US2411121A - Metal framed wood container - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 12, 1946. WII-SON 2,411,121

METAL FRAMED WOOD CONTAINER Filed Sept. 11, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l METAL FRAMED WOOD CONTAINER Filed Sept. 11, 1944 2 SheetsSheet 2 I, II

Patented Nov. 12, 1946 METAL FRAMED WOOD CONTAINER James E. Wilson, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-fourth to George C. Knight, Detroit, Mich, and onefourth to Delos G. Smith Application September 11, 1944, Serial No. 553,547

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generallyto containers. More particularly the invention relates to that type of container which is primarily designed or adapted for use in shipping or transporting articles, such as bottles, and comprises in addition to wooden bottom, side and end Walls, a metallic box-like frame structure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lower frame, a rectangular angle bar upper frame, and four angle bar uprights between the corners of the two frames.

One object of the invention is to provide a container of this type which is an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over, previously designed containers and is characterized by the fact that it is extremely rigid and durable and in addition is so designed and constructed that it may be produced or fabricated at a comparatively low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the aforementioned type and character in which the metallic frame structure is so designed and constructed that it may be pped to the user of the container in knockedof the uprights and are bent inwards into a. position wherein they abut against the inner faces of the uprights and are held in place by the end portions of the wooden side walls.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container of the type and character last menthe frame structure have continuous outstruck ribs which straddle the external portions of the clips and serve to retain or lock the clips against vertical displacement relatively to the frame structure.

A still further object of the invention'is to provide a container which is generally of new and improved construction and effectively and eificiently fulfills its intended purpose.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present container will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel fi tioned in which the lower and upper frames of features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the metallic box-like frame structure of the container beforeconnection or assembly of the various parts thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the-container illustrating in detail the manner in which the lower margins of the wooden end walls are interlocked with the end margins of the container bottom wall;

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal section of one corner of the container illustrating the manner in which the right angle clips serve fixedly to connect the corner portions of the upper and lower frames to the ends of the uprights;

Figure 5 is another enlarged horizontal section showing the manner in which the clips are inserted into place prior to bending of the ends thereof and mounting of the side and end walls of the container;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the upper portion of the container showing the manner in which the inwardly extending flange of the upperframe is bent downwards into interlocked relation with the upper margins of the side and end walls in order to lock such walls against vertical displacement with respect to the frame structure; and

Figure 7 is'a perspective of the bottom wall of the container. V

The container which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It has general capabilities of use although it is primarily designed or adapted for use in shipping or transporting articles, such as bottles. As its component parts the container comprises a metallic box-like frame structure Ill, a bottom wall II, a pair of side walls 12 and a pair of end walls I3.

