Patent ID: 12214931

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the present subject matter are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter 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 subject matter 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.

FIGS.1and2illustrate a storage system1for storage of tools and supplies to be used at a worksite and that includes storage boxes10that may have the same or different capacities and/or sizes. The storage boxes10may incorporate coupling or mounting structures14that interact to facilitate the coupling and/or mounting of modular storage components, including various sizes of storage boxes10to facilitate a compact, secure, and sturdy storage of components (e.g., power tools, power tool accessories, and/or the like).

FIG.1illustrates modular storage boxes10with mounting structures14that facilitate sturdy storage of the modular storage boxes10. Each storage box10includes a box base18that defines an interior compartment (not shown) and a lid22that may be pivotally coupled to the box base18and locked in a locked position. The lid22may contain mounting structures14such as one or more protrusions26(or depressions in other embodiments) that align with depressions30(or protrusions in other embodiments) on an opposing base18of a separate storage box10for positioning the box base18of one storage box10on the lid22of another storage box10. An exemplary protrusion26may include a base portion34extending from the lid22with an overhang portion38supported on the base portion34of each protrusion26. The lid22of a storage box10may incorporate one or more latches40or other mechanisms for securing the lid22of the storage box10to the box base18of another storage box10. The exemplary structures allow for interchangeable combination of different sizes of storage boxes with the structures providing sturdy alignment regardless of the combination of the storage boxes10.FIG.2shows other exemplary storage boxes10with a lid44including depressions50that align with protrusions on an opposing base58of a second storage box10.

FIG.3illustrates a storage box10included in another embodiment of a modular storage system62. With reference toFIGS.3and4, the storage system62may include other components for storage and mounting of tools and supplies, such as a table66, a panel70, or a rail74that include mounting structures14(protrusions26). The mounting structures14of each component of the modular storage system62, including the mounting structures14of the storage box10, are positioned such that the spacing (horizontal and vertical spacing) between adjacent mounting structures14is consistent for all components of the modular storage system62.

FIGS.5and6illustrate an exemplary storage box light, light assembly110, that can be implemented with one or more storage boxes10. The light assembly110includes a base114and a lid118that supports a light source122. The base114and lid118are composed of a durable material such as a plastic, or other resilient material capable of withstanding wear. The base114connects to the storage box10via mounting structures14, such as depressions30that are the same as or similar to those described relative toFIGS.1-4. In the illustrated embodiment, the base114defines an interior compartment126such that the light assembly110defines a storage box similar to or the same as storage box10having a light source122integrated with a lid22. In other embodiments, the light assembly110may be used as a standalone light assembly that mounts to a component of a modular storage system62, in which the base114is connectable to a storage box10via mounting structures14. For instance, the light assembly may include a base114and a light source122pivotally coupled to the base114. The base114may exclude the interior compartment126and instead defines a substantially planar contact surface having a sufficient area for stable placement of the light assembly on a work surface.

The interior compartment may include a port130. The port130is illustrated as a receptacle configured to receive a 12 v tower-style battery pack, although the port may instead be configured to receive other battery pack styles or the connector of a power cord, such as a USB connector for electrical connection of a phone or tablet. In other embodiments, the port130is configured to receive a 4 v battery pack or other lower voltage power sources having a voltage in a range of 2 v to 12 v. The lid118is connected to the base114at a pivot134and is rotatable relative to the base114about a pivot axis138. From the closed position embodied inFIG.5, the lid118is pivotable to an open position embodied inFIG.6in a range of about 180 degrees (angle142inFIG.6illustrates the lid118opened to around 90 degrees).

The illustrated light assembly110is approximately the same size as a small storage box146(“approximately” meaning within about +/−5% of the same size, where “size” refers to length, width, and/or volume) so that the light assembly110can be positioned adjacent the small storage box146(e.g., on the lid22of a large storage box150as shown inFIG.5). The light assembly110may instead be another size, either smaller than or larger than a small storage box146. The illustrated light source122is a single panel light, although more than one panel light may be included. The light source122may take other forms (e.g., individual lights or a different grouping of lights). The single panel light may include LEDs154or other source of light. In some embodiments, the light assembly110may include a swivel that allows rotation of the light source122about a second pivot axis158that is substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis138. The lid118also has mounting structures160, such as protrusions26, that can interface with the mounting structures14, such as depressions30, on the box base18of other storage boxes10. A tray162is positioned in the interior compartment126for storage of items. A switch (not shown) may be positioned in the interior compartment126.

FIGS.7and8illustrate another exemplary storage box light, light assembly210, including a base214that defines an interior compartment that is the same as or similar to the interior compartment126ofFIG.6. A lid222is pivotably connected to a longitudinal side226of the base214at a pivot230. The lid222is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the lid222encloses the interior compartment. The illustrated light assembly210is the same size as a small storage box146.

The light assembly210includes a first light panel234, a second light panel (not shown), and a third light panel238that are pivotally coupled to the lid222in different locations, although any of the light panels may instead be pivotally coupled to the base214. As illustrated, the first light panel234is coupled to the lid222at a midpoint along the length of a first lateral side242of the lid222(i.e., on an edge of the lid222as shown inFIG.8). In some embodiments, the first light panel234may be coupled to the lid222at other positions along the length of the first lateral side242of the lid222, or to other sides of the lid222. The light panel234is pivotable about a first axis or pivot axis246from a folded position (FIG.7) to a deployed or upright position (FIG.8). The light panel234is also pivotable about a second axis or swivel axis250. The second light panel (not shown) is the same as or similar to the first light panel234and is pivotally coupled to the lid222or, alternatively, to the base214, at a second lateral side254opposite the first lateral side242.

The third light panel238is pivotally coupled to an adjacent longitudinal side258of the lid222. As illustrated, the third light panel238is coupled to the lid222at a midpoint along the length of the longitudinal side258of the lid222(i.e. on an edge of the lid222as shown inFIG.8). In some embodiments, the third light panel238may be coupled to the lid222at other positions along the length of the longitudinal side258of the lid222. The third light panel238is pivotable about a pivot axis262and a swivel axis266independent of the first light panel234. Fewer or more than three light panels are possible. Each light panel234,238is pivotable about the pivot axis246,262through an angle270which is approximately180degrees in the illustrated embodiment. Each light panel234,238also can swivel or rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise (when viewed from above) about the respective swivel axes250,266without a stop (i.e. the light panels234,238are rotatable 360 degrees or any degree of rotation below 360 degrees).

The base214defines storage recesses274that receive the light panels234,238when the light panels234,238are in the folded position, allowing the light panels234,238to be stored in a substantially flush relationship with sides278of the base214(FIG.7). Each of the light panels234,238supports a light source282, which may include a plurality of LEDs286, or other source of illumination.

The base214and lid222of the light assembly210include mounting structures290(protrusions26extending from the lid222and depressions30positioned in the base214) which interface with the mounting structures14of other storage boxes10to securely position the light assembly210. The base214may have a port (not shown) similar to or the same as port130(FIG.6) configured to receive a battery pack or electrical cord. The port may be positioned in the longitudinal side226(or any of the other sides or in the interior compartment).

FIGS.9and10show another exemplary storage box light, light assembly310, that includes a stand314and a light panel318coupled to the stand314. The stand314is compatible with a storage box10, such as small storage box146. The stand314includes a base, or foot322that interfaces with and is supported by the upper surface326of the lid22of a separate storage box10and aligns with mounting structures14, such as protrusions26extending from the lid22for stable use of the light assembly310. The foot322includes a first foot pivot330and a second foot pivot334, with a first leg338pivotally coupled to the first foot pivot330and a second leg342pivotally coupled to a second foot pivot334. In some embodiments, for instance, the embodiment ofFIGS.9and10, the second leg342is the same as or substantially similar to the first leg338and components comprising the first leg338also comprise the second leg342. While some portions of the second leg342are not completely illustrated, the numbering of and description of the structure of the second leg342is identical to the structure and numbering of the first leg338. Each of the first and second legs338,342includes a first link346and second link350. The first link346of each of the first and second legs338,342has a first end354pivotally connected to the foot322at the first and second foot pivots330,334, with the first link346pivotable relative to the foot322about a first pivot axis358that is aligned between the first and second foot pivots330,334. The first link346is pivotable about the first pivot axis358through a 360-degree range. The second end362of the first link346is pivotably connected to the first end366of the second link350at a leg pivot370. The second link350is pivotable relative to the first link346about a second pivot axis374, and the second pivot axis374is parallel or substantially parallel to the first pivot axis358. The second link350is pivotable about the second pivot axis374through a range of 360 degrees.

