U.S. patent number RE48,237 [Application Number 16/138,295] was granted by the patent office on 2020-10-06 for utility cart with lock box.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Geerpres, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Geerpres, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph J. Fodrocy, Anton D. Jerovsek, Jeffrey R. Kolbe, Scott E. Ribbe.
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United States Patent |
RE48,237 |
Fodrocy , et al. |
October 6, 2020 |
Utility cart with lock box
Abstract
A utility cart with lock box which includes a fixed housing
portion mounted to the top of a cart storage unit, and a rotating
housing portion rotatably mounted to the fixed housing portion. The
fixed housing portion includes spaced sidewalls joined to a clear
see through arcuate back wall, and an open front. The rotating
housing portion includes spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see
through arcuate front wall, and an open back. The rotating housing
portion is dimensioned such that it can be rotated rearwardly up
and over the fixed housing to provide access to items stored in the
fixed housing portion, or under the closed rotating housing
portion. Alternatively the rotating housing can be rotated
forwardly and downwardly to enclose all items in the lock box. The
items located in the lock box are visible whether the box is opened
or closed.
Inventors: |
Fodrocy; Joseph J. (Muskegon,
MI), Jerovsek; Anton D. (Grand Haven, MI), Kolbe; Jeffrey
R. (Muskegon, MI), Ribbe; Scott E. (West Olive, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Geerpres, Inc. |
Muskegon |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Geerpres, Inc. (Muskegon,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
55851755 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/138,295 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
14528623 |
Oct 30, 2014 |
9452768 |
Sep 27, 2016 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B
3/005 (20130101); B62B 5/06 (20130101); B62B
3/004 (20130101); E05C 3/042 (20130101); E05B
65/52 (20130101); E05B 65/52 (20130101); B62B
3/004 (20130101); B62B 3/005 (20130101); B62B
2202/22 (20130101); B62B 5/06 (20130101); B62B
2202/50 (20130101); B62B 2202/22 (20130101); B62B
2202/50 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62B
3/00 (20060101); E05B 65/52 (20060101); B62B
5/06 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
"Consumer Crafts"; Jul. 7, 2014;
https://web.archive.org/web/20140707175211/http://www.consumercrafts.com/-
store/details/catalog/storage-general-multi-use-organizers/5301-10.
cited by examiner .
Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Geerpres first edition on carts. cited by
applicant .
Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Geepres second edition. cited by applicant
.
Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Geerpres first edition both painted. cited
by applicant .
Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Geerpres second edition on carts. cited by
applicant .
Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Rubbermaid. cited by applicant .
Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Venmop. cited by applicant .
Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Royce Rolls. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Reip; David O
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mitchell Intellectual Property Law,
PLLC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A utility cart comprising: a wheeled base; a storage unit
located on and projecting upwardly from said wheeled base to a top
surface having at least two upwardly projecting spaced top
sidewalls projecting upwardly a short distance from said top
surface; a lock box mounted on said top surface, said lock box
including: a first housing portion mounted on said top surface of
said storage unit, and a second housing portion rotatably mounted
to said first housing portion; said first housing portion including
spaced sidewalls joined to .[.a clear see through.]. .Iadd.an
.Iaddend.arcuate back wall having a first radius, and an open
front; said spaced sidewalls of said first housing being seated
between and mounted to said spaced top sidewalls; said second
housing portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see
through arcuate front wall having a second radius, and an open
back; said second housing portion being approximately the same
shape as said first housing portion, but being dimensioned just
slightly larger than said first housing portion from sidewall to
sidewall, and in said radius of its arcuate front wall, such that
said second housing portion is configured to be rotated rearwardly
up and over said first housing portion to provide access to items
stored in or in front of said first housing portion, and said
second housing portion being configured to be rotated forwardly and
downwardly to enclose all items in said lock box, with any items
located in said lock box being visible whether said lock box is
opened or closed.
2. The utility cart of claim 1 in which said storage unit also
includes a top back wall projecting upwardly a short distance from
said top surface; said back wall of said first housing portion of
said lock box extending down inside said top back wall of said
storage unit.
3. The utility cart of claim 2 wherein each said sidewall of said
first housing portion including a lower edge which includes a notch
therein adjacent said top back wall which projects upwardly from
said top surface, which prevents that portion of each said sidewall
of said first housing portion from hitting said top back wall and
interfering with said back wall of said first housing portion of
said lock box extending down inside said top back wall of said
storage unit.
4. The utility cart of claim 2 in which: said second housing
portion is rotatably mounted to said first housing portion by axle
pins; said back wall of said first housing portion of said lock box
and said front wall of said second housing portion of said lock box
each define about a quarter of a cylinder, said arcuate front wall
being joined to a lower front wall, and said arcuate back wall
being joined to a lower rear wall, and said lower front wall and
said lower back wall each extend generally straight down from their
junction with said arcuate front and rear walls respectively; said
sidewalls of said first housing portion having front edge portions
and said sidewalls of said second housing having rear edge sidewall
portions, said front edge portions of said first housing portion
and said rear edge portions of said second housing portion
overlapping; said axel pins pass through said over lapping front
edge portions and rear edge portions of said first and sidewalls of
said second housing; and said axel pins are also located at
approximately the axis of said quarter cylinders defined by said
arcuate front wall and said arcuate back wall, respectively.
5. The utility cart of claim 4 in which: a handle flange of "L"
shaped cross section is secured to and extends across the width of
said lower front wall of second housing portion.
6. The utility cart of claim 5 in which: said arcuate front wall of
second housing portion includes a top edge, and a second handle
flange of "L" shaped cross section is secured to said arcuate front
wall of said second housing portion at said top edge thereof.
7. The utility cart of claim 6 in which: a stop projects from said
back wall of said first housing portion to limit the rearward
rotation of said second housing portion to its open position.
8. The utility cart of claim 7 in which: a lock is located on said
lower front wall of said second housing portion; said lock includes
a key lock locking cylinder with a depending lock arm having a
notch in a lower extremity thereof; said storage unit including a
top front wall projecting upwardly a short distance from said top
surface, said top front wall including a detent projecting
therefrom adjacent said lock when said second housing portion is in
its closed position; said lock being rotatable to engage said notch
with said detent to lock said second housing portion in its closed
position.
9. A utility cart comprising: a wheeled base; a storage unit
located on and projecting upwardly from said wheeled base to a top
surface; a lock box mounted on said top surface, said lock box
including: a first housing portion mounted on said top surface of
said storage unit, and a second housing portion rotatably mounted
to said first housing portion; said first housing portion including
spaced sidewalls joined to .[.a clear see through.]. .Iadd.an
.Iaddend.arcuate back wall, and an open front; said second housing
portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through
arcuate front wall, and an open back; said second housing portion
being dimensioned such that said second housing portion is
configured to be rotated rearwardly up and over said first housing
portion to provide access to items stored in or in front of said
first housing portion, and is configured to be rotated forwardly
and downwardly to enclose all items in said lock box, with any
items located in said lock box being visible whether said lock box
is opened or closed; said second housing portion is rotatably
mounted to said first housing portion by axle pins; said back wall
of said first housing portion of said lock box and said front wall
of said second housing portion of said lock box each define about a
quarter of a cylinder, said arcuate front wall being joined to a
lower front wall, and said arcuate back wall being joined to a
lower rear wall, and said lower front wall and said lower back wall
each extend generally straight down from their junction with said
arcuate front and rear walls respectively; said sidewalls of said
first housing portion having front edge portions and said sidewalls
of said second housing having rear edge sidewall portions, said
front edge portions of said first housing portion and said rear
edge portions of said second housing portion overlapping; said axel
pins pass through said over lapping front edge portions and rear
edge portions of said first sidewalls of said second housing; and
said axel pins are also located at approximately the axis of said
quarter cylinders defined by said arcuate front wall and said
arcuate back wall, respectively.
10. The utility cart of claim 9 in which: a handle flange of "L"
shaped cross section is secured to and extends across the width of
said lower front wall of second housing portion.
11. The utility cart of claim 10 in which: said arcuate front wall
of second housing portion includes a top edge, and a second handle
flange of "L" shaped cross section is secured to said arcuate front
wall of said second housing at said top edge thereof.
12. The utility cart of claim 11 in which: a stop projects from
said back wall of said first housing portion to limit the rearward
rotation of said second housing portion to its open position.
13. The utility cart of claim 12 in which: a lock is located on
said lower front wall of said second housing portion; said lock
includes a key lock locking cylinder with a depending lock arm
having a notch in a lower extremity thereof; said storage unit
including a top front wall projecting upwardly a short distance
from said top surface, said top front wall including a detent
projecting therefrom adjacent said lock when said second housing
portion is in its closed position; said lock being rotatable to
engage said notch with said detent to lock said second housing
portion in its closed position.
14. The utility cart of claim 9 in which: a stop projects from said
back wall of said first housing to limit the rearward rotation of
said second housing portion to its open position.
15. The utility cart of claim 9 in which: a lock is located on said
lower front wall of said second housing portion; said lock includes
a key lock locking cylinder with a depending lock arm having a
notch in a lower extremity thereof; said storage unit including a
top front wall projecting upwardly a short distance from said top
surface, said top front wall including a detent projecting
therefrom adjacent said lock when said second housing portion is in
its closed position; said lock being rotatable to engage said notch
with said detent to lock said second housing portion in its closed
position.
16. A utility cart comprising: a wheeled base; a storage unit
located on and projecting upwardly from said wheeled base to a top
surface; a lock box mounted on said top surface, said lock box
including: a first housing portion mounted on said top surface of
said storage unit, and a second housing portion rotatably mounted
to said first housing portion; said first housing portion including
spaced sidewalls joined to .[.a clear see through.]. .Iadd.an
.Iaddend.arcuate back wall, and an open front; said second housing
portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through
arcuate front wall, and an open back; said second housing portion
being dimensioned such that said second housing portion is
configured to be rotated rearwardly up and over said first housing
portion to provide access to items stored in or in front of said
first housing portion, and is configured to be rotated forwardly
and downwardly to enclose all items in said lock box, with any
items located in said lock box being visible whether said lock box
is opened or closed; said front wall of said second housing portion
of said lock box having a bottom edge; a lock being located near
said bottom edge of said front wall of said second housing portion;
said lock includes a key lock locking cylinder with a depending
lock arm having a notch in a lower extremity thereof; said storage
unit including a top front wall projecting upwardly a short
distance from said top surface, said top front wall including a
detent projecting therefrom adjacent said lock when said second
housing portion is in its closed position; said lock being
rotatable to engage said notch with said detent to lock said second
housing portion in its closed position.
17. A utility cart comprising: a wheeled base; a storage unit
located on and projecting upwardly from said wheeled base to a top
surface having at least two upwardly projecting spaced top
sidewalls projecting upwardly a short distance from said top
surface; a lock box mounted on said top surface, said lock box
including: a first housing portion mounted on said top surface of
said storage unit, and a second housing portion rotatably mounted
to said first housing portion; said first housing portion including
spaced sidewalls joined to .[.a clear see through.]. .Iadd.an
.Iaddend.arcuate back wall, and an open front; said second housing
portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through
arcuate front wall, and an open back; said second housing portion
being dimensioned such that said second housing portion is
configured to be rotated rearwardly up and over said first housing
portion to provide access to items stored in or in front of said
first housing portion, and is configured to be rotated forwardly
and downwardly to enclose all items in said lock box, with any
items located in said lock box being visible whether said lock box
is opened or closed; each said second housing sidewall including an
inside facing its said opposite sidewall, and also having a bottom
edge; and an alignment flange extending from said inside of each
said second housing sidewall downwardly a short distance below said
bottom edge of said sidewall, such that as said second housing is
lowered into its closed position, said alignment flanges pass
closely adjacent to one of said top sidewalls, to help align said
sidewalls of said second housing and prevent said second housing
portion from wracking or shifting from side to side relative to
said top sidewalls.
.Iadd.18. The utility cart of claim 1 in which said arcuate back
wall of said first housing comprises a clear see through arcuate
back wall..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The utility cart of claim 9 in which said arcuate back
wall of said first housing comprises a clear see through arcuate
back wall..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The utility cart of claim 16 in which said arcuate back
wall of said first housing comprises a clear see through arcuate
back wall..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The utility cart of claim 17 in which said arcuate back
wall of said first housing comprises a clear see through arcuate
back wall..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of utility carts with
lock boxes. Such carts are often used as cleaning carts. They
typically include a wheeled base with a storage unit mounted
thereon, a handle for moving the cart and for hanging items
thereon, such as waste bags, and a lock box mounted on top of the
storage unit. These lock boxes typically have doors which can be
locked closed, flip up tops which can be locked closed, and in one
case a tambour door.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The utility cart of the present invention includes a lock box
comprising a fixed housing portion mounted to the top of the cart
storage unit, and a rotating housing portion rotatably mounted to
the fixed housing portion. The fixed housing portion includes
spaced sidewalls joined to .[.a clear see through.]. .Iadd.an
.Iaddend.arcuate back wall, and an open front. The rotating housing
portion includes spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through
arcuate front wall, and an open back. The rotating housing portion
is dimensioned such that it can be rotated rearwardly up and over
the fixed housing to provide access to items stored in the fixed
housing portion, or under the closed rotating housing portion.
Alternatively the rotating housing can be rotated forwardly and
downwardly to enclose all items in the lock box. The items located
in the lock box are visible whether the box is opened or
closed.
These and other features of the invention will be more fully
understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the
preferred embodiments and the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment lock box
utility cart;
FIG. 2 is a close up front perspective view of the closed lock box
mounted on the top tray of the utility cart;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the assembled fixed and rotating
housing portions only in closed condition;
FIG. 4 is a close up front perspective view of the open lock box
mounted on the top tray of the utility cart, also showing various
cleaning supplies located on the top tray of the cart;
FIG. 5 is a close up rear perspective view of the lock box mounted
on the top tray of the utility cart; and
FIG. 6 is a close up of the locking mechanism of the lock box.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the preferred embodiment, utility cart 1 has a base platform 10
with wheels 11, a storage unit 20 and a lock box 30 mounted atop
storage unit 20 (FIG. 1). Lock box 30 includes a fixed housing
portion 40 which is mounted to the top 21 of the cart storage unit
20, and a rotating housing portion 50 rotatably mounted to fixed
housing portion 40 at axle pins 55 (FIGS. 1-3). The fixed housing
portion includes spaced sidewalls 41 joined to a clear see through
arcuate back wall 42, and an open front (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5). The
rotating housing portion 50 includes spaced sidewalls 51 joined to
a clear see through arcuate front wall 52, and an open back.
Sidewalls 41 and 52 are preferably made of metal or rigid plastic,
and arcuate back wall 42 and arcuate front wall 52 are preferably
made of clear plastic.
Both fixed housing 40 back wall 42 and rotating housing 50 front
wall 52 define about a quarter of a cylinder, except for the lower
front portion 52a of front wall 52, and the lower rear portion 42a
of back wall 42 (FIG. 3). Front wall portion 52a and back wall
portion 42a extend generally straight down from their junction with
the arcuate portions of front and rear walls 52 and 42
respectively.
The axel pins 55 pass through over lapping portions of sidewalls 51
and 41 near their rear and front edges respectively. Axel pins 55
are also located at approximately the center of the cylinder
portions defined by arcuate front wall 52 and arcuate back wall 42,
respectively.
Rotating housing portion 50 is dimensioned just slightly larger
such that it can be rotated rearwardly up and over the fixed
housing 40 to open the front of fixed housing 40 and provide access
to items located in the fixed housing portion (FIG. 4). This also
provides access to items located in forwardly of fixed housing 40,
which are enclosed under rotating housing portion when it is in its
closed position. Rotating housing portion 50 can be rotated
forwardly and downwardly (FIGS. 1 and 2) to close the open front of
fixed housing 40, and to cover those items located outside of and
forwardly of fixed housing 40. Thus all items in the lock box are
thereby enclosed, and lock box 30 can be locked closed using key
lock 60 (FIG. 6). The items located in the lock box are visible
whether the box is opened or closed.
