Tool Holder

Abstract

A holder for supporting a tool, such as a hammer, on an object, such as a belt, is disclosed. A generally U-shaped resilient clip has a proximal end and a distal end. A tool holder frame is included that comprises an upper end having an attachment means for attaching the tool holder frame to the distal end of the clip. The tool holder frame further includes a tool holding section at a lower end thereof, such as a rigid loop or an open Y-shaped hook. The attachment means includes a pivot aperture formed through the distal end of the clip, a rivet, a rivet head cover, and an aperture formed in the upper end of the tool holder frame. The rivet comprises a shaft and an enlarged pivot head, and is secured through the central aperture of the rivet head cover, the aperture of the upper end of the tool holder frame, and the pivot aperture of the clip. As such, the tool holder frame is pivotally fixed to the clip by the rivet.

1 . A holder for supporting a tool on an object, comprising: 
 a generally U-shaped clip having a proximal end and a distal end;    a tool holder frame comprising an upper end having an attachment means for attaching the tool holder frame to the distal end of the clip, the tool holder frame further comprising a tool holding section at a lower end thereof,    whereby the clip may be engaged to the object and a tool may be engaged with the tool holding section of the tool holder frame.    
   
   
       2 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means is a pivoting attachment means, whereby with the clip engaged to the object and a tool engaged with the tool holding section of the tool holder frame, the tool is free to pivot by gravity on the clip while being retained by the holder.  
   
   
       3 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein the pivoting attachment means includes: 
 a pivot aperture formed through the distal end of the clip,    a rivet secured through the pivot aperture of the clip and comprising a shaft and an enlarged pivot head;    a rivet head cover having a central aperture therein for receiving the shaft of the rivet, the rivet head cover being rotationally secured to the clip by the rivet head, and    an aperture in the upper end of the tool holding section for receiving the rivet shaft, the upper end being pivotally fixed to the clip by the rivet.    
   
   
       4 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the tool holder frame comprises a rigid, closed loop for securing the tool therein.  
   
   
       5 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the tool holder frame comprises a rigid, open Y-shaped hook for securing the tool thereon.  
   
   
       6 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the tool holder includes an elastomeric outer coating.  
   
   
       7 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the proximal end of the clip further includes an object retaining protrusion projecting towards the distal end thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The holder of  claim 4  wherein a distal end of the loop is bent upward toward the attachment means, such that the tool is urged towards the clip.  
   
   
       9 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the clip is comprised of a resilient metal sheet material.  
   
   
       10 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the clip is comprised of a resilient plastic material.  
   
   
       11 . The holder of  claim 1  wherein the tool holder frame is comprised of a rigid metallic rod material.  
   
   
       12 . The holder of  claim 5  wherein a flexible securing band is selectively fixed at each end thereof to distal ends of the Y-shaped hook.