Claims
- 1. A utility cart, comprising:
a pair of spaced, generally parallel frame members having upper and lower ends; a collar disposed about each of the frame members and slidable therealong; a pair of front legs each having first and second ends, the first end connected to one of the collars and the second end supporting a wheel; a pair of rear legs each having first and second ends, the first end connected to one of the collars and the second end supporting a wheel; a lift bar connected to each of the collars, the lift bar being movable from a raised position where the collars are raised along the frame members and the legs and wheels are moved toward each other, to a lowered position where the collars are lowered along the frame members and the legs and wheels are moved away from each other such that the front and rear legs are generally parallel with each other and the wheels are extended to support the cart for movement on the ground.
- 2. The cart of claim 1, further comprising links connected pivotally at one end to the lower ends of the frame members and connected pivotally at the other end to the front and rear legs at a location intermediate the first and second ends.
- 3. The cart of claim 1, further comprising:
a bight portion that connects the first and second legs; a shelf connected to the bight portion and extending rearwardly toward the frame members; and straps connected between the rear of the shelf and the frame members, the straps being under tension when a load is carried by the shelf.
- 4. The cart of claim 3, further comprising a bumper connected to the bight portion and extending forwardly therefrom.
- 5. The cart of claim 1, further comprising:
a basket; and a basket carrier assembly for moving the basket up and down, the basket carrier assembly including: a pair of spaced, generally parallel channel members having upper and lower ends; a pair of toothed racks connected to the channel members and slidable therealong; a basket-supporting platform connected to the racks and projecting forwardly of the cart; a shaft disposed adjacent the racks and supported for rotation about a horizontal axis; a pair of pinions carried by the shaft, the pinions being in engagement with the racks; a driven pulley carried by the shaft; a drive pulley disposed adjacent the racks and supported for rotational movement about a horizontal axis; a crank arm having a handle connected to the drive pulley; and a drive belt reeved about the drive pulley and the driven pulley, whereby rotation of the crank arm will cause the pinions to be rotated so as to move the racks relative to the channel members.
- 6. The cart of claim 5, wherein the drive pulley is included as part of a ratchet clutch that permits the drive pulley to be rotated in either direction and stopped in any desired position.
- 7. The cart of claim 5, wherein the basket is connected to the racks by a hinged platform that can be pivoted between a folded position and an extended position, the connection between the platform and the platform being provided by:
a pair of generally L-shaped arms extending forwardly of the racks; a generally vertically oriented slot in each arm, an indent in the upper edge of each arm, and a stop extending forwardly of each arm; first and second pins projecting laterally from each side of the platform, the first pin being disposed in the slot and the second pin adapted to fit within the indent, whereby when the platform is extended, the underside of the platform engages the stop and the first pin engages the upper end of the slot, and when the platform is raised, the second pin fits within the indent.
- 8. A utility cart, comprising:
a pair of spaced, generally parallel channel members having upper and lower ends; a pair of toothed racks connected to the channel members and slidable therealong; a basket connected to the racks and projecting forwardly of the cart; a shaft disposed adjacent the toothed racks for rotation about a horizontal axis; a pair of pinions carried by a shaft, the pinions being in engagement with the racks; a driven pulley carried by the shaft; a drive pulley supported for rotational movement; a crank arm having a handle connected to the drive pulley; and a drive belt reeved about the drive pulley and the driven pulley, whereby rotation of the crank arm will cause the pinions to be rotated so as to move the racks relative to the channel members.
- 9. The cart of claim 8, wherein the drive pulley is included as part of a ratchet clutch that permits the drive pulley to be rotated in either direction and stopped in any desired position.
- 10. The cart of claim 8, wherein the basket is connected to the racks by a hinged platform that can be pivoted between a folded position and an extended position, the connection between the platform and the racks being provided by:
a pair of generally L-shaped arms extending forwardly of the racks; a generally vertically oriented slot in each arm, an indent in the upper edge of each arm, and a stop extending forwardly of each arm; first and second pins projecting laterally from each side of the platform, the first pin being disposed in the slot and the second pin adapted to fit within the indent, whereby when the platform is extended, the underside of the platform engages the stop and the first pin engages the upper end of the slot, and when the platform is raised, the second pin fits within the indent.
- 11. A basket for a utility cart, the basket being made primarily of welded wire rod and comprising:
a bottom wall having a rear upstanding flange and a front edge; a rear wall connected hingedly to the upstanding flange by clips; a front wall connected hingedly to the front edge of the bottom wall; side walls defined by telescoping rods, the rods extending between (a) the intersection between the bottom wall and the upstanding flange and (b) the upper edge of the front wall; and a U-shaped upper perimeter rod, the rod being connected hingedly to the upper edge of the rear wall and the upper edge of the front wall.
- 12. The basket of claim 11, further comprising:
a hinged gate included as part of the front wall, the gate being connected to the front wall by hinges that permit the gate to be raised and lowered relative to the front wall, and a pair of cuffs connected to the upper portion of the gate that extend laterally over a portion of the front wall, the cuffs engaging the front wall to hold the gate in a closed position and being vertically disengagable from the front wall to permit the gate to be hinged downwardly.
- 13. The basket of claim 11, further comprising:
a pair of spring-biased sleeves at the intersection of the upper perimeter rod and the front wall; and a pair of handles included as part of the upper perimeter rod.
- 14. A utility cart, comprising:
a frame having a pair of spaced tube members having upper and lower ends, a pair of spaced channel members having upper and lower ends, the tube members and the channel members being disposed parallel with each other, the channel members being disposed between the tube members, the tube members and the channel members being connected to each other by upper and lower braces and intermediate brackets; a wheeled support connected to the frame, including:
a collar disposed about each of the tube members and slidable therealong; a pair of front legs each having first and second ends, the first end connected to one of the collars and the second end supporting a wheel; a pair of rear legs each having first and second ends, the first end connected to one of the collars and the second end supporting a wheel; links connected pivotally at one end to the lower portion of the tube members and connected pivotally at the other end to the front and rear legs at a location intermediate the first and second ends; a lift bar connected to each of the collars, the lift bar being movable from a raised position where the collars are raised along the tube members and the legs and wheels are moved toward each other, to a lowered position where the collars are lowered along the tube members and the legs and wheels are moved away from each other such that the front and rear legs are generally parallel with each other and the wheels are extended to support the cart for movement on the ground; a basket carrier assembly connected to the frame, including:
a pair of toothed racks connected to the channel members and slidable therealong; a platform connected to the racks and projecting forwardly of the cart; a shaft connected to the intermediate brackets for rotation about a horizontal axis; a pair of pinions carried by the shaft, the pinions being in engagement with the racks; a driven pulley carried by the shaft; a drive pulley connected to the upper brace for rotation about a horizontal axis; a crank arm having a handle connected to the drive pulley; and a drive belt reeved about the drive pulley and the driven pulley, whereby rotation of the crank arm will cause the pinions to be rotated so as to move the racks relative to the channel members; a basket disposed on the platform; and a handle connected to the upper brace.
- 15. The cart of claim 14, further comprising:
a bight portion that connects the first and second legs; a shelf connected to the legs and the bight portion and extending rearwardly toward the tube members; straps connected between the legs and the tube members, the straps being under tension when a load is carried by the shelf; and a bumper connected to the bight portion and extending forwardly therefrom.
- 16. The cart of claim 14, wherein the drive pulley is included as part of a ratchet clutch that permits the drive pulley to be rotated in either direction and stopped in any desired position.
- 17. The cart of claim 14, wherein the basket is connected to the racks by a hinged platform that can be pivoted between a folded position and an extended position, the connection between the platform and the racks being provided by:
a pair of generally L-shaped arms extending forwardly of the racks; a generally vertically oriented slot in each arm, an indent in the upper edge of each arm, and a stop extending forwardly of each arm; first and second pins projecting laterally from each side of the platform, the first pin being disposed in the slot and the second pin adapted to fit within the indent, whereby when the platform is extended, the underside of the platform engages the stop and the first pin engages the upper end of the slot, and when the platform is raised, the second pin fits within the indent.
REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority from, and incorporates by reference, U.S. provisional application serial No. 60/209,342, filed Jun. 5, 2000.
Government Interests
[0002] This invention was made with government support under Small Business Innovation Research Program Grant Number 2 R44 AG1 1500-02, awarded by the National Institute of Health's National Institute on Aging. The government has certain rights in this invention.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US01/18155 |
6/5/2001 |
WO |
|
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60209342 |
Jun 2000 |
US |