Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1897
I, MILES EMERSON DUNBAR, of Stockbridge, in the County of Berkshire,
and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention relates to new and useful improvements in crates, such as may be
employed to protect bicycles, during shipment from one place to another, and
during storage or like places of exposure.
•
It is first an object of my invention to produce a crate of the above class, which
when not in use can be easily and quickly folded up without necessitating the
removal of any parts thereof. Second, it is an important object to construct said
crate in such a manner as to have no detachable parts, but which shall consist of
successive sections, all of which are hinged together, thus folding or expanding it
more quickly, and whereby it will be more compact when in such folded position.
It is further a desirable and important object of my invention, to so construct and
assemble the several parts of my crate, that it has but one point of union, and
whereby all the parts are locked in place and firmly retained in an expanded
position without the use of tools of any kind. Finally, it is an object of my
invention, to provide means whereby the tool box, attached to the crate, is
automatically locked, by the coupling of its sections together.
In addition to the above novel features, I cheapen, simplify, strengthen and
improve the construction of crates of this class, in a manner to produce a more
desirable and saleable article, than any now upon the market.
Upon the several figures of the accompanying drawing forming a part of this
specification, the same numerals of reference denote like or corresponding parts,
and of which,
Figure 1 shows an expanded perspective view of my novel bicycle crate
complete.
Figure 2 shows a side view of my novel crate in a partially folded position..
Figure 3 shows a side elevation of a complete folded view of the orate.
Figure 4 is a detail' perspective view of the tool box and the connections for
locking its door.
.t
Referring to the numerals of reference marked upon the drawing, 1 indicates the
base, 2 and 3 vertical end pieces hinged to said base and adapted to fold inwardly.
Said end pieces 2 and 3 in turn have hinged thereto, top sections 4 and 5 respectively,
which are adapted to fold outward upon said end pieces as shown in Figures 2
and 3 and wherein it will be observed that the section of one end lies beneath that.
of the other. The sections 4 and 5 which constitute the top of the frame, are
united about midway thereof in any suitable manner, as for instance, by splicing.
and the employment of a bolt 6 as shown, which passes through bores in said ends
and serves to firmly retain the two together, and also ito engage and retain other
parts, as will be later explained:
".
The side pieces of the frame are also made foldable in a desirable and efficient
mabner, as will be next described. Said sides each consist of angularly arranged
braces 7 and 8 which are pivoted to the side of the base 1 near its opposite ends.
'as at 9. Said pivotal points, together with the hinging of the end pieces to said
$

page_text: base, are protected by means of corner irons 10, as clearly appears in the drawing..
Said braces 7 and 8 are ironed upon their upper ends and provided with a hole
through which the pin 6 before mentioned passes, and which serves to fully clamp
eaid side braces to the top, in their respective positions. To these braces just
described, I slidably pivot by means of bolts 11 and slots 12, a horizontal
protecting bar 13 which bar is of a length equal to the distance between the
vertical end pieces and consequently fits snugly there between when the frame is
expanded, thus rendering the crate more. rigid and firm. Owing to the pivotal
sliding connection between the braces and the horizontal bar, the latter settles
down closely upon the base piece with the disconnecting and lowering of said
braces, as will be apparent with reference to Figures 2 and 3.
I attach a tool box 14 to the underside of the top piece 4 of the crate, and
provide the inner end thereof with a hinged door 15 as clearly appears in Figure 4.
I further provide means for locking said door when the crate is expanded, which
means consist in a slidable rod 16 having a head which normally abuts against the
said door in a manner to retain the same. Said rod is let into. a suitable recess of.
the top piece 4 of the crate, and is provided with means for retaining it therein.
The inner end of said rod is free to be engaged by the bolt 6. when the same is
slipped into the holes of the connecting ends of the top pieces 4 and 5. For
convenience in handling, I provide upon the outer side of each of the vertical end
pieces 2 and 3, a handle 17, which can be of any ordinary or preferred construction.
By means of the above, a wheel can oftentimes be shipped as baggage, without
additional cost.
'
The method of setting up or expanding my crate is very simple, and is as
follows: The attendant first raises the sections 3 and 5 to the position shown in
Figure 1; he next raises the sections 2 and 4 of the opposite end, and brings the
'connecting ends of the two parts together, then raises the braces 7 and 8 to their
elevated positions, which parts would simultaneously raise the horizontal bar 13, by
reason of the connection therewith, after which the retaining bolt 6 is placed in
position and the several parts firmly locked.
It will be apparent that the bolt 6 and its thumb nut can readily be provided.
with a small bicycle lock, whereby the crate can easily be locked during shipment.
It is further obvious that the crate can be provided with curtains apon either side,
or with a canvas covering, thereby protecting the finish of the wheel from dust or
other injury. These, however, are immaterial.
I am aware that a bicycle crate has been produced, which is collapsible, (but not.
foldable) by reason of the fact that the essential parts thereof have to be first.
disconnected from the main frame, which may then be collapsed. Said construction
is obviously objectionable, and in no sense forms any part of my invention. My
invention resides in the production of a crate having no detachable parts and which.
is a complete folding structure, and which by reason of said simple construction.
can be set up, or folded in less than one minute's time.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what .I
claim is:
1. A bicycle crate consisting of a base having folding end and top. pieces hinged
thereto, in combination with side pieces, foldable in the vertical plane, of said side
and connectable with said top, substantially as described.
2. A bicycle crate substantially as herein shown and described, consisting of a
base, end pieces hinged to said base, top pieces. hinged to said end pieces, means.for
connecting said top pieces, side pieces foldable in their vertical plane and connectable.
with said top.
3. A bicycle crate, consisting of a folding frame, comprising a base, end, and top
pieces in combination with side braces hinged to said base and connectable with the
top, longitudinal bars pivotally, connected to .said braces and adapted to fold.
therewith upon the base aforesaid.
"

page_text: 4. A folding bicycle crate comprising a base, end pieces hinged thereto and
provided with a folding top, connected together about midway of its length, braces
hinged to the base and having their free ends adapted to register with the con--
nection of the top pieces, means for locking said connecting top pieces and braces
together.
6. A folding bicycle crate, consisting of a frame comprising a base, end and top.
seations, sides connected to said frame, a single means whereby the free ends of
said frame and side pieces are united at a single point.
6. A folding bicycle crate, consisting of a frame comprising a base, end and top.
pieces, sides connected to said frame, a tool box attached to said frame, means-
whereby said box is locked simultaneously with the uniting of the free ends of the
frame and side pieces.
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicant..