US743808A - Folding crate. - Google Patents

Description

PATBNTBD Nov. 10, 1903.

` C. A. BBITTABNMILLBR.

FOLDING CRATE.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY e. 190s.

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N0 MODEL* PATBNTED NOV. 10, 1903.

- No. 743,808: o. A. BEITTBNMILLER.

FOLDING 'GRATE".

APPLIGATION FILE-D JULY 6, 190s.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of .Letters Patent No. 743,808, dated November 10, 1903.v Application filed July 6, 1903. Serial No. 164,365l (No model.l

To all wiz/0m, it may con/cern.-

Be it known that l, CHARLES ALEXANDER.

BnrrrnNi/imnnn,aJ citizen ofthe United States, residing at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Folding Crates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in folding crates, and has for its object to provide a shipping-cratewhich may be folded for return shipment in an exceedingly compact form, but when extended and in its operative shape is exceedingly durable and as strong and convenient as an ordinary solid crate. e

With these ends in view this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may under stand how to make and use the same, the construction and operation will now be described in detail,referrin g to the accom panying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective View of the crate extended; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section through the same; Fig. 3, a cross section through the crate; Fig. 4, a cross-section of the crate folded; Fig. 5, a perspective view of the crate folded.

A represents the bottom ofthe crate.

B represents the ends of the crate, which are hinged to the bottom A at a slight distance inward from each end, and these ends B are so hinged as to fold inward dat against the bottom of the crate toward one another.

A' represents strips extending laterally across the bottom A and secured thereto outside of the ends B, and these strips A are of substantially the same thickness as the thickness of the ends B, and the side C is hinged at each end to these strips A', so'that said side may be folded inward and lie flat above the ends B when they are folded.

D is the lid or cover-,Which is hinged to the upper edge of the side C and is hinged in such a manner that when the sides (l are folded inward the lid D may fold backward upon theA upper side of the side C, as shown in Fig. 4t.

E is a strip set on edge and running longitudinally of the crate and secured to the hottom A upon the opposite side to the sideC.

IIinged to the upper edge of this strip E is the side F,which is so hinged as to also fold inward, and the strip Eis of such a height that when the side F is folded inward it Will lie flat above the cover D, thus completing the folding of the crate, It will thus be seen that the crate can be folded in an exceedingly compact form for return shipment.

For the purpose of holding the crate in its extended shape any means can be employed desired. In the drawings I have shown hooks G pivoted to the ends B and hooking into staples secured to the sides C and F. For the purpose of allowing entrance to the crate without raising the cover I provide in the cover a door H, which is composed of the longitudinal side strips I, the cross-strips J, and the grating K. The cross-strips .I are at a slight distance from each end of the longitudinal strips H, and extending through these extended ends of the strips H are bolts K, which extend through openings in the strips Hinto openings in the strips of the lid D. K

These bolts K are provided with right-angle ends,whereby the same may be'manipulated. The cover H may be opened from either end lby pulling the bolts K toward one another,

so as to slide them out of engagement with the strips of the lid D, and then the door II may he swung upon the opposite bolt upward, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Thus the door may be swung open from either end and allow entrance to the crate, which is a great advantage when the crate is being used for the shipment of fowls, as it will allow for the insertion of a persons arm Without allowing too great an opening for the fowls to escape. j

Of course I do not Wish to be limited to the exact construction here shown, as slight modifloat-ions could be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful isel. In a folding crate, a bottom, two ends IOO hinged to the bottom at a slight distance inward from each end so as to fold inward, lateral strips secured to the bottom outside of the ends, one side hinged to said strips so as to fold inward, a lid or eover hinged to the upper edge of said side so as to foldV back upon the same when the side is folded inward, a longitudinal strip secured to the bottom upon the opposite side, a side hinged to the upper edge of said strip so as to fold inward upon the @over when the crate is folded, means for holding the crate in its extended position, the cover or lid provided with an opening, a grated door fitted within said opening, bolts extending through the side strips of the door into the lid or cover at eaeh end, said bolts adapted to slide so as to be withdrawn from the lid or cover so that the door may be swung upon the opposite bolts from either end, as specified.

2. In a folding crate, a bottom, two end pieces hinged to the bottom at a slight distance inward from eaoh end so as to fold in- Ward, lateral strips secured to the bottom upon the outside of the ends, said lateral Strips being the same thickness as the thickness of the end pieces, a side hinged to the lateral strip so as to fold inward above the end pieces, a cover or lid hinged to the upper edge of the side so as to fold backward upon the top of the side when the same is folded, a longitudinal strip secured to the bottom upon the opposite side, a side hinged to the upper edge of said strip so as t0 fold inward, said longitudinal strip being of such a height as to allow this side to fold flat upon the cover when the crate is folded, means for holding the crate in its extended position, the lid or oover provided with an opening, a grated door fitted within said opening, bolts extending through eaoh end of said strip into the lid or cover, the bolts upon each end adapted to be retracted so that the door may be swung upward upon the opposite bolts from either end, as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing wituesses.

CHARLES ALEXANDER BEII'TENMILLER.

SAMUEL CRAIG. WILHELMINA Serum BEITTENMILLER.

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