US2532863A - Collapsible box unit - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 5, 1950 A. TAYLOR COLLAPSIBLE Box UNIT Filed Jan. 8, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gr o a NT m 4% N m W M a 4/u w Dec. 5, 1950 A. TAYLOR COLLAPSIBLE BOX UNIT'.

Filed Jan. 8, 1945 vlllllllrrllllllllllllllIll/r5 a VIII/A VII/Alli/l/l/ll/l/l/l/l/l 1 VW/A/ll/l/l/A Wuhan Tag/or M, 6 52M, Adm-M 44 PHTTOQQEYJ' Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GOL'LAPSIBLE BOX UNIT AuburnTaylor, Charleston, W. Va I Application January 8, 1945, Serial No. 571,899

1 Claim.

. I The present invention pertains to collapsible box units. Such units may take a variety of specific forms to adapt them to different special uses. For example, box units embodying the present invention may be adapted for use as ship ing containers, hampers, storage cabinets, waste baskets, stools, chairs, and many other specific items, as will hereinafter appear in greater detail. 7 v 7 One general object of the invention is to provide a unit" of the type indicated which is ex tremel'y strongand rugged when set up orer'ect'ed, but which may be readilycollapsed into a generally' flat package of small overall dimensions.

Another object is to provide such units which embody frame members orrail's adapted not only to rigidity the units when erected; but also to facilitate stacking a whole series of such units when they are collapsed and without danger of inj ring panels included in the units.

The invention also resides in various structural improvements and innovations in the disclosed units which adapt them for'low -cost; large scale production and for utilization of plasticized plywood for a major'portion of each unit.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings'in which I v Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible box unit embodying the present invention, the same being'shown in erected form.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view' of the unit of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is aperspective' view of a modified form of box unit embodying the invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the unit'of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of one of the dovetail locking joints incorporated in the units of both Figs. 1 anti 3.

Figs. 6 and '7 are vertical sectional views of the unit of Fig. 1 showing the same, respectively, in partially and completely collapsed form.

Fig. 8 is an end' elevation of a unit like that of Fig. l collapsed and in horizontal position, additional units of like form stacked on top of the same being indicatedin broken lines.

Figs. 9' and Ill-areverti'cal sectional views of the modified uni-t of Fig. 3*showi'ng the same; respectively, in partiall and completely collapsed condition.

Fig. 11 is a view similar'to Fi'g. B-i ndicating'the mode of'stacking units like those ofFig.-- 3' when collapsed.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein: describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope: of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the invention has been. illustrated in Figs.1v and 2' as embodied ina collapsible box-unit Ill particu larlydesigned for use as a storage hamper or shippingbasket. When suitably dimensioned the same is also adapted for use as a stool. More- 7 over, it may bev used as 'a wastebasket or for many other purposes.

In the particular unit of Figs. 1 and 2' the parts are arran ed, when erected, to constitute. a closed six-sided box. This structure includes a: generally rectan ular rear wall assembly composed of a rectangular back panel II and two upright frame members l2. the side edges of the panel I I beingfixed in longitudinally extending'grooves (see also Fig. 8) in the opposed faces Of the two frame members 12. These frame members l2 rest directly on the floor when the unitis erected, serving as strong reenforcing corner posts; When collapsed the frame members I2 serve as side rails in stacking the units. as will appear hereinafter in connectionv with Fig. 8.

Pivot'ed to three respective edge portionsofthe rear wall structure l I, ['2 are three panels, shown in Fi s. 1 and 2' as a pair of side wing panels l3 and an end panel M, the latter constituting the bottom end of the instant box unit. Each of the side wing panels 13 is pivoted by hing'es' 15 at its rear edge to the inner face of the uprights t2 so as to be free t0 swing through approximately ninety degrees from the erected position of Figs. 1' and 2' in which such side Wing panels are in spaced. parallel relation to the collapsed position of Fig. 7 in which. the side wing panels overlap each other on the frOntiate of the rear panel I I The bottom panel l d, on: the other hand, is pivoted by bracket arms IE5 at its rear edge-to pivot pins l; in the inner faces of the uprights l2; Such bottom panel i4 is swingable downward from its horizontal". erected position shown in. Fig. 2 through substantially two hundred seventydegree's to the: collapsed position of Fig. 7 in which it overlies the rear face of the back panel. II.

To the free or tr'cnt edgeportioni of the bottom and panel" it is: pivoted a'fourthpanel I18 by hinges h 3 19 (Fig. 2). This fourth lpanel constitutes the front of the box unit when the latter is erected and is dimensioned to bridge the space between the wing panels 13.

As a means of securing the unit rigidly in erected position the front panel I8 is locked to the wing panels 13 by dovetail joints along their adjacent edges. Thus the front edges of the wing panels l3 may be mortised as indicated at 20 and mating tenons 2| formed on the side edges of the front panel [8 (see Fig. 5). The hinges [9 for the front panel I 8 are so set that this front panel may be swung forwardly a few degrees to free the dovetail joints 20, 2| in collapsing the box. Thereafter the bottom panel is swung downward through the position of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 7 and at the same time the front panel l8 swung about its hinges l9 until it overlies the face of the bottom panel 54 as shown in Fig. '7.

The unit of Figs. 1 and 2 is completed by a lid panel 22 pivoted at its rear edge to swing about a horizontal axis. It is provided with brackets 23 connecting it to pivot pins 24. When the box unit is erected the top panel 22 rests on the upper edges of the front and rear panels I! and it (see Fig. 2), closing the box. It can of course be swung upward at any time to afford access to the interior of the box, and in collapsing the unit the top panel 22 is swung through substantially two hundred seventy degrees, passing through the position of Fig. 6 into the final position of Fig. '7.

Desirably the wing panels 53 are dimensioned to extend upward above the level of the top panel 22 (Figs. 1 and 2) and apertured as at 25. Convenient and strong handles'for carryin the box unit are thus afforded.

With the box unit ll! erected as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a strong and rigid structure is afforded. The dovetail joints Z0, 2! constitute an especially rigid connection between the wing panels 13 and front panel l8, effectually preventing spreading 'of the wing panels under load applied to their inner surfaces. The lid or top panel 22 can of course be swung freely in opening and closing the unit and if desired a hasp or the like (not shown) may be provided for looking it to the front panel l8.

To collapse the box unit I0 is a very simple matter. To do so the user raises the lid 22 and grasps the upper edge of the front panel 13, pulling forward on the same. This frees the tenons 2! from the mortises 26 so that the bottom panel l4 and front panel 18 can be swung downward through the :position of Fig. 6 to the final position of Fig. 7. Thereafter the top panel 22 is swung back to overlie these panels so that the panels I4, I 8 and 22 are superimposed, in that order, on the rear face of the back panel II. The side wings l3 are simply folded in, one over the other, to overlie the front face of the back panel I 5. With the various panels of the box unit thus disposed, the resulting stack of panels is of slightly less height than the width of the posts I2. Conse quently, when a series of such box units I0 is arranged horizontally and stacked one on another as shown in Fig. 8, the posts l2 constitute side rails bearing all of the weight of the stacked units. The only contact between successive units is, in such case, along the edges of the members l2, and consequently the panels of the units are without load and effectually protected from damage 'or injury even though a great many units be stacked.

The panels H, [3, l4, l8 and 22 of the box unit l0 can be made of various rigid sheet materials.

Preferably, however, they are fashioned from plasticized plywood of, for example, three-eighths inch thickness since their shapes particularly lend them to fabrication from such material. The 7 posts l2, on the other hand, are preferably cut from a heavier material such, for example, as one inch lumber, to allow slots to be cut in their bottoms to insert rollers (not shown) so they can be Wheeled around like a two-Wheel truck when load is too heavy to carry.

A somewhat modified form of collapsible box unit is shown in Fig. 3. Basically, however, its structure is like that of the unit of Fig. 1 and to facilitate comparison the same reference numerals, with an added a, have been used to identify corresponding parts in the unit of Fig. 3.

The modified unit Illa of Fig. 3 has been designed primarily for use as a folding chair. It includes a generally rectangular rear wall structure composed of a panel Ila and two upright frame members or posts l2a, the rear panel Ila being fixed to the edges of the posts lZa in this instance, rather than being inset into the grooves in the opposed faces of the latter. This is done for the reason that in the unit Illa all of the panels are, as will hereinafter appear, arranged to be collapsed into a stack on one face of the rear panel rather than in two stacks on opposite faces of the same, as was done in the unit [0.

Plvoted to three respective edge portions of the rear wall structure Ha, I 2a are three panels, shown in Figs. 3 and 4 as a pair of side wing panels 93a and an upper end panel I la, the latter constituting the seating surface of the unit when erected. The wing panels [3a are pivoted alon their respective rear edges by hinges l5a to the opposed inner faces of the posts [2a so that the wing panels i3a may swing from their projected spaced parallel position of Figs. 1 and 2 into overlapped relation with each other when the unit is collapsed (Figs. 9 and 10). The top end panel Ma is, on the other hand, pivoted along its rear edge by brackets 56a on pivot pins N11 to the upper end portions of the posts [2a, this panel being adapted to swing from its horizontal position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 downward to the collapsed position of Fig. 10 where it overlies the infolded win panels [3a.

To the free or front edge portion of the top end panel I la is pivoted a fourth panel l8a by hinges [9a. This fourth panel constitutes the front of the box unit or chair base and is dimensioned to bridge the space between the wing panels l3a.

As a means of securing the unit Illa rigidly in erected position dovetail joints are provided between the adjacent edges of the wing panels |3a and front panel l8a. For that purpose the front edges of the wingpanels are mortised as indicated at 20a and mating tenons 20a formed on the side edges of the front panel (Fig. '1).

The unit Illa is completed by a backrest panel 22a pivoted at its rear edge by brackets 23a on pivot pins Z ta carried on the heretofore mentioned bracket arms [6a. This backrest panel 22a is swingable between an upright position with reference to the top panel Ma shown in Fig. 3 and a collapsed position shown'in Fig. 10 in which the backrest panel lies fiat against the outer face of the panel I 4a. The bracket arms 2311 have flanges 232) (Fig. 4) which overlie the back face of the panel 22a and when the latter panel is upright the lower ends of these flanges 23b bear against the upperedges of thebracket arms ifia, thus limiting the rearwardswing of the panel 22a. The dimensioning of the edges of such flanges 231) with reference to the top edges of the bracket arms 16a can be made such as to stop the panel 22a in a desired position of slight inclination calculated to give the most comfortable seating.

Desirably the wing panels (3a are apertured at 25a to lighten the structure and save material. Similarly, the front panel l8a may be apertured at l8b for the same purpose.

With the unit 16a erected as shown in Fig. 3 it constitutes a sturdy yet comfortable chair of light weight which can easily be moved about. To collapse this chair the user grasps the lower edge of the front panel 18a, pulling it forward to disengage the dovetail joints 29a, 21 a. Then the user pushes upward on the front panel Isa to raise it and the top panel I ia slightly, whereupon the side wings 13a may be swung inward into the overlapped position of Fig. 9. Thereafter the front panel 18a is folded upward against the bottom face of the top panel Ma and the latter swung downward through the position of Fig. 9 to that of Fig. 19. Moreover, the backrest panel 220. is swung downward against the face of the top panel Eda. In this Way the chair unit 16a may be quickly collapsed or folded for storage. When so collapsed all of the panels 13a, 13a, Eda and 22a are stacked, one on another, on the face of the back panel Ha. The posts [2a are of sufficient width that they protrude beyond this stack of panels so that they constitute stacking rails for units Illa piled one on another (see Fig. 11).

I claim as my invention:

A collapsible box unit comprising, in combina-. tion, a wall structure including a pair of upright corner posts having means bridging the space between them and rigidly joining the same, a plurality of panels pivotally connected along their edges to a corresponding plurality of right-angu- 4n larly related edge portions of said wall structure to swing from a collapsed position in which they Number Name Date 51,139 Byrn Nov. 28, 1865 160,942 Murray Mar. 16, 1875 592,695 Cocnrcd Oct. 26, 1897 649,660 Erity May 15, 1900 677,683 Murphy July 2, 1901 752,880 Bacon Feb. 23, 1904 1,612,277 Rapoport Dec. 19, 1911 1,102,687 Rearick July 7, 1914 1,163,263 Rudduck Dec. 7, 1915 1,167,570 Jones Jan. 11, 1916 1,298,349 Keating Mar. 25, 1919 1,447,660 Olevin Mar. 6, 1923 1,992, 134 Kosanek Feb. 26, 1935 2,071,226 Gehret Feb. 16, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 49,122 Norway Mar. 16, 1931 are all stacked in parallelism to said back structure to an erected position in which each is normal to another, means for locking said panels in erected position, and the width of said posts being greater than the thickness of the stack formed by said panels when in collapsed condition, and said posts being disposed along the sides of the stack with the front and rear surfaces thereof disposed beyond the outermost panels of the stack so that a plurality of such units may be piled up in horizontal position one on another with the longitudinal surface of the posts of each unit resting on the longitudinal surface of the posts of the next one beneath and without contact between their panels.

AUBURN TAYLOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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