US1984345A

US1984345A - Mechanic's kit

Info

Publication number: US1984345A
Application number: US458034A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard L Kennedy
Original assignee: KENNEDY Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: KENNEDY MANUFACTURING Co
Priority date: 1930-05-31
Filing date: 1930-05-31
Publication date: 1934-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1951-12-11

Description

Dec` 11, 1934.

H.L.KENNEDY MEGHANICS K1T Filed May 31, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 11, 1934. 1 KENNEDY 1,984,345

MECHANIC S KIT Filed May 3l, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 7 H0 Ward L. lenned 15 1 BY .Y

ATTORNEY Z H. L.. KENNEDY MECHANTC'S RTT Dec. 11, 1934.

Filed May 3l, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .in- T d\ TIF .51

- INVENTOR Howard L.

Patented Dec. 11, 1934 giwf-EN'r OFFICE MECHANICS KIT Howard L.` Kennedy, Van Wert, Ohio, assigner to Kennedy Manufacturing Company, Van Wert," Ohio, a corporationof Indiana Application May 31, 11930, Serial No. 458,034

7 Claims.

This invention relates to tool kits for me-v chanics, and particularly to kits formed of sheet metal having a removable false front and a plurality of slide drawers.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a sheet metal tool kit of simple vcon-- struction in which the walls thereof are rigidly reinforced throughout.

A further object is to provide a sheet metal tool kit with end walls of hollow constructionj in which the portions forming each hollow endA wall are secured together at spaced points rigidly reinforce the same. n

A still further object is to provide a sheet metal kit having a hinged cover portion provided with a handle-and a rigid reinforcing mea-ns surrounding the portion of the cover Where the handle is attached thereto.

Another object is to provide a sheet metalk tool kit having a removable false front which is locked in closed position in front'of a series of drawers by means of'av hinged cover portion.

Another object is to provide a sheet metal tool ykit -having a series Yof drawers with a removable false front in front of the drawers which can be removed only when the hinged cover of the box is in open position.

With the foregoing and other objects in ViewVK which will beapparent from the detaileddescription to follow, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which willV be readily understood by those skilled in the .art to which the invention appertains.

n the drawings which illustrate a suitable embodiment of the invention,

Figure l is a perspective view, of the improved kit, the cover portion being open, the false front being removed, and certain of the drawersbeing.

in extended open position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectionof the false front showing .the method of forming the same,

taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 line 3-3 of Fig. 5 showing the method of attaching the locking means for `the false front to the front wall of the kit.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the kit, one end of Y tion of the same being broken away to show @the kit in section.

is a section taken substantially on the (Cl. i90-4) Fig. 7 is an enlarged section taken substan-`lr` tially kon the line 7--7 of y Fig. 6 showing thek locking means for the false front.

Fig.r 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the slides for the drawers. f v f Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section taken onthe line 9*-9 of Fig. 8. y y

Referring to the accompanying drawings in ,which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,the mechanics kit towhicli the improvements .of the,v present invention are applied comprises a bottom 1, a rear wall `2, hollow end walls 3,.-a false front 4, and a hinged cover 5. The bottom and rear wall are formed ofthe same piece of metal,v the rear wall beingf` thereof being folded back :upon itself to provide a smooth surface. The free edge of the `bottom wall l is bent upwardly a substantial distance `to form a front ange 7 extending across :the frontof the box, the edge metal of this flange being folded inwardly toward the rear wall 2 and bent back upon itself to form a `supporting ledge 8 for the false front 4to be` later described. v n

Each end wall 3 is of hollow construction and is formed of two pieces of metal 3a and 3b, the piece 3a. being of the same height Ias the rear :wall 2 and the piece 3b being of considerably `less length. The outer portion 3a of vthe end wall -is formed with a rear flange 9 and a front Vflange 10, the flange 10 being anged rearward- -ly at l1 inspaced relationship to the body .portion of 'the'fportionv 3a. The inner portion 3b `of the end wall is formed with'marginal iianges l2 which extend toward and abut against the body; portion of the end wall-portion 3a, the forward flange l2slying within the space between vthe flange ll andthe body portion of the piece` 3a Aand the flangell of the portion 3a being overlapped with the portion 3b and securely welded thereto. f

The rear flange 12 of the portion 3b, as shown kin'rFig. 4,' is spaced from the rear ange 9 .of the portion Sa a distance'equal vto the-thickness of theinetal of the rear `wall 2." As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the metal Vof the end wall .portion 3b at spaced intervals is depressed to a frusto- `conical shape to abut against the metal of the end walliportion 3a where it is securely welded `thereto in order to .provide a rigid reinforced construction. Thenlowerl edge 13 of each end wall portion Sais flanged inwardly atl spaced `relationship' to `the marginal edge of the end wall portion 3b, as shown in Fig. 6. The upper edge of each end wall portion 3a, as shown in Fig. 6, is offset inwardly to provide a shoulder portion 14 of the same height as the shoulder portion 6 of the rear wall 2, and the marginal edge thereof is bent back upon itself to provide a smooth surface in the same manner as the offset portion of the rear wall 2. The rearwardly extending flange 11 of the end wall portion 3a, extends to the same height as the portion 3b, but the flange portion 10 on which the flange 11 is formed extends to the same height as the body of the end portion 3a. for a purpose to be later described.

In assembled condition the side edge of the rear wall 2 is received between the flange 9 of the portion 3a and the flange 12 of the `portion 3b, and the edge of the bottom extends between the lower edge of the end wall portion 3b and the flange 13 of the end wall portion 3a. The

flanges

9 and 12 of each end Wall are securely welded to the rear wall 2 and the flange 13 of each end wall is securely welded to the bottom 1.

The upper portion of the kit carries a suitable tray 15 formed from a single piece of metal and having narrow rear and side flanges 16 which are respectively welded to the rear wall 2 and the end wall portions 3a. The tray 15 is formed with a front portion 16a which is offset at its upper edge to provide a shoulder 17 of the same height as the rear wall and

end wall shoulders

6 and 14, respectively, and the marginal edge of the offset portion thereof is doubled back upon itself to provide a smooth edged surface of the same height as the corresponding upper edges of the rear wall 2 and end walls 3a.. The tray portion 15, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, rests upon the upper edges of the opposite end wall portions 3b, and the front portion 16a thereof is overlapped with the upper portions of the end wall flanges 10 which are securely welded thereto.

The front flange 7 of the bottom 1, the forward flanges 10 of the end wall portions 3a, and the front portion 16a of the tray 15, form a framework for receiving the false front 4 and provide an opening for the withdrawal of the of the

portions

4a and 4b are formed with overlapping

flanges

18 and 19, respectively, which are preferably welded together and the lower edges thereof are clinched together to provide a horizontal portion 20 which is adapted to seat on the ledge 8 of the bottom 1 and a depending portion 21 which extends downwardly beyond the ledge 8, as shown in Fig. 5. The metal of the false front portion 4b is depressed to a frustoconical shape at a number of points in a manner similar to the end wall portions, which abut against and are welded to the portion 4a to provide a rigid nonflexible member. When in operative position, the false front is flush with the front of the box and is held in position by a pair of locking pins 22 which extend through openings in the

flanges

18 and 19.

The pins 22 are carried by suitable housings 23, which are secured to the inner side of the front tray portion 16a. The pins 22 are normally held in disengaged position by means of compression springs 24 and the pins are moved into engagement with the false front 4 by means of striker portions 25 which are secured to the inner side of the front wall of the pivoted cover 5. When the cover is raised, the compression springs 24 automatically move the locking pins 22 out of engagement with the false front so that the front can be removed. The portion 4a of the false front is formed with a central depression 26 which carries a suitable pull ring 27 secured within the depression to provide means for moving the false front outwardly.

When the false front is not in use, that is, when it is removed from the opening in the front of the kit it is supported by a pair of sheet metal members 28 that are secured to the bottom 1 of the kit below the lowermost tray portion. The portion 4b of the false front is formed with a depression 29 at its upper edge in order to give a nger hold in pulling the false front out from underneath the lowermost drawer.

The cover portion 5 is of conventional form and is pivoted by means of a suitable hinge 30 that is secured to the olfset portion of the rear wall 2 and the end and front marginal edges thereof are bent baci: upon themselves to present smooth surfaces. The

shoulders

6, 14 and 17 provided by the offset portions previously described, provide means whereby the end and side walls of the cover 5 may lie flush with the corresponding walls of the kit when in closed position.

A suitable linkage mechanism 31 is secured to the top of the cover and to the offset portions of the end wall members 3a to prevent the cover from being swung back too far.

A handle 32 is secured to the cover inter# mediate its ends and sides and the cover is reinforced at the point of attachment of the handle therewith by means of a reinforcement 33 of sheet metal, This reinforcement 33 is welded to the inner side cover top and is formed with a continuous depression 34 presenting toward the cover and completely surrounding the points of attachment of the handle 32 with the cover so that the cover is very rigidly reinforced. This reinforced portion prevents excessive stress from being transmitted to a single point on the cover.

The kit is provided with a pair of lower drawers 35 which extend across the entire length of the kit. Above these two drawers the kit is provided midway between its ends with a drop wall or partition 36 which is formed with a flange that is secured to the under side of the bottom of the stationary tray 15 and with a flange which is secured to the rear wall 2 of the kit. Two narrow drawers 37 are positioned at one side of the partition 36 and three such narrow drawers 38 are positioned at the other side of the partition. Each of the

drawers

35, 37 and 38 are supported by suitable slides of the type shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Each guide comprises a channel-shaped portion 39 secured to the end wall portion 3b, a similar channel-shaped portion 40 secured to an end of the drawer and an H-shaped member 41 having flanges 42 that are guided in the channel portions 43 of the

members

39 and 40.

As shown in Fig. 6, the side flanges of the

portions

39 and 40 are bent toward each other in spaced relation to the body portions of the

channels

39 and 40 which telescopically receive the portions 42 of the H member 41. Each of the channel members carries a ilat spring 44 which is engageable with a lug portion at the end of the H member to prevent the drawer from being completely pulled out but which permit the drawer to be extended beyond the front wall of the kit so that its contents will be readily accessible. The outer channel portions 39 for the drawers are secured to the end wall portions 3b and the inner channel portions 39 for the shorter trays 37 and S8 are secured to the depending partition member 36. As shown in Figs.

8 and 9, the end of each channel portion 39 isformed with a raised button portion 45 that is engageable within a corresponding depression formed in the end wall portion 3b or the ends of the drawers to provide a locating means so that the pieces can be spot welded to their supporting means in the proper position.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the kit is provided with a suitable lock 46 and fasteners li7 between the front wall of the cover and the front portion of the tray which provide means for locking the box.

In closed position the kit has the appearance indicated in Fig. 5, that is, the false front 4 is in position in front of the drawers and the cover is closed, the cover forcing the locking pins downwardly through the openings in the false front which together with the lower flange 21 of the false front that engages the ledge 8, prevents the false front from being removed.

When the lock 46 and fasteners 47 are released, the cover can then be swung to open position as indicated in Fig. 1, which releases ther locking pins from engagement with the false front. The false front is then pulled outwardly by means of the handle portion 27 and can be pushed underneath the lowerniost tray 35 where it is supported by the members 28. The drawers can then be pulled outwardly through the open ing in the front of the box in order to give access to the contents thereof.

The end walls of the kit and the falseiront which are reinforced in the manner previously described, are made very rigid which prevents flexing of the kit when it is full of tools and being carried by the handle.

The cover is also very securely reinforced, which prevents distortion of the cover while the kit is being carried.

The locking pins that are actuated by the cover provide very efficient means to lock the false front in position and which prevent access to the trays by persons other than the owner when the cover is in locked position.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth, are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and that Various modifications of said apparatus and procedure can be made withthe appended claims. 1

What I claim is:

1. In a metal kit, end kwalls therefor,` each comprising a pair of spaced sheet metal panels having flanged sides, the flanges extending toward each other with the flanges of one of said panels abutting against the other of said panels, a portion of one of the flanges of said last mentioned panel being bent parallel with the panel and secured in overlapping relationship with the other of said panels.

2. A sheet metal kit comprising integral bottom and krear walls, aremovable false front, end walls each comprising a pair of spaced parallel panels rigidly secured together, the inner of said panels being of lesser height than the other of said panels, and a tray seating on the upper edges of said inner panels and secured rto the rear wall and to said outer panels, the front wall of said tray extending upwardly to the plane of the upper edges of said outer panels and rear wall to form a front wall for said kit above said false front.

`3. A sheet metal kit comprising integral bottom and rear walls, a removable false front, end walls each comprising a pair of spaced parallel panels, the inner of which has depressed portions in the body thereof abutting against the outer panel and being of lesser height than the outer panel, and a tray seated on the upper edges of said inner panels having a front wall portion extending to the height of and secured to said outer panels, the forward ends of said end walls, the bottom of said tray and said bottom wall forming an opening for the reception of Said removable false front.

4. A sheet metal kit comprising a bottom, a rear wall, end walls, each oi said end walls including an outer panel and an inner panel of lesser height than the outer panel, said panels being secured together, a tray portion extending between said outer panels and seating on the ends of said inner panels, said tray having a front flange extending between said end walls parallel to saidk rear wall and secured to said outer panels, and a cover hinged to said rear wall to close in the space provided by said tray, side panels and rear wall.

5. A sheet metal kit comprising a bottom, a rear wall secured to said bottom, spaced outer end panels having bottom flanges secured to said bottom and rear fianges secured to said rear wall, a tray extending between said end panels above said `bottom and being secured thereto, an inner panel at each end of said kit abutting said bottom and tray and having front and rear flanges abutting the adjacent end panel, said rear flange also abutting said rear wall, and a false front for closing the opening defined by said tray, bottom and side panels.

6. A sheet metal kit comprising a bottom, a reall wall secured to said bottom, spaced outer end panels having bottom flanges secured to said bottom and rearl flanges secured to said rear wall, a tray extending between said end panels above said bottom and being secured thereto, an inner panel at each end of said kit abutting said bottom and tray and having front and rear flanges abutting the adjacent end panel, said rear flange also abutting said rear wall, said inner panels having depressed portions secured Yto said outer end panels, and a false front for closing the opening defined by said tray, bottom and side panels.

' 7. In a sheet metal kit, an end wall comprising an outer panel having side flanges, and an inner panel of lesser height having side flanges abutting said outer panel and spaced from said side flanges of said outer panel, one of said side iianges of said outer panel having an edge portion extending parallel to and secured to said inner panel.

- HOWARD L. KENNEDY.`