Stackable collapsible shipping rack

Claim 1

A stackable collapsible shipping rack with removable shelves said rack being sized and configured for stacking on top of another similar rack in both the upright and collapsed position respectively, the rack comprising: a base, a first and second pair of normally upright legs of a predetermined length connected to the base, each leg including; a bottom section having a terminal first end with first positioning means, a middle section, a top section having a terminal end with second positioning means for compatible mating engagement with the first positioning means of another rack for stacking of the racks, and a pair of hinge means, the first hinge means connected at the juncture of the bottom and middle sections and the second hinge means connected at the juncture of the middle and top sections, each hinge means swingable inwardly to an open storage position and upwardly to a closed operational position, the first hinge means having an upper surface defining an abutment surface, sized and shaped for compatible interengagement with another rack's first positioning means and exposed when the hinge means is in the open or stored position, and a plurality of substantially parallel guide means spanning each pair of legs and the guide means defining shelf guide means for supporting shelves, the middle section having a perdetermined length which is approximately equal to but slightly less than half the distance between the first and second pairs of legs so that when the rack is in the storage position, the collapsed middle support sections do not cross one another and the top section is folded between the middle sections and the removable shelves in stored position on said base, and said shelves, when supported on said guide means, preventing the inward swinging of said hinge means.