Patent Application
20080054582
Referring now to the drawings, in particular to
The first preferred embodiment is equipped with storage areas specifically sized for an electrician's tools, equipment and supplies. The wheeled mobile caddy shown generally at 10 includes a support frame 12 which is generally rectangular in shape and adapted to transport one or more generally cylindrical buckets such as the two shown in phantom line in
The support frame 12 has an upper support member 14, as well as a lower support member 16 spaced from the upper support member 14 and attached securely to vertical corner uprights 18 proximate the four corners thereof. The lower support member 16 has at its rearward end a platform 20 extending beyond the rearward end 22 of the upper support member 14. A forward end 14a of the upper support member 14 extends beyond the forward end 16a of the lower support member 16 for reasons to be described hereinafter. The forward end 14a of the upper support member 14 has an extended portion 24 whereat, at the center thereof, is pivotally connected a molded handle member 25, for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal pivot pin 26 mounted across a central cut out 27 in the extended portion 24 of the upper support member 14 of the wheeled mobile caddy 10 as is clearly illustrated in
Four caster wheels 28 are attached to the lower support member 16 of the support frame 12 proximate the four corners thereof. The caster wheels 28 are alike and have their respective ground engaging surfaces spaced a distance from the bottom end of the support frame 12 so as to be generally co-planar with one another, each caster wheel 28 is adapted to swivel and permit rotational motion, as well as longitudinal movement of the wheeled mobile caddy 10. Alternatively, it is conceivable to use a straight through independent axle (not shown) on the rear wheels with only caster wheels 28 at the front of the wheeled mobile caddy 10. Such arrangement will permit uni-directional or 360 degree rotation of each front wheel structure on the plane of contact with the ground surface. Alternatively, the caster wheels 28 may be mounted on a single axle which runs horizontal to the ground from one side of the wheeled mobile caddy 10 to the opposite side thereof. Preferably, however the configuration shown in the figures commonly known as a caster wheel assembly is preferred.
As earlier discussed, the support frame 12 further includes a generally horizontal lower support member 16 which extends rearwardly of the upper support member 14 while also being generally horizontally disposed. In use, the rearward end portion of the platform 20 of the lower support member 16 is intended to provide a platform 20 with a recessed diameter 52 in which is located a conventional cylindrically shaped bucket 29. Attached to the bucket 29 is mounted a sturdy, heavy fabric, cannabis or leather liner material 30 amiable to completely circumferentially line the bucket 29 outside and/or inside surfaces. The liner 30 drapes downwardly over the upper rim 32 of the bucket 29 to conform to the surfaces of either or both of the inside of the bucket 29 or the outer surface of the bucket 29. Some users may prefer just to line the outside of the bucket 29 so as to provide a liner 30 attached to the outside surface of the bucket 29 which includes pockets 34 stitched to the liner 30 to form a plurality of outer pockets opening towards the outside of the bucket 29. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the same liner 30 may include pockets 36 stitched to the inner panel of the liner 30 so as to form a plurality of inner pockets 36 opening toward the inside of the bucket 29. The purpose of the pockets 34, 36 is to provide various formed and sized pockets 34, 36 for containing and/or storing a variety of smaller tools 38. The pockets 34, 36 may be selected of different sizes and depths to enable the storage of the various size and types of smaller tools 38. Generally, appropriate arrangements are provided to maintain the liner 30 to the bucket 29 by either form fitting it thereto or providing a means for tying the liner 30 to the bucket 29 so as to secure the liner 30 to the bucket 29 during use on the wheeled mobile caddy 10. Many different such tool carriers or buckets 29 are currently available in the prior art. It is the intent of the invention to provide the type of tool carrier/bucket 29 which would be directly related to the tradesman's activity and the type of tools used by the tradesman in performing his other daily work functions. Further, for use by a home handyman, a general type liner 30 may be used to provide easy storage of a variety of smaller tools 38 which can be used in performing repair, maintenance or home improvement functions typically accomplished by the home handyman.
To accommodate the bucket 29 on the rearward end of the platform 20 of the lower support member 16, the rearward end 22 of the upper support member 14 is scalloped 40 so as to provide a clearance to permit the bucket 29 to be seated in the recessed diameter 52 of the platform 20 on the lower support member 16. A further use of the bucket 29 is to provide a container to the journeyman to carry miscellaneous material supplies to and from the work site, as well as provide storage of a plurality of smaller tools 38 in the various pockets 34, 36 of the liner 30 attached to the outer surface of the bucket 29 so as to be readily accessible during work activities.
The wheeled mobile caddy 10 further includes on its lower support member 16 a variety of compartments, the smaller of which surrounds a larger compartment 44 in the center of the lower support member 16. This area of the wheeled mobile caddy 10 is intended to be used for storage and/or conveyance of power tools generally related to the tradesman's specific activity. For example, drills, augers, power screw drivers, small hand saws, automatic nailers and the like. Surrounding the larger compartment 44 is a plurality of smaller compartments 44a, 44b, 44c and 44d shown in hidden line in
As shown in
As recited hereinabove, the arrangement of the present invention consists of a wheeled support frame to enable carrying the type of tools and material supplies used by a tradesman in the performance of his daily work functions. Further, the invention contemplates having sufficient storage capacity for the material supplies needed in conjunction with the tradesman's daily work activities. Such is facilitated by the use of a wheeled mobile caddy 10 having a bucket 29 located on a platform 20 of the lower support member 16, which is also adapted to accommodate a variety of conventional tools used by the tradesman.
Thus, the present invention may be utilized to store a variety of tools and material supplies commonly used in the building trades. It will be apparent that when the bucket 29 is stored on the wheeled mobile caddy 10, it's relatively broad lower support member 16 will maintain stability and present a low center of gravity so that users seated on the device may simultaneously have access to all of the tools stored therein, as well as the material supplies stored therein for the purpose of completing the necessary work function.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the invention is one well adapted to obtain all the objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and well within the scope of the claims. Although several embodiments have been shown in the drawings, many other embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the wheeled mobile caddy 10 could be lengthened in the longitudinal direction by increasing the length of the platform 20 with an added set of caster wheels 28 so that the second bucket 29 can be provided on the platform 20. This would allow the use of the molded handle member 25 with a two bucket 29 wheeled mobile caddy 10. It is to be understood that all matter herein set forth shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrated and not in a limiting sense.
