U.S. patent application number 11/424279 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-20 for space efficient tool chest assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to GEELONG SALES COMPANY INTERNATIONAL LTD.. Invention is credited to Jon Fiscus, Darren Fraser, Qing Lin Xu.
Application Number | 20070290583 11/424279 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38860837 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070290583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fiscus; Jon ; et
al. |
December 20, 2007 |
Space Efficient Tool Chest Assembly
Abstract
A tool chest assembly includes a lower cabinet and an upper
cabinet. The upper cabinet is configured to fit inside the lower
cabinet during shipping or storage to save space. The tool chest
assembly is configured for easy set-up and handling.
Inventors: |
Fiscus; Jon; (Schaumburg,
IL) ; Fraser; Darren; (Kowloon, HK) ; Xu; Qing
Lin; (Kowloon, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG LLP
P.O. BOX 2786
CHICAGO
IL
60690-2786
US
|
Assignee: |
GEELONG SALES COMPANY INTERNATIONAL
LTD.
Kowloon
HK
|
Family ID: |
38860837 |
Appl. No.: |
11/424279 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/107 |
International
Class: |
A47B 77/00 20060101
A47B077/00 |
Claims
1. A tool chest assembly comprising: a lower cabinet having an
interior cavity and including a top member removably coupled to the
lower cabinet; an upper cabinet configured to be positioned inside
the interior cavity of the lower cabinet during shipping or
storage; and the top member of the lower cabinet being adapted to
support the upper cabinet when the lower cabinet and the top
cabinet are engaged in a set-up configuration.
2. The tool chest assembly of claim 1, wherein lower cabinet
comprises at least one tray, the tray being capable of outward
sliding movement.
3. The tool chest assembly of claim 1, wherein upper cabinet
comprises at least one tray, the tray being capable of outward
sliding movement.
4. The tool chest assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower cabinet
has a front access opening to the interior cavity, the front access
opening comprising a door connected to one of the cabinet
members.
5. The tool chest assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper cabinet is
secured to the lower cabinet by a plurality of nuts and bolts.
6. The tool chest assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper cabinet
has a front access opening to the interior cavity.
7. The tool chest assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper cabinet is
positioned within the lower cabinet such that the upper cabinet
does not have substantial lateral or vertical movement within the
interior cavity of the lower cabinet during transport or
storage.
8. A tool chest assembly configured for shipping comprising: an
outer cabinet configured to provide an interior cavity and
including a top member removably coupled to the outer cabinet; and
an inner cabinet positioned inside the interior cavity of the outer
cabinet, wherein the inner cabinet is removably secured to the
outer cabinet during shipping or storage.
9. The tool chest assembly of claim 8, wherein outer cabinet
comprises at least one tray, the tray being capable of outward
sliding movement.
10. The tool chest assembly of claim 8, wherein inner cabinet
comprises at least one tray, the tray being capable of outward
sliding movement.
11. The tool chest assembly of claim 8, wherein the outer cabinet
has a front access opening to the interior cavity, the front access
opening comprising a door connected to one of the cabinet
members.
12. The tool chest assembly of claim 8, wherein the outer cabinet
is secured to the outer cabinet by a plurality of nuts and
bolts.
13. The tool chest assembly of claim 8, wherein the inner cabinet
has a front access opening to the interior cavity.
14. The tool chest assembly of claim 8, wherein the inner cabinet
is positioned within the outer cabinet such that the inner cabinet
does not have substantial lateral or vertical movement within the
interior cavity of the outer cabinet during transport or
storage.
15. A method of configuring a tool chest assembly for shipping or
storage and for disassembly or setting up, the method comprising:
providing a tool chest assembly comprising an outer cabinet having
an interior cavity and including a top member removably coupled to
the outer cabinet; an inner cabinet configured to be positioned
within the interior cavity of the outer cabinet during shipping or
storage; positioning the inner cabinet within the outer cabinet and
securing the inner cabinet to the outer cabinet, such that the
inner cabinet does not have substantial lateral or vertical
movement within the interior cavity of the outer cabinet during
transport or storage; disassembling the tool chest assembly by
removing the top member coupled to the outer cabinet and removing
the inner cabinet from the outer cabinet; and installing the inner
cabinet on top of the outer cabinet and securing the inner cabinet
to the outer cabinet, resulting in a set-up configuration.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the inner cabinet is secured to
the outer cabinet by a plurality of nuts and bolts.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to tool chests or
tool boxes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Tool boxes or tool chests generally include a large cabinet
with one or more trays or drawers. Large tool chests occupy a
significant amount of space and therefore increase the cost of
shipping and storage. Smaller tool boxes or tool chests do not
provide adequate space to retain tools or other equipments.
Therefore, a tool chest that is configured with ease to occupy a
minimal space during shipping or storage and yet that provides
adequate space for retaining tools, is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a tool chest assembly that
is efficient and economical to ship or store and easy to handle and
set-up.
[0004] A tool chest assembly includes: [0005] a lower cabinet
having an interior cavity and including a top member removably
coupled to the lower cabinet; [0006] an upper cabinet configured to
be positioned inside the interior cavity of the lower cabinet
during shipping or storage; and [0007] the top member of the lower
cabinet being adapted to support the upper cabinet when the lower
cabinet and the top cabinet are engaged in a set-up
configuration.
[0008] The lower cabinet may include one or more trays and the
trays may be capable of outward sliding movement. The upper cabinet
may include one or more trays that are capable of outward sliding
movement.
[0009] The lower cabinet may also have a front access opening to
the interior cavity and optionally, the front access opening may
include a door connected to one of the cabinet members. The upper
cabinet may have a front access opening to the interior cavity.
[0010] In the tool chest assembly disclosed herein, in a preferred
embodiment, the upper cabinet may be secured to the lower cabinet
by a plurality of nuts and bolts. The upper cabinet may be
positioned within the lower cabinet such that the upper cabinet
does not have substantial lateral or vertical movement within the
interior cavity of the lower cabinet during transport or
storage.
[0011] A tool chest assembly configured for shipping includes:
[0012] an outer cabinet configured to provide an interior cavity
and including a top member removably coupled to the outer cabinet;
and [0013] an inner cabinet positioned inside the interior cavity
of the outer cabinet, wherein the inner cabinet is removably
secured to the outer cabinet during shipping or storage.
[0014] A method of configuring a tool chest assembly for shipping
or storage and for disassembly or setting up, the method includes
the steps of: [0015] providing a tool chest assembly that includes
[0016] an outer cabinet having an interior cavity and including a
top member removably coupled to the outer cabinet; [0017] an inner
cabinet configured to be positioned within the interior cavity of
the outer cabinet during shipping or storage; [0018] positioning
the inner cabinet within the outer cabinet and securing the inner
cabinet to the outer cabinet, such that the inner cabinet does not
have substantial lateral or vertical movement within the interior
cavity of the outer cabinet during transport or storage; [0019]
disassembling the tool chest assembly by removing the top member
coupled to the outer cabinet and removing the inner cabinet from
the outer cabinet; and [0020] installing the inner cabinet on top
of the outer cabinet and securing the inner cabinet to the outer
cabinet, resulting in a set-up configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The drawings are provided to illustrate an apparatus used
for some of the embodiments of the disclosure. It is envisioned
that alternate configurations of the embodiments of the present
disclosure maybe adopted without deviating from the scope of the
disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the tool chest
assembly having an upper and a lower cabinet in a set-up
configuration.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the lower cabinet in a
shipping or storage configuration.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a partial exploded front perspective view of the
lower cabinet and the upper cabinet that is positioned inside the
lower cabinet.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the lower cabinet with
a slidable receiving portion.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a lower front perspective view, with parts in
cross section, of the lower cabinet.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the
engagement of a bottom member of upper cabinet with an internal
support of the lower cabinet.
[0028] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the lower and the upper
cabinets of the tool chest during assembly.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the tool chest
assembly illustrating the removal of the upper cabinet positioned
within the lower cabinet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE
INVENTION
[0030] A tool chest assembly 100 of the present disclosure in a
set-up or open configuration is shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated in
FIG. 1, the tool chest assembly 100 includes a lower cabinet 102
and an upper cabinet 104. As explained in greater detail below, the
lower cabinet 102 and the upper cabinet 104 of the tool chest
assembly 100 are also designated as an outer cabinet 102 and an
inner cabinet 104, respectively, in a packed or closed
configuration that is suitable for shipping or storage. Therefore,
reference to the lower cabinet 102 and the upper cabinet 104 also
refer to the outer and inner cabinets respectively. The lower
cabinet 102 may include a series of wheels 170 for mobility.
[0031] The lower/outer cabinet 102 in a closed or packed
configuration is illustrated in FIG. 2. In relation to this view,
the lower cabinet 102 has a right side member 110, a left side
member 118, a top member 112, a bottom member 120, and a front
member 122. The top member 112 is removably secured to at least one
of the left side member 118 or the right side member 110 of the
lower cabinet 102. The top member 112, for example, is preferably
secured to the members of the lower cabinet 102 by a series of nuts
114 and bolts 116. The top member 112 may also be secured by a
spring loaded biased protrusion and recess, a latch or any other
suitable securing member. The right and left side members 110, 118,
the top member 112, the bottom member 120, and the front member 122
enclose a lower interior cavity 156 within the lower cabinet
102.
[0032] The top member 112 of the lower cabinet 102 is removed by
releasing the nuts 114 and bolts 116 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The
top member 112 of the lower cabinet has a horizontal surface 126.
As illustrated, the lower cabinet 102 has one more trays 128 and
the upper cabinet 104 has one or more trays 130. The trays 128 and
130 are adapted to slide forward as illustrated in FIG. 4. The tray
128 has a track 140 to enable the forward sliding motion of the
tray 128. The tray 128 of the lower cabinet 102 may be positioned
below or above the lower interior cavity that is accessible by a
right access door 132 or a left access door 134. The lower interior
cavity 156, accessible by the doors 132 and 134, is configured to
receive and accommodate the upper cabinet 104 during shipping or
storage.
[0033] A partition 150 is positioned within the front member 122,
such that the lower interior cavity 156 is partitioned to
accommodate the upper cabinet 104 during shipping or storage and to
provide space for the one or more trays 128 positioned below the
partition member 150 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The partition 150
can extend fully or partially in a lateral direction, thereby
providing a base for storing tools or other equipment within the
lower interior cavity 156 in the open or set-up configuration. The
upper cabinet 104 is removably secured to the partition 150 through
a series bolts 142, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0034] The upper cabinet 104 has a top member 152 and a right side
member 154. The upper cabinet 104 is configured to fit within the
lower interior cavity 156 of the lower cabinet during shipping or
storage. The upper cabinet 104 is removed from the partition 150 by
removing the bolts 142 and the upper cabinet 104 is pulled upwards
in a sliding fashion as illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0035] The upper cabinet 104 has a hand recess 160 for handling the
movement and installation of the upper cabinet 104. As illustrated
in FIG. 7, the upper cabinet 104 has one or more forward slidable
trays 130. Optionally, the trays 130 may be separated by a vertical
partition 162 of the upper cabinet 104. The upper cabinet 104 may
also have an upper interior cavity that is not occupied by any tray
and simply provides an open space for storing tools or other
equipment.
[0036] During assembly, the upper cabinet 104 is lifted from the
interior cavity of the lower cabinet and is positioned on top of
the lower cabinet 102. After positioning the upper cabinet 104 on
top of the top member 112, the two cabinets 102 and 104 are secured
by bolts 114 and nuts 116.
[0037] As described in detail below, during shipping or storage,
the upper/inner cabinet 104 of the tool chest 100 is positioned
within the interior cavity 156 of the lower/outer cabinet 102. The
top member 112 is removably coupled to the outer cabinet 102.
During transport or storage, the inner cabinet 104 may be removably
secured to the outer cabinet 102 by a plurality of bolts 142. The
inner cabinet 104 is positioned within the outer cabinet 104 by
lowering the inner cabinet 104 into the interior cavity 156 of the
outer cabinet 102. Optionally, the inner cabinet 104 may be secured
to the outer cabinet 102 by a plurality of bolts 142 to minimize
lateral or vertical movement during transport. Then, the top member
112 is removably coupled to the outer cabinet 102 by a series of
nuts 114 and bolts 116.
[0038] During disassembly or for setting up the tool chest 100, the
top member 112 is removed from the outer cabinet 102. The inner
cabinet 104 is lifted from the outer cabinet 102 by removing the
bolts 142, if the bolts 142 are used to secure the inner cabinet
104. The top member 112 is coupled to the outer/lower cabinet 102.
The inner/upper cabinet 104 is positioned on top of the top member
112 of the lower cabinet 102. The upper cabinet 104 is then secured
to the lower cabinet 102 by a series of nuts 168 and bolts 166.
[0039] While embodiments have been illustrated and described in the
drawing and foregoing description, such illustrations and
descriptions are considered to be exemplary and not restrictive in
character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments
have been shown and described and that all changes and
modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are
desired to be protected. The applicant has provided description and
figures which are intended as illustrations of embodiments of the
disclosure, and are not intended to be construed as containing or
implying limitation of the disclosure to those embodiments. There
are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising
from various features set forth in the description. It will be
noted that alternative embodiments of the disclosure may not
include all of the features described yet still benefit from at
least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary
skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of
the disclosure and associated methods, without undue
experimentation, that incorporate one or more of the features
and/or steps of the disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope
of the present disclosure and the appended claims.
* * * * *