Patent ID: 6601859
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B62B

Abstract:
A hand truck comprising:a. a skeletal generally vertically disposed frame including side rails with front and rear sides, exterior sides, and interior sides connected by generally laterally extending braces, said frame having separated upper and lower frame sections with upper and lower side rail sections meeting at side rail interfaces; b. a pair of wheels connected to said lower frame section rearwardly of said lower side rail sections; c. a load support nose member connected to said lower frame section having an operative position extending generally horizontally forwardly from said lower frame section; d. hinges connecting said upper frame section to said lower frame section for relative folding movement from a first operative position in which said upper and lower side rail sections are generally vertically aligned to a folded-down stowed position in which said side rail sections are in front to rear lapping relationship, said hinges having lateral hinge pins rearward of said upper side rail sections, each said pin connecting a hinge member secured to the exterior side of said upper side rail section and a hinge member secured to the exterior side of said lower side rail section, said upper section of said frame folding down rearwardly to lie rearwardly of said lower section of said frame, and said nose member being pivotally mounted at the lower ends of said lower frame section side rails to swing upwardly to a stowed position adjacent the front sides of said lower frame section side rails from an operative forwardly extending position. e. handle operated lock slides carried by said upper rail sections for downward locking vertical sliding movement within said upper side rail sections from a first raised position vertically free of said lower rail sections to a second locking position extending past said interfaces into the upper ends of said lower rail sections to prevent relative folding movement of said upper and lower side rail sections; and f. stop surfaces carried by said lock slides interacting with said frame for limiting the downward, gravity assisted locking travel of said lock slides beyond said locking position.