Utility case for vehicle unlocking tools

Abstract

A tool case for storing and transporting a variety of tools such as vehicle unlocking tools. The case includes a base and lid hinged together, the base and lid each having panels. The inner panels have an arrangement of multi-level elongated tool receiving channels and recessed cavities. The channels and cavities are arranged to have different selected depths and also to intersect as needed, so that tools or other items can be stored in the case in a compact layered configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to tool cases and more particularly to a case for vehicle unlocking tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many occasions exist in which legal entry into a locked vehicle is desired or necessary without the use of a key. This can occur because the keys may have been left inside the vehicle with the doors locked, or a malfunction in an electronic door locking mechanism, or a key breaking off in the lock. In other instances, locked and illegally parked vehicles may have to be entered by police or tow truck operators to enable the vehicle to be towed away. In still other instances, it may be necessary for legal authorities to enter locked vehicles to make legal searches for contraband or explosives, to investigate crimes or in some cases, to enable the automobiles to be moved out of the way of other vehicles in the case of emergencies and natural disasters.

Tools for opening locked vehicle doors are varied in size, shape and configuration, and such tools have been evolving over the years. Changes in vehicle door design and vehicle locking mechanisms over the last several decades necessitate a variety of vehicle unlocking tool designs to accommodate the variety of doors and locking mechanisms. For example, one common tool for door linkage manipulation to unlock a car known as the “Slim Jim” has been used for many years. The Slim Jim is a slender, flat strip of metal with a notch cut in one end. By slipping this tool between the doors weather stripping and window, the lock linkage can be manipulated to open the lock.

Another example of such varied designs for vehicle unlocking tools is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,061 issued to Applicant herein which tool comprises a slender, stiff rod formed having a tight U-bend which defines an elongate, first leg portion and a shorter, second leg portion which has at its upper end a relatively large, inverted U-shaped portion with a relatively short depending third leg which terminates in a short hook. The three legs lie substantially in a common plane. The tool is inserted between the window and weather stripping and manipulated under the window and into the car interior until the short hook engages the a door lock switch or lever on the door panel and is further manipulated to unlock the door.

Other vehicle unlocking tools know as “long reach tools” have been developed to work vehicle locking mechanisms from inside the passenger compartment rather than from inside the door cavity. Illustrations of such long reach tools are shown in Applicant's pending patent application Ser. No. 11/602,649 entitled Unlocking Tool for Vehicle. As one example, such a tool includes two rod sections which are coupled together, one rod section having a handle for manipulating the overall rod tool and the other rod section having an end portion that is used to push or pull or otherwise manipulate a lock actuator. The first rod section may be stiffer than the second rod section which is made to be flexible to avoid scratching the interior of the car, such as the door panels, seats or dash but still has sufficient stiffness to transfer the force necessary to unlock the door. Additional sections may be added to the rod to lengthen its reach as needed by the tool operator.

In practice therefore, an automotive road side service provider, locksmith, or law enforcement officer who responds to situations where a vehicle must be unlocked needs a variety of such vehicle unlocking tools to work with the particular vehicle to be unlocked. It is not uncommon for such operators to carry combinations of such vehicle unlocking tools on the order of twelve to eighteen pieces. Storing and carrying such a variety of vehicle unlocking tools in an organized manner wherein they are easily accessible can be challenging. Presently, a common mode for storing such tools might be a large open box or conventional tool box wherein all the tools are simply thrown in together. With such a storage and transportation means, readily finding tools or even misplacing or losing tools can be a problem. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an arrangement for storing and transporting a variety of vehicle unlocking tools that is simple and compact and provides good accessibility to the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a case for use in containing and transporting a variety of tools but in particular vehicle unlocking tools. The case may comprise a case half which has an inner surface portion. The inner surface portion of the case half has first and second channels formed therein which are each sized and shaped to receive a selected vehicle tool. The two channels cross at one location on the inner surface portion. Further, the first channel has a first depth and the second channel has a second depth which is greater than the first depth of the first channel such that a tool placed in the first channel overlies a tool placed in the second channel where the two channels cross. The channels may have protruding nubs along their extent arranged to retain tools placed therein. There may also be one or more additional channels in the case half inner surface portion which are designed to accommodate additional tools of various configurations. These channels which may have different depths and may be arranged on the inner surface portion to meet or cross and provide layered over placement of tools in the case such as vehicle unlocking tools.

Another addition to case half may include a recessed cavity which intersects at least one of the channels. The cavity is deeper than the intersecting channel allowing objects to be placed in this recessed cavity and underlie a tool placed in the intersecting channel. The recessed cavity can thus accommodate a tool or manual or other item. It may also have a rectangular cross-section to receive a book type owner's manual.

In a further embodiment, the case half inner surface portion have may have a downwardly sloping wall portion with a two or more channels. The channels allow two or more elongated rods, such as those of long reach tools, to be stored in the case half and conveniently accessed an needed. The inner surface portion of the case half may also be made from molded plastic.

The case allows tools, such as vehicle unlocking tools, to be stored and transported, used and restored conveniently. As such, a vehicle unlocking tool kit can be assembled and can be carried in a compact outfit and provide sufficient tooling flexibility for the operator to unlock a wide variety of vehicles.

There is thereby provided an effective, yet relatively inexpensive case for tools including vehicle unlocking tools. Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent for the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 are front views of a prior art vehicle lock opening tools including an owner's booklet;

FIG. 2 are front views of other vehicle lock opening tools, some of which are described in the above co-pending application;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the exterior of a tool case in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the tool case shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the tool case in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the tool case with the base and lid of the tool case shown in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a view of the inside panel of the lid of the tool case illustrating its tool receiving channels;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the inside panel of the lid shown in FIG. 7 with tools inserted in the lid receiving channels;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the inside panel of the lid of the tool case with additional tool receiving channels;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the inside panel of the lid shown in FIG. 9 with tools inserted in the lid tool receiving channels;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the inside panel of the lid of the tool case with a cavity added;

FIG. 11a is a cross-sectional view of the lid of the tool case taken along line 11a-11a of FIG. 11;

FIG. 11b is a partial cross-sectional view of the lid of the tool case taken along line 11b-11b showing the cross-section of one of the tool receiving channels;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the inside panel of the lid shown in FIG. 11 with tools and other objects inserted;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the inside panel of the base of the tool case illustrating another tool receiving channel arrangement;

FIG. 13a is a partial cross-sectional view of the base of the tool case showing the channel arrangement of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the inside panel of the base of the tool case with a cavity added;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the inside panel of the base of the tool case shown in FIG. 14 with tools inserted into the base;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the inside panels of the lid and base of the tool case illustrating various tool receiving channels and cavities including a cavity to store vehicle door unlocking tool wedges;

FIG. 16a is a cross-sectional view of the tool case shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the inside panels of the lid and base of the tool case with the inner panel of the base loaded with vehicle unlocking long reach tools and the lid with an owner's booklet; and

FIG. 18 is a top view of the inside panels of the lid and base of the tool case with both the lid and base loaded with vehicle unlocking tools.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 3-6 a tool case 20 which is generally rectangularly shaped with a handle 22 pivotally mounted to the front side 24 of the case. The tool case 20 has a lid 30 attached, for example, by two hinges 32 to a base 34. The lid 30 and base 34 are secured at the front by two clasps 36. Preferably, the tool case lid and base are made entirely of plastic.

