U.S. patent application number 11/067314 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for lid, container and system for storing documents.
This patent application is currently assigned to Plastopan Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ronald D. Miller, Edward Schwartz.
Application Number | 20060191949 11/067314 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36931138 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060191949 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; Ronald D. ; et
al. |
August 31, 2006 |
Lid, container and system for storing documents
Abstract
A lid for a container includes at least one cup portion, and a
locking mechanism for securing the lid to a body of the container,
at least a portion of the locking mechanism being formed in the at
least one cup portion.
Inventors: |
Miller; Ronald D.; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Schwartz; Edward; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
McGinn & Gibb, PLLC
Suite 200
8321 Old Courthouse Road
Vienna
VA
22182-3817
US
|
Assignee: |
Plastopan Industries, Inc.
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
36931138 |
Appl. No.: |
11/067314 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/835 ;
220/210; 220/229; 220/375; 220/908; 220/908.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/1615 20130101;
B65F 1/1607 20130101; B65F 1/141 20130101; Y02W 30/64 20150501;
B65F 2240/1562 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/835 ;
220/229; 220/908; 220/908.3; 220/210; 220/375 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/14 20060101
B65D043/14; B65D 51/00 20060101 B65D051/00; B65D 55/14 20060101
B65D055/14; B65D 55/16 20060101 B65D055/16 |
Claims
1. A lid for a container, comprising: at least one cup portion; and
a locking mechanism for securing said lid to a body of said
container, at least a portion of said locking mechanism being
formed in said cup portion.
2. The lid of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises: a
main portion which is formed in said cup portion of said lid and
attaches to a base portion formed on said container body, to secure
said lid to said body.
3. The lid of claim 2, wherein said at least one cup portion of
said lid comprises an opening which is at least substantially
aligned with an opening in said main portion of said locking
mechanism, such that a projection on said base portion is
insertable into said opening in said main portion of said locking
mechanism through said opening in said at least one cup
portion.
4. The lid of claim 1, wherein said cup portion comprises a depth
which is no greater than about 2 inches, and said main portion
comprises a height which is substantially equal to said depth of
said cup portion.
5. The lid of claim 1, wherein said at least one cup portion is
formed in a center region of a side of said lid, and wherein said
lid comprises a molded lid, such that said cup portion is
integrally formed and molded with said lid.
6. The lid of claim 1, wherein said at least one cup portion
comprises a plurality of cup portions, one of said plurality of cup
portions being formed in an end region of a side of said lid.
7. A container comprising: a body comprising an opening; a lid for
covering said opening, which is connected to said body and
comprises at least one cup portion; and a locking mechanism for
securing said lid to said body, at least a portion of said locking
mechanism being formed in said cup portion.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein said locking mechanism
comprises: a main portion which is formed in said cup portion of
said lid; and a base portion which is formed on said body and
attaches to said main portion to secure said lid to said body.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein said base portion comprises a
projection which is insertable into an opening formed in said main
portion of said locking mechanism.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein said at least one cup portion
of said lid comprises an opening which is at least substantially
aligned with said opening of said main portion of said locking
mechanism, such that said projection is insertable into said
opening formed in said main portion of said locking mechanism
through said opening in said at least one cup portion.
11. The container of claim 9, wherein said projection comprises an
upper portion and an engaging portion formed under said upper
portion, and wherein said main portion of said locking mechanism
further comprises a latch-pin which is spring-loaded and movably
protrudes into said opening such that when said projection is
inserted into said opening in said main portion, said latch-pin
engages said engaging portion to restrict a movement of said
projection in a direction out of said opening in said main
portion.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein said main portion of said
locking mechanism further comprises a spring which is operatively
coupled to said latch-pin, such that said latch-pin is movable in a
direction out of said opening in said main portion of said locking
mechanism against a force of said spring.
13. The container of claim 11, wherein said latch-pin protrudes
substantially perpendicularly into said opening of said main
portion of said locking mechanism.
14. The container of claim 11, wherein said latch-pin comprises an
angled end portion such that said latch-pin is displaceable by a
force applied by said upper portion of said projection in a
direction into said opening of said locking mechanism.
15. The container of claim 11, wherein when said lid is in a
substantially closed position, a weight of said lid provides
sufficient force for said projection to cause said latch-pin to be
displaced and said projection to be inserted into said opening in
said main portion of said locking mechanism.
16. The container of claim 11, wherein said locking mechanism
comprises a pin-and-tumbler type locking mechanism, said main
portion of said locking mechanism comprising a key-hole formed on a
key-entry side of said main portion which is opposite to said
opening in said main portion of said locking mechanism.
17. The container of claim 10, wherein said key-entry side of said
main portion of said locking mechanism comprises a surface which is
substantially co-planar with a surface of said lid.
18. The container of claim 10, wherein said locking mechanism
further comprises a fastening member for fastening said main
portion of said locking mechanism to said lid, said fastening
member being inserted through a hole in said cup portion into
another opening in said main portion of said lock mechanism.
19. The container of claim 9, wherein said cup portion comprises a
depth which is no greater than about 2 inches, and said main
portion of the locking mechanism comprises a height which is
substantially equal to said depth of said cup portion.
20. A system for storing documents, comprising: a container
comprising: a body comprising an opening; a lid for covering said
opening, which is connected to said body and comprises at least one
cup portion; and a locking mechanism for securing said lid to said
body, comprising: a main portion which is formed in said cup
portion of said lid; and a base portion which is formed on said
body and attaches to said main portion to secure said lid to said
body; and a securing member which is inserted in an opening formed
in said base portion of said locking mechanism, for securing said
container to a structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a lid (e.g., a lid for a
secure document container), container, and system for storing
documents and, in particular a lid, container and system for
storing documents which includes at least a portion of a locking
mechanism which is formed in a cup portion of the lid.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventional lids for secure document storage containers
typically include some portions of a locking mechanism attached
thereto.
[0005] One such conventional lid 10 is illustrated, for example, in
FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional lid 10 includes
a lock 50 (e.g., a keyed lock) which includes a vertical rod 51
which extends vertically (e.g., several inches) into the container
from the top of the lid 10. The lock 50 also includes two
horizontal bars 52 which are connected to the vertical rod 51 and
extend horizontally in opposite directions toward the sides of the
lid 10. The horizontal bars 52 are retracted and extended by
operating the lock 50.
[0006] The lock 50 also includes brackets 53 which are secured to
the opposing sides of the lid 50. The brackets 53 may include an
inner wall and an outer wall so that, when the lid 10 is closed on
the container, the inner wall is disposed inside the top of the
container wall and the outer wall of the bracket 53 is disposed
outside of the top of the container wall. Further, the brackets 53
include a hole which is large enough to insert the horizontal bars
52 and which, when the lid is closed, should be aligned with a hole
in the top of the container wall.
[0007] Thus, for example, to attempt to secure the lid 50 to the
container, the user may rotate a key in the lock 50 which causes
the rod 51 to rotate (e.g., counterclockwise from a direction
looking up to a bottom side of the lid 10) such that the bars 52
may be extended into the inner wall of the brackets 53, the top of
the container wall, and the outer wall of the brackets 53.
[0008] The conventional lid 10 also includes an anti-fish device 60
which is attached to the bottom of the lid 10 and which is near an
opening in the lid 10 which may be used, for example, to deposit
documents (e.g., documents which may be considered confidential by
a governmental or business entity).
[0009] Such conventional lids, however, experience several
problems. For example, the lock 50 (including the horizontal bars
52 and brackets 53) is relatively time consuming to install.
Specifically, considerable time may be needed to arrange the bars
52 and brackets 53 to ensure that the bars 52 are properly aligned
with the holes in the brackets 53 and the container, to ensure
proper operation of the lock 50.
[0010] Further, the lock 50, including most of its moving parts
(e.g., the rod 51, the horizontal bars 52, etc.), is almost
entirely exposed. Thus, the lock 50 including the exposed parts may
be easily damaged.
[0011] Further, the operation of the lock 50 depends on the bars 52
being aligned with the holes in the brackets 53 and the holes in
the top of the container. Thus, operation of the lock 50 may be
greatly and adversely affected by any damage to the bars 52.
[0012] Further, the size of the lock 50 depends on the size of the
container. Thus, a large container (e.g., 64 gallon container) will
require a large lock. The larger the lock 50, the larger the
exposed moving parts (e.g., the longer the horizontal bars 52) and
the more likely it is that the lock 50 may become damaged.
[0013] Further, the large lock 50 must occupy a large area on the
bottom of the lid 10. As a result the lock 50 can only be formed,
as a practical matter, on one end of the lid 10. Thus, it is
difficult to secure the other end of the lid 10 (e.g., the end
which is attached to the container by the hinge) by using such a
lock 50.
[0014] Further, the anti-fish device 60 in the conventional lid is
typically formed of a lightweight plastic which is attached by
screws to the lid 10. This rather insecure construction makes it
easy to thwart the anti-fish device 60 and therefore, jeopardizes
the security of the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In view of the foregoing and other problems, disadvantages,
and drawbacks of the aforementioned lids, containers and systems,
it is a purpose of the exemplary aspects of the present invention
to provide a lid (e.g., and container, system and method) which
includes a robust, inexpensive and easily installable lock
mechanism (e.g., a portion of a lock mechanism), and may be used to
provide better security than conventional lids.
[0016] The exemplary aspects of the present invention include a lid
for a container (e.g., a secure document storage container). The
lid includes at least one cup portion, and a locking mechanism for
securing the lid to a body of the container, at least a portion of
the locking mechanism being formed in the cup portion.
[0017] The locking mechanism may include a main portion which is
formed in the cup portion of the lid and attaches to a base portion
formed on the container body, to secure the lid to the body.
Further, the at least one cup portion of the lid may include an
opening which is at least substantially aligned with an opening of
the main portion of the locking mechanism, such that a projection
on the base portion is insertable into the opening in the main
portion of the locking mechanism through the opening in the at
least one cup portion. Further, the cup portion may have a depth
which is no greater than about 2 inches, and the main portion may
have a height which is substantially equal to the depth of the cup
portion. In addition, the at least one cup portion may be formed in
a center region of a side of the lid.
[0018] The lid may also include a molded lid, such that the cup
portion is integrally formed and molded with the lid. Further, the
at least one cup portion may include a plurality of cup portions,
one of the plurality of cup portions being formed in an end region
of a side of the lid.
[0019] The exemplary aspects of the present invention also include
a container (e.g., a secure document storage container) which
includes a body including an opening, a lid for covering the
opening, which is connected to the body and includes at least one
cup portion, and a locking mechanism for securing the lid to the
body, at least a portion of the locking mechanism being formed in
the cup portion. The locking mechanism may include a main portion
which is formed in the cup portion of the lid, and a base portion
which is formed on the body and attaches to the main portion to
secure the lid to the body.
[0020] Further, the base portion may include a projection which is
insertable into an opening formed in the main portion of the
locking mechanism. Further, the at least one cup portion of the lid
may include an opening which is at least substantially aligned with
the opening of the main portion of the locking mechanism, such that
the projection is insertable into the opening formed in the main
portion of the locking mechanism through the opening in the at
least one cup portion.
[0021] In addition, the projection may include an upper portion and
an engaging portion formed under the upper portion. Further, the
main portion of the locking mechanism may further include a
latch-pin which is spring-loaded and movably protrudes into the
opening such that when the projection is inserted into the opening
in the main portion, the latch-pin engages the engaging portion to
restrict a movement of the projection in a direction out of the
opening in the main portion.
[0022] The main portion of the locking mechanism may further
include a spring which is operatively coupled to the latch-pin,
such that the latch-pin is movable in a direction out of the
opening in the main portion of the locking mechanism against a
force of the spring. The latch-pin may protrude substantially
perpendicularly into the opening of the main portion of the locking
mechanism. The latch-pin may also include an angled end portion
such that the latch-pin is displaceable by a force applied by the
upper portion of the projection in a direction into the opening of
the locking mechanism.
[0023] Further, when the lid is in a substantially closed position,
a weight of the lid may provide sufficient force for the projection
to cause the latch-pin to be displaced and the projection to be
inserted into the opening in the main portion of the locking
mechanism.
[0024] In addition, the locking mechanism may include a
pin-and-tumbler type locking mechanism, the main portion of the
locking mechanism comprising a key-hole formed on a key-entry side
of the main portion which is opposite to the opening in the main
portion of the locking mechanism. The key-entry side of the main
portion of the locking mechanism may include a surface which is
substantially co-planar with a surface of the lid.
[0025] The locking mechanism may further include a fastening member
for fastening the main portion of the locking mechanism to the lid,
the fastening member being inserted through a hole in the cup
portion into another opening in the main portion of the lock
mechanism.
[0026] The exemplary aspects of the present invention also include
a system for storing documents (e.g., secure documents). The system
includes a container having a body including an opening, a lid for
covering the opening, which is connected to the body and comprises
at least one cup portion, and a locking mechanism for securing the
lid to the body. The locking mechanism includes a main portion
which is formed in the cup portion of the lid, and a base portion
which is formed on the body and attaches to the main portion to
secure the lid to the body. The system further includes a securing
member which is inserted in an opening formed in the base portion
of the locking mechanism, for securing the container to a
structure.
[0027] With its unique and novel features, the exemplary aspects of
the present invention provide a lid (e.g., and container and
system) which includes a robust, inexpensive and easily installable
lock mechanism (e.g., a portion of a lock mechanism), and may be
used to provide better security than conventional lids.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will
be better understood from the following detailed description of the
embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in
which:
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional container 10;
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a container 100 including a lid 20
according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention;
[0031] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a bottom view of a lid 20 including cup
portions 21, according to the exemplary aspects of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the lid 20 including the
lock mechanism 50 having a main portion 51 formed in the lid 20,
according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention;
[0033] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a lock mechanism 50, according to the
exemplary aspects of the present invention;
[0034] FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a container 100 having a base portion
52 (e.g., a peripheral plate-shaped base portion), according to the
exemplary aspects of the present invention; and
[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates a system 1000 for storing documents
(e.g., secure documents) according to the exemplary aspects of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0036] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 2-10 illustrate a lid
20, container 100 and system 1000 according to the exemplary
aspects of the present invention.
[0037] All of the features illustrated herein, even though only in
relation to one size or style of container, may be equally
applicable to all styles and sizes disclosed in this application,
and to other containers not shown according to the principles
described herein. That is, the principles of the invention are not
limited to any particular size container.
[0038] In addition, the term "container" is used in this
application in the broad sense to refer to a container, cart,
receptacle, etc., which is useful for receiving documents (e.g.,
classified or secure documents) and other waste, refuse or items
for recycling. The particular embodiments disclosed in this
application are suitable for the above purposes.
[0039] Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates a lid 20 and container 100
which includes the lid 20 according to the exemplary aspects of the
present invention. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a bottom view of the lid 20
and FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the lid 20 including the
lock mechanism 50 including a main portion 51 formed in the lid
20.
[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, the lid 20 for the container
100 (e.g., a secure document storage container), includes at least
one cup portion 21, and a locking mechanism 50 for securing the lid
to a body 150 of the container 100, at least a portion of the
locking mechanism 50 being formed in the cup portion 21 of the lid
20.
[0041] The container 100 may be fabricated (e.g., injection molded)
of a plastic resin (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, high density
polyethylene, etc.). The container 100 may be a light weight and
strong container.
[0042] The container 100 may include a body 150 and a lid 20. The
body 150 may include an integrally-formed body, and may include a
bottom wall, opposed side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall. The
upper portion of the walls may include a rim 160 that may be formed
around the periphery (e.g. substantially around the periphery) of
the opening 155 in the container body 150. A lip 151 may also be
formed on the container body 150 between the opening 155 and the
rim 160. The volume enclosed by the container 100 may vary.
[0043] The walls may terminate to form the container opening 155
(e.g., mouth) which is covered by the lid 20 (e.g., a pivotal,
hinged lid). Further, the container 100 may also include a handle
support 156 which may be molded into the container body 100
adjacent the upper ends of the walls. The handle support 156 may
be, for example, integrally-formed with (e.g., injection molded
with) the container body 150.
[0044] The handle support 156 may also support a bar 157 (e.g.,
laterally-extending and integrally-formed cylindrical handle bar)
which may also be injection molded. The lid 20 may be attached to
bar 157 by a hinge (e.g., first and second hinges) which may extend
outwardly from the rear side of lid 20. The hinges may be
integrally-molded with the lid 20, and may extend into the lid 20
and provide reenforcement to lid 20.
[0045] The bottom of the rear wall may also include an
integrally-formed axle journal which receives an axle on which is
mounted wheels 159.
[0046] The bottom of container 100 may include plastic feet which
protect the bottom of the front end of the container 100 from
abrasion and other wear-related damage. The plastic feet may be
positioned by a snap fit in small holes which are molded in the
bottom during the molding of the container 100.
[0047] The opening 155 of the container 100 may be surrounded by
(e.g., defined by) an upwardly-extending lip 151 which may help to
correctly position the lid 20 onto the top of container body 150.
The lip 151 may be a part of and lie in the plane of the respective
walls of the container body 150.
[0048] The rim 160 (e.g., a reinforcing rim) may extend laterally
outwardly from a position just below the lip 151. This rim 160 may
be integrally formed with the container body 150. The rim 160 may
extend around the periphery of container body 150. The rim 160 on
the front wall may also be offset downwardly away from the opening
155 of the container body 150 to form a hand access area 159, so
that a hand can be easily inserted up under rim 160.
[0049] The lid 20 may also include a slot 25 for depositing
documents (e.g., secure documents) into the container body 150. In
this case, the lid 20 may include an anti-fish device for
inhibiting an individual from reaching into the container through
the slot to access the documents stored inside the container.
[0050] However, unlike conventional lids, the lid 20 of the present
invention may include an anti-fish device 29 (e.g., at least a
portion of an anti-fish device) that is integrally-formed with the
remainder of the lid (e.g., see FIG. 3). That is, if the lid 20 is
formed, for example, by injection molding, the anti-fish device 29
(e.g., at least a portion of the anti-fish device) may be formed
from the same mold used to form the remainder of the lid 20. Thus,
the anti-fish device 29 in the lid 20 of the present invention may
be seamless and provide more security than the anti-fish device of
the conventional lids and containers.
[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, the lock mechanim 50 may
include a main portion 51 which is formed in the cup portion 21 of
the lid 20 and attaches to a base portion 52 formed on the
container body 150 (e.g., the rim 160 of the container body), to
secure the lid 20 to the body 150. Further, the at least one cup
portion 21 of the lid may include an opening 22 (e.g., see FIG. 5)
which may be at least substantially aligned with an opening 59
(e.g., see FIG. 7A) of the main portion of the locking mechanism,
such that a projection 53 (e.g., see FIG. 7A) on the base portion
52 is insertable into the opening 59 in the main portion 51 of the
locking mechanism 50 through the opening 22 in the at least one cup
portion.
[0052] Further, the cup portion 21 may be only to be deep enough to
contain the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50. For
example, the cup portion 21 may have a depth which is no greater
than about 2 inches. Further, the main portion 51 of the locking
mechanism 50 may have a height of less than about 2 inches. In
addition, the height of the main portion 51 may be substantially
equal to the depth of the cup portion to help provide the upper
surface of the lid 20 with a relatively smooth and level
profile.
[0053] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, the at least
one cup portion 21 may project from the upper surface of the lid
down toward the bottom surface of the lid 20. The at least one cup
portion may be formed near the edge of the lid (e.g., in a center
region of a side of the lid or at an end of a side so that the cup
portion is formed in a corner region) where the lid meets the rim
160 of the container body 150.
[0054] The lid 20 may also include a molded lid, such that the cup
portion 21 is integrally formed and molded (e.g., injection molded)
with the lid 21. Further, although the drawings may illustrate a
particular number of cup portions 21, the present invention should
not be limited to the number of cup portions illustrated in the
drawings. That is, the at least one cup portion 21 may include a
plurality of cup portions 21.
[0055] Further, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2, the present
invention also includes a container 100 which may include the lid
20 and a container body 150.
[0056] Specifically, the container 100 (e.g., a secure document
storage container) may include the body 150 including an opening
155, the lid 20 for covering the opening, which is connected to the
body 150 and includes the at least one cup portion 21, and a
locking mechanism 50 for securing the lid 20 to the body 150, at
least a portion of the locking mechanism 50 being formed in the at
least one cup portion 21.
[0057] The locking mechanism 50 may have a function which is
similar to that of a padlock. Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS.
6 and 7A-7C, the locking mechanism 50 may also include the main
portion 51 which is formed in the cup portion 21 of the lid 20, and
a base portion 52 which is formed on the body 150 (e.g., on the rim
160 of the body 150) and attaches to the main portion 51 to secure
the lid 20 to the body 150. The locking mechanism 50 (e.g., a
portion of the locking mechanism) may include for example a solid
brass or hardened steel construction.
[0058] The base portion 52 may be secured to the container (e.g.,
the rim 160 of the container) using a fastener 61 (e.g., see FIG.
6) such as a screw or rivet. Further, the base portion 52 may
include a projection 53 which is insertable into the opening 59
formed in the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50.
[0059] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the projection 53 may be
attached to the base portion 52 (e.g., from the top of the base 52)
using a fastener 62 (e.g., a screw) which is inserted into the
projection 53 from the opposing side (e.g., from the bottom) of the
base portion 52. As shown in FIG. 7C, the projection may
alternatively include a flange 63 (e.g., at the bottom end), in
which case the projection 53 may be inserted from the bottom of the
base portion 52 and kept from advancing through the opening 64 of
the base portion 52 by the flange 63.
[0060] Further, the locking mechanism may be designed so that the
projection 53 does not have to be perfectly aligned with the
opening 59 in the locking mechanism 50 to be able to insert the
projection 53 into the opening 59. For example, the base portion 52
may be design so that the projection 53 may be slightly movable
(e.g., movable a maximum of about 1/16th of an inch in any
horizontal direction). For example, the opening 64 in the base
portion 52 may be slightly larger than the projection 53 which may
allow the projection to move slightly.
[0061] In addition, the projection 53 may include an upper portion
54 and an engaging portion 55 formed under the upper portion 54.
The upper portion 54 may include a rounded end portion 54a to allow
the projection 53 to easily slide into the opening 59 in the main
portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50.
[0062] The main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50 may further
include a cylinder 68 (e.g., a pin-and tumbler cylinder), a spring
57, a latch-pin 58, and a cam 69 which connects the cylinder 68 to
the latch-pin 58. The latch-pin 58 is spring-loaded by the spring
57 and movably protrudes into the opening 59 such that when the
projection 53 is inserted into the opening 59, the latch-pin 58 may
engage the engaging portion 55 to restrict a movement of the
projection 53 in a direction out of the opening 59.
[0063] The spring 57 may be operatively coupled to the latch-pin
58, such that the latch-pin 58 is movable in a direction out of the
opening 59 against a force of the spring 57. The latch-pin 58 may
protrude substantially perpendicularly into the opening 59. The
latch-pin 58 may also include an angled end portion 58a such that
the latch-pin 58 is displaceable by a force applied by the upper
portion 54 of the projection 53 in a direction into the opening 59.
Further, when the lid 20 is in a substantially closed position, a
weight of the lid 20 may provide sufficient force for the
projection 53 to cause the latch-pin 58 to be displaced and the
projection 53 to be inserted into the opening 59. These features
may help to ensure that the lid 20 is properly closed and latched
and secured to the container body 150 with little effort.
[0064] In addition, the locking mechanism 50 may include a
pin-and-tumbler type locking mechanism. Further, the main portion
50 of the locking mechanism may include a key-hole which is formed
on a key-entry side of the main portion 50 which is a side opposite
to the opening 59. As illustrated, for example, the key-entry side
of the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50 may include a
surface (e.g., an upper surface) which is substantially co-planar
with a surface of the lid 20. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6,
the cup portion 21 and lock mechanism 50 may be inset slightly into
the lid 20.
[0065] Further, the same key may be used open each of the
lock-mechanisms 50 on the container 100. Alternatively, for
additional security, the lock mechanisms 50 on the container 100
may require different keys. Thus, for example, if the container 100
includes three lock mechanisms, three different keys may be
required to open lock mechanisms 50 and thus, access the contents
of the container 100.
[0066] Referring again to FIG. 5, the locking mechanism 50 may
further include a fastening member 65 (e.g., screw, rivet, etc.)
for fastening the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism to the
lid 50 (e.g., to the cup portion 21). For example, the fastening
member 65 may include a screw that is inserted through a hole in
the cup portion (e.g., a bottom of the cup portion) into another
opening 66 (e.g., see FIG. 7A) in the main portion 51 of the lock
mechanism 50.
[0067] Another advantage of the present invention is that the lid
20 may be easily used on other similarly-sized container bodies
without a significant cost to retrofit the container bodies. For
example, a manufacturer, distributor or retailer having containers
with other lids in inventory, or an owner (e.g., a secure document
shredding company) which may own many containers having other lids,
can easily retrofit the container bodies to include the lid 20 of
the present invention. This may be accomplished, for example, by
replacing the old lid with the lid 20 according to the present
invention, and installing the base portion 52 of the lock mechanism
50 on the container body (e.g., on a rim of the container body).
Thus, the security of containers having other lids to be easily
improved at a low cost.
[0068] Further, the invention also includes an insert (e.g., a
plastic insert such as a plastic cap) that has a shape similar to a
shape of said main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50. This
insert may fit snugly into the cup portion 21 or alternatively, may
be fixed in the cup portion 21 by the friction between the insert
and walls of the cup portion, or by a fastener such as a screw,
rivet, glue, etc.
[0069] The insert may be inserted into the cup portion for example,
when a customer wants less locks than there are cup portions on the
lid. For example, if the lid has three cup portions formed therein,
but the customer only wants one locking mechanism, the inserts may
be inserted into two of the cup portions. Thus, the inserts may be
used to "hide" the two cup portions and provide the lid with a
relatively uniform upper surface.
[0070] Further, one of the most vunerable portions of conventional
security containers is the interface between the lid and the
container. Typically, in such conventional containers the lock
mechanism is formed on an end opposite to the hinge which rotatably
secures the lid to the body of the container.
[0071] However, in the claimed invention, a locking mechanism 50
may be easily formed anywhere on the lid 20. Thus, for example, the
lid 20 in the claimed invention may include a cup portion 21 formed
near the hinge portion 27 of the lid 20 (e.g., see FIG. 8) (e.g.,
on the hinged side of the lid or on the corners near the hinged
side of the lid, etc.). Thus, the lid 20 can provide much more
security that a conventional lid.
[0072] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the base portion 52 of
the locking mechanism 50 may include a plate (e.g., a substantially
flat plate) which may be formed substantially around the periphery
of the container body opening 155. In this case, the base portion
52 may be relatively flat (e.g., having a thickness of no greater
than 0.25 inches) and designed to fit just outside of the lip 151
on the rim 160 formed at the top of the walls of the container body
150, to help secure the base portion 52 to the container body 150.
The peripheral plate-shaped base portion 52 can be fixed (e.g.,
using screws, rivets, etc.) to the rim 160 at several locations
around the periphery of the base portion 52.
[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lid 20 may be include several
cup portions 21 (with lock mechanisms 50 formed therein) around the
periphery of the lid 20 including near the hinge region 27 of the
lid. A projection 53 can be easily added to the base portion 52
(e.g, by screwing a projection onto the base portion 52) at any of
the locations around the periphery of the base portion 52 which
corresponds with the location of cup portion 21 (e.g., more
specifically, to an opening 59 in the main portion 51 of a lock
mechanism 50).
[0074] Thus, for example, the lid 20 and container 100 of the
present invention can be designed to easily accommodate no lock
mechanisms, one lock mechanism or many lock mechanisms (e.g., one
on every corner and in the middle of each side of the lid for a
total of eight lock mechanisms). That is, the lid 20 may include,
for example, cup portions 21 located at all of the positions
indicated in FIG. 10 (e.g., one on every corner and in the middle
of each side). For any of the cup portions 21 which is not to
include a lock mechanism, the plastic insert can be inserted into
the cup portion 21 to provide an aesthetically pleasing quality to
the lid.
[0075] Moreover, this will allow owner of the container to easily
improve the security of a container by purchasing more lock
mechanisms 50 and replacing the inserts in the lid 20 with the
purchased lock mechanisms. Thus, for example, if a purchaser
purchases a container having a lid 20 with only one lock mechanism
in the center of the front side of the lid 20, but later wants to
improve the security of the container 100, the purchaser may, for
example, purchase three more lock mechanisms (including three
projections), replace the plastic inserts in the cup holders 21
(e.g., located at the center of the other three sides of the lid
20), and install the three projections 53 in the corresponding
locations on the peripheral plate-shaped base portion (e.g., by
screwing the projections onto the base portion) in order to
inexpensively improve the security of the container 100.
[0076] It should be noted that although, FIG. 8 illustrates a base
portion 52 which includes five projections, the base portion can
include any number of base portions. Further, although FIG. 8
illustrates the lid 20 as including five cup portions 21, the lid
20 may include virtually any number of cup portions 21 around the
rim 160 of the container.
[0077] FIG. 9 illustrates another aspect of the present invention
which is similar to the aspect illustrated in FIG. 10. However, as
illustrated in FIG. 9, the base portion 52 (e.g., a peripheral base
portion) of the lock mechanism 50 may further include a region 910
(e.g., a wide region) which may be used to help secure the
container to another structure, such as a building. Specifically,
this portion may include an opening 920 which, when the lid 20 is
closed on the container body 150, may be aligned with a
corresponding opening 930 in the lid and an opening in the rim
160.
[0078] Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 10 the base portion 52 (e.g.,
peripheral-shaped base portion) may be attached to a container body
150 such that, when the lid 20 is closed, a chain 1010 or other
object (e.g., a steel chain, steel cable, steel rod, etc.) can be
inserted through the opening in the lid 20, base portion 52 and rim
160, to conveniently secure the container 100 to another structure
1120 such as a support in a wall of a building, etc.
[0079] Thus, the present invention not only may be used to increase
the security of container 100 from the aspect of making it more
difficult for a thief to enter the container body 150 by removing
the lid 20, but also by making it more difficult for a thief to
take the container 100 from its intended location.
[0080] Therefore, referring again to the Figures (e.g., FIG. 10),
the exemplary aspects of the present invention also include a
system 1000 for storing documents. The system 1000 includes a
container 100 having a body including an opening 155, a lid 20 for
covering the opening 155, which is connected to the body 150 and
includes at least one cup portion 21, and a locking mechanism 50
for securing the lid 20 to the body 150. The locking mechanism 50
includes a main portion 51 which is formed in the cup portion 21 of
the lid 20, and a base portion 52 (e.g., a peripheral plate-shaped
base portion) which is formed on the body 150 and attaches to the
main portion 51 to secure the lid 20 to the body 150. The system
1000 further includes a securing member 1110 which is inserted in
an opening 920 formed in the base portion 52, for securing the
container 100 to a structure 1120.
[0081] It should be noted that although FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate
the opening 920 in the base portion 52 being formed on a side wall
of the container, the opening 920 may include a plurality of
openings, and may easily be formed at other locations on the rim
160. Specifically, the opening 920 may be formed on the rim 160 at
the top of the rear wall of the container near the hinge which
secures the lid 20 to the container body.
[0082] In addition, the present invention includes a method of
fabricating a lid 20 including at least one cup portion 21
according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention.
Specifically, the method may include providing a mold for forming
the lid, injecting a plastic resin (e.g., high density
polyethylene) into the mold, and curing the plastic resin to form
the lid 20 including at least one cup portion 21 therein. That is,
the lid 20 including the at least one cup portions 21 may be formed
from a same mold, in a same injection step.
[0083] With its unique and novel features, the exemplary aspects of
the present invention provide a lid (e.g., and container and
system) which includes a robust, inexpensive and easily installable
lock mechanism (e.g., a portion of a lock mechanism), and may be
used to provide better security than conventional lids.
[0084] While the invention has been described in terms of one or
more embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims. Specifically, one of ordinary skill
in the art will understand that the drawings herein are meant to be
illustrative, and the design of the inventive assembly is not
limited to that disclosed herein but may be modified within the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0085] Further, Applicant's intent is to encompass the equivalents
of all claim elements, and no amendment to any claim in the present
application should be construed as a disclaimer of any interest in
or right to an equivalent of any element or feature of the amended
claim.
* * * * *