US 12,391,464 B1
Convertible, collapsible and reusable shipping crate
Michael Widick, Oxford, AL (US); Clyde Edwards, Anniston, AL (US); and David Owens, Rome, GA (US)
Assigned to Wright Metal Products Crates, LLC, Rome, GA (US)
Filed by Michael Widick, Oxford, AL (US); Clyde Edwards, Anniston, AL (US); and David Owens, Rome, GA (US)
Filed on Jan. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/585,687.
Int. Cl. B65D 85/68 (2006.01); B65D 85/64 (2006.01); B65D 88/00 (2006.01); B65D 88/52 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 85/68 (2013.01) [B65D 85/64 (2013.01); B65D 88/005 (2013.01); B65D 88/522 (2013.01); B65D 2585/649 (2013.01); B65D 2585/686 (2013.01); B65D 2588/12 (2013.01); B65D 2590/005 (2013.01); B65D 2590/54 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A collapsible, convertible and reusable shipping crate, comprising:
three rectangular frames comprised of a multiplicity of connected members bound together, wherein said three rectangular frames are fastened together to form an enclosure comprising a base, first gate and second gate;
wherein said first gate and said second gate are connected to opposing ends of said base by a hinged connector that allows each of said first gate and second gate to pivot from substantially parallel to substantially perpendicular to said base;
wherein said hinged connector comprises a slotted locking plate configured to allow one of said first gate and said second gate to lock into place when pivoted to the substantially parallel position and when pivoted to the substantially perpendicular position, so that any weight placed upon said first gate and said second gate will be transferred to said base through at least two of said multiplicity of connected members within one of said first gate and said second gate;
a multiplicity of connectors to connect said base, first gate and second gate, without the use of hand tools.
 
11. A collapsible, convertible and reusable shipping crate, comprising:
three rectangular frames comprised of a multiplicity of connected members bound together, wherein each of said three rectangular frames are fastened together to form an enclosure comprising a base, first gate and second gate;
wherein said first gate and said second gate are connected to opposing ends of said base by a hinged connector that allows each of said first gate and second gate to pivot from substantially parallel to substantially perpendicular to said base;
wherein said multiplicity of connected members bound together that comprise said first gate are extendable so as to lengthen said first gate;
wherein said multiplicity of connected members bound together that comprise said second gate are extendable so as to lengthen said second gate;
wherein said hinged connector comprises a slotted locking plate configured to allow one of said first gate and said second gate to lock into place when pivoted to the substantially parallel position and when pivoted to the substantially perpendicular position, so that any weight placed upon said first gate and said second gate will be transferred to said base through at least two of said multiplicity of connected members within one of said first gate and said second gate;
a multiplicity of connectors to connect said base, first gate and second gate, without the use of hand tools.
 
17. A method of using a collapsible, convertible and reusable shipping crate, comprising the steps of:
providing three rectangular frames comprised of a multiplicity of perpendicularly connected members bound together, wherein each of said three rectangular frames are fastened together to form an enclosure comprising a base, first gate and second gate;
wherein said first gate and said second gate are connected to opposing ends of said base by a hinged connector that allows each of said first gate and second gate to pivot from substantially parallel to substantially perpendicular to said base;
wherein said hinged connector comprises a slotted locking plate configured to allow one of said first gate and said second gate to lock into place when pivoted to the substantially parallel position and when pivoted to the substantially perpendicular position, so that any weight placed upon said first gate and said second gate will be transferred to said base through at least two of said multiplicity of connected members within one of said first gate and said second gate; and
providing a multiplicity of connectors to connect said base, first gate and second gate, together without the use of hand tools.