Adjustable tool holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pegboard hook systems are inefficient for securing and storing elongate tools, requiring significant user effort and often leading to tools falling or being misplaced, and horizontal storage is not ideal due to space issues and risk of breakage.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable tool holder with a rectangular base, a centrally disposed longitudinal groove, a planar central bar divided into toothed and plain portions, a slider that slides along the toothed portion due to friction, and a D-shaped compression spring that adjusts the loops' distance to securely hold tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pegboard hook systems are used to secure elongate tools, then tools can be stored vertically, but the hooks require significant user effort to secure and remove tools, and hooks may come off with tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a slider as an intermediary component between the tool and the base member. The slider moves along the longitudinal groove and is retained by friction teeth, providing a reliable connection mechanism that eliminates the need for separate hooks. This intermediary component ensures both ease of operation and reliable tool securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides self-adjusting tension to automatically secure tools in place. When a tool is placed in the holder, the spring automatically compresses and engages the slider, creating a self-securing system that requires minimal user effort while maintaining reliable tool retention.
2Ease of operation
If tools are placed on a flat horizontal surface for storage, then tools are easily accessible, but large space is expended and tools may pile up and fall leading to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal storage to vertical storage by providing a holder that extends in the longitudinal direction. This dimensional change allows tools to be stored upright rather than lying flat, saving horizontal space while preventing tools from piling up and breaking. The vertical orientation maintains accessibility while improving tool safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed tool holder design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate tools of various dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a dynamic slider mechanism that can move freely along the longitudinal groove within the toothed portion. This dynamic element allows the holder to adapt to tools of various lengths and dimensions. The slider's movement capability, combined with the spring's adjustable tension, provides versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism allows for parameter changes in terms of compression and tension to accommodate different tool sizes. By adjusting the spring's compression, the holder can securely fit tools of varying dimensions. This parameter adjustment capability provides adaptability without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool holder provides a convenient, space-efficient solution for securing elongate tools of various dimensions, preventing them from falling and ensuring secure storage without the need for extensive user effort.
Implementation Method 1
a D-shaped compression spring (18), which, while wound around the central bar (14), extends between the slider (16) and an extremity of the base member (12)
Implementation Method 2
one of the longitudinal edges of the toothed portion comprises friction teeth
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an adjustable tool holder for holding workshop tools and the like. The tool holder comprises an elongate, rectangular base member comprising a longitudinal central groove, the base member extending between proximal and distal extremities, an elongate, central bar disposed within the groove centrally, the central bar laterally divided into toothed and plain portions terminating at the proximal and distal portions respectively, a longitudinal edge of the toothed portion comprising teeth, a slider adapted to slide along the length of the toothed portion, and a compression spring, one end of which secured to the slider while the other end secured to a distal extremity, the spring wound around the central bar. Sliding the slider to any point on the toothed portion causes length of the spring to be automatically altered accordingly, while the teeth prevent the slider from freely sliding towards the proximal end. A tool is adapted to be held between two consecutive loops of the spring.