US20090211932A1

US20090211932A1 - Tool Container

Info

Publication number: US20090211932A1
Application number: US12/035,659
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew J. Schmitt; Mark D. Miller
Original assignee: Black and Decker Inc
Current assignee: Black and Decker Inc
Priority date: 2008-02-22
Filing date: 2008-02-22
Publication date: 2009-08-27

Abstract

A tool storage container has a two sided base. Covers are secured to each side of the base via a pair of latches. The base includes a wall portion which provides a plurality of tool holding receptacles.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to tool containers and, more specifically, to a container for retaining tools such as saw blades.

BACKGROUND

Tool storage containers for saw blades, for example, come in many forms. The containers may include telescoping parts to compensate for various lengths of the tools or saw blades. Also, various types of holders maintain the tools or blades in position in the container. While these containers are satisfactory for their intended purpose, designers strive to improve the art. It is desirable to have a container that holds multiple types of tools or saw blades, holds numerous tools or saw blades, and enables ready access to the tools or saw blades. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides the art with such a container that is durable, lightweight and easy to use.
The present disclosure provides the art with a tool storage container that enables the user to see through the cover in order to determine the type of tools or saw blades stored in the container. The present disclosure provides the art with a two sided storage container. The container of the present disclosure may be pocket size. The storage container enables access to one side of the storage container independently of the other side. The present storage container provides divided receptacles to separate various types of tools or saw blades from one another. Additionally, the container enables the user to provide his own indicia to determine the tool or saw blade in a specific receptacle.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the disclosure, a tool container comprises a base. The base has two sides that include at least one tool holding receptacle on each side of the base. A pair of covers, one on each side of the base, covers the receptacles.
In accordance with a second aspect of the disclosure, a tool container comprises a base member with two sides. A wall is formed on each side of the base member. The wall extends from the base and defines a plurality of tool holding receptacles. A pair of covers, each coupled with the base, are movable with respect to the base between a first position, that prohibits access to the tool holding receptacles, and a second position, that enable access to the tool holding receptacles.
In accordance with a third aspect of the disclosure, a tool container comprises a rectangular base with two sides defined by longitudinal and lateral edges. A pair of walls are on each side of the rectangular base. Each wall extends from the base and defines a lateral web and a pair of longitudinal legs to provide the wall with an overall U shape. At least one additional longitudinal leg extends from the lateral web between the pair of longitudinal legs to define at least two tool holding receptacles on each side of the rectangular base. A gap is formed between opposing ends of the legs of the wall. A pair of covers are provided with one cover on each side of the rectangular base. Each cover is movable with respect to the base between a first position, that prohibits access to the tool holding receptacles, and a second position, that enables access to the tool holding receptacles. A pair of latch mechanisms is coupled with the covers. Each latch mechanism secures one of the covers with the rectangular base.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage container in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 1 with one of the covers in an open position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the storage container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the storage container with both covers shown in phantom moving between an open and closed position of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top or bottom plan view of the storage container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the end of the storage container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
Turning to the figures, specifically FIG. 1, a storage container is illustrated and designated with the reference numeral 10. The container 10 includes a base 12 and a pair of covers 14 and 16. Preferably, the covers 14 and 16 are identical; however, they could be different. Preferably, the covers are transparent to enable a user to see through the covers 14, 16 to view tools or saw blades 18 contained within the storage container 10.
The base 12 has an overall rectangular configuration with longitudinal sides 20, 22 and lateral ends 24, 26. The base 12 is two sided including a first side 28 and a second side 30. The sides 28, 30 are substantially identical and will be discussed singularly below. Each side 28, 30 include extending walls 32, 32′, 34, 34′ on each end of the sides 28, 30. The walls 32, 32′, 34, 34′ include a pair of longitudinal legs 36, 36′, 38, 38′ connected by a lateral web 40, 40′. The longitudinal walls 36, 36′, 38, 38′ and web 40, 40′ provide an overall square U shape. The U-shaped walls 32, 32′, 34, 34′ are positioned around the periphery at each end of the rectangular base. The walls 32, 32′, 34, 34′ are along the periphery of the lateral end 24, 26 and a portion of the longitudinal sides 20, 22.
The legs 36, 36′, 38, 38′ have substantially the same height. Legs 36′, 38′ include a cutout portion to receive the cover indention. At least one and as illustrated, a pair of longitudinal wall portions 42, 42′, 44, 44′ extend from the lateral web 40, 40′. The walls portion 42, 42′, 44, 44′ are parallel to the legs 36, 36′, 38, 38′ and divide the space between the legs 36, 36′, 38, 38′ to form blade receiving receptacles 46, 48, 50. The receptacles 46, 48, 50 receive tools or saw blades 18 and separate and provide distinct saw blade receiving receptacles.
The longitudinal legs 36, 36′, 38, 38′, as well as the wall potions 42, 42′, 44, 44′ extend the same distance from the web 40, 40′. The legs 36, 36′, 38, 38′ and wall portions 42, 42′, 44, 44′ include an angled or arc portion at their free end and extend from the planar side 28 or 30. A gap 52 is formed between the opposing legs, 36′, 36, 38′, 38 and wall portions 42, 42′, 44, 44′. There are four wall 32, 32′, 34, 34′ two on each side 28, 30 of the base 12 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, tools or saw blades 18 may be contained within the receptacles 46, 48, 50 on each side of the saw blade container base 12. Additionally, more or less wall portions 42, 42′, 44, 44′ may be positioned between the longitudinal legs 36, 36′, 38, 38′ to provide more or less receptacles on the base.
Each side 28, 30 may include the same amount of receptacles or a different amount of receptacles depending upon the design of the base 12. Additionally, the receptacles on the wall 32, 32′ and 34, 34′ are aligned with one another so that the saw blades 18 extend between walls 32 and 34 so that the saw blades 18 may be grabbed at the gap 52. Ledges 54, 56 are on each longitudinal side 20, 22 of the base 12. The ledges 54, 56 provide a stop for the covers 14 and 16.
The ends 24, 26 each include a pair of pillow blocks 58, 60 which include bores to receive a journal pin 62 that retains the cover 14 onto the base 12. Additionally, the ends 24, 26 include a catch 64 that couples with a latch 70 on the covers 14 and 16 to lockably secure the covers 14 and 16 with the base 12. The catch 64 includes an elongated beam 65 with a cut-out 66 to receive the latch. Additionally, the beam 65 has a rail portion 68 with an undercut that couples with the latch 70 to retain the cover 14 with the base 12 in a locked condition. Accordingly, the latch 70 moves between a locked and unlocked position.
The covers 14, 16 have an overall rectangular configuration. The covers 14, 16 include a top 72 with a depending peripheral skirt 74. The top 72 is generally planar. This enables a user to add indicia 75 to identify the tool or blade in a specific receptacle 46, 48, 50. Generally, a scalloped configuration is about the sides of the top and skirt 74 to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The skirt 74 abuts and rests against the ledges 54 and 56 when the covers 14, 16 are in a closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6. One end of the covers 14, 16 includes a pivot mechanism 76 to retain it onto the base 12 while the other end includes an indented portion 89 which includes latch 70 to lock the covers 14, 16 with the base 12.
The pivot mechanism 76 includes a block 78 with a pair of ears 80, 82. The block and ears 78, 80, 82 include bores which receive the journal pin 62. The covers 14, 16 are aligned with the base 12. Accordingly, the pillow blocks 58, 60, with their bores, are positioned between and axially aligned with the bores of block 78 and ears 80, 82. Thus, the journal pin 62 is passed into the bores to pivotally connect the covers 14, 16 with the base 12, as seen in FIG. 2.
The indented end portion 84 includes a rail 86 which retains the latch 70 onto the indented portion 84. The rail 86 has an overall D shape with undercuts along the top and bottom. The latch 70 has a D shaped cutout so that the latch 70 can slide on the rail 86. The rail 86 has a pair of detents 89 to hold the latch 70 in its open and locked positions. Also, the rails 86 and 64 include terminal walls 87, 65 to prohibit the latch from being removed from the rails 86 and 64 during use, as seen in FIG. 6. The rail 86 has a half D shaped portion 88 that abuts the half D-shaped rail 64 of the base 12 so that the latch 70 couples with both the half D shaped portions to form the D shaped rail to lock the covers 14, 16 with the base as seen in FIG. 7.
The latch 70 has an overall J-shaped configuration in cross-section. The arcuate portion of the latch 70 includes the D-shaped cutout 90 which is designed to couple with the D-shaped rails on the covers 14, 16 and base 12. The latch 70 easily slides along the rail 86 and rail portions 88, 64 so that the base 12 and covers 14, 16 can be locked with one another.
The covers 14, 16 are generally manufactured from a plastic material. Generally, the covers 14, 16 are transparent to enable a user to see through the cover. However, the covers 14, 16 may be opaque or tinted to provide either no viewing or viewing through a darker transparent cover. Additionally, the base is manufactured from a plastic material. The base may be opaque or could be tinted. The container 10 may be of any size and, if desired, may be sized to fit into a pocket of the user. Additionally, a clip mechanism could be coupled with the container to enable it to be hung from a user's belt or the like.
Thus, the storage container 10 provides multiple tool and/or saw blade holding receptacles on two sides of a base. The covers 14, 16 pivot in opposite directions with respect to one another so that generally one cover is closed and locked with the base while the other cover is opened. Two latches enable the covers 14, 16 to be independently secured and opened with respect to the base 12. Accordingly, a user can flip the container from side to side to provide access to tools positioned within the container 10. Different sides of the base may contain different tools. For example, one side might contain all wood cutting blades while the other side might contain metal cutting saw blades, drill bits, sockets, hand tools or the like. The tools have different sizes and fit within the different sized receptacle on different sides of the storage container. Also, the pattern or number of the receptacles could be different on each side of the container in order to provide the desired number of receptacles per storage container.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tool container comprising:

a base, said base having two sides;

at least one blade holding receptacle on each side of said base; and

a pair of covers, one on each side of said base for covering said receptacles.

2. The tool container according to claim 1, further comprising a latch mechanism on each cover for securing said cover with said base.

3. The tool container according to claim 1, further comprising two or more tool holding receptacles on each side of said base.

4. The tool container according to claim 1, wherein said base including an extending ledge for providing a seating surface for said cover.

5. The tool container according to claim 1, wherein said base including a plurality of pivot members coupled with said covers for providing pivotal movement of said covers.

6. A tool container comprising:

a base member having two sides;

a wall on each side of said base member, said wall extending from said base and defining a plurality of tool holding receptacles;

a pair of covers each coupled with said base, said covers movable with respect to said base between a first position, prohibiting access to said tool holding receptacles, and a second position, enabling access to said tool holding receptacles.

7. The tool container of claim 6, wherein said wall includes a plurality of parallel portions spaced from one another such that a distance between adjacent segments defines a width of the receptacles.

8. The tool container of claim 7, wherein said portions extend along a longitudinal axis of said base.

9. The tool container of claim 8, wherein said portions are interrupted along said longitudinal axis enabling a user to grasp a tool retained in said receptacle.

10. The tool container of claim 6, wherein said base includes a pair of ledges spaced from and extending along a longitudinal axis for providing a stop for said covers.

11. The tool container of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of pillow blocks on said base for receiving a journal pin coupled with said cover for providing pivotal movement of said cover.

12. The tool container of claim 11, wherein at least one of said plurality of pillow blocks is positioned on each end of said base.

13. The tool container of claim 12, wherein said at least one pillow block is on opposite sides of said base end.

14. The tool container of claim 13, wherein said covers pivot away from said base in opposite directions.

15. A tool container comprising:

a rectangular base having a pair of longitudinal sides and a pair of lateral ends;

a pair of walls on each side of said rectangular base, each wall extending from said base and defining a lateral web and a pair of longitudinal legs having an overall U shape with the longitudinal legs transverse to the lateral web;

at least one additional longitudinal wall portion extending from said lateral web between said pair of longitudinal legs to define at least two tool holding receptacles on each side of said rectangular base;

a gap between opposing ends of said legs of said wall;

a pair of covers, one cover on each side of said rectangular base, each said cover movable with respect to said base between a first position, prohibiting access to said tool holding receptacles, and a second position, enabling access to said tool holding receptacles; and

a pair of latch mechanisms, each for securing one of said covers with said rectangular base.

16. The tool container of claim 15, wherein said base includes a pair of ledges spaced from and extending along a longitudinal axis for providing a stop for said covers.

17. The tool container of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of pillow blocks on said base for receiving a journal coupled with said cover for providing pivotal movement of said cover.

18. The tool container of claim 17, wherein at least one of said plurality of pillow blocks is positioned on each end of said base.

19. The tool container of claim 18, wherein said at least one pillow block is on opposite sides of said base end.

20. The tool container of claim 16, wherein said covers are transparent and include a portion for receiving user indicia.