EP1305145B1 - Tool box - Google Patents

Abstract

A stacking tool case vertically stackable with additional stacking tool cases having an identical configuration has a shell-shaped bottom part having an opening facing in an upward vertical direction. A cover closes the opening. The bottom part has stacking posts extending in the upward vertical direction, wherein the cover in a closed state of the tool case is arranged between the stacking posts. The stacking posts support a bottom part of a stacking tool case placed on top.

Description

The invention relates to a tool case having the features according to the preamble of claim 1.

For the storage and transport of portable equipment such as hand-held power tools, drills or the like. As well as heavy tools in general, a variety of tool cases are known to meet a number of partly conflicting requirements. For example, when storing new appliances, the tool cases surrounding them must be easy to stack, with the storage space taken to be as small as possible. This results in requirements for the largest possible maximum stack height in conjunction with a compact design. Because of the resulting high mechanical loads of each lying below in the stack tool box they must be designed accordingly strong. At the same time, for example, a low weight of the tool case is desired for easy handling on a construction site.

From the EP 0 555 533 is a stackable case known for portable machine tools, the one box-shaped or cup-shaped lower part and having a lid. A stacking of several suitcases is possible in such a way that in each case the lower part of an upper suitcase is seated on the lid of the suitcase immediately below. The lid of the respective lower case is defined between the lower part of this lower case and the lower part of the upper case arranged immediately above. In the stacked state, therefore, such a cover must carry the weight of one or more stacked suitcases with their contents. The lid is thereby considerably burdened, which can lead to damage to the lid itself or the hinges or closures holding it. There are provided connecting means, which allow a releasable connection between the lower parts of each two directly juxtaposed suitcase of a suitcase stack forming a plurality of suitcases, contiguous transport unit. This is intended to ensure that a stack of cases can be lifted at the top of the case, the lower case are suspended with the connecting means underneath. For an intimate, a mutual slippage of the suitcase with each other inhibiting connection a certain biasing force of the connecting means is required.

A buffer according to the preamble of claim 1 is made US 5225300 A known.

The invention has the object of providing a generic tool case in such a way that its stackability improved and its load is reduced in the stacked state.

This object is achieved by a tool case having the features of claim 1.

For this purpose, it is proposed that stacking posts extending in the vertical direction are provided on the lower part of a tool box, between which a cover forming the cover lies in the closed state. The lower part and the stacking posts arranged thereon are designed such that the lower part of a stacked tool box is supported on the stacking posts of the respectively lower tool box. As a result, the lid in the stacked state has no static function and can be carried out together with existing hinges and fasteners accordingly easy and simple. Furthermore, this gives the possibility to design the cover freely according to the requirements of the opening to be covered or the tool to be transported, without having to take into account the static load in a stack formation. In an expedient development, a drawer with a housing part and a horizontally insertable drawer is provided for example for accessories. The drawer is formed similar to the tool box, take in the stacking post, in particular in the side walls, the weight forces, whereby the drawer is substantially free of force. The drawer can be pulled out of the front of the housing part, without loosening the connection to the overlying tool box. By a particular one-piece shape of the Stacking post with the lower part is a continuous power transmission without weakening joints achieved, whereby high stack can be formed even with heavy work implements. Occurring shock loads, for example, in construction site operation can be improved recorded. In this case, the cover expediently in the stacked state of the tool case in the vertical direction at a distance to the lower part lying over. This ensures that even in the dirty state of the cover, the lower part or both parts of a power transmission in the stacked state of a lower part on the underlying cover is omitted. Due to the distance, an at least slight opening of the cover in the stacked state is possible, which can be controlled, for example, whether in a case in question within a stack is a tool.

Two opposite side walls of the lower part are pulled laterally past the cover and thereby form the support posts. The design effort for this training is low. In the stacked state, the side walls are loaded within their wall plane, whereby a high load capacity is given even with a thin-walled and correspondingly lightweight design. The cover lying between the side walls can be designed over a large area, whereby unhindered access to the contents of the tool case is possible. The cover is at one between the Side walls lying rear wall of the lower part with hinges pivotally mounted and secured to one of the rear wall opposite the front wall of the lower part with a closure. Due to the connection with hinges, the cover can not be lost. In conjunction with the side raised side walls a free pivoting of the cover is possible, which facilitates access to the interior of the tool box. Appropriately, two laterally offset from the center of the front wall arranged closures are provided. As a result, on the one hand, a simple opening or closing of the cover allows each one closure can be actuated by one hand of an operator at a time. At the same time in conjunction with the hinges a well-distributed power transmission between the cover and the lower part allows, which avoids selective force peaks on the cover and allows a correspondingly lightweight construction. The closures are advantageously recessed with respect to the outer contour of the tool case in the closed state, which avoids unintentional abutment or tearing and contributes to reducing the necessary storage space, especially in the stacked state. The closures are advantageously designed so that they snap independently when closing the cover, so that the cover then can not open by itself. This increases the security against falling out of the content. For complete closure, the closures are final manually pressed into its locking position.

The stackability is further improved by the fact that means are provided against slipping stacked tool box transverse to the vertical direction. These are designed in particular as form-fitting interlocking projections and guide recesses and expediently provided with lateral bevels. This allows a precisely aligned stacking with correspondingly small storage space. In a transport, for example, in a vehicle to the site slipping stacked tool box is avoided against each other. The chamfers simplify the formation of a stack, since an upper tool box need only be placed inaccurately on a lower one, with the lateral chamfers favoring the projections to slide into the corresponding guide slots. In particular, the projections are arranged on the lower part and designed so that they protrude with respect to the bottom opposite to the vertical direction. In addition to their function as a stacking aid, the projections can also fill the function of feet in a single abzustellenden tool box.

In an advantageous embodiment, a guide recess are provided laterally adjacent to the two side walls in the cover and designed such that there engaging projections of an overlying Bottom parts can be supported on the inside of the side walls. As a result, it is possible to dispense with the arrangement of guide depressions on the upper side of the side walls for a lateral guidance so that they can be designed to be very narrow or the cover very wide. The guide recesses are expediently provided in each case in the region of the rear wall and the front wall, wherein the guide recesses in the region of the front wall are separated from those in the region of the rear wall by abutment surfaces. In this case, correspondingly shaped projections are provided with corresponding stop surfaces, which engage in these guide recesses when stacking. The adjoining abutment surfaces serve as a safeguard against slipping in one direction from the front wall to the rear wall or vice versa. It may be appropriate to make the respective guide depressions in the direction of the adjacent rear wall or the adjacent front wall open. This makes it possible, for example, set up a tool case obliquely from the front on a lower tool case and to push backwards in the direction of the rear wall. The projections in the region of the front wall can slide into the corresponding open guide recesses until the rear projections lie above their corresponding guide recesses in the area of the rear wall and, in particular, slide into the guide recesses through the bevels.

As a further means for securing against slipping, in particular in the direction parallel to the side walls extending direction, the side walls may have a recess on its upper side facing in the vertical direction and a corresponding elevation on its opposite underside. When stacking, the lower elevations of an upper tool case engage in the corresponding upper recesses in the side walls of a lower tool case and thereby form a positive engagement. In particular, the recesses and elevations are limited by stackable, oblique pressure surfaces that allow in a simple manner a precise positive engagement so that both forces can be absorbed in the vertical and horizontal direction. As a result, a precisely defined location of the introduction of force is given, which can be structurally locally reinforced accordingly, while the remaining areas of the side walls can be kept simple and light. It may be expedient to make the top of the side walls convex and the bottom concave curved. Due to the concave curvature of the bottom is avoided that a single, parked on a flat surface tool case rests with its lower elevation, so that a tip-safe storage of the tool case is possible. When forming a stack of tool cases, the concavely curved undersides of the side walls abut each other flat against the corresponding convexly curved upper sides and allow a planar, viable power transmission in the side walls without loading the cover. Due to the differently directed curvature of the top and bottom of the user can see the top with the cover even in the absence of other marks at a glance, so that a filing of the tool box swept with its top down and the known, the opening-related consequences is avoided.

In an advantageous embodiment means for releasable in particular form-locking connection in the vertical direction of stacked tool cases are provided, whereby the carrying a plurality of stacked tool case is made possible on a handle. In conjunction with the above-described means against lateral slippage thereby a positive connection of individual tool case is mutually achievable in all three spatial axes, so that a stack formed in this way can also be tilted laterally and then raised, for example, on a handle attached to the front and worn. The corresponding connection means are expediently provided on the support posts and in particular on the side walls forming the support posts. With such an arrangement can be dispensed with additional reinforcements because of existing high load capacity of the side walls, so that the remaining areas of the tool box can be designed in a corresponding lightweight construction. In an expedient training is on each of the two side walls in the region of its top and bottom a rib provided, wherein a respective upper rib of a lower tool case can be encompassed by a clamp together with an adjacent lower rib of a stacked upper tool box. This arrangement of brackets and ribs has a high structural capacity with a simple structural design and correspondingly low production costs. The brackets are expediently pivotally fixed to the respective side walls, so that they can not be lost in the dissolved state. The brackets can advantageously be designed as swiveling handles, whereby they have a double function: The brackets in a lower portion of a tool case stack connect these form-fitting together in the vertical direction, while the top brackets can be swung laterally and thereby as a handle for lifting or carrying the entire Stack can serve. By arranging locking recesses in which the latter means for positive connection are retractable, the required storage space is kept low. For example, in juxtaposed on a shelf stacks individual tool box can be pulled forward without the lateral brackets of adjacent stacks can get caught in each other.

As a safeguard against unauthorized access to a valuable, stored in the tool box device cover is expedient set lockable on the lower part. In a simple and effective execution For this purpose, an opening is respectively provided in the front wall and in the adjacent area of the cover, through which, for example, a padlock can be passed.

To achieve a high load capacity with a low weight and reasonable manufacturing costs of the tool case and in particular its lower part, the cover and the brackets made of plastic. In a complex geometric design of the tool case, the processing of the plastic by way of injection molding is appropriate. For a high load capacity in conjunction with a corresponding impact resistance and good processability, polypropylene or ABS has proven to be useful.

Fig. 1

in einer perspektivischen Übersichtsdarstellung einen Werkzeugkoffer mit als Stapelpfosten ausgebildeten Seitenwänden,

Fig. 2

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung einen Stapel von Werkzeugkoffern mit als Haltegriffe ausgeführten Verbindungsklammern,

Fig. 3

in einer Schnittdarstellung eine Detailansicht des Stapels nach Fig. 2 im Bereich eines Haltegriffs,

Fig. 4

eine Vorderansicht des Werkzeugkoffers nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

eine Obenansicht des Werkzeugkoffers nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht des Werkzeugkoffers nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 7

in einer perspektivischen Übersichtsdarstellung eine Variante des Werkzeugkoffers nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 8

eine weitere Variante des Werkzeugkoffers nach Fig. 1 mit Stoßdämpferelementen,

Fig. 9

in einer Übersichtsdarstellung ein Schubfach mit einem aufgestapelten Werkzeugkoffer.

Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

3 shows a perspective view of a tool case with side walls formed as stacking posts;

Fig. 2

3 shows a perspective view of a stack of tool cases with connecting brackets designed as handles;

Fig. 3

in a sectional view a detailed view of the stack after Fig. 2 in the area of a grab handle,

Fig. 4

a front view of the tool box after Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

a top view of the tool box after Fig. 1 .

Fig. 6

a side view of the tool box after Fig. 1 .

Fig. 7

in a perspective overview representation of a variant of the tool box after Fig. 1 .

Fig. 8

another variant of the tool box after Fig. 1 with shock absorber elements,

Fig. 9

in an overview, a drawer with a stacked tool box.

In Fig. 1 an inventive tool case is shown, the lower part 2 has a facing in a vertical direction 1 opening 3, which is closed by a cover 4. The cover 4 is in the region of the rear wall 7 of the lower part 2 with in Fig. 5 Hinges 8 shown pivotally fixed and held in the region of the back wall 7 opposite front wall 9 with two closures 10 in the closed state. It may also be useful training in which the cover 4 without hinges 8 releasably with other closures 10 or Snap connections on the rear wall 7 and / or on the side walls 6 can be fixed. The two side walls 6 of the lower part 2 are pulled laterally past the cover 4 and form stacking posts 5. It may also be expedient to provide separately formed stacking posts 5 in the region of the side walls, the rear wall 7 and / or the front wall 9. On the front wall 9, a pivotable about an axis 33 in the direction of the arrow 32 carrying handle 31 is provided. The carrying handle 31 and the two closures 10 are sunk in the shown stationary or closed position with respect to the outer contour of the tool case. The cover 4 and the lower part 2 each have an opening 29, 30 in the region of the front wall 9, through which a padlock can be passed and whereby the cover 4 can be closed relative to the lower part 2. It may also be appropriate to arrange an integrated combination lock or the like. In the region of the lower part 2, the cover 4 and the side walls 6 means 12 are provided against slipping stacked tool box transverse to the vertical direction 1. The anti-slipping means 12 are described below.

Fig. 2 shows a variant of the tool box after Fig. 1 of which two pieces 34, 35 are stacked on top of each other and have means 23 for positive connection in the vertical direction 1 of stacked tool cases. The side walls 6 are formed as stacking posts 5 and point on their upper side 18 pointing in the vertical direction 1 a recess 19 and on its opposite underside 20 a corresponding elevation 21, which are bounded laterally by pressure surfaces 22. In this case, the elevation 21 of the upper tool case 34 engages in the corresponding recess 19 of the lower tool case 35, wherein the respective pressure surfaces 22 abut each other and support each other within the plane of the side walls 6 against the vertical direction 1 and transversely thereto. The cover 4 of the lower tool box 35 is closed and lies between its the stacking posts 5 forming side walls 6 and has over the lower part 2 of the stacked upper tool box 34 a vertical, lying in the vertical direction 1 distance a.

In the side walls 6, a locking recess 28 is provided, in which adjacent to the top 18, a rib 25 and adjacent to the bottom 20, a rib 24 is provided. A constructed as a handle 27 clamp 26 made of injection-molded plastic is disposed in the locking recess 28, wherein the clip 26 is pivotally mounted from its position shown in dashed lines in the direction of the double arrow 36 and in the direction of the double arrow 27. The clamp 26 forms, together with the ribs 24, 25, the means 23 for the positive connection of the upper tool case 34 with the lower tool case 35 in the vertical direction 1.

The means 12 against slipping transversely to the vertical direction 1 on the tool cases 34, 35 further comprise form-fitting interengageable projections 13 and guide recesses 14, which are respectively arranged in the region of the front wall 9 and in the region of the rear wall 7 adjacent to the side walls 6. The projections 13 are arranged on the respective lower part 2 and formed with respect to the bottom 40 protruding, so that they can be used as needed as a foot. The guide recesses 14 are open on both sides in their longitudinal direction, so that their positive support effect occurs in the stacked state transversely to the plane of the side walls 6.

Fig. 3 shows in a partial sectional view of the arrangement Fig. 2 in that the clip 26 of the upper tool box 34 is shown in a rest position and recessed in the locking recess 28 with respect to the outer contour of the tool box 34. In this position, the clip 26 can be grasped on the handle 27 and the stack of the upper tool box 34 and the lower tool box 35 can be raised. In the area of the upper rib 25, a stop 38 is provided for the clamp 26 displaceable in the direction of the double arrow 36. In the area of the lower tool box 35, the clamp 26 is shown in a position in which it is moved by a combined lifting and pivoting movement along the arrows 36, 37 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) engages around the lower rib 24 of the upper tool box 34 and the adjacent upper rib 25 of the lower tool box 35 and produces in this way a positive connection in the vertical direction 1. The positive connection of the clip 26 with the ribs 24, 25 may be designed to be clamped or latching. It may also be expedient to provide an elastic spring element for pressing the clip 26.

