US3151370A

US3151370A - Fastening device

Info

Publication number: US3151370A
Application number: US206395A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Raymond A Beghetto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-06-29
Filing date: 1962-06-29
Publication date: 1964-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 1981-10-06

Description

Oct. 1964 R. A. BEGHETTO, JR 3,151,370

FASTENING DEVICE Filed June 29, 1962 INVENTOR. Pay/14mm 4. 5567/5770, we;

United States Patent 3,151,370 FASTENING DEVICE Raymond A. Beghetto, Jr., 1008 W. 22nd St., Cheyenne, Wyo. Filed June 29, 1962, Ser. No. 206,395 3 Claims. (CI. 24-16) This invention relates to the general field of securing means and, more specifically, the instant invention pertains to fastening devices.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a fastening device for securing, in juxtaposition, the free edges of a pair of lid sections forming the closure member of a box, container, receptacle, and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fastening device for the lid sections of a closure member for a container, receptacle, box, and the like, wherein the fastener device may be quickly and easily installed, the installation being accomplished without the use of tools.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a fastening device of the type referred to supra, wherein the device is so constructed as to be adaptable for re-use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fastening device constructed of a pair of identical units wherein the component elements of one unit are interchangeable with corresponding elements of the other'unit.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, the provision of a fastening device or means which is non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture, and which is durable in use.

Other and further advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a fastening means constructed in accordance with this invention and showing the same in its operative position securing together two lid sections of a closure member for a container, receptacle, box, or the like;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the fastening device shown in FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2 showing an intermediate stage of the application of the device to the closure member;

FIGURE 3 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 3 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 33 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the ar-' rows;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the locking tongue employed in the fastening device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of the locking device shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 illustrates a second embodiment of this "invention wherein the use of the locking tongue of FIG- URE 4 is eliminated;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective 'view of one of the locking device units illustrated in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 8 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 88 of FIGURE 6, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of one of the prong members in blank form.

Referring now more specifically to the drawing, and to that embodiment of this invention as is' illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 5, inclusive, reference numeral 10 designates, in general, a fastening device constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. -As has been heretofore indicated, the fastener 10 is adapted to hold in juxtaposition a pair of lid sections 1'4, 16 of 'a closure member designated, in general, for a box, recep- "Ice tacle, container, and the like (not shown) of conventional construction.

The fastening device 10 is formed of a pair of identically-constructed units applied one to each of the

lid sections

14, 16 and secured together by a third means.

Each of the fastening units is preferably formed of a soft metallic material, but other materials may be employed. Each unit of the fastening device 10 is seen to comprise a prong element 18 (see FIGURE 7) having a discoidal central body portion 20 provided with a pair of diametrically opposed circumferentially spaced, upwardly and outwardly-

flaring flanges

22, 24. As is clearly seen in FIGURE 7, the element 18, between each pair of adjacent ends of the

flanges

22, 24 is integral with downwardly-turned, substantially

rectangular flanges

26, 28, respectively, diametrically-opposed with respect to one another. The other ends of the

flanges

26, 28 are reduced in width and are reverted at 30, 32, and again at 34, 36 to provide a pair of

prongs

38, 40 having arcuately-

shaped terminal ends

42, 44, respectively. The

prongs

38, 40 are reverted in order to provide reinforcement for the central body portion 20.

The prong member 18 is formed, reference now being made to FIGURE 9 of the drawing, from a blank of metallic or other suitable material which is crimped or folded on arcuate lines 46, 48 to form the

flanges

22, 24 and on the

parallel lines

50, 52, 54 and 56, 58, 60 to designate the lines of

reversion

30, 34 and 32, 36, respectively.

The locking tongue member is indicated at 62 in FIG- URE 4 and is also formed of a relatively thin flat soft metal which may be easily bent. The member 62' is essentially rectangular in configuration and comprises three separate sections or portions including an arcuately-shaped end portion 64 from the inner side of which is integrally connected a centrally-located shank 66 that tapers in width toward an elongated substantially rectangular end portion 68 of uniform dimensions, and with which it isinte grally connected. The outer end of the portion 68"is rounded or blunted as at 70. The junction of the inner end of the shank portion 66 with the end portion 68 is demarked by a pair of identical grooves 72, 74 inclined inwardly at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tongue member 62 and disposed on opposite sides of the end portion 68. The arcuate end portion 64, adjacent its conjunction with the adjacent end of the shank portion 66, is arcuately and inwardly notched, as at 75, 78.

Reference numeral 80 generally connotes a clamp plate comprising a flat cylindrical main body portion 82 having a pair of transversely-extending, diametrically-opposed and

parallel slots

84, 86 formed therein. A flange 88 flares lateral from the circumferential marginal edge of the main body portion 82 at one side thereof, the flange 88 having a substantially hollow frusto-conical configuration.

'

ing slots

100, 102 disposed in'spaced parallel relation relative to each other and adjacent their respective free edges,

only one pair being shown in FIGURE 7. Thespacing inwardly of each pair of slots 102, 104 from the free edges of each closure section is preferably the same, but may i I be varied, if so desired.

The spacing between each pair of

slots

84, 86, and 92, 94, and 1%, 182' is the same, and under some circumstances to be described infra, the several pairs of slots are designed to be aligned with each other to receive the

prongs

38, 40 therethr-ough. The component elements of the fastening device 10 having been illustrated and described in detail, it is believed that the application of the invention is self-evident. However, a brief description of its utility and versatility is set forth below.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 to S, inclusive, and also 'to FIGURE 7, and assuming that the box lid sections 14,

'16 are closed and'that each

box lid section

14, 16 is provided with the pairs of slots 190, 102 aligned with each other, the prongs 38, 49 of one of the prong members 18 is inserted through each pair of slots 1'06, 102. The insertion is made from the upper sides of the

lid sections

14, 16. The

lid sections

14, 16 may now be pivoted so that their respective free edges move away. from one another to permit the

prongs

38, 40 to be inserted first through the

slots

92, 94 of the disc member'9ti and subsequently through the

slots

84, 86 of the clamp plate 80. While not necessary to the successful operation of the fastening device, it is preferable that the clamp plate 8t be threaded on the

prongs

38, 40 in such a manner so as to elfect line contactof the flange 88 with the underside of the

lid sections

14, 16. The thong '98 will, under these circumstances, project beyond the flange 88, but this is of no consequence. The

prongs

38, 40 are now bent laterally away from one another (see FIGURE in such a manner as to permit a small amount of movement of the central body portion 20 toward and-awayfrom the exterior sides of the

lid sections

14, 16.

The tongue member 62 is now inserted beneath each of the two central body portion-s 20 after the

lid sections

14, 16 are moved into substantially coplanar or closed positions between each pair of

prongs

38, 40. From FIGURE 1 of the drawing it will :be seen that the distance between each of the

prongs

38, 40 is sufiicient to accommodate the width of the end portion 63 of the tongue member 62. It will also be noted that with the tongue member-62 fully inserted, the

arcuate notches

75, 78 are preferably proximate the adjacent ends of the reverted

portions

30, 34 and 32, 36 of the

prongs

38, 40 of one of the prong members 13. Similarly, the grooves72, 74 have passed through the other of the prong members hetwee'n'its respective prongs 38, 4t and are disposed proximate the other of the reverted

portions

30, 34 and 32, 36 of the second of the prong members.

Thenotches

75, 78 are rounded and are norm-ally positioned proximate a pair of edges of the

prongs

38, 40 to receive the reverted

portions

30, 34 and 32, 36, whereby the ,tongue'member 62 may be pivoted toa slight degree ther'eabont and thereby to cause the reverted

portions

30, 34 and 32, 35 of the other of the prong members to engage within the grooves 72, 74 to optionally engage with either one of the grooves 72, 74 to temporarily lock the

lid sections

14, 16 intheir' closed positions with the free edgesthereof disposed in confronting positions.

When it is desired to achieve a more permanent type of connection, the tongue member 62 may now be disen gaged from the

prongs

38 or 46 of the prong element 18 extending through the lid section 16 and the same is bent over that prong member 18 lying immediately adjacent the grooves 72, 74, and the free end of the tongue member 68 is then threaded between the

prongs

38, 40 below the discoidal central body portion 20 of the fastening device connected with the lid section 14.

a As has been stated above, one or more of the fastening devices 10 may be used to span the slit or opening extending between the free edges of the

lid sections

14, 16, as needed. a

'In the above construction, the thong may be brought upwardly between adjacent sections of the

lidsections

14, 16 and wrapped alternately around the

prongs

38, 40 of 4 each of the prong elements 18 to act as a safety securing means or as secondary securing means in such cases as may require repeated opening and closing of the

lid sections

14, 16. Obviously, repeated bending of the tongue member 68 will, eventually, result in metal fatigue on the fold line and subsequent fracture.

FIGURES 7 to 9, inclusive, illustrate a second embodiment of this invention. It will be immediately determined that all of the elements employed in the first-described embodiment are present in the second. However, the assembly and function of the second embodiment of the invention departs from the first in the following manner.

