CONTAINER WITH LATCH ASSEMBLY

The invention is directed to a latch assembly for use with a top cap for connecting the top cap to a container body. The latch assembly includes a latch having a latch body with a planar portion and an arcuate portion. A snap hook and a pull tab is connected to an end of the arcuate portion. The latch also includes a clasping portion for securing it to a ramp on the top cap and a spring element.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a container having a latch assembly in a top cap for securing the top cap to a container body, and to a latch assembly having a latch body, a spring element, a clasping portion for securing the latch assembly to the top cap and a snap hook for contacting the container body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A number of different latch configurations are used with containers. Some latches are used to prevent a rotatable door or side wall from moving. Others can be used to secure a top cap to a container. In one known top cap, the latch is integrally formed or molded as a feature of the top cap.

The present latch can be connected to a top cap and utilizes a spring element to enable the top cap to be securely attached to a container body. Other features of the latch are discussed and shown herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a container with a latch assembly for connecting a top cap to a tote or container body. The latch can be formed from plastic or other similar or suitable materials.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a latch for connecting a top cap to a container body is provided. The latch comprises a latch body, a spring connected to the latch body and extending outward past a first end of the latch body, and a snap hook connected to the latch body and extending outward from a second end of the latch body.

The latch body can include a first planar portion and a second arcuate portion. The snap hook can extend inward from an end of the arcuate portion.

A pull tab can also extend from the arcuate portion. The pull tab can include a vertical wall extending upward from a bottom portion of the arcuate portion.

A clasp portion can extend downward from the first planar portion of the latch body. The clasp portion can include a vertical wall connected at one end to a lower portion of the first planar portion. The vertical wall can extend downward from a mid-portion of the planar portion of the latch body. The clasp portion can also include a horizontal wall extending at a first end from a second end of the vertical wall. The horizontal wall can be parallel to the lower portion of the latch body.

The spring can be connected to a second end of the horizontal wall of the clasp portion. The spring can include a first leaf spring component and a second leaf spring component.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a latch assembly in a top cap for connecting the top cap to a container body is provided. The latch assembly comprises a top cap having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end and a first slot extending inward from the first end. A first ramp extends from a bottom surface of the top cap connected proximate an interior end of the first slot and a first latch having a clasp is connected to the first ramp. The latch includes a latch body, a spring and a snap hook configured to cooperate with a groove in the container body.

The latch body can include a planar portion and an arcuate portion. The spring in the latch can include a first leaf spring element and a second leaf spring element. The latch can also include a pull tab.

The ramp can include a vertical wall extending downward from the top cap. The first spring element and the second spring element can be supported against the vertical wall of the ramp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a container10with a latch assembly in accordance with the present invention. The container10(sometimes referred to as a tote) includes a top cap or lid12and two latches14secured to the ends of the top cap12. The top cap12is positioned on a container body16. The latches14secure the top cap12to the container body16.

The top cap12is generally rectangular having a first side18, a second side20, a first end22and a second end24. A lip26extends downward about the periphery of the top cap12.

FIGS. 2 and 3show the top and the bottom of the top cap12with the latches14in place. As illustrated, each latch14is located in a mid-portion of the respective ends22,24between the two sides18,20. At each end22,24, the top cap12includes a first arcuate portion28on one side of each latch14and a second arcuate portion30on the other side of the latch14. As described in more detail below, the latches14conform to the arcuate shapes28,30at the ends22,24of the top cap12.

FIGS. 4 and 5show the top cap12with the latches14removed. As apparent, each latch14fits in a slot32formed in the top cap12at each end22,24. A ramp34(also shown enlarged inFIG. 10) having a first portion36and a second portion38is shown extending downward from the top cap12proximate an interior end of each slot32. The first portion36of the ramp34includes a planar segment40extending outward into the area beneath the slot32on one side and the second portion38includes a planar segment42extending outward into the area beneath the slot32on the other side. Each of the first portion36and second portion38includes a vertical wall44,46at the extreme interior end of each slot32with a gap48between the walls44,46. As described herein, the latch14includes structure which cooperates with the structure of the ramp34to secure the latch14to the top cap12and enable it to function in a manner to secure the top cap12to the container body16.

The latch14is shown on its own inFIGS. 6 and 7. The latch14includes a latch body50having a generally rectangular planar portion52and an arcuate portion54connected to one end of the planar portion52. The arcuate portion54generally conforms in size and curvature to the arcuate portions28,30on the top cap12. A pull tab56extends upward from a lower end of the arcuate portion54. A vertical wall58perpendicular to the pull tab56also extends upward from the lower end of the arcuate portion54. A snap hook60extends generally horizontal from the bottom of the arcuate portion54in the direction of the planar portion52(albeit lower than the planar portion52). A protrusion62extends upward from an end of the snap hook60. A lower flange64extends downward from the snap hook60and the pull tab56. The lower flange64is generally coplanar with the vertical wall58.

The latch14includes a spring portion66. The spring portion66includes a first leaf spring68and a second leaf spring70. The spring portion66is connected to the planar portion52of the latch body50by a clasp or clasping portion72. The clasping portion72includes a vertical wall74that extends downward from a mid-portion of the planar portion52. A horizontal portion76extends from a bottom edge of the vertical wall74. The horizontal portion76extends toward and connects to the spring portion66. The horizontal portion76is parallel to the planar portion52. A vertical wall78extends upwardly from the horizontal wall76, bisecting the clasping portion72into two channels. The vertical wall78extends to an end of the spring portion66between the first and second leaf springs68,70.

Referring toFIG. 13, when the latch14is connected to the top cap12, the planar portion52and the arcuate portion54of the latch body50cover the slot32. The pull tab56of the latch14extends outward beyond the arcuate portions28,30in the top cap12. However, as shown, the arcuate portions28,30of the top cap12are positioned, or inset, slightly inward from the remainder of the end of the top cap12(i.e., the outermost edge) and the pull tab56does not extend outward beyond the remainder of the end of the top cap12when not in use.

The latch14is shown secured to a lower surface of top cap12inFIG. 14. As illustrated, the first and second portions36,38of the ramp34are sized to fit in the channels formed by the clasp72portion and vertical wall78of the latch14. The spring portion66of the latch14extends through the gap48formed between the vertical walls44,46of the ramp34by a bridge portion80connecting the spring portion66to the end of the horizontal wall76of the clasp portion72. Each of the first and second leaf springs68,70abuts the inner surface of a respective wall44,46. When the pull tab56is pulled forward to engage the container body16, the arms of the leaf springs68,70flex and compress against the vertical walls44,46and provide a closing force on the snap hook60. The compression of the leaf springs68,70allows the snap hook60to move slightly forward and downward from its unused position.

As illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, in operation the pull tab56of the latch14is pulled until the snap hook60engages and hooks onto structure in the container body16. This compresses the leaf springs68,70against the vertical walls44,46of the ramp34which provides a force which secures the container body16to the top cap12. The container body16can include a groove or tab82for receiving the snap hook60. The groove or tab82could include structure that conforms to the shape of the protrusion62on the snap hook60. The pull tab56can be pulled further down and/or outward to unlatch the top cap12from the container body16.

An alternative latch84is shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. The latch84includes first and second wings86,88which extend from slots or openings in the first and second portions36,38of the ramp34. The wings86,88help hold the latch84in place on the top cap12.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.