Container

Claim 2

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, diagonal support arms and positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting with said diagonal support arms respectively as to the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, and means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container.

Claim 3

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direCtion of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, and brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said brace elements at the ends thereof adjacent to said coupling means being fixed to said coupling means.

Claim 4

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direCtion of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, and brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said brace elements at the ends thereof adjacent to said coupling means being fixed to said coupling means.

Claim 5

A container according to claim 2 in which said coupling means is located substantially at the point of intersection of the diagonals interconnecting diagonally located hinge means, said coupling means comprising a first portion associated with one of said wings and a second portion associated with the other wing and said portions interfitting in closed position of said wings.

Claim 6

A container according to claim 2 which includes brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means.

Claim 7

A container according to claim 2 in which said coupling means comprises a first portion on one of said wings and within the confines of the respective wing and a second portion fixed to the other wing and protruding therefrom so as to overlap said first portion when the wings are in closed position.

Claim 8

A container according to claim 2 in which said means pivotally interconnecting said parts of each hinge means comprises pin means on the pivot axis of the hinge means and carried by one of said parts, and recess means in the other of said parts receiving said pin means and having a dimension in a direction parallel to the respective wing in closed position thereof and perpendicular to said pivot axis which is greater than the diameter of said pin means, one end of said recess means abutting the pin means when the respective wing is in proper closed position.

Claim 9

A container according to claim 2 in which one of the parts of each hinge means has hinge bolt means on the pivot axis of the respective hinge means, and the other said part comprises slots receiving said hinge bolt means and parallel to the plane of the respective wing when the wing is in closed position and open at one end.

Claim 10

A container according to claim 2 in which the said second part of each hinge medium. These comprises hinge bolt means extending out opposite ends thereof on the pivot axis of the respective hinge means while the said first part of the respective hinge means has sockets formed therein for receiving the ends of the hinge bolt and open in a direction away from the respective wing in closed position thereof.

Claim 11

A container according to claim 2 in which each said first part of each hinge means comprises pivot pins spaced on thepivot axis of the respective hinge means and projecting totward each other, the said second part of the respective hinge means comprising sockets receiving said pin means and open in a direction toward the respective wing.

Claim 12

A container according to claim 2 in which the said means pivotally interconnecting the first and second part of each hinge means comprises a pivot bolt on the pivot axis of the hinge means, apertures in said first and second parts of the hinge means receiving said bolt, at least one of said apertures being elongated in a plane parallel to the plane of the respective wing when in closed position.

Claim 13

A container according to claim 10 in which said bolt is fixed to said first part of the respective hinge means.

Claim 14

A container according to claim 10 in which said bolt is fixed to said second part of their respective hinge means.

Claim 15

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixeD to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, and brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means comprising over-lapping plates with a said plate on each of said wings and connected to the adjacent ends of the brace elements on the respective wing.

Claim 16

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixeD to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, and brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means comprising over-lapping plates with a said plate on each of said wings and connected to the adjacent ends of the brace elements on the respective wing.

Claim 17

In a container which top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprises first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means including a plate on the inner edge of one of said wings which overlaps the inner edge of the other wing when the wings are in closed position, and means on the ends of the brace elements on the said other wing adjacent said plate and on said plate for interfitting engagement when said wings are in closed position.

Claim 18

In a container which top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprises first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means including a plate on the inner edge of one of said wings which overlaps the inner edge of the other wing when the wings are in closed position, and means on the ends of the brace elements on the said other wing adjacent said plate and on said plate for interfitting engagement when said wings are in closed position.

Claim 19

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the outer direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means including a plate on the inner edge of one of said wings which overlaps the inner edge of the other wing when the wings are in closed position, and means on the ends of the brace elements on the said other wing adjacent said plate and on said plate for interfitting engagement when said wings are in closed position, said means for interfitting engagement comprising pin means upstanding from the brace elements and apertures in said plate into which said pin means extend.

Claim 20

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the outer direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means including a plate on the inner edge of one of said wings which overlaps the inner edge of the other wing when the wings are in closed position, and means on the ends of the brace elements on the said other wing adjacent said plate and on said plate for interfitting engagement when said wings are in closed position, said means for interfitting engagement comprising pin means upstanding from the brace elements and apertures in said plate into which said pin means extend.

Claim 21

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means including a plate on the inner edge of one of said wings which overlaps the inner edge of the other wing when the wings are in closed position, and means on the ends of the brace elements on the said other wing adjacent said plate and on said plate for interfitting engagement when said wings are in closed position, said means for interfitting engagement comprising cooperating elements of hook means formed on the ends of the brace elements and on said plate and which elements engage in closed position of said wings.

Claim 22

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means including a plate on the inner edge of one of said wings which overlaps the inner edge of the other wing when the wings are in closed position, and means on the ends of the brace elements on the said other wing adjacent said plate and on said plate for interfitting engagement when said wings are in closed position, said means for interfitting engagement comprising cooperating elements of hook means formed on the ends of the brace elements and on said plate and which elements engage in closed position of said wings.

Claim 23

A container according to claim 16 in which said coupling means comprises a plate on the inner edge of each wing and which plates overlap when said wings are in closed position, and diagonal brace elements connecting each said plate with the said second parts of the hinge means on the respective wing, said plates including means effecting positive interconnection therebetween when said wings are closed.

Claim 24

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means including a plate on the inner edge of one of said wings which overlaps the inner edge of the other wing when the wings are in Closed position, and means on the ends of the brace elements on the said other wing adjacent said plate and on said plate for interfitting engagement when said wings are in closed position, said means effecting interfitting engagement comprising a single pin fixed to both of the said brace elements on said other wing substantially at the point of intersection thereof, and an aperture in said plate receiving said pin.

Claim 25

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said coupling means including a plate on the inner edge of one of said wings which overlaps the inner edge of the other wing when the wings are in Closed position, and means on the ends of the brace elements on the said other wing adjacent said plate and on said plate for interfitting engagement when said wings are in closed position, said means effecting interfitting engagement comprising a single pin fixed to both of the said brace elements on said other wing substantially at the point of intersection thereof, and an aperture in said plate receiving said pin.

Claim 26

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, said one end face of said container being formed to provide a frame extending around said gate, said first part of said hinge means being mounted on said frame, and corner braces secured to said frame at the corners thereof and engaging said first parts of said hinge means.

Claim 27

In a container having top and bottom and side walls and front and back end faces interconnected to form a container, one said end face comprising wings forming a closure and access gate for the container, hinge means near the top and bottom of the outer edge of each wing comprising first parts fixed to the container and second parts fixed to the wings, positive coupling means near the center of the inner edges of said wings for positively interconnecting the inner edges of said wings when the wings are in closed position, means pivotally interconnecting each said first part of a said hinge means to the second part thereof for relative pivoted movement thereof on a vertical axis, said means preventing relative movement between the said parts of respective hinge means of a diagonally oppositely located pair of said hinge means in a respective direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container and permitting relative movement therebetween in the other direction of relative lateral movement of said top and bottom walls of said container, said one end face of said container being formed to provide a frame extending around said gate, said first part of said hinge means being mounted on said frame, and corner braces secured to said frame at the corners thereof and engaging said first parts of said hinge means.

Claim 28

A container according to claim 19 which includes brace elements connected to each wing and extending from each said second part of said hinge means diagonally across the respective wing toward the said coupling means, said brace elements being fixed to the respective second parts of said hinge means.

Claim 29

A container according to claim 19 in which further hinge means are provided disposed vertically between the first mentioned hinge means connecting the outer edge of each wing with said container, said further hinge means having play therein.

Claim 30

A container according to claim 21 in which said further hinge means on the outer edge of each wing comprises two vertically spaced hinges.

Claim 31

A container according to claim 19 in which said one end face of said container comprises beams interconnected at the ends thereof and forming a frame surrounding the said gate in one said end face.