The present invention relates to a tool container, and, more particularly to a tool container which carries an alarm system.
Numerous tool container assemblies are known in the art. These tool container assemblies can be easily transported from one place to another, and store tools that are needed for accomplishing a task. However, theft of tools from the container assemblies is often a problem.
One aspect of the invention relates to a tool container and alarm system. The tool container and alarm system includes a tool container and an alarm system. The tool container includes a container and a cover. The container includes a storage space and defines an upwardly facing opening into the storage space. The cover is movable between a closed position wherein the cover substantially covers the upwardly facing opening and an open position wherein the upwardly facing opening is substantially exposed. The alarm system is generally carried by the container and includes an activated state and a deactivated state. The alarm system, when in the activated state, is capable of outputting an alarm indication in response to a condition of the tool container. The alarm system includes a detector, a controller, a signaling device, and a power supply. The detector is configured to detect the condition of the tool container. The controller is configured to receive an input signal from the detector based on the detected condition of the tool container. The signaling device is operatively connected to the controller and is configured to generate the alarm indication in response to receiving an output signal from the controller. The output signal from the controller is generated in response to the input signal from the detector. The power supply is configured for powering the detector and the signaling device.
These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
In one embodiment, the container 16 of the tool container 12 includes a pair of side walls 32 and 34, a front wall 36, and a rear wall 38, and a bottom wall 40. The front wall 36, the rear wall 38 and the opposed side walls 32 and 34 are constructed and arranged to generally extend vertically upwardly from the bottom wall 40. The front wall 36 and the rear wall 38 are joined to each other by the opposed side walls 32 and 34 to form the aforementioned storage space 20 therewithin with the upwardly facing opening 22 in the container 16. In one embodiment, the base container 16 is formed from a suitable molded plastic material.
The cover 18 generally includes a top wall 100, a front wall 102, a rear wall 104, and opposed side walls 106 and 108. The front wall 102, the rear wall 104 and the opposed side walls 106 and 108 are constructed and arranged to generally extend vertically downwardly from the top wall 100 (when the tool container 12 is resting on the ground as shown in
In one embodiment, the tool container 12 includes an extendable handle 42 and rollers 300 (as shown in
The extendable handle 42 is operatively connected to the container 16 to facilitate tilted rolling transport of the tool container and alarm system 10. The container 16 includes a pair of handle receiving portions formed near a top edge 48 along the opposing side walls 32 and 34. The handle receiving portions are constructed and arranged to receive the handle 42 therewithin, when the handle 42 is in a retracted position. In one embodiment, the handle receiving portions are hollow structures that are configured to telescopically receive legs of the handle 42 to enable extension and retraction respectively. As shown in
The rollers 300 are connected with the container 16 to enable transport of the tool container 12. In one embodiment, the rollers 300 may be in the form of wheels and may facilitate rolling transport of the tool container 12. In one embodiment, the rollers 300 are mounted in a recess 44 formed in the base container 12 so that the tool container 12 may be tilted and pulled or pushed along a horizontal surface (e.g., ground surface) by the user holding the handle 42. The rollers 300, in one embodiment, may optionally be locked against rolling motion by roller lock members that are operatively connected to the rollers 300 to provide a stationary configuration. Preferably the each wheel is a molded structure reinforced by a plurality of wheel ribs (not shown) and each wheel is mounted on an end of an elongated axle by two hubs or other appropriate structure. The axle may be an elongated cylindrical steel shaft that is snap fit into rotational engagement with a receiving structure of the container 16. Alternatively, the axle can be mounted to the tool container 12 through a pair of axially aligned through-holes formed in the rear wall 38 of the container 16.
In one embodiment, the tool container 12 may include a carrying handle 302. The carrying handle 302 is constructed and arranged to be attached to a top surface 304 of the cover 18 as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
Referring now to
As noted above, the detector 24 of the alarm system 14 is configured to detect the condition of the tool container 12. In one embodiment, the detector 24 is a motion detector. In another embodiment, the detector 24 is a switch or an opening detector that detects an opening of the cover 18. In yet another embodiment, the detector 24 includes two or more detectors. In such embodiment, the at least two detectors can include both a motion detector and a switch or an opening detector that detects an opening of the cover 18.
