3509-1-001N
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`TOOL BOX USEFUL FOR PAINTERS
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`Related Application
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`[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 ofU.S. Provisional
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`Application No. 62/368,349, filed July 29, 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated
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`by reference in its entirety.
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`Field of the Invention
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`[0002] This invention relates to an improved tool box having an apparatus or assembly
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`affixed thereto or contained therein useful for holding and transporting paint brushes, paint
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`rollers and other tools useful for painters.
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`Background of the Invention
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`[0003] King, US. Patent 4,746,042 describes a portable paint brush holder (or holster). The
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`paint brush holder has means (such as a clip, loops, a stud and loop and the like) for attaching
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`the brush holder to a belt of the painter and is a substantially rectangular container having a
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`top opening to hold the paint brush in a upright position with the handle of the brush pointing
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`up. The portable paint brush holder holds the wet paint brush securely, prevents paint drips
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`and prevents drying of the paint on the brush. The portable paint brush holder also includes a
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`kit comprising the portable paint brush holder which is detachably engaged to the belt of the
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`painter and a clip for permanent attaching to the flat portion of the paint brush at the bristle-
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`handle interface. The clip on the brush aids in securing the paint brush within the paint brush
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`holder reservoir.
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`[0004] Robinson, US. Patent 5,489,051 describes a gravity responsive apparatus for carrying
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`paint and painters' tools suspended on the hip of a painter that features a hip—supported, belt—
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`attached base member which is flexibly attached by means of a separable ball and socket
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`joint to a freely swinging sealable paint container and fitted tool carrier. The device allows a
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`painter to more easily and safely climb ladders and scaffolds without spilling paint. A painter
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`may open and fold back the hinged cover to access the paint and usefiil tools. Multiple tools
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`may be carried in the integral tool rack which is a part of the apparatus. The freely swinging
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`construction allows the painter to assume various positions without spilling paint or dropping
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`tools. The device is made ofa smooth, seamless material, is readily cleanable and requires
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`little care or maintenance.
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`[0005] Darling, US. Patent 5,695,104 describes a painter's accessory holder for holding
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`painting tools such as a caulking gun, sandpaper, glazing compound and a bladed tool on a
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`base member that is attachable to a belt worn by the painter. The accessory holder includes a
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`caulking gun bracket attached to the base member configured to accept a caulking gun, the
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`caulking gun finger guard engaging a portion of the bracket to securely hold the caulking gun
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`in place, while at the same time rendering it easily removable. A sandpaper bracket is
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`attached to the base member to clamp sandpaper between the bracket and the base so as to be
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`securely but removably held and readily accessible to the painter. The device also may
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`include a pouch attached to the base member to hold a glazing compound and a bladed tool
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`bracket to hold bladed tools, such as putty knives, etc. The bladed tool bracket may be
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`formed by a generally "U" shaped metal bracket which allows the handle of the bladed tool to
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`pass through, but engages the blade portion so as to securely, but removably hold the bladed
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`tool. The bladed tool bracket may also be formed by a strip of material which also allows the
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`handle to pass through, but engages the blade portion.
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`[0006] It would be useful and desirable to provide a tool box useful for painters for
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`transporting multiple tools and paints useful for painting, and for transporting paint brushes,
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`rollers, and other applicators whether dry or wet. All publications, patent applications,
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`patents and other reference material mentioned are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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`In addition, the materials, methods and examples are only illustrative and are not intended to
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`be limiting. The citation of references herein is not to be construed as an admission that the
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`references are prior art to the present invention.
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`Summary of the Invention
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`[0007] The invention provides a tool box useful for painters comprising at least one first
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`receiving space or compartment, at least one second receiving space or compartment, a
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`handle or means for carrying or transporting the tool box, and a means for receiving or
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`holding in a substantially vertical position, a paint brush or paint roller or tool useful for a
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`painter. The tool box may be formed of any suitable material or combination or materials
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`such as wood, fiber board, pressboard, rubber, plastic, metal or cardboard. The tool box may
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`be designed for extended life or it may be formed of one or more materials adapted to be
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`disposed of after one or a few or several uses. The tool box may be of any suitable shape
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`such as substantially rectangular, square, oblong, elliptical, round, etc. Similarly, it may be
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`of any suitable size such as, for instance, about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or more feet long, about 1, 2, 3,
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`4, or 5 or more feet wide, and about 6", 12", 18", 24", 30", or 36" or more, tall.
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`[0008] The first receiving space or compartment may as desired occupy, for instance, a half
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`or two thirds or even three fourths or more of the area or of the cubic volume of the tool box,
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`and it may be substantially enclosed on three or four sides, for instance, leaving a top surface
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`open. In particular, the first receiving space or compartment comprises a floor and three or
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`four vertical walls, which walls are contiguous and connected along adjacent vertical edges.
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`The first receiving space may optionally be covered on all sides, so that for instance, the top
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`surface may be covered by a solid or semi-solid flap or lid, not shown, that may be movable
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`or may be removable with respect to the remainder of the tool box. The flap or lid may be
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`optionally fastened or locked to the remainder of the tool box with any suitable fastener or
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`locking mechanism.
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`[0009] The second receiving space or compartment may as desired occupy, for instance, a
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`fourth, a third, or a half or more of the area or of the cubic volume of the tool box, and it may
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`be substantially enclosed on three or four sides, for instance, leaving a top surface open. The
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`second receiving space may optionally be covered on all sides, for instance, the top surface
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`covered by a rigid or flexible flap or lid, not shown, that may be movable or may be
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`removable with respect to the remainder of the tool box. The flap or lid may be optionally
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`fastened or locked to the remainder of the tool box with any suitable fastener or locking
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`mechanism.
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`[0010] In an alternate, particular embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 5 and
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`discussed later on herein, the tool box may comprise plural second receiving spaces or
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`compartments 2.
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`In turn, the second receiving spaces or compartments 2 may located
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`laterally flanking and on opposite sides of the first receiving space or compartment 1.
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`[0011] The handle or means for carrying or transporting the tool box 3 may extend across the
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`top of the first receiving space or compartment, across the top of the second receiving space
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`or compartment, or across the top of both the first and the second receiving spaces or
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`compartments. The handle or means for carrying or transporting the tool box may be formed
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`3
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`of any suitable material or combination or materials such as wood, fiber board, pressboard,
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`rubber, plastic, metal or cardboard. The handle or means for carrying or transporting the tool
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`box may be of any suitable shape such as substantially rectangular, oblong, etc. and may form
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`a substantial bar. Similarly, it may be of any suitable size such as, for instance, about 0.5",
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`1", 2", 3", 4", or 5" or more in diameter and about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or more feet long.
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`[0012] The means for receiving or holding in a substantially vertical position a paint brush or
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`paint roller or tool useful for a painter, referred to hereinafter and alternately, as the receiving
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`or holding means, may extend across the top of the first receiving space or compartment,
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`across the top of the second receiving space or compartment, or across the top ofboth the
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`first and the second receiving spaces or compartments. The receiving or holding means may
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`comprise at least one rod, bar or like support 13, that is mounted and suspended in a
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`horizontal position, by and between opposed vertical walls of the second receiving space or
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`compartment. As illustrated for example in Figure 1, plural receiving or holding means are
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`provided and mounted.
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`[0013] The receiving or holding means 4 may be formed of any suitable material or
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`combination or materials such as wood, fiber board, pressboard, rubber, plastic, metal or
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`cardboard. The receiving or holding means may be of any suitable shape such as
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`substantially rectangular, oblong, etc. and may form a substantial bar. Similarly, it may be of
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`any suitable size such as, for instance, about 0.1", 0.25", 0.5", 0.75", or 1" or more in
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`diameter and about 6", 12", 18", 24", 30", or 36" or more long.
