Abstract:
A tool case has a lid and a base, and a panel arranged therebetween. Various structures are used to trap or otherwise retain tools, tool items or other stored items, such that they cannot accidentally fall out of their “home” positions, but such that they are readily removable by the user when desired. Such structures include, for example, retractable stops, depressions beneath stored items, weight-biased pivoting of holders, spring biasing of holders, trapping of items by the lid or by other item holders within the case, and various clip arrangements. Preferably the lid is transparent, and the tools or other items are arranged by height in step-wise fashion, the panel being stepped accordingly, to maximize visibility.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/188,830, filed Jul. 5, 2002, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/302,704, filed Jul. 5, 2001, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to tool cases, particularly those which hold a variety of items, and particularly to features which provide easy access to those items. It is common to store tools, tool bits, drill bits or other items in tool cases, usually by some sort of snap-in arrangement or similar. Because the stored items generally must be somehow secured so that they do not accidentally move around within the case or fall out of the case when the case is opened, the stored items are often difficult to remove. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is an object of the invention to improve on existing tool cases and provide tool cases and tool case features which facilitate secure storage and yet easy removal of stored items. 
         [0004]    In the invention, a tool case has a lid and a base, and a panel arranged therebetween. Various means are used to trap or otherwise retain tools, tool components or other stored items, such that they cannot accidentally fall out of their “home” positions, but such that they are readily removable by the user when desired. Such means include, for example, retractable stops, depressions beneath stored items, weight-biased pivoting of holders, spring biasing of holders, trapping of components by the lid or by other component holders within the case, and various clip arrangements, the preceding being exemplary only, and not limiting. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a stop plate is mounted between the panel and the base and is biased towards the base. The stop plate is movable between an access position, in which the stop plate is moved towards the base, and a holding position, in which the stop plate is moved towards the panel. The stop plate further may have at least one finger, which protrudes through at least one corresponding slot in the panel when the stop plate is in the holding position and which is retracted through the slot when the stop plate is in the access position. The finger serves as a stop for a component held on the panel when the stop plate is in the holding position. 
         [0006]    In a variation, a lever is preferably pivotably connected to a side of the base and extends across the stop plate and protrudes through an opposite side of the base via a J-shaped opening providing a manual means to raise and lower the stop plate, so that when the lid is open, an end of the lever is pushed along the J slot and inserted in a short end of the opening to thereby retain the lever and lowering the stop plate and the fingers making the components easily accessible, and when the lid is closed, a tapered projection on an edge of the lid urges the lever out of the short end of the opening and the stop plate is biased towards the lid, causing the fingers to extend through the panel to provide stops for the components. 
         [0007]    In a further embodiment the panel is biased towards the lid by biasing means and movable between an access position, in which the panel is moved towards the lid and a holding position, in which the panel is moved towards the base. The base has at least one finger, which protrudes through at least one corresponding slot in the panel when the panel is in the holding position and which is retracted through the slot when the panel is in the access position. The finger serves as a stop for a component held on the panel when the stop plate is in the holding position. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the components are held in place by a clip, and depressions are arranged in the panel beneath one end of the components, or the component clips are elevated, so that to remove a component, one end is pushed down into the depression to elevate an opposite end of the component, freeing it from the clip, but preferably still being loosely held by an overlying bridge. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, a stop plate is mounted between the panel and the base and biased towards the lid by biasing means and is movable between an access position in which the stop plate is moved towards the base, and a holding position in which the stop plate is moved towards the panel. The stop plate has at least one finger, which protrudes through at least one corresponding slot in the panel when the stop plate is in the holding position and which is retracted through the slots when the stop plate is in the access position. The finger serves as a stop for a component held on the panel when the stop plate is in the holding position. 
