Abstract:
A crate locking device for holding plastic storage crates together making a solid storage unit. The crate locking device has a dove-tail configured protuberances along its outer periphery. The dove-tail protuberances are evenly spaced along the four sides such that opposing sides are reversed mirror images of each other. Two adjacent dove-tail protuberances are spaced from each other to receive a dove-tail protuberance from an adjacent crate locking device. The dove-tail configuration prevents lateral movement of adjacent crate locking devices relative to each other.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates to a locking device for connecting multiple storage crates, and in particular to provide a solid storage unit from the multiple storage crates.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Stacking milk crates or other similarly shaped crates provide an inexpensive and versatile storage system. Typically the crates are stacked up individually in an unstable pile that cannot be too high or too wide and still remain standing. When the crates are individually stacked any minor shifting of one of crates can result in a domino effect and topple adjacent crates. Further, when the crates are made from a plastic material, the crates are light and therefore items stored in a vertically adjacent crate may not be adequately supported by a lower crate.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It is the intent of the invention to address the aforementioned concerns by providing a crate locking device for receiving a rectangular receptacle such as a milk crate. The crate locking device includes a rectangular frame having an inner periphery with an inner length and inner width configured for receiving the rectangular receptacle. The rectangular frame has an outer periphery having a plurality of protuberances spaced along therefrom, wherein each of the protuberances have the same shape.  
           [0004]    In another aspect of the invention, at least two of the adjacent protuberances are spaced from each other for receiving a protuberance of an adjacent crate locking device.  
           [0005]    In another aspect of the invention, the spacing between two adjacent protuberances define a cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of the protuberance for receiving a protuberance of an adjacent crate locking device and providing locking connection between the adjacent crate locking devices.  
           [0006]    In another aspect of the invention, one of the opposing parallel sides of the frame has protuberances aligned in a reversed mirror image configuration relative to the other opposing parallel side of the frame to provide linear continuity of the adjacent peripheral sides of connected crate locking devices.  
           [0007]    In another aspect of the invention, the inner periphery of the frame has a predetermined depth and the frame has a planar base positioned at the midpoint of the depth of the inner periphery for receiving and stabilizing the rectangular receptacle within the crate locking device.  
           [0008]    In yet another aspect, the planar base has at least one centered cut out for displaying decorative images therethrough.  
           [0009]    Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the crate locking device according to the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the crate locking device of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 2; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of multiple crate locking devices connected to stacked crates. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]    The crate locking device of the present invention is shown in FIGS.  1 - 3 . FIG. 4 shows a plurality of the crate locking devices connected together with a plurality of rectangular crates  100  (shown in phantom) disposed thereon.  
         [0016]    The crate locking device  10  has a tray configuration. The tray configuration includes a base plate  12  having a top planar surface  14  and a bottom planar surface  16 . A flange  18  extends perpendicular from both sides of the base plate  12  around the entire peripheral edge of the base plate  12 . As a result, the upper and lower planar surfaces  14  and  16  respectively are recessed relative to the external edges  22  of the flange  18 . The recessed surfaces  14  and  16  of base plate  12  provide a shelf for receiving a rectangular crate thereon. The shelf restricts movement of the rectangular crate  100  and diminishes chances of the crate  100  from toppling over even if stacked too high.  
         [0017]    Extending laterally from the flange  18  along each of the four sides are locking means  24  in the form of protuberances  24 . Along each peripheral edge of the crate locking device  10 , a plurality of protuberances  24  are equally spaced from adjacent protuberances  24  by a predetermined distance. Adjacent protuberances  24  each have a space  26  therebetween configured to be essentially the mirror image of the protuberances  24 . Further, the dimension of the space  26  defined by the adjacent wall of the protuberances  24  and the portion of the flange between the adjacent protuberances is configured to accommodate another protuberance  24  from an adjacent crate locking device  10  therein. This feature is shown in FIG. 4 at  30 , where adjacent crate locking devices  10  are interconnected and latched together by the protuberances  24  along one peripheral side.  
         [0018]    In order to interlock adjacent crate locking devices  10 , the positioning of the protuberances  24  along opposing peripheral edges are offset with respect to each other. In other words, the positioning of the protuberances  24  along one peripheral edge is in the reversed mirror image of the positioning of the protuberances  24  on the opposing lateral edge. As a result, when two adjacent crate locking devices are oriented in the same direction and are interlocked together by their respective protuberances  24 , the lateral peripheral edges of the adjacent crate locking device  10  are essentially on the same plane and form a continuous storage unit. This feature is shown in FIG. 4 at  32 . Of course, a pair of crate locking devices  10  may be interlocked together so that the pair of adjacent devices  10  are not on the same plane by selectively offsetting the protuberances  24  and spaces  26 ; or by orientating the two adjacent devices  10  in different directions.  
         [0019]    Although the protuberances  26  may be any design or configuration, the preferred design is shown in the drawings as a dove-tail configuration. The dove-tail configuration includes side walls  40  (as detailed in FIG. 2) extending from flange  18 . The side walls diverge from each other as the side walls  40  extend from flange  18 ; and terminate at an end wall  42 . The end wall  42  is parallel from the flange portion from which the associated side walls  40  extend. Each end wall  42  is spaced from its adjacent flange portion by the same distance. Each protuberance  24  may have hollow center portion  46 , having a through aperture between the side walls  40  and end wall  42 . As an alternative, the protuberances  24  may be solid with the center area  46  either flush with the side walls  40  and end wall  42  or recessed from the side walls  40  and end wall  42 . If the protuberances  24  either have a recessed center area  46  or a through aperture in the center area  46 , the crate locking device  10  can be hung on a wall by the protuberances  24  as discussed hereinafter.  
         [0020]    To lock two adjacent crate locking devices together, a crate locking device  10 , must approach another crate locking device  10 , located on an essentially horizontal base, from a vertical direction so that the protuberances  24  along one side of the first crate locking device can slide between the protuberances  24  along one side of the second crate locking device. Once the protuberances  24  from adjacent crate locking devices are enmeshed, as shown at  30  in FIG. 4, the crate locking devices cannot be laterally separated from each other. Adjacent protuberances  24  along any one peripheral side of the crate locking device having the disclosed dove-tail configuration provide only a narrow gap  44  between adjacent end walls  42 , so that an enmeshed protuberance  24  from an adjacent crate locking device cannot laterally be removed between the narrow gap  44 . Therefore, although the angular dove-tail configuration is the preferred embodiment, it is also possible to accomplish the locking technique if the side walls  40  are curved.  
         [0021]    The base  12  may be a solid planar member to provide support for the crates  100 ; or as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4 , the base  12  may have a decorative aperture  50  cut therein. The decorative aperture  50  or apertures are provided to display decorative images such as pictures or photographs. The crate locking device  10  can then be used as a frame for a picture mounted behind the crate locking device. The picture can be mounted to either of the upper or lower planar surface  14 ,  16  respectively by conventional means. The crate locking device  10  can be hung on a wall by a picture hanger or nail inserted in the hollow or recessed center area  46  of a protuberance  24 .  
         [0022]    The crate locking device  10  of the present invention provides inexpensive storage means and especially provides a useful decorating and storing device for college students living away from home. The crate locking device  10  provides a portable and sturdy storage assist device as well as providing a means for decorating the dormitory or college apartment room.  
         [0023]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.