US3841518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety latch for boxes
Assignee: Emerson Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-08-31
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1992-08-31
Abstract
Abstract The combination of a box and a cover having hinge connection to one side of the box. A bracket is secured to the inside of the cover opposite the hinge connection, and a spring latch is secured to the inside of the box in position for interengagement with the bracket. The latch engages the bracket when the cover is in box-closing position to prevent the cover from opening. The bracket and latch have aligned openings and the cover has an opening through which a blade may be disposed for insertion into the aligned openings. Prying action of the blade disengages the latch from the bracket so that the cover may be swung to open position.
Inventors
- 👤 B Hines
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:23
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05C; E05C19/00; E05C19/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0894; Y10T292/0895; Y10T292/0898; Y10T292/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
The combination of a box having an open side and a cover to close said box side, a bracket secured to the inside of said cover, a latch secured to the inside of said box and having a movable portion underlying said bracket and resiliently urged in one direction to latching engagement with a complementary portion of said bracket to prevent opening of said cover, said bracket and said latch having aligned openings, and said cover having an opening in line with said aligned openings for free passage of a blade, whereby said blade may be inserted through said cover opeNing with its tip within said latch opening and a blade portion spaced from said tip within said bracket opening and engageable with a defining surface thereof to provide a fulcrum point, tilting action of said blade in a predetermined direction causing said blade tip to be forced against a defining surface of said latch opening to move said latch movable portion in an opposite direction against the urging force and from latching engagement with said complementary portion of said bracket, thereby permitting opening of said cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
The combination of a box having an open side and a cover to close said box side, a bracket secured to the inside of said cover, a latch secured to the inside of said box and having a movable portion underlying said bracket and resiliently urged in one direction to latching engagement with a complementary portion of said bracket to prevent opening of said cover, said bracket and said latch having aligned openings, and said cover having an opening in line with said aligned openings for free passage of a blade, whereby said blade may be inserted through said cover opeNing with its tip within said latch opening and a blade portion spaced from said tip within said bracket opening and engageable with a defining surface thereof to provide a fulcrum point, tilting action of said blade in a predetermined direction causing said blade tip to be forced against a defining surface of said latch opening to move said latch movable portion in an opposite direction against the urging force and from latching engagement with said complementary portion of said bracket, thereby permitting opening of said cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The construction according to claim 1 wherein said cover has one side hinged to one side of said box, said bracket and said latch being respectively secured to said cover and said box at sides opposite the hinge connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
244 words
The combination of a box having an open side, and a cover having hinge connection to one side of said box and adapted to swing to close said box open side, a bracket secured to the inside of said cover opposite said hinge connection and having a body portion closely underlying the cover inside surface, a latch secured to the inside of said box in position for cooperation with said bracket, said latch having a movable portion underlying said bracket body portion in closely spaced relation and resiliently urged in one direction to latching engagement with a complementary portion of said bracket to prevent opening of said cover, said bracket body portion and said latch movable portion having aligned openings, and said cover having an opening in line with said aligned openings for free passage of a blade, whereby said blade may be inserted through said cover opening with its tip within the opening in said latch movable portion and a blade portion spaced from said tip within the opening in said bracket body portion and engageable with a defining surface of such opening to provide a fulcrum point, tilting action of said blade in a predetermined direction causing said blade tip to be forced against a defining surface of the opening in said latch movable portion to move the latter in an opposite direction against the urging force and from latching engagement with said complementary bracket portion, thereby permitting opening of said cover.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
244 words
The combination of a box having an open side, and a cover having hinge connection to one side of said box and adapted to swing to close said box open side, a bracket secured to the inside of said cover opposite said hinge connection and having a body portion closely underlying the cover inside surface, a latch secured to the inside of said box in position for cooperation with said bracket, said latch having a movable portion underlying said bracket body portion in closely spaced relation and resiliently urged in one direction to latching engagement with a complementary portion of said bracket to prevent opening of said cover, said bracket body portion and said latch movable portion having aligned openings, and said cover having an opening in line with said aligned openings for free passage of a blade, whereby said blade may be inserted through said cover opening with its tip within the opening in said latch movable portion and a blade portion spaced from said tip within the opening in said bracket body portion and engageable with a defining surface of such opening to provide a fulcrum point, tilting action of said blade in a predetermined direction causing said blade tip to be forced against a defining surface of the opening in said latch movable portion to move the latter in an opposite direction against the urging force and from latching engagement with said complementary bracket portion, thereby permitting opening of said cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The construction according to claim 3 wherein said latch is formed as a leaf spring, having one end secured to said box and the opposite end formed with an angular extremity providing said movable portion of said latch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The construction according to claim 4 wherein said bracket has a wing depending from said body portion, said wing being formed with a recess into which said angular extremity is spring pressed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The construction according to claim 5 wherein said wing has an inclined surface engaged by said angular extremity in cam fashion as said cover is moved to closed position to move said angular extremity in said opposite direction, said recess being related to an end of said inclined surface so that as said angular extremity leaves said end it is quickly spring-pressed in said one direction to enter said recess.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |