Tool case with cover member support

Abstract

A portable tool case is disclosed that may be displayed in numerous orientations using a cover member of the tool case as a support. The cover member that may be rotated into a support position to support the tool case on a surface. The cover member may comprise a pair of covers that are manipulated into an easel, display or table orientation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Portable tool cases have long been used to store tools, enabling convenient transportation and retrieval of tools from the case. Tool cases may also be used to merchandise sets of tools. A desirable attribute of such tool cases is that they are capable of displaying the tool set, so that a prospective customer can see the tools held by the case. Tool cases typically comprise a storage area with a cover. The storage area may have a number of recesses where the tools are stored. These recesses usually have an overall shape that conforms to the shape of the tool to be stored therein. An individual tool is placed within its designated recess, fitting snugly therein so that it will not be dislodged unless manually pulled from the recess. To access the tools, the tool case should be below eye level so that the user can look into the interior of the case. Often times, however, the tool case is above the eye level of the user, for example, when the user is working under a car, and the tool case is lying on a floor. To access the tools, the user must move his or her body out from underneath the car, sit up, look into the tool case to find a desired tool, and then crawl back under the car, where the tool is then used. Thus, it would be advantageous if a tool case had a mechanism with which it could be orientated into a desired position, such as a position allowing a user to view the storage area from a prone position. Moreover, it would be advantageous if this mechanism were a component part of the tool case. It would also be advantageous if the tool case could also be used to display the tool set on a counter top or other location in a manner that allows a prospective customer to see the tools within the case.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0003] This invention has several features that are summarized in the CLAIMS. These features provide this invention with its many desirable attributes. After reading the following section entitled “DETAILED DESCRIPTION,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits, which include, but are not limited to, providing a portable tool case that can be supported in a display, table and/or easel position using the cover of the case as a support mechanism.

[0004] This invention has several features. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled, “DETAILED DESCRIPTION,” one will understand how one or more features of this invention provide its benefits, which include, but are not limited to, providing a portable tool case that is adaptable to display contained items and provides easy access to contents within. A feature of the portable tool case is a cover that may be used to support the case on a support surface.

[0005] A first feature of this invention is that it provides a portable display case capable of storing one or more tools. It includes a tray body and at least one cover member that is rotatable into one of a multiple of different positions or orientations, all of which function to support on a substantially planar support surface the display case of this invention.

[0006] A second feature is that the cover member preferably has a substantially rectangular configuration, a base side and a storage side adapted to hold the tool or tools. The cover member is rotatably supported on the tray body for manual movement through an arc that is equal to or greater than 270° to move the cover member from a closed position where it substantially covers the storage side to a support position where the cover member and base side are at an angle of 90° or less. The cover member has a face surface that faces the storage side when in the closed position, and when in a support position, rests on a support surface. The cover member also has a first pair of opposed edges and a second pair of opposed edges and is rotatably supported on the tray body by a coupling at one of the first pair of opposed edges. When the cover member is in an alternate support position or orientation, one of the second pair of opposed edges rests on a support surface.

[0007] Optionally, when in the closed position, the tray body and cover member may be latched together by a latch member capable of coupling together the tray body and cover member such that the movement of the cover member is prevented. Preferably, the cover member has a transparent portion and may be entirely transparent.

[0008] A third feature is that the cover member is rotatably supported a hinge element that is along an edge of the tray body. The hinge element comprises a cover hinge element integral with said cover member and a tray hinge element integral with said tray body. Either one has two insertable portions and a cylinder extending between the two insertable portions, and the other one has two insert receivers and a slotted receiver disposed between the two insert receivers. When the cover member is hinged to the tray body, each of the insertable portions are inserted into an insert receiver, and the cylinder is inserted into the slotted receiver.

[0009] A fourth feature is that the tray body has a plurality of recesses within, each having open mouths on the storage side. The open mouths have a shape substantially identical to the overall shape of an individual tool to be retained in the recess.

[0010] A fifth feature is that the display case includes a removable insert comprising an inserted portion and a lever portion. The insert portion is coupled to the tray body along an edge of the tray body by inserting the inserted portion into a receiver located near the edge of the tray body and the lever portion supports the tray body on a substantially planar support surface.

