US2994447A - Lock for container covers - Google Patents

Description

1961 D. A. HAYNES 2,994,447

LOCK FOR CONTAINER COVERS Filed July 28, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

DON A HAYNES ATTORNEY Aug. 1, 1961 D. A. HAYNES 2,994,447

LOCK FOR CONTAINER COVERS Filed July 2a, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

DON A HAYNES ATTO RNEY 1951 D. A. HAYNES 2,994,447

LOCK FOR CONTAINER COVERS Filed July 28, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. DON A HAYNES ATTORNEY Aug. 1, 1961 D. A. HAYNES 2,994,447

LOCK FOR CONTAINER COVERS Filed July 2a. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

DON A HAYNES Z/WWW ATTORNEY aired rates Filed .Iuiy 28, 1958, Ser. No. 751,246 15 Claims. (Cl. 2159) This invention relates to locks for container covers of the combination type, wherein to remove the cover from the container it is necessary to rotate the cover to predetermined positions in opposite directions.

While the present invention has a wide variety of uses, it is intended primarily to practically entirely prevent the accidental opening of containers such as jars and bottles containing poisons or harmful drugs and the like. A very frequent occurrence is that of a young child opening a bottle containing some harmful substance and swallowing the contents. Also, it has been known that adults occasionally mistake a container of some harmful substance for one which is not, by not reading the label, and swallowing some of the contents. The present invention completely prevents a person unable to read, such as a young child, from opening the container. It also prevents an adult from accidentally opening the container by making it somewhat ditficult to open and requiring him to read the label and follow the directions for opening it.

These results are obtained by means of a novel form of container neck and a novel cover, together with one or more rings which require that the closure be rotated in one direction to another specific position before the cover can be removed. It is possible, as will appear hereinafter, to require rotation of the closure in the first direction again to still a third specific position before the closure can be removed, thus further minimizing the possibility of accidental opening.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a container embodying my invention;

F FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the I container and closure With the closure on the container, said view being taken on substantially the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the closure without the rings;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but showing another position of the spring ring in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken on substantially the line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken on substantially the line 9-9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of one spring ring;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the other spring ring;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 13-13 and 1414 respectively of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a further modified form of the invention;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 16--16 and 1717 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of still another form of the invention; and

ine

FIGS. 19 and 20 are cross-sectional views taken on lines 19-19 and 2l)20 of FIG. 18.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 11 thereof, the parts of the container closure lock assembly consist of a container 10, a closure 11, two spring rings 12 and 13, and in most cases, particularly those which are intended for liquids, a seal 14. The latter is not essential to the operation of the lock.

The container may be fashioned from any suitable substance, usually molded glass. It has a body portion 15 having an opening in the top surrounded by an annular wall 16. Surrounding the wall are three axially spaced apart ribs 17, 18 and 19 forming grooves between them. The wall 16 is slightly corrugated between the ribs as shown at 24 in FIGS. 8 and 9 for a purpose which will appear presently.

Each of these ribs has one or more, preferably three, gaps 20 therein. Each set of gaps are axially registered in all three ribs.

Ribs 17 and 18 have one or more, preferably three, gaps 21 and 22 therein. The gaps 21 in rib 17 are staggered circumferentially from the gaps 22 in rib 18. Preferably all of the gaps are unequally spaced in each rib. Preferably the gaps 20 are rectangular while gaps 21 and 22 are of arcuate section. Rib 17 also has gaps 22a therein of the same number and size as gaps 22 in rib 18 and axially registered therewith.

The cover 11 is designed to fit over the annular wall surrounding the opening in the container and to fit relatively snugly thereon. The side wall of the cover has at its lower edge lugs 23 of the same number, spacing and shape as gaps 20. The lugs are very slightly smaller than the gaps 20 to permit the lugs to pass through the gaps when the cover is placed on or removed from the container.

The cover is also provided with substantially annular grooves 25 and 26 to receive spring rings 12 and 13 respectively. The groove 26 is not exactly circular. The bottom of the groove has a slightly rounded depression therein at 27, and another depression having a sharp shoulder 28. Groove 25 has a shallow rounded depression 29 similar to 27 and two depressions having sharp shoulders 30 and 31 facing each other in a circumferential direction. The purpose of these will appear presently.

Spring rings 12 and 13 are shown in plan view in FIGS. 10 and 11. They are formed from relatively fine resilient wire. They are not complete rings but are formed with gaps 32 and 33 respectively. The rings 12 and 13 are formed slightly larger than the inside of the cover so that they spring outwardly into their respective grooves when placed therein. Also the ends of the rings at the gaps 32 and 33' are always pushing outwardly so that they will contact the shoulders 28, 30 and 31, as will more fully appear presently. The ends 34 and 35 are shown in operating position as they would be when in contact with the shoulders 31 and 28 respectively. Each ring has a slight outward hump 36 to fit into the depressions 27 and 29 in the bottoms of the grooves 25 and 26. Spring ring 12 is bent to form inwardly extending detents 37. These are of the same number and spacing as the gaps 21 in rib 17. Spring ring 13 has a like number of detents 38.

It is important that the depressions 27 and 29 be located in the wall of the cover and the humps 36 be located on the spring rings so that when the humps are in their respective depressions and the lugs 23 are inserted into the gaps 20' the detents 37 register with gaps 21 and detents 38 register with gaps 22 and 22a. The cover can then be moved axially onto the container and removed therefrom in a like manner.

As will be understood from the foregoing, the various parts are molded or otherwise formed when the container and cover are manufactured and the spring rings are formed. Three letters, such as A, B and C are molded or etched on the container, as shown in FIG. 1, and the closure is formed with an arrow or other suitable index mark at a predetermined place on the cover side wall. The letters on the container must be properly located relative to the lugs 23 and shoulders 28, 30 and 31 of the cap when the lugs 23 are located in gaps 20. The combination cannot be changed after the parts are formed.

The combination for the bottle lock can be printed on the bottle label.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

Assume that the container and cover are separated at the start and the container is filled with whatever it is to contain, the lugs 23 are registered with gaps 20, detents 38 are registered with gaps 22 and 22a, and detents 37 are registered with gaps 21. The cover may be pushed down onto the container until lugs 23 are located beneath rib 19 and spring rings 12 and 13 are located between ribs 17 and 18, and 18 and 19, respectively. The closure is then rotated clockwise. The shoulders 28 and 31 cause the spring rings to rotate clockwise and the detents on the spring rings have just enough resilience to permit them to pass over the corrugations 24 on the container neck. As soon as one feels the clicking of the detents doing so, the cover is locked and may not be opened without operating the combination.

To open the container, the closure is rotated clockwise until the arrow on the closure points to letter A as indicated in the combination on the label. The detents 38 on ring 13 are then in registry with gaps 22 and 22a.

The closure is then rotated counter-clockwise until the arrow points to letter B of the combination. During this movement the ring 13 is retained in its registering position by the resistance of the detents in the corrugations, and as shoulder 28 moves away from the end of ring 13 and there is nothing to move the ring, it remains stationary.

Ring 12 also remains stationary for a short time but its detents are not in registry as yet with gaps 21. However, after a small amount of rotation shoulder 30 picks up the other end of the ring and moves counterclockwiseuntil the arrow arrives at letter B. The detents 37 then register with gaps 21.

Lugs 23 still hold the cover in place so the cover is rotated clockwise again until the arrow reaches letter C which is between letters A and B, at which point lugs 23 are in registry with gaps 20. The rings 12 and 13 have not been moved however as shoulders 28 and 31 do not move far enough to strike the corresponding ends of the rings. As everything is then in registry, the cover may be lifted off.

The humps 36 and depressions 27 and 29 are not absolutely necessary for proper operation of the look but serve to position the rings 12 and 13 properly and minimize the possibility of accidental movement of the rings when the cover is of the container.

It may be that some users of the container will not care to use the locking feature of the invention. To that end the container may be provided with one or more cooperating stops 39 on the container and stops 4-0 on the lower edge of the cover side wall. The stops prevent suflicient movement of the cover relative to the container to lock the closure, and the latter may be moved counterclockwise to letter C and removed. Stops 40, however, are thin, and easily broken, so if it is desired to lock the cover the latter may be turned clockwise sufficiently to break them, after which the cover may be looked as described.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show a modified form of the invention in which the grooves in the container wall extend only partially around the container wall and the rings are formed of a rubber-like material, such as neoprene.

In this form the container wall is indicated by numeral 50. Molded or otherwise formed in the wall are two sets of grooves 51 and 52 which extend only partially around the container. The sets of grooves are on opposite sides of the container but are not quite exactly opposite each other.

The upper groove 52 in each set is longer than the lower one and extends through approximately degrees of arc. The lower groove extends through approximately 90 degrees of arc. These dimensions are not critical, however. The side walls of the groove 51 are provided with aligied gaps 53 for a purpose which will presently appear. These gaps are not quite opposite each other but are approximately degrees apart in one di rection and degrees in the other.

The container wall has position indicating letters A, B and C. Inside of the cover side wall 54 are two annular grooves which are radially aligned with grooves 51 and 52 when the cover is on the container. Within these latter grooves are two rings 55 and 56, preferably of some rubber-like substance such as neoprene. They fit tightly enough in the grooves to create frictional resistance to rotation therein but not tightly enough to prevent rotation.

Ring 55 is provided with two radially inwardl extending integral detents 57 which fit into the respective grooves 52. Their spacing on the ring is the same as the spacing of gaps 53 in the container. Ring 56 also has two detents 58 spaced the same as gaps 53. The detents 58 are located in grooves 51 in the container.

With the detents in the grooves 51 and 52, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the cover cannot be removed be cause the detents prevent it. They are out of registry with each other because the detents rest against the clockwise ends of the grooves 51 and 52 and groove 51 is shorter than 52. To remove the cover it is rotated counterclockwise, which carries the rings with their detents in that direction. Detents 58 first strike the opposite ends of grooves 51 and stop the rotation of the ring 55. Continued rotation of the cover until the arrow thereon is over letter B on the container aligns the detents on both rings. The cover is then turned clockwise to letter C which aligns the detents with gaps 53 and the cover is lifted 011.

To replace and lock the cover it is simply put on by pushing the detents through the gaps 53 and turning the cover to A which throws the detents out of alignment.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show a further form of the invention in which the rings are placed on the container instead of in the cover.

In this form the container 60 has two annular grooves 61- and 62 in which rings 63 and 64 are placed. These rings have spaced detents 66 and 65 respectively. In the cover are grooves which extend only partially around the cover as grooves 51 and 52 in the form shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. Through the walls of grooves 67 and 68 are axially aligned gaps 69.

The cover in this form is put on and removed in the same manner as in the form shown in FIGS. 12 to 14.

FIGS. 18 to 20 show a still further modified form of the invention. In this form a container 70 is provided with three axially spaced ribs 71, 72 and 73 around the wall of the container opening, which form annular grooves between them. Interconneoting ribs 71 and 72 and preferably molded integrally with the container are two spaced apart stops 74 and 75, the purpose of which will appear presently. The ribs 72 and 73 are also interconnected by a stop 80. These stops interrupt the grooves between the ribs 71, 72 and 73.

Extending through all three ribs are three sets of axially registering gaps 76. Through ribs 72 and 73 and three sets of gaps 77, and through rib 73 are three gaps 78'.

A cover 79 is provided with two annular grooves 81 if and 82 on the inside of the side wall. These receive two resilient rings of rubber-like material such as neoprene. These rings are similar to rings 55 and 56 in FIGS. 12 to 14 but each has three detents such as 37 and 38 in FIGS. and 6. The lower edge of the cover has three lugs 83 spaced the same as gaps 76 in the container.

This form of the invention is much the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 11 except for the use of neoprene rings in which there is sufiicient friction between the rings and cover to cause them to rotate except when prevented by the detents on the rings striking the shoulders 74, 75 and 80. Thus, when the cover is rotated clockwise to letter A the detents on the rings in groove 81 are properly positioned relative to the index mark on the cover by shoulder 80. Upon counterclockwise rotation to B the detents on the ring in groove 82 are properly positioned by shoulder 75, and then when the cover is rotated to C the lugs 83 are aligned with gaps 76, the detents on the ring in groove 82 register with gaps 77 and the detents on the rings in groove 81 register with gaps 78 and thus the cover can be removed. The cover is replaced in a reverse manner and rotated sufiiciently in either direction to move the detents out of registry.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention provides a novel lock for container covers that is simple to manufacture and will eliminate accidental opening of the container, yet is easily opened when desired by one who can read.

Throughout the specification and the appended claims, the term ring does not necessarily mean a complete circular ring, but may be sections thereof.

I claim:

1. A combination lock for a container cover comprising a container having an opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, a cover for said opening having an annular wall surrounding said first mentioned wall and rotatable therearound, one of said walls having a plurality of grooves therein extending at least partially around said wall, the side walls of said grooves having axially extending gaps therein, axially spaced rings equal in number to said grooves mounted on the other wall for rotary movement relative thereto, said rings normally being carried by the said other wall for rotation therewith, said rings having detents thereon extending radially into the respective grooves and adapted to pass through said gaps when in registry therewith, and stops for ed in the respective grooves of said one wall for abutting engagement with said detents incident to rotary movement of said annular walls, said detents being selectively positionable in registry with said gaps by rotation of the cover in opposite directions relative to the container to predetermined positions.

