Childproof device

Abstract

A childproof device including a closure access mechanism including a pair of sliding members arranged for sliding in channels formed in a housing, the housing being rotatably mounted about a pivot, each of the sliding members including a first mating device that faces radially inwards towards the pivot, a lock tongue rotatably mounted about the pivot, the lock tongue extending from a second mating device mounted about the pivot, and a biasing device positioned between the sliding members, wherein in a first position of the closure access mechanism, the biasing device urges the sliding members radially outwards away from one another along the channels such that the first mating devices do not engage the second mating device, and in a second position of the closure access mechanism, at least one of the sliding members is pushed radially inwards along at least one of the channels against the biasing device such that at least one of the first mating devices engages the second mating device, wherein turning of the at least one of the sliding members while the first and second mating devices are engaged with one another turns the lock tongue about the pivot.

1 . A childproof device comprising: 
 a closure access mechanism comprising a pair of sliding members arranged for sliding in channels formed in a housing, said housing being rotatably mounted about a pivot, each of said sliding members comprising a first mating device that faces radially inwards towards said pivot;    a lock tongue rotatably mounted about said pivot, said lock tongue extending from a second mating device mounted about said pivot; and    a biasing device positioned between said sliding members, wherein in a first position of said closure access mechanism, said biasing device urges said sliding members radially outwards away from one another along said channels such that said first mating devices do not engage said second mating device, and in a second position of said closure access mechanism, at least one of said sliding members is pushed radially inwards along at least one of said channels against said biasing device such that at least one of said first mating devices engages said second mating device, wherein turning of said at least one of said sliding members while said first and second mating devices are engaged with one another turns said lock tongue about said pivot.    
   
   
       2 . The childproof device according to  claim 1 , wherein in said first position, said housing freely turns about said pivot without engaging said second mating device.  
   
   
       3 . The childproof device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second mating devices comprise meshing gears.  
   
   
       4 . The childproof device according to  claim 1 , wherein said biasing device comprises at least one coil spring.  
   
   
       5 . The childproof device according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises an overlay portion that overlays said pivot, said overlay portion comprising two ridges extending along and over edges of said channels.  
   
   
       6 . The childproof device according to  claim 1 , wherein a force needed to work against said biasing device so as to engage said first and second mating devices is incapable of attainment by a majority of children under the age of five.  
   
   
       7 . The childproof device according to  claim 1 , wherein a distance between radially outer surfaces of said sliding members is greater than a span between a thumb and index finger of a majority of children under the age of five.  
   
   
       8 . The childproof device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a box having a lid, wherein said closure access mechanism is mounted in juxtaposition to said lid such that in the first position said lock tongue prevents opening of said lid and in said second position said lock tongue permits opening of said lid.  
   
   
       9 . The childproof device according to  claim 8 , wherein said box is constructed of metal wire and said lid is constructed of plastic.  
   
   
       10 . The childproof device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a clutch plate comprising a pair of opposing detents, arranged with respect to said sliding members such that if a first of said sliding members is moved towards said pivot and the other sliding member is not moved towards said pivot, then said first sliding member abuts against said detent and said first mating device of said first sliding member cannot mate with said second mating device, and if the other sliding member is also moved towards said pivot, then that other sliding member moves said detent so as not to impede said first sliding member and said first mating device of said first sliding member is matable with said second mating device.