Container

Claim 2

A container comprising a generally rectangular base panel, two elongated side base frame members and two elongated end base frame members respectively disposed against said base panel at the margins thereof, two upstanding side panels each disposed with one of the margins thereof upon a different one of said side base frame members, four elongated corner frame members respectively disposed against the generally upstanding margins of said side panels, two elongated side top frame members each disposed upon a different one of said side panels at the upper margin thereof, a horizontal top panel disposed between and against said side top frame members, two elongated end top frame members respectively disposed against said top panel at the front and rear margins thereof, a rear panel disposed with the margins thereof against a rear one of said end base frame members and against the rear one of said end top frame members and against the rear ones of said corner frame members, each of said panels including a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel sheet metal walls and a body of rigid cellular construction disposed therebetween and spacer structure extending therearound, said body being disposed centrally of said walls and secured thereto with said spacer structure being disposed at the margins of said walls and secured thereto and extending along the periphery of said body, a plurality of readily detachable first fasteners respectively detachably connecting said panels to said frame members, a load-bearing rigidifying panel having a width substantially less than the width of said rear panel, said rigidifying panel having one edge thereof disposed against said top panel and another edge thereof disposed against one of said side panels and extending generally parallel to said rear panel, and a plurality of readily detachable second fasteners and brackets respectively detachably mounting said rigidifying panel on the adjacent panels in said container.

Claim 3

The container set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigidifying panel includes a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel sheet metal walls and a body of rigid cellular construction disposed therebetween and spacer structure extending therearound, said body being disposed centrally of said walls and secured thereto with said spacer structure being disposed at the margins of said walls and secured thereto and extending along the periphery of said body.

Claim 4

The container set forth in claim 1, wherein said one side panel includes a first portion extending generally parallel to the other of said side panels and a second portion extending from said first portion toward said second side panel and said base panel, said rigidifying panel having a longer side edge and a shorter side edge extending generally parallel to one another and a top edge disposed normal to both of said side edges and an oblique edge joining the bottoms of said side edges, said top edge being disposed against said top panel and said shorter side edge being disposed against said first portion and said oblique edge being disposed against said second portion.

Claim 5

The container set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigidifying panel is disposed with its plane perpendicular to and generally centrally of said top panel and said one side panel.

Claim 6

A container comprising a generally rectangular base panel, two elongated side base frame members and two elongated end base frame members respectively disposed against said base panel at the margins thereof, two upstanding side panels each disposed with one of the margins thereof upon a different one of said side base frame members, four elongated corner frame members respectively disposed against the generally upstanding margins of said side panels, two elongated side top frame members respectively disposed upon said side panels at the upper margins thereof, a top panel disposed with the side margins thereof between and against said side top frame members, two elongated end top frame members respectively disposed against said top panel at the front and rear margins thereof, a rear panel disposed with the margins thereof against the rear one of said end base frame members and against the rear one of said end top frame members and against the rear ones of said corner frame members, each of said panels including a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel sheet metal walls and a body of rigid cellular construction disposed therebetween and spacer structure extending therearound, said body being disposed centrally of said walls and secured thereto with said spacer structure being disposed at the margins of said walls and secured thereto and extending along the periphery of said body, a plurality of readily detachable first fasteners respectively detachably connecting said panels to said frame members, a load-bearing rigidifying panel having a width substantially less than the width of said rear panel, said rigidifying panel having one edge thereof disposed against said top panel and another edge thereof disposed against one of said side panels, said rigidifying panel extending generally parallel to said rear panel, a plurality of readily detachable second fasteners and brackets respectively detachably mounting said rigidifying panel on the adjacent panels in said container, an elongated T-shaped side stiffener disposed on the inner surface of the other of said side panels and in alignment with the adjacent edge of said rigidifying panel, said side stiffener including a mounting flange secured to the other of said side panels and a first platelike rib extending toward said rigidifying panel, a pair of elongated L-shaped top stiffeners disposed on the inner surface of said top panel and interconnecting said side stiffener and said rigidifying panel, each of said top stiffeners including an attachment flange secured to said top panel and a second platelike rib extending toward said bottom panel, the second rib of one of said top stiffeners being disposed adjacent to one side of said first rib and adjacent to the corresponding wall of said rigidifying panel, the second rib of the other of said top stiffeners being disposed adjacent to the other side of said first rib and adjacent to the corresponding wall of said rigidifying panel, and a plurality of readily detachable third fasteners detachably connecting said top stiffeners to said side stiffener and to said rigidifying panel.

Claim 7

A container comprising a generally rectangular base panel, two elongated side base frame members and two elongated end base frame members respectively disposed against said base panel at the margins thereof, two upstanding side panels each disposed with one of the margins thereof upon a different one of said side base frame members, four elongated corner frame members respectively disposed against the generally upstanding margins of said side panels, two elongated side top frame members respectively disposed upon said side panels at the upper margins thereof, a top panel disposed with the side margins thereof between and against said side top frame members, two elongated end top frame members respectively disposed against said top panel at the front and rear margins thereof, a rear panel disposed with the margins thereof against the rear one of said end base frame members and against the rear one of said end top frame members and against the rear ones of said corner frame members, each of said panels including a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel sheet metal walls and a body of rigid cellular construction disposed therebetween and spacer structure extending therearound, said body being disposed centrally of said walls and secured thereto with said spacer structure being disposed at the margins of said walls and secured thereto and extending along the periphery of said body, a plurality of readily detachable first fasteners respectively detachably connecting said panels to said frame members, a load-bearing rigidifying panel having a width substantially less than the width of said rear panel, said rigidifying panel having one edge thereof disposed against said top panel and another edge thereof disposed against one of said side panels, said rigidifying panel extending generally parallel to said rear panel, a plurality of readily detachable second fasteners and brackets respectively detachably mounting said rigidifying panel on the adjacent panels in said container, an elongated T-shaped side stiffener disposed on the inner surface of the other of said side panels and in alignment with the adjacent edge of said rigidifying panel, said side stiffener including a mounting flange secured to the other of said side panels and a first platelike rib extending toward said rigidifying panel, a pair of elongated L-shaped top stiffeners disposed on the inner surface of said top panel and interconnecting said side stiffener and said rigidifying panel, each of said top stiffeners including an attachment flange secured to said top panel and a second platelike rib extending toward said bottom panel, the second rib of one of said top stiffeners being disposed adjacent to one side of said first rib and adjacent to the corresponding wall of said rigidifying panel, the second rib of the other of said top stiffeners being disposed adjacent to the other side of said first rib and adjacent to the corresponding wall of said rigidifying panel, and a plurality of readily detachable third fasteners detachably connecting said top stiffeners to said side stiffener and to said rigidifying panel.

Claim 8

The container set forth in claim 5, wherein, said rigidifying panel is disposed with its plane perpendicular to and generally centrally of said top panel and said one side panel.

Claim 9

ThE container set forth in claim 5, and further comprising at least one spacer disposed between said second ribs at a point disposed between said side stiffener and said rigidifying panel to maintain a predetermined spacing between said second ribs.

Claim 10

The container set forth in claim 5, and further comprising a first splice plate disposed against one side of said rigidifying panel and one of said L-shaped top stiffeners, a second splice plate disposed on the other side of said rigidifying panel and against the other of said L-shaped top stiffeners, at least one fastener interconnecting said splice plates and said L-shaped top stiffeners and said rigidifying panel, and at least one fastener interconnecting only said splice plates and said rigidifying panel.

Claim 11

A container comprising a body having a door-receiving opening therein, an integral generally F-shaped door support defining an edge of said door-receiving opening and including an attachment portion and a retaining portion extending substantially normal to each other and a guide portion disposed therebetween and extending away from said attachment portion and away from said retaining portion, said guide portion terminating in a free distal end spaced from said attachment portion and said retaining portion, said attachment portion being mounted on said container adjacent to said door-receiving opening with said retaining portion extending in the plane of and toward said opening and said guide portion extending inwardly thereof, said retaining portion having a convex cylindrical distal retaining surface disposed on the same side thereof as said attachment portion and said guide portion having a concave cylindrical retaining surface in facing relationship with said distal retaining surface and defining a groove therebetween, a door for removable mounting in said door-receiving opening and having a closed position with respect thereto, an integral hanger including a mounting portion attached to one edge of said door and including a tongue, said tongue having a concave cylindrical bearing surface on its outer face shaped complementary to said distal retaining surface and a convex cylindrical distal bearing surface shaped complementary to said guide portion concave cylindrical retaining surface and said groove, said tongue in the closed position of said door being disposed in said groove with said concave bearing surface in contact with said distal retaining surface and with said distal bearing surface in contact with said guide portion concave cylindrical retaining surface, and at least one latching mechanism spaced from said hanger and said door support and having a latching condition for engagement of said door with said body and a release condition for disengagement of said door from said body, said latching mechanism in the latching condition thereof cooperating with said door support and said hanger to prevent pivoting of said door with respect to said container and thus to prevent removal of said tongue from said groove to hold said door in said door-receiving opening, said latching mechanism in the release condition thereof accommodating pivoting of said door with respect to said container and thus to permit movement of said tongue out of said groove whereby to allow removal of said door from said door-receiving opening.

Claim 12

A container comprising a body having a door-receiving opening therein, an integral generally F-shaped door support defining an edge of said door-receiving opening and including an attachment portion and a retaining portion extending substantially normal to each other and a guide portion disposed therebetween and extending away from said attachment portion and away from said retaining portion, said guide portion terminating in a free distal end spaced from said attachment portion and said retaining portion, said attachment portion being mounted on said container adjacent to said door-receiving opening with said retaining portion extending in the plane of and toward said opening and said guide portion extending inwardly thereof, said retaining portion having a convex cylindrical distal retaining surface disposed on the same side thereof as said attachment portion and said guide portion having a concave cylindrical retaining surface in facing relationship with said distal retaining surface and defining a groove therebetween, a door for removable mounting in said door-receiving opening and having a closed position with respect thereto, an integral hanger including a mounting portion attached to one edge of said door and including a tongue, said tongue having a concave cylindrical bearing surface on its outer face shaped complementary to said distal retaining surface and a convex cylindrical distal bearing surface shaped complementary to said guide portion concave cylindrical retaining surface and said groove, said tongue in the closed position of said door being disposed in said groove with said concave bearing surface in contact with said distal retaining surface and with said distal bearing surface in contact with said guide portion concave cylindrical retaining surface, and at least one latching mechanism spaced from said hanger and said door support and having a latching condition for engagement of said door with said body and a release condition for disengagement of said door from said body, said latching mechanism in the latching condition thereof cooperating with said door support and said hanger to prevent pivoting of said door with respect to said container and thus to prevent removal of said tongue from said groove to hold said door in said door-receiving opening, said latching mechanism in the release condition thereof accommodating pivoting of said door with respect to said container and thus to permit movement of said tongue out of said groove whereby to allow removal of said door from said door-receiving opening.

Claim 13

The container set forth in claim 9, wherein said door support is elongated and extends essentially from one side of said door-receiving opening to the other side thereof, said hanger being elongated and extending essentially from one edge of said door to the opposite edge thereof.

Claim 14

The container set forth in claim 9, wherein said door support is disposed adjacent to the top of said door-receiving opening.

Claim 15

The container set forth in claim 9, wherein said latching mechanism includes keeper structure mounted on said body adjacent to said door-receiving opening, a latch rotatably mounted on said door adjacent to the periphery thereof and being rotatable between a latching positioN for engagement with the associated keeper structure and a release position for disengagement from the associated keeper structure, a driven gear rotatably mounted on said door and drivingly connected to said latch for imparting rotation thereto, a drive gear rotatably mounted on said door and drivingly connected to said driven gear for imparting rotation thereto and a handle drivingly connected to said driving gear for imparting rotation thereto to move said latch between the latch and release positions thereof, said gears being constructed and arranged to cause a given amount of rotation of said handle to impart a substantially lesser amount of rotation to said latch, thereby to reduce the chances of an inadvertent rotation of said handle causing said latch to move from the lathing position thereof to the release position thereof.

Claim 16

In a container adapted to be transported on the floor of a vehicle and subjected to striking other objects in the vehicle, the combination comprising a generally rectangular base panel, two elongated side base frame members and two elongated end base frame members each including an attachment flange and a pair of outwardly directed spaced-apart retaining jaws, said attachment flanges being respectively disposed against said base panel at the margins thereof and secured thereto, two elongated side bumpers respectively disposed adjacent to said side base frame members and two elongated end bumpers respectively disposed adjacent to said end base frame members, each of said bumpers having a longitudinal extent less than the longitudinal extent of the associated frame member, each of said bumpers including a pair of elongated spaced-apart gripping flanges thereon forcibly urged between the associated retaining jaws and respectively biased thereagainst, said bumpers being grippingly held by the associated retaining jaws and removable therefrom by forcibly withdrawing said gripping flanges from said retaining jaws, a plurality of V-shaped corner bumpers each having a pair of diverging legs merging into a curved apex, said corner bumpers being respectively disposed adjacent to the corners of said base panel with said legs being respectively aligned with the adjacent side bumper and end bumper, means attaching said corner bumpers to said base frame members and accommodating ready detachment of said corner bumpers therefrom, said side bumpers and said end bumpers and said corner bumpers defining an essentially continuous bumper around the periphery of said base panel to protect said container from damage when it strikes another object.

Claim 17

In a container adapted to be transported on the floor of a vehicle and subjected to striking other objects in the vehicle, the combination comprising a generally rectangular base panel, two elongated side base frame members and two elongated end base frame members each including an attachment flange and a pair of outwardly directed spaced-apart retaining jaws, said attachment flanges being respectively disposed against said base panel at the margins thereof and secured thereto, two elongated side bumpers respectively disposed adjacent to said side base frame members and two elongated end bumpers respectively disposed adjacent to said end base frame members, each of said bumpers having a longitudinal extent less than the longitudinal extent of the associated frame member, each of said bumpers including a pair of elongated spaced-apart gripping flanges thereon forcibly urged between the associated retaining jaws and respectively biased thereagainst, said bumpers being grippingly held by the associated retaining jaws and removable therefrom by forcibly withdrawing said gripping flanges from said retaining jaws, a plurality of V-shaped corner bumpers each having a pair of diverging legs merging into a curved apex, said corner bumpers being respectively disposed adjacent to the corners of said base panel with said legs being respectively aligned with the adjacent side bumper and end bumper, means attaching said corner bumpers to said base frame members and accommodating ready detachment of said corner bumpers therefrom, said side bumpers and said end bumpers and said corner bumpers defining an essentially continuous bumper around the periphery of said base panel to protect said container from damage when it strikes another object.

Claim 18

The combination set forth in claim 13, wherein the ends of said corner bumpers are disposed against the ends of said base frame members, and further comprising, eight splice plates respectively disposed against said corner bumpers and the adjacent base frame members and respectively removably joined thereto.

Claim 19

The combination set forth in claim 13, wherein each of said corner bumpers includes a pair of legs diverging at an obtuse angle so that the distance between the apexes of successive corner bumpers is slightly less than the corresponding distance between opposing ones of said side and end bumpers to facilitate guiding of said container.

Claim 20

The container set forth in claim 15, and further comprising two doors respectively detachably mounted on said frame members to close the openings in the ends of said container.