GB2084374A - Display Device for Supporting Tools - Google Patents

Abstract

A display device for supporting and storing tools comprises a rigid sheet 10 which can be secured in a vertical position to a wall or like support and which has a plurality of tool supporting members such as clips, hooks etc. by which different tools can be supported in respective predetermined positions on the sheet 10. The sheet 10 has its outer face marked, in the respective tool positions with respective silhouettes or outlines in a colour or tone contrasting with the background colour or tone of the board. Each silhouette is a full scale outline of the respective tool and the arrangement is such that each tool, when appropriately hung or otherwise located by its respective supporting means in its appropriate position on the board, substantially covers its respective silhouette. Thus it is easy to see, by the exposed silhouettes, which tools, if any, are missing from their appropriate places on the board, and to discern the appropriate places in which the tools should be placed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for Supporting Tools This invention relates to a device for supporting tools.

There are many fields in which a craftsman, mechanic or the like may require any of a relatively large number of tools, instruments or other articles, (hereinafter all referred to for convenience as tools) to be close at hand and readily accessible. While many forms of storage facility for such tools are known, they suffer from various disadvantages, e.g. in not storing the respective tools in a sufficiently orderly way to allow a desired tool to be found quickly, or in affording no sufficiently simple means to allow a checl < to be made as to whether all the appropriate tools are present or in being too bulky or occupying too much space, etc.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for supporting tools by which at least some of the above noted disadvantages may be eliminated.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for supporting tools comprising a rigid sheet having on one side thereof supporting means for a plurality of predetermined tools, the sheet bearing, on said one side thereof, a silhouette or outline of each of said tools, each said silhouette or outline being so disposed in relation to the supporting means for the respective tool, and so configured, that the tool, when supported by its respective supporting means, conforms generally with its silhouette or outline.

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is an elevational view of a device embodying the invention.

The device shown comprises a rigid rectangular sheet 10, e.g. of wood, hardboard, chipboard, or the like adapted to be secured in a vertical disposition to a convenient vertical surface, e.g. a wall surface, by means of conventional fasteners, such as screws.

The sheet 10, in the embodiment shown, has on its outer face, and secured to the sheet, various tool supporting means such as spring clips 12, hooks 14, and brackets 1 6. The outer surface of the sheet 10 is provided with a finish affording a background of one colour and/or tone and at various locations, areas of a contrasting colour or tone, each said area comprising a fullscale silhouette of a respective tool and being so disposed in relation to particular said supporting means that when the appropriate tool is correctly supported on the sheet 10 by the appropriate supporting means, the tool closely conforms with, and substantially covers, the silhouette of that tool.

As a result it is a simple matter for a workman to discern, from the respective contrasting silhouette on the sheet 10, that any particular tool has not been replaced in its appropriate position on the board, and to identify the tool in question, and the manner in which it should be supported by the respective supporting means.

On the board shown in the drawing (on which the tools in question are carpenter's tools), there is indicated at 1 7 an exposed silhouette area corresponding to a carpenter's square, at 1 8 an exposed silhouette corresponding to a claw hammer and at 19 an exposed silhouette of a tenon saw.

If desired the outer surface of the board may carry, adjacent each silhouette or the associated holding means, lettering identifying the tool concerned. This may be particularly usefui where there are a number of tools of similar appearance, but different sizes, for example where sets of spanners, sockets, etc, are supported on, for example, a corresponding sheet 10 for a motor mechanic's workshop.

In the preferred embodiment the outer face of the sheet 10 presents a white background with the silhouettes in grey, but it will be appreciated that any other scheme of colour or tone contrast may be adopted.

Furthermore, while it is preferred, for the sake of conspicuity, that the silhouettes should be areas of solid colour or contrasting tone, each tool may, if desired, be represented simply by a linear outline.

Apart from the advantages already noted, the arrangement described with reference to the drawing has the advantage that, when supported on the sheet, all of the tools are laid open to view, so that a desired tool can quickly be located and taken up, and as the effort involved in replacement is minimal, there is more likelihood that the workman will take the trouble to replace the tool, reducing the possibility of mislaying it.

In addition the sheet 10 with the tools thereon forms a relatively compact storage means, and does not take up valuable floor space or obstruct the workshop area, but may be fitted to any convenient vertical, or near-vertical surface, e.g.

to a wall behind a workbench.

Claims

1. A device for supporting tools comprising a rigid sheet having on one side thereof supporting means for a plurality of predetermined tools, the sheet bearing, on said one side thereof, a silhouette or outline of each of said tools, each said silhouette or outline being so disposed in relation to the supporting means for the respective tool, and so configured, that the tool, when supported by its respective supporting means, conforms generally with its silhouette or outline.

