Magnetic Tool Restraint

Abstract

The present invention includes an apparatus and method for magnetically restraining a tool that includes a base with one or more first recesses and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools.

1 . A magnetic tool restraint comprising:
 a base with one or more first recesses; and   one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools at any point of contact with the magnetic ball bearing.   
   
   
       2 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more non-magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses. 
   
   
       3 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 1 , wherein the base has one or more planar faces each having one or more first recesses. 
   
   
       4 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 1 , wherein the base has one or more apertures spaced about one or more first recesses. 
   
   
       5 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the base is magnetic, non-magnetic, metallic, non-metallic, elastomeric, non-elastomeric, malleable, plastic, polymeric, non-malleable, ferrous, non-ferrous or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 1 , wherein two or more first magnetic ball bearings have differing diameters. 
   
   
       7 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 1 , wherein the first recesses is in the form of a slot and the ball bearings may be moved within the slot to adjust the location of the ball bearing within the first recess. 
   
   
       8 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first magnetic ball bearings have at least one inner core encased by a shell of an opposite polarity. 
   
   
       9 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first magnetic ball bearings have two halves of opposite polarities. 
   
   
       10 . A magnetic tool restraint comprising:
 a base with one or more channels;   each channel having one or more second recesses; and   one or more second ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools.   
   
   
       11 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more non-magnetic ball bearings. 
   
   
       12 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more channels outwardly extend from a surface of the base. 
   
   
       13 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the base is magnetic, non-magnetic, metallic, non-metallic, elastomeric, non-elastomeric, malleable, plastic, polymeric, non-malleable, ferrous, non-ferrous or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , wherein two or more second magnetic ball bearings have differing diameters. 
   
   
       15 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , wherein the first recesses is in the form of a slot and the ball bearings may be moved within the slot to adjust the location of the ball bearing within the first recess. 
   
   
       16 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more second magnetic ball bearings have at least one inner core encased by a shell of an opposite polarity. 
   
   
       17 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more second magnetic ball bearings have two halves of opposite polarities. 
   
   
       18 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more channels are of different depths. 
   
   
       19 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more second recesses are of differing dimensions. 
   
   
       20 . The magnetic tool restraint of  claim 10 , wherein each second recess extends substantially perpendicular to one or more channels. 
   
   
       21 . A method for using a magnetic tool restraint comprising a base with one or more first recesses and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses comprising the steps of:
 lifting one or more tools within the magnetic field of one or more first magnetic ball bearings;   moving one or more tools such that the magnetic field of one or more first restraints increasingly attracts one or more tools; and   disposing one or more tools whereby the magnetic attraction to one or more first magnetic ball bearings constrains one or more tools.