Suspendable tool box
A storage receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support comprises a plurality of walls defining an interior compartment and includes an open top and at least one lid including first and second ends. The first end is pivotally connected to one of the walls for rotation between a closed position, wherein said lid covers the open top of said receptacle, and an open position, wherein the second end of said lid is disposed outwardly from the first pivotally connected end, thereby allowing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle. At least one handle is disposed on the one of the plurality of walls adjacent the first end of the lid and projects outwardly therefrom to support the lid in a generally horizontal position when in an open position, and at least one bracket is disposed on the receptacle and is adapted to suspend the receptacle from the horizontal support.
The present invention relates to storage receptacles, and in particular to a tool box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONLift manufacturers, as for example manufacturers of scissor lifts and/or aerial lifts, and scaffolding typically supply these lifts with an elevated platform having a guard rail or the like. In general, workers put the working materials and/or tools on the floor of the elevated platform of the lift or scaffolding when not in use, and utilize the floor of the platform as a working surface. Therefore, the worker is required to constantly bend over when either using or storing the tools, or when utilizing the floor as a work surface. Further, by storing tools and/or materials on the floor of the lift or scaffolding, these items are prone to being knocked off of the lift, whereby the tools and/or materials may be damaged. On the other hand, if the items are not damaged, the lift operator must then lower the lift to retrieve the fallen items, thereby taking time away from the job at hand. Further yet, once the worker's shift is over the worker must collect and remove these items from the lift or scaffolding in order to secure them from being stolen and/or used by unauthorized personal.
In an effort to avoid the above-described problems, workers have rigged or attached boxes, wood and other supports to the lifts to hold their materials/tools. However, these rigs may get in the way of the worker and may not adequately address the various needs of workers using the lift.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the present invention is to provide a storage receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support including a plurality of walls arranged to define an interior compartment and includes an open top and at least one lid including a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally connected to one of the walls for rotation between a closed position wherein the lid covers the open top of the receptacle, and an open position wherein the second end of the lid is disposed outwardly from the first pivotally connected end, thereby allowing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle. At least one handle is disposed on the one of the plurality of walls adjacent the first end of the lid and projects outwardly therefrom to support the lid in a generally horizontal position when the lid is in the open position and at least one support member is adapted to suspend the receptacle from a horizontal support.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a storage receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support comprising including a plurality of walls arranged to define an interior compartment includes an open top, a first wall, a second wall, opposite end walls and an aperture disposed within one of the walls. The receptacle also includes a pair of lids having first and second ends, wherein the first ends are pivotally connected to the opposite end walls of the receptacle for rotation from a closed position wherein the lids close off at least a substantial portion of the open top of the receptacle, and an open position wherein the second ends of the lids are disposed outwardly from the first pivotally connected ends, thereby allowing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle. A pair of handles is disposed at the opposite end walls of the receptacle and project outwardly therefrom to support the pair of lids in a generally horizontal position when the lids are in the open position. At least one support member is adapted to suspend the receptacle from the horizontal support and at least one tray is disposed within the interior compartment and includes a plurality of sides. The tray includes at least one extension extending beyond at least one of the sides and disposed through the aperture in the receptacle such that when the extension is extended through the aperture, the extension and the support member at least partially surround the horizontal support to prevent the removal of the receptacle from the horizontal support.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a locking storage receptacle which is adapted to be suspended from a horizontal support. The storage receptacle includes a plurality of walls which define an interior compartment, at least one aperture is disposed on one of the plurality of walls and at least one support member is adapted to suspend the receptacle from the horizontal support. A locking mechanism is disposed at least partially within the interior compartment and includes at least one extension which extends through the aperture in the receptacle such that when the extension is inserted through the aperture, the extension extends outwardly from the aperture, whereby the extension and the support member at least partially surround the horizontal support to prevent the removal of the receptacle from the horizontal support.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of preferred embodiment, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding features throughout the several figures of the drawings.
For the purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
The reference numeral 2 (
As best illustrated in
Storage receptacle 10 may be fabricated from numerous materials. Generally a ridged material is used such that receptacle 10 is capable of supporting items, for example tools and other work related items may be stored therein, as well as preventing the unauthorized access to the items disposed therein when the tool box is closed. Storage receptacle 10 may be fabricated from aluminum sheets which are welded or otherwise secured together. However, this is not meant to be limiting in any manner and storage receptacle 10 may be fabricated from any known method, including machining, bending, molding or the like and from any known materials including plastics, metals, ceramics and or composites thereof.
