An Improved Collapsible Crate for Packing Velocipedes and for the like purposes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 6th Oct., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Collapsible Crate for Packing Velocipedes and for the
like purposes.
I EMILE POIZOT of 101 Rue du Faubourg Saint Denis, Paris in the Republic
of France, Engineer, 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 :-
Hitherto only rigid crates of fixed dimensions have been employed for the
transport of velocipedes. These are costly and inconvenient and are generally only
capable of being used once.
This invention relates to a system of binged packing crates which can be
collapsed or folded up in order to occupy only a little space. The improved crate
is only of slight bulk and is easily and inexpensively transported and can
consequently be used a considerable number of times.
My invention is shown in detail on the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the crate expanded.
Figure 2 is a view of the crate shut up.
Figure 3 shows in elevation the left half of the crate expanded and the right half
closed.
Figure 4 is an elevation of a modification of the arrangement shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 3.
Figure 5 shows the same modified arrangement when collapsed.
Figures 6 and 7 show on a larger scale one of the angle hinges K.
My improved crate is composed of two absolutely similar symmetrical parts. The
left hand part is indicated by plain letters of reference and the corresponding parts
of the right hand side by the same letters with the addition of a "1."
I shall now describe in detail the left hand part and all that is stated as regards
that part is applicable to the right hand part.
The front face of my improved crate is formed of three longitudinal
bars A B, C D and I connected by uprights E F, G H the rear face is
formed of similar parts a b, c d, i j, e f, g h. The front face is connected
with the rear one by means of two hinge pieces K L and by the cross
bars M, N, O, P. An oscillating or tilting square Q 2 rests on a little catch or
block R.
The hinge bar K is shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7. It is composed of a
rod having one end formed with a head piece and its other end screwed to receive
a nut. Round this rod a tube is placed. The connection of the parts A B
and E F with the parts a band ef takes place in the manner shown in Figure 7.
Washers are placed against the wood and the tube c'prevents the two lateral
faces from approaching. Further this arrangement affords sufficient play to the
parts to allow them to turn.
The left hand part of the crate is connected with the right hand part by means
of a hinge S. A hook T engaging in a ring U serves to hold the two parts of the
crate together as will be bereinafter explained.
The cross bars of the four angles K, L, K', L' serve as axes on which the parts
which they connect may revolve. Finally the points 1, 2, 3, 4 are also centres of
articulation. The joint or hinge I is formed of a small rivet flattened at its two
ends by means of which the upright E F is connected with the bar I J and the
others in like manner.
In the position shown in Figure 1, my improved crate forms an open or barred
packing case, in the interior of which a velocipede may be easily placed.

page_text: The crate in order to assume the compressed form shown in Figure 2 is collapsed
in the following manner:-
The hook T having been disengaged from its ring and the part Q'q' released
from the catch R¹, a light pressure is applied to the bars C' D₁ c' d', and all the
parts turning respectively on their hinges K' 1'2', 3' 4' assume the position shown
in Figure 3. If pressure be then applied to the bars CD, cd, the left hand part
of the crate collapses on itself and assumes a similar position. By then turning it
in the direction shown by the arrow 5, it is brought into the position shown in
Figure 2. The crate is thus folded up into very small compass as may be seen.
Supposing then that, taking the crate in the position shown in Figure 2, it be
desired to utilise it for placing a velocipede therein, the following is the way in
which it is done.
The left hand part is first drawn in the direction of arrows 6 and 7 in order to
bring it into the prolongation of the right hand part. The bar C D is then raised
in order to lift it into the position shown in Figure 3. The bicycle or the like is
then placed in the interior of the frame and whilst the former is held fast by hand
the right hand part of the crate is raised from behind which is then placed in the
position shown in Figure 1. The hook T is engaged in the eye U and the two
parts of the crate form an excellent packing case in the interior of which the
bicycle is retained.
In order to prevent the rubber pneumatic tyres pressing too hard on the cross
bars of the bottom and sides, any of the systems of supports commonly employed in
the ordinary packing cases, may be made use of.
Figures 4 and 5 show an arrangement of a packing crate similar to that herein-
before described, and which only differs in the hinge being dispensed with. The
crate collapses on itself, as was hereinbefore described but it lies its full length and
is uot folded back on itself. In order to allow of the bicycle or the like being
placed inside the cross bar which revolves on u must be raised. It is held in
position by means of a catch.
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 collapsible crate for packing velocipedes and for other like purposes,
consisting of two parts connected by a hinge S, each of these parts being composed
of hinged rectangles and each having a piece Qy bearing on a catch R for the
purpose of holding the said rectangles in an open position, substantially as described
and illustrated.
2. A collapsible crate for packing velocipedes and for the like purposes having a
movable cross bart to allow of the velocipede being inserted by the upper part
instead of the crate being folded onto itself by means of a hinge S, substantially as
described and illustrated.
Dated this 7th day of August 1804
LLEWELYN JONES,
Of 5, South Crescent Chambers, Liverpool, Agent for the Applicant.