WO2009141582A1

WO2009141582A1 - Tool chest lid

Info

Publication number: WO2009141582A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/001214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry Whittam; Ray Hanson; Darren Parsons
Original assignee: Barry Whittam; Ray Hanson; Darren Parsons
Priority date: 2008-05-21
Filing date: 2009-05-14
Publication date: 2009-11-26

Abstract

There is provided a lid (4) for a tool chest, comprising: an upper face (6,8) defining a planar support surface, which in use is substantially horizontal; and at least two longitudinal ridges (12,14), projecting upwardly from the support surface and transversely spaced apart from each other so as to define a longitudinal groove between adjacent ridges; wherein at least one of the ridges is formed with an abutment face defining a substantially planar longitudinal abutment surface (16), which abutment surface adjoins the planar support surface and is substantially perpendicular to the planar support surface. The longitudinal groove can provide a support on which a tubular workpiece (28), such as a length of pipe can be supported for cutting and the abutment surface and planar support surfaces can provide a support on which a rectilinear workpiece (18), such as a plank of wood can be supported for cutting.

Description

TOOL CHEST LID

The present invention relates to a lid arrangement for a tool chest suitable for storing work tools.

Tool chests are storage chambers for work tools, including hand tools, power tools, tool accessories and associated fixing elements, such as screws and nails, etc. Such tool chests generally have a lid. Typically tool chests comprise a base formed as a box with an open upper edge and a lid for forming an openable closure for said open upper edge. For example, the lid may be hingedly connected to the base or may be fixable to the base using releaseable fixing elements or a snap fit connection. When a user of the tool chest requires access to the base, for example to retrieve or replace a tool, they can open the lid.

A user of the tool chest will sometimes use cutting or other forming tools to make cuts into or to otherwise form a workpiece. In order to secure the workpiece during cutting, the user will generally require a support for the workpiece, such as a work bench. The workpieces may be of many different shapes, including rectilinear shapes comprising at least two adjoining perpendicular surfaces, such as planks or slabs of material, such as wood, fibreboard or other material. In addition, the workpieces may have curved surfaces, such as tubes or pipes, for example made of metal or plastic or other materials. Many different workbench designs are available for supporting a range of differently shaped workpieces, during cutting or forming of workpieces.

According to the present invention, there is provided a lid for a tool chest, comprising: an upper face defining a planar support surface, which in use is substantially horizontal; and at least two longitudinal ridges projecting upwardly from the support surface and transversely spaced apart from each other so as to define a longitudinal groove between adjacent ridges; wherein at least one of the ridges is formed with an abutment face defining a substantially planar longitudinal abutment surface, which abutment surface adjoins the planar support surface and is substantially perpendicular to the planar support surface.

It is not essential that the upper face of the lid or the abutment face are planar, as they may for example, comprises a plurality of co-planar faces which together define the planar surfaces. The ridges may be substantially parallel ridges and may extend in a longitudinal direction.

The lid according to the present invention provides a longitudinal groove which can be used to support workpieces, such as pipes, for cutting or other forming. The longitudinal ridges can be shaped so as to define a longitudinal groove suitable for supporting a selection of differently shaped and sized longitudinal workpieces. In addition the adjoining abutment and support surfaces can be used for supporting a rectilinear workpiece, such as a plank of wood or a piece of board, for cutting or other forming. Accordingly, the lid according to the present invention can be used to support a variety of workpieces without the Hd having any moving parts, in addition to its function as a work chest lid. Faces of adjacent ridges defining the longitudinal groove may be formed with longitudinal surface grooves so as to provide a more stable support for workpieces.

The adjacent ridges may slope away from each other so as to define a longitudinal V-shaped groove. The V-shaped groove is ideally shaped to securely support, in particular relatively small diameter pipes, for example of the type used in domestic plumbing applications.

