US2755955A - Collapsible lug box - Google Patents

Description

July 24, 195e J. M. GORDQN 2,755,955

COLLAPSIBLE LUG BOX Filed Aug. 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 24, 1955 J. M. GORDON 2,755,955

' COLLAPSIBLE LUG BOX Filed Aug. 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 J5 45 54 4b/f5, i Y 437 *Y M 7 7 54 #rra/ewan".

July 24, 1956 J. M. GORDON COLLAPSIBLE LUG BOX Filed Aug. 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 M M 6 f ,4free/mw.

July 24, 1956 J. M. GORDON 2,755,955

COLLAPSIBLE LUG BOX Filed Aug. 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet. 4

22 S imma/id 60,6200 J5 46 INVENToR.

i llllllllul BY 2f 22 MM2@ Je 4 l *I M COLLAPSBLE LUG BOX James M. Gordon, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 29, 1955, Serial No. 531,133

9 Claims. (Cl. 22u-6) The invention relates to lug boxes which are used for a great variety of shipping and hauling needs, and has particular reference to a lug box small enough to be carried by one man and which is so constructed that it can be collapsed when not in use and readily stacked many tiers high in collapsed form.

Modern shipping needs has demonstrated the necessity and practicability of lug boxes of such conveniently small size that when loaded with the customary variety of merchandise they can be carried by one man, stacked for warehousing where desired, stacked for ready shipment by truck, trailer or even by train, and thereafter, when not in use, collapsed and returned for reuse.

The character of goods to be shipped and the economy of the operation in the past has frequently dictated the type of lug box to be used. In many instances, lug boxes have been so formed that they could not be collapsed for return shipment. Where, on occasions, lug boxes have been collapsible, they have been of such structure that too much time has been necessary to erect them for use and thereafter to collapse them for shipment in empty condition. On many occasions, the collapsible lug boxes have been sufficiently fragile as to encourage damage to the joints so that when used a second time many boxes have been found to be faulty. On other occasions, still, the character of merchandise has demanded a very sturdily constructed lug box and also one which can be thoroughly cleaned between uses.

It is, therefore, among the objects of the invention to provide a new and improved collapsible lug box of great dependability coupled with a construction which permits it to be very quickly erected and subsequently collapsed when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible lug box so designed that the configurations of the material which give the box its utility and serve to supply the collapsible features also contribute materially to re-enforcing and strengthening the box, most particularly when in erected position, but also when in collapsed position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible lug box which is especially equipped with a bottom portion of such dimensions and such depth that it is capable of receiving both end plates and side plates when in collapsed position, and which is further provided with a high level frame adapted to collapse in snug position around the bottom, and which high level frame is of such construction and dimensions as to be capable of receiving the bottom of a second lug box nested therein in such fashion that the boxes can be stacked compactly many tiers high when collapsed, the high level re-enforcement section being further of such construction that it serves equally well to hold one box on top of the other when the boxes are erected and also if need be when boxes are mixed; that is to say, some boxes being erected and some boxes collapsed.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible lug box of firm States p atent and sturdy construction designed to permit quick and ready erection and collapsing and which, moreover, is constructed in a fashion permitting the box to be readily and thoroughly cleaned after use.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter set forth pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible lug box of the invention in erected form;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lug box taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lug box taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3, but showing side plates in several positions occupied when the box is being collapsed;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view somewhat similar to Figure 2, but showing end plates of the lug box in a partially collapsed position;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the box in completely collapsed position;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of one of the corners of the box in erected position taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a perspective View of the box in collapsed position;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of high level and low level re-enforcement elements taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a transverse fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of the upper portion of a lower erected lug box and the lower portion of a second lug box nested into the upper portion of the lower box;

Figure 13 is a transverse sectional view of a lug box in collapsed position and showing a lower portion of a second collapsed lug box nested into the first;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the nesting portions of erected boxes stacked one on top of the other; and

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional View of collapsed lug boxes nested one within another.

