Utility transport wagon for mobility scooter or mobility device

Abstract

The invention provides a utility transport wagon to be used with mobility scooters or other mobility device designed to carry cargo or children passengers, and a hitch system to adapt a mobility scooter or power chair to tow the wagon. The body is canopied and the floor is molded to form two seats at each end of the wagon. Located at each end of the wagon floor is a hinged backrest that folds flush with the floor when not in use. The canopy is supported by four collapsible or telescoping poles, these poles fitting into cylindrical openings at each top corner of the Wagon's sides. The poles collapse into the openings when not in use. The front wheels of the Wagon are mounted on each end of a pivoting, steering axle.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/403,979 filed Sep. 24, 2010, of Anthony T. Grato entitled, "Utility Transport Wagon for Mobility Scooter or Mobility Transport Device."

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention pertains to the field of utility wagon devices, and more specifically to the field of mobility vehicle utility wagon devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The prior art has put forth several designs for mobility vehicle utility wagon devices. Among these are:

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,440 to Cardell I. Jones describes a wheelchair detachably coupled with a mobile accessory, by a hitch. The hitch includes a J-bar and bracket assemblies. The J-bar may be pivoted between operational and stowed positions on the wheelchair.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,957 to Stephen P. Mendon describes a lightweight towable trailer for a wheelchair having a quick disconnect support member attachable to the frame of a wheelchair. A trailer is wheeled and pivotable about the wheelchair. A basket for carrying items is supported between the sides of the trailer.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,730 to James L. Sattler describes a cart having a platform base adapted to support a user and further including a connector assembly mounted to the front end of the base for rigidly connecting the base to a personal mobility vehicle.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,528 to David W. Walker, Sr. and Janice Walker describes a wheelchair and trailer system comprising a trailer which has a planar support in a generally rectangular configuration.

[0008] None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved mobility vehicle utility wagon device for use with a mobility scooter or mobility device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is an elevational angled perspective view of the device of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a close-up elevational angled perspective view of a portion of the device of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a close-up elevational angled perspective view of the device of the present invention attached to a mobility device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention, hereinafter referred as Utility Transport Wagon for Mobility Scooter or Mobility Device, is designed to carry cargo or children passengers, and a hitch system to adapt a mobility scooter or power chair to tow the wagon.

[0014] The body of the Utility Transport Wagon for Mobility Scooter or Mobility Device is produced in tough and durable, UV-resistant injection-molded thermoplastic and the floor is molded to form two seats at each end of the wagon.

[0015] Located at each end of the wagon floor is a hinged backrest that folds flush with the floor when not in use. Nylon seatbelts, similar to those used in baby strollers are threaded through the backrest. When the backrest is closed and sealed, the seatbelts are concealed within.

[0016] One side wall features a latching, hinged door and a storage compartment beneath the door for storing a canopy.

[0017] The canopy is fashioned from a durable, weatherproof synthetic material, and is supported by four collapsible or telescoping poles, these poles fitting into cylindrical openings at each top corner of the Wagon's sides. The poles collapse into the openings when not in use.

[0018] Molded cup-holders are located between the two seats.

[0019] Four tires are fabricated of rubber.

[0020] For most effectively ensuring that the Wagon follow in the exact path of the towing scooter, the front wheels of the Wagon are mounted on each end of a pivoting, steering axle.

[0021] The bail-type, D-ring towing, yoke, this yoke mounted at the lower front-center of the wagon box, equipped to swing up and down, and fitted with a straight towing bar that extends straight forward from the center of the D-ring bail, then terminates in a 90-degree downturn, this fitting into a drilled hole in the receiver plate of the hitch, mounted on the rear of the scooter, where the towbar is secured by a retaining pin.

[0022] The mounting apparatus is built of steel base plates and bolts, these bolting onto the center rear of the scooter or power chair seat, chassis, and/or bumper, and supporting a step-down, double-90-degree angle-iron towing bracket, the horizontally extending base of which bears the pre-drilled hole for receiving the terminal end of the towbar described above.

[0023] Because this product is used by children, the Utility Transport Wagon for Mobility Scooter/Mobility Device meets the rigorous standards and approval process of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, or JPMA.

[0024] With the Utility Transport WAGON for Mobility Scooter/Mobility Device, the user of a mobility scooter or power chair user has a simple, effective means of transporting groceries and other purchases or two delighted children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

[0025] Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mobility vehicle utility wagon device to carry cargo or children passengers, and a hitch system to adapt a mobility scooter or power chair to tow the wagon comprising an essentially rectangular wagon body having a floor and fours sides, four wheels, and the body of the device is produced in tough and durable, UV-resistant injection-molded thermoplastic, and wherein two hinged backrests fold flush with the floor when not in use is located at each end of the wagon floor, and the floor is molded to form two seats at each end of the wagon.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising nylon seatbelts, wherein the seatbelts are threaded through the backrest, and when the backrest is closed and sealed, the seatbelts are concealed under the backrest.

3. The device of claim further comprising a canopy comprising a durable, weatherproof synthetic material, and is supported by four collapsible or telescoping poles, these poles fitting into cylindrical openings at each top corner of the sides of the wagon, and wherein the poles collapse into the openings when not in use.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein one side wall comprises a latching, hinged door and a storage compartment under the door for storing the canopy.

5. The device of claim 3 further comprising molded cup-holders located between the two seats.

6. The device of claim 3 further comprising the four wheels comprising four tires fabricated of rubber.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein the front wheels of the wagon are mounted on each end of a pivoting, steering axle.

8. The device of claim further comprising a mounting apparatus comprising bail-type, D-ring towing, yoke, wherein the yoke is mounted at the lower front-center of the wagon body and the yoke equipped to swing up and down, and fitted with a straight towing bar that extends straight forward from the center of the D-ring bail, then terminates in a 90-degree downturn, wherein this fitting fits into a drilled hole in a receiver plate of a hitch, the hitch being mounted on the rear of the scooter, where a towbar is secured by a retaining pin.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the mounting apparatus is built of steel base plates and bolts, these bolting mounted onto the center rear of the mobility device chassis, or bumper, and supports a step-down, double-90 degree angle-iron towing bracket, the horizontally extending base of which bears the pre-drilled hole for receiving the terminal end of the towbar.