U.S. patent application number 12/358609 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-30 for cleaning cart.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC. Invention is credited to Mark Allen Catron, David Mark Dobersztyn, Bryan Scott Ritchie.
Application Number | 20090189498 12/358609 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40898506 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090189498 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Catron; Mark Allen ; et
al. |
July 30, 2009 |
CLEANING CART
Abstract
The cart comprises a platform supported on wheels. A plurality
of vertical supports support a frame member at a spaced distance
from the platform. The frame member defines a first opening
disposed over a compartment. A door closes the opening to allow a
user to isolate the compartment from the external environment. The
door pivots from the closed position to the open position about two
axes such that the door can be opened and the compartment accessed
from different positions around the cart. In one open position the
door is stopped in an upstanding, substantially vertical position
such that the door is easily opened and closed. In a second open
position the door extends downward against the side of the cart
such that the door does not obstruct access to the compartment.
Inventors: |
Catron; Mark Allen;
(Winchester, VA) ; Dobersztyn; David Mark;
(Winchester, VA) ; Ritchie; Bryan Scott; (Clear
Brook, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOORE & VAN ALLEN PLLC
P.O. BOX 13706
Research Triangle Park
NC
27709
US
|
Assignee: |
Rubbermaid Commercial Products
LLC
Winchester
VA
|
Family ID: |
40898506 |
Appl. No.: |
12/358609 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61006637 |
Jan 24, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/249.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/1468 20130101;
B65F 1/1607 20130101; B65F 1/06 20130101; B62B 3/02 20130101; B62B
2202/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/249.8 |
International
Class: |
A47B 97/00 20060101
A47B097/00 |
Claims
1. A cart comprising: a frame supported on at least one wheel, said
frame defining an opening; a compartment communicating with said
opening; a door movable between a closed position in which said
door is disposed over said opening and a first open position and a
second open position, said door pivoting about a first axis as it
moves between said closed position and said first open position and
said door pivoting about a second axis as it moves between said
closed position and said second open position.
2. The cart of claim 1 further including a platform and a vertical
support supporting said frame.
3. The cart of claim 1 wherein said opening is disposed over said
compartment.
4. The cart of claim 1 wherein said first axis is perpendicular to
said second axis.
5. The cart of claim 1 wherein said door is supported on a movable
frame such that the door can pivot relative to the movable
frame.
6. The cart of claim 5 wherein said movable frame pivots about the
first axis relative to the frame.
7. The cart of claim 6 wherein said movable frame includes a first
pin and a second pin, said first pin and said second pin being
inserted in a first hole and a second hole formed in the frame such
that the first pin and the second pin rotate in the first hole and
second hole.
8. The cart of claim 5 wherein one edge of the door is pivotably
connected to said movable frame such that the door pivots about
said second axis.
9. The cart of claim 1 wherein upon rotation of said movable frame
about said first axis to said first open position, said door is in
a substantially vertical orientation in said first open
position.
10. The cart of claim 1 wherein the door remains in the first open
position and second open position unless a force is applied to the
door to close the door.
11. The cart of claim 1 further including a hand grab on said door
to allow the user to grasp an edge of said door.
12. The cart of claim 5 further including a hand grab on said
movable frame to allow the user to grasp said movable frame.
13. The cart of claim 1 wherein said door is suspended downwardly
from said frame in said second open position.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to the filing date of to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/006,637, as filed on Jan. 24, 2008, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to carts and more
particularly to a housekeeping or service cart that facilitates
trash collection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A typical housekeeping cart comprises a frame supported on
wheels such that the cart can be pushed or pulled around a service
area. For example such carts are used in hotel housekeeping
applications, janitorial services and the like. The frame may
support shelves for carrying supplies, tool/equipment holders or
the like. These carts also may include trash bag compartments where
a plastic trash bag/bag liner is supported for receiving trash.
Some carts use a pivoting door to close the trash bag compartment.
In known carts the door pivots about a single axis and requires the
user to hold the door open to access the trash compartment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The cart comprises a platform supported on wheels such that
the platform may be pushed or pulled across the floor. A plurality
of vertical supports support an upper frame member at a spaced
distance from the platform. The frame member defines a first
opening disposed over a compartment. A door closes the opening to
allow a user to isolate the compartment from the external
environment. The door pivots from the closed position to the open
position about two axes such that the door can be conveniently
opened and the compartment accessed from different positions around
the cart. In one open position the door extends generally
vertically upward to a stop position that allows the door to be
easily opened and closed. In the second open position the door
opens sideways and is suspended downward along the side of the cart
such that the door remains open without protruding vertically above
the upper frame member thus preventing the door from blocking
access to the compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cart of the
invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the door
assembly of the cart of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the door in a first
open position.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of FIG. 3.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the door moving toward
a second open position.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a more detailed view of FIG. 5.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the door in a second
open position.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment showing
the door in a first open position.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8
showing the door moving toward a second open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An embodiment of the cart of the invention is shown
generally at 1 in FIG. 1 and comprises a platform 2 supported on
wheels 4 such that the platform may be pushed or pulled across the
floor. The wheels 4 may comprise caster wheels that rotate around a
vertical axis. In one alternate embodiment the cart includes a pair
of caster wheels at the front of the cart and a pair of fixed
wheels at the back of the cart. A plurality of vertical supports 6
support an upper frame member 8 at a spaced distance from the
platform 2. The frame member 8 is positioned at a comfortable
height where it can be accessed by a user. In the illustrated
embodiment the frame member defines a first opening 10 disposed
over a compartment 12. Compartment 12 may comprise a flexible bag
or a rigid container. A disposable trash bag/bag liner may be
positioned inside of the trash compartment 12 such that trash is
deposited in the trash bag through opening 10. The trash bag can be
removed from the compartment 12 and disposed of when filled. A door
assembly 41 closes the opening 10 as will hereinafter be described.
Compartment 12 may be used for other purposes than trash collection
and removal.
[0015] The frame member 8 may also define a second opening 16 that
retains a bucket 20 or other storage compartment. A storage bin 19
may also be supported below the second opening 16 for retaining
equipment or supplies. The frame member 8 may also be provided with
various tool/equipment holders such as floor sign hook 22, smaller
storage compartments 24, hooks 26 for suspending cleaning
implements, slots 28 for retaining broom or mop handles and/or
other storage features. In the illustrated embodiment the platform
2 extends beyond the vertical supports 6 to create an open platform
surface 30 on which a bucket, vacuum cleaner or the like may be
supported. Further, the platform may extend beyond the sides of the
frame 8 to create smaller platform surfaces 29 on which the head of
a mop or broom may be supported with the handle located in slots
28. It will be appreciated that numerous changes in the layout of
the cart 1 can be made including, for example, adding additional
shelves, storage cabinets or the like. A handle 15 may be provided
for pulling or pushing the cart.
[0016] Door assembly 41 includes a door 40 that closes the opening
10 to allow a user to isolate the trash compartment from the
external environment. Door 40 is pivotably supported on movable
frame 42 such that it pivots from the closed position to the open
position about two axes such that the door can be conveniently
opened and the compartment accessed from different positions around
the cart. In one open position the door is easily open and closed.
In the second open position the door extends downward along the
side of the cart such that the door remains open and provides
unobstructed access to the compartment 12. In both open positions
the door remains open without the user having to manually hold the
door open until a force is applied to the door to close the door.
Door assembly 41 is configured to fit into opening 10 and close the
opening when the movable frame 42 and door 40 are in the closed
position.
[0017] Movable frame 42 comprises a form that is shaped and
dimensioned to fit into opening 10. Movable frame 42 defines an
internal opening 43 that is dimensioned to maximize the size of the
opening 43 relative to opening 10.
[0018] Movable frame 42 has a first corner pivotably mounted near
one corner of opening 10 and a second corner pivotably mounted near
the opposite corner of opening 10 such that movable frame 42 pivots
about axis A-A relative to the frame 8. In one embodiment the
pivoting connection between the movable frame 42 and the frame 8 is
created by extending pins 42a and 42b outward and along axis A-A.
Pins 42a and 42b are inserted into holes 47 and 49 formed in the
frame 8 such that the pins can rotate in the holes. The movable
frame 42 extends about opening 10 such that it lies closely
adjacent the periphery of opening 10 along side walls 10a, 10b and
10c.
[0019] One side edge 40a of the door 40 is pivotably connected to
movable frame 42 such that it pivots about axis B-B relative to the
bale 42. Door 40 is pivotably mounted on movable frame 42 such that
axis B-B is perpendicular to axis A-A and in substantially the same
plane. In one embodiment an axle 47 extends through holes 51 in the
door 40 and is supported at each end in holes 53 in the movable
frame 42 such that the door 40 can pivot on axle 47 about axis B-B.
Other connection mechanisms may be used provided that door 40 can
rotate relative to movable frame 42 about axis B-B.
[0020] The side walls 10a, 10b and 10c define a ledge 44 that
extends around the periphery of opening 10 on which movable frame
42 rests when the door assembly is in the closed position. The side
walls 10a, 10b and 10c and/or ledge 44 may also define hooks 49 or
other structure for holding a disposable trash bag open in
compartment 12.
[0021] In operation the user can pivot the door 40 to the open
position by pivoting the door relative to frame 8 either along axis
A-A or axis B-B. To temporarily open the door 40, the user grasps
the side edge 42b of movable frame 42 opposite to axis A-A. The
user lifts on edge 42b to pivot the movable frame 42 and door 40
about axis A-A. The door assembly 41 rotates about axis A-A a
distance sufficient to allow access to trash compartment 12. In one
embodiment the rotation of door assembly 41 about axis A-A is
limited by the engagement of door assembly 41 against the beveled
edge 8a of frame 8 such that door 40 is held in an upstanding
substantially vertical position. The door assembly 41 can return to
the closed position under the force of gravity if pushed by a user.
The movable frame 42 and door 40 can also be returned to the closed
position using a separate biasing mechanism such as a spring. It is
contemplated that the door assembly 41 will open a sufficient
distance such that it just remains in the open position in a
generally vertical orientation where it can quickly and easily be
closed by simply pushing the movable frame 42 closed. The end 40c
of door 40 extends above the axis of rotation A-A. In this
arrangement the movement of the door assembly 41 to the open
position will be stopped when the door assembly 41 just passes the
over-center position and is disposed substantially vertically
extending upward from frame 8. Movement of the door assembly 41 is
stopped by the engagement of the beveled surface 40e of door 40
with the beveled surface 8a of frame 8, although a separate stop
may be used. A hand or finger grab 48 may be provided in movable
frame 42 40 to allow the user to grasp edge 42b.
[0022] To fully open the door 40, the door 40 is grasped by the
user along side edge 40c opposite to edge 40d that is disposed
adjacent axis B-B. The user lifts on edge 40c to pivot the door 40
about axle 47 and axis B-B. A finger or hand grab 50 is provided
along edge 40c of door 40 that allows the user to grab the edge of
door 40. The door 40 rotates about axis B-B as door 40 pivots in
the holes provided in frame 8. The axis B-B is disposed outside of
the end wall 10d of opening 10 a distance sufficient to allow the
door 40 to pivot until it is disposed substantially vertically and
is suspended downwardly from the axle 47 as shown in FIG. 7. The
end 40c of door 40 extends down below the axis of rotation B-B. In
this position the door is completely out of the way of opening 10
and will remain in the open position until the user lifts and
rotates door 40 about axis B-B to the closed position.
[0023] Pivoting the door assembly 41 about axis A-A allows the user
to quickly open and close door assembly 41 to contain the
unpleasant smell and appearance of the trash in compartment 12 such
as in food courts. Such a use is also useful where the user is
collecting trash less frequently and walks further between trash
pick-ups. Pivoting the door 40 about axis B-B is useful in
applications where odor and appearance are less of an issue and
trash is collected frequently and the distance between trash
pick-ups is short. The system allows the user to open and close the
door quickly and/or leave the door open and out of the way for
accessibility. The system of the invention also allows the user to
access the trash compartment from different sides of the cart.
[0024] In one embodiment the door 40 and movable frame 42 are made
of a plastic such as ABS plastic. Other materials may be used.
Further, the system could be arranged with the frame 8 pivoted to
the supports 6 such that the frame 8, rather than the movable frame
42, pivots around axis B-B.
[0025] In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 a wire
form bale 101 is pivotably supported near one end of the opening
102 in frame 108 and pivots about a first axis A-A. The bale 101
extends around three sides of the opening 102. One side edge 110a
of the door 110 is pivotably connected to the bale 101 such that
the door 110 it pivots about a second axis B-B that is
perpendicular to the first axis A-A and in substantially the same
plane. The bale 101 pivots about axis A-A to completely open the
door 110 such that the door extends down and is suspended on the
bale. FIG. 9 shows the door 110 in a partially open position. In
the completely open position the door 110 will hang downward along
one side of compartment 112 suspended from bale 101. The bale 101
and door 110 can be lifted and rotated to close the door. The door
110 can also be rotated about the bale 101 about axis B-B to open
the door to a substantially vertical position where the door can be
quickly and easily open and shut as shown in FIG. 8. In this
position the engagement of the door 110 with the frame 108 stops
the door in an upstanding substantially vertical position as
shown.
[0026] Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention
has other applications in other environments. Many embodiments are
possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the
scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described
above.
* * * * *