Patent Publication Number: US-9901170-B2

Title: Keyless locking tool chest

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention generally relates to a device and a method of providing a keyless locking tool chest. 
     2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information 
     The tool boxes and tool chests known in the art typically comprise a plurality of drawers which can be locked and unlocked using a traditional set of keys. The main problem with using traditional keys is that if the keys are lost or stolen, the user will need to replace the entire lock system. Further, the traditional key and lock system does not prevent an unauthorized person from making a duplicate key to open the tool chest. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A current keyless locking tool chest, or simply a keyless tool chest, that embodies the invention described herein provides a tool chest having a plurality of drawers that can be locked and unlocked with a keyless lock. This eliminates the need for traditional keys to lock the tool chest, yet maintains the maximum security of the tool chest by allowing a user to create his or her own secret lock combination and reducing the chance of an unauthorized person using a duplicate key to open the tool chest. 
     In one aspect, a keyless tool chest comprises a plurality of drawers, a keyless lock and a locking mechanism connected to the keyless lock that locks and unlocks the plurality of drawers. In one embodiment, the keyless lock may comprise a combination lock having a plurality of rotating discs with inscribed numerical notches. In another embodiment, the keyless lock may comprise an electronic keypad wherein a predetermined numerical combination can be entered. 
     The locking mechanism may further comprise at least a horizontal bar that is connected to the keyless lock and a turn dial at its center, and a pair of vertical bars at its ends. In one preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism may comprise two horizontal bars. The pair of vertical bars is connected to each of the plurality of drawers. In a “locked” configuration, the horizontal bar and the pair of vertical bars are not movable, such that the plurality of drawers cannot be pulled out of the chest. Upon setting the correct numerical combination, either by aligning the numerical notches on the plurality of rotating discs or by entering digital numbers using the electronic keypad, the turn dial becomes rotatable and the horizontal bar becomes movable together with the pair of vertical bars, such that the plurality of drawers can be pulled out of the tool chest. 
     In yet another aspect, a method of providing a keyless tool chest is provided. The method may comprise providing a plurality of drawers, providing a keyless lock, and providing a locking mechanism that locks and unlocks the plurality of drawers. 
     The step of providing a keyless lock may comprise providing a combination lock having a plurality of rotating discs with inscribed numerical notches. In another preferred method, this step may comprise providing a combination lock with an electronic keypad. 
     The step of providing a locking mechanism that locks and unlocks the plurality of drawers may further comprise connecting a horizontal bar to the keyless lock and a turn dial at its center, and connecting the horizontal bar to a pair of vertical bars at the horizontal bar&#39;s opposite ends, wherein the pair of vertical bars is connected to each of the plurality of drawers. The step may further comprise setting the correct numerical combination to allow the turn dial to rotate and the horizontal bar to move together with the pair of vertical bars to allow the plurality of drawers to be pulled out of the tool chest. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a keyless tool chest with a plurality of drawers closed. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the keyless tool chest with the plurality of drawers closed. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the keyless tool chest with the plurality of drawers open. 
         FIG. 4  is a close up perspective view of the keyless lock. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a keyless lock and a locking mechanism. 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective internal view of the keyless tool chest. 
         FIG. 7  is a close up view of a center washer connecting a horizontal bar to the keyless lock. 
         FIG. 8  is a close up internal view of a first corner of the keyless tool chest. 
         FIG. 9  is another close up internal view of a second corner of the keyless tool chest. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram of a preferred method of providing a keyless tool chest. 
     
    
    
     The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Throughout the specification, positional and directional terms below refer to the following:
         “Front” shall refer to the side or direction where a keyless lock and a plurality of drawers are located.   “Back” or “Rear” shall refer to the side or direction away from the keyless lock and the plurality of drawers.   “Right” shall refer to the right side or direction when viewed from the front.   “Left” shall refer to the left side or direction when viewed from the front.       

       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a general external overview of a preferred embodiment of a keyless locking tool chest, or simply a tool chest, designated by a reference numeral  10 . The tool chest  10  may comprise a plurality of left drawers  20 , a plurality of right drawers  23 , a keyless lock  30  and a turn dial  32 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the plurality of left drawers  20  is identical one from another, and individual left drawer  20  shall be denoted by the suffix “−1,” “−2,” “−3” and so forth. Similarly, each of the plurality of right drawers  23  is identical one from another, and individual right drawer  23  shall be denoted by the suffix “−1,” “−2,” “−3” and so forth. 
     In the default “locked” position, the plurality of left drawers  20  and the plurality of right drawers  23  are “closed” or pushed into the tool chest  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in an “unlocked” position, the plurality of left drawers  20  and the plurality of right drawers  23  are “open” and can be pulled out of the tool chest  10 . As will be discussed in further details below, the tool chest  10  can only be unlocked when the right numerical combination is set into the keyless lock. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the keyless lock  30  and the turn dial  32 . In the preferred embodiment, the keyless lock  30  comprises a multiple digit combination lock having a plurality of rotating discs with inscribed numerical notches  31 . In the illustrated embodiment, the combination lock  30  preferably comprises a 3-digit roll lock, although lesser or greater digits may be provided. In another embodiment, the keyless lock  30  may comprise an electronic keypad (not shown) wherein a predetermined numerical combination can be entered. The turn dial  32  is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions when the predetermined numerical combination is set in the keyless lock  30  and the tool chest  10  is in the unlocked position. According to the preferred embodiment, a user can create and reset any personal code combination to operate the keyless lock  30 . 
       FIG. 5  provides a detailed view of the configuration of the keyless lock  30  and a locking mechanism  50 . As shown here, the locking mechanism  50  comprises a left horizontal bar  42 , a right horizontal bar  44 , a left vertical bar  52 , a right vertical bar  54 , a center washer  56 , a left horizontal bracket  46  and a right horizontal bracket  48 . The left horizontal bar  42  comprises a left center opening  41 , a left bracket hole  58  and a left corner opening  60 . The right horizontal bar  44  comprises a right center opening  43 , a right bracket hole  62  and a right corner opening  64 . The left vertical bar  52  comprises a left top hole  66  and the right vertical bar  54  comprises a right top hole  68 . The center washer  56  comprises a washer opening  70 . 
     In a fully assembled form, the turn dial  32  is internally connected to the keyless lock  30  such that when the correct predetermined combination is set in the keyless lock  30 , the turn dial  32  is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The turn dial  32  is tightly secured to the center washer  56  through the washer opening  70  such that when the turn dial  32  is rotated, the center washer  56  is also rotated. Further, the center washer  56  is connected to the left horizontal bar  42  through the left center opening  41  and to the right horizontal bar  44  though the right center opening  43  using a first nut and bolt set  72 . The left horizontal bar  42  is secured to the inside portion of the tool chest  10  through the left bracket hole  58  and the left horizontal bracket  46  using a second nut and bolt set  74 . The right horizontal bar  44  is secured to the inside portion of the tool chest  10  through the right bracket hole  62  and the right horizontal bracket  48  using a third nut and bolt set  76 . The left horizontal bar  42  is further connected to the left vertical bar  52  through the left corner opening  60  and the left top hole  66  using a fourth nut and bolt set  78 . The right horizontal bar  44  is further connected to the right vertical bar  54  through the right corner opening  64  and the right top hole  68  using a fifth nut and bolt set  80 . 
     Due to the single connection between the turn dial  32 , the center washer  56 , the left horizontal bar  42  and the right horizontal bar  44  at the center of the assembly, when the turn dial  32  is rotated, the left horizontal bar  42  and the right horizontal bar  44  move together with the left vertical bar  52  and the right vertical bar  54  to allow the plurality of left drawers  20  and the plurality of right drawers  23  to be pulled out of the tool chest  10 . 
       FIGS. 6-9  provide a close up view from the back of the locking mechanism  50 , a first left drawer  20 - 1  and a first right drawer  23 - 1 . As shown in  FIG. 7-9 , the left center opening  41 , the right center opening  43 , the left top hole  66  and the right top hole  68  are elongated. In the default locked position, the left horizontal bar  42  and the right horizontal bar  44  are linearly aligned in series. The left vertical bar  52  and the right vertical bar  54  are in a down position, wherein the left vertical bar  52  is in a 90° right angle relative to the left horizontal bar  42  and the right vertical bar  54  is in a 90° right angle relative to the right horizontal bar  44 . 
     Upon setting the correct predetermined numerical combination in the keyless lock  30 , the turn dial  32  becomes rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Upon turning the turn dial  32  clockwise (as viewed from the front), the center washer  56  rotates 90° in the clockwise direction and the first nut  72  and bolt set slides along the elongated openings of the left center opening  41  and the right center opening  43 . Simultaneously, the fourth nut and bolt set  78  in the left connection of the assembly slides along the elongated opening of the left top hole  66 , and the fifth nut and bolt set  80  in the right connection of the assembly slides along the elongated opening of the right top hole  68 . Moving as a unit, the left horizontal bar  42  and the right horizontal bar  44  become slightly raised, non-linear and angled relative to each other, and the left vertical bar  52  and the right vertical bar  54  become slightly raised as well. In this configuration, the plurality of left drawers  20  and the plurality of right drawers  23  can be pulled out of the tool chest  10 . Upon turning the turn dial  32  counterclockwise (as viewed from the front), the center washer  56  rotates 90° in the counterclockwise direction and the first nut and bolt set  72  slides along the elongated openings of the left center opening  41  and the right center opening  43  to its original position. Simultaneously, the fourth nut and bolt set  78  in the left connection of the assembly slides along the elongated opening of the left top hole  66 , and the fifth nut and bolt set  80  in the right connection of the assembly slides along the elongated opening of the right top hole  68  to their respective original positions. Moving as a unit, the left horizontal bar  42  and the right horizontal bar  44  become linearly aligned relative to each other once again, the left vertical bar  52  returns to its original down position in a 90° right angle relative to the left horizontal bar  42 , and the right vertical bar  54  returns to its original down position in a 90° right angle relative to the right horizontal bar  44 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a preferred method  200  of providing a keyless tool chest. The method  200  may comprise a step  210  of providing a plurality of drawers, a step  220  of providing a keyless lock and a step  230  of providing a locking mechanism that locks and unlocks the plurality of drawers. 
     The step  210  of providing a plurality of drawers may further comprise providing a plurality of left drawers and a plurality of right drawers. In one aspect, the step  210  may further comprise providing an equal number of the plurality of left drawers to the number of the plurality of right drawers. In another aspect, the step  210  may further comprise providing an unequal number of the plurality of left drawers to the number of the plurality of right drawers. 
     The step  220  of providing a keyless lock may further comprise providing a combination lock having a plurality of rotating discs with inscribed numerical notches. In another preferred method, the step  220  may comprise providing an electronic keypad wherein a predetermined numerical combination can be entered. According to the preferred method, the step  220  may further comprise connecting the keyless lock to a turn dial, wherein the turn dial is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions when the predetermined numerical combination is set in the keyless lock. Preferably, the user can create and reset any personal code combination to operate the keyless lock. 
     The step  230  of providing a locking mechanism that locks and unlocks the plurality of drawers may further comprise connecting a pair of horizontal bars to the keyless lock and the turn dial, and connecting the horizontal bars to a pair of vertical bars at the horizontal bars&#39; opposite ends, wherein the pair of vertical bars is connected to each of the plurality of drawers. The step  230  may further comprise setting the correct numerical combination to allow the turn dial to rotate and the horizontal bars to move together with the vertical bars to allow the plurality drawers to be pulled out of the tool chest. 
     In one preferred method, the step  230  further comprises securing the turn dial to a center washer such that when the turn dial is rotated, the center washer is also rotated; securing the horizontal bars to the center washer; securing the horizontal bars to the inside portion of the tool chest through bracket holes; and securing the horizontal bars to the vertical bars. Upon setting the correct predetermined numerical combination in the keyless lock, the turn dial becomes rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions such that when the turn dial is turned clockwise, the center washer rotates 90° in the clockwise direction (as viewed from the front), the horizontal bars become slightly raised, non-linear and angled relative to each other, and the vertical bars become slightly raised. In this configuration, the plurality of drawers can be pulled out of the tool chest. Upon turning the turn dial counterclockwise (as viewed from the front), the center washer rotates 90° in the counterclockwise direction and the horizontal bars become linearly aligned relative to each other once again, and the vertical bars return to their original position in a 90° right angle relative to the horizontal bars. 
     Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements. 
     The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species. 
     The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
     The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.