Abstract:
A compact, lightweight, residential mobile house keeping cart, designed with low center of gravity. The cart provides for attachment and easily accessed storage of virtually all supplies and implements needed for cleaning. Easily transported by a user, the cart has two rear wheels, two front omni-directional casters, and skips on the back of the cart, whereby a ramp or elevator is not needed to access various levels or stairs, thereby providing mobility and requiring minimal space for maneuvering or storage. A plurality of implement and supply holders are disposed on the L-shaped sides and the back of the cart.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   When skeletal remains of Pompeii were analyzed by archeologists, with the aid of experts in the medical field, the professions of some of the skeletons could be determined. One such analysis was of a woman in her late teens to early twenties. From analysis of premature joint wear and bone condition, those experts determined that her profession was in cleaning, with much time spent in scrubbing floors, bending, and the like. This was determined from the condition of her bones compared to what orthopedic professionals have gleaned from modern man/woman over the past many decades. While this was a surprise to some, it was not so to those who spend considerable time in house cleaning endeavors. 
   Cleaning can be an arduous task. Anything that will minimize the effort is valuable. Storage and transportation of cleaning supplies and implements is a challenge. The number of trips to acquire needed items should be kept to a minimum; therefore, the convenience and proximity of cleaning supplies and tools is of primary concern. If cleaning is a professional pursuit, having all necessary tools at immediate disposal is imperative. Reducing trips for supplies and having items needed readily at hand determines profitability. Economy of movement decreases time, effort, and fatigue. As can be referenced from above, the longevity of a person&#39;s capabilities in cleaning can also be a concern. These concerns are not just for professionals, but for anyone who cleans a home, even. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to cleaning supplies, their conveyance and storage and more specifically to a residential mobile house keeping cart. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   While the prior art teaches various forms of carts designed for a variety of uses, with some uses relating to cleaning tasks, there remain many needs not addressed, especially needs of home cleaning and congregated storage of cleaning supplies. By way of example: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,932 to George illustrates an early rendition of a portable mop bucket. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,780,822 to Dickinson describes a device for cleaning mops and other floor-sweeping implements. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,349 issued to Gettleman et al. a mobile, multi-compartmented cart but one which is devoted to beverage service and housing its related components. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,704 to Rabban discloses a cart which houses two main compartments for dealing primarily with mops. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,123 B2 to Calmeise et al. discloses a partially convertible utility cart but not one which is devoted to the needs of the multiple tasks involved in house cleaning. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,423 B1 to Perelli et al. addresses some industrial and institutional needs, with a particular eye toward chemical security. It also primarily focuses on heavy refuse removal. 
   Therefore, limited, specialized industrial use carts are taught in the prior art. None describe a residential mobile house keeping cart designed for storing and transporting most all of the needs of anyone who cleans a home or apartment. None teach a cart which easily negotiates stairs, either up or down. The need for improvement in the art is therefore established, particularly the need for a cart which addresses all of the needs of cleaning. A cleaning cart should first be lightweight and highly portable so that it may be easily transported where needed, including up and down stairways, and not demand an elevator or ramp in order to gain access to various levels. The cart should also be self-contained in that it will easily house and transport virtually all implements and supplies for cleaning a home, preventing unnecessary trips to acquire the same. A properly designed cart should also store those supplies so that they are readily accessible in a logical order. The cart should also be small enough for non-invasive storage itself. House cleaning does not necessarily call for large or heavy carts but rather those that might easily fit into small utility closets. Attention must be given to center of gravity so that the cart is not inclined to tip over. In addition, the cart should possess sufficient internal compartments, not only for separation of needed items, but also for isolation of those items from those who might unwittingly be injured by them; children and pets for example. With that same safety concern, provision should be made for securing the compartments. Not to be forgotten, a properly designed cart should make all items available in a fashion that lessens the physical demands on a user. The cart should also provide for storage of tools that enable a user to extend their own physical capabilities, for example a provision for ladder attachment. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of cleaning supply carts now present in the prior art, the residential mobile house keeping cart overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the residential mobile house keeping cart, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a residential mobile house keeping cart which has all of the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in an improved mobile house keeping cart for home use which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. 
   To accomplish this, the invention features a lightweight, typically plastic or molded plastic, highly mobile cleaning cart. The cart is an upright L-shaped octahedron. The upper vertical section of the L-shape preferably houses  3  drawers, with the uppermost being smaller than the lower drawers. The bottom horizontal section of the L-shape comprises an internal well that extends beyond the horizontal depth of the top of the L-shape. The internal well removably holds a mop bucket or the like. Preferably, a lid covers the well. In a further embodiment, the well further comprises a drawer. The cart can be transported in several ways. 
   First, the cart can be pushed or pulled along its back wheels and front casters, with the front casters being omni directional. The cart may also be tilted back off of its front casters and onto its back wheels, then guided by any of a plurality of handles. Further, the back, lower portion of the cart, which is the back of the L, is fitted with skids so that the cart can be leaned back against stairs for either pulling up stairs or lowering the cart down them, another important feature not found in the prior art. The skids are generally a trapezoidal shape with exposed rounded corners, to aid the cart in sliding up and down stairs and landings and the like. A more basic embodiment of the cart features front legs disposed on the bottom of the cart, rather than casters, such that cart transportation requires tilting to roll the cart along on its back wheels. 
