Collapsible container with multiple retractable walls

Abstract

In some embodiments, a collapsible container includes a base and a plurality of walls including a first wall and an adjacent second wall. The first wall and the second wall each include a U-shaped frame hingeably secured to the base and at least one section pivotably secured to the respective frame to selectively restrict and facilitate access to an interior of the container. A frame latch selectively secures the frame of the first wall to the frame of the second wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base;   a plurality of walls including a first wall and an adjacent second wall;   the first wall and the second wall each including a U-shaped frame hingeably secured to the base and at least one section pivotably secured to the respective frame to selectively restrict and facilitate access to an interior of the container; and   a frame latch selectively securing the frame of the first wall to the frame of the second wall.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the first wall is perpendicular to the second wall. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one section of the first wall includes an upper section pivotably secured to the frame of the first wall and a lower section pivotably secured to the upper section. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of walls further includes a third wall including a third U-shaped frame with at least one third section pivotably secured to the third U-shaped frame, and a fourth wall including a fourth U-shaped frame with at least one fourth section pivotably secured to the fourth U-shaped frame. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible container of  claim 4  wherein the U-shaped frame of the second wall is selectively securable to the third U-shaped frame, and wherein the third U-shaped frame is selectively securable to the fourth U-shaped frame, and wherein the fourth U-shaped frame is selectively securable to the U-shaped frame of the first wall. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  further including a first latch selectively securing the at least one section of the first wall to the frame of the first wall, a second latch selectively securing the at least one section of the second wall to the frame of the second wall. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible container of  claim 6  wherein the first latch and the second latch are adjacent the frame latch. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one section of the first wall and the second wall can each be pivoted relative to their respective frames while an identical container is stacked on the collapsible container. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible container of  claim 1  further including a pair of arms pivotably securing the at least one section of the first wall to the frame of the first wall. 
     
     
         10 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base having opposed side edges meeting opposed end edges at corners of the base, an end projection projecting upwardly along the side edges adjacent each corner;   a pair of opposed side walls hingeably secured at the side edges of the base; and   a pair of opposed end walls hingeably secured to the end projections.   
     
     
         11 . The collapsible container of  claim 10  wherein each end projection further includes an arcuate opening capturing a pin projecting from the associated end wall. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible container of  claim 10  wherein each end wall includes a U-shaped end frame and an end section pivotably secured to the end frame and pivotable between a closed position and a retracted position, each end wall further including a latch selectively securing the end section to the end frame in the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible container of  claim 12  wherein each of the side walls includes a U-shaped side frame and a side section pivotably secured to the side frame and pivotable between a closed position and a retracted position, each of the side walls further including a latch selectively securing the side section to the side frame in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible container of  claim 13  further including a plurality of frame latches selectively securing the end frames to the side frames. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible container of  claim 14  wherein each of the plurality of frame latches is slidable vertically relative to the container to selectively release the end frame from the side frame. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible container of  claim 10  wherein the side walls are between the end walls and maintain the end walls in an upright position when the side walls are in an upright position. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible container of  claim 13  wherein the side frames each include a lower portion parallel to the base and opposite vertical portions projecting upward from opposite ends of the lower portion, each side frame further including a pair of upper portions projecting toward one another from upper ends of the vertical portions. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible container of  claim 17  wherein each side section is pivotably secured to the vertical portions of the side frame below the upper portions. 
     
     
         19 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base;   a pair of opposed first walls pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position;   a pair of opposed second walls pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position, wherein at least one of the second walls includes a U-shaped frame and a section pivotably secured to the frame and pivotable between a closed position and a retracted position, a latch selectively securing the section to the frame in the closed position, the frame including a lower portion parallel to the base and opposite vertical portions projecting upward from opposite ends of the lower portion, the frame further including a pair of upper portions projecting toward one another from upper ends of the vertical portions.   
     
     
         20 . The collapsible container of  claim 19  wherein the section is pivotably secured to the upper portions below the upper portions. 
     
     
         21 . A collapsible container comprising:
 a base;   a pair of opposed side walls hingeably secured at side edges of the base and movable between an upright position extending upward from the base and a collapsed position on the base;   a pair of opposed end walls hingeably secured at end edges of the base and movable between an upright position extending upward from the base and a collapsed position on the base;   a latch securing one of the side walls to one of the end walls, wherein the latch is movable vertically to selectively release the one of the side walls from the one of the end walls.