US20060278635A1 - Tool box having latching device - Google Patents

Tool box having latching device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20060278635A1
US20060278635A1 US11/439,099 US43909906A US2006278635A1 US 20060278635 A1 US20060278635 A1 US 20060278635A1 US 43909906 A US43909906 A US 43909906A US 2006278635 A1 US2006278635 A1 US 2006278635A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tool box
housing
housings
cavities
latching device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/439,099
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Fangkun Hu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Positec Power Tools Suzhou Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Positec Power Tools Suzhou Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Positec Power Tools Suzhou Co Ltd filed Critical Positec Power Tools Suzhou Co Ltd
Assigned to POSITEC POWER TOOLS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD. reassignment POSITEC POWER TOOLS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HU, FANGKUN
Publication of US20060278635A1 publication Critical patent/US20060278635A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
    • B25H3/00—Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
    • B25H3/003—Holders for drill bits or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
    • B25H3/00—Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
    • B25H3/02—Boxes
    • B25H3/021—Boxes comprising a number of connected storage elements
    • B25H3/023—Boxes comprising a number of connected storage elements movable relative to one another for access to their interiors
    • B25H3/025—Boxes comprising a number of connected storage elements movable relative to one another for access to their interiors by rotation about a common axis

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tool box for carrying tool accessories of different sizes and lengths, such as various types of drill bits and screwdrivers, and more particularly to a tool box having at least one latching device selectively and releasably retaining the tool box in a planar locked condition, the tool box being transformable from the locked condition to an erected usage condition by releasing the latching device.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,018 B1 issued on Feb. 3, 2004 discloses a display case, a carry case and a storage stand for elongated tools, such as screwdrivers.
  • the screwdrivers are received in open slots, which cannot stably secure the screwdrivers, so that upon being shaken, the screwdrivers may easily get loosened and drop off the tool box.
  • the tool box is composed of two movable housings, which when in an open status, are secured by a latching mechanism provided at connection between the housings.
  • the latching mechanism provides a locking force to secure the housing in the open status and the locking force acts in a direction substantially the same as the moving direction of the housings in opening or closing the housing. Consequently, mechanical strength of the tool box in the open status is relatively weakened.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,285 issued on Sep. 28, 1999 also discloses a tool box.
  • the tool box comprises two pivotally connected parts, which receive and retain tools, and a bottom part that accommodates the connected parts.
  • Another prior art reference, U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,890 B2 issued on Dec. 27, 2005 discloses a screwdriver bit package.
  • the tool boxes of both references contain many parts and complicated structure, making the use thereof inconveniently.
  • One objective of the present invention is to provide a tool box featuring stably retaining tool accessories, improved mechanical strength, and simple structure.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool box having latching means for allows pivoted portions of the box to selectively switch between a planar locked status and an open usage status for convenience of use.
  • the present invention sets forth a tool box.
  • the tool box comprises a first housing, a second housing and latching devices.
  • the first housing has a first containing space and a first side surface enclosing the first containing space.
  • the second housing has a second containing space and a second side surface enclosing the second containing space.
  • the first and second housings also have opposing jointing edges that are rotatably connected together to pivot the first housing to the second housing about a pivot axis therebetween.
  • Latching devices are arranged on the first side surface of the first housing and the second side surface of the second housing.
  • the latching device is movable to lock the first and the second housings to form an aligned arrangement.
  • the first housing is co-planar with the second housing when the latching device locks the first housing and the second housing in the aligned arrangement.
  • the first and the second containing spaces comprise a plurality of cavities for containing tool accessories and recessed regions alternating the cavities to partially receive the tool accessories.
  • a skid-proof part is attached to the side surfaces of the first and the second housings to help maintaining the tool box in an open status on a fixture surface with a frictional force induced between the skid-proof part and the fixture surface.
  • the advantages of the present invention generally include: (a) a latching device of the tool box that locks the housings in an aligned arrangement to improve the structure strength and to simplify structure of the tool box; and (b) the side surfaces of the second housings having skid-proof parts for convenient use when the tool box is in the open status.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool box according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a planar locked/closed status.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tool box of the present invention in an open usage status.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tool box according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a cover-closed status.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool box of the present invention in a cover-open status with covers of the tool box opened.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool box, generally designated with reference numeral 10 , according to first embodiment of the present invention in a locked/closed status
  • FIG. 2 shows the tool box 10 in an open status
  • the tool box 10 comprises a first housing 1 , a second housing 2 and a latching device 3 .
  • the first housing 1 is rotatably connected to the second housing 2 by a hinge having a pivot axis 6 , whereby the housings ( 1 , 2 ) are rotatable about the axis 6 with respect to each other between the locked/closed status and the open status.
  • the hinge can be replaced by any device having equivalent function, such as a flexible belt-like portion extending between the housings ( 1 , 2 ).
  • the first housing 1 has a first containing space 501 and a circumferential side surface 402 partially surrounding and delimiting the first containing space 501 .
  • the second housing 2 has a second containing space 502 and a circumferential side surface 403 partially surrounding and delimiting the second containing space 502 .
  • the first housing 1 has an jointing edge 404 (shown in FIG. 2 ) that is not enclosed by the side surface 402 , which edge 404 is connected to a corresponding jointing edge 405 (shown in FIG. 2 ) of the second housing 2 that is not enclosed by the circumferential side surface 403 so as to pivot the first housing 1 to the second housing 2 with the pivot axis 6 extending between and along the connected edges ( 404 , 405 ).
  • the first and the second containing spaces ( 501 , 502 ) comprise a plurality of cavities ( 102 , 202 ) for containing tool accessories (not shown), the cavities 102 and 202 alternating each other.
  • the first containing space 501 comprises a plurality of recessed regions 101 each between adjacent cavities 102 and corresponding in position to the cavities 202 of the second containing spaces 502 .
  • the second containing space 502 comprises a plurality of recessed regions 201 each between adjacent cavities 202 and corresponding to the cavities 102 of the first containing spaces 501 .
  • a latching slot 302 is defined in and partially co-extending with segments of the circumferential side surfaces ( 402 , 403 ) of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 that are aligned with each other when the tool box is in the locked status.
  • the tool box 10 in the locked status has a rectangular configuration and two latching slot 302 are defined respectively on opposite lateral sides of the box 10 .
  • each housing ( 1 , 2 ) of the rectangular tool box 10 is composed of segments of the lateral sides of the tool box 10 and a remote edge segment that connects between the lateral sides, the remote edge being opposite to the edge that joints between the first and second housings ( 1 , 2 ).
  • the first housing or the second housing ( 1 , 2 ) selectively forms, within the first containing space 501 or the second containing space 502 , a label position 7 for label attachment.
  • Latching devices 3 are movably mounted on the lateral side segments of the circumferential side surfaces ( 402 , 403 ) of both the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 .
  • two latching devices 3 are arranged on opposite lateral sides of the tool box 10 , but it is apparent one latching device 3 mounted on one lateral side is sufficient for the operation of the tool box 10 .
  • Each latching device 3 is selectively movable to a position to lock the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ) to form an aligned housing arrangement, where the tool box 10 is in a planar form as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the first housing 1 is substantially co-planar with the second housing 2 when the latching devices 3 moves along the circumferential side surfaces ( 402 , 403 ) of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 to positions where the latching devices 3 straddle over the pivot axis 6 .
  • the latching device 3 comprises a fastening unit, such as a bolt, mounted on the latching device 3 .
  • the fastening unit is snugly and slidably received in the latching slot 302 so as to partially located in both the first and the second housing ( 1 , 2 ) to maintain and secure the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ) in the locked, aligned arrangement.
  • the fastening unit is mounted on an inside surface of the latching device 3 adjacent to circumferential side surfaces ( 402 , 403 ) of the first and second housings ( 1 , 2 ).
  • the latching device 3 is located in the internal sidewall of the first and the second housing ( 1 , 2 ).
  • the latching device 3 slides along the arrowhead direction 301 thereon to switch the first and second housings ( 1 , 2 ) from the locked status to the unlocked/open status.
  • the upper surface 103 of the first housing 1 and the upper surface 203 of the second housing 203 are substantially aligned and co-planar with each other.
  • the sizes of the cavities ( 102 , 202 ) are different and the sizes of at least some of the recessed regions ( 101 , 201 ) of the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ) are made different.
  • the sizes of the cavities ( 102 , 202 ) and the recessed regions ( 101 , 201 ) are decreased progressively from one side surface to opposite side surface within the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ).
  • the cavities ( 102 , 202 ) and the recessed regions ( 101 , 201 ) of the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ) are alternating and spaced from each other.
  • a trapezoid concave region 5 composed of the first and the second containing space ( 501 , 502 ) is formed and lower than the upper surfaces 103 , 203 of the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ).
  • the cavities ( 102 , 202 ) and the recessed regions ( 101 , 201 ) are arranged in the concave trapezoid region 5 .
  • a skid-proof part 4 is formed on and at least partly extending along each circumferential side surface ( 402 , 403 ) of the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ).
  • the skid-proof part 4 is made of elastic or soft material of high frictional coefficient, such as rubbers or soft plastics. Since the material of the skid-proof part 4 is soft and of substantial friction and since at least a portion of the skid-proof part 4 is formed or mounted on the positioned corresponding to the remote end edge of each housing ( 1 , 2 ), when the first and second housings ( 1 , 2 ) of the tool box 10 is rotated about the pivot axis 6 to overlap each other as shown in FIG.
  • a friction force is induced between the side surface 402 (or more specifically, the skid-proof part 4 ) and the fixture surface so as to stably maintain the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ) of the tool box 10 in the open status for positioning/retrieving tool accessories (not shown) into/from the tool box 10 while the first and second housings ( 1 , 2 ) are unlocked and folded.
  • a portion of skid-proof material or skid-proof stripes that constitute the skid-proof part 4 can be attached to the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ) or in corresponding positions of the circumferential side surfaces ( 402 , 403 ) of the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ).
  • the circumferential side surfaces ( 402 , 403 ) of the first and the second housing ( 1 , 2 ) comprise shallow recesses 401 for easy handling of the tool box 10 .
  • the latching device 3 is moved along the arrowhead direction 301 from the locked status to the open, unlocked status. Then, the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ) are rotated an arbitrary angle, such as 90 degrees, around the pivot axis 6 so that the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ) overlap each other in a back-to-back manner. Afterwards, the tool box 10 in the open status is placed on a fixture surface so that a user can access desired tool accessories.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tool box according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a cover-closed status
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool box 10 in a cover-open status.
  • the back side of the tool box 10 is made recessed, substantially opposite to and corresponding in position to each of the first and second containing spaces ( 501 , 502 ), and a cover 8 is connected to the pivot axis 6 to openably cover each back side recess of the tool box 10 .
  • the cover 8 is releasably buckled to the circumferential side surfaces ( 402 , 403 ) of the first and the second housings ( 1 , 2 ), especially the remote end edge, by a buckle device 9 .
  • the buckle device 9 comprises a hook ( 912 , 922 ) formed on the cover 8 and a protrusion ( 911 , 921 ) formed on the first or second housing ( 1 , 2 ) to releasably engage the hook ( 912 , 922 ).
  • the pivot axis 6 of the cover 8 can be located in other region of the first and the second housing ( 1 , 2 ).
  • the advantages of the present invention generally include: (a) a latching device of the tool box for selectively locking the first and the second housings in an aligned arrangement by sliding along the side surfaces of housings to improve the structure strength and to simplify the structure of the tool box; and (b) the side surfaces of the second housings having skid-proof parts for convenient use when the tool box is in the open status.
US11/439,099 2005-05-25 2006-05-23 Tool box having latching device Abandoned US20060278635A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CNU2005200719618U CN2801419Y (zh) 2005-05-25 2005-05-25 附件盒
CN200520071961.8 2005-05-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060278635A1 true US20060278635A1 (en) 2006-12-14

