Box

Abstract

A box includes a floor and at least two pairs of opposing sidewalls extending upwards from the floor in the vertical direction. The sidewalls are arranged foldably with respect to the floor and may be locked with each other in their upfolded position. At least one of the sidewalls includes an unlocking mechanism which is movable between a rest position and an unlocking position in which the locking of the sidewalls is undone. The unlocking mechanism includes at least one pretensioning element which pretensions the unlocking mechanism into its rest position and includes a first end connected to the unlocking mechanism or the sidewall and a second, free end.

Claims

1. A box, comprising: a floor; and at least two pairs of respectively opposing sidewalls extending upwards from the floor in a vertical direction, wherein the sidewalls are arranged foldably with respect to the floor and may be locked to each other in their upfolded position, wherein at least one of the sidewalls comprises an unlocking mechanism which is movable between a rest position and an unlocking position in which locking of the sidewalls is undone, wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises at least one pretensioning element pretensioning the unlocking mechanism into its rest position, the at least one pretensioning element comprising a first end that is connected to an unlocking bar of the unlocking mechanism, and the at least one pretensioning element comprising a second end that is free, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises an upper frame, wherein the movement of the unlocking mechanism from the rest position into the unlocking position comprises a movement into the direction of the upper frame, and wherein the free end of the pretensioning element is applied to a bottom side of the upper frame or, both in the rest position and also in the unlocking position of the unlocking mechanism, and wherein the upper frame comprises a protrusion extending downwards in an area in which the free end of the pretensioning element is applied to its bottom side, wherein the free end is arranged in the direction of the interior of the box behind the protrusion in a gap formed between the protrusion and the at least one sidewall, wherein a movement in a direction perpendicular to a wall surface of the sidewall is prevented; wherein the at least one sidewall comprises a wall section whose thickness is smaller than the thickness of the upper frame and which extends downwards from the upper frame, wherein the free end of the pretensioning element is arranged between the protrusion and the wall section, wherein the pretensioning element comprises a first section integral with the unlocking bar, and a second section extending from the first section to the protrusion, the first and second sections having a thickness which corresponds to the thickness of the upper frame minus the thickness of the wall section so that, when the unlocking mechanism is installed, a front surface of the pretensioning element facing outward is flush with a front surface of the upper frame which is facing outward; wherein the pretensioning element comprises a third section extending from the second section to the free end, the thickness of the third section is smaller than the thickness of the rest of the pretensioning element, and wherein the thickness of the third section corresponds to the thickness of the upper frame minus the thickness of the wall section and minus the thickness of the protrusion.

2. The box according to claim 1, wherein one sidewall comprises a first locking element which cooperates with a second locking element of a neighboring sidewall to lock the sidewall and the neighboring sidewall in the upfolded position, wherein the unlocking mechanism cooperates with the first unlocking element so that a movement of the unlocking mechanism in its unlocking position causes an unlocking of the first and second locking elements, and wherein the unlocking mechanism returns into its rest position without actuation due to the pretensioning element.

3. The box according to claim 1, wherein the pretensioning element is manufactured from the same material as the unlocking mechanism, wherein the pretensioning element comprises a first basically vertical portion arranged at the unlocking mechanism, a second inclined portion extending between the first section and the protrusion and a third section which is basically vertical in the rest position of the unlocking mechanism which extends from the second section to the free end of the pretensioning element.

4. The box according to claim 3, wherein the first end is formed integrally with the unlocking mechanism, and wherein the second end of the pretensioning element facing away in the unlocking mechanism is free and applied to a section of the sidewall in order to pretension the unlocking mechanism into its rest position.

5. The box according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the pretensioning element is formed integrally with the unlocking mechanism.

6. The box according to claim 1, wherein the pretensioning element exerts no pretension onto the unlocking mechanism in its rest position, and wherein the pretensioning element, with a movement of the unlocking mechanism from the rest position in the direction of the unlocking position, causes an increasing force in the direction of the rest position acting upon the unlocking mechanism.

7. The box according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises at least one guide opening in which a guiding element of the unlocking mechanism is arranged, wherein the guide opening defines a movement between the rest position and the unlocking position.

8. The box according to claim 1, wherein two opposing sidewalls each comprise an unlocking mechanism, wherein the unlocking mechanism comprises the unlocking bar extending in a transverse direction across the sidewalls between guide pins and two pretensioning elements arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the corresponding sidewall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequently referring to the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a known box;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a top view onto a side wall of a box as described, for example, with reference to FIG. 1, which includes a pretensioning mechanism according to embodiments of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged illustration of the left hand pretensioning element of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a section of the locking mechanism without the elements of the side wall; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross-section along line 5-5′ in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) In the following description of the embodiments of the invention like or seemingly like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. It is further noted that those elements of the box which were already described with reference to FIG. 1 are provided with the same reference numerals in the following description of the embodiments of the invention, wherein a renewed description of the elements already described with reference to FIG. 1 is omitted.

(8) FIG. 2 shows a top view onto a side wall of a box as it was, for example, described with reference to FIG. 1, which includes a pretensioning mechanism according to embodiments of the invention. The side wall illustrated in FIG. 2 may be one of the short side walls, wherein here, for example, a short side wall 12 of a box is illustrated which was described with reference to FIG. 1. It is to be noted here that the opposing short side 14 may have the same or a similar structure. Likewise, it may be provided to provide the unlocking mechanism on the long side walls 16 and 18.

(9) In FIG. 2, next to the side wall 12, an edge 16a of the side wall 16 and an edge 18a of the side wall 18 is illustrated. The edge 18a includes a region which is not illustrated in more detail which overlaps an edge region or area of the short side wall 12, wherein the overlapping areas comprise recesses and protrusions which engage in order to thus cause a stable connection between the side walls in the locked state. In the upper corner area in which the side walls 12 and 16 or 12 and 18, respectively, abut locking mechanisms 28 and 30 are illustrated schematically. In the situation illustrated in FIG. 2, the elements 28 and 30 are in their locked position, i.e., turning down the side wall 12 onto the floor 10 is not possible due to the locking. FIG. 2 further shows the unlocking bar 38 and its two opposing ends 40 and 42 connected to the locking elements of the locking mechanisms 28 and 30 associated with the side wall 12. Further, the pretensioning elements 52 and 54 are illustrated schematically which extend between the unlocking bar 38 and a bottom side of the upper frame 56 of the side wall 12.

(10) In contrast to the example described with reference to FIG. 1, however, it is provided according to embodiments of the invention for the pretensioning elements which are, for example, manufactured from the same material as the unlocking bar, to be manufactured integrally with the unlocking bar or to be firmly connected to the same (e.g., bonded, screwed, riveted or the like), wherein the ends facing the upper frame 56 are free, i.e., these ends are not firmly connected to the bottom side or to another part of the upper frame 56 or the side wall 12. The pretensioning elements 52 and 54, in the rest position of the unlocking bar 38 illustrated in FIG. 2, are also in their rest position, which means that the same are in their relaxed or unbent position, i.e., exert no pretension in the direction of the box floor 10. The pretensioning elements 52 and 54 may for example be manufactured together by a suitable plastics forming process in one work cycle or operation, for example using a common mold whereby the manufacturing of the pretensioning elements and the unlocking bar is enabled integrally.

(11) If the unlocking bar is now moved in a direction upwards, i.e. in a direction away from the floor 10 of the box, the pretensioning elements 52 and 54 are deformed such that their central portions, the inclined portions illustrated in FIG. 2, are deformed into the direction of the box floor. The front, free ends of the pretensioning elements 52 and 54 are moved outwards along the bottom side of the upper frame 56 and simultaneously the central portions are deformed, whereby a restoring force for the unlocking element in the direction of its rest position is generated so that unlocking is only possible by overcoming the corresponding spring force or pretensioning force of the pretensioning elements for unlocking. By this, locking during transport is guaranteed, and also when the locking element is unintentionally lifted, the same returns into a locked position after the actuation of the element 38 is over.

(12) As it may further be seen from FIG. 2, the upper frame 46 includes protrusions 58 and 60 which extend from a bottom side of the upper frame 46 in the region downwards in which the free ends of the pretensioning elements 52 and 54 are in contact with the bottom side of the upper frame 56. The sidewall 12 includes a wall section 62 which extends originating from the upper frame 56 downward in the direction of the floor 10. The wall section 62 has a thickness which is smaller than the thickness of the upper frame 56. On one side of the sidewall 12 directed into the direction of the interior of the box the wall section 62 is flush with a back surface of the upper frame 56, whereby the wall section 62 on the exterior side of the sidewall 12 returns or jumps back with respect to a front surface of the upper frame 56. The protrusions 58 and 60 extend from a front surface of the upper frame 56 downward, so that between the protrusion 58, 60 and the wall 62 a free space results in which the free end of the pretensioning elements 52 and 54 is arranged. Due to this arrangement, guiding the free end of the pretensioning elements is achieved, in particular guiding in the transverse direction of the sidewall 12, wherein in particular a movement in the direction perpendicular to the wall surface of the sidewall 12 is prevented.