The motion detector (if provided) is configured to detect a movement of the tool container 12. The motion detector may include a tilt detector and/or an acceleration detector. When the alarm system 14 is in the activated state, and an acceleration detector is used, the acceleration detector is configured to detect the acceleration of the tool container 12 and, thus, detect the movement of the tool container 12. In one embodiment, for example, the acceleration of the tool container 12 is detected in three different axes (e.g., X, Y and Z axes) using one or more acceleration sensors. However, only a single axis (or degree of freedom) of detection can be used.
When a tilt detector or sensor is used, and when the alarm system 14 is in the activated state, the tilt detector is configured to detect an inclination or a tilt (e.g., angle) of the tool container 12 and, thus, detect the movement of the tool container 12.
The switch or opening detector, if used, is configured to detect an opening of the cover 18. The opening detector may include a light detector. The switch may include an electromechanical switch (e.g., microswitch), or a magnetic switch.
When the alarm system 14 is in the activated state, and the switch detector is used, the electromechanical switch (e.g., microswitch), the magnetic switch, or proximity detector can be configured to provide an input signal to the controller 26. The input signal is provided to the controller 26 when the switch is activated representing the opening or movement of the cover 18. In such arrangement, some interengagement (e.g., mechanical, electric, magnetic, etc.) between the container 16 and the cover 18 is disengaged, and the detector 24 outputs a signal that is received as the input signal to the controller 26. For example, when closed, the cover 18 may engage a contact portion of the detector 24, and the opening in the cover 18 will disengage the contact to trigger the detector 24, or the detector 24 may magnetically detect the proximity of the cover 18 when the cover 18 is closed and generate a signal when open. In another embodiment, the mechanical contact or magnet elements are positioned such that when the cover 18 reaches a predetermined angle (i.e., the cover 18 is open to a predetermined extent), the mechanical contact or proximity detector is actuated, and the detector 24 then generates the signal. Numerous other arrangements can alternatively be provided.
In one embodiment, a light detector is used to provide the input signal to the controller 26 when the light detector is activated (e.g., when being exposed to ambient light) representing the opening or movement of the cover 18. In such embodiment, a photo-sensor operates as a detector and detects the ambient light entering the tool container 12, when the cover 18 of the tool container 12 is opened, and provides the input signal to the controller 26.
As noted above, the controller 26 is configured to receive the input signal from the detector 24 based on the detected condition of the tool container 12. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the alarm indication of the signaling device 28 is the audio alarm indication that is generated by the speaker 112. Just for example, the signaling device 28 may be a siren with five volts buzzer. The audio alarm indication may include, but not limited, to a tone, a buzz, a beep, a sound (e.g., a horn or a chime), and/or a prerecorded voice message. In one embodiment, the audio alarm indication may include tones with changing frequency or volume. In another embodiment, the audio alarm indication may include customer configurable tones and alarms.
In one embodiment, the alarm indication of the signaling device 28 is a visual alarm indication that is generated by one or more lights 114. In one embodiment, for example, in the case of a plurality of different color lights, each of the plurality of lights emits different visual alarm indications (e.g., different color alarms) corresponding to the different conditions of the tool container 12. In one embodiment, the lights may include lamps, light emitting diodes and/or liquid crystal displays. In another embodiment, the visual alarm indication may be generated by, for example, continuous, flashing or strobe lights.
As noted above, the power supply 30 is configured for powering the detector 24 and the signaling device 28. The power supply 30 can be located, for example, in the aforementioned storage space 20 of the tool container 12. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the lock 54 of the tool container 12 can be operatively connected to the controller 26. In such embodiment, the lock 54 is constructed and arranged to lock the cover 18 in the closed position (as shown in
In one embodiment, the signaling device 28 and/or the detector 24 is deactivated by the controller 26 when the lock 54 is moved to the unlocked condition. The lock 54 can be controlled by the controller 26.
The tool container and alarm system 10 may include a plurality of operating modes. In one embodiment, a user selects one of the plurality of operating modes of the tool container and alarm system 10 via an user interface panel 118 (as shown in
The idle mode is an initial or a default operating mode of the tool container and alarm system 10. The idle mode is referred to as an operating mode in which the alarm system 14 is in the deactivated state, and the lock 54 of the tool container 12 is in the unlocked condition. Optionally, the deactivated state may exist only when the lock 54 is unlocked. In another embodiment, the alarm system 14 may optionally be deactivated (e.g., by entry of a passcode or otherwise) whether the lock 54 is locked or unlocked.
The theft mode is referred to as an operating mode in which the alarm system 14 is in activated state, and the condition of the tool container 12 includes detecting the movement of the tool container 12. In one embodiment, in the theft mode, the lock 54 of the tool container 12 is in an unlocked condition. In another embodiment, the alarm system 14 may optionally be activated (e.g., by entry of a passcode or otherwise) whether the lock 54 is locked or unlocked. In one embodiment, for example, when the tool container 12 is in the theft mode and is moved around at all, or optionally for at least a certain amount of time, the signaling device 28 generates the alarm indication in response to the input signal from the motion detector.
The lock mode is referred to as an operating mode in which the alarm system 14 is in an activated state, and the condition of the tool container 12 includes detecting the movement of the cover 18 away from the closed position. In the lock mode, the lock 54 of the tool container 12 is in a locked condition. In one embodiment, for example, when the tool container 12 is in the lock mode and the cover 18 of the tool container 24 is forced opened from the closed position, the signaling device 28 generates the alarm indication in response to the input signal from the switch or the opening detector that detects the opening or the movement of the cover 18.
The prime mode is referred to as an operating mode in which the alarm system 14 is in an activated state, and the condition of the tool container 12 includes detecting the movement of the cover 18 away from the closed position and/or detecting the movement of the tool container 12. In the prime mode, the lock 54 of the tool container 12 is in the locked condition. In another embodiment, the alarm system 14 may optionally be activated (e.g., by entry of a passcode or PIN code or otherwise) whether the lock 54 is locked or unlocked. In one embodiment, for example, when the tool container 12 is in the prime mode, and the cover 18 of the tool container 12 is forced opened and/or the tool container 12 is moved around at all, or optionally for at least the certain amount of time, the signaling device 28 generates the alarm indication in response to the input signal from the switch or opening detector that detects the opening of the cover 18 and/or the input signal from the motion detector 24.
In one embodiment, the tool container and alarm system 10 may be moved to the idle operating mode (i.e., the alarm system 14 is in the deactivated state) either using the user interface panel 118 or the wireless device 116.
In one embodiment, as shown in
The user interface panel 118 comprises a plurality of user-activated keys 128 configured to select the operating modes of the tool container and alarm system 10 (e.g., the condition of the tool container 12). In one embodiment, the plurality of user-activated keys 128 may include a user-activated key 130 for the prime mode and a user-activated key 132 for the theft mode. In one embodiment, the plurality of user-activated keys 128 may further include a plurality of numeric user-activated keys 134 that may be actuated to select the lock mode. In one embodiment, the keys may be set or coded to work with a certain combination of inputs (a PIN code) to set the mode of operation or to change the state between the activated and deactivated states, or to change modes. The passcode or combination code may optionally be changeable by the user.
In one embodiment, as noted above, the initial or default mode is the idle mode. The user may actuate the user-activated keys 128 to select other operating modes, for example, the theft mode, the prime mode, and the lock mode. In one embodiment, when the user actuates the user-activated key 130 for the prime mode, the first illuminator 122 (e.g., red LED) and the second illuminator 124 (e.g., yellow LED) illuminate for a certain amount of time to indicate that the primed mode is selected. In one embodiment, the certain amount of time is two seconds. In one embodiment, when the user actuates the user-activated key 132 for the theft mode, the first illuminator 122 (e.g., red LED) illuminates for a certain amount of time to indicate that the theft mode is selected. In one embodiment, the user actuates the numeric user-activated key 134 to move the lock to a locked position and to select the lock mode. In one embodiment, when the user actuates the numeric user-activated key 134, the second illuminator 124 (e.g., yellow LED) illuminates for a certain amount of time to indicate that the lock mode is selected.
In one embodiment, in order to return to the idle mode (e.g., from any of the other operating modes, that is the theft mode, the prime mode, and the lock mode), the user first actuates either the user-activated key 132 (e.g., for the theft mode) or the user-activated key 130 (e.g., for the prime mode), and the user then enters a PIN code using the plurality of numeric user-activated keys 134. The controller 26 verifies the entered PIN code. When the correct PIN code is entered, the lock is moved into the unlocked position, the tool container and alarm system 10 is returned to the idle mode in which the alarm is in the deactivated state. In one embodiment, when the user enters the correct PIN code, the third illuminator 126 (e.g., green LED) illuminates for a certain amount of time to indicate that the tool container and alarm system 10 has returned to the idle mode. When an incorrect PIN code is entered, the first illuminator 122 (e.g., red LED) illuminates for a certain amount of time to indicate that an invalid PIN code was entered. In one embodiment, when the incorrect PIN code is entered for a predetermined number of consecutive times, an alarm indication (audio or video) will be presented.
Alternatively, in one embodiment, presenting a valid RFID tag or transponder, or actuating a user-actuated key on the hand-held remote transmitter 116 returns the tool container and alarm system 10 to the idle mode (i.e., the alarm system 14 is in the deactivated state).
In one embodiment, the tool container and alarm system 10 includes the wireless device 116 operatively communicated with the controller 26 and configured to generate signals to change the alarm system 14 between the activated state and the deactivated state, and/or to change the mode of operation. The controller 26 includes the receiver 110 (such as an RF or IF receiver) wirelessly communicated with the wireless device 116. The receiver 110 is configured to receive the signals from the wireless device 116. In one embodiment, the wireless device 116 is a radio-frequency identification tag or transponder. In such embodiment, the radio-frequency identification tag or transponder may include an EM4102 ASK 125 Khz compatible card. In another embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, the wireless device 116 may include all of the same inputs as the interface panel 118 to enable full remote control of the device 10.
In illustrated embodiment, the hand-held remote transmitter includes user-actuated keys for locking and unlocking the cover 18 of the tool container 12, as well as activating and deactivating the alarm system 14. In another embodiment, the hand-held remote transmitter may include the same user-actuated keys (e.g., described with respect to
In one embodiment, a method 200 for operating the alarm system 14 is performed by the controller 26. The method 200 is shown in
After changing the alarm system 14 to the activated state (e.g., at procedure 206), the method 200 proceeds to procedure 208 in which the controller 26 determines whether the cover 18 is closed. If the controller 26 determines that the cover 18 is closed, the controller 26 proceeds to procedure 210 in which the alarm system 14 remains in the activated state. The method 200 will remain at step 210 until either an RFID is presented or some other condition is met (e.g., the cover is open). If an RFID tag is presented to the tool container, then at procedure 214 the controller 26 will recognize the RFID tag and the controller 26 proceeds to procedure 216 in which the alarm system 14 is changed to the deactivated state. If the controller 26 determines at procedure 214 that the cover 18 has been open but the RFID tag has not been presented, the controller 26 proceeds to procedure 218 in which the alarm system 14 is in the activated state and the configured to generate the alarm signal (e.g., audio or visual indication) in response to the condition of the tool container 12. The alarm will continue at procedure 218 until the RFID tag is presented at procedure 222.
If, at procedure 208, the controller 26 determines the cover 18 is not closed, the method 200 proceeds to procedure 212, where a preliminary audio and/or video indication is presented for at least a certain amount of time. Such audio and/or video indication is configured to provide a prompt to the user to close the cover 18. The method 200 then proceeds to procedure 220 in which the controller 26 determines whether the cover 18 is closed. If the controller 26 determines that the cover 18 is closed, the controller 26 proceeds to procedure 210 in which the alarm system 14 remains in the activated state as described above. If the controller 26 determines the cover 18 is not closed within a certain amount of time, the method 200 proceeds to procedure 218 which the alarm system 14 is in the activated state and the configured to generate the alarm signal (e.g., audio or visual indication) in response to the condition of the tool container 12. In one embodiment, the alarm indication at procedure 218 is different than that at procedure 212 (e.g., it can be a higher volume (louder) audio output).
After generating the alarm signal (e.g., audio or visual indication) in response to the condition of the tool container 12 at procedure 218, the method 200 proceeds to procedure 222. At procedure 222, the controller 26 determines whether a RFID is presented. If the controller 26 determines that the RFID is presented, the controller 26 proceeds to procedure 216 in which the alarm system 14 is changed to the deactivated state. If the controller 26 determines that the RFID is not presented, the controller 26 returns to procedure 218, and the alarm continues its output.
The method 200 presents operational procedures performed by the controller 26 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It is contemplated that controller 26 of the alarm system 14 is configured to perform different operational procedures to control the alarm system 14 than those described in the above embodiment.
In the above embodiment (as illustrated in
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
This application claims priority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/087,061, entitled “Tool Container With An Alarm System”, filed on Aug. 7, 2008. The content of that application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61087061 | Aug 2008 | US |