Foldable container
A container includes side walls and end walls that can be folded to collapse the container for transport and storage. The end walls are hinged to, and can be folded against, the container floor. The side walls are articulated so that they can be folded in half. A sliding coupling secures the side walls in the unfolded position. The side walls also are hinged to, and can be folded against, the container floor and roof. One end forms an opening that can be closed with a door.
1 . A collapsible container comprising:
a top frame portion, a bottom frame portion, a pair of opposing side frame portions, a rear frame portion and a front frame portion;
each of said side frame portions comprising a lower side frame portion and an upper side frame portion, said lower side frame portion hingedly attached to said bottom frame portion, said upper side frame portion hingedly attached to said top frame portion, and said lower side frame portion hingedly attached to said upper side frame portion whereby said side frame portion is movable between first position wherein said side wall frame is substantially perpendicular to said bottom portion and said top portion and a second position wherein each of said upper side frame portion and said lower side frame portion is substantially parallel to said bottom frame portion and said top frame portion;
said rear frame portion hingedly attached to said bottom frame portion and movable between a first position wherein said rear frame portion is substantially perpendicular to said bottom frame portion and a second position wherein said rear frame portion is substantially parallel to said bottom frame portion; and
said front frame portion hingedly attached to said bottom frame portion and movable between a first position wherein said front frame portion is substantially perpendicular to said bottom frame portion and a second position wherein said front frame portion is substantially parallel to said bottom frame portion.
2 . The container of claim 1 further comprising a coupling associated with at least one of said side frame portions, said coupling being movable between a first position wherein said coupling engages with both of the upper and lower side frame portions comprising said side frame portion and a second position wherein said coupling does not engage with both of the upper and lower side frame portions comprising said side frame portion.
3 . The container of claim 1 further comprising at least one removable fastener securing at least one of said top frame portion, said pair of opposing side frame portions, said rear frame portion and said front frame portion to another of said top frame portion, said pair of opposing side frame portions, said rear frame portion and said front frame portion.
4 . The container of claim 3 wherein said at least one of said top frame portion, said pair of opposing side frame portions, said rear frame portion and said front frame portion and said another of said top frame portion, said pair of opposing side frame portions, said rear frame portion and said front frame portion define a pair of corresponding apertures for receiving said removable fastener.
5 . The container of claim 3 further comprising at least one captive nut for receiving said at least one removable fastener.
6 . The container of claim 1 wherein at least one of said rear frame portion, when in said first position, and said front frame portion, when in said first position, engages with at least one of said top frame portion and said pair of opposing side frame portions.
7 . The container of claim 1 further comprising a floor deck associated with said bottom frame portion.
8 . The container of claim 1 further comprising a skin associated with at least one of said top frame portion, said pair of opposing side frame portions, said rear frame portion.
9 . The container of claim 1 further comprising a door associated with said front frame.
10 . The container of claim 9 wherein said door is movable between a first position wherein said door is associated with, and closes an opening in, said front frame portion and a second position wherein said door is associated with said top frame portion.
11 . The container of claim 10 further comprising at least one guide roller associated with said door.
12 . The container of claim 11 wherein said at least one guide roller is connected to said top frame portion by a bracket, said bracket being movable between a first position and a second position.
13 . The container of claim 9 further comprising means for locking said door.