Easy handling sleeve for small tools

Special receptacle or package – For a tool – Plural

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C206S349000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06588589

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices for storing and handling drill bits and similar small tools. Drill bits used in manually drilling or boring holes in objects come in a great variety of sizes and types. A typical user of drill bits, such as a mechanic or tradesman who works on a variety of projects, must have on hand a great variety and number of drill bits to accommodate the variety of needs in their work. The number of potential drill bits on hand is multiplied by the various drill series that are potentially used such as numbered and metric drill series.
The small size and shape of some drill bits introduces several problems in their use. Larger drill bits are relatively easily handled. However, smaller bits are grasped and handled with more difficulty simply due to their small size and round cross-section. In particular, grasping a round-shafted drill bit lying on a flat horizontal surface is problematic due to the small grip area—relative to human fingers—presented. In addition, drill bits have a tendency to roll such that when placed on a flat work area they may roll out of reach of the user, or into a hidden location. An additional problem with all drill bits, but particularly small sizes, is the lack of means of presenting drill data such as size information in a manner easily used. Typically, a drill size or number is stamped into the shaft base of many drill bits. However, this is impractical with small sized bits and tends to be obscured with use in all bits. All of these problems are made worse by the work habits of many users: a multitude of bits are stored grossly in a single location such as a tool box drawer. Some of these problems have been addressed with devices such as drill bit storage boxes having individualized bit storage compartments. For example, in the drill bit holder disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,792,934 to Roccheti has individual storage slots to simplify the task of selecting and grasping drill bits. However, these types of devices do not address the problems encountered after the drill bit is removed from storage. Once the bare drill bit is removed from a storage container it is subject to the same problems of handling and identification. What is needed is a means of easily and individually handling small drill bits and similar tools and of retaining tool information with the tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problems inherent with handling small tools such as drill bits are resolved in the present invention by a novel storage sleeve. The storage sleeve has a longitudinal bore for retaining an elongated tool such as a drill bit and a handling tab. The handling tab provides a gripable element which is easily manipulated for retrieving the tool from a storage container or incidental flat surface. The handling tab includes a data surface including indicia such as text or numbers providing information associated with the tool. The handling tab extends from one side of the storage sleeve. The storage sleeve preferably includes a sleeve body having a rounded surface that enables a user's fingers to rotate and grasp the storage sleeve when located on a flat surface. The storage sleeve, or portions of the storage sleeve, may also be specifically colored to differentiate from other colored storage sleeves to indicate related groups of tools such as a drill series. The storage sleeve may also have distinctive shapes or outlines to convey tool characteristics.
The invention also includes sets of sleeves retaining associated sets of drill bits. Each sleeve of the set having identifying information associated with the respective drill bit. A storage container is provided to conveniently present such sets of sleeves and bits. In one embodiment, a storage container includes rows of retaining clips which releaseably capture a set of sleeves in a manner to present the information contained on each sleeve and allow each sleeve and associated tool to be removed for use.


REFERENCES:
patent: 69287 (1867-09-01), Weed
patent: 2792934 (1957-05-01), Rocchetti
patent: 2938746 (1960-05-01), Willman
patent: 3703234 (1972-11-01), Howard
patent: 3910412 (1975-10-01), Vargo
patent: 4019632 (1977-04-01), Greenlee
patent: 4421230 (1983-12-01), Stanton
patent: 5595294 (1997-01-01), McKenzie et al.
patent: 5979649 (1999-11-01), Rosler
patent: 5979652 (1999-11-01), Rosler
patent: WO 93/09040 (1993-05-01), None

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