The light panel318is pivotably coupled to the second end378of the second link350of the first and second legs338,342at respective light pivots382positioned on opposite sides of the light panel318. The light panel318is pivotable relative to the first and second legs338,342about a third pivot axis386that is parallel or substantially parallel to the first and second pivot axes358,374. The light panel318supports a light source390, which may include LEDs394. The light source390projects light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the third pivot axis386. The first and second links346,350provide for the light panel318to fold to a collapsed state for more compact storage as shown inFIG.9.

FIGS.11and12illustrate another exemplary storage box light, light assembly410, that interfaces with a storage box10. The light assembly410includes a base414and a plurality of light panels418, with each of the light panels418supporting a light source422. The illustrated light assembly410includes two light panels418, although fewer or more light panels418may be included. The light panels418include a surface426opposite the light source422. The base414and surface426include mounting structures430, such as depressions30positioned in the base414and protrusions26extending from the surface426which interface with the mounting structures14of a storage box10to position the light assembly410relative to the storage box10. The light assembly410is the same size as a small storage box146. The base414also can include a receptacle for a battery pack432or cord.

Each of the plurality of light panels418is connected to the base414by an articulating leg434. The first end438of the articulating leg434is pivotally coupled to the base414via a base clevis442. The base clevis442is pivotable relative to the base414about a first rotation axis base swivel axis446, through a 360-degree range and the articulating leg434is pivotable relative to base clevis442about a second rotation axis, base pivot axis450, through an angular range greater than 180 degrees. The light panel418is connected to the second end454of the articulating leg434by a head clevis458. The head clevis458is rotatable relative to the articulating leg434about a third rotation axis, head pivot axis462, through an angular range greater than180degrees. The light panel418is also pivotable relative to the head clevis458about a fourth rotation axis or head swivel axis466through a 360-degree range. The head pivot axis462is substantially perpendicular to the head swivel axis466. The light panels418direct light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the head pivot axis462and the head swivel axis466.

By pivoting about the head pivot axis462and the base pivot axis450, the light panel418and articulating leg434transition from a “Z” shape when folded, to an “L” shape when the articulating leg434is upright, and to a substantially straight line when the light panel418is extended. When in the closed position, the light assembly410, illustrated as being the same size as a small storage box146, is capable of compact and secure storage with other storage boxes10. In that regard, the light panels418can be positioned adjacent one another such that the length and width of the adjacent light panels418have an equivalent length and width as the base414.

FIGS.13and14illustrate another exemplary storage box light, light assembly510, including a base514that defines an interior compartment518. The light assembly510also includes a lid522, and two exterior lights526that each support a light source530, (e.g., LEDs532or other source of illumination). Other quantities of exterior lights may be included instead. The illustrated exterior lights526are substantially cylindrical. A storage recess534is positioned in a side538of the base514and is configured to receive an exterior light526such that the exterior light526is substantially flush with the side538of the base514when the exterior light526is received in the storage recess534, which defines the stored position of the exterior light526(illustrated inFIG.13). The base514includes an equivalent number of storage recesses534as exterior lights526. In the stored position, the light source530may be positioned to be directed outward from the storage recess534.

The base514and lid522include a plurality of recesses542that extend inward from the base514and lid522and receive the exterior lights526. When received in a recess542, the exterior light526is in a deployed position (FIG.14). When positioned in a recess542, an exterior light526can rotate about a light axis546that is substantially coaxial with the length of the exterior light526and perpendicular to the base surface550or lid surface554. The exterior lights526also can have preset rotational positions (e.g., defined by detents). In some constructions, the exterior lights526can be detached and operated independently from the light assembly510. The base514connects to the storage box10via mounting structures558, such as protrusions26that are the same as or similar to those described relative toFIGS.1-4. The lid522also has mounting structures14, such as protrusions26, that can interface with the mounting structures14, such as depressions30, on the box base18of other storage boxes10. The illustrated light assembly510is the same size as a small storage box146.

