Displayable tool receiving device

A displayable tool receiving device includes a hanger body having a hanger hole. The hanger body further includes a rectilinear first coupling portion and a plurality of spaced first positioning portions. The displayable tool receiving device further includes a plurality of tool receiving boxes each including a rear side having a rectilinear second coupling portion. The rear side of each tool receiving box further includes a second positioning portion. At least one of the tool receiving boxes is optionally mounted to the hanger body. The second coupling portion of each of the at least one of the plurality of tool receiving boxes is engaged with the first coupling portion of the hanger body. The second positioning portion of each of the at least one of the tool receiving boxes is engaged with one of the first positioning portions of the hanger body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tool receiving device and, more particularly, to a displayable tool receiving device including a plurality of modular tool receiving boxes releasably mounted to a hanger body to provide enhanced assembly, display, and convenient storage of tools.

Tools, such as screwdrivers and sockets, include many types and sizes. Taking screwdrivers as an example, screwdriver bits of various types and sizes can be releasably coupled with a common handle for driving various screws. Furthermore, the handle can be coupled with differing adapters for differing sockets or screwdriver bits.

Conventionally, the screwdriver bits, the adapters, and other tool parts are received in a toolbox that can not be displayed by hanging. A typical hanging type tool receiving device that can display tools includes a board having a hanging hole. The board includes retaining rings, insertion holes or the like to retain tools. However, the tools are liable to swing and even disengage from the board. Furthermore, the tools that can be displayed are limited by the type and size of the retaining rings or insertion holes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a tool receiving device including a plurality of modular tool receiving boxes releasably mounted to a hanger body to provide enhanced assembly, display, and convenient storage of tools.

A displayable tool receiving device according to the present invention includes a hanger body having a hanger hole. The hanger body further includes a rectilinear first coupling portion and a plurality of spaced first positioning portions. The displayable tool receiving device further includes a plurality of tool receiving boxes each including a rear side having a rectilinear second coupling portion. The rear side of each of the plurality of tool receiving boxes further includes a second positioning portion. At least one of the plurality of tool receiving boxes is optionally mounted to the hanger body. The second coupling portion of each of the at least one of the plurality of tool receiving boxes is engaged with the first coupling portion of the hanger body. The second positioning portion of each of the at least one of the plurality of tool receiving boxes is engaged with one of the plurality of first positioning portions of the hanger body.

In a form shown, the hanger body includes a front surface and a rear surface, and the first coupling portion is provided on each of the front and rear surfaces of the hanger body. The first coupling portion on each of the front and rear surfaces of the hanger body is a rectilinear rib including upper and rear faces each having a concave retaining groove. The first positioning portions are protrusions, with some of the protrusions located above the first coupling portion, and with a remaining of the protrusions located below the first coupling portion. The second coupling portion of each of the plurality of tool receiving boxes is a rectilinear engagement groove having a width corresponding to a width of the concave retaining groove. Each of the engagement grooves includes upper and lower retaining edges. The upper and lower retaining edges of each of the at least one of the plurality of tool receiving boxes are engaged with the concave retaining grooves of the rib on one of the front and rear surfaces of the hanger body. The second positioning portion of each of the plurality of tool receiving boxes is a positioning groove. The positioning groove of each of the at least one of the plurality of tool receiving boxes is engaged with one of the protrusions of the hanger body. The plurality of tool receiving boxes include a bit receiving box and an adapter receiving box/ The bit receiving box is adapted to receive a screwdriver bit, and the adapter receiving box is adapted to receive an adapter.

In a form shown, the bit receiving box includes a rear board, two side boards, a bottom board, and a bit receiving section. The second coupling portion is located on the rear board. The two side boards extend perpendicularly from two lateral edges of the rear board. The two side boards and the rear board define a compartment. Each of the two side boards includes a front end and a top end. A first snapping portion is provided on a rear end of an inner wall of each of the two side boards. The bottom board is connected to a lower end of the rear board and to a lower end of each of the two side boards. The bottom board includes a front end connected to a bottom edge of the bit receiving section. The bit receiving section is pivotable relative to the bottom board between a storage position received in the compartment and a display position outside of the compartment. The bit receiving section includes a front board, a top board, and a clamping section. The front board has a width substantially equal to a spacing between the front ends of the two side boards. The front board covers a front opening defined between the front ends of the two side boards when the bit receiving section in the storage position. The top board extends perpendicularly to a top end of the front board and has a width corresponding to a spacing between top ends of the two side boards. The top board covers the top ends of the two side boards when the bit receiving section is in the storage position. The top board includes a second snapping portion on a rear end thereof. The second snapping portion is engaged with the first snapping portion when the bit receiving section is in the storage position. The clamping section extends from an inner wall of the top board and includes two flexible clamping pieces. The two flexible clamping pieces define a clamping space. The bit is adapted to be held in the clamping space.

Preferably, the first snapping portion on the rear end of the inner wall of each of the two side boards is a ridge. A snapping groove is defined between each of the ridges and the rear board. The second snapping portion includes two lugs releasably engaged in the snapping grooves. Each of the two lugs includes a recessed portion to provide a space for deformation of the lug.

Preferably, the front end of the bottom board is connected to the bottom edge of the bit receiving section by a thin connecting section. The thin connecting section allows the bottom board to pivot relative to the bit receiving section. A gripping section is formed on a top face of the top board.

In a form shown, the adapter includes an operative first end and a second end. The second end of the adapter includes an annular groove. The adapter receiving box includes a rear plate, two side plates, and an adapter receiving section. The second coupling portion is located on the rear plate. The rear plate includes an inner wall having a protrusion. The two side plates extend perpendicularly from two lateral edges of the rear plate. A first snapping section is formed on a lower end of an inner wall of each of the two side plates. The adapter receiving section is pivotable relative to the rear plate between a storage position and a display position. The adapter receiving section includes a top plate, a front plate, and a clamping portion. The front plate extends perpendicularly from a front end of the top plate. The front plate includes a width corresponding to a spacing between front ends of the two side plates. The front plate covers a front opening defined between the front ends of the two side plates when the adapter receiving section is in the storage position. Two fence plates extend perpendicularly from two lateral edge of the front plate. A second snapping section is formed on each of the two fence plates. The clamping portion includes two flexible clamping pieces located between the two fence plates and defining a clamping space. The adapter is adapted to be held in the clamping space. When the adapter receiving section is in the storage position, the adapter receiving section is received in a space defined by the two side plates and the rear plate, the second snapping sections of the two fence plates are engaged with the first snapping sections of the two side plates, and the annular groove of the adapter receives the protrusion of the rear plate.

Preferably, the rear plate of the adapter receiving box includes an inner wall having a projection adapted to abut the second end of the adapter. Each of the first snapping sections includes a snapping groove. Each of the second snapping sections includes a bulge releasably engaged with the snapping groove of one of the first snapping sections.

Preferably, a rear end of the top plate of the adapter receiving box is connected by a thin connecting section to a top end of the rear plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, a displayable tool receiving device according to the present invention includes a hanger body1having front and rear surfaces11and12. A hanger hole13is formed in an upper end of the hanger body1. A rectilinear first coupling portion14is formed on each of the front and rear surfaces11and12of the hanger body1. In the form shown, the first coupling portion14on each of the front and rear surfaces11,12of the hanger body1is a rectilinear rib including upper and rear faces each having a concave retaining groove141. The hanger body1further includes a plurality of spaced first positioning portions15in the form shown as protrusions. Some of the protrusions15are located above the first coupling portion14, and the remaining of the protrusions15are located below the first coupling portion14.

The displayable tool receiving device further includes a plurality of tool receiving boxes, such as bit receiving boxes2each having a bit receiving section26for receiving a screwdriver bit4and adapter receiving boxes3each having an adapter receiving section35for receiving an adapter5. Each of the bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3includes a rear side having a rectilinear second coupling portion21,31. In the form shown, the second coupling portion21,31of each of the bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3is a rectilinear engagement groove having a width corresponding to a width of the concave retaining groove141. Each of the engagement grooves includes upper and lower retaining edges211,311. The rear side of each of the bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3further includes a second positioning portion22,32in the form shown as a positioning groove intersecting the engagement groove.

One or more of the bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3can be optionally mounted to the hanger body1. In the example shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, three bit receiving boxes2are mounted to the front surface11of the hanger body1, and three adapter receiving boxes3are mounted to the rear surface12of the hanger body1. The second coupling portion21,31of each of the bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3is engaged with the first coupling portion14of the hanger body1. The bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3are then moved until the second positioning portion22,32of each of the bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3is engaged with one of the first positioning portions15of the hanger body1. Specifically, the upper and lower retaining edges211,311of each of the bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3are engaged with the concave retaining grooves141of the rib on one of the front and rear surfaces11and12of the hanger body1, providing a double positioning effect. The rear sides of the bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3abut the front and rear surfaces11and12of the hanger body1, providing enhanced assembling reliability. Thus, the bit receiving boxes2and the adapter receiving boxes3will not swing after assembly.

In another example shown inFIG. 5, a bit receiving box2and an adapter receiving box3are mounted to the front surface11of the hanger body1. Another bit receiving box2and another adapter receiving box3are mounted to the rear surface12of the hanger body1. However, other arrangements can be done to meet different needs.

With reference toFIGS. 1-4and6, each bit receiving box2includes a rear board23, two side boards24, a bottom board25, and the bit receiving section26. The second coupling portion21is located on the rear board23. The side boards24extend perpendicularly from two lateral edges of the rear board23. The side boards24and the rear board23define a compartment28. Each side board24includes a front end and a top end. A first snapping portion241is provided on a rear end of an inner wall of each side board24. In the form shown, the first snapping portion241on the rear end of the inner wall of each of the side boards24is a ridge, and a snapping groove243is defined between each of the ridges and the rear board23. The bottom board25is connected to a lower end of the rear board23and to a lower end of each side board24. The bottom board25includes a front end connected to a bottom edge of the bit receiving section26by a thin connecting section251. Due to provision of the thin connecting section251, the bit receiving section26is pivotable relative to the bottom board25between a storage position received in the compartment28and a display position outside of the compartment28. The bit receiving section26includes a front board261, a top board262, and a clamping section263. The front board261has a width substantially equal to a spacing between the front ends of the two side boards24. The front board261covers a front opening defined between the front ends of the side boards24when the bit receiving section26in the storage position. A gripping section2611is formed on a top face of the top board262. The top board262extends perpendicularly to a top end of the front board261and has a width corresponding to a spacing between the top ends of the side boards24. The top board262covers the top ends of the side boards24when the bit receiving section26is in the storage position. The top board262includes a second snapping portion2621on a rear end thereof. In the form shown, the second snapping portion2621includes two lugs releasably engaged in the snapping grooves243. Each of the lugs includes a recessed portion to provide a space for deformation of the lug. The second snapping portion2621is engaged with the first snapping portion242when the bit receiving section26is in the storage position. The clamping section263extends from an inner wall of the top board262and includes two flexible clamping pieces2632defining a clamping space2632. The bit4is adapted to be held in the clamping space2632.

The bit receiving section26can be moved to the display position shown inFIG. 6, and the bit4can be received in the clamping space2632and securely held by the flexible clamping pieces2632. On the other hand, the bit receiving section26can be pivoted to the storage position received in the compartment28defined between the side boards24, the rear board23, and the bottom board25. Thus, the bit4can be completely covered to avoid dust and moisture, providing enhanced protecting effect. Note that the lugs of the second snapping portion2621of the bit receiving section26are engaged in the snapping grooves243of the first snapping portions241of the side boards24.

With reference toFIG. 9, a user can grip the gripping section2611and pivot the bit receiving section26to the display position. The front board261of the bit receiving section26pivots downward to a location under the action of the weight of the bit4, in which location the front board261extends in a direction parallel to the rear bard23. The inner wall of the top board262can support an end of the bit4while allowing easy removal of the bit4.

With reference toFIGS. 1-4and7, each adapter receiving box3includes a rear plate33, two side plates34, and an adapter receiving section35. The adapter5includes an operative first end51and a second end52. In the form shown, the first end51is in the form of a socket. However, the first end51can be of other forms and shapes, such as a bit. The second end52of the adapter5includes an annular groove521. The second coupling portion31is located on the rear plate33. The rear plate33of the adapter receiving box3includes an inner wall having a projection331. The projection331is adapted to abut the second end52of the adapter5. The inner wall of the rear plate33further includes a protrusion332that can be received in the annular groove521of the adapter5. The side plates34extend perpendicularly from two lateral edges of the rear plate33. A first snapping section341in the form shown as a snapping groove is formed in a lower end of an inner wall of each side plate34. The adapter receiving section35includes a top plate351, a front plate352, and a clamping portion353. The rear end of the top plate351of the adapter receiving box3is connected by a thin connecting section3511to the top end of the rear plate33. Due to provision of the thin connecting section3511, the adapter receiving section35is pivotable relative to the rear plate33between a storage position and a display position. The front plate352extends perpendicularly from a front end of the top plate351. The front plate352has a width corresponding to a spacing between front ends of the side plates34. The front plate352covers a front opening defined between the front ends of the side plates34when the adapter receiving section35is in the storage position. Two fence plates3521extend perpendicularly from two lateral edge of the front plate352. A second snapping section3522in the form of a bulge is formed on each fence plate3521. Each bulge is releasably engaged with the snapping groove of one of the first snapping sections341. The clamping portion353includes two flexible clamping pieces3531located between the fence plates3521and defining a clamping space3532. The adapter5is adapted to be held in the clamping space3532.

With reference toFIGS. 7 and 10, the adapter receiving section35can be pivoted relative to the rear plate33to the display position in which the clamping space3532extends perpendicular to the rear plate33. The second end52of the adapter5is received in the clamping space3532and securely held by the flexible clamping pieces3531.

With reference toFIGS. 3,4, and8, the adapter receiving section35can be pivoted downward relative to the rear plate33to the storage position and received in a space defined by the side plates34and the rear plate33. The second snapping sections3522of the fence plates3521are engaged with the first snapping sections341of the side plates34. Furthermore, the second end52of the adapter52abuts the projection331of the rear plate33, providing enhanced positioning effect. Furthermore, the annular groove521of the adapter5receives the protrusion332of the rear plate33, preventing the adapter5from falling and, hence, providing enhanced assembling reliability. The shape of the first end51of the adapter5can directly be seen to provide enhanced display effect as well as convenient use.

By providing the modular receiving boxes2and3for receiving the bits4and the adapters5, the displayable tool receiving device according to the present invention provides enhanced utility, enhanced assembling reliability, and convenient display.

It can be appreciated that the first and second coupling portions14and15can be located in a vertical direction of the hanger body1, instead of the transverse direction of the hanger body1shown in the drawings.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.