Utility cart for transporting and/or displaying vehicle loads

• US 20040051265A1
• Filed: 09/16/2002
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemarie Nadeau
• Original Assignee: Rosemarie Nadeau
• Inventors: Nadeau, Rosemarie
• Granted Patent: US 6,749,207 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/47.35
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/90 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2203/073 sliding in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2206/06 adjustable in height
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0003 Adaptations for loading in or on a vehicle

Abstract

A utility cart of adjustable height having a top tray with integrated wheels to be rolled into the cargo area of a vehicle as it is detached from the base of the cart—with the base of the cart having its own integrated wheels for use as a separable dolly—and with the top tray being dimensioned to fit flat within the cargo area of the vehicle in transporting cargo loads, and to fit through standard doorway widths when coupled with the base as a display cart of the cargo load.

Claims

1. The combination comprising:

a dolly having a generally planar top surface, an underside and a first plurality of wheels at said dolly underside for rolling said dolly about;

a tray having a generally planar top surface, an underside and a second plurality of wheels at said tray underside for rolling said tray about; and

a plurality of legs, when coupled between said top surface of said dolly and said underside of said tray forming a 2-shelf movable utility cart of said dolly and tray operating together, and when detached therefrom, allowing said dolly and said tray to be independently movable.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of legs are adjustable in length in controlling separation between said dolly and said tray when coupled together.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said plurality of legs are telescopically extendable.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein 4 legs couple between said dolly and said tray in forming said 2-shelf movable utility cart.

5. The combination of claim 1, including a plurality of clamps at said underside of one of said dolly and said tray for storing said legs when detached from between said dolly and said tray.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plurality of legs include a first end fitting with a socket in said top surface of said dolly, and a second end sliding within a track in said underside of said tray in coupling therewith.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said second end of said plurality of legs includes a transfer ball sliding within said tray track to be captured within a groove at a remote end thereof in coupling therewith.

8. The combination of claim 6, also including means locking said legs in place when said transfer balls are captured within said grooves.

9. The combination of claim 2 wherein said plurality of legs are of a first length when said combination is utilized in loading and unloading the cargo area of a sport utility vehicle greater than a second length when said combination is utilized in loading and unloading the cargo area of a minivan.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said tray is of a width and depth to slide into the cargo area of said sport utility vehicle and said minivan when said plurality of legs are detached.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said tray is of a width and depth of the order of 35 inches and 30 inches, respectively.

12. The combination of claim 10, also including a pair of handles on opposite sides of said tray substantially flush therewith.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said handles are adjustable outwardly from, and inwardly toward, said tray.

14. The combination of claim 12, further including strap means extending between tie-downs within the cargo area of said sport utility vehicle and said pair of handles in securing said tray against movement within said vehicle.

15. The combination of claim 11, also including a lip extending upwardly from edge surfaces defining the generally planar top surface of said tray.

16. The combination of claim 15, further including means detachably coupled to said tray in providing an extension thereto for purposes of carrying and display.

17. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second plurality of wheels comprises swivel caster wheels and rigid caster wheels, respectively.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein said rigid caster wheels are of a gray color, and wherein said swivel caster wheels are of a gray or other color.

19. The combination of claim 1 wherein said dolly, said tray and said plurality of legs are fabricated of a lightweight durable aluminum.

20. The combination of claim 1 wherein said dolly, said tray and said plurality of legs are fabricated of a lightweight durable aluminum of strength to support a weight upwards of 275 pounds.