US3166365A

US3166365A - Typewriter carrying case

Info

Publication number: US3166365A
Application number: US218765A
Authority: US
Inventors: Aaron C Zeamer; James E Harmon
Original assignee: SCM Corp
Current assignee: SCM Corp
Priority date: 1962-08-22
Filing date: 1962-08-22
Publication date: 1965-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-19

Description

Jan. 19, 1965 A. c. ZEAMER ETAL 3,166,365

TYPEWRITER CARRYING CASE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 22, 1962 INVENTORS Aaron 6: Zeamer BY James E. Harman M Z A 'rneys Jan. 965 A. c. ZEAMER ETAL 3,166,365

TYPEWRI'IIER CARRYING CASE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 22, 1962 IN VEN TOR Aaron G. 20001:! y James E Harmon M E24 1 Ho eys United States PatentO 3,166,365 TYPEWRITER CARRYING CASE Aaron C. learner and James E. Harmon, Grotou, N.Y.,

assiguors to SCM Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 22, 1962, Ser. No. 218,765 14 Claims. (Cl. 312-208) Portable typewriters and other small maehines of a' similar nature are commonly provided with a-carrying case to facilitate movement of the machine from place to place. As typical portable typewriter carrying case includes a base, a cover hinged to the base, a case latch for releasably securing the cover to the base, and a handle fixed to the cover. Since portable typewriters are relatively complex and delicate machines, safety devices have sometimes been added to such carrying cases to prevent the machine from falling should the case spring open while it is being carried (or when it is picked up) due to malfunctioning of the case latch or because the latch is not fully engaged.

One type of safety device heretofore employed to prevent the machine from falling from the carrying case was a case machine lock or clamp for locking the machine to the carrying case base. Typical devices of this type are disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,880,891 issued October 4, 1932, to W. A. Dobson for Typewriting Machine and in United States Patent No. 2,545,742 issued March 20, 1951, to E. E. Mogensen for Portable Typewriter Carrying Case.

The clamping devices disclosed in the foregoing patents, as is typical of the prior art devices, have levers which must be manually manipulated to clamp the machine to the carrying case base. One disadvantage of such manually operated devices is that the .carrying case cover can be closed without the machine being locked to its base. If in such circumstances the case should spring open, the machine may fall from the case and be seriously damaged.

One of the features of the present invention is a novel case machine lock for assuring that the typewriter will invariably be locked to the carrying case base when the cover of the case is closed. In general, this case machine lock includes a latch mounted in the base of the carrying case and a latch actuator positioned in the path of closing movement of the case cover. When the cover is closed, it contacts the actuator and the latch is moved into engagement with the typewriter frame to lock the typewriter to the carrying case base. Unlike prior art clamping arrangements of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,861,385 issued November 25, 1958, to H. B. Childs for Typewriter Support in Carrying Case, the machine will remain locked to the base of the carrying case should the case accidentally spring open. A simple fingerengageable projection formed on the cover-operated latch actuator permits the latch to be readily disengaged from the typewriter frame and restored to its inoperative position so that the typewriter can be removed from the carrying case when desired.

Another important feature of the present invention is a novel case safety latch designed to prevent the carrying case from springing open and dropping the encased typewriter. Heretofore, the latches provide for portable typewriter carrying cases have been generally similar to the latch disclosed in United States Patent No. 530,862 issued December 11, 1894, to O. F. Teed for Lock.

3,165,355 Patented Jan. 19., 1965 Such latches include a latch unit fixed to the cover of the carrying case and a lock unit fixed to its base. Incorporated in the latch unit are a pair of spring-loaded bolts, each: having a locking projection or tooth adapted to engage or hook over a lock plate in the lock unit when the cover of the case is closed; Unless. thecover is firmly pressed against the base of the carrying case the locking projections may, unseen by the person closing the case, fail to properly engage the locking plate. Then, if the carrying case is subsequently lifted by the cover-attached handle, the case can spring open with possible serious damage to the encased typewriter as the end result.

The novel case safety latch of the present invention includes a latch unit with the same general over-all arrangement as the prior art latch units described above. However, a second safety tooth is formed on each of the spring-loaded latch unit bolts. When the carrying case cover is closed, the safety teeth ride over a lock unit lock plate, allowing the locking teeth to move into engagement with it. If the locking teeth are not thereby fully engaged with the lock plate and the carrying case is subsequently picked up by its cover-attached handle, the bolts will withdraw slightly from the lock unit moving the safety teeth into engagement with the lock plate, preventing the carrying case from springing open and dropping the ice encased typewriter.

Still another feature of the present invention is a novel lock unit in which are incorporated the lock plate which cooperates with the latch unit bolts to latch the carrying case cover to its base and, in addition, the actuator of the case machine lock. This novel dual function assembly simplifies and substantially reduces the cost of manufacturing a carrying case having the combination of safety devices provided by the present invention.

It will be apparent from the above discussion that one object of the present invention resides in the provision of a portable typewriter carrying case having novel safety devices to prevent a typewriter from falling from the case if it should accidentally open.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a portable typewriter carrying case having a novel safety device for locking a typewriter to the carrying case base.

In conjunction with the preceding object it is another object of the present invention to provide a safety device which will automatically lock the typewriter to the carrying case base when the cover of the carrying case is closed against the base to insure that the typewriter will invariably be locked to the base when the cover is closed.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel portable typewriter carrying case safety device which will prevent the base and cover of the carrying case from springing apart if the latch securing these components together should be imperfectly engaged or if the latch should malfunction.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide portable typewriter carrying cases with diverse safety devices comprising a minimum member of separate assemblies by combining components of the diverse devices into a single dual function assembly.

In conjunction with the preceding objects it is another object of the present invention to provide safety devices which are sturdy, reliable, and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and further novel features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portable typewriter carrying case equipped with the novel safety devices of the present invention;

normal manner.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the novel case machine lock provided by the presented invention;

1 FIGURE 3 is a vertical section through the case machine lock together with portions of the typewriter and thevcarrying case; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the novel case safety latch and the novel lock unit provided'by'the present invention with the cover plate of the latch unit removed to" show the arrangement of itsinternal components and with one of the latch bolts shown inboth engaged and disengaged positions. 1 Referring now-to the drawing, FIGURE 1 illustrates a portable typewriter carrying case 10 equipped with a case machine lock and a case safety latch constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The machine lock and safety latch are composed of three independent assemblies, a machine lock unit 12, a case safety latch unit 14, and a lock unit lwhich includes components of both the case machine lock and the case safety latch.

Carrying case 10, which is of generally conventional construction, includes a base 16 (on which machine lock unit 12 andlock unit 35 are mounted) and a cover 18 (to which safety latch unit 14 is fixed) joined by a piano-type hinge 19. Fixed to the inner side of the base bottom wall 20 and rear wall 21 are typewriter positioning stops 22, 23, 24, and 26 and abracket 28 having a pair of horizontally extending fingers 30. These fingers extend into cooperating apertures in the housing of the encased typewriter (not shown) to detachably secure the rear side of the typewriter to carrying case base 16. The front side of the typewriter is automatically locked to base '16 when cover 18 is closed by the case machine lock, the major components of which are a typewriter frame engaging latch 32 in machine lock unit 12;, a latch actuator 34 in lock unit 15, and a flexible motion transmitting link 36 (see FIGURE-2) operatively connecting latch 32 and latch actuator 34.

- When cover 18 reaches the closed position, it is latched tobase 16 by the case safety latch which includes among its major components a lock plate 37 in lock unit 15 and a pair of spring-loaded

bolts

38 and 40 in safety latch

unit l h Bolts

38 and 40 have locking teeth 4-2 which normally engage lock plate 37, latching safety latch unit 14 and lock unit 15, and safety teeth'44 which engage lock plate 37 if locking teeth 42 fail to function in the A carryingcase handle 46 is provided to facilitate the handling of carrying case and the encased typewriter.

' Handledfi is pivotally mounted on carrying case cover 18 by its

legs

48 and 50 which extend into outwardly directed recesses 52 and 54 (see FIGURE 4) formed in latch unit housing 56.

Referring now to FIGURES 2-4, lock unit has a housing 58 in'which the latch actuator 34 of the case machine lock and the lock plate 37 of the case safety latch are mounted. Housing 58 has a planar front wall 89, that extends upwardly 6t) and a top wall 62, a bottom wall 64, and

side walls

66 and 68, all of which extend at substantially right angles to front wall 60. a Lock plate 37, which isfixed in the hollow interior of lock unit housing 58 as by brazing, has a flat main body portion 74 supported in parallel spaced relationship to lock unit housing front wall 60 by legs 72 bent at right angles to main body portion 7d and extending along the inside of housing top wall 52 intoengagement with housing front wall 60 and by legs '74, also bent at right angles to lock plate main body portion 70, which extendedjacent the inner surface of housing bottom wall 64 into engagement with the housing front wall.

