US579805A - Collapsible crate - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

W. H.PLATT, J1.

GOLLAPSIBLE CRATE. No. 579,805. Patented Mar. 30, 1897.

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VILLIAM H. PLATT, JR., OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 579,805, dated March 30, 1 89'7. Application filed May 29, 1896. Serial No. 593,659. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM H. PLATT, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding or Collapsible Crates, of which the following is a speciication.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in folding or collapsible crates, and has for its object to provide a device of this description which may be folded into a small compass for convenience in shipping, and when desired for use may be quickly adj usted, so as to be as firm and serviceable as a crate of ordinary construction.

A further object of my invention is to reduce the cost of such crates, so that they may come into general use, thus displacing the ordinary crates, which after reaching their destination and being emptied become an obstruction.

With these ends in View my invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, and then specifically designated by the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction and operation in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciicatiomin which- Figure l is a central longitudinal section of a crate made in accordance with my improvement, illustrating its appearance when adjusted for use; Fig. 2, a cross-section of the same; Fig. 3, a cross-section of the several parts of the crate when folded into position for transportation, and Fig. 4 a perspective of the crate when ready for shipment.

In carrying out my invention I hinge the bottom A and two sides B and O together by the hinges D and E, so that the lower edge of the side B will swing over the upper surface of the bottom A and the lower edge of the side O will swing back upon said surface, as clearly shown inl Fig. 2. `The ends F are hinged at G to the side O, so that when swung in the position shown in Fig. l they may be secured to the side B by the hasps H, which are adapted to engage the staples I, so that by the passage of a Cotter-pin .I through each of the staples the hasp will be prevented froml disengagement from said staples, thereby holding the ends in their proper relation to the remainder of the crate. When the bottom, sides, and ends have been thus secured, the top L, which is hinged at K to the side B, may be swung into position, so as to close the crate and there secured by the hasp M in conjunction with the staple N, through which the hasp of a padlock O may pass. The edge of the top next the hinges K is beveled, and a corresponding bevel formed upon the upper edge of the side B permit-s the top to swing open without obstruction, as will be readily understood.

From this description it will be seen that a crate built in accordance. with my improvement may be collapsed by the withdrawal of the cotter-pins and the disengagement of the hasps I-I from their staples, when the top, two sides, and bottom may be folded into the position shown in Fig. 3, the ends F folding backward onto the side C, and when this has been accomplished it is obvious that the crate may be secured against displacement by the passing of a cord therearound or otherwise, and when so folded the crate may be shipped to any distance without the liability of injury, and, as is well understood, this is of great advantage in devices of this description, in that after goods have been shipped in such a crate and the latter has been emptied it may be again returned to the placeof shipment for reuse, thus obviating the necessity of supplying a new crate after their shipment of goods.

When the crate is to be used for eggs or similar articles requiring the division ythereof into compartments, this I accomplish by providing a partition P, which may be itted into suitable grooves formed in the sides of the crate, so that when the crate is collapsed these partitions may be removed and placed upon the side O in the space intervening between the two ends F, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

One of the principal advantages of my improvement is that when adjusted for use it will be as rigid as though made in the ordinary way, and yet the cost to produce such a crate is but little in excess of that now required to produce the ordinary crate.

Slight modifications might be made in the Construction here shown without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not Wish to be limited to the exact design described.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is- 'lhe collapsible crate consisting of the bottom, the sides and the top all hinged together and the transverse partition with its ends set into said sides the hinges eonneetin g said top and one side and the hinges connecting said bottom and the opposite side being on the inside and arranged at diagonally opposite points and the hinges connecting the aforesaid side and bottom being on the outside and diagonally opposite the hasp or entrance to the Crate7 substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto ai"- 'fixed my signature in the presence of two subseribing witnesses.

7WILLIAM 1I. ILA'V, JR. Ti tnesses:

S. S. WILLIAMSON, U. G. J'oNEs.

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