US602627A - Collapsible egg-crate - Google Patents

Description

UNTTED STATES PATENT lrrrcn.

MILLARD FILMORE PETERFISI-I, OF STAUNTON, VIRGINIA.

COLLAPSIBLE EGG-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 602,627, dated April 19, 1898.

Application filed June 2, 1897. serial No. 639,146. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MILLARD FILMoRE PE- TERFISH, residing at Staunton, in the county of Augusta and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvementin C01- lapsible Egg-Crates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to certain improvements in boxes, and more particularly to that class known as collapsible boxes.

An object of the invention is to provide a collapsible box so constructed that the several parts comprising the same can be easily folded together into a small compass.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible box, the parts thereof being so arranged that they are adapted to fold one upon another and be secured together by suitable fastening means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible box or crate having a partition or partitions to fold with the other portion of the box, so that provision is made for a number of compartments without in any way interfering with the folding of the box when the same is not in use and it is desired to store it away.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and in combinations and arrangements of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter described, and specifically set forth in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved box in operative position. Fig. 2 is a perspective sectional view on the lines 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. a is a transverse sectional view of the several parts of the box folded, also showing the fastening means. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the box folded, the fastening means being re moved; and Fig. 6 is a general View illustrating the several parts of the fastening device separated.

Like letters of reference will indicate the same parts wherever they occur throughout the different views.

In the practical embodiment of my invention I have shown a box or crate formed of any desirable material, preferably of light wood, with metallic ends and central partition, the same comprising the bottom A, sides B 0, ends D, and the lid or cover E. Side 0 is hinged to the under side of bottom A by hinges N, so as to swing outwardly and rest upon said bottom when the crate is folded,

while the ends D and side 13 are hinged to the upper side of the bottom by hinges G and F,respectively,and adapted to swinginwardly in folding the crate. Top E is hinged to the upper edge of side 13 by hinges J and is adapted to swing backwardly and rest thereon, as shown in Fig. 1.

Ends D carry hooks at their edges adjacent their upper ends to engage staples I, carried by the sides B and O at their upper edges and adjacent their respective ends, so that the ends are secured to the sides, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The end pieces are hinged to the bottom A a short distance inward from the edge thereof, and secured to the side pieces at their ends are the strips K, against which the ends are adapted to abut, so that outward movement.

of the same is prevented.

Hooks are carried by the side 0, adjacent its upper edge, to secure the cover in position upon the crate, said hooks being clearly illustrated in Fig. 1.

L is a central partition hinged to the side I B by hinges M, a strip or cleat being secured to side 0, against which the partition is adapted to abut at its opposite edge. This partition L folds upon the inner face of side B when the crate is folded, and hinges F are so formed that when the side B is folded inward a sufficient space is left between the meeting faces of the hinged members to equal the thickness of the end piece D and the partition L, so that said side and ends may be folded into the same plane, the end pieces and central partition being of very thin material. This construction is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4.

\Vhen it is desired to fold the crate, the hooks connecting the sides and end pieces are unfastened, the side 0 is folded outwardly and downwardly until it rests against the under side of bottom A, the ends D are folded inward upon the upper surface of bottom A, the partition L folded against the inner face of side B, and said side folded downward to rest upon the end pieces D, the top E being folded backward upon the outer surface of side B. In this position the passages P in the sides and top are brought in line to receive the bolt Q, having the washer R and the thumb-nut S, so that the parts are securely clamped together, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Any desired number of partitions L may be provided, and should it not be desired to use the same it may be swung around against the side B, as above described, and secured thereto in any desired manner.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an exceedingly cheap and simple construction of collapsible box that is adapted to carry any kind of merchandise or other goods, the same being especially adapted as an egg-crate.

By making the end pieces and central partition of metal they are rendered strong and neat and may be reduced in thickness, so that they can be folded, as described.

Various slight changes might be made in the forms and constructions and arrangements of the parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A collapsible box comprising the bottom, sides and end pieces, one of the side pieces being hinged at its lower edge to the bottom and adapted to swing outwardly, the opposite side piece hinged to the opposite edge of the bottom and adapted to swing inwardly, the end pieces hinged to the bottom at its respective ends and adapted to swing inwardly, a lid hinged to the upper edge of the inwardlyswinging side and adapted to swing outwardly to rest upon the outer surface of said side, and securingmeans for uniting the ends and sides, substantially as set forth.

2. A collapsible box comprising the bottom, sides and end pieces, one of said sides being hinged to the bottom and adapted to swing outwardly, the opposite side piece hinged to the opposite edge of the bottom and adapted to swing inwardly, the lid hinged to the upper edge of the last-mentioned side piece and adapted to swing outwardly and rest upon the outer surface thereof, the end pieces hinged to the bottom and adapted to swing inwardly, a partition hinged to the inwardly-swinging side and adapted to fold against the inner surface of said side, and securing means for uniting the ends and sides, substantially as set forth.

3. A collapsible box comprising the bottom, sides and end pieces, one of the side pieces being hinged tothe bottom and adapted to swing outwardly and rest against the outer side of the bottom when folded, the opposite side being hinged to the upper surface of the bottom and adapted to swing inwardly, a lid hinged to the upper edge of the last-men tioned side and adapted to swing outwardly and rest against the outer surface of said side, the end pieces being hinged to the upper surface of the bottom and adapted to swing inwardly and rest thereon, securing means adapted to unite the ends of the side pieces when the box is unfolded, said lid, side pieces and bottom having openings which are adapted to register when the crate is folded, and a bolt adapted to pass through said opening and receive a thumb-nut for securing the parts together, substantially as set forth.

4. A collapsible box comprising the bottom A, the ends D hinged thereto and adapted to fold inwardly thereupon, the side 13 hinged to the upper surface of the bottom and adapted to fold inwardly upon the end pieces, the hinges for said side piece being so formed that when said side piece is folded inward it will rest flatly upon the ends D, side 0 hinged to the bottom and adapted to swing outwardly, lid E hinged to the upper edge of side 13 and adapted to swing outwardly against the outer face of said side, and fastening means adapted to unite the sides and ends when the box is unfolded, substantially as described.

MILLARD FILMORE PETERFISH.

Witnesses:

B. E. MIsHEM, G. A. GRAFTON.

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