US1371581A

US1371581A - Collapsible crate

Info

Publication number: US1371581A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1921-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 1938-03-15

Description

Patented Mar. 15, 1921. 3 suEns-snsn s.

fes 1 am F. W. STEFFES.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-1 29w.

warren sires PATENT OFFEQE,

FREDERICK W. STEFFIES, 0F WIEN', MISSOURI.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

Application filed August 1, 1919.

T0 FIZZ iii/tom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. STEFFES, a citizen oi the United States, residing at Wien, in the county of Chariton and State oi Missouri, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Collapsible Grates, oi which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to crates or cases of the type employed for shipping eggs, or analogous articles, and an object of the invention is to provide a crate structure which may in easily collapsed into a compact form for reshipment to the original shipper to permit of reuse.

in the present cases or crates employed in the shipment of eggs or analogous fragible articles, the crates relatively large and bulky and take up so much space that it is impractical to return them to the shipper for reuse, and they are consequently destroyed, resulting in the loss of the labor and time necessary for making them, as well as the loss oi? material oi which they are made, and it is an object of the invention to provide a case or rate structure which may be easily i-ollapsed for return to overcome the undesirable features of the egg crates usually employed.

Another object of this invention is to proride a collapsible case or crate structure wherein the sides and ends are hingedly connectm to permit them to be collapsed to lie in substantially parallel abutting engagenient when the crate is not in use, and also to pro ride a removable bottom and cover tor the crate structure which may be readily attached, to and detached from the sides and nJClS oi the crate when the latter are in an open or extended position and which permits the top or cover and bottom to lie against the surfaces of the sides, when the latter are collapsed, and also to provide means l'or connecting the cover and bottom to the sides and end of the body when in an open position, which means also co-act with companion means for securely connecting the bottoin and cover to the sides and ends when collapsed, and serve to lock the crate or case inv a collapsed position.

Other objects of the invention will appear i the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying draw- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

Serial No. 314,733.

Fig. 5 is a top plan of the sides and ends of the crate showing them partly collapsed.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the crate in a collapsed position, and b big. is adetail sectional view of a part Oil the locking mechanism for locking the rate in a collapsed. position. i Referring more particularly to the draw rugs, wherein like characters indicate like and. corresponding parts throughout the several views, the improved collapsible case or crate includes sides lfiand 11 which arehingedly connected to the

ends

12 and 13 by hinges lei, to permit the collapsing of tnesc ends and sides into a comparatively fiat position. The hinges which are carried, by the sides 1.0 and 11 a r iiorrned upon suitable metal str' s 55 which are attached to the outer surfaces of the sides, near their ends and form bracing means therefor, while the end 12 made by transversely extending bracing strips 16 and 1.7 along its upper and lower edges. The end 13 is braced by u nier tra ,sversel cert .ading bracing strip 18 which is positioned a short distance below the upper edge of the end 13 to permit the engagement with the outer surface of the end at its upper edge, with a depending binding strip 19 which is carried by one end. of the cover 20. The cover 20 has substantially right angled hook members 21 attached to its end. opposite the end which carries the binding strip 19, and the free ends of these hook members are bent inwardly as shown at 22 for seating in recesses formed in the supporting strip 16 to securely connect the top or cover 20 to the ends 12 of the casing. The binding strip 19 is provided with a cut out portion 23 formed in its outer surface intermediate its ends in which a pin 21 is mounted. The pin 24 is adapted to engage through an opening formed in the free end of? a spring clip 25 for locking the cover 20 in a closed position upon the casing or crate, when the latter is open or in an operative condition.

The end 13 also has a transversely exv tending bracing strip 27 at its lower end, which bracing strip is provided with. a pair of vertically extending cut out portions terminating in companion cut out portions 29 extending inwardly from the upper edge of the bracing strip. These cut out

portions

28 and 29 receive therein the hook members 30 which are carried at one end 01 the bottom 31 of the crate or case. The inner ends of the recesses 29 are rounded so as to permit a certain amount of pivotal movement of the bottom 31 to facilitate its proper attachment with the sides and ends of the casing. The end of the bottom 31 opposite to that which carries the hook inem ber 30 has a pair of spring members 33 attached thereto. These springs 33 are formed upon and extend laterally from a strip 34 of sheet metal which is bent to extend about the bottom 31 near the free end, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. The free ends of the tongues 33 are angled as shown at 35 for engagement over the upper edge of the strip 17 to connect the bottom to the end 12 of the crate structure.

A bracing partition 36 is hingedly connected. by means of hinges 37 to the side 10 of the crate. Dowels 38 are preferably formed upon the normally free edge oi the bracing partition 36 and they are adapted to seat in suitable receiving recesses formed in the side 11, for preventing accidental hinged or pivotal movement of the partition when the crate is assembled.

lVhen desired to collapse the crate structure for reshipment, the cover 20 is first re moved by springing the spring latch 25 out of engagement with the pin 24 and the cover is then moved upwardly and rearwardly to disengage the hook member 21 from the bracing strip 1.6 which permits the (S0011-- nection of the cover with the sides and ends of the crate. The spring tongues 33 upon the bottom 31 are then sprung outwardlv, t disengage their angled ends 35 with the bracing strip 17, and the bottom is rocked upon the hooked ends of the hook member 30, which engages with the arcuate walls o the recesses'29, after which the hook ends are moved out of: these recesses. thereby disconnecting the bottoms from the sides and ends of the crate, after which the sides and ends are collapsed as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings to position theinsubstantially parallel and in close proximitv to each other. After the sides and ends of the crate "end 13, which spring controlled latches engaging in the crooked end otli the ilOli .0 securely connect the bottom 31 to the sides and ends when in collapsed position and. prevent the uncollapsing n'iovenient of these sections. The hook members 21 on the top 20. are inserted throiiigh openings 43 and -14 in the side 11 and end 12. and their angled end 22 is engaged over a portion of the end 12 adjacent the opening for connecting one end of the top 20 to the side 11 and end 12. The opposite end 01' the top 20. namely the end which carries the binding strip 19 engages against the outer edge oi. the end 13 and is held securely connected to the collapsed sides and ends of the casin j by a spring tongue 15, which engages over the pin 24.

In assembling the crate structure. the sides and ends are opened so as to be at substan tially right angles to each other a l ter which the hooks 30 upon the bottom 31 are properly positioned in the recesses or cut out portions and 29 upon the member 27 oi the end 13. The bottom is then positioned in such relation to the end 12 and strip 17 that the angled ends 35 of hooks are free to slide upon the upper surface of strip 17.. as shown in Fig. of the drawings. hen the sides are clipped over the bottom tl or will assume their proper positions and the angled ends ol? the tongues 33 will cr over the upper edge of the reinforcing i:

17. A. spring catch structure 45"" carried by the upper edge of the bracing strip ll and it has a depending tongue 1-6 thereon. which, when the end 12 is being moved over the bottom 31, will ride over the rearmost tongue 33, and spring downwardly tor scating the tongue 35 into a recess t'orn'ied in the upper edge oi. the brace 17 for receiving it. thereby locking the bottom 31 connected to the end 12 to prevent accidental lateral swinging movement of the bottom relative to the sides and ends of the crate.

