CA1222224A - Heavy duty multi-functional carrying case - Google Patents
Heavy duty multi-functional carrying caseInfo
- Publication number
- CA1222224A CA1222224A CA000369877A CA369877A CA1222224A CA 1222224 A CA1222224 A CA 1222224A CA 000369877 A CA000369877 A CA 000369877A CA 369877 A CA369877 A CA 369877A CA 1222224 A CA1222224 A CA 1222224A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tray
- drawer
- carrier
- handle
- underside
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000013520 petroleum-based product Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000010813 municipal solid waste Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
- B25H3/00—Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
- B25H3/06—Trays
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
- B25H3/00—Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
- B25H3/02—Boxes
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A lightweight utility carrier has a rectangular tray with carrying handle and a drawer slidably mounted on the tray underside. The carrying handle is secured to the four corners of the tray and is positioned substantially above and centrally transversely of the tray. The tray has on its underside means for slidably mounting the drawer. The drawer is smaller than the tray, whereby the drawer open top is covered when the drawer is slid beneath the tray. The mounting means may be adapted to hold the drawer in its covered position to preclude accidental drawer opening during transport thereof.
A lightweight utility carrier has a rectangular tray with carrying handle and a drawer slidably mounted on the tray underside. The carrying handle is secured to the four corners of the tray and is positioned substantially above and centrally transversely of the tray. The tray has on its underside means for slidably mounting the drawer. The drawer is smaller than the tray, whereby the drawer open top is covered when the drawer is slid beneath the tray. The mounting means may be adapted to hold the drawer in its covered position to preclude accidental drawer opening during transport thereof.
Description
122~2;29~
1 _IELD OF THE INVENTION___________________ This invention relates to utility carriers and particularly a carrier having in combination a tray with carrying handle and a drawer slidably mounted beneath the tray.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION_________________________ There are available on the market several different forms of carrying trays. However, they have usually been designed for a specific application, such as carrying trays for certain tradesman tools, cartons such as cartons of milk or farm produce, various types of fasteners such as nails and screws and household cleaning tools and solutions, to name only a few. Since most trays are designed for a specific purposer they are not readily adaptable for use in other areas. Examples of prior carrying trays and boxes are shown, for example, in United States patent 2,740,517. This patent discloses a tote tray as specifically designed for carrying of carpenter tools such as saws, squares and other related equipment. The tote tray is elongate in shape and is thus only capable of being carried with the handle extending in the direction of travel of the person carrying the tray. A similar shape of carrying tray is disclosed in Canadian patent 447,112.
United States patent 3,618,749 discloses a type of tool carrier for plumber's equipment. There are several rectangular and circular shaped compartments provided on the carrier which would obviously not lend itself to carrying an assortment of other items, such as household cleaning equipment or large containers.
United States patent 3,446,386 discloses a portable qr ~L~Z~
1 custodial unit which includes a tray mounted upon a trash recepticle. The tray has a single inverted U-shaped handle secured centrally of the tray where the trash recepticle is substantially larger than the tray. The arrangement for the handle results in an imbalance in carrying the device, should the trash recepticle be loaded with heavy objects, or should there be heavy objects in the ~ray which are located mostly on one side thereof. Due to the substantially greater height of the trash recepticle, should the tray be loaded with heavy objects, there is increased likelihood that the unit would tip over thereby spilling its contents.
Thus the unit is not particularly usable in other fields, because of the substantial height of the trash recepticle compared to the tray and the inadequacy of the handle arrangement.
The utility carrier, according to this invention, provides a carrier which requires minimal components for manufacture, yet overcomes a number of the above probiems in providing a multi-purpose carrier which is capable of carrying many different types of items, such as heavy bulky items and small items which may require protection.
SU~MARY_OF_THE_INVENTION
The utility carrier has a rectangular tray with carrying handle and a drawer which is relatively shallow compared to the overall height of the carrier, mounted on the tray underside. The carrying handle is secured to the four corners of the tray and is positioned substantially above and centrally transversely of the tray. Slidably mounted on the underside of the tray is a drawer, which is smaller than the tray so that the drawer open top is covered ~2Z~2~
1 by the tray when the cirawer is slicl therebeneath.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention, a connecting means is provided Eor securing the handle well above the tray, and may be of lightweight aluminum alloy tubular metal and arranged in various manners to either form the handle portion or provide standards on which the handle portion may be secured. In providing the open top for the drawer smaller than the underside of the tray, the drawer contents are protected from the elements. Thus the carrier is particularly suitable for use in outdoor activities, such as in carrying accessories for chainsaw work. The tray with the form of handle arrangement provides fairly open access to the tray, such that bulky items may be located on the tray, while maintaining control in balancing the tray during carrying.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
_____._____________________________ Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the carrier having chainsaw accessories located therein;
E~igure 2 is a side elevation of the carrier of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a bottom plane view of the carrier of Figure l;
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the lower portion of the carrier of Figure l;
Figure 5 is a view of an end section of the carrier showing the drawer partially open;
Eigure 6 is a view showing the drawer partially open with the tray and drawer resting on the ground; and ~22e~P22~L
1 Figure 7 which accompanies Figure 3 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the handle arrangement for the carrier.
_ETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS_________________________________ The utility carrier generally designated 10 is shown for use in association with chainsaw accessories or other motor powered devices, where a gas can 12, oil container 14 and axe 16 are located on the tray 18. A drawer 20 is slidably mounted beneath the tray 18. Various tools, sharpening devices, gauges and the like may be located in the drawer.
The handle arrangement for the carrier 10 is such that the handle 22 is located centrally of and transversely of the rectangular shaped tray 18. A form of lightweight connecting means generally designated 24 is provided for connecting the handle portion 22 to the tray 18 and at the same time positioning it well above the tray compared to the height of the sidewall portions 18a of the tray. The connecting means 24 is arranged to connect the handle portion 22 to the four corners 26 of the tray, where according to this embodiment, each connecting means free end is secured in a socket 28 of the tray. The lightweight connecting means is tubular and essentially V-shaped with its free ends appropriately bent for location in the respective sockets 28 of c~rresponding corners of the tray.
Similarly, on the other side of the tray, the connecting means generally designated 30 is located and secured in the same manner. The handle 22 is secured to the underside areas of apexes 32 and 34 of the respective connecting devices.
12222~4 1 As shown in Figure 2, the tubular devices are, according to this embodiment, inverted V-shape and consist of a length of tube 36 which is radiused at its upper portion to form the apexes 34. The tube may be of a lightweight aluminum alloy which provides sufficient strength, however, not adding substantial weight to the overall carrying unit. The handle end portions of handle 22 may be secured to the apexes 34 of the tubular connector by way of appropriate fastening devices, such as bolt~, screws or the like.
The sidewalls of the tray 18 have cut-out portions to define a recessed area at 38 for a pair of the opposing sidewalls. This provides better access to contents in the tray when reaching through the side openings defined by the inverted V-shaped tube 36. Support for the contents along these sides is provided by the tubular portions 36.
~owever, the opposing front and back walls are somehwat higher to retain goods in the tray.
The drawer 20 is slidably mounted beneath the tray 18 and, according to this embodiment, slides in opposing channels 40 which are integrally molded on the underside of the tray 18. The drawer 20 has a pull portion 42 which facilitates opening of the drawer from beneath the tray.
Located along the base of the tray, as shown in dot, are a plurality of raised elongate portions or ridges 44 which are more clearly shown in Figure 3. These raised portions serve to keep tools, files and the like which are placed in the drawer spaced from the bottom portion 46 of the drawer to thereby keep any water or the like, which has collected in the drawer, away from the tools and to facilitate grasping ~22:~'2~
1 of the tools..
As shown in Figure 3, the channel portions 40, as they are integrally molded on the underside of the tray, have their open portic,ns opposing one another. The tray includes a peripheral ledge or flange 48 which is of sufficient overall width to slide within channels 40 in the manner shown. Located proximate the pull or handle portion 42, there are stop portions or bumps 50 which interfer with the edges ~2 of the channels to locate the drawer beneath the tray when the drawer is in the closed position.
As can be gathered from Figure 2, when the drawer is located in the closed position, the open top portion of the drawer is covered by the tray to preclude water, dust, saw chips, and the like, finding their way into the drawer when the carrier is in use. This arrangement, therefore, provides a somewhat protected environment for the more valuable contents carried in the drawer.
