U.S. patent application number 09/843652 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-11 for storage device for tools.
Invention is credited to Reilly, Robert.
Application Number | 20010028208 09/843652 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22197186 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010028208 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reilly, Robert |
October 11, 2001 |
Storage device for tools
Abstract
A storage device for storing tools and tool related items. The
storage device has a rectangular or cylindrical shaped main
portion. Removable doors allow access to the interior of the main
portion from the front or back. Movable vertical segments are
mounted on rails within the main portion and slide partially out of
the main portion at either the front or back of the device. The
vertical segments can be mounted on a device for rotational
movement within the main portion. Tools, tool related items and
miscellany are stored on the vertical segments by magnetic
attraction or by mechanical holders. Horizontal segments can be
included in the storage device.
Inventors: |
Reilly, Robert; (Howell,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Barbara M. Burns
Suite 276
1756 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor
MI
48105
US
|
Family ID: |
22197186 |
Appl. No.: |
09/843652 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09843652 |
Apr 26, 2001 |
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09086236 |
May 28, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/286 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/42 20170101;
B25H 3/04 20130101; A47B 88/403 20170101; B25H 3/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/286 |
International
Class: |
A47B 081/00 |
Claims
1. A device for storing tools and tool related items, the device
comprising: a main portion having a top, a bottom, a front, a back
and sides, the main portion forming at least one inner compartment
having a ceiling, a floor and inner sides; means for accessing said
at least one inner compartment; means for mounting attached to the
at least one inner compartment; means for sliding attached to the
means for mounting; at least one vertical movable segment mounted
to the means for sliding; and means for holding tools and tool
related items on the at least one vertical movable segment, wherein
said at least one vertical movable segment is movable between a
storage position within the inner compartment and a use position,
partly extending outside the inner compartment of the device.
2. The device according claim 1 wherein the means for mounting
comprises brackets affixed to the ceiling and the floor of the
inner compartment.
3. The device according claim 1 wherein the means for mounting
comprises slots on the inner sides.
4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the means for accessing
said at least one inner compartment comprises a door.
5. The device according to claim 2 wherein said means for sliding
comprises at least one rail.
6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the means for sliding
being removable from the means for mounting.
7. The device according to claim 5 wherein the means for sliding
being removable from the at least one vertical segment.
8. The device according to claim 5 further comprising means for
locking said means for sliding in a desired position.
9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the means for moving the
at least one vertical movable segment further comprises a rotating
device.
10. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a handle on
said main portion.
11. The device according to claim 1 further comprises an auxiliary
storage unit attached to the main portion.
12. The device according to claim 1 wherein the means for holding
comprises magnetization.
13. The device according to claim 1 wherein the means for holding
comprises a mechanical holder.
14. The device according to claim 1 further comprising means for
moving the device.
15. The device according to claim 10 wherein the means for moving
the device comprises casters.
16. The device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one
slidable box.
17. The device according to claim 4 wherein the door being a
removable door.
18. The device according to claim 1 wherein the vertical segments
being removable.
19. The device according to claim 1 wherein the means for accessing
said at least one inner compartment being doors at the front and
doors at the back of the device.
20. The device according to claim 1 wherein the means for holding
tools and tool related items are attached to means for sliding.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The field of the invention pertains to storage devices for
tools, commonly known as "tool boxes". In particular, the invention
pertains to a storage device for tools that allows the contents to
be readily accessed.
[0002] Typically, a tool box for a commercial enterprise uses a
base tool box with an upper tool box placed thereon, while a tool
box for home use may be configured as just the upper tool box. The
base tool box may have casters for movement of the entire unit to a
work location. Moving the tool box is an awkward endeavor due to
the weight of the unit and the lack of steering on the unit.
[0003] Moreover, both the base tool box and the upper tool box have
drawers that are pulled out horizontally from the unit for storage
of tools and miscellany therein. The upper tool box may have a
swing up lid that provides access to horizontal storage space.