2. A device according to ciaim 1 wherein each said silhouette comprises a solid area of tone or colour contrasting with that of the remainder of the board and is of substantially full scale size, so that when each tool is in place in its respective supporting means on the board it effectively covers its respective silhouette.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Device for Supporting Tools This invention relates to a device for supporting tools. There are many fields in which a craftsman, mechanic or the like may require any of a relatively large number of tools, instruments or other articles, (hereinafter all referred to for convenience as tools) to be close at hand and readily accessible. While many forms of storage facility for such tools are known, they suffer from various disadvantages, e.g. in not storing the respective tools in a sufficiently orderly way to allow a desired tool to be found quickly, or in affording no sufficiently simple means to allow a checl < to be made as to whether all the appropriate tools are present or in being too bulky or occupying too much space, etc. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for supporting tools by which at least some of the above noted disadvantages may be eliminated. According to the invention, there is provided a device for supporting tools comprising a rigid sheet having on one side thereof supporting means for a plurality of predetermined tools, the sheet bearing, on said one side thereof, a silhouette or outline of each of said tools, each said silhouette or outline being so disposed in relation to the supporting means for the respective tool, and so configured, that the tool, when supported by its respective supporting means, conforms generally with its silhouette or outline. An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is an elevational view of a device embodying the invention. The device shown comprises a rigid rectangular sheet 10, e.g. of wood, hardboard, chipboard, or the like adapted to be secured in a vertical disposition to a convenient vertical surface, e.g. a wall surface, by means of conventional fasteners, such as screws. The sheet 10, in the embodiment shown, has on its outer face, and secured to the sheet, various tool supporting means such as spring clips 12, hooks 14, and brackets 1 6. The outer surface of the sheet 10 is provided with a finish affording a background of one colour and/or tone and at various locations, areas of a contrasting colour or tone, each said area comprising a fullscale silhouette of a respective tool and being so disposed in relation to particular said supporting means that when the appropriate tool is correctly supported on the sheet 10 by the appropriate supporting means, the tool closely conforms with, and substantially covers, the silhouette of that tool. As a result it is a simple matter for a workman to discern, from the respective contrasting silhouette on the sheet 10, that any particular tool has not been replaced in its appropriate position on the board, and to identify the tool in question, and the manner in which it should be supported by the respective supporting means. On the board shown in the drawing (on which the tools in question are carpenter's tools), there is indicated at 1 7 an exposed silhouette area corresponding to a carpenter's square, at 1 8 an exposed silhouette corresponding to a claw hammer and at 19 an exposed silhouette of a tenon saw. If desired the outer surface of the board may carry, adjacent each silhouette or the associated holding means, lettering identifying the tool concerned. This may be particularly usefui where there are a number of tools of similar appearance, but different sizes, for example where sets of spanners, sockets, etc, are supported on, for example, a corresponding sheet 10 for a motor mechanic's workshop. In the preferred embodiment the outer face of the sheet 10 presents a white background with the silhouettes in grey, but it will be appreciated that any other scheme of colour or tone contrast may be adopted. Furthermore, while it is preferred, for the sake of conspicuity, that the silhouettes should be areas of solid colour or contrasting tone, each tool may, if desired, be represented simply by a linear outline. Apart from the advantages already noted, the arrangement described with reference to the drawing has the advantage that, when supported on the sheet, all of the tools are laid open to view, so that a desired tool can quickly be located and taken up, and as the effort involved in replacement is minimal, there is more likelihood that the workman will take the trouble to replace the tool, reducing the possibility of mislaying it. In addition the sheet 10 with the tools thereon forms a relatively compact storage means, and does not take up valuable floor space or obstruct the workshop area, but may be fitted to any convenient vertical, or near-vertical surface, e.g. to a wall behind a workbench. Claims

1. A device for supporting tools comprising a rigid sheet having on one side thereof supporting means for a plurality of predetermined tools, the sheet bearing, on said one side thereof, a silhouette or outline of each of said tools, each said silhouette or outline being so disposed in relation to the supporting means for the respective tool, and so configured, that the tool, when supported by its respective supporting means, conforms generally with its silhouette or outline.

2. A device according to ciaim 1 wherein each said silhouette comprises a solid area of tone or colour contrasting with that of the remainder of the board and is of substantially full scale size, so that when each tool is in place in its respective supporting means on the board it effectively covers its respective silhouette.

3. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawing.

4. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.