US2249764A - Locking device - Google Patents

Description

July 22,1941. J. M HoTHERsAl- L 2,249,764

LOCKING DEVICE Filed July 9, 195s atented july 22, ldt

unirse STATES PATENT orifice LOCKING DEVICE John M. Hothersaii, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation oi.' New Jersey Application July 9, 193s, serial No. 218,467

v4 claims. (c1. zzo-s1) The present invention relates to locking devices for holding containers or cans together in a unitary structure and has particular reference to a metallic band which may be quickly applied to the end seams o1' stacked cans to clamp the latter tightly together, subsequent separation of the cans not ordinarily being desired.

In the packaging of certain products in cans it is desirable to permanently connect two or more cans together in a unitary structure so that they may be used as such. One such use is for high explosives which are packed in cans each containing a predetermined quantity oi the product and the cans are adapted to be used in varying numbers to secure different desired explosive effects. For example, this unit charge may be obtained by three cans locked together and low ered into a drilled hole in the ground or rock where the explosive may be used. In other cases the full enect of compartment cans may be obtained by securely tying together two or more cans by a suitable device. The present invention contemplates such'a suitable locking device which may be quickly and easily applied to any desired pairs o1' cans by attachment to their end seams and with the cans arranged in stacked formation. Y

An object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of a locking band which is adapted: to be quickly and easily clamped around adjoining end seams of two adjacent cans and to permanently grip them tightly together with. a uniform pressure evenly distributed around the can wall while at -the same time holding them rmly against sidewise shifting.

Another object is the provision of such a locking band which is provided with spaced rows of holding elements which engage against the adjoining end seams of the cans to be locked together and is further provided with a tongue and slot connection supplemented by interengageable and nesting locking members which are adapted to permanently lock together the ends of the band when in locking position.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken `in connection with the accompanyingdrawing,

discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring -to the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a locking band embodying the instant invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 .are sectional views oi.' the band taken substantially along the respective lines 22, 3-3 and I-A in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of stacked cans secured together in a unitary structure by vlocking bands of the style shown in Fig. 1,

the view showing howl the bands are applied to the cans; y y

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view through a band connected to adjacent cans in a stack, the view being taken substantially along the line I-G in ig. 5, with portions 'of the cans broken away: an

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale of the locked ends of the band as applied to thecans. the view being taken substantially along the line 'I-I in Fig. 5.

As an embodiment of the invention the drawing discloses a channel shapedsplit ring or band II (Fig. l) which in cross-section includes a straight body section I2 (seealso Fig. 2) which merges into inwardly bent edges or ilanges I3. Arranged in the wall and extending around the ring in parallel spaced rows are a plurality ot spaced arcuate holding lugs or elements I4 (see also Fig. 3) each having a straight open base Il. These lugs are 'bent or struck inwardly from the body section I2.

One end of the band is slightly enlarged in its transverse dimension for a portion of its length as indicated at I6 (Fig. 1). The opposite end is slightly reduced transversely as at II. The enlarged end I@ is provided 'with a tongue 2| (Fig. 1). The reduced end is formed with a slot 22 (see also Fig. 4) which is adapted to receive the tongue. 'I'his slot is formed in a raised boss 23 on the outside of the body section i2.

The end portions of the band are also provided with a plurality of triangular shaped locking projections or members 25, having open bases 21 which are disposed transversely of the band and in the same relative position in the two end Aportions as shown in Fig. l. These projections are formed or struck in the body section I2 and extend outwardly.

Such a locking band as Just described is adapted to eiectively secure together two cylindrical cans, as for example, cans A and B (Figs. 5 and 6) having projecting end seams C. The cans are first stacked onepon top of the other and then the locking band II'is iltted around the adjoining end seams C as best shown in Fig. 6. In this position oi the band the upper row of lugs I4 engages against the top edge of the end seam of the upper can B. The lower row of lugs Il engages under the end seam of the lower can A. These lugs thus hold the end seams of the cans tightly together with a uniform pressure evenly distributed around the cans.

The ends of the applied band are locked together by the tongue and slot connection and by the locking projections 25, 26. The ends of the band telescope in overlapping relation, the lenlarged end portion i6 lapping over the reduced end portion i7 with `the tongue 2| fitting into its slot 22. This tongue and slot connection guides the holding lugs i4 adjacent the ends of the band into holding position and thus prevents sidewise or transverse displacement of the band ends.

The locking projections 25 nest into the cooperating projections 26, the base of the projections adjacent their open ends 21 interengaging and thus locking the band in place on the containers. This manner of securing two cans together grips the end seams both vertically and horizontally (as viewed in Fig. 6) with such a strong hold that the cans are inseparable. In a similar manner more than two cans may be secured together by the use of more than one band.

Fig. 5 shows three such cans connected such as v might be used for explosive.

Two such cans locked together with a single band would make a satisfactory double compartment can in which one can would first be opened and emptied after which by turning the unit over the other can would be opened from the opposite end. In this way there would be no occasion forremoving the band. Obviously, any number of cans may thus be joined into aunitary structure.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changesrmay be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

.I claim:

1. A locking band adapted for permanently securing together cans having end seams and arranged in stacked formation, which comprises a substantially flat split ring adapted to engageA around adjacent end seams of the stacked cans, a plurality of inwardly struck longitudinallyand transversely spaced rigid holding lugs formed in said ring and arranged around the ring for engaging and pressing together the adjacent end seams of the cans so as to uniformly hold them against lateral separation, and means at the ends of said split ring for clamping the latter in end seam holding position.

2. A locking band adapted l:for permanently securing together cans having end seams and arranged in stacked formation, which comprises a substantially at split ring adapted to engage',

aroundadjacent end seams of the stacked cans, said ring having a tongue formed at one end thereof and a slot for receiving said tongue formed in the other end thereof for circumferentially clamping the ring around said end seams, and a plurality of inwardly struck longitudinally and transversely spaced rigid holding lugs formed in said ring and arranged therearound for engaging and pressing together the adjacent end seams of the cans so as to hold them against lateral separation and for exerting a uniformly distributed pressure circumferentially of said` seams.

3. A locking band adapted for permanently securing together cans having end seams and arranged in stacked formation, which comprises a substantially flat split ring adapted to engage around adjacent end seams of the stacked cans, a plurality of locking members formed in said ring adjacent its ends and arranged so that the members at one end will nest and lock within the members of the opposite end for circumferentially clamping the ring around said end seams when the ring is in clamping position with its ends in overlapping relation, and a plurality of inwardly struck longitudinally and transversely spaced rigid holding lugs formed in and around said ring for engaging above and below and for pressing together the adjacent end seams of the cans so as to uniformly hold them against lateral separation circumferentially of said seams.

4. A locking band adapted for permanently securing together cans -having end seams and arranged in stacked formation, which comprises, a substantially flat split ring adapted to engage around adjacent end seams of the stacked cans, one end of said ring being enlarged and having a tongue projecting therefrom, the opposite end of said ring being reduced for telescopic engagement with said enlarged end and having a slot adapted to-receive saidtongue, a plurality of locking mem- 4bers formed in said ring adjacent its ends and arranged .so that the members of one end will next andlock within the members of the opposite end for circumferentially locking the ring in position around the can end seams when the ring ends are telescoped, and a pair of transversely spaced rigid rows of inwardly struck longitudinally spaced holding lugs formed in said ring for engaging above and below and for pressing together the adjacent end seams of the cans so as to uniformly hold them against lateral separation at all circumferential parts of said seams.

. JOHN M. HOTHERSALL.

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