U.S. patent application number 10/900621 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-02 for suspendable tool box.
Invention is credited to Andrew Jasper.
Application Number | 20060021985 10/900621 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35730974 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060021985 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jasper; Andrew |
February 2, 2006 |
Suspendable tool box
Abstract
A storage receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support
comprises a plurality of walls defining an interior compartment and
includes an open top and at least one lid including first and
second ends. The first end is pivotally connected to one of the
walls for rotation between a closed position, wherein said lid
covers the open top of said receptacle, and an open position,
wherein the second end of said lid is disposed outwardly from the
first pivotally connected end, thereby allowing access to the
interior compartment of the receptacle. At least one handle is
disposed on the one of the plurality of walls adjacent the first
end of the lid and projects outwardly therefrom to support the lid
in a generally horizontal position when in an open position, and at
least one bracket is disposed on the receptacle and is adapted to
suspend the receptacle from the horizontal support.
Inventors: |
Jasper; Andrew; (Grand
Rapids, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRICE HENEVELD COOPER DEWITT & LITTON, LLP
695 KENMOOR, S.E.
P O BOX 2567
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49501
US
|
Family ID: |
35730974 |
Appl. No.: |
10/900621 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/475 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/02 20130101; B25H
3/06 20130101; B25H 3/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/475 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/22 20060101
B65D025/22 |
Claims
1. A storage receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support
comprising: a plurality of walls arranged to define an interior
compartment with an open top; at least one lid including a first
end and a second end, the first end pivotally connected to one of
the walls for rotation between a closed position wherein the lid
covers the open top of the receptacle, and an open position wherein
the second end of the lid is disposed outwardly from the first
pivotally connected end, thereby allowing access to the interior
compartment of the receptacle; at least one handle disposed on the
one of the plurality of walls adjacent the first end of the lid and
projecting outwardly therefrom to support the lid in a generally
horizontal position when the lid is in the open position; and at
least one support member adapted to suspend the receptacle from a
horizontal support.
2. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein: the receptacle
further comprises an aperture disposed in at least one of the
plurality of walls; and at least one tray disposed, at least
partially within the interior compartment and including a plurality
of sides, and at least one extension extending beyond at least one
of the sides and disposed through the aperture in said receptacle
such that when the extension extends through the aperture, the
extension and the support member at least partially surround a
horizontal support to prevent the removal of the receptacle from a
horizontal support.
3. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein: the walls include a
bottom portion defining a bottom surface; and at least one leg
extending downwardly below the bottom surface.
4. The storage receptacle of claim 2, wherein: the aperture
comprises a first aperture; and the tray includes a tray aperture
and the receptacle includes a second aperture disposed collinear
with the tray aperture such that when a locking device is disposed
through the tray aperture and the second aperture of the
receptacle, the tray is prevented from being removed from the
receptacle.
5. The storage receptacle of claim 2, wherein: the aperture
comprises a first aperture; the tray includes a tray aperture, the
lid includes a lid aperture and the receptacle includes a second
aperture; and said tray aperture, lid aperture and second aperture
of the receptacle are disposed adjacently such that when a locking
device is disposed through the tray aperture, lid aperture and the
second aperture of the receptacle, the tray is prevented from being
removed from the receptacle while the lid remains pivotal, thereby
allowing the lid to be pivoted to the open position while the tray
is prevented from being removed from the receptacle by a locking
device.
6. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein: the at least one
support member includes a pair of downwardly opening U-shaped
members.
7. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein: the receptacle
further includes a bottom surface extending across a lower portion
of the interior compartment, the bottom surface including a
plurality of apertures disposed thereon to prevent debris and other
matter from collecting within the receptacle.
8. The storage receptacle of claim 2, wherein: the tray is disposed
adjacent an upper portion of the interior compartment and further
includes a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a plurality
of apertures disposed thereon, whereby debris and other matter is
prevented from collecting within said tray.
9. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein: said lid comprises a
pair of lids; and each lid including a lid aperture, the lid
apertures disposed adjacent one another such that when a locking
device is inserted through the lid apertures, the locking device
prevents the lids from being pivoted to the open position, thereby
preventing access to the interior compartment of the
receptacle.
10. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein: said lid comprises
a pair of lids; and each lid including a bracket attached thereto,
each of the brackets including a bracket aperture, the apertures
disposed adjacent one another such that when a locking device is
inserted through the bracket apertures, the locking device prevents
the lids from being pivoted to the open position, thereby
preventing access to the interior compartment of the
receptacle.
11. A storage receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support
comprising: a plurality of walls arranged to define an interior
compartment including an open top, a first wall, a second wall,
opposite end walls and an aperture disposed within one of the
walls; a pair of lids including first and second ends, the first
ends pivotally connected to the opposite end walls of the
receptacle for rotation from a closed position wherein the lids
close off at least a substantial portion of the open top of the
receptacle, and an open position wherein the second ends of the
lids are disposed outwardly from the first pivotally connected
ends, thereby allowing access to the interior compartment of the
receptacle; a pair of handles is disposed at the opposite end walls
of the receptacle projecting outwardly therefrom to support the
pair of lids in a generally horizontal position when the lids are
in the open position; at least one support member adapted to
suspend the receptacle from the horizontal support; and at least
one tray disposed within the interior compartment and including a
plurality of sides, the tray including at least one extension
extending beyond at least one of the sides and disposed through the
aperture in the receptacle such that when the extension is extended
through the aperture, the extension and the support member at least
partially surround the horizontal support to prevent the removal of
the receptacle from the horizontal support.
12. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein: the walls include
a bottom portion defining a bottom surface; and at least one leg
extending downwardly below the bottom surface.
13. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein: the aperture
comprises a first aperture; and the tray includes a tray aperture
and the receptacle includes a second aperture disposed collinear
with the tray aperture such that when a locking device is disposed
through the tray aperture and the second aperture of the
receptacle, the tray is prevented from being removed from the
receptacle.
14. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein: the aperture
comprises a first aperture; the tray includes a tray aperture, the
lid includes a lid aperture and the receptacle includes a second
aperture; and said tray aperture, lid aperture and second aperture
of the receptacle are disposed adjacently such that when a locking
device is disposed through the tray aperture, lid aperture and the
second aperture of the receptacle, the tray is prevented from being
removed from the receptacle while the lid remains pivotal, thereby
allowing the lid to be pivoted to the open position while the tray
is prevented from being removed from the receptacle by a locking
device.
15. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein: the at least one
support member includes a pair of downwardly opening U-shaped
members.
16. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein: the receptacle
further includes a bottom surface extending across a lower portion
of the interior compartment, the bottom surface including a
plurality of apertures disposed thereon to prevent debris and other
matter from collecting within the receptacle.
17. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein: the tray is
disposed adjacent an upper portion of the interior compartment and
further includes a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a
plurality of apertures disposed thereon, whereby debris and other
matter is prevented from collecting within said tray.
18. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein: each lid includes
a lid aperture, the lid apertures disposed adjacent one another
such that when a locking device is inserted through the lid
apertures, the locking device prevents the lids from being pivoted
to the open position, thereby preventing access to the interior
compartment of the receptacle.
19. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein: each lid includes
a bracket attached thereto, each of the brackets including a
bracket aperture, the apertures disposed adjacent one another such
that when a locking device is inserted through the bracket
apertures, the locking device prevents the lids from being pivoted
to the open position, thereby preventing access to the interior
compartment of the receptacle.
20. A locking storage receptacle adapted to be suspended from a
horizontal support; the storage receptacle comprising: a plurality
of walls defining an interior compartment, at least one aperture
disposed on one of the plurality of walls and at least one support
member adapted to suspend the receptacle from the horizontal
support; and a locking mechanism disposed at least partially within
the interior compartment and including at least one extension
extending through the aperture in the receptacle such that when the
extension is inserted through the aperture, the extension extends
outwardly from the aperture, whereby the extension and the support
member at least partially surround the horizontal support to
prevent the removal of the receptacle from the horizontal
support.
21. The storage receptacle of claim 20, including: a tray disposed
at least partially within the interior compartment and including a
plurality of sides; and the locking mechanism is disposed on the
tray and extending outwardly beyond at least one of the sides of
the tray.
22. The storage receptacle of claim 21, wherein: the aperture
comprises a first aperture; and the tray includes a tray aperture
and the receptacle includes a second aperture disposed collinear
with the aperture of said tray such that when a locking device is
disposed through the tray aperture and though the second aperture
of the receptacle, the tray is prevented from being removed from
the receptacle.
23. The storage receptacle of claim 21, wherein: the aperture
comprises a first aperture; the receptacle includes at least one
lid pivotally connected to the receptacle; the tray includes a tray
aperture, the lid includes a lid aperture and the receptacle
includes a second aperture; and the tray aperture, lid aperture and
second aperture of the receptacle disposed adjacently such that
when a locking device is disposed through the tray aperture, lid
aperture and the second aperture of the receptacle, the tray is
prevented from being removed from the receptacle while the lid
remains pivotal, thereby allowing the lid to be pivoted while the
tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle by the
locking device.
24. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein: the aperture
comprises a first aperture; the receptacle includes a pair of lids
pivotally connected to the receptacle; and each lid includes a lid
aperture, the lid apertures disposed adjacent one another such that
when a locking device is inserted through the lid apertures, the
locking device prevents the lids from being pivoted to the open
position, thereby preventing access to the interior compartment of
the receptacle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to storage receptacles, and in
particular to a tool box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Lift manufacturers, as for example manufacturers of scissor
lifts and/or aerial lifts, and scaffolding typically supply these
lifts with an elevated platform having a guard rail or the like. In
general, workers put the working materials and/or tools on the
floor of the elevated platform of the lift or scaffolding when not
in use, and utilize the floor of the platform as a working surface.
Therefore, the worker is required to constantly bend over when
either using or storing the tools, or when utilizing the floor as a
work surface. Further, by storing tools and/or materials on the
floor of the lift or scaffolding, these items are prone to being
knocked off of the lift, whereby the tools and/or materials may be
damaged. On the other hand, if the items are not damaged, the lift
operator must then lower the lift to retrieve the fallen items,
thereby taking time away from the job at hand. Further yet, once
the worker's shift is over the worker must collect and remove these
items from the lift or scaffolding in order to secure them from
being stolen and/or used by unauthorized personal.
[0003] In an effort to avoid the above-described problems, workers
have rigged or attached boxes, wood and other supports to the lifts
to hold their materials/tools. However, these rigs may get in the
way of the worker and may not adequately address the various needs
of workers using the lift.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a storage
receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support including a
plurality of walls arranged to define an interior compartment and
includes an open top and at least one lid including a first end and
a second end. The first end is pivotally connected to one of the
walls for rotation between a closed position wherein the lid covers
the open top of the receptacle, and an open position wherein the
second end of the lid is disposed outwardly from the first
pivotally connected end, thereby allowing access to the interior
compartment of the receptacle. At least one handle is disposed on
the one of the plurality of walls adjacent the first end of the lid
and projects outwardly therefrom to support the lid in a generally
horizontal position when the lid is in the open position and at
least one support member is adapted to suspend the receptacle from
a horizontal support.
[0005] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
storage receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support
comprising including a plurality of walls arranged to define an
interior compartment includes an open top, a first wall, a second
wall, opposite end walls and an aperture disposed within one of the
walls. The receptacle also includes a pair of lids having first and
second ends, wherein the first ends are pivotally connected to the
opposite end walls of the receptacle for rotation from a closed
position wherein the lids close off at least a substantial portion
of the open top of the receptacle, and an open position wherein the
second ends of the lids are disposed outwardly from the first
pivotally connected ends, thereby allowing access to the interior
compartment of the receptacle. A pair of handles is disposed at the
opposite end walls of the receptacle and project outwardly
therefrom to support the pair of lids in a generally horizontal
position when the lids are in the open position. At least one
support member is adapted to suspend the receptacle from the
horizontal support and at least one tray is disposed within the
interior compartment and includes a plurality of sides. The tray
includes at least one extension extending beyond at least one of
the sides and disposed through the aperture in the receptacle such
that when the extension is extended through the aperture, the
extension and the support member at least partially surround the
horizontal support to prevent the removal of the receptacle from
the horizontal support.
[0006] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
locking storage receptacle which is adapted to be suspended from a
horizontal support. The storage receptacle includes a plurality of
walls which define an interior compartment, at least one aperture
is disposed on one of the plurality of walls and at least one
support member is adapted to suspend the receptacle from the
horizontal support. A locking mechanism is disposed at least
partially within the interior compartment and includes at least one
extension which extends through the aperture in the receptacle such
that when the extension is inserted through the aperture, the
extension extends outwardly from the aperture, whereby the
extension and the support member at least partially surround the
horizontal support to prevent the removal of the receptacle from
the horizontal support.
[0007] These and other advantages of the invention will be further
understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference
to the following written specification, claims and appended
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a tool box according to one aspect of the present
invention, wherein the tool box is supported on a horizontal
railing of an aerial lift;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the tool box of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the tool box of FIG. 1
with a pair of lids in an open position and a tray disposed
therein;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the tool box of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the tool box of FIG. 3
with the tray removed;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tool box of
FIG. 1 with the tray being inserted therein;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tool box
along line VII-VII of FIG. 2 illustrating a tray locking
feature;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a tool box according
to another aspect of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the locking feature
of the tool box of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in
terms of preferred embodiment, wherein similar reference characters
designate corresponding features throughout the several figures of
the drawings.
[0018] For the purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the
invention may assume various alternative orientations and step
sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is
also to be understood that the specific devices and processes
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the
following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive
concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions
and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments
disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the
claims expressly state otherwise.
[0019] The reference numeral 2 (FIG. 1) generally designates a
suspendable tool box according to one aspect of the present
invention. In the illustrated example, tool box 2 includes a
storage receptacle or box 10 comprising a pair of lids 12 and 14
hingedly connected thereto for pivoting between an open and closed
position. A pair of handles 16 and 18 are disposed on storage
receptacle 10 to provide a support for lifting tool box 2 as well
as for supporting lids 12 and 14 when in the open position. A pair
of brackets 20 and 22 are secured to a rear wall of storage
receptacle 10 and support storage receptacle 10 along a horizontal
bar, railing or support 4, off of a floor surface of an aerial lift
5. Vertical support brackets 24 and 26 extend downwardly from
storage receptacle 10 and abut a horizontal support 4B, thereby
preventing tool box 2 from swinging or rotating when suspended. A
tray 28 is disposed within storage receptacle 10 for supporting
accessories thereon.
[0020] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, storage box 10 includes a
plurality of side walls 30-33 defining an interior compartment 34
having an open top 35 and a closed or partially closed bottom 36.
With reference to FIG. 3, bottom 36 may be fabricated to include a
plurality of apertures 37, thereby creating a partially closed
bottom.
[0021] Storage receptacle 10 may be fabricated from numerous
materials. Generally a ridged material is used such that receptacle
10 is capable of supporting items, for example tools and other work
related items may be stored therein, as well as preventing the
unauthorized access to the items disposed therein when the tool box
is closed. Storage receptacle 10 may be fabricated from aluminum
sheets which are welded or otherwise secured together. However,
this is not meant to be limiting in any manner and storage
receptacle 10 may be fabricated from any known method, including
machining, bending, molding or the like and from any known
materials including plastics, metals, ceramics and or composites
thereof.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 3, at least one lid is pivotally
connected to one of the plurality of walls 30-33 thereby allowing
open top 35 to be closed by the at least one lid. In the preferred
embodiment, a pair of lids 12 and 14 are hingedly connected by pair
of hinges 38 and 40 disposed on opposite end walls 30 and 32 of
storage receptacle 10. Lids 12 and 14 comprise first ends 42 and
44, wherein hinges 38 and 40 are attached for pivotal movement of
lids 12 and 14, respectively, and opposite second ends 46 and 48.
Lids 12 and 14 rotate between a closed position and an open
position. When in the closed position lids 12 and 14 cover open top
35 of receptacle 10, whereby ends 46 and 48 of lids 12 and 14,
respectively, are adjacent and/or abuttingly adjoin one another
(FIG. 2). When in the open position (FIG. 3), ends 46 and 48 are
disposed outwardly from the first pivotally connected end, thereby
allowing access to the interior compartment 34 of receptacle 10.
When lids 12 and 14 are in their respective open positions, each is
supported by an associated handle 16 and 18, respectively, as
described in more detail below.
[0023] The aforementioned lids 12 and 14 are supported, when in an
open position, by handles 16 and 18. Handles 16 and 18 may be
disposed on opposite end walls 30 and 32 of receptacle 10 and
protrude outwardly therefrom. When lids 12 and 14 are in their
respective open positions, top surfaces 50 and 51 of lids 12 and
14, respectively, are supported on a horizontal handle surface 52
and 53 of handle 16 and 18, respectively, thereby supporting lids
12 and 14 in a generally horizontal open position. Lids 12 and 14
may also include side flanges 54. When lids 12 and 14 are in their
respective open positions, surfaces 56 and 57 of lids 12 and 14,
respectively, are oriented upwardly and generally horizontally
thereby providing one or more work surfaces upon which tools may be
placed and/or work functions completed. Flanges 54 are upwardly
turned when lids 12 and 14 are in their open position and aid in
the retention of materials and/or tools disposed on work surfaces
56 and 57. As described in more detail below, when lids 12 and 14
are in their respective closed positions, the lids 12 and 14
prevent access to the interior compartment 34.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 4, brackets 20 and 22 are disposed on
one of the plurality of walls 30-33 of storage receptacle 10 and in
a preferred embodiment are disposed on a rear wall 31. Brackets 20
and 22 are rigidly secured to storage receptacle 10 and are
configured to support storage receptacle 10 upon a horizontal
support 4 of an aerial lift 5. In a preferred embodiment, brackets
20 and 22 comprise a U-shaped member which is rigidly affixed to
rear wall 31 of receptacle 10, wherein the U-shaped member is sized
so as to be able to overlie the railing 4 thereby supporting
receptacle 10. Although not required, brackets 20 and 22 may also
contain vertical support brackets 24 and 26 which extend downwardly
below bottom 36 of receptacle 10 such that the vertical support
brackets 24 and 26 will rest upon a horizontal support 4B thereby
suspending storage receptacle 10 in a generally horizontally
configuration and preventing the rotation or swinging of storage
receptacle 10 which would otherwise occur due to rotation of
storage receptacle 10 about horizontal support 4 on brackets 20 and
22. For example, a typical scissor lift may include a lower rail 4B
which is separated from the upper rail 4 by about 18 inches. In
this case, vertical support brackets 24 and 26 will extend
downwardly below bottom 36 of receptacle 10 by about 2.0 feet to
ensure that brackets will extend over the rail 4B, thereby
preventing the aforementioned rotation. By extending vertical
support brackets 24 and 26 across horizontal support 4B storage
receptacle 10 is prevented from this rotation, thereby providing a
stable storage receptacle and work surface.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 3, a tray 28 is closely received
within an upper portion of storage receptacle 10 for supporting
items thereon. Tray 28 may include a plurality of upstanding sides
60-63 and a bottom surface 64 (FIG. 5). Bottom surface 64 may be
configured to have a plurality of apertures 65 such that debris
and/or other small particles may fall therethrough. For example, a
wire mesh or other material having a plurality of apertures may be
used for bottom surface 64 thereby supporting items disposed within
tray 28 while simultaneously allowing dirt and debris to fall
therethrough. With respect to FIGS. 5-7, tray 28 is supported
within storage receptacle 10 by a plurality of supports 66-69.
Typically, each side 60-63 will rest upon a single support 66-69,
respectively. Tray 28 may be removed from storage receptacle 10 by
utilizing a handle 29 disposed therein, thereby allowing access to
a lower interior portion of receptacle 10.
[0026] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a locking system to lock the tool box 2
to the railing 4 of lift 5. The locking system is incorporated into
tray 28 and includes a pair of rods 80 and 81 transversely disposed
along a bottom surface 82 of tray 28 and extending rearwardly
therefrom. Rods 80 and 81 can be positioned within apertures 84 and
85, respectively, to prevent the removal of tool box 2 from rail 4.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, rod 81 is illustrated being
inserted into an aperture 85 disposed in rear wall 31 of receptacle
10 such that when tray 28 is disposed within receptacle 10 (FIG. 7)
a rear portion 86 of rod 81 extends from rear surface 31, below a
bottom surface 6 of horizontal support 4 and bracket 22, thereby
preventing removal of receptacle 10 without first removing tray 28
as discussed in more detail below. Front side 63 of tray 28 also
includes an upwardly-extending tab 88 having an aperture 89
disposed therethrough. Upwardly-extending tab 88 and corresponding
aperture 89 are disposed on side 63 of tray 28 such that aperture
89 is co-linear with an aperture 90 disposed in front side 33 of
receptacle 10, thereby allowing a locking device (not shown) to be
inserted therethrough to lock receptacle 10 and prevent it from
being removed from rail 4.
[0027] In use, suspendable tool box 2 is disposed on horizontal
support 4 by opening lid members 12 and 14 to their respective open
positions and removing tray 28 from interior compartment 34 of
storage receptacle 10. Lids 12 and 14 are then closed to allow
access to handles 16 and 18 which are used to lift receptacle 10.
Brackets 20 and 22 are disposed over support 4 and vertical support
brackets 24 and 26, extending from rear surface 31 of storage
receptacle 10, are disposed against a lower support railing 4B,
thereby supporting storage receptacle 10 in an upright
configuration off of a floor surface. Lids 12 and 14 will be again
moved to their respective open positions allowing access to
interior compartment 34 of receptacle 10 as well as inside surface
56 and 57 of lids 12 and 14, respectively, which may be utilized
independently or in conjunction with one another as a work surface.
Tray 28 will typically be reinserted into interior compartment 34
and supported on supports 66-69 while tool box 2 is in use thereby
providing an additional surface 64 for support and/or use. Of
course, tray 28 may be removed to allow access to a lower portion
of interior compartment of 34.
[0028] To secure tool box 2 on horizontal support 4, tray 28 must
be disposed within interior compartment 34 as illustrated in FIG.
7, i.e. by inserting tray 28 into storage receptacle 10 such that
rods 80 and 81 extend through apertures 84 and 85 thereby
preventing receptacle 10 from being removed from rail 4. In this
manner, rods 80 and 81 disposed below horizontal support 4 prevent
tool box 2 from being removed therefrom by at least partially
surrounding or capturing horizontal support 4 between rods 80 and
81 and brackets 20 and 22, respectively. Therefore, tray 28 must be
removed in order to lift storage receptacle 10 off of horizontal
support 4. To prevent tray 28 from being removed, a locking device
is inserted through aperture 89 of tab 88 and aperture 90 of
storage receptacle 10, thereby preventing the unauthorized removal
of tray 28. In the preferred embodiment, apertures 89 and 90 are
sized to accommodate a padlock or similar locking device (not
shown). With respect to FIG. 2, each lid 12 and 14 includes a notch
92 and 93 respectively so that the locking device may be inserted
through apertures 89 and 90 while allowing pivotal movement of lids
12 and 14. In this configuration, tray 28 can be removed from
receptacle 10 and the work materials and/or tools can be stored
within interior compartment 34 below tray 28. Tray 28 may then be
reinstalled and locked, thereby preventing access to the items
disposed within the interior compartment below the tray. However,
lids 12 and 14 may still be pivoted to their open configuration
allowing the use of the associated work surfaces disposed thereon
while preventing access to the items disposed within receptacle
10.
[0029] The reference numeral 2A (FIG. 8) generally designates a
tool box according to another aspect of the present invention
wherein the lid of the tool box 2A is locked. Because tool box 2A
is similar to the previously-described tool box 2, similar parts
appearing in FIGS. 1-7 and FIGS. 8-9, respectively, are represented
by the same, correspondence reference numeral, except for the
suffix (A) is added to the reference numerals. In tool box 2A, lids
12A and 14A include an L-shaped bracket 96 and 97, respectively,
and include apertures 98 and 99. Apertures 98 and 99 are disposed
so as to be co-linear when lids 12 and 14 are in their respective
closed positions such that a locking device such as a padlock can
be inserted through apertures 98 and 99 to prevent the opening of
the lids, thereby ensuring that storage box 2A cannot be removed
from railing 4 without the lock being removed, as described in
detail above. Brackets 96 and 97 may be disposed along edges 46A
and 48A of lids 12 and 14 and are welded or otherwise attached to
inside surface 56 and 57, respectively. Of course, this
configuration may be changed according to specific requirements.
For example, lids 12 and 14 may be fabricated to include apertures
98 and 99 integrally formed therein.
[0030] In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated
by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the
invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein.
Such modifications are to be considered as included in the
following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly
state otherwise.
* * * * *