Snap-on Inc.

Nicholas H Weir

Ottoleo Kuter-Arnebeck

Benjamin T Schulz

Rupak Kumar Paul

Ben T Schulz

David A Doerflinger

Thomas L Kassouf

Steven K Hansen

Michael G Gentile

Ethan Hoefler

Robert F Kahl

A storage container, basin, bin, or basket (referred to herein as a storage bin) with wheels. The storage bin includes retaining features or tabs that protrude on one side higher than a plane formed by an upper edge of the storage bin to keep the storage bin located under a tool storage cabinet or toolbox. The retaining features allow the storage bin to be slid under the tool storage cabinet or toolbox with the retaining features disposed between opposing front and back flanges on the bottom of the tool storage cabinet or toolbox. This allows the storage bin to be slid out and back under the tool storage cabinet or toolbox, while the retaining feature restricts the storage bin from being slid completely out from under tool storage cabinet or toolbox.

Storage bin with retaining feature

A storage unit having an interior containment space. The storage unit includes a connection member, an access door coupled to the storage unit via a hinge and adapted to cover at least a portion of the interior containment space, and a biasing member having opposing first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the access door, and the second end is releasably coupled to the connection member. The second end is adapted to be released from the connection member when the access door is overextended or opened with too great a force.

Access door for a storage unit

A vise having a modular construction that allows for ease of manufacture, assembly, and changeover or replacement of wear items, such as gripping surfaces of jaws of the vise. The modular construction also provides for reduced weight of the vise compared to conventional cast type vises. The vise also incorporates quick adjustment features allowing for the vise to be easily rotated, a position and size of an opening of the jaws to be rapidly adjusted, and a clamping force applied with ease.

Modular vise

Printed circuit boards with sensor controlled illumination units and end-to-end connection capabilities. For example, a lighting element, sensor/detector, and computational control element are implemented on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board also includes end-to-end connection terminals that allow multiple printed circuit boards to be operably coupled together in an end-to-end manner. This provides a scalable system that can be modularized to a base unit for installation in various packages, orientations, or environments.

Circuit board with sensor controlled lights and end-to-end connection

An interactive tool storage system may include an enclosure with a storage bin and a sensor system configured to detect the interaction of a person with the storage unit. A data acquisition system may collect data from a sensor in the sensor system. The system may include a power module, electric circuit, and data circuit to operably couple the system components. A network interface may enable the input and output of electrical power and data while a data storage system with a writeable memory may collect and record sensor inputs and system outputs. The system may include a non-transitory machine readable memory to store program instructions and a data processor configured to read/write data to the system memory, manipulate data and perform logical operations, interact with sensor system and networked devices; and present a user interface through which the user may interact with the system.

Interactive tool storage system

An illumination assembly for illuminating drawers of a storage unit, such as a cabinet or toolbox. The illumination assembly is adapted to be coupled to the storage unit by coupling the illumination assembly within a retrofittable or integrated feature of the storage unit to direct or radiate light into a containment space (such as a drawer) of the storage unit when opened. The illumination assembly may also illuminate a facade, sides, underside, or surrounding area of the storage unit.

Growing community of inventors

Hoffman, IL, United States of America

Nicholas H Weir