US20120168444A1 - Container with latch - Google Patents

Abstract

A container having a container portion defining a space for storing tools and a lid portion pivotally connected to the container portion. The lid portion is pivotally movable between open and closed positions. The container also has a latch assembly carried by the lid portion and latches the lid portion in the closed position. The latch assembly includes a single latch handle carried by the lid portion, a latch comprising spaced latch portions, the spaced latch portions being moveable together between a latched position and a released position, the latch portions respectively being on opposite sides of the latch handle. The latch portions are engageable with latch engaging portions of the container portion. A spring biases the spaced latch portions toward the latched position. The latch handle can be moved to effect movement of the latch portions from the latched position to the released position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to an container, and more particularly, to a container for storing and carrying tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Numerous storage containers are known in the art. However, there is a constant need in the industry to improve upon existing containers by making them more efficient and easy to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• One aspect provides a container having a container portion defining a space for storing tools and a lid portion pivotally connected to the container portion. The lid portion is pivotally movable between open and closed positions. The container also includes a latch assembly carried by the lid portion and constructed and arranged to latch the lid portion in the closed position. The latch assembly includes a single latch handle carried by the lid portion and a latch comprising spaced latch portions, the spaced latch portions being moveable together between a latched position and a released position. The latch portions respectively are on opposite sides of the latch handle. The latch portions are engageable with latch engaging portions of the container portion. The latch assembly also includes a spring that biases the spaced latch portions toward the latched position, the latch handle constructed and arranged to be moved to effect movement of the latch portions from the latched position to the released position.
• These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment, the structural components illustrated herein can be considered drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not a limitation of the invention. In addition, it should be appreciated that structural features shown or described in any one embodiment herein can be used in other embodiments as well. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a container, with certain components and portions removed to better reveal others, with a latch assembly in a latched position and wherein some components obstructed from view are shown in dashed lines;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the container with the latch assembly in accordance with an embodiment;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the container, with certain components and portions removed to better reveal others, with the latch assembly in the latched position and wherein some components obstructed from view are shown in dashed lines;
• FIG. 4 is a rear plan view of the container in accordance with an embodiment;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of the container, with certain components and portions removed to better reveal others, with the latch assembly in a released position and wherein some components obstructed from view are shown in dashed lines;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of the container with the latch assembly with certain components and portions removed to better reveal others, with the latch assembly in the released position and wherein some components obstructed from view are shown in dashed lines;
• FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional side view of the container, with certain portions removed to better reveal others, with the latch assembly in the latched position in accordance with an embodiment;
• FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional side view of the container, with certain portions removed to better reveal others, with the latch assembly in the released position in accordance with an embodiment;
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the container with the latch assembly with certain portions removed to better reveal others; and
• FIG. 10 is a partial front view (from above) of a portion of the container, with certain parts removed to better reveal others, in accordance with the embodiment shown inFIG. 9;
• FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the container with a lid of the container in the open position and revealing a latch cover;
• FIG. 12 is an exploded view of portions of the latch assembly and other portions of the container; and
• FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view of the container, with certain portions removed to better reveal others, showing the latch assembly in the unlocked position and the latch cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1 shows acontainer10 having acontainer portion12 defining a space for storing tools. Thecontainer10 also includes alid portion14 that is pivotally connected to thecontainer portion12 and that is pivotally movable between open and closed positions. Thecontainer10 includes alatch assembly16 carried by thelid portion14 that is constructed and arranged to latch thelid portion14 in the closed position. Thelatch assembly16 includes a single latch handle18 (seeFIG. 2) carried by thelid portion14. Components or portions of components that are obstructed from view by other portions or components of thecontainer10 are shown in dashed lines. As shown inFIG. 1, thelatch assembly16 also includes asingle latch20 having spacedlatch portions20a,20bthat are moveable together between a latched position (shown inFIGS. 1 and 3) and a released or unlatched position (shown inFIGS. 5 and 6). In one embodiment, the spacedlatch portions20a,20bmay be integrally molded with one another, but in another embodiment they can be separately formed and then joined to form thelatch20. Thelatch portions20a,20brespectively are on opposite sides of thelatch handle18. Thelatch portions20a,20bare engageable with latch engagingportions22a,22b(seeFIGS. 3 and 7) of thecontainer portion12. Thelatch assembly16 also includes a spring24 (seeFIG. 1) that biases the spaced latch portions toward the latched position. Thelatch handle18 is constructed and arranged to be moved to effect movement of thelatch portions20a,20bfrom the latched position to the released position.
• As shown inFIG. 2, thelid portion14 may include a top wall orside36, a front wall orside38, a right wall orside40, a left wall orside42, and a back wall orside44. A protrudingportion39 may be provided on thefront wall38 of thelid portion14. In one embodiment, thelatch portions20a,20bare housed in theprotruding portion39 of thelid portion14. Thelid portion14 may be moved between an open position wherein access to an interior space13 (seeFIG. 11) of thecontainer portion12 is permitted and a closed position wherein access to theinterior space13 of thecontainer portion12 is prevented.
• Referring back toFIG. 2, thecontainer portion12 may include a front wall orside48, a right wall orside50, a left wall orside52, a back wall orside54, and a bottom wall or side56. Thecontainer portion12 may also include a pair of opposingupper rims51 formed on theleft wall52 and theright wall50 that are constructed and arranged to be disposed against thelid portion14 when thelid portion14 is latched to thecontainer portion12. A protrudingportion59 may be provided on thefront wall48 of thecontainer portion12. In one embodiment, thelatch engaging portions22a,22bare housed in the protrudingportion59 of thecontainer portion12. Thecontainer10 may include ahandle57 on thelid portion14 to enable the user to lift and carry thecontainer10. Adepression67 formed on thetop wall36 of thelid portion14 may be constructed and arranged to receive thehandle57 when thehandle57 is not in use. Thehandle57 may be pivotably attached to thetop wall36 of thelid portion14 viapins63. When thehandle57 is to be used, thehandle57 may be pivoted away from thedepression67 to a position wherein thehandle57 is generally perpendicular to a plane defined by thetop wall36. Grooves may be formed on the surface thereof so as to facilitate the grasping of thehandle57 during transport of thecontainer10. Rubber or other friction providing materials may optionally be provided on the surface thereof. Thehandle57 may optionally be attached to thecontainer10 via hinges, snap-fit connections, or other connecting mechanisms and/or may be attached to thecontainer10 at other locations thereof. Thelid portion14,container portion12, and/or any other parts of thecontainer10 may be made of plastic, metal, wood, other materials, or any combination thereof. Thelid portion14,container portion12, and/or other parts of thecontainer10 may optionally be made from molded plastic. In one embodiment, thecontainer10 may be made of a combination of metal and plastic. In addition, although the illustrated embodiments of thecontainer10 are generally rectangular, thecontainer10 may have other shapes and structures.
• Thecontainer10 may also be provided with feet49 (two are shown in this Figure), to facilitate placement of thecontainer10 on a surface. Rubber, foam, or other materials may be provided on the surfaces of thefeet49.
• In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, thelid portion14 is pivotally attached to thecontainer portion12 via ahinge structure23. The hinge structure(s)23 may comprise any type of pivotal arrangement, such as, for example, a living hinge or pins and hoops. Although, in one embodiment, the hinge structure(s)23 may have a permanent connection, a permanent connection is not required. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, aparticular hinge structure23 may be disconnected such that thelid portion14 and thecontainer portion12 are no longer attached by thehinge structure23. It should be appreciated that thelid portion14 may also be other types of lids, such as, just for example, a snap fit lid or an accordion type lid.
• Referring backFIG. 2, thelid portion14 may also include afirst section68 and asecond section70. In the illustrated embodiment,elongated ridges72 are provided on the surfaces thereof. However, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the surfaces of thefirst section68 andsecond section70 may be smooth or may have other shapes or structures provided thereon. Thefirst section68 and thesecond section70 may be pivotally attached to thelid16 and may be pivoted between an open position wherein access to storage spaces (not shown) under the first andsecond sections68,70 is permitted and a closed position wherein access to the storage spaces is prevented. In this embodiment, afirst depression74 is provided in thefront wall38 of thelid portion14 beneath thefirst section68, and asecond depression76 is provided in thefront wall38 of thelid portion14 beneath thesecond section70. Accordingly, the first andsecond depressions74,76 enable a user to insert fingers therein to pivot the first andsections68,70, respectively, between open and closed positions so as to permit and prevent access to the storage spaces.
• As mentioned above, the latch handle18 is carried by thelid portion14. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch handle18 is pivotally attached to thelid portion14 and may be pivoted along pivot axis A (seeFIG. 1). The pivot axis A may be defined by protrusions83 (one is shown inFIG. 12) that are provided on the latch handle18 to connect the latch handle18 to thelid14. Theprotrusions83 may be received in recesses91 (two are shown inFIG. 12) provided in thelid14 to enable pivotal movement of thelatch handle18. In other embodiments, the latch handle18 may be pivotally attached to thelid portion14 using pivot pins or other attachment mechanisms. The latch handle18 includes ahandle portion80. Thehandle portion80 may be located on thetop wall36 of thelid portion14. In this embodiment, adepression82 is formed in thelid portion14 underneath thehandle portion80. Thedepression82 may be constructed and arranged to receive a user's fingers so as to facilitate the user in pivoting the latch handle18 to operate thelatch assembly16.
• Alock120, which may take the form of a cylinder lock, may be provided on thelid portion14 so as to lock thelid14 in the closed position to secure the contents therein and to prevent unauthorized access to the contents therein. In one embodiment, thecylinder lock120 may be used to lock thelid14 so as to prevent pivoting movement thereof to the open position. In such embodiment, the latch handle18 may still be lifted to its pivoted position. Alternatively, in one embodiment, thelock120 may be used to lock the latch handle18 in its unpivoted, default position so as to prevent the latch handle18 from being pivoted to move thelatch assembly16 to the released position.
• Although the latch handle18 is a separate structure in the illustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that the latch handle18 may be integrally molded with thelatch20 or attached to the spacedlatch portions20a,20bin other embodiments. In such embodiments, the latch handle18 and the spacedlatch portions20a,20bmay be pivotable about a common axis. The spacedlatch portions20a,20bcomprise separated teeth of thesingle latch20.
• Referring back toFIG. 1, the latch handle18 may also include one or morelatch contact portions84a,84b(two shown) extending from thehandle portion80. As further illustrated in this embodiment, the spacedlatch portions20a,20bmay be integrally formed with amain latch portion17. That is, themain latch portion17 may be an elongated portion disposed between and integrally formed with the spacedlatch portions20a,20b. As mentioned above, the spacedlatch portions20a,20bare constructed and arranged to engage with thelatch engaging portions22a,22b. In one embodiment, the integral structure of the spacedlatch portions20a,20benables thelid portion14 to be stably latched to thecontainer portion12. The integral structure of the spacedlatch portions20a,20bmay also provide efficient latching because of the minimal number of moveable components used to latch thelid portion14 to thecontainer portion12.
• Thelatch20 may also include one or more extendingportions86a,86b(two shown). In this embodiment, the extendingportions86a,86bare constructed and arranged to contact the one or morelatch contact portions84a,84bof thelatch handle18, respectively. Accordingly, the latch handle18 is constructed and arranged to operate with themain latch portion17 and the spacedlatch portions20a,20bvia the contact between thelatch contact portions84a,84band the extendingportions86a,86bto move the spacedlatch portions20a,20bbetween the latched and released positions. In one embodiment, the extendingportions86a,86bmay be integrally formed with themain latch portion17. In other embodiments, the extendingportions86a,86bmay optionally integrally form a single extending portion. Thelatch20 may be pivotally connected to thelid portion14 via arod88. Thus, themain latch portion17 and thelatch portions20a,20bare pivotable about an axis defined by therod88. Therod88 may be received in openings89 (seeFIG. 12) formed in thelatch20 between the extendingportions86a,86band stopportions90a,90bextending from thelatch20. As shown inFIG. 1, therod88 may define an axis B along which thelatch20 may pivot. In one embodiment, the axis B defined by therod88 is parallel to the pivotal axis A of thelatch handle18.
• In the illustrated embodiment, however, relative movement between thehandle18 and thelatch20 is permitted. For example, when thelid14 is closed and such closing action forces thelatch20 to pivot, thehandle18 does not pivot along with thelatch20, as themember84bdisengages away from themember86b(as can be appreciated fromFIG. 7).
• In one embodiment, thestop portions90a,90bmay extend generally in the same direction as thelatch portions20a,20b. In one embodiment, thespring24 may be located on the rod88 (seeFIG. 1) and may take the form of a torsion spring. As shown inFIG. 1, thespring24 may be wrapped around at least a portion of therod88 and may bias thelatch20, including thelatch portions20a,20b, toward the latched position. It should be appreciated that thesingle spring24 may be located in other locations and/or may be other types of springs. For example, in one embodiment, thespring24 may be a tensile spring with one end attached to thelatch20 and the other end attached to another portion of thecontainer10 so as to bias the latch20 (and thus thelatch portions20a,20b) in the latched position.
• FIG. 7 shows thelatch assembly16 in the latched position. In the latched position, the latch handle18 is in the unpivoted, default position. In the illustrated embodiment, thelatch contact portion84bof the latch handle18 is in contact with the extendingportion86bof thelatch20. In particular, in this embodiment, thelatch contact portion84bof the latch handle18 includes a hookedportion92 constructed and arranged to engage with anend portion94 of the extendingportion86bof thelatch20. In addition, when thelatch assembly16 is in the latched position, thestop portion90bof thelatch20 may abut against astop surface96 of thelid portion14. Accordingly, the contact between thestop portion90band thestop surface96 may prevent over-rotation of thelatch20 in the clockwise direction due to bias of thespring24. A similar stop surface (not shown) may be provided to contact thestop portion90a(obstructed from view in this Figure).
• In the illustrated embodiment, thelatch portion20bincludes a hooked portion orprojection21b. Thelatch portion20bincludes acorner100 and afirst contact surface98 adjacent to thecorner100. A slantedcamming surface102 extends generally downwards from thefirst contact surface98. Thecorner100, thefirst contact surface98, and the slantedcamming surface102 may define theprojections21b. Asimilar projection21amay be provided on thelatch portion20a.
• In the illustrated embodiment, thelatch engaging portion22bincludes arecess99bconstructed and arranged to receive theprojection21bof thelatch portion20b. Therecess99bis partially defined by atip108 and asecond contact surface104 constructed and arranged to engage with thefirst contact surface98 of thelatch portion20bwhen thelatch assembly16 is in the latched position. Thelatch engaging portion22bmay include a similar recess99aas therecess99b. In this embodiment, thelatch engaging portion22balso includes a slantedthird contact surface110 adjacent thetip108. Thecamming surface102 of thelatch20 is constructed and arranged to contact the slantedthird surface110 during the latching operation, which will be described in more detail later.
• AlthoughFIG. 7 shows thelatch portion20band thelatch engaging portion22b, it is contemplated that that thelatch portion20aandlatch engaging portion22amay be constructed and arranged in a similar manner. Accordingly, thelatch portion20aand thelatch engaging portion22amay operate in a similar manner as thelatch portion20band thelatch engaging portion22b.
• FIG. 8 illustrates thelatch assembly16 in the released position in accordance with an embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch handle18 is in a pivoted position such that thelatch contact portion84bis rotated clockwise from its position shown inFIG. 7 when the latch handle18 is in the unpivoted, default position. In addition, the extendingportion86bof thelatch20 is rotated counterclockwise from its position shown inFIG. 7. Theend portion94 of the extendingportion86bis removed from the hookedportion92 of thelatch contact portion84band is slid to a higher position on a slidingsurface112 of thelatch contact portion84b. Furthermore, in the unlatched position, thetip108 of thelatch engaging portion22bis removed from thecorner100 of thelatch portion20b. As a result, when thelatch assembly16 is in the unlatched position, thelatch engaging portion22bis disengaged from thelatch portion20band thelid portion14 may be pivoted to the open position away from thecontainer portion12.
• FIG. 9. is a perspective view of thecontainer10 with certain parts removed to better reveal others. In this embodiment, thecontainer10 includes alatch cover123 that may be optionally provided in thelid14. Thelatch cover123 may include aprotrusion125 constructed and arranged to engage with a portion of thelid14 so as to attach thelatch cover123 to thelid14. The attachment of thelatch cover123 to thelid14 will be described in more detail later. Thelatch cover123 may be constructed and arranged to block access/view of at least portions of thelatch20 when thelid14 is pivoted to the open position (seeFIG. 11).FIG. 10 illustrates a frontal view (from above) of thecontainer10 with certain parts removed to better reveal others. In this embodiment, thecontainer10 includes thelatch cover123. The example of thelatch cover123 is not intended to be limiting, and it is contemplated that the location of thelatch cover123 and the connection mechanism used to connect thelatch cover123 to thelid14 may vary in other embodiments.
• FIG. 11 shows thelid14 in the open position in accordance with an embodiment. Thelid14 includes opposinglower side walls138a,138b. Thelatch cover123 may be positioned between thelower side walls138a,138b. Accordingly, thelatch cover123, thelower side walls138a,138b, a lower rear wall142 (seeFIG. 13), and a lower wall130 (seeFIG. 12) of thelid14 may form alatch housing140 that encloses at least portions of thelatch20 within thelatch housing140. Thus, thelatch cover123 and the other parts of thelatch housing140 may block access to/view of the portions of thelatch20 and/or other parts of thelatch assembly16.
• In one embodiment, the portions of thelatch20 that are engaging/contacting thespring24 and therod88 may be hidden from view by thelatch housing140. Accordingly, thecover latch123 and other parts of thelatch housing140 may prevent objects or fingers from becoming lodged in parts of the latch assembly16 (e.g., near the points of contact between thelatch contact portions84a,84bof the latch handle18 and the extendingportions86a,86bof thelatch20, near the pivot axis B of thelatch20 defined by the rod88). As shown inFIG. 11, arecess127 is provided in thelatch cover123 for thelatch portions20a,20bto extend therethrough so that thelatch portions20a,20bmay engage with thelatch engaging portions22a,22b(obstructed from view in this Figure) of thecontainer portion12.
• FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of thelatch assembly16 and other portions of thecontainer10. In the illustrated embodiment, thelid14 includes a recessedportion128 constructed and arranged to receive thehandle18. The recessedportion128 may include thedepression82 for receiving the user's fingers during movement of thelatch handle18. The recessedportion128 may be partially defined by thelower wall130 of thelid14. Thelatch20 may be pivotally connected to thelid14 under the recessed portion128 (seeFIG. 13). As shown inFIG. 12, thelatch cover123 includesfingers129 extending from opposite ends of thelatch cover123 with therecess127 therebetween. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the location, construction, and number of thefingers129 may vary. Thelatch cover123 may also include a raisedperiphery131 that surrounds at least portions of thelatch cover123. Thefingers129 and the raisedperiphery131 may help guide and connect thelatch cover123 to thelid14 during the arrangement of thecover latch123 on thelid14 of thecontainer10. In one embodiment, the raisedperiphery131 may contact thelower side walls138a,138bof thelid14 when thelatch cover123 is attached to thelid14. In addition, theprotrusions125 with hook-shaped ends (three are shown in this embodiment) may also be constructed and arranged to connect thelatch cover123 to thelid14. As shown inFIG. 13, thelid14 may include the lowerrear wall142 that extends downward from thelower wall130. As mentioned above, the lowerrear wall142, thelower wall130, and thelatch cover123 help define thelock housing140. Thus, thecover latch123 may be attached to the lowerrear wall142 of thelid14. For example, the lowerrear wall142 may be provided with engagingmembers144 constructed and arranged to engage with the hook-shaped ends of theprotrusions125. A portion of the raisedperiphery131 may also contact the lowerrear wall142 when thelatch cover123 is attached to thelid14. The attachment of thelatch cover123 to thelid14 may vary in other embodiments. It is also contemplated that thelatch cover123 may be optional. For example, in some embodiments, thecontainer10 is not provided with thelatch cover123.
• Thelid portion14 may be latched to thecontainer portion12 as follows in accordance with an embodiment. Thelid portion14 may initially be in the open position wherein contents of thecontainer portion12 can be accessed. Thelid portion14 may then be pivoted towards thecontainer portion12. As thelid portion14 is moved towards thecontainer portion12, the slanted camming surfaces102 of thelatch portions20a,20bof thelatch20 may cam against the slantedthird surfaces110 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22b. During the camming movement, thelatch20 may be rotated in the counterclockwise direction against the bias of thespring24 due to camming force between the slanted camming surfaces102 of thelatch portions20a,20band the slantedthird surfaces110 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22b. The slanted camming surfaces102 of thelatch portions20a,20bmay cam against the slantedthird surfaces110 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22buntil thetip108 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22bclear the camming surfaces102 of the latchingportions20a,20bso that thelatch portions20a,20bare in the unlatched position, whereupon thespring24 may snap thelatch portions20a,2btowards thelatch engaging portions22a,22b. Accordingly, the second contact surfaces104 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22bmay slide against the first contact surfaces98 of thelatch portions20a,20buntil thetips110 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22bare received in thecorners100 of thelatch portions20a,20b. Thestop portions90a,90bof thelatch20 may abut against the stop surfaces96, thus preventing over-rotation in the clockwise direction of thelatch20. As a result, theprojections21a,21bof thelatch portions20a,20bare received in therecesses99a,99bof thelatch engaging portions22a,22b. That is, thelatch portions20a,20bare in the latched position with thelatch engaging portions22a,22b, as shown inFIG. 7. Thus, thelid portion14 may be “automatically” latched to thecontainer portion12 by simply moving thelid portion14 towards thecontainer portion12.
• It should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the user may be required to push thelid portion14 towards thecontainer portion12 with force to latch thelid portion14 to thecontainer portion12. In an alternate embodiment, gravity alone can move thelid portion14 to the latched position. That is, in one embodiment, thelid portion14 may optionally have a weight that is sufficiently heavy in relation to the spring constant of thespring24 such that the force of gravity alone is enough to move to thelid portion14 to the closed position, whereupon thelid assembly16 may “automatically” latch thelid portion14 to thecontainer portion12 as described above. In one embodiment, thelid portion14 may have sufficient weight such that the force of gravity alone is sufficient to move thelid portion14 to the latched position when thelid portion14 is released from any position. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the force of gravity alone is sufficient to move thelid portion14 to the latched position only when thelid portion14 is released from higher than a predetermined height position. For example, in one embodiment, thelid portion14 may be moved to the latched position by the force of gravity when thelid portion14 is released from a position wherein the angle between a plane defined by thelid portion14 and a plane defined by the pair of opposingupper rims51 of thecontainer portion12 is at least 45 degrees. The relative orientations can easily be changed, and not limiting, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
