STRAP STORAGE ACCESSORY

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a strap storage accessory compatible with a modular storage system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Hand tools, power tools, and associated accessories such as light sources, batteries, tool bits, fasteners, and the like, may be moved frequently between a storage space and a workspace. One aspect of accessibility is a user's ability to quickly store an object and remove or relocate the object from storage. Another aspect of accessibility is the storage system's ability to engage many objects with a standardized connection mechanism between the system and the object. This may also permit an object to engage the storage system at a plurality of locations. Storage systems may also be accessible for extension or expansion.

[0003] However, existing storage systems for organization of tools and accessories for transit to a job site leave much to be desired. For instance, with specific consideration of extension cords, hoses, and other flexible elongated items, these items are often coiled or wrapped in a series of adjacent loops for storage. However, without securing the loops together, the coils may unravel, resulting in tangles, knots, and making the cords difficult to store. While straps may be used to secure the loops, users are still left without a solution for easily storing the cords, e.g., in a garage or other storage area, or transporting to and from a job site.

[0004] Accordingly, improved storage accessories, particularly for cords and/or hosesare desired in the art. In particular, storage accessories which are compatible with modular storage systems and provide customizable mounting and storing arrangements would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0005] Aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the technology.

[0006] In accordance with one embodiment, a storage accessory is provided. The storage accessory includes a body, the body having a first portion and a second portion generally opposite the first portion. The body includes at least one mounting structure, and at least one storage component. The storage component includes a support surface configured to support a cord, a hose, and/or a tool.

[0007] In accordance with another embodiment, a belt clip storage accessory is provided. The belt clip storage accessory includes a body having a first portion and a second portion generally opposite the first portion, the second portion being coupled to the first portion by a third portion, wherein the second portion forms a belt clip. The body includes at least one mounting structure having an engagement structure complementary to a mounting interface. The engagement structure is defined by lateral sides of the second portion of the body.

[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A full and enabling disclosure of the present application, including the best mode of making and using the present systems and methods, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage accessory in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a rear view of a storage accessory in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a right-side view of a storage accessory in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a storage accessory having a hook in an upper position in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a storage accessory including a strap in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0015]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a storage interface in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation, rather than limitation of, the technology. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present technology without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed technology. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the disclosure.

[0017] As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “coupled,” “fixed,” “attached to,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive- or and not to an exclusive- or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0018] Terms of approximation, such as “about,” “generally,” “approximately,” or “substantially,” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise, or counter-clockwise.

[0019] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems are described below with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.

[0020] In general, the present invention is directed to a storage accessory, e.g., a storage accessory configured for supporting and/or storing a cord, e.g., an extension cord, a hose, a tool, and/or other items. The storage accessory includes a body, at least one mounting portion, and at least one storage component. The storage component may include a hook configured to be movable relative to the body between a storage support arrangement and a mounting or hanging arrangement. The storage component may also include an adjustable strap. The storage accessory may also include a belt clip support, a fastener receiver, and/or a mounting structure configured to be mounted to a complementary storage interface. The present inventors have found that the storage accessory of the present invention facilitates fast and easy access to cords and/or tools stored by the accessory, convenient, customizable configurations.

[0021] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a storage accessory 10. The storage accessory 10 includes a body 12, at least one mounting portion (described in further detail below), and at least one storage component (described in further detail below). With this arrangement, the storage accessory 10 may be configured to be mounted for storage, e.g., in a garage, storage room, modular storage system, etc., and be used as a storage accessory for storage of a cord, e.g., an extension cord, a hose, a tool, or other item.

[0022] The body 12 has a first portion 14 and a second portion 16 spaced apart from the first portion 14 by a third portion 18. The first portion 14 and the second portion 16 may be arranged generally opposite each other, e.g., may face each other. In some aspects of the present invention, as best shown in FIG. 3, the first potion 14 and the second portion 16 may be generally parallel to each other. For instance, the first portion 14 may include a first planar surface 20. The second portion 16 may include a second planar surface 22 (FIG. 2) facing away from the first planar surface 20 of the first portion 14. The first planar surface 20 and the second planar surface 22 may extend generally parallel to each other. The third portion 18 may include a third planar surface 24. The third planar surface 24 may extend between the first planar surface 20 and the second planar surface 22. In some aspects, the third planar surface 24 may extend generally perpendicular to the first planar surface 20 and/or the second planar surface 22. In this arrangement, as described in further detail below, the body 12 may form a belt clip or waist clip configured to be secured on a user’s belt or waist.

[0023] The storage accessory 10 may include a storage component in the form of a hook 26. The hook 26 includes a support surface 34 configured to support an item, e.g., cord, hose, tool, etc., stored by the storage accessory 10. In some aspects, the hook 26 may be in the form of a wire hanger. For instance, the hook 26 may have a U-shaped support surface 34.

