U.S. patent application number 14/877622 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-13 for interlocking primary and secondary cart assemblies with lock and release mechanisms.
The applicant listed for this patent is Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Pradeep Balakrishnan, Jeffrey M. Collins, Andrew S. Ward.
Application Number | 20170101119 14/877622 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58499553 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170101119 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins; Jeffrey M. ; et
al. |
April 13, 2017 |
INTERLOCKING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CART ASSEMBLIES WITH LOCK AND
RELEASE MECHANISMS
Abstract
An interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly may include
a primary cart assembly including a primary support platform
configured to support a primary working device and wheels
operatively connected to the primary support platform that movably
support the primary support platform spaced from a floor and a
secondary cart assembly including a secondary support platform
configured to support a secondary working device and wheel
connected to the secondary platform that moveably support the
secondary support platform spaced from the floor. The assembly may
further include a lock and release mechanism including a primary
lock and release component connected to the primary cart assembly
and a secondary lock and release component connected to the
secondary cart assembly wherein the secondary lock and release
component aligns with the primary lock and release component for
locking therewith with the secondary cart assembly positioned on
the primary support platform of the primary cart assembly.
Inventors: |
Collins; Jeffrey M.;
(Davisburg, MI) ; Ward; Andrew S.; (Tecumseh,
MI) ; Balakrishnan; Pradeep; (Ann Arbor, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America,
Inc. |
Erlanger |
KY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58499553 |
Appl. No.: |
14/877622 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 2202/48 20130101;
B62B 2202/022 20130101; B62B 3/104 20130101; B62B 2207/02 20130101;
B62B 2202/90 20130101; B62B 3/18 20130101; B62B 3/02 20130101; B62B
2207/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62B 3/18 20060101
B62B003/18 |
Claims
1. An interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly comprising:
a primary cart assembly comprising a primary support platform
configured to support a primary working device thereon and wheels
operatively connected to the primary support platform that movably
support the primary support platform spaced from a floor; a
secondary cart assembly comprising a secondary support platform
configured to support a secondary working device thereon and wheels
operatively connected to the secondary platform that moveably
support the secondary support platform spaced from the floor; and a
lock and release mechanism comprising a primary lock and release
component connected to the primary cart assembly and a secondary
lock and release component connected to the secondary cart
assembly; wherein the secondary lock and release component aligns
with the primary lock and release component for locking therewith
with the secondary cart assembly positioned on the primary support
platform of the primary cart assembly.
2. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 1
wherein the secondary cart assembly includes a foldable support
structure.
3. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 2
wherein the foldable support structure is supported by at least one
secondary wheel, the secondary wheel movable to a folded position
when the secondary cart assembly is connected to the primary cart
assembly.
4. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 3
wherein the secondary wheel is pivotally connected to the secondary
cart assembly.
5. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 1
where the lock and release mechanism includes a handle, the handle
rotatable from an unlocked to a locked position.
6. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 1
wherein the lock and release mechanism includes an aperture and a
hook, the hook positioned on one of the primary cart assembly or
the secondary cart assembly, the aperture positioned on the other
of the primary cart assembly or the secondary cart assembly.
7. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 1
wherein the primary cart assembly is configured to hold a welding
machine.
8. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 7
wherein the secondary cart assembly is configured to hold a tank,
the tank connectable to the welding machine.
9. An interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly comprising:
a primary cart assembly comprising a primary support platform
configured to support a primary working device thereon and at least
one wheel operatively connected to the primary support platform
that movably support the primary support platform spaced from a
floor; a secondary cart assembly comprising a secondary support
platform configured to support a secondary working device thereon
and at least one wheel operatively connected to the secondary
platform that moveably support the secondary support platform
spaced from the floor; and a lock and release mechanism comprising
a primary lock and release component connected to the primary cart
assembly or the primary working device; and a secondary lock and
release component connected to the secondary cart assembly; wherein
the primary support platform of the primary cart assembly is
configured to support and connect to the secondary cart assembly
and the secondary working device, the secondary lock and release
component aligns with the primary lock and release component for
locking therewith with the secondary cart assembly positioned on
the primary support platform of the primary cart assembly.
10. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 9
wherein the primary support platform of the primary cart assembly
is configured to support the secondary cart assembly and the
secondary working device.
11. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 9
wherein the primary support platform of the primary cart assembly
is configured to support the secondary platform, the secondary cart
assembly and the secondary working device.
12. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 9
wherein the primary cart assembly is configured to hold a welder
machine, the primary support platform of the primary cart assembly
having an upper surface area configured to support both the welder
machine and the secondary cart assembly.
13. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim
12 where the upper surface area of the primary cart assembly is
further configured to support a tank connected to the secondary
cart assembly.
14. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 9
wherein the lock and release mechanism is generally positioned at a
midway point on the secondary cart assembly.
15. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim 9
wherein the primary cart assembly is configured to hold a welding
machine.
16. The interlocking primary and secondary cart assembly of claim
15 wherein the secondary cart assembly is configured to hold a
tank, the tank connectable to the welding machine.
17. A method of using an interlocking primary and secondary cart
assembly comprising the steps of: rotating a secondary cart
assembly onto a primary support platform of the primary cart
assembly, the primary cart assembly comprising a primary support
platform configured to support a primary working device thereon and
wheels operatively connected to the primary support platform that
movably support the primary support platform spaced from a floor,
the secondary cart assembly comprising a secondary support platform
configured to support a secondary working device thereon and wheels
operatively connected to the secondary platform that moveably
support the secondary support platform spaced from the floor; and
securing the secondary cart assembly to the primary cart assembly
using a lock and release mechanism thereby allowing for
transportation of the interlocking primary and secondary cart
assembly as a one piece assembly.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of securing
the secondary cart assembly to the primary cart assembly by
connecting a primary lock and release component to a secondary lock
and release component.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of aligning
the primary lock and release component to the secondary lock and
release component prior to securing the secondary cart assembly to
the primary cart assembly.
20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of
transporting by rolling of the interlocking primary and secondary
cart assembly as a one piece assembly.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present specification relates to cart assemblies and
more specifically, interlocking primary and secondary cart
assemblies with lock and release mechanisms.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is often the case that relatively heavy machines or
components of machines must be moved separately, but are then
connected together to perform an operation. For example, a user may
separately transport a tank and a welder machine when it is
desirable to move the welder machine from point A to point B. Such
separate moving of relatively heavy objects can provide ergonomics
challenges. Accordingly, there exists a need for primary and
secondary cart interlocking assemblies for transporting multiple
components, where those components may have a use together.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, an apparatus for an interlocking primary
and secondary cart assembly may include a primary cart assembly
including a primary support platform configured to support a
primary working device thereon and wheels operatively connected to
the primary support platform that movably support the primary
support platform spaced from a floor and a secondary cart assembly
including a secondary support platform configured to support a
secondary working device thereon and wheel operatively connected to
the secondary platform that moveably support the secondary support
platform spaced from the floor. The assembly may further include a
lock and release mechanism including a primary lock and release
component connected to the primary cart assembly and a secondary
lock and release component connected to the secondary cart assembly
wherein the secondary lock and release component aligns with the
primary lock and release component for locking therewith with the
secondary cart assembly positioned on the primary support platform
of the primary cart assembly.
[0004] In another embodiment, an interlocking primary and secondary
cart assembly includes a primary cart assembly having a primary
support platform configured to support a primary working device
thereon and at least one wheel operatively connected to the primary
support platform that movably support the primary support platform
spaced from a floor, a secondary cart assembly comprising a
secondary support platform configured to support a secondary
working device thereon and at least one wheel operatively connected
to the secondary platform that moveably support the secondary
support platform spaced from the floor and a lock and release
mechanism comprising a primary lock and release component connected
to the primary cart assembly or the primary working device and a
secondary lock and release component connected to the secondary
cart assembly wherein the primary support platform of the primary
cart assembly is configured to support and connect to the secondary
cart assembly and the secondary working device, the secondary lock
and release component aligns with the primary lock and release
component for locking therewith with the secondary cart assembly
positioned on the primary support platform of the primary cart
assembly.
[0005] In another embodiment, a method of using an interlocking
primary and secondary cart assembly including the steps of rotating
a secondary cart assembly onto a primary support platform of the
primary cart assembly, the primary cart assembly comprising a
primary support platform configured to support a primary working
device thereon and wheels operatively connected to the primary
support platform that movably support the primary support platform
spaced from a floor, the secondary cart assembly comprising a
secondary support platform configured to support a secondary
working device thereon and wheels operatively connected to the
secondary platform that moveably support the secondary support
platform spaced from the floor and securing the secondary cart
assembly to the primary cart assembly using a lock and release
mechanism thereby allowing for transportation of the interlocking
primary and secondary cart assembly as a one piece assembly.
[0006] These and additional features provided by the embodiments
described herein will be more fully understood in view of the
following detailed description, in conjunction with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative
and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject
matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of
the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in
conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is
indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a primary cart assembly and a secondary
cart assembly in a disconnected configuration moving towards the
primary cart assembly according to one or more embodiments shown
and described herein;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates the primary cart assembly and the
secondary cart assembly in an intermediate configuration positioned
to rotate onto the primary cart assembly for interlocking therewith
according to one or more embodiments shown and described
herein;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates the primary cart assembly and the
secondary cart assembly interlocked forming an interconnected
primary and secondary cart assembly according to one or more
embodiments shown and described herein;
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates the interconnected primary and secondary
cart assembly with the secondary cart assembly in a folded-in
position according to one or more embodiments shown and described
herein;
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the interlocked primary and
secondary cart assembly before the secondary cart assembly is
secured to the primary cart assembly according to one or more
embodiments shown and described herein; and
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the interlocked primary and
secondary cart assembly after securement of the secondary cart
assembly to the primary cart assembly according to one or more
embodiments shown and described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Embodiments described herein relate to an interlocking
primary cart assemblies and secondary cart assemblies to provide an
interlocked primary and secondary cart assembly that can be
transported as a single unit. The interlocked primary and secondary
cart assembly includes a lock and release mechanism that can move
between a locked configuration, locking the primary cart assembly
and the secondary cart assembly, and a release configuration that
allows separation of the primary cart assembly from the secondary
cart assembly allowing for separate movement of the primary and
secondary cart assemblies relative to one another.
[0015] The interlocking primary and secondary cart assemblies can
provide an improved system for connecting and transporting a welder
tank to a welder machine. The primary cart assembly, for example,
can be configured to include the welder machine. Similarly, the
secondary cart assembly can be configured to include the welder
tank for use with the welder machine. The primary cart assembly can
be configured to allow the secondary cart assembly to be rotated
onto a platform of the primary cart assembly and then secured to
the primary cart assembly allowing the entire interlocked primary
and secondary cart assembly to be moved together as a one piece
assembly during use.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, an interlocking primary and secondary
cart assembly 100 includes a primary cart assembly 102 and a
secondary cart assembly 104. In a general sense, the secondary cart
assembly 104 is adapted to rest on and travels with the primary
cart assembly 102. The primary cart assembly 102 has a primary
support platform 138 that is configured to hold the welding machine
106 or other working device in a generally permanent fixed
position. The secondary cart assembly 104 is configured to hold a
tank 108 or other working device which supplies fuel or otherwise
interacts with the welding machine 106.
[0017] The secondary cart assembly 104 includes a handle 110 and a
support structure 112 including support beams 114, 118. The support
beams 114, 118 are connected by a pivot point 162 and include a
locking mechanism 116. The support beams 114, 118 connect to a main
cart portion 125 at pivot points 120, 126 and allow the support
structure 112 to fold in to a compressed configuration, such as
illustrated in FIG. 4. The secondary cart assembly 104 includes a
plurality of wheels 122, 124 allowing the user to more readily push
the secondary cart assembly 104 from a first position to a second
position. The wheels 122, 124 also support a secondary support
platform 130 at a location above the floor and allow pivoting of
the secondary support platform 130 relative to the floor.
[0018] The secondary cart assembly 104 includes the secondary
support platform 130 allowing the tank 108 to rest on the secondary
support platform 130. The tank 108 includes an upper end 154 and a
lower end 152. The lower end 152 is adapted to rest on an upper
surface 127 of the secondary support platform 130.
[0019] The secondary cart assembly 104 further includes a secondary
lock and release mechanism 160. The secondary lock and release
mechanism 160 includes a latch 136. The latch 136 is adapted to
connect to a primary lock and release component 161 comprising a
hook 148 provided on the welding machine 106. Alternatively, the
hook 148 may be connected directly to the primary car assembly 102
including the welding machine 106.
[0020] The primary cart assembly 102 includes a lower support
structure 163 comprising the primary support platform 138 and a
side support structure 144 comprising a handle 146. The support
structure 138 is adapted to hold the welding machine 106 on the
primary support platform 138. The primary cart assembly 102 further
includes the handle 146 and a plurality of wheels 140, 142. The
plurality of wheels 140, 142 support the primary support platform
138 at a location above the floor. The primary support platform 138
extends to an extended support structure 156 having an upper
surface 134. The extended support structure 156 extends forward,
beyond the wheels 142, and is arranged to engage with a lower
surface 132 of the platform 130 of the secondary cart assembly 104
as will described in greater detail below.
[0021] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the secondary cart assembly 104
rotating onto the primary cart assembly 102 and locking the
secondary cart assembly 104 to a locked configuration. The
directional arrow 150, as illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrates the
secondary cart assembly 104 moving towards the primary cart
assembly 102. FIG. 2 illustrates an intermediate second position
before rotation where the platform 130 begins to come into contact
with the extended support structure 156 of the primary cart
assembly 102. In this example, the secondary support platform 130
is rotated to an elevation at least partially above the extended
support structure 156 and is used as a lever to raise the tank 108
onto the primary support platform 138.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates the secondary cart assembly 104 rotating
onto the primary support platform 156 of the primary cart assembly
102. After the secondary cart assembly 104 is rotated up and onto
the primary cart assembly 102, the secondary cart assembly 104 can
be locked to the primary cart assembly 102. As can be seen, the
lock and release mechanism 165 includes the primary lock and
release component 161 and secondary lock and release mechanism 160
that align the secondary cart assembly 104 on the support platform
138 of the primary cart assembly 102. Once the secondary cart
assembly 104 is locked to the welding machine 106, the support
structure 112 of the secondary cart assembly 104 may be moved to a
compressed configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0023] The lock and release mechanism 165 is illustrated in further
detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 illustrates the lock and release
mechanism 165 before the latch 136 has been engaged. FIGS. 5 and 6
illustrate the secondary cart assembly 104 holding the tank 108
after the secondary cart assembly 104 has been rotated onto the
primary support platform 138 of the primary cart assembly 102. The
primary support platform 138 has a sufficient surface area to
accept the platform 130. Specifically, primary support platform 138
may have at least 3 times the length of the platform 130. Further,
when rotating the platform 130 onto the primary support platform
138, there can be an at least 1/3 overlap of the second support
platform 130 over the extended support structure 156 (such as shown
in FIG. 2) to allow the user to gain sufficient rotation and
leverage.
[0024] The secondary cart assembly 104 can include a cradle
structure 105 configured to hold the tank 108. The secondary cart
assembly 104 includes the secondary lock and release component 160.
The secondary lock and release component 160 includes a handle 170
pivotally connected to the latch 176. The latch 176 is connected to
the handle 170 at a pivot point 174. The latch 176 includes an
aperture 178 arranged to connect with the hook 184 of the welding
machine 106. The latching mechanism 160 is connected to the
secondary cart assembly 104 by means of a connector portion 180.
The primary cart assembly 102 (or the welding machine 106) includes
the primary lock and release component 161 including the hook 184
having a hook portion 186. The hook portion 186 is arranged to
connect with the aperture 176 of the latch 174.
[0025] In an unlocked configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the
lock and release mechanism 165 is illustrated before securement.
FIG. 6 illustrates the lock and release mechanism 165 in a secured
and locked position where the latch 176 is provided over and
connected to the hook 184. In some embodiments, the hook 184 may be
connected directly to the primary cart assembly 102 rather than
connected directly to the welding machine 106.
[0026] The secondary lock and release component 160 can be provided
approximately midway up the secondary cart assembly 104. The
latching mechanism 160 can be provided at this location to be
convenient to the user allowing the user to easily lock and secure
the latching mechanism 160. Further, the secondary lock and release
component 160 can be provided at the upper end of the welding
machine 106 to raise the center of gravity and provide a more
secure connection of the tank cart to the primary cart assembly
102.
[0027] Accordingly, provided herein is an improved cart assembly
for moving relatively heavy objects. Specifically, the present
specification provides for a primary and secondary cart
interlocking assemblies for transporting multiple components, where
those components may have a use together, such as a welding machine
and a corresponding tank. The primary and secondary cart
interlocking assemblies allow for simultaneous movement of the
primary cart assembly and the secondary cart assembly as a single
assembly thereby wielding improved ergonomics to the user.
[0028] It is noted that the terms "substantially" and "about" may
be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty
that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value,
measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized
herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative
representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting
in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at
issue.
[0029] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it should be understood that various other
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although
various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described
herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is
therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes
and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
* * * * *