US3269529A

US3269529A - Tool case

Info

Publication number: US3269529A
Application number: US354856A
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew A Hume
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-03-26
Filing date: 1964-03-26
Publication date: 1966-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 1983-08-30

Description

A. A. HUME Aug. 30, 1966 TOOL CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26, 1964 A. A. HUME Aug. 30, 1966 TOOL CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1964 FIG. 3

m. J M m fin w, Mm A United States Patent 3,269,529 TOOL CASE Andrew A. Hume, 135 W. Rustic Lodge Ave, Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Mar. 26, 1964, Ser. No. 354,856 9 Claims. (Cl. 20616) This invention relates to a new and improved case for machine screw tools, such as drills, taps, dies, die stock, tap holder and wrench and countersink or reamer. More particularly, this invention relates to a compact portable pocket-size tool case adapted to receive and contain a complete set of tools for carriage and storage, which at the same time makes each of the tools readily accessible for use.

The invent-ion is described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which corresponding parts are identified by the same numerals and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the tool case according to the present invention shown in its full open position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation in section on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and in the direction of the arrows showing the tap and drill storage section of the case;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation in section along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and in the direction of the arrows, but showing the case in full closed position;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary end elevation in section on the line 44 of FIGURE 1 and in the direction of the arrows showing the case in full closed position, and particularly showing the latching means therefor; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial fragmentary end elevation in secion on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1 and in the direction of the arrows showing the case in full closed position.

Referring now to the drawings, the tool case according to the present invention and indicated generally at is comprised of a pair of matched cooperating and complementary

flat halves

11 and 12 which fold against one another in face-to-face abutting relation in the nature of a book and are joined together along a hinged spine 13. Each of the

case halves

11 and 12 is generally rectangular and provided with

flat bottom walls

14 and 15, respectively;

end walls

16 and 17 and 18 and 19, respectively;

front side walls

20 and 21, respectively; and

back side walls

22 and 23, respectively. The outer housings or shells of the case halves are desirably stamped or otherwise fabricated from thin strong rigid sheet metal or molded or otherwise fabricated from thin strong, rigid synthetic resinous material. Exemplary materials include phenol-formaldyhyde, urea-formaldyhyde, polystyrene, acrylics and the like. The two complementary halves fold together along the hinged spine 13 like a book. A leaf spring latch member 24 located about midway between the ends of the front wall 21 of one half of the case engages a cooperating detent or depression 25 in the front wall 20 of the opposite half of the case to lock the case in closed position, as shown in FIGURE 4, although obviously other conventional latching and locking means may be similarly used.

One half of the case, in this instance the left hand half as illustrated in FIGURE 1 and identified generally at 11, contains a plurality of circular dies 26 along with a die stock 27. The dies 26 are of difierent sizes selected for any of the popular sizes of machine screws. A typical assortment of eight sizes would be, for example, 4-36, 4-40, 6-32, 8-32, 10-24, 10-32, 12-24, and A-20. Other assortments might be the tools comprising the NC (National Coarse) or NF (National Fine) series, or the like.

Obviously, both the number of dies and sizes may be varied widely. A plurality of die holding cavities or recesses 28 is provided in a row along the side of case half 11 away from the hinged spine 13. Each die cavity 28 3 269,529 Patented August 30, 1966 is of a width just sufiiciently larger than the diameter of the die 26 that the die fits therein with a loose or sloppy slide fit and a length approximately 6 to A longer than the diameter of the die.

The inner end of the die recess 28, that is the end of the recess toward the hinged spine 13 of the case, is partially enclosed to form a pocket in which the die fits and is retained without falling out when the case is tilted, as in closing or other handling. The depth of the covered pocket end of the die recess is just slightly greater than the thickness of the die in order to provide a loose or sloppy fit of the die therein. Its width is between about /3 and /s of the diameter of the die and greater than the distance by which the length of cavity 28 exceeds the diameter of the die. This is to insure against accidental dislodgement of the dies from their respective cavities. As shown, each die recess 28 is defined by a wall member 29 shaped to the desired contour and size of the recess and the die retaining pocket ends of the die recesses are further defined by an overhanging lip or cover plate 30 extending partially over the die recess at the inner end thereof.