Turning to Figure 4, the arrangement of the drawer 20 beneath the tray 18 is more clearly shown, where the open portions of channels 40 oppose one another with the peripheral flange portion 48 of the drawer fitting within .he channel. The ends of the channels opposite ends 52 may be provided with means which bind with the flange 48 to hold the drawer in the closed position. This may be accomplished by providing interior of the channels 40 raised portions which contact the flange 48 as it is pushed over the raised portions until the stops 50 interact with channel end portions 52. Thus according to this particular preferred embodiment of the invention, these raised portions bind on the edges of the flanges 48 to effect a binding and thus ~L2~2~2~
1 maintaining or holding the drawer beneath the tray. This may be useful in a situation when the carrier is used in an environment where the tray is often subjected to accidental jars, the holding means serving to keep the tray in its closed position. However, for most uses it has been found that the frictional engagement of the ledges of the drawer with the receiving channels is sufficient to maintain the drawer in its closed position. Carrying of objects in the drawer enhances the frictional engagement action for maintaining the drawer closed.
The tubular members 36 are spaced apart and extend upwardly essentially parallel to the sides of the tray 18, as interconnected by the handle portion 22. Located on one of the tubular members is a wire clip 54 which, as shown in Figure 1, serves to hold items, such as an axe an axe handle in position. ~nstead of a wire clip, a form of clamp may be adjustably secured along the tube 36 to provide an alternate form of device for securing goods in the trayO
Referring to Figure 5, the stop portions 50 on the drawer 20 are more clearly shown and, as can be appreciated, strike the end portions 52 of the channels 40 shown in dot to locate the drawer beneath the tray 18. The tubular members 36 have their free ends appropriately bent to extend into the respective socket portions 28. The sizing of the tubular members 36 may be such so that they are forced into the sockets 28 and, thus by a friction fit, are connected to the tray. On the other hand depending upon the use of the tray, it may be desirable to either glue the connecting members 36 to the tray sockets 28, or use a fastener such as screw or bolt to secure the tubular member in the respective socket.
122~,2;24 1 As shown in Figure 6, a preferred arrangement in locating the carrier on the ground, when the drawer is partially open, is shown. The tray 18 has the drawer 20 open approximately halEway. ~ith goods on the tray 18, the tray will contact the ground in the area 56. This presents the open top 58 of the drawer 20 upwardly at an angle, so that one can readily gain access to the interior thereof and remove the desired tools from the drawer. This occurs because the lower corner portion of the drawer, as it rests on the ground at 60, acts as the fulcrum point about which the tray 18 rotates in contacting the ground at 56. Thus, without having to totally remove the drawer from beneath the tray, axticles within the drawer can be presented and readily removed; so that when it is desired to close the drawer, the tray may be simply lifted or righted to locate the drawer on the ground and slide the tray relative to the drawer to the drawer closed position. This arrangement provides for line contact of the carrier with the ground to reduce .nud and dirt collection on the base of the carrier and keep dirt out of the channels.
Depending upon the end use of the carrier, the tray and drawer may be formed from metal or may be formed from injection moldable plastics material. The injection molding process provides for the various configurations required in the tray, as shown in the preferred embodiment, yet provides an inexpensive form of manufacture. Appropriate plastics materials may be selected which can withstand the colder climates, have high impact strengths and resistance to corrosion by goods that may be carried in the tray and drawer. For example, if the carrier is used for carrying .~2~
1 chainsaw accessories which include gas and oil, the tray in particular should be formed from a plastics material which is resistant to corrosion from gas and oil, This may, for example, be a high impact polyethylene, or polypropylene.
Another feature of this carrier is that the drawer 20 is smaller than the tray, so that as mentioned when in the closed position, holds the contents in an essentially weatherproof situation. Another advantage of this arrangement is that tne drawer may be located within the tray for shipping purposes. In addition for purpose of shipping, the tubular members for connecting the handle may be simply laid flat on top of the drawer and secured in a box.
An alternative approach in providing a carrying handle for the carrier is shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. The carrier generally designated 70 has a tray 72, the same as the tray of the embodiment of Figure 1. Located in the four corners are sockets 74 which receive the free ends of the handle arrangement. The handle arrangement generally designated 76 comprises a pair of identical, reversely positioned members which abut, or are close to one another, along their upper portions to define the carrying handle 84 and extend downwardly from the carrying handle for connection to the tray sockets 74. Each handle member comprises two spaced-apart upright portions 78, the free ends of which are secured either by friction fit, rivets, fastener devices or the like in the sockets 74. Integral with and extending inwardly of are parallel spanner portions 75 which are radiused at 80 and interconnected by transverse or cross portion 82. The extent to which the spanner ~2~2,~
1 portions 75 slope inwardly is such that, when two members 76 are secured in the tray, the cross portions 82 are close to one another or abut. To hold the cross portions together, a clip 84 is secured over the cross members to form the carrier handle portion. In situations when it is desired to secure the handle arrangement lower portions 78 in the sockets 74 by a bonding friction fit, the han~le arrangements are shaped so that the cross members 82 are spaced apart when the lower portions 78 are vertically pushed into the socket. The clip 84 is snapped over the cross portions 82 to bring them together causing the lower portions 78 to tilt inwardly and bind and secure them in the stockets.
The clip 84 may be formed of a plastics material which resiliently snaps over the cross members to secure the handle.
The upright portions 78 of each handle member accommodates variations in the tray dimensions. They also enlarge the openings along the sides of the tray 72, such that in combination with the recessed portion 90 on each tray side, better access to the tray is permitted. The tray 72 includes opposing channel portions 92, as with the embodiment of Figure 1, where a drawer 88 is slida~ly mounted on the underside of the tray. A pull 88 is provided on the drawer to facilitat~ opening and closing of the drawer from beneath the tray.
This handle areangement permits location of the cross members 82 along either the width or length dimension of the tray. Thus for a tray which is rectangular in shape, in some situations it may be easier to carry the tray if the ~ 22;;:~2~
1 axis of the handle portion is parallel with the length dimension of the tray. Thus a person carrying the tray has the axis of the handle portion extending in the direction oE
travel. However, in other situations, it may be advantageous, such as shown in Figure 7, where the axis of the handle is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the person carrying the tray.
The handle is located sufficiently above and, when used in combination with a lightweight tubular member, provides freedom of access to all areas of the tray, thus accommodating fairly bulky heavy items for transport. In addition, connecting the handle 22 to the four corners of the tray provides for a better balanced unit and thus better control on the goods when carrying the tray, because should materials be located in the tray which provide an off-balance condition~ this can be compensated for by more tightly gripping the handle and controlling the tray level as it is carried. In addition, the connection of the handle to the four corners of the tray distributes the load such that a simple form of connection to tray corners is possible.
Although various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art the variations may be made hereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of !:he appended claims.
1 _IELD OF THE INVENTION___________________ This invention relates to utility carriers and particularly a carrier having in combination a tray with carrying handle and a drawer slidably mounted beneath the tray.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION_________________________ There are available on the market several different forms of carrying trays. However, they have usually been designed for a specific application, such as carrying trays for certain tradesman tools, cartons such as cartons of milk or farm produce, various types of fasteners such as nails and screws and household cleaning tools and solutions, to name only a few. Since most trays are designed for a specific purposer they are not readily adaptable for use in other areas. Examples of prior carrying trays and boxes are shown, for example, in United States patent 2,740,517. This patent discloses a tote tray as specifically designed for carrying of carpenter tools such as saws, squares and other related equipment. The tote tray is elongate in shape and is thus only capable of being carried with the handle extending in the direction of travel of the person carrying the tray. A similar shape of carrying tray is disclosed in Canadian patent 447,112.
United States patent 3,618,749 discloses a type of tool carrier for plumber's equipment. There are several rectangular and circular shaped compartments provided on the carrier which would obviously not lend itself to carrying an assortment of other items, such as household cleaning equipment or large containers.
United States patent 3,446,386 discloses a portable qr ~L~Z~
1 custodial unit which includes a tray mounted upon a trash recepticle. The tray has a single inverted U-shaped handle secured centrally of the tray where the trash recepticle is substantially larger than the tray. The arrangement for the handle results in an imbalance in carrying the device, should the trash recepticle be loaded with heavy objects, or should there be heavy objects in the ~ray which are located mostly on one side thereof. Due to the substantially greater height of the trash recepticle, should the tray be loaded with heavy objects, there is increased likelihood that the unit would tip over thereby spilling its contents.
Thus the unit is not particularly usable in other fields, because of the substantial height of the trash recepticle compared to the tray and the inadequacy of the handle arrangement.
The utility carrier, according to this invention, provides a carrier which requires minimal components for manufacture, yet overcomes a number of the above probiems in providing a multi-purpose carrier which is capable of carrying many different types of items, such as heavy bulky items and small items which may require protection.
SU~MARY_OF_THE_INVENTION
The utility carrier has a rectangular tray with carrying handle and a drawer which is relatively shallow compared to the overall height of the carrier, mounted on the tray underside. The carrying handle is secured to the four corners of the tray and is positioned substantially above and centrally transversely of the tray. Slidably mounted on the underside of the tray is a drawer, which is smaller than the tray so that the drawer open top is covered ~2Z~2~
1 by the tray when the cirawer is slicl therebeneath.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention, a connecting means is provided Eor securing the handle well above the tray, and may be of lightweight aluminum alloy tubular metal and arranged in various manners to either form the handle portion or provide standards on which the handle portion may be secured. In providing the open top for the drawer smaller than the underside of the tray, the drawer contents are protected from the elements. Thus the carrier is particularly suitable for use in outdoor activities, such as in carrying accessories for chainsaw work. The tray with the form of handle arrangement provides fairly open access to the tray, such that bulky items may be located on the tray, while maintaining control in balancing the tray during carrying.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
_____._____________________________ Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the carrier having chainsaw accessories located therein;
E~igure 2 is a side elevation of the carrier of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a bottom plane view of the carrier of Figure l;
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the lower portion of the carrier of Figure l;
Figure 5 is a view of an end section of the carrier showing the drawer partially open;
Eigure 6 is a view showing the drawer partially open with the tray and drawer resting on the ground; and ~22e~P22~L
1 Figure 7 which accompanies Figure 3 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment for the handle arrangement for the carrier.
_ETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS_________________________________ The utility carrier generally designated 10 is shown for use in association with chainsaw accessories or other motor powered devices, where a gas can 12, oil container 14 and axe 16 are located on the tray 18. A drawer 20 is slidably mounted beneath the tray 18. Various tools, sharpening devices, gauges and the like may be located in the drawer.
The handle arrangement for the carrier 10 is such that the handle 22 is located centrally of and transversely of the rectangular shaped tray 18. A form of lightweight connecting means generally designated 24 is provided for connecting the handle portion 22 to the tray 18 and at the same time positioning it well above the tray compared to the height of the sidewall portions 18a of the tray. The connecting means 24 is arranged to connect the handle portion 22 to the four corners 26 of the tray, where according to this embodiment, each connecting means free end is secured in a socket 28 of the tray. The lightweight connecting means is tubular and essentially V-shaped with its free ends appropriately bent for location in the respective sockets 28 of c~rresponding corners of the tray.
Similarly, on the other side of the tray, the connecting means generally designated 30 is located and secured in the same manner. The handle 22 is secured to the underside areas of apexes 32 and 34 of the respective connecting devices.
12222~4 1 As shown in Figure 2, the tubular devices are, according to this embodiment, inverted V-shape and consist of a length of tube 36 which is radiused at its upper portion to form the apexes 34. The tube may be of a lightweight aluminum alloy which provides sufficient strength, however, not adding substantial weight to the overall carrying unit. The handle end portions of handle 22 may be secured to the apexes 34 of the tubular connector by way of appropriate fastening devices, such as bolt~, screws or the like.
The sidewalls of the tray 18 have cut-out portions to define a recessed area at 38 for a pair of the opposing sidewalls. This provides better access to contents in the tray when reaching through the side openings defined by the inverted V-shaped tube 36. Support for the contents along these sides is provided by the tubular portions 36.
~owever, the opposing front and back walls are somehwat higher to retain goods in the tray.
The drawer 20 is slidably mounted beneath the tray 18 and, according to this embodiment, slides in opposing channels 40 which are integrally molded on the underside of the tray 18. The drawer 20 has a pull portion 42 which facilitates opening of the drawer from beneath the tray.
Located along the base of the tray, as shown in dot, are a plurality of raised elongate portions or ridges 44 which are more clearly shown in Figure 3. These raised portions serve to keep tools, files and the like which are placed in the drawer spaced from the bottom portion 46 of the drawer to thereby keep any water or the like, which has collected in the drawer, away from the tools and to facilitate grasping ~22:~'2~
1 of the tools..
As shown in Figure 3, the channel portions 40, as they are integrally molded on the underside of the tray, have their open portic,ns opposing one another. The tray includes a peripheral ledge or flange 48 which is of sufficient overall width to slide within channels 40 in the manner shown. Located proximate the pull or handle portion 42, there are stop portions or bumps 50 which interfer with the edges ~2 of the channels to locate the drawer beneath the tray when the drawer is in the closed position.
As can be gathered from Figure 2, when the drawer is located in the closed position, the open top portion of the drawer is covered by the tray to preclude water, dust, saw chips, and the like, finding their way into the drawer when the carrier is in use. This arrangement, therefore, provides a somewhat protected environment for the more valuable contents carried in the drawer.
Turning to Figure 4, the arrangement of the drawer 20 beneath the tray 18 is more clearly shown, where the open portions of channels 40 oppose one another with the peripheral flange portion 48 of the drawer fitting within .he channel. The ends of the channels opposite ends 52 may be provided with means which bind with the flange 48 to hold the drawer in the closed position. This may be accomplished by providing interior of the channels 40 raised portions which contact the flange 48 as it is pushed over the raised portions until the stops 50 interact with channel end portions 52. Thus according to this particular preferred embodiment of the invention, these raised portions bind on the edges of the flanges 48 to effect a binding and thus ~L2~2~2~
1 maintaining or holding the drawer beneath the tray. This may be useful in a situation when the carrier is used in an environment where the tray is often subjected to accidental jars, the holding means serving to keep the tray in its closed position. However, for most uses it has been found that the frictional engagement of the ledges of the drawer with the receiving channels is sufficient to maintain the drawer in its closed position. Carrying of objects in the drawer enhances the frictional engagement action for maintaining the drawer closed.
The tubular members 36 are spaced apart and extend upwardly essentially parallel to the sides of the tray 18, as interconnected by the handle portion 22. Located on one of the tubular members is a wire clip 54 which, as shown in Figure 1, serves to hold items, such as an axe an axe handle in position. ~nstead of a wire clip, a form of clamp may be adjustably secured along the tube 36 to provide an alternate form of device for securing goods in the trayO
Referring to Figure 5, the stop portions 50 on the drawer 20 are more clearly shown and, as can be appreciated, strike the end portions 52 of the channels 40 shown in dot to locate the drawer beneath the tray 18. The tubular members 36 have their free ends appropriately bent to extend into the respective socket portions 28. The sizing of the tubular members 36 may be such so that they are forced into the sockets 28 and, thus by a friction fit, are connected to the tray. On the other hand depending upon the use of the tray, it may be desirable to either glue the connecting members 36 to the tray sockets 28, or use a fastener such as screw or bolt to secure the tubular member in the respective socket.
122~,2;24 1 As shown in Figure 6, a preferred arrangement in locating the carrier on the ground, when the drawer is partially open, is shown. The tray 18 has the drawer 20 open approximately halEway. ~ith goods on the tray 18, the tray will contact the ground in the area 56. This presents the open top 58 of the drawer 20 upwardly at an angle, so that one can readily gain access to the interior thereof and remove the desired tools from the drawer. This occurs because the lower corner portion of the drawer, as it rests on the ground at 60, acts as the fulcrum point about which the tray 18 rotates in contacting the ground at 56. Thus, without having to totally remove the drawer from beneath the tray, axticles within the drawer can be presented and readily removed; so that when it is desired to close the drawer, the tray may be simply lifted or righted to locate the drawer on the ground and slide the tray relative to the drawer to the drawer closed position. This arrangement provides for line contact of the carrier with the ground to reduce .nud and dirt collection on the base of the carrier and keep dirt out of the channels.
Depending upon the end use of the carrier, the tray and drawer may be formed from metal or may be formed from injection moldable plastics material. The injection molding process provides for the various configurations required in the tray, as shown in the preferred embodiment, yet provides an inexpensive form of manufacture. Appropriate plastics materials may be selected which can withstand the colder climates, have high impact strengths and resistance to corrosion by goods that may be carried in the tray and drawer. For example, if the carrier is used for carrying .~2~
1 chainsaw accessories which include gas and oil, the tray in particular should be formed from a plastics material which is resistant to corrosion from gas and oil, This may, for example, be a high impact polyethylene, or polypropylene.
Another feature of this carrier is that the drawer 20 is smaller than the tray, so that as mentioned when in the closed position, holds the contents in an essentially weatherproof situation. Another advantage of this arrangement is that tne drawer may be located within the tray for shipping purposes. In addition for purpose of shipping, the tubular members for connecting the handle may be simply laid flat on top of the drawer and secured in a box.
An alternative approach in providing a carrying handle for the carrier is shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. The carrier generally designated 70 has a tray 72, the same as the tray of the embodiment of Figure 1. Located in the four corners are sockets 74 which receive the free ends of the handle arrangement. The handle arrangement generally designated 76 comprises a pair of identical, reversely positioned members which abut, or are close to one another, along their upper portions to define the carrying handle 84 and extend downwardly from the carrying handle for connection to the tray sockets 74. Each handle member comprises two spaced-apart upright portions 78, the free ends of which are secured either by friction fit, rivets, fastener devices or the like in the sockets 74. Integral with and extending inwardly of are parallel spanner portions 75 which are radiused at 80 and interconnected by transverse or cross portion 82. The extent to which the spanner ~2~2,~
1 portions 75 slope inwardly is such that, when two members 76 are secured in the tray, the cross portions 82 are close to one another or abut. To hold the cross portions together, a clip 84 is secured over the cross members to form the carrier handle portion. In situations when it is desired to secure the handle arrangement lower portions 78 in the sockets 74 by a bonding friction fit, the han~le arrangements are shaped so that the cross members 82 are spaced apart when the lower portions 78 are vertically pushed into the socket. The clip 84 is snapped over the cross portions 82 to bring them together causing the lower portions 78 to tilt inwardly and bind and secure them in the stockets.
The clip 84 may be formed of a plastics material which resiliently snaps over the cross members to secure the handle.
The upright portions 78 of each handle member accommodates variations in the tray dimensions. They also enlarge the openings along the sides of the tray 72, such that in combination with the recessed portion 90 on each tray side, better access to the tray is permitted. The tray 72 includes opposing channel portions 92, as with the embodiment of Figure 1, where a drawer 88 is slida~ly mounted on the underside of the tray. A pull 88 is provided on the drawer to facilitat~ opening and closing of the drawer from beneath the tray.
This handle areangement permits location of the cross members 82 along either the width or length dimension of the tray. Thus for a tray which is rectangular in shape, in some situations it may be easier to carry the tray if the ~ 22;;:~2~
1 axis of the handle portion is parallel with the length dimension of the tray. Thus a person carrying the tray has the axis of the handle portion extending in the direction oE
travel. However, in other situations, it may be advantageous, such as shown in Figure 7, where the axis of the handle is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the person carrying the tray.
The handle is located sufficiently above and, when used in combination with a lightweight tubular member, provides freedom of access to all areas of the tray, thus accommodating fairly bulky heavy items for transport. In addition, connecting the handle 22 to the four corners of the tray provides for a better balanced unit and thus better control on the goods when carrying the tray, because should materials be located in the tray which provide an off-balance condition~ this can be compensated for by more tightly gripping the handle and controlling the tray level as it is carried. In addition, the connection of the handle to the four corners of the tray distributes the load such that a simple form of connection to tray corners is possible.
Although various preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art the variations may be made hereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of !:he appended claims.
Claims (24)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A utility carrier having a tray with carrying handle and a drawer which is relatively shallow compared to overall height of said carrier and which is mounted on tray underside, said tray being rectangular and having relatively low sidewalls compared to the overall height of said carrier, said carrying handle being connected to the four corners of said rectangular tray and located substantially above and centrally transversely of said tray to provide freedom of access to the tray, said tray having on its underside means for slidably mounting said drawer thereunder, said mounting means slidably engaging the upper portion of said drawer thereby locating said mounting means remote from drawer underside, said drawer having an open top which is smaller than said tray underside whereby the drawer open top is covered when said drawer is slid under said tray.
2. A carrier of claim 1, wherein said tray is injection molded from a rigid plastics material having said drawer mounting means integrally molded on its underside.
3. A carrier of claim 2, wherein said drawer is injection molded from a rigid plastics material and adapted to cooperate with said mounting means on the tray underside.
4. A carrier of claim 1, wherein said carrying handle is connected to the four corners of said tray by a connecting means.
5. A carrier of claim 1, wherein said connecting means for said handle is formed of a rigid lightweight aluminum alloy.
6. A carrier of claim 5, wherein said connecting means comprises tubular members with their free ends connected to the respective four corners of said rectangular tray and angularly extending upwardly to said handle portion.
7. A carrier of claim 6, wherein said tubular members are substantially V-shaped with their free ends of one member connected to two of said tray corners and the free ends of the other member connected to the remaining two of said tray corners, the apexes of the inverted V-shaped members being spaced apart essentially the width of said tray and having said handle interconnecting said apexes.
8. A carrier of claim 1, wherein said carrying handle, as interconnected to said tray, consists of a pair of identical reversely positioned members which are close to one another along their upper portions to define said carrying handle and which extend downwardly from said carrying handle for connection to the tray four corners.
9. A carrier of claim 8, wherein each of said members comprises two spaced-apart uprights presenting free ends which are connected to two respective corners of said tray, two spaced-apart spanners integral with said uprights and interconnected at their upper portions by a cross portion, said cross portions being close to one another when a pair of said members are connected to said tray to provide said carrying handle.
10. A carrier of claim 9, wherein a clip secures said cross portions together to provide said carrying handle.
11. A carrier of claim 7 or 8, wherein said tray is injection molded from a rigid plastics material, each molded corner including a molded tubular socket to receive a free end of each tubular member.
12. A carrier of claim 7 or 8, wherein said tray is injection molded from a rigid plastics material, said free end of each tubular member being shaped so as to provide a friction fit when forced into the respective socket to thereby connect said tubular member to said tray.
13. A carrier of claim 7 or 8, wherein said tray is injection molded from a rigid plastics material, said free end of each tubular member as received in the respective socket being secured therein by a fastening means.
14. A carrier of claim 8, wherein each of said members is of an overall length and width less than the overall length and width of said tray so as to fit within said tray.
15. A carrier of claim 1, wherein said drawer has a plurality of spaced-apart ridges located along its bottom.
16. A carrier of claim 3, wherein said drawer mounting means comprises a pair of parallel spaced-apart opposing channels opening towards one another integrally molded along the tray underside, said drawer having parallel outwardly extending flanges adapted to fit within said opposing channels to enable the drawer to slide beneath said tray.
17. A carrier of claim 16, wherein said drawer mounting means is adapted to hold said drawer in its uncovered position to preclude accidental drawer opening during transport thereof.
18. A carrier of claim 17, wherein said channels include means for interfering with the flanges of the drawer to bind and hold the drawer in a covered position beneath said tray.
19. A carrier of claim 18, wherein said drawer includes stop portions which interact with said channels.
20. A carrier of claim 19, wherein said drawer includes a pull to facilitate opening of drawer from its held covered position.
21. A carrier of claim 3, wherein said plastics material is selected from polymeric plastics of polypropylene, high impact polyethylene and co-polymers thereof.
22. A carrier of claim 3, wherein said plastics material is selected to resist corrosion by petroleum based products.
23. A carrier of claim 3, wherein said plastics material has high impact qualities in colder climates as well as more temperate climates.
24. A carrier of claim 10, wherein said clip is formed of a resilient plastics material which is adapted to be snap fitted into position for securing said cross portions together.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000369877A CA1222224A (en) | 1981-02-02 | 1981-02-02 | Heavy duty multi-functional carrying case |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000369877A CA1222224A (en) | 1981-02-02 | 1981-02-02 | Heavy duty multi-functional carrying case |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1222224A true CA1222224A (en) | 1987-05-26 |
Family
ID=4119057
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000369877A Expired CA1222224A (en) | 1981-02-02 | 1981-02-02 | Heavy duty multi-functional carrying case |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1222224A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006084399A1 (en) * | 2005-02-08 | 2006-08-17 | Thomas Hohwieler | Container |
| EP2995430A1 (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2016-03-16 | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | Toolbox |
-
1981
- 1981-02-02 CA CA000369877A patent/CA1222224A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006084399A1 (en) * | 2005-02-08 | 2006-08-17 | Thomas Hohwieler | Container |
| EP2995430A1 (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2016-03-16 | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | Toolbox |
| US20160075010A1 (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2016-03-17 | Stanley Black & Decker Inc. | Toolbox |
| US9962825B2 (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2018-05-08 | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | Multifunctional toolbox |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |