Accessory case
An accessory case includes a pair of molded matable sections with each defining a peripheral ridge about a body region for mating with the other section of the pair. One of the matable sections defines an interior pocket for releasably retaining an optional accessory magnet. The magnet may be disc shaped or formed as an elongate ruler. A reusable writing surface is optionally retained by a body region of one of the pair of molded matable sections. The writing surface and instrument may be a dry erase board and marker, a chalk board and chalk, or a note pad and pen or pencil.
The present invention relates to accessory cases. More particularly, the present invention relates to accessory cases including magnetic accessory holders and/or writing surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIndividuals and workers commonly use a variety of tools and accessories in order to complete every day tasks and construction jobs. For example, a construction worker will typically use a measuring tool, a hammer and nails, and power tools such as drills. In fact, many times the tools and accessories must be used simultaneously in order to complete the job. For instance, hanging pictures on a wall may require the use of a measuring tape to measure distance, a level to align the pictures, and fasteners to support the pictures. The ability to multi-task is an important element in the completion of many jobs.
A variety of small tools, instruments, and accessories are often required for the completion of a construction job. Convenient storage, access, and control of such items are often required in preparation for the job, during execution of the job, and upon completion of the job. Moreover, convenient storage, access, and control of items are often required during performance of the job itself or during intermittent breaks. In an effort to improve tool storage and access, some tool boxes or belts are fitted with specialized compartments. For example, a conventional molded drill bit case provides a storage compartment that may, be used temporarily or permanently store required drill bits. However, tool access remains problematic, as the worker must search within the tool box or belt for the specialized compartment as well as the specific tool within the specialized compartment. Moreover, such specialized compartments do little to improve access to small tool accessories such as screws and other fasteners, because even when consistently stored within a particular compartment, such small items tend to move around the compartment while remaining difficult for workers to grasp. Access is even more difficult for a variety of tool boxes and kits, most of which include a covering lid, as the lid must be raised each time the worker wishes to find a particular tool.
A writing surface is often required for the completion of a job along with a writing instrument such as a pencil or pen. Indeed, the need to take notes during a job is quite common. For example, a construction worker typically needs to write down measurements as such measurements are taken. Moreover, a worker may need to mark a particular item for some action, for instance marking a plank for the drilling of holes, while simultaneously making written notes concerning the placement and dimensions of such markings. The convenient access and use of tools in combination with a writing surface is therefore important for many jobs.
Accordingly, there is a need for an accessory case for temporarily storing tool accessories during a construction project. There is a further need for an accessory case including a convenient and accessible writing surface.
In one preferred form, the present invention provides an accessory case including a pair of molded matable sections with each defining a peripheral ridge about a body region for mating with the other section of the pair. One of the matable sections defines an interior pocket for releasably retaining an accessory magnet. The magnet is configured and arranged to releasably retain a plurality of tool accessories. The magnet may be removable from the pocket and is capable of releasably retaining a plurality of metallic tool accessories on the at least one planar surface. Alternatively, the magnet may be placed on an exterior surface of the accessory case for holding an elongate metal ruler thereon. The metallic tool accessories include nuts, bolts, screws, nails, nut runners, screwdriver bits, hex bits, torx bits, and drill bits.
In another preferred form, the present invention provides an accessory case including a pair of molded matable sections with each defining a peripheral ridge about a body region for mating with the other section of the pair. A reusable writing surface is retained by a body region of one of the pair of molded matable sections. A writing instrument holding section is attached to one of the molded sections and a writing instrument is configured to be removably received by the writing instrument holding section. The writing surface and instrument may be a dry eraser board and marker, a chalk board and chalk, or a note pad and pen or pencil.
With reference now to the figures, and in particular
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that body 10 may take any number of forms. Preferably, the body 10 is in a form which may serve as a vehicle for those items (e.g., hand tools, other work accessories) that are used in the performance of a particular task or job. Thus, in one preferred embodiment, the body 10 is in the form of a toolbox. In another preferred embodiment, as shown in
Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that a variety of materials may be used in manufacturing the body 10 that defines the accessory case. Such materials include, but are not limited to, plastics, metal, stainless steel, leather and a variety of other materials. In one preferred embodiment, the body 10 is made of stainless steel. In another preferred embodiment, the body 10 is made of plastic. Moreover, in preferred embodiments, the body 10 may be manufactured to include structural overmolds 18, for instance at each corner of the body 10 as shown in the preferred embodiments of
In one preferred embodiment, the accessory case may include a writing surface 12. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of writing surfaces 12 suitable for use in the present invention including, but not limited to, notepads, chalkboards and dry marker eraser boards. In a preferred embodiment, the writing surface 12 is an integral part of the body 10, as is shown in the preferred embodiment of
As illustrated in
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous mechanisms through which an attachment item 16 may be attached to an attachment area 14. Preferably, the attachment item 16 is magnetically attachable with the attachment area 14 by way of a magnet located in attachment area 14 (located behind attachment item 16 in
In yet another embodiment shown in
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the accessory case includes at least one storage container 26, for example as shown in the preferred embodiment of
The present invention can be further described in view of particularly preferred embodiments and the improvements/advantages provided thereby. With reference to
Those or ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize the advantages provided by such a preferred embodiment of the invention. At the very least, such an embodiment provides a quick and convenient way for a worker to simultaneously access a writing surface 12 and common work tools such as a scale 16. Not only does placement of the writing surface 12 and instrument 28 as well as the scale 16 eliminate any cumbersome search for necessary tools, but the manner of attachment of each tool allows the worker to easily access and use all items, even simultaneously. For example, in performing a particular job, a worker may remove the magnetically attached scale 16 in order to take necessary measurements, while simultaneously making written notes of the measurements on the writing surface 12. However, if more attention is required for any particular task, the scale 16, the writing instrument 28 or both may be re-attached to the accessory case, thereby freeing the workers hands. Through such convenience, the worker is more effective, and job performance more efficient.
With reference to
Although the present invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only, and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims.
Claims
1. An accessory case, comprising:
- a body for holding tool accessories;
- a magnet located on the body, the magnet being configured to releasably retain a plurality of tool accessories; and
- a writing surface located on the body.
2. The accessory case according to claim 1 wherein the body is formed by a pair of matable sections that can open and close, and said one of the matable sections defines an interior attachment area for retaining the magnet.
3. The accessory case according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is located on an exterior surface of the body such that the plurality of metallic tool accessories can be releasably retained on the exterior surface.
4. The accessory case according to claim 3, wherein a removable ruler is attached to the magnet on the exterior surface of the body.
5. The accessory case according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed by a pair of matable sections, the magnet being located on one of the matable sections and the writing surface being located on the other matable section.
6. The accessory case according to claim 5, further comprising a writing instrument for writing on the writing surface and being releasably attached to the body.
7. The accessory case according to claim 6, wherein the matable sections are hinged together to open and close, and a writing instrument holding section is located adjacent the hinge, the writing instrument holding section releasably securing the writing instrument.
8. The accessory case according to claim 1 wherein the writing surface is reusable.
9. The accessory case according to claim 1 wherein the writing surface comprises a writing pad that is secured to the body using a tongue and groove structure.
10. The accessory case according to claim 1 further comprising storage compartments located on an exterior surface of the body for holding tool accessories.
11. An accessory case, comprising:
- a body having a pair of molded matable sections, each defining a peripheral ridge about the body for mating with the other section of said pair; and
- a writing surface retained by one of the pair of molded matable sections.
12. The accessory case according to claim 11, further comprising
- a writing instrument holding section attached to one of said molded sections; and
- a writing instrument configured and arranged to be removably received by said writing instrument holding section.
13. The accessory case according to claim 12, wherein the writing surface is a dry erase board and the writing instrument is a dry erase marker.
14. The accessory case according to claim 12, wherein the writing surface is a chalk board and the writing instrument is chalk.
15. The accessory case according to claim 12, wherein the writing surface is a note pad and the writing instrument is a pen or pencil.
16. The accessory case according to claim 11, further comprising:
- an accessory magnet retained by the body region of one of the matable sections, the magnet being configured and arranged to releasably retain a plurality of tool accessories.
17. An accessory case, comprising:
- a pair of molded matable sections, each defining a peripheral ridge about a body region for mating with the other section of said pair; and
- an accessory magnet releasably retained by the body region of one of the matable sections, the magnet being configured and arranged to releasably retain a plurality of tool accessories.
18. The accessory case according to claim 17, further comprising a reusable writing surface retained by a body region of one of the pair of molded matable sections.
19. The accessory case according to claim 17, wherein the accessory magnet is disc shaped.
20. The accessory case according to claim 17, further comprising
- a writing instrument holding section attached to one of said molded sections; and
- a writing instrument configured and arranged to be removably received by said writing instrument holding section.
21. The accessory case according to claim 20, wherein the writing surface is a dry erase board and the writing instrument is a dry erase marker.
22. The accessory case according to claim 20, wherein the writing surface is a chalk board and the writing instrument is chalk.
23. The accessory case according to claim 20, wherein the writing surface is a note pad and the writing instrument is a pen or pencil.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 8, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 24, 2008
Inventors: Matthew Inskeep (Phoenix, MD), Michele Krum (Baltimore, MD), Jennifer Resh (Baltimore, MD), Charon Yeung (Hong Kong)
Application Number: 11/448,784
International Classification: A45C 11/00 (20060101); B65D 1/22 (20060101); B65D 1/24 (20060101);