The present invention relates generally to tool cases. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable tool case and workstation.
Tool cases are well known, and typically include a base, in the form of an open-topped box, and a lid hinged or otherwise mated with the base, with a clip or other means to retain the lid in the closed position. For convenience, these main components will hereinafter be referred to as the base and the lid.
Presently, tool cases are used for the storage of tools, such as a rotary tool, and its various associated accessories. In some cases, use of the tools in the tool case also requires the use of workstation or workbench attachments, such as a vise. Many times, these attachments are located on, or attached to, a workbench which is remote from a job site and location of the tool case. It is therefore quite inconvenient for a handyman to have the workstation attachments situated in one location while the tool case is located elsewhere and vice versa. Also, if the user is using the tools and realizes at a later time that he/she needs access to workstation attachments, the user generally has to carry the tool case or the individually required tools over to the workbench to work with the workstation attachments.
On the other hand, this also causes inconveniences to the user if the tools and workpiece are being worked on at the workbench since it may be a distance away from the job site where it is required. Therefore, if the user is trying to fit the workpiece into a specific location i.e. if it must be a specific size, the user must go back and forth between the workbench and the job site until the workpiece is the correct size.
Prior art tool cases do not offer much flexibility, nor are they very efficient, since it can be very time-consuming and frustrating moving between the job site and the workbench with the required attachments.
It is therefore desirable to provide a portable tool case and workstation which overcomes some of the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is an object of the invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous tool cases.
This invention therefore provides a portable tool case and workstation which allows a user to have access to both tools and workstation attachments at a location proximate a job site.
It is an aspect of the invention to provide a portable workstation with various means to facilitate working with a work piece at a job site. Thus, in one aspect of the invention, a tool case is provided with a workstation attachment, such as a fold-out vise.
Therefore, there is provided in an aspect of the present invention, a portable tool case and workstation comprising storage means for housing tools; at least one workstation attachment, stored with the tool case; wherein the at least one workstation attachment cooperates with the tool case to provide a portable workstation to a user.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
Generally, the present invention provides a portable tool case and workstation. The tool case and workstation has at least one workstation attachment, such as a vise, preferably housed within the tool case and workstation, so that a user of the tools does not have to commute between a workbench and the job site in order to use workstation attachments. This allows a user to save time completing a job at a job site since there is less time spent travelling between the job site and a workbench. The tool case and workstation includes storage means to house tools, such as a rotary tool and its accessories.
Referring to the drawings,
Locking means 19 secure the lid portion 14 to the base portion 12 in the closed position so that the tool case and workstation 10 cannot be inadvertently opened. In the present embodiment, the locking means 19 are a pair of slidable tabs 19a on the lid portion 14 which latch onto individual ridges 19b on the base portion 12 as more clearly shown in
Within the portable tool case and workstation 10, storage means, such as a plurality of panel sections 20 are located between the base portion 12 and the lid portion 14. The panel sections 20 have a plurality of apertures 22 (hidden by the tool accessories) arranged on its surface to receive tools and/or tool holders and also to provide storage space for the tool accessories. Furthermore, the apertures 22 may be designed to receive interchangeable panels allowing the user to adapt and customize the tool case and workstation 10 for different tool sets. The panel sections 20 preferably include first fastening means (not shown) to cooperate with second fastening means (not shown) arranged on the inside of the base portion 12, to securely hold the panels 20 in place when the tool case and workstation 10 is in the closed position. Attachment of these panel sections 20 to the inside of the base portion 12 is described below but will be well understood by one skilled in the art. By making the panel sections 20 detachable, this allows the storage means of the tool case and workstation to be customized along with allowing items to be stored behind the panel sections 20 between the panel sections and the base portion 12.
In one embodiment, the first fastening means are preferably posts protruding from a bottom or rear surface of the panel section 20 which are then inserted into corresponding second fastening means, located on an internal surface of the base portion 12, in the form of female openings projecting upwardly from the base portion 12. At least one of the panel sections may be detachable from the base portion 12 to allow for additional storage between the panel and the base portion 12. Other fastening means include clips which may be used to enable removal of panel for extra storage beneath.
