US1778312A - Clasp for cigarette cases or the like - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 14, 1930. v A CYR #11,778,312

CLASP FOR CIGARETTE CASES OR THE LIKE Filed June 21l 1929 720672:207 nir-c2074 a. Ky#

Patentedk Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VICTOR A. CYR, OF NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MASON BOX COMPANY, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS CLASP FOR CIGARETTE CASES R THE LIKE Application med June 21,

This invention relates to improvements in clasps for detachably securingthe hinged members of foldable containers such as cigarette cases or similar articles; and the principal object of the invention is to provide complemental stud and socket elements on the respective foldable members of the case or container, so constructed and arranged that the members are automatically locked when sprung together and are freely separable upon release of the interlocked elements without weakening or permanently deforming said elements.

More particularly, an important object of the vinvention is to furnish a container of aforesaid type in which one of the foldable ymembers is equipped with an attached socket member which is secured at its base to the wall of said member and which has its socketportion locked against displacement from said wall by means of a tongue which is struck from the body of said portion and which engages in said wall.

A recommended embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings,

in which:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a closed cigarette case equipped with the improved clasp;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken on. the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an interior View of one of the case members, showing the socket element of the clasp;

Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the complemental stud element;

Fig. 5 is a detail View of the removed socket element;

lig. 6 is a detail of Fig. 2, to larger scale; an

Fig. 7 is an end view of the socket number shown in Fig. 5.

In the particular embodiment chosen for the purpose of illustration, the clasp elements are attached to the upper and lower sections 6 and 7 respectively of a cigarette case; but it will be understood that the invention is applicable to many other types of foldable containers, such as jewelry boxes or the like. The sections 6 and 7 may be similar in construction, and each preferably com- 1929. Serial No. 372,665.

prises a rigid frame 8 formed of thin sheet metal, having a iiexible covering 9 applied on its outer side and a lining 10 afxed to its interior surface over the central opening 13 of the frame. The margins of the respective frame are preferably transversely dished, bowed or otherwise shaped to form inwardly directed walls 111 and 15, and the edges of said walls 'abut each other when the two sections are swung together. A suitable hinge (not shown) may be provided at one end of the box for pivotally connecting the case members, and a spring member may be associated with the hinge normally to urge the sections apart, ail in accordance with common practice. The improved clasp elements are applied to the respective sections at the separable ends of the case for releasably interlocking said ends together when the case is closed.

The socket element of the clasp is attached to the frame of the lower section of Fig. 1 and includes a metal bar 16 having openings 17 receiving fastening tongues 18 struck from the metal frame, and a curved central tab 19 having opposite upstanding lips 20 near its outer end and an outwardly struck tongue 21 engaging within an opening 22 in the frame wall 15. The attachment is thus afiixedto the frame by the frame tongues 18, and the tab is secured against displacement by the tongue 21 which preferably extends diagonally across the opening 22 and has its outer edge engaging against the forward wall 23 of said opening, as best shown in Fig. 6, to lock the tab in fixed position.

The cooperating stud element comprises a thin, elongate base or bar 24 attached at its opposite ends to the frame of the opposite case section, as by tongues 25, a resilient central tab or extension 26 having a stud or hook 27 near its outer end, and an actuator' 28 fixed to the spring tab as at 29 and extending outwardly of the section through suitable openings in the frame and covering, whereby the spring tab and its stud may be forced inwardly by depressing the outer end of the actuator. The thin bar 24- is sufliciently resilient so that the depre-ssion of the actuator flexes said bar and thereby relieves excessive strain upon the spring tab 26.' As the case members are swung together, the end of the tab 26 is received between the outstanding guides 2O of the opposite attachment, and

the y'stud 27 snaps into the frame recess 22 through thesocket or opening 30 formed in tab 19 by the struck-out tongue 21,*thereby separa-bly to interlock the case members.

As lthe end of the tab 19 is thus secured by tonguel against the end Wall of the case' section T, the tabv Willnot be displaced or deformed during use, either upon opening or closing the case or by accidental Contact With other articles. This feature is ofcardinal importance, for the operation of a claspof this type is substantially impaired if the socket element becomes bent invvardlyof the case or transversely yout of the normal path of the cient in use. The attachments occupy very littlespace and may be substantially concealed by the case lining, if desired.

1. In a container comprising a pair of members,fmovable relativelyto each other from open to closed position, complemental clasp elements attached to the respective members for releasably locking said members together, one of said elements having a base portion affixedto said member, and a tab portion extending tovvard the edge of the member, the tab portion having a socket therein and a tongue -entering the Wall of said member thereby to prevent lateral displacement of the tab portion, and the other element having a stud engageable in said socket.V

2. In a container comprising a pair of members movable relatively to each other from'open to closed position, complemental clasp velements attached to the respective members for releasably locking said members together, onek of said elements having a base portion affixed to said member,-and a tab portion extending toward the edge of the member, the tab portion having ay struck-out tongue providing an opening in the tab, said tongue being locked in the Wall of. said member thereby to preventdisplacement of the tab portion, and the other element having a stud engageable in said opening.

3. In a container comprising a pair of members angularly movablerelatively to each otherfrom open to closed position, and having oppositely directed, rigid Walls at the separable ends thereof, complemental clasp elements attached to the respective'end Walls for releasably interlocking the saidseparable ends, one of said elements comprising a metal plate shapedto conform to the inner side of one of said end Walls and having a base portion afiixed to said Wall and a tab portion extending toward the edge thereof, said Wall having an opening therein and said tab portion having a struck-out tongue providing a recess in the tab, the tongue extending into the Wall opening and engagino` therein thereby to prevent displacement of the tab portion, and the other claspelement havinga stud receivable in said recess.

'-i. ln a container having a pair of hinged vmembers having opposed Walls at thefseparable ends thereof, fastening means for detachably connecting said ends, comprising a ,socket element having a base aliixedto one of said members and a tab disposed against-the end Wall, the tab having a struck-out tongue providing an opening therein and said tongue extending into the end vvalland engaging therein to lock the tab against displacement, and a complemente-l element carried bythe opposite member, comprising a flexible base` affixed at its opposite ends to said member, and a depressible central extension having a stud releasably engageable in said tab opening.

5. In a container having a'pair of hinged members having opposed Wallsat the separable ends thereof, fastening means for detachably connecting said ends, comprising asocket element having a base affixed to one of said members and a tab disposed against the end Wall, the tab havingv a socket therein, and a complemental element carried by the opposite member, comprising an elongate flexible base, a depressible central extensionv fixed transversely to said baseV and having` a stud releasably engageable in said tab opening, and a projection extending through said member for depressing said extension and liexl'ng said ybase to movethe stud out of said opening.

Signed by me at Attleboro Falls, Mass., Bristol County, this 14th day of June', 1929. VICTORA, CYR.

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