Sept- 21, 1965
D. M. HOROVITZ
3,206,955
BOTTLE LOCK
Filed Sept. 25, 1963
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United States Patent 0
1
1CC
3,206,955
Patented Sept. 21, 1965
1
2
3,206,955
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the bottle lock
illustrated in FIG. 1, the neck of the bottle on which the
BOTTLE LOCK
David M. Horovitz, Providence, R.I., assignor to Harwood
Manufacturing Company, Providence, R.I., a corpora
tion of Rhode Island
Filed Sept. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 310,748
9 Claims. (Cl. 70—-163)
bottle lock is located being shown in elevation;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-—3 in
FIG. 2 and showing the position of the bottle lock for
accommodating a bottle having a large size neck;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the posi
tion of the locking elements of the bottle lock for accom
modating the neck of a medium size bottle;
The present invention relates to a bottle lock. More
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 and showing
particularly, the present invention relates to a bottle lock 1O
the position of the locking elements of the bottle lock
that is adapted to be secured to the neck of a bottle for
for accommodating a bottle having a small neck; and
preventing unauthorized use of the contents in the bottle.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 showing
The present invention has particular application in the
locking of glass bottles which contain alcoholic beverages
or the like. Since bottles containing alcoholic beverages
the position of the locking elements of the bottle lock
in the fully open position.
Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIGS.
1 and 2, the bottle lock embodied in the present invention
is generally indicated at 10 and, as shown, is mounted in
bottles on shelves or in exposed locations that are easily
locking position on a bottle generally indicated at 12.
viewable. With the placing of such bottles in exposed
locations, the problem of preventing unauthorized use 20 The bottle 12 is conventional in design and is of that
type that is normally employed for containing alcoholic
of the contents in the bottles has resulted. Some efforts
beverages or the like. As shown particularly in FIG. 2,
have been made heretofore to provide locking caps or the
the bottle 12 includes a body 14 which may be of any
like for such bottles, but none of these heretofore known
suitable design and that terminates at the upper end there
devices have been practical, and many of them have
of in a neck 16. As is conventional in bottles of the type
required the replacement of the bottle cap.
illustrated in FIG. 2, a ?ange 18 is formed on the neck
The present invention includes a bottle lock that is
16 and is spaced from the outermost lip of the bottle. A
designed to be placed over the capped end of a bottle
cap 20 is shown secured in the neck of the bottle and is
and in enveloping relation around the neck of the bottle.
of conventional design.
Since bottles normally include a ?ange that is spaced
The bottle lock 10 is designed to be placed in position
from the lip of the bottle, such a ?ange is utilized in the 30
on the neck 16 of the bottle 12 and in enveloping rela
present invention to aid in locking the bottle lock in
tion with respect to the capped end of the bottle. The
position. The bottle lock embodied herein includes a
bottle lock 10 is thus adapted to seal the capped end of
body portion in which an opening is formed, the opening
the bottle 12 and thereby prevent unauthorized use of
receiving the capped end and neck of the bottle to be
the contents therein. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottle lock
locked. Formed interiorly of the body portion of the
10 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 22 in
bottle lock is an annular groove in which a pair of curved
which an opening 24 is formed that extends from the
arms are pivotally mounted. When the body portion is
bottommost end thereof for a major portion of the length
placed on the bottle with the capped end and neck in
of the body portion. The opening 24 in the body por
serted within the opening of the body portion, the curved
are sometimes ornamental and therefore desirable to dis
play, it has been the custom to place such ornamental
arms are located below the heretofore mentioned ?ange 40 tion 22 is shaped and proportioned for accommodating
of the bottle. The arms are then locked in position by
securing outer tabs formed as a part thereof and that
various size necks of bottles and thus may have a diam
eter that is somewhat larger than the diameter of the
neck of a bottle received therein. Formed interiorly of
extend outwardly of the body portion. The arms and
the body portion 22 and adjacent the bottommost end
the tabs joined to the arms may be adjustable to accom
modate the various size necks of bottles, and the tabs are 45 thereof is an annular groove 26 that also communicates
secured together by any convenient locking means, such
with the opening 24. Extending through the body por
tion 22 in aligned relation with respect to the annular
groove 26 is a slot 28 that communicates with the an
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
nular groove 26 and the exterior of the body portion 22.
provide a bottle lock that is adapted to be secured to the
In order to provide for the locking of the body portion
neck of a bottle for preventing unauthorized use of the 50
22 on the neck 16 of the bottle 12, a pair of locking arms
contents therein.
