Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02255182 1998-12-02
This invention relates to a tool case, particularly of the type used to
display a tool set at the point of sale, and to subsequently store the tool
set. Such tool
cases are commonly referred to as "gift cases".
Cases of the general type are well known, and typically include a base in
the form of an open-topped box, and a lid hinged or otherwise mated with the
box
portion, with a clip or other means to retain the lid in the closed position.
For
convenience, these main components will hereinafter be referred to as the base
and
the lid. The case typically provides recesses to accommodate various tools and
components, such as, for example, a screwdriver and various bits therefor,
these
recesses typically being provided in a panel positioned across the top of the
base. The
lid frequently has a transparent face, or may be entirely transparent, so that
the tools
can be seen when the case is closed.
At present, the tendency is to use a unique case for each tool set.
However, this results in incurring the costs of a new mold whenever a new tool
set is
produced for the market. There is a need for a more universal tool case, which
can
accommodate many different tool set configurations, to reduce these mold costs
and
to provide greater flexibility in general.
One solution to this problem has been to mold one tool case with a lid and
an open base which can be fitted with a panel to hold different tools and
components,
such as screwdriver bits and sockets. Therefore, the tool case can be made
from the
same mold and adapted to hold various tools by fitting the tool case with a
different
panel.
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CA 02255182 1998-12-02
However, this solution does not offer sufficient flexibility. In a larger
version of a tool case, it is often desirable to have the ability to not only
exchange an
entire panel (i.e. entire contents of a tool case), but also exchange only a
section of a
panel. This is particularly advantageous in a larger tool case because of the
larger
surface available. In this way, one panel section could accommodate, for
example, a
screwdriver and a complete set of bits or a ratchet and a complete set of
sockets, while
several other panel sections could be manufactured to provide various options
for the
rest of the tool case.
I n view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved
tool case, which provides greater flexibility in the tools which it may be
adapted to hold
at the point of sale.
Thus in the invention, the tool case is adapted to receive one or more
panel sections. These sections may or may not be secured to each other, and
may or
may not be removable.
In embodiments where the panel sections are secured to each other, this
may be accomplished by any suitable means, such as by inserting a male
dovetail tab
molded to at least one side of a first panel section onto a corresponding
female dovetail
recess defined within an adjacent side of a second panel section.
Preferably, the panel sections are positioned on the box portion by
inserting guide posts protruding from the bottom of the panel sections into
corresponding openings protruding upwardly from the box portion, although
clearly,
many alternative positioning and securing means could be used.
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The panel sections may all be in the same plane, or may be "stepped" or
even stacked, as will be described in greater detail below.
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above and to one side of the tool case
(with recesses molded in the panel sections to retain tools and components not
being
shown);
Fig. 2 is a perspective view from below and to one side of the tool case;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view looking down on the top of the tool case with
the lid open (again with recesses molded in the panel sections to retain tools
and
components not being shown);
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A;
Fig. 5 is an exploded cut away view detailing means of securing of one
panel section to another;
Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the tool case (again with recesses molded
in the panel sections to retain tools and components not being shown);
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tool case along line B-B;
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention detailing
the tools to be retained within the panel sections;
Fig. 9 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention
detailing alternative tools to be retained within the panel sections;
Fig. 10 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the invention
detailing other alternative tools to be retained within the panel sections;
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CA 02255182 1998-12-02
Fig. 11 is a plan view of yet another alternative embodiment of the
invention detailing yet other alternative tools to be retained within the
panel sections;
Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment where the
panel sections are not connected to each other, but are cooperatively shaped
to form
the shape of a single larger panel;
Fig. 13 is a plan view of the panel sections of Fig. 12, showing a typical
tool layout;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative base, with an open bottom
portion to receive a snap-in secondary storage means;
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of two panel sections which fit within the Fig.
14 base;
Fig. 16 is a cross-section of Fig. 15;
Figs. 17 and 18 are perspective views of four and six panel sections
respectively, which fit within the Fig. 14 base;
Fig.19 is a perspective view of a two-tiered arrangement, where there are
two panel sections at different levels;
Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 19, showing a third panel section which is
movable along a track to selectively expose one portion or another of the
panel section
beneath it;
Fig. 21 is a cross-section of one version of Fig. 20, where a vertical
connector panel is in one piece with the upper of the two panel sections;
Fig. 22 is a cross-section of an alternative version of Fig. 20, where the
vertical connector panel is a separate piece;
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CA 02255182 1998-12-02
Figs. 23 - 26 are perspective views of further alternative panel section
configurations; and,
Fig. 27 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention
where the base of the tool case has an elevated molded storage compartment and
an
empty portion that can accept panel sections.
Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show the case, which includes
a preferably plastic box portion 1 and a preferably transparent lid 2 hinged
to the box
portion, for example, by two hinges 3. A plastic clip 4 secures the lid to the
box portion
in a conventional fashion, although any other suitable means to secure the lid
could be
used.
Figs. 2 and 7 show a generally rectangular molded storage compartment
defined within the bottom surface of the box portion. The storage compartment
is
accessed via a door 6 hinged to the box portion at one end by two hinges 7 and
secured to the box portion at the other end by a conventional clasp 8.
Fig. 3 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention where two plastic
panel sections are secured within the box portion. A first panel section 12 is
located
toward the right side of the box portion and a second panel section 10 with a
molded
handle 11 extending therefrom is located toward the left side of the box
portion. A
number of shapes are molded within the panel sections to accommodate a
specific tool
or a component, such as a screwdriver bit or a socket. In the interest of
clarity, the
shapes molded in the panels are not shown in some of the accompanying
drawings.
Figs. 3 to 5 show that the panel sections may be secured to each other
by inserting a male dovetail tab 21 projecting from preferably each edge of
the first
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CA 02255182 1998-12-02
panel section 12 into a corresponding female dovetail recess 22 defined within
each
edge of the second panel section 10. However, any other suitable means of
securing
the panel sections to each other may be used, or the panels may not be secured
to
each other at all. When the two panel sections are joined to each other in the
manner
described herein, they in effect may form a single panel covering the open top
of the
box portion 1.
The panel sections are mounted to the box portion by any suitable
means, such as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, where posts 13 protruding from the
bottom
surface of the panel sections are inserted into corresponding female openings
15
projecting upwardly from the bottom of the box portion 1. Clearly, a wide
variety of
alternative embodiments varying the locations of the posts and the female
openings will
be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such alternatives are within the
scope of this
invention. The panel sections are secured to the box portion by, for example,
two
conventional plastic catches 14 projecting downwardly from the edge of the
first panel
section 12 and the edge of the second panel section 10 facing the front and
rear ends
of the box portion, respectively. As the panel sections are inserted into the
box portion
the catches snap onto corresponding molded ridges 16 projecting outwardly from
the
front and rear ends of the box portion, securing the panel sections within the
box
portion. However, any other suitable method of securing the panel sections,
such as
tabs, adhesives, or ultrasonic welding may be used and is within the scope of
this
invention.
Figs. 9 to 11 show three alternative configurations of the panel sections,
to retain different types of tools and components. However, it should be clear
that a
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wide variety of other embodiments could be used, to accommodate myriad tool
types
and related components. To accommodate these various combinations of tools and
components, the number and shape of the panel sections can likewise be varied.
The
available surface area may be subdivided diagonally, linearly, or by a
combination
thereof to yield two, three, four, or more panel sections. If desired, each
panel section
may be color-coded to represent various quality levels, configurations, sizes
and types
of tool or components (metric vs. English units, for example).
There are also many possible variations on the size and shape of the
panel sections, as well as the methods of securing them to each other (if
any), all of
which are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention.
For example, Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment
where the panel sections are not connected to each other, but are
cooperatively shaped
to form the shape of a single larger panel. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the
panel sections
of Fig. 12, showing a typical tool layout, as in Fig. 8. It may also be
possible that a
portion of the base may be moulded as a panel section, with an empty portion
that can
accept one or more panel sections to complete the surface.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative base, with an open bottom
portion 30 to receive a snap-in secondary storage means (such as a snap-in
drawer
unit, for example, accessible from underneath the case).
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of two panel sections which fit within the Fig.
14 base, one of the panel sections including an optional opening 31 for the
snap-in
secondary storage means to extend through, if desired, to provide such
secondary
storage means with greater depth.
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Fig. 16 is a cross-section of Fig. 15, showing a tongue 32 and groove 33
connection between the two panels, although it should be clear that the panels
are not
necessarily connected to each other.
Figs. 17 and 18 are perspective views of four and six panel sections 35
respectively, which fit within the Fig. 14 base.
Fig.19 is a perspective view of a two-tiered arrangement, where there are
two panel sections 35 at different levels, with a vertical connector panel 36
between
them.
Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 19, showing a third panel section 38 which
is movable along a track such as the groove 33, to selectively expose one
portion or
another of the panel section 35 beneath it;
Fig. 21 is a cross-section of one version of Fig. 20, where the vertical
connector pane! 36 is in one piece with the upper of the two panel sections.
Fig. 22 is
a cross-section of an alternative version of Fig. 20, where the vertical
connector panel
36 is a separate piece.
Figs. 23 - 26 are perspective views of further alternative panel section
configurations. In Fig. 23, the upper and lower panel sections 35 are each
divided into
two sections, i.e. there are in effect four separate panel sections. in Fig.
24, the upper
and lower panel sections 35 are each divided into three sections, i.e. there
are six
separate panel sections. In Fig. 25, the upper and lower panel sections 35 are
each
divided into two sections, and there is a sliding panel section 38, i.e. there
are five
separate panel sections. In Fig. 26, the upper and lower panel sections 35 are
each
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divided into three sections, and there are two complementary sliding panel
sections 38,
i.e. there eight separate panel sections.
Fig. 27 is a perspective view of an alternative base, with a portion 40
thereof being an elevated molded storage compartment. In this embodiment, the
storage compartment extends the length of the base and an empty portion of the
base
adjacent to the storage compartment receives panel sections (not shown, but in
a
similar fashion as discussed above) to complete the surface. The top surface
of the
panel sections may be flush or stepped with the top surface of the
compartment. The
top surface of the compartment may be adapted (not shown) to receive tools
while
additional tools may be stored within the compartment.
Obviously these are examples only, and many other similar configurations .
are possible. It will thus be appreciated that the above description relates
to the
preferred embodiments by way of example only. Many variations on the invention
will
be obvious to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations
are within
the scope of the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly
described.
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