Power Tool Case

Abstract

A power tool case for storing battery-operated power tools includes a housing, an electrical connector, and an internal electrical outlet. The housing defines at least one compartment for storing a battery charger and has a handle for transporting the case. The electrical connector is carried by the housing and is adapted to electrically couple with an electrical power source to provide power for the case. The internal electrical outlet is also carried by the housing and is electrically coupled with the electrical connector to allow the battery charger to remain plugged into the internal electrical outlet while the battery charger is stored in the compartment.

1 . A power tool case for storing battery-operated power tools comprising:
 a housing defining at least one compartment for storing a battery charger;   a handle carried by the housing to allow a user to transport the case;   an electrical connector carried by the housing adapted to electrically couple with an electrical power source to provide power for the case; and   an internal electrical outlet carried within the compartment and electrically coupled with the electrical connector;   wherein the location of the internal electrical outlet allows the battery charger to remain plugged into the internal electrical outlet while the battery charger is stored in the compartment.   
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1  further comprising an external electrical outlet carried by the housing and electrically coupled with the electrical connector and wherein the external electrical outlet is available to power an external device when the electrical connector is coupled with the electrical power source. 
   
   
       3 . The case for storing tools of  claim 1  further comprising a visual device for indicating a characteristic state of the battery charger. 
   
   
       4 . The case for storing tools of  claim 1  wherein the electrical connector is a plug mounted on the housing. 
   
   
       5 . The case for storing tools of  claim 1  wherein the connector is an electrical power cord having a plug disposed on a distal end. 
   
   
       6 . The case for storing tools of  claim 5  further including a compartment for storing the electrical power cord. 
   
   
       7 . The case for storing tools of  claim 1  further including a vent for preventing heat from building up within the case. 
   
   
       8 . The case for storing tools of  claim 1  further including a circuit protection device electrically coupled with the electrical connector. 
   
   
       9 . The case for storing tools of  claim 8  wherein the circuit protection device includes a switch for resetting the circuit protection device. 
   
   
       10 . A power tool case for storing battery-operated power tools comprising:
 a housing defining a first compartment for storing a battery charger;   the housing defining a second compartment for storing an electrical power cord;   an electrical connector carried by the housing and adapted to be electrically coupled with an electrical power source;   an internal electrical outlet electrically coupled with the electrical connector; and   wherein the case is enabled to power a battery charger stored inside the case when the battery charger is plugged into the internal electrical outlet and the electrical connector is coupled with an electrical power source.   
   
   
       11 . The case of  claim 10  further comprising an external electrical outlet carried by the housing and electrically coupled with the electrical connector to provide power to outside the case;
 wherein the external electrical outlet is available to power an external device when the electrical connector is coupled with the electrical power source.   
   
   
       12 . The case for storing tools of  claim 10  further comprising a light for indicating a characteristic state of the battery charger. 
   
   
       13 . The case for storing tools of  claim 10  further comprising a translucent portion carried by the housing for providing visibility inside the case to view a charge indicator located on the battery charger. 
   
   
       14 . The case for storing tools of  claim 11  wherein the connector is a plug mounted on the housing. 
   
   
       15 . The case for storing tools of  claim 11  wherein the connector is a plug mounted on an end of an electrical power cord electrically coupled with the internal electrical outlet. 
   
   
       16 . The case for storing tools of  claim 10  wherein the compartment for storing the electrical power cord further includes projections to wrap the electrical power cord around. 
   
   
       17 . The case for storing tools of  claim 10  wherein the compartment for storing the electrical power cord further includes a retracting device to retract the power cord into the compartment. 
   
   
       18 . The case for storing tools of  claim 10  further including a vent for preventing heat from building up within the case. 
   
   
       19 . The case for storing tools of  claim 10  further including a circuit protection device electrically coupled with the electrical connector. 
   
   
       20 . A method of charging a power tool battery comprising the steps of:
 (a) disposing a battery charger having an electrical plug inside a case;   (b) engaging the power tool battery with the battery charger;   (c) plugging the electrical plug into an AC electrical outlet carried within the case and coupled with electrical circuitry inside the case;   (d) closing the case; and   (e) electrically coupling the electrical circuitry with an AC electrical power source, wherein the AC electrical power flows through the electrical outlet and powers the battery charger inside the case to charge the power tool battery without needing to open the case and remove the power tool battery and battery charger.