U.S. patent number 3,804,238 [Application Number 05/206,783] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-16 for display case for sabre saw blades.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Howard Hardware Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joel A. Howard.
United States Patent |
3,804,238 |
Howard |
April 16, 1974 |
DISPLAY CASE FOR SABRE SAW BLADES
Abstract
A compartmental storage container in which a plurality of
saw-tooth blades, different from one another in saw-tooth
configuration, are removably storageable in isolated relation in
respective compartments. A color-code arrangement is provided for
associating the saw-tooth blades with respective compartments
therefor and distinguishing the operative function of the
respective saw-tooth configurations of the blades from one
another.
Inventors: |
Howard; Joel A. (Cliffside,
NJ) |
Assignee: |
Howard Hardware Products, Inc.
(Bloomfield, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
22767944 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/206,783 |
Filed: |
December 10, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.5;
D7/650; 206/372; 206/561 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
25/04 (20130101); B23D 61/128 (20130101); B65D
2203/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B23D
61/12 (20060101); B23D 61/00 (20060101); B65D
25/04 (20060101); B65d 085/20 (); B65d 001/36 ();
B65d 025/54 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/16R,72,DIG.29
;D9/184,187,189,191,192,193 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Summer; Leonard
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Friedman & Goodman
Claims
1. A combination comprising a plurality of saw-tooth tools
differing from one another in saw-tooth configuration and a
compartmental storage container in which said tools are removably
stored in isolated relation in respective compartments, each of
said tools being provided at least in part with a respective color
differing from the other tools for distinguishing operative
function of each saw-tooth configuration from one another, said
container including respectively colored indicia corresponding to
respective colors of said tools for operatively associating said
tools with respective compartments therefor, said container
including an insert member and a casing into which said insert
member is removably disposed, said insert member being integrally
provided with a first portion for accommodating said tools and a
second portion provided with said colored indicia, said first
portion including a plurality of spaced parallel partitions
defining said compartments, said colored indicia extending on said
second portion generally opposite said compartments respectively,
said insert member including a deepened well between said first and
second portions, said deepened well communicating with each of said
compartments and separating said first and second portions from one
another, said partitions having a common elongate extent extending
transversely of said deepened well, each of said tools including a
first end portion depressible downwardly into said deepened well
and an opposite second end portion movable above said partitions
upon depressing said first end portion into said deepened well for
permitting manual
2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container
includes means for identifying the operative function of each of
said tools in
3. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means which
identifies the operative function of each of said tools with the
respective colors includes respective nomenclature zones, each of
said
4. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tools have a
common elongate extent greater than said partitions and overlie
said deepened
5. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said casing
includes a base portion and a cover portion hingedly displaceable
relative to said base portion for permitting access to said tools
confined in said insert
6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cover portion
is generally transparent for displaying said tools and said colored
indicia.
7. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cover portion
and said base portion are operatively interlockable detachably in
snap-fit relation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a case or housing in
which may be stored a plurality of tools, and more particularly to
a housing or casing for isolating the tools relative to one another
and permitting ready identification of the respective functions of
each of the tools as stored in the casing.
As is common in the art, there are numerous devices which are
utilized for storing a plurality of tools similar in nature, yet,
unless the tools differ from one another substantially with regard
to the size and configuration thereof, it is extremely difficult to
determine which of the tools should be selected for performing a
particular task. In this respect, sabre saw blades are provided
with an array of teeth each differing from one another in size and
configuration for cutting into or sawing a particular surface.
Unless the user of the sabre saw blades is a skilled artisen who
can readily distinguish between the specific saw-tooth
configurations of each of the blades and can immediately identify
the specific function for a specific saw-tooth configuration, it is
often necessary to resort to some specific chart loosely associated
with the housing for comparing a specific saw-tooth configuration
of one blade with an illustration of the blade on the chart for
determining the function of the particular blade.
Clearly, this is a burdensome and time-consuming proposition and
often results in a failure by the user to utilize the chart
associated with the package of tools and a cursory selection of any
of the blades rather than the very specific blade required for the
specific object or surface to be sawed. An improper selection of a
blade may result in the damaging of the teeth of the blade or, for
that matter, a damaging of the surface or object being sawed with
the improper blade.
Moreover, there are many instances when the blades are
inadvertently co-mingled and even when provided with an appropriate
system for distinguishing the function of each of the saw-tooth
configurations of the blades respectively from one another, it is
difficult to restore the blades in the proper receptacles therefor
after co-mingling in the absence of specifically resorting to a
direct comparison between the individual blade configurations
relative to an appropriate chart provided with illustrations of the
blades respectively.
Thus, the conventional arrangements in which tools may be stored,
and particularly tools of similar nature such as that of sabre saw
blades having saw-tooth configurations differing only slightly from
one another, are less than most effective for permitting ready
removal and ready selection of the proper tool for a particular
task.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved storage casing or housing for tools of similar nature and
more particularly for tools of saw-tooth configuration.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a casing
in which sabre saw blades may be readily displayed in stored
relation, and having a color-code arrangement for immediately
identifying and distinguishing the respective blades from one
another in association with the respective tasks they are to
perform.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
casing in which sabre saw blades may be stored in very close
proximity with one another, and permitting removal of a selected
one of the sabre saw blades independently from one another so that
there is no co-mingling of the blades as stored or removed.
To this end, the present invention relates to a combination wherein
there is provided a plurality of saw-tooth tools differing from one
another in saw-tooth configuration, and a compartmental storage
container in which said tools are removably storageable in isolated
relation in respective compartments, the improvement comprising
color-code means for operatively associating said tools with
respective compartments therefor and distinguishing the operative
function of the respective saw-tooth configurations of said tools
from one another. Each of said tools is provided at least in part
with a respective color differing from the other tools, said
compartments having associated therewith respectively colored
indicia corresponding to respective colors of said tools, and means
for identifying the operative function of each of said tools in
association with the respective colors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With the above and additional objects and advantages in view, as
will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices,
combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment
in which:
FIG. 1 is an enlarged top-side plan view of the casing in a closed
condition, the color-code for the blades being displayed through
the intermediary of the transparent top cover portion of the casing
pursuant to the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a view similar to that of FIG. 1 with the casing
in an open condition, the top cover only shown fragmented, the
support for the sabre saw blades being vacant;
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3
in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 illustrates an underside plan view of the support for the
sabre saw blades pursuant to the present invention;
FIG. 5 illustrates a view similar to that of FIG. 3, wherein a
particular blade is in an at-rest position as stored in a
respective compartment therefor;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the sabre saw blade
in a displaced position for removal;
FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7--7
in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8--8
in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and
2 thereof, the present invention relates generally to a casing
denoted by the reference character 10, having associated therewith
a transparent plastic top cover 10A and an opaque bottom or base
portion 10B hinged to the top cover 10A through the intermediary of
conventional ball-joint plastic hinges 11. The casing 10 is
utilized for displaying and storing a plurality of sabre saw blades
12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 respectively. Each of the sabre saw
blades is provided with saw-teeth of selected configuration, and
denoted by the reference characters 12A, 14A, 16A, 18A, 20A and 22A
respectively and coupling end portions 12B, 14B, 16B, 18B, 20B and
22B respectively.
The aforementioned coupling end portions of the sabre saw blades
are provided for operative association with an appropriate tool
handle therefor (not shown). Each of the sabre saw blades is also
provided at least in part with a specific colored surface differing
from the other blades and are storageable in a compartmental blade
support 24 having respective elongate compartments denoted by the
reference characters 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 respectively, the
compartments being separated by the elongate partitions 52, 54, 56,
58, 60, 62 and 64 respectively.
Each of the compartments are associated with colored indicia
denoted by the reference character 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82
respectively, each differing in color, yet having a respective
color corresponding to an associated one of the sabre saw blades.
Extending adjacent each of the colored indicia are appropriate
nomenclature zones 92, 94, 96, 98, 100 and 102 respectively which
act to identify the material to be operated upon by the sabre saw
blades corresponding to the specific saw-tooth configuration of the
individual blades.
Accordingly, the colored indicia opposite the respective elongate
compartments in which the sabre saw blades are respectively
storageable, in combination with the individual colors specifically
provided on these sabre saw blades, act as color-code means for
distinguishing the operative function of the respective saw-tooth
configurations of each of the sabre saw blades from one another.
Thus, the sabre saw blade 12 may be colored yellow and
corresponding therewith would be a yellow colored indicia 72
opposite the appropriate compartment 32 for the blade 12. The
nomenclature zone 92 may define that the specific configuration of
sabre saw teeth 12A may be utilized for cutting wood and plastics
up to, for example, three-fourths of an inch.
Similarly, the remaining sabre saw blades 14 through 22 may also be
provided with colors differing from one another such that the
colored indicia 74-82 respectively opposite the compartments 34-42
therefor respectively define which of the blades are associated
with the specific compartments therefor and in combination with the
nomenclature zones 94 through 102 respectively also identify
materials such as wood, plastics, metal, veneer, masonite and
plywood, and the thicknesses of these materials, to be operated
upon by the associated blades.
Accordingly, the color-code arrangement wherein specific
compartments define the specific sabre saw blades to be stored
therein in combination with the specific nomenclature zones which
act to identify the operative function of each of the sabre saw
blades in association with the respective individual colors
thereof, is a significant feature of the present invention. Thus,
absolutely no further reference devices such as loose charts or the
like are necessary for directly comparing specific saw-teeth
configurations of the sabre saw blades relative to one another, the
blades being very difficult to distinguish from one another in the
absence of a particular reference device since the saw tooth
configurations of each of the blades are very similar and difficult
to identify unless one is quite skilled in the use of sabre saw
blades, this obviously not being the case in the instance of the
typical home handy-man.
Referring further to FIG. 1, the transparent cover 10A is provided
with a finger ledge 106 having a depending lug 107 fixedly
extending therefrom. Moreover, the opaque base portion 10B is
provided with a finger ledge 108 having an upstanding lug 109 fixed
thereto, the lug 107 and lug 109 each asociated in snap-fit
relation with respective detents (not shown) in the portions 10A
and 10B of the casing 10. Thus, the casing 10 may be opened readily
with the thumb and forefinger of the user for access to the sabre
saw blades and, thereafter, may be detachably closed for storing
the sabre saw blades in isolated relation, yet leaving the sabre
saw blades and color-code in a displayed fashion for ready
observation.
Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 7 and 8, the compartmental blade
support 24 is provided with a laterally extending elongate deepened
well 110 which communicates pg,10 with each of the compartments 32
through 42, and is defined by the end partitions 52 and 64
respectively and by a laterally extending upper shouldered surface
112, the latter provided with a depressed portion 114 upon which is
provided a suitable colored indicia carrier 116 such as a gum label
or the like.
The function of the elongate deepened well 110 will be clarified
below and separates the compartmental blade support 24 into two
portions, one portion in which is provided the elongate
compartments 32 through 42, the other of which portions is provided
with the colored indicia carrier 116.
The compartmental blade support 24, as will be readily appreciated,
is simply an insert which may be detachably positioned internally
of the casing 10. The support 24 when removed and overturned, in a
manner illustrated in FIG. 4, will result in an appearance such
that the compartments 32 through 42 will show up as raised
partitions 132, 134, 136, 138, 140 and 142 respectively. Moreover,
the partitions 52 through 64 as illustrated in FIG. 2, will show up
as channels 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, and 164 respectively. For
that matter, the deepened well 110 will show up as a transverse
partition 210, whereas the upper shoulder surface 112 will appear
as a depressed zone 212 communicating with the channels 152 and 164
respectively at one portion thereof and on the other or opposite
portion thereof with the slightly elevated zone 214 constituting
the undersurface of the depressed upper portion 114 of the upper
shouldered surface 112.
It should be clear that the appearance of the compartmental blade
support 24, as illustrated with a top surface illustrated in FIG.
2, and an undersurface as illustrated in FIG. 4, is such since it
is generally thermoformed or the like and provided with a generally
uniform thickness throughout its integral plastic extent. Moreover,
the support 24 is provided with a pair of opposite transverse
marginal edges 216, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, for abuting
against the opposite inner edges of the opaque bottom or base
portion 10B of the casing 10 in generally press-fit relation so as
to resist "lateral play" of the support 24 relative to the interior
of the casing 10.
The significance of the laterally extending elongate deepened well
110 which communicates with each of the compartments 32 through 42
respectively, may be appreciated by referring to FIGS. 5 and 6. In
this respect, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the sabre saw blade 16 is
shown in an at-rest condition as confined in the appropriate
compartment 36 therefor. Moreover, the elongate extent of the blade
16 is such so as to extend the full length of the compartment 36
therefor and partially overlie, at its end portion 16B, the
deepened well 110. Thus, whenever the user wishes to remove any of
the sabre saw blades, and particularly the sabre saw blade 16, the
user need simply depress, with his forefinger, the end portion 16B
of the blade 16 downwardly in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6
into the deepened well 110 so as to cause pivotal uplift of the
opposite end thereof in the direction of arrow B above the confines
of the compartment 36 where the latter opposite end may be grasped
for removal. Thus, there is never any necessity for overturning the
bottom or base portion 10B of the casing 10 which would otherwise
cause a spilling out of all of the blades and an intermingling of
the latter.
Moreover, whenever the sabre saw blades are of rather small nature
and positioned in the compartments 32 through 42 respectively in
close proximity with one another, it is often difficult to grasp
the respective end portions of the blades, because of their close
proximity with one another, with the thumb and forefinger of the
user, and thus because of the provision of the deepened well 110,
the respective end portions of the blades may be depressed into the
deepened well 110 in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 6 for simple
and rapid removal.
Accordingly, as those skilled in the art readily understand, the
present invention affords means for readily removing a selected one
of the blades quickly and effectively, and permits a selection of
the blades relative to one another, because of the provision of the
color-code arrangement, such that the proper sabre saw blade with
its respective saw-tooth configuration may be readily and properly
chosen for cutting into or sawing the proper surface with which it
is to be associated. The user need never resort to loose charts or
the like for comparing saw tooth configurations with the proper
surfaces to be operated upon, and need never be concerned about
co-mingling of the blades with one another this because of the
color-code arrangement wherein the blades themselves are
specifically colored with corresponding colored indicia and are
associated with nomenclature zones for ready identification.
Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest
themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be
understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred
embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration
only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the
invention.
* * * * *