In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration, there is shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 views of the collapsible lug box in erected position. As shown, the lug box comprises a hollow bottom l0 supporting side plates 11 and 12, end plates 13 and 14, and a high level re-enforcement frame 15.

More particularly, the bottom comprises an imperforate bottom plate 16, at the sides of which are side walls 17 and 18 and at the ends of which are end walls 19 and 2t). The bottom plate, side walls, and end walls thereby form what may readily be designated as a hollow bottom. It will be noted further that at the top edges of the side walls 17 and 18 there is in each Case a somewhat channelshaped hollow ange 21 extending throughout the entire length of the side wall. Bottom portions 22 of each of the side plates are received in the respective flanges 21. To secure the bottom portions 22 in the flanges, there is provided a rod-like re-enforcing member 23 which extends around the perimeter of the bottom. The re-enforcing member, for convenience in fabrication and assembly, may be made in one or more parts bent to the necessary form to have it coincide with the top edges of the side walls and end walls of the bottom. Where the re-enforcing member 23 extends along the side walls, it is folded within the respective bottom portion 22 and serves as the pivot pin or" a long hinge. To improve the construction and assembly of the hinge just described, cut-out portions 2d are employed, as shown to good advantage in Figure l in company with Figure l. The cut-out portions are filled with arcuate sections 25. Rivets 26 extend through the arcuate sections and also through the re-enforcing member 23 and the bottom of the ange 2 1. In that way, the sections just described, which form the means of hinging the bottom of the side plates tothe top edges of the side walls, are firmly held in position.` Moreover, by bringing the side Walls down and turning them outwardly under the re-cnforcing member to engage that member, a relatively smooth surface is preserved'for the inner side walls of ythe assembled box from top to bottom.

End walls 19 and 20 of thebottom have the. end plates 14 and 13, respectively, secured to them at the topkr edges. Bach of the side walls is provided with an outwardly extending ange 30. End portions 31 of thel reeenrforcing member 23 overlie the anges 30. Thev end portions are held in that position by thesecure engagement of the remaining portions of the re-enforcing member along the topsof the side walls. In each instance, the end plate 13 or'14, as the case may be, extendsV downwardly and is turned outwardly under the lend portionsV 31 and vthen bent around to form a hinge section`32 for holding the end plate in hinged relationship to the re-enforcing member.

For joining the end plate yin each instance to the lug box assembly, and more particularly to the high level re-enforcing frame 15, there is provided a partial end plate 33 which extends downwardly on the outsideof the respective end plate to about the mid portion. At the mid portion, the partial end plate has a rolled lower edge 34 surrounding a hinge pin' 35. A hinge bracket 36 in a cutout portion 37 ofthe rolled lower edge secures thepartial end plate 33 to the end plate 13er 14,' as thecase may be, by use of appropriate rivets 137.

At the upper edge, the partial end plate as a roliedover portion 38 engaging anl end portionVv 39 of a composite high level re-enforcing member 40. The structureA just described can be seen to good advantage in Figures 2 and 5. An important element in the structureof therpartial end plate 33 is the provision of a recess immediately below the junction of the partial end plate with the end portion 39, thejrecess being of such height and depth as to be capable of snugly receivinga harige-42 at the upper edge of the endplateV 13 orv 14, as the case may be, the ange being bent outwardly, downwardly, and inwardly to serve both as a means for re-enforcing and adding tothe rigidity of the respectiveend plateandalso as a means of providing a snug engagementof the end plate with the partial end plate, thereby to assist intheproper functioningof thejoint. i A Y' The composite` high level re-enforcing member 4.0 exends part way into rolled over portions 43 of side sections fill, respectively, of the high level re-enforcing frame 1S. For convenience in fabrication, the end portions 39 may extend only far enough with in the rolled over portion 43 in each case to be secured by a rivet 45. The remaining portion of the composite rte-enforcing member 4l) may comprise a separate straight piece 46 lying withinthe rolled'over portion 43 in each case. The part of the. high level reenforcing frame which extends along the top edges of the side plates 11 and 12 is provided at the'lower edge in each instance with a somewhat channel-shaped section 47, which` forms a recess 4S. The top edge of each of the side plates 11 and 12Yare bent outwardly in the form of a rather composite flange 4,9,the flange 49 forming a foursided stiieningedge adapted to be snugly received inthe recess 4S in each case. TheA flange 49 andthe channelshaped section 47, actingltogetherone within theY other, forma top edge for the` side .plates providing'considerable strength andxrigidity. i i Y l T0 'hold ille-"Stammes in. rsctsdrsitea there are provided spring clips 50, each having a catch 51 which reaches up to engage a lip 52 and the channel-shaped section 47, thereby securely holding the side plate to the high level re-enforcing frame. The spring catches can be readily disengaged by manipulation of buttons 53.

It is important to note that the high level re-enforcing member 4) has an upwardly bent portion in the middle of each partial end plate forming handles 54. Cut-out sections 55 provide a space for the handle at each end. The handles extend upwardly so that the level portion of the handle in each case is located at a substantial distance above all other parts of the high level reenforcing frame. Handles fashioned in this way assist very materially in the stacking of one box upon the other whether in erected position or in collapsed position. It is significant further that the hollow bottom 1t) is of such size that side walls and end walls tit and nest snugly within not only the handlcs just described butalso fit snugly within inside surfaces on all four sides of the high level` re-enforcing frame. When the bottom of one box is thus nested within, the reenforcing frame of a similar box immediately below it, lower faces of the flanges 21 rest upon upper edges of the rolled over portions 43. Similarly, the anges 3() at the tops of the endA Walls ofv the bottom arel adapted to rest upon the tops or level portions of the handles 54.

In operation, when the lug box is assembled, as illustrated in Figure l, it can be lled withv merchandise to a level just below the level of the re-enforcing frame and one box can be stacked upon top of another as illustrated in Figures 12 and 14; The nesting of the bottom of the upper box within the re-enforcing frame of. the next lower box is as has justk been described.

When the lug boxes have been emptied, they can be collapsed by pivoting the end plates andl side plates downwardly to a position contained within the side walls and end walls of the bottom 10. This is accomplished by rst disengaging the spring clips 50 at the tops of the side plates so that the side plates can be moved rst one then the other downwardly Vpivoting about their lower edges, as illustrated in Figure 7. It is necessary in the embodiment shown to disengage and collapse the side plates rst because the end plates are provided at each verticalY edge with an angularsection 58, which extends outwardly and around the vertical end edges of the respective side plates. The structure just described can be seen to goodY advantage in Figure 8. After the sideA plates have been pivoted to their positions within the hollow bottom 10, the end plates` 13 and 14 are pushed simultaneously inwardly, as shown in Figure 5, and with the jointed relationship thus shownV and described, the. handleV of reenforcing frame 15 is moved downwardly tov a point where the end plates overlie the side platesv within the hollowbottom 10, as illustrated in Figure 6 .A In this collapsed position, the upper portions of4 the partial end plates, which form the rolled over portions 38, collapse upon and rest upon the hinged sections 32. Along the sides, the lower partsY of. the channel-shaped sections 47 overlie and rest upon, the upper parts of the flanges 21, In collapsed condition, as shown and described, a great many collapsed lug boxes can be stacked one upon the other and confined as they are in perfectly aligned position, highstacks or tiers of the boxes can be made fork either warehousing or for shipment back tothe source forY usek on a subsequent occasion.

Further still, by reason of thesmooth,walled,v interior construction.thusdescribcd and the employment-,of a hollow bottom portion,` used: lug boxesl uponreturn to their 5.011192 wi be thoroushlif deemed, by adequate means. With Considerable. ease end etcisnw AS` Soon as the bases are ready fgrreuse, the high level. reeforcins. frame; can; be lifted. upwardly byy lifting` 01,1 the handles; 5,4... Thsmoyematrylls thel @ad plates 1 3 and; 151. upwardly te. vertical Position, in which; posi- @a titer-cata be `pressed.@llorardlr. until the. atlsssAZ engage within the recesses 41. Thereupon, the side plates 11 and 12 are in turn lifted upwardly and pivoted outwardly until they fall into position between the sides of the re-enforcing frame, where, as soon as the ange 49 is received within the channel-shaped section 47 in each case, the spring catches 51 snap into place and the side plates and end plates of the box are thus locked in assembled position.

There has accordingly been described herein a simple, effective, and particularly sturdy collapsible lug box construction, which, as has been indicated, can be erected and collapsed by relatively few manipulations of parts and which in either position can be readily and conveniently handled and stacked.

Having described my invention, what I claim as ne and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible lug box comprising a bottom having side walls and end walls, said walls having top edges, a hinge pivot element engaging the tops of the walls and extending around all the walls, a pair of side plates hinged respectively to the top edges of said side walls, a pair of end plates hinged respectively to the top edges of said end walls, a rim for the tops of said plates having an inner circumference greater than the outer circumference of the bottom, a partial end plate hinged at the top to the respective portion of the rim and hinged at the bottom to the respective end plate, the tops of the side plates having releasable detent means adapted to engage respective portions of said rim in erected position, said side plates being adapted to fold into the bottom in collapsed position and said end plates being adapted to fold with partial end plates into the bottom in collapsed position.

2. A collapsible lug box comprising a bottom having side walls and end walls, anges at the top edges of said walls, a hinge pivot element engaging said flanges at the top of each wall and extending continuously around all the walls, a pair of side plates hinged respectively to the top edges of said side walls, a pair of end plates hinged respectively to the top edges of said end walls, anges on side edges of plates of one of said pair overlapping side edges of plates of the other of said pair in erected position, a continuous rim for the tops of said plates having an inner circumference greater than the outer circumference of the bottom, a continuous reinforcing member extending around the perimeter, a partial end plate hinged at the top to the respective portion of the rim and hinged at the bottom to the respective end plate, the tops of the side plates having releasable detent means adapted to engage respective portions of said reinforcing member in erected position, said side plates being adapted to fold against the bottom in collapsed position, said end plates being adapted to fold against the bottom in collapsed position.

3. A collapsible lug box comprising a hollow irnperforate bottom having side walls and end walls, outwardly extending anges at the top edges of said walls, a hinge pivot element engaging said flanges at the top of each wall and extending continuously around all the walls, a pair of side plates hinged respectively to the top edges of said side wall of the bottom, a pair of end plates hinged respectively to the top edges of said end walls of the bottom, a continuous rim for the tops of said plates, a reinforcing member extending around the perimeter, an articulated end joint hinged at the top to the respective portion of the reinforcing member and hinged at the bottom to the respective end plate, the tops of the side plates having releasable detent means adapted to engage respective portions of said reinforcing member in erected position, said side plates being of smaller area than the bottom and adapted to fold thereinto in collapsed position, said end plates being shorter than the width of said bottom and adapted to fold with partial end plates into the bottom in collapsed position.

4. A collapsible `lug box comprising a hollow imperforate bottom having side walls and end walls, outwardly extending flanges at the top edges of said walls, a hinge pivot element engaging said flanges at the top of each wall and extending continuously around all the walls, a pair of side plates hinged respectively to the top edges of said side walls of the bottom, a pair of end plates hinged respectively to the top edges of said end walls of the bottom, anges on side edges of plates of one of said pair overlapping side edges of plates of the other of said pair in erected position, a continuous rim for the tops of said plates having an inner circumference greater than the' outer circumference of the bottom, a continuous reinforcing member extending around the perimeter, a partial end plate hinged at the top to the respective portion of the reinforcing member and hinged at the bottom to the mid-portion of the respective end plate at the outer surface, the tops of the side plates having releasable detent means adapted to engage respective portions of said reinforcing member in erected position, said side plates being of smaller area than the bottom and adapted to fold thereinto in collapsed position, said end plates being shorter than the width of said bottom and adapted to fold with the partial end plates into the bottom in collapsed position.

5. Collapsible lug boxes adapted to be stacked one above the other in both collapsed and erected positions each comprising a hollow bottom having side Walls and end walls, a pair of side plates each having hinged connections respectively to the respective side wall and movable between a collapsed position within the bottom and an erected position extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of end plates each having a hinged connection at the bottom thereof to the respective side wall and movable between a collapsed position within the bottom and an erected position extending upwardly therefrom, a reinforcing member having an inside perimeter greater than the outside perimeter of said bottom and adapted thereby to receive the bottom of a second box in nested relation both in erected and collapsed positions, one of said pairs of plates having a jointed hinged connection to said reinforcing member and the other of said pairs of plates having a releasable interlocking engagement with said reinforcing member whereby to retain said plates in erected positions and to enable collapse of said plates to collapsed positions.

6. Collapsible lug boxes adapted to be stacked one above the other in both collapsed and erected positions each comprising a hollow bottom having side walls and end walls, inwardly open outwardly extending flanges at the tops of said side walls, a pair of side plates each having a hinged connection in said ange to the respective side wall and movable between a collapsed position within the bottom to an erected position extending upwardly therefrom, said end walls each having an outwardly extending ange, a pair of end plates each having a hinged connection at the bottom thereof to the flange of the respective side wall and movable between a collapsed position within the bottom to an erected position extending upwardly therefrom, said walls having a height greater than the combined thickness of said end plates and side plates, a reinforcing member having portions thereof upstanding in the form of handles having an inside perimeter greater than the outside perimeter of said bottom and adapted thereby to receive the bottom of a second box in nested relation both in erected and collapsed positions, one of said pairs of plates having a jointed hinged connection to said reinforcing member and the other of said pairs of plates having a releasable interclocking engagement with said reinforcing member whereby to retain said plates in erected positions and to enable collapse of said plates to collapsed positions.

7. A collapsible lug box comprising a bottom having side walls and end walls, a substantially continuous low level rod reinforcement extending over the tops of said side walls and end Walls and secured thereto, apair of side plates and a pair of end plates, each plate fbeing hinged to the top of the respective side wall and `end' wall of the bottom, a high level rod reinforcement extending around the tops of said plates, and joint plates -for one of said pairs hinged at the lower ends thereof to.- the respective plates of said pair and at the upper ends thereof being hinged to respective sides of said high level rod; reinforcement.

8. A collapsible lug box comprising a; bottom. having side Walls and end Walls, a substantially continuous low level rod reinforcement extending over the tops. of said.y side walls and endk walls and secured'theneto, a pair of'side plates and a pair of end plates, each plate being hinged to the top of the respective side wall and end Wall of the bottom, a substantially continuous high `levelV rody reinforcernent defining the perimeter of the top. of the box, joint plates for one of said pairs hinged atthe :lower ends thereof to the respective plates 0f said pair and at the upper ends thereof being hinged to respective sides of said high level rod reinforcement, and temporary detents acting between the high level rod reinforcementv and the respective pair of plates adapted thereby to hold the respective pair of plates in erected positions.

9. A collapsible lug box comprising a bottom having side walls and end Wal-ls,` a substantially continuous low level rod reinforcement extending over the tops of said side walls and end walls andi secured thereto, a pair of side plates and a pair of end plates, each plate being hinged to the top of the respective side wall and end wallof the bottom, a substantially continuous highv level rod reinforcement defining the perimeter of the top of the box, joint plates for one of said pairs hinged at the lower ends thereof to the respective plates of' said pair and at the upper ends thereof being hinged torespective sides of said high level rod reinforcement, hollow flanges on intervening sides of said* high level reinforcement, reinforcing projections on top edgesl o plates of the respective ypair of plates and temporary detents; acting between the il'angcs and the respective pair of plates adapted thereby to hold the respective pair of plates in erected positions.

No references cited.

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