Patent ID: 6827364
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: B62B,Y10S

Abstract:
A utility cart for shopping, laundering, and transporting goods, comprising:a metal frame having a rectangular shaped upper frame rail, a rectangular shaped lower frame rail, said upper and lower frame rails being attached at the four corners by means of corner support posts, the four sides of said frame being closed by metal mesh panels, the bottom of said frame being further closed by a metal mesh panel, and the top of said frame being open; an adjustable inverted U-shaped handle attached along the back top portion of said frame, said handle supported by telescoping support posts having inner and outer concentric sliding tubes, said tubes extending upward from top of said frame, said inner tubes being curved outward from said cart, said handle being adjustable in height and secured in place by locking means; a rear axel attached horizontally to the back portion of the lower back frame rail, the ends of said axel extending outwardly from each side of said frame; fixed position rear wheels mounted on each end of said axel, said rear wheels having outer rubber treads for traction; rotatable front swivel wheels attached by mounting means to the front bottom corners of said frame, said front wheels having outer rubber treads for traction, said front swivel wheels providing means for turning said cart, thereby making said cart easier to guide; a brake mechanism further comprising brake pads attached by mounting means to each end of a horizontal braking bar, said braking bar being rotatively mounted and spring loaded on to said axel, said brake pads being made of a hard material having good griping properties, said braking bar extending across full width of said utility cart behind and in close proximity to said rear wheels, said brake pads being aligned with said rear wheels, said braking bar further having a horizontal footpad attached in area between said rear wheels for applying said brakes to secure said cart by applying frictional pressure to said rear wheels, said brakes being locked in place by ratchet means; and a brake release mechanism attached at one end of said axel near the rear wheel for releasing said brake mechanism, thereby freeing said rear wheels to rotate.