Cart transporting apparatus

• US 8,360,459 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2009
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dane Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dane Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Holtan, Paul, Dvorak, Andrew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Tashiana
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEAGLEY, DANIEL S
• Application Number:
  US12/420,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20090267322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 180/19.1, 280/493, 280/495, 280/481, 280/458, 280/650, 280/505, 403/49, 403/53, 403/110, 403/300, 403/301, 403/314, 403/316, 403/319, 403/335, 213/75.R, 213/78, 213/88, 213/90, 213/175, 285/23, 285/62, 298/38, 292/336.5, 292/289, 292/297, 410/146, 410/148
• US Class Current: 280/495
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/02 Bolt or shackle-type couplings
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/04 Hook or hook-and-hasp couplings
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/363 Hitch guiding or catching elements, e.g. V-shaped plates partially surrounding a coupling member for guiding the other coupling member
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2205/20 Catches; Locking or releasing an articulation
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2207/00 Joining hand-propelled vehicles or sledges together
• 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 3/001 Steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/002 characterised by a rectangular shape, involving sidewalls or racks
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/008 having more than two axes
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/14 characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys collapsible shopping trolleys B62B3/027
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/00 Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts B62B3/1404 , B62B9/00 take precedence; wheels, axles, or axle bearings for vehicles B60B; castors for vehicles, castors in general B60B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0033 Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0079 Towing by connecting to another vehicle

Abstract

A cart transporting apparatus including a hitch assembly and a cart coupling assembly. The hitch assembly may include an elongated body, at least one catch member, and a hitch stop. The hitch stop may be, for example, a rotating hitch stop or a sliding hitch stop. The rotating hitch stop may include at least three flanges configured to abut a cart and may further include a detent mechanism. The cart coupling assembly may include at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be pivotally coupled to the second portion. The first portion may include first and second engagement members. The second portion may include third and fourth engagement members.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transporting carts comprising:

a hitch stop assembly comprising;

an elongated body including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to be operatively coupled to a cart mover;

at least one catch member operatively coupled to the second end of the body; and

a hitch stop operably coupled to said body and configured to move about a horizontal plane relative to the body; and

a cart coupling assembly comprising;

a first portion including first and second engagement members; and

a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion and including a third engagement member and a fourth engagement member, wherein

each of the first, second, third, and fourth engagement members has an end carrying a hook and a latch and a handle for operating the latch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitch stop is a rotating hitch stop and includes a plurality of flanges configured to abut different types of carts.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further including a detent mechanism.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a spring operably coupled to each handle for biasing the handles.

5. A cart coupling assembly comprising:

a first portion including first and second engagement members; and

a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion and including a third engagement member and a fourth engagement member, wherein

each of said first, second, third and fourth engagement member has an end carrying a hook and a latch and a handle for operating the latch.

6. The cart coupling assembly of claim 5, wherein the engagement members are in a fixed relationship relative to each other and each carries a spring member operably coupled to the handle.

7. The cart coupling assembly of claim 6, wherein the third and fourth engagement members further comprise a bend.