Latch-assisted lid extractor
AssigneeFleetguard, Inc.
InventorsCharles W. Hawkins, Kevin C. South, Chad M. Thomas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to the latch-assisted lid extractor. The present invention includes a canister and a lid connected to the canister via a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an over-center lock to removably secure the lid to the canister. Additionally, the latch assembly can be moved from a first position sealing the canister with the lid to a second position urging the lid away from the canister. The present invention provides a mechanism that can both securely latch or fasten a lid to a canister and at the same time assist in removing the lid from the canister to enhance ease of operation.
Claims34
An assembly comprising:
- a container comprising a wall having an exterior surface and defining an interior chamber, said container having an opening into said interior chamber;
- a closure member secured to the container covering at least a portion of the opening, said closure member having a recess therein;
- and
- a closure assembly comprising a first arm pivotally mounted on the exterior surface of the wall, and a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm and having an engaging portion adapted to be received within said recess of said closure member, said second arm movable from a first position securing the closure member to the container to a second position wherein at least a portion of the closure member is spaced from the container and whereby movement of the second an from the first position to the second position urges the closure member away from the container.
A canister assembly comprising:
- a container having a wall defining an interior chamber and an opening through the wall into the interior chamber;
- a closure member secured to a portion of said wall covering at least a portion of the opening;
- a lacking assembly comprising a first arm pivotally attached to said wall and a second arm having a first end pivotally attached to said first arm and a second end adapted to be releasably engaged to said closure member;
- and
- means for urging said closure member away from said wall.
A canister assembly comprising:
- a container comprising a wall defining an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber;
- a closure member secured to a portion of said wall covering at least a portion of the opening;
- and
- a locking assembly comprising a first arm pivotally attached to said wall and a second arm pivotally attached to said first arm, said second arm releasably engaged to said closure member;
- and
- means for urging said closure member to move in a substantially linear direction away from said wall portion.
A locking assembly for securing a first member to a second member, said locking assembly comprising:
- a lever having a first end pivotally secured to the first member;
- an arm having a first end pivotally connected proximal to the first end of the lever and a closure engaging portion adapted to be received within a recess formed in the second member, said arm movable from a first position securing the first member to the second member to a second position wherein at least a portion of the first member is spaced from the second member whereby pivotal movement of the lever moves the arm from the first position to the second position and urges the second member away from the first member.
A method of extracting a lid from a container with a latching assembly comprising a first arm pivotally mounted to a first one of the container or lid;
- and having a first end, and second arm pivotally interconnected to the first end of said latch assembly adapted to latch the lid to the container, said method comprising:
- releasably securing an opposite, second end of the second arm to the other of the container or lid;
- and
- pivoting the first arm in a first direction to urge the other of the container or lid in a direction away from first one of the container or lid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.