U.S. patent application number 09/840899 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for household cart.
This patent application is currently assigned to Weck, David. Invention is credited to Frey, Erwin M., Weck, David.
Application Number | 20010015535 09/840899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21840565 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010015535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weck, David ; et
al. |
August 23, 2001 |
Household cart
Abstract
A household cart has a wooden or molded plastic rectangular base
for carrying household items. Four caster assemblies on the base
are close to the four corners of the base. A U-shaped handle has
hooks for carrying household items approximately halfway between
side edges of the base, about equidistant from front and back edges
of the base. The handle can be positioned either transversely or
longitudinally of the base. In the handle transverse position, legs
of the handle fit into a first pair of receptacles located between
(1) the casters close to the base back edge and (2) the cart
transverse center line. In the longitudinal position, the legs fit
into a second pair of receptacles located along a longitudinal
center line of the base. The receptacles of the first pair are
spaced from each other by the same distance as the receptacles of
the second pair. The handle has hooks for carrying the household
items and is selectively extendable so it can carry relatively long
household items, such as pants, skirts and topcoats. The handle has
spring properties and is dimensioned so it can fit around and be
stowed on skirts on the caster assemblies, enabling the cart to be
put in small spaces, such as an automobile trunk.
Inventors: |
Weck, David; (Miami Beach,
FL) ; Frey, Erwin M.; (Fort Lauderdale, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN GILMAN & BERNER, LLP
Suite 310
1700 Diagonal Road
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Weck, David
|
Family ID: |
21840565 |
Appl. No.: |
09/840899 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09840899 |
Apr 25, 2001 |
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09027926 |
Feb 23, 1998 |
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6224072 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/47.315 ;
211/204; 280/47.35; 280/47.371 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 403/608 20150115;
B62B 3/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/47.315 ;
280/47.35; 280/47.371; 211/204 |
International
Class: |
B62B 001/10 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A household cart for carrying various household items comprising
a base for carrying household items and having front, back and side
edges and carrying two wheels adjacent the back edge and at least
one wheel adjacent the front edge, a handle for carrying household
items, the base including first, second, third and fourth
receptacles, the first and second receptacles being adjacent the
back edge for selectively receiving first and second opposed legs
of the handle and positioned to cause the handle to extend
substantially transversely of the base, between the side edges, the
third and fourth receptacles being positioned between the side
edges for selectively receiving the first and second opposed legs
of the handle and positioned to cause the handle to extend
substantially longitudinally of the base between the front and back
edges.
2. The household cart of claim 1 wherein the third and fourth
receptacles are approximately midway between the side edges.
3. The household cart of claim 1 wherein the handle includes a
structure for receiving the household items.
4. The household cart of claim 3 wherein the two wheels are closer
to the back edge than the first and second receptacles.
5. The household cart of claim 3 wherein the handle is positioned
between a transverse center line and the back edges when the handle
is in situ in the first and second receptacles, the structure being
arranged so that when the handle is in situ in the first and second
receptacles the structure and its contents apply a torque on the
handle tending to turn the handle away from the back edge and
toward the transverse center line.
6. The household cart of claim 5 wherein the structure includes
plural hooks on a member extending between the legs, more of said
hooks extending away from the handle toward the transverse center
line than the number of said hooks extending away from the handle
toward the back edge of the base.
7. The household cart of claim 1 wherein the base carries four
wheels having locations defining a rectangle on the base, each
wheel being mounted on a housing having a structure protruding
downwardly from the base adjacent each of the sides of the base,
the handle having spring properties and a geometry such that inner
portions of the first and second legs thereof frictionally engage
and are frictionally held in place by the spring properties of the
handle and the protruding structure of the housing for each of the
four wheels.
8. The household cart of claim 1 wherein the handle includes
selectively extendable legs for enabling the effective length of
the handle to be changed at will.
9. The household cart of claim 8 wherein the handle when (a) in an
expanded position has a length sufficient to carry a topcoat on a
hangar suspended from an upper part of the handle without the
topcoat contacting the base and (b) in a retracted position has a
length short enough to enable the cart to be placed in a trunk of
an automobile.
10. The household cart of claim 9 wherein the base includes a
structure for securing the handle to the base in the retracted
position so the legs of the handle extend in a plane substantially
parallel to a face of the base and in a direction substantially
parallel to side edges of the base.
11. The household cart of claim 9 wherein the base carries four
wheels having locations defining a rectangle on the base, each
wheel being mounted on a housing having a structure protruding
downwardly from the base adjacent each of the sides of the base,
the handle having spring properties and a geometry such that inner
portions of the first and second legs thereof frictionally engage
and are frictionally held in place by the spring properties of the
handle and the protruding structure of the housing for each of the
four wheels.
12. The household cart of claim 8 wherein the base carries four
wheels having locations defining a rectangle on the base, each
wheel being mounted on a housing having a structure protruding
downwardly from the base adjacent each of the sides of the base,
the handle having spring properties and a geometry such that inner
portions of the first and second legs thereof frictionally engage
and are frictionally held in place by the spring properties of the
handle and the protruding structure of the housing for each of the
four wheels.
13. The household cart of claim 1 wherein the third and fourth
receptacles are located along a line extending longitudinally of
the base approximately midway between the side edges and are
respectively approximately equidistant from the front and back
edges.
14. The household cart of claim 1 further including studs
downwardly depending from the base for receiving hooks of at least
one elasticized tie down cord for holding household items in place
on the base.
15. The household cart of claim 14 wherein the base includes
openings for receiving tie down cords for holding household items
in place on the base.
16. A household cart for carrying various household items
comprising a base for carrying household items and having front,
back and side edges and carrying two wheels adjacent the back edge
and two wheels adjacent the front edge, the four wheels having
locations defining a rectangle on the base, a handle for carrying
household items, the base including a pair of receptacles for
selectively receiving first and second opposed legs of the handle,
each wheel being mounted on a housing having a structure protruding
downwardly from the base adjacent each of the sides of the base,
the handle having spring properties and a geometry such that inner
portions of the first and second legs thereof frictionally engage
and are frictionally held in place by the spring properties of the
handle and the protruding structure of the housing for each of the
four wheels.
17. The household cart of claim 16 wherein the handle includes
selectively extendable legs for enabling the effective length of
the handle to be changed at will.
18. The household cart of claim 17 wherein the handle when (a) in
an expanded position has a length sufficient to carry a topcoat on
a hangar suspended from an upper part of the handle without the
topcoat contacting the base and (b) in a retracted position has a
length short enough to enable the cart to be placed in a trunk of
an automobile while the handle legs frictionally engage the
protruding structure of the housing for each of the four
wheels.
19. A household cart for carrying various household items
comprising a base for carrying household items and having front,
back and side edges and carrying two wheels adjacent the back edge,
a handle for carrying household items carried by the base, the
handle including selectively expandable legs for enabling the
effective length of the handle to be changed at will, the handle
when (a) in an expanded position having a length sufficient to
carry a topcoat on a hangar suspended from an upper part of the
handle without contacting the base and (b) in a retracted position
having a length short enough to enable the cart to be positioned in
a trunk of an automobile.
20. The household cart of claim 19 wherein the base includes a
structure for securing the handle to the base in the retracted
position so the legs of the handle extend in a plane substantially
parallel to a face of the base and in a direction substantially
parallel to side edges of the base.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to household carts
and more particularly to a household cart including a base enabling
a handle for the cart to be selectively positioned at plural
positions relative to the base.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There are numerous commercialized household carts for
carrying household items, such as groceries, beverages and some
items of wearing apparel. These prior art household carts have
frequently included a pair of wheels mounted on a basket. A handle,
frequently having an inverted U shape, usually extends from the
basket and, in certain configurations, telescopes with respect to
the basket. Some of the baskets are foldable, for ease of storage
in automotive vehicles and residences. The typical prior household
carts have limited volumetric and weight capacity. In addition,
they are not usually adapted to carry elongated clothing articles,
such as pants, suits or skirts, without folding and/or compressing
the articles against each other. Since several of these articles of
clothing are frequently on hangers while transported to a residence
from a cleaning establishment, the present household carts are
rarely used by householders for such articles. Certainly, a
householder does not want his or her clothing folded and compressed
after being commercially pressed. The prior art household carts
have generally been incapable of carrying substantial loads, such
as kitchen, laundry room or basement "white" appliances. Also, the
prior art household carts have generally been difficult to manage
on steps or street curbs.
