Crate locking device

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A crate locking device for receiving a rectangular receptacle having a predetermined length and width, said locking device comprising: 
 a rectangular frame having an inner periphery with an inner length and inner width configured for receiving the rectangular receptacle, and an outer periphery, said rectangular frame has a plurality of protuberances spaced along said outer periphery, wherein each of said protuberances having the same shape.    
     
     
         2 . The crate locking device of  claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent protuberances are spaced from each other for receiving a protuberance of an adjacent crate locking device.  
     
     
         3 . The crate locking device of  claim 2 , wherein the spacing between the at least two protuberances defines a cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of the protuberance.  
     
     
         4 . The crate locking device of  claim 1 , wherein the protuberance has a dove-tail configuration.  
     
     
         5 . The crate locking device of  claim 4 , wherein the protuberance is hollow.  
     
     
         6 . The crate locking device of  claim 1 , wherein one opposing parallel side of the frame has the protuberances aligned in a reversed mirror image configuration relative to the other opposing parallel side of the frame.  
     
     
         7 . The crate locking device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner periphery of the frame has a predetermined depth and said frame has a planar base for receiving said rectangular receptacle positioned at a midpoint of the depth of the inner periphery.  
     
     
         8 . The crate locking device of  claim 7 , wherein the planar base has at least one cut out portion for displaying a decorative image therethrough.  
     
     
         9 . The crate locking device of  claim 4 , wherein the protuberance has a recessed center portion.