Abstract The two-section all-plastic case is molded in one piece, the flexible web hingedly connecting the two sections being integral therewith and subjected to flexing while still hot from the mold to be flexible thereafter without breakage for the life of the case. A latch plate is also molded integral with the top wall of one case section and its projecting portion carries two heated pins that have a snap fit in registering holes in the top wall of the other case section. A retractable and extensible handle straddles the latch plate so that the hand grasping the handle holds the latch plate in position preventing accidental opening. The tools are disposed in spaced parallel relation in both case sections with their square shanks entered in square sockets molded in parallel bars mounted lengthwise of the case sections with freedom to turn enabling easy removable and replacement of tools. The sockets in the bars are in staggered relation to enable nesting of the tools for most efficient use of the space available, without storing the tools too close together for easy handling. The bars are molded of polyethylene, which has compressability, resilience, and a certain slickness, and these characteristics combine to enable easy insertion and removal of the square shanks from the square sockets, which have longitudinal friction ribs on the four sides that have line contact on the four sides of the shanks, compression of these ribs combined with a certain amount of expansion of the material around each socket enabling a good hold on the shanks.
In a tool case for elongated tools having shanks that are square in cross section with flat side faces, the case having spaced walls, an elongated bar of compressible and expansible resilient plastic material mounted at its opposed ends on saiD walls and having longitudinally spaced tool holder sockets provided therein of complementary square shape in cross section but slightly oversize relative to said shanks, each socket having friction ribs molded integrally with said bar extending longitudinally of flat faces therein adapted to be compressed and spread slightly by slipping the shank of a tool therebetween for detachably securing the tool in place on the bar, two opposed walls of each socket being also adapted to spread slightly upon insertion of a tool and serving to apply pressure resiliently to the tool shank through said ribs to retain the tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a tool case for elongated tools having shanks that are square in cross section with flat side faces, the case having spaced walls, an elongated bar of compressible and expansible resilient plastic material mounted at its opposed ends on saiD walls and having longitudinally spaced tool holder sockets provided therein of complementary square shape in cross section but slightly oversize relative to said shanks, each socket having friction ribs molded integrally with said bar extending longitudinally of flat faces therein adapted to be compressed and spread slightly by slipping the shank of a tool therebetween for detachably securing the tool in place on the bar, two opposed walls of each socket being also adapted to spread slightly upon insertion of a tool and serving to apply pressure resiliently to the tool shank through said ribs to retain the tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tool case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bar is molded of plastic material having characteristics similar to polypropylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tool case as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said ribs is rounded on its inner side for line contact with the flat face on the side of the square tool shank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A tool case as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said ribs is rounded on its inner side for line contact with the flat face on the side of the square tool shank, and each rib being furthermore of gradually diminishing thickness toward the mouth of the socket.