Collapsible crate with multiple position support

Abstract

A container includes a plurality of walls pivotably connected to a base. At least one support is selectively positionable at one of a plurality of heights relative to the base.

1 . A container comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of walls extending upward from the base, the plurality of walls including a first wall and a second wall movable from an upright position to a collapsed position on the base; and   a support mounted to the first wall and movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position, a high stacking position and a low stacking position.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support extends further into a mouth of the container when the support is in the high stacking position and the low stacking position than when the support is in the retracted position. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support is pivotably and slidably mounted to the first wall and movable relative to the first wall between the high and low stacking positions and the retracted position. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support is partially supported on the second wall in the high stacking position and in the low stacking position. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the second wall includes a high stacking notch partially supporting the support in the high stacking position and a low stacking notch for partially supporting the support in the low stacking position. 
   
   
       6 . The container according to any of  claims 1 - 5  wherein the second wall includes an upper channel through which a portion of the support passes when the first wall is moved from the upright position to the collapsed position. 
   
   
       7 . The container according to any of  claims 1 - 6  wherein the second wall includes a lower channel through which the support passes when the first wall is moved from the low stacking position directly to the collapsed position. 
   
   
       8 . A container comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of walls pivotably connected to the base and pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base, the plurality of walls including a first wall and a second wall; and   a support movable relative to the first wall between a retracted position, a high stacking position and a low stacking position, the support extending further into a mouth of the container when the support is in the high stacking position and the low stacking position than when the support is in the retracted position.   
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the second wall includes a high stacking notch partially supporting the support in the high stacking position and a low stacking notch for partially supporting the support in the low stacking position. 
   
   
       10 . The container according to  claim 8  wherein the second wall includes an upper channel through which a portion of the support passes when the first wall is moved from the upright position to the collapsed position. 
   
   
       11 . The container according to  claim 8  wherein the second wall includes a lower channel through which the support passes when the first wall is moved from the low stacking position directly to the collapsed position. 
   
   
       12 . A method for using a collapsible container having a base, a first wall and a second wall, and a support mounted to the first wall, the method including the steps of:
 a) moving the support from a retracted position toward an interior of the container to a high stacking position;   b) moving the support from the high stacking position to a low stacking position; and   c) moving the support and the first wall to a collapsed position on the base.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said step c) includes the step of moving the support directly from the low stacking position toward the collapsed position on the base. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said step c) includes the step of moving the support directly from the high stacking position toward the collapsed position on the base.