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EP1268137A1 - Caisse comportant de multiples panneaux - Google Patents

Caisse comportant de multiples panneaux

Info

Publication number
EP1268137A1
EP1268137A1 EP00913990A EP00913990A EP1268137A1 EP 1268137 A1 EP1268137 A1 EP 1268137A1 EP 00913990 A EP00913990 A EP 00913990A EP 00913990 A EP00913990 A EP 00913990A EP 1268137 A1 EP1268137 A1 EP 1268137A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
panel
case
recited
panel sections
box portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00913990A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Kailash C. Vasudeva
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Maxtech Manufacturing Inc
Original Assignee
Maxtech Manufacturing Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Maxtech Manufacturing Inc filed Critical Maxtech Manufacturing Inc
Publication of EP1268137A1 publication Critical patent/EP1268137A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
    • B25H3/00—Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
    • B25H3/02—Boxes
    • B25H3/021—Boxes comprising a number of connected storage elements
    • B25H3/023—Boxes comprising a number of connected storage elements movable relative to one another for access to their interiors

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a case for storing articles, 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 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.
  • 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.
  • the tool case is adapted to receive one or more panels or 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. One example would be by inserting a male dovetail tab molded to at least one side of a first panel section into a corresponding female dovetail recess defined within an adjacent side of a second panel section.
  • 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.
  • 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;
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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;
  • Figs. 23 - 26 are perspective views of further alternative panel section configurations
  • 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;
  • Fig. 28 is an elevation view showing two cooperative panels which are hinged to the box portion of the case;
  • Fig. 29 is a cross-section of the box portion of the case, showing grooves to accept a slide-in panel
  • Fig. 30 is an example of a case with two slide-in panels
  • Fig. 31 is an elevation view showing the grooves into which the panels
  • Fig. 32 is a plan view of an embodiment having rotatable holders for tool components such as drill bits on one side, adjacent a partial panel which has other means such as compartments for carrying components;
  • Figs. 33A and 33B are side views, showing the rotatability of the holders;
  • Fig.34 is a plan view showing a partial panel, and external compartments along one side of the case;
  • Fig. 35 is a corresponding side view of the case of Fig. 34;
  • Fig. 36 is a plan view showing an embodiment similar to that of Fig. 32, with stacked components along one side, which fit in divider/support elements in a slotted panel section;
  • Fig. 37 shows the Fig. 36 case closed
  • Fig. 38 shows an exploded view of the Fig. 36 case
  • Fig. 39 shows one panel section which could be fixed or sliding, for example, and an adjacent panel section which swivels to expose multiple compartments underneath it, created by dividers;
  • Fig. 40 is just another example of a possible configuration, with tools carried on one panel section, tool components on the adjacent panel section, and a compartment under the tool component panel section, accessible from the bottom of the case;
  • Fig. 41 is an example of a panel section within a panel section.
  • Fig. 42 is a cross-section of Fig. 41.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 show the case, which in this case is a tool case.
  • the tool case 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
  • 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.
  • the handle 11 does not have to extend from one of the panel sections, but could extend from the body of the case, i.e. from the box portion 1. Alternatively, there could be no handle at all.
  • 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 panel section 12 into a corresponding female dovetail recess 22 defined within each edge of the second panel section 10.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Fig. 29 shows grooves 19 in the wall of the box portion 1 , to receive a slide-in panel.
  • the securing of the panel sections could be of a permanent nature, as with ultrasonic welding, or it could be temporary, i.e. the panel sections could be removable.
  • Another alternative is as shown in Fig. 28, where the panel sections 12 and 12" are “permanently” secured, but via hinges which provide access to storage space 23 provided beneath the panels in the box portion. This additional storage space could be provided with divider walls if desired, for more efficient storage of small items.
  • Figs. 9 to 11 show three alternative configurations of the panel sections, to retain different types 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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 and 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 panel 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.
  • the upper and lower panel sections 35 and 35' are each divided into two sections, i.e. there are in effect four separate panel sections.
  • the upper and lower panel sections 35 and 35' are each divided into three sections, i.e. there are six separate panel sections.
  • the upper and lower panel sections 35 and 35" are each divided into two sections, and there is a sliding panel section 38, i.e. there are five separate panel sections.
  • the upper and lower panel sections 35 and 35" are each divided into three sections, and there are two complementary sliding panel sections 38 and 38", i.e. there eight separate panel
  • Fig. 27 is a perspective view of an alternative base, with a portion 40 thereof being an elevated molded storage compartment.
  • 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.
  • Fig. 30 is an example of a case with two slide-in panels.
  • the panels could be of different colours, if desired. Or one panel could be fixed and the other could be slidable (for example to expose divided or undivided storage compartments underneath. Perhaps only one panel section could be functional, and the other could be used to display a logo or other information such as product instructions.
  • Fig. 31 is an elevation view showing the grooves into which the panels
  • Fig. 32 is a plan view of an embodiment having rotatable holders or slide trays for tool components such as drill bits on one side, adjacent a partial panel which has other means such as compartments for carrying components.
  • Figs. 33A and 33B are side views, showing the rotatability of the holders via tracks.
  • Figs. 34 and 35 show a case with a partial panel, and external compartments 160 along one side of the case.
  • Fig. 36 is a plan view showing an embodiment similar to that of Fig. 32, with stacked components along one side, which fit in divider/support elements in a slotted panel section, as can be seen most clearly from Figs. 37 and 38.
  • Fig. 39 shows one panel section which could be fixed or sliding, for example, and an adjacent panel section which swivels to expose a single compartment, or preferably multiple compartments created by dividers.
  • Fig. 40 shows another example of a possible configuration, with tools carried on one panel section, tool components on the adjacent panel section, and a compartment under the tool component panel section, accessible from the bottom of the case.
  • Figs. 41 and 42 show an example of a panel section within a panel section. Again the tool component portion, since it requires less depth, can accommodate a compartment underneath it, accessible from the bottom of the case.
  • the invention provides an improved tool case which is configured to provide maximum flexibility in selection of panels or panel sections to be inserted therein.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Package Specialized In Special Use (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une caisse comportant une partie (1) de boîte et un couvercle (2), et des éléments de panneau (10, 12, 12', 35, 38) conçus pour coopérer de manière à s'insérer dans la partie de boîte. Les éléments de panneau sont conçus pour contenir des articles tels que des outils et/ou des éléments d'outil, des articles de loisirs, des trousses spécialisées, des jouets, etc. Les éléments de panneau peuvent être fixés ou non entre eux, et peuvent se situer ou non sur un même niveau. La caisse peut comporter deux ou davantage d'éléments de panneau. Les éléments de panneau peuvent inclure une ouverture destinée à contenir un compartiment (5) de rangement, qui s'étend vers le haut depuis le fond de la caisse et est accessible depuis le fond de la caisse. Dans une forme de réalisation, un élément de panneau inférieur (35) est pourvu d'au moins un élément de panneau plus petit (38), monté coulissant sur celui-ci.
EP00913990A 2000-03-31 2000-03-31 Caisse comportant de multiples panneaux Withdrawn EP1268137A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CA2000/000341 WO2001074545A1 (fr) 2000-03-31 2000-03-31 Caisse comportant de multiples panneaux

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1268137A1 true EP1268137A1 (fr) 2003-01-02

Family

ID=4143050

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00913990A Withdrawn EP1268137A1 (fr) 2000-03-31 2000-03-31 Caisse comportant de multiples panneaux

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1268137A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2000235471A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2402788C (fr)
WO (1) WO2001074545A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7322470B2 (en) 2004-09-30 2008-01-29 Black & Decker Inc. Tool container
US7246704B2 (en) 2004-10-04 2007-07-24 Black & Decker Inc. Tool and accessory container with inner grid system
US8646600B2 (en) * 2011-04-28 2014-02-11 The Plastic Forming Company, Inc. Blow-molded tool kit

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7835076U1 (de) * 1979-04-12 Hans Mesenhoeller Kg, 5630 Remscheid Verkaufskasten für Schraubwerkzeuge
US5271501A (en) * 1993-02-12 1993-12-21 Tung I Enterprise Co., Ltd. Toolbox
US5526929A (en) * 1995-03-30 1996-06-18 Wei; Yong L. Tool box with a cover, a base and a plate disposed between the cover and the base
DE29618465U1 (de) * 1996-10-23 1996-12-19 Knoblauch, Georg, 89537 Giengen Werkzeugkassette für längliche Werkzeuge
EP1007291B1 (fr) * 1997-04-11 2002-07-17 Maxtech Inc. Boite a outils a compartiments accessibles de l'exterieur
US6755302B1 (en) * 1998-08-14 2004-06-29 Black & Decker Inc. Tool container

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *
See also references of WO0174545A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2402788C (fr) 2006-06-13
CA2402788A1 (fr) 2001-10-11
WO2001074545A1 (fr) 2001-10-11
AU2000235471A1 (en) 2001-10-15

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