         [0010]    The preceding are examples of some of the various means which may be employed to implement the objects of the invention. Further features will be described or will become apparent in the course of the detailed description which follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded sectional side view of a first embodiment of a tool case according to the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  is an assembled sectional side view of the first embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1A , showing the lid removed from the base; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1D  is a sectional end view of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1A , showing the lid open; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1E  is a sectional end view of the tool case shown in  FIG. 1A , showing the lid closed; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded sectional side view of a second embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is an assembled sectional side view of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , showing the lid removed from the base; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2C  is an assembled sectional side view of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , showing the lid closed; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A  is a sectional side view of a third embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3B  is a sectional side view of the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , showing the lid removed from the base; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a sectional side view of a fourth embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is a sectional side view of the fourth embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A , showing the lid removed from the base; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is a top view of a fifth embodiment, with the lid removed from the base; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  is a sectional side view of the fifth embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5C  is a sectional side view of the fifth embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B , showing the lid removed from the base; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of a sixth embodiment, with the lid removed from the base; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6B  is a sectional end view of the sixth embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A , showing a sloping panel arrangement; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6C  is a sectional end view of the sixth embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A , showing a stepped panel arrangement; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6D  is a sectional side view of the sixth embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A , showing the lid removed from the base; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of a seventh embodiment, with the lid open;  FIG. 7B  is a sectional end view of the seventh embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7C  is a sectional side view of the seventh embodiment, showing the lid closed; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7D  is a sectional end view of the seventh embodiment, showing the lid closed; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7E  is a sectional detail side view of the seventh embodiment showing the lid closed; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7F  is a sectional detail side view of the seventh embodiment, showing the lid open; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7G  is a detail side view of the seventh embodiment, showing the lid closed; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7H  is a detail side view of the seventh embodiment, showing the lid open; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of an eighth embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8B  is a detail view of the eighth embodiment shown in  FIG. 8A , showing the holder; 
           [0040]      FIG. 8C  is a sectional end view of the eighth embodiment, showing the lid open; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8D  is a sectional end view of the eighth embodiment, showing the lid closed; 
           [0042]      FIG. 8E  is a sectional side view of the eighth embodiment, showing the lid open; 
           [0043]      FIG. 8F  is a sectional side view of the eighth embodiment, showing the lid closed; 
           [0044]      FIG. 9A  is a top view of a ninth embodiment, showing the lid removed from the base; 
           [0045]      FIG. 9B  is a sectional side view of the ninth embodiment; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9C  is a further sectional side view of the ninth embodiment; 
           [0047]      FIG. 10A  is a top view of a tenth embodiment; 
           [0048]      FIG. 10B  is a sectional side view of the tenth embodiment; 
           [0049]      FIG. 11A  is a top view of an eleventh embodiment; 
           [0050]      FIG. 11  B is a sectional side view of the eleventh embodiment; 
           [0051]      FIG. 11  C is a sectional side view of a variation of the eleventh embodiment; 
           [0052]      FIG. 11  D is a sectional side view of the variation; 
           [0053]      FIG. 12A  is a top view of a twelfth embodiment; 
           [0054]      FIG. 12B  is a side view of the twelfth embodiment, with the case open; 
           [0055]      FIG. 12C  is a side view of the twelfth embodiment, with the case closed; 
           [0056]      FIG. 12D  is a sectional side view of the twelfth embodiment, at  12 E on  FIG. 12A , with the lid open; 
           [0057]      FIG. 12E  is a sectional side view corresponding to  FIG. 12D , with the lid closed; 
           [0058]      FIG. 13A  is a top view of a thirteenth embodiment; 
           [0059]      FIG. 13B  is a side view of the thirteenth embodiment; 
           [0060]      FIG. 13C  is a sectional side view of the thirteenth embodiment, with the lid open; 
           [0061]      FIG. 13D  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 13C , with the lid closed; 
           [0062]      FIG. 14A  is a top view of a fourteenth embodiment; 
           [0063]      FIG. 14B  is a side view of the fourteenth embodiment; 
           [0064]      FIG. 14C  is a side view of a drill bit retention feature of the fourteenth embodiment; 
           [0065]      FIG. 14D  is a side view corresponding to  FIG. 14C , showing removal of the drill bit; 
           [0066]      FIG. 15A  is a sectional side view of a fifteenth embodiment, with the lid open; 
           [0067]      FIG. 15B  is a sectional side view corresponding to  FIG. 15A , with the lid closed; 
           [0068]      FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of a variation of the fifteenth embodiment; 
           [0069]      FIG. 16B  is a side view corresponding to  FIG. 16A ; 
           [0070]      FIG. 16C  is an exploded perspective view of the  FIG. 16A  case; 
           [0071]      FIG. 16D  is an assembled perspective view of the  FIG. 16A  case; 
           [0072]      FIG. 16E  is a sectional side view of the  FIG. 16A  case; 
           [0073]      FIG. 17A  is an exploded sectional elevation of a retention feature for hex bits; and 
           [0074]      FIG. 17B  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 17A , with the hex bit installed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0075]      FIGS. 1A to 1E  show a first embodiment of a tool case  1  having a top lid  2  and a base portion  3  and an insert panel  5  arranged therebetween. A stop plate  4  is mounted below the panel  5  and kept depressed below the surface of the panel by biasing means  6 , for example one or more springs. The panel  5  has protrusions  15 ′, on which the biasing means are slidingly held, the protrusions being fastened to the base  3  by mounting studs  16 ′, or similar. The biasing means are thus mounted between the panel and the stop plate. A magnetic plate  7  is attached to the upper surface of the stop plate. Inside the lid  2  is a molded pocket  8  that contains a magnet  9 . When the lid is closed, the magnet attracts the plate and lifts the stop plate so that a plurality of extending fingers  10  on the stop plate project through slots  14  in the panel above the surface of the panel providing stops for the components  11  stored inside the tool case  1 . Upon opening, the magnet disengages the plate which is lowered below the surface of the panel, permitting easy removal of components held on the panel. The components are preferably loosely held by bridges  12 , which arc over at least a part of the component, and prevented to slide inside the bridge by an end stop  13  and the extending fingers  10 , when the lid is closed. When the lid  2  is opened, the fingers retract because the magnet is removed from the magnetic plate and the biasing means  6  push the fingers (and the whole stop plate  4 ) downwards as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . One end of the component  11  is thus freed and can be easily manipulated for removal from the bridge  12 . The component stops are shown as fingers, but can also be a stop bar running a substantial length across the panel and acting as stop for more than one component. The stop bar can advantageously be either substantially straight or stepped in configuration, depending upon whether it is desirable to have the component ends aligned along a straight line or along a stepped line. The number of slots in the panel correspond to the actual number of component stops used, i.e. from one common to all components and up to one per component. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 2A to 2C  show a second embodiment, having a floating panel  5 ′ arranged between the top lid  2  and base portion  3 . The panel has hollow protrusions  16  which receive posts  15 , preferably molded into the base  3  and the panel is supported by biasing means  6 , for example springs. There are stops  10 ′ preferably integrally molded in the base that reach the height of the panel when the lid is open and the panel is fully pressed away from the base by the biasing means. When the lid is closed, ribs  17  preferably molded on the inside of the lid press the panel towards the base and the tip of the stops  10 ′ protrude through slots  18  in the panel to act as further end stops for the components (similar to the fingers described above). Thus, when the lid is open, the panel is urged upwards and clears the stops molded in the base facilitating removal of components, as the lid is closed, the ribs inside the lid depress the panel exposing the stops beyond the ends of the components making it difficult to dislodge the components during handling/storage. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 3A to 3B  show a third embodiment, having a panel  5 ″ between the top lid  2  and base portion  3 . Fixed end stops  13  are used to prevent the components  11  from sliding too much in the panel. The end stops are preferably molded in the panel. The component is placed on the panel and held in place by a combination of a clip  12 ′ and a bridge  12 . The bridge is used to align the component during insertion into the tool case/clip. Beneath one end  11 ′ of the components are depressions  19  in the panel  5 ″. To remove a component, the one end  11 ′ is pushed down into the depression. This elevates the opposite end of the component, freeing it from the clip  12 ′ but still restrained by the bridge  12 . The component can then be easily pulled out for use. 
         [0078]      FIGS. 4A to 4B  show a fourth embodiment of a tool case  1  similar to the third embodiment. Some end stops  13 ′ are not part of the panel, but rather a double-walled construction is used on the lid. This provides immobility for the part when the case is closed as described above. 
         [0079]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  show a fifth embodiment. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. The stop plate  4  is mounted below the panel and biased away from the panel by means of biasing means  6 , for example one or more springs, when the case is open. The fingers  10  are then slid through the slots  14 , permitting easy removal of the components  11  when the lid is open. Attached to the panel  5  via a mounting post  20  is a lever  21  that pivots on the underside of the panel. When the lid is open, the lever is free to pivot with the stop plate  4  movement. When the lid is closed, a rib or post  17 ′, preferably molded on the inside of the lid, presses the stop plate towards the lid and the tip of the fingers  10  protrude through slots  14  in the panel to act as further end stops for the components (similar to the fingers described above). 
