Tool container

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9238301-B2
Application number	US-87362007-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 17, 2007
Priority date	Aug 14, 1998
Publication date	Jan 19, 2016
Grant date	Jan 19, 2016

Abstract

A tool container has a pair of housing members pivotally coupled with one another to provide an opened and closed position. At least one of the members defines a cavity to receive tools. The cavity is defined by a base and a wall extending from the base. A tool retaining insert is permanently secured in the cavity. The insert and wall include tenons and grooves to secure the insert in the housing member. Also, an arcuate locking mechanism is included to maintain the pair of housing members in a closed position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tool container comprising:
two housing members pivotally coupled with one another for opening and closing with respect to one another, at least one housing member defining a cavity for receiving tools, said cavity defined by a base and a wall extending from said base, at least one of said housing member base or wall having a roughed surface for enhancing securement;
an insert for retaining tools, said insert permanently secured in said cavity, said insert having a surface for securing with said member base or wall; and
said insert surface being in contact with said base or wall, and wherein the insert surface, base, or wall are fixed together.

2. The tool container of claim 1 wherein said insert is glued, adhered or welded to said base or wall.

3. The tool container of claim 1 further comprising:
a plurality of tool bits;
each housing member has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defines the cavity defined by the base and the wall extending from the base, the outer surface defines an exterior surface of the tool container;
a plurality of recesses on the peripheral wall of the inner surface in each of the housing members;
a plurality of additional inserts, each additional insert configured to retain one or more of the plurality of tool bits, each of the additional inserts having a body and a pair of end faces, the body defining a plurality of openings, each opening having a dimension substantially the same as one of the tool bits to frictionally retain that tool bit, and the pair of end faces each including at least one projection configured to cooperate with the recesses in each of the peripheral walls;
wherein each additional insert is configured to be multi-positionable and secured against movement along the peripheral walls and away from the base in each of the housing members in a plurality of positions along each of the walls by frictional engagement of the projections with corresponding ones of the plurality of recesses.

4. The tool container according to claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of alternating tenons adjacent said plurality of recesses forming a plurality of alternating dovetail recesses and tenons.

5. The tool container according to claim 4 , wherein said tenons each have a front face being angled at about one (1°) degree with respect to vertical.

6. The tool container according to claim 4 , wherein said recesses each have faces at angles for locking the projections and recesses together.

7. The tool container according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the plurality of additional inserts has at least one retaining finger being adjacent said tool bit receiving opening for further retaining the tool bits in the tool receiving openings.

8. The tool container according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of said plurality of additional inserts has a bit receiving mechanism for self-orientating the tool bit in said additional insert.

9. The tool container according to claim 4 , wherein said plurality of additional inserts projections each have alternating tenons and grooves for mating with said recesses and tenons adjacent the peripheral wall.

10. The tool container according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of said plurality of additional inserts is permanently secured in said housing member.

11. The tool container according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of said plurality of additional inserts is removably secured in said housing member.

Assignees

• Streich John P
• Findle Daniel G
• Keenan Patrick S
• Namey Jr David
• Black & Decker Inc

Inventors

• Streich John P
• Findle Daniel G
• Keenan Patrick S
• Namey Jr David

Classifications

• Y10T24/45168

  for container [e.g., bag] · CPC title

• Y10S292/48

  Traveling bag frame and camera cover fasteners · CPC title

• Y10T24/45005

  with third detached member completing interlock [e.g., hook type] · CPC title

• Y10T292/432

  Sliding catch · CPC title

• B25H3/06

  Trays · CPC title