US3831832A

US3831832A - Connectable box structures

Info

Publication number: US3831832A
Application number: US00251328A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Gray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-05-08
Filing date: 1972-05-08
Publication date: 1974-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-27

Abstract

This invention relates to box structures and, more particularly, to box structures connectable in such a manner to form a chain of interconnected structures. More, particularly, this invention relates to box structures which are connected through magnetic members so as to simulate the appearance of interconnected cars of an elongated train assembly. The magnetic members may be mounted interiorly or exteriorly of the box structure which, in turn, may have wheel support assemblies for contact and ease of movement on the support surface.

Description

United States Patent [191 Gray Aug. 27, 1974 CONNECTABLE BOX STRUCTURES [76] Inventor: Joseph Roy Gray, Rt. 3, Box 139,

Bixby, Okla. 74008 [22] Filed: May 8, 1972 21 Appl. No.2 251,328

[52] US. Cl 229/8, 46/11, 206/818 [51] Int. Cl B65d 5/00 {58] Field of Search 229/8; 46/1'1; 213/75 TC,

213/75 D; 206/DIG. 33; 220/234 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 979,812 12/1910 Warren 229/8 1,928,323 9/1933 Sweitzer.... 46/11 1,932,368 10/1933 Bowen 229/8 2,226,287 12/1940 Miller 213/75 D 2,500,180 3/1950 Hubbell 213/75 D 2,607,157 8/1952 Smith 213/75 TC 2,823,844 2/1958 Frankenstein 229/8 3,078,183 2/1963 Karalus 206/D1G. 33 3,261,619 7/1966 Norgaard, Jr. et a1 229/8 Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant Examiner-Stephen Marcus [5 7] ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CONNECTABLE BOX STRUCTURES In the prior art, it is known that there are box structures and magnetic elements but they are not presented in such a fashion so as to interconnect adjacent box structures to form an elongated train or train-like structure. Also, nothing is known in the prior art wherein a container of cookies, candies, etc. can be readily converted and used when empty as a toy structure.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a plu rality of connectable boxes are provided each having their own illustration on the exterior thereof representing a train car feature. Each box structure is of generally rectangular shape having a housing means provided at opposite ends with connector means for attaching adjacent ones thereof. The housing means is provided with a main body or housing member having an upper open section and a lid member hinged on the housing member so as to be primarily usable to contain cookie members or the like therein when sold in, for example a supermarket. The housing means can be supported on its bottom wall or may be provided with a plurality, namely, four tab members which can be turned down in sets to receive therethrough a shaft member having a wheel on opposite ends thereof so as to provide a wheel support surface. The connector means may either be constructed in an interior or exterior type connectors. The exterior connectors may be anchored to the end walls of the housing member or may be supplied within the housing member and included a magnetic member having on one side thereof an adhesive strip portion which can be activated so as to be readily attachable to opposite upright end walls of the housing member. If the interior type connectors are used, they include a magnetic member which is secured by an adhesive strip to the interior of the box so that when the box structures are placed adjacent to each other, they will be completely abutted at their end walls.

One object of this invention is provided a plurality of box structures which can be interconnected through magnetic members to form a simulated elongated train structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide box structures that are generally rectangular shaped which can be used to house crackers, cookies, candies or the like, and, after container usage, are provided at opposite upright end walls with magnetic connector means for attaching adjacent ones thereof to create a toy structure.

Still, another object of this invention is to provide a box structure including a rectangular shaped housing means and having magnetic connector means at opposite upright end walls downwardly movable top members, each cooperating pair adapted to receive an axle and shaft therethrough with wheel mambers on opposite ends thereof so as to prsent a wheel support assembly similar to that of a train member.

One further object of this invention is to provide connectable box structures which are economical to manufacture; simple to assemble to simulate a train structure; readily connected and disconnected, and presents a toy structure from box structures which are normally discarded adding to the pollution problem.

Various other objects, advantages, and features, of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of interconnected ones of the box structures of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a box structure of this invention showing its lid member in the open condition in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of an end portion of the box of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a support assembly of the box structure of this invention.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new connectable box structures of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings whereupon the same reference numerals may be used to indicate the same and similar and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion is not to unduly the limit and scope of the invention.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention and referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of connectable box structures 12 are shown being interconnected end to end. Each box structure 12 is provided a descriptive indicia l4 thereon whereupon the box structure 12 indicated at 12A is shown with locomotive engine type indicia. The box structure 12 indicated at 12 B is shown with a box car indicia thereon and the third box structure 12 indicated at 12 C is shown with a caboose indicia thereon.

Each box structure 12 is of a similar construction except for the indicia thereon, therefore, a detailed description of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 will suffice for all the various types of box structures 12A, 12B, and 12C.

As shown in FIG. 2, the box structure 12 is provided with a housing means 16 having a connector means 18 thereon. It is understood that the housing means 16 can be provided with a simulated wheel support means indicia as indicated at 20 or attachable wheel assemblies 22 as will be described.

The housing means 16 resembles in size a brick member and includes a main body or housing member 24 provided with a lid member 26 connected thereto and including the wheel support assemblies 22. The housing member 24 includes a bottom wall 28, upright side walls 30, and opposed endwalls 32 to form an inner cavity as indicated at 34. The housing member 24 is of a rectangular box shape so as to readily receive through an upper opening 36 either crackers, candy, cookie members or the like in its initial condition so as to be usable as a container means.

The lid member 26 is formed with a main section 38 hinged to the housing member 24 along an upper edge 40 in a conventional manner. The lid member 26 is further provided with a flap section 42 which may be folded into a portion of the housing member 24 in a sealed condition to keep the materials therein such as cookies or the like from dehydrating.

It has been stated that the housing means 16 may include the wheel support assemblies 22 or could be supported on the bottom wall 28 if desired. When using the wheel support assemblies 22, the bottom wall 28 is provided with semi-circular cut-out or punch-out portions on opposite sides as indicated at 44 in FIG. 4. The semicircular punch-out portions 44 are moved downwardly to provide a support for the respective wheel support assemblies 22.

Each wheel support assembly 22 includes an elongated shaft member 46 operable to receive a wheel member 48 on opposite ends as shown in FIG. 4. Each respective shaft member 46 is supported through a hole 50 punched out of respective ones of the punch-out portions 44.

The connector means 18 may be provided with one of two embodiments being an exterior connector assembly 52 or an interior connector assembly 54. The exterior connector assembly 52 includes two generally rectangular magnetic members 56 each having an adhesive strip 58 on one side thereof connected to respective upright end walls 32. The magnetic members 56 may be of a thin sheet material and may be supplied as already attached to the upright end walls 32 or could have an outer covering which may be removed for attaching the magnetic members 56 to the upright end walls 32 through the adhesive strips 58 when converting from the original container structure to a toy structure.

In the other embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the interior connector assembly 54 may be provided with two magnetic members 56 each having the adhesive strip 58 on one side thereof. The box structure 12 could be supplied with the magnetic members 56 already connected to the respective interior surfaces of the end wall 32. In this embodiment, nothing would be required of the user of the box structures 12 as the magnetic members 56 are already attached and ready for usage.

Also, a package could be provided within each of the housing means 16 having the magnetic members 56 with the adhesive strips 58 on one side thereof and the wheel support assemblies 22 with the shaft members 46 and wheel members 48 therewithin. This auxillary package can be removed and the subject items applied in the proper position on the housing member 24.

In the use and operation of the box structures 12 of this invention, it is seen that they are provided with the attractive train indicia thereon but could be provided with other indicia such as simulation of a caterpillar, snake, etc. The box structures 12 are provided with the housing means 16 having the connector means 18 and, if desired, with the wheel support assemblies 22. It is noted that a plurality of the box structures 12 can be magnetically coupled one to the other so as to provide a large amount of interconnected box structures 12, which, can be connected and disconnected as desired. It is noted that the bottom wall 28 of the box structure 12 may be provided with the semi-circular punch-out portions 44 which can be moved downwardly and have the central hole 50 punched out. One of the shaft members 46 can be inserted in aligned ones of the holes 50 and a wheel member 48 mounted on opposite ends thereof providing easy movement on a support surface.

It is seen that the connectable box structures of this invention provide simple container means which can be used to transport and support food products or the like therewithin. After usage or consumption of its food products, the box structures can be utilized to provide a toy assembly having magnetic means on opposite ends for easy connection. It is noted that the box structures of this invention provide structures that are economical to manufacture, simple to assemble, and presents a very enjoyable toy assembly for childrens play.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is tended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A box structure that is readily connected with a plurality of similar box structures to simulate a train structure, comprising:

a. a housing means having connector means thereon;

b. said housing means including a rectangular box structure so as to present a container to support and transport food products or the like;

c. said connector means including a magnetic member attached to said housing means for interconnecting adjacent ones of said box structure;

(1. said housing means including a housing member having opposed upright parallel end walls;

e. said magnetic member having an adhesive strip on one side thereof to be connected to said upright end walls of said housing member; said magnetic member from a thin sheet material and of a rectangular shape; and

f. whereby when said box structure is connected with one of said plurality of similar box structures, the end walls of the connected box structures will be spaced apart a distance no greater than twice the thickness of said thin sheet material.

2. A box structure as described in claim 1, wherein:

a. said connector means having said magnetic members attached to an exterior surface of the said upright end walls, and

b. said magnetic members covering a substantial portion of the area of said end walls to achieve sub stantial magnetic holding force.

3. A box structure as described in claim 1, wherein:

a. said connector means including each of said magnetic members attached by said adhesive strips to interior surfaces of said upright end walls for attaching adjacent ones of said box structures, and

b. abutting ones of said end walls of said connected box structures will have contact in a common plane for maximal attraction under magnetic force.

Claims

1. A box structure that is readily connected with a plurality of similar box structures to simulate a train structure, comprising: a. a housing means having connector means thereon; b. said housing means including a rectangular box structure so as to present a container to support and transport food products or the like; c. said connector means including a magnetic member attached to said housing means for interconnecting adjacent ones of said box structure; d. said housing means including a housing member having opposed upright parallel end walls; e. said magnetic member having an adhesive strip on one side thereof to be connected to said upright end walls of said housing member; said magnetic member from a thin sheet material and of a rectangular shape; and f. whereby when said box structure is connected with one of said plurality of similar box structures, the end walls of the connected box structures will be spaced apart a distance no greater than twice the thickness of said thin sheet material.

2. A box structure as described in claim 1, wherein: a. said connector means having said magnetic members attached to an exterior surface of the said upright end walls, and b. said magnetic members covering a substantial portion of the area of said end walls to achieve substantial magnetic holding force.

3. A box structure as described in claim 1, wherein: a. said connector means including each of said magnetic members attached by said adhesive strips to interior surfaces of said upright end walls for attaching adjacent ones of said box structures, and b. abutting ones of said end walls of said connected box structures will have contact in a common plane for maximal attraction under magnetic force.