TOOL TOTE

Abstract

A tote for carrying items such as tools includes a center panel around which a bucket-type receptacle is located. Outer walls of the receptacle are integral with a bottom, which are integral with center panel walls that are attached to the center panel. The outer walls define an open top. The center panel extends to the open top and terminates in an ergonomic handle. A tool tote defined by a receptacle includes a bottom and an outer wall extending from the bottom. A center panel that extends through the bottom, divides the receptacle into two compartments, and terminates in a handle proximate the open top. A footing on the center portion prevents the panel from being pulled through the receptacle. An open-topped tool tote has an open top, a center panel that divides the tote in a longitudinal direction, and a handle at the upper edge of the center panel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to devices for containing tools and, more particularly, to a tote for transporting and storing tools.

BACKGROUND

In many industries, hand tools of various shapes and sizes are used to perform various tasks. These industries include building and road construction, manufacturing, and maintenance such as those relating to the servicing of the operating systems of buildings (e.g., HVAC systems, plumbing, and the like), heavy equipment (e.g., construction vehicles, railroad vehicles, and the like), aircraft, and industrial infrastructure (e.g., sewer systems, pipelines, refinery equipment, mining equipment, and the like). Oftentimes the tools used in these industries are larger and more cumbersome than other conventionally used hand tools. Storing, organizing, and transporting these tools in an efficient and timely fashion can allow for a user's unencumbered access to the tools when needed, thereby facilitating the efficiency of processes of performing service tasks. Accordingly, devices in which tools are stored and carried can be deemed to be as important as the functions of the tools themselves.

Because of the variations in size, weight, and shape of tools, the design and configuration of a tool carrying device should be carefully considered. When the tools for a particular industry are larger than conventional hand tools, they sometimes do not fit practically in most bag and box storage devices currently on the market. Also due to the larger sizes, weights, and natures of these tools, the material generally used for these bags, boxes, and sometimes buckets does not lend itself to the practical storage of the tools.

Typical storage devices include five gallon polymer buckets, such as those that are left over from dry wall joint compound. Especially with regard to masonry applications, these buckets become free impromptu tool storage containers for the more macro-sized hand tools such as lump hammers, large pipe wrenches, levering bars, stone and brick chisels, trowels, and accessories such as short sections of rebar to be driven into the ground to stake out footings. Such tools and accessories are sometimes covered with dirt, concrete, or residual mortar and usually not cleaned after each use. This combination of unwanted debris and the sizes and weights of the tools would destroy a conventional tool bag or box, and therefore the ubiquitous five gallon bucket has become an inexpensive choice for carrying tools in the field and on the jobsite.

An analysis of the performance of the five gallon bucket in organizing, carrying, and accommodating macro-sized tools reveals that the bucket is a handy but less than efficient device to accommodate the demands of these kinds of tools in real life day-to-day work routines, which are often encountered under extreme conditions or harsh environments. For example, the shape of a typical five gallon bucket is cylindrical and typically has a slight taper from the bottom up. While this is usually beneficial for dumping liquids, it generally undesirably allows for tipping and dumping when the bucket is loaded with long-handled tools. Furthermore, when the previous contents of the bucket were joint compound or the like, a hard and/or slick surface is left behind, which also adds weight (often non-uniformly) to the sides of the bucket, thereby contributing to tipping and spills. Also, tools deposited in the bucket can slide around and become entangled with each other as the bucket is moved or transported.

The handle of a typical five gallon bucket is usually small diameter steel wire that attaches to the bucket via small holes in the rim and swings down on either side when not in use. This requires an unnecessary step of groping retrieval each time the bucket needs to be lifted. A grip is usually molded around the wire handle, this grip being the same hard polymer material from which the bucket is fabricated. The grip does not have sufficient diameter to form an ergonomic (or even comfortable) grip by which to move the bucket when loaded with tools, therefore making for a sometimes painful, awkward lift when the bucket is heavily weighted with tools and accessories.

The inside of the bucket is open without any partitions or panels for tool handles to rest against therefore also causing tools to inadvertently slide around and making tools difficult to access and remove. Tool entanglements sometimes occur resulting in more tools being lifted out of the bucket at one time than was intended. The result is lost efficiency and aggravation.

The present invention takes into consideration the shortcomings of the use of the five gallon bucket for storing and carrying macro-sized hand tools and provides a better alternative and solutions to the problems described above.

Through a combination of design and specific material selection, the present invention would provide a more effective carrying platform for these types of tools and would benefit those that use these types of tools to perform various tasks.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention resides in a tote for carrying items such as tools or the like. This tote includes a center panel around which a bucket-type receptacle is located. Outer walls of the receptacle may be integral with a bottom, which may in turn be integral with center panel walls that are attached to the center panel. The outer walls define an open top. The center panel extends to or through the open top and terminates in an ergonomic handle. The material of the receptacle may be rubber or some other elastomer.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in a tool tote substantially defined by a receptacle. The receptacle includes a bottom and an outer wall extending from the bottom. A center portion includes a panel that extends through the bottom, divides the receptacle into two compartments, and terminates in a handle proximate the open top. A footing on the center portion prevents the panel from being pulled through the receptacle.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in an open-topped tool tote. This tool tote has an open top, a center panel that divides the tote in a longitudinal direction, and a handle at the upper edge of the center panel.

In any of the above-described aspects of the present invention, at least some of the inner surfaces of the totes are coated with rubber or a rubber-like material or include rubber or a rubber material. The grip portions of the handles (which are preferably ergonomic in design) also include rubber or rubber materials. Thus, tough, durable characteristics are combined with the benefit of functional ergonomic design to improve on the shortcomings of tool-carrying devices of the prior art, particularly the five gallon bucket. The rubber or rubber material used is flexible as well as durable and exhibits a considerable degree of functionality over other materials (e.g., fabric, plastic, and steel) used for tool-carrying devices. The material stands up to wear that results from dropping and removing heavier tools that are covered with dirt, cement, or oil. Not being as hard and slick as the polymer surfaces of the typical five gallon bucket, the material helps to prevent tools in the tote from sliding and entangling with other tools. Also, when the material is deposited on the outside of the tote, tipping and dumping of the tote contents is reduced, particularly due to a more “grippy” bottom. Additionally, in totes having rectangular shapes with rounded corners, even more stability is provided. This is especially useful during transportation, for example, when the tote is loaded with tools and placed unsecured in the back of a truck or wagon.

Through a combination of the ergonomic design of the handle and the versatile characteristics of the durable rubber material, the present invention makes for a better tool-carrying device with regard to macro-sized tools than tool-carrying devices of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool tote, of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the tool tote.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the tool tote.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the bottom of the tool tote.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the tool tote.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the tool tote.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, a tool tote of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and is hereinafter referred to as “tote 10.” Tote 10 is a receptacle having a bottom 12, at least one outside surface that defines an outer wall 14 that extends substantially perpendicularly from a peripheral edge of the bottom and defines an open top 16, a center panel 20 extending substantially perpendicularly from the inside surface of the bottom, and a handle 22. An upper end of the center panel 20 terminates in the handle 22, which is positioned near or at the open top 16 a suitable distance above the top edges of the outer wall 14 to allow the tote 10 to be carried comfortably. Although the tote 10 is especially adapted for the carrying of tools, the present invention is not limited in this regard and other devices, articles, and/or materials may be transported using the tote.

As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the center panel 20 extends the substantial length of the tote 10. Horizontally-opposed edges of the center panel 20 may be displaced from (as shown), contiguous with, or attached to inner surfaces of the outer walls 14.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the lower end of the center panel 20 includes a footing 26 that forms a portion of the bottom 12. The center panel 20 itself is lined on each side with center panel walls 30. These center panel walls 30 are contiguous with the bottom 12 and the outer wall(s) 14. A draft angle 32 is provided by the center panel walls 30 on each side of the center panel 20. As used herein, the draft angle 32 refers to the amount of incline relative to a vertical plane taken through the tote 10. This vertical plane taken through the center of the tote 10 is coincident with the center panel 20. The draft angles 32 on each side of the center panel 20 are typically between about 1 degree to about 2 degrees. The present invention is not limited in this regard, however, as the draft angle may be less than 1 degree or more than 2 degrees. In some embodiments, the draft angle 32 may be zero degrees (i.e., the center panel walls 30 may be parallel to the center panel 20).

Furthermore, a draft angle 34 (still relative to a vertical plane taken through the tote 10) of the inner surface of each outer wall 14 is about 3 degrees. The present invention is also not limited in this regard, as the draft angles of the inner surfaces of each outer wall 14 may be less than about 3 degrees (including zero degrees) or greater than about 3 degrees. For example, the draft angles 34 of the inner surfaces of each outer wall 14 may be about 1 degree to about 5 degrees.

The center panel walls 30 are attached to the center panel 20 using rivets 36. The attachment means is not limited to the use of rivets 36, however, as other fasteners may be used. Such fasteners include, but are not limited to, bolts, screws, stitching, adhesives, welds, and the like.

As is shown in FIG. 3, the positioning of the center panel 20 (and the center panel walls 30) generally divides the space inside the tote 10 into two longitudinally-positioned compartments of equal volume. Several additional ancillary panels 38 extend from the sides of the center panel walls 30 to divide each longitudinally-positioned compartment into smaller compartments for the segregation of tools, which assists in organizing and supporting the tools in vertical positions, thereby aiding in identifying and accessing the tools. The edges of these ancillary panels 38 are suitably attached to the inside surfaces of the tote 10 as needed to provide structural integrity to the walls that define the smaller compartments. Although three larger compartments are illustrated on one side of the center panel 20 and four smaller compartments are illustrated on the other side of the center panel, the present invention is not limited in this regard as the longitudinally-positioned compartments may be divided into any number of smaller compartments. Additionally, one or both of the longitudinally-positioned compartments may not be divided into smaller compartments, thereby providing a greater amount of unobstructed space along one or both sides of the center panel 20.

Referring back to both FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle 22 is located at the midpoint of the upper edge of the center panel 20. Thus, the handle 22 is centered over the open top 16 relative to the length and width of the tote 10, thereby providing substantially symmetrical balance to the tote when the tote is carried by the handle and when tools or the like are substantially evenly distributed (weight-wise) in the tote.

As is shown in FIG. 4, the bottom 12 is formed around the footing 26 of the center panel 20. The bottom 12, as well as the center panel walls 30 and the outer walls 14, may be one continuous member through which the center panel 20 is inserted and the center panel walls attached. The bottom 12 and the footing 26 may be attached using any suitable means, for example, adhesives, welding, or the like, to provide structural integrity and rigidity to the tote 10. In the alternative, in some embodiments the bottom 12 and the footing 26 may not be attached so that the footing “floats” relative to the bottom, which thereby provides a certain degree of flexibility to the tote 10. In any embodiment, the bottom 12 (particularly along the edges thereof) includes channels, grooves, dimples, scoops, reliefs, or some other form of texturing (shown at 40) to provide a non-skid attribute to the tote 10.

One exemplary material having suitable functional characteristics from which the bottom 12, the center panel walls 30, and the outer walls 14 may be formed is rubber. The present invention is not limited to the bottom 12, the center panel walls 30, and the outer walls 14 being formed of rubber, however, as these surfaces may be coated with a rubber or rubber-like compound. There are various rubber compounds on the market, and one category currently used is a form of “recycled” rubber compound. This recycled rubber compound is residual rubber left over from tire manufacturing and is capable of being reconfigured into shapes for use in the tote 10. This recycled rubber compound also has the characteristics of being tough, durable, flexible, and substantially unaffected by temperature changes and exposure to ultraviolet radiation, thereby making the compound usable in devices for use in extreme environments.

The center panel 20 including the footing 26 and the handle 22, on the other hand, may be fabricated from a material such as a thermosetting polymer or the like.

