# US 12,759,757 B2 · System and method for securing containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,759,757 B2 - Document ID: US12759757B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/079,196 - Filed: 2022-12-12 - Published: 2024-06-13 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-12 - Assignees: Home Depot Product Authority, LLC - Applicants: Home Depot Product Authority, LLC - Inventors: Brent Christopher; Kenneth Freeman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759757B2 ## CPC - B65D 21/0228: {Containers joined together by screw-, bayonet-, snap-fit or the like, (B65D21/0211, B65D21/0231 take precedence)} - B62B 1/04: involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible - B65D 21/023: {Closed containers provided with local cooperating elements in the top and bottom surfaces, e.g. projection and recess (B65D21/0223 takes precedence)} - B65D 2255/20: with coacting elements, e.g. ratchet and pawl, formed integrally in the container and closure or dispensing device, e.g. spout, for permanently preventing removal of the latter - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) ## Abstract A system for securing a first container to a second container includes an upper locking portion and a lower locking portion. A first protrusion of the upper locking portion abuts the second container and restricts movement of the second container in the locked position. A surface of a second body of the lower locking portion is configured to receive a force and to cause the lower locking portion to rotate about a second pivot to an unlocked position. The rotation of the lower locking portion to the unlocked position causes a second protrusion of the upper locking portion to abut a first body of the upper locking portion and cause the upper locking portion to rotate to an unlocked position. The rotation of the upper locking portion to the unlocked position causes the first protrusion to disengage from the second container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for securing a first container to a second container, the system comprising: an upper locking portion comprising: a first body having a first protrusion extending laterally from the first body towards a relative center of the first container; a first pivot structured to interface with a recess of the first container; and a first spring configured to bias the upper locking portion in a locked position; and a lower locking portion comprising: a second body having a surface and a second protrusion extending along a side of the second container; a second pivot structured to pivotably couple the second body to the second container; and a second spring configured to bias the lower locking portion in a locked position; and wherein, in a configuration in which the first container is locked to the second container by the upper locking portion and the lower locking portion: the first protrusion abuts the second container and restricts movement of the second container, the surface of the second body is configured to receive a force and to cause the lower locking portion to rotate about the second pivot to an unlocked position of the lower locking portion, the rotation of the lower locking portion to the unlocked position of the lower locking portion causes the second protrusion to abut the first body and cause the upper locking portion to rotate to an unlocked position of the upper locking portion, and the rotation of the upper locking portion to the unlocked position of the upper locking portion causes the first protrusion to disengage from the second container. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first pivot is not fixed to the recess. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the upper locking portion further comprises: a groove positioned in a side of the first body, the groove curved about an axis of rotation defined by the first pivot; and a pin extending from the first container into the groove. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the pin interacting with a first end of the groove defines the locked position of the upper locking portion, and the pin interacting with a second end of the groove defines the unlocked position of the upper locking portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the upper locking portion is positioned on a relative top of the first container, and the lower locking portion is positioned on a relative bottom of the second container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the upper locking portion is a first upper locking portion and the lower locking portion is a second lower locking portion, the first container further comprises a first lower locking portion positioned on a relative bottom of the first container, the first lower locking portion identical to the second lower locking portion, and the second container further comprises a second upper locking portion positioned on a relative top of the second container, the second upper locking portion identical to the first upper locking portion. ### Claim 7 A method for securing a first container having an upper locking portion to a second container having a lower locking portion, the method comprising: providing the first container having the upper locking portion, the upper locking portion comprising: a first body having a first protrusion extending laterally from the first body towards a relative center of the first container; a first pivot structured to interface with a recess of the first container; and a first spring configured to bias the upper locking portion in a locked position; providing the second container having the lower locking portion, the lower locking portion comprising: a second body having a surface and a second protrusion extending along a side of the second container; a second pivot structured to pivotably couple the second body to the second container; and a second spring configured to bias the lower locking portion in a locked position; from a configuration in which the first container is locked to the second container by the upper locking portion and the lower locking portion and in which the first protrusion abuts the second container and restricts movement of the second container: applying a force to the surface of the second body that causes the lower locking portion to rotate about the second pivot to an unlocked position of the lower locking portion, wherein the rotation of the lower locking portion to the unlocked position of the lower locking portion causes the second protrusion to abut the first body and cause the upper locking portion to rotate to an unlocked position of the upper locking portion, and the rotation of the upper locking portion to the unlocked position of the upper locking portion causes the first protrusion to disengage from the second container. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the upper locking portion further comprises: a groove positioned in a side of the first body, the groove curved about an axis of rotation defined by the first pivot; and a pin extending from the first container into the groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the pin interacting with a first end of the groove defines the locked position of the upper locking portion, and the pin interacting with a second end of the groove defines the unlocked position of the upper locking portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein: the upper locking portion is positioned on a relative top of the first container, and the lower locking portion is positioned on a relative bottom of the second container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein: the upper locking portion is a first upper locking portion and the lower locking portion is a first lower locking portion, the first container further comprises a second lower locking portion positioned on a relative bottom of the first container, the second lower locking portion identical to the first lower locking portion, and the second container further comprises a second upper locking portion positioned on a relative top of the second container, the second upper locking portion identical to the first upper locking portion.