US934156A - Folding crate. - Google Patents

Description

R. H. GODDARD.

FOLDING CRATE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 9, 190s.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

witnesses R. BT. GODDARD.

' FOLDING CRATE.

APPLIOATIOH FILED MAY 9. 1908.

. 934,156, Patented sept. 14,1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ANDREW. a. GRAHAM co., Puotumoanwnzns. wAsmucncN. n. c.

B.. H. GODDARD.

FOLDING CRATE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 9, 190e.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909. s SHEETS-SHEET 3.

"un h1 eases RALPH HOWARD GODDARD, 0F SHELBY, INDIANA.

FOLDING CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 9, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH H. GODDARD, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at Shelby, Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Crates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in foldable egg crates and the like, and consists of the novel features of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described andclairned.

The object of the invention is to improve and simplify the construction and operation of devices of this character and thereby render the same stronger and more durable in construction, less expensive and more convenient and effective in use.

The above and other objects of the invention, as will hereinafter appear, are attained in its' preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved crate set up for use; Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical longitudinal and transverse sections; Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal section;

'Fioz 5 is a perspective view showing the a u a n crate collapsed or closed; Fig. 6 1s a sectional view through the crate in its closed position; Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views showing the detachable pivotal connection for the partition; Fig. 9 is a detail view showing one of the pivoted catches for the partition; and Fig. 1() is an enlarged detail section showing the finger piece on one of the fastening rods.

The body of my improved crate comprises a bottom 1 from the opposite side edges of which rise the stationary parts 2 of the two sides of the crate, said sides also having swinging parts 3 which are united to the parts 2 by strap hinges 4 so that said parts 3 fold inwardly. The part 2 on one side is slightly higher than said part on the other side so that the swinging parts will lie horizontal and in parallel relation on each other when the crate is collapsed. The strap hinges 4 are preferably set in the inner faces of the parts 2, 3 and their lower leaves are bent inwardly at right angles, as shown at 5, and secured to the under face of the bottom 1 to strengthen said bottom and also to form wear plates for the same. The ends of the swinging parts 3 are reinforced by metal plates 6 set in the outer faces of the latter and bent around their end edges, as

Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

serial No. 431,964.

shown at 7, so as to effectively reinforce and strengthen the same.

8 denotes two end strips which rise from the ends of the bottom 1 and unite the ends of the stationary parts 2 of the sides. These strips or parts S not only effectively strengthen and reinforce the bottom but also serve as abutments and braces for the swinging ends 9 of the crate. pivoted or hinged at their lower ends to the bottom 1 close to the strips 8 so as to swing downwardly into the body and to lie flat against the bottom 1 when the crate is collapsed. Each of said ends 9 consists of a rectangular portion of less height than half the length of the bottom and two upright cleats 10 which are secured upon the outer faces of the rectangular body portion of the end, suitable recesses being provided in the inner face of each strip 8 to receive the cleats 10 when the crate is set up for use. The hinge connection for each .of the ends 9 consists of hinge straps 11 secured beneath the cleats 10 and engaged with a transverse pivot rod 12 secured upon the bottom 1 adjacent to one of the strips 8 by staples or similar fastenings 13. It will be seen that this construction provides an exceedingly strong and durable structure and that the hinG'e connections will be effectively braced by lihe strips S. If desired, hand pieces 14 may be provided upon the outer faces of the ends 9.

15 denotes the partition which is removably pivoted to the parts 2 of the sides and above a transverse strip or cleat 16 arranged upon the bottom 1 to strengthen and reinforce the same. Said strip or cleat 16 eX- tends through the parts 2 and in its top is a semi-circular groove or channel to receive the bottoni edge of the partition. `The detachable pivotal connection for the partition consists of a stationary pivot 17 projecting from one of its lower corners and a retractable pivot 18 projecting from the other lower corner of the same. The stationary pivot is in the form of a rod fixed between a metal binding strip 19 secured on the bottom edge of the partition 15 and a U-shaped metal plate 20 which lits over the bottom of said partition adjacent to one of its ends and is suitably secured, as clearly shown in the drawings. A Asimilar U-shaped plate 21 is secured on said bottom edge ofthe partition adjacent to its other end and it is adapted to form a bearing for the retractable pivot Said ends 9 are s Cil 18, which. latter is slidably andirotatablyv coming casually retracted, by a pivoted catch or locking plate 24 pivoted at 25 and having its other end provided witha finger piece oi'lprojectionV 2G by means of which the lower corner of said end may be inw serted beneath and removed from a raised portion 27 ofthe plate 21, which portion 27 formsfa keeper. When the catch 24 is raised to disengage the arm 22 the latter may be swung downwardly to throw it out of the recess 28 and it may be then movedV lono'itudinall in-an inward` direction te is. y

retract the pivot 18. Said pivots 17, 18 are adapted to engage bearing openings formed in metal reinforcing plates 28 set in the innerfaces of the stationary parts 2 of the sides at the ends of the strip or cleat 16. hen it is desired to place the partition in position in thevcrate the pivot 18 is'retracted Y'and Ythe pivot 17 is then engaged with its Vbearing opening in one of the plates 28 and Y after theend of the pivot 18 is brought into -alinement with its bearing opening in the other plate 28 the finger piece 'or arm 22 is operated to project the pivot 18 and then lockedby means of the catch 24.

In order to secure the partition in an right position so'as to prevent it Vfrom col lapsing and to Vstrengthen the sides of the crate I provide, adjacent to each of the upper corners of theopartition, pivoted catches 29 adapted to engage the upper edges of the swinging members 3 of thesides of the crate'.

Said catches 29 are U-shaped and have the -en'ds of their arms 'bent vat right angles to Y tions. The arms of said catches, when the o of the partition by means of keeper pins 35V provide hooksBO to takeover the parts 3. The catches are pivoted in recesses 31 in the upper edge of the partition by means of'stap'les'32 which engage their closed inner porlatter are in an operative positiomare adapted todrop into recesses 83 formed in the opposite faces of the partition adjacent to its 'corners and recesses or notches 34 formed inY the upper edge of the parts 3, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. When the catches are retracted they are held upon the upper edge which project upwardly from the upper edge of the partition and are adapted to eX- ytend between the arms of the catches. Y Y

36'denotes the cover of the crate which has depending from its edges side and end flanges 37, 38 to fit over the sides and ends At the inner end of theA of the body. The corners of thistop-orr"Y cover are preferably vreinforced by Vangle met-al plates 89.Y The cover isv securedupon the body andthe sides andends of the latteifVV 'i 'Y are effectively united by tworemovablerods 40, 41 which .are passed transverselythrough the flanges 37Vof the cover, theparts 8 ofthe sides, andthe ends 9, as clearly shown in"Y Y Fig. 4V of the drawings. @The fiangesj-orm-`V Y parts 37 are formed withopeningsr42v Vto receive said rods and to aline with openings 48 in the metal plates (tot the parts 3, which openings 48 in turn register with opposing` grooves 44 formed in the ends 9 and their vcleats 10. In order to retain the rodsin their locking posit-ion I preferably provide" upon t-hem at 'one end pivoted finger piecesA i or rings 45 and upon theflanges'87`spring V catches 46 to hold rsaid finger pieces in recesses 47 in said flanges 87. Y VThe kspring catches 46 are in the formi of flat leaf springs securedat one en'd to the flanges 87 andhaving their other ends provided with heads. to engage said finger pieces and press them into the recesses and beneath Vthe outer face ofthe fianges 37. Owing' to this construc- .1

tion it will be seen that there will 'benoprof Y jecting parts upon the exteriorfof the crateY to become caught and broken while the lat-V ter isin transportation; When lthe cover is removed from the body' of the crate thetie rods Vmay be passed 'through the openings 48, 44 in the sides and ends of the crate `to hold said parts together, but if desired, the cover maybe inverted and the bottom. of thecrate To permitof the latter, openingsl48 are' formed inthe parts 2, said openings 48jbe-VL ing soV disposed as to-register withtheopenfings 42 in the'flanges87iwhennthe bottomv the body is set in thecover, thereby permitting of the insertion of theY fastening rods.

When said rods are thus Yapplied it willfbe i 'Y seen that they will hold the ends in QDP" right position. In collapsing or folding the Y crate, the'ends are folded down upon the bosom, nio poration io thon foiao'a in @aber direction iipon one ofthe ends,the twoisidesf' are then, folded inwardly, theV one having the narrow stationary strip being belowrthe in position upon'rthe folded parts andose@ cured by the tie rods, as shownin'Figgf ilVhen'the crate is Vfolded it occupiesbutrlit- Y tle space so that` itV may be convenientlystored `away or transported. Y j Y' It will be understood that my improved crate may be used for shipping merchandise ofvarious kinds but it is especially adapted Y for use an egg crate and when used as such suitable filler sectionsV are arranged'in it to separate the eggs. Thesefillersections?fjV are collapsible andcan be placed in `the 'crate when thelatter is collapsed'orfolded.'vk Y Freinv the foregoing description takenfin Y 100 s set in it andsecured therein by said Ytie rodsi Y A other andthe top of the crate is then'placedl n f connection with the accompanying drawings it is thought that the construction, operation and advantages of the invention will be readily understood without a" more extended explanation.

Having thus described I claim is:

l. A folding crate comprising a body having a bottom, two sides, each composed of a stationary part rising from one edge of the bottoni and formed with openings adjacent its ends and a swinging part hinged to the stationary part, end strips rising from the end edges of the bottom and rigidly uniting the stationary parts of the sides, folding end members hinged to the bottoni within the end strips, and adapted to be braced by the latter, said folding end members being formed adjacent to their upper edges with openings extending transversely therethrough, a cover having a surrounding flange, the side portions of the flange being formed with openings to register with the transverse openings in the` swinging end members when the crate is set up and to register with the openings in the stationary parts of the sides when the crate is folded, removable tie rods arranged in said registering openings to hold the cover upon the crate in either its set up or folded position, and means for securing said tie rods in position.

