Abstract:
A storage container for housing bits includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion pivotally connected through a hinge for moving between open and closed positions. The first housing portion defines a first body cavity and the second housing portion defines a second body cavity in the closed position. At least one bit holder is pivotally connected to the hinge and arranged to fit within the first body cavity in the closed position. The bit holder includes a plurality of bit receiving portions formed thereon for accepting the bits. The bit receiving portions are generally parallel to the hinge. A cover is pivotally connected to the second housing portion and moveable between open and closed positions for accessing the second body cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/781,052 filed on Feb. 18, 2004 and application Ser. No. 10/694,472 filed on Oct. 27, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,674, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/126,500 filed on Apr. 19, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,609, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/840,278 filed on Apr. 23, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,048,133, The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to storage containers, and more particularly to a storage container having a unique divider system and independently hinged sleeves for retaining drill bits. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Storage containers exist in many varieties and may be used to store, organize and transport various items such as fasteners, tool bits and other accessories. Plastic storage containers can be typically manufactured fairly inexpensively, but often at the expense of being less rigid and providing less flexibility in adapting the storage container to store items of various sizes. When a storage container is used to store tool accessories such as drill bits on a job site, it is desirable for the user to be able to quickly identify and access the drill bit of interest. Sometimes however, a large collection of drill bits of random size are staggered within a storage container such that identification and access is cumbersome. 
   Furthermore, storage containers that incorporate organizational schemes often present the drill bits in a structured pattern such that the user may easily identify the drill bit of interest but do not allow the user convenient access to remove or replace the drill bit from its holding arrangement. In addition, a storage case must be built to be strong and durable so that if it is moved quickly or dropped, it will not allow smaller drill bits to slide out of their respective holding arrangements. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A storage container for housing bits includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion pivotally connected through a hinge for moving between open and closed positions. The first housing portion defines a first body cavity and the second housing portion defines a second body cavity in the closed position. At least one bit holder is pivotally connected to the hinge and arranged to fit within the first body cavity in the closed position. The bit holder includes a plurality of bit receiving portions formed thereon for accepting the bits. The bit receiving portions are generally parallel to the hinge. A cover is pivotally connected to the second housing portion and moveable between open and closed positions for accessing the second body cavity. 
   According to other features, the second housing portion includes at least one internal lateral divider wall having a series of locating tabs extending therefrom. At least one adjustable spacer is provided for selectively positioning between the locating tabs. The adjustable spacer includes a first and second side having a first and second end. The first and second sides are flared outwardly at the first and second ends. A retaining member extends from the first housing portion into the first body cavity and is adapted to extend adjacent to predetermined bits of the bit holder to preclude movement of the drill bits out of the bit receiving portions while the first housing portion is in the closed position. 
   Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood however that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a storage container constructed in accordance to the teachings of the present invention and shown in a closed position; 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the storage container of  FIG. 1  shown in an open position; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the storage container of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed position; and 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the storage container of  FIG. 3  shown in an open position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
   With reference to the FIGS., a bit container according to the present invention is illustrated and generally identified at reference  10 . The container  10  includes a front shell housing portion  12  and a rear shell housing portion  14 . The front shell housing portion  12  is connected to the rear shell housing portion  14  through a hinge  16 . A latch  18  is connected to the front housing  12  and pivots to an engaged position to engage the rear housing portion  14 . 
   With specific reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two page-like bit holders  19 A and  19 B are pivotally disposed within the front shell housing position  12  of the container  10 . The page-like bit holders  19 A and  19 B generally include metal sleeves  20 A and  20 B which are each received within corresponding frame body portions  22 A and  22 B. The frame body portions  22 A and  22 B are formed as part of the hinge  16 . Each of the metal sleeves  20 A and  20 B include apertures  24 A and  24 B ( FIG. 1 ) incorporated in the respective metal sleeves  20 A and  20 B for receiving various sized drill bits. The apertures  24 A and  24 B may be configured to accept metric or English unit drill bits, or both. Preferably, the apertures  24 A and  24 B are arranged with increased diameter across each of the metal sleeves  20 A and  20 B for convenience and ease of identification. In addition, drill bit size indicators  26  are etched on both sides of the metal sleeves  20 A and  20 B (most clearly shown on  FIG. 2 ). The frame body portions  22 A and  22 B are pivotal relative to the front and rear shell housing portions  12 ,  14  to allow the page-like bit holders  19 A and  19 B to be flipped like pages relative to the housing portions  12 ,  14 . 
   With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front housing portion  12  will be described in greater detail. The front housing portion  12  generally includes a front outer face  30  and a front inner face  32  having an optional viewing passage  36  incorporated therethrough. A diagonal strip  38  is disposed across the viewing passage  36  and incorporates a depth D (most clearly shown in  FIG. 2 ) into an inner cavity of the front housing portion  12  of the container  10 . The diagonal strip  38  is arranged to align with the tips of a series of drill bits  40 A disposed in the sleeve  20 A. In this way, the diagonal strip  38  precludes axial movement of the drill bits  40 A in the sleeve  20 A from sliding toward a top surface  44  of the front housing portion  12  while the container is in a closed position or while in an open position with the sleeve  20 A positioned against the front housing portion  12 . The viewing passage  36  may comprise an aperture, an aperture having a transparent panel fitted thereon or, alternately, the front outer face  30  of the front housing portion  12  may be solid to prevent viewing or otherwise access therethrough. 
   The front housing portion  12  is further defined by a peripheral side wall including a side latch face  46 , a side hinge face  48 , a bottom face  50  ( FIG. 1 ) and the top surface  44  ( FIG. 2 ). A groove  64  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ) extends around an inner edge of the top surface  44  and the side latch face  46  of the front housing portion  12  to cooperate with a complimentary lip  66  on the rear housing portion  14  in a closed position. The bottom face  50  of the front shell housing portion  12  incorporates an inset portion  70 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , for accommodating the frame body portions  22 A and  22 B while in a closed position. A ledge  71  provides vertical support for the page-like bit holders  19 A and  19 B when the container  10  is in a closed position. 
   With continued reference to  FIG. 2  and further reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the outer structure of the rear housing  14  will be further described. The rear shell housing portion  14  is defined by a peripheral side wall extending from an intermediate face  76  ( FIG. 2 ). The peripheral side wall of the rear housing portion  14  includes a side latch face  80 , a top wall  84 , a side hinge wall  86  and a bottom wall  88  ( FIG. 3 ). The groove  66  ( FIG. 2 ) is formed on an inner edge of the top wall  84  and the side latch face  80  of the rear housing portion  14 . 
   With particular reference to  FIG. 2 , the latch  18  will be described in greater detail. A catch  90  extends from the side latch face  80  of the rear housing portion  14  for catching a tooth  81  incorporated on an underside of the latch  18  in an engaged position. The latch  18  is pivotally rotatable about a pivot post  92  connected to the front housing portion  12 . 
   The front and rear housing portions  12 ,  14  are preferably comprised of hard plastic such as high impact ABS. As shown in  FIG. 1 , various inset and outset portions  110 ,  112  are incorporated on the side hinge face  48  of the front housing portion  12  for structural integrity. While not specifically shown, the rear housing portion  14  includes similar inset and outset portions formed on the side hinge face  96 . The side latch faces  46 ,  80  of the front and rear housing portions  12 ,  14  incorporate indentations  114  thereon, to improve structural integrity and robustness. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the metal sleeves  20 A and  20   b  will be described in greater detail. The metal sleeves  20 A and  20 B are preferably arranged in increasing height from front to rear of the front housing portion  12  of the storage container  10 . Likewise, a series of smaller drill bits  40 A are received within the shorter front sleeve  20 A while a series of larger drill bits  40 B are received within the taller rear sleeve  20 B. This arrangement allows convenient viewing of the drill bits to properly identify the drill bit of interest. In addition, the hinged configuration of the metal sleeves  20 A and  20 B allows a user to index freely through the page-like bit holders  19 A and  19 B to gain adequate access to remove or insert a particular drill bit. 