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`[0014] The receiving or holding means 4 is preferably removable and suitable for positioning
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`through a hole or aperture that may be found in the handle of a paint brush or paint roller or
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`tool useful for a painter. The receiving or holding means 4 may be positioned through a hole
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`or aperture 5 in the wall of the first or the second receiving space or compartment. There
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`may be a stopping means 6 provided on one side ofthe receiving or holding means to prevent
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`movement through the first or the second receiving space or compartment so that the
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`receiving or holding means remains substantially stationary once in place. The stopping
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`means may be, for instance, a washer or bolt attached thereto, or a knob as illustrated in
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`Figures 6-8.
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`[0015] In an alternate embodiment shown in Figure 9, the receiving or holding means 4 may
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`comprise a rod 13 that defines an enlarged diameter end 14 that releasably engages and is
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`captured by a corresponding clasp or catch 15 that is located in an indent 16 within the
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`second or end guard 12 that is in turn, fastened or otherwise engages the adjacent wall of the
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`second receiving space or compartment 2 that is distal to first receiving space or compartment
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`1, so that the enlarged diameter end and the clasp or catch, in combination with the knob at
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`the opposite end of the rod, comprise the stopping means 6. Further detail as to the structure
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`and operation of the rod, its enlarged end, the catch or clasp and the second or end guard
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`means is presented hereinbelow with reference to Figure 9.
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`[0016] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a tool box
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`that is suitable for painters, and that enables the convenient transport of a plurality of painters'
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`supplies and tools, including paint brushes, whether they are wet or dry.
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`[0017] It is a filrther object of the present invention to provide a tool box that can be adjusted
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`in its size of compartments to accommodate different quantities of supplies and tools.
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`[0018] Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a
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`review of the ensuing description which proceeds with reference to the following illustrative
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`drawings.
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`Brief Description of the Drawings
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`[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view depicting the length dimension and a portion of the
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`interior of the tool box of the invention including the first receiving space or compartment 1,
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`the second receiving space or compartment 2, a handle or means for carrying or transporting
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`the tool box 3, and receiving or holding means 4 as described herein. The receiving or
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`holding means 4 as shown is positioned through a hole or aperture 5 in the wall that as
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`illustrated, is located between and thus defines both the first receiving space or compartment
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`1 and the second receiving space or compartment 2. A stopping means 6 is provided on one
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`side of the receiving or holding means 4, and a guard means 7 is provided around the hole
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`or aperture 5.
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`[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view like Figure 1, taken from the right end of the tool box
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`shown in Figure 1, that illustrates the first receiving space or compartment 1, the second
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`receiving space or compartment 2, the wall defining and dividing compartments 1 and 2, a
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`handle or means for carrying or transporting the tool box 3, and plural receiving or holding
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`means 4 as described herein. The receiving or holding means 4 are positioned through holes
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`or apertures 5 in the wall, and guard means 7 are provided around each hole or aperture 5.
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`[0021] Figure 3 is a top view depicting a tool box usefiil for painters featuring a first
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`receiving space or compartment 1, a second receiving space or compartment 2, a handle or
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`means for carrying or transporting the tool box 3, and receiving or holding means 4
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`as described herein. The receiving or holding means 4 is positioned through a hole or
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`aperture 5 in the wall of the first receiving space or compartment 1 or the second receiving
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`space or compartment 2. A stopping means 6 is provided on one side of the receiving or
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`holding means 4. A guard means 7 is provided around the hole or aperture 5.
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`[0022] Figure 4 is a top perspective view depicting a tool box useful for painters featuring a
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`first receiving space or compartment 1, a second receiving space or compartment 2, a handle
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`or means for carrying or transporting the tool box 3, and a receiving or holding means 4 as
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`described herein. The receiving or holding means 4 is positioned through a hole or aperture 5
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`in the wall of the first or the second receiving space or compartment 2. A stopping means 6
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`is provided on one side of the receiving or holding means 4. A guard means 7 is provided
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`around the hole or aperture 5.
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`[0023] Figure 5 is perspective view similar to Figure 1 showing the top, a broad side and an
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`end view of a tool box in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.
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`In this
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`embodiment plural second receiving spaces or compartments 2 are present and are located
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`laterally adjacent opposite sides of the first space or compartment 1. The handle or means for
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`carrying or transporting the tool box 3 extends across first receiving space or compartment 1
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`and is fastened to the opposed walls that divide compartment 1 from adjacent compartments
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`2.
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`[0024] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a tool box similar to that shown in Figure 1 depicting
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`release or holding means 4 in accordance with an alternate embodiment.
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`[0025] Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views depicting the release or holding means 4 of
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`Figure 6 in greater detail.
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`[0026] Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of the release or holding means 4 showing the rod 13
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`and the enlarged distal end 14, the catch or clasp 15 and the indent 16 within the second
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`support means 12 that houses and secures the catch or clasp in place in the assembled tool
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`box.
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`Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
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`[0027] In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and advantages are
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`readily attained.
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`[0028] Referring to the figures wherein like numerals denote like parts, and particularly to
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`Figure l, a tool box useful for painters is shown that comprises a first receiving space or
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`compartment 1, a second receiving space or compartment 2, a handle or means for carrying
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`or transporting the tool box 3, and a receiving or holding means 4. Two receiving or holding
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`means 4 are depicted, and are positioned through individual, spaced apart holes or apertures 5
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`in the wall of the first receiving space or compartment 1 or the second receiving space or
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`compartment 2. A stopping means 6 is provided on one side of the receiving or holding
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`means 4. The stopping means 6 may be a bolt or washer affixed to the receiving or holding
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`means 4. Advantageously, a guard means 7 may be provided to secure or preserve the hole
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`or aperture 5 in the wall ofthe first receiving space or compartment 1 or the second receiving
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`space or compartment 2.
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`[0029] Referring to Figure 2, a tool box useful for painters featuring a first receiving space or
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`compartment 1, a second receiving space or compartment 2, a handle or means for carrying
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`or transporting the tool box 3, and receiving or holding means 4 is provided. The receiving
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`or holding means 4 is positioned through a hole or aperture 5 in the wall of the first receiving
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`space or compartment 1 or the second receiving space or compartment 2.
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`[0030] Referring to Figure 3, a tool box useful for painters featuring a first receiving space or
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`compartment 1, a second receiving space or compartment 2, a handle or means for carrying
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`or transporting the tool box 3, and receiving or holding means 4 is provided. Receiving or
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`holding means 4 is positioned through a hole or aperture 5 in the wall of the first receiving
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`space or compartment 1 or the second receiving space or compartment 2. A stopping means
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`6 is provided on one side of the receiving or holding means 4. Advantageously, a guard
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`means 7 may be provided to secure or preserve the hole or aperture 5 in the wall of the first
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`receiving space or compartment 1 or the second receiving space or compartment 2.
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`[0031] The receiving or holding means 4 as described herein may be adapted to be removable
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`from the remaining components of the tool box described herein, either entirely or in part. As
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`such, receiving or holding means 4 in use may be passed through an opening, aperture or
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`hole, not shown, in, for instance, a handle of a paint brush or a paint roller or a tool usefiil for
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`a painter. Exemplary tools useful for a painter may be, for instance, a scraper, a leveler, a
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`spatula, a container for holding paint, screws, nails, and the like, a hammer, a screw driver, a
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`wrench, pliers, and the like. By holding a paint brush or a paint roller or a tool usefill for a
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`painter in a vertical position, it may be possible or prevent cross contamination with paint or
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`with a fluid useful for removing or diluting paint, and it may be possible to facilitate or
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`expedite drying of the paint brush or paint roller or tool useful for a painter. Likewise, the
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`support or suspension of the painter’s equipment or supplies by the receiving or holding
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`means 4 offers easy access to such equipment or supplies by the painter during work.
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`[0032] Referring to Figure 4, a tool box useful for painters featuring a first receiving space or
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`compartment, a second receiving space or compartment, a handle or means for carrying or
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`transporting the tool box, and a means for receiving or holding a paint brush or paint roller or
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`tool useful for a painter, in a substantially vertical position 4 is provided. The receiving or
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`holding means 4 is positioned through a hole or aperture 5 in the wall of the first or the
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`second receiving space or compartment 2. A stopping means 6 is provided on one side of
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`receiving or holding means 4. Advantageously, a guard means 7 is provided to secure or
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`preserve the hole or aperture 5 in the wall of the first or the second receiving space or
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`compartment 2.
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`[0033] Referring now to Figure 5, a tool box is shown that is constructed in accordance with
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`an alternate embodiment. In this embodiment plural second receiving spaces or
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`compartments 2 are present and are located laterally adjacent opposite sides ofthe first space
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`or compartment 1. The handle or means for carrying or transporting the tool box 3 extends
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`across first receiving space or compartment 1 and is fastened to the opposed walls that divide
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`compartment 1 from adjacent compartments 2. Also, each of compartments 2 are adapted to
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`contain receiving or holding means 4, not shown, that are disposed and supported by opposed
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`wall of the compartments. This configuration facilitates the balancing of the load in the
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`instance where the tools or equipment outweigh the remaining supplies contained in centrally
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`located compartment 1.
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`[0034] Referring now to Figure 6, a tool box in accordance with a further alternate
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`embodiment to that ofFigure 1 is shown. The tool box illustrated herein contains a release or
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`holding means 4 that is fitted with a rod, stopping means and guard means that are different
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`and modular in design, although performing the same fiinctions as with the constructions
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`presented in Figures 1-4. Also, the handle 3 differs from the design and construction of
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`Figures 1-4, as it is streamlined and offers a continuous, unitary appearance.
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`[0035] Referring to Figure 7, a tool box having the release or holding means 4 of Figure 6 is
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`shown in greater detail.
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`In this embodiment, release or holding means 4 comprises a rod 13
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`which defines on its proximal end a stopping means 6 that may comprise a knob as shown.
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`On the opposite or distal end, release or holding means 4 defines an enlarged diameter
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`element 14 that is adapted for releasable engagement within a corresponding catch or clasp
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`means 15 affixed to the wall of compartment 2 that is juxtaposed to the wall bearing hole or
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`aperture 5. In use, the painter withdraws the release or holding means 4 from its engagement
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`with the catch or clasp means 15 by pulling on stopping means 6, and thereby accesses the
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`supplies or equipment that are desired for use. Conversely, once the desired equipment or
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`tools are accessed and removed from the tool box, stopping means 6 on rod 13 of release or
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`holding means 4 is thrust forward and so that rod 13 engages the catch or clasp means 15, to
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`secure the remaining supplies or equipment suspended on the release or holding means 4.
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`[0036] Referring now to Figure 8, a guard means 7 is shown in detail, that offers greater
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`stability and useful life in conjunction with the release or holding means 4.
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`In particular,
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`guard means 7 comprises paired first supports 10 that are positioned on opposite sides of the
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`wall containing aperture 5 and are in registry therewith.
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`In turn, paired supports 10 define
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`one or more cylindrical bearing structures 11 therewithin, that provide a stable race for the
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`axial reciprocation of the rods of the release or holding means 4 therethrough. It should be
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`noted that the guard means of the invention contemplates and includes the use of a single
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`bearing structure that would extend through the wall containing aperture 5, and that would be
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`held in place by the paired supports 10 placed on either side of the wall and fastened or
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`otherwise engaged therewith.
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`[0037] Referring further to Figure 8, guard means 7 also includes second supports 12 that
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`may comprise a flat member like that of first supports 10. Second supports 12 are located at
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`the terminal end of travel of the rods 13 of the release or holding means 4, and are affixed or
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`otherwise attached to the distal wall of the second compartment 2. Second supports 12 house
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`and retain catches or clasps 15 within a generally cylindrical cutout 16. As discussed earlier,
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`the painter withdraws rod 13 of release or holding means 4 out of engagement with catch or
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`clasp 15 to access the tools or supplies suspended on rod 13. Conversely, the painter thrusts
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`the rod 13 forward so that the increased diameter end 14 engages the catch or clasp means 15
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`and thereby locks the release or holding means 4 securely in position within second
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`compartment 2 so that the remaining tools and equipment are securely suspended therefrom.
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`[0038] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and
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`shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out
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`the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts
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`and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such
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`modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.
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