US 5,149,153 A · Self-disengaging locking device

Abstract

An automatically disengaging 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 an automatic release mechanism operative to disengage the keeper from the latch when the container is moved for emptying. IN a first embodiment the automatic release mechanism comprises a pendulum, and in a second embodiment the automatic release mechanism comprises a rolling keeper pin.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A locking device for use on a container having at least one hinged lid pivotable between open and closed positions and generally vertical front and side walls, said locking device comprising:

a housing, having an opening formed therein, mounted to a wall 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,
said keeper means comprising a keeper pin having first and second ends slidably disposed within said housing, said keeper pin being moveable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to said second portion of said latch means;
and
manual release means, operative for selectively moving said keeper pin between said engaged and disengaged positions, thereby allowing selective opening of said lid.

3 more elements

A locking device for use on a container having at least one hinged lid movable between open and closed positions, emptying of said container being effected by raising and tilting said container to a degree sufficient to cause said at least one lid to swing open and the contents of said container to fall therefrom, said locking device comprising:

a housing, mountable to a front portion of said container, having an aperture in the upper surface;
a latch member, mountable to a front portion of said at least one lid, having a lower portion adapted to protrude into said aperture when said at least one 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 at least one lid to swing open;
a horizontally oriented plunger slidably disposed through a front wall of said housing, having a first end with at least one finger extending therefrom bearing on a portion of said keeper and a second end extending from said housing,
said plunger being movable between an extended position, wherein said second end is spaced apart from said housing, and a depressed position, wherein said second end is relatively close to said housing, whereby
moving said plunger from said depressed position to said extended position causes said at least one finger to disengage said keeper from said latch member;
and
locking means for selectively preventing the operation of said plunger.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-disengaging locking device

Life of this patent

Self-disengaging locking device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14