EP0432053A1 - Transport box having a rigid frame assembled by interengaging corner sections - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention concerns a shock resistant transport box, comprising a container (1) and a cover (2) having rigid frames, obtained by assembling profile corner elements (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21) serving as structure for solid panels (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) disposed between them in an appropriate manner, this transport box being characterised in that the said profile corner elements (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21) are assembled by force fitting. The transport box according to the invention can easily be assembled by handicapped personnel while being particularly solid and rigid and having a luxurious appearance for sales purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a transport case having in particular a bowl and a lid with rigid frames obtained by joining by gripping elements of profiled angles.

We know how to manufacture cases, chests, and other suitcases, rigid and reinforced, intended for the transport of fragile objects or goods to protect from shocks. This improvement in impact resistance is due as much to the choice of a suitable building material, as to the judicious assembly of the component parts of these various containers. In this last category, it is common to reinforce the components of the structure of a body, a trunk, as well as the connections between these components; to do this, welding, gluing, or even riveting, constitute entirely conventional techniques, the main defect of which is that they lead to non-removable containers, the maintenance of which in the event of subsequent deterioration is generally impossible. . In addition, assembly must be performed with precision at the risk of causing an irremediable defect, requiring the rejection of the defective container during manufacture.

Certain manufacturers have thus sought to make assembly and maintenance, for example of suitcases, easier, while retaining great strength and a luxurious appearance; as such, the French patent FR-2 532 827, filed on September 14, 1982 in the name of the Vuitton SA company under the title "Perfected suitcase", describes a suitcase comprising a bowl and a lid, each in the form '' a removable belt with four panels and a bottom, joined by appropriate connecting and structural parts, the edges and corners being reinforced by anti-shock angles added to the rigid structure formed by the panels, the bottom and said connecting pieces. Such luggage is very solid, easily removable in case of damage, and can be dressed luxuriously. However, even if the assembly of this case is actually simple, it requires a set of small accessory elements, such as screws, serving to lock together, reversibly, some of its structural parts; we also need the tools necessary for the installation of these elements, that is to say keys, screwdrivers, ...

Furthermore, in patent GB-1 267 809 filed on December 4, 1968 in the name of the company WILMOT PACKAGING LIMITED, there is proposed a transport case in two parts, of the type of a bowl and a lid with rigid frames , obtained by assembling elements of profiled angles around solid panels; the profiled corner elements are of the type of corner angles associated with single angles and / or with double angles arranged at the corner of two adjacent panels. In this regard, the corner angles can be dihedral or trihedral and cooperate with the single or double angles by means of male and female assembly elements, of the type of tenons fitting into mortises provided for in end of said single or double angles. As described on page 1, line 45 to 49 of said patent, the assembly of the box requires the use of a suitable adhesive or a chemical solvent making it possible to firm the tenons in the mortises provided for this purpose. .

However, it may be advantageous to have the assembly tasks of luggage, a crate, or any other container, even luxury, carried out by personnel with a disability, whether physical or mental, and to which should be further facilitated the work, in particular by the absence of manipulation of any fine, precise, dangerous tool, as well as of any solvent or adhesive material which is always delicate to use properly.

The present invention thus aims to greatly simplify the mounting of a case for the transport and storage of fragile and heavy goods, such as wine bottles, by making it particularly accessible to non-specialized personnel. Another object of the invention is to obtain a reinforced body which is very resistant to shocks, without however detract from a luxurious presentation, so as to be used not only for transport, but also for sale.

The invention thus relates to an impact-resistant transport case, comprising a bowl and a lid with rigid frames, obtained by assembling sections of profiled angles, serving as a structure for solid panels arranged in an appropriate manner, said case transport being characterized in that said profiled angle elements are assembled by gripping.

The assembly by seizing of elements of angles making a rigid frame is the most satisfactory technical solution in order to fulfill all the previously mentioned objectives of the invention. In fact, no welding, no glue or rivet is used, the fitting of which requires specific tools.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the box is in the form of two parts, bowl and cover, each of which has a rigid frame composed of corner angles associated by binding, on the one hand to angles simple, placed at the edge of a panel forming a blank of the bowl or cover, and on the other hand to double angles, arranged at the corner of two panels, and joining them together.

