US2476531A - Collapsible receptacle - Google Patents

Description

July 19,1949. J, BERG 2,476,531

' Y COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE v Y Filed May 5, 1947 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July 19, '1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE Joseph Berg, Duluth, Minn.

Application May 5, 1947, Serial No. 745,941

3 Claims.

l This invention relates to collapsible receptacles such as pails or the like and has special reference to improvements in such receptacles as shown in my former U. S. Patent No. 1,848,929 dated March 8, 1932.

One of the principal objects of the instant invention is to augment the practicability of such a pail. Another of the principal objects is to provide such a pail which is capable of being manufactured and assembled with as little expense as possible.

Another object is to provide a more substantial intermediate operating locking member together with a pair of normally contractile members for alternately biasing the frame structure of the pail in both collapsed and erected positions.

Another object is to provide a more convenient frame structure for throwing water from the pail equipped with theinvention as for example in the event of re where quick application of water is essential.

Still other objects and advantages will appear as this description progresses.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing forming part of this application:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one of the pails fully expanded and ready for use.

Fig. 2 is of the pail completely collapsed.

Fig. 3 is a -plan view of the pail bottom.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged broken cross sectional view through the upper rim of the expanded pail.

Fig. 5 is a reduced inside elevational view of one of the foldable stanchions or standards of the frame structure of the pail.

The reference numerals I and 2 represent the top and bottom angularly shaped hoops respectively of the pail and which are preferably attached as by suitable rivets through the top and bottom clips 3 and 4 respectively of the stanchions 5 6.

There are preferably four of these foldable stanchions 5 6, the two parts of each of which are pivotally united at their smaller ends as by the folded stamped clamp-like member 1, the latter being rmly attached and clamped to the smaller end of the part I and overlapping the bight of the larger part 5 of the stanchion, thus providing a relatively long and durable pivotal connection at this point.

Intermediate of the two rim hoops is permanently installed the adjusting hoop 9 of -similar cross section to hoops I and 2, through which all of the upper portions 5 of the standards are 2 adjustably rove within elongated holes I0 in said hoop 9. Y

As auxiliary holding means for` automatically biasing the frame structure towards either open or closed position after rst being so adjusted, there is installed within two opposed stanchions 5--5 a contractile helically formed spring II. The upper end of each spring is attached as at I2 to the lower face of the horizontal flange of the hoop 9 and the opposite end of each spring is attached as at I3 to the outer face of its respective clamping member 1.

The container member here indicated by the numeral I :l may be of any fabric-like material and if contemplated for use as a Water receptacle would be of water-proof material and of course of such as is most readily collapsible without ultimate injury.

For holding in what is deemed the preferred cooperative relationship of the ilexible container I4 to the supporting frame just described, the wire ring I5 is provided of a diameter but slightly less than the inside of the upper hoop I and into the angle of which it is tted after the upper marginal edge of the container I4 has been folded and stitched thereabouts as clearly shown in Fig. 4 ofthe drawing.

The bottom of the frame structure is deemed novel in that an integral sheet metal reenforcing member I6 is fastened spider-like within and to the lowermost hoop 2 and preferably being of somewhat Greek-cross shape, providing a plurality of crescent-shaped openings I1 for most convenient occupancy of the iingers of one hand of an operator when in the act of throwing or dumping liquid out of the receptacle with both hands manipulating the same.

In collapsing the pail to the position shown in Fig. 2. all that is required is to place the thumb of each hand inside the upper rim of the pail on opposite sides thereof and with the fingers squeeze the rim 9 upwardly. At this time the stanchions will fold inwardly. Continued upward stress on the rim 9 will ultimately bring the pail into completely collapsed position.

To open the pail for use, all that is required is to grasp the handle I8 and with a slight downward ick, the pail snaps completely open. When in open position, the pail cannot be collapsed by downward pressure on the upper rim, only by the squeezing of the center rim 9 towards the upper rim can this be accomplished, thus making a sturdy dependable pail for selective use.

To simplify the manufacture and assembly of the pails the rims are stamped of any suitable sheet metal as are the clips 3 and 4 and the clamp-like member 1. In assembling a pail, the clips 3 and 4 are riveted to the top and bottom rims respectively, it being noted that each clip 3 is notched as at I9 to receive the upper wire reenforced edge of the fabric lining or container I4. After the clips have been fixed to the rims, the upper portions 5 of the hingedly united stan- Chions are extended through the openings lll in the hoop 3 and then bysqueezirig the upper ends thereof inwardly they may be readily hooked through the openings 20 in the clips 3 for suchH purpose, the hooked ends 2| providing locking engagement of the parts. The lower portions 6 of the stanchions are applied to the clips 4 in the same manner as the upper portions, At this time, the biasing spring members, and handle may be applied and the frame structure is complete. It is then but a simple matter to spring the container I4 into position in the upper rim to. complete the pail.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is;

1, A collapsible container comprising a bottom hoop, a top` hoop, a plurality of jointed, equally and peripherallyspaced st anchions each pivotally attached at one end; to said bottom hoop and similarly attached at its Opposite end to said top hoop, and an intermediate hoop verticallyand adjust-ably supported byy said stanchions for adjustment;v of said container either to its erect or collapsed condition, said VSti,mo1lionseach comprising a pair of opposed Substantially Uf-shaped frames, a folded clampuniting each pair of said frames and forming a pivotall union therefor, means at one end of each of said frames for pvotally securing the same tosaid bottom and top hoops, and a fabric-like container supported at its top peripheral edge by said tophoop'.

2;- A collapsible pail comprising a lower hoop; an upper hoop; said upper and lower hoops each carrying a. plurality of equallsl and peripherally spaced brackets ilxed thereto; a plurality of ioiptedi equally aad peripherallyspaced stanchions pivotally secured at their opposite ends to vertically aligned top and bottom brackets; said stanchions each comprising a pair of opposed substantially U-shaped frames, a folded clamp member uniting each pair of said frames and forming a pivotal union therefor, and means at one end of each of said frames for pivotally securing the same to said vertically aligned brackets; a third hoop of angular cross section and having spacedl pairs of openings therethrough aligned with each pair of vertically aligned brackets; said third hoop being carried by said frames intermediate said upper hoop and said clamp members with said frames extending through pairs of said openings; a contractile spring se- Acured to the outer face of said clamp members at one end and to, the inner edge of said third hoop at its opposite end; and a fabric receptacle supported at its top peripheral edge by said upper hoop.

The structure as set forth in claim 2 and said receptacle comprising a fabric member having a semifresiligent ring on its. upper edge; and said brackets carried by said upper hoop being notched to receive said ring.

JOSEPH BERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the

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