Case with lock

Abstract

 A case lock for preferably locking a cover element with a base element comprises a projection at the base element with two recesses in its surface. A locking housing (2a) is arranged at the cover element which has a connecting passage and two openings in which bars (3) are arranged so that they can be spring-shifted against each other. A guidance of the bars (3) slides in each opening passage and a bar base in each opening. A bar element (3b) extends downwards with a claw being undercut so that the bar element can be engaged behind one of the recesses of the base element. Each bar (3) comprises a button which is adjacent outwards and/or forwards to the guidance and which operatively protrudes in the most relaxed spring position over the locking housing (2a) to such an extent that the claw (3c) grips behind the recess of the base element. In the spring-tensed condition the bars (3) are shiftable inwards at least to such an extent that the claw (3c) is disengaged with the recess at the base element. The bars are spaced about 10 to 80 mm apart from each other at the front side of the case so that they can be easily pressed together with, e.g., the thumb and the index finger of one hand.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lock, e.g. for a make-up case or a jewel box comprising e.g. a base and a hinged cover arranged thereto. The lock comprises a base element arranged e.g. at the base and a cover element arranged e.g. at the cover. The width of the locking elements is preferably smaller than that of the case so that one can easily press inwards with e.g. the thumb and the index finger the sides of the two bars for unlocking the cover from the base.

[0002] DE-OS 31 41 614 shows a cosmetic case with a container element and a cover element which can be hinged on the back of the container element. In the walls of the container element sliding elements are provided which can be pressed inwards from their sides thus releasing the cover element from the container element to swing it open. The problem hereby lies in the fact that particularly with larger cases, such as e.g. larger cosmetic or jewel cases, the operator has to spread out his/her fingers [to the outer edges of the case] in order to reciprocally shift the sliding elements inwards. This poses particular problems with cases which are at least as large as the span of a hand, as the operator has to either spread his/her fingers to an extreme extent or needs two hands for opening the case. For this purpose he/she would even have to put the case down.

[0003] DE-OS 31 32 114 describes a make-up box with a container element and a cover coupled at the rear end of the container element. The cover can be swung down onto the container element thereby being locked at the front part with the container element by means of a locking device. For this purpose the operator has to press the front locking element backwards with his/her thumb exerting a counter-pressure on the joint connecting the container element and the cover. Thereby the same problem as explained above occurs, i.e., if the make-up box exceeds a certain size. Thereby, e.g. when pressing the locking device, a counter-pressure has to be exerted with the other hand on the joint.

[0004] It is the object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a simply mounted lock.

[0005] This object is achieved with a lock having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims are directed to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] The objects, advantages and features of the invention are illustrated in more detail in the following on the basis of examples and with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows

a top view which is not true to scale of a first embodiment according to the invention of a base element of a lock at a case base,

Fig. 2 shows

a section along A-A in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows

a partial section along C-C in Fig 1,

Fig. 4 shows

a section along B-B in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 shows

a front view of the base according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 shows

an enlarged section along D in Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 shows

an enlarged detail of a rear part of the base of Fig. 2,

Fig. 8 shows

an enlarged detail of a side part of the base of Fig. 2.,

Fig. 9 shows

a top view which is not true to scale of a first embodiment according to the invention of a cover element of the lock at a case cover lining,

Fig. 10 shows

a section along E-E in Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 shows

a partial section along F-F in Fig. 9,

Fig. 12 shows

an enlarged detail of a side part according to Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 shows

an enlarged detail of a locking housing arranged at the cover element and of a front part of the cover lining according to Fig. 10,

Fig. 14 shows

a top view which is not true to scale of a second embodiment of a locking housing according to the invention,

Fig. 15 shows

a front side view of the locking housing according to Fig. 14,

Fig. 16 shows

a section along M-M in Fig. 14,

Fig. 17 shows

a left front view of the locking housing according to Fig. 15,

Fig. 18 shows

a section along G-G in Fig. 16,

Fig. 19 shows

an enlarged detail of a section along H-H in Fig. 14 with the locking housing being attached to another cover,

Fig. 20 shows

a side view which is not true to scale of an embodiment of a bar according to the invention,

Fig. 21 shows

a right front view of the bar according to Fig. 20,

Fig. 22 shows

a top view of the bar according to Fig. 21,

Fig. 23 shows

a top view which is not true to scale of a base element at a further case base according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 24 shows

a left front view of the base according to Fig. 23,

Fig. 25 shows

a section along K-K in Fig. 23,

Fig. 26 shows

a lower side view of the base according to Fig. 23,

Fig. 27 shows

a section along L-L in Fig. 23.

[0007] Fig. 1 shows a base 1 of a case with a first embodiment according to the invention of a base element of a lock. The base has e.g. a more or less square area with surrounding walls 1e to g. The height of the walls 1e to g preferably corresponds to 1/6 of the length of an edge. At a front wall 1e a projection 1a of the base element is provided which is preferably integral and centrical. Said projection 1a forms a part of the lock according to the invention and is preferably arranged in the upper third of the front wall 1e which has preferably an outwardly convex form. The upper end of the projection 1a comprises a web extending inwards which can merge into a corresponding surface of the side wall 1e. The width of the projection 1a can be twice as much as the above-mentioned width of the front wall 1e. In the upper surface of the projection 1a two recesses 1b are provided preferably symmetrically with preferably two lateral bevels each. The projection 1a of the base element has a length of 10 - 80 mm, preferably 30 - 50 mm and even more preferred of about 35 mm.

[0008] Furthermore, the base 1 of the case with the lock according to the invention comprises e.g. two side walls 1f, a rear side 1g as well as a bottom 1d connecting the walls 1e to g. For attaching a jewel or a cosmetic insert into the base 1, two symmetrically arranged fastening projections 1k can be designed, preferably integrally with the bottom. For stabilization they can each be connected with the corresponding side wall 1f by means of a fin. The fastening projections 1k comprise borings into which e.g. screws can be placed for attaching the above-mentioned inserts.

[0009] The back wall 1g, such as the front wall 1e, has preferably an outwardly convex form and can comprise a hinge element 1h to which a cover can be swivel-mounted. Preferably, however, two hinge elements 1h are attached integrally to the upper ends of the back wall 1g in an axially symmetrical manner. Furthermore, at the lower centrical part of the back wall 1g a protuberance 1i can be formed. Thus, the protuberance 1i extends the surface of the bottom 1d by a certain length preferably not exceeding the outer vertical downward projection of the convex back wall 1g. A wall of the protuberance 1i is preferably designed more or less vertically to the bottom and merges into the back wall 1g. The protuberance 1i can serve to hold and to position the above-mentioned insert for jewels or cosmetics via an element adjusted accordingly with respect to its shape.

[0010] The section along A-A in Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 2. It becomes clear that the projection 1a of the lock can jut out at the upper end of the front wall 1e, with the recesses 1b being designed in its surface. The fastening projection 1k of the corresponding case can be arranged on the bottom 1d in one piece and/or integrally whereby the boring formed therein is preferably a blind hole. The section through the rear side of the base 1 leads through the protuberance 1i. The hinge element 1h provided with a boring is preferably formed integrally at the upper end of the back wall 1g.

[0011] Fig. 3 represents a partial section along C-C in Fig. 1 showing that the front wall 1e runs next to the projection 1a. For reasons of stability the projection 1a of the lock can preferably have a centrically arranged fin 1c connecting the surface of the projection 1a with the front side of the projection 1a. As the rear part is represented in an unsectional view, the protuberance 1i of the case jutting out over the back wall 1g can be recognized.

[0012] The section represented in Fig. 4 along B-B in Fig. 1 shows in particular the fastening projection 1k which can additionally be connected via a narrow fin with the side wall 1f and the bottom 1d, in order to ensure a better stability.

[0013] The front view of the base 1 according to Fig. 5 shows the bulge of the projection 1a of the lock in the front wall 1e of the case.

[0014] Fig. 6 shows a section along D in Fig. 2 particularly running through the projection 1a. In the upper surface the two recesses 1b in the base element of the lock are recognizable which are preferably provided with lateral bevels so that the recesses 1b narrow inwards.

[0015] Fig. 7 represents an enlargement of the upper end of the back wall 1g and Fig. 8 represents an enlargement of the upper end of the side wall 1f of the case according to Fig. 2.

[0016] Fig. 9 shows a cover lining 2 which can comprise an embodiment of a locking housing 2a according to the invention. The cover lining 2 can be inserted into a cover. The locking housing 2a can, however, also be fastened to a cover directly. In this case the cover comprises e.g. hinge elements at the rear end cooperating with the hinge elements 1h of the base 1 according to Fig. 1.

[0017] The locking housing 2a is preferably nose-shaped and in the middle of the front side it forms one piece together with the cover lining 2. Just as e.g. the projection 1a of the base element, it has a length of 10 - 80 mm, preferable of 30 - 50 mm and even more preferred of about 35 mm.

[0018] The cover lining of the case having the lock can have an upper part 2d and four side parts 2e to g being linked by the upper part 2d. At the side parts 2f spreaders 2h can further be mounted positioning the cover lining 2 in a corresponding cover, if the cover lining 2 is attached by means of screws at or in the cover. Furthermore, optional recesses 2i can be formed at the side parts 2f. The rear part 2g is opposite to the front part 2e. Furthermore, in the upper part 2d projections 2k can be arranged preferably in an integral form which are hollow and are provided with borings for coupling e.g. the cover lining with a cover via screws, whereby the projections 2k can interact with corresponding projections provided in the cover. In the upper part 2d borings 21 are further preferred through which e.g. the projections positioned at the cover grip so that a further cover lining, such as e.g. a mirror, can be installed at the cover.

[0019] Fig. 10 shows a cross-section along E-E in Fig. 9. In the cross-section the cover lining is preferably arranged essentially in a graduated circle in a convex shape. At the front end of the cover lining 2 one can see the locking housing 2a which comprises a connecting passage 2c in the cross-section. At the lower part of the locking housing 2a there are formed e.g. two openings 2b which are open on both sides up to the connecting passage 2c, as is also shown with the broken line in Fig. 9. The elements of the cover lining 2 explained above otherwise have the same reference signs as in Fig. 9.

[0020] In the section F-F according to Fig. 9 the cover lining 2 of the case according to Fig. 11 is preferably formed like a U open to the bottom. Thereby one can see the spreaders 2h and 2i arranged in the side parts 2f. At the front part there is the locking housing 2a which can jut out forwards and downwards vis-à-vis the end of the front part 2e. Furthermore, at each side of the locking housing 2a a bar 3 is arranged in the connecting passage 2c and/or the opening 2b. Between both bars 3 there is a spring 4, such as e.g. a cylindrical pressure spring (shown with the broken line), which preloads both bars 3 outwards with the operating elements of the bars jutting out laterally. The distance of the operating elements preferably amounts to 40 mm so that the bars can be easily pressed together with the thumb and finger of one hand. Each bar part 3b of the bar 3 is extended beyond the lower end of the locking housing 2a through the opening 2b.

[0021] Fig. 12 shows an enlarged detail of the side part 2f of the case with a spreader 2h preferably arranged at its lower end, said spreader possibly being e.g. undercut so that its upper end is spring-supported from a cover.

[0022] Fig. 13 represents an enlarged detail of the front part 2e of the cover lining 2 with the locking housing 2a being arranged therein. The connecting passage 2c is formed therein for holding and guiding the bar 3. Preferably in both side apertures of the connecting passage 2c a bar 3 is introduced, and its axial shift is limited inwardly by the openings 2b on both sides.

[0023] Fig. 14 represents a second embodiment of a cover element according to the invention with locking housing 2a' which is shown in a top view in this Figure. Such a locking housing 2a' preferably comprises a connecting passage 2c' and two openings 2b' arranged on both sides, as described above. A difference to the first embodiment lies in the fact that the depicted locking housing 2a' is not formed integrally with a cover lining 2 or a cover, but that it is produced as a single piece and individually attached to a cover lining 2 or a cover. This is effected e.g. by borings 2x' arranged in the rear part through which e.g. in the assembled state screws extend into a cover in order to connect the locking housing 2a' with the cover. For this purpose e.g. three borings can be provided in the rear part of the locking housing 2a' with the middle boring 2x' and the lateral borings 2x' being preferably surrounded at the top by annular necks 2z' and 2u', respectively. These can e.g. engage in a form-fit manner in corresponding recesses of a cover or a cover lining, in order to position the locking housing 2a'. Furthermore, for this purpose annular recesses 2y' can also be provided on the top of the outer borings 2x'.

[0024] Fig. 15 shows the front side view of the locking housing 2a', whereby one of the openings 2b' is recognizable which is open at its sides and which opens downwards the connecting passage 2c' in the locking housing 2a'.

[0025] The section along M-M in Fig. 14 is shown in Fig. 16. Thereby the clearance hole 2x' with the upper annular neck 2z' is recognizable in the back part.

[0026] Fig. 17 which shows a left view of the locking housing 2a', e.g. according to Fig. 15 illustrates again the preferably centrical annular neck 2z' around the middle boring in the rear part of the locking housing 2a'. Fig. 18 shows a section along G-G through the three fastening borings in Fig. 16.

[0027] Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail of section H-H in Fig. 14 and shows the locking housing 2a of the second embodiment being attached to a structural member 2m', as e.g. to a mirror. In such a case, e.g. a screw can extend from the bottom to the top from the mirror 2m' through the middle boring 2x' through the locking housing 2a' into the cover in order to connect these with one another. In addition, the locking housing 2a' can be connected via the two outer borings 2x' with the cover as explained before.

[0028] Fig. 20 shows a side view of a bar 3 which can be laterally shifted into a locking housing 2a according to Fig. 13 or a locking housing 2a' according to Fig. 19. Thereby a guidance 3a slides e.g. in the connecting passage 2c with the guidance 3a preferably being somewhat smaller in its total dimension than the connecting passage 2c. For weight and production reasons the guidance 3a is preferably provided with a hollow space 3f which, however, only opens to the interior of the guidance 3a in the locking housing 2a. On the outside, i.e. to the side of the locking housing 2a, the guidance 3a comprises a button 3e as an operating element.

[0029] The button 3e can, however, also jut out by e.g. an additional recess to the connecting passage 2c. A bar element 3b having a claw 3c at its end extends downwards at the bottom side of the guidance 3a. The bar element 3b is preferably connected with the guidance 3a via a bar base 3d, whereby the bar base 3d interacts at each bar 3 with the lateral openings 2b in the locking housing 2a in such a way that they can slide therein axially. When the guidance 3a is pressed in, it is thereby preferably shifted to such a point that the lateral face of the button 3e is approximately in alignment with the side face of the locking housing. Thereby the right end of the bar base 3d according to Fig. 21 abuts on the inner end of the opening 2b with e.g. the button 3e being then completely shifted into the connecting passage 2c of the locking housing 2a.

[0030] Fig. 21 shows the right view of the bar 3 according to Fig. 20 further clarifying the shape of the bar element 3b. Related to the assembled state the claw 3c is undercut outside and has a bevel 3h at the outer end. Furthermore, a cant (slanted surface) 3k can be formed at the other side.

[0031] Fig. 22 shows the top view of the bar 3 according to Fig. 21, emphasizing the protruding button 3e which is set off from the guidance 3a via a recess 3g.

[0032] In the following the assembly of a locking device according to the invention with the individual elements is explained whereby the individual steps can also take place in another succession. As an example the cover lining 2 according to Figures 9 to 13 is selected. A bar 3 is inserted into each side of the locking housing 2a, as shown in Fig. 13. Thereby the guidance 3a is shifted into the connecting passage 2c and the bar base 3d into the opening 2b. Before the second bar 3 is inserted into the other side of the locking housing 2a, as described above, the spring element, such as, e.g. a cylinder spring (not shown) is arranged between the bars 3 inserted in both sides of the locking housing 2a. Thus, the bars 3 have the tendency of being pushed outwards by the spring. Then the cover lining 2 is arranged with the bars 3 at the cover, with a part of the cover element of the lock or e.g. of the cover engaging at least in a part of the recess 3g of the bar 3 for preventing the bars 3 from falling out or being pushed out by the spring. This part of the cover preferably abuts on the sides of the locking housing 2a so that only the buttons 3e jut out from the sides of the locking housing 2a, if the bars 3 are pushed outwards by the spring. The cover is then connected with the hinge elements 1h of the base 1 via hinge elements, whereby e.g. a mirror is possibly additionally inserted into the cover and e.g. partitions into the base.

[0033] If the cover is lowered around the hinges 1h to the base 1, the bar elements 3b of the bars 3 engage with the recesses 1b. If the cover is further lowered to the base 1, the bars are subsequently shifted automatically inwards against the elastic force, due to the bevels that are particularly provided at the outsides of the recesses 1b and due to the bevel 3h at the claw 3c of the bar 3, until the cover has completely reached the base 1. Then, due to the above-mentioned spring the claws 3c of the bar 3 engage behind the recesses 1b in the projection 1a of the base 1. In a preferred embodiment the outer contours of the locking housing 2a are in alignment with those of the projection 1a.

[0034] For releasing the lock according to the invention the buttons 3e of the bar 3 are pressed inwards, e.g. by the thumb and index finger of an operator, thereby disengaging the claws 3c from the projection 1a of the base 1 and sliding them through the recesses 1b if the cover is lifted from the base 1. When the bars 3 are pressed inwards, the cants 3k of the bar 3 can also slide on the interior bevels of the recesses (1b; 1b') of the base (1; 1'), thereby automatically lifting the cover element of the lock or the cover by pressing the bars 3 by a certain degree which is approximately as high as the horizontal height of the cants 3k.

[0035] Figures 23 and 27 show the base element of the lock of a second base 1' of a case according to the invention. It differs from the first base 1 essentially in the fact that it has smaller dimensions. Structural members of the second base 1' which are identical to the first base 1 are marked with the same reference signs having apostrophes. Fig. 25 shows a fin and/or a projection 1l' with at least one boring being designed at the back wall 1g. For example, linings or partitions for e.g. cosmetics can be attached thereto.

[0036] All components described above except for the spring between the bars 3 preferably consist of a suitable plastic material.

Claims

1. Lock, particularly for a make-up case or jewel box, which e.g. locks a cover with a base (1, 1') in the closed state, comprising:

a) a base element,

b) a cover element,

c) a projection (1a; 1a') arranged at a base element and having two recesses (1b; 1b') in its surface and,

d) a locking housing (2a; 2a') arranged at the cover element which has a connecting passage (2c; 2c') and two openings (2b; 2b') in which bars (3) are arranged so that they can be spring-shifted against each other,

e) wherein a guidance (3a) of the bars (3) slides in each opening passage (2c; 2c') and a bar base (3d) of the bars (3) in each opening (2b; 2b'),

f) each bar element (3b) of the bars (3) extending downwards with a claw (3c) being undercut can be engaged behind one of the recesses (1b; 1b') of the projection (1a; 1a'),

g) each bar (3) comprises a button (3e) which is adjacent outwards and/or forwards to the guidance (3a) and which operatively protrudes in the most relaxed spring position over the locking housing (2a; 2a') to such an extent that the claw (3c) grips behind the recess (1b; 1b') of the projection (1a; 1a') and which furthermore in the spring-tensed condition is shiftable inwards at least to such an extent that the claw (3c) is disengaged with the recess (1b; 1b'), and

h) the bars are spaced about 10 to 80 mm apart from each other at the front side of the case so that they can be easily pressed together with, e.g. the thumb and the index finger of one hand.

2. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the buttons (3e) of the bars (3) are spaced about 40 mm apart from each other.

3. Lock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bars each have a recess (3g) into which in the assembled state a part of the cover element or of the cover can be engaged, thereby preventing the bars (3) from being pushed out from the locking housing (2a).

4. Lock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the interior of their bar element (3b) the bars (3) each comprise a slanted surface (3k) which interact with the inner portions of the recesses (1b; 1b') of the base (1; 1') in such a way that, if the bars (3) are pressed in, the cover element is automatically lifted.

5. Lock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the outer end of the claw (3c) of the bar (3) a bevel (3h) and/or at the recesses (1b; 1b') bevels are arranged in such a way that the bars (3) are automatically shifted inwards against the spring resistance when the cover element is lowered to the base element.

Drawing