Tool chest lifting solution
View Patent ↗A tool chest may include a base portion and two opposing sidewalls. The sidewalls may extend substantially perpendicularly upward from the base portion to define a tool repository between the sidewalls. Each of the sidewalls may include a lift-handle assembly that includes a first handle and a second handle. Each of the sidewalls may include at least one recessed portion configured to receive at least one of the first handle or the second handle. The first and second handles may be rotatable between a rest position and a transport position such that the at least one of the first handle or the second handle extends through a plane defined by one of the sidewalls when in the transport position and does not extend through the plane when in the rest position.
1. A tool chest comprising:
a base portion; and
two opposing sidewalls extending substantially perpendicularly upward from the base portion to define a tool repository between the sidewalls,
wherein each of the sidewalls comprises a lift-handle assembly, each lift-handle assembly comprising a first handle and a second handle,
wherein each of the sidewalls includes at least one recessed portion configured to receive at least one of the first handle or the second handle,
wherein the first and second handles are rotatable between a rest position and a transport position such that the at least one of the first handle or the second handle extends through a plane defined by one of the sidewalls when in the transport position and does not extend through the plane when in the rest position,
wherein the first and second handles each comprise:
an engagement portion;
pivot plates disposed on opposite ends of the engagement portion, the engagement portion being provided at a distal end of the pivot plates, each of the pivot plates including a stopping member disposed at a proximal end of the pivot plates, the stopping member protruding away from a back wall of the at least one recessed portion when the first and second handles are in the rest position and engaging the back wall when the first and second handles are in the transport position; and
an axis about which the pivot plates rotate, the pivot plates being pivotally coupled to the axis at the proximal end of the pivot plates.
2. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein the at least one recessed portion comprises a first pocket corresponding to the first handle and a second pocket, spaced apart from the first pocket, the second pocket corresponding to the second handle.
3. The tool chest of claim 2 , wherein the first and second pockets are each defined at least in part by the back wall that lies in second plane parallel to the plane defined by the one of the sidewalls, the first and second handles each being centered on the back wall of respective ones of the first pocket and the second pocket.
4. The tool chest of claim 3 , wherein the first and second pockets are further defined by pocket sidewalls that each form an angle relative to the back wall and the sidewalls of the tool chest.
5. The tool chest of claim 2 , wherein a depth of each of the first and second pockets is greater than a width of the first and second handles.
6. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein the at least one recessed portion comprises a single pocket inside which both the first handle the second handle are provided.
7. The tool chest of claim 6 , wherein the single pocket is defined at least in part by the back wall that lies in second plane parallel to the plane defined by the one of the sidewalls, the first and second handles each being rotatably coupled to the back wall.
8. The tool chest of claim 7 , wherein the single pocket is further defined by pocket sidewalls that each form an angle relative to the back wall and the one of the sidewalls of the tool chest.
9. The tool chest of claim 6 , wherein a depth of the single pocket is greater than a width of the first and second handles.
10. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein the tool chest is defined at least in part by frame members disposed inside the sidewalls to support the sidewalls.
11. The tool chest of claim 10 , wherein the at least one recessed portion is defined proximate to a top of the tool chest and proximate to front and rear edges of the sidewalls.
12. The tool chest of claim 11 , wherein the at least one recessed portion is spaced apart from the top of the tool chest and the front and rear edges of the sidewalls by a width of corresponding ones of the frame members.
13. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein the first and second handles are disposed proximate to a top of the tool chest and proximate to front and rear edges of the sidewalls.
14. The tool chest of claim 13 , wherein the first and second handles are spaced apart from both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane passing through a longitudinal centerline of the tool chest by distances greater than a distance separating the first and second handles from the front and rear edges and from the top edges of the tool chest, respectively.
15. The tool chest of claim 13 , wherein the first and second handles are disposed vertically at a position on the sidewalls at between 5% and 25% of a height of the tool chest relative to a top of the tool chest, and
wherein the first and second handles are disposed horizontally at a position on the sidewalls at between 5% and 40% of a width of the tool chest from respective front and rear edges of the tool chest.
16. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion is located within the at least one recessed portion in the rest position, and extends outside the at least one recessed portion in the transport position.
17. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein the stopping member prevents movement of the first and second handles beyond about ninety degrees from the rest position when the first and second handles are moved to the transport position.
18. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein the first and second handles are extendable in the transport position to engage a lifting apparatus at lifting points farther apart from each other than a longitudinal length of the tool chest.