US20030141300A1 - Crate locking device - Google Patents
Crate locking device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030141300A1 US20030141300A1 US10/094,497 US9449702A US2003141300A1 US 20030141300 A1 US20030141300 A1 US 20030141300A1 US 9449702 A US9449702 A US 9449702A US 2003141300 A1 US2003141300 A1 US 2003141300A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- locking device
- crate
- protuberances
- crate locking
- adjacent
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
- B65D21/0204—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side and joined together by interconnecting formations forming part of the container, e.g. dove-tail, snap connections, hook elements
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
- Stackable Containers (AREA)
- Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
Abstract
A crate locking device for holding plastic storage crates together making a solid storage unit. The crate locking device has a dove-tail configured protuberances along its outer periphery. The dove-tail protuberances are evenly spaced along the four sides such that opposing sides are reversed mirror images of each other. Two adjacent dove-tail protuberances are spaced from each other to receive a dove-tail protuberance from an adjacent crate locking device. The dove-tail configuration prevents lateral movement of adjacent crate locking devices relative to each other.
Description
- The invention relates to a locking device for connecting multiple storage crates, and in particular to provide a solid storage unit from the multiple storage crates.
- Stacking milk crates or other similarly shaped crates provide an inexpensive and versatile storage system. Typically the crates are stacked up individually in an unstable pile that cannot be too high or too wide and still remain standing. When the crates are individually stacked any minor shifting of one of crates can result in a domino effect and topple adjacent crates. Further, when the crates are made from a plastic material, the crates are light and therefore items stored in a vertically adjacent crate may not be adequately supported by a lower crate.
- It is the intent of the invention to address the aforementioned concerns by providing a crate locking device for receiving a rectangular receptacle such as a milk crate. The crate locking device includes a rectangular frame having an inner periphery with an inner length and inner width configured for receiving the rectangular receptacle. The rectangular frame has an outer periphery having a plurality of protuberances spaced along therefrom, wherein each of the protuberances have the same shape.
- In another aspect of the invention, at least two of the adjacent protuberances are spaced from each other for receiving a protuberance of an adjacent crate locking device.
- In another aspect of the invention, the spacing between two adjacent protuberances define a cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of the protuberance for receiving a protuberance of an adjacent crate locking device and providing locking connection between the adjacent crate locking devices.
- In another aspect of the invention, one of the opposing parallel sides of the frame has protuberances aligned in a reversed mirror image configuration relative to the other opposing parallel side of the frame to provide linear continuity of the adjacent peripheral sides of connected crate locking devices.
- In another aspect of the invention, the inner periphery of the frame has a predetermined depth and the frame has a planar base positioned at the midpoint of the depth of the inner periphery for receiving and stabilizing the rectangular receptacle within the crate locking device.
- In yet another aspect, the planar base has at least one centered cut out for displaying decorative images therethrough.
- Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the crate locking device according to the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a plan view of the crate locking device of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines3-3 of FIG. 2; and
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of multiple crate locking devices connected to stacked crates.
- The crate locking device of the present invention is shown in FIGS.1-3. FIG. 4 shows a plurality of the crate locking devices connected together with a plurality of rectangular crates 100 (shown in phantom) disposed thereon.
- The
crate locking device 10 has a tray configuration. The tray configuration includes abase plate 12 having a topplanar surface 14 and a bottomplanar surface 16. Aflange 18 extends perpendicular from both sides of thebase plate 12 around the entire peripheral edge of thebase plate 12. As a result, the upper and lowerplanar surfaces external edges 22 of theflange 18. Therecessed surfaces base plate 12 provide a shelf for receiving a rectangular crate thereon. The shelf restricts movement of therectangular crate 100 and diminishes chances of thecrate 100 from toppling over even if stacked too high. - Extending laterally from the
flange 18 along each of the four sides are locking means 24 in the form ofprotuberances 24. Along each peripheral edge of thecrate locking device 10, a plurality ofprotuberances 24 are equally spaced fromadjacent protuberances 24 by a predetermined distance.Adjacent protuberances 24 each have aspace 26 therebetween configured to be essentially the mirror image of theprotuberances 24. Further, the dimension of thespace 26 defined by the adjacent wall of theprotuberances 24 and the portion of the flange between the adjacent protuberances is configured to accommodate anotherprotuberance 24 from an adjacentcrate locking device 10 therein. This feature is shown in FIG. 4 at 30, where adjacentcrate locking devices 10 are interconnected and latched together by theprotuberances 24 along one peripheral side. - In order to interlock adjacent
crate locking devices 10, the positioning of theprotuberances 24 along opposing peripheral edges are offset with respect to each other. In other words, the positioning of theprotuberances 24 along one peripheral edge is in the reversed mirror image of the positioning of theprotuberances 24 on the opposing lateral edge. As a result, when two adjacent crate locking devices are oriented in the same direction and are interlocked together by theirrespective protuberances 24, the lateral peripheral edges of the adjacentcrate locking device 10 are essentially on the same plane and form a continuous storage unit. This feature is shown in FIG. 4 at 32. Of course, a pair ofcrate locking devices 10 may be interlocked together so that the pair ofadjacent devices 10 are not on the same plane by selectively offsetting theprotuberances 24 andspaces 26; or by orientating the twoadjacent devices 10 in different directions. - Although the
protuberances 26 may be any design or configuration, the preferred design is shown in the drawings as a dove-tail configuration. The dove-tail configuration includes side walls 40 (as detailed in FIG. 2) extending fromflange 18. The side walls diverge from each other as theside walls 40 extend fromflange 18; and terminate at anend wall 42. Theend wall 42 is parallel from the flange portion from which the associatedside walls 40 extend. Eachend wall 42 is spaced from its adjacent flange portion by the same distance. Eachprotuberance 24 may havehollow center portion 46, having a through aperture between theside walls 40 andend wall 42. As an alternative, theprotuberances 24 may be solid with thecenter area 46 either flush with theside walls 40 andend wall 42 or recessed from theside walls 40 andend wall 42. If theprotuberances 24 either have arecessed center area 46 or a through aperture in thecenter area 46, thecrate locking device 10 can be hung on a wall by theprotuberances 24 as discussed hereinafter. - To lock two adjacent crate locking devices together, a
crate locking device 10, must approach anothercrate locking device 10, located on an essentially horizontal base, from a vertical direction so that theprotuberances 24 along one side of the first crate locking device can slide between theprotuberances 24 along one side of the second crate locking device. Once theprotuberances 24 from adjacent crate locking devices are enmeshed, as shown at 30 in FIG. 4, the crate locking devices cannot be laterally separated from each other.Adjacent protuberances 24 along any one peripheral side of the crate locking device having the disclosed dove-tail configuration provide only anarrow gap 44 betweenadjacent end walls 42, so that anenmeshed protuberance 24 from an adjacent crate locking device cannot laterally be removed between thenarrow gap 44. Therefore, although the angular dove-tail configuration is the preferred embodiment, it is also possible to accomplish the locking technique if theside walls 40 are curved. - The
base 12 may be a solid planar member to provide support for thecrates 100; or as shown in FIGS. 1-4, thebase 12 may have adecorative aperture 50 cut therein. Thedecorative aperture 50 or apertures are provided to display decorative images such as pictures or photographs. Thecrate locking device 10 can then be used as a frame for a picture mounted behind the crate locking device. The picture can be mounted to either of the upper or lowerplanar surface crate locking device 10 can be hung on a wall by a picture hanger or nail inserted in the hollow orrecessed center area 46 of aprotuberance 24. - The
crate locking device 10 of the present invention provides inexpensive storage means and especially provides a useful decorating and storing device for college students living away from home. Thecrate locking device 10 provides a portable and sturdy storage assist device as well as providing a means for decorating the dormitory or college apartment room. - While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.
Claims (9)
1. A crate locking device for receiving a rectangular receptacle having a predetermined length and width, said locking device comprising:
a rectangular frame having an inner periphery with an inner length and inner width configured for receiving the rectangular receptacle, and an outer periphery, said rectangular frame has a plurality of protuberances spaced along said outer periphery, wherein each of said protuberances having the same shape.
2. The crate locking device of claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent protuberances are spaced from each other for receiving a protuberance of an adjacent crate locking device.
3. The crate locking device of claim 2 , wherein the spacing between the at least two protuberances defines a cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of the protuberance.
4. The crate locking device of claim 1 , wherein the protuberance has a dove-tail configuration.
5. The crate locking device of claim 4 , wherein the protuberance is hollow.
6. The crate locking device of claim 1 , wherein one opposing parallel side of the frame has the protuberances aligned in a reversed mirror image configuration relative to the other opposing parallel side of the frame.
7. The crate locking device of claim 1 , wherein the inner periphery of the frame has a predetermined depth and said frame has a planar base for receiving said rectangular receptacle positioned at a midpoint of the depth of the inner periphery.
8. The crate locking device of claim 7 , wherein the planar base has at least one cut out portion for displaying a decorative image therethrough.
9. The crate locking device of claim 4 , wherein the protuberance has a recessed center portion.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/094,497 US20030141300A1 (en) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-03-08 | Crate locking device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US35293802P | 2002-01-28 | 2002-01-28 | |
US10/094,497 US20030141300A1 (en) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-03-08 | Crate locking device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030141300A1 true US20030141300A1 (en) | 2003-07-31 |
Family
ID=27663155
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/094,497 Abandoned US20030141300A1 (en) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-03-08 | Crate locking device |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030141300A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2379075A1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080302697A1 (en) * | 2007-06-07 | 2008-12-11 | Cude J Michael | Dual pack container |
US20090057306A1 (en) * | 2007-08-29 | 2009-03-05 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Interconnecting container system for food or other product |
US20140000218A1 (en) * | 2012-06-28 | 2014-01-02 | Daniel Kelly | Packaging system including a multi-component base structure |
US8985366B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2015-03-24 | Intenze Products, Inc. | Interlocking disposable tattoo ink container for tattooing, cosmetic tattooing and micro-pigmentation applications |
US20150257564A1 (en) * | 2014-03-12 | 2015-09-17 | Kun Yuan Tong | Can connector for beverage and food cans |
US9327890B1 (en) * | 2011-10-17 | 2016-05-03 | Clay Connelly | Bottle stacker |
USD767341S1 (en) | 2015-03-20 | 2016-09-27 | Target Brands, Inc. | Tray |
US20160318660A1 (en) * | 2012-07-13 | 2016-11-03 | Schott Ag | Holding structure for concurrently holding a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications as well as transport or packaging container comprising the same |
USD774721S1 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2016-12-20 | Pete Gamez | Secure barrel pallet |
US11932442B2 (en) * | 2018-04-20 | 2024-03-19 | Marco Prieschl | Storage apparatus |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1711286A (en) * | 1927-09-21 | 1929-04-30 | Lester M Sawin | Merchandise-displaying device |
US1747408A (en) * | 1928-09-29 | 1930-02-18 | Warren Ernest | Support for containers |
US2557630A (en) * | 1948-05-24 | 1951-06-19 | Brown Frederick Charles | Sectional filing cabinet |
US2766891A (en) * | 1952-12-24 | 1956-10-16 | Jerald C Elzer | Can holding devices |
US4228897A (en) * | 1979-05-31 | 1980-10-21 | Underwood J Larry | Stacking element for retaining stacked articles |
US4913290A (en) * | 1989-01-26 | 1990-04-03 | Bud Antle, Inc. | Collar for palletized load |
US5145060A (en) * | 1991-09-27 | 1992-09-08 | Robert Maye | Pre-packed modular display unit |
US5765707A (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1998-06-16 | Kenevan; Timothy Paul | Modular shipping container |
US5826742A (en) * | 1994-06-13 | 1998-10-27 | Friedhelm Hermann Timpert | Device and method for the transport of hazardous goods receptacles in containers |
US6012581A (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2000-01-11 | Galazzo; Orazio Ray | Stacking display for merchandise |
-
2002
- 2002-03-08 US US10/094,497 patent/US20030141300A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-03-27 CA CA002379075A patent/CA2379075A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1711286A (en) * | 1927-09-21 | 1929-04-30 | Lester M Sawin | Merchandise-displaying device |
US1747408A (en) * | 1928-09-29 | 1930-02-18 | Warren Ernest | Support for containers |
US2557630A (en) * | 1948-05-24 | 1951-06-19 | Brown Frederick Charles | Sectional filing cabinet |
US2766891A (en) * | 1952-12-24 | 1956-10-16 | Jerald C Elzer | Can holding devices |
US4228897A (en) * | 1979-05-31 | 1980-10-21 | Underwood J Larry | Stacking element for retaining stacked articles |
US4913290A (en) * | 1989-01-26 | 1990-04-03 | Bud Antle, Inc. | Collar for palletized load |
US5145060A (en) * | 1991-09-27 | 1992-09-08 | Robert Maye | Pre-packed modular display unit |
US5765707A (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1998-06-16 | Kenevan; Timothy Paul | Modular shipping container |
US5826742A (en) * | 1994-06-13 | 1998-10-27 | Friedhelm Hermann Timpert | Device and method for the transport of hazardous goods receptacles in containers |
US6012581A (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2000-01-11 | Galazzo; Orazio Ray | Stacking display for merchandise |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8770409B2 (en) * | 2007-06-07 | 2014-07-08 | Coeur, Inc. | Dual pack container |
US20080302697A1 (en) * | 2007-06-07 | 2008-12-11 | Cude J Michael | Dual pack container |
US20090057306A1 (en) * | 2007-08-29 | 2009-03-05 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Interconnecting container system for food or other product |
US8087527B2 (en) * | 2007-08-29 | 2012-01-03 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Interconnecting container system for food or other product |
US9327890B1 (en) * | 2011-10-17 | 2016-05-03 | Clay Connelly | Bottle stacker |
US20140000218A1 (en) * | 2012-06-28 | 2014-01-02 | Daniel Kelly | Packaging system including a multi-component base structure |
US11338957B2 (en) * | 2012-06-28 | 2022-05-24 | Daniel Kelly | Packaging system including a multi-component base structure |
US20160318660A1 (en) * | 2012-07-13 | 2016-11-03 | Schott Ag | Holding structure for concurrently holding a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications as well as transport or packaging container comprising the same |
US10287056B2 (en) * | 2012-07-13 | 2019-05-14 | Schott Ag | Holding structure for concurrently holding a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications as well as transport or packaging container comprising the same |
US8985366B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2015-03-24 | Intenze Products, Inc. | Interlocking disposable tattoo ink container for tattooing, cosmetic tattooing and micro-pigmentation applications |
US20150257564A1 (en) * | 2014-03-12 | 2015-09-17 | Kun Yuan Tong | Can connector for beverage and food cans |
USD767341S1 (en) | 2015-03-20 | 2016-09-27 | Target Brands, Inc. | Tray |
USD774721S1 (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2016-12-20 | Pete Gamez | Secure barrel pallet |
US11932442B2 (en) * | 2018-04-20 | 2024-03-19 | Marco Prieschl | Storage apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2379075A1 (en) | 2003-07-28 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PINCKNEY MOLDED PLASTICS, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FRENCH, NICHOLAS;CARPENTER, PHIL E.;REEL/FRAME:014219/0713;SIGNING DATES FROM 20030530 TO 20030610 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |