Connection means for boxes

• US 20050034417A1
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yoshiaki Toguchi
• Original Assignee: Yoshiaki Toguchi
• Inventors: Toguchi, Yoshiaki
• Granted Patent: US 7,118,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/749.100
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0209 stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position B65D21/0234, B65D21/0235 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 403/14 Resilient cinch, locking-catch or retainer type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0959 Swinging catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1092 Swinging catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/59 Manually releaseable latch type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/599 Spring biased manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/75 having a joining piece extending through aligned openings in plural members

Abstract

The connection means for boxes includes a connection support which connects integrally a base plate and a cover plate which faces to the base plate upwardly via a predetermined space; a rotary shaft member which is supported pivotably by and perpendicular to the base plate and the cover plate; an engage piece which is installed into the predetermined space at a horizontal state, capable of rotating with the rotary shaft member together; a return spring, a center part thereof wound around the rotary shaft member and both ends thereof supported by a spring pressure part of the rotary shaft member and an engage piece of the base plate; a lock piece for the engage piece, an end part thereof which is supported pivotably by a fixed shaft which is provided at one side of the base plate, having an engage part which projects from an upper surface of the base plate; and a spring which is attached to the fixed shaft, capable of biasing the lock piece to an engagement direction. Therefore, it is not uncoupled easily at an engagement state when in earthquake, and it can uncouple easily at the engagement state.

Claims

1-7. -7. (canceled)

8. A connection means for boxes comprising:

a face plate and a cover plate,

a connection support which connects integrally the base plate and the cover plate in spaced, generally parallel relation to define a predetermined space therebetween;

a rotary shaft member which is supported pivotably by the base plate and the cover plate at a perpendicular location;

an engage piece which is installed into the predetermined space generally parallel to the base plate and cover plate, the engage piece being capable of rotating together with the rotary shaft member,

a return spring having a center part wound around the rotary shaft member and having two ends supported one by a spring pressure part of the rotary shaft member and one by an engage piece of the base plate;

a fixed shaft at one side of the base plate,

a lock piece for the locking the engage piece, the lock piece being supported pivotably by the fixed shaft and having an engage part which projects from an upper surface of the base plate; and

a spring which is attached to the fixed shaft, capable of biasing the lock piece to an engagement direction.

9. A connection means for boxes according to claim 8, further comprising:

a return spring biasing the rotary shaft member for rotation when box bodies which are positioned side by side are connected;

the lock piece which is depressed by engagement with the engage piece 6 rotates to return according to the spring power of the spring to engage with an engaged part of the engage piece when the engage piece rotates to a predetermined connection position; and

the engage piece returns to an initial position according to the spring power of the return spring when the lock state is released after the engaged part of the lock piece is depressed.

10. A connection means for boxes according to claim 8, wherein the engage piece is formed in the shape of a fan pivoted at its base by the rotary shaft member, at least one end part of the fan forming an engaged part which is engaged with and released from the connection support of the connection means which is installed with a box body which is positioned side-by-side.

11. A connection means for boxes according to claim 8, wherein the connection support is provided at the corner part of the connection means, having a function of a fitting pin which engages with and releases from the engage piece of the connection means which is installed into a box body which is positioned side-by-side.

12. A connection means for boxes according to claim 8, wherein the rotary shaft member further includes a shaft body which is attached adjacent the corner part of the base plate and perpendicular thereto, and a support plate for the spring attached fixedly to a lower end part of the shaft which is passed through the base plate and supporting the return spring which is positioned between the support plate and a bottom surface of the base plate.