Tool tote

Abstract

A tote for carrying items such as tools includes a center panel around which a bucket-type receptacle is located. Outer walls of the receptacle are integral with a bottom, which are integral with center panel walls that are attached to the center panel. The outer walls define an open top. The center panel extends to the open top and terminates in an ergonomic handle. A tool tote defined by a receptacle includes a bottom and an outer wall extending from the bottom. A center panel that extends through the bottom, divides the receptacle into two compartments, and terminates in a handle proximate the open top. A footing on the center portion prevents the panel from being pulled through the receptacle. An open-topped tool tote has an open top, a center panel that divides the tote in a longitudinal direction, and a handle at the upper edge of the center panel.

1 . A device for containing tools, said device comprising:
 a receptacle, comprising,
 a bottom, and 
 at least one outer wall extending from a peripheral edge of said bottom to define an interior volume of said receptacle bounded by said bottom and said at least one outer wall and having an open top; 
   a center panel extending from said bottom and through an interior portion of said receptacle to substantially bisect said interior volume of said receptacle into two compartments; and   a handle located at a top edge of said center panel and extending longitudinally along a length of said receptacle.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one side panel extends from said center panel to divide one or more of the bisections of said interior volume of said receptacle into separate compartments. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one side panel is attached to an inner surface of said at least one outer wall. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a center panel wall disposed on each side of said center panel, wherein each of said center panel walls is integral with said bottom. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein each of said center panel walls is attached to said center panel using rivets. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein each of said center panel walls includes a draft angle of between about 1 degree and about 2 degrees. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle includes a grip centered over said open top. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said grip is defined by an aperture extending through said handle and is ergonomic. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of said outer wall includes a draft angle of between about 1 degree to about 5 degrees. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the surfaces defining said interior volume of said receptacle is rubber. 
   
   
       11 . A tool tote, comprising:
 a receptacle, comprising,
 a bottom having an opening therein, and 
 at least one outer wall extending from a peripheral edge of said bottom to define an interior volume of said receptacle bounded by said bottom and said at least one outer wall and having an open top; 
   a center portion defined by a footing and a panel extending from an edge thereof, said panel being inserted through said opening in said bottom such that said footing is positioned on an outer surface of said bottom and said panel extends through an interior portion of said receptacle to substantially bisect said interior volume of said receptacle into two compartments; and   a handle located at a top edge of said center panel and extending longitudinally along a length of said receptacle.   
   
   
       12 . The tool tote of  claim 11 , wherein at least one ancillary panel extends from said panel to divide at least one of said two compartments. 
   
   
       13 . The tool tote of  claim 11 , further comprising a center panel wall disposed on each side of said panel of said center portion, wherein each of said center panel walls is integral with said bottom. 
   
   
       14 . The tool tote of  claim 11 , wherein said handle includes an ergonomic grip attached thereto. 
   
   
       15 . The tool tote of  claim 14 , wherein said ergonomic grip is defined by an aperture located in said center portion and includes a material disposed at the periphery of said aperture on at least one side of said center portion. 
   
   
       16 . The tool tote of  claim 11 , wherein a surface of said interior volume of said receptacle is a rubber material. 
   
   
       17 . The tool tote of  claim 11 , wherein said center portion is a thermosetting polymer. 
   
   
       18 . An open-topped tool tote, comprising:
 a receptacle having an open top;   a center panel dividing said receptacle in a longitudinal direction;   a handle mounted at an upper edge of said center panel and proximate said open top;   wherein an inner surface of said receptacle includes a rubber material deposited thereon.   
   
   
       19 . The open-topped tool tote of  claim 18 , wherein a bottom surface of said receptacle is substantially rectangular in shape and includes rounded corners. 
   
   
       20 . The open-topped tool tote of  claim 18 , wherein a bottom surface of said receptacle includes texturing on an outside surface thereof to provide a non-skid attribute to said tote. 
   
   
       21 . The open-topped tool tote of  claim 18 , wherein said handle includes an ergonomic grip. 
   
   
       22 . The open-topped tool tote of  claim 18 , wherein an inner surface of said receptacle is rubber. 
   
   
       23 . The open-topped tool tote of  claim 18 , wherein an outer surface of a bottom of said receptacle is rubber. 
   
   
       24 . The open-topped tool tote of  claim 18 , wherein said center panel is inserted through a bottom surface of said receptacle. 
   
   
       25 . The open-topped tool tote of  claim 24 , further comprising walls attached to said center panel, said walls being integral with said inner surface of said receptacle.