[0003] Because of these problems, the prior art household carts
have met with only limited success. Consequently, the vast majority
of householders transport household items between their automotive
vehicles and residence by hand. This frequently necessitates
several back and forth trips. When a householder transports
clothing articles, such as topcoats, full length dresses, suits,
pants and skirts, from an automotive vehicle to a residence, the
householder usually grasps a large number of hangers and slings the
clothing over his or her shoulder, causing significant hand pain.
In addition, the clothing articles are compressed together and the
expense of commercial pressing is, to a certain extent, wasted.
There is, to our knowledge, no currently available household cart
capable of carrying garments on hangers, simultaneously with
carrying other items, such as groceries, particularly heavy items
such as cases of beverages. Further, many household carts of which
we are aware are relatively expensive and difficult to
maneuver.
[0004] It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved, relatively inexpensive and highly
flexible household cart having the capability of carrying many
different types of household items.
[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved relatively inexpensive household cart having a handle
which can be positioned in several different positions on the
cart.
[0006] A further object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved household cart that can be easily stowed in a trunk (i.e.,
a boot in the United Kingdom) of an automobile.
[0007] An additional object of the invention is to provide a new
and improved household cart including a handle having plural
operative positions and which can be stowed on the cart so the cart
can be easily stored in a relatively small volume, such as an
automobile trunk or behind a door or in a closet of a
residence.
[0008] An added object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved household cart including a handle selectively having
relatively short and long lengths, selectively enabling the cart to
(1) be easily stowed and (2) carry relatively large clothing
apparel items, such as topcoats, full length dresses, suits, pants
and skirts.
[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved household cart which can easily be wheeled about a kitchen
and is arranged so items to be stored in kitchen receptacles, such
as cabinets and refrigerators, can easily be removed from the cart,
without bending.
[0010] An additional object of the invention is to provide a new
and improved household cart having a handle for carrying household
items, wherein the handle is positioned relative to wheels of the
cart to minimize the likelihood of cart tipping.
[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved household cart having a base for securely carrying
relatively heavy articles, such as beverage cases and watermelons,
as well as heavier household articles such as refrigerators, and
having a handle for carrying other household items.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a household
cart comprises a household item carrying base including first and
second receptacles adjacent the base back edge for selectively
receiving first and second opposed legs of a handle for carrying
household items. The first and second receptacles are positioned to
cause the handle to extend substantially transversely of the base,
between side edges of the base in proximity to two wheels adjacent
the base back edge. The base also includes third and fourth
receptacles positioned (1) between the side edges for selectively
receiving the first and second opposed legs of the handle and (2)
to cause the handle to extend substantially longitudinally of the
base between the base front and back edges. To stabilize the base
while the handle is in the third and fourth receptacles, the base
includes at least one and preferably two wheels adjacent the base
front edge.
[0013] Preferably, for stabilization, the third and fourth
receptacles are approximately midway between the side edges and the
cart includes four wheels, having locations defining a rectangle.
For added stability the two back wheels are closer to the back edge
than the first and second receptacles. The handle is positioned
between a transverse center line of the cart and the back edge when
the handle is in situ in the first and second receptacles. A
structure on the handle for receiving the household items is
arranged so that when the handle is in situ in the first and second
receptacles the structure and its contents apply a torque on the
handle tending to turn the handle away from the back edge and
toward the transverse center line.
[0014] As an added feature, studs downwardly depending from the
base receive hooks of at least one elasticized tie down cord. The
base includes openings for receiving the tie down cords for holding
household items in place on the base.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention a
household cart comprising a household item carrying base carries
two wheels adjacent its back edge and two wheels adjacent its front
edge and a handle for carrying household items. The base includes a
pair of receptacles for selectively receiving first and second
opposed legs of the handle. The four wheels have locations defining
a rectangle on the base. Each wheel is mounted on a housing having
a structure protruding downwardly from the base adjacent each of
the sides of the base. The handle has spring properties and a
geometry such that inner portions of the first and second legs
thereof frictionally engage and are frictionally held in place by
the spring properties of the handle and the protruding structure of
the housing for each of the four wheels.
[0016] Another aspect of the invention concerns a household cart
for carrying various household items comprising a household item
carrying base including at least two wheels and a handle for
carrying household items. The handle includes selectively
extendable legs for enabling the effective length of the handle to
be changed at will. The handle when (a) in an expanded position has
a length sufficient to carry a topcoat on a hangar suspended from
an upper part of the handle and (b) in a retracted position has a
length short enough to enable the cart to be placed in a trunk of
an automobile. When the cart is placed in the automobile trunk, the
legs of the handle extend in a plane generally parallel to the face
of the base.
[0017] The above and still further objects, features and advantages
of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of
the following detailed descriptions of several specific embodiments
thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of a cart in accordance with a first
embodiment of the invention, wherein a handle of the cart is in its
primary position, extending transversely of a wooden base in front
of rear caster wheels;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view of the structure illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top view of the cart configuration illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of the cart illustrated in FIG. 1,
wherein the handle is in its secondary position, extending
longitudinally of the base;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a front view of the structure illustrated in FIG.
4;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of the cart configuration illustrated
in FIGS. 4 and 5;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the base illustrated in
FIGS. 1-6, with the handle in the position illustrated in FIGS.
1-3;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the base illustrated in FIGS.
1-7, without the handle being inserted into the base;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the base, with the handle stowed
in place on skirts carried by wheel assemblies of the base;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a partial side sectional view of one leg of the
handle and a preferred assembly for enabling the handle to expand
selectively;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a front view of a modified handle in accordance
with the invention;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a side view of the handle illustrated in FIG.
11;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a modified version of the base
of the cart, wherein the base is fabricated of molded plastic;
and
[0031] FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the base illustrated in
FIG. 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawing wherein
household cart 20 is illustrated as including laminated pressed
plywood rectangular base 22, carrying four caster assemblies 24,
26, 28 and 30, in proximity to each of the four corners of the
base. Base 22 includes four receptacles 32, 34, 36 and 38 in the
form of cylindrical bores or holes for selectively receiving legs
40 and 42 of inverted U-shaped extendable handle 44. Receptacles 32
and 34 are located approximately halfway between the back edge of
base 22 and transverse center line 64 of the base. Receptacles 32
and 34 are positioned close to longitudinally extending side edges
of base 22, somewhat outside the positions where caster assemblies
24-30 are located relative to the base side edges. Receptacles 36
and 38 are on longitudinal center line 66, equispaced from the
front and back edges of base 22, and are spaced from each other by
the same distance that receptacles 32 and 34 are spaced from each
other.
[0033] Handle 44 includes hooks 51-55 bonded, e.g. by welding, to
sheet metal hangar bar 56, fixedly secured by blind rivets 57 to
the front of legs 40 and 42. Hooks 51-54 are adapted to carry
household items, particularly household items in plastic bags of
the type frequently used in packing grocery items at supermarkets.
The upper portion of handle 44 includes backwardly extending bent
arms 58 and 60, respectively connected to legs 40 and 42. Hooks
51-55 are equispaced from each other, with hook 53 aligned with
longitudinal center line 66 of base 22. Since three hooks 51, 53
and 55 are located toward transverse center line 64 and only two
hooks 52 and 54 are located toward the back edge of base 22, any
tendency for cart 20 to tip as a result of the torque exerted by
handle 44 on base 22 is virtually eliminated. With handle 44 in its
primary position so bar 56 is transverse to the length of base 22
while legs 40 and 42 are in receptacles 32 and 34 (FIGS. 1-3), the
handle is positioned so hooks 51, 53 and 55 extend toward the
center of base 22, while hooks 52 and 54 extend toward the rear
edge of the base, where caster assemblies 26 and 30 are
located.
[0034] Hangar bar 56, which carries hooks 51-55 and extends
parallel to the floor of base 22, extends between and is connected
to legs 40 and 42 slightly below the intersections of legs 40 and
42 with arms 58 and 60. Bar 56 assists in stabilizing the position
of legs 40 and 42 relative to each other. Tubular horizontal leg
62, extending parallel to bar 56, connects arms 58 and 60 to each
other.
[0035] Arms 58 and 60 are bent toward the rear edge of base 22,
enabling handle 44 to be easily grasped while a householder pushes
cart 20 by grasping the handle in its primary position illustrated
in FIGS. 1-3. Tubular leg 62 is aligned with a transverse line
extending across base 22, between the back edge of the base and the
place on the base where rear caster assemblies 26 and 30 are
mounted on the base. Such a location enables the householder to
easily push cart 20 along flat surfaces and pull the cart up
staircases and street curbs.
[0036] When handle 44 is in its secondary position (FIGS. 4-6) so
legs 40 and 42 are respectively in receptacles 36 and 38, bar 58
extends longitudinally of the base, parallel to the side walls of
the base, between longitudinal center line 66 and one side edge of
the base. In this position, tubular leg 62 is approximately twice
as far from longitudinal center line 66 as it is from one of the
longitudinally extending side edges of base 22. With handle 44 in
the secondary position and the handle in the extended position, so
tubular leg 62 is approximately 52" above the floor of base 22,
clothes on clothes hangers (not shown) are easily and stably
mounted on the tubular leg. The 52.degree. height of tubular leg 62
above the floor of base 22 enables elongated clothing items, such
as men's topcoats, pants, skirts and full length dresses to be
suspended by hangars placed on the tubular leg without the clothing
items contacting base 22. Simultaneously, grocery bags and bags
containing other household items can be mounted on hooks 51-55.
[0037] The configuration is quite stable and tipping is virtually
precluded by hanging bags containing household items on hooks 51,
53 and 55 while clothes are hung from tubular leg 62. The hanging
bags on hooks 51, 53 and 55 tend to equalize the counterbalancing
torque exerted on legs 40 and 42 by the clothes hung from tubular
leg 62. The location of caster assemblies 24-30 on base 22 and the
position of caster assemblies 24-30 relative to receptacles 34-40
are such that the torque of the household items and/or garments on
hooks 51-55 and 70-72 of handle 44 does not cause base 22 to
tilt.
[0038] In an alternate configuration, illustrated in FIGS. 11 and
12, handle 44 does not include rearwardly extending arms 58 and 60
nor does it include hangar bar 56. Instead, in the configuration
illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, handle 44 merely includes legs 40
and 42 and tubular transversely extending leg 62. In the
configuration of FIGS. 11 and 12, hooks 51-55 extend from
transverse leg 62, instead of from a hangar bar. In addition, hooks
70 and 72 are mounted on vertically extending legs 40 and 42 at
approximately the same place where hangar bar 56 is attached to
legs 40 and 42 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6. Hooks 70 and 72
extend in the same direction as hooks 51, 53 and 55, i.e., toward
transverse center line 64 of base 22. The alternate arrangement of
FIGS. 11 and 12 is somewhat less expensive than the handle
configuration of FIGS. 1-6, but is not as maneuverable.
[0039] As previously indicated, legs 40 and 42 of handle 44
selectively lengthen and shorten, so in a first shortened position,
tubular leg 62 is approximately 34" above the upper face of base 22
and in the second, extend position, the tubular leg is
approximately 54" above the base upper face. To this end, each of
legs 40 and 42 selectively includes two tubes 74 and 76, FIG. 10.
In the extended position, both of tubes 74 and 76 are connected
together, but in the shortened position, only upper tube 74 is
used.
[0040] Lower, extender tube 76 includes flared wall 78, extending
between lower smaller diameter cylindrical section 80 and upper
larger diameter cylindrical section 82. Upper cylindrical section
82 has an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter
of lower cylindrical section 80 and the outer diameter of upper
tube 74, thereby enabling the lower end of tube 74 to fit into
upper section 82 of tube 76, above flared wall 78. The bottoms of
upper and lower tubes 74 and 76 are identical, enabling (1) either
of tubes 74 and 76 to fit into receptacles 32, 34, 36 and 38 of
base 22, and (2) upper tube 74 to fit into cylindrical upper
section 82 of tube 76.
[0041] To these ends, inverted U-shaped spring blades 84 and 86 are
respectively inserted into the bottom portions of tubes 74 and 76.
Each of springs 84 and 86 includes a side leg 88 that frictionally
engages and runs along the lower portion of the interior walls of
tubes 74 and 76. Each of springs 84 and 86 includes a further leg
90, having a lower edge frictionally engaging the interior walls of
tubes 74 and 76 at locations diametrically opposite from the
portions of the tubes engaged by legs 88. Legs 88 are held in place
and selectively released from tubes 74 and 76 by extender release
buttons 92 and chamfered retention button 94, both spring biased by
one of springs 84 or 86; buttons 92 and 94 are fixedly mounted on
leg 88 of each of springs 84 and 86. Buttons 92 and 94 on the
spring 84 located in tube 74 respectively extend through circular
openings 96 and 98 in the side wall of tube 74 engaged by leg 88.
Openings 96 and 98 are spaced from each other by the same distance
buttons 92 and 94 are spaced from each other. Upper cylindrical
portion 82 of tube 76 includes elongated slot 100 through which
chamfered button 94 extends. The diameters of release and retention
buttons 92 and 94 are slightly smaller than the diameters of
circular openings 96 and 98 and the widths of slots 100 in the
tubes of handle legs 40 and 42. The chamfered, i.e., inclined,
portion of button 94 extends through the lower portion of slot 100,
with the upper segment of button 94 extending through both opening
98 and slot 100. Buttons 92 and 94 on spring 86 in tube 76 interact
with tube 76 in much the same way that buttons 92 and 94 interact
with tube 74 and cylindrical upper portion 82 of tube 76, except
that chamfered button 94 extends only through a slot in tube 76 and
does not extend through an opening in the second tube.
[0042] Each of tubes 74 and 76 carries, between buttons 92 and 94,
a flange 102, including a neck 104 bonded to the exterior wall of
its respective tube 74 or 76. Each of flanges 102 also includes a
radially extending ear 106, having a flat bottom face. The flat
bottom face of ear 106 on tube 76 engages the flat upper face of
base 22 while handle 44 is in its extended position.
Simultaneously, button 94 engages the exposed, lower face of washer
108 that is fixed to the bottom face of base 22. One of washers 108
surrounds each of the cylindrical bores forming receptacles 32, 34,
36 and 38. Flanges 102 and washers 108 function similarly to
bushings, to absorb a substantial amount of the torque exerted by
legs 40 and 42 of handle 44 on the walls of receptacles 24-30, to
reduce significantly the tendency of the cylindrical bores
comprising receptacles 32, 34, 36 and 38 to expand with use. In
addition, flanges 102 limit how far handle legs 40 and 42 can be
inserted into receptacles 32-38 by functioning as limit stops for
the legs.
[0043] Because release buttons 92 are spaced from flanges 102, a
householder is able easily to operate the release buttons. Because
of the chamfer on retention buttons 94, the retention buttons slip
into slots 100 in the tubes of handle legs 40 and 42 without action
by the householder. When tubes 74 are inserted deep enough into
extension tube 76 or into base 22 or is stopped by flange 102,
retention buttons 94 are released from the inner walls of tube 74
or 76, whereby spring blades 86 move the retention buttons
outwardly.
[0044] Release buttons 92 hold handle 44 in place and prevent
accidental removal of handle 44 from base 22 or tube 74 from tube
76. Retention buttons 94 allow a householder to lift the cart by
pulling tubular leg 62 upwardly so the cart can be pulled up steps
and street curbs. To disassemble handle 44, the householder presses
release buttons 94 and pulls tubes 74 or 76 out of receptacles
32-40 in base 22 or extension tubes 76. Release buttons 92 are
longer than retention buttons 94 so motion of each release button
is transferred to its associated retention button through the
spring blade 88 to which the buttons are bonded. To assist in the
motion transfer, spring blade 88 includes arcuate metal backing 107
that extends between and slightly beyond buttons 92 and 94, to
provide a reinforced, i.e., stiffened, region between the buttons.
By pressing release button 92, retention button 94 is pulled
completely beyond the interior wall of tube 74 or 76 to the inside
of the tube, to enable the tube to be pulled out of one of
receptacles 24-30 or the extender tube 76.
[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 8, each of caster wheel
assemblies 24, 26, 28 and 30 is of a conventional type, including
wheel 110 (preferably having a 21/2 diameter), mounted on axle 112,
in turn mounted on sheet metal skirts 114 and 116 which protrude
downwardly from the bottom face of base 22. The upper ends of
skirts 114 and 116 are attached to bridge 118 carrying a bearing
assembly (not shown). Bridge 118 is fixedly mounted on and
suspended from plate 124, including a circular opening 126 at each
of its four corners. Caster assemblies 24-30 are secured to base 22
by inserting carriage bolts 128 through openings 126 and bores in
base 22. Each of the carriage bolts is fixed to base 22 with the
aid of a spring washer and hexagonal nut. Alternatively, the swivel
caster assemblies 24-30 are mounted on the base with four round or
flat head screws inserted into the bottom side of base 22. Caster
assemblies 24-30 are mounted so wheels 110 can swivel through
360.degree. and so the caster assemblies do not interfere with
anything mounted on the bottom of base 22, to allow for easy
movement of cart 20 in any direction.
[0046] Caster assemblies 24, 26, 28 and 30 are positioned on the
bottom face of base 22 and handle 44 is dimensioned, has a shape
and has spring properties such that the handle can be stowed on the
base by snapping the handle to the caster assemblies, as
illustrated in FIG. 9. The separation between exterior, spring like
skirts 114 of front casters 24 and 28 and the separation between
exterior skirts 114 of rear caster assemblies 26 and 30 are
slightly greater than the spacing between the wall surfaces of legs
40 and 42 facing toward longitudinal center line 66. Handle 44,
being made of thin walled aluminum tubing, has spring properties
enabling tubes 74 of legs 40 and 42 to be pulled slightly apart so
the retracted handle 44 can be placed over skirts 114 while caster
wheels 110 extend toward the front edge of base 22, parallel to
longitudinal axis 66 of base 22. The spring properties of handle 44
and skirts 114 provide a secure friction fit between the handle
legs and the caster assemblies 24-30 SO the handle is maintained in
situ adjacent the bottom face of base 22.
[0047] In the preferred embodiment, wherein base 22 has a length of
18" and a width of 14" and the spacing between the interior
portions of legs 40 and 42 of handle 44 is 10", skirts 114 of
caster assemblies 24 and 28 are spaced from each other by 101/8 as
are skirts 114 of caster assemblies 26 and 30, when the caster
wheels 110 are in the position described above, and illustrated in
FIG. 9. During storage and transport of cart 20, extension tubes 76
of handle 44 are secured to the bottom face of base 22 by
elasticized cord 136. The stated dimensions of retracted handle 44
and base 22 enable the entire cart to fit in small volumes in a
residence (including an efficiency apartment) and into the trunk of
virtually all automobiles. Sufficient space is left in automobile
trunks for household items that have been purchased from the
grocery store or the like.
[0048] Base 22, being 5/8" thick in the preferred embodiment, can
carry relatively heavy items, such as cases of beverages and
watermelons, which are not suitably loaded onto hooks 51-55 or 70
and 72 of handle 44. To assist in loading such household items on
base 22, the base carries one or more elasticized cords on a pair
of studs 130 and 132 downwardly depending from the bottom face of
base 22. Studs 130 and 132 are formed as hex head screws threaded
into the bottom face of base 22, adjacent diagonally opposite
caster assemblies 24 and 30, respectively. Studs 130 and 132,
positioned between caster assemblies 124 and 130 and transverse
center line 64, are spaced from each other to receive hooks 134
fixedly mounted on opposite ends of elasticized cord 136,
preferably the conventional bungee type. Studs 130 and 132 are long
enough (preferably so the heads thereof are about 1" from the
bottom face of base 22) to receive at least one and, if possible,
two elasticized cords 136, each having a length, from hook to hook,
of approximately 18".
[0049] Base 22 includes circular openings 140, 142, 144, 146, 148
and 150 for receiving hooks 134 of cords 136 when the cords are
used as tie downs for relatively heavy household articles placed on
the upper face of base 22. Each of openings 141, 142, 144 and 146
has a relatively small diameter and is located equidistant from
longitudinal center line 66, with openings 144 and 146 being spaced
from the front edge of base 22 by the same amount that openings 140
and 142 are spaced from the back edge of the opening. In one
preferred embodiment, each of openings 140-146 has a diameter of
approximately 1/2 and its center is about 11/2" from the adjacent
front or back edge and approximately 11/2" from longitudinal center
line 66. Each of larger openings 148 and 150 is equispaced from an
adjacent side edge of base 22 and has its center point located
substantially on transverse center line 64. In a preferred
embodiment, each of openings 148 and 150 has a diameter of
approximately 11/2" and its center point is approximately 21/2"
from its adjacent side edge.
[0050] The stated location of openings 140-150 enables hooks 134 of
cords 136 to be placed in the holes without interference of handle
44 in both upright positions of the handle. To this end, the
preferable locations of the center and circular bores (preferably
about 3/4" diameter) constituting receptacles 32, 34, 36 and 38 are
for receptacles 32 and 34, 1" from each side wall and 41/2" from
the back edge of base 22 and for receptacles 36 and 38, 3" from the
front and back edges of base 22 on axis 66. Of course, when
elasticized cords 136 are used as tie down devices with hooks 134
in holes 140-150, the elasticized cord is stretched over the
relatively heavy object and exerts a force against the object, to
hold it in place on the top face of base 22.
[0051] The household cart of the invention can also be used as a
dolly for heavier household articles, such as refrigerators. For
such a use, handle 44 is completely removed from base 22 and the
householder places the heavier article on the base. Tie down ropes
for the heavier article preferably extend through openings 140-146
and around and/or over the heavier article on base 22. A
householder pushes the article loaded on the cart, to move the cart
and the article it carries.
[0052] One use of the cart is to transport relatively long
garments, such as topcoats, full length dresses, skirts and pants.
For this function, handle 44 is in the extended position, so hooks
51-55 are approximately 52" above the top face of base 22. With
such a spacing between hooks 51-55 and the top face of base 22, the
elongated clothing items, when carried by a hangar suspended from
the hooks, do not contact the base. The clothing articles are not
compressed against each other while the cart carries them because
the hung articles are individually suspended from hooks 51-55 or
from bar 56 or tubular leg 62.
[0053] Reference is now made to FIGS. 13 and 14 of the drawing, an
illustration of a second embodiment of the invention wherein
laminated plywood base 22 is replaced by molded plastic base 160
having approximately the same size and shape as the wooden base.
However, plastic base 160 has rounded corners instead of corners
defined by a pair of side edges that intersect each other at
90.degree.. In one preferred embodiment, base 160 is 5/8" thick and
includes reinforcing ribs 162 having a height of approximately 1"
and a thickness of approximately 1/8". Molded plastic base 160 is
preferably a high or low density thermoplastic material which can
be recycled, e.g., low grade polyethylene. Reinforcing ribs 162 are
interlaced to reinforce the needed standoff and to leave free
regions where hooks and cords are located. Ribs 162 extend
longitudinally transversely and diagonally with eight ribs
extending radially from each of the significant load bearing
openings in base 160 corresponding to receptacles 32, 34, 36 and
38, as well as the mounting locations for caster assemblies 24, 26,
28 and 30 and the regions on base 160 corresponding to the
locations of studs 130 and 132. Molded base 160 includes downwardly
depending center stud 164 from which eleven ribs 162 extend
radially. Base 160 includes sloping front, back and side walls 166
which effectively function as skirts, having the same height as
ribs 162 and stud 164. Each of openings 140-150 has a reinforced
annular edge 168, resulting from increasing the thickness of base
160 from 5/8" to 1".
[0054] Base 160 includes four wells 170, one for receiving each of
caster assemblies 24, 26, 28 and 30. Each of wells 170 includes a
protruding and slanted standoff 172, including bore 174 for
receiving stem 176 of a different one of the caster assemblies.
Stem 176 includes a horizontal groove carrying O-ring 178. Bore 174
includes a groove for receiving O-ring 178, so the O-ring functions
as a retention ring for the caster assembly, to hold the caster
assembly in place on base 160. Standoff 172 extends below skirt 166
to provide an adequate reinforced base to hold stem 176 in place;
in a preferred embodiment, standoff 172 is long enough to
accommodate a 1.25" long stem. Base 160 has an enlarged thickness,
equal to the height of skirt 166, at the location of each of the
cylindrical bores defining receptacles 24, 26, 28 and 30. The
enlargement is defined by a frustoconical segment 180, having a
tapered side wall 182, extending downwardly and inwardly from a
base on the bottom face of base 160. Side wall 182 slopes
87.5.degree. from its intersection with the lower face of base 160,
as do skirt 166 and standoff 172.
[0055] Base 160 also includes a pair of frustoconical downwardly
extending extensions 186, each having the same height as skirts 166
and the same side wall sloping dimensions as side wall 182 of
frustoconical extension 180. Extensions 186 include a threaded bore
for receiving hex head screws 130 and 132 on which one or two
elasticized cords 136 are mounted by hooks 134.
[0056] While there have been described and illustrated several
specific embodiments of the invention, it will be clear that
variations in the details of the embodiments specifically
illustrated and described may be made without departing from the
true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims.
* * * * *