Cargo Unit

Abstract

Described herein are units for transportation of cargo, and methods of using them. In some embodiments, the units are collapsible, stackable cargo units. In some embodiments, the cargo units include a generally rectangular base having a front, a rear and two sides, with forklift slots on its front, rear and each side. The cargo units may further include front and rear walls extending upward from the base. The cargo units may further include first and second side walls extending upward from the base between the front and rear walls. The first side wall may have a length greater than the second side wall. The cargo units may further include an integrated lid hingedly attached to one or more of the front, rear, and side walls.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible, stackable cargo unit having an erected configuration in which the cargo unit may define an enclosed interior, and a collapsed configuration in which the cargo unit may be stored and transported compactly, the cargo unit comprising:
 a base having a front, a rear and two sides;   front and rear walls extending upward from the base;   first and second side walls extending upward from the base between the front and rear walls, the first side wall having a length greater than the second side wall;   an integrated lid hingedly attached to one or more of the front, rear, and side walls; and   corner posts, wherein the front, rear, first side, and second side walls, and the integrated lid are positioned below the corner posts in the collapsed configuration to permit the cargo unit to stack upon another cargo unit.   
     
     
         2 . The cargo unit of  claim 1  wherein the base includes a first fixed upright wall adjacent to the first side wall and a second fixed upright wall adjacent to the second side wall, wherein the second fixed upright wall extends a greater height than the first fixed upright wall. 
     
     
         3 . The cargo unit of  claim 1  wherein the integrated lid comprises a first lid member that includes a hinged edge hingedly attached to the first side wall, and a second lid member that includes a hinged edge hingedly attached to the second side wall. 
     
     
         4 . The cargo unit of  claim 3  wherein in a collapsed configuration, the first lid member is rotated to rest on the first side wall the second lid member is generally coplanar with the second side wall. 
     
     
         5 . The cargo unit of  claim 4  wherein each of the first and second lid members includes a free edge opposite its hinged edge, and wherein the first lid member is larger than the second lid member, with a dimension between its hinged edge and its free edge being larger than a corresponding dimension of the second lid member. 
     
     
         6 . The cargo unit of  claim 5  wherein each lid member has a first handle extending outward over the front wall, and a second handle extending outward over the rear wall. 
     
     
         7 . The cargo unit of  claim 6  wherein each of the lid members is permanently attached to a side wall, and is capable of pivoting through a 270° arc between a generally horizontal closed position in which the free ends of the lid members are adjacent one another, and a generally vertical open position in which the lid member hangs against an outside surface of its associated side wall. 
     
     
         8 . The cargo unit of  claim 7  wherein the front wall comprises releasable locking mechanisms that are capable of locking the cargo unit in erected configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The cargo unit of  claim 8  wherein the front wall comprises a lower front wall and an upper front wall pivotably connected thereto, wherein the lower front wall includes locking mechanisms, the upper front wall includes locking mechanisms, and when the cargo unit is in its erected configuration, the upper front wall may be either (1) locked in an upright configuration associated with a fully closed condition of the cargo unit, or (2) unlocked and folded outward and down through an arc of about 180° to hang against an outer surface of the lower front wall while the lower front wall remains locked in place to partially open the cargo unit and facilitate access to the interior. 
     
     
         10 . The cargo unit of  claim 9  wherein each of the front, rear and side walls is fully removable from the base. 
     
     
         11 . The cargo unit of  claim 10  wherein each of the base and walls comprises a metal frame, and one or more sheets of metal welded or otherwise attached to the frame. 
     
     
         12 . The cargo unit of  claim 10  wherein one or more of the base and walls comprises a unitary, one-piece stamped primary member incorporating integral structural contours to provide strength and rigidity. 
     
     
         13 . The cargo unit of  claim 1  wherein the cargo unit is made of galvanized steel, and has a tare weight of about 80 to 90 kg. 
     
     
         14 . A double cargo unit having an erected configuration in which the cargo unit may define an enclosed interior, and a collapsed configuration in which the cargo unit may be stored and transported compactly;
 the double cargo unit comprising a pair of individual cargo units joined to one another;   each of the individual cargo units comprising, when in erected configuration:   a base having four sides, with forklift slots on at least one side;   first, second and third upstanding walls extending upward from the base to define a three sided enclosure and an open side;   an integrated lid hingedly attached to one or more of the walls;   corner posts, wherein the first, second, and third upstanding walls, and the integrated lid are positioned below the corner posts in the collapsed configuration to permit the double cargo unit to stack upon another cargo unit; and   the individual cargo units being joined together at their open sides.   
     
     
         15 . The double cargo unit of  claim 14  wherein the integrated lid of each individual cargo unit comprises a first lid member that includes a hinged edge hingedly attached to the first wall, and a second lid member that includes a hinged edge hingedly attached to a second wall. 
     
     
         16 . The double cargo unit of  claim 15  wherein the first upstanding wall of one of the individual cargo units comprises a lower front wall and an upper front wall pivotably connected thereto, wherein the lower front wall includes locking mechanisms, the upper front wall includes locking mechanisms, and when the double cargo unit is in its erected configuration, the upper front wall may be either (1) locked in an upright configuration associated with a fully closed condition of the cargo unit, or (2) unlocked and folded outward and down through an arc of about 180° to hang against an outer surface of the lower front wall while the lower front wall remains locked in place to partially open the cargo unit and facilitate access to the interior. 
     
     
         17 . The double cargo unit of  claim 16  wherein each of the upstanding walls is fully removable from the base. 
     
     
         18 . The double cargo unit of  claim 17  wherein each of the base and upstanding walls comprises a metal frame, and one or more sheets of metal welded or otherwise attached to the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The double cargo unit of  claim 18  wherein each of the base and walls comprises a unitary, one-piece stamped primary member incorporating integral structural contours to provide strength and rigidity.