Tool box having a retaining device

• US 5,036,975 A
• Filed: 11/20/1990
• Issued: 08/06/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Easco Hand Tools Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Jessie Chow
• Inventors: Chow, Jessie
• Primary Examiner(s): Fidei, David T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cicconi, Bethanne C.
• Application Number:
  US07/615,887
• Time in Patent Office: 259 Days
• Field of Search: 206/372, 206/376, 206/377, 206/373, 206/375, 206/477, 312/DIG. 33
• US Class Current: 206/376
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/04 Racks
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/06 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 312/902 Carrying case

Abstract

A tool box includes two casings having one end connected together by a flexible element and the other end coupled together by a retaining member. A number of slots are formed in each casing for receiving a number of tools. A retaining device has two legs resiliently coupled together by a retaining portion. The free ends of the legs are rotatably engaged to the casings. The retaining portion is engageable to the casing in order to retain the retaining device in place. A number of bent portions are formed on the legs of the retaining device and are arranged such that the bent portions press the tools in place.

Claims

1. A tool box comprising two casings each having a first and second end, said first ends being connected together by a flexible element so that said casings are foldable to a position facing each other and the second ends are detachably coupled together by a retaining member, a plurality of slots being laterally formed in an upper surface of each of said casings for receiving a plurality of tools therein, an opening being formed in a free end of each of said casings, two holes being formed in an inner end of each of said casings opposite to said free end thereof, a cavity being formed in each of said holes;

a retaining device including two legs resiliently coupled together by a retaining portion, an extension being formed on a free end of each of said legs and extending outward from said legs, said extensions being rotatably engaged in said cavities so that said retaining device is rotatable about said extensions, said retaining portion being engageable within said opening so that said retaining device can be retained in place, a plurality of being portions being formed on said legs of said retaining device and being arranged such that said bent portions will be engaged within said slots of said casings in order that said tools can be stably pressed in place by said retaining device.

2. A tool box according to claim 1, wherein said casing is trapezoidal in shape, said free end of said casing is narrower than said inner end thereof, said casings are arranged such that both ends of said tools are extended outward from said casings so that said tools can be seen directly when said casings are folded to a closed state.

3. A tool box according to claim 1, wherein said retaining portion includes two first portions which are U-shaped and a second portion which has an inverted U-shaped continuously formed together, said first portions are located at a lower end of said retaining portion and are engageable within said opening, said second portion is located between said first portions and extends slightly beyond said opening when said first portions are engaged within said opening, said retaining portion can be easily released from engagement with said opening when said second portion is pulled upward.

4. A tool box comprising a plurality of slots laterally formed in an upper surface of a filler material for receiving a plurality of tools therein an opening and two holes being formed in said upper surface of said filler material and being located close to both sides of said slots, a cavity being formed in each of said holes;

a retaining device including two legs resiliently coupled together by a retaining portion, an extension being formed on a free end of each of said legs and extending outward from said leg, said extensions being rotatably engaged in said cavities so that said retaining device is rotatable about said extensions, said retaining portion being engageable within said opening so that said retaining device can be retained in place, a plurality of bent portions being formed on said legs of said retaining device and being arranged such that said bent portions will be engaged within said slots of said casings in order to press said tools in place.