# US 10,442,075 B2 · Tool pack system with removable tool panels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,442,075 B2 - Document ID: US10442075B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/165,080 - Filed: 2016-05-26 - Published: 2017-11-30 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-26 - Assignees: Ty-Flot, Inc. - Applicants: Ty-Flot, Inc. - Inventors: Darrell A. Moreau; Andre W. Moreau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10442075B2 ## CPC - B25H 3/00: Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments (containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00; {nail dispensers B25C3/00}) - A45C 7/0086: {comprising a plurality of separable elements which can be used independently of one another} - A45C 13/02: Interior fittings; Means, {e.g. inserts,} for holding and packing articles - A45C 13/023: {Means for holding keys} - A45C 13/103: {Arrangement of zip-fasteners} - A45F 3/04: Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders - A45C 2013/026: {Inserts} - A45C 2013/1015: {of hook and loop type} - A45F 2003/003: {combined with other objects; specially adapted for carrying specific objects} - B25H: WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS (storing or packaging B65) - A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS - A45F: TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY ## Abstract A pack system adapted for carrying hand tools includes a tool-carrying container constructed to be worn on a user's person and having a container base portion, a first shell portion, a second shell portion, and a releasable closure with a first closure part connected to the first shell portion and a second closure part connected the second shell portion. The tool-carrying container is operable between an open-container position and a closed-container position in which it defines and encloses a main storage compartment. At least one tool panel is removably disposed within the main storage compartment and has one or more tool receivers each constructed to retain a hand tool. A panel-retaining structure has a first retaining portion secured to the tool panel(s) and a second retaining portion secured inside of the tool-carrying container. The panel-retaining structure releasably retains the tool panel(s) in the main storage compartment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pack system adapted for carrying hand tools comprising: a tool-carrying container constructed to be worn on an user's person, the tool-carrying container having a container base portion interconnecting a first shell portion and a second shell portion, and a releasable closure with a first closure part connected to the first shell portion and a second closure part connected the second shell portion, wherein the tool-carrying container is operable between an open-container position and a closed-container position and in the closed-container position defines and encloses a main storage compartment; at least one tool panel with one or more tool receivers each constructed to retain a hand tool, the at least one tool panel having a tool panel side portion and a tool panel lower end portion, wherein the at least one tool panel is removably disposed within the main storage compartment; a panel-retaining structure with a first retaining portion secured to the at least one tool panel and a second retaining portion secured to an inside surface of the tool-carrying container, wherein the panel-retaining structure is constructed to releasably retain the at least one tool panel in the main storage compartment; and a tether strap having a tether body extending between a first body end portion and a second body end portion and an auxiliary tether portion extending between a first auxiliary end portion and a second auxiliary end portion, wherein the first body end portion of the tether body is secured to an inside of the container base portion, wherein the second body end portion of the tether strap is accessible to an outside of the container base portion through a tether opening in the container base portion, wherein the first auxiliary end portion is secured to the tether body proximate the second body end portion, and wherein the second auxiliary end portion and the second body end portion are configured and arranged to releasably connect. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pack system of claim 1, wherein the first retaining portion is secured to the tool panel lower end portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pack system of claim 1, wherein the first retaining portion comprises a plurality of loops extending from the tool panel lower end portion and wherein the second retaining portion comprises a retaining base secured to the container base portion and a retaining bar removably secured to the retaining base and receivable through the plurality of loops. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pack system of claim 3, wherein the second retaining portion further comprises a second plurality of loops connected to and extending from the retaining base, wherein the second plurality of loops is constructed to align with the plurality of loops extending from the tool panel lower end portion and to receive the retaining bar therethrough. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The pack system of claim 3, wherein the retaining bar has a first bar end portion defining an opening and wherein the panel-retaining structure further comprises a releasable connector attached between the retaining base and the opening in the first bar end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pack system of claim 1, wherein the panel-retaining structure is selected from the group consisting of (i) at least one latch plate and a buckle to releasably engage each of the at least one latch plate, (ii) a hook-and-loop fastener with a hook portion or a loop portion connected to the container base portion and a mating other of the hook portion or the loop portion connected to the tool panel lower end portion, (iii) a zipper with a first zipper part connected to the container base portion and a second zipper part connected to the tool panel lower end portion, (iv) a bar connected to the container base portion and one or more closed-loop connectors connected to the tool panel lower end portion, and (v) a plurality of closed-loop connectors connectable between the container base portion and the tool panel lower end portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pack system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary tether portion extends from the tether body and forms a closed loop distinct from the second body end portion; and a connector is secured along the second body end portion which is constructed to engage the closed loop on the auxiliary tether portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pack system of claim 1, wherein when in the open container position, a fist tool panel is adjacent the first shell portion; a second tool panel is adjacent the second shell portion; and the first shell portion and the second shell portion are in an 180° relationship. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The pack system of claim 7, wherein the closed loop on the auxiliary tether portion is a closed-loop connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pack system of claim 1 further comprising a second panel-retaining structure attached between a side portion of one or more of the at least one tool panel and the first shell portion or the second shell portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The pack system of claim 10, wherein the second panel-retaining structure is attached to a back panel of the first shell portion, wherein the back panel is constructed to abut an user's back when the tool-carrying container is worn on the user's person. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The pack system of claim 1, further comprising an additional panel-retaining structure with a first additional retaining portion secured to the tool panel side portion of one or more of the at least one tool panel and a second additional retaining portion secured to a side portion of an additional tool panel, wherein the additional panel-retaining structure is constructed to releasably secure the additional tool panel to one of the at least one tool panel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The pack system of claim 1, wherein the tool-carrying container is selected from the group consisting of a backpack, a waist pack, a sling pack, and a shoulder pack. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The pack system of claim 13, wherein the first shell portion and the second shell portion are made of a pliable material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The pack system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one tool panel defines a panel opening adjacent a perimeter. ### Claim 16 A tool carrying apparatus comprising: a tool-carrying container having: a container base portion; a first shell portion connected to the container base portion; a second shell portion connected to the container base portion opposite the first shell portion; and a releasable closure portion having: a first closure part connecting to the first shell portion, and a second closure part connecting to the second shell portion; wherein the first shell portion releasably connects to the second shell portion via the first closure part interacting with the second closure part, such that the tool-carrying container is operable between a closed-container position and an open-container position; and wherein the closed-container position defines and encloses a main storage compartment; a plurality of tool panels having a plurality of tool receivers, each of the plurality of tool receivers capable of releasably retaining a hand tool within the main storage compartment; a panel-retaining structure having: a plurality of retaining portions, wherein a first retaining portion rotatably and releasably secured a respective one of the plurality of tool panels, and a second retaining portion is secured to an inside surface of the tool carrying container; and a tether strap having a tether body extending between a first body end portion and a second body end portion and an auxiliary tether portion extending between a first auxiliary end portion and a second auxiliary end portion, wherein the first body end portion of the tether body is secured to an inside of the container base portion, wherein the second body end portion of the tether strap is accessible to an outside of the container base portion through a tether opening in the container base portion, wherein the first auxiliary end portion is secured to the tether body proximate the second body end portion, and wherein the second auxiliary end portion and the second body end portion are configured and arranged to releasably connect. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The pack system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of tool panels has at least a first, second, and third tool panel, such that: the first tool panel is adjacent the first shell portion; the second tool panel is adjacent the second shell portion; the third tool panel is between the first and the second tool panels; and when in the open-container position, the first tool panel and the second tool panel are rotated into an 180° relationship. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The pack system of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary tether portion extends from the tether body and forms a closed loop distinct from the second body end portion, and a connector is secured along the second body end portion and is constructed to engage the closed loop on the auxiliary tether portion.