Collapsible wire crate and method of assembly

A collapsible wire crate, comprising:

• a front panel, a back panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel, each of the front panel, back panel, top panel, bottom panel, first side panel, and second side panel including a plurality of interconnecting horizontal and vertical wires;
• a front opening defined in the front panel and a side opening defined in the first side, the front opening and side opening configured to provide access to the interior of the crate;
• a first track assembly including a first track coupled to one side of the front opening and a second track coupled to an opposite side of the front opening, the first and second tracks having substantially U-shaped structures, where each substantially U-shaped structure defines a channel therein;
• a second track assembly including a first track coupled to one side of the side opening and a second track coupled to an opposite side of the side opening, the first and second tracks having substantially U-shaped structures, where each substantially U-shaped structure defines a channel therein;
• a front door for selectively covering the front opening, the front door slidably coupled to the first track assembly such that the front door slides within the defined channels of the first track and second track;
• and
• a side door for selectively covering the side opening, the side door slidably coupled to the second track assembly such that the side door slides within the defined channels of the first track and second track;
• a latch for opening and closing the front door or side door, the latch having a first end forming a tab portion and a second end forming a stopper portion, the latch being pivotally coupled to a horizontal wire of the front door or side door at a location between the first end and second end, wherein the stopper portion is in contact with one of the plurality of horizontal wires of the front door or side door in a closed position;
• wherein, the front door is disposed substantially parallel to the front panel in a closed position and disposed partially parallel to the top panel in an open position;
• further wherein, the side door is disposed substantially parallel to the first side panel in the closed position and disposed partially parallel to the top panel in the open position, and
• wherein the front door comprises a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to one another, where in the closed position the first portion and second portion are retained within the channels of the first track assembly, and in the fully open position only the second portion is retained within the channels of the first track assembly and the first portion rests on top of the top panel and the tracks provide an uninterrupted sliding surface configured to provide for continuous sliding movement of the first portion and second portion within the tracks from the closed position to the fully open position.

A wire crate for containing an animal, comprising:

• a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a first side, and a second side, the first side and second side being oppositely disposed from one another, where the top, bottom, front, back, first side and second side include a plurality of interconnecting horizontal and vertical wires that define an interior therebetween;
• a track assembly coupled to one of the front, back, first side or second side, the track assembly including a first track and a second track spaced from one another, wherein each of said tracks comprises a channel and an open end disposed near said top;
• and
• a door having a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to one another, the door being movable along the first track and second track between a fully open position, a closed position, and a plurality of vertically-spaced positions therebetween to allow access to the interior through an opening defined between the first track and second track;
• a handle operatively connected to the first portion, wherein the handle, the track assembly, and the front are configured for the handle to be continuously accessible for uninterrupted gripping during movement of the door from the fully open position to the closed position,
• a latch pivotally coupled to the door, the latch including a stopper portion;
• wherein, in the open position, the first portion and second portion of the door are substantially perpendicular to one another;
• further wherein, the latch is pivotable between a first position and a second position, in the first position the stopper portion is pivoted towards the interior to engage at least one of the plurality of horizontal wires to thereby limit movement of the door in a vertical direction and maintain the door in one of the open position, the closed position, or one of the plurality of vertically spaced positions therebetween, and in the second position the stopper portion is pivoted away from the interior to allow the door to move between the fully open position and closed position.