Changes in details may he madcwithout departing from th spirit of this invention. but

I claim 1. In a collapsible crate. the combination of hingedly connected side and end lllflllh hers, bracing strips ElillQlNllllg transverse i across said on d members at their lower ends. a detachable bottom hooks carried by said bottom for engagement with one of said fill edge of the bracing strips at the end which is opposite said end engaged by said hooks.

in a collapsible crate, the combination oi? hingcdly connected side and end members, bracing strips extending trani-sversely across d end members at their lower ends, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom for engagement with one of said bracing strips, and upstanding tongues carried by said bottom and having their upper ends angled ifor eng igcment over the upper edge oi the bracing: strips at the end which is opposite that engaged by said hook, said side and end member adapted to swing laterally over the bottom in assembling the crate structure to permit engagement of the angled ends of said timg'ues with the adjacent bracing strips.

in a collapsible crate, the combination of hingcdly connected side and end me1nhers, bracing strips extendingtransversely across said end members at their lower edges, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom for engagement with one of said bracing strips, upstanding tongues carried by said bottom and having their upper ends angled :tor engagement over the upper edge oi the bracing strips at the end which is on posit-e that engaged by the hook, said side and end members adapted to swing laterally over the bottom in assembling the crate to permit engagement oi? the angled ends of said tongues with the adjacent strip, and a spring rap carried by said. bracing strip ad: ited to engage one of the tongues to prevci accidental disconnection ot the bottom,

end members,

side-ant.

in a vcollapsdble crate, the combination of b n dly connected. side and end members, hr; ,inp; striios extending transversely across said end members at their lower edges. :1 bottom. hooks carried by said bot tom fo with one of said bracinc strips, upstanding tongues carried by said bottom and having their upper ends ang ed or one" nent over the upper edge ()F the bracing: at the end which is opposite that ens d by the hook, said side a end members adapted to swin lat rally lover the bottom in assembling" the crate to permit engagement 0"? the angled ends of said tongues with. the adia ent strip, a spring can carried by said bracing strip adapted to encja one oi the tongues to orerent acc dental disconnection of the bottom,

side and end members, certain oi" said sidernd en members provided with onenings to receive said hooks therethrourrh when the crate is collapsed, and soringr actuated catches for engaging? said books when the crate is: collapsed to ock it against accidem tal ass mbling movement.

In a collapsible crate, the combination oi' hingedly connected side and end'members, bracing strips extending across said end members adjacent their lower edges, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom for engagement with one of said bracing strips, upstanding tongues carried by said bottom and hz'tving their low-or ends angled for ena unent over the upper edge of bracing ips at the end or the crate opposite said end engaged by said hook, certain of said side and end members provided with openings to receive said hooks therethrough when the crate is collapsed, and spring actuated catches for engagement with said hooks when the crate is collapsed to lock it against accidental assembling movement.

7 6. In a collapsible crate, the combination ot hingedly connected side and end members,bracing strips extending transversely across said end members adjacent their upper edges, a detachable cover, a downturned binding strip at one edge of said cover and adapted to engage over the upper edge of one of said end members, a pin carried by said biilding strip, and a spring tongue carried by said last named end member and adapted to engage said pin to holdtho cover and end and side members connected.

'7. In a collapsible crate, the combination othingediy connected side and end members, bracing strips extendingtransversely across said end n embers adjacent their upper edges, a cover, a downturned binding strip at one edge oi said cover and adapted to engage over the upper edge of? one of said end members, pin carriedby said binding, ip. a spring tongue carried by said last named end member and adapted to eng age said pin to hold the cover and. end and. slde membe s connected; and hooks carried by theends ct said. cover o iposi .e the end which or *ries said binding strip. the end of the 1Cli4}: stri 'i at the end of the crate adjacent the hoolr bein provided with recesses ,ted to re eive portions oi? said hook em. V

in a collapsible crate, the combination oi hinc'edlv connected, side and end members. bracing strips eitteud' transversely across said end members at their lower ends, a bottom, hooks carried b said. bottom tor engro grement with one oi? said bracine: strips. upstanding; tongues carried by said bottom nd having}; their upper ends angled for ensent over the upper ed e ot thebracinc' strio at the end oi the crate opposite said end engaged by said hooks, bracing strips extending across said en d members Qflfiflfljll'l their upper edges. a cover, a downturned biudinc strip on one edge of said cover and adapted to over the upper oi? one o"? the end members, a pin carried by said bindingstrip, and a spring tongue carried by said last named end member and ill) Ii i) adapted to engage said pin to hold the cover and end and side members connected.

