Improvements in or relating to Fruit and like Baskets.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Apr., 189
Complete Specification Left 25th Jan
1505-Accented
23rd Mar 1804
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Fruit and like Baskets.
I FRANCIS NIXON of Great Eversden, Cambridge, Farmer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the baskets commonly employed for carrying fruit
and vegetables, and has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive device
which will serve as a cover, allowing the baskets to be placed one on top of the
other in the usual manner without damaging their contents.
Diagonally across the top of the basket, is fixed a bar of steel or other suitable
material curved or arched in side elevation. This may be fixed by nut and bolt,
or screw, or by embedding the bent ends of the bar in the wickerwork of the basket
when the latter is being made. To this bar is fitted a spring strip, pivoted to it
loosely at about the centre. This strip can be turned round to lie on top of the bar,
or at right angles to it. In the former case it is held by a clip at each end and lies
closely on top of the arched bar. When turned into a cross position the ends are
pushed under the wicker-work at the top of the basket, which holds them down
and causes the strip to take on an arched form, similar to that of the bar. A light
cross frame is thus formed, sufficient to prevent the contents of the basket falling
out easily, and serving to support the baskets placed on top.
Dated this 25th day of April 1894. ·
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Fruit and like Baskets.
I, FRANCIS NIXON of Great Eversden, Cambridge, Farmer, 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 the baskets commonly employed for carrying fruit and
vegetables, and has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive device which
will serve as a cover, allowing the baskets to be placed one on top of the other in
the usual manner without damaging their contents.
Diagonally across the top of the basket, is fixed a bar of steel or other suitable
material, curved or arched in side elevation. This may be fixed by nut and bolt,
or screw, or by embedding the bent ends of the bar in the wickerwork of the
basket when the latter is being made, and is preferably arranged to turn on a hinge
at one side. To this bar is fitted a spring strip, pivoted to it loosely at about the
centre. This strip can be turned round to lie on top of the bar, or at right angles
to it. In the former case it is held by a clip at each end and lies closely on top of
the arched bar. When turned into a cross position the ends are pushed under the
wicker-work at the top of the basket, which holds them down, and causes the strip
to take on an arched form, similar to that of the bar.

page_text: A light cross frame is thus formed, sufficient to prevent the contents of the basket
falling out easily, and serving to support the basket placed on top.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is iad to
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the
basket with cover fitted in position, Fig. 2 is a vertical section with cover open, and
Fig. 3 is a plan showing the cross strip collapsed.
A is the wicker basket of any ordinary shape, having the bottom of arched or
convex shape. Across the top of this basket the arched bar B extends diagonally,
hinged at one end to the plate C which is fixed to the wicker-work by a small
plate cand a bolt el, passing through the side of the basket and fixed from the
outside. The hinge plate projects through the rim of the basket. The bar is
of spring metal and though stiff can be bent slightly so as to be sprung into
position.
It is fastened at its free end by the plate D fixed to the basket in a similar
manner to C by means of the plate d and bolt d'. The extremity of the har
is formed with a small projection which engages in the perforation of the plate
when the bar is sprung into position, thus securing the latter firmly across the
basket.
At the centre of this is pivoted the cross strip E of spring metal, sufficiently
stout to withstand considerable pressure when closed, but at the same time capable
of bending freely. This strip is, as shown in Fig. 1, fastened across the basket by
the ends being sprung under the rim at each side. The bar B is provided with the
clips at each side which serves to retain the strip when turned into the position
shown in Fig. 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.-
(1.) A cover for fruit and like baskets consisting of an arched bar extending
diametrically across the top and a flexible cross strip pivoted at the centre: and
extending when in closed position across the basket at right angles to the bar,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(2.) A cover for fruit and like baskets, consisting of a light frame formed by
an arched bar fitted to the basket and extending diametrically across its top,
having a clip at each end, and a flexible metal strip pivoted to the bar at the
centre, retained in open position by the said clips and in closed position by
springing the ends under the rim of the basket substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
(3.) The improved cover for fruit and like baskets, consisting of a light cross
frame, constructed and operating substantially in the manner described and shown
and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 25th day of January 1895.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.