One piece locking belt

Abstract

A locking belt is used with a container having an annular end portion defining a top opening and a removable cover overlying the opening. The locking belt comprises a split circular ring, generally U-shaped in cross section, having first and second ends and including an outer circumferential wall. An arm extends outwardly from the outer circumferential wall proximate the second end to define a notch opening away from the second end. A lever arm has a near end and a distal end. The lever arm comprises an arcuate handle having sides to be received on the split circular ring and includes a member extending between the sides. A connecting strap is provided for integrally connecting the split circular ring first end and the lever arm. The ring, the connecting strap and the lever arm are of one piece plastic construction. In use, the member is received in the notch with the lever arm overlying the split circular ring at the second end to retain the cover on the container.

1 . A locking belt for use with a container having an annular end portion defining a top opening and a removable cover overlying said opening, comprising: 
 a split circular ring, generally U-shaped in cross section, having first and second ends and including an outer circumferential wall and an arm extending outwardly from the outer circumferential wall proximate the second end and including a notch opening away from the second end;    a lever arm having a near end and a distal end, the lever arm comprising an arcuate handle having sides to be received on the split circular ring, and including a member extending between the sides; and    connecting means for integrally connecting the split circular ring first end and the lever arm comprising the ring, the connecting means and the lever arm being of one piece plastic construction, wherein, in use, the member is received in the notch with the lever arm overlying the split circular ring at the second end to retain the cover on the container.    
   
   
       2 . The locking belt of  claim 1  further comprising a centering projection extending outwardly from the outer circumferential wall proximate the arm and received in a cavity in the lever arm.  
   
   
       3 . The locking belt of  claim 1  wherein the member comprises a shaft connected between the sides.  
   
   
       4 . The locking belt of  claim 1  wherein the connecting means comprises a strap connected tangentially to the outer circumferential wall and to the handle.  
   
   
       5 . The locking belt of  claim 4  wherein the strap connects to the handle inwardly from the near end.  
   
   
       6 . The locking belt of  claim 1  wherein the split circular ring second end comprises a double wall structure defining a female member receiving the split circular ring first end.  
   
   
       7 . The locking belt of  claim 1  further comprising locking structure operatively associated with the split circular ring and the lever arm for retaining the lever arm overlying the split circular ring.  
   
   
       8 . The locking belt of  claim 7  wherein the locking structure comprises a hook extending outwardly from the outer circumferential wall spaced from the arm and received in an opening in the handle.  
   
   
       9 . The locking belt of  claim 8  wherein the hook includes a through bore and the handle includes a projection having a hole aligned with the through bore.  
   
   
       10 . The locking belt of  claim 8  wherein the lever arm comprises ribs extending inwardly from the handle.  
   
   
       11 . A one piece plastic locking belt for use with a container having an annular end portion defining a top opening and a removable cover overlying said opening, comprising: 
 a split circular ring defining a channel, including an outer circumferential wall, for retaining the cover on the container and having first and second ends and an arm extending outwardly from the outer circumferential wall proximate the second end and including a notch opening away from the second end;    a lever arm having a near end and a distal end, the lever arm comprising an arcuate handle having sides to be received on the split circular ring, and including a member extending between the sides; and    an elongate strap between the split circular ring first end and the lever arm, wherein, in use, the member is received in the notch with the lever arm overlying the split circular ring at the second end to retain the cover on the container.    
   
   
       12 . The locking belt of  claim 11  further comprising a centering projection extending outwardly from the outer circumferential wall proximate the arm and received in a cavity in the lever arm.  
   
   
       13 . The locking belt of  claim 11  wherein the member comprises a shaft connected between the sides.  
   
   
       14 . The locking belt of  claim 11  wherein the strap is connected tangentially to the outer circumferential wall and to the handle.  
   
   
       15 . The locking belt of  claim 14  wherein the strap connects to the handle inwardly from the near end.  
   
   
       16 . The locking belt of  claim 11  wherein the split circular ring second end comprises a double wall structure defining a female member receiving the split circular ring first end.  
   
   
       17 . The locking belt of  claim 11  further comprising locking structure operatively associated with the split circular ring and the lever arm for retaining the lever arm overlying the split circular ring.  
   
   
       18 . The locking belt of  claim 17  wherein the locking structure comprises a hook extending outwardly from the outer circumferential wall spaced from the arm and received in an opening in the handle.  
   
   
       19 . The locking belt of  claim 18  wherein the hook includes a through bore and the handle includes a projection having a hole aligned with the through bore.  
   
   
       20 . The locking belt of  claim 18  wherein the lever arm comprises ribs extending inwardly from the handle.