The frame structure is designed and adapted to be shipped to the user of the container in knocked down form and assembled by the user preparatory to use. It is box-like so far as general contour is concerned and consists of a rectangular angle bar lower frame 14, a rectangular angle bar upper frame l5, and four angle bar uprights it. The lower. frame M is formed by a single strip of stamped sheet metal and embodies an inwardly extending horizontal flange M and an upwardly or vertically extending flange I l As shown in the drawings the flange 14 is formed integrally with the outer margin of the inwardly extending horizontal flange 14 The lower frame I4 is formed by first forming triangular cutouts in the portions of the horizontal flange M that are adjacent the corners I of the frame. Thereafter the angle bar strip of which the frame 14 is formed is bentat right angles adjacent each of the triangular cutouts with the exception of the cutouts that are at the ends of the strip. The horizontal flange M of the lower frame M is provided with a continuous down struck rib I? and this is disposed midway between the inner and outer margins of the flange M and serves as a supporting medium for the container as a whole. The vertically extending flange M of the lower rectangular angle bar frame M is provided with a continuous outstruck upper rib l8 and a continuous outstruck lower rib E9. The last mentioned ribs are spaced a small distance apart and together with the continuous down struck rib I! serve to reenforce the lower frame M. The rectangular angle bar upper frame is the same in size as the lower frame [4 and is disposed directly above the latter. It is formed of a single angle bar type stamped sheet metal strip and embodies an inwardly extending flange l5 and a vertically extending flange 15 The vertically extending flange I5 is formed integrally with, and depends from, the outer margin of the inwardly extending flange l5 and is in vertical alignment with the vertically extending flange N of the lower frame Hi. The upper frame I5 is formed by first providing triangular cutouts in the portions of the inwardly extending .flange l5 that are disposed adjacent the corners of the upper frame. Thereafter the angle bar type stamped sheet metal strip of which the upper frame is formed is bent atright angles adjacent each of the triangular cutouts with the exception of the cutouts that are at the ends of the strip.. As shown in Figure 2, thefree ends of the upper frame H) are disposed diagonally opposite the free ends of the lower frame id in order that the frame structure In as a whole has maximum strength or rigidity. The vertically extending flange I5 of the upper frame l5'is provided with a continuous outstruck upper rib- 26 and a continuous outstruck lower rib 2|. These two ribs are spaced apart a comparatively small distance and serve as a reenforcing medium or instrumentality for the upper frame. The four angle bar uprights ,I 6 are formed of sheet metal stampings and extend between, and serve vertically to space, the lower and upper frames 14 and I5. They are located at the corners of the two frames and consist of flanges [6 and I 6 The flanges IE3 of the uprights extend lengthwise of the container and the flanges lB extend transversely of the container and are disposed at right angles to the flanges its. The lower, ends of the angle bar uprights fit within the corners of the vertically extending flange M of the lower frame I l and are secured in place by right angle metallic clips 22 and the upper .ends of the uprights fit within the corners of the vertically extending flange W of the upper frame l5 and are secured in place by right angle metallic clips 23. The clips 22 extend around the corners of theiivertically extending flange l of the lower frame and are provided at the ends thereof with extensions 22*. The latter extend through aligned slots 24 in the corners of the vertically extending flange 14 of the lower frame and the lower ends of the uprights l6 and are bent inwards towards one another so that they fit flatly against the inner faces of the lower ends of the upright flanges as shown in Figure 4. Before the clips are inserted into place the extensions 22. are arranged in parallel relation as shown in Figure 2. After the clips are shifted into place by inserting the extensions 22 through the aligned slots 2 the extensions are bent inwards into their operative position with the result that the clips serve rigidly to connect the lower ends of the uprights to the corners of the vertically extending flanges M of the lower frame l4. Preferably the clips are formed of sheet metal stampings. As shown in the drawings, the clips 22 fit between the outstruck ribs l8 and 19 with the result that such ribs hold the clips against vertical displacement with respect to the frame.

The clips 23 for connecting the upper ends of the uprights IE to the corners of the vertically extending flange l5 of the upper frame 15 are the same in design and-construction as the clips 22.

They fit around the central portions of the corners of said flange 15 and embody at the ends thereof extensions 23 hich extend through registering or aligned slots 25 in the corners of the flange l5 and the upper ends of the uprights l6 and are bent towards one another so that they fit flatly against the inner faces of the upper ends of the flanges of the uprights. Before shifting of the clips 23 into their operative position the extensions 23 are disposed in parallel relation as shown in Figures 2 and'5 in order that they may pass freely through the aligned slots 25.

After shift of the clips 23 into place the extensions 23 are bent inwards into their operative position by any suitable tool. The exterior of the portions of the clips fit between, and are straddled by, the outstruck ribs 20 and 2! on the vertically extending flange l5b of the frame 15 and are thus held by such ribs against vertical displacement with respect to the frame. When the frame structure is in its assembled position it is rigid. For purposes of reenforcement each upright flange of each upright is provided with a pair of laterally spaced substantially full length outstruck ribs i6.

The bottom, side and end Walls ll, l2 and 13 are preferably formed of wood and together with the frame structure Ill complete the container.

The bottom wall II is shaped conformably to, and fits within, the vertically extending flange l of the lower rectangular angle bar frame M. It rests on the inwardly extending horizontal flange M of said lower frame and has full length upwardly facing grooves 26 along its end margins.

5 The side walls l2 are rectangular and, as' shown in Figure 1, are positioned in opposed and spaced apart relation. The bottom edges of the side walls rest on the side margins of the bottom wall I l and the end margins of said side walls fit within the angle bar uprights I6.' The top edges of the side walls are rounded and underlie the side portions of the inwardly extending flange 5 of the upper frame I5. The lower corners of the side walls are in abutment with the inwardly bent extensions 22 of the clips 22 and serve to hold the extensions in place. In other words, the lower corners of the side walls are so positioned with respect to the extensions 22 of the clips 22 that such extensions are locked in place and hence when the container is in its assembled position the clips 22 are positively held in place. The upper corners of the side walls I2 are in abutment with the inwardly bent extensions 23 of the clips 23 as shown in Figure 4 and serve when the container is in its fully assembled position positively to lock said extensions 23 in place and thus prevent withdrawal or removal of the clips 23. I

The end walls I3 of the container are rectangular and are of slightly less width than the bottom wall II. The side margins of the end walls I3 fit against the transversely extending flanges I6 of the uprights I6 and the bottom margins of said end walls fit within, and are in interlocked relation with, the upwardly facing grooves 26 in the end margins of the bottom wall II. As a result of the interlocking connection between the bottom margins of the end walls and the end margins of the bottom wall the lower portions of the end walls are held against inward displacement with respect to the frame structure when the container is in its assembled position. The side edges of the end walls I3 are in abutment with the end margins of the side walls I2, as shown in Figure 4, with the result that when the end walls are in place the side walls are locked against inward displacement with respect to the frame structure ID. The top edges of the end walls I3 are rounded and underlie the end portions of the inwardly extending flange I of the upper frame l5.

In order to lock the side and end walls against upward displacement with respect to the frame structure after mounting of such walls in place the inner margin of the inwardly extending flange I5 of the rectangular angle bar upper frame I5 is bent downwards into interlocked relation with the top edges of the side and end walls as shown in Figure 6. Preferably the inner upper corners of the side and end walls are chamfered or beveled as at 21 and the inner edge portions of the inwardly extendingfiange 15 terminate outwards. of the inner faces of said side and end walls. portions of said inwardly extending flange Iii outwards of the inner faces of the side and end walls a filler of the crossed partition type (not shown) may be slid into place within the container without interference from the flange I5 of the upper frame I5. If desired the upper portions of the end walls I3 are provided with hand holes 28 in order that the container may be readily gripped in connection with transportation thereof In assembling the container the frame structure I0 is assembled as hereinafter described. Thereafter the bottom wall I I is positioned within the frame structure and manipulated so that the margins thereof rest on the inwardly ex tending flange M of the rectangular angle bar lower frame I4. After proper positioning of the bottom wall the side walls are shifted into place by positioning the bottom edges on the side margins of the bottom wall and then swinging the side walls outwards so as to bring the end margins thereof into place within the angle bar uprights I 6. After shift into place of the side walls the end walls are manipulated into place by inserting the bottom margins thereof into the grooves 26 in the end margins of the bottom wall II. After insertion of the bottom margins of the end walls into the grooves the end walls are swung outwards so as to bring their side margins against the transversely extending flanges I6 of the uprights I6. After By having the inner edge to lock said extensions in place. I

. 6 mounting or positioning of the side and end walls in place the inner margin of the inwardly extending flange I 5 of the rectangular angle bar upper The herein described container is essentially simple in design and hence may be manufactured or produced at a comparatively low cost. It is extremely durable because it includes the rigid unitary frame structure I0 and is characterized by the fact that the corners of the side walls serve positivelyto lock the inwardlybent exten- The container is sions of the clips in place. further characterized by the fact that theend walls, due to the interlocking connections ad-' jacent their bottom margins, serve when :in place to hold the side walls against inward'displacement with respect to the frame structure, Because of its specific design and construction the container effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose and is capable of being shipped to the user in knocked down form.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a

1. As a new article of manufacture, a container comprising a box-like frame'structure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lower frame having an inwardly extending flange and in addition an upwardly extending flange with an 'outstruck rib therearound, a complemental rectangular upper frame spaced above the lower frame and having a downwardly extending flange with an outstruck rib therearound, a plurality of angle bar uprights adapted to support the frames in spaced relation and having the lower ends thereof fitting within the corner portions of the upwardly extending flange of the'lower frame and their upper ends fitting within the corner portions of the downwardly xtending flange of the upper frame. a plurality of right angle attachin clamps'of substantially the same thickness as the ribs, extending-around and fitting against said corner portions, respectively, positioned in side by side and abutting relation-with the corner portions of the ribs and having at the 'ends thereof extensions extending through aligned apertures in saidcorner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent over for interlocking purposes, a bottom wall disposed within the frame structure andhaving the margins thereof overlying the inwardly ex-- tending flange of the lower frame, a pair of op-' posed complemental side walls disposed in the frame structure and having the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the side margins of the bottom wall and their end margins fitting within the uprights, and a pair of opposed complemental end walls disposed in said frame structure and having the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with theend margins of the bottom wall and their end margins disposed within said uprights, said complemental walls being arranged so that their end margins are in abutting relation and having certain of the corners thereof positioned in abutment with the bent over extensions of the clips and serving positively comprising a box-like frame structure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lower frame having an inwarly. extending: flange and in addition an upwardly extending flange with a pair of spaced apart outstruck ribs therearound, a complemental rectangular angle bar upper frame spaced above the lower frame and embodying a downward1y extending flange with a pair of spaced apart outstruck ribs therearound, a plurality of angle bar uprights adapted to support the frames in spaced relation and having the lower ends thereof fitting within the corner portions of the upwardly extending flange of the lower frame and'their upper ends fitting within the corner portions of the downwardly extending flan e. of the upper frame, and a plurality of right angle clips of substantially the same. thickness, s the ribs, extending around and fitting against said corner portions, respectively, interposed between and in interlocked relation with the ribs, and having at the ends thereof extensions extending through aligned apertures in said corner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent inwards into abutment with the inner surfaces of the upright ends for interlocking purposes, a bottom wall disposed within the frame structure and having the margins thereof overlying the. inwardly extending flange of the lower frame, a pair of opposed complemental side walls disposed in the-frame structure and haV-ingthe bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the side margins of the bottom wall and their end margins fitting within the uprights, and

a pair of opposed complementalend walls disposed in said frame structure and having the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the end margins of the bottom wall and their end marginsdisposed within said uprights, said complemental wallsbeing arranged so that their endmargins are in abutting relation and having certain of the corners thereof positioned in abutment with the bent over extensions of the clips and serving positively to lock said extensions in place. i 1 1 h a 1 l 3. As a new-article of. manufacture a container comprising a box-lik frame structure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lowerframe with an inwardlyextendingflange and an upwardly extending flange, a complementalrectangular upper frame-spaced'above the lower frame and em bodying a downwardly extending flange, a plurality of angle bar uprights adapted to support the'frames in'spaced relation and having the lower ends thereof, positioned in abutment with the corner portions of the upwardly extending flange f the lower frame and their upper ends positioned in abutment with the lower corner portions of the downwardly extending flange of the upper frame, and a-plurality of right angle clips extending around and associated with said corner portions, respectively, and having at theends thereof extensions extending through aligned apertures in said corner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent over for interlocking purposes, a bottom wall disposedwithinthe frame structure and having the margins thereof overlying the inwardly extending flange of the lower frame, a pair of opposed complemental side walls disposed in the frame structure and havin the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the side margins of the bottom wall and I their end margins fitting within the uprights, and

inwardly extending flange and an upwardly ex tending flange, a complemental rectangular upper framespaced above the lower frame andembody-. ing a downwardly extending flange, a plurality of angle bar uprights adapted tosupport, the frames in spaced relation and having the lower ends. thereof fitting within the corner portions of the upwardly extending flang s of the lower frame and their upper ends fitting within the corner portions of the downwardly extending flange of the upper frame, and a plurality of right angle clips'extending around and fitting against said corner portions, respectively, and having at the ends thereof extensions extending through alignedapertures in said corner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent inwards into abut: ment with the inner faces of said ends of the liprights, a bottom wall disposed within the frame structure and having the margins thereof restin upon the inwardly extending flangeof the lower frame, a pair of opposed complemental side walls disposed in the frame structure and having the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the side margins of the bottom wall, their end margins fitting within the uprights, and their corners arranged in abutmentwith the inwardly bent extensions of the clips and serving tolock said extensionsin place, and a pair of opposed complemental end walls disposedin said frame positioned in abutment with the end margins of the bottom wall and their end edges. in abutment with said end margins of the sidewalls.

5. As a new article of manufacture a container comprising a boxelike frame structure in, the form of a rectangular angle bar lower frame with an inwardly extending flange and anupe wardly extending flange, a complementalfrecs. tangular angle bar frame structure spaced: above the lower frame and embodying an inwardly (BX-1 tending flange and a downwardly extending flange, a plurality of angle bar uprights adapted to support the frames in spaced relation and havingthe lower ends, thereof positioned in abut! ment with the corner portions of the upwardly extending flange of the lower frame and the up er ends positioned in abutment with the lower corner portions of the downwardly extending flange of the upper frame, and a plurality of right angle clips extendingaround and associated with said corner portions, respectively, and having at the ends thereof extensions extending inwards through aligned apertures in said corner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent over for interlocking v purposes, a' bottom wall disposed within the frame structure and having the margins thereof overlying the inwardly extending flangeof the lower frame, apair of opposed complemental sidewalls disposed in the frame structure and having the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the side margins of the bottom wall and their end margins fitting within the uprights, and a pair of opposed complemental end walls disposed in said frame structure and having the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the end margins of the bottom wall and their end margins disposed adjacent the uprights, said complemental walls being arranged so that their end margins are in abutting relation and having certain of the corners thereof positioned in abutment with the bent over extensions of the clips and serving positively to lock said extensions in place, the inner portions of the inwardly extending flange of the upper frame extending over and around the top edges of said side and end walls and serving to hold said side and end walls against upward displacement with respect to the frame structure and also to hold the upper portions of said side and end walls against inward displacement.

6. As a new article of manufacture a container comp i g a box-like frame structure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lower frame with an inwardly extending flange and an upwardly extending flange, a complemental rectangular angle bar frame structure spaced above the lower frame and embodying an inwardly extending flange and a downwardly extending flange, a plurality of angle bar uprights adapted to support the frames in spaced relation and having the lower ends thereof positioned in abutment with the corner portions of the upwardly extending flange of the lower frame and the upper ends positioned in abutment with the lower corner portions of the downwardly extendin flange of the upper frame, and a plurality of right angle clips extending around and associated with said corner portions, respectively, and having at the ends thereof extensions extending inwards through aligned apertures in said corner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent over for interlocking purposes, a bottom wall disposed within the frame structure and having the margins thereof overlying the inwardly extending flange of the lower frame, a pair of opposed complemental side walls disposed in the frame structure having the bottom edges thereof resting onthe side margins of the bottom wall, their end margins fitting within the uprights and their corners arranged in abutment with the extensions of the clips and serving to lock said extensions in place, and a pair of opposed complemental end walls disposed in 'said frame structure, having the end edges thereof fitting within the uprights and flatly against the end margins of the side walls, and also having their bottom margins fitting in, and in interlocked relation with, grooves in the end margins of the bottom wall whereby their lower portions are held against inward displacement relatively to the frame structure, the inner portions of the inwardly extending flange of the upper frame being extended over and around the upper edges of the side and end walls and serving to hold said side and end walls against upward displacement and also to hold the upper portions of said end walls against inward displacement.

7. A box-like frame structure adapted with bottom, side and end walls to form a container and comprising a rectangular angle bar lower frame embodying an inwardly extending flange and an upwardly extending flange, formed of a single strip of stamped sheet metal, and having the ends thereof terminating at one of its corners, a complemental rectangular angle bar upper frame spaced above the lower frame, embodying an inwardly extending flange and a downwardly extending flange, formed of a single strip of stamped sheet metal, and having its ends terminating adjacent one of its corners and disposed diagonally opposite the ends of the lower frame, a plurality of angle bar stamped sheet metal uprights adapted to support the frames in spaced relation and having the lower ends thereof fitting within the corner portions of the upwardly extending flange of the lower frame and their upper ends fitting within the corner portions of the downwardly extending flange of the upper frame, and a plurality of right angle clips extending around and fitting against said corner portions, respectively, and having at the ends thereof extensions extending through aligned apertures in said corner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent over for interlocking purposes.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a container comprising a box-like frame structure in the form of a rectangular angle bar lower frame having an inwardly extending flange and in addition an upwardly extending flange with a pair of outstruck parallel ribs extending therearound, a complemental rectangular upper frame spaced above the lower frame and having a downwardly extending flange with a pair of outstruck parallel ribs extending therearound, a plurality of angle bar uprights adapted to support the frames in spaced relation and having the lower ends thereof fitting within the corner portions of the upwardly extending flange of the lower frame and their upper ends fitting within the corner portions of the downwardly extending flange of the upper frame, a plurality of right angle attaching clips extending around and fitting against said corner portions, respectively, positioned in side by side and abutting relation with the corner portions of the ribs and having at the end thereof extensions extending through aligned apertures in said corner portions and the ends of the uprights and bent over for interlocking purposes, a bottom wall disposed within the frame structure and having the margins thereof overlying the inwardly extending flange of the lower frame, a pair of opposed complemental side walls disposed in the frame structure and having the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the side margins of the bottom wall and their end margins fitting within the uprights, and a pair of opposed complemental end walls disposed in said frame structure and having the bottom margins thereof positioned in abutment with the end margins of the bottom wall and their end margins disposed within said uprights, said complemental walls being arranged so that their end margins are in abutting relation and having certain of the corners thereof positioned in abutment with the bent over extensions of the clips and serving positively to lock said extensions in place.

JAMES E. WILSON.

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