Abstract:
The present invention relates to a foldable/collapsible structure that folds and collapses between an open and closed condition. The structure includes a top and bottom section, and a plurality of collapsible wall sections extending between said top and bottom sections. The wall sections and the top and bottom sections define an enclosure and also contain a longitudinal member extending between said top and bottom section. The longitudinal member contains a pivot connection at a location between the top and bottom section. The pivot section allows movement of the top and bottom section relative to one another, so that the foldable/collapsible structure can be configured between an open or closed condition.

Description:
FIELD 
   The invention herein generally relates to a pet carrier transportation device and in particular to a collapsible/foldable pet carrier or portable structure that can be readily converted into a compact condition for ease of storage or transport. In addition, but not by way of limitation, the invention herein relates to a collapsible pet carrier that provides stability of construction and collapsible functionality. 
   BACKGROUND 
   A variety of pet carriers have been reported in the prior art, all aimed in one form or another to facilitate pet transportation. Specifically, pet carriers are commonly used by pet owners for carrying their pets on trips or as a means for containing the pets when the pets are shipped from one point to another. Pet carriers also commonly double as sleeping quarters for the pet as the owner may contain the pet overnight to prevent the pet from wandering and potentially damaging the home or hotel room in which the owner is occupying. 
   Attention is first directed to U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,534, and the art cited therein, which patent is assigned to TFH Publications, Inc, and which is directed in one embodiment to a pet carrier/portable habitat structure for containing a pet comprising a bottom panel containing a floor surface, along with the use of a top panel, a left panel, a right panel and a first end panel and a second end panel. The first and second end panels are releasably engaged to said carrier and the left and right panels each comprise an upper and lower section hingedly connected to one another so as to collapse the left and right panels inwardly into said pet carrier. The carrier may include a perforated tray removably placed within the bottom panel including openings to allow for passage of liquids into the bottom panel, along with supports positioned between the tray and the bottom panel to maintain the tray above the floor surface of the bottom section. 
   Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,568, and the art cited therein, which patent is also assigned to TFH Publications Inc., and which is directed in one embodiment to a collapsible/foldable structure comprising a top roof and a bottom platform and front and rear collapsible walls each pivotally attached to the bottom platform. The structure further contains a pair of sidewalls each pivotally attached to said roof to facilitate inward collapse of said sidewalls when said sidewalls are pivoted toward said bottom platform. Furthermore, the top roof section may contain two roof sections pivotally attached to one another at about the mid-point of the two roof sections, so that the two roof sections can collapse downwardly along their pivotable attachment toward the bottom platform. 
   Reference is next made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/348,995 entitled Roll-Top Pet Carrier, filed Jan. 22, 2003, and the art cited therein, also assigned to TFH Publications Inc. This application stands directed in one embodiment at a carrier for pets with slidable roll-away sides that retract into a base along with ends that fold down and a handle for carrying. The carrier is described as being preferably made of plastic which allows for light weight, lower cost, and easier cleaning. 
