US3917102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible container
Assignee: Olivetti SpA
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Filing: 1973-10-31
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1993-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible container comprising a plurality of panels detacheably joined along their edges by a series of locking device inserted through aligned apertures through two edges, each of said edges being bent outwardly from the respective panels in such a manner that the edges lie flush against each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Renato Repetti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:14
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B12/00; F16B12/10; F16B12/28; F16B12/34; A; A47; A47B; A47B96/00; A47B96/20; A47B96/201; F16B5/00; F16B5/06; F16B5/0607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A collapsible container comprising: a plurality of panels each having a central planar portion and peripheral planar portions disposed at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the central planer portion, each peripheral portion of each panel positionable in a juxtaposed relationship with one peripheral portion of another panel when the panels are in an assembled state; and locking means for releasably locking the juxtaposed peripheral portions of the panels together to maintain the panels in an assembled state, said locking means comprising means defining at least one elongated aperture in each peripheral portion of the panels each aperture elongated along an axis parallel to the vertex of the angle between the central planar portion and the peripheral portion and positioned to be aligned with the corresponding aperture of a juxtaposed peripheral portion of another panel and locking members each removably insertable through two aligned apertures and each comprising a pin member and two wing members each having a clamping surface, the two wing members connected at either end of said pin member to space the clamping surfaces apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of two juxtaposed peripheral portions and wherein each locking member when inserted in two aligned apertures is rotatable about the pin member from an unlocking position to a locking position wherein the clamping surfaces inwardly bear against the juxtaposed peripheral portions locking them together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A collapsible container comprising: a plurality of panels each having a central planar portion and peripheral planar portions disposed at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the central planer portion, each peripheral portion of each panel positionable in a juxtaposed relationship with one peripheral portion of another panel when the panels are in an assembled state; and locking means for releasably locking the juxtaposed peripheral portions of the panels together to maintain the panels in an assembled state, said locking means comprising means defining at least one elongated aperture in each peripheral portion of the panels each aperture elongated along an axis parallel to the vertex of the angle between the central planar portion and the peripheral portion and positioned to be aligned with the corresponding aperture of a juxtaposed peripheral portion of another panel and locking members each removably insertable through two aligned apertures and each comprising a pin member and two wing members each having a clamping surface, the two wing members connected at either end of said pin member to space the clamping surfaces apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of two juxtaposed peripheral portions and wherein each locking member when inserted in two aligned apertures is rotatable about the pin member from an unlocking position to a locking position wherein the clamping surfaces inwardly bear against the juxtaposed peripheral portions locking them together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the wing members are spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of two juxtaposed peripheral portions and wherein said locking means further comprises means urging the clamping surfaces of each locking member together when rotated into the locking position and for retaining the locking member in the locking position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A collapsible container according to claim 2, wherein said pin member comprises resilient material and wherein said urging and retaining means comprises a protuberance on each wing member spaced a predetermined distance apart and from the associated clamping surface to contact the central planar portion before the clamping surface contacts the peripheral portions during movement of the locking member from the unlocking to the locking portion to cause the clamping surfaces to be urged together about the pin member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein said locking means further comprises means for preventing relative movement of the juxtaposed peripheral portions in the plane of the juxtaposed peripheral portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A collapsible container according to claim 4, wherein said means for preventing relative movement comprises a central substantially cylindrical hole in each aperture having a diameter greater than the width of the aperture and wherein said pin member is substantially cylindrical and has a diameter greater than the width of the aperture and less than the diameter of the hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the angle of rotation from the unlocking to the locking position is approximately 90*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the two wing elements of each locking member are substantially flat and coplanar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |