U.S. patent application number 11/469615 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for toolbox.
Invention is credited to Simon Kao.
Application Number | 20080053853 11/469615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39150003 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kao; Simon |
March 6, 2008 |
TOOLBOX
Abstract
A toolbox includes first and second toolbox parts, and a pivot
joint unit. The first toolbox part defines an accommodating space,
and has an opening that is in spatial communication with the
accommodating space. The pivot joint unit interconnects the first
and second toolbox parts, and permits relative rotation between the
first and second toolbox parts from a closed position, where the
first and second toolbox parts overlap with each other such that
the second toolbox part covers the opening in the first toolbox
part, and an open position, where the first and second toolbox
parts overlap with each other such that the second toolbox part
uncovers the opening in the first toolbox part.
Inventors: |
Kao; Simon; (Tainan Hsien,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTROLENK FABER GERB & SOFFEN
1180 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
100368403
US
|
Family ID: |
39150003 |
Appl. No.: |
11/469615 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/377 ;
206/372 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/377 ;
206/372 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/28 20060101
B65D085/28 |
Claims
1. A toolbox, comprising: a first toolbox part defining an
accommodating space, and having an opening that is in spatial
communication with said accommodating space; a second toolbox part;
and a pivot joint unit interconnecting said first and second
toolbox parts, and permitting relative rotation between said first
and second toolbox parts from a closed position, where said first
and second toolbox parts overlap with each other such that said
second toolbox part covers said opening in said first toolbox part,
and an open position, where said first and second toolbox parts
overlap with each other such that said second toolbox part uncovers
said opening in said first toolbox part.
2. The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivot joint unit
includes a first pivot joint coupled rotatably to said first
toolbox part, and a second pivot joint that extends parallel and
that is coupled to said first pivot joint, and that is coupled
rotatably to the second toolbox part.
3. The toolbox as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: first and
second ears extending from said first toolbox part, said first
pivot joint being disposed between and being coupled rotatably to
said first and second ears; and third and fourth ears extending
from said second toolbox part, said second pivot joint being
disposed between and being coupled rotatably to said third and
fourth ears.
4. The toolbox as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pivot joint unit
further includes a third pivot joint that extends transversely
relative to and that is coupled to said first and second pivot
joints so as to permit relative rotation between said first and
second pivot joints.
5. The toolbox as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of said first and
second pivot joints is formed with an engaging groove, said third
pivot joint being formed on the other of said first and second
pivot joints and engaging rotatably said engaging groove.
6. The toolbox as claimed in claim 3, further comprising first and
second abutting protrusions, each of which is provided on a
respective one of said first and second pivot joints, each of said
first and second abutting protrusions abutting against a respective
one of said first and second toolbox parts when said first and
second toolbox parts are disposed at either one of the closed and
open positions.
7. The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tool
retainer unit disposed in said accommodating space in said first
toolbox part, provided on said first toolbox part, and adapted to
retain a set of tools in said accommodating space in said first
toolbox part.
8. The toolbox as claimed ion claim 7, wherein said tool retainer
unit includes a plurality of resilient clamps, each of which is
adapted to clamp releasably a first end portion of a respective one
of the tools.
9. The toolbox as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a
slot-defining wall unit disposed in said accommodating space in
said first toolbox part, formed on said first toolbox part, and
including a plurality of slot-defining walls, each of which defines
a slot that is adapted to receive a second end portion of a
respective one of the tools.
10. The toolbox as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said
slot-defining walls is provided with a mark that indicates the size
of the respective one of the tools.
11. The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a latch
unit for retaining said first and second toolbox parts at the
closed position, said latch unit including a latching groove that
is formed in one of said first and second toolbox parts, and a hook
that is provided on the other of said first and second toolbox
parts, and that engages releasably said latching groove when said
first and second toolbox parts are disposed at the closed
position.
12. The toolbox as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said first
and second toolbox parts has a free end portion that is formed with
a cutout so as to permit viewing of the first end portions of the
tools in said accommodating space in said first toolbox part when
said first and second toolbox parts are disposed at the closed
position.
13. The toolbox as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first and
second pivot joints of said pivot joint unit are formed integrally
as one single piece.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a toolbox, more particularly to a
toolbox that includes first and second toolbox parts, which overlap
with each other when disposed at either one of the closed and open
positions.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional toolbox includes first and second toolbox
parts, and first and second retainer units. The first and second
toolbox parts are coupled pivotably to each other. The first tool
retainer unit is mounted on the first toolbox part for retaining a
first set of tools on the latter. The second tool retainer unit is
mounted on the second toolbox part for retaining a second set of
tools on the latter. The first and second toolbox parts are
pivotable relative to each other between a first position, where
the first and second toolbox parts overlap with each other so as to
prevent access to the first and second sets of tools, and a second
position, where the first and second toolbox parts form a hundred
and eighty degree angle therebetween so as to permit access to the
first and second sets of tools.
[0005] The conventional toolbox is disadvantageous in that when the
first and second toolbox parts are disposed at the second position,
the conventional toolbox occupies a relatively large space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
a toolbox that can overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior
art.
[0007] According to the present invention, a toolbox comprises
first and second toolbox parts, and a pivot joint unit. The first
toolbox part defines an accommodating space, and has an opening
that is in spatial communication with the accommodating space. The
pivot joint unit interconnects the first and second toolbox parts,
and permits relative rotation between the first and second toolbox
parts from a closed position, where the first and second toolbox
parts overlap with each other such that the second toolbox part
covers the opening in the first toolbox part, and an open position,
where the first and second toolbox parts overlap with each other
such that the second toolbox part uncovers the opening in the first
toolbox part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the first
preferred embodiment of a toolbox according to the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view to illustrate first
and second toolbox parts of the first preferred embodiment disposed
at a closed position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view to illustrate the first and
second toolbox parts of the first preferred embodiment disposed at
an open position;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view to illustrate a pivot
joint unit of the first preferred embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view to illustrate the first and
second toolbox parts of the first preferred embodiment disposed to
form a hundred and eighty degree angle therebetween;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic view to illustrate the second toolbox
part rotated at a hundred and eighty degree angle relative to the
first toolbox part; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is an exploded schematic view of the second preferred
embodiment of a toolbox according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Before the present invention is described in greater detail,
it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same
reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the first preferred embodiment of a
toolbox 100 according to the present invention is shown to include
first and second toolbox parts 3, 4, and a pivot joint unit 6.
[0018] The toolbox 100 of this embodiment serves to hold first and
second sets of tools 200, 300 (see FIG. 5) in a manner that will be
described hereinafter.
[0019] It is noted that each of the tools 200, 300 in the first and
second sets is an Allen wrench and has a distinct size.
[0020] The first toolbox part 3 includes a base wall 31, a front
wall 32, and a pair of lateral walls 33, 34. The base wall 31, the
front wall 32, and the lateral walls 33, 34 of the first toolbox
part 3 cooperatively define an accommodating space 30 thereamong.
The first toolbox part 3 has an opening 301 that is in spatial
communication with the accommodating space 30 in the first toolbox
part 3.
[0021] The second toolbox part 4 includes a base wall 41, a front
wall 42, and a pair of lateral walls 43, 44. The base wall 41, the
front wall 42, and the lateral walls 43, 44 of the second toolbox
part 4 cooperatively define an accommodating space 40 thereamong.
The second toolbox part 4 has an opening 401 that is in spatial
communication with the accommodating space 40 in the second toolbox
part 4.
[0022] The toolbox 100 further includes first and second ears 51,
52, each of which extends from a respective one of opposite ends of
the front wall 32 of the first toolbox part 3, and third and fourth
ears 53, 54, each of which extends from a respective one of
opposite ends of the front wall 42 of the second toolbox part
4.
[0023] The pivot joint unit 6 includes first and second pivot
joints 61, 62. The first pivot joint 61 of the pivot joint unit 6
is disposed between the first and second ears 51, 52, and is
coupled rotatably to the first and second ears 51, 52. On the other
hand, the second pivot joint 62 of the pivot joint unit 6 is
disposed between the third and fourth ears 53, 54, extends parallel
and is coupled to the first pivot joint 61, and is coupled
rotatably to the third and fourth ears 53, 54. The construction as
such permits relative rotation between the first and second toolbox
parts 3, 4 about the first and second pivot joints 61, 62 of the
pivot joint unit 6 between a closed position, where the first and
second toolbox parts 3, 4 overlap with each other such that the
first toolbox part 3 covers the opening 401 in the second toolbox
part 4 and such that the second toolbox part 4 covers the opening
301 in the first toolbox part 3, as best shown in FIG. 2, and an
open position, where the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4
overlap with each other such that the first toolbox part 3 uncovers
the opening 401 in the second toolbox part 4 and such that the
second toolbox part 4 uncovers the opening 301 in the first toolbox
part 3, as best shown in FIG. 3. The toolbox 100 of this invention
therefore occupies the same space regardless of whether the first
and second toolbox parts 3, 4 are disposed at the closed or open
position.
[0024] With further reference to FIG. 4, the pivot joint unit 6
further includes a third pivot joint 63 that extends transversely
relative to the first and second pivot joints 61, 62 and that is
rotatably coupled to an engaging groove 620 in the second pivot
joint 62. The construction as such permits relative rotation
between the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4 about the third
pivot joint 63 between a first position, where the opening 301 in
the first toolbox part 3 and the opening 401 in the second toolbox
part 4 face in the same direction, as best shown in FIG. 5, and a
second position, where the opening 301 in the first toolbox part 3
and the opening 401 in the second toolbox part 4 face in opposite
directions, as best shown in FIG. 6. The toolbox 100 further
includes a first pair of abutting protrusions 71, 72, each of which
is provided on a respective one of opposite end portions of the
first pivot joint 61 of the pivot joint unit 6, and a second pair
of abutting protrusions 73, 74, each of which is provided on a
respective one of opposite end portions of the second pivot joint
62 of the pivot joint unit 6. The abutting protrusions 71, 72 abut
against the front wall 32 of the first toolbox part 3 and the
abutting protrusions 73, 74 abut against the front wall 42 of the
second toolbox part 3 when the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4
are disposed at one of the closed and open positions. As such, it
is ensured that the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4 wholly
overlap each other when disposed at the closed or open position. In
an alternative embodiment, the toolbox 100 maybe dispensed with the
first and second pairs of abutting protrusions 71, 72, 73, 74.
[0025] The toolbox 100 further includes first and second tool
retainer units 8, 9. The first retainer unit 8 is disposed in the
accommodating space 30 in the first toolbox part 3, is provided on
the first toolbox part 3, and retains the first set of tools 200 in
the accommodating space 30 in the first toolbox part 3. In this
embodiment, the first tool retainer unit 8 includes a plurality of
resilient clamps 81, each of which clamps releasably a first end
portion 2001 of a respective one of the tools 200 in the first set,
as best shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, the second retainer
unit 9 is disposed in the accommodating space 40 in the second
toolbox part 4, is provided on the second toolbox part 4, and
retains the second set of tools 300 in the accommodating space 40
in the second toolbox part 4. In this embodiment, the second tool
retainer unit 9, like the first tool retainer unit 8, includes a
plurality of resilient clamps 91, each of which clamps releasably a
first end portion 3001 of a respective one of the tools 300 in the
second set, as best shown in FIG. 5.
[0026] The toolbox 100 further includes first and second
slot-defining wall units 35, 45, each of which is disposed in the
accommodating space 30, 40 in a respective one of the first and
second toolbox parts 3, 4 and each of which is formed on the
respective one of the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4. In this
embodiment, the first slot-defining unit 35 includes a plurality of
slot-defining walls 351, each of which defines a slot 350 that
receives a second end portion 2002 of a respective one of the tools
200 in the first set and that has a diameter corresponding to a
cross-section of the second end portion 2002 of the respective one
of the tools 200 in the first set and each of which is provided
with a mark 352 that indicates the size of the respective one of
the tools 200 in the first set. Moreover, the second slot-defining
wall unit 45, like the first slot-defining wall unit 35, includes a
plurality of slot-defining walls 451, each of which defines a slot
450 that receives a second end portion 3002 of a respective one of
the tools 300 in the second set and that has a diameter
corresponding to a cross-section of the second end portion 3002 of
the respective one of the tools 300 in the second set and each of
which is provided with a mark 452 that indicates the size of the
respective one of the tools 300 in the second set.
[0027] The toolbox 100 further includes a latch unit for retaining
the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4 at the closed position. The
latch unit includes a pair of latching grooves 36, each of which is
formed in a respective one of the lateral walls 33, 34 of the first
toolbox part 3, and a pair of hooks 46, each of which is provided
on a respective one of the lateral walls 43, 44 of the second
toolbox part 4 and each of which engages releasably a respective
one of the latching grooves 36 when the first and second toolbox
parts 3, 4 are disposed at the closed position.
[0028] In use, when it is desired to retain the first set of tools
200 in the accommodating space 30 in the first toolbox part 3 and
the second set of tools 300 in the accommodating space 40 in the
second toolbox part 4, the first and second toolbox parts 3,4 are
first disposed at the open position. Then, the second end portion
2002 of each of the tools 200 in the first set is inserted into the
respective one of the slots 350 in the first slot-defining wall
unit 35 and, subsequently, the first end portion 2001 of each of
the tools 200 in the first set is clamped by the respective one of
the clamps 81 of the first tool retainer unit 8. Furthermore, the
second end portion 3002 of each of the tools 300 in the second set
is inserted into the respective one of the slots 450 in the second
slot-defining wall unit 45 and, subsequently, the first end portion
3001 of each of the tools 300 in the second set is clamped by the
respective one of the clamps 91 of the second tool retainer unit 9.
Thereafter, the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4 are restored to
the closed position.
[0029] It is noted that the base wall 31, 41 of each of the first
and second toolbox parts 3, 4 is formed with a cutout at a free end
portion 310, 410 thereof so as to permit viewing of the first end
portions 2001 of the tools 200 in the accommodating space 30 in the
first toolbox part 3 and the first end portions 3001 of the tools
300 in the accommodating space 40 in the second toolbox part 4 when
the first and second toolbox parts 3, 4 are disposed in the closed
position.
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a
toolbox 100 according to the present invention. When compared to
the previous embodiment, the pivot joint unit 6 is dispensed with
the third pivot joint 63 (see FIG. 1), and the first and second
pivot joints 61, 62 of the pivot joint unit 6 are formed integrally
as one single piece.
[0031] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what are considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *