Collapsible storage and transportation unit

Abstract

A collapsible storage and transportation unit is disclosed and comprises a base including a cargo area surrounded by an edge having four ends; four wall panel supporting members connected to the edge of the base, each wall panel supporting member comprising at least a first post member and a second post member, the wall panel supporting members being pivotable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, wherein in the folded configuration the wall panel supporting members are lying down over the base and the collapsible storage and transportation unit is in a collapsed configuration. In the unfolded configuration the first post member of a first given wall panel supporting member and the second post member of a second given wall panel supporting member are both adjacent to each other. A first collapsible storage and transportation unit is stackable over a second collapsible storage and transportation unit.

1 . A collapsible storage and transportation unit; comprising:
 a base including a cargo area surrounded by an edge having four ends;   four wall panel supporting members connected to the edge of the base, each wall panel supporting member comprising at least a first post member and a second post member, the wall panel supporting members being pivotable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, wherein in the folded configuration the wall panel supporting members are lying down over the base and the collapsible storage and transportation unit is in a collapsed configuration, wherein in the unfolded configuration the first post member of a first given wall panel supporting member and the second post member of a second given wall panel supporting member are both adjacent to each other and project together from each corresponding end of the base generally perpendicularly thereto; and   four locking means, each locking means comprising a first locking member and a second locking member, the first locking member being located on a first post member of a first wall panel supporting member, the second locking member being located on a second post member of a second wall panel supporting member, wherein the physical coupling between the first locking member and the second locking member enables locking the first wall panel supporting member and the second wall panel supporting member in a uncollapsed configuration, wherein a first collapsible storage and transportation unit is stackable over a second collapsible storage and transportation unit.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wall panel, the at least one wall panel being connectable between two corresponding post members of any wall panel supporting member. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first collapsible storage and transportation unit in any one of the collapsed and the uncollapsed configuration is stackable over the second collapsible storage and transportation unit in any one of the collapsed and the uncollapsed configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the collapsible storage and transportation unit is transportable in presence or absence of the at least one wall panel. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the first collapsible storage and transportation unit and the second collapsible storage and transportation unit are stackable over each other in presence or absence of the at least one wall panel. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one wall panel is stackable over another wall panel. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one wall panel is transportable while stacked over another wall panel. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the four wall panel supporting members comprises a U-shaped frame. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one wall panel is received within the U-shaped frame. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the four wall panel supporting members comprises at least one hinge. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one hinge comprises a slotted hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 10 , wherein the slotted hinge is sized and shaped so that the four wall panel supporting members are collapsed in a random order. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first locking member comprises a male connector and the second locking member comprises a female connector sized and shaped to receive the male connector therein. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 13 , wherein the male connector physically couples the female connector socket by a vertical displacement of the at least one slotted hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible storage and transportation unit according to  claim 13 , wherein the male connector comprises a hook and the female connector comprises a hook-receiving socket.