Rotary tool case

Abstract

A tool case including modular storage compartments. In one aspect, the tool case includes a translucent cover and the modular storage compartments can be removed from the tool case and displayed or mounted to a surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for storing and carrying items and more particularly, to a case for receiving and retaining tools.

Tool boxes have been used for many years to store tools, tool parts and fasteners. Tool boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be portable or fixed structures. Certain tool boxes are designed to hold a particular tool or components thereof. Other devices are configured to store a plurality of different devices.

Generally, tool boxes or cases are designed to maximize storing capacity. Tool boxes sometimes include trays and compartments utilized to retain tools. Typically, the tool box will have a cover configured to protect the tools or to aid in holding the tools in place. With the cover open, the tools can be viewed and selected from. Latches are provided to lock the cover in a closed position.

Certain of the known tool boxes include trays supported by hinges. Such trays can be moved to gain access to other areas of the tool box. These trays can also be supported by hinge assemblies that are interconnected with a tool box cover which through lateral movement causes the tray to better display its holdings as the cover is opened.

Prior devices, however, can lack features which enhance utility. For example, conventional tool boxes include covers which do not allow for a quick inventory to be taken of the container's contents. Also, the storage bins are generally affixed to the box and lack structure for displaying items held thereby separate from the tool box. Moreover, conventional tool cases are formed from durable but heavy materials which adds unnecessarily to the weight of the device.

Accordingly, what is needed is a tool case that allows for a quick inventory to be taken without removing a cover. A tool box which includes removable and movable components and one made from light weight materials is also desirable. The present invention satisfies these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly and in general terms, the present invention is embodied in a tool case for storing tools and other items. The tool case is specifically designed to facilitate versatile storing capacity as well as tool display. Moreover, the tool case provides a light weight device with the capability of viewing stored items using a modular system.

In one aspect, the present invention is embodied in a tool case body including a removable lid or cover. The tool case further includes a plurality of removable storage trays or racks. The tool case device can also have a drawer for further storage.

In one embodiment, the tool case cover is formed from clear or translucent material. Being translucent, the items stored under the cover can be viewed and an inventory of the items can be conducted without opening or removing the cover. The cover is affixed to a tool case base by one or more latches and the cover can be completely removed from the base if desired.

In a further aspect, the tool case includes a plurality of storage racks or trays stored beneath the cover. The storage racks each include multilayered recesses for receiving tools of various sizes and configurations. One or more of the racks can be removed from the tool case. The storage racks can be equipped with a handle and mounting holes so that the racks can be easily handled and hung on a wall or other vertical support.

The tool case can be made from light weight, yet durable plastics. Moreover, a storage drawer can be formed in the base of the tool case, thereby providing additional space for receiving other tools.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, depicting a tool case of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, depicting the tool case of FIG. 1 with a cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, depicting the tool case of FIG. 2 with a modular storage component removed from the tool case;

FIG. 4 is a side view, depicting the tool case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view, depicting the tool case of FIG. 4 with a cover removed;

FIG. 6 is an end view, depicting the tool case of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an end view, depicting the tool case of FIG. 6 with a cover removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings which are provide by way of example and not limitation, there is shown a tool case incorporating the various features of the present invention. It is to be understood that a number of different embodiments are contemplated and that one particular embodiment may include all or fewer than all of the features of the present invention. The tool case includes modular components which can be displayed separate from a base and cover of the tool case. The tool case also embodies structure lending itself to conducting a quick inventory of its contents.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is embodied in a tool case 50 including a base 52 and a cover 54. Although various configurations are contemplated, the tool case 50 is generally rectangular in shape with the cover 54 including a pair of angled surfaces 56 extending a length of the cover 54.

The cover also includes a top surface 58 configured with a handle 60. The handle 60 can be made to rotate with respect to the cover 54 and can be folded within a rectangular recess formed in the top surface 58. The cover 54 further includes a pair of projecting surfaces 62 (only one depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2), each extending from an end of the cover 54. The projecting surface 62 is keyed and forms one component of a latching assembly used to retain the cover 54 on the base 52.

As can be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4-7, the cover 54 can be completely removed from the base 52. Moreover, base 52 includes rotatable latch arms 70 which engage the projecting surface 62 of the cover 52 in a locking arrangement. When the cover 54 is attached to the base 52, the latch arms 70 overlap and lock with the projecting surfaces 62. To remove the cover 54, the latch arms 70 can be rotated out from engagement with the projecting surface 62. Other locking arrangements are contemplated as well for providing access to an interior of the tool case including a conventional hinge arrangement (not shown) permitting the cover 54 to be rotated away from the base 52.

In one particular embodiment, the cover is formed from clear or translucent material. Thus, the translucent cover allows one to make a quick inventory of the contents of the tool case. It is also contemplated, however, that the cover can be made from opaque materials.

Referring specifically now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 52 further includes a top surface 80 defining a plurality of compartments or recesses for receiving storage racks or trays 90. Various bosses and tabs 91 (See FIG. 3) can be formed on the top surface 80 to aid in securing the racks 90 in place. The base also is equipped with a drawer 92 (shown in a closed position). A cut-out 94 formed in the drawer 90 provides structure for facilitating grabbing and sliding the drawer to open and closed positions. The drawer 92 provides a space for storing hand tools or the like.

The storage racks or trays 90 define modular components which can be removed from the tool case 50. Each of the racks can have different configurations if necessary. That is, one rack 90 can define a two-step structure 96, the steps having various shapes, sizes and depths of slots, holes and recesses 98. Other racks 90 can have three or more such steps 100 or can in fact, have a single platform (not shown). The slots, holes and recesses can also be of a uniform shape and depth if necessary. Such slots, holes and recesses are intended to receive and hold various tools such as drill bits and other rotary tools 110.

Each of the racks 90 can further be equipped with a handle 112 extending from a top surface. The handle provides a convenient way of removing the racks 90 from the base 52 of the tool case 50. The racks 90 are further contemplated to include mounting structure 120 (See FIG. 3) formed on a back surface of the rack 90. The mounting structure 120 can be in the form of one or more recesses for receiving a wall mount or can define a conventional hook or latch or equivalent structure. In this way, the racks or trays 90 can be removed or replaced within the tool case 50 using the handle 112. Further, the racks 90 can be stored or displayed separately at a work bench or station utilizing the mounting structure 120.

Therefore, the tool case 50 of the present invention provides a versatile storage device. The modular components can be held within and carried to a work site or selected of the components can be separately displayed at a work bench. The translucent cover allows one to view the contents of the tool case and is removable to provide easy access to the stored tools. Further, the entirety of the tool case can be made from light weight materials such as plastics or can be formed from various combinations of materials thus making the device easy to transport.

Thus, it will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tool case, comprising:

a base, the base including a plurality of compartments;

a cover, the cover sized to mate with the base and formed from translucent material; and

a plurality of storage racks, each storage rack sized to be retained within one compartment of the plurality of compartments, each storage rack including a handle and a back surface having at least one mounting substructure formed therein.

2. The tool case of claim 1, the base having a generally rectangular shape and a pair of end portions, and further including a rotating latching arm attached to each of the end portions.

3. The tool case of claim 2, the cover having a generally rectangular shape, a top surface and a pair of cover end portions, and further including a handle attached to the top and a keyed projecting surface extending from each of the cover end portions, the keyed projecting surface configured to mate with one rotatable latching arm.

4. The tool case of claim 1, the plurality of storage racks each including a plurality of steps, each step including a plurality of recesses.

5. The tool case of claim 1, the base further including a drawer, the drawer configured below the plurality of compartments.

6. A tool case, comprising:

a base;

a cover, the cover formed from translucent material and sized to mate with the base; and

at least one storage rack, the storage rack including recesses for storing tools.

7. The tool case of claim 6, the base including a plurality of compartments.

8. The tool case of claim 7, wherein the storage rack is sized to be retained in one of the plurality of compartments.

9. The tool case of claim 6, the storage rack including a handle.

10. The tool case of claim 6, the storage rack being removable from the tool case and further including a mounting structure for hanging the storage rack.

11. The tool case of claim 6, the base including a drawer.

12. The tool case of claim 6, the cover including a handle.

13. The tool case of claim 6, the cover being completely removable from the base.

14. A tool case, comprising:

a base;

a cover sized to mate with the base; and

at least one storage rack received within the base, the storage rack being completely removable from the base and including mounting substructure for hanging the storage each separately from the tool case.

15. The tool case of claim 14, the cover formed from translucent material.

16. The tool case of claim 14, the cover being completely removable from the base and further including a handle.

17. The tool case of claim 14, the base including a drawer configured below the storage rack.

18. The tool case of claim 14, the base including a rotation latch arm.

19. The tool case of claim 14, the storage each including a plurality of recesses for receiving tools.

20. The tool case of claim 14, the storage each further including a handle.