LAUNDRY CART

Abstract

A laundry cart and methods for using it are described herein. The laundry cart has the ability to dump laundry from its shelves to the bottom surface of the laundry cart via rotatable shelves, eliminating the need to remove laundry from each shelf. In addition, the rotatable nature of the shelves allows the shelves to effectively close the laundry cart for effective transportation of laundry, minimizing spillage of laundry out of the laundry cart during transit.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to a laundry cart for transporting items and methods for using said laundry cart.

INTRODUCTION

Efficiently unloading and loading laundry while transporting it securely can be a burdensome task. A solution that allows for the quick removal of laundry, the efficient packing of laundry, and convenient transportability of laundry without losing laundry during transport would be quite helpful to those in the laundry industry.

SUMMARY

The present teachings include a laundry cart that is comprised of a bottom surface, at least one side surface, a back surface, at least one shelf, and at least one castor connected to the bottom surface's base for rollability. Typically there would be two parallel side surfaces, each connected at its base to the bottom surface, though one of skill in the art would acknowledge that cart may function with non-parallel side surfaces. The back surface is connected at its base to the bottom surface. The back surface may also be connected at perpendicular angles to the side surface, but one of skill in the art would recognize that other angles are possible. The laundry cart has at least one shelf, but can accommodate several shelves. Shelves, when parallel to the bottom surface, allow for items to be placed on the shelves. In one aspect, castors can connect to the base of the bottom surface by 5 inch by 7 inch plates with four mounting holes, but one of skill in the art would recognize that different plate dimensions and number of mounting holes are possible. Castors may range from 4 to 8 inches and may be swivel, non-swivel or a combination of both. The side surface and back surface comprise a ¾ inch frame, although one of skill in the art would recognize that other sizes may be used.

In accordance with a further aspect, the shelf rests on a rotating bar when the shelf is parallel to the bottom surface. The rotating bar spans the distance of a side surface to another side surface. While the rotating bar may have a ⅜ inch diameter, one of skill in the art would acknowledge that other dimensions are allowable.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, the at least one shelf has an arm that is in contact with the rotating bar. The arm fits around the rotating bar. When the shelf is parallel to the bottom surface, the arm stays in contact with the rotating bar.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, at the back of the shelf, there is a latch that allows the shelf to be supported by a side surface. The latch may be ⅜ inches, but one of skill in the art would recognize that other dimensions are possible based on the side surface.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, there is a spacer at opposing ends of the rotating bar to facilitate the movement of the shelf. The spacer may have a diameter of 1 inch, but other dimensions are possible dependent on the dimensions of the rotating bar. A washer sandwiched around the rotating bar also assists with movement of a shelf to various positions. The washer may be 1.5 inches, but other dimensions are possible, also dependent on the dimensions of the rotating bar. One of the skill in the art would recognize that the sizes of the spacer and washer are possible.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, the rotating bar rotates to allow the shelf to move to different positions. Indeed, in addition to being parallel to the bottom surface, the arm of the shelf may slide in relation to the rotating bar, allowing the shelf to be parallel to the back surface. Angles in between being parallel to the bottom surface and parallel to the back surface are also possible. At such angles, items on a shelf fall off the shelf.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, the shelf may rotate all the way to being parallel to the back surface and perpendicular to the side surface, effectively enclosing the cart and forming a front surface, which allows for transport with minimal item spillage. If shelves are parallel to the bottom surface, when being rolled, it is possible for items to easily fall off the cart. Making the shelves parallel to the back surface provides a barrier that keeps items in the cart.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, the bottom surface, in addition to being the connection for the castors, also serves as a shelf. While all other shelves are rotatable, the bottom surface is not rotatable and only acts as a shelf permanently affixed to the cart.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, the shelves are comprised of a pattern of parallel bars. The pattern allows for items to be hanged from the shelves.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, the shelf is removable from the cart, typically for repairs. In its usable state, the shelves are connected via their arms to the rotating bar.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, a hanger bar, in its non-use state, connects to the back surface by a magnet. The magnet keeps the hanger bar in its non-use state. For the hanger bar to be usable, it is flipped away from the back surface so that items may hang from it. While the magnet may connect to the back surface, it may also connect to the side surface to keep the hanger bar in the non-use state.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, the side surface and back surface may be comprised of a pattern of perpendicular and parallel bars. While 3/16 inch round bars may be used to create a 3 inch by 5 inch pattern of perpendicular and parallel bars, one of skill in the art would recognize that other sizes of bars forming different sizes of pattern are allowable.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, the shelves are rotatable so that items resting on the shelves may fall off, making it easier to collect items at the bottom of the cart as opposed to removing items from each shelf.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, the castors roll, allowing the cart to roll. While the cart may roll with shelves parallel to the bottom surface, it may also roll with shelves parallel to the back surface. In either configuration, it is possible to hang items from the hanger bar and from the shelves, as the shelves have a pattern that may accommodate hanged items.

