Improvements in Folding Crates.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 15th Jan., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Crates.
We, MAGNUS Eк, Cabinet Maker, of Water Street, Silverton, in the County of
Marion and State of Oregon, United States of America, and HENRY LEE EISEN-
HART, Miller, of First Street, in Brown's Addition to Silverton, in the County of
Marion and State of Oregon, United States of America, 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:-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in folding crates,
and has for its objects, among others, to provide à simple, cheap, strong, durable
folding crate that can be easily set up and which can be folded into small compass
when desired for the purpose of shipping, adapted for shipping eggs, fruit, chickens,
dry goods or other commodities. It has a hinged folding partition and means are
provided for locking it in its open or folded condition.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the
novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with
the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in
which,
Figure 1 is a view showing the crate set up with the lid open.
Figure 2 is a view showing the same folded.
Figure 3 is a section through the same.
Figure 4 is a top plan.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the several views.
Referring now to the details of the drawing by letter, A designates the bottom,
to opposite sides of which are hinged by suitable hinges a the sides B, the hinges
being preferably strap hinges and the straps extending across the bottom and
across the inner and outer faces of opposite sides so as to strengthen the same.
To one of the sides are hinged the ends C by suitable hinges c, the straps of which
also serve to brace the same and strengthen them, and the hinges are so arranged
that the ends fold down flat against the inner face of the side. To the other side
is hinged the cover D by suitable hinges d, the straps of which are arranged with off-
sets, so that the cover may fold over and close the top of the box, and when
the crate is to be folded it folds over in the other direction against the outer face
of the side to which it is hinged.
E is a partition hinged to the inner face of the side carrying the lid and its outer
edge adapted to engage in a vertical groove e in the inner face of the opposite side.
The ends C are provided upon their edge opposite their hinges with the pins F
which are adapted to engage openings f in the inner face of the side carrying the
cover, and on these end pieces are hooks H adapted to engage staples or eyes h on
the opposite side piece. On the under side of the cover is a pad I of any suitable
material secured thereto in any convenient manner, and secured to this pad as
by a rivet j or otherwise is a strap J. The lid may be held closed in any suitable
manner, as for instance, by the hinged plates K hinged on the ends of the straps
that extend across the upper face of the cover and having slots k' to engage the

page_text: hooks or pins L rotatably mounted in the outer faces of the front side and adapted
to be inserted in said slots and then turned at a right angle thereto to hold the
same hooked.
When not in use and it is desired to fold the crate for shipment or storage the
hooks are disengaged from the staples, the hooks of the lid are disengaged and
the end pieces folded against their side, and the latter then folded against
the under side of the bottom. The partition is then folded against
the remaining side, the lid folded over against the outer face thereof, and
then said side with its partition and cover folded down against the upper face of
the bottom and the whole secured by the strap which is provided with a buckle for
this purpose.
Modifications in details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of
the invention.
If desired, a strap may be employed on the outside of the portion carrying the lid,
as well as on, the inside, and, I may also make the hinge on the strap which goes
up on the outside of said side.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is: :-
1. A folding crate having a hinged partition, substantially as described.
2. A folding crate having a hinged partition and a pad upon the under face
of its cover, substantially as described.
3. A folding crate having a hinged partition, and a pad upon the under face
of its cover, and a strap secured to said pad for holding the crate in its folded
position, substantially as described.
4. A folding crate consisting of a bottom, sides thereto, end pieces hinged to one
of the sides, a partition hinged to the inner face of one of the sides, and a lid
hinged to said side and adapted to fold down against the outer face thereof,
substantially as described.
5. A folding crate consisting of a bottom, sides thereto, end pieces hinged to
one of the sides, a partition hinged to the inner face of one of the sides, and a lid
hinged to said side and adapted to fold down against the outer face thereof, and
provided with a pad upon its under face provided with a strap, substantially as
described.
Dated this 10th day of August 1907
S. S. BROMHEAD,
Patent Agent, 97, Newgate Street, London, E.C.