Abstract: A construction system suitable for erecting a modular structure such as a furniture item or the like. A first part is connectable with a second part by a releasable cross connection. A third elongate part has a cavity extending substantially over its full length for receiving the cross connection at a position therealong. The third part may be a leg member for the furniture item and the first and second parts may be rail members. Alternatively, the first part may be a coupling element for connecting modular structures together or a hinge element for pivotably attaching a door panel, the second part being a securing element for securing the coupling or hinge element to a leg member. A modular structure and a method of erecting a modular structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crate for a plant, hedge or tree, including first and second end members positioned in spaced relation, and first and second side panels extending between the end members. The end members each removably receive and support an end portion of each of the side panels, respectively, wherein the side panels are removably supported in an upwardly diverging relation and define a crate interior therebetween. Preferably, the side panels are slidably received in the end members, in a manner which enables the side panels to be removed from the end members by pulling the side panels in their respective upwardly diverging directions. The crate is designed to carry at least one plant or tree to be transplanted by placing the entire crate in a transplanting hole and pulling the side panels thereof out of the hole, thereby leaving the plant in the hole and enabling the crate to be re-used with another plant or tree.

Abstract: A container comprising a multiplicity of panels, a multiplicity of retaining clips adapted to secure the panels when the container is erect and a multiplicity of storage clips, each storage clip comprising two legs, a first leg having a first foot arranged to be received beneath the panels when the latter is stacked and a second leg having a second foot adapted to be received in a recess in a top panel of the stack. The length of the first leg is arranged so that the top panel of the stack can be stacked with the internal face directed towards the adjacent panel with a restraining force being applied by the storage clip to the stack to restrain separation of the panels.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cabinet which is formed of wood substrate panels in which a plurality of flat side and end panels have end slots which interlocked together to form a cabinet subassembly. Each end slot extends half the height of its respective panel and has a sufficient width to receive the next adjacent panel in the subassembly. The final assembly also includes top and bottom frames formed of interconnected stringers, one stringer each coextensive with the top edge of each of the flat panels, with each of the stringers having a groove coextensive its length which receives the top edge of its respective panel, thereby interlocking the assembly without use of mechanical fasteners or glue into a strong cabinet which resists racking.

Abstract: A paste bin is disclosed in which the combination of self locking corner irons enable both the elimination of straps utilized to hold the containers together as well as the relatively complex pre-strapping assembly. Accordingly, self locking corner irons are placed on the off pallet sides of the container with two such self locking corner irons being on either vertical side of the off pallet side of the bin. Each of these corner irons consists of eleven gauge (1/8 inch) steel strips bent at 90.degree. to form two longitudinally extending side capturing edges. The vertical dimension of the self locking corner irons is slightly less than all of the height of the sides. On the off pallet side, the edge of the corner irons includes punched intermittent annular inwardly protruding male flanges. These inwardly protruding annular male flange are for receiving the heads of flat head machine screws for permanently fastening the self locking corner irons to the off pallet sides.

Abstract: A wooden jewelry case having sides joined at their ends by miters locked together with brass compression splines having a twibill cross sectional shape. A top and bottom are each attached to the sides with locking splines having a cross sectional shape similar to the figure "8," which locking splines permit the top and bottom to float within the frame provided by the sides and thereby accommodate wood movement. After assembly of the sides, they are typically cut longitudinally to separate the body of the case from a lid assembly that may be hinged to the body with pin type hinges.

Abstract: A foldable container comprises a bottom member (1), a foldable wall arrangement (2) and a lid (3). A locking arrangement included in the container and having locking means (7) on the lid and/or locking means (8) on the bottom member is arranged to interlock the lid and the bottom member in the folded state of the container in a position, in which they are located substantially closer to each other than when the container is filled. The lid and the bottom member form a space therebetween in the interlocked state, in which space the folded wall arrangement may be received.

Abstract: A modular knock-down packing container system, generally of wood, includes interchangeable wall panels with corresponding channel guides for guaranteeing the structurally reinforcement and sealing of the interchangeable walls. The panels are held in place by a combination of the position of the panels within corresponding channel guides and of the use of central sphere rod connectors, which connectors may be rapidly and easily loosened for dismantling of the packaging system, so that the panels can be re-used in other configurations. A systematic plurality of wall panels is provided with incremental dimensioned variations, so that the size of the containers can be varied while preserving the ability to create large hollow interiors uninterrupted by perpendicular floor members. Expansion of the size of the containers is also accomplished without limiting interior container storage space by axial connection of the stacking of the panels end over end.

Abstract: A joint for assembling planar members of a knock down chair and a box made from an assembly of interlocking pieces requiring no fasteners is disclosed. The various members can be made from a single sheet of commercially available plywood. When the last planar member is assembled in place the other planar members remain assembled in interlocking relationship preventing unintended disassembly.

Abstract: An erectable container assembly comprising end members, side members and a bottom member which are compactly packagable in a disassembled kit form for later assembly without the need for tools, separate fasteners, or adhesive to form a useful and decorative container. A combination of novel locking mechanisms are provided to permit quick and easy assembly of the container and to prevent accidental disassembly thereof.

Abstract: An enclosure for machinery or other items comprises a base, opposed sidewalls, opposed endwalls and a top cover. The endwalls are fixed to the base and have side edges which taper inwardly toward one another from bottom to top and are bent inwardly to form flanges which mount a strip of rubber. The sidewalls extend between the side edges of the endwalls and rest against the rubber strips and the base. The top cover is formed with a pair of opposed side flanges each having a strip of rubber mounted to the inner face thereof. Preferably, the distance between the rubber strips on the opposed side flanges of the top cover is less than the distance between the sidewalls.

Abstract: An accessory for use in hatchback automobiles and station wagons is dimensioned to fit within the rear interior area of the automobile, and is intended to restrict movement of small articles during transportation. The accessory comprises a base, back flap swingably attached to the base, and at least two side flaps swingably attached to the back flap. When the back flap is positioned in an upright position, and the side flap extended outwardly from the back flap, there is formed open-topped enclosures for retaining the small articles in restricted positions during movement of the automobile.

Abstract: A rectangular barrel having four flat sides. Each side comprises a plurality of board of substantially square cross section. Each board has right angular grooves extending laterally near the end and has a tongue on one edge and a groove on the other edge which interfit to form each side. Both end of the barrel are square with tongues extending into the right angular grooves of the boards and partially into the tongues and grooves of all the boards for sealing the ends of the barrel.

Abstract: This educational device provides a three-dimensional, box-like structure and includes a plurality of side portions and a plurality of cross members selectively connectible to the side portions. A variety of threaded fasteners and tools are utilized for assembly of the educational device, which provides both an educational function in the use of different tools and threaded fasteners, as well as a toy providing a puzzle challenge by requiring a particular orientation of parts and threaded fasteners for complete assembly.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a box and an arrangement permitting the secure but separable connection of an edge part of a first component to an adjacent edge part of a second component. Each edge part is provided with a number of connecting portions designed to produce the connection. The connecting portions for one of the edge parts and the connecting portions for the other edge part are so poritioned with respect to each other as to include, irrespective of their directional orientation lengthwise along the respective edge part, connecting portions which correspond to each other for interacting with one another.

Abstract: A collapsible box having sidewalls secured together at the corners of the box by first and second loop elements fastened to two adjacent sidewalls. As disclosed, each loop element includes two tapered end portions adjacent one another driven into a sidewall, to secure the loop element thereto, and two elongated portions extending along the sidewall from the tapered end portions, terminating in a loop at a corner of the box. The sidewalls of the box meet at the corner to produce a recess, and a fastening wire is passed through the loops of the loop elements on the two adjacent sidewalls, with the ends of the wire twisted together to secure the two loop elements to one another in the recess. The forces produced serve to hold the box together and to hold the loop elements against the sidewalls. The loop elements are also stapled to the sidewalls.

