Abstract:
A modular container for stackably storing and transporting multiple circular saw blades. The container includes multiple storage trays wherein each storage tray is able to hold one or more circular saw blades of varying diameters. The storage trays have graduating annular raised surfaces to hold saw blades securely in place during transport thereby preventing injury to the transporter and protecting the cutting teeth of the circular saw blades from being damaged due to movement within the storage container. Each storage tray horizontally pivots open to allow the user easy access to the circular saw blades stored therein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/707,696, filed Jan. 5, 2004, now pending, which document is hereby incorporated by reference to the extent permitted by law. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed to a container for storing saw blades having multiple stackable trays configured to be selectively added or removed depending on the number of saw blades to be stored. In particular, the individual trays are designed to accommodate the storage of one or more saw blades of varying diameters in a safe manner while also protecting the integrity of the blades.  
         [0003]     Circular saw blades are used extensively for cutting a variety of materials because of their rapid and accurate cutting action. Circular saw blades are flat, disc-shaped cutting devices having a hole in the center and teeth along the periphery. Circular saw blades come in a variety of diameters, thicknesses, and cutting tooth configurations depending upon the application for which they are being used.  
         [0004]     When installed in a circular saw, the circular saw blade revolves around its center axis at a high rate of speed to cut the desired material. There are a number of factors that directly affect the performance and efficiency of a saw blade, including the speed, smoothness, and precision of a cut. Dull or damaged cutting teeth, blade warpage, and rust or corrosion are all factors that affect the performance and efficiency of a saw blade.  
         [0005]     One way to prevent damage to saw blades is to properly store the blades. Proper storage prevents damage to the cutting teeth when the blades are not installed on a circular saw and also safeguards against moisture that causes rust. A proper blade storage system should be portable to facilitate and promote usage. It should also be designed to protect the transporter from bodily injury from exposed cutting teeth, prevent damage to the cutting teeth, keep the saw blades from contacting one another, and be able to accommodate multiple blades of varying diameters.  
         [0006]     In the past, a box without a lid could be employed to carry the saw blades. The box had a strap connected on opposite sides of the box for carrying. Yet to carry blades in such an open box could cause bodily injury to the user carrying the box and/or damage the blades by rubbing against one other. Circular saw blades are cutting tools that require care and can be expensive to either replace or repair if the cutting teeth become damaged. The protection of the saw blade when transferring and storing is a problem because of moisture and contact with other saw blades. An assortment of storage devices have been developed in an attempt to address the need to provide adequate protection for circular saw blades.  
         [0007]     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,082 shows a portable carrying case for circular saw blades formed of plastic with two hinges resulting in a book-like casing; yet, unlike the present invention, this book-like casing device can store only a singular circular saw blade and, because of its triangular shape, may fall over easily if accidentally pushed.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,459,460 discloses a packing case for shipping and/or storage of circular saw blades by retaining the saw blades between two panes of Masonite and clamped on opposite sides of the saw with a single bolt through the center. Unlike the present invention, this storage device stores only one size of circular saw blades, and each blade does not have its own storage tray, thus this device does not provide a storage method that is organized and efficient as the present invention.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,148 describes a carrying case with a hinged top for storing a multiple number of circular saw blades. Unlike the present invention, however, this particular device is configured in a box shape and the blades move freely within compartments formed by separator inserts due to a lack of constraints within each compartment to prevent such movement.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,053,424 shows a carrier for saw blades that secures the blades vertically between two end plates with a horizontal spindle. Unlike the present invention, this particular device contains open sides which expose the blades to elements and the uncovered sharp edges of the saw blades can be fragmented or cause bodily injury or destruction to a person or material.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,259,231 discloses a plastic package for circular saw blades having two plastic circular discs with a hub in the center. Yet, unlike the present invention, this device is intended primarily for display and is limited in the amount of saw blades the display may hold.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 1,500,136 describes a crate designed for the shipment of flat articles such as circular saws; yet, unlike the present invention, this device is formed of lumber and lacks the lightweight and durable nature of plastic.  
         [0013]     Those involved in the construction industry, cabinetmakers, and others who frequently use a circular saw blades, encounter a large variety of materials that can be or require the use of a circular saw blade to be cut. Each of these materials may require the use of a different type of saw blade. A single storage device that is able to accommodate multiple saw blades of varying diameters in an organized manner while also protecting the integrity of the cutting teeth offers an efficient, safe, and practical method to store saw blades. Securely storing the saw blades also ensures that the saw blades do not become damaged during storage thereby maximizing the saw blade&#39;s performance as well as safeguarding the transporter from accidental harm.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     The present invention provides a safe, simple, convenient, and portable method of storing one or more saw blades of various diameters in a single container having removable and stackable storage trays, all while protecting the integrity of the saw blades and their cutting teeth.  
         [0015]     One or more saw blades are securely contained in storage trays. Each storage tray is specifically designed to store one or more blades of various diameters. Storing the saw blades in individual trays specific to the blade&#39;s size ensures that the blades do not shift around during transport, thereby damaging the cutting teeth of the blades. It also ensures that the user is not injured by the blade edges during transport. Additionally, the individual storage trays protect the saw blades from weather elements and moisture that can rust and damage saw blades. The trays open and close horizontally by pivoting on a pin built into the tray.  
         [0016]     The container of the present invention is a generally cylindrical, plastic storage case with multiple, stackable, interlocking storage trays, and a handle on top for transporting the case. The cylindrical design provides a stable base for the storage unit that prevents the container from tipping over from the weight of the blades when a tray is opened. It also allows for easy access to the blades themselves. One or more storage trays may be attached to the generally cylindrical storage case for modular stackability.  
         [0017]     In use, each of the storage trays are opened by pulling on a latch mechanism located on the outside panel of each tray that disengages the latch holding the tray securely closed. When the tray is pulled outwardly, the tray swivels open and a blade can be placed in the appropriately sized recess. By placing the blade in a recess conforming to the size of the blade, the blades do not shift during transport, thereby reducing the potential for damage to the cutting teeth or the transporter. To close the trays, the trays are pushed inward to swivel back into the storage container. The latching mechanism is then engaged to lock the tray into place. The diameter and height of the storage container is large enough to efficiently store circular saw blades, yet small enough to transport easily. The top of the storage container is equipped with a single handle to conveniently pick up and transport the present invention. In another embodiment of the storage container, individual trays are designed to hold various styles and special purpose saw blades, such as dado saw blades, in addition to the traditional circular saw blades.  
         [0018]     The storage container of the present invention also has the capability of safely storing various diameters and thicknesses of circular saw blades in an individual storage tray. This is accomplished by the storage tray&#39;s design. The storage tray contains a series of storage surfaces of varying diameters. The lowest surface has the smallest storage surface diameter. Each subsequent surface diameter is larger and higher than the preceding surface. This allows for the a single tray to store one or more circular saw blades on the appropriately-sized storage surface without the blades contacting one another. Such an organized method of storing the saw blades provides the user easy access to and easy retrieval from the individual storage trays. This is beneficial for the user because it allows the user to use one storage container for differently-sized saw blades. This is especially beneficial when the user is working at a construction site or in a workshop and needs to have immediate access to various precision saw blades. The organizational feature of the storage container of the present invention also prevents blades for becoming damaged or dulled during storage and can prevent the user from suffering bodily harm if the blades are not handled carefully. Without the structured individual storage trays of the present invention, the circular saw blades would be stored in multiple containers and this would reduce the organization, convenience, and safety offered by the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWING  
       [0019]     In the accompanying drawings that form a part of the specification and that are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the container of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the container of the present invention with one tray partially opened;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the container of the present invention with all trays opened;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a tray in its component parts; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 4 . is a side perspective view of the container of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     The present invention includes a portable storage container  10  for storing and transporting circular saw blades (not shown). Turning to  FIGS. 1-2 , storage container  10  is constructed of a lightweight, durable material, preferably a strong engineered plastic, such as high density polyethylene. The use of plastic allows storage container  10  to be durable and strong enough to sufficiently protect the circular saw blades stored inside, yet light enough to be practical for transport. When constructed out of plastic, storage container  10  is also moisture-resistant thereby preventing damage to the saw blades due to rust or corrosion. However, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other materials such as wood, metal or the like may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Storage container  10  is constructed in such a manner as to avoid tipping over when individual storage trays  14  are opened for access to the circular saw blades disposed on storage trays  14 . The diameter and height of storage container  10  should be large enough to secure the circular saw blades without hindering the container&#39;s portability.  
         [0026]     Storage container  10  includes at least one housing  12 , at least one storage tray  14 , and a lid  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , housing  12  is generally flat and, around its periphery, includes a shoulder  40  extending upwardly from the bottom surface  42  of housing  12  and running along approximately one-half of the circumference of housing  12 . The exterior surface of shoulder  40  includes at least one connecting clip  44  for attaching a first housing  12   a  to a second housing  12   b  immediately thereabove as shown in  FIG. 5 . Below each connecting clip  44 , is a clip receiving recess (not shown) configured to matingly receive connection clip  44  from housing  12   a  therebelow.  
         [0027]     Generally cylindrical pivot pin  32  extends upwardly from the bottom surface  42  of housing  12  at its periphery and adjacent to shoulder  40 . Pivot pin  32  is insertable into pivot pin opening  30  in storage tray  14  for pivotal movement of storage  14  tray between a closed position and an open position. At the top of pivot pin  32  is a tip  48  having a smaller diameter than pivot pin  32 .  
         [0028]     Storage trays  14  are configured to receive and securely store one or more circular saw blades having different diameters therein. Each storage tray  14  contains a series of generally circular stair-stepping surfaces  22  for the storage of circular saw blades. Surfaces  22  increase in size from the bottom of storage tray  14  to the top of the storage tray  14 , each subsequent surface  22  having a larger diameter than and rising above the immediately preceding surface  22 . Each surface  22  has a generally circular, elevated collar  24  for limiting the lateral movement of a saw blade within the tray  14  and preventing damage to the cutting teeth of the saw blade therein. Elevated collar  24  also serves to define the height of the next highest surface  22 , such that a circular saw blade on a lower surface  22  does not contact the circular saw blade just above it on a higher surface  22 . A first surface  22  of storage tray  14  defines an aperture  26  in the center to facilitate removal of the circular saw blade stored on that surface  22 . The periphery of storage tray  14  contains a reinforced shoulder  28 . Within reinforced shoulder  28  there is disposed a generally cylindrical pivot pin opening  30  extending from the bottom of storage tray  14  through the top of storage tray  14  for matingly and slidably receiving pivot pin  32  extending upwardly from housing  12  thereby allowing generally horizontal pivotal movement between housing  12  and storage tray  14  from a closed position to an open position so that the circular saw blades can be accessed. Reinforced shoulder  28  also contains a latch mechanism  34  opposite pivot pin opening  30  and on the exterior surface of storage tray  14  wherein latch mechanism includes a first latching mechanism  36  and a second latching mechanism  38  whereby pulling latch mechanism  34  disengages first latch mechanism  36  from second latch mechanism  38  to allow the user quick and easy access to each individual storage tray  14 . Once storage tray  14  is opened, the circular saw blades are accessible. Storage tray  14  is then closed by pushing storage tray  14  inward to swivel back into storage container  10  where first latch mechanism re-engages second latch mechanism  38  to secure storage tray  14  in a closed position. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the storage container  10  of the present invention is modular and may include one or more housings  12  in connection with one or more storage trays  14 . Thus, depending upon the number of saw blades to be stored, one or more housings  12  and one or more storage trays  14  may be inserted into container  10  and stacked one on top of another.  
         [0029]     Storage container  10  also includes a lid  16  to cover the uppermost storage tray  14 . Affixed to the upper surface of lid  16  is a handle  18 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a single handle  18  disposed on upper surface  52  of lid  16  easily and conveniently provides a means to carry the storage container  10 . Handle  18  is hingedly connected to and configured to fold down into recessed compartment  20  of lid  16 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The outer periphery of the bottom surface (not shown) of lid  16  includes at least one clip receiving recess (not shown) for receiving at least one connecting clip  44  from housing  12  therebelow. The bottom surface of lid  16  also defines a pivot pin opening  30  for slidably receiving pivot pin  32  from 12 housing therebelow. The bottom surface of lid  16  may further includes a number of circular and spoke-like ridges (not shown) emanating from the center of lid  16  to provide rigid strength to lid  16 .  
         [0030]     From the foregoing, it may be seen that the storage container of the present invention provides an organized, convenient and safe method of storing and transporting circular saw blades. Furthermore, since certain changes may be made in the above invention without departing from the scope hereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that the following claims are to cover certain generic and specific features described herein.