Container closure

Abstract

A hasp, preferably constructed from plastic, is mounted to a container and to a container lid. The hasp includes a bracket which is preferably mounted to the inside of the container and which includes a plate which extends outwardly from the container. A tongue is attached to the container lid and includes an extended portion which passes through an opening in the bracket plate. A lock may be fastened through an opening in the extended portion to prevent lifting of the lid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY

[0001] None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to container closures and more particularly, to a closure for a container having a lid and a closure which is at least partially hidden from view. Still more specifically, the invention relates to a hasp including a bracket and a tongue.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] A wide variety of closures for containers are known. In the present specification, reference will be made specifically to containers which include a container base and a lid, the lid being attached to the container by a hinge along one edge. A variety of closures are known for such containers, such as hasps which include a bracket attached to the container base and a tongue attached to the lid. Most of such prior art closures are made from metal, and corrosion becomes a problem over time. With other container closures made from non-corroding materials, the closure itself may be unsightly and reduce the aesthetic characteristics of the container system.

[0006] Certain prior art hasps are known to the present inventors, including U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,325, issued Apr. 23, 1974, to Lee for “Combination Hinge and Hasp.” In this particular device, a pair of hinge leaves are provided for a single pintel. A padlock is used to secure a rotatable leave to a hasp loop.

[0007] A quick release hasp is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,276 issued Apr. 25, 1995, to Engasser for “Readily Releasable Hasp and Staple”. In this device, the hasp and a staple are slidably engagable with separate mounts which are fastened to the elements to be secured.

[0008] Poe in U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,836 issued Dec. 6, 1988 for “Constraining Tamper Proof Padlock Hasp Apparatus” describes a tamper proof hasp which includes guard plates projecting laterally from hasp plates to restrict access to the shackle by a tampering tool such as a bolt cutter or hacksaw.

[0009] Poe, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,783 issued May 24, 1988, for “Tamper Proof Padlock Hasp Apparatus” describes a different tamper proof mechanism for securing such devices as the hatch boards of a sailboat. This device also uses guard plates.

[0010] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,539 issued Nov. 8, 1994, to Widener for “Door Securing Mechanism”, a hasp is characterized by a security bar which passes through apertured tabs to prevent rotation of the planar portion of the hasp. A tongue on the free end of the securing bar receives the lock to prevent removal thereof.

[0011] Kahl and Ferbrache disclose a “Lockable Latch for a Container” in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,040,834 issued Aug. 20, 1991, and 5,125,697 issued Jun. 30, 1992. The device includes a latch assembly for a cooler chest which includes an apertured plate extending horizontally from the container lid. A latch mechanism having a cross-shaped slot is mounted to the container base and is rotatable into a position in which the plate extends through the slot. A padlock may then be applied to prevent opening of the container. The latch assembly includes a complicated molding so that it may function both as a carrying handle and a portion of a container closure and locking mechanism.

[0012] An interior mounted metal bracket element is also known in the art which includes a plate which extends through an opening in a closure panel. When closed, a lock can be inserted through a hole in the plate. This device, pictures of which are submitted with this specification, does not include a separate tongue element.

[0013] While a variety of closures have been described above and many other types are known to the art, corrosion problems exist when closures are made from metal, and many of such closures are entirely or at least substantially visible from the exterior of the container and can make the overall aesthetic appearance unsightly. A closure which eliminates problems with appearance and corrosive effects would represent a significant advance in the art.

FEATURES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] It is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a hasp to connect a container having a lid, such as a large deck box, or a cooler, or other containers.

[0015] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a plastic hasp including a bracket and a tongue, which eliminates corrosion problems inherent in some metal hasp products.

[0016] A different feature of the present invention is to provide a hasp in which a tongue automatically seats through a bracket when the lid of the container is closed.

[0017] A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a hasp bracket and tongue which are at least partially hidden from view when the container is closed.

[0018] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a hasp, bracket and tongue arrangement which may be adapted to a wide variety of container and lid designs.

