SANFORD ERIC DOUGLAS (US)
BARTEL ANDREW DAVID (US)
US20170234038A1 | 2017-08-17 | |||
US2664738A | 1954-01-05 | |||
US20160108644A1 | 2016-04-21 | |||
US0692119A | 1902-01-28 | |||
US20050235705A1 | 2005-10-27 |
We claim: 1. A lockable enclosure comprising: a housing; an access door assembled with the housing and movable between a closed position in which a perimeter edge portion of the access door adjoins a perimeter edge portion of the housing to block access to a cavity defined by the housing and the access door, and an open position permitting access to the cavity; a staple portion carried by one of the access door and the housing, spaced apart from the perimeter edge portion of the one of the access door and the housing; at least one latch member assembled with the other of the access door and the housing, spaced apart from the perimeter edge portion of the other of the access door and the housing, wherein when the access door is in the closed position, the at least one latch member is movable between an interlocking position in interlocking engagement with the staple portion and a releasing position disengaged from the staple portion to permit movement of the access door from the closed position to the open position; and a locking mechanism including a blocking element and a lock interface operable to move the blocking element from a locking position in which the blocking element engages the at least one latch member to prevent movement of the at least one latch member to the releasing position, to an unlocked position in which the blocking element is disengaged from the at least one latch member to permit movement of the at least one latch member to the releasing position. 2. The lockable enclosure of claim 1, wherein the staple portion comprises at least one pin. 3. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the at least one latch member comprises a pivotable latch member. 4. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-3, wherein the staple portion comprises first and second staple elements and the at least one latch member comprises first and second latch members. 5. The lockable enclosure of claim 4, wherein when the blocking element is in the locking position, a portion of the blocking element is disposed between the first and second latch members to prevent inward lateral movement of the first and second latch members from the interlocking position to the releasing position. 6. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-5, wherein the lock interface includes a plurality of dials configured to permit movement of the blocking element from the locking position to the unlocked position when each of the plurality of dials is rotated to an unlocking orientation. 7. The lockable enclosure of claim 6, wherein when each of the plurality of dials is rotated to the unlocking orientation, an outer peripheral recess on each of the dials aligns with a dial engaging portion of the blocking element, allowing the blocking element to move from the locking position to the unlocked position, with each of the dial engaging portions being received in a corresponding one of the recesses. 8. The lockable enclosure of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of dials includes a central hub defining the outer peripheral recess, and a user graspable wheel that interlocks with the corresponding hub for rotation therewith when the hub is in a wheel engaging position, the hub being separable from the corresponding wheel to a wheel disengaged position to change the rotational orientation of the wheel with respect to the outer peripheral recess. 9. The lockable enclosure of claim 8, wherein the lockable enclosure further comprises a code changing member movable from a code maintaining position to a code changing position to move the plurality of hubs from the wheel engaging position to the wheel disengaged position. 10. The lockable enclosure of claim 9, wherein the code changing member, when in the code changing position, is configured to block movement of the access door from the open position to the closed position. 11. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-10, wherein the locking mechanism is assembled with the access door. 12. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-11, wherein the at least one latch member is assembled with the housing and the staple portion is carried by the access door. 13. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-12, further comprising a lock shroud affixed to the one of the access door and the housing and enclosing the staple portion, the lock shroud including an aperture receiving an end portion of the at least one latch member therethrough to enclose the interlocking engagement between the at least one latch member and the staple portion. 14. The lockable enclosure of claim 13, wherein the blocking element is disposed within the lock shroud, such that engagement between the blocking element and the at least one latch member is enclosed by the lock shroud. 15. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-14, further comprising a latch shroud affixed to the other of the access door and the housing and enclosing a base portion of the at least one latch member connected with the other of the access door and the housing, with an end portion of the at least one latch member extending through an aperture in the latch shroud for interlocking engagement with the staple portion. 16. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-15, further comprising a shackle including first and second end portions extending through first and second shackle holes in the housing, and a shackle latch mechanism disposed within the housing and releasably engaged with the first and second shackle end portions to secure the shackle with the housing. 17. The lockable enclosure of claim 16, wherein the shackle latch mechanism includes first and second shackle latches releasably engaged with the first and second shackle end portions. 18. The lockable enclosure of claim 17, wherein the shackle latch mechanism includes first and second release levers independently operable for independent disengagement of the first and second shackle latches from the first and second shackle end portions. 19. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 17 and 18, further comprising a latch shroud affixed to the housing and enclosing the first and second shackle latches. 20. The lockable enclosure of claim 19, wherein the latch shroud encloses a base portion of the at least one latch member connected with the housing. 21. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-20, wherein the at least one latch member is spring biased toward the interlocking position. 22. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-21, wherein the blocking element is spring biased toward the unlocked position. 23. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 1-22, wherein when the blocking element is in the unlocked position, a pulling force applied to the access door causes the staple portion to force the at least one latch member into the releasing position and out of engagement with the staple portion, to permit movement of the access door to the open position. 24. A lockable enclosure comprising: a housing; an access door assembled with the housing and movable between a closed position in which a perimeter edge portion of the access door adjoins a perimeter edge portion of the housing to block access to a cavity defined by the housing and the access door, and an open position permitting access to the cavity; a staple portion carried by the access door, spaced apart from the perimeter edge portion of the access door; at least one latch member assembled with the housing, spaced apart from the perimeter edge portion of the housing, wherein when the access door is in the closed position, the at least one latch member is movable between an interlocking position in interlocking engagement with the staple portion and a releasing position disengaged from the staple portion to permit movement of the access door from the closed position to the open position; a locking mechanism operable between a locking condition in which the at least one latch member is secured in the interlocking position, and an unlocked condition in which the at least one latch member is movable to the releasing position; and a lock shroud affixed to the access door and enclosing the staple portion, the lock shroud including an aperture receiving an end portion of the at least one latch member therethrough to enclose the interlocking engagement between the at least one latch member and the staple portion. 25. The lockable enclosure of claim 24, wherein the staple portion comprises at least one pin. 26. The lockable enclosure of any of 24 and 25, wherein the at least one latch member comprises a pivotable latch member. 27. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 24-26, wherein the locking mechanism includes a blocking element that engages the at least one latch member in a locking position to secure the at least one latch member in the interlocking position when the locking mechanism is in the locking condition. 28. The lockable enclosure of claim 27, wherein the blocking element is disposed within the lock shroud. 29. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 27 and 28, wherein the staple portion comprises first and second staple elements and the at least one latch member comprises first and second latch members, and wherein when the blocking element is in the locking position, a portion of the blocking element is disposed between the first and second latch members to prevent inward lateral movement of the first and second latch members from the interlocking position to the releasing position. 30. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 27-29, wherein the lock interface includes a plurality of dials configured to permit movement of the blocking element from the locking position to an unlocked position when each of the plurality of dials is rotated to an unlocking orientation. 31. The lockable enclosure of claim 30, wherein when each of the plurality of dials is rotated to the unlocking orientation, an outer peripheral recess on each of the dials aligns with a dial engaging portion of the blocking element, allowing the blocking element to move from the locking position to the unlocked position, with each of the dial engaging portions being received in a corresponding one of the recesses. 32. The lockable enclosure of claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of dials includes a central hub defining the outer peripheral recess, and a user graspable wheel that interlocks with the corresponding hub for rotation therewith when the hub is in a wheel engaging position, the hub being separable from the corresponding wheel to a wheel disengaged position to change the rotational orientation of the wheel with respect to the outer peripheral recess. 33. The lockable enclosure of claim 32, wherein the lockable enclosure further comprises a code changing member movable from a code maintaining position to a code changing position to move the plurality of hubs from the wheel engaging position to the wheel disengaged position. 34. The lockable enclosure of claim 33, wherein the code changing member, when in the code changing position, is configured to block movement of the access door from the open position to the closed position. 35. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 24-34, wherein the locking mechanism is assembled with the access door. 36. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 24-35, further comprising a latch shroud affixed to the other of the access door and the housing and enclosing a base portion of the at least one latch member connected with the other of the access door and the housing, with an end portion of the at least one latch member extending through an aperture in the latch shroud for interlocking engagement with the staple portion. 37. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 24-36, further comprising a shackle including first and second end portions extending through first and second shackle holes in the housing, and a shackle latch mechanism disposed within the housing and releasably engaged with the first and second shackle end portions to secure the shackle with the housing. 38. The lockable enclosure of claim 37, wherein the shackle latch mechanism includes first and second shackle latches releasably engaged with the first and second shackle end portions. 39. The lockable enclosure of claim 38, wherein the shackle latch mechanism includes first and second release levers independently operable for independent disengagement of the first and second shackle latches from the first and second shackle end portions. 40. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 24-39, further comprising a latch shroud affixed to the housing and enclosing the first and second shackle latches. 41. The lockable enclosure of claim 40, wherein the latch shroud encloses a base portion of the at least one latch member connected with the housing. 42. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 24-41, wherein the at least one latch member is spring biased toward the interlocking position. 43. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 24-42, wherein the locking mechanism is spring biased toward the unlocked condition. 44. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 24-43, wherein when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked condition, a pulling force applied to the access door causes the staple portion to force the at least one latch member into the releasing position and out of engagement with the staple portion, to permit movement of the access door to the open position. 45. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 24-44, wherein the staple portion comprises first and second staple elements and the at least one latch member comprises first and second latch members. 46. A lockable enclosure comprising: a housing; an access door assembled with the housing and movable between a closed position in which a perimeter edge portion of the access door adjoins a perimeter edge portion of the housing to block access to a cavity defined by the housing and the access door, and an open position permitting access to the cavity; a staple portion carried by one of the access door and the housing; at least one latch member assembled with the other of the access door and the housing, wherein when the access door is in the closed position, the at least one latch member is movable between an interlocking position in interlocking engagement with the staple portion and a releasing position disengaged from the staple portion to permit movement of the access door from the closed position to the open position; a locking mechanism operable between a locking condition in which the at least one latch member is secured in the interlocking position, and an unlocked condition in which the at least one latch member is movable to the releasing position; a shackle including first and second end portions extending through first and second shackle holes in the housing; and a shackle latch mechanism disposed within the housing and releasably engaged with the first and second shackle end portions to secure the shackle with the housing; wherein the shackle latch mechanism includes first and second shackle latches releasably engaged with the first and second shackle end portions, and first and second release levers independently operable for independent disengagement of the first and second shackle latches from the first and second shackle end portions. 47. The lockable enclosure of claim 46, further comprising a latch shroud affixed to the housing and enclosing the first and second shackle latches. 48. The lockable enclosure of claim 47, wherein the latch shroud encloses a base portion of the at least one latch member connected with the housing, with an end portion of the at least one latch member extending through an aperture in the latch shroud for interlocking engagement with the staple portion. 49. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 46-48, wherein the staple portion comprises at least one pin. 50. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 46-49, wherein the at least one latch member comprises a pivotable latch member. 51. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 46-50, wherein the locking mechanism includes a blocking element that engages the at least one latch member in a locking position to secure the at least one latch member in the interlocking position when the locking mechanism is in the locking condition. 52. The lockable enclosure of claim 51, further comprising a lock shroud affixed to the one of the access door and the housing and enclosing the staple portion, the lock shroud including an aperture receiving an end portion of the at least one latch member therethrough to enclose the interlocking engagement between the at least one latch member and the staple portion, wherein the blocking element is disposed within the lock shroud, such that engagement between the blocking element and the at least one latch member is enclosed by the lock shroud. 53. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 51 and 52, wherein the staple portion comprises first and second staple elements and the at least one latch member comprises first and second latch members, and wherein when the blocking element is in the locking position, a portion of the blocking element is disposed between the first and second latch members to prevent inward lateral movement of the first and second latch members from the interlocking position to the releasing position. 54. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 51-53, wherein the lock interface includes a plurality of dials configured to permit movement of the blocking element from the locking position to an unlocked position when each of the plurality of dials is rotated to an unlocking orientation. 55. The lockable enclosure of claim 54, wherein when each of the plurality of dials is rotated to the unlocking orientation, an outer peripheral recess on each of the dials aligns with a dial engaging portion of the blocking element, allowing the blocking element to move from the locking position to the unlocked position, with each of the dial engaging portions being received in a corresponding one of the recesses. 56. The lockable enclosure of claim 55, wherein each of the plurality of dials includes a central hub defining the outer peripheral recess, and a user graspable wheel that interlocks with the corresponding hub for rotation therewith when the hub is in a wheel engaging position, the hub being separable from the corresponding wheel to a wheel disengaged position to change the rotational orientation of the wheel with respect to the outer peripheral recess. 57. The lockable enclosure of claim 56, wherein the lockable enclosure further comprises a code changing member movable from a code maintaining position to a code changing position to move the plurality of hubs from the wheel engaging position to the wheel disengaged position. 58. The lockable enclosure of claim 57, wherein the code changing member, when in the code changing position, is configured to block movement of the access door from the open position to the closed position. 59. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 46-58, wherein the locking mechanism is assembled with the access door. 60. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 46-59, wherein the at least one latch member is assembled with the housing and the staple portion is carried by the access door. 61. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 46-60, further comprising a lock shroud affixed to the one of the access door and the housing and enclosing the staple portion, the lock shroud including an aperture receiving an end portion of the at least one latch member therethrough to enclose the interlocking engagement between the at least one latch member and the staple portion. 62. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 46-61, wherein the at least one latch member is spring biased toward the interlocking position. 63. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 46-62, wherein the locking mechanism is spring biased toward the unlocked condition. 64. The lockable enclosure of any of claims 46-63, wherein when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked condition, a pulling force applied to the access door causes the staple portion to force the at least one latch member into the releasing position and out of engagement with the staple portion, to permit movement of the access door to the open position. |