SECURING DEVICE FOR TOOL

Abstract

A case for a tool having a pocket with a base panel, first and second side panels, first and second end panels, and first and second slots. A first strap having a first proximal end affixed to the pocket first and a first distal end and a second strap having a second proximal end affixed to the pocket and a second distal end. The first and second straps are configured to crisscross each other, and the first distal end is configured to pass through the first slot and the second distal end is configured to pass through the second slot.

Claims

1. A case for a tool comprising: a pocket having a base panel, first and second side panels, and first and second end panels; and an upper portion extending from at least one of the first side panel, second side panel, first end panel and second end panel, wherein the pocket is configured to receive a base portion of the tool.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the base portion includes a rechargeable battery.

3. The case of claim 1, wherein the tool includes handle portion and an active portion that remain outside of the pocket.

4. The case of claim 1, further comprising an aperture in at least one of the first panel, the second side panel, the first end panel, or the second end panel.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises a canvas material.

6. The case of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises one of a woven material, a mesh material and a netting material.

7. The case of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises an opening having a tensile member and a cord lock configured to cinch the opening around the base portion of the tool.

8. A method of securing a tool, comprising: providing a case having a pocket and an upper portion, the upper portion having a neck and an opening; placing a base portion of a tool in the pocket; and enclosing the upper portion around the based portion of the tool.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein enclosing the upper portion around the base portion of the tool comprises cinching the opening around the handle of the tool using a tensile member and a cord lock.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the pocket has a first material and the upper portion has a second material.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first material includes canvas and the second material includes one of a woven material, a mesh material and a netting material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Some embodiments can be understood in more detail from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 depicts a case for a tool from a side perspective according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 depicts a tool, namely, a cordless drill according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 3 depicts the case for a tool with a sample tool, namely, a cordless drill in the case from a side perspective according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 4 depict a case for a tool having the straps wrapped around the tool from a rear perspective of the case of FIGS. 1-3;

[0034] FIG. 5 depicts the case of FIGS. 1-4 with a tool hanging upside down according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 6 depicts a case for a tool from a side perspective according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 7 depicts a case for a tool from a side perspective according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 8 depicts the case for a tool with a sample tool, namely, a cordless drill in the case from a side perspective according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 9 depicts a side perspective view of the case having the sample tool with the straps wrapping around the handle of the tool according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 10 depicts a side perspective view of the case having the straps wrapped around the handle and fed through the bottom of the case according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 11 depicts side perspective view with the upper portion enclosed around the tool according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 12 depict a case for a tool having the straps wrapped around the tool from a rear perspective of the case of FIGS. 6-11;

[0042] FIG. 13 depicts the case of FIGS. 6-12 with a tool hanging upside down according to various embodiments of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, and FIG. 14C depict example tool batteries that include additional features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Features of the inventive concept and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout. The present disclosure, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements, and techniques that are not necessary to those having ordinary skill in the art for a complete understanding of the aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described. Unless otherwise noted, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the attached drawings and the written description, and thus, descriptions thereof will not be repeated. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions shown may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0045] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a case for a tool for use with a safety tether that is attachable to a person, device and/or structure. In various embodiments, the case is configured for use with a cordless power tool with a battery pack or portion, such as a cordless drill. The case is configured to allow easy deposit and removal of the cordless power tool, or a portion thereof, in and out of the case and to securely retain the tool, while also allowing for the normal, uninhibited and/or unobstructed use of the tool and any additional features of the tool while it is secured to the case.

[0046] FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, depict a case 100 for a tool, including a power tool, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, the power tool may include a cordless drill 30 (tool and drill used interchangeably herein). As shown in FIG. 2, many cordless drills may be viewed as having an active portion and a base portion. The active portion of the drill 30 includes an upper assembly 34 that houses a motor 36 (36 not depicted) and includes a rotating drill end 38 that attaches to a bit. Extending downward from the upper assembly is a handle 40 which includes a trigger 42 for activating the drill and controlling the speed of the rotating drill end 38. At least a portion of the bottom end of the handle 40 often includes a hollow portion 44 (44 not depicted) containing electrical contacts 46 (46 not depicted). Connected at the end of the handle is the lower portion 32, e.g., a battery portion or battery. The battery portion 32 is shaped in a somewhat block form, with a length BL, height BH and width BW, however, the size and shape of the battery may vary. The battery 32 of the cordless drill 30 includes first and second side surfaces 10 and 12 (12 not shown), front and rear surfaces 14 and 16, and upper and lower surfaces 18 and 20 (20 not shown). The upper surface 18 includes a connection 24 (not shown) that sometimes (e.g., for certain brands) generally cylindrical shape that extends upwards from the upper surface 18 and is configured to match hollow portion 44 of the drill and to make an electrical connection between the battery and the tool. However, many batteries may simply have a slot or sliding mechanism for attaching to the hollow portion 44 of the drill 30 to make the electrical connection. A locking mechanism 48 (48 not shown) is included to ensure the battery is securely attached to the cordless drill 30. Many batteries also include a release mechanism on the first and second side surfaces 10 and 12 configured to release the locking mechanism 48 when the battery 32 needs to be changed.

[0047] The dimensions of the battery BL, BW, BH, may vary depending on brand, battery type, operating voltage, and overall capacity. For example, Lithium-based batteries are more energy dense than Nickel Cadmium batteries and therefore may be smaller in size. Higher capacity and/or higher voltage batteries require additional cells and are often larger than lower capacity/voltage batteries. Although batteries are generally shaped like a block, they may have rounded corners, angled sides (e.g., have a wedge shape), ornamental features, and accessory features. For example, BH may vary along BL to form a rounded or sloped front end of a battery.

[0048] The battery 32 is often relatively heavy when compared to remainder of the tool it is powering (e.g., the active portion of the tool including the handle 40, upper assembly 36, and motor 38). For example, in battery may be nearly as heavy as or heavier than the remainder of the cordless drill 30. Thus, in many examples, the drill 30 may be relatively balanced or bottom heavy once the battery is installed. Because the battery 32 is so relatively heavy, the drill 30 may have a center of gravity that is relatively low on the drill 30. Having a low center of gravity and a relatively flat lower surface 20 of the battery 32 allows for the drill 30 to stand on the battery 32 when placed on a flat surface.

[0049] In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the case 100 may be configured to provide a pocket 130 that substantially surrounds and retains at least the heavier base portion of the tool while leaving the active portion of the tool exposed and secures the tool such as a drill 30. In various embodiments, the case 100 may be configured to attach to a safety tether, as shown in FIG. 5, in a configuration where the case 100 has advantageous characteristics and functions, including reliably retaining a portion of the tool within the pocket, enabling normal use of the tool while secured to the case 100, preventing the tool from falling when dropped, and suspending the tool in a secured orientation with dampened swing or twisting.

[0050] In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the pocket 130 has a rectangular base panel 132 with a periphery of four generally linear side edges 132a, 132b, 132c and 132d, and a generally contiguous lateral wall 134 (e.g., with side panels and two end panels 136, 138, 140, 142 and four corners 144, 146, 148, 150 therebetween) that extends vertically or upwardly from the side edges 132a, 132b, 132c and 132d (see FIG. 5) that together define the pocket 130 with an opening that is comparable to the rectangular base panel 132 in shape and size. The wall 134 has a height dimension HW that is comparable to the height dimension BW (see FIG. 2) of the base portion of the tool such that the wall 134 covers at least 50% of the height BW of the base portion when the base portion is nested in the pocket 130. In various embodiments the pocket 130 may be constructed out of a first material that is durable yet flexible, such as a canvas, however, in various embodiments, the pocket 130 may include one or more other materials in strategic, predetermined regions of the case 100 to improve the structural integrity of the case 100 and/or provide flexibility. In various embodiments, the pocket 130 is shaped and/or sized to accommodate a strategic portion of the tool in the pocket 130 with a close and secure fit. For example, in various embodiments, the tool may be a cordless drill 30 and the pocket 130 may be shaped and/or sized to accommodate a battery 32 of the cordless drill accordingly.

[0051] The side and end panels 136-142 of the case 100 define a space volume that is configured to receive the base portion of the tool. The panels 136-142 may be deformed from their generally-planar neutral configuration so as to be separated or spread apart from each other by a user to gain wider access into the pocket 130 and to accommodate a wide variety of battery sizes.

[0052] In some embodiments, the pocket 130 is formed from a planar sheet of material that is folded, stitched, and/or cut, or otherwise shaped into the pocket 130 with the base 132, the side panels 136-138 and corners 144-150.