         [0080]      FIGS. 6A to 6D  show a sixth embodiment, similar to the third and fourth embodiments. The case has a panel that incorporates recesses, stops, and different elevations all molded as part of the panel. The removal process is similar to that described for embodiments three and four above. 
         [0081]      FIGS. 7A to 7H  show a seventh embodiment. This embodiment is somewhat similar to the first embodiment, but the stop plate  4  mounted below the panel  5  is biased upwards by means of biasing means  6 , for example one or more springs. The biasing means are thus mounted between the base  3  and the stop plate  4 . A long lever  22  having an end knob  23  for facilitated manipulation, is pivotably connected to one side of the base and extends across the stop plate and protrudes through the opposite side of the base via a J-shaped opening  24 . The long lever provides a manual means to raise and lower the fingers  10 . When the lid is open, the end of the long lever is pushed along the J slot and inserted in the short end (base end or “dead end”) of the J to retain it. This lowers the stop plate and makes the components easily accessible. 
         [0082]    When the lid is closed, a tapered projection  25  on the edge of the lid urges the lever out of the short end of the J and the stop plate is biased upwards, providing the stops for the components. 
         [0083]      FIGS. 8A to 8F  show an eighth embodiment. The panel has recesses (omitted for clarity) accommodating at least one pivotable holder  26 . Components  11  are placed in the pivotable holder, which is then attached to the panel by means of pivot pins  27  (preferably molded on the sides of the pivotable holder) and mounting holes (not shown) through side walls  28  of the recesses. The pivot points are located such that the holder  26  pivots up to expose the components in their free position, when the lid  2  is open. The holder preferably have an enclosed end  29 , an open end  30  and a hold down bar  31 . The components are inserted into the holder via the open end and securely held by the enclosed end in cooperation with the hold down bar. The holder further has an extension arm  32 , preferably integrally molded with the holder, on one side of said holder protruding from the open end  30 . The lid has an activation ridge  33 , preferably integrally molded with the lid, on an inside edge of the lid. Upon closing, the activation ridge depresses the extension arm  32  and urges it flat into the recess preventing removal or dislodging of components held in the holder  26 . The holder thus forms an unbalanced see-saw, when it is mounted in a recess of the panel  5 , with the heavy end being the enclosed end  29 . 
         [0084]      FIGS. 9A to 9C  show a ninth embodiment. The panel  5  has spring tongues  34  and bridges  12 , which preferably are integrally molded with the panel. Components  11  are placed through the bridges  12  and the ends of the components snapped into place for retention. To remove the components, retainers  13 ″ are bent away from the components and the spring tongues urge the components up and away from the retainers and the panel for removal. The spring tongues are surrounded by a tongue slit  35  on all but one side. 
         [0085]      FIGS. 10A to 10B  show a tenth embodiment. The pariel has a recess  19 ′ corresponding to the earlier described depression  19 , so that one end of the component  11  can be pressed down to free the other end from the clip and elevating it for easy removal. The recess  19 ′ has a sloping floor, as opposed to the depression  19 , which has a level floor. Finger access depressions  35  have also been provided for ease of removal, either before or after the component is pressed down with one end into the recess  19 ′. 
         [0086]    Usually, small power bits  11 ′ (around 25 mm in length) are difficult to remove from their panel holes  36 . The section(s) of the panel in which the small power bits are stored can be raised and the fit of the bit in the panel hole can be made loose. In this way, the lid  2  prevents the components from falling out of the panel holes when the lid is closed, yet the bits are easily removed when the lid is opened. The distance between the top surface of the panel and the inner surface of the lid is designated A, and should be of a length that leaves less space between the tip of the small power bit and the lid than the distance the bit is inserted into the panel holes, to prevent the bits from sliding out of the panel holes when the lid is closed. 
         [0087]    Longer power bits  11 ″ (e.g. 50 mm in length) are preferably held by clips  12  on angled surfaces  37  or on elevated surfaces such as a fulcrum bar  45  and clip  46  (see  FIGS. 14C and 14D ). An end clip  12 ″ is preferably used in the notch of the bit to prevent longitudinal movement, while the clip  12  holds the body of the long power bit. Because of the angular or flat elevated position, finger access is facilitated and removal made easier, because a finger can easily access the under side of the end of the bit. 
