Title:
SPLIT TOP CONTAINER
United States Patent 3567063
Abstract:
A container for carrying tape cartridges includes an open top box and a pair of hoods pivotally connected near the bases of opposing box ends. By slight finger pressure the hoods can be easily moved between swung-up positions where they cover the box top and swung-down positions where they uncover the box top and may serve as auxiliary receptacles.
Application Number:
04/800519
Publication Date:
03/02/1971
Other Classes:
206/387.15, 220/756, 220/775, G9B/23.017
International Classes:
G11B23/023; G11B23/023; (IPC1-7): B65D51/18
Field of Search:
206/29,17,45
Primary Examiner:
Schwartz, Raphael H.
Claims:
I claim
1. A split top container comprising:
Description:
The present invention relates to containers and more specifically to a container whose top may be quickly uncovered by splitting apart and pivoting downwardly a pair of cover sections or hoods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has become very popular to install sound-reproducing equipment such as stereophonic tape decks in motor vehicles for the entertainment of the driver. Often it is annoying and even hazardous for the driver to reach into and withdraw different tape cartridges from the cartridge container while he is driving.
Conventional tape cartridge containers usually have flaps that are difficult and time consuming to disconnect and then the flaps tend to interfere with the driver's access to the interior of the container. When the driver is forced to fumble with the flap, he becomes irritated and is apt to shift his eyes from the roadway to the container during which instant an accident may occur.
The chances of avoiding this type of driving inadvertence would be greatly enhanced if a cartridge container were available that could be swiftly opened and closed and conveniently reached into.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the present invention comprehends an inexpensively constructed container capable of being quickly and effortlessly opened and closed.
The container includes an open top receptacle such as rectangular box with a pair of opposing end sections. A pair of U-shaped hoods is pivotally connected to corresponding box end sections. Each hood may be independently pivoted between a swung-up position where it covers a box top portion and a swung-down position where the top portion is uncovered. The hoods are preferably connected adjacent the bases of the box end sections so that when pivoted to their swung-down positions they may operate as auxiliary receptacles for tape cartridges for example.
The hoods are preferably removably connected to the opposing box end sections by snap couplings. Recessed zones are formed on the box top margins to facilitate gaining access to the box interior. Since the container can be swiftly opened and closed either partially or entirely, a person need not look at the container while depositing objects into or removing them from the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The numerous benefits and unique aspects of the present invention will be fully understood when the following detailed description is studied in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the split top container of the present invention with the hoods positioned to close the container top; and
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing the hoods swung to their positions for opening the container top.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, a split top container 10 is constructed from an open top rectangular box 11 having a closed bottom 12 and a pair of opposing end sections 13 and 14. The top of container 10 is constituted by a pair of U-shaped hoods 15 and 16. Hood 15 has a pair of spaced side panels 17 and 18 joined by cross panel 19. Similarly, hood 16 includes a pair of spaced side panels 20 and 21 joined by a cross panel 22. Hoods 15 and 16 are symmetrically shaped and are pivotally connected to box end sections 13 and 14 by conventional snap couplings 23 and 24 respectively. A carrying strap 25 is secured to box 11 so container 10 can be easily lifted and moved to different locations by a person.
Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that when carrying strap 25 is looped beneath box bottom 12 the hoods 15 and 16 can be pivoted from their swung-up positions (as shown in FIG. 1) to swung-down positions (as shown in FIG. 2). When the hoods are maintained in their swung-up positions, their edges abut so that the box top portion is substantially entirely covered. When the hoods 15 and 16 are split apart and swung downwardly to their positions illustrated in FIG. 2, the box top is uncovered to provide access into the interior of box 11. The hoods serve as auxiliary receptacles when they are pivoted to their swung-down positions.
Box 11 is divided by a partition 26 into plural compartments 27 and 28. Opposing lengthwise top margins of box 11 are formed with recessed zones 29 and 30 that permit a person to easily slip his hand into the box 11 in order to remove stereo tape cartridges or cassettes 33.
Edge portions 31 and 32 of hoods 15 and 16 are rounded so that when one hood is swung downwardly from abutting alignment with the other hood it will have adequate clearance and thereby be freely pivoted without striking or being restrained by the other hood.
The box 11 and hoods 15 and 16 may be fabricated from leather, imitation leather, plastic such as vinyl, plastic impregnated with paper, cardboard covered selectively with fabric or any other suitable material. While container 10 is ideal for storing and carrying tape cartridges it may also be employed for containing medical equipment and supplies or various other objects.
OPERATION
Keeping the above construction in mind, it can be understood how previously described disadvantages of conventional carrying containers are overcome or substantially eliminated by the present invention.
In order to enjoy the advantages of the present invention, a driver with a tape deck installed in his car for example initially selects tape cartridges 33 from his collection and loads them into container 10. The hoods 15 and 16 are then swung upwardly to close the top of box 11 and carrying strap 25 is moved from its orientation in FIG. 2 to that of FIG. 1.
The container 10 is positioned on the vehicle seat or vehicle floor either beneath the driver or straddled over the longitudinally extending vehicle hump. When positioned over the hump, the hoods 15 and 16 may be pivoted to their swung-down positions to help stabilize container 10.
When the driver wishes to insert a different tape cartridge 33, he may, without diverting his eyes from the normal field of vision, easily swing one or both of the hoods downwardly by exerting slight finger pressure on the cross panels 19 or 22. Thus, gaining access to a replacement cartridge is swift and effortless and can be accomplished without looking directly at container 10. The driver has the option to deposit previously played tape cartridges 33 into auxiliary receptacles defined by the hoods 15 and 16 in their swung-down positions.
From the foregoing it will be evident that the present invention has provided a split top container in which all of the various advantages are fully realized.