A cooperating row of die

recesses

31 and 32 extends along the opposite side of case half 11 adjacent the hinged spine 13. These recesses are of the same general size and shape as recesses 28 already described. Each has a covered retaining pocket at its end adjacent the hinged spine to retain dies within the recesses when the case is tilted. Recesses 31 are formed wall members 33 shaped to the size and configuration of the recess. Die recesses 32 adjacent the end walls of case half 11 are formed within block members 34 which perform a further function of positioning and retaining the handle of the die stock 27, as described hereinafter. The innermost ends of

recesses

31 and 32 are partially enclosed by means of overhanging lips or cover plates 35 to define the die retaining pockets which prevent dislodgment of the dies when the case is tilted.

To facilitate easy grasping of the dies with the fingers, the side walls of the

cavities

28, 31 and 32 as defined by

wall members

29, 33 and 34 are preferably of a height less than the thickness of the dies as shown. It will be readily seen that when the case is laid fiat on a bench or table, a die is easily inserted by grasping the sides of the die with thumb and forefinger and inserting in the recess with the die disposed at a slight angle toward the covered portion of the recess. 'This bottommost inclined edge of the die is slipped under the edge of the retaining cover member and the die may then be dropped into place. When the case is lifted for closing and the case is folded along the hinge to bring the halves together each of the dies will slip into its respective retaining pocket. When the case is opened the dies tend to remain in the retaining pocket. They may be easily removed by lifting the case and letting the dies slide out of the retaining pockets into the open portions of the die recesses from which the dies may be readily removed.

The die stock 27 is adapted to be disposed in a recess between the two rows of die recesses. The die stock 27 is retained in the case during opening and closing thereof by means of overhanging retaining lips 36 formed in the wall of members 34 defining die recesses 32 and engaging the ends of the handle of the die stock. The die recesses are spaced apart transversely of the case half 11 to provide a recess for the elongated handle of the die stock and longitudinally of the case to provide a recess for the hub 37 of the die stock and its retaining set screw 38.

The die stock is adapted as a tap holder and wrench by means of a tap holder adapter disk 3? having substantially the same diameter and thickness as the dies 26, i.e., one inch. The tap holder adapter disk 39 is provided with a plurality of apertures 40-44 of decreasing size each adapted to receive the square shank of a tap. For example, aperture 40 measures inch on a side and is adapted to receive the shank of a /420 tap; aperture 41 measures inch to a side and takes a 12-24 tap; aperture 42 is inch to a side and takes a 1032 and -24 tap; aperture 43 is 4; inch per side and takes a 332 tap and aperture 44 is inch to a side and takes taps Nos. 26. Each of these apertures is desirably provided with about a 4 taper on both sides to facilitate entry of the tap shanks and tight gripping of the caps by jamming or wedging of the shanks into the tapered apertures. The tap holding apertures are arrayed about the center of the adapter disk so that the greatest force may be exerted on the larger taps with greatest ease by the operator and minimum stress and strain to the adapter disk.

It will be readily seen that the number of die recesses may be varied to adapt the case to hold the proper die assortment for particular needs. Each of the recesses is characterized by a retaining pocket to prevent dislodgment of the dies and die stock from the case when the case is tilted in opening and closing. The recesses may be formed by molding or machining or otherwise fabricated from any suitable material, such as synthetic resinous material, such as, acrylics and the like.

The opposite side of the tool case designated generally as 12 is especially adapted to hold a plurality of taps and drills of sizes corresponding to the dies and a countersink or reamer. A tap swivel bar or block 45 is disposed in one end of the case half '12. The tap swivel bar 45 is pivoted in the case by means of a pair of projecting lugs or ears 46 which engage apertures in the front and

rear side walls

21 and 23 to permit the swivel bar to be swung upwardly to provide easy access therein. The tap swivel bar is provided with a plurality of deep parallel holes or channels open at one end and extending transversely of the bar and longitudinally of the case, each adapted to receive the shank of a tap 48. Preferably a pair of channels 47 is provided for each of the smaller size taps which are more susceptible to breakage so that a spare may always be kept on hand.

Similarly a drill swivel block or bar 49 is provided at the opposite end of the case half 12. Drill swivel bar 49 is likewise provided with projecting lugs or ears 50 which engage apertures in the front and

back side walls

21 and 22 of the case half 12 to permit the swivel bar to be pivoted to expose the drills for easy access. The drill swivel bar 49 is likewise provided with a plurality of parallel holes or channels 51 which are open at one end and extend transversely of the bar and longitudinally of the case half '12 and are adapted to receive the shanks of a plurality of drills 52 of different sizes. Again, a pair of channels is preferably provided for the drills of smallest size which are more susceptible to breakage in order to provide a spare.

Both the tap swivel bar 45 and the drill swivel bar 49 are pivoted in the case half 12 spaced from the bottom wall so that when slight finger pressure is exerted against either of the swivel bars along the edges adjacent the end walls of the case half, the swivel bars are readily tilted up into their upright positions, as shown in broken lines in FIGURE 2.

The space in the drill and tap half of the case between the ends of the tap swivel bar and drill swivel bar is occupied by a center block or filler 53 which is provided with a plurality of open topped channels or grooves 54 which are in longitudinal alignment with the channels 47 of the tap swivel block and a plurality of open topped channels or grooves 55 which are in longitudinal alignment with channels 51 of the drill swivel block. The upper surface of block 53 is approximately iflush with the top surfaces of the swivel bars and with the end and side walls of the case half 12 and when the case is closed butts against the cover members and enclosing the die retaining pockets and the tops of retaining lips 36. Thus, when the case is closed the abutting surfaces of the two case halves cooperate with one another to retain the tools in place.

Each of the

channels

54 and 55 is of a length adapted to receive the tap or drill or appropriate size so as to receive the tool with a loose fit but to provide a minimum of movement or play for that tool. When the swivel bars are in their folded down position, each tool is securely held in place so that the tools cannot become mixed or intermingled or dislodged from their own channels. At the same time, each tool is easily accessible when the swivel bar is tilted to its upward position exposing the tools for selection.

The swivel bars 45 and 49 and the center block 5-3 are desirably formed from synthetic resinous material, such as an acrylic resin. The center block 5 3 is desirably held in place by means of a plurality of depressions or detents 56 pressed into the side walls of the case half 12 and engaging similar depressions or detents formed in the center block. To minimize weight of the case the center block :53 may be partially hollowed out to provide the air space 57.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the larger size taps and drills are disposed along one side wall of the case half 12 and arrayed in graduated decreasing sizes to the opposite side wall. This provides a space between the smaller and shorter size taps and drills for a countersink or reamer recess 59. The top opening of recess 59 is of a size and shape corresponding generally to the size and shape of the head of a countersink or reamer tool 60, but inwardly from the opening the recess has a width of about A to times larger than the diameter of the head of the countersink tool so as to provide for an overhanging lip 61 on the side of the opening toward the hinged spine of the case. This permits the countersink tool to be retained in the recess so as not to become dislodged when the case is tilted, as in opening and closing. The shank 62 of the countersink tool extends into a larger communicating recess '63 which is of a larger size which permits the shank to be easily grasped between thumb and forefinger for insertion into and removal from the recess 59.

It will be seen that there is provided a compact portable pocket size machine screw tool kit which is complete in that it provides for taps, dies and drills in a plurality of matching sizes required for particular needs and uses along with a die stock tap holder and wrench and countersink. The particular tools to be encased may be of any of the popular sizes or combinations. The case folds as a book. The dies, die stock, tap holder and wrench are conveniently retained on one side while at the same time are immediately accessible. A plurality of taps and drills and countersink are conveniently retained in the other side and by means of the swivel bars the taps and drills are immediately accessible. Each of the tools is individually retained in a recess or pocket. The sides of the case cooperate to retain the tools in place. Provision is made for storage of spares of those tools which are most likely to be broken. The case may be easily opened and closed without danger of spillage of the tools. The case is especially adapted to facilitate mechandising of entire complete kits of tools.

'It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A compact portable tool case for containing a plurality of machine screw tools in a set :of varying size tools, said case comprising a pair of matched case halves joined together along a hinged spine and foldable upon one another in abutting face-to-face contact, zone of said case halves being provided with a plurality of recesses disposed in a pair of spaced apart rows, each recess adapted to receive a die, each of said die receiving recesses being provided with means for retaining a die therein against dislodgment upon tilting of the case, said same case half being provided with a die stock recess disposed between two rows of die recesses, said die stock recess being provided with means for retaining a die stock therein against dislodgment upon tilting of the case, the other of said case halves being provided with a first pivotally mounted bar having a plurality of elongated parallel channels each adapted to receive the shank of a tap, and a further pivotally mounted bar having a plurality of elongated parallel channels each adapted to receive the shank of a drill, said pivotally mounted bars being disposed in opposite ends of said other case half for pivotal movement about parallel axes, a fixed center block disposed between said pivotally mounted bars, a plurality of elongated opentopped parallel channels in said center block, each of said last named channels being in longitudinal alignment with a channel in one of said pivotally mounted bars, said aligned channels being of graduated varying sizes and adapted to retain taps and drills of corresponding varying sizes, said pivotally mounted bars when tilted being adapted to lift one end of taps and drills retained therein out of the aligned open-topped channels for ready access, a further recess in said fixed center block disposed between the shorter of said open-topped channels and adapted to receive a countersink tool, said last named recess being provided with means for retaining a countersink tool therein against dislodgment upon tilting of the case.

2. A tool case according to claim 1 further characterized in that said case is generally flat and rectangular, pocket sized and having a shell of thin strong formed sheet material with means for retaining the matched halves in closed relationship.

3. A tool case according to claim 1 further characterized in that said means for retaining said dies, die stock and countersink tool in their respective recesses comprises an overhanging retaining lip extending in the direction away from the hinged spine of the case to provide a partially enclosed retaining pocket in each tool recess on the side of the recess toward the hinged spine.

4. A tool case according to claim 1 further characterized in that said pivotally mounted bars are provided with dual parallel tap and drill receiving channels for taps and drills of smallest sizes whereby spare replacement taps and drills may be provided for those tools most likely to be broken.

5. A compact portable kit of machine screw tools comprising a case having a pair of matched case halves joined together along a hinged spine and foldable upon one another in abutting face-to-face contact, one of said case halves being provided with a plurality of recesses disposed in a pair of spaced apart rows, each recess adapted to receive a die, each of said die receiving recesses being fitted with a die of ditferent size and provided with means for retaining each die therein against dislodgment upon tilting of the case, said same case half being provided with a die stock recess disposed between two rows of die recesses, said die stock recess being fitted with a die stock and provided with means for retaining said die stock therein against disloclgrnent upon tilting of the case, the other of said case halves being provided with a first pivotally mounted bar having a plurality of elongated parallel channels each adapted to receive the shank of a tap, and a further pivotally mounted 'bar having a plurality of elongated parallel channels each adapted to receive the shank of a drill, said pivotally mounted bars being disposed in opposite ends of said other case half for pivotal movement about parallel axes, a fixed center block disposed between said pivotally mounted bars, a plurality of elongated open-topped channels in said center block, each of said last named channels being in longitudinal alignment with a channel in one of said pivotally mounted bars, said aligned channels being of graduated varying sizes and adapted to retain taps and drills of corresponding varying sizes, the first of said pivotally mounted bars being fitted with a plurality of taps of dilferent sized taps and the other of said pivotally mounted bars being fitted with a plurality of different sized drills, said pivotally mounted bars when tilted being adapted to lift one end of said taps and drills retained therein out of the aligned open-topped channels for ready access, a further recess in said fixed center block disposed between the shorter of said open-topped channels and adapted to re ceive a countersink tool, said last named recess being fitted with a countersink tool and provided with means for retaining said countersink tool therein against dislodgment upon tilting of the case.

6. A tool kit according to claim 5 further characterized in that said case is generally flat and rectangular, pocket sized and having a shell of thin strong formed sheet material with means for retaining the matched halves in closed relationship.

7. A tool kit according to claim 5 further characterized in that said means for retaining said dies, die stock and countersink tool in their respective recesses comprises an overhanging retaining lip extending in the direction away from the hinged spine of the case to provide a partially enclosed retaining pocket in each tool recess on the side of the recess toward the hinged spine.

8. A tool kit according to claim 5 further characterized in that said pivotally mounted 'bars are provided with dual parallel tap and drill receiving channels for taps and drills of smallest sizes whereby spare replacement taps and drills may be provided for those tools most likely to be broken.

9. A tool kit according to claim 5 further characterized in that said die stock is provided with a tap holder and wrench adapter disk fitted therein and having a plurality of tap holding apertures therein, each of said apertures being a different size to receive the shank of taps of different sizes and being tapered whereby the shanks of said taps may be wedged therein.

No references cited.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

Claims

5. A COMPACT PORTABLE KIT OF MACHINE SCREW TOOLS COMPRISING A CASE HAVING A PAIR OF MATCHED CASE HALVES JOINED TOGETHER ALONG A HINGED SPINE AND FOLDABLE UPON ONE ANOTHER IN ABUTTING FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT, ONE OF SAID CASE HALVES BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF RECESSESD DISPOSED IN A PAIR OF SPACED APART ROWS, EACH RECESS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A DIE, EACH OF SAID DIE RECEIVING RECESSED BEING FITTED WITH A DIE OF DIFFERENT SIZE AND PROVIDED WITH MEANS FOR RETAINING EACH DIE THEREIN AGAINST DISLODGMENT UPON TILTING OF THE CASE, SAID SAME CASE HALF BEING PROVIDED WITH A DIE SOTCK RECESS DISPOSED BETWEEN TWO ROWS OF DIE RECESSES, SAID DIE STOCK RECESS BEING FITTED WITH A DIE STOCK AND PROVIDED WITH MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID DIE STOCK THEREIN AGAINST DISLODGMENT UPON TILTING OF THE CASE, THE OTHER OF SAID CASE HALVES BEING PROVIDED WITH A FIRST PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BAR ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE SHANK OF A TOP, LEL CHANNELS EACH ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE SHANK OF A TAP, AND A FURTHER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BAR HAVING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED PARALLEL CHANNELS EACH ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE SHANK OF A DRILL, SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS BEING DISPOSED IN OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID OTHER CASE HALF FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT PARALLEL AXES, A FIXED CENTER BLOCK DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS, A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED OPEN-TOPPED CHANNELS IN SAID CENTER BLOCK, EACH OF SAID LAST NAMED CHANNELS BEING IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH A CHANNEL IN ONE OF SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS, SAID ALIGNED CHANNELS BEING OF GRADUATED VARYING SIZES AND ADAPTED TO RETAIN TAPS AND DRILLS OF CORRESPONDING VARYING SIZES, THE FIRST OF SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS BEING FITTED WITH A PLURALITY OF TAPS OF DIFFERENT SIZED TAPS AND THE OTHER OF SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS BEING FITTED WITH A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT SIZED DRILLS, SAID PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BARS WHEN TILTED BEING ADAPTED TO LIFT ONE END OF SAID TAPS AND DRILLS RETAINED THEREIN OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT OPEN-TOPPED CHANNELS FOR READY ACCESS, A FURTHER RECESS IN SAID FIXED CENTER BLOCK DISPOSED BETWEEN THE SHORTER OF SAID OPEN-TOPPED CHANNELS AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A COUNTERSINK TOOL, SAID LAST NAMED RECESS BEING FITTED WITH A COUNTERSINK TOOL THEREIN AGAINST DISLODGFOR RETAINING SAID COUNTERSINK TOOL THEREIN AGAINST DISLODGMENT UPON TILTING OF THE CASE.