Self-opening tool box

Abstract

A self-opening toolbox includes a first shell, a second shell pivotally mounted on the first shell, a retainer mounted on the first shell for retaining a tool kit in position and a pivot arranged between the first shell and the second shell for pivoting the second shell with respect to the first shell. The pivot includes a first cylinder connected with the first shell, a second cylinder connected with the second shell and a torque element connected between the first and second cylinders. The torque element is received in the first cylinder and the first cylinder is received in the second cylinder. The first cylinder includes a closed end and a clip formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element. The second cylinder includes a closed end and a clip formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element.

1 . A self-opening toolbox including a first shell ( 12 ), a second shell ( 20 ) pivotally mounted on the first shell ( 12 ), a retainer ( 11 ) mounted on the first shell ( 12 ) for retaining a tool kit and a pivot ( 30 ) arranged between the first shell ( 12 ) and the second shell ( 20 ) for pivoting the second shell ( 20 ) relatve to the first shell ( 12 ).  
     
     
         2 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 1  wherein the pivot ( 30 ) includes a first cylinder ( 31 ) connected with the first shell ( 12 ), a second cylinder ( 32 ) connected with the second shell ( 20 ) and a torque element ( 33 ) connected between the first and second cylinders ( 31 ,  32 ).  
     
     
         3 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 2  wherein the torque element ( 33 ) is received in the first cylinder ( 31 ) and the first cylinder ( 31 ) is received in the second cylinder ( 32 ).  
     
     
         4 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 2  wherein the first cylinder ( 31 ) includes a closed end and a clip ( 312 ) formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element ( 33 ).  
     
     
         5 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 2  wherein the second cylinder ( 32 ) includes a closed end and a clip ( 322 ) formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element ( 33 ).  
     
     
         6 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 2  wherein the first cylinder ( 31 ) includes a closed end and a ridge ( 311 ) formed on an external side of the closed end, and the first shell ( 12 ) defines a slot ( 142 ) for receiving the ridge ( 311 ).  
     
     
         7 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 6  wherein the first shell ( 12 ) includes a semi-lug ( 14 ) that is formed thereon and defines a slit ( 142 ), and the retainer ( 11 ) includes a semi-lug ( 15 ) that is formed thereon and defines a slit ( 152 ), and the slit ( 142 ) defined in the semi-lug ( 14 ) of the first shell ( 12 ) and the slit ( 152 ) defined in the semi-lug ( 15 ) of the retainer ( 11 ) together make a slot for receiving the ridge ( 311 ).  
     
     
         8 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 2  wherein the second cylinder ( 32 ) includes a closed end and a ridge ( 321 ) formed on an external side of the closed end, and the second shell ( 20 ) defines a slot ( 213 ) for receiving the ridge ( 321 ) formed on the second cylinder ( 32 ).  
     
     
         9 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 8  wherein the second shell ( 20 ) includes a plate ( 212 ) that is formed thereon and defines a slot ( 213 ) for receiving the ridge ( 321 ) formed on the second cylinder ( 32 ) of the pivot ( 30 ).  
     
     
         10 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 1  wherein the second shell ( 20 ) includes a boss ( 211 ) formed thereon, and the first shell ( 12 ) includes a semi-lug ( 14 ) that is formed thereon and defines a semi-circular cutout ( 141 ), and the retainer ( 11 ) includes a semi-lug ( 15 ) that is formed thereon and defines a semi-circular cutout ( 151 ), and the semi-circular cutout ( 141 ) defined in the semi-lug ( 14 ) formed on the first shell ( 12 ) and the semi-circular cutout ( 151 ) defined in the semi-lug ( 15 ) formed on the retainer ( 11 ) together make a circular hole for receiving the boss ( 211 ) extending from the second shell ( 20 ).  
     
     
         11 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 1  including a locking device for keeping the self-opening toolbox locked.  
     
     
         12 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 11  wherein the locking device includes a latch ( 132 ) mounted on the first shell ( 12 ) and a hook ( 221 ) formed on the second shell ( 20 ) for engagement with the latch ( 132 ).  
     
     
         13 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 12  wherein the locking device includes a button ( 13 ) from which the latch ( 132 ) extends and an elastic element ( 131 ) including an end secured to the first shell ( 12 ) and an opposite end secured to the button ( 13 ), wherein the button ( 13 ) can be pressed so as to disengage the latch ( 132 ) from the hook ( 221 ).  
     
     
         14 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 1  including a second retainer ( 40 ) pivotally mounted on the first shell ( 12 ) for retaining a tool kit in position.  
     
     
         15 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 9  including a second pivot ( 30 ) arranged between the first shell ( 12 ) and the second retainer ( 40 ) for pivoting the second retainer ( 40 ) relative to the first shell ( 12 ).  
     
     
         16 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 15  wherein the second pivot ( 30 ) includes a first cylinder ( 31 ) connected with the first shell ( 12 ), a second cylinder ( 32 ) connected with the second retainer ( 40 ) and a torque element ( 33 ) connected between the first and second cylinders ( 31 ,  32 ).  
     
     
         17 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 16  wherein the second cylinder ( 31 ) includes a closed end and a clip ( 312 ) formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element ( 33 ).  
     
     
         18 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 16  wherein the second cylinder ( 32 ) includes a closed end and a clip ( 322 ) formed on an internal side of the closed end for clamping an end of the torque element ( 33 ).  
     
     
         19 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 16  wherein the first cylinder ( 31 ) includes a closed end and a ridge ( 311 ) formed on an external side of the closed end, and the first shell ( 12 ) defines a slot ( 142 ) for receiving the ridge ( 311 ).  
     
     
         20 . The self-opening toolbox according to  claim 16  wherein the second cylinder ( 32 ) includes a closed end and a ridge ( 321 ) formed on an external side of the closed end, and the second shell ( 20 ) defines a slot ( 213 ) for receiving the ridge ( 321 ).