Collapsible crate

Abstract

A collapsible crate is disclosed, having a base and a plurality of walls. The base includes a top surface and defines a cavity below the top surface. The plurality of walls are removably attached to each other and are movable between a first configuration in which the plurality of walls extend substantially vertically above the top surface of the base, and in a second configuration in which the plurality of walls are within the cavity of the base.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 109098, filed November 3, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to the storage and transport of crates, and particularly to collapsible crates. Background Technology

[0004] Crates are used for transporting and storing goods and commodities. When not in use, a crate typically occupies the same amount of space as when it is filled. Therefore, when transporting or storing empty crates, they occupy a significant amount of space on transport vehicles or in warehouses. Some crates have walls that can be removed from the base. These walls can then be removed and placed on top of the base of the crate or elsewhere for transport or storage. In another method, the crate walls can be folded inward and positioned on top of the base of the crate.

[0005] However, in existing technological methods, these walls remain vulnerable to impact and damage. Furthermore, these walls may still occupy additional space beyond the typical dimensions of the base. In addition, many crates are transported using forklifts and similar equipment. To accommodate such equipment, the crates must be constructed with a base that accepts lifting and transport structures. When the base is constructed in this way, constructing a crate that allows one or more walls to fold onto the base becomes particularly difficult.

[0006] There is a need for a crate that can be folded to reduce its size while still preventing the walls from bending, denting, or separating from the rest of the crate. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1A This is a top perspective view of a collapsible crate in its assembled configuration.

[0008] Figure 1B -C are respectively Figure 1A Front and rear elevation views of the collapsible crate.

[0009] Figure 1D -E are respectively Figure 1A Left and right elevation views of the collapsible crate.

[0010] Figure 1F -G are respectively Figure 1A Top and bottom views of the collapsible crate.

[0011] Figure 2 It is in a folded configuration Figure 1A Top perspective view of the collapsible crate.

[0012] Figure 3A yes Figure 1A Front perspective view of the lower part of the collapsible crate.

[0013] Figure 3B yes Figure 1A Front cross-section of the lower part of the collapsible crate.

[0014] Figure 3C yes Figure 1A A perspective view of the right-side section of the lower part of the collapsible crate.

[0015] Figure 4A yes Figure 1A Top perspective view of the wall-oriented locking mechanism of the collapsible crate.

[0016] Figure 4B yes Figure 1A Left perspective view of the wall connection mechanism of the collapsible crate.

[0017] Figure 4C yes Figure 4B Right perspective view of the wall connection mechanism.

[0018] Figure 5A yes Figure 1A Front perspective view of the corner of a collapsible crate.

[0019] Figure 5B yes Figure 1A Right perspective view of the corner of a collapsible crate.

[0020] Figure 5C -D indicates a partially folded configuration. Figure 1A A perspective view of the lower part of a collapsible crate.

[0021] Figure 6A -G indicates assembly Figure 1A A diagram illustrating the process of making a collapsible crate.

[0022] Figure 7A yes Figure 1A A top perspective view of a collapsible crate, shown as a wall portion inserted into the base of the collapsible crate.

[0023] Figure 7B Is it like this? Figure 7A As shown Figure 1A Right-side cross-sectional view of the collapsible crate.

[0024] Figure 7C yes Figure 1AA right-side cross-sectional view of a collapsible crate, wherein the first wall is fully inserted into the base of the collapsible crate.

[0025] Figure 7D yes Figure 1A The right-side cross-section of the collapsible crate, with two walls fully inserted into the base of the collapsible crate.

[0026] Figure 8A -B is Figure 1A A top perspective view of the corner of a collapsible crate, which is shown as having two walls inserted into the base of the collapsible crate. Detailed Implementation

[0027] A crate is provided, configured to allow the crate walls to detach from each other and be stored within a cavity in the base of the crate. When the crate is folded from an assembled configuration, the walls can detach from adjacent walls. Upper portions of the walls are rotatable outward about their lower ends, which are attached to and engage tracks in the base. Once the walls are substantially parallel to the ground, they can slide into a cavity beneath the base via tracks within the base. The base may include retaining mechanisms to prevent the walls from unintentionally sliding out of the cavity. Each wall can similarly be disconnected from and stored within the base from adjacent walls.

[0028] refer to Figure 1A -G, the crate 100 is shown in an assembled configuration and includes a base 102 and four walls 150A, 150B extending upward from the base 102. (See also...) Figure 2 As shown, the crate is in a folded configuration, with all four walls 150A, 150B within the base 102. See also... Figure 3A In one form, the base 102 includes an upper platform 105A, a lower platform 105B, and four posts 110 extending between the upper platform 105A and the lower platform 105B. Thus, the base 102 defines a space between the upper platform 105A and the lower platform 105B, which is a cavity 112 of the base 102. The upper platform 105A and the lower platform 105B may be formed by a grid of support rods spanning the top and bottom of the base 102. In other forms, the upper platform 105A and the lower platform 105B may be formed from a solid, flat sheet, such as sheet metal.

[0029] In one embodiment, the upper platform 105A includes a frame 114 formed by a grid of supporting members and a bottom wall 116 mounted to the top side of the frame 114. The bottom wall 116 provides a surface for resting the contents within the crate 100. Because the walls 150A, 150B move within the base 102 to fold the crate 100 (and not rest on the bottom wall 116), the crate 100 can move between an assembled configuration and a folded configuration without removing the contents positioned on the bottom wall 116. This allows one or more walls 150A, 150B to fold to provide access to the contents of the crate 100, for example, when items are removed from the crate. The crate 100 can also be used, similar to a tray, to support the contents on the surface 116 when in the folded configuration. The crates 100 can be stacked on top of each other in the folded configuration to save space. Because the walls are located within the base 102 in the folded configuration, walls 150A and 150B are protected from damage when the crates 100 are stacked and transported. The bottom wall 116 may be formed of sheet metal to provide a robust and durable flat surface. In other embodiments, the bottom wall 116 is a mesh or grid, making it not a solid surface. In other forms, the bottom wall 116 may be formed of other materials, such as wood, polymers, and combinations thereof. At least one of the upper platform 105A and the bottom wall 116 includes holes 118 on the side facing the locking wall 150A for receiving locking pins 164 of the wall-oriented locking mechanism 106 of the locking wall 150A to lock the wall 150A in an upright position, as will be described in further detail below.

[0030] The lower platform 105B includes a frame 120 formed by a grid of support members. The lower platform 105B includes support blocks 122 extending downward from each corner of the lower platform 105B. The support blocks 122 rest on the ground and space the lower platform 105B away from the ground, thereby enabling the crate 100 to be picked up or moved by mobile equipment (such as forklifts, pallet trucks, or similar tools). The lower platform 105B lies beneath a cavity 112 (in which walls 150A, 150B move in a folded configuration), which allows fork-like components of the mobile equipment to be positioned beneath the lower platform 105B when the crate 100 is in both an assembled and folded configuration.

[0031] refer to Figure 3A-C, the base 102 further includes sidewalls 124A, 124B extending between columns 110 between the upper platform 105A and the lower platform 105B. Therefore, the sidewalls 124A, 124B extend along the cavity 112 of the base 102. The sidewalls 124A, 124B include a support structure that forms a track for receiving the walls 150A, 150B within the base 102. In one embodiment, the sidewalls 124A on the left and right sides of the crate 100 are at the same height. In another embodiment, the sidewalls 124B on the front and rear of the crate 100 are at the same height but at a different height than the sidewalls 124A. As shown, sidewall 124A is lower or closer to the lower platform 105B than sidewall 124B. Each of the sidewalls 124A and 124B includes an upper ledge and a lower ledge 126 extending along the length of the sidewalls 124A and 124B, these ledges extending horizontally inward from the sidewalls 124A and 124B. It should be understood that other forms of support structures may also be used in the base 102 to guide and / or store the walls 150A and 150B. For example, the base 102 may include four solid sheets that span a cavity 112 of the base 102 and form four layers within the cavity 112 for receiving the walls 150A and 150B thereon. In another example, the sidewalls 124A and 124B may include U-shaped members instead of ledges 126 for receiving the sides of the walls 150A and 150B.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, each wall shelf 126 of sidewalls 124A, 124B corresponds to a wall shelf 126 on the opposite side of base 102 to form a track for receiving the walls 150A, 150B of crate 100. For example, the lower wall shelf 126 of the left sidewall 124A of base 102 is at the same height as the lower wall shelf 126 of the right sidewall 124A of base 102. The upper wall shelf 126 of the left sidewall 124A of base 102 is at the same height as the upper wall shelf 126 of the right sidewall 124A of base 102. The wall shelves 126 of sidewalls 124B similarly correspond to each other. This creates four layers of wall shelves 126 or tracks within the cavity 112 of base 102 for receiving the four walls 150A, 150B of crate 100. For example, when crate 100 is in such a state Figure 2 In the folding configuration shown, the walls 150A of the crate 100 are within the cavity 112 of the base 102. The first sides of walls 150A and 150B rest on the wall brackets 126, while the second sides of walls 150A and 150B rest on corresponding wall brackets 126 on opposite sides of the base 102. Thus, each wall bracket 126 forms part of a track for receiving the walls 150.

[0033] The ledge 126 may include a stop 128 at its end, which abuts against the walls 150A, 150B when inserted into the cavity 112 of the base 102. The stop 128 prevents the walls 150A, 150B from being inserted too far into the cavity 112 and prevents the walls 150A, 150B from disengaging from the base 102 on the side of the crate 100 opposite to the side from which the walls 150A, 150B are inserted. The base 102 also includes retaining members 130 and latches 140 for retaining the walls 150A, 150B within the base 102 when the crate 100 is in a folded configuration. As described in further detail below, the retaining members 130 and latches 140 engage a portion of the walls 150A, 150B to prevent the walls 150A, 150B from unintentionally sliding out of the cavity 112 of the base 102.

