Tool Storage
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorsChristopher S. Hoppe, Michael John Caelwaerts, Samuel A. Gould, Aaron M. Williams, Aaron S. Blumenthal, Michael Stearns, Grant T. Squiers, Steven W. Hyma, Jason D. Thurner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein are various coupling systems to be used with storage units that are selectively coupled and decoupled. The coupling systems may be used with storage units that are stackable and/or transportable, thus allowing the storage units to function well within a large stationary environment, such as a basement, and also for a subset of the storage units to be selected and easily moved to another location.
Claims11
1-20. (canceled)
A container assembly comprising:
- a first container comprising:
- a first female coupler located on a top face of the first container, the first female coupler comprising a first engagement element extending above a first coupling surface;
- a second female coupler located on the top face of the first container, the second female coupler comprising a second engagement element extending above a second coupling surface;
- a third female coupler located on the top face of the first container, the third female coupler comprising a third engagement element extending above a third coupling surface;
- and
- a fourth female coupler located on the top face of the first container, the fourth female coupler comprising a fourth engagement element extending above a fourth coupling surface;
- a second container comprising:
- a first cleat extending from the second container, the first cleat comprising a first extension positionable relative to the first engagement element such that the first extension is between the first engagement element and the first coupling surface, wherein attaching engagement between the second container and the first container takes place when the first extension is between the first engagement element and the first coupling surface, thereby restricting separation between the second container and the first container;
- a second cleat extending from the second container, the second cleat comprising a second extension positionable relative to the second engagement element such that the second extension is between the second engagement element and the second coupling surface, wherein attaching engagement between the second container and the first container takes place when the second extension is between the second engagement element and the second coupling surface, thereby restricting separation between the second container and the first container;
- a first retractable cleat extending from the second container, the first retractable cleat comprising a first retractable extension positionable relative to the third engagement element such that the first retractable extension is between the third engagement element and the third coupling surface, the first retractable extension actuating between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein attaching engagement between the second container and the first container takes place when the first retractable extension is between the third engagement element and the third coupling surface, thereby restricting separation between the second container and the first container;
- a second retractable cleat extending from the second container, the second retractable cleat comprising a second retractable extension positionable relative to the fourth engagement element such that the second retractable extension is between the fourth engagement element and the fourth coupling surface, the second retractable extension actuating between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein attaching engagement between the second container and the first container takes place when the second retractable extension is between the fourth engagement element and the fourth coupling surface, thereby restricting separation between the second container and the first container;
- and
- an interface that, when actuated, causes each of the first retractable extension and the second retractable extension to actuate from the locked position to the unlocked position;
- wherein disengaging the second container from the first container can be performed after actuating each of the first retractable extension and the second retractable extension to the unlocked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.