US5573116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tool tray for organizing and carrying sockets
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-11-22
•
Granted: 1996-11-12
•
Expires: 2014-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A tool tray for organizing and carrying sockets comprises a bottom wall; first and second side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall; first and second end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall; first and second handles secured respectively to the first and second end walls and disposed above the bottom wall; a plurality of rails disposed on the bottom wall; and a plurality of clips secured to each of the rails, the clips for removably securing the sockets. The first and second handles each includes a member for permitting a user to securely carry the tray with one hand. Convex shaped flanges are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom wall. A blank for forming the tool tray is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul D. Zink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:25
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25H; B25H3/00; B25H3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A tool tray for organizing and carrying sockets, comprising: a) a bottom wall; b) first and second side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; c) first and second end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; d) first and second handles secured respectively to said first and second end walls and disposed above said bottom wall; e) said first and second handles each including a member for permitting a user to securely carry said tray with one hand; f) a plurality of rails disposed on said bottom wall, said rails are disposed parallel to each other; and g) a plurality of clips secured to each of said rails, said clips for removably securing the sockets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A tool tray for organizing and carrying sockets, comprising: a) a bottom wall; b) first and second side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; c) first and second end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; d) first and second handles secured respectively to said first and second end walls and disposed above said bottom wall; e) said first and second handles each including a member for permitting a user to securely carry said tray with one hand; f) a plurality of rails disposed on said bottom wall, said rails are disposed parallel to each other; and g) a plurality of clips secured to each of said rails, said clips for removably securing the sockets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tool tray, as in claim 1, wherein: a) each of said first and second handles is substantially "L"-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tool tray, as in claim 1, wherein: a) each of said first and second handles includes a first member extending away from the respective first and second end walls; and b) a second member extending from the respective first member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A tool tray, as in claim 1, wherein: a) the center of gravity of said tray is disposed such that a vertical line from a user's hand holding one of said first and second handles through the center of gravity intersects said base wall or an-extension thereof downwardly from the user's hand.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tool tray, as in claim 3, wherein: a) said second member is disposed downwardly toward the user's hand holding one of said first and second handles when said tray is being carried in one hand.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tool tray, as in claim 1, wherein: a) said base, side and end walls are integral.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tool tray, as in claim 1, wherein: a) said side and end walls are disposed transversely to said base wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tool tray, as in claim 1, wherein: a) said end walls are higher than said side walls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
A tool tray for organizing and carrying sockets, comprising: a) a bottom wall; b) first and second side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; c) first and second end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; d) first and second handles secured respectively to said first and second end walls and disposed above said bottom wall; e) a plurality of rails disposed on said bottom wall; f) a plurality of clips secured to each of said rails, said clips for removably securing the sockets; g) a plurality of connectors operably secured to said rails and said bottom wall for securing said rails to said bottom wall; and h) said connectors each including a flange disposed below said bottom wall for supporting said bottom wall above a surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
A tool tray for organizing and carrying sockets, comprising: a) a bottom wall; b) first and second side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; c) first and second end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; d) first and second handles secured respectively to said first and second end walls and disposed above said bottom wall; e) a plurality of rails disposed on said bottom wall; f) a plurality of clips secured to each of said rails, said clips for removably securing the sockets; g) a plurality of connectors operably secured to said rails and said bottom wall for securing said rails to said bottom wall; and h) said connectors each including a flange disposed below said bottom wall for supporting said bottom wall above a surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tool tray, as in claim 9, wherein: a) said connectors each includes an expandable sleeve integral with said flange; b) said sleeve extending through said bottom wall and respective rail; and c) an oversized member disposed within said sleeve for expanding said sleeve to lock said sleeve with the respective rail and said bottom wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tool tray, as in claim 9, wherein: a) said connectors each includes an expandable sleeve integral with said flange; b) said sleeve extending through said bottom wall and respective rail; c) a washer engaging the respective rail; and d) an oversized member disposed within said sleeve for expanding said sleeve to lock said sleeve with said washer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tool tray, as in claim 9, wherein: a) said flange includes a convex surface disposed toward the ground.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tool tray, as in claim 9, wherein: a) said bottom wall includes a longitudinal axis; and b) said rails are disposed parallel to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tool tray, as in claim 9, wherein: a) said rails are disposed unevenly across the width of said bottom wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
153 words
A tool tray for organizing and carrying sockets, comprising: a) a bottom wall; b) first and second side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; c) first and second end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; d) first and second handles secured respectively to said first and second end walls and disposed above said bottom wall; e) said first and second handles each including a member for permitting a user to securely carry said tray with one hand; f) the center of gravity of said tray is disposed such that a vertical line from a user's hand holding one of said first and second handles through the center of gravity intersects said base wall or an extension thereof downwardly from the user's hand; g) a plurality of rails disposed on said bottom wall; and h) a plurality of clips secured to each of said rails, said clips for removably securing the sockets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
153 words
A tool tray for organizing and carrying sockets, comprising: a) a bottom wall; b) first and second side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; c) first and second end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; d) first and second handles secured respectively to said first and second end walls and disposed above said bottom wall; e) said first and second handles each including a member for permitting a user to securely carry said tray with one hand; f) the center of gravity of said tray is disposed such that a vertical line from a user's hand holding one of said first and second handles through the center of gravity intersects said base wall or an extension thereof downwardly from the user's hand; g) a plurality of rails disposed on said bottom wall; and h) a plurality of clips secured to each of said rails, said clips for removably securing the sockets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tool tray, as in claim 15, wherein: a) each of said first and second handles is substantially "U"-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tool tray, as in claim 15, wherein: a) each of said first and second handles includes a first member extending away from the respective first and second end walls; and b) a second member extending from the respective first member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-12 | 2000-05-13 | 2000-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-12 | 2004-05-13 | 2004-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-12 | 2008-05-13 | 2008-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |