Tool storage and workbench assembly

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to bench and storage combination devices and more particularly pertains to a new bench and storage combination device for holding a plurality of tools while also providing a workbench as needed.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The use of bench and storage combination devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,037 describes a mobile toolbox having an integrated workbench. Another type of bench and storage combination device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,531 which again includes a combination mobile toolbox and workbench combination. Yet another such device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,073.

[0005] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that combines tool storage and a workbench in an assembly which may be positioned on a wall and which does not occupy a large amount of space when the device is not in use. In particular, the device, when mounted on a wall and not in use, should not extend outwardly from the wall more than 12 inches. This will provide storage and work space without using valuable space.

[0006] The present invention meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a housing that has a back wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends away from the back wall. The peripheral wall includes a bottom wall, an upper wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The back wall has a plurality of bores extending therein. A table has a back edge, a front edge and a pair of lateral edges. The back edge is hingedly coupled to the bottom wall. The table is selectively positioned in a stored position extending upwardly from the bottom wall and located within the housing or in an extended position extending outwardly away from the back wall. A first door is hingedly coupled to the first side wall and a second door is hingedly coupled to the second side wall. The first and second doors are each selectively positionable in a closed position extending over the housing and abutting the upper and bottom walls or in an open position extending outwardly away from the housing.

[0007] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0008] The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

[0013] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, a new bench and storage combination device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0014] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the tool storage and workbench assembly 10 generally comprises a housing 12 that has a back wall 13 and a peripheral wall 14 that is attached to and extends away from the back wall 13. The peripheral wall 14 includes a bottom wall 16, an upper wall 18, a first side wall 20 and a second side wall 22. The peripheral wall 14 has depth less than eight inches and preferably equal to about 6 inches. The housing 12 has a height greater than eighteen inches and a length greater than three feet. The back wall 13 has a plurality of bores 24 extending therein. Hooks may be selectively mounted in the bores 24 for holding tools and the like. A plurality of drawers 26 is mounted on the back wall 13 and each is positioned generally adjacent to the bottom wall 16. The drawers 26 each have a depth less than a depth of the peripheral wall 4. A light emitter 60 is mounted on the housing 12. The light emitter 60 of conventional construction is positioned on the upper wall 18 and is directed toward the bottom wall 16.

[0015] A table 28 has a back edge 30, a front edge 32 and a pair of lateral edges 34. The back edge 30 is hingedly coupled to the bottom wall 16. The table 28 is selectively positioned in a stored position extending upwardly from the bottom wall 16 and located within the housing 12 or in an extended position extending outwardly away from the back wall 13. A gripping member 36 is attached to a bottom surface of the table 28 and is positioned adjacent to the front edge 32. The gripping member 36 aids in removing the table 28 from the housing 12. It is preferred that the table 28 has an outer perimeter of the same size and shape as an inner perimeter of the peripheral wall 14 and that the table 28 is frictionally held in the stored position buy the peripheral wall 14. A pair of tethers 38 each has a first end 40 and a second end 42. Each of the first ends 40 is attached to the housing 12. Each of the second ends 42 is attached to the table 28. The tethers 38 each have a length for preventing the table 28 from forming an angle with the back wall which is greater than 90 degrees.

[0016] A first door 44 and a second door 46 are provided. The first door 44 is hingedly coupled to the first side wall 20 and the second door 46 is hingedly coupled to the second side wall 22. The first 44 and second 46 doors are each selectively positionable in a closed position extending over the housing 12 and abutting the upper 18 and bottom 16 walls or in an open position extending outwardly away from the housing 12. The first 44 and second 46 doors substantially cover the back wall 13 when the first 44 and second 46 doors are in the closed position. Each of the doors 44, 46 has an inner surface 48 and an outer surface 50 with respect to the housing 12 when the first 44 and second 46 doors are in the closed position. A plurality of shelves 52 is mounted on the inner surface 48 of the first door 44. The inner surface 48 of the second door 46 has a plurality of bores 24 extending therein for the receiving of hooks. Each of a pair of handles 54 is attached to the outer surface 50 of one of the first 44 and second 46 doors.

[0017] A locking assembly 56 is attached to the outer surface 50 of the first 44 and second 46 doors for selectively securing the first 44 and second 46 doors in the closed position. The lock assembly 56 may include any conventional lock.

[0018] In use, the back wall 13 is attached to a vertical surface 58, such as the wall of a garage. Tools may be held on hooks placed in the bores 24 while a plurality of fasteners and other items may be positioned in the drawers 26 and on the shelves 52. When a workbench is required, the table 28 is lowered to its extended position as shown in FIG. 3. When the table 28 is in its stored position, the relatively short depth of the assembly 10 ensures that it will require a small amount of space when not in use.

[0019] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0020] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.