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[0001] Not applicable
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to mobile tool holders or “organizers” that hold and display tools so that they are easily seen, handy to reach for, and can be moved to the immediate work area.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] A search of the available patents and other published sources for tool storage carts, mobile tool cabinets, tool display stands on wheels, and any related tool organizing systems has been made and any similar inventions analyzed. With the conclusion of this search it has become clear that, although there are several inventions that fall into this general category and many inventions that use similar commonly known elements, none of the unique elements used in this Tool Display Panel are found in any other patent or design. The unique elements that make it clearly different from all others are: (1) the uniquely simple design with its absence of any complex, moving, or adjustable devices, (2) the strict limiting of the type of tool holding devices to that of commonly used pegs and holes, (3) the unique placement of the tool holding racks which allows for a large number of tools to be displayed in a relatively small area without being crowded, (4) the restriction of the design of the tool panel to automotive tools only, (5) the end users of the panel would be professional mechanics, (6) the sizes and numbers within the tool sets displayed are limited to only those sizes used more than 90% of the time by the mechanic and, most importantly, (7) the simple attachment of the display panel to the already widely accepted and used standard mechanic's tool cart as the means of making the tool panel mobile.
[0006] This invention is a vertical tool-holding panel that is quickly, easily, and securely, mounted on the top work tray of any standard, 16 inch by 30 inch, mechanics' tool cart which permits an auto mechanic to bring all his constantly used hand tools, clearly displayed, to the immediate work area for easy selection and use. The tool panel is made of a wide, tall, rigid back panel and two shorter side panels of the same height at either end of the back panel, each at 90 degrees to the back panel, forming a rectangular, three-sided, vertical, surrounding and enclosing wall or panel. Attached to the inside of the three walls which face the mechanic are various narrow shelf-like racks of specific lengths, arranged in specific locations, which contain either holes or pegs of several sizes and shapes that are designed to hold almost all of the tools most regularly used by mechanics as they perform the most commonly repeated functions of disassembly and reassembly on the vehicle. This tool panel is also provided with a lockable cover of the same panel material that slips over and surrounds the front and top of the tool panel for security.
[0007] This new use of simple panels and common tool holders, arranged in a unique, compact, space-saving order, and mounted on the mechanic's tool cart provides a heretofore unavailable set of improvements and advantages for the automotive mechanic. By using this panel, attached to the small mobile standard mechanic's tool cart, an automotive mechanic no longer has to walk continuously, hour upon hour, back and forth to his huge immobile tool chest where he has to search through several drawers to find the size and type of basic tool he needs at that moment. When he returns from the tool chest to the actual work area he has no place to put the newly selected tools except on a cart already heaped with other tools and auto parts. With this tool panel he has all the essential tools he constantly uses, securely stored in a vertical position, in clear view, out of the way yet within his immediate reach, thus leaving nearly all of the cart's top tray clear for working on parts or other uses. This mobile tool panel will greatly reduce the daily fatigue caused by what the mechanics call the “Walk of Death” (i.e., to the tool chest). In addition, the added security cover permits the mechanic to leave all of the tools overnight in the tool panel, ready for work the next day, thereby greatly reducing the time and energy wasted in hauling out all the tools in the morning and carefully replacing them in the tool chest for lunch and at quitting time. Because of the simplicity of construction and ease of installation on the mechanic's already existing tool cart, this invention will be simple to manufacture and simply priced for every mechanic to own. Any mechanic who uses this tool panel on his tool cart for even one day will never work without it again.
[0008]
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012] Description—
[0013]
[0014] The use of birch wood and wood construction processes described here were chosen for the current design for simplicity of manufacture, the warm, pleasing appearance, and the sound deadening qualities of wood. Future models of this invention will be constructed of both plastic and metal.
