Tool hanger and method for using the same

Abstract

A tool hanger and method for using the same. A tool hanger engages the battery pack of a battery-powered tool and is removably secured to the battery pack or extension. A hanger member portion of the tool hanger is adapted to hang the tool from a desired place.

1 . A tool hanger for a tool having a battery pack placed at the distal end of an extension extending away from the tool along an axis, the extension having a predetermined cross-sectional profile transverse to the axis, and the battery pack having a portion of its cross-section transverse to the axis that extends farther from the axis than the adjacent portion of the transverse cross-section of the extension and a predetermined cross-section parallel to but displaced from the axis, the tool hanger comprising:
 a battery pack engagement member adapted to enclose a portion of the parallel cross-section of the battery pack where the cross-section transverse to the axis extends farther from the axis than the adjacent portion of the transverse cross-section of the extension;   a securement member adapted to surround the transverse cross-section of the battery pack or the extension and to attach to the battery engagement member in order to removably secure the battery pack engagement member to the battery pack or extension; and   a hanger member attached to the battery pack or extension engagement member and adapted to hang the tool from a desired place.   
   
   
       2 . The tool hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined cross-sectional profile of the extension is substantially constant. 
   
   
       3 . The tool hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse cross-section of the battery pack is larger than the predetermined cross-sectional profile of the extension. 
   
   
       4 . The tool hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the parallel cross-section of the battery pack has a perimeter and the battery pack engagement member encloses at least half of the perimeter. 
   
   
       5 . The tool hanger of  claim 4 , wherein the battery pack engagement member encloses substantially all of the perimeter. 
   
   
       6 . The tool hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the securement member is permanently attached to one portion of the battery engagement member and removably attachable to another portion of the battery engagement member after it has been caused to surround the transverse cross-section of the battery pack or the extension. 
   
   
       7 . The tool hanger of  claim 6 , wherein the securement member is a strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being permanently attached to the one portion of the battery engagement member and the second end being removably attachable to the other portion of the battery engagement member after it has been caused to surround the transverse cross-section of the battery pack or the extension. 
   
   
       8 . The tool hanger of  claim 7 , wherein the strap is made from a pliable material. 
   
   
       9 . The tool hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the hanger member is integral to the battery pack or extension engagement member. 
   
   
       10 . The tool hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the battery pack or extension engagement member includes a planar portion that supports the battery pack or extension and provides stable support for the tool when placed on a horizontal surface. 
   
   
       11 . The tool hanger of  claim 1 , wherein the desired place is taken from the class of places including a framing member, a ladder rung, a tool belt and a clothing pocket. 
   
   
       12 . A method for hanging a tool having a battery pack placed at the distal end of an extension extending away from the tool along an axis, the extension having a predetermined cross-sectional profile transverse to the axis, and the battery pack having a portion of its cross-section transverse to the axis that extends farther from the axis than the adjacent portion of the transverse cross-section of the extension and a predetermined cross-section parallel to but displaced from the axis, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) enclosing a portion of the parallel cross-section of the battery pack with a battery pack engagement member at a place where the cross-section of the battery pack transverse to the axis extends farther from the axis than the adjacent portion of the transverse cross-sectional profile of the extension, the battery pack engagement member having a hanger member attached thereto;   b) surrounding the transverse cross-section of the battery pack or the extension with a securement member;   c) attaching the securement member to the battery engagement member in order to removably secure the battery pack engagement member to the battery pack or extension; and   d) hanging the hanger member from a desired place.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the parallel cross-section of the battery pack has a perimeter and the battery pack engagement member encloses at least half of the perimeter. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the battery pack engagement member encloses substantially all of the perimeter. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein step c) includes permanently attaching the securement member to one portion of the battery engagement member and removably attaching the securement member to another portion of the battery engagement member after it has been caused to surround the transverse cross-section of the battery pack or the extension. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the desired place is taken from the class of places including a framing member, a ladder rung, a tool belt and a clothing pocket. 
   
   
       17 . A tool hanger for hanging a tool having a battery pack placed at the distal end of an extension extending away from the tool along an axis, the extension having a predetermined cross-sectional profile transverse to the axis, and the battery pack having a portion of its cross-section transverse to the axis that extends farther from the axis than the adjacent portion of the transverse cross-section of the extension and a predetermined cross-section parallel to but displaced from the axis, the tool hanger comprising:
 means for enclosing a portion of the parallel cross-section of the battery pack or extension at a place where the cross-section of the battery pack transverse to the axis extends farther from the axis than the adjacent portion of the transverse cross-section of the extension, the enclosing means having a hanging means attached thereto;   means for surrounding the transverse cross-section of the battery pack or the extension; and   means for attaching the surrounding means to the enclosing means in order to removably secure the enclosing means to the battery pack or extension,   the hanging means being hung from a desired place.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the parallel cross-section of the battery pack has a perimeter and the battery pack engagement member encloses at least half of the perimeter. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the battery pack engagement member encloses substantially all of the perimeter. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the means for attaching includes means for permanently attaching the enclosing means to one portion of the enclosing means and removably attaching the enclosing means to another portion of the enclosing means after it has been caused to surround the transverse cross-section of the battery pack or the extension. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the means for enclosing a portion of the parallel cross-section of the battery pack or extension includes a planar portion that supports the battery pack or extension and provides stable support for the apparatus when placed on a horizontal surface. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the desired place is taken from the class of places including a framing member, a ladder rung, a tool belt and a clothing pocket.