DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[001] This Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202411027423 filed on 2nd April 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The embodiments herein generally relate to vehicles. More particularly, the embodiments herein relate to a toolbox assembly for the vehicle and a method of providing the toolbox assembly to the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[003] Generally, toolboxes are used in factories, workshops, vehicles, machines, industries, and the like, to protect, carry, and to store the tools in an organized manner. A toolbox stores the tools which are necessary to fix a system or a machine which may require manual intervention to restore normal working of the system or the machine or to assemble the components of the system or the machine. Vehicles, specifically agricultural vehicles or machines such as tractors, tillers and the like, which are operated in remote areas such as agricultural fields are prone to failure. Further, the agricultural vehicles may require adjustment of certain components due to long duration of work or due to irregular or severe working conditions. Either for rectifying the failure of the agricultural vehicle or to adjust the components of the agricultural vehicle, requirement of the tools is evident and hence the toolbox. Thus, the need for the toolbox in the agricultural vehicle is crucial for the convenience of an operator of the agricultural vehicle. Conventionally, the toolbox is mounted on a rear side of a driver seat of the agricultural vehicle. The toolbox mounted on the rear side of the driver seat is difficult to access for the operator. Further, mounting the toolbox on the rear side of the driver seat leads to vibrations on the driver seat.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a toolbox assembly for a vehicle and a method of providing the toolbox assembly which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a toolbox assembly for an agricultural vehicle.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the toolbox assembly which is easy to access by a driver (operator) seated on an operator seat (driver seat) of the vehicle.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to mount the toolbox assembly on a vehicular structure (fender) of the vehicle in vicinity of the driver seat thereby eliminating vibrations transferred from the toolbox to the driver seat.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the toolbox assembly which can be used as a separate unit for carrying tools of the agricultural vehicle.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the toolbox assembly with a removable casing which can be used as a portable toolbox.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of providing the toolbox assembly.
[0011] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0013] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of an agricultural vehicle with a toolbox assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the toolbox assembly mounted on a vehicular structure (fender) of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the toolbox assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 4 depicts an exploded view of the toolbox assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 5a depicts a perspective view of a first casing of the toolbox assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 5b depicts a perspective v iew of a mounting bracket of the toolbox assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 6 depicts an exploded view of the first casing, the mounting bracket and the vehicular structure, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0020] Fig. 7 depicts a flow chart indicating steps of a method of providing the toolbox assembly, according to embodiment as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0022] The embodiments herein achieve a toolbox assembly for a vehicle. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method of providing the toolbox assembly. Referring now to the Figs. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0023] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of an agricultural vehicle (10) with a toolbox assembly (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the toolbox assembly (100) mounted onto a vehicular structure (12), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the toolbox assembly (100) includes a first casing (102), a second casing (104) and a mounting bracket (112) (as shown in Fig. 5b). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the toolbox assembly (100) is explained herein with below reference to be mounted onto the vehicular structure (12) in vicinity of an operator seat (14) of the agricultural vehicle (10) such as but not limited to a tractor. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use the toolbox assembly (100) for mounting onto any other component of the vehicle any other vehicle or for any other machine in vicinity of the operator seat with minor modification(s) and without otherwise deterring the intended function of the toolbox assembly (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the vehicular structure (12) is at least a fender of the vehicle (10).
[0024] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the toolbox assembly (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the first casing (102) is adapted to be affixed to the vehicular structure (12) of the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, the first casing (102) is adapted to store tools. In an embodiment, the second casing (104) is adapted to be removably connected to the first casing (102). In an embodiment, the toolbox assembly (100) includes at least one connecting portion (106) (as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4) adapted to facilitate connecting of the second casing (104) with the first casing (102). In an embodiment, the connecting portion (106) is a sleeve.
[0025] In an embodiment, the connecting portion (106) is provided on the second casing (104). In an embodiment, the first casing (102) is inserted into the second casing (104) in which an inner diameter of the connecting portion (106) is larger than an outer diameter the first casing (102) (as shown in Fig. 4). In another embodiment, the second casing (104) is inserted into the first casing (102) in which the outer diameter of the connecting portion (106) is smaller than the inner diameter of the first casing (102). In another embodiment, the connecting portion (106) is provided on the first casing (102). In an embodiment, the second casing (104) is inserted into the first casing (102) in which the inner diameter of the connecting portion (106) is larger than the outer diameter of the second casing (104). In another embodiment, the first casing (102) is inserted into the second casing (104) in which the outer diameter of the connecting portion (106) is smaller than inner diameter of the second casing (104). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to connect the first and second casings (102, 104) with each other by providing thread fits, snap fit, clip fit, and the like with minor modification(s) and without otherwise deterring the intended function of the connecting portion (106) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0026] In an embodiment, the toolbox assembly (100) includes a first bracket (108) and a second bracket (110). The first bracket (108) is provided on the first casing (102). The second bracket (110) is provided on the second casing (104). In an embodiment, each of the first and second brackets (108, 110) include an opening (108P, 110P) (as shown in fig. 4) adapted to receive a locking bolt (22) of a lock (20) (as shown in fig. 2) thereby locking the second casing (104) with the first casing (102), to prevent unauthorized access to the tools stored in the toolbox assembly (100).
