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US 5,927,745 AGranted
Foldable utility cart
OwnerJohn Cunninghaminventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A folding utility cart for a providing a movable work platform which may be raised and lowered without the use of tools. The cart employs an upper support member that is spaced apart from a lower support member by a pair of cross braces. A biasing spring helps raise the upper support member into an elevated position, and a releasable lock secures the upper support member into the elevated position. A lock release disengages the upper support member from the elevated position. The cart also has a handle, support feet, and wheels, allowing use in a conventional manner.
Claims5
A foldable utility cart comprising:
- an upper support member comprising a substantially-rectangular frame defined by a first beam spaced apart from a second beam by a plurality of cross bars;
- a first track disposed within said first beam and sized to accept an end of a first cross brace support;
- and a second track disposed within said second beam and sized to accept an end of a second cross brace support;
- a lower support member comprising a substantially-rectangular frame defined by a first beam spaced apart from a second beam by a plurality of cross bars;
- a first slot disposed within said first beam and sized to receive an end of a first cross brace support;
- and a second slot disposed within said second beam and sized to accept an end of a second cross brace support;
- a positioning means for adjustably positioning said upper support member in an elevated position above said lower support member, said positioning means including a first cross brace support having a first arm pivotally attached to a second arm;
- said first arm having a pinned end pinned to said lower support member, and a free end disposed within said first track;
- said first arm free end having a roller sized to operatively communicate with said first track;
- said first arm free end having a locking post extending orthogonally therefrom;
- said second arm having a pinned end pinned to said upper support member, and a free end disposed within said first slot;
- a second cross brace support having a first arm pivotally attached to a second arm;
- said first arm having a pinned end pinned to said lower support member, and a free end disposed within said second track;
- said first arm free end having a roller sized to operatively communicate with said second track;
- said first arm free end including a spring attachment bracket;
- said second arm having a pinned end pinned to said upper support member, and a free end disposed within said second slot, each of said cross brace supports extending between said upper and lower support members;
- biasing means for helping raise said upper support into an elevated position;
- locking means for securing said upper support member in said elevated position;
- and
- release means for unlocking said upper support means from said elevated position.
17 more elements
A foldable utility cart comprising:
- an upper support member;
- a lower support member;
- a positioning means for adjustably positioning said upper support member in an elevated position above said lower support member, said positioning means including a first cross brace support and a second cross brace support, each of said cross brace supports extending between said upper and lower support members;
- said upper support member being a substantially-rectangular frame defined by a first beam spaced apart from a second beam by a plurality of cross bars;
- said upper support member further including at least one removable tray disposed between said first and second beams;
- at least one handle extending from at least one of said cross bars;
- a retaining bar pivotally attached to one of said beams;
- a first track disposed within said first beam and sized to accept an end of said first cross brace support;
- a second track disposed within said second beam and sized to accept an end of said second cross brace support;
- said lower support member being a substantially-rectangular frame defined by a first beam spaced apart from a second beam by a plurality of cross bars;
- said lower support member further including a first shelf and a second shelf each extending between said first and second beams, said first and second shelves being separated by a stop edge extending between said first and second beams;
- at least one wheel rotatably attached to at least one of said beams;
- at least one support foot attached to at least one of said cross bars;
- a first slot disposed within said first beam and sized to receive an end of said first cross brace support;
- a second slot disposed within said second beam and sized to accept an end of said second cross brace support;
- said first cross brace support having a first arm pivotally attached to a second arm;
- said first arm having a pinned end pinned to said lower support member;
- said first arm having a free end disposed within said first track, said free end having a roller sized to operatively communicate with said first track;
- said second arm having a pinned end pinned to said upper support member;
- said second arm having a free end disposed within said first slot;
- said first arm free end having a locking post extending orthogonally therefrom;
- said second cross brace support having a first arm pivotally-attached to a second arm;
- said first arm having a pinned end pinned to said lower support member;
- said first arm having a free end disposed within said second track, said free end having a roller sized to operatively communicate with said second track;
- said second arm having a pinned end pinned to said upper support member;
- said second arm having a free end disposed within said second slot;
- said first arm free end including a spring attachment bracket;
- biasing means for helping raise said upper support into an elevated position;
- said biasing means including a spring having a predetermined spring constant;
- said spring extending between said spring attachment bracket and said upper support member;
- locking means for securing said upper support member in said elevated position;
- said locking means including a link arm pivotally-attached to a catch arm;
- said catch arm pivotally-attached to one of said upper support member beams and having a hooked end sized to engage said locking post;
- a retention spring extending between said upper support member and said link arm, said retention spring sized to position said hooked end against said locking post;
- release means for unlocking said upper support means from said elevated position;
- said release means including a trigger pull rod attached to said link arm, said link arm being pivotally attached to said upper support member.
33 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.