Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/6540268
Timestamp: 2020-01-29 02:33:22
Document Index: 78829804

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 2', 'arts 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'arts 2', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38', 'art 38']

US Patent for Closure device for a container and furthermore a container fitted with the closure device Patent (Patent # 6,540,268 issued April 1, 2003) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents Link And LeverUS Patent for Closure device for a container and furthermore a container fitted with the closure device Patent (Patent # 6,540,268)
Closure device for a container and furthermore a container fitted with the closure device
When the container 1 is closed and the front first side walls 5a and 7a of the two container parts 2 and 3 are directly adjacent to each other at their longitudinally extending edges, their inner faces 13 and 14 possibly lying in a common plane, at least in the zone of abutment between them. These front first and second walls 5a and 7a have a closure device generally referenced 15, which renders it possible to lock the two container parts 2 and 3 in the closed state of the container together in a detachable manner to prevent accidental opening.
The closure device 15 comprises a locking means with first locking instrumentalities 16 arranged on the first container part 2 and second locking instrumentalities 17 arranged on the second container part 3, which instrumentalities can cooperate together. Conveniently, the locking instrumentalities 16 and 17 are respectively secured to the inner face 13 and 14 of the associated front first and, respectively, second side walls 5a and 7a in the edge region of the respective side wall facing the respectively other container part.
The two beams 18 and 19 in the working embodiment have a U-shaped cross section and are mounted on the inner face 13 and 14 of the front side walls 5a and 7a with the open longitudinal side to the fore so that a gap-free, closed impression is created and all moving part may be accommodated in the inner space 22 of the beam so that damage to articles placed in the container 1 is avoided.
In the working embodiment illustrated the first locking instrumentalities 16 comprise two adjacently placed and spaced apart locking units 25a and 25b extending in the longitudinal direction of the first beam 18 and, respectively, of the associated first side wall 5. Each of such locking units 25a and 25b is provided with a first engagement member 26a and 26b, which is rotatably mounted on the first beam 18 for turning about a pivot axis 27a and 27b.
For each first engagement member 26a and 26b of the first locking instrumentalities 16 a second engagement member 28a and 28b is provided belonging to the second locking instrumentalities 17. In the state already for cooperation of the two locking instrumentalities 16 and 17, which is indicated in FIGS. 5 and 12, the first and the second engagement members 26a and 28a and furthermore 26b and 28b are opposite to each other in the opening and closing direction 32 of the container parts 2 and 3 indicated by the double arrow.
Each first engagement member 26a and 26b is engaged by an elongated actuating member 33a and 33b, by way of which a setting force can act on the associated one engagement member 26a and 26b in order to pivot the latter between a released position indicated for instance in FIGS. 2 and 12 and a locking position illustrated in FIG. 5.
The two actuating members 33a and 33b are in the working embodiment designed in the form of pivotally mounted two-armed levers, the first lever arm 34 thereof engaging the associated first engagement member 26a and 26b more particularly at the end thereof. The point 36 of engagement is designed to permit a pivoting action and is located at a radial distance from the axis 27a and 27b of rotation, a further axis 37a and 37b respectively parallel to these axes 27a and 27b of rotation being defined.
For the second lever arm 35 of each actuating member 33a and 33b there is an abutment part 38. Same could in principle be constituted directly by the associated actuating member 33a and 33b, and therefore could for instance be designed as a single structural unit with the second lever arm 35 of the actuating member 33a and 33b. In the working embodiment however a different design is selected, in the case of which the abutment part 38 is a component separate from the actuating members 33a and 33b, although there is a kinematic coupling with these actuating members 33a and 33b. This kinematic coupling is such that setting forces exerted on the abutment part are transmitted to the associated actuating member 33a and 33b.
Each actuating member 33a and 33b could have only one abutment part 38 associated with it. In the working embodiment on the other hand only one abutment part 38 is provided, which simultaneously is coupled kinematically with the two actuating members 33a and 33b. In accordance with FIG. 2 coupling means 42 extend between the second adjacent locking units 25a and 25b, which at the same time engage the two second lever arms 35, such coupling means 42 having the single abutment part 38.