[0034] Refer again Figure 1A -G, each of walls 150A and 150B may be formed by a frame having a left side member 152, a right side member 154, a top member 156, and a bottom member 158. Walls 150A and 150B include a plurality of spaced uprights extending between the top member 156 and the bottom member 158. In other forms, walls 150A and 150B may additionally or alternatively include horizontally extending rods. In yet another form, walls 150A and 150B may be solid and do not include openings therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two types of walls 150. The first type is a locking wall 150A, and the second type is a connecting wall 150B. In the assembled configuration, locking walls 150A are on opposite sides of crate 100, and connecting walls 150B extend along the remaining two sides of crate 100 between locking walls 150A. As shown, the locking wall 150A includes a wall-oriented locking mechanism 106 and two wall-locking mechanisms 108. The bottom member 158 of the locking wall 150A includes a hole 158A for locking the locking wall 150A in an upright position. The left member 152 and the right member 154 each include a groove 159A for locking the locking wall 150A to an adjacent connecting wall 150B. The connecting wall 150B each includes a groove 159B in the left member 152 and the right member 154, which align with the groove 159A of the locking wall 150A and are used to lock the locking wall 150A to the connecting wall 150B. It should be understood that although the locking wall 150A is shown as including both the wall-oriented locking mechanism 106 and the two wall-locking mechanisms 108, in other forms, each wall of the crate 100 may include a wall-locking mechanism 108 for locking to an adjacent wall. In some forms, each wall of the crate 100 includes a wall-oriented locking mechanism 106. In some configurations, each locking wall 150A includes two wall-oriented locking mechanisms 106. In other configurations, no wall includes a wall-oriented locking mechanism 106.

[0035] The wall orientation locking mechanism 106 of the locking wall 150A includes a structure for locking the locking wall 150A in an upright position. (See reference) Figure 4A In the illustrated embodiment, the wall-oriented locking mechanism 106 includes: a bracket 162 attached to a vertical member 160 of the locking wall 150A; and a locking pin 164 having a handle portion 164A and a shaft portion 164B. The bracket 162 includes an upper recess 166A and a lower recess 166B, the lower recess receiving the handle portion 164A of the locking pin 164 when the locking pin 164 is in an unlocked and locked configuration, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 162 is substantially U-shaped. It should be understood that in other forms, the bracket holding the locking pin 164 in the locked and unlocked positions has an alternative shape but includes a structure for the handle portion 164A of the locking pin 164 to engage when in the locked and unlocked positions for retaining the locking pin 164.

[0036] In operation, to lock the locking wall 150A into the upright position, the shaft portion 164B of the locking pin 164 extends through a hole 158A in the bottom member 158 of the locking wall 150A and into a hole 118 in the bottom wall 116 of the base 102. The handle portion 164A of the locking pin 164 is rotatable into a recess 166B in the U-shaped bracket 162 to retain the locking pin 164 inserted into the hole 118 in the base 102. The wall-oriented locking mechanism 106 may include a spring 168 that biases the locking pin 164 upward from the bottom member 158 of the locking wall 150A. When received within the recess 166B of the U-shaped bracket 162, the spring 168 biases the handle portion 164A to engage with the upper portion of the recess 166B, thereby increasing the frictional engagement between the handle portion 164A and the recess 166B, which helps prevent the handle portion 164A of the locking pin 164 from rotating outward from the recess 166B.

[0037] To unlock the locking wall 150A to allow it to rotate from the upright position, the handle portion 164A of the locking pin 164 rotates out of the lower recess 166B of the U-shaped bracket 162. The locking pin 164 can move upward to retract itself from the hole 118 in the bottom wall 116. The handle portion 164A can rotate into the upper recess 166A to hold the locking pin 164 in the unlocked position. A spring 168 can bias the locking pin 164 into the unlocked position, and when the handle portion 164A is in the upper recess 166A, the spring 168 can bias the handle portion 164A against the upper portion of the upper recess 166A, thereby increasing the frictional engagement between the handle portions 164A to prevent the handle portion 164A from rotating outward from the recess 166A.

[0038] The wall locking mechanism 108 includes a structure for removably connecting two walls together. It should be understood that while a specific structure of the wall locking mechanism 108 is shown, in other forms, the wall locking mechanism 108 can be any structure for reversibly fastening two adjacent walls together. Reference Figure 5B -C, the wall locking mechanism 108 shown includes a support bracket 170 and a locking pin 172 having a handle portion 172A, a shaft portion 172B, and a hook portion 172C. The support bracket 170 includes a hole through which the shaft portion 172B of the locking pin 172 is received. The support bracket 170 guides the shaft portion 172B of the locking pin 172 as the locking pin 172 moves between a connected configuration and a disconnected configuration. In the connected configuration, the locking pin 172 moves toward the edge of the wall 150A, and in the disconnected configuration, the locking pin 172 moves toward the center of the wall 150A. The handle portion 172A of the locking pin 172 is attached to the shaft portion 172B of the locking pin 172 to move the locking pin 172 between the connected and disconnected configurations and to rotate the locking pin 172 about the shaft portion 172B between a locked position and an unlocked position. The hook portion 172C is attached to the end of the shaft portion 172B. When moving from a disconnected configuration to a connected configuration, this end passes through a slot 159A in the locking wall 150A and a corresponding slot 159B in the adjacent connecting wall 150B. The hook portion 172C is shaped such that when it is aligned with the slot 159A of the locking wall 150A and the slot 159B of the connecting wall 150B, it is in an unlocked configuration and the hook portion 172C can pass through these slots. When the hook portion 172C is not aligned with the slots 159A and 159B, the hook portion 172C is in a locked configuration and cannot pass through these slots. Therefore, when the locking pin 172 is in the connected configuration and the hook portion 172C passes through the slots 159A and 159B and is not aligned with the slots 159A and 159B (i.e., in the locked configuration), the locking pin 172 cannot be withdrawn from the slots 159A and 159B without first aligning the hook portion 172C with the slots 159A and 159B (i.e., moving the locking pin 172 to the unlocked configuration).

