Foldable Crate With Bidirectional Manually Releasable Fastening Mechanism

Abstract

A foldable crate has two pairs of folding sides hinged to base. A fastening mechanism associated with one pair of sides has a pair of displaceable catch elements assuming an engagement position for engaging features of the adjacent first pair of sides to inhibit folding of the crate. The fastening mechanism also includes a manually operable actuator linked to each of the pair of catches by a mechanical linkage such that, when the manually operable actuator is displaced from an initial position in either of an upward vertical motion and a downward vertical motion, the mechanical linkages displace the catch elements from the engagement position to release the engagement so as to allow folding of the crate.

1 . A foldable crate comprising:
 (a) a base;   (b) a first pair of sides hingedly attached to the base so as to be hingedly displaceable between an erected position for forming a crate and a folded position overlying at least part of the base;   (c) a second pair of sides hingedly attached to the base so as to be hingedly displaceable between an erected position for forming a crate and a folded position overlying at least part of the base; and   (d) a fastening mechanism associated with each of said second pair of sides, each of said fastening mechanisms including:
 (i) a pair of catch elements mounted so as to be displaceable relative to the corresponding one of said second pair of sides between an engagement position for releasably engaging complementary features of the adjacent first pair of sides when said first and second pairs of sides are in said erected position so as to inhibit folding of the crate, said catch elements being displaceable in at least one direction from said engagement position to release said engagement so as to allow folding of the crate, and 
 (ii) a manually operable actuator associated with the corresponding one of said second pair of sides, said manually operable actuator being linked to each of said pair of catches by a mechanical linkage, 
   
     wherein said manually operable actuator and said mechanical linkage are configured such that, when said manually operable actuator is displaced from an initial position in either of an upward vertical motion and a downward vertical motion, said mechanical linkages displace said catch elements from said engagement position to release said engagement so as to allow folding of the crate. 
   
   
       2 . The foldable crate of  claim 1 , wherein said catch elements are resiliently biased to assume said engagement position, and wherein said mechanical linkages are configured to allow displacement of said catch elements away from said engagement positions without requiring displacement of said actuator. 
   
   
       3 . The foldable crate of  claim 1 , wherein each of said mechanical linkages is configured such that displacement of said actuator in each of an upward vertical motion and a downward vertical motion displaces said catch elements from said engagement position in the same direction. 
   
   
       4 . The foldable crate of  claim 1 , wherein each of said mechanical linkages includes a pin engaged in a shaped slot. 
   
   
       5 . The foldable crate of  claim 4 , wherein said shaped slot has edges approximating to a “V” shape. 
   
   
       6 . The foldable crate of  claim 4 , wherein said shaped slot has a width greater than a dimension of said pin such that said catch element is displaceable away from said engagement positions without requiring displacement of said actuator. 
   
   
       7 . The foldable crate of  claim 1 , wherein said catch elements are configured to be displaceable substantially horizontally relative to said second pair of sides. 
   
   
       8 . The foldable crate of  claim 1 , wherein said catch elements are configured to be displaceable substantially vertically relative to said second pair of sides. 
   
   
       9 . The foldable crate of  claim 8 , wherein said catch elements, said actuator and said mechanical linkages are integrally formed as a single element. 
   
   
       10 . The foldable crate of  claim 9 , wherein said mechanical linkages are substantially rigid such that said catch elements, said actuator and said mechanical linkages move upwards and downwards together. 
   
   
       11 . The foldable crate of  claim 1 , wherein said manually operable actuator is deployed to be accessible from an inward facing surface of said sides. 
   
   
       12 . The foldable crate of  claim 11 , wherein said fastening mechanism further includes a secondary actuation handle mechanically linked to said manually operable actuator and accessible for manual actuation from outside the crate. 
   
   
       13 . A foldable crate comprising:
 (a) a base;   (b) a first pair of sides hingedly attached to the base so as to be hingedly displaceable between an erected position for forming a crate and a folded position overlying at least part of the base;   (c) a second pair of sides hingedly attached to the base so as to be hingedly displaceable between an erected position for forming a crate and a folded position overlying at least part of the base; and   (d) a latch mechanism associated with each of said second pair of sides for releasably interlocking said sides with stops on each of the adjacent first pair of sides, said latch mechanism including a latch element extending across substantially the entirety of a width of the second side and terminating at each end in a latch portion configured for engaging one of said stops on the adjacent side, said latch element being resiliently biased to a central position in which said latch portions engage said stops to retain said first and second pairs of sides erected in interlocking relation, said latch element being displaceable from said central position in a first direction to a raised position in which said latch portions clear said stops to allow folding of said second pair of sides to said folded position,   
     characterized in that said latch element is further displaceable from said central position in a second direction opposite to said first direction to a lowered position in which said latch portions also clear said stops to allow folding of said second pair of sides to said folded position. 
   
   
       14 . The foldable crate of  claim 13 , wherein said latch element is deployed primarily on an inward facing surface of said sides. 
   
   
       15 . The foldable crate of  claim 14 , wherein said latch element includes an actuation handle accessible for manual actuation from inside the crate. 
   
   
       16 . The foldable crate of  claim 15 , further comprising a secondary actuation handle mechanically linked to said latch element, said actuation handle being accessible for manual actuation from outside the crate. 
   
   
       17 . The foldable crate of  claim 14 , further comprising an actuation handle mechanically linked to said latch element, said actuation handle being accessible for manual actuation from outside the crate. 
   
   
       18 . The foldable crate of  claim 13 , wherein said latch element is biased to said central position by at least one integrally-formed spring element.