Plumbers Tool Carrier

Abstract

A tool carrier particularly adapted for plumber's tools comprising: A. an elongated box having a bottom, two sides and two ends and being open on top, B. the interior of the box being divided into compartments of a size and shape to hold plumber's tools C. a carrying handle protruding from the top of the box D. the ends of the box being angled outwardly from the bottom E. a handle on each end of the box F. strap members connecting the two end handles with the carrying handle and providing a reduced bottom surface for dragging the tool carrier and serving as support members for when it is carried.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application relates to tool carriers, and, more specifically, to tool carriers particularly adapted for use with plumber's tools.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Tool carriers are, of course, well known in the art. However, little attention has been given to the special problems encountered by plumbers in their work and to designing tool carriers specifically adapted to overcoming such problems.

Specifically, the prior art has not developed a tool carrier which:

1. IS STRUCTURALLY REINFORCED SO AS TO BEAR THE WEIGHT OF THE HEAVY PARTS AND TOOLS NORMALLY CARRIED BY PLUMBERS IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK.

2. IS DESIGNED WITH HANDLES SO THAT IT CAN EITHER BE CARRIED OR DRAGGED WITH EQUAL EASE, SO THAT IT CAN, FOR EXAMPLE, BE CARRIED FROM THE PLUMBER'S TRUCK TO THE JOB SITE AND THEN DRAGGED INTO THE TIGHT CRAWL SPACES WHERE IT IS OFTEN NECESSARY FOR A PLUMBER TO WORK.

3. PRESENTS A BOTTOM HAVING A REDUCED SURFACE AREA SO AS TO FACILITATE DRAGGING OF A HEAVILY LOADED TOOL CARRIER.

4. HAS ENDS WHICH ARE SET AT AN OUTWARD ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE TOOL CARRIER BOTTOM SO AS TO FACILITATE DRAGGING OF THE TOOL CARRIER OVER ROUGH AND UNEVEN SURFACES AND OBSTACLES.

5. HAS COMPARTMENTS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR RECEIVING THE TOOLS AND SUPPLIES NORMALLY CARRIED BY PLUMBERS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicant has now overcome the above-described deficiencies of the prior art by developing a tool carrier specifically adapted for use by plumbers to carry their tools and supplies.

In summary, applicant's invention comprises an elongated box having two sides, tow ends and a bottom and being open at the top. The interior of the box is divided into compartments of size and shape so as to be specifically adapted to receive various tools and supplies. A handle is attached to each of the ends substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom. Straps run from one of these end handles under the bottom of the carrier and connect to the other end handle so as to lend added strength to the bottom and present a reduced surface area to facilitate dragging the carrier. Also, a carrying handle protrudes from the open top of the carrier. Straps leading from this top handle are preferably connected to the straps running under the bottom of the carrier, so as to lend strength and stability to the handle. The ends of the tool carrier are attached to the bottom at an outward angle so as to make it easier to drag the carrier over rough surfaces and small obstacles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the plumber's tool carrier of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the plumber's tool carrier.

FIG. 3 is a detail view showing the manner of attachment of straps 16 to the interior carrier walls and straps 17.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tool carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates the carrying handle for the tool carrier. Handle 1 is shown as metal but can be wood or other material capable of bearing the weight of the carrier. Reference numeral 2 denotes an end handle which can be used to drag the carrier. Such a handle is also attached in the same manner to the opposite end (not shown) of the carrier. Reference numerals 3, 4, and 5 indicate circular compartments inside the carrier which are sized to receive the plumber's torch, soldering paste and solder. Reference numerals 6, 7, and 8 denote end compartments adapted to receive pipe fittings such as various ells and tees. Similar compartments (not shown in FIG. 1) are at the opposite end of the carrier (see reference numerals 6', 7', and 8' in FIG. 2). Reference numerals 9, 10, and 11 indicate compartments adapted to receive the plumber's wrenches and pliers. Reference numerals 12, 13, and 14 denote compartments adapted to receive a hammer, tubing cutter and screwdriver, respectively. Reference numerals 15, positioned in a partially cutaway portion of the side, indicate compartments adapted to receive pipe hangers in such a fashion that they are readily accessible for use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it is a top view of the carrier of FIG. 1. The interior of the carrier has not been shown in FIG. 2 for purposes of simplicity and clarity.

Referring again to FIG. 1, reference numerals 16 indicate straps leading from handle 1, which handle can be frictionally held in place or permanently fastened as desired. Straps 16 can be fastened adjacent the top of the carrier in any conventional manner. For added strength straps 16 extend along the interior carrier walls and extend through the bottom of the carrier, where they are fastened by any conventional manner such as welding or riveting to straps 17. Straps 17 extend in parallel fashion as indicated under the full length of the carrier and are connected to the handle at the opposite end (not shown) in the same manner as shown at handle 2.

Straps 17 provide a reduced frictional area on the bottom of the carrier and facilitate its being dragged into confined areas. Similarly the angle formed between the bottom and end walls makes dragging the carrier over small obstacles easier than if a 90.degree. angle were used.

Claims

I claim:

1. A tool carrier adapted for plumber's tools comprising:

a. an elongated box having a bottom, two sides and two ends and being open at the top

b. a handle attached to each end and a top handle attached to the box and protruding above the plane of the open top

c. first means connecting the end handles to each other, said means supporting the bottom of the box and presenting a reduced surface area to the surface on which the bottom of the box rests

d. second means connecting the top handle to said first means

e. the ends of the box extending outwardly at an angle with respect to the bottom of the box

f. means dividing the interior of the box into open-topped compartments shaped and adapted to receive plumber's tools and supplies.

2. A tool carrier adapted for plumber's tools comprising:

a. an elongated box having a bottom, two sides and two ends and being open at the top

b. a handle for dragging attached to each end and a top handle for carrying attached to the box and protruding above the plane of the open top

c. straps connecting the end handles to each other, said straps supporting the bottom of the box and presenting a reduced surface area for dragging to the surface on which the bottom of the box rests, said reduced surface area being aligned substantially parallel to the direction of drag

d. the ends of the box extending outwardly at an angle with respect to the bottom of the box

e. means dividing the interior of the box into open-topped compartments shaped and adapted to receive plumber's tools and supplies.

3. The tool carrier of claim 1 wherein the second means are straps.

4. The tool carrier of claim 3 wherein the compartments include a plurality of compartments having a circular cross section and a plurality of compartments having a rectangular corss-section.