Abstract:
A tool receiving device includes a first member made of a deformable material, a second member made of a deformable material, and at least one retaining member separate from the first member and the second member. The first member includes at least one tool receiving compartment and at least one groove in a side thereof. The second member includes at least one hole that is aligned with the groove when the second member is engaged with the first member and thus covers the tool receiving compartment and the groove. The retaining member can be mounted into the hole of the second member and the groove of the first member and is turnable from between a non-retaining position allowing disengagement of the second member from the first member and a retaining position not allowing disengagement of the second member from the first member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to tool receiving devices of the type including a first casing for receiving tools and a second casing for covering the first casing.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]      FIG. 1  of the drawings illustrates a conventional tool receiving device and  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the tool receiving device in  FIG. 1 . The tool receiving device includes a bottom casing  1  and a cover casing  2  for covering the bottom casing  1 . The bottom casing  1  includes a plurality of compartments  4  for receiving tools  3  (e.g., wrenches) and a plurality of recesses  5  each having a square section. The cover casing  2  includes a plurality of protrusions  6  integrally formed on an inner face thereof. Each protrusion  6  has a diameter slightly greater than a length of a side of each recess  5 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the respective protrusions  6  are force-fitted into the respective recesses  5  to securely retain the cover casing  2  on the bottom casing  1 . Nevertheless, disengagement of the cover casing  2  from the bottom casing  1  is difficult if the engagement therebetween is too tight. The user has to apply a relatively large force to separate the cover casing  2  and the bottom casing  1  from each other, which is inconvenient and might cause injury to the fingers of the user. On the other hand, if the engagement between the cover casing  2  and the bottom casing  1  is not tight enough, the cover casing  2  might be disengaged from the bottom casing  1  due to impact during transport, vibrations during display, or falling of the tool receiving device, resulting in scattering of the tools  3 .  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a tool receiving device comprises a first member made of a deformable material, a second member made of a deformable material, and at least one retaining member separate from the first member and the second member. The first member includes at least one tool receiving compartment and at least one groove in a side thereof. The second member includes at least one hole that is aligned with the groove when the second member is engaged with the first member and thus covers the tool receiving compartment and the groove.  
         [0007]     The retaining member can be mounted into the hole of the second member and the groove of the first member and is turnable from between a non-retaining position allowing disengagement of the second member from the first member and a retaining position not allowing disengagement of the second member from the first member.  
         [0008]     In an embodiment of the invention, the second member includes a hollow protrusion extending from a perimeter wall delimiting the hole of the second member. The hollow protrusion is received in the groove of the first member when the second member is engaged with the first member. A perimeter wall of the hollow protrusion of the second member and a perimeter wall delimiting the groove of the first member deform outward and in friction contact with each other when the retaining member is in the retaining position.  
         [0009]     The retaining member includes four sides and four corners. A length of each side of the retaining member is not greater than that of a side of the hole of the second member. A distance between two of the corners that are diagonally disposed is greater than the length of the side of the hole of the second member and smaller than a diagonal length of the hole of the second member. The retaining member includes a turn piece on a top side thereof.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment of the invention, the retaining member includes a circumference and at least one pair of diametrically disposed protrusions formed on the circumference and defining a maximum diameter. A diameter of the circumference of the retaining member is not greater than a length of a side of the hole of the second member. The maximum diameter of the retaining member is greater than the length of the side of the hole of the second member and smaller than a diagonal length of the hole of the second member. The retaining member includes a slot in a top side thereof.  
         [0011]     In a further embodiment of the invention, the retaining member includes an enlarged first end having a diameter greater than a length of a side of the hole. The retaining member further includes a second end that is received in the groove of the first member. The second end of the retaining member includes four sides and four corners. A length of each side of the retaining member is not greater than that of the side of the groove of the first member. A distance between two of the corners that are diagonally disposed is greater than the length of the side of the groove of the first member and smaller than a diagonal length of the groove of the first member. The retaining member includes a turn piece on a top side thereof.  
