IES990010A2 - Improvements in and relating to retaining devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A retaining device (1,21) can retain thereon articles such as nails, drill bits or pins which are attracted to a magnet and which are required by a user to perform a task. The device may be carried by the user on one or more of his fingers. A magnetisable platform (3) is adapted to retain a magnet. The platform is affixed to a finger insert unit (10) which has at least one annular ring having an opening into which a finger can be inserted. Preferably, two rings are provided with the platform (3) bridging the rings to provide additional security of the device on the hand. The device may include sides (5,6) upstanding from the platform and having a waveform construction on their upper edges, the troughs (8) thereof providing collection areas enabling retained articles to be held in an orderly orientation. Clip members (22) may be provided on the device (21) for holding additional articles such as drill bits or screw drivers. <Figure 4>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO RETAINING DEVICES The present invention relates to improved retaining devices .

The present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages of prior art retaining devices.

The present invention accordingly provides a retaining device for retaining articles which are attracted to a magnet or to magnetised material, the device comprising a surface which has magnetic properties, the retaining device being adapted to be carried on the finger (s) of a user's hand.

Preferably, the surface having magnetic properties comprises a natural magnet or a material in which magnetism has been induced.

Advantageously, the device includes a natural magnet and a magnetisable retaining platform; the platform conveniently having raised sides. Ideally, the raised sides are provided along the top with a waveform configuration including crests and troughs, whereby the articles retained by the device may be held within easy reach within a trough.

The device includes a finger-inset unit provided with at least one substantially annular finger-insert whereby a user may hold the device on a hand with at least one finger located in the finger insert. Preferably, there are two finger inserts provided on the device to provide additional security of the device on the hand.

INT ΠΙ , >}22 &2G 0 3>1 if) TO PUBLIC INSPECTION ί ί -3NL - 2 IE 9900.10 The present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, three embodiments of the retaining device of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a magnet which is in the form of a solid block with the north and south poles shown; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a magnetisable retaining platform; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the magnet shown positioned on the magnetisable retaining platform; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the magnet, retaining platform and finger-insert unit shown assembled and ready for use; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device shown in Figure 4 in which the finger-insert unit includes clip members; and Figure 6 is an alternative embodiment of Figure 5 in which the finger-insert unit comprises a closed ring instead of a ring with an open slit provided therein.

Referring to the drawings, the retaining device of the invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 1. The retaining device 1 comprises a natural magnet 2 in the form of a solid block. The magnet 2 is made of magnetic ore. The magnet 2 includes four poles, namely a north and south pole on the upper face of the magnet 2 and a north and south pole on the under side of the magnet 2. The magnet 2 is located on and affixed to a magnetisable - 3 IE 990910 retaining platform 3 . The magnet 2 is affixed either byadhesive or by rivet(s) to the magnetisable retaining platform 3. The platform 3 includes an aperture 4 so that a rivet can be inserted therein. Furthermore, the platform 3 includes lugs 14 provided on both ends of the platform so as to retain the magnet on the platfrom 3.

The retaining platform 3 is made of magnetisable metal, therefore when the natural magnet 2 is brought close to the platform 3, a magnetic field is set up and the platform 3 becomes magnetised. The platform 3 also includes raised sides 5,6 along the length of the two longer edges of the platform 3. The raised sides 5,6 are provided with a waveform configuration of crests 7 and troughs 8 along the top of the raised sides 5,6. The crests 7 and troughs 8 are magnetised because of the magnetic field induced by the natural magnet 2.

Therefore, any article which is attracted to a magnet or to magnetised material e.g. nails, drill bits or pins, brought into contact with the crests 7 and troughs 8 will be retained on the platform 3 because of the magnetic force of attraction. Furthermore, the curved aveform of the crests 7 encourages the articles to fall into an adjacent trough 8 in which the articles collect and are retained until removed from the platform 3 by the user as required.

As can be seen from Figure 3 of the drawings, the raised sides 5 and 6 are proud of the magnet 2. This has the effect of increasing the magnetic field between the magnet 2 and the retaining platform 3 and thus the platform 3 functions as a stronger induced magnet than would otherwise be the case.

Referring now to Figure 4, the finger insert unit 10 is affixed to the underside of the retaining platform 3 and IE 9900.10 - 4 comprises a substantially annular unit appropriately sized to fit on the fingers of a person's hand. The finger-insert unit 10 is made from rubber or flexible plastics material and all edges are rounded and smooth.

The substantially annular unit includes a slit 12 which enables the substantially annular unit to be expanded if needed so as to fit on the fingers of a person's hand.

Referring now to Figure 5, an alternative embodiment of the device is shown and is indicated by reference numeral 21. The device 21 comprises all the features of the device 1 in the first embodiment already described but in addition device 21 comprises clip members 22. These clip members 22 are useful for holding additional articles e.g. drill bits or screw drivers.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 6, the finger insert unit includes a fully annular unit without the slits and there are no raised edges provided on the platform.

The use of the device 1, 21 will now be described. A user places whatever articles he wishes on the surface of the magnet 2 or the crests 7 and troughs 8. These are retained on the surface because of the magnetic attraction. The user then inserts one finger through each of the two annular sections of the finger-insert unit 10 and holds the device 1,21 on his hand while carrying out a particular task in the usual way but with the convenience of having the required articles close nearby and arranged in an organised and clearly visible way.

IE 990010 It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope 5 of the invention.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS :

1. A retaining device for retaining articles which are attracted to a magnet or to magnetised material, the device comprising a surface which has magnetic properties, the retaining device being adapted to be carried on at least one finger of a user's hand.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the surface having magnetic properties comprises a natural magnet or a material in which magnetism has been induced.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the device includes a natural magnet and a magnetisable retaining platform, the platform optionally having raised sides, the raised sides optionally being provided along the top with a waveform configuration including crests and troughs so that an article retained by the device may be held within easy reach within a trough, the device further optionally including at least one finger insert unit provided with at least one substantially annular finger-insert so that a user may hold the device on a hand with at least one finger located in the finger insert.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, having two finger inserts provided on the device to provide additional security of the device on the hand in use.

5. A retaining device as claimed in any preceding claim substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments IE 9900.10