COLLAPSIBLE TRANSPORT BOX

Abstract: A collapsible transport box, preferably for transportation of animals, comprises a bottom (4), two side walls (3 and 5) and a top wall (6), being so hinged to each other that they can be folded to form a tubular container, and of two preferably trapezoidal end walls (2 and 2a), being hinged to the bottom. One or more of the edges of the end walls are provided with handles (9-11), simultaneously acting as coupling means, as in the assembled state of the box they project through their separate slot (12-14) in one or both side walls and/or the top wall and thus lock the box in the assembled state. The box is further provided with locking devices (8 and 8a) which can secure the free edges of the tube forming walls (3-6) to each other both in the assembled and in the collapsed state of the box.

Description: Collapsible Transport Box. * The invention relates to a collapsible transport box of the kind stated in the introductory part of claim 1. A if 5 vide variety of such transport boxes is known, which after use can be returned in collapsed state, thus saving space and carrying charges. Transport boxes of this kind must necessarily be equipped with coupling means, which when the box is in the assembled state can 10 couple together and retain adjacent walls in position relatively to each other. Furthermore, it is expedient that the boxes have handles, which make them easy to handle. 15 It is the object of the invention to provide a transport box of the kind described, which combines good stability in assembled state due to efficient coupling means with such an embodiment with handles, which makes the box comfortable to handle. 20 The object is achieved in that the transport box is constructed as stated in the characterizing part of claim 1, the two functions of coupling means and handle in this construction being performed by the same 25 elements. To further stabilize the transport box it may advantageously be provided with such locking devices as are stated in claim 2. These locking devices can be used 30 both in the assembled and in the collapsed state. The drawings show a collapsible transport box for animals according to the invention, in which 35 Fig. 1 is a perspective of an embodiment in assembled state. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same embodiment completely unfolded, and Fig. 3 is the same embodiment in collapsed state. The box consists of a casing 1 and end walls 2, 2a, which are secured to the bottom part 4 of the box by means of hinges 18, 19, 20, 21. The casing is divided by means of folding scores or score sections la, lb, lc. Id into a first long side 3, a bottom part 4, a second long side 5, a top part 6 and a flap 7 which in assembled state can be secured to the first long side 3 by means of locking devices 8, 8a. Through holes 15, 15a the locking devices 8, 8a grasp the flap 7 and holds on to the edges of holes 16, 16a in the same long side 3, thus locking the flap 7 and the long side 3 firmly together, so that the casing forms a tubular construction. The end walls 2, 2a of the box are identical, regular trapez¬ oidal metal gratings provided at the top and on the sides with handles 9, 9a, 10, 10a, 11, 11a, which when the box is in the assembled state project through slots 12, 12a, 13, 13a, 14, 14a in the top 6 and long sides 3, 5 of the box, thus retaining the shape of the box. The box is collapsed by disengaging the locking devices 8, 8a and opening the flap 7, the top 6 and one long side 5 of the casing so that the handles 9, 9a, 10, 10a, 11, 11a are withdrawn from the slots 12, 12a, 13, 13a, 14, 14a. The end walls are folded over and down towards the bottom part 4, whereafter the flap 7 and the top 6 are folded inwardly towards the long side 5. The long sides 3, 5 are now folded inwardly towards each other, so that the long side 5 carrying the top and the flap is lowermost, and finally the upper long side 3 can be locked to the lower long side 5 by means of the locking devices 8, 8a, grasping through the holes 16, 16a in the upper long side 3 and holding on to the edges of the holes 17, 17a in the lower long side 5. For transport¬ ation of the box in collapsed state it is provided with a handle 22 positioned along the edge between the lower long side 5 and the bottom part. In the above embodiment the casing is e.g. made of leightweight polypropylene. In order to stiffen the construction the casing has a folded over edge (not shown) along all outward sides except in the scoresections la, lb, lc. Id, the width of which is so dimensioned that there is room for the edge parts and the side and top parts when the box is collapsed. In the above embodiment the bottom part of the box is provided with transverse stiffening ribs 23 sunk into the bottom part, and these ribs furthermore serve to collect urine and the like possibly occurring during transportation. Additionally, the box can of course be provided with an absorbing pad or a bottom box with inlay according to need. The bottom part may further comprise a water bowl 24 in the form of a depression in the middle of an elevated section of the bottom part. The animal to be transported is placed in the box immediately before the top and the flap are folded over and locked. However, there is nothing to prevent one of the end walls from having a door as is the case in ordinary animal cages. The end walls can e.g. be made of nickel iron grating, but they may just as well be made of other preferably solid materials in order to provide better protection for the animal against draught, light or disturbances. A similar protection can also be achieved, e.g. by a detachable shield which is clasped onto the grating.

Claims: C l a i m s : 1. A collapsible transport box, in particular for transportation of animals, comprising a casing (1), which can be folded so as to form a tubular container constituting the bottom (4), side walls (3) and (5) and top wall (6) of the box, and two preferably trapezoidal end walls (2) and (2a) hinged to the bottom (4), c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that one or more of the free edges of each end wall (2) and (2a) are provided with coupling means in the form of a handle, which copling means in the assembled state of the box project through each separate slot (13), (14) and (12) in the adjacent side and top walls (3), (5) and (6). 2. A collapsible transport box according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the two wall parts forming part of the casing, and the free edges of which are adjacent in the assembled state of the box, are pro- vided with cooperating locking devices, preferably in the form of clasps for disengagingly inter-connecting the respective edge parts.

Inventors: LYKKE HENNING, WISSING BOERGE, LYKKE, HENNING, WISSING, BOERGE
Applicants: LYKKE HENNING, WISSING BOERGE, LYKKE, HENNING, WISSING, BOERGE
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A45C7
IPC codes: A01K1, A45C7