Low-Profile Container Latch With Axial-Pivoting Binding End

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing one-piece latches for containers have a high profile when open, preventing them from being stored on shelves or cubbies due to interference, while two-piece latches are more expensive to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece latch with a base featuring upward and downward hooks that allow axial and pivotal movement, transitioning between an upward and low profile position, enabling engagement and disengagement with the container's upper portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a one-piece latch is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the profile height increases causing interference with shelves or cubbies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidprofile height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The latch is designed with movable components including a movable arm that can shift between positions, and a movable binding end that can pivot and translate axially. This dynamic design allows the latch to reduce its profile height when not in use, enabling storage on shelves or cubbies while maintaining the simplicity of a one-piece construction for cost-effective manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of stationary object

If a two-piece latch is used, then the profile height is reduced for better storage accessibility, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprofile heightVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The latch incorporates segmented movable components including a movable arm divided into sections and a binding end that can pivot independently. This segmentation enables the latch to achieve a low profile height for storage accessibility while maintaining a relatively simple one-piece construction approach to avoid the higher manufacturing costs associated with traditional two-piece designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the binding end is positioned high for engagement, then the latch can secure the container, but the profile height increases preventing storage on shelves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement capabilityVSAvoidprofile height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The binding end is designed with both pivotal movement about a pivot axis and axial movement along the latch body. This dynamic capability allows the binding end to reach high positions for reliable engagement with the container upper portion, then retract to low profile positions when not engaged, enabling storage on shelves or cubbies without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12552584B2Low profile latch

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 STANLEY BLACK & DECKER MEA FZE

AI summary

This invention relates to a latch for selectively binding lower and upper portions of a container. The latch includes a base having a front face, a rear face, a connected end, and a selectively engageable binding end. The rear face further includes an upward hook, a downward hook, and a binding tooth. The latch is characterized in that the upward hook and the downward hook are configured to engage the lower portion of the container and permit both axial and pivotal movement of latch. The axial movement is between an upward position and a low profile position The pivotal movement is about the connected end such that binding end can move between a disengaged and an engaged position.