Toolbox

Abstract

To create a toolbox that is easy to organize and allows for easy retrieval of desired tools. [Solution] The toolbox 100 comprises a box body 1 and a small box 2 which is smaller than the box body 1 and is configured to be detachable from the box body 1. The small box 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, having a rectangular bottom surface in plan view and an open top surface, and the height dimension of the small box 2 is greater than the length dimension of the bottom surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toolbox for storing tools.

Background Art

[0002] Tools that are essential for machine maintenance, machining, etc. are often carried around by being stored in a toolbox. These days, there are toolboxes with various improvements. Many of them are of the type that stores tools lying down horizontally (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the type of toolbox that stores tools lying down horizontally, the desired tool required for work may be buried by other tools. In such a case, it is difficult to visually recognize the desired tool, and it is also difficult to take out the tool from the toolbox. If one tries to take it out forcefully, the operator may be injured by other tools.

[0005] In view of the above situation, there is a need for a toolbox that is easy to organize and in which the desired tool can be easily taken out.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A toolbox for storing tools, comprising: a box body, and a small box that is formed smaller than the box body and is configured to be detachable from the box body. The aforementioned small box is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, having a rectangular bottom surface in plan view and an open top surface. The height dimension of the small box is greater than the length dimension of the bottom surface of the small box.

[0007] This configuration allows for the placement of a small box inside the main box, enabling the tools to be carried by storing them in this small box. The height of the small box is greater than the longest side of its base, resulting in a vertically elongated shape. This makes it easier to store tools upright in the small box. As a result, desired tools will not be buried by other tools, making it easier to organize the tools inside the small box and improving the visibility and retrieval of desired tools.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the technology relating to this disclosure will become clearer from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Front view of the toolbox [Figure 2] Plan view of the toolbox [Figure 3] Diagram showing a small box [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view showing the small box positioned inside the main box. [Figure 5] Plan view showing the small boxes arranged inside the main box. [Figure 6] Front view showing the small box positioned outside the main box. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view showing multiple small boxes arranged inside the main box. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes an embodiment of the toolbox with reference to the drawings.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the toolbox 100 is a box for storing tools 9 used for machine maintenance and work. By storing these tools 9 in the toolbox 100, multiple tools 9 can be easily carried together.

[0012] Unlike conventional toolboxes that store tools lying down horizontally, the toolbox 100 according to this disclosure can store tools 9 upright, i.e., vertically.

[0013] The toolbox 100 comprises a box body 1, a lid 3 that seals the box body 1 from above, and a small box 2 that is smaller than the box body 1 and is configured to be detachable from the box body 1.

[0014] The lid 3 is equipped with an opening / closing section 31 that can be connected to the box body 1, and a handle 32. For example, the opening / closing section 31 is constructed using a buckle, hook, claw, hinge, etc. In this embodiment, the opening / closing section 31 is constructed using a buckle. The opening / closing section 31 is connected to the box body 1 when the lid 3 is closed. The opening / closing section 31 is configured to open relative to the box body 1 when its connection to the box body 1 is released.

[0015] In this embodiment, opening and closing parts 31 are provided at both ends of the lid 3 in the X direction. By releasing the connection of the opening and closing part 31 at one end in the X direction, the lid 3 can be opened from that end in the X direction. By releasing the connection of the opening and closing part 31 at the other end in the X direction, the lid 3 can be opened from the other end in the X direction. In other words, in this embodiment, the lid 3 is a double-opening type that can be opened from either side in the X direction relative to the box body 1. Furthermore, by releasing the connection of all opening and closing parts 31, the lid 3 can be removed from the box body 1.

[0016] The handle 32 is provided on the upper surface of the lid 3. In the present embodiment, the handle 32 is connected to the lid 3 so as to be swingable. By standing the handle 32 upright, it becomes easier for the operator to grip the handle 32. The handle 32 is in a laid-down state in a normal state (when not being gripped) where no external force is applied.

[0017] The box body 1 has a configuration with an open upper surface. The upper surface can be closed by the above-described lid 3.

[0018] The box body 1 includes a main body bottom surface 11 and a main body side surface 12 that rises upward from the outer edge of the main body bottom surface 11.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the main body bottom surface 11 is formed in a rectangular shape. The main body side surface 12 is formed so as to rise upward from each of the four sides of the main body bottom surface 11 formed in a rectangular shape. In the present embodiment, each main body side surface 12 is formed in a tapered shape that becomes narrower toward the bottom.

[0020] The small box 2 is formed smaller than the box body 1 and can be arranged inside the box body 1. The small box 2 is configured to accommodate the tool 9 in a vertically placed state. In the present embodiment, the toolbox 100 includes a plurality of small boxes 2. For example, the toolbox 100 includes four small boxes 2 (two along the X direction and two along the Y direction) with respect to one box body 1, and the four small boxes 2 can be arranged inside the box body 1 simultaneously. Each small box 2 is configured to be detachable from the box body 1, and the arrangement inside the box body 1 can be performed arbitrarily.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the small box 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a small box bottom surface 21 that is rectangular in plan view and an upper surface opening 24 with an open upper surface. The small box bottom surface 21 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view and has two long sides and two short sides.

[0022] The small box 2 has side surfaces 22 that rise upward from the outer edge of the bottom surface 21 of the small box. The side surfaces 22 are formed to rise upward from each of the four sides of the rectangular bottom surface 21 of the small box. In this embodiment, each side surface 22 is formed in a tapered shape that narrows as it goes downward.

[0023] The height dimension H2 of the small box 2 is greater than the long side dimension L2 of the bottom surface 21 of the small box. In other words, the small box 2 is formed in a vertical shape. Also, the long side dimension L2 of the bottom surface 21 of the small box is smaller than the length of commonly used long tools 9 such as wrenches and screwdrivers. This configuration makes the small box 2 suitable for storing tools 9 in an upright position, i.e., vertically.

[0024] Because the tools 9 are stored vertically inside the small box 2, unlike conventional types where they are stored horizontally, the tool 9 desired by the worker will not be buried by other tools 9, making it easier to organize the tools 9 inside the small box 2. Therefore, it is possible to improve the visibility and retrieval of the tool 9 desired by the worker.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, each side 22 of the small box 2 is formed in a tapered shape that narrows as it goes downwards, making it easier to reduce the area of ​​the bottom surface 21 of the small box compared to the top opening 24. Therefore, the shape of the small box 2 is more suitable for storing the tools 9 vertically. On the other hand, the top opening 24 is formed to be wider than the bottom surface 21 of the small box. Therefore, from this point of view as well, it is easier for the worker to see and take out the tools 9 stored inside the small box 2.

[0026] In this embodiment, the small box 2 is equipped with a locking portion 23 for attachment to the box body 1. The locking portion 23 allows the small box 2 to be attached to and detached from the box body 1. Details on attaching and detaching the small box 2 to and from the box body 1 will be described later.

[0027] The locking portion 23 is provided on one of the four side surfaces 22 of the small box 2. Hereinafter, the side surface 22 of the small box on which the locking portion 23 is provided will be referred to as the locking side surface 22E. In this example, the locking side surface 22E is the side surface 22 of the small box that rises from the long side of the bottom surface 21 of the small box.

[0028] In this embodiment, the locking portion 23 has an overhanging portion 23a that extends outward from the locking side surface 22E, a hanging wall 23b that hangs downward from the outer end of the overhanging portion 23a, and an opening 23c formed between the overhanging portion 23a and the locking side surface 22E in a plan view.

[0029] The protruding portion 23a extends outward from the upper end of the locking side surface 22E and is formed to extend along the long side (hereinafter simply referred to as the "long side") of the bottom surface 21 of the small box. In this embodiment, hanging walls 23b are provided at multiple locations (two locations in the illustrated example) spaced apart in the direction along the long side of the protruding portion 23a. The openings 23c are formed to bulge outward at positions corresponding to each hanging wall 23b. In the illustrated example, the multiple openings 23c (two openings 23c) are continuous in the direction along the long side. However, these openings 23c may be discontinuous.

[0030] The top opening 24 of the small box 2 has an inclined portion 25 that slopes downward as it moves away from the locking side surface 22E. Specifically, the upper edges of each side surface 22 of the small box corresponding to the two short sides (hereinafter simply referred to as "short sides") of the bottom surface 21 of the small box slope downward as they move away from the locking side surface 22E (the side surface 22 of the small box corresponding to the long side), and this constitutes the inclined portion 25. This configuration makes it possible to improve the visibility and retrieval of the vertically placed tools 9 housed inside the small box 2.

[0031] In this embodiment, the inclined portion 25 has a portion that extends horizontally and a portion that extends inclined, and is configured to incline in stages. However, the inclined portion 25 may also have only a portion that extends inclined, and be configured to incline gradually.

[0032] The small box 2, configured as described above, is detachable from the main box 1 and can be placed inside the main box 1 or outside the main box 1.

[0033] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the case where the small box 2 is placed inside the main box 1.

[0034] In this embodiment, an inner locking portion 13 for locking the small box 2 is provided on the inner surface 12a of the box body 1. The locking portion 23 of the small box 2 is locked into the inner locking portion 13 of the box body 1, thereby positioning the small box 2 inside the box body 1.

[0035] In this embodiment, the small box 2 is positioned inside the box body 1, locked to the inner locking portion 13 and supported from below by the bottom surface 11 of the box body 1 (see Figure 4). As a result, in the common situation where the small box 2 is positioned inside the box body 1, the small box 2 is locked to the inner locking portion 13 while being supported from below by the bottom surface 11 of the box body 1, thereby reducing the load on the box body 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, the inner locking portion 13 is provided on the body side 12 located on both sides in the X direction among the four body side 12 of the box body 1. The inner locking portion 13 has one or more inner hooks 13a (two inner hooks 13a in this example), and the inner hooks 13a protrude inward from the body inner side 12a (the surface facing inward of the box body 1) of the body side 12 and are bent upward. A gap is formed between the tip of the inner hook 13a of the inner locking portion 13 and the body inner side 12a in the X direction.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, when the small box 2 (locking portion 23) is locked to the inner locking portion 13, each of the multiple inner hooks 13a in the inner locking portion 13 is positioned in each of the multiple openings 23c in the locking portion 23. Inside each opening 23c, the hanging wall 23b of the locking portion 23 and the inner hooks 13a of the inner locking portion 13 face each other in the X direction. Because the hanging wall 23b of the locking portion 23 and the inner hooks 13a of the inner locking portion 13 face each other in the X direction, the small box 2 is positioned horizontally (specifically in the X direction) inside the box body 1. Therefore, in order to remove the small box 2 from inside the box body 1, it is necessary to lift the small box 2 upward relative to the box body 1. Conversely, the small box 2 will not come off the box body 1 unless it is lifted upward, and thus can maintain a stable state inside the box body 1.

[0038] In this embodiment, the dimensions of the opening 23c are larger than the dimensions of the inner hook 13a in the Y direction. In other words, when the inner hook 13a is positioned inside the opening 23c, the inner hook 13a is movable relative to the opening 23c in the Y direction. More specifically, the opening 23c, which is an element of the small box 2, is movable relative to the inner hook 13a, which is an element of the box body 1. That is, the small box 2 is able to slide slightly along the Y direction when locked to the inner locking part 13. In this way, since the small box 2 is locked with some play relative to the inner locking part 13, it is possible to easily remove or attach the small box 2 to or from inside the box body 1.

[0039] Figure 6 illustrates the case where the small box 2 is placed outside the main box 1.

[0040] In this embodiment, an external locking portion 14 for locking the small box 2 is provided on the outer surface 12b of the box body 1. The locking portion 23 of the small box 2 is locked to the external locking portion 14 of the box body 1, thereby positioning the small box 2 outside the box body 1.

[0041] In other words, in this embodiment, the small box 2 is provided with a locking portion 23 that is locked to an inner locking portion 13 or an outer locking portion 14 of the box body 1. In other words, by utilizing the locking portion 23 of the small box 2, it is possible to position the small box 2 both inside and outside the box body 1. When an operator is performing work, by using the outer locking portion 14 to position the small box 2 outside the box body 1, the ease of taking out the desired tool 9 from the small box 2 can be further improved, thereby enhancing work efficiency.

[0042] In this embodiment, the outer locking portion 14 is provided on the body side 12 located on both sides in the Y direction among the four body side 12 of the box body 1. In other words, the outer locking portion 14 is provided on a body side 12 of the box body 1 that is different from the body side 12 on which the inner locking portion 13 is provided.

[0043] The outer locking portion 14 has one or more outer hooks 14a (two outer hooks 14a in this example), and the outer hooks 14a protrude outward from the outer surface 12b of the main body side 12 (the surface facing outward from the box body 1) and are bent upward.

[0044] In this embodiment, the small box 2 is positioned outside the box body 1, locked to the outer locking portion 14 and suspended from the box body 1. That is, unlike the inner locking portion 13 described above, the outer locking portion 14 supports the small box 2 by itself. In this example, the outer hooks 14a of the outer locking portion 14 support the hanging wall 23b of the locked portion 23 of the small box 2 from below, thereby suspending and supporting the hanging wall 23b. Furthermore, when the small box 2 (locked portion 23) is locked to the outer locking portion 14, each of the multiple outer hooks 14a of the outer locking portion 14 is positioned inside each of the multiple openings 23c of the locked portion 23. This prevents the small box 2 (locked portion 23) locked to the outer locking portion 14 from easily coming off the box body 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the small box 2 (locked portion 23) is locked to the outer locking portion 14, the lower end of the small box 2 is configured to contact the outer surface 12b of the main body. That is, the small box 2 is positioned outside the main body 1 by multi-point support, consisting of locking by the outer locking portion 14 and contact with the outer surface 12b of the main body. This allows the small box 2, positioned outside the main body 1, to be kept in a stable state.

[0046] In this embodiment, the support points of the small box 2 by the outer locking portion 14 are located further outward in the Y direction than the support points of the small box 2 by contact with the outer surface 12b of the main body. This support configuration allows for a larger inclination angle of the small box 2 relative to the main box body 1, making it possible to orient the top opening 24 of the small box 2 more horizontally toward the worker. This makes it easier for the worker to see and remove the tools 9 stored in the small box 2. Furthermore, as described above, an inclined portion 25 is provided at the top opening 24 of the small box 2, so in this respect as well, the top opening 24 of the small box 2 can be oriented more horizontally toward the worker, and the visibility and retrieval of the tools 9 are further enhanced through a synergistic effect with the effect of the multiple support points of the small box 2.

[0047] As shown in Figure 7, the toolbox 100 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of small boxes 2 that can be simultaneously accommodated in the box body 1. The box body 1 is configured to accommodate at least two small boxes 2 facing opposite directions, arranged along the X direction. The box body 1 can also accommodate a plurality of small boxes 2 arranged along the Y direction (see Figure 1).

[0048] In this embodiment, each of the two inner surfaces 12a of the box body 1 that face each other along the X direction is provided with an inner locking portion 13 for locking the locking portion 23 of the small box 2. For example, by locking each of the two small boxes 2 to each of these two inner locking portions 13, the two small boxes 2 are arranged inside the box body 1 so that they face opposite each other in the X direction.

[0049] In this embodiment, with multiple small boxes 2 arranged inside the box body 1, the lowest inclined end 25e of the inclined portion 25 of each small box 2 is concentrated towards the center of the box body 1 (the center in the X direction in the illustrated example). A concave space 15 is formed above the position where the multiple lowest inclined ends 25e are concentrated.

[0050] This configuration makes it easier for the worker to see the tools 9 stored in each small box 2 from the center of the box body 1, and also makes it easier to take out the tools 9. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the toolbox 100 may also be equipped with a tray that can hold multiple tools 9 horizontally. In this case, by placing the tray in the space 15 formed on the center side of the box body 1, it is possible to increase the storage efficiency of the toolbox 100 as a whole.

[0051] [Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0052] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the toolbox 100 is provided with a plurality of small boxes 2. However, the number of small boxes 2 provided in the toolbox 100 may be just one, and the toolbox 100 is not limited to such an example.

[0053] (2) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the bottom surface 21 of the small box is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and has two long sides and two short sides. However, the example is not limited to this example, and the bottom surface 21 of the small box may be formed in a square shape in a plan view, with all four sides being of the same length. In this case, any of the four sides can be defined as the "long side".

[0054] (3) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the side surface 22 of the small box is formed in a tapered shape that narrows as it goes downwards. However, the example is not limited to this example, and the side surface 22 of the small box may be formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape without a taper.

[0055] (4) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the small box 2 is locked to the inner locking portion 13 and supported from below by the bottom surface 11 of the box body 1, and is placed inside the box body 1. However, the invention is not limited to this example, and the small box 2 may be configured to be suspended and supported by the inner locking portion 13. In this case, the small box 2 is placed inside the box body 1 in a state where it is floating above the bottom surface 11 of the box body 1.

[0056] (5) In the above embodiment, the small box 2 is configured to be supported at multiple points relative to the box body 1, with its lower end in contact with the outer surface 12b of the main body while locked to the outer locking portion 14. However, the invention is not limited to this example, and the small box 2 may be configured to be supported at a single point by only the outer locking portion 14, without contacting the outer surface 12b of the main body while locked to the outer locking portion 14.

[0057] (6) The configurations disclosed in the embodiments described above can also be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no inconsistencies arise. With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0058] [Summary of this embodiment] The following is a summary of this embodiment.

[0059] A toolbox in which tools are stored, The box itself, The box comprises a smaller box that is smaller than the main box and is configured to be detachably attached to the main box. The aforementioned small box is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, having a rectangular bottom surface in plan view and an open top surface. The height dimension of the small box is greater than the length dimension of the bottom surface of the small box.

[0060] This configuration allows for the placement of a small box inside the main box, enabling the tools to be carried by storing them in this small box. The height of the small box is greater than the longest side of its base, resulting in a vertically elongated shape. This makes it easier to store tools upright in the small box. As a result, desired tools will not be buried by other tools, making it easier to organize the tools inside the small box and improving the visibility and retrieval of desired tools.

[0061] An inner locking portion for locking the small box is provided on the inner surface of the main body of the box. An external locking portion for locking the small box is provided on the outer surface of the main body of the box. A locking portion is provided on one of the four sides of the small box, which is to be locked into the inner locking portion or the outer locking portion. The small box is positioned inside the box body, secured to the inner locking portion and supported from below by the bottom surface of the box body. Preferably, the small box is positioned outside the box body, secured to the outer locking portion and suspended from the box body.

[0062] With this configuration, the small box containing the tools can be placed inside or outside the main box, depending on the situation. In the most common situation, when the small box is placed inside the main box, the small box is secured to the internal locking mechanism while being supported from below by the bottom surface of the main box, thus reducing the load on the main box. On the other hand, when an operator is working, the small box can be placed outside the main box using the external locking mechanism, further improving the ease of retrieving the desired tool from the small box and enhancing work efficiency.

[0063] Of the four sides of the small box, the side of the small box on which the locking portion is provided is designated as the locking side. The upper opening preferably has an inclined portion that slopes downward as it moves away from the locked side surface.

[0064] With this configuration, the inclined top opening of the small box further improves the visibility and ease of removal of the tools stored inside. Furthermore, when the small box is secured to the external locking mechanism and placed outside the main box, the top opening of the small box can be more easily positioned to face the worker directly, thus improving work efficiency.

[0065] The box body comprises a plurality of small boxes that can be simultaneously accommodated, With multiple small boxes arranged inside the main box, the lowest inclined end of the inclined portion of each small box is concentrated towards the center inside the main box. It is preferable that a concave space is formed above the point where the multiple lowest ends of the inclined surfaces converge.

[0066] In this configuration, when multiple small boxes are arranged inside the main box, the lowest inclined end of each small box converges towards the center of the main box, creating a space above it. As a result, the tools stored in each small box become easier to see from the center of the main box, and the tools can also be easily removed. [Industrial applicability]

[0067] The technology relating to this disclosure can be used in toolboxes that house tools. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 100: Tool box 1: Box body 11: Bottom of the main unit 12a: Inner side of the main unit 12b: Outer surface of the main body 13: Inner locking part 14:Outside locking part 2: Small box 21: Bottom of small box 22:Small box side 22E:Locked side 23:Locked part 23c: opening 24:Top opening 25: Inclined part 25e: Bottom end of slope 9: Tools 15: Space part H2: Height dimension L2: Long side dimension

Claims

1. A toolbox in which tools are stored, The box itself, The box comprises a smaller box that is smaller than the main box and is configured to be detachably attached to the main box. The aforementioned small box is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, having a rectangular bottom surface in plan view and an open top surface. The height dimension of the small box is greater than the length dimension of the bottom surface of the small box. A toolbox characterized by the following features.

2. An inner locking portion for locking the small box is provided on the inner surface of the main body of the box. An external locking portion for locking the small box is provided on the outer surface of the main body of the box. A locking portion is provided on one of the four sides of the small box, which is to be locked into the inner locking portion or the outer locking portion. The small box is positioned inside the box body, secured to the inner locking portion and supported from below by the bottom surface of the box body. The small box is secured to the outer locking portion and suspended from the box body, and is positioned outside the box body. The toolbox according to feature 1.

3. Of the four sides of the small box, the side of the small box on which the locking portion is provided is designated as the locking side. The upper opening has an inclined portion that slopes downward as it moves away from the locked side surface. The toolbox according to feature 2.

4. The box body comprises a plurality of small boxes that can be simultaneously accommodated, With multiple small boxes arranged inside the main box, the lowest inclined end of the inclined portion of each small box is concentrated towards the center inside the main box. A concave space is formed above the point where the multiple lowest ends of the inclined surfaces converge. The toolbox according to feature 3.

Images