Patent ID: 9010771
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: B62B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for transporting carts comprising: a machine body; a steering control arranged on the body; a steering pedestal pivotally arranged with respect to the body; at least one caster; a hitch positioned on the body opposite said steering pedestal and adapted to engage a cart; and a selection mechanism the selection mechanism adapted to be selectively coupleable between the body and the steering pedestal providing for a caster mode and a steering mode respectively, wherein in steering mode, the steering pedestal is operably coupled to the caster such that a change in the pivotal direction of the steering pedestal relative to the machine body causes a substantially corresponding change in the pivotal direction of the at least one caster relative to the machine body, wherein the selection mechanism further comprises a pivoting selector pivotally positionable between a body engaging position and a pedestal engaging position, wherein the body further comprises a fixing element, the fixing element being engageable with the pivoting selector in a body engaging position, wherein the fixing element further comprises a turn center plate, wherein the turn center plate further comprises a centering notch, wherein the pivoting selector includes a body engagement feature adapted to engage the fixing element, wherein the body engagement feature includes a stepped feature adapted to engage the centering notch.