Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
TOOL HOLDER AND PACKAGING THEREFOR
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to tool holders, and more
particularly to a tool holder such as for use with an extension pole that is
capable
of firmly holding different tools having a wide range of tool handle sizes and
shapes, and which may be adjustable to provide a wide range of angles to
permit
the tool to reach odd angles at various heights.
Background
Tool holders that are designed to mount a tool on an extension pole have
been used to reach elevated locations or other difficult-to-reach spaces.
Commonly such tool holders are used by painters for holding paint brushes,
paint
rollers, scrapers or the like. Such tool holders may be adaptable to hold
various
tool handle sizes and may be adjustable to different angles as may be desired
for
the particular application. There is an ongoing need to simplify the
construction
and operation of such tool holders. In addition, there is an ongoing need to
improve the display packaging for such tool holders.
Summary
An aspect of the present invention provides a tool holder that facilitates
ease of use and/or has a simpler construction than other conventional tool
holder
designs.
Another aspect of the present invention provides display packaging that
protects and holds the tool holder while also permitting a potential buyer to
feel
and/or at least partially test portions of the tool holder.
According to an aspect of the invention, a tool holder for firmly holding a
wide range of sizes and shapes of tool handles includes: a holder handle; a
cage
assembly, the cage assembly comprising a pair of axially spaced apart supports
having axially aligned through openings formed by respective inwardly facing
surfaces of the supports, in which the openings are sized for receiving tool
handles of different sizes and shapes through both of the aligned openings; a
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
clamp transversely movable between the supports in opposite directions toward
and away from the respective inwardly facing surfaces of the supports for
releasably clamping the tool handle against the inwardly facing surfaces; a
locking coupling interposed between the holder handle and the cage assembly
for selectively adjusting the angular orientation of the cage assembly
relative to
the holder handle; and a threaded actuator that is operable to interact with
the
locking coupling for permitting or restricting adjustment of the angular
orientation
of the cage assembly relative to the holder handle.
According to another aspect of the invention, a tool holder is provided in
combination with a display packaging box.
According to another aspect of the invention, a display packaging box
includes: sidewalls that enclose a space, the box having an open bottom and
being configured to at least partially contain a tool holder having: a holder
handle;
a cage assembly comprising a pair of axially spaced apart supports having
axially
aligned through openings; and a clamp movable between the supports for
releasably clamping the tool handle against the supports; wherein the open
bottom of the box is configured to allow a majority of the cage assembly to be
disposed outwardly of the packaging at a bottom of the box.
The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain
illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative,
however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the
invention
may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features according to
aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show various
aspects of the invention.
Fig. 1 is a perspective top view of an exemplary tool holder according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tool holder in Fig. I.
Fig. 3 is a front view of the tool holder.
Fig. 4 is a left side view of the tool holder.
Fig. 5 is a top view of the tool holder.
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Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the tool holder.
Fig. 7 is a right side view of the tool holder.
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tool holder taken about the line A-A
in Fig. 4, with an exemplary locking coupling of the tool holder shown in an
exemplary locked state.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tool holder taken about the line A-A
in Fig. 4, with the exemplary locking coupling of the tool holder shown in an
exemplary unlocked state.
Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary tool holder
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the tool holder in Fig. 10, with an
exemplary locking coupling of the tool holder shown in an exemplary locked
state.
Fig. 12 is a perspective top, front view of exemplary packaging containing
the tool holder in Fig. 1.
Fig. 13 is a perspective bottom, back view of the packaging.
Fig. 14 is a front view of the packaging.
Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the packaging.
Fig. 16 is a perspective bottom, front view of the packaging.
Fig. 17 is plan view of an exemplary die-cut folding layout of the packaging
in Fig. 1.
Detailed Description
Referring to Figs. 1-9, an exemplary embodiment of a tool holder 10 is
shown. The tool holder 10 generally includes a holder handle 12 for coupling
to
an extension pole, and a cage assembly 14 that cooperates with a clamp 16 for
firmly holding different tools having a wide range of tool handle sizes and
shapes.
A locking coupling 18 is provided for enabling the cage assembly 14 to be
indexable relative to the holder handle 12 to a wide range of angles to permit
tools firmly held thereby to reach different angles at various heights. In
addition,
a threaded actuator 20 is provided that is operable to lock or unlock the
locking
coupling for permitting or restricting the angular adjustment of the holder
handle
12 and cage assembly 14 relative to each other, as will be described in
further
detail below.
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The holder handle 12 extends along a vertical axis and contains a
threaded socket 22 that permits the holder handle 12 to be threadably attached
to
virtually all standard threaded extension pole tips. Alternatively or
additionally,
the socket 22 may be provided with a larger diameter non-circular recess 24
adjacent its outer end for establishing an anti-rotation connection with a
quick
release lock mechanism for extension pole tips of the type disclosed, for
example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,288,161 by the same assignee as the present
disclosure. Such an extension pole 25 is shown in phantom view in Fig. 1.
