초록 ▼

An adjustable reusable modular packaging crate and assembly kit is purposed for safe transportation of preferably mostly two-dimensional items. Several latching corner subassemblies each hold two perpendicular frame extensions that may be locked into adjustable lengths to make crate frame sides. Set

An adjustable reusable modular packaging crate and assembly kit is purposed for safe transportation of preferably mostly two-dimensional items. Several latching corner subassemblies each hold two perpendicular frame extensions that may be locked into adjustable lengths to make crate frame sides. Sets of adjustable clamps interact with the item to be shipped and the crate frame, to assist in securing the item to be shipped. Extendable frame components allow for a frame that adjusts precisely to the size of the item to be shipped. Frame locks securely fix the dimensions of the packaging crate. Gusset subassemblies and cross-corner struts add rigidity to the crate. Corner, frame, strut, and gusset components interlock to create a rigid packaging crate. Frame links enable crate frame sides to be connected side-by-side, adding to the depth of the crate frame. The modular crate may be easily disassembled for low-space storage between uses, and easily reassembled for reuse.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An adjustable, resusable, modular packaging crate for containing and transporting a mostly-two-dimensional item, the crate comprising: a rectangular frame having a front, a back, and an interior space surrounded and defined by the frame for receiving the item, the frame comprising a plurality of

1. An adjustable, resusable, modular packaging crate for containing and transporting a mostly-two-dimensional item, the crate comprising: a rectangular frame having a front, a back, and an interior space surrounded and defined by the frame for receiving the item, the frame comprising a plurality of corner subassemblies each including a corner and two extension frame members extending from each end of the corner, and a plurality of elongated locking frame members each slidably connecting and latching to two of the extension frame members, wherein, when unlatched, each locking frame member is slidable longitudinally relative to said two extension frame members for adjusting distance between the corner subassemblies to change the shape and size of the frame; andthe crate further comprising:at least one rigidifying, elongated cross-frame gusset extending diagonally between two of the locking frame members in front of said interior space, and at least one rigidifying, elongated cross-frame gusset extending diagonally between two of the locking frame members in back of the said interior space;wherein each of the gussets is longitudinally slidably extendable and retractable in length and has ends rotatably attached to the locking frame members, so that, when the locking frame members are unlatched and slid to change said distance between corners subassemblies, each gusset extends or retracts in length and the ends of each gusset rotate relative to the locking frame members, to allow the change in size and/or shape of the frame; andwherein each gusset comprises a lock for preventing the gusset from extending or retracting in length, and locks for preventing the ends from rotating relative to the locking frame members, for rigidifying the frame after said adjusting the distance between the corner subassemblies. 2. The crate of claim 1, wherein the ends of each gusset are slidable along the lengths of the locking frame members, and the ends of each gusset each comprise a lock for preventing the ends of each gusset from sliding along said length of the locking frame members after said adjusting the distance between the corner subassemblies. 3. The crate of claim 1, wherein each of the locking frame members has an outer longitudinal edge forming part of an outer perimeter of the frame, and the ends of the gussets extend outward to the outer perimeter of the frame by connecting to said outer longitudinal edge. 4. The crate of claim 1, wherein said at least one gusset in front of said interior space is generally perpendicular to said at least one gusset in back of said interior space. 5. The crate of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of clamps for securing the item in the interior space, each of said clamps extending inward from the frame toward the interior space and comprising a solid jaw and a movable jaw for receiving a portion of the item between said solid jaw and said movable jaw. 6. The crate of claim 5, wherein each of said extension frame members has a length, and each of said clamps is slidable longitudinally on one of the extension frame members. 7. The crate of claim 1, wherein the locking frame members are top, bottom, first side, and second side locking frame members, and one gusset of said at least one gusset extending in front of said interior space extends diagonally between the top and first side locking frame members, and one gusset of said at least one gusset extending in back of said interior space extends diagonally between the top and second side locking frame members. 8. The crate of claim 7, wherein another gusset of said at least one gusset extending in front of said interior space extends diagonally between the bottom and second side locking frame members, and another gusset of said at least one gusset extending in back of said interior space extends diagonally between the bottom and first side locking frame members. 9. The crate of claim 1, further comprising a cross-corner strut connected to said two extension frame members of one of said corner subassemblies. 10. An adjustable, resusable, modular packaging crate for containing and transporting a mostly-two-dimensional item, the crate comprising: a rectangular frame having a front, a back, and an interior space surrounded and defined by the frame for receiving the item, the frame comprising a plurality of corner subassemblies, and a plurality of elongated locking frame members each having a length and adjustably connected and latched to the corner subassemblies, so that, when unlatched, each locking frame member is slidable longitudinally relative to the two corner subassemblies for adjusting distance between the corner subassemblies to change the shape and size of the frame; andthe crate further comprising:an elongated cross-frame gusset extending between two of the locking frame members in front of said interior space, and an elongated cross-frame gusset extending between two of the locking frame members in back of the said interior space;wherein each of the gussets is longitudinally slidably extendable and retractable in length and has ends rotatably and slidably-attached to the locking frame members, so that, when the locking frame members are unlatched and slid to change said distance between corners subassemblies, each gusset extends or retracts in length, and the ends of each gusset rotate relative to, and slide along the lengths of, the locking frame members, to allow the change in size and/or shape of the frame; andwherein each gusset comprises locks for preventing the gusset from extending or retracting in length, and the ends from rotating and from sliding relative to the locking frame members, for rigidifying the frame after said adjusting the distance between the corner subassemblies. 11. The crate of claim 10, wherein each of the locking frame members has an outer longitudinal edge forming part of an outer perimeter of the frame, and the ends of the gussets extend outward to connect to a portion of the outer perimeter of the frame. 12. The crate of claim 10, wherein said at least one gusset in front of said interior space is generally perpendicular to said at least one gusset in back of said interior space. 13. The crate of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of clamps for securing the item in the interior space, each of said clamps extending inward from the frame toward the interior space and comprising a solid jaw and a movable jaw for receiving a portion of the item between said solid jaw and said movable jaw. 14. The crate of claim 13, wherein each of said extension frame members has a length, and each of said clamps is slidable longitudinally on one of the extension frame members. 15. The crate of claim 10, further comprising a cross-corner strut connected to one of said corner subassemblies. 16. A combination of an adjustable packaging crate and item contained therein for shipping the item, wherein: the crate comprises:a rectangular frame having a front, a back, and an interior space surrounded and defined by the frame, the frame comprising a plurality of corner subassemblies each including a corner and two extension frame members extending from each end of the corner, and a plurality of elongated locking frame members each slidably connecting and latching to two of the extension frame members, wherein, when unlatched, each locking frame member is slidable longitudinally relative to said two extension frame members for adjusting distance between the corner subassemblies to change the shape and size of the frame to fit the item; andat least one rigidifying, elongated cross-frame gusset extending diagonally between two of the locking frame members in front of said interior space, and at least one rigidifying, elongated cross-frame gusset extending diagonally between two of the locking frame members in back of the said interior space;wherein each of the gussets is longitudinally slidably extendable and retractable in length and has ends rotatably attached to the locking frame members, so that, when the locking frame members are unlatched and slid to change said distance between corners subassemblies, each gusset extends or retracts in length and the ends of each gusset rotate relative to the locking frame members, to allow the change in size and/or shape of the frame; andwherein each gusset comprises a lock for preventing the gusset from extending or retracting in length, and locks for preventing the ends from rotating relative to the locking frame members, for rigidifying the frame after said adjusting the distance between the corner subassemblies; andwherein the item contained in the crate is received in the interior space of the frame between said at least one gusset extending diagonally in front of said interior space and said at least one gusset extending diagonally in back of the said interior space.