EP2396232B1 - Folding box - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a folding box with a bottom, with the bottom pivotally connected first and second side walls forming an open-topped box with the bottom in an unfolded state, at least one arranged on a first side wall holding member and at least one rotatable on a second side wall mounted axle. Such a folding box is off EP 1785360 and WO 60/66440 known.

Folding boxes are practical tools for transporting items, since in an unfolded state, they form an open-topped box or box, and are flat in a folded state and therefore easy to stow. Compared to fixed boxes, this is a significant advantage. However, the use of folding boxes is limited by the usually lower stability or even prevented. In addition, the known locking mechanisms, which lock the side walls against each other and so prevent collapse of the box, often unreliable or very complex.

For example, is from the EP 0 785 142 A1 a plastic box with hinged side walls known in which two opposing side walls of these laterally outstanding pins which engage in grooves in the adjacent side walls and engage in an end position. The disadvantage here is that the box can be relatively easily accidentally collapsed, as a sufficiently high pressure on the side walls with the pins sufficient to unlock the side walls. If a fully loaded box collapses unintentionally, the contained items may fall out, which counteracts the meaning of such a box.

From the WO 00/68099 is also a portable, preferably made of plastic container known, which has a substantially rectangular bottom and two pairs of pivotally mounted side walls. For locking the side walls bolts, which are arranged on two of the side walls, are provided. The bolts can be moved between an unlocking position and a locking position. In the latter, the bolts protrude out of the side wall and engage in a recess of the adjacent side wall. Due to the displacement mechanism of the bolt, the container is technically comparatively complicated. For many users or applications, such a box is therefore simply too expensive.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a folding box available which has improved protection against accidental folding.

• einen Boden,
• mit dem Boden schwenkbar verbundene erste und zweite Seitenwände, die mit dem Boden in einem aufgeklappten Zustand eine nach oben offene Box bilden,
• zumindest ein auf einer ersten Seitenwand angeordnetes Halteelement,
• zumindest eine auf einer zweiten Seitenwand drehbar gelagerte Achse, wobei die zumindest eine Achse an zumindest einem Achsende einen von der Kreisform abweichenden Querschnitt aufweist und das zumindest eine Achsende in einer ersten Drehstellung mit dem zumindest einen Halteelement die erste mit der zweiten Seitenwand verriegelt und in einer zweiten Drehstellung besagte Seitenwände entriegelt.

The object of the invention is achieved with a folding box according to claim 1, namely a folding box, comprising

• a floor,
• pivotally connected to the floor first and second side walls, which form an open-topped box with the bottom in an unfolded state,
• at least one holding element arranged on a first side wall,
• at least one axis rotatably mounted on a second side wall, wherein the at least one axis has at least one axis end deviating from the circular cross section and the at least one axle end in a first rotational position with the at least one holding element, the first locked with the second side wall and in a second rotational position said side walls unlocked.

According to the invention, therefore, a non-circular, rotatable axle end on a side wall cooperates with a holding element on an adjacent side wall such that the two walls are locked in a first rotational position of the axle end and unlocked in a second rotational direction. This results in some immediate benefits. For example, the folding box is secured against unintentional collapse, as for folding a multi-stage movement (unlocking with a first movement and collapsing with a second movement) is necessary. Furthermore, the folding box comes with relatively simple and therefore robust locking elements, because the pivot bearing of the axis is easier to accomplish than about a bearing that allows a longitudinal displacement of locking elements. For example, a bearing (eg, metal shaft, plastic bearing shell) in the delivery state can be intentionally tight, because the axle and the bearing grind in operation and thus provide an optimal fit of the parts over time. This is made possible by the fact that in the longitudinal direction always the same point of the axis in contact with the same point of storage. Compared to a sliding bearing according to the prior art, this is a clearer Advantage, since - which unfortunately can happen quite easily unintentionally - the rod-shaped locking elements are often bent and thus only a very loose storage of the locking elements is possible. According to the invention, however, can be achieved by simple means as a high-quality, because tight-fitting, storage by the user. Furthermore, the solution according to the invention - when the axis is continuous - in principle with only two bearings, whereas according to the prior art, at least four bearings for the sliding locking elements are necessary. Finally, slidable locking elements tend to catch, such as when stuck dirt or material bumps complicate the movement through storage or prevent. In rotary bearings, however, this phenomenon is largely unknown. The invention is therefore simpler, more reliable and with simpler means of high quality to produce than is the case with known solutions.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the description in conjunction with the figures of the drawing.

It is advantageous if the at least one axle end has a cross section from the group: rectangular with rounded corners, S-shaped, oval, elliptical, hook-shaped or flattened circular cross-section. These cross sections are comparatively easy to produce and at the same time very well fulfill a locking function.

It when the at least one axis is automatically rotated by means of a spring in the first rotational position is particularly advantageous. In this variant, the axis is therefore in the locked position by default. Unintentional unlocking is - since it requires the overcoming of a spring force - counteracted. For example, all types of torsion springs, leaf springs and spiral tension and compression springs come into consideration here, wherein the force generated by a leaf or coil spring should optionally be converted into a torque with suitable measures (levers and the like).

It is furthermore particularly advantageous if the at least one axis is automatically rotated into the second rotational position when the second side wall is opened. In this variant The invention thus moves the axis when opening the box by itself, that is, by the pivotal movement of the side wall, in the Entriegelposition, so that the side walls can be pivoted into their end positions without special intervention.

Finally, it is particularly advantageous if the at least one axis is automatically turned into the first rotational position with the aid of the spring when the end position of the second side wall is reached. This variant of the invention represents a combination of the two aforementioned embodiments. On the one hand, unfolding of the side walls to their final position without special movements (ie without a conscious unlocking) allows, on the other hand, the side walls, once they have reached their final position, automatically by the Spring locked. Once the box is fully opened, it can not be accidentally closed. The actions required by the user for safe operation of a folding box are thus limited to a minimum.

It is also advantageous if the at least one axis can be rotated by means of a handle in the first and / or second rotational position. Since the rotation of the axle can be quite cumbersome under certain circumstances without further aids, in this embodiment of the invention, a handle on the axis is provided, which allows the easy turning of the same.

The above embodiments and further developments of the invention can be combined in any manner.

For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Klappbox;

Fig. 2a

eine erste, S-förmige Variante eines Achsendes;

Fig. 2b

eine Detailansicht, wie die erste Variante des Achsendes mit einem Halteelement auf der ersten Seitenwand zusammenwirkt;

Fig. 2c

die Detailansicht aus Fig. 2b nur aus einer anderen Richtung;

Fig. 3a

eine zweite Variante eines Achsendes mit abgeflachtem Kreisquerschnitt;

Fig. 3b

eine Detailansicht wie die zweite Variante des Achsendes mit einem Halteelement auf der ersten Seitenwand zusammenwirkt;

Fig. 3c

die Detailansicht aus Fig. 3b nur von oben gesehen;

Fig. 4a

eine dritte Variante eines Achsendes mit hakenförmigem Querschnitt;

Fig. 4b

eine Detailansicht wie die dritte Variante des Achsendes mit einem Halteelement auf der ersten Seitenwand zusammenwirkt;

Fig. 4c

die Detailansicht aus Fig. 4b nur von oben gesehen;

Fig. 5

eine Lagerschale zur Aufnahme der Achse;

Fig. 6

eine Variante eines Hebels zur Drehung der Achse;

Fig. 7

ein Detail aus einer Ausführungsvariante mit elliptischem Achsende in Draufsicht;

Fig. 8

die Ausführungsvariante nach Fig. 7 in Seitenansicht gemäß der Schnittlinie VIII-VIII in Fig. 7.

Each shows in a highly schematically simplified representation:

Fig. 1

a side view of a folding box according to the invention;

Fig. 2a

a first, S-shaped variant of an axle end;

Fig. 2b

a detailed view of how the first variant of the axle end cooperates with a holding element on the first side wall;

Fig. 2c

the detail view Fig. 2b only from another direction;

Fig. 3a

a second variant of a Achsendes with flattened circular cross-section;

Fig. 3b

a detailed view of how the second variant of the axle end cooperates with a holding element on the first side wall;

Fig. 3c

the detail view Fig. 3b seen from above only;

Fig. 4a

a third variant of an axle end with hook-shaped cross-section;

Fig. 4b

a detailed view of how the third variant of the axle end cooperates with a holding element on the first side wall;

Fig. 4c

the detail view Fig. 4b seen from above only;

Fig. 5

a bearing shell for receiving the axle;

Fig. 6

a variant of a lever for rotating the axle;

Fig. 7

a detail of a variant with elliptical axle end in plan view;

Fig. 8

the embodiment according to Fig. 7 in side view along the section line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 ,

By way of introduction, it is stated that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component designations, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals and component names. Also, the position information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and are to be transferred to a new position analogous to the new situation. You can also continue Represent individual features or combinations of features from the illustrated and described different embodiments of their own, inventive or inventive solutions.
Fig. 1
The embodiments show possible embodiments of a folding box according to the invention, it being noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but also various combinations of the individual embodiments are possible with each other and this variation possibility due to the teaching of technical action representational invention in the skill of those skilled in this technical field.

Fig. 1 shows an inventive embodiment of a folding box 1 with a bottom (not shown), pivotally connected to the ground first and second side walls 2 and 3 and arranged on the first side walls 2 holding elements 4. On the second side wall 3 is an axis 5 with two axle ends 5a and 5b rotatably mounted in bearing shells 6, wherein the bearing shells 6 can be integrated in reinforcing ribs 7. On the axis 5, finally, a lever 8 and two leaf springs 9 are arranged.

The FIGS. 2a to 2c show a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2a shows a side view of the axis 5 with the first axle end 5a, the lever 8 and the leaf springs 9. In this variant of the invention, the axle ends 5a and 5b are S-shaped curved.

Fig. 2b shows how the axle end 5a cooperates with the holding element 4. The axle end 5a is shown in the first rotational position, in which the side walls 2 and 3 are locked. By rotating counterclockwise (indicated by an arrow), the axle end 5a can be moved to a second rotational position, in which the axle end 5a is unlocked by the retaining element 4, so that the side walls 2 and 3 can be pivoted towards the bottom of the folding box 1. This rotation takes place by operating the lever 8 against the spring force of the leaf springs 9. If the second side wall 3 is then pivoted in the direction of the ground, then - when the lever 8 is released again - the axle end 5a slowly rotates back into the through the widening guide gap first rotational position. In this type of lever unlocking is done by pressing the lever 8 inwards. The leaf springs 9 rest against the outside of the second side wall 3 and thus build up a restoring force.

It is also conceivable, of course, a mirrored version in which the lever 8 is pressed to the outside.

If the side wall 2 is folded up, then the axle end 5a is slowly moved by the tapered guide gap 10 into the second rotational position, the unlocking position. Upon complete folding up of the side wall 2, the axle end 5a now slips into the retaining element 4 and there assumes the first rotational position, the locking position, due to the spring force of the leaf springs 9. The locking takes place automatically when pivoting the second side wall 3 in its end position, the unlocking, however, by pressing the lever 8 against the spring force of the leaf springs 9. An unintentional opening of the folding box 1 can therefore be more or less excluded, without thereby the comfort of Fold up the side walls 2 and 3 would be lost.

Fig. 2c finally shows a view of in Fig. 2b shown variant along the first side wall 2 (see also section BB in Fig. 2b ). Good to see here is the shape of the guide gap 10 and its boundary walls, which are flatter in the initial area and higher in the end. Due to the shape of the boundary walls of the guide gap 10 and the relatively large width at the beginning of the same, the axle ends 5a and 5b slip when folding the second side walls 3 particularly well in the associated guide gaps 10th

The FIGS. 3a to 3c show a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3a shows a side view of the axis 5 with the axle end 5a, the lever 8 and the leaf springs 9. In this variant of the invention, the axle ends 5a and 5b are formed in the form of a flattened circular cross-section.

Fig. 3b shows how the axle end 5a cooperates with the holding element 4. The axle end 5a is shown in the first rotational position, in which the side walls 2 and 3 are locked. By rotating counterclockwise (indicated by an arrow), the axle end 5b can be moved to a second rotational position, in which the axle end 5a is unlocked by the retaining element 4, so that the side walls 2 and 3 can be pivoted towards the bottom of the folding box 1. This rotation takes place by actuation of the lever 8 against the spring force of the leaf springs 9. If the second side wall 3 is then pivoted in the direction of the ground, Thus, the axle end 5b rotates again after passing the retaining element 4 in the first rotational position. When folding up the second side wall 3, the axle end 5a, as soon as it abuts the holding element 4, automatically rotated because of the eccentric force between the axle end 5a and retaining element 4 in the second rotational position. As soon as the second side wall 3 reaches its end position, however, the axle ends 5a and 5b are rotated by the leaf springs 9 into their first rotational position and then lock the side walls 2 and 3 with the aid of the retaining elements 4.

Fig. 3c finally shows a plan view of a corner of the folding box 1, in which the first side wall 2 with the holding element 4 and the second side wall 3 with the axis 5 is shown. Good to see here is how the axle 5b interacts with the retaining element 4.

The FIGS. 4a to 4c Now show a third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4a shows a side view of the axis 5 with the axle end 5a, the lever 8 and the leaf springs 9. In this variant of the invention, the axle ends 5a and 5b are hook-shaped.
Fig. 4b shows how the axle end 5a cooperates with the holding element 4. The axle end 5b is shown in the first rotational position, in which the side walls 2 and 3 are locked. By rotating counterclockwise (indicated by an arrow), the axle end 5b can be moved to a second rotational position, in which the axle end 5b is unlocked by the retaining element 4, so that the side walls 2 and 3 can be pivoted towards the bottom of the folding box 1. This rotation takes place by actuation of the lever 8 against the spring force of the leaf springs 9. If the second side wall 3 is then pivoted in the direction of the ground, then the axle end 5b turns back into the first rotational position after passing through the retaining element 4. When folding up the second side wall 3, the axle end 5a is rotated as in the previous example by the support member 4 in the second rotational position and gerdreht after the complete folding of the second side wall 3 by means of the leaf springs 9 in the first rotational position.

Fig. 4c finally shows a plan view of a corner of the folding box 1, in which the first side wall 2 with the holding element 4 and the second side wall 3 with the axis 5 is shown. Good to see here is how the axle end 5a cooperates with the retaining element 4.

In all the aforementioned variants of the invention, the bearing of the axle 5 can advantageously be accomplished by integration of the bearing shells 6 in reinforcing ribs 7 of the second side wall 3. Fig. 5 shows a part of a reinforcing rib 7, in which a bearing shell 6 is arranged (see also section AA in Fig. 1 ). In this case, the bearing shell 6 advantageously comprises a little more than a semicircle, so that the axis 5 can be simply clipped in the assembly of the folding box 1. Advantageously, cuts are provided in addition to the bearing shell 6, which allow springs of the bearing shell 6 when clipping.

Fig. 6 shows in a side view and a section CC a folding box 1 finally a variant of an axis 5, which is not continuous, but in which the lever 8, the axis 5, in particular in the middle divides, in particular the lever 8 and the axis 5 in the middle region provided with a pulled down offset .. The lever 8 and the axis 5 may be constructed in one piece but also in several pieces. This lever 8, which is pivotally formed below the handle of the folding box 1, can be used in all mentioned variants of the invention. To unlock the lever 8 is folded outwards. The leaf springs 9 lie on the outside of the second side wall 3 and thus cause a restoring force. Of course, a mirror-inverted embodiment is conceivable in which the lever 8 is pressed inwards, and the leaf springs 9 lie on the inside.

In the FIGS. 7 and 8 is a detail of another embodiment of the invention, which differs from that according to Fig. 1 derives and differs essentially only by another embodiment of the axle ends 5a and the holding elements 4, shown in plan view and side view. Fig. 7 shows a plan view of a corner of the folding box 1, in which the first side wall 2 with the holding element 4 and the second side wall 3 with the axis 5 is shown. It can again be seen how the axle end 5a interacts with the retaining element 4.

To open the folding box 1, the lever 8 ( Fig. 1 ) on the second, in particular short, side wall 3 of the folding box 1 is pressed inwards (in the direction of the box interior), or, as already described above, the mirror-inverted embodiment variant is also possible. As a result, the axis 8, which is in particular firmly connected to the lever 8, is set in a rotary motion. At the first axis end 5a, as already in the embodiment according to Fig. 3c , a taper 11, ie the axis 5 is formed tapered, arranged in the first side wall 2, that is, the holding element 4, engages and locked. This lock is shaped so that it in the closed state, ie erected state of the side walls 2, 3 of the folding box 1, locked. For this purpose, the holding element 4 is provided with two opposing shells 12 which receive the tapered axle end 5a of the axle 5 ( Fig. 8 ). By the rotation of the axis 5, the lock is released, so that the oval-shaped in cross-section axle end 5 a can be brought out of engagement with the shells 12. Thus, the second side wall 3 can be folded inwards. When folding the second side wall 3 in the holding element 4 in turn provide the leaf springs 9 ( Fig. 1 ) that the lever 8 ( Fig. 1 ) is brought back to its starting position or rest position. When closing the side walls 2, 3, the axle end 5a is pressed into the flexible shells 12. The lever 8 remains in its initial position. The folding box 1 is thus locked again. As with the other embodiments, the axis 5 during assembly of the lock in the spring openings or the bearing shell 6 ( Fig. 5 ) of the reinforcing rib (s) 7 are clipped.

In all variants of the invention, the axis 5 may be made of metal, for example. For example, the lever 8 and / or the leaf springs 9 may also be made of metal and welded to the axis 5. It is also conceivable that the lever 8 and / or the leaf springs 9 are made of plastic and, for example, are sprayed onto the axis 5. Finally, it is also possible to produce axis 5, lever 8 and the leaf springs 9 in one piece from metal or plastic. For the latter variant, in particular cost-effective and in the form almost completely freely selectable injection molded parts into consideration. The axle ends 5a and 5b can be given any desired shape during injection molding, but can also be produced by grinding (for example flattening of a wire that is circular in the raw state) or pressing. Finally, different materials can be used for the axle 5 and its ends 5a and 5b. For example, axle ends 5a and 5b made of plastic can be plugged onto an axle 5 made of metal, but it is also possible to attach axle ends 5a and 5b made of metal to an axle 5 made of plastic.

Although it has always been assumed in the figures that the axle ends 5a and 5b protrude on both sides of the second side wall 3, other variants are conceivable, of course. For example, only a first axle end 5a can protrude on the second side wall 3. In this case, the folding box 1 is locked only on one side. It is conceivable also that on the second side wall 3, two axes 5 are arranged with a total of four axle ends. Advantageously, however, there are four places on the folding box 1, which are locked on, namely on both sides of the two second side walls 3. This results in a lock per corner of the folding box. 1

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure of the folding box 1, these or their components have been shown partly unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

The problem underlying the independent inventive solutions can be taken from the description.

Above all, the individual in the Fig. 1 to 6 shown embodiments form the subject of independent solutions according to the invention. The relevant objects and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures. <B> Reference Numbers </ b> 1 folding 2 first sidewall 3 second side wall 4 retaining element 5 axis 5a first axle end 5b second axle end 6 bearing shell 7 reinforcing rib 8th lever 9 leaf spring 10 guide gap 11 rejuvenation 12 Bowl

Claims (6)

1. Folding box (1), comprising:

   - a base,

   - first and second side walls (2, 3) pivotably connected to the base which, together with the base, form a box open at the top in the folded open state,

   - at least one retaining element (4) disposed on a first side wall (2),

   - at least one pin (5) mounted so as to be rotatable on a second side wall (3),

   characterized in that
   the at least one pin (5) has a cross-section that is not circular on at least one pin end (5a, 5b) and the at least one pin end (5a, 5b) locks the first to the second side wall (2, 3) by means of the retaining element (4) in a first rotational position and unlocks said side walls (2, 3) in a second rotational position.
2. Folding box (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the at least one pin end (2, 3) has a cross-section selected from the group comprising rectangular with rounded corners, S-shaped, oval, ellipsoid, hook-shaped or a flattened circular cross-section.
3. Folding box (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one pin (5) can be automatically rotated into the first rotational position with the aid of a spring (9).
4. Folding box (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one pin (5) can be automatically rotated into the second rotational position as the second side wall (3) is folded open.
5. Folding box (1) as claimed in claim 3 und 4, characterised in that the at least one pin (5) can be automatically rotated into the first rotational position with the aid of the spring (9) once the second side wall (3) has assumed the end position.
6. Folding box (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one pin (5) can be rotated into the first and/or second rotational position by means of a handle (8).

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