Foldable laundry cart

• US 5,772,236 A
• Filed: 03/05/1997
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Annette Clark
• Original Assignee: Annette Clark
• Inventors: Clark, Annette
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US08/812,344
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 280/639, 280/38, 280/641, 280/651, 280/659, 280/47.35, 280/79.2, 280/43, 280/47.34
• US Class Current: 280/651
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/66 Laundry
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/02 involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 95/002 Baskets or bags specially adapted for holding or transporting laundry; Supports therefor

Abstract

A new Foldable Laundry Cart for offering a convenient means for storing, transporting, and folding laundry. The inventive device includes a frame assembly having an opening therein, a basket fitted within the opening of the frame assembly, and first and second leg assemblies pivotally attached to opposite ends of the frame assembly, wherein the leg assemblies are foldable toward each other to a horizontal position adjacent the underside of the frame assembly whereby the cart can be easily stored when not in use. A tray assembly is swivelly attached to the frame assembly above the opening and a handle assembly extends from each end of the frame assembly wherein the handle assembly is adapted for use as a handle and a clothes hanging device.

Claims

1. A laundry cart comprising:

a frame assembly having an opening therein;

a basket fitted within said opening of said frame assembly and attached to said frame assembly;

a first leg assembly pivotally attached to one end of said frame assembly;

a second leg assembly pivotally attached to an opposite end of said frame assembly;

a tray assembly swivelly attached to said frame assembly above said opening of said frame assembly;

said tray assembly swiveled to reveal said opening in said frame assembly and said basket;

a handle assembly extending from each end of said frame assembly; and

said first leg assembly and said second leg assembly are foldable toward each other to a horizontal position adjacent the underside of said frame assembly, whereby said cart can be easily stored when not in use.

2. The laundry cart of claim 1, wherein said frame assembly comprises:

a first pair of opposed frame members;

a second pair of opposed frame members; and

said first pair of opposed frame members and said second pair of opposed frame members perpendicularly joined at mating corners thereof to form a substantially rectangular-shaped frame assembly.

3. The laundry cart of claim 1, wherein said opening in said frame assembly is substantially rectangular in shape.

4. The laundry cart of claim 1, wherein said handle assembly comprises:

a pair of arm portions each having a first end removably attached to said frame assembly and a second end extending upward and outward from said frame assembly;

a cross-member portion interconnecting said second ends of each of said pair of arm portions; and

said cross-member portion adapted for use as a handle and a clothes hanging device.

5. The laundry cart of claim 1, wherein said first leg assembly comprises a first pair of vertically adjustable legs and wherein said second leg assembly comprises a second pair of vertically adjustable legs.

10. The laundry cart of claim 4, wherein said basket is formed of an open-mesh netting material.

11. The laundry cart of claim 4, wherein said tray assembly comprises:

a first tray and a second tray swivelly attached to said frame assembly at one end; and

a third tray and a fourth tray swivelly attached to said frame assembly at an opposite end.

12. The laundry cart of claim 11, wherein said first tray and said fourth tray swivel in a first horizontal plane, and wherein said second tray and said third tray swivel in a second horizontal plane, said first horizontal plane being above said second horizontal plane, said first tray and said second tray swivelable toward each other such that said first tray eclipses said second tray, said third tray and said fourth tray swivelable toward each other such that said fourth tray eclipses said third tray.

13. The laundry cart of claim 4, wherein said handle assembly is removably attached to said frame assembly.

6. A laundry cart comprising:

a frame assembly having an opening therein;

a basket fitted within said opening of said frame assembly and attached to said frame assembly;

a first leg assembly pivotally attached to one end of said frame assembly;

a second leg assembly pivotally attached to an opposite end of said frame assembly;

a tray assembly swivelly attached to said frame assembly above said opening of said frame assembly;

said tray assembly swiveled to reveal said opening in said frame assembly and said basket;

a handle assembly extending from each end of said frame assembly;

said first leg assembly comprises a first pair of vertically adjustable legs and wherein said second leg assembly comprises a second pair of vertically adjustable legs;

each of said first pair of vertically adjustable legs and each of said second pair of vertically adjustable legs comprises;

a sleeve member pivotally attached at one end to said frame;

an extension member slidingly inserted within said sleeve member and extending from an opposite end of said sleeve member;

said extension member adjustably extendable from said sleeve member by slidingly moving said extension member within said sleeve member; and

a locking means for locking said extension member in a desired position.

7. The laundry cart of claim 6, wherein each of said sleeve members has a plurality of aligned catch holes therein, and wherein said locking means comprises:

a catch pin projecting perpendicularly from said extension member, said catch pin projecting through one of said plurality of aligned catch holes; and

a projection spring located within said extension member and positioned behind said catch pin whereby said projection spring causes said catch pin to project perpendicularly outward from said extension member and allows said catch pin to be depressed into said extension member.

8. The laundry cart comprising:

a frame assembly having an opening therein;

a basket fitted within said opening of said frame assembly and attached to said frame assembly;

a first leg assembly pivotally attached to one end of said frame assembly;

a second leg assembly pivotally attached to an opposite end of said frame assembly;

a tray assembly swivelly attached to said frame assembly above said opening of said frame assembly;

said tray assembly swiveled to reveal said opening in said frame assembly and said basket;

a handle assembly extending from each end of said frame assembly;

said first leg assembly comprises a first pair of vertically adjustable legs and wherein said second leg assembly comprises a second pair of vertically adjustable legs;

a first cross-member interconnecting said first pair of vertically extendable legs; and

a second cross-member interconnecting said second pair of vertically extendable legs.

9. The laundry cart of claim 8, further comprising:

a caster provided on each of said first pair of vertically extendable legs and on each of said second pair of vertically extendable legs, whereby said cart can be easily transported.