Locking collapsible container

Abstract

A collapsible container movable between an erect position and a collapsed position includes a bottom having a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls pivotally connected thereto. The top ring extends around a top edge of the container and a lid is mounted on the top ring to form a cover for the container. One end of the lid, the top of an associated end wall and an associated end bar of the top ring each contain through holes therein which are aligned with each other to receive removable locking means therein to lock the container in an erect position.

1 . A collapsible container movable between an erect position and a collapsed position, said container comprising:
 a) a bottom;   b) a pair of opposed side walls;   c) a pair of opposed end walls;   d) a top ring extending around a top edge of said container, said top ring comprising two opposed end bars and two opposed side bars;   e) a lid mounted on said top ring to form a cover for said container;   f) a first through hole formed in a top of one of said end walls;   g) a second through hole formed in an end bar of said top ring positioned over said one end wall and aligned with said first through hole;   h) a third through hole formed in an end of said lid positioned over said one end wall and aligned with said first and second through holes; and   i) a removable locking means inserted through said first, second and third through holes to lock said container in an erect position.   
   
   
       2 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1  wherein said locking means comprises a break away rivet. 
   
   
       3 . A collapsible container according to  claim 2  which further comprises a rivet access area having a bottom surface angled downwardly in said end bar having said third hole therein whereby a break away rivet once broken may fall clear of said container. 
   
   
       4 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1  wherein said locking means is a tie. 
   
   
       5 . A collapsible container according to  claim 1  wherein said end walls and side walls are pivotally connected to said bottom and said side walls also are pivotally connected to said top ring and wherein each of said side walls comprises an upper section and a lower section pivotally connected together lengthwise at an intermediate portion of said side wall. 
   
   
       6 . A collapsible container movable between an erect position and a collapsed position, said container comprising:
 a) a bottom;   b) a pair of opposed end walls pivotally connected to opposite ends of said bottom;   c) a pair of opposed side walls pivotally connected to opposite sides of said bottom;   d) each said side wall comprising an upper section and a lower section pivotally connected together lengthwise thereof;   e) a top ring comprising two opposed end bars and two opposed side bars;   f) each said upper section of a side wall being pivotally connected to a side bar of said top ring;   g) a lid mounted on said top ring to form a cover for said container;   h) a first through hole formed in a top of one of said end walls;   i) a second through hole formed in an end bar of said top ring positioned over said one end wall and aligned with said first through hole;   j) a third through hole formed in an end of said lid positioned over said one end wall and aligned with said first and second through holes; and   k) a break away rivet inserted through said first, second and third through holes to lock said one end wall, said top ring and said lid together.   
   
   
       7 . A collapsible container according to  claim 6  which further comprises a rivet access area having a bottom surface angled downwardly in said end bar having said third hole therein whereby a break away rivet once broken may fall clear of said container.