US2751240A

US2751240A - Lid fastener

Info

Publication number: US2751240A
Application number: US395073A
Authority: US
Inventors: Claud-Mantle Arthur
Original assignee: Bassick Co
Current assignee: Bassick Co
Priority date: 1953-11-30
Filing date: 1953-11-30
Publication date: 1956-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 1973-06-19

Description

June 19, 1956 A. CLAUD-MANTLE 2,751,240

LID FASTENER Filed Nov. 30, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Arthur Claud Mantle ATTORNEY5 June 19, 1956 Filed Nov. 30, 1953 A. CLAUD-MANTLE 2,751,240

LTD FASTENER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ar fhur Claud Mantle ATTORNEYS v June 19, 1956 Filed Nov. 30, 1953 A. CLAUD-MANTLE LID FASTENER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .6. 4? 7 2 42 5714 fi l: R

Arzhur CZaud-Mantle BY @uefi" J M ATTORNEYS United States at LID FASTENER Application November 30, 1953, Serial No. 395,073

8 Claims. (Cl. 292-413) This invention relates to lid fasteners of the type employed for fastening the lids of boxes, and relates more particularly to a fastener of the type comprising a retaining device adapted to be secured to a box lid and a latching device adapted to be secured to a box body and having a latching member cooperating with the retaining device to exert a resilient downward pull on the box lid.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved lid fastener which is constituted by few and rugged parts and which is inexpensive to produce.

Another object is to provide a lid fastener for a box which lid fastener will not fly open on heavy impact of the box with other objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lid fastener comprising a latching member constantly springbiased to the latching position thereof and having a positive latching action.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a box equipped with a number of fasteners each embodying the invention, the lid of the box being illustrated in closed and latched position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view showing one of the fasteners illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the box and the lid therefor in vertical section and presenting a side view of the fastener illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the latching member of the fastener in another position thereof;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating the latching lever of the fastener in still another position thereof, the lid of the box being removed;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the latching member of the fastener in the position thereof illustrated in Fig. 6, the lid of the box being removed;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1010 of Fig. 7.

In the drawings, there is illustrated, by way of example, a box body having a separable lid, the box being supplied with eight fasteners spaced apart around the periphery of the box and providing a detachable connection between the lid and the box body, the arrangement being such that when all of the fasteners are released the lid may be lifted off the box body. Each fastener comprises an L-shaped retaining device applied to the lid and a latching device applied to the box body, comprising a base plate, a springbiased latching member mounted on the plate, and an operating lever having a pivotal connection to the plate and having an operative connection to the latching mem- 2,751,240 Patented June 19, 1956 her. Each of the aforementioned latching members cooperates with one of the retainers to exert a resilient downward pull on the box lid so that by interposing a resilient gasket member between the lid and the box body, an airtight and liquid-tight connection may be effected between the lid and the box body. To exert a resilient downward pull on the box lid, each latching member is provided with a hooked portion adapted to engage slot-defining means provided by the corresponding retaining device on the box lid. The base plate of each latching device is dished and is countersunk in the side wall structure of the box body so that the operating lever and a considerable portion of the latching member are recessed in the side wall structure of the box body, when the latching member is in the lid-fastening or operative position.

In the drawings, the box body is indicated generally at iii, the lid at 11, the retaining devices applied to the lid at 12, and the latching devices cooperating with the corresponding retaining devices at 13. In the latching device 13, illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, for example, the base plate is indicated at 14, the latching member at 15, and the operating lever at 16. The hook provided at the upper end of the latching member 15 is indicated at 17, and the slot-defining means provided by the retaining device l2 and cooperating with the hook 17 is indicated at 1%. As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, for example, a resilient gasket member interposed between the box body and the lid is indicated at 19.

in the drawings, the base plate 14 is illustrated as a vertically elongated member having a rim 20 which is secured to the side wall structure of the box body by fasteners 21 spaced around a cut-out 22 in the side wall structure of the box body. The cut-out 22 receives the sunken or depressed portion 23 of the base plate, which portion 23 has an imperforate floor 24. A gasket 25 is interposed between the rim Zil of the base plate and the margin of the cut-out 22 to effect a seal therebetween. The latching member 15 and the operating lever 16 are mounted in the sunken or depressed portion 23 of the base plate. The operating lever 16 is pivoted in the upper portion of the base plate 14, the pivotal mounting being provided between what may be termed the upper end of the operating lever 16 and a box-like vertically elongated bracket 26 received in the upper end portion of the plate recessand having. asubstantially flat inner portion 27 abutting the floor 24 of the plate and welded thereto. The bracket 26 may be formed of sheet metal and is provided with two opposite outwardly bent side walls 28 cut away, as at 29. The bracket 26 also has an outwardly bent top wall 30 having a right angular extension 31 extending upwardly and overlying a portion of the rim 20 of the base plate. The bottom wall 32 of the bracket is formed by opposing right angular extensions 33 at the lower extremities of the side walls 28. The bottom wall 32 of the bracket has two depending portions 34 arranged side by side and having substantially flatwise engagement with the floor 24 of the base plate, each portion 34 depending from one of the extensions 33. Two lugs 35 in side-by-side relationship extend upwardly from the bottom wall 32 of the bracket, each lug 35 extending upwardly from one of the extensions 33. The extensions 33 may be cut awayas at 36 to accommodate portions of the operating lever 16 when. the lever 16 is in the inoperative position thereof, illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, for example. The box-like bracket 26 has a mouth in the outer portion thereof which is substantially flush with the rim 20 of the base plate. The bracket 26 occupies substantially the upper half of the plate recess.

In the embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the drawings, the operating lever 16 is generally of U-shape,

the sides thereof being substantially parallel and being flattened as at 37. The sides of the lever 16 have distal end portions 38 which are oifset and directed inwardly toward the portion 27 of the bracket. The end portions 38 of the lever 16 are disposed intermediate the side walls 28 of the bracket, each end portion 38 being disposed adjacent one of the side walls 28. Two pins 39 may be employed for pivotally mounting the operating lever 16 to the bracket 26 intermediate the top and bottom walls thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, for example. Each pin 39 extends through one of the portions 38 of the lever 16 and extends through the adjacent side wall 28 of the bracket.

Adjacent the bottom wall 32 of the bracket, one of the side walls 28 of the bracket is provided with an aperture 40 cooperating with a detent 41 on one of the sides of the operating lever 16 to inhibit dislocation of the lever 16 from the inoperative position thereof, illlustrated in Fig. 9. Two apertures 42 are provided in the operating lever 16 below and outwardly of the pins 39, each aperture 42 being located in one of the portions 37 of the lever 16 and being slightly elongated in a direction generally lengthwise of the lever 16. The apertures 42 in the operating lever are in horizontal alignment and are provided for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. The operating lever 16 extends a distance below the bottom wall 32 of the bracket in the inoperative position thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 2. and 6, and in this position of the lever 16, the lower portion thereof may be readily grasped for manipulation of the operating lever.

The latching member 15 of the latching device may be conveniently constructed of sheet metal in the form illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, having below the hook portion 17 thereof, a straight portion 43 having at the lower extremity thereof an inwardly bent portion 44. The operating lever is widened, as at 45, a distance above the inwardly bent portion 44 and is provided with a straight depending portion 46 adjoining the inwardly bent portion 44 thereof, the portion 46 being substantially flush with the rim of the base plate in the positions of the latching member illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6. At the lower extremity of the portion 46 of the latching member, the latching member is provided with a right angular inwardly extending portion 47. Two ribs 48 are provided on the latching member extending longitudinally of the portion 43 at the inner face thereof, the ribs 48 being laterally spaced apart and extending upwardly a distance from the inwardly bent portion 44 of the latching member, and the ribs 48 being located at opposite sides and closely adjacent to the upper extension 31 of the bracket, as illustrated in Fig. 7. The ribs 48 serve to strengthen the latching member and also cooperate with the upper extension 31 of the bracket to guide the latching member for vertical and rectilinear movement. The latching member 15 may also be provided with a rib 49 extending longitudinally and centrally of the latching member and extending throughout the portion 46 at the inner face thereof. The latching member is mounted on the bracket 26 for vertical and swinging movement by means of a pair of pins 50 laterally spaced apart and extending through the top and bottom walls of the bracket 26. The pins 50 are provided with heads 51 which are closely confined between the top wall 30 of the bracket and the upper end of the plate recess. The pins 50 terminate a short distance below the bottom wall 32 of the bracket. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the pins 50 have their longitudinal axes disposed approximately midway between the rim 20 and the floor 24 of the base plate in substantially the plane of the side wall structure of the box body. Each pin 50 extends through one of the extensions 33 of the bracket. The flange or lower inwardly extending portion 47 of the latching member is provided with two apertures 52 and one pin 50 extends through each of the apertures 52. The pins 50 are loosely received in the apertures 52 so that the latching member 15 may swing outwardly on the pins 50, as illustrated in Fig. 5. From the foregoing, it will be understood that the latching member 15 is mounted for swinging movement and vertical floating or sliding movement.