In various embodiments, the case 100 having a pocket 130 and straps 110 and 112, may function similar to, for example, a shoe for holding a foot and laces for fastening the shoe to the foot, in terms of the pocket 130 for holding the battery 32 and straps 110, 112 for wrapping or lacing around the handle 40 and securing the drill 30 in the pocket 130. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the straps 110, 112 are attached to and extend from the second end portion 142 of the pocket 130. The straps 110, 112 may be constructed using of a durable woven nylon. In some embodiments, a proximal end of each of the straps 110, 112 is affixed to the first end panel 140 and a distal end of each of the straps includes a respective fastener, e.g. D-ring 120, 122 (fastener and D-rings used interchangeably herein). The proximal end of the straps 110, 112 may be attached to the second end panel 142 using stitching, adhesive, welding, or any other any suitable attachment mechanism with the capability of maintaining the attachment in the event of a tool drop. In some embodiments the straps 110, 112 may be integral with second end panel 142, extending upwards from a top edge.

[0053] The fasteners, e.g., D-rings 120, provide for an attachment mechanism so that the tool may be safely tethered to a person, safety harness, or other attachment point, e.g., carabiner, so as to prevent the drill 30 from being dropped and detaching from the person.

[0054] In various embodiments, the case 100 includes an upper portion or a neck 152 that can be tightened or cinched around the handle of the tool, as shown in FIGS. 6-8. The upper portion 152 is constructed using a more flexible material, lighter, thinner, and/or more stretchable material than the material forming the pocket 130. For example, the upper portion 152, e.g., of nylon or elastic webbing, mesh or netting, is configured as an extension of the side and end panels 136-142 of the pocket 130, with a generally tubular form having two open ends 154, 156 wherein the first open end is affixed to the side and end panels 136-142 around the first opening 154, e.g., forming a seam S, so that the first open end is in communication with the first opening and the second open end defines a second opening 156 into the pocket 130. The second opening 156 can be comparable to, or larger or smaller than, the first opening 154 and the second opening 156 can cinched around the handle of the tool by a tensile member 158, such as drawstring or cord. The material of the upper portion 152, e.g., of webbing, mesh or the netting, can better conform around the upper region of the battery 32 and around the handle 40. The material of the upper portion 152, e.g., of webbing, mesh or netting, allows better visibility into the pocket 130 and can be bunched or gathered up more readily to conform to the handle of the tool. The tensile member 156 cinches the second opening around the handle 40 and brings the upper portion 152 in contact with the upper surface 18 of the battery 32 and the handle 40. A cord lock 158 may be used to ensure the opening remains cinched.

[0055] FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, depict a case 100 for a tool according to various embodiments of the present invention. The case 100 is designed to allow a portion of the drill 30 to be secured within the case 100, but still allow for easy and unobstructed use of the drill, and for the case 100 to be easily secured and removed. In various embodiments, the case 100 is configured such that the straps 110, 112 are able wrap around the drill handle 40 and battery 32 to retain the battery inside the pocket 130 and secure the drill to the case 100. For example, the drill is positioned relative to the pocket 130 such that the handle is adjacent the proximal affixed ends of the straps 110, 112 so that the straps may be wrapped around the handle 40 and battery 32 in a crisscross fashion and then fed through opposing slots 114, 116 formed in the pocket 130. To crisscross, the straps 110, 112 are extended towards the first end panel 140 until reaching the handle 40, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9. The straps 110, 112 may then form a cross 118 just to the front of the handle 40 and on the upper surface 18, as shown in FIG. 9. The distal ends of the straps 110, 112 are then fed through the slots 114, 116. The resulting configuration allows for the straps 110, 112 to create a tight strangle hold around the junction of the handle 40 and the battery 32, as shown in FIG. 10, that increases in tightness in the event of the drill being dropped because the drill's own weight causes the strangle hold to become tighter. After the straps 110, 112 have been fed through the slots 114, 116, for the case having the upper portion 152, the tensile member 158 may be cinched using the cord lock 160 giving the case 100 a more conforming and neat appearance. It is understood that the straps 110, 112 may be crisscrossed, fed through the slots 114, 116 in the same manner whether or not the case 100 has the upper portion 152. But where the case includes the upper portion 152, the tensile member 158 is typically cinched after the straps 110, 112 have been fed through the slots 114, 116, as shown in FIG. 10 followed by FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

[0056] In various embodiments, the straps 110, 112 have a length L that is suitable for accommodating a variety of tools (e.g., the cordless drill 30) made by a variety of different manufacturers while still allowing for the D-rings 120, 122 to be fastened together, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 13. The length L, however is short enough to avoid excessive twisting or swinging when the tool is hung upside down in the case 100. In various embodiments, the straps 110, 112, the fasteners, and the slots 114, 116 are complementary in thickness and width, such that they are configured to allow for the straps 110, 112 and the fasteners to pass through the slots 114, 116.

[0057] In various embodiments, the slots 114, 116 are located near or on a delineation (e.g., a fold line or a seam) between the base panel 132 and the side panels 136, 138 of the pocket 130 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). For example, in some embodiments, the slots 114, 116 may be located along the delineation at or near a mid-location between the two end panels 140,142 (see, e.g., FIG. 12). As such, the fasteners, e.g., D-rings 120, 122, will meet at near or at along the longitudinal axis coinciding with the center of gravity of the drill 30 when the drill is hanging in the case 100.

[0058] FIG. 5 and FIG. 13 depict a case 100 for a tool in a dropped or hanging orientation according to various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, the distal ends of the straps 110, 112 are held in a converged orientation using fasteners 120, 122 (e.g., D-rings). In some embodiments, the fasteners 120, 122 may be used in combination with a tether fastener 162 which is also suitably attached to an anchored safety tether. The tether fastener 162 may be a releasable fastener, e.g., a carabiner, that is configured to releasably coupled the D-rings 120, 122 to the safety tether and thereby prevent the drill 30 from being dropped a dangerous distance. In various embodiments, when the drill 30 is in a hanging orientation (as depicted), the weight of the drill is held by the straps 110, 112. The straps 110, 112 constrict around the handle 40 at the cross 118 and thereby securing the drill 30 by holding the battery within the pocket 130. As discussed above, the battery 32 is nearly as heavy as or heavier than the remainder the drill 30. Thus, when in a hanging position, the center of gravity causes the fasteners 120, 122 to meet at near or at along the longitudinal axis coinciding with the center of gravity of the drill 30. Thus, the drill hangs in a generally stable position from the D-rings 120, 122 without excessive any swinging or twisting motions of the case 100 and the tool 30 when they are coupled to and hanging by the safety tether.

[0059] FIG. 14, FIG. 14B, and FIG. 14C depict batteries having additional features. In various embodiments, the pocket 130 may be configured to accommodate the additional features of various batteries. For example, a first battery 300 includes a waist clip 305 for securing the drill to a user's waist. In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 13 the pocket 130 may include an aperture 164, e.g. a slot, window, hole, or other mechanism allowing for the belt clip 305 to be positioned outside of the case 100, thereby allowing the user to clip the drill to their person as if the case 100 was not being used. A second battery 310 includes a drill bit holder 315. In various embodiments, the shell may include an aperture 164 that allows for access to the any stored drill bits on the second battery 310. A third battery 320 includes a display 325 and a switch 330. In various embodiments, the shell may include the aperture 164 that allows for access to and viewing of the display 325 and switch 330.

[0060] In the preceding description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. It is apparent, however, that various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring various embodiments.

[0061] It will be understood that when an element, layer, region, or component is referred to as being on, connected to, or coupled to another element, layer, region, or component, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element, layer, region, or component, or one or more intervening elements, layers, regions, or components may be present. However, directly connected/directly coupled refers to one component directly connecting or coupling another component without an intermediate component. Meanwhile, other expressions describing relationships between components such as between, immediately between or adjacent to and directly adjacent to may be construed similarly. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being between two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

[0062] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms a and an are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising, have, having, includes, and including, when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0063] As used herein, the term substantially, about, approximately, and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. About or approximately, as used herein, is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, about may mean within one or more standard deviations, or within 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value. Further, the use of may when describing embodiments of the present disclosure refers to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As used herein, the terms use, using, and used may be considered synonymous with the terms utilize, utilizing, and utilized, respectively. Also, the term exemplary is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

[0064] Various embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Further, specific structural or functional descriptions disclosed herein are merely illustrative for the purpose of describing embodiments according to the concept of the present disclosure. Thus, embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result in some implantation in the region between the buried region and the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting.

[0065] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

[0066] The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments, and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few example embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of example embodiments. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of example embodiments as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed example embodiments, as well as other example embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The inventive concept is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.