Rolling tool box

• US 5,088,636 A
• Filed: 03/04/1991
• Issued: 02/18/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Antonio J. Barajas
• Original Assignee: Antonio J. Barajas
• Inventors: Barajas, Antonio J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee S.
• Application Number:
  US07/663,626
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 224/42.42, 224/281, 224/310, 224/311, 224/315, 224/273, 296/37.6
• US Class Current: 224/281
• 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

A rolling tool box for storing tools is slidably mounted and supported between channels installed on opposite side walls of a pickup truck bed such that it will move between a stored position at the forward end and a tailgate rear end of the truck bed. The tool box enclosure has a shallow rectangular upper storage compartment extending transversly between the channels and above the wheel wells of the truck bed and a rectangular lower storage compartment extending transversly between the wheel wells of the truck bed and above the floor of the bed. A latch handle on the upper storage compartment moves a pair of rod members between a lock position engaged with apertures in the channel members to prevent sliding movement of the tool box and a released position to allow sliding movement. The lower storage compartment is provided with a plurality of drawers which allows stored items to be neatly and efficiently organized. A door hinged to the lower compartment is movable between a closed position covering the drawers to prevent movement thereof and an open position allowing sliding movement of the drawers and access to the contents thereof. The door may be locked in the closed position to prevent the drawers from opening when the truck moves.

Claims

1. A rolling tool box comprising in combination, a generally rectangular box-like enclosure for storing tools therein and track means for slidably supporting said tool box between opposite side walls of a pickup truck bed so as to slide said tool box between a forward end and a tailgate rear end of said bed;

said rectangular box-like enclosure having a shallow rectangular upper storage compartment extending transversly between said track means and above the wheel wells of the truck bed and a rectangular lower storage compartment extending transversly between the wheel wells of the truck bed and above the floor of the bed,

a pair of roller plates affixed on opposite side walls of said tool box upper compartment having a plurality of sidewardly extending shafts with rollers rotatably mounted thereon, and

said track means being an elongate channel member mounted on an inner side of each truck bed side wall to extend substantially from one end of the bed adjacent the truck cab to the tailgate end of the bed and each apertured to receive and movably contain said rollers and having a stop surface adjacent the tailgate end of each said channel, whereby

said tool box may be moved on said channels between a stored position adjacent the truck cab to a position adjacent the truck tailgate.

2. The rolling tool box combination according to claim 1 including

latch means on said enclosure movable between a lock position engaged with said channel members to prevent sliding movement on said channels and a released position allowing sliding movement on said channels.

3. The rolling tool box combination according to claim 2 wherein

said latch means comprises a latch handle rotatably mounted on said tool box upper storage compartment and pair of rod members operatively connected to said latch handle and slidably mounted such that when said latch handle is turned in one direction outer ends of the rod members will be retracted within outer sides of said upper storage compartment, and when said handle is turned in the other direction the outer ends of the rod members will extend outwardly beyond the outer sides of said upper storage compartment, and

said channel members have an aperture in one side wall near their end adjacent the truck cab to receive and engage the outer ends of said rod members in their extended position.

4. The rolling tool box combination according to claim 3 wherein

said latch handle is located near one side of said upper storage compartment such that it can be operated by a person standing at the side of the truck bed.

5. The rolling tool box combination according to claim 1 wherein

said tool box lower storage compartment comprises opposed side walls, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall which is adapted to receive a plurality of drawers,

a plurality of drawers slidably received in said lower storage compartment through said front wall, and

locking means for preventing said drawers from sliding relative to said lower storage compartment.

6. The rolling tool box combination according to claim 5 wherein

said locking means comprises a door hinged to said lower storage compartment and pivotally movable between a closed position covering said drawers to prevent movement thereof and an open position allowing sliding movement of said drawers and access to contents thereof.

7. The rolling tool box combination according to claim 6 including

locking means on said door movable between a locked position to engage said lower storage compartment to maintain said door in said closed position covering said drawers and an unlocked position allowing said door to be opened for access to said drawers.

8. The rolling tool box combination according to claim 6 including

cable means operatively connected between said door and said lower storage compartment to maintain said door in a horizontal open position perpendicular to said lower storage compartment.

9. The rolling tool box combination according to claim wherein

said rectangular upper storage compartment comprises opposed front and rear walls, opposed side walls, and a bottom wall defining the shallow rectangular storage compartment.

10. The rolling tool box combination according to claim 9 including

a lid member having opposed side walls, a front wall, and a top wall hinged to said upper storage compartment and pivotally movable between a closed position substantially covering said upper storage compartment and an open position allowing access to said upper storage compartment.

11. The rolling tool box combination according to claim 10 including

a handle member mounted on said lid to facilitate pulling or pushing said tool box along said track means.