Expandable container

Abstract

An expandable container adapted to be manually adjusted from a vertically compact configuration wherein internal shelves are closely spaced, to a vertically expanded configuration wherein the internal shelves are less closely spaced. A garment folding apparatus is preferably incorporated with the container to provide a tool that assists the user in quickly folding garments to dimensions compatible with shelves within the container.

1 . An expandable container comprising:
 a main body defining an internal compartment bounded by a bottom wall, a top wall, an openable front, a rear wall and two opposing side walls;   said internal compartment including a plurality of vertically spaced shelves;   said body adapted for vertical expansion such that said body may be configured from a compact configuration wherein said top wall and said bottom wall are spaced a first dimension relative to one another, to a vertically expanded configuration wherein said top wall and said bottom wall are spaced a second dimension relative to one another, said second dimension being greater than said first dimension such that the volume of said internal compartment is increased;   means for adjusting vertical spacing between shelves whereby spacing between said shelves increases when said body is configured from said compact configuration to said expanded configuration; and   means for releasably locking said body in said vertically expanded configuration.   
   
   
       2 . An expandable container according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for releasably locking said body in said vertically expanded configuration comprises at least one telescopically expandable self-latching track. 
   
   
       3 . An expandable container according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for releasably locking said body includes first and second telescopically adjustable tracks adapted with a self-latching and self-unlatching mechanism. 
   
   
       4 . An expandable container according to  claim 3 , wherein said mechanism comprises a camover latch. 
   
   
       5 . An expandable container according to  claim 4 , wherein said camover latch includes a rotatable locking member and a pin.