Patent Publication Number: US-6216858-B1

Title: Toolbox

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to toolboxes, and more particularly to such a toolbox, which is shaped like a handy oil tank. 
     A variety of toolboxes have been disclosed, and have appeared on the market. Conventional toolboxes commonly have a variety of storage compartments for keeping tool parts and accessories in good order. However, these toolboxes are specifically designed for keeping tool parts and accessories only. In order to attract consumers, a toolbox should be made having a special design, or providing an added function. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is one object of the present invention to provide a toolbox, which has the shape of an oil tank that attracts people to buy it. It is another object of the present invention to provide a toolbox, which can be used as handgrip means to hold a hand tool with a tool bit at the hand tool for turning by hand to work a workpiece. According to one aspect of the present invention, the toolbox is shaped like an oil tank, comprising a tank body and a transparent side cover hinged to the tank body. The tank body comprises a long storage groove diagonally extended on the inside, which receives a tool handle, a plurality of short storage grooves disposed perpendicular to the long storage groove at two opposite sides, which receive a variety of tool bits, and at least one inside storage chamber adapted for receiving washers, screws and accessories, and a connector obliquely disposed on a top side wall thereof in axial alignment with the long storage groove and adapted for the mounting of the tool handle been stored in the long storage groove, for enabling the tool handle to be turned the toolbox by hand to rotate a tool bit against a workpiece. According to another aspect of the present invention, a clip is provided at the back side of the tank body for fastening. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toolbox according to the present invention when opened. 
     FIG. 2 shows a variety of storage items stored in the toolbox according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate form of the toolbox according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an application example of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of another alternate form of the present invention, showing a clip provided at the back side of the tank body of the toolbox. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another alternate form of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3 , a toolbox in accordance with the present invention is shaped like an oil tank, comprising a tank body  1  having a side cover  2 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the side cover  2  is integral with the tank body  1 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side cover  2  is separately made, and then hinged to the tank body  1 . The side cover  2  has a downward retaining flange  21 , which is forced into engagement with a part of the tank body  1  to hold the side cover  2  in close position. The tank body  1  comprises a long storage groove  13  diagonally extended on the inside and adapted for receiving a tool handle  3 , a plurality of short storage grooves  14  disposed perpendicular to the long storage groove  13  at two opposite sides and adapted for receiving a variety of tool bits  31 , and at least one, for example, two inside storage chambers  15  adapted for receiving washers, screws and accessories  16 , and a connector  12  obliquely disposed on the top side wall thereof in axial alignment with the long storage groove  13 . The short storage grooves  14  each comprise a protruded engagement portion  141  adapted to hold down the respective storage tool bit  31 . The connector  12  defines a polygonal coupling hole  11  adapted for receiving the tool handle  3 . The tool handle  3  has a polygonal cross section fitting the polygonal coupling hole  11 . Further, the side cover  2  can be made transparent so that the user can observe the internal storage items in the tank body  1  through the side cover  2  when the toolbox is closed. 
     Referring to FIG.  4  and FIG. 2 again, the tool handle  3  can be fastened to the polygonal coupling hole  11  in the connector  12  to hold one tool bit  31  for working. In this case, the toolbox serves as a handgrip for the holding of the hand to turn the tool handle  3  and the attached tool bit  31  against the workpiece. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a clip  4  is provided at the back side wall of the tank body  1 . By means of the clip  4 , the toolbox can be fastened to the user&#39;s belt. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, upright stop walls  151  and  142  are respectively provided inside the tank body  1  along the border area of the long storage groove  13 , the short storage grooves  14  and the inside storage chambers  15 , and adapted for stopping against the inside wall of the side cover  2  to stop storage items from escaping out of the respective long storage groove  13 , short storage grooves  14  and inside storage chambers  15  when the tool box is closed. 
     It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended for use as a definition of the limits and scope of the invention disclosed.