Drill bit container

Abstract

A drill bit container for use with a plurality of elongate drill bits includes a body and a slidable closure. The body has a plurality of elongate channels. Each channel has an opening at one end thereof. The channels are arranged such that the openings are in a row. The slidable closure has an opening therein wherein the opening is slideable into registration with each of the channel openings thereby selectively opening and closing the channel openings.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to drill bit containers and in particular drill bit containers that hold a plurality of drill bits and have a separate elongate channel for each drill bit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a wide variety of drill bit containers. Some drill bit containers are designed to hold drill bits in addition to a myriad of other tools, while other drill bit containers hold a plurality of drill bits. Many drill bit containers include a tray with a lid and a plurality of individual holders for each drill bit.

Typically both of these types of drill bit containers have a number of features in common. Typically the drill bits are individually held in position with clips. However, when a lid is opened in order to access in order to access a particular drill bit, the user is provided with access to all of the drill bits at the same time. Accordingly there is a risk that when a user opens the drill bit container to obtain one drill bit another drill bit may become detached and be lost.

Accordingly it would be advantageous to provide a drill bit container that is easy to use and that selectively provides access to a specific drill bit. Further it would be advantageous to provide a drill bit container that is aesthetically pleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a drill bit container for use with a plurality of elongate drill bits which includes a body and a slidable closure. The body has a plurality of elongate channels. Each channel has an opening at one end thereof. The channels are arranged such that the openings are in a row. The slidable closure has an opening therein wherein the opening is slideable into registration with each of the channel openings thereby selectively opening and closing the channel openings.

Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the drill bit container constructed in accordance with the present invention taken from one side thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drill bit container of FIG. 1 taken from the other side thereof;

FIG. 3 is a blown apart view of the drill bit container of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, the drill bit container of the present invention is shown generally at 10. The drill bit container 10 has a body 12 where the top and sides form one continuous curved surface 14.

The body 12 is a generally disc shaped with a generally flat bottom 16. Body 12 has a first and second body portion 18, 20 that are mirror images of each other. Each body portion 18, 20 includes an outer body 22 and rubber bumpers 24. The outer body 22 is generally circular with an edge 28 extending inwardly (as best seen in FIG. 3). The body portions 18, 20 have raised portions 30 that assist the user in gripping the container 10. The rubber bumpers 24 extend around the bottom portion of the outer body 22 and provide a base for the container to stand on as well as traction. An aperture 32 is formed in first and second body portions 18, 20 which form an integral handle.

A sliding closure 34 allows the user to selectively open and close access to a plurality of elongate channels 42. The sliding closure 34 runs In a track formed by a groove 36 in body portions 18, 20 and a corresponding groove 38 in guide 40 (as best seen in FIG. 3). The plurality of elongate channels 42 are formed by internal inserts 44. The channels 42 are adjacent to each other to form a row. The length and the width of the channels 42 vary so as to accommodate drill bits of varying length and diameter. A door portion 46 has a plurality of doors 48. Each door 48 is in registration with an elongate channel 42. The door portion 46 is generally arcuate to correspond to the edge of the disc shaped body 12. In the embodiment herein the channels 42 are arranged such that the longer channels are in body portion 20 and the shorter channels are in body portion 18.

First and second body portions 18, 20 are hingeably attached together. A boss 60 extends downwardly from the bottom of each body portion and is held in place with plug 62. Plug 62 together with boss 60 form a hinge. Latches 64 hold body portions together. Latches 64 engage protrusions 66 and 68 which mate together. Upper rubber bumpers 70 are positioned over the seam between the first and second body portions 18, 20.

As used herein, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed as being inclusive and opened rather than exclusive. Specifically, when used in this specification including the claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or components are included. The terms are not to be Interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

It will be appreciated that the above description related to the invention by way of example only. Many variations on the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and such obvious variations are within the scope of the invention as described herein whether or not expressly described.

Claims

1. A drill bit container for use with a plurality of elongate drill bits comprising:

a body having a plurality of elongate channels, each channel having an opening at one end thereof, the channels being arranged such that the openings are in a row;

a slidable closure having an opening therein wherein the opening is slideable into registration with each of the channel openings thereby selectively opening and closing the channel openings.

2. A drill bit container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is generally disc shaped and the row is generally arcuate.

3. A drill bit container as claimed in claim 2 further including an aperture in the disc shaped body and whereby the aperture forms an integral handle.

4. A drill bit container as claimed in claim 3 wherein the plurality of channels are a first set of channels defining a first arcuate row and further including a second set of a plurality of elongate channels each channel having an opening at one end thereof, the second set of channels being arranged such that the openings are in a second arcuate row and the first arcuate row is adjacent to the second arcuate row.

5. A drill bit container as claimed in claim 4 further including rubber bumpers positioned on the outside of the body.

6. A drill bit container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the handle is covered in rubber.

7. A drill bit container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of channels is a first set of channels defining a first row and further including a second set of a plurality of elongate channels each channel having an opening at one end thereof, the channels being arranged such that the openings are in a second row and the first row is adjacent to the second row.

8. A drill bit container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the body is generally disc shaped and the first and second rows are generally arcuate.