Drill and driver bit organizer and storage case

Abstract

Drill and driver bit organizer and storage case includes a case formed of a plurality of planar panels consisting of end and intermediate panels. The panels are hingedly connected to each other to form a fan-folded arrangement of zigzag panels with intermediate panels being joined to either other intermediate panels or to an intermediate panel and an end panel while the end panels are joined to an intermediate panel to allow the panels to be collapsed into a closed case in which the panels are arranged in substantially parallel planes and into an expanded or extended condition in which the panels are unfolded out of said parallel planes. Each of the panels include securing members for receiving a plurality of drill and/or driver bits. Thus the case is closed and protects the bits in the collapsed condition when it is closed and provides access to the bits in any of the panels when unfolded.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to hand tools and, more specifically, to a drill and driver bit organizer and storage case.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Drill and driver bit storage cases have been used extensively, especially when numerous drill bits and/or driver bits are involved, to avoid such bits becoming disorganized, misplaced and/or lost. The problem with many prior art storage cases for such bits is that such cases are typically relatively bulky. In order to accommodate an extensive number of bits, apertured trays are frequently used with a series of holes to receive appropriately sized bits. However, when many such bits are used they are frequently stacked in rows that are densely populated to optimize the space within the case. This makes it difficult, in many cases, to clearly see the major lengths of the bits or to access them as they are surrounded by other bits. In most cases, only the upper ends of the bits, such as be cutting tips of drill bits, are visible. This makes it difficult or impossible to read the legends or indicia typically printed or embossed on the shanks of such bits that provide information about the size or other attributes of such bits. To find the right bit, frequently, it is necessary to remove the bits from the case in order to read the legends and, if the wrong bit was removed, to replace the bit and try another. This frequently makes it cumbersome and tedious for a worker especially when there is little time to complete a project.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a case that does not have the disadvantages inherent in known storage cases of this type.

It is another object of the invention to a provide a case that can be used to store, carry and organize a variety of drill and driver bits.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a case for drill and driver bits that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a case for drill and driver bits as in the previous objects which allows an end-user to carry and organize a variety of drill and driver bits at a worksite.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a case for drill and driver bits as in the previous objects which allows quick access to any of the drill or driver bits stored within the case.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a case for drill and driver bits of the type aforementioned which can optimize the number of bits in a limited space.

It is yet to further object of the invention to provide a case for drill and driver bits of the type under discussion which fully or substantially fully exposes each of the drill and driver bits stored therein to facilitate the reading of any indicia printed or embossed on such bits, such as size or any other suitable parameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects will become apparent when the present invention is considered in detail in the below specification, taken in conjunction with the drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the drill and driver bit organizer and storage case in accordance with the invention, shown in a fully collapsed or closed condition suitable for storage or transport.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the case shown FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, shown in an almost fully opened condition for exposing and accessing drill and driver bits.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but showing a photographic rendering of the unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, in which the identical is similar parts will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the carrying case and organizer of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

Also referring to FIG. 3, a case 10 is formed of a plurality of panels 12-17 hingedly connected to each other by means of the hinges 18-22. The hinges 18-22 are selected to allow adjacent panels to move from closed positions, in which the adjacent panels are coextensive in parallel planes and define zero degrees between adjacent panels, and opened positions, in which adjacent panels are arranged in a common plane and the angles defined between adjacent panels is 180 degrees. Any hinges that can articulate adjacent panels in this manner can be used.

The end panels 12, 17 have a covering wall on the outwardly facing side when all of the panels are collapsed or closed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to provide a completely closed or sealed unit as shown. The remaining or intermediary panels 13-16 are open on each side and formed of annular rectangular frames. This renders the intermediate panels 13-16 thinner to conserve the space without compromising any of their functions while still providing a fully closed or sealed unit when the panels are collapsed or closed.

The hinges 23 of the panel 17 allow a locking latch 24 to move between locking and releasing positions. The free end of the locking latch 24 includes a snap or detent 25 dimensioned to mate with and lock with recess 26 on the panel 12 when all of the panels are collapsed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The length of the latch 24, therefore, will be selected to correspond to the thickness of the composite panels 12-17 in their collapsed or closed condition.

Each of the panels 12-17, in the form of the open rectangular frames, includes a space 27, also rectangular, suitable for receiving and storing drill and driver bits. It should be clear, however, that while the housing 10 is shown to be generally rectangular it can be square or any other suitably desired shape as long as the individual panels can be hinged to each other to form a zigzag or fan-fold configuration and individual panels can receive drill and/or driver bits. Each space 27 has a thickness, in the direction transverse to the planes of the frames, selected to accommodate driver and drill bits having given dimensions. While some frames, therefore, may be thinner to accommodate smaller bits or thicker to accommodate larger bits, it is also possible to make all of the walls of the frames of equal thickness for aesthetic or structural reasons.

Within each space 27 there may be provided one or more racks 28-35 each having suitable recesses or openings to receive and secure drill and/or driver bits as shown. In FIG. 3 driver bits 36, 38 are supported on racks 28, 30 while driver bits 40 are shown on rack 35. Drill bits 42 are received within racks 43 inside panels 13-16. While certain arrangements or rack configurations are illustrated for receiving one exemplary set of bits, it will be clear that the specific configurations of racks are not critical for purposes of the invention. If desired, the entire unit can be dedicated to driver bits or drill bits or other combinations thereof. Also, it should be clear that while the end panels 12, 17 and three intermediary panels 13 and 16 have been shown, in the present preferred embodiment, other combinations of panels may be used. One or more panels may be used to accommodate smaller or larger sizes of bits. Of course, the size of the locking latch 24 needs to be selected to accommodate the number of actual panels used.

It will be understood from the above that the storage case and organizer for drill and driver bits in accordance with the invention, using a zigzag or fan-fold wall construction essentially lays out all of the bits and makes them clearly visible and accessible. The zigzag or fan-fold wall construction allows the unit to be collapsed and closed into an extremely compact condition that makes it easy to hold and handle. In use, such wall construction allows the entire unit to be opened and laid flat on a surface. The individual panels or frames may be made of plastic or metal, or may be made from any other suitable material with the outside walls of the end panels covered by a thin layer or shell of a light weight metallic or other material.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that the there is no intention to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is the intention to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Drill and driver bit organizer and storage case comprising a case formed of a plurality of planar panels consisting of end and intermediate panels, said panels being hingedly connected to each other to form a fan-folded arrangement of zigzag panels with intermediate panels being joined to either other intermediate panels or to an intermediate panel and an end panel while said end panels are joined to an intermediate panel to allow said panels to be collapsed into a closed case in which said panels are arranged in substantially parallel planes and into an expanded or extended condition in which said panels are unfolded out of said parallel planes, each of said panels including securing means for receiving a plurality of drill and/or driver bits, wherein said case is closed and protects said bits in the collapsed condition when it is closed and provides access to the bits in any of said panels when unfolded.

2. A case as defined in claim 1, wherein hinge means allows said hinged panels to be infolded into a substantially common plane.

3. A case as defined in claim 1, further comprising locking means for selectively locking said panels in said collapsed condition when not in use.

4. A case as defined in claim 1, wherein the thickness of each panel is selected to substantially correspond to the maximum radial dimensions of said bits.