Abstract:
A large rolling tool chest includes a generally rectangular body with a hollow interior, a plurality of wheels, and an adjustable handle to facilitate organization, storage, and transportation of numerous tools of various sizes. The handle pivots to allow a user to keep it out of the way when not in use. The tool chest also includes a large pouch to hold items which are frequently used. The top of the tool chest includes two horizontally extendable drawer assemblies that fold outward and open in sections.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to tool chests, and in particular, to a wheeled tool chest to organize, store, and transport a plurality of tools of various sizes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Rolling toolboxes do an ideal job of organizing large numbers of small tools. Their mobility allows the tools to be rolled directly to the worksite, where time can be saved by eliminating frequent trips back and forth. However, their design is optimized for use with hand tools that fit into drawers. This approach does not work well with large tools or power tools such as drills and circular saws. Likewise, small tools or supplies such as screws and nails tend to get lost and fall to the bottom. Thus, while hand tools can be taken right to the job site, tools that are very large, or items that are very small require frequent trips back and forth, wasting time and money. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for by a portable tool storage container in which all types of tools and supplies, both large and small can be transported in a rolling format without the disadvantages as described above. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a portable tool chest that provides storage and organizational capabilities for all types of tools and supplies, both large and small, in a manner which is quick, easy and improves productivity. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a generally rectangular body having a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall which forms a hollow interior space with an open top for top access to the interior space. A side opening is disposed in the first side for side access to the interior space and a side door is hingedly attached to the body for covering the side opening. A pair of horizontally extendable bottom drawers is adjustably attached to the body along a longitudinal axis by a first plurality of linkages rotatably attached between an exterior of opposing ends of the bottom drawer and an interior of the body front wall and opposing body rear wall. A pair of horizontally extendable top drawers is adjustably attached to the bottom drawers in a stacked configuration by a second plurality of linkages rotatably attached between an exterior of opposing ends of the top drawer and the exterior of opposing ends of the bottom drawer. A pair of top covers is hingedly attached to the body side walls for covering the top drawer and bottom drawer in combination. The top covers respectively engage each other when in a closed cover position. An open mouthed storage pouch is affixed to an exterior of the front wall. At least one (1) opposing pair of “L”-shaped cord posts are provided and protrude from an exterior of the second side wall for supporting a length of cord wrapped therearound. A plurality of wheels is rotatably attached to each corner of the body bottom. A handle is provided and extends generally upwardly from the body front wall and is pivotably attached to a first handle bracket and an opposing second handle bracket. A handle locking mechanism is coupled between the handle and the first bracket for locking the handle between an upright position and an outwardly angled position. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a portable tool chest in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an opposing front perspective view of the portable tool chest; 
         FIG. 3  is another front perspective view of the portable tool chest; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the portable tool chest in accordance with  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is section view of the portable tool chest in accordance with  FIG. 3 , depicting a top drawer and a bottom drawer in an open state; 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of a handle locking mechanism of the portable tool chest; and, 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of a handle of a portable tool chest. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  portable tool chest 
               20  body 
               21  side door 
               22  door handle 
               23  interior space 
               24  door latch 
               26  wheel 
               27  wheel axle 
               28  storage pouch 
               29  cord post 
               30  handle 
               31  handle top half 
               32  handle bottom half 
               34  spring detent pin 
               35  handle aperture 
               36  handle bracket 
               38  handle axle 
               40  handle locking mechanism 
               41  foot pedal 
               42  pedal latch 
               43  spring pivot 
               44  locking disc 
               45   a  first notch 
               45   b  second notch 
               50  top cover 
               51  cover hinge 
               52  cover latch 
               60  top drawer 
               61  top lid 
               62  bottom drawer 
               63  bottom lid 
               64   a  first rotating linkage 
               64   b  second rotating linkage 
               64   c  third rotating linkage 
               64   d  fourth rotating linkage 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , depicting a portable tool chest (herein described as an “apparatus”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes the apparatus  10  for transporting tools and other small objects to a desired location in an organized manner. 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show opposing front perspective views of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  is generally a wheeled cart-type container with a variety of storage areas adapted for tools and similar small objects. 
     The apparatus  10  includes a tool chest main body  20  defining its lower half. The body  20  is a generally rectangular five (5) sided box structure with an open top. The body  20  includes a side door  21  along one side surface, a storage pouch  28  along a front surface, a plurality of cord posts  29  along an opposing side surface, and four (4) wheels  26 . Each wheel  26  is located at each bottom corner of the body  20 . The body  20  includes a hollow interior space  23  (see  FIG. 3 ) for receiving, storing, and transporting a plurality of desired tools or associated objects. The interior space  23  is accessible by the door  21  or through the open top of the body  20 . A handle  30  is attached a front end of the body  20  with a pair of handle brackets  36 . 
     A pair of top covers  50  is attached to the upper side edges of the body  20  by a plurality of cover hinges  51 . When in a closed position as shown, the top covers  50  form a contiguous and planar overall profile along with the main body  20 . The top covers  50  are secured in the closed position by a cover latch  52 . The cover latch  52  retains the two (2) top covers  50  in the closed position relative to each other. The top covers  50  are rotatable about the cover hinges  51 , when the cover latch  52  is released, to place in an open position (see  FIG. 3 ). The cover latch  52  is a locking mechanism, such as a latch and latch receiver with a key-actuated locking function similar to the door latch  24 ; although it can be appreciated that other types of locks, such as a padlock-receiving latch, can be utilized and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor on the invention. 
     The side door  21  includes a door handle  22  to allow a user to both grip the door  21  and to secure the door  21  in a closed position in order to provide security for any objects stored within the interior space  23 . A lower exterior edge of the side door  21  is attached to the lower edge of the body  20  by at least one hinge. The side door  21  is rotatable to an open position along the lower exterior edge, although it can be appreciated that other door opening configurations can be utilized with similar effect and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor on the invention. 
     The storage pouch  28  is a rigid, rectangular structure having an open mouth and a hollow interior affixed to the exterior of the main body  20 . The open top allows the user can place small objects within the pouch  28  and access them quickly during use without needing to access the interior space  23  of the main body  20 . 
     Each of the plurality of cord posts  29  is a rigid “L”-shaped protrusion affixed to an exterior of the side of the main body  20  opposite the door  21 . The cord posts  29  are disposed in pairs. Each pair of posts  29  is horizontally aligned facing opposite directions at a similar height along the body  20 . The cord posts  29  are used to retain a coiled electrical cord, such as an extension cord. 
       FIG. 3  shows another front perspective view of the apparatus  10  depicting the side door  21  and a single top cover  50  in the opened position. The side door  21  is shown hinged downwardly such that access to the interior space  23  is provided. 
     An interior side of the door handle  22  includes a door latch  24 . The door latch  24  is manipulated from the exterior side of the door handle  22  using a key. When the door  21  is placed in the upright and closed position, the user inserts the key into the door handle  22  and rotates the key and the door latch  24  to engage an interior edge of the body  20  to secure the door  21  in the closed position. It can be appreciated that other types of locking mechanisms, such as a deadbolt or an electronic lock can be utilized with similar effect and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor on the invention. 
     The handle  30  is generally an inverted “U”-shaped body having a handle axle  38  passing through and rotatably attached between the two (2) free ends of the handle  30 . The handle  30  rotates freely about the handle axle  38  and the handle axle  38  is held in position horizontally between the handle brackets  36 . The handle brackets  36  are fastened to a front side edge of the main body  20  and retain lower ends of the handle  30  and handle axle  38 . In certain embodiments, a top end of the handle  30  includes a cushioned or secure gripping surface, such as a rubber coating. In certain embodiments, the handle  30  is an adjustable, two piece handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle top half  31  that is slidably inserted within a handle bottom half  32 . The inserting attachment allows the user to adjust and secure the handle  30  to a desired selected length (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     The top cover  50  is rotated about the cover hinges  51  to expose a plurality of drawers  60 ,  62  and provide access to the interior space  23  through the open top of the body  20 . The drawers  60 ,  62  are supported by a plurality of rotating linkage s  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  and are each position adjustable relative to an adjacent drawer  60 ,  62 . The top row of rotating linkages  64   a ,  64   b  is attached at a lower end to an outer surface of a bottom drawer  62  and at an upper end to an outer surface of a top drawer  60 . The lower row of rotating linkage s  64   c ,  64   d  is attached at a lower end to an upper interior surface of the body  20  and at an upper end to an outer surface of the bottom drawer  62 . The drawers  60 ,  62  cover the open top of the body  20  and interior space  23  when in a lowered and closed position. 
       FIG. 4  shows a section view of the apparatus  10  as shown in accordance with  FIG. 1  and to  FIG. 5  shows a section view of the apparatus  10  as shown in accordance with  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  depicts the top drawer  60  and the bottom drawer  62  in the deployed and open position. The section line in both views is taken along a line just interior of the rear surface of the body  20  to show the rotating linkage s  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  which are attached to the interior of the rear surface of the body  20 . 
     Each wheel  26  is rotatably coupled to the bottom of the body  20  by a wheel axle  27 . While depicted as a unidirectional wheel and axle assembly, it can be appreciated that in certain embodiments the wheel and axle assembly include wheel locks or swiveling wheels. 
     The apparatus  10  includes the two (2) separately functioning and side-by-side drawer assemblies. Each assembly includes the top drawer  60  and an associated top lid  61 , the bottom drawer  62  and an associated bottom lid  63 , and a plurality of rotating linkage s  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  for fastening the drawers  60 ,  62 . Each rotating linkage  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  is rotatably fastened to either the top drawer  60  and the bottom drawer  62  or the bottom drawer  62  and an upper interior surface of the main body  20 , preferably in the configuration indicated in  FIG. 4 . A substantially identical plurality of rotating linkage s  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  is installed along a front end of the apparatus  10  as indicated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The rotating linkages  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  are used to motion the top drawer  60  and bottom drawer  62  outwardly after the corresponding top cover  50  is opened (see  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 ). Each linkage  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  is at least a one linkage member pivotably attached at both ends. In certain embodiments, the first linkage  64   a  and the second linkage  64   b  pivot the top drawer  60  relative to the corresponding bottom drawer  62 . The third linkage  64   c  and the fourth linkage  64   d  pivot the bottom drawer  62  relative to the body  20 . The top end of the third linkage  64   c  rotates about the same axis as the corresponding second linkage  64   b.    
     During use, when the top drawer  60  is pushed outwardly the top drawer  60  comes to rest in an outward position which exposes the corresponding bottom drawer  62 . The bottom drawer  62  is similarly deployable independently of the top drawer  60 . Once both drawers  60 ,  62  have been moved outward, the top drawer  60  can be moved inward and the first rotating linkage  64   a  and second rotating linkage  64   b  pivot about the bottom drawer  62  to position only the bottom drawer  62  in the deployed position. When both of the drawers  60 ,  62  are deployed outwardly, it provides access to the interior space  23  through the open top end of the body  20 . 
     Each top drawer  60  and bottom drawer  62  includes the corresponding top lid  61  and bottom lid  63 , respectively. The lids  61 ,  63  are removably attached and protect the interior of the drawers  60 ,  62 . The drawers  60 ,  62  are utilized to store a desired variety of tools or other small objects in an organized manner. In certain embodiments the lids  61 ,  63  are removably attached to the drawers  60 ,  62 . In certain embodiment, the drawers  60 ,  62  include a variety of removable or integral storage dividers or compartments in various configurations for purposes of organizing the objects contained within, such as are commonly found in toolboxes. 
       FIG. 6  shows a sectional view of the handle locking mechanism  40  of the apparatus  10 . The section line is taken along a line just interior to an inner surface of the mounting bracket  36  to show the foot pedal  41 , a locking disk  44 , and the lower end of the handle  30 , which are attached to the mounting bracket  36 , without showing the bracket  36  itself. One (1) handle locking mechanism  40  is installed between each lower end of the handle  30  and each handle bracket  36 . 
     The handle locking mechanism  40  maintains the handle  30  securely in the upright position and in the outwardly angled position. The handle locking mechanism  40  includes the foot pedal  41  and the locking disc  44 . The handle  30  is selectively unlocked in response to the foot pedal  41  being depressed and disengaging the locking disk  40 . Once disengaged, the handle  30  is rotatable about the handle axle  38 . The locking disc  44  is affixed to the handle  30  and rotatable about the handle axle  38 . The foot pedal  41  is pivotably attached to the inner surface of the handle bracket  36 . The locking disc  44  includes a first notch  45   a  and a second notch  45   b . The foot pedal  41  also includes a pedal latch  42  disposed on an end that protrudes generally downward and inward relative to the shank of the pedal  41 . The pedal latch  42  selectively engages either the first notch  45   a  or the second notch  45   b  depending upon the rotational position of the locking disc  44 . In the upright, locked position, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , the pedal latch  42  is engaged with the first notch  45   a  so that if the user attempts to rotate the handle  30 , the pedal latch  42  prevents the disc  44 , and thus the handle  30 , from rotating. 
     The pedal latch  42  disengages the selectively engaged notch  45   a ,  45   b  in response to a downward motion of the protruding front end of the food pedal  41 . This causes the pedal  41  to rotate about a spring pivot  43 , lifting the pedal latch  42  from within the notch  45   a ,  45   b . The spring pivot  43  is a spring-biased cylindrical structure attached to the mounting bracket  36 . When the front end of the pedal  41  is motioned downwardly, the rotating motion causes the pedal latch  42  to rotate outwardly and upwardly and to thereby disengage the first notch  45   a . The user is then free to rotate the handle  30  downwardly about the handle axle  38 . 
     When the user releases the foot pedal  41 , the spring-biased pivot  43  causes the pedal  41  to return towards its initial position with the pedal latch  42  against the exterior circumference of the locking disc  44 . If the disc  44  has been rotated to motion the first notch  45   a  away from the pedal latch  42 , then the pedal latch  42  will engage a rounded exterior portion of the disc  44  and allow the user to continue to rotate the handle  30  in either direction. The spring-biased pivot  43  will further cause the pedal latch  42  to automatically engage either notch  45   a ,  45   b  when aligned properly. 
     The second notch  45   b  has a profile similar to the first notch  45   a  and provides a second lockable position for the handle  30 . The second notch  45   b  is located such that when the user engages the second notch  45   b  with the pedal latch  42 , the handle  30  is disposed at an angle which provides an ergonomic positioning for pushing and pulling the apparatus  10  for transport (see  FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 7  shows a partial section view of the handle  30  of the apparatus  10  taken in accordance with  FIG. 1 . The section line is taken along a central longitudinal axis. The handle top half  31  slidably fits within the handle bottom half  32  and can be motioned within the handle bottom half  32  in a telescoping manner. The handle top half  31  includes a spring detent pin  34 . The spring detent pin  34  is affixed to the handle top half  31  at one (1) end and protrudes from a pin aperture in the handle top half  31  at the other end. The protruding end of the pin  34  is biased to press outwardly against the pin aperture by a spring force but can be temporarily pushed into the interior of the handle top half  31  by applying an inward force against the protruding end of the pin  34 . 
     The handle bottom half  32  includes a plurality of handle apertures  35  which are correspondingly sized to receive the protruding end of the spring detent pin  34 . When the handle top half  31  is motioned so that the pin  34  aligns with one (1) of the handle apertures  35 , the pin  34  automatically engages that handle aperture  35  due to the spring force and causes the handle top half  31  to become locked with respect to the handle bottom half  32 . In this manner, the user can adjust and secure the handle  30  with a desired overall length. The user can then unlock and re-adjust the handle  30  by pressing inwardly on the pin  34  and slidingly motioning the handle top half  31  until the pin  34  engages a different handle aperture  35 . 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it is installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  can be achieved by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the steps described can be performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. Initially the user obtains an instance of the apparatus  10 . The door  21  can be opened in order to provide access to the interior space  23 . The interior space  23  receives any desired combination of tools and other objects for storage and transportation. The door  21  can be locked in a closed position using the door handle  22 . If the cover latch  52  is also locked, the drawers  60 ,  62  and the interior space  23  are completely inaccessible without unlocking either the door handle  22  or cover latch  52 . This helps to prevent theft or damage to the stored items during periods of non-use. 
     The top covers  50  can be opened by undoing the cover latch  52  and rotating the top covers  50  about the cover hinges  51 . This exposes the plurality of top drawers  60 . The user can motion the top drawers  60  outwardly, which further causes the lower drawers  62  to motion outwardly in a tiered manner. This exposes the interior space  23  for insertion or removal of tools or other objects and further exposes the top lids  61  and bottom lids  63 . The user can remove the lids  61 ,  63  to access the corresponding drawers  60 ,  62  in order to insert or remove a desired plurality of tools or other small objects for storage, transport, and use. The user can further store electrical cords, extension cords, or similar devices along an exterior of the apparatus  10  by winding the device around a corresponding pair of cord posts  29 . 
     During transport, the user can depress the foot pedal  41  in order to disengage the handle locking mechanism  40  and to allow the handle  30  to rotate to a comfortable height for pushing and pulling the apparatus  10 . The user can further adjust the overall length of the handle  30  by sliding the handle top half  31  and can lock the handle top half  31  in place at a desired length by engaging one (1) of the handle apertures  35  with the spring detent pin  34 . The user can then roll the apparatus  10  and the contained tools and other objects to a desired location for use. Once in place, the user can lock the handle  30  in the upright position in order to keep it out of the way while working. The pouch  28  provides a storage location on the exterior of the body  20  for quick access while working. 
     After use, the user returns the variety of tools and other objects to their desired storage locations within the drawers  60 ,  62 , the interior space  23 , the pouch  28 , or the cord posts  29 . The user can then lock the door  21  and cover latch  52  prior to transporting the apparatus  10  back to a desired location for storage prior to subsequent use. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.