Multi-functional vehicle caddy and associated use thereof

• US 10,232,867 B1
• Filed: 06/21/2017
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carey Jones, Clifton Jones
• Original Assignee: Clifton Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Carey, Jones, Clifton
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, James A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Clemmons, Steve
• Application Number:
  US15/629,735
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/12 Collapsible wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/022 folding down the body to the wheel carriage or by retracting projecting parts collapsible containers B65D, e.g. B65D7/24, B65D9/12, B65D11/18
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/027 collapsible shopping trolleys
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0003 Adaptations for loading in or on a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0485 by braking on the running surface, e.g. the tyre

Abstract

A multi-functional transport apparatus includes an adjustable ramp capable of being positioned within the existing trunk of the existing motor vehicle, and a collapsible cart selectively positioned on the adjustable ramp. Advantageously, the collapsible cart is at a folded position when positioned on the adjustable ramp. Such a collapsible cart is deployed to an unfolded position when displaced off the adjustable ramp. Notably, the collapsible cart is selectively tilted between a plurality of inclined positions while seated on the adjustable ramp.

Claims

1. A multi-functional transport apparatus for being stored and retrieved from an existing trunk or existing cargo compartment of an existing motor vehicle and for transporting goods from the existing motor vehicle to a remote location, said multi-functional transport apparatus comprising:

an adjustable ramp capable of being positioned within the existing trunk of the existing motor vehicle; and

a collapsible cart selectively positioned on said adjustable ramp, wherein said collapsible cart is at a folded position when positioned on said adjustable ramp, said collapsible cart being deployed to an unfolded position when displaced off said adjustable ramp;

wherein said collapsible cart comprises;

a container having a centrally registered longitudinal axis;

a plurality of support leg sections pivotally connected to said container; and

a plurality of wheels connected to said support leg sections, respectively;

wherein, when said collapsible cart is at said unfolded position, each of said support leg sections is articulated to a generally vertical orientation;

wherein, when said collapsible cart is at said folded position, each of said support leg sections is articulated to a horizontal orientation aligned parallel to said centrally registered longitudinal axis;

wherein said support leg sections comprises;

a first support leg section, a second support leg section, a third support leg section and a fourth support leg section, each operably coupled to a bottom surface of said container;

wherein said first support leg section and said second support leg section are positioned medially, relative to said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section, towards the centrally registered longitudinal axis;

wherein said first support leg section and said second support leg section are operably attached to a proximal end of said container; and

wherein said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section are operably attached to a distal end of said container;

wherein each of said first support leg section, said second support leg section, said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section comprises;

a primary anchor bracket statically mated to said bottom surface of said container; and

a secondary anchor bracket spaced from said primary anchor bracket, said secondary anchor bracket being engaged with said bottom surface of said container and oriented parallel to said centrally registered longitudinal axis;

wherein each of said first support leg section, said second support leg section, said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section further comprises;

a support leg including

a proximal end pivotally coupled to said primary anchor bracket, and

a distal end operably attached to a corresponding one of said wheels;

a primary support arm having a proximal end and an axially opposed distal end; and

a secondary support arm having a proximal end and an axially opposed distal end;

wherein said proximal end of said primary support arm is pivotally connected to said proximal end of said support leg;

wherein said distal end of said primary support arm is pivotally connected to said distal end of said secondary support arm;

wherein said proximal end of said secondary support arm is pivotally connected to a distal end of said secondary anchor bracket;

wherein each of said first support leg section, said second support leg section, said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section further comprises;

a piston including

a first end coupled to a proximal end of said secondary anchor bracket; and

a second end coupled to said distal end of said primary support arm and said distal end of said secondary support arm.

2. The multi-functional transport apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one accessory selected from a group including;

a handle fixedly attached to a proximal end of said container;

a retractable cover housed at said proximal end of said container and being selectively extended along a top opening of said container;

a plurality of brakes operably engaged with said wheels, respectively; and

a divider removably positioned within said container.

3. The multi-functional transport apparatus of claim 1, wherein said adjustable ramp comprises:

a plurality of lower rails orientated parallel to the centrally registered horizontal axis;

a plurality of upper rails; and

at least one telescopic support shaft attached to said lower rails and said upper rails;

wherein said upper rails include

a first end pivotally connected to said lower rails, and

a second end attached to said at least one telescopic support shaft such that said second end is selectively raised above said lower rails as needed.

4. The multi-functional transport apparatus of claim 3, wherein said adjustable ramp further comprises:

a first flange member attached to said lower rails and said upper rails; and

a second flange member opposed to said first flange member, said second flange member being attached to said upper rails and spaced above said lower rails.

5. A multi-functional transport apparatus for being stored and retrieved from an existing trunk or existing cargo compartment of an existing motor vehicle and for transporting goods from the existing motor vehicle to a remote location, said multi-functional transport apparatus comprising:

a collapsible cart selectively positioned in the existing trunk or existing cargo compartment of the existing motor vehicle, wherein said collapsible cart is at a folded position when positioned in the existing trunk or existing cargo compartment of the existing motor vehicle, said collapsible cart being deployed to an unfolded position when displaced out from the existing trunk or existing cargo compartment of the existing motor vehicle;

wherein said collapsible cart is selectively tilted between a plurality of inclined positions while seated in the existing trunk or existing cargo compartment of the existing motor vehicle;

wherein said collapsible cart comprises;

a container having a centrally registered longitudinal axis,

a plurality of support leg sections pivotally connected to said container, and

a plurality of wheels connected to said support leg sections, respectively;

wherein, when said collapsible cart is at said unfolded position, each of said support leg sections is articulated to a generally vertical orientation;

wherein, when said collapsible cart is at said folded position, each of said support leg sections is articulated to a horizontal orientation aligned parallel to said centrally registered longitudinal axis;

wherein, when said collapsible cart is at said folded position, corresponding pairs of said support leg sections are disposed at an overlapped configuration such that corresponding pairs of said wheels are located at an opposite side of said collapsible cart relative to a location of said corresponding pairs of said wheels when said collapsible cart is at said unfolded position

wherein said support leg sections comprises;

a first support leg section, a second support leg section, a third support leg section and a fourth support leg section, each operably coupled to a bottom surface of said container;

wherein said first support leg section and said second support leg section are positioned medially, relative to said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section, towards the centrally registered longitudinal axis;

wherein said first support leg section and said second support leg section are operably attached to a proximal end of said container; and

wherein said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section are operably attached to a distal end of said container;

wherein each of said first support leg section, said second support leg section, said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section comprises;

a primary anchor bracket statically mated to said bottom surface of said container; and

a secondary anchor bracket spaced from said primary anchor bracket, said secondary anchor bracket being engaged with said bottom surface of said container and oriented parallel to said centrally registered longitudinal axis;

wherein each of said first support leg section, said second support leg section, said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section further comprises;

a support leg including

a proximal end pivotally coupled to said primary anchor bracket, and

a distal end operably attached to a corresponding one of said wheels;

a primary support arm having a proximal end and an axially opposed distal end; and

a secondary support arm having a proximal end and an axially opposed distal end;

wherein said proximal end of said primary support arm is pivotally connected to said proximal end of said support leg;

wherein said distal end of said primary support arm is pivotally connected to said distal end of said secondary support arm;

wherein said proximal end of said secondary support arm is pivotally connected to a distal end of said secondary anchor bracket;

wherein each of said first support leg section, said second support leg section, said third support leg section and said fourth support leg section further comprises;

a piston including

a first end coupled to a proximal end of said secondary anchor bracket; and

a second end coupled to said distal end of said primary support arm and said distal end of said secondary support arm.

6. The multi-functional transport apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

at least one accessory selected from a group including;

a handle fixedly attached to a proximal end of said container;

a retractable cover housed at said proximal end of said container and being selectively extended along a top opening of said container;

a plurality of brakes operably engaged with said wheels, respectively; and

a divider removably positioned within said container.

7. The multi-functional transport apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

an adjustable ramp including

a plurality of lower rails orientated parallel to the centrally registered horizontal axis;

a plurality of upper rails; and

at least one telescopic support shaft attached to said lower rails and said upper rails;

wherein said upper rails include

a first end pivotally connected to said lower rails, and

a second end attached to said at least one telescopic support shaft such that said second end is selectively raised above said lower rails as needed.

8. The multi-functional transport apparatus of claim 7, wherein said adjustable ramp further comprises:

a first flange member attached to said lower rails and said upper rails; and

a second flange member opposed to said first flange member, said second flange member being attached to said upper rails and spaced above said lower rails.