IP Library Granted Patent US 12,491,622
Granted Patent B2
US 12,491,622 · App. 18/951,221 · Granted Dec 9, 2025

Pliers storage rack

Inventors: Thomas J. Schneider (Milwaukee, WI); Logan C. Arlov (Cocoa Beach, FL)
Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
B25H3/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,491,622
App. No.
18/951,221
Granted
Dec 9, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A storage rack for storing tools, such as pliers with open-biased handles, is provided. The pliers storage rack includes a support base and a plurality of pliers support structures coupled to the support base. Each of the plurality of pliers support structures define an open support region. A pair of pliers is supported by each of the plurality of pliers support structures. Each pair of pliers includes a pair of handles that are biased toward an open position and a pair of jaws opposite the pair of handles. The pair of handles engaged within the open support region in a position in which the pair of jaws of the pair of pliers extend out of a first end of the open support region and the pair of handles of the pair of pliers extend out of a second end of the open support region.

Claims (56)

1 . A storage rack for pliers, comprising:

a base comprising an outer surface;

a support structure coupled to the base, the support structure comprising:

an inner wall coupled to the outer surface of the base, the inner wall having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first sidewall extending away from the outer surface of the base, the first sidewall coupled to the first end of the inner wall;

a second sidewall extending away from the outer surface of the base, the second sidewall spaced a distance from the first sidewall along the outer surface of the base, the second sidewall coupled to the second end of the inner wall; and

an outer wall coupled to the first sidewall, the outer wall having an inner surface facing toward the outer surface of the base;

wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the inner wall, and inner surface of the outer wall define a slot, the slot configured to engage a pair of pliers comprising a first handle and a second handle where the first handle and second handle are biased away from each other; and

wherein, when a pair of pliers is mounted in the slot, a first surface of the first handle engages with the inner surface of the outer wall and a second surface of the second handle engages with the inner wall such that the pair of pliers is secured within the slot.

2 . The storage rack of claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the base.

3 . The storage rack of claim 2 , wherein the non-zero angle is 45 degrees.

4 . The storage rack of claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall is perpendicular to the base.

5 . The storage rack of claim 1 , wherein the second sidewall perpendicular to the base.

6 . The storage rack of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the inner wall is curved in a direction away from the base.

7 . The storage rack of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the outer wall is oriented at a 45-degree angle with respect to the base.

8 . The storage rack of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the outer wall is parallel to the base.

9 . The storage rack of claim 1 , wherein the slot comprises a first open end, a second open end opposite the first open end, and an open front section extending between the first open end and the second open end.

10 . A storage rack for storing pliers, the storage rack comprising:

a base;

a first support structure comprising:

a first sidewall extending away from the base; and

a first outer wall coupled to the first sidewall;

a second support structure comprising:

a second sidewall extending away from the base, the second sidewall spaced away from the first sidewall in a first direction; and

a second outer wall coupled to the second sidewall;

a third support structure comprising a third sidewall extending away from the base, the third sidewall spaced away from the first sidewall in a second direction opposite the first direction;

a first inner wall coupled to the base, the first inner wall comprising:

a first end coupled to the first sidewall; and

a second end opposite the first end, the second end coupled to the second sidewall; and

a second inner wall coupled to the base, the second inner wall comprising:

a third end coupled to the first sidewall; and

a fourth end opposite the third end, the fourth end coupled to the third sidewall;

wherein the first outer wall, the first sidewall, and the third sidewall together define a first open support region, the first open support region defining a first open end, a second open end opposite the first open end, and a first open front section extending between the first open end and the second open end; and

wherein the second outer wall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall together define a second open support region, the second open support region defining a third open end, a fourth open end opposite the third open end, and a second open front section extending between the third open end and the fourth open end.

11 . The storage rack of claim 10 , further comprising a pair of pliers, the pair of pliers comprising a pair of handles that are biased towards an open position, wherein the pair of pliers is supported within the first open support region.

12 . The storage rack of claim 10 , wherein the first outer wall is offset from the base by a first distance, and wherein the second outer wall is offset from the base by a second distance.

13 . The storage rack of claim 12 , wherein the first distance is different from the second distance.

14 . The storage rack of claim 13 , wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

15 . A storage rack for storing pairs of pliers having handles that are biased toward an open position, the storage rack comprising:

a base;

a first sidewall extending away from the base in a first direction;

a first opposing sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall and extending away from the base in a second direction;

a first inner wall extending between the first sidewall and the first opposing sidewall;

a second sidewall extending in the first direction away from the base;

a second opposing sidewall spaced apart from the second sidewall and extending in the second direction away from the base;

a second inner wall extending between the second sidewall and the second opposing sidewall; and

an outer wall coupled to the first sidewall, the outer wall comprising:

an inner surface facing towards the base;

a first edge; and

a second edge opposite the first edge; and

wherein, when a pair of pliers is mounted on the storage rack between the first sidewall and first opposing sidewall, a first handle of the pair of pliers engages with the inner surface of the outer wall and a second handle of the pair of pliers engages with the first inner wall such that the pair of pliers is secured on the storage rack.

16 . The storage rack of claim 15 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are the same such that the first sidewall and the second sidewall are substantially parallel.

17 . The storage rack of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of gripping structures protruding from the outer wall toward the base.

18 . The storage rack of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of gripping structures comprises ribs extending between the first edge and the second edge of the outer wall.

19 . The storage rack of claim 15 , further comprising a handle coupled to the base.

20 . The storage rack of claim 19 , wherein the handle is collapsible.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2024
From: SCHNEIDER, THOMAS J.; ARLOV, LOGAN C.
To: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 069327/0262 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 18066550 · Dec 15, 2022
Continuation PCTUS2022080255 · Nov 21, 2022
Provisional Application 63282872 · Nov 24, 2021
Related Publication 20250073890A1 · Mar 6, 2025
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