Tool container system

Abstract

A tool container system includes a first tool container and a second tool container. The first tool container has a first base, a first cover pivotably attached to the first base by a first hinge portion, a first base locking member coupled to the base, a first cover locking member coupled to the first cover, and a first latch coupled to the first base and moveable between a first unlocked position in which the first cover is movable relative to the first base between a closed position and an open position, and a first locked position in which the first latch engages the first cover locking member and the first cover is locked to the first base in the closed position. The second tool container is stackable on the first cover of the first tool container and having a second locking member. When the second tool container is stacked on the first tool container, the second tool container is lockable to the first tool container when the first latch is moved to the first locked position to engage both the first cover locking member and the second locking member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool container system comprising:
 a first tool container including a first base and a first cover pivotably coupled to the first base and movable between an open position and a closed position, at least one of the first base and the first cover having a bottom wall, a peripheral wall coupled to the bottom wall, and first interlocking elements coupled to the peripheral wall;   a tool bit holder insert having a plurality of discrete recesses each configured to releasably retain a single tool bit, the tool bit insert having second interlocking elements configured to engage the first interlocking elements, wherein the tool bit holder insert is receivable in the first tool container and coupleable to the first peripheral wall in multiple positions via engagement of the second interlocking elements with at least some of the first interlocking elements,   a bulk storage container that is smaller than the tool container, the bulk storage container having a second base configured as a receptacle to receive a plurality of tool accessories in bulk, a second cover coupled to the second base and moveable between an open position and a closed position, and third interlocking elements configured to engage the first interlocking elements, wherein the bulk storage container is receivable in the first tool container and coupleable to the first peripheral wall in multiple positions via engagement of the third interlocking elements with at least some of the first interlocking elements.   
     
     
         2 . The tool container system of  claim 1 , wherein the tool bit holder insert and the bulk storage container are receivable in the first tool container simultaneously with the second interlocking elements engaging a first subset of the first interlocking elements and the third interlocking elements engaging a different second subset of the first interlocking elements. 
     
     
         3 . The tool container system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tool container includes a first latch for releasably retaining the first cover and the first base in the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The tool container system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first base and the first cover include a bottom wall, a peripheral wall, and first interlocking elements, such that the tool bit holder insert and the bulk storage container each may be interchangeably received in the first base and the first cover. 
     
     
         5 . The tool container system of  claim 4 , wherein the tool bit holder insert is received in one of the first base and the first cover and the bulk storage container is received in the other of the first base and the first cover. 
     
     
         6 . The tool container system of  claim 4 , wherein the tool bit holder insert and the bulk storage container are both received in one of the first base and the first cover. 
     
     
         7 . The tool container system of  claim 1 , wherein the second cover is pivotably coupled to the second base by a hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The tool container system of  claim 1 , wherein the bulk storage container includes a latch for retaining the second cover in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The tool container system of  claim 8 , wherein the latch is slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position. 
     
     
         10 . The tool container system of  claim 8 , wherein the latch comprises a lip on the second cover that engages a recess on the second base. 
     
     
         11 . The tool container system of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a slot configured to receive a belt clip on a power tool. 
     
     
         12 . The tool container system of  claim 1 , wherein the first interlocking elements comprise alternating dovetail projections and recesses, the second interlocking elements comprise at least one of a dovetail projection and recess, and the third interlocking elements comprise at least one of a dovetail projection and recess. 
     
     
         13 . The tool container system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tool container includes a latch coupled to the base and moveable between an unlocked position in which the cover is movable relative to the first base between the closed position and the open position, and a locked position in which the latch engages a cover locking member and the cover is locked to the base in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The tool container system of  claim 13 , further comprising a second tool container stackable on the cover of the tool container and having a second locking member, wherein when the second tool container is stacked on the tool container, the second tool container is lockable to the tool container when the latch is moved to the first locked position to engage both the cover locking member and the second locking member. 
     
     
         15 . A bulk storage container comprising:
 a base having a receptacle configured to receive a plurality of tool accessories in bulk;   a cover coupled to the base and moveable between an open position and a closed position;   a latch configured to retain the cover in the closed position; and   first interlocking elements coupled to an exterior of at least one of the base and the cover,   wherein the container is configured to be received in a larger tool container with the first interlocking elements engaging second interlocking elements on an interior of the larger tool container to retain the bulk storage container in multiple positions within the larger tool container.   
     
     
         16 . The bulk storage tool container of  claim 15 , wherein the cover is pivotably coupled to the base by a hinge. 
     
     
         17 . The bulk storage tool container of  claim 16 , wherein the latch is slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position. 
     
     
         18 . The bulk storage tool container of  claim 16 , wherein the latch comprises a lip on the cover that engages a recess on the base. 
     
     
         19 . The bulk storage tool container of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a slot configured to receive a belt clip on a power tool. 
     
     
         20 . The tool container system of  claim 1 , wherein the first interlocking elements comprise at least one of dovetail projections and recesses and the second interlocking elements comprise alternating dovetail projections and recesses.