Rotatable toolbox system useful on motorized vehicles

Abstract

Provided herein is a toolbox system especially well suited for use on pickup trucks. The system provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of tools which may be contained in the toolboxes. The assemblies may be modular and are readily loaded and unloaded from the bed portion of a pickup truck. An increased degree of safety and convenience is realized from use of the devices herein set forth.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A tool caddying system adaptable for use in conjunction with a motorized vehicle having a bed portion, said system comprising: 
 a) a means for containing a plurality of tools;    b) a rotatable mounting means comprising a plate bearing having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools is in mechanical contact with said first portion of said plate bearing; and    c) a means for attaching the second portion of said plate bearing to said motorized vehicle,    wherein said first and said second portions of said plate bearing provide for the rotation of said means for containing a plurality of tools with respect to an axis perpendicular to the surface upon which said vehicle rests.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to    claim 1    wherein said first and said second portions of said plate bearing are each substantially planar surfaces arranged in a parallel configuration with respect to one another, and pivotally disposed with respect to one another by bearings.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to    claim 2    wherein said bearings comprise a bearing selected from the group consisting of: wide inner ring ball bearings, rod end bearings and associated rods, cylindrical bearings, tapered bearings, spherical bearings, plain bearings, and radial needle roller bearings.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to    claim 1    wherein said means for attaching the second portion of said rotatable mounting means to said motorized vehicle comprises a frame assembly that includes a plurality of linear track portions having open channel portions along their length and having open ends adapted to receive said second portion of said rotatable mounting means.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to    claim 1    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a toolbox having a plurality of compartments.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to    claim 5    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a modular container assembly.  
     
     
         7 . A tool caddying system adaptable for use in conjunction with a motorized vehicle having a bed portion, said system comprising: 
 a) a frame assembly adapted to be affixed to a motorized vehicle and defined as comprising two parallel first support rails having portions interior and exterior to said frame assembly;    b) at least one linear track portion having an open channel portion along its length and having an open end adapted to receive a rotational mount assembly, said at least one linear track portion affixed to the interior portion of at least one of said first parallel support rails;    c) an outer framework having inner and outer surfaces, wherein said outer framework includes a plurality of rolling elements disposed on its outer surfaces;    d) a plate bearing having a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion is disposed in the interior of said outer framework and wherein said second portion is in mechanical contact with said outer framework; and    e) a means for containing a plurality of tools,    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools is in mechanical contact with said first portion of said plate bearing, to thus provide rotation of said means for containing a plurality of tools with respect to an axis perpendicular to the surface upon which said vehicle rests.    
     
     
         8 . The system according to    claim 7    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a toolbox having a plurality of compartments.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to    claim 8    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a modular container assembly.  
     
     
         10 . A tool caddying system adaptable for use in conjunction with a motorized vehicle having a bed portion, said system comprising: 
 a) a means for containing a plurality of tools having a lower surface portion;    b) a rotatable mounting means comprising: 
 i) a first portion that comprises a hole passing through said lower surface portion of said means for containing a plurality of tools; and  
 ii) a second portion which includes a vertical shaft; and  
   c) a means for attaching the second portion of said mounting means to said motorized vehicle,    wherein said first and said second portions of said mounting means provide for the rotation of said means for containing a plurality of tools with respect to an axis perpendicular to the surface upon which said vehicle rests by virtue of said shaft being disposed within said hole.    
     
     
         11 . The system according to    claim 10    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a toolbox having a plurality of compartments.  
     
     
         12 . The system according to    claim 11    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a modular container assembly.  
     
     
         13 . A tool caddying system adaptable for use in conjunction with a motorized vehicle having a bed portion, said system comprising: 
 a) a frame assembly adapted to be affixed to a motorized vehicle and defined as comprising two parallel support rails having portions interior and exterior to said frame assembly;    b) at least one linear track portion having an open channel portion along its length and having an open end adapted to receive a rotational mount assembly, said at least one linear track portion affixed to the interior portion of at least one of said first parallel support rails;    c) a substantially planar framework having inner and outer surfaces, wherein said framework includes a plurality of rolling elements disposed on its outer surfaces;    d) a vertical shaft disposed in the interior of said framework that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the plane of the framework; and    e) a means for containing a plurality of tools having a lower surface,    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools includes a bole disposed in its lower surface that is adapted to receive said shaft sufficiently to thus provide for the rotation of said means for containing a plurality of tools with respect to an axis perpendicular to the surface upon which said vehicle rests.    
     
     
         14 . The system according to    claim 13    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a toolbox having a plurality of compartments.  
     
     
         15 . The system according to    claim 14    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a modular container assembly.  
     
     
         16 . A tool caddying system adaptable for use in conjunction with a motorized vehicle having a bed portion, said system comprising: 
 a) a means for containing a plurality of tools;    b) a rotatable mounting means comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools is in mechanical contact with said first portion; and    c) a means for attaching the second portion of said rotatable mounting means to said motorized vehicle,    wherein said first and said second portions are disposed about one another to provide rotation of said means for containing a plurality of tools with respect to an axis perpendicular to the surface upon which said vehicle rests.    
     
     
         17 . The system according to    claim 16    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a toolbox having a plurality of compartments.  
     
     
         18 . The system according to    claim 17    wherein said means for containing a plurality of tools comprises a modular container assembly.  
     
     
         19 . A system according to    claim 16    wherein the second portion of said rotatable mounting means includes an element selected from the group consisting of: a circular track portion, one of the rotatable portions of a plate bearing, and a vertical shaft.  
     
     
         20 . A truck comprising the tool caddying system described in    claim 16   .