Portable tote for cutting and welding equipment

Abstract

A portable tote for cutting and welding equipment is provided that comprises a handle positioned along a center of gravity of the portable tote and a central extension that provides additional storage space for storage of hoses of the cutting and welding equipment. In other forms of the invention, the portable tote comprises water-resistant storage compartments, a storage holster, distal extensions for stability, and provisions for mounting of wheels, among other features.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to cutting and welding equipment and more particularly to totes or carriers for transportation of the cutting and welding equipment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Portable cutting and welding equipment, and more specifically gas cutting and welding equipment, is often transported using a carrier or tote that houses the equipment. For gas cutting and / or welding applications, such equipment often includes two (2) cylinders, e.g., oxygen and acetylene, (which also include gas regulators), gas hoses, a torch, a striker, extra tips, nozzles, a soap stone, and welding rods, among other pieces of equipment. Such a carrier is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,529, wherein the claimed two hinged halves of the carrier house cylindrical gas or fuel canisters. The carriers are frequently carried by hand from one work location to another and are also manipulated while at a single work location if the length of the gas hose...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] In one preferred form, the present invention provides a portable tote adapted for carrying cutting and welding equipment. The portable tote comprises a body defining an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and a center of gravity. Further, the tote comprises a central extension disposed between the upper end portion and the lower end portion that provides additional storage space. Additionally, an upper extension is disposed along the upper end portion and includes a handle that is positioned along the center of gravity of the portable tote for improved balance.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a portable tote is provided that comprises a body defining an upper end portion and a lower end portion, and distal extensions disposed along the lower end portion, wherein the distal extensions provide stability when the portable tote is resting in a vertical position.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, a carrier with full cylinders and several pieces of related equipment can be heavy and cumbersome to transport within and between work locations.

More specifically, the gas hoses are often wrapped around the carrier in a loose fitting manner, which often leads to entanglement and inconvenience for the user.

Additionally, the existing carriers often do not provide adequate provisions for storage of the torch during transport.

Existing carriers are also bulky and cumbersome to manipulate in tight spaces and can become unstable and tip over in a variety of conditions, for example, where a user pulls or tugs on the hoses.

Many loaded carriers also lack balance such that the carrier is difficult for a user to carry over any prolonged period.

Moreover, many existing carriers lack adequate storage space and functionality for the multitude of equipment used for cutting and / or welding operations.

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