TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a tool storage device.

BACKGROUND

Generally, for cultivation of soil and/or gardening, a variety of tools including watering tools are used. Typical tools include dibble, spade, rake, digging fork, mattock draw hoe, shears, garden trowel, cultivator, shower, sprayer, brush, and the like. These tools and the watering tools may have different shapes and sizes and may be used for different purposes. While gardening, different tools (say watering tools) may get scattered over the ground, and users present proximate to such watering tools may get injured by the watering tools. Further, after gardening, users may have to spend a lot of time to collect the scattered garden tools.

The watering tools are often stored crosswise in shelves or crates. This configuration requires a lot of space as the watering tools are bulky. Further, bristles of the brushes are hidden during storage due to which residual water in showers, brushes, sprayers, and like, may not drain off properly, which may cause damage due to frosting. In some cases, wall brackets are used to hold the watering tools. The wall brackets may be firmly screwed to a wall. If several watering tools are required at once for gardening, users may have to remove the watering tools from their respective holders and carry everything in one hand or put the required watering tools in a bucket, box, and the like. Such an approach of carrying the watering tools may be cumbersome to the user. Further, conventional tools holders may allow storage of only one (or similar) type of tool with the tool storage device. Thus, there is a need for an improved tool storage device which allows storage of multiple tools (including watering tools) having different designs. Further, it is desirable that the tool storage device allows quick and easy removal and storage of different tools as well as the watering tools.

An example of a garden tool rack is provided in U.S. Patent Number 7,040,493 (hereinafter referred to as ’493 reference). The ’493 reference discloses a garden tool rack including a hollow rack body having a center upright barrel adapted to hold an extension handlebar for garden tool, and a plurality of plugholes spaced around the upright barrel. Tool holders can be detachably inserted into the plugholes of the rack body and are adapted to hold garden tools. However, the ’493 reference describes the plugholes having the same geometry. The tool holders of the garden tool rack also need to be assembled with the rack body in order to hold the garden tools, which may not be user-friendly and cumbersome in application. Therefore, only one type of tool can be stored on the garden tool rack, which makes the garden tool rack limited in use. Further, the garden tool rack includes a centrally attached handle that is required to transport the garden tool rack. Moreover, the garden tool rack requires a number of earth spikes so that it does not tip over.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present disclosure to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a new design of a tool storage device. The tool storage device includes a body. The tool storage device also includes a plurality of cavities defined in the body. The tool storage device is characterized in that the one or more cavities is removably coupled with one of at least one first coupling and at least one second coupling. Further, the first coupling is different from the second coupling. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first coupling houses a first tool, and the second coupling houses a second tool.

Thus, the present disclosure provides an improved tool storage device for storage of different types of tools. The tool storage device allows the first tools and the second tools to be removably coupled to the first coupling and the second coupling without any additional coupling arrangements. The tool storage device includes a single piece design and is versatile in use. The tool storage device is cost effective and includes a simple structure. The tool storage can be mounted to a wall using mechanical fasteners or using the detachable handle. Further, the tool storage device has a larger footprint which reduces a possibility of tipping of the tool storage device. Moreover, the design of the tool storage device provides quick and easy cleaning of the watering tools with a water jet. The tool storage device may also include integrated shelves or compartments for garden shears, cleaning sticks, gloves, small tool handles, etc. The tool storage device also includes an integrated handle as well as a detachable handle for transportation of the tool storage device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the first tool and the second tool is a watering tool. Thus, the tool storage device allows storage of different types of watering tools that are generally bulky.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first tool includes one or more of a shower, a sprayer, and a brush. The first tools are vertically attached to the tool storage device and are stored in an uncovered manner. Thus, a design of the tool storage device allows draining of residual water and easy cleaning of the first tools. Further, the first tools can be quickly coupled or removed from the tool storage device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second tool includes one or more of a rake, a spade, and a hoe. The second tools are vertically attached to the tool storage device and are stored in an uncovered manner. Thus, a design of the tool storage device allows draining of residual water and easy cleaning of the second tools. The tool storage device allows quick and easy storage/removal of the rake, the spade, and the hoe.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more multipurpose cavities define a hollow bottom with the body to allow discharge of water from any of the first tool and the second tool stored therein. This feature allows residual water in showers, brushes, sprayers, and like, to drain off quickly from the tool storage device, thereby eliminating frosting.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first coupling includes a cylindrical profile, and the second coupling includes a hexagonal profile. This allows the first coupling and the second coupling to house different tools which are suited to any of the cylindrical profile, and the hexagonal profile, respectively. Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tool storage device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the tool storage device with a first tool and a second tool, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tool storage device, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tool storage device and the first tool, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tool storage device and the second tool, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure incorporating one or more aspects of the present disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the disclosure. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a tool storage device 100. The tool storage device 100 includes a body 102. The body 102 of the tool storage device 100 may have any shape, such as circular, triangular, square, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 102 is rectangular in shape. Further, a size of the body 102 may depend on a utility requirement of the tool storage device 100. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited by a shape and a size of the body 102. The body 102 is embodied as a single piece element which can be manufactured from a number of materials such as plastic, metal, wood, and the like.

The body 102 includes a pair of first side walls 104, a pair of second side walls 106, and a number of chamfered faces 108. The chamfered faces 108 are disposed at an intersection of adjacently disposed first and second side walls 104, 106. The first side wall 104 defines a first length “LI” and the second side wall 106 defines a second length “L2”. Further, the first length “LI” is greater than the second length “L2”. Moreover, the body 102 defines a height “Hl” that is selected to accommodate various tools 142, 144 (shown in FIG. 2) on the tool storage device 100. The body 102 defines a first surface 110 and a second surface 112. The body 102 defines a recess 114. The first surface 110 may define a number of projecting portions and the second surface 112 may define a number of grooves. Further, the number of grooves may match with a profile of the number of projecting portions. Each of the grooves and the projecting portions may have a conjugate profile.

The tool storage device 100 further includes a number of mounting arrangements 116. The mounting arrangements 116 allow mounting of the tool storage device 100 on a wall, a cupboard, or any other surface (say ground surface). In the illustrated embodiment, the tool storage device 100 includes a pair of mounting arrangements 116. The pair of mounting arrangements 116 are embodied as slots that align and receive a corresponding pair of mechanical fasteners (not shown) therein for hanging the tool storage device 100 on various surfaces. The mechanical fasteners may be coupled to the surface on which the tool storage device 100 is to be mounted. The mechanical fasteners may embody bolts, screws, pins, rivets, and the like. In some embodiments, the tool storage device 100 may include any number of mounting arrangements 116, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The mounting arrangements 116 are provided on the first side wall 104 to couple or attach the tool storage device 100 on the wall. It should be noted that the mounting arrangements 116 may be provided on any of the first side walls 104. Alternatively, the mounting arrangements 116 may be provided on any of the second side walls 106. In some embodiments, the tool storage device 100 may be implemented with any mounting arrangements 116, and such variations are well within the scope of the present disclosure.