[0039] In operation, to lock the locking wall 150A to the adjacent connecting wall 150B, for example, the locking pin 172 is rotated to the unlocking configuration using the handle portion 172A to align the hook portion 172C with the slot 159A of the locking wall 150A and the slot 159B of the connecting wall 150B. Then, the locking pin 172 is moved from the disconnected configuration to the connected configuration by moving the locking pin 172 along the axis of the shaft portion 172B so that the hook portion 172C passes through the slot 159A of the locking wall 150A and the slot 159B of the connecting wall 150B. Then, the locking pin 172 is moved to the locking configuration by rotating the hook portion 172C so that the hook portion 172C is no longer aligned with the slots 159A and 159B and therefore cannot be withdrawn through the slots 159A and 159B.

[0040] To unlock the locking wall 150A from the connecting wall 150B, the locking pin 172 is moved to the unlocking configuration, for example, by rotating the handle portion 172A about the shaft portion 172A so that the hook portion 172C aligns with the slot 159A of the locking wall 150A and the slot 159B of the connecting wall 150B. Then, the locking pin 172 is moved to the disconnected configuration by moving the locking pin 172A along the axis of the shaft portion 172A, thus retracting the hook portion 172 from the slots 159A and 159B. Once the hook portion 172C of the locking pin 172 no longer extends through the slot 159B of the connecting wall 150B, the connecting wall 150B is disconnected from the locking wall 150A. The locking pin 172 can then be rotated to the locked position for storage.

[0041] exist Figure 1A In the embodiment shown in -G, when the handle portion 172B is rotated such that it extends substantially vertically from the locking wall 150A, the hook portion 172C of the locking pin 172 is in an unlocked configuration or aligned with the slots 159A and 159B of the locking wall 150A and the connecting wall 150B. When the handle portion 172B is parallel to the locking wall 150A, the hook portion 172C is in a locked configuration or is no longer aligned with the slots 159A and 159B. Since the handle portion 172B is usually parallel to the locking wall 150A due to gravity when the locking wall 150A is in the upright position, the hook portion 172C is usually not aligned with the slots 159A and 159B, thus causing the locking pin 172 to be in a locked configuration.

[0042] The support bracket 170 further includes a handle retaining bracket 171, which receives the handle portion 172B of the locking pin 172 when the locking pin 172 is in a locked configuration and also in one of an engaged configuration and an unengaged configuration. (See reference) Figure 4B-C, The handle retaining bracket 171 includes arms 171A extending from a support bracket 170. Each arm 171A includes a protrusion 171B extending inwardly from a portion of the arm 171A toward the support bracket 170. The handle portion 172B of the locking pin 172 includes a portion sized to be received between the protrusion 171B of the arm 171A and the support bracket 170. The protrusion 171B restricts the space between the arm 171A and the support bracket 170 such that the handle portion 172B must be forcefully inserted into or forcefully removed from the handle retaining bracket 171. The handle portion 172B can be retained by the handle retaining bracket 171 in both a disconnected and connected configuration. Therefore, the handle retainer 171 prevents the handle portion 172B from swinging around the shaft portion 172A, thereby securing the locking pin 172 in the locking configuration, for example, to prevent the locking wall 150A and the connecting wall 150B from unintentionally disconnecting from each other when in the connecting configuration.

[0043] like Figure 1B and Figure 1D As shown, a locking wall 150A and a connecting wall 150B include a latch engagement member 190. The latch engagement member 190 may be a plate extending below the bottom member 158 of the walls 150A, 150B. As explained in further detail below, when the locking wall 150A or the connecting wall 150B slides into the cavity 112 along their respective tracks within the base 102, the latch engagement member 190 engages the latch 140 of the base 102, thereby causing the latch 140 to rotate and extend into the path of the track of the wall immediately above the walls 150A, 150B, thereby retaining the walls 150A, 150B on top of the base 102.

[0044] Each of walls 150A and 150B includes a crossbar 174. When crate 100 is in a folded configuration (such as, Figure 2When in the folded configuration shown, the crossbar 174 engages the corresponding retaining member 130 or latch 140 of the base 102, thereby preventing walls 150A, 150B from sliding out of the cavity 112 of the base 102 when in the folded configuration. In the illustrated example embodiment, the crate 100 includes a retaining member 130 for locking a wall 150A and connecting a wall 150B, and a latch 140 for locking a wall 150A and connecting a wall 150B. In another embodiment, the crate 100 may include retaining members 130 for all walls 150. Also in the illustrated embodiment, a retaining member 130 or latch 140 is used for each wall 150A, 150B at the left-hand portion of the track that receives walls 150A, 150B in the base 102. In other embodiments, the crate 100 may include retaining members 130 or latches 140 for each side of each wall 140. As an example, each wall 150A, 150B may include a retaining member 130 or latch 140 on the left side of the track that receives the wall 150A, 150B into the base 102 and a retaining member 130 or latch 140 on the right side of the track.

[0045] refer to Figure 5A and Figure 8A The retaining member 130 is shown extending from the sidewall 124A. The retaining member 130 includes a rod 132 pivoting about the axis 134. The retaining member 130 includes a torsion spring coupled to the axis 134 and the rod 132, which biases the end 132A of the rod 132 downwards and into a path of a track formed by two corresponding ledges 126. When the walls 150A, 150B are received within the cavity 112 of the base 102, the end 132A of the rod 132 extends downwards and engages the top surface 174A of the crossbar 174 of the wall 150 (see...). Figure 8A Therefore, the rod 132 holding member 130 prevents walls 150A and 150B from leaving cavity 112. To remove walls 150A and 150B from the cavity, end 132A of rod 132 is rotated upward about axis 132. This is accomplished by pressing down end 132B opposite end 132A to overcome the biasing force of the torsion spring. Once rod 132 is no longer in the track and / or no longer engages the crossbar 174 of walls 150A and 150B, walls 150A and 150B can be withdrawn from cavity 112.

[0046] refer to Figure 5B and Figure 8B The latch 140 is shown extending from the ledge 126. The latch 140 includes a support 140A extending from the side wall 124B and a bracket 140B configured to rotate about the axis of the support 140A. Figure 5B and Figure 8BAs shown, latch 140 is in a holding orientation to engage and / or retain walls 150A, 150B along the associated track of base 120. Bracket 140B includes a vertical extension member 140C that is rotatable to extend into the path of the track formed by the two corresponding ledges 126. Latch 140 is in a holding orientation when the crate 112 is in a folded configuration and the two opposing walls 150A, 150B are within cavity 112. When in the holding orientation, the vertical extension member 140C of latch 140 engages the top surface 174A of the crossbar 174 of walls 150A, 150B to prevent walls 150A, 150B from sliding out of cavity 112 as they slide along the ledges 126 forming the track (see [link to original text]). Figure 7D and Figure 8B Therefore, the vertical extension member 140C acts as a stop to prevent the walls 150A and 150B from unintentionally leaving the cavity 112. Figure 7A As shown in -C, the rotatable hook 140 can be configured to pivot about the support 140A or be suspended in a non-holding orientation, such that the vertical extension member 140C is not in the path of the walls 150A, 150B, thereby allowing the walls 150A, 150B held by the latch 140 to slide into the cavity 112 of the base 102. When the opposing walls 150A, 150B are inserted along the track into the cavity 112 of the base 102, the latch engagement member 190 engages the bracket 140B to rotate the bracket 140B about the axis of the support 140A, thereby using the latch engagement member 190 to bring the vertical extension member 140C into the track of the walls 150A, 150B (i.e., holding the orientation) over the walls 150A, 150B. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch engagement member 190 slides along the underside of the bracket 140B of the latch 140, causing the underside of the bracket 140B to align with the latch engagement member 190, thereby rotating the latch 140 to maintain its orientation (see [link to original document]). Figure 7D and Figure 8B Because the vertical extension member 140C is within the path of walls 150A and 150B, walls 150A and 150B cannot slide off the base 102 along their tracks. The vertical extension member 140C can engage the crossbar 174 of walls 150A and 150B to prevent walls 150A and 150B from being unintentionally pulled back from the base 102. When the opposing walls 150A and 150B are pulled back from the base 102, the latch engagement member 190 no longer forces the latch 140 into a holding orientation and the latch returns to a non-holding orientation, thereby allowing walls 150A and 150B to be pulled back from the base 102.

[0047] about Figure 5A-D, each of walls 150A and 150B further includes legs 180 extending from the bottom member 158, which engage the ledges 126 of the base 102. The legs 180 of walls 150A and 150B are sized such that when walls 150A and 150B are in an upright position (e.g., when the crate is in an assembled configuration), the legs 180 extend to the corresponding ledges 126 of the base 102, which form tracks for receiving walls 150A and 150B within cavities 112 of the base 102. Because the ledges 126 for each wall 150A and 150B are at different distances from the bottom wall 116 of the base 102 (e.g., the tracks are on different layers), the lengths of the legs 180 for each wall 150A and 150B are different. For example, walls 150A and 150B that slide into the bottom track have the longest legs 180 because these legs 180 must extend from the bottom member 158 to the ledge 126 of the bottom track. Walls 150A and 150B that slide into the top track of the base 102 have the shortest legs 180 because these legs 180 extend only from the bottom member 158 of the walls 150A and 150B to the ledge 126 of the top track. Each leg 180 includes a pin 182 disposed at the end of the leg 180 opposite the top of the wall 150. The pin 182 may include a circular surface that facilitates pivoting or rotating the walls 150A and 150B between a horizontal and an upright position when the crate 100 is assembled and folded. When the walls 150A and 150B are retracted from the cavity 112 of the base 102, the pin 182 extends laterally outward from the leg 180 and engages a stop 184. When the crate 100 is assembled, a stop 184 prevents the walls 150A and 150B from disengaging or separating from the base 102 as the walls 150A and 150B are retracted from the base 102. The stop 184 may include a top portion that extends above the top of the pin 182 when the pin 182 slides to the end of the track as the wall is retracted, preventing the pin 182 from moving substantially upward from the ledge 126 on which the pin 182 slides. When the walls 150A and 150B are retracted and the pin 182 engages the stop 184, the walls 150A and 150B can then be rotated about the base 102 to an upright position.

[0048] In another embodiment, walls 150A, 150B do not include tracks extending to or in contact with tracks corresponding to each wall 150A, 150B. Instead, walls 150A, 150B are disengaged and manually aligned for insertion into tracks at base 102, rather than pivoting walls 150A, 150B about legs 180 resting on ledges 126 forming tracks.

[0049] like Figure 1AAs shown in G, the connecting wall 150B includes a protrusion 186 extending from the top member 156. The support block 122 of the base 102 includes complementary recesses 188, which are sized to receive the protrusion 186. These protrusions 186 and recesses 188 enable the crates 100 to be stacked on top of one crate 100 by positioning the protrusion 186 of the first crate 100 into the recess 188 of the second crate 100.

[0050] In order to Figure 2 The folding configuration shown in the diagram assembles the crate 100. Rotating the crossbar 174 of the engaging locking wall 150A of the retaining member 130 causes the end 132A of the crossbar 132 to move upwards and out of the track of the first locking wall 150A. As shown... Figure 6A As shown, this can be accomplished by pressing down on end 132B. The locking wall 150A is slid along the rail bracket 126 (on which the locking wall 150A rests) until the pin 182 of the leg 180 of the locking wall 150A engages the stop 184 of the base 102. (See reference) Figure 6B Then, the upper end of the locking wall 150A is rotated about the pin 182 toward an upright position until the bottom member 158 rests on the bottom wall 116 of the base 102. Then, the handle portion 164A of the locking pin 164 of the wall-oriented locking mechanism 106 is rotated outward from the upper recess 166A of the U-shaped bracket 162. Then, the locking pin 164 is forced downward toward the base 102 so that the shaft 164B of the locking pin 164 extends through the hole 158A of the bottom member 158 and into the hole 118 of the bottom wall 116. (See again...) Figure 4A Then, rotate the handle portion 164A of the locking pin 164 toward the U-shaped bracket 162 until the handle portion 164A of the locking pin 164 is in the recess 166B of the U-shaped bracket 162, thereby locking the locking wall 150A into the upright position.

[0051] Then, as Figure 6C As shown, the second locking wall 150A is removed from the base 102 on the side of the crate 100 opposite to the first locking wall 150A. When the first locking wall 150A is removed, the latch 140 pivots to a non-retaining orientation, wherein the vertical extension member 140C is not within the path of the track of the second locking wall 150A (similar to...). Figure 7B(As shown in section C regarding connecting wall 150B). The second locking wall 150A is slid outward from the base 102 along the rail bracket 126 (on which the locking wall 150A rests). The locking wall 150A slides outward from the base 102 along the rail bracket 126 until the pin 182 of the leg 180 of the locking wall 150A engages the stop 184 of the base 102. Then, similar to the first locking wall 150A, the locking wall 150A is pivoted toward an upright position and locked using the wall-oriented locking mechanism 106.

[0052] like Figure 6D As shown, the first connecting wall 150B is removed from the base 102. For this purpose, the retaining member 130 can be disengaged from the crossbar 174 of the connecting wall 150B, as described above. The wall 150B can then be pulled back from the base 102 until the pin 182 of the leg 180 of the first connecting wall 150B engages the stop 184 of the base 102. The first connecting wall 150B is then pivoted to an upright position, with the bottom member 158 resting on the bottom wall 116 of the base 102 and the groove 159B aligned with the groove 159A of the adjacent locking wall 150A.

[0053] Then, the handle portion 172A of the locking pin 172 of the wall locking mechanism 108 of the locking wall 150A is rotated upward to align the hook portion 172C of the locking pin 172 with the slots 159A and 159B. Then, the locking pin 172 is slid along the axis of the locking pin 172 so that the hook portion 172C passes through the slots 159A and 159B. Then, the handle portion 172A is rotated downward to disalign the hook portion 172C with the slots 159A and 159B. This forces the handle portion 172A between the retaining arm 171A of the handle retaining bracket 171 and the support bracket 172 to lock the handle portion 172A in the locked configuration, thereby locking the locking wall 150A to the connecting wall 150B. Another locking wall 150A is similarly connected to the first connecting wall 150B using the wall locking mechanism 108. Figure 6E As shown, the three walls of the crate 100 are then assembled in an upright position.

[0054] Then, the second connecting wall 150B, which is opposite to the first connecting wall 150B, is withdrawn from the base 102. For example... Figures 7B-7C As shown, when the first connecting wall 150B is retracted from the base 102, the latch 140 is in a non-holding orientation and does not prevent the second wall 150B from moving out of the base 102. The second connecting wall 150B slides outward from the base 102 along the rail bracket 126 (on which the second connecting wall 150B rests). The second connecting wall 150B slides outward from the base 102 along the rail bracket 126 until the pin 182 of the leg 180 of the second connecting wall 150B engages the stop 184 of the base 102, as shown. Figure 6F As shown in the diagram. Then, similar to the first connecting wall 150B, the connecting wall 150B is pivoted about pin 182 toward an upright position. As described with respect to the first connecting wall 150B, the wall locking mechanism 108 is similarly used to secure the connecting wall 150B to the adjacent locking wall 150A. The crate 100 is then in an assembled configuration, as shown in the diagram. Figure 6G As shown in the figure.

