Patent Application
20120132657
The invention generally relates to a latching mechanism/device for maintaining a closed position, particularly useful for maintaining a closed position for an insulating container.
Mechanisms for maintaining a closed position useful for containers, chests, closets, doors, windows, coolers and the like are well known in the art. There are problems associated with such mechanisms, however, in the form of components that are breakable by virtue of their positioning and/or their composition.
One such prior latch is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,215 to Bisbing which describes a locking member made from a flexible, resilient material, but wherein both the locking member and the keeper are attached to and extend from a surface of a panel. Such mechanisms are easily bumped and broken away from the panel. Further, the keeper is made of stamped metal construction. Such materials are known to exhibit wear and corrode over time, particularly if subjected to harsh environmental conditions as found in a maritime environment.
An example of such an arrangement of latch and keeper is found, for instance in
Closing mechanisms used in insulating containers, such as those found on portable containers useful for maintaining a certain temperature, be it cold and/or hot temperatures, of items, goods or contents stored therein are particularly troublesome due to the typically rough handling, as well as the harsh environmental conditions, these containers are subjected to. Not only are such containers, generally known as “coolers”, used in extremely hot and/or cold environments, but are also used on beaches and boats where salt and sand provide a beating to both the container and the latching device. The containers may also be routinely jostled, buffeted about and otherwise abused. Without the ability to maintain closure, such containers cannot effectively achieve their purpose and quickly become obsolete and unusable.
In view of the disadvantages associated with currently available methods and devices for providing a closing mechanism to a container such as a cooler, there is a need for a device and method that overcomes these and other deficiencies.
The above mentioned need is met by the invention which provides a latching mechanism/device, as well as a method of maintaining a closed position between opposing first and second portions of a container. The latching mechanism includes a latch attached to the first portion and a latch keeper integrally molded to the second portion. The latch keeper includes an elongated keeper slot and a recessed pocket formed in the keeper slot, such that when at least a portion of the latch is received within the recessed pocket, the container is closed and/or sealed.
The invention and its advantages over the prior art will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A full and enabling disclosure of the invention, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures wherein:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield yet a further embodiment. It is intended that the invention include such modifications and variations. Reference characters denote like elements throughout the figures and text.
In an embodiment of the invention, a latching device or mechanism and a method for maintaining a closed and/or sealed position between first and second portions is provided. Such portions include opposing surfaces such as those found for instance in containers, chests, closets, doors, windows, coolers and the like, hereinafter collectively referred to as “container.” Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same or equivalent elements throughout the various views, FIGS. 1 and 4-7 depict a container 10 configured for receiving and storing contents, items, goods, (hereinafter collectively referred to as “contents”), within an interior chamber 13 (
The insulating container 10, as shown in
In an embodiment, the top portion 11 is selectively removable from the bottom portion 12 of the container 10, preferably hinged on one side using a hinging mechanism (not shown), while providing a latching mechanism 20 opposite the hinging mechanism for securing the top portion 11 to the bottom portion 12, thereby enclosing the contents in the interior chamber 13 that desirably are maintained and stored at hot or cool temperatures, and maintaining a certain temperature within the container 10 for a certain period of time. In a typical arrangement, each of the top and bottom portions are hinged on one side and at least one latching mechanism(s) secure the portions together at another side, preferably opposite to the hinge.
The interior chamber 13 of the container 10 is configured to receive contents to be kept at the desired temperature. In other words, the contents are stored and maintained within the container at temperatures that are hotter or colder than ambient temperatures found outside of the container. In an embodiment, the container 10 is configured for storing contents that need to be kept at a cool temperature, maybe even freezing temperatures.
The container 10 includes the first or top portion 11, which may be configured as a lid, and the second or bottom portion 12, which is typically configured to receive the contents to be stored and cooled/heated in the interior chamber 13 formed therein. The container 10 may generally take the shape of a box, but is not limited thereby. In an embodiment, the container 10 is an insulated container, such as a cooler, ice chest, ice cooler, and the like. In another embodiment, the first or top portion 11 opposes second or bottom portion 12 and are generally configured to abut each other when positioned in a “closed position.”
In an embodiment as depicted in
The insulated container, as well as the latching mechanism as described in more detail below, is thus easily and efficiently manufactured into a durable and reliable construction capable of withstanding harsh environments and rough handling as described hereinabove.
In an embodiment according to one aspect of the invention and as best viewed in
The latch 22 is attached to either the upper portion 11 (
With reference again to
As shown for instance in
According to one aspect of the invention, the latch 22 is made of a flexible, stretchable, resilient, one-piece molded material that is typically pivotally attached to the first portion 11 of the container 10 and received within a recessed, elongated latch slot 16 which is typically integrally molded to the container 10. The latch 22 is typically molded in a single-piece construction from rubbery materials as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The latch 22 may be formed of a material that is formed or made from a plastics material or another suitable material which can be formed or molded into a shape and thus retain the shape to which it has been formed. The latch 22 needs to be made of sufficient size, thickness and materials of construction to withstand repeated cycles of stress as the latch is engage/disengaged with the latch keeper over time. In any case, the material of construction is one that is stretchable and/or resilient (e.g. EPDM or Neoprene rubber) such that when the latch 22 is extended or otherwise stretched to an elongated position, either to engage or disengage the latch keeper 40 (as described in more detail below), it rebounds or otherwise returns to its originally un-stretched state or partially stretched state to maintain sufficient tension to maintain the closed position, with little or no deformation. In other words, the latch 22 is able to recoil or spring back or otherwise return into its original or near-original shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed and when in an un-stretched position.
In the embodiment of
The grasping portion 24 is typically formed into a shape that is easily grasped by a user, and as shown in the figures, the grasping portion 24 is formed into a t-shape to facilitate grasping by a user. Without intending to be limited thereby, other shapes contemplated for the grasping portion 24 include y-shaped and tab-shaped (not shown), or a small flap of material extending from the engaging portion and capable of being grasped for manipulation of the latch.
Turning to another feature of the latching mechanism 20, the latch keeper 40 is integrally molded within the second portion 12. The latch keeper 40 includes an elongated keeper slot 41 and a recessed pocket 42 formed in the keeper slot 41. The recessed pocket 42 is typically configured for receiving the engaging portion 28 of the latch 22, and the keeper slot 41 is typically configured for receiving the body portion 26 of the latch 22.
With reference to
Yet another feature according to an aspect of the invention is that the engaging portion 28 of the latch 22 may be formed into a ball-shape and the recessed pocket 42 of the latch keeper 40 is configured as a complimentary shaped socket 42 to receive the ball-shaped engaging portion 28. Thus, when the engaging portion 28 is seated within the recessed pocket 42, the parts are mechanically coupled and there is an increased contact area between the surfaces of parts, which further ensures maintenance of the closed and/or sealed position. It is also contemplated that the engaging portion is capable of taking any shape that is easily received by a reciprocatingly shaped recessed pocket formed in the latch keeper. For instance, the engaging portion could be formed into any geometric shape, such as a triangle, square, and the like. Thus, the recessed pocket of the latch keeper would have a corresponding configuration capable of receiving the shaped engaging portion. In other words, the engaging portion of the latch and the recessed pocket of the latch keeper are shaped so as to be matingly coupled together. Thus, the recessed pocket has a shape configured to receive the engaging portion while providing a surface-to-surface contact area sufficient to maintain the closure.
More specifically, in an embodiment, the invention is an integrated ball and socket latching system for a portable ice chest 10. The latch keeper 40 is designed to be part of the mold of the ice chest 10 and an exact fit for the ball-shaped engaging portion 28 is molded on a stretchable rubber latch 22 having a t-shaped end. This combination provides a strong and very secure lid latching system.
Turning again to
According to another aspect of the invention and as found in
With reference again to
Similarly, to close the container 10, the latch 22 is moved in the direction opposite to Arrow B. When the movement of the latch 22 reaches the latch keeper 40, the latch 22 is once again extended/stretched in the direction of Arrow A and the body portion 26 of the latch 22 is seated/positioned within the keeper slot 41, preferably in a friction fit as described above. Further, as depicted in
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
Exemplary embodiments of mechanisms and methods for providing a closing or latching are described above in detail. The mechanisms and methods illustrated are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the device may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/458,603 filed Nov. 29, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61458603 | Nov 2010 | US |
