Patent US3687325A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3687325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Instrument case of assembled modular elements
Assignee: Buckeye Stamping Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-23
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1990-11-23
Abstract
Abstract An instrument case formed from modular elements which can be assembled in different multiples and sizes to obtain cases of different sizes so as to vary the capacities of the respective cases. It consists of modular elements, certain of which are standardized metal extrusions and others of which are standardized sheet metal panels, which are varied in certain dimensions in accordance with the desired size of the case. Various of these elements interfit in assembling and are retained in assembled condition by fasteners which are not visible from the front of the case.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira W Simons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:53
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D7/00; B65D7/12; B65D7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
An instrument case comprising an assembly of standardized elements including: opposed upright side panels each of which is in the form of a one piece structural member having a transverse cross-section which provides a vertical web with upper and lower longitudinally extending parallel edges and forward and rearward ends and inwardly opening slots adjacent its upper and lower edges parallel to those edges and extending the full length thereof to said ends with open ends as well as inwardly directed upper and lower horizontal flanges adjacent said slots and parallel thereto and extending the full length thereof; a front bottom panel-connector strip and a front top panelconnector strip each of which is in the form of a one piece structural member having a transverse cross-section which provides a horizontal web with longitudinally extending parallel front and rear edges and opposed ends with a rearwardly opening slot which opens toward the rear edge thereof and extends the full length thereof to said ends; rear connector means; upper and lower panel sheets each having parallel side edges and parallel forward and rearward edges; the assembly having the upper and lower front connector strips extending transversely between the panel members at their forward ends overlapping the horizontal flanges and being secured thereto with their ends abutting the inner surfaces of the respective panels, the rear connector means extending transversely between the panels at their rear ends and fastened thereto to aid the front connector strips in holding said side panels in laterally spaced parallel relationship, the upper and lower panels being horizontally disposed between the respective side panels and each having its opposed side edges positioned in the opposed inwardly opening slots thereof and its forward edge positioned in the rearwardly opening slot of the respective front connector strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
An instrument case comprising an assembly of standardized elements including: opposed upright side panels each of which is in the form of a one piece structural member having a transverse cross-section which provides a vertical web with upper and lower longitudinally extending parallel edges and forward and rearward ends and inwardly opening slots adjacent its upper and lower edges parallel to those edges and extending the full length thereof to said ends with open ends as well as inwardly directed upper and lower horizontal flanges adjacent said slots and parallel thereto and extending the full length thereof; a front bottom panel-connector strip and a front top panelconnector strip each of which is in the form of a one piece structural member having a transverse cross-section which provides a horizontal web with longitudinally extending parallel front and rear edges and opposed ends with a rearwardly opening slot which opens toward the rear edge thereof and extends the full length thereof to said ends; rear connector means; upper and lower panel sheets each having parallel side edges and parallel forward and rearward edges; the assembly having the upper and lower front connector strips extending transversely between the panel members at their forward ends overlapping the horizontal flanges and being secured thereto with their ends abutting the inner surfaces of the respective panels, the rear connector means extending transversely between the panels at their rear ends and fastened thereto to aid the front connector strips in holding said side panels in laterally spaced parallel relationship, the upper and lower panels being horizontally disposed between the respective side panels and each having its opposed side edges positioned in the opposed inwardly opening slots thereof and its forward edge positioned in the rearwardly opening slot of the respective front connector strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
An instrument case according to claim 1, in which: each of said front connector strips has its web formed with a rearwardly extending lip on its one surface spaced therefrom to prOvide the rearwardly opening slot and with an outwardly opening slot in its other surface; a front panel sheet is provided and has upper and lower parallel edges and opposed parallel ends; said top and bottom connector strips being disposed horizontally in vertically spaced relationship between said side panels with the lips thereof extending rearwardly and with the slots thereof disposed at the respective lower and upper surfaces thereof in opposed relationship to receive the front panel which has its upper and lower edges positioned therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
An instrument case according to claim 2, in which: vertically extending front and rear corner members are provided each of which is in the form of a one-piece structural member having upper and lower ends with a transverse cross-section to provide an angle flange with an inwardly extending portion and a laterally extending portion; each of said inwardly extending side panel flanges being of angular form with a horizontal portion and a vertical portion; said front and rear corner members being vertically disposed with their inwardly extending portions overlapping and being secured to the vertical portions of the flanges on the respective side panels and their laterally extending portions overlapping the adjacent ends of the respective side panels; said top and bottom front connector strips extending over the respective upper and lower ends of said corner members which are disposed vertically therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
An instrument case according to claim 3, in which: each of said corner members has an additional integral outer flange which is spaced laterally outwardly from the inwardly extending portion of the angle flange; said additional outer flange of each corner member being disposed in substantially the same vertical plane as the respective side panel and abutting the adjacent end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An instrument case according to claim 4, in which: each of the front corner members has a forwardly extending handle portion integral with the outer flange and an integral attaching flange extending outwardly opposite said laterally extending portion of the angle flange for mounting the case on a support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
An instrument case according to claim 4, in which: each of the front corner members also has an integral vertical rib formed on said outer flange and spaced forwardly of said laterally extending flange portion of the angle flange to provide a vertical groove therebetween; the respective ends of said front panel being positioned in the adjacent grooves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An instrument case according to claim 6, in which: a rear panel sheet is provided and has upper and lower parallel edges and opposed parallel ends; said rear panel extending transversely between said side panels, overlapping the laterally extending portions of said rear corner members and fastened thereto to provide said rear connector means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An instrument case according to claim 7, in which: said upper and lower panels have inturned lips on their rear edges; said lips overlapping said rear panel at its upper and lower edges and being fastened thereto to provide part of said rear connector means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |