U.S. patent application number 09/924667 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-13 for saw blade package and carry case.
This patent application is currently assigned to American Tool Companies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Hargrave-Thomas, Gayle.
Application Number | 20030029748 09/924667 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25450514 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030029748 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hargrave-Thomas, Gayle |
February 13, 2003 |
Saw blade package and carry case
Abstract
A saw blade carry case is provided that includes a front member
having at least one crossbar extending across the front member and
a rear member having at least one crossbar extending across the
rear member. A spindle extends between the front and rear members
and is removably received by a receptacle on at least one of the
front and rear members. At least one handle is attached to one of
the front and rear members. The front and rear members together
form a frame body and are each larger than the diameter of at least
one circular saw blade to be placed within the saw blade carry case
and to be retained by the spindle. The carry case may be adjusted
so that the spindle may accommodate a varying number of blades.
Inventors: |
Hargrave-Thomas, Gayle;
(Mundelein, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Anastasia Heffner
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
P.O. Box 10395
Chicago
IL
60610
US
|
Assignee: |
American Tool Companies,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
25450514 |
Appl. No.: |
09/924667 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/303 ;
206/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/303 ;
206/349 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A saw blade carry case, comprising: a front member having at
least one crossbar extending across said front member; a rear
member having at least one crossbar extending across said rear
member; a spindle extending between said front and rear members
removably received by a receptacle on at least one of said front
and rear members; at least one handle attached to one of said front
and rear members; whereby said front and rear members together form
a frame body, said front and rear members each being larger than
the diameter of at least one circular saw blade to be placed within
said saw blade carry case and to be retained by said spindle, and
whereby said carry case may be adjusted so that said spindle may
accommodate a varying number of blades.
2. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 wherein said crossbar of
said front member extends over a substantial center of said front
member, and wherein said crossbar of said rear member extends over
a substantial center of said rear member.
3. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 wherein said spindle has a
first end attached to one of said front and rear members and a
second end removably received by a receptacle on the other of said
front and rear members.
4. The saw blade carry case of claim 3 wherein said spindle extends
between the substantial centers of said front and rear members.
5. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 wherein said spindle passes
through an arbor hole in said saw blade when said saw blade is
retained by said spindle.
6. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 wherein said handle is
attached with one of said front and rear members such that said
handle protrudes outwardly when said carry case is in use and such
that said handle may be rotated towards said one of said front and
rear members when said saw blade carry case is not in use.
7. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 wherein said front and rear
members are oriented such that they are in substantially parallel
planes.
8. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 wherein said front and rear
members are circularly shaped.
9. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 wherein said front and rear
members are square-shaped.
10. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 wherein said frame body is
constructed from 6-gauge steel wire.
11. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 wherein said frame body is
constructed from a heavy plastic.
12. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 further comprising an outer
covering attached with the perimeter of said front and said rear
members and that covers an area between the perimeter of said front
and said rear members.
13. The saw blade carry case of claim 12, wherein said outer
covering is made of an elastomeric material.
14. The saw blade carry case of claim 12, wherein said outer
covering is a band not attached to either of said members.
15. The saw blade carry case of claim 12, wherein said outer
covering is made of plastic.
16. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 further comprising a panel
suitable for retaining an advertisement, said panel attached to at
least one of said front and rear members.
17. The saw blade carry case of claim 16 wherein said panel covers
less than one-half of said at least one of said members.
18. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 further comprising a
fastening means, said fastening means attaching said spindle to
said receptacle.
19. The saw blade carry case of claim 18, wherein said spindle
further comprises a threaded shaft and said receptacle further
comprises a threaded opening.
20. The saw blade carry case of claim 18, wherein said fastening
means further comprises a cotter pin inserted into at least one
opening in each of said spindle and said receptacle.
21. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 further comprising at least
two fasteners, each of said fasteners attaching said front and rear
members at the perimeter of said front and rear members, and
wherein said spindle comprises a telescoping rod extending between
said members.
22. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 further comprising at least
one divider retained between said members for separating said saw
blades.
