Robert Keith Rueckert

US Patent:

57997144, Sep 1, 1998

Filed:

Apr 28, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/431090

Inventors:

Tim Teal - Mount Vernon OH
Robert R. Rueckert - Blue Rock OH
Jack J. Hindel - Frazeysburg OH

Assignee:

The Longaberger Company - Newark OH

International Classification:

B27J 100

US Classification:

147 48

Abstract:

A spring-actuated basket form including a platform, a spacer housed within a cavity recessed below the platform surface, and a pair of reinforcement guides. The reinforcement guides form a space therebetween capable of removably receiving a reinforcement splint during basket assembly. The spacer's perimeter wall communicates with the inner wall of the cavity. A spring is coupled to the spacer to facilitate tensioned movement of the spacer within the cavity. The spring urges the spacer and its associated movable reinforcement guide toward the other guide to retain a reinforcement splint within the space. An adjustable alignment rim may be provided on the platform surface at a distance from the reinforcement guides.