Patent Application
20210292051
One problem people have is how to store their valuables such as rings and bracelets when they're doing some physical activities such as swimming or using the gym. Conventionally, people like to take off their rings and other valuables and place them somewhere safe. However, having a convenient place to store them is problematic for active-lifestyle people. For example, they may forget where they left them, or they may be subject to theft. So, what is needed is a secure storage device for storing valuables temporarily that is attractive and won't accidentally open.
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for securely storing valuables using a multiple level locking structure. The structure may include two completely separable parts generally termed a lid and a vessel. Both the lid and vessel may employ a lock and key system together with a twist-off mechanism. Complementary matched magnets are placed on the lid and vessel to hold the two pieces together when first coupled and again after twisting together.
The lid and vessel may be formed as a rigid, cylindrical or slightly conical container, typically made of metal, glass, ceramic, or plastic, with a wide mouth or opening.
In operation, a user places valuables into the vessel and places the lid over the vessel. Magnets on the lid and vessel will attract the two parts and guide the matching contours into place. The matching contours may include an elongated member or stanchion portion on the lid and a receptacle portion on the vessel. Once into place, the user may twist the lid in relation to the vessel wherein the new position of the lid will be magnetically attracted by separate magnets operable to hold the lid in the new position. Moreover, the new position will be guided by a groove on the vessel matching to an extruded (or tongue) portion of the stanchion on the lid. When in the final position, the magnets will attract the parts closer together owing to the shape of the contoured surfaces.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
This application should be read in the most general possible form. This includes, without limitation, the following:
References to specific techniques include alternative and more general techniques, especially when discussing aspects of the invention, or how the invention might be made or used.
References to “preferred” techniques generally mean that the inventor contemplates using those techniques, and thinks they are best for the intended application. This does not exclude other techniques for the invention and does not mean that those techniques are necessarily essential or would be preferred in all circumstances.
References to contemplated causes and effects for some implementations do not preclude other causes or effects that might occur in other implementations.
References to reasons for using particular techniques do not preclude other reasons or techniques, even if completely contrary, where circumstances would indicate that the stated reasons or techniques are not as applicable.
Furthermore, the invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Many other variations are possible which remain within the content, scope and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application.
The terms “effect”, “with the effect of” (and similar terms and phrases) generally indicate any consequence, whether assured, probable, or merely possible, of a stated arrangement, cause, method, or technique, without any implication that an effect or a connection between cause and effect are intentional or purposive.
The term “relatively” (and similar terms and phrases) generally indicates any relationship in which a comparison is possible, including without limitation “relatively less”, “relatively more”, and the like. In the context of the invention, where a measure or value is indicated to have a relationship “relatively”, that relationship need not be precise, need not be well-defined, need not be by comparison with any particular or specific other measure or value. For example and without limitation, in cases in which a measure or value is “relatively increased” or “relatively more”, that comparison need not be with respect to any known measure or value, but might be with respect to a measure or value held by that measurement or value at another place or time.
The term “substantially” (and similar terms and phrases) generally indicates any case or circumstance in which a determination, measure, value, or otherwise, is equal, equivalent, nearly equal, nearly equivalent, or approximately, what the measure or value is recited. The terms “substantially all” and “substantially none” (and similar terms and phrases) generally indicate any case or circumstance in which all but a relatively minor amount or number (for “substantially all”) or none but a relatively minor amount or number (for “substantially none”) have the stated property. The terms “substantial effect” (and similar terms and phrases) generally indicate any case or circumstance in which an effect might be detected or determined.
The terms “this application”, “this description” (and similar terms and phrases) generally indicate any material shown or suggested by any portions of this application, individually or collectively, and include all reasonable conclusions that might be drawn by those skilled in the art when this application is reviewed, even if those conclusions would not have been apparent at the time this application is originally filed.
Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
The structure may include two completely separable parts. Both the lid 111 and vessel 113 may employ a lock and key system together with a twist-off mechanism. Complementary matched magnets 114 and 122 are placed on the lid 111 and vessel 113 to hold the two pieces together when first coupled and again after twisting together.
The lid 111 and vessel 113 may be formed as a rigid, cylindrical or slightly conical container, typically made of metal, glass, ceramic, or plastic, with a wide mouth or opening.
In operation, a user places materials, such as valuables, into the vessel 113 and places the lid 111 over the vessel. Magnets 114 and 122 on the lid 111 and vessel 113 will attract the two parts and guide the matching contours into place. The matching contours may include a stanchion 112 on the lid 111 and a receptacle 120 on the vessel 113. The stanchion 112 may be disposed on the outer edge or rim of the lid. Once into place, the user may twist the lid 111 in relation to the vessel 113 wherein the new position of the lid 111 will be magnetically attracted by separate magnets 114 and 118 operable to hold the lid 111 in the new position. Moreover, the new position will be guided by a groove 124 on the vessel 113 matching to a tongue 126 portion of the stanchion 112 on the lid 111. When in the final position, the magnets will attract the parts closer together owing to the shape of the contoured surfaces.
References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Parts of the description are presented using terminology commonly employed by those of ordinary skill in the art to convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art.
In operation, to secure a valuable such as a ring, a user would place it in the one of the compartments, put the two halves together aligning the stanchion and upper receiver, twist it into position until the other magnet attracts pulling the lid into the second position. Opening the container requires a full motion of pulling apart, twisting, and pulling apart again, therefore preventing accidental opening of the container.
The embodiment shown in
In one embodiment a device with stanchions disposed about a substantially circular cover (or substrate), each of said stanchions including a magnet disposed on a first end, each of said stanchions further including a tongue portion disposed to extend into a cavity in the cover receiver. A receptacle substrate may be formed with a cavity and some receiver portions, each receiver portion substantially shaped to mate with one of the stanchions on the cover. A magnet may be placed in the receiver portions. There may also be a grooves extending from each receiver to a second position wherein the groove is sized to receive the tongue portion on a stanchion. A second receiver magnet may be placed at the further end of the groove.
Certain embodiments may be effectuated using the information in the attached appendix which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
The above illustration provides many different embodiments or embodiments for implementing different features of the invention. Specific embodiments of components and processes are described to help clarify the invention. These are, of course, merely embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of co-pending provisional application 62/991,348 filed Mar. 18, 2020 by the same inventor which is included by reference as if fully set forth herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62991348 | Mar 2020 | US |