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In order to prevent slipping or movement of the tool case and workstation 10 while the workstation aspect is in use, securing means, preferably anti-friction, attaching the tool case and workstation 10 to the work surface are employed. These include, but are not limited to, rubber feet, a router mat or suction cups, all providing non-slip characteristics, located on a bottom surface 21 of the tool case and workstation 10 or the surface of the lid portion 14b which contacts the work surface when in the open position. Furthermore, the securing means may be a hold-down clamping device. Other securing means includes screws, magnets or even magnetic plates. Securing means may also be located on the workstation attachment to assist in securing the tool and workstation attachment to the work surface when the workstation is attached and for securing the workstation attachment to the work surface is the workstation attachment has been detached from the tool case and workstation. The securing means on the workstation attachment preferably allow the attachment to be quickly attached and/or released from the workstation.
The tool case and workstation 10 also comprises locations for additional storage capacity 24 in the form of removable storage bins 26. Tabs 28, located atop the bins 26 allow each bin to be kept closed so that its contents do not fall out unexpectedly. When the user wishes to access the contents of the bins 26, the bins may be manually released from its corresponding tab 28. Further storage is provided by storage drawers 29 (or tiltable bins) which, in this embodiment, are located at a bottom of the tool case and workstation 10. The bins 26 and storage drawers 29, are preferably detachable, with the bins being internally accessible and the drawers 29 being externally accessible. It will be understood that the contents may be organized in categories such as sanding accessories, polishing accessories or attachments. This allows for the different content groups to be interchangeable allowing for a more customizable tool case and workstation.
The tool case and workstation 10 also includes at least one workstation attachment 30. When not in use, the workstation attachment 30 is placed into an attachment housing 32 into the storage position, allowing the lid portion 14 to close. It will be understood that in the present embodiment, the workstation attachment 30 is hinged so that it is folded into and out from the attachment housing 32. Alternatively, the workstation attachment 30 may be slid back into the attachment housing 32 or may be connected to the attachment housing using a swivel mechanism or any other known means of attachment.
In the present embodiment, the workstation attachment 30 is a vise, and more specifically, a double-articulating fold-out vise, which folds out in order to provide a user with workstation capabilities without having to return to a workbench when a workstation attachment such as a vise is required. Use of a double articulating vise, allows for a greater space between the working area and the tool case and workstation 10 in order to prevent sparks or dust from contacting the contents.
In this embodiment, the workstation attachment 30 is stored within the attachment housing 32 near the bottom of the tool case and workstation 10 but it will be understood that the workstation attachment may be located elsewhere within tool case and workstation 10. The attachment housing 32 includes a pair of side walls 34 which include means for attaching the workstation attachment 30 to the attachment housing 32. The means for attaching preferably include a hinge mechanism so that the workstation attachment 30 may be easily folded out from and in to the attachment housing 32 when the user requires use of the workstation attachment or wishes to place the workstation attachment in a storage position, respectively. When use of the vise is required, the vise is extended out from the attachment housing 32 to lie flat on a work surface atop which the tool case and workstation 10 rests.
Alternatively, the attachment may be detachable from the means for attaching so that the workstation attachment may be used separate from the tool case and workstation. Although shown with a hinge mechanism, the means for attaching may also be quick release or other conventional means for attaching.
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The opening of the grip 36 may be altered by the sizer 38 which allows a user to change the size of the space defined by the grip 36 to accommodate the work piece or a tool. Alternatively, the vise could be a quick-locking vise without the need for the sizer.
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The tool case and workstation 50 provides shelving 58 for the storage of tool components 60 which in the present embodiment are shown as a rotary tool 62 and rotary tool accessories 64.
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The pole 68 is preferably hinged using a hinge mechanism 70 at a bottom end 72 so that when the user wishes to move the pole 68 from the storage position to an operational position, the user is only required grasp the pole 68 and pull it up to the operational position in the direction shown by arrow 74. When the user is finished using the workstation attachment 66, the pole 68 may be returned to the storage position. It will be understood that the hinge portion 70 includes a locking mechanism to keep the pole 68 in place when in the operational position.
The pole 68 also includes the hook 76 at a top end 78 so that the user may rest the rotary tool 60 on the hook 76 when required (as shown in
In this embodiment, when in use, as shown in
Alternatively, rather than being hinged, the bottom end 72 of the pole 68 may be threaded and therefore when the user wishes to use the pole 68, the user removes the pole from its storage position and attaches the pole to a complementary threaded section preferably located in the storage space between the shelving 58 and the rear of the base portion.
Whether the pole 68 is hingedly attached or threaded to, or otherwise cooperating with the tool case/workstation 50, when in the operational position, the resulting tool case and workstation is shown in
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The tool case and workstation 80 may further comprise electrical connectivity means such as a power cord 79 which may be plugged into a power source and at least one electrical socket (not shown) for receiving plugs of power tools such as the rotary tool 81 shown in the tool case and workstation 80.
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The tool case and workstation 100 comprises a top wall 102, a pair of side walls 104, a front wall 106, a back wall 108 and a bottom wall 110. In the closed position, as shown in
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The tool case and workstation 100 further comprises a set of storage bins 121 which may be used to store small hardware pieces. The set of storage bins 121 preferably includes a lid (not shown) which assist in keeping the contents of the bins in place so that they do not unexpectedly fall out. The storage bins 121 allow the tool case and workstation to be more customizable according to the user's preferences.
In the present embodiment, when in the open position, one of the side walls 104a has a workstation attachment 130, such as a universal mount, with a dovetail attachment, installed on an inside surface so that when the side wall 104a is folded out, the workstation attachment 130 may be accessed by the user. Use of the dovetail, or universal holder, workstation attachment is described below. Similarly, the front wall 106 has a second workstation attachment 132, seen as a vise, mounted on an inside surface so that when the tool case and workstation 100 is opened up, the user may have access to the vise as well. Although, in the present embodiment, the other side wall 104b does not have a workstation attachment mounted on an inside surface, the inside surface of the side wall 104b may have attachment means, such as T grooves 134, which receive tools having complementary grooves on their surface). It will be understood that another workstation attachment may be mounted to the inside surface of the side wall 104b to provide further workstation expandability and customization for a larger workstation.
Furthermore, the tool case and workstation 100 includes a retractable power cord 150 and an electrical outlet 152 to provide electrical connectivity to the tool case and workstation 100 so that a user does not require multiple power cords or extension cords to operate the electric tools.
As shown, in this embodiment, the contents 120 include a rotary tool 136 and the corresponding rotary tool accessories 124. It will be understood that the contents 120 may also be other tools such as a hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, a drill and drill bits, etc.
By providing legs 200 to the portable tool case and workstation 100, this allows the workstation attachments to be used even when there is no work surface present for the portable tool case and workstation to be placed atop.
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Furthermore, the tool case and workstation may include mounting means for mounting the tool case and workstation to a table or a wall to provide a sturdy workstation to the user.
When the tool case and workstation stores tools such as rotary tools and their accessories, the tool case and workstation may be advantageously used as a rotary tool workstation which supports such functions as cutting, grinding, sanding, polishing, buffing and/or sawing.
Additional storage space for components and power tools may also be provided at the back of the portable workstation.
In another embodiment of the invention, the workstation attachment may be a work-holding clamping device that is preferably hinged to internal or side walls of the base portion of the tool case and workstation and held securely in folded position by the lid. Alternatively, the hinge can be replaced with a slide mechanism or a swivel mechanism.
The clamping device can be a vise or an articulated holder commonly known as a universal holder or a combination of both.
In another embodiment, the pole may be replaced with stackable extension pieces which serves as a support base.
In a further embodiment, the base portion can be fitted with a drill stand that again, either folds out, slides out, or swivels out and is positioned vertically over a work-surface. The workpiece is located under the device in the desired position and the necessary work performed. After use, the drill stand is the folded and stored in the base portion. The drill stand can also be used to hold the power tool which can be fitted with a router bit. Thus, the device can be lowered onto a work-piece that can be manipulated for the desired results.
The workstation attachment may also be a sharpening guide, and with the use of a swivel clamp, can be made to act as a radial-arm cut-off saw. Engraving or copying attachments can be fitted on the power tool and be held in a pre-determined position while the work-piece is manipulated along X-Y axes.
In yet another aspect, the base portion can be fitted with an extendable arm that can be modified to accept a task-lighting attachment on the distal end.
In another aspect, there can be a fixed fold-out attachment in the workstation that can be combined for use with another attachment, thus adding to the flexibility of the assembly.
In yet another aspect, the base portion can be fitted with an extendable arm that can be modified to receive a magnifying glass for intricate work on smaller work-pieces.
In a further aspect, there are at least two extendable arms that can be located adjacent to each other or be located one in front of the other and adapted for multiple functions.
In yet a further embodiment, for the tool case and workstations which include electrical connectivity, a battery charger may be included so that cordless operation of tool may be provided.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/531,984, filed Dec. 24, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60531984 | Dec 2003 | US |