Portable hand tool carrier harness

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel design of portable hand drill carrier harness for use by workers in the construction industry. More specifically, the invention pertains to a cord powered or cordless drill carrier harness which combines a quick-draw drill carrying holster with a harness which fits about the torso of a cordless drill user. A drill carrier apparatus comprising: (a) a harness for fitting about the torso and over the shoulders of a person; (b) a portable tool carrier connected to the chest area of the harness; and (c) a mechanism which enables the elevation of the tool carrier to be adjusted relative to the elevation of the harness.

1 . A portable tool carrier apparatus comprising:
 (a) a harness for fitting around the torso and over the shoulders of a person;   (b) a tool carrier apparatus connected to a front chest area of the harness; and   (c) a mechanism which enables the elevation of the tool carrier apparatus to be adjusted relative to the harness.   
     
     
         2 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tool carrier apparatus is pivotal relative to the harness and remains in a substantially vertical orientation when the person bends forward. 
     
     
         3 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the elevation of the tool carrier apparatus is adjustable by means of one or more slidable mechanisms attached to the harness. 
     
     
         4 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  including a mechanism whereby the vertical axis of the tool carrier apparatus can be offset to the right or to the left to accommodate a right-handed or left-handed worker. 
     
     
         5 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the harness includes a chest belt, a pair of shoulder straps and at least one quick release mechanism for enabling the harness to be removed from the torso of the person. 
     
     
         6 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the chest strap and the shoulder straps include mechanisms which permit the lengths of the chest strap and the shoulder straps to be adjusted. 
     
     
         7 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the tool carrier apparatus is a holster that has top and bottom openings and the tool is inserted in the holster through a top opening and the bottom of the tool protrudes through a bottom opening. 
     
     
         8 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tool carrier apparatus is a pair of curved open top hooks which are connected to the front of the harness. 
     
     
         9 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the pair of curved open top hooks is pivotal relative to the harness. 
     
     
         10 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tool is a cordless drill. 
     
     
         11 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the mechanism for offsetting the carrier holster comprises a tilt-mounting mechanism which includes a belt loop extending from the top area of the carrier holster for enveloping the chest belt of the harness, said loop being secured in place on the chest belt by a fastening mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the tilt-mounting mechanism comprises two pairs of orientation rings attached to the rear of the carrier holster, said rings being releasably attached to a chest belt by means of clips, the clips removably fitting within the appropriate rings to adjust the vertical offset orientation of the carrier holster. 
     
     
         13 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  including tool receptacles on the front area of the carrier holster. 
     
     
         14 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  including reinforcing material around the top opening in the carrier holster. 
     
     
         15 . A tool carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein a rear panel of the carrier holster and a front area of the harness are one piece and a horizontal hinge line is formed in the rear panel to enable the carrier holster to pivot relative to the harness. 
     
     
         16 . A cordless drill carrier apparatus comprising:
 (a) a harness for fitting about the torso and over the shoulders of a person, said harness including a chest belt, a pair of shoulder straps and at least one quick release mechanism for enabling the harness to be removed from the torso of the person;   (b) a carrier holster connected to the front chest area of the harness, said carrier holster being pivotal relative to the harness and remaining in a substantially vertical orientation when the person bends forward, said carrier holster having openings at the top and bottom, the drill being inserted in the carrier holster through the top opening so that the chuck of the drill protrudes through the bottom opening; and   (c) a mechanism whereby the elevation of the carrier holster can be raised or lowered relative to the chest area of the harness.   
     
     
         17 . A drill carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the mechanism can be used to tilt the vertical axis of carrier holster to one side or the other. 
     
     
         18 . A drill carrier apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the carrier holster is replaced by a pair of curved open top hooks for supporting the drill. 
     
     
         19 . A method of enabling a cordless drill to be carried on the chest of a person by fitting the torso of the person with a harness that carries a pivotal drill carrier apparatus on the front of the harness, said carrier apparatus being adjustable in elevation relative to the harness, said carrier apparatus comprising either a holster which remains substantially vertical when the person bends forward, or a pair of curved open top hooks for carrying the drill.