Modular crate

Abstract

A modular crate having side and bottom panels and a bracket system including brackets secured to the bottom panel with a fastening apparatus. Channels cut into the side panels allow the panels to fit into the brackets to secure the side and bottom panels.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A crate comprising:
 a bottom panel, having beveled edges;   a front side panel, having a beveled edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a notch edge;   a back side panel having a beveled edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a notch edge;   a left side panel having a top edge, and a bottom edge;   a right side panel having beveled edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge;   a bracket system comprising:
 each side panel having a channel, the channel:
 cut laterally along a panel length; 
 disposed a distance from the panel bottom edge; 
 
 a fastening apparatus; 
 a plurality of brackets disposed along the edges of the bottom panel, wherein the brackets are secured to the bottom panel by the fastening apparatus; and 
   wherein the side panel channel is configured to engage the brackets, to secure the side panel to the bottom panel.   
     
     
         2 . The crate of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the left side panel further comprises:
 two pairs of elongate slots; and 
   the front and back side panels further comprise:
 a pair of elongate slots. 
   
     
     
         3 . The crate of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening apparatus is screws. 
     
     
         4 . The crate of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening apparatus is circular teeth, disposed along the length of the brackets, wherein the circular teeth are configured to press into an interference fit with the crate bottom panel, to secure the bottom panel to the brackets. 
     
     
         5 . The crate of  claim 1 , wherein the brackets are disposed at an angle, relative to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         6 . The crate of  claim 4 , wherein the side panel channel is configured to snappably engage the brackets, to secure the side panel to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         7 . The crate of  claim 4 , wherein the side panel channel is configured to slidably engage the brackets, to secure the side panel to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         8 . A bracket system, comprising:
 lateral channels;   the channels disposed along crate side panels;   wherein the side panels rotate between a free position and a locked position;   a bottom panel having beveled edges;   brackets disposed along the edges of the bottom panel;   a fastening apparatus;   the brackets secured to the bottom panel by the fastening apparatus;   wherein the brackets are configured to engage the channels;   the side panels engage the bottom panel beveled edges while rotating from free position to locked position; and   the side panels engage the brackets, while in the locked position, to secure the side panels to the bottom panel.   
     
     
         9 . The bracket system of  claim 8 , wherein the fastening apparatus is screws. 
     
     
         10 . The bracket system of  claim 8 , wherein the thickness of the brackets is not more than the width of the channels. 
     
     
         11 . The bracket system of  claim 8 , wherein the brackets are configured to slidably engage the side panel channels, to secure the side panels to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         12 . The bracket system of  claim 8 , wherein the brackets are configured to snappably engage the side panel channels, to secure the side panels to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         13 . The bracket system of  claim 8 , wherein the brackets have a length to width ratio of at least about 10:1. 
     
     
         14 . The bracket system of  claim 8 , wherein the fastening apparatus includes:
 circular teeth, disposed along the length of the brackets, wherein the circular teeth are configured to press into an interference fit with the crate bottom panel, to secure the bottom panel to the brackets.   
     
     
         15 . The bracket system of  claim 14 , wherein the brackets are disposed at an angle, relative to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         16 . A crate comprising:
 a bottom panel, having beveled edges;   a front side panel, having beveled edges, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a notch edge;   a back side panel having beveled edges, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a notch edge;   a left side panel having a top edge, and a bottom edge;   a right side panel having beveled edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge;   a bracket system comprising:
 each side panel having a channel, the channel:
 cut laterally along a panel length; 
 disposed a distance from the panel bottom edge; 
 
 a plurality of brackets disposed along the edges of the bottom panel, the brackets:
 disposed at an angle, relative to the bottom panel; 
 secured to the bottom panel by a fastening apparatus including:
 circular teeth, disposed along the length of the brackets; 
 said teeth configured to press into an interference fit with the crate bottom panel, to secure the bottom panel to the brackets; 
 
 wherein the thickness of the brackets is not more than the width of the channel; and 
 
   wherein the side panel channel is configured to snappably engage the brackets, to secure the side panel to the bottom panel, such that the side panel is held upright upon the bottom panel.   
     
     
         17 . The crate of  claim 16 , wherein the channel is not more than 0.100 inches in width.