US2629487A

US2629487A - Bicycle wheel brace

Info

Publication number: US2629487A
Application number: US27334A
Authority: US
Inventors: Benjamin F Kells; Nicholas M Sider
Original assignee: Container Corp
Current assignee: Container Corp; Smurfit Kappa Packaging Corp
Priority date: 1948-05-15
Filing date: 1948-05-15
Publication date: 1953-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 1970-02-24

Description

Febf24, 1953 'B. F. KELLS EIKL BICYCLE WHEEL BRACE Filed-May 15. 1948 Patented Feb. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BICYCLE WHEELBRA'CE Bethany. K n's; Mount Prespeet; lilg aiid Nicholas'M. Sider', Marion-{b111, assignpi's to Container Corporation of'America; Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware:

rpetcaioamm, 194s; noizissi 2 claims: (c1. axe-46;

paperboard fp'rjholgli an 'article'against uncle sired moveinent in" a conta ner; andf to a bl nk thereior. Moreparticuiarlygthe invention 1'e-'- lates jto apaperboarwpa'cking brace which may be thrust onte an article 'and autqunatically 10cl; itself' thereon againstjrernoval, and tea blanh forflsuch a brace," The bracefof'the invention is especially well adapteq'for use withjtired Wheels such as'bicyciewheels, butispot jlimited to such use;"si'nce it may be adapted for'packing' a 'variety' of other articles. In general, the brace is formed from an apertured" paperboard blank which is folded and se'curegiito' define a substantially rigid hollow bodyyvhich may bethrust onto'the' article' joifl a cnvei1ient"go'rtiqiithereofg The article projects through the apertuigediportio of the bra'c'eland 1o'ckingfiap's'are provided Onthe apertui'eedges to engage thefai tic'le and resist pulling off of thebrac'e; These locking naps are bent out 'ofjtheir original position by the article as the brace is placed thereon, andtheir tendency tofre'turn to such position by 'rea'sonof th in herent resilience 'ofthejpperbQard maintains th'er'h' in ngag ment 'withlthfarfticle; If the article to be. packed I has a bulged cQntour' portion or projecting pci'tioris, theflaps abut such portions se as to prevent, pulling the brace 01f,

the article," 'Ihejbracef'may befso dimensioned as to' engage the interior Qf'thej container for the" article, and thjus, hold: the article out of contact "with the interior surfaces], or certainfof them," or against undesired shifting in the container;

It' is as object of our int rim tol pro videi simple anqieasfly formeol brace of paperboard for holding a packed article against undesired. mo /e: mentin acontainer. ltisafiother object to provide a paperboard packing brace 'rea'dil'y attach-' able tofan article tobe packed in a ,container'for preventing relative; movement) of the article and container. Ajjurther 'ob'jfz this the provision of a paperboard paching brace; which may be "atv cached to an article merelyiby being thrust thereif'e wh ch antemat ca ly, eek itself on art cle againstreinovaltherefrom A still further objectis the provisi'onjqfja Packing brace of bllew f at havin e ur'e w l and locking flapsassociated therewithto permit an article to extend into the brace andito lock the article-"and brace against fsetiar'ation, It is 'also np i t to rQY d a 8. l f e b a d la for; such "a pacl iiig brace. Another object is to' provideja brace blankjot paperboard which is rea ly -*f o1dj "l'e'"from fiat foriiitd the 'set up Other ime; objcts" and advantages of Figure {is 'a see 6551 "View taken substantially as indicated. by the line l 4 in FigiireB; v

Figurebfisa plan of the blank for another form of th brac ei'l l v" I Figure 6 is an end'i iew ofa brace formed from the break o Figure 5 :1 h

Figure 'l isian enlarged:fragmentary View of another' .portion"of Figure 1; and;

Figurefii is a sectional 'view, with portions broken'away, taken substafitiallyas indicated by the line 13 8 of Fig'ure '7. i i v r Referring toFigur 1 0i the drawings, a parmany 'asseinbled bic y'cle 3 including the front and rear'wheelsisfshoifln in a container Cone main wall of which" has been opened to show the packing arr gement'. one form or the brace of this inyent on,v desi gnated'by th' iiumeral i9, is

h n a nea tim eithe In t two of the braces IE are'shown on the front wheel,

although'it willjbe clear that fewer or more may be used a's 'd es'ired, Qne""0f th e braces it is applied. "to the heel 'in nie'diatelyadjacent the front. en of the f nde or 'mud guarafand the other is applied at thelower and rear end of the mud guard This latter flbra'ce may conveniently thelinud' guard and an accessory r terior packing lto prevent r0- v ,t land to beheld against movement outer its"desir'e'd position by such rotatidn l- For adapted fof'and'applied to bicycle wheels since it e? bee t ree d anta nd @011- in t m ns..i' eac wheelie. e

W t e t e e h n eve th cation of the invention is not limited intention "is: readily" adaptable to numerous articles; It"; is thei efbr' to' be borne in mind that theibrlajce of this intention is' capable of af'wideand 'geiieraliapplicatio'ri in the packing v A@ ee ei been i snew; llustr e nd des b d. a cu a l pej iaiiy n the of partially assembled iii/heels,Qandfthattheprinciple of the Referring now to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, the brace I is formed by suitably folding the blank H, which comprises a flat oblong sheet of paperboard, preferably corrugated fibreboard, having transverse fold lines l2, l3, and M, such as score lines, to define an end panel IS, an intermediate panel IS, a third panel H, and an end securing panel [8. The panels l5 and I! are substantially identical in size and shape. The intermediate panel 16 is formed with a slot [9 extending thereacross from the panel [5 to the panel 41. Each of panels [5 and I! is provided with an aperture 20 having an open end at the panel edge adjacent the intermediate panel l6, and communicating with the slot i9.

A pair of fold lines 2|, such as scores, extend between the corresponding edges of the open ends of the apertures 20, and with the edges of the slot [9 define locking flaps 22 hinged to the panel I6 along the lines 2!. Instead of a single flap 22 along each side of the slot IS, a plurality of such flaps or tabs may be provided.

The brace I0 is formed from the blank H by folding along the lines I2, I3 and I4, with the edges of the panels [5 and I1 remote from the panel 16 disposed adjacent each other, and the panel 18 overlapping the panel [5 and secured thereto by any suitable means, such as staples. The panel 18 is provided with an aperture 20a identical to the apertures 20, and positioned so as to register with the aperture 29 of the panel when the brace is formed from the blank as just described. The securing panel I8 is shown as almost the same size as panel l5. It will be clear, however, that if desired the panel [8 might be made substantially smaller than the panel i5, so that it would not extend to the aperture of the panel I5 when the brace is formed, or might otherwise be formed to avoid the aperture 20. It is thus within the purview of the invention to form the panel [8 as a relatively small connecting tab or flap between the panels l5 and I1. Generally, however, it is more convenient in setting up the blank and securing the panels [5 and It to have them of substantially the same size, thus providing a greater area in which the securing means ,may be positioned. For example, in using staples to secure the brace in its formed condition, the central portion of the brace may receive the anvil portion of a stapling or stitching machine, while it might be impossible to position the anvil at either end of the panel I! because of the proximity of other panels. The same advantage of greater working space is available with other securing means than staples, as will be obvious. The formation of the panel [13 substantially coextensive with the panel [5 has another advantage, in that the double thickness of material thus provided results in greater strength .and rigidity of the brace. Of course, the walls of the brace may all be of double thickness, or more, if

desired.

In folding the blank II to produce brace H), the panels of the blank are folded toward the same face of the blank along the fold lines, and the terminal panels are disposed in overlapping relation and secured together. That provides a closed polygona triangle-the walls of which are all secured together and are mutually reinforcing, and the base wall of which is the panel [6 provided with the slot 19 and tabs 22. from the ends of which the apertures 2! and 20a in the side walls extend toward the apex of the brace. The resultant brace I 0 requires but a comparatively small amount of paper board in its construction, which is desirable for obvious reasons, while possessing adequate compressive strength for its intended use.

Since the invention is described and illustrated as embodied in a brace for application to bicycle Wheels, the apertures 20 and 200. are shown as of substantially keyhole shape to correspond generally to the cross-sectional contour of the tire and rim of such a wheel. In practice, the slot I9 and apertures 20 are formed as a single slot or aperture extending across the edges of adjacent panels. The open ends of the apertures 23 and 20a are slightly wider than the rim portion of the wheel and converge in the direction of the rounded portion of the apertures, which, of course, corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the tire portion outside of the rim. The free edges of flaps 22 are curved to correspond substantially to the curvature of the tire adjacent the edges of the rim, and are of a width such that they engage against the tire adjacent the rim edges. It will be clear that the particular dimensions and shapes of the slot l9 and

apertures

20 and 20a may be varied as necessary or desirable for application to articles of different cross-sectional contours.

In applying the brace to a bicycle wheel, it is grasped at the juncture of the panels 15 and H with the center line of slot I9 disposed in,

the radial plane of the tire, and moved radially inwardly of the tire and wheel until the tire engages in the rounded portion of the

apertures

20 and 20a. The flaps 22 are spread apart by the tire with their free edges directed radially outwardly. As the flaps 22 pass radially inwardly past the widest portion of the tire, the resilience of the paperboard results in their tending to spring toward each other, so that they continue in engagement with the outer surface of the tire as the brace is moved radially inwardly. When the brace is seated on the tire and rim, the flaps 22 are disposed with their edges abutting against the tire, radially inward of the widest or bulged portion of the tire at such an angle that they can not slip radially outwardly along the surface of the tire if the brace is pulled outwardly, and are held at this angle and against further movement toward each other by the intervention of the rim between them. This is clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4. The flaps therefore cannot swing about their hinges in response to attempted radially outward movement of the brace, and thus prevent such movement. The opposed side walls of the tire, bulging outwardly, serve as lateral projections behind which the flaps engage. The brace is so dimensioned that the lateral edges of the panels engage against the opposed main side walls of the container C so that the wheel and its associated parts are held against moving axially, and thus maintained out of contact with the opposed side walls of the container. The brace of course may also be so dimensioned as to hold the wheel against contact with the end walls or the top and bottom walls of the container.

Another form of the brace, designated by the reference numeral 30, also described as applied to a bicycle wheel, is shown generally as applied to the rear wheel in Figure l and is shown in detail in Figures 5' to 3. In this form, a rein-forcingand spacing structure is incorporated in the brace. This form of the bicycle wheel brace is particularly adapted to be used on the rear wheels of partially assembled bicycles, since they are ordinarily shipped with the rear wheel lower-most. A brace to protect the rear wheel must therefore be capable of sustaining the weight of the partially assembled bicycle. The brace 33 is disposed on the rear wheel substantially in the horizontal axial plane thereof, and directly below the rear end of the fender or mudguard. The brace is thus ina good position to support the weight of the bicycle when the container is upended. To hold the brace in this position, suitable interior packing, such as the pedestal P extending from the bottom of the containerto the brace, may be provided. The brace 33 is thus held between the mudguard and packing. Of course, other means may be used to maintain the brace. in the desired position.

The brace 33 is formed from the oblong blank 3| shown in Figure 5. This blank has fold lines 32, which like the fold lines l2, l3 and 14 of the blank ii described above may be scored lines, to define an end panel 33, a first apertured panel 3:3, an intermediate apertured panel 35, a second apertured panel 36, an outer end panel 3'], additional outer panels 38, 39: and 4%, as well as an end portion 4| which may be employed as a. reenforcing and spacing means for the brace proper, as by folding this end portion in any suitable manner. A slot 42 similar to the slot w ofthe previously described brace it) extends across the intermediate panel 35, and an aperture 43- of generally keyhole shape and communicating with the adjacent end of the slot- 42. is formed in each of the

panels

34 and 33. Fold lines 44 extend between the corresponding ends of the apertures 43 and with the sides of the slot 42 define the locking flaps 45 which hinge on the panel, 35 along the lines 44. Each flap, 45 may be replaced by a plurality of tabs. or flaps if desired. A slot or aperture 46 is formed in the

panels

33, 33 and it of the same general size and shape asv the aperture defined in the panels 34, 3.5 and, 33 when the flaps 45 are bent out of the plane of the panel 35.

The brace 3c is formed by folding the blank 3| on the lines 32 so that the end panel 33 is opposite and parallel to the panel 35, and the

panels

34 and 36 extend between the

panels

33 and 35 in parallel relation to each other. The

panels

31, 38, 39 and 4|] overlie the

panels

33, 34, 35 and 36 respectively, with the aperture .13 registering with the apertures 43 and the opening in the panel 35 defined by the lines 44 when the flaps 45 are bent out of the plane of that panel. This provides a securing portion for the brace of double thickness throughout, providing greater strength than if only a single thickness or" material were employed. The panels are of slightly differing widths, in order to allow for the thickness of the material in making the bends in the blanks, in a manner well known in the art and which need not be particularly described here. The end panel 33 serves as a spacing and reenforcing means between the

panels

34 and 36, and the outer end panel 3'! similarly serves between the panels 33 and it. The panel 40 is considerably wider than the

panels

34, 36 or 38, so that it may extend beyond the panel 36 which it overlies and serve as a connection between the securing portion of the brace and the reenforcing and spacingportion provided by the end portion 4| of the blank.

The brace of Figure 7', like the brace. I0 of Figure 3, is in. the form of a. closed polygona rectangl'ethe walls of which are secured together and are. mutually reenforcing. It has a base wall, comprising the panels and 33, provided with a slot 42' and holding flaps or tabs 43, from the ends of which, the openings 43. and 46 in the side walls. extend away from the base and toward the opposite. side of the brace. The brace. 30 requires but a comparatively small amount of paper board in its, construction while possessing adequate compressive strength for its intended use,

It will be clear that by foldin the end portion 4| of the blank so as to provide a multiple thick ness of material, whether this be in the form of a hollow body or as a substantially solid body comprised of a, plurality of layers of paperboard, a very strong brace is provided capable of supporting a very considerable weight, The inclusion of such a reenforcing spacing member in the brace 33, together with the additional strength provided in the securing portion of the brace by the double thickness material, results in the desired strength. Of course, the brace 3L maybe formed with only a single thicknessof material? in the securing portion provided bythe

panels

33, 34, 35 and 36, and the panel 36 might then be employed as a connection between the securing portion and the reenforcing portion formed of the end portion ti of the blank. Any suitable securing means might be employed in this lighterconstruction, such as a connecting tab, flap, or-pane-lextending from the panel and secured to the panel 36, similar to the panel I8; described in connection with the first form of the brace. Similarly, the reenforcin portion formed of the end portion il of the blank might. be of only a single thickness of material, if that should be desirable, depending upon the strength required in the particular brace.

A brace 38 formed: from. the blank 3| is shown in Figure '7 secured on the rear wheel of a bicycle. The crossing interior bracing elements 48 shown in Figure 7, however, are provided by forming the end portion 4! of the blank 3| in a special manner. This particular construction does not. form a part of the present invention and is illustrated only as an example of how the end portion 4| of the blank may be folded and formed to provide a strong reenforcing portion for the brace 38. As already mentioned above, the end portion of the blank may be folded or otherwise formed in any desired manner to provide the desired strength and resistance to crushing under load.

The brace 3|! is applied to the Wheel in the same manner as the brace it, the flaps d5 of the panel 35 engaging against the edges of the wheel rim and having their free edges abutting against the tire adjacent the rim edges at such an angle as to resist radially outward movement of the brace, while the rounded portions of the apertures 53 and d6 engage the tire to prevent additional radially inward movement of the brace once the brace has been properly seated on the tire and rim. This locking of the brace on the wheel is perhaps best shown in Figure 8, although it is also apparent from Figure 7.

The brace 39, like the brace l0 previously described, may of course be adapted for application to other articles than bicycle wheels and the like, and since the necessary changes in the brace as described in order to adapt it for use on other articles will be obvious to those skilled in the art, no detailed description of the various changes which might be made to adapt it to any other articles is attempted here.

It will be noted that the brace l0, comprising three main panels, is triangular in cross section, while the brace 39 is provided with four walls, and is of rectangular cross section. The walls of either form may consist of more than one thickness of material. Furthermore, the triangular form of the brace embodied in the brace l and the rectangular form as illustrated by the brace 39 might be varied to include other cross sectional outlines, so long as. the necessary rigidity and strength were maintained. Such changes would merely alter the specific form of the brace, without departing from the principle of the invention Other variations in the particular details of the brace may of course be made. For example, the article-receiving aperture or slot may lie in only two of the panels, with the locking flaps extendin from one or both panels adjacent the fold line therebetween, more or less at the central portion of the slot.

Since it is clear that many changes and modifications may be made in the disclosed emb0diments of the invention without departing from the principles thereof, some of which have been suggested in the disclosure, it is not intended that the invention be limited otherwise than as required by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

W e claim:

1. A paperboard packing brace for use in packing for shipment bicycles and the like having wheels with tires mounted thereon, a plurality of panels secured together end to end and defining a closed polygon having a base panel of substantial width and side panels extending from the ends of the base panel and spaced apart thereby at their ends adjacent said base panel, the latter having a slot extending the full width thereof and locking flaps hinged thereto along fold lines substantially coincident with the sides of said slot, the latter being of substantially uniform width and said flaps being of substantially equal width, the combined widths of said flaps being within the width of said slot, each of said side panels having therein a key-hole aperture aligned with said slot and comprising an outer substantially semicircular portion of a diameter approximately the same as the width of said slot and an inner portion of approximately the same width at its inner end as said slot and converging therefrom outwardly and opening into said outer portion.

2. A paperboard packing brace for use in packing for shipment bicycles and the like having wheels with tires mounted thereon, a plurality of panels secured together end to end and defining a closed triangle having a base panel of substantial width and side panels extending from the ends of the base panel and spaced apart thereby at their ends adjacent said base panel, the latter having a slot extending the full width thereof and locking flaps hinged thereto along fold lines substantially coincident with the sides of said slot. the latter being of substantially uniform width and said flaps being of substantially equa1 width, the combined widths of said flaps being within the width of said slot, the free side edge of each of said locking flaps being convexly curved away from the fold line thereof, each of said side panels having therein a key-hole aperture aligned with said slot and comprising an outer substantially semicircular portion of a diameter approximately the same as the width of said slot and an inner portion of approximately the same width at its inner end as said slot and converging therefrom outwardly and opening into said outer portion.

BENJAMIN F. KELLS. NICHOLAS M. SIDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,974,674 Halladay et a1. Sept. 25, 1934 2,015,222 Hinson Sept. 24, 1935 2,033,299 Reichel Mar. 10, 1936 2,054,355 Anderson Sept. 15, 1936 2,259,772 Owens Oct. 21, 1941 2,261,280 Pennebaker et a1. Nov, 4, 1941 2,276,213 Langell Mar. 10, 1942 2,299,355 Stolpman Oct. 30, 1942 2,442,980 Lewis June 8, 1948