[0011] In one preferred embodiment, the tray body has opposing edges that substantially define a first predetermined area of the support side. There is a pair of substantially rectangular, equally sized cover members attached to the tray body. Each one of the pair of cover members has opposed edges that substantially define a second predetermined area that is substantially equal to a bisection of the first predetermined area. Each one of the pair of cover members is rotatably supported by a hinge element that is along one opposing edge of the tray body. The cover members each have an inner and outer edge, and each of the cover members is rotatably supported on the tray body by a coupling at the outer edges. When the cover members are in one of the multiple support positions or orientations, the inner edges rest on a support surface. The use of the pair of cover members enables the display case to rest on the support surface in one of three different orientations:

[0012] (1) An easel orientation support position where one of the cover members projects outward from the base side and the face surface of this one cover member rests on the planar support surface.

[0013] (2) A display orientation support position where one set of edges of both cover member rests on the planar support.

[0014] (3) A table orientation support position where another set of edges of both cover member rests on the planar support.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. This embodiment depicts the novel and non-obvious apparatus of this invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings includes the following figures (Figs.), with like numerals indicating like parts:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tool case of this invention with the cover member closed.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool case shown in FIG. 1 in an easel orientation.

[0018] FIG. 2A is a side view of the tool case shown in FIG. 1 in an easel orientation as shown in FIG. 2.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tool case in a display orientation.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool case shown in FIG. 1 in a table orientation.

[0021] FIG. 5 is perspective view of the base side of the tool case shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of base side of the tool case shown in FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of the tool case shown in FIG. 1 with the cover members decoupled from the tray body.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tool case shown in FIG. 1 with the cover members in a partially opened position.

[0025] FIG. 9 is an end view of the tool case shown in FIG. 1 showing the case standing on an end with a support insert coupled to the tool case.

[0026] FIG. 10 is perspective view of the base side of the tool case shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the support insert coupled to the tool case.

[0027] FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the base side of the tool case shown in FIG. 10 illustrating the support insert decoupled from the tool case.

[0028] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of the tool case of this invention having a hexagonal configuration.

[0029] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the hexagonal tool case shown in FIG. 12.

[0030] FIG. 14 is a exploded perspective view of the hexagonal tool case shown in FIG. 12 with the cover members decoupled from the main body.

[0031] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tool case of this invention having a cylindrical configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One Embodiment of This Invention

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8, a tool case 10 of this invention includes a tray body 20 used to store tools and a pair of rectangular shaped cover members 12 and 14. The tray body 20 has a rectangular shape defined by edges 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, a storage side 24, and a base side 22, which may also be referred to as the underside of the tool case 10. The tools are stored within recesses 11 in the storage side 24; these recesses typically have a shape like that of the individual tool stored therein.

[0033] The cover members 12, 14 cover the storage side 24 of the tool case 10 and each are coupled to the tray body 20 through a hinge 18. Typically, the hinge 18 connects an edge 12b, 14b of a cover member to an edge 28b, 28a of the tray, respectively. Typically, the cover members 12, 14 are approximately the same size, and cover the same amount of area of the storage side 24 of the tray 10. The cover members 12, 14 bisect the storage side 24 of the tray such that each cover covers approximately the same surface area of the storage side 24.

[0034] In one embodiment as best shown in FIG. 7, the one cover member 12 has an overlay portion 12a, while the other cover member 14 has an underlay portion 14a. The cover member 12 with the overlay portion 12a may be referred to as the overlay cover, and the cover member 14 with the underlay portion 14a may be referred to and the underlay cover. When closed, the overlay cover 12 is laid atop the underlay cover 14 such that the overlay portion 12a is atop the underlay portion 14a. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, a pair of latches 16 are used to hold the cover members 12 and 14 in position when these members closed. Typically, each latch 16 is attached at opposed sides of the overlay cover 12, and each latch 16 has flap 16a connected by a hinge segment 16b to the overlay cover 12a. Each latch 16 is manually coupled to the tray body 20 by moving a free end 16c of the flap 16a over lip portion 40 on a side of the tray body 20. The latch 16 is kept in place by frictional contact with the lip portion 40 of the tray 20. Thus, the overlay cover 12 restricts the movement of the underlay cover 14, when both are in a closed position and latched together. In one embodiment, a portion of the cover members 12, 14 is transparent, allowing a user to view the tools stored within the tray body 20. Preferably, the cover members are locked in a closed position prior to being sold. With the cover members 12, 14 closed as shown in FIG. 1, there are holes 60 and 61 (FIG. 7) at opposed outer edges in these cover members that are aligned with holes 62 in the tray body 20. A wire type lock member (not shown) extends through these aligned holes 60, 61 and 62 to lock the covers closed. This wire type lock member is severed after the case 10 has been purchased.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, in one embodiment, the hinges 18 for the cover members 12 and 14 are essentially the same. Each hinge 18 has three hinge elements 17a, 17b, 17c integral with, for example, the cover member 14, and three hinge elements 19a, 19b, 19c integral with the tray body 20. These six elements are connected together to form the hinge 18.

[0036] The hinge elements 19a, 19b and 19c are in alignment along a common axis X and spaced apart to separate these elements to create there between the spaces S1 and S2, which are each about the same length L1. Each of the hinge elements 19a and 19c have, respectively, at inside ends thereof receiver sockets 19d and 19e. The hinge element 19b has a hollow cylindrical configuration with a slot 19f in a side wall of the cylinder forming the hinge element 19b. This hinge element 19b has a length L2.

[0037] The two hinge elements 17a and 17c have a generally rectangular configuration. There is an outer hemispherical tip portion 17d extending from an outside end of the hinge element 17a, and an outer hemispherical tip portion 17e extending from an outside end of the hinge element 17c. Each hinge element 17a and 17c have the same width w and fit snugly within the spaces S1 and S2, respectively, but are free to rotate as will be explained subsequently in greater detail when connected with the hinge elements 19a through 19c. The hinge element 17b is a cylindrical rod extending between and integral with the inside ends of the hinge elements 17a and 17c. This hinge element 17b has a length L3 that is substantially the same as the length L2 of the hinge element 19b.

[0038] The hinge elements 17b and 19b are slightly flexible so that may be bent to facilitate connecting the other hinge element together to form the hinge 18. To connect the underlay cover 14 to the tray body 20 the rod hinge element 17b is bent outward and the opposed hemispherical tip portions 17d and 17e are inserted into the receiver sockets 19d and 19e, respectively. The rod hinge element 17b is straightened and inserted through the slot 19f in the hinge element 19b. When the underlay cover 14 rotates, the rod hinge element 17b rotates within the slotted hinge element 19b, and the hemispherical tip portions 17d and 17e rotate within the sockets 19d and 19e, respectively.

[0039] The case 10 may be orientated in three different support positions after the wire type lock member has been detached and the latches 16 have been opened. In accordance with this invention, each cover member 12, 14 is manually rotated through an arc of at least 270°. This enables the case 10 to be rested on a flat, substantially planar support surface 50 in anyone of the three different positions; an easel position shown in FIG. 2, a display position shown in FIG. 3, and a table position shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 2A shows the cover members 12, 14 rotated from a closed position as shown in FIG. 1, where the cover members 12, 14 cover the storage side 24 of the case 10, to a support position, where the cover members 12, 14 is completely opened and projects rearwardly from the base side 22 to form an angle A of 90° or less with the base side.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates one cover member, namely, the cover member 12, completely opened and rotated into the easel support position, such that the cover member 12 supports the tray body 20 so that it is positioned in an upright state. The cover member 12 has a face side 12e that faces the storage side 24 of the tray body 20 when closed, and faces and rests upon a planar support surface 50 when in the first support position, referred to herein as the easel support position. The tray body 20 is supported by the overlay cover member 12, such that a hinged edge E1 is parallel to the support surface 50. The underlay cover member 14 may also be used to support the tray body 20 by simply inverting the case 10 with the cover member 14 completely opened.

[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates the two cover members 12, 14 completely opened and both rotated into the display support position, such that an edge 14c, 12c (FIG. 1) of each cover member 12, 14 rests on the support surface 50. An edge 26a of the tray body 20 also rests on the support surface 50, and the tray body 20 is positioned in an upright position.

[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates the two cover members 12, 14 completely opened and both rotated into the table support position, such that opposing edges 12f, 14f of each cover member 12, 14 is in contact with the support surface 50, and the tray body 20 is positioned in an elevated, substantially horizontal position above the support surface.

[0043] FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a removable support insert 30 that may be used to support the tool case 10 for display without detaching the wire type lock member. Typically, the insert 30 is L-shaped having a pair of legs at substantially a right angle. It is also contemplated that the insert 30 may other shapes, such as, T-shaped. The insert 30 is coupled to the tray body 20 by inserting a leg into a slot 36 located on the tray body 20. Typically the slot 20 is located near one of the edges 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b of the tray body 20. The insert 30 is frictionally secure in the slot 36, and is removed by sliding the insert 30 outward. With the insert 30 inserted, the insert serves as a base that rests upon the support surface 50 to orient the case 10 upright as shown in FIG. 9.