23. The saw blade carry case of claim 1 further comprising a pair
of handle receptacles attached with said crossbar of said front
member, whereby said handle receptacles each receive an end of said
handle.
24. A saw blade carry case comprising a wire frame, said frame
comprising: a front circular member having an upper crossbar and a
central crossbar; a rear circular member having an upper crossbar
and a central crossbar; a panel suitable for displaying an
advertisement attached with a lower portion of one of said front
and rear members; a threaded spindle having a first end attached to
one of said front and rear members and a second end to removably
receive the other of said front and rear members, said spindle
extending through the center of said members; a threaded receptacle
located on one of said front and rear members to receive said
second end of said spindle; a handle attached to one of said front
and rear members; whereby said front and rear members together form
a frame body and wherein said front and rear members are
parallel.
25. The saw blade carry case of claim 24 further comprising a pair
of handle receptacles attached with said central crossbar of one of
said front and rear portions, whereby said handle receptacles each
receive an end of said handle.
26. A package and display for holding a plurality of saw blades
comprising a pair of frame members having one or more openings,
said pair defining a gap therebetween for sandwiching said saw
blades and retaining said saw blades, said at least one opening and
said gap allowing a purchaser to view and touch an edge of said saw
blades and at least a portion or one side of one of said blades
while said blades are retained in said package and display.
27. The package and display of claim 26 further comprising a
spindle extending between said frame members.
28. The package and display of claim 27 wherein said spindle has a
first end attached to one of said frame members and a second end
removably received by a receptacle on the other of said frame
members.
29. The package and display of claim 27 wherein said spindle
extends between the substantial centers of said frame members.
30. The package and display of claim 27 wherein said spindle passes
through an arbor hole in each of said saw blades when said saw
blades are held by said package and display.
31. The package and display of claim 27 further comprising at least
two fasteners, each of said fasteners attaching said frame members
at the perimeter of said frame members, and wherein said spindle
further comprises a telescoping rod.
32. The package and display of claim 26 further comprising at least
two flanges each attached to the perimeter of said frame members
and a threaded fastener removably and adjustably affixing said
flange to said frame members, whereby said flanges and fasteners
retain said saw blades within said gap, and whereby said frame
members may be adjusted so that said gap may accommodate a varying
number of blades.
33. The package and display of claim 26 further comprising at least
one divider retained between said frame members for separating said
saw blades.
34. A package and display for holding blades, comprising: a pair of
generally flat frame members arranged generally parallel to each
other to define a gap therebetween; a handle on at least one of
said frame members; and retention means on at least one of said
frame members; whereby said frame members and said retention means
cooperate to hold said blades within said gap.
35. The package and display of claim 34 further comprising at least
one divider retained between said frame members for separating said
blades.
36. A saw blade carry case, comprising: a front member having at
least one crossbar extending over its substantial center; a rear
member having at least one cross bar extending over its substantial
center; at least two flanges each attached to the perimeter of said
front and rear members; a threaded fastener removably and
adjustably affixing said flanges to said front and rear members; a
handle attached with one of said front and rear members; whereby
said front and rear members together form a frame body, said front
and rear members each being larger than the diameter of at least
one saw blade to be placed within said saw blade carry case and to
be retained by said flanges and fasteners, and whereby said carry
case may be adjusted so that said carry case may accommodate a
varying number of blades.
37. The saw blade carry case of claim 36 further comprising at
least one divider retained within said frame body for separating
said saw blades.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] When purchasing circular saw blades, a person will often
decide to purchase more than one. This may be due to having a large
amount of work for which to put the blades to use, or because the
user desires to have additional blades on hand in the event they
are needed. Moreover, it is usually more economical to buy a
package or group of several blades rather than purchasing them
individually. When a user decides to purchase or transport multiple
blades, he may have to handle them individually. Handling numerous,
loose blades may be awkward, increases the chance of injury due to
the sharp teeth on each blade, and may also cause the blades to
forcefully contact each other, resulting in chipping and other
types of damage to the blades.
[0002] Attempts have been made to alleviate this problem. One way
has been to provide simple, box-like carry cases for retaining saw
blades. However, these cases often allow the saw blades to move
freely within the case, thereby causing the blade teeth to be
damaged, rendering the saw blades unusable. Additionally, these
cases often are manufactured to retain a fixed number of blades,
and cannot be adjusted to accommodate a lesser or greater number of
blades. When a small number of blades are retained within this type
of carry case, this may cause the blades to rattle against each
other and incur damage. Alternatively, these types of carry cases
may not be able to accommodate large numbers of blades.
[0003] Moreover, a user or potential purchaser may be unable to
view the quality of the saw blades or touch them if they are
enclosed within a case on display. Hence, if the saw blades are of
poor quality they may cause damage to property or cause injury.
These carry cases may also require a large amount of material in
order to be manufactured, thereby rendering the cases
expensive.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] To alleviate the disadvantages of the prior art, a saw blade
package and carry case is provided herein. The case includes a
front member having at least one crossbar extending across the
front member and a rear member having at least one crossbar
extending across the rear member. A spindle extends between the
front and rear members and is removably received by a receptacle on
at least one of the front and rear members. At least one handle is
attached to one of the front and rear members. The front and rear
members together form a frame body, and are each larger than the
diameter of at least one circular saw blade to be placed within the
saw blade carry case and to be retained by the spindle. The carry
case may be adjusted so that the spindle may accommodate a varying
number of blades.
[0005] In another embodiment of the invention, the saw blade carry
case comprises a wire frame that includes a front circular member
having an upper crossbar and a central crossbar and a rear circular
member having an upper crossbar and a central crossbar. A panel
suitable for displaying an advertisement is attached with a lower
portion of either the front and rear members. A threaded spindle is
also included, and has a first end attached to either of the front
and rear members and a second end to removably receive the other of
the front and rear members. The spindle extends through the center
of the members. A threaded receptacle is located on either of the
front and rear members to receive the second end of the spindle. A
handle is attached to either of the front and rear members, and
together the front and rear members form a frame body and are
parallel.
[0006] Another embodiment of the invention provides a package and
display for holding a plurality of saw blades. The package and
display includes a pair of frame members having one or more
openings. The pair of frame members defines a gap therebetween for
sandwiching the saw blades and retaining the saw blades. The
opening and the gap allow a purchaser to view and touch an edge of
the saw blades and at least a portion or one side of one of the
blades while the blades are retained in the package and
display.
[0007] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
package and display includes a pair of generally flat frame members
arranged generally parallel to each other to define a gap
therebetween. A handle is located on at least one of the frame
members and retention means are located on at least one of the
frame members. The frame members and the retention means cooperate
to hold the blades within the gap.
[0008] Another embodiment of the invention includes a saw blade
carry case having a front member with at least one crossbar
extending over its substantial center and a rear member having at
least one cross bar extending over its substantial center. There
are at least two flanges, each attached to the perimeter of the
front and rear members, and a threaded fastener removably and
adjustably affixes the flanges to the front and rear members. A
handle is attached with one of the front and rear members. The
front and rear members together form a frame body and are each
larger than the diameter of at least one saw blade placed within
the saw blade carry case and retained by the flanges and fasteners.
The carry case may be adjusted so that the carry case may
accommodate a varying number of blades.
[0009] The invention provides a saw blade package and carry case
that can adjustably retain a varying number of saw blades, allowing
for safe and convenient handling, transport and storage of the
blades. The saw blade package and carry case also allows users and
purchasers to inspect and touch saw blades retained within the
case. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
invention will become further apparent from the following detailed
description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an embodiment of the saw
blade package and carry case;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the saw blade package
and carry case of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the saw blade package and carry
case of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the saw blade package
and carry case of FIG. 1 holding ten saw blades;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the saw blade package
and carry case of FIG. 1 holding a number of saw blades that is
greater then ten; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of the saw blade package and carry case showing a
covering around the perimeter of the carry case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] A saw blade package and carry case for retaining saw blades
for circular saws and similar tool blades is provided herein. An
embodiment of the package and carry case 2 is shown in FIGS. 1 and
2. In a preferred embodiment, the package and carry case 2 is a
wire frame constructed from 6-gauge steel wire. The wire is coated,
preferably with a paint or plastic material, in order to resist
corrosion and other types of damage to the wire. Note that in other
embodiments a stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant material
may be used to form the package and carry case, thereby eliminating
the need for coating the wire. The package and carry case 2
includes a front member 4 and a rear member 6. Preferably, the
front and rear members 4, 6 are each circularly shaped and are
substantially of the same size. The front and rear members 4, 6
each has at least one cross bar 10a, 10b, respectively, extending
across its substantial center. Preferably, however, the rear member
6 also has upper and lower crossbars 9, 11, and the front member 4
also preferably includes a panel 8 and an upper crossbar 13,
although the number of crossbars on the front and rear members 4, 6
may each be varied in other embodiments for purposes of improved
stability or visibility. The panel 8 is suitable for retaining an
advertisement, and preferably covers less than one-half of the
front member 4. However, in other embodiments, the panel may cover
more than one-half of the front member or may cover the entire
front member.
[0017] The central crossbar 10a on the front member 4 preferably
includes a pair of handle receptacles 12 that preferably are each
tack-welded to and located an equal distance from the midpoint of
the central crossbar 10a. The handle receptacles each receive an
end 14 of a handle member 16. The handle member 16 preferably is
metal wire of the same type as the wire frame of the package and
carry case 2 described above, formed in the shape of the handle
member 16 as shown. Preferably, the handle member 16 fits loosely
within the handle receptacles 12 so that the handle member 16 is
pivotable relative to the central crossbar 10a.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a spindle receptacle 18 is
located below and approximately at the midpoint of the central
crossbar 10a and protrudes inwardly from the front member 4 towards
the rear member 6. The spindle receptacle 18 receives a central
spindle 20 that extends between the members 4, 6. The spindle has a
head 21 that is welded to the central crossbar 10b of the rear
member 6, and an end 23 that protrudes through an opening (not
shown) in the spindle receptacle 18, outwardly from the front
member 4 (shown in FIG. 4). A fastener 24, such as a nut, is
attached to the portion of the spindle 20 that protrudes from the
opening 26 and keeps the spindle 20 in place. Preferably, the
spindle 20 and spindle receptacle 18 are each threaded, allowing
the rear member 6 to be attached to the front member 4 via the
spindle 20. As will be discussed further below, the position of the
front member 4 may be adjusted to different widths relative to the
rear member 6 along the spindle 20.
[0019] Note that in other embodiments the orientation of the
spindle and spindle receptacle may be reversed. The head may be
welded to the central crossbar of the front member, and the spindle
receptacle may be attached to the central cross bar of the rear
member. Moreover, the spindle receptacle may be located above the
central crossbar. Although the preferred embodiment of the package
and carry case includes a threaded spindle, such as a screw, and a
threaded spindle receptacle, in other embodiments other
configurations for attachment may be used. By way of example, an
unthreaded receptacle may receive an unthreaded spindle. A fastener
such as a cotter pin can then retain the unthreaded spindle in
place by passing through aligned openings in the receptacle and
spindle. In such a configuration, to allow for the adjustability
described above, the fastener may be attached at various positions
along the spindle.
[0020] Moreover, configurations other than a centrally located
spindle and fastener may also be used without departing from the
scope of the present invention. For example, a telescoping rod
attached to the central crossbar of either the front or rear member
may be used in conjunction with at least two fasteners that are
each attached to the perimeter of the front and rear members.
Alternatively, a centrally located rod or spindle may be
eliminated. For example, at least two flanges may each be attached
to the perimeter of the front and rear members. Fasteners can pass
through each of the flanges, thus allowing the package and carry
case to be adjusted to different widths in order to accommodate
differing numbers of saw blades. In yet an alternate embodiment,
either or both of the front and rear members may have a recess
formed into an inner side of the member in order to receive and
retain the blades. At least one fastener may then attach the
members to each other.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spindle 20 retains saw blades
28 within the package and carry case 2. In a preferred embodiment,
shown in FIG. 4, the package and carry case 2 retains ten saw
blades 28. However, in other embodiments, and because the package
and carry case may be adjusted to different widths, the number of
saws blades 28 retained by the spindle 20 may be greater than or
less than ten blades. By way of example, FIG. 5 shows the saw blade
package and carry case 2 retaining more than ten saw blades 28.
[0022] The diameter of the front and rear members 4, 6 preferably
exceeds the diameter of the saw blades 28 so that teeth 30 on the
saw blades do not protrude beyond the circumference of the front
and rear members 4, 6, thereby preventing possible injury to a
person handling the package and carry case 2 and preventing damage
to the blade edges. In an alternate embodiment, in addition to
having the diameter of the package and carry case larger than the
diameter of the saw blades, a covering 32 may be placed around the
circumference of the package and carry case 2. FIG. 6 shows a
covering 32 having a width at least as wide as the distance between
the front and rear members 4, 6. Preferably, the covering 32 is
made of a material of sufficient durability so that the teeth 30 do
not cut through the covering. Examples of suitable materials
include, but are not limited to, plastics, elastomeric materials,
or a thick band. Note that in further alternate embodiments the
covering may be sized so that it does not contact the front and
rear members
[0023] Preferably, the package and carry case will be available for
purchase in retail establishments with saw blades retained therein,
although the package and carry case may also be available for
purchase without saw blades. Alternatively, the package and carry
case may be utilized as a display, with saw blades being removed
for individual purchase or usage. In an additional embodiment, the
package and carry case may include dividers placed between the
blades in order to provide additional protection to the teeth of
the blades. The dividers may be incorporated into the package and
carry case via the configurations described above (i.e., a spindle,
flanges, etc.). Preferably, the dividers are round, corrugated
pieces of cardboard that are placed between the blades so that the
teeth of the blades do not contact each other, although in other
embodiments the dividers may be made of other materials, such as
plastics, and may be otherwise shaped.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the saw blades are removed from
the package and carry case by removing the fastener from the
spindle, and then the front member from the spindle. The saw blades
may then be removed from the spindle via arbor holes in the blades.
Likewise, to place saw blades back within the package and carry
case, the saw blades are placed over the spindle via the arbor
holes, the front member is placed over the spindle, and the
fastener then secures the spindle in place. Thus, the package and
carry case is reusable.
[0025] The advantages of the saw blade package and carry case are
numerous. A package and carry case is provided that may retain
numerous saw blades, and yet a user may still view the blades,
unlike package and carry cases that fully enclose saw blades. This
is useful to a potential purchaser, who can safely view a product
for purchase, and can inspect the blade teeth from numerous angles,
i.e., from the top, bottom and sides. Moreover, in embodiments that
do not include a covering, a potential purchaser may even touch the
edges of the blades to assure himself about the quality of the
blades he is contemplating purchasing.
[0026] The case is also beneficial in that a user may easily
inspect the quality of his blades (e.g., inspecting saw blades for
fracture or worn teeth), and can thereby replace the blade before
damage to property or injury is incurred. Additionally, since the
package and carry case is adjustable to accommodate differing
numbers of blades, it may be adjusted so that the blades are
securely sandwiched in place by the members. They will not rattle
against each other, thereby avoiding scratches or other damage to
the blades. Moreover, the unique, frame-like structure also will
require a lesser amount of materials to be used during
manufacturing than a solid case, and will therefore be less
expensive to manufacture.
[0027] Alternate embodiments are also possible without departing
from the scope of the present invention. For example, either or
both the panel and the handle member may be placed on the rear
member of the package and carry case. Furthermore, although the
preferred embodiment includes circularly-shaped front and rear
members, in other embodiments the front and rear members may be
shaped differently, such as, by way of example, square-shaped,
hexagonally shaped, etc. In addition, other materials may be used
to manufacture the package and carry case. Examples of other
suitable materials include, but are not limited to, other metals or
heavy plastics.
[0028] Moreover, although the package and carry case has been
described in conjunction with circular saw blades, one skilled in
the art will recognize that the package and carry case is suitable
for use with a variety of blades, such as, for example, shaper
blades. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed
description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and
that it be understood that it is the following claims, including
all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of this
invention.
* * * * *