Passive Retaining Lock System for a Hand Tool

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to pending provisional application 63/701,403 filed on Sep. 30, 2024.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC AND AN INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY AN INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a passive retaining lock system for a hand tool or for hand tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pin mount member secured to a hand tool retainably and removably engaged with a pin retainer assembly secured to a user during a use.

Conventionally, hand tools are retained by a use in a hand-held configuration during use or retained in a basic holster catchment configuration on a belt or a vest where a hand tool handle is slidably retained in a loop U-member and retained solely under the weight of hanging gravity from a user's tool belt during transport and movement, retained by a direct connection with a strong magnet secured in a user's belt/vest, or otherwise placed on a surface between uses.

A result of the corresponding failures in the conventional arts is that during the common bending motions in construction, including carrying/lifting, climbing, and leaning; hand tools may be easily, and unintentionally, dislodged from a user's tool belt or vest or separated from any magnetic connection. Conventionally, any tool retaining system fails to prevent unintentional and accidental separation and movement.

There is therefore a need for solution that addresses limitations of the current methods and apparatuses.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART INCLUDING INFORMATION DISCLOSED UNDER 37 CFR 1.97 AND 37 CFR 1.98

Not Applicable

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A pin post and pin retainer for removably attaching a tool. The shape of the post prevents removal of the post from a slot in the mount unless the post is in a required orientation. The pin post is attachable to and removable from items such as hammers, tape measures, and other items. The pin retainer is attachable to a belt or other article or apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a first face of a pin retainer backing member of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a second face of a pin retainer backing member of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a first face of a pin retainer facing member of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a second face of a pin retainer facing member of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a pin retainer facing member of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an assembled pin post assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded pin post assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an assembled pin retainer of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the apparatus of the present invention there is provided a passive retaining lock system for hand tools that includes a pin mount member 702 connectable on a hand tool that is releasably and lockably retained in a pin retainer assembly 902. The pin retainer assembly 902 includes a pin retainer having a pin slot 402 that is configured to slidably receive a first dimension of a pin post 810 of the pin mount member along a pin slot entry 408, and a pin slot base 404 opening dimensioned to have a second dimension that is larger than the first dimension to allow a rotation of the pin post 810 after passing through and along the pin slot entry while preventing a passage back through the pin slot entry. A pin boss 806 extends from an end of the pin post 810 of the pin mount member and has an outer dimension that is a third dimension that is larger than said second dimension and accordingly prohibits the pin post 810 and pin mount member 702 from separating from the pin retainer assembly 902.

According to another adaptive and alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system that may be readily adapted to a variety of hand tool shapes and hand tool configurations and is not restricted to a particular hand tool shape or hand tool configuration.

According to another adaptive and alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system that may include a flexible lanyard member that may flexibly encircle, and yet retain, oddly shaped hand tools to a pin retainer assembly.

According to another adaptive and alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system that may be constructed of any suitable rigid material that may be spark resistant and nonconductive to provide enhanced safety.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system that may be mounted to, and adaptively released from, existing hand tool support systems, tool belts, tool vests, and other hand tool support rigs and arrangements without requiring custom tooling or changing of a preexisting conventional configuration.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system that allows a hand tool to be lockably and releasably retained while also allowing the hand tool to swing and rotate during a user's movement.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system that may allow a retained hand tool to be continuously retained while rotating during a user's movement.

According to another adaptive and alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, comprising: a pin mount member affixable to an external hand tool, the pin mount member 110 having a pin post 810 extending from a mounting support 804, the a pin boss 806 extending from a distal end of the pin post 810, the pin post 810 having a first pair of first opposed surfaces having a first separation dimension, the pin post 810 having a second pair of second opposed surfaces having a second separation dimension, the second separation dimension is larger than the first separation dimension, the first pair of opposed surfaces alternating with the second pair of opposed surfaces about an outer periphery of the pin post 810, the pin boss 806 having a pin boss outer dimension that is larger than both the first separation dimension and the second separation dimension, a pin retainer 902 releasable and lockable receiving the pin mount member 702, a pin slot 402 configuration having a pin slot entry 408 and a pin slot 402 with pin slot side walls configured to slidably receive the pin post 810 along the first pair of first opposed surfaces having the first separation dimension while preventing a passage of the pin post 810 along the pin slot side walls in an orientation of the second pair of second opposed surfaces having the second separation dimension, and a pin slot base 404 opening dimensioned to receive the pin post and allow a rotation of the pin post 810 along both the first and the second opposed surfaces and respective the first and the second separation dimensions.

According to another adaptive and alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, further comprising: a pin retainer support backer 102 securably affixed to the pin retainer 104, the pin retainer support backer 102 bounding the pin slot 402 while exposing the pin slot entry 408 for operable engagement with the pin post 810 during use.

According to another adaptive and alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, further comprising: a pin retainer belt clip 106 securably affixed to the pin retainer support backer 102 opposite the pin slot 402, and wherein the pin retainer belt clip 106 configured to releasably engage an external belt during an assembly therewith.

According to another adaptive and alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, wherein: the pin retainer 104, the pin retainer support backer 102, and the pin retainer belt clip form a pin retainer assembly 106.

According to another adaptive and alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, wherein: at least one of the pin mount member 102 and the pin retainer 104 are formed from at least one of a plastic material, a nylon material, a reinforced polymer material, a carbon fiber reinforced material, a metallic material, a reinforced cellulose based material, and a toughened amorphous glass material.

According to another adaptive and alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, further comprising: a second pin post member, and a flexible strap securing one pin post member to the second pin post member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a passive retaining lock system that may readily adapted to scale and size for different weights and different configurations of hand tools without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. The word “couple” and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through intermediate elements or devices. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional (up/down, etc.) or motional (forward/back, etc.) terms may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner. It will also be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that the detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elements may be differently positioned, or otherwise noted as in the appended claims without requirements of the written description being required thereto.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

Adaptively provided is a passive retaining lock system for hand tools includes a pin mount member mounted on a hand tool that is releasably and lockably retained in a pin retainer assembly. The pin retainer assembly includes a pin retainer having a slot configuration that is configured to slidably receive a first dimension of a pin post of the pin mount member along a pin slot entry, and a pin slot base opening dimensioned to have a second dimension that is larger than the first dimension to allow a rotation of the pin post after passing through and along the pin slot entry while preventing a passage back through the pin slot entry. A pin boss extends from an end of the pin post of the pin mount member and has an outer dimension that is a third dimension that is larger than said second dimension and accordingly prohibits the pin post and pin mount member from separating from the pin retainer assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved passive retaining lock system for retaining a hand tool in illustrative and adaptive alternative embodiments, as will be further developed herein and below.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the system of the present invention. The system comprises a pin mount member 702. In a preferred embodiment, the pin mount member comprises a pin 110, a tool mount 108, and means 112 for attaching the pin 110 to the tool mount 108. The system further comprises a pin retainer assembly 902. In a preferred embodiment, the pin retainer assembly comprises a pin retainer 104, a pin retainer support backer 102, a pin retainer belt clip 106, means 114 for attaching the pin retainer 104 to the pin retainer support backer 102, and means for attaching the pin retainer belt clip 106 to the pin retainer support backer 102.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a first face of a pin retainer support backer 102 of the present invention. The first face is preferably configured to face pin retainer 104. The pin retainer support backer 102 preferably comprises a recessed region 202 which forms a portion of a slot to accept a pin 110 of the pin retainer assembly 902. The pin retainer support backer 102 preferably further comprises means 208 for attaching the pin retainer belt clip 106 to the pin retainer support backer 102, means 204 for attaching the pin retainer 104 to the pin retainer support backer 102. In certain embodiments, the pin retainer support backer 102 further comprises a debris discharge aperture 206.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a second face of a pin retainer support backer 102 of the present invention. The second face is preferably configured to face pin retainer belt clip 106.

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of pin retainer 104. In a preferred embodiment, pin retainer 104 comprises pin slot entry 408, a pin slot 402, and a pin slot base 404. Pin slot base 404 preferably has a width greater than pin slot 402. Because pin slot base 404 has a greater width than pin slot 402, a pin 110 inserted into pin slot base 404 may be captured in certain orientations and removable in other orientations. Pin retainer 104. further preferably comprises means 406 for attaching pin retainer 104 to pin retainer support backer 102.

FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of a pin retainer support backer 102 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top perspective view of a pin retainer support backer 102 of the present invention. The depth of the pocket 602 configured to accept the pin boss 806 is shown.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an assembled pin mount member 702.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of pin mount member 702. Pin mount member 702 preferably composes a pin 110, a tool mount 108, and a means 112 for attaching the tool mount 108 to the pin 110. In a preferred embodiment, the pin 110 comprises a pin post 810, and a pin boss 806. In a preferred embodiment, the pin further comprises orientation features 808. Tool mount 108 preferably comprises means 802 for attaching tool mount 108 to a tool and orientation features 804. By orienting orientation features 808 of pin 110 in orientation features 804 of tool mount 108 in a desired orientation, the rotation of pin 110 relative to tool mount 108 can be selected. Pin mount member 702 preferably further comprises means 112 for attaching pin 110 to tool mount 108.

FIG. 9 shows an assembled perspective view of pin retainer assembly 902.

In certain embodiments, pin boss 806 is configured with flat regions disposed 180 degrees from each other. These flat regions may be used to attach a wrench to assemble and/or disassemble pin mount member 702. Pin post 810 is preferably does not have a circular cross section. In a preferred embodiment, pin post 810 has a cross section which resembles a circle with an even number of flats (preferably two) comprised of chords disposed 180 degrees apart from each other. The diameter of the circle is preferably greater than the width of slot 402 of pin retainer 104 and slightly less than the diameter of pin slot base 404.

In order to attach a tool to the pin retainer assembly 902, a pin mount member 702 is first assembled in a desired orientation. The desired orientation is preferably selected such that the chords of the pin 810 are horizontal when the weight of the attached tool rotates the pin 810 in the pin retainer 902 because, when the chords are horizontal, pin 810 cannot be removed from pin retainer 902. The pin retainer assembly 902 is then attached to the tool. Various means of attaching pin retainer assembly 902 to a tool are readily apparent to craftsmen and are anticipated by the present invention. A pin retainer assembly 902 may be attached to a tool using fasteners and holes 802. A pin retainer assembly 902 may be attached to a tool using an adhesive such as glue, epoxy, or double-sided tape. A pin retainer assembly 902 may also be attached to a tool using zip ties. In other embodiments, the pin mount member 110 may be integral to a tool or a flexible member.

A pin retainer assembly 902 is then attached to a desired object. In a preferred embodiment, pin retainer assembly 902 is clipped to a belt using pin retainer belt clip 106. Pin retainer assembly 902 may also be attached using various means within the scope of the present invention. Pin retainer assembly 902 may be attached to an object using threaded fasteners, magnets, an adhesive, or any other suitable mode known in the art.

After the pin mount member 702 is attached to a tool and pin retainer assembly 902 is attached to a desired object, the system may be used as intended. Pin mount member 702 is then inserted into pin retainer assembly 902, with pin boss 806 located above gap 602. Pin retainer assembly 902 is configured to make it easy to locate pin slot 402 with an enlarged and beveled pin slot entry 408 at the open end of pin slot 402. The tool is then rotated, if necessary, until that the chords/flats of pin post 810 are parallel to the pin slot 402. Once the chords/flats of the pin post 810 are parallel to the pin slot 402, pin post 810 can slide to the closed end of slot 402, pin slot base 404. When pin post 810 is in pin slot base 404, the tool attached to pin mount member 702 is then released and the weight of the tool preferably rotates pin mount member 702 such that the chords/flats of the pin post 810 are not parallel to the pin slot 402. In this orientation, pin mount member 702 is secured thereby securing the tool attached to pin mount member 702.

A tool is removed by substantially reversing the process. Force is applied to the tool attached to pin mount member 702 in the direction of pin slot 402. The tool is then rotated, if necessary, until that the chords/flats of the pin post 810 are parallel to the pin slot 402. Once the chords/flats of the pin post 810 are parallel to the pin slot 402, pin post 810 can slide to the beveled pin slot entry 408 at the open end of pin slot 402 and the tool can thereby removed.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides a mode of practicing the invention. While this is a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is does not limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operations shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like.

Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inventors intend these to be encompassed within this specification. The specification describes certain technological solutions to solve the technical problems that are described expressly and inherently in this application. This disclosure describes embodiments, and the claims are intended to cover any modification or alternative or generalization of these embodiments which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the art.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims set out herein.