Tool storage device

Claim 1

A tool storage device, comprising (a) a cabinet having a generally rectangular horizontal cross-sectional configuration, said cabinet including a plurality of vertically arranged planar side walls each containing a plurality of apertures each adapted to receive a portion of a support hook; (b) means arranged within said cabinet for locking said hook portions within said apertures, said locking means including (1) a plurality of locking plates arranged parallel to and spaced from said side walls, respectively; (2) spring means connected with said locking plates for normally biasing each of said locking plates in a direction away from the associated side wall toward unlocked positions in which said locking plates release said hook portions, respectively; and (3) means for displacing said locking plates relative to said cabinet side walls between the unlocked positions and locked positions in which said locking plates press said hook portions against the inner surfaces of the associated side walls, respectively, said displacement means including horizontally arranged cam means including a plurality of projections, at least one of said cam projections being adapted for operable engagement with each of said locking plates against the biasing force of said spring means, respectively, said cam means being rotatable about the vertical axis of said cabinet, whereby when said locking plates are in the unlocked positions, a plurality of support hooks may be arranged at desired locations on the outer surfaces of said side walls by passing said hook portions through said side wall apertures, and subsequently when said cam means are rotated to displace said locking plates to the locked positions, said support hooks are fixed in the selected locations on the cabinet side wall surfaces to support tools, materials, and the like.