WO1999022916A1

WO1999022916A1 - Toolbox

Info

Publication number: WO1999022916A1
Application number: PCT/FR1998/002326
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Le Faou
Original assignee: Daniel Le Faou
Priority date: 1997-11-03
Filing date: 1998-10-30
Publication date: 1999-05-14
Also published as: FR2770437B1; FR2770437A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a toolbox comprising a tool-holder tray (P) removably supported in the upper part of a hollow box (B), the tray comprising in its upper surface (5), for each type of tools, a series of individual compartments (9, 10, 11) adapted to receive each a tool of different size in a range of tools of many different sizes, and means are provided for maintaining each tool in its individual compartment on the tray.

Description

TOOLBOX

The present invention relates to a toolbox. Numerous tool boxes are already known, generally comprising a tool tray which is supported at the upper part of a hollow box, the tray comprising in its upper face compartments for receiving different types of tools. However, these comp.artiments do not allow orderly storage of tools, either between tools of the same range or between tools of different types. Even if the user tries to rationalize his storage, after a certain time, the scheduling becomes chaotic, which causes a loss of time for the operator. In addition, the tools are generally not held in place when the box is opened, which can lead to loss of tools, as a result of incorrect handling, during transport of the box or when the 'the box is placed on an inclined plane, especially if this plane is orientable or mobile.

In addition, traditional tool boxes generally have a large footprint when they must contain wide ranges of tools. There are also known specific tool boxes for a full range of tools, but they are limited to a single type of tool.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a new toolbox which ensures orderly storage of different types of tools for extended tool ranges, while allowing easy and easy access to the different tools. , with a minimum footprint and avoiding any risk of loss of tools.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a tool box comprising a tool tray which is removably supported at the top of a hollow box, the plate comprising on its upper face compartments for receiving different types of tools , characterized in that, for each type of tool, the tray comprises a succession of individual compartments adapted to each receive a tool of different size in a range of tools of multiple sizes, and in that means are provided for retain each tool in its individual compartment on the tray. In a first embodiment, the plate comprises at least one succession of blind holes of different dimensions to accommodate a range of tools of corresponding shapes and at least one permanent magnet is arranged in the underside of the plate nearby, and preferably vertically, of said succession of blind holes to serve as means of retaining by magnetic attraction of the tools in the holes.

The plate may include instead of or in addition to the abovementioned blind holes, a plurality of through holes for accommodating therein a range of elongated tools of variable size and a block of foam material preferably pre-notched is arranged in the hollow box to the vertical of said plurality of through holes so that an end portion of said elongated tools is retained by friction clamping in said foam. According to a particular application, the blind holes are substantially cylindrical and aligned so as to receive therewith just-fit sockets of multiple sizes. According to another example, these blind holes are in the form of elongated notches aligned in pairs, each pair of notches being able to receive, by their edges, the end heads of a flat key, said pairs of notches being substantially parallel to one another. , and the notches of each pair being spaced apart by a distance adapted to the length of each key. According to yet another example, the blind holes form an imprint matching the shape of the tool to be received, for example the head of a hammer, a counterweight, a tape measure, an oil burette or a cutter.

According to another application, the through holes are dimensioned to leave the handles of the screwdrivers or the pin punches outside the plate. According to another example, the through holes are arranged in pairs, each pair of holes being intended to receive the branches of pliers or of a pair of pincers. According to yet another example, the through holes are arranged to receive just a chisel, an adjustable wrench, a bent pipe wrench or an awl wrench. According to another characteristic of the invention, the hollow box has under the removable tray and in the vicinity of its bottom, at at least one drawer with transverse or longitudinal sliding, which is arranged in the space left free by the aforementioned retaining means.

Advantageously, the tool box has a cover in two separate parts articulated on two opposite edges of the box and foldable one against the other in the closed position above the tray with a height sufficient to contain the parts of the tools which protrude towards the outside of the tray, said parts of the cover serving as a lateral rest when they are folded into the open position against the side walls of the box. In this case, provision can also be made for the box to include a transport handle articulated on two opposite walls of the box and distinct from the walls where the cover is articulated, said handle being arranged so as to be able to extend above the cover in position. closing.

According to yet another characteristic, the tool box can be provided with rollers under the bottom of the box and with a handle or traction strap.

Advantageously, the tray is interchangeable with another tray module suitable for different ranges of tools and / or types of tools. To better understand the object of the invention, we will now describe, by way of purely illustrative and nonlimiting examples, several embodiments shown in the accompanying drawing.

In this drawing: - Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of the toolbox of the invention, in the open position;

- Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view along line III-III of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a plan and top view of a variant of the tray for the toolbox of the invention; and

- Figure 5 is a schematic plan view and from above of another alternative arrangement of a tray for the box of the invention. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the toolbox of the invention consists of a hollow box B and a removable tray P. The tray P is partially fitted inside the hollow box B and is supported on its lower face 1 by angles 2 proofs on the internal walls of the box B. On the upper longitudinal edges of the box B, are articulated by hinges 3 two complementary parts 4 together defining a cover for closing the box. Each part 4 has an L-shaped cross section and a C-shaped longitudinal section. In the closed position of the cover 4, 4, the plate P is partially fitted inside the cover 4, as shown in dashed lines on FIG. 2, with a height h between the upper face 5 of the plate P and the upper part of the cover 4, 4, which is sufficient to contain the portions of the tools which protrude outside the plate P, for example the handle 12 for a screwdriver T in FIG. 3. Each part 4 further comprises a locking tab 6 substantially at the center of its edge which is intended to come into contact with the other complementary part 4, the tabs 6 being pierced at 6a so as to allow them to be locked, for example, by a padlock 7.

The box B further comprises a carrying handle 8 consisting of two lateral tabs 8a connected together, at one end, by a longitudinal rod 8b, and articulated at their high end in 8c on the external transverse walls of the box B. The lateral tabs 8a have a length sufficient to allow the passage of the two cover pieces 4 under the longitudinal rod 8b of the handle (see FIG. 3). The plate P has on its upper face 5 a succession of blind holes 9 substantially aligned in the longitudinal direction and of decreasing diameters from left to right in FIG. 2. These blind holes 9 have an internal profile which substantially matches the external shape of the tool to insert into these holes. For example, these blind holes are intended to receive sockets. A pair of notches 10 aligned in the longitudinal direction are formed through the upper face 5 of the plate P, without opening on the other side of the latter. The pair of notches 10 is intended to receive by their edges the two end heads of a flat key (not shown) whose body extends between the two notches above the upper face 5 of the plate. A series of through holes 11 are provided through the tray P to receive, for example, the rod of a screwdriver T whose handle 12 remains outside of the tray P and rests on its upper face 5 (see FIG. 3).

The box B of the invention further comprises means for retaining the tools on the plate P. In the case of non-through holes, such as blind holes 9 and notches 10, a permanent magnet 13 can be provided in a suitable housing on the underside 1 of the tray and vertically with these holes to hold the tools by magnetic attraction in their housing on the tray. In the case of elongated tools passing through the plate, like the screwdriver T, their lower end portion is immersed in a mass of foam material 14, preferably pre-notched, and housed in the hollow box B under the plate P.

In the space left free by the retaining means 13 and 14, inside the hollow box B and under the plate P, there can be provided drawers 15 guided by angles 2 in L or T, which drawers 15 slide in the longitudinal or transverse direction to lead respectively to the transverse or longitudinal faces of the box B, as the case may be. These drawers can contain tools in bulk, unlike the housings provided on the plate P. Although this is not shown, one could also provide several stages of drawers 15 if the space inside the box B allows.

We will now refer to FIG. 4 which represents a variant of the plate PI in which we find the blind holes 9a, the notches 10 and the aforementioned through holes 11. Among the notches 10, there is a pair of notches 10a, one notch of which has a curved profile to receive a flat key with a curved head. The notches 10 are aligned in pairs and arranged parallel to each other so as to define together a trapezoidal area reserved for flat keys. Among the blind holes, one can distinguish, for example, a first longitudinal row of holes of decreasing diameters 9a on a longitudinal edge of the plate PI, intended to receive for example sockets. Two other adjacent rows of through holes 9b of variable diameters are arranged on the opposite longitudinal edge of the plate PI and are intended to receive pipe wrenches or wrenches. In the extension of the most row 9b external, are also provided blind holes 9c intended to receive ratchet keys and / or extensions. The through holes 11, which are intended to receive screwdrivers and / or pin punches, are aligned in the longitudinal direction and adjacent to the innermost row of blind holes 9b. Note that the notches 10 for flat keys are arranged between rows 9a and 9c.

Next to the through holes 11, a plurality of through holes 16 of larger diameter are also provided, arranged in pairs to receive respectively the branches of a clamp or a pair of pincers. Between the holes 16 and the first row 9a, two non-through housings 17 and 18 are provided, the imprint of which corresponds substantially to the head of a hammer, the handle of which is oriented vertically upwards. In the space remaining in the middle of the PI plate, non-through housings 19 can be provided for a measuring tape, 20 for a counterweight or an American pile, 21 for an oil burette, 22 for a cutter or cutter, and 23 for an adjustable wrench. Two through holes in the shape of a rectangle in cross section 24 are also provided to accommodate chisels. All these holes have a shape substantially conjugate to the shape of the tool to be inserted.

