US20070227987A1

US20070227987A1 - Tool rack

Info

Publication number: US20070227987A1
Application number: US11/675,767
Authority: US
Inventors: Bobby Hu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-31
Filing date: 2007-02-16
Publication date: 2007-10-04
Also published as: DE202007002943U1; TWI314502B; TW200736018A

Abstract

A tool rack includes a board, a tool receiving member, and a flap extending from the board. The board includes an opening and a first engaging member. The tool receiving member includes a tool receiving section defining a compartment for receiving a tool. The tool receiving member further includes a second engaging member. The tool receiving member is releasably mounted to the board and the tool receiving section extends through the opening of the board. The flap is movable relative to the board between a disengaged position and an engaged position. When the flap is in the engaged position, the tool receiving member is securely sandwiched between the board and the flap, a third engaging member on the flap is engaged with the first engaging member and the second engaging member, and the compartment is sealed by the flap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool rack, and more particularly to a tool rack to which a tool is mounted.
2. Description of the Related Art
Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 313940 discloses a wrench rack including a board and a retaining plate integrally extending from a side of the board and pivotable relative to the retaining plate. The board includes a slot, and the retaining plate includes a hook on a distal end thereof for releasably engaging with the slot of the board. The retaining board includes a retaining section and defines a space for receiving a reduced section of a wrench, with the larger head portion or end portion of the wrench resting on the retaining section. However, such a wrench rack cannot be used for retaining wrenches or other tools without a reduced section.
Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 334750 discloses a tool rack including a board having a hanger hole in a top end thereof. Formed on a bottom of the board is a sleeve that may be releasably coupled in a square hole of a socket for attaching the socket to the board. However, such a tool rack can only be used with sockets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tool rack in accordance with the present invention includes a board, a tool receiving member, and a flap extending from the board. The board includes an opening and a first engaging member. The tool receiving member includes a tool receiving section defining a compartment adapted for receiving a tool. The tool receiving member further includes a second engaging member. The tool receiving member is releasably mounted to the board, with the tool receiving section extending through the opening of the board. The flap is movable relative to the board between a disengaged position disengaged from the body and an engaged position engaged with the board. The flap includes a third engaging member releasably engageable with the first engaging member and the second engaging member.
When the flap is in the engaged position, the tool receiving member is securely sandwiched between the board and the flap, the third engaging member is engaged with the first engaging member and the second engaging member, and the compartment is sealed by the flap.
The compartment of the tool receiving member may receive one or more tools with various shapes and types. Thus, tools without a reduced section and sockets may be received in the compartment of the tool receiving member. Preferably, the tool receiving section is transparent to provide a display effect for the tool rack. Further, the first, second, and third engaging members provide a reliable anti-theft effect for the tool rack.
In an example, the first engaging member of the board includes two protrusions respectively on two sides of the opening of the board, the second engaging member of the tool receiving member includes two receiving portions for receiving the protrusions, and the third engaging member of the flap includes two slots for receiving and retaining the protrusions and the receiving portions.
In another example, the first engaging member of the board includes a substantially U-shaped protrusion surrounding the opening of the board, the second engaging member includes a substantially U-shaped receiving portion for receiving the protrusion, and the third engaging member of the flap includes a substantially U-shaped slot for receiving and retaining the protrusion and the receiving portion.
Preferably, the tool receiving member includes a body having an opening. The tool receiving section extends from the body. The receiving portions are formed on the body. The compartment is in communication with the opening of the body.
In a further example, the first engaging member of the board includes at least one slot on each of two sides of the opening, the second engaging member of the tool receiving member includes at least two slots, and the third engaging member of the flap includes at least two protrusions extending through the slots of the tool receiving member and the board.
Preferably, the tool receiving member includes a body having an opening. The tool receiving section extends from the body. The slots of the tool receiving member are defined in the body. The compartment is in communication with the opening of the body.
Preferably, the board further includes a recessed portion for receiving the body of the tool receiving member.
In still another example, the opening of the board is circular and the first engaging member of the board includes an annular protrusion surrounding the opening of the board. Further, the second engaging member includes an annular receiving portion for receiving the annular protrusion and the third engaging member of the flap includes an annular slot for receiving and retaining the annular protrusion and the annular receiving portion. Preferably, the tool receiving member includes a body having a circular opening. The tool receiving section extends from the body, the annular receiving portion is formed on the body, and with the compartment is in communication with the circular opening of the body.
Preferably, the board further includes a hole and with the flap further including a hook for engaging with the hole.
Preferably, the board further includes a stop extending from a wall delimiting the hole for preventing disengagement of the hook from the hole.
Preferably, the board further includes a hanger hole.
Preferably, the board further includes a statement section.
Preferably, the flap is integrally formed with and pivotable relative to a bottom side pr a lateral side of the board.
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 first embodiment of a tool rack in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along plane 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along plane 4-4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a section al view taken along plane 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating use of the first embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a first embodiment of a tool rack in accordance with the present invention comprises a board 10 and a tool receiving member 30. A tool may be received in the tool receiving member 30 which is then coupled to the board 10.
The board 10 includes a first end 11 in which a hanger hole 13 is defined. The first end 11 further includes a statement section 14 in which precautionary statement, trademark, trade name, size and/or type of the tool, etc may be provided. The board 10 further includes a second end 12 having at least one first engaging member 15, an opening 17, and a hole 16. In this example, the board 10 includes two engaging members 15 in the form of protrusions respectively on two sides of the opening 17, and the slot 16 is located above the opening 17. Further, the board 10 includes a recessed portion 19 in a side thereof in which the opening 17 is defined and on which the protrusions 15 are formed.
The tool receiving member 30 is made of transparent material and includes a body 34 and a receiving section 31 defining a compartment 33 for receiving a tool that is visible to the potential customer through the transparent receiving section 31. The tool receiving member 30 further includes at least one second engaging member 32. In this example, the body 34 includes an opening 35 and the receiving section 31 extends from the body 34, and the compartment 33 is in communication with the opening 35. Further, the tool receiving member 30 includes two second engaging members 32 in the form of receiving portions respectively on two sides of the opening 35.
A flap 20 is integrally formed with the second end 12 of the board 10 and pivotable relative to the board 10. The flap 20 includes at least one third engaging member 21. In this example, the flap 20 includes two engaging members 21 in the form of slots. The flap 20 further includes a hook 22 for releasably engaging with the hole 16 of the board 10.
In use, a tool 40 (see FIG. 6) is placed into the compartment 33 of the tool receiving member 30 via the opening 35, and the tool receiving section 31 of the tool receiving member 30 is then inserted through the opening 17 until the protrusions 15 of the body 10 are received in the recessed portions 32 of the tool receiving member 30. It is noted that the body 34 of the tool receiving member 30 is received in the recessed portion 19 of the board 10, providing a low-profile design. Then, the flap 20 is pivoted upward from a disengaged position (see FIG. 2) to an engaged position in which the hook 22 is engaged in the hole 16 of the board 10 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), thereby preventing relative movement between the flap 20 and the board 10. It is noted that the respective protrusions 15 of the body 10 and the respective recessed portions 32 of the tool receiving members 30 are extended through and thus restrained in the respective slots 21 of the flap 20, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the tool receiving member 30 is reliably retained to the board 10 to provide an anti-theft effect while providing the required display effect to attract potential customers.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a stop 18 extends from a wall delimiting the hole 16 for preventing undesired disengagement of the hook 22 of the flap 20 from the hole 16, assisting in the anti-theft effect.
Referring to FIG. 5, the tool receiving section 31 is sealed by the flap 20. More specifically, the body 34 of the tool receiving member 30 is securely sandwiched between the board 10 and the flap 20. Further, the respective protrusions 15 of the body 10 and the respective receiving portions 32 of the tool receiving member 30 are fittingly received in the respective slots 21 of the flap 20. The disengagement risk of the tool receiving member 30 from the board 10 is avoided.
Referring to FIG. 6, the compartment 33 of the tool receiving member 30 may receive one or more tools 40 (only one shown in this example) with various shapes and types. Thus, tools without a reduced section and sockets may be received in the compartment 33 of the tool receiving member 30. Further, the tool receiving section 31 is transparent to provide the display effect.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention modified from the first embodiment. In the illustrated example, the first engaging members of the body 10 are in the form of two slots 15′ on each side of the opening 17, the second engaging members of the tool receiving member 30 are in the form of two slots 32′ in each side of the tool receiving member 30, and the third engaging members of the flap 20 are in the form of four protrusions 21′. Referring to FIG. 8, after the flap 20 is pivoted and the hook 22 of the flap 20 is engaged in the hole 16 of the board 10, the respective protrusions 21′ are extended through the respective slots 32′ of the tool receiving member 30 and the respective slots 15′ of the board 10. The tool receiving member 30 is reliably coupled to the board 10 and securely retained in place by the flap 20 that also seals the compartment 33 of the tool receiving member 30.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a third embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention modified from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the flap 20 extends from a lateral side of the board 10 instead of the bottom of the board 10. Use of the tool rack in this embodiment is substantially the same as the above embodiments and the same effects are obtained. It is noted that this embodiment can be modified to include the arrangement of the slots 32′ in the tool receiving member 30, the slots 15′ in the board 10, and the protrusions 21′ on the flap 20 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention modified from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the board 10 includes a substantially U-shaped protrusion 15 a surrounding the opening 17, the body 34 of the tool receiving member 30 includes a substantially U-shaped receiving portion 32, and the flap 20 includes a substantially U-shaped slot 21 a. Use of the tool rack in this embodiment is substantially the same as the above embodiments and the same effects are obtained.
FIG. 12 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the tool rack in accordance with the present invention modified from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the board 10 includes a circular opening 17 b and an annular protrusion 15 b surrounding the circular opening 17 b, the body 34 of tool receiving member 30 includes a circular opening 35 b and an annular receiving portion 32 b, and the flap 20 includes an annular slot 21 b. Use of the tool rack in this embodiment is substantially the same as the above embodiments and the same effects are obtained.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A tool rack comprising:

