Abstract:
A tool holder insert for use with storage containers is provided including a base portion and a sleeve. The base portion has a first end and a second end. The first end includes an interlock feature adapted to be a non-rotatably coupled to the storage container. The sleeve is rotatably coupled to the base between the first and second ends. A specialized tool accessory is supported within the storage container by the tool holder insert.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to tool containers and, more specifically, to inserts which are adapted to be retained within the containers. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Tool users, whether casual or professional, desire to maintain their tools in some type of organized fashion that provides for easy access to the tools. Several types of tool containers serve such a function. 
   While the tool containers work satisfactorily for their intended design purpose, these containers have their drawbacks. One such drawback is the lack of ability to reconfigure the location or type of the tool holder within the container. Another drawback is the inability to provide easy access to the tools once the tools are in the tool container and the inability to store specialized tool accessories therein. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, a tool holder insert is provided that is selectively located in a storage container for storing a tool holder therein. The tool holder insert includes a base portion and a sleeve. The base portion has a first end and a second end. The first end includes an interlock feature adapted to be non-rotatably coupled to a storage container. The sleeve is rotatably coupled to the base between the first and second ends. 
   Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tool container of the present invention in a closed position; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the tool container of the present invention in an open position; 
       FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the insert of the present invention in a storage position; 
       FIG. 4  is a side plan view of the insert of  FIG. 3  in an access position; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the base of the insert of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the base in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the sleeve of the insert of  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary tool retained by the insert in  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  show a tool container  10  having two housing members  12 ,  14  which are pivotally secured to one another by a hinge  16 . The housing members  12 ,  14  include peripheral walls  18 ,  20  defining lateral walls  22 ,  24 ;  26 ,  28  and longitudinal walls  30 ,  32 ;  34 ,  36 . The longitudinal walls  30 ,  32 ;  34 ,  36  include a plurality of dovetail tenons  38  and recesses  40  that define interlock features. It should be understood that other interlock features can also be used. The structure of the exemplary tool container  10  is described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,755,302, herein incorporated by reference. The insert  42  of the present invention is shown in engagement with the dovetail tenons  38 . 
     FIGS. 3-8  depict an exemplary preferred embodiment of an insert  42  supporting a bit holder  44  according to the teachings of the present invention, shown merely for purposes of illustration. One skilled in the art will readily recognize, from the following discussion and accompanying drawings, a variety of specialized inserts can advantageously employ the principles of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  8  show the insert  42  and a bit holder  44  in greater detail. The insert  42  includes a base  46  and a sleeve  48 . The insert  42  provides storage for the bit holder  44 . The sleeve  48  retains the bit holder  44  and is pivotally supported by the base  46  providing a storage position (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and an access position (shown in  FIG. 4 ). As best shown in  FIG. 8 , the bit holder  44  includes a body  50  having a hex shank  52  extending therefrom. A hex-shaped bore  54  is formed in the body  50 , with the bore  54  opening axially outwardly toward the front of the bit holder  44 . The structure of the bit holder  44  is described in more detail in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0230862A1, herein incorporated by reference. It should be noted that while the description of the invention includes an insert  42  accommodating a bit holder  44 , it should be understood by one of skill in the art that a variety of other tools could be conveniently stored requiring only slight modifications to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 3-6  show the base  46  of the insert  42  in greater detail. As best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the base  46  includes a first end  56  and a second end  58 . The first end  56  is removably coupled to the tool container  10  at a rear wall  60 . The rear wall  60  includes a rear surface  62  having a plurality of tenons  64  and recesses  66  to mate, respectively, with the dovetail tenons  38  and recesses  40  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) provided on the longitudinal walls  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  of the tool container  10 . The tenons  64  have angled walls  68 ,  70 . Also, the tenons  64  are larger at the top  72  and smaller at the bottom  74  to provide an overall trapezoidal shape. The recesses  66  are defined by the walls  68 ,  70  of the tenons  64  and include a rear wall  76 . The recesses  66  are larger at the bottom  78  and smaller at the top  80  to provide an overall trapezoidal shape. Thus, the tool retaining insert  42  is positioned inside of the housing members  12 ,  14  so that a friction fit is maintained between the housing members  12 ,  14  and the insert  42 . The friction is such that the tool retaining insert  42  is substantially fixedly maintained within the tool container  10 . 
   A front wall  82  is located between the rear wall  60  and the second end  58  of the base  46 . The front wall  82  includes a V-shaped recessed cradle  84  for receiving the hexagonal shaped outer surface  86  of the sleeve  48 . A pair of sidewalls  88 ,  90  extend from the base  46  at the first end  56  and connect the front  82  and rear  60  walls. The sidewalls  88 ,  90  are generally perpendicular to the rear wall  60  and include a series of pivot receptors  92 ,  94  for engagement with the sleeve  48 . 
   The pivot receptors  92 ,  94  extend generally inwardly from the sidewalls  88 ,  90  and generally below the upper sidewall surface  96 . The pivot receptors  92 ,  94  are generally identical, therefore only one pivot receptor  92  will be described in detail. The pivot receptor  92  includes an aperture  98  passing through the sidewall  88  and a protrusion  100  partially surrounding the aperture  98 . A first portion  102  of the protrusion  100  is located a distance slightly less than the diameter of one of the arms  104  of the sleeve  48 , providing a snap fit for the arm  104  between the upper sidewall surface  96  and the first portion  102 . A second portion  106  of the protrusion  100  has a generally arcuate shape and is sized similar to the arm  104 , having a slightly larger diameter than that of the arm  104 , allowing the arm  104  to freely rotate therein. 
   A chamber  108  is defined by the series of sidewalls  88 ,  90  and the front  82  and rear  60  walls and generally houses a portion of the sleeve  48 . The chamber  108  further includes an aperture  110  extending through the base  46 , allowing the sleeve  48  to pass therethrough from the lower surface  112  to the chamber  108 . The aperture  110  generally extends between the sidewalls  88 ,  90 , rear wall  60  and front wall  82 . A side portion  114  of the base  46  extends outwardly from each of the sidewalls  88 ,  90 . The side portion  114  generally extends the length of the sidewalls  88 ,  90  and connects with the rear wall  60 . An upper wall portion  116  extends from the rear wall  60  and has a semi-hexagonal shape. 
   An elongated portion extends from the front wall  82  in a direction generally opposite the recess  108  and generally defines the second end  58 . The second end  58  is generally rectangular and includes an arcuate recess  120  for housing the bit holder  44 . The arcuate recess  120  has a rib  122  disposed therein to support a portion of the body  50  of the bit holder  44 . The base  46  further includes a finger  124  located at the second end  58 . The finger  124  extends generally upward from the lower surface  112  of the base  46  to a height generally equal to the height of the bore  54  of the bit holder  44  when in a storage position. The finger  124  includes a top portion  126  extending toward the first end  56  and partially into the bore  54  of the bit holder  44 , providing engagement between the base  46  and bit holder  44  retained in the sleeve  48  so that the bit holder  44  cannot become inadvertently dislodged from the sleeve  48 . 
   The sleeve  48  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 3-4  and  7 . The sleeve  48  includes a body  134  having a first end  128 , a second end  130  and a recess  132  extending partially into the body  134  of the sleeve  48  from the first end  128 . The second end  130  includes a wall  136  defining a stop for the recess  132 . The hex shank  52  of the bit holder  44  is housed in the sleeve  48 . The sleeve  48  has a generally hexagonal outer surface  86  and a generally hexagonal inner recess  132 , thereby accommodating the hex shank  52  of the bit holder  44 . The sleeve  48  may be inserted into the chamber  108  through the aperture  110  through the lower surface  112 . A series of generally cylindrical arms  104  extend from a medial portion of the sleeve  48  and are able to be snapped into the pivot receptors  92 ,  94  in the sidewalls  88 ,  90  after the sleeve  48  is inserted through the aperture  110  in the chamber  108  at the first end  56 . Once the arms  104  are snapped into the pivot receptors  92 ,  94 , the sleeve  48  is pivotally supported by the base  46 . The upper sidewall surface  96  prevents the sleeve  48  from being removed from the top. 
   The V-shaped cradle  84  of the base  46  allows the first end  56  of the sleeve  48  to rest thereon, thereby supporting the sleeve  48  in a storage position. A series of projections  138 ,  140  extend outwardly from the body  134  of the sleeve  48 . These projections  138 ,  140  serve as stops, allowing the sleeve  48  to be indexed between a horizontal position (shown in  FIG. 3 ) with respect to the base  46  and an angularly upright position (shown in  FIG. 4 ). This is achieved through the projections  138 ,  140  extending from the sleeve  48  a distance greater than the distance defined between the upper sidewall surfaces  96 , causing an interference fit. The projections  138 ,  140  rest on the upper sidewall surface  96  unless forced past this position, creating the indexing mentioned above. A first series of projections  138  are disposed between the arms  104  and the first end  56  and are slightly above the arms  104  when in a storage position, providing indexing for an angularly upright position. A second series of projections  140  are located between the arms  104  and the second end  58  and above the first series of stops  138  when the sleeve  48  is in a storage position. 
   The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.