Holder for receiving and retaining tools

• US 20030000902A1
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raaco International A/S
• Original Assignee: Raaco International A/S
• Inventors: Hermansen, Tore, Keis, Anders
• Granted Patent: US 6,763,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/89.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 47/16 Stands, or holders for kitchen articles
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/003 Holders for drill bits or the like

Abstract

A holder for receiving and retailing tools, writing utensils, kitchen utensils and the like elongated articles (42) comprises a housing with an elongated slit (2, 3) for receiving the articles (42). Each slit (2, 3) is defined by a flexible lip (9 to 24) projecting from the respective elongated sides of said slit, and which are adapted to abut both sides of the article(s) in question. The holder comprises several rows of lips (9 to 24) extending substantially in parallel, where the lips are arranged in pairs opposite one another and present a mutually complementary, substantially wavy shape. The crests (25) and troughs (26) of each pair of lips (9 to 24) engage one another.

Claims

1. A holder for receiving and retaining tools, writing utensils, kitchen utensils and the like elongated articles (42), where the holder comprises a housing with an elongated slit (2, 3) for receiving the articles (42), said slit (2, 3) being defined by a flexible lip (9 to 24) projecting from the respective elongated sides of said slit, and where said lip is adapted to abut both sides of the article(s) in question, characterised in that the holder comprises several rows of lips (9 to 24) extending substantially in parallel, said lips being arranged in pairs opposite one another and presenting a mutually complementary, substantially wavy shape, and that the crests (25) and troughs (26) of each pair of lips (9 to 24) engage one another.

2. A holder as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the crests (25) and troughs (26) of the lips (9 to 24) are arranged so as to be mutually staggered from row to row.

3. A holder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the elongated sides of the slit (2, 3) are formed by housing parts (4, 5, 6) of a plastic material, and that the lips (9 to 24) are made by way of injection moulding of an elastomeric material and are thereby permanently connected to the associated housing part.

4. A holder as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the housing parts (4, 5 and 6) are hingedly interconnected and comprise co-operating releasable locking means (34 to 41) for retaining said housing parts (4, 5 and 6) in an interconnecting position while forming the slit (2, 3).

5. A holder as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that the hinged connection is provided by means of a film hinge (30, 31 and 32) cast integral with the housing parts (4, 5 and 6).