Alternative Embodiments of This Invention

[0044] The general shape of the tool case may take many forms. A tool case having rectangular shaped cover members and main body has been discussed. The shape of the cover members and main body may take other shapes, such as, circular, oval, diamond and hexagonal. FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a tool case 70 having hexagonal cover members 72, 74, and a hexagonal main body 76. L-shaped inserts 30, 31 may be inserted into slots 77, 78. The inserts 30, 31 enable the tool case 70 to rest upright on a supporting surface. A pair of latches 16 may be used to secure the cover members 72, 74 in a closed position. FIG. 15 illustrates a tool 80 case that has the general shape of a cylinder. It also includes semi-circular cover members 80a and 80b attached by hinges 81 and 82 to a circular shaped main body 86. These two alternate embodiments function in substantially the same manner as illustrated in connection with the first embodiment, the tool case 10, to enable these cases to have:

[0045] (1) An easel orientation support position where one of the cover members projects outward from the base side and the face surface of this one cover member rests on the planar support surface.

[0046] (2) A display orientation support position where one set of edges of both cover member rests on the planar support.

[0047] (3) A table orientation support position where another set of edges of both cover member rests on the planar support.

Scope of the Invention

[0048] The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:

Claims

1. A portable display case that is capable of storing one or more tools, comprising: a tray body having a base side and a storage side adapted to hold said tool or tools; and at least one cover member rotatably supported on said tray body for manual movement through an arc that is equal to or greater than 270° to move the cover member from a closed position where said cover member substantially covers the storage side to a support position where the cover member and base side are at an angle of 90° or less.

2. The display case according to claim 1 where the tray body has a substantially rectangular configuration and the cover member has a transparent portion.

3. The display case according to claim 1 further comprising a latch member capable of coupling together the tray body and cover member such that the movement of said cover member is prevented.

4. The display case of claim 1 where the tray body has opposing edges that substantially define a first predetermined area of the support side, and the cover member comprises a pair of substantially rectangular equally sized covers, each one of said pair of covers having opposed edges that substantially define a second predetermined area that is substantially equal to a bisection of said first predetermined area, and each rotatably supported by a hinge element that is along one opposing edge of the tray body.

5. The display case according to claim 1 where said tray body has a plurality of recesses within, each having open mouths on the storage side, said open mouths having a shape substantially identical to the overall shape of an individual tool to be retained in said recess.

6. The display case according to claim 1 where said one cover member is rotatably supported by a hinge element that is along an edge of the tray body, said hinge element comprising: a cover hinge element integral with said cover member and a tray hinge element integral with said tray body, one hinge element having two insertable portions and a cylinder extending between the two insertable portions, and the other hinge element having two insert receivers and a slotted receiver disposed between the two insert receivers, where, when said cover member is hinged to the tray body, each of said insertable portions are inserted into an insert receiver, and said cylinder is inserted into said slotted receiver.

7. The display case according to claim 1 further comprising a removable insert, said insert comprising: an insert portion and a lever portion, where said insert portion is coupled to said tray body along an edge of said tray body by inserting said insert portion into a receiver located on said edge of said tray body and where said lever portion supports said tray body on a substantially planar support surface.

8. The display case according to claim 1 where the one cover member has a face surface that faces said storage side when in said closed position, and when in a support position, rests on a support surface.

9. The display case according to claim 1 where the one cover member has a first pair of opposed edges and a second pair of opposed edges, said cover member being rotatably supported on said tray body by a coupling at one of said first pair of opposed edges, and, when said cover member is in a support position, one of the second pair of opposed edges rests on a support surface.

10. The display case according to claim 1 where the cover member comprises a pair of covers, each cover having an inner and outer edge, where each of said covers are rotatably supported on said tray by a coupling at said outer edges, and, when said cover members are in a support position, said inner edges rest on a support surface.

11. A portable display case that is capable of storing one or more tools and is positionable into a multitude of orientations on a substantially planar support surface, comprising: a tray body having a base side, a storage side having a first predetermined area, and opposing outer edges that substantially define said first predetermined area, a plurality of recesses within said tray body, each recess having an open mouth on the storage side, each said open mouth having a shape substantially identical to the overall shape of an individual tool to be retained in said recess; and a pair of substantially equally sized cover members, each having a face surface and opposed edges that substantially define a second predetermined area that is substantially equal to a bisection of said first predetermined area, and each cover member rotatably supported by a hinge element, each hinge element being along one opposing edge of the tray body, and each cover member rotatable from a closed position where the cover member covers substantially half of the storage side and said face surface faces said storage side and a support position where the cover member projects outward from the base side to enable the display case to be supported in, one position where the face surface of the cover member rests on the planar support surface, and another position where an edge of the cover member rests on the planar support.

12. The portable display case of claim 11 where said cover members rotate through an arc that is equal to or greater than 270° to move the cover member from said closed position to said support position where said cover and base side are at an angle of 90° or less.

13. The display case according to claim 11 where the cover members have a transparent portion.

14. The display case according to claim 11 further comprising a latch member associated with each cover member capable of coupling cover members to the tray body such that the rotation of said cover member is prevented.

15. The display case according to claim 11 further comprising a removable insert, said insert comprising: an inserted portion and a lever portion, where said insert is coupled to said tray body along an edge of said tray body by inserting said inserted portion into a receiver located on said edge of said tray body and, where said lever portion supports said tray body on a substantially planar support surface.

16. The display case according to claim 11 where the tray body is substantially rectangular.

17. The display case according to claim 11 where the tray body is substantially hexagonal.

18. The display case according to claim 11 where the tray body is substantially cylindrical.

19. A portable display case that is capable of storing one or more tools and is positionable into an easel orientation on a substantially planar support surface, comprising: a tray body having a base side, a storage side having a first predetermined area, and opposing outer edges that substantially define said first predetermined area, a plurality of recesses within said tray body, each having open mouths on the storage side, said open mouths having a shape substantially identical to the overall shape of an individual tool to be retained in said recess; and a pair of substantially equally sized cover members, each having a face surface and opposed edges that substantially define a second predetermined area that is substantially equal to a bisection of said first predetermined area, and each cover member being rotatably supported by a hinge element that is along one opposing edge of the tray body and rotatable from a closed position where the cover member covers substantially half of the storage side and said face surface faces said storage side, a support position where the cover member projects outward from the base side forming an angle 90° or less with the base side to enable the display case to be supported, and where the face surface of the cover member rests on the planar support surface.

20. The display case according to claim 19 where the tray body is substantially rectangular.

21. The display case according to claim 19 where the tray body is substantially hexagonal.

22. The display case according to claim 19 where the tray body is substantially cylindrical.

23. A portable display case that is capable of storing one or more tools and is positionable into a display orientation on a substantially planar support surface, comprising: a tray body having a base side, a storage side having a first predetermined area, and opposing outer sides that substantially define said first predetermined area, a plurality of recesses within said tray body, each having open mouths on the storage side, said open mouths having a shape substantially identical to the overall shape of an individual tool to be retained in said recess; and a pair of equally sized cover members, each having a hinged edge, an edge opposing said hinged edge, and a pair of side edges, such that said edges substantially define a second predetermined area that is substantially equal to a bisection of said first predetermined area, and each cover member being rotatably supported by a hinge element that is along one opposing side of the tray body and along the hinged edge of said cover member, the cover member rotatable from a closed position where the cover member covers substantially half of the storage side and a support position where the cover member projects outward from the base side forming an angle 90° or less with the base side, and where the display case is supported in a position where a side edge of each cover member rests on the planar support surface.

24. The display case according to claim 23 where the tray body is substantially rectangular.

25. The display case according to claim 23 where the tray body is substantially hexagonal.

26. The display case according to claim 23 where the tray body is substantially cylindrical.

27. A portable display case that is capable of storing one or more tools and is positionable into a table orientation on a substantially planar support surface, comprising: a tray body having a base side, a storage side having a first predetermined area, and opposing outer edges that substantially define said first predetermined area, a plurality of recesses within said tray body, each having open mouths on the storage side, said open mouths having a shape substantially identical to the overall shape of an individual tool to be retained in said recess; and a pair of equally sized cover members, each having a hinged edge, an opposed hinged edge, and a pair of side edges, such that said edges substantially define a second predetermined area that is substantially equal to a bisection of said first predetermined area, and each cover member being rotatably supported by a hinge element that is along an outer edge of said tray and along each of said hinged edges of said cover members, said cover members being rotatable from a closed position where the cover members cover substantially half of the storage side, and a support position where the cover members project outward from the base side forming an angle 90° or less with the base side, and the tray body is supported in an elevated position above said support surface where each opposed hinged edge rests on said support surface.

28. The display case according to claim 27 where the tray body is substantially rectangular.

29. The display case according to claim 27 where the tray body is substantially hexagonal.

30. The display case according to claim 27 where the tray body is substantially cylindrical.