Tool transport box

Abstract

An elongated tool transport box comprised of two halves hingeably secured along a common edge, one half serving as a lid and the other half serving as the storage compartment for a plurality of power tools and accessories, there being positioned at one end thereof a handle and at the opposing end thereof, a pair of rotatable wheels for ease of transport. The compartmentalized section being adjustable to accommodate a variety of power tools of different shapes and sizes, and there further being an exterior securing means which allows the entire tool transport box to be secured to an immovable object.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Serial No. 60/466,182, filed Apr. 29, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to tool boxes, and in particularly, to a tool transport box having wheels mounted thereon which can accommodate a variety of different tools and in particular power tools used by a tradesman or homeowner, which allows them to transport multiple power tools to a work site in one trip.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] There are many types of tool boxes available to tradesman, craftsman, plumbers, and home owners, in which to store, organize and transport tools. Of these, one of the simplest would be the mechanics tool box used by most home owners to hold a variety of wrenches, pliers, screw drivers, fasteners, sockets and the like. This hand held tool box can be retrieved from its storage location and transported to the desired work place. A professional mechanics tool box serves the same purpose, although it would be multi-drawered to accommodate a greater variety of tools and would be mounted on a series of castors so that it could be moved about the garage or other facility wherein which vehicles were being repaired.

[0006] However, there has been a need for a tool box having mobility which could simultaneously transport, store and maintain segregation of a variety of power tools. As an example, a tradesman such as a carpenter or framer working on new construction, such as a home, may require at various times during the work day, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw, a variety of power sanders, as well as a variety of hand tools. Similarly, a plumber may require a propane torch, a variety of hand tools and a variety of plumber specific tools for a particular job.

[0007] Anyone who has observed these types of tradesman as they travel from their vehicle into the new construction or repair site will have observed that it requires several trips in order to transport the necessary power tools to the site. Still further, these tradesmen are oftentimes required to leave the site temporarily or leave the premises for a lunch hour, and need to secure their tools in that there may be a variety of unrelated tradesmen working on the site.

[0008] Applicant's tool transport box provides a sturdy, lockable container which can be segmented to accommodate a variety of different power tools and accessories and which allows the tradesmen to pull the tool box with a handle while the opposing end is being supported on two wheels. In this relationship the tool box and the associated tools therewith can be locked in a secured fashion within the craftsman's vehicle, removed from the vehicle, wheeled onto the site and opened to allow access to the various power tools. When the tradesman must stop for a break, such as lunch, the tools can be returned to the tool box, the tool box itself can be locked and the tool box is affixed with an external bicycle like lock or retractable cable lock which allows it to be affixed or secured to a beam, wall stud or the like within the construction place during the absence of the tradesman. Upon his return, he can unsecure the tool box, open it and resume work. At the conclusion of the day, all of the power tools are packed in their segregated compartments within the tool transport box, it is locked, and transported to the vehicle and taken home with the tradesman.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel tool transport box for tradesmen which allows an assortment of power tools and accessories to be stored and secured within the tool transport box for transport to and from the work site and further allows the tool transport box to be secured within the work site to prevent theft.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel tool transport box which decreases time and labor costs by allowing a tradesman to transport all of the necessary power tools that he may require for a job to the site in one trip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An elongated tool transport box comprised of two halves hingeably secured along a common edge, one half serving as a lid and the other half serving as the storage compartment for a plurality of power tools and accessories, there being positioned at one end thereof a handle and at the opposing end thereof, a pair of rotatable wheels for ease of transport. The compartmentalized section being adjustable to accommodate a variety of power tools of different shapes and sizes, and there further being an exterior securing means which allows the entire tool transport box to be secured to an immovable object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the tool transport box of the present invention in an upright, open orientation;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the tool transport box of the present invention in an open, upright orientation;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective partially exploded view of the tool transport box of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the tool transport box in a secured orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the tool transport box of the present invention in an open, upright orientation, FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the tool transport box of the present invention in an open, upright orientation, and FIG. 3 is a perspective partially exploded view of the tool transport box of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the tool transport box in a secured orientation.

[0018] The tool box 10 is defined by a housing member 12 formed by two complimentary shell members, a lower shell member 14 and an upper shell member 16, the lower shell member 14 and upper shell member 16 each having a base wall 18 and 20, two end walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 respectively, and two longitudinal side walls 30, 32, 34 and 36 respectively. The upper shell member 16 and the lower shell member 14 define cavities 38 and 40 and when the upper shell member 16 and the lower shell member 14 are secured to define an enclosed storage cavity. Preferably, lower shell member 14 and upper shell member 16 are hinged 42 along common side walls 32 and 34. The opposing common side wall 30 and 36 has secured thereto a plurality of hingeable engaging clamps 44 cooperable with the hinged side wall to secure the upper shell member 16 and the lower shell member 14 of the housing member 12 in a closed position. At least one of the hingeable clamps 44 has a key lock. Housing 12 comprised of lower shell member 14 and upper shell member 16 would preferably be fabricated from high impact polymer such as ABS or the like. In order to strengthen the tool transport box and provide increased structure integrity, lower shell member 14 and upper shell member 16 would be formed such that base walls 18 and 20 would have a corrugated or washboard-like surface. (See FIG. 2) Further, the outer surface of base wall 30 of lower shell member 14 would have integrally formed thereon a plurality of longitudinal skid plates 31 to further increase the life of the tool transport box.

[0019] Formed on end wall 22 of the lower shell member 14 is a handle means 46 positioned proximate to the joinder seam formed when upper shell member 16 and lower shell member 14 are in a secure position. Positioned proximate the opposing end wall 24 and proximate the joinder intersection of the lower shell member 14, base wall 18, and side walls 32 and 34 are a pair of spaced apart wheels 48, the diameter of which is such that they extend beyond the plane of the lower shell member 14 and base wall 18. In this configuration, when the housing member 12 is closed and secure, the user can grip the handle means 46 and lift that end of the housing member 12 off of the ground such that housing member 12 can be wheeled from location to location via the pair of spaced apart wheels 48 at the opposing end of the housing member. This allows housing member 12 to be oriented in a vertical position if so desired, or a horizontal position on the floor. It also allows the user to traverse stairs with housing member 12 and to easily position housing member 12 in the bed of a vehicle. Additional handles could also be provided. A handle could be located on end wall 24 of lower shell member 14 and a handle 47 would be located on side wall 30 of lower shell member 14.

[0020] Several embodiments of the housing member 12 are proposed. A first embodiment would define a single cavity when upper shell member 16 and lower shell member 14 were in the open position. This would permit the user to store power tools within the lower shell member 14 cavity 40 before closure in any configuration so desired. In a second embodiment of the housing member 12, there would be multiple preformed cavities defined within the lower shell member, by a plurality of fixed divider walls 50. See FIG. 1. This embodiment could be utilized when a tool manufacturer custom designed the housing member 12 to the tool manufacturer's specific tools. In many instances, a power tool will come within its own hardened plastic case so as to include the power tool and accessories thereto. In this second embodiment, the tool manufacturer may design the preformed cavities to accept specific cases enclosing their particular power tool.

[0021] In the third and preferred embodiment, the housing member 12 would be formed with lower shell member 14 having a single cavity 40, but include multiple adjustable dividers 52 securable within the cavity 40 to allow the user to custom design the arrangement of cavities within lower shell member 14 for the tools specific to that individual user. Dividers 52 would be selectively engaged in slots 54 formed on the inner surface of base wall 18 of lower shell member 14. Slots 54 would be parallellely disposed between side walls 30 and 32. Provision within lower shell member 14 would also allow for a divider 53 perpendicularly disposed to a divider 52 for accommodation of smaller tool or a parts box or to further subdivide the compartment.

[0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cavities formed in upper shell member 16 and lower shell member 14 allow for the positioning of tools in the lower shell member 14 which may extend above the periphery of the cavity of the lower shell member. However, the cavity defined in the upper shell member 16 allows for the upper shell member to close over these tools in order to secure the housing 12 in a closed configuration. Upper shell member 16 may also be fitted with a plurality of adjustable straps 56 with hook and loop fasteners to secure longer tools such as levels.

[0023] Housing member 12 would also include a securing means 60 to secure the housing member when in a closed and locked position, to an immovable object so as to prevent theft. This securing means 60 might be engaged when the housing member 12 was positioned in the bed of a pick up truck for transportation or alternatively the need might arise when at the work site when the user must leave the immediate work site for some reason. The housing member 12 would have formed therein a retractable security cord 62, preferably constructed of steel cable, which would allow the user to wrap the security cord 62 around an immovable object, such as a wall stud 64 or plumbing pipe, and secure the cord. Thus with the upper shell member 16 and the lower shell member 14 of the housing member 12 secured in a closed and locked position, the entire housing member 12 can then be secured to an immovable object to prevent its theft or relocation.

[0024] In the embodiments of the tool transport box as disclosed herein, the user can transport a variety of power tools, hand tools, equipment and the like to a job site in one trip. In that embodiment wherein the lower shell member 14 is provided with a plurality of fixed divider walls 50, the divider walls would be formed in the molding process and be secured to the base and side walls of the lower shell member 14. The divider walls 50 would serve to define the compartments within lower shell 14 and also to support the power tools to a certain extent when the housing member 12 was in a vertical orientation.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment wherein the dividers are not fixed, but adjustable dividers 52, the dividers snap fit within the lower shell member. These dividers 52 serve to define the compartmentalized areas within lower shell member 14 and cooperate with the power tools and hand tools and other parts and equipment stored therein to maintain the equipment in its desired location when either in a horizontal, angular, or vertical orientation.

[0026] While the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof.

Claims

1. A mobile, securable tool box for the storage and transport of hand tools and power tools, said mobile, securable tool box comprising:

a housing member formed of a first and second complimentary, rigid shell members having complementary peripheries and being longitudinal in orientation, having a securing means about their complimentary peripheries, first complimentary rigid shell members having a pair of wheels axially mounted at one longitudinal end and a handle means secured to an opposing longitudinal end, said first complimentary rigid shell member having a plurality of complimentary opposing channels formed on its inner side walls extending from said periphery of said compartment to a point proximate a bottom of said compartment, said plurality of channels adapted to selectively slideably receive a plurality of planar panels, said plurality of planar panels selectively slideably inserted into said channels by a user to form subcompartments for the storage and transportation of hand tools, power tools, or other trade equipment in cooperation with said handle means and said wheels.

2. The mobile securable tool box in accordance with claim 1 wherein said complimentary rigid shell members are hingeably secured along one longitudinal edge.

3. The mobile securable tool box in accordance with claim 1 wherein said complimentary rigid shell members forming said housing have a securing means positioned on an opposing longitudinal edge from said hingeably secured longitudinal edge.

4. The mobile securable tool box in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mobile securable tool box has a flexible securing means secured to one of said complimentary housing members, said flexible securing means for securing said mobile securable tool box to a permanent fixture when said complimentary compartments of said mobile tool box are in a secure position.

5. The mobile securable tool box in accordance with claim 1 wherein said handle means and said wheel means allow for said mobile securable tool box and the tools contained therein to be transported to a work site.