Of course, vertically non-through holes, one or more permanent magnets are provided in the lower face 1 of the plate PI, whereas vertically through holes, foam material is provided. Thus, even when the toolbox is on an inclined plane, the tools are not likely to fall.

Finally, in FIG. 5, another variant of the distribution of the holes on a plate P2 has been shown. On this plate, we find all the holes of the PI plate, but arranged differently. Along the right transverse edge of the plate P2, there are successively the blind holes 9c for the ratchet keys and the extensions, the cavity 18 for a hammer, the through holes 24 for the chisels and a blind hole 23 for a key wheel. On the other transverse edge of the plate P2, there is successively a longitudinal row of blind holes 9b for the sockets, the succession of pairs of notches 10 for the flat keys, the longitudinal series of through holes 11 for the screwdrivers and the succession longitudinal holes blind 9a for bent tube wrenches or awl wrenches. Finally, in the central area of the plate P2, there are successively from row 9a the through holes 16 for the branches of the pliers, then the blind housings 17 and 20 to receive respectively a hammer and a counter-mass, then the housings blind 19 and 22 to receive respectively the measuring tape and the cutter, and finally the housing 21 for the oil burette. Finally, at 25, a distinction is made between the housings 19 and 21 and the row 9b, a space remaining free in which holes corresponding to other forms of tools can be provided. By way of example, the plates of the invention are suitable for receiving a range of flat wrenches no. 6 to 23, a range of sockets no. 8 to 22, a range of ratchet wrenches no. 8 to 13, a range of pipe wrenches n ° 5 to 19 and a range of wrenches n ° 10 to 2,5.

Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within in the context of the invention.

Claims

1. Tool box comprising a tool-holding plate (P, PI, P2) which is removably supported at the top of a hollow box (B), the plate comprising in its upper face (5) compartments for receiving different types of tools, said plate comprising, for each type of tool (T), a succession of individual compartments (9-11, 16-24) adapted to each receive a tool of different size in a range of tools of sizes multiple, means (13, 14) being provided for retaining each tool in its individual compartment on the plate, characterized in that the plate (P, PI, P2) comprises at least one succession of blind holes of different dimensions (9 , 9a, 9c, 10, 10a, 17-23) to accommodate a range of tools of corresponding shapes and that at least one permanent magnet (13) is arranged in a suitable housing (la) on the underside (1 ) of the plate near, and preferably substantially vertically, said succession of blind holes to serve as means of retention by magnetic attraction of the tools in the holes.

2. Toolbox according to claim 1, characterized in that the blind holes (9, 9a,) are substantially cylindrical and aligned to receive there just fit of the sockets.

3. Toolbox according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate comprises blind holes in the form of elongated notches (10, 10a) aligned in pairs, each pair of notches being able to receive the heads by their edges end of a flat key, said pairs of notches being substantially parallel to each other, and the notches of each pair being spaced apart by a distance adapted to the length of each key.

4. Toolbox according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plate has blind holes (17 to 22) forming an imprint matching the shape of the tool to be received, for example the head of a hammer, a counterweight, a measuring tape, an oil burette or a cutter.

5. Tool box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate has a plurality of through holes (9b, 11, 16, 24) for accommodating a range of elongated tools of variable sizes (T) and that a block of foam material (14), preferably pre-notched, is arranged in the hollow box (B) vertical to said plurality of through holes so that an end portion of said elongated tools is retained by friction clamping in said foam.

6. Toolbox according to claim 5, characterized in that the through holes (11) are dimensioned to leave outside of the plate (P, PI, P2) the sleeves (12) of the screwdriver T or the drives- pins.

7. Tool box according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the plate has through holes (16) arranged in pairs, each pair of holes being intended to receive the branches of a clamp or a pair of pincers.

8. Toolbox according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the plate has through holes (9b, 24) which are arranged to receive just fit a bent tube wrench, an awl wrench or a chisel.

9. Tool box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow box (B) comprises at the removable plate (P, PI, P2) and in the vicinity of the bottom of the box, at least one drawer ( 15) with transverse or longitudinal sliding, which is arranged in the space left free by the aforementioned retaining means.

10. Tool box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cover in two separate parts (4) articulated on two opposite edges of the box (B) and folding against one another in the closed position above the tray with a height (h) sufficient to contain the parts (12) of the tools (T) which protrude towards the outside of the tray, said parts (4) of the cover serving as lateral rest when they are folded in the open position against the side walls of the box.

11. Tool box according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a transport handle (8) articulated on two opposite walls of the box and distinct from the walls where the cover is articulated (4), said handle being arranged to be able to extend over the cover in the closed position.

12. Tool box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with rollers under the bottom of the box (B) and a handle or traction strap.

13. Tool box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (P) is interchangeable with another plate module (PI, P2) suitable for ranges of tools and / or types of 'different tools.