Tool belt having removable carriers and method of producing same

Abstract

A tool belt, and a method of producing a tool belt, includes a configuration that can be easily changed to accommodate different tools and different positions along the belt. A strap member can be configured with a plurality of loops around at least a portion of the strap and a tool carrier can be configured to be placed into some or all of the loops to provide access to tools and other implements carried within it. The strap is configured to be worn around a torso of a user, and can be secured with a buckle or other fastening mechanism.

1 . A tool belt arrangement, comprising: 
 an elongate strap configured to be disposed around at least a portion of a user's torso;    a tool carrier including an elongate member attached thereto; and    a receiving member adjacent the strap and including a first open end configured to receive the elongate member such that the tool carrier is maintained adjacent the receiving member.    
   
   
       2 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving member includes a generally cylindrical structure, and 
 wherein the first open end faces generally upward when the tool belt arrangement is worn by a user, thereby facilitating insertion of the elongate member into the receiving member from above the receiving member.    
   
   
       3 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate member is generally straight.  
   
   
       4 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the receiving member includes a second open end opposite the first open end and wherein the generally cylindrical structure has a length less than a length of the elongate member, thereby allowing the elongate member to pass through the first and second open ends when the elongate member is inserted into the receiving member.  
   
   
       5 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the generally cylindrical structure includes a portion of a fastener disposed on a surface thereof, and wherein the tool carrier includes another portion of the fastener disposed on a surface thereof, each portion of the fastener being configured to contact the other after the elongate member has been inserted into the receiving member.  
   
   
       6 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate member includes a cross section defined by a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, thereby inhibiting rotation of the elongate member after it is inserted into the receiving member.  
   
   
       7 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 6 , wherein the elongate member includes a first portion configured for insertion into the receiving member and a second portion disposed at an angle to the first portion and attached to the tool carrier.  
   
   
       8 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the tool carrier includes a cover attached to thereto and having a stored position wherein access to a tool in the tool carrier is substantially uninhibited, the cover further having a use position for covering at least a portion of the tool, thereby protecting it from an ambient environment.  
   
   
       9 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 8 , wherein the tool carrier includes a pocket and the cover includes a flexible sheet structure disposable within the pocket in the stored position.  
   
   
       10 . A tool belt arrangement, comprising: 
 a plurality of loops forming at least a portion of an elongate strap member, each of the loops defining first and second open ends; and    a tool carrier configured for attachment to the strap member, the tool carrier including an elongate member configured for insertion into at least one of the loops through at least one of its respective open ends to at least partially secure the tool carrier to the strap member.    
   
   
       11 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate member is generally straight.  
   
   
       12 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the loops includes a portion of a fastener disposed on a surface thereof, and wherein the tool carrier includes another portion of the fastener disposed on a surface thereof, each portion of the fastener being configured to contact the other after the elongate member has been inserted into the loop.  
   
   
       13 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate member includes a cross section defined by a first dimension and a second dimension greater than the first dimension, thereby inhibiting rotation of the elongate member after it is inserted into one of the loops.  
   
   
       14 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate member includes a first portion configured for insertion into at least one of the loops, and a second portion disposed at an angle to the first portion and attached to the tool carrier such that the second portion contacts a top edge the loop into which the first portion is inserted.  
   
   
       15 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 10 , wherein the tool carrier includes a cover attached to thereto and having a stored position wherein access to a tool in the tool carrier is substantially uninhibited, the cover further having a use position for covering at least a portion of the tool, thereby protecting it from an ambient environment.  
   
   
       16 . The tool belt arrangement of  claim 15 , wherein the tool carrier includes a pocket and the cover includes a flexible sheet structure disposable within the pocket in the stored position.  
   
   
       17 . A method of producing a tool belt arrangement, comprising: 
 forming an elongate strap member including a plurality of loops, each of the loops defining first and second open ends, the elongate strap member being configured to be worn around a user's torso; and    providing a tool carrier including an elongate member configured for insertion into at least one of the loops through a respective open end.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 disposing a portion of a fastener on at least one of the loops; and    disposing another portion of the fastener on the tool carrier such that the fastener portions can be brought into contact with each other after the elongate member is inserted into the loop.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising attaching a cover to the tool carrier such that the cover can be disposed in a stored position wherein access to a tool in the tool carrier is substantially uninhibited, and such that the cover can be disposed in a use position for covering at least a portion of the tool, thereby protecting it from an ambient environment.