US 4,976,450 AGranted

Mobile tool chest with horizontal pivotal trays

OwnerLaurence M. Ellefsoninventor

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Abstract

A mechanic's mobile tool chest comprising: a plurality of cantilevered horizontal pivotal tool trays mounted on a chest containing a plurality of drawers enclosed within inwardly recessed top, rear, and side panels. The top panel having a top opening, with the rear and side panels having an outside and top opening. The tool trays are pivotally mounted on posts which are vertically extendible from corners of the chest for positioning the tool trays in an elevated position over vehicle fenders or similar structures. A plurality of cantilevered, horizontal pivotal arms are also mounted on the posts for mounting articulating lamps to illuminate a working area. The chest is mounted on a base with a plurality of wheels and a counterweight attached to prevent over-turn during normal operating conditions with the pivotal tool trays extended. The tool chest may also comprise a door which opens to approximately 260 degrees from either side with inside recessed stowage trays. In excess of about 200 commonly used tools are stowed and displayed in an orderly manner for ready access in the door, top, side, and rear recessed panels of the chest and lower two pivotal tool trays when the door and pivotal trays are extended. The top pivotal tray provides temporary stowage for special tools and parts. Infrequently used tools are stowed in the plurality of drawers.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A mobile tool chest for securing and displaying a plurality of stowed tools in an orderly manner for ready access comprising:

(a) an elongated generally upright rectangular support structure;
(b) a plurality of generally rectangular pivotal trays disposed above and pivotally mounted to said support structure for pivoting horizontally with respect thereto between a stowed position adjacent and directly above said support structure and extended positions for display and access of tools;
(c) a counterweight mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for preventing over-turn of same with said pivotal trays extended from said support structure;
(d) a plurality of wheels mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for mobility of said mobile tool chest on a supporting surface;
(e) locking means for releasably locking said pivotal trays in a stowed position for securing said stowed tools against unauthorized access;
(f) removable key means for controlling locking and releasing of said locking means;
and
(g) said support structure comprising:
a pair of laterally spaced upright side panels, said panels being inwardly recessed members with an outside and top opening disposed generally parallel to each other and having top, lower, upright front, and upright rear edges;
an upright rear panel, said rear panel being an inwardly recessed member with an outside and top opening having top, lower, upright side edges, and vertical corners being disposed generally normal to said side panels by attaching said vertical corners to the upright rear edges of said side panels;
a top stationary tray, said tray being an inwardly recessed member with a top opening and having top front, rear, and side edges being disposed generally normal to said side and rear panels by attaching edges of said top stationary tray to top edges of said side and rear panels;
and
a base attached generally normal to said side and rear panels at the lower edges of same having means for mounting said plurality of wheels and said counterweight.

10 more elements

A mobile tool chest for securing and displaying a plurality of stowed tools in an orderly manner for ready access, comprising:

a generally rectangular, upright support frame having an upper, horizontal top and a lower, horizontal base;
a plurality of generally rectangular pivot trays pivotally mounted on the top of said support frame;
a plurality of wheels mounted on the base of said frame;
pivot means projecting upwardly from one side edge of the top of said frame for pivotally supporting said pivot trays for pivoting horizontally with respect to said support frame between a stowed position adjacent and directly above said support frame and an extended position projecting outwardly from said support frame to expose the top of said frame and each of said trays for display and access to tools on said trays;
counterweight means mounted on the lower part of said frame adjacent the opposite side edge of said frame to said pivot means for opposing tipping of said frame when said trays are in said extended position;
and
securing means for releasably securing said pivotal trays in said stowed position;
said top of said frame comprising a horizontal upper storage tray, said plurality of pivot trays covering said upper tray in said stowed position and exposing said upper tray in said extended position.

5 more elements

A mobile tool chest for securing and displaying a plurality of stowed tools in an orderly manner for ready access comprising:

(a) an elongated generally upright rectangular support structure;
(b) a plurality of generally rectangular pivotal trays disposed above and pivotally mounted to said support structure for pivoting horizontally with respect thereto between a stowed position adjacent and directly above said support structure and extended positions for display and access of tools;
(c) a counterweight mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for preventing over-turn of same with said pivotal trays extended from said support structure;
(d) a plurality of wheels mounted to lower extremities of said support structure for mobility of said mobile tool chest on a supporting surface;
(e) locking means for releasably locking said pivotal trays in a stowed position for securing said stowed tools against unauthorized access;
(f) removable key means for controlling locking and releasing of said locking means;
and
(g) a vertical door pivotally mounted on said structure, said door further comprising an inward recessed panel with a plurality of horizontal trays.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/371,191Filed 26 Jun 1989 · continuation
Priority: 10 Feb 1988
Granted: 11 Dec 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

A47F 5/05
Stands with a central pillar, e.g. tree type: with separate containers rotatable around the pillar
B25H 3/00
Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of
B25H 5/00
Tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with
A47F
Special furniture, fittings, or accessories for shops, storehouses, bars, restaurants or the