Patent US4384660A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4384660A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tamper-proof clip for uplocking plungers of pump dispensers
Assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Corp
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Filing: 1981-07-27
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Granted: 1983-05-24
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Expires: 2001-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A one-time use, disposable, plastic-molded locking clip is provided for retaining the depressible plunger of a dispensing pump in a fully extended position during shipment or otherwise. The clip may be snapped onto the plunger after the latter has been fully assembled, yet once installed, the snapped together portions of the clip are not readily detectable nor accessible so that the clip may not be removed without destroying the same by tearing a twist tab therefrom. The generally C-shaped jaws of the clip embrace the plunger immediately below the head thereof in order to block depression, and such jaws forceably interlock with each other into a complete loop so that the clip may be installed upon pumps devoid of structure which would assist in locking the clip in place. Mating hooks of the interlocking components on the jaws are so oriented that the resistive force from the plunger tending to spread apart the embracing jaws of the clip simply tends to tighten the interengagement of the hooks as the jaws pull against each other at their outer ends.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Palmisano
- 👤 Donald D. Foster
- 👤 Robert N. Hills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:19
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B11/00; B05B11/01; B05B11/10; B05B11/1042; B05B11/1059; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/49
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
In combination with a dispensing pump having a depressible plunger shiftable through an apertured abutment and provided with a shoulder adjacent its outer end, a one-time, disposable locking clip blocking depression of the plunger, said clip comprising: a grip tab; a pair of opposite, generally C-shaped jaws connected to said tab and embracing said plunger between the shoulder and the abutment; interlocking means on said jaws directly connecting an outer end of one of the jaws to an outer end of the other of said jaws in order to lock the jaws in a closed loop and prevent spreading release thereof from the plunger; and destructable means effecting said connection of the jaws with said tab adjacent the opposite inner ends of the jaws in a manner to permit the tab to be manually torn from the jaws to release the clip from the plunger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
In combination with a dispensing pump having a depressible plunger shiftable through an apertured abutment and provided with a shoulder adjacent its outer end, a one-time, disposable locking clip blocking depression of the plunger, said clip comprising: a grip tab; a pair of opposite, generally C-shaped jaws connected to said tab and embracing said plunger between the shoulder and the abutment; interlocking means on said jaws directly connecting an outer end of one of the jaws to an outer end of the other of said jaws in order to lock the jaws in a closed loop and prevent spreading release thereof from the plunger; and destructable means effecting said connection of the jaws with said tab adjacent the opposite inner ends of the jaws in a manner to permit the tab to be manually torn from the jaws to release the clip from the plunger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said jaws are provided with structure adjacent said outer ends thereof blocking access to said interlocking means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein said structure includes overlapping portions of said jaws presenting juxtaposed, radially inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces, said interlocking means including mating components on said surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
In the combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein said components include radially inwardly projecting hook means on one of said jaw portions and radially outwardly projecting hook means on the other of said jaw portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
In the combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein said hook means on each of said portions includes a pair of hooks spaced apart circumferentially with respect to the loop formed by the interconnected jaws, the hook nearest the end of said one portion being engageable with the hook more remote from the end of said other portion, and the hook nearest the end of said other portion being engageable with the hook more remote from the end of said one portion to provide a double locking arrangement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein said portions are provided with endmost cam faces disposed for camming interengagement when the jaws close about the plunger from an open spread apart position during installation of the clip, said faces being disposed to cooperatively cam said portions into said overlapping relationship.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
In the combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein said overlapping portions have radially outer surfaces substantially flush with one another at the endmost extreme of one of said portions corresponding to the initial point of said overlap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
In the combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said jaws are provided with radially inwardly disposed projections forceably engaging said plunger whereby to cause said jaws to pull against one another through said interlocking means, tending to maintain the latter interlocked.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
In the combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plunger has a manually engageable dispensing head at said outer end by which the plunger may be depressed, said shoulder being on the underside of said head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
In the combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plunger has a manually engageable dispensing head at said outer end by which the plunger may be depressed, said plunger further having a boss positioned below said head and having an underside presenting said shoulder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
141 words
A one-time, disposable locking clip for use in temporarily blocking depression of the plunger of a dispensing pump, said clip comprising: a grip tab; a pair of opposite, generally C-shaped jaws connected to said tab and closable about said plunger into a complete loop when installed between a shoulder on the plunger and an opposed abutment on a stationary portion of the pump; interlockable means on said jaws for directly connecting an outer end of one of said jaws to an outer end of the other of said jaws when said jaws are formed into said loop about the plunger; and destructable means effecting said connection of the jaws with said tab adjacent the opposite inner ends of the jaws in a manner to permit the tab to be manually torn from the jaws to release the clip from the plunger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
A one-time, disposable locking clip for use in temporarily blocking depression of the plunger of a dispensing pump, said clip comprising: a grip tab; a pair of opposite, generally C-shaped jaws connected to said tab and closable about said plunger into a complete loop when installed between a shoulder on the plunger and an opposed abutment on a stationary portion of the pump; interlockable means on said jaws for directly connecting an outer end of one of said jaws to an outer end of the other of said jaws when said jaws are formed into said loop about the plunger; and destructable means effecting said connection of the jaws with said tab adjacent the opposite inner ends of the jaws in a manner to permit the tab to be manually torn from the jaws to release the clip from the plunger.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A locking clip as claimed in claim 11, wherein said jaws are provided with structure adjacent said outer ends thereof blocking access to said interlocking means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A locking clip as claimed in claim 12, wherein said structure includes overlapping portions of said jaws presenting juxtaposed, radially inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces, said interlocking means including mating components on said surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A locking clip as claimed in claim 13, wherein said components include radially inwardly projecting hook means on one of said jaw portions and radially outwardly projecting hook means on the other of said jaw portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
88 words
A locking clip as claimed in claim 14, wherein said hook means on each of said portions includes a pair of hooks spaced apart circumferentially with respect to the loop formed by the interconnected jaws, the hook nearest the end of said one portion being engageable with the hook more remote from the end of said other portion, and the hook nearest the end of said other portion being engageable with the hook more remote from the end of said one portion to provide a double locking arrangement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A locking clip as claimed in claim 13, wherein said portions are provided with endmost cam faces disposed for camming interengagement when the jaws close about the plunger from an open spaced apart position during installation of the clip, said faces being disposed to cooperatively cam said portions into said overlapping relationship.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A locking clip as claimed in claim 13, wherein said overlapping portions have radially outer surfaces substantially flush with one another at the endmost extreme of one of said portions corresponding to the initial point of said overlap.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
A locking clip as claimed in claim 11, wherein said jaws are provided with radially inwardly disposed projections forceably engaging said plunger whereby to cause said jaws to pull against one another through said interlocking means, tending to maintain the latter interlocked.
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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) | 1986-05-23 | 1986-11-22 | 1987-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-23 | 1990-11-22 | 1991-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-23 | 1994-11-22 | 1995-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |