Container with latch

Abstract

A container having a container portion defining a space for storing tools and a lid portion pivotally connected to the container portion. The lid portion is pivotally movable between open and closed positions. The container also has a latch assembly carried by the lid portion and latches the lid portion in the closed position. The latch assembly includes a single latch handle carried by the lid portion, a latch comprising spaced latch portions, the spaced latch portions being moveable together between a latched position and a released position, the latch portions respectively being on opposite sides of the latch handle. The latch portions are engageable with latch engaging portions of the container portion. A spring biases the spaced latch portions toward the latched position. The latch handle can be moved to effect movement of the latch portions from the latched position to the released position.

1 . A container, comprising:
 a container portion defining a space for storing tools;   a lid portion pivotally connected to the container portion; the lid portion being pivotally movable between open and closed positions;   a latch assembly carried by the lid portion and constructed and arranged to latch the lid portion in the closed position, the latch assembly including:
 a single latch handle carried by the lid portion, 
 a latch comprising spaced latch portions, the spaced latch portions being moveable together between a latched position and a released position, the latch portions respectively being on opposite sides of the latch handle, the latch portions engageable with latch engaging portions of the container portion, and 
 a spring that biases the spaced latch portions toward the latched position, the latch handle constructed and arranged to be moved to effect movement of the latch portions from the latched position to the released position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the spaced latch portions are integrally molded with one another. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the single latch handle is integrally molded with the spaced latch portions. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the single latch handle and the spaced latch portions are pivotable about a common axis. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the spaced latch portions each comprise a projection, and wherein the latch engaging portions receive the projection when the latch portions are in the latched position. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the spaced latch portions each comprise a recess, and wherein the latch engaging portions engage in the recess when the latch portions are in the latched position. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein forcing the lid portion to the closed position causes the latch portions to first move to the unlatched position, and wherein the spring biases the latch portions to subsequently move to the latched position. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid portion has a weight that is sufficiently heavy in relation to the spring constant of the spring, such that the force of gravity alone is enough to move the lid portion to the latched position, wherein during movement of the lid portion under the force of gravity alone first moves the latch portions to the unlatched position against the bias of the spring, and wherein the force of the spring subsequently moves the latch portions to the latched position. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the force of gravity alone is sufficient to move the lid portion to the latched position only when the lid is released from higher than a predetermined height position. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the latch handle includes a contact portion constructed and arranged to contact the spaced latch portions so as to effect movement of the latch portions from the latched position to the released position. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the latch handle is pivotable about a first axis, and the spaced latch portions are pivotable about a second axis, the first and second axis being parallel to one another. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the latch handle is separately formed from the latch and comprises at least one latch contact portion for contacting the latch.