US 6,581,425 B1 · Sliding member securing mechanism for a container

Abstract

This invention pertains to a mechanism for securing a container. The container includes at least one wall, which is comprised of at least a first door. The mechanism includes a first rod, which is attached with the outer surface of the first door. The first rod is capable of being rotated from an openable position, when the first door is capable of being opened, to a closed position, when the first door is engaged with the container to be closed. The mechanism further includes a channel member, which is attached with the inner surface of the first door, and a sliding member, which is slidably received within the channel member. The sliding member is engageable with the first rod. As the first rod is rotated from the openable position to the closed position, engagement of the first rod with the sliding member causes the sliding member to slide to secure the first door. In one embodiment, a second door is provided, which is secured by inserting a pin attached with a bottom portion of the inner surface of the second door into a pin engaging hole defined in the floor of the container. In one embodiment, after the doors are secured, and a lock is inserted into padlock tabs of a locking device, the doors are prevented from being opened unless the lock is removed.

Claims52

Dependent claims

A mechanism for securing a container, the container including at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall of the container includes at least a first door, wherein the first door includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the mechanism comprising:

a first rod, wherein the first rod is attached with the outer surface of the first door, and wherein the first rod is capable of being rotated from an openable position, wherein the first door is capable of being opened, to a closed position, wherein the first door is engaged with the container to be closed;
a channel member attached with the inner surface of the first door;
and
a sliding member slidably received within the channel member, the sliding member being engageable with the first rod;
wherein as the first rod is rotated from the openable position to the closed position, engagement of the first rod with the sliding member causes the sliding member to slide to secure the first door.

2 more elements

A method of securing a container, the container including (a) at least one wall that is capable of being opened to gain access to an interior of the container, wherein the at least one wall includes at least two doors comprising a first door and a second door, wherein each of the first and second doors includes an inner surface and an outer surface;

(b) a first rod, wherein the first rod is positioned next to the outer surface of the first door and is attached with the outer surface of the first door;
(c) a first handle attached with the first rod wherein arcuate movement of the first handle rotates the first rod from an openable position, wherein the first door is capable of being opened, to a closed position, wherein the first door is engaged with the container to be closed;
(d) a second rod, wherein the second rod is positioned next to the outer surface of the second door and is attached with the outer surface of the second door;
(e) a second handle attached with the second rod, wherein arcuate movement of the second handle rotates the second rod from an openable position, wherein the second door is capable of being opened, to a closed position, wherein the second door is engaged with the container to be closed;
(f) a channel member attached with the inner surface of the first door;
(g) a sliding member slidably received within the channel member, the sliding member being engageable with the first rod;
(h) an engaging member that is attached with the first rod and is engageable with the sliding member;
and (i) a pair of tabs, one tab being attached with the outer surface of the first door and the other tab being attached with the first rod, wherein each tab defines an opening therein, and wherein the openings defined in the tabs align with each other when the first rod is rotated to be in the closed position;
comprising the steps of:
moving the second handle to rotate the second rod to close the second door to the container;
locking the second door;
moving the first handle to rotate the first rod to close the first door to the container, wherein rotation of the first rod moves the engaging member to slide the sliding member within the channel member so that a portion of the sliding member slides behind the inner surface of the second door;
inserting a locking device into the openings defined in the pair of tabs which are aligned;
and
locking the locking device.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sliding member securing mechanism for a container

Life of this patent

Sliding member securing mechanism for a container

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52