US1931397A - Collapsible shipping container - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 17, 1933. H. L. sMrrH CQLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING CONTAINER Filed May 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Shem Howard -zW iicompact bundle for return shipping, thereby en- Patented Oct. 17, 1933.

ITED STATES,

PATENT- OFFICE This invention relates to a collapsible shipping container and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an article of such class which may be folded in a couraging the reuse of shipping containers and consequently tending to conserve timber.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container of the character aforesaid which may be made in a variety of shapesas occasion may require for such uses as poultry coops, egg crates, fruit crates, hogsheads and the like, and which includes an even number of side wall sections locked together-and further locked as a unit to a the invention consists of the novel construction,

combination and arrangement of parts as herein after more particularly described, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, .but it is to becunderstood that the drawings and'the description are to be considered as illustrative rather than limitative.

In the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views: 7

Figure 1 is a perspective of a container cordance with this'invention. Figure 2lis a bottom plan thereof. a a

in acsubstantially ,on

Figure 1. t v V a Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line indicated at 4-4 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken substantiall on the line indicated at 55 in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a bottom plan of the top section.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the line indicated at 7-7 in Figure1.-

Figure, 8 is a fragmentary perspective ofa side wall section. r 1

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective of another 7 side wall section shown in Figure 9.

' Figure 12 is a plan of the containershowing the Figure 3'is a vertical section therethrough taken:

the line 'indicated at -3-3 'of- 1 relation to the upper edge thereof, the part 10 parts thereof in knockdown relation for return shipping. 7 v

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein by way of example is shown a container of rectangular construction, the numeral 1 indicates acpair-of side wall sections which are alternately arranged and locked with respect to another pair La a of side wall sections 2, the sections 1 and'2 being looked as a unit with p ct to a top section 3 and a bottom section 4. w

construction, formed of wood or-metal and provided on its lower face and adjacent its ends with a pair of transversely extending reinforcing strips 5'. Midway between the ends thereof, the section 4 is provided on its lower face with a similar reinforcing strip 6. .In spacedrelation to each end'of each, of the strips 5, and 6 is an opening 1 '7 which extends therethrough and intothejbottom section 4. l

' Each of the side, wall sections 1 as shown is in the form of a rectangle, formed, of wood or metal, and provided adjacent the ends with an upright reinforcing member, post or corner piece 8 consisting of a pair of angularly disposed parts 9, and'lO. gThe lowerends of the parts 9 and 10 arebent inwardly in overlapping relation asindicated at 11 for supporting the bottom section 4 at the corners of the latter.. The part 9 is rigidly connected with the section 1 in a manner to space the part-lofrom the'endface ofthe section 1. The parts 9 and 10 are arranged with their upper edges flush with the upper edge of l the section 1, the part 9 being provided with an ear 12 extending across the upper-face of the sectionland rigidly secured thereto. In spaced is formed with a slot 13. In spacedv relation to the top and bottom of the memebr 8, the latter is formed at'the'line of joinder ofthe parts 9 and 10 with a pair of lugs 14 which are pressed i the parts 9 and 10 are formed with openings 15 7 The bottom section 4 as shown is of rectangular which: are adapted to be brought into registry with the openings 7 in the reinforcing strips 5 of the bottom section 4. .Midway between the ends of each side wall section 1 is an upright reinforcing strip 16 which is rigidly secured to the outer face of the section. The strip 16 hasits upper end 17 projected above the upper edge of the section and is provided in its projecting portion.

with a transverse opening 18. The lower end of 1 4 the strip 16 isbent inwardly as indicated at l9 and is formed with an opening 20 which is adapted to be brought into registry with one of the openings '7 in the strip 6 of the bottom section 4.

Each of the side wall sections 2 as shown is arranged in spaced relation to the lower edgeof At the ends thereof, the strips ,22 which the section. are formed with depending tongues 2 project downwardly into the recesses 21 in spaced relation to the side walls of the latter. The top section 3 includes a pair of comple mentary parts 24 which are of rectangular construction as shown, and preferably formed of wood. The parts 24 are providedon'thei'r lower faces with hinges 25 connecting them together, and are provided on their upper faces with a'reinforcing strip 26 which is rigidly secured to one of the parts 24 and which extends across the hinge line between the parts 24. vThe end portions 27 of the strips 26 project beyond the sides of the sections 3 and are provided with slots 28 for the reception therethrough of the end portions 1'7- of the strips 16 when the container is assembled. Extending transversely across the lower face of each part 24, adjacent the outer edge of the latter; is a reinforcing strip 29 which is provided with a. pair of longitudinally extend- The tongues 30 of the strips 29 10 of the upright members 8. I

When the parts of the container are assembled, the bottom section 4 is supported by the lower end portions 11 of the upright members 8 and by the lower end portions 19 of the strips 16. The portions 19 of the strips 16 are secured with respect to the strip 6 by'means of suitablestuds 31- extending through the aligned openings 20 and '7 in the portions 19 and strip 6 respectively.

