Tool rack

• US 4,310,094 A
• Filed: 08/13/1979
• Issued: 01/12/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John E. Hotchkiss Jr
• Original Assignee: John E. Hotchkiss Jr
• Inventors: Hotchkiss, John E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frazier, Roy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US06/066,068
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 211/60 R, 211/60 T, 211/89, 211/69.8, 312/DIG. 33, 248/68 R, 248/37.6
• US Class Current: 211/70.6
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0884 Show stands with clips or slits to attach articles for pictures A47F7/143
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/04 Racks

Abstract

A tool rack providing a pair of transversely spaced tool receiving recesses defined by transversely aligned tool supporting walls; a spring mounted between the walls in position for engagement by a tool inserted in the recesses with the spring positioned to engage a midportion of the tool between the walls and to be resiliently deflected away from the walls to resiliently hold the tool in a three-point support. The walls are preferably inclined to the direction of resilient deflection of the spring and in the direction of increasing the spring deflection upon removal of the tool from the recess.

Claims

1. A tool holder having spaced apart side walls having normally disposed front edges and formed with aligned tool receiving recesses opening to said front edges and dimensioned for receipt of a tool therein, said recesses having walls for support of a tool thereon in spanning relation to said side walls;

and

a U-shaped spring comprising opposed elongated legs, a U-shaped connecting portion, and opposite leg ends mounted medially between said side walls with said legs having a normal front and rear position, said opposite end of said rear leg being secured to said holder for free-standing support and resilient displacement of said legs, said front leg being juxtaposed to the plane of said recess walls for engagement of a mid-portion of said tool on insertion thereof into said recesses and to be resiliently deflected by said tool away from said plane to thereby resiliently urge said tool against said recess wall in a three-point support.

2. The device of claim 1, said recess walls being inclined in a rear to front direction providing a dimensional component co-functioning with said front leg to retain said tool within said recesses.

3. The device of claim 2, said side walls being elongated and formed with a plurality of said recesses in longitudinally spaced relation thereon;

a back wall connecting said side walls; and

a plurality of said springs, one associated with each aligned pair of recesses and each having its rear leg end secured to said back wall medially of said side walls for mounting each spring in free-standing relation to its associated pair of recesses.

4. A device of claim 3, each of said front legs in undeflected position traversing said adjacent plane of the associated recess walls rearwardly of the forward ends of said walls thereby forming V-shaped tool entryways between said front spring legs and recess walls.

5. The device of claim 4, the forward ends of said recess walls being rounded to guide tool movement into said entryways.