US2902187A

US2902187A - Padlock dispenser

Info

Publication number: US2902187A
Application number: US633149A
Authority: US
Inventors: Severino J Cabanban
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-01-08
Filing date: 1957-01-08
Publication date: 1959-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-01

Description

sept. 1, 1959 s. J. CABANBAN 2,902,187 l PADLocK DISPENSER Filed Jan. 8, 1957 United States Patent O PADLOCK DISPENSER Severino J. Cabanban, New York, N.Y.

Application January 8, 1957, Serial No. 633,149

2 Claims. (Cl. 221-240) This invention relates to containers and, more particularly, to containers for automatically dispensing open padlocks.

Various types of organizations and institutions require a constant supply of open padlocks for use in sealing various receptacles. This is particularly true in post ofces where ya padlock is used to secure registered mail pouches. In many instances, closed padlocks become mixed with open padlocks such that substantial time and effort is wasted in selecting only the open padlock for use. Also, many padlocks are misplaced and considerable time is expended in locating `such padlocks for use. Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a container for automatically dispensing only open padlocks that is simple in construction, efficient in operation, and which will overcome the aforementioned difliculties.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container for automatically dispensing single open padlocks in a predetermined position.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specication, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 in a modified position.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawing, a container made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a mounting plate to which is secured the basic container structure consisting of spaced parallel base plates 12, 13, land integral arcuate side plates 15, 16. The side plates are joined together along their bottom edge by a lower front wall 18 and adjacent their midportion by an upper connecting wall 19, between which walls a rectangular opening 21 is defined.

A substantially U-sh'aped cover 23 closed by an end wall 24 at one end, is provided with a pair of parallel side Wings 25 that are hingedly connected to the opposed side plates 15, 16, of the base frame by means of pivot pins 26. The rearmost edge of the closure wall 24 is provided with a perpendicularly extending flange 27 that is normally disposed within a recess 28 lat the upper ends of the side plates 15, 16, so as to maintain the cover in a closed position. The cover is mounted for limited longitudinal, movement with the pivot pins 26 so that the flange 27 may be moved out of engagement with the recess 28 to Vrotate the cover to an open position 23a, as shown in Figure 2. A longitudinal rail 30 of U-shaped cross section is supported upon the plate 10 intermediate the side plates 15, 16, and has a slot or cutout 31 at its inner extremity that is in yalignment with similar slots 32, 33, in the spaced base plates of the platform. These aligned slots slideably receive a finger 35 of a T-shaped trigger assembly 36 that is slideably mounted upon a support 37 secured to the front wall 18 of the cover. Forward movement of the trigger assembly against the re- ICC sistance of a compression spring 38 is operative to move the finger 35 towards the front of the housing. 'Ihe central portion of the cover 23 is provided with a longitudinal housing 39 having a longitudinal slot 40 and intersecting transverse slot 41 which slideably receive the leg 43 of a longitudinally disposed latch element 44. In a normally locked and extended position, the latch element 44 is operative to block the passage of locks 50 through the opening 21 in the cover.

In using the device, the cover is opened, as shown in Figure 2, and a plurality of open locks 50 arranged in stacked relationship within the confines of the arcuate side plates 15, 16. In this position, the rail 30 extends between the bifurcated portion of the locks so that only open locks may be inserted therein. In the case of closed locks, the bail 51 which is in a retracted position when the lock is open, would normally be in an extended position thereby blocking the passage of the rail and the proper positioning of the lock. Thus, no closed locks may be placed within the container. A pair of hangers 46 are also provided to facilitate the hanging of the dispenser in `any desired location. However, the dispenser may also be used in a horizontal position as shown in Figure 4. In either case, a forward pressure on the trigger 36, as shown in Figure 2, is operative to effect the engagement of the finger 35 with a single lower lock 50 to thrust it forwardly through the opening 21. The latch element 44 is used to prevent any locks from accidentally leaving the container and thus must be released prior to the operation of the trigger.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the specic form shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as inlparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A dispenser for storing and dispensing open padlocks comprising, in combination, a mounting plate, a base frame secured to said mounting plate having a pair of arcuate side plates and a front connecting wall dening an opening, a platform between said side plates supporting a stack of open p-adlocks, a longitudinal guide rail extending perpendicularly to said platform for guiding engagement within the bight portion of each of the stack of open padlocks for receiving open padlocks and for preventing the insertion of closed padlocks into said dispenser, a trigger assembly for effecting movement of a single lock in a direction perpendicular to the access of said guide rail through said opening, a cover releasably enclosing said base frame comprising a front Wall in substantial alignment with said connecting wall, a latch element supported upon said front Wall for movement between a blocking position in front of said opening and a retracted position relative thereto, the adjacent portions of said guide rail and said platform being provided with aligned slots opening toward said opening, and said trigger assembly including a finger adapted to be received Within said slots for expelling a single lock upon movement of said latch member to said retracted position.

2. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1, wherein said finger is normally disposed in a retracted position within the confines of said rail.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 904,766 Edes Nov. 24, 1908 1,670,797 Carlson May 22, 1928 1,888,279 Manning et al Nov. 22, 1932 2,253,885 Bregou Aug. 26, 1941 2,436,577 Kirby Feb. 24, 1948