GB2476662A - Tool box with support for bench - Google Patents

Abstract

A box 1 suitable for carrying tools comprises a base 2 including a receptacle for receiving at least one tool, a rigid support 3 extending vertically upwards from the base in use, and a beam 5 connected to the support such that it is held vertically higher than the base. The beam is rigid and adapted to support a work bench. A second support 4 may also be provided, and the first and second supports may be connected at opposite sides of the base. The beam preferably extends between the supports. The bench may comprise an upper working surface and an under-surface, wherein the under-surface comprises means for cooperating with the beam, preferably in the form of a rail 10 having a recess for receiving the beam. Also disclosed is a box that is suitable for carrying tools comprising an elongate handle. When the box is in an upright position it has a vertical axis, and the axis is the handle is non-coincident with the vertical axis. The box comprises a base including a receptacle for receiving at least one tool and a rigid support extending upward from the base, wherein the handle is connected to the support.

Description

Toolbox and Bench This invention relates to a box suitable for carrying tools, a bench and a kit of parts.

Toolboxes are well-known for both professional and amateur use. Typical toolboxes comprise a simple box which may be used to retain a variety of tools for e.g. woodworking or DIY use. Such boxes are usually rigid to provide protection for the tools housed inside, which may be valuable and breakable. Especially in professional use such toolboxes may be large, as many tools, often bulky, may be needed. Large toolboxes can take up useful space, for example in vans or storage areas or the like.

Often, a work bench will also be stored or transported with the toolbox. As is well known, work benches typically comprise a substantially planar working surface mounted on at least one support. The arrangement may be relatively complex, so that the support can hold the working surface at a variety of heights and in a variety of configurations. Again, such work benches may take up much useful space, due to the need for the or each support. On the other hand, many people make do with a much simpler bench, which may basically comprise any reasonably flat surface such as a plank of wood. Even so, some form of support is necessary to enable the surface to be held at a suitable working height.

It can be seen that the combination of one or more toolboxes, work bench and support can lead to much space being used, even though such space may be at a premium. There is a further problem that supports for work benches may also require time to set up to a suitable height. Especially in a professional context this time may be valuable.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome these problems. This aim is achieved by providing a toolbox which can act as the support for a work bench. In addition, the present invention also provides a toolbox which may be easily and comfortably carried close to the body of the carrier.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a box suitable for carrying tools, comprising: a base including a receptacle for receiving at least one tool, a rigid support connected to said base and extending substantially vertically upwards therefrom in use, and a beam connected to the support such that it is held by the support at a position vertically higher than the base in use, the beam being rigid and adapted to support a In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a bench specifically adapted for co-operation with a box according to the first aspect.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a bench comprising a substantially planar body having an upper working surface and an under-surface, wherein the under-surface of the bench comprises means for co-operating with the beam of a box according to the first aspect.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising first and second boxes, each box according to the first aspect and a work bench according to the second or third aspects.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a box suitable for carrying tools comprising an elongate handle, wherein when the box is is a substantially upright position it has a substantially vertical axis, and the axis of the handle is non-coincident with said vertical axis.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows a box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 schematically shows a planar view of the underside of a work bench in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 schematically shows a section of an assembled work bench in accordance with the present invention.

A first embodiment of the invention is schematically shown in Fig. 1. Here, a toolbox 1 is shown having a base 2 with a substantially flat underside for resting on a substantially horizontal surface such as the ground. When in this upright position, the box has a substantially vertical axis 7. In the embodiment shown, the vertical axis 7 is, ignoring eccentrically-positioned handle 6, an axis of symmetry of the box.

The base 2 includes a receptacle for receiving at least one tool in use. Connected to opposing sides of the base 2 and extending substantially vertically upwards therefrom are first and second rigid supports 3, 4. In the embodiment shown, the supports 3, 4 are substantially triangular in shape, which enables easy access to the receptacle. Connected to and extending between the supports 3, 4 is a rigid beam 5, which is held substantially horizontally, at a position vertically above the base 2.

The beam 5 is adapted to support a work bench, as will be described subsequently.

To this end, the beams must be sufficiently strong to support a work bench and handle the stresses expected during use. A handle 6 is also connected between supports 3, 4. This is positioned eccentrically with respect to the vertical axis 7, such that it is non-coincident with that axis. The eccentric positioning of handle 6 enables the box to be carried comfortably, while reducing the lateral extent of the box while being carried. Since the handle 6 is eccentrically placed, when lifted by the handle 6, the box will tend to rotate about the axis of the handle 6, in an anticlockwise direction as shown in Fig. 1, such that the protrusion of the leftward (as shown in Fig. 1) extremity of the box is reduced.

The box 1 may be constructed from any suitably sturdy material, for example wood, or metals such as aluminium or steel.

Fig. 2 shows the underside of a work bench 8 adapted for co-operation with the box of Fig. 1. The bench 8 comprises a substantially planar body 9 with an upper substantially flat working surface (not shown) and an under-surface shown.

Connected to the under-surface are two rails 10 which protrude from the under-surface of the body 9, and run substantially along the length of the body 9. Located proximate the edges of body 9 are recesses 11. These recesses 11 are adapted for receiving and co-operative engagement with the beams 5 of a pair of boxes 1. The position of the beams in use is generally indicated at 12.

For further stability, the bench 8 may be provided with additional catch means (not shown) for locking the beams into the recesses 11. Such devices are well-known to those skilled in the art.

An assembled work bench is shown in section in Fig. 3. It can be seen that the bench body 9 may be securely supported by means of a pair of boxes 1.

The above-described embodiments are exemplary only, and other possibilities and alternatives within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, although a specifically-designed bench 8 has been described, the boxes 1 are suitable for supporting other forms of bench, for example a simple plank.

In addition, it is possible to provide the box 1 with at least one leg, which may be adapted to co-operate with a surface in use such that the box is maintained in a substantially upright position. Such legs may be foldably attached to the box, so that they may be extended out for use when required.