Integrated tool carrier, work platform, debris capturing apparatus

Abstract

A storage bucket for tools is convertible to an integrated tool carrier, work platform and debris capturing apparatus through the release of a locking mechanism which allows its side walls to collapse outwardly with respect to its base in forming the platform, and where the debris is collected by a canvas, cloth or plastic webbing spanning the spaces between the adjacent side walls once opened.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] None STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Research and development of this invention and Application have not been federally sponsored, and no rights are given under any Federal program. REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] This invention relates to a storage bucket for tools, in general, and to one which is convertible to an integrated tool carrier, work platform and debris capturing apparatus, in particular. [0006] 2. Description of the Related Art [0007] As will be appreciated in the construction industry, a worker typically transfers those tools needed on a particular job from his / her vehicle to a bucket or pail for carry to the work site. When the job is to be done inside a home or office, a drop cloth is typically put down first, to protect any work surfaces, and to catch any debris from the operation at hand. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] In accordance with the invention, a base, a plurality of side walls, a plurality of hinges coupling the side walls with the base and a pair of tubular handles are provided. A length of tie-line traverses through each of the handles, and a plurality of tubular fasteners receive the tie-line in tying individual ones of the side walls together. A pair of adjustable locking mechanisms are included, operative with the tie-line in controlling the distance of each of the handles from its adjacent fasteners, and a substantially pie-shaped, outwardly collapsible, flexible material of one of canvas, cloth and plastic composition is coupled between each pair of adjacent side walls. As will be appreciated from the following description, the integrated tool carrier, work platform, debris capturing apparatus is so constructed and arranged that in one arrangement of the adjustable locking mechanisms, raising the tubular handles allows for rotating the side walls upwardly with respect to the base in lengthening the distance of the handles from their adjacent fasteners; while in a second arrangement of the adjustable locking mechanism, lowering the tubular handles allows for rotating the side walls downwardly with respect to the base in shortening the distance of the handles from their adjacent fasteners. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, with these arrangements, raising the tubular handles allows for the positioning of the integrated apparatus into the tool carrier for transporting the tools about; lowering the tubular handles, on the other hand, allows for the collapse of the side walls into a horizontal work platform, where the various types of debris and leftover materials can be collected by the flexible material webbing which spans between the side walls.

[0010] So as not to damage any floor or counter surface on which the integrated apparatus is placed, the underside of the base is selected of a smooth surface, and for the base to serve as a work platform, it is selected of a hard material. At the same time, the side walls are likewise selected of a hard material, and with at least one of its inside and outside surfaces being similarly smooth—again, so as not to damage any floor or counter surfaces where the work is to be done, and so that any sawing or planing, etc. being done on the platform is not roughened. As will be appreciated, a preferred embodiment is one where both surfaces of the side walls and both surfaces of the base are smooth.

Problems solved by technology

Many times, however, the drop cloth is forgotten; on other occasions when it is used, the debris generated (in the nature of shavings, left-over nuts, bolts, nails, etc.) falls from the drop cloth to the floor when being folded or dragged at the end of the job.

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