US20050242145A1

US20050242145A1 - Tool case

Info

Publication number: US20050242145A1
Application number: US10/832,133
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter Wang
Original assignee: Compass Corp
Current assignee: Compass Corp
Priority date: 2004-04-26
Filing date: 2004-04-26
Publication date: 2005-11-03

Abstract

A tool case includes a case and a cover. A first rib projects from an inner face of a first side of the case, and a second rib projects from an inner face of a second side of the case. The cover includes an end pivotally connected to a lateral side of the case. The cover further includes a first holding area and a second holding area. The first holding area includes at least one pair of resilient holding plates for securely holding a tool. Sleeves are integrally and consecutively formed on the inner side of the second holding area. Each sleeve includes a receiving holes for receiving at least one bit. The bits received in the receiving sleeves respectively abut against the first rib and the second rib to prevent falling of the bits.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool case. In particular, the present invention relates to a tool case that allows rapid and easy access to and removal of the tools received in the tool case.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings illustrate a conventional tool case 5 comprising a case 50 having a first lateral side 51 and a second lateral side 52, with a compartment 501 defined between the first lateral side 51 and the second lateral side 52. An extension 55 extends outward from the first lateral side 51 of the case 50, with a V-shaped groove 550 defined in a joint area between the extension 55 and the first lateral side 51 of the case 50, allowing the extension 55 to pivot relative to the case 50. Integrally formed on an inner face of the extension 55 and extending beyond a length of the extension 55 is a tool-holding member 54 that has a tool-holding section 542. A wrench-holding area 551 is defined on the inner of the extension 55 and includes a hole 552 for holding a hexagonal wrench 6. A rib 553 is formed on an inner perimeter delimiting the hole 552 to frictionally retain the hexagonal wrench 6 in place.
The tool-holding section 542 includes an upper row of tool-holding holes 543 and a lower row of tool-holding holes 543, with a partitioning plate (not shown) located between the two rows of tool-holding holes 543. Bits 7 of various sizes are received in the tool-holding holes 543. The bits 7 can be used with an electric drill or a screwdriver. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each tool-holding hole 543 is defined by a pair of protrusions 544 protruding inward from two opposed thin walls that delimit the tool-holding section 543. When the extension 55 is pivoted to a closed position shown in FIG. 8, two engaging members 541 on the tool-holding member 54 are engaged with engaging holes 523 in the second end 52 of the case 50. Two rows of bitrests 502 are provided S in the compartment 501 and aligned with the bits 7 held in the tool-holding holes 543. The bits 7 held in the tool-holding holes 543 are supported by the bitrests 502 to avoid falling of the bits 7 when the tool case 5 is closed.
A resilient clip 53 has an end attached to a bottom side of the case 50. The resilient clip 53 allows the case 5 to be carried on a belt (not shown) of a user. Further, the resilient clip 53 has an opening 531 through which the fingers of the user passes for opening the case 5.
However, the opposed thin walls deform easily and permanently. In some cases, the distance between the protrusions 544 delimiting the tool-holding holes 543 becomes larger such that the tool-holding holes 543 could not hold the bit 7 in place. In other cases, inserting/removing a bit 7 into/from the respective tool-holding hole 543 is difficult when the distance between the protrusions 544 becomes smaller. Further, the respective bitrest 502 could not reliably support the bits 7 when the respective bit 7 is held in an inclined state and fail to align with the respective bitrest 502. Further, it is difficult for the user to put the hexagonal wrench 6 back to the wrench-holding hole 5433 a, the user could not see the wrench-holding hole 543 when the tool case 5 is clipped on the belt of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a tool case comprises a case and a cover. The case includes a compartment delimited by a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a first lateral side. A first rib projects from an inner face of the first side, and a second rib projects from an inner face of the second side.
The cover includes an end pivotally connected to the first lateral side of the case. The cover is thus pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The cover further includes an inner side that has a first holding area and a second holding area. The first holding area includes at least one pair of resilient holding plates for securely holding a tool. A plurality of sleeves are integrally and consecutively formed on the inner side of the second holding area. Each sleeve includes a receiving holes for receiving at least one bit. The bits received in the receiving sleeves respectively abut against the first rib and the second rib to prevent falling of the bits.
The case further includes a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side and a bottom side. The compartment is further delimited by the second lateral side and the bottom side. A resilient clip has an end fixed to an outer face of the bottom side of the case.
The first tool-holding area may include at least two pairs of said resilient holding plates, defining at least two aligned tool-holding sections. A restraining plate is aligned with the tool-holding sections and includes a notch. A tool, e.g., an extension rod is held in place by the tool-holding sections and the notch of the restraining plate.
The cover may include a grip on an end face thereof, and the second lateral side of the case may include a recessed portion for receiving the grip.
The cover may include at least one engaging member, and the second lateral side of the case may include at least one engaging hole for releasably engaging with the engaging member.
A partitioning plate may be mounted on the inner face of the second tool-holding member for separating each receiving groove into two sections, with a bit being received in each section.
Each sleeve may include a longitudinal slit to allow slight deformation.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool case in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly exploded, of the tool case in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the tool case in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along plane 4-4 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along plane 5-5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating use of the tool case in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional tool case.
FIG. 8 is a top sectional view of the conventional tool case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a tool case 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a case 2 including an open compartment 24 delimited by a first side 22 a, a second side 22 b opposite to the first side 22 a, a first lateral side 20, a second lateral side 21, and a bottom side 23. A resilient clip 25 has an end fixed to an outer face of the bottom side 23 of the case 2, allowing the case 2 to be carried on a belt of a user, as shown in FIG. 6.
The tool case 1 further includes a cover 3 having an end pivotally connected to the first lateral side 20 of the case 2. In this embodiment, the cover 3 is a plastic plate having an edge integrally formed with the first lateral side 20 of the case 2, allowing the plastic plate to pivot relative to the case 2. The cover 3 includes an inner side facing the compartment 24 of the case 2 when the cover 3 is moved to a closed position (FIG. 4). The inner side of the cover 3 includes a first holding area 31 and a second holding area 32. The first holding area 31 includes at least one pair of tool-holding members to define at least one tool-holding section 310. In this embodiment, the first holding area 31 includes two pairs of resilient holding plates 311, defining two aligned tool-holding sections 310. Each resilient holding plate 311 has an arcuate distal end (not labeled). Provided on the inner side of the cover 3 and aligned with resilient holding plates 311 is a restraining plate 312 with a notch 313. A tool, such as an extension rod 42 can be securely held in the first holding area 31, with the lower portion of the extension rod 42 being held by the resilient holding plates 311, and with a neck portion 420 of the extension rod 42 being received in the notch 313 and thus restrained by the restraining plate 312. Thus, sliding of the extension rod 42 along a longitudinal direction thereof is avoided, as shown in FIG. 5. It is noted that the distance between the each pair of the resilient holding plates 311 can be varied according to the diameter of the associated section of the extension rod 42. When the extension rod 42 passes through the distal ends of the resilient holding plates 311, the resilient holding plates 311 bend outward and then return to their original position to thereby retain the extension rod 42 in place.
A plurality of sleeves 331 are fixedly mounted to an inner side of the second holding area 32 that faces the compartment 24 when the cover 3 is in the closed position. A partitioning plate 330 is mounted to the inner side of the second holding area 32 to separate each sleeve 331 into two receiving grooves 332. A bit 41 is received in each receiving groove 332. Each sleeve 331 includes a longitudinal slit 333 that allows slight deformation of the sleeve 331 when a bit 41 is inserted into the receiving groove 332. More specifically, the respective sleeve 331 expands outward when a bit 41 is inserted into the respective receiving groove 32, and the respective sleeve 331 securely holds the bit 41 by resiliency. Thus, bits 41 of various sizes can be received in the tool case 1. The bits 41 can be used with an electric drill, a screwdriver, etc.
The cover 3 includes at least one engaging member 322 (two in this embodiment) on an end face thereof. When the cover 3 is in the closed position, the engaging members 322 are engaged with two engaging holes 212 in the second lateral side 21 of the case 2, thereby locking the cover 3 in place. A grip 321 may be formed on the end face of the cover 3, and the second lateral side 21 of the case 2 may include a recessed area 211 for receiving the grip 321. When opening of the cover 3 is required, the user's finger may extend into the recessed area 211, allowing the user to grasp the grip 321 for opening the cover 3 easily.
The case 2 further includes a first rib 221 projecting from an inner face of the first side 22 a and extending along a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the sleeves 331. The bits 41 received in the receiving grooves 332 adjacent to the first side 22 a of the case 2 abut against the upper rib 221. Similarly, the case 2 includes a second rib 221 projecting from an inner face of the second side 22 b and extending along a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the sleeves 331. The bits 41 received in the receiving grooves 332 adjacent to the second side 22 b of the case 2 abut against the second rib 221. Thus, the bits 41 are reliably retained in the respective receiving grooves 332.
The sleeves 331 may be integrally and consecutively formed on the inner side of the second holding area 32 and provide a wave-like structure to thereby improve the strength. Excessive deformation of the sleeves 331 is avoided. Further, when in use, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the casing 3 can be opened to allow easy access to and replacement of the bits 41.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A tool case comprising:

a case including a compartment delimited by a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a first lateral side, a first rib projecting from an inner face of the first side, a second rib projecting from an inner face of the second side; and

a cover including an end pivotally connected to the first lateral side of the case, the cover being pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the cover including an inner side that has a first holding area and a second holding area;

the first holding area including at least one pair of resilient holding plates for securely holding a tool;

a plurality of sleeves being integrally and consecutively formed on the inner side of the second holding area, each said sleeve including a receiving holes for receiving at least one bit, the bits received in the receiving sleeves respectively abutting against the first rib and the second rib to prevent falling of the bits.

2. The tool case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the case further includes a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side and a bottom side, the compartment being further delimited by the second lateral side and the bottom side.

3. The tool case as claimed in claim 2, further including a resilient clip having an end fixed to an outer face of the bottom side of the case.

4. The tool case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the cover is integrally formed with the first lateral side of the case while allowing the cover to pivot relative to the case.

5. The tool case as claimed in claim 2, wherein the end of the cover is integrally formed with the first lateral side of the case while allowing the cover to pivot relative to the case.

6. The tool case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first tool-holding area includes at least two pairs of said resilient holding plates, defining at least two aligned tool-holding sections.

7. The tool case as claimed in claim 6, further including a restraining plate aligned with the tool-holding sections, the restraining plate including a notch.

8. The tool case as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover includes a grip on an end face thereof, the second lateral side of the case including a recessed portion for receiving the grip.

9. The tool case as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover includes at least one engaging member, the second lateral side of the case including at least one engaging hole for releasably engaging with said at least one engaging member.

10. The tool case as claimed in claim 1, further including a partitioning plate mounted on the inner face of the second tool-holding member for separating each said receiving groove into two sections each for receiving a bit therein.

11. The tool case as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said sleeve includes a longitudinal slit to allow slight deformation.