GB471981A - Improvements in and relating to suit and similar cases, trunks, packing cases and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

471,981. Collapsable suitcases, packing- cases, &c. REED, G. C. March 17, 1936, No. 8018. [Class 18] In a collapsable suit-case, packing-case, or trunk wherein the walls are hinged to the bottom, the front and end walls e, g, are provided externally with plates carrying interengaging connections, and the plates on the front wall overlap the ends of the end walls thus providing substantially weatherproof joints when the case is being carried. The walls when collapsed occupy the space between the bottom and the lid, which may be removable or, as shown, hinged to the rear wall b, itself hinged at b<1> so that it can be folded inwardly. A stiff insertion b<2> overlaps the hinge b<1>. The front and rear walls are hinged to the bottom, a slight distance above same, to accommodate the downfolded end walls beneath them when the case is collapsed. The hinges may be formed by scoring the material forming the case or by stitching, and may be strengthened by a strip of fabric, e.g. a<1>, Fig. 2. The interengaging connections which are also provided on the adjacent edges of the rear and end walls comprise eyes j<1> on the plates which dovetail together when the case is erected and are looked by inserting a pin k, Fig. 4. The pins k may be removable or may be bent as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 to hook over the wall of the case and pass through a guiding and retaining eye j<2> on an extension j<3> of the plate j. Press studs may be provided, e.g. between the folded portions of the rear wall b, for retaining the parts in folded or collapsed condition. Flanged metal corner pieces may be fitted, those for the bottom and upper rear corners being attached to the bottom and lid.