US 4,832,190 A · Washing machine packing brace and blank therefor

Abstract

The packing brace is inserted into washing machines to maintain the agitator, tub and housing of the machine free from movement relative to each other when transporting the machine. A preferred corrugated fiberboard blank produces a box having a top panel extending perpendicularly into a pair of opposite end panels, the latter extending perpendicularly toward each other into a pair of bottom panels. The pair of bottom panels extends perpendicularly toward the top panel into a pair of juxtaposed tuck panels which have locking tabs. The locking tab of each tuck panel is inserted and thereby releasably locked within an elongated aperture in the top panel. The pair of bottom panels and their extending tuck panels each have a cut out portion cooperating to define a box-like opening within the packing brace, the box-like opening having a depth less than the depth of the packing brace. A means to indicate orientation of the packing brace and blank therefor is also disclosed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A unitary packing brace for washing machines, for maintaining the agitator, tub and housing of the machine free from movement relative to each other when transporting the machine comprising:

a corrugated fiberboard box having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface and said bottom surface being substantially parallel and including a means to maintain said top surface and said bottom surface in spaced relationship,
said box through said bottom surface, having a box-like opening,
said box-like opening having a bottom-like surface parallel to said top surface and spaced between and away from said top surface and said bottom surface,
whereby when said packing brace is inserted into said washing machine through its load opening, said box-like opening fits onto and cooperates with said agitator, said bottom-like surface being supported by the top end of said agitator, and
said box adapted to snugly engage against the rim of said tub and said housing thereby maintaining said agitator, said tub and said housing free from movement relative to each other when transporting said machine.

2 more elements

A corrugated fiberboard blank for constructing a washing machine packing brace comprising:

a first tuck panel,
said first tuck panel extending along one edge via a first fold line into a foldably connected first bottom panel,
said first bottom panel extending away from said first tuck panel into a foldably connected first end panel,
said first end panel extending away from said first bottom panel into a top panel,
said top panel extending away from said first end panel into a second end panel,
said second end panel extending away from said top panel into a second bottom panel,
said second bottom panel extending away from said second end panel via a second fold line into a second tuck panel,
said first tuck panel extending about an edge remote from said first bottom panel into at least one first locking tab,
said second tuck panel extending about an edge remote from said second bottom panel into at least one second locking tab,
said top panel having at least one elongate aperture for cooperating with said at least one first locking tab and said at least one second locking tab,
said first fold line being discontinuous about a first cut out portion extending into said first tuck panel and said first bottom panel,
said second fold line being discontinuous about a second cut out portion extending into said second tuck panel and said second bottom panel,
whereby when said blank is folded into said packing brace, on folding said first and said second end panel, said first and said second bottom panel and said first and said second tuck panel, said at least one first and said at least one second locking tab are releasably locked by insertion into said at least one elongate aperture, thereby defining said packing brace wherein said first and said second cut out portion cooperate to define a box-like opening within said packing brace, said box-like opening having a depth of less than the depth of said packing brace.

10 more elements

A unitary packing brace for washing machines, for maintaining the agitator, tub and housing of the machine free from movement relative to each other when transporting the machine comprising:

a corrugated fiberboard box having a top panel,
said top panel extending perpendicularly into a pair of opposite end panels,
said opposite end panels extending perpendicularly toward each other into a pair of bottom panels,
said pair of bottom panels extending perpendicularly toward said top panel into a pair of juxtaposed tuck panels,
said top panel having at least one elongated aperture parallel with said end panels,
each of said tuck panels extending remote from said bottom panels into at least one locking tab,
said at least one locking tab of each of said tuck panels inserted and thereby releasably locked within said at least one elongate aperture,
said pair of bottom panels and their extending tuck panels each having a cut out portion cooperating to define a box-like opening within said packing brace, said box-like opening having a depth less than the depth of said packing brace.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Washing machine packing brace and blank therefor

Life of this patent

Washing machine packing brace and blank therefor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20