US2299588A - Locking ring for metal containers - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20, 1942.

J.R.PROCTOR LOCKING RING FOR METAL CONTAINERS Filed April 4, 1939 I I I I I I I I v I I I I I I I I I I I I I F 4 IN VENTOR. J0AW A. Pkacnw 9W4 max ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 20, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in containers, and relates more particularly' to an improved closure device for metallic containers to the end of efiecting a fluid tight seal between the container and the closure member therefor.

A large variety of materials such as paints, chemicals and the like are shipped in metallic receptacles or containers which are provided with full openings at their upper ends. These containers, which are of more or less standard construction, are formed with an outwardly turned annular bead at their open ends to provide for reinforcement of the container as well as for receiving a metallic closure, the closure having an outwardly turned flange which partially encloses the annular bead. A split annular locking ring, which is semi-circular in transverse section, encloses the head of the container and the flange of the closure, and as such locking ring is drawn together, a tight seal is effected.

Many locking devices have been provided for drawing the ends of this locking ring together, some of which have been satisfactory except that the mechanism is too complicated and expensive to construct. It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide means for drawing the terminals of the locking ring together, which mechanism is easily and quickly actuated, and which will provide a highly effective seal between the container and the closure.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved locking means for providing a relatively permanent seal prior to the original opening of the container for the first removal of a portion of the contents, the closure likewise having means for permitting repeated removal of the cover and replacement thereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a removable head for metallic barrels which will insure a substantially hermetic seal under conditions of severe usage during handling and shipment of the container.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved locking ring wherein each of the terminals of the ring are drawn together with equal tension by the provision of an improved toggle structure.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a novel device for providing a fluid seal between the receptacle and cover therefor without the aid of tools.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view, partially in section, of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a broken side elevation of a metallic container, the view showing the locking ring constituting the present invention in place thereon;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 33 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the parts being broken away; and

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4, which shows the locking element in unlocked position.

The present invention is adapted to be used in connection with a metallic container or barrel of more or less standard construction, a portion of the barrel being shown at l0 and being provided with an outwardly turned annular bead II which is substantially circular in transverse section. A cover member I2 is provided with an annular vertical flange l3 which terminates in a portion H which is substantially semi-circular in transverse section. An annular gasket I6 is usually placed upon the upper surface of the circular bead II, this gasket being positioned between the bead and the semi-circular flange portion M of the cover I2, all as shown clearly in Fig. 3.

- The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a split annular locking ring l8 which is substantially semi-circular in transverse section, the ring being of such dimensions relative to the diameter of the container and closure therefor as to have its terminals [9 in substantial meeting engagement when the ring is locked in place, as shown in Fig. 4. The means for drawing the terminals of the locking ring into firm engagement with the container and the closure therefor is a toggle structure and comprises an arcuate locking member 2| formed with a central outwardly disposed offset portion 22. This locking member is substantially semicircular in transverse section, the upper marginal edge 2| preferably extending further inwardly than the lower edge 2|" as shown in Fig. 3. At a point spaced from but adjacent to each end of the locking element, two substantially rectangular vertical notches 24 are formed, thus leaving a central vertical hinge element 25 there between as shown in Fig. 2. This hinge element is moved slightly inwardly as shown in Fig. 5 in order to keep the operative parts of the hinge within the interior of the locking element.

Adjacent to each terminal 19 of the locking ring an elongated slot 2'! is formed, each of said slots 21 likewise having a vertical hinge element 28 adjacent to the terminals l9, also as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 5. A link 29 connects each hinge element 25 and 28, such link being provided at one end with a shoulder 30, which terminates in a circular hinge member 3 l the member encircling the element 28. The opposite end of each link is also formed with a circular hinge member 32 which encircles the hinge element 25. In order to give the link members a eater measure of stability, they are formed with flanges 33 along their upper and lower edges.

When the terminals IQ of the locking ring are free from the influence of the locking member 2 I, such terminals are spaced sufflciently apart to readily insert the locking ring over the flange ll" of the cover l2, all as shown in Fig. 5. When it i desired to lock the cover in firm engagement with the barrel, the locking member 2| is merely engaged at opposite ends and the same moved inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4. This inward movement of the locking member causes the link members 29 to draw the terminals IQ of the locking ring together, the forces acting on the two terminal portions being substantially equal. When it is desired to open the container, a screw driver or other instrument may be inserted under the locking member 2| and such member again brought to the position shown in Fig. 5. In order to provide a firmer and relatively permanent lock prior to the initial opening of the container, the upper flange 2| of the locking member'2l, which as previously stated extends further inwardly than the lower flange 2|", is provided with semi-circular punched-in portions 34, as shown in Fig. 1, and when the cover is originally locked in place such punched-in portions engage the edge of the upper flange of the locking ring 18, all as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

By providing the offset portion 22 in the locking member 2|, there is no interference between such locking member-and the hinge portions 30 at the inner end of the links 29, and accordingly there is no rocking of the locking member 2| when in locking position, as shown in Fig. 4.

What I claim is:

1. A locking device of the character described comprising a split ring which is substantially semi-circular in transverse section, and toggle means for moving the opposed terminals of the split ring into substantial meeting engagement, said means including a curved locking plate provided with a hinge element at each end thereof, the ring having an elongated recess adjacent to each end thereof, and being provided with a hinge element between each terminal and the outer end of the slot, and links connecting the respective hinge elements at adjacent ends of the plate and ring, each link comprising an elongated plate formed with ring portions at each end thereof receiving the hinge elements, each link being received in the elongated slot at each end of the ring when such plate is in locked position.

2. A locking device of the character described, for securing a flanged cover to a container formed with an annular flange extending around its open end, said device comprising a split ring which is substantially semi-circular in transverse section and which engages the annular flanges on the container and cover when in locked position, and toggle means for moving the opposed terminals of the split ring into substantial meeting engagement to cause the cover to securely engage the open end of the container, said means including a curved locking plate having a plurality of spaced openings adjacent to each end thereof and forming a hinge element therebetween, the ring having an elongated recess adjacent to each end thereof; and being provided with a hinge element between each terminal of the ring and the outer end of the recess, and links aaeaoss connecting the respective hinge elements at adjacent ends of the plate and ring, each link comprising an elongated plate formed with ring portions at each end thereof receiving the hinge elements, each link being received in the elongated slot at each end of the ring when such plate is in locked position.

3. A locking device of the character described. for securing a flanged cover to a container formed with an annular flange extending around its open end, said device comprising a split ring which is substantially semi-circular in transverse section and which encloses the annular flanges on the container and cover when in locked position, and toggle means for moving the opposed terminals of the split ring into substantial meeting engagement to cause the cover to securely engage the open end of the container, said means including a curved locking plate having a plurality of spaced openings adjacent to each end .thereof and forming hinge elements therebetween, such hinge elements lying inside the outer surface of the plate, the ring having an elongated slot adjacent to each end thereof, and being provided with a hinge element between each terminal of the ring and the outer end of the slot, and links connecting the respective hinge elements at adjacent ends of the plate and ring and exerting a substantially uniform thrust against each terminal of the ring during locking movement thereof, each link comprising an elongated, flanged plate formed with ring portions at each end thereof receiving the hinge elements, each link being received in the elongated slot at each end of the ring when such plate is in locked position, thus allowing close engagement between the inner surface of the plate and the adjacent surface of the ring.

4. A locking device of the character described, for securing a flanged cover to a container formed with an annular flange extending around its open end, said device comprising a split ring which is substantially semi-circular in transverse section and which engages the annular flanges on the container and cover when in locked position, and toggle means exerting a substantially uniform thrust against the opposed terminals of the split ring to move such terminals into substantial meeting engagement and cause the cover to securely engage the open end of the container, said means including a curved locking plate having a plurality of spaced openings adjacent to each end thereof and forming a hinge element therebetween, the ring having an elongated slot adjacent to each end thereof, and being provided with a hinge element between each terminal of the ring and the outer end of the slot, and links connecting the respective hinge elements at adjacent ends of the plate and ring, each link comprising an elongated plate formed with ring portions at each end thereof receiving the hinge elements, each link being received in the elongated slot at each end of the ring when such plate is in locked position, the center of the lockingplate being formed with an outwardly projecting area to permit close engagement between such plate and the ring in the location of the hinge elements at the terminals of the ring.

JOHN R. PROCTOR.

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