US827877A - Shipping-crate. - Google Patents

Description

No. 827,877. PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906.

B. s. MoGAIN. SHIPPING CRATE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG-7. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1H: NORRIS FITI'RS ca, \ulnmamn, a. c.

PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906.

. B. S. MOG AIN' SHIPPING CRATE. APPLIUATIOIIILED D110. 7. 1905.

2 SHE,ETSSHEET 2.

awe-A801? I 4M7, fltmvnqk THE NORRIS PETERS CO" IASH'INGTDI, A 3

l STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

BILLY s. MoGAIN, or MONROE CITY, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF "ro J. w. JONES, or MONROE cIrY, INDIANA.

SHIPPING-CRATE.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. '7, 1906.

Application filed December 7, 1905. Serial NO: 290.788-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BILLY S. MCCAIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Monroe City, in the county of Knox and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shipping Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved shipping-crate of that type which are adapted to be knocked down or collapsed when not in use.

The object of the invention is to provide a crate of this character which will occupy a minimum amount of space when folded, which can be easily and quickly set up, and which will be so rigid as to eliminate all possibility of accidentally collapsing when in use.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the crate in an open position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken through the crate when open. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, the crate being folded. Fig. 4

.is a similar view through one of the ends when the crate is unfolded. Fig. 5 is a similar view through the intermediate partition, and Fig. 6 is an inside elevation of one of the sides.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followin description and indicated in all the views 0 the drawings by the same reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates the bottom of the crate, which is provided at its ends with notches 2, and 3 the ends of the crate, which are hinged to the bottom 1. For this purpose strap-hinges 4 are provided, the upper portions of which serve as a reinforcing means for the end portions 3, while the lower portion of the hinges fit in the notches 2 and are be t a ou a ecured to he bot om 1.. T e sides of e c a e are ea formed i two sections, the lower section being rigidly se= cured to the bottom 1, while the upper section is connected to the lower sections by means of strap-hinges 5. The upper part of the strap-hinges extend along the sides and serve as a reinforcing agent, while the lower end is bent around and secured to the ment with each other.

bottom of the crate. The'lower portion 6 of one of the sides is of a suitable height to permit the upper section 7 to fold over upon the ends 3, while the lower section 9 of the opposite side is of such a height as to permit the upper section 9 to fold over upon the upper section 7 of the opposite side. Anglepieces 10 are secured to the opposite ends of each of the upper sections 7 and 9 of the sides. One of the sides of the angle-pieces 10 serves as a stop-flange 11 to engage with the ends 3 when the latter are open, while the opposite sides of the angle-pieces 10 are provided with notches 12. Headed pins or studs 13 project from the ends of the members 3 and are so arranged that the shanks thereof will enter the notches 12. tions of the sides below the notches 12 are recessed at 14 for the reception of the heads of the studs 13. Since the heads of the studs 13 will not pull through the notches 12, it will be apparent that the sides and ends of the crate will thus be held in a close engage- It will be observed that the mouths of the notches 12 are flared outwardly, and thus serve to guide the stud 13 into the throat or contracted portion.

In order to hold the ends 13 securely against the stop-flanges 11 when the crate is distended, spring-catches 15 are provided. These catches 15 are preferably formed from a single strip of spring metal, one end of which is secured to the side of the crate, while the opposite end is bent inwardly to form a shoulder which fits against the ends 3. It will thus be apparent that when the ends 3 are folded outwardly the catches 15 will permit them to swing into engagement with the stop-flanges 11 and will hold them in the latter position until the spring-catches are pressed inward by some external force. Transverse strips of metal 16 are secured at corresponding points to the upper sections 7 and 901? the sides of" the crate and are provided with angular notches 17. The upper portion of the notches 17 is approximately horizontal and flares outwardly to form a mouth, while the lower portion of the notches is approximately vertical and is contracted to form a throat. A partition 18 is provided at its ends with headed studs 19, similar to the studs 13 and which are adapted to fit into the notches 17 when the partition is in position. For this purpose the portion of the The porsides under the notches 17 are recessed to receive the heads of the studs 19. The cover to the crate comprises a light piece of wood 20, which fits over the top thereof. A strip of flexible material, such as sheet metal, is secured to the edges of the wooden cover 20 and forms a flange 21, which fits around the top of the crate.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the crate is distended the side pieces and ends will be held rigidly in engagement with each other. The studs 13 and notches 12 will operate with each other to prevent the sides from swinging outwardly or away from the ends 3, and the stop-flanges 11 and the spring-catches 15 will cooperate to prevent the ends 3 from swinging out of position. When the crate is folded, the various members will fit closely against each other, owing to the special formation of the sides, and will occupy a very small amount of space. Attention may also be directed to the fact that the portions of the strap- hinges 4 and 5 which are secured to the bottom 1 will hold the latter member rigidly in position and prevent any danger of its sagging or dropping out of position should the crate be filled with heavy material. It will thus be understood that all the various parts of the crate cooperate with each other to secure a very rigid construction and one which will Withstand any hard usage to which it may be subjected.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a bottom, ends hinged to the bottom and adapted to be folded thereagainst, a pair of oppositely-disposed sides adapted to fold inwardly, an angle-piece secured to each end of each of the sides, one of the flanges of each of the angle-pieces fitting against the inner face of the side and being provided with notches, the portions of the side under the-notches being recessed, While the opposite flange projects inwardly and forms a stop for the ends, headed studs projecting from the ends and adapted to enter the before-mentioned notches to hold the ends and sides together when the crate is distended, and spring-catches for holding the ends against the stop-flanges when the crate is distended. 4

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a bottom, ends hinged to the bottom and adapted to be folded thereagainst, a pair of oppositely-disposed sides adapted to fold inwardly an angle-piece secured to each end of each of the sides, one of the flanges of each of the angle-pieces fitting against the inner face of the side and being provided With notches, while the opposite flange pro'ects inwardly and forms a stop for the ends, eaded studs projecting from the ends and adapted to enter the before-mentioned notches to hold the ends and sides together when the crate is distended, means for holding the endssecurely against the stopflanges, transverse strips secured at corresponding points to the opposite sides of the crate, the said strips being provided with angular notches, one portion of each of the notches extending longitudinally along the strip, while the opposite portion has a lateral direction and forms a mouth leading into the longitudinal portions, and an intermediate partition provided at its ends with headed studs which cooperate with the angular notches in the before-mentioned strips to hold the intermediate partition removably in position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

BILLY S. MCCAIN. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

J. W. JoNEs, H. E. JoNEs.

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