The base 34 and lid 30 define rectangular openings 40 and 42 with inner rectangularly shaped inner surface portions or panels 44 and 46, respectively, which panels are shown with more particularity in FIGS. 7 and 13 respectively. The inner panels of the lid and base will house a variety of selected tools such as vehicle unlocking tools. For example, as shown with more particularity in FIG. 7, panel 46 in the lid of the tool case 20 is shown having two elongated channels or grooves, a first elongated channel designated by reference number 50 and a second elongated channel designated by reference number 52. The first and second channels are sized and shaped for receiving two different vehicle unlocking tools. The particular vehicle unlocking tools to be housed in these channels are illustrated in FIG. 2 designated by reference numerals 1 and 2 and are long rod members configured to work a door lock from outside a car. As can be seen in FIG. 7, channels 50 and 52 cross or meet at two locations in the lid panel 46. In this example, channel 50 has a first depth and the second channel 52 has a second depth wherein the second depth of the second channel is selected to be greater or deeper than the first depth of the first channel. This allows a tool such as the vehicle unlocking tool 2 placed in the first channel 50 to overlie or cross over a tool such as vehicle unlocking tool 1 placed in the second channel 52. This unique multi-level and crossing pattern channel arrangement allows long odd configured tools, such as is typical with vehicle unlocking tools, to be placed, stored and transported in a stacked arrangement and thus more compactly packaged together. This can be more readily seen in FIG. 8 with tools 1 and 2 shown inserted into their respective channels 50 and 52, tool 2 seated in the shallower channel crosses over tool 1 placed in a deeper channel.

More channels can be added to the inner panel 46 of the lid 30 for storing additional tools, such as third and fourth channels 60 and 62, as illustrated with more particularity in FIG. 9. In this example, channel 60 is sized and shaped to receive another vehicle unlocking tool which is illustrated in FIG. 2 as long rod tool 3. The third channel 60 crosses the first channel 50 at about the mid-section of the inner panel. The depth of this third channel 60 is selected deeper than the first channel 50 so that the tool to be placed in third channel will traverse under the tool to be placed in the first channel 50. The fourth channel 62 in the inner panel is shown in FIG. 9 as rectangularly shaped elongated channel. In this example, the fourth channel 62 is designed to receive a tool commonly known as a “Slim Jim” vehicle unlocking tool which is shown in FIG. 2 and is designated by reference numeral 4. The depth of this fourth channel 62 is selected deeper than the first channel 50 so that the “Slim Jim” tool 4 will cross under the tool 2 at the two points where the first and fourth channels meet. FIG. 10 illustrates all of the four tools 1-4 placed into their respective channels 50, 52, 60 and 62. As shown, with the tools 1, 3 and 4 placed into their deeper channels, tool 2 placed in its shallower channels crosses over all these tools.

While in this example four channels are illustrated, namely three deeper elongated channels and one shallower elongated channel to achieve a desired tool stacking scheme for the particular tools in the example, it is understood that any number of channels at varying depths is contemplated by this invention as may be needed to store a selection of tools in a panel of the tool case.

As a further feature to the inner panel of the lid, a cavity 66 may be added to the panel as shown in FIG. 11. In this example, cavity 66 is deeper than the four channels 50, 52, 60 and 62 and is centered in the mid-section area of the inner panel 46 and thus intercepts all four channels. The cavity 66 in this example is also rectangularly shaped which provides an area in the lid for receiving and storing flat rectangularly shaped items such as a manual for using the tools. Such a manual is shown in FIG. 2 and designated by reference number 5. A rectangulary vehicle unlocking door jam protection shield 6 is also shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 12 shows the manual 5 and the door jam protection shield 6 stowed one on top of the other in the rectangulary cavity 66 and the tools 1 through 4 stored in their respective channels over the manual and shield. The multi-layered layered channels and cavity allow stacking of a number of items, which in this example is tool 2 stacked over tools 1, 3 and 4 which in turn are stacked over the manual 5 and shield 6.

FIG. 11a which is a cross-sectional view of the lid including the four channels and the cavity, shows more clearly the different depths or levels of the channels and the cavity. The channels 52 and 62 are at the deepest level with channel 60 at an intermediate level and channel 50 at the shallowest level. See FIG. 16a. As explained, this multi-level channel arrangement allows the tool placed in channel 50 to cross over the tools placed in the other three deeper channels. In this example, tool 2 has a broad extent and with the unique channel arrangement provided by the principles of the invention, allows the three other tools with smaller extent to be stacked under tool 2. FIG. 11a also illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cavity 66. The cavity provides a deeper area for additional items to be stacked under the tools in the tool receiving channels. This is a good area to store other tools or manuals or other items, for example.

The channels or grooves illustrated in the lid panel may have various cross-sectional sizes and shapes to receive tools of different configurations and cross-sections. Where the tools are elongated rod shaped vehicle unlocking tools such as tools 1, 2, 3 and 4, the cross section of the channels for these exemplary tools may have a rectangular configuration or U-shaped configuration. As shown with more particularity in FIG. 11b, a flat bottomed rectangularly shaped channel is used to house the tools in this example. Also, as shown in FIG. 11b, the tools in the lid are held in place in the channel by inwardly extending resilient nubs or tabs 68 located at the top of the channels as shown. Such nubs 68 may be spaced along each of the channels in the lid 30 as needed to hold a tool in place. This allows the lid to be opened and closed and transported with the tools held in place.

The inner panel 44 of the base 34 is illustrated in FIG. 13. This inner panel 44 shows an additional structural feature tool for storing straight rod tools in the tool case. In this example, the base inner panel 44 is shown having four channels 70, 71, 72 and 73, which channels are arranged lengthwise along the extent if a downwardly sloped panel 76 of the inner base panel 44 in a downwardly spaced cascading manner as shown with more particularity in FIG. 13a. These channels are preferably shaped to grip the rods to retain the elongated rod placed in the channels during transport of the tool case. In this example, the channels slightly cup over the top half of the rod to cup the rod in the channels. Also, the channels 70 through 73 may be partial channels (as shown in FIG. 14); that is, they can be short pairs of channels. This cascading channel arrangement is particularly advantageous for storing tools known in the vehicle unlocking tool art as long reach tools which long reach tools are illustrated in FIG. 2 by reference numbers 7 through 11.

Also, other additional storing features in the base inner panel 44, shown with more particularity in FIG. 14, are cavity 80 and two elongated channels 82 and 84 which channels traverse the extent of the panel 44. The cavity 80 is the deepest portion of the panel 44 and provides an area to store selected items such as the items designated in FIG. 2 by reference numbers 14 (pump wedge) and 15 (thin door frame protector). The channels 82 and 84 have two different depths and meet or cross as shown in FIG. 14. The depth of channel 84 is deeper than the depth of channel 82 so that a tool place in channel 82 will cross over a tool placed in channel 80 allowing the tools to be stored in a stacked arrangement. FIG. 15 shows the long reach tools 7 through 11 placed in the base. The tools as illustrated in FIG. 2, namely 8, 10 and 11 are shown loaded into the cascading channels 70, 71 and 72 of the base as shown in FIG. 15. Further, tool 7 is placed in channel 82 and tool 9 is placed in channel 84. In the channel arrangement as shown in FIG. 14, the handle portion sits over the rods 8, 9 and 11 placed in the partial cascading channels. The long reach tools can therefore be stored in a convenient compact stacking arrangement.

FIG. 16 shows both the lid 30 and base 34 of the tool case 20. An additional cavity 90 is arranged in the base inner panel to receive wedge tools which wedges are illustrated in FIG. 2 and designated by reference numerals 12 and 13. FIG. 16 shows the combination of channels and cavities of one possible embodiment of the invention that in particular may house the vehicle unlocking tools illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 16a, a cross-sectional view of the tool case shown in FIG. 16, more clearly shows the depths of the various channels and cavities which allows for the compact stacking of many tools and items of different configurations. FIG. 16 also shows the shield 6 and the owner's booklet 5 stored in the lid cavity 66 and shield 15 stored in the base cavity 80.

FIG. 17 illustrates one possible assembled tool kit arrangement, with the tool box 20 loaded with the vehicle unlocking tools illustrated in FIG. 2. These particular vehicle unlocking tools illustrated are commonly known as the long reach tools. The long rod tools are assembled when needed and provide an arrangement of tools that may open a variety of vehicles. An owner's booklet is added to the tool kit and stored in the lid cavity 66 which aids the operator in the use of the tools. FIG. 18 illustrates another possible assembled tool kit arrangement. In this example, the tool box lid 30 and base 34 are loaded with the vehicle unlocking tools illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This tool kit would allow an operator to open a large variety of vehicle model from old to new. All tools are conveniently assembled and carried in a relatively small tool case 20.

While the present invention has been described in regards to a preferred embodiment, it is understood that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as identified in the appended claims. For example, while certain channels and cavities have been described to exemplify the invention, various number of channels and cavities of different sizes, shapes and configurations are contemplated by the invention. Furthermore, while vehicle unlocking tool have been illustrated above, the principles of the invention apply to other tool types as well.

Claims

1. An arrangement for storing a plurality of selected tools, comprising:

a case half having an inner surface area with first and second channels therein, the first and second channels sized and shaped for each receiving a selected tool, the first and second channels crossing at least once and the first channel having a first depth and the second channel having a second depth deeper than the first channel such that a selected tool placed in the first channel will overlie a selected tool placed in the second channel where the first and second channel cross.

2. The arrangement for storing a plurality of selected tools as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a third channel which crosses the second channel at least once and has a third depth which is less than the second depth of the second channel such that a selected tool placed in the third channel overlies a selected tool placed in the second channel where the second and third channel cross.

3. The arrangement for storing a plurality of selected tools as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second channels are rectangularly shaped.

4. The arrangement for storing a plurality of selected tools as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first and second channels have pairs of cooperatively inwardly protruding tabs for retaining a selected tool placed therein.

5. The arrangement for storing a plurality of selected tools as claimed in claim 4 wherein the case half inner surface portion is made of molded plastic.

6. The arrangement for storing a plurality of selected tools as claimed in claim 2 further including a fourth channel sized and shaped for receiving a selected tool, the fourth channel crossing the third channel at least once and the fourth channel having a fourth depth which is deeper than the third depth of the third channel such that a selected tool placed in the third channel will over a selected tool placed in the fourth channel where they cross.

7. The arrangement for storing a plurality of selected tools as claimed in claim 1 further including a recessed cavity that intersects the second channel and has a depth deeper than the second depth of the second channel so that an object placed in the cavity will sit under a selected tool placed in the second channel.

8. The arrangement for storing a plurality of selected tools as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cavity intersects the first and second channels.

9. The arrangement for storing a plurality of tools as claimed in claim 8 wherein the recessed cavity has a rectangular shape with a flat bottom.

10. The arrangement for storing a plurality of selected tools as claimed in claim 1 further having a cavity with an elongated sloping side wall, the side wall having two parallel spaced apart rod receiving channels.

11. The arrangement for storing a plurality of tools as claimed in claim 10 wherein the rod receiving channels have short rod griping portions for securing rod shaped tool in the spaced apart rod receiving channels.

12. A tool case for storing a plurality of tools for unlocking vehicles, comprising:

a case having two closeable sides, each side having an inner panel, which inner panel each have a number of tool receiving cavities, wherein two of the cavities in one of the sides cross are at different depths so that a tool placed in one of the two cavities in part overlies a tool placed in the other of the two cavities.

13. The tool case as claimed in claim 12 wherein the at least one of the two cavities is an elongated channel.

14. The tool case as claimed in claim 13 wherein the at least one elongated channel is rectangularly shaped.

15. The tool case as claimed in claim 14 wherein one of the sides further has a recessed rectangularly shaped flat bottom cavity sized and shaped for receiving a rectangularly shaped planar item, the recessed rectangularly shaped flat bottom cavity is positioned in the path of the elongated channel.

16. The tool case as claimed in claim 15 wherein the recessed tray has a number of protruding tabs sized and shaped for retaining an object placed in the tray.

17. The tool case as claimed in claim 16 wherein the recessed rectangularly shaped flat bottom cavity has a sloping side wall with rod gripping members.

18. A case for storing a variety of selected vehicle unlocking tools, comprising:

a base retractably coupled to the lid, the base having an inner cavity formed therein with a side wall with downwardly angled wall portions, the angled wall portions having two pairs of spaced apart rod grips for snapping engaging and retaining two rods in parallel arrangement.

19. The case for storing a variety of selected vehicle unlocking tools as claimed in claim 18 further having a third pair of spaced apart rod grips, the three pairs of rod grips arranged in line down the inner cavity wall.

20. The case for storing a variety of selected vehicle unlocking tools as claimed in claim 19 wherein the base is made of molded plastic.