Patent ID: 7597199

Claim:
A battery tube storage system ( 10 ) comprising: a. a first container ( 12 ) having a first rigid shell ( 14 ) the first container ( 12 ) including a first color, the first shell ( 14 ) defining a plurality of tubes ( 16 A, 16 B, 16 C, 16 D) extending between a base-end ( 18 ) and an opposed entry-end ( 20 ) of the first shell ( 14 ), the first container ( 12 ) including a top ( 22 ) secured to the entry-end ( 20 ) for enclosing one or more batteries ( 24 ) within the plurality of tubes ( 16 A, 16 B, 16 C, 16 D) and a first latch means for selectively securing the top ( 22 ) to the entry-end ( 20 ) of the first shell ( 14 ); b. a second container ( 30 ) having a second rigid shell ( 32 ), the second container ( 30 ) including a second color distinct from the first color, the second shell ( 32 ) defining a plurality of tubes ( 34 A, 34 B, 34 C, 34 D) extending between a base-end ( 36 ) and an opposed entry-end ( 38 ) of the second shell ( 32 ), the second container ( 30 ) including a top ( 40 ) secured to the entry-end ( 38 ) of the second shell ( 32 ) for enclosing one or more batteries ( 24 ) within the plurality of tubes ( 34 A, 34 B, 34 C, 34 D) and a second latch means for selectively securing the top ( 40 ) to the entry-end ( 38 ) of the second shell ( 32 ); and, c. securing means ( 60 ) for detachably securing the first container ( 12 ) to the second container ( 30 ), wherein the securing means ( 60 ) includes a first pair of opposed lock shoulders ( 64 ) at the base-end ( 18 ) of the first shell ( 14 ) and a first lock tongue ( 66 ) extending from the first pair of opposed lock shoulders ( 64 ) along the base-end ( 18 ) of the first shell ( 14 ), and the securing means ( 60 ) also includes a second pair of opposed lock shoulders ( 68 ) at the base-end ( 36 ) of the second shell ( 32 ) and a second lock tongue ( 70 ) extending from the second pair of opposed lock shoulders ( 68 ) along the base-end ( 36 ) of the second shell ( 32 ), the first and second pairs of opposed lock shoulders ( 64 , 68 ) and first and second lock tongues ( 66 , 70 ) being cooperatively dimensioned so that the first lock tongue ( 66 ) slides into and between the second pair of opposed lock shoulders ( 68 ) while the second lock tongue ( 70 ) slides into and between the first pair of opposed lock shoulders ( 64 ) to secure the first container ( 12 ) to the second container ( 30 ), and wherein the first pair of lock shoulders ( 64 ) extends along about one-half of a length of the base end ( 18 ) of the first container ( 12 ) and the second pair of lock shoulders ( 68 ) extends along about one-half of a length of the base end ( 36 ) of the second container ( 30 ).