US2903138A - Tool holder - Google Patents

Description

P 3, 1959 B, c. BROWN 2,903,138

' TOOL HOLDER Filed May 9, 1955 INVENTOR Barne/I C Brawn BY pbwm g' ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 2,903,138 Patented Sept. 8, 1959 "2,903,138 TOOL HOLDER Barnett C. Brown, Stillwater, Minn. Application May 9, 1955, Serial No. 506,806

4 Claims. (Cl.21*1'60) This invention relates to an improvement in tool holding devices and deals particularly with a support useful in supporting tools used by machinists and plumbers while using an apparatus for cutting, threading, and otherwise working upon a pipe.

Various types of pipe machines have been made which are portable so that they can be moved from job to job. Most of these machines are supported upon four diverging legs made of pipe or rod and the top portion of the machine is ordinarily only large enough to support the working parts of the apparatus. As a result, there is usually no provisions made for supporting tools which are used in combination with the machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a holder for these tools so that they are in a convenient position for use.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a tool holder which can quickly and easily be attached to the machine or removed therefrom. The holder includes a rack for supporting the various tools used in conjunction with the machine. The rack also includes a pair of diverging channel members which are arranged in opposed relationship. These diverging channel members are arranged to fit over two spaced legs on the machine. Thus, by holding the tool support above its final position and by lowering the support, the channels engage opposite sides of the two legs and are held from further downward movement by engagement with the legs.

A feature of the present invention lies in its simplicity of construction. The channels have an inner surface which is generally semicylindrical in shape and the radius of this surface is approximately equal to the radius of the legs of the machine. As a result, when lowered into position the channels snugly fit about the legs so as to support the rack in a horizontal position. However, the entire device may be removed by merely lifting the apparatus until the channels are disengaged from the supporting legs.

These and other objects and novel features of the invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pipe machine showing the tool holder in position thereupon.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tool holder removed from the machine.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of one end of the tool holder.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view showing the other end of the holder.

The pipe machine is indicated in general by the letter A, the details of construction of the machine being omitted. For the purpose of this invention, it is only important to note that the machine includes an upper portion which is supported by a pair of rear legs 11 and 12 and a pair of front legs 13 and 14. These legs diverge downwardly and outwardly from the machine so as to provide a stable base for the machine. The legs 11 and 12 diverge from the machine at a greater angle with respect to the vertical than the legs 13 and 14 in the particular type of machine illustrated. Obviously, however, the legs can all diverge at the same angle if it is preferred. l

The tool holder is best illustrated in detail in Figure 2 of the drawings, and is indicated in general by the letter B. The tool holder B includes. a tool supporting rack which is in the form of an angle iron member 15 having a vertical flange 16 and a horizontal flange 17 extending laterally from the vertical flange 16. The flange 17 is provided with a series of spaced notches 19 which may be of the same size or which may be of varying sizes depending upon the particular nature of the tools to be supported.

At one end of the rack 15, I provide a trough shape member 20 which is welded or otherwise affixed to the rear surface of the flange 16 so that the concave side of the channel faces inwardly toward the center of the rack 15. A similar channel member 21 is welded or otherwise secured to the opposite end of the flange 16 in opposed relation to the trough 20. This channel member 21 also is provided with its concave surface directed downwardly and inwardly.

As is best illustrated from an examination of Figure l of the drawings, the channels 20 and 21 are so positioned that when they are engaged with the legs 13 and 11, the rack 15 is held in a generally horizontal position. The channels 20 and 21 are angled outwardly at the same angle as the legs 13 and 11 and also the channel 21 is normally tilted somewhat with respect to the vertical flange 16 due to the wider spread of the lower edge of the legs 11 and 12. In other words, when the tool holder is lowered into place, it rests by gravity upon the legs 11 and 13 and is held from movement in any direction but upwardly by engagement of the channels 20 and 21 with the respective legs.

In the construction of the channels 20 and 21, these channels are of an inner diameter to snugly fit about the outer diameter of the legs 13 and 11. Therefore, when the holder is in place, it cannot move forwardly, rearwardly, or sidewardly, and can only be removed by lifting it upwardly. When the rack is in place, the various tools such as C, which are used in conjunction with the operations on the pipe can be supported by the various notches 19.

When the pipe machine A is moved about from place to place, it has normally been necessary to find some table or other support on which the various tools may be placed so that they would be convenient to use. Such a support cannot always be found and it is sometimes necessary to place the tools upon the floor and to pick up the various tools as they are needed. With the present construction, it is only necessary to attach the rack to the legs 11 and 13 and to support the various tools directly adjoining the pipe machine. When it is desired to use the tools, they are always readily accessible. At the end of the operation, the tools may be removed, the rack removed, and the pipe machine moved to a new location. If desired, it is even possible to transport the machine while the tools are suspended in place.

In accordance with the patent statutes, the principles of construction and operation of the tool holding device have been described and while it has been endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, it is desired to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A pipe tool support for use upon a portable pipe machine having a pair of diverging legs, the support comprising a rack, tool engaging elements on said rack, and opposed channels on said rack, the open sides of said channels facing downwardly and inwardly said channels being arranged to incline downwardly and outwardly at proper angle to embrace portions of said legs and to rest by gravity thereupon.

2. The structure described in claim 1 and in which the rack comprises an angle member having a generally vertical flange and'a generally horizontal flange.

3. The structure described in claim 1 and in which said tool engaging elements comprise notches in said rack.

4. A pipe tool support for use upon a portable pipe machine having a pair of downwardly and outwardly diverging legs, the support including a rack member having spaced notches therein designed to accommodate pipe tools, and a pair of opposed channels attached at opposite ends of said rack member, said channels extending downwardly and outwardly with their concave inner surfaces arranged at the same'angles as the legs of said machine and facing inwardly to embrace portions of said legs and to support said rack in a generally horizontal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,063,961 Dreyer June 10, 1913 2,035,639 Davis Mar. 31, 1936 2,210,235 Filbert Aug. 6, 1940 2,308,832 Roney et a1. Jan. 19, 1943 2,666,609 Ingwer Jan. 19, 1954 2,734,638 Feldman Feb. 14, 1956

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