Apparatus having one or more removable tools

• US 8,316,492 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2011
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elemental Tools LLC
• Original Assignee: Elemental Tools LLC
• Inventors: Barber, Launce R., Stokes, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, David B
• Application Number:
  US13/301,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20120063625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 711/8, 715/8, 716/1, 716/4, 716/5, 716/7, 361/679.4, 361/679.56
• US Class Current: 7/118
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/04 wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/085 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 11/008 comprising electronic or electrical features, e.g. illuminating means, computing devices or sensors

Abstract

An apparatus includes a frame having an opening, a gate mechanism partially bounding the opening, at least one tool receiving section, and a power source. The apparatus includes at least one electronic device configured to be received in the at least one tool receiving section. The frame is configured to provide electrical power to the electronic device via the power source when the electronic device is received in the at least one tool receiving section, and the gate mechanism comprises a gate coupled to the frame, the gate being movable relative to the frame to permit access to the opening.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a frame, the frame having a power source, a first opening on at a first end adjacent a first tool receiving section and a second opening at a second end of the frame opposite the first and below the first opening, the second opening adjacent a second tool receiving section;

a first electronic device configured to be received in the first tool receiving section, the first electronic device having one of an output device and an input device thereon; and

a second electronic device configured to be received in the second tool receiving section, the second electronic device having one of an output device and an input device thereon, and

a gate coupled to the frame at each of the first and second openings and movable relative to the frame to permit access to the corresponding opening,

wherein the frame is configured to provide electrical power to one or both the first and second electronic devices via the power source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second electronic device are configured to be electrically coupled to one another after removal from the frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second electronic devices comprise a computer system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second electronic devices comprise a gaming system.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein both of the first and second electrical devices include external display screens thereon.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first and second electrical devices includes an external display section that flips up or down to reveal at least one internal display screen for displaying information received thereby and inputting information thereto, a separate input area, or both.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second electrical devices includes one or more speakers affixed thereto.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a hand-crank configured to generate power to the power source.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a line-out configured to receive an electrical input and to provide power from the power source to an external electronic device via the electrical input.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the frame comprises a rechargeable power source that can be recharged by plugging the rechargeable power source into the line-out.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source powers one or both of the first and second electronic devices when the first or second electronic device is received in its corresponding first or second tool receiving section.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a frame, the frame having an opening, a gate mechanism partially bounding the opening, at least one tool receiving section, at least one of a longitudinally extending rail or a slot, and a power source; and

a communication device configured to be slidably received in the at least one tool receiving section, the communication device having at least one of a complementary longitudinally extending rail to be received in the slot or a complementary slot adapted to receive the longitudinally extending rail, wherein

the frame is configured to provide electrical power to the communication device via the power source, and

the gate mechanism comprises a gate coupled to the frame, the gate being movable relative to the frame to permit access to the opening.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication device includes a screen for displaying information received thereby and inputting information thereto.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication device includes an ear piece removably attached thereto.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the ear piece is powered via wireless means from the power source in the frame for remote communications.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the ear piece is connected to the communication device via a pivotable arm removably connected thereto.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication device includes a microphone.