Patent ID: 6669213
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: B62B

Abstract:
A kit for constructing a variety of easy-to-assemble portable storage and transportation carts comprising:(a) a plurality of elongated hollow frame members having substantially uniform outer cross-sectional profiles, wherein each frame member includes a first and a second end, sidewalls, and at least one series of incrementally spaced pairs of aligned holes through opposite sidewalls of the frame member along the length thereof, where each pair of holes has an axis that is perpendicular to the sidewalls and passes through a longitudinal centerline of the frame member; (b) a plurality of three-way couplings for connecting up to three frame members together at right angles to each other, each of said couplings comprising three hollow segments formed of a plurality of sidewalls and having an inner cross-sectional profile similar in shape to and slightly larger than the outer cross-sectional profiles of the frame members, at least one pair of sidewalls having at least one pair of aligned holes therein; (c) a plurality of cylindrical shelf tubes having outer diameters slightly smaller than the diameters of the incrementally spaced holes in the sidewalls of the frame members such that the shelf tubes can be fittingly received in the holes in the side walls of the frame members, and means for retaining the shelf tubes within the holes in the side walls of the frame members; (d) a plurality of casters, each caster including a mounting plate; and (e) a plurality of wheel adapters configured for mounting the casters to the frame members, each wheel adapter including a plate and an upstanding socket, the plate being suited for attachment to the mounting plate of a caster, and the upstanding socket having an outer profile the same as the outer profile of the frame members and at least one pair of opposed sidewalls having at least one pair of opposed and aligned holes therein; wherein the frame members, three-way couplings, shelf tubes, casters, and wheel adapters or a portion thereof are configured and suited for non-permanent assembly together in a variety of combinations and configurations to form various portable utility and transportation carts.