Locking device for a lid

Abstract

A locking device for a lid used with a transporting container that comprises a first half-shell, a second half-shell, and a pivoting bracket proximate the first half-shell and the second half-shell. The locking device further comprises a hinge-joint that includes a first hinge-joint portion at which the first half-shell is attached and a second hinge-joint portion at which the second half-shell is attached, where the second hinge-joint portion is retaining the pivoting bracket at the second half-shell. The locking device also comprises a locking spring that is arranged at the first hinge-joint portion and that co-operates with a first bracket arm of the pivoting bracket, the first bracket arm being arranged opposite to a second bracket arm retained by the second hinge-joint portion.

1 . A locking device for a lid used with a transporting container, comprising:
 a first half-shell and a second half-shell,   a pivoting bracket proximate the first half-shell and the second half-shell,   a hinge-joint including a first hinge-joint portion at which the first half-shell is attached and a second hinge-joint portion at which the second half-shell is attached, the second hinge-joint portion retaining the pivoting bracket at the second half-shell, and   a locking spring that is arranged at the first hinge-joint portion and that co-operates with a first bracket arm of the pivoting bracket, the first bracket arm being arranged opposite to a second bracket arm of the pivoting bracket retained by the second hinge-joint portion.   
     
     
         2 . The locking device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking spring comprises a substantially V-shaped, flexible retainer portion. 
     
     
         3 . The locking device of  claim 2 , wherein the retainer portion is arranged between a first fixing portion of the first hinge-joint portion and a second fixing portion of the first hinge-joint portion. 
     
     
         4 . The locking device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one inwardly protruding drain bevel is formed in the bottom portion of the first half-shell. 
     
     
         5 . The locking device of  claim 2 , wherein two inwardly protruding drain bevels are formed in the bottom portion of the first half-shell. 
     
     
         6 . The locking device of  claim 1 , wherein two inwardly protruding recesses are formed in the bottom portion of the second half-shell. 
     
     
         7 . The locking device of  claim 6 , wherein two second hinge-joint portion recesses are formed at the second hinge-joint portion that include wall portions that pivotally retain the second bracket arm of the pivoting bracket at the bottom portion of the second half-shell in conjunction with wall portions formed by the two inwardly protruding recesses, and a front side of the second half-shell. 
     
     
         8 . A locking device for a lid used with a transporting container, comprising:
 a first half-shell and a second half-shell,   a pivoting bracket proximate the first half-shell and the second half-shell,   a hinge-joint including a first hinge-joint portion at which the first half-shell is attached and a second hinge-joint portion at which the second half-shell is attached, and   a locking spring that is arranged at the first hinge-joint portion and that co-operates with a first bracket arm of the pivoting bracket, the first bracket arm being arranged opposite to a second bracket arm of the pivoting bracket retained by the second hinge-joint portion, wherein the locking spring comprises a flexible retainer portion that retains the first bracket arm when the locking device is in a retained position.   
     
     
         9 . The locking device of  claim 8 , wherein the second-half shell is substantially perpendicular to the first half-shell in the retained position. 
     
     
         10 . The locking device of  claim 9 , wherein the pivoting bracket retains the second-half shell substantially perpendicular to the first half-shell in the retained position. 
     
     
         11 . The locking device of  claim 10 , wherein the first-half shell, the second-half shell, and the pivoting bracket are substantially planar in an un-retained position. 
     
     
         12 . The locking device of  claim 11 , wherein the second bracket arm is retained by a nose of the second hinge-joint portion in the retained position and is pivotable to the un-retained position. 
     
     
         13 . The locking device of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible retainer portion of the locking spring flexes to release the first bracket arm from the retained position. 
     
     
         14 . The locking device of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible retainer portion of the locking spring is substantially curved. 
     
     
         15 . The locking device of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible retainer portion of the locking spring is substantially U-shaped. 
     
     
         16 . The locking device of  claim 11 , wherein the second bracket arm is retained in a receiving space formed between wall portions of the second hinge joint-portion and wall portions of the second half-shell. 
     
     
         17 . The locking device of  claim 16 , wherein the wall portions of the second hinge-joint portion are formed by a recess of the second hinge-joint portion. 
     
     
         18 . The locking device of  claim 16 , wherein the wall portions of the second half-shell are formed by an inwardly protruding recess formed in a bottom portion of the second half-shell. 
     
     
         19 . The locking device of  claim 18 , wherein the wall portions of the second half-shell comprise a first portion formed from a front side of the second half-shell. 
     
     
         20 . The locking device of  claim 19 , wherein the wall portions of the second half-shell further comprise a semicircular portion formed by the inwardly protruding recess.