Abstract:
A toolbox is selectively removably mounted on the weight support positioned at the forward end of a tractor. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of weights are positioned on the weight support at each side of the toolbox and are interconnected together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a tractor mounted toolbox and more particularly to a toolbox which is mounted on the weight support positioned on the forward end of a tractor. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Many types of toolboxes have been previously provided on tractors with many of the same having been rigidly secured thereto or incorporated into some structure of the tractor. However, the prior art method of mounting the toolbox on the tractor normally takes up operator space and is not convenient to use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0006]    A toolbox is disclosed which is mounted on the horizontally extending  1 weight support at the forward end of a tractor. The weight support has first and second ends and rearward and forward sides with the toolbox being selectively removably positioned generally at the forward side of the weight support. The toolbox is generally rectangular in shape and has a length less than the length of the weight support. The toolbox comprises a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a first end wall, a second end wall and a lid which selectively closes the upper end of the toolbox. The rearward ends of the side walls of the toolbox each have a recess or cutout formed therein which is adapted to receive the weight support therein. Each of the recesses or cutouts at the rearward ends of the end walls of the toolbox have a notch formed therein at the upper forward end thereof which receives the upwardly extending lip at the upper forward end of the weight support. A bracket is secured to the rearward side of the back wall of the toolbox and a pin extends through the bracket into the weight support to selectively removably secure the toolbox to the weight support. 
         [0007]    Preferably, a plurality of first weights are selectively removably mounted on the weight support laterally outwardly of the first end wall of the toolbox and a plurality of second weights are selectively removably mounted on the weight support laterally outwardly of the second end wall of the toolbox. A pair of bolts extend outwardly through the first end wall of the toolbox and extend through the first weights positioned laterally outwardly thereof to secure the weights to the toolbox. A pair of bolts also extend outwardly through the second end wall of the toolbox and extend through the second weights positioned laterally outwardly thereof to secure the second weights to the toolbox. 
         [0008]    The positioning of the toolbox on the weight support provides a convenient location for the toolbox which is readily accessible and does not take up operator space within the cab or platform of the tractor. 
         [0009]    It is therefore a principal object to provide a toolbox which is selectively removably mounted on the weight support at the forward end of a tractor. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a toolbox which is positioned on the weight support of the tractor and which has weights positioned laterally outwardly of the end walls of the toolbox which are removably mounted on the weight support. 
         [0011]    A further object of the invention is to provide a toolbox for mounting on the tractor which is quickly and easily removably mounted on the weight bracket thereof. 
         [0012]    A further object of the invention is to provide a toolbox for a tractor which is durable in use, refined in appearance and is easily manufactured. 
         [0013]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the toolbox of this invention with the lid thereof in an open position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the toolbox of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a partial side view illustrating the manner in which the toolbox is secured to the weight support at the forward end of a tractor with a portion of the weight support and toolbox cutaway to more fully illustrate the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view illustrating the toolbox mounted on the weight support of the tractor; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the manner in which weights may be secured to the toolbox; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view illustrating the toolbox of this invention mounted on the weight support of the tractor with a plurality of weights positioned at each end of the toolbox and which are secured to the toolbox. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0022]    The numeral  10  refers to the toolbox of this invention which includes a back wall  12 , front wall  14 , opposite end walls  16  and  18 , and bottom wall  20 . The rearward end of end wall  16  projects rearwardly of back wall  12  and has a recess or cut-away  22  formed therein which has a notch  24  formed therein positioned forwardly of nose portion  26  of end wall  16 . End wall  16  has a pair of openings  27  and  28  formed therein as seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 . The lower rearward end of end wall  16  has an opening  30  formed therein. 
         [0023]    The rearward end of end wall  18  projects rearwardly of back wall  12  and has a recess or cut-away  32  formed therein which has a notch  34  formed therein positioned forwardly of nose portion  36 . End wall  18  has a pair of openings  37  and  38  formed therein and has an opening  40  formed therein at the lower rearward end thereof. 
         [0024]    Toolbox  10  includes a lid or cover  42  with its rearward end being pivotally secured to the upper end of back wall  12 . The lid  42  is able to be locked by means of lock assembly  44 . A gas strut  46  is provided to yieldably maintain the lid  42  in its open position. 