In this way, the person engaged in assembling a box in accordance with the invention does not need any tools and is content to force-fit the angles together, after having positioned them around a panel, previously cut to the desired size. To this end, the corner angles are in the form of dihedrons or trihedra, advantageously rectangular, provided in each direction with a male connecting element, each male element coming to fit at the end of a angle which can be single or double. The single and double angles are profiles produced by extrusion; the section of one of these angles therefore has an identical profile over its entire length. We can thus advantageously have single and double angles of great length, and cut them, on request, to the desired length. This arrangement of the invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the referencing of multiple parts on the one hand, and to produce boxes of different sizes with the same basic elements on the other hand. It is also understood that the manipulation of cutting a profiled angle, single or double, is easy and within the reach of a non-specialized person.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'une caisse de transport conforme à la présente invention, mettant notamment en évidence son montage,
• la figure 2 est une vue détaillée de l'assemblage d'un premier type de cornière d'angle triédrique de la cuvette avec les cornières doubles correspondantes,
• la figure 3 est une vue détaillée de l'assemblage d'un second type de cornière d'angle triédrique de la cuvette avec les cornières simple et double correspondantes,
• la figure 4 est une vue détaillée de l'assemblage d'une cornière d'angle diédrique du couvercle avec la cornière simple correspondante.

Other characteristics and advantages of the transport case in accordance with the present invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of an embodiment given by way of nonlimiting example of this case, with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a transport case in accordance with the present invention, showing in particular its mounting,
• FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the assembly of a first type of angle trihedral angle of the bowl with the corresponding double angles,
• FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the assembly of a second type of angle of trihedral angle of the bowl with the corresponding single and double angles,
• Figure 4 is a detailed view of the assembly of a dihedral angle angle of the cover with the corresponding single angle.

In accordance with FIG. 1, a transport case consists, in the lower part, of a bowl 1, and in the upper part, of a cover 2. According to this particular embodiment of the invention, the bowl 1 is produced by the '' assembly of a bottom 3 and four vertical blanks 4, 5, 6 and 7, mounted perpendicular to the bottom 3 on the one hand, and orthogonal two by two between them on the other hand, so that the bowl 1 has a parallelepiped shape. The cover 2 mainly consists of a single panel 8, and is articulated by hinges 9 to the bowl 1.

According to the invention, the bowl 1 and the cover 2 are provided with rigid frames serving as an assembly structure for the vertical blanks 3 to 7 and the panel 8 respectively.

• quatre cornières d'angle inférieures 10, triédriques,
• quatre cornières d'angle supérieures 11, également triédriques,
• quatre cornières doubles horizontales 12, profilées par extrusion de manière à présenter une rainure 12a longitudinale s'encastrant horizontalement autour du fond 3 d'une part, et une rainure 12b longitudinale s'encastrant verticalement sur la lisière inférieure horizontale des flans verticaux 4 à 7 d'autre part,
• quatre cornières doubles verticales 13, avantageusement identiques aux cornières doubles horizontales 12, et s'encastrant par des rainures 13a sur les lisières verticales de deux flans verticaux (4 à 7) adjacents, tels les flans 4 et 5, une cornière double verticale 13 constituant, par conséquent, l'encoignure de deux tels flans verticaux 4 et 5 adjacents,
• quatre cornières simples horizontales 14, profilées également par extrusion de manière à présenter une rainure 14a longitudinale s'encastrant sur la lisière supérieure horizontale des flans verticaux 4 à 7.

The assembly frame of the bowl 1 comprises:

• four lower corner angles 10, trihedral,
• four upper corner angles 11, also trihedral,
• four double horizontal angles 12, profiled by extrusion so as to have a longitudinal groove 12a which fits horizontally around the bottom 3 on the one hand, and a longitudinal groove 12b which fits vertically on the lower horizontal edge of the vertical blanks 4 to 7 on the other hand,
• four vertical double angles 13, advantageously identical to the horizontal double angles 12, and fitted by grooves 13a on the vertical edges of two adjacent vertical blanks (4 to 7), such as the blanks 4 and 5, a vertical double angle 13 constituting , therefore, the corner of two such adjacent vertical blanks 4 and 5,
• four simple horizontal angles 14, also profiled by extrusion so as to have a longitudinal groove 14a which fits into the horizontal upper edge of the vertical blanks 4 to 7.

According to the invention, the corner angles 10 and 11 secure all of the angles 10 to 14 together, so as to constitute a rigid frame of structure around the bottom 3 and vertical blanks 4 to 7. For this purpose , the corner angles 10 and 11 are rectangular trihedra, provided in each direction - vertical, lateral, and longitudinal - with a male connecting element, each male element coming to fit at the end of an angle single 14 or double 12, 13.

In this way, and in accordance with FIG. 2, a corner angle 10 has on the one hand a vertical post 15, which is fitted at the lower end of a double vertical angle 13, in a central recess 13b (fig. 1, fig. 3) provided for this purpose, on the other hand two horizontal tenons 16, oriented at 90 ° from one another, and fitting into the central recesses 12c of the horizontal double angles 12. Furthermore, projecting claws 17 are judiciously distributed along the tenons 15 and 16. In accordance with the present invention, these claws 17 are slightly increased relative to the internal dimensions of the recesses 13b or 12c; consequently, when the studs 15 or 16 fit into the corresponding recesses 13b or 12c, the claws 17 come to bear strongly against the walls of said recesses 13b or 12c. The angles 10, 12, 13 are made of a material having a sufficiently high elastic limit so that reciprocal deformation of the claws 17 and the walls to which they apply then occurs, so as to generate forces normal to surfaces in contact, remaining after nesting. It is usual to call this type of bonding by "binding", which, practically, is irreversible, except when developing a significant pullout force.

Similarly, and in accordance with FIG. 3, a corner angle 11 has on the one hand a vertical post 18, which comes to be fitted at the upper end of a double vertical angle 13, in the central recess 13b , on the other hand two horizontal studs 19, oriented at 90 ° from one another, and fitting into the central recesses 14b of the horizontal single angles 14. Furthermore, claws 17 projecting are judiciously distributed along tenons 18 and 19. These claws 17 allow the angle angles 11 to be assembled by gripping to the angles 13 and 14.

It is therefore understandable that the assembly of the angles 10 to 14 around the bottom 3 and the blanks 4 to 7 of the bowl 1 is particularly rigid, although it does not require any glue, welding, rivet or specific tool; in this sense, it can be easily entrusted to a personal handicapped, aesthetics and rigidity being in no way diminished.

The cover 2 of the transport case does not have, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, the structure of a parallelepiped, but is in the form of a simple parallelogram. The cover 2 is thus produced by assembling, around the panel 8, a rigid frame comprising only two types of angles, namely four angle angles 20 which are dihedral holding four simple angle angles 21 between them, by l 'intermediate grooves 21a, on the periphery of the panel 8.

In accordance with FIG. 4, the dihedral angle angles 20 have two tenons 22 orthogonal to each other which fit into the central recesses 21b (FIG. 1) of the single angles 21. The angles 21 are, for this purpose, profiled by extrusion. Their internal profile reveals on the one hand a first partition 21c separating the central recess 21b from the groove 21a, and moreover constituting its bottom, on the other hand a second partition 21d, parallel to the first partition 21c, and separating longitudinally the central recess 21b. Furthermore, the studs 22 have two internal studs 22a and an external stud 22b, both projecting from the general shape of said studs 22.

According to the present invention, the positions and the reciprocal dimensions of the studs 22a, 22b, and of the partition 21d of a single angle 21, are such that when the angles 20 are fitted into the angles 21, the partition 21d is strongly clamped between the two studs 22a and the stud 22b, so as to cause its elastic deformation. This is again a binding assembly, this being also practically irreversible.

We therefore obtain a frame enclosing the panel 8 rigidly, the assembly of this frame requiring only fitting operations within the reach of non-specialized personnel.

The cover 2 can then be assembled to the bowl 1 by means of the hinges 9. Holes are then drilled on the angles 21 of the cover 2 and 14 of the bowl 1 located at the chosen rear of the transport case, and pushes in the movable part 9a and the hinges 9b of the hinges 9 respectively; this is a simple clipping, again within the reach of a non-specialized person.

Similarly, to close the box, the angles 21 and 14 are pierced located on its front face, so as to clip respectively hinges identical to the hinges 9b of the hinges 9, cooperating with a clasp 23, and a clasp stop 24 .

Finally, it will be noted that the assemblies of the hinge elements 9a, 9b can be carried out after the separate assemblies of the bowl 1 and of the cover 2; such an arrangement facilitates their handling, their storage, and more particularly makes it possible to place only the bowls 1 on automatic packaging chains responsible, for example, for cashing bottles. Once a bowl 1 is filled, it is easy to assemble a cover 2 therein by means of the hinges 9. The clasp 23 and the clasp stop 24, of small size, can on the other hand be mounted on the cover 2 and the bowl 1 from before collection.

It is moreover obvious that the preceding description is given only by way of nonlimiting example of the invention. All the technical equivalents of the elements described or represented in the appended figures, making it possible to achieve the results of the present invention without departing from its spirit, would therefore not go beyond its ambit.

The transport case according to the invention can be easily mounted by non-specialized or disabled personnel, while being particularly solid and rigid, and having, moreover, a luxurious appearance for sale. The same assembly technique can also be used to make other types of boxes, and in particular the manufacture of coffins offering the advantage of a very large modularity while being very resistant.

Claims (5)

Shock resistant transport case, comprising a bowl (1) and a lid (2) with rigid frames, obtained by assembling sections of profiled angles (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21), serving as a structure to solid panels (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) arranged between them in a suitable manner, transport case characterized in that said profiled angle elements (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21 ) are assembled by seizing. Transport case according to claim 1, in which the profiled angle elements (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21) are of the type of angle angles (10, 11, 20) associated with simple angles (14, 21) and / or double angles (12, 13), the angle angles (10, 11, 20) being in the form of dihedrons (20) or trihedra (10, 11), advantageously rectangles, said dihedrons (20) or said trihedra (10, 11) being provided in each direction with a male connecting element, of the type of studs (15, 16, 18, 19, 22), coming to fit the end of a single (14, 21) or double (12, 13) angle iron, said transport box being characterized in that projecting claws (17) are distributed along the tenons (15, 16) and ( 18, 19) of the trihedral corner angles (10) and (11) of the bowl (1) respectively, these claws (17) being slightly increased relative to the internal dimensions of the central recesses (12c, 13b, 14b) of the single angles (14) and double angles (12, 13) used for assembling the bowl (1), so as to come to be applied strongly against the walls of said recesses (12c, 13b, 14b), the angles (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) being made of a material whose elastic limit is high enough for reciprocal elastic deformation of the claws (17) and of the walls to which they apply. Transport case according to claim 1, for which the angle elements profiles (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21) are of the type of angle angles (10, 11, 20) associated with single angles (14, 21) and / or with double angles (12 , 13), the corner angles (10, 11, 20) being in the form of dihedrons (20) or trihedra (10, 11), advantageously rectangular, said dihedra (20) or said trihedra (10, 11 ) being provided in each direction with a male connecting element, of the type of studs (15, 16, 18, 19, 22), coming to fit at the end of a single angle (14, 21) or double (12, 13), said transport case being characterized in that the pins (22) of a dihedral angle angle (20) have studs (22a, 22b) projecting, capable of strongly enclosing a partition (21d) longitudinally separating the central recess (21b) from a single angle iron (21) profiled by extrusion, during the fitting of such a corner angle (20) in such a simple angle (21). Transport case according to claim 1, for which the cover (2) is articulated by hinges (9) to the bowl (1), characterized in that said hinges (9) each comprise a movable part (9a) cooperating with hinges (9b), said movable part (9a) and said hinges (9b) being clipped, respectively, into holes provided for this purpose at the rear of the transport case on one of the single angles (21) of said cover (2) on the one hand, and on one of the single angles (14) of said bowl (1) on the other hand. Transport case according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a clasp (23) mounted movably on hinges (9b) clipped into holes made for this purpose in one of the single angles (21) of the cover (2 ), said clasp (23) cooperating with a clasp stop (24) which is also clipped into holes provided for this purpose in one of the single angles (14) of the bowl (1).

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