2. A folding crate comprising a body having a bottom, two sides each composed of a stationary part rising from one edge of the bottom and a swinging part hinged to the stationary part, end strips rising from the end edges of the bottom and rigidly uniting the stationary parts of the sides, folding end members hinged to the bottom within the end strips and adapted to be braced by the latter, a downwardly folding partition hinged to the bottom of the body, catches upon the partition to engage the sides of the body, a flanged cover, removable tie rods for holding the cover upon the body, said tie rods being passed transversely and horizontally through alined openings in the lange of the cover, the swinging parts of the sides, and said end members, and means for securing said tie rods in position.

3. In a folding crate, the combination of a body having a bottom, inwardly folding ends and sides carried by the bottom, a flanged cover, removable tie rods for holding the cover on the body, said tie rods being passed through alined openings in the flanges of the cover, said sides and said ends, hand loops pivoted upon the ends of said tie rods and adapted to enter recesses in the flanges of the cover, and spring catches upon the flanges of the cover to engage said hand loops and retain them in said recesses.

t. In a folding crate, the combination of a body having a bottoni, inwardly folding my invention what ends and `sides carried by the bottom, a flanged cover, removable tie rods for holding the cover upon the body, said tie rods being passed through alined openings in the flanges of the cover, said sides and said ends and having hand pieces, and catches upon the flanges of the cover to engage the hand pieces of the tie rods and retain them in position.

ln a folding crate, the combination of a body, foldable sides and ends, a detacliably pivoted Ypartition in the body, a stationary pivot at one side of said partition, a ietractable pivot at the other side of said partition and a pivoted catch for holding said retractable pivot in projected position.

6. ln a folding crate, the combination of a body, foldable sides and ends, a detachably pivoted partition in the body, a stationary pivot at one side of said partit-ion, a retractable pivot at the other side of said partition, and a pivoted catch for holding said retractable pivot in its` projected position.

7. In a folding crate, the combination of a bodyv having a bottoni, foldable ends and sides carried by the bottoni, each of said sides having stationary parts rising from the side edges of the bottoni and swinging paits hinged to the stationary parts, a detachably pivoted partition, a stationary pivot at one of the lower corners of the partition to engage a bearing upon the stationary part of one side, a retractable pivot at the other lower corner of the partition to engage a bearing upon the stationary part of the other side, a pivoted catch for holding said retractable pivot in projected position, means for attaching the upper portion of the partition to the swinging parts of the sides and means for holding said sides and ends in open position.

8. in a folding crate, the combination of a body having a bottoni, foldable ends and sides carried by the bottom, each of said sides having stationary parts rising from 'the side edges of the bottom and swinging parts 'hinged to the stationary parts, bearing plates upon the stationary parts of the sides, a stationary pivot at one of the lower corners of the partition to engage one of said bearing plates, a retractable pivot at the other lower corner of the partition and adapted to engage the other bearing plate, said retractable pivot being slidably androtatably mounted and having an ope/'ating arm, the latter being adapted to engage a recess in the partition when the pivot is projected, a catch for holding said arm in said recess, means for attaching the upper portion of the partition to the swinging parts of the sides, and means for holding the sides and ends in open position.

9. In a folding crate, the combination of a body, a detacliably pivoted partition arranged within the same, a stationary pivot at one corner of the partition to engage a bearing upon one side of the body, a retractable pivot slidably mounted at the op posite corner of the partition to engage a bearing upon the other side of the body and a pivoted catch for holding said retractable pivot projected.

l0. In a folding crate, the combination of a body having a side, a partition in the body, said partition having in its edge a transverse recess and in its opposite sides longitudinal recesses .communicating with the transverse recess and forming between them a reduced portion or tongue, and a U-shaped catch pivoted at its closed end in the transverse recessA of the partition and adapted to receive said tongue, the arms of said catch being' adapt ed to enter said longitudinal recesses .and 'having their ends bent to form hooks to take over the side of the body.

11. In a folding crate, the combination of a body having a side, a partition in the body, said partition having in its edge a transverse recess and in its opposite sides longitudinal recesses communicating with the transverse recess and forming between them a reduced portion or tongue, a U-shaped catch having its parallelV arms bent to provide hooks dto take over the side of the body, a staple'pivoting the closed portion of thek catch in the transverse recess in the partition, said parallel arms of the catch being adapted to enter said longitudinal recesses whereby the tongue extends into the catch and serves as a guide for the same when in its operative position and engaged with the side `of the body, and a pin upon the partition` to enter between the arms of the catch when the lat- Y ter is swung over to an inoperative upon the edge of the partition.

In testimony whereof I hereunto alliX my signature in the presence of twor witnesses.

RALPH HOWARD GQDDARD. Witnesses:

D. F. VJLsoN, F. HALLIWELL.

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