Self-opening tool box

Abstract

A self-opening toolbox includes a first shell, a second shell pivotally mounted on the first shell, a retainer mounted on the first shell for retaining a tool kit in position and a pivot arranged between the first shell and the second shell for pivoting the second shell with respect to the first shell. The pivot includes a first cylinder connected with the first shell, a second cylinder connected with the second shell and a torque element connected between the first and second cylinders. The torque element is received in the first cylinder and the first cylinder is received in the second cylinder. The first cylinder includes a closed end and a clip formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element. The second cylinder includes a closed end and a clip formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention is related to a self-opening toolbox.

[0003] 2. Related Prior Art

[0004] A conventional toolbox includes a first shell, a second shell pivotally connected with the first shell and a buckle movable between a locking position for locking the second shell to the first shell and a releasing position for allowing the second shell to pivot from the first shell. To use a tool kit contained in the toolbox, a user puts the buckle in the releasing position and pivots the second shell from the first shell. The manual pivoting of the second shell could be inconvenient for the user.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a self-opening toolbox.

[0006] According to the present invention, a self-opening toolbox includes a first shell, a second shell pivotally mounted on the first shell, a retainer mounted on the first shell for retaining a tool kit and a pivot arranged between the first shell and the second shell for pivoting the second shell with respect to the first shell.

[0007] The pivot includes a first cylinder connected with the first shell, a second cylinder connected with the second shell and a torque element connected between the first and second cylinders. The torque element is received in the first cylinder and the first cylinder is received in the second cylinder. The first cylinder includes a closed end and a clip formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element. The second cylinder includes a closed end and a clip formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element.

[0008] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the attached drawings wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-opening toolbox in a closed position according to the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the self-opening toolbox shown in FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the self-opening toolbox shown in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 except for showing the self-opening toolbox in an un-locked position;

[0014] FIGS. 5˜7 are side views of the self-opening toolbox in different positions in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a self-opening toolbox according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a first shell 12, a second shell 20 pivotally mounted on the first shell 12, a first retainer 11 mounted on the first shell 12 and a second retainer 40 pivotally mounted on the first shell 12. A pivot 30 is arranged between the first shell 12 and the second shell 20 for pivoting the second shell 20 with respect to the first shell 12. Two pivots 30 are arranged between the first shell 12 and the second retainer 40 for pivoting the second retainer 40 relative to the first shell 12.

[0016] The first shell 12 includes two semi-lugs 14 formed on a side and two semi-lugs 14 formed on an opposite side. One of the semi-lugs 14 defines a semi-circular cutout 141 while the remaining ones of the semi-lugs 14 define a slit 142.

[0017] The first retainer 11 includes various recesses 16 defined therein for retaining different tools of a tool kit. The first retainer 11 includes two semi-lugs 15 formed on a side and two semi-lugs 15 formed on an opposite side. One of the semi-lugs 15 defines a semi-circular cutout 151 while the remaining ones of the semi-lugs 15 define a slit 152.

[0018] When the first retainer 11 is secured to the first shell 12, the semi-lugs 14 match the semi-lugs 15 so that the semi-circular cutouts 141 and 151 together make a circular hole for receiving a stud 211 projecting from the second shell 20 and that each slit 142 and a corresponding slit 152 together make a slot for receiving a ridges 311 formed on one of the pivots 30.

[0019] Each of the pivots 30 includes a first cylinder 31, a second cylinder 32 and a torque element 33. The torque element 33 is a spring in the preferred embodiment. The first cylinder 31 includes a closed end. A ridge 311 is formed on an external side of the closed end of the first cylinder 31. A clip 312 is formed on an internal side of the closed end of the first cylinder 31. The second cylinder 32 includes a closed end. A ridge 321 is formed on an external side of the closed end of the second cylinder 32. A clip 322 is formed on an internal side of the closed end of the second cylinder 32. The torque element 33 is received in the first cylinder 31 so that a first end of the torque element 33 is clamped by means of the clip 312. The first cylinder 31 and the torque element 33 are received in the second cylinder 32 so that a second end of the torque element 33 is clamped by means of the clip 322.

[0020] The second shell 20 includes a cylindrical portion 21 formed on an edge. The cylindrical portion 21 includes a closed end and an open end. A boss 211 extends from the closed end of the cylindrical portion 21. A slit 213 is defined in a plate 212 formed on an internal side of the cylindrical portion 21. The boss 211 is inserted in the circular hole consisting of the semi-circular cutouts 141 and 151. One of the pivots 30 is inserted in the cylindrical portion 21 so that the ridge 321 is received in the slot 213. The ridge 311 of this pivot 30 is received in one of the slots consisting of the slits 142 and 152. Thus, the second shell 20 is pivotally mounted on the first shell 12 by means of the boss 211 and a pivot 30 that is arranged between the first shell 12 and the second retainer 40.

[0021] The first shell 12 includes a semi-lug 120 formed on the first side. The first retainer 11 includes a semi-lug 110 formed on an edge. The second retainer 40 includes two cylindrical portions 41 formed on an edge. Each of the cylindrical portions 41 includes a closed end. A boss 44 extends from the closed end of each of the cylindrical portions 41. When the first retainer 11 is secured to the first shell 12, the semi-lugs 110 and 120 together make a lug with two open ends for receiving the bosses 44 so that the second retainer 40 is pivotally mounted on the first shell 12. The second retainer 40 defines various recesses 43 for receiving different tools.

[0022] A slot 421 is defined in a plate 42 formed on an internal side of each of the cylindrical portions 41. One of the pivots 30 is inserted in one of the cylindrical portions 41 so that the ridge 321 is received in the slot 421. The ridge 311 of one of the pivots 30 is received in one of the slots consisting of the slits 142 and 152. Thus, two pivots 30 are arranged between the first shell 12 and the second retainer 40.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 7, when the shells 12 and 20, the retainers 11 and 40 and the pivots 30 are assembled, the second retainer 40 is positioned from the first shell 12 by an angle between 90° and 180°, and the second shell 20 is positioned from the first shell 12 by an angle between 180° and 36°. The second retainer 40 can be pivoted so as to be against the first shell 12, and the second shell 20 can be pivoted so as to be against the second retainer 40, as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, the torque elements 33 of the pivots 30 are twisted and torque is introduced into them. The torque will pivot the second shell 20 and the second retainer 40 relative to the first shell 12 to the position shown in FIG. 7. FIGS. 5 and 6 shows the self-opening toolbox in two different positions between the locked position shown in FIG. 1 and the completely extended position shown in FIG. 7.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, a locking device is used to keep the self-opening toolbox locked. The locking device includes a latch 132 mounted on the first shell 12 and a hook 221 formed on the second shell 20 for engagement with the latch 132. The latch 132 is made as an extension from a button 13. An elastic element 131 includes an end secured to the semi-lug 120 and an opposite end secured to the button 13. The elastic element 131 is a spring in the preferred embodiment. The button 13 is accessible through a hole 111 defined in the semi-lug 110.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, the button 13 can be pressed so as to disengage the latch 132 from the hook 221 so that the self-opening toolbox can be opened.

[0026] The present invention has been described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive many variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A self-opening toolbox including a first shell (12), a second shell (20) pivotally mounted on the first shell (12), a retainer (11) mounted on the first shell (12) for retaining a tool kit and a pivot (30) arranged between the first shell (12) and the second shell (20) for pivoting the second shell (20) relatve to the first shell (12).

2. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 1 wherein the pivot (30) includes a first cylinder (31) connected with the first shell (12), a second cylinder (32) connected with the second shell (20) and a torque element (33) connected between the first and second cylinders (31, 32).

3. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 2 wherein the torque element (33) is received in the first cylinder (31) and the first cylinder (31) is received in the second cylinder (32).

4. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 2 wherein the first cylinder (31) includes a closed end and a clip (312) formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element (33).

5. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 2 wherein the second cylinder (32) includes a closed end and a clip (322) formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element (33).

6. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 2 wherein the first cylinder (31) includes a closed end and a ridge (311) formed on an external side of the closed end, and the first shell (12) defines a slot (142) for receiving the ridge (311).

7. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 6 wherein the first shell (12) includes a semi-lug (14) that is formed thereon and defines a slit (142), and the retainer (11) includes a semi-lug (15) that is formed thereon and defines a slit (152), and the slit (142) defined in the semi-lug (14) of the first shell (12) and the slit (152) defined in the semi-lug (15) of the retainer (11) together make a slot for receiving the ridge (311).

8. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 2 wherein the second cylinder (32) includes a closed end and a ridge (321) formed on an external side of the closed end, and the second shell (20) defines a slot (213) for receiving the ridge (321) formed on the second cylinder (32).

9. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 8 wherein the second shell (20) includes a plate (212) that is formed thereon and defines a slot (213) for receiving the ridge (321) formed on the second cylinder (32) of the pivot (30).

10. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 1 wherein the second shell (20) includes a boss (211) formed thereon, and the first shell (12) includes a semi-lug (14) that is formed thereon and defines a semi-circular cutout (141), and the retainer (11) includes a semi-lug (15) that is formed thereon and defines a semi-circular cutout (151), and the semi-circular cutout (141) defined in the semi-lug (14) formed on the first shell (12) and the semi-circular cutout (151) defined in the semi-lug (15) formed on the retainer (11) together make a circular hole for receiving the boss (211) extending from the second shell (20).

11. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 1 including a locking device for keeping the self-opening toolbox locked.

12. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 11 wherein the locking device includes a latch (132) mounted on the first shell (12) and a hook (221) formed on the second shell (20) for engagement with the latch (132).

13. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 12 wherein the locking device includes a button (13) from which the latch (132) extends and an elastic element (131) including an end secured to the first shell (12) and an opposite end secured to the button (13), wherein the button (13) can be pressed so as to disengage the latch (132) from the hook (221).

14. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 1 including a second retainer (40) pivotally mounted on the first shell (12) for retaining a tool kit in position.

15. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 9 including a second pivot (30) arranged between the first shell (12) and the second retainer (40) for pivoting the second retainer (40) relative to the first shell (12).

16. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 15 wherein the second pivot (30) includes a first cylinder (31) connected with the first shell (12), a second cylinder (32) connected with the second retainer (40) and a torque element (33) connected between the first and second cylinders (31, 32).

17. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 16 wherein the second cylinder (31) includes a closed end and a clip (312) formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element (33).

18. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 16 wherein the second cylinder (32) includes a closed end and a clip (322) formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element (33).

19. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 16 wherein the first cylinder (31) includes a closed end and a ridge (311) formed on an external side of the closed end, and the first shell (12) defines a slot (142) for receiving the ridge (311).

20. The self-opening toolbox according to claim 16 wherein the second cylinder (32) includes a closed end and a ridge (321) formed on an external side of the closed end, and the second shell (20) defines a slot (213) for receiving the ridge (321).