The cage assembly 14 includes a pair of axially spaced apart supports 26,
28 having respective axially aligned through-openings 29, 30. The through-
openings 29, 30 are formed by respective radially inwardly facing surfaces 32,
33
of the supports 26, 28, and are sized for receiving tool handles of different
sizes
and shapes through both aligned openings 29, 30. The clamp 16 is transversely
movable between the supports 26, 28 in opposite directions toward and away
from the inwardly facing surfaces 32, 33. The clamp 16 is configured to
releasably clamp a tool handle (not shown) extending axially through both
aligned
openings 29, 30 against the inwardly facing surfaces 32, 33 of the supports
26,
28.
In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp 16 is formed as a cradle having
arm sections with engagement surfaces 34, 36 that form a generally V-shape for
supporting the tool. As shown, the width of the clamp 16 is slightly less than
the
spacing between the supports 26, 28 for enabling the clamp 16 to move
therebetween. Also as shown, opposite ends 35, 37 of the arm sections of the
clamp 16 may extend laterally outwardly beyond the openings 29, 30 in the
supports 26, 28 for guiding of the clamp 16 during transverse movement between
the supports 26, 28.
In exemplary embodiments, the inwardly facing surfaces 32, 33 of the
respective supports 26, 28 each have upper angled portions 38, 39 that form a
generally inverse shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the
engagement surfaces 34, 36 of the clamp 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the
inwardly facing surfaces 32, 33 of the respective supports form hexagonally-
shaped openings 29, 30, in which the respective angled portions 38, 39 of each
support 26, 28 are oriented relative to each other at an included angle of
approximately 120 . Such hexagonally-shaped openings may enable the clamp
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16 and supports 26, 28 to receive handles of different sizes and shapes after
the
clamp 16 has been moved sufficiently far away from the inwardly facing wall
surfaces 32, 33 to allow for insertion of the tool handle within the space
therebetween. As evident from the figures, the further the clamp 16 is moved
away from the inwardly facing surfaces 32, 33 of the supports 26, 28, the
larger
the open space therebetween for receipt of larger and/or different handle
shapes.
The configuration of the clamp 16 and supports 26, 28 also enables the clamp
16
and supports 26, 28 to more firmly hold tool handles of different sizes and
shapes
therebetween when a clamping force is applied to the clamp 16, thereby urging
the clamp 16 toward the inwardly facing wall surfaces 32, 33.
The transverse movement of the clamp 16 between the supports 26, 28
may be accomplished by operatively coupling the clamp 16 to an axial end of a
screw 42 threadedly received in a threaded bore 44 in a crossmember 46 that
extends between the ends of the supports 26, 28 opposite the inwardly facing
wall surfaces 32, 33. As shown, the threaded bore 44 may be formed in the
crossmember 46 substantially in line with the approximate center of the axial
space between the supports 26, 28. In exemplary embodiments, the respective
threads of the threaded bore 44 and screw 42 may be double-lead ACME
threads, which may improve the strength of the threads and may reduce the
number of turns to tighten or loosen the clamp 16. The end of the screw 42
also
may include a hexagonally shaped knob 43 for enhancing the user's grip when
tightening or loosening the clamp 16.
In exemplary embodiments, the tool holder 10 may be used, for example,
to firmly hold virtually any tool, including a paint brush, roller frame, trim
roller,
scraper, sander, duster, and/or flashlight, as long as the diameter of the
tool
handle does not exceed a maximum size of the openings 29, 30, for example, 1%
inches. However, it should be readily apparent that the size of the supports
26,
28 and associate openings 29, 30; the angular orientation of the angled sides
of
the inwardly facing wall surfaces 32, 33 of the supports; and/or inverse shape
of
the arm sections of the clamp 16; etc. may be increased or decreased for
accommodating larger or smaller size tool handles as desired.
As shown, the locking coupling 18 is interposed between the holder handle
12 and the cage assembly 14 for operatively coupling these members together
and for selectively adjusting the angular orientation of the cage assembly 14
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relative to the holder handle 12 to a wide range of angles to permit the tools
firmly
held thereby to reach different angles. The threaded actuator 20 is provided
to
interact with the locking coupling 18 for permitting such angular adjustment
when
the coupling 18 is in a release or unlocked state, or for restricting such
angular
adjustment when the coupling 18 is in a locked state.
In exemplary embodiments, the locking coupling 18 includes opposing
locking couplers 50, 52 that interlockingly engage with each other to provide
the
locked state, and which releasably disengage from each other to provide the
released state. As shown, the cage assembly 14 is operably connected to a
body portion 54 of the first one of the couplers 50, and the holder handle 12
is
operably connected to a body portion 56 of the second one of the couplers 52.
As shown, the first coupler 50 (also referred to as the cage-side coupler 50)
may
be integral and unitary with the cage assembly 14, such as via the body
portion
54. Alternatively or additionally, the second coupler 52 (also referred to as
the
handle-side coupler 52) may be integral and unitary with the holder handle 12,
such as via body portion 56.
In the illustrated embodiment, the locking couplers 50, 52 respectively
include first and second facing gears 58, 60 that are operably coupled to the
respective body portions 54, 56 of the couplers 50, 52. As shown, the facing
gears 58, 60 each have a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart teeth 62,
64
that protrude from respective end faces 63, 65 of the gears 58, 60. The
opposing
teeth 62, 64 of the respective facing gears 58, 60 are movable into and out of
engagement with one another and are selectively indexable relative to one
another when disengaged for adjusting the angular orientation of the cage
assembly 14 relative to the holder handle 12. In exemplary embodiments, the
respective teeth 62, 64 may have a squared profile, as shown, to help guide
the
axial and indexing movement of the respective facing gears 58, 60 relative to
each other. As shown, the facing gears 58, 60 may be integral and unitary with
the respective body portions 54, 56 of the couplers 50, 52. In the illustrated
embodiment, the body portion 54 axis is substantially orthogonal to the screw
42
axis, whereas the holder handle 12 axis is substantially orthogonal to the
body
portion 54 axis. Also as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the end face 63
of
the gear 58 operably coupled to the body portion 54 is in a plane
substantially
parallel to the holder handle 12 axis, whereas the end face 65 of the gear 60
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operably coupled to the body portion 56 is in a plane substantially orthogonal
to
the body portion 56 axis.
The threaded actuator 20 is threadably movable relative to the locking
coupling 18 between a lock position (as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, for example),
in
which the actuator 20 interacts with the locking coupling 18 to restrict
adjustment
of the angular orientation of the cage assembly 14 relative to the holder
handle
12, and a release position (as shown in Fig. 9, for example), in which the
threaded actuator 20 interacts with the locking coupling 18 to permit
adjustment
of the angular orientation. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, for
example,
the threaded actuator 20 extends through a passage 66 (or barrel 66) in the
body
portion 56 of the handle-side coupler 52 to threadably engage with the cage-
side
coupler 50. As shown, the actuator 20 may include a stem portion 68 having
outward threads 70 at an end portion thereof, and the body portion 54 of the
cage-side coupler 50 may include a bore with inward threads 72 for threadably
engaging the threaded end of the actuator stem 68. In exemplary embodiments,
the respective threads 70, 72 may be configured as buttress threads to enhance
the strength thereof. As shown, an intermediate portion 74 of the stem 68 may
include circumferential notches 75 and corresponding ribs 76, which may help
to
reduce the weight of the actuator 20 while also maintaining strength. The
notches 75 and ribs 76 also may facilitate part moldability/manufacturability.
The
threaded actuator 20 also may include an external knob 78 at an end portion
thereof that facilitates the ability of a user to rotate the actuator 20 and
thereby
threadably move the actuator 20 relative to the cage-side coupler 50 between
the
lock and release positions. As shown, the knob 78 may have a hexagonal profile
for enhancing the grip of the user.
Referring particularly to Fig. 8, the exemplary locked state of the locking
coupling 18 is shown, in which the respective teeth 62, 64 of the facing gears
58,
60 are interlocking engaged with each other to restrict angular movement of
the
locking couplers 50, 52, and thereby the cage assembly 14 and holder handle
12,
relative to each other. As shown, the threaded actuator 20 may include an
abutment surface 80 at the intermediate portion 74 or end portion of the stem
68
that is configured to engage a corresponding engagement surface 81 of the
handle-side coupler 52. When the actuator 20 is threadably advanced relative
to
the cage-side coupler 50 via the threads 70, 72, the abutment surface 80 of
the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
actuator 20 engages the engagement surface 81 and urges the handle-side
coupler 52 into interlocking engagement with the cage-side coupler 50 via the
teeth 62, 64. The opposing end faces 63, 65 of the respective couplers 50, 52
serve as stops to the axial motion of the couplers 50, 52 relative to each
other.
Alternatively or additionally, the end of the threaded bore 72 may serve as a
stop
to the axial movement of the actuator 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the
abutment surface 80 of the actuator 20 is configured as a shoulder that is
axially
forward the knob 78, and the engagement surface 81 of the coupler 52 is an
axial
end surface of the coupler 52. It is understood, however, that other suitable
forms of abutment and engagement surfaces 80,81 may be utilized, which may
take different forms and/or be positioned at different locations, as would be
understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.
Referring particular to Fig. 9, the exemplary release (or unlocked) state of
the locking coupling 18 is shown, in which the respective teeth 62, 64 of the
facing gears 63, 65 are disengaged from each other, and are rotationally
adjustable relative to each other, to adjust the angular orientation of the
cage
assembly 14 relative to the holder handle 12. As shown in the illustrated
state,
when the actuator 20 is threadably withdrawn from the cage-side coupler 50 via
the threads 70, 72, the abutment surface 80 of the actuator 20 releasably
disengages from the engagement surface 81 of the handle-side coupler 52 to
provide spacing that allows the respective couplers 50, 52 to be axially moved
away from each other for the releasable disengagement of the locking coupling
18. As shown, the actuator 20 may include a circumferential groove 82 at the
intermediate portion 74 or end portion, and the handle-side coupler 52 may
include a protrusion 83 that is axially slidable along a length of the groove
82.
The axial length of the groove 82 should be at least as long as the axial
length of
the respective teeth 62, 64 to thereby permit the teeth to clear each other
when
the handle-side coupler 52 is slid backward along the groove 82 of the
actuator
20. The depth of the groove 82 and the radial size of the protrusion 83 may be
closely toleranced to minimize the amount of play between the actuator 20 and
coupler 52. Other portions of the coupler 52, such as radially outwardly
extending ribs 76, also may help to minimize such play. In the illustrated
embodiment, the groove 82 in the actuator 20 is formed between the shoulder
forming the abutment surface 80 and a radially outwardly extending protrusion
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84; and the protrusion 83 of the handle-side coupler 52 is a radially inwardly
extending protrusion 83 at the end portion of the handle-side coupler 52. It
is
understood, however, that such structures may take different forms and/or be
posited at different locations to accommodate the same or similar
functionality, as
would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.
As exemplified in the figures, it is apparent that after the user has
deactivated the locking coupling 18 to achieve the release state, and has
turned/indexed the angular position of the holder handle 12 relative to the
cage
assembly 14, then the user may actuate the threaded actuator 20 to again lock
the locking coupling 18. The indexable adjustment may be discrete steps that
are determined by the circumferential spacing of the teeth 62, 64. For
example,
the tool holder 10 may provide a minimum angular adjustment of about 100 to
about 25 , and more particularly about 15 (e.g., a single tooth spacing),
while the
maximum angular adjustment may be up to or greater than 360 . In some
embodiments, the maximum angular adjustment may be limited to a predefined
amount, such as by utilizing suitable stops on the locking couplers 50, 52.
For
example, the range of angular adjustment may be limited to 90 , 180 , 270 , or
any desired value between 0 to 360 .
The exemplary tool holder 10 provides one or more advantages over
conventional tool holders. For example, some convention tool holders may
utilize
more complex means for locking or releasing the angular adjustment of the
handle portion relative to the clamp/holder portion. For example, in such
conventional designs a cam assembly may be utilized that includes numerous
parts, such as a cam lever, spring, carriage bolt, center slide, roll pin,
numerous
nuts, and the like. Such operation of the cam assembly may be difficult for
the
user to operate. In addition, some of these numerous parts may be made from
different materials via different processes, and/or may be more difficult to
manufacture or assemble. In contrast with such conventional designs, the
interaction of the exemplary threaded actuator 20 with the exemplary locking
coupling 18 provides a much simpler ease of use to adjust the angular
orientation
of the cage assembly 14 relative to the holder handle 12. The relatively
simple
construction of the exemplary tool holder 10 also may minimize the number of
components needed for such as design, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the exemplary tool holder 10
includes
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only five parts. In addition, each of these parts may be made from the same
material and/or the same process, such as injection molding plastic.
To facilitate assembly of the tool holder 10 with such few parts, resilient
snap-fit connection(s) may be utilized to couple one or more of the parts
together.
For example, the threaded actuator 20 may be inserted and secured in the
barrel
66 by a resilient snap-fit connection. As shown in the illustrated embodiment,
for
example, the radially outward protrusion 84 of the actuator 20 has the
greatest
diameter of the intermediate portion 74, and when inserted into the barrel 66
exerts a force against the radially inward protrusion 83 of the coupler 52,
which
thereby urges the end portion of the coupler 52 outwardly to allow the
protrusions
to slide past each other. The barrel 66 may then resiliently snap back into
place,
thereby securing the actuator 20 by restricting rearward movement beyond the
inward protrusion 83. As shown, the respective protrusions 83, 84 may have
rounded or tapered surfaces to facilitate such snap-fit connection. It is of
course
understood that in other embodiments the tool holder 10 may include fewer or
greater parts, may be made from different materials and/or different
processes,
and/or may utilize connections other than snap-fit connections.
Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, another exemplary embodiment of a tool
holder 110 is shown. The tool holder 110 is substantially the same as the
above-
referenced tool holder 10, and consequently the same reference numerals but
indexed by 100 are used to denote structures corresponding to similar
structures
in the tool holders 10, 110. In addition, the foregoing description of the
tool
holder 10 is equally applicable to the tool holder 110, except as noted below.
Moreover, aspects of the tool holders 10, 110 may be substituted for one
another
or used in conjunction with one another where applicable.
As shown, similarly to the tool holder 10, the tool holder 110 includes a
holder handle 112 for coupling to an extension pole, and a cage assembly 114
that cooperates with a clamp 116 for firmly holding different tools having a
wide
range of tool handle sizes and shapes. A locking coupling 118 is provided,
including locking couplers 150, 152, for enabling the cage assembly 114 to be
indexable relative to the holder handle 112 to a wide range of angles to
permit
tools firmly held thereby to reach different angles at various heights. In
addition,
a threaded actuator 120 is provided that is operable to lock or unlock the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
coupling for permitting or restricting the angular adjustment of the holder
handle
112 and cage assembly 114 relative to each other.
The tool holder 110 and the operation thereof is essentially the same as
the above-referenced tool holder 10, except that a biasing member 190 is
provided between respective portions of the locking couplers 150, 152. The
biasing member 190 is configured to bias the locking couplers 150, 152 away
from each other toward the unlocked state. This facilitates the engagement or
disengagement of the couplers 150, 152 from each other when the threaded
actuator 120 is actuated by the user, which thereby also facilitates the
indexable
angular adjustment of the holder handle 112 relative to the cage assembly 114.
In the illustrated embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11, the tool holder 110 is
shown with the locking coupler 150, 152 in an exemplary locked state,
similarly to
that shown in Fig. 8 of the tool holder 10. In exemplary embodiments, the
biasing
member 190 is a coil spring that is predominantly disposed in passage 166 (or
barrel 166) in body portion 156 of the handle-side locking coupler 152. As
shown, one end 191 of the biasing member 190 engages a radially inward
shoulder 192 of the handle-side coupler 150, and the opposite end 193 of the
biasing member engages a radially inward portion of end face 163 of cage-side
coupler 150. The biasing member 190 exerts a biasing force via the shoulder
192 to corresponding portion(s) of the threaded actuator 120. For example, the
biasing force may be exerted via the shoulder 192 to a radially outward
shoulder
portion 194 of the stem 168 of the actuator 120; and/or may be exerted against
the abutment surface 180 of the actuator 120. In this manner, when the
threaded
actuator 120 is threadably withdrawn from the cage-side coupler 150 via
threads
170, 172, the biasing force of the biasing member 190 causes the handle-side
coupler 152 to follow the axial movement of the actuator 120 away from the
cage-
side coupler 150 to the unlocked state (not shown), which is similarly to that
shown in Fig. 9 the tool holder 10. Likewise, because the handle-side coupler
152 is urged against the actuator 120 via the biasing member 190, the handle-
side coupler 152 follows the axial movement of the actuator 120 toward the
cage-
side coupler 150 when the actuator 120 is threadably actuated to again lock
the
locking coupling 118.
Referring to Figs. 12¨ 17, exemplary packaging 200 for displaying the
exemplary tool holder 10 or 110 is shown. Generally, the display packaging 200
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includes sidewalls 202 that enclose a space for containing at least a portion
of
the tool holder, in which the sidewalls 202 include one or more openings 204
for
one or more portions of the tool holder 10 to extend therethrough.
The packaging 200 may include at least one of front, back, left, right, top
and bottom sidewalls 202 to form at least a portion of a box that encloses the
space containing a portion of the tool holder 10. In the illustrated
embodiment,
the packaging 200 includes all but a bottom sidewall to form the enclosed
space
on all sides except for the bottom side, and except for the openings 204 that
are
utilized to display portions of the tool holder. The packaging 200 also may
include a tab portion 206 with a hole 208 for hanging the combined packaging
200 and tool holder 10 on a display rack.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the packaging 200 includes three
openings 204a, 204b, 204c (collectively referred to as openings 204) in
respective sidewalls 202a, 202b, 202c (collectively referred to as sidewalls
202)
for displaying portions of the tool holder. Each of these openings 204 is
bounded
by portions of the respective sidewall 202 on which the opening is located.
The
first and second openings 204a, 204b are located on opposite front and back
sidewalls 202a, 202b, and are aligned with each other. As shown, the packaging
200 is configured such that portions of the knob 78 of the actuator 20 extends
through these first and second openings 204a, 204b. This allows a potential
buyer to feel and at least partially test the actuation of the actuator 20.
The third
opening 204c is located on the right sidewall 202c and is configured to
display
the socket 22 or recess 24 in the holder handle 12.
In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging 200 does not contain a
bottom sidewall and is open to allow the cage assembly 14 to extend
therethrough. As shown, the front and back sidewalls 202a, 202b include
respective cutout portions 210a, 210b that are aligned with each other and are
configured in the partial shape of a hexagon perimeter for corresponding with
the
hexagonally-shaped supports 26, 28. The clamp 16 including screw 42 also are
located mostly externally of the packaging 200, with a small semi-circular
cutout
210c at the bottom of the right sidewall 202c that is configured to receive
the
threaded portion of the screw 42. Such a configuration allows a potential
buyer
to view the cage assembly 14 and clamp 16, and at least partially test the
operation of the clamp 16 via the knob 43. In addition, the open bottom of the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
packaging 200 enables a potential buyer to better see the overall mechanics,
materials and/or size of the tool holder 10, particularly when the sidewalls
202 are
made from opaque material. Because the bottom of the packaging 200 is open in
the illustrated embodiment, the portions of the sidewalls 202a, 202b defining
the
openings 204a, 204b also may support the tool holder 10 in the packaging 200
via the outwardly extending portions of the knob 78.
Referring to Fig. 17, an exemplary die-cut and fold-line layout of the
packaging 200 is shown. As shown, the packaging 200 may be formed from a
single piece of material, such as cardboard (e.g., single-walled). The
packaging
material may be die-cut to form the respective openings 204 and cutout
portions
210. A creaser may be used to form the fold lines (shown in broken line). At
least one edge may have adhesive 212, such as a glue strip, for adhering
another portion of the packaging 200 and forming the box with the enclosed
space. As shown, a lid portion forming a top sidewall 204d may be provided.
Such packaging 200 may be easier to open compared to conventional blister
packs. In addition, such packaging 200 may enable a security RFID tag to be
hidden within the enclosed space.
It is understood that fewer or greater sidewalls 200, openings 204 and/or
cutouts 210 may be provided in the packaging 200 as may be desired to display
the tool holder 10. For example, the bottom of the packaging 200 could be
enclosed with a sidewall and have an opening to enable portions of the tool
holder 10 to extend therethrough. It is also understood that such openings 204
and/or cutouts 210 may have different shapes and/or be located at different
locations depending on the particular configuration of the tool holder 10. It
is
furthermore understood that terms such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back,"
"left,"
"right," and the like as used herein should be understood as referring to an
arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame
of
reference.
Exemplary tool holders 10, 110 have been described herein that are
adapted for firmly holding a wide range of sizes and shapes of tool handles.
The
exemplary tool holder 10, 110 includes a holder handle 12, a cage assembly 14,
a clamp 16, a locking coupling 18, and a threaded actuator 20. The cage
assembly 14 includes a pair of axially spaced apart supports 26, 28 having
axially
aligned through openings 29, 30 sized for receiving tool handles of different
sizes
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
and shapes. The clamp 16 is transversely movable between the supports 26, 28
in opposite directions for releasably clamping the tool handle against the
supports
26, 28. The locking coupling 18 is interposed between the holder handle 12 and
the cage assembly 14 for selectively adjusting the angular orientation of the
cage
assembly 14 relative to the holder handle 12. The threaded actuator 20 is
operable to activate or deactivate the locking coupling 18 for permitting or
restricting adjustment of the angular orientation of the cage assembly 14
relative
to the holder handle 12. The exemplary tool holder facilitates the ease of use
and/or has a simpler construction than other conventional tool holder designs.
An exemplary display packaging 200, separately or in combination with the
tool holder 10 or 110, also has been described herein. The product packaging
200 protects and holds the tool holder 10, 110 while also permitting a
potential
buyer to feel and/or at least partially test portions of the tool holder. The
product
packaging 200 could also be used for conventional tool holder designs. The
product packaging 200 may be easier to open than conventional blister packs,
and also may enable RFID security tags to be hidden therein. A kit including
at
least the tool holder 10 or 110 and packaging 200 also may be provided.
According to an aspect of the invention, a tool holder for firmly holding a
wide range of sizes and shapes of tool handles, includes: a holder handle; a
cage
assembly, the cage assembly comprising a pair of axially spaced apart supports
having axially aligned through openings formed by respective inwardly facing
surfaces of the supports, in which the openings are sized for receiving tool
handles of different sizes and shapes through both of the aligned openings; a
clamp transversely movable between the supports in opposite directions toward
and away from the respective inwardly facing surfaces of the supports for
releasably clamping the tool handle against the inwardly facing surfaces; a
locking coupling interposed between the holder handle and the cage assembly
for selectively adjusting the angular orientation of the cage assembly
relative to
the holder handle; and a threaded actuator that is operable to interact with
the
locking coupling for permitting or restricting adjustment of the angular
orientation
of the cage assembly relative to the holder handle.
Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following
additional features, separately or in any combination.
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In some embodiments, the threaded actuator is threadably movable
relative to the locking coupling between a lock position and a release
position.
In some embodiments, where in the lock position the threaded actuator
causes the locking coupling to be in a locked state that restricts adjustment
of the
angular orientation of the cage assembly relative to the holder handle.
In some embodiments, in the release position the threaded actuator
causes the locking coupling to be in an unlocked state that permits adjustment
of
the angular orientation of the cage assembly relative to the holder handle.
In some embodiments, the locking coupling includes a first locking coupler
operably coupled to the cage assembly.
In some embodiments, the locking coupling includes a second locking
coupler operably coupled to the holder handle.
In some embodiments, where in the lock position the threaded actuator
interacts with the locking coupling to cause the first and second locking
couplers
to lock together such that relative rotational movement of the locking
couplers is
restricted to thereby restrict adjustment of the angular orientation of the
cage
assembly relative to the holder handle.
In some embodiments, where in the release position the threaded actuator
interacts with the locking coupling to cause the first and second couplers to
unlock from each other such that relative rotational movement of the locking
couplers is permitted to thereby permit adjustment of the angular orientation
of
the cage assembly relative to the holder handle.
In some embodiments, where in the locked state, the first and second
locking couplers are interlockingly engaged with each other.
In some embodiments, where in the unlocked state, the first and second
locking couplers are movable out of engagement with one another and indexable
relative to one another for adjusting the angular orientation of the cage
assembly
relative to the holder handle.
In some embodiments, the first locking coupler includes a first facing gear
having a first end face with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart
first teeth
extending from the first end face.
In some embodiments, the second locking coupler includes a second
facing gear having a second end face with a plurality of circumferentially
spaced
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
apart second teeth extending from the second end face, the first and second
end
faces opposing each other.
In some embodiments, where in the locked state, the respective first and
second teeth interlockingly engage each other to restrict rotation of the
first facing
gear relative to the second facing gear.
In some embodiments, where in the unlocked state, the respective first
and second teeth are moveable out of engagement with one another to permit
rotation of the first facing gear relative to second facing gear.
In some embodiments, the threaded actuator has a threaded portion that
threadably interacts with a threaded portion of the first locking coupler to
cause
the actuator to move between the lock and release positions.
In some embodiments, the threaded portion of the threaded actuator
includes radially outward threads at an end portion of a stem.
In some embodiments, the threaded portion of the first locking coupler
includes radially inward threads at an internal bore in a body portion of the
first
locking coupler.
In some embodiments, the threads of the actuator and threads of the first
locking coupler are buttress threads.
In some embodiments, the stem portion of the threaded actuator extends
through a passage in a body portion of the second locking coupler to be
threadably received in the internal bore of the first locking coupler.
In some embodiments, the threaded actuator includes an abutment
surface that is configured to engage an engagement surface of a body portion
of
the second locking coupler to thereby urge the second locking coupler into
locking engagement with the first locking coupler when the actuator is in the
locked position.
In some embodiments, when the actuator is in the release position,
spacing is provided between the abutment surface and the engagement surface
to thereby allow the second locking coupler to move axially away from the
second
locking coupler to the unlocked state for adjusting the angular orientation of
the
cage assembly relative to the holder handle.
In some embodiments, the abutment surface is formed from a shoulder
portion of the threaded actuator.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
In some embodiments, the engagement surface is formed from an axial
end portion of the second locking coupler.
In some embodiments, the threaded actuator includes a radially outward
circumferential groove, and the second locking coupler includes a radially
inwardly extending protrusion that is configured to move along a length of the
groove when the actuator is moved between the lock and release positions.
In some embodiments, one end of the groove is formed by a radially
outwardly extending protrusion on the threaded actuator.
In some embodiments, engagement of the radially inwardly extending
protrusion of the second locking coupler and the radially outwardly extending
protrusion of the actuator serves as stop to restrict removal of the threaded
actuator from the second locking coupler.
In some embodiments, the threaded actuator is movably secured in a
barrel of the second locking coupler by a resilient snap-fit connection.
In some embodiments, the through-openings in the supports are
hexagonal shaped.
In some embodiments, the threaded actuator includes an external
hexagonally shaped knob configured for operation by a hand of a user.
In some embodiments, the clamp includes a screw operably coupled to the
clamp for transverse movement in opposite directions between the supports.
In some embodiments, the supports are joined together by a cross
member.
In some embodiments, the screw is threadedly received in a threaded bore
in the cross member.
In some embodiments, the screw and the threaded bore having double-
lead Acme threads.
In some embodiments, the screw includes a hexagonally shaped knob
configured for operation by a hand of a user.
