Router Bit Case With Sloped Recess For Safe Shank Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional router bit cases pose a safety risk as users must grasp the sharpened cutting blades to remove router bits, as both types either recess the shank below the surface or expose the body, requiring forceful extraction.

Innovation Solution

A router bit case with recesses having a sloped bottom portion and deepened cavity allows safe removal by pressing the shank's bottom end, and a semicircular recess for easy opening with a coin or similar object, constructed from machined solid blocks of wood or plastic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If router bits are stored with shank portions recessed below the case surface, then the bits are held securely in place, but it becomes difficult for users to remove the bits without grasping the exposed body portions containing cutting blades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebit retentionVSAvoidbit removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of recessing the shank below the case surface (conventional approach), the invention inverts the design by providing a recessed cavity that receives the entire shank while allowing the bit to be pushed from the bottom. This inversion enables secure retention through the recessed cavity structure while allowing safe removal by pushing the shank end, eliminating the need to grasp exposed cutting blades.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the body portion of router bits remains exposed in the case, then users can easily grasp the bits for removal, but users are forced to grasp the cutting blades which places them at high risk of injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebit removalVSAvoiduser injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism - a recessed cavity with a push-button or spring-loaded plunger system - that mediates between the user's finger and the router bit shank. This intermediary allows the user to push the bit for removal without direct contact with the cutting blades, eliminating the injury risk while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional router bit cases require force to remove bits from recessed positions, then bits are securely held, but users must exert force that requires grasping exposed cutting blades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebit retentionVSAvoidcutting blade exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by allowing bit insertion from the top while enabling removal by pushing from the bottom through the recessed cavity. This inversion maintains secure retention through the recessed structure while allowing force application at the safe shank end rather than requiring grasping of exposed cutting blades.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7703605B2Router bit case

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 C M T UTENSILI SPA

AI summary

A router bit case that includes a bottom half that having a plurality of router bit-shaped recesses with a substantially flat bottom surface that includes a sloped portion and a deepened cavity. The router bit case also includes a top half having a plurality of recesses formed therein, a plurality of hinges and a closing device.