30 and 32 are provided and, as shown in FIGS. 3 through
Another object of the invention is to provide a bottle
6, the arms are semicircular in con?guration and are piv
lock for use on various size neck bottles.
otally secured within the groove 26 at the innermost ends
Still another object is to provide a bottle lock that in
thereof by a pin 34. Joined to the outermost ends of the
cludes a body portion in which a pair of locking arms
arms 30, 32, respectively, are tabs 36, 38 that project
are pivotally mounted for engaging the neck of a bottle
through the slot 28 in overlying relation with respect to
for locking the body portion on said bottle neck.
each other and terminate exteriorly of the body portion
Still another object is to provide a bottle lock that is
22. The tab 36 is formed with a pair of openings 40 and
adapted to be secured to the neck of a bottle and that is
42 therein adjacent the outermost edge thereof. The tab
provided with means for adjusting the locking elements
38 is formed with similar openings 44 and 46 and, as will
of the bottle lock for accommodating various size bottles.
be described, the openings 40, 42 and 44, 46 are provided
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention
for adjusting .the arms 30 and 32 in the locked position
will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds
thereof to accommodate the different size neck bottles.
when considered in connection with the accompanying
The con?guration of the locking arms 30 and 32 is such
illustrative drawings.
as to generally correspond to the curved con?guration of
In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently
the opening 24 when the arms 30, 32 are located in the
contemplated for carrying out the instant invention:
fully open position thereof as shown in FIG. 6. In the
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the bottle lock
fully open position, the bottle lock may be inserted in
embodied in the present invention and showing the bottle
place over the capped end of the bottle 12 and in envelop
lock in the locked position thereof on a bottle, only a
ing relation with respect to the neck 16. In order to lock
portion of which is illustrated;
the body portion 22 on the bottle 12, the tabs 36 and 38
as a small padlock.
3,206,955
4
3
are adjusted in accordance with the size of the neck 16 of
the bottle so as to locate the locking arms 30, 32 beneath
and communicating with said annular groove, a pair of
locking elements, each of which is formed with a generally
the ?ange 18 and in engagement with the neck 16. The
tabs 36, 38 are thus adjusted by pivoting the locking arms
30, 32 about their pivot axis 34, the ?nal position of the
tabs 36, 38 being determined by the neck size of the bottle
in said groove at the outermost end of the arm, wherein
as indicated. Assuming that a bottle having a relatively
large neck is to be locked, the tabs 36, 38 are adjusted to
said arms are pivotally movable relative to each other,
the tabs of said arms extending through said slot in over
curved arm and a tab joined to said arm, the arm of each
locking element being located in said groove in opposed
relation to the other arm and being pivotally connected
locate the locking arms 30, 32 in the position as shown
lapping relation and projecting outwardly of said body
in FIG. 3. In this position, the opening 42 in the tab 36 10 portion, spaced openings formed in each tab, each open
and the opening 44 in the tab 38 are aligned. The pivotal
ing in a tab communicating with either of the openings
arm 48 of a padlock 50 is then inserted through the aligned
in the other tab, the location of said arms as de?ned by
openings 42, 44 to positively secure the tabs 36, 38 in the
the alignment of the openings in said overlapping tabs
position shown in FIG. 3 and further lock the locking
de?ning a locking position in accordance with the size of
arms 30, 32 on the neck 16 of the bottle 12.
Since the 15 the bottle on which said bottle lock is located, said arms
locking 30, 32 are secured in the locking position beneath
in the locking position restricting the open end of said
the ?ange 18 of the neck 16, the capped end of the bottle
opening in said body portion and being closely secured
12 is sealed by the body portion 22, and access to .the in
around the bottle neck, wherein said body portion is pre4
terior of the bottle 12 is prevented.
vented from movement outwardly of said bottle neck, and
Assuming next that a bottle having a medium size neck 20 means extending through the aligned openings of said tabs
is to be locked, the tabs 36, 38 are adjusted until their
for locking said tabs, thereby locking said body portion on
openings are in alignment as illustrated in FIG. 4. In this
position, the openings 40 and 44 are aligned, as well as
the neck of said bottle.
7
2. In a bottle lock, a body portion having an opening
extending therein from the bottommost end adjacent to
the openings 42, 46. The curved locking arms 30, 32
have been moved inwardly a sufficient distance to engage 25 and spaced from the topmost end, said opening receiving
the smaller neck of th ebottle in which the smaller neck is
the capped end and neck of a bottle therein for enclosing
located, and the lock 50 is then inserted through one set
said capped end and a portion of said neck, an annular
of the aligned openings to secure the locking arms 30 and
groove formed in said body portion interiorly thereof and
32 in the locked position thereof. .
adjacent the bottommost end thereof, avslot extending
Assuming now that a bottle having a small size neck 30 through said body portion and communicating with said
is to be locked, then the tabs 36 and 38 are moved to the
annular groove, a pair of locking elements, each of which
position illustrated in FIG. 5. In this position, the tabs
includes a curved arm that is pivotally located in said
have been moved in a direction toward each other and
groove in opposed relation to the curved arm of the other
located such that the openings 40 and 46 are aligned.
element, said curved arms generally following the contour
The locking arms 30 and 32 in the position shown in FIG. 35 of said opening and being pivotally movable to restrict the
5 are thus pivotally moved so as to further restrict the
open end of said opening and for engaging the neck of
opening 24 and are located in engagement with the neck
of the bottle to be locked. The arm 48 of the padlock
50 is inserted through the aligned openings 40 and 46 to
said bottle in locking relation, a tab joined to each curved
arm and projecting outwardly of said body portion
through said slot, said tabs being located in overlying
secure the locking arms 30 and 32 in their restricted posi 40 relation and each tab having at least one opening formed
tion as shown in FIG. 5.
therein, said tabs being movable to align said openings,
The bottle lock 10 embodied in the present inven
wherein said arms are pivoted to restrict the open end of
tion is simple to use and may be employed with a variety
the opening in said body portion so as to engage the neck
of bottles having different size necks. Since the body por~
of said bottle, and means extending through the aligned
tion 22 may be formed with the exterior thereof having 45 openings of said tabs for locking said tabs together,
any suitable ornamental con?guration or indicia thereon,
thereby locking said body portion on the neck of said
the bottle lock 10 may add to the ornamental features of
bottle.
the bottle 12 and thus will complement the appearance
3. In a lock for a. bottle having a neck and a capped
of the bottle when placed on display. By utilizing the
end, a body portion having an opening formed therein
bottle lock embodied in the present invention, unauthor 50 that is enclosed at the upper end thereof, said opening
ized access to the interior of the bottle is prevented, and
slidably receiving the capped end and a portion of the
the bottle lock may be removed from the locked position
neck of said bottle in enclosed relation with respect
or inserted thereon with a minimum of effort. The lock
thereto, a pair of curved arms located interiorly of said
ing arms 30 and 32. insure that the bottle lock will be
body
portion and pivotally movable therein to restrict the
located in a positive locked position, and the pivotal ar
open end of said opening so as to engage the neck of said
rangement thereof further provides for easy insertion of
bottle when the body portion is located on said neck, and
the bottle lock on bottles having different size necks.
means
for locking said curved arms in the engaging posi
While there is shown and described herein certain
tion thereof.
speci?c structure embodying the invention, it will be mani
4. In a lock for a bottle as set forth in claim 3, an
fest to those skilled in the art that various modi?cations 60
annular groove formed interiorly of said body portion,
and rearrangements of the parts may be made without
said curved arms being pivotally located in said annular
departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying in
ventive concept and that the same is not limited to the
groove for movement therein.
1. In a bottle lock that is adapted to be secured to the
neck of a bottle for preventing unauthorized use of the
body portion in overlying relation, the locking position of
5. In a lock for a bottle as set forth in claim 3, each
particular forms herein shown and described except in
of
said curved arms including a tab in which at least one
sofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims. 65
opening is formed, said tabs extending outwardly of said
What is claimed is:
said arms being de?ned by the alignment of the openings
in said tabs, andvsaid locking means extending through
contents therein, a body portion having an opening formed
therein that is closed at the upper end thereof, said open 70 said aligned openings for locking said arms in the engag
ing position thereof.
ing slidably receiving the capped end and a portion
6. In a lock for a bottle as set forth in claim 5, a slot
of the neck of said bottle for the enclosing thereof by
formed in said body portion and communicating with said
said body portion, an annular groove formed in said body
annular groove, said tabs projecting through said slot
portion interiorly thereof and adjacent the lowermost
edge thereof, a slot extending through said body portion 75 and outwardly of said body portion.
3,206,955
6
5
7. In a lock for a bottle as set forth in claim 5, each
of said tabs including a pair of spaced openings, the align
ment of both said openings in said tabs de?ning a ?rst
locking position for said arms for locking said body por
tion on a bottle having a medium size neck, the alignment
of only one opening in each tab with one opening in the
otally mounted in said body portion for restrciting the
open end of said opening and for engaging the neck of
said bottle when the body portion is located on said neck,
said arms including tabs that extend outwardly of said
body portion, and means for locking said tabs in aligned
relation to lock said arms in the restricted position thereof.
opposite tab when said tabs are moved in a direction away
9. In a lock for a bottle as set forth in claim 8, said tabs
from each other de?ning a second locking position for
including means for adjusting the locked position thereof
said arms for locking said body portion on a bottle having
to vary the position of said arms, wherein said body por
a large size neck, and the alignment of only ‘one opening 10 tion may be mounted on various size bottle necks in lock
in each tab when said tabs are moved in a direction toward
each other de?ning a third locking position for said arms
for locking said body portion on a bottle having a small
size neck.
8. In a lock for a bottle having a neck ‘and a capped 15
end, a generally cylindrical body portion having a central
opening formed therein that extends the major portion of
the length of said body portion and is enclosed at the
open end thereof, said opening slidably receiving the neck
ing engagement therewith.
References Cited by the Examiner
UNITED STATES PATENTS
695,656
3/02
Smalley _____________ __ 70—166
833,446 10/06 Degener.
2,785,564
3,112,636
3/57
12/63
Rossi _______________ __ 70-232
McIntyre ___________ .._ 70-—232
and a portion of the capped end of said bottle in en— 20 ALBERT H. KAMPE, Primary Examiner.
closed relation with respect thereto, a pair of arms piv