Tool Storage rack

• US 3,872,538 A
• Filed: 12/10/1973
• Issued: 03/25/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Darwin S. Crouser
• Inventors: Crouser, Darwin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilhite, Billy J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Moore, C. K.
• Application Number:
  US05/423,075
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 15/257A,301,323 211/113,118 248/309-313,230,231 24/16PB,248SL,255SL
• US Class Current: 15/323
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/248 Parts, details or accessories of hoses or pipes nozzles A47L9/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44752 Integral locking-means

Abstract

A tool storage rack for cleaning tools utilizable with a suction hose for a vacuum cleaner is provided which is attached to the cleaner end of the suction hose so as to make the tools readily available to the user when needed. The tool storage rack includes sockets for the easy mounting and dismounting of the tools and a hook means for use in hanging the tool holder with attached suction hose and tools on the wall of a closet or the like when they are not in use.

Claims

1. A tool storage rack for use with a floor care appliance having a suction hose means, the combination including;

a. a one-piece tool storage means including living hinge means;

b. said one-piece tool storage means being folded to form a first surface;

c. one of said floor care appliance and said suction hose including a secoNd surface, and d. said first surface complementary to said second surface for conforming thereto so as to be closely abuttingly mounted thereon so that said one-piece tool storage means is fixed to one of said floor care appliance and said suction hose means.

2. The tool storage rack set out in claim 1 wherein;

a. said first surface is an internal surface of said folded, one-piece tool storage means.

3. The tool storage rack set out in claim 1 wherein;

a. said second conforming surface is an external surface formed by a tubular portion of one of said floor care appliance and said suction hose means.

4. The tool storage rack set out in claim 3 wherein;

a. said tubular portion is generally cylindrical in shape.

5. The tool storage rack set out in claim 1 wherein;

a. said one-piece tool storage means including living hinge means is folded to form a closed configuration, and b. means are provided with said tool storage means for maintaining said folded configuration.

6. The tool storage rack set out in claim 5 wherein;

a. said means for maintaining said folded configuration comprises lockable tab means inserted into locking reception means.

7. The tool storage rack of claim 1 wherein;

a. said tool storage means includes a pair of mirror image portions;

b. said mirror image portions being disposed in abutting engagement with one another when said tool storage means is in folded condition.

8. A tool storage rack for use with a suction hose coupling including;

a. means for mounting said tool storage rack on said suction hose coupling including mirror image portions of said tool storage means;

b. reception means in said storage rack for storingly receiving cleaning tools;

c. locking means carried by said tool storage rack for retaining said mounting of said tool storage rack on said suction hose coupling, and d. said mirror image portions of said tool storage means being folded into abutting engagement to form said tool storage means, said tool storage means, in folded condition, conforming to said suction hose coupling.

9. A tool storage rack for use with a floor care appliance having a suction hose means, the combination including;

a. a one piece tool storage means including living hinge means;

b. said one piece tool storage means folded to form substantially a bore;

c. said suction hose means including a fitting having a substantially cylindrical section;

d. said bore of said tool storage means conforming to said substantially cylindrical suction fitting means for reception of the same so that said tool storage means is mounted thereon and fixed relative to said suction hose means.

10. The tool storage rack of claim 9 wherein;

a. said tool storage means and said suction fitting hose means have projecting button means and button receiving means;

b. said button means being received in said button receiving means to prevent relative displacement between said tool storage means and said suction hose means.

11. A tool storage rack for use with a floor care appliance having a suction hose means, the combination including;

a. a one-piece tool storage means including living hinge means;

b. said one-piece storage means being folded to form a first surface;

c. one of said floor care appliance and said suction hose means including a second surface;

d. said first surface complementary to said second surface for conforming thereto for mounting thereon so that said one-piece tool storage means is fixed to one of said floor care appliance and said suction hose means;

e. said tool storage means including a pair of mirror image portions;

f. said mirror image portions being disposed in abutting engagement with one another when said tool storage means is in folded condition, and g. said folded condition providing coincidental receptacle means extending through said mirror image portions for the easy insertion and retention of Cleaning tools therein.

12. The tool storage rack of claim 11 wherein;

a. said mirror image portions also include internal surfaces forming bore segments;

b. said internal surfaces forming at least part of said first surface.

13. The tool storage rack of claim 12 wherein;

a. said second surface is formed by a generally cylindrical surface on said suction hose means.

14. The tool storage rack of claim 13 wherein;

a. said tool storage means includes hook means;

b. said hook means providing for storing said tool storage means and suction hose means in suspended condition for out-of-the way storage.

15. The tool storage rack of claim 14 wherein;

a. said tool storage means includes engaging means for the storage of a wand or the like when the tool storage means is in said out-of-the-way storage.