Container and method of interconnecting and transporting multiple containers

Abstract

A container is disclosed that is adapted to interconnect with like containers. The container has a connecting device disposed on a side wall. The connecting device is adapted to removably connect with a portion of an adjacent container. Once connected, one of the containers can be pulled which in turn pulls the other container along.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container comprising: 
 a base having a bottom panel, a contiguous upstanding sidewall, an interior space, and an open top;    one or more wheels on or adjacent the bottom panel near a first side of the base;    a handle disposed on the first side of the base;    a connector disposed on a second side of the base, the second side being substantially opposite to the first side;    wherein the connector is adapted to removably connect with a handle of a second container to couple the second container to the base.    
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom panel of the container and the one or more wheels ground the container when in an upright position, and wherein only the one or more wheels ground the container when the container is tilted in the direction of the first side.  
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is fixedly attached to the second side.  
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is pivotally attached to the second side.  
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a pair of spaced apart connecting arms and a cross bar connected between the connecting arms.  
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises: 
 a mounting fixture including a pair spaced apart bores disposed on the second side; and    a hook having a pair of spaced apart connecting arms and a cross bar extending between the connecting arms;    wherein inserting free ends of the connecting arms in the bores provides pivotal attachment of the hook to the mounting fixture.    
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is fixedly attached to the first side.  
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is pivotally attached to the first side.  
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is shaped to retain the handle of the second container when connected.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is shaped to suspend one or more objects therefrom.  
     
     
         11 . A container chain comprising: 
 a plurality of containers, each container including a base having a bottom panel, a contiguous upstanding sidewall, one or more wheels on or adjacent the bottom panel near a first side of the base, a handle on the first side of the base, and a connector on a second side thereof, the first side being substantially opposite to the second side;    wherein the connector of each container of the plurality of containers is adapted to removably connect with the handle of the other containers of the plurality of containers; and    wherein the plurality of containers are interconnected with one another, handle to connector, in series so that the container chain can be moved by manipulating an end one of the plurality of containers.    
     
     
         12 . A container chain according to  claim 11 , wherein the bottom panel and the one or more wheels of each container ground the container when in an upright position; 
 wherein only the one or more wheels of each container ground the container when tilted in the direction of the first side thereof; and    wherein tilting an end one of the plurality of containers in the direction of the first side thereof tilts the other containers of the plurality of containers toward the respective first sides thereof.    
     
     
         13 . A container chain according to  claim 11 , wherein the connector of each container is fixedly attached to the second side thereof.  
     
     
         14 . A container chain according to  claim 11 , wherein the connector of each container is pivotally attached to the second side thereof.  
     
     
         15 . A container chain according to  claim 11 , wherein the connector of each container includes a pair of spaced apart connecting arms and a cross bar interconnecting the connecting arms.  
     
     
         16 . A container chain according to  claim 11 , wherein the connector of each container comprises: 
 a mounting fixture including a pair spaced apart bores disposed on the second side; and    a hook having a pair of spaced apart connecting arms and a cross bar extending between the connecting arms;    wherein inserting free ends of the connecting arms in the bores provides pivotal attachment of the hook to the mounting fixture.    
     
     
         17 . A container chain according to  claim 11 , wherein the handle of each container is fixedly attached to the first side thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A container chain according to  claim 11 , wherein the handle of each container is pivotally attached to the first side thereof.  
     
     
         19 . A container chain according to  claim 11 , wherein the connector of each container is shaped to retain the handle of any one of the other containers of the plurality of containers when connected.  
     
     
         20 . A method of moving a plurality of containers, the method comprising: 
 providing a handle on a first side of each container and a connector on a second side of each container, the second side being substantially opposite the first side, each container including a base having a bottom panel, a contiguous upstanding sidewall, an interior space, an open top, and one or more wheels on or adjacent the bottom panel near the first side of the base;    removably connecting the handle of each container to the connector of an adjacent container of the plurality of containers, wherein the handle of a first container and the connector of a last container of the plurality of containers are not connected to another container of the plurality of containers; and    moving the plurality of containers by moving an end one of the plurality of containers.    
     
     
         21 . A method of moving a plurality of containers according to  claim 20 , the step of moving comprising: 
 tilting the end one of the plurality of containers in the direction of the first side thereof, wherein only the one or more wheels of the end one container ground the end one container, the tilting causing each of the plurality of containers to tilt in the direction of their respective sides; and    moving the plurality of containers by moving the end one container of the plurality of containers.    
     
     
         22 . A method of moving a plurality of containers according to  claim 20 , the step of moving further comprising pushing the end one of the plurality of containers.  
     
     
         23 . A method of moving a plurality of containers according to  claim 20 , the step of moving further comprising pulling the end one of the plurality of containers.