EXPANDABLE TOOLBOX ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A toolbox assembly includes at least one toolbox (10), each toolbox (10) including a container (11), at least one first mounting structure (12), at least one second mounting structure (13), and at least one drawer (16). The container (11) of each toolbox (10) includes a base (111) and a peripheral wall (112) disposed upright on the base (111). Each second mounting structure (13) is configured to engage each first mounting structure (12). The at least one drawer (16) of each toolbox (10) is disposed within the container (11) of the toolbox (10) and is operable to enter or exit the container (11) via a front opening (113) of the container (11).

Description

1. Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a toolbox assembly, particularly to a toolbox assembly that takes up less space and is expandable. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] In order to systematically store different types of hand tools and to enable the user to select and retrieve the hand tools efficiently, the hand tools are stored in a toolbox with many compartments according to the type of hand tools.

[0003] A conventional toolbox comprises a container, several insulated panels, and several compartments. The several insulated panels are arranged parallel inside the container and divide the interior of the container into several compartments. The several compartments are each arranged on the several insulated panels within the compartments.

[0004] In addition, hand tools of the same type are stored in a container for convenient transportation. A conventional toolbox has multiple containers that can be expanded longitudinally to store different types of hand tools. However, in the conventional toolbox, the insulated panels and the bottom of the compartments are stacked lengthwise, increasing the volume of the toolbox lengthwise.

[0005] In addition, in the traditional multi-container toolbox, the top and bottom of two adjacent containers are stacked on top of each other, which also increases the volume of the traditional toolbox in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the structures of the traditional toolbox and the conventional toolbox need to be further improved.

[0006] To overcome the deficiencies of the conventional toolbox, the present invention provides a toolbox assembly that mitigates or avoids the aforementioned problems.

[0007] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a toolbox assembly that requires less space and is expandable.

[0008] The toolbox assembly includes at least one toolbox, and each toolbox includes a bin, at least one first mounting structure, at least one second mounting structure, and at least one drawer. The bin of each toolbox includes a base and a surrounding wall disposed upright on the base. Each second mounting structure is configured to engage each first mounting structure. The at least one drawer of each toolbox is disposed within the bin of the toolbox and is operable to enter or exit the bin via a front opening of the bin.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. IN THE DRAWINGS: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a toolbox assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the toolbox in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is another exploded perspective view of the toolbox in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a container of the toolbox in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer of the toolbox in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the assembly of the toolbox in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view in partial section of the toolbox in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is another enlarged side view in partial section of the toolbox in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a side view of the toolbox assembly in Fig. 1; and Fig. 10 is a front view of the toolbox in Fig. 1.

[0010] In relation to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a toolbox assembly according to the present invention includes a toolbox 10, two plug-in panels 20, a base plate 30, and a portable housing 40.

[0011] According to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the toolbox 10 includes a container 11, six first mounting structures 12, six second mounting structures 13, two first positioning structures 14, two second positioning structures 15, and two drawers 16. The container 11 includes a base 111, a surrounding wall 112, a front opening 113, and an upper opening 114. The base 111 is a plate. The surrounding wall 112 is arranged upright on the base 111, forms the front opening 113 and the upper opening 114, and has an upper portion opposite the base 111. Specifically, the surrounding wall 112 includes two side plates 1121 and a rear plate 1122. The two side plates 1121 are each arranged on two opposite sides of the container 11. The rear plate 1122 is arranged on a rear side of the container 11.

[0012] In relation to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the front opening 113 communicates with the interior of the container 11, is located at a front side of the container 11, and faces the rear plate 1122. The upper opening 114 communicates with the interior of the container 11, is located at the upper part of the surrounding wall 112, and faces the base 111.

[0013] In relation to Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, each of the six first mounting structures 12 is arranged on the upper part of the surrounding wall 112 and has a blocking plate 121. The blocking plate 121 of each first mounting structure 12 protrudes laterally and extends toward the front opening 113. In the embodiment of the present invention, three of the six first mounting structures 12 are arranged on one of the two side plates 1121, and the other three of the six first mounting structures 12 are arranged on the other of the two side plates 1121.

[0014] In relation to Fig. 4, each of the six second mounting structures 13 is arranged on the base 111. Each second mounting structure 13 is configured to be engaged with each first mounting structure 12 and has an insertion hole 131 and an engagement groove 132. The insertion hole 131 of each second mounting structure 13 communicates with the engagement groove 132 of the second mounting structure 13 toward the front opening 113. The engagement groove 132 of each second mounting structure 13 is arranged closer to the front opening 113 than the insertion opening 131 of the second mounting structure 13. The insertion opening 131 of each second mounting structure 13 has a greater width than the width of the engagement groove 132 of the second mounting structure 13.In the embodiment of the present invention, three of the six second mounting structures 13 are arranged on one of the two sides of the container 11, and the other three of the six second mounting structures 13 are arranged on the other of the two sides of the container 11.

[0015] In relation to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, each of the two first positioning structures 14 is an engagement unit connected to the surrounding wall 112 of the container 11 and movable longitudinally relative to the container 11. Each of the two second positioning structures 15 is a recess and is arranged on the surrounding wall 112 of the container 11. Each second positioning structure 15 is configured to engage with each first positioning structure 14.

