Collapsible crate assembly

Abstract

A collapsible crate assembly is provided that has a base and a first support member secured to the base. The first support member has first and second ends. A first socket member is connected to the first end and a second socket member is connected to the second end of the first support member. A first post is removably received by the first socket member. A second post is removably received by the second socket member. A first cross support member is removably connected to the first and second posts. The first and second posts are received by the first and second socket members and the first cross support member is received by the first and second posts when the crate assembly is in an assembled condition. The first and second posts are removed from the first and second socket members and the first cross support member is received by the first and second socket members when the crate assembly is in a collapsed condition.

1 . A collapsible crate assembly, comprising: 
 a base;    a first support member secured to said base, said first support member having first and second ends;    a first socket member connected to said first end of said first support member;    a second socket member connected to said second end of said first support member;    a first post removably received by said first socket member;    a second post removably received by said second socket member; and    a first cross support member removably connected to said first and second posts;    wherein said first and second posts are received by said first and second socket members and said first cross support member is received by said first and second posts when said crate assembly is in an assembled condition; and    wherein said first and second posts are removed from said first and second socket members and said first cross support member is received by said first and second socket members when said crate assembly is in a collapsed condition.    
   
   
       2 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said first and second posts are secured between said base and said first cross support member when said crate assembly is in said collapsed condition.    
   
   
       3 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 an interference fit is formed between said removed first and second posts, said base and said first cross support member when said crate assembly is in said collapsed condition.    
   
   
       4 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 first and second recesses formed in said base are adapted to receive said first and second posts when removed from said first and second socket members.    
   
   
       5 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said first support member is a C-channel.    
   
   
       6 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said base is a wood pallet.    
   
   
       7 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 said first support member is metallic.    
   
   
       8 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 said first support member is secured to a stringer of said wood pallet.    
   
   
       9 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 a second support member is secured to said base, said second support member having first and second ends; and    third and fourth socket members are connected to said first and second ends of said second support member, respectively.    
   
   
       10 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein 
 third and fourth posts are removably received by said third and fourth socket members, respectively; and    a second cross support member is removably connected to said third and fourth posts;    wherein said third and fourth posts are received by said third and fourth socket members and said second cross support member is received by said third and fourth posts when said crate assembly is in said assembled condition; and    wherein said third and fourth posts are removed from said third and fourth socket members and said second cross support member is received by said third and fourth socket members when said crate assembly is in said collapsed condition.    
   
   
       11 . A collapsible crate assembly, comprising: 
 a base;    a first support assembly including 
 a first support member secured to said base, said first support member having first and second ends;  
 a first socket member connected to said first end of said first support member; and  
 a second socket member connected to said second end of said first support member;  
   a second support assembly including 
 a second support member secured to said base, said second support member having first and second ends;  
 a third socket member connected to said first end of said second support member; and  
 a fourth socket member connected to said second end of said second support member;  
   a first post assembly including 
 a first post removably received by said first socket member;  
 a second post removably received by said second socket member; and  
 a first cross support member removably connected to said first and second posts;  
   a second post assembly including 
 a third post removably received by said third socket member;  
 a fourth post removably received by said fourth socket member; and  
 a second cross support member removably connected to said third and fourth posts;  
   first and second recesses formed in the base between the first and second socket members; and    third and fourth recesses formed in the base between the third and fourth socket members;    wherein when said crate assembly is in an assembled condition said first and second posts are received by said first and second socket members and said first cross support member is received by said first and second posts, and said third and fourth posts are received by said third and fourth socket members and said second cross support member is received by said third and fourth posts; and    wherein when said crate is in a collapsed condition said first and second posts are removed from said first and second socket members and disposed in said first and second recesses and said first cross support member is received by said first and second socket members, and said third and fourth posts are removed from said third and fourth socket members and disposed in said third and fourth recesses and said second cross support member is received by said third and fourth socket members.    
   
   
       12 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 when said crate assembly is in said collapsed condition said first and second posts are secured between said first and second recesses in said base and said first cross support member and said third and fourth posts are secured between said third and fourth recesses in said base and said second cross support member.    
   
   
       13 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein 
 said first and second posts are proximal said first support member when received in said first and second recesses, and said third and fourth posts are proximal said second support member when received in said third and fourth recesses.    
   
   
       15 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 said first and second support members are C-channels.    
   
   
       16 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein 
 said base is a wood pallet.    
   
   
       17 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein 
 said first and second support members are metallic.    
   
   
       18 . A collapsible crate assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein 
 said first and second support members are secured to a stringer of said wood pallet.    
   
   
       19 . A reinforced pallet assembly, comprising: 
 a wood pallet having upper and lower decks secured by at least one wood stringer;    at least one metallic support member secured to said at least one wood stringer; and    a metallic socket connected to each end of said metallic support member and adapted to removably receive a support assembly.    
   
   
       20 . A reinforced pallet assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein 
 said support assembly is a post assembly or a cage assembly.