# US 8,465,030 B2 · Modular utility cart > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,030 B2 - Document ID: US8465030B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/631,823 - Filed: 2009-12-05 - Published: 2010-06-10 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-07 - Assignees: Norduyn Inc. - Applicants: Mathieu Boivin; Martin Bélanger; Martin Gauthier; Mathieu Audet - Inventors: Mathieu Boivin; Martin Bélanger; Martin Gauthier; Mathieu Audet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465030B2 ## CPC - B62B 3/00: Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor {(convertible from one-axled to two-axled vehicle B62B1/002)} - B62B 3/003: {Non-transparent side walls} - B62B 3/004: {Details of doors or cover lids} - B62B 3/005: {Details of storage means, e.g. drawers, bins or racks} - B64D 11/0007: {Devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution services} - B62B 2202/67: Service trolleys, e.g. in aircraft - B62B 2501/04: Production features - B62B 2501/065: Plastics - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A modular utility cart comprising a body defining a door opening; wheels attached to a lower portion of the body for supporting the body; and a door operatively attached to the body and adapted to mate with the door opening, wherein the body is adapted to receive a utility module thereto is provided. A method of assembling a modular utility cart is also provided. A kit of utility cart and utility module(s) is equally provided herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular utility cart comprising: a body defining a door opening; wheels attached to a lower portion of the body for supporting the body; and a door operatively attached to the body and adapted to mate with the door opening, wherein the body is adapted to receive a utility module, the utility module being selected from a plurality of utility modules and adapted to specialize the utility cart, the body being adapted to operatively assemble a utility module inside the body, when the utility module is adapted to be operatively assembled inside the body, and adapted to operatively assemble a utility module outside the body, when the utility module is adapted to be operatively assembled outside the body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular utility cart of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a module receptacle adapted to selectively receive the utility module. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The modular utility cart of claim 2, wherein the module receptacle further comprises a securing mechanism adapted to secure the utility module with the module receptacle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modular utility cart of claim 1, wherein the body is substantially made of composite materials including Phenolic resin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The modular utility cart of claim 4, wherein the composite materials comprise multiple layers of reinforcement and resin, distanced by an intervening foam core to increase the stiffness of the body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The modular utility cart of claim 1, wherein the body has a substantially tubular shape and the utility module is substantially located inside the tubular shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The modular utility cart of claim 1, wherein the body defines an upper portion and wherein the module receptacle is disposed adjacent to the upper portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The modular galley cart of claim 1, wherein the utility module further comprises an electrical connector adapted to electrically connect an electrical counterpart to exchange at least one of data and power. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The modular galley cart of claim 1, wherein the utility module includes a cavity adapted to receive goods therein. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The modular utility cart of claim 1, wherein the utility module is insulated to prevent heat transfer from an internal portion of the utility module and the environment. ### Claim 11 A method of building a modular utility cart, the method comprising: providing a body; selecting a utility module from a plurality of utility modules adapted to specialize the utility cart; and assembling the selected utility module to the body, the utility module is adapted to be operatively assembled inside the body, when the utility module is adapted to be operatively assembled inside the body, and adapted to operatively assemble a utility module outside the body, when the utility module is adapted to be operatively assembled outside the body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the body further comprises a module receptacle, and wherein assembling the selected module to the body is performed via a module receptacle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising electrically connecting the utility module to an electrical counterpart onboard the utility cart. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising electrically connecting the utility module to a galley adapted to receive the utility cart. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the body comprises an upper portion, a lower portion and two opposed lateral portions respectively disposed between the upper and the lower portions, at least some of the portions being interconnected with intervening curved portions to form a substantially continuous wall thereof, the body defining at least one longitudinal opening thereof, and wherein assembling the selected utility module to the body is assembling the utility module at one of an internal position inside the body and an external position outside the body, the method further comprising providing one of a short door, when the utility module is secured inside the body, and a long door, when the utility module is secured outside the body, the short door being adapted to substantially close the longitudinal opening and allow access to the utility module through the longitudinal opening, the long door being adapted to substantially close the longitudinal opening. ### Claim 16 A modular utility cart kit comprising: a utility cart comprising a body defining a door opening; wheels attached to a lower portion of the body for supporting the body; a door adapted to be pivotally attached to the body and further adapted to mate with the door opening; and at least one utility module, selected from a plurality of utility modules, adapted to cooperate with the body to specialize the utility cart, the body being adapted to operatively assemble a utility module inside the body, when the utility module is adapted to be operatively assembled inside the body, and adapted to operatively assemble a utility module outside the body, when the utility module is adapted to be operatively assembled outside the body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The modular utility cart kit of claim 16, wherein the body has a tubular shape and is made of composite material including a foam core and Phenolic resin, the body defining an upper portion, a lower portion and two opposed lateral portions respectively disposed between the upper and the bottom portions, the portions being interconnected with intervening curved portions to form a continuous wall section thereof.