         [0012]     In still another embodiment of the invention, the retaining member includes an enlarged first end having a diameter greater than a length of a side of the hole. The retaining member further includes a second end that is received in the groove of the first member. The second end of the retaining member includes a circumference and at least one pair of diametrically disposed protrusions formed on the circumference and defining a maximum diameter. A diameter of the circumference is not greater than the length of a side of the groove of the first member. The maximum diameter of the retaining member is greater than the length of the side of the groove of the first member and smaller than a diagonal length of the groove of the first member. The enlarged first end of the retaining member includes a cruciform slot in a top face thereof.  
         [0013]     In an alternative embodiment, the retaining member includes an extension to allow manual turning.  
         [0014]     The first member and the second member may be plastic casings. The groove of the first member and the hole of the second member are preferably square.  
         [0015]     Preferably, an outer perimeter of the first member is bonded with an outer perimeter of the second member by high frequency wave heat pressing.  
         [0016]     Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a conventional tool receiving device.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the tool receiving device in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the tool receiving device in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the tool receiving device in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along plane  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top view similar to  FIG. 4 , wherein the retaining elements are moved to a retaining position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along plane  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the tool receiving device in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the tool receiving device in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along plane  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a top view similar to  FIG. 9 , wherein the retaining elements are moved to a retaining position.  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along plane  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the tool receiving device in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the tool receiving device in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along plane  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is a top view similar to  FIG. 14 , wherein the retaining elements are moved to a retaining position.  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along plane  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the tool receiving device in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 19  is a top view of the tool receiving device in  FIG. 18 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken along plane  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 21  is a top view similar to  FIG. 19 , wherein the retaining elements are moved to a retaining position.  
         [0038]      FIG. 22  is a sectional view taken along plane  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the tool receiving device in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the tool receiving device  10  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a top view of the tool receiving device  10  in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along plane  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a top view similar to  FIG. 4 , wherein the retaining elements are moved to a retaining position.  FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along plane  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0041]     The first embodiment of the tool receiving device  10  in accordance with the present invention includes a first member  20 , a second member  30  for covering the first member  20 , and a plurality of retaining members  50  for retaining the second member  30  in place. The first member  20  is made from a plastic material and includes a plurality of compartments  22  for receiving tools  21  (such as wrenches) and a plurality of grooves  23 . In this embodiment, the first member  20  is a plastic thin casing formed by means of injection molding. Each groove  23  has a square section. Preferably, the grooves  23  and the compartments  22  are alternately disposed.  
         [0042]     The second member  30  is made from a plastic material and includes a plurality of hollow protrusions  31  on a side thereof that cases the first member  10 . Each hollow protrusion  31  has a square section with a length slightly smaller than that of the associated groove  23 . Further, each hollow protrusion  31  includes a hole  32  facing away from the first member  20 . Each hole  32  has a square section. In this embodiment, the second member  30  is a plastic thin casing formed by means of injection molding. Each hole  32  is a blind hole delimited by an end wall (not labeled). Alternatively, each hole  32  is a through-hole, with the hollow protrusion  31  extending from a perimeter wall delimiting the through-hole  32 .  
         [0043]     In this embodiment, each retaining member  50  includes a turn piece  51  on a top side thereof for the user&#39;s grip. Further, each retaining member  50  includes four sides  52  and four corners  53 . Preferably, the four sides  52  have the same length, and each corner  53  is chamfered. The length of each side  52  is not greater than that of the side of the hole  32  of the associated hollow protrusion  31 . Nevertheless, the distance between two diagonally opposed corners  53  of the retaining member  50  is greater than the length of the side of the hole  32  of the associated hollow protrusion  31  and smaller than a diagonal length of the hole  32  of the associated hollow protrusion  31 .  
         [0044]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the respective retaining members  50  are placed into the holes  32  of the respective hollow protrusions  31 , with four chamfered corners  53  of each retaining member  50  being received in the four corners of the hole  32  of the associated hollow protrusion  31 . The perimeter wall delimiting the hole  32  of each hollow protrusion  31  and the perimeter wall delimiting the associated groove  23  are not deformed, as the distance between two diagonally opposed corners  53  of the retaining member  50  is smaller than the diagonal length of the hole  32  of the associated hollow protrusion  31 .  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the respective retaining members  50  are turned through, e.g., 45 degrees to cause deformation of the perimeter wall delimiting the hole  32  of each hollow protrusion  31  and the perimeter wall delimiting the associated groove  23 , as the distance between two diagonally opposed corners  53  of the retaining member  50  is greater than the length of the side of the hole  32  of the associated hollow protrusion  31 . Thus, the friction between each hollow protrusion  31  and the perimeter wall delimiting the associated groove  23  is increased to reliably retain the second member  30  in place.  
         [0046]     The outer perimeter of the first member  20  and the outer perimeter of the second member  30  can be bonded together by means of high frequency wave heat pressing. Thus, the tools  21  in the tool receiving device  10  can be prevented from being stolen during display, and the user may cut the bonded area before use.  
         [0047]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the tool receiving device in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a top view of the tool receiving device in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along plane  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 11  is a top view similar to  FIG. 9 , wherein the retaining elements are moved to a retaining position.  FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along plane  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0048]     In this embodiment, each retaining member  60  includes a slot  61  in a top side thereof for engaging with a slotted screwdriver. Further, each retaining member  60  includes a circumference  63  and at least one pair of diametrically disposed protrusions  62  formed on the circumference  63 . Preferably, there are four protrusions  62  on the circumference  63  and spaced at 90 degrees interval. The diameter of the circumference  63  of the retaining member  60  is not greater than a length of the side of the hole  32  of the hollow protrusion  31 . Nevertheless, the maximum diameter of the retaining member  60  (including the diametrically opposed protrusions  62 ) is greater than the length of the side of the hole  32  of the associated hollow protrusion  31  and smaller than a diagonal length of the hole  32  of the associated hollow protrusion  31 .  
         [0049]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the respective retaining members  60  are placed into the holes  32  of the respective hollow protrusions  31 , with the protrusions  62  being located in four corners of the holes  32  of the respective hollow protrusions  31 . The perimeter wall delimiting the hole  32  of each hollow protrusion  31  and the perimeter wall delimiting each groove  23  are not deformed, as the maximum diameter of the retaining member  60  is smaller than a diagonal length of the hole  32  of the associated hollow protrusion  31 .  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the respective retaining members  60  are turned through 45 degrees to cause deformation of the perimeter walls delimiting the holes  32  of the hollow protrusions  31  and the perimeter walls delimiting the respective grooves  23 , as the maximum diameter of the retaining member  60  is greater than the length of the associated hole  32 . Thus, the friction between the hollow protrusions  31  and the perimeter walls delimiting the respective grooves  23  is increased to reliably retain the second member  30  in place.  
         [0051]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the tool receiving device in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 14  is a top view of the tool receiving device in  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along plane  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 16  is a top view similar to  FIG. 14 , wherein the retaining elements are moved to a retaining position.  FIG. 17  is a sectional view taken along plane  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0052]     In this embodiment modified, the hollow protrusions  31  of the first member  30  are omitted, yet the holes  31  (in the form of through-holes) are kept. Each retaining member  70  includes an enlarged first end  71  and a second end  72 . The enlarged first end  71  of the retaining member  70  has a diameter greater than a length of the hole  32  of the second member  30  that is equal to a length of the groove  23  of the first member  20 . Further, a turn piece  711  is formed on a top face of the enlarged first end  71  for manual turning. The second end  72  of the retaining member  70  is square and includes four sides  721  and four corners  722 . Each side  721  has a length not greater than that of the associated groove  23  of the first member  20 . Further, a distance between two diagonally opposed corners  722  is greater than the length of the associated groove  23  and smaller than a diagonal length of the associated groove  23  of the first member  20 .  
         [0053]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the respective retaining members  70  are inserted through the respective holes  32  of the second member  30  into the respective grooves  23  of the first member  20 , with the enlarged first end  71  of each retaining member  70  being located outside the associated hole  32  of the second member  30 . The perimeter wall delimiting each groove  23  of the first member  20  is not deformed, as each side  721  of the second end  72  of the associated retaining member  70  has a length not greater than that of the groove  23  of the first member  20  and as the distance between two diagonally opposed corners  722  is smaller than the diagonal length of the associated groove  23  of the first member  20 . The second member  30  can be easily disengaged from the first member  20 .  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , each retaining member  70  can be turned through 45 degrees. Since the distance between two diagonally opposed corners  722  is greater than the length of the associated groove  23 , the perimeter wall delimiting the associated groove  23  deforms outward. Thus, the second member  30  is reliably retained in place by the friction between the perimeter wall delimiting each groove  23  of the second member  20  and the circumference of the second end  72  of the associated retaining member  70 . Disengagement of the second member  30  from the first member  20  is prevented by the enlarged first ends  71  of the retaining members  70 .  
         [0055]     Access to the tools  21  can be easily achieved by means of removing the retaining members  70  from the grooves  23  of the first member  20  and then disengaging the second member  30  from the first member  20 . The turn piece  711  on each retaining member  70  allows easy grip and turning.  
         [0056]      FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the tool receiving device in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 19  is a top view of the tool receiving device in  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 20  is a sectional view taken along plane  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 21  is a top view similar to  FIG. 19 , wherein the retaining elements are moved to a retaining position.  FIG. 22  is a sectional view taken along plane  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0057]     In this embodiment modified from the third embodiment, each retaining member  70  includes an enlarged first end  71  and a second end  72 . The enlarged first end  71  of the retaining member  70  has a diameter greater than a width of the hole  32  of the second member  30  that is equal to a length of the groove  23  of the first member  20 . Further, a cruciform slot  712  is defined in a top face of the enlarged first end  71  for engaging with, e.g., a Phillip screwdriver, allowing easy turning of the retaining member  70 . The second end  72  of the retaining member  70  is circular and includes two pairs of diametrically opposed protrusions  723 . The second end  72  of the retaining member  70  has a diameter not greater than the length of the associated groove  23  of the first member  20 . Further, the maximum diameter of the second end  72  of the retaining member  70  is greater than the length of the associated groove  23  and smaller than a diagonal length of the associated groove  23  of the first member  20 .  
         [0058]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the respective retaining members  70  are inserted through the respective holes  32  of the second member  30  into the respective grooves  23  of the first member  20 , with the enlarged first end  71  of each retaining member  70  being located outside the associated hole  32  of the second member  30 . The perimeter wall delimiting each groove  23  of the first member  20  is not deformed, as the maximum diameter of the second end  72  of the retaining member  70  is smaller than the diagonal length of the associated groove  23  of the first member  20 . The second member  30  can be easily disengaged from the first member  20 .  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , each retaining member  70  can be turned through 45 degrees. Since the maximum diameter of the second end  72  of the retaining member  70  is greater than the length of the associated groove  23 , the perimeter wall delimiting the associated groove  23  deforms outward. Thus, the second member  30  is reliably retained in place by the friction between the perimeter wall delimiting each groove  23  of the second member  20  and the circumference of the second end  72  of the associated retaining member  70 . Disengagement of the second member  30  from the first member  20  is prevented by the enlarged first ends  71  of the retaining members  70 .  
         [0060]     Access to the tools  21  can be easily achieved by means of removing the retaining members  70  from the grooves  23  of the first member  20  and then disengaging the second member  30  from the first member  20 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the tool receiving device modified from the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the enlarged first end  71  of each retaining member  70  includes an extension  713  to allow easy grip and turning. This embodiment can be applied to the first embodiment through the fourth embodiment to replace the turn piece  51 ,  71  and the slot  61 ,  712 .  
         [0062]     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.