# US 2014/0197292 A1 · Under-hood tool bar > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197292 A1 - Document ID: US20140197292A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/744,132 - Filed: 2013-01-17 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17 - Inventors: Manuel Antonio Figueroa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197292A1 ## CPC - F16M 13/022: {repositionable} - B25H 1/00: Work benches; Portable stands or supports for positioning portable tools or work to be operated on thereby - 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}) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - B25H: WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS (storing or packaging B65) ## Abstract A tool bar for securing under a hood of a car during repair and maintenance is disclosed. A rigid member spanning a substantial portion of the hood is flexibly secured to hooks. The hooks engage edges of the hood and may include a compliant covering. The hooks may secure to the rigid member by means of straps and the straps may be tensioned by means of tensioners secured to one of the hooks and the rigid member. A stabilizer secures to the rigid member and has an end that may be clipped or otherwise fastened to a portion of the hood to resist rotation of the rigid member. One or more tool retaining members secured to the rigid member, such as a socket rack, magnetic bar, hook groove, or the like. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for securement to a hood of an automobile, the apparatus comprising: a rigid portion sized to span a major portion of the hood along at least one direction; a first hook flexibly secured to a first end portion of the rigid portion and positioned to receive a first edge of the hood; a second hook flexibly secured to a second end portion of the rigid portion, the second end portion being opposite the first end portion, the second hook positioned to receive a second edge of the hood such that a portion of the hood is captured between the first and second hooks; and at least one temporary tool retaining member mounted to the rigid portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second hooks have a compliant outer covering. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid member comprises a hollow rod. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid member defines a groove extending along a substantial portion of the length thereof between the first and second ends. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one strap securing the first and second hooks to the rigid member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising at least one tensioning member secured to the rigid member proximate at least one of the first and second ends portions, the tensioning member selectively permitting tensioning movement of the strap and loosening of the strap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising first and second straps secured to the first and second hooks, respectively; and first and second tensioning members secured to the rigid member at the first and second end portions, respectively, the first and second tensioning members having a locked position permitting tensioning and hindering release of the first and second straps and a released position permitting release of the first and second straps. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer having a first portion engaging the rigid member and a second portion engaging a fastener for selectively securing the stabilizer to the hood. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the stabilizer is a flexible member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein an extent of the stabilizer between the rigid member and the fastener is adjustable. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one temporary tool retaining member is a socket rack. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one temporary tool retaining member is a magnetic bar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool retaining member is at least one hook. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for securement to a hood of an automobile, the apparatus comprising: a rod having substantially constant cross section and having a length effective to span a major portion of the hood along at least one direction; a stabilizer having a first portion engaging the rigid member and a second portion engaging a fastener for selectively securing the stabilizer to the hood; first and second hooks each sized to receive an edge of the hood and having a compliant outer covering; first and second straps; first and second tensioning members engaging the first and second straps, the first and second tensioning members having a tensioning position effective to permit tensioning movement of the first and second straps and hinder release of the first and second straps and a release position permitting movement of the first and second straps therethrough; wherein the first and second tensioning members secure to one of the rigid member and the first and second hooks and wherein the first and second straps are affixed to the other of the rigid member and the first and second hooks. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein an extent of the stabilizer between the rigid member and the fastener is adjustable. ### Claim 16 A method for retaining tools, the method comprising: engaging a first hook with a first edge of an automobile hood, the first hook being flexibly mounted to a first end portion of a rigid member; engaging a second hook with a second edge of the automobile hood, the second edge being opposite the first edge, the second hook being flexibly mounted to a first end portion of the rigid member, the second end being opposite the first end; and temporarily placing a tool on the rigid member by means of a temporary tool retaining member ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting a position of at least one of the first and second hooks relative to the rigid member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting the position of at least one of the first and second hooks relative to the rigid member comprising adjusting a length of a strap securing the at least one of the first and second hooks to the rigid member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising securing a first portion of a stabilizer to the hood, a second portion of the stabilizer being secured to the rigid member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising adjusting an extent of the stabilizer between the first and second portions.