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US-20260124736-A1 - Tool Storage Devices

US20260124736A1US 20260124736 A1US20260124736 A1US 20260124736A1US-20260124736-A1

Abstract

Tool storage devices. A tool storage device may include a handle assembly including a support arm connected between a body and a handle portion and having a substantially rectangular cross section oriented with first walls extending transverse to the axis having a greater width than second walls extending parallel to the axis. A width of the handle portion may be at least about 50% of a width of the body. The body may include a frame assembly formed of a rigid material, a wall formed of a flexible material and at least partially defining the storage compartment with an open top, and a cover formed of a rigid material connected to the frame assembly to selectively close the open top. A wheel well portion receives each wheel and may cover the width of the wheel and a portion of the circumference of the wheel. A radial clearance between the wheel and a lower end of the wheel well may be no more than about 0.5 inches.

Inventors

  • Christopher S. Hoppe
  • Steven W. Hyma
  • Grant T. Squiers
  • Michael Stearns

Assignees

  • MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251231

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A toolbox, comprising: a container comprising: a bottom wall; four sidewalls extending generally perpendicular from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the four sidewalls defining a storage area; and two wheels rotatably coupled to a rear of the container, the wheels rotating about a first axis with respect to the container; a lid pivotally coupled to the container such that the lid pivots with respect to the container about a second axis, whererin the second axis is not parallel to the first axis and does not intersect the first axis, wherein the lid comprises a plurality of grooves that fully extend across an upper surface of the lid; and a handle coupled to a front of the container opposite the rear of the container, wherein the handle comprises a pair of arms extending from the container and a grip portion spanning between the arms.
  2. 2 . The toolbox of claim 1 , the lid comprising a plurality of coupling locations configured to detechably couple objects to the lid, each of the coupling locations comprising a recess.
  3. 3 . The toolbox of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of coupling locations comprises a magnet.
  4. 4 . The toolbox of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of grooves extend along axes that are not parallel to the first axis.
  5. 5 . The toolbox of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of grooves extend along axes that are parallel to the second axis.
  6. 6 . The toolbox of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of latches configured to secure the lid in a closed position with respect to the container.
  7. 7 . The toolbox of claim 6 , the four sidewalls comprising a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall, each of which extend from the rear of the container to the front of the container, wherein the plurality of latches are coupled to the first lateral wall.
  8. 8 . The toolbox of claim 1 , wherein the toolbox comprises no more than the two wheels rotatably coupled to the container.
  9. 9 . The toolbox of claim 1 , wherein the handle extends from an upper portion of the container.
  10. 10 . A tool bag comprising: a soft-sided body defining an interior storage space configured to store different types of tools, bits, and other devices; an upper flap coupled to a top of the body to provide access to the interior storage space; a first zipper that secures the upper flap against the body, the first zipper located at a perimeter of the top of the bag; a front panel pivotally coupled to a front of the body, the front panel and the body collectively defining a second interior storage space, wherein the front panel extends from the top of the body to a bottom of the body opposite the top; and a second zipper that secures the front panel against the front of the body.
  11. 11 . The tool bag of claim 10 , comprising: a first handle coupled to the top of the body at a front of the body; and a second handle coupled to the top of the body at a rear of the body opposite the front.
  12. 12 . The tool bag of claim 11 , wherein the first handle and the second handle are configured to interface with each other above the upper flap.
  13. 13 . The tool bag of claim 11 , wherein the first handle and the second handle are configured to be coupled to each other above the upper flap.
  14. 14 . The tool bag of claim 10 , the second interior storage space comprising a plurality of compartments, wherein each of the plurality of compartments are distinct from each other.
  15. 15 . The tool bag of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of compartments extend vertically when the front panel is secured against the body via the second zipper.
  16. 16 . A tool bag comprising: a body defining a storage compartment configured to store different types of tools, bits, and other devices; wheels supporting the body configured to provide movement over ground, the wheels rotating about an axis positioned at a rear of the body; a telescoping handle having parallel support arms coupled to the frame; a pair of wheel wells within the body, each wheel well having an upper end located in the rear of the body and a lower end in the body; and a pair of wheels each coupled to the body within one of the wheel wells, each wheel rotating about an axis positioned on the rear of the body.
  17. 17 . The tool bag of claim 16 , wherein each of the wheels are coupled to a single axle that extends through a portion of the frame.
  18. 18 . The tool bag of claim 16 , wherein the body is formed from a flexible fabric material.
  19. 19 . The tool bag of claim 16 , wherein each wheel well encompasses a portion of the respective wheel, wherein each wheel well extends over an arc of at least 100 degrees of a circumference of the respective wheel.
  20. 20 . The tool bag of claim 16 , comprising a front panel pivotlaly coupled to the body via a zipper, the front panel and the body collectively defining a second interior storage space.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/018,335, filed Sep. 11, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/149,332, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,773,374, filed Oct. 2, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/448,656, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,086,508, filed Mar. 3, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/802,539, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,616,562, filed Jul. 17, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/027,566 , filed Jul. 22, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/068,415 , filed Oct. 24, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/079,190 , filed Nov. 13, 2014, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. FIELD The present invention relates to tool storage devices, including tool boxes, tool bags, tool belts, etc. SUMMARY Tool storage devices, such as tool boxes, belts, pouches, totes, bags, etc., are most commonly used to conveniently store and organize tools and accessories. Tools and accessories are often transported between and around worksites, so portability is a consideration for tool storage devices. Durability is also a factor because tool storage devices may be used in various terrains and in various weather conditions at worksites. Accessibility is another design consideration because tools and/or accessories that are difficult to access or remove from the tool storage device at the worksite can cause project delays, increased cost, aggravation, etc. A variety of tool storage devices are described and illustrated in commonly-owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2014/0166516 A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. In one independent aspect, a tool storage device may generally include a body defining a storage compartment; wheels supporting the body for movement over ground, the wheels being rotatable about an axis; and a handle assembly. The handle assembly may include a handle portion engageable by a user to pull the storage device in a direction transverse to the axis, and a support arm connected between the body and the handle portion. The support arm may have a substantially rectangular cross section oriented with first walls extending transverse to the axis having a greater width than second walls extending parallel to the axis. In another independent aspect, a tool storage device may generally include a body defining a storage compartment; wheel supporting the body for movement over ground, the wheels being rotatable about an axis; and a handle connected to the body. The handle may be engageable by a user to pull the storage device in a direction transverse to the axis. The body may have a body width in a direction parallel to the axis, and the handle may have handle width in a direction parallel to the axis. The handle width may be at least about 50% of the body width. In yet another independent aspect, a tool storage device may generally include a body defining a storage compartment; wheels supporting the body for movement over ground; and a handle connected to the body and engageable by a user to pull the storage device. The body may include a frame assembly formed of a rigid material, a wall formed of a flexible material and at least partially defining the storage compartment with an open top, and a cover formed of a rigid material connected to the frame assembly and operable to selectively close the open top. In a further independent aspect, a tool storage device may generally include a body defining a storage compartment; wheels supporting the body for movement over ground, each wheel being rotatable about an axis and having a circumference and an axial width; a wheel well portion operable to receive each wheel, each wheel well portion being connected to the body; and a handle connected to the body and engageable by a user to pull the storage device. Each wheel well portion may cover the axial width of the wheel and a portion of the circumference of the wheel, and a radial clearance between the wheel and a lower end of the well may be no more than about 0.5 inches. In another independent aspect, a tool storage device may generally include a generally cylindrical body having a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the bottom wall to an open top, the bottom wall and the side wall cooperating to define a storage compartment, the body being formed of a flexible material; a central support extending from the bottom wall; and a plurality of dividers, each divider extending between the central support and the side wall, adjacent dividers cooperating with the side wall to define a divided section of the storage compartment. Other independent features and independent aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.