Transport container

Abstract

A transport container for carrying objects includes a base for supporting the objects. Opposing first and second side walls are operatively connected to the base. At least one of the side walls is movable between an extended position and a contracted position. The transport container has a first width between the first and second side walls when at least one of the side walls is in the extended position and a second width between the side walls when at least one of the side walls is in the contracted position. The second width is different from the first width. The first and second side walls are also movable between a deployed position and a collapsed position. The transport container has a first height when the side walls are in the deployed position and a second height different than the first height when the side walls are in the collapsed position.

1 . A transport container for carrying one or more generally planar objects, the transport container comprising:
 a base configured to support the one or more generally planar objects;   opposing first and second side walls operatively connected to the base, the first and second side walls each having a lower portion, at least one of the first and second side walls movable between an extended position and a contracted position, wherein there is a first width between the first and second side walls when said at least one of the first and second side walls is in the extended position and a second width between the first and second side walls when said at least one of the first and second side walls is in the contracted position, the second width smaller than the first width; and   a locator extending from one of the base or the lower portion of at least one of the first and second side walls;   a plurality of locator recesses in one of the base or the lower portion of at least one of the first and second side walls, the locator recesses sized and shaped to receive the locator such that the at least one of the first and second side walls is configured to be secured to the base at discrete increments between the extended position and the contracted position when the locator is moved into a different locator recess of the plurality of locator recesses.   
     
     
         2 . The transport container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second side walls are each movable between the extended position and the contracted position. 
     
     
         3 . The transport container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second side walls are configured to move in opposite directions when moving between the extended position and the contracted position. 
     
     
         4 . The transport container of  claim 1  wherein the first and second side walls are movable between a deployed position and a collapsed position, wherein the transport container has a first height when the first and second side walls are in the deployed position and a second height different than the first height when the first and second side walls are in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         5 . The transport container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second side walls are releasably coupled to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The transport container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second side walls each include at least one retainer movable between a coupling position and a release position, wherein, when the at least one retainer is in the coupling position, the at least one retainer couples a corresponding side wall to the base, and wherein, when the at least one retainer is in the release position, the corresponding side wall is free to move from the base. 
     
     
         7 . The transport container of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second side walls extend generally perpendicular to the base in the deployed position. 
     
     
         8 . The transport container of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second side walls extend generally parallel to the base in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         9 . The transport container of  claim 4 , further comprising a first brace configured to secure the first side wall in the deployed position and a second brace configured to secure the second side wall in the deployed position. 
     
     
         10 . The transport container of  claim 4 , further comprising first and second braces movable between a bracing position and a stowed position, wherein, when the first and second braces are in the bracing position, the first and second side walls are restricted from moving between the collapsed position and the deployed position, and wherein, when the first and second braces are in the stowed position, the first and second side walls are free to move between the collapsed position and the deployed position. 
     
     
         11 . The transport container of  claim 4 , further comprising first and second braces movable between a bracing position and a stowed position, wherein the first and second side walls each define a brace recess sized and shaped to receive a respective one of the first and second braces when the first and second braces are in the stowed position. 
     
     
         12 . The transport container of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second braces movable between a bracing position and a stowed position, wherein the first and second braces engage the base in the bracing position. 
     
     
         13 . The transport container of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second braces move with a respective at least one of the first and second side walls as the respective at least one of the first and second side walls is moved between the extended position and the contracted position. 
     
     
         14 . The transport container of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more supports coupled to a shaft extending along a length of the first and second side walls, the one or more supports selectively movable along the length of the first and second side walls in at least one of a rearward direction and a forward direction, the one or more supports having a locked position wherein the one or more supports are prevented from moving along the shaft and an unlocked position wherein the one or more supports are configured to move along the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The transport container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second side walls has an upper surface having at least one projection, and the base has a lower surface defining at least one recess sized and shaped to receive the at least one projection. 
     
     
         16 . A transport container for carrying one or more generally planar objects, the transport container comprising:
 a base configured to support the one or more generally planar objects, the base having a length;   first and second side walls configured to be supported by the base, the first and second side walls each having an upper portion and a lower portion, at least one of the first and second side walls is movable at discrete increments along the length of the base between an extended position and a contracted position to change a distance between the first and second side walls;   wherein the first and second side walls are movable between a deployed position and a collapsed position, wherein in the deployed position the first and second side walls are generally upright and wherein in the collapsed position the first and second side walls lay generally flat on the base;   a stacking projecting extending from the upper portion or the lower portion of at least one of the first and second side walls; and   a stacking recess in the upper portion or the lower portion of at least one of the first and second side walls, the stacking recess sized and shaped to receive the stacking projection for stacking of multiple transport containers on top of each other when in the deployed position.   
     
     
         17 . The transport container of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first and second side walls includes a lower end and a locator extending downward from the lower end, and the base defines a plurality of locator recesses sized and shaped to receive the locator such that the at least one of the first and second side walls is configured to move at discrete increments between the extended position and the contracted position. 
     
     
         18 . A transport container for carrying one or more generally planar objects, the transport container comprising:
 a base configured to support the one or more generally planar objects, wherein the base defines a plurality of recesses;   first and second side walls configured to be supported by the base, at least one of the first and second side walls movable relative to the other of the first and second side walls at discrete increments between to change a distance between the first and second side walls;   wherein the first and second side walls are movable between a deployed position and a collapsed position, wherein in the deployed position the first and second side walls are generally upright and wherein in the collapsed position the first and second side walls lay generally flat on the base; and   at least one of the first and second side walls having a brace with one or more projections extending therefrom, the brace is configured to move between a bracing position wherein the projections are received by the recesses in the base thereby inhibiting movement between the brace and the base and a stowed position wherein the projections are removed from the recesses in the base thereby allowing movement of the brace relative to the base.   
     
     
         19 . The transport container of  claim 18  wherein at least one of the first and second side walls includes a brace recess sized and shaped to receive the brace when the brace is in the stowed position. 
     
     
         20 . The transport container of  claim 18  wherein the brace is configured to rotate 270 degrees between the bracing position and the stowed position. 
     
     
         21 . The transport container of  claim 18  wherein the base has a side and the recesses are arranged longitudinally, in a linear manner along the side of the base.