The present invention relates generally to tool and tool accessory boxes or cases and particularly to a tool box assembly with a tool box organizer that locks on top of a bottom tool box.
Tool and tool accessory boxes (or cases, the terms being used interchangeably) are used to hold and organize all sorts of tools. such as screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, etc., and small parts such as drill bits, fasteners, and nails. It is desirable to keep the accessories organized so that the user can easily locate the specific tool accessory for the particular purpose.
Tool accessories are commonly organized in individual compartments that are stored within the tool accessory case, and the case is secured with a latch to prevent the tool accessories from escaping the compartment. While a tool accessory case has the advantage of confining the tool accessory to the inner organizational compartment, the latch on the case may be difficult to open and close, particularly if the user is wearing work gloves or only has one hand available. Further, some latches are prone to open upon impact, such as when the case is dropped, allowing the tool accessories to escape the tool accessory case.
The present invention seeks to provide a novel tool box assembly with a tool box organizer that sits on top of a bottom tool box, as is described more in detail hereinbelow. The handle of the organizer locks on to the bottom tool box and the bottom tool box has a handle that can either pivot or be locked from pivoting (for carrying).
There is thus provided in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a tool box assembly including a first tool box including side walls extending from a bottom member and a tool box handle pivotally connected to a portion of the first tool box, the side walls and the bottom member defining a first tool holding chamber, and a second tool box including side walls extending from a bottom member and an organizer handle pivotally connected to a portion of the second tool box, the side walls and the bottom member defining a second tool holding chamber, the second tool box arranged to removably sit on top of the first tool box, wherein the first tool box includes a rim and the organizer handle includes a catch, wherein upon sufficient pivoting of the organizer handle towards the first tool box, the catch latches on to the rim of the first tool box so as to lock the second tool box with the first tool box.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the organizer handle includes arms whose first ends are pivotally connected to at least one of the side walls of the second tool box and a grip member joined to second ends of the arms distanced from the first ends, and the catch protrudes from the grip member.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the rim faces towards the bottom member of the second tool box and there is a gap between the rim and at least one of the side walls of the first tool box, and the grip member includes an overhanging roof portion and the catch protrudes from the overhanging roof portion, wherein upon sufficient pivoting of the organizer handle towards the first tool box, the catch initially abuts against one side of the rim and then lockingly snaps over the rim to be positioned in the gap.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the tool box handle extends outwards of the second tool box.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the tool box handle pivots over the second tool box.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the organizer handle is recessed in a recess formed in the second tool box.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when the second tool box sits on top of the first tool box, the side walls of the tool boxes are flush with each other.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first and the second tool boxes include mating male and female connections.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a pivoted connection of the tool box handle to the first tool box includes a vertically oval lug protruding from the at least one of the side walls, the oval lug being formed with downwardly facing shoulders. The oval lug is received in a complimentary-shaped oval channel formed in a side arm of the tool box handle. The channel includes inwardly protruding, upwardly facing shoulders that abut against the downwardly facing shoulders when the tool box handle is lifted upwards for carrying the first tool box, thereby preventing rotation of the tool box handle with respect to the first tool box. When the tool box handle is not lifted upwards, the upwardly facing shoulders do not abut against the downwardly facing shoulders and the tool box handle can pivot with respect to the first tool box.
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following drawings:
Reference is now made to
The tool box assembly 10 includes a first tool box 12 (also called bottom tool box 12) including side walls 14 extending from a bottom member 16. The side walls 14 and the bottom member 16 define a first tool holding chamber 18 (typically, but not necessarily, used for holding bigger tools like screwdrivers, hammers, saws, wrenches and the like). A tool box handle 20 is pivotally connected to a portion of tool box 12, such as one or more of the side walls 14 (such as oppositely-facing side walls).
The tool box assembly 10 also includes a second tool box 22 (also called tool box organizer 22), also seen in
Reference is now made to
In the non-limiting illustrated embodiment, as seen in
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first and the second tool boxes 12 and 22 include mating male and female connections, such as a lug 50 (
Reference is now made to
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Entry |
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PCT Written Opinion, PCT/US2014/068492, received Apr. 21, 2015. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20150151427 A1 | Jun 2015 | US |