Figure 4 shows a tool case in a front view, in which the two closures 10 described above are arranged symmetrically laterally offset from the center line 11. The cover 4 has adjacent to the side walls 6 on guide recesses 14, which are provided with lateral chamfers 15. At the lower part 2 correspondingly shaped projections 13 are provided with lateral chamfers 15 for engagement in the guide recesses 14 of an underlying tool case. The outermost guide grooves 14 adjacent to the respective side walls 6 are formed so that the corresponding projections 13 of an overlying lower part, not shown, can be brought into abutment with the inner sides 39 of the side walls 6.

Fig. 5 shows the top view of the tool box after Fig. 4 in which the guide depressions 14 are respectively arranged in the region of the front wall 9 and the rear wall 7. A portion of the guide recesses 14 in the region of the front wall 9 and the corresponding guide recesses 14 in the region of the rear wall 7 each have stop surfaces 16. Through these stop surfaces 16 the respective opposite guide recesses 14 are separated from each other so that a passage of a projection 13 along its longitudinal axis is obstructed. The engageable in this guide recesses 14 projections 13 are in connection with the Fig. 6 described in more detail and have corresponding stop surfaces 17. The cover 4 is fixed by three hinges 8 on the rear wall 7 of the lower part 2 shown in more detail in the preceding figures.

Fig. 6 shows in a side view of the tool box after the Fig. 4 and 5 in which the upper side 18 of the side wall 6 is convex and the lower side 19 is correspondingly concavely curved. The projections 13 in the region of the rear wall 7 and the rear wall 9 of the lower part 2 have on the inside facing each other stop surfaces 17 which in the stacked state to the in Fig. 5 abut stop surfaces 16 shown and slipping in the longitudinal direction of the guide grooves 14 after Fig. 5 avoid. The projections 13 protrude against the vertical direction 1 relative to the bottom 40 and the elevation 21 in the side wall 6 and thereby form storage feet.

Fig. 7 shows in a perspective overview representation of a variant of the tool case according to the invention, in which the cover 4 covers the entire base of the lower part 2 with the exception of the central region of the side walls 6, which are here laterally pulled up to the cover 4 over and only in Region of the recess 19 form a stacking post 5. In this case, the pressure surfaces 22 are formed on the cover 4 such that they are spaced from the corresponding pressure surfaces 22 at the bottom elevation 21 in the stacked state and form only a backup against lateral slippage. A dashed line indicated handle 31 may be provided as an option on the cover 4.

Another variant is in Fig. 8 shown in which elastic shock absorbers 41 are provided on the side walls 6, which reduce a shock load, for example, larger luggage stack.

Fig. 9 shows in a perspective overview representation of a tool box 34 which is stacked in the vertical direction 1 on an underlying drawer 42. The drawer 42 has a housing part 43, which consists of side walls 6 and an intermediate, fixed to the side walls 6 cover 4. The side walls 6 of the housing part 43 form stacking posts 5 for the overlying tool box 34. Between the stacking post 5 is horizontally along the double arrow 45, a drawer 44 in the housing part 43 can be inserted or pulled out of it. The weight forces arising from the stacking are absorbed by the stacking posts 5, so that the drawer 44 is substantially free of force. In its further details, in particular in the region of the side walls 6 and the cover 4, the housing part 43 is comparable to executed the tool cases described above to allow stacking with the advantages described in particular with respect to the protection against lateral slipping.

Claims (23)

1. A tool box, in particular for receiving portable tools, which can be stacked upwards in a vertical direction (1) and which has a tray-shaped lower part (2) with a vertically upward (1) facing opening (3) and a lid (4) for closing said opening (3), in the lower part (2) two opposing side walls (6) of the lower part (2) being drawn up laterally past the lid (4) to form vertically upward (1) extending stacking posts (5) between which the lid (4) lies when closed and on which the lower part (2) of another tool box lies when stacked on top of it,
   characterised in that
   the lid (4) is fixed by means of hinges (8) such that it is able to pivot to a rear wall (7) of the lower part (2) located between the two side walls (6) and can be secured to a front wall (9) of the lower part (2) opposite the rear wall (7) by means of a closure (10).
2. A tool box in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that
   when the tool boxes are stacked the lid (4) is located a certain distance (a) vertically upwards (1) from the adjoining lower part (2).
3. A tool box in accordance with claim 1,
   characterised in that
   two closures (10) positioned laterally offset in relation to the centre (11) of the front wall (9) are provided.
4. A tool box in accordance with claim 1 or claim 3,
   characterised in that
   the closure (10) is recessed in relation to the external contour of the tool box when closed.
5. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   means (12) are provided perpendicular to the vertical (1) to prevent tool boxes stacked one on top of another from slipping.
6. A tool box in accordance with claim 5,
   characterised in that
   the means (12) to prevent lateral slipping take the form of projections (13) and guide recesses (14) which engage positively with one another.
7. A tool box in accordance with claim 6,
   characterised in that
   the projections (13) and guide recesses (14) have lateral sloping faces (15).
8. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 5 to 7,
   characterised in that
   the projections (13) are positioned on the lower part (2) projecting vertically downwards in relation to its base (40).
9. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 5 to 8,
   characterised in that
   a guide recess (14) is provided in the lid (4) laterally adjacent to each side wall (6) and engaging projections (13) on a lower part (2) positioned above it can be placed therein inside the side walls (6).
10. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 6 to 9,
    characterised in that
    provided in the area of the rear wall (7) and the front wall (9) are guide recesses (14) separated from one another by stop faces (16) into which correspondingly formed projections (13) with corresponding stop faces (17) are able to engage.
11. A tool box in accordance with claim 10,
    characterised in that
    the guide recesses (14) are open towards the adjoining rear wall (7) and front wall (9).
12. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 5 to 11,
    characterised in that
    the side walls (6) have a recess (19) in their vertically upward (1) facing top faces (18) and a corresponding raised section (21) on their opposite lower faces (20) to engage in the recess (19), the recess (19) and the raised section (21) being delimited by pressure faces (22) which can be placed one on top of the other to provide support within the side wall plane.
13. A tool box in accordance with claim 12,
    characterised in that
    the top face of the side walls (6) is convex and lower face (20) is concave.
14. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 1 to 13,
    characterised in that
    means (23) are provided for the in particular positive connection upwards in a vertical direction (1) of tool boxes (34, 35) stacked one on top of another.
15. A tool box in accordance with claim 14,
    characterised in that
    said means (23) for making a positive connection are provided on the stacking posts (5) and in particular on the side walls (6) which are designed as stacking posts (5).
16. A tool box in accordance with claim 15,
    characterised in that
    the means (23) for making said positive connection are designed as ribs (24, 25) in the area of the top face (18) and lower face (20) of the side walls (6) and as clasps (26) for encompassing the ribs (24, 25).
17. A tool box in accordance with claim 16,
    characterised in that
    the clasp (26) is fixed to the side wall (6) in such a manner that it is able to pivot.
18. A tool box in accordance with claim 17,
    characterised in that
    the clasp (26) is designed as a pivoting retaining handle (27).
19. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 14 to 18,
    characterised in that
    a locking recess (28) is provided in which the means (23) for making the positive connection can be recessed.
20. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 1 to 19,
    characterised in that
    the lid (4) is fixed to the lower part (2) such that it can be closed.
21. A tool box in accordance with claim 20,
    characterised in that
    provided in the front wall (9) and in the adjoining area of the lid (4) are openings (29, 30) through which closing means, in particular a padlock, are able to pass.
22. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 1 to 21,
    characterised in that
    provided on the front wall (9) is a carrying handle (31), in particular designed such that it can be pivoted and recessed.
23. A tool box in accordance with one of claims 1 to 22,
    characterised in that
    the lower part (2), the lid (4) and in particular the clasps (26) are made of plastic and are manufactured in particular by means of injection moulding.

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