Utility cart

• US 4,457,527 A
• Filed: 12/03/1981
• Issued: 07/03/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: A. J. Lowery
• Original Assignee: A. J. Lowery
• Inventors: Lowery, A. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, David M.
• Application Number:
  US06/327,172
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 280/47.17, 280/47.19, 280/47.26, 280/33.99 T, 280/35, 280/79.3, 280/659, 280/47.18, 280/79.1 A, 280/30, 280/32.5, 280/47.27, 280/47.28, 280/47.2 9, 312/237, 312/DIG. 33, 182/20, 182/127, 182/194, 182/228, 242/86.5 R, 242/129, 242/129.5, 242/129.6, 242/129.8
• US Class Current: 280/47.19
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/04 portable
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 1/10 in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 1/264 the objects being of cylindrical shape, e.g. barrels, buckets, dustbins
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/025 Reels, e.g. for filamentary or sheet material
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/025 with gliding elements, e.g. skids
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/533 Storage compartments for accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 49/32 Stands or frameworks
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 57/06 Annular guiding surfaces; Eyes, e.g. pigtails
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/403 Carriage with wheels

Abstract

A utility cart has features that allow it to be used over rough ground and stairways. The cart is a two wheel cart, with a base plate that projects forwardly for balancing the cart upright. The cart is rolled by tilting it rearwardly with handles. The cart has a back plate that is mounted across the frame and has a number of retainers for releasably retaining storage bins. Side plates are located on the sides of the base plate and back plate. The side plates have retainers for holding tools. Brackets on the insides of the side plates will receive a shaft for holding a spool of wire. The brackets will also receive a rung. The cart can then be used as a ladder. Braces extend rearwardly from the axle for facilitating moving the cart over stairways. A cover fits over the upper and front edges of the side plate to provide a secure enclosure. The cover can be moved to an open position where it will also serve as a temporary work table.

Claims

1. In a utility cart of the type having a frame mounted on an axle on a pair of wheels, the cart having a base plate projecting forwardly of the axle and positioned to contact the ground and support the cart in an upright position, the cart having a rearwardly extending handle for tilting the cart about the axle and moving the cart, the improvement comprising:

a back plate mounted across the frame, the back plate having a plurality of retaining means for releasably retaining bins for storing material;

a pair of spaced-apart side plates extending forwardly from the back plate, the side plates having a plurality of retaining means for releasably retaining goods;

the side plates extending upwardly from the base plate in planes perpendicular to the back plate and to the base plate;

at least one bracket mounted to the inside surface of each side plate;

a shaft extending between the brackets parallel with the axle for holding spools of cord;

the frame having a pair of parallel rigid braces extending upwardly and rearwardly from the axle with respect to the back plate, the brace having a lower portion inclining rearwardly with respect to the frame and an upper portion extending forwardly and joining the frame;

a top plate extending forwardly from the back plate flush with the upper edges of the side plates;

a front plate connected by a hinge to the forward edge of the top plate and adapted to pivot between a closed position flush with the forward edges of the side plates and a horizontal open position; and

brace means for releasably supporting the front plate in the open position.

2. In a utility cart of the type having a frame mounted on an axle on a pair of wheels, the cart having a base plate projecting forwardly of the axle and positioned to contact the ground and support the cart in an upright position, the cart having a rearwardly extending handle for tilting the cart about the axle and moving the cart, the improvement comprising:

a back plate mounted across the frame, the back plate having a plurality of retaining means for releasably retaining bins for storing material;

a pair of spaced-apart side plates extending forwardly from the back plate, the side plates having a plurality of retaining means for releasably retaining goods;

the side plates extending upwardly from the base plate in planes perpendicular to the back plate and to the base plate;

a plurality of brackets vertically spaced-apart and mounted to the inside surface of each side plate;

a shaft extending between at least two of the brackets parallel with the axle for holding spools of cord;

the frame having a pair of parallel rigid braces extending upwardly and rearwardly from the axle with respect to the back plate, the brace having a lower portion inclining rearwardly with respect to the frame and an upper portion extending forwardly and joining the frame;

a top plate extending forwardly from the back plate flush with the upper edges of the side plates;

a front plate connected by a hinge to the forward edge of the top plate and adapted to pivot between a closed position flush with the forward edges of the side plates and a horizontal open position;

brace means for releasably supporting the front plate in the open position;

each of the brackets on one side plate being spaced at the same distance from the base plate as one of the brackets on the other side plate;

each of the brackets having a supporting means for supporting selectively the shaft for a spool of wire and also a rung to define a ladder.

