US3027046A - Collapsible carrying case - Google Patents

Description

March 27, 1962 R. N. BRANDON 3,0

COLLAPSIBLE CARRYING CASE Filed June 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. 15/67/420 N. BEAM/DON E MM March 27, 1962 R. N. BRANDON COLLAPSIBLE CARRYING CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 10, 1959 .JIE. 8

JIE. 9

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INVENTOR. E/CH/JEQN, em/00M #omv vs This invention relates to an improved collapsible carrycase, and in particular to an improved collapsible and reusable carrying case for carrying and/r storing a plurality of articles, such as bottles and the like.

One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide an improved metal collapsible carrying case having improved features over the conventional fibrous cartons now used to carry beverage bottles, and the like. The improved metal carrying case of this invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, rugged, unaffected by adverse environmental conditions, readily reusable, and pleasing and attractive in design as well as compactly collapsible for transportation or storage and easily adjusted to article carrying position.

One embodiment of a collapsible carrying case formed in accordance with this invention comprises a metal case having a plurality of parts hinged together and movable into a box-like, bottle carrying position and collapsible into a relatively flat shape permitting the case to be compactly stacked with similar collapsed cases when not in bottle carrying use.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved collapsible carrying case having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible carrying case formed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and adjusted to article carrying position.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the case.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the case.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one of the sides of the carrying case illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the bottom panel of the case of FIGURE 1. I

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the top divider of the case of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view of one of the fastening members carried by the case.

FIGURE 8 is a side view similar to FIGURE 3 and illustrates the manner of pivoting the sides into the bottom support.

FIGURE 9 is an end View of the carrying case when the sides thereof are disposed within the bottom support.

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 and illustrates the carrying case in a partially collapsed condition.

FIGURE 11 is an end view of a fully collapsed carrying case.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of collapsed carrying cases stacked one on top of the other.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals and letters are used throughout the various figures thereof to designate like parts where appropriate, and particular reference is made to FIGURES 1-3 illustrating a collapsible carrying case formed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and generally indicated by the reference letter A.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention the carrying case A is formed from a relatively light weight metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloys, and the like. Howatent 3,0Z7,Mh Patented Mar. 27, 1962 ever, it is to be understood that other metals and alloys thereof, plastic materials, and the like could be utilized as well as various combinations of materials. One of the features deemed important to this invention is to construct the carrying case from a material or materials that render the case sturdy, rugged, long-lasting, and the like whereby the case is readily reusable over and over again.

The carrying case A includes a substantially U-shaped flat narrow strap 20 comprising a handle 21 and a pair of spaced parallel legs 22 and 23 respectively depending vertically downwardly from each end of the handle 21. The handle 21 is formed with a substantially V-shaped cross-section throughout its entire length in order to facilitate manual grasping of the same. In this manner the weight of the case A is borne by the central portionof the handle when the case A is manually carried. The handle 21 and legs 22 and 23 define a flat zone therebetween, the zone being indicated by the reference nu meral 24.

An article receiving bottom or lower support, generally indicated by the reference numeral 25, is pivotally secured to the legs 22 and 23 in the following manner. The lower support 25 comprises a flat narrow continuous strap 2s formed into a rectangle having a pair of opposed sides 27 and 28 and another pair of opposed sides 29 and 30, the sides 27 and 28 being longer than the sides 29 and 30. The sides 29 and 30 of the lower support 25 are respectively pivotally secured to the legs 22 and 23 by suitable pivot pins or rivets 31 respectively passing through suitable apertures formed in the lower ends of the legs 22 and 23 and the medial portions of the sides 29 and 30 of the bottom or lower support 25.

A flat rectangular bottom or bottom plate 32 (see FIGURES 1 and 5) having vertically extending side flanges 33, 34, 35 and 36 formed at the outer periphery thereof is suitably secured to the inner surface of the lower support 25 whereby the bottom 32 completely spans the lower portion of the rectangular space defined by the lower support 25. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the bottom 32 is secured to the lower support 25 by the pivot pins 31, the pivot pins 31 respectively passing through apertures 37 and 38 formed respectively in the medial portions of the side flanges 33 and 35 thereof. Howevenit is to be understood that the bottom 32 could be formed integrally with the lower support 25 or formed separately and secured thereto by other means, such as by welding, bolts, or the like.

