This invention relates to storage containers for elongated tools, such as drill bits. In particular, the invention relates to a tool retaining system with a tool tray that ensures that the tools will remain in their original position when shaken or inverted.
Tool parts, such as drill bits, are sold in sets consisting of many parts of varying sizes. When using, storing, or transporting such tool parts, it is desirable to keep them organized and ready for use. One manner of organizing tool parts is to secure them in individual compartments. It is also desirable that if the tool parts are stored within an outer toolbox or casing, that they do not move about within such outer member. A typical lid or cover may not keep the tools in place within a casing, leaving the inner organizational system to shift to various positions within the case.
While an inner organizational system may be permanently adhered to an outer member, this limits the craftsman to the type of tool that may be stored within the outer member. Providing an interchangeable inner member, a manufacturer may choose to substitute a tool tray that houses drill bits with one that houses wrenches or screwdrivers, for example.
In addition to improved organization, it is also desirable that the tool parts are easily accessible to the user. When a tool part is secured within a storage container, it may be difficult for the user to quickly and easily remove the tool from its secured position.
In addition to keeping the tools secured and organized, it is important that the outer member of the tool case be easily gripped and handled. Past attempts at configuring a tool case out of plastic have not produced easily graspable cases due to the texture of the material used to construct the case. Also, when a tool casing is closed, the user is often not able to identify what is located within the case unless the case is opened.
In order to retain a tool case in the closed position, various sliding latches have been provided. In past configurations, however, the user will not be able to easily leverage the latch into the open position. This can be very frustrating for a craftsman who wears gloves or otherwise requires a more convenient latching configuration.
Once open, it is desirable that the case be accessible to the user. Generally, tool cases and other tool boxes lie flat in an open position. Such a position may make it difficult for the contents to easily be viewed by the user. In addition to being able to see what is enclosed within the case while working, the user must also be able to easily grasp and remove the bit without having to touch and potentially dull the sharp end of the bit. However, by simply turning the bit upside down in the case, the user is prevented from visualizing the exact tool that is needed before the tool is removed from its compartment. Accordingly, there is a need for a tool case that will remedy the above problems and make it easier for the user to utilize his or her tools. The present invention addresses these desirable features, as will become clear in the following description.
The present invention includes a tool retaining system that provides the above-stated needs in the art and overcomes the above shortcomings. The present tool retaining system provides improved organization and is easily manipulated by the user.
In accordance with the present invention, a tool retaining system comprises an outer casing having at least one housing member with upstanding walls extending approximately perpendicularly from a base and a plurality of female recesses defined within said walls. The tool retaining system further comprises a tool tray having at least two opposed side walls extending approximately perpendicularly downward from a top wall, the opposed side walls having an outer surface, the outer surface having one or more male protrusions extending therefrom, and the top wall having a plurality of tool receiving recesses, each of the tool receiving recesses including at least two opposed bit retaining members. The male protrusions on the tool tray snap into the female recesses on the walls of the outer casing.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a tool retaining system comprises at least two housing members that are hingedly attached with respect to one another, at least one of the housing members defines a recessed cavity for receiving a tool tray. The recessed cavity is comprised of a base and at least two upstanding walls that include a plurality of female recesses. The tool retaining system further comprises a tray. The tool tray includes a plurality of male protrusions extending from at least two side walls of the tool tray, the tool tray being removably securable to the at least one housing member in non-slidable fashion by snapping the male protrusions into mating position with the female recesses.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a tool retaining box for storing drill bits and the like has elastomeric material disposed at least partially around an outer periphery of the box. This material provides the system with increased durability, shock absorbency, and improved gripping characteristics.
The present invention also includes a kit comprising an outer casing and at least one tool tray, as previously described. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings.
The tool retaining system of the present invention includes an outer casing and a tool tray, for storing and transporting elongated tool parts, such as drill bits. For the purposes of illustration, the tool parts will be referred to as drill bits. It is understood by those of skill in the art that the storage container of the present invention could be adapted to fit and receive similar types of tools or tool parts, such as screwdrivers or socket bits.
The outer casing 12 includes block-feet 34 which are disposed along the outer surfaces of the hinged bottom walls 26, as shown in
In addition, the latch 36 is restricted with regard to the length of the split-rail that it may move across. An abutment 42 is molded of plastic, or other suitable material, and disposed along the split-rail, preventing the latch 36 from completely sliding the entire length of the rail. This feature ensures that the user will be able to insert a finger or thumb behind the latch 36 to open the outer casing 12 easily.
Referring again to
The band of elastomeric material 44 may define a flat tread pattern 46 on each of the short sides 20 and 22 of the case 12. (See also
Each of the housing members 14 or 16 may have at least two empty corners 60 that are created by the approximately ninety degree angle between a short side wall 50 or 52 and the front wall 54 or rear wall 56 of the recessed cavity 48. These corners 60 may remain empty, not filled in with molding, to accommodate additional storage space for the user.
The tool tray 100 of the present invention is removably secured to the inside surfaces of at least one of the recessed cavities 48 in a non-slidable fashion. The exterior periphery of the tool tray 100 is dimensioned to be adjacent to the inner periphery of the recessed cavity 48 along at least one of the opposed side walls of the tray 102 and 104. At least the opposed side walls 102 and 104 of the tool tray 100 include convex male protrusions 106. These male protrusions 106 are equally spaced apart and are molded to project outwardly from the exterior surface of the opposing side walls 102 and 104 of the tray 100.
The placement of the male protrusions 106 corresponds to the placement of the female recesses 62 located on the interior surface of the side walls 50 and 52 of the recessed cavity 48. The tool tray 100 is stored inside the recessed cavity 48 of the housing member 14 and/or 16 and is removably secured to the recessed cavity 48 by snapping the male protrusions 106 and female recesses together 62. (See
The top wall 108 of the tool tray 100 may vary in thickness depending upon the size of the tool part to be stored within. (See
The unrecessed portion of the top wall 108 of the tool tray 100 may include a window 132. The window 132 is positioned at the end of the top wall 108 toward the rear wall 110. Through the window 132, the user will be able to view the tips of the drill bits that are inverted and located therein. This configuration allows the user to select a bit without taking it out of the tray 100 to determine its size.
The drill bits (best seen in
The tools are secured in the tool receiving recess 112 by two opposed bit retaining members 116 that extend to partially cover or partially protrude into an opening 118 at the top of the receiving recess 112. In one embodiment, the bit retaining members 116 are created by forming an H-shaped cutout 120 or molding in the top wall 108. The bit retaining members 116 are desirably directly opposed to one another or may be slightly staggered.
Referring now to
Desirably, the bit retaining members 116 may extend to partially cover the top of the tool receiving recess 112. See
The tool tray 100 is made of a flexible material, such as polyurethane. The flexibility of the material enables the bit retaining members to flex locally when the drill bit is inserted, the bit retaining members 116 being selectively distorted so that the drill bits may be pushed past them by exerting pressure onto the bit. Once the drill bits are stored within the tool receiving recess 112, the durability of the material holds the drill bit between the bit retaining members 116. This flexibility also enables the male protrusions 106 and female recesses 62 to snap into place without breaking either component. See
In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
When appropriate downward pressure is applied to the pushbuttons 142 (as shown in
As shown in
It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and numerous variations may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of this invention.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be understood that the invention is not so limited and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the male protrusions may be molded to project outwardly from the interior surface of opposed side walls of the outer casing and the corresponding female recesses molded into the tool tray. Also, additional tool mounts may be added to the outer casing to define pockets behind the tool tray. Additional side walls may extend downwardly from the casing-facing surface of the top of the tool tray. These additional walls define cavities to further separate tools for organization and storage.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/722,906, filed Nov. 25, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/722,906 filed Nov. 25, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,923 which application claims priority from three provisional applications, STORAGE CONTATAINER FOR ELONGATED TOOLS, filed Dec. 17, 2003, Ser. No. 60/434,455, TOOL CASE INSERT HAVING PUSHBUTTON-RELEASE TOOL RETENTION, filed Feb. 25, 2003, Ser. No. 60/449,998, and TOOL CASE HAVING ELASTOMERIC SURROUND AND INVERTED BIT HOLDING CONFIGURATION, filed Jan. 24, 2003, Ser. No. 60/442,472, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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20070190856 A1 | Aug 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10722906 | Nov 2003 | US |
Child | 11739186 | US |