US2755748A - Portable lock box - Google Patents

Description

July 24, 1956 E, ABELL, JR 2,755,748

PORTABLE LOCK BOX Filed May 4, 1953 Parker E. Abe, L/IZ INVENTOR.

BY 9 (am A 7'TORNE Y United States Patent PORTABLE LOCK BOX Parker E. Abell, Jr., Hearne, Tex.

Application May 4, 1953, Serial No. 352,803

3 Claims. (Cl. 109-52) The present invention relates to portable lock boxes and, more particularly, to lock boxes which may be transported from place to place and there secured to fixed objects so that the box may not be stolen.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable lock box which may readily be carried by a person from place to place, and which may contain valuables and can be secured to objects to prevent stealing of the lock box or its contents.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a lock box in which the means to secure the lock box to an object also firmly locks the closure member of the box to the body to prevent unauthorized opening.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a lock box of the above character which is simple and yet efiective for the purpose, which might be manufactured economically and which is attractive in appearance.

Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of an example of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which like character references designate like parts throughout the several views and where,

Figure l is a perspective view of a lock box constructed according to the invention and illustrated secured in position to a fixed object,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of satisfactory means to secure the lock box to the object and at the same time retain the closure member locked in closed position, and

Figure 3 is a side view of the means illustrated in Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral designates generally a lock box or container constructed according to the invention and illustrated secured to the fixed object 12. This object may be a standard, bed post or any other fixed or relatively fixed object. The box 10 may be constructed of any suitable material, but the material should be strong enough to prevent unauthorized tampering and opening of the box and steel is satisfactory for the purpose.

The box 10 may have a closure member, such as the top 14 hingedly secured to the back 16, and has the bottom 18, sides 20 and front 22. The top 14 is formed with a downwardly-extending flange member 24 which fits over the front 22 and sides 20 to insure complete closing of the box 10.

Disposed proximate the front of the box 10 are a pair of aligned slots 26 and 28 in the top 14 and the bottom 18, respectively. These slots are provided near the outer end of the free end of the hinged top 14 and are adapted to receive a portion of the strap 30.

As best seen in figure 2, the strap 30 has the tongue 32 hinged at 34 to a curved strap 36 which extends around the object 12. At the lower portion of the tongue 32 is an aperture 38, and at the free extremity of the strap 36 is an aperture 40.

As best seen in Figure 1, the tongue 32 is inserted 2,755,748 Patented July 24, 1956 through the slots 26 and 28 at the front of the box, and the hinge 34 provides a stop for opening movement of the lid 14. The tongue 32 is of such a length that it will extend through the box to an extent where the shoulder 34 snugly engages the upper surface of the box 10 and the shackle 42 of the padlock 44 may be inserted through the apertures 38 and 40 and securely lock the strap about the object 12 but at the same time prevent opening movement of the lid 14. Thus, the securing means by which the portable safe 10 is secured about the member 12 also effectively locks the portable safe 10 in closed position.

The strap 30 should be formed of a suitable strong material for the purpose and a strong metal which might be bent slightly to conform to the external configuration of the objects, such as indicated at 12, is satisfactory for the purpose. If desired, however, the strap 36 may be flexible, such as a chain, but the shoulder 34 should be placed so that it snugly engages the lid 14 and holds it closed when the shackle 42 of the padlock 44 is placed through the aperture 38. If desired, the shoulder 34 need not be hinged, but should engage and provide a strap for the lid 14 to lock it in closed position.

While the lid 14 is illustrated as the hinged closure member, it is obvious that any member of the container or box 10 may be hinged and a slot provided preferably adjacent its free end, which slot registers with a second slot in a fixed member of the container or box 10 to receive the strap 30 in the manner indicated to lock the hinged closure member on locking the portable safe to the object 12.

If desired, the case 10 and/ or strap 30 may be painted any suitable color. It is apparent that the portable safe of the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects mentioned and obtain advantages incidental thereto. Also, the development is particularly adapted for use by people who travel considerably and have to carry their valuables with them, such as persons in the armed services and the like.

Thus, the present invention comprises a portable safe which includes means to secure it to an object which means effectively locks the closure member of the portable safe in closed position in addition to locking it to the object.

Changes in the details and arrangement of parts will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art which are included within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable safe comprising a container provided with a hinged closure member for opening and closing the container, said closure member having a first slot disposed therein proximate its free extremity, a portion of the container other than that of the hinged closure member having a second slot registering with the first slot when the closure member is in closed position, and a strap for securing the container to an external member, said strap including at one end thereof a tongue extending through the first and second slots when the closure member is in closed position, said tongue including a shoulder engaging the hinged closure member and having an aperture in its free extremity, the other end of said strap having an aperture therethrough, said apertures being positioned so that the shackle of a padlock disposed through the apertures snugly secures the shoulder against the hinged closure member thereby locking the hinged closure member in closed position and locking the strap about the external member.

2. A portable safe comprising a box having a hinged lid, bottom and sides, said hinged lid having a first slot disposed therein proximate its free extremity, said bottom having a second slot registering with the second slot when the hinged lid is in closed position, and a strap for securing the box to an external member, said strap including at one end thereof a tongue extending through the first and second slots when the hingedtlid is in closed position, said strap also including --a shoulder, and apertures in the free extremities-of the tongue-.and-theother end of .said strap adapted toreeeive :the shackle of-a-padlock, .sa-id apertures and shoulder so constructed-and arranged that insertion of theshackle of thepadlooktthrough.thetapertures when locking the strap to the'externaltobjectlocks the shoulder snugly against the hinged -lid thereby locking the hinged lid in closed position.

3. A portable safe comprising a box'havinga'hinged lid, bottom and sides, the hinged lid provided with-a vdepending fiange at its-free ends extending snugly over the sides when the hinged lid is in elosedposition, said. hinged lid having afirst slot .disposedtherein proximate .its free extremity, the bottom having a second slot disposed therein in registry with the first slot-when the hinged .lidis in closed position, and a strap for securing the box to an external member, said strap including-a tongue extending through the first and second slots when the. hinged lid is in closed position, a hinge securing the tongue portion of the strap to the other portion thereof, the free extremities of the tongue and said other portion of said strap having apertures therein which are adapted to receive the shackle of a padlock, said apertures and tongue being so construeted and arranged that insertion of the shackle of the padlock through the apertures when locking the strap to the external object locks the hinge snugly against the hinged lid thereby locking the hinged'lid inclosed position.

References-Citedin= the-file of this patent UNITED :STATES iPATENTS 99,736 Wi-ler Feb. 8, 1870 407,625 Valdivielso July 23, 1889 1,435,589 Davis Nov. 14, 1922 1,500,977 Witty July 8, 1924 2,410,475 Anderson Nov. 5, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 431,377 :Franee 'Nov. 9, 1911

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