9. in a colla iisible crate, the combination, oi: hingedly co nected. side and end members. b 'ing strips extending transversely across said end members at their lower ends, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom for engagement with one of said bracing strips, upstanding tongues carried by said bottom and having their upper ends angled for engagement over the upper edge of the bracing strip at the end of the crate opposite said end engaged by said hooks, bracing strips extending across said end memoers engaging their upper edges a cover, a downturned binding strip on one edge oi? said cover and adapted to engage over the upper edge oi one of the end members, a pin carried by said binding strip, a spring tongue carried by said last named end member and adapted to engage said pin to hold the cover and end and side members connected. and a hook carried by said cover opposite to the end which carries said binding strip, the bracing strip at the upper edge of the end of the rate, adjacent said book being provided with recesses adapted to receive portions of the hook to connect the cover to said end member.

10. In a collapsible crate. the combination of hingedly connected side and end members, bracing strips extending across said end members and adjacent their lower edges, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom for engagement with one of said bracing strips, upstanding tongues carried by said bottom and having their upper edges angled for engagement over the upper edge of the bracing strip at the end of the crate opposite said end engaged by said hook, said side and end members adapted to swing lat erally over the bottom in assembling the crate structure, to permit engagement of the angled ends of said tongues with said bracing strips, a spring catch carried by the bracing strip and adaptedv to engage one of the tongues to prevent accidental disconnection of the bottom and sides and end members, bracing strips extending across said end members engaging their upper edges, a cover. a downturned binding Strip on one edge of said cover, and adapted to engage over the upper edge of saidlast named end member, a pin carried by said binding strip, a spring tongue carried by said last mentioned end member and adapted to engage said pin to hold. the cover and. end andv side members connected.

11. In a collapsible crate, the combination of hingedly connected side and end members, bracing strips extending transversely across said end. members at their lower ends, a bottom, hooks carried by said bottom for engagement with one of said 1d otton: and sari, ueir upper ends angled for enga ent over the upper edge of the bracing at the end oi the crate opposite the end .1 l by d liooii, said es and en to swing lateral over the botton'i in assemb in crate structure to per zit engagement of the an glcd ends of said tongue with. said bracing strip, certain oi stridsi and end members provided v=7ith openings to receive hooks therethrcugh when the "ate is collapsed. spring actuated catches i engaging said he crate is ised to lock it movement. .=tr1ps extmiding {\(fi said end members adjacent their upper edges. a cover, a downturned binding strip on one edge of said cover adapted to engage over the upper edge of one of id and members,

iiracing strips, upstanding tongues carried iii (2 tongue carr ed by said last named end meniber and adai, ted to engage d pin to hold the cover and end and side members connected, and means for connecting the end of said cover opposite said binding strip to U of the bracing strip at the end of the crate opposite the end engaged by said hooks. certain of said side and end members provided with openings to receive said hooks therethrough when the crate is z-ollapsed...

spring actuated catches for engaging s d books when the crate is collapsed to lock it against accidental opening movement, bracing strips extending across said ends adjacent their upper edges, a downturned binding strip on one edge of said cover and adapted to engage over the upper edge of one of the end members, a pin carried by said binding strip, a spring tongue arried by said last named member and adapted to engage said pin to hold the cover and end member connected. hooks upon the end of said cover opposite said binding strip, the bracing strip adjacent said hook being provided with recesses to receive the hooks, certain of said side and end members vided with openings adai'ited to receive said last named hooks therethrough when the case is assembled. and a second spring tongue car ried by one of said side members and adapted to engage said pin when the crate is collapsed.

FREDERICK W. STEFFES.

"1.11 carried by said. binding st 'ip, a spring