[0027] Fig. 5a depicts a perspective view of the first casing (102) of the toolbox assembly (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the first casing (102) is mounted onto the vehicular structure (12) by using the mounting bracket (112). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to mount the first casing (102) directly to the vehicular structure (12) with minor modification(s) and without otherwise deterring the intended function of the first casing (102) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the mounting bracket (112) includes a first portion (112A) and a second portion (112B) (as shown in fig. 5b). In an embodiment, the first portion (112A) of the mounting bracket (112) is adapted to be affixed to the first casing (102). For example, the first portion (112A) of the mounting bracket (112) is welded to the first casing (102). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to affix the first portion (112A) of the mounting bracket (112) to the first casing (102) by any other affixing means such clamps, any other temporary joints or permanent joints and the like with minor modification(s) and without otherwise deterring the intended function of the mounting bracket (112) and the first casing (102) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the first portion (112A) of the mounting bracket (112) is at least a curved portion corresponding to a profile of the first casing (102). In an embodiment, the second portion (112B) of the mounting bracket (112) is adapted to extend from the first portion (112A) of the mounting bracket (112) and is removably connected to the vehicular structure (12) of the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, the second portion (112B) of the mounting bracket (112) is at least a linear portion. In an embodiment, the second portion (112B) includes openings (112BP) (as shown in fig. 5b) adapted to receive fasteners (114) (as shown in Figs. 2 and 6) therethrough to fasten the second portion (112B) of the mounting bracket (112) to the vehicular structure (12) of the vehicle (10).
[0028] In an embodiment, the toolbox assembly (100) is positioned adjacent to the operator seat (14) of the vehicle (10). In an embodiment, the toolbox assembly (100) is affixed to the vehicular structure (12) to restrict vibration transferred from the toolbox assembly (100) to the operator seat (14). In an embodiment, the second casing (104) is adapted to be removed from the first casing (102) to facilitate access to the tools stored in the first casing (102) from the operator seat (14). In an embodiment, the second casing (104) is configured to act as a cover adapted to cover at least a top end opening (102T) (as shown in fig. 4) of the first casing (102) and to support the tools stored in the first casing (102) when the second casing (104) is connected to the first casing (102). In another embodiment, the second casing (104) is configured to act as a portable tool storage casing for storing the tools therein when the second casing (104) is removed from the first casing (102). In an embodiment, an end cap is connected to an open end (not shown) of the second casing (104) thereby covering the open end of the second casing (104) when the second casing (104) is used as the portable tool storage casing. In an embodiment, the end cap is at least one of a snap fit end cap and a threaded end cap.
[0029] Fig. 7 depicts a flow chart indicating steps of a method (300) of providing the toolbox assembly (100), according to embodiment as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (300) is explained herein below with reference to providing the toolbox assembly (100) for the agricultural vehicle (10). However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice/implement the entire steps of the method (300) in a same manner or in a different manner or with omission of at least one step to the method (300) or with any addition of at least one step to the method (300) of providing the toolbox assembly (100) for the agricultural vehicle (10) or for any other vehicle or for any other machine or system without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (300) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0030] In an embodiment, at step (302), the method (300) includes mounting, by the mounting bracket (112), the first casing (102) of the toolbox assembly (100) onto the vehicular structure (12) of the vehicle (10). At step (304), the method (300) includes removably connecting the second casing (104) of the toolbox assembly (100) to the first casing (102). The method (300) includes connecting the first bracket (108) and the second bracket (110) on the first casing (102) and the second casing (104), respectively and receiving, by an opening (108P, 110P) of each of the first and second brackets (108, 110), the locking bolt (22) of the lock (20) therethrough to facilitate locking of the second casing (104) with the first casing (102) via the lock (20). The method (300) includes acting, by the second casing (104) as a cover adapted to cover at least the top end opening (102T) of the first casing (102) and to support the tools stored in the first casing when the second casing (104) is connected to the first casing (102). The method (300) includes acting, by the second casing (104) as the portable tool storage casing for storing the tools therein when the second casing (104) is removed from the first casing (102). The method (300) includes covering, by the end cap, the open end of the second casing (104) when the second casing (104) is used as the portable tool storage casing. In an embodiment, at step (302), the method (300) includes fixedly or removably connecting the first portion (112A) of the mounting bracket (112) with the first casing (102). In an embodiment, at step (302), the method (300) fixedly or removably mounting the second portion (112B) of the mounting bracket (112) onto the vehicular structure (12).
[0031] The embodiments described herein above have several technical advantages including, but not limited to, realization of the toolbox assembly (100) which is easily accessible by the operator of the vehicle (10). Further, the toolbox assembly (100) eliminates the vibration transfer to the on the driver seat (14) of the agricultural vehicle (10). The toolbox assembly (100) enables portability of tools as the second casing (104) can be used as the portable storage case.
[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A toolbox assembly (100) for a vehicle (10), the toolbox assembly (100) comprising:
a first casing (102) adapted to be affixed to a vehicular structure (12) of the vehicle (10) and is adapted to store tools therein; and
a second casing (104) adapted to be removably connected to the first casing (102), wherein
the toolbox assembly (100) is positioned adjacent to an operator seat (14) of the vehicle (10), and the second casing (104) is adapted to be removed from the first casing (102) to facilitate access to the tools stored in the first casing (102) from the operator seat (14).
2. The toolbox assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toolbox assembly (100) is affixed to the vehicular structure (12) to restrict vibration transferred from the toolbox assembly (100) to the operator seat (14).
3. The toolbox assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second casing (104) is configured to act as:
a cover adapted to cover at least a top end opening (102T) of the first casing (102) and to support the tools stored in the first casing (102) when the second casing (104) is connected to the first casing (102); and
a portable tool storage casing for storing the tools therein when the second casing (104) is removed from the first casing (102).
4. The toolbox assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein an end cap is connected to an open end of the second casing (104) thereby covering the open end of the second casing (104) when the second casing (104) is used as the portable tool storage casing.
5. The toolbox assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toolbox assembly (100) comprises at least one connecting portion (106) provided at least on one of the second casing (104) and the first casing (102) to facilitate connecting of the second casing (104) with the first casing (102).
6. The toolbox assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toolbox assembly (100) includes:
a first bracket (108) provided on the first casing (102); and
a second bracket (110) provided on the second casing (104), wherein each of the first and second brackets (108, 110) include an opening (108P, 110P) adapted to receive a locking bolt (22) of a lock (20) thereby locking the second casing (104) with the first casing (102).
7. The toolbox assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first casing (102) is directly mounted onto the vehicular structure (12) or a mounting bracket (112) is adapted to mount the first casing (102) onto the vehicular structure (12), wherein the vehicular structure (12) is a fender of the vehicle (10).
8. The toolbox assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mounting bracket (112) comprises:
a first portion (112A) adapted to be affixed to the first casing (102); and
a second portion (112B) adapted to extend from the first portion (112A) and is removably or fixedly connected to the vehicular structure (12) of the vehicle (10).
9. The toolbox assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first portion (112A) of the mounting bracket (112) is at least a curved portion corresponding to a profile of the first casing (102), the first portion (112A) of the mounting member (112) is welded to the first casing (102); and
the second portion (112B) of the mounting bracket (112) is at least a linear portion, wherein the second portion (112B) comprises openings (112BP) adapted to receive fasteners (114) therethrough to fasten the second portion (112B) of the mounting bracket (112) to the vehicular structure (12) of the vehicle (10).
10. A method (300) of providing the toolbox assembly (100) to the vehicle (10), the method (300) comprising:
mounting (302), by a mounting bracket (112), a first casing (102) of the toolbox assembly (100) onto a vehicular structure (12) of the vehicle (10); and
removably connecting (304), a second casing (104) of the toolbox assembly (100) to the first casing (102),
wherein
the first casing (102) is adapted to store tools therein;
the toolbox assembly (100) is positioned adjacent to an operator seat (14) of the vehicle (10), and the second casing (104) is adapted to be removed from the first casing (102) to facilitate access to the tools stored in the first casing (102) from the operator seat (14); and
the vehicular structure (12) is a fender of the vehicle (10).
11. The method (300) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method (300) includes:
connecting a first bracket (108) and a second bracket (110) on the first casing (102) and the second casing (104), respectively; and
receiving, by an opening (108P, 110P) of each of the first and second brackets (108, 110) a locking bolt (22) of a lock (20) therethrough to facilitate locking of the second casing (104) with the first casing (102) via the lock (20).
12. The method (300) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method (300) includes:
acting, by the second casing (104) as a cover adapted to cover at least a top end opening (102T) of the first casing (102) and to support the tools stored in the first casing (102) when the second casing (104) is connected to the first casing (102);
acting, by the second casing (104) as a portable tool storage casing for storing the tools therein when the second casing (104) is removed from the first casing (102); and
covering, by an end cap, an open end of the second casing (104) when the second casing (104) is used as the portable tool storage casing,
wherein
the mounting (302), by the mounting bracket (112), the first casing (102) of the toolbox assembly (100) onto the vehicular structure (12) of the vehicle (10) includes:
fixedly or removably connecting a first portion (112A) of the mounting bracket (112) with the first casing (102); and
fixedly or removably mounting a second portion (112B) of the mounting bracket (112) onto the vehicular structure (12).