Hands-free tool support

Abstract

A tool-holding apparatus allowing a user to support a tool with the user's mouth is disclosed. The apparatus includes an attachment member that has an inner surface designed to frictionally engage the outer surface, or body of a tool. The apparatus also includes a grip that extends axially away from the attachment member. The apparatus is designed to slide axially along the outer surface, or body of a tool between a stowed position, facilitating storage and transport of the apparatus-tool combination, and a deployed position, facilitating hands-free use of the tool. The apparatus is substantially uniform in thickness and, while in the stowed position, conforms closely to the body of the tool.

1 . An apparatus for holding a tool comprising: 
 an attachment member having an inner surface sized to frictionally engage an outer surface of the tool;    a grip extending axially away from the attachment member;    the attachment member and grip sharing an outer surface substantially uniformly spaced from the outer surface of the tool; and    the attachment member comprises at least one tab member for frictionally engaging the outer surface of the tool.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member comprises a pair of tab members for movably securing the apparatus to the outer surface of the tool.  
   
   
       9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for holding a tool comprising: 
 an attachment member having an inner surface sized to frictionally engage an outer surface of the tool, the attachment member configured for slidable engagement axially along a length of the tool between a deployed position and a stowed position;    a grip extending axially away from the attachment member, the grip extending away from a first end of the tool in a deployed position and between a second end and the first end of the tool in a stowed position;    an outer surface substantially uniformly spaced from the outer surface of the tool; and    the attachment member comprises at least one tab member for frictionally engaging the outer surface of the tool.    
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . A method for manipulating a flashlight, the method comprising: 
 providing a flashlight support comprising a grip and an attachment member, the attachment member capable of substantially surrounding and frictionally engaging a portion of the flashlight;    attaching the flashlight support to the flashlight such that the flashlight support is selectively movable along a length of the flashlight;    selectively moving the flashlight support along the flashlight such that the grip extends away from a first end of the flashlight in an axial direction; and    positioning the grip in a mouth of a user.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising removing the flashlight support from the mouth of a user and stowing the grip proximate the flashlight by moving the attachment member axially along the flashlight toward a second end of the flashlight, opposite the first end.