IP Library Granted Patent US 11,400,580
Granted Patent B2
US 11,400,580 · App. 16/721,973 · Granted Aug 2, 2022

Accessory case with attachment loop

Inventors: Chad Aaron Miley (Camden, OH); Brandon Rowlan Stumpf (Parkville, MD); Eric Jon Van Fossen (Huntersville, NC)
Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC.
B25H3/003B25H3/021
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,400,580
App. No.
16/721,973
Granted
Aug 2, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A case for storing drivable components or tool accessories may include a first half shell configured to retain drivable components or tool accessories, a second half shell, a hinge and an arm member. The hinge may operably couple the first half shell to the second half shell to enable the first and second half shells to pivot about an axis of the hinge to transition the case between an opened state and a closed state. The arm member may extend away from a portion of only one of the first or second half shell to form a case attachment loop. The case attachment loop may be disposed to enable the transition between the opened and closed states while a suspending device is passed through the case attachment loop.

Claims (36)

1. A case for storing drivable components or tool accessories, the case comprising:

a first half shell configured to retain drivable components or tool accessories;

a second half shell;

a hinge operably coupling the first half shell to the second half shell to enable the first and second half shells to pivot about an axis of the hinge to transition the case between an opened state and a closed state; and

an arm member extending away from a portion of only one of the first or second half shell to form a case attachment loop,

wherein the case attachment loop is disposed to enable the transition between the opened and closed states while a suspending device is passed through the case attachment loop,

wherein the case attachment loop is integrally formed into the one of the first or second half shell to be conformal with a transition between the hinge and a sidewall of the case,

wherein the first half shell and the second half shell each include a base portion and sidewalls extending substantially perpendicularly away from the base portion,

wherein a tapered intersection is formed between sidewalls adjacent to the hinge, the tapered intersection being angled toward the hinge, and

wherein the case attachment loop is integrally formed into the one of the first or second half shell to be conformal with the tapered intersection.

2. The case of claim 1 , wherein the case attachment loop is disposed along the axis of the hinge at one longitudinal end of the hinge.

3. The case of claim 2 , wherein a second arm member forms a second case attachment loop along the axis of the hinge at an opposing longitudinal end of the hinge.

4. The case of claim 1 , wherein the arm member extends conformal with the tapered intersection to intersect with a portion of the hinge.

5. The case of claim 4 , wherein the tapered intersection forms about a 45 degree angle relative to each of the sidewalls.

6. The case of claim 5 , wherein the case attachment loop is disposed in a V shaped crevice formed between the tapered intersection of each of the first and second half shells when the case is in the opened state.

7. The case of claim 1 , further comprising one or more locking loops formed at a side of each of the first and second half shells that is opposite the hinge.

8. The case of claim 7 , wherein the locking loops are configured such that a locking device passing through the locking loops prevents a transition between the opened state and the closed state.

9. The case of claim 8 , wherein the locking loops are formed by rib extensions that are integrally formed in each of the first and second half shells.

10. A case for storing components, the case comprising:

a first half shell having a first side on an exterior portion of the first half shell;

a second half shell, at least one of the first half shell and the second half shell being configured to retain components;

a hinge operably coupling the first half shell to the second half shell to enable the first and second half shells to pivot about an axis of the hinge to transition the case between an opened state and a closed state, the hinge being disposed on the first side;

a case attachment loop coupled to or being integral with the first half shell, the case attachment loop being disposed on the first side;

wherein the case attachment loop is disposed at a first end of the first side and further wherein the length of the hinge is less than the length of the first side,

wherein the case attachment loop is integrally formed into the one of the first or second half shell to be conformal with a transition between the hinge and a sidewall of the case,

wherein the first half shell and the second half shell each include a base portion, sidewalls extending substantially perpendicularly away from the base portion, and a tapered intersection between consecutive sidewalls and adjacent to the hinge,

wherein the tapered intersection forms about a 45 degree angle relative to each of the sidewalls and is angled toward the hinge, and

wherein an arm member extends conformal with the tapered intersection and intersects with a portion of the hinge to form the case attachment loop.

11. The case of claim 10 , further comprising a second case attachment loop coupled to or being integral with the first half shell, the second case attachment loop being disposed on a second end of the first side.

12. The case of claim 11 , wherein the length of the hinge is less than 90% of the length of the first side.

13. The case of claim 10 , wherein the one of the first or second half shell is pivotally coupled to a latching mechanism that engages the other of the first or second half shell in the closed state.

14. The case of claim 13 , wherein the case further comprises ribs extending along lateral sides of the latching mechanism and substantially flush with the latching mechanism.

15. The case of claim 14 , wherein the case further comprises rib extensions forming respective locking loops on each opposing side of the latching mechanism.

16. The case of claim 15 , wherein the case further comprises a second set of ribs mirroring the ribs about a longitudinal centerline of the case.

17. The case of claim 14 , wherein the rib extensions are flush with the latching mechanism and the ribs, and

wherein the rib extensions combine with the ribs for form a T shape with the locking loops being formed at a base of the T shape.

Assignments (13)
NEW SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT Recorded Oct 28, 2025
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073377/0567 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NO. 11203070 WHICH WAS INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORD PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 58991 FRAME 556. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Oct 10, 2025
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073078/0327 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NOS. 7444851 AND 11203070 WHICH WERE INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORD PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 67310 FRAME 54. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Oct 10, 2025
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.; APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073078/0477 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVAL OF PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 58991 FRAME: 442. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECOND LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Oct 10, 2025
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073077/0584 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. 16/672703 PAT NO. 11191173 WHICH WAS INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORDS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 58991 FRAME: 442. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Aug 22, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068753/0687 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. 16/672703 PAT NO. 11191173 WHICH WAS INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORDS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 67310 FRAME 54. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Aug 22, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.; APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068791/0141 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. 16/672703 PAT NO. 11191173 WHICH WAS INCORRECTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORDS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 58991 FRAME: 556. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Aug 22, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068769/0309 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE APPLICATION NO. 16/672703 PAT. NO. 11191173 WAS INCORRCTLY INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE RECORDS. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 66631 FRAME: 791. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT. Recorded Jun 25, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 067884/0469 →
SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded May 3, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.; APEX TOOL GROUP, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067310/0054 →
SUPER PRIORITY GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT Recorded Feb 20, 2024
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 066631/0791 →
SECOND LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058991/0442 →
FIRST LIEN GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: APEX BRANDS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058991/0556 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2019
From: MILEY, CHAD AARON; STUMPF, BRANDON ROWLAN; VAN FOSSEN, ERIC JON
To: APEX BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051345/0254 →