   Further review of the patent literature begins with U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,028, entitled “Pet Carrier” which discloses a carrier including a main unit and an insert unit. The main unit defines a carrying space having a closed bottom and four sides, one of which has an opening therethrough large enough to permit an animal to enter the space through the opening, and the insert unit has a closed top, four sides, and an open bottom. After the animal has entered the main unit, the insert unit is lowered down into the main unit to close off the side opening. Then a foldable top closure for the main unit is folded to secure the carrier and form a handle structure for carrying the carrier. Both units are foldable and are structured to provide an enhanced strength carrier. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,392, entitled “Pet Carrier” discloses a corrugated plastic pet carrier with two side panels. A side panel fold line extends between the base panel and each side panel. In addition, a diagonal fold line is said to extend from each corner of the base panel to a first median fold line for collapsing the base panel, side panels and end panels inwardly for collapsing the container from an erect position to a collapsed, generally flat position, and back to an erect position. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,294, entitled “Pet Carrier for Vehicles” discloses a pet carrier for use in a vehicle comprising a platform sized to generally fit on the passenger seat. Front, rear and side panels are pivotally connected to the platform for movement between generally horizontal positions and upright positions wherein they form a pet enclosure upstanding from the platform. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,637 discloses what is termed a “container” to house or carry-small household pets, which may be quickly and manually formed between an erected use mode and a flat folded storage mode. The container is of a gable roofed house configuration in its erected mode and comprises an interconnected structure formed by hingeably related rigid planar elements that occupy a relatively small volume in the folded storage mode. Handles carried by the roof provide aid in manual carriage, and releasable fasteners maintain either an erected or storage mode, and en end wall provides a selectively latchable door. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,116 discloses a collapsible A-frame house providing a common site for a cat to rest, exercise and play comprised of a roof of carpet-like material including two integral roof panels with their bottom edges connected to opposing edges of a floor panel also of a carpet-like material. Stiffening panels are affixed onto the backside of the roof panels. A cord with two ends slidably passes through the peak into the house, with cat amusement objects connected to each end. The cord additionally provides a manual handle for lifting the house. Collapsing the house for storage or transport, the house is initially lifted by the cord adjacent the peak. The flexible nature of the floor panels permits an outward folding or buckling of the floor along its longitudinal centerline to thereby completely collapse the house into a folded condition. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,618 discloses a collapsible animal enclosure comprising a house unit with spaced side walls and a roof of pliable material, and opposite ends forming an enclosed area for housing an animal. Support bows extend transversely across the sidewalls and roof for holding the sidewalls and roof in an open, spread apart condition. The house unit can be collapsed between a fully erect condition and a collapsed condition in which the ends are pushed inwardly towards one another, collapsing a pliable material between the ends in an accordion-folded manner. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,681 discloses an animal house, including a cap, a base, four posts and four walls secured together. Both the cap and base include a groove formed in the inner peripheral portion, and the posts each include two slots for engaging with the edges of the walls so as to solidly secure the walls in place. The animal house may be folded into a compact configuration. 
   Finally, as it relates to background art concerning pet carriers, attention is also directed to U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,540 entitled, “Collapsible, Portable Domestic Pet Cage”, which discloses a collapsible, portable domestic pet cage for carrying with a pet keeper such domestic pets as dogs, cats and the like, wherein bent portions of the cage can be readily constructed using any connection means and fixing means, and when collapsed dimensionally in small form, the whole circumferential walls of the cage is accommodated between vertical walls of a ceiling plate and erected walls of a receptacle plate or dish so as to be made dimensionally in a small size. 
   SUMMARY 
   In a first non-limiting embodiment, the present invention relates to a foldable/collapsible structure that folds and collapses between an open and closed condition. The structure includes a top and bottom section, and a plurality of collapsible wall sections extending between said top and bottom sections. The wall sections and said top and bottom sections define an enclosure and also contain a longitudinal member extending between said top and bottom section, said longitudinal member containing a pivot connection at a location between said top and bottom section. The pivot section allows movement of the top and bottom section relative to one another, so that the foldable/collapsible structure can be configured between an open or closed condition. 
   In a second non-limiting embodiment, the present invention relates to a foldable/collapsible structure that folds and collapses between an open and closed condition. The structure comprises a first sub-assembly and an upper portion longitudinal member pivotally coupled to said first sub-assembly. A second sub-assembly is provided comprising a bottom and a lower portion longitudinal member pivotally coupled to said second sub-assembly. A plurality of collapsible wall sections extend between the first and second sub-assembly, wherein the wall sections and the first and second sub-assembly define an enclosure. The upper portion longitudinal member is configured to pivotally couple to the lower portion longitudinal member to allow movement of the top and bottom section relative to one another, so that the foldable/collapsible structure can be configured between said open or closed condition. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Features and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments consistent with the present invention, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary pet carrier consistent with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the folding or collapsing front and rear walls; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the exemplary pet carrier with the walls collapsed and folded; 
       FIG. 4  shows the exemplary pet carrier in a completely collapsed or folded configuration; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the “inside” of an exemplary top sub-assembly of a structure consistent with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  shows an exemplary bottom sub-assembly having the walls folded inward; and 
       FIG. 7  depicts on exemplary pivot arrangement between the upper and lower portions of a longitudinal member consistent with the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The foldable/collapsible structure of the present invention is described herein in the context of the particular exemplary and preferred embodiment of a foldable/collapsible pet carrier consistent with the present invention. While the illustrative embodiment of the foldable/collapsible structure is in the form of a pet carrier it should be understood that the features and advantages of the present invention may have application in numerous alternative structures. For example, the present invention may be embodied in foldable/collapsible structures including storage containers, animal habitats, coolers or ice chests, etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate many applications of the present invention beyond those mentioned herein. The forgoing list should not, therefore, be construed as limiting the application of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a foldable/collapsible pet carrier  10  consistent with the present invention may be provided in the general form of a rectangular box. As such, the pet carrier  10  generally includes a top  12  and bottom  14 , as well as four collapsible walls  16 – 19 , each generally extending between the top  12  and bottom  14  of the pet carrier  10 . For the ease of explanation, the walls  16 – 19  may be discussed as being a front wall  16 , rear wall  17 , and two opposed side walls  18 ,  19 ; however, such designations are not intended to connote any limiting attributes. 
   The carrier  10  preferably includes longitudinal members  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) discussed in more detail below, extending between the bottom  14  and top  12  of the carrier  10 . The longitudinal members  20 – 23  may be preferably disposed two on each of a pair of opposed walls, e.g., walls  18 ,  19 , of the carrier  10 . Consistent with the use as a pet carrier  10 , the walls  16 – 19 , and even top  12  and bottom  14  may include perforations, holes, or mesh panels, thereby providing ventilation and visibility for any animal to be contained in the carrier  10 . In addition, the walls and top and bottom may be made such that they insulate and provide for more uniform temperature regulation. 
   The pet carrier  10  may also include a door  24  in the front wall  16 , although a door may optionally be placed in any of the walls  16 – 19  or even in the top  12 . Advantageously, a handle  26  may be provided on the top  12  to facilitate transportation of the carrier  10 . In larger embodiments, or those intended for containing relatively heavy contents, multiple handles may be provided on the top  12 , or any or all of the walls  16 – 19 . 
   Turning next to  FIGS. 2 and 3  the collapsing or folding aspect of a preferred aspect of the invention is illustrated. As first shown in  FIG. 2 , the front wall  16  may be folded inwardly toward the bottom  14  of the carrier  10 . Advantageously, the front wall  16  may be collapsed completely flat onto the bottom  14  of the carrier  10 . The inward folding and collapsing of the front wall may be accomplished by providing the bottom edge of the front wall  16  and the associated region of the bottom  14  with an integrated, cooperating, hinge features  28  extending along the entirety or at least a portion of the bottom edge of the front wall  16 . The hinge features  28  allow the front wall  16  to pivot inwardly about its bottom edge. As an alternative to the integrated hinge features  28  of front wall  16  and the bottom  14 , a separate hinge may be disposed between the front wall  16  and bottom  14  to permit the pivotal displacement of the front wall. In addition, it is contemplated that the front wall  16  may be hingedly connected to the bottom  14  via a plastic or living hinge type feature, such plastic living hinge preferably made of a polyolefin polymer, such as polypropylene as well as other polymer materials suitable for repeated flexing in a hinge type application. In addition, it is contemplated that the front wall  16  may be optionally hinged to the side walls  18  and  19 , together with or exclusive of a hinge type attachment to the bottom  14 . In addition, the front wall  16  may optionally be hinged to the top section  12 . Furthermore, it is contemplated herein that the front wall  16  may be removably attached to the pet carrier  10  thereby allowing for its complete removal for the purposes of collapsing the carrier as described more fully herein. Such removed wall also may be conveniently stored within the bottom  14  of the carrier, or elsewhere, according to consumer preference. 