Case machine lock latch actuator 34, which is mounted in lock unit housing 58 for vertical sliding movement, has

a planar main body portion-76 that extends downwardly through a notch '73 formed in wall 64 and an integral reduced width upper end portion lock unit housing bottom in lock unit housing top wall 62. Inward or outward tilting of latch actuator 34 as it movesvertically is prevented by the end Walls of notches 7% and 32. and the main body portion 7th .of lock plate 37' which engage opposite sides of the actuator. The side walls of notch 78 adjacent the lower end ofthe actuator'rnain body portion. 89 and the side Walls of notch 82 juxtaposed to the opposite sides of the actuator reduced width upper end portion 81) prevent it from tilting sideways.

Adjacent the lower end of actuator 34, a horizontally extending flange 8 5 is bent inwardly from its main body portion 76. As is best shown in FIGURE 3, flange 34 extends through a notch 85 in lock plate main body portion 79, an elongated slot 86 in the front vertical wall 88 of carrying case base 16, an aperture 89 adjacent the upper end of motion transmitting link 36, and through a slot tl in case machine lock unit bracket 92 into the interior of the carrying case, thereby connecting actuator 34 to the upper end of motion transmitting link 36.

The flexible motion transmitting link 36, which is preferably a strip of spring steel, is slidably mounted in case machine lock braeket 92 (see FIGURES 2 and 3) which is a curved metal plate with two horizontal, rearwardly extending, spaced apart

legs

96 and 98 formed on its lower end and a pair of slots 1% and W2 formed adjacent its upper end. The lower rear end of bracket 2 is fixed to carrying case base 16 by rivets 194 which extend through carrying case base bottom wall 24 and bracket legs as and 98. Screws 1%, which extend through slots 1% and 102 adjacent the bracket upper end and through apertures (not shown) in carrying case base vertical front wall 88 into drilled and tapped apertures lit in the main body portion '74) of lock plate 37, clamp the top end of bracket 92and lock unit 15 against opposite sides of the rim 111 of carrying case base 16 and the carrying case vertical front wall 88.

With continued reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, a pair of channel-

like guides

114 and 116 are stamped in case machine lock unit bracket $2 to guide the movement of the flexible motion transmitting link 36 connecting typewriter frame engaging latch 32 to latch actuator 34. As is best shown in FIGURE 2, motion transmitting'link 36 is threaded upwardly through a slot 118 in bracket 2, over a rib12tl formed inthe bracket, below guide 114, over a rib 122 formed in the bracket, and between guide 116 and carrying case front wall 38 to'its point of connection with actuator 34. i

At its lower end, link 36 is connected to 21 depending L-shaped foot 123 formed on the underside of typewriter frame engaging latch 32. Latch foot 123 extends through an aperture 124 formed in the upwardly and rearwardly angled end portion 126 of the motion transmitting link.

Referring now specifically to'FIGURES 2 and 3, typewriter frame engaging latch 32 is rotatably mounted on a latch supporting flange 128 fo-rmed on the lower rear end of case machine lock bracket 9?. between

legs

96 and 98. Latch supporting flange 128 angles rearwardly and upwardly and then extends vertically in spaced relation to carrying case base front wall $8. The typewriter frame engaging latch 32 has an S-like configuration provided by a lower latch leg 13th and an upper latch leg 132. The lower latch leg 139 extends through the horizontally elongated slot 118 in 'latch supporting flange 128 and the upper latch leg 132 extends through a vertically elongated slot 136 spaced above slot 118.

As is best shown in FIGURE 3, the rib 14% between slots 1 .18 and 136 extends through the open-sided polygonal notch 14]; between the upper and lower latch legs 13% and 132, providing a pivot about which the latch can rotate. The closely guided side walls of the relatively narrow upper slot 136 guide the latch as it rotates on rib 140.

When 1atch'32 is in its operative or frame engaging position (shown in. full lines in FIGURE 3), the hookthrough a notch 82 formed like end portion 142 of upper latch leg 132 engages the horizontal lower flange 143 of a typewriter frame member 144, locking the front of the typewriter securely to carrying case base 16.

The operation of the case machine lock, described above, is as follows: with typewriter frame engaging latch 32 of the case machine lock in its disengaged or inoperative position, the typewriter may be placed in carrying case 10, and engaged with the fingers 30 of bracket 28. The stops 22, 23, 24, and 26 will position the typewriter, locating its frame member 144 as shown in FIGURE 3. The carrying case cover 18 may then be closed by rotating it downwardly. As cover 18 approaches carrying case base 16, the underside of the case safety latch unit 14 fixed to the cover will engage the reduced width upper end portion 80 of case machine lock latch actuator 34, moving the actuator downwardly. As actuator 34 moves downwardly, it forces the flexible motion transmitting link 36 in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in FIGURE 3, rotating typewriter frame engaging latch 32 in a clockwise direction from the disengaged position (shown in dotted lines) to the engaged position in which the hook-like upper end portion 142 of latch 32 engages typewriter frame member lower flange 143, locking the front side of the typewriter to carrying case base 16. A detent 145 stamped in the motion transmitting link engages the rear edge 146 of the rib 120 stamped in bracket 92 (see FIGURE 3), preventing latch 32 from rotating in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 140 and releasing the typewriter. Thus, even if carrying case covershould thereafter spring open, latch 32 will remain in engagement with typewriter frame member 144, preventing the typewriter from falling from the case.

It may, at times, be desired to disengage typewriter frame engaging latch 32 so that the typewriter may be removed from carrying case 10. To permit the disengagement of latch 32, an outwardly'directed flange 146 is formed on the lower end of latch actuator 34. With carrying case cover 18 open, flange 146 may be pressed upwardly, moving the flexible motion transmitting link 36 in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG- URE 3, thereby rotating typewriter frame engaging latch 32 in a counterclockwise direction from-the frame engaging position to the disengaged position. The upward movement of actuator 34 is limited by the engagement of actuator flange 84 with the upper Wall of the notch 85 in look plate 37 through which the flange extends. In this limited position, the detent 145 stamped in link 36 engages the upper edge 147 of the rib 122 in case machine lock bracket 92, retaining typewriter frame engaging latch 32 in its inoperative position and permitting the typewriter to be readily reinserted in carrying case 10.

Turning now to FIGURES 1 and 4, the case safety latch unit 14 is fixed to the front wall 148 of carrying case cover 18 in overlying relation to carrying case cover rim 150 by screws (not shown) which extend through apertures 152 formed in safety latch unit housing 56 into threaded engagement with the carrying case cover. Housing 56 has a generally planar front wall 154, and a top wall 156, and

side walls

158 and 160 which extend gen-- erally perpendicular to housing front wall 154.

As is shown in FIGURE 4, the spring-loaded

bolts

38 and 40 which cooperate with the lock plate 37 in the lock unit fixed to carrying case base 16, are flat, generally rectangular plates with elongated locking portions 162 extending at right angles from their lower edges. The outwardly directed locking teeth 42 and safety teeth are formed, one below the other, on locking portions 162.

Spring-loaded

bolts

38 and 40 are mounted for sliding movement in the direction of the double-headed arrows in FIGURE 4 on a base plate 164 fastened as by brazing in safety latch unit housing 14 adjacent its front wall 154.

Bolts

38 and 40 are guided by tabs 166 bent at right angles from the main body portion 168 of base plate 164 adjacent the bottom edges of bolts; by pins 170 which extend through centrally located slots 171 in the bolt main body portions; by tabs 172 bent at right angles from base plate main body portion 168 adjacent the upper edges of the bolts; by the side walls of slots 174 formed in the side walls 158 and of safety latch unit housing 56, through which the bolts extend.

Bolts

38 and 40 are biased apart; i.e., toward latch unit

housing side walls

158 and 160, respectively, by identical springs 176 and 178. Springs 176 and 178 are each formed from a strip of spring metal and have a pair of angularly disposed legs 18%) and 132. Since the springs are identical, only spring 178 will be described in detail.

Spring 178 is looped over the tab 172 extending from base plate main body portion 168 with the apex 184 of a V-shaped loop formed adjacent the free end of its leg 188 engaging the side of a. locking detent 186 disposed in safety latch unit housing 56 between the apposed ends of

bolts

38 and 40. The other leg 182 of spring 178 engages the end of a lanced projection 188 extending inwardly from the plane of bolt 40 within its centrally located slot 171.

The above-described internal components of case safety latch unit 14 are prevented from falling through the open rear side of unit housing 56 by a cover plate (not shown) supported on pins 190 extending inwardly at right angles to base plate main body portion 168 and on a transversely disposed housing rib 192 extending between

housing side Walls

158 and 160 at right angles to housing front wall 154. The cover plate is removably secured in place by screws (likewise not shown) extending through the cover plate into drilled and tapped apertures 194 in pins 190.

When the cover 18 of carrying case 10 is closed, the locking portions 162 of spring-loaded

bolts

38 and 40 move downwardly through slots 196 and 198 (see FIG- URES 1 and 2) in the top wall 62 of lock unit housing 38. As the angled lower sides 260 of the safety teeth 44 engage the outer end walls 292 of these slots,

bolts

38 and 40 are moved inwardly (i.e., toward each other) against the bias of springs 176 and 178. In this manner, first safety teeth 44 and then locking teeth 42 move through

slots

196 and 198 past lock unit housing top wall 62 and the outwardly extending legs 72 of lock plate 37. When the case cover is fully closed, the fiat upper leading faces of the locking teeth 42 engage the lower sides of lock plate legs 72 (as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 4), latching case safety latch unit 14 to lock unit 15 and therefore, carrying case cover 18 to base 16. After locking teeth 42 are seated, springs 176 and 178

force bolts

38 and 40 outwardly until shoulders 205, formed adjacent the outer ends of the bolts, engage the side walls 158 and 168 of the case safety latch unit housing 56, insuring that lock teeth 42 remain in engagement with lock plate legs 72.

If carrying case cover 18 is not fully closed, the locking teeth 42 of

bolts

38 and 40 will not properly seat against lock plate 37 in the manner described above. If, in such circumstance, carrying case 10 and the encased typewriter are attempted to be lifted by the carrying case cover-attached handle 46, the carrying case cover 18 will pivot upwardly about hinge 20, withdrawing the bolt locking projections 162 from lock unit housing 58 through

slots

196 and 198.

As locking projections 162 of spring-loaded

bolts

38 and 40 are withdrawn from lock unit housing 58, springs 176 and 178 move the bolts outwardly. Thereafter, the fiat leading faces 206 of safety teeth 44 engage the underside of the outwardly extending legs 72 of lock plate 37. Safety teeth 44, in this manner, latch case safety latch unit 14 to lock unit 15, preventing case cover 14 and case base 16 from springing open. With safety teeth 44 thus engaged with lock plate 37, carrying case cover 18 will be slightly ajar, furnishing a visual indication that the cover has not been securely latched to base 16.

Provision is also made in case safety latch unit 14 for 7,. locking the closed carrying case as with a key. The key (not shown) is inserted through a key hole (likewise not shown) in the. front wall 154 of case safety latch unit.

housing 56 and through an elongated aperture 216 formed in the main body portion 212 of locking detent 186. As is shown in FIGURE 4, the locking detent 186 is mounted for vertical sliding movement between spring-loaded bolts 38 and 4t and the cover plate (not shown) of case safety latching unit 14. As the key is rotated, it engages the inclined side wall 213 of a V-shaped notch 214 formed on one sideof locking detent aperture 210, moving-the locking detent downwardly. As locking detent 186 moves downwardly, lugs 216 bent outwardly at right angles to its main body portion move into engagementlwith vertical locking surfaces 217 (only one of which is shown) formed on the inner apposite ends of the spring-loaded bolts 33 and'dti. With the lugs 216 of locking detent 186 positioned between spring-loaded bolts 38 and 4t),

bolts

38 and 40 cannot move inwardly and the carrying case cannot be opened. Locking detent 186 is retained in the above-described locked position by the V-shaped loops 184 formed at the ends of spring legs 180 which, with the locking detent in its locked position, are positioned in V-shaped notches 218 formed in the sides of the main body portion 212 of the locking detent.

- To unlock the case, the key (not shown) is reinserted and rotated in the'opposite, unlocking direction. As it rotates, it engages the inclined side 220 of the V-shaped notch 214 in detent 186, moving locking detent 186 upwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 4, freeing the spring-loaded bolts 38 and 4th for inward movement to move their locking teeth 42 out of engagement with lock plate. 37. The locking teeth may then be disengaged by pressing inwardly on the reduced width outer end portions 222 of bolts 38 and 46). Case cover 18 may then be pivoted upwardlyabout hinge 19 to gain access to the carrying case interior. Lock detent 186 will be retained in the FIGURE 4 position by the V-shaped loops at the ends of the legs 180 of springs 176 and 178 which engage the sides of outwardly directed projections 226' formed on opposite sides of detent main body portion 212 when the case is unlocked.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the mean ing and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be securedby Letters Patent is: I

1. In combination with a typewriter or the like, a carrying case having a base, a cover, and safety means operative to prevent opening movement of said carrying case from permitting said typewriter to drop from said case including means operated by closing movement of said cover toward said base to lock said typewriter to said" base and a safety latch for locking said cover to said base including first and second latching means, said second latching means being operative'upon the improper func tioning of the first latching means to restrain said cover against accidental case opening movement away from said base.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said safety means includes a machine lock unit, a lock unit, and a latch unit, said means for locking said typewriter to said base including a latch member in said machine lock unit and a latch actuator in said lock unit, said first and second latching means being incorporated in said latch unit, and said lock unit including a lock plate operably engageable by said first and second latching means.

3. The carrying case as defined in claim 4, including selectively operable manual means for restoring said -means for locking a typewriter or like machine to said base and thereby preventing accidental opening movement of said carrying case from permitting said machine to drop from said case and cover operated means including an actuatorpositioned for engagement by said cover as it moves toward said base and operatively connected to said lockingmeans for actuating said locking means and locking said machine to said base.

5. The carrying case as defined in claim 3, wherein said releasing means is accessible from the exterior of said carrying case.

6. In a carrying case for a portable typewriter or the like, a base, a cover hinged to said base, and means fixed solely to said base for locking a typewriter or the like to said base including a latch movable from an inoperative position to a typewriter frame engaging position, an actuator, and a motion transmitting link operatively connecting said latch and said actuator.

7. The carrying case as defined in claim 6, wherein said actuator is so positioned relative to said cover that upon movement of said cover toward said base said cover will engage said actuator to move said latch to said frame engaging position.

8. The carrying case as defined in claim 6, wherein said locking means includes detent means for retaining said latch in its frame engaging position.

9. The carrying case as defined in claim 6, wherein said locking means includes selectively operable actuator means for returning s'aid'latch to its inoperative position and detent means for retaining said latch in the inoperative position.

10. In a carrying case for portable, typewriters or the like, a pair of cover components and a case safety latch for securing one of said cover components against the other. and precluding, accidental opening movement of said carrying case from allowing a typewriter to fall therefrom, including: a lock unit fixed to one of said components and a latch unit fixed to the other of said co i.-

- ponents, said latch unit having first latching means normally engaging said locking unit and second latching means operative upon malfunctioning of said first latching means to engage said locking unit and thereby retain said first case component secured against said second case component. I

11. The carrying case as defined in claim 10, wherein said latch unit includes a housing; a pair of cooperating latch members slidably mounted in said housing for movement toward and away from each other along a single predetermined path, said members having integrally formed latching portions extending in spaced side-by-side relation substantially normal to said path, said first and second latching means comprising first and second locking teeth arranged seratim on said latching positions; and resilient means biasing said members apart.

12. The carrying case as defined in claim 11, wherein the locking teeth of the respective members extend from opposed faces of said members and wherein said latching unit includes a key-operated lock plate disposed in said housing and displaccable from an inoperative position to a position between said members to prevent movement of the latter relative to said housing; and detent means for retaining said lock plate in its inoperative and displaced positions.

13. In a portable typewriter carrying case having a cover and a base, a machine lock unit, a safety latch unit, and a lock unit, said machine lock unit including a typewriter frame engaging latch, said safety latch unit including first and second latching means for latching said cover to said base, said lock unit including a lock plate operatively engageable by said cover latching means and an actuator for said typewriter frame engageable latch.

14. In combination with a typewriter or the like, a carrying case having a base, a cover, and safetymeans operative to prevent accidental opening movement of said carrying case from permitting said typewriter to droptrom said case including a case latch for securing said cover to said base, said case latch including first and second latching means, said second latching means being operative upon malfunctioning of said first latching References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Dobsona Feb. 18, 1936 Mogensen Mar. 20, 1951

Claims

4. IN A CARRYING CASE FOR A PORTABLE TYPEWRITER OR THE LIKE, A COVER, A BASE, AND A CASE MACHINE LOCK INCLUDING MEANS FOR LOCKING A TYPEWRITER OR LIKE MACHINE TO SAID BAE AND THEREBY PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL OPENING MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRYING CASE FROM PERMITTING SAID MACHINE TO DROP FROM SAID CASE AND COVER OPERATED MEANS INCLUDING AN ACTUATOR POSITIONED FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID COVER AS IT MOVES TOWARD SAID BAE AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID LOCKING MEANS FOR ACTUAING SAID LOCKING MEANS AND LOCKING SAID MACHINE TO SAID BASE.