Abstract:
A portable tool case is disclosed that may be displayed in numerous orientations using a cover member of the tool case as a support. The cover member that may be rotated into a support position to support the tool case on a surface. The cover member may comprise a pair of covers that are manipulated into an easel, display or table orientation.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
   This application is continuation application of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/228,016, entitled “TOOL CASE WITH COVER MEMBER SUPPORT,” filed Aug. 26, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,015. This related application is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application. 

   INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
   Applicant hereby incorporates herein by reference any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents and printed matter cited or referred to in this application. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   Portable tool cases have long been used to store tools, enabling convenient transportation and retrieval of tools from the case. Tool cases may also be used to merchandise sets of tools. A desirable attribute of such tool cases is that they are capable of displaying the tool set, so that a prospective customer can see the tools held by the case. Tool cases typically comprise a storage area with a cover. The storage area may have a number of recesses where the tools are stored. These recesses usually have an overall shape that conforms to the shape of the tool to be stored therein. An individual tool is placed within its designated recess, fitting snugly therein so that it will not be dislodged unless manually pulled from the recess. To access the tools, the tool case should be below eye level so that the user can look into the interior of the case. Often times, however, the tool case is above the eye level of the user, for example, when the user is working under a car, and the tool case is lying on a floor. To access the tools, the user must move his or her body out from underneath the car, sit up, look into the tool case to find a desired tool, and then crawl back under the car, where the tool is then used. Thus, it would be advantageous if a tool case had a mechanism with which it could be orientated into a desired position, such as a position allowing a user to view the storage area from a prone position. Moreover, it would be advantageous if this mechanism were a component part of the tool case. It would also be advantageous if the tool case could also be used to display the tool set on a counter top or other location in a manner that allows a prospective customer to see the tools within the case. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   This invention has several features that are summarized in the CLAIMS. These features provide this invention with its many desirable attributes. After reading the following section entitled “DETAILED DESCRIPTION,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits, which include, but are not limited to, providing a portable tool case that can be supported in a display, table and/or easel position using the cover of the case as a support mechanism. 
   This invention has several features. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled, “DETAILED DESCRIPTION,” one will understand how one or more features of this invention provide its benefits, which include, but are not limited to, providing a portable tool case that is adaptable to display contained items and provides easy access to contents within. A feature of the portable tool case is a cover that may be used to support the case on a support surface. 
   A first feature of this invention is that it provides a portable display case capable of storing one or more tools. It includes a tray body and at least one cover member that is rotatable into one of a multiple of different positions or orientations, all of which function to support on a substantially planar support surface the display case of this invention. 
   A second feature is that the cover member preferably has a substantially rectangular configuration, a base side and a storage side adapted to hold the tool or tools. The cover member is rotatably supported on the tray body for manual movement through an arc that is equal to or greater than 270° to move the cover member from a closed position where it substantially covers the storage side to a support position where the cover member and base side are at an angle of 90° or less. The cover member has a face surface that faces the storage side when in the closed position, and when in a support position, rests on a support surface. The cover member also has a first pair of opposed edges and a second pair of opposed edges and is rotatably supported on the tray body by a coupling at one of the first pair of opposed edges. When the cover member is in an alternate support position or orientation, one of the second pair of opposed edges rests on a support surface. 
   Optionally, when in the closed position, the tray body and cover member may be latched together by a latch member capable of coupling together the tray body and cover member such that the movement of the cover member is prevented. Preferably, the cover member has a transparent portion and may be entirely transparent. 
   A third feature is that the cover member is rotatably supported a hinge element that is along an edge of the tray body. The hinge element comprises a cover hinge element integral with said cover member and a tray hinge element integral with said tray body. Either one has two insertable portions and a cylinder extending between the two insertable portions, and the other one has two insert receivers and a slotted receiver disposed between the two insert receivers. When the cover member is hinged to the tray body, each of the insertable portions are inserted into an insert receiver, and the cylinder is inserted into the slotted receiver. 
   A fourth feature is that the tray body has a plurality of recesses within, each having open mouths on the storage side. The open mouths have a shape substantially identical to the overall shape of an individual tool to be retained in the recess. 
   A fifth feature is that the display case includes a removable insert comprising an inserted portion and a lever portion. The insert portion is coupled to the tray body along an edge of the tray body by inserting the inserted portion into a receiver located near the edge of the tray body and the lever portion supports the tray body on a substantially planar support surface. 
   In one preferred embodiment, the tray body has opposing edges that substantially define a first predetermined area of the support side. There is a pair of substantially rectangular, equally sized cover members attached to the tray body. Each one of the pair of cover members has opposed edges that substantially define a second predetermined area that is substantially equal to a bisection of the first predetermined area. Each one of the pair of cover members is rotatably supported by a hinge element that is along one opposing edge of the tray body. The cover members each have an inner and outer edge, and each of the cover members is rotatably supported on the tray body by a coupling at the outer edges. When the cover members are in one of the multiple support positions or orientations, the inner edges rest on a support surface. The use of the pair of cover members enables the display case to rest on the support surface in one of three different orientations: 
   (1) An easel orientation support position where one of the cover members projects outward from the base side and the face surface of this one cover member rests on the planar support surface. 
   (2) A display orientation support position where one set of edges of both cover member rests on the planar support. 
   (3) A table orientation support position where another set of edges of both cover member rests on the planar support. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. This embodiment depicts the novel and non-obvious apparatus of this invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings includes the following figures (FIGS.), with like numerals indicating like parts: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tool case of this invention with the cover member closed. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1  in an easel orientation. 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1  in an easel orientation as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the tool case in a display orientation. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1  in a table orientation. 
       FIG. 5  is perspective view of the base side of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of base side of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1  with the cover members decoupled from the tray body. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1  with the cover members in a partially opened position. 
       FIG. 9  is an end view of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1  showing the case standing on an end with a support insert coupled to the tool case. 
       FIG. 10  is perspective view of the base side of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the support insert coupled to the tool case. 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the base side of the tool case shown in  FIG. 10  illustrating the support insert decoupled from the tool case. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of the tool case of this invention having a hexagonal configuration. 
       FIG. 13  is a plan view of the hexagonal tool case shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a exploded perspective view of the hexagonal tool case shown in  FIG. 12  with the cover members decoupled from the main body. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the tool case of this invention having a cylindrical configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   One Embodiment of This Invention 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , a tool case  10  of this invention includes a tray body  20  used to store tools and a pair of rectangular shaped cover members  12  and  14 . The tray body  20  has a rectangular shape defined by edges  26   a ,  26   b ,  28   a ,  28   b , a storage side  24 , and a base side  22 , which may also be referred to as the underside of the tool case  10 . The tools are stored within recesses  11  in the storage side  24 ; these recesses typically have a shape like that of the individual tool stored therein. 
   The cover members  12 ,  14  cover the storage side  24  of the tool case  10  and each are coupled to the tray body  20  through a hinge  18 . Typically, the hinge  18  connects an edge  12   b ,  14   b  of a cover member to an edge  28   b ,  28   a  of the tray, respectively. Typically, the cover members  12 ,  14  are approximately the same size, and cover the same amount of area of the storage side  24  of the tray  10 . The cover members  12 ,  14  bisect the storage side  24  of the tray such that each cover covers approximately the same surface area of the storage side  24 . 
   In one embodiment as best shown in  FIG. 7 , the one cover member  12  has an overlay portion  12   a , while the other cover member  14  has an underlay portion  14   a . The cover member  12  with the overlay portion  12   a  may be referred to as the overlay cover, and the cover member  14  with the underlay portion  14   a  may be referred to and the underlay cover. When closed, the overlay cover  12  is laid atop the underlay cover  14  such that the overlay portion  12   a  is atop the underlay portion  14   a . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , a pair of latches  16  are used to hold the cover members  12  and  14  in position when these members closed. Typically, each latch  16  is attached at opposed sides of the overlay cover  12 , and each latch  16  has flap  16   a  connected by a hinge segment  16   b  to the overlay cover  12   a . Each latch  16  is manually coupled to the tray body  20  by moving a free end  16   c  of the flap  16   a  over lip portion  40  on a side of the tray body  20 . The latch  16  is kept in place by frictional contact with the lip portion  40  of the tray  20 . Thus, the overlay cover  12  restricts the movement of the underlay cover  14 , when both are in a closed position and latched together. In one embodiment, a portion of the cover members  12 ,  14  is transparent, allowing a user to view the tools stored within the tray body  20 . Preferably, the cover members are locked in a closed position prior to being sold. With the cover members  12 ,  14  closed as shown in  FIG. 1 , there are holes  60  and  61  ( FIG. 7 ) at opposed outer edges in these cover members that are aligned with holes  62  in the tray body  20 . A wire type lock member (not shown) extends through these aligned holes  60 ,  61  and  62  to lock the covers closed. This wire type lock member is severed after the case  10  has been purchased. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , in one embodiment, the hinges  18  for the cover members  12  and  14  are essentially the same. Each hinge  18  has three hinge elements  17   a ,  17   b ,  17   c  integral with, for example, the cover member  14 , and three hinge elements  19   a ,  19   b ,  19   c  integral with the tray body  20 . These six elements are connected together to form the hinge  18 . 
   The hinge elements  19   a ,  19   b  and  19   c  are in alignment along a common axis X and spaced apart to separate these elements to create there between the spaces S 1  and S 2 , which are each about the same length L 1 . Each of the hinge elements  19   a  and  19   c  have, respectively, at inside ends thereof receiver sockets  19   d  and  19   e . The hinge element  19   b  has a hollow cylindrical configuration with a slot  19   f  in a side wall of the cylinder forming the hinge element  19   b . This hinge element  19   b  has a length L 2 . 
   The two hinge elements  17   a  and  17   c  have a generally rectangular configuration. There is an outer hemispherical tip portion  17   d  extending from an outside end of the hinge element  17   a , and an outer hemispherical tip portion  17   e  extending from an outside end of the hinge element  17   c . Each hinge element  17   a  and  17   c  have the same width w and fit snugly within the spaces S 1  and S 2 , respectively, but are free to rotate as will be explained subsequently in greater detail when connected with the hinge elements  19   a  through  19   c . The hinge element  17   b  is a cylindrical rod extending between and integral with the inside ends of the hinge elements  17   a  and  17   c . This hinge element  17   b  has a length L 3  that is substantially the same as the length L 2  of the hinge element  19   b.    
   The hinge elements  17   b  and  19   b  are slightly flexible so that may be bent to facilitate connecting the other hinge element together to form the hinge  18 . To connect the underlay cover  14  to the tray body  20  the rod hinge element  17   b  is bent outward and the opposed hemispherical tip portions  17   d  and  17   e  are inserted into the receiver sockets  19   d  and  19   e , respectively. The rod hinge element  17   b  is straightened and inserted through the slot  19   f  in the hinge element  19   b . When the underlay cover  14  rotates, the rod hinge element  17   b  rotates within the slotted hinge element  19   b , and the hemispherical tip portions  17   d  and  17   e  rotate within the sockets  19   d  and  19   e , respectively. 
   The case  10  may be orientated in three different support positions after the wire type lock member has been detached and the latches  16  have been opened. In accordance with this invention, each cover member  12 ,  14  is manually rotated through an arc of at least 270°. This enables the case  10  to be rested on a flat, substantially planar support surface  50  in anyone of the three different positions; an easel position shown in  FIG. 2 , a display position shown in  FIG. 3 , and a table position shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 2A  shows the cover members  12 ,  14  rotated from a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , where the cover members  12 ,  14  cover the storage side  24  of the case  10 , to a support position, where the cover members  12 ,  14  is completely opened and projects rearwardly from the base side  22  to form an angle A of 90° or less with the base side. 
     FIGS. 2  illustrates one cover member, namely, the cover member  12 , completely opened and rotated into the easel support position, such that the cover member  12  supports the tray body  20  so that it is positioned in an upright state. The cover member  12  has a face side  12   e  that faces the storage side  24  of the tray body  20  when closed, and faces and rests upon a planar support surface  50  when in the first support position, referred to herein as the easel support position. The tray body  20  is supported by the overlay cover member  12 , such that a hinged edge E 1  is parallel to the support surface  50 . The underlay cover member  14  may also be used to support the tray body  20  by simply inverting the case  10  with the cover member  14  completely opened. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates the two cover members  12 ,  14  completely opened and both rotated into the display support position, such that an edge  14   c ,  12   c  ( FIG. 1 ) of each cover member  12 ,  14  rests on the support surface  50 . An edge  26   a  of the tray body  20  also rests on the support surface  50 , and the tray body  20  is positioned in an upright position. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates the two cover members  12 ,  14  completely opened and both rotated into the table support position, such that opposing edges  12   f ,  14   f  of each cover member  12 ,  14  is in contact with the support surface  50 , and the tray body  20  is positioned in an elevated, substantially horizontal position above the support surface. 
     FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11  illustrate a removable support insert  30  that may be used to support the tool case  10  for display without detaching the wire type lock member. Typically, the insert  30  is L-shaped having a pair of legs at substantially a right angle. It is also contemplated that the insert  30  may other shapes, such as, T-shaped. The insert  30  is coupled to the tray body  20  by inserting a leg into a slot  36  located on the tray body  20 . Typically the slot  20  is located near one of the edges  26   a ,  26   b ,  28   a ,  28   b  of the tray body  20 . The insert  30  is frictionally secure in the slot  36 , and is removed by sliding the insert  30  outward. With the insert  30  inserted, the insert serves as a base that rests upon the support surface  50  to orient the case  10  upright as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION 
   The general shape of the tool case may take many forms. A tool case having rectangular shaped cover members and main body has been discussed. The shape of the cover members and main body may take other shapes, such as, circular, oval, diamond and hexagonal.  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14  illustrate a tool case  70  having hexagonal cover members  72 ,  74 , and a hexagonal main body  76 . L-shaped inserts  30 ,  31  may be inserted into slots  77 ,  78 . The inserts  30 ,  31  enable the tool case  70  to rest upright on a supporting surface. A pair of latches  16  may be used to secure the cover members  72 ,  74  in a closed position.  FIG. 15  illustrates a tool  80  case that has the general shape of a cylinder. It also includes semi-circular cover members  80   a  and  80   b  attached by hinges  81  and  82  to a circular shaped main body  86 . These two alternate embodiments function in substantially the same manner as illustrated in connection with the first embodiment, the tool case  10 , to enable these cases to have: 
   (1) An easel orientation support position where one of the cover members projects outward from the base side and the face surface of this one cover member rests on the planar support surface. 
   (2) A display orientation support position where one set of edges of both cover member rests on the planar support. 
   (3) A table orientation support position where another set of edges of both cover member rests on the planar support. 
   SCOPE OF THE INVENTION 
   The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention: