Collapsible storage unit with wheels

Abstract

A collapsible storage unit with wheels comprises front, rear, left and right wall panels and, optionally, a bottom panel. The left and right wall panels are foldable inwardly to create a collapsed storage unit that is relatively flat. In another embodiment, the front and rear wall panels are foldable in a similar manner. The collapsible storage unit further comprises removable support beams, and in a disclosed embodiment, an optional removable support rod, extending between the front and rear wall panels. Wheels are affixed to the support beams such that the collapsible storage unit may be readily moved across multiple types of surfaces. A handle may be attached to or formed in a wall panel to provide easier grip and movement of the collapsible storage unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible storage unit comprising:
 a front wall panel;   a rear wall panel;   a left wall panel;   a right wall panel;   a first support beam removably affixed between the front wall panel and the rear wall panel;   a second support beam removably affixed between the front wall panel and the rear wall panel;   a support rod removably affixed between the front wall panel and the rear wall panel and disposed between the first support beam and the second support beam;   a plurality of wheels affixed to the first support beam and the second support beam; and   a handle attached to the front wall panel,   wherein at least two of the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the left wall panel and the right wall panel comprise seams to allow such at least two panels to be folded.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the storage unit further comprises a bottom panel disposed between the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the left wall panel and the right wall panel. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the left wall panel and the right wall panel comprise an outer layer of textile fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 3 , wherein the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the left wall panel and the right wall panel are sewn together to form a generally rectangular shape. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two such panels that comprise seams to allow such two panels to be folded comprise the left wall panel and the right wall panel. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two such panels that comprise seams to allow such two panels to be folded comprise the front wall panel and the rear wall panel. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wheels comprise caster wheels. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom panel is removable. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein when the first support beam, the second support beam and the support rod are removed, the storage unit collapses into a generally flat shape. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first support beam, the second support beam and the support rod are removably affixed between the front wall panel and the rear wall panel with threaded fasteners. 
     
     
         11 . A collapsible storage unit comprising:
 a front wall panel;   a rear wall panel;   a left wall panel;   a right wall panel;   a first support beam removably affixed between the front wall panel and the rear wall panel;   a second support beam removably affixed between the front wall panel and the rear wall panel; and   a plurality of wheels affixed to the first support beam and the second support beam,   wherein at least two of the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the left wall panel and the right wall panel comprise seams to allow such at least two panels to be folded.   
     
     
         12 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one handle. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 12  wherein the at least one handle is attached to at least one of the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the left wall panel or the right wall panel. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one support rod removably affixed between the front wall panel and the rear wall panel and disposed between the first support beam and the second support beam. 
     
     
         15 . A collapsible storage unit comprising:
 a front wall panel;   a rear wall panel;   a left wall panel;   a right wall panel;   at least two support beams removably affixed between the front wall panel and the rear wall panel; and   a plurality of wheels affixed to each of the at least two support beams,   wherein at least two of the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the left wall panel and the right wall panel comprise seams to allow such at least two panels to be folded.   
     
     
         16 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one handle. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 16  wherein the at least one handle is attached to at least one of the front wall panel, the rear wall panel, the left wall panel or the right wall panel. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible storage unit of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one support rod removably affixed between the front wall panel and the rear wall panel and disposed between the at least two support beams.