Family

ID=36846125

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/439,099 Abandoned US20060278635A1 (en) 2005-05-25 2006-05-23 Tool box having latching device

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20060278635A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1728599A3 (fr)
CN (1) CN2801419Y (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180178371A1 (en) * 2016-12-27 2018-06-28 Lin Lin Weng Dynamic toolbox

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2443816A (en) * 2006-11-15 2008-05-21 Tong Lee Ind Co Ltd Rotatable pivotable toolbox
AU2006236106B2 (en) * 2006-11-21 2008-09-25 Tong Lee Industrial Co., Ltd Toolbox
DE102010032922A1 (de) * 2010-07-30 2012-02-02 Hazet-Werk Hermann Zerver Gmbh & Co. Kg Zweikomponentiger Werkzeugkasten

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2338425A (en) * 1942-12-24 1944-01-04 Max L Goldbert Cigarette case and server
US4223788A (en) * 1978-11-16 1980-09-23 Merck & Co., Inc. Reclosable thermoformed blister-type package
US4573569A (en) * 1984-06-25 1986-03-04 Parker Dolores V Storage and display case
US4979610A (en) * 1989-11-20 1990-12-25 Johnson & Wales University Case for culinary instruments and the like
US5957285A (en) * 1998-05-04 1999-09-28 Lai; Jin-Tsai Tool box
US6260700B1 (en) * 2000-04-04 2001-07-17 Yao-Ju Huang Detachable spare-parts container
US6581774B1 (en) * 2000-11-13 2003-06-24 Tramontine Usa, Inc. Folding knife block apparatus
US6626295B1 (en) * 2000-03-30 2003-09-30 Maxtech Manufacturing Inc Tool case with snap-in modules
US6685018B1 (en) * 2002-07-10 2004-02-03 Awi Acquisition Company Display case, carry case and storage stand for a plurality of elongated tools
US6978890B2 (en) * 2003-06-10 2005-12-27 Black & Decker Inc. Screwdriver bit package
US20060037880A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-02-23 Peter Wang Tool box
US7225923B2 (en) * 2002-12-17 2007-06-05 Irwin Industrial Tool Company Multi-configured tool bit box

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT249696Y1 (it) * 2000-01-14 2003-05-28 Hardware Ind Mfg S Contenitore per accessori di utensili quali lame per seghetti alternativi o punte da trapano
DE20318541U1 (de) * 2003-12-01 2005-04-14 Wolfcraft Gmbh Aufbewahrungsvorrichtung für Kleinteile

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2338425A (en) * 1942-12-24 1944-01-04 Max L Goldbert Cigarette case and server
US4223788A (en) * 1978-11-16 1980-09-23 Merck & Co., Inc. Reclosable thermoformed blister-type package
US4573569A (en) * 1984-06-25 1986-03-04 Parker Dolores V Storage and display case
US4979610A (en) * 1989-11-20 1990-12-25 Johnson & Wales University Case for culinary instruments and the like
US5957285A (en) * 1998-05-04 1999-09-28 Lai; Jin-Tsai Tool box
US6626295B1 (en) * 2000-03-30 2003-09-30 Maxtech Manufacturing Inc Tool case with snap-in modules
US6260700B1 (en) * 2000-04-04 2001-07-17 Yao-Ju Huang Detachable spare-parts container
US6581774B1 (en) * 2000-11-13 2003-06-24 Tramontine Usa, Inc. Folding knife block apparatus
US6685018B1 (en) * 2002-07-10 2004-02-03 Awi Acquisition Company Display case, carry case and storage stand for a plurality of elongated tools
US7225923B2 (en) * 2002-12-17 2007-06-05 Irwin Industrial Tool Company Multi-configured tool bit box
US6978890B2 (en) * 2003-06-10 2005-12-27 Black & Decker Inc. Screwdriver bit package
US20060037880A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-02-23 Peter Wang Tool box

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180178371A1 (en) * 2016-12-27 2018-06-28 Lin Lin Weng Dynamic toolbox
US10350747B2 (en) * 2016-12-27 2019-07-16 Lin Lin Weng Dynamic toolbox

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1728599A3 (fr) 2007-01-24
EP1728599A2 (fr) 2006-12-06
CN2801419Y (zh) 2006-08-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11192235B2 (en) Tool bit case with modular components
CA2234341C (fr) Boite a outils avec porte papillon
US7325682B2 (en) Storage case having cover of two slidably-related portions
US7780016B1 (en) Tool holder
US5918741A (en) Tool case
US20190271433A1 (en) Kit for transportable containers
US6705655B2 (en) Double-stack tool rack
US20030106821A1 (en) Toolbox with external compartment
CN100384596C (zh) 螺丝刀刀头盒
US20150273682A9 (en) Tool box storage assembly
US20140319147A1 (en) Toolbox lid
CA2817049A1 (fr) Ensemble rangement pour boites a outils
CA2445903C (fr) Boite-presentoir d'accessoires
US7352566B2 (en) Common lock for dual-usage portable computer
US20060278635A1 (en) Tool box having latching device
US7513364B2 (en) Casing with a locking unit
US20050029139A1 (en) Tool case
JP5133878B2 (ja) モジュールアダプタ
US6767229B1 (en) Protective cover and electric outlet arrangement
US20040065574A1 (en) Tool case with a hinged cover that slides
US20060131192A1 (en) Tool case apparatus
EP1510469B1 (fr) Bôite de présentation d'accessoires
KR200410089Y1 (ko) 외장형 하드디스크 드라이브 보관케이스
US20240051711A1 (en) Parts box
JPH0739801Y2 (ja) 携帯用容器

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: POSITEC POWER TOOLS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD., CHINA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HU, FANGKUN;REEL/FRAME:017928/0119

Effective date: 20060508

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION