Abstract:
A compactable wheeled transport system with a first pivotal shelf for ease of transporting a first object in a first mode of operation. A compactable wheeled transport system with a second pivotal shelf for use as a work surface and support a second object thereon. Additionally, a pivotal foot is disclosed for stabilization of the system.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application is a continuation-in-part application of, and incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/986,239, filed on Nov. 11, 2004. patent application Ser. No. 10/986,239 claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/626,703, filed Nov. 10, 2004, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/600,743, filed Aug. 11, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/519,169, filed Nov. 11, 2003. This patent application also incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/626,703, 60/600,743, and 60/519,169. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention pertains to wheeled transport systems, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a wheeled transport system incorporating at least one pivotally mounted, telescoping leg and transversely angulated foot assembly in conjunction with a pivotal work surface for the stabilization thereof.  
         [0004]     2. History of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Lap top computers and similar devices have been developed to enable business travelers to perform other work tasks while traveling. Despite their convenience, they are not truly comfortable to use on one&#39;s lap. In an airplane, this discomfort may be alleviated by the use of the folding tray tables with which aircraft seats are equipped. But in airport waiting rooms and hotel lobbies, where travelers necessarily spend a significant amount of time, there are no suitable work surfaces where lap top computers may be placed and used.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,796B1, incorporated herein by reference, provides a substantial improvement over previous designs. A luggage carrier, as described therein, includes a work surface pivotally extendable from a frame. The work surface is supported at one end by the frame and at the opposite end by one or more telescopic legs.  
         [0007]     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/519,169 entitled “Wheeled Transporting Device,” herein incorporated by reference, provides yet additional improvements over previous designs. A luggage carrier, as described therein, includes a work surface pivotally extendible from a frame, with the frame stabilized by an extendible leg.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention relates to wheeled transporting devices. More particularly, one embodiment includes a combined desk and article carrier assembly adapted for multiple modes of operation. One embodiment includes three modes, comprising a first collapsed mode for both storage and mobility, a second, semi-collapsed mode for transporting at least one article and for serving as a work desk in an expanded third mode. The assembly comprises a frame having upper and lower ends, the lower end having wheels and the upper end of the frame, including a handle upwardly telescopic relative thereto for facilitating the mobility of the frame on the wheels thereof. An article support shelf is pivotally connected to a first side of the frame near the lower end thereof and adapted to pivot outwardly and downwardly away from the frame to a generally horizontal position for supporting at least one article placed thereon in the second mode. A desk-top shelf is pivotally connected to a second, opposite side of the frame near a top end thereof and adapted to pivot outwardly and upwardly to a generally horizontal position to form a work desk in the third mode. Finally, a deployable foot support is pivotally connected to, and adapted for transverse, angular deployment outwardly from the second side of the frame near a bottom end thereof in the third mode of operation.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment of the present invention, there are four modes of operation. In one mode, the assembly is collapsed and in a second, it may be loaded with bags for rolling transport. In a third mode, the handle extends upwardly from the desk-top shelf during use, while in a fourth mode, the handle is collapsed to be flush with the desk top shelf. In one design embodiment, the deployable foot is angularly connected to a mounting brace in a corner region of the frame. The deployable foot comprises in this embodiment, an elongate bar that pivots transversely outwardly and locks in position for providing stability to the assembly in the expanded, third and fourth modes, described herein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  comprises multiple perspective views of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating multiple modes of operation;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention taken from a front side thereof and illustrating a collapsed mode of operation;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 2  taken from a different angle and illustrating a rearward portion thereof, including a belt or strap secured thereacross and adapted for securement of an item of luggage or the like thereon;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 3  with the handle in an upwardly extended position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 4  with the handle remaining in the fully upwardly extending position and with a tray section assembly upwardly positioned thereupon;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 5  for illustrating the position of the tray assembly upwardly extending thereon;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of a mounting brace disposed in a lower section of the invention for facilitating securement of a deployable foot (to be discussed below);  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the invention of  FIGS. 5 and 6  with the tray extended into a working configuration for supporting a laptop computer or the like thereupon;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is an upwardly perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 8  for illustrating the positioning of the tray and the telescoping features of the support struts therefore;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 9  taken from a rearward position thereof and further illustrating the deployment of a lower support shelf for support of luggage and/or other containers thereupon which may be further secured by the straps in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 10  with the handle recessed into a position flush with the top surface of the work tray and with a support foot deployed outwardly therefrom;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the extension of the support foot of  FIG. 11  further illustrating its attachment to the support bracket described above;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view taken from a lower section of the invention of  FIG. 12  further illustrating one embodiment of the mounting of the support foot to the mounting bracket described above; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged perspective view of the support tray taken from an underneath angle thereof further illustrating the assembly of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-14  in combination, there is shown an article carrier  10  in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. The carrier  10  includes wheels  12  for ease of transport and a lower support shelf  14  for receiving luggage or the like. As also shown in  FIG. 1  in this illustration of multiple modes of operation of the present invention, the carrier  10  includes a work surface  16  and handle  18  that may be extended for purposes of control and transport. The handle  18  extends via telescoping arms  22  that connect to a chassis  20 . As shown in further illustrations in  FIG. 1  as well as specific other figures between  FIG. 2-14 , the handle  18  may be extended for transport purposes and may be retracted to a lower position for flush mounting with the work surface  16 . With the work surface  16  pivoted outwardly for use as a tray, a computer or the like may be placed thereupon and structurally stabilized and supported by virtue of a telescoping support assembly  52  for stabilizing a work surface  16  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The work surface  16  in  FIG. 1  and in other figures herein is shown in an elevated position in conjunction with the pivotally mounted, outwardly angularly oriented foot assembly  50  wherein stabilization is afforded to the carrier  10 .  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the assembly  10  is shown in a first mode of operation wherein the assembly  10  is in a fully collapsed storage configuration. In this collapsed state, the assembly may be stored with minimal intrusion relative to other items and is particularly adapted for being placed in either an overhead storage area or under a seat in a conventional commercial aircraft.  
         [0027]     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , it may be seen that the handle  18  is fully collapsed relative to the top portion of the chassis  20  of the assembly  10  such that the handle  18  does not extend outwardly therefrom any appreciable distance. It is further seen that a strap or belt  30  is provided for extending around a rearward side of the assembly  10  and securing lower shelf  14  as will be discussed further below. It can also be seen that the work surface  16  fits within chassis  20  in this collapsed mode of operation.  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a rearward perspective view of the assembly  10  of the present invention wherein the belt or strap  30  may be more clearly seen. In this particular embodiment, the belt or strap  30  is shown to secure the lower shelf  14  of the assembly  10  against the chassis  20  in a collapsed position to further facilitate storage. Other means of securing the lower support shelf  14  against the chassis  20  are also contemplated such as, for example, a latch or a snap. In one embodiment, the two ends of the strap or belt  30  that are not attached to the chassis  20  are connected with an interlocking mechanism  31 . Other fastening means are contemplated such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners. In the expanded condition shown in  FIG. 1 , the shelf  14  becomes a surface upon which luggage or the like may be placed and secured by the belt  30 . From this view, a locking mechanism  15  can be seen on the bottom of the shelf  14 . As will be described below, when the shelf  14  is in a lowered position, the locking mechanism  15  locks the shelf  14  into place. A release button can then be depressed in order to raise the shelf  14  back against the chassis  20 . Locking the shelf  14  into place helps to provide support to the entire assembly  10  and helps prevent the assembly  10  from tipping over. Supports  28  can also be seen on the bottom of the lower shelf  14 . These supports  28  help additionally stabilize the assembly  10  when the lower shelf is in the expanded condition as shown in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment of the present invention, release button  19  must be depressed before the handle  18  can be raised and the arms  22  extended.  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a view of the assembly  10  with the handle  18  extended upwardly therefrom. The telescoping characteristic of the arms  22  can be also be seen from this view. When fully extended, the arms  22  lock into the fully extended position so that they will not unintentionally retract. In one embodiment of the present invention, release button  19  (not shown) must be depressed before the handle  18  can be lowered and the arms  22  retracted. Ring stoppers  23  can also be seen on each of the support arms  22 . These stoppers  23  can be placed at any height, but in the embodiment shown they are placed at the top of the first telescoping section of the support arms  22 . The function of these stoppers  23  will be explained below. In this particular configuration, the assembly  10  may be prepared for the second mode of operation wherein the placement of a bag or the like upon the shelf  14  as described above and shown in FIG.  1  may be provided or the assembly of the desk top surface  16  may be facilitated for the third or fourth mode of operation where the desk-top surface  16  is provided for support of an object, such as a computer thereon. In this particular view, the handle  18  is extended for purposes of preparing the cart for one of the two. The stabilizing foot  50  can also be seen running alongside the bottom edge of the chassis  20 . When in this position, the stabilizing foot  50  can be secured against the chassis  20  with a latching mechanism as will be described below.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the assembly  10  being further extended into a position for the use thereof. In this particular view, the desk work surface  16  is pivotally attached to sliding member  24  which has been upwardly extended out of the chassis  20  along the telescoping members  22  for positioning therealong and generally orthogonal extension out therefrom for the placement of the computer laptop or the like thereon for providing a work surface in accordance with one aspect of the principles in the present invention. Telescoping strut  52  may be attached to support brackets  54  so that it will slide up the support brackets  54  as the slide  24  is raised. Support bracket  54  is connected to the chassis  20  with a plurality of screws  56  in order to distribute the weight of a load placed on the work surface  16 . Additionally, the arms  22  are stabilized by sheaths  28 . Similarly, the sheaths  28  may extend to the bottom of the assembly  10  to transfer the load all the way to the ground. When the work surface  16  is swung out to a position perpendicular to the arms  22 , there are three points supporting the desk-top work surface  16 : the two arms  22  held in place by sheaths  28  and the angled support arm  52  supported by the brackets  54 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a perspective view of the assembly  10  of  FIG. 5  further illustrating various aspects thereof. After the release button  26  is depressed, slide  24  can be lifted to the top of the first section of the telescoping arms  22 . The slide  24  locks into place at the top of the first section and can only be lowered after the release button  26  is depressed. The slide  24  can be raised until flush with the bottoms of the ring stoppers  23 , at which point, slide  24  locks into place. In the embodiment shown, the ring stoppers  23  are located at the top of the first telescoping section of the support arms  22 , but the stoppers can be placed at any predetermined height. The stoppers  23  prohibit the slide  24  from being raised to a height above a desired height. In one embodiment, the support arms  22  have holes located below the stopper rings  23  for the slide  24  to lock into. In other embodiments, other locking mechanisms are contemplated for securing the slide  24  into place along the support arms  22 . A foot  50  is provided to further stabilize the assembly  10  and to prevent the assembly from tipping if too heavy of a load is placed on the work surface  16  or too light of a load is placed on lower shelf  14 . The foot  50  is attached to the chassis  20  and is connected to the mounting base  58 . The foot  50  can be swung out and locked in place at an angle sufficient to stabilize the assembly  10  as will be discussed in more detail below.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged, perspective view, of the mounting base  58  connected to a corner of the chassis  20  of the assembly  10  for support by a stabilization foot  50 . The assembly  10  is prevented from tipping over by the support foot  50 . The mounting base  58  is secured to the chassis  20  with a plurality of screws  60 . In one embodiment, the chassis  20  is formed from molded plastic, but other materials are contemplated depending on desired characteristics. When the support foot  50  is extended out, any load put on work surface  16  will create a moment force. The weight of a load placed on the work surface  16  is going to bear down on the arms  22  and the stabilization arm  52  causing a cantilever effect upon the plastic chassis  20 . The mounting base  58  is of a substantial expanse including multiple attachment points in order to more uniformly distribute the stress of this loading. In essence, the mounting base  58  transfers the load of the cantilevered shelf throughout a sufficient region of the chassis  20  to provide adequate support. In order to transfer the load from the metal mounting base  58  to the plastic chassis  20 , multiple screw races are needed which must be specially molded to prevent the plastic from cracking or the threads from stripping. Additional support comes from the flanges  29  protruding from sheath  28 . The force applied to support foot  50  creates a downward force on the right side of the mounting base  58  which, in turn, creates an upward force on the left side of the mounting base  58 . The flanges  29  help distribute the load caused by these forces.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is a perspective view of the assembly  10  and the third mode operation wherein the handle  18  is fully extended upwardly, while the desk surface  16  is providing a configuration in a position for the placement of an object, such as a computer laptop, thereon. In this view, it can be seen that the support arm  52  transfers part of the load from the work surface  16  to the support brackets  54 . When the desk surface  16  is rotated outwardly to be substantially perpendicular to the support arms  22 , the support arm  52  angles outwardly so that it is no longer parallel to the support arms  22 . The support arm  52  locks into place at the top of the support brackets  54  to help support the weight of a load being placed on the work surface  16 . In one embodiment, a notched groove in the support brackets  53  locks the support arm  52  into place when it angles outwardly away from the support arms  22  and is free to slide along support brackets  54  when it is parallel to support arms  22 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is an upwardly perspective view. From here it can be seen the telescoping nature of the support arm  52 . Once the work surface  16  has been orthogonally pivoted so that it is substantially perpendicular to both the support arms  22  and the chassis  20 , the support arm  52  locks into place. It can also be seen that the work surface  16  is pivotally connected to the slide  24  that slides along the arms  22 . The work surface  16  can then only be lowered after depressing the release button  64 . From this view it can be seen that telescoping support arm  52  is attached to the bottom of the work surface  16  via attaching bracket  62 . This bracket  62  slides within a slot in the bottom of work surface  16  to allow the assembly  10  to be more compactable in mode one.  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a perspective view of the fully extended assembly  10  of  FIG. 9  with the shelf  14  placed laterally transversely outwardly from chassis  20  with the belt  30  in a position to secure an article of luggage or the like thereupon. It may be seen that the article of luggage secured thereupon can remain upon the shelf  14  during use of the desk work surface  16 . It can also be seen that handle  18  is fully extended upwardly.  
         [0036]     Further on to  FIG. 11 , there is shown the extension of the stabilization foot  50  beneath the extended work surface  16 . In this position, the cantilever loading of an object placed on the work surface  16  is transferred through the telescoping struts  22  and the telescoping arm  52  to the metal mounting member  58  that allows the support thereof. The latching member  66  on the end of stabilization foot  50  can also be seen. While the stabilization foot is not in use, it is secured against the chassis  20  by latching member  66 . Latching member  66  must be depressed in order for stabilization foot  50  to be swung out away from chassis  20 . It can also be seen that handle  18  has been pushed back down so that the top of the handle  18  is at substantially the same level as the top of the work surface  16 . This configuration allows an object to be placed on the top of the work surface  16  without the interference of the handle  18  or the telescoping arms  22 .  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , it can be seen the attachment point between the stabilizing foot  50  and the mounting base  58 . The axle  68  on which the stabilization foot  50  rotates can also be seen. In one embodiment, the axle  68  is not parallel to the chassis  20  and the support arms  22 , but instead the top of the axle  68  is tilted forward at an angle of a few degrees. Tilting the axle  68  forward allows the stabilization foot  50  to provide support by having one end in contact with the ground when extended away from the chassis  20  while the other end that is attached to the mounting base  58  is not touching the ground.  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , the underside of the chassis  20  where the attachment point of the stabilization foot  50  is located can be seen. When the stabilization foot is fully extended, the locking mechanism  70  locks the stabilization foot  50  in place. The locking mechanism  70  must be depressed before the stabilization foot  50  can be pushed back alongside the bottom edge of the chassis  20 . Additionally, the bottom of the axle  68  can be seen. By offsetting the axle  68 , as shown, the stabilization foot  50  can be closed flush against the chassis  20  without compromising any strength.  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , an underside of the work surface  16  can be seen from this view, it can be seen that the telescoping support arm  52  is pivotally connected to the sliding attachment member  62 . The sliding attachment member  62  slides in a groove in the bottom of the work surface  16  according to whether the work surface  16  is parallel or perpendicular to support arms  22 . The release button  64  must be depressed in order for the sliding member  62  to be slid back towards the support arms  22 , allowing the desk-top surface  16  to be swung down.  
         [0040]     The previous description is of a preferred embodiment for implementing the invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. The scope of the present invention is instead defined by the following claims.