         [0025]    A selectively reversible angle bracket  48  is secured to the back wall  12  and has an opening  50  and a slot  52  formed therein. The angle bracket  48  may be selectively positioned on the back wall  12  in one of two positions. In one position, such as seen in  FIG. 5 , slot  52  is positioned against back wall  12  with opening  50  being positioned rearwardly of back wall  12  so that pin  56  may be extended through opening  50 . In a second position, opening  50  is positioned adjacent back wall  12  with slot  52  being positioned rearwardly of back wall  12  so that the pin  56  may be extended therethrough. The purpose of providing the reversible angle bracket  48  is so that the toolbox may be secured to various different configurations of weight supports of a tractor as will be described in more detail hereinafter. 
         [0026]    The toolbox  10  is designed to be mounted on a horizontally disposed weight support  58  which is positioned at the forward end of a tractor  60  in conventional fashion. Weight support  58  is normally a weight in itself and may weigh several hundred pounds. Weight support  58  includes a forward face  62 , having a clevis-like opening  63  formed therein, rearward end  64 , and opposite ends. Vertically disposed openings  70  and  71  extend downwardly through weight racket  58  between the ends thereof. The openings  70  and  71  are adapted to receive the pin  56  previously described. Pin  56  is maintained in openings  70  and  71  by a retainer  57 . Weight support  58  has an upwardly extending lip  72  at its upper forward end. 
         [0027]    Weight support  58  is adapted to support a plurality of weights  74  which are commonly referred to as suitcase weights with the weights  74  having opposite sides. One side of the weight  74  has a projection  76  extending therefrom while the other side of the weight  74  has a recess  78  formed therein which is adapted to receive the projection  76  of a weight  74  positioned adjacent thereto. Each of the weights  74  have at least a pair of openings  80  and  82  extending therethrough. Each of the weights have a cutout  84  formed in the rearward ends thereof which are adapted to receive the weight support  58  therein. Each the recesses  84  has a notch  86  formed therein which is adapted to receive the lip  72  of the weight support. 
         [0028]    The toolbox  10  is mounted on the weight support  58  by maneuvering the toolbox  10  so that the weight support  58  is received within the recesses  22  and  32  of end walls  16  and  18  respectively and so that the notches  26  and  34  receive the lip  72  of the weight support  58 . Pin  56  is then extended downwardly through the opening  70  in weight support  58  and through the opening  50  of the angle bracket  48  which is positioned below the weight support  58  as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0029]    Although the toolbox  10  may be mounted on the weight support  58  without weights  74  at each end thereof, a plurality of the weights  74  will usually be positioned on the weight support  58  on both sides of the toolbox  10 . If the projection  76  on the weight  74  is facing end wall  16 , the projection  76  will be received by the opening  30 . If the projection on the weight  74  is facing end wall  18 , the projection  76  will be received by the opening  40 . 
         [0030]    A pair of elongated bolts  88  and  90  are then extended through openings  80  and  82  respectively of the weights  74  through the openings  27  and  28  in end wall  16  and secured thereto by nuts or the like. Similarly, a pair of elongated bolts  92  and  94  are extended through the openings  80  and  82  in the weights  74  positioned laterally outwardly of end wall  18  and through the openings  37  and  38  in end wall  18  and secured thereto by nuts. 
         [0031]    The attachment of weights to the toolbox prevent the weights from sliding laterally and also to stabilize the toolbox  10 . 
         [0032]    Thus, it can be seen that a novel toolbox has been provided which may be mounted on the conventional weight supports positioned at the forward end of a tractor with or without weights  74 . The toolbox  10  is quickly and easily mounted on the weight support  58  and is quickly and easily removed therefrom as desired. The location of the toolbox  10  at the forward end of the tractor  60  provides convenient access to the toolbox and does not take up valuable space within the operator&#39;s cab. Thus, it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
         [0033]    Although a particular shaped weight support  58  has been shown with the end walls  16  and  18  of toolbox  10  having particular shaped cutouts formed in the rearward ends thereof, the toolbox will be modified somewhat to enable it to be secured to different styles of weight supports and to be secured to different styles of weights. 
         [0034]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.