Crating methods and apparatus
US6170688A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/80
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a crate subassembly including four side units, and each side unit has a top cord, a bottom cord, and vertical cords extending between and secured to the top and bottom cords. The top cord and bottom cord of each side unit extend substantially parallel to each other, and each side unit further includes a diagonal cord extending from and connected to the top and bottom cords. Connector plates are located to connect the respective adjacent vertical cords of each side unit, as well as to secure each side unit cord. When it is desired to form a crate, and by simply separating opposing side units, the subassembly is opened. When opening, the connector plates on the inner surface of the subassembly flex, or bend, and the connector plates have sufficient rigidity so that once opened, the subassembly does not close on itself during handling. With the subassembly in the open condition, the subassembly is readily secured to a pallet using, for example, screws. The above described subassembly enables safe, easy, and fast assembly of sturdy and reusable crates. In addition, such subassembly is low in cost and does not easily collapse.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.