US3887102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ventilated, adjustable size, open top receptacle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-02-07
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1994-02-07
Abstract
Abstract An open top receptacle formed of two identical molded segments, each of which includes one side wall formed with projecting plates, one side wall formed with internal tunnels and a bottom formed with both projecting plates and internal tunnels, is disclosed. The segments in juxtaposed relation engage with each other to provide a telescopic fit permitting variation of the receptacle size.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald C Earley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:11
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D25/00; F25D25/02; F25D25/022; F25D2325/00; F25D2325/021; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/10; F25D2500/00; F25D2500/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An adjustable size open-top basket having two substantially identical molded segments telescopically fitted together, each of said segments comprising an end wall, bottom member joined to said end wall and having an array of tunnel portions extending toward said end wall and an array of plate portions projecting from the distal end of the bottom member, the entire array of tunnels being spaced laterally from the array of plates and with the number of plates being equal to the number of tunnels, first and second side walls integrally joined to each of the adjacent edges of the end wall and of the bottom member, said first side wall having an array of tunnels projecting toward said end wall and said second side wall having an array of plates projecting from its distal end, whereby upon arranging of one basket segment in juxtaposition to the other segment the projecting plates of one segment will engage with a telescopic sliding fit into the corresponding tunnels of the other segment permiTting variation of the size of the basket while avoiding collapse of the basket under substantial loading by the contents of the basket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
An adjustable size open-top basket having two substantially identical molded segments telescopically fitted together, each of said segments comprising an end wall, bottom member joined to said end wall and having an array of tunnel portions extending toward said end wall and an array of plate portions projecting from the distal end of the bottom member, the entire array of tunnels being spaced laterally from the array of plates and with the number of plates being equal to the number of tunnels, first and second side walls integrally joined to each of the adjacent edges of the end wall and of the bottom member, said first side wall having an array of tunnels projecting toward said end wall and said second side wall having an array of plates projecting from its distal end, whereby upon arranging of one basket segment in juxtaposition to the other segment the projecting plates of one segment will engage with a telescopic sliding fit into the corresponding tunnels of the other segment permiTting variation of the size of the basket while avoiding collapse of the basket under substantial loading by the contents of the basket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
190 words
An adjustable size open-top basket having two substantially identical molded segments telescopically fitted together, each of said segments comprising an end wall, bottom member joined to said end wall and having an array of tunnel portions extending toward said end wall and an array of plate portions projecting from the distal end of the bottom member, the entire array of tunnels being spaced laterally from the array of plates and with the number of plates being equal to the number of tunnels, first and second side walls integrally joined to each of the adjacent edges of the end wall and of the bottom member, said first side wall having an array of tunnels projecting toward said end wall and said second side wall having an array of plates projecting from its distal end, whereby upon arranging of one basket segment in juxtaposition to the other segment the projecting plates of one segment will engage with a telescopic sliding fit into the corresponding tunnels of the other segment permiTting variation of the size of the basket while avoiding collapse of the basket under substantial loading by the contents of the basket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
190 words
An adjustable size open-top basket having two substantially identical molded segments telescopically fitted together, each of said segments comprising an end wall, bottom member joined to said end wall and having an array of tunnel portions extending toward said end wall and an array of plate portions projecting from the distal end of the bottom member, the entire array of tunnels being spaced laterally from the array of plates and with the number of plates being equal to the number of tunnels, first and second side walls integrally joined to each of the adjacent edges of the end wall and of the bottom member, said first side wall having an array of tunnels projecting toward said end wall and said second side wall having an array of plates projecting from its distal end, whereby upon arranging of one basket segment in juxtaposition to the other segment the projecting plates of one segment will engage with a telescopic sliding fit into the corresponding tunnels of the other segment permiTting variation of the size of the basket while avoiding collapse of the basket under substantial loading by the contents of the basket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A basket as defined in claim 1 wherein said end and said side walls slope downwardly from the top edge thereof to provide nesting of unassembled segments and wherein said end wall includes a handle disposed thereabove and integrally joined thereto, said handle projecting outward from said end wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A basket as defined in claim 2 wherein said handle comprises a portion adapted to rest upon a support and joined to said end wall by spaced uprights reinforced in their central vertical regions with a thicker section of material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A basket as defined in claim 1 wherein said second side wall includes an array of three plates and said first side wall includes an array of three tunnels, the central plate and central tunnel having a greater width dimension than the companion plates and tunnels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A basket as defined in claim 4 wherein the first side wall is reinforced longitudinally along at least one of its tunnel portions by a thicker section of material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
A basket as defined in claim 1 including an upper array of apertures in each of the end wall and side walls of said segment adjacent the upper edges of the walls and a lower array of apertures in each of the end wall and side walls adjacent said bottom member, said arrays of apertures being spaced vertically from each other to leave supporting ribs of structural material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A basket as defined in claim 3 including a plurality of arrays of apertures in said bottom member spaced laterally from each other, said array of bottom apertures having supporting ribs of structural material therebetween and with the tunnels of the bottom member being formed in the ribs located to one side of the longitudinal axis of the bottom member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |