US1132598A - Locking device for milk-cans. - Google Patents

Description

L. M. MERSHIMER.

LOOKING DEVICE FOR MILK GANS APPLIGATION 'FILED HB4, 1914.

1,1 32,598. Patented Mar. 23, 191.5.

INI'IE@ STATES FAIRE@ EIIIQE.

LAWRENCE IVI. MIERSHIMER, OF NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR MILK-SANS.

Application filed. February 7, 1914.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LAWRENCE M. MER- sHiMnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Castle, in the county of Lawrence and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices for Milk-Cans, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

rIhis invention relates to new and useful improvements in means for locking the covers on milk cans. Y

The object of the invention resides in the provision of means associated with a conventional form of milk can and cover, whereby the cover may be securely locked in place, it being specifically the object to provide such means which does not interfere with placing the cover on the can or with removing it therefrom.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such means which may be readily applied to any form of milk can or the like and which is of such simple construction as may be manufactured and applied at comparatively little cost. M

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and, wherein- Figure l is a side elevation of the upper portion of a milk can with my improved locking device associated therewith. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the upper portion of a milk can displaying the locking attachment in section; and \F1g. 3 is a perspective view of the locking device detached from the can..

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 5 designates a milk can which is provided with the usual upstanding flange 6 adapted to be embraced by the flange 7 of the cover.

To provide means whereby the cover may be securely locked to the can without interfering materially with the removal of the cover when desired, or with placing the cover on the can, the cover flange and the adjacent portion ofthe can are provided with vertically extending slots 8 which are Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

Serial No. 817,322.

adapted to aline when the cover and can proper' are in relative position. A spring strip 9 is secured at 10 adjacent to the upper edge of the flange 6 and has' its-lower end disposed over the slotted opening 8 of the can. A staple ll is secured to the lower end of the strip and is normally resiliently pressed through the slots 8 of the can and cover, so that a lock can readily be engaged with the staple 2 to lock the cover securely in closed position. The sides of this staple are inclined toward eachother so that when the cover is removed the lower wall of the slot 8 of the flange 7 will ride against the under inclined side of the staple and force the staple inwardly against the resistance presented by theA inherent resiliency of the strip 9. In other words, the shape of the staple renders its release from the slots automatic when the cover is lifted, thereby rendering unnecessary any manipulation on the part of the user for this purpose. 'Ihus it will be seen that an exceedingly simple structure is provided which will efficiently perform all of the functions normally required thereof.

I-Iaving thus described this invention, what is claimed is:-

The combination with the neck of a milk can provided'adjacent to its point of juncture with the body vwith a slot, and a cover provided with a neck-inclosing flange having a slot to register with that of the neck, of a resilient strip secured near its upper end to the inner wallof the can neck and carrying at its lower end a staple to project through the two slots, the staple having its sides bent at an angle to converge to an apex and thus provide cam surfaces, the lower cam surface by contact with the bottom wall of the cover slot, when the cover is lifted, causing the staple automatically to be withdrawn from the slot to release the cover, and the upper cam surface by contact with the under edge of the neck, when the cover is being positioned, causing the staple automatically to recede from the neck to permit the final seating of the cover.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LAW'RENGE M. MERSHIMER.

Witnesses:

W. S. ORRIs,

JOHN IIARTZELL.

copiez of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents.

Washington, ZD. C.

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