   In a similar fashion to the front wall  16 , the remaining walls  17 – 19  may also be folded inward toward the bottom  14  of the carrier  10  in a manner that is similar to the front wall  16 . While not a requirement, the walls  16 – 19  may all be preferably stacked flat upon each other in any desired sequence within the bottom  14  to achieve one of a number of compact configurations. Expanding upon this optional feature, when stacking the walls  16 – 19  flatly upon each other, the thickness of each wall  16 – 19  may be considered and selectively adjusted. Furthermore, another way of ensuring that the walls  16 – 19  lie flat is to, e.g. stagger the location of the of pivot point of each wall  16 – 19  such that, when folded to a horizontal posture, the interior surface of each wall  16 – 19  will rest substantially on the exterior surface of a previously folded wall. Staggering the pivot point for each wall may be achieved, for example, by providing upwardly extending vertical sections from the bottom  14  associated with each respective wall  16 – 19 . The upwardly extending vertical sections may therefore be adjusted in height such that the pivot point or hinge location of each wall  16 – 19  can be conveniently altered. It should also be appreciated that the order in which the walls  16 – 19  are inwardly folded may be varied as another design choice, with the overall preferred result that the walls  16 – 19  can be made to lie substantially flat within the carrier  10 . 
   Consistent with the above, and as an initial consideration of the collapsibility features of the carrier  10 , it is expressly contemplated that the four walls  16 – 19  may be pivotally coupled to the top  12  and/or bottom  14  and/or to one another and such that walls are all collectively configured to inwardly collapse into the carrier  10 . Alternatively, rather than being pivotally coupled to either the top  12  and/or the bottom  14 , the walls  16 – 19  may all be detachable from both the top  12  and/or the bottom  14  of the carrier  10 . In such an optional embodiment, the four walls  16 – 19  may all be completely disengaged from the top  12  and bottom  14  and be positioned and stored in a generally stacked arrangement on the bottom  14 . The top  12  may then be collapsed onto the stacked walls  16 – 19  (as discussed more fully below) thereby retaining the walls  16 – 19  between the top  12  and the bottom  14 . Of course, the top  12  may simply be collapsed onto the bottom  14  and the walls  16 – 19  may otherwise be stored, either with the collapsed top  12  and bottom  14 , or at a separate location. 
   It is worth noting that in the optional embodiment in which the walls  16 – 19  are detachable and disengaged from the top  12  and bottom  14 , it is preferred to releasably retain/lock the walls  16 – 19  to the top  12  and/or bottom  14  when the carrier  10  is in an expanded or assembled configuration. The walls  16 – 19  may be releasably retained/locked using conventional detents, sliding locks, snap-fits, pins, mechanical fasteners, etc. which will readily be appreciated by those having skill in the art. Alternatively, the walls  16 – 19  may be also be secured and locked to one another, along their vertical edge, rather than to the top  12  or the bottom  14 . Optionally, the walls may also be releasably retained/locked to both the top  12  and bottom  14  as well as to one another. According to such optional variations, when assembled the walls  16 – 19  become selectively and strategically secured to one another thereby assisting in maintaining the structure in an opened and mechanically stabilized configuration. However, residing behind this capability to provide a mechanically stabilized configuration, the pet carrier  10  may still be conveniently disassembled. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates the exemplary pet carrier  10  with all of the walls  16 – 19  now folded inwardly onto the bottom  14  of the carrier  10 . In this particularly preferred embodiment, the walls  16 – 19  were all hingedly connected to the bottom  14  such that they can be, as illustrated, made to inwardly collapsed. However, it can be appreciated that in  FIG. 3  only walls  18  and  19  appear, as  16  and  17  rest beneath walls  18  and  19  in such collapsed state. In addition, with respect to wall  19 , it can be seen that preferably, such wall contains a pair of what can be termed recesses or channels  32  to accommodate, e.g., longitudinal member  22 . Any geometrical shape is possible for such recesses or channels. Such geometrical shape may be made to generally match or differ with the geometrical shape of the longitudinal members  20 – 23 . As illustrated, the geometrical shape of the recess or channels  32  is preferably semi-circular, and the longitudinal members are also preferably circular in shape thereby providing a generally mating fit between such features of the carrier. Furthermore, it can be appreciated that longitudinal member  20   b  may rest within a portion of the recess or channel  32  on wall  18 , and a portion of the recess or channel  32  on wall  19 . 
