U.S. patent application number 11/155413 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for tool case apparatus.
Invention is credited to Don Hart, Hector R. Hernandez.
Application Number | 20060131192 11/155413 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46205617 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060131192 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hernandez; Hector R. ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Tool case apparatus
Abstract
A case for storing and displaying tools and other items. The
case includes at least one door formed from transparent materials
so that stored items can be viewed and inventoried.
Inventors: |
Hernandez; Hector R.;
(Fullerton, CA) ; Hart; Don; (Dana Point,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULWIDER PATTON
6060 CENTER DRIVE
10TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Family ID: |
46205617 |
Appl. No.: |
11/155413 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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29219551 |
Dec 17, 2004 |
|
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11155413 |
Jun 16, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2013/026 20130101;
A45C 13/02 20130101; B25H 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/349 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/26 20060101
A45C011/26 |
Claims
1. A case for storing items, comprising: a frame, the frame
defining an interior and an exterior; a retaining insert configured
in the interior of the frame; a plurality of recesses formed in the
retaining insert; at least one mounting device formed on the
exterior of the frame; a first door rotatably attached to the
frame, the first door having a first profile defining a first arc
curving away from the frame; and a second door rotatably attached
to the frame, the second door having a second profile defining a
second arc curving away from the frame; wherein the first and
second doors enclose the interior of the frame when in a closed
position and provide access to the interior in an open position and
wherein at least one of the first and second doors is formed from
transparent material.
2. The case of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second doors
are transparent.
3. The case of claim 1, wherein the first arc and second arc are
mirror images of each other when placed in a closed position.
4. The case of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of holding
devices formed on the interior of the frame.
5. The case of claim 5, wherein the holding devices are in the form
of clip devices including spaced retaining surfaces.
6. The case of claim 5, wherein the clip devices are molded into
the insert.
7. The case of claim 1, wherein the entirety of the base is made
from light weight materials.
8. The case of claim 7, wherein the light weight material is
plastic.
9. The case of claim 1, wherein the insert has a profile
corresponding to the first and second doors.
10. The case of claim 1, wherein the exterior of the frame includes
a rear side and a front side, the mounting device being formed on
the rear side.
11. The case of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of raised
bosses spaced about the rear side.
12. The case of claim 1, further comprising a handle rotatably
connected to the frame.
13. The case of claim 12, wherein the frame includes a top surface
configured within the handle recess, the handle being foldable with
the handle recess.
14. The case of claim 1, further comprising at least one latch
assembly configured to engage at least one of the first and second
doors.
15. The case of claim 1, wherein there are two latch assemblies
each of which engage both first and second doors.
16. The case of claim 1, wherein at least one door includes a tab
for grasping and opening one of the first and second doors.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 29/219,551, filed Dec. 17, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to cases for storing
items and more particularly, to a case that stores, retains and
displays tools or other components.
[0003] Various forms of storage cases have been employed to store
items over the years. Such storage cases have been used to hold a
myriad of objects ranging from jewelry, important documents and
tools. Moreover, storage devices or cases have been manufactured
from every conceivable material.
[0004] Generally speaking, tool cases have been produced from heavy
duty materials such as steel. The heavy duty materials are
typically robust and can both retain and protect its contents.
These materials are also generally durable but are also heavy and
can become difficult to transport. This can become a concern where
the tool case is intended to be portable.
[0005] Conventional tool cases also do not generally embody
structures facilitating both storing and displaying the retained
items. Efforts have also not been conventionally made to
conveniently store the case itself apart from a working surface or
to display the contents of the device in a manner intended to
facilitate easy access to a particular item. Storing case devices
also have not been typically equipped with structure permitting the
device to be stored or mounted on a wall.
[0006] There therefore exists a need for a case device intended for
storing tools or other items in a manner facilitating both
retention and display of the stored material. There is also a need
for a light weight device that is both durable and portable. The
present invention addresses these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Briefly and in general terms, the present invention is
embodied in a storage device for tools or other components or
items. In one aspect, the storage device is a tool case which
provides easy access to stored contents as well as means for
displaying the stored items.
[0008] In one embodiment, the tool case of the present invention
includes a frame and a pair of doors attached to the frame. Each of
the doors are made from translucent material to thereby allow the
items stored in the tool case to be viewed. An interior of the tool
case includes a plurality of slots and recesses sized and shaped to
store tool bits and the like.
[0009] In one particular aspect, the doors have a smoothly curved
profile. Each door extends approximately halfway across the tool
case device and is rotatable relative to the tool case frame. A
latching device functions to hold the doors in a closed
configuration. The doors can also be provided with a projection for
opening and closing one of the doors.
[0010] It is also contemplated that the frame of the tool case
device includes a backside configured with means for mounting the
tool case on a wall or other vertical surface. In one embodiment,
the mounting structure is in the form of recesses sized to receive
a wall mount such as a nail or other fastener. Additionally, raised
bosses can be provided on a back surface of the case. A foldable
handle is provided for transport.
[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective depicting a tool case apparatus of
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view, depicting the tool case apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view, depicting the tool case apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front view, depicting the tool case apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a back view, depicting the tool case apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a bottom view, depicting the tool case apparatus
of FIG. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a front view, depicting an interior of the tool
case apparatus of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings which are provided by way of
example and not limitation, there is shown a case device of the
present invention. In one particular embodiment, the invention is
embodied in a tool case incorporating both display and retention
features. The tool case is also made of light weight and durable
material lending itself to portability and product life.
[0020] With specific reference to FIGS. 1-7, a tool case embodying
aspects of the present invention is shown. In one particular
aspect, the tool case 50 includes a body including a frame 52 and a
pair of doors 54. The body further includes a top end portion 56, a
bottom end portion 58 (See FIG. 6), a rear side 60 (See FIG. 5) and
a pair of sidewalls 62. Each of the components can be made from any
suitable plastic having durable characteristics and robustness.
[0021] Although various embodiments are contemplated, in one
particular embodiment, the top end 56 and bottom end 58 portions
can be configured to provide surfaces that are generally parallel
to each other. Likewise, the sidewalls 62 can be configured to be
in a parallel relationship. Further, the sidewalls 62 and the top
end 56 and bottom end 58 portions are generally perpendicular to
each other. The rear side 60 of the frame 52 is generally planar
and defines a surface that is generally perpendicular to the
sidewalls 60.
[0022] The frame 52 can also include structure that cooperates with
the doors 54 for providing the tool case 50 with a rounded front
surface. Each of the top end 56 and bottom end portions 58 include
a curved portion 70 extending a width of the tool case 50 (best
seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6). The curved portion 70 can take on any
form but in one intended embodiment, the curved portion 70 can
define a portion of an arc. Larger tool cases and smaller tool
cases can include curved portions having larger or smaller radii of
curvature, respectively.
[0023] The top end portion 56 can be equipped with a handle 72 that
is conveniently located for grasping and ultimately for
transporting the tool case 50. The handle 72 in turn can be
rotatably affixed to the top end portion 56. The top end portion 56
is further equipped with a generally rectangular recess 74 (See
FIGS. 1 and 3) centered therein. The depth of the recess 74 is
selected such that the rotatable handle 72 can be folded away in
the recess 74.
[0024] The rear side 60 further includes a number of structural
components. Referring specifically to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown
a plurality of raised formations or bosses 80 extending from the
generally planar rear side. The raised formations or bosses 50 can
take on a myriad of forms. In one embodiment, the bosses 50 are
rounded projections which provide feet for the tool case 50 when it
is placed horizontally on the rear side 60.
[0025] The rear side 60 is also equipped with one or more mounting
structures 82. In one particular form, the mounting structures 82
include a keyhole for receiving a nail or other fastener. Thus, the
mounting structures 82 provide the tool case 50 with the means to
hang the tool case 50 from a vertical surface or on a hook or other
component extending horizontally such as from a rack or display.
Since the bottom end portion 58 of the tool case 50 is generally
planar, the tool case 50 can also be stored vertically standing on
the bottom end portion 58.
[0026] As best seen in FIG. 1, the doors 54 have a rounded profile
which matches the rounded portions 70 of the of the top end 56 and
bottom end 58 portions. As stated, the rounded portions 70 of the
top end 56 and bottom end 58 portions can assume various portions
of an arc and can embody any suitable radii of curvature. In one
preferred embodiment, the doors 54 will have a radii of curvature
that both match each other as well as that of the rounded portions
70. It is also contemplated, however, that the doors 54 and the
rounded portions 70 can have curves that do no match.
[0027] The doors 54 are each shown to extend approximately half of
the width of the tool case 50. It is to be recognized that the tool
case 50 of the present invention also contemplates a device
employing a single door or doors having a width that is less than
or more than half the width of the tool case 50. In one preferred
embodiment, the doors 54 are formed from translucent material but
again, opaque material can be utilized. Where the doors are clear,
an inventory of the contents of the tool case 50 can be taken. The
translucent door 54 also provide a means for displaying the
contents of the tool case device 50.
[0028] With reference in particular to FIGS. 1 and 7, the doors 54
are intended to rotate with respect to the frame 52. Although
various conventional approaches are contemplated, each door 54 can
be attached to a pair of hinges 88. One of the doors 54 also
includes a tab 90 conveniently located for grasping by hand. Such a
tab 90 can be positioned at the juncture where the doors 54 meet.
The other of the doors 54 can include a cut-out 92 sized to
correspond to the tab 90.
[0029] Additionally, the tool case 50 can include one or more
latches for locking the doors 54 in a closed position. A first
latch 92 can be attached at one end to the curved portion 70 of the
top side portion 56 and a second latch 94 can be similarly attached
to the curved portion 70 of the bottom side portion 58. In one
preferred embodiment, the latches 92, 94 are centered along a width
of the tool case 50 to thereby be positioned to be capable of
latching both doors in a closed configuration.
[0030] With the doors 54 open, one can observe an interior of the
tool case 50. The interior can also be viewed through doors 54
formed from translucent material. A retaining insert 96 is
positioned within the interior of the tool case 50. The retaining
insert 96 can be a molded component of the frame 52 or can form a
separate component which is affixed to the frame 52.
[0031] The retaining insert 96 includes a plurality of structures
for holding and displaying tools or other items. Clip devices 98
having spaced retaining surfaces 100 can be placed or formed into
the retaining insert 96 at various locations. Likewise, looped
structures 102 and various wells and recesses 104 can be formed in
the retaining insert 96. The clip devices 98, looped structures 102
and wells or recesses 104 can take on a myriad of forms and
locations so that any conceivable tool having a size compatible
with the tool case 50 can be stored therein.
[0032] In one particular embodiment, the retaining insert 96 curves
or bows outwardly in a manner corresponding to the curvature of the
doors 54. That is, retaining insert 96 has a base curvature into
which recesses are formed or from which loops or clip devices can
be made to extend. In this way, tools or other items that are
stored in the tool case 50 can be better displayed and
accessed.
[0033] As stated, various sized and curved or planar configurations
of the tool case of the present invention are contemplated. Various
of the disclosed configurations can be embodied in a case made in
accordance with the present invention which provides one or more of
an easily portable device having both useful displaying and
retaining characteristics. Moreover, the tool case disclosed can be
stored vertically on mounting structure or on a generally planar
base as well as horizontally on feet extending from a rear
surface.
[0034] Furthermore, while several particular forms of the invention
have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that
various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that
the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims or
future claims based upon the disclosure.
* * * * *