US1957662A - Locking device - Google Patents

Description

y 1934- s. MORRISON 1,957,662

LOCKING DEVICE Filed Aug. 18, 1930 I 0 I I N V E N T OR k/fi 5 #5777022 17102771022 Patented May 8, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention pertains to a locking device and more particularly to automatic cover fastening means applicable to vanity boxes, cigarette cases, and the like.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical locking mechanism which is devoid of excessive parts, inexpensive to fabricate and which is automatic and simple in operation.

A further object is to provide simple means for unlocking the device and opening the cover of the container.

It is the common practice to provide vanity case covers with spring or friction catches to hold 15 them in closed position. A slight increase in the pressure on the cover as a result of careless handling or overpacking is often sufficient however, to release the cover catch and allow spillage of the contents.

This disadvantage has been overcome in the present embodiment wherein the container cover is maintained in closed position by a positive locking device which operates automatically during the closure operation. An increase of the internal pressure against the container cover in this construction merely tends to more tightly engage the lock and add to the security of the device.

Although a preferred embodiment is herein disclosed, I anticipate any structure properly within the scope of the appended claims. Further advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description. Referring to the drawings, which shows the device applied to a spill-proof and leakage proof loose powder unit;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the container with the locking device engaging the cover in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the container with cover in open position, locking device disengaged.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device in locked position.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the device in released position.

' Fig. 5 is a cross section taken along the line 5-5 of Fi 1.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the locking bar with a cover represented in skeleton lines.

A container 10 is fitted with a cover 11 pivotly attached by a hinge 12. The cover is provided with a slightly upturned lug 14 which is mounted opposite the hinge and concaved slightly to increase the frictional contact With the locking 5 means. A slidable bar 15 is provided with a locking finger 16 and a cam 17. The container 10 is provided with a slot 18 adapted to slidably receive the finger 16 and cam 1'7. The slidable bar is longer than the slot, is stationed beneath it, and slides on a track formed by upturned members 19, which are in the form of tongues.

The operation of the locking device is exceedingly simple and takes place automatically when the cover is closed. It is simply necessary to bring the cover quickly downward to the closed position. When the lug 14 engages the cam surface 1'7, as indicated in Fig. 4, it imparts motion to the slidable bar 15. When the cover is all the way down, lug 14 is clear of the end of locking finger 16 and no longer exerts pressure on the cam, as 7 indicated in Fig. 6. The slidable bar is relatively heavy and the momentum imparted carries the bar to the locked position as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

If preferred, the device may be operated by closing the cover to the position indicated in Fig. 4 so that the lug engages the cam, and then the bar may be slid into locking position by tapping the cover.

The cover may be so made that it has a spring .80 portion 20 adjacent the hinge to tend to open the cover from the closed position. Thus in the closed position, the lug 14 exerts an upward pressure against the locking finger 16 and frictionally holds the bar in locked position.

While the device thus tightly and positively locks the container cover in closed position, the cover may be easily opened by sliding the bar 15 in the opposite direction. The cam 17 then engages the lug 14, forcing it upward to a position $10 where it may be readily lifted, as with the pad of the thumb, to fully open the cover as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

I claim:--

1. A container comprising a body portion having means to slidably support a locking bar; a locking bar slidably supported by said means; a cover hinged to the container, said cover having a locking lug and a springy portion; and means operable automatically upon closing of the cover to slide the bar into locking engagement with the lug, said automatically operated means being actuated by said lug; said springy portion of the cover acting when the cover is locked to urge said lug laterally against the locking bar.

2. A container comprising a holding portion; a t slotted shelf-like portion projecting outwardly from the holding portion; means to slidably support a locking bar beneath said shelf-like portion;

a locking bar slidably supported by said means, .110

said bar having a locking projection extending through the slot in said shelf-like portion; and a cover having means to make locking engagement with said locking projection.

3. A container comprising a holding portion; a slotted shelf-like portion projecting outwardly from the holding portion; means to slidably sup port a locking bar beneath said shelf-like portion; a locking bar slidably supported by said means, said bar having a locking projection extending through the slot in said she1f-like portion; a cover having means to make locking engagement with said locking projection; and spring means to increase the friction between said cover r means and said locking projection.

4. A container comprising a holding portion; a slotted shelf-like portion projecting outwardly from the holding portion; bar supporting means depending from said shelf-like portion; a looking bar slidably supported by said supporting means, said bar having a locking projection and operating cam extending through the slot in said shelf-like portion; and a cover hinged to the container, the cover having 2. lug which upon closing of the cover engages the cam and moves the locking bar to bring said locking projection into locking engagement with said lug.

5. A container comprising a holding portion; a slotted shelf-like portion projecting outwardly from the holding portion; bar supporting means depending from said shelf-like portion; a looking bar slidably supported by said supporting means, said bar having a locking projection and operating cam extending through the slot in said shelf-like portion; a cover hinged to the container, the cover having a lug which upon closing of the cover engages the cam and moves the looking bar to bring said locking projection into looking engagement with said lug; and spring means to increase the friction between said lug and said locking projection.

6. A container comprising a body portion having means to slidably support a locking bar; a. locking bar slidably supported by said means; a cover hinged to the container and provided with a locking lug; and means operable automatically upon closing of the cover to slide the bar into locking engagement with the lug, said automatically operated means being actuated by said lug.

'7. A container comprising a body portion having means to slidably support a locking bar; a locking bar slidably supported by said means; a cover hinged to the container and provided with a locking lug; means operable automatically upon closing of the cover to slide the bar into locking engagement with the lug, said automatically operated means being actuated by said lug; and spring means operable when the cover is locked to urge said lug laterally against the locking bar.

8. A container comprising a body portion having means to slidably support a locking bar; a' oo locking bar slidably supported by said means, said bar having an upwardly extending locking projection provided with an open ended slot; a cover hinged to the container and provided with a locking lug adapted to engage in said slot; and means operable automatically upon closing of the cover to slide the locking bar into engagement with the lug, said automatically operated means being actuated by said lug.

SIMON MORRISON.

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