Tool organizer and method of making the same

Abstract

A tool organizer and method of making the same is provided which allows a user to quickly and easily store tools and other items of various sizes, shapes and configurations. The customizable organizer includes a depressible core capable of maintaining an impression of an object that is pressed into it. The organizer also includes a covering material such as a fabric, flock or elastomeric coating, which protects the outer surface of the core, and also provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. A tacky adhesive is applied on an upper surface of the core so that when a tool or other item is pressed into the covering material that overlay the core, the tacky adhesive maintains the covering material in close conformity to the customized impression of the tool or other item created in the organizer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An organizer for retaining one or more tools comprising:
 a depressible core having an upper surface and a lower surface, the depressible core customizable to maintain at least one impression on the upper surface, the at least one impression securing the tool in the core for storage,   a stretchy covering material disposed over the upper surface of the core, and   a layer of tacky adhesive disposed over the upper surface to maintain the covering material in close conformity to each impression shaped to an outer periphery of each tool.   
     
     
         2 . An organizer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the depressible core is a dry foam. 
     
     
         3 . An organizer in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the dry foam is a phenolic foam. 
     
     
         4 . An organizer in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the depressible core is a low density, non-drying clay. 
     
     
         5 . An organizer in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a base having a top surface and a bottom surface parallel to the top surface, the planar dimensions of the base conforming to the dimensions of the lower surface of the core. 
     
     
         6 . An organizer in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein a portion of the covering material is securely maintained between the top surface of the base and the lower surface of the core. 
     
     
         7 . An organizer in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the base comprises wood, plastic, or vinyl. 
     
     
         8 . An organizer in accordance with  claim 5 , further comprising one or more magnets attached along a surface of the base. 
     
     
         9 . An organizer in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the tacky adhesive remains sticky and flexible after drying so that the covering material can conform to a shape of the tool. 
     
     
         10 . A method of customizing an organizer for maintaining one or more items, the method comprising the following steps:
 placing one or more items to be stored on an upper surface of a depressible core; and   pressing or tapping the one or more items to form a depression defining an outer periphery of each one or more items in the upper surface of the core.   
     
     
         11 . The method of customizing an organizer as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the pressing or tapping step is performed by hand or with a hammer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of making an organizer as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of forming a depression contiguous to the impression defining an outer periphery of each of the one or more items. 
     
     
         13 . The method of making an organizer as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the step of forming the depression contiguous to the impression of the item is achieved by a grip tool. 
     
     
         14 . The method of making an organizer as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the grip tool comprises a dowel or a hemispherical cylinder comprising wood, plastic, or rigid member. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making an organizer for maintaining one or more items, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing a material to comprise a depressible core having an upper surface and a lower surface,   coating an upper surface of the core with a tacky adhesive, and   disposing a stretchy covering material over the upper surface of the core.   
     
     
         16 . The method of making an organizer as defining in  claim 15 , further comprising sizing a base having a top surface and a bottom surface to conform to the dimensions of the lower surface of the core, and attaching the base to the lower surface of the core. 
     
     
         17 . The method of making an organizer as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the base material comprises wood, plastic, or vinyl. 
     
     
         18 . The method of making an organizer as defined in  claim 15 , wherein a portion of the stretchy covering material is maintained between the base and lower surface of the core. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making an organizer as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising attaching one or more magnets between the base and the core.