IP Library Granted Patent US 11,986,945
Granted Patent B2
US 11,986,945 · App. 17/722,621 · Granted May 21, 2024

Work site lid hanger storage system

Inventors: Richard A. Samsel (Haines City, FL); Matthew Poppe (Holly Springs, NC); Andrew Speciale (Raleigh, NC)
Assignee: Apex Brands, Inc.
B25H3/023B25H3/00B25H3/022B25H3/028
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,986,945
App. No.
17/722,621
Granted
May 21, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A tool chest may include a base portion, two opposing sidewalls and a foldable lid. The sidewalls extend to define a tool repository therebetween. The lid has a closed position covering a top of the tool chest and at least a part of a front of the tool chest, and an open position in which both the top of the tool chest and the part of the front of the tool chest are open to provide access to the tool repository. The lid comprises a top section, an overhang portion and a front section. The top section extends perpendicular to the top section. The front section extends substantially parallel to the overhang portion in the closed position and substantially perpendicular to the overhang portion in the open position. A hanger space is formed between the front portion and the top portion when the lid is in the open position.

Claims (19)

1. A tool chest comprising:

a base portion;

two opposing sidewalls extending substantially parallel to each other on opposite sides of the base portion to define a tool repository between the sidewalls; and

a foldable lid that has a closed position covering a top of the tool chest and at least a part of a front of the tool chest, and an open position in which both the top of the tool chest and the part of the front of the tool chest are open to provide access to the tool repository,

wherein the lid comprises a top section, an overhang portion and a front section,

wherein the top section is rigidly attached to the overhang portion such that the overhang portion extends perpendicular to the top section,

wherein the front section is hingedly attached to the overhang portion such that the front section extends substantially parallel to the overhang portion in the closed position and substantially perpendicular to the overhang portion in the open position,

wherein a hanger space is formed between the front section and the top section when the lid is in the open position,

wherein the top section includes a hanger support bolster, and

wherein the hanger support bolster is disposed adjacent to an intersection of the overhang portion and the top section, proximate to each of the sidewalls when the lid is in the closed position, and approximately a length of the top section away from the sidewalls when the lid is in the open position.

2. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein a length of the overhang portion measured between the top section and the front section is greater than approximately 25% of a length of the front section such that the hanger space is at least 25% as long as the front section when the lid is in the open position.

3. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein one or more gas shocks extend between the top section of the lid and a corresponding one or more of the sidewalls.

4. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein the top section includes one or more hooks.

5. The tool chest of claim 4 , wherein the one or more hooks are configured to retain a hanging item thereon in the hanger space when the lid is in the open position and between the sidewalls when the lid is in the closed position.

6. The tool chest of claim 4 , wherein the one or more hooks are fixedly operably coupled to the hanger support bolster.

7. The tool chest of claim 1 , wherein a net is operably coupled to the top section to retain an object proximate to the top section in the hanger space.

8. The tool chest of claim 7 , wherein the net retains the object in the hanger space when the lid is in the open position and between the sidewalls when the lid is in the closed position.

9. The tool chest of claim 7 , wherein the net is spaced apart from the hanger support bolster.

10. The tool chest of claim 7 , wherein the net is disposed to cover a bottom half of the top section when the lid is in the open position.

Assignments (7)
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 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 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 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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2022
From: SAMSEL, RICHARD A.; POPPE, MATTHEW; SPECIALE, ANDREW
To: APEX BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060536/0585 →