In some embodiments, the tool holder consists of only five parts.
In some embodiments, all parts of the tool holder are made from injection
molded plastic.
In some embodiments, the tool holder further includes a biasing member,
the biasing member being configured to bias the first and second locking
couplings toward the unlocked state.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
In some embodiments, the parts of the tool holder may be made of any
suitable material, which may be the same material or different material for
one or
more of the parts.
In some embodiments, the biasing member (e.g., spring) may be made of
metal, plastic (e.g., injection molded), or any other suitable material.
According to another aspect of the invention, a tool holder for firmly
holding a wide range of sizes and shapes of tool handles, the tool holder
including: a holder handle; a cage assembly, the cage assembly comprising a
pair of axially spaced apart supports having axially aligned through openings
formed by respective inwardly facing surfaces of the supports, in which the
openings are sized for receiving axially extending tool handles of different
sizes
and shapes through both of the aligned openings; a clamp transversely movable
between the supports in opposite directions toward and away from the
respective
inwardly facing surfaces of the supports to form an enclosed closed space for
releasably clamping the tool handle against the inwardly facing surfaces; a
pair of
locking facing gears interposed between the holder handle and the cage
assembly, the locking facing gears having respective teeth that are movable
into
and out of engagement with one another and indexable relative to one another
when disengaged for adjusting the angular orientation of the cage assembly
relative to the holder handle; and a threaded actuator that is operable to
interact
with at least one of the facing gears for permitting or restricting adjustment
of the
angular orientation of the cage assembly relative to the holder handle, the
threaded actuator being threadably movable between a lock position, in which
the
respective teeth of the facing gears interlockingly engage with each other to
restrict adjustment of the angular orientation, and a release position, in
which the
respective teeth of the facing gears releasably disengage from each other to
permit adjustment of the angular orientation.
According to another aspect of the invention, a display packaging is
provided in combination with the tool holder according to any of the
foregoing,
wherein the display packaging at least partially encloses a portion of the
tool
holder.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following additional features,
alone or in any combination.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
In some embodiments, the display packaging having one or more
openings, in which one or more portions of the tool holder extend
therethrough.
In some embodiments, the display package having a first opening in which
a portion of a knob of the threaded actuator extends therethrough, the first
opening being bounded by a sidewall that supports the tool holder in the
packaging.
In some embodiments, a bottom of the package is open, and in which the
cage assembly extends through the open bottom.
In some embodiments, respective bottom portions of a front and back
sidewall of the packaging each have a cutout portion that matches a shape of
the
outer surface of the respective supports.
According to another aspect of the invention, a display packaging box
includes: sidewalls that enclose a space, the box being configured to at least
partially contain a tool holder having: a holder handle; a cage assembly
comprising a pair of axially spaced apart supports having axially aligned
through
openings; and a clamp movable between the supports for releasably clamping
the tool handle against the supports.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following additional features,
alone or in any combination.
In some embodiments, the box may have an open bottom, and the open
bottom of the box may be configured to allow a majority of the cage assembly
to
be disposed outwardly of the packaging at a bottom of the box.
In some embodiments, the box is configured to at least partially contain a
tool holder further having a locking coupling interposed between the holder
handle and the cage assembly for selectively adjusting the angular orientation
of
the cage assembly relative to the holder handle; and an actuator, such as a
threaded actuator, that is operable to interact with the locking coupling for
permitting or restricting adjustment of the angular orientation of the cage
assembly relative to the holder handle; wherein opposing front and back
sidewalls of the box include respective openings that are aligned with each
other,
the respective openings being configured to allow respective portions of the
actuator to extend therethrough.
In some embodiments, the display packaging box is provided in
combination with the tool holder.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
According to another aspect of the invention, a kit includes: the tool holder
according to any of the foregoing, and a package that at least partially
contains
the tool holder.
As used herein, an "operable connection," or a connection by which
entities are "operably connected," is one in which the entities are connected
in
such a way that the entities may perform as intended. An operable connection
may be a direct connection or an indirect connection in which an intermediate
entity or entities cooperate or otherwise are part of the connection or are in
between the operably connected entities. An operable connection or coupling
may include the entities being integral and unitary with each other.
The phrase "and/or" as used herein should be understood to mean "either
or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements
may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by
the
"and/or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically
identified unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Thus, as a non-limiting
example, a reference to "A and/or B," when used in conjunction with open-ended
language such as "comprising" can refer, in one embodiment, to A without B
(optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B
without
A (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a
certain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations
and
modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and
understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular
regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements
(components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a
reference to a "means") used to describe such elements are intended to
correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the
specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally
equivalent),
even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which
performs
the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of
the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may
have
been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of
the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or
particular application.
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-01-22
