TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[ 0001 ] This disclosure relates generally to the field of agriculture, and more specifically to an apparatus for conveniently carrying tools on a farm vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[ 0002 ] The present disclosure relates to a container for securing tools. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a tool caddy designed to be secured to the structure of a vehicle, such as a farm tractor, in such a manner as to provide storage capability while preventing interference with the vehicle's functional elements.

[ 0003 ] In the embodiments disclosed, the tool caddy is secured to the rear hitch of a tractor using threaded fasteners, but those of skill in the art will recognize that the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable in a variety of configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and for further features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0005] Figure 1 is a side view of a farm tractor suitable for use with the present disclosure;

[0006] Figure 2A is a side partial section view of a farm tractor suitable for use with the present disclosure;

[0007] Figure 2B is a rear view of the farm tractor shown in Figure 2A;

[0008] Figure 2C is a front view of the farm tractor shown in Figures 2A and 2B;

[0009] Figure 2D is a bottom view of the farm tractor shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C;

[0010] Figure 2E is a top view of the farm tractor shown in Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D;

[0011] Figure 2F is a three-dimensional view of the back of a farm tractor; [0012] Figure 2G is a three-dimensional view of the back of the farm tractor shown in Figure 2F;

[0013] Figure 3A is an isometric view of a tool caddy according to the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 3B is a rear view of the tool caddy shown in Figure 3A;

[0015] Figure 3C is a side view of the tool caddy shown in Figures 3A and 3B;

[0016] Figure 3D is a bottom view of the tool caddy shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C;

[0017] Figure 3E is a top view of the tool caddy shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D;

[0018] Figure 4A is a three-dimensional view of a tool caddy viewed from the bottom end;

[0019] Figure 4B is an exploded isometric view of the tool caddy shown in Figure 4A;

[0020] Figure 5A is a top view of a planar strut according to the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5B is a side section view of the planar strut of Figure 5A; [0022] Figure 5C is a bottom view of the planar strut shown in Figures 5A and 5B;

[0023] Figure 5D is an end section view of the planar strut shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C;

[0024] Figure 6A is a top view of an offset strut according to the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 6B is a side section view of the offset strut shown in Figure 6A;

[0026] Figure 6C is a bottom view of the offset strut shown in Figures 6A and 6B;

[0027] Figure 6D is a left-end section view of the offset strut shown in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C;

[0028] Figure 6E is a right-end section view of the offset strut shown in Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D;

[0029] Figure 7A is an isometric view of a planar bracket according to the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 7B is a top view of the planar bracket of Figure 7A;

[0031] Figure 7C is a side section view of the planar bracket of Figures 7A and 7B; [0032] Figure 8A is a three-quarters view of a tool caddy having a rectangular cross-sectional shape;

[0033] Figure 8B is a bottom view of the tool caddy of Figure 8A;

[0034] Figure 9A is a three-quarters view of a tool caddy having a hexagonal cross-sectional shape;

[0035] Figure 9B is a bottom view of the tool caddy of Figure 9A;

[0036] Figure 10A is a three-quarters view of a tool caddy having an octagonal shape;

[0037] Figure 10B is a bottom view of the tool caddy of Figure 10A; and

[0038] Figure 11 shows a flowchart showing the process of assembly and use of the tool caddy of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 is a side view of a farm tractor 100 suitable for use with the present disclosure. Farm tractor 100 is a very versatile and useful vehicle, but has limited storage capability. In order to improve the storage capacity of farm tractor 100, a tool caddy 102 has been mounted to the tow hitch 104 at the rear of farm tractor 100. Equipped in this manner, farm tractor 100 is operable to carry large tools such as pitchfork 106, rake 108 and shovel 110. Although this particular tool caddy 102 is mounted vertically to tow hitch 104, those of skill in the art will recognize that tool caddy 102 could potentially be mounted in a different orientation, and could potentially be mounted to a different structure than tow hitch 104. As noted, while the present disclosure is directed to use with a tractor, the present disclosure may be used with a variety of vehicles.

[0040] Figure 2A is a side partial section view of a farm tractor 100 equipped with a tool caddy 102 according to the present disclosure. Figure 2B is a rear view of farm tractor 100 shown in Figure 2A. Figure 2C is a front view of farm tractor 100 shown in Figures 2A and 2B. Figure 2D is a bottom view of farm tractor 100 shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C. Figure 2E is a top view of farm tractor 100 shown in Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D.