With reference to
The aforementioned lids 12 and 14 are supported, when in an open position, by handles 16 and 18. Handles 16 and 18 may be disposed on opposite end walls 30 and 32 of receptacle 10 and protrude outwardly therefrom. When lids 12 and 14 are in their respective open positions, top surfaces 50 and 51 of lids 12 and 14, respectively, are supported on a horizontal handle surface 52 and 53 of handle 16 and 18, respectively, thereby supporting lids 12 and 14 in a generally horizontal open position. Lids 12 and 14 may also include side flanges 54. When lids 12 and 14 are in their respective open positions, surfaces 56 and 57 of lids 12 and 14, respectively, are oriented upwardly and generally horizontally thereby providing one or more work surfaces upon which tools may be placed and/or work functions completed. Flanges 54 are upwardly turned when lids 12 and 14 are in their open position and aid in the retention of materials and/or tools disposed on work surfaces 56 and 57. As described in more detail below, when lids 12 and 14 are in their respective closed positions, the lids 12 and 14 prevent access to the interior compartment 34.
With reference to
With reference to
In use, suspendable tool box 2 is disposed on horizontal support 4 by opening lid members 12 and 14 to their respective open positions and removing tray 28 from interior compartment 34 of storage receptacle 10. Lids 12 and 14 are then closed to allow access to handles 16 and 18 which are used to lift receptacle 10. Brackets 20 and 22 are disposed over support 4 and vertical support brackets 24 and 26, extending from rear surface 31 of storage receptacle 10, are disposed against a lower support railing 4B, thereby supporting storage receptacle 10 in an upright configuration off of a floor surface. Lids 12 and 14 will be again moved to their respective open positions allowing access to interior compartment 34 of receptacle 10 as well as inside surface 56 and 57 of lids 12 and 14, respectively, which may be utilized independently or in conjunction with one another as a work surface. Tray 28 will typically be reinserted into interior compartment 34 and supported on supports 66-69 while tool box 2 is in use thereby providing an additional surface 64 for support and/or use. Of course, tray 28 may be removed to allow access to a lower portion of interior compartment of 34.
To secure tool box 2 on horizontal support 4, tray 28 must be disposed within interior compartment 34 as illustrated in
The reference numeral 2A (
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A storage receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support comprising:
- a plurality of walls arranged to define an interior compartment with an open top;
- at least one lid including a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally connected to one of the walls for rotation between a closed position wherein the lid covers the open top of the receptacle, and an open position wherein the second end of the lid is disposed outwardly from the first pivotally connected end, thereby allowing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle;
- at least one handle disposed on the one of the plurality of walls adjacent the first end of the lid and projecting outwardly therefrom to support the lid in a generally horizontal position when the lid is in the open position; and
- at least one support member adapted to suspend the receptacle from a horizontal support.
2. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein:
- the receptacle further comprises an aperture disposed in at least one of the plurality of walls; and
- at least one tray disposed, at least partially within the interior compartment and including a plurality of sides, and at least one extension extending beyond at least one of the sides and disposed through the aperture in said receptacle such that when the extension extends through the aperture, the extension and the support member at least partially surround a horizontal support to prevent the removal of the receptacle from a horizontal support.
3. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein:
- the walls include a bottom portion defining a bottom surface; and
- at least one leg extending downwardly below the bottom surface.
4. The storage receptacle of claim 2, wherein:
- the aperture comprises a first aperture; and
- the tray includes a tray aperture and the receptacle includes a second aperture disposed collinear with the tray aperture such that when a locking device is disposed through the tray aperture and the second aperture of the receptacle, the tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle.
5. The storage receptacle of claim 2, wherein:
- the aperture comprises a first aperture;
- the tray includes a tray aperture, the lid includes a lid aperture and the receptacle includes a second aperture; and
- said tray aperture, lid aperture and second aperture of the receptacle are disposed adjacently such that when a locking device is disposed through the tray aperture, lid aperture and the second aperture of the receptacle, the tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle while the lid remains pivotal, thereby allowing the lid to be pivoted to the open position while the tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle by a locking device.
6. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein:
- the at least one support member includes a pair of downwardly opening U-shaped members.
7. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein:
- the receptacle further includes a bottom surface extending across a lower portion of the interior compartment, the bottom surface including a plurality of apertures disposed thereon to prevent debris and other matter from collecting within the receptacle.
8. The storage receptacle of claim 2, wherein:
- the tray is disposed adjacent an upper portion of the interior compartment and further includes a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a plurality of apertures disposed thereon, whereby debris and other matter is prevented from collecting within said tray.
9. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein:
- said lid comprises a pair of lids; and
- each lid including a lid aperture, the lid apertures disposed adjacent one another such that when a locking device is inserted through the lid apertures, the locking device prevents the lids from being pivoted to the open position, thereby preventing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle.
10. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein:
- said lid comprises a pair of lids; and
- each lid including a bracket attached thereto, each of the brackets including a bracket aperture, the apertures disposed adjacent one another such that when a locking device is inserted through the bracket apertures, the locking device prevents the lids from being pivoted to the open position, thereby preventing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle.
11. A storage receptacle for suspension from a horizontal support comprising:
- a plurality of walls arranged to define an interior compartment including an open top, a first wall, a second wall, opposite end walls and an aperture disposed within one of the walls;
- a pair of lids including first and second ends, the first ends pivotally connected to the opposite end walls of the receptacle for rotation from a closed position wherein the lids close off at least a substantial portion of the open top of the receptacle, and an open position wherein the second ends of the lids are disposed outwardly from the first pivotally connected ends, thereby allowing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle;
- a pair of handles is disposed at the opposite end walls of the receptacle projecting outwardly therefrom to support the pair of lids in a generally horizontal position when the lids are in the open position;
- at least one support member adapted to suspend the receptacle from the horizontal support; and
- at least one tray disposed within the interior compartment and including a plurality of sides, the tray including at least one extension extending beyond at least one of the sides and disposed through the aperture in the receptacle such that when the extension is extended through the aperture, the extension and the support member at least partially surround the horizontal support to prevent the removal of the receptacle from the horizontal support.
12. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein:
- the walls include a bottom portion defining a bottom surface; and
- at least one leg extending downwardly below the bottom surface.
13. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein:
- the aperture comprises a first aperture; and
- the tray includes a tray aperture and the receptacle includes a second aperture disposed collinear with the tray aperture such that when a locking device is disposed through the tray aperture and the second aperture of the receptacle, the tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle.
14. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein:
- the aperture comprises a first aperture;
- the tray includes a tray aperture, the lid includes a lid aperture and the receptacle includes a second aperture; and
- said tray aperture, lid aperture and second aperture of the receptacle are disposed adjacently such that when a locking device is disposed through the tray aperture, lid aperture and the second aperture of the receptacle, the tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle while the lid remains pivotal, thereby allowing the lid to be pivoted to the open position while the tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle by a locking device.
15. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein:
- the at least one support member includes a pair of downwardly opening U-shaped members.
16. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein:
- the receptacle further includes a bottom surface extending across a lower portion of the interior compartment, the bottom surface including a plurality of apertures disposed thereon to prevent debris and other matter from collecting within the receptacle.
17. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein:
- the tray is disposed adjacent an upper portion of the interior compartment and further includes a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a plurality of apertures disposed thereon, whereby debris and other matter is prevented from collecting within said tray.
18. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein:
- each lid includes a lid aperture, the lid apertures disposed adjacent one another such that when a locking device is inserted through the lid apertures, the locking device prevents the lids from being pivoted to the open position, thereby preventing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle.
19. The storage receptacle of claim 11, wherein:
- each lid includes a bracket attached thereto, each of the brackets including a bracket aperture, the apertures disposed adjacent one another such that when a locking device is inserted through the bracket apertures, the locking device prevents the lids from being pivoted to the open position, thereby preventing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle.
20. A locking storage receptacle adapted to be suspended from a horizontal support; the storage receptacle comprising:
- a plurality of walls defining an interior compartment, at least one aperture disposed on one of the plurality of walls and at least one support member adapted to suspend the receptacle from the horizontal support; and
- a locking mechanism disposed at least partially within the interior compartment and including at least one extension extending through the aperture in the receptacle such that when the extension is inserted through the aperture, the extension extends outwardly from the aperture, whereby the extension and the support member at least partially surround the horizontal support to prevent the removal of the receptacle from the horizontal support.
21. The storage receptacle of claim 20, including:
- a tray disposed at least partially within the interior compartment and including a plurality of sides; and
- the locking mechanism is disposed on the tray and extending outwardly beyond at least one of the sides of the tray.
22. The storage receptacle of claim 21, wherein:
- the aperture comprises a first aperture; and
- the tray includes a tray aperture and the receptacle includes a second aperture disposed collinear with the aperture of said tray such that when a locking device is disposed through the tray aperture and though the second aperture of the receptacle, the tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle.
23. The storage receptacle of claim 21, wherein:
- the aperture comprises a first aperture;
- the receptacle includes at least one lid pivotally connected to the receptacle;
- the tray includes a tray aperture, the lid includes a lid aperture and the receptacle includes a second aperture; and
- the tray aperture, lid aperture and second aperture of the receptacle disposed adjacently such that when a locking device is disposed through the tray aperture, lid aperture and the second aperture of the receptacle, the tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle while the lid remains pivotal, thereby allowing the lid to be pivoted while the tray is prevented from being removed from the receptacle by the locking device.
24. The storage receptacle of claim 1, wherein:
- the aperture comprises a first aperture;
- the receptacle includes a pair of lids pivotally connected to the receptacle; and
- each lid includes a lid aperture, the lid apertures disposed adjacent one another such that when a locking device is inserted through the lid apertures, the locking device prevents the lids from being pivoted to the open position, thereby preventing access to the interior compartment of the receptacle.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 28, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2006
Inventor: Andrew Jasper (Grand Rapids, MI)
Application Number: 10/900,621
International Classification: B65D 25/22 (20060101);