As is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the handle 22 is defined by the upper edge of the center panel 20 and is integral therewith. This handle 22 is configured to include a grip 44 that is centered over the tote 10 to facilitate dispersing a load in the tote 10 when the tote is carried by a user. The grip 44 is defined in part by an aperture 46 formed, molded, or otherwise disposed in the handle 22 by which the user can grasp and carry the tote 10. The portions of the grip 44 around the aperture 46 are ergonomically designed to provide for easier and comfortable carrying of the tote 10. Various configurations may be used to employ the ergonomic designs of the grip 44. Such configurations include, but are not limited to, over-molding a rubber or other soft material to the center panel 20 in the proximity of the aperture 46 (such material being deposited to have a width W and length L suitable for comfortable carrying), configuring the grip 44 to have indentations or grooves to accommodate the fingers of the user when the tote 10 is carried, and the like.

Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for containing tools, said device comprising: a receptacle, comprising, a bottom, andat least one outer wall extending from a peripheral edge of said bottom to define an interior volume of said receptacle bounded by said bottom and said at least one outer wall and having an open top;a center panel extending from said bottom and through an interior portion of said receptacle to substantially bisect said interior volume of said receptacle into two compartments; anda handle located at a top edge of said center panel and extending longitudinally along a length of said receptacle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one side panel extends from said center panel to divide one or more of the bisections of said interior volume of said receptacle into separate compartments.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said at least one side panel is attached to an inner surface of said at least one outer wall.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a center panel wall disposed on each side of said center panel, wherein each of said center panel walls is integral with said bottom.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein each of said center panel walls is attached to said center panel using rivets.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein each of said center panel walls includes a draft angle of between about 1 degree and about 2 degrees.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle includes a grip centered over said open top.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said grip is defined by an aperture extending through said handle and is ergonomic.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of said outer wall includes a draft angle of between about 1 degree to about 5 degrees.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the surfaces defining said interior volume of said receptacle is rubber.

11. A tool tote, comprising: a receptacle, comprising, a bottom having an opening therein, andat least one outer wall extending from a peripheral edge of said bottom to define an interior volume of said receptacle bounded by said bottom and said at least one outer wall and having an open top;a center portion defined by a footing and a panel extending from an edge thereof, said panel being inserted through said opening in said bottom such that said footing is positioned on an outer surface of said bottom and said panel extends through an interior portion of said receptacle to substantially bisect said interior volume of said receptacle into two compartments; anda handle located at a top edge of said center panel and extending longitudinally along a length of said receptacle.

12. The tool tote of claim 11, wherein at least one ancillary panel extends from said panel to divide at least one of said two compartments.

13. The tool tote of claim 11, further comprising a center panel wall disposed on each side of said panel of said center portion, wherein each of said center panel walls is integral with said bottom.

14. The tool tote of claim 11, wherein said handle includes an ergonomic grip attached thereto.

15. The tool tote of claim 14, wherein said ergonomic grip is defined by an aperture located in said center portion and includes a material disposed at the periphery of said aperture on at least one side of said center portion.

16. The tool tote of claim 11, wherein a surface of said interior volume of said receptacle is a rubber material.

17. The tool tote of claim 11, wherein said center portion is a thermosetting polymer.

18. An open-topped tool tote, comprising: a receptacle having an open top;a center panel dividing said receptacle in a longitudinal direction;a handle mounted at an upper edge of said center panel and proximate said open top;wherein an inner surface of said receptacle includes a rubber material deposited thereon.

19. The open-topped tool tote of claim 18, wherein a bottom surface of said receptacle is substantially rectangular in shape and includes rounded corners.

20. The open-topped tool tote of claim 18, wherein a bottom surface of said receptacle includes texturing on an outside surface thereof to provide a non-skid attribute to said tote.

21. The open-topped tool tote of claim 18, wherein said handle includes an ergonomic grip.

22. The open-topped tool tote of claim 18, wherein an inner surface of said receptacle is rubber.

23. The open-topped tool tote of claim 18, wherein an outer surface of a bottom of said receptacle is rubber.

24. The open-topped tool tote of claim 18, wherein said center panel is inserted through a bottom surface of said receptacle.

25. The open-topped tool tote of claim 24, further comprising walls attached to said center panel, said walls being integral with said inner surface of said receptacle.