Collapsible crate

Abstract

A collapsible crate including a generally rectangular bottom panel having two pairs ed edges, a first side, and a second side; at least two side panels, one each hingedly along a first pair of the opposed bottom panel edges; and at least two end panels, one each hingedly attached along a second pair of opposed bottom edges. The at least two side re foldable between a collapsed position substantially parallel to the first side of the panel and a set up position extending upward from the bottom panel. The at least two panels are foldable between a position substantially parallel to the second side of the bottom panel and a set up position extending upward from the bottom panel. The side panels, end panels and bottom panel, can be connected together to define a generally box shaped the set up position.

1 . A collapsible crate comprising: 
 a generally rectangular bottom panel having two pairs of opposed edges, a first side, and a second side;    at least two side panels, one each hingedly attached along a first pair of the opposed bottom panel edges;    at least two end panels, one each hingedly attached along a second pair of opposed bottom edges;    wherein the at least two side panels are foldable between a collapsed position substantially parallel to the first side of the bottom panel and a set up position extending upward from the bottom panel;    wherein the at least two end panels are foldable between a position substantially parallel to the second side of the bottom panel and a set up position extending upward from the bottom panel, and    wherein the side panels, end panels and bottom panel, can be connected together to define a generally box shaped crate in the set up position.    
   
   
       2 . The collapsible crate as in  claim 1 , wherein the side panels and the end panels include connectors generally hollow and disposed at an upper portion of a side edge of the side panel and a side edge of the end panel, and oriented with a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the side edge of the side panel and the side edge of the end panel.  
   
   
       3 . The collapsible crate as in  claim 2 , further including a pair of support rods, each having a support section, a connection section and a convoluted turn section, wherein the connection section of the support rod is at least partially inserted into each pair of adjacent connectors to secure the side panels and end panels in position relative one another.  
   
   
       4 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 3 , wherein the end panels are dimensioned such that when the collapsible crate is in the set up condition, a letter-sized hanging file folder can be suspended between the at least two side panels and between and from the support rods.  
   
   
       5 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 3 , wherein the side panels are dimensioned such that when the collapsible crate is in the set up condition, a legal-sized hanging file folder can be suspended between and from the at least two end panels.  
   
   
       6 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two side panels, the at least two end panels, and the bottom panel are made from a metal mesh material.  
   
   
       7 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two side panels, the at least two end panels, and the bottom panel are made from a plastic material.  
   
   
       8 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of tabs is attached to each of the least one end panels along a bottom edge and generally near a side edge of the end panels.  
   
   
       9 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 8 , wherein the tabs stabilize and substantially prevent relative movement of the collapsible crate when the collapsible crate is stacked on top of a second collapsible crate of similar construction, both in the set up condition.  
   
   
       10 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of feet is attached to each of the least one side panels along a bottom edge and generally near a side edge of the side panels.  
   
   
       11 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 10 , wherein the tabs stabilize and substantially prevent relative movement of the collapsible crate when the collapsible crate is stacked on top of a second collapsible crate of similar construction, both in the set up condition.  
   
   
       12 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 1 , including a plurality of wheels.  
   
   
       13 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two side panels are attached to the first pair of opposed bottom edges with a hinge.  
   
   
       14 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 13 , wherein the hinge is sized to allow the two side panels to lie substantially parallel to one another when the two side panels are in the folded condition.  
   
   
       15 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least two end panels are attached to the second pair of opposed bottom edges with a hinge.  
   
   
       16 . A collapsible crate as in  claim 15 , wherein the hinge is sized to allow the two end panels to lie substantially parallel to one another when the two end panels are in the folded condition.  
   
   
       17 . A collapsible crate comprising: 
 a generally rectangular bottom panel having two pairs of opposed edges, a first side, and a second side;    at least two side panels, one each hingedly attached along a first pair of the opposed bottom panel edges;    at least two end panels, one each hingedly attached along a second pair of opposed bottom edges;    wherein the at least two side panels are foldable between a collapsed position substantially parallel to the first side of the bottom panel and a set up position extending upward from the bottom panel;    wherein the at least two end panels are foldable between a position substantially parallel to the second side of the bottom panel and a set up position extending upward from the bottom panel,    wherein the side panels, end panels and bottom panel, can be connected together to define a generally box shaped crate in the set up position;    wherein the side panels and the end panels include connectors that are generally hollow and disposed at an upper portion of a side edge of the side panel and an upper portion of a side edge of the end panel, and oriented with a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the side edge of the side panel and the side edge of the end panel; and    a pair of support rods, each having a support section, a connection section and a convoluted turn section, wherein the connection section of the support rod is at least partially inserted into a pair of adjacent connectors to secure the side panels and end panels in position relative one another