Special receptacle or package – For a tool
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-19
2001-08-28
Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a tool
C248S210000, C224S904000, C211S070600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279741
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to power tool holders and in particular to a cordless power tool holder that may be used to support a cordless power tool while a worker uses the cordless power tool to perform a task or to store the cordless power tool between uses.
Since the introduction of the cordless power tool, use of these power tools has exploded in the construction industry. Cordless power tools, including, but not limited to, drills, circular saws, reciprocating saws, jig saws, screw guns, nailers and hammer drills are used by commercial contractors, home builders and the average “do-it-yourselfer.” In fact, some contractors have totally forsaken traditional electric power tools with their power cords and often inconvenient need to have access to an electrical power source for the modem cordless power tool. However, the modem cordless power tool has certain disadvantages. For example, because the cordless power tools require a battery pack, the cordless power tool is often heavier and more unwieldy in use than traditional corded power tools.
Many jobs require the use of a cordless power tool in one hand while holding a work piece in the other hand. Again because of the bulky and unwieldy nature of the cordless power tool, such jobs are not only awkward but they are also tiring. For example, a cordless drill tool can be used with a brush attachment to clean open ends of copper pipe prior to soldering. The worker holds the cordless drill in one hand and the copper pipe in the other and cleans the end of the copper pipe. If there are only one or two solder connections to be made, the worker can easily accomplish the task without becoming tired. However, in large jobs such as in the case of hotels and motels, where there are hundreds of solder joints, the process of cleaning the ends of copper pipe with the cordless power tool can become overwhelming. Because of the bulk, shape, and weight of a typical cordless power tool, a worker's hand, wrist and arm are more likely to tire through prolonged use. In such a work environment, frequent breaks are required to rest the arm.
Moreover, because of the shape, size and balance of typical cordless power tools, traditional tool belts or belted power tool holders are not suitable for safely storing a cordless power tool. This can be particularly troublesome when a worker is performing tasks while on a ladder or scaffolding. Because there is no suitable and safe place to store a typical cordless power tool while on a ladder, cordless power tools are often dropped by the worker between uses while working on a ladder. As a result, cordless power tools are often damaged, sometimes beyond repair, by workers while working on a ladder. Moreover, cordless power tools dropped from ladders or scaffolding have resulted in injury to workers working or walking below ladders or scaffolding. A current method of overcoming these particular safety-related issues is to require the worker to descend from the ladder and store the cordless power tool on the ground when not in use. Under this approach, a worker will therefore have to make numerous trips up and down ladders to their work area to pick up and return cordless power tools.
Thus, what is needed is a device to overcome the deficiencies discussed above. Such a device must be able to support a cordless power tool in an upright position while allowing a worker to actuate the power tool without having to bear the weight and unwieldiness of the cordless power tool in the worker's hand, wrist and arm. A device is also needed to allow a worker to safely store a cordless power tool while working for instance on a ladder to minimize the potential for dropping the cordless power tool and minimize the need to go up and down the ladder to retrieve and return a cordless power tool to the ground.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present invention, a cordless power tool holder is provided that solves the deficiencies inherent in traditional uses of cordless power tools. The present invention can support a cordless power tool in an upright position in use or be used to safely store the cordless power tool when not in use, such as when a worker is working on a ladder or scaffolding.
In accordance with the present invention, the cordless power tool holder includes a plate member having a periphery, a top side, and a bottom side. The plate member also includes at least one opening there through extending perpendicularly from the top side to the bottom side, such that fasteners may be inserted through the at least one opening from the top side to the bottom side and into a supporting surface. Thus, the cordless power tool holder can be secured to a work area.
The cordless power tool holder further comprises at least one side wall joined to the periphery of the plate member and extending upwardly from the periphery. The at least one side wall includes a top edge, the top edge having at least one notch. When the cordless power tool is placed battery pack first into the cordless power tool holder, the cordless power tool is positioned in an upright orientation with the cordless power tool's battery pack resting on the plate member's top side and being surrounded and gripped by the at least one side wall. Further, when the cordless power tool is resting in the cordless power tool holder, the at least one notch aligns with the cordless power tool's battery release mechanism.
The at least one side wall further includes a first slot and a second slot, the slots located in close proximity to the plate member. The first slot is positioned directly opposite the second slot and the first and second slots are dimensioned to receive a band. The band has a first end, a second end and means for locking the first end to the second end. The band may be fed into the first slot and second slot such that the first end extends from one of the slots and the second end extends from the opposite slot. A worker can wrap the first end and second end around an object, such as a ladder rung, and attach and tighten the first end and second end together around the object using the locking means, thereby securing the cordless power tool holder to the object and allowing the worker to safely store the cordless power tool in the cordless power tool holder until needed.
Thus, when the present invention is fastened to a work surface such as a table top, a worker can place a cordless power tool into the cordless power tool holder. The cordless power tool holder now supports the weight of the power tool rather than the worker's hand, wrist and arm. A worker may actuate a cordless power tool, such as a drill with a cleaning brush, with one hand and hold a work piece such as a copper pipe that he is cleaning with the other hand. Through this use of the invention, a worker can clean hundreds of copper pipe ends in a shorter time period because the worker does not have to take frequent breaks to rest his arm.
A worker can also use the present invention to safely store a cordless power tool while the worker is on a ladder. When the invention is used in this manner, a worker can place the cordless power tool in the cordless power tool holder while working on a ladder between uses of the cordless power tool. The potential for dropping the cordless power tool and damaging the cordless power tool or injuring a co-worker is thereby minimized. Further, the number of trips required up and down the ladder is also minimized through use of the present invention. Thus, the present invention saves time, reduces costs, and enhances job site safety.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention shall hereinafter appear, and for the purposes of illustration, but not limitation, exemplary embodiments of the present invention shall hereinafter be described.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1338106 (1920-04-01), Smith
patent: 1672033 (1928-06-01), Mallins
patent: 2213738 (1940-09-01), Larsen
patent: 2297193 (1942-09-01), Silverman
patent: 3482809 (1969-12-01), McCall, Jr.
patent: 3895710 (1975-07-01), Harvell
patent: 4036463 (1977-07-
Fidei David T.
Miller Ice
Plumbing 2000, Inc.
Swift Michael A.
Taylor Jay G.
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