Special receptacle or package – For a tool
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-30
2001-07-31
Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a tool
C206S372000, C206S702000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267238
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to carrying case and, more particularly, to a case for carrying a power tool having an attached power cord.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cases for power tools generally focus on holding the tool in some exact location in the case so that it does not get banged about therein when it is carried from location to location. However, one of the big problems is where the power tool has an attached so-called “pigtail” power cord. In this instance, the cord is usually just wrapped by the users so that it fits in the case in the most convenient location they can find. This is often times not a satisfactory solution as the cord can become unwrapped and very sloppy to work with. To this end, there are cases that provide for separate compartments therein for power cords. However, depending on the length of the cord, such compartments may not be feasible as they would have to be too large in comparison to the remaining size of the case to hold the cord therein.
Accordingly, there is need for a case for a power tool that holds the power cord therefor in an improved manner. More particularly, a case is needed for power tools that have long power cords where the case efficiently and securely holds the long cord therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a case for a power tool is provided that has a pathway about the periphery thereof in which a power cord for the tool can be held. Preferrably, the body of the tool is held in a cavity in the case and the power cord pathway extends around the cavity. The pathway can be of a depth sufficient to allow the cord to be wrapped over itself therein so that long power cords can be held in the pathway of the case. The power cord is held in the case by an interference or press fit therein so that it securely stays in place during transport of the case. Accordingly, the present case provides a well-defined location in which a power cord for a tool can be placed vis-a-vis peripheral pathway thereof in an efficient, space-saving manner.
In one form of the invention, a case is provided for carrying a power tool having a power cord attached to one end thereof. The case includes a lower portion for receiving the power tool in a predetermined position therein. A cavity is provided in the lower portion generally matching the shape of the power tool to locate the tool in the predetermined position. An outer perimeter extends about the case lower portion and defines a pathway in which the power cord is held. An upper portion of the case is provided for being closed onto the case lower portion to carry the tool in the predetermined position in the case with the cord extending about the tool in the outer perimeter pathway.
In a preferred form, the pathway includes a plurality of pairs of opposing projections disposed along the pathway with the opposing projections having a predetermined spacing sized to receive the power cord therebetween by a press fit to securely maintain the power cord in the pathway.
In one form, the pathway includes sidewalls having a height that provide sufficient depth to the pathway to allow the cord to be overlapped on top of itself therein.
The case upper portion can include a well adjacent with the pathway for receiving a plug head on the power cord therein.
In a preferred form, the case lower portion includes a plurality of racks extending between the pathway and tool cavity and forming wells therebetween. The racks each include a plurality of slots sized to hold shafts of bits for the tool therein with heads of the tool bits disposed in adjacent wells.
In one form, the case upper and lower portions are of molded plastic and are integral with each other, the case portions being hingedly connected via a living hinge therebetween.
In one form, the case upper portion includes a flexible internal panel. The panel includes a depression substantially matching the shape of the power tool so that when case upper portion is closed on the case lower portion the depression will engage on one side of the tool and push the other side thereof tightly into the cavity to securely maintain the tool in the predetermined position in the case during transport thereof.
In a preferred form, the case portions each include a cut-out so that when the case is closed a user can extend their hand through the cut-out The cut-out forms an outer handle portion by which the user can carry the case and through which the pathway extends.
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Knutsen Robert J.
Miller Paul Joseph
Fidei David T.
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery
Hand Tools International, LLC
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