Tool box

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a storage container, and specifically to a tool box having increased impact and wear resistance. A tool box is provided having a lid hingedly affixed to a body having a bottom, front wall and a rear wall. A pair of end caps operably associated with the body recess the bottom of the body from the resting surface. In the preferred embodiment, the body is a unitary member and is constructed from a rigid metal such as steel, and the end caps are manufactured from an impact resistant material such as a thermoplastic. The body, the lid and end caps define an interior region. A compartmentalized tray is support within the interior region by a first resting surface and a second resting surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tool box capable of resting on a resting surface, comprising: 
 a lid pivotally attached to a body having a bottom; and    at least one end cap operably associated with said body and having an end cap bottom surface;    wherein said body, said lid and said at least one end cap define an interior region; and    wherein said at least one end cap is manufactured from a substantially impact resistant material.    
     
     
         2 . The tool box of  claim 1 , wherein said body is a unitary member.  
     
     
         3 . The tool box of  claim 2 , wherein said body is formed from a single sheet of metal.  
     
     
         4 . The tool box of  claim 1 , wherein said body and said at least one end cap operably associated so as to recess said bottom of said body from the resting surface when said end cap bottom surface is placed thereon.  
     
     
         5 . The tool box of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one end cap is manufactured from a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         6 . The tool box of  claim 1 , wherein said lid is manufactured from a substantially impact resistant material.  
     
     
         7 . The tool box of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one end cap is manufactured from a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         8 . The tool box of  claim 1 , further comprising a tray supported within said interior portion.  
     
     
         9 . The tool box of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one end cap includes a recessed region on its exterior for facilitating lifting, and for providing on its interior a first support surface for said tray.  
     
     
         10 . The tool box of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one end cap includes a second support surface for said tray.  
     
     
         11 . The tool box of  claim 1 , wherein said tool box comprises two end caps.  
     
     
         12 . The tool box of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge interposed between said lid and said body for pivotally attaching said lid to said body; 
 wherein said hinge is welded to said body.    
     
     
         13 . The tool box of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge interposed between said lid and said body for pivotally attaching said lid to said body; 
 wherein said hinge is riveted to said body.    
     
     
         14 . The tool box of  claim 1 , wherein said body includes flanged ends having at least one locating tab aperture, and said at least one end cap includes a corresponding locating tab for facilitating mating of said at least one end cap with said body.  
     
     
         15 . A tool box, comprising: 
 a lid pivotally attached to a body having a bottom;    at least one end cap operably associated with said body and having an end cap bottom surface and a locating tab for facilitating mating of said at least one end cap with said body;    said body having at least one flanged end having a locating tab aperture corresponding to said locating tab;    said body, said lid and said at least one end cap defining an interior region;    said body and said at least one end cap operably associated so as to recess said bottom of said body from a resting surface when said end cap bottom surface is placed thereon.    
     
     
         16 . The tool box of  claim 15 , wherein said body is a unitary member.  
     
     
         17 . The tool box of  claim 16 , wherein said body is formed from a single sheet of metal.  
     
     
         18 . The tool box of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one end cap is manufactured from a substantially impact resistant material.  
     
     
         19 . The tool box of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one end cap is manufactured from a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         20 . The tool box of  claim 19 , further comprising a tray supported within said interior portion.  
     
     
         21 . The tool box of  claim 20 , wherein said at least one end cap includes a recessed region for facilitating lifting and for providing a first support surface for said tray.  
     
     
         22 . The tool box of  claim 21 , wherein said at least one end cap includes a second support surface for said tray.  
     
     
         23 . The tool box of  claim 15 , wherein said tool box comprises two end caps.  
     
     
         24 . A method for assembling a tool box, comprising: 
 providing a body having a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom and an end having a locating tab aperture;    providing an end cap having a locating tab corresponding to said locating tab aperture for facilitating assembly;    inserting said locating tab into said locating tab aperture;    fixedly securing said end cap to said body; and    pivotally attaching a lid to said body.    
     
     
         25 . A tool box capable of resting on a surface, comprising: 
 unitary body means;    impact resistant end cap means operatively attached to the body means;    lid means pivotally attached by hinge means to said body means; and, said body means, and the end cap means cooperating to recess said body means from the surface when placed thereon.    
     
     
         26 . The tool box of  claim 25 , wherein said body means is formed from a single sheet of metal.  
     
     
         27 . The tool box of  claim 25 , wherein said end cap means is manufactured from a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         28 . The tool box of  claim 25 , further comprising a tray supported within an interior portion defined by said body means, end cap means and lid means.  
     
     
         29 . The tool box of  claim 28 , wherein said end cap means includes a recessed region on its exterior for facilitating lifting and for providing on its interior, a first support surface for said tray.  
     
     
         30 . The tool box of  claim 29 , wherein said end cap means includes a second support surface for said tray.  
     
     
         31 . The tool box of  claim 30 , wherein said body means includes flanged ends having at least one locating tab aperture, and said end cap means includes a corresponding locating tab for facilitating mating of said end cap means with said body means.  
     
     
         32 . A method for manufacturing a tool box, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a metal body having a front wall and a rear wall;    attaching a hinge to said rear wall of said metal body;    attaching a locking tab to said front wall of said metal body;    attaching at least one end cap to said metal body;    attaching a lid to said hinge; and    attaching at least one latch to said metal body.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said hinge is attached to said rear wall of said metal body by welding said hinge thereto.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said hinge is attached to said real wall of said metal body by riveting said hinge to said metal body.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said hinge is attached to said rear wall of said metal body by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of welding, nut and bolt combinations, screws, piano hinges, and rivets.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said locking tab is attached to said metal body by welding said locking tab thereto.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said locking tab is attached to said metal body by riveting said locking tab thereto.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said locking tab is attached to metal body by an attachment means selected from the group consisting of welding, nut and bolt combinations, screws, and rivets.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the step of painting said metal body, said locking tab and said hinge, in combination.