Ratchet, ratchet accessory, and kit including the same

#The present invention relates to a tool, accessories for use with the tool, and a kit including the tool and the accessories. In particular, the present invention relates to a ratchet, accessories for use with the ratchet, and a kit including the ratchet and the accessories.

#The present invention provides, in one aspect, a tool accessory including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first end having a first aperture, and the second portion includes a second end including a second aperture. A planar side surface is defined on the first portion, and a tipping point is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The tool accessory has a center of mass that is defined at a location closer to the first end than the second end such that, when the tool accessory is rested on a surface, the center of mass causes the tool accessory to rest on a portion of the planar side surface and the tipping point.

#The present invention provides, in another aspect, a tool accessory including a first portion having a drive end that is configured to be coupled to a tool head, and a second portion including a working end that is opposite the drive end. A planar side surface is defined on the first portion, and a tipping point disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The tipping point has an outer dimension that is larger than an outer dimension of the planar side surface. The tool accessory has a center of mass defined closer to the drive end than to the working end such that, when the tool accessory is rested on a surface, the center of mass causes the tool accessory to rest on a portion of the planar side surface and the tipping point.

#FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C are perspective views of a kit including a container, a tool, and tool accessories.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C.

#FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are perspective views of the container of FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C in an open position.

#Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

#FIGS. 1a-1c, 5, and 7 illustrate kit 10 including a container or pouch 20, a tool 30, and accessories 40. The container 20, which is a pouch in the illustrated embodiment, includes a first portion 50, a second portion 54, and a middle portion 58 that is positioned between the first portion 50 and the second portion 54. The middle portion 58 defines a longitudinal axis A (FIGS. 5 and 7). Each of the first and the second portions 50, 54 has a width 62 of about 5.50 inches (about 140 mm) and a length 66 of about 10.70 inches (about 273 mm), although the width 62 may be between about 4.70 inches and 6.30 inches (about 120 mm and 160 mm) and the length 66 may be between about 9.80 inches and 11.81 inches (about 250 mm and 300 mm).

#Further with respect to FIGS. 3a-3b, 6, and 7, projections 80 are coupled to the middle portion 58 and extend along the longitudinal axis A. The projections 80 each have a longitudinal axis B (FIG. 7), which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. In the illustrated embodiment, container 20 includes ten projections, but there may be fewer or more projections in other embodiments. Further, in the illustrated embodiment each of the projections 80 includes a base 84 (e.g., a plastic insert, FIGS. 6 and 7) that couples the projection 80 to the middle portion 58. In additional or alternative embodiments, the projections may be coupled directly to the middle portion or the plurality of projections may be coupled to a single base that couples the projections to the middle portion. Each of the projections 80 is defined by boundary lines 88. The distance 96 between the boundaries lines 88 is about 0.8 inches (about 20.5 mm), although the distance 96 may be between about 0.59 inches and about 0.98 inches (15 mm and 25 mm). A first subset 100 of the projections 80 shares boundary lines 88. A second subset 104 of the projections 80 includes a gap between adjacent boundary lines 88 that gets gradually larger from a central-most projection 80′ to a distal-most projection 80″. For example, a first gap distance 112 is about 0.1 inches (about 2.54 mm). A second gap distance 116 is about 0.2 inches (about 5.0 mm). A third gap distance 120 is about 0.3 inches (about 7.6 mm). A fourth gap distance 124 is about 0.35 inches (about 8.9 mm).