(13) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged illustration of a part of FIG. 2, i.e. of the left pretensioning element. It is to be noted here that also the right-hand pretensioning element 52 is implemented accordingly. The pretensioning element 54 includes a first vertical section 64 which is integral with the unlocking bar 38 or is mounted to the unlocking bar 38 adjacent to the guide pin 50. The pretensioning element 54 further includes the inclined central section 66 already mentioned above which extends from the first section 64 to the protrusion 60. The free end of the element 54 is hidden behind the protrusion 60 in FIG. 3 but is, as already mentioned, not mounted to the upper frame 56 but may move along its bottom side behind the protrusion 60 in the lateral direction, so that with an upward movement of the element 38 a corresponding movement of the section 66 of the pretensioning element 54 may take place downward along the curved arrow 68. By this, a corresponding restoring force is generated which acts upon the unlocking element 38 to force the same back into its rest position.

(14) FIG. 4 shows a section of a locking mechanism without the elements of the sidewall 12. The locking mechanism includes the unlocking bar 38 and the pretensioning element 54. Next to the first and second section 64 and 66 now also the free end 70 of the pretensioning element 54 may be seen, wherein the pretensioning element 54 includes a third section 72 which extends originating from the second section in the rest position of the pretensioning element, in which no force is exerted onto the same, basically perpendicularly upwards up to the free end 70. The third section of the pretensioning element has a thickness, according to embodiments, which is smaller than the thickness of the first and second section of the pretensioning element 54, wherein the thickness of the first and second section of the pretensioning element may be selected so that the same corresponds to a thickness of the upper frame 56 minus the thickness of the wall section 62, so that when the unlocking mechanism is installed its front surface which is facing outward is basically flush with a front surface of the upper frame which is facing outward (see reference numeral 56a). In contrast to that, the thickness of the third section 72 is reduced, wherein the same is smaller according to embodiments than the thickness of the upper frame 56 minus the thickness of the wall section 62 minus the thickness of the protrusion 60.

(15) FIG. 5 shows a sectional view along line 5-5′ in FIG. 3 and shows how the free end 70 of the pretensioning element 54 is formed in the gap formed between the protrusion 60 and the wall 62. The free end 70 is not connected to the upper frame 56 but is applied to its bottom side 56b and may move along this bottom side in the lateral direction.

(16) Embodiments were described with reference to FIGS. 2-5 of the invention, wherein it is noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to the described implementation of the unlocking mechanism. Rather, also different implementations of the unlocking mechanism may be provided which operate such that a movement from a rest position into an unlocking position is provided wherein a corresponding restoring force into the rest position is necessitated which is then achieved using the inventive approach, i.e. using a pretensioning element which comprises the two ends, one end of which is either mounted to the sidewall or to the unlocking element, e.g. formed integrally with the same, and the other end is free. Further, in embodiments separate unlocking mechanisms may be provided instead of the common unlocking bar 58 which have to be operated separately in order to cause the unlocking.

(17) Embodiments of the invention were described above with reference to a pretensioning element whose end facing the unlocking bar is formed integrally with the same. It is to be noted that the pretensioning element may be mounted to the bar 38 by suitable means (e.g. screws, bonding, riveting), instead by the integral connection. It may alternatively be provided to mount the pretensioning element to the bottom side or to another suitable position of the upper frame 56 or the sidewall 12 with one end so that its free end acts upon a surface of the unlocking bar 38, whereby a functionality of the same effect is achieved as it was explained above.

(18) According to embodiments the box may be closed by actuating the bolt so that the corresponding wall is released for being turned down or folded down onto the box floor. Alternatively, or additionally, the locking mechanism may be implemented to allow an unlocking when a predetermined force is exerted onto the wall. Embodiments may thus include the spring pretensioned locking mechanism which was described above which comprises a movable fixing or latching element which may be latched to a protrusion of the neighboring wall, wherein the protrusion and/or the latching element comprises contact surfaces which are inclined with respect to the vertical direction in the upfolded state such that the locking mechanism opens against its spring pretensioning when exceeding a predetermined force directed inwards and exerted upon the wall, as it is for example described in WO 2010/11907381 A1.

(19) The above described embodiments only represent an illustration of the principles of the present invention. It is obvious that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein are obvious to other persons skilled in the art. It is thus the purpose for the invention only to be limited by the protective scope of the following patent claims and not by the specific details which were presented herein with reference to the description and the explanation of the embodiments.

(20) While this invention has been described in terms of several advantageous embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.