, the insertion portion 2 is formed in a flat, circular plate shape. The shaft portion 3 connects the insertion portion 2 and the base portion 4 and forms a rotation axis when the tool bracket 1 rotates relative to the holder body 10. In this example, the shaft portion 3 is cylindrical and is arranged so that its central axis is aligned with the central axis of the insertion portion 2. The base portion 4 is formed in a plate shape that extends approximately parallel to the insertion portion 2. The base portion 4 has an upper surface 4a that is a curved surface that is arc-shaped in a front view, a lower surface 4b that is flat, and both side surfaces 4c and 4d.

[0012] The tool bracket 1 of this example has a screw hole 5 formed therein. The tool bracket 1 is fixed to the tape measure M by a screw that is fastened to the tape measure M through the screw hole 5. The method for attaching the tool bracket 1 to a tool such as the tape measure M is not particularly limited, and in addition to the method of using a fastener such as a screw as in this example, it is also possible to fix the tool bracket 1 to a tool such as the tape measure M by adhesion, welding, etc.

[0013] Here, as shown in Fig. 2, the holder main body 10 is held on the user's body by being attached to a belt-like attachment such as a waist belt 11. The method of holding the holder main body 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is held on the user's body. The belt-like attachment is not limited to a horizontal belt wrapped around the user's waist, but can also be a vertical belt extending in a substantially vertical direction, such as the vertical belt portion of a harness-type safety belt. The shape of the holder main body 10 is also not particularly limited as long as it can be held on the user's body and the tool bracket 1 can be attached and detached.

[0014] The holder body 10 has a structure for attaching to and detaching from a belt-like attachment object. In this example, a through-hole 12 for passing a waist belt 11 is formed on the back side of the holder body 10, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, a clip-like structure for clamping the waist belt 11 may also be used.

[0015] The holder body 10 has a storage space 13 on its front side into which the insertion portion 2 of the tool bracket 1 can be inserted. In this example, the storage space 13 is defined by a frame portion 14 that opens upward and a stopper portion 15 that is configured to slide. The frame portion 14 is configured so that the insertion portion 2 can be inserted through an upper opening 14a. Furthermore, the frame portion 14 is configured so that, when the insertion portion 2 is placed in the storage space 13, the movement of the insertion portion 2 in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and downward direction is limited to a predetermined range. Note that, although the holder body 10 of this example is configured so that the insertion portion 2 is inserted from above the storage space 13, the insertion direction is not particularly limited.

[0016] The stopper portion 15 is configured to slide diagonally downward to open the upper opening 14a when the insertion portion 2 is inserted from above toward the storage space 13. This opens the entrance to the storage space 13, making it easy to insert the insertion portion 2 into the storage space 13. A biasing member such as a spring is disposed inside the stopper portion 15, and the stopper portion 15 is configured to automatically return to its original position after the insertion portion 2 is inserted. By returning to its original position, the stopper portion 15 can restrict the upward movement of the insertion portion 2 placed in the storage space 13.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the positions of the insertion portion 2 and the shank 3 in the accommodation space 13 of the holder body 10 when the insertion portion 2 is inserted into the accommodation space 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the diameter D1 of the insertion portion 2 is smaller than the width W1 of the accommodation space 13. In this example, the insertion portion 2 is circular and plate-shaped, but is not limited thereto and may be elliptical, polygonal, or other shapes. Even in such cases, the maximum diameter of the insertion portion 2 (the maximum width of the insertion portion 2 passing through the axis of the shank 3) is smaller than the width W1 of the accommodation space 13, thereby allowing the insertion portion 2 to rotate within the accommodation space 13. Furthermore, the diameter D1 of the insertion portion 2 is larger than the width W2 of the front opening 14b located on the front side of the frame 14, thereby preventing the insertion portion 2 from slipping out of the front opening 14b. Note that the shape of the insertion portion 2 is basically plate-shaped with a constant thickness, but is not limited thereto and may be a three-dimensional shape with a variable thickness. Furthermore, the shapes of the shaft portion 3 and the base portion 4 are not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate, and the base portion 4 is not an essential component.

[0018] The insertion portion 2 is configured to be insertable into the storage space 13 at any mounting angle. That is, not only in the upright position in which the lower surface 4b of the base portion 4 faces downward as shown in FIG. 1 , but also in an inverted position in which the tape measure M and the tool bracket 1 are turned upside down (a position in which the lower surface 4b of the base portion 4 faces upward), or in a tilted position between the upright and inverted positions, the insertion portion 2 can be easily inserted into the storage space 13 from the upper opening 14a of the frame portion 14. In this example, the maximum diameter of the insertion portion 2 (diameter D1 in this example) is smaller than the width W1 of the storage space 13, and the maximum diameter of the shank 3 (diameter D2 in this example) is smaller than the width W2 of the front opening 14b of the frame portion 14. Therefore, there is no limit to the mounting angle of the insertion portion 2, and it can be inserted at any mounting angle.

[0019] With this configuration, the insertion portion 2 can be easily inserted into the storage space 13 of the holder body 10 without having to worry about the orientation of the tool bracket 1. That is, when attaching a tool such as a tape measure M to the holder body 10, the tool can be easily attached without having to adjust the orientation or change hands to hold the tape measure M. This prevents a decrease in work efficiency caused by the need to adjust the orientation as described above. As described above, the tool bracket 1 of this embodiment increases the degree of freedom in the attachment angle relative to the holder body 10, thereby facilitating attachment of the tool bracket 1 and the tool to the holder body 10.

[0020] Furthermore, when attached to the holder body 10, the tool bracket 1 is configured to be rotatable about the shaft 3 relative to the holder body 10. Therefore, the tape measure M fixed to the tool bracket 1 is also rotatable relative to the holder body 10. Since the tape measure M is rotatable relative to the holder body 10, for example, when pulling out a measuring tape while the tape measure M is attached to the holder body 10, the tape measure M can be rotated to any angle. This allows the angle at which the measuring tape is pulled out to be changed to a desired angle, making the measurement easier. Furthermore, for example, if the tape measure M attached to the holder body 10 collides with another member, the tape measure M can be rotated relative to the holder body 10 to mitigate the impact of the collision. Note that the tool bracket 1 in this example is configured to be movable in the insertion direction (up and down direction in FIG. 3 ) when attached to the holder body 10. That is, the insertion portion 2 of the tool bracket 1 is movable up and down within a predetermined range within the accommodation space 13, but is not limited to this, and the up and down movement may be restricted.

[0021] The tool bracket 1 is preferably configured to automatically return to a predetermined angle after being rotated relative to the holder body 10. This allows the position (mounting angle) of a tool such as a tape measure M relative to the holder body 10 to be configured to return to a state that is easy to use and remove, thereby improving convenience.

[0022] For example, when the tool bracket 1 fixed to the tape measure M is attached to the holder body 10, the support point S at which the tool bracket 1 is supported on the holder body 10 can be located above the center of gravity of the tape measure M. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the support point S at which the tool bracket 1 is supported on the holder body 10 is the position of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 3 supported on the lower edge portion 14c of the front opening 14b of the frame portion 14. With this configuration, the tape measure M is supported on the holder body 10 at the support point S above the center of gravity. As a result, gravity acts on the tape measure M in a direction that tries to maintain the orientation of the tape measure M at a predetermined angle (trying to return to its original position after rotation), so the tape measure M automatically returns to a fixed orientation. More specifically, the tool bracket 1 returns to a predetermined orientation in which the center of gravity of the tape measure M is located directly below the support point S, and stops.

[0023] 4, by providing a flat surface 3a on the outer peripheral surface of the shank 3 and arranging the flat surface 3a so that it abuts against the lower edge 14c of the front opening 14b of the frame 14, it is possible to restrict to some extent the rotation of the tool bracket 1 about the shank 3 relative to the holder body 10. The shank 3 may also be provided with a plurality of flat surfaces on its outer peripheral surface. Furthermore, the shank 3 may be in the shape of a polygonal column with a polygonal cross section.

[0024] Another method for automatically returning the tool bracket 1 to a predetermined position is to use elastic pieces 2a and 2b provided on the insertion portion 2, as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). In the example shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), a pair of left and right notches 2c are formed in the insertion portion 2, providing elastically deformable elastic pieces 2a and 2b on both the left and right sides. When the tool bracket 1 rotates around the shaft portion 3 from the position shown in FIG. 5(a), and the elastic piece 2a comes into contact with the inner surface 13a of the accommodation space 13 and elastically deforms as shown in FIG. 5(b), the restoring force of the elastic piece 2a automatically returns the tool bracket 1 to the predetermined position (mounting angle) shown in FIG. 5(a). Note that when the tool bracket 1 rotates in the opposite direction from FIG. 5(b), the elastic piece 2b opposite the elastically deformed elastic piece 2a in FIG. 5(b) elastically deforms and returns to the position shown in FIG. 5(a) due to the restoring force. In the example of FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the insertion portion 2 is provided with the elastic pieces 2a and 2b, but the shaft portion 3 may be provided with similar elastic pieces.

[0025] Furthermore, as a configuration for automatically returning the tool bracket 1 to a predetermined position, magnets may be disposed in the holder body 10 and the tool bracket 1, and the attractive or repulsive force between the magnets may be used to return the position (mounting angle) of the tool bracket 1 relative to the holder body 10 to a desired angle. For example, a magnet may be disposed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 3 of the tool bracket 1, and another magnet may be disposed at a corresponding position on the inner edge of the frame portion 14 of the holder body 10, and the magnets may attract each other, thereby returning the tool bracket 1 to a predetermined position.

[0026] Here, by using rotation suppressing members 20 and 30 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, for example, it is possible to suppress rotation of the tape measure M attached to the holder main body 10.

[0027] 6 includes a main plate 21 inserted into the accommodation space 13 of the holder body 10, a support portion 22 protruding forward from the main plate 21, and a pair of protrusions 23 protruding downward from the support portion 22. A concave curved surface 21a is provided on the upper surface of the main plate 21. The curved surface 21a has a shape corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 2, and in this example, is formed in an arc shape with approximately the same diameter as the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 2 in a front view. The rotation suppression member 20 can be attached to the holder body 10 by inserting the main plate 21 into the accommodation space 13 from the upper opening 14a of the frame portion 14 of the holder body 10.

[0028] 7 shows the state in which the rotation suppressing member 20 is attached alone to the holder body 10, and further shows the insertion portion 2 and the base portion 4 when the insertion portion 2 of the tool bracket 1 is inserted into the accommodation space 13 by a two-dot chain line. In this state, the rotation suppressing member 20 is held in place with its rotation suppressed relative to the holder body 10, and the rotation of the tool bracket 1 is suppressed by the rotation suppressing member 20. As a result, rotation of the tool bracket 1 relative to the holder body 10 is suppressed.

[0029] Specifically, the main plate portion 21 is held in place within the accommodation space 13 while its rotation is restricted. The support portion 22 has an upward support surface 22a that abuts against the lower surface 4b of the base portion 4 of the tool bracket 1. The lower surface 4b of the base portion 4, indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, abuts against the support surface 22a of the tool bracket 1, thereby restricting rotation of the tool bracket 1 relative to the rotation restricting member 20. The curved surface 21a is abutted against the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2. The support portion 22 is shaped so as to be fitted into the front opening 14b of the frame portion 14 of the holder body 10, and the lower surface 22b of the support portion 22 abuts against and is supported by the lower edge portion 14c of the frame portion 14. The pair of protrusions 23 are arranged on the front side of the frame portion 14. The frame portion 14 is sandwiched between the pair of protrusions 23 and the main plate portion 21 to restrict rattle of the rotation suppressing member 20.

[0030] 8 shows another example of a rotation suppressing member 30. The rotation suppressing member 30 has a main body plate portion 31 having an opening 31a into which the base portion 4 can be fitted, and a protruding portion 32 protruding to one side from the main body plate portion 31. The shape of the protruding portion 32 is formed so that it can be fitted into the front opening 14b of the frame portion 14 of the holder main body 10. The protruding portion 32 is provided with a concave curved surface 32a having the same shape as the curved surface 21a in the rotation suppressing member 20 shown in FIG.

[0031] 9, the rotation suppressing member 30 of this example is fitted into the tool bracket 1 fixed to the tape measure M, and is attached to the holder body 10 together with the tool bracket 1. Note that the rotation suppressing member 30 of this example is configured so that it cannot be attached to the holder body 10 by itself.