The tool storage device 100 also includes a first handle 118 disposed centrally on the body 102. The first handle 118 is designed ergonomically to hold and transport the tool storage device 100. The first handle 118 is integral with the body 102. Further, the first handle 118 has an inverted U-shaped structure. The first handle 118 includes a first portion 120 and a pair of second portions 122. The first portion 120 is horizontal, whereas the pair of second portions 122 are vertical and extend perpendicular to the first surface 110. Further, the first portion 120 includes a first knurling surface 124 that allows firm gripping of the first handle 118. In the illustrated embodiment, a material of the first handle 118 is same as the material of the body 102. In some embodiment, the material of the first handle 118 may be different from the material of the body 102. Further, the first handle 118 may have any other shape, such as circular, square, semicircular, triangular, and the like. It should be noted that the tool storage device 100 may include more than one first handle 118. A number, type, arrangement and position of the first handles 118 do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the tool storage device 100 includes a connection member 126. The connection member 126 is integral with the body 102. The connection member 126 extends partially from the first surface 110 of the body 102. Further, the connection member 126 is disposed in the recess 114 provided in the body 102. The connection member 126 includes a hexagonal profile. The connection member 126 is off-set with respect to a central portion of the body 102 for accommodating the first handle 118. The connection member 126 is disposed between the first handle 118 and the first side wall 104. In an example, the connection member 126 may be disposed below the first portion 120 of the first handle 118. In another example, the connection member 126 may be rotatable relative to the body 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tool storage device 100 includes a second handle 128. The second handle 128 may be removably coupled to the body 102. Specifically, the second handle 128 is removably coupled to the connection member 126 (see FIG. 1). The second handle 128 includes a longitudinal body 134. The connection member 126 receives one end of the second handle 128. The longitudinal body 134 may include a second knurling surface (not shown) for firm gripping of the second handle 128. Further, a connection of the second handle 128 with the connection member 126 is such that bending forces from the second handle 128 are transferred directly to the body 102 of the tool storage device 100. Thus, this configuration reduces the bending moment at the connection member 126 thereby preventing damage of the connection member 126. Further, in an example, the longitudinal body 134 of the second handle 128 may be coupled to a wall rack for mounting of the tool storage device 100. The wall rack may be coupled with the wall.

In the illustrated example, the second handle 128 includes an elongated cylindrical bar member. The second handle 128 may include a circular crosssection, a square cross-section, a hexagonal cross-section, a rectangular crosssection, a triangular cross-section, and the like. It should be noted that the tool storage device 100 may include more than one second handle 128. A number of the second handles 128 do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The tool storage device 100 also includes a number of integrated shelves 138. The shelves 138 are disposed proximate to the chamfered faces 108. In the illustrated embodiment, four shelves 138 are disposed proximate to the four chamfered faces 108. A total number of the shelves 138 may vary, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The shelves 138 may be closed from below or they may be embodied as through-openings. In the illustrated example, the shelves 138 have a generally rectangular shape. Further, the shape and a size of the shelves 138 may vary as per the requirements. It may be contemplated that each of the shelves 138 include the same shape and size or each of the shelves 138 may include different shapes and sizes, as per requirements.

The tool storage device 100 also includes a plurality of cavities 140 defined in the body 102. In an example, the cavities 140 extend between the first and second surfaces 110, 112 of the body 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of cavities 140 have a generally circular shape. Alternatively, the plurality of cavities 140 may include any shape, such as square, triangle, rectangle, and the like. In the illustrated example, the tool storage device 100 includes eleven cavities 140. However, a total number of the cavities 140 may vary based on a size of the body 102. Further, the cavities 140 define a hollow bottom 143 with the body 102 to allow discharge of water therethrough. More particularly, the cavities 140 are embodied as through-openings.

Further, the plurality of cavities 140 are defined in the body 102, such that each of the cavities 140 allow removable coupling of any of the first tool 142 and the second tool 144. The one or more cavities 140 is adapted to removably couple with one of at least one first coupling 150, and at least one second coupling 152, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Further, the first coupling 150 is different from the second coupling 152. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first coupling 150 is adapted to house the first tool 142 (shown in FIG. 4), and the second coupling 152 is adapted to house the second tool 144 (shown in FIG. 5).

In an example, the cavities 140 of the present disclosure are referred to as the multipurpose cavities 140 since they may allow removable coupling of the first tool 142 and the second tool 144 with the first coupling 150 (shown in FIG. 3) and the second coupling 152 (shown in FIG. 3), respectively. Further, the one or more multipurpose cavities 140, or the first coupling 150 and the second coupling 152, define the hollow bottom 143 with the body 102 to allow discharge of water from any of the first tool 142 and the second tool 144 stored therein. More particularly, the multipurpose cavities 140 are embodied as through-openings.

In some embodiments, one or more of the first coupling 150 and the second coupling 152 may be removably or fixedly coupled with one or more of the cavities 140. The present disclosure illustrates the first coupling 150 and the second coupling 152 which are substantially housed within the one or more of the cavities 140, however actual implementation may have any arrangement, engagement, housing, mounting of the first coupling 150 and the second coupling 152. The multipurpose cavities 140 include a stepped configuration. Specifically, the multipurpose cavities 140 include the first coupling 150 and the second coupling 152. The first coupling 150 includes a circular or cylindrical profile. Alternatively, the first coupling 150 may include a square shape, a hexagonal shape, a rectangular shape, and a circular shape. The second coupling 152 covers a major portion of the multipurpose cavities 140. The second coupling 152 includes a circular shape having a number of vertical splines 154. Alternatively, the second coupling 152 may include ribs or slots. Further, the second coupling 152 may include a square shape, a hexagonal shape, a rectangular shape, and a circular shape.

In some embodiments, the first coupling 150 includes a cylindrical profile, and the second coupling 152 includes a hexagonal profile, as illustrated in FIG. 3. This allows the first coupling 150 and the second coupling 152 to house different tools which are suited to any of the cylindrical profile, and the hexagonal profile, respectively.

In some embodiments, one or more of the first coupling 150 and the second coupling 152 allow ease of force or bending moment transfer to the cavity 140. Such force transfer may allow safe and damage-free arrangement of the first tool 142 and the second tool 144 within the first coupling 150 and the second coupling 152. During implementation, any force or bending moment from the first tool 142 and the second tool 144 may be transferred to one or more of the first coupling 150 and the second coupling 152 and, in turn, to the cavity 140

Each of the one or more first coupling 150 allows engagement of the first tool 142 (shown in FIG. 2), and each of the one or more second coupling 152 allows engagement of the second tool 144 (shown in FIG. 2). Further, the first tool 142 is different from the second tool 144. In an example, one of the first tool 142 and the second tool 144 is a watering tool. A single first tool 142 and a single second tool 144 is illustrated herein for explanatory purposes. However, the tool storage device 100 may hold eleven tools 142, 144 at a time. The watering tools are generally used in watering operations during gardening. It should be noted that the applications of the first tools 142 and the second tools 144 may be same or different. Further, the first tools 142 and the second tools 144 may be different in construction, type, method of use, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first tool 142 includes one or more of a shower, a sprayer, and a brush. For example, the first tool 142 may include a shower head, washing brush attachments, or irrigation computers. The first tool 142 may couple with the first coupling 150 of the multipurpose cavity 140 by force locking by providing a pretension using an O-ring. In an example, the multipurpose cavity 140 may partially receive a first handling portion 156 of the first tool 142. Specifically, the first handling portion 156 is received within the first coupling 150 of the multipurpose cavity 140. In such an example, a first diameter “DI” of the first handling portion 156 may be slightly lesser than a diameter “D2” (shown in FIG. 3) of the first coupling 150 for receiving the first handling portion 156 therein. Alternatively, the multipurpose cavity 140 may completely receive the first handling portion 156 of the first tool 142. In such an example, the first diameter “DI” of the first handling portion 156 may be slightly lesser than a diameter “D3” (shown in FIG. 3) of the second coupling 152 for receiving the first handling portion 156 therein. Further, in such examples, the first handling portion 156 or the multipurpose cavity 140 may define a limit stop so that the first handling portion 156 does not project beyond the second surface 112 of the body 102. In some examples, the second tool 144 includes one or more of a rake, a spade, and a hoe. The second tools 144 may include gardening tools. The exemplary second tool 144 having a second handling portion 158 is illustrated in FIG. 5. The second handling portion 158 includes a hexagonal geometry herein. However, the second handling portion 158 may include any other geometry. As shown in FIG. 5, a portion of the second handling portion 158 is completely received within the multipurpose cavity 140, particularly within the second coupling 152. A second diameter “D4” of the second handling portion 158 may be slightly lesser than the diameter “D3” (see FIG. 3) of the second coupling 152 for receiving the second handling portion 158 therein. In some examples, the second handling portion 158 or the multipurpose cavity 140 may define a limit stop so that the second handling portion 158 does not project beyond the second surface 112 of the body 102.

