TOOL HOLDERS AND HARNESS ASSEMBLIES FOR CARRYING HAND TOOLS AND METHODS OF ASSEMBLING

Description

BACKGROUND

The field of the disclosure relates generally to toolholders, and more particularly, to toolholders and harness assemblies for carrying hand tools.

Users in the field such as construction workers need to carry various tools with them. Known toolholders and assemblies are disadvantaged in some aspects in meeting the needs of the users and improvements are desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a harness assembly for carrying a hand tool is provided. The harness assembly includes a wearable support including at least one strap arranged to extend across a wearer's back, and a toolholder attachable to the wearable support. The toolholder includes legs and a plate arranged to attach to and extend at least partly along a length of the at least one strap. The legs extend outward from the plate in a direction that is not parallel to the plate. The plate and the legs form a support shaped to receive a hand tool in an inverted position. The hand tool extends at least partly along the at least one strap on the wearer's back and is positioned to be grasped by the wearer reaching towards the wearer's back. The toolholder further includes at least one engagement feature that retains the hand tool in the inverted position in the toolholder.

In another aspect, a toolholder includes a plate attachable to a strap, wherein the strap is arranged to extend across a wearer's back such that the plate extends at least partly vertically along the wearer's back. The toolholder further includes legs, each leg of the legs including a thigh extending outward from the plate in a first direction and a foot extending out from the thigh in a second direction different from the first direction. Each leg and the plate form a first U-shape and define a first opening between the plate and the foot sized to receive a head of a hand tool. The legs and the plate form a second U-shape and define a second opening between the legs to receive a handle of a hand tool.

In one more aspect, a harness assembly for carrying a hand tool is provided. The harness assembly includes a wearable support arranged to extend across a wearer's body and a loop toolholder attachable to the wearable support. The loop toolholder includes a planar base defining a pair of slots through the planar base and one or more apertures, a clip coupled with the planar base at the pair of slots, and one or more tool loops coupled with the planar base at the one or more apertures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1A shows an example harness assembly and an example toolholder coupled with a hand tool and configured to secure the hand tool with the handle in different positions.

FIG. 1B is a partial view of the harness assembly shown in FIG. 1A without the hand tool being coupled with the toolholder.

FIG. 1C shows another example toolholder.

FIG. 1D is a front view of the toolholder shown in FIG. 1C and a known toolholder, where hand tools are coupled to the toolholders with handles positioned below heads of the hand tools.

FIG. 1E is another front view of the toolholder shown in FIG. 1C and the known toolholder, where a hand tool is coupled with the toolholder in an inverted position.

FIG. 2A shows that the example toolholder shown in FIG. 1A is coupled with a wearable support of the harness assembly.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective of the toolholder shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C shows the toolholder decoupled from the wearable support.

FIG. 2D shows another example coupling mechanism of the toolholder with the wearable support.

FIG. 2E is a front view of the toolholder shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2F is a perspective view of the toolholder.

FIG. 2G is a rear view of the toolholder.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the toolholder shown in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 3B is a rear view of the toolholder shown in FIG. 3A with the clip open.

FIG. 3C is a rear view the toolholder shown in FIG. 3A with the clip closed.

FIG. 4A shows one more example toolholder.

FIG. 4B shows the main bracket and the cover of the toolholder side by side.

FIG. 4C shows the toolholder shown in FIG. 4A with the cover removed.

FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of one more example toolholder.

FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the toolholder shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A shows a known toolholder.

FIG. 6B shows the example harness assembly shown in FIG. 1A coupled with example toolholders.

FIG. 6C shows toolholders illustrated in FIG. 6B coupled with a piece of clothing.

FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of an example loop toolholder.

FIG. 7B is a side perspective view of the loop toolholder shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C shows a planar base of the loop toolholder illustrated in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is a rear view of the loop toolholder shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E is a rear view of the loop toolholder with the clip having a different orientation from the loop toolholder shown in FIG. 7D.

FIG. 8A shows another example planar base of a loop toolholder.

FIG. 8B shows one more example planar base of a loop toolholder.

FIG. 9A shows an example tool loop of the loop toolholder shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9B shows a band of the tool loop illustrated in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C shows another example tool loop of the loop toolholder shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9D shows a band of the tool loop illustrated in FIG. 9C.

