Patent US4240684A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4240684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tool box including a plurality of rotating nested pyramidal tool racks
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-06-25
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Granted: 1980-12-23
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Expires: 1999-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A tool box includes a base and a plurality of nested pyramidal tool racks concentrically and rotatably mounted on a rigid vertical rod extending perpendicularly from the base. Each of the pyramidal tool racks except the innermost core has a removable side. Each removable side can be removed, exposing the sides of another smaller pyramidal tool rack nested within the pyramidal tool rack from which that side is removed. A variety of clips are attached to the outer surfaces of the respective pyramidal tool racks for supporting various types of tools. An outer cover shell having a top handle associated therewith is positioned over the outer pyramidal tool rack and is lockable to the top of the vertical rod.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack H. Henning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:12
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25H; B25H3/00; B25H3/02; B25H3/021; B25H3/023; B25H3/025; B25H3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A tool rack assembly comprising in combination: a. an outer rack, said outer rack including i. a first tool supporting panel, said first tool supporting panel partially enclosing a first region; ii. a removable tool supporting panel, said removable tool supporting panel being engageable to said first tool supporting panel to further enclose said first region; iii. a plurality of tool supporting elements attached, respectively, to the outer surfaces of said first tool supporting panel and said removable tool supporting panel; iv. means for removably connecting said removable tool supporting panel to said first tool supporting panel, whereby said removable tool supporting panel can be removed, allowing access to said first region through an opening created by removal of said removable tool supporting panel; b. an inner rack nested in said first region within said outer rack; c. bearing means attached to said inner rack for rotatably supporting said inner rack within said outer rack enabling a user to conveniently remove said first removable tool supporting panel from said outer rack and enabling the user to easily rotate said inner rack within said outer rack to enable the user to easily reach through said opening to any tool supported on a tool supporting surface of said inner rack; and d. a rigid cover or shell for covering said outer rack to prevent access to said first tool supporting panel and said removable tool supporting panel and further including means for securing said cover or shell over said outer rack.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A tool rack assembly comprising in combination: a. an outer rack, said outer rack including i. a first tool supporting panel, said first tool supporting panel partially enclosing a first region; ii. a removable tool supporting panel, said removable tool supporting panel being engageable to said first tool supporting panel to further enclose said first region; iii. a plurality of tool supporting elements attached, respectively, to the outer surfaces of said first tool supporting panel and said removable tool supporting panel; iv. means for removably connecting said removable tool supporting panel to said first tool supporting panel, whereby said removable tool supporting panel can be removed, allowing access to said first region through an opening created by removal of said removable tool supporting panel; b. an inner rack nested in said first region within said outer rack; c. bearing means attached to said inner rack for rotatably supporting said inner rack within said outer rack enabling a user to conveniently remove said first removable tool supporting panel from said outer rack and enabling the user to easily rotate said inner rack within said outer rack to enable the user to easily reach through said opening to any tool supported on a tool supporting surface of said inner rack; and d. a rigid cover or shell for covering said outer rack to prevent access to said first tool supporting panel and said removable tool supporting panel and further including means for securing said cover or shell over said outer rack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 1 wherein said outer rack includes four trapezoidal tool supporting sides or panels, a square top, and a square bottom, each of said trapezoidal sides including means for enabling attachment of said tool supporting elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 2 wherein said bearing means includes a bearing assembly disposed between a bottom of said inner rack and the bottom of said outer rack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 1 further including a vertical rod extending from the top of said outer rack through a hole in said cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 4 further including a handle lockably engaged to a portion of said rod extending through said hole in the top of said cover, whereby said handle can be utilized to carry said tool assembly and also lock said cover in position to prevent access to said first tool supporting panel and said removable tool supporting panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 5 wherein said vertical rod extends from the bottom of said outer rack through said inner rack and through the top of said outer rack.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 3 further including a base, said outer rack being rotatably disposed on said base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 7 further including means attached to the bottom of said base for supporting said base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 8 wherein said supporting means includes a plurality of casters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 2 wherein said inner rack includes four trapezoidal tool supporting panels, a square bottom and a square top, each attached to said trapezoidal sides.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tool rack assembly of claim 1 further including a second inner rack nested within said first inner rack and rotatably disposed therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
184 words
A tool rack assembly comprising in combination: a. an outer rack, said outer rack including i. a first tool supporting panel, said first tool supporting panel partially enclosing a first region; ii. a removable tool supporting panel, said removable tool supporting panel being engageable to said first tool supporting panel to further enclose said first region; iii. a plurality of tool supporting elements attached, respectively, to the outer surfaces of said first tool supporting panel and said removable tool supporting panel; iv. means for removably connecting said removable tool supporting panel to said first tool supporting panel, whereby said removable tool supporting panel can be removed, allowing access to said first region through an opening created by removal of said removable tool supporting panel; and b. an inner rack nested in said first region within said outer rack, wherein said removable tool supporting panel includes a hingable stand member attached to the lower inner surface of said removable tool supporting panel for supporting said removable tool supporting panel in an upright position when said removable tool supporting panel is placed on a flat surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
184 words
A tool rack assembly comprising in combination: a. an outer rack, said outer rack including i. a first tool supporting panel, said first tool supporting panel partially enclosing a first region; ii. a removable tool supporting panel, said removable tool supporting panel being engageable to said first tool supporting panel to further enclose said first region; iii. a plurality of tool supporting elements attached, respectively, to the outer surfaces of said first tool supporting panel and said removable tool supporting panel; iv. means for removably connecting said removable tool supporting panel to said first tool supporting panel, whereby said removable tool supporting panel can be removed, allowing access to said first region through an opening created by removal of said removable tool supporting panel; and b. an inner rack nested in said first region within said outer rack, wherein said removable tool supporting panel includes a hingable stand member attached to the lower inner surface of said removable tool supporting panel for supporting said removable tool supporting panel in an upright position when said removable tool supporting panel is placed on a flat surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
209 words
A tool rack assembly comprising in combination: a. an outer rack, said outer rack including i. a first tool supporting panel, said first tool supporting panel partially enclosing a first region; ii. a removable tool supporting panel, said removable tool supporting panel being engageable to said first tool supporting panel to further enclose said first region; iii. a plurality of tool supporting elements attached, respectively, to the outer surface of said first tool supporting panel and said removable tool supporting panel; iv. means for removably connecting said removable tool supporting panel to said first tool supporting panel, whereby said removable tool supporting panel can be removed, allowing access to said first region through an opening created by removal of said removable tool supporting panel; b. an inner rack nested in said first region within said outer rack; and c. bearing means attached to said inner rack for rotatably supporting said inner rack within said outer rack enabling a user to conveniently remove said first removable tool supporting panel from said outer rack and enabling the user to easily rotate said inner rack within said outer rack to enable the user to easily reach through said opening to any tool supported on a tool supporting surface of said inner rack.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
209 words
A tool rack assembly comprising in combination: a. an outer rack, said outer rack including i. a first tool supporting panel, said first tool supporting panel partially enclosing a first region; ii. a removable tool supporting panel, said removable tool supporting panel being engageable to said first tool supporting panel to further enclose said first region; iii. a plurality of tool supporting elements attached, respectively, to the outer surface of said first tool supporting panel and said removable tool supporting panel; iv. means for removably connecting said removable tool supporting panel to said first tool supporting panel, whereby said removable tool supporting panel can be removed, allowing access to said first region through an opening created by removal of said removable tool supporting panel; b. an inner rack nested in said first region within said outer rack; and c. bearing means attached to said inner rack for rotatably supporting said inner rack within said outer rack enabling a user to conveniently remove said first removable tool supporting panel from said outer rack and enabling the user to easily rotate said inner rack within said outer rack to enable the user to easily reach through said opening to any tool supported on a tool supporting surface of said inner rack.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |