At a glance
| Patent number | CN205989314U (application CN201620957432) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Multifunctional automobile maintenance tool storage box (一种汽车用多功能维修工具放置箱) |
| Patent owner | Individual inventor |
| Filing date | 2016-08-26 |
| Grant date | 2017-03-01 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (effective 2017-08-26, recorded 2018-08-10) |
| Patent family | Only this Chinese patent - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 10 later documents, including one European application |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN205989314U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a multifunctional automobile maintenance tool box with a cabinet, a door, a power cord and swivel casters. The cabinet sits on four casters and carries lifting rings, lights, a lubricant compartment with a cross divider at the top, a parts-to-install compartment in the middle, a parts compartment at the bottom left, a large tool compartment with a screen at the bottom right, and a cabinet lock. The door has a handle and a latch, and the power cord at the back connects the interior lights to power.
Claims 2-8 add details: the lubricant compartment on ledges of the inner wall and able to be pulled out; the cross divider sized to the tray; the parts-to-install compartment fitted horizontally across the cabinet; a two-level parts compartment with half-open fronts where either level can be pulled out; the screen set into the floor of the tool compartment; and casters at the four corners that turn 360°.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for production
This patent was filed only in China, and it lapsed in 2017 because annual fees were not paid. It no longer restricts anyone - in China or elsewhere.
Before production, keep in mind:
- Other patents may exist. Tool cabinets and roll cabs are a large market with many design patents. Give your cabinet its own styling and have a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search done by a US patent attorney before volume production.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Size | Compact, standard or wide cabinets - dimensions set with you |
| Material & finish | Cold-rolled steel with powder coat; stainless for wash-down areas |
| Lighting | LED strips; mains-powered with a cord as in the patent, or rechargeable battery LEDs; motion or door switch |
| Interior | Number and height of shelves and drawers; drawer liners; adjustable lubricant-tray dividers |
| Tool bay | Screen floor with drip tray; tool hangers on the door |
| Casters | Heavy-duty swivel casters with brakes; oil-resistant wheels |
| Locks | Key or combination locks; keyed-alike for fleets |
| Colors & branding | Brand colors, logo, decals, shipping packaging |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Electrical parts - corded lighting should use certified (for example UL-listed) power supplies and cords; battery LED kits avoid mains wiring.
- Stability and load - test tipping, shelf loads and caster ratings; label maximum loads.
- Shipping - steel cabinets are heavy; flat-pack or knock-down designs reduce freight cost.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - target users, size, layout and quantity.
- Design - sheet-metal design, interior layout, lighting and casters.
- Prototype - sample cabinet for fit, load and mobility tests.
- Pilot run - small batch with finish and assembly checks.
- Production - volume production, packaging and shipping.
Quantities & timeline
Sheet-metal cabinets need bending and stamping tooling; lighting is a bought-in kit. Send us your size, layout, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
