Case comprising two shell bodies and an insert

Details Case comprising two shell bodies and an insert Case comprising two shell bodies and an insert

2000-02-07

2001-08-14

Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)

Special receptacle or package

For time mechanism or element

C206S005000, C206S776000, C220S004010

Reexamination Certificate

active

06273246

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a case comprising two shell bodies which can be removably assembled to each other transversely to the length of the case.
Cases comprising shell bodies which can be assembled to each other transversely to the axis without hinges are used for the protective keeping of in particular elongate articles such as e.g. watches or glasses, but these cases however in the closed condition cannot be locked and bar the viewing of the article located therein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide such a case which can be locked and is easy to manufacture.
This object is achieved according to the invention by a case comprising two shell bodies which can be assembled to each other transversely to the longitudinal axis of the case, and further comprising an insert which is arranged parallel to the length of the case and which has one end arranged to be inserted into one of the shell bodies provided with an opening for snapping-in a latching element, said insert having an arm which is biased in the direction of the opening, said latching element being carried by an end of said arm.
There is thus created a case whose shell bodies are connectable to one another via an insert which is snapped into an opening on one of the shell bodies with a latching element arranged on an arm which is biased in the closing position, and which by way of pressure on the latching element is simply releasable again from the shell body.
By way of the biasing an actuation of the arm for locking is not necessary. The latching element snaps automatically into the opening on inserting the insert into the shell body.
The insert may at one end comprise two arms having an end-side latching element, which are biased in the direction of opposite walls of the associated shell body, wherein in the opposite walls there are provided suitable openings for snapping in the latching elements. With this the insert by way of pressure on the opposite latching elements, in particular by the index finger and thumb of a hand, is simply releasable again from the shell body, wherein at the same time the index finger and thumb grip the respective shell body and thus the shell bodies may be separated from one another.
The openings are preferably provided in the beginning of a section of the wall, which runs semicircularly towards the longitudinal axis of the case, so that the latching elements may be simply actuated.
In order to simplify the insertion of the insert, the shell body may be provided with guiding grooves which guide the latching element to the associated opening.
In order to counteract a slipping of the finger on actuation of the latching element for opening the case, the outer side of the latching element may have a gripping surface with a useful friction.
The insert may simultaneously serve as a carrier or holder for the article to be accommodated by the case, so that a separate element is not necessary for this.
The insert may comprise a middle part with a grid, resulting in a high stability with a simultaneous saving of material.
To act as holding means, prongs extending between the arms may be provided for supporting and/or retaining a part of the article.
Furthermore there may be provided guiding and/or retaining lugs integral with the insert, in order to fix the article in a predetermined position in the case.
The insert may where appropriate be connected as one piece to the other shell body.
In a preferred embodiment, the insert comprises at both ends at least one arm with an end-side latching element, both shell bodies having suitable openings for snapping-in the associated latching elements.
Further features of the invention can be deduced from the subsequent description and the dependent claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4216858 (1980-08-01), Beauchamp
patent: 4744461 (1988-05-01), Lapham
patent: 5263577 (1993-11-01), Paratte et al.
patent: 6119864 (2000-09-01), Kessler et al.

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