In large containers, similar studs preferably will be inserted through the aligned openings 15 and 17 in the portions 11 and strips 5' respectively,

although these latter studs may be omitted if desired. The side wall sections 2 are locked with respect to the sections l-by the extension of the tongues 23 through the lugs 14 pressed from the uprights 8. The top section 3 is locked with respect to the side wall sections 1 by the insertion of the tongues 30 through the slots 13, and by the insertion of the end portions 17 of the strips 16 through the slots 28 in the strip 26. Suitable,

keepers, such as 32, may be extended through the openings 18 to prevent displacement of the strip 26 with respect to the strips 16. The end portions'of the top section 3 extend across the upper edges of the side wall sections 2 to prevent removal of the tongues 23iwith respect to. thelugs 14.

It will be seen from reference to Figure 12 that the upright members 8 may be disposed with'su'ch members of one of the sections 1 in abutting relation with respect to such -members of the other section '1' for embracing the sections 2, 3 and 4 when the container is knocked down for .be understood that the container may; be of any other shape wherein the side walls'of the container are divisible by two, such as a hexagon or octagon. Likewise the container may be of circular constructionby forming the side walls of the container of an even number of segments.

What I claim is:

1. A shipping container comprising, a first set of side wall sections, angular upright posts at the side edges of and of greater height than said wall sections, a second set of side wall sections alternately arranged with respect to the wall sections of the first named set, means for latching the side edges of. said second set to said posts, a bottom section, projections on the wall sections of said first set for supporting the bottom section, a top section, and spaced means extended from each end of said top section and through said posts for detachably latching the former to the latter.

2. A shipping container comprising, a first set of side wall sections, angular upright posts at the side edges of said sections,v said posts being formed with slots, a second set of side wall sections alternately arranged with respect to the wall section of the first named set, means for latching the side edges of the wall sections of said second set to said posts, a bottom section, upright strips on the wall sections of said first set, projections of said strips for supporting the bottom section, acentrally hinged top section, tongues projecting from the peripheral face of thetop section on opposite sides of the hinge therefor and extending through said slots in said posts, a rigid strip extending'across the hinge line of the top section, and means for securing said rigid strip to said upright strips.

3. A knockdown shipping container comprising, a first set of side wall sections, angle-shaped corner pieces, each having one of its flanges secured to and extending laterally from an end of'a wall section'ofsaid set, a bottom supported of wall sections together, said corner pieces being of greater height than said wall sections, a top for seating upon a wall section of each of said sets, and means extended from each end of said top and-throughoneof the flanges of each of said corner pieces for latchingthe latter to said top.

4. A, knockdown shipping container comprising a first set of side wall sections, angle-shaped corner pieces, each having one of its flanges secured to and extending laterally from an end of a' 'wall section-of said set, a bottom supported by said corner pieces, a second set of side Wall sections, said corner pieces and wall sections of the second set having coacting means for releasably "connecting the wall sections of the two sets of wall sections together, a top, said corner pieces and top having coacting means for releasably' connecting thetop to the wall sections of the two sets of wall sections, a bracing means encompassing the wall sections of the first mentioned set, the'said bottom and top, and means for detachably connecting that part'of thebracing-mea'ns for'said top tothe parts of the bracing means for the wallsections of the first mentioned set.

5. Aknockdown shipping container comprising,

a first set of side wall sections, angle-shaped corner pieces,each having one of its flanges secured to and extending laterally from an end of a wall section of said'set, a bottom supported" by said corner pieces, a second set of side wall sections, said corner pieces and .wall sections of the second set having coacting means for releasably connecting the wall sections of thetwo sets of wall sections together, a top, said comer pieces and top having coacting means for releasably connecting the top to the wall sections of the two sets of wall sections, a bracing means encompassing the wall sections of the first mentioned set, the said bottom and top, means for detachably connecting that part of the bracing means ior said top to the parts of the bracing means for the wall sections of the first mentioned set, and said top formed of apair of hinged sections shiftable inwardly upon the pivot of the hinged means therefor that portion of the bracing means for the top arresting the outward shifting of the sections of the top,

6. A knockdown shipping container comprising, a'flrst set of side wall sections, angle-shaped corner pieces, each having one of its flanges secured to and extending laterally from an end of a wall section of said set, a bottom supported by said corner pieces, a second set of side wall 1 sections, said corner pieces and wall sections of the second set having coacting superposed means for releasably connecting the wall sections of the two sets of wall sections together, said corner pieces being of greater height than said wall sections, a top, and spaced means extended from ing a first set of side wall sections, a second set of side wall sections, corner pieces formed of a pair of flanges disposed at right angles to each other, said corner pieces having inwardly extending portions to provide supports, a bottom mounted upon said supports, said corner pieces secured to the ends of the wall sections of the first mentioned set and extended laterally from such ends, said corner pieces having inwardly extending coupling means at the points of joinder of the flanges thereof, the wall sections of said second set of wall sections having means coacting with said coupling means for releasably connecting the wall sections of said two sets of wall sections together, and corner pieces being of greater height than said wall sections, the wall sections of the second set being of less height than the wall sections of the first set, a top arranged between the wall sections of the flrst set and over the wall sections of the second set, and means carried at each end of said top and extending between the latter and the wall sections of the second set and through the corner pieces for releasably connecting the top of the wall sections of the said sets.

