Toolbox

Abstract

The invention provides a container having a base and a lid, which together defines an internal compartment when the lid is in a closed position, and a tray located within the internal compartment. The tray is slidingly attached to the container by for example, a pair of slides, such that the tray is free to slide in at least one substantially lateral direction in relation to the container when the lid is in an open position. The lid may be a one-piece lid which is attached to the base by a hinge at one side of the base. The tray may be slidingly attached to the base and the tray is free to slide over the hinge side of the base when the lid is in an open position.

Claims

1. A container comprising a base and a lid, the base and lid together defining an internal compartment when the lid is in a closed position; the container further comprising a tray located within the internal compartment when the lid is in a closed position; the lid further comprising a rim formation; wherein the tray is slidingly attached to the container by a pair of slides, wherein the tray is free to slide in at least one substantially lateral direction in relation to the container when the lid is in an open position; wherein the lid is attached to the base by a hinge at one side of the base; wherein the tray is free to slide over the hinge when the lid is in an open position; and wherein when the lid is opened, and the tray is extended over the hinge, the tray is supported on the rim formation by one or more of ribs and legs that slide on the rim formation.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the lid is a one-piece lid.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the tray is a first tray and the pair of slides is a first pair of slides, the container further comprising a second tray located within the internal compartment when the lid is in a closed position, wherein the second tray is slidingly attached to the first tray by a second pair of slides.

4. A container according to claim 1, the container comprising one or more further trays, wherein each further tray is slidingly attached to the preceding tray by a further pair of slides.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the trays form a stack.

6. A container according to claim 4, wherein each tray has substantially the same length and width.

7. A container according to claim 4, wherein one or more of the one or more pairs of slides is a friction slide.

8. A container according to claim 4, wherein one or more of the one or more pairs of slides is fully extendible in one direction.

9. A container according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the one or more pairs of slides has a stopper to prevent the corresponding tray being detached from the part of the container or from the tray to which it is slidingly attached.

10. A container according to claim 4, wherein one or more of the one or more trays are shaped such that when the lid is closed, one or more portions of the tray are close to portions of the inside surface of the lid such that the tray is substantially not free to slide.

11. A container according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a support that engages a surface on which a bottom surface of the base rests when the lid is in an open position.

12. A container according to claim 11, wherein the support comprises at least part of the main outer face of the lid.

13. A container according to claim 1, wherein when the lid is in a fully open position, a main outer face of the lid acts as a lid support by engaging and resting upon a flat surface on which the base rests, so that the lid is supported in the fully open position.

14. A container comprising a base and a lid, the base and lid together defining an internal compartment when the lid is in a closed position; the container further comprising a first tray located within the internal compartment when the lid is in a closed position, the first tray is slidingly attached to the container by a pair of slides, one or more further trays, wherein each further tray is slidingly attached to the preceding tray by a further pair of slides; wherein the first tray is free to slide in at least one substantially lateral direction in relation to the container when the lid is in an open position; wherein the lid has a rim formation configured to support part of the first tray when the lid is opened and the first tray is extended over a hinge side of the base; wherein the trays form a stack; wherein the first tray has a support that slides onto the rim formation when the first tray is slid into an extended position.

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein the first tray has supports at one or more of a side or a part of the first tray.

16. The container according to claim 15, wherein supports are located on opposing sides of the first tray, and wherein the rim formation is located on opposing sides of the lid.

17. The container according to claim 14, wherein the support comprises one or more of a leg and a rib.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a view of a toolbox according to the invention, with the lid closed.

(3) FIG. 2 is a view of the toolbox of FIG. 1, with the lid open.

(4) FIG. 3 is a view of the toolbox of FIG. 2, with the top tray of the stack of two trays extended.

(5) FIG. 4 is a view of the toolbox of FIG. 2, with both trays of the stack of two trays extended.

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of the toolbox of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is a different perspective view of the toolbox of FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 7 is a close up of the area indicated ‘B’ in FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 8A is a view of a slide which can be fitted to a toolbox according to the invention, showing a closed configuration.

(10) FIG. 8B is a view of a slide which can be fitted to a toolbox according to the invention, showing an open configuration.

(11) FIG. 9 is a view of one tray with one slide fitted to it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(12) FIG. 1 shows a view of a toolbox 1 according to the invention, with the lid closed. The lid 10 and base 20 of the toolbox meet to define an internal compartment inside the toolbox. The lid can be held in the closed position by two latches 21. Alternatively, one latch, or more than two latches can be provided to hold the lid closed, as required. The lid 10 is connected to the base 20 by a hinge (not shown). A seal 5 is provided along the meeting line of the lid 10 and base 20, in order to seal the toolbox. Such seals may be waterproof or splashproof, for example. The toolbox is portable and has a carrying handle 22 attached to the top of the lid.

(13) The toolbox lid can be opened as shown in FIG. 2, in which the lid 10 is fully opened by 180°. In this embodiment, when the lid is fully opened, the main outer face 12 of the lid acts as a lid support by engaging and resting upon a flat surface on which the base rests, so that the lid is supported in the fully open position. When it is open the lid 10 can be used as a temporary storage space, for example, for tools, screws or other items of hardware which are being worked with.

(14) The toolbox shown in the Figures includes two trays 30, 31, which are positioned in a stack. The trays both include profiled front lips 33, which the user can grip to easily slide each tray. The lower tray 30 is connected to the toolbox base by a pair of slides 40, and the upper tray 31 is connected to the lower tray by an identical pair of slides 40. Alternative embodiments may be arranged in a similar way to the toolbox shown in the Figures, but may include only one tray, or more than two trays. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the trays can be individually extended by sliding them along their slides. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, each tray of the toolbox has a number of side grooves 36 and spaced protrusions 34 on the bottom, in which removable linear partitions 32 can be positioned.

(15) Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 in particular, the lower tray 30 has a support leg 35 on both sides, which can be supported on ribs 11 of the lid when the tray is fully extended. Alternatively, the tray may have one or more legs at one side, or at other positions on its base, which can be supported by other parts of the lid. Any such support of the extended lower tray by the lid helps to support and stabilise the extended tray assembly. Such an arrangement also ensures that the lid 10 cannot be closed or moved while the lower tray 30 is extended, essentially locking the lid hinge in the open position.

(16) The trays of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 are shaped such that when the lid is closed, the edges of the trays are close to part of the inside surface of the toolbox, such that the trays are substantially prevented from sliding along the slides when the lid is closed.

(17) The slides 40 of the toolbox shown in FIG. 1 are three-part friction slides, which allow 100% extension. As shown clearly in FIG. 5, the trays can be fully extended. When each tray is fully extended the whole of the tray below, and the whole of the main storage area in the base, is directly accessible from above. FIG. 8a shows a slide in a closed position, and FIG. 8b shows a slide in a fully extended position. The pair of slides may comprise a stopper at one end, such that when the tray is in the home position, it can slide in one direction but not the opposite direction. The pair of slides may also have an extension stopper to prevent the tray being removed from the slides by sliding it too far away from the home position.

(18) FIG. 9 shows a tray 30 with one slide fitted to it, the slide being shown in an extended position. The slide is fixed to the tray by two hooks 41 which are each placed into a slot 38 of the tray. The slide also has a snap lock 42 which clicks into position in one of the slots when the slide is in the fixing position, in order to fix the slide onto the tray. Alternatively, the slides may be fixed to the tray using reversible fixing means, such as screws and screw holes, in order to allow the user to remove or add trays to the assembly when desired.

(19) The components of the toolbox may be made from any suitable material, for example, plastic, wood or metal. Components made of plastic may be made using structural foam molding methods. The latch or latches may be made of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material.

(20) It should be understood that although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the claims.