Portable Tool Holder with DIN Rail Mounting for Electricians

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tool storage solutions, such as tool belts and large pockets, do not keep tools in convenient proximity to the work area, leading to distractions and increased risk of tools being dropped while working on electrical installations like fuse boards, as electricians need to look away or break concentration to retrieve or stow tools.

Innovation Solution

A portable tool holder device with a rear wall, front wall, side walls, containment compartments, and mounting means, including a flexible snap-fit mounting arm for attachment to a DIN rail, and tapered funnel-shaped openings to securely hold and organize tools like screwdrivers, with optional dropper arm units for flexible positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If tools are stored in tool belts or large pockets in workwear, then tools can be carried and stored, but tools are not kept in convenient proximity to the work area, requiring the user to look away or break concentration when retrieving or stowing tools

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveConvenience of tool accessVSAvoidTime lost due to breaking concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tool holder device is divided into multiple containment compartments and receiving openings, each designed to hold specific tools. This segmentation allows tools to be organized in dedicated spaces that are all positioned within easy reach of the work area, eliminating the need to search through large pockets or tool belts and reducing the time lost due to breaking concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool holder device acts as an intermediary between the electrician and the tools. By positioning the device in close proximity to the work area (such as mounting it on a ladder or overhead structure), it serves as a intermediate storage point that keeps tools accessible without requiring the electrician to reach into pockets or tool belts, thereby maintaining concentration and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If tools are stored in tool belts or large pockets, then tools can be carried, but there is increased risk of tools being dropped to the floor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSafety of tool storageVSAvoidConvenience of tool storage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates multiple containment compartments with walls and bases that securely hold tools in designated positions. This segmented structure prevents tools from shifting or falling out during movement, significantly reducing the risk of tools being dropped to the floor compared to storage in tool belts or large pockets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a portable tool holder device is designed with multiple containment compartments and receiving openings, then tools can be organized and kept in proximity to the work area, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveConvenience of tool accessVSAvoidStructural complexity of holder device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool holder device is designed with multiple containment compartments and receiving openings that can accommodate various types of tools (screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, etc.). This multi-functional design allows a single device to organize and store multiple different tools efficiently, providing comprehensive tool access convenience without requiring multiple separate storage devices, thereby managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4385672A1A tool holder device
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 ROONEY GARRETT
  • EP4385672A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4385672A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4385672A1 patent drawingFigure 7(a)~7(b)

AI summary

A portable tool holder device comprises a rear wall, an opposing front wall, a left side wall and a right side wall, at least one containment compartment, at least one receiving opening and mounting means on the rear wall for detachably mounting the device wherein the mounting means comprises at least one mounting connector on the outer face of the rear wall.