FIG. 10A is a front view of an example tape holder.

FIG. 10B is a rear view of the tape holder shown in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C shows that the tape holder is coupled with a roll of tape.

FIG. 10D shows that the cord of the tape holder is pulled out from the shell of the tape holder.

FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of an example magnet toolholder.

FIG. 11B is a rear perspective view of the magnet toolholder.

FIG. 11C is a side perspective view of the magnet toolholder.

FIG. 11D shows that tools are retained by the magnet toolholder.

FIG. 12A is a flow chart of an example method of assembling a toolholder.

FIG. 12B shows an example mold for assembling the toolholder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure includes toolholders and harness assemblies for carrying toolholders and hand tools. Method aspects will be in part apparent and in part explicitly discussed in the following description.

Hand tools are useful for many tasks and are commonly carried by people before, during, or after performing tasks. For example, construction workers may use a variety of tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, and power tools, for building structures. The construction workers may carry a variety of tools on their person at all times such that the tools are handy whenever the construction worker needs to perform a task. However, the tools can be difficult to carry while performing tasks and can be misplaced and lost when not carried. Accordingly, many construction workers wear work belts or other apparatus that hold a variety of hand tools.

Typically, work belts include a belt that extends around a waist of the wearer and pockets or holsters that are attached to the belt and arranged to receive hand tools. However, the tools may be difficult to stow in and/or remove from the belt when the construction worker has only one free hand. Moreover, the tools in the belt may dangle around the legs of the wearer and hinder the mobility of the wearer. In addition, the tools may fall off or become unsecured from the work belt. Tools falling from the work belt can pose a safety risk to the wearer and those around the wearer, especially when the worker is working in an elevated position.

In contrast, the toolholders and harness assemblies described herein secure tools with toolholders and distribute tools and toolholders on the users' body, thereby reducing interference of tools and toolholders with users' movement. The toolholders described herein are configured to retain tools, thereby reducing safety risks from unsecured tools. Further, the toolholders described herein are configured to be coupled with a harness assembly and/or a wearer's clothing, thereby increasing the flexibility of placing tools on the user and accessibility of the tools for the user.

FIGS. 1A-1E show an example harness assembly 100 for carrying hand tools 102. FIG. 1A shows harness assembly 100 assembled with an example toolholder 104, which retains a hand tool 102 (e.g., a hammer 132). FIG. 1B shows harness assembly 100 by itself. FIG. 1C shows harness assembly 100 coupled with another example toolholder 104-c.

In the example embodiment, harness assembly 100 includes a wearable support 108. Wearable support 108 includes one or more straps 110. Straps 110 are in various orientations. Straps may be arranged to extend across a wearer's back (FIGS. 1A and 1B). For example, straps 110 include shoulder straps 110-s that are arranged to extend along a wearer's back and around the wearer's shoulder. Straps 110-s form a suspender system 112 of wearable support 108, and straps 110-s may function as suspenders for holding onto a wearer. In addition or alternatively, straps 110 include a back strap 110-b that arranged to extend across a wearer's back horizontally. At least one of straps 110 includes an attachment 114 configured to couple with toolholder 104. Wearable support 108 may include buckles 116 and hooks 118 configured to couple parts of wearable support 108 with one another. In some embodiments, wearable support 108 may further include a chest tie 119 that connects straps 110, keeping straps 110 from slipping off from the wearer due to the weight of tools 102.

In some embodiments, wearable support 108 may include a belt 121 arranged to extend around a wearer's waist (FIGS. 1A-1E). Belt 121 is coupled with suspender system 112 via a bottom tie 123. Alternatively, straps 110 are directly coupled with belt 121 via attachment mechanisms such as buckle 116, hook 118, and/or stiches.

FIGS. 1D and 1E show a known hammer holder 106 and toolholder 104-c. Hammer holder 106 includes a loop 126 sized to receive a handle 128 of a hammer 132 therethrough. Hammer holder 106 retains hammer 132 via loop 126 by preventing a head 130 of hammer 132 from slipping through loop 126. Known hammer holder 106 can only be worn on belt 121 with handle 128 of hammer in the downward position, where head 130 is above handle 128 when the wearer is in an upright position. As a result, hammer 132 bumps with legs of the wearer when the wearer moves about, interfering with the wearer's movement. Further, tool 102 may only be removed from hammer holder 106 by holding onto head 130 and pulling handle 128 out of loop 126. To use tool 102, the wearer then has to adjust the hold from head 130 to handle 128, causing inconvenience to the user, especially when the user has only free hand.

In contrast, in the example, toolholder 104 is arranged to be assembled on strap 110 or belt 121 such that tools may be distributed on the wearer's body. As shown, handle 128 of hand tool 102 may be in an inverted position or a typical downward position, providing the flexibility of positioning tool 102 in different orientations that may be more convenient for the wearer without hindering movement of the wearer. As used herein, tool 102 is in an inverted position when handle 128 points upwards or handle 128 is above head 130 when the wearer in an upright position. Providing an inverted position is advantageous in reducing the interference of tools 102 with the wearer's movement and increasing the accessibility of tools 102 for the user, where handle 128 is out of way from the legs of the wearer and the wearer can simply reach handle 128 and pull tool 102 out of toolholder 104 with one hand. The user can grasp and remove the tool 102 from the toolholder 104 in a ready to use manner and the hold of tool 102 does not need to be adjusted before the wearer uses tool 102 to perform a task.

FIGS. 2A-2G show example toolholder 104 configured to couple with strap 110 and/or belt 121. FIG. 2A is a front view of toolholder 104 coupled with wearable support 108. FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of toolholder 104 coupled with wearable support 108. FIG. 2C is a rear perspective view of toolholder 104 that is decoupled from wearable support 108. FIG. 2D is a partial view of another coupling mechanism of attachment 114 of wearable support 108 for coupling with strap 110. FIG. 2E is a front view of toolholder 104. FIG. 2F is a side perspective view of toolholder 104. FIG. 2G is a rear view of toolholder 104.

In the example, toolholder 104 includes a main bracket 201 that includes a plate 202 and legs 204. Plate 202 includes a first portion 206 and a second portion 208. First portion 206 extends in a first direction 203. Second portion 208 extends in a second direction 233, which is different from first direction 203 for first portion 206 (see FIG. 2E). Strap 110 is arranged to extend across a wearer's back and first portion 206 extends at least partly along a length of strap 110 (see FIG. 1A). Legs 204 extends outward from plate 202 at a first direction 235. e.g., in a direction perpendicular to plate 202. Plate 202 and legs 204 may form an angle less than 90 degrees. Alternatively, plate 202 and legs 204 may form an angle greater than 90 degrees.

In the example embodiment, legs 204 include a first leg 204-f and a second leg 204-s. First leg 204-f includes a first thigh 210-f extending outward from plate 202 in a first direction 235. Second leg 204-s includes a second thigh 210-s extending outward from plate 202 in the first direction 235. Each leg 204 also includes a foot 211 extending outward from thigh 210-f, 210-s in a second direction 237 different from the first direction 235. Each leg 204 and plate 202 form a first U-shape 212 and define a first opening 214 sized to receive head 130 of hand tool 102. Two legs 204 and plate 202 form a second U-shape 216 and define a second opening 218 sized to receive a handle 128 of hand tool 102.

In some embodiments, second thigh 210-s is slanted relative to first thigh 210-f (see FIGS. 2E and 2F). For example, second thigh 210-s is at a non-zero angle with first thigh 210-f. Slanted second thigh 210-s is suitable for receiving curved head 130 of hand tool 102 (see FIGS. 1A, 1D and 1E).

In the example embodiment, plate 202 and legs 204 are formed integrally as one single piece. Plate 202 and legs 204 are fabricated from plastic materials such as Kydex® plastic. Plate 202 and legs 204 may be fabricated from other materials such as rubber that enable toolholder 104 to function as described herein.

In the example embodiment, handle positioning toolholder 104 also includes a cover 213 and an engagement feature 209 (also see FIGS. 4A-4C described later). Engagement feature 209 are positioned between cover 213 and main bracket.

In operation, toolholder 104 retains hand tool 102 in a first orientation or a second orientation. For example, toolholder 104 retains hand tool 102 in an inverted position as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1E, or a downward position where handle 128 is below head 130 as shown in FIG. 1D. At the inverted position, hand tool 102 is relatively convenient for a user to reach and pull out of toolholder 104.