   In addition, the number of recess or channels in walls  16 – 19  can be made to vary to accommodate as many longitudinal members that one may elect to employ to provide the exemplary collapsible characteristics. Such recess or channels may also be made to vary in depth, such that the longitudinal members may or may not protrude from the exterior surface of walls, as illustrated by consideration of the thickness at any particular location of the wall  18  and longitudinal member  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . Indeed, as shown in  FIG. 1 , wall  18  includes thicker section  18   a , preferably and selectively positioned at the base of such wall. Such thicker wall surface sections may be positioned anywhere on the walls  16 – 19 , and in any number. Furthermore, as illustrated, the longitudinal member  20  may optionally be positioned within and beneath the wall surface when passing through the thicker section  18   a.    
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the top  12 , which is in a partially collapsed stated, is supported from the bottom  14  by the four longitudinal members identified generally as  20 – 23 . As shown, each of the longitudinal members  20 – 23  may include upper portions  20   a – 23   a  and lower portions  20   b – 23   b . The upper  20   a – 23   a  and lower  20   b – 23   b  portions are pivotally coupled to each other. The pivotal coupling of the upper  20   a – 23   a  and lower  20   b – 23   b  portions allow the longitudinal members  20 – 23  to collapse or fold inwardly as shown and align and rest in the recess or channels  32 . Consistent with the invention herein, the pivotal coupling of the upper  20   a – 23   a  and lower  20   b – 23   b  portions of the longitudinal members  20 – 23  may have various configurations of hinges, articulated joints, etc., as will be readily understood by those having skill in the art. 
   The longitudinal members  20 – 23  are preferably pivotally coupled to both the top  12  and bottom  14  of the carrier  10 . Providing the longitudinal members  20 – 23  with pivotal coupling to the top  12  and bottom  14 , in combination with a pivotal coupling of the upper  20   a – 23   a  and lower  20   b – 23   b  portions of the longitudinal member  20 – 23 , allows the longitudinal members to collapse or fold. In such fashion, since the longitudinal members are also preferably attached to the upper  12  and bottom  14  portions of the carrier  10 , the carrier  10  may be conveniently collapsed into a fully collapsed state for ease of transportation and/or storage. Significantly, however, this is accomplished without the need to provide any sort of additional hinge within the walls  16 – 19 , other than the placement of hinges at the ends of the walls, discussed above, which are preferably utilized to attach the walls  16 – 19  to the carrier. 
   As with all of the pivotal connections employed in the carrier  10 , various different configurations may suitably be used to allow the longitudinal members  20 – 23  to achieve such folding. For example, the longitudinal members  20 – 23  may be attached to the top  12  and bottom  14  via a simple hinge, either as a separate component or using integrated cooperating features on both the longitudinal members  20 – 23  and the top  12  and/or bottom  14 . It should also be understood that it is not necessary to use the same configuration of pivotal connection for all of the longitudinal members  20 – 23 . Nor is it necessary to use the same configuration of engagement of the longitudinal members at the junction with either the carrier top  12  or carrier bottom  14 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal members  20 – 23  are shown being collapsed toward the interior of the carrier  10 . Those having skill in the art will appreciate that the longitudinal members may be configured to collapse in other suitable directions. For example, the longitudinal members may be arranged so that they collapse along the edge of the carrier  10 . According to such a configuration, longitudinal members  20  and  21  may optionally collapse toward each other and longitudinal members  22  and  23  may also optionally collapse toward each other. Those having skill in the art will therefore appreciate other similar configurations. 
   The pet carrier  10  may also include a buttress or support feature  30  on the top  12  and/or bottom  14  associated with the general region of coupling with the longitudinal members  20 – 23 . The support feature(s)  30  may optionally be utilized to strengthen the connection with the longitudinal members  20 – 23 . As shown, the support features  30  may be integrally formed with the top  12  and/or the bottom  14 . Alternatively, support features  30  may be provided as separate features attachable to the top  12  and or bottom  14 . 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in addition to any reinforcing or strengthening aspect, the support features  30  may also be employed to locate and provide partial housing for the longitudinal members  20 – 23 . In this manner, the walls  16 – 19  may generally extend between the respective edges of the top  12  and bottom  14 , providing a generally smooth viewing transition between the walls  16 – 19  and the top  12  and bottom  14 . This feature of providing a smooth viewing transition between the walls  16 – 19  and the top  12  and bottom  14  is therefore facilitated by the recess or channels, e.g.  32 , in the exterior of the walls  18 ,  19  in the region of the longitudinal members  16 – 19 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 4 , the pet carrier  10  is depicted in a fully collapsed configuration. Consistent with the preceding description, the exemplary pet carrier  10  may be collapsed by folding the walls  16 – 19  inward to rest on the bottom  14  or a previously inwardly folded wall. The longitudinal members  20 – 23  may then be collapsed or folded inwardly at the two pivot locations at the top and bottom as well as the pivot between the upper  20   a – 23   a  and lower  20   b – 23   b  portions of the longitudinal members  20 – 23 . The longitudinal members preferably align and rest within the recesses or channels  32 . When the longitudinal members  20 – 23  are collapsed in this manner the top  12  of the pet carrier  10  may be collapsed downwardly toward the bottom  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , in a fully collapsed condition the walls  16 – 19  may be stowed between the top  12  and bottom  14  and all of the components may be arranged in a generally parallel orientation. Accordingly, in the fully collapsed condition the pet carrier  10  may have a generally planar configuration that may be more easily stored, transported, etc. Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the support features  30  in both the top and bottom of the carrier preferably align with one another when in the collapsed state. 
   Consistent with one particular exemplary and preferred embodiment, the pet carrier  10  may be provided as two sub-assemblies of components. Referring to  FIG. 5 , a first sub assembly is shown including a top  12  of the pet carrier  10 . The sub-assembly  100  may also include the upper portions  20   a – 23   a  of the longitudinal members coupled to the top  12 . In the drawing the upper portions  20   a – 23   a  of the longitudinal members are shown including pivot features  34  that may be used to pivotally couple the upper portions  20   a – 23   a  of the longitudinal members to the lower portions  20   b – 23   b.    
     FIG. 6  shows an exemplary second sub-assembly  200  that may be assembled with the first sub-assembly to provide a complete pet carrier  10  consistent with the present invention. The second sub-assembly  200  may include the bottom  14 , the walls  16 – 19 , and the lower portions  20   b – 23   b  of the longitudinal members. In the illustrated exemplary second sub-assembly  200  the walls  16 – 19  may be pivotally coupled to the bottom  14  by a hinge  36  extending along the generally the entire length of the wall. As shown, the hinge  36  may include cooperating features on the bottom  14  and the walls  16 – 19 . A pin or rod may be used as a hinge pin, thereby forming a piano hinge style arrangement. Of course, numerous alternative features and methods may be used to pivotally couple the walls  16 – 19  to the bottom. 
   In  FIG. 6 , the channels  32  that may be provided in the walls  16 – 19  for accommodating the longitudinal members are again visible. Accordingly, as noted above, the channels may also receive the lower portions  20   b – 23   b  of the longitudinal members when they are in an inwardly folded configuration. If the walls  16 – 19  are provided without channels  32  the carrier may still compact. The lower portions  20   b – 23   b  of the longitudinal members in the illustrated second sub-assembly may include corresponding slots  38  adapted to be coupled with the pivot features  34  associated with the upper portions  20   a – 23   a  of the exemplary first sub-assembly. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary pivot assembly  300 , employed by the preceding exemplary first and second sub-assemblies  100  and  200 . The pivot assembly  300  may include a pivot feature  34  that may be received in a slot  40  in the upper portion  20   a – 23   a  of each longitudinal member and a slot  38  in the lower portion  20   b – 23   b  of each longitudinal member that is adapted to also receive the pivot feature  34 . As shown, the pivot feature  34  may generally be a member including two spaced apart holes. The pivot feature  34  is sized to be received in a slot  38 ,  40  respectively in the upper and lower portions  20   a – 23   a ,  20   b – 23   b  of the longitudinal member. A pin  42 ,  44  may then be inserted passing through each portion  20   a – 23   a ,  20   b – 23   b  and the pivot feature  34 . The pins  42 ,  44  may be removed to allow the disassembly of the carrier  10  into the subassemblies  100  and  200  (see again  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The exemplary pivot assembly  300  allows each portion  20   a – 23   a ,  20   b – 23   b  of the longitudinal members  20 – 23  to pivot relative to the pivot feature. Accordingly, the exemplary pivot assembly  300  allows the upper and lower portions  20   a – 23   a ,  20   b – 23   b  to pivot relative to provide for the collapsibility features of the carrier  10 , noted herein. 
   When the exemplary pet carrier  10  is in an expanded configuration, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , the longitudinal members  20 – 23  may be disposed against, and/or supported by, the walls of the carrier  10 . As noted, the longitudinal members  20 – 23  may then be configured to collapse inwardly. Locating the walls inside the longitudinal members therefore provides a carrier with the structural integrity of a non-folding wall, while nonetheless providing collapsibility characteristics. Accordingly, the walls  16 – 19  may be formed from a generally rigid or self-supporting material. For example, the walls  16 – 19  may be rigid plastic, wooden, or metal panels. As such, the walls  16 – 19  extending between the top  12  and the bottom  14  provide structural integrity to the carrier  10 , and as previously noted, need not be hinged apart from their edge locations. 
   The longitudinal members may also optionally be provided with a locking mechanism to inhibit or resist unintentional pivoting or collapse of the longitudinal members. Those having skill in the art will recognize the numerous suitable features or mechanism may be used to inhibit or resist unintentional pivoting or collapse of the longitudinal members. Exemplary locking mechanism or features may include a sling member, such as a tube, disposed around at least a portion of the longitudinal members. The sliding member may therefore be positioned around the pivot location of the longitudinal members and extend between the upper and lower portion of the longitudinal member. Another locking mechanism may include a pin or bar selectively extendable across the pivot location between the upper and lower portions of the longitudinal member. 
   As discussed above, the longitudinal members may include a locking feature to inhibit unintentional collapse or folding. Additionally, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the walls  16 – 19  are located adjacent to the longitudinal members  20 – 23  in the direction of folding or collapse of the longitudinal members, thereby resisting unintentional collapse or folding of the longitudinal members. Regardless of the use of such features to inhibit or resist unintentional collapse, when the longitudinal members are in an extended, i.e. un-pivoted condition, the longitudinal members offer their own strength along their longitudinal axis. The longitudinal members also separately provide flexural strength in those directions other than the direction of collapse or folding. Accordingly, the longitudinal members alone are capable of providing structural support and collapsibility characteristics for the foldable/collapsible structure. 
   The embodiments that have been described herein, however, are but some of the several which utilize this invention and are set forth here by way of illustration but not of limitation. It is obvious that many other embodiments, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made without departing materially from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.