Portable storage case

Abstract

Portable storage cases comprising a base and a lid which is automatically movable by a damped, spring-biased lid mechanism. Upon actuation of a release, the lid automatically moves from a closed position to an open position. A display support is pivotally movable with respect to the base and is moved during at least part of the time that the lid is moving from the closed to the open position. The display support is adapted to releasably support at least one item and, if desired, supports a plurality of items. In preferred embodiments, movement of the display support only commences after the lid has moved for some predetermined time, distance or angle.

1 . A portable storage case comprising:
 a base;   a lid comprising a damped, spring-biased lid mechanism, said lid pivotally connected to said base;   a movable display support pivotally connected to said base for removably supporting at least one item on said display support;   a portion of said lid movable from a closed position covering at least a portion of said display support to an open position exposing at least a portion of said display support, by said lid mechanism;   said display support movable from a first position wherein a first portion of said display support is proximate said base to a second position where said first portion is spaced further from said base, upon movement of said lid from said closed position to said open position.   
   
   
       2 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  further comprising a lifting arm connected to said lid and to said display support during at least some of the time that said lid is moving from said closed position to said open position. 
   
   
       3 . A portable storage case according to  claim 2  further comprising an actuator which is engaged by said lid during at least some of the time that said lid is moving from said closed position to said open position. 
   
   
       4 . A portable storage case according to  claim 3  wherein said actuator moves said lifting arm during at least some of the time that said lid is moving from said closed position to said open position, whereby said lifting arm moves said display support to said second position. 
   
   
       5 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said display support starts moving after a portion of said lid has moved a predetermined distance. 
   
   
       6 . A portable storage case according to  claim 3  wherein said display support starts moving after a portion of said lid has rotated a predetermined angle. 
   
   
       7 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has moved for at least about 0.5 seconds. 
   
   
       8 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has moved for at least about 0.8 seconds. 
   
   
       9 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has moved for at least about 1 second. 
   
   
       10 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has rotated at least about 20°. 
   
   
       11 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has rotated at least about 30°. 
   
   
       12 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has rotated at least about 45°. 
   
   
       13 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has rotated at least about 60°. 
   
   
       14 . A portable storage case according to  claim 2  wherein said display support only starts moving after a portion of said lid has moved a predetermined distance. 
   
   
       15 . A portable storage case according to  claim 2  wherein said lifting arm only moves said display support after a portion of said lid has rotated a predetermined angle. 
   
   
       16 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  further comprising a latch for releasably securing said lid in said closed position. 
   
   
       17 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said base generally comprises a forward portion and a rearward portion, and said lid is pivotally connected to said base at a position rearwardly of where said display support is pivotally connected to said base. 
   
   
       18 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said lid is generally horizontal when in said closed position. 
   
   
       19 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said base comprises a bottom surface and said lid is generally perpendicular to a bottom surface of said base when in said open position. 
   
   
       20 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein said display support is in a raised, inclined position relative to a bottom surface of said base when in said second position. 
   
   
       21 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  wherein the movement of said display support is not initiated until after some movement of said lid has occurred. 
   
   
       22 . A portable storage case according to  claim 15  wherein during movement of said lid, said lid is moved sufficiently to allow visual access to said display support prior to the initiation of movement of said display support. 
   
   
       23 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one item removably supported by said display support. 
   
   
       24 . A portable storage case according to  claim 23  comprising a plurality of items. 
   
   
       25 . A portable storage case according to  claim 23  wherein said at least one item comprises at least one screwdriver. 
   
   
       26 . A portable storage case according to  claim 23  wherein said at least one item comprises a plurality of screwdrivers. 
   
   
       27 . A portable storage case according to  claim 23  wherein said at least one item comprises at least one cutting implement. 
   
   
       28 . A portable storage case according to  claim 23  wherein said at least one item comprises a plurality of cutting implements. 
   
   
       29 . A portable storage case according to  claim 23  wherein said at least one item comprises at least one writing implement. 
   
   
       30 . A portable storage case according to  claim 23  wherein said at least one item comprises a plurality of writing implements. 
   
   
       31 . A portable storage case according to  claim 23  wherein said at least one item comprises at least one piece of jewelry. 
   
   
       32 . A portable storage case according to  claim 23  wherein said at least one item comprises a plurality of jewelry items. 
   
   
       33 . A portable storage case according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of implements supported by said display support. 
   
   
       34 . A portable storage case comprising:
 a base;   a lid pivotally movable with respect to said base;   a damped, spring-biased lid mechanism,   a movable display support pivotally movable with respect to said base, for removably supporting at least one item;   said lid mechanism effecting movement of at least a portion of said lid from a closed position covering at least a portion of said display support to an open position exposing at least a portion of said display support;   said display support movable from a first position to a second position, upon movement of said lid from said closed position to said open position.   
   
   
       35 . A portable storage case comprising;
 a base;   a lid pivotally movable with respect to said base;   a damped, spring-biased lid mechanism,   a movable display support pivotally movable with respect to said base for removably supporting at least one item;   said lid mechanism effecting the movement of at least a portion of said lid from a closed position to an open position,   said display support movable from a first position to a second position, said display support commencing movement after some movement of said lid has occurred.   
   
   
       36 . A portable storage case according to  claim 35  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has moved for at least about 0.5 seconds. 
   
   
       37 . A portable storage case according to  claim 35  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has moved for at least about 0.8 seconds. 
   
   
       38 . A portable storage case according to  claim 35  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has moved for at least about 1 second. 
   
   
       39 . A portable storage case according to  claim 35  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has rotated at least about 20°. 
   
   
       40 . A portable storage case according to  claim 35  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has rotated at least about 30°. 
   
   
       41 . A portable storage case according to  claim 35  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has rotated at least about 45°. 
   
   
       42 . A portable storage case according to  claim 35  wherein said display support commences movement only after said lid has rotated at least about 60°.