Method and Device for Supporting a Gas Cylinder and Associated Torch Handle

Abstract

A device is disclosed for supporting from the belt of a user a gas cylinder assembly and simultaneously the handle of a torch associated with the cylinder. In an assembly, the device is used in conjunction with a gas cylinder assembly and the handle of an associated torch. A method is also disclosed for mounting a gas cylinder assembly and handle of an associated torch to the belt of a user.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for supporting from the belt of a user a cylinder assembly for fuel gases and a handle of an associated torch, wherein the device comprises:
 a) a belt engagement clip adapted to engage with a belt;   b) a cylinder engagement clip extending from the belt engagement clip; and   c) a torch handle engagement portion for supporting a torch, wherein the torch handle engagement portion is secured to and extends from the cylinder engagement clip.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the belt engagement clip is made of a clip first side and an opposing clip second side defining a restriction therebetween for positioning over a belt, wherein a clip axis extends between the clip sides. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the sides of the clip are resilient with movement toward and away from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the torch handle engagement portion defines an axis forming an angle (A) with the clip axis of between 0-90°. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cylinder engagement clip is comprised of a first arm and a second arm spaced from and opposing one another in a first direction, wherein at least one arm is resiliently movable in the first direction and wherein the arms are adapted to engage the cylinder assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the torch handle engagement portion is a protrusion extending from the cylinder engagement portion. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the torch handle engagement portion is welded or soldered to the cylinder engagement portion. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the belt engagement clip, the cylinder engagement clip and the torch handle engagement portion are a single continuous uninterrupted piece. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the torch handle engagement portion is a hook. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the hook has a first end and a second end and wherein a line connecting the ends forms an angle (C) of between 0-180 degrees with the clip axis. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly for securing a cylinder for fuel gases and an associated torch to the clip of a belt of a user comprising:
 a) a cylinder assembly for fuel gases having a cylinder body with a cap;   b) a torch connected to the cylinder assembly, wherein the torch has a torch handle; and   c) a support device for engagement with the belt of a user, wherein the device comprises:
 (1) a belt engagement clip for engagement with the belt of a user; 
 (2) a cylinder engagement clip with two opposing arms extending from the belt engagement clip, wherein the arms are resilient with respect to one another in opposing directions and wherein each arm engages one side of a groove within the cylinder cap or a gap between the cylinder cap and the cylinder body; and 
 (3) a torch handle engagement portion extending from one of the cylinder engagement clip arms and engaging the torch handle. 
   
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the torch handle has a knob with a stem and the torch handle engagement portion is a hook that engages the stem. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the torch handle has a loop attached thereto and the engaging member is a hook that engages the loop. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the torch handle has a recess therein and the engagement portion is a protrusion that engages the recess. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the torch handle is one of a magnet and the protrusion is the other of the magnet or steel plate. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein
 a) the belt engagement clip has opposing sides defining a clip axis therebetween,   b) a torch tube extends from the torch handle and a first section of the torch tube has a first section axis and a second section of the torch tube has a second torch tube section and a second section axis, wherein the second section axis is angled with the first section axis, and   c) wherein the torch handle is secured with the torch holder engagement portion such that the axis of the torch tube second section forms an angle with respect to the clip axis of between 0-180° away from the belt engagement clip.   
     
     
         17 . A method for mounting a cylinder assembly for fuel gases and an associated torch to a belt of a user comprising the steps of:
 a) securing a device with a clip to the belt of a user;   b) securing the cylinder assembly to the same device by clamping opposing arms of the device to engage the cylinder assembly; and   c) securing the torch handle to the same device through one of hooking or looping engagement such that the hands of the user are available for other tasks.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the torch tube extends from the torch handle and wherein the torch handle is secured to the device with the torch tip extending in a direction away from the user.