Tool Monitoring Method

Abstract

A method for monitoring a tool set is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the method comprises configuring a tool organizer in an open configuration. The tool organizer contains at least a portion of a tool set. The method further comprises visually inspecting the contents of the tool organizer to determine a first level of completeness of the tool set; recording the first level of completeness of the tool set; releasing the tool organizer and contents for use by a third party; receiving the tool organizer and returned contents from the third party; configuring the tool organizer in an open configuration; visually inspecting the returned contents of the tool organizer to determine a second level of completeness of the tool set; and comparing the first level of completeness with the second level of completeness to determine whether one or more tools from the tool set are missing.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A tool organizer, comprising:
 a plurality of wheels; and   a tool storage structure comprising a plurality of vertical tool supports, wherein each vertical tool support comprises an outer portion and a rigid inner structure,   wherein at least one of the vertical tool supports is movable relative to another one of the vertical tool supports about a vertical axis between a dosed configuration and an open configuration, and   wherein the outer portion of each vertical tool support defines a plurality of tool fasteners, each tool fastener being configured to hold a specific type of tool.   
     
     
         21 . The tool organizer of  claim 20 , further comprising a tool indicium associated with each respective one of the tool fastener,
 wherein the tool indicium associated with each respective one of the tool fasteners indicates the specific type of tool that that tool fastener is configured to hold.   
     
     
         22 . The tool organizer of  claim 21 , wherein each one of the tool indicium is a printed name of the specific type of tool that the associated tool fastener is configured to hold, an alpha-numeric code or other indicium, such as bar-code. 
     
     
         23 . The tool organizer of  claim 20 , wherein each of the tool fasteners comprises a pocket, a loop, a strap, a hook and loop type fastener, or a hook. 
     
     
         24 . The tool organizer of  claim 20 , wherein the outer portion of each of the vertical tool supports comprises fabric. 
     
     
         25 . The tool organizer of  claim 20 , further comprising one or more hinges disposed along the vertical axis, wherein each one of the vertical tool supports is attached to one or more of the hinges. 
     
     
         26 . The tool organizer of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a frame, wherein the plurality of wheels and the tool storage structure are attached to or supported by the frame.   
     
     
         27 . The tool organizer of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a plurality of storage drawers supported by the frame.   
     
     
         28 . The tool organizer of  claim 26 , further comprising a rear storage compartment,
 wherein the plurality of storage drawers open from a front of the tool organizer and the rear storage compartment is accessible from a rear of the tool organizer.   
     
     
         29 . The tool organizer of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a retaining means for securing the vertical tool supports in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         30 . The tool organizer of  claim 29 , wherein the retaining means is selected from the group consisting of: straps that employ hook and loop fasteners, snap fasteners, buckles, hasps, and the like. 
     
     
         31 . The tool organizer of  claim 20 , wherein the outer portion of each vertical tool support comprises fabric. 
     
     
         32 . The tool organizer of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a tray that defines a flat surface, wherein the tray is able to be configured such that the flat surface is positioned horizontally to serve as a work surface.   
     
     
         33 . The tool organizer of  claim 32 , wherein the tray further defines a plurality of edges that are raised relative to the flat surface of the tray. 
     
     
         34 . The tool organizer of  claim 20 , further comprising a detachable tool carrier detachably coupled to the tool organizer,
 wherein the detachable tool carrier is configured to hold a set of tools.   
     
     
         35 . The tool organizer of  claim 34 , wherein the detachable tool carrier is a tool belt, a tool bag, or a tool box. 
     
     
         36 . The tool organizer of  claim 34 , wherein the detachable tool carrier comprises a plurality of tool fasteners,
 wherein each one of the tool fasteners of the tool carrier is configured to securely hold a specific type of tool, and   wherein each one of the tool fasteners of the tool carrier has an associated indicium indicating the specific type of tool that tool fastener is configured to securely hold.   
     
     
         37 . A tool organizer, comprising:
 a frame,   a plurality of wheels attached to the frame; and   a tool storage structure supported by the frame,   wherein the tool storage structure comprises a plurality of vertical tool supports, wherein each vertical tool support comprises an outer fabric portion coupled to a rigid inner structure,   wherein at least one of the vertical tool supports is movable relative to another one of the vertical tool supports about a vertical axis between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and   wherein the outer fabric portion of each vertical tool support defines a plurality of tool fasteners, each tool fastener being configured to hold a specific type of tool;   a tool indicium associated with each respective one of the tool fasteners,   wherein the tool indicium associated with each respective one of the tool fasteners indicates the specific type of tool that that tool fastener is configured to hold.   
     
     
         38 . The tool organizer of  claim 37 , wherein each one of the tool indicium is a printed name of the specific type of tool that the associated tool fastener is configured to hold, an alpha-numeric code or other indicium, such as bar-code. 
     
     
         39 . The tool organizer of  claim 37 , wherein each of the tool fasteners comprises a pocket, a loop, a strap, a hook and loop type fastener, or a hook. 
     
     
         40 . The tool organizer of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 a plurality of storage drawers supported by the frame; and   a rear storage compartment,   wherein the plurality of storage drawers open from a front of the tool organizer and the rear storage compartment is accessible from a rear of the tool organizer.   
     
     
         41 . The tool organizer of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 a retaining means for securing the vertical tool supports in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         42 . The tool organizer of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 a tray that defines a flat surface, wherein the tray is able to be configured such that the flat surface is positioned horizontally to serve as a work surface,   wherein the tray further defines a plurality of edges that are raised relative to the flat surface of the tray.   
     
     
         43 . The tool organizer of  claim 37 , further comprising a detachable tool carrier detachably coupled to the tool organizer,
 wherein the detachable tool carrier is a tool belt, a tool bag, or a tool box and is configured to hold a set of tools,   wherein the detachable tool carrier comprises a plurality of tool fasteners,   wherein each one of the tool fasteners of the detachable tool carrier is configured to securely hold a specific type of tool, and   wherein each one of the tool fasteners of the detachable tool carrier has an associated indicium indicating the specific type of tool that tool fastener is configured to securely hold.   
     
     
         44 . A tool organizer, comprising:
 a frame,   a plurality of wheels attached to the frame;   a tool storage structure supported by the frame,
 wherein the tool storage structure comprises a plurality of vertical tool supports, wherein each vertical tool support comprises an outer fabric portion coupled to a rigid inner structure, 
 wherein at least one of the vertical tool supports is movable relative to another one of the vertical tool supports about a vertical axis between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and 
 wherein the outer fabric portion of each vertical tool support defines a plurality of tool fasteners, each tool fastener being configured to hold a specific type of tool; 
   a tool indicium associated with each respective one of the tool fasteners,
 wherein the tool indicium associated with each respective one of the tool fasteners indicates the specific type of tool that that tool fastener is configured to hold, 
 wherein each one of the tool indicium is a printed name of the specific type of tool that the associated tool fastener is configured to hold, an alpha-numeric code or other indicium, such as bar-code, 
 wherein each of the tool fasteners comprises a pocket, a loop, a strap, a hook and loop type fastener, or a hook, 
   a plurality of storage drawers supported by the frame;   a retaining means for securing the vertical tool supports in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         45 . The tool organizer of  claim 44 , further comprising a detachable tool carrier detachably coupled to the tool organizer,
 wherein the detachable tool carrier is a tool belt, a tool bag, or a tool box and is configured to hold a set of tools,   wherein the detachable tool carrier comprises a plurality of tool fasteners,   wherein each one of the tool fasteners of the detachable tool carrier is configured to securely hold a specific type of tool, and   wherein each one of the tool fasteners of the detachable tool carrier has an associated indicium indicating the specific type of tool that tool fastener is configured to securely hold.   
     
     
         46 . A tool organizer, comprising:
 a frame;   a plurality of wheels attached to the frame; and   a tool storage structure supported by the frame, the tool storage structure comprising a plurality of storage panels, each storage panel comprising a rigid inner structure and an outer portion covering the rigid inner structure,   the plurality of storage panels including at least a first storage panel that is movable with respect to at least a second storage panel about a vertical axis between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and   the outer portion of each vertical tool support defines a plurality of tool fasteners, each tool fastener being configured to hold a specific type of tool.