Tool storage cabinet having integrated power

• US 8,084,992 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2008
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Scheffy, Clark, Deakin, Andy, Madsen, Sarah, Oliver, Joanne
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US12/151,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20080278046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 320/114, 320/107, 320/110, 312/194
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/00 Cabinets or racks specially adapted for other particular purposes, e.g. for storing guns or skis
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/02 Boxes

Abstract

A tool storage unit is disclosed having a cabinet structure with a plurality of surfaces defining a first interior space and a storage compartment defining a second interior space, the compartment being configured to move between an open position extending from the first interior space and a closed position retracted within the first interior space. A stationary compartment sidewall fixed within the first interior space and adjacent the storage compartment limits access to the second interior space from the first interior space when the storage compartment is in the closed position. A plurality of power outlets positioned within the storage compartment such that each is accessible from the second interior space, and a locking feature for securing the storage compartment in the closed position are also featured. Finally, a recessed area integral to the top surface, a cover hinged to the top surface and covering the recessed area, and a power outlet positioned with the recessed area is a further feature of the disclosed storage unit. A power outlet positioned on the top surface of the cabinet structure outside of the recessed area may also be provided.

Claims

1. A tool storage unit comprising:

a cabinet structure having a plurality of surfaces defining a first interior space;

a storage compartment defining a second interior space and an enclosure separate from the second interior space, the storage compartment configured to move between an open position extending from the first interior space and a closed position retracted within the first interior space;

a stationary compartment sidewall fixed within the first interior space and adjacent the storage compartment, the stationary component sidewall configured to prevent access to the second interior space from the first interior space when the storage compartment is in the closed position;

a plurality of power outlets positioned within the storage compartment and accessible from the second interior space;

a flexible cable carrier having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion attached to the cabinet structure and the second portion positioned within the enclosure, the first portion being substantially parallel to the second portion when the storage compartment is in at least one of the open and the closed positions, the flexible cable carrier configured to protect a cord extending from the storage compartment within the cabinet as the storage compartment is moved between the open position and the closed position; and

a locking feature configured to secure the storage compartment in the closed position.

2. The tool storage unit of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is a slidable drawer.

3. The tool storage unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a power cord extending through the flexible cable carrier, the power cord having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end configured to couple to the plurality of power outlets and the second end configured to couple to a power source.

4. The tool storage unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of power outlets comprise a power strip.

5. The tool storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a support removably attached to a sidewall of the storage compartment and accessible from the second interior space.

6. The tool storage unit of claim 5, wherein the support is a shelf configured to hold at least one of battery powered tools, batteries for the battery powered tools, and charging devices for the batteries.

7. The tool storage unit of claim 6, wherein the support is a shelf configured to retain a plurality of battery charging units plugged into the plurality of power outlets.

8. The tool storage unit of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment is vertically oriented having a sidewall panel with an area greater than an area of a bottom wall panel.

9. The tool storage unit of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment comprises front, rear and bottom wall panels and a single sidewall panel.

10. The tool storage unit of claim 9, wherein the plurality of power outlets are positioned on the rear wall panel.

11. The tool storage unit of claim 9, wherein the single sidewall panel comprises a plurality of slots.

12. The tool storage unit of claim 11, further comprising an adjustable support having tabs to detachably engage the slots and retain the support within the second interior space.

13. The tool storage unit of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable support detachably engaged to at least one of the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the bottom wall panel, and the sidewall panel.

14. The tool storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of storage compartments positioned within the first interior space.

15. The tool storage unit of claim 14, wherein the plurality of storage compartments comprise sliding drawers.

16. A tool storage compartment slideably positioned within a tool storage cabinet to move between an open position and a closed position, the storage compartment comprising:

a front, a rear, and a bottom wall panel;

a single sidewall panel affixed to each of the front, rear and bottom wall panels, thereby defining an interior space;

a plurality of power outlets attached to at least one of the front, rear, bottom and sidewall panels and accessible from within the interior space;

a flexible cable carrier having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion attached to the tool storage cabinet and the second portion detached from the tool storage cabinet, the first portion being substantially parallel to the second portion when the storage compartment is in at least one of the open and the closed position, the flexible cable carrier configured to protect a cord extending from the storage compartment within the cabinet as the storage compartment is moved between the open position and the closed position.

17. The tool storage compartment of claim 16, further comprising:

a power cord extending through the flexible cable carrier, the power cord having a first cord end and a second cord end opposite the first cord end, the first cord end configured to couple to the plurality of power outlets and the second cord end configured to couple to a power source.

18. The tool storage compartment of claim 16, wherein the plurality of power outlets comprise a power strip.

19. The tool storage compartment of claim 16, further comprising a support removably attached to the sidewall and accessible from the interior space.

20. The tool storage compartment of claim 19, wherein the support is a shelf configured to hold at least one of battery powered tools, batteries, and charging devices.

21. The tool storage compartment of claim 16, wherein the single sidewall panel has an area greater than an area of a bottom wall panel.

22. The tool storage compartment of claim 21, wherein the single sidewall panel comprises a plurality of slots.

23. The tool storage unit of claim 22, further comprising an adjustable support having tabs configured to detachably engage the slots and retain the support within the interior space.

24. The tool storage unit of claim 16, further comprising an adjustable support detachably engaged to at least one of the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the bottom wall panel, and the sidewall panel.

25. A tool storage unit comprising:

a cabinet structure including a back cabinet surface, a top cabinet surface, a bottom cabinet surface, and side cabinet surfaces affixed to each of said top, bottom, and back cabinet surfaces defining a first interior space;

a storage compartment having a front compartment surface, a back compartment surface, a bottom compartment surface, and a side compartment surface affixed to each of said front, back and bottom compartment surfaces defining a second interior space, at least one of said side, front, back and bottom compartment surfaces configured to receive a power outlet in said second interior space, said storage compartment slideably positioned within said first interior space of said cabinet structure and configured to move between an open position extending from said first interior space and a closed position retracted within said first interior space;

a flexible cable carrier having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion attached to said cabinet structure and said second portion detached from the cabinet structure, the first portion being substantially parallel to the second portion when the storage compartment is in at least one of the open and the closed position, said flexible cable carrier configured to protect a cord extending from said storage compartment as said storage compartment is moved between said open position and said closed position.

26. The tool storage unit of claim 25, further comprising:

a plurality of power outlets positioned within said second interior space and received in at least one of said side, front, back and bottom compartment surfaces; and

a power cord extending through said flexible cable carrier, said power cord having a first cord end and a second cord end opposite said first cord end, said first cord end configured to couple to said plurality of power outlets positioned within said second interior space, said second cord end configured to couple to a power source.

27. The tool storage unit of claim 25, wherein said flexible cable carrier includes a plurality of articulating joints.

28. The tool storage unit of claim 25, wherein said flexible cable carrier includes an accordion structure configured to expand and contract as said storage compartment is moved between said open position and said closed position.

29. The tool storage unit of claim 25, wherein said flexible cable carrier is configured to fold back upon itself as said storage compartment is moved between said open position and said closed position.