US1822585A - Collapsible box - Google Patents

Description

Sept 8, 1931.k P. s. DOUGLAS ET AL 1,822,585

COLLAPS IBLE BOX Filed May 5l, 1928 Ff'uRE 1 Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PETER S. DOUGLAS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, AND JAMES FILSHILL, 0F CUPERTINO,

' CALIFORNIA COLLAPSIBLE BOX Application led May 31,

It is one object of the present invention to provide a box that may be quickly and easily collapsed into a small and compact package for storage or transportation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a box of the character indicated that may be collapsed into a substantially solid rectangular package without objectionable projecting parts. y

It is still another object of the invention to provide a box of the character indicated in which there are no loose parts that may become separated from the other members of the box.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a box of the character indicated that will be economical to manufacture, simple in form and construction, solid and substantial when assembled, strong, durable` and highly efficient in its practical application.

Insthe drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a box elnbodying our invention, parts brokenawayand partly in section.

Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of a portion of a box embodying our invention in a partially collapsed condition.

Y Figure 3 is a side elevation of the box when in a completely collapsed condition.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, we show at 1-1 the two sides of the box, each side being the full length of the complete box, andA being equal to the height of the box less the thieknessrof the cover.

Since the two halves of the box when di- A hereinafter referred to extend to this median y plane when the box is expanded.

At 2 is a top member equal in length to the side 1 and positioned on the top of the side member with one of its longer edges lying flush with the outer surface of the said side,

and secured to the side by. means of hinges:

1928. Serial No. 281,749.

as 3 having their pivot pins at the upper edge of the top as shown. This method of mount-` .ing permits the top to be 'swung from its normal horizontal position to a vertical position against the'outer side of the side l upon which it is mounted. i The bottom member 4 is positioned with one of its longer edges abutting the inner surface of the side element 1 with its lower face lying flush with the lower edge' of the said side, and is mounted on the said side by means of hinges lpositioned with their pivot pins in the angle between the said bottom and side as shown. By means of this construction the bottom member may be folded upflat against the innelnsurface of the side upon which it is mounted. Since the end members are to be placed within the length of the side element it is necessary that the bottom member be made shorter. than the side 1 at both ends.

At each end of the side 1 is an end member each end member being equal in height to the side 1 and normallypositioned with one edge abutting the inner surface of the side upon which it is mounted and with its outer surface lying flush with the adjacent end of side 1. Each end member 6 i's mounted upon the side'element by means of hinges as 7 the pivot pins of the hinges 7 being spaced a distance from the side 1 substantially equal to the thickness of the bottom members 4. By means of this construction whens the bottom member 4 is folded up against the side 1 the end member 6 may be folded inwardly and flat against the folded bottom member. Each end member 6 is connected to the opposing edge of the adjacent end member 6a by a hinge 8 folding inwardly and provided at their lower ends with inwardly directed plates 9 adapted to receive and support the inner edges of the bottom members 4-4a when the box is extended. A

When the box is assembled as described and extended asshown in Figure 1 each pair snugly between the ends so that when in this position the ends are effectually locked n an extended position. When the top is closed the two parts 2-2a rest upon the uppen edges ofV the side and end members and meet along the center of the box to" completely close the same.

To collapse the box it is only necessary to swing the top members 2-2a into parallel relation with the side upon which it is mounted and in Contact with its outer surface, and then fold the bottom members Ll-Aa up against the inner sides of the sides 11a,. The end members 6 6@ may now be collapsed inwardly on their connecting hinges 8 and mountings 7-7a. This being accomplished the side, top,'bottom an-d end members all lie in parallel relation to each other to form a solid package without objectionable projections of any kind and to form as compact a package as the dimensions of the y material used will permit.

It is to be understood, of course, that while We have herein shown and described but one specific embodiment of the invention, changes in form, construction, and method of assembly and operation may be made within the'- scope of the appended claim.

Ve claim:

.-A box comprising two symmetrical complementary portions, each portion consisting of a side supporting member, a top member pivotally mounted thereonto fold into parallel relation therewith against its outer side,

a bottom member hinged to said supporting member at the inner plane of said supporting member to fold so as to lie against said inner plane, an end member hingedlymounted on each end of said side supporting member a sufficient distance from said inner plane of said side member to space said end member from said side member when folded inwardly to form a pocket for said bottom member and an inwardly foldable hinge connecting le abutting edges of each pair of end mem- JAMES FILSHILL. PETER S.y DOUGLAS,

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