Abstract:
A storage container includes a first container portion and a second container portion hingedly attached to the first container portion. A latch is slidably disposed on the first container portion. The latch includes a pair of engaging members extending therefrom. The latch is moveable between a locked position wherein the engaging members engage the first container portion to the second container portion and an unlocked position wherein the engaging members disengage the first container portion from the second container portion. The latch is subjected to a first biasing force adapted to inhibit movement of the latch in a first direction and a second biasing force adapted to inhibit movement of the latch in a second direction. Movement of the latch into the unlocked position is accomplished by sequential movement of the latch in the first direction followed by movement of the latch in the second direction.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to storage containers and more particularly to a latch configuration on a storage container.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Storage containers exist in many varieties and may be used to store, organize and transport various items such as fasteners, tool bits and other accessories. When used to store tool bits, fasteners or accessories on a job site, a storage container must be built to be strong and durable so that if it is dropped, it does not break open and spill its contents. Storage containers often include a base portion and a cover portion hingedly connected to the base portion.  
         [0003]     In some instances a latch configuration may be employed on a storage container to locate hinged portions, such as a base and cover, between a locked and unlocked position. Such latch configurations may include hook or clasp arrangements and may be actuated by pivoting, sliding or other movement. While known arrangements have proven satisfactory for their intended purpose, a need exists in the art to improve upon available latch configurations. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a robust latch configuration for a storage container that is easy to operate.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A storage container includes a first container portion and a second container portion hingedly attached to the first container portion. A latch is slidably disposed on the first container portion. The latch includes a pair of engaging members extending therefrom. The latch is moveable between a locked position wherein the engaging members engage the first container portion to the second container portion and an unlocked position wherein the engaging members disengage the first container portion from the second container portion.  
         [0005]     According to other features, the latch defines a main body portion having opposite ends, wherein each of the pair of engaging members extend from the opposite ends respectively. The latch includes a user actuated portion extending from the main body portion adjacent to an outer surface of the first container portion. The main body portion of the latch extends adjacent to an inner surface of the first container portion. The inner surface of the first container portion includes a plurality of extension portions collectively defining a track. The main body portion is slidably disposed in the track and selectively translatable in the track between the locked and unlocked positions.  
         [0006]     The latch is subjected to a first biasing force adapted to inhibit movement of the latch in a first direction and a second biasing force adapted to inhibit movement of the latch in a second direction. Movement of the latch into the unlocked position is accomplished by sequential movement of the latch in the first direction followed by movement of the latch in the second direction.  
         [0007]     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a latch assembly constructed according to the present invention and shown operatively associated with a storage container;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a detail view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 1  shown in a locked position;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of the latch assembly shown in a locked position;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a top view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 3A  shown with a user actuated portion partially deflected toward a release position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the latch assembly of claim  3 B shown moving toward an unlocked position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of a main body portion of the latch assembly of  FIG. 2  shown in an unlocked position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the main body portion of the latch assembly of  FIG. 4A  shown moving toward engagement with retaining walls formed on a container portion of the storage container; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the main body portion of the latch assembly of  FIG. 4B  shown in a locked position with the retaining walls. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]     The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0018]     With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , a latch assembly  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown operatively associated with a storage container  12 . The storage container  12  generally includes a base container portion  16 , an intermediate container portion  18  and a lid portion  20 . A hinge  24  operably couples the respective portions  16 ,  18  and  20  of the storage container  10  and allows independent relative rotation between the base container portion  16 , intermediate container portion  18  and lid portion  20 . As will be described more fully herein, the latch assembly  10  is movable between a locked position for securing the lid portion  20  to the intermediate container portion  18  and an unlocked position for permitting rotation of the lid portion  20  relative the intermediate container portion  18  about the hinge  24 .  
         [0019]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the container  10  will be described in greater detail. The intermediate container portion  18  includes a first inner cavity  28  collectively defined by a bottom wall  30 , a top wall  32 , side walls  36  and a back wall  38 . Parallel dividers  40  extend between the bottom and top wall  30  and  32 , respectively across the first inner cavity  28 . Tabs  44  are configured on the parallel dividers  40  and the side walls  36  to capture a removable spacer  50 . The removable spacer  50  includes opposite ends  52  and first and second sides  54 . The first and second sides  52  and  54  are flared outwardly at the opposite ends  52 . The removable spacer  50  may be selectably positioned within the inner cavity  28  between respective opposing tabs  44  to customize interior space. The intermediate container portion  18  includes a pair of pockets  46  for accepting portions of the latch assembly  10  in a locked position.  
         [0020]     The base container portion  16  is configured much the same as the intermediate container portion  18  and includes a second inner cavity  58 . A closure member  60  is pivotally coupled to the base container portion  16  and selectively engages a catch  61  on the intermediate container portion  18  to secure the base  16  and intermediate container portions  18  together.  
         [0021]     With continued reference to  FIG. 1  and further reference to  FIG. 2 , the latch assembly  10  will be described in greater detail. The latch assembly  10  generally includes a latch  62 , a biasing member  64  and a track  66  configured on the lid portion  20  of the storage container  12 . The latch  62  includes a longitudinally extending main body portion  70  connected to a user actuated portion  72  by a connecting bar  74 . A pair of engaging members  76  extend from opposite ends of the main body portion  70  of the latch  62  for selectively engaging retaining walls  80  (as best illustrated in  FIG. 4C ) formed in the respective pockets  46  of the intermediate container portion  18 . Of note, the main body portion  70  of the latch  62  extends approximately one-half of the height of the container  12 . As a result, the span of the latch  62  separates the engaging members  76  by a wide band width. The wide band width of the engaging members  76  and complimentary retaining walls  80  of the pockets  46  provide a robust configuration that discourages unlocking of the latch  62  such as during an impact. The biasing member  64  is illustrated as a conventional coil spring but may comprise other suitable configurations.  
         [0022]     The track  66  is defined by a plurality of extension portions  84  configured on an inner face  86  of the lid portion  20 . The latch  62  is slidably captured by the track  66  and movable toward an unlocked position along its longitudinal axis. A series of extension portions  84  define hooks  90  extending at right angles for capturing lateral fingers  92  of the latch  62 . A notch  94  is formed in one of the extension portions  84  for accepting a lateral finger  98  of the latch  62 . The biasing member  64  is located between a first post  104  formed on one of the extension portions  84  and a second post  106  arranged along an intermediate portion of the main body  70  of the latch  62 . A locating finger  110  is formed on the main body portion  70  for engaging a contact surface  112  defined on the lid portion  20  in a safety position as will be described.  
         [0023]     The user actuated portion  72  defines a series of nubs  116  arranged thereon to facilitate a gripping action on its surface. The user actuated portion  72  further defines an arcuate body  118  having opposite ends  120  engaging a slide surface  122  on the lid portion  20  of the container  12 .  
         [0024]     Turning now to  FIG. 3A , the latch assembly  10  will be described in the safety position. In an at-rest position, the opposite ends  120  of the arcuate body  118  engage the slide surface  122  of the lid portion  20  and provide a biasing force that influences the main body portion  70  of the latch  62  in an outward direction D 1 . As a result, the locating finger  110  operably nests in a receiving gap  126  defined by the lid portion  20 . The locating finger  110  is bound on a first end by the contact surface  112  of the lid portion  20 . In this way, movement of the latch  62  toward the unlocked position (direction D 2 ) is precluded.  
         [0025]     With reference to  FIG. 3B , a method for moving the latch  62  out of the safety position of  FIG. 3A  will be described. To move the latch  62  out of the safety position, the biasing force of the user actuated portion  72  must be overcome. In this way, a user pushes on the arcuate body  118  of the user actuated portion  72  in a direction D 3 . Such movement deflects the ends  120  of the user actuated portion outward (directions D 2  and D 4 , respectively) until the locating finger  110  attains adequate clearance from the contact surface  112 .  
         [0026]     Once adequate clearance is gained, the user actuated portion  72  may be moved in the direction D 2  and toward the unlocked position ( FIG. 3C ). The latch may be translated along the track  66  until engaging a stopping member  128  formed on the inner face  86  of the lid  20 . Movement toward the unlocked position requires overcoming the biasing force of the spring  64 .  
         [0027]     The latch assembly  10  of the present invention provides a robust configuration that resists inadvertent actuation and unlocking of the lid  20 . More specifically, a sequence of distinct directional movements, each overcoming a separate biasing force is required to move the latch into the unlocked position. The first movement requires a user to push the user actuated portion in the direction D 3  while overcoming the biasing force of the arcuate body  118  engaging the slide surface  122 . The second movement requires the user to translate the user actuated portion in the direction D 2  while overcoming the biasing force of the spring  64 .  
         [0028]     Turning now to  FIGS. 4A-4C , movement of the latch  62  from the unlocked position ( FIG. 3C ) to the locked position ( FIG. 3A ) will be described. In one method, direct manipulation of the user actuated portion  72  is not necessary to move the latch  62  into the locked position. In such a method, a user may urge the lid portion  20  in the direction D 3 . The engaging members  76  each define ramped surfaces  130  for slidably negotiating along complimentary ramped surfaces  132  defined on the pockets  46 . Slidable movement of the engaging members  76  along the ramped surface  132  of the pockets  46  urges the latch  62  in the direction D 2 . Once the engaging members  76  clear the respective ramped surfaces  132 , the biasing member  64  urges the latch  62  in the direction D 4  drawing the engaging members  76  under the respective retaining walls  80 . Sufficient force must be exerted onto the lid  20  to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member  64 .  
         [0029]     In an alternate method, a user may manually actuate the latch  62  in the direction D 2  until the engaging members reach a position beyond the retaining walls  80  of the pockets  46 . The latch  62  may subsequently be moved in the direction D 3  into the pockets  46  until the engaging members  76  extend beyond the retaining walls  80 . At this point, the user actuated portion  72  of the latch  62  may be released whereby the biasing member  64  urges the latch  62  in the direction D 4  into the locked position ( FIG. 4B ).  
         [0030]     The latch assembly  10  is configured to cooperate with the track  66  for easy installation during assembly. Specifically, the extension portions  84  on the inner surface  86  of the lid portion  20  are arranged such that the latch  62  may be easily installed into the track  66  without the use of tools or supplemental fasteners. In this way, the spring  64  may be located between respective posts  104  and  106  and moved to a compressed state. At this point, the connecting bar  74  may be inserted through the receiving gap  126  ( FIG. 2 ) and toward the inner surface  86  of the lid portion  20 . Once the user actuated portion  72  is located on the slide surface  122 , the latch  62  may be released allowing the spring  64  to influence the latch  62  into the locked position ( FIG. 3A ).  
         [0031]     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.