US3722236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lock assembly for litter bins
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-16
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A litter bin having a hinged door is provided with a lock assembly comprising a bar mounted for vertical sliding movement along an inner surface of the door and having a pair of vertically-spaced latch members which extend through corresponding slots on a confronting wall portion of the litter bin. A spring biases the bar downwardly to a locking position in which the latch members overlap said wall portion and prevent the door from being opened. A small circular keyhole is located in the door and is spaced beneath a release pin which projects from the bar. The lock may be opened by a key having a shank formed with an angular terminal portion which is sized to be inserted through the keyhole, and is sufficiently long to engage and raise the release pin when the shank of the inserted key is turned downwardly.
Inventors
- 👤 H Zelenko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:19
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65F; B65F1/00; B65F1/14; B65F1/1426; E; E05; E05B; E05B35/00; E05B35/008; E05C; E05C9/00; E05C9/02; B65F2210/00; B65F2210/148; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/68; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/096; Y10T292/0961; Y10T292/0962; Y10T292/0967; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5093; Y10T70/5097; Y10T70/5155; Y10T70/5199; Y10T70/5372; Y10T70/5531; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/778; Y10T70/7791; Y10T70/7842; Y10T70/7847
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A lock assembly for a litter bin having a door hinged thereto, said door having an outer wall panel, said lock assembly comprising an elongated bar mounted for longitudinal sliding movement along an inner surface of the outer wall panel of said door, at least one latch member projecting inwardly from said bar and having a latch tooth positioned to overlap a wall portion of said litter bin when said door is in closed position, spring means biasing said bar to a locking position in which said latch tooth overlaps said wall portion, a release pin projecting laterally from said bar, a keyhole in said outer wall panel in alignment with said release pin and spaced a substantial distance therefrom, and a key including an elongated shank having a terminal portion extending angularly from said shank, said terminal portion being sized for insertion through said keyhole and having a length longer than the distance between said release pin and said keyhole, whereby when said terminal portion is inserted through said keyhole and said shank is pivoted in a selected direction, the terminal portion engages said release pin and moves the latter and said bar against the tension of said spring means to a release position in which said latch tooth is clear of said wall portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A lock assembly for a litter bin having a door hinged thereto, said door having an outer wall panel, said lock assembly comprising an elongated bar mounted for longitudinal sliding movement along an inner surface of the outer wall panel of said door, at least one latch member projecting inwardly from said bar and having a latch tooth positioned to overlap a wall portion of said litter bin when said door is in closed position, spring means biasing said bar to a locking position in which said latch tooth overlaps said wall portion, a release pin projecting laterally from said bar, a keyhole in said outer wall panel in alignment with said release pin and spaced a substantial distance therefrom, and a key including an elongated shank having a terminal portion extending angularly from said shank, said terminal portion being sized for insertion through said keyhole and having a length longer than the distance between said release pin and said keyhole, whereby when said terminal portion is inserted through said keyhole and said shank is pivoted in a selected direction, the terminal portion engages said release pin and moves the latter and said bar against the tension of said spring means to a release position in which said latch tooth is clear of said wall portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A lock assembly according to claim 1 which also includes a cover plate mounted on said door and spaced behind the inner surface of said outer wall panel, said bar being mounted in a vertical position between said cover plate and said outer wall panel for downward movement to its locking position and upward movement to its release position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A lock assembly according to claim 2 in which said keyhole has a circular cross-section and is spaced below said release pin, and in which said key has a curved bend joining said terminal portion to said shank, said terminal portion being sized to be inserted fully through said keyhole with said curved bend located within said keyhole and serving as a pivot to lift said terminal portion into engagement with said release pin when said shank is turned downwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
A lock assembly according to claim 2 in which a pair of vertically-spaced latch members project inwardly from said bar, said cover plate having a pair of elongated slots positioned to register with said latch members, said latch members extending through said respective slots with said latch teeth spaced out-wardly of said cover plate, said spring means biasing said bar downwardly to a position in which said latch members rest upon the bottom ends of said slots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A lock assembly according to claim 4 in which said wall portion of said litter bin has a pair of elongated slots positioned to register with the respective slots of said cover plate when said door is in closed position, said latch members being of sufficient length to extend through said wall portion slots with said latch teeth located behind and overlapping the wall portion beneath said slots.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A lock assembly according to claim 5 in which each of said latch members has an inclined forward surface positioned to engage with said wall portion when said door is brought to its closed position, for camming said latch members upwardly to a position in which said latch teeth are in alignment with the respective slots in said wall portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A lock assembly according to claim 5 in which a pin is mounted on the outer surface of said wall portion immediately beneath each of said wall portion slots, and in which said cover plate has a respective aperture positioned to receive each of said pins when said door is in closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |