Patent Application
20140367974
The present invention relates to a latch for securing a storage container, and more specifically to a latch which has particular utility when securing storage containers against access by children, and which further is easy to operate, and reliable in operation.
Assorted latching mechanisms have been developed through the years for a number of different applications. For example, various door bolts have been developed and have been known for a long periods of time. Examples of such door bolts include U.S. Pat. No. 61,185 which issued on Jan. 15, 1867; and U.S. Pat. No. 189,438, which issued on Apr. 10, 1877. The teachings of these particular patents are incorporated by reference herein. Additionally, and for some applications, users have sought after a latch mechanism which could be rendered operable only in a particular operational condition, such as when pressure was applied to an actuator. An example of such a patent is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,786,706, and which was issued on Mar. 26, 1957.
Moreover, as time has passed, other developers have tried to provide various childproof lock or latch arrangements, which prohibit children from gaining access to storage containers; cabinets; drawers and the like. An example of such a design is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,238, which issued on Sep. 14, 1965. Other attempts to design such safety latch or locking mechanisms can also be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,276; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,898, to name but a few. Other more recent attempts to design safety latches to prevent access to storage areas or regions can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,974; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,616.
While all these previous products have worked with various degrees of success, many problems have been experienced when implementing and utilizing same. Chief among the shortcomings associated with such prior art designs has been the propensity for such latching arrangements to require rather substantial installation time. On the one hand, some latch assemblies require a substantial alteration of the door or other closure member on the storage container. In still other arrangements, the latches are unduly cumbersome, and complex in design and in operation. In view of their relative complexity, the cost of such latches has been sometimes cost-prohibitive. Moreover, many of these same assemblies often require the use of alternative exterior hardware on the door, or other closure member which is employed with the storage container. This is often undesirable from a homeowner's standpoint because such exterior hardware often does not match the hardware which is usually employed on adjacent cabinets or other doors.
Therefore, a long felt need has existed for a reliable, cost-effective latch for securing a storage container which can be easily installed without substantial alteration to the door or other closure member, and which further allows a homeowner to employ the hardware typically associated with that same door, closure member, or drawer.
A first aspect of the present invention relates to a latch for securing a storage container which includes a storage container having a sidewall which defines an internal cavity, and an aperture which allows access to the internal cavity; a closure member movably cooperating with the storage container, and which further selectively occludes the aperture, and prevents access to the internal cavity, and may be further located in a non-occluding position which allows access to the internal cavity; a spindle having a main body which passes through the closure member, and which is further longitudinally, and rotatably moveable relative to the closure member, and wherein the main body of the spindle has opposite first, and second ends; an elongated locking member which is oriented in force receiving relation relative to the spindle, and wherein the rotation of the spindle imparts force to the elongated locking member to move the elongated locking member along a path of travel into, and out of engagement with the sidewall of the storage container so as to selectively retain the closure member in the occluding position relative to the aperture, and which is defined by the storage container, or allow the closure member to be moved to the non-occluding position relative to the aperture as defined by the storage container; and a latch control collar which is mounted on the spindle, and which is moveable along a course of travel, from a first position, which substantially prevents rotation of the spindle, and any subsequent movement of the elongated locking member, and a second position, which allows the spindle to be simultaneously rotated so as to impart movement to the elongated locking member.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a latch for securing a storage container, which includes a closure member having opposite, inside and outside facing surfaces, and which is further moveably mounted on a storage container that has an internal cavity, and which further defines an aperture which allows access into the internal cavity, and wherein the closure member is moveable relative to the storage container between a first position, where the closure member occludes the aperture, and prevents access to the internal cavity, and a second, spaced position, which allows access to the internal cavity, and wherein the storage container has a frame member which defines, at least in part, the aperture, and wherein a latch aperture is formed in, and passes through the inside and outside facing surfaces of the closure member; a latch housing mounted on the inside facing surface of the closure member, and wherein the latch housing is defined by a sidewall which has a first aperture which is substantially coaxially aligned with the latch aperture formed in the closure member, and a second aperture, and wherein the latch housing further has an internal cavity which defines a guidance channel which is aligned, at least in part, with the latch aperture, and a locking member passageway which is substantially aligned with the second aperture and which is defined by the latch housing; an elongated spindle having a main body which extends through the latch aperture, and which further has a first end, which is located in spaced relation relative to the outside facing surface of the closure member, and a second end, which is located in spaced relation relative to the inside facing surface thereof, and within the internal cavity of the latch housing; a biasing member which acts upon the elongated spindle, and which further is located within the latch housing, and wherein the biasing member urges the spindle to move longitudinally, inwardly toward the internal cavity of the latch housing; a pinion mounted on the second end of the elongated spindle, and which is further located within the locking member passageway, and wherein the pinion is co-rotatable with the spindle, and is further slidably moveable along the spindle between the first and second ends thereof; a locking member having an elongated main body with opposite first and second ends, and a top and bottom surface, and wherein the elongated main body is received within the locking member passageway, and is reciprocally moveable along a path of travel between a first, extended position, where the second end of the locking member extends outwardly through the second aperture as defined by the latch housing, and which engages the frame member of the storage container, and thereby secures the closure member in the first occluding position relative to the aperture which is defined by the storage container, and a second, retracted position, and wherein in the second, retracted position, the second end of the locking member is moved to a location where the second end does not engage the frame member, and the closure member is able to be moved to the second position which allows access to the internal cavity of the storage container, and wherein a rack is formed in the bottom surface of the locking member and is meshingly engaged by the pinion, and wherein rotatable motion of the pinion, in a given direction, is operable to impart reciprocal motion to the locking member to move the locking member between the first and second positions thereof; and a latch control collar is mounted on the spindle, and which is co-rotatable, and simultaneously, longitudinally moveable along with the spindle, and wherein the latch control member has as an engagement member which is slidably received within, and cooperates with the guidance channel, and wherein the engagement member when received within the guidance channel, substantially prevents rotation of the spindle, and any corresponding movement of the locking member, and wherein the longitudinal movement of the spindle, and latch control member along the guidance channel, and to a location where the engagement member is no longer in the guidance channel allows the spindle to be subsequently, selectively rotated in a given direction so as to effect the reciprocal motion of the locking member into, and out of engagement with the frame member which defines the aperture of the storage container.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” [Article I, Section 8].
A latch for securing a storage container of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 in
The latch 10, which is useful for securing the storage container 11, further operates in combination with a closure member, door, or draw face, and which is generally indicated by the numeral 20. The closure member is defined by a main body 21, having a peripheral edge 22. The main body 21 has a cross-sectional dimension, which is typically larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the aperture 14, and which is defined by the sidewall 13 of the storage container 11. Further, and coupled along one of the peripheral edges 22, and in the embodiment as seen in
The latch 10 of the present invention is made integral, and works in combination with a latch housing, which is generally indicated by the numeral 30. The latch housing includes a bottom portion 31, and a top portion 32, which fits in releasable mating engagement with the bottom portion. The bottom portion 31 has a first, and an opposite second end 33 and 34, respectively. Additionally, the bottom portion 31 is defined, in part, by a substantially planar shaped, and proximal end wall 35, which rests in juxtaposed receipt, thereagainst the inside-facing surface 25 of the closure member 20. Still further, the bottom portion includes a distal end wall 36. As will be seen in the exploded view in
The bottom portion 31 of the latch housing 30 defines an internal cavity 40, which has first and second portions 41 and 42, respectively. Still further and as seen in
As earlier disclosed, the latch housing, which is generally indicated by the numeral 30, has bottom and top portions 31 and 32, respectively. The top and bottom portions may be secured together by threaded fasteners; adhesive; or releasable couplers which are well known in the art. As best illustrated by reference to
As seen best in
It will be recognized that the housing mounting fastener 70 when properly threadably engaging the closure member 20 secures the bottom and top portions 31 and 32 of the latch housing 30, in a secure facing engagement relative to the inside facing surface 25 of the closure member 20, and further orients the first aperture 51 in substantially coaxial alignment relative to the aperture 26, which is formed in the closure member 20.
