Versatile cart for transporting packages to a vehicle

• US 20020149176A1
• Filed: 04/11/2001
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy J. Miller
• Original Assignee: Timothy J. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Timothy J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,575,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/651
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/027 collapsible shopping trolleys
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0003 Adaptations for loading in or on a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/02 providing for travelling up or down a flight of stairs chairs or multi-track cycles specially adapted for invalids A61G5/00

Abstract

Described is a collapsible cart for transporting items from a first surface to a raised surface. The collapsible cart comprises a platform, for carrying items thereon, wherein the platform comprises a front edge and a back edge. A collapsible front leg is attached to the platform. The collapsible front leg comprises an front upper leg and a front lower leg. Connected to the front upper leg and to the front lower leg is a spring biased to rotate the front lower leg towards an extended position relative to the front upper leg. A front release mechanism persuades the collapsible front legs to be withdrawn towards the platform. A collapsible rear leg is also attached to the platform. The collapsible rear leg comprises a rear upper leg, a rear lower leg and a spring connected there between biased to rotate the rear lower leg towards an extended position relative to the rear upper leg. A rear release mechanism allows the collapsible rear leg to be withdrawn towards the platform.

Claims

1. A collapsible cart for transporting items from a first surface to a raised surface wherein said collapsible cart comprises:

a platform comprising a front edge and a back edge;

a collapsible front leg attached to said platform wherein said collapsible front leg comprises;

an front upper leg;

a front lower leg; and

a front spring connected to said front upper leg and to said front lower leg and biased to rotate said front lower leg towards an extended position relative to said front upper leg;

a front release mechanism for persuading said collapsible front legs to be withdrawn towards said platform;

a collapsible rear leg attached to said platform wherein said collapsible rear leg comprises;

a rear upper leg;

a rear lower leg; and

a rear spring connected to said rear upper leg and to said rear lower leg and biased to rotate said rear lower leg towards an extended position relative to said rear upper leg;

a rear release mechanism for allowing said collapsible rear leg to be withdrawn towards said platform.

2. The collapsible cart of claim 1 wherein said raised surface is a vehicle.

3. The collapsible cart of claim 1 wherein said rear upper leg is pivotally attached to said platform and said rear lower leg is pivotally attached to said rear upper leg.

4. The collapsible cart of claim 3 wherein said rear release mechanism rotates said rear upper leg towards said front edge of said platform.

5. The collapsible cart of claim 4 wherein said rear lower leg rotates towards said back edge of said platform when said rear lower leg contacts said raised surface.

6. The collapsible cart of claim 1 wherein said front release mechanism causes said front upper leg to move towards said back edge of said platform.

7. The collapsible cart of claim 6 wherein when said front upper leg moves towards said back edge of said platform said front upper leg rotates towards said front edge of said platform.

8. The collapsible cart of claim 7 wherein said front lower leg rotates towards said back edge of said platform when said front lower leg contacts said raised surface.

9. The collapsible cart of claim 1 further comprising rollers attached to said front edge of said platform.

10. A collapsible cart for transporting items to a raised surface comprising:

a platform comprising a front edge and a back edge;

a collapsible front leg attached to said platform wherein said collapsible front leg comprises;

an front upper leg pivotally attached to said platform; and

a front lower leg pivotally attached to said front upper leg;

a front release mechanism for allowing said front upper legs to rotate towards said front edge with said front lower leg extended therefrom and wherein said front lower leg rotates opposite said front upper leg when said front lower leg contacts said raised surface;

a collapsible rear leg attached to said platform wherein said collapsible rear leg comprises;

an rear upper leg pivotally attached to said platform; and

a rear lower leg pivotally attached to said rear upper leg;

a rear release mechanism for allowing said rear upper leg to rotate towards said front edge of said platform with said rear lower leg extended therefrom and wherein said rear lower leg rotates opposite said rear upper leg when said rear lower leg contacts said raised surface.

11. The collapsible cart of claim 10 wherein said raised surface is a vehicle.

12. The collapsible cart of claim 10 wherein said front release mechanism further causes said front upper leg to move towards said rear edge of said platform.

13. The collapsible cart of claim 10 further comprising a front spring connected to said front upper leg and to said front lower leg and biased to rotate said front lower leg towards an extended relationship with said front upper leg.

14. The collapsible cart of claim 10 further comprising a rear spring connected to said rear upper leg and to said rear lower leg and biased to rotate said rear lower leg towards an extended relationship with said rear upper leg.

15. The collapsible cart of claim 10 wherein said front release mechanism causes said front upper leg to move towards said back edge of said platform.

16. The collapsible cart of claim 15 wherein when said front upper leg moves towards said back edge of said platform said front upper leg rotates towards said front edge of said platform.

17. The collapsible cart of claim 16 wherein said front lower leg rotates towards said back edge of said platform when said front lower leg contacts said raised surface.

18. The collapsible cart of claim 10 further comprising rollers attached to said front edge of said platform.

20. The cart of claim 19 wherein said raised platform is a vehicle.

19. A cart for transporting items to a raised surface comprising:

a platform;

side rails attached to said platform;

collapsible front legs attached to said platform wherein said collapsible front legs comprise;

an front upper portion;

a front lower portion telescopically attached to said front upper portion;

a front release mechanism for allowing said front lower portion to be withdrawn into said front upper portion;

collapsible rear legs attached to said platform wherein said collapsible rear legs comprise;

an rear upper portion;

a rear lower portion telescopically attached to said rear upper portion;

a rear release mechanism for allowing said rear lower portion to be withdrawn into said rear upper portion.

21. A method for transporting items in a cart wherein said cart is capable of moving from a lower surface to a raised surface comprising the steps of:

a) pushing said cart towards said raised surface;

b) activating a controller for withdrawing a pair of front legs attached to said cart wherein said cart is partially supported on said raised surface;

c) pushing said cart further onto said raised surface; and

d) activating a controller for withdrawing a pair of rear legs attached to said cart wherein said cart is supported by said raised surface.