3. In a utility cart of the type having a frame mounted on an axle on a pair of wheels, the cart having a base plate projecting forwardly of the axle and positioned to contact the ground and support the cart in an upright position, the cart having a rearwardly extending handle for tilting the cart about the axle and moving the cart when tilted, the improvement comprising:

a back plate mounted across the frame parallel with the axle, the back plate having a plurality of retaining means for releasably retaining bins for storing materials;

a pair of spaced-apart side plates carried by the frame and extending forwardly of the back plate and upwardly from the base plate, the side plates having a plurality of retaining means for releasably retaining goods;

at least one bracket mounted to the inside surface of each side plate;

a shaft supported by the bracket for receiving a spool of electrical wire;

the axis of the shaft being parallel with the axle; and

a wire guide extending between the side plates above the shaft, the wire guide being an elongated member parallel with the shaft and having a plurality of passages for wire from the spool to feed through.

4. The cart according to claim 3 wherein each of the retaining means for the back and side plates comprises a slot having a forward and upwardly turned flange for receiving an overhanging lip.

5. The cart according to claim 3 wherein the back plate extends above the upper edge of the side plates, and the side plates have forward edges flush with the base plate.

6. The cart according to claim 3 wherein each of the passages has rounded upper and lower edges.

7. A utility cart, comprising in combination:

a pair of spaced-apart, parallel frame members mounted to and forwardly of an axle, the upper ends of the frame members extending rearwardly for defining handles;

a wheel mounted to each end of the axle;

a pair of rigid braces secured to the axle and extending upwardly, the braces having a lower portion inclining rearwardly with respect to the frame member and an upper portion that joins the frame members;

a base plate mounted to the lower ends of the frame members and extending forwardly, the base plate being positioned to contact the ground surface and support the cart in an upright position;

a back plate secured to the frame members and extending upward to a height no less than the handles;

a pair of side plates parallel with each other and located on each side of the base plate, each side plate extending upwardly from the base plate perpendicular to the back plate and base plate;

the back plate having a plurality of slots, each slot having a forwardly and upwardly projecting flange for engaging the lip of a bin for storing articles;

at least one bracket mounted to the inside surface of each side plate;

a shaft supported by the bracket for receiving a spool of electrical wire; and

a wire guide extending between the side plates above and parallel with the shaft, the wire guide being an elongated member having a plurality of passages for wire from the spool to feed through, each passage having a rounded upper edge.

8. In a utility cart of the type having a frame mounted on an axle on a pair of wheels, the cart having a base plate projecting forwardly of the axle and a rearwardly extending handle for tilting the cart about the axle and moving the cart, the improvement comprising:

a back plate mounted across the frame, the back plate having a plurality of retaining means for releasably retaining bins for storing material; and

a pair of spaced-apart side plates mounted to the frame to the back and base plates and extending forwardly, the side plates having a plurality of retaining means for releasably retaining goods;

a plurality of brackets vertically spaced apart and mounted to the inside surface of each side plate; and

at least one shaft extending between two of the brackets parallel with the axle for holding spools of wire;

the frame having a pair of parallel braces extending upwardly and rearwardly from the axle with respect to the back plate;

a top plate extending forwardly from the back plate flush with the upper edges of the side plates;

a front plate connected by a hinge to the forward edge of the top plate and adapted to pivot between a closed position flush with the forward edges of the side plates and a horizontal open position;

brace means for releasably supporting the front plate in the open position;

each of the brackets on one side plate being spaced at the same distance from the base plate as one of the brackets on the other side plate; and

each of the brackets having a supporting means for supporting selectively the shaft for holding spools of wire and also a rung to define a ladder.