Abstract:
A collapsible crate for transporting goods, the crate having an upstanding wall, at least a portion of which is movable, locating means and releasable locking means for releasably securing the movable wall portion relative to the crate, wherein the locating means has a projection receivable within a recess or aperture to align, in use, the movable wall portion relative to the crate such that the movable wall portion is releasably securable by the locking means.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application takes its priority under Section 35 USC 119(a) from British Application No. GB 0802642.9, filed on Feb. 13, 2008, and whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference therein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to crates, and more specifically, to re-usable crates in which goods may be transported, for example in sea going containers. More specifically, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a crate which can be used to transport relatively heavy goods, for example which can be packed to a high density in standardised large shipping containers and/or which can be collapsed to reduce space for transporting or storage when empty. 
         [0003]    Crates for this purpose have been proposed such as that which is disclosed in WO 03/055755 (co-owned by the applicant), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein. The crate disclosed in this document includes a base with feet, corner posts, a pair of opposed longer side walls and a pair of shorter end walls, each side wall comprising a pair of hinged panels mounted between hinged corner posts, the panels and posts being mutually rotatable about their hinges to allow collapse of the walls into an area defined by the base. 
         [0004]    Other crates have also been proposed, for example: WO 99/14137, IT 1234634, DE 2442322, WO 95/09110, WO 03/055755, GB 2180820, GB 2216101, U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,574 and WO 93/03981. 
         [0005]    It is a non-exclusive object of the invention to provide an improved crate, for example a collapsible crate, for transporting goods. 
         [0006]    It is a further, more specific, non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a collapsible crate having a wall portion which is movable and/or removable for providing access to the contents of the crate. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible crate for transporting goods, the crate comprising an upstanding wall, at least a portion of which is movable, locating means and releasable locking means for releasably securing the movable wall portion relative to the crate, wherein the locating means comprises a projection receivable within a recess or aperture to align, in use, the movable wall portion relative to the crate such that the movable wall portion is releasably securable by the locking means. 
         [0008]    The locating means or a further locating means may be at or adjacent a lower portion, for example an edge, of the wall portion and/or at or adjacent an upper portion, for example an end or edge, or the movable wall portion. The releasable locking means may be at or adjacent an upper portion, for example an end or edge, of the removable wall portion. The locating means or further locating means may operably cooperate, in use, with the locking means, for example to secure the lower portion, for example an end or edge, of the removable wall portion against movement thereof. 
         [0009]    According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible crate for transporting goods, the crate comprising an upstanding wall, at least a portion of which is removable, locating means at or adjacent a lower portion, for example an edge, of the wall portion and releasable locking means at or adjacent an upper portion, for example an end or edge, of the removable wall portion, wherein the locating means is operably cooperable, in use, with the locking means to secure the lower end or edge of the removable wall portion against movement thereof. 
         [0010]    The locating means may comprise a projection, for example on one of the removable wall portion or adjacent portion of the crate, received or receivable within a recess or aperture, for example in the other of the wall portion or adjacent portion of the crate. 
         [0011]    The projection may be located on a fixed or fixable portion of the wall and/or may extend upwardly. Alternatively or additionally the or a projection may be located on a lower edge of the removable wall portion and/or may extend downwardly, for example to be received or receivable within the or an aperture or recess in the or a fixed or fixable wall portion. The projection and/or recess or aperture may extend along at least a portion, for example substantially the entire length, of the or an edge of the removable wall portion or crate or fixed or fixable wall portion. 
         [0012]    Additionally or alternatively, the locating means or further locating means may be located at or adjacent the or an upper end or edge of the removable wall portion. The locating means or further locating means may comprise a projection, for example a spigot, which may be on one of the removable wall portion or adjacent portion of the crate and/or may be receivable within a recess or aperture, for example in the other of the removable wall portion or adjacent portion of the crate. The adjacent portion of the crate may be the or a fixed or fixable portion of the wall. The locating means or further locating means may comprise a projection at or adjacent each upper corner of the removable wall portion. 
         [0013]    The fixed or fixable wall portion may be pivotable, in use, relative to a base of the crate. The crate may further comprise a further three walls, for example such that the crate comprises an open top and/or may include a cover, for example a removable cover. The or a base of the crate may be square or rectangular in plan, for example wherein the crate is of cubiform or parallelepiped form. 
         [0014]    The locking means may comprise a locking pin, for example which is resiliently biased such as spring-loaded, mounted or located in, on or adjacent one of the movable or removable wall portion and the crate, for example the fixed or fixable wall portion. The locking pin may be receivable within an aperture or hole in the other of the movable or removable wall portion and the crate, for example the fixed or fixable frame portion. 
         [0015]    The crate may further comprise an extension portion, wherein the extension portion is provided on the upper face of the crate such that, in use, for example when one crate is stacked upon another, the extension portion engages within a recess on the underside of an immediate above crate. 
         [0016]    The extension portion and the recess may be interchanged in alternative embodiments of the invention. 
         [0017]    The upstanding wall of the crate may be affixed to a base of the crate by hinge means. 
         [0018]    The hinge means may comprise a hinge pin, a hinge leg and a hinge slot, wherein one of the hinge leg or the hinge slot is attached to the upstanding wall and the other of the hinge leg or the hinge slot is attached to the base. 
         [0019]    The hinge leg may further comprise a bore extending therethrough for receiving the hinge pin, in use. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the shaft of the hinge pin and the walls of the bore of the hinge leg comprise screw threading. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0021]    One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a crate according to the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the crate of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a partial section view of a lower locating means along line A-A of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a section view of the crate along line B-B of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a detail view of area D in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a detail view of area E in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a section view of the crate along line C-C of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a detail view of area F in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fixable wall portion of a first side wall of the crate of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a detail view of area G of  FIG. 9  illustrating a portion of the upper locating means; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of a movable wall portion of a first side wall of the crate of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a partial section view along line H-H of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the base of a crate according to the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  shows the unassembled parts of a hinge of one embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  shows the hinge of  FIG. 14 , in use; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of crates according to the present invention stacked on top of one another. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a crate  1  according to the invention in an erected condition. The crate  1  includes a base  2 , a pair of side walls  3 ,  4 , a pair of end walls  5 ,  6 , a lower locating means  7 , a locking means  8   a ,  8   b  and an upper locating means  9 . 
         [0039]    The base  2  is substantially rectangular in plan and includes two side edges  20 ,  21 , two end edges  22 ,  23  and a pair of longitudinal members  24  secured to each side edge  20 ,  21 . The edges  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  each include a respective upstanding wall portions  20   a ,  21   a ,  22   a ,  23   a  extending therealong. The longitudinal members  24  are fabricated from high tensile steel in this embodiment and includes two spaced apart openings  24   a ,  24   b  along each side edge  20 ,  21  for receiving the forks (not shown) of a forklift (not shown) to allow the crate  1  to be transported, for example using a forklift truck (not shown). Each longitudinal member  24  also includes a cross runner  20   b ,  21   b  extending between the openings  24   a ,  24   b  at each side edge  20 ,  21  in order to provide rigidity to the base  2 . 
         [0040]    Each end wall  5 ,  6  includes respective upper members  57 ,  67  as well as respective first and second side members  51  and  52  and respective lower members  50  (only one of each is shown in the  FIG. 1 ). The members  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  57  formed of tubular high tensile steel and define the respective edges of their respective end wall  5 ,  6 . 
         [0041]    A first side wall  3  includes a movable or removable wall portion  30  and a fixed or fixable wall portion  35 . The movable wall portion  30  includes side members  31 ,  32 , a lower member  33  and an upper member  34 , the members  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34  formed of tubular high tensile steel and defining the respective edges of the movable wall portion  30 . The fixable frame portion  35  includes a cross member  36  and a pair of upstanding members  37 ,  38 . 
         [0042]    The lower locating means  7 , shown more clearly in  FIG. 3 , is provided by respective cooperating parts  70 ,  71  of the lower member  33  of the movable wall portion  30  and the cross member  36  of the fixable frame portion  35 . In this embodiment, the cooperating part  70  of the lower member  33  is a recess  33   a  formed in and along a lower portion thereof and the cooperating part  71  of the cross member  36  is an upwardly extending projection  36   a  on an upper portion thereof. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 to 6 , each end wall  5 ,  6  is hinged to the base  2  by three respective hinges  53   a ,  53   b ,  53   c  and  63   a ,  63   b ,  63   c . Each hinge  53   a ,  53   b ,  53   c ,  63   a ,  63   b ,  63   c  includes a hinge pin  54 ,  64  connected thereto by a pair of opposed legs  55 ,  65 , only one of which is shown. The pin  54 ,  64  extends through a hinge loop  56 ,  66  secured to the adjacent base wall  22   a ,  23   a  between the legs  55 ,  65 . The hinges  53   a ,  53   b ,  53   c  of one end wall  5  are located adjacent the lower end of the base wall  22   a  to which they are connected, while the hinges  63   a ,  63   b ,  63   c  of the other end wall  6  are located on base wall  23   a  at a vertical height which is slightly higher to permit collapsing of the crate. 
         [0044]    The second side wall  4  includes a lower member (not shown), a pair of side members (not shown) and an upper member (not shown) which are formed of tubular high tensile steel and define the respective edges of the second side wall  4 . The second side wall  4  is hinged to the base  2  by a hinge  43  connected to the adjacent base wall  21   a  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The second side wall  4  also includes a securing flange  47   a  extending from each of the first and second side members, only one of which is shown in the Figures, along its length on an inward facing side thereof. Each of the securing flanges (not shown) includes two securing holes (not shown) through its thickness. 
         [0045]    Similarly, the cross member  36  of the fixable portion  35  of the first side wall  3  is hinged to the base  2  by a hinge  39 , similar to the hinge  43 , connected to the adjacent base wall  20   a . Accordingly, only the hinge  39  of the first side wall  3  will be described herein. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the hinge  39  includes a box section  39   a  at each end of the base wall  20   a , which box section has a vertically extending slot  39   b  therein that receives a hinge rod  39   c . The hinge rod  39   c  is connected to the fixable frame portion  35  and is free to rotate and translate vertically within the hinge slot  39   b.    
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the cross member  36  of the fixable portion  35  includes a pair of hinge legs  36   b , one of which extends downwardly from each end thereof and includes a hole  36   c  through its thickness. The hinge rod  39   c  extends through each of these holes  36   c  and into the slot  39   b  of the box sections  39   a , thus providing a pivotable and vertically movable connection between the fixable frame portion  35  and the base  2  of the crate  1 . Each of the upstanding members  37 ,  38  includes an end wall securing flange  37   a ,  38   a , a locking hole  80   a ,  80   b  and a tapered recess  90   a ,  90   b  with an aperture  91   a ,  91   b  at the base of the tapered recess  90   a ,  90   b . Each end wall securing flange  37   a ,  38   a  extends along the length of its respective upstanding member  37 ,  38  on a first side thereof and includes two securing holes  37   b ,  38   b  through its thickness. Each recess  90   a ,  90   b  is adjacent the free end of its respective upstanding member  37 ,  38  and on the opposite side thereof to the end wall securing flanges  37   a ,  38   a . The locking holes  80   a ,  80   b  are located in opposed inner surfaces  37   c ,  38   c  of the upstanding members  37 ,  38  adjacent and vertically lower than the respective tapered recess  90   a ,  90   b  (in the orientation shown in  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0048]    Adjacent each recess  90   a ,  90   b  there is also provided an extension portion  101 . While extension portions  101  are shown only at the distal ends of upstanding members  37 ,  38 , they may also be present at the distal ends of other wall edges, for example upstanding members  41 ,  42  of side wall  4 . 
         [0049]    Turning to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the movable wall portion  30  includes a locating flange  92   a ,  92   b  at each of its top corners and a locking mechanism  8   a ,  8   b  under each locating flange  92   a ,  92   b . Each of the locating flanges  92   a ,  92   b  includes an outwardly facing flat surface  93   a ,  93   b  and tapers inwardly to a flattened apex  94   b  on which is provided a spigot  95   b , only one of which is shown in  FIG. 12 . Each locking mechanism  8   a ,  8   b  includes a pin  81   a ,  81   b  connected to a support arm  82   a ,  82   b  and includes a handle member  83   a ,  83   b . The loaded locking pins  81   a  and  81   b  are biased towards an extended position. 
         [0050]    When the crate is assembled and erected, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the end walls  5 ,  6  are secured to the side walls  3 ,  4  by pins  10 ,  11  which extend through the securing holes  37   b ,  38   b  in the securing flanges  37   a ,  38   a  and through holes (not shown) in the end walls  5 ,  6 . Rectangular locks (not shown) protruding from the side wall  5  extend through the rectangular securing holes  37   d ,  38   d  in the securing flanges  37   a ,  38   a.    
         [0051]    The locking means  8  in this embodiment is provided by the loaded locking pins  81   a ,  81   b  of the movable wall portion  30  which are received within a respective locking hole  80   a ,  80   b  of the fixable wall portion  35 . The further locating means  9  in this embodiment is provided by the spigots  95   b  of the movable wall portion  30  which are received, in use, within a respective aperture  91   a ,  91   b  of the fixable frame portion  35 . The tapered recesses  90   a ,  90   b  provide lead-ins for the spigots  95   b  and cooperate with the tapered locating flanges  92   a ,  92   b  to ensure that the movable wall portion  30  is in its located position with respect to the fixable wall portion  35 . 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is shown, in isolation, a base  2 ′ of a crate of one embodiment of the present invention. The side and end walls are omitted from  FIG. 13  for the purposes of clarity. 
         [0053]    The base  2 ′ includes two side edges,  20 ′,  21 ′, two end edges  22 ′,  23 ′ and a pair of longitudinal members  24 ′ secured to each side edge  20 ′, 21 ′. The longitudinal members  24 ′ comprise two spaced apart openings  24   a ′,  24   b ′ along each side edge  20 ′, 21 ′ for receiving the forks (not shown) of a forklift (not shown) to allow the crate to which the base  2 ′ is attached to be transported. 
         [0054]    In each of the four corners of the base  2 ′ there is provided an aperture  100 ′. The aperture  100 ′ extends through the base  2 ′ and provides a recess for receiving an extension portion  101  of an immediate below crate, for example when the crates are stacked when in their erected condition. Extension portions  101  are discussed earlier in the specification and are shown clearly in  FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  10 . In use, the extension portions  101  are sized such that they extend into the apertures  100 ′. They may extend just into or substantially into the aperture  100 ′ or such that they are flush with or extend past the opening of the aperture  100 ′. 
         [0055]    Of course, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the apertures  100 ′ and extension portions  101  may be interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , there are shown components of a hinge assembly  1000  of one embodiment of the crate of the present invention. The hinge assembly  1000  may represent any one of the hinges  39 ,  43 ,  53   a ,  53   b ,  53   c ,  63   a ,  63   b ,  63   c  as previously discussed. 
         [0057]    The hinge assembly  1000  comprises two parts: a body portion  1001  and a hinge pin  1002 . The body portion  1001  comprises a substantially horizontal portion  1003  having, at each end, opposed legs  1004  extending orthogonally therefrom. 
         [0058]    Approximate the distal end of each opposed leg  1004  there is comprised an aperture  1005  extending therethrough. The apertures  1005  are arranged such that they face one another along a common plane. The walls of the apertures  1005  are provided with screw thread (as depicted by the vertical lines shown in  FIG. 14 ). 
         [0059]    The body portion  1001  is mounted to a wall  2 , 3 , 4 , 5  of the crate  1 , for example, the side wall  3  as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0060]    The hinge pin  1002  is also threaded. 
         [0061]    In use, the pin  1002  is wound through the aperture  1005  of a first opposed leg before passing through a hinge loop  1006  secured to an adjacent wall of the base of the crate before being wound through an aperture  1005  of a second opposed leg in order to secure the wall to the base of the crate. 
         [0062]    Of course, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the body portion  1001  may be attached to the base of the crate and the hinge loop (not shown) may be attached to the wall portion. 
         [0063]    If the crate was to become damaged, for example the wall was to become unhinged during transportation, then the hinge pin  1002  would remain threaded within the aperture  1005  of the body portion  1001  as shown in  FIG. 15 . Advantageously, this would prevent the hinge parts from contaminating the carried goods (not shown). 
         [0064]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , there are shown two crates according to the present invention stacked upon one another. Safe stacking is effected because the extension portions  101  of the lower crate  1 ′ are in engagement with the apertures  100 ′ of the upper crate  1 . 
         [0065]    As previously disclosed, the crates are formed from high tensile steel. Due to their rigidity and high strength properties it is possible to stack the crates up to five high and transport them whilst stacked, e.g. using a forklift truck, without them collapsing. Moreover, it is possible to remove the wall portion of any one or more crates while stacked for easy access to their contents (as shown in  FIG. 16 ) without sacrificing properties of rigidity and strength. 
         [0066]    In use, the contents of the assembled and erected crate  1  shown in  FIG. 1  may be accessed by retracting the loaded locking pins  81   a ,  81   b  using the handle members  83   a ,  83   b , which are pulled away from the upstanding members  37 ,  38  of the fixable portion  35 , thus releasing the locking means  8 . The handle members  83   a ,  83   b  may then be used to pivot the movable wall portion  30  about its lower member  33 , thus removing the spigots  95   b  from the apertures  91   a ,  91   b  and releasing the upper locating means  9 . The movable wall portion  30  may then be removed, for example by using the handle members  83   a ,  83   b  and/or the side members  31 ,  32  and placed in a convenient location adjacent the crate  1 . 
         [0067]    In order to replace the movable wall portion  30 , it is lifted as discussed above and is placed such that the recess  33   a  in the lower member  33  rests on or receives the protrusion  36   a  on the cross member  36  of the fixable frame portion  35 . The handle members  83   a ,  83   b  are again urged away from the upstanding members  37 ,  38  of the fixable portion  35  to retract the locking pins  81   a ,  81   b . The upper end of the movable wall portion  30  is then pivoted toward the fixable frame portion  35  until the spigots  95   b  are received within the apertures  91   a ,  91   b  and the locking pins  81   a ,  81   b  are urged to engage the locking holes  80   a ,  80   b.    
         [0068]    As the movable wall portion  30  pivots, the lower locating means  7  positively causes or encourages further pivoting and acts as an abutment to keep the movable wall portion  30  in place when the crated is loaded. 
         [0069]    Thus, the lower locating means  7  and the upper locating means  9  independently and/or in combination provide a convenient and accurate means for locating and/or securing the removable wall portion  30  relative a fixed portion  35  thereof to allow the resiliently urged locking means to engage the apertures. 
         [0070]    It will be appreciated that the lower locating means  7  cooperates with the loaded locking means  8  to locate and secure the removable wall portion  30  along its lower edge  33 , thus preventing, for example, rotation about the locking pins  81   a ,  81   b . This feature is partly due to the vertical overlap of the protrusion  36   a  and recess  33   a  and partly due to the horizontal extent of the overlap or cooperation. 
         [0071]    Moreover, the upper locating means  9  provides accurate location of the locking pins  81   a ,  81   b  relative to the locking holes  80   a ,  80   b . This facilitates quick and easy movement and/or removal and/or replacement of the movable or removable portion  30  relative to the fixed portion  35 . 
         [0072]    In order to collapse the crate  1 , the movable portion  30  is secured in place using the lower locating means  7 , the locking means  8  and the upper locating means  9  as described above. The pins  10 ,  11  of a first of the end walls  5  are removed and the first end wall  5  is pivoted inwardly of the crate  1  about its hinges  53   a ,  53   b ,  53   c  until it rests on the base  2 . The pins  10 ,  11  of the second end wall  6  are then removed and the second end wall is pivoted inwardly about its hinges  63   a ,  63   b ,  63   c  until it rests on the first end wall  5 . The second side wall  4  is lifted (by virtue of its vertically extending hinge slot (not shown)) as required and pivoted inwardly about its hinge  43  until it rests on the second end wall  6 . The first side wall  3  is then lifted vertically as required (by virtue of its vertically extending hinge slot  39   b ) and pivoted inwardly about its hinge  39  until it rests on the second side wall  4 . 
         [0073]    In this collapsed position, a plurality of crates  1  may be stacked one on top of the other for transportation, for example as described in WO 03/055755. 
         [0074]    It will be appreciated that the provision of a movable and/or removable wall portion  30  which extends across the majority of the side wall  3  provides simple, easy and unhindered access to the contents of the crate  1 . 
         [0075]    It will also be appreciated that several variations of the embodiment described herein are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the first locating means  36  need not be provided at and/or along the lower edge  33  of the movable wall portion  30  and/or may be replaced by a permanently connected hinge for example. The lower edge  33  may be provided with a projection, which may extend along its length or only be present at one or more regions thereof. Additionally or alternatively the first locating means  36  may be provided in part by a projection or recess in a portion of the movable wall portion  30  adjacent but spaced from the lower edge  33 . 
         [0076]    Moreover, the other side wall  4  may advantageously have a movable or removable portion (not shown) similar to that of the first side wall  3 . This would provide more flexibility, albeit with a greater degree of complexity. 
         [0077]    The pins  10 ,  11  which extend through the securing holes  37   b ,  38   b  in the securing flanges  37   a ,  38   a  and through holes in the end walls  5 ,  6  to secure the end walls  5 ,  6  to the fixable portion  35 , may comprise any securing means such as nut and bolt arrangements. 
         [0078]    The fixed or fixable portion  35  may be omitted in part or in its entirety and, for example, some or all of the features thereof may be incorporated in one or more end walls  5 ,  6  and/or in the base  2 . 
         [0079]    The removable wall portion  30  may comprise a hinge, for example separating it into upper and lower parts similar to the crate described in WO 03/055755. 
         [0080]    Whilst the crate disclosed herein is formed of high tensile steel, it may comprise any suitable material such as aluminium, rigid plastics material or the like. 
         [0081]    The three hinges  53   a ,  53   b ,  53   c  and  63   a ,  63   b ,  63   c  which respectively connect the end walls  5 ,  6  to the base  2  may be replaced by a single hinge (not shown) or any number of hinges (not shown). 
         [0082]    Any feature disclosed herein and/or its function may be provided and/or claimed in isolation and/or in combination. 
         [0083]    Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.