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Hammer retaining device

Hammer retaining device description/claims

This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/891,910, filed Feb. 27, 2007.

a) Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates to tool carrying devices adapted to be worn by workmen and, more particularly, to an improved hammer carrying device. In one form, this disclosure relates to a tool carrying device rotatably coupled to a user's belt.

b) Background Art

Since man started using tools he has tried to find a better way of carrying them. Workmen often find themselves in need of both hands while building and otherwise using tools, necessitating a handy place to set the tool, where it is readily available when it is needed again. This has resulted in many different designs of carrying devices from simple cloth loops sewn to a worker's pants or apron, to complex holders which are attached to a workman's belt.

Several different designs have been utilized including U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,277 patented by J. J. Hodelka on May 24, 1968. This U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,277 necessitates a particular way of placing the hammer head within the tool pocket as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore there is a retaining clip which is configured to use the neck of a hammer. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,277 is configured for coupling to a rear pocket of a pair of trousers.

Another U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,317 B2 patented by James Timothy Borson on Dec. 9, 2003, includes a head retaining portion wherein the claw portion of a hammer and oftentimes the head portion of the hammer are exposed to a workman. Furthermore this patent does not allow the workman to reposition the angle of the holster upon attachment to an apron or a tool belt. In addition, this patent relies on the use of a magnet shown as 3 which would not be effective in hammers not of a ferrous material. Finally, the patent relies on an adjustable member 1 which connects to the neck of a hammer.

One other patent of relevance is the U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,883. Patented to L. J, MacKool of Apr. 28, 1964. This patent is designed as a hatchet scabbard, and while it encases the entire head portion of a tool, it relies on several connective means to hold the head and the handle in place. Furthermore, an additional strap is provided to couple the head portion of the scabbard to a workman's thigh.

One last patent of note is the U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,590 of an A. J. Bolson of Aug. 13, 1963. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,590 relies on the hammer being in a vertical position, with the handle pointing up. Furthermore, a very specific head retaining mechanism 9 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This retention mechanism would not be very effective in hammers having an exceptionally large face, such as a framing hammer. In addition, should the hammer be of sufficient width between the faces it would not fit into the pouch as described. Finally the attachment mechanism between the hammer holster and the belt of a workman would seem to be somewhat permanent in nature in that it needs to be connected by lugs to the belt of the user. This attachment mechanism seemed to permit constant swaying of the hammer as the workman is moving.

Disclosed herein is a tool retaining and carrying device where the tool to be carried has an elongated handle, and a head connected to the handle. The device has a head receiving portion having a major axis that is generally configured to substantially encase and protect the head portion of the tool.

There is further a support structure having a first and second ends. The support structure is coupled to the head receiving portion near the first end and substantially perpendicular to the major axis of the head receiving portion.

A connector portion is provided and is attached to the support structure near the second end of the support structure and operatively configured to be coupled to a user. The connector portion also has in one form a positioning system whereby a first member is fixedly and movably attached to a base member and the first member is operatively configured to rotate about a lateral axis and reposition the support structure about the lateral axis with respect to the base member.

Finally there is provided a handle retaining portion attached to the second end of the support structure and configured to engage and retain the handle portion of the tool.

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a user in the process of inserting a hammer into a holster;