Pliers Rack With Offset Walls for Open-Handle Tool Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool storage racks for pliers with handles biased toward an open position, such as snap ring pliers, often require a support floor or complete perimeter to prevent the pliers from dropping or tilting, limiting access and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A storage rack design that uses offset support walls angled relative to the base, combined with gripping structures like vertical ribs, allows a friction fit with the pliers handles, enabling secure storage without a bottom support and allowing access from multiple directions, including above, below, and front, through strategically designed gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a support floor or complete perimeter is used to prevent pliers from dropping or tilting, then the pliers are securely held in place, but access is limited and space efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into discrete vertical walls with gaps between them, rather than using a continuous support floor or perimeter. This segmentation allows pliers to be secured by the vertical walls while leaving openings for access from multiple directions, resolving the contradiction between security and accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional support floor to a three-dimensional structure with vertical walls extending upward from the base. This dimensional change allows the walls to secure pliers vertically while maintaining horizontal gaps for access, achieving both security and ease of operation
2Reliability
If a support floor or complete perimeter is used to prevent pliers from dropping or tilting, then the pliers are securely held in place, but space efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous perimeter support is segmented into discrete vertical walls with gaps between them. This reduces the total material used and increases the open space in the rack, improving space efficiency while maintaining security through the vertical wall structures
Solution Approach 2:
Support is provided locally at specific points where vertical walls are positioned, rather than through a continuous support floor. This localized support approach uses less material and creates more usable space while still preventing pliers from dropping or tilting
3Reliability
If gripping structures like vertical ribs are added to the outer wall, then the friction fit with pliers handles is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Gripping features are added only to the inner surfaces of the vertical walls where they contact the pliers, rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized addition of ribs or grooves improves friction fit while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
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 design securely holds pliers in place while providing improved access and space efficiency by allowing retrieval from multiple angles, eliminating the need for a full support floor and enabling easy removal even in confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
allows a friction fit with the pliers handles, enabling secure storage
Data Source
AI summary
A storage rack for storing tools, such as pliers with open-biased handles, is provided. The pliers storage rack includes a support base and a plurality of pliers support structures coupled to the support base. Each of the plurality of pliers support structures define an open support region. A pair of pliers is supported by each of the plurality of pliers support structures. Each pair of pliers includes a pair of handles that are biased toward an open position and a pair of jaws opposite the pair of handles. The pair of handles engaged within the open support region in a position in which the pair of jaws of the pair of pliers extend out of a first end of the open support region and the pair of handles of the pair of pliers extend out of a second end of the open support region.