LATCH ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A latch arrangement for releasably securing a lid to a container wherein the latch arrangement includes: a latch element coupled to one side of the lid; wherein the latch element is moveable between an engaged position wherein the latch is retained against the container by a magnetic force whereby the lid is secured to the container, and a disengaged position wherein the lid is able to be removed from the container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Australian Patent Application No. 2009904226, filed Sep. 3, 2009, entitled “Latch Arrangement.”

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A latch arrangement for attaching a lid to a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Latches are commonly used to secure lids to containers. It is sometimes desirable to have a latch that provides releasable engagement between the lid and container such that the lid is able to be moved between a secured position, where the lid provides a closure to the container and a released condition whereby the lid is able to be removed to open the container.

In some circumstances either the container and/or lid change shape or distort due to internal or external loading on the container and/or lid. This can arise in vacuum cleaning devices wherein the container is used as a housing through which the air is passed. Accordingly, there can be is a high suction force inside the container which causes the walls of the container and/or lid to distort.

When the container and/or lid are distorted the latch can become decoupled from the lid thereby opening the container. In another aspect, distortion of the container and/or lid can cause high forces on the latch therefore stressing the latch and components that are attached thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided, a latch arrangement for releasably securing a lid to a container wherein the latch arrangement includes: a latch element coupled to one side of the lid; wherein the latch element is moveable between an engaged position wherein the latch is retained against the container by a magnetic force whereby the lid is secured to the container, and a disengaged position wherein the lid is able to be removed from the container.

In one form, at least one of the latch arrangement and the container includes a magnetic element to provide the magnetic force to retain the latch element against the container.

In one form, the latch element is movable relative to the lid.

In one form, the container includes a first recess for receiving a flange of the latch element.

In one form, the magnetic element provides an attractive force to guide the flange of the latch into engagement with the recess so as to provide a first coupling.

In one form, the latch arrangement further includes a catch on an opposing side of the lid for engaging with a second recess positioned on the other side of the container.

In one form, when the latch is in the disengaged position the lid is pivotable about the side including the catch.

In one form, the second recess is adapted to receive a flange of the catch, the flange engaging with the second recess so as to form a second coupling.

In one form, the lid is pivotable about the second coupling between an open and a closed position, whereby in the closed position the lid provides a covering to the container.

In one form, the latch is composed of a flexible material.

In one form, the flexible material allows the latch to comply with distortions of the container that arise during use of the container, thereby allowing movement between the lid and the container.

In one form, the flexible material is a Thermoplastic elastomer.

In one form, the latch is coupled to the first side of the lid via a hinge.

In one form, the lid and an opening aperture of the container are oval shaped, thereby the lid having a preferred orientation connection to the container in either a right handed or left handed orientation.

In one form, the sides of the container each include the first recess and the second recess such that the latch and catch are able to form the first and second couplings in either the right handed or left handed orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a latch arrangement in an engaged position securing a lid to a container;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lid;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the lid showing an inlet;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the lid;

FIG. 6 provides two perspective views of a latch element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a latch arrangement 1 for releasably securing a lid 2 to a container 3. The latch arrangement 1 includes a latch element 4 coupled to one side of the lid 5. The latch element 4 is shown in the engaged position, where the latch element 4 is retained against the container 3 by a magnetic force, thereby securing the lid 2 to the container 3. The latch element 4 is moveable between the engaged position and the disengaged position (not shown) wherein the lid 3 is able to be removed from the container 3.

The latch element 4 further includes a magnetic element 6 that is coupled to a corresponding metallic element 7 of the container 3. The magnetic element 6 and the metallic element 7 provide the magnetic force to retain the latch element 4 against the side of the container. It may be appreciated that the magnetic element 6 and metallic element 7 may be formed of ferromagnetic materials so as to provide an attractive magnetic force between the magnetic element 6 and the metallic element 7.

The latch arrangement 1 also includes a catch 10 on an opposing side 11 of the lid 2 which secures the opposing side 11 of the lid 2 to close the container 3. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the latch arrangement 1 is utilised to secure a lid 2 to a container 3 which forms part of a vacuum cleaner assembly 8. The vacuum cleaner assembly 8 includes an inlet 12 to direct air from a suction hose assembly 13, through the lid 2 and into the container 3. It is envisaged that the latch armament 1 may also find use in other applications.

Referring to FIG. 2, both sides of the container include a series of retaining apertures 19. The retaining apertures 19 include a cut-out 20 located above and separated by an upper rib 25 from an upper recess 20. The upper recess 20 being located above and being separated from a lower recess 23 by a lower rib 22. The upper recess 21 contains the metallic element 7 to provide the magnetic force when coupled to the magnetic element 6 of the latch element 4. In this configuration, the retaining apertures 19 are able to receive either the latch element 4 coupled to one side of the lid 5 or the catch 10 on an opposing side of the lid 11. In other words, the lid 2 can be connected to the container 3 in a right hand orientation with the suction hose assembly 13 on the right side, or a left hand orientation with the suction hose assembly 13 on the left side.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lid 2 further includes a clear lens 30 that extends upwardly from one side of the lid 5 to the opposing side of the lid 11, providing clearance for the inlet 12 on the opposing side 11. The inlet further includes a clear inlet elbow 31 that provides a passage to covey air that enters horizontally through the inlet 12 and exists vertically downwards through the outlet 32. By including the inlet elbow 31, the air is directed through the lid 2 rather than into the lid 2 reducing the impedance to air flow caused by the lid 2. Furthermore, as the inlet elbow 31 directs air away from the clear lens 30, any entrained material in the air, for example sand, does not impact and scuff the clear lens 30, which can cause the clear lens to become unclear and hard to see through.

Additionally, as the lens 30 and the inlet elbow 31 are clear, a user is able to observe whether matter is being conveyed through the inlet elbow 31. This can be advantageous to identify blockages in an associated a vacuum cleaner assembly. The lid 2 also includes a button 33 that actuates a releasable retainment means (not shown) into which the suction hose assembly 13 may be retained. The releasable retainment means (not shown) includes a lug (not shown) that in a retained position protrudes into a channel (not shown) skirting the end of hose assembly 13 thereby allowing the hose assembly 13 to be rotated through 360 degrees. Accordingly, the releasable retainment means (not shown) provides the advantage of a user being able to remove the hose assembly 13 from the lid 2 to check for blockages. Furthermore, as the hose assembly 13 is rotatable there is a generally greater flexibility of the hose assembly 13 and a reduced likelihood that the hose assembly 13 will become tangled.

The latch element 4 is coupled to the end 5 of the lid 2 by a hinge 34. The latch element 4 further includes a flange 35 which protrudes into the lower recess 23 when in the engaged position as shown in FIG. 1. The magnetic element 6 retains the latch element 4 against the metallic element 7 of the container (shown in FIG. 2) such that the inner face 36 of the flange 35 is positioned immediately adjacent to the lower rib 22. In this configuration, the flange 35 acts to retain the latch element 4 against movement in the vertical direction thereby forming a first coupling.

The catch 10 is rigidly coupled to the opposing side 11 of the lid 2, and includes a second flange 37 that protrudes into the upper recess 21. The inner face 37 of the flange 38 is located immediately beneath the lower rib 25. In this configuration, the catch is restrained from movement in the vertical direction, thereby forming a second coupling.

To open the lid 2, the latch 4 on one side of the lid 5 is disengaged from the container by pivoting the latch element 4 about the hinge 34 away from the side of the container. This disengages the first coupling and the magnetic element 6 and corresponding metallic element 7 such that the magnetic force is reduced.

A relatively low force is required for this disengagement and allows the disengagement to be carried out one handed. This is an attribute of the combination of magnetic force and the first coupling to retain the latch element 4, rather than a single retainment means. Once decoupled, the user is able to raise the one side 5 of the lid 3 upwardly, pivoting the lid 3 about a catch 10 on an opposing side 11 of the lid 3, thereby opening the lid 2 of the container 3.

Conversely, to close the lid, the flange 37 of the catch 10 is inserted to the upper recess 21 to engage with the upper rib 25, forming the second coupling. A user is then able to pivot the lid 2 about this second coupling until a bottom surface 40 of the lid 3 is seated on a top surface 18 of the container 3 as shown in FIG. 2. To engage the latch element 4 with side of the container 3 the latch element 4 is pivoted downwardly about pivot 34. As the magnetic element 6 approaches the metallic element 7 the magnetic force increases drawing the flange 35 of latch element 4 into the lower recess 23 which forms the first coupling thereby retaining the latch 4 securing the lid 2 to the container 3.

FIG. 5, shows a top view of the clear lens 30 illustrating the visibility of the inlet elbow 31. This Figure also shows a filter bag 41 that may be attached to the outlet 31 when the lid 2 used in a vacuum cleaner application.

FIG. 6, further illustrates the latch element 4. The latch element 4 is composed of a flexible Thermoplastic elastomer material allows the latch 4 to comply with distortions of the container 3 and/or lid 2 that may arise during use of the container.

For example, when the lid 2 is used as part of a vacuum cleaner assembly, a suction force within the container changes the shape of the container causes the lid 2 and container 3 to move relatively move which may strain the latch element 4 and the catch 10. In particular, as the container 3 is elliptical in shape, the suction force causes increases the ellipticity of the cross-section of the container 3, further elongating the major axis of the elliptical cross-section. Accordingly, when ellipticity of the container 3 increases, the flexible Thermoplastic elastomer material of the latch element 4 allows the lid pull away from the container and/or provides flexibility to allow the ellipticity of the container 3 to increase, as such, an air passage forms between the lid 2 and the container 3. This air passage allows external air into the container 3 additional to the air that may enter through inlet 12, this cool external air, provides cooling for an associated suction motor. Additionally, the air passage creates an air by-pass that becomes active in blockage or overload situations, thereby providing by-pass air to the motor. Moreover, the elliptical shape of lid 2 and the container 3 provides for better balance for the user/operator of a vacuum cleaner assembly when worn as a back pack style vacuum clearer, in particular, when bending over as the profile/weight of the vacuum cleaner assembly is kept closer to the wearer's body.

The Thermoplastic elastomer material of the latch element 4 allows a relatively weak magnetic force to be used to retain the latch element 4 in the retaining aperture 19 as latch element 4 is able flex and extend to accommodate movement between the lid 2 and the container 3. Furthermore, the flexibility of the latch element 4 assists to reduce loading on the hinge 34, flange 35 and corresponding upper rib 22 which arises due to movement between the lid 2 and the container 3 and also everyday use.

Instead of the latch element 4 being flexible, an alternative may be to make the magnetic force stronger or reinforce the engagement of the first coupling. However, in this configuration, the ease in which the latch element 4 can be disengaged will be reduced and may also increase the strain on the latch arrangement 1.

Therefore, the flexible Thermoplastic elastomer material of the latch element 4 has an advantage of being able to keep the disengagement forces between the latch element 4 and the container low, thereby facilitating the aforementioned one handed opening of the lid 2 and maintaining lower strains in latch arrangement 1. The flexible Thermoplastic elastomer material of the latch element 4 also has the advantage of providing movement between the lid 2 and the container 3 thereby allowing the air-passage to form or otherwise adjusting to the movement. Additionally, the flexible Thermoplastic elastomer material has a high material strength and durability such that the latch element 4 is able to withstand a large number of loading cycles.

The invention has been described by way of non-limiting example only and many modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. A latch arrangement for releasably securing a lid to a container wherein the latch arrangement includes:

a latch element coupled to one side of the lid;

wherein the latch element is moveable between an engaged position wherein the latch element is retained against the container by a magnetic force whereby the lid is secured to the container, and a disengaged position wherein the lid is able to be removed from the container.

2. The latch arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one of the latch arrangement and the container includes a magnetic element to provide the magnetic force to retain the latch element against the container.

3. The latch arrangement of claim 2, wherein the latch element is movable relative to the lid.

4. The latch arrangement of claim 2, wherein the container includes a first recess for receiving a flange of the latch element.

5. The latch arrangement of claim 4, wherein the magnetic element provides an attractive force to guide the flange of the latch element into engagement with the recess so as to provide a first coupling.

6. The latch arrangement of claim 5, further including a catch on an opposing side of the lid for engaging with a second recess positioned on the other side of the container.

7. The latch arrangement of claim 6, wherein when the latch element is in the disengaged position the lid is pivotable about the side including the catch.

8. The latch arrangement of claim 6, the second recess is adapted to receive a flange of the catch, the flange engaging with the second recess so as to form a second coupling.

9. The latch arrangement of claim 8, wherein the lid is pivotable about the second coupling between an open and a closed position, whereby in the closed position the lid provides a covering to the container.

10. The latch arrangement of claim 1, wherein the latch element is composed of a flexible material.

11. The latch arrangement of claim 10, wherein the flexible material allows the latch element to comply with distortions of the container that arise during use of the container, thereby allowing movement between the lid and the container.

12. The latch arrangement of claim 10, wherein the flexible material is a Thermoplastic elastomer.

13. The latch arrangement of claim 10, wherein the latch element is coupled to the first side of the lid via a hinge.

14. The latch arrangement of claim 6, wherein the lid and an opening aperture of the container are oval shaped, thereby the lid having a preferred orientation connection to the container in either a right handed or left handed orientation.

15. The latch arrangement of claim 14, wherein the sides of the container each include the first recess and the second recess such that the latch element and catch are able to form the first and second couplings in either the right handed or left handed orientation.

16. The latch arrangement of claim 15, wherein the lid and the container are part of a vacuum cleaner assembly.