Platform 10 preferably extends forwardly of storage unit 20, such
that a cleaning bucket and sundry other items can be carried
thereon. Storage unit 20 as shown is a cabinet with a closeable
door, a handle 22 projecting rearwardly therefrom and an auxiliary
platform 24 located atop handle 22. Hanger brackets 23 are
positioned on cabinet 20.
The top 21 of cabinet 20 comprises a tray, in that it includes an
upwardly extending perimeter sidewall 21a projecting a short
distance above top 21. Top 21 is sometimes referred to herein as
tray 21. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that sidewalls 41 of
fixed housing 40 extend downwardly further than the sidewalls 51 of
rotating housing 50, to define a mounting portion 41a, shown shaded
in FIG. 3. Similarly, the generally straight back wall portion 42a
of fixed housing 40 extends straight downwardly from the arcuate
portion of back wall 42, further than the front wall 52 of rotating
housing 50 extends downwardly, to provide a back wall mounting
portion 42b. These lower mounting portions 41a and 42b fit down
inside the perimeter tray sidewall 21a and are secured thereto, to
hold fixed housing portion in place over approximately half of top
21. A notch 41c at the rear lower edge of each sidewall 41 prevents
that portion of sidewall 41 from hitting the rear perimeter wall
21a of tray 20 and interfering with the insertion of rear wall
mounting portion 41b into tray 20 adjacent the rear portion of
perimeter wall 21a.
Rotating housing portion 50 is approximately the same shape as
fixed housing portion 40, but is dimensioned just slightly larger
than fixed housing 40 from sidewall to sidewall, and in the radius
of its arcuate front wall, such that it can be rotated up and over
fixed housing 40 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, or can be rotated
forwardly and downwardly into its closed position as shown in FIGS.
1 and 2, with the bottom edges of sidewalls 51 and front wall 52
resting on top of tray sidewall 21a. An alignment flange 56 is
secured to the inside of each rotating housing sidewall 51, and
extends a short distance below the bottom edge of sidewall 51 (FIG.
4). As rotating housing 50 is lowered into its closed position,
alignment flanges 56 pass down to the inside of, and closely
adjacent to their adjacent portion of tray perimeter sidewall 21a.
Alignment flanges 56 help align the sides 51 of rotating housing 50
relative to the top edge of perimeter wall 21a, and prevent rotary
housing from wracking or shifting sideways relative to perimeter
wall 21a.
A handle flange 53 of "L" shaped cross section is secured to and
extends across the width of rotating housing 50 at the bottom edge
thereof (FIG. 2). A similar handle flange 54 is secured to rotating
housing 50 at the top edge thereof (FIG. 5). Handle 53 and 54
facilitate rotation of housing 50 between its opened and closed
positions. A stop 45 projects from the back of fixed housing 40 to
limit the rotation of housing 50 to its open position.
Lock 60 is located near the bottom edge of front wall 51 of
rotating housing 50. Lock 60 includes a key lock locking cylinder
61 with a depending lock arm 62 having a notch 63 in the lower
extremity thereof. When lock 60 is rotated to its lock position,
notch 63 closes over a detent pin 25 which projects inwardly from
front perimeter sidewall 21a. In this manner, rotating housing 50
can be locked in its closed position.
In use, various containers of cleaning products or other items can
be placed in the top tray 21 atop storage container 20 (FIG. 4).
Lock box 30 is opened by unlocking and rotating housing portion 50
to its open position, making the items in lock box 30 accessible
for use. A cleaning bucket and other items can be placed on the
forward portion of platform 10 and a refuse bag 2 hung from handle
22. Items can be removed from tray 21, used, temporarily located on
handle platform 24, and ultimately located back on tray 21. After
use, lock box 30 can be rotated closed and locked shut by lock 60,
thereby denying access to items located on tray 21.
Of course, it is understood that the forgoing is a description of
preferred embodiments, and that various changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *
References