Tool storage device

Abstract

A tool storage device for storing application tools and/or assembly aids includes at least one plug-in member and at least one storage housing. The plug-in member is configured to retain application tools or assembly aids. The storage housing includes a receiving region for releasably fastening the plug-in member to the storage housing. The plug-in member has a first retaining end connected to the receiving region of the storage housing, and a second retaining end connected to the receiving region of the storage housing, in order to secure the plug-in member in a form-fitting manner with respect to at least a first direction. The plug-in member is connected to the storage housing such that the plug-in member is mounted, in particular clamped in place, firmly, in particular in a play-free manner, in at least a second direction on the storage housing.

Claims

1. A tool storage device for storing application tools and/or installation aids, comprising: at least one plug-in member configured to hold application tools or installation aids, the at least one plug-in member including a first holding end and a second holding end; and at least one storage housing including a receiving region configured to releasably fasten the at least one plug-in member to the at least one storage housing, the at least one plug-in member configured such that, when in a fastened state in which the at least one plug-in member is fastened to the at least one storage housing, the first and second holding ends are aligned in a first direction and are at opposite ends of the at least one plug-in member in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, wherein, in the fastened state, the first and second holding ends are connected in a positive locking manner to the receiving region of the at least one storage housing so as to secure the at least one plug-in member in a positive locking manner in relation to the first direction, wherein the at least one plug-in member is connected to the at least one storage housing such that the at least one plug-in member is mounted in a fixed position on the at least one storage housing in the second direction, and wherein the at least one storage housing includes a first latching geometry that projects from a wall of the at least one storage housing in the first direction and the at least one plug-in member includes a second latching geometry, the first latching geometry configured, in the fastened state, to overlap with the second latching geometry in the second direction to positively lock the at least one plug-in member from movement in the first direction.

2. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the at least one plug-in member includes elastic material or is comprised of elastic material; and the at least one plug-in member is configured to deform at least in part at least in the second direction and configured to mount the at least one plug-in member in the receiving region in a fixed manner.

3. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second holding end includes a stop geometry that extends in the first direction and is configured to mount the at least one plug-in member in a fixed manner in at least the second direction in the fastened state.

4. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first latching geometry includes elastic material or is comprised of elastic material such that the first latching geometry deforms in the second direction to enable the second latching geometry to move in the first direction past the first latching geometry when the at least one plug-in member is moved into the fastened state or into the released state.

5. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving region includes a guide device that interacts with a control geometry of the at least one plug-in member so as to exert a constraint force onto the at least one plug-in member in the second direction to guide the at least one plug-in member from the released state into the fastened state.

6. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guide device surrounds the first latching geometry in a plane that extends along the second direction through at least 30° in order to protect the first latching geometry.

7. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guide device includes at least one guide rib projecting in the first direction from the wall of the at least one storage housing and constraining movement of the at least one plug-in member in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

8. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second holding end of the at least one plug-in member includes the control geometry, which extends in the second direction and is configured to interact with the at least one guide rib to position the at least one plug-in member along the guide device.

9. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control geometry includes a control elevation protruding in the third direction and configured to interact with the at least one guide rib so as to constrain movement of the at least one plug-in member in the third direction.

10. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first holding end of the at least one plug-in member includes a holding tongue projecting in the second direction, the holding tongue configured to engage in a recess defined in the receiving region of the at least one storage housing so as to restrain movement of the first holding end in the second direction and/or a third direction that is perpendicular to the first and second directions, and configured to clamp the first holding end of the at least one plug-in member in the first direction.

11. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the holding tongue is adapted via an interference fit to the recess in the receiving region such that force acting on the at least one plug-in member in the first direction are applied via the interference fit from the holding tongue to the receiving region at the recess.

12. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the holding tongue includes a pretensioning elevation configured to elastically deform in contact with the receiving region in the fastened state to apply a pretensioning force, which acts in the first direction, onto the holding tongue when the at least one plug-in member is in the fastened state.

13. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool storage device is a tool storage box.

14. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first holding end and the second holding end of the at least one plug-in member are connected to the at least one storage housing such that the at least one plug-in member is clamped in a play-free manner on the at least one storage housing in the second direction.

15. The tool storage device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one guide rib includes at least one inclined guide rib surface or at least one inclined guide rib edge that is oriented obliquely to the second direction so as to guide movement of the at least one plug-in member in the third direction when the at least one plug-in member is moved from the released state to the fastened state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages are produced from the following description of the drawing. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown in the drawing. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The expert will also look at the features expediently on their own and will combine them to form sensible further combinations. The drawings are as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tool storage device according to the disclosure,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the tool storage device from FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a detail from the tool storage device according to the disclosure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 having a first embodiment of a plug-in means,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view of a further embodiment of the plug-in means in a storage housing,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a sectional view A-A of the plug-in means from FIG. 4,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view B-B of the plug-in means from FIG. 4,

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the sectional view B-B of the plug-in means from FIG. 4,

(9) FIG. 8 shows a view of a latching device with a plug-in means situated in a fastened state in the latching device and

(10) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a first holding end of the plug-in means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Identical components are provided with identical reference symbols in the following figures.

(12) The figures each relate to a tool storage device, in particular to a tool storage box, for storing application tools, such as, for example, drill tools and/or screwdriver bits, and/or mounting aids such as, for example, screws, dowels and/or nails. The tool storage device is realized in at least two parts and comprises at least one plug-in means and at least one storage housing which receives the plug-in means. The realization forms of the plug-in means can differ by, for example, plug-in means being provided for receiving application tools such as, for example, screwdriver bits, or plug-in means being provided for receiving installation aids, such as for example small parts or screws. However, other embodiments of plug-in means for receiving diverse other things are also conceivable but will not be discussed in any more detail.

(13) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a tool storage device 10 with two storage housings 15, 15′, which are pivotable and deflectable relative to one another, and multiple plug-in means 13 which are releasably connected to the storage device 10.

(14) The phrase “pivotably mounted” is to be understood, in particular, as the storage housing 15 being connected to the basic body, in particular a further storage housing 15′, so as to be movable about an axis, in particular a pivot axis. The pivoting movement of the two storage housings 15, in this case, is brought about, in particular, by a commercially available joint 101 in the form of, for example, a hinge.

(15) The plug-in means 13 is realized in an oblong manner and comprises a main extension, which forms a length of the plug-in means 13, in a second direction Y, and a transverse extension, which forms a width of the plug-in means 13, in a third direction Z. An extension of the plug-in means 13 in a first direction X, in this case, forms a depth of the plug-in means 13.

(16) The storage housing 15 is realized in a substantially cuboid form and comprises a main extension, which forms a length of the storage housing 15, in a third direction Z and a transverse extension, which forms a width of the storage housing 15, in a second direction Y. An extension of the storage housing 15 in a first direction X forms, in this case, in particular with the storage housing 15 in a closed state, a depth of the storage housing 15.

(17) The storage housing 15 comprises a receiving region 17 which forms a cavity 103 and is provided for the purpose of providing a hollow volume for receiving application tools and/or installation aids. The cavity 103 is defined, in particular, by four side walls 105, which each form a first frame, and a bottom wall 107 which forms a lower boundary, such that the storage housing 15 is upwardly open on a side located opposite the bottom wall 107.

(18) In said embodiment, a further storage housing 15′, which is realized in particular in a substantially contrary manner to the storage housing 15, is connected to the storage housing 15 so as to be pivotable relative to the storage housing 15 and is provided for the purpose of defining the cavity 103 of the storage housing 15 with the tool storage device 10 in a closed state. In addition, on at least one side wall 105, the storage housing 15′ comprises an, in particular positive locking, closure mechanism 109 which releasably connects the two storage housings 15, 15′ when the tool storage device 10 is in a closed state.

(19) In particular, the directions X, Y and Z of the storage housing 15 form a stationary coordinate system which is identical to a reference coordinate system of the plug-in means 13 at least in a fastened state such that the first, second and third directions X, Y and Z of the stationary coordinate system of the storage housing 15 represent the first, second and third directions X, Y and Z of the reference coordinate system at least in the fastened state. The reference coordinate system, in this case, can be rotated in relation to the stationary coordinate system of the storage housing 15 about at least the third direction Z or axis, in particular with the plug-in means 13 in a release state.

(20) The first, second and third directions X, Y and Z are, in particular, perpendicular or orthogonal to one another. In this case, slight deviations, such as, for example, an angular deviation of up to 5%, in particular up to 4%, preferably up to 3%, preferred up to 2% and particularly preferred up to 1%, of the directions X, Y and Z are to lie within the framework of the technical knowledge and ability of an expert.

(21) The plug-in means 13 includes an elastic material or consists of an elastic material. In particular, the entire plug-in means 13 is elastically deformable in at least the second direction Y. In a preferred manner, the plug-in means 13 is formed from a plastics material which has elastic characteristics and enables elastic deformation or a change in length within a range of between 98 and 99.5% in relation to an initial length of the plug-in means 13. As an alternative to this, other materials different from plastics material would also be possible.

(22) In a preferred manner, the plug-in means 13 comprises multiple receiving means 111 for receiving application tools, such as, for example, drill tools or screwdriver bits, which are arranged, in particular, between the first holding end 21 and the second holding end 23. As an alternative to this or in addition to it, the plug-in means 13 includes multiple receiving means 111 for receiving installation aids. The receiving means 111 of the plug-in means 13 are arranged side by side in a plane. The receiving means 111 comprise at least one conventional positive locking element 113, in particular a positive locking arm, which secures the application tool against unintentional release from the receiving means 111 of the plug-in means 13. As an alternative to this or in addition to it, the receiving means 111 comprises a conventional non-positive locking element 115, in particular a spring arm, which is provided for the purpose of applying a holding force onto the application tool that is received in the receiving means 111. The application tools, in this case, are held, in particular in a positive locking manner, in the receiving means 111. It is possible, in particular, to provide multiple plug-in means 13 which are arranged, for example, side by side in a plane and are connected to the tool storage device 10.

(23) The term “positive locking element” is to be understood in this context as at least one element such as, for example, a recess, in particular a ledge, a shoulder, a projection or a stop which interacts with at least one corresponding positive locking element. A positive locking connection consequently comprises two surfaces and/or edges which are contrary at least in portions and advantageously prevent one another from moving and realize a fixed seat for the positive locking elements in at least one direction X, Y, Z.

(24) As an alternative to this, the plug-in means 13 can comprise, for example, a box 115 (FIG. 2) for receiving installation aids which is arranged, in particular, between the first holding end 21 and the second holding end 23. The box 115 can comprise, in particular, a cavity 117 which is defined by multiple, in particular four, side walls 119, a bottom wall 121 which connects the side walls 119 and a cover 123 which is pivotably connected to at least one side wall 119. The cover 123 comprises a closure 125 which is provided for the purpose of releasing or closing the cavity 117.

(25) The plug-in means 13 comprises a first holding end 21 and a second holding end 23 which is remote from the first holding end 21. The plug-in means 13, in this case, is defined, in particular in the second direction Y by the first holding end 21 and the second holding end 23.

(26) The first holding end 21 comprises a holding tongue 61 which extends in the second direction Y and defines the first holding end 21. The holding tongue 61 is realized in a flat manner and comprises a main extension in the third direction Z and protrudes in the second direction Y.

(27) The second holding end 23 comprises a latching geometry 51, in particular a latching rib 53, which extends substantially in the third direction Z, protrudes in the second direction Y and is provided for the purpose of being latched to the storage housing 15 and securing the plug-in means 13 in a positive locking manner in the storage housing 15 in at least the first direction X.

(28) The storage housing 15 comprises a first latching geometry 31 adjacent to at least one side wall 105. The first latching geometry 31 is realized as a flat latching arm 127 which extends in the third direction Z and protrudes from the bottom wall 107 in the first direction X. The latching arm 127 comprises, on a side of the latching arm 127 remote from the bottom wall 127, a latching shoulder 129 which protrudes in the second direction Y and is provided for the purpose of securing the latching rib 53 against release in the first direction X in a state connected in a positive locking manner to the latching arm 127. To this end, when the plug-in means 13 transfers from a release state into a fastened state, the latching arm 127 is bent elastically in a second direction Y in order to guide the latching rib 53 along at least part of the latching arm 127 and in a fastened state to transfer it again into the original position in a second direction Y which is opposite the second direction Y.

(29) In particular, the storage housing 15 comprises a plurality of first latching geometries 31 which are provided for the purpose of receiving one plug-in means 13 in each case. Consequently, it is also possible to use different plug-in means 13 with, in particular, different forms and functions such that an operator can choose the corresponding plug-in means 13 according to what he wants. The first latching geometries 31 are arranged spaced apart from one another in the third direction Z.

(30) As an alternative to this or in addition to it, the plug-in means 13 comprises a latching geometry which forms a latching arm which is not shown in any detail and is provided for the purpose of releasably connecting, in particular latching, the plug-in means 13 to the receiving region 17 of the storage housing 15 in at least the first direction X.

(31) In a preferred manner, the storage housing 15 is formed from a plastics material which has elastic characteristics and enables elastic deformation or a change in length within a range of between 96 and 99% in relation to a starting length of the storage housing 15. As an alternative to this, other materials different to a plastics material would also be possible.

(32) The second holding end 23 comprises a control geometry 55, in particular two control ribs 57, which extends substantially in the first direction X, protrudes in the second direction Y and is provided for the purpose of sliding along a guide device 41, in particular a guide rib 43 of the guide device 41, of the storage housing 15. As an alternative to this or in addition to it, it is possible to provide two guide ribs 43 which are parallel to one another and between which at least one control rib 57 is provided which defines a movement of the second holding end 23 in at least the third direction Z. As an alternative to this or in addition to it, it is possible to provide two control ribs 57 which are parallel to one another and between which at least one guide rib 43 is provided which defines a movement of the second holding end 23 in at least the third direction Z.

(33) The control ribs 57 comprise a control rib surface 57a which is provided for the purpose of forming a sliding pair with a guide rib surface 43a of the guide device 41 such that the control rib surface 57a slides relative to the guide rib surface 43a. The guide rib surface 43a, in this case, extends in particular in a plane spanned by the first direction X and the second direction Y. The control surface defines a movement of the plug-in means 13, in particular of the second holding end 23, in relation to the guide device 41, in particular the guide rib 43, in the third direction Z.

(34) FIG. 4 shows the plug-in means 13 in the receiving region 17 of the storage housing 15 in a fastened state. It is possible to see a plug-in means 13 with a storage housing 15 in a fastened state.

(35) The two guide ribs 43, in this case, comprise in each case a guide chamfer 43c which is provided for the purpose of guiding the control ribs 57 in the guide device 41. In this case, the control ribs 57 are arranged in such a manner that the guide ribs 43 slide between two guide ribs 43 in a transition from the release state into the fastened state. In this case, the guide rib surfaces 43b of the respective guide ribs 43 are opposite the control rib surfaces 57a of the respective control ribs 57.

(36) In addition, at least one control rib 57 comprises at least one control elevation 58 which is provided for the purpose of being elastically deformable at least in the third direction Z in order to mount, in particular to clamp, the second holding end 23, in particular the control ribs 57, between the two guide devices 41. The control elevations 58, in this case, extend in the first direction X and protrude in the third direction Z from the control rib surface 43b situated opposite a guide rib surface 43a. The control elevations 58 define the maximum extension of the control ribs 57 in the third direction Z.

(37) In an alternative embodiment, at least one guide rib surface 43b can be angled in relation to the control rib surfaces 57a such that when the plug-in means 13 is transferred from a release state into a fastened state, a wedge-shaped connection is produced in at least the third direction Z of the second holding end 23 in the guide device 41 and consequently defines a movement of the plug-in means 13 in the third direction Z.

(38) FIG. 5 shows a section A-A through the plug-in means 13 and the storage housing 15 from FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows a recess 71, in particular a trough, adjacent to a side wall 105 and a bottom wall 107 of the storage housing 15, which is provided for the purpose of receiving the first holding end 21, in particular the holding tongue 61, of the plug-in means 13 and holding it in a positive locking and/or non-positive locking manner in the storage device 10. In this case, the holding tongue 61 can be pretensioned in at least the first direction X by the holding tongue 61 comprising two pretensioning elevations 63 which extend in the third direction Z, protrude in the second direction Y and, with the plug-in means 13 in the fastened state, are elastically deformed in the storage housing 15 and pretension the plug-in means 13 in at least the first direction X.

(39) The recess 71 extends, in this case, in the second direction Y and is entirely surrounded or defined in a plane that is orthogonal to the second direction Y in order to define, in particular, a movement of the holding tongue 61 in the first direction X and in the second direction Y. In particular, at least the bottom wall 107 forms a boundary to the movement of the holding tongue 61 in the recess 71. In a preferred manner, the recess 71 comprises a recess surface 72, which is opposite the bottom wall 107 and is realized transversely to the bottom wall 107 such that an extension of the recess 71 increases in at least the first direction X as the distance from the adjacent, in particular adjoining, side wall 105 of the recess 71 increases.

(40) As an alternative to this or in addition to it, the recess 71 can comprise, in the first direction X, a minimum distance D which, in particular, characterizes a height of the recess 71 and the holding tongue 61 can comprise a minimum distance d, which characterizes a first height of the holding tongue 61, the distance D of the recess 71 being smaller than the distance d of the holding tongue 61 such that there is an interference fit between the distance D of the recess 71 and the distance d of the holding tongue 61. Consequently, the holding tongue 61 can be pretensioned in a fastened state at least in the first direction XYZ.

(41) FIG. 6 shows a section B-B through the plug-in means 13 and the storage housing 15 from FIG. 4. FIG. 6 shows the second holding end 2123 with a stop geometry 27, in particular a stop elevation, which is provided for the purpose of holding the plug-in means 13 with a precision fit in the receiving region 17. The stop geometry is realized in a cylindrical manner at least in part and comprises at least one stop surface pointing to the guide device 41. The stop surface 27a, in this case, is curved and comprises a curvature about the third direction Z such that the stop geometry 27, when the plug-in means 13 transfers from the release state into the fastened state, experiences a constraint force along the guide device 41, which constraint force clamps the plug-in means 13 in a fastened state in the receiving region 17 in at least the second direction Y of the storage housing 15.

(42) The stop geometry 27 protrudes, in particular, in the third direction Z and defines the maximum extension of the plug-in means 13 in the third direction Z.

(43) The stop geometry 27 protrudes in relation to the control surface of the control rib 57 in the third direction Z. The stop surface 27a defines the control rib surface 57a in the second direction Y. The stop surface 27a is arranged transversely to the control rib surface 57a. The stop geometry 27 is offset in at least the second direction Y in relation to the control rib surface 57a such that the stop geometry 27 provides a maximum extension of the plug-in means 13 in the second direction in a circumferential region of the plug-in means 13.

(44) FIG. 7 shows first latching geometry 31 and the guide device 41 which surrounds the first latching geometry 31 in a plane through at least 180°. The guide device 41 protects the first latching geometry 31 from an inadmissible load in at least the second direction Y. The guide device 41, in this case, comprises at least one support wall 133 which defines, and in particular connects, the guide ribs 43 in at least the second direction Y. The support wall 133, in this case, is arranged substantially between the two guide ribs 43. The support wall 133 extends in the third direction Z and protrudes in the first direction X from the bottom wall 107 of the receiving region 17. The support wall 133 comprises two defining ribs 135 which protrude toward the first latching geometry 31 in the second direction Y and define an, in particular elastic, movement of the first latching geometry 31, in particular of the latching arm 127, in the second direction Y.

(45) The storage housing 15 comprises, on at least one of the side walls 105, a guide device 41, in particular a guide rib 43, which is provided for the purpose of exerting a constraint force on the plug-in means 13, in particular on the stop geometry 27 of the plug-in means 13, when the plug-in means 13 is transferred from a release state into a fastened state, in order to provide movement of the plug-in means 13 in at least the second direction Y.

(46) The guide rib comprises a guide rib surface 43a which is spanned substantially in the first and in the second direction Y in order to enable the second holding end 23 of the plug-in means 13 to slide and to prevent movement of the plug-in means 13 in the third direction Z.

(47) The guide rib additionally comprises a guide rib edge 43b which defines the guide rib surface 43a at least in the first and the second direction Y.

(48) The latching arm 127 protrudes in the first direction X from the bottom wall 107 of the storage device 10 and comprises a latching shoulder 129 which extends in the second direction Y and is provided for the purpose of holding the second holding end 23, in particular the latching rib 53, of the plug-in means 13 in a positive locking manner between the latching shoulder 129 and the bottom wall 107 of the storage housing 15. The latching shoulder 129 is arranged on a side of the latching arm 127 remote from the support wall 133. The latching arm 127 is realized, in particular, as an elastic snap arm which, when the actuating force acts, is deflectable in at least the second direction Y and returns automatically into the initial position when the actuating force is terminated.

(49) FIG. 8 shows the control rib 57 with an, in particular, elastic control elevation 57 which extends in the third direction Z and is provided for the purpose of mounting, in particular clamping, the plug-in means 13 in the receiving region 17 in at least the third direction Z in a fixed manner, in particular in play-free manner. The control elevation 57 is arranged on a side of the guide rib 43 remote from the first latching geometry 31.

(50) The control ribs 57, in this case, define the extension of the second latching geometry 51 in the third direction Z on both sides.

(51) FIG. 9 shows a view of the first holding end 21 and of the holding tongue 61 of the first holding end 21. The holding tongue 61 preferably comprises multiple pretensioning elevations 63 which extend substantially in the second direction Y, protrude substantially in the first direction X and are provided for the purpose of compensating for tolerance differences between the holding tongue 61 and the storage housing 15 and of deforming elastically, when the holding tongue 61 is tensioned with at least part of the storage housing 15 at least in the first direction X and/or the second direction Y such that a pretensioning force, which acts substantially in the first direction X and/or in the second direction Y, acts on the holding tongue 61, in particular on the plug-in means 13. The pretensioning elevations 63 are realized in an oblong manner and define the extension of the holding tongue 61 in at least the first direction X.

(52) The holding tongue 61 protrudes in the second direction Y and defines the maximum extension of the plug-in means 13.

(53) The holding tongue 61, in particular the pretensioning elevations 63 of the holding tongue 61, can be provided for the purpose of generating pretension of the plug-in means 13 in a fastened state in the second direction Y.

(54) As is shown, for example, in FIG. 6, the holding tongue 61 can be adapted to the recess 71 in the receiving region 17 in particular by means of an interference fit in such a manner that a force, in particular a pretensioning force, which acts at least in the first direction X, acts on the plug-in means 13, in particular on the holding tongue 61.