2. A combination lock as defined in claim 1 wherein said rings are mounted on said container wall.

3. A combination lock as defined in claim 1 wherein said rings are mounted in said cover wall.

4. In combination, a container having a body with an opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, axially spaced apart inner and outer ribs on the outside of said wall, said ribs having axially registering gaps therein, the outer rib having another gap therein spaced circumferentially from the first gap, and a cover for said opening disposed for rotary movement on said container, said cover having an annular wall surrounding the annular wall of the container and having on the interior thereof a lug positioned between the body of the container and the inner rib, said lug being of a size to pass through the registering gaps in the ribs, said closure wall having an annular groove in the interior thereof spaced from the lug a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the inner rib, a ring in said groove, said ring having a radially inwardly extending detent thereon normally projecting between said ribs of a size adapted to pass through the second mentioned gap in the outer rib, said ring being rotatable to a limited extent in said groove, and means fixed on said annular container wall for engagement by,

said ring to cause relative rotation between said ring and cover.

5. In combination, a container having a body with an opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, axially spaced apart inner and outer ribs on the outside of said Wall, said ribs having axially registering gaps therein, the outer rib having another gap therein spaced circumferentially from the first said gaps, and a cover for said opening disposed for rotary movement on said container, said cover having an annular wall surrounding the annue lar wall of the container and having on the interior thereof a lug positioned between the body of the container and the inner rib, said lug being of a size to pass through the registering gaps in the ribs, said closure wall having an annular groove in the interior thereof spaced from the lug a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the inner rib, a ring disposed for rotary movement in said groove, said ring being freely rotatable in one direction and having means thereon cooperating with means on the closure for limiting the rotatable movement in the opposite direction, and means fixed on said container wall for engagement by said ring to cause relative rotation between said ring and said cover.

6. In combination, a container having a body with the opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, axially spaced apart annular ribs on the outside of said wall, a closure for said opening, said closure having an annular wall surrounding said wall on the container and rotatable around it, said ribs having relatively circumferentially staggered gaps therein, means fixed to the inside of the closure wall adapted to pass axially through certain of said gaps, a ring mounted inside of said closure wall and movable circumferentially therein, a stop on said container wall, said ring having a portion rotatable into engagement therewith, and means on said ring adapted to pass through another gap in one of said ribs when properly positioned relative to said container wall.

7. In combination, a container having a body with an opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, axially spaced apart first, second and third ribs on said wall, all three ribs having axially registering gaps therein, the first and second ribs having registering gaps spaced circumferentially of said first named gaps, the third rib having another gap circumferentially spaced from the other gaps, a cover for said opening, said cover having an annular wall surrounding the wall of-the opening, said cover wall having a lug thereon between the first rib and container body and adapted to pass through said first named gaps, two rings rotatably connected to said container wall and movable circumferentially therein, one ring being located between the first and second rib and the other between the second and third rib means on the cover Wall for limiting the movement of the rings in one direction, radial detents on said rings adapted to pass through the gaps in the second and third ribs when registered therewith, and means fixed on said container wall for engagement by said rings to cause relative rotation between said rings and said cover incident to rotation of the cover and container in opposite directions.

8. In combination, a container having a body with an opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, axially spaced apart first, second and third ribs on said wall, all three ribs having axially registering gaps therein, the second and third ribs having registering gaps spaced circumferentially of said first named gaps, the third rib having another gap circumferentially spaced from the other gaps, a cover for said opening, said cover having an annular wall surrounding the wall of the opening, said cover wall having a lug thereon between the inner rib and container body and adapted to pass through said first named gaps, two rings rotatably connected to said cover wall and rnovable circumferentially therein, one ring being located between the first and second rib and the other between the second and first rib, means on the cover wall engageable with said rings in predetermined positions for positively turning said rings in one direction when said closure is turned, and means on said container wall engaging said rings for resisting movement of the rings in the opposite direction.

9. A combination lock for a container cover comprising a container having an opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, said wall having a plurality of parallel grooves extending at least partially around said wall, the side walls of said grooves having axially extending gaps therein, a cover for said opening having an annular wall, a plurality of axially spaced parallel rings rotatably mounted in the wall of said cover, each of said rings having a detent fixed thereon and extending radially into one of said grooves and adapted to pass through said gaps when in registry therewith, said detents being selectively positionable in registry with said gaps by rotation of the cover and container in opposite directions to predetermined positions, and stop means fixed on said container in the axial plane of each of said grooves for engagement with the respective detents to limit the relative rotary movement between said rings and the container.

10. A combination lock for a container cover comprising a container having an opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, a cover for said opening having an annular wall, one of said walls having a plurality of grooves therein extending at least partially around said wall, the side walls of said grooves having axially extending gaps therein, axially spaced rings equal in number to said grooves mounted in the other wall for rotary movement relative thereto, said rings normally being carried by the said other wall for rotation therewith, said rings having detents thereon extending radially into said grooves and adapted to pass through said gaps when in registry therewith, and stops formed in the respective grooves of said one wall for abutting engagement with said detents incident to rotary movement of said annular walls, said detents being selectively positionable in registry with said gaps by rotation of the cover in opposite directions relative to the container in predetermined positions.

ll. In combination, a container having a body with an opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, a cover for said opening, said cover having an annular wall, one of said walls having a circumferentially extending rib thereon, said rib having circumferentially spaced gaps therein, the other wall having a circumferentially extending groove therein, a ring disposed for rotary movement in said groove, said ring having a radially extending detent extending beneath said rib when the cover is on the container and being of a size to pass through one of said gaps when in registry therewith, a radial lug fixed on said last mentioned Wall extending beneath said rib when said cover is on the container and being of a size to pass through another of said gaps when in registry therewith, a stop formed on said one Wall beneath said circumferentially extending rib, said ring having a portion dis posed beneath said rib for circumferential abutment with said stop incident to rotation of said container and cover, said detent and lug being selectively positionable in registry with said gaps by rotation of the cover in opposite directions relative to the container to predetermined positions.

12. In combination, a container having a body with an opening therein surrounded by an annular Wall, a rib extending circumferentially of said wall, said rib having circumferentially spaced gaps therein, a cover for said opening, said cover having an annular wall with a circumferentially extending groove therein, a ring in said groove, said ring having a radially extending detent extending beneath said rib when the cover is on the container and being of a size to pass through one of said gaps when in registry therewith, a radial lug on said cover extending beneath said rib when the cover is on the container and being of a size to pass through another of said gaps when in registry therewith, said ring and said wall respectively having portions disposed for abutaxially extending gaps therein, axially spaced rings equal' in number to said grooves mounted in the other member, said rings having detents thereon extending radially into said grooves and adapted to pass through said gaps when in registry therewith, stops being disposed in the respective grooves, and said rings having portions disposed for abutting engagement with said stops incident to relative rotation between the said members, said detents being selectively positionable in registry with said gaps by rotation of said members in opposite directions relative to each other to predetermined positions.

14. A combination lock for a container cover comprising a container having an opening surrounded by an annular wall, a cover for said opening having an annular wall arranged in coaxial telescoping relationship with said first named wall, for rotary movement on said first named wall, one of said walls having a plurality of axiially spaced apart parallel grooves therein extending in a circumferential direction at least partially around said wall and opening toward the other wall, the side walls of said grooves having axially registering gaps therein, a ring rotatably mounted on the other wall, said ring normally rotating with said first named wall and having a detent thereon located in one of said grooves and adapted to pass through said gaps when in registry therewith, a fixed lug on the wall on which the ring is mounted extending into another of said grooves, said lug being adapted to pass through said gaps when in registry therewith, stop means on said first named wall for engagement with said ring to limit the rotary movement of said ring with said cover, said detent and lug being selectively positionable in registry with said gaps by rotation of the cover in opposite directions to predetermined positions.

15. In combination, a container having a body with an opening therein surrounded by an annular wall, a cover for said opening, said cover having an annular wall, one of said walls having a circumferentially extending rib =thereon, said rib having circumferentially spaced gaps therein, a ring disposed for rotary movement on the other wall, means on said last mentioned wall maintaining such ring in radial relationship thereto, said ring having a radially extending detent extending beneath said rib when the cover is-on the container and'being of a size to pass through one of said gaps when in registry therewith, a radial lug fixed on said last mentioned wall extending beneath said rib when said cover is on the container and being of a size to pass through another of said gaps when in registry therewith, stop means on said last mentioned wall in the same radial plane as said ring, said ring having a portion in the radial plane of said ring disposed for circumferential abutment with said stop means incident to relative rotation of said container and cover, said detent and lug being selectively positionable in registry with said gaps by rotation of the cover in opposite directions relative to the container to predetermined positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 96,246 Macy Oct. 26, 1869 739,328 Lowrie Sept. 22, 1903 751,083 Lazarefi Feb. 2, 1904 841,668 'Cowles Ian. 22, 1907 2,947,431 Haynes Aug. 2, 1960

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