[0015] The back panel (
[0016] All of the tool-holding racks on the tool panel are made of 1½ inch wide by {fraction (3/4)} inch thick solid birch wood stock. Holes are drill into the 1{fraction (1/2)} inch wide top face of each rack, either completely through the rack, as in the case of the screwdrivers/pliers rack (
[0017] The screwdrivers-pliers rack (
[0018] The location of the five elongated holes designed for holding pliers are also marked out on the centerline of the same rack. The holes are made by drilling three holes in a line, each hole touching at their circumferences. After drilling, the remaining webs of wood between each hole are removed with a chisel and sanded smooth with a small spindle sander, leaving an elongated hole. These holes can be made by other processes or machines. The first three of these elongated holes is drilled with a {fraction (1/2)} drill, starting from the right end of the rack, producing an elongated hole {fraction (1/2)} inch wide by 1½ inches long. The end of this first elongated hole is {fraction (3/4)} inch from the right end of the rack. The second and third elongated holes are laid out and drilled exactly the same as the first with the ends of the elongated holes being spaced 1 inch apart. The forth and fifth elongated holes are drilled with a {fraction (3/8)} inch drill and their finished size is {fraction (3/8)} inch wide by 1⅛ inch long. The spaces between the ends of third, fourth, and fifth elongated holes are also 1 inch. When finished, the screwdrivers-pliers rack (
[0019] The ratchet rack (
[0020] The ⅜ extensions rack (
[0021] The ¼ extensions rack (
[0022] The ¼ and ⅜ short inch socket rack (
[0023] The spark plug socket rack (
[0024] The adaptor-universal joint rack (
[0025] After the panel is completely assembled, checked for defects, and spot sanded, it is sprayed with a final finish of polyurethane and dried. A padlock hasp plate (
[0026] The completed panel is centered on the top tool tray (
[0027] Description—
[0028]
[0029] Description—
[0030] In the current version of the security cover assembly (
[0031] Operations—
[0032] The operation of this tool-holding panel invention is simple. The tool panel assembly is installed and secured onto a new or already owned mechanic's tool cart as described above. The mechanic chooses the type and sizes of hand tools he used on a constant basis and installs them in the racks designed for that type of tool. The panel is designed with some flexibility of choices for the mechanic. The tools he selects are installed in the arrangement designed into the racks and tool panel. Clearances are provided for long tools by the unique design and arrangement of the racks. When finished, a seemingly bare tool panel is now filled with easily removed tools. Because the tool panel is attached to the mechanic's tool cart, it can now be rolled to within inches of the mechanic's hands and work area.
[0033] At the end of work, the mechanic can place the security cover easily over the top and front of the tool panel and secure it from theft or tampering with a simple padlock. The tools having long handles, such as screwdrivers or pliers, which may extend above the top of the tool panel do not need to be removed since they are easily covered by the extra space provided in the top of the security cover.
[0034] This tool panel was designed by a mechanic to solve very fundamental problems faced by all mechanics. This invention provides a number of functions and advantages currently unavailable in any known single invention.
[0035] 1. This invention is extremely simple in design and construction thereby reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing.
[0036] 2. By mounting it on a tool cart already favored and used by nearly every mechanic, its acceptance and use will be quick and familiar.
[0037] 3. The matching wood grain and warm furniture-like color and appearance rather than seeming out of place, provides a small, bright, pleasing, personalized point of contrast to the rest of the cold metal and machines of the auto repair shop.
[0038] 4. The very durable finish is easy to keep clean with most shop cleaners.
[0039] 5. The tool panel and cart combination is relatively small, stable, and easily maneuverable in tight places.
[0040] 6. This tool holder is not cluttered with general work tools but holds only those specific automotive tools that are constantly used by a professional mechanic.
[0041] 7. The unique, compact, space-saving arrangement of the tool holders is designed to hold large numbers of tools without being crowded.
[0042] 8. The tool holders can be modified, or the tool arrangement changed, to suit the mechanic's individual needs.
[0043] 9. By using this tool panel and cart combination an automotive mechanic can easily bring all the tools needed directly to within inches of the work area and can be repositioned as the tasks change to different areas on the vehicle.
[0044] 10. The mechanic is relieved of the constant fatigue and frustration created by repeated trips to the tool chest which is often far from the work area.
[0045] 11. These essential tools are now securely stored in a vertical position, out of the way, in clear view, and within easy reach.
[0046] 12. The top tool tray is no longer cluttered with tools; now it is open, clear, and available for automotive parts or other uses.
[0047] 13. The security cover allows the tools to be left in place and ready for use at all times.
[0048] 14. The security cover ends the need to put away all of the tools into the tool chest at lunchtime or at the end of the day.
[0049] 15. With this invention the mechanic will save time and energy and become more productive and profitable.
[0050] 16. Because the tools are always set up in the tool panel, the mechanic can now begin work immediately in the morning and will be able to grab his tools quickly to take care of automotive emergencies.
[0051] 17. Because of the simplicity of construction and manufacture, the tool panel can be offered at an irresistible price for every mechanic to own.
[0052] 18. Different models of this tool panel can be easily made of metal and/or plastic to provide the advantages of these materials.
[0053] 19. Future models of this invention may be manufactured with the tool panel and tool cart being combined into a single integrated assembly.
[0054] 20. The functions and advantages of this invention are immediately obvious and using it for even a short time makes it indispensable.
[0055] Although the description of the invention above contains many specific measurements, arrangements, materials, processes, and design details, it is not the intention of this description to limit the scope of this invention. There will arise any number of improvements and changes to the invention which may include the use of other materials, construction methods, dimensions, or even the incorporation of the tool panel into the work cart as a single unit assembly. These changes will not alter the unique purpose, function, and advantages inherent in this mobile tool panel.