US 11,731,806 B2
Utility assembly and coupling mechanism
Yaron Brunner, Kibbutz Gvat (IL); Grant T. Squiers, Cudahy, WI (US); Christopher S. Hoppe, Cedarburg, WI (US); and Steven W. Hyma, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Assigned to Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, Brookfield, WI (US); and Keter Plastic LTD., Herzelyia (IL)
Filed by Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, Brookfield, WI (US)
Filed on Dec. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/132,609.
Application 17/132,609 is a continuation of application No. 17/064,371, filed on Oct. 6, 2020, granted, now 11,427,382.
Application 17/064,371 is a continuation of application No. 16/752,441, filed on Jan. 24, 2020, granted, now 11,008,136.
Application 16/752,441 is a continuation of application No. 16/216,724, filed on Dec. 11, 2018, granted, now 10,583,962.
Application 16/216,724 is a continuation of application No. 15/826,232, filed on Nov. 29, 2017, granted, now 10,703,534.
Application 15/826,232 is a continuation of application No. PCT/IL2017/050481, filed on Apr. 30, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/459,076, filed on Feb. 15, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/330,334, filed on May 2, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0139197 A1, May 13, 2021
Int. Cl. B25H 3/00 (2006.01); B25H 3/04 (2006.01); B65D 21/02 (2006.01); B25H 3/02 (2006.01); A45C 5/14 (2006.01); A45C 7/00 (2006.01); A45F 3/10 (2006.01); B25H 1/04 (2006.01); A45C 13/02 (2006.01); B62B 1/14 (2006.01); B62B 5/06 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 21/0223 (2013.01) [A45C 5/14 (2013.01); A45C 7/005 (2013.01); A45C 13/02 (2013.01); A45F 3/10 (2013.01); B25H 1/04 (2013.01); B25H 3/02 (2013.01); B25H 3/021 (2013.01); B62B 1/14 (2013.01); B65D 21/0209 (2013.01); B65D 21/0228 (2013.01); A45C 7/0045 (2013.01); B25H 3/023 (2013.01); B62B 5/067 (2013.01); B65D 2255/00 (2013.01); B65H 2701/533 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
12. A coupler for a connectable utility module comprising:
a body extending longitudinally along a first longitudinal axis in a first direction, the body defining a first width perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis;
a first rib linearly and laterally extending away from the body and the first longitudinal axis along a first lateral axis in a first direction, the first rib configured to arrestingly engage between a first face of a utility module and a first male coupler extending from the first face of the utility module, the first male coupler comprising a first tongue extending above offset from the first face of the utility module;
a second rib linearly and laterally extending away from the body and the first longitudinal axis along the first lateral axis in a second direction opposite the first direction, the second rib configured to arrestingly engage between the first face of the utility module and a second male coupler extending from the first face of the utility module, the second male coupler comprising a second tongue extending above offset from the first face of the utility module, a second width defined by the first rib and the second rib that is perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis and that is greater than the first width;
a third rib linearly and laterally extending away from the body and the first longitudinal axis along a second lateral axis in a fourth direction parallel to the second direction, the third rib configured to arrestingly engage between the first face of the utility module and a third male coupler extending from the first face of the utility module, the first male coupler comprising a third tongue extending above and parallel to the first face of the utility module, the third male coupler distinct from the first male coupler; and
a fourth rib linearly and laterally extending away from the body and the first longitudinal axis along the second lateral axis in a fifth direction opposite the fourth direction, the fourth rib configured to arrestingly engage between the first face of the utility module and a fourth male coupler extending from the first face of the utility module, the fourth male coupler comprising a fourth tongue extending above and parallel to the first face of the utility module, the fourth male coupler distinct from the second male coupler, a third width defined by the third rib and the fourth rib that is perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis and that is greater than the first width; and
a latch recess in the body and positioned along the first longitudinal axis, the latch recess elongated along a third lateral axis perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis, the latch recess configured to receive a latch in a locked position in which the latch prevents disengagement of the body from the utility module when the first tongue and the first rib are engaged, the second tongue and the second rib are engaged, the third tongue and the third rib are engaged, and the fourth tongue and the fourth rib are engaged, the latch recess comprising a depressed surface configured to interface with the latch when the latch is received in the latch recess.