Collapsible crate

Abstract

A collapsible crate includes a base having opposed side edges and opposed end edges. The side edges are longer than the end edges. A pair of opposed side walls are pivotably connected to the side edges of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. Each of the pair of opposed side walls include a handle opening therethrough. A pair of opposed end walls are pivotably connected to the end edges of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible crate comprising:
 a base having opposed side edges and opposed end edges, wherein the side edges are longer than the end edges;   a pair of opposed side walls pivotably connected to the side edges of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base, each of the pair of opposed side walls including a handle opening therethrough; and   a pair of opposed end walls pivotably connected to the end edges of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible crate of  claim 1  wherein the base includes opposing upstanding side flanges along the side edges of the base and upstanding end flanges along the end edges of the base, wherein the side walls are pivotably connected to the upstanding side flanges and the end walls are pivotably connected to the upstanding end flanges, wherein the upstanding end flanges are taller than the upstanding side flanges. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible crate of  claim 2  wherein the base includes a center channel between a pair of support platforms, and wherein an upper portion of at least one of the pair of opposed side walls is received in the center channel when moved to the collapsed position. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible crate of  claim 3  further including a center ridge in the center channel. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible crate of  claim 3  wherein the pair of opposed side walls includes a first side wall, the first side wall including a panel member recessed outward of an upper frame, wherein the upper frame is received in the center channel when the first side wall is in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible crate of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a drag rail projecting downward at a periphery of the base, wherein the drag rail defines channels on an upper surface of the base adjacent the side edges and the end edges. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible crate of  claim 6  further including interruptions in a center of the drag rail along side edges of the base below the side edges. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible crate of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a drag rail projecting downward at a periphery of the base, wherein the drag rail defines channels on an upper surface of the base outward of a pair of support platforms. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible crate of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible crate is a small collapsible crate, and the small collapsible crate is stacked on a large collapsible crate, wherein the large collapsible crate includes a large base, a pair of long walls pivotably connected to the large base, and a pair of short walls pivotably connected to the large base, wherein handle openings are formed through the short walls of the large collapsible crate, wherein the small collapsible crate can be stacked on the large collapsible crate with the end edges of the base of the small collapsible crate supported on the long walls of the large collapsible crate and one of the side edges of the base of the small collapsible crate supported on one of the short walls of the large collapsible crate. 
     
     
         10 . The small collapsible crate and large collapsible crate of  claim 9 , wherein a second small collapsible crate identical to the small collapsible crate is stacked on the large collapsible crate with the end edges of the base of the second small collapsible crate supported on the long walls of the large collapsible crate and one of the side edges of the base of the second small collapsible crate supported on the other of the short walls of the large collapsible crate. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein the end walls of the small crates do not have handle openings therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . In combination:
 a first crate including a base having opposed side edges and opposed end edges, wherein the side edges are longer than the end edges, the first crate including a pair of opposed side walls pivotably connected to the side edges of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base, each of the pair of opposed side walls including a handle opening therethrough, the first crate including a pair of opposed end walls pivotably connected to the end edges of the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base; and   a second crate having a base have opposed long edges and opposed short edges, the second crate including a pair of opposed long walls pivotably connected to the long edges and a pair of opposed short walls pivotably connected to the short edges, each of the pair of opposed short walls including a handle opening therethrough, wherein the opposed side edges of the first crate are approximately the same length as the opposed short edges of the second crate and wherein the opposed long edges of the second crate are approximately twice the length of the end edges of the first crate.   
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein the first crate is stacked on the second crate. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein a third crate identical to the first crate is also stacked on the second crate. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein the first crate is stacked on the second crate with the end edges of the base of the first crate supported on the long walls of the second crate and one of the side edges of the base of the first crate supported on one of the short walls of the second crate. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 15  wherein the end walls of the first crate do not have handle openings therethrough.