US1505717A - Crate - Google Patents

Description

Aug. w 1&24.

J. A. LENNARTSON Filed Sept 29 1921 can-E 2 Swamp-Sheet 2 knew/0r:

Patented Aug. 19, 1924.

UNIT En 's' rnrssj JOHN A. LENnARTSONQOF s'r. rnun'mmivnsore.

mm I I Application: filed September 29,1921. Serial No. 504,054;

Improvement in Grates, of which the fol-f lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to cratesjand has for its object to provide a collapsible crate in which all of the parts are connected ly held together in either the erected or collapsed position of the same. i Another object of the invention is toprovide a bottom portion having a marginal t strip extending around the same within which the top and sides are adapted to be folded when the crate is collapsed, so that the same are containedcompletely.within.

said marginal strip.

Another object is to form the crate so that no portion thereof project-s outside of; the bottom and marginal strip when the.

crate iscollapsed so that the cr'atemaybe conveniently piled or stacked without ob-. struction. I

' Another object is to provide a centralpartition for holding all of the partsinseli-= supporting position when the crate is erected. v

A still further object is toaprovidea single latch member for holding the parts properly. latched in either the erected or the collapsed position of the crate.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a bottom member and a top member together with a number of side members, and to hingedly connect said; side members to either or" said top or bottomand to slidably connect the other of said sidemembers A still further object is to provide the top of the crate with a central supporting member extending across the entire crate and to provide the top with auxiliary, closure members adapted to independently close either of the two compartments formed on each side of the central partition.

The iull'objects and advantages of my invention will appear in-connection with the detailed description thereof and are particularly pointed out in the claims. In t e drawings, illustrating theapplica tion of my invention in one form;- Fig, 1 is a plan view ofmy inventiomfl Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational'l view taken on line 22 ot-Figurel;

V to the other of said top or bottom.

Fig. 3 a sectional elevational I view taken on line of Figure 1 with the cover member swung open.

Fig. 4 is aview similar to Figure 3 show-1 ing the crate partly collapsed. w Fig. 5, 1s arview similar to Figure 4 show:- mg: the crate completely collapsed.

Fig. 6' is a view similar to Figure 3 sh r ng the crate completel cqllap d as indi} Gated in Figure p p Fig. 7 is an enlargeddetail view showing the method oislidably connectingthe uprights to the base.

-Fig. 8 is anenlargedqdetail View showing the manner 30f, latching the parts together in the collapsed position ofthe crate.

, My collapsible crate, is especially designed for shipping vtowls, although it may readily;

be used; for shipping other commodities equally as well. p

''The device is best shown in Figures 1, 2, and'3 and comprises a base'A, a top 13, side wallsyG and D, and end walls E and F. The base A. is formed with perimetric strips 10, 11, 12 and 13 which are rigidly nailed together at their; corners and whichhave securedto the lower edges thereof a bottom 14 extending completely across the'same, having its edges flush; with the 'outwardly extending" faces of said strips. For, the purpose ofstiffening and making iteasy to convey the device aboutthej floor a number ofskids 1'5, 16,and17 are employed; which run longitudinally of the crate. The base A forms the container for the WallsQ' D, E, and F and thejtop B after the same, is collapsed as will bepresently explained.'

The top B of the device comprisesa number of slats 18,19, 20'and 21which arosecurelynailed at their, ends to the edgesoi" a pail-of battens QQ and 23'which extend downwardly fromthe said top, as clearly indicated in Figure 2.. The battensQQ and 23 have hingedlyconnected tothem pairs of uprights 24; and 25 by means ofhinges 26 and 27. .These' uprights have nailed to.

them cross rails 28, 29, SO and 131, which i'orm the end walls E and F of the. crate proper. Tothe, slat members 18 andQl are "hingedly 'connectedby means of hinges 32, 33, and3 l number'of uprights 36, and 37 similar to the u'prights 24 and 25 which in like mannerhave securely'nailed to them rails 38 and 39' forming theside walls C and D of the invention.

:fiIt .can'c'learly be seen from Figure both the side and end Mme hingedly opposite direction thereto.

connected 'to the-top B so that the same cannot be removed therefrom. The method of securing the structure to the base A can best be seen in Figures 2, 3 and 7. Each of the four uprights 24 and 25 is provided with a groove 40 extending along one edge thereof, which grooveterminatesin a 'depression 41 formed at the upper end thereof. Vithin each of the said grooves and depressions is positioneda wire member 42 which is adapted to engage. within the depression 41 to hold the said-wiremember 42 within manner similar to the end 42 exceptingthat the-same portion extends outwardly in an When member 42 is positioned .within the slot 40 asbefore stated, end 43 is engaged within the depression 41 while the body-portion of the said wire member lies flush with the edge of the upright and the other end 44 of said wire member'projects entirely outwardly beyond said uprights. Throughout the entire length of the two marginal strips 11 and 13 are provided two longitudinal 46, which members swing at the hingedconslots 45 and 46. is

These slots are of such a size as topermit the portions 44 of wire members 42 to slide along the same and to permit of the uprights to which said members are connected to swing thereon.- To prevent excessive wear of the strips 11 and 13 in the said slots 45 and 46 I provide angular metallic strips 47 which line the upper and out- Wardly extending surfaces of said slots and strips so as to-take up all the wear of said wlre members upon the said 'strlps. To prev'entthe springing inward of the uprights 25 and 24 and the disengagement of the wire members 42 with slots 45 and 46 the said uprights are rabbeted into the lowermost rails 2.9 and 30 of the end walls E and F as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

The method of collapsing the device can best be seen in Figures 4 and 5. 'When the deviceis erected the parts take the positions as shown in Figures 2 and 3. It will here be notedthat the size of the top B including the battens 22 and 23 is such that when the device is collapsed the said to to'this the two side walls G and D are. formed of'a length substantially equal to the distance between the inner portions of theend walls E and F and the battens 22 and 23. This permits of folding both of the side walls C and D upwardly upon the- -cabinet work.

' OCCHTS.

hinges 32, 33, and 34 so that the said walls may take the position indicated in Figure 4. 1 For retaining the said side walls in this position I provide a pair of snap latch buttons 48 such as are now'in common use in After the two side walls C and D have been folded up as shown in Figure 4 the same become positioned within and above the two rails 22 and 23 which permit of the swinging of the two end walls E and F upwardly the said rails 22 and 23 being of such a depth to lie flush with the bottom thereof and to permit the end walls of coming in parallel contact with the side walls after the crate has been completely collapsed as clearly indicated in Figure 5. In this manner it can be readily seen that all of the walls may be folded up relative to the top so that the same all lie inplanes parallel to one another positioning all the parts close together so as to avoid waste in space. Incollapsing the device the two side walls O and D are first swung upwardly into the position shown in Figure 4 in which position they are held by means of the snap buttons 48. The end walls E and F are now slid inwardly on the wire members 42 along the grooves 45 and nections 27 and 26 after the said sliding lVhen the said sliding andhinging action is complete the entire structure has taken the position indicated in Figure 5 with the topof the device flush with the top edge of the strip members 10,11, 12 and 13 extending around the base A, so that no portion of the crate lies above this structure. The action of the device in collapsing-is clearly indicated in Figure 4 in which the end wall E is shown as partly moved inwardly and the crate partly collapsed, I

It can readily be seen from the drawings that whenrthe side walls C and D are held outwardly that movement of the end walls E and F is absolutely prevented due to the fact that the edges of the side walls fall within the endsof the-end walls so that the same are absolutely held from movement I until the said side walls are swung upwardly into the position shown in Figure 4. The device for holding the side walls in position when the crate is erected comprises a central partition which is indicated in its entirety at G. This partition comprises a pair of uprights 50 and 51which have nailed to them rails 52 and 53. This partitionis of a width equal .to the distance between the interior. portions of the two side walls C and, I

D when the crate is erected and said parti tion is of aheight just equal to the distance betweenthe top B and the bottom 14to the base A. Partition G isslidablyconnected in amanner similar to the end walls and F by wlre members dentical w th the wire I was?" members 42 positioned in theuprights and 51 so that the said partition isfree to slide along the grooves 45 and- 46 and to swing upon the ends of these wire members.

In its erected position partition G is posi tioned adjacent the uprights 36 of theside walls C and D with'its rails 52 and 53 in contact with the edges thereof. WVhen the device is to be collapsed the end wall G :is swung about its pivot in the grooves 45 and 46 toward the end wall F until the same lies upon the bottom 14 of the base A.,

When the same reaches this position the said partition is absolutely free of the two sidewalls G and D, the said partition lying between the uprights35 and 36 and below the lowermost rail 39.. This permits of swinging the said side walls C andD upwardly to their collapsed position. After the wall members E and F are swung inthe partition G towards the end 'wall Fl.

When the upper end of the partition is. held from movement by means to be presently described it can be readily comprehended that the said partition is rigidly secured in place. 1 I

For gaining access to the crate I provide a hinged cover member H, whichis best shown in Figures 1 and 3 This cover mem-fv her comprises a pair of'slats"55 and 56, which run parallel with the slats 18, 19,120 and 21 of top B. The said slats have rig idly secured to them battens 57', 58, 59 and 60 which are nailed to the endsand'the center portions of said slats and whichlie flush with the edge of slat 5611116; which project appreciably beyond theedge ot the slat 55 to form latch members 61 for holds ing said cover in place. The cover 'H 'is hinged to slat 20 of the top B by IDBZLIISO'E hinges 62 and 68 of a well known typey which permit of the cover being folded back to lie flush on top voat the slats20 and 210% top B as clearly indicated in Figure 3whjeir the cover is thrown open. opening: the cover the same 1s grasped by the slat 55 and pulled upwardly and towards the side wall D. This swings the cover on the two hinges 62 and 63 in such a manner that the latch portions 61 of slats 57, 58, 59 and GO are" brought away from in under the slat'19. After the said latch portions are freedfroin slat 19 the cover maybe swung upwardly on its hinges in 3;

For latching the parts proper relation I employa device best-shown in Figures 1 and Alatch bar 70 is employed which is slidably mounted between the'rail 58 and a keeper 71 securcd'to thetwo slats 55, and 56.... This latch bar is' adapted to engage a latch member 72 secured to thejupper rail 52 of the lcenter partition, G At the remote end of the latch 17 the same is'turned to take the position indicated up at 72 to provide a head for attaching a bolt-J3 thereto. Bolt 73 is'slidably mounted; in a bracket 74 secured to the undersides of slats 55 and 56 and has positioned on ita 6011 spring "Z5 (Joacting between the head 72 and the bracket? 4. When the latch bar "70 is [slid along the keeper 71 and bracket 74 against the action of spring 75 the s amemay be withdrawn from engage' ment with the latch member 72 to release the partition G. In conjunction with this latching mechanismthe battens 58 and 59 are arrangedso'as, to just lie on each side of upper rail member [52 of partition G. It

can hence be clearly comprehended that when the latch bar '70 is in engagement with the latch member 72 that the door H is held down in; place upon partition G and thatpartition G is held from movement at its upper portion by means of the battens 58 and 59 and at its lower portion by. means of the stopq54 and engagement with the uprights 36. The securing of battens G in this manner, holds the side walls-C and D fromjmovement when the same are prevented from swinging by the ends or" partition G which coactagainstthe rails 38 and 39 thereof. [Ina similar manner the said side walls 0 and D engage the uprights 24' andj25of theend walls E and I and so hold 'the same from movement. In this manner the single latch bar 70 holds the entire crate ina rigid erected position; For holding the devicelatchedwhen collapsed I; provide a hinge W'which is secured on one ofits leaves 776 to the b0ttom14 of the base A and which has its otherhin'ge' 78 adapted to normallyli'e flat upon the said leaf 76 when the crate iserected and tobe swung upwardly in the position shown in FigurefS when the crate isjcol'lap sed so that its extreme end 79 which is formed similar 1 to" the lat eh member 72 'n'iay be engaged by the latch bar ,70jto hold the parts infixed position; Thekeeper 71 may be provided withan upturned lip'80 which together p the hinged member 79 and the latch lniji'lf her 72 may be provided with registering holes 81 throughwhicha seal may be placed to prevent the removal of the eontents, ofthe crate and to prevent tamperlng any;

way fwith'thesame.

,' lVhenthe crate s used tforfshipping ifowls a I I provide a device which may be used inconiunction with the .doorI-I. This device serves to close either of the two openings to the compartments in the crate when the principal closure member Hhas been lifted back so that the fowls from either compartment cannot escape while the fowls from the other compartment are being removed. The devices are best shown in Figure 1, each of which comprises a grate shaped wire member 100 which is provided with a number of prongs or. tines 101', which are devices can be dispensed with.

In the use of my improved crate the same is first erected and the commodity to be shipped packed therein. If desired the latching mechanism may be sealed through the holes 81 of the latching device so that the contents of the crate cannot be tampered with. After the crate has reached its destination and the contents removed thecrate may becollapsed as clearly shown in Figure 5 with the latching mechanism positioned as indicated in Figure 8. With the parts as arranged asindicated in Figure 5 the entire constructionlies flush with the upper edges of the strips 10, 11, 12, and 13 so that any number of crates may be piled one upon the other without forming an unstable pile. It will be noted that the size of the crates as collapsed is considerably less than when the same are erected thereby effecting a'considerable saving of express or freight charges when the crates are returned to the owner. The crate is particularly useful in I that the same maybe used for any number of purposes without any alteration in the design or arrangement of theparts. One of the principal advantages of the invention lies in the fact that all of the parts are at all times fastened together so that the same cannot be lostand the crate be returned with certain parts thereof missing, thus renderingthe same useless. The crate can be erected very rapidly and similarly 1e01- lapsed with little effort. If desired one of, the side doors may be raisedupwardly and.

the crate used for a chicken coop. With the side wall openthe crate can be conveniently cleaned andv the dirt removed through the opening thus afforded. I

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described the principles of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I now considerto represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that. the .construction shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those above set forth within the scope of the following claims: I claim LIA collapsible crate comprising atop, a

base, end walls hingedly connected to said top, side walls hingedly connected to said top, all of said walls being adapted to be folded beneath said top and positioned between said top and base when the crate is in collapsible position and means for connecting some of said walls to said base.

2. A collapsible crate comprising a base, perimetric strips extending around said base, a top adapted to fitdown upon said base, side walls connected to said top, end walls connected to said top, said side and end walls beingfadapted to be folded beneath said top andto extend within said perimetric strips and beneath said top and base and means for connecting some of said walls to said base;

A. collapsible crate comprising a top, side walls hingedly connected to said top adapted to fold flat up against the same, end walls hingedly connected to said top adapted to fold fiat up against said side walls, :a base, means for slidably connecting said end walls v to said base, means for holding said parts in ing the parts in'erected position, a bolt secured to said top, means formed on said artition and bottom adapted to be enga 'e by said boltto hold the crate in collapsed position. I I

5. collapsible crate comprising a base, a top, apartial closure member formed in said top, side and end walls adapted to be collapsed within the crate, a partition for holding the parts in erected position, a bolt secured to said partial-closure, means formed on said closure for holding the. partition from movement and means formed on said partition adapted to be engaged by'said bolt or holding the partial closure closed.

ohA collapsible crate-comprising a base, perimetric, strips extending around said base, a top, depending battens secured to said top, walls hinged to said depending battens at one end, and means for slidably connecting said walls at their other end to said perimetric strips.

7. A collapsible crate comprising a base, perimetric' strips extending around said base, a top, depending battens formed on connecting said walls at their other ends to said perimetric strips.

8. A collapsible crate comprising a base,

perimetric strips extending around said base,

a top, depending battens formed on said top,

side walls hingedly connected to said top at one end and adapted to swing upwardly to lie flat against the under surface thereof, depending battens secured to said top at the other ends thereof, said battens lying flush with said side walls in their folded up position, and end walls hingedly connected to said battens and adapted to foldup and lie flat against said side walls.

10. A collapsible crate comprising a top,

side walls hingedly connected to said top at I one end and adapted to swing upwardly to lie fiat against the under surface thereof, depending battens secured to said top at the other ends thereof, said battens lyingflush with said side walls in their folded up position, end walls hingedly connected to said battens and adapted to fold up andlie flat against said side walls, a base, andmeans for slidably connecting the lower ends of said end walls to said base.

11. In combination with a collapsible crate having a base comprising a bottom, guide-ways formed along said bottom, walls, grooves formed in said Walls, notches formed in the ends of said grooves and a wire member positioned in each of said grooves having inwardly'turned ends positioned in said notches and outwardly turned ends-formed on each of said wire members adapted to en gage said guide-ways.

'12. A, collapslble crate comprising a base,

atop, end walls movably connected to said i base and hingedly connected to said top, stops formed on said base for terminatingv the movement of said end wallsin one direction, side walls hingedly connected to said top andada'pted to operate between said end walls, stops formed on said base fortermi nating the movement of said sidewall in one direction, and a partition movably posi- 'tioned between said sidewalls for holding the same from movement in the other direction, and means for latching said partition tosaid top. I v I 13. A collapsible crate comprising a base, a top, side and end walls hingedly connected to said top, means for movably connecting some of said walls to said base, a partition positioned between two of said walls and means for slidably and hingedly connecting said partition to said base. i

14. A collapsible crate comprising a base, a pair of guide-ways extending along the two sidesof said base, a top, side and end walls hingedly connected to said top, means for slidably and pivotally securing two of vsaid walls to said guide-ways, a partition positioned within the crate and means for slidably and pivotally connecting said partition to said guide-way.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

I J A. LENNARTSON.

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