Holder for storing air guns and other hand tools

Abstract

A portable holder for storing air guns and other hand tools is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the holder comprises: a generally-tubular body having two open ends, one of which is flared; a slit or gullet on one side of the body and extending longitudinally from the flared open end of the body partway down the body; and a plurality of magnetic discs or feet for removably, yet securely attaching the holder to a workstation having a ferrous surface. A related process for storing such tools comprises: orienting a generally tubular holder adjacent a workstation's metal side; removably affixing the holder to that metal surface by at least one magnet; slipping the particular tool into a flared end of the holder; and guiding a portion of the tool, such as an attached air hose or the tool handle, into a gullet of the holder to rest the tool and orient the hose or handle for easy retrieval of the tool from the holder.

1 . A process of storing a pneumatic tool, comprising the steps of: 
 a. orienting a generally tubular holder adjacent a workstation's metal side;    b. removably affixing the holder to that metal surface by at least one magnet;    c. slipping the tool into a flared end of the holder; and    d. guiding an air hose of the tool into a gullet of the holder to rest the hose and orient the tool for easy retrieval of the tool from the holder.    
   
   
       2 . A process of storing a safety air gun, comprising the sequential steps of: 
 a. orienting a generally tubular holder adjacent a flat ferrous surface;    b. removably affixing the holder to that ferrous surface by at least one magnet;    c. slipping a distal end of the air gun into a flared end of the holder; and    d. guiding an air hose of the air gun into a gullet of the holder to rest the hose and orient the air gun for easy retrieval of the air gun from the holder.    
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the ferrous surface is the metal side of a machine.  
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the ferrous surface is the metal side of a workstation.  
   
   
       5 . A process of storing a tool, comprising the sequential steps of: 
 a. orienting a generally tubular holder adjacent a flat ferrous surface;    b. removably affixing the holder to that ferrous surface by at least one magnet;    c. slipping the tool into a flared end of the holder; and    d. guiding a portion of the tool into a gullet of the holder to rest the portion and orient the tool for easy retrieval of the tool from the holder.    
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the portion of the tool is a handle of the air gun.  
   
   
       7 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the ferrous surface is the metal side of a machine.  
   
   
       8 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the ferrous surface is the metal side of a workstation.  
   
   
       9 . A portable holder for storing air guns, wherein the holder comprises: 
 a. a generally tubular body having two open ends, wherein at least one end is flared;    b. a gullet on the body extending from the flared open end toward the other open end; and    c. magnetic connector means for removably attaching the holder to a ferrous surface, wherein the connector means comprises at least one magnet attached to the body.    
   
   
       10 . The holder of  claim 9  wherein the connector means comprises a plurality of magnetic discs attached to stanchions extending from the body.  
   
   
       11 . A portable holder for storing a tool comprising: 
 a. a generally tubular body having a first, flared open end and a second, open end;    b. a gullet in the body to assist a user in removing a tool from the holder, wherein the gullet extends longitudinally from the flared end; and    c. magnetic connector means for removably attaching the holder to a ferrous surface on a workstation, wherein the connector means comprise at least one magnet attached to the body.