   Typical tools, such as mops, brooms, dustpan, towels and the like are fastened to the exterior of the cart in a highly visible and easily removable fashion, preferably with the handles up and the implement ends downward. Removable fastening means for implements comprises spring C-clips and retaining loops for implement handle insertion. Provision is also made for a small folding ladder so that users may access areas not normally reachable. A kneepad hook is provided, as much cleaning requires hands-and-knees work. Provision is made for dry or wet mop containment, on the exterior of the cart, with an external mop well for the wet mop. The internal well in the bottom of the cart provides for holding larger buckets of mopping solutions and the like. Keeping weighty solutions at the cart&#39;s lowest level maintains a low center of gravity. The mop well lid or drawer prevents access by children or pets to solutions in the well. Containment drawers, disposed above the mop well, are accessed via large easy-to-use handles. All containment areas are designed for childproof fastening. The preferred embodiment features a spring loaded sliding lock with lock tabs which engage eyelets in a back of each drawer. The slide must be elevated against the spring pressure in order to release the drawers. Releasing the slide pull allows the spring to keep the drawers locked. 
   The top of the cart features wells for drinks or other liquids, as well as a lipped exterior surround to prevent spillage. Containment drawer dimensions are designed to house typically sized and used cleaners and supplies, with optional dividers to house multiple smaller needs. Containment dimensions are designed to house economically sized supplies. Also, provision is made for containment or fastening of trash receptacles. The cart accomplishes all of the above in an extremely compact manner, so that storage and transportation can seldom be an issue, even within the tightest constraints. While the carts offered vary in size to accommodate many uses and environments, the preferred embodiment is about 38 inches tall, 15 inches wide, and 8-14 inches depth, the depth being the bottom leg of the L shape. The cart is designed to carry virtually everything needed in house cleaning, such that no further areas need be dedicated to storage and such that here is no need to search for cleaners and implements. 
   Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the residential mobile house keeping cart so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   Numerous objects, features and advantages of the residential mobile house keeping cart will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the residential mobile house keeping cart when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
   In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the mobile house keeping cart in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the residential mobile house keeping cart. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   It is therefore an object of the residential mobile house keeping cart to provide for the containment and transportation of a plurality of house keeping implements and supplies. 
   Another object of the residential mobile house keeping cart is to be sized to allow transportation through and storage within tight confines, such as doorways, hallways, and small closets. 
   Yet another object of the residential mobile house keeping cart is to provide for easily transporting the cart up and down stairways and multilevels. 
   These together with additional objects of the residential mobile house keeping cart, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the residential mobile house keeping cart, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the mobile house cleaning cart. 
       FIG. 2  is a left side lateral view of the invention, illustrating cleaning implement storage. 
       FIG. 3  is a right side lateral cross sectional view, also illustrating the drawer locking mechanism. 
       FIG. 4  is an expanded view of the drawer locking mechanism of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a right side lateral view of the invention illustrating broom, clipboard, and knee pad storage. 
       FIG. 6  is a back view of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 through 6  thereof, the preferred embodiment of the mobile house cleaning cart employing the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number  10  will be described. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , invention  10 , when viewed from the side, comprises an upright L-shaped octahedron. The parallelepiped L-shape is further defined by the lower horizontal section of the L-shape seamlessly joined to the upper vertical section of the L-shape. The horizontal L section partially comprises a top, a bottom, and a front. The top is shorter than the bottom. The upper vertical section of the L partially comprises a back, a front, and a top. The upper vertical section and the lower horizontal section combine to form two spaced apart L-shaped sides. The lower horizontal section comprises internal well  33 . Internal well  33  removably houses a bucket  92  for holding mopping solutions and the like (not shown). The top of the parallelepiped vertical section of the L-shape is defined by a tray  25  with a tray lip  27 . Tray lip  27  is disposed about the periphery of tray  25  to aid in capturing any spills which may occur. Container holder  28  is disposed within the top of tray  25 . Top drawer  48  is housed within the upper area of the vertical portion of the L-shape of invention  10 . Top drawer  48  is immediately below tray  25 . Middle drawer  49  is disposed immediately below drawer  48 . Lower drawer  50  is disposed below middle drawer  49 . Lower drawer  50  is above internal well  33 . Lower drawer  50  is separated from internal well  33  by horizontally disposed drawer divider  34 . Drawer divider  34  separates lower drawer  50  from drawer  49 . Additional draw divider  34  separates drawer  49  from drawer  48 . Top drawer  48 , middle drawer  49 , and lower drawer  50  are further comprised of drawer pulls  47  disposed generally upwardly and centrally within a front of each. The combination use of C-clips  75  is demonstrated in removably holding broom handle  87 . The lower C-clip  75  is just above broom head  86 . The right side of invention  10  is further comprised of paper towel holder  80  for holding typically sized rolls of paper towels  84  ( FIG. 5 ). Paper towel holder  80  is disposed upwardly and vertical on the side of cart  10 . Hook  55  is disposed directly below holder  80 . Hook  55  removably holds knee pad  88  or other needed implements. Rear wheels  51  are disposed at each rear corner of the base of the L shaped invention  10 . Rear wheels  51  revolve in a plane parallel to the sides of invention  10 . The front corners of invention  10  locate omni directional casters  37  such that invention  10  can be steered in any direction. Casters  37  are disposed on a bottom surface of invention  10  (not shown). 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the left side of cart  10  is further comprised of spring C-clips  75 ; Two C-clips  75  are disposed upwardly and are horizontally spaced apart. One C-clip  75  disposed toward the bottom of side  53  and directly below the rear most upper C-clip  75  C-clips  75  removably hold dust mop handle  82 . The lower most C-clip  75  just above dust mop head  81 . Exterior mop well  76  is affixed to and disposed below the forward most upper C-clip  75 . Exterior mop well  76  is proximal to bottom of invention  10 . The back of the cart is further comprised of the horizontally and upwardly disposed handle and towel rack  74 . Skid  54  is disposed near the bottom of the back of the cart  10 , above the wheels  51 . Skids  54  are disposed on each side of the back. Skids  54  are of a general trapezoidal shape, with the back, exposed side having rounded corners. The skids  81  are thereby aided in sliding up and down stairs and the like (not shown). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cross sectional view of invention  10  is comprised of top drawer  48 , middle drawer  49 , and lower drawer  50 . Sliding lock mechanism  40  is a spring loaded locking feature to prevent inadvertent invasion of cart  10  contents by children, pets, or other unwanted intruders (not shown). Vertical housing  45  houses vertical slide  43 . Horizontal eyelets  38  extend horizontally backward from a top back of each of the top drawer  48 , middle drawer  49  and lower drawer  50 . Slide  43  is further comprised of lock tabs  39 . Lock tabs  39  extend downwardly and perpendicularly to tab transverses  41 . Tab transverses  41  extend perpendicularly from slide  43  toward a back of each of top drawer  48 , middle drawer  49  and lower drawer  50 . Lock tabs  39  are extended downwardly and perpendicularly from horizontal tab transverses  41 . Tabs  39  are positioned to slideably fit within eyelets  38 . Slide  43  extends upwardly through and past horizontally disposed abutment  44 . Abutment  44  is affixed to housing  45 . The top of lock mechanism  40  is a spring stop  46 . An extension spring  42  is housed about the top of the slide  43 . Extension spring  42  is atop abutment  44 . Pulling upwardly on spring stop  46  overcomes extension spring  42 . Upward movement of slide  43  pulls lock tabs  39  out of eyelets  38 , thereby freeing any and all of: top drawer  47 , middle drawer  48  and lower drawer  50  to be pulled open. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , upper cart handle  72  is disposed upwardly and centrally on back cart panel  71 . Handle  74  is disposed just below handle  72 . Handle  74  is horizontally disposed. Handle  74  also comprises a towel rack. Spring C-clips  75  are disposed about back cart panel  71 . Two C-clips  75  are horizontally spaced apart and disposed proximally to handle  74 . Two spaced apart C-clips  75  are disposed toward the bottom of back cart panel  71  and directly below upper C-clips  75 . C-clips  75  are used either separately or tandemly to hold various implements (not shown). 
   In use, invention  10  is removed from any chosen storage location, then loaded with any and all implements and supplies heretofore discussed, as well as others not individually named, if not already containing such. Appropriate C-clips are utilized to contain various implements such as broom handle  87  with broom head  86 , mop handle  89  with mop head  90 , dust mop handle  82  with dust mop head  81 , and the like. Paper towels  84  are removably held within paper towel holder  80 . Removable bucket  92  is filled with any appropriate material. Exterior mop well  76  is either partially filled with any chosen solution or is left as a catch for any liquid or material which might drip from mop head  90 . Top drawer  48 , middle drawer  49 , and lower drawer  50  are utilized to house various cleaning solutions, rags, tools, or other desired items (not shown). Spring stop  46  is elevated to disengage lock tabs  39  from drawer eyelets  38 . Top drawer  48 , middle drawer  49  and lower drawer  50  are thereby disengaged from sliding lock mechanism  40 . Re-engagement of sliding lock mechanism  40  is accomplished by elevating spring stop  46  and returning top drawer  48 , middle drawer  49  or lower drawer  50 , then releasing spring stop  46 . Cart  10  is most easily conveyed by pushing or pulling either with handle  72  or handle  74 . Casters  37  provide for omni directional movement of cart  10 . For negotiating stairs or varied levels, invention  10  is held and tilted backward via handle  72  or  74 , then propelled upon rear wheels  51 . Skids  54  and wheels  51  provide for sliding invention  10  up or down stairs or multi levels (not shown). Invention  10  is transported and stored as chosen. For negotiating stairs or varied levels, invention  10  is held and tilted backward via handle  72  or  74 , then propelled upon rear wheels  51 . Skids  54  and wheels  51  provide for sliding invention  10  up or down stairs or multi levels (not shown). Invention  10  is transported and stored as chosen. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the mobile house cleaning cart, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.