Abstract:
The present invention relates to the latch-assisted lid extractor. The present invention includes a canister and a lid connected to the canister via a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an over-center lock to removably secure the lid to the canister. Additionally, the latch assembly can be moved from a first position sealing the canister with the lid to a second position urging the lid away from the canister. The present invention provides a mechanism that can both securely latch or fasten a lid to a canister and at the same time assist in removing the lid from the canister to enhance ease of operation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is related to a latch assembly. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a latch-assisted lid extractor.  
           [0002]    In the automobile and truck industry, replaceable fuel filters are contained in canisters which must be securely sealed to prevent the fuel from leaking. The fuel filters can be replaced during regularly-scheduled maintenance procedures or more frequently if the filters become clogged. Frequently, the lids fit tightly to the lower portion of the canister to prevent fuel leaks. It is not unusual for the lid to become “frozen” onto the canister. This makes it difficult to open the canister and replace the used filter. This job can be made more difficult because of the physical condition of the fuel canisters, which are typically round and without suitable “handles” to grip. Additionally, the canisters, which are often located in the engine compartment, become coated with oil, grease, or grime. This prevents gaining a grip on the canister to remove the tight fitting lid.  
           [0003]    While the above problems have focused on fuel filter canisters, the same problems can be extrapolated to virtually any type of container and lid combination. This is particularly true for push-on-type lids, i.e., lids which do not screw onto (or into) the lower container. An added consideration occurs when the interior of the closed canister is pressurized. Even a slight pressure such as can be found in a fuel filter canister can cause the contents to leak or seep out if the lid doesn&#39;t seal the container. Consequently, not only must the lid close the container, it also must be tight fitting to prevent any leaks or even from being ejected because of the pressure. A locking mechanism is often required to secure the lid. A locking mechanism forces the lid onto the container and can further frustrate attempts to open the container.  
           [0004]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide a lid that not only can be secured onto the lower portion of a canister to provide a tight, preferably leak-proof seal, but can also be readily removed when desired. In light of the above-described problems, there is a need for continued advancements in the relevant area. The present invention provides such an advancement and includes a wide variety of benefits and advantages.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention relates to closure mechanisms and containers and the manufacture and use thereof. Various aspects of the invention are novel and nonobvious and provide various advantages. While the actual nature of the invention covered herein can only be determined with reference to the claims appended hereto, certain forms and features, which are characteristic of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein, are described briefly as follows.  
           [0006]    In one form, the present invention provides an assembly that comprises a container, a lid or closure member, and a latch or closure assembly. The container comprises a wall having an exterior surface and which defines an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber. A closure member is provided to cover at least a portion of the opening into the interior chamber. The closure member has a recess formed therein. The closure assembly comprises a first arm pivotally mounted to the exterior surface of the container wall, and a second arm pivotally mounted to the first arm and having a closure engaging portion which is adapted to be received within the recess in the closure member. The second arm is movable from a first position securing the closure member to the container, to a second position wherein at least a portion of the closure member is spaced from the container&#39;s opening whereby movement of the second arm from the first position to the second position urges the closure member in a direction away from the container&#39;s opening. In preferred embodiments, the closure member or lid can be pivotally mounted or secured to the container to prevent displacement or loss of the closure member or lid. Additionally, the container can include two or more closure assemblies positioned about the circumference of the container. In other embodiments, the container is a circular canister or a box-type container.  
           [0007]    In other forms, the present invention provides a canister assembly that comprises a container having a wall defining an interior chamber and an opening through the wall into the interior chamber; a closure member secured to a portion of the wall and covering at least a portion of the opening into the interior chamber; and a locking assembly comprising a first arm pivotally attached to the wall of the container and a second arm having a first end pivotally attached to the first arm and an opposite second end adapted to be releasably engaged to the closure member; and means for disengaging the closure member from the wall. In preferred embodiments, the locking assembly comprises an over-center lock mechanism.  
           [0008]    In still other forms, the present invention provides a locking assembly for securing a first member to a second member. The locking assembly comprises a lever having a first end pivotally secured to the first member; an arm having a first end pivotally connected proximal to the first end of the lever; and a closure engaging portion adapted to be received within a recess formed in the second member. The second arm is movable from a first position securing the first member to the second member, to a second position wherein at least a portion of the first member is spaced from the second member and whereby pivotal movement of the lever moves the second arm from the first position to the second position and urges the second member away from the first member.  
           [0009]    It is one object of the present invention to provide a latch-assisted locking assembly.  
           [0010]    Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description provided below.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an elevated first side view of a lid, container, and latch assembly illustrated with the lid secured to the container in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an elevated second side view of the lid, container, and latch assembly of FIG. 1.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the lid, container, and latch assembly of FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a partial view in full section along section line  4 - 4  of the lid, container, and latch assembly illustrated in FIG. 2.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is an elevated first side view of the lid, container, and latch assembly of FIG. 1 illustrated with the lid partially displaced from the container.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a partial view in full section of the lid, container, and latch assembly illustrated in FIG. 5.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is an elevated first side view of the lid, container, and latch assembly of FIG. 1 with the lid removed from the container in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a partial view in full section of an alternative embodiment of a latch assembly pivotally interconnected to a lid and a container in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a partial view of yet another embodiment of a lid, container, and latch assembly pivotally attached to the lid in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a partial view of the lid, container, and latch assembly of FIG. 9 with the lid partially displaced from the container in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is an elevated first side view of a lid, container, and latch assembly with an electrical connection in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is an elevated first side view of a lid, container, and latch assembly with a fluid connection in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated herein and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described devices, assemblies, or processes, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0024]    In general, the present invention relates to a latch assembly that can alternatively secure a lid or cover to a container and assist in removal of that same lid or cover from the container. The latch assembly includes a pair of levers or arms that are pivotally connected together. The first arm is pivotally attached to either the container or the lid. The second arm or lever is pivotally attached to the first arm proximate to its point of attachment to the container or lid. Preferably, the latch mechanism uses the fundamentals of an over-center lock to both urge the lid onto the container and lock or secure the lid and container together. In addition, the first arm provides a significant mechanical advantage to disengage the lid from the container to facilitate removal of the lid. In one embodiment, the first and second lever or arms are attached to the container. In another embodiment, the first and/or second arms are pivotally attached to the lid.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is an elevated first side view of a fuel filter canister  10  having a latch assembly  16  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Closure member or lid  14  is fully seated to open end  18  of container  12  such that lower surface  15  of lid  14  bears against the container rim  17 . In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly includes two latch assemblies  16  and  19  positioned approximately diametrically opposite to each other about container  12 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can include a single latch assembly or a plurality of latch assemblies positioned as desired about the periphery of container  12 .  
         [0026]    Referring additionally to FIGS. 2, 3, and  4 , alternative views of the fuel filter canister  10  are illustrated. Latch assembly  16  includes a first arm  32  pivotally mounted to wall  13  of container  12 . Preferably, first arm  32  is pivotally mounted to container  12  between a pair of ears or tabs  34  and  35  extending from exterior wall  13  using pivot pin  36  extending therebetween. In preferred embodiments, first end  38  of arm  32  forks into two prongs or tines  38   a  and  38   b  defining a channel  39  therebetween. Pivot pin  36  extends from first tab  34 , through an opening in first tine  38   a  and through an opening in second tine  38   b  to second tab  35 .  
         [0027]    Latch assembly  16  also includes a second arm  42  having a first end  44  pivotally connected to first end  38  of first arm  32 . In preferred embodiments, first end  44  of second arm  42  is disposed in channel  39  between tines  38   a  and  38   b . A second pivot pin  41  extends from first tine  38   a  through first end  44  and to second tine  38   b . Preferably, first end  44  of second arm  42  includes a recess  23  to receive pivot pin  36 .  
         [0028]    Second arm  42  also includes an opposite second end  46 , which terminates in a lid engaging portion  48 . In preferred embodiments, lid engaging portion  48  includes a hammerhead or “T-shaped” head  50 .  
         [0029]    Referring now specifically to FIG. 4 for the illustrated embodiment, fuel filter canister  10  also includes lid  14  to close opening  18 . Upper flange  20  and a second or lower flange  22  both extend about the outer circumferential perimeter of lid  14 . Upper flange  20  and lower flange  22  define a recess, for example, channel or groove  24  therebetween. Upper flange  20  terminates in an “L-shaped” lip or rim  26 . Similarly, lower flange  22  terminates in a corresponding mirror image “L-shaped” lip or rim  28 . Together, “L-shaped” lips  26  and  28  define an opening  30  into groove  24 . In one preferred embodiment, opening  30  defines the minimum width of groove  24 . Groove  24  is provided to receive lid engaging portion  48  of second arm  42 .  
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment, upper and lower flanges  20  and  22 , and consequently groove  24 , circumscribe lid edge  21 . This provides advantages in that the lid can be indiscriminately rotated and fixed or secured to cover open end  18  of container  12 .  
         [0031]    In other embodiments it will be understood that upper and lower flanges  20  and  22  (and consequently groove  24 ) need not completely circumscribe lid edge  21  but can be provided in selected locations about lid edge  21  as desired.  
         [0032]    In the illustrated embodiment, “T-shaped” head  50  is disposed within groove  24 , such that a first, lower bearing surface  52  bears against inner wall  54  of lower flange  22  to urge lid  14  over opening  18  of container  12 . Lower flange  22 , in conjunction with “L-shaped” lip  28 , inhibits “T-shaped” head  50  from slipping out of groove  24 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate fuel filter canister  10  having lid  14  displaced from a container  12  such that lower surface  15  is spaced from rim  17 . Latch assembly  16  assists in separating or extracting lid  14  from container  12 . First arm  32  extends from container  12  such that second end  40  is spaced from wall  13 . Second arm  42  extends from first end  38  to lid  14 . “T-shaped” head  50  is still disposed within groove  34 . However, now second, upper bearing surface  53  bears against inner wall portion  60  of groove  24 . Upper, “L-shaped” lip  26  in conjunction with upper flange  20  inhibits disengagement of “T-shaped” head  50  from groove  24 .  
         [0034]    In use, first arm  32  is positioned in a first position as illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4  to secure or lock lid  14  to the container. Pivoting first arm  32  about pivot pin  36  in a direction illustrated by arrow  58  (shown in FIG. 5) assists in removing lid  14  from container  12 . Second end  46  of second arm follows pivot pin  36  and releases the over-center-lock mechanism. This movement also forces second arm  42  to move such that “T-shaped head  50  moves in a substantially vertical direction while still retained within groove  24 . Consequently, “T-shaped” head  50  disengages from inner wall portion  54  of groove  24  and bears against opposite wall portion  60  of groove  24  to urge lid  14  to move in a vertical direction from container  12 .  
         [0035]    It can be seen from the illustrated embodiment that the first arm  32  acts as a lever and provides significant mechanical advantage to urge lid  14  to disengage from the interior of container  12 . This provides particular advantages to release snug-fitting lids which are designed to provide a leak-free and tight seal between the lid  14  and container  12 .  
         [0036]    In preferred embodiments, the movement in a direction illustrated by arrow  58  provides significant vertical advancement of lid  14  to sufficiently enable one with relative ease to completely separate lid  14  from container  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, it can be seen that the lower portion  63  of lid  14  is still engaged with the interior of container  12 . In alternative embodiments, pivotal movement of first arm  32  provides sufficient vertical movement of lid  14  to completely disengage or separate the lid  14  from container  12 . This can be accomplished by adjusting the length of first arm  32  and/or second arm  42  and/or adjusting the position for pivotal attachment of second arm  42  to first arm  32 .  
         [0037]    It should be understood by one skilled in the art that lid  14  can be adapted to fit over open end  18  of container  12  rather than engaging with the interior of container  12 . Furthermore, the lid can be hinged to a portion of the latch and/or otherwise interconnected to container  12  to prevent complete separation of lid  14  from container  12  and still provide sufficient access into the interior of container  12 . (See for example FIG. 8.) This provides advantages in that lid  14  cannot be misplaced or lost during operation.  
         [0038]    Referring additionally to FIG. 7, it can be seen that after removal of lid  14  from container  12 , one or more of latch assemblies  16  can be disengaged from the lid. For example, latch assembly  19  is disengaged from groove  24  while latch assembly  16  remains engaged with groove  24 . Latch assembly  16  can allow sufficient movement of lid  14  to allow complete access into interior chamber  62  to allow for the removal and replacement of a filter  64 . Filter  64  is illustrated as a fuel filter. However, it would be understood by those skilled in the art that any number of filters or other objects can be inserted into a container  12 , e.g., a filter such as an oil filter, air filter, and/or coolant filter. Furthermore, container  12  can be provide in a variety of shapes, preferably provided to conform to the exterior dimensions and shape of the included filter.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 8 is a partial view in full section of an alternative embodiment of a latch assembly  70  for use in the present invention. Latch assembly  70  is formed similarly to latch assembly  16  and like reference numbers will be used to denote like components. FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention where lid  80  can be fixed to a portion of latch assembly  70 , which can act as a hinge to inhibit complete separation of lid  80  from container  12 . Latch assembly  70  includes first arm  32  pivotally mounted via pivot pin  36  to a pair of tabs  34  and  35 . Second arm  72  is pivotally mounted to a first end  38  of first arm  32 . Opposite end  74  can include an opening  78 . Lid  80  includes at least one projection  82  preferably providing a pair of projections (similar to tabs  34  and  35 ) having an opening therethrough. Pivot pin  79  extends from projection  82  through opening  78  pivotally connecting arm  72  to lid  80 . Assembly  70  can also include one or more latch assemblies such as described above for latch assembly  16  to secure and extract lid  80  from container  12 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of a latch assembly  90  for use with lid  96  and container  92  according to the present invention. Latch assembly  90  includes a first arm  91  pivotally attached to a pair of tabs  93  and  94  via pivot pin  95 . First arm  91  overlays a portion of lid  96 . Second arm  98  is pivotally attached to a first end  97  of first arm  91 . Second arm  98  is pivotally connected to first arm  91  to provide an over-center lock mechanism. Opposite end  100  of second arm  98  includes the engaging portion  102 . Engaging portion  102  was provided as a “T-shaped” head  103  to be received within a groove  104  formed by upper and lower flanges  106  and  108 , respectively. Upper flange  106  includes an “L-shaped” lip  110 , while lower flange  108  also includes a similar, but mirror image, “L-shaped” lip  112 . “L-shaped” lips  110  and  112  define the opening into groove  104  formed therebetween. In preferred embodiments, “T-shaped” head  103  has a maximum dimension sized smaller than the width of opening  114 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 10 illustrates latch assembly  90  with lid  96  displaced from container  92 . First arm  91  extends from lid  96  at an oblique angle. Second arm  98  bears against lower flange  108 .  
         [0042]    In effect, latch assembly  90  is substantially the reverse of latch assembly  16  in that first and second arms are pivotally connected respectively to the lid  96  while the groove  104  is formed in or about container  92 . As with canister  10 , container  92  and lid  96  can include two or more latch assemblies positioned as desired.  
         [0043]    Movement of first arm  91  from a first position (illustrated in FIG. 9) to a second position (illustrated in FIG. 10) in a direction illustrated by arrow  116  about pivot pin  95  acts as a lever to move second arm  98  in a substantially vertical direction whereby a lower portion of “T-shaped” head  103  bears against the inner wall of lower flange  108 . This in turn forces lid  96  in a vertical direction from container  92 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 11 is yet another embodiment of a canister  120  having a latch assembly  16  according to the present invention. Canister  120  is formed similarly to canister  10  and the same reference numbers will be used for similar components. Canister  120  includes a lid  122  having an electrical connection  124  to an electrical plug  126 . As illustrated, lid  122  also includes a second electrical connection  128 . It will be understood that lid  122  can include one, two, or more electrical connections as desired. In this embodiment, particular advantages can be gained by providing canister  120  with a “push-on” lid  122  instead of a “screw-on” type lid to avoid removing or alternatively twisting and/or entangling of the wires that can occur with a screw-on type lid.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 12 is still yet another embodiment of a canister  130  according to the present invention. Canister  130  is formed similarly to canister  10  and the same reference numbers will be used for similar components. Lid  132  includes a fluid connection  134 . Connection  134  is a general connector that can be used to connect a fluid line such as a line for gas, oil (lubricants), water, and the like. Alternatively, connection  134  can be used to connect a gaseous line either for an air line or a vacuum line as desired.  
         [0046]    The various embodiments of a container, lid, and latch assembly are described in the present application. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a selected embodiment of the present invention can include any of the portions, structures, or assemblies described for the other embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, while the above description specifically refers to fuel filter canisters, the invention is not so restricted and includes air, lube, oil, centrifuge applications and, generally, any container and lid combination.  
         [0047]    The present invention also contemplates modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art. It is also contemplated that processes embodied in the present invention can be altered, rearranged, substituted, deleted, duplicated, combined, or added to other processes as would occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, any theory of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of the present invention and is not intended to make the scope of the present invention dependent upon such theory, proof, or finding.  
         [0048]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in character, it is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.