Portable wire reel retaining apparatus

Abstract

A retaining apparatus for a tool or accessory includes a first and second hanger each having a first and second end. The first ends each include an attachment member securable to a wearer. A leg strap includes a fastening device to allow the leg strap to be opened and closed and secured around the thigh of a wearer. The second ends of the hangers are attached to a leg strap. The first hanger is spaced from the second hanger along a length of the leg strap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retaining apparatus for a tool or accessory comprising:
 a first and second hanger each having a first and second end, the first ends each including an attachment member securable to a wearer; and   
       a leg strap including a fastening device to allow the leg strap to be opened and closed and secured around the thigh of a wearer, the second ends of the hangers being attached to a leg strap, and the first hanger being spaced from the second hanger along a length of the leg strap. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second ends of the first and second hangers each include a loop formed therein, the loop receiving the leg strap, wherein the position of the first and second hangers are adjustable along the length of the leg strap. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second ends of the first and second hangers are fixedly secured to the leg strap. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the leg strap is formed of a first and second strap secured together. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the first strap has a longitudinal extent extending beyond a longitudinal extent of the second strap, the first strap having ends to which complementary portions of the fastening device are attached. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the first strap is thinner than the second strap. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the first and second straps are formed of pliable material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second hangers are straps formed of pliable material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the length of the first and second hangers is the same. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the first and second hangers have a length of generally 7 to 12 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the leg strap includes thereon an auxiliary tool holder disposed thereon for removably securing one or more tools to the leg strap. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the auxiliary tool holder includes a plurality of loops disposed between the first and second hangers. 
     
     
         13 . A retaining apparatus for a wire reel comprising:
 a first hanger strap having a first and second end, the first end including an attachment member securable to a belt of a wearer, the hanger strap being securable to a wire reel; and   a leg strap adapted to be removably secured around a leg of a wearer, the second end of the first hanger strap being connected to the leg strap, and the leg strap including a fastening device to allow the leg strap to be opened and closed and secured around the leg of a wearer, wherein the first hanger strap has a length such that the wire reel is secured a distance D below the belt of the wearer.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , further including a second hanger strap having a first and second end, the first end including an attachment member securable to the belt of the wearer and the second end being connected to the leg strap at a position spaced from the first hanger strap. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the second ends of the first and second hanger straps each include a loop formed therein, the loops receiving the leg strap, wherein the position of the first and second hanger straps are adjustable along the length of the leg strap. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the second ends of the first and second hanger straps are fixedly secured to the leg strap. 
     
     
         17 . The device as defined in  claim 13 , further including a pad positionable between the wire reel and the wearer, and the first hanger strap is secured to the pad at a first position and the leg strap is secured to the pad at a second position, and the wire reel is securable to the pad at a location between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         18 . A portable wire reel retaining apparatus comprising:
 a wire reel having a housing for securing therein a spool of wire, the housing having a rear side including a pair of spaced slots;   a retaining device including a hanger, having a first and second end, the first end being securable to a wearer, the hanger extending through at least one of the wire reel slots; and   a leg strap securable to the second end of the hanger, the leg strap having a fastening device for removably securing the leg strap to the thigh of a wearer, and wherein the hanger has a length such that the wire reel is secured a distance D below a waist of the wearer.   
     
     
         19 . The device as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the hanger first end includes a loop adapted to receive a waist belt of a wearer. 
     
     
         20 . The device as defined in  claim 18 , further including a pad disposed between the wire reel and the wearer.