Abstract: An erectable transport container comprising end members, slats and handle which are compactly packagable in a disassembled kit form for later assembly without the need for tools, separate fasteners, or adhesive to form a useful container for storage, transport or decoration. A locking mechanism is provided to prevent accidental disassembly of the container after it has been assembled.

Abstract: A bulk container which is disassemblable such that the interchangeable wall panels and the locking clips which connect the wall panels fit flatly into the flanged base assembly of the container. A base assembly provided with flanged sides holds the disasembled rectangular side panels. Each side panel is provided with a miter strip adjacent each side edge which extends below the lower edge in a leg. The leg supports the panel above the flange of the base assembly. Adjacent the miter strip at each side of the panel is a short slot. Locking clips engage a pair of panels at each corner by engaging the slots. The size reduction afforded by the disassembled condition of the container provides for more efficient shipping and transportation of the containers. Interchangeable parts reduce overall costs and the time required for assembly and disassembly.

Abstract: A container for produce, fruit, groceries, dairy products, and the like comprising a hollow container of substantially rectangular shape, the container including laterally spaced normally vertical side walls, longitudinally spaced normally vertical end walls connecting the side walls at the respective opposite ends of said container and a bottom wall closing the normally lower end of the container. Means defining a guide channel for a slidable cover member on the upper end of said container is provided. The cover member being slidably positioned in the guide channel. The container is open at the upper end of one of the normally vertical walls to permit movement of the slidable cover into or out of the guide channel. A ventilating passage means is provided in at least one of the normally vertical walls.

Abstract: Various geometric structures are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the structure is a mirror cube formed by five rectangular mirrors defining four sides and a top panel, and an inset base. Upper and lower frames extend around upper and lower margins of the side panels and are coupled together by clamping means. In one embodiment, these clamping means comprise a bolt extending between an inner top panel and the base and releasable from below the base. Other forms of structure are disclosed and may be used as, say, packing cases, furniture structures and the like.

Abstract: A stackable box of the type positionable in a stack with other boxes comprises a frame with walls formed of non-flowable moldable material having angular portions assembled to form outwardly extending corners. The frame is formed with a downwardly and inwardly extending lower portion and an upper portion. A horizontal base is located within the interior of the frame above the lower portion thereof. At least two walls of the frame are formed with a groove to receive a cover closing the box. An upwardly projecting web is formed at the upper portion of each wall adapted to extend toward the lower portion of the frame of the successive above-positioned box to form a locking connection therewith. The depth of the groove is sufficient to receive the cover as the latter is inserted into the frame in either flat or sloped position.

Abstract: A rectangular barrel-like structure having four wooden stave sides and two wooden stave head sections, joined together by specially designed triangular corner members. Each of the staves used in making the side walls and in making the head sections are of white oak and are of tongue-and-groove construction. Additionally, each of the staves utilized in the wall sections contains a croze at the top and at the bottom for snug engagement with the staves forming the head sections. Each of the triangular corner members is truncated at the junction of the leg and the base of the triangle so as to form a planar section equal in width to the width of the wall section stave. The truncated planar section contains a projecting tongue on one side for engagement with a complementary groove of a wall stave of one side section and a complementary groove on the other for engagement with a projecting tongue of one of the wall staves of the other wall section.

Abstract: An improved, reusable, modular, knockdown container preserves delicate corners necessary for providing sufficient bearing surface and force direction to maintain the package erect by providing a clip-bearing plate associated with each corner to protect the corner during placement and removal of the clip from the container. Notched, interfitting panels are held erect by a resilient clip which fits into routed troughs on adjacent panels. A clip-receiving recess ensures that the clip does not extend upwardly from the surface of the panel. Access means through the clip allow insertion of a bar to wedge between the bearing plate and the clip in prying the clip from its position holding the adjacent panels. Thus the life of the panel is substantially increased.