In the example embodiment, toolholder 104 includes a clip 215. Clip 215 includes a first section 217 and a second section 219. First section 217 is rotatably coupled with second section 219 at a hinge 236. A gap 220 is defined between first section 217 and second section 219 and sized to receive strap 110 or belt 121 therethrough. Toolholder 104 may be attached to strap 110 and/or belt 121 via clip 215, where strap 110 or belt 121 is received between first section 217 and second section 219 of clip 215. At end 234 opposite to hinge 236, a tongue 225 extends from second section 219 and a corresponding aperture 232 is defined in first section 217. In some embodiments, positions of tongue 225 and aperture 232 are reversed, where tongue 225 is positioned on first section 217 and aperture 232 is positioned on second section 219. First section 217 may include a bar 231 extending across aperture 232. Tongue 225 may define a channel 229 such that bar 231 is received in channel 229 when first section 217 is coupled with second section 219 at end 234. Clip 215 may be oriented horizontally on toolholder 104 such that clip 215 attaches to strap 110 and first portion 206 of plate 202 extends along a length of strap 110 (see FIG. 1A). Clip 215 may be oriented vertically (see FIGS. 1C-1E, and also see FIGS. 3A-3C described later) such that toolholder 104 is configured to be coupled to horizontal strap 110 or belt 121.

In operation, to couple toolholder 104 with wearable support 108, a first section 217 of clip 215 is decoupled from second section 219 of clip 215 at end 234 opposite from hinge 236. Strap 110 is placed in gap 220 between first section 217 and second section 219. First section 217 is then coupled with second section 219 at end 234 to secure toolholder 104 onto strap 110.

In the example embodiment, toolholder 104 further includes a male buckle member 222 (FIGS. 2B and 2C). Male buckle member 222 includes a body 224 and a projection 227 extending away from body 224. Plate 202 may include apertures sized to receive fasteners 228 therethrough. Male buckle member 222 is coupled with plate 202 of toolholder 104 via fasteners 228 such as rivets 230 by installing fasteners 228 through apertures 232 on male buckle member 222 and plate 202. The position of male buckle member 222 relative to plate 202 may be adjusted before male buckle member 222 is fastened with plate 202. Alternatively, male buckle member 222 is formed integrally with plate 202 as one single piece.

In the example embodiment, wearable support 108 includes a female buckle member 223 (FIGS. 2A-2D). Female buckle member 223 includes a first portion 205 and a second portion 207, both extending from member rod 221. Female buckle member 223 folds along member rod 221 into first portion 205 and second portion 207. First portion 205 defines an aperture 232 sized to receive projection 227 of male buckle member 222 therein (see FIG. 2B). Female buckle member 223 is coupled with strap 110 via a fastener 228 such as stitches (FIG. 2D), a cord (FIGS. 2A and 2B), or adhesives (not shown).

In operation, toolholder 104 may be coupled with wearable support 108 via the coupling of male buckle member 222 with female buckle member 223, where male buckle member 222 is inserted into female buckle member 223 until projection 227 sticks through and out of aperture 232.

Male buckle member 222 and female buckle member 223 are depicted as positioned on toolholder 104 and wearable support 108, respectively. Alternatively, male buckle member 222 is positioned on wearable support 108 while female buckle member 223 is positioned on toolholder 104.

FIGS. 3A-3C show another example toolholder 104-c. FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of toolholder 104-c. FIG. 3B is a partial rear view of toolholder with clip 215 uncoupled at end 234. FIG. 3C is a partial rear view of toolholder with clip 215 coupled at end 234. In the example embodiment, compared to toolholder 104 shown in FIGS. 2A-2G, toolholder 104-c is similar to toolholder 104 shown in FIGS. 2A-2G, except clip 215 of toolholder 104-c is oriented different from the orientation of clip 215 on toolholder 104 shown in FIGS. 2A-2G. For example, clip 215 is oriented vertically and opens vertically. Clip 215 is sized to receive belt 121 or a horizontal strap 110 therethrough.

In the example embodiment, clip 215 is coupled with plate 202 via fasteners 228. The relative position between clip 215 and plate 202 may be adjusted by adjusting the positions of fasteners 228 in apertures of second section 219 (see FIG. 3B).

In operation, to couple toolholder 104 with belt 121, clip 215 is uncoupled at end 234 by uncoupling first section 217 from second section 219 at end 234, positioning belt 121 in gap 220 between first section 217 and second section 219, and coupling first section 217 with second section 219 at end 234 (see FIGS. 1C-1E).

FIGS. 4A-4C show one more example toolholder 104-4. FIG. 4A is a front view of toolholder 104-4. FIG. 4B shows a cover 213 and a main bracket 201 of toolholder 104-4 side by side. FIG. 4C shows main bracket 201 being coupled with engagement features 209. In the example embodiment, toolholder 104-4 includes cover 213 and main bracket 201. Toolholder 104-4 also includes engagement feature 209 that retains hand tool 102 in the inverted position in toolholder 104-4. Engagement feature 209 includes magnets 404. Magnets 404 may be fabricated from neodymium and/or another suitable magnetic material. Magnets 404 are attached to cover 213 and/or main bracket 201. Magnets 404 are shown as being attached to plate 202 of toolholder 104-4.

In the example embodiment, cover 213 includes a main portion 405 and arms 408 extending from main portion 405. Arm 408 covers at least part of thigh 210. In some embodiments, arm 408 extends in an extent such that arm 408 covers at least part of foot 211. In other embodiments, cover 213 does not include an arm 408. Cover 213 protects magnets 404 from being damaged by hand tool. Cover 213 may define apertures 232, providing paths for magnetic flux and direct or close contact between magnets 404 and magnetic material such as iron or steel in head 130 of tool 102 and thus strengthening the coupling between magnets 404 and tool 102. In some embodiments, toolholder 104-4 does not include cover 213.

Cover 213 or parts of cover 213 may have the same form factor as main bracket 201. For example, main portion 405 has the same form factor as plate 202, and arms 408 have the same form factor as thighs 210 of main bracket 201.

In operation, to assemble toolholder 104-4, magnets 404 are coupled with plate 202 via adhesives. Cover 213 and plate 202 are then coupled with one another via adhesives, with magnets 404 sandwiched in between.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show one more embodiment of toolholder 104-5. FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of toolholder 104-5. FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of toolholder 104-5. In the example embodiment, toolholder 104-5 includes cover 213 covering at least part of main bracket 201. Apertures 232 are defined through cover 213 and main bracket 201. Fasteners 228, such as rivets 230, are positioned in apertures and fasten cover 213 to main bracket 201. Cover 213 and main bracket 201 may be coupled together via adhesives and the coupling is strengthened by fasteners 228. In other embodiments, cover 213 is secured to main bracket 201 by fasteners, adhesives, and/or any other attachment. In one embodiment, engagement feature 209 may be included in toolholder 104-5 between cover 213 and main bracket 201 as described above.

FIG. 6A shows a known tool pouch 602. Known tool pouch 602 includes pockets 604 sized to receive tools such as screwdrivers, screws, tapes, or nuts. Tools, however, are not secured in pockets 604 and may be displaced due to the movement of the wearer or during transportation. Further, after tools are placed in tool pouch 602, the load of tool pouch 602 may become heavy and concentrated for the wearer, impeding the movement of the wearer.

In contrast, the harness assembly and tool holders described herein secure the tools on the wearer and facilitate positioning of tool holders and tools on the wearer to distribute weight and size, thereby increasing the convenience for the wearer and reducing interference of tools and tool holders with movement of the wearer.

FIGS. 6B and 6C show distributively positioning of example toolholders 600 on harness assembly 100. FIG. 6B shows toolholders 600, such as a loop toolholder 606, a tape holder 608, and a magnet toolholder 610, that are distributed on wearable support 108. FIG. 6C shows toolholders 600 positioned on a wearer's clothing.

In the example embodiments, toolholders 600 secure tools, instead of merely serving as receptacles in known tool pouch 602. Toolholders may be positioned at places on the wearer's person that are convenient to reach, and may be distributed across the wearer. As a result, toolholders 600 reduce safety risks, increase convenience to the wearer, and reduce interference of tools with the wearer.

FIGS. 7A-7E show example loop toolholder 606. FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of loop toolholder 606. FIG. 7B is a side perspective view of loop toolholder 606. FIG. 7C shows a planar base 701 of loop toolholder 606. FIGS. 7D and 7E show loop toolholder 606 with clip 215 having different orientations relative to planar base 701.

In the example embodiment, loop toolholder 606 includes planar base 701. Planar base 701 may be elongated in one direction. Planar base 701 may have various shapes, such as rectangular or irregular as shown in FIGS. 7A-7E (see also FIGS. 8A and 8B described later). Planar base 701 defines apertures 232 sized to receive fasteners 228. Example fasteners 228 are screws and rivets. Fasteners 228 are configured to fasten a tool loop 702 with planar base 701. Apertures 232 are misaligned, where apertures 232 are not aligned along a line, such that tool loops 702 are positioned on planar base 701 in a staggered manner and tools coupled with loop toolholder 606 are not on top of one another, thereby increasing the convenience for the user to reach tools.

In the example embodiment, planar base 701 defines pairs of slots 704. Slots 704 may be curved. For example, slots 704 extend along arcs of a circle, where distances between points in one slot 704 of the pair and points in another slot 704 of the pair through the center of the circle are the same. Slots 704 are sized to receive fasteners 228 configured to couple a clip 215 with planar base 701. Curved slots 704 are advantageous in facilitating changes in the orientation of clip 215 relative to planar base 701. The orientation may be adjusted by changing the positions of fasteners 228 on slots 704. Planar base 701 may include a plurality of pairs of slots. The pairs of slots have different distances or diameters of the imaginary circles. For example, pair 706-s of slots 704 are positioned on a circle having a smaller diameter than the circle of pair 706-1 of slots 704. Different distances between the pairs of slots facilitate installation of different sizes of clips 215.

In operation, to assemble loop toolholder 606, tool loops 702 are coupled with planar base 701 at a first side 710 of planar base 701. Clip 215 is fastened with planar base 701 at a second side 712 of planar base 701 that is opposite from first side 710 (see FIGS. 7D and 7E). The orientation of clip 215 relative to planar base 701 may be adjusted by changing the positions of fastener 228 along slots 704.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show other example planar bases 701-8a, 701-8b. Planar bases 701-8a and 701-8b include one pair of slots 704. Planar base 701-8a includes four apertures 232 sized to receive fasteners 228 configured to attach four tool loops 702. Planar base 701-8b includes three apertures 232 sized to receive fasteners 228 configured to attach three tool loops 702.

FIGS. 9A-9D show example tool loops 702-c, 702-0. FIGS. 9A and 9B show closed tool loop 702-c. FIGS. 9C and 9D shows open tool loop 702-0. In the example embodiment, tool loop 702 includes a band 901. Band 901 defines an aperture 232 sized to receive fastener 228. Example fasteners 228 are screws and rivets. Band 901 of open tool loop 702-o defines a gap 902 positioned opposite aperture 232. Open tool loop 702-o facilitates placement of tools that is elongated in one direction. For example, a screw driver having a relatively long shaft may be placed into tool loop 702-o through gap 902, instead of inserting the relatively-long shaft into tool loop 702, increasing convenience for a user.

FIGS. 10A-10D show an example tape holder 608. FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of tape holder 608. FIG. 10B is a rear perspective view of tape holder 608. FIG. 10C is side view of tape holder 608 coupled with a roll of tape 1002. FIG. 10D shows a cord 1004 of tape holder 608 is extended.

In the example embodiment, tape holder 608 includes a rod 1001, cord 1004, a spool 1006, and a spring member 1008. Cord 1004 is attached to rod 1001 at a point 1010 between two ends 1009 of rod 1001. Point 1010 may be a midpoint of rod 1001. Cord 1004 may be retractable, where cord 1004 may be pulled out and retracted back by spool 1006. A shell 1012 covers spool 1006. Spring member 1008 is positioned on shell 1012. Spring member 1008 is used to clip tape holder 608 onto an object, such as strap 110, belt 121, and/or pocket 604.

In operation, to hold a roll of tape 1002 with a tape holder 608, rod 1001 is slanted and slid through an opening 1014 defined by roll of tape 1002 such that rod 1001 and shell 1012 are positioned on opposite sides of roll of tape 1002. With roll of tape 1002 placed on tape holder 608, tape holder 608 may be placed on an object using spring member 1008. To take roll of tape 1002 out of tape holder 608, rod 1001 is slanted and slid out of opening 1014. In some embodiment, the dimension of shell 1012 is smaller than the dimension of roll of tape 1002 such that roll of tape 1002 may be slid in and out of tape holder 608 by sliding shell 1012 through opening 1014.

FIGS. 11A-11D show example magnet toolholder 610. FIG. 11A is a front perspective view of magnet toolholder 610. FIG. 11B is a rear perspective view of magnet toolholder 610. FIG. 1C is a side perspective view of magnet toolholder 610. FIG. 11D shows tools 102 are coupled with magnet toolholder 610.

In the example embodiment, magnet toolholder 610 includes one or more magnets 404, a backing 1102, and a spring member 1008. Backing 1102 may be fabricated with material such as rubber, which increases the hold on tools 102. Backing 1102 includes a first side 1104 and a second side 1106 opposite first side 1104. Magnets 404 are coupled with backing 1102 on first side 1104. Magnets may be coupled to backing 1102 via attachment mechanisms such as adhesives. Magnets 404 may cover part of backing 1102 with the rest of backing 1102 exposed. Magnets may form a loop on backing 1102. Spring member 1008 is coupled with backing 1102 at second side 1106. Spring member 1008 is folded along an edge 1107 and defines a spacing 1109 between the two layers of spring member 1008. Spring member 1008 may be attached to backing 1102 via adhesives. An example material of spring member 1008 is Kydex® plastic. Spring member 1008 is configured to couple magnet toolholder 610 onto strap 110, belt 121, or pocket lining 612 (see FIG. 6C).

In operation, tools 102 having magnetic materials such as iron or steel may be placed on magnet toolholder 610. Magnet toolholder 610 may be placed on an object before or after the placement of tools 102 onto magnet toolholder 610. Magnet toolholder 610 is coupled with strap 110, belt 121, or pocket lining 612 by sliding strap 110, belt 121, or pocket lining 612 into spacing 1109.

FIG. 12A is a flow chart of an example method 1200 of assembling a toolholder. In the example embodiment, method 1200 includes forming a main bracket. Forming the main bracket includes forming 1202 a plate arranged to attach to and extend at least partly along a length of a strap. Method 1200 also includes forming 1204 legs that extend from the plate. For example, the legs may be integrally formed with the plate, or formed separately and attached to the plate. Example plates and legs are plate 202 and legs 204 described herein. In some embodiments, plate 202 and/or legs 204 may be formed by being pressed against a mold 1206 having complementary shapes to plate 202 or legs 204, respectively (see FIG. 12B). Main bracket 201 may be formed as one single piece by first cutting a blank from a sheet of raw material such as a sheet of plastic. The blank has a flatten shape of main bracket 201. The blank is pressed against mold 1206 to form main bracket 201. Cover 213 may be formed similarly using a blank having a flattened shape of cover 213. A cover 213 may be formed using mold 1206, where main portion 405 of cover 213 is formed in the same manner as plate 202 and arms 408 are formed in the same manner as legs 204. Method 1200 further includes attaching 1208 at least one engagement feature to the plate. Example engagement features may be engagement features 209 described above. Cover 213 may be attached with main bracket 201 via attachment mechanisms such as adhesives or fasteners 228, with magnet(s) 404 sandwiched between cover 213 and main bracket 201. In some embodiments, toolholder 104 or parts of toolholder 104 are additively manufactured.

At least one technical effect of the systems and methods described herein includes (a) a harness assembly includes a wearable support for distributively positioning toolholders and tools on a wearer: (b) a toolholder configured to retain a hand tool in an inverted position: (c) a loop toolholder having tool loops configured to retain tools: (d) a tape holder configured to retain a roll of tape; and (e) a magnet holder configured to retain tools.

Example embodiments of systems and methods of tool holders and harness assemblies are described above in detail. The systems and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein but, rather, components of the systems and/or operations of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or operations described herein. Further, the described components and/or operations may also be defined in, or used in combination with, other systems, methods, and/or devices, and are not limited to practice with only the systems described herein.

Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.