US3850427A

US3850427A - Sandbox with sheet member bottom and end wall portions and groove structure therefor

Info

Publication number: US3850427A
Application number: US00343385A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Schwab
Original assignee: SCHWAB A CO
Current assignee: SCHWAB A CO
Priority date: 1973-03-21
Filing date: 1973-03-21
Publication date: 1974-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-26

Abstract

A sandbox for recreational purposes has component parts which may be easily and quickly assembled by the purchaser. The components of the box include side members and a substantially flat, unitary sheet metal bottom, the end portions of which are bent in the course of the assembly operation to form the end walls of the box. the side members are provided with grooves for receiving side margins of the bottom and end wall part. Projecting lips on the side member adjacent the grooves facilitate the shaping of the bottom part to the contour of the grooves, and also serve to guide the side margins in place within the grooves during the assembly process. The side and bottom members are secured together by seat boards and by bottom brace members.

Description

United States Patent Schwab SANDBOX WITH SHEET MEMBER BOTTOM AND END WALL PORTIONS AND GROOVE STRUCTURE THEREFOR Arnold H. Schwab, St. Louis, Mo.

Assignee: A. H. Schwab Co., St. Louis, Mo.

Filed: Mar. 21, 1973 Appl. No.1 343,385

Inventor:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Richard c. Pinkham Assistant E.\'aminerR. T. Stouffer [57] ABSTRACT A sandbox for recreational purposes has component parts which may be easily and quickly assembled by the purchaser. The components of the box include side members and .a substantially flat, unitary sheet metal bottom, the end portions of which are bent in the course of the assembly operation to form the end walls of the box. the side members are provided with grooves for receiving side margins of the bottom and end wall part. Projecting lips on the side member adjacent the grooves facilitate the shaping of the bottom part to the contour of the grooves, and also serve to guide the side margins in place within the grooves during the assembly process. The side and bottom members are secured together by seat boards and by bottom brace members.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEL HUV 2 6 I974 3,850,427 SHEET 20F 2 FIG.

FIG.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to playground equipment and more particularly to improvements in childrens sandboxes.

Whereas childrens sandboxes that are packaged and sold in unassembled or knockdown state effect substantial savings in manufacturing and shipping costs, they present problems for unskilled persons having the job of assembling and fastening the component parts. With knockdown sandboxes heretofore marketed the job of assembling the unit can be difficult, time-consuming, and for the unhandy often results in an infirm box with short service life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The sandbox of the present invention overcomes the problems heretofore involved with assembly and results in a strong, durable, leak-proof box the side walls of which are provided with grooves having upturned end portions, for receiving and holding a sheet metal bottom wall. The bottom wall may be conveniently shaped to conform to the profile of the groove and then introduced therein by the provision of a guide lip that exexceedingly sturdy, durable and leak-proof unit.

Another object is directed to obtaining economy of I shipment and storage. This advantage is realized by the box of the present invention wherein the components can be compactly assembled in a relatively small package.

Yet another object achieved is the provision of a sandbox having leak-proof joints that will remain so throughout its useful life.

These and other advantageous features which make for ease of assembly, strength and durability will be hereinafter described in detail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sandbox of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing a grooved portion of a side member; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The sandbox of the present invention includes a pair 5 of side members 1-1, a bottom member 2, a pair of seat boards 3-3 and a pair of bottom brace-bars 4-4.

Side members ll are identical in size and shape and desirably are formed by moulding of plastic composition material. The side members have legs 5 at each end which, by preference, are formed integrally with the members. Members 1 also are provided with socket portions 6 at lower edges thereof, and lugs 7 projecting from the ends, adjacent the upper edges.

Eachside member is formed to provide a narrow groove 8 therein, which groove includes a'straight intermediate portion 8a that extends alongthe bottom edge of the member, and upwardly curving end portions 8b that terminate at circular recesses located adjacent the upper edge,.inwardly from end lugs 7 of the side member. Groove 8 is defined by and between lower and

upper flanges

9 and 10. As best appears in FIG. 4 the lower flange 9 is greater in width, projecting laterally beyond the edge of upper flange 10, thus to provide a protruding lip 9a. Also formed on each of the side members 1 is an edge flange 11 that extends along and around the periphery of the members 1, lower sections lla of this flange merging with flange'9, as shown in FIG. 2. Diagonal reenforcing ribs 12 provided on the inner faces of the side members increase the strength and rigidity of that part. Member 1 is further provided with apertured bosses 13 for the reception of bolts 14 by which uprights, indicated at 15, may be secured to the side members to serve as supports for a canopy, not shown.

The bottom member 2 comprises a single rectangular piece of sheet metal the ends of which are rolled to form the tubular end flanges 2b. The length of the bottom member 2 thusly formed corresponds to the developed length of slot 8.

The seat members 3, of wood, plastic or sheet metal, rest upon the upper edge flange 11 and are secured in place by bolts or screws 16. The bottom brace bars 4 extend transversely between the side members 1 and have their end portions fitting snugly within the sockets 6 wherein they are secured by screws 16.

Describing now a simple and convenient method for assembling the described component parts, the brace bars 4 are inserted into the sockets 6 of one of the side members 1 and tightly secured therein by means of screws 16. The other side member is loosely attached to the opposite ends of the brace bars, the screws 16 at that end being driven only partially into ends of preformed holes in the bars 4. Accordingly, the side members may be separated sufficiently to permit the sheet metal bottom member 2 to be laid in place upon the protruding lip portions 9a of the flanges 9. Using the lip portions as guides, the bottom member, suitably bent to conform to the shape of the grooves is slid into place, first into the groove of the tightly secured side member and then into the groove of the opposite, loosely secured side member. When thusly installed in the grooves screws 16 of the loosely secured side member are tightened to rigidly hold the parts together. Finally the seat boards 3 are applied and secured in place by means of the bolts or screws 16.

Whereas the bottom 2 is herein described as being of sheet metal, it will be understood that other, nonmetallic sheet-like material may also be employed for this member. Also, instead of rolling the ends of the bottom 2 to form integral rod-like end parts 2b, separate rods of wood or metal may be suitably attached to the bottom 2. it is also mentioned that the protruding lip portion 9a on flange 9 may terminate short of the socket openings 8c so as further to facilitate assembly.

The described sandbox fulfills the objects and advantages herein set forth. Strength and rigidity are achieved by the interfitting portions of the side members and the unitary bottom and end wall member 2, which interfitting relationship also precludes the leakage of sand at the junction of these parts. The bottom braces 4 support central portions of the bottom 2 and the tubular extremities of the end wall portions which are firmly seated in the socket recesses 8c assist in holding the end portions 2a in place, adding strength and rigidity to the entire unit.

I claim as my invention:

1. in a sandbox:

a. a pair of opposed side members each having a groove therein, each groove including a straight horizontal intermediate portion adjacent to a lower edge of the side member and upwardly extending end portions continuing from said intermediate portion,

b. a sheet member providing integral bottom and end wall portions, the opposite side margins of said sheet member extending into said grooves,

c. transverse members extending between said side members, and secured at their ends thereto, and

(1. said transverse members including seat boards each seat board having sufficient extent in a substantially horizontal plane to provide a flat seat for a child, and at least one bottom brace bar in underlying relation to said sheet member.

2. The sandbox of claim 1 including:

e. guide lips projecting laterally from said side members adjacent the lower side of said grooves to facilitate installation of said sheet member into said grooves during assembly of the sandbox.

3. ln a sandbox:

a. a pair of opposed side members each having a groove, each groove including a straight, horizontal, intermediate portion in parallel adjacence to a lower edge of the side member, upwardly extending end portions continuing from the intermediate portion, and socket recesses at the extremities of each groove, each side member further having a laterally projecting guide lip that extends along a marginal edge of the groove therein,

b. a sheet metal member providing integral bottom and end wall portions, said sheet metal member having tubular flanges on each end wall portion, the side edges of said sheet member and end portions of the tubular flanges being confined respectively within said grooves and socket recess of the side members,

c. a pair of seat boards extending transversely between upper edge portions of said side members each seat board having sufficient extent in a substantially horizontal plane to provide a flat seat for a child,

d. a pair of bottom brace bars extending transversely between lower edge portions of said side members, and

e. means fastening the ends of said seat boards and brace bars to said side members.

Claims

1. In a sandbox: a. a pair of opposed side members each having a groove therein, each groove including a straight horizontal intermediate portion adjacent to a lower edge of the side member and upwardly extending end portions continuing from said intermediate portion, b. a sheet member providing integral bottom and end wall portions, the opposite side margins of said sheet member extending into said grooves, c. transverse members extending between said side members, and secured at their ends thereto, and d. said transverse members including seat boards each seat board having sufficient extent in a substantially horizontal plane to provide a flat seat for a child, and at least one bottom brace bar in underlying relation to said sheet member.

2. The sandbox of claim 1 including: e. guide lips projecting laterally from said side members adjacent the lower side of said grooves to facilitate installation of said sheet member into said grooves during assembly of the sandbox.

3. In a sandbox: a. a pair of opposed side members each having a groove, each groove including a straight, horizontal, intermediate portion in parallel adjacence to a lower edge of the side member, upwardly extending end portions continuing from the intermediate portion, and socket recesses at the extremities of each groove, each side member further having a laterally projecting guide lip that extends along a marginal edge of the groove therein, b. a sheet metal member providing integral bottom and end wall portions, said sheet metal member having tubular flanges on each end wall portion, the side edges of said sheet member and end portions of the tubular flanges being confined respectively within said grooves and socket recess of the side members, c. a pair of seat boards extending transversely between upper edge portions of said side members each seat board having sufficient extent in a substantially horizontal plane to provide a flat seat for a child, d. a pair of bottom brace bars extending transversely between lower edge portions of said side members, and e. means fastening the ends of said seat boards and brace bars to said side members.