[0016] In relation to Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, each first positioning structure 14 is arranged at a bottom of the surrounding wall 112, is disposed within a guide groove 17, and is movable longitudinally relative to the container 11. Each first positioning structure 14 has two positioning recesses 141 and two blocking portions 142. The guide groove 17 has a positioning unit 171 and two limiting units 172. The positioning unit 171 is elastic and pivotable and has a positioning projection 173 that engages one of the two positioning recesses 141 of each first positioning structure 14 to position the first positioning structure 14 in a longitudinal direction.Each of the two limiting units 172 has a limiting hook 174 for limiting a corresponding one of the two blocking portions 142 of each first positioning structure 14 to prevent the first positioning structure 14 from detaching from the guide groove 17.

[0017] In relation to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, each of the two drawers 16 is arranged within the container 11 and can enter or exit the container 11 via the front opening 113. Each drawer 16 has a drawer body 161, a handle 162, and a torsion spring 163. The handle 162 is pivotally connected to the drawer body 161 and has two opposite ends, each extending toward the two side plates 1121 of the surrounding wall 112, and two hooks 164, each arranged at the two opposite ends of the drawer body 161. The torsion spring 163 is connected to the handle 162 and simultaneously bears against the drawer body 161 and the handle 162. The handle 162 is configured to be driven by the torsion spring 163 to engage two engagement holes 1123 arranged on the surrounding wall 112 via the two hooks 164 of the handle 162.This prevents the drawer 16 from being accidentally pulled out of the container 11. When a user attempts to pull each drawer 16, the handle 162 of the drawer 16 is actuated to compress the torsion spring 163. The two hooks 164 of the handle 162 of the drawer 16 can be disengaged from the two engagement holes 1123, and the drawer 16 can be moved out of the container accordingly.

[0018] In relation to Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the two plug-in plates 20 are each screwed to the two side plates 1121 of the surrounding wall 112. Each of the two plug-in plates 20 has a plurality of through-holes 21. Each hole 21 is configured to install a hook or hand tool to be directly hooked into the hole 21.

[0019] In relation to Fig. 2, an upper portion of the base plate 30 has six of the first mounting structures 12. Two of the second positioning structures 15 are located on the rear side of the base plate 30.

[0020] In relation to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 10, the portable housing 40 includes an upper handle 41, two side handles 42, six of the second mounting structures 13, and two of the first positioning structures 14. The upper handle 41 is pivotally connected to an upper part of the portable housing 40. The two side handles 42 are each pivotally connected to two opposite sides of the housing 40. Three of the six second mounting structures 13 of the portable housing 40 are arranged on one of the two sides of the portable housing 40, and the other three of the six second mounting structures 13 of the portable housing 40 are arranged on the other of the two sides of the portable housing 40.

[0021] In relation to Fig. 5, when the toolbox 10 and the base plate 30 are connected to each other, the six first mounting structures 12 of the toolbox 10 are initially aligned with the six second mounting structures 13 of the base plate 30, respectively. The locking plate 121 of each first mounting structure 12 of the toolbox 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 131 of a corresponding one of the second mounting structures 13 of the base plate 30. Then, the toolbox 10 is pulled backward to engage the locking plate 121 of each first mounting structure 12 of the toolbox 10 with the engagement groove 132 of a corresponding one of the second mounting structures 13 of the base plate 30. The toolbox 10 and the base plate 30 are accordingly connected to each other.

[0022] In relation to Fig. 3, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the two positioning structures 14 of the toolbox 10 are switched downward to engage the two second positioning structures 15 of the base plate 30, respectively. The toolbox 10 and the base plate 30 are prevented from moving relative to each other and from accidentally detaching from each other.

[0023] In relation to Fig. 2 and Fig. 6, similarly, when the portable case 40 and the toolbox 10 are assembled, the six second mounting structures 13 disposed at the bottom of the portable case 40 are initially aligned with the first mounting structures 12 of the toolbox 10, respectively. The six second mounting structures 13 of the portable case 40 are respectively engaged with the six first mounting structures 12 of the toolbox 10. Then, the two first positioning structures 14 are switched down and respectively engaged with the two second positioning structures 15 of the toolbox 10 to prevent the portable case 40 from moving relative to the toolbox 10.

[0024] In relation to Fig. 10, the toolbox assembly of the present invention may include a plurality of toolboxes 10. The toolboxes 10 may be joined together via the first mounting structures 12, the second mounting structures 13, the first positioning structures 14, and the second positioning structures 15 to extend the toolbox assembly longitudinally. The number of toolboxes 10 is not limited within the scope of the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, the toolbox 10 has two of the drawers 16. In practice, the toolbox 10 may have only one drawer 16 to reduce the height of the surrounding wall 112 of the container 11 of the toolbox 10. The number of drawers 16 is not limited within the scope of the present invention.

[0025] As long as each first positioning structure 14 can be engaged with each second positioning structure 15, the actual structures of each first positioning structure 14 and each second positioning structure 15 are also not restricted.

