Special receptacle or package – For a tool – Plural
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-26
2001-11-13
Gehman, Bryon P. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a tool
Plural
C206S350000, C206S561000, C220S630000, C220S632000, C220S636000, C248S146000, C248S148000, C248S346200, C248S910000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315120
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a portable tool tray, and more particularly to a portable tool tray which includes formed storage compartments supported on a bottom or underside which is capable of conforming to the shape of the surface upon which the tray is positioned.
Auto mechanics, workmen and the like often carry their tools from one job site to another, or when repairing a vehicle, from one vehicle to another. When at a worksite, tradesmen often find it necessary to place their tool tray on an uneven surface. If the tray has a rigid planar undersurface, balancing of the tray on a rigid undersurface is often difficult. Thus, it becomes necessary to find a flat or even surface. Alternatively, even if the tray is be carefully positioned, it may fall and the contents will spill. As a result, there has developed the need for a tool tray construction which obviates these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention comprises a portable tool tray which includes a molded plastic upper section or receptacle with a circumferential rim. A retainer ring is provided which may be compatibly engaged with the rim. The retainer ring is attached to the rim to retain a bag filled with flexible bag fill material on the underside of the molded plastic receptacle or tray. The flexible, partially filled bag enables the bag to conform to an uneven surface when the tool tray is placed thereon. The bag, which may be filled with polystyrene beads, for example, or some other fill material, is partially filled so that the bag will assume the shape of the surface upon which it is placed thereby retaining the tray on that surface, even though the surface is somewhat uneven.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved portable tool tray construction. A further object of the invention is to provide a portable tool tray which is easily assembled, easily repaired and may be used in a broad range of environments.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a portable tool tray which includes a flexible bag on its bottom side or surface, thereby enabling the tray to conform with uneven surfaces and retaining the receptacle in position for access by a workman who has placed the tray.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a portable tool tray which is rugged, inexpensive, durable and highly portable.
Another object of the invention is to enable a user of the portable tool tray to place parts or hardware in the tray quickly and conveniently inasmuch as the tray may be located on any work surface close to a work area regardless of the type of work surface in contrast to magnetic tray holders which require a ferrous work surface;
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a tray which is non-magnetic and thereby a tray which does not attract small metal shavings and other similar items which can scratch a surface upon which the tray is supported;
Another object of the invention is to provide a tray which tends to absorb vibration when placed on a surface, for example, an engine housing or machine housing, or the like, thereby reducing or eliminating undesirable noise and/or movements of parts in the tray; A further object of the invention is to provide a tray which may be made from entirely non-magnetic, non-conducting materials to thereby avoid any electrical hazard;
Another object of the invention is to provide a tray which can be easily lifted and removed from a surface and does not require additional force for removal such as would be required for the magnetic tray;
A further object of the invention is to provide a tray which may be positioned on a level, or a very uneven surface, or a surface which has an angle thereto;
Another object of the invention is to provide a tray which accommodates uneven surfaces and thereby avoids sliding from a surface;
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2219974 (1940-10-01), Bellow
patent: 2916184 (1959-12-01), Hartley et al.
patent: 3028702 (1962-04-01), St. Cyr
patent: 3312436 (1967-04-01), Beghetto, Jr.
patent: 4052944 (1977-10-01), Jennings
patent: 4192329 (1980-03-01), Swearingen
patent: 4788916 (1988-12-01), Saxton
patent: 4964600 (1990-10-01), Lee
patent: 5295742 (1994-03-01), Knutson
Cornwell Catalog, p. 17, dated 1998.
Mac Tool Catalog, p. 435, dated 1995.
Siemen Peter A.
Tally Kevin L.
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Gehman Bryon P.
The Lisle Corporation
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