Interchangeable breech lock for glove boxes
A breech lock for a glove box is provided that may be used to transfer one or more items into the glove box. The breech lock can be interchangeably installed in place of a plug, glove, or other device in a port or opening of a glove box. Features are provided to aid the removal of items from the breech lock by a gloved operator. The breech lock can be reused or, if needed, can be replaced with a plug, glove, or other device at the port or opening of the glove box.
1. An interchangeable breech lock for a glove box, comprising:
a housing extending between a first end and a second end, the first end having a first port the second end having a second port;
a plug connected with the exterior of the housing, the plug configured for removably securing the housing within a glove box opening;
a first door positioned at the first end of the housing and configured for selectively opening or closing the first port; and
a second door positioned at the second end of the housing and configured for selectively opening or closing the second port;
wherein the housing and the second door collectively define a chamber when the second door closes the second port, the chamber comprising
a first portion defined by the housing; and
a second portion defined by the second door and having a recess that is positioned lower along a vertical direction than the first portion, wherein the chamber is configured for receipt of an item for glove box transfer.
2. An interchangeable breech lock for a glove box as in claim 1 , wherein the second. door comprises:
a peripheral wall extending peripherally around the second door; and
an offset wail connected to the peripheral wall and offset therefrom, the offset wall defining the recess of the second portion of the chamber.
3. An interchangeable breech lock for a glove box as in claim 2 , wherein the housing further comprises a stop located adjacent to the second port and positioned for alignment with the offset wall so as to close off the recess when the second door closes the second port.
4. An interchangeable breech lock for a glove box as in claim 1 , further comprising a flange connected to the housing and attached to the plug.
5. An interchangeable breech lock for a glove box as in claim 1 , wherein the plug further comprises one or more seals for sealing off the glove box opening when the breech lock is installed therein.
6. An interchangeable breech lock for a glove box as in claim 1 , further comprising a first door latch mechanism attached to the first door and configured for selectively latching the first door into a closed position over the first port.
7. An interchangeable breech lock for a glove box as in claim 1 , further comprising a second door latch mechanism attached to the second door and configured for selectively latching the second door into a closed positioned over the second port.
8. An interchangeable breech lock for a glove box as in claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure ring for positioning around the glove box opening, the enclosure ring attached to the glove box, wherein the plug is removably received within the enclosure ring.
9. An interchangeable breech lock for a glove box as in claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a cylinder extending along a longitudinal direction between the first port and the second port.
10. A breech lock for a glove box, comprising:
a housing providing a first portion of a chamber, the housing defining a longitudinal direction and a vertical direction, the housing defining a first port at a first end and a second port at a second end;
a first door attached to the housing near the first port and configured for opening and closing the first port;
a second door attached to the housing near the second port and configured for opening and closing the second port, the second door defining a second portion of the chamber when closing the second port, the second door defining a recess that is positioned vertically lower than the first portion of the chamber; and
an attachment mechanism for releasably securing the breech lock into a glove box. opening of the glove box.
11. A breech lock for a glove box as in claim 10 , wherein the second door comprises:
a peripheral wail extending peripherally around the second door; and
an offset wall connected to the peripheral wall and offset therefrom, the offset wall defining the recess of the second portion of the chamber.
12. A breech lock for a glove box as in claim 11 , wherein the housing further comprises a stop located adjacent to the second port and positioned for alignment with the offset wall so as to close off the recess when the second door closes the second port.
13. A breech lock for a glove box as in claim 10 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a flange connected to the housing.
14. A breech lock for a glove box as in claim 10 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a plug connected with the exterior of the housing, the plug configured for removably securing the housing within a glove box opening.