Q-latch rotary spherical joint

Abstract

Generally, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a latch. The latch includes a ball joint. The ball joint includes a stem and a first ball positioned at a proximal end of the stem. The latch includes a housing configured to surround a portion of the stem and the first ball and secure the ball joint within the housing. The latch also includes a cover plate. The cover plate has a recess or cup that receives the first ball of the ball joint and allows the first ball to rotate within the recess or cup.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 171,908, entitled "Q-LATCHSWIVEL BALL JOINT", filed April 7, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This specification relates to a system, apparatus, and / or method for providing a secure and easily accessible locking mechanism for transport containers. Background Technology

[0004] The transport of temperature-sensitive materials requires specialized transport containers. Some biological materials are transported in containers filled with dry ice to ensure they remain within a temperature range of -60 to -80 degrees Celsius during transport. These specialized containers are typically subjected to significant external forces during transport or storage, including but not limited to vibration, thermal shock, pressure differentials, drops during handling, and collisions with other objects. The containers must not only possess structural integrity to withstand all external impacts but also be designed to prevent accidental opening during transport to protect the contents and surrounding humans and the environment from exposure to the dry ice and the contents, especially if it is an infectious material. While containing the goods within transport containers is a high priority, the ease of opening and closing the containers is also critical. Goods placed inside containers are sometimes used for medical purposes and are therefore sensitive to temperature and time. Any delay in opening, and especially closing, can pose a high risk of product spoilage or a shortened dynamic retention time.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a system, device, and / or method that provides a secure and easily accessible locking mechanism for transport containers. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Typically, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification is embodied in a latch. In various exemplary embodiments, the latch includes a ball joint. The ball joint includes a rod and a first ball positioned proximal to the rod. The latch includes a housing configured to surround a portion of the rod and the first ball, and to secure the ball joint within the housing. The latch may also include a cover plate. The cover plate has a recess or cup portion that receives the first ball from the ball joint and allows the first ball to rotate within the recess or cup portion.

[0007] These and other embodiments may optionally include one or more of other features. The latch may include the space between the inner periphery of the housing and the outer periphery of the spherical joint's rod. The housing may include a threaded outer surface configured to interlock with a threaded surface of the container. The housing may include a threaded inner surface that engages or interlocks with a threaded outer surface of the cover to secure or interlock the cover within the housing. The spherical joint may include a second ball positioned at the distal end of the rod opposite the first ball.

[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, the invention may be embodied in a locking device. The locking device includes a latch and a receiver. The latch includes a ball joint comprising a rod and a first ball positioned proximal to the rod. The latch also includes a housing and a cover plate, the housing configured to surround a portion of the rod and the first ball and to secure the ball joint within the housing, the cover plate having a recess or cup portion that receives the first ball from the ball joint and allows the first ball to rotate within the recess or cup portion. The receiver includes a tubular member configured to retain and receive the ball joint, and a locking pin configured to secure the ball joint within the receiver.

[0009] The ball joint may also include a second ball positioned at the distal end of the rod opposite the first ball. The tubular member may be cylindrical and retain the second ball of the ball joint inside the receiver. The ball joint and receiver may be misaligned. A locking pin of the receiver may engage the second ball of the ball joint. The locking pin may be controllable to eject the second ball of the ball joint from the receiver.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, the subject matter may be embodied in a container. The container includes a first locking device having a latch and a receiver. The latch includes a ball joint having a rod, a first ball positioned proximal to the rod, and a second ball positioned distal to the rod opposite the first ball. The latch also includes a housing and a cover plate, the housing configured to surround a portion of the rod and the first ball and to secure the ball joint within the housing, the cover plate having a recess or cup portion that receives the first ball of the ball joint and allows the first ball to rotate within the recess or cup portion. The receiver includes a tubular member configured to retain the ball joint, a locking pin configured to secure the ball joint within the receiver, and a first button positioned distal to the locking pin.

[0011] The container may also include a second locking device having a latch and a receiver. The latch of the second locking device includes a ball joint having a rod, a first ball positioned proximal to the rod, and a second ball positioned distal to the rod opposite the first ball. The latch of the second locking device also includes a housing configured to surround a portion of the rod and the first ball, and to secure the ball joint within the housing; a space between the inner periphery of the housing and the outer periphery of the rod of the ball joint; and a cover plate having a recess or cup portion that receives the first ball of the ball joint and allows the first ball to rotate within the recess or cup portion. The receiver of the second locking device includes a tubular member configured to retain the ball joint, a locking pin configured to secure the ball joint inside the receiver, and a second button positioned distal to the locking pin. The container can be opened by pressing the first button of the first locking device to push the locking pin to eject the ball joint from the receiver, and by pressing the second button of the second locking device to push the locking pin to eject the ball joint from the receiver. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following accompanying drawings and detailed descriptions. The components shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and may be exaggerated to better illustrate key features of the invention.

[0013] Figure 1 A container is shown with a locking device according to one aspect of the present invention installed.

[0014] Figure 2 An example of a locking device comprising a latch and a latch receiver according to an aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0015] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a latch according to one aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0016] Figure 4 A latch receiver according to an aspect of the invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0017] This document discloses systems, apparatuses, and / or methods for providing secure and easily accessible locking devices, devices, or other mechanisms for transporting containers. The locking device secures the lid of a transporter to the base of the transporter. In some embodiments, the locking device can secure two different parts of the transporter together. The locking device can be used to secure other containers or housings that may have different sizes or be used for different applications, such as document storage containers. The locking device may include a latch or other latching device and a latch receiver. The latch may include a ball joint fixed inside the latch receiver to lock or secure the lid of the container, with the base of the container in a closed position. The latch allows the ball joint to rotate such that the lid of the container remains secured to the base of the container even when there is a small misalignment between the lid and the base. Therefore, the locking device prevents accidental opening during transport and allows for easy closure even if the lid and base of the container are slightly misaligned due to external forces.

[0018] Other benefits and advantages include a longer service life for the locking device and greater durability throughout its lifespan, as both the latch and latch receiver are located inside the housing and within the container's channels or cavities, protecting the locking device from external exposure and impacts. Additionally, shipping containers can be equipped with two such locking devices. The container can only be fully opened when both locking devices are unlocked simultaneously or sequentially, preventing accidental opening during transport.

[0019] Figure 1 A container 100 with one or more locking devices 106 is shown. The container 100 may include a lid 102, a base 104, and one or more locking devices 106. The container 100 can be closed by holding the lid 102 and the base 104 together, and opened by disengaging the lid 102 from the base 104. The container 100 may have one or more locking devices 106 mounted or fixed thereon. Locking devices 106 may include a latch 108 and a latch receiver 110, such as a Q-latch. The latch 108 may interlock with the latch receiver 110 to close and lock the lid 102 to the base 104 of the container 100. The latch 108 may disengage from the latch receiver 110 to unlock the container 100 and allow the lid 102 to open. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, latch 108 may be mounted on base 104 of container 100, while latch receiver 110 may be mounted on lid 102 of container 100. Alternatively, latch 108 may be mounted on lid 102 of container 100, while latch receiver 110 may be mounted on base 104 of container 100.

[0020] For example, such as Figure 1As shown, the surface of the cover 102 may include one or more recesses 134. When the proximal end 138 of the latch receiver 110 is inserted into a channel within the cover (hereinafter referred to as the "cover channel"), the one or more recesses 134 may protect the exposed distal end 136 of the latch receiver 110 from external forces. The one or more recesses 134 may include openings leading to the cover channel located below the surface of the cover 102, the cover channel receiving the proximal end 138 of the latch receiver 110. The latch receiver 110 of the locking device 106 may be inserted into and / or positioned within the cover channel. The distal end 136 is opposite the proximal end 138 of the latch receiver 110, and the latch receiver 110 interlocks with the latch 108 at the proximal end 138. The distal end 136 may be located within the cover channel below the surface of the cover 102, with a portion partially exposed on the surface of the one or more recesses 134. The latch receiver 110 may include a button 112 or other actuating means for disengaging the latch 108 from the latch receiver 110. The button 112 or other actuating means may be located at or near the distal end 136 of the latch receiver 110. The button 112 or other actuating means may be located within a cover channel below the surface of the cover 102, and / or flush with the surface of one or more recesses 134 to protect the button 112 from external forces. (See below for reference.) Figure 4 The latch receiver 110 is described further.

[0021] The surface of the cover 102 may include a cover channel 137 that receives a latch receiver 110 of the locking device 106 (hereinafter referred to as the "cover channel"). The latch receiver 110 may be inserted into and / or positioned within the cover channel 137. The cover channel 137 may protect the latch receiver 110 from external forces. The outer surface of the latch receiver 110 may be flush with the surface of the cover 102 to protect the latch receiver 110 from impacts and / or other external forces. The cover channel 137 may include a first opening located on the inner surface of an edge 122 of the cover 102, at which the cover 102 meets the base 104. The proximal end 138 of the latch receiver 110 may be inserted into and positioned in the first opening of the cover channel 137, at which the latch receiver 110 interlocks with a latch 108. The cover channel 137 may include a second opening located in or positioned on one or more recesses 134 in the surface of the cover 102. When the proximal end 138 is inserted into the cover channel 137, the distal end 136 of the latch receiver 110 may be located at the second opening of the cover channel to interlock with the latch 108. The cover channel 137 may include a threaded surface 128. The threaded surface 128 may cover a portion of the surface of the cover channel near the first opening or cover the entire surface of the cover channel. The threaded surface 128 of the cover channel 137 may engage or interlock with a threaded surface 126 on the housing 114 of the latch receiver 110 to secure the latch receiver 110 inside the cover channel.

[0022] The surface of the base 104 of container 100 may include a cavity 133 (hereinafter “base cavity 133”). A latch 108 of locking device 106 may be inserted into and / or positioned within the base cavity 133. The base cavity 133 protects the latch 108 from external forces. The surface of the latch 108 may be flush with the surface of the base 104 to protect the latch 108. The base cavity 133 may include a proximal end located on an edge 124 of the base 104, at which the base 104 meets the cap 102. The base cavity 133 may include a distal end opposite the proximal end. The distal end of the base cavity may be closed or open. The distal end of the latch 108 may be positioned at the proximal end of the base cavity 133 to interlock with the latch receiver 110. The proximal end of the base cavity 133 may include a first opening on the inner surface of the edge 124 of the base cavity 133. When the cover 102 is closed, the first opening of the base cavity 133 may be aligned with a first opening of a cover channel on the inner surface of the edge 122 of the cover 102, such that the distal end of the latch 108 may extend or be positioned within a latch receiver 110, which is positioned within the cover channel to interlock the latch 108 with the latch receiver 110. The base cavity 133 may include a threaded surface 130. The threaded surface 130 may cover a portion or all of the surface of the base cavity 133. The threaded surface 130 may engage or interlock with a threaded surface 132 of the latch 108 to secure the latch 108 within the base cavity 133. The threaded surface 132 may be located on the housing 120 of the latch 108. Reference is made below. Figure 3 The latch 108 is described further.

[0023] In some embodiments, the positioning of one or more recesses 134, channels, or cavities in the surface of container 100 can be interchanged between lid 102 and base 104. Thus, latch receiver 110 can be positioned within base 104 instead of lid 102, and latch 108 can be positioned within lid 102 instead of base 104. When the channel is in the surface of base 104 (hereinafter referred to as the "base channel"), latch receiver 110 can be positioned within the base channel. When the cavity is in the surface of lid 102 (hereinafter referred to as the "lid cavity"), latch 108 can be positioned within the lid cavity. The base channel may have or share the same functions and / or characteristics as the lid channel described above, but is alternatively positioned within base 104. The lid cavity may have or share the same functions and / or characteristics as the base cavity described above, but is alternatively positioned within lid 102.

[0024] A latch receiver 110 may be positioned within a lid channel or base channel on the surface of container 100 to protect the latch receiver 110 from external forces. The latch receiver 110 may be positioned close to or tightly within the channel, such that the latch receiver 110 is secured therein. The latch receiver 110 may include a housing 114 having a threaded surface that can engage or interlock with a threaded surface of the lid channel or base channel to secure the latch receiver 110 within the channel. For example, when the latch receiver 110 is positioned within the lid channel, its housing 114 may include a threaded surface 126 that can engage or interlock with a threaded surface 128 of the lid channel to fasten the latch receiver 110 to the lid channel of the lid 102.

[0025] The latch receiver 110 may include a proximal end located on or near an edge 122 of the cover 102 or an edge 124 of the base 104, at which the cover 102 engages with the base 104. The proximal end of the latch receiver 110 may receive a distal end of a latch 108 and secure the latch 108 within the latch receiver 110 to lock the latch receiver 110 with the latch 108. The latch receiver 110 may include a distal end located on or near one or more recesses 134 in the surface of the cover 102 or the base 104. The latch receiver 110 may include a button 112 or other actuating device located at or near the distal end of the latch receiver 110 and for disengaging the latch receiver 110 from the latch 108. When the locking device 106 is locked and the button 112 or other actuating device of the latch receiver 110 is pressed, the button 112 or other actuating device can eject the distal end of the latch 108 from the latch receiver 110 and disengage the latch 108 from the latch receiver 110 to unlock or open the container 100.

[0026] A housing 114 of the latch receiver 110 may cover and surround the latch receiver 110. The housing 114 may protect the latch receiver 110 from external forces. In some embodiments, the latch receiver 110 may be mounted or secured to the container 100 using fasteners. Fasteners may be used with threaded surfaces to engage the latch receiver 110 within the lid 102 or base 104. Fasteners may be bolts, screws, hinges, or variations thereof. Fasteners may be located in or near the surface of the container 100, in or near the lid channel or base channel. For example, when the latch receiver 110 is positioned inside the lid channel, the fastener may be located on the edge 116 of the lid channel.

[0027] The latch 108 may be positioned within a base cavity or lid cavity in the surface of the container 100 to protect the latch 108. The latch 108 may be positioned close or tightly within the cavity such that the latch 108 is secured and will not detach or slip out of the cavity due to external forces. The latch 108 may include a housing 120 having a threaded surface, which may engage or interlock with the threaded surface of the base cavity or lid cavity to secure the latch 108 within the cavity. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, latch 108 can be positioned inside the base cavity, and the housing 120 of latch 108 may include a threaded surface 132 that can engage or interlock with the threaded surface 130 of the base cavity.

[0028] The latch 108 may include a distal end located on or near edge 124 of base 104 or edge 122 of cover 102, at which cover 102 meets base 104. The distal end of latch 108 may be positioned and secured within the housing of latch receiver 110 to interlock latch 108 with latch receiver 110. When the distal end of latch 108 disengages from latch receiver 110, latch 108 can disengage from latch receiver 110 to unlock locking device 106. In some embodiments, latch 108 may be mounted or secured to container 100 using fasteners. Fasteners may be used with threaded surfaces to engage latch 108 within base 104 or cover 102. Fasteners may be bolts, screws, hinges, or variations thereof. Fasteners may be located in the surface of container 100, in or near the base cavity or cover cavity. For example, when the latch 108 is positioned inside the base cavity, the fastener may be located on the edge 118 of the base cavity.

[0029] Container 100 may include one or more locking devices 106. Figure 2 Locking device 106 is shown. Each of one or more locking devices may have a latch receiver 110 and a latch 108. One or more locking devices 106 may include a first locking device and a second locking device mounted or secured to container 100. Container 100 may include any number of locking devices 106. When container 100 includes two locking devices, container 100 can be unlocked by simultaneously, sequentially, or successively unlocking both the first and second locking devices to prevent accidental opening of container 100 due to external force. For example, both locking devices 106 may need to be pressed down simultaneously to unlock lid 102 from base 104; otherwise, when either of the two locking devices 106 is not pressed down, the corresponding latch 108 may remain engaged with and interlocked with the corresponding latch receiver 110.

[0030] The first locking device may include a first button, and the second locking device may include a second button. When the first button is pressed, the first locking device may eject a corresponding latch 108 positioned within a corresponding latch receiver 110 and unlock the first locking device 106. When the second button is pressed, the second locking device may eject the corresponding latch 108 from the corresponding latch receiver 110 and unlock the second locking device. In some embodiments, the latch 108 may remain disengaged from the corresponding latch receiver 110 until a force is applied to the cover 102 to close the cover 102 on top of the base 104, and to re-engage the corresponding latch 108 with the corresponding latch receiver 110. In some embodiments, the cover 102 may be biased to close, and a force may be applied to re-engage the corresponding latch 108 with the corresponding latch receiver 110. The button of the first locking device and / or the second locking device may be located on or near one or more recesses 134 or base 104 on the surface of the cover 102 to protect the button from external forces in order to prevent the container 100 from being opened accidentally.

[0031] When latch 108 and latch receiver 110 are respectively mounted on lid 102 and base 104 of container 100, or vice versa, latch 108 may be allowed to rotate or move about to correct misalignment between latch 108 and latch receiver 110 caused by external forces on lid 102 and / or base 104. If latch 108 and latch receiver 110 are misaligned, this may prevent the distal end of latch 108 from being secured inside latch receiver 110, or may cause the distal end of latch 108 to disengage from latch receiver 110, which could unlock locking device 106. Therefore, because latch 108 can rotate or move about to correct misalignment and / or realign latch 108 with latch receiver 110, latch 108 can engage and interlock with latch receiver 110, and / or maintain engagement with latch receiver 110, thereby closing or keeping container 100 closed.

[0032] Now for reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The latch 108 may include a ball joint 302, a housing 120, and a cover plate 304. The ball joint 302 may include a proximal end 306, a distal end 310, and an elongated member 308, such as a rod, located between and connecting the proximal end 306 and the distal end 310.

[0033] The ball joint 302 can be a double ball joint or a single ball joint. The ball joint may include a first ball 303 at the proximal end 306 and / or a second ball 305 at the distal end 310. The first ball 303 and / or the second ball 305 may be spherical or hemispherical. The proximal end 306 having the first ball 303 may be positioned within the cover plate 304 and the housing 120. The proximal end 306 may include the first ball 303, which may contact the cover plate 304 and rotate within a recess or cup portion of the cover plate 304 within the housing 120. The distal end 310 having the second ball 305 may be positioned opposite the proximal end 306 having the first ball 303.

[0034] Still referencing Figure 2 and Figure 3 The second ball 305 may be secured within the housing of the latch receiver 110 to interlock the latch 108 with the latch receiver 110. When the second ball 305 is ejected from the latch receiver 110, the latch 108 may disengage from the latch receiver 110 and unlock the locking device 106 and the container 100 (see, for example, [reference needed]). Figure 1 The diameter of the first sphere 303 may be less than, equal to, or greater than the diameter of the second sphere 305. The diameter of the elongated member 308 may be less than the diameter of the first sphere 303 and / or the diameter of the second sphere 305. The elongated member 308 may have the same diameter over its entire length or have different diameters along its length.

[0035] The housing 120 may surround a portion of the proximal end 306 of the ball joint 302 and the elongated member 308 to secure the ball joint 302 within the housing 120. The housing 120 may have an inner surface 322 and an outer surface 324. The outer surface 324 may have a threaded portion, such as a threaded surface 132. The threaded surface 132 may engage or interlock with a threaded surface of the container 100 to secure the latch 108 within the container 100 (see, for example, [reference needed]). Figure 1 The latch 108 may be positioned within a base cavity or lid cavity on the surface of the container 100 to protect the latch 108 from external forces. The threaded surface 132 may engage or interlock with the threaded surface 130 of the base cavity or the threaded surface of the lid cavity. The inner surface 322 of the housing 120 may be threaded. The threaded inner surface 322 may engage or interlock with the threaded outer surface 320 of the cover 304 to secure the cover 304 within the housing 120.

[0036] The diameter of housing 120 may vary at different locations. For example, the size of housing 120 may decrease at the portion where housing 120 surrounds the elongated member 308 of ball joint 302. In another example, the size of housing 120 may increase at the portion where housing 120 surrounds the proximal end 306 of ball joint 302. Latch 108 may include a space 316 located between the inner periphery 312 of housing 120 and the outer periphery 314 of elongated member 308. This space 316 allows the elongated member 308 to move or rotate within housing 120 as the first ball 303 located at the proximal end 306 of ball joint 302 rotates within the housing. When the latch 108 and latch receiver 110 are misaligned due to external force, the first ball 303 of the ball joint 302 may move and / or rotate within the cup or recess 318 of the cover plate 304 and within the housing 120, such that the second ball 305 of the ball joint 302 is realigned with the housing of the latch receiver 110. If the locking device 106 is locked, the realignment between the latch 108 and the latch receiver 110 may keep the second ball 305 of the ball joint 302 fixed within the latch receiver 110, or if the locking device 106 is unlocked, may allow the second ball 305 of the ball joint 302 to be received within the housing of the latch receiver 110 to interlock the latch 108 with the latch receiver 110.

[0037] The cover plate 304 can engage with the first ball 303 of the ball joint 302 and the inner surface 322 of the housing 120. The cover plate 304 may have a recess or cup portion 318 that receives the first ball 303 and allows the first ball 303 to rotate within the recess or cup portion 318. The cover plate 304 may have a threaded outer surface 320 that can engage or interlock with the threaded inner surface 322 of the housing 120 to secure or interlock the cover plate 304 within the housing 120.

[0038] Figure 4 A latch receiver 110 is shown. The latch receiver 110 may be a Q-latch. The latch receiver 110 may include a button 112 or other actuating device and a housing 114. The housing 114 may include a hollow, elongated tubular member 402 surrounding or enclosing the button 112 or other actuating device, and a head 408 protecting the latch receiver 110 from external forces. The elongated tubular member 402 may include a first end 404 and a second end 406. The tubular member 402 may be cylindrical and have a hollow channel internally. The first end 404 of the tubular member 402 may be open, thereby allowing the distal end 310 of the ball joint 302 of the latch 108 (e.g., see...) Figure 3The second end 406 may be partially or entirely covered by the head 408. The head 408 may have a larger diameter than the second end 406 and may engage with one or more recesses 134 in the cover when the latch receiver 110 is inserted into the cover channel or base channel (see...). Figure 1 The surface of one or more recesses in the base is flush with the surface of the ball joint 302. The elongated tubular member 402 can hold and secure the distal end 310 of the ball joint 302 inside the hollow channel (e.g., see...). Figure 1 and Figure 3 ).

[0039] The elongated tubular member 402 may include a threaded outer surface 410. The threaded outer surface 410 may cover a portion or all of the surface of the elongated tubular member 402. The threaded outer surface 410 may engage or interlock with a threaded surface 128 of the cap channel or a threaded surface of the base channel to secure the latch receiver 110 within the cap channel or base channel of the container 100 (e.g., see...). Figure 1 ).

[0040] Now return to the reference Figure 1 The latch receiver 110 may include a button 112 or other actuating device that can be pressed to disengage the latch receiver 110 from the latch 108 and unlock the cover 102 from the base 104. The button 112 or other actuating device can control the unlocking of the locking device 106. For example, pressing the button 112 can disengage the latch 108 from the latch receiver 110 and unlock the locking device 106. The button 112 or other actuating device may be located at the distal end of the latch receiver 110, on or near one or more recesses 134 in the surface of the cover 102 or one or more recesses in the surface of the base 104, to protect the button 112 or other actuating device from external forces and prevent accidental opening of the container 100. The button 112 or other actuating device may be located inside the cover channel or base channel, below one or more recesses 134 in the surface of the cover 102 or one or more recesses in the surface of the base 104.

[0041] Now return to the reference. Figure 2A button 112 or other actuating device of the latch receiver 110 may be connected to a locking pin 140 located within a hollow channel of the latch receiver 110. The locking pin 140 may include a distal end located within the hollow channel of the latch receiver 110 to interface with a ball joint 302. The locking pin 140 may include a proximal end opposite the distal end. The proximal end may interface with or be integrally formed with the button 112 or other actuating device. The locking pin 140 may have a longitudinal length from its proximal end, which enters the hollow channel of the latch receiver 110, to its distal end. The locking pin 140 may interface with the distal end 310 of the ball joint 302 of the latch 108 within the hollow channel of the latch receiver 110, such as with a second ball 305. When button 112 is pressed, locking pin 140 can be pushed to eject the second ball 305 of ball joint 302 of latch 108 and unlock locking device 106 and / or cover 102 from base 104. When force is applied to insert the second ball 305 of ball joint 302 into the hollow channel of latch receiver 110, locking pin 140 can be pressed or pushed outward toward its proximal end and allows the second ball 305 to be received within the hollow channel of latch receiver 110 to interlock latch 108 and latch receiver 110.

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the methods / systems have been disclosed in an illustrative manner. Therefore, the terminology used throughout this document should be interpreted in a non-limiting way. While those skilled in the art will conceive of minor modifications to the teachings herein, it should be understood that all such embodiments are intended to be limited to the scope of this authorized patent, which reasonably fall within the scope of this invention and contribute to the advancement of the art, and the scope of the invention should not be limited except in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A locking device, comprising: A latch having a ball joint comprising a rod and a first ball positioned at a proximal end of the rod, and a second ball positioned at a distal end of the rod opposite the first ball; A housing configured to surround a portion of the rod and the first ball, and to secure the ball joint within the housing; A cover plate having a recess or cup portion that receives the first ball of the ball joint and allows the first ball to rotate within the recess or cup portion, and having a threaded outer surface that interlocks with a threaded inner surface of the housing to secure the cover plate within the housing. as well as Receiver, the receiver having: Including the housing of the button; A hollow, elongated tubular member surrounding the button and having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is open to receive the distal end of the ball joint, and wherein the elongated tubular member holds and secures the distal end of the ball joint within the hollow channel of the receiver; and A locking pin, located within the hollow channel of the receiver and connected to the button, wherein the locking pin includes a distal end located within the hollow channel of the receiver to mate with the ball joint.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The latch includes the space between the inner periphery of the housing and the outer periphery of the rod of the ball joint.

3. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing has a threaded outer surface configured to interlock with the threaded surface of the container.

4. The locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The tubular member is cylindrical and holds the second ball of the spherical connector inside the receiver.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ball joint and the receiver are misaligned.

6. The locking device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking pin of the receiver contacts the second ball of the ball joint.

7. The locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The locking pin is controllable to eject the second ball of the ball joint from the receiver.

8. A container comprising a locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and A first button is located near the distal end of the locking pin.

9. The container according to claim 8, characterized in that, The container further includes a second locking device, the second locking device comprising: A latch having a ball joint having a rod, a first ball positioned at a proximal end of the rod, and a second ball positioned at a distal end of the rod opposite the first ball; A housing configured to surround a portion of the rod and the first ball, and to secure the spherical connector within the housing; a space between the inner periphery of the housing and the outer periphery of the rod of the spherical connector; and a cover plate having a recess or cup portion that receives the first ball of the spherical connector and allows the first ball to rotate within the recess or cup portion; and The receiver has a tubular member configured to hold the ball joint, a locking pin configured to secure the ball joint within the receiver, and a second button positioned near the distal end of the locking pin.

10. The container according to claim 9, characterized in that, The container is opened by pressing the first button of the locking device to push the locking pin to eject the ball joint from the receiver, and by pressing the second button of the second locking device to push the locking pin to eject the ball joint from the receiver.

11. A method of operating a locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising: The housing is positioned as part of a spherical joint surrounding the latch, the part having a rod and a first ball positioned at the proximal end of the rod; The spherical joint is fixed inside the housing; The first ball of the ball joint is received at a cover plate, the cover plate having a recess or cup portion, the recess or cup portion receiving the first ball of the ball joint, the recess or cup portion allowing the first ball to rotate within the recess or cup portion; The ball joint is held and received at a receiver, the receiver having a tubular member configured to hold and receive the ball joint; as well as The ball joint is secured inside the receiver via a locking pin.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The spherical connector also includes a second ball positioned at the distal end of the rod opposite the first ball.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, It also includes retaining the second ball of the ball joint inside the receiver, wherein the tubular member is cylindrical and retains the second ball of the ball joint inside the receiver.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The ball joint and the receiver are misaligned.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, It also includes contacting the second ball of the ball joint with the locking pin of the receiver.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Control the locking pin to eject the second ball of the ball joint from the receiver.

Images