• Alternatively, thelid portion14 may be latched to thecontainer portion12 as follows. The user may lift the latch handle18 such that the latch handle18 is rotated in the clockwise direction, as shown inFIG. 8, from its unpivoted, default position (shown inFIG. 7). Thus, thelatch contact portions84a,84bof the latch handle18 are also pivoted in the clockwise direction. The contact between thelatch contact portions84a,84band the extendingportions86a,86bmay cause thelatch contact portions84a,84bto push the extendingportions86a,86bso that thelatch20 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction around therod88 to the unlatched position. As a result, thelid portion14 may be placed on thecontainer portion12 without the thirdslanted surface110 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22bobstructing thelatch portions20a,20b. After thelid portion14 has been placed on thecontainer portion12 such that thelatch portions20a,20bare located beneath thelatch engaging portions22a,22b, the user may let go of thelatch handle18, whereupon thespring24 may snap thelatch20 in the clockwise direction. Accordingly, thesecond contact surface104 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22bmay slide against thefirst contact surface98 of thelatch portions20a,20buntil thetips110 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22bare received in thecorner100 of thelatch portions20a,20b. Thestop portions90a,90bof thelatch20 may abut against the stop surfaces96, thus preventing over-rotation in the clockwise direction of thelatch20. The ends94 of the extendingportions86a,86bmay be received in the hookedportion92 of thelatch handle18. During rotation of thelatch20 by the bias of thespring24, the extendingportions86a,86bof thelatch20 may push against thecontact portions84a,84bof thelatch handle18, and thus rotate the latch handle18 in the counterclockwise direction until the latch handle18 is in the unpivoted, default position, as shown inFIG. 7. Accordingly, thelatch portion20a,20bare in the latched position with thelatch engaging portions22a,22b, as shown inFIG. 7. That is, theprojections21a,21bof thelatch portions20a,20bare received in therecesses99a,99bof thelatch engaging portions22a,22b.
• Thelid portion14 may be unlatched from thecontainer portion12 as follows in accordance with an embodiment. Thelid portion14 may initially be latched to thecontainer portion12, as shown inFIG. 7. The engagement between thelatch engaging portions22a,22band thelatch portions20a,20bmay prevent thelid portion14 from being moved to the open position. That is, attempts to lift thelid portion14 from thecontainer portion12 may cause the first contact surfaces98 of thelatch portion20a,20bto abut against the second contact surfaces104 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22b. The user may then insert fingers into thedepression82 to pivot thehandle portion80 of the latch handle18 upwards. As thehandle18 is pivoted upwards, thehandle18 is rotated in the clockwise direction. Accordingly, thelatch contact portions84a,84bof the latch handle18 are also rotated in the clockwise direction. Thelatch contact portions84a,84bmay push against the extendingportions86a,86bof thelatch20, thus pivoting the extendingportions86a,86b(and the rest of the latch20) in the counterclockwise direction around therod88. The ends94 of the extendingportions86a,86bmay slide upwards on the slidingsurfaces112 of thelatch contact portion84bduring the pivoting movement, as shown inFIG. 8. As thelatch20 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the second contact surfaces104 of thelatch engaging portion22a,22bare slid out of engagement with the first contact surfaces98 of thelatch portions20a,20band thetips108 of thelatch engaging portions22a,22bare removed from thecorners100 of thelatch portions20a,20b. Accordingly, thelatch portions20a,20bare in the release position and are no longer engaged with thelatch engaging portions22a,22b. Thelid16 may then be pivoted upwards to the open position. Thus, thelatch assembly16 is constructed and arranged to enable unlatching of the spacedlatch portions20a,20bby pivotal movement of thelatch handle18.
• In some embodiments, thecontainer10 may be divided into compartments or may include removable compartments. In one embodiment, the compartments may be defined by container member or dividers. The container members may optionally be constructed and arranged to be removable and to be insertable at various locations in thecontainer portion12 so that the configuration of the compartments may be changed. The container members may also be removed completely from thecontainer portion12 so that larger compartments may be formed by the walls of thecontainer10 and/or the walls of the other container members. The container members may also be removed to be carried separately. The container members may optionally have various shapes and/or various sizes. Thecontainer portion12 may optionally include inserts made of a flexible or memory-retaining materials with depressions formed therein to receive objects. In some embodiments, the depressions may be the same shape as the tools. In some embodiments, the inserts may be made of foam material. It should also be appreciated thattrays124 having an optional handle portion126 (seeFIG. 11) or other containers may be provided in theinterior space13 of thecontainer10.
• It should be appreciated that the examples described above are not intended to be limiting. It is contemplated that thelatch assembly16 may be used in other types of boxes or containers. For example, thelatch assembly16 may be incorporated in the containers of the rolling container assembly described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/858,376, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
• Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims (12)

1. A container, comprising:

a container portion defining a space for storing tools;

a lid portion pivotally connected to the container portion; the lid portion being pivotally movable between open and closed positions;

a latch assembly carried by the lid portion and constructed and arranged to latch the lid portion in the closed position, the latch assembly including:

a single latch handle carried by the lid portion,

a latch comprising spaced latch portions, the spaced latch portions being moveable together between a latched position and a released position, the latch portions respectively being on opposite sides of the latch handle, the latch portions engageable with latch engaging portions of the container portion, and

a spring that biases the spaced latch portions toward the latched position, the latch handle constructed and arranged to be moved to effect movement of the latch portions from the latched position to the released position.

2. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the spaced latch portions are integrally molded with one another.

3. The container ofclaim 2, wherein the single latch handle is integrally molded with the spaced latch portions.

4. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the single latch handle and the spaced latch portions are pivotable about a common axis.

5. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the spaced latch portions each comprise a projection, and wherein the latch engaging portions receive the projection when the latch portions are in the latched position.

6. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the spaced latch portions each comprise a recess, and wherein the latch engaging portions engage in the recess when the latch portions are in the latched position.

7. The container ofclaim 1, wherein forcing the lid portion to the closed position causes the latch portions to first move to the unlatched position, and wherein the spring biases the latch portions to subsequently move to the latched position.

8. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the lid portion has a weight that is sufficiently heavy in relation to the spring constant of the spring, such that the force of gravity alone is enough to move the lid portion to the latched position, wherein during movement of the lid portion under the force of gravity alone first moves the latch portions to the unlatched position against the bias of the spring, and wherein the force of the spring subsequently moves the latch portions to the latched position.

9. The container ofclaim 8, wherein the force of gravity alone is sufficient to move the lid portion to the latched position only when the lid is released from higher than a predetermined height position.

10. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the latch handle includes a contact portion constructed and arranged to contact the spaced latch portions so as to effect movement of the latch portions from the latched position to the released position.

11. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the latch handle is pivotable about a first axis, and the spaced latch portions are pivotable about a second axis, the first and second axis being parallel to one another.

12. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the latch handle is separately formed from the latch and comprises at least one latch contact portion for contacting the latch.

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