Tool Case Single-Hand Opening via Pressing Rib Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tool cases require two hands to open due to the need to release an elastic buckle with one hand and open the cover with another, making them inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A tool case design featuring a buckle plate with a combination recess, blocking fringe, and lateral fringes that allows the cover to be opened by pressing the buckle plate, enabling single-handed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic buckle is used to secure the cover, then the cover can be firmly positioned on the case, but the tool case requires two hands to open (one hand to release the buckle, another to open the cover)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cover opening action with the buckle release action into a single integrated mechanism. The T-shaped pressing groove and pressing rib structure allow the user to simultaneously disengage the buckle element and pivot the cover by pressing in a single direction, merging two separate operations (buckle release + cover opening) into one unified action that can be performed with a single hand.
2Ease of operation
If a simple pressing mechanism is used to enable single-handed opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the securing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pressing mechanism where the pressing rib moves along the T-shaped pressing groove. When pressed, the pressing rib can slide along the groove to disengage the buckle element, and the dynamic motion allows the cover to pivot from the closed to open position. This dynamic design maintains securing reliability during normal use while enabling easy single-handed opening when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The T-shaped pressing groove acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's pressing action and the buckle release. The groove guides the pressing rib's motion, translating a simple pressing force into the complex sequence of buckle disengagement and cover opening, thereby maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the tool case to be opened with a single hand, improving convenience and usability.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient portion is defined between the two slots. A buckle element is formed on a free end of the resilient portion. The buckle element is protruded toward the blocking fringe to abut against the blocking fringe so that the buckle plate tends to move toward the rear wall of the case
Data Source
AI summary
A tool case includes a case, a cover, and a buckle plate. The case has a bottom, a front, a rear, and two side walls. A positioning fringe is formed on an inner face of the rear wall. The cover is pivotally disposed on the case and has a combination recess near the rear wall. The combination recess has a blocking fringe and two lateral fringes. The buckle plate is slidably disposed on the two lateral fringes. The buckle plate has a abutting margin near the blocking fringe and a positioning margin near the positioning fringe. Two slots are formed on the abutting margin to define a resilient portion whose free end has buckle element to buckle to the blocking fringe. Thus, the buckle plate tends to move toward the rear wall to make the positioning fringe buckle to the positioning margin.