US5396996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage crate for hanging file folders
Assignee: PHOENIX DRILLING SERVICE Inc
•
Filing: 1992-09-29
•
Granted: 1995-03-14
•
Expires: 2012-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A one piece crate for storing hanging file folders, that supports the hanging file folders above the bottom of the crate and secures the hanging file folders to the support structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Box
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:55
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42F; B42F15/00; B42F15/007; B42F15/0082; B42F15/0094; B65; B65D; B65D11/00; B65D11/10; B65D25/00; B65D25/02; B65D25/04; B65D25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A one piece crate for storing hanging file folders comprising: (a) two longitudinal sides; (b) two lateral sides; (c) a bottom; and (d) a hanging file folder support structure located in the upper portion of the longitudinal sides comprising: (i) a lower resilient support beam for supporting the hanging file folders; (ii) an upper resilient securing beam for securing the hanging file folders to the lower resilient support beam, wherein the lower resilient support beam and the upper resilient securing beam form an opening in the upper portion of the longitudinal sides of the crate that receives the support ends of the hanging file folders when the lower resilient support beam and the upper resilient securing beam are moved in opposing horizontal directions and the support structure supports the hanging file folders when the lower support beam and the upper resilient securing beam are allowed to return to their original position; and (iii) a lip that extends upwardly from the lower resilient support beam into the opening that receives the support ends of hanging file folders, which prevents the hanging file folders from horizontally disengaging from the lower resilient support beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A one piece crate for storing hanging file folders comprising: (a) two longitudinal sides; (b) two lateral sides; (c) a bottom; and (d) a hanging file folder support structure located in the upper portion of the longitudinal sides comprising: (i) a lower resilient support beam for supporting the hanging file folders; (ii) an upper resilient securing beam for securing the hanging file folders to the lower resilient support beam, wherein the lower resilient support beam and the upper resilient securing beam form an opening in the upper portion of the longitudinal sides of the crate that receives the support ends of the hanging file folders when the lower resilient support beam and the upper resilient securing beam are moved in opposing horizontal directions and the support structure supports the hanging file folders when the lower support beam and the upper resilient securing beam are allowed to return to their original position; and (iii) a lip that extends upwardly from the lower resilient support beam into the opening that receives the support ends of hanging file folders, which prevents the hanging file folders from horizontally disengaging from the lower resilient support beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
185 words
A crate according to claim 1 further comprising means for reinforcing the crate comprised of (a) vertical ribs extending from the corner of the crate; (b) continuous horizontal ribs comprised of: (i) two horizontal lower ribs, one of said ribs being located at the bottom of the longitudinal and lateral sides; (ii) a horizontal intermediate rib, being located approximately in the middle of the longitudinal and lateral sides; and (iii) three horizontal upper ribs, one of said ribs being located at the top of the longitudinal and lateral side walls; (c) two vertical ribs on each of the longitudinal and lateral sides, which along with the upper of the two lower horizontal ribs and the lower of the three upper horizontal ribs define openings on the longitudinal and lateral sides; and (d) diagonal ribs which extend from the edges of the two vertical ribs on the longitudinal and lateral sides through the opening defined by the vertical ribs and the upper of the two lower horizontal ribs and the lower of the three upper horizontal ribs to the upper of the two lower horizontal ribs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
A crate according to claim 2 wherein the lower resilient support beam comprises a horizontal panel located between the lower horizontal rib of the three upper horizontal ribs and the middle horizontal rib of the three upper horizontal ribs and the lower horizontal rib of the three upper horizontal ribs wherein the opening that receives the support ends of the hanging file folders is a rectangular opening in said horizontal panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A crate according to claim 3 wherein said rectangular opening extends downwardly from the middle horizontal rib of the three upper horizontal ribs 5/16" and is 12" in length forming a 3/16" in height, 1/8" in width and 12" in length lip on the lower horizontal rib of the three upper horizontal ribs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A crate according to claim 3 wherein said lower resilient support beam is at an elevation to support hanging file folders, above the bottom of the crate and prevent the hanging file folders from moving in a horizontal direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A crate according to claim 2 wherein said upper resilient securing beam comprises the middle horizontal rib of the three upper horizontal ribs, the top horizontal rib of the three upper horizontal ribs and a solid horizontal panel located between said middle horizontal rib and said top horizontal rib.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A crate according to claim 2 wherein the lower resilient support beam and upper resilient securing beam are 1/2" in width.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A crate according to claim 1 further comprising unitary longitudinal sides and the hanging file folder support structure is integrally formed in the unitary longitudinal sides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A crate according to claim 8 further comprising the longitudinal sides formed of a resilient plastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A crate according to claim 9 wherein the material for the crate is a copolymer of polypropylene having a melt flow index in the range of 5-20 g/10 min. at 230° C., a flexural modulus in the range of 115,000 to 175,000 psi and a tensile strength at yield in the range of 3200-4100 psi.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1867159A
Cited
US2650009A
Cited
US3098488A
Cited
US2948402A
Cited
US3245572A
Cited
US3279642A
Cited
US3379339A
Cited
US3788718A
Cited
US3977527A
Cited
US4548320A
Cited
US4505388A
Cited
US4775069A
Cited
US4901876A
Cited
US4901867A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-13 | 1998-09-12 | 1999-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-13 | 2002-09-12 | 2003-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-13 | 2006-09-12 | 2007-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |