Patent Publication Number: US-6991103-B2

Title: Toolbox

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a toolbox. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , a toolbox includes two shells  40  connected with each other. Each shell  40  includes a space  41  defined therein and two series of tenons  42  formed thereon. The space  41  is located between the series of tenons  42 . Several tool holders  20  are put in the space  41  so as to hold tools. Each end of each tool holder  20  defines at least one mortise  21  for receiving at least one of the tenons  42 . The tool holders  20  lie on the shells  40 . The tools also lie on the shells  40 . However, it is inconvenient to take the tools from the tool holders  20  in such a position. Furthermore, the tenons  42  cannot be securely engaged with the mortises  21 . The tool holders  20  can easily be detached from the shells  40  because of vibration. Thus, the tool holders  20  may fall on the ground when the toolbox is opened, and the tools may be detached from the tool holders  20  and dispersed. Therefore, the tool holders  20  and the tools may be damaged. 
   The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a toolbox for convenient use. 
   According to the present invention, a toolbox including two shells pivotally connected with each other and at least one tool holder pivotally connected with one of the shells for holding at least one tool. 
   Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of embodiments referring to the attached drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toolbox according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1  but showing the toolbox in an open position. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the toolbox of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cutaway view of the toolbox of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 3  but showing tool holders in an operative position. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the toolbox of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a toolbox according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the toolbox of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a cutaway view of the toolbox of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is similar to  FIG. 8  but showing tool holders in an operative position. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of a conventional toolbox. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a toolbox includes two shells  10  pivotally connected with each other and a plurality of tool holders  20  pivotally connected with each shell  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , the toolbox includes a snap fastener  16  for closing the shells  10 . The snap fastener  16  includes a flap  11  formed on one of the shells  10  and a hook  12  formed on the other of the shells  10  for engagement with the flap  11 . Each shell  10  includes a space  13  defined therein and two reinforcement plates  14  formed thereon. One of the reinforcement plates  14  defines a plurality of pockets  140 , and the other of the reinforcement plates  14  defines a plurality of holes  144 . Each pocket  140  includes a semi-circular bottom  141 . Two ridges  142  are formed on the bottom  141  of each pocket  140 . A recess  143  is defined the bottom  141  of each pocket  140 . 
   A plurality of positioning elements  15  is formed on each shell  10 . 
   The tool holders  20  are separately arranged in each space  13 . Each tool holder  20  includes a plurality of sockets  21  and a shaft  24  on which all the sockets  21  are mounted. Each socket  21  can receive a tool  30 . Each shaft  24  includes a first end inserted in one hole  144  and a second end inserted in one pocket  140 . Preferably, the second end of each shaft  24  is connected with a joint  23  that is inserted in one pocket  140 . The joint  23  includes a plurality of detents  230  formed thereon. 
     FIG. 4  shows a pocket  140  receiving a joint  23 . The ridges  142  of the pocket  140  retain the joint  23  in the pocket  140 . Selective one of the detents  230  of the joint  23  enters the recess  143  of the pocket  140  so as to retain the joint  23  in position relative to the reinforcement plate  14 . 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  show a tool holder  20  is in an upright position, a tool holder  20  in a tilted position and two tool holders  20  lying on two positioning elements  15 . A positioning element  15  abuts and retains in position the tool holder  20  that is in the upright position. 
   As discussed above, each tool holder  20  and related tools  30  can be put in desired one of several positions. Therefore, it is convenient to take the tools  30  from the tool holder  20 . 
     FIGS. 7 to 10  show a second embodiment according to the present invention. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except that each dent  230  is replaced with a recess  231 , and each recess  143  is replaced with a dent  145 . 
   The present invention has been described through detailed illustration of two embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variation from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.