IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,270,537
Granted Patent B2
US 12,270,537 · App. 18/613,561 · Granted Apr 8, 2025

Storage unit with light-emitting components

Inventors: Lea M. Plato (Shorewood, WI); Zachary J. Self (Nashotah, WI); Michael A. Matthews (Milwaukee, WI); San Sang Chan (Kowloon, HK); Matthew Asher (Kowloon, HK)
Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
F21V33/0084F21L2/00F21L4/04F21S6/006H02J7/0045F21Y2115/10H04B1/3888
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,270,537
App. No.
18/613,561
Granted
Apr 8, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device or unit with a lighting component is provided. The device includes coupling components that couple the device to stackable storage unit containers. In one embodiment, the device includes a battery interface to couple to a battery for power tools. In one embodiment, the device includes three lights that are pivotally coupled to the housing between a retracted position in which the lights are disposed against sidewalls of the housing, and an open position in which the lights are pivoted above the top panel of the housing.

Claims (32)

1. A stackable lighting unit configured to couple to a stackable storage unit, the stackable lighting unit comprising:

a housing;

a lid pivotally coupled to the housing, the lid defining a top surface comprising a recess;

a first light pivotally coupled to the housing, the first light actuating between a retracted position in which the first light is at least partially within the recess and a deployed position in which the first light is extended from the housing; and

a plurality of coupling components that detachably couple the stackable lighting unit to the stackable storage unit, the plurality of coupling components extending from the top surface.

2. The stackable lighting unit of claim 1 , the stackable lighting unit comprising a telescoping support, wherein the first light is coupled to the telescoping support and the telescoping support is pivotally coupled to the housing.

3. The stackable lighting unit of claim 1 , the first light comprising a main panel and auxiliary panels, wherein the auxiliary panels are foldable relative to the main panel.

4. The stackable lighting unit of claim 1 , each of the plurality of coupling components comprising a second recess and two ledges that overhang the recess.

5. The stackable lighting unit of claim 1 , further comprising a storage compartment defined within the housing.

6. A stackable lighting unit configured to couple to a stackable storage unit, the stackable lighting unit comprising:

a housing;

a top panel pivotally coupled to the housing, the top panel defining a top surface, the top panel actuating between an open position and a closed position with respect to the housing, the housing and the top panel collectively defining a storage compartment when the top panel is in the closed position;

a first light coupled to the housing, the first light configured to be positioned within the storage compartment when the top panel is in the closed position with respect to the housing; and

a plurality of coupling components that detachably couple the stackable lighting unit to the stackable storage unit, the plurality of coupling components extending from the top surface.

7. The stackable lighting unit of claim 6 , each of the plurality of coupling components comprising a recess and two ledges that overhang the recess.

8. The stackable lighting unit of claim 6 , the first light comprising a plurality of light-emitting panels.

9. The stackable lighting unit of claim 8 , wherein at least two of the plurality of light-emitting panels are foldable relative to each other.

10. The stackable lighting unit of claim 6 , further comprising a second plurality of coupling components extending from a bottom surface of the housing, the second plurality of coupling components configured to couple the stackable lighting unit to an upper surface of the stackable storage unit.

11. A stackable lighting unit configured to couple to a stackable storage unit, the stackable lighting unit comprising:

a housing;

a top panel pivotally coupled to the housing, the top panel defining a top surface, the top panel actuating between an open position and a closed position with respect to the housing, the housing and the top panel collectively defining a storage compartment when the top panel is in the closed position;

a first light, the first light positioned within an elongate body, the elongate body moveably coupled to the housing; and

a plurality of coupling components that detachably couple the stackable lighting unit to the stackable storage unit, the plurality of coupling components extending from the top surface.

12. The stackable lighting unit of claim 11 , further comprising a support extending from the housing, wherein the first light is pivotable about the support.

13. The stackable lighting unit of claim 11 , further comprising a support extending from the housing, wherein the first light is pivotable about a first axis of the support.

14. The stackable lighting unit of claim 13 , wherein the first light is moveable about a second axis, wherein the second axis is different than the first axis.

15. The stackable lighting unit of claim 11 , further comprising a battery pack configured to be coupled to the housing.

16. The stackable lighting unit of claim 15 , wherein the elongate body is pivotably coupled to the battery pack.

17. The stackable lighting unit of claim 16 , wherein the first light is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the elongate body.

18. The stackable lighting unit of claim 15 , wherein the battery pack is configured to be positioned in a first slot of the housing, and wherein the first light is configured to be positioned in a second slot of the housing adjacent to the first slot.

19. The stackable lighting unit of claim 11 , wherein the elongate body is hingedly coupled to the housing.

20. The stackable lighting unit of claim 11 , wherein the elongate body is formed from frosted glass.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2024
From: PLATO, LEA M.; SELF, ZACHARY J.; MATTHEWS, MICHAEL A.; CHAN, SAN SANG; ASHER, MATTHEW
To: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067996/0074 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 18305939 · Apr 24, 2023
Continuation 17687129 · Mar 4, 2022
Continuation 17180328 · Feb 19, 2021
Continuation 16809287 · Mar 4, 2020
Continuation PCTUS2020020970 · Mar 4, 2020
Provisional Application 62814685 · Mar 6, 2019
Provisional Application 62815749 · Mar 8, 2019
Related Publication 20240230080A1 · Jul 11, 2024
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Cited By (1)
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