Tool belt

Abstract

A tool belt for fastening about a wearer's torso comprises a support belt having a first end and a second end each having attachment means for securing the belt about the wearer's torso. A plurality of individual cushion pads is attached to the support belt on a proximal surface of the support belt. At least one of a plurality of magnetic elements is associated with one of the individual cushion pads. The individual cushion pad has an indentation formed in a proximal surface thereof, shaped to correspond to a shape of the at least one magnetic element, and the at least one magnetic element is at least partially disposed within the indentation in the cushion pad to restrict movement of the magnetic element relative to the cushion pad while the belt is in use about the wearer's torso.

1 . A tool belt for fastening about a wearer's torso, comprising: 
 a support belt having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends each having attachment means for securing the belt about the wearer's torso;    a plurality of individual cushion pads attached to the support belt on a proximal surface of the support belt;    a plurality of magnetic elements, at least one of which is associated with one of the individual cushion pads;    the individual cushion pad having an indentation formed in a proximal surface thereof, the indentation being shaped to correspond to a shape of the at least one magnetic element; and    the at least one magnetic element being at least partially disposed within the indentation in the cushion pad to restrict movement of the magnetic element relative to the cushion pad while the belt is in use about the wearer's torso.    
   
   
       2 . The tool belt of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetic element protrudes at least partially above the proximal surface of the cushion pad.  
   
   
       3 . The tool belt of  claim 1 , wherein the individual cushion pad circumscribes the at least one magnetic element to form a cushioned area of contact with a back of the wearer about the at least one magnetic element.  
   
   
       4 . The tool belt of  claim 1 , wherein the individual cushion pad includes: 
 a first, relaxed configuration in which the at least one magnetic element protrudes partially above the proximal surface of the cushion pad; and    a second, compressed configuration in which the magnetic element is compressed into the individual cushion such that a proximal surface of the magnetic element is substantially level with the proximal surface of the cushion pad.    
   
   
       5 . The tool belt of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetic element is bonded within the indentation in the individual cushion pad.  
   
   
       6 . The tool belt of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of individual cushion pads has at least one of the plurality of magnetic elements associated therewith.  
   
   
       7 . The tool belt of  claim 6 , wherein each of the individual cushion pads includes only one magnetic element associated therewith.  
   
   
       8 . The tool belt of  claim 7 , wherein the magnetic element associated with each cushion pad is substantially centered on the proximal surface of the cushion pad.  
   
   
       9 . The tool belt of  claim 1 , wherein the individual cushion pads are each separated by an air space, the air space being configured to allow at least a degree of compression of each pad independently of an adjacent pad.  
   
   
       10 . A tool belt for fastening about a wearer's torso, comprising: 
 a support belt having a first end and a second end, the first and second end each having attachment means for securing the belt about the wearer's torso;    a plurality of individual cushion pads attached to the support belt on a proximal surface of the support belt; and    a plurality of magnetic elements, each coupled to a proximal surface of one of the individual cushion pads;    each of the individual cushion pads having at least two configurations: 
 a first, relaxed configuration in which the magnetic element associated with the individual cushion pad protrudes partially above the proximal surface of the cushion pad; and  
 a second, compressed configuration in which the magnetic element is compressed into the individual cushion pad such that a proximal surface of the magnetic element is in substantially the same plane as the proximal surface of the cushion pad.  
   
   
   
       11 . The tool belt of  claim 10 , wherein each of the individual cushion pads has an indentation formed in the proximal surface thereof, the indentation being shaped to correspond to a shape of the magnetic elements; and 
 wherein each of the plurality of magnetic elements is at least partially disposed within an indentation in a cushion pad to restrict movement of the magnetic element relative to the cushion pad while the belt is in use about the wearer's torso.    
   
   
       12 . The tool belt of  claim 10 , wherein each of the cushion pads circumscribes an associated magnetic element to form a cushioned area of contact with a back of the wearer about the magnetic element.  
   
   
       13 . The tool belt of  claim 10 , wherein each of the magnetic elements is bonded within the indentation in each of the cushion pads.  
   
   
       14 . The tool belt of  claim 10 , further comprising a substantially continuous, conformable cover applied over the cushion pads and the magnetic elements.  
   
   
       15 . The tool belt of  claim 10 , wherein each cushion pad includes only one magnetic element associated therewith.  
   
   
       16 . The tool belt of  claim 15 , wherein the magnetic element associated with each cushion pad is substantially centered on the proximal surface of the cushion pad.  
   
   
       17 . The tool belt of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet.  
   
   
       18 . A tool belt for fastening about a wearer's torso, comprising: 
 a support belt having a first end and a second end, the first and second end each having attachment means for securing the belt about the wearer's torso; and    at least one handle, attached to the support belt, the handle being operable to receive a hand of the wearer to enable the wearer to support the tool belt with his or her hand.    
   
   
       19 . The tool belt of  claim 18 , further comprising a second handle attached to the support belt, the second handle being operable to receive the hand of the wearer enable the wearer to support the tool belt from both handles with his or hand.  
   
   
       20 . The tool belt of  claim 19 , wherein the handle and the second handle are attached on opposing sides of the support belt.  
   
   
       21 . The tool belt of  claim 18 , wherein the handle defines a hand opening between the handle and the support belt, the hand opening having a height between about 1 inch and about 4 inches.  
   
   
       22 . The tool belt of  claim 21 , wherein the hand opening has a height of about 1½ inches.  
   
   
       23 . The tool belt of  claim 21 , wherein the hand opening has a width between about 4½ inches to about 6 inches.  
   
   
       24 . The tool belt of  claim 18 , wherein the handle is inseparably attached to the support belt.  
   
   
       25 . The tool belt of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of individual cushion pads attached to the support belt on a proximal surface of the support belt;    a plurality of magnetic elements, each associated with one of the individual cushion pads;    the individual cushion pads each having an indentation formed in a proximal surface thereof, the indentations being shaped to correspond to a shape of the magnetic elements; and    the magnetic elements being at least partially disposed within the indentations in the cushion pad to restrict movement of the magnetic elements relative to the cushion pads while the belt is in use about the wearer's torso.