Stackable lids for equipment containers

• US 9,604,763 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2011
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Environmental Container Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Becklin Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Becklin, Dennis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALLEN, JEFFREY R
• Application Number:
  US13/081,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20110180541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,183 Days
• Field of Search: 206/515, 206/516, 206/518, 206/519, 206/520, 206/517, 206/511, 220/324, 220/212.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00027 Stackable lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0202 without integral tamper element
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/38 for delicate optical, measuring, calculating or control apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/202 Air circulating in closed loop within enclosure wherein heat is removed through heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20563 within sub-racks for removing heat from electronic boards

Abstract

A lid for a transit case includes alignment features such as protuberances and alignment guides that cooperate to permit multiple lids to be stacked in a stable configuration and in a space efficient manner one on top of another. The lids may take the form of deep-profile lids and low-profile lids. In addition, the lids may include features for receiving and securing extra latch assemblies or other hardware on an interior surface of the lid.

Claims

1. A lid for a centerbody of a container, the lid comprising:

a molded exterior surface, a corresponding inner surface and a contact surface configured to substantially contact a corresponding surface of the centerbody;

an alignment guide having a first portion mounted to the inner surface and a second portion extending below the contact surface;

a ledge formed in the molded exterior surface, the ledge arranged to support an alignment guide of a complementary lid receivable by the lid; and

a pair of protuberances extending from the molded exterior surface adjacent the ledge, the pair of protuberances spaced apart sufficiently to receive the alignment guide of the complementary lid and thus align the complementary lid with the lid from the container,

wherein the first portion is positioned inwardly from the contact surface; and

wherein the alignment guide is a substantially planar member and the pair of protuberances are arranged to receive the alignment guide of the complementary lid and thus align the complementary lid with the lid from the container by engaging opposite edges of the planar member.