US2150536A - Multiple catch - Google Patents

Description

K. FJZIEHM, JR

MULTIPLE CATCH March 14, 1939.

.Filed Aug. 16 1958 Patented Mar. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE CATCH ration of Illinois Application August 16, 1938, Serial No. 225,187

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a multiple catch for releasably securing the several covers or lids of a small case, such as a vanity, it being a primary object to provide a simple and inexpensive con- 5 struction in which the actuating finger pieces may be located in juxtaposition, but remotely from the associated locking elements, and be selectively operated. The present improvements are directed more particularly to the combination of two or more finger pieces adaptable either for joint or separate operation. The present catch is applicable, depending upon the form given to it, to cases of various contour and construction.

A suggestive embodiment of this invention is set forth in the accompanying drawing, where- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional vanity case to which the present multiple catch is applied, the cover being open to exhibit the 0 interior construction;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the case body showing one of two adjacent finger pieces actuated to release one only of the catches;

Fig. 3, which is a view similar to Fig. 2, shows both finger pieces actuated for the release of two catches;

Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of the multiple catch unit per se; 7 Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an open vanity case in which the multiple catch is of modified construction;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view through the case body of Fig. 5, showing one of the catches operated to releasing position; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing both finger pieces actuated to release the two catches; Fig. 8 is a detail in perspective of the multiple catch unit last mentioned; and Fig. 9 is a detail in section, taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

According to the construction suggested in,

Figure 1,- the case comprises a body B having marginal walls I0 along one edge of which are formed a series of aligned joints ll interfitting with other joints l2 formed along the edge of a cover C, a pintle 13 being extended through all the joints to hingedly connect the cover to the body. A spring I4 is optionally coiled about the pintle, one end pressing on the cover and the other on the body so as to exert opposing forces by which the cover tends to swing to an open position with respect to the body.

Within the case body may be fitted a rectangular frame F having depending marginal flanges I 5 disposed adjacent to the marginal walls of the body. The .frame may be held fixedly within the body in any desired way, as by lips (not shown) engaging therewith, extending inwardly from the marginal walls of the body. 5 Within the frame is contained a sunken panel, defined in part by depending walls [6, for powder or the like, and over this panel is positioned a lid L hingedly joined as at IT to the frame along an axis which is transverse to that of the hinged connection for the cover C. This hinge may also be optionally equipped with a spring (not shown) adapted to exert thereupon an opening force in the manner already described.

Through the front wall of the case body is a 15 slot 20, in register with a slot in the marginal flange of the platform, adapted to receive therethrough a finger piece 2| which is projected forwardly from an outer bowed leaf spring a which is positioned within the space between this flange and the depending panel wall l6. Upstanding from this spring is a forwardly extending catch 22 (see Fig. 4) adapted, in response to tension ofthe spring, to engage with a lip 23 which is provided on the free edge of the cover. When 25 the finger piece is pressed inwardly to flatten the spring, the catch will be shifted to a position of release, permitting the cover to then open.

A second finger .piece 25 is also extended through the slot 2|, as well as through a slot 26 in the bowed leaf spring a. This second finger piece is joined to the bowed section of an inner leaf spring I) which occupies a position immediately to the rear of the outer spring. One end of the inner spring is bent as at 2'! through substantially a right angle to provide a rearwardly extending arm 28 having near its extremity an upstanding neck 29 which passes through a slot in the frame to support at its extremity a laterally facing catch 30 adapted to releasably engage the proximate free edge of the lid L. The end of the inner spring opposite the arm 28 may be laterally turned to provide a finger 3| adapted to lie along the depending panel wall which is opposite to the wall along which the arm 28 is extended.

By depressing the finger piece 25, the inner spring is flattened to produce an outward swinging movement of its arm 28 whereby to release the catch 30 from engagement with the free edge of the lid L with which it is adapted to coact. Either or both catches may be operated by the application of pressure to one or the other of the two finger pieces. If only the finger piece connected with the outer spring be operated, there will be an initial releasing movement of the cover catch, followed, if the movement proceeds far enough, by a releasing movement of the lid catch consequent upon flattening of the inner spring in response to pressure transmitted from the outer spring. On the other hand, if only the finger piece for the inner spring be operated, there will then be a release of the lid catch, but no corresponding operation of the cover catch. Both catches lie in juxtaposed relation so as to be operable together, if desired, or separately, if preferred. By normally extending the finger piece for the cover catch slightly ahead of the other, the operator, with the sense of feel, will have no difficulty in operating this catch alone.

The description up to this point applies particularly to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1-4 inclusive. It also applies in large part to the remaining figures, wherein the corresponding parts bear like reference numerals. In the respects that the lid catch is concealed, and that the two finger pieces are interfitted, instead of being juxtaposed, the construction shown in Figs. 5-9 presents differences which will now be explained.

Through the slot 20 of the case body is projected a finger piece 35 which is extended forwardly from an outer spring 0 formed with an angle arm 38 which carries a catch 30 near its free end in position to engage releasably with a shoulder l which is formed on the under side of the lid L so as to be hidden from view. In response to aninward pressure upon this finger piece, the catch will be released in the manner already explained, permitting the lid to be opened. At its front end this finger piece is provided with an upstanding wall through which is a slot 4| for the reception of a second finger piece 33 which extends from an inner bowed spring at which lies rearwardly of the other. A catch 32 upstands from this inner spring in a position to normally engage with the lip 23 of the cover and disengage therefrom in response to a pressure upon the associated finger piece. In this construction it will be observed that the spring for the lid catch lies outwardly of the other, instead of rearwardly thereof as in the constructions of Figs. 1-4, and that the finger piece for the inner spring is extended slidingly through the finger piece of the outer spring, instead of being disposed alongside thereof.

The finger piece for the inner spring normally protrudes forwardly of the other (Figs. 5 and 8) so that the user may apply pressure solely to this finger piece, if desired. By so proceeding, the lid cover alone is permitted to open. If the pressure, however, be distributed generallly, or be of sufiicient magnitude, then both finger pieces will be actuated, with the result that a releasing movement is communicated to both catches substantially concurrently.

In order that the present device may be operable with a hidden catch it is desirable that the two springs be relatively fiat in the plane of their movements so as to occupy a lesser space, and the parts which have been described in connection with Figs. 5-9 are so illustrated.

It will be noted that my multiple catch comprises two bowed springs, one engageable near its extremities with the other, there being a catch near the center of one spring and a second catch remote therefrom on the other spring. In the one case (Figs. 1-4) where the springs are flat in a plane transversely of their movement one may be used to operate the other, whereas in the other case where the flattening is in the plane of their movements one spring may be over the other so as to preserve complete independence of operation for each. A stop to limit the outward movement of the catches may be provided by shoulders s specially provided, as in Figs. 1-4, or by the bows of the springs which remain under tension after assembly.

I claim:

In a case, the combination with a body to which is hinged a cover and a lid, of separate spring catches for releasably securing the cover and lid, and a fingerv piece in connection with each catch whereby to produce independent operation thereof, one of the finger pieces being extended through the other.

2. In a case, the combination with a body to which is hinged a cover and a lid, of separate spring catches for releasably securing the cover and lid, and a finger piece in connection with each catch whereby to produce independent operation thereof, the two finger pieces being juxtaposed with one projecting forwardly of the other to facilitate initial operation thereof.

3. In a case, the combination with a body to which is hinged a cover and a lid, of separate catches for releasably securing the cover and lid, each catch comprising a bowed spring, one behind the other and arched differently therefrom, and a finger piece extended from each spring for concurrent or selective operation of the two catches. I

4. In a case, the combination with a body to which is hinged a cover and a lid, of separate catches for releasably securing the cover and lid, a spring whereon one catch is carried and a second spring wherein the second catch is carried, and a pair of finger pieces in juxtaposition movable freely of each other, one connected to one spring and the other to the second spring, and each adapted to transmit an operating movement to its associated spring and the catch carried thereby whereby to release the cover or the lid or both for opening movement, there being a single opening through the case body for the projection therethrough of both catches to operating positions exteriorly of the case.

KURT F. ZIEHM, JR.

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