Tool retaining device

Abstract

A tool retaining device and method of manufacture comprises an attachment area having an interior sheet of material and an exterior sheet of material. A plurality of magnetic devices is arranged into a two-dimensional pattern with each of the plurality of magnetic devices being placed into individual pockets formed between the interior sheet and the exterior sheet of material. Each of a plurality of magnetic amplifiers is arranged concentrically and in proximity to individual ones of the plurality of magnetic devices. Each of the plurality of magnetic amplifiers is shaped to control an amount of magnetic force applied laterally along a face of the external sheet of material of the tool retaining device. The plurality of magnetic devices are magnetized only after being placed into the individual pockets.

1 . A tool retaining device, comprising:
 an attachment area comprising:
 an interior sheet of material; and 
 an exterior sheet of material; 
   a plurality of magnetic devices arranged into a two-dimensional pattern, each of the plurality of magnetic devices being placed into individual pockets formed between the interior sheet and the exterior sheet of material; and   a plurality of magnetic amplifiers, each of the plurality of magnetic amplifiers arranged concentrically and in proximity to individual ones of the plurality of magnetic devices, each of the plurality of magnetic amplifiers being shaped to control an amount of magnetic force applied laterally along a face of the exterior sheet of material of the tool retaining device.   
   
   
       2 . The tool retaining device of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of adjustable straps coupled to opposing edges of the attachment area, the pair of adjustable straps being of sufficient length to attach the tool retaining device to a limb of a user. 
   
   
       3 . The tool retaining device of  claim 1  wherein the individual pockets are formed by a stitching pattern adhering the interior sheet to the exterior sheet of material. 
   
   
       4 . The tool retaining device of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of magnetic amplifiers is shaped with a concave face in proximity to the individual ones of the plurality of magnetic devices. 
   
   
       5 . The tool retaining device of  claim 1  wherein the amount of magnetic force applied laterally along the face of the exterior sheet of material is about 30% of a total magnetic force available from each of the plurality of magnetic devices. 
   
   
       6 . The tool retaining device of  claim 1  wherein the amount of magnetic force applied perpendicular to the face of the exterior sheet of material is about 70% of a total magnetic force available from each of the plurality of magnetic devices. 
   
   
       7 . The tool retaining device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the interior sheet of material and the exterior sheet of material in the attachment area is formed from a semi-rigid material. 
   
   
       8 . The tool retaining device of  claim 1  further comprising a sheet of spacer material formed between the plurality of magnetic devices and the plurality of magnetic amplifiers. 
   
   
       9 . A tool retaining device to hold tools and other metallic articles to a limb of a worker, the tool retaining device comprising:
 an attachment area comprising:
 an interior sheet of material; and 
 an exterior sheet of material; 
   a pair of adjustable straps coupled to opposing edges of the attachment area, the pair of adjustable straps being of sufficient length to attach the tool retaining device to the limb of the worker;   a plurality of magnetic devices arranged into a two-dimensional pattern, each of the plurality of magnetic devices being placed into individual pockets formed between the interior sheet and the exterior sheet of material; and   a plurality of magnetic amplifiers, each of the plurality of magnetic amplifiers arranged concentrically and in proximity to individual ones of the plurality of magnetic devices, each of the plurality of magnetic amplifiers being shaped with a concave surface facing the individual ones of the plurality of magnetic devices and configured to control an amount of magnetic force applied laterally along a face of the exterior sheet of material of the tool retaining device.   
   
   
       10 . The tool retaining device of  claim 9  wherein the individual pockets are formed by a stitching pattern adhering the interior sheet to the exterior sheet of material. 
   
   
       11 . The tool retaining device of  claim 9  wherein the amount of magnetic force applied laterally along the face of the exterior sheet of material is about 30% of a total magnetic force available from each of the plurality of magnetic devices. 
   
   
       12 . The tool retaining device of  claim 9  wherein the amount of magnetic force applied perpendicular to the face of the exterior sheet of material is about 70% of a total magnetic force available from each of the plurality of magnetic devices. 
   
   
       13 . The tool retaining device of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the interior sheet of material and the exterior sheet of material in the attachment area is formed from a semi-rigid material. 
   
   
       14 . The tool retaining device of  claim 9  further comprising a sheet of spacer material formed between the plurality of magnetic devices and the plurality of magnetic amplifiers. 
   
   
       15 . A method of fabricating a tool retaining device, the method comprising:
 positioning a plurality of metallic discs in a two-dimensional array between an interior sheet of thin material and an exterior sheet of thin material;   placing individual ones of a plurality of magnetic amplifiers in proximity to both a lower face of each of the plurality of metallic discs and the interior sheet of thin material;   forming a pocket around each of the plurality of metallic discs and the plurality of magnetic amplifiers by fastening portions of the interior and the exterior sheets of thin material together; and   magnetizing the plurality of metallic discs after the step of forming the pocket.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising adjusting a spacing between the plurality of metallic discs and the plurality of magnetic amplifiers such that a magnetic force applied laterally along a face of the exterior sheet of thin material is about 30% of a total magnetic force available from each of the plurality of metallic discs once magnetized. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising adjusting a spacing between the plurality of metallic discs and the plurality of magnetic amplifiers such that a magnetic force applied perpendicularly along a face of the exterior sheet of thin material is about 70% of a total magnetic force available from each of the plurality of metallic discs once magnetized. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising selecting at least one of the interior sheet of thin material and the exterior sheet of thin material to be formed from a semi-rigid material. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising placing a sheet of spacer material between the plurality of metallic discs and the plurality of magnetic amplifiers. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the pocket is formed by fastening portions of the interior and the exterior sheets of thin material by sewing. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 selecting a pair of adjustable straps to be of sufficient length to attach the tool retaining device to a limb of a user; and   attaching the pair of adjustable straps to opposing edges of the interior and the exterior sheets of thin material.