[0032] When the rotation suppressing member 30 is attached to the holder body 10 together with the tool bracket 1, the rotation suppressing member 30 is held in a state in which its rotation is suppressed relative to the holder body 10, and the rotation of the tool bracket 1 is suppressed by the rotation suppressing member 30. As a result, the rotation of the tool bracket 1 relative to the holder body 10 is suppressed.

[0033] When the rotation suppressing member 30 is attached to the holder body 10 together with the tool bracket 1, the protrusion 32 fits into the front opening 14b of the frame portion 14 of the holder body 10. This suppresses rotation of the rotation suppressing member 30 relative to the holder body 10. In addition, the lower surface 32b of the protrusion 32 abuts against and is supported by the lower edge portion 14c of the frame portion 14.

[0034] The main body plate portion 31 is held between the surface of the tape measure M to which the tool bracket 1 is fixed and the front surface of the holder main body 10 (the surface of the frame portion 14). The lower surface 4b of the base portion 4 of the tool bracket 1 abuts against the support surface 31b provided on the lower edge of the opening 31a, thereby restricting rotation of the tool bracket 1 relative to the rotation restricting member 30. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2 abuts against the curved surface 32a.

[0035] The configuration for suppressing rotation of the tool bracket 1 is not limited to the above, and for example, a recess may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 3 of the tool bracket 1, and a protrusion that fits into the recess may be provided on the support portion 22 of the rotation suppression member 20 or the protrusion portion 32 of the rotation suppression member 30.

[0036] As described above, by using the rotation suppressing members 20, 30, etc. as needed, it is possible to suppress rotation of the tool bracket 1 relative to the holder body 10. This makes it easy to accommodate cases where it is desired to use a tool such as a tape measure M without rotating it. Furthermore, for example, by suppressing rotation of the tool bracket 1 during transportation, it is possible to prevent shaking of the product (the tool bracket 1 and / or a tool such as a tape measure M), and to prevent damage to the product due to vibration.

[0037] The above explanation has been given based on the illustrated examples, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the insertion portion 2 of the tool bracket 1 is inserted into the storage space 13 of the holder body 10, but this is not limited to this and the tool bracket may be of a hook type that is hooked onto the frame portion 14 of the holder body 10 and engaged and held. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1: Tool bracket 2: Insertion part 2a, 2b: Elastic pieces 2c: Notch 3: Shaft 3a:Flat surface 4: Base section 4a:Top surface 4b: Bottom surface 4c, 4d: both sides 5: Screw hole 10: Holder body 11: Waist belt 12:Through hole 13: Containment space 13a: Inner surface 14: Frame section 14a: Upper opening 14b: Front opening 14c: Lower edge of front opening 15: Stopper part 20: Rotation suppression member 21: Main plate part 21a: Curved surface 22: Support part 22a: Support surface 22b: Lower surface of support 23:Protrusion 30: Rotation suppression member 31: Main body plate 31a:Aperture 31b: Support surface 32:Protrusion 32a: Curved surface 32b: Lower surface of protrusion D1: Diameter of the insertion part D2: Diameter of the shaft M: Tape measure S: Support point W1: Width of the storage space W2: Width of front opening

Claims

[Claim 1] A tool holder having a holder body that is held on a user's body, and a tool bracket that is detachably attached to the holder body and that attaches a tool to the holder body, the tool bracket has an insertion portion that can be inserted into the accommodation space of the holder body at any mounting angle, The storage space is defined by a frame portion that opens upward and a stopper portion that is configured to be slidable, The insertion portion is configured to be rotatable with respect to the holder main body when inserted into the accommodation space, the insertion portion is plate-shaped and is provided integrally with a shaft portion that constitutes a rotation shaft when rotating relative to the holder main body, The tool holder is characterized in that the insertion portion has elastically deformable elastic pieces on both the left and right sides, and when rotated in one direction around the shaft portion, one of the elastic pieces contacts one inner surface of the storage space and elastically deforms, returning the insertion portion to a predetermined position, and when rotated in the other direction around the shaft portion, the other elastic piece contacts the other inner surface of the storage space and elastically deforms, returning the insertion portion to a predetermined position.

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