Referring'rnore specifically to FIGURE 7 of the drawing, it will be noted that the lid section 14 has superimposed thereagainst the disc member 99 with the

slots

92, 94 being aligned with the

slots

100, 102, and with the thong 98 extendingradia'lly from the upper side of the disc member 90. Superimposed on the disc member 90 is the clamp plate 80 with the

slots

84, 86 being aligned with the slots 92, 160 and'94, 102, respectively, the clamp plate '80 being adapted to bear against the grommet 96 and the thong 93. The

prongs

38, 40 of the prong element 18 are now passed through the aligned slots and bent away from each other against the undersurface of the lid section 14, in the manner described above. The thong 5 8 may now be extended from the lid section 14 to the lid section 16 and wrapped about a corresponding fastening device 10 carried on the lid section 16. The wrapping is made alternately between the two prong elements 18.

In this second embodiment of the invention, one or both of the thong members 98 may be employed in the wrapping operation. It will also be understood that with the clamping member 80 reversed from the position shown in the original embodiment of the invention, the flange 88 serves as a cam or guide for causing the thong of the opposed prong member 18 to be easily wound about the prong members 18.

Having described and illustrated two embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that thesame are offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

'What is claimed is:'

.1. Securing means for a receptacle having a closure member formed of a pair of lid sections having free edges pivotal into juxtaposition when moved to their respective closed positions, fasteningmeans for eachlid section comprising a pronged member having a central body portion from one side of which laterally projects a pair of prongs, said prongs of each of said fastening closed positions, fastening means for each lid section comprising a substantially discoidal main body portion having a pair of prongs projecting laterally from opposed sides thereof, said prongs being insertable through their associated lid sections and each'p'air being bent in divergent directions away from one another, an elongated substantially rectangular tongue member extending under both of said main body portions and bent over one main body portion for reinsertio'n below the first main body portion vthrough which it originally passed.

fastening means for each lid section being identical and V 1' including a substantially discoidal main body portion having a pair of oppositely-disposed flanges projecting laterally and outwardly from a side thereof, a pair of diametrically-opposed prongs projecting laterally from the other side of said main body portion between adjacent pairs of ends of said flanges, said pairs of prongs being extended through, respectively, one of said lid sections and bent away from each other in divergent directions to engage against the underside of their associated lid sections, a cylindrical plate for each of said fastening means, each of said plates having an outwardly-divergent circumferential flange, each of said plate flanges engaging against the underside of the adjacent lid section to clamp said fastening means to the exterior side thereof, a disc member interposed between said plate and the adjacent side of said lid section, a flexible thong projecting radially from said disc member, and an elongated substantially rectangular tongue member extending between each pair of prongs below their respective discoidal main body portions, said tongue member having an end thereof bent over said flanges of one of said discoidal main body portions and reinserted below the main body portion of the other of said main body portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 274,044 Smith Mar. 13, 1883 308,368 McGill Nov. 25, 1884 437,548 Anderson Sept. 30, 1890 687,351 Tully Nov. 26, 1901 1,184,202 Orendorlf May 23, 1916 1,778,236 Trautrnan et al Oct. 14, 1930 2,017,173 Wollner et a1. Oct. 15, 1935 2,297,771 Johnson Oct. 6, 1942 2,529,497 Innacelli Nov. 14, 1950 2,532,313 Innacelli Dec. 5, 1950 2,747,935 Szantay May 29, 1956 3,023,472 Ranseen Mar. 6, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 323,452 Great Britain Jan. 2, 1930

Claims

1. SECURING MEANS FOR A RECEPTACLE HAVING A CLOSURE MEMBER FORMED OF A PAIR OF LID SECTIONS HAVING FREE EDGES PIVOTAL INTO JUXTAPOSITION WHEN MOVED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CLOSED POSITIONS, FASTENING MEANS FOR EACH LID SECTION COMPRISING A PRONGED MEMBER HAVING A CENTRAL BODY PORTION FROM ONE SIDE OF WHICH LATERALLY PROJECTS A PAIR OF PRONGS, SAID PRONGS OF EACH OF SAID FASTENING MEANS EXTENDING, RESPECTIVELY, THROUGH EACH OF SAID LID SECTIONS, AND A TONGUE MEMBER EXTENDING ACROSS SAID LID SECTIONS BETWEEN SAID PRONGS OF BOTH OF SAID FASTENING MEANS, SAID TONGUE MEMBER BEING BENT OVER ONE OF SAID FASTENING MEANS AND REINSERTED BELOW THE CENTRAL BODY PORTION OF THE OTHER OF SAID FASTENING MEANS.