   Both frame body portion  22 A and  22 B incorporates a stepped surface  126 A and  126 B thereon. The stepped arrangement provides increased structural integrity consistent with the aforementioned inset and outset portions  110  and  112  of the front and rear housing portion  10 ,  12 . Side surfaces  130 A and  130 B of each of the frame body portions  22 A and  22 B include ridges  132 A and  132 B formed therealong. The ridges  132 A and  132 B provide an improved gripping surface to facilitate indexing through the page-like bit holders  19 A and  19 B. 
   The storage container  10  incorporates a variety of surfaces that allow the storage container to free-stand thereon. Specifically, the outset portions  112  (see, e.g.  FIG. 1 ) arranged on the hinge faces  48  and  86  present a favorable side plane having a sufficient footprint to rest thereon. Furthermore, protruding sections  116  are formed on the front and rear housing portions  12  and  14  (see e.g.  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and cooperate with the lower faces of the stepped surfaces  126 A and  126 B incorporated on the bit holders  19 A and  19 B to present a common plane of which the storage container may free-stand thereon (see e.g.  FIG. 2 ). In this way, the protruding sections  116  and the lower faces of the stepped surfaces  126 A and  126 B communicate with the common plane at a fully open position and a fully closed position and throughout all positions between providing a plurality of free standing conditions on the common plane. 
   Feet  148 A and  148 B extend from each respective frame body portion  22 A and  22 B in a lateral direction with respect to the ledge  71  of the front housing portion  12 . The foot  148 A and a portion of the foot  148 B overlap the ledge  71  when the page-like bit holders  19 A and  19 B are rotated against the front inner face  32  of the front housing portion  12 . The ledge  71 , aligned beneath the feet  148 A and  148 B, inhibits downward vertical deflection of the page-like bit holders  19 A and  19 B thereby enhancing structural robustness and reducing stress on the hinge  16  in the event of dropping or otherwise jolting the container  10 . It should be understood that the overlapping feet of the frame body portions of the page-like bit holders do not need to extend laterally from the bit holders, but instead can be formed in any manner to cause a portion of the bit holders to simply overlap the ledge  71 . 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  the rear housing portion  14  will be described in greater detail. A transparent cover plate  150  is provided for selectively enclosing the storage cavity defined by the rear housing portion  14 . A latch  154  releaseably secures the transparent cover plate  150  to a hook  156  on the rear housing portion  14 . A cover hinge  158  allows the transparent cover plate  150  to pivot about the rear housing portion  14 . It is appreciated that the latch  154  is merely exemplary and any latch or securing member may similarly be incorporated to secure the transparent cover plate  150  to the rear housing portion  14 . 
   The storage container  10  includes removable spacers  160  that may be selectably positioned within the storage cavity of the rear housing portion  14  to customize the interior space. An inner surface  162  of the rear housing portion  14  includes parallel dividers  168  extending between the top wall  84  and the bottom wall  88 . The parallel dividers  168  and an inner side wall  170  include tabs  174  extending therefrom. The tabs  174  are configured to engage fingers  178  of the removable spacers  160  in an installed position. The opposing tabs  174  are laterally offset a predetermined distance such that a readily available piece of material may be substituted for a spacer  160 , in the event a spacer is misplaced. The predetermined distance is configured to be a distance common to readily available scrap pieces of material such as, but not limited to, ⅛ inch plywood. 
   A series of spacers  160  will be included for the user to customize the size of the interior space of the rear housing portion  14 . The fingers  178  include flared arms on opposite ends and have slots that are adapted to slidably engage the tabs  174 . The spacers  160  are made from a flexible material such as soft rubber or other elastomeric material. The flared arms of the spacers  160  are contoured such that an object may be easily removed from the rear housing portion  14  without becoming caught in a 90 degree corner of an inner compartment. The internal configuration also provides shock resistance in the event of a drop or sudden impact. 
   The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.