FIGS.15and16illustrate another embodiment of a storage box light, light assembly610, that may be coupled to a lid22of storage box10. As shown, the light assembly610is coupled to the lid22via a rib614on an interior side618of the lid22. The light assembly610includes a housing622that supports a light source626(e.g., LEDs positioned on a printed circuit board) and that has a pair of legs630,634extending from the housing622on a side638of the housing622opposite the light source626. The legs630,634cooperatively define a channel642into which the rib614is engaged (e.g., in an interference or frictional fit) to resist removal of the light assembly610from the lid22absent an adequate force. The housing622also may support a lens646over the light source626. The light source626and the lens646are oriented so that the light source626shines light into the interior compartment652of the storage box10. When the lid22is opened and the storage box10is placed on a horizontal surface, the lid22is generally upright (e.g., vertically oriented) and the illustrated lens646is angled outward and downward (as indicated by the arrow inFIG.15) relative to the lid22adjacent a bottom of the light assembly610). The housing622includes a switch656to turn the light assembly610on and off. A tilt switch660may be disposed inside the housing622and may turn the light assembly610on when the lid22is opened and may turn the light assembly610off when the lid22is closed. In addition, the illustrated light assembly610may have a charger port664(e.g., a USB-C port) to facilitate charging the light assembly610.

FIG.17illustrates another embodiment of a storage light assembly710including a power strip714that may be coupled to a storage box10, another component of a modular storage system62, or other structure. The illustrated light assembly710includes mounting structures716(e.g., holes) to engage another component or structure, although other mounting structures (e.g., cleats, hooks, etc.) may be included in addition to or separate from other mounting structure. The storage light710has high voltage ports718(e.g., electrical outlets), low voltage ports720(e.g., USB ports), a first light source722, and a second light source726, and first and second switches730,734. The illustrated storage light710includes four high voltage ports718and two low voltage ports720, although other quantities of high and low voltage ports718,720may be included. The first light source722is positioned at a first end746of the storage light710and a second light source726is disposed at an opposite, second end750of the storage light710. Although the storage light710is illustrated as having two light sources722,726, other quantities of light sources may be included. The light sources722,726may be positioned at other positions along storage light710. The first and second light source722,726are pivotable relative to the power strip714to provide flexibility for where light may be directed. For example, the first and second light sources722,726may be pivotable about a first rotation axis754that is coextensive with the length of the storage light710and a second rotation axis758that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the length of the storage light710. The first and second light sources722,726include a light board762that has LEDs766. The storage light710receives power from an alternating current (AC) power source via a cord770and distributes power through the ports718.

The first and second switch730,734are operable to control power to the ports718,720and to the first and second light sources722,726. In one example, the first switch730controls operation of the ports718,720(i.e. whether the ports718,720are able to power a load that is coupled to the corresponding port) and the second switch734is electrically coupled to turn the first and second light sources722,726on and off simultaneously. In another example, the first light switch730may operate the high voltage ports738and the second switch734may operate the low voltage ports742, and one or more separate switches may operate the light sources722,726. In yet another example, the first and second switches730,734may individually turn the first and second light sources722,726on and off, with one of switches730,734used for one of the first light source722and the second light source726and the other switch730,734used for the other of the first light source722or the second light source726. In still other examples, the first and second switches730,734may control the ports718, first and second light sources722,726, and other components not illustrated, in other combinations.

A system may include any of the above described exemplary light assemblies110,210,310,410,510,610,710. For instance, the system may include any of the exemplary light assemblies110,210,310,410,510,610,710coupled to a storage box10, panel70, or a rail74, or placed on a table66. In one embodiment, the system includes a storage box10and light assembly310coupled to the storage box10by mounting structures314. In another embodiment, system includes a light assembly410coupled to a storage box10. In another embodiment, the system includes a storage box10and a light assembly510is connected to the storage box10. In other embodiments, the system may include other light assemblies coupled to a storage box or other component of a modular storage system.

The following features may be applicable to and included in any of the above described exemplary light assemblies110,210,310,410,510,610,710. The exemplary light assemblies110,210,310,410,510,610,710may be operated when coupled to a storage box as part of a storage system or independently of a storage box or other component of a modular storage system. Where more than one light panel is included (i.e., the light assembly210with light panels234,238embodied inFIGS.7and8), the user may control each light panel separate from other light panels. The subject matter, as embodied above, may include or be supported by a tripod or stand or other fixture that allows for the storage box light to be used separate from a storage system. The subject matter may include storage space for extra power sources such as batteries. A storage tray of the storage box light, as embodied above, may include a magnetic tray for more securely holding metallic pieces. Additional charging interfaces, such as a USB port for a phone or tablet charger or for an 18 v battery may be included. The storage box light, as embodied above, may include various additional mounting structures such as magnets, keyhole mounts, mounts accommodating a board having nominal dimensions of two inches by four inches (2×4), hooks, clamps, or the like.