a board including an opening and a first engaging member;

a tool receiving member including a tool receiving section defining a compartment adapted for receiving a tool, the tool receiving member further including a second engaging member, the tool receiving member being releasably mounted to the board, with the tool receiving section extending through the opening of the board; and

a flap extending from the board, the flap being movable relative to the board between a disengaged position disengaged from the body and an engaged position engaged with the board, the flap including a third engaging member releasably engageable with the first engaging member and the second engaging member;

wherein when the flap is in the engaged position, the tool receiving member is securely sandwiched between the board and the flap, the third engaging member is engaged with the first engaging member and the second engaging member, and the compartment is sealed by the flap.

2. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the first engaging member of the board including two protrusions respectively on two sides of the opening of the board, with the second engaging member of the tool receiving member including two receiving portions for receiving the protrusions, and with the third engaging member of the flap including two slots for receiving and retaining the protrusions and the receiving portions.

3. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the tool receiving member including a body having an opening, with the tool receiving section extending from the body, with the receiving portions being formed on the body, and with the compartment being in communication with the opening of the body.

4. The tool rack as claimed in claim 2, with the tool receiving member including a body having an opening, with the tool receiving section extending from the body, with the receiving portions being formed on the body, and with the compartment being in communication with the opening of the body.

5. The tool rack as claimed in claim 4, with the board further including a recessed portion for receiving the body of the tool receiving member.

6. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the first engaging member of the board including a substantially U-shaped protrusion surrounding the opening of the board, with the second engaging member including a substantially U-shaped receiving portion for receiving the protrusion, and with the third engaging member of the flap including a substantially U-shaped slot for receiving and retaining the protrusion and the receiving portion.

7. The tool rack as claimed in claim 6, with the tool receiving member including a body having an opening, with the tool receiving section extending from the body, with the receiving portion being formed on the body, and with the compartment being in communication with the opening of the body.

8. The tool rack as claimed in claim 7, with the board further including a recessed portion for receiving the body of the tool receiving member.

9. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the opening of the board being circular, with the first engaging member of the board including an annular protrusion surrounding the opening of the board, with the second engaging member including an annular receiving portion for receiving the annular protrusion, and with the third engaging member of the flap including an annular slot for receiving and retaining the annular protrusion and the annular receiving portion.

10. The tool rack as claimed in claim 9, with the tool receiving member including a body having a circular opening, with the tool receiving section extending from the body, with the annular receiving portion being formed on the body, and with the compartment being in communication with the circular opening of the body.

11. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the first engaging member of the board including at least one slot on each of two sides of the opening, with the second engaging member of the tool receiving member including at least two slots, and with the third engaging member of the flap including at least two protrusions extending through said slots of the tool receiving member and the board.

12. The tool rack as claimed in claim 11, with the tool receiving member including a body having an opening, with the tool receiving section extending from the body, with said slots of the tool receiving member being defined in the body, and with the compartment being in communication with the opening of the body.

13. The tool rack as claimed in claim 12, with the board further including a recessed portion for receiving the body of the tool receiving member.

14. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the board further including a hole and with the flap further including a hook for engaging with the hole.

15. The tool rack as claimed in claim 14, with the board further including a stop extending from a wall delimiting the hole for preventing the hook from disengaging from the hole.

16. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the board further including a hanger hole.

17. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the board further including a statement section.

18. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the flap being integrally formed with and pivotable relative to a bottom side of the board.

19. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the flap being integrally formed with and pivotable relative to a lateral side of the board.

20. The tool rack as claimed in claim 1, with the tool receiving section being transparent.