Patent Publication Number: US-2022234190-A1

Title: Modular tool container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/269,286, filed Feb. 18, 2021, which is a national phase filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/US2019/050168, filed Sep. 9, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/728,891, filed Sep. 10, 2018, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a tool container or case, and more specifically, to a tool container or case with modular components allowing for user customization. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a container includes a base, first recesses, a lid, and an insert. The base includes a lower surface. Base walls extend from the lower surface. The lower surface and the base walls define a cavity. The first recesses are positioned adjacent to the lower surface. The lid is movably coupled to the base to selectively enclose the cavity. The lid includes an upper surface and lid walls that extend from the upper surface. The insert is positioned within the cavity and removably coupled to the lower surface of the base. The insert includes a projection received within one of the first recesses. The insert is engaged by the lid when the lid is closed. 
     In another aspect, a container includes a base with a lower surface and base walls extending from the lower surface, a hinge pivotably coupled to the base, and a lid pivotably coupled to the hinge. The lower surface and the base walls define a cavity. The lid selectively encloses the cavity. The lid includes an upper surface and lid walls extending from the upper surface. The hinge is rotatable relative to the base about a first axis, and the lid is rotatable relative to the hinge about a second axis parallel to and spaced apart from the first axis. The lid is movable between a first position, in which the lid encloses the cavity, and a second position, in which the base rests on the lid. 
     In yet another aspect, a container includes a base, first recesses, a hinge, a lid, and an insert. The base includes a lower surface, base walls that extend from the lower surface, and a cavity defined by the lower surface and the base walls. The first recesses are positioned adjacent to the lower surface. The hinge is pivotably coupled to the base. The lid is pivotably coupled to the hinge to selectively enclose the cavity. The insert is positioned within the cavity. The insert includes a projection received within one of the first recesses. The lid is movable between a first position, in which the lid encloses the cavity, and a second position, in which the base rests on the lid. The lid engages the insert when the lid is in the first position. 
     Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tool container. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the tool container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a base of the tool container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the tool container of  FIG. 1 , with a lid in a closed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the tool container of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the tool container of  FIG. 1 , with the lid in an opened position. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the tool container of  FIG. 6 , with the lid positioned beneath a base of the tool container. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an insert for the tool container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pin. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the tool container with the lid in the closed position. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a tool container according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of a base of the tool container of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a pin of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a tool container according to yet another embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an insert of the tool container of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a tool container according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the tool container of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of a base of the tool container of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a pin used with the tool container of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Use of “consisting of” and variations thereof as used herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. 
     In general, the present disclosure relates to a container for storing tools. Modular components couple to the container and allow a user to store the tools in a variety of positions within the container. The container also includes a lid that is movable from a first position on top of the container, to a second position underneath the container. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a tool container or case  10  includes a base  14  coupled to a lid  18  by a hinge  22 . The base  14  includes a first or lower surface  26  and walls  30  extending from the lower surface  26  and defining a cavity  34 . In some embodiments, a handle (not shown) is coupled to at least one of the walls  30  or to the lid  18 . The case  10  also includes recesses  38  positioned adjacent to the lower surface  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses  38  are formed directly on the lower surfaces  26 . The recesses  38  are generally circular in shape and each recess  38  includes an inner projection  41  ( FIG. 3 ) that is spaced from the outer boundary of the recess  38 . The recesses  38  are arranged in rows along the lower surface  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, each row of recesses  38  is offset from adjacent rows of recesses  38 . 
     The base  14  also includes a first locking member or latch  39  and a first receiving portion  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latch  39  is disposed on one wall  30 , and the first receiving portion  40  is disposed on another wall  30  opposite wall  30  containing the latch  39 . The latch  39  is movable (e.g., slidable, pivotable, detachable, etc.) relative to the wall  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first receiving portion  40  includes a series of openings  43  for coupling to the hinge  22 . Centers of the openings are aligned along an axis. In the illustrated embodiment, feet  118  are disposed on either side of the first receiving portion  40 . The feet  118  have a triangular profile. The feet  118  inhibit the base  14  from tipping over. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lid  18  includes a first or upper surface  42  and walls  46  extending from the upper surface  42 . The upper surface  42  includes recesses  50 . In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses  50  are circular in shape and have a smaller diameter than the recesses  38 . The recesses  50  are also arranged in rows along the upper surface  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, each row of recesses  50  is offset from adjacent rows of recesses  50 . When the lid  18  is closed ( FIGS. 4 and 10 ), the recesses  50  of the lid  18  are substantially aligned with the recesses  38  of the base  14 . In some embodiments, the recesses  50  also assist in the injection molding process, by eliminating the need for long core pins. 
     The lid  18  also includes a second locking member  51  and a second receiving portion  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second locking member  51  is disposed on one wall  46 , and the second receiving portion  52  is disposed on an opposite wall  46  from the second locking member  51 . The second locking member  51  includes a projection that is fixed relative to the wall  46 . The latch  39  selectively engages the second locking member  51  to secure the lid in a closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the second receiving portion  52  includes a series of openings for coupling to the hinge  22 . Centers of the openings are aligned along an axis. 
     The hinge  22  is an elongated body. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge  22  is substantially rectangular in shape. A third receiving portion  54  is disposed along a first edge of the hinge  22 , and a fourth receiving portion  58  is disposed along a second edge of the hinge  22  opposite the first edge. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving portions  54 ,  58  include series of aligned openings. Centers of the openings of the third receiving portion  54  and centers of the openings of the fourth receiving portion  58  are each aligned along respective axes. 
     The first receiving portion  40  is aligned with the third receiving portion  54 , and the second receiving portion  52  is aligned with the fourth receiving portion  58  (i.e., the centers of the series of openings making up the third and fourth receiving portions  54 ,  58  are aligned with the centers of the series of openings of the first and second receiving portions  40 ,  52  respectively). Rods or pins  62  are received in the adjacent receiving portions (e.g., the first and third receiving portions  40 ,  54  and the second and fourth receiving portions  52 ,  58 ). The rods  62  rotatably couple the hinge  22  to the base  14  and the lid  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lid  18  is movable relative to the base  14  to a first or closed position. The hinge  22  is pivotable relative to the base  14 , and the lid  18  is pivotable relative to the hinge  22 . Both the hinge  22  and the lid  18  pivot in a first rotational direction identified by arrow  66  (e.g., counterclockwise in  FIG. 5 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge  22  is pivotable to a substantially vertical position, and the lid  18  is pivotable to a substantially orthogonal position relative to the hinge  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  14  includes stops  74  ( FIG. 5 ), which extend from one of the walls  30 . The hinge  22  pivots in the first rotational direction  66  toward the stops  74 , and may pivot up to contacting the stops  74 . The stops  74  prevent the hinge  22  from being acute with respect to the wall  30 . In the closed position, the walls  46  of the lid  18  contact the walls  30  of the base  14 . The two sets of walls  30 ,  46  interlock and help secure the case  10  in the event that the case  10  is dropped. In particular, the illustrated wall  46  includes a protrusion or projection  63  formed on a lower edge of the wall  46 , while the illustrated wall  30  includes a gap or recess  64  formed in an upper edge of the wall  30 . The recess  64  receives the projection  63  to form the interlock between the walls  30 ,  46 . In other embodiments, the locations of the projection  63  and the recess  64  may be reversed, or the walls  30 ,  46  may include other features for creating an interlock between the walls  30 ,  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, when the lid  18  is closed, the lower surface  26  faces the upper surface  42 , and the recesses  38  are aligned with the recesses  50  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Before the lid  18  is closed, the latch  39  is moved along the wall  30 , providing clearance for the second locking member  51 . Once the lid is closed  18 , the latch  39  is moved back along the wall  30  to engage the second locking member  51 , thereby securing the lid  18  to the base  14 . In some embodiments, the latch  39  may include a biasing member (e.g., a spring) to bias the latch  39  into engagement with the locking member  51 . Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the latch  39  may be pivotable relative to the wall  30  to engage and disengage the locking member  51 . In further embodiments, other suitable types of latches may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid  18  completely covers the cavity  34  in the closed position. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lid  18  is also movable relative to the base  14  to a second or fully open position. The hinge  22  and the lid  18  pivot in a second rotational direction identified by arrow  70  (e.g., clockwise in  FIG. 7 ), which is opposite the first rotational direction  66  ( FIG. 5 ). The lid  18  pivots in the second rotational direction  70  and allows the base  14  to rest on top of the lid  18  (i.e., the lower surface  26  faces in an opposite direction as the upper surface  42 ). In the illustrated embodiment, an outer surface  112  the base  14  opposite the lower surface  26  includes projections or feet  110  disposed proximate corners of the base  14  ( FIG. 5 ). An outer surface  113  of the lid  18  opposite the upper surface  42  includes complementary depressions  114  ( FIG. 4 ). The feet  110  mate with the depressions  114  when the base  14  rests on top of the lid  18 , securing (e.g., via an interference fit) the lid  18  to the base  14  until the two are moved (e.g., pulled) apart by a user. 
     In the open position, the cavity  34  is unobstructed (i.e., the lid  18  and the hinge  22  are not blocking the cavity  34 ). While in this position, a user may access the cavity  34  along any of the walls  30 . In other situations (not shown), a user may not need to move the lid  18  to the fully open position, and may pivot the hinge  22  and the lid  18  in the second rotational direction  70  so that the lid  18  is spaced apart from the base  14 , but that the base  14  does not rest on top of the lid  18 . The fully open position, however, is also useful when displaying the case  10  in, for example, a store. The case  10  may be packaged (e.g., in a clear blister pack) while in the fully open position so that potential purchasers can see into the case prior to buying. 
     The case  10  is used to store tools and tool accessories. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the case  10  may be used to store hole saws and arbors. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 , one or more first inserts are positioned within the cavity  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first inset is an arbor box  78 . The arbor box  78  includes a base  82  defining a compartment or cavity  86 , a cover  90 , and posts or pins  94 . The cover  90  is movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the base  82  and selectively covers the cavity  86  ( FIG. 8 ). When the lid  18  is in the closed position ( FIG. 4 ), the cover  90  is unable to open and expose the cavity  86 . The lid  18  also includes two lugs  92  ( FIG. 1 ), which engage the cover  90  when the lid  14  is in the closed position. The lugs  92  inhibit the cover  90  from opening in the event the case  10  is dropped. In the illustrated embodiment, the arbor box  78  includes two pins  94 . The pins  94  are receivable in any of the recesses  38 . A user may reposition the arbor box  78  anywhere within the case  10  by positioning the pins  94  within different recesses. Additional arbor boxes (not shown) may also be positioned within the case  10 . The arbor box  78  is configured to store the arbor. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , one or more second inserts are also positioned within the cavity  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second inserts are pegs  98 . Each of the illustrated pegs  98  has an elongated body with a first end  102  and a second end  106 . The first end  102  is larger (e.g., wider) than the second end  106 . Each peg  98  is also tapered from the first end  102  to the second end  106  such that the pegs  98  are generally frustoconically-shaped. The first end  102  is positionable in any of the recesses  38  and mates with both the inner projection  41  and an outer diameter of the recess  38 . The pegs  98  are configured to hold hole saws. For example, the hole saws slide over the second end  106  and onto one of the pegs  98 . In some scenarios, the pegs  98  are configured to hold one or more hole saws with different diameters in stacked configurations. Moving the pegs  98  to different recesses  38  allows a user to store the hole saws in different configurations within the case  10 . 
     When the lid  18  is in the closed position ( FIG. 10 ), the second end  106  of the peg  98  is received within the recess  50  of the lid  18  that is aligned with the recess  38  of the base  14  in which the peg  98  is positioned. The peg  98  is then coupled to both the base  14  and the lid  18  and is unable to move relative to either. Any hole saws positioned on the pegs  98  are unable to fall off the pegs  98  while the lid  18  is in the closed position. The pegs  98  also would not come loose if the case  10  was dropped because the pegs  98  are coupled to the base  14  and the lid  18  at both ends  102 ,  106 . 
       FIGS. 11-13  illustrate a tool case  210  that is substantially similar to tool case  10 . Similar features include the same reference number, plus “ 200 ”. Only some differences and similarities between the tool case  210  and the tool case  10  will be described below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the tool case  210  has a larger volume than the tool case  10 , and includes a base  214  and a lid  218  that each have a larger surface area than the base  14  and the lid  18  of the tool case  10 . The larger surface areas allow the base  214  and the lid  218  to include more recesses  238 ,  250  respectively. The recesses  238  are positioned adjacent to a lower surface  226 . In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses  238  are formed directly on the lower surface  226 . 
     The tool case  210  also includes a first locking member or latch (e.g., a toggle latch)  239  with a first movable piece  239   a  and a second movable piece  239   b.  In the illustrated embodiment, the first movable piece  239   a  is a bar that is pivotable relative to the base  214  and engages the second locking member  251  on the lid  218 . The second movable piece  239   b  is also pivotable relative to the base  214  between a locked position adjacent a wall  230 , and an unlocked position spaced from the wall  230 . In the locked position, the first movable piece  239   a  is unable to engage or disengage the second locking member  251 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , each recess  238  on the lower surface  226  of the base  214  includes a bayonet channel  340 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bayonet channel  340  extends around a portion of each recess  238 . Each bayonet channel  340  may receive a peg  298  (FIG.  13 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the peg  298  includes a complementary bayonet projection  344  at the first end  302 . The bayonet projection  344  engages the bayonet channel  340  to secure the peg  298  to the base  214  in an orthogonal position relative to the lower surface  226 . In other embodiments, the pegs  298  may be threaded, and may be received within a threaded recess  238 . 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate a tool case  410  that is substantially similar to tool case  10 . Similar features include the same reference number, plus “ 400 ”. Only some differences and similarities between the tool case  410  and the tool case  10  will be described below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , each peg  498  is coupled to the base using a fastening member  560  (e.g., a threaded screw). The tool case  410  includes recesses  438  positioned adjacent to a lower surface of the base  414 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  414  includes a removable panel or insert  564  coupled to the base  414 . The insert  564  includes the recesses  438  (i.e., the recesses  438  are not formed directly on the base  414 ). A user may remove the insert  564  from the base  414  and insert a screw  560  through one of the recesses  238 . The user may then couple a peg  498  to the screw  560 , which secures the peg  498  in an orthogonal position relative to the insert  564 . The peg  498  is thereby secured to the corresponding recess  438  by the screw  560 . The user then repositions the insert  564  within the base  514 . In other embodiments, at least a portion of the peg  498  may be threaded, and may be received within a threaded recess  438 . 
       FIGS. 16-19  illustrate a tool case  610  that is substantially similar to tool case  10 . Similar features include the same reference number, plus “ 600 ”. Only some differences and similarities between the tool case  610  and the tool case  10  will be described below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , the tool case  610  includes a base  614  with a first or lower surface  626  and walls  630  extending from the lower surface  626  and defining a cavity  634 . The tool case  610  includes recesses  638  positioned adjacent to the lower surface  626 . In the illustrated embodiment, a removable panel or insert  730  is coupled to the lower surface  626  of the base  614 . The removable insert  730  includes recesses  638  (i.e., the recesses  638  are not formed directly on the lower surface  626 ). The recesses  638  are arranged in rows along the removable insert  730 . In the illustrated embodiment, each row of recesses  638  is offset from adjacent rows of recesses  638 . Each recess  638  includes a double bayonet shape (i.e., the recess  638  includes a pair of bayonet channels  740 ). In other words, the recesses  638  define a partially circular shape, with the pair over bayonet channels  740  defining overhangs that extend toward a center of the respective recess  638 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , a peg  698  may be received in any of the recesses  638 . The peg  698  includes an elongated body with a first end  702  and a second end  706 . The first end  702  includes a bayonet projection  744  that engages a bayonet channel  740  in order to secure the peg  698  to the removable insert  730  in an orthogonal position relative to the removable insert  730 . The second end  706  of the peg  698  is received within the recess  650  of the lid  618  that is aligned with the recess  638  of the base  614 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second end  706  has a semi-spherical shape and is receivable within a generally circular shaped recess  650 . The elongated body of the peg  698  also has an X-shape. Specifically, the peg  698  has an x-shaped cross-section when taken through a horizontal plane (with respect to  FIG. 19 ). The base  682  of the arbor box  678  may include cylindrical pegs (not shown) with a diameter less than the distance between the bayonet channels  740 . In other words, the arbor box  678  is not coupled to the removable insert  730  with a bayonet engagement. 
     The embodiment(s) described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications to the elements and their configuration and/or arrangement exist within the spirit and scope of one or more independent aspects as described.