The present teachings include methods for using the cart, comprising rotating shelves to allow items on the shelves to fall off, hanging items on the hanger bar after flipping it away from the back surface, and rotating the shelves so that they are parallel to the back surface.

In accordance with a further aspect, it is possible to use the cart while shelves are parallel to the bottom surface. In this configuration, items rest on shelves, as the shelves are not rotated so that items may fall off.

In accordance with yet another aspect, it is possible for items to hang from shelves, as the parallel pattern of the bars of the shelves allow for hangers to hang from them.

In accordance with yet another aspect, items may rest on the bottom surface, as the bottom surface may serve as a shelf that is not rotatable.

In accordance with yet a further aspect, it is possible for items to hang from the hanger bar while other items rest on shelves and the bottom surface, which serves as a shelf. Depending on the number of shelves, it still may be possible to rotate shelves to form a front surface, while still having shelves for items to rest on and be hanged from.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present teachings will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

DRAWINGS

Those of skill in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

FIG. 1. A front view of the laundry cart.

FIG. 2. A side view of the laundry cart.

FIG. 3. A perspective view of the laundry cart showing the hanger bar in the usable state.

FIG. 4. A perspective view of the shelf and rotating bar, with the shelf parallel to the bottom surface.

FIG. 5. A perspective view of the arm of the shelf and the spacer and washer of the rotating bar.

FIG. 6. Another perspective view of the shelf.

FIG. 7. A perspective view of the shelf at an angle not parallel to the bottom and not parallel to the back surface.

FIG. 8. A side view of the laundry cart, with the hanger bar deployed and items hanging from the hanger bar.

FIG. 9. A top view of the shelf.

FIG. 10. A perspective view of the laundry cart, with shelves parallel to the back surface, forming a front surface, and items hanging from both the hanger bar and a shelf.

FIG. 11. A front view of the laundry cart with items resting on shelves.

FIG. 12. A perspective view of a shelf, with the shelf parallel to the back surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a laundry cart 100, as seen in FIG. 1. The laundry cart has a bottom surface 102, at least one side surface 104, a back surface 106, castors 108, and at least one shelf 110. The back surface 106 may form a perpendicular angle with the side surface 104. The bottom surface 102 may be perpendicular to the side surface 104. The bottom surface 102 may be parallel to the shelf 110 when the shelf is in the state capable of having items rest on it. Castors 108 are connected to the base of the bottom surface 102, allowing the laundry cart 100 to roll.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the laundry cart 100. A latch 206 at the back of the shelf 110 latches onto the side surface 104 so that the shelf 110 can support items. The side surface 104 may be comprised of a perpendicular and parallel pattern of bars 204, though one of skill in the art would recognize that other patterns are possible. The hanger bar 202 is in its non-use state; items do not hang from the hanger bar 202 in this state. A magnet 208, which may contact the side surface 104 or the back surface 106, keeps the hanger bar 202 in the non-use state.

FIG. 3 shows the hanger bar 202 in the deployed state, i.e. the state by which items may be hanged from the hanger bar 202. The shelf 110 may be parallel to the bottom surface 102, with a side surface 104 and back surface 106 also visible. Items may be placed on the shelf 110 in this configuration.

In FIG. 4, the shelf 110 and rotating bar 402 are depicted. When parallel to the bottom surface 106, the shelf 110 rests on the rotating bar 402.

In FIG. 5, the arm 502 of the shelf 110 is resting on the rotating bar 402. The washer 504 and spacer 506 fit around the rotating bar 402, allowing for movement of the shelf 110 in relation to the rotating bar 402.

FIG. 6 shows another view of the shelf 110 in a position in which items may rest on the shelf 110. It is possible for the shelf 110 to be in other positions, dependent on the rotation of the rotating bar 402.

FIG. 7 shows the shelf 110 in a position that is not parallel to the bottom surface 102 or parallel to the back surface 106. The arm 502 is at angle with respect to the rotating bar 402 that would allow items to fall off the shelf 110. At this angle, items falling to the bottom surface 102 allows for quick pickup of the items at the bottom surface 102 as opposed to removing items from each shelf 110.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the laundry cart 100, with items like laundry 802 hanging from the hanger bar 202. While the laundry 802 was hanged with hangers, it is also possible to drape laundry 802 over the hanger bar 202. As shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to have a shelf 110 parallel to the bottom surface 102, while another shelf 110 is not parallel to the bottom surface 102.

FIG. 9 shows the shelf 110 without being attached to the laundry cart 100. A pattern of parallel bars 902 comprises the shelf 110. The arm 502 of the shelf 110 is also identifiable.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the laundry cart 100, with shelves 110 forming a front surface 1002, as the shelves 110 are parallel to the back surface 106. When the shelves 110 are in this configuration, i.e. when they create a front surface 1002, the shelves 110 effectively close the laundry cart 100, making it easier to transport laundry 802 without any laundry 802 falling out of the laundry cart 100. Laundry 802 hangs from the hanger bar 202 and may also hang from a shelf 110. The pattern of parallel bars 902 allows laundry 802 to hang from a shelf 110.

Laundry 802 resting on all the shelves 110 of the laundry cart 100 is depicted in FIG. 11. It is possible for some of the shelves 110 to be used to create the front surface 1002, while the bottom surface 102 and any remaining shelves may be used for laundry 802 to rest on. Laundry 802 may also hang on shelves 110 not being used to create the front surface 1002. Various configurations are possible.

FIG. 12 depicts a shelf 110 in the configuration that creates a front surface 1002, i.e. the shelf 110 is parallel with the back surface 106. In this configuration, it is possible to transport laundry 802 with minimal spillage of the laundry 802 out of the laundry cart 100.

Other Embodiments

The detailed description set-forth above is provided to aid those skilled in the art in practicing the present invention. However, the invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments herein disclosed because these embodiments are intended as illustration of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present inventive discovery. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cart comprising: A bottom surface;At least one side surface connected perpendicularly to the bottom surface;A back surface connected perpendicularly to the at least one side surface;At least one castor connected to the bottom surface; andAt least one shelf that connects to the at least one side surface.

2. The cart of claim 1, further comprising a rotating bar that the at least one shelf sits on.

3. The cart of claim 2, wherein the at least one shelf is further comprised of an arm that is in contact with the rotating bar.

4. The cart of claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf has a latch that connects to the at least one side surface.

5. The cart of claim 2, wherein the rotating bar has a spacer at the rotating bar's ends for movement of the at least one shelf.

6. The cart of claim 2, wherein the at least one shelf is rotatable via the rotating bar.

7. The cart of claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf rotates to form a front surface that is perpendicular to the at least one side surface and parallel to the back surface.

8. The cart of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface serves as a stationary shelf and is permanently affixed to the cart.

9. The cart of claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf are comprised of a pattern of parallel bars.

10. The cart of claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf is removable from the cart.

11. The cart of claim 1, wherein a hanger bar connects to the back surface via a magnet.

12. The cart of claim 11, wherein the hanger bar flips away from the back surface so items hang from the hanger bar.

13. The cart of claim 1, wherein the at least one side surface and the back surface further comprise a pattern of parallel bars and perpendicular bars.

14. The cart of claim 2, wherein items may fall off the at least one shelf when the rotating bar is rotated.

15. The cart of claim 1, wherein the cart is rollable via the at least one castor.

16. A method of using a cart, the method comprising i) possessing a cart comprising:a bottom surface;at least one side surface connected perpendicularly to the bottom surface;a back surface connected perpendicularly to the at least one side surface;at least one castor connected to the bottom surface;a hanger bar connects to the back surface; andat least one shelf that connects to the at least one side surface via a rotating bar;ii) rotating the rotating bar while items are on the at least one shelf so that the items fall off the at least one shelf;iii) flipping the hanger bar away from the back surface so that items may hand from the hanger bar; andiv) rotating the bar rotating fully so that the at least one shelf is in an upright position parallel to the back surface.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one shelf stays flush against the rotating bar so items rest on the at least one shelf.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein items hang from the at least one shelf.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein items rest on the bottom surface.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein items rest on the at least shelf and the bottom surface and items hang from the hanger bar.