# US 5,346,085 A · Lockable container

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- Number: US 5,346,085 A
- Document ID: US5346085A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/135,541
- Filed: 1993-10-14
- Granted: 1994-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 1991-04-15
- Assignees: Molnlycke AB
- Inventors: Maria Svensson; Jan Nordlander; Annika Andersson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346085A

## CPC

- E05B 17/005: {Preventing accidental lock-out, e.g. by obstruction in the striker (securing the bolt in the retracted position E05B63/18; stops and buffers preventing the slamming of wings E05F5/02)}
- Y10T 70/7955: Keyhole guards
- E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A lockable container is disclosed which has a base part and a cover which is pivotally attached to the base part. A lock has a lock catch which is adjustable between a locking position and a free position via key activation of the lock from the outside of the container. In its interior, the container is provided with a holder for a key belonging to the lock. The holder is arranged to form a storage place for the key and to securely hold the key when the lock is not being used. The holder is so located with respect to the lock that the lock catch, through mechanical contact with the key, is kept out of the locking position even when the cover is closed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lockable container having an interior and an exterior, said container comprising
a base part;
a cover pivotally attached to the base part for displacement between a closed position in which the cover and the base delimit a substantially enclosed space and an open position;
a lock mounted on said container, said lock presenting a lock catch operable from the exterior of the container by a key, which catch is displaceable between a locking position in which said catch engages a receiving portion and a free position;
wherein on the interior of the container, the container presents a holder for said key when said lock is not being activated, said holder being located with respect to the receiving portion such that the lock catch, through mechanical contact with the key, is prevented from engaging the receiving portion when the cover is in said closed position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock is located on the cover and said receiving portion is located on the base part, said receiving portion being in the form of an opening having an opening edge portion behind which the lock catch is arranged to engage in said locking position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the holder is located below said opening so that a portion of said key is placed in front of said opening edge portion to thereby displace said lock catch away from said opening edge portion during displacement of said cover from said open position to said closed position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The container as claimed in claim 3, wherein said holder is a closed holder loop comprising an upper edge part and inwardly facing surfaces, said upper edge part and inwardly facing surfaces supporting said key in a substantially vertical position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lock presents a spring mechanism which, in a first angular range of the lock catch's displacement, is arranged to maintain a torque which strives to move the lock catch into the locking position, and in a second angular interval is arranged to maintain a torque which strives to move the lock catch in the opposite direction, whereby the lock catch, for the purposes of locking, is maintained within the first angular interval.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the holder is so located that with the key therein, the key brings the lock catch into the second angular interval during closing of the cover.