Multi-configured tool bit box

• US 7,600,640 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2007
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hallee, Kristofor M., Holz, Jonathan S., Cunningham, Ian W.
• Primary Examiner(s): FIDEI, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US11/739,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20070190856A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 206/372, 206/373, 206376-379, 206/743, 206/744, 206/747, 206/748, 206/759, 206/349, 211/69, 211/70.6
• US Class Current: 206/373
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/003 Holders for drill bits or the like

Abstract

A tool case for the storage of drill bits and similarly shaped tools includes two housing members that are hingedly attached and which open and close, with respect to one another. The tool case of the present invention includes elastomeric material surrounding the periphery of the tool case and tool trays on the inside of the case that retain inverted drill bits and similarly shaped tools. The tool trays disposed within the two housing members are removably attached to inner recessed cavities in the housing member by snapping male protrusions located on the tray into corresponding female recesses located on the inner surface of the recessed cavities.

Claims

1. A tool retaining system comprising at least one tool tray and an outer casing, the tool tray and the outer casing being removably secured to one another by snap-fit of mating male protrusions and female recesses;

the tool tray comprising a top wall having a plurality of tool receiving recesses, the recesses defined by two opposed shelf members separated by an apertured section of the recesses, the recesses having two tool retaining members disposed within the apertured section of the recesses, the retaining members partially projecting into a tool opening of the tool receiving recesses.

2. The tool retaining system of claim 1, wherein the at least one tool tray and the outer casing are comprised of a flexible material.

3. The tool retaining system of claim 2, wherein the flexible material further comprises plastic.

4. The tool retaining system of claim 2, wherein the top wall has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having the tool receiving recesses disposed therein, and the second portion defining cantilevered release members.

5. The tool retaining system of claim 4, wherein first portion is recessed and the second portion is non-recessed.

6. The tool retaining system of claim 4, wherein the cantilevered release members are disposed above elongated tools secured within the tool receiving recesses, and wherein the cantilevered release member have tangs extending downwardly from the top wall.

7. The tool retaining system of claim 2, wherein the opposed shelves are circular in cross-sectional shape.

8. The tool retaining system of claim 2, wherein the opposed shelves are V-shaped.

9. The tool retaining system of claim 4, wherein the tool receiving recesses have a frontal surface and L-shaped support members that protrude from the frontal surface.

10. The tool retaining system of claim 9, wherein the L-shaped support members have a V-shaped upper surface for cradling similarly shaped elongated tools.

11. The tool retaining system of claim 1, wherein the retaining members are approximately directly opposed to one another.

12. The tool retaining system of claim 1, wherein the retaining members are staggered with respect to one another.

13. The tool retaining system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises the tool tray and at least a second tool tray.

14. The tool retaining system of claim 13, wherein male protrusions are disposed along at least two side walls of the tool tray, the side walls further comprising two vertically upstanding tangs, the tangs being matingly shaped to receive oppositely shaped tangs from the second tool tray when the casing is closed and tool tray and the second tool tray are in overlapping contact.

15. The tool retaining system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two opposed shelves has a raised nib for engaging an elongated tool.

16. A tool retaining system comprising at least one tool tray and an outer casing, the tool tray and the outer casing being removably secured to one another by snap-fit of mating male protrusions and female recesses;

the tool tray further comprising a top wall having a plurality of tool receiving recesses, the recesses defined by two V-shaped opposed shelf members separated by an apertured section of the recesses, the recesses having two tool retaining members disposed within the apertured section of the recesses, the members partially covering a tool opening of the tool receiving recesses, and the tool receiving recesses having a front surface, the front surface having an tang, extending upwardly from the tool tray for supporting tools positioned therein.

17. The tool retaining system of claim 16, wherein the tang is L-shaped.

18. The tool retaining system of claim 16, wherein the at least one tool tray and the outer casing are comprised of a flexible material.

19. The tool retaining system of claim 18, wherein the flexible material is plastic.

20. The tool retaining system of claim 16, wherein the top wall has a recessed portion and a non-recessed portion, the recessed portion having the tool receiving recesses disposed therein, and the non-recessed portion having U-shaped recesses defining cantilevered release members.

21. The tool retaining system of claim 20, wherein the cantilevered release members are disposed above elongated tools secured within the tool receiving recesses, and wherein the cantilevered release member have tangs extending downwardly from the top wall.

22. The tool retaining system of claim 16, wherein the system further at least a second tool tray.

23. The tool retaining system of claim 22, wherein male protrusions are disposed along at least two side walls of the tool tray, the side walls further comprising two vertically upstanding tangs, the tangs being matingly shaped to receive oppositely shaped tangs from the second tool tray when the tool tray and second tool tray are in top wall to top wall contact.

24. The tool retaining system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the two opposed shelves has a raised nib for engaging an elongated tool.

25. A kit for a tool retaining system, the kit comprising:

a first housing member and a second housing member pivotally attached to one another with a hinge allowing the housing members to open and close with respect to one another;

a latch assembly including a split-rail, a sliding latch, and at least one abutment;

at least one elongated elastomeric band disposed about at least a portion of the outer periphery of at least one of the housing members;

at least one recessed cavity defined by an inner surface of at least one of the housing members and at least two inner side walls, the inner side walls having a plurality of female recesses disposed therein,

a plurality of tool trays defined by a top wall and at least two opposed side walls, the side walls having a plurality of male protrusions extending there from and being snappably, non-slidably securable within the female recesses of the recessed cavity; and

a plurality of tool bits retained at least partially in the tool trays.

26. The kit of claim 25, wherein the plurality of the tool trays further comprises a top wall having a plurality of tool receiving recesses, the recesses defined by two opposed shelf members separated by an apertured section of the recesses, the recesses having two tool retaining members disposed within the apertured section of the recesses, the members partially projecting into a tool opening of the tool receiving recesses.

27. The kit of claim 25, wherein the plurality of tool trays further comprises a top wall having a plurality of tool receiving recesses, the recesses defined by a cavity having a semi-circular cross section, the recesses having two tool retaining members disposed within the cavity of the recesses, the members partially projecting into a tool opening of the tool receiving recesses.

28. The kit of claim 25, wherein the top wall has a recesses portion and a non-recesses portion, the recessed portion having the tool receiving recesses disposed therein, and the non-recessed portion defining cantilevered release members.

29. The kit of claim 28, wherein the cantilevered release members are disposed above elongated tools secured within the tool receiving recesses, and wherein the cantilevered release members have tangs extending downwardly from the top wall.

30. The kit of claim 29, wherein the system comprises at least a plurality of tool trays within a cavity defined in each of the housing members.

31. The kit of claim 25, wherein the at least one elongated elastomeric band is disposed about the entire outer periphery of at least one of the housing members.

32. The kit of claim 25, wherein the at least one elongated elastomeric band is disposed about the entire outer periphery of the first and second housing members.