A tool and tool holder with a permanent magnet mounted upon one and a magnetically permeable keeper on the other are provided with respective camming sutacle. The crfaces which are cooperatively engaged when the tool is rotated, breaking the magnetic attraction between opposing surfaces of the magnet and keeper to facilitate removal of the tool from the holder. A cup-like receptacle is mounted upon a body portion of the tool, disclosed in each of two embodiments as a flexible, metal measuring tape contained within a hollow housing, and one of the magnet and keeper is disposed within this recepamming surface on the tool comprises convex protrusions within the receptacle in a first embodiment, and protrusions extending outwardly from the periphery of the receptacle in a second embodiment. A recess is formed in a surface of the holder to receive the receptacle on the tool when the latter is releasably mounted upon the holder. The other of the magnet and keeper, as well as the camming surface on the holder, is disposed within the recess. A receiver and indicator may be attached to or integrally formed in the tool, to be activated by a signal from a transmitter, which may be attached to or integrally formed in the holder. When activated, the indicator provides a visible or audible indication to aid in locating the tool when it is separated from the holder. Belt loops and a pencil holder may be integrally formed with the holder body portion.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to magnetic tool holders of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,966, and more particularly to magnetic tools and holders for such tools having cooperative cam means for easy release of the magnetic bond between the tool and the holder and having a system for locating the tool when it is separated from the holder.

2. Description of Prior Art

The aforementioned patent of the present inventor discloses a tool holder for mounting on the belt or other item of clothing and a cooperative tool such as a retractable tape measure. The tool is releasably affixed to the holder by the magnetic attraction between a permanent magnet on one of the tool and the holder and a keeper of magnetically permeable material on the other. Such an arrangement provided for quick and easy, one-handed, repeated removal and replacement of the tape in a convenient position. It has been found, however, that the magnetic attraction retaining the tool on the holder is sometimes too great to permit the desired quick and easy removal of the tool. For this reason, the efficacy of the magnetic holder is somewhat compromised. In addition, when the tool is separated from the holder it is sometimes difficult to locate.

3. Objects and Advantages

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool and cooperative tool holder wherein the tool is releasably maintained upon the holder by magnetic attraction with means for releasing the attraction by manual manipulation of the tool as it is being removed from the holder.

Another object is to provide a structural release mechanism for breaking the magnetic attraction which releasably maintains the tool upon the holder.

Another object is to provide an indicator to aid in locating the tool when it is separated from the holder.

A further object is to provide a tape measure retractable within a hollow case and a cooperative holder for mounting upon a clothing part of the user wherein the case is releasably retained on the holder by magnetic attraction which may easily be released for essentially effortless removal of the tool.

Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

As in the tool and holder of the previously referenced patent, a permanent magnet is mounted to one and a keeper of magnetically permeable material to the other in order that the tool, disclosed in the form of a flexible measuring tape extensible from and retractable within a hollow case, be releasably retained by magnetic attraction upon the holder. Opposing surface portions of the tool and holder are curved or angled with respect to the direction of magnetic attraction between the two. The surface portions are cooperatively arranged so that manual rotation of the tool with respect to the holder tends to move the tool and holder apart, thereby releasing the magnetic force holding the tool and holder in mutual engagement. Thus, the surface portions, of plastic or other non-magnetic material, act in the nature of a cam translating rotary motion manually imparted to the tape case as it is grasped for removal into linear movement of the case away from the holder, such movement serving to move the magnet and keeper apart from one another. The cam release means are disclosed in two embodiments. The tool includes a receiver that activates a visible or audible indicator upon receipt of a signal. The holder includes a transmitter that selectively sends a signal for receipt by the receiver.

The structure and operation of the invention will be more readily understood and fully appreciated from the following detailed disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.