Tool Retaining Apparatus

Abstract

A retaining apparatus includes a body having retainers for securing a plurality of tools thereto. A first and second hanger each has a first and second end. The hanger first ends each include an attachment member securable to a wearer. The hanger second ends each are secured to the body. The first hanger is spaced from the second hanger along a longitudinal extent of the body. A leg strap is secured to the body, and the leg strap includes a fastening device to allow the leg strap to be opened and closed and secured around the thigh of a wearer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool retaining apparatus comprising:
 a body having retainers for securing a plurality of tools thereto;   a first and second hanger each having a first and second end, the hanger first ends each including an attachment member securable to a wearer, the hanger second ends each being secured to the body, the first hanger being spaced from the second hanger along a longitudinal extent of the body; and
 a leg strap secured to the body, the leg strap including a fastening device to allow the leg strap to be opened and closed and secured around the thigh of a wearer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first ends of the first and second hangers each include a loop formed therein, the loop adapted to receive a wearer's waist belt, wherein the length of the first and second hangers is adjustable. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second ends of the first and second hangers are fixedly secured to the body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the leg strap has a longitudinal extent extending beyond the longitudinal extent of body, the leg strap having ends to which complementary portions of the fastening device are attached. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the length of the first and second hangers is substantially the same. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the first and second hangers have a length of generally 7 to 12 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the leg strap includes thereon an auxiliary tool holder for removably securing one or more tools to the leg strap. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a first surface and the tool retainers are disposed on the first surface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool retainer includes a first pocket. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the tool retainer includes a second pocket, the first pocket being spaced from the second pocket by a plurality of loops forming openings for receiving a tool. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tool retainer includes undulating elastic straps forming openings for receiving a tool. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the body has a second surface opposed from the first surface, the second surface being substantially flat. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the body includes a resilient pad material encased by an outer cover. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a plurality of fold lines extending generally transverse to the longitudinal extent of the body, the fold lines facilitating folding of the body thereabout. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the belt hangers and leg straps are secured to the body second surface. 
     
     
         16 . A tool retaining apparatus 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; and   tool carrier including a plurality of tool retainers for securing a plurality of tools, the first hanger strap being secured to, and extending from, the tool pouch;   a leg strap adapted to be removably secured around a leg of a wearer, the leg strap being secured to the tool pouch, 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 tool pouch is secured a distance D below the belt of the wearer.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , 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 tool carrier at a position spaced from the first hanger strap. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the first and second hanger straps have a length which is adjustable. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the belt hanger attachment members each include a loop for receiving a wearer's belt, the loops being adjustable in size. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the body has a length and the leg strap extends along the length of the body, the body having a plurality of fold lines extending between a top and a bottom edge of the body. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the body having a top edge and the belt hangers being secured adjacent to the top edge, and the body having a bottom edge and the waist belt being secured adjacent to the bottom edge. 
     
     
         22 . A tool retaining apparatus comprising:
 a tool carrier having a plurality of retainers for securing a plurality of tools thereto, the tool carrier having a first fold line formed thereon extending generally transverse to a longitudinal extent of the tool carrier, the fold line facilitating folding of the tool carrier about the fold line;   a first and second hanger each having a first and second end, the hanger first ends each including an attachment member securable to a wearer, the hanger second ends each being secured to the body, the first hanger being spaced from the second hanger along a longitudinal extent of the body; and   a leg strap secured to the body, the leg strap including a fastening device to allow the leg strap to be opened and closed and secured around the thigh of a wearer.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 22 , wherein the tool carrier has a second fold line formed thereon extending generally transverse to a longitudinal extent of the tool carrier, the first and second fold line segmenting the tool carrier into a plurality of segments. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 23 , wherein a first of the plurality of segments in disposed between a second and third of the plurality of segments, and the first hanger is secured to the second segment and the second hanger is secured to the third segment.