# US 11,076,687 B2 · Modular carts having a single vertical frame

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- Number: US 11,076,687 B2
- Document ID: US11076687B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/567,405
- Filed: 2019-09-11
- Published: 2021-03-11
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2019-09-11
- Assignees: Inovativ, Inc.
- Applicants: Inovativ, Inc.
- Inventors: Patrick Timothy Blewett; Matthew Richard Benich; Brent John Siebenaler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11076687B2

## CPC

- A47B 9/20: Telescopic guides
- A47B 9/08: with clamps acting on vertical rods
- B62B 3/02: involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
- B62B 3/10: characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape
- B62B 3/12: characterised by three-wheeled construction
- A47B 21/02: with vertical adjustable parts
- A47B 21/04: characterised by means for holding or fastening typewriters or computer equipment
- A47B 81/064: {vertically}
- A47B 2200/0076: Vertical technical column supporting office equipment
- B62B 2202/56: Computers; Screens
- B62B 2206/06: adjustable in height
- A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B)
- B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M)

## Abstract

This application describes carts having a single vertical frame supported by a tripod-like leg structure. They are collapsible, extendable, and able to accommodate a wide variety of different accessories. To add accessories, carts can include one or more coupling components. Each coupling component includes at least one clamp that can be tightened around a cart's vertical frame along with a female coupler and a male coupler. The female coupler can be attached to a clamp and a male coupler can be attached to an accessory. The male coupler features a v-shaped extrusion and the female coupler features a complementary v-shaped intrusion allowing the male coupler to couple with the female coupler so that accessories can be added to the cart in a cantilevered manner.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cart, comprising:
a frame;
a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, each coupled with a bracket that is slidably coupled with the frame;
a coupling mechanism comprising a clamp that is configured to couple with the frame;
wherein the clamp comprises a first grip having a first tightening mechanism and a second grip having a second tightening mechanism;
a female coupler attached to the clamp, the female coupler comprising a v-shaped intrusion, wherein the v-shaped intrusion comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a back surface;
wherein the first portion comprises a first left surface and a first right surface extending from the back surface, the first left surface and the first right surface creating a first angle therebetween;
wherein the second portion comprises a left flare and a right flare extending from the back surface, the left flare and the right flare creating a second angle therebetween;
wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle;
wherein the first left surface and the first right surface each form an acute angle with the back surface;
wherein the left flare and the right flare each form a right, or obtuse, angle with the back surface;
a male coupler comprising a v-shaped extrusion that is sized and dimensioned to fit at least partially within the v-shaped intrusion of the female coupler; and
wherein the v-shaped extrusion comprises a third angle that matches the first angle of the v-shaped intrusion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cart of claim 1, wherein the frame is telescopic to adjust its length.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cart of claim 1, wherein the first leg comprises a first wheel, the second leg comprises a second wheel, and the third leg comprises a third wheel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cart of claim 1, wherein the clamp is configured to tighten around at least a portion of the frame so that it remains in place by friction forces.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The cart of claim 1, wherein a shelf is attached to the male coupler.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The cart of claim 1, wherein the female coupler further comprises a flared opening to the v-shaped intrusion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The cart of claim 1, wherein the female coupler further comprises:
a through-hole in a top portion of the female coupler;
wherein a pin is disposed in the through hole and the pin can be actuated to cause it to move relative to the female coupler; and
wherein the pin is actuated to be disposed at least partially in a complementary cavity in the male coupler to hold the male coupler in place when it is coupled with the female coupler.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The cart of claim 1, wherein the first leg is further coupled with the frame by a first arm and the second leg is further coupled with the frame by a second arm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The cart of claim 8, further comprising a triangular tray having a first elongated hook and a second elongated hook, wherein the first elongated hook hangs over the first arm and the second elongated hook hangs over the second arm such that the triangular tray is suspended between the first arm and the second arm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The cart of claim 1, wherein the frame is vertically oriented.