Again referring to
The present invention 10 also includes a spindle, which is generally indicated by the numeral 90, and which further has a main body 91, which passes, at least in part, through the closure member 20, and which is further longitudinally and rotatably movable relative to the closure member 20. The main body 91 has opposite first and second ends 92 and 93, respectively, and further has an intermediate portion 94. As best seen by reference to
As seen in
The present invention 10 includes an elongated locking member which is herein designated by the numeral 120, and which is further oriented in force receiving relation relative to the spindle 90. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, it should be understood that the rotation of the spindle 90 imparts force to the elongated locking member 120, so as to move the elongated locking member along a predetermined path of travel as will be described, below, into and out of engagement with the sidewall 13 of the storage container 11. This movement of the elongated locking member either selectively retains the closure member 20 in an occluding or closed position relative to the aperture 14, and which is defined by the storage container 11, or on the other hand further allows the closure member 20 to be moved to a non-occluding position or open relative to the aperture 14, as defined by the storage container 11. As seen in
As illustrated in the drawings, a pinion 140 is provided, and which is operable to co-rotate with the spindle 90, and wherein, the pinion 140 has a main body 141 defining a non-cylindrically shaped passageway 142 which is matingly complementary in shape relative to the exterior facing surface of the spindle 90. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the main body of the spindle 91 is operable to be both slidably moveable through the passageway 142, and further engages the main body of pinion such that the pinion is both co-rotatable with and slidably and longitudinally moveable along the spindle 90. The main body 141 of the pinion 140 has a peripheral edge 143, which defines a multiplicity of gear teeth 144, which are dimensioned to meshingly, and forcibly engage the teeth 126, which are made integral with the rack 125. As earlier described, the rack 125 is made integral with the bottom surface 124 of the elongated locking member 120. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the second biasing member 130, which is positioned within the top portion 32 of the latch housing 30, is operable to exert a biasing force on the top surface 123 of the elongated locking member 120, thereby forcing the elongated locking member 120 into forceable meshing engagement with the pinion 140. It should be understood, therefor, that upon rotation of the spindle 90 the pinion 140 co-rotates with the spindle 90 and thereby imparts force, which is transmitted through the rack 125, so as to cause the elongated locking member 120 to reciprocally move along the course of travel 131 between the first and second positions 132 and 133, to accomplish the selective locking feature of the present invention 10. As noted earlier, the passageway 142 has substantially the same shape as the exterior facing surface of the spindle 90. Therefore, the spindle 90 can slidably move in a longitudinal direction along, and axially through the passageway 142. However, upon rotation of the spindle 90, the pinion 140 co-rotates therewith. As earlier discussed, the guidance channel 43, which is defined in part by the bottom portion 31 of the latch housing 30, has a first course 45, having a first end 151, and an opposite second end 152. This first course 45, which has a mirror image which is formed in the top portion 32, is disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation relative to the elongated spindle 90, and which is positioned above same. Additionally, and as seen in the drawings, the second course 46 of the guidance channel 43, of the bottom portion 31, has a first end 161, which adjoins the second end 152 of the first course, and which further extends perpendicularly outwardly relative thereto. The second course 46 also has a second end 162. As illustrated, the guidance channel 43, looking at it from the plan view as seen in
It should be understood from the drawings that the spindle 90, as described, is moveable along the linear course of travel, which is generally indicated by the numeral 170, and which is further defined by the spindle passageway 44. This linear course of travel is defined between a first position 171 (
The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.