Both actuating members 33a and 33b are pivotally mounted on the first beam 18. The point of pivotable bearing 45 is preferably so placed that the two lever arms 34 and 35 extending from this point are of equal length. However, unequal lengths of the lever arm are possible. The respective pivotale bearing point 45 defines a pivotal axis 46, which extends in parallelism to the above mentioned axes of rotation.
By the application of a suitably directed force on the abutment member 38 two actuating members 33a and 33b may to be switched over as part of a pivoting movement in relation to the pivot axis 46 between an open position indicated for instance in FIGS. 2 and 6 and a closed position indicated for instance in FIGS. 5 and 9.
Since the actuating members 33a and 33b have their first lever arm 34 in engagement with the first engagement members 26a and 26b, each position of an actuating member 33a and 33b is associated with a predetermined position of the coupled first engagement member 26a and 26b. In the open position of an actuating member 33a and 33b the associated first engagement member 26a and 26b assumes a released position, whereas the closed position in the actuating member 33a and 33bcorresponds to a locking position of the associated first engagement member 26a and 26b. The transition between the released position and the locking position of the first engagement members 26a and 26b takes place as part of a pivoting motion about the axis 27a and 27b of rotation. The locking mechanism, comprising the two locking units 25a and 25b, of the first locking instrumentalities 16 is accommodated together with the abutment part 38 in the interior 22 of the first beam 18 and is covered over by the terminal face 23. Each first engagement member 26aand 26b is however provided with a recess 47 in the terminal face 23 which in the working embodiment extends through the U limbs of the first beam 18 and which renders it possible for the first engagement member 26a and 26b to extend through it.
In the released position the first engagement members 26a and 26b are moved back behind the terminal face 23 and thus assume a lowered position in relation to the terminal face 23 so that there is no danger of injury on the projecting sharp edges. On transition into the locking position the first engagement member 26a and 26b will partially extend through the recess 47 until its arrives in the locking position.
During this operation the first engagement member 26a and 26b has the possibility of fitting behind the second engagement member 28a and 28b as in FIG. 5, such member 28 having drawn close. It is in this manner that the two locking instrumentalities 16 and 17 are firmly locked together and the opening of a respective container 1 prevented. The locked state then assumed by the closure device 15 generally is indicated in FIG. 5.
The first engagement members 26a and 26b are in the working embodiment designed in the form of hooks and in the locked position have a hooked section 48 fitting through the respectively associated recess 47. The second engagement members 28a and 28b are constituted by the edge of an aperture 52 in the second locking instrumentalities 17, which is formed in the opposing face 24 and extends through the associated U-limb of the second beam 19. In the locked state as illustrated in FIG. 5 the hook sections 48 of the first engagement members 26a and 26b can fit through the apertures 52 and fit behind the edge of such aperture.
The second locking instrumentalities 17 comprise an obstructing member 53, which can, when the container 1 is closed and accordingly the locking instrumentalities 16 and 17 are united, extend into the path of displacement of the abutment part 38 and to hold the actuating members 33a and 33b in the closed position.
Instead of simply having an obstructing member it would also be possible to have a plurality of obstructing members. This would more particularly be appropriate when each locking unit 25a and 25b has its own abutment part and accordingly it is necessary to jam a plurality of abutment parts simultaneously.
In the open state of the container the actuating members 33a and 33b will normally assume the open position indicated in FIG. 2, such open position involving a simultaneous assumption of the release position of the first engagement members 26a and 26b kinematically coupled with the actuating members 26a and 26b. The above mentioned spring means 44 cause this state to be held, since they exert a rotary torque into the open position on the actuating members 33a and 33b like a pivoting lever. As a counter-abutment for the spring force use is made of suitable support face, which are more particularly constituted by the first beam 18, and more especially by the inner face of the first beam 18 opposite to the terminal face 23.