Abstract: A pallet container system having strap-like clamping devices to retain five or more rectangular panels in either an erect box-like condition or in a collapsed condition in which the panels are compactly stacked for handling and storage during non-use. The panels are provided with recess formations spaced from each peripheral edge by a common marginal distance related to the combined thickness of five panels. The clamps are preferably L-shaped in configuration to define legs differing in length from each other by the thickness of one panel. In the erect condition, the short leg extends about the edge of one panel and along the surface of another panel oriented at right angles to the one panel so that clamping projections at the ends of the legs engage in the recessed formations. In a collapsed condition, the panels are stacked and the clamp engaged about the edges to retain the panels in an overlying stacked relationship and also to retain a complete set of clamps with the stacked panels.

Abstract: A wine container has a peripheral metal frame which defines the upper, lower and end walls, the side walls being timber panel assemblies which are sealably clamped to the peripheral metal frame by respective clamping frames.

Abstract: A pallet box having a floor assembly which can be connected to the side wall assemblies without the use of nails is disclosed. The pallet box includes a plurality of side wall assemblies joined at their adjacent vertical edges to form an enclosure. Cleats are mounted adjacent the lower edges of the side wall assemblies and define bearing recesses. A bottom support assembly has finger members extending outwardly, which are received by the cleat recesses. The floor assembly is positioned on and is supported by the cleats and the bottom support assembly.

Abstract: A plant growing box with four inwardly and upwardly sloping side walls defining a quadrilateral enclosure, held together by four readily separable corner brackets having a removable securing pin. The meeting edges at the corners are spaced apart from each other to provide for ventilation there. Preferably the box walls slope inwardly at about 15.degree. to vertical, and they are each supplied with an exterior control handle. Two lower edges provide a bottom-receiving slide for a removable perforated bottom.

Abstract: A box is designed in a size and shape which is convenient for holding any suitable equipment, such as camping and picnicking equipment and including such things as a tent and perhaps some simple cooking implements. The box has six panels which fit together in one manner to form a box and in another manner to form a table, which might be a picnic table, a bench and two spools, for example. When the panels are assembled in yet another manner, they form a compact luggage-type unit for easy carrying. A feature of the invention is that all parts are reusable and that the various configurations fit into preexisting geometrical constraints such as the trunks of cars, and the like.

Abstract: A folding container construction has a wooden reinforcing framework which is attached to the side (74, 75) and end walls (98, 99) of the box. The side walls (74, 75) of the box are provided with vertical struts (82, 84, 86) disposed at the peripheral edges of the walls and a single, horizontal brace (79, 80) disposed adjacent to the top of the wall. At least one horizontal reinforcing member (104, 105) is provided on each end wall of the box with the horizontal members being received by slots defined by the struts on the side walls and the horizontal brace to maintain the box configuration. The end walls (98, 99) are maintained on the base (60) of the container by the bottom surfaces of the vertical struts which seat against a bottom flap (92, 93) on the end walls when the box is constructed. In this way, the need for separately attaching the end walls to the container base is eliminated.

Abstract: Relates to collapsible grocery bag holders for installation in automobile trunk compartments. Different forms of the invention are illustrated and described herein. In general, they are composed of longitudinally extending side wall members pivotally mounted for folding into a flat compact unit, crossing dividers so designed as to grip the opposing side walls and firmly hold them in spaced apart vertical relationship to form a group of upward opening grocery bag compartments, living hinges for both side wall panels and dividers, and base or bottom members for underlying the grocery bag compartments which are provided with unbroken ridges extending around the perimeter of the base members to prevent escape of liquid or comminuted material from broken grocery packages beyond the confines of the base members.

Abstract: A furniture component system comprises connecting members each having a pair of mutually angularly divergent limbs, and plate-shaped members having at least one edge formed with at least two holes extending inwardly of the respective plate-shaped member, each of the holes being dimensioned to receive therein one of the connecting member limbs, whereby the plate-shaped members are connectible together in mutually angularly disposed relationship, whereby relative movement apart of a connected pair of the plate-shaped members may be restricted to one direction only. Preferably, the plate-shaped members are rectangular and the connecting members are L-shaped. The system can be assembled to form boxes, cupboards, shelves, tables and other articles of furniture.

Abstract: Boards for wooden packing cases with the shape of a parallelepiped, having connecting elements in the form of tenons and mortises that alternate at regular intervals on the edges of the rectangular hexahedron thereof. Each edge is connected with the others by the tenons and mortises. The pitches of these elements are calculated according to the invention from the overall lengths of the respective edge by a novel method so that the mortise-and-tenon connections have bilateral symmetry about a central point of the overall lengths of the edges. A plurality of the connections has an equal basic pitch in a bilaterally symmetrical arrangement, and the invention provides either a pair of tenons (or mortises) at the ends of the edges or a single tenon (or mortise) at the center, with a different pitch, calculated by the novel method. In addition to the novel boards and the method of making the same, the invention also relates to packing cases made therefrom.

Abstract: A knock-down container comprising four interlocked side panels and a panel-supporting pallet. Each side panel has opposing end regions which extend beyond the outwardly-facing surfaces of adjacent interlocked panels. Cleats attached to the inwardly-facing surfaces of each end region abut the outwardly-facing surfaces of adjacent panels to brace adjacent panels against an outwardly-directed force. The interlocked panels are supported on pallet skids which extend outwardly from two opposite edges of a pallet base.

Abstract: A module capable of being grouped into multiples to define various articles of furniture, such as bookcases and file cabinets. The module is constituted by top, bottom and side panels whose edges have longitudinal bores therein and are cut to form complementary tongues and grooves creating corner joints, whereby the panels may be compactly packaged and shipped in the flat state and thereafter assembled on a site to create a box-like module having rectangular front and rear openings. The joints are held together and the structure stabilized by a removable strut connector constituted by a pair of intersecting arms each acting as a bridge between a set of diagonally-opposed corners at the rear opening to form a truss, the arms being pivotally interconnected and being provided at their ends with laterally-extending pins that are insertable into the corner bores so that one may collapse the module simply by removing the strut connector.

Abstract: Casket according to the teachings of the present invention is disclosed including, a bottom, a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, and a top. The parts of the casket are longitudinally, slidably interconnected together such that each successive part of the casket interfits and interlocks with the others. Thus the bottom, sides, ends, and top interfit in a fashion that the assembly of the top locks the bottom, sides, and ends and prevents movement of the bottom, sides, and ends in any direction to form a rigid, unitary, complete casket obviating the necessity of any further fastening elements of any kind. In the preferred embodiment, no hardware of any kind is required in the assembly of the casket. Therefore, the casket according to the teachings of the present invention meets certain religious requirements and allows a dignified burial while avoiding excessive costs.

Abstract: A fastening system for structures such as knock-down crates and other multiple panel structures is disclosed. Resilient spring clips prebent to form two angularly disposed arms are provided for releasably locking panels such as the rectangular sides, ends, tops, and base panels of a knock-down shipping container. Each clip has a bent over end on one arm forming a hook adapted to fit into and to be held within a retaining slot in a bracket carried on one panel and further has a detent formed at the end of the other arm adapted to fit within an opening in a bracket on the adjacent panel to resiliently lock the panels in place when the clip is flexed.

Abstract: A wooden box-like container for the aging of alcoholic beverages. The container is in the form of a box having six panels or sides in which any three mutually adjacent panels are mutually perpendicular to one another and join one another at a corner. Any one of the panels of a group of three mutually adjacent panels contacts one adjacent panel in face to edge relation and the third panel of the group in edge to face relation. Each of the corners are formed in this fashion and all of the panels are held together in tight box-like form by prestressing means. This preserves the liquid tight contact at the face to edge and edge to face junction of the panels. Where the panels meet a cubical gap is left which is plugged by plug means. The prestressing means may be in the form of clamps of headers connected by prestress rods provided with tightening nuts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a complex packing, especially adapted for the transport and storage of liquid and pasty products in large quantities, for example of the order of a thousand litres or more, this packing having a large safety factor during handling while full, while enabling a small volume to be obtained when empty. The complex packing is composed firstly of a plastic bag of parallelepiped shape capable of being folded flat when empty, and secondly of a pallet of corresponding parallelepiped shape which constitutes a rigid outer casing for the plastic bag, the pallet comprising a base platform and four dismantlable sides, of which at least two have handles for handling by slings. The platform is furthermore arranged so as to receive a cross-member which may be engaged in the handles of the pallet located immediately below, so as to couple the two pallets together for handling in series.