[0026] In the present invention, the container 11 of the toolbox 10 omits a top plate and has the top opening 114. The space occupied by the top plate can be saved when the toolbox assembly of the present invention is assembled and expanded longitudinally. Therefore, the toolbox assembly of the present invention occupies less space. Compared with the traditional toolbox or the conventional toolbox, the toolbox assembly of the present invention saves the space occupied by the top plate and provides better space efficiency.

[0027] In relation to Fig.10, the two side handles 40 are respectively arranged on the two opposite sides of the portable case 40. When the plurality of toolboxes 10 are assembled and extended longitudinally, a user can move the toolbox assembly of the present invention by holding the two side handles 40 with two hands. The toolbox assembly of the present invention can be moved by two users. Therefore, the toolbox assembly of the present invention can be moved conveniently.

Claims

[1] Toolbox arrangement comprising: at least one toolbox (10), each of the at least one toolbox (10) comprising having a container (11) a base (111) which is a plate; a surrounding wall (112) disposed upright on the base (111) and having an upper portion disposed opposite the base (111); a front opening (113) formed by the surrounding wall (112) and communicating with the interior of the container (11); and an upper opening (114) formed by the surrounding wall (112) and communicating with the interior of the container (11); at least one first mounting structure (12) disposed on the upper portion of the surrounding wall (112); at least one second mounting structure (13) disposed on the base (111), each of the at least one second mounting structure (13) being configured to engage each of the at least one first mounting structure (12); and at least one drawer (16) arranged within the container (11) and configured to enter or exit the container (11) via the front opening (113). [2] A toolbox assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one first mounting structure (12) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) comprises a blocking plate (121) projecting laterally and extending toward the front opening (113) of the container (11) of the toolbox (10); each of the at least one second mounting structure (13) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) comprises an engagement groove (132); and an insertion hole (131) communicating with the engagement groove (132) in a direction toward the front opening (113) of the container (11) of the tool box (10) and having a width greater than a width of the engagement groove (132); and the blocking plate (121) of each of the at least one first mounting structure (12) is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole (131) of each of the at least one second mounting structure (13) and to be engaged with the engagement groove (132) of the second mounting structure (13). [3] A toolbox assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one second mounting structure (13) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) comprises a blocking plate (121) projecting laterally and extending toward the front opening (113) of the container (11) of the toolbox (10); each of the at least one first mounting structure (12) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) comprises an engagement groove (132); and an insertion hole (131) communicating with the engagement groove (132) in a direction toward the front opening (113) of the container (11) of the tool box (10) and having a width greater than a width of the engagement groove (132); and the blocking plate (121) of each of the at least one second mounting structure (13) is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole (131) of each of the at least one first mounting structure (12) and to be engaged with the engagement groove (132) of the first mounting structure (12). [4] Toolbox assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the at least one toolbox (10) has at least one first positioning structure (14) and at least one second positioning structure (15); the at least one first positioning structure (14) and the at least one second positioning structure (15) of the respective at least one toolbox (10) are arranged on the surrounding wall (112) of the container (11) of the toolbox (10); and each of the second positioning structures (15) is configured to engage with each of the first positioning structures (14). [5] A toolbox assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first positioning structure (14) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) is an engagement unit connected to the surrounding wall (112) of the container (11) of the toolbox (10) and movable longitudinally relative to the toolbox (10); and the second positioning structure (15) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) is a recess. [6] A toolbox assembly according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding wall (112) of the container (11) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) has at least one engagement hole (1123) arranged therein; each of the at least one drawer (16) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) has a drawer body (161); a handle (162) pivotally connected to the drawer body (161) and having at least one hook (164); and a torsion spring (163) connected to the handle (162) and simultaneously abutting the drawer body (161) and the handle (162); and the handle (162) of each of the at least one drawer (16) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) is configured to be driven by the torsion spring (163) of the drawer (16) to respectively engage with the at least one engagement hole (1123) via the at least one hook (164) of the handle (162). [7] A toolbox assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one toolbox (10) includes at least one plug-in panel (20); each of the at least one plug-in panel (20) of each toolbox (10) is connected to the surrounding wall (112) of the toolbox (10) and includes a plurality of tenon holes (21) defined therethrough. [8] Toolbox assembly according to claim 1, wherein the toolbox (10) assembly comprises a portable housing (40) having at least one second mounting structure (13); the portable housing (40) is configured to be connected to one of the at least one toolbox (10); and the at least one second mounting structure (13) of the portable housing (40) is configured to be engaged with the at least one first mounting structure (12) of each of the at least one toolbox (10). [9] A toolbox assembly according to claim 8, wherein the portable housing (40) includes two side handles (42) pivotally connected to two opposite sides of the portable housing (40). [10] Toolbox assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one toolbox (10) has at least one first positioning structure (14) and at least one second positioning structure (15); each of the at least one second positioning structure (15) is configured to engage each of the at least one first positioning structure (14); each of the at least one first positioning structure (14) of each of the at least one toolbox (10) is an engagement unit connected to the toolbox (10) and movable longitudinally relative to the toolbox (10); and each of the at least one second positioning structure (15) of the at least one toolbox (10) is a recess.

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