The corners of the bottom 32 are respectively cut away at 39 to provide suitable drainage openings for a purpose hereinafter described. However, if desired, the bottom 32 may be perforated throughout part or all of its surface to accomplish this function. Further, while the inner surface of the bottom 32 is shown as being fluted, the same could be substantially smooth or provided with any desired surface pattern.

An upper article receiving support, generally indicated by the reference numeral 40, is formed in substantially the same manner as the lower support 25 and is pivotally secured to each of the legs 22 and 23 intermediate the handle 21 and the lower support 25. As shown in FIG- URES l and 6, the upper support 40 comprises a continuous flat narrow strap 41 formed into a rectangle having a pair of relatively long opposed parallel sides 42 and 43 and a pair of relatively short opposed parallel sides 44 and 45. A divider 46 comprising a U-shaped strap 47 having legs 48 and 49 interconnected by a section 50 is disposed within and secured to the upper support 40 in any desired manner. The end section 50 of the divider 46 is disposed in engagement with the side 43 of the support 40 and the legs 48 and 49 thereof respectively extend across the rectangular space defined by the support 40 to the other side 42 thereof whereby inwardly directed flanges 51 and 52 formed respectively on the outer ends of the legs 48 and 49 engage the side 42 of the support 40. An elongated rod 53 extends through suitable apertures formed respectively in the medial portions of the side 44 of the support 40, the legs 48 and 49 of the divider 46, and the side 45 of the support 40. The rod 53 and divider 46 divide the space defined by the upper support 40 into six bottle-receiving compartments, the compartments being indicated by the reference numerals 54.

While the upper support 40 is illustrated as being divided into six bottle-receiving compartments 54 for the purpose of carrying the conventional quantity of six bottles, such as soft drink bottles or the like, it is contemplated that the space of the upper support 40 could be divided into any desired number of compartments or remain undivided as desired.

The opposed ends 56 and 57 of the rod 53 are utilized to pivotally secure the upper support 40 to the depending legs 22 and 23 of the handle 21 by passing respectively through suitable apertures formed therein and being enlarged to effectively secure the support 40 to the legs 22 and 23. However, it is to be understood that the upper support 40 may be pivotally secured to the legs 22 and 23 in the same manner as the lower support 25 or by other suitable means as desired.

A pair of substantially identical sides or side plates 58 and 59 are pivotally secured to the lower or bottom support 25 in the following manner. Each side 58 or 59 (only side 58 being shown in FIGURE 4) comprises a substantially flat rectangular portion 60 having a pair of inwardly directed tapering flanges 61 and 62 respectively extending from opposed outer edges 63 and 64 thereof. Each flange 61 or 62 projects beyond a lower edge 65 of the flat portion 60 and terminates in a flat rounded ear or lug 66, each lug 66 having an aperture 67 passing transversely therethrough. A pair of outwardly directed flanges 68 and 69 are formed in the fiat portion 60 of each side 58 or 59 by stamping or the like, the flanges 68 and 69 defining an elongated channel 70 therebetween. An inwardly directed tab or flange 71 extends from an upper edge 72 of the flat portion 60.

Each side 58 or 59 has an elongated slot 73 formed in the flat portion 60 thereof intermediate the flanges 68 and 69. Each slot 73 comprises an enlarged upper circular portion 74 and a narrow portion 75 extending downwardly therefrom.

The sides 58 and 59 are respectively pivotally secured within and to the lower support 25 by a plurality of pivot pins or rivets 76 respectively passing through suitable apertures formed in the respective side 27 or 28 of the strap 26, apertures 77 formed in the respective side flange 34 or 36 of the bottom 32, and the respective aperture 67 in the ear 66 of the flange 61 or 62. Each side 58 or 59 is pivotally secured to the lower support 25 in such a manner that the end surfaces 65 and 71 thereof are adapted to respectively engage the sides 29 or 30 of the lower support 25 and the sides 44 or 45 of the upper support 40 when pivoted to the position illustrated in FIG- URES 1-3.

When the sides 58 and 59 are pivoted to the position illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, the legs 22 and 23 of the handle 21 are respectively received in the channels 70 .of the sides 58 and 59 whereby the upper support 40 and lower support 25 are locked or maintained parallel to each other and perpendicular to the legs 22 and 23.

' An elongated slot 78 is formed in each leg 22 and 23 of the handle 21, each slot 78 being disposed adjacent the slot 73 formed in the respectiv side 58 or 59 of the carrying case A when the respective side 58 or 59 is pivoted to the position illustrated in FIGURES 1-3. A fastening member 79 (see FIGURE 7) comprising a cylindrical pin 80 having a pair of enlarged flat circular disklike members 81 and 82. formed on each end thereof is carried in each slot 79 of the legs 22 and 23 of the bandle 21. The pins 80 pass through the slot 78 and the enlarged members 81 and 82 are disposed on the opposite sides of the respective leg 22 or 23. In this manner the fastening members 79 are adapted to be moved upwardly or downwardly in the slots 78 as well as transversely thereto within the limits of the length of the pins 80 thereof.

The operation of the carrying case A will now be described. When it is desired to adjust the carrying case A to the box-like, bottle carrying position, the supports 25 and 40 are pivoted to the position illustrated in FIG- URES 1-3 whereby the supports 25 and 40 are disposed perpendicular to the legs 22 and 23 of the handle 21. The sides 58 and 59 are then respectively pivoted against the legs 22 and 23 whereby the end surfaces 65 and 71 thereof respectively engage the supports 25 and 40 and thus lock the supports 25 and 40 parallel to each other. Further, the flanges 68 and 69 of each side 58 and 59 respectively engage the opposed sides of the respective leg 22 or 23 and thereby lock the respective side 58 or 59 to the respective leg 22 or 23 whereby the supports 25 and 40 are locked perpendicular to the legs 22 and 23.

The fastening members 79 form locking and detaching means between the sides 58, 59 and the legs 22, 23. When the sides 58 and 59 are in the raised position against the legs 22 and 23, the fastening members 79 are moved upwardly in the slots 78 whereby the disk-like members 82 are disposed adjacent the enlarged circular portions 74 of the respective slots 73 formed in the respective side 58 or 59. The fastening members are then moved axially inwardly whereby the disk-like members 82 are projected through the circular portions 74 of the slots 73 and then moved downwardly in the slots 78 and 73 whereby the pins 80 are received in the narrow portions of the slots 73. In this manner the fastening members 79 secure the sides 58 and 59 to the legs 22 and 23. The sides 58 and 59 are released by reversed operation of the'above.

After the carrying case A has been adjusted to the article carrying position in the above manner, a plurality of bottles, generally indicated by the reference letter B, are inserted in the case A through the compartments 54 provided in the upper support 40 whereby the bottles B can be readily carried by lifting the handle 21 of the case A.

When it is desired to collapse the carrying case A after the same has been emptied of its contents, the fastening members 79 are raised upwardly in the slots 78 and 73 whereby the disk-like members 82 can be withdrawn from the enlarged circular portions 74 of slots 73. After the fastening members 79 have been detached from the sides 58 and 59, the sides 58 and 59 are pivoted downwardly into the bottom support 25 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8.

Since the embodiment of this invention illustrated in the drawings is particularly adapted for carrying six bottles of the conventional six or seven ounce type, the design characteristics of the carrying case A require that one or the other of the sides 58 or 59 overlap the other when the sides 58 and 59 are received in the bottom support 25. However, it is to be understood that the particular number, size and/or type of bottles to be carried may require changes in the particular dimensions of the case A whereby the sides 58 and 59 may or may not overlap as shown.

After the sides 58 and 59 have been pivoted against the bottom 32, as shown in FIGURE 9, the carrying case A can be collapsed by merely pushing the handle 21 and legs 22 and 23 thereof in one direction or the other as illustrated in FIGURES 10 and 11 whereby the supports 25 and 40 are, in effect, pivoted into the flat zone '24 defined by the handlee 21 and the legs 22 and 23. In this :manner the carrying case A has been collapsed to form a relatively fiat structure that requires a relatively small amount of shipping or storage space.

As shown in FIGURES 11 and 12, the supports 25 and 40 are disposed within the same plane in the flat zone 24 and are disposed closely adjacent each other. However, the supports 25 and 40 are spaced sufficiently from each other when in the fully collapsed position whereby pivotal movement thereof to the fully collapsed position is not impeded by the fastening members 79.

When the carrying case A has been collapsed in the above manner, the flat collapsed case A is readily adapted to be stacked with other collapsed cases A as illustrated in FIGURE 12 whereby the collapsed cases A can be stored or shipped.

Therefore, it can be seen that an improved collapsible carrying case has been provided having many improved features over prior known collapsible cases and cartons. Some of the improved features of the carrying case of this invention are that the case is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture, rugged, sturdy, long-lasting, readily reusable, easy to adjust to article carrying position or collapse, attractive in design and appearance, and the like.

While the embodiment and form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed in accordance with the requirements of the statute, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible carrying case comprising a handle having a pair of spaced depending legs, a lower article receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legs and being spaced from said handle, an upper article receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legs intermediate said handle and said lower support, and a side detachably secured to one of said legs, said side having means for maintaining said supports in a predetermined position relative to said legs and to each other when said side is secured to said one leg whereby said case is adjusted to article carrying position.

2. A collapsible carrying case comprising a handle having a pair of spaced depending legs, a lower article receiv ing support pivotally secured to each of said legs and being spaced from said handle, an upper article receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legs intermediate said lower support and said handle, and a pair of sides respectively pivotally secured to opposed ends of said lower support and being respectively detachably secured to said legs, said sides having means for maintaining said supports in a predetermined position relative to said legs and to each other when said sides are secured to said legs whereby said case is adjusted to article carrying position.

3. A carrying case as set forth in claim 2 wherein said upper support divides said case into a plurality of bottle receiving compartments.

4. A carrying case as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower support includes a bottom spanning said case, said bottom having at least one drainage opening provided therein.

5. A carrying case as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said sides has a pair of spaced outwardly directed flanges, each said pair of flanges receiving a leg therebetween when the respective side is secured to that leg whereby said legs are maintained in a predetermined position relative to said sides.

6. A carrying case as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said sides has a pair of opposed end surfaces, said end surfaces respectively engaging said supports when said sides are respectively secured to said legs whereby said supports are maintained in a predetermined position relative to said legs and to each other.

7. A collapsible carrying case comprising a handle having a pair of spaced depending legs, said handle and said legs defining a flat zone, a lower article receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legs and being spaced from said handle, an upper article receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legs intermediate said handle and said lower support, and a side pivotally secured to one of said supports and being detachably secured to one of said legs, said side having means for maintaining said supports transverse to said zone when said side is secured to said one leg whereby said case is adjusted to article carrying position, said side being pivotally movable into said one support when said side is detached from said one leg and said supports being pivotally movable into said zone whereby said case is compactly collapsed.

8. A collapsible carrying case comprising a handle having a pair of spaced depending legs, said handle and said legs defining a flat zone, a bottom article receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legs and being spaced from said handle, an upper article receiving support pivotally secured to each of said legs intermediate said handle and said lower support, and a pair of sides respectively pivotally secured to opposed ends of said bottom support and being respectively detachably secured to said legs, said sides having means for maintaining said supports transverse to said zone when said sides are secured to said legs whereby said case is adjusted to article carrying position, said sides being pivotally movable into said bottom support when said sides are detached from said legs and said supports being pivotally movable into said zone whereby said case is compactly collapsed.

9. A collapsible carrying case as set forth in claim 8 wherein said upper support has a plurality of dividers spanning said upper support and dividing said case into a plurality of bottle receiving compartments.

10. A collapsible carrying case as set forth in claim 8 wherein said bottom support and said upper support are disposed adjacent to each other and in the same plane when pivoted into said zone.

11. A collapsible carrying case as set forth in claim 8 wherein a movable fastening pin having a narrow body and an enlarged end is carried by eachleg, and each side has an elongated slot provided therein, each slot having an enlarged portion for telescopically receiving said enlarged end of the respective fastening pin and a narrow portion for receiving said body of said pin after the enlarged end therof has been received in said slot gar/hereby the respective side is secured to the respective 12. A collapsible carrying case as set forth in claim 8 wherein said supports each comprises a continuous member defining a rectangular space, a plurality of dividers carried by said upper support and dividing said space thereof into a plurality of bottle receiving compartments, and a bottom carried by said bottom support and spanning said space thereof, said bottom cooperating with said bottom support to define an area for receiving said sides when said case is collapsed whereby said sides are disposed within said zone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,530,256 Garland Mar. 17, 1925 1,949,207 Kinkead Feb. 24, 1934 2,395,601 Wenthe Feb. 26, 1946 2,414,708 Bassichis Jan. 21, 1947 2,443,985 Lamprecht June 22, 1948 2,550,830 Lewis May 1, 1951 2,784,870 Jones Mar. 12, 1957

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