Collapsible crate with support members

Abstract

An example crate includes a wall having an opening and a retractable support that is movable between a retracted position and a support position. A tab extends from the retractable support into the opening when the retractable support is in the retracted position. The tab is accessible through the opening to move the retractable support from the retracted position toward the support position.

1 . A crate comprising:
 a wall including an opening there through;   a retractable support movable between a retracted position and a support position relative to the wall; and   a tab that extends from the retractable support at least partially into the opening when the retractable support is in the retracted position such that the tab is accessible through the opening to move the retractable support from the retracted position toward the support position.   
   
   
       2 . The crate as recited in  claim 1  wherein the tab is a first tab, further including a second tab that extends from the retractable support. 
   
   
       3 . The crate as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first and second tabs extend in different directions. 
   
   
       4 . The crate as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a third tab that extends in a different direction from the first and second tabs. 
   
   
       5 . The crate as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first tab extends in a first direction and the second tab extends in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
   
   
       6 . The crate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tab extends entirely through the opening. 
   
   
       7 . The crate as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the tab extends beyond the first wall. 
   
   
       8 . The crate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tab is spaced from the opening when the retractable support is in the support position. 
   
   
       9 . The crate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tab is cylindrical. 
   
   
       10 . The crate as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tab includes a textured surface. 
   
   
       11 . A crate comprising:
 a base wall;   a first wall defining a first plane that is generally perpendicular to the base wall;   a second wall defining a second plane and that is generally perpendicular to the first wall and the base wall;   a corner near the intersection of the first plane and the second plane; and   a retractable support adjacent the first wall and the second wall and movable between a retracted position and a support position, wherein the first wall includes an opening there through that is spaced from the corner to provide access to the retractable support.   
   
   
       12 . The crate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the second wall also includes an opening there through that is spaced from the corner to provide access to the retractable support. 
   
   
       13 . The crate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the opening of the first wall is round and the opening of the second wall is an elongated slot. 
   
   
       14 . The crate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the first wall includes spaced-apart ribs having a recessed portion between the ribs, and the opening extends through the recessed portion. 
   
   
       15 . The crate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the opening is spaced from the corner in a direction that is parallel to the base wall. 
   
   
       16 . The crate as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the retractable support extends lengthwise along a first direction and the opening extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first wall and perpendicular to the first direction when the retractable support is in the retracted position. 
   
   
       17 . A crate comprising:
 a base wall;   a first wall generally perpendicular to the base wall;   a second wall generally perpendicular to the base wall and the first wall;   a retractable support adjacent the first wall and the second wall and movable between a retracted position and a support position; and   a tab that extends from the retractable support in a direction that is generally parallel to the base wall.   
   
   
       18 . The crate as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the retractable support includes a first end and a second end, and the tab is located between first end the second end. 
   
   
       19 . The crate as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the retractable support is generally parallel to the first wall in the retracted position, and the retractable support is supported at the first end by the first wall and the second end by the second wall in the support position. 
   
   
       20 . The crate as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the tab is located closer to the second end than to the first end. 
   
   
       21 . The crate as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the second end comprises a second, different tab having a textured surface.