Each ridge may be formed by at least two longitudinally spaced ridge portions, aligned longitudinally and terminated by opposing end faces. In this case, the opposing end faces of adjacent ridge portions may be aligned to define a transverse valley. In some embodiments of the tool box lid, each ridge may comprise more than two ridge portions, cooperating to define more than one transverse valley. The or each transverse valley can also be used to support workpieces and the opposing end faces can be shaped so that they are suited to particular shapes and sizes of workpiece. For example, the opposing end faces may terminate at their base at a base surface located between the opposing end faces. Also, the opposing end faces may slope away from each other from the base to the top of the opposing end faces. Alternatively, sloping support elements may extend into the or each transverse valley from the adjacent ridge portions defining the valley, which sloping support elements may slope towards each other in a direction towards a base of the valley. The support elements may be shaped so that they are suited to particular shapes and sizes of workpiece. The sloping support elements may be dimensioned and positioned within the or each valley to support a workpiece of particular standard dimensions, for example a standard diameter. The or each such valley may be suitable for supporting larger diameter pipes, for example as used in domestic guttering. In particular, the base surface may be substantially parallel to the support surface. The or each transverse valley may have a different size and shape to each other and to the longitudinal groove so that the valley or valleys and groove can accommodate different shapes and sizes of workpieces. In particular the or at least one of the transverse valley(s) may be wider than the longitudinal groove.

The lid may typically be substantially rectangular having two long sides and two short sides and the ridges may extend in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the long sides and the valley may extend in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In particular the longitudinal ridges may be located adjacent to and extend along one of the sides of the lid leaving the remainder of the lid to define the planar support surface. The longitudinal ridges may extend along substantially the entire length of the lid.

In order to provide sufficient space for larger workpieces, the planar support surface defined by the upper face of the lid may extend over substantially the entire upper face of the lid except for a region where the ridges are located. Additionally, the lid may comprise a rule for measuring workpieces prior to cutting or working. The rule may be embedded within the upper face of the lid with an upper surface of the rule co-planar with the planar support surface and the rule may extend in the longitudinal direction.

The lid according to the present invention may be made of many different materials, including metal or hardwood or may conveniently be made of a plastic or plastics material, which may for example be mouldable.

The present invention also provides a tool chest comprising a base for receiving tools and a lid according to any one of the preceding claims. In particular, the base may comprise a box having an open upper edge and the lid may comprise an openable closure for the open upper edge. The tool chest may have a lid which is hingedly connected to the base by at least one hinge arrangement, in which case the or each valley may be located above a corresponding hinge arrangement.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a view from above of a tool chest lid according to the present invention fitted onto a tool chest base, which tool chest lid is formed with a longitudinal groove and a longitudinal abutment;

Figure 2 shows in more detail one end of the tool chest Hd of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows in more detail a central transverse valley in the longitudinal groove in the tool chest lid of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows the tool chest lid of Figure 1 supporting a small diameter pipe in the longitudinal groove;

Figure 5 shows the tool chest lid of Figure 1 supporting a plank against the abutment;

Figure 6 shows the tool chest lid of Figure 1 supporting a large diameter pipe in the central valley; and

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a tool box lid according to the present invention to that shown in Figures 1 to 6, from above and fitted to a tool chest base.

The tool chest shown in Figure 1 comprises base (2) formed as a rectangular cross-sectioned box with an open upper edge and a tool chest Hd (4) according to the present invention. The tool chest lid (4) is rectangular having two opposing long sides (1a, 1b) and two opposing short sides (3a, 3b). In the Figures a longitudinal direction (L) is parallel to the long sides (1a, 1b) and a transverse direction (T) is parallel to the short sides (3a, 3b). The tool chest Hd (4) can be opened in order to gain access to any tools stored within the base (2) or to replace tools in the base. The tool chest lid (4) may be releaseably fitted to the base (2), for example using releaseable fixing elements or may be permenantly fitted to the base, for example using at least one hinge arrangement. Many designs of tool chest are known in the art and a tool chest lid according to the present invention may be used in relation to such tool chests.

The tool chest lid (4) has an upper face comprising a rim section (6), a central panel (8) and a shallow depression therebetween. The rim section (6) and the central panel (8) have upper surfaces which are level with each other and define a planar support surface. The surface (6, 8) is substantially horizontal when the lid (4) is mounted on the base (2) and the tool chest is upright.

A first pair of ridge portions (12a, 12b) is formed at the first long side (1a) of the rectangular lid, the ridge portions are aligned with each other in a longitudinal direction (L) and extend substantially parallel to the first long side (1a). The ridge portions (12a, 12b) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (L). A second pair of ridge portions (14a, 14b) is formed spaced apart in a transverse direction (T) from the first pair of ridge portions (12a, 12b). The second pair of ridge portions (14a, 14b) are aligned with each other in a longitudinal direction (L). The second pair of ridge portions (14a, 14b) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction and mirror the first pair of ridge portions (12a, 12b). The first pair of ridge portions (12a, 12b) cooperate to form a ridge (12) and the second pair of ridge portions (14a, 14b) cooperate to a form a ridge (14). The ridges (12, 14) project upwardly from the planar support surface (6, 8) of the tool chest lid (4).

The second ridge portions (14a, 14b) are each formed with an abutment face (16a, 16b), which is the face of the ridge facing away from the corresponding one of the first pair of ridge portions (12a, 12b). The abutment faces (16a, 16b) lie in the same plane as each other and they also adjoin and are substantially perpendicular to the planar support surface (6, 8) of the lid (4). The abutment faces (16a, 16b) cooperate to form an abutment surface (16) of the lid (4). As shown in Figure 5, a user can rest a rectilinear workpiece, such as a plank of wood (18), on the support surface (6, 8) against the abutment surface (16) with an overhanging end of the plank of wood extending beyond a short side (3b) of the lid (4). In this position the plank of wood (18) is supported for cutting into or otherwise forming the overhanging end of the plank of wood, for example using a sawing tool.

A first (12a) of the first ridge portions mirrors a corresponding first (14a) of the second ridge portions and these ridge portions are formed with opposing sloping surfaces (20a, 20b) which cooperate to define a longitudinal V-shaped groove (22a). Similarly, a second (12b) of the first ridge portions mirrors a corresponding second (14b) of the second ridge portions and these ridge portions are formed with opposing sloping surfaces (24a, 24b) which cooperate to define a longitudinal V-shaped groove (22b). The V-shaped grooves (22a, 22b) cooperate to form a V-shaped groove (22). The opposing sloping surfaces (20, 24) are formed with a plurality of surface ridges (26) extending in the longitudinal direction (L). The longitudinal V-shaped grooves (22a, 22b) are aligned in the longitudinal direction (L). As shown in Figure 4 a user can support a curved workpiece, in this example a length of pipe (28), between the opposing sloping surfaces (20, 24) of the ridges (12, 14), ie. within the longitudinal V-shaped groove (22), with an overhanging end of the pipe extending beyond a short side (3b) of the rectangular lid (4). In this position the pipe (28) is supported for cutting into the overhanging end of the pipe, for example using a sawing tool.

As indicated above and as shown in Figure 3, the first pair of ridge portions (12a, 12b) are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (L) and each of the ridge portions has an end face (30) opposing an end face of the other of the pair. Similarly, the first pair of ridge portions (14a, 14b) are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (L) and each of the ridge portions has an end face (30) opposing an end face of the other of the pair. The opposing end faces (30) slope away from each other from the base (34) to the top (36) of the opposing end faces (30). The opposing end faces (30) have a lower portion extending downwardly from the base of the V-shaped groove (22) to a level below the support surface (6, 8) of the lid (4). The opposing end faces (30) each terminate at their base (34) at a horizontal base surface (32) which separates and extends between the opposing end faces. The horizontal base surface (32) is substantially parallel to and below the support surface (6, 8). The opposing ends faces (30) and the base surface (32) define a transverse valley within which can be supported curved workpieces having a larger radius of curvature than the curved workpieces that can be supported in the longitudinal V-shaped groove (22).

As shown in Figure 6 a user can support a curved workpiece, in this example a length of pipe (38), with a relatively large diameter as compared to the diameter of pipe (28) shown in Figure 4 in the transverse valley defined by the opposing end faces (30) and the base surface (32). An overhanging end of the pipe (38) is positioned to extend beyond a long side (1a) of the rectangular lid (4). In this position the pipe (38) is supported for cutting into the overhanging end of the pipe, for example using a sawing tool.

A metal rule (10) extends parallel to a long side (1b) of the rectangular lid (4) along the opposite side of the Hd to the ridges (12, 14). The metal rule (10) is embedded in the rim section (6) so that the upper surface of the rule (10) is level with the support surface (6, 8). The rule is marked with gradations for measuring lengths and a zero gradation on the rule is located adjacent a first short side (3a) of the rectangular lid (4). This enables a user to place a workpiece on the lid (4) so as to measure a workpiece in order to determine where a cut should be made before supporting the workpiece on the lid (4) in one of the positions described above in order to make the cut.

The tool chest lid (4) is preferably made of a tough but lightweight material, such as a plastic or plastics material. For example, it may be made of polycarbonate. The material chosen should be as tough and difficult to cut through as is compatible with the material being lightweight, inexpensive and relatively easy to form, for example by moulding, into the desired formations. In order to toughen a material made from a mouidable plastic or plastics material, one of more layers of reinforcing fibres, such as aramid or carbon fibres, may be embedded within the lid (4).

An alternative design of tool box lid to that shown in Figures 1 to 6 is shown in Figure 7, with like parts indicated by like numerals. The main difference between the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 and the embodiment of Figure 7 is that the ridges (12, 14) are each made up of four aligned ridge portions (12a to 12d and 14a to 14d).

A first set of ridge portions (12a to 12d) is formed at the first long side (1a) of the rectangular lid, the ridge portions are aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction and extend substantially parallel to the first long side (1a). The ridge portions (12a to 12d) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. A second set of ridge portions (14a to 14d) is formed spaced apart in the transverse direction from the first set of ridge portions (12a to 12d). The second set of ridge portions (14a to 14d) are aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction. The second set of ridge portions (14a to 14d) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction and mirror the first set of ridge portions (12a to 12d). The first set of ridge portions (12a to 12d) cooperate to form a ridge (12) and the second set of ridge portions (14a to 14d) cooperate to a form a ridge (14). The second ridge portions (14a to 14d) are each formed with an abutment face (16a to 16d), which is the face of the ridge portion facing away from the corresponding one of the first set of ridge portions (12a to 12d). The abutment faces (16a to 16d) lie in the same plane as each other and they also adjoin and are substantially perpendicular to the planar support surface (6, 8) of the lid (4). The abutment faces (16a to 16d) cooperate to form an abutment surface (16) of the lid (4), the use of which is described above in relation to Figures 1 to 6.

The first ridge portions (12a to 12d) each mirror a corresponding one of the second ridge portions (14a to 14d) and these ridge portions are formed with opposing sloping surfaces which cooperate to define a longitudinal V-shaped groove (22a to 22d). The V-shaped grooves (22a to, 22d) are aligned in the longitudinal direction and cooperate for form a V-shaped groove (22) in the same way as is described above in relation to Figures 1 to 6 and for the same purpose.

As indicated above and as shown in Figure 7, the first set of ridge portions (12a to 12d) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. Each of the ridge portions (12a to 12d) has at least one end face (30) opposing an end face of an adjacent one of the set of ridge portions. Similarly, the set of ridge portions (14a to 14d) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction and each of the ridge portions has an end face (30) opposing at least one end face of an adjacent one of the set of ridge portions. The opposing end faces (30) are substantially perpendicular to the support surface (6, 8), but may also slope as is described in relation to Figures 1 to 6. The opposing end faces (30) each terminate at their base at a horizontal base surface (32) which separates and extends between the opposing end faces. The horizontal base surface (32) is substantially parallel to and below the support surface (6, 8). Each facing pair of the opposing ends faces (30) and the base surface (32) define a transverse valley within which can be supported workpieces having a larger radius of curvature than the curved workpieces that can be supported in the longitudinal V-shaped groove (22).