[0024]The hook 26 may be coupled with the first portion 14 of the body 12. For instance, the hook 26 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 may include arms 28 configured to be coupled with the first portion 14. The first portion 14 may have complementary receiving openings 30 for each of the respective arms 28. In some aspects, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a pivot axis 32 for the hook 26 may be defined between the receiving openings 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the arms 28 may, in some embodiments, be collinear with each other. The arms 28 may extend outwardly from a support surface 34 of the hook 26, e.g., in opposite directions from each respective arm 28, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the arms 28 may extend inwardly in a direction towards each respective arm 28, e.g., inwardly towards the first planar surface 20 of the first portion 14 of the body 12. However, it is to be understood that any suitable arrangement of the arms 28 to support the hook 26 with respect to the body 12 may be contemplated by the present invention.

[0025] The first portion 14 of the body 12 may include one or more guides configured to support a position of the hook 26 with respect to the first portion 14 and the first planar surface 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the first portion 14 may include at least one lower support 36. For instance, when the hook 26 includes two support surfaces 34 configured to be arranged adjacent to the first portion 14, there may be two lower supports 36, i.e., a respective lower support 36 for each support surface 34. The lower supports 36 may each include a first guide surface 38 and a second guide surface 40 generally parallel to the first guide surface 38. For instance, the first and second guide surfaces 38 and 40 may extend in a generally parallel direction relative to the portion of the support surfaces 34 configured to be adjacent to the first portion 14. In some aspects, the first and second guide surfaces 38 and 40 may extend in a generally vertical direction, e.g., generally perpendicular to the third portion 18 of the body 12.

[0026] A respective one of the support surfaces 34 may be configured to be received between the first guide surface 38 and second guide surface 40. In some aspects, the support surface 34 may be configured to be secured between the first guide surface 38 and second guide surface 40. For example, a detent feature 42 may protrude from one or more of the first guide surface 38 and second guide surface 40 toward the respective other of the first guide surface 38 and second guide surface 40 such that the support surface 34 is secured in place when engaged between the detent features(s) 42, the first guide surface 38, the second guide surface 40, and the first planar surface 20.

[0027] As best seen in FIG. 4, the hook 26 may be movable relative to the body 12, e.g., about the pivot axis 32. In some aspects, the hook 26 may be moved into an upper position with respect to the body 12. In this arrangement, the support surface(s) 34 may be alternatively configured to be suitable for mounting the body 12 to an object, such as the rails or spreaders of a ladder, top of a fence, a pole, a sawhorse, or any other storage location of convenience. The first portion 14 may include at least one upper support 44, e.g., two upper supports 44, configured to support the hook 26 in the upper position. The upper supports 44 may each include a first guide surface 46, a second guide surface 48 generally parallel to the first guide surface 46 in a similar arrangement to the lower support(s) 36. Similarly, a detent feature 50 may protrude from one or more of the first guide surface 46 and second guide surface 48 toward the respective other of the first guide surface 46 and second guide surface 48 such that the support surface 34 is secured in place when engaged between the detent features(s) 50, the first guide surface 46, the second guide surface 48, and the first planar surface 20.

[0028] In some aspects, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, each lower support 36 first guide surface 38 and upper support 44 first guide surface 46 may be continuous with each other to form an elongated raised guide 52 along the first portion 14. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, each raised guide 52 may extend from the first portion 14 to the second portion 16 of the body 12, e.g., including extending along the third portion 18. The elongated guide surface 52 may protrude outward from the first planar surface 20, second planar surface 22, and third planar surface 24. The elongated raised guides 52 may each extend along a line such that the portion of the raised guide 52 on the first portion 14 is parallel to the portion of the raised guide 52 on the second portion 16 of the body 12.

[0029] Turning back to FIG. 2, the second portion 16 of the body 12 forms a generally rear side of the storage accessory 10. The second portion 16 may include one or more mounting portions. For instance, as briefly described above, the second portion 16 may form a belt clip or waist clip 60. The second portion 16 may include an indentation 62 at a lower end of the second planar surface 22 extending towards the first portion 16 to form a retaining feature 64 of the belt clip or waist clip 60. The second portion 16 may further include a lip 66 extending from the retaining feature 64 to a bottom edge 84 of the second portion 16. The lip 66 may form an insertion portion of the belt clip or waist clip 60, e.g., having tapered side edges 68 configured to enable ease of insertion of the bottom edge 84 towards a belt or waist. In this manner, the storage accessory 10 may be secured on a user’s belt or waist having the first portion 14 on one side, the second portion 16 on an opposite side and the belt or waist disposed in the space therebetween and secured by the retaining feature 64.

[0030] Additionally or alternatively, the second portion 16 may form a second mounting portion 70 configured to facilitate mounting of the storage accessory 10 to a complementary storage interface, such as the storage interface 100 shown in FIG. 6.

[0031] The second portion 14 includes first lateral edges 74 at an upper end thereof, i.e., adjacent to the third portion 18, on the respective left and right sides of the second portion 14. The second portion 14 may further include second lateral edges 76 extending upward from the indentation 62 on the respective left and right sides of the second portion 14. The second lateral edges 76 may extend generally parallel to the first lateral edges 74. Between the first lateral edges 74 and second lateral edges 76, the second portion 14 may includes third lateral edges 78. The third lateral edges 78 may extend at an angle, i.e., a non-zero angle, between the first lateral edges 74 and the second lateral edges 76, respectively.

[0032] The elongated guide surfaces 52 may form alignment guides 72 for the second mounting portion 70. For instance, the alignment guides 72 may form the second lateral edges 76 of the second portion 14. Together, each alignment guide 72 and adjacent third lateral edge 76 may form an engagement portion 80 of the mounting portion 70. Further, in some aspects, the engagement portions 80 together may form a generally Y-shaped engagement member 82 configured to engage or mount with the storage interface 100. In particular, the third lateral edges 78 may engage complementary support surfaces 106 of the storage interface 100, e.g., angled sides of respective projections 102 of the storage interface 100. The complementary support surfaces 106 may define generally Y-shaped receiving spaces between adjacent projections 102. The alignment guides 72 may align with vertical spaces between each of the respective projections 102 to enable a user to easily align the storage accessory 10 between adjacent projections 102 to be supported by the adjacent projections 102 of the storage interface 100.

[0033] Additionally or alternatively, the second portion 16 may include a third mounting portion 90 in the form of an aperture 92 configured to receive a hook or fastener therethrough. To facilitate ease of access to the aperture 92, the first portion 14 may include a cut-out portion 94 in alignment with the aperture 92. The cut-out portion 94 may enable a user to visualize the aperture 92 from the front side of the storage accessory 10.

[0034] In addition to the hook 26, the storage accessory 10 may include an additional or alternative storage component in the form of a strap 96. The strap 96 may be removably coupled with the body 12, e.g., at the first section 14 of the body 12. An opening 54 may be provided through the first section 14 to receive the strap 96 therethrough. The opening 54 may be disposed at a lower end of the first section 14, e.g., between the lower supports 36. For instance, the opening 54 may be defined by the respective second guide surfaces 40 of the lower supports 36. The strap 96 may include a fastener 98 such as a clip or buckle configured to adjustably secure the strap 96 in a loop shape to form a support for, e.g., a cord such as an extension cord, a hose, a tool, or other object.

[0035] In some uses of the storage accessory 10 of the present invention, a cord, e.g., extension cord, or hose may be stored in a neat and organized manner using the storage accessory 10. For instance, the cord or hose may be coiled to form a plurality of loops. The loops may be supported by the support surface 34 of the hook 26 and/or secured by the strap 96. In some aspects, the strap 96 may be used to secure the loops together and adjustably tightened using the adjustable fastener 98. The strap 96 may be used to support the cord or hose on its own, or the looped cord or hose may be simultaneously supported by the hook 26. Additionally or alternatively, the hook 26 and the strap 96 may be used to support multiple distinct items.

[0036] When mounted to a storage interface 100, as a belt clip 60, or using the hook 26 as a mount such as shown in FIG. 4, the storage accessory 10 of the present invention may be configured to support items having a weight of about 20 lbs. For instance, the storage accessory 10 of the present invention may be configured to support a 100-foot long power extension cord, e.g., as often used by professionals on a construction job site and in other settings.

[0037] Further aspects of the disclosure are provided by one or more of the following embodiments:

[0038] A storage accessory comprising: a body, the body having a first portion and a second portion generally opposite the first portion, the body comprising at least one mounting structure; and at least one storage component, the storage component comprising a support surface configured to support a cord, a hose, and/or a tool.

[0039] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the at least one storage component comprises a hook, wherein the hook is movably supported on the body.

[0040] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the hook is pivotably coupled to the body.

[0041] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the at least one mounting structure comprises the hook.

[0042] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the body comprises at least one guide support configured to support the hook relative to the body.

[0043] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the at least one guide support comprises a lower guide and an upper guide.

[0044] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein each of the lower guide and the upper guide comprise a detent mechanism configured to secure the hook in a lower position or upper position relative to the first portion of the body.

[0045] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the storage component comprises a strap coupled to the body.

[0046] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the at least one mounting structure comprises a belt clip.

[0047] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the belt clip is formed by the second portion of the body.

[0048] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the at least one mounting structure comprises an engagement structure complementary to a mounting interface, wherein the engagement structure is defined by lateral sides of the second portion of the body.

[0049] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the engagement structure comprises a generally Y-shape.

[0050] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the at least one mounting structure comprises an aperture configured to receive a hook or fastener therethrough.

[0051] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the body are integrally formed as one piece.

[0052] A belt clip storage accessory comprising: a body, the body having a first portion and a second portion generally opposite the first portion, the second portion being coupled to the first portion by a third portion, wherein the second portion forms a belt clip; the body comprising at least one mounting structure having an engagement structure complementary to a mounting interface, wherein the engagement structure is defined by lateral sides of the second portion of the body.

[0053] The belt clip storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, further comprising at least one storage component, the storage component comprising a support surface configured to support a cord, a hose, and/or a tool.

[0054] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the at least one storage component comprises a hook, wherein the hook is movably supported on the body.

[0055] The storage accessory of any one or more of the embodiments, wherein the storage component comprises a strap coupled to the body.

[0056] This written description uses examples to disclose the present application, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.