Can holder

May 29, 1962

J. F. EVANS

CAN HOLDER

3,036,749

Filed Oct. 27, 1959

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United States Patent Office

3,036,749

Patented May 29, 1962

3,036,749

CAN HOLDER

John Frank Evans, 373 Nevada Ave., Ely, Nev.

Filed Oct. 27,1959, Ser. No. 848,984

Claim. (CI. 224—42.32)

This invention relates to a device for holding a can such as a can of gasoline, water or the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a can holder which is adapted to be mounted on a suitable unit or structure such as a vehicle wherein a can such as a five gallon can of gasoline or water can be conveniently supported thereby, and wherein the can can be locked in place so that unauthorized removal of the can or of the can cap will be prevented.

i. Another object of the invention is to provide a can holder which is adapted to be mounted on a suitable Ιοί cation such as on a military vehicle or other structure । so that a can of fluid material can be supported and locked thereon, and wherein the contents of the can can only be emptied by a person having the proper key to unlock the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a can holder which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, showing a can locked in the holder of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken at right angles to the view shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the holder, with the can removed.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the holder of the present invention which is adapted to support or hold a conventional can such as a five gallon can of liquid indicated by the numeral 11. The can 11 is of the type which includes a removable cap 12, as well as a handle 24.

As shown in the drawings the holder 10 includes a generally rectangular-base 13 which embodies spaced parallel side portions 14 as well as spaced parallel end portions 15. The numeral 16 designates a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed support members or legs which have their lower ends affixed to the end portions 15 in any suitable manner, as for example by welding.

There is further provided an upper bracket 17 of generally U-shaped formation, FIGURE 3, and the bracket 17 is secured to the upper end of the support member 16 and includes spaced parallel end sections 18 as well as a connecting web section 19.

_f The numeral 20 designates each of a pair of spaced k parallel bars which have their lower ends pivotally conΓ nected to the side portions 14 by means of pins 21, for a purpose to be later described. Extending between the *’ lower edges of the side portions 14 and secured thereto is a pair of spaced parallel braces 22, and the braces 22 are provided with apertures or openings 23 therein whereby securing elements such as bolts or the like can be extended through these apertures 23 and into engagement with a suitable supporting structure such as a portion of a vehicle on which the holder is mounted.

The numeral 25 indicates a cross piece which has one end hingedly connected to the upper end of the bar 20 by means of a hinge 28, and the cross piece 25 includes an intermediate section 26 as well as angularly arranged end sections 27, and the numeral 29 indicates a link or keeper which is hingedly connected to an end of the cross piece by means of the hinge 30. The link 29 is provided with a slot 31 which is adapted to receive the U-shaped hasp 32, and the hasp 32 is secured to the upper end of the adjacent bar 20. The numeral 33 indicates a lock 5 which is adapted to be connected to the hasp 32 so as to prevent unauthorized removal of the can 11 unless a person has the proper key to open the lock 33.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a holder which is especially suitable for holding 10 a can such as a can of gasoline or water in a desired location so that unauthorized personnel cannot gain access to the contents of the can, such as the can 11. In use, the holder 10 is adapted to be constructed as shown in the drawings, and the holder 10 may be bolted or otherwise 15 fastened to a desired member such as a vehicle by means of the braces 22 which have the apertures 23 therein whereby the securing elements can be extended through said apertures 23 and into engagement with the supporting structure. It is to be noted that while the can is locked 20 in place, the lower portion of the can 11 rests on the braces 22, and the lower portion of the can 11 is surrounded by the base 13. The bracket 17 surrounds an intermediate portion of the can 11, and the cross piece '25 has its intermediate section 26 engaging the removable cap 12 of 25 the can 11. Then, with the lock 33 engaging the hasp 32, as for example as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, it will be seen that removal of the cap 12 or can 11 will be prevented.

When it is desired to remove the can from the holder, 30 it is only necessary to unlock the lock 33 by means of the proper key and then the link 29 can be pivoted or swung upwardly on the hinge 30. Then, the cross piece 25 can be pivoted about its hinge 28 so that the can 11 can be removed from the holder 10, and also the cap 12 is free to 35 be removed from the can 11.

The parts can he made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

The can holder may be used with a vehicle such as the well known “jeep,” so that extra water, gasoline or the 40 like can be carried along to the desired location or on the particular trip that the vehicle is making. The present invention can be constructed so that the can as well as the cap will be locked in place and an important aspect of the present invention is the lock on hasp.

The various parts may be welded together, and the movable arms or bars 20 are pivoted as at 21 so that these members 20 can swing downwardly in order to facilitate easy removal of the can from the holder, and the device can be made to operate in either a left or right hand ⁵⁰ direction.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be made in actual practice if desired.