The retainer or catch part 12 carried by the box lid and cooperating with the laching member 15 may be constituted by an L-shaped strap having one leg 53 riveted or otherwise secured to the top of the lid and having the other leg 54 extending downwardly and provided with the aforementioned slot-defining means 18 engageable with the hook 17 of the latching member. The hook 17 of the latching member may have its uppermost surface disposed along a gradual arc, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The hook 17 engages over the lower edge of the slot-defining means 18 in the manner shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings.

Two coil springs 55 are provided, each spring 55 embracing one of the pins 50 and having the upper end thereof engaging the top wall 30 of the bracket at the under side thereof and having the lower end thereof engaging the flange or lower portion 47 of the latching member at the upper side thereof, the arrangement being such that the springs 55 are constantly under compression between the top wall 30 of the bracket and the portion 47 of the latching member, urging the latching member downwardly to the position thereof illustrated in Fig. 6. A generally U-shaped bail 56 is provided to raise and swing the latching member outwardly to the position thereof, illustrated in Fig. 5. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the bail 56 is staddled by the operating lever 16. The bail 56 has a horizontally extending lower portion 57 and has parallel arm portions 58 substantially at right angles to the portion 57, the arms 58 being bent outwardly at their distal ends, as at 59. Each of the outwardly bent portions 59 of the bail is received in one of the apertures 42 formed in the operating lever and the lower portion 57 of the bail underlies and is engageable with the flange 47 of the latching member at the inner extremity thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. The end portions 59 of the bail are loosely received in the apertures 42 formed in the operating lever 16, so that the bail has a lost motion connection with the operating lever. The portions 59 of the bail overlie the outer edges of the side walls 28 of the bracket at the cut-away portions thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 9. The arm portions 58 of the bail extend upwardly and outwardly, the swinging axis of the bail 56 being disposed intermediate the longitudinal axes of the pins 50 and the rim 20 of the base plate, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Figs. 5 and 6 also illustrate that the pivotal axis of the operating lever 16 is interposed intermediate the longitudinal axes of the pins 50 and the inner portion 27 of the bracket.

In the lowermost or inoperative position of the latching member 15, illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the latching member is in substantially parallel relationship to the wall structure of the box body, the flange 47 of the latching member being spaced upwardly from the bottom wall 32 of the bracket by the lower portion 57 of the bail and the lugs 35 of the bracket, the lugs 35 engaging the latching lever at substantially the junction of the

portions

47 and 46 thereof. In the inoperative position of the latching member 15, a large portion of the member 15 is received within the plate recess. Owing to the engagement of the horizontally extending portion 57 of the bail with the under side of the flange 47 of the latching member at the inner extremity of the latter, and owing to the outward inclination of the arm portions 58 of the ball, the spring-pressed latching member 15 is moved upwardly and tipped outwardly by the bail 56 when the operating lever 16 is moved from the position illustrated in Fig. 6 to the position illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The latching member 15 may be righted from the tipped position thereof by manipulation of the member 15. In this manner, the hook 17 of the latching member may be engaged with the slot-defining means 18 of the retaining device 12 applied to the box lid.

The fully raised position of the flange 47 at the lower end of the latching member is illustrated in Fig. 5. As shown in this view, further upward movement of the operating lever 16 is prevented by engagement of the portions 37 of the operating lever with the under side of the top wall 30 of the bracket. When engaged with the top wall 30 of the bracket, the operating lever 16 extends from the side wall structure of the box body at substantially right angles. When the hook 17 of the latching member has been engaged with the slot-defining means 18 of the retaining device and the operating lever 16 is released by the user, the springs 55 press the latching member 15 downwardly and rectilinearly to the position thereof illustrated in Fig. 2, the latching member 15 exerting a resilient downward pull on the box lid. In the position of the latching member illustrated in Fig. 2, the springs 55 are under considerable compression. The aforementioned cooperation between the ribs 48 and the upper extension 31 of the bracket serves to guide the flatching member 15 for rectilinear movement when and as the latter is moved downwardly to the fully latched position. When the latching member 15 is moved to the latched position thereof by the action of the springs 55, the interengagement of the latching member 15 with the operating lever 16 through the bail 56 causes the operating lever 16 to be swung downwardly to the broken line position thereof, illustrated in Fig. 4. The operating lever 16 may then be moved manually from the broken line position thereof to the full line or inoperative position thereof, illustrated in Fig. 4, the bail 56 being lowered to the full line position thereof, illustrated in Fig. 4, by the aforementioned manipulation of the operating lever 16. It will be noted that the lower portion 57 of the bail is held captive between the pins 50 and the portion 27 of the bracket. In the lowered position of the bail 56, illustrated in full lines in Fig. 4, the lower portion 57 of the bail rests on the upper side of the bottom wall 32 of the bracket, the portion 57 of the bail being spaced downwardly from the flange 47 at the lower end of the latching member. In the inoperative position of the operating lever 16, the operating lever is disposed substantially in parallelism with the side wall structure of the box body and is disposed in substantially flush relationship with the rim 29 of the base plate. The aforementioned detent 41 provided on the operating lever 16 and cooperating with the aperture 40 provided in the bracket serves to inhibit dislocation of the operating lever 16 from the inoperative position thereof. When unlatching the member 15 from the retainer 12, the operating lever 16 may be moved to the broken line position thereof, illustrated in Fig. 4, by merely grasping the operating lever 16 at the free end thereof and exerting suflicient outward pressure on the same to-overcome the aforementioned detent means. When the operating lever 16 is in the broken line position thereof, illustrated in Fig. 4, the bail 56 is engaged with the under side of the flange 47 at the lower end of the latching member and to raise the latching member 15 to unlatch the same, sufiicient upward pressure must be exerted on the operating lever 16 to further compress the springs 55 by the action of the bail 56. Upward movement of the operating lever 16 from the broken line position thereof, illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, lifts the latching member 15 and tips the member 15 outwardly to release the latter from the retainer 12.

When the box lid 11 is removed from the box body, the operating lever 16 may be returned to the inoperative position thereof substantially in the manner described above. Owing to the aforementioned provision of a lost motion connection between the bail 56 and the operating lever 16, spring-pressed movement of the latching member 15 to the position thereof, illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, moves the operating lever 16 to a position intermediate the broken line and full line positions thereof, illustrated in Fig. 4, thereby inhibiting pinching or other injury to fingers of the user which 6 might be interposed between the operating lever and the bracket-equipped base plate 14. The operating lever 16 may be moved from the last-mentioned position thereof to the fully inoperative position by manipulation of the operating lever 16. In the operative or latched position of the member 15, the latching member 15 may be spaced upwardly from the lugs 35 of the bracket. However, in the inoperative position of the latching member 15, illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, for example, the flange 47 at the lower end of the latching member is pressed firmly against the lugs 35 of the bracket and the power portion 57 of the bail by the action of the springs 55. When the latching member 15 and the operating lever 16 are positioned as illustrated in Fig. 6, the operating lever 16 may be swung outwardly to the aforementioned position intermediate the broken line and full line positions thereof, illustrated in Fig. 4, without causing further compression of the springs 55, owing to the provision of the aforementioned lost motion connection between the bail 56 and the operating lever 16. In this intermediate position, the operating lever 16 may be firmly grasped by the user so that the user may easily exert suflicient upward pressure on the operating lever 16 to move the latter and the latching member 15 to their positions shown in Fig. 5. This is a distinct advantage where the springs 55 are sufliciently heavy to exert a very strong downward thrust on the latching member 15.

In accordance with the disclosure, there is provided a lid fastener adapted to exert a resilient downward pull on a box lid and comprising an operating lever swingably mounted on a base plate and carrying a pivotally mounted bail. The lid fastener also comprises an elongated latching member having one end thereof mounted on the base plate for swinging and vertical floating movement, the bail being swingable relatively to the latching member and cooperating therewith to effect a connection between the latching member and the box lid. The improved lid fastener also comprises spring means interposed between the base plate and the latching member, urging the latching member to the latched position in all pivoted or tipped positions thereof. Hence, the box lid 11 might be secured to the box body 10 by the latching member 15 which has a positive latching action, even if the box lid were to be moved to the left from the position thereof illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In other words the spring-pressed latching member, though tipped almost as far as the position thereof illustrated in Fig. 5, would exert a resilient downward pull on the box lid if the latching member were engaged with the retainer 12.

Very important advantages of the lid fastener are at tributable to the aforementioned mounting of the latching member 15. One such advantage is that the fastener will not fly open like an overcenter toggle on heavy impact of the box with other objects. The lid fastener of the invention will not fly open under the conditions described above, as the lower end of the latching member 15 is mounted on a stationary part and may not swing outwardly from the box like the latching lever of an overcenter toggle, which latching lever has a pivot pivoting the lever to a swingable operating member.

It may be noted that when the fastener of the invention is either inoperative or operative to secure the box lid, the operating lever 16 and a large part of the latching member 15 are flush with the rim 20 of the base plate 14, the construction and arrangement being such that the fastener will not readily catch on clothing or other objects. This is a distinct advantage. The lid fastener of the invention is of relatively simple structure and is very rugged. It is also inexpensive to produce. It will also be appreciated that when the fastener of the invention is employed with a box equipped with a compressible gasket between the lid and the body thereof, the box lid may be secured by the fastener in such a manner that an air-tight and water-tight seal is provided.

While the preferred embodiment of the lid fastener of the invention (has been illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that various changes in the organiza- "tion 16f ;parts .and in details may be made without departure from the principles of the invention and the scope :of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a fastening assembly for attachment to a box body'to'fasten a box'lid, a bracket, a swingable operating lever having one end thereof pivoted to the bracket, and latchingmeans connected to the bracket and adapted to exert a resilient downward pull on the box lid, said means comprising a latching member having a portion thereof adapted for fastening the box lid, the latching member being mounted for sliding and vswinging movement, the operating lever having operative means of connection with the latching member, said last-named means being swingable relatively to the latching member and said lever.

2. In a'lid fastener, a fastening assembly adapted for attachment to a box body and which exerts a resilient downward pull on a box lid, comprising a vertically arranged mounting plate, an operating lever having one end thereof pivoted to the mounting plate for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a vertically elongated latching member having a swingable and upwardly floating connection with the mounting plate, the latching member having the upperend thereof adapted for fastening the .box lid, resilient means between the mounting plateand the latching member and urging the latching member downwardly, and operative means of connection between the latching member and the operating lever and swingable relatively to said member and said lever, said last-named means comprising an element having a pivotal and lost-motion connection with said lever.

3.111 a lid fastener, a fastening assembly adapted for attachment to a box body and which exerts a resilient downward pull on abox lid, comprising a vertically arranged mounting plate, an operating lever having one end thereof pivoted to the mounting plate for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a vertically elongated latching member having a swingable and upwardly floating connection with the mounting plate, the latching member having the upper end thereof adapted for fastening the box lid, resilient means between the mounting plate and the latching member and urging the latching member downwardlyzand operative means of connection between the latchingmember and the operating lever and swingable relatively to said member and said lever, said lastnamed means comprising a substantially U-shaped bail engageable with the latching member and having a pivotal andlost-motion connection with said lever.

4. l'n a lid fastener, a fastening assembly for attachment to a box body and which exerts a resilient downward. pull on a box lid, comprising a vertically arranged mounting plate,'a bifurcated operating lever having the arms-thereof pivoted to the mounting plate for swinging movement in .a vertical plane, a vertically elongated latching' member having an upwardly displaceable and swingable connection with the mounting plate, the latching member-having the upper end thereof adapted for fasteningthelbox lidand having an inwardly extending flange at the lower end thereof, the latching member being straddled by the operating lever, spring means disposed between the mounting plate and said flange of the latching member urging the latching member downwardly, and a substantially U-shaped bail member having the arms thereof pivoted to the respective arms of the operating lever intermediate the ends of the last-mentioned arms,'-said .bail member straddling the latching member andhavingthe lower portion thereof disposed below said llange'ofthe latching member, the lower portion of the-bail being engageable :with said flange to raise the latching-member.

5. In a lid fastener, a fastening assembly for attachment to a box body and which exerts a resilientdownward ,pull on a box lid, comprising a vertically arranged mounting plate, a bifurcated operating lever having 'the arms thereof pivoted to the mounting plate for swinging movement in a vertical plane, the mounting plate having an upper outwardly and horizontally extending part and having an outwardly and horizontally extending part below said upper part, a pair of laterally spaced apart pins extending through said parts, two coil springs disposed intermediate said parts, one spring being mounted on each of said pins, a vertically elongated latching member straddled by said lever and having the upper end thereof adapted for fastening the box .lid, said latching member having an inwardly directed flange at the lower end thereof, said pins extending through said flange and mounting the latching member for .vertical floating and swinging movement, said springs being compressed and having their lower ends engaging the upper side of said flange to urge the latching member downwardly, and a substantially U-shaped bail member having the arms thereof pivoted to the respective arms of the operating lever and having the lower portion thereof disposed intermediate said lower part of the mounting plate and said flange, said lower portion of said bail member being engageable with the underside of said flange to raise the latching member.

6. in a fastening assembly for attachment to a box body to fasten a box lid, a mounting member, latching means comprising an upwardly elongated latching memberliaving the upper end thereof adapted to fasten the box lid and having the lower end thereof connected to the mounting member for upward sliding movement of the'latching member, the latching member being springbiased in a downward direction to exert a resilient downward pull on the box lid, and a bifurcated operating lever straddling the latching member and having the arms thereof pivoted to the mounting member, the operating lever having operative means of connection with the latching member, whereby the latter may be raised.

7. in a fastening assembly for attachment to a box body and adapted to exert a resilient downward pull on a box lid, a mounting member, a vertically swingable operating lever pivoted at one end to the mounting memher, a latching member having an upper end for exerting a downward pull on the lid, the latching member having the lower end thereof slidably and swingably mounted on said mounting member and spring-pressed in a downward direction, and a swingable connecting member providing an operating connection between said operating lever and said latching member.

8. In a lid fastener for attachment to a box body and adapted to exert a resilient downward pull on the box lid, a vertically arranged bracket adapted to be secured to the box body and having a top wall, two side walls, and a bottom wall, a bifurcated operating lever having the arms thereof pivoted to the respective side wallsof the bracket for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a vertically elongated latching member straddled by the operating lever and having the upper end thereof adapted for fastening the box lid, the latching member having the lower portion thereof extending into said bracket intermediate the side walls thereof, and mounted-therein for vertical floating and swinging movement, spring means interposed between the top wall of the bracket and the lower portion of the latching member and urging the latching member downwardly, the bottom wall of the bracket being provided with means cooperating with means on the latching member to limit downward movement of the latter and to maintain the latching member approximately parallel to the plane of said bracketin the inoperative position thereof, and a U-shaped bail member having the arms thereof pivotally connected to the arms of the operating lever intermediate the ends of the last-mentioned arms andhaving the .lower:;Portion 9 thereof disposed intermediate the lower extremity of the latching member and the bottom wall of the bracket, the lower portion of the bail member being engageable with the lower extremity of the latching member to raise the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 9, 1934