[0019] How the above-referenced and other features are accomplished, individually, collectively, or in various subcombinations, will be described in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the FIGURES. Generally, however, they are accomplished by providing a bracket which is adapted to be attached to the inside upper surface of the container and have a protruding portion including an opening sized to receive a tongue. The protruding portion extends outwardly of the container. The tongue is attached to the lid and is sized and arranged so that the tongue extends through the portion opening when the lid is closed. The tongue includes an opening to receive a padlock or other suitable security device. In the most preferred embodiment, the tongue is mounted to a portion of the container lid which extends beyond the outer vertical surface of a container and the lid includes a skirt which hides all components of the hasp except the lock-receiving opening of the tongue. Other ways in which the above-described features are accomplished will become apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read the following description, and such other ways are deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of the bracket component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a bottom isometric view of the bracket shown in FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a bottom isometric view of the tongue portion of the hasp of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of the tongue shown in FIG. 3;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a rear view of a panel of a container showing the bracket attached thereto;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top of the container showing the protruding portion having a tongue receiving opening;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view showing a tongue mounted to the underside of a container lid; and

[0027] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view showing the lid closed with the tongue extending through the hasp bracket to expose a lock receiving opening.

[0028] In the various drawings, like reference numbers are used to indicate like components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Before beginning the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, several general comments can be made about the applicability and the scope of the present invention.

[0030] First, injection molded polypropylene is the preferred material and method for preparing both components of the hasp of the present invention, but other materials can be used, including other thermoplastic resins. The product can also be manufactured of stamped alloy materials such as steel or aluminum.

[0031] Second, while self-tapping screws are used in the preferred embodiment to attach the two-hasp components to the container and lid, respectively, other attachment techniques can be employed such as integral snap fits, tongue and groove, or heat or sonic welding. Furthermore, other types of fastening systems such as adhesives are also envisioned.

[0032] Third, while the components of the present invention will be used in the illustrations as a self-seating lock for a large container, such as the Rubbermaid® Large Deck Box, the present invention has a much wider applicability. For example, the hasp can be used for containers made from plastics or other materials, such as wood, metal, or metal alloys. Furthermore, the size of the various components and the size of the containers can be widely varied. For example, ice chests, coolers, storage containers, vehicle storage containers, totes for storing camping or other outdoor recreation gear, file storage containers, and other office or educational products which employ a container having a hinged lid can also benefit from the invention.

[0033] Fourth, while the preferred embodiment shows a recess for receiving a bracket portion of the hasp, the recess being located along the upper edge of the container, the bracket portion may be affixed to the top of a container wall or through an opening adjacent the upper portion of the container without departing from the invention's intended scope.

[0034] Turning now to the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, a bracket 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Bracket 10 is generally L-shaped and, in use, includes a vertical portion 12 and a horizontal portion 13. Four openings 15 are provided in portion 12, and two openings 16 are provided in portion 13. Openings 15 and 16 are provided for the self-tapping screw fasteners which will eventually be used to attach bracket 10 to a container shown in later figures. A tongue-receiving opening is located near the free end of portion 13 and is sized and shaped to receive a tongue when the container lid is closed.

[0035] A bottom isometric view of the bracket is shown in FIG. 2. From this view, it can be further appreciated that the bracket 10 is injected molded, and for weight and material reduction and enhanced strength purposes, a series of walls 20-23 are molded into the part. Similarly, opening 18 is surrounded by a wall 25. As best appreciated by simultaneous reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the oval-shaped wall 25 provides an inclined surface 27 which decreases in area from the top of portion 13 to the bottom of wall 25. The incline provides a guide for the self-seating of the tongue, as will be appreciated as the description continues.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows the tongue component 30 to include a plate 32 having a skirt 34. A pair of openings 35 are provided for fasteners. A generally U-shaped extension 38 is located generally perpendicular to plate 32, and the lower portion of the “U” includes an annular ring 40.

[0037] An isometric top view of tongue 30 is shown in FIG. 4, the main additional feature being the reinforcements about the openings 35 and the additional detail concerning ring 40. Opening 40 preferably is round, but oval or other opening shapes are within the scope of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows the bracket 10 attached to a container 40 along the upper edge thereof. A recess 42 is provided in the top wall 43 of the container, and bracket 10 is fastened, using screws 14, both to the vertical surface 44 of the container and through the top edge 45 of recess 42. The container of the preferred embodiment includes walls which are prepared by blow molding, so screws 14 penetrate a single wall along surfaces 44 and 45 without piercing the exterior surface of the container.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged exterior view of the bracket 10. What is important to note in this view is that opening 18 extends beyond the outer face surface 50 of the container 40, so that a tongue may be dropped therethrough as will be described and illustrated later.

[0040] Proceeding next to the placement of tongue component 30, FIG. 7 shows it mounted by screws 33 to the lower side of edge 54 of a container lid 55. In the illustrated embodiment, a recess 57 is formed in the lid to receive bracket 30.

[0041] Finally, in connection with the completed assembly, FIG. 8 is a view extending upwardly along face 50 of the container after the lid 55 has been closed. It will be noted that the only portion of bracket 10 which is visible in this view is skirt 11 formed about the outer, free end of portion 13. The tongue 30 is also substantially hidden from view except for U-shaped portion 38 and the annular opening 40. It should also be appreciated that if this view were taken from a horizontal perspective, a skirt 56 provided about the outer edge of lid 55 would conceal all components from view, except the opening 40.

[0042] Any type of lock, combination, key or otherwise can be inserted through opening 40 to secure the lid in place and prevent unauthorized or inadvertent separation thereof from the container. In situations where security is not an issue, a dowel, hook or other device can be placed through opening 40 to prevent the lid from opening unless the component is removed.

[0043] While the foregoing invention has been described in connection with a single preferred embodiment, numerous changes can be made thereto as has been indicated at the beginning portion of this section of the specification. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to any particular materials, sizes, end uses, attachment or fastening techniques, but is to be limited solely by the scope of the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A container and hasp comprising:

a container having a base and a lid, the container having an opening and the lid being movable between a closed position in which access to the contents of the base is prohibited and an open position allowing access to the base;

a hasp including a bracket and a tongue, at least a portion of the bracket or tongue being attached to an inner surface of the container base and the other of the bracket or tongue being attached to the lid.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket is L-shaped and one leg thereof is attached to an inner surface of the container base and the other leg extends outside of the container base.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the bracket is attached to the container base by fasteners.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes an opening and the tongue includes an extended portion sized to pass through the opening, the bracket and tongue being arranged so that the extended portion of the tongue passes through the bracket opening when the lid is moved to its closed position.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the extended position includes a free end and an opening adjacent its free end.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the opening is generally circular and is adapted to receive a lock.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the container base includes a recess in its top and a bracket leg is attached to the inner surface of the base and the other leg extends through the recess to the outside of the base.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a wall having an inner and an outer surface and the lid in its closed position extends beyond the outer surface.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the tongue is attached to the lid portion which extends beyond the outer surface.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the lid includes a skirt.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket and the tongue are made from injection molded polyethylene.

12. A container having at least one side wall and having an inner surface and an outer surface, a lid coupled to the container for movement between an open position and a closed position, a hasp including a bracket and a tongue, at least a portion of one of the bracket and the tongue being attached to the inner surface of the side wall.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the lid is hinged to the container and includes a portion which extends beyond the outer surface of the side wall.

14. The container of claim 12, having a top edge for the side wall, a recess in the top edge and a portion of the bracket or tongue located in the recess.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the bracket is L-shaped having first and second perpendicular legs, one leg being attached to the inside surface of the side wall and the other leg extending through the recess.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the bracket includes an opening and the tongue includes an extended portion sized to pass through the opening, the bracket and tongue being arranged so that the extended portion of the tongue passes through the bracket opening when the lid is moved to its closed position.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the extended portion includes a free end and an opening adjacent its free end.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the opening is generally circular and is adapted to receive a lock.

19. The container of claim 12, wherein the bracket and tongue are made of plastic.