Cart with snap-locking members

• US 5,531,464 A
• Filed: 12/09/1994
• Issued: 07/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maurer, David A., Raymond N. Maurer
• Original Assignee: Maurer, David A., Raymond N. Maurer
• Inventors: Maurer, David A., Maurer, Raymond N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boehler, Anne Marie
• Assistant Examiner(s): YU, MIN SON
• Application Number:
  US08/352,599
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 280/79.11, 280/79.3, 280/79.7, 280/47.35, 211/126, 211/182, 211/189, 211/194, 248/165, 403/217, 403/218, 403/219, 403/292, 403/300, 403/327, 403/329
• US Class Current: 280/47.35
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/12 Boxes, Crates
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/006 for stacking objects like trays, bobbins, chains
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/44 Three or more members connected at single locus

Abstract

A readily assemblable and disassemblable cart has snap-locking vertical and lateral members. The vertical members and top and bottom rails include notched end portions which define extended portions. The lateral rails have bores formed in each of the ends thereof for receiving two of the extended portions. The extended portions also include latching members which, when the cart is assembled, extend into openings in the lateral rails which are transverse to, and contiguous with the bores.

Claims

1. A cart comprising:

a frame having first and second substantially identical, rectangular end frame portions, said end frame portions defining first and second planes being positioned generally parallel one to the other, each said end frame portion having at least one pair of spaced apart vertical members and top and bottom rails extending between and connecting said vertical members, each of said vertical members having first and second ends having a notch formed therein defining an extended portion, and a biased latching member located on said extended portion movable between a first position and a second position and wherein said latching member extends outwardly relative to a surface of said extended portion;

at least one pair of substantially identical lateral rails extending generally transverse to said first and second planes and extending between and connecting said end frame portions, said rails have substantially identical ends, and being spaced apart and extending substantially parallel to one another, each of said ends defining a bore therethrough for receiving two of said vertical member extended portions inserted therein in generally opposing and abutting relation one with the other.

2. The cart of claim 1, wherein each of said rails further includes a pair of openings formed therein, in opposing relation one with the other, and wherein said openings are generally transverse to and contiguous with said bore for receiving said latching members when said latching members are in said second position.

3. The cart of claim 1 wherein each of said top and bottom rails include first and second ends having a notch formed therein defining an extended portion and being configured for receipt in one of said bores of said lateral rails in generally opposing and abutting relation with said extended portion of an adjacent vertical member.

4. The cart of claim 3 further including a latching member on each of said top and bottom rail extended portions, wherein each said latching member is movable between a first position and a second position wherein said latching member extends outwardly relative to a surface of said extended portion, and being configured for receipt in said opening of an associated lateral rail when said latching member is in said second position.

5. The cart of claim 1 wherein said latching members are integrally formed with said extended portions.

6. The cart of claim 1 wherein said latching members include means for biasing said latching members into said second position, extending outwardly relative to said surface of said extended portion.

7. The cart of claim 6 wherein said biasing means is integrally formed with said latching member.

8. The cart of claim 1 further including at least one basket, wherein said basket is receivable along a pair of corresponding lateral rails.

9. The cart of claim 1 further including caster wheels mounted to said bottom rails.

10. The cart of claim 1 wherein said latching member extends outwardly from an outward facing side of said extended portion.