[0004] The disadvantage to the above-described types of tool boxes
is that tools and miscellaneous items become jumbled, and scattered
and may become unordered if stored in a traditional drawer type
unit. The tool box user may not know precisely where certain tools
are because of this undesirable jumbling effect. Furthermore, as
these types of tool boxes use drawers, horizontal surfaces are
provided that are surrounded by uprising sides, dirt, and other
undesirable items can gather and remain on the surface. Most tool
boxes are not cleaned on a regular frequency by removing all the
tools and the miscellaneous components therefrom and wiping the
horizontal surfaces.
[0005] Another disadvantage to the traditional tool box is that a
disabled person has difficulty reaching into a drawer that may be
above the eye level of a person sitting in a wheel chair. A person
using a walker, crutches or a cane may also experience difficulty
with the horizontal drawer design of traditional tool boxes. A
blind person may have difficulty because the person would have to
feel for items in the drawer.
[0006] Yet another disadvantage to the traditional style of tool
box is that if many of the drawers are open the tool box can become
unbalanced and may tip over. As most tool boxes are filled with
heavy tools this is a quite real and dangerous possibility.
[0007] Thus is there a need for a tool box that can be easily and
safely used by abled and disabled persons. There is also a need for
a tool box that facilitates storage and identification of various
tools. A need also exists for a tool box that facilitates
maintaining the tool box in an orderly and neat condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a storage device
for storing tools that can be readily accessed for storage and
removal of tools.
[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a storage device
for storing tools that allows disabled and abled person to easily
and safely use the storage device.
[0010] It is also an object of the invention to provide a storage
device that lends itself to low maintenance as to organization of
the tools stored therein and to convenient maintenance to keep the
storage device clean.
[0011] The invention comprises a storage device for storing tools,
tool related items and miscellany. The storage device of the
invention has a housing with a flat top surface for a work surface
or for the placement of a traditional tool box, or even for
placement of a computer.
[0012] The housing can take many shapes, particularly a rectangular
shape or cylindrical shape. The housing forms an inner compartment
having a ceiling, a floor, a front, a back, sides and doors to
access the inner compartment.
[0013] Doors can be provided on opposite sides of the housing to
allow access from both the front and the back of the housing. The
doors can be removable to allow full unimpeded access to the inner
compartment of the device. The doors can be removable by providing
hinges by which the doors can be lifted off the hinges.
[0014] Brackets are affixed to the ceiling and the floor of the
inner compartments. The brackets have slots provided therein. The
sides of the inner compartment also have slots provided
therein.
[0015] Vertical segments are contained within the inner
compartment. The vertical segments are extendible to present
vertical surfaces for the storage of tools. The vertical segments
can be extendible from either the front of the housing or from the
back of the housing. The vertical surfaces are magnetized or employ
other means for holding tools, tool related items and miscellany.
Other means for holding can be perforations in the vertical
segment, socket holders, etc.
[0016] As the lower edge of the vertical segments are closer to the
floor, the potential for tipping when the vertical segment is
extended becomes much reduced. The vertical segment extends out
from the housing thereby allowing unimpeded access to both sides of
the vertical segment. Consequently, the tools, tool related items
and miscellany held on the vertical segment are readily accessible.
Moreover, because the segments are vertical, dirt and debris does
not remain in corners as in a drawer.
[0017] Each vertical segment has a C-shaped slot, a U-shaped slot
and a tab adjacent the upper edge and also adjacent the lower edge
of the vertical segment. Rail assemblies (also known as slides) are
attached to the vertical segment. Then the vertical segment with
rail assemblies is attached to receiving slots in the brackets or
the interior sides to position the vertical segment at the desired
location in the housing.
[0018] The rail assemblies are used to both attach as well and
slide the vertical segments. Each rail assembly has at least three
telescoping rail arms that nest together and slide to form an
extended or elongated rail. The inner rail arm and the outer rail
arm have a C-shaped slot, a U-shaped slot and a square shaped slot
disposed through the rail. "Accuslide" is the name of one type of
rail assembly that can be advantageously used herein.
[0019] A vertical segment is engaged with a rail assembly near the
upper edge and near the lower edge. Thereafter, the slots on the
rail assemblies are engaged with receiving slots in brackets
mounted on the ceiling and floor of the inside of the inner
compartment. Partial panels can be mounted to slides that engage
with the side slots.
[0020] Socket holders and other types of holding devices can be
attached directly to the rail assemblies as well as to the vertical
segments.
[0021] To ready a vertical segment for placement within the inner
compartment, a rail is engaged with the vertical segment by first
moving the inner rail arm in a generally horizontal motion to
engage with a C-shaped receiver adjacent either the upper or lower
edge of the vertical segment. Then the rail assembly is lowered so
that the a U-shaped slot on the inner rail arm connects with a
U-shaped receiver on the vertical segment. This also engages a
square shaped slot of the rail arm with the tab of the vertical
segment to lock the rail assembly to the vertical segment. Then
another rail assembly is engaged with the other adjacent edge of
the vertical segment in a similar manner.
[0022] The tab of the vertical segment that engages the square
shaped slot on the inner rail arm locks the vertical segment to the
rail assembly. The tab of the vertical segment operates as a quick
release and must be unlocked via a tool such as a screwdriver
before the rail assembly and the vertical segment can be
disengaged.
[0023] After a rail assembly has been engaged near both the upper
and lower edges of the vertical segment, the vertical segment is
then emplaced to the inner compartment. This is accomplished for a
full vertical segment by positioning the C-shaped slot on the outer
rail arm to the bracket followed by positioning the U-shaped slot
on the outer rail arm to the bracket.
[0024] Alternately, to position a partial vertical segment, the
C-shaped slot on the outer rail arm is placed to a slot on the side
of the inner compartment followed by positioning the U-shaped slot
on the outer rail arm to the slot on the side of the inner
compartment.
[0025] The vertical segments are movable using the slidable rail
assemblies and extendible from the front of the housing or from the
rear of the housing.
[0026] Additionally, the rail assemblies can be affixed to a
rotatable portion for radially moving the vertical segments. A
handle and wheels can be mounted to the housing to facilitate
placement of the device to a work location.
[0027] Although vertical segments are herein described, drawers can
also be included with the storage device. Boxes can be added to the
inner compartment, should the user of the device specify the need
for some traditional storage in addition to the vertical
storage.
[0028] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description when read
with in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like
reference characters refer to like elements throughout the several
views, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view according to the
invention of the preferred embodiment having a vertical
segment;
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a rail for the
vertical segment;
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view according to the
invention having the rails for the vertical segments mounted to a
rotatable portion; and
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the invention
showing multiple vertical segments; and
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up perspective view of a rail
between a bracket and the vertical segment; and
[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a single panel
extending from the front and shown in phantom as extended to the
rear of the device; and
[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the mounting holes
for a rail on the inside of the device and showing a bracket
positioned from the inside ceiling of the device; and
[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of vertical segment
and a rail for the vertical segment with arrows indicating the
positioning of the vertical segment to the rail; and
[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the device having
boxes in a portion of the device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0038] In FIGS. 1 through 9 an apparatus generally denoted as 10 is
thereshown. The apparatus 10 is a device 12 for storing tools and
miscellany 14 (shown in phantom) usually referred to as a tool box
16. The device 12 comprises a housing 18 generally having a top 20,
sides 22, 22', a back 24, a front 26 and a bottom 28, which create
an inner compartment 30 therebetween.
[0039] The top 20 can be a flat surface for a work surface or for
the placement of another tool box, computer or other equipment (not
shown) thereon. A handle 32 and means for moving 34 the device to a
different location such as casters 36, wheels 38, etc., are
attached to the housing 18. An auxiliary storage unit 39 (shown in
phantom) can be affixed to the device 12 in such locations as a
side 22' of the device 12 or on top 20 of the device 12 (not
shown). Horizontal segments or drawers 41, 41' (shown in phantom)
can also be included with the storage device 12.
[0040] As is shown in FIG. 1, the front 26 has an opening 40
therethrough that is covered by a door 42. The door 42 when open
allows access to the inner compartment 30. Vertical segments 44,
44' are emplaced within the inner compartment 30.
[0041] The vertical segments 44, 44' employ means for holding 46 to
maintain the tools thereon. The vertical segments 44, 44' can be
magnetized to retain metal tools thereon. For non-metallic tools,
magnets can be attached to the tool in order to provide the
magnetic attraction. Other means for holding 46, (not shown) such
as a hook and eye or hook and loop fasteners, known as Velcro can
be attached between the vertical segments 44, 44' and the tools to
achieve the holding of the tools to the vertical segment 44.
[0042] A rail 48 is better shown in FIG. 2 to which the vertical
segment 44 is slidably engaged. A rail 48 can be employed at both
the top and bottom of the vertical segment 44, if desired. The rail
48 contains anti-friction means 50 such as ball bearings or roller
bearings to allow the vertical segment 44 to easily be slid for
extension and retraction. Means for locking 52 such a pin 54 or a
cam (not shown) lock the rail 48 in the extended or retracted
position are provided. Thus, the vertical segment 44 is easily
positioned in the desired position and then maintained in the
desired position.
[0043] Now turning to FIG. 3, thereshown is device 12' having a
housing 18' with a generally cylindrical shape 19 and a flat top
20. Door 42' is provided for accessing the inner compartment 30.
Herein , the rail 48 for the vertical segment 44 is mounted to a
rotatable device 56. Thusly, can a vertical segment 44 (shown in
phantom) be rotated into alignment with the door 42' and then the
vertical segment 44 can be slidably extended for access by the
user.
[0044] Turning to FIG. 4, the housing 18 can take many shapes,
hereshown as a generally rectangular shape 58. The housing 18 forms
an inner compartment 30 having a ceiling 60, a floor 62, a front
64, a back 66, sides 68, 68' and doors 42, 42' for access to the
inner compartment 30.
[0045] In FIG. 5, rail assembly 48 is shown as having at least
three telescoping rail arms 70 that nest together and slide to
forma an extended arm. Inner rail arm 72 has a C-shaped slot 74, a
U-shaped slot 76 and a square shaped slot 78 disposed therethrough
(FIG. 8). Outer rail arm 80 has a C-shaped slot 74 and a U-shaped
slot 76 disposed therethrough (FIG. 7).
[0046] As shown in FIG. 6, doors 42, 42' can be provided on
opposite sides of the housing to allow access from both the front
64 and the back 66 of the housing 18. Doors 42, 42' can be
removable to allow full unimpeded access to the inner compartment
30 of the device 12. Doors 42, 42' can be removable by providing
hinges 82 designed to allow the doors to be lifted off the hinges
82.
[0047] Brackets 84 are affixed to the ceiling 60 and the floor 62
of the inner compartment 30. Brackets 84 have receiving slots 86
provided therein (FIG. 7). Sides 68, 68' of the inner compartment
30 also have slots 86 provided therein (FIG. 7).
[0048] Vertical segments 44, 44', etc, are contained within the
inner compartment 30 and are extendible to present vertical
surfaces 88 for the storage of tools 90, etc. Vertical segments 44,
44' can be extendible from either the front 64 of the housing or
from the back 66 of the housing 18 (FIG. 6).
[0049] Vertical surfaces 88 of the vertical segments 44, 44' can be
magnetized or employ other means for holding tools, tool related
items and miscellany. Other means for holding can be perforations
92 (FIG. 6) in the vertical segment 44, socket holders 94 (FIG. 7),
etc. Socket holders 94 and other types of holding devices can be
attached directly to the rail assemblies 48 as well as to the
vertical segments 44 (FIG. 7).
[0050] Turning to FIG. 8, vertical segment 44 has a C-shaped slot
74, a U-shaped slot 78 and a tab 96 adjacent the upper edge 98 and
adjacent the lower edge 100 of the vertical segment 44.
[0051] Partial panels 102 can be mounted to slides that engage with
the side slots 86 (FIGS. 4 & 9). Slidable boxes 102 can be
added to the inner compartment 30(FIG. 9).
[0052] Having described my invention, many modifications thereto
will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it
pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *