Patent Publication Number: US-2013248390-A1

Title: System having at least a hand tool box and a construction site radio

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     The present application claims priority to and the benefit of German patent application no. 10 2012 204 407.8, which was filed in Germany on Mar. 20, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a system having at least a hand tool box and a construction site radio. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     A hand tool box having a permanently installed construction site radio is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,168. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A system having at least a hand tool box, a hand tool fastening arrangement, and a construction site radio configured to be removable from the hand tool box is proposed, the hand tool fastening arrangement and the construction site radio being configured to be jointly transportable in a receptacle space of the hand tool box. A “hand tool box” is to be understood in particular as a box which is provided for the purpose of accommodating at least one hand tool and/or one hand tool battery. The hand tool box may have at least one main body and a box lid. A “hand tool fastening arrangement” (“means”) is to be understood in particular as a structure which is provided for the purpose of fastening the hand tool and/or the hand tool battery in a form-fit and/or friction-locked manner in at least one operating state, in particular together with the box lid of the hand tool box. The hand tool fastening arrangement may delimit a hand tool receptacle area and/or a hand tool battery receptacle area, in particular on more than one side with a shape of the hand tool and/or the hand tool battery. The hand tool fastening arrangement may remain in the receptacle space of the hand tool box when the hand tool and/or the hand tool battery is/are removed. The hand tool fastening arrangement may be placed unfastened into the hand tool box in particular. Alternatively, the hand tool fastening arrangement could be mechanically connected to the hand tool box and/or configured at least partially in one piece with the hand tool box. A “construction site radio” is to be understood in particular as a radio which is provided for use on a construction site. The construction site radio may be provided for the purpose of surviving a fall from at least 1 m high without functional restrictions resulting therefrom. The construction site radio is advantageously protected against environmental influences at least according to protection class IP53. In particular, the term “configured to be removable” is to be understood to mean that the construction site radio may be removed without tools and nondestructively from the hand tool box. 
     The construction site radio may be removable from the hand tool box with few manipulations. In particular, the construction site radio is configured to be usable separately from the hand tool box. A “receptacle space” is to be understood in particular as a space which encloses the hand tool box when the box lid is closed. In particular, the term “jointly transportable in a receptacle space” is to be understood to mean that the hand tool fastening arrangement and the construction site radio have a size and a shape by which the hand tool fastening arrangement and the construction site radio fit together in the receptacle space when the box lid is closed. Through the embodiment according to the present invention of the system, the construction site radio and a hand tool fastened by the hand tool fastening arrangement may advantageously be transported protected in the same hand tool box. 
     In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the construction site radio occupies less than two-thirds of the receptacle space, whereby plenty of space advantageously remains for a hand tool fastened by the hand tool fastening arrangement. In particular, “occupying less than two-thirds of the receptacle space” in this context is to be understood to mean that the construction site radio fills up less than 66% of a volume of the receptacle space. The construction site radio may occupy less than one-half of the receptacle space. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed that the construction site radio has an outside extension parallel to a main extension plane of the construction site radio of less than 250 mm, advantageously less than 220 mm, particularly advantageously less than 200 mm, whereby a particularly large amount of space may be achieved for a hand tool fastened by the hand tool fastening arrangement. An “outside extension” is to be understood in particular as a minimum distance between two planes aligned in parallel to one another, neither of which intersect the construction site radio, the construction site radio being arranged between the planes. In particular, a “main extension plane” is to be understood as a plane which has a maximum area of intersection with a volume delimited by the construction site radio. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed that the construction site radio and the hand tool fastening arrangement fill up the receptacle space essentially in a form-fit manner, whereby the receptacle space is advantageously utilized and a structurally complex fastening of the construction site radio may be omitted. The term “filling up essentially in a formfitting manner” is to be understood in particular to mean that the construction site radio and the hand tool fastening arrangement jointly have a shape which, when the box lid is closed, at least essentially prevents a movement of the construction site radio and the hand tool fastening arrangement relative to a main body of the hand tool box. The form fit may be subject to play, to ensure simple removal and replacement. In particular, “at least essentially” is to be understood in this context to mean that the construction site radio and the hand tool fastening arrangement may move less than 3 cm, advantageously less than 1 cm, particularly advantageously less than 0.5 cm in relation to the main body of the hand tool box. 
     In addition, it is proposed that the construction site radio has a handle arrangement, which is provided for the purpose of supporting a weight of the construction site radio on a plane in each orientation of the construction site radio, whereby a radio housing of the construction site radio is advantageously protected inside the hand tool box and outside the hand tool box. A “handle arrangement” (“means”) is to be understood in particular as a structure which is provided for the purpose of being at least partially covered by a hand when carrying the construction site radio. The handle arrangement advantageously has a rod-shaped handle area. The construction site radio may have a radio housing which encloses an interior space, in which at least one electronics element of the construction site radio is situated. The handle arrangement and the radio housing may have different materials. The handle arrangement may be made of a viscoelastic, elastic, or rubber-like material which appears meaningful to those skilled in the art, but may be made of polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and/or nitrile rubber. The radio housing is advantageously made of a material which appears meaningful to those skilled in the art, but particularly advantageously made of polyamide, high-impact polystyrene, polycarbonate, and/or advantageously of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. In particular, the term “supporting a weight on a plane in an orientation” is to be understood to mean that only the handle arrangement touches the plane when the construction site radio rests on the plane. An area spanned by the handle arrangement may enclose the entire construction site radio. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed that the handle arrangement be configured in one piece, whereby particularly simple installation is possible. “One piece” is to be understood in particular as integrally joined, for example, by a welding process and/or gluing process, etc., and particularly advantageously molded on, as by the monolithic production and/or by the production in a single component or multicomponent injection molding method. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed that the handle arrangement be formed at least partially from a rubber-like material, whereby damage to the handle arrangement by mechanical action may be avoided. In particular, a rubber-like material is to be understood as a material which has a modulus of elasticity less than 4 kN/mm 2 , advantageously less than 2 kN/mm 2 , particularly advantageously less than 1 kN/mm 2 . Alternatively or advantageously additionally, the handle arrangement has viscoelastic and/or elastic properties. 
     In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the construction site radio has at least one loudspeaker device, the handle arrangement being at least partially arranged in front of the loudspeaker device, whereby the loudspeaker device is advantageously protected. A “loudspeaker device” is to be understood in particular as a device which is provided for the purpose of acoustically outputting a received radio transmitter [sic; signal]. The loudspeaker device may include a loudspeaker and a loudspeaker cover, which is provided for the purpose of covering the loudspeaker. In particular, the term “situated in front of the loudspeaker device” is to be understood to mean that a beam intersects the handle arrangement, which begins on the surface of the loudspeaker device, points away from the loudspeaker device, and is aligned perpendicularly to a plane spanned by a surface of the loudspeaker device. 
     In addition, it is proposed that the system includes a power supply unit, the construction site radio delimiting a power supply unit receptacle space, which is provided for the purpose of accommodating the power supply unit, whereby the power supply unit may be transported comfortably and protected. “Delimiting a power supply unit receptacle space” is to be understood in particular to mean that the construction site radio at least partially encloses a space. The construction site radio may be provided for the purpose of fastening the power supply unit in a friction-locked and/or advantageously formfitting manner in the power supply unit receptacle space. The construction site radio may have a sealing arrangement, which is provided for the purpose of sealing off the power supply unit receptacle space. 
     The construction site radio may include a power supply unit interface, which is provided for the purpose of absorbing electrical power from the power supply unit. A “power supply unit” is to be understood in particular as a device which is provided for the purpose of converting a system voltage, in particular 230 V and/or 110 V, into a lower voltage, in particular 12 V, advantageously a DC voltage, to power the construction site radio. In particular, “accommodating” is to be understood to mean that the power supply unit may be situated completely in the power supply unit receptacle space in at least one operating state, advantageously during transport. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed that the power supply unit has a shield, which is provided for the purpose of minimizing an emission of electromagnetic waves at least in a radio frequency range, whereby an advantageous low-interference radio reception is possible. An “emission” is to be understood in particular as transmitting the electromagnetic waves and/or deflecting the electromagnetic waves via a cable. In particular, a “radio frequency range” is to be understood as a range in which a radio transmitter [sic; signal] is receivable with the aid of the construction site radio in at least one operating state. The term “minimizing” is to be understood in particular to mean that the shield reduces an emission, which appears meaningful to those skilled in the art, in the radio frequency range by at least 10 dB, advantageously at least 20 dB, particularly advantageously at least 30 dB. 
     In addition, it is proposed that the system has a hand tool battery, the construction site radio having a battery interface, which is provided for the purpose of being at least electrically coupled to the hand tool battery, whereby a cordless operation is possible using a hand tool battery, which is advantageously also usable in other ways. A “hand tool battery” is to be understood in particular as a battery which is provided for the purpose of supplying a hand tool with power, in particular when it is used as intended. In an operationally ready state, the hand tool battery may be connected to the hand tool so it is removable without tools in particular. Alternatively or additionally, a hand tool battery could be integrated into the hand tool. In particular, a “hand tool” is to be understood as a portable tool which appears meaningful to those skilled in the art, but advantageously a power drill, a hammer drill, a percussion hammer, a saw, a plane, a screwdriver, a milling machine, a grinder, an angle grinder, a gardening tool, a construction site measuring device, and/or a multifunction tool. A “battery interface” is to be understood in particular as an interface which is provided for the purpose of absorbing electrical power from the hand tool battery. “Coupling” is to be understood in particular as establishing a functional connection. 
     Furthermore, it is proposed that the hand tool battery and/or the construction site radio have an unlocking arrangement, which is provided for the purpose of unlocking the hand tool battery, which is locked with the construction site radio, using an actuating direction at least essentially perpendicular to a main extension plane of the construction site radio, whereby particularly comfortable unlocking is possible. An “unlocking arrangement” (“means”) is to be understood in particular as a structure whose actuation disconnects a connection between the construction site radio and the hand tool battery. The hand tool battery may have the unlocking arrangement. Alternatively or additionally, the construction site radio could have an unlocking arrangement. An “actuating direction” is to be understood in particular as a direction into which, in the event of an actuation, an area of the unlocking arrangement is moved, which is touched by an operator for this purpose. The term “at least essentially perpendicular” is to be understood in particular to mean that the actuating direction deviates less than 45°, advantageously less than 30°, particularly advantageously less than 15° from the perpendicular direction. 
     In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention it is proposed that the construction site radio has a fastening arrangement, which is provided for coupling with a nail head and/or a screw head, whereby the construction site radio may advantageously be fastened on a wall in particular. A “fastening arrangement” (“means”) is to be understood in particular as a structure which is used in particular only for fastening the construction site radio. The fastening arrangement may delimit a T-shaped groove. The fastening arrangement is advantageously formed separately from the handle arrangement. 
     Further advantages result from the following description of the drawings. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawings. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also advantageously consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a system according to the present invention having a hand tool box, a hand tool fastening arrangement, and a construction site radio in a perspective view. 
         FIG. 2  shows the construction site radio from  FIG. 1  in a further perspective view. 
         FIG. 3  shows a handle arrangement of the construction site radio from  FIG. 1  in a perspective view. 
         FIG. 4  shows a section through the construction site radio from  FIG. 1  perpendicular to a main extension plane of the construction site radio. 
         FIG. 5  shows a power supply unit receptacle space of the construction site radio from  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a system  10  having a hand tool box  12 , a hand tool fastening arrangement  14 , a construction site radio  16 , a power supply unit  30 , a hand tool battery  34 , a hand tool  44 , and a charging device  45 . Hand tool box  12  has a box lid  46  and a main body  47 . Box lid  46  delimits a receptacle space  18  of hand tool box  12  on one side. Main body  47  delimits receptacle space  18  of hand tool box  12  on five sides. Construction site radio  16 , hand tool battery  34 , hand tool  44 , and charging device  45  are configured to be removable from hand tool box  12  when box lid  46  is open. Hand tool battery  34  has a nominal voltage of 10.8 V. Hand tool battery  34  is configured as a lithium-ion battery. 
     Hand tool fastening arrangement  14  and construction site radio  16  are configured to be jointly transportable in receptacle space  18  of hand tool box  12 . Hand tool fastening arrangement  14  and construction site radio  16  each occupy essentially one-half of receptacle space  18 . Construction site radio  16  has at least one outside extension  20  parallel to a main extension plane  22  of construction site radio  16  of 199.5 mm. Hand tool fastening arrangement  14  has an outside extension  48  parallel to a main extension plane of approximately 180 mm. Receptacle space  18  has a length of 378 mm along its longest edge. Construction site radio  16  and hand tool fastening arrangement  14  fill up receptacle space  18  in a formfitting manner. 
       FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5  show construction site radio  16 . Construction site radio  16  has a handle arrangement  24 , two loudspeaker devices  26 ,  28 , a power supply unit receptacle space  32 , a battery interface  36 , a fastening arrangement  42 , a radio housing  50 , an operating device  52 , electronics  54 , an antenna  56 , and a bridging power accumulator interface  58 . 
     Handle arrangement  24  is provided for the purpose of supporting a weight of construction site radio  16  on a plane in each orientation of construction site radio  16 . For this purpose, handle arrangement  24  protrudes on each side of construction site radio  16  farthest into a space surrounding construction site radio  16 . Handle arrangement  24  is configured in one piece. Handle arrangement  24  is formed from polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomer. Handle arrangement  24  has two rod-shaped handle areas  60 . Handle areas  60  are situated in front of loudspeaker devices  26 ,  28 . Handle areas  60  extend parallel to an edge of radio housing  50 . Fastening brackets  62 ,  64  of handle arrangement  24  adjoin handle areas  60  in each case on both sides. Fastening brackets  62 ,  64  each extend along another edge of radio housing  50  and on a side of radio housing  50  facing away from handle areas  60 . Two of fastening brackets  62  are connected to one another by a connecting area  66  along an edge adjacent to operating device  52 . During transport of construction site radio  16  in receptacle space  18 , an area  67  of hand tool box  12  which protrudes into receptacle space  18  is partially situated between areas of handle arrangement  24 . 
     Operating device  52  is situated inclined by approximately 60° in relation to main extension plane  22 , whereby the construction site radio may advantageously be operated both lying in hand tool box  12  and also upright on a wall. Operating device  52  has quick-selector buttons  68 , with the aid of which radio transmitters are selectable by a single press of a button. 
     Radio housing  50  delimits power supply unit receptacle space  32 . For this purpose, radio housing  50  has a power supply unit receptacle space cover  70 , which is blanked out in  FIG. 5 . Power supply unit receptacle space cover  70  seals off power supply receptacle space  32  in a closed state. Power supply unit receptacle space  32  has a width  72  of 138 mm, a height  74  of 80 mm, and a depth  76  of 46 mm. Radio housing  50  has a depth  78  of 64 mm. A depth  76  of power supply unit receptacle space  32  is therefore greater than 65% of a depth  78  of radio housing  50 . Power supply unit  30  is fastened in a formfitting manner in power supply unit receptacle space  32  when power supply unit receptacle space cover  70  is closed. Power supply unit receptacle space cover  70  may be opened without tools. For this purpose, power supply unit receptacle space  70  has a catch device  80 . 
     Battery interface  36  of construction site radio  16  is provided for the purpose of being electrically and mechanically coupled to hand tool battery  34  of system  10 . Hand tool battery  34  supplies construction site radio  16  with electrical power during operation via battery interface  36 . Hand tool battery  34  is inserted into battery interface  36  from a side facing away from operating device  52 . Battery interface  36  protrudes into power supply unit receptacle space  32 . Hand tool battery  34  has two unlocking arrangement  38 , which are provided for the purpose of unlocking hand tool battery  34 , which is locked with construction site radio  16 , in an actuation direction  40  perpendicular to main extension plane  22  of construction site radio  16 . Unlocking arrangement  38  are configured as flexible housing parts of hand tool battery  34 . Battery interface  36  of construction site radio  16  has a fastening element  82 , to which unlocking arrangement  38  is locked in an operating state. A fastening surface  84  of fastening element  82  is aligned essentially perpendicularly to main extension plane  22  of construction site radio  16 . Bridging power accumulator interface  58  is provided for the purpose of supplying an accumulator of electronics  54  with electrical power when battery interface  36  and power supply unit  30  are not providing power. Bridging power accumulator interface  58  is situated adjacent to battery interface  36 . Bridging power accumulator interface  58  is provided for the purpose of accommodating and contacting at least one battery. 
     Power supply unit  30  has a shield (not shown in greater detail), which is provided for the purpose of minimizing emission of electromagnetic waves at least in a radio frequency range. The shield includes an electrically conductive layer, which encloses a power converter of power supply unit  30 . In addition, the shield could have a ferrite core, which encloses a cable (not shown in greater detail) of power supply unit  30 . 
     Radio housing  50  of construction site radio  16  is configured in three parts. It includes a top shell  86 , a bottom shell  88 , and a battery shell  90 . Radio housing  50  encloses electronics  54 . Construction site radio  16  includes fastening arrangement  42 , which is provided for coupling with a nail head or a screw head. Fastening arrangement  42  has a recess  92 . Recess  92  is delimited by handle arrangement  24  and bottom shell  88 . Handle arrangement  24  has a notch  94 , which is situated over recess  92 . A shaft of a screw or a nail protrudes into notch  94  during fastening of construction site radio  16 , while the nail head or the screw head is situated in recess  92 . Radio housing  50  delimits recesses  96 , by which unlocking arrangement  38  of hand tool battery  34  are operable. Radio housing  50  delimits an antenna recess  98 . Antenna  56  is configured to be slewable into antenna recess  98  for transport.