Self-disengaging locking device
OwnerThomas L. Drewryinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automatically disengaing locking device is provided for use on a container having a hinged lid pivotable between open and closed positions. The locking device consists of a housing mounted to the side surface of the container, and a latch securable to the lid having a portion which extends through an opening in the housing when the lid is closed. The locking device further includes a keeper element disposed within the housing for engaging the lower portion of the latch to secure the lid in its closed position, a manual release mechanism comprising a plunger for allowing the selective disengagement of the keeper from the latch, and a pendulum for automatically disengaging the keeper from the latch when the container is tilted for emptying.
Claims13
A locking device for use on a container having a hinged lid pivotably between open and closed positions, said locking device comprising:
- a housing, having an opening formed therein, mounted to a side surface of said container;
- latch means, having a first portion securable to the lid of said container and a second portion extendable through said opening when said lid is in its closed position;
- keeper means, disposed within said housing, for engaging said second portion of said latch means upon moving said lid to its closed position, thereby securing said lid in its closed position;
- a plunger slidably disposed within a side portion of said housing for selectively disengaging said keeper means from said latch means to allow opening of said lid, said plunger comprising a first end disposed adjacent a portion of said keeper means, and a second end extending laterally from said side portion of said housing, whereby moving said second end toward said housing to slide said plunger laterally causes said first end to disengage said keeper means from said latch means;
- and
- automatic release means, operative for automatically disengaging said keeper means from said latch means to allow opening of said lid upon moving said container to a position suitable for dumping.
A locking device for use on a container having a hinged lid movably between open and closed positions, emptying of said container being effected by raising and tilting said container to a degree sufficient to cause said lid to swing open and the contents of said container to fall therefrom, said locking device comprising:
- a housing, mountable to a side portion of said container, having an aperture in the upper surface;
- a latch member, mountable to a side portion of said lid, having a lower portion adapted to protrude into said aperture when said lid is moved to its closed position;
- a keeper disposed within said housing, configured to releasably engage said lower portion of said latch member upon protrusion of said lower portion into said housing through said aperture,
- said keeper being adapted to automatically release said lower portion of said latch member during the tilting of said container for emptying, thereby allowing said lid to swing open;
- a horizontally disposed plunger slidably mounted in a side wall of said housing, having a first end bearing on a portion of said keeper and a second end extending from said housing,
- said plunger being movably between an extending position, wherein said second end is spaced apart from said housing, and a depressed portion, wherein said second end is relatively close to said housing, whereby
- moving said plunger to said depressed position causes said first end to disengage said keeper from said latch member;
- and
- locking means for selectively preventing the operation of said plunger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.