Abstract: A plant-holding type window box has wedge-tight spring-lock assembly-securance system providing rapid, tool-less set-up for use and knockdown for shipping or storage; plural hangers incrementally adjust in pre-spaced holes and screw-adjust in depth in coaction with screw adjustable stand-offs to mount the unit securely to all usual building-structure configurations; conveniently large and accessible assembly wedges so-relate visually to the wall members that the wall structure as a whole appears unitary when assembled; economical straight-cut fabrication is employed throughout to hold all edges of two-level plant pot holding structure.

Abstract: Right angular corners of knock-down reusable multipanel containers are releasably joined in assembled relationship by metal reinforcing plates and right angular spring clips which span the corners. Formed terminals on the clip arms are received by apertures of the reinforcing plates. One such aperture is relatively large to receive a release implement and the adjacent clip terminal is slotted to receive the release implement after insertion thereof through the aperture. The aperture of the other reinforcing plate is relatively narrow to prevent dangerous separation of the clip from the container following the release of one arm thereof by means of said implement.

Abstract: A knock-down reusable shipping container includes completely separable top, base, end and side walls and fastener means whereby adjoining corners of the separable walls may be securely fastened in assembled relationship and quickly separated. Spring clip fasteners cooperate with reinforcing plates on the respective container walls to produce one way and two way corner connections. Economy of manufacture and minimized labor in the use of the invention are featured.

Abstract: An assembly for a container having a plurality of panels each of which is engaged at marginal edges thereof by a channel shaped rail. Moldings formed with pairs of spaced parallel flanges define recesses for receiving the rails.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a four-sided pallet container which is used in connection with a bottom section. The pallet container of this invention is particularly suited for use in connection with produce and as a bulk industrial container. The pallet container utilizes a pair of opposing primary panels and a pair of opposing secondary panels. The primary and secondary panels are locked into position by opposing tapers. When positioned in a rectangular or square locking relationship, the primary and secondary panels are rigidly secured in a rectangular or square relationship when pressure is supplied to the underside of said primary panels. The pallet container of this invention can utilize a plurality of bottom sections. After assembly the pallet container of this invention can be readily broken down or disassembled.

Abstract: A collapsible container with or without a lid for carrying and storing articles comprising at least one side plate formed in its inner surface with recessed portions aligned along one end thereof and each having a vertical pin supported by opposed walls defining the recessed portion, and another adjacent side plate having hinge projections provided on one of its opposite ends adjacent to the first-mentioned side plate. The hinge projections rotatably retain the vertical pins in engagement therewith to render the container completely collapsible. Each of the hinge projections disengageably abuts against an outer wall defining each of the recessed portions to impart increased buckling strength to the container.

Abstract: The planter box is constructed preferably of wooden planks having two opposite side members, two opposite end members and a bottom member, each of the side members having a mortise extending parallel and inwardly from the opposite end of the planks to receive the edges of the end members; the bottom plank is provided with a mortise extending about its upper surface and adjacent the peripheral edges of the bottom to receive the adjacent edges of the side and end members to form a water-tight joint between the side, end and bottom members throughout the box.

Abstract: Containers are made from container sections, placed one upon the other. Each section has four sides. Corner members are placed on each side edge of each side. The corner member on one side edge is L shaped and the corner member on the other side edge is J shaped. The L shaped and J shaped members co-act to allow adjacent sides to be removably fixed one to the other.