Cart with cam-action handle

Abstract

A cart having a handle and axle assembly, and which is operable to raise and lower the cart by moving the handle between a raised and lowered position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the cart in its raised position.

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the cart in its lowered position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 showing the cart in the raised position.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 showing the cart in the lowered position.

Claims

1. A cart comprising: a hopper;a handle assembly pivotally mounted on the hopper;pair of wheels mounted on the handle assembly;the handle assembly having a first position wherein the wheels support the hopper above an underlying surface; and,the handle operable to a second position wherein the wheels are retracted and the hopper is resting on the underlying surface.

2. A cart according to claim 1 wherein the handle includes: a rear cross member;left and right wheel supports pivotally mounted on the hopper; and,left and right side members connecting the respective left and right wheel supports to the rear cross member.

3. A cart according to claim 2 wherein the left and right wheel supports are oriented at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the respective left and right side members.

4. A cart according to claim 2 wherein the left and right wheels are mountable at a plurality of preselected positions on the respective left and right wheel supports, each preselected position selected to support the hopper at a predetermined height above the underlying surface when the handle is in the first position.

5. A cart according to claim 2 wherein the hopper can be pivotally mounted at a plurality of preselected positions to the left and right wheel supports.

6. A cart according to claim 1 further comprising a retractable stand mounted on the hopper and operable to support the hopper.

7. A cart according to claim 1 further comprising left and right brackets mounted on the hopper and positioned to receive the respective left and right axles when the handle is moved to the first position.

8. A cart according to claim 1 further comprising a clamp to secure the handle cross member to the hopper when the handle is in the first position.

9. A cart according to claim 4 further comprising left and right axles rotatably supporting the respective left and right wheels and each of which includes a threaded distal end; and, wherein the plurality of preselected positions are defined by a plurality of threaded holes in the left and right wheel supports.

10. A cart according to claim 1 wherein the hopper includes a removable front wall.

11. A cart according to claim 1 wherein the handle side members are extendable.