Special Tool Or Tool Engaging Means Patents (Class 220/284)
  • Patent number: 6089253
    Abstract: A fire hydrant security system for mounting on a standpipe of a fire hydrant wherein the hydrant has a mounting surface with holes therethrough and a bonnet mounted on the mounting surface, the bonnet surrounding a valve operating spindle assembly. The system includes a security gap which is surrounded by a protective collar spaced from the security cap to define an annular gap. An operating tool having a socket which fits into the gap and surrounds the security cap is used to couple the security cap to the valve operating spindle to open the fire hydrant. The protective collar is preferably made of forged ductile iron and is bolted to the fire hydrant by being bolted to a mounting surface on the standpipe or by being secured by bolts to the bonnet. The security cap is thus protected from blows by sledge hammers wielded by vandals and water thieves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hydra-Shield Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry J. Stehling, Roy Istre
  • Patent number: 6089396
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for fastening two members together with a theft resistant screw having a head with a top surface which is free of any engageable indentations or protrusions, with an independent tool means to drive the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Juraj Pozek
  • Patent number: 6082564
    Abstract: A secured container closure system is provided for preventing access to the container's contents by small children while allowing ease of access to the container contents by persons of limited strength or dexterity. The system is provided with a first cap having a smooth exterior and being provided with a catch. The first cap is provided within a second cap which has an opening which allows access to the catch. Both the exterior of the first cap and the interior of the second cap are smooth to reduce torque transfer between the second cap and the first cap. A key is provided which may be extended through the opening and engaged to the catch to allow torque transfer between the second cap and first cap for either opening or closing the container. The key may be of an extended length or secured to a wall to allow greater leverage in opening or closing the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Brett J. Trout
  • Patent number: 6073792
    Abstract: A cap body has a movable retaining tongue which is engageable with a portion of an access structure to retain the cap on the structure. A tongue is manipulated through a bolt, the head of which is accessible at the top surface of the cap body. A cover for the bolt head has a locking post which extends through the cap body and engages and locks the tongue against movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Lucky Campbell, Rodger Calder
  • Patent number: 6065628
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a container lug lid which minimizes scrap waste is described. The blanks for forming container lug lids therefrom comprise an odd number of dissimilar lugs with one or more of the lugs comprising a male lug. Circumferential bases are formed between each lug, with one or more of the circumferential bases having a female complementary shape for receiving a male lug of an adjacent blank. The blank pattern for cutting the blanks from a sheet of material, which is preferably scrolled, comprises arranging the blanks in a closely spaced arrangement with the male lugs positioned for alignment with an adjacent female or complementary shaped circumferential base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Cleveland Steel Container
    Inventor: Christopher I. Page
  • Patent number: 6065627
    Abstract: A bung is provided for sealing an opening in a pressure vessel. The bung includes an annular body portion and a flange extending radially outwardly for one end of the body. In one embodiment the flange includes an inner inclined surface adjacent the annular body portion. In an alternate embodiment, the vessel includes an inclined or angled engagement surface adjacent the vessel opening. A gasket is provided between the flange of the bung and the engagement surface adjacent the vessel opening. The inclined surface of the bung and/or the vessel urges the gasket radially inwardly upon the bung being threaded into the pressure vessel opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Johanson
  • Patent number: 6056143
    Abstract: A threaded drum cover is disclosed for selectively closing an open head drum. The drum comprises a tubular drum open at a top end defined by a threaded chime. The cover comprises a closure having a central circular wall of a size corresponding to that of the chime and a downwardly depending annular sidewall receivable radially outwardly of the chime. The sidewall includes radially inwardly directed threads for mating with a threaded chime to provide a tight head drum. A radially outwardly opening annular recess in the sidewall above the threads provides for external gripping of the tight head drum. The cover is of one piece plastic construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Michael D. Stolzman
  • Patent number: 6032816
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cap (8) for closing a container such as a drink can opened (6) by a breakable seal (5) by means of a pull strip (7) on the lid, the said cap (8) being removably mounted on or around the said pull strip (7) to constitute a movable tab pivoting about the rivet (9) on the lid (4) to be clipped on the peripheral lip (12) crimping the lid (4) on the body (1) of the container. It is characterised in that the clipping means comprise two resilient linking tabs (13, 14) symmetrically arranged in the median horizontal plane P of the cap (8) on either side of the longitudinal axis of symmetry S to form a space (15) in which a lug (16) extends from a horizontal strip (17) holding together the two release tabs (13, 14). The invention also concerns the use of the cap (8) as an advertising vector or an element of a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Akline
    Inventor: Didier Martin
  • Patent number: 6032817
    Abstract: An easily attachable/detachable lid mounted container includes a container body, a lid for covering the container body, and an easy attach/detach mechanism for reliably securing the lid to the container body and for easily detaching the lid from the container body. The easy attach/detach mechanism includes: an engagement plate provided on the lid and extending toward the container body, the engagement plate being resilient and bendable; an object engagement portion, provided on the container body, for engaging, when the lid is pressed toward the container body, with the engagement plate so as to secure the lid to the container body; and separation means, provided between the engagement plate and the object engagement portion, for separating the engagement plate from the object engagement portion when the separation means is pressed toward the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignees: Sumitomo Sitix Corporation, Kakizaki Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Ejima, Yukihiro Hyobu
  • Patent number: 6032811
    Abstract: A child resistant cap assembly includes an outer cap member having a top wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall depending therefrom. On the exterior surface of the top wall is a key slot and an alignment aperture. An inner cap member for threadedly engaging a container neck is concentrically received within said outer cap member has a mark and key slot on its top wall. The outer cap member normally rotates independently of the inner cap member. When the outer cap member's alignment aperture registers with the mark on the inner cap member, the key slots are aligned allowing a key member to be inserted therethrough. Accordingly, the inserted key member is then rotated to simultaneously rotate the inner and outer cap. The top wall of the outer cap member also includes means for removably retaining the key thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Anthony Marconi
  • Patent number: 6010025
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lid for tins, cans and the like, which lid is made of a layer of sheet metal or plastic that is attached to the wall (3) of the container by means of a seam-folded or other type of joint. The lid has a groove (5) in which the tip of a spoon or other suitable utensil can be inserted so that the latter can act as a lever therein and open the lid by tearing the material along a first line of weakness (6) located on the bottom of the groove (5). The lid advantageously has a second line of weakness (7) that is located in the area where the cross section of the groove (5), which is essentially U-shaped, joins the central portion of the lid; this second line of weakness contributes to weakening the lid material locally, in the above mentioned area, thereby enhancing the leverage exerted in order to open the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Pack-Tec International S.r.l.
    Inventors: Claudio Bertani, Pietro Cristofori
  • Patent number: 6006941
    Abstract: A container (1) includes a receptacle portion (3) and a lid (2) butt ends thereof being hingeably connected one to the other, one or more resiliently mounted teeth (4) are formed which extend upwardly from a forward end of the receptacle portion (3), and which include a body portion with a recess (5) extending therethrough; a plurality of laterally spaced apart protrusions (6) are provided and extend inwardly from a forward end of the lid (2), such that on the lid being hinged over the receptacle portion, the protrusions contact and move over the resiliently mounted teeth (4) so as to releasably engage within the recesses and so as to releasably lock the receptacle portion (3) and lid (2) together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Proloc Security Systems Pty Limited
    Inventor: Glenn E. Hitchings
  • Patent number: 5975346
    Abstract: A container for holding paint or other liquids and a method for making same. The container includes a body having a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the bottom wall along the periphery of the bottom wall which terminates in an upper rim. The container also includes an annular retaining ring secured to the upper rim. The annular retaining ring forms an outlet/inlet through which a liquid can be placed or removed from the container. The container further includes a lid pivotally and detachably mounted to the annular retaining ring for movement between an open position and closed position with respect to the outlet/inlet and for removing the lid from the annular retaining ring. The lid, body and annular retaining ring are individually molded and secured together by simple fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: Anthony Joseph Imperato, Donna Elizabeth Ward
  • Patent number: 5957154
    Abstract: A fire hydrant adaptor and cover for attachment to the uncovered outlet pipe of a fire hydrant. The fire hydrant adaptor and cover includes an adaptor pipe having a first end with internal threads of attachment to the fire hydrant outlet, and a second end having external threads to connect a fire hose and internal threads to secure a cover plate. The cover plate is formed from a metallic material and is inserted into the second end of the adaptor pipe. The cover plate is removed by magnetized elements or by engaging a rectangular hole formed on the cover face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Anderson E. Olaker
  • Patent number: 5957313
    Abstract: A theft preventing device for an article having a substantially cylindrical end with a substantially ring-shaped bulge, e.g. a bottle or container. The device comprises a releasable body having a clamping means gripping the cylindrical end when in the closed position, and a locking means for preventing the clamping means from being opened unless a special tool is used. The body comprises of a substantially tubular element with a larger diameter than the ring-shaped bulge, and comprises a member that is movable relative to the tubular element between a closed position in which it defines a cross-section smaller than that of the ring-shaped bulge, and a released position in which it defines a cross-section greater than that of the ring-shaped bulge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Fors France S.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Bouan
  • Patent number: 5887744
    Abstract: A closure for a waste container, which has a lid having a covering surface for covering the mouth of the container, a peripheral first groove in the circumference of the lid, the first groove being open in a direction away from the covering surface and defining an inner peripheral wall having an outer free end, and an outer peripheral wall having an outer free end with peripherally spaced lockable detent projections at the outer free end, the inner and outer peripheral walls being substantially perpendicular to the covering surface, a sealing gasket within the first groove for contacting the mouth when the lid is tightly closed, a lateral extension at the periphery of the lid outwardly of the first groove and forming a second groove in the extension, wherein the second groove being open in a direction that is opposed to the direction of the opening in the first groove, the second groove accommodating a hinge pin attached to the container for attaching the lid to the container mouth, a peripheral lateral exten
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sanypick, S.A.
    Inventor: David Gonzalez Mejias
  • Patent number: 5875915
    Abstract: A composite closure for a container having a ring shaped cap with a ring shaped top and an annular skirt depending downwardly from the outer periphery of the top. The skirt is provided with internal threads for engaging external threads on the container neck. A disk shaped lid insert has its outer peripheral edge annularly received in an annular internal lid retaining groove in the cap which permits relative rotation between the lid insert and the threaded cap. An elastic annular seal is received in an annular groove provided in the bottom side of the lid insert for sealing the upper edge of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lobo Containers, Inc.
    Inventors: T. Gary Bradshaw, Thomas Triner
  • Patent number: 5873475
    Abstract: A container closure which can be converted from a child resistant configuration to a non-child resistant configuration. The container closure includes an external cap, an internal cap and a locking element. The locking element is inserted between the external cap and internal cap to form the non-child resistant configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Volpe and Koenig, P.C.
    Inventor: Anthony S. Volpe
  • Patent number: 5871113
    Abstract: A lid for a container having an open top with a rear wall having a snap slot and a hook slot, the lid having a latch mechanism with a snap member and a hook member projecting downward for positioning in the snap slot and the hook slot, respectively, when the lid is in position on the container, and having a key slot adjacent the snap and hook members. Each of the snap member and the hook member has a cam surface adjacent the key slot for engagement by a key member pushed downward through the key slot to pivot the snap and lock members away from the snap and hook slots, respectively, for removal of the lid from the container. The hook member has an upward and rearward projecting hook adjacent the lower end of the hook member for entering the container hook slot, and the snap member has a rearward projecting shoulder adjacent the lower end of the snap member for entering the container snap slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Bodrick Washroom Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Conway, Frank Merriweather, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5862935
    Abstract: The container includes a lower part and a lid. The lower part is of a single wall structure and is reinforced at its upper edge area by a reinforcing wall. The lower end of the reinforcing wall is curved inwards and extends into the side wall. Thus, an edge at the lower end of the edge area is prevented. The upper edges of the lid are also rounded and run smoothly into the reinforcing wall. The lid includes ribs which, when the lid is placed on the lower part, come to lie onto corresponding ribs of the lower part. The lid is connected to the lower part by a snapping mechanism. The lid includes an opening, into which a ledge of the snapping mechanism can be snapped in. This ledge is accessible through this opening to release the ledge to disengage the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Georg UTZ Holding AG
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Dubois, Bernd Frommherz, Thomas Jaussi, Boris Schwab
  • Patent number: 5853101
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blister pack opener which includes a structure designed to receive a soft pack of individually segregated unit dosages of medication. The opener or soft pack puncturing mechanism has a base segment and a top segment hingedly connected to one another. The base segment has an orifice located thereon which is of sufficient size to receive a unit dosage section of a soft pack commonly referred to as a "blister" and the top segment has a protrusion adapted to nest within the orifice of the bottom segment. The protrusion of the top segment has sufficient height so as to puncture a dosage unit section of a soft pack of medication. When a dosage unit or "blister" is placed within the orifice of the bottom segment and the top segment is hingedly pushed downwardly, the protrusion on the top segment will puncture the foil or flat element of the blister pack. Preferably, the puncture mechanism has toothed edges on this protrusion to enhance puncturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Primary Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5842593
    Abstract: A plastic container lid is adapted for openable attachment to a container. The lid comprises a main lid member having a peripheral, annular outer first wall. The lid also comprises an outer ring member carried on the annular outer wall of the main lid member in sealed but separable relation. The outer ring defines second and third spaced walls to form an annular space which receives the annular lip of a container in locking relation therewith. The main lid member is removable from and reattachable to the outer ring member by the user while carried on the annular container lip. Thus, the outer ring member effectively becomes part of the container, being attached by a permanent snap-fit connection, to improve the hoop strength of the container along with other advantages as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: John W. Von Holdt
    Inventor: John W. von Holdt
  • Patent number: 5823379
    Abstract: A container suitable for use in the transportation of hazardous materials, for example radiolabelled material, has a base cup member (12) which is closed by a threaded lid (13). Within the cup member (12) a liner (17) is provided within an inner cavity (16). The liner (17) is suspended from an end flange (18) which is in engagement with the upper face of the rim of the cup member (12). The liner (17) has an annular shoulder (23) spaced from the end flange (18). The shoulder (23) is arranged so that it engages and thereby seals with the head (26) of a closure element (25). The closure element (25) also includes an engagement recess (31) to enable it to be removed from the liner (17). The container is usually mounted within a two-part inner casing (10a, 10b) which in turn is positioned within an outer casing (11a, 11b). With the container described hazardous materials even in liquid form may be stored and transported safely as desired without the need for bulky packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Amersham International plc
    Inventors: Uri Friedlander, Richard Ashley Stubbs
  • Patent number: 5788107
    Abstract: A cap is provided for mounting on a necked-in can. The cap includes a shell formed to include an interior region and a tool-receiving aperture opening into the interior region. A ridge is appended to the shell and positioned to lie in the interior region of the cap. The ridge includes a downwardly facing ridge edge that lies inside the interior region of the cap and adjacent to the tool-receiving aperture. The ridge edge overlies a portion of an annular lip of the necked-in can when the cap is mounted on the can so that a cap-removal tool can be inserted into the interior region of the shell through the tool-receiving aperture simultaneously to engage the annular lip of the can and the ridge edge. When the cap-removal tool is rotated manually about its longitudinal axis, the cap-removal tool acts between the ridge edge and the annular lip to demount the cap from the necked-in can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Erin M. Meyer, David J. Jochem
  • Patent number: 5785194
    Abstract: A cap (1) having a top (2) and a depending skirt (3) which receives the neck of a container at its lower end, wherein the skirt (3) is provided at its outer and upper end portion with a first engaging means (6, 7) for engaging an annular spanner located around the cap (1), and a seating means (8) at the base of the first engaging means (6, 7) on which the annular spanner rests. Preferably the cap is for a medicine container and is circular. In a further embodiment the cap is a two part child resistant cap designed to provide tamper evidence. There is further provided a medical implement adapted to engage over the cap and a kit comprising the cap and an annular spanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Brian L. Ogden
  • Patent number: 5782370
    Abstract: A casing of the present invention and applicable to an electronic apparatus is made up of a first and a second casing part. The first casing part is formed with first spaced hooks and ribs intervening between the hooks. The second casing part is formed with second hooks respectively engageable with the first hooks, and recesses 7 intervening between the second hooks and respectively engageable with the ribs 5. A ridge is formed in each recess and prevents static electricity from entering the casing via a path between the casing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 5769259
    Abstract: An end panel for a full-open end closure for a container comprising a rim portion, a removable central panel portion connected to the rim portion for detachment by an opening implement, an array of closely spaced push-in closure members dimensioned and spaced to receive the prongs of a standard domestic fork as the opening implement. The closure members are in a generally linear array adjacent the rim portion and the fork engages the openings defining the closure members and is levered against the rim to remove the central panel portion from the rim. Alternatively, the closure members are in a radial linear array extending towards the center of the central panel portion with the outermost closure member adjacent the rim portion so that the central panel portion can be conveniently levered from the rim portion without the need for a special opening implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: The Broken Hill Proprietary Co Ltd
    Inventors: Peter Lewis Revill, Alan George Dalli, Dietmar Salm, James Douglas Peck
  • Patent number: 5743424
    Abstract: A sealable container for accommodating semiconductor wafers, which includes a hollow main body having an opening for receiving or removing the semiconductor wafers, a lid member for plugging the opening, a lock for locking and releasing the lid member in the opening of said main body, and a pressure-equalizing mechanism for allowing an interior portion of the main body to be communicable with an exterior portion thereof in cooperation with the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanao Murata, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Teruya Morita
  • Patent number: 5743425
    Abstract: A child resistant lid is disclosed for use in conjunction with the standard build bucket for containment of materials. There is provided a threaded capped access opening of sufficiently small dimension to prevent the passage of a child's head, yet of sufficiently great dimension to allow for access to the material contained within the bucket. In addition, there is provided a handle grasp member and tool grip to aid the user in opening the threaded capped access opening. When it is desired by the user to pour the material directly from the bucket, there is provided a pour spout formed on an outermost peripheral edge of the lid and an air inlet opening formed on the cap member. The lid member of the present invention has provided a permanent locking mechanism to aid the user in permanently attaching the lid member to the lipped edge found on buckets of the type to be used in conjunction with the lid and to further serve as a safety feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: John N. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5727590
    Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for preventing unauthorized actuation of the hydrant nut of a fire hydrant by causing any lateral pounding or upward forces applied to the tamper resistant construction to be transmitted directly to the hydrant body cover of the fire hydrant including a packing nut threaded into the hydrant body cover proximate the hydrant nut, a hydrant nut actuating body located within the packing nut and mounted on the hydrant nut in turning relationship therewith, a shroud permanently or removably rotatably mounted on the packing nut in closely spaced relationship to a cap rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body, and a configuration on the hydrant nut actuating body between the cap and the shroud for receiving a special wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Julicher, Thomas R. Lanham
  • Patent number: 5722450
    Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for a fire hydrant including a hydrant nut actuating body for mounting on a hydrant nut, a shroud rotatably mounted on a first end portion of the hydrant nut actuating body, a cap rotatably mounted on a second end portion of the hydrant nut actuating body, a wrench-receiving portion on the hydrant nut actuating body, a spring mounted within the hydrant nut actuating body and secured to the cap for biasing the cap over the wrench-receiving portion, and a specialized wrench for retracting the cap and engaging the wrench-receiving portion on the hydrant nut actuating body to thereby turn the hydrant nut actuating body and a hydrant nut coupled thereto. The shroud may be removably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body to permit access to set screws which secure the hydrant nut actuating body to the hydrant nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Julicher
  • Patent number: 5715963
    Abstract: A closing device for the filler neck of a motor vehicle tank, in which device an orifice of the filler neck, opening into the tank interior can be closed by means of a cap which can be placed sealingly onto the orifice edge under a closing force. The closing force is exerted by a spring. The nozzle of a filling pump to be introduced into the filler neck can operate opening movement of the cap. The cap can be displaced between the closing and the opening position via an actuating mechanism by means of a variable transmission ratio having a value decreasing from the closing position of the cap to its open position and by means of a variable closing force having a value increasing from the open position of the cap to the closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Wolf Boll, Reinhard Steinkamper, Marianne Schwiedessen
  • Patent number: 5702021
    Abstract: A locking construction of an electric connection box having an upper casing and a lower casing, comprising: a locking claw which is provided on an outer surface of a first side wall of one of the upper and lower casings; an engageable portion which is provided on an inner surface of a second side wall of the other of the upper and lower casings such that the locking claw is brought into engagement with the engageable portion in a direction for fitting the first side wall into the second side wall; an L-shaped projection which is provided on the outer surface of the first side wall in the vicinity of the locking claw and includes a base portion and a bent portion; and a groove which is formed on an open end of the second side wall such that the base portion of the projection is inserted into the groove in the direction for fitting the first side wall into the second side wall; wherein when the base portion of the projection has been inserted into the groove, the second side wall is gripped between the bent por
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 5676273
    Abstract: A device for closing a cover onto a container, wherein the cover and the container each have a protruding flanged edge which come to lie against each other in the closing position and wherein a hook-shaped cam connected to the cover co-acts with a counter-cam connected to the container for the purpose of locking the cover onto the container, wherein both flanged edges have continuous slotted holes in a corresponding pattern, wherein a wedge-shaped hand-tool can be placed into two mutually registering holes in the flanged edges to turn the cover in relation to the container, such that the hook-shaped cam connected to the cover comes into engagement with the counter-cam, whereby with a simple tool all locks are placed simultaneously in or out of engagement during closing or release of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Wiva Verpakkingen B.V.
    Inventors: Godefridus Hubertus Johannes Jonkers, Stephanus Franciscus Schilthuizen
  • Patent number: 5659151
    Abstract: A wire management knockout closure (92) associated with a knockout opening (86) in a wire receiving enclosure (84), includes a body section (94) adapted to traverse the knockout opening (86), a grippable portion (96) at an inwardly facing end, and a wire holding portion at an outwardly facing end (98) of the body section when the knockout closure (92) is disposed in the opening (86). The closure (92) further includes a retention section, which in cooperation with the knockout opening (86) removably retains the closure (92) in the knockout opening (86). When the closure (92) is in position, the wire holding portion extends exteriorly of the electrical enclosure (84) and is secured to the wire portions (76). When the closure (92) is pulled inwardly from the opening (86), portions of the wires (76) held thereby are likewise pulled into the enclosure for performance of worksteps thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: James Lawrence Dale
  • Patent number: 5657893
    Abstract: A container includes a receptacle portion and a lid, butt ends thereof being hingeably connected one to the other; one or more resiliently mounted teeth are formed which extend upwardly from a forward end of the receptacle portion, and which include a body portion with a recess extending therethrough; a plurality of laterally spaced apart protrusions are provided and extend inwardly from a forward end of the lid, such that on the lid being hinged over the receptacle portion, the protrusions contact and move over the resiliently mounted teeth, so as to releasably engage within the recesses and so as to releasably lock the receptacle portion and lid together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Plastech Industries Pty Limited
    Inventor: Glenn Edward Hitchings
  • Patent number: 5649639
    Abstract: A venting container prevents the incursion of contaminants and water during the breathing of the contents and has a central body received in a collar in the top wall of the container and adapted to accommodate a filter element. The central body is secured to a cover which is provided with break-away means signalling improper opening of the container and with a protective cap turned toward the interior thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Sotralentz S.A.
    Inventors: Franck Dolvet, Francis Herrmann
  • Patent number: 5634675
    Abstract: The cover of a battery compartment is releaseably secured by a compressible U-shaped latch carried by the cover and provided with a pair of projections for engaging a side wail of the battery compartment. Both the side wall and latch are provided with corresponding recesses which define an opening for receiving a pointed object to compress the latch and release the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Dialer & Business Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Mo
  • Patent number: 5632301
    Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for a fire hydrant including a hydrant nut actuating body for mounting on a hydrant nut, a shroud rotatably mounted on a first end portion of the hydrant nut actuating body, a cap rotatably mounted on a second end portion of the hydrant nut actuating body, a wrench-receiving portion on the hydrant nut actuating body, a spring mounted within the hydrant nut actuating body and secured to the cap for biasing the cap over the wrench-receiving portion, and a specialized wrench for retracting the cap and engaging the wrench-receiving portion on the hydrant nut actuating body to thereby turn the hydrant nut actuating body and a hydrant nut coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Julicher
  • Patent number: 5632393
    Abstract: A tamper resistant and tamper evident detachable cover is provided for a dispensing container so that any premature removal of the cover before customer purchase can be visually detected. The cover employs a closed opening in the top surface for subsequent perforation by the customer after purchase in order to release the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Cobra Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Kent A. Houser
  • Patent number: 5630442
    Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for preventing unauthorized actuation of the hydrant nut of a fire hydrant by causing any lateral pounding or upward forces applied to the tamper resistant construction to be transmitted directly to the hydrant body cover of the fire hydrant including a packing nut threaded into the hydrant body cover proximate the hydrant nut, a hydrant nut actuating body located within the packing nut and mounted on the hydrant nut in turning relationship therewith, a groove in the packing nut, a plurality of studs extending between the hydrant nut actuating body and the groove in the packing nut, a shroud rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body in closely spaced relationship to a cap rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body, and a limited space between the cap and the shroud for receiving a special wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Julicher
  • Patent number: 5588460
    Abstract: A hydrant protector for preventing unauthorized use of the hydrant includes an internally threaded tubular shleld around the valve stem. To prevent a collection of trash in the shield and to provide more security for the hydrant a threaded plug fits completely into the shield and against the end of the valve stem and has, in the flat exterior end, a pentagonal keyway of deep grooves. A wrench having a pentagonal tubular socket to fit the keyway will also fit the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Aaron B. Meneses
  • Patent number: 5586670
    Abstract: A device to prevent the unauthorized removal of a closure from the mouth of a bottle having an annular ring adjacent to the mouth about the bottle neck. A cap portion fits over the end of the bottle neck and receives within it the annular ring, the bottle mouth and the closure. A locking mechanism housing is formed adjacent the cap and communicates with the bore in the cap by means of a slot. In a first embodiment a pawl means is pivotally mounted in the housing and is spring biased to extend through the slot into the bore. A second embodiment uses a cam controlled spring mechanism to slideably position pawl means in the cap portion or withdraw it therefrom. A tapered leading edge of the pawl means causes the pawl to be displaced into the housing as the annular ring of the bottle passes the pawl. The spring forces the pawl in behind the ring to prevent removal of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Kenneth Greenwald
  • Patent number: 5560510
    Abstract: A salvage drum for hazardous materials includes a container and a lid threaded thereon. Projections on the container and lid are engaged by a lever, such as a two-by-four beam. The lever is wrenched to tighten the lid on the container. The projections are symmetrically spaced around the container and lid. The lever can be a bar having a crank with teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: ENPAC Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Grebenyuk, James P. Onders, Darel R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5549133
    Abstract: A security device and system for preventing unauthorized access to and operation of fire hydrants. The security device includes a first end portion for coupling the device to a portion of a fire hydrant. The first end portion preferably is coupled to the hydrant by clamping it between an outlet port of the hydrant and a cap for covering the outlet port. A second end portion covers a valve control device of the hydrant to control access to the valve control device and thereby prevent unauthorized persons from activating it. An intermediate portion integral with the first and second end portions extends vertically from the first end portion to the second end portion. The system for preventing unauthorized operation of a fire hydrant includes the security device described above, a bonnet for protecting a valve control device of the hydrant, and a locking cap for closing an outlet port of the hydrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: George Sigelakis
  • Patent number: 5540349
    Abstract: A closure or lid for use with a container having an open end and a rim extending along the perimeter of the open end. The closure comprises a center portion which covers the container and an integral wall structure extending along the periphery of the center portion, the wall structure designed to attach the closure to the rim. The wall portion includes an inner wall adjacent the center portion, an outer wall spaced from the rim and a joining wall connecting the inner wall and the outer wall and forming a cavity therebetween, the rim being received into the cavity. The inner surface of the outer wall includes an inwardly extending projection which interlocks with a projection on the container rim and holds the lid onto the container. The outer wall is further provided with a plurality of slots which divide the outer wall into a plurality of separate and individual sections to allow for easy removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Bennett Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry M. Philips
  • Patent number: 5524779
    Abstract: The safety closure includes an outer closure member having cylindrical interior walls, and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is nested within the interior walls of the outer closure member, and permits normally free rotation of the outer closure member relative to the inner cylinder. Complementary screw threads connect the inner cylinder to a mouth of the container, and cooperate with the outer closure member to lock the safety closure onto the container. A key is permanently secured to the safety closure for unlocking engagement of the complementary screw threads. The key is manipulated by a user to prevent the normally free rotation of the outer closure member relative to the inner cylinder, thus permitting the safety closure to be removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Curtis E. Faile
  • Patent number: 5480056
    Abstract: A plunger for attachment to a drum reseal cap, the plunger having opposed ends with a handle alone end, resilient fingers at the other end and a sliding cylinder for forcing the resilient fingers in an outward direction to engage the reseal cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Russell-Stanley Corporation
    Inventors: William Lima, Earl V. Lind, Philip D. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 5464114
    Abstract: A cap member for fitment over a gas outlet nozzle having a plurality of serrations on the exterior thereof, is disclosed. The cap member comprises a peripherally disposed main body portion spanning between an open first end and a closed second end. The main body portion has an outer surface defining the periphery of the cap member and an inner surface defining a nozzle receiving recess. A lock member having a arcuately shaped central portion terminating in opposed outwardly projecting first and second end tabs having a key-receiving gap therebetween is retained within an annular slot within the nozzle receiving recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventor: Garrey D. Green
  • Patent number: 5464109
    Abstract: A device to prevent the unauthorized removal of a closure from the mouth of a bottle having an annular ring adjacent to the mouth about the bottle neck. A cap portion fits over the end of the bottle neck and receives within it the annular ring, the bottle mouth and the closure. A locking mechanism housing is formed adjacent the cap and communicates with the bore in the cap by means of a slot. In a first embodiment a pawl means is pivotally mounted in the housing and is spring biased to extend through the slot into the bore. A second embodiment uses a cam controlled spring mechanism to slideably position pawl means in the cap portion or withdraw it therefrom. A tapered leading edge of the pawl means causes the pawl to be displaced into the housing as the annular ring of the bottle passes the pawl. The spring forces the pawl in behind the ring to prevent removal of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventor: Kenneth Greenwald