FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an insert for a tool container and, more particularly, an insert that retains a deep socket.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Tool users, whether casual or professional, desire to maintain their tools in an organized fashion. Tool organization enables a user to readily find the tool, use it and return it to its place. Tool inserts enable the tools to be organized and positioned in their place within a container.

[0003] Various types of inserts exist to maintain sockets in a tool container. However, while these work satisfactory for their intended purpose, they do not enable the socket to be maintained in a first position, secured within the insert, and in a second position, maintained on the holder ready for easy withdrawal from the insert.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides the art with an insert that secures the tool in multiple positions. The present device enables the tool to be rotated between a first and second position. In a second position, the tool is maintained on the holder and is easily removed from the insert. Also, the present disclosure provides an insert for a tool container.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an insert for a container comprises a base having opposing ends and sides. A mechanism on the ends secures the insert within the container. A trough is formed in the base to receive at least a portion of a tool maintained on the insert. A tool holder is coupled with the base. The tool holder is pivotable between a first and second position. In the first position, the tool holder retains a tool in the trough. In the second position, the tool is removed from the trough and is able to be withdrawn from the tool holder. The tool holder includes one end that is rotatably mounted on the base. The second end is movably secured with the base. The tool holder has an overall T-shape with the horizontal leg rotatably mounted on the base. The tool holder includes a detent to maintain the tool holder in the open position. The horizontal ends of the tool holder include journals. The base includes a pair of ears with apertures to receive the journals to enable the tool holder to be rotated on the base. The vertical portion of the tool holder includes a rectangular cylindrical portion to receive a socket. The base includes a pair of fingers to removably secure the second end of the tool holder on the base.

[0006] In accordance with a second aspect of the disclosure, a container comprises a housing defining a cavity to receive inserts. The cavity is defined by a base and a wall extending from the base. The wall includes at least one securement member. At least one insert to retain tools is coupled with the base and walls. The insert comprises a base having opposing ends and sides. A mechanism on the ends secures the insert with the container wall. A trough is formed in the base to receive at least a portion of a tool retained on the insert. A tool holder is coupled with the base. The tool holder is pivotable between a first and second position. In the first position, the tool holder retains the tool in the trough. In the second position, the tool is removed from the trough and is able to be withdrawn from the tool holder. The tool holder includes one end that is rotatably mounted on the base. The second end is movably secured with the base. The tool holder has an overall T-shape with the horizontal leg rotatably mounted on the base. The tool holder includes a detent to maintain the tool holder in an open position. The horizontal ends of the tool holder include journals. The base includes a pair of ears with apertures to receive the journals to enable the tool holder to be rotated in the base. The vertical portion of the tool holder includes a rectangular cylinder portion to receive a socket. The base includes a pair of fingers to removably secure the second end of the tool holder on the base.

[0007] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. [0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an insert in a container.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insert in the container of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3a, 3b is a perspective view of the insert of the present disclosure. [0012] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the insert of FIG. 1 with the tool holder moved.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4 with the tool holder moved to its extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Turning to the figures, an insert is illustrated and designated with the reference numeral 10. The insert is illustrated inside of a container 12. [0016] The container 12 includes a pair of housing members 14 and 16 that are pivotably secured together by a hinge 18. The housing members 14 and 16 also include a locking member 20 to maintain the container in a closed position.

[0017] The housing members 14 and 16 are substantially similar and include cavities 22 and 24. The cavities are defined by bases 26 and 28 and peripheral walls 30 and 32. The housing members 14,16 have an overall rectangular shape with the peripheral walls defining lateral walls 34, 36, 38, 40 and longitudinal walls 42, 44, 46, 48. The longitudinal walls 44, 48 at their open ends include hinge members 50. The hinge members 50 have an overall 1C- shape which is snapped fit onto a pin member 52. The pin members 52 are separated by barrel members 54. Thus, the hinge 18 enables the housing members 14, 16 to pivotably open and close the container 12. The longitudinal walls 42, 44, 46, 48 include a plurality of alternating dove tail tennons 56 and recesses 58. The tennons 56 are narrow at the top and become wider at the base. The tennons 56 have an overall trapezoidal shape. The tennons 56 have a front face 60 that is angled with respect to vertical at an angle of about 1 °. Also, the tennons 56 have side faces 62, 64 that define the sides of the recess. These faces 62, 64 are likewise angled with respect to vertical at an angle of about 2°

[0018] The recesses 58 are defined by side faces 62, 64 and include a rear face 66. The rear face 66 is angled with respect to vertical. Also, the recesses 58 have a larger opening at the top of the wall which becomes narrower or tapers near the base 26, 28 to have an overall trapezoidal shape. The tennons 56 and recesses 58 have a dovetail shape and are adapted to receive corresponding dovetail tennons 80 and recesses 82 of the insert. Additionally, other type of meshing interlocking members can be used to secure the insert on the walls of the housing. Such could be projections and recesses on the opposing walls.

[0019] The insert 12 includes a base 70 that includes sidewalls 72 and 74 as well as ends 76 and 78. The ends 76 and 78 have mating tennons 80 and recesses 82 to mate with the respective recesses 58 and tennons 56 of the housing 12. The tennons 80 have an angled front face 84 and angled side faces 86, 88. They are angled with respect to vertical at an angle of about 1 °-2°, respectively. Also, the tennons 80 are larger at the top and smaller at the bottom to provide an overall trapezoidal shape. The recess 82 is defined by side faces 86, 88 of the tennons 80 and includes an angled base 90. The base 90 is larger at the bottom and smaller at the top of the insert 10 to provide an overall trapezoidal shape. Thus, the insert 10 is positioned inside of the housing member so that a wedging friction fit is maintained between the housing member 14, 16 and the inserts 10. The insert 10 includes a trough 92 defining an arcuate surface 94. The arcuate surface 94 corresponds to a socket 96 that is positioned into the insert 10. The insert 10 includes a holder 100 that is rotatably secured onto the insert 10. The holder 100 has an overall T-shape with a vertical leg 102 and horizontal 104. The horizontal leg 104 is divided into sections 106 and 108. The end of each horizontal section 106, 108 include a journal 110 and 112. The journals 110 and 112 fit into apertures 114, 116 in ears 118, 120 which project from the sidewall 72, 74 of the base 70. The middle 122 of the horizontal leg includes a detent 124 which helps to maintain the holder 100 in multiple positions when it is rotated.

[0020] The vertical leg 102 has an overall right circular cylinder portion 126 as well as a rectangular cylinder portion 128 that abuts the horizontal leg. The rectangular cylindrical portion 128 maintains a socket, via mating with its rectangular aperture, onto the holder. The cylindrical portion 126 includes a tapered end 130. A pair of fingers 132, 134 project from the base 72 near one end 78 to receive and lock the holder 100 in a first or tool retaining position in the insert 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0021] Additionally, the tool holder 100 is removed from the barbed fingers 132,134 and rotates on the insert base 70. As the holder 100 is rotated, the detent 124 contacts with the inside wall 136 of the end 76. The detent 124 maintains the holder 100 in one of multiple positions as it is rotated along its path. Thus, the holder 100 can be retained in a number of positions on an acute angle with respect to the base 70 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The holder 100 may be continued to be rotated to its fully extended position where the vertical leg 102 is at substantially a right angle with respect to the holder 70, as seen in FIG. 5. The socket 96 can be removed from the holder 100 anywhere along one of the acute angle position up to and including the right angle position. Thus, the socket 96 is maintained on the rectangular cylinder portion on the holder until it is removed by a user from the holder. [0022] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.