Case with removable accessory holder

Abstract

A container, such as a toolbox, is disclosed with a reversible accessory holder. When the accessory holder is inserted into the container in a first position, the theft of the contents of the holder is prevented because the contents cannot be accessed from the exterior of the container nor can the holder be removed. When the accessory holder is inserted into the container in a second position, its contents can be conveniently accessed from the outside of the container by opening the accessory holder door without opening the entire container. A method of deterring the theft of items displayed in a container, while allowing access to those items from the outside of the container after purchase is also disclosed. The method includes inserting a reversible, transparent accessory holder into an aperture within a container, with the door of the holder facing the interior of the container, and then reversing the orientation of the holder to allow external access after purchase.

1 . A container having an interior and an exterior, the container comprising: 
 a top portion pivotally connected to a base portion; and    a holder removably mounted to one of said top portion or said base portion on the interior of said container, said holder having a storage area which is accessible from said interior of the container when the holder is inserted in a first position and accessible from said exterior of the container when said holder is inserted in a second position.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said container comprises a toolbox.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein said holder is adapted to receive accessories.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said container includes a passageway.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a bracket, said bracket being adjacent to at least two sides of an aperture located in said one of said top portion or said base portion.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the holder further comprises rails adapted to engage slots in said bracket.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 5  wherein said bracket comprises two side bracket members and a bottom portion.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a bracket formed in a passageway of one of said top portion or said base portion.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein said bracket further comprises slots adapted to engage rails on said holder.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the other of said top portion and aid base portion further comprises an extended portion.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 5  wherein said bracket further comprises slots adapted to engage rails on said holder.  
   
   
       12 . A container comprising: 
 a top portion pivotally connected to a base portion; and    a holder slidably and reversibly mounted in a bracket located adjacent to an aperture in one of said top portion or said base portion, wherein said holder comprises a door pivotally connected to a bottom portion of said holder and wherein said holder is adapted to receive accessories, said accessories being accessible from the interior of the toolbox when said holder is inserted in a first position and accessible from the exterior of the toolbox when said holder is inserted in a second position.    
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein said holder is made from a transparent material.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 12  wherein said bracket comprises at least two side members and a bottom portion.  
   
   
       15 . A method of deterring theft of items displayed in a container while allowing access to the items from the outside of the container after purchase, the method comprising: 
 providing a container having an interior and an exterior, said container comprising a top portion pivotally connected to a base portion, wherein one of said top portion or said base portion comprises a bracket that slidably receives a transparent holder, said holder having a door and a bottom portion having four sides;    inserting said holder into said brackets with said door facing said interior of the container to prevent theft;    removing said holder from said aperture after purchase of said container; and    inserting said holder into said aperture with the door facing said exterior of said container to allow access to the items in said holder when said container is closed.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said holder further comprises rails adapted to engage slots in said bracket.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said holder is inserted and removed by sliding said rails along said slots.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising opening the door to access the items in said holder while the container is in a closed position.