Abstract:
A sealable, reusable shipping container having a highly reliable interior latching mechanism which is actuated on the exterior of the container without using special tools is provided. The unique latching mechanism can be adapted to securely closing and sealing any type of container. The latching mechanism converts the rotary force applied to an actuating device, such as a knob, into both vertical motion, for enabling a latch member to engage and disengage a catch, and horizontal motion to tighten the latch and catch against each other when the latching mechanism is engaged and to separate the latch and catch when the latching mechanism is disengaged to allow opening of the container.

Description:
This application is a continuation of copending applicaiton Ser. No. 790,025, filed Aug. 27, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4844518. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to latching mechanism. In particular, the present invention relates to latches for reusable shipping containers. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Modern shipping containers are subjected to rough handling and must be waterproof or water resistant and built to withstand dropping, impact with other containers, and other adverse shipping conditions without transmitting the shock to the equipment or product packed inside. This is particularly true for containers used to ship delicate or shock-sensitive transportable electronic equipment. 
     Such containers are ideally opened and closed quickly and easily using fastners which provide both a strong and effective closure of the container and which are not subject to accidental opening. Such fasteners should be able to seal the cover of the container down against the body of the container, or down against a seal between the cover and the body to prevent the penetration of liquids into the interior. Further, such a fastener should be contained as much as possible inside the container in order to protect the latching mechanism from adverse shipping conditions. Finally, such fastener should be reliable and not subject to accidental opening while the container is in transit. 
     While many existing shipping containers have latching mechanism which meet some of these criteria, they do not meet all of the criteria. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 330,986 discloses a box fastener which uses a screw bolt to hold a fastening strip in place, holding the cover of a box down after the fastening strip has engaged an inner lip on the cover of the box and the cover has been closed. Although this &#34;latching mechanism&#34; is largely contained within the box, it does not pull the cover down against the box to seal the container from the entry of, for example, liquids. Further, opening and closing the cover on this type of box is tedious and would likely require a special tool such as a wrench for rotating the bolt into or out of a threaded plate. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,269,264 discloses a latching mechanism in which a captive screw is rotated to rotate a latch into position and then to pull the latch on the inside against a wall, closing the cover against the wall. In such a structure, a special tool such as a screw driver is required to close and lock the cover. Further, repeated uses subject the threads of the captive screw to stripping. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,961,265 and No. 3,510,162 provide latching mechanisms which are disengaged to open by pulling out on a handle. Such mechanisms are totally unsuitable for shipping containers, since the external handles could be snagged, causing accidental opening of the container in transit. 
     Thus, the need exists for a latching mechanism for modern reusable shipping containers which is easy to use, reliable, not subject to accidental opening, which can be contained on the inside of the container, but which can be operated from outside the container without the use of special tools, and which can provide sufficient sealing force to exclude unwanted liquids, dust or other contaminants from the interior of a shipping container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a highly reliable latching mechanism for reusable containers. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides a locking latch for a reusable container. The latch of this embodiment includes a stationary catch member mounted on one part of the container, for example, the interior of the body of the container, and a movable latching mechanism mounted on another part of the container, for example, the interior cover of the container. A knob or other actuating device operates the movable latching mechanism from outside the container. For example, when a knob is used as the actuating device, the container cover and body are joined, and the movable latching mechanism is engaged and tightened against the stationary catch by turning the knob a short distance in one direction. To unlock the mechanism and open the container, the knob is turned a similar short distance in the opposite direction and the cover is removed. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a reusable container having a plurality of locking latches as necessary to close and seal the container. In this embodiment, each locking latch may be individually actuated by a means, such as a knob. Thus, to open or close such a container would involve serially turning each knob for each locking latch. 
     Alternatively, a plurality of the locking latches may be actuated simultaneously by using a cable and pulley arrangement in conjunction with a single actuating means, such as a knob. Thus, to open or close a plurality of locking latches for such a container would only involve turning a single knob a short distance. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container of the present invention having eight locking latches of the present invention, four each front and rear; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a container of the present invention in an open configuration showing a locking latch of the present invention in perspective, operably mounted on the interior of the container; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional top view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional side view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional end view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view partially cut away of a container of the present invention showing locking latches of the present invention actuated by the rotation of their pulleys by the movement of a cable actuated by the rotation of a single exterior knob; and, 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional side view through line 7--7 of FIG. 6, showing a pulley actuated roto cam latch in conjunction with a tensioning device and a single actuating knob. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a container of the present invention comprising at least two parts: a container body 10 and a container cover 12. Body 10 and cover 12 are adapted to cooperate with each other at interface 14, which may include a seal. Inside body 10 is mounted a stationary catch 16 adapted to cooperate with a movable locking latch of the present invention mounted within cover 12 and actuated by knob 18. While this is the preferred placement of catch 16 and the movable locking latch, it is also posssible to mount the catch in cover 12 and to mount the movable locking latch in body 10. The container shown in FIG. 1 is closed and locked by placing cover 12 so that it engages body 10 at interface 14, and turning each of the knobs 18 to enable the locking latches in cover 12 to engage and tighten against the opposing catch 16 in body 10. 
     FIGS. 2-5 more clearly shown the construction and operation of a locking latch of the present invention. Knob 18 is attached to one end of a threaded shaft 22. The other end of threaded shaft 22 is attached to mounting bracket 24. Mounted on the threaded portion of threaded shaft 22 is threaded receiver 26 and slidable bracket 28. Thus, when knob 18 is rotated, for example by turning it clockwise, slidable bracket 28 will move from a first position in a direction parallel to the axis of threaded shaft 22 until the end of the threads or a stop is reached. When knob 18 is rotated in an opposite direction, for example counterclockwise, slidable bracket 28 will reverse its direction of travel and move in a direction parallel to the axis of threaded shaft 22 back towards its first position. 
     At the end of slidable bracket 28 is attached a movable latch member 30 adapted to cooperate with catch 16. Movable latch member 30 and catch 16 are preferably constructed from steel or other strong structural materials suitable for forming such latches. Movable latch member 30 can be moved or pivoted up out of the plane formed by the top surface of slidable bracket 28 or down into the plane formed by the top surface of slidable bracket 28. Preferably movable latch member 30 is attached to slidable bracket 28 as shown, by passing a small rod or dowel 32 through both the end of slidable bracket 28 and an end of movable latch member 30 formed to receive rod 32. This particular method of attachment is preferred because it permits further adaptation of movable latch member 30 to receive a spring 34 for forcing latch member 30 up out of the plane formed by the top surface of slidable bracket 28. 
     Movement of latch member 30 is effectuated by placing a barrier 36 between the first end of slidable bracket 28 at threaded receiver 26 and the second end of slidable bracket 28 at movable latch member 30. Preferably this barrier 36 is provided in combination with mounting bracket 24 as a single piece or component; however, one skilled in the art will recognize that it would be possible to mount the end of threaded shaft 22 and provide a barrier 36 independently. Such a barrier 36 will act upon the back surface of the movable latch member where it attaches to slidable bracket 28 as slidable bracket 28 moves through barrier 36. Thus, when threaded receiver 26 is moved toward mounting bracket 24 by the rotation of threaded shaft 22, the back surface of movable latch member 30 is pushed out from under barrier 36, eliminating the impediment to upward movement out of the plane of the top surface of slidable bracket 28, and spring 34 forces movable latch member 30 up. An alternative or additional feature to aid the upward and downward motion of movable latch member 30 is a raised wedge 38 formed on the back surface of movable latch member 30, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. 
     The operation of this locking latch (hereinafter referred to as a &#34;roto cam latch&#34;) in conjunction with a container is illustrative of the many advantages it has over prior art fasteners. When container cover 12 and container body 10 are engaged at interface 14, the cover is locked on by actuating the roto cam latches. In the preferred mode, this is done by turning each knob 18 mounted on the outside of the container in a first direction. This motion rotates threaded shaft 22, moving threaded receiver 26 toward knob 18, pulling the back surface and raised wedge 38 of latch member 30 against and under barrier 36, forcing movable latch member 30 down and into engagement with catch 16. As the movement of threaded receiver 26 towards knob 18 continues, movable latch member 30 is tightened against catch 16, forcing container interface 14 tightly against seal 20. By the time threaded receiver 26 has moved as far as it can go toward knob 18, the container cover 12 is tightly sealed against the container body 10. The roto cam latch can be completely engaged and tightened, or disengaged by rotating knob 18. 
     To open the container, one simply reverses the direction of knob rotation from the first direction. As threaded shaft 22 rotates, threaded receiver 26 moves toward mounting bracket 24 initially pushing latch member 30 towards catch 16, loosening the connection between them. As the movement of threaded receiver 26 continues, the back surface of movable latch member 30 is pushed out from under barrier 36. Where latch member 30 has a raised wedge 38, barrier 36 acts upon raised wedge 38 to lift latch member 30 up and out of engagement with catch 16 as it is pushed out from under barrier 36. Where latch member 30 has a spring 34 compressed against its inner surface, as soon as the back surface of latch member 30 is pushed out from under barrier 36, eliminating the impediment to upward movement out of the plane of the top surface of slidable bracket 28, the spring 34 will force movable latch member 30 up and out of engagement with catch 16. Again, complete movement of threaded receiver 26 from the fully locked position to the fully unlocked position is accomplished by rotating knob 18. 
     Because each roto cam latch is individually actuated, a maximum degree of reliability and assurance against accidental opening of the container in transit is assured. Further reliability can be obtained by protecting the actuating device. For example, if a knob is used, the container may be constructed to have a recess 40 on the exterior surface within which the knob is contained. While a knob 18 is the preferred actuating device, since it permits actuation of the roto cam latch without the use of special tools, it is obvious that other means for turning threaded shaft 22 will also work. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a means for actuating more than one roto cam latch on a container using a single actuating device, such as a single knob. In this embodiment, a container of the present invention is constructed with a plurality of roto cam latches mounted on the interior of cover 12. On an end of each threaded shaft is mounted an actuating pulley 44. Also mounted on cover 12 is knob 18 as an actuating device. Knob 18 may be independent of any of the roto cam latches, and thus mountable anywhere on cover 12. In this configuration, knob 18 is supported on a first end of knob shaft 48, which passes through cover 12 into the interior of cover 12. On the second end of knob shaft 48 is mounted a fixed, knob pulley 42 which is not freely rotatable and rotates only when knob 18 rotates knob shaft 48. A cable 46 is placed in an engaging relationship connecting the knob pulley 42 and the actuating pulleys 44 fixed to threaded shafts 22 such that when knob 18 is turned, the cable 46 will be moved and will rotate all the actuating pulleys 44, rotating the connected threaded shafts 22 in the same direction. A separate tensioning device 50 may also be attached to the interior of cover 12 to maintain the cable 46 at a proper tension to insure effective operation of the roto cam latches. Effective movement of the cable 46 without slippage can be further assured by positively attaching the cable, preferably by tying off to the pulley 42. Slippage can also be avoided by wrapping the cable at least one full turn around knob pulley 42 and by providing actuating pulleys 44 and knob pulley 42 with a knurled, rough or other high friction surface where the cable 46 contacts the pulley surface. The material from which cable 46 is constructed should also be selected to provide a high coefficient of friction between the cable 46 and the surface of the pulleys. 
     The need for a separate knob pulley 42 and knob shaft 48 can be eliminated by mounting the single knob 18 on one of the roto cam latches. Thus, the roto cam latch on which the knob 18 is mounted is actuated directly by turning knob 18, and the remaining roto cam latches can be actuated by the movement of cable 46 rotating attached actuating pulleys 44. 
     It would also be possible to substitute gears for the pulleys in this embodiment, and use an endless chain loop to rotate the gears. 
     While such a container having a plurality of roto cam latches and a single actuating device is more easily opened than a container having an actuating device for each roto cam latch, it is not preferred because of the increased potential for accidental opening in transit, since the accidental actuation of the single actuating device could open all of the latches simultaneously. However, a balance between reliability and ease of opening can be obtained by providing a container having more than one actuating device, but fewer actuating devices than the total number of roto cam latches. For example, one could construct a container having four roto cam latches and two knobs in the lib, with each knob connected to two latches using the cable and pulley method described above. 
     One skilled in the art wil recognized at once that it would be possible to construct the various components of the present invention from a variety of materials and to modify the placement of the compnents in a variety of ways. While the preferred embodiment has been described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as embodied in the claims.