         [0088]      FIGS. 11A-11D  show an eleventh embodiment, in which bits  11  are mounted at an angle relative to the base  3 , for easy access, and in which the lid  2  when closed prevents the bits from falling out of the apertures in which they sit. Note that the lid does not have to contact the bits; it merely has to be sufficiently close to the bits to prevent them from having enough clearance to fall out of their apertures. 
         [0089]      FIGS. 11C and 11  D show a variation in which the lid  2  is provided with ribs  40  which prevent withdrawal of the bits, instead of relying on the lid itself. The ribs of course have the added benefit of strengthening the lid. 
         [0090]      FIGS. 12A-12E  show a twelfth embodiment, in which there are a variety of pivotable holders  41 , which pivot to an easy access position when the lid  2  is open, but which are closed when the lid is closed, and are configured relative to each other such that in the closed position, any components  11  are trapped, either by being unable to be extracted because of proximity to another holder or to a part of the case, or by being within a compartment which is closed off by proximity to another holder or to a part of the case. 
         [0091]      FIGS. 13A-13D  show a thirteenth embodiment, which is similar to the 11th embodiment. The bits or other components  11  are mounted at an angle relative to the base  3 , for easy access, and the lid  2  when closed prevents the bits from falling out of the apertures in which they sit. In this embodiment, the lid preferably has angled surfaces roughly paralleling the surfaces of the panel  5 , so that the lid surfaces are roughly at right angles to the axes of the components. Again, note that the lid does not necessarily have to contact the components; it merely has to be sufficiently close to the bits to prevent them from having enough clearance to fall out of their apertures. 
         [0092]      FIGS. 14A-14D  show a fourteenth embodiment, which is similar to the third, fourth, sixth and tenth embodiments.  FIG. 14C  shows a bridge  44  over a drill bit  11 , with a fulcrum bar  45  adjacent the bridge and under the drill bit. The distal end of the drill bit is held by a clip  46 . Pressing on the shank end of the drill bit causes rotation of the drill bit about the fulcrum bar  45 , such that the distal end snaps out of the clip  46 , allowing the drill bit to be extracted from under the bridge  44 , as shown in  FIG. 14D . 
         [0093]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  show a fifteenth embodiment. In this embodiment, tools  11  of varying sizes may be mounted in the case, in recesses whose depths are selected relative to the sizes of the tools such that the lid  2  when closed contacts or comes close to contacting the tools, such that there is no room for them to fall out of their respective recesses. In this case in particular, but also in others as applicable, it is particularly advantageous to use a stepped approach in arranging the tools, in combination with a transparent lid, to maximize visibility of the tools. Thus, longer tools preferably will be at the front of the case, and shorter tools at the back of the case, as can be seen clearly from  FIGS. 15A and 15B . This arrangement provides the consumer with excellent visibility of the tools, secure storage for same, and easy access for same whenever required. 
         [0094]      FIGS. 16A-16E  show a variation of the fifteenth embodiment, in which the case has a plurality of externally-mounted pivotable bins  48 , in which components are trapped when the bins are rotated to a closed position.  FIGS. 16C ,  16 D and  16 E show a variation in which there are a number of divided compartments  55 , and a tray  56  which sits over the divided compartments, nesting with same and into end compartments thereof in particular. The tray then traps any items which are in the divided compartments. The tray itself has means for holding tools, such as holes  57  which can accommodate screwdrivers, for example. Preferably, as in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , sizing will be adjusted so that the lid  2  when closed is close to the upper end of the screwdriver handles, so that they are trapped in the case. If desired, the case may also be provided with a number of divided compartments  58  along the back wall of the case. 
         [0095]      FIGS. 17A and 17B  show a retention feature for hex bits, which may be used in virtually any of the cases described above as a convenient way of securely retaining the bits  11  while at the same time providing easy access. The panel  5  is provided with a number of recesses  50  into which the bits fit. Each bit typically has an annular groove  51 . The panel is provided with a resilient rail  52  extending along just underneath the panel, preferably as an integral part thereof, the rail having a ridge  53  configured to cooperate with the grooves  51  of the bits, to prevent the bits from falling out. However, sufficient resilience is provided so that the bits can be extracted with a minimal amount of force when needed.