Utility Carts

• US 20180009461A1
• Filed: 07/07/2017
• Published: 01/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Raymond Rucker
• Original Assignee: Raymond Rucker
• Inventors: Rucker, Raymond
• Application Number:
  US15/644,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20180009461A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/06 Foldable with a scissor-like mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/14 Retractable 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 5/0003 Adaptations for loading in or on a vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides an improved mobile storage apparatus in which the deckplate of a collapsible rolling table is mated to the bottom panel of a detachable cargo compartment by an interlocking interface to limit sliding and detachment during transport. The apparatus further includes supplemental casters to facilitate loading the cargo compartment and or the entire folded unit onto a table or vehicle, and some embodiments can themselves be used as display tables.

Claims

1. ) A mobile storage apparatus comprising:

a) a collapsible rolling table, wherein;

i) the table comprises a deckplate and at least three legs;

ii) the deckplate has an underside that is attached to a deckplate support framework, at which framework each leg is hingeably mounted at the leg'"'"'s respective first end, such that each leg may be folded toward or unfolded from the deckplate'"'"'s underside;

iii) each leg is affixed to at least one caster upon which it rests when the table upright and the leg is unfolded from the deckplate'"'"'s underside; and

iv) the deckplate comprises an upper surface having a first mating profile;

b) a cargo compartment, wherein;

i) the cargo compartment comprises a bottom panel and is enclosed on at least two sides;

ii) the cargo compartment rests upon and is readily separable from the deckplate; and

iii) the bottom panel of the cargo compartment comprises a second mating profile that is complementary to the deckplate'"'"'s first mating profile;

c) an interlocking interface that is defined by the first and second mating profiles when they are juxtaposed, such that the interface reduces sliding by the bottom panel in at least one direction relative to the deckplate yet permits ready removal of the cargo compartment; and

d) a plurality of supplemental casters that are mounted upon at least one of the cargo compartment, deckplate, and the deckplate support framework.

2. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cargo compartment is enclosed on all sides.

3. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cargo compartment further comprises a lid.

4. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cargo compartment is collapsible.

5. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cargo compartment comprises a box for which the sides may be removed or independently folded out.

6. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the supplemental casters are mounted on at least one end or side of the deckplate.

7. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the supplemental casters are mounted on at least one end or side of the cargo compartment.

8. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the legs is extendable.

9. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the legs are part of a scissor mechanism.

10. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each leg is directly affixed to and supported by a respective caster.

11. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the legs are affixed to and supported by a wheel base.

12. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the collapsible rolling table further comprises a power-assisting device to raise the height of the deckplate from the collapsed position by rotating the angle of at least one leg, and the power assisting device is selected from the group consisting of motors, pneumatic devices, a hydraulic devices, and manual cranks.

13. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the interlocking interface comprises at least one linear rail and permits sliding of the cargo compartment in a particular linear direction on the upper surface of the deckplate.

14. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the interlocking interface comprises a circular or semi-circular rail and permits pivoting of the cargo compartment to rotate it about a point on the deckplate.

15. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the interlocking interface prevents sliding in any direction and has a topography selected from the group consisting of a waffle pattern, a checkerboard pattern, a stud-and-receptacle grid, and a hill-and-valley grid.

16. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the deckplate and cargo compartment bottom panel comprises a horizontal tab extending from a side, end or corner and the other of the deckplate and cargo compartment bottom panel comprises a slot or clamp for receiving and retaining the tab.

17. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second mating profile comprises a retractable pin, and wherein the other mating profile defines an orifice to receive the pin.

18. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the apparatus is in an upright position, the orientation of the deckplate is more than five degrees different from horizontal along at least one axis.

19. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one caster is mounted with a releasable brake.

20. ) The mobile storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible rolling table has a height that can be adjusted such that the bottom of the deckplate is within six inches of a standard height range for at least one of the following when it is on a level surface:

an exhibition tabletop;

the top surface of a bed of a pick-up truck;

the top surface of an open tailgate of a pick-up truck;

the loading floor of a delivery van;

the trailer floor of a tractor-trailer combination; and

a loading dock.