Connection means for boxes

• US 7,118,301 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yoshiaki Toguchi
• Original Assignee: Yoshiaki Toguchi
• Inventors: Toguchi, Yoshiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AMIRI, NAHID
• Application Number:
  US10/927,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20050034417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 292/195, 292/198, 292/210, 292/206, 292/304, 292/108, 292/105, 403/321, 403/408.1, 403/DIG.14, 403/325, 403/322.3, 403/322.4, 220/1.5, 206/509, 206/512, 206/511
• US Class Current: 403/321
• 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 assembly 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. A connection assembly for boxes comprising:

a base 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 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.

2. A connection assembly for boxes according to claim 1, further comprising:

said 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 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 a lock piece is depressed.

3. A connection for boxes according to claim 1, 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 assembly which is installed with a box body which is positioned side-by-side.

4. A connection for boxes according to claim 1, wherein the connection support is provided at the corner part of the connection having a function of a fitting pin which engages with and releases from the engage piece of the connection assembly which is installed into a box body which is positioned side-by-side.

5. A connection assembly for boxes according to claim 1, wherein the rotary shaft member further includes a shaft body which is attached adjacent a corner part of the base plate and perpendicular thereto, and a support plate for the return spring attached fixedly to a lower end part of the rotary 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.

6. A connection assembly for boxes according to claim 1, wherein the lock piece comprises a first lock piece and a second lock piece, the first lock piece is disposed to one side of the base plate through a first support, the second lock piece is disposed on another side of the base plate through a second support piece which is perpendicular with respect to the first lock piece and a plurality of engaged windows which engage with and releases from the first and second lock pieces respectively and are formed in the engage piece which is shaped in the form of an arc.

7. A connection assembly for boxes according to claim 6, wherein the cover plate further includes cut parts for pushing the lock piece, the cut part being formed in a part of at least one side of the cover plate.