[0055] To fold the crate 100, the assembly steps of the crate 100 are performed in reverse order. The second connecting wall 150B is disconnected from the adjacent locking wall 150A by moving the wall locking mechanism 108 to the unlocking configuration so that the hook portion 172C of the locking pin 172 aligns with the slots 159A, 159B. Then, the locking pin 172 is slid along the axis of the shaft portion 172B to the disconnected configuration to retract the locking pin 172 from the slots 159A, 159B. The locking pin 172 can then be rotated to the locking configuration to attach the locking pin 172 to the handle retaining bracket 171, thereby preventing the handle portion 172A from unintentionally rotating about the shaft portion 172B of the locking pin 172. Then, the second connecting wall 150B is disconnected from the adjacent locking wall 150A, and the upper portion of the connecting wall 150B can be rotated about the pin 182 of the connecting leg 180 until the second connecting wall 150B is substantially aligned with the track of the base 102, which is formed by the ledge 126 of the side wall 124B. The connecting wall 150B can then be slid along the ledge 126 into the cavity 112 of the base 102. The connecting wall 150B can be inserted until the leg 180 abuts the stop 128 on the ledge 126.

[0056] Similar to the steps described above regarding the second connecting wall 150B, the first connecting wall 150B can be disconnected from the adjacent locking wall 150A. The first connecting wall 150B can be rotated about the pin 182 of the support leg 180 until the connecting wall 150B is substantially aligned with the track of the base 102, formed by the ledge 126 of the side wall 124B. The first connecting wall 150B can then be slid along the ledge 126 into the cavity 112 of the base 102. The crossbar 174 can be brought into contact with the retaining member 130, causing the end 132A of the retaining member 130 to deflect upwards to allow the wall 150B into the cavity 112. Once the crossbar 174 has passed under the retaining member 130, the retaining member 130 springs along the track into the path of the connecting wall 150B, thus preventing the wall 150B from being accidentally removed from the cavity 112 of the base 102. When the first connecting wall 150B is inserted along the track, the latch engagement member 190 contacts the latch 140 of the second connecting wall 150B and rotates the latch 140 to maintain its orientation. Then, the vertical extension member 140C of the latch 140 extends into the path of the track of the second connecting wall 150B and can contact the crossbar 174 of the second connecting wall 150B to prevent the second connecting wall 150B from sliding out of the base 102 (e.g., Figure 7D (As shown in the diagram). The connecting wall 150B can slide along the ledge 126 until the support leg 180 abuts the stop 128 on the ledge 126.

[0057] Then, the locking pin 164 of the wall-oriented locking mechanism 106 of the second locking wall 150A can be withdrawn from the hole 118 in the bottom wall 116 and moved to the unlocking configuration, wherein the handle portion 164A is in the upper recess 166A of the U-shaped bracket 162. Then, similar to the process described above with respect to the second connecting wall 150B, the second locking wall can be rotated about the support leg 180 and inserted into the cavity 112 of the base 112 along the track formed by the ledge 126 along the side wall 124A.

[0058] Then, similar to the process described above regarding the second locking wall 150A, the first locking wall 150A can be disconnected from the base 102. Then, similar to the process described regarding the first connecting wall 150B, the first locking wall 150A can be rotated about the support leg 180 and inserted into the cavity 112 of the base 112 along the track formed by the ledge 126 along the side wall 124A. Since all four walls 150A, 150B are within the cavity 112 of the base 102, the crate 100 is in a folded configuration, as... Figure 2 As shown in the figure.

[0059] The use of singular terms (such as “a”, “an”) is intended to cover both the singular and plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by the context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” will be interpreted as open-ended terms. The phrase “at least one of…” as used herein is intended to be interpreted in a separate sense. For example, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to cover only A, only B, or both A and B.

[0060] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention, and such modifications, alterations, and combinations will be considered to be within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A collapsible crate, comprising: A base, which includes a top surface and defines a cavity below the top surface; as well as Multiple walls, removably attachable to each other and movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the multiple walls extend substantially vertically above the top surface of the base, and in the second configuration the multiple walls are located within the cavity of the base. The top surface of the base is configured to support articles thereon when the crate is in the first configuration and the second configuration.

2. The collapsible crate of claim 1, wherein, The base includes a plurality of tracks within the cavity, each of the plurality of tracks being configured to receive one of the plurality of walls and guide the wall as it slides into or out of the cavity.

3. The collapsible crate of claim 2, wherein, Each of the plurality of tracks is substantially parallel to the top surface of the base and is located at a different vertical position relative to the other tracks.

4. The collapsible crate of claim 2 or 3, wherein, Each of the plurality of tracks includes a first portion for receiving a first side portion of one of the plurality of walls and a second portion for receiving a second side portion of the wall.

5. The collapsible crate of claim 2 or 3, wherein, Each of the plurality of walls includes an attachment arm that engages the base, and the wall is rotatable about the attachment arm when disengaged from the other walls of the plurality of walls.

6. The collapsible crate of claim 5, wherein, The attachment arm includes a circular end that engages with the track of the base, and the wall rotates about the circular end.

7. The collapsible crate of claim 2 or 3, wherein, The first wall of the plurality of walls includes a locking mechanism for locking the first wall to a second wall of the plurality of walls, the locking mechanism having a pin that extends into a complementary hole in the second wall to attach the first wall to the second wall.

8. The collapsible crate of claim 2 or 3, wherein, The first wall of the plurality of walls includes a locking mechanism for locking the first wall in a position substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the base, the locking mechanism including a pin configured to extend into a complementary hole in the base to prevent the first wall from rotating to a large extent relative to the base.

9. The foldable crate according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The base includes a lower frame below the cavity, the lower frame being spaced apart from the surface on which the base rests, thereby allowing fork-like components of the mobile device to extend below the lower frame to transport the crate.

10. A collapsible crate, comprising: A base including a top surface and defining a cavity below the top surface, the base including a first track within the cavity for receiving a first wall in a first vertical position and a second track within the cavity for receiving a second wall in a second vertical position different from the first vertical position; as well as The first wall includes an upper portion extending from the top surface of the base in an assembled configuration. The first wall includes an attachment arm extending from the upper portion to engage a first track of the base in the assembled configuration. The first wall is rotatable relative to the base about the attachment arm to align the first wall with the first track, thereby slidably inserting the first wall along the first track into the cavity of the base to move the first wall into a folded configuration. The second wall includes an upper portion extending from the surface of the base in the assembly configuration, and the second wall is capable of being inserted into the cavity of the base along the second track to move the second wall into the folded configuration.

11. The collapsible crate of claim 10, further comprising a retaining mechanism attached to the base and configured to retain the first wall within the base when the first wall is in the folded configuration.

12. The foldable crate according to claim 11, wherein, The retaining mechanism includes a retaining rod configured to engage a portion of the first wall when the first wall is inserted into the cavity to secure the first wall within the base in the folded configuration.

13. The foldable crate according to claim 12, wherein, The retaining rod is configured to contact the crossbar of the first wall.

14. The foldable crate according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The retaining rod is attached to the base via a torsion spring and biased toward a position where, when the first wall is within the cavity of the base, the retaining rod engages with a portion of the first wall in that position.

15. The foldable crate according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The retaining rod extends at an angle relative to the first track, such that the retaining rod is deflected by the first wall when the first wall is inserted into the base, and springs back to engage the portion of the first wall when the first wall is fully inserted into the cavity of the base.

16. The collapsible crate according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The retaining mechanism includes a rotatable latch configured to rotate to a retaining orientation to secure the first wall within the base when the second wall is inserted into the base along the second track of the base.

17. The foldable crate according to claim 16, wherein, When the second wall is inserted into the base along the second track, a portion of the second wall engages the rotatable latch, thereby causing the rotatable latch to rotate to the holding orientation, wherein a portion of the rotatable latch extends within the path of the first wall along the first track, thereby securing the first wall within the base.

18. The collapsible crate of claim 16, further comprising a second retaining mechanism configured to retain the second wall within the base when the second wall is inserted into the base along the second track.

19. The collapsible crate according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein, The upper portion of the first wall includes a first side and a second side, which are configured to engage the first track when inserted into the cavity of the base.

20. The collapsible crate according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein, The first track includes a first plate mounted along a first side of the base and a second plate mounted along a second side of the base, the first plate being used to engage the first side of the first wall when the first wall is inserted into the base, and the second plate being used to engage the second side of the first wall when the first wall is inserted into the base.

21. The foldable crate according to claim 20, wherein, The attachment arm slidably engages with the first plate.

22. The foldable crate according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein, The first track includes: a first stop, wherein the attachment arm of the first wall abuts against the first stop when the first wall is inserted into the cavity of the base; and a second stop, wherein the attachment arm of the first wall abuts against the second stop when the first wall is withdrawn from the cavity of the base.

23. The foldable crate according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein, The first wall includes a locking mechanism comprising a pin configured to extend into a complementary hole in the base for locking the first wall to the base such that the wall extends upward from the base, the locking mechanism preventing significant rotation of the first wall relative to the base in the assembly configuration.

24. The collapsible crate according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein, The first wall includes a locking mechanism comprising a pin configured to extend into a complementary hole in the second wall in the assembly configuration for locking the first wall to the second wall.

25. The foldable crate according to claim 10, wherein, The first wall includes a hole for receiving a pin of a locking mechanism of the second wall in the assembly configuration to lock the first wall to the second wall.

26. A method for folding a collapsible crate according to any one of claims 1-25, the method comprising: The first wall of the crate is detached from the adjacent wall of the crate; Rotate the upper end of the first wall outward from the crate to a position substantially parallel to the top surface of the base; The first wall slides inward and enters the cavity of the base; The upper end of the second wall is rotated outward from the crate to a position substantially parallel to the top surface of the base; as well as The second wall of the crate slides inward and enters the cavity of the base.

27. A method for assembling a collapsible crate according to any one of claims 1-25, the method comprising: Pull the first wall of the crate back out of the cavity; Rotate the upper end of the first wall upwards to an upright position; Lock the first wall in the upright position; The second wall of the crate is pulled back from the cavity; Rotate the upper end of the second wall to an upright position; as well as The second wall is locked in the upright position.

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