The present invention relates very broadly to a latch 10 for securing a storage container 11, and wherein the storage container has a sidewall 13, which defines an internal cavity 15, and an aperture 14. The aperture 14 allows access to the internal cavity 15. A closure member 20 moveably cooperates with the storage container 11, and further selectively occludes the aperture 14 and prevents access to the internal cavity 15. The closure member 20 may be further located in a non-occluding position, which allows access to the internal cavity 15. The latch 10 includes a spindle 90 having a main body 91, which passes through the closure member 20, and which is further longitudinally and rotatably moveable relative to the closure member 20. The main body 91 has opposite first and second ends 92 and 93, respectively. The latch 10 of the present invention includes an elongated locking member 120, which is oriented in force receiving relation relative to the spindle 90. It should be understood that the rotation of the spindle 90 imparts a simultaneous rotational force to the elongated locking member 120 so as to move the elongated locking member 120 along a path of travel 131 into and out of engagement with the sidewall 13 of the storage container 11, so as to selectively retain the closure member 20 in the occluding position relative to the aperture 14, and which is further defined by the storage container 11. Further movement along the path of travel 131 allows the closure member 20 to be moved to a non-occluding position relative to the aperture 20, as defined by the storage container 11. In the arrangement as illustrated, the latch 10 of the present invention includes a latch control collar 110, which is mounted on the spindle, and which is further moveable along the course of travel 170 from the first position 171, which substantially prevents rotation of the spindle, and any subsequent movement of the elongated locking member 120, and a second position 172, which allows the spindle to be simultaneously rotated so as to impart movement to the elongated locking member 120.
In the arrangement as shown in the drawings, the latch 10 of the present invention includes a pinion 140, which is longitudinally and moveably mounted on the first end 92 of the main body 91 of the spindle 90, and which is further co-rotatable with the spindle 90. The elongated locking member 120 further has a rack 125, which is oriented in meshing, force receiving relation relative to the pinion 140. It should be understood that the co-rotation of the spindle 90 and the pinion 140 moves the elongated locking member 120 along the path of travel 131. As will be appreciated, at least a portion of the spindle 90 passes through an existing aperture 26, which is formed in the closure member 20. Still further, an existing handle 27 from the closure member 20, is releasably affixed to the second end of the spindle 90, and can be forcibly engaged to cause longitudinal and rotational movement of the spindle 90 relative to the latch housing 30.
The latch 10 of the present invention, as earlier disclosed, includes a closure member 20, which has an outside-facing surface 24, and an opposite inside-facing surface 25. A latch aperture 26 is formed in the closure member 20, and which extends between the outside and inside-facing surfaces 24 and 25, respectively. The latch 10 further comprises a latch housing 30, which is mounted on the inside facing surface 24 of the closure member 20. The latch housing 30 is defined by a proximal end wall 35, which has a first aperture 51, and which is further substantially coaxially aligned with the latch aperture 26. Still further, the latch housing 30 further includes a second aperture 52. The latch housing 30 additionally defines an internal cavity 40, which encloses and otherwise defines a guidance channel 43, which is aligned, at least in part with the latch aperture 26. Still further, the internal cavity 40 of the latch housing 30 additionally defines, in part, a locking member passageway 60, which is substantially aligned with the second apertures 52. The main body 91 of the spindle 90 extends through the latch aperture 26, and the first end 92 of the main body 91 of the spindle 90 is located at times during operation in spaced relation relative to the outside-facing surface 24 of the closure member 20. This is seen most clearly by reference to 4C.
The latch 10 further comprises a biasing member 100, which acts upon the elongated spindle 90, and which further is located within the latch housing 30. The biasing member 100 urges the spindle 90 to move longitudinally, inwardly toward the internal cavity 40 of the latch housing 30. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the pinion 140 is located in the latch housing 30, and further, in part, within the locking member passageway 60 thereof. As noted earlier, the locking member 120 is biased downwardly into forcible engagement by the pinion 140. As earlier noted, the locking member 120 is reciprocally moveable along the path of travel 131, between a first extended position 132, where the second end 122 of the locking member 120 is positioned outwardly through the second aperture 52, as defined by the latch housing 30 and engages the sidewall of the storage container 11 and thereby secures the closure member in an occluding position relative to the aperture 114, which is defined by the storage container 11. This is seen most clearly by reference to
In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the latch 10 includes a latch control collar 110, having an engagement member 114, which is slidably received within and cooperates with the guidance channel 43. The engagement member 114, when received within the guidance channel 43, substantially prevents rotation of the spindle 90, and any corresponding and substantial movement of the locking member 120. The longitudinal movement of the spindle 90, and latch control member 110, along the guidance channel 43, by the application of a longitudinally and outwardly directed drawing or pulling force applied by a user to the existing doorknob or cabinet pull 27, and to a location where the engagement member 114 is no longer in the guidance channel 43, allows the spindle 90 to be subsequently selectively rotated 174 in a given direction so as to effect the reciprocal motion of the locking member 120 into, and out of, the engagement with, the sidewall 13, which defines, in part, the aperture 14 of the storage container 11. As will be appreciated by a study of the drawings, the guidance channel 43 has an elongated first course 45, which is substantially aligned with the latch aperture 26, and which is further perpendicular to the locking member passageway 60. The guidance channel 43 further has a second course 46, which is substantially transverse to the first course 45. It should be understood that an outwardly directed and longitudinally applied force to the second end 93 of the spindle 90 by the application of force to the existing doorknob 27, causes the second end 93 of the spindle 90 to be drawn longitudinally, outwardly away from the outside-facing surface 24 of the closure member 20, and further causes the engagement member 114 to move along the first course 45, and be aligned with the second course 46. As will be appreciated, on a subsequent rotation 174 of the spindle 90, the rotation is effective in moving the engagement member 114 along the second course 46, and out of mating engagement therewith. Subsequently, when the spindle is then rotated 174 in a given direction, such rotatable motion 174 is effective in imparting a simultaneous rotation of the pinion 140, and a corresponding movement of the locking member 120 as the pinion 140 meshingly and forcibly engages the rack 125, which is made integral with the locking member 120. As will be appreciated, this longitudinal outward movement of the spindle, as described above, moves the first end of the spindle 92 longitudinally within the passageway 143, as defined by the pinion 140. The motion of the engagement member is best seen in
The latch 10 of the present invention, as earlier described, includes a biasing member 100, which is located between the latch housing 30, and the latch control collar 110. The spindle 90 further passes through the latch control collar 110, and the engagement member 114 extends substantially perpendicular outwardly relative to the spindle 90. The biasing member 100 is effective in biasing the spindle 90, along the first course 45, of the guidance channel 43, when the engagement member 114 is received in the first course 45 of the guidance channel 43, and the outwardly and longitudinally directed force is no longer applied to the spindle 90 by way of the existing doorknob or cabinet pull 27. The latch of the present invention 10 further includes a second biasing member 130, which is received within the latch housing 30, and which further applies a biasing force thereagainst the locking member 120 so as to maintain the locking member 120 in meshing cooperation, and force receiving relation relative to the pinion 140. As seen in the drawings, the pinion 140 remains in meshing force transmitting relation relative to the rack 120, which is made integral with the locking member 120 as the spindle is drawn longitudinally outwardly relative to the closure member 20. As illustrated in the drawings the spindle 90 is mounted in spaced relation relative to the guidance channel 43.
Therefore, it will be seen that the latch 10 of the present invention provides many advantages over the prior art devices which have been utilized heretofore. The latch 10 of the present invention is easy to install, utilizes the existing aperture formed in a closure member 20, and further allows a homeowner, for example, to use existing doorknobs or cabinet pulls thereby allowing the homeowner to maintain the exterior appearance of their cabinets or other storage units. Additionally, the present latch is easy to operate, is reliable, and most importantly, is difficult or impossible to operate for a young child, thereby allowing a parent to secure various cabinets and storage containers in a manner not possible heretofore. Additionally, such locking or other latch assembly can be installed without the use of any substantial tools or any alteration to the cabinet or other storage unit thereby allowing the homeowner to easily remove the latch when it is no longer needed.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine of Equivalents.
