Closing Ring Lever Locking Mechanism for Drum Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closing rings for open head drum-styled containers lack a secure locking feature, leading to unintentional opening during handling, shipping, or storage, requiring external accessories like locking pins or ties, which complicates re-closure and increases handling time.
Innovation Solution
A closing ring design featuring a lever pivotally connected to a ring body with a push button release housing that secures the lever in a closed position, preventing unintentional opening by requiring manual depression of the housing to unlock the ring, eliminating the need for external locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a lever and linkage arrangement is used to enable manual folding to apply clamping force, then the time required to open and close the ring is reduced compared to bolt arrangements, but the risk of inadvertent opening during handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing ring is divided into functional segments: the lever handle for manual operation, the linkage mechanism for force transmission, and the locking feature for securing position. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to resolve the contradiction between quick operation and secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
A locking feature acts as an intermediary element between the lever handle and the ring body. This intermediary component prevents direct inadvertent opening while maintaining the simplicity of the lever mechanism, resolving the contradiction by adding a secure locking function without complicating the overall structure.
2Reliability
If external accessories like locking pins or ties are used to secure the lever handle, then the reliability against inadvertent opening is improved, but the device complexity and handling time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking feature is merged with the lever handle and ring body into a single integrated assembly. This combining of functions eliminates the need for separate external accessories like locking pins or ties, thereby improving reliability while avoiding increased device complexity and handling time.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking feature is designed to be self-contained within the closing ring structure, allowing the ring to secure itself without requiring external accessories. The lever handle itself incorporates the locking mechanism, enabling it to perform both the closing function and the securing function internally.
3Ease of operation
If the lever handle is made simple for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to prevent inadvertent opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lever handle is segmented into operational portions: the handle itself for manual manipulation and the integrated locking feature for securing. This segmentation allows the handle to remain simple for easy operation while the locking feature provides reliability against inadvertent opening.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the locking feature complex and the handle simple, the invention inverts the approach by making the handle simple yet incorporating the locking function within it. The locking feature is integrated into the handle structure, allowing the handle to be simple for operation while inherently providing security against inadvertent opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A closing ring for a container and lid combination for securing the lid to the container includes a ring body having first and second free ends to be drawn together in order to secure the lid to the container. A link clevis and a lever clevis are welded to the free ends. A link is pivotally connected to the link clevis. A lever is pivotally connected to the lever clevis. The linkage arrangement is completed by connecting the link to the lever at a third pivot connection. A movable locking projection is assembled to the lever clevis for engaging the lever during an opening attempt wherein this engaging prevents the opening of the ring body until the movable locking projection is moved out of its engaging position relative to the lever.