This means that the obstructing member 53 is in a position of exerting a setting force on the abutment part 38, which produces a torque effective at the actuating members 33a and 33b to produce a switching over into the closed position. The actuating members 33a and 33b are accordingly simultaneously pivoted gradually into the closed position, the first engagement members 26a and 26b simultaneously being pivoted toward the locking position, same being able to fit into the approaching apertures 52 of the second beam 19 and finally to fit behind the second engagement members 28a and 28b with a locking action.
The arrangement of the working example is such that the two second lever arms 35 are, in the open position and in the closed position, on opposite sides of an imaginary connecting line 55 between the pivot bearing points 45. In the open position they are on the side facing the obstructing member 53 of such connecting line 55. The result of this is that during the transition between the two end positions and on moving past the connecting line 55 the spring means 42 move through a dead center position of maximum compression. This leads to a snap-action effect with a bistable resilient holding of the actuate members 33a and 33b, which are accordingly held both in the open position and also in the closed position with the supporting action of a spring.
In connection with the spring means it is however to be noted that in case of need same can be placed at some other point so that they are effective between the first beam 18 and a respective actuate member 33a and 33b. It would be feasible as well to provide spring means for the respective actuating member 33a and 33b adjacent to a respective pivot bearing point 45.
At the opposite face 24 the obstructing member 53 is arranged on the second beam 19 from which it projects toward the first beam 18. Preferably, it is lug-like or pin-like in configuration. The obstructing member is preferably in the form of an independent component separate from the second engagement members 28a and 28b, which only performs an actuating and obstructing action without taking part in the locking operation as such.
Supposing that the first engagement members 26aand 26b are for some reason or other in the locking position even prior to the closing of the container 1, while at the same time the actuating members 33a and 33b are in the closed position, closing of the container will still be possible. Owing to the resilient action on the actuating members 33a and 33b it is possible for the first engagement members 26a and 26b to be shifted a little way toward the released position because due to the action of the approaching second engagement members 28a and 28b during the closing operation and after moving past the second engagement members 28a and 28b they snap back into the locking position of their own accord. For this the locking member 53 is not necessarily needed as a means having a loading action, even although it may still perform the function of a support member or, respectively, holding down means, for the spring means 42.
For unlocking the locking instrumentalities 16 and 17 locked together when the container 1 is closed an opening mechanism 56 is provided, which is conveniently a component of the first locking instrumentalities 16 and serves to override the jamming, caused by the obstructing member 53, of the actuating members 33a and 33b and to switch over the latter into the open position, while at the same time unlocking the first engagement members 26a and 26b, which are kinematically coupled with the actuating members 33a and 33b.
In the working embodiment illustrated the opening mechanism 56 cooperates simultaneously with the two locking units 25a and 25b, it being provided for the area lying between such locking units 25a and 25b so that there is central actuating means or possibility. As compared with a design, which would be possible in principle, with independent opening mechanisms for each locking unit 25a and 25b, the joint arrangement also offers the advantage of a reduction in the complexity of manufacture and of the space requirement.
The opening mechanism 56 comprises an adjustable opener 57, which has an activating member 58, located in the fitted condition in the interior 8 of the container, and furthermore a control member 62, for example in the form of an actuating button. Between the activating member 58 and the control member 62 there is a firm or permanent connection through the front first side wall 5a (not illustrated), which may be slotted for this purpose. By taking hold of the control member 62 from the outside it is thus possible for the opener to be operated in the desired manner.
Considering the closure device 15 in the locked state the activating member 58 is on the side, which is opposite to the obstructing member 53, of the abutment part 38 (see FIG. 9). The opener 57 is preferably designed in the form of a slide and may be shifted by acting on the control member 62 linearly in an activating direction coinciding with the opening and closing (activation) direction 63. Then the activating member 58 moves in a plane here termed a working plane, which coincides with or is parallel to, planes of pivoting of the actuating members 33a and 33b and the plane of motion of the first engagement members 26a and 26b.
The activating member 58 has a ramp or deflecting face 64 on the side facing the abutment part 38 and such face 64 preferably extends obliquely at least in part in relation to the activation direction 63. If the activating member 58 is shifted out of the deactivated position illustrated in FIG. 9 toward the abutment part 38 the deflecting face 64 will touch a lateral strike area 65 turned in a direction perpendicular to the direction of switching over, of the abutment part 38 and will deflect same in relation to the obstructing member 53 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of pivoting of the actuating members 33a and 33b. The deflecting movement is indicated by the arrow 66.
This deflection movement is ensured because on the one hand the connection of the actuating members 33a and 33b with the first engagement members 26a and 26b on the points 36 of action and on the other hand the pivot bearing function at the pivot bearing 45 are designed with suitable degrees of freedom, more particularly by ensuring a sufficient degree of play or by having suitably designed joints.
Thus for example the bearing pin 67 attached to the first beam 18 and defining the point 45 of pivot bearing, is of such a length as makes it possible for the actuating members 33a and 33b to move in the longitudinal direction of the bearing pin 67, the hole 68, into which the bearing pin 67 is fitted, in the actuating members 33a and 33b being in the form of a slot.
In the working embodiment illustrated the deflection movement is limited by the head 70 of the bearing pin 67, which furthermore may serve to act as a supporting abutment for spring means which are not illustrated in detail and which bias the abutment part 38 into the non-deflected position by action on the actuating members 33a and 33b.
During the deflection movement therefore practically the abutment part 38 and furthermore the length sections, adjoining it, of the actuating members 33a and 33b are pivoted out of that plane, in which they are located during closing operation or during the obstructing action.
In this deflected position in this case FIG. 13 the abutment part 38 is able to move past to the face side of the obstructing member 53. The actuating members 33a and 33b may consequently be pivoted back by the obstructing member 53 out of the closed position into the open position, the pivoting motion taking place solely outside the pivotal plane relevant for the switching over into the closed position.
Thus finally we will have the unlocked state depicted in FIGS. 12 and 15, in the case of which the actuating members 33a and 33b are switched over into the open position despite the obstructing member 53 constantly being in the obstructing position, something which simultaneously results in movement into the released position of the first engagement members 26a and 26b. The container can now be opened, the locking instrumentalities 16 and 17 being moved apart from each other and the obstructing member 53 ceasing its engagement with the first locking instrumentalities 16 so that finally the abutment part 38, which so far has been deflected, together with the actuating members 33a and 33b, which so been deflected as well may return into the non-deflected position. In order to aid such return motion the above mentioned spring means may be provided.
FIG. 16 shows a further possible design of the first locking instrumentalities 16, in the case of which a plurality of locking units 25b and 25c, switched directly in a row, are provided. It is the actuating member 33b of the one locking unit 25b which is here provided with an abutment part 38 and the actuation of the pivoting axis 27c of the following further locking unit 25c is performed directly by the first locking unit 25b. This is for example something which may be accomplished if the actuating member 33c of the following locking unit 25c is provided on the first engagement member 26b of the preceding locking unit 25b and is driven by the pivoting movement thereof to perform its own pivotal movement, which is then transmitted to the associated first engagement member 26c.
In the case of this design it is extremely simple to vary the number of the first engagement members for adaptation to suit different dimensions of the container to be fitted.
Finally it is to be mentioned that the closure device may, if appropriate, comprise a safety catch means 73 in addition to the locking means, which independently from the obstructing member 53 provides a safety catch function to prevent unauthorized unlocking of the first engagement members 26a and 26b. This safety catch means 73, which is preferably in the form of a number lock, is preferably so designed that it cooperates with the opening mechanism 56 and for instance prevents actuation of the opener 57.
1. A closure device for a container comprising a locking means for the releasable mutual locking of two container parts when the container is closed, said locking means having first locking instrumentalities for a first container part and second locking instrumentalities for a second container part, the first locking instrumentalities including at least one actuating member able to be switched over between an open position and a closed position, said actuating member being kinematically coupled with at least one engagement member of the first locking instrumentalities, which in the open position of the actuating member can assume a released position out of a locking engagement with a second engagement member of the second locking instrumentalities and in the closed position of the actuating member can assume a locking position in locking engagement with the second engagement member, the second locking instrumentalities comprise at least one obstructing member extending, when the locking instrumentalities are united together, into a path of displacement of an abutment part constituted directly by the actuating member or kinematically coupled with same and holds the actuating member in the closed position and an opening mechanism is provided by means of which the obstruction of the actuating member may be overridden and the actuating member may be switched over back into the open position.
wherein the opening mechanism comprises an adjustable opener having a deflecting face by means of which the abutment part may be so acted upon that same is deflected in relation to the obstructing member and the obstructing member may move past to the side for switching over the actuating member into the open position.
30. The closure device as set forth in claim 29, wherein the container is a traveling or tool case.
comprising spring means holding the at least one first engagement member in the release position, preferably by same engaging the actuating member and holding same in the open position.
33. A container comprising two container parts and with a closure device as set forth in claim 32.
wherein the at least one actuating member is designed in the form of a pivotally mounted lever, whose first arm cooperates with a first engagement element and whose second lever arm is provided with an abutment part,
wherein two adjacently placed locking units are provided, the opening mechanism is associated with the intermediately placed portion and simultaneously is able to cooperate with the two locking units wherein the at least one actuating member is designed in the form of a pivotally mounted lever, whose first arm cooperates with a first engagement and wherein between the two mutually adjacent second lever arms of two adjacent locking units coupling means extend which simultaneously engage the two second lever arms and which during a synchronous switching movement of the actuate members perform a translatory movement; and
wherein the coupling means comprise spring means, which bear against the second lever arms and are placed between them, and accordingly bias the actuating means simultaneously in the opening direction or respectively in the closing position.
35. A container comprising two container parts and with a closure device as set forth in claim 34.
wherein the at least one actuating member is designed in the form of a pivotally mounted lever, whose first arm cooperates with a first engagement element and whose second lever arm is provided with an abutment part; and
wherein the opening mechanism comprises a slide-like opener, which is able to be moved more particularly linearly in a working plane for acting on the abutment part, which working plane coincides or is parallel to the pivotal planes of the actuate members.
37. A container comprising two container parts and with a closure device as set forth in claim 36.
wherein the abutment part is able to be deflected for overriding the obstructing action in a direction athwart the pivotal plane of the actuating members.
39. A container comprising two container parts and with a closure device as set forth in claim 38.
211334 January 1879 Kervin
716208 December 1902 Duchemin
1145541 July 1915 Binkley
1655148 January 1928 Larson
2839912 June 1958 Corbin et al.
2911247 November 1959 Corbin
3135105 June 1964 Brody
3578368 May 1971 Dupuis
4365490 December 28, 1982 Manzoni
4677832 July 7, 1987 Remington
6079585 June 27, 2000 Lentini
6334560 January 1, 2002 Lentini
0 006 645 January 1980 EP
2 094 388 September 1982 GB
2 307 268 May 1997 GB
Patent number: 6540268
Patent Publication Number: 20020047278
Assignee: PARAT-Werk Schönenbach GmbH +Co. KG (Remscheid)
Inventor: Herbert Berhard Pauser (Darmstadt)
Application Number: 09/982,046
Current U.S. Class: Link And Lever (292/48); Multiple (292/3); Swinging And Hooked End (292/11); Hooked End (292/24); Link And Lever (292/26); Cam (292/27); Push Or Pull Rod (292/30); Swinging (292/44); Operating Means (292/45); Swinging And Hooked End, Multiple Head (292/56); Link And Lever (292/97); Link And Lever (292/196); External And Internal Bar Or Closure (220/243); Closure Mounted For Swinging (e.g., Hinged) (220/244); Swinging And Rotary (220/291); Crossbar Carries Closure And Serves As Closure Fastener (220/314); Closure For Compartment (220/523); Including Locking Means Engaging The Rod (220/538); Including Locking Means Engaging The Container (220/540); Removable Closure Situated By Resilient Distortion And Retained By Preformed Configuration (e.g., Detent) (220/780); Hand-carried Container For Transporting A Beverage Or Prepared Food (e.g., Lunch Box, Dinner Pail, Picnic Cooler) (220/915.1)
International Classification: E05C/306; E05C/916;