In the embodiment of Figure 7 with each ridge (12, 14) made up of four ridge portions (12a to 12d, 14a to 14d) three transverse valleys are defined, each defined by a base surface (32) and a pair of opposing end faces (30).

In the example of Figure 7, the three transverse valleys are located above three hinge arrangements via which the lid (4) of the tool box is hingedly connected to the base (2) of the tool box. Tooling restrictions for the moulding of the tool box Hd (4) make it desirable to have a base surface (32) above each hinge arrangement and not a portion of the raised ridges (12, 14). In order to make at least the central one of the three valleys, of a suitable size for supporting a standard pipe diameter, a set of sloping support elements (40) are formed in the central valley.

Each sloping support element (40) comprises a pair of parallel spaced planar fins (42). The planar faces of each fin are substantially perpendicular to the support surface (6, 8) of the tool box lid (4). Each fin has an upper edge surface substantially parallel to the support surface (6, 8) at a level lower than the maximum height of the ridges (12, 14) and a sloping edge surface which slopes towards the middle of the valley from the top to the bottom of the sloping edge surface. A support element (40) extends from the facing end faces (30) of each of the ridge portions (12a, 14a, 12b, 14b) defining the central valley.

Claims

1. A lid for a tool chest, comprising: an upper face defining a planar support surface, which in use is substantially horizontal; and at least two longitudinal ridges, projecting upwardly from the support surface and transversely spaced apart from each other so as to define a longitudinal groove between adjacent ridges; wherein at least one of the ridges is formed with an abutment face defining a substantially planar longitudinal abutment surface, which abutment surface adjoins the planar support surface and is substantially perpendicular to the planar support surface.

2. A lid according to claim 1 wherein opposing faces of adjacent ridges slope away from each other so as to define a longitudinal V-shaped groove.

3. A lid according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each ridge is formed by at least two longitudinally spaced ridge portions, aligned longitudinally and terminated by opposing end faces.

4. A lid according to claim 3 wherein the opposing end faces of adjacent ridge portions are aligned to define a transverse valley.

5. A lid according to claim 4 wherein the opposing end faces terminate at their base at a base surface located between the opposing end faces of the ridge portions.

6. A lid according to claim 5 wherein the base surface is substantially parallel to the support surface.

7. A lid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid is substantially rectangular having two long sides and two short sides and the ridges extend in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the long sides and the valley extends in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

8. A lid according to any one of the preceding clams wherein the longitudinal ridges are located adjacent to and extend along one side of the lid.

9. A lid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the longitudinal ridges extend along substantially the entire length of the Hd.

10. A lid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the planar support surface defined by the upper face of the lid extends over substantially the entire upper face of the lid except for a region where the ridges are located.

11. A lid according to any one of the preceding claims additionally comprising a rule.

12. A lid according to claim 11 wherein the rule is embedded within the upper face of the lid with an upper surface of the rule co-planar with the planar support surface.

13. A lid according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the rule extends longitudinally.

14. A lid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein faces of adjacent ridges defining the longitudinal V-shaped groove are formed with longitudinal surface grooves.

15. A lid according to any one of the preceding claims made of a plastic or plastics material.

16. A lid according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ridges are substantially parallel to each other.

17. A lid according to claim 3 or to any one of claims 4 to 16 when dependent on claim 3 wherein each ridge comprises more than two ridge portions, cooperating to defining more than one transverse valley.

18. A lid according to claim 4 or any one of claims 5 to 17 when dependent on claim 4 wherein sloping support elements extend into the or each transverse valley from the adjacent ridge portions defining the valley and wherein the sloping support elements slope towards each other in a direction towards a base of the valley.

19. A tool chest comprising a base for receiving tools and a lid according to any one of the preceding claims.

20. A tool chest according to claim 19 wherein the base comprises a box having an open upper edge and the lid comprises an openable closure for the open upper edge.

21. A tool chest according to claim 18 or claim 19, when dependent on claim 4 wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the base by at least one hinge arrangement and wherein the or each valley is located above a corresponding hinge arrangement.