Alternatively, the multipurpose cavity 140 may partially receive the second handling portion 158 of the second tool 144. For example, the second handling portion 158 may be received only within the first coupling 150 of the multipurpose cavity 140. In such an example, the second diameter “D4” of the second handling portion 158 may be slightly larger than the diameter “D3” (see FIG. 3) of the first coupling 150 for receiving the second handling portion 158 therein. Further, the multipurpose cavity 140 may be designed such that the second tools 144 cannot rotate within the second coupling 152 of the multipurpose cavity 140.

It should be noted that a design of the tool storage device 100 allows stacking of multiple tool storage devices 100 together for storage or transportation purposes. In some examples, a support holder may be disposed between adjacently disposed tool storage devices 100. A design of the tool storage device 100 and the support holder may be such that they provide a mating fit. In one example, the connection member 126 (see FIG. 1) of the tool storage device 100 may be completely received within the support holder. Moreover, the first handle 118 may be completely received within the support holder. This feature ensures that projecting portions of the tool storage devices 100 are not exposed during storage or transportation. The present disclosure provides the tool storage device 100 for various tools 142, 144. The tool storage device 100 allows efficient organization of different tools 142, 144. The design of the tool storage device 100 provides quick and easy cleaning of the tools 142, 144 with a water jet. Further, the tool storage device 100 eliminates frosting of the tools 142, 144 and/or the tool storage device 100 as the design of the tool storage device 100 allows draining of residual water. Further, the shelves 138 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) provided on the body 102 can be used to accommodate small tools. Moreover, the first handle 118 and the second handle 128 provide ease in transportation of the tool storage device 100.

The cavities 140 described herein are embodied as multipurpose cavities 140 that allow coupling of the first or second couplings 150, 152 and also allow direct coupling of the first and second tools 142, 144. Further, each multipurpose cavity 140 having the first or second couplings 150, 152 includes the hollow bottom 143 that allows quick discharge of the water out of the tool storage device 100 and/or the first and second tools 142, 144. Moreover, the first tools 142 and the second tools 144 may be removably coupled to the multipurpose cavities 140 with the first and second couplings 150, 152, respectively. The tool storage device 100 does not require any earth spikes while placing the tool storage device 100 on ground surfaces as a probability of tipping of the tool storage device 100 is less due to larger footprint of the tool storage device 100. Moreover, the tool storage device 100 includes a simple design and a single piece structure. Further, the tool storage device 100 is made of low cost materials due to which overall cost of production can be minimized since no reinforced plastic is required. The tools storage device described demonstrates high versatility and adaptability.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the disclosure and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims. LIST OF ELEMENTS

100 Tool Storage Device

102 Body

104 First Side Wall

106 Second Side Wall

108 Chamfered Face

110 First Surface

112 Second Surface

114 Recess

116 Mounting Arrangements

118 First Handle

120 First Portion

122 Second Portions

124 First Knurling Surface

126 Connection Member

128 Second Handle

134 Longitudinal Body

138 Shelves

140 Cavity

142 First Tool

143 Hollow Bottom

144 Second Tool

150 First Coupling

152 Second Coupling

154 Vertical Splines 156 First Handling Portion

158 Second Handling Portion

LI First Length

L2 Second Length

Hl Height

DI First Diameter of First Handling Portion

D2 Diameter of First Coupling

D3 Diameter of Second Coupling

D4 Second Diameter of Second Handling Portion