Multi-Level Delivery System and Associated Apparatus

A compactible hauler comprising:

• a frame supporting a platform, wherein said frame and platform are formed of at least front and rear portions pivotably interconnected along a longitudinal axis thereof such that said at least two portions may be rotated between a first position where the portions are disposed in-line with each other and a second position where the portions are disposed in adjacent parallel planes;
• and
• at least two sets of wheels, wherein at least one set of wheels is disposed on a front portion and wherein at least one set of wheels is disposed on a rear portion, and wherein when the portions are disposed in the second position the sets of wheels overlap;
• wherein the rear wheels are pivotable relative to the frame and platform such that in a first position the rear and portions are disposed at the same height, and wherein in a second position the rear portion is dispose at a height lower than the front portion.

A delivery system comprising:

• a compactible hauler comprising:
• a frame supporting a platform, wherein said frame and platform are formed of at least front and rear portions pivotably interconnected along a longitudinal axis thereof such that said at least two portions may be rotated between a first position where the portions are disposed in-line with each other and a second position where the portions are disposed in adjacent parallel planes, and
• at least two sets of wheels, wherein at least one set of wheels is disposed on a front portion and wherein at least one set of wheels is disposed on a rear portion, and wherein when the portions are disposed in the second position the sets of wheels overlap,
• wherein the rear wheels are pivotable relative to the frame and platform such that in a first position the rear and portions are disposed at the same height, and wherein in a second position the rear portion is dispose at a height lower than the front portion;
• and
• wherein the platform is configured to support a compactible cart comprising:
• a support structure comprising a pair of longitudinal sidewall elements disposed parallel to each other and a pair of latitudinal end wall elements disposed parallel to each other, wherein the sidewall and end wall elements are pivotably interconnected at each end to each other such that said sidewall and end wall elements may be rotated between a first wall position where the sidewalls and end walls are disposed orthogonal to each other forming an internal volume and a second wall position where the sidewalls and end walls are disposed parallel to each other,
• at least a top platform element pivotably interconnected to one of either the sidewall or end wall elements at an upper end thereof, and a bottom platform element pivotably interconnected to one of either the sidewall or the end wall elements at a lower end thereof, such that said internal platform elements may be rotated between a first platform position where said internal platform elements are disposed parallel to the side and end walls and a second platform position where said internal platform elements are disposed perpendicular to the side and end walls, and
• a plurality of wheels disposed below the bottom platform, wherein at least one wheel is disposed at each of the corners of the cart,
• wherein the elements of the cart are configured such that when at least one of the top or bottom platform elements are disposed in the second platform position the sidewall and end wall elements are prevented from pivoting.

A method of delivering packages comprising:

• delivering goods to a distribution center;
• organizing said goods onto one or more compactible carts comprising:
• a support structure comprising a pair of longitudinal sidewall elements disposed parallel to each other and a pair of latitudinal end wall elements disposed parallel to each other, wherein the sidewall and end wall elements are pivotably interconnected at each end to each other such that said sidewall and end wall elements may be rotated between a first wall position where the sidewalls and end walls are disposed orthogonal to each other forming an internal volume and a second wall position where the sidewalls and end walls are disposed parallel to each other,
• at least a top platform element pivotably interconnected to one of either the sidewall or end wall elements at an upper end thereof, and a bottom platform element pivotably interconnected to one of either the sidewall or the end wall elements at a lower end thereof, such that said internal platform elements may be rotated between a first platform position where said internal platform elements are disposed parallel to the side and end walls and a second platform position where said internal platform elements are disposed perpendicular to the side and end walls, and
• a plurality of wheels disposed below the bottom platform, wherein at least one wheel is disposed at each of the corners of the cart,
• wherein the elements of the cart are configured such that when at least one of the top or bottom platform elements are disposed in the second platform position the sidewall and end wall elements are prevented from pivoting;
• loading said compactible carts onto one or more compactible haulers comprising:
• a frame supporting a platform, wherein said frame and platform are formed of at least front and rear portions pivotably interconnected along a longitudinal axis thereof such that said at least two portions may be rotated between a first position where the portions are disposed in-line with each other and a second position where the portions are disposed in adjacent parallel planes, and
• at least two sets of wheels, wherein at least one set of wheels is disposed on a front portion and wherein at least one set of wheels is disposed on a rear portion, and wherein when the portions are disposed in the second position the sets of wheels overlap,
• wherein the rear wheels are pivotable relative to the frame and platform such that in a first position the rear and portions are disposed at the same height, and wherein in a second position the rear portion is dispose at a height lower than the front portion;
• and
• interconnecting each compactible hauler with a propulsion system to deliver said goods.