Mobile tool chest with horizontal pivotal trays

• US 4,976,450 A
• Filed: 06/26/1989
• Issued: 12/11/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laurence M. Ellefson
• Original Assignee: Laurence M. Ellefson
• Inventors: Ellefson, Laurence M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Camby, Richard
• Application Number:
  US07/371,191
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 248/364, 248/282, 248/283, 248/289.1, 248/280.1, 108/103, 108/94, 312/281, 312/282, 312/276, 280/47.34, 280/47.35, 280/79.1 R, 280/79.1 A, 280/79.3, 280/755, 280/758, 280/759, 280/47.23
• US Class Current: 280/79.11
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/05 with separate containers rotatable around the pillar
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/00 Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00; nail dispensers B25C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 5/00 Tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with vehicles; Workers' supports, e.g. mechanics' creepers collecting or removing exhaust gases in workshops B08B15/002; vehicle lifting devices, e.g. jacks, platforms or ramps B66F

Abstract

A mechanic'"'"'s mobile tool chest comprising: a plurality of cantilevered horizontal pivotal tool trays mounted on a chest containing a plurality of drawers enclosed within inwardly recessed top, rear, and side panels. The top panel having a top opening, with the rear and side panels having an outside and top opening. The tool trays are pivotally mounted on posts which are vertically extendible from corners of the chest for positioning the tool trays in an elevated position over vehicle fenders or similar structures. A plurality of cantilevered, horizontal pivotal arms are also mounted on the posts for mounting articulating lamps to illuminate a working area. The chest is mounted on a base with a plurality of wheels and a counterweight attached to prevent over-turn during normal operating conditions with the pivotal tool trays extended. The tool chest may also comprise a door which opens to approximately 260 degrees from either side with inside recessed stowage trays. In excess of about 200 commonly used tools are stowed and displayed in an orderly manner for ready access in the door, top, side, and rear recessed panels of the chest and lower two pivotal tool trays when the door and pivotal trays are extended. The top pivotal tray provides temporary stowage for special tools and parts. Infrequently used tools are stowed in the plurality of drawers.

Claims

1. A mobile tool chest for securing and displaying a plurality of stowed tools in an orderly manner for ready access comprising:

(a) an elongated generally upright rectangular support structure;

(b) a plurality of generally rectangular pivotal trays disposed above and pivotally mounted to said support structure for pivoting horizontally with respect thereto between a stowed position adjacent and directly above said support structure and extended positions for display and access of tools;

(c) a counterweight mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for preventing over-turn of same with said pivotal trays extended from said support structure;

(d) a plurality of wheels mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for mobility of said mobile tool chest on a supporting surface;

(e) locking means for releasably locking said pivotal trays in a stowed position for securing said stowed tools against unauthorized access;

(f) removable key means for controlling locking and releasing of said locking means; and

(g) said support structure comprising;

a pair of laterally spaced upright side panels, said panels being inwardly recessed members with an outside and top opening disposed generally parallel to each other and having top, lower, upright front, and upright rear edges;

an upright rear panel, said rear panel being an inwardly recessed member with an outside and top opening having top, lower, upright side edges, and vertical corners being disposed generally normal to said side panels by attaching said vertical corners to the upright rear edges of said side panels;

a top stationary tray, said tray being an inwardly recessed member with a top opening and having top front, rear, and side edges being disposed generally normal to said side and rear panels by attaching edges of said top stationary tray to top edges of said side and rear panels; and

a base attached generally normal to said side and rear panels at the lower edges of same having means for mounting said plurality of wheels and said counterweight.

2. The tool chest of claim 1 wherein said side panels further comprise a side tool rack, horizontally mounted within the recess of said side panels, means for stowing a plurality of tools with various length handles in a vertical position adjacent to each other with handle tops horizontally aligned and being disposed directly below said pivotal trays in the stowed position preventing removal of the tools.

3. The tool chest of claim 2 wherein said tool rack comprises:

(a) a rectangular bar horizontally mounted within an upper part of the recess of said side panels, extending between the upright front and upright rear edges;

(b) a plurality of vertically adjustable tubes mounted in horizontally spaced apart relationship on said rectangular bar at variable heights; and

(c) means for vertically restraining said tubes to said rectangular bar at variable heights.

4. The tool chest of claim 1 wherein said rear panel further comprises a rear tool rack horizontally mounted within the recess of said rear panel, extending between the upright side edges, means for stowing various shaped tools longer than the length of said stationary top tray.

5. The tool chest of claim 4 wherein said rear tool rack comprises:

(a) a horizontal pivot rod mounted within an upper part of the recess of said rear panel extending between the upright side edges;

(b) a plurality of horizontal fingers horizontally spaced and mounted to vertically pivot and horizontally slide on said pivot rod;

(c) a horizontal bar mounted within said rear panel on the same horizontal plane and parallel to said pivot rod, for disposing said fingers in a horizontal position and restraining same from vertical movement below the horizontal;

(d) a plurality of restraining collars mounted on said pivot rod intermittently spaced between said fingers, means for adjusting horizontal spacing of said fingers; and

(e) a plurality of tapered wedges of approximately 7 degrees or less, with thick end up vertically captivated and mounted between two of said fingers for vertical movement, means for restraining elongated tools with no enlarged ends.

6. The tool chest of claim 4 further comprising a means for securing the tools in said rear tool rack.

7. The tool chest of claim 6 wherein means for securing the tools in said rear tool rack further comprises:

(a) a stationary vertical panel having a top and lower horizontal edge, extending between and mounted to the upright side edges of said rear panel;

(b) a vertical security panel having a top and a lower horizontal edge, extending between the upright side edges of said rear panels;

(c) a hinge, means for pivotally mounting the lower horizontal edge of said vertical security panel to the upper edge of said stationary vertical panel;

(d) a horizontal security panel having an inward and outward horizontal edge, extending between the upright side edges of said rear panel;

(e) a hinge, means for mounting the outward edge of said horizontal security panel to the upper edge of said vertical security panel; and

(f) a latching flange attached to the inward horizontal edge of said horizontal security panel extending downward to engage the rear edge of said top tray being disposed directly below said pivotal trays when in stowed position and being restrained by same.

15. The tool chest of claim 1 wherein said support structure further includes a plurality of drawers secured by a top drawer and mounted within said structure.

16. The tool chest of claim 15 wherein said means for securing said pivotal trays to said structure for securing the stowed tools comprises:

(a) a rear latching bar assembly mounted to the rear edge of said middle pivotal tray engaged to said top tray, means for vertically restraining same when being disposed directly above said middle tray;

(b) a front latching bar assembly mounted to the top front of said structure engage to said pivotal trays, being disposed directly above said structure, said bar assembly extended downward being disposed directly in front of said top drawer, means for restraining said pivot trays and said drawer;

(c) an internal latching bar, means for said top drawer to restrain a plurality of lower drawers when disposed in the closed position; and

(d) a lock actuating device mounted to the top front of said structure engaged and restraining said latching bar assembly in restraining position, means for securing said latching bar assembly.

8. A mobile tool chest for securing and displaying a plurality of stowed tools in an orderly manner for ready access, comprising:

a generally rectangular, upright support frame having an upper, horizontal top and a lower, horizontal base;

a plurality of generally rectangular pivot trays pivotally mounted on the top of said support frame;

a plurality of wheels mounted on the base of said frame;

pivot means projecting upwardly from one side edge of the top of said frame for pivotally supporting said pivot trays for pivoting horizontally with respect to said support frame between a stowed position adjacent and directly above said support frame and an extended position projecting outwardly from said support frame to expose the top of said frame and each of said trays for display and access to tools on said trays;

counterweight means mounted on the lower part of said frame adjacent the opposite side edge of said frame to said pivot means for opposing tipping of said frame when said trays are in said extended position; and

securing means for releasably securing said pivotal trays in said stowed position;

said top of said frame comprising a horizontal upper storage tray, said plurality of pivot trays covering said upper tray in said stowed position and exposing said upper tray in said extended position.

9. The tool chest of claim 8 further comprising:

(a) at least two upstanding pivot posts mounted in vertical corners of said frame;

(b) a vertical hub mounted to a corner of each of said plurality of trays, means for pivotally mounting on said pivot posts; and

(c) a plurality of restraining collars mounted on said posts, means for vertical restraining of said pivot trays.

10. The tool chest of claim 9 further comprising means for mounting at least one articulating lamp comprising at least one horizontal pivotal arm mounted on said posts with a vertical hub fixed to an extended end of said arm for horizontal pivot mounting of the lamp.

11. The tool chest of claim 9 further comprising means for vertical adjustment of said pivotal trays.

12. The tool chest of claim 11 wherein said means for vertical adjustment of said pivotal trays comprises:

(a) at least two upstanding tubes having a plurality of holes on a vertical axis mounted in vertical corners of said frame encasing said pivot posts, means for vertical telescoping and horizontal pivoting of said posts; and

(b) a pin inserted in one of the plurality of holes and below lower end of said posts, means for retaining said pivot trays at desired height.

13. The tool chest of claim 11 further comprising means for mounting said pivotal trays comprising:

(a) means for fixing a corner of a lower tray normal to first of said vertical pivot posts;

(b) means for fixing a corner of middle tray normal to second of said vertical pivot posts; and

(c) a vertical hub fixed to said top tray, means for pivotal mounting said tray on either of said vertical posts.

20. The tool chest as claimed in claim 8, wherein said pivot means comprises a first pivot post projecting upwardly from one corner of the top of said frame and a second pivot post projecting upwardly from an adjacent corner of the top of said frame, at least one of said pivot trays being pivotally mounted at one corner on said first pivot post and at least one other pivot tray being pivotally mounted at an adjacent corner on said second pivot post.

21. A tool chest of claim 8 further comprising an integral electrical power distribution system comprising:

(a) an electrical distribution junction box mounted on said support frame;

(b) a retractable electrical extension cord mounted on said frame and connected to said junction box, means for providing electrical power from an outside source to said tool chest;

(c) a retractable extension light mounted on said frame and connected to said junction box; and

(d) a plurality of electrical duplex outlets mounted on said frame and connected to said junction box.

14. A mobile tool chest for securing and displaying a plurality of stowed tools in an orderly manner for ready access comprising:

(a) an elongated generally upright rectangular support structure;

(b) a plurality of generally rectangular pivotal trays disposed above and pivotally mounted to said support structure for pivoting horizontally with respect thereto between a stowed position adjacent and directly above said support structure and extended positions for display and access of tools;

(c) a counterweight mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for preventing over-turn of same with said pivotal trays extended from said support structure;

(d) a plurality of wheels mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for mobility of said mobile tool chest on a supporting surface; and

(e) locking means for releasably locking said pivotal trays in a stowed position for securing said stowed tools against unauthorized access, said locking means for securing said pivotal trays to said structure for securing the stowed tools comprising;

a rear latching bar assembly mounted to the rear edge of said middle pivotal tray engaged to said top tray, means for vertically restraining same when being disposed directly above said middle tray;

a front latching bar assembly mounted to the top front of said structure engaged to said pivotal trays when being disposed directly above said structure, said latching assembly comprising means for restraining said pivotal trays in a restraining position; and

a lock actuating device mounted to the top front of said structure for engaging and restraining said latching bar assembly in said restraining position, said actuating device comprising means for securing said front latching bar assembly.

17. A mobile tool chest for securing and displaying a plurality of stowed tools in an orderly manner for ready access comprising:

(a) an elongated generally upright rectangular support structure;

(b) a plurality of generally rectangular pivotal trays disposed above and pivotally mounted to said support structure for pivoting horizontally with respect thereto between a stowed position adjacent and directly above said support structure and extended positions for display and access of tools;

(c) a counterweight mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for preventing over-turn of same with said pivotal trays extended from said support structure;

(d) a plurality of wheels mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for mobility of said mobile tool chest on a supporting surface;

(e) locking means for releasably locking said pivotal trays in a stowed position for securing said stowed tools against unauthorized access;

(f) removable key means for controlling locking and releasing of said locking means; and

(g) a vertical door pivotally mounted on said structure, said door further comprising an inward recessed panel with a plurality of horizontal trays.

18. The tool chest of claim 17 wherein said door further comprises a hinge, latch, and lock mechanism, means for opening said door from either side for horizontal rotation to approximately 260 degrees, closing, latching, and locking.

19. The tool chest of claim 18 further comprises means for securing said pivotal trays to said structure for securing the stowed tools comprising:

(a) a rear latching bar assembly mounted to the rear edge of said middle pivotal tray engaged to said top tray, means for vertically restraining same when being disposed directly above said middle tray;

(b) a front latching bar assembly mounted to the top front of said structure engaged to said pivot trays when being disposed directly above said structure, said bar assembly extended downward being disposed directly behind top of said door when same is in closed position, means for restraining said pivotal trays;

(c) the top of said door with a notch for engagement of said latching bar when in restraining position, means for securing said latching bar assembly when said door is secured.