Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A Locking Assembly for Releasably-Locking a Lid to a Container
[0001] Technical Field
The present invention relates to a locking mechanisms for containers including
for instance child-
safe locks.
[0002] Background of the Invention
Certain food products, cleaning agents, medications and the like that are
commonly found in the
home may be dangerous to young children. Such substances must be transported
and stored in
containers having "child-safe" locking mechanisms for locking the lid of the
container and which
are difficult for children to open by means of challenging their cognition,
dexterity and/or strength.
Currently, existing child-safe locking mechanisms tend to utilise variations
on one of a few
common designs, such as the "push and twist" style cap. Whilst oftentimes
effective, the prevalent
use of this style of cap lock has become so widely used that children, of even
younger ages, have
become accustomed to them thus limiting their potential long-term
effectiveness.
[0003] Summary of the Invention
The present invention seeks to alleviate at least one of the above-described
problems.
[0004] The present invention may involve several broad forms. Embodiments of
the present
invention may include one or any combination of the different broad forms
herein described.
[0005] In one broad form, the present invention provides a locking assembly
for releasably-
locking a lid to a container, the locking assembly including: a locking nub
disposed on the lid; and
a lock maze disposed on the container; wherein, the lid is configured for
arrangement in to a
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closed configuration with the container so as to releasably lock the lid to
the container and to allow
the lid to be co-axially rotatable relative to a neck the container between at
least one of a first
rotational position in which a barrier disposed on the container is configured
for abutting against
the locking nub of the lid so as to restrict movement of the lid away from the
container, and, a
second rotational position in which the locking nub of the lid is able to be
maneuvered through an
opening in the barrier and along a release pathway within the lock maze to
release the lid from
container.
[0006] Preferably, the lock maze may include at least one false pathway
therein along which the
locking nub is able to be maneuvered which does not result in release of the
lid from the container.
[0007] Preferably, the release pathway within the lock maze may include a
first linear axis of
movement and second linear axis of movement, said first linear axis of
movement being
transverse to the second linear axis of movement of the first linear
direction.
[0008] Preferably, the release pathway within the lock maze may include a
third linear axis of
movement that is transverse to the second linear axis of movement.
[0009] Preferably, the lid may be configured for arrangement in to the closed
configuration with
the container by moving a lower face of the lid towards the neck whereby the
locking nub is
suitably shaped and dimensioned to resiliently snap-fit in to place around the
barrier.
[0010] Preferably, the present invention may include a locking collar
configured for rigid
attachment with the lid and wherein said locking nub is extends outwardly from
the locking collar.
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[0011] Preferably, the lock maze may be formed in an annular-shaped insert
that is configured
for rigid attachment to the neck of the container.
[0012] Preferably, the present invention may include a sealing gasket
configured for arrangement
between the lid and the container to provide an air-tight seal when the lid is
arranged in the closed
configuration with the container.
[0013] Preferably, the barrier may comprise an edge of the lock maze extending
radially inwardly
of the neck of the container.
[0014] In certain embodiments, the above-described broad form may be adapted
so that the
locking nub is instead disposed on the container and the lock maze is instead
disposed on the lid.
[0015] Brief Description of the Drawings
The present invention will become more fully understood from the following
detailed description
of a preferred but non-limiting embodiments thereof, described in connection
with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0016] Figure 1A shows a side exploded view of one embodiment of the present
invention in the
form of a child-safe locking mechanism for a container lid;
[0017] Figure 1B shows another side exploded view of the embodiment of the
present invention
in Fig. 1;
[0018] Figure 2 shows a magnified perspective view of a locking collar and
locking nub disposed
thereon in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
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[0019] Figure 3 shows a magnified view of a lock maze in accordance with an
embodiment of
the present invention;
[0020] Figure 4 shows a front magnified view of the container lip in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 5 shows a top view of the container lid in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] Figure 6 shows a top view of an air-tight gasket in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention;
[0023] Figure 7 shows a top view of the locking collar in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] Figure 8 shows a top view of the container in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention;
[0025] Figure 9 shows a top view of the lock maze in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] Figure 10 shows a side view of the container in assembled form in
accordance with the
embodiment shown in Figs 1 and 2;
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[0027] Figure 11 shows another side exploded view of the embodiment of the
present invention;
and
[0028] Figure 12 shows another exploded view of an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described herein
with reference to
Figs. 1 to 12. The embodiments comprise a container (10) having a child-safe
type locking
mechanism for releasably locking a lid (20) of the container on to the
container (10). It would be
appreciated and understood that whilst this embodiment is described for use
with a jar, this is
merely for purposes of illustrating functionality and alternate embodiments of
the present invention
may of course be used with other types of storage containers.
[0030] Referring firstly to Fig. 1A, 1B, 10, 11, and 12 one embodiment (1) is
shown comprising
the container (10), a lid (20), a locking collar (30), an air tight gasket
(40), and a lock maze (50).
Each of these features will be described in greater detail in the following
description.
[0031] The lid (20) includes a solid piece having a recessed cavity in an
underside region
configured for securement with the upper section of the locking collar (30).
When secured, the lid
(20) and the locking collar (30) are not ordinarily separable in use. By way
of example, the lid
(20) may be constructed from wood, plastic, metal or nylon depending on the
requirements of the
design. The lid (20) is shaped and dimensioned to provide both an aesthetic
finish for container
(10) as well as providing a relatively large gripping surface that is easy to
hold, turn and
manipulate.
[0032] Referring now to Fig. 2, the locking collar (30) is constructed from
die stamped metal and
is affixed permanently into the recess area on an inner region of the lid
(20). In alternate
embodiments, the locking collar may instead be formed from plastic, nylon or
any other material
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suitable for use within the functional context of this embodiment. The locking
collar (30) includes
a tapered rectangular nub (30A) disposed on a lower edge of the locking collar
(30). The tapered
shape configuration of the nub (30A) is configured to allow the combined
lid/locking collar
assembly (20,30) to be pressed down into the lock maze (50) from any position
engaging the
locking function. The wide top edge of the locking collar nub (30A), when
inserted through the
lock maze (50), creates a secure "locked" connection with the lower edge (50H)
of the lock maze
(50). This prevents the combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30) from
being directly lifted and
removed. The combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30) must be rotated
until the nub is
aligned with the opening of the "maze channel" at the bottom of the lock maze
(50). Once aligned,
the combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30) must be pulled upward, while
simultaneously
being rotated, guiding the locking collar nub up (30A) through the recessed
path so that it can be
removed.
[0033] In certain embodiments the air tight gasket (40) such as shown in Fig.
6 may be utilised
which comprises a rubber 0-ring style gasket (40) that is positioned around
the locking collar (30)
and affixed to the underside of the lid (20). The gasket (40) creates an air-
tight seal between the
combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30) and lock maze (50) which assists
in maintaining
freshness of the contents of the container (10).
[0034] Referring now to Figs. 3 and 9, the lock maze (50) comprises a molded
plastic insert. The
lock maze (50) is inserted into the opening of the container (10). Tabs on an
upper region of the
lock maze (50) are configured to snap fit around the upper lip (10A) of a neck
of the container
(10) so as to create a secure, non-removable connection. The openings between
these tabs are
aligned with the lock posts (10B) molded into the lip (10A) of the container
(10) preventing the
lock maze (50) from rotating or moving relative to the container lip (10A)
once they are secured
together in place. It is possible in certain embodiments that the lock maze
may be integrally
formed in the structure of the container as a one-piece item rather than as an
insert that is fitted
to the container. Whereas locking collar (30) has a solid exterior wall; the
lock maze (50) is not
readily visible from the outside of the container (10) adding to the cognitive
complexity with which
a user must release the lid (20) from the container (10).
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[0035] The lock maze (50) includes a recessed maze channel (50A) on an inside
surface having
an opening to the recessed maze channel (50A) at both a top (50B) and bottom
(500) region of
the lock maze (50). This channel (50A) is designed in the form of a maze which
requires both
cognitive skill and fine motor dexterity to be successfully accomplished. To
open the lock, the
locking nub disposed on the combined lid/locking collar assembly must first be
rotated and aligned
with the opening at the bottom of the lock maze (50). Once aligned, the
combined lid/locking collar
assembly (20,30) must be simultaneously lifted and turned to guide the locking
nub (30A) of the
locking collar (30) through the recessed maze channel (50A) to the top opening
(50B) at the top
region of the lock maze (50). The maze channel (50A) includes a false path
that will prevent the
lock from being opened, increasing its difficulty. It should be appreciated
that the configuration of
the maze channel (50A) described herein is for illustrative purposes and it is
possible that in other
embodiments a different maze channel layout and configuration of comparable or
greater
complexity may be utilised for greater variety.
[0036] Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the main container (10) form itself
may take a variety of
shapes and sizes and be molded in a variety of materials such as plastic,
glass, nylon and acrylic.
The container (10) includes circular-shaped neck and includes a plurality of
lock posts (10B)
arranged in spaced-apart fashion around the upper lip (10A). The lip (10A) of
container the neck
is sized to fit securely into the rounded tabs of the lock maze (50). The lock
posts (10B) on the lip
are spaced and sized to fit securely between the lock maze tabs (50G) and
preventing the lock
maze (50) from rotating or moving relative to the container lip (10A) once
they are secured
together in place.
[0037] In seeking to engage the combined lid/locking collar (20,30) assembly
into releasable-
locking engagement with the container (10), a user will grasp the lid/locking
collar assembly
(20,30) (which are assembled as one piece during manufacturing) and insert the
locking collar
(30) end of the combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30) in to the opening
of the container
(10) whereby the top of the lock maze (50) is secured to the top of the
container (10). The user
will then firmly press the combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30)
downwardly into the
opening of the container (10) until the two parts make a secure engagement and
the lock nub
(30A) disposed on the locking collar (30) snap-fits into place below the lock
maze bottom edge.
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[0038] In seeking to release the combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30)
from securement
with the container (10), the user will hold the container (10) firmly in one
hand to prevent it from
turning. The user will then grasp the combined lid/locking collar assembly
(20,30) with the other
hand and rotate the combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30) with the
other hand relative to
the container (10) until the lock nub (30A) of the locking collar (30) is
aligned with the bottom
channel opening (10B) of the lock maze (50). The user will then gently lift
the combined lid/locking
collar assembly (20,30) and maneuver it in a direction upwardly away from the
container (10)
opening such that the lock nub (30A) is moved along the maze channel vertical
path (represented
in Fig 10 by the dotted line 50D). The user must at the same time apply a
horizontal rotating force
to the combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30) so that when the lock nub
(30A) is moved
along the maze channel vertical path (represented by dotted line 50D) in to
the juncture in the
lock maze (represented by the intersection of dotted lines 50D and 50E), the
lock nub (30A) is
then able to be rotatably maneuvered along the maze channel horizontal path
(represented by
dotted line 50E). Thereafter, the lock nub (30A) is rotated along the maze
channel horizontal path
(represented by dotted line 50E) until it is aligned with the maze channel
vertical path (represented
by the dotted line 50F) whereupon the user can then pull the combined
lid/locking collar assembly
(20,30) upwardly out of the lock maze (50) via the upper opening (50B) of the
maze channel (50A)
to fully release the combined lid/locking collar assembly (20,30) from the
container (10).
[0039] In certain embodiments, markings (not shown) may be disposed on the
container (10)
and/or on the lid (20) which may serve as a visual aid for aligning the
locking nub (30A) with the
bottom channel opening (10B) of the lock maze (50). The visual expression of
these markings, if
used, may take a variety of forms dependent on the desired level of
complexity, from simple
alignment arrows to abstract graphic symbols.
[0040] In alternate embodiments of the present invention it is possible that a
reverse architecture
to that described above may be implemented whereby the lock maze may be
mounted on the lid
whilst the the locking collar may be mounted on the container. Engagement and
disengagement
of the lid from the container in such embodiments would follow similar
principles as described in
the aforementioned embodiment.
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[0041] It should be appreciated that in the preceding embodiments whilst
certain parts may be
described as comprising separate parts, any combination of separate parts may
be integrally
formed together in certain cases.
[0042] In certain embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of locking
nubs are disposed
on the lid and a plurality of corresponding lock mazes are disposed on the
container. Each of the
locking nubs are configured for interacting with a corresponding lock mazes
disposed on the
container in a similar manner as described above as the lid is removed from
the container.
[0043] It would be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention as
described herein
require a degree of cognitive and dexterity ability to open the container
which is designed to
exceed the ability of young children. Further, such a solution provides added
variability to its use
that extends in contrast to existing methodologies for effecting child-safe
locking mechanisms.
Yet further, the streamlined design and relatively simplified function allows
it to be applied to a
wide variety of container, jars and bottles in numerous materials and sizes.
Yet further,
embodiments of the present invention are advantageous in that the combined
lid/locking collar
assembly may be pressed down in to secured engagement with the container when
the combined
lid/locking collar assembly is arranged in any position of coaxial rotation
relative to the container
thus making it easier to operate and saving time for the user.
[0044] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described
herein is susceptible to
variations and modifications other than those specifically described without
departing from the
scope of the invention. All such variations and modification which become
apparent to persons
skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope
of the invention as broadly
hereinbefore described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all
such variations and
modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps and features,
referred or indicated in
the specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations
of any two or more of
said steps or features.
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[0045] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should
not be taken as, an
acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the
common general
knowledge.
