Flexible magnetic tool holder and method of making same

Abstract

A flexible magnetic tool holder comprising a first flexible layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; a second flexible layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; a plurality of magnets disposed between said inner surfaces of said first and second layers where the plurality of magnets are arranged in a predetermined array such that adjacent magnets are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and means for coupling the first flexible layer to the second flexible layer. The tool holder is flexible along the first and second directions thereby permitting the tool holder to conform to surfaces having various contours.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A flexible magnetic tool holder comprising: 
 a first flexible layer having an inner surface and an outer surface;    a second flexible layer having an inner surface and an outer surface;    a plurality of magnets disposed between said inner surfaces of said first and second layers, said plurality of magnets being arranged in a predetermined array such that adjacent magnets are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to said first direction; and    means for coupling said first flexible layer to said second flexible layer thereby defining a flexible main body,    said tool holder being foldable along multiple axes wherein each axis is located between adjacent magnets.    
     
     
         2 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second flexible layers comprise PVC sheet material.  
     
     
         3 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , wherein each magnet is maintained in said predetermined array by a heat seal that couples said first layer to said second layer around each magnet.  
     
     
         4 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of magnets comprise Neodymium Iron Boron magnets.  
     
     
         5 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , wherein adjacent magnets are spaced a predetermined distance apart such that said tool holder may be folded along an axis located between said adjacent magnets.  
     
     
         6 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , wherein said coupling means comprise a heat seal disposed about the perimeter of said magnetic tool holder.  
     
     
         7 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of straps connected to said main body to permit said tool holder to be worn as an apron.  
     
     
         8 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap and ring connected to opposite sides of said main body to permit said tool holder to be worn as a wristband.  
     
     
         9 . The tool holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible jacket that is disposed about said first and second flexible layers to protect said outer surfaces of said first and second layers.  
     
     
         10 . The tool holder of  claim 9 , wherein said flexible jacket comprises: 
 a third flexible layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a fourth flexible layer having an inner surface and an outer surface wherein said inner surface of said third layer faces the outer surface of said first layer and said inner surface of said fourth layer faces the outer surface of said second layer.    
     
     
         11 . The tool holder of  claim 10 , wherein said third and fourth flexible layers comprise PVC sheet material.  
     
     
         12 . The tool holder of  claim 10 , wherein said flexible jacket further comprises a heat seal disposed about the perimeter of said magnetic tool holder.  
     
     
         13 . The tool holder of  claim 10 , wherein said flexible jacket further comprises at least one heat seal disposed along an axis parallel to an edge of said jacket thereby coupling said first, second, third, and fourth flexible layers together.  
     
     
         14 . A flexible magnetic tool holder comprising: 
 a flexible body having inner and outer surfaces, said flexible body exhibiting a hypothetical longitudinal line that divides said flexible body into a first layer and a second layer when said flexible body is folded along said longitudinal hypothetical line such that said inner surface of said first layer is facing said inner surface of said second layer; and    a plurality of magnets disposed between said first and second layer, said plurality of magnets being arranged in a predetermined array wherein adjacent magnets are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other;    said tool holder being foldable along multiple axes wherein each axis is located between adjacent magnets.    
     
     
         15 . The tool holder of  claim 14 , wherein said flexible body comprises PVC sheet material.  
     
     
         16 . The tool holder of  claim 14 , wherein each magnet is maintained in said predetermined array by a heat seal that couples said first layer to said second layer around each magnet.  
     
     
         17 . The tool holder of  claim 14 , wherein said first layer includes a first edge oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal hypothetical line, a second edge oriented substantially parallel to and spaced a distance away from said longitudinal hypothetical line and contiguous with said first edge, and a third edge oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal hypothetical line and contiguous with said second edge, 
 wherein said second layer includes a fourth edge oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal hypothetical line, a fifth edge oriented substantially parallel to and spaced a distance away from said longitudinal hypothetical line and contiguous with said fourth edge, and a sixth edge oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal hypothetical line and contiguous with said edge,    such that when said flexible body is folded along said longitudinal hypothetical line, said first edge meets with said fourth edge, said second edge meets with said fifth edge, and said third edge meets with said sixth edge.    
     
     
         18 . The tool holder of  claim 17 , wherein said first edge and fourth edge, said second edge and said fifth edge, and said third edge and said sixth edge are heat sealed together to form edge seams thereby preventing said first layer from separating from said second layer.  
     
     
         19 . The tool holder of  claim 14 , further comprising a flexible jacket that is disposed about said flexible body to protect said outer surface of said flexible body.  
     
     
         20 . A flexible magnetic tool holder comprising: 
 a first flexible layer having an inner surface and an outer surface;    a second flexible layer having an inner surface and an outer surface;    a plurality of magnets disposed between said inner surfaces of said first and second layers, said plurality of magnets being arranged in a predetermined array such that adjacent magnets are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to said first direction; and    means for coupling said first flexible layer to said second flexible layer, said tool holder being flexible along any combinations of directions, including curvilinear, thereby permitting tool holder to conform to surfaces having various contours.