Vehicle container

Abstract

A shipping container for small vehicles such as snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles is described herein which features a base, a cage structure, and a cover. However, unlike current industry standard containers for vehicles of this type which use wood or metal for the cage structure, the design described herein reduces weight and required assembly labor by using prefabricated sections comprised entirely of laminated paperboard or fiberboard.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container, comprising:
 a base; and   a cage structure comprising a plurality of laminated paperboard V-sections.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of laminated paperboard V-sections form end assemblies and a top assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said end assemblies have a first configuration and a second configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein said first configuration of said end assembly is substantially flat. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said cover covers at least said cage structure. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said cover is comprised of heat-shrinkable layered fabric having high water vapor permeability in a controlled direction. 
     
     
         8 . A method of producing a container, comprising the steps of:
 constructing a base structure;   constructing end assemblies in a first configuration from laminated paperboard V-sections, wherein said end assemblies are convertible to a second configuration; and   constructing a substantially flat top assembly from laminated paperboard V-sections.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of shipping said base structure, said end assemblies, said top assembly, and a cover to a purchaser. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said cover is comprised of layered fabric that is heat-shrinkable and having high water vapor permeability in a controlled direction. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said first configuration is substantially flat. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the conversion from said first configuration to said second configuration is accomplished by folding. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 instructing said purchaser on final assembly steps of said container wherein said final assembly comprises the steps of:
 placing a vehicle on said base structure, 
 folding said end assemblies, 
 attaching said end assemblies to opposing sides of said base, 
 attaching said top assembly to the tops of said end assemblies, 
 covering at least said end assemblies and said top assembly with said cover.