[0041] Taken together, Figures 2A-2E further elaborate upon the relationship between farm tractor 100, tool caddy 102 and tow hitch 104. As seen in these figures, tool caddy 102 is mounted vertically and to the right of tow hitch 104 viewed from the rear, using a mounting structure which will be described in further detail below. In an alternate embodiment, tool caddy 102 could be mounted to the left of tow hitch 104 using the same or similar mounting structure.

[0042] Figure 2F is a three-dimensional view of the rear portion of farm tractor 100 showing tool caddy 102 mounted in place on tow hitch 104. Figure 2G is a three- dimensional view of the back of farm tractor 100 and tool caddy 102 of Figure 2F as viewed from another angle.

Figure 2G in particular provides a clear view of the mounting structure connecting tool caddy 102 to tow hitch 104.

[0043] Figure 3A is an isometric view of tool caddy 102 according to the present disclosure. Figure 3B is a rear view of tool caddy 102 as shown in Figure 3A. Figure 3C is a side view of tool caddy 102 as shown in Figures 3A and

3B. Figure 3D is a bottom view of tool caddy 102 as shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C. Figure 3E is a top view of tool caddy 102 as shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D.

[0044] As seen in Figures 3A-3E, tool caddy 102 comprises a hollow, generally-cylindrical main body 120 having an opening 122 at the upper end thereof. The dimensions of the tool caddy may vary by application. In at least one embodiment, tool caddy 102 is approximately 38 inches in height and six inches in diameter. A generally-cylindrical base 124 closes off the bottom end of main body 120. In certain embodiments, main body 120 and base 124 may be formed from a single piece of material. In other embodiments, main body 120 and base 124 may be separate pieces secured to one another by adhesive, a snap-together connection, a spin-on connection or fasteners, as appropriate. A planar strut 126 and an offset strut 128 are secured to the bottom of tool caddy 102 to facilitate the mounting of tool caddy 102 to a structure such as tow hitch 104.

[0045] Figure 4A is a three-dimensional view of tool caddy 102 viewed from the bottom end. Figure 4B is an exploded isometric view of tool caddy 102. As seen in Figures 4A and 4B, the mounting structure for tool caddy 102 comprises struts 126 and 128 secured to the bottom end of tool caddy 102. A set of fasteners is disposed at the outer end of each of struts 126 and 128. Hex bolt 140, in combination with flat washer 144 and nylon insert locknut 148, secures the outer end of offset strut 128. In a similar manner, hex nut 142, in combination with flat washer 146 and nylon insert locknut 150, secures the outer end of planar strut 126. Finally, hex bolt 152, in combination with flat washer 154 and nylon insert locknut 156, secures the inner end of planar strut 126 and inner end of offset strut 128 to cap 124.

[0046] Figure 5A is a top view of planar strut 126 according to the present disclosure. Figure 5B is a side section view of planar strut 126. Figure 5C is a bottom view of planar strut 126. Figure 5D is an end section view of planar strut 126. Planar strut 126 has an upper surface 170 and a lower surface 172. A first circular aperture 174 is disposed at a first end 178 of planar strut 126. A second circular aperture 176 is disposed at a second end 180 of planar strut 126 opposite the first end. The diameters of circular apertures 174 and 176 may vary by application, but in at least one embodiment, circular apertures 174 and 176 are 5/8 inch in diameter. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5A-5C, first and second ends 178 and 180 are radiused, though alternate embodiments may or may not be. The width, length and thickness of planar strut 126 may vary by application. According to one embodiment, planar strut 126 is approximately 11 inches long, 1.5 inches wide and 3/8" thick.

[0047] Figure 6A is a top view of offset strut 128 according to the present disclosure. Figure 6B is a side section view of offset strut 128. Figure 6C is a bottom view of offset strut 128. Figure 6D is a left-end section view of offset strut 128. Figure 6E is a right-end section view of offset strut 128. Offset strut 128 has a first upper surface 200, a second upper surface 202, a first lower surface 204 and a second lower surface 206. As can be seen in Figures 6A-6E, surfaces 202 and 206 are offset from, but generally parallel to, surfaces 200 and 204.

First bend 208 and second bend 210 create an offset in offset strut 128.

[0048] A first circular aperture 212 is disposed at a first end 216 of offset strut 128. A second circular aperture 214 is disposed at a second end 218 of offset strut 128.

The diameters of circular apertures 212 and 214 may vary by application, but in at least one embodiment, circular apertures 212 and 214 are 5/8 inch in diameter. In the embodiment shown in Figures 6A-6E, first and second ends 216 and 218 are radiused, though alternate embodiments may or may not be. The width, length and thickness of offset strut 128 may vary by application. According to one embodiment, planar strut 126 is approximately 11 inches long, 1.5 inches wide and 3/8 inch thick. In one application, offset surfaces 202 and 206 are offset by approximately 3/8 inch, and the location of bends 208 and 210 is approximately 4 inches from second end 218.

[0049] Figure 7A is an isometric view of a planar bracket 250 according to the present disclosure. Figure 7B is a top view of planar bracket 250. Figure 7C is a side section view of planar bracket 250. Planar bracket 250 may be suitable as a support for tool caddy 102 in certain specific applications, as a one-piece substitute for struts 126, 128.

[0050] Planar bracket 250 comprises first leg 252 and second leg 254. Central mounting hole 256 is disposed at the junction of first leg 252 and second leg 254. A first distal mounting hole 258 is disposed at the distal end of first leg 252. A second distal mounting hole 260 is disposed at the distal end of second leg 254. [ 0051 ] Although the tool caddy of the present disclosure has been described in connection with mounting brackets or struts, those of skill in the art will recognize that the tool caddy of the present invention may be used without such structures, and may in certain applications be secured directly to a vehicle. As an example, the tool caddy may be bolted directly to a floorboard, to the bed of a truck, or to some other structure.

[ 0052 ] The tool caddy of the present disclosure has been described above as having a cylindrical shape, but those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternate embodiments may have alternate geometries. As an example, Figure 8A is a three-quarters view of a tool caddy 270 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Figure 8B is a bottom view of tool caddy 270. Tool Caddy 270 has a generally- rectangular shape with four sides 272 and a base 274. Base 274 has a bottom surface 276 with a cylindrical hole 278 in the center thereof for securement via bolt 152.

[ 0053 ] As another example, Figure 9A is a three-quarters view of a tool caddy 290 having a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. Figure 9B is a bottom view of tool caddy 290. Tool caddy 290 has a generally-hexagonal shape with six sides

292 and a base 294. Base 294 has a bottom surface 296 with a cylindrical hole 298 in the center thereof for securement via bolt 152.

[0054] To provide yet another example, Figure 10A is a three-quarters view of a tool caddy 310 having an octagonal cross-sectional shape. Figure 10B is a bottom view of tool caddy 310. Tool caddy 310 has a generally-octagonal shape with eight sides 312 and a base 314. Base 314 has a bottom surface 316 with a cylindrical hole 318 in the center thereof for securement via bolt 152. Those of skill in the art will recognize that tool caddies 270, 290, 310 are provided only by way of example, and that alternate embodiments may have a variety of shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 11 shows a flowchart showing the process of assembly and use of the tool caddy of the present disclosure. In order to assemble the caddy, the caddy base is secured to the caddy body (350). A first fastener is then inserted to the mounting hole of the caddy base (352), then to the first mounting hole of the first mounting strut (354) and the first mounting hole of the second mounting strut (356), then tightened, to secure the caddy base and body to the first and second mounting struts. [0056] After the caddy base and body are secured to the first and second mounting struts by the first fastener, the mounting holes in the outboard ends of the first and second mounting struts are aligned to mounting holes in the tractor hitch (360). Second and third fasteners are then inserted into the outboard mounting holes of the first and second mounting struts and the mounting holes of the tractor hitch (362). The second and third fasteners are then tightened, to secure the first and second mounting struts, and thus the caddy base and body, to the tractor hitch (364). With the caddy base and body secured to the tractor hitch in this manner, contents including but not limited to tools may be stored within the caddy body.

[0057] The disclosure has been described above in connection with certain specific embodiments of the inventive concepts. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or

B plus N, etc.