Power toolbox

• US 20020008044A1
• Filed: 06/05/2000
• Published: 01/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: McBrown, Holley, Burrus, Philip H. IV
• Granted Patent: US 6,571,949 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/373
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/02 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/06 for tools or spare parts for vehicle roof parts B60J7/20; for spare wheels B62D
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/00 Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like

Abstract

This invention is a “power” toolbox for vehicles that charges power tools and batteries while the vehicle is driven. A preferred embodiment is intended to be placed in a pick-up truck bed. The toolbox is coupled to the vehicular automotive system, and electrical power is delivered through electrical contacts in the toolbox to modular compartments that hold power tools or batteries in a nested fashion. When the vehicle is running, any battery or tool coupled to a compartment is charged. The compartments may be of different shapes and sizes and may include electrical circuitry to modulate the voltage and current from the vehicular electrical system. An optional manual switch is provided to disengage the toolbox from the vehicular electrical system.

Claims

1. A toolbox, comprising:

a. a bottom section having a bottom, a front wall, side walls and a back wall, the walls extending generally perpendicular to the bottom;

b. a lid coupled to the bottom section, wherein the lid opens in a hinging manner with respect to the bottom;

c. at least one electrical terminal which can be coupled to an automotive electrical system; and

d. at least one compartments for storing at least one power tool having a rechargeable battery cell, the compartment having an a first electrical connector which can be coupled to the at least one electrical terminal and a second electrical connector which can be coupled to the at least one power tool;

wherein the at least one compartment charges the rechargeable battery cell of the power tool.

2. The toolbox of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment is shaped to retain the at least one power tool, the at least one power tool being enclosed in the compartment box in a nested relationship.

3. The toolbox of claim 2, further comprising electrical circuitry for modulating power from the automotive electrical system.

4. The toolbox of claim 3, wherein multiple compartments are dissimilar so as to accommodate different tools.

5. The toolbox of claim 3, further comprising means for mechanically coupling the toolbox to a vehicle.

6. The toolbox of claim 5, wherein the vehicle is a pick-up truck.

7. The toolbox of claim 6, wherein the toolbox couples to the bed of the pick-up truck.

8. The toolbox of claim 7, wherein the compartments are removable from the toolbox.

9. The toolbox of claim 8, further comprising two winged portions which overlap the walls of the bed of the pick-up truck.

10. The toolbox of claim 9, wherein the electrical circuitry comprises a step-down regulator.

11. The toolbox of claim 10, wherein the electrical circuitry further comprises a manual power switch.

12. The toolbox of claim 11, wherein the electrical circuitry further comprises a linear regulator.

13. A toolbox for a pick-up truck bed, comprising:

a. a bottom section having a bottom, a front wall, side walls and a back wall, the walls extending generally perpendicular to the bottom;

b. a lid coupled to the bottom section, wherein the lid opens in a hinging manner with respect to the bottom;

c. at least one electrical terminal which can be coupled to an automotive electrical system;

d. at least one compartments for storing at least one rechargeable battery cell, the compartment having an a first electrical connector which can be coupled to the at least one electrical terminal and a second electrical connector which can be coupled to the at least one battery cell; and

e. means for mechanically coupling the toolbox to a pick-up truck bed;

wherein the at least one compartment charges the rechargeable battery cell of the power tool.

14. A method for charging power tools, the method comprising the steps of:

a. placing a power tool in a compartment having at least one electrical connection;

b. electrically coupling the compartment to a tool box; and

c. electrically coupling the tool box to a vehicular power source.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of mechanically coupling the toolbox to a vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of starting the vehicle to apply energy from the vehicular power source.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of actuating a switch to apply energy from the vehicular power source.