8. In a knockdown shipping container, two opposed pair of angle-shaped corner pieces, each corner piece being formed of a pair of flanges disposed at right angles to each other,

opposed side wall sections, each side wall section being secured to one of the flanges of a pair of flanges of a corner piece of each pair of corner pieces, the flanges secured to said wall sections extending laterally from the ends of the secured flanges, opposing said non-secured flanges and having means coacting with said coupling means for releasably connectingrthe first mentioned opposed side wall sections together, a top, andmeans secured to the top, extending from each end, of the latter and throughthe non-secured flanges of the corner pieces for detachably connecting the top with the several wall sections. I y

9. In a knockdown shipping container, two opposed pair of angle-shaped corner pieces, each corner piece being formed of a pair-of flanges disposed at right angles to each other, opposed side wall sections, each side wall section being secured to one of the flanges of a pair. of flanges of a corner piece of each pair of i corner pieces,

the flanges secured tosaid wall sections extending laterally from the ends of the latter, said .fianges having inherent portions thereof extending inwardly to provide coupling means, a bottom supported by said corner pieces, opposed side wall sections positioned between said secured flanges, opposing said non-secured flanges and having means coacting withsaid coupling means for re-- leasably connecting-the first mentioned opposed side wall sections together, atop, -means secured to the top, extending from each end of the latter and through the non-secured flanges for detachably connecting the top with the several wall sections, an exteriorly arranged sectional bracing means for the container when set up, and means for releasably connecting the sections of the bracing means together.

10. In a knockdown shipping container, angleshaped corner pieces having inwardly extending portions to provide supports, a bottom for mounting on said supports, a first set of side wall sections for positioning on said supports to abut opposed edges of said bottom, a second set of side wall sections for positioning on said supports to abut opposed edges of said bottom, said corner pieces being secured to the ends of the wall sections of the first named set of side wall sections, extending laterally from said ends and for opposing the wall sections of the second named set of side wall sections, a top for positioning between the wall sections of thefirst named set of 120 side wall sections and for seating upon the wall sections of the second named set of side wall sections, said corner pieces and wall sections of the second named set of side wall sections having coacting means for detachably connecting the side wall sections of said first and second named sets of side wall sections together, and means secured to thetop, extending from each end'of the latter and through the corner pieces for detachably connecting the top with the said several wall sections.

11. In a knockdown shipping, container, angleshaped corner pieces having inwardly extending portions to provide supports, a bottom for mounting on said supports, a first set of side wall sections for positioning on said supports to abut opposed edges of said bottom, a second set of side wall sections for positioning on said supports to abut opposed edges of said bottom, said corner pieces being secured to the ends of the wall sections of the first named set of side wall sections, extending laterally from said ends and for opposing the wall sections of the second named set of sidewall sections, a top for positioning between the wall sections of the first named set of side wall sections and for seating upon the wall sections of the second named set of side wall sections, said corner pieces and wall sections of the second named set of said wall sections having coacting means for detachably connecting together the side wall sections of the first and second named sets'of side Wall sections, said corner pieces and top having coacting means for detachably connecting. said top with the side wall sections of said first andsecond namedsets of side wall sections together, exteriorly arranged bracing means for the side wallsectionsoi' the first named set of side wall sections and said bottom, exteriorly arranged bracing means for said top, andmeans for detachably connecting the bracing. means for the side wall sections of the first named set of side wall sections to the bracof said second set, a top section, a bottom section,; and means extending from each end of said top section at two spaced points with'respect to each end of said. top section and coacting with said corner pieces for releasably locking the wall sectionsv of each of said sets of wall sections to said top and bottom sections. t,

13. A shipping container comprising, a first set of side wall sections, angle shaped corner pieces extending from the wall sections of said set. and providedrwith inwardly disposed lugs, a second set of side ,wall sections, the side wall sections ofsaid second set being alternately arranged with respect to the side wall sections of said first set, tongues carried by the'side wall sections of .said second set and extending through said lugsfor detachably connecting the side wall sections of said first set to the sidewall sections of said. second set, a top section, a bottom section,.means extending from each end of saidtop section at two spaced points withrespectpto each end'of said top section and coacting with said corner. pieces for releasably locking the wall sections of eachof said sets of wall section to said topand bottom sections, and means for locking said'top section to said bottom section. I

V 1 1 v HOWARD L. SMITH.

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