Sliding child safety feature

Abstract

The invention is a container 20 having a base 26 , a lid 30 that can be opened or closed, first and second latch portions ( 40, 42 ), and guard 44 . One of the latch portions is associated with the base 26 , and the other of the latch portions is associated with the lid 30 . The second latch portion 42 is positionable to engage the first latch portion 40 when the lid 30 covers the opening, and is movable to disengage the first latch portion 40 . The guard 44 is associated with the second latch portion 42 and normally is in a blocking position keeping the second latch portion 42 engaged with the first latch portion 40 . The guard 44 is movable laterally, relative to the first latch portion, from its blocking position to a releasing position allowing the second latch portion 42 to disengage the first latch portion 40

1 . A container having an outside and an inside, and comprising:
 a. a base having an opening;   b. a movable lid configured to cover the opening when closed;   c. a first latch portion associated with one of the base and the lid;   d. a second latch portion associated with the other of the base and the lid,   e. the second latch portion being positionable to engage the first latch portion when the lid covers the opening;   f. the second latch portion being movable to disengage the first latch portion; and   g. a guard associated with the second latch portion and biased to a blocking position keeping the second latch portion engaged with the first latch portion;   h. the guard being movable laterally, relative to the first and second latch portion portions, from its blocking position to a releasing position allowing the second latch portion to disengage the first latch portion.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  in which the first latch portion overlaps the second latch portion. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  in which the second latch portion overlaps the guard. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  in which the guard is slidable laterally in opposed directions from its blocking position to a first releasing position in one direction and a second releasing position in the other direction. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a channel in one of the body and the lid in which the guard is slidable. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  in which the guard is laterally elongated and has first and second laterally spaced portions. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , in which the first laterally spaced portion is accessible from outside the container, and can be manipulated to move the guard laterally. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 6 , in which the second laterally spaced portion is accessible from outside the container, and can be manipulated to move the guard laterally. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  in which the guard and the second latch portion are relatively substantially immovable. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , in which the guard in its blocking position prevents the second latch portion from being pushed inward sufficiently to disengage the first latch portion. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , in which the second latch portion can be moved inward from outside the container. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9 , in which the first latch portion comprises an opening in one of the base and the lid and the second latch portion has a projection that projects into the opening to define a latched position. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second latch portion and the guard are separate parts. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , in which the second latch portion is movable inward to disengage the first latch portion. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  13 , in which the guard is slidable laterally, relative to the second latch portion. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 13 , in which the guard has an abutment projecting toward and at least partially registered with the second latch portion when the guard is in its blocking position and movable laterally out of registration with the second latch portion when the guard is in the releasing position. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 13 , in which the second latch portion has an abutment projecting toward and at least partially registered with the guard when the guard is in its blocking position. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , in which the guard has an abutment projecting toward and at least partially registered with the second latch portion abutment when the guard is in its blocking position and movable laterally out of registration with the second latch portion abutment when the guard is in the releasing position.