US2350799A - Portable article - Google Patents

Description

June 6, 1944.

' PORTABLE ARTICLE c. R. MORRIS 2,350,799

2 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Jan. 26, 1942 Clremoni Haber? Morris AT TO RNEY June 6; 1944.

c. R. MORRIS PORTABLE ARTICLE 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26

lhllu INVENTOR Robert Morris Claremonl BY ATTORNE.

Patented June 6, 1944 Claremont Robert Morris, New York, N. y.

Application January 26, 1942, Serial No. 428,315

2 Claims.

This invention relates to portable articles, more especially of the stafi type such as umbrellas, canes, crutches and the like.

One prevalent inconvenience in connection with carrying articles of the character indicated arises in public places, for instance in cafeterias, when attempting to carry said article and a tray of food at the same time. To avoid this inconvenience, a portable article, specifically an umbrella, is often left on a chair while the owner proceeds to the business of the moment elsewhere, and on return to the chair, the owner of the umbrella finds it has been taken, by mistake or otherwise.

It therefore constitutes an object of the present invention to provide a handy means for preventing loss of a portable article when left for a brief period.

Another object of the invention is to provide a securing means which is a part of the article. i

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, keyless locking mechanism adaptable to articles of various kinds and character.

Other objects of the invention will appear to those skilled in the art as the description progresses, both by direct statement and by implication from the context.

In the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a partial elevation of an umbrella showing my invention embodied as part thereof and in locked condition; v V V Figure 2 is a similar view but with the invention shown in unlocked condition; v

Figures 3 and 4 are views of a modified construction, Figure 3 showing the invention in the normal position, and Figure 4 illustrating the locking mechanism extended; 1

Figure 5 is a view of a cane embodying the same structure of securing mechanism asin Figures3and4;

Figure 6 is a view of an umbrella showing adaptation of the invention to a full-loop handle;

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are longitudinal sectional views of the locking mechanism of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 and showing several po- Figure 13 is a sectionalviewof the locking mechanism of the embodiment of Figured I, I

Exemplary of portable'articles in general,-Fig-r ures 1 and 2 illustrate the-inventionin connection with an umbrella l5 having a handle 16 of a usual construction and shape; A- flexible member ll, such as a cord or the like, passes through a transverse hole near the upper. end -of the handle. Umbrellas with flexible cords through the handle are not uncommon, the cords,-.-how-; ever, being formed asa continuousloop foracarrying or other purposes. According to thepresent invention, the said flexible'memben'or cord-is rendered separable at-one partof its length, and thereat is provided a locking .mechanism ,f l8 which has the character of a knob asanllnitary andcontinuouspart of the loop whenclosed.- Theloop and locking mechanism together'formf a securing means by which the umbrella or the. like can be temporarily afiixed to a chairorthe. like and thus secured against surreptitious Lre-l moval. The locking mechanism is preferably. ot a keyless character and is shown :as a 'combination lock, details ofwhi-ch are more 'clea'rlyfdeg picted in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

Whilethe, detail construction of lock'ma be considerably varied within'the scopeiotmy. invention, the general featuresv of the particular lock shown will be described for purposes of f definite recitation of oneoperable. arrangement. .,As shown, the several parts of the locking-mechanism are cylindrical, and for brevity, willbe so de.- scribed, but without limitation ,tothat, particular shape. Likewise the locking member isljhe'r'e shown as constituted by four parts}. but h'ere again no limitation is imposed, as any desired. or greater number of parts may bev employed. Fur-i thermore no attempt is made to, show theyfabri,

cation of the several. parts enabling thesame to be assembled, since it is,.within the realm of the mechanic to form the individualparts of appropriate sections and, after assembly, weld brother: wise unify the sections into the illustrated part interlocked operatively with a next adjacent part. Final fabrication ,of the locking mechanism. accordingly is shown as comprising a cylindrical head part l9 at the central, axis of which isate tached, as by extending axially through; thehead part and riveting at,the inner face. thereof, the end portion of the flexible member H, Next the periphery of this head member is an inwardly projecting undercut circular fiange; id-which interlocks rotatably with anoutwardly directed fiangeZl extending peripherally ofthe next ade jacent end of a first dial member 22. Atthe other end of this first dial member is another undercut circular fl 2. ,Web nterleck 1:9.

A T- or cross-bar 28 on the inner end of a cylindrical or other shank 29 projecting from a cylindrical member 30, is adapted to be inserted into and retained in said space until the dial members are properly set for its release. For convenience in referring to said member 30, the same will be identified as the releasable member of the locking mechanism. The other end of the flexible member or cord is suitably secured to this releasable member, this being accomplished in the present showing by extending the said flexible member axially through the said member and riveting it at its inner end.

The first dial member 22 has an inwardly directed flange 3| one flat face of which constitutes the aforementioned shoulder of that dial member. Said flange provides diametrically opposed channels 32 longitudinally thereof and of appropriate width to receive the cross-bar 28 therein. The second dial member likewise has diametrically opposed channels 33 adapted to register with the channels 32 of the first dial member. It is only at such position of registration of these channels that the cross-head 28 can pass through the channels and be released. Suitable 'dial markings on the exterior of the dial members and on the releasable member enable the owner, acquainted with the combination, to set the several members to releasing or non-releasing positions as desired.

In Figures 3, 4, 5, 10 and 1 1, the construction is modified so as to permit enclosing the flexible member and to utilize the locking mechanism as an end knob on the handle. With particular reference to Figures 10 and 11, it will be found the locking. mechanism has definite similarity to the one above described, so that the differences only will be now elaborated. A head member l9 closely akin .to head member" I9 is provided, differing only in not having an end of the flexible member attached thereto. Within the head member is a cylindrical space 21 as before, the

space adapted to receive a T- or cross-head 28 rotatably therein. Furthermore said head member has an inwardly. projecting undercut flange 20 which interlocks rotatably with an outwardly directed flange 2| extending peripherally of the next adjacent end of the first dial member 22 all as in the previously described embodiment. At the other end of this first dial member 22 is another undercut flange 23 which interlocks rotatably with an outwardly directed flange 24 of the second dial member 25'. Both dial members provide channels adapted to register and release the cross-head from retention in the cylindrical space 21. Channels 32 in the first dial member are as previously described, but the channels 33 in the second dial member are modified to the extent they are closed, as at 34, at their far ends from the cross-head and head member. The cross-head is accordingly partially releasable but irremovable. The second dial member is also modified to provide a central and circular socket 35 beyond the channel closures 34, the purpose for which will presently appear.

Cross-head 28 in the construction being described (Figs. 10 and 11) is at one end of a shank 29 projecting from a cylindrical member 30' which in this instance is made fast to the article handle. As shown, said cylindrical member is screw threaded into said handle, as at 36, and retained permanently as by a set screw 31. Now it will be seen that when the combination is properly set .to register the dial-member channels, the dial members and head as a unit may be moved up or down at will. A terminal member 38 is provided substantially circular in cross-section and having a diameter substantially that of the dial members. On the upper side of this terminal member is integrally formed a protuberance 39 of appropriate size to enter and substantially fit within aforementioned socket 35 of the second dial member. In order to introduce the said terminal memberin axial alinement with the dial members, it is slotted inwardly, as at 49, with appropriate width and length of slot to pass shank 29 with a movement in a radial direction. The unit comprising the dial members and head member can be slid upward from the article handle far enough to admit the total thickness of said terminal member below the said unit. Then by sliding the unit downward, it engages protuberance 39 in socket 35 and in that position retains the terminal member against removal.

The-terminal member has the flexible member l1 secured thereto and projecting from the under side thereof at a position opposite the end of the slot in said terminal member. Threaded cylindrical member 30' and the contiguous part of article handle l6 are slotted at M to provide for passage of said flexible member into and out of said handle which is made hollow for the purpose. In use of the modification of Figures 3, 4, -5, 10 and 11, the lock mechanism is first unlocked, thereby permitting lateral withdrawal of the disclike terminal member 38. Since the flexible member I1 is fast withrespect to the terminal member, it is drawn from the handle, full withdrawal being prevented'by attachment of the inner end, as for instance in the same manner as previously described. The end withdrawn can be looped through a chair-back or other place of attachment and th terminal member returned to place on the article. The dial members are then slid back to securing position, thereby holding the terminal member with the flexible member thus forming a closed loop. Locking the dial members thus obtains a locked closed loop of the flexible member which will prevent loss of the article by petty thievery or accidental removal.

The invention is not necessarily confined to use of flexible members or cords, and illustrative of other means, Figures 6 and 13 show a full loop handle the loop of which can be opened, engaged over a chair-back and then locked closed. Handle [6" of the article, such as umbrella 15'', has a loop handle part 42 hinged thereto, as at 43, at the outer end of the handle. The loop curves backinto end engagement with a lower part of the handle, and is there engaged by locking means of which said loop is apart.

The structure shown accomplishing the pur pose forms the end of the swinging handle or loop part 42 with a cross-head 28 thereon. As the handle or loop part closes, this cross-head'is adapted to enter registering channels of interlocked rotatable dial members in turn having rotatable interlocked engagement with a circular flange 20" constituting part of the handle and appropriately situated at the side thereof. The dial members are rotatable to retain the crosshead within a cylindrical space 21 by shoulders 26.

Obviously other detail modifications and changes made be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself except as set forth in the following claims when construed in the light of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A portable article providing a handle havin loop means secured next an end of said handle, said loop means having a discontinuity enabling the loop to be open-ended when desired to apply the same to a temporaryholding member, said loop projecting in part beyond the end of said handle, and locking mechanism having a part thereof a permanent part of said loop means, said locking mechanism also having a part thereof constituting an end knob forthe handle.

2. A portable article providing a handle and said handle having loop means secured thereto, said loop means having a discontinuity enabling the loop to be open-ended when desired to apply the same to a temporary holding member and closable to re-establish the loop while so applied, said handle being hollow and said loop being flexible and adapted to be situated in its entirety in the hollow handle, and locking mechanism having a part thereof a permanent part of said loop means.

CLAREMONT ROBERT MORRIS.

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