Abstract:
A stall and tack cart for transporting livestock is provided. The livestock stall and tack cart generally incorporates telescoping members and stall carriers protruding vertically therefrom. The telescoping members allow for a length of the livestock stall and tack cart to be adjusted such that the stall carriers may hold one or more livestock stalls securely while the stall and tack cart is in motion. The devices and methods provided have the advantages of being as durable and capable of carrying heavy loads as currently existing livestock transportation solutions, but allow equipment for one or more livestock animals to be quickly and easily transported, for example, from a waiting or confinement area to an exhibition space, including through crowded, obstructed, or tight passages.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/309,781, filed Mar. 17, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to apparatus for transporting livestock and associated equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to carts that carry livestock, livestock stalls, and other heavy loads while maintaining a relatively narrow cross-section. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The exhibition of livestock at livestock shows and auctions requires that livestock equipment, such as stalls and tack, be moved relatively quickly from a corral, pen, or other waiting area to an exhibition space, where livestock animals can, where appropriate, be judged and/or bid upon. Stalls used to show livestock typically must be transported within the exhibition space by hand. The stalls are transported to the livestock show in a disassembled condition and reassembled at an assigned location within the exhibition space. Livestock stalls generally include two stall dividers which separate livestock at the show. Each dividers typically includes at least two vertical support members which may include upper and lower openings. Horizontal members and/or a mesh are positioned between each of the vertical support members. The upper openings of the vertical support members receive transverse members. When the stall is assembled, the stall dividers are arranged generally parallel and spaced apart. A portion of the transverse members is received in the vertical support members. The transverse members, which have an L shape, are then interconnected to form an end of the stall transverse to the stall dividers. 
         [0004]    After livestock animals are judged or sold, the livestock equipment must then also be moved from the exhibition space. This is particularly true of larger shows and auctions, which may be held in very large event spaces and which may require that hundreds or thousands of livestock animals be exhibited, judged, and/or sold in a single day. 
         [0005]    Various apparatuses and methods for transporting livestock equipment are known and described in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,839,743 to Chandler, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a cart for transporting livestock equipment having first and second stall dividers and two dollies. 
         [0006]    However, current livestock transportation apparatuses and methods possess several drawbacks. Many of the solutions of the prior art are directed to larger cages, portable corrals, portable pens, etc., intended for the transportation of equipment for a large number of animals over a comparatively great distance, i.e., by means of a vehicle. Such solutions are not suitable for transporting equipment for one or a few animals from a waiting area to an exhibition space in a timely manner. Those solutions that do exist for transporting equipment for one or a few animals from a waiting area to an exhibition space are often cumbersome or have limited weight capacity, and in particular, may have a substantial cross-section unsuitable for navigating through a crowded space as may exist at a large livestock show or auction. Moreover, current solutions have limited maneuverability and may not be compatible with trailers or other transportation mechanisms used to transport livestock animals and livestock equipment to the waiting area. 
         [0007]    There is thus a need in the art for devices for transporting livestock equipment that can be utilized in conjunction with existing livestock stalls and other equipment and have substantial weight capacity. It is also advantageous for such devices to be highly maneuverable and to have a narrow cross-section for navigating crowded or obstructed spaces. It is further advantageous for such devices to have an adjustable length and width to hold livestock stalls securely in place. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a livestock stall and tack cart with an adjustable length and an adjustable width. 
         [0009]    One aspect of the present invention is a cart with an adjustable length. In one embodiment, the cart has a first width. In a second embodiment, the cart has a second larger width. Optionally, at least rear wheels of the cart are spaced separated by a distance selected by a user. 
         [0010]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a cart with an adjustable width. In one embodiment, the cart has a fixed length. In another embodiment, the length of the cart may be adjusted by a user. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the present invention is a grate plate adapted for use with carts of the present invention. The grate plate includes a frame and a mesh. The mesh may comprise metal wires. Optionally, the frame may be sized to fit over two longitudinal members of the cart. 
         [0012]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is a trough. In one embodiment, the trough includes a bottom portion with two grooves that are substantially parallel. The grooves are sized to receive two longitudinal members of carts of embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0013]    It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a cart with an adjustable length and width. The cart generally comprises: (1) a front frame including: (i) a planar member; (ii) two front longitudinal members interconnected to the planar member; and (iii) at least two protruding members arranged substantially vertically with respect to the planar member; (2) a bracket pivotally interconnected to the planar member; (3) a front wheel interconnected to the bracket; (4) a handle pivotally interconnected to the bracket; (5) a rear frame including: (i) a transverse member; (ii) two rear longitudinal members interconnected to the transverse member, each of the rear longitudinal members having a substantially hollow interior and an aperture distal to the transverse member, the aperture sized to selectively receive a corresponding front longitudinal member such that a length of the cart is adjustable; (iii) a vertical member extending downwardly from each of the two rear longitudinal members; and (iv) an axle support interconnected to the two vertical members, the axle support having an interior space accessible by opposing openings; and (6) two axle carriers each including a rear wheel, wherein each axle carrier is selectively receivable within one of the opposing openings of the axle support such that a width of cart is adjustable. In one embodiment, the at least two protruding members are sized to be received within a portion of a livestock stall. Optionally, the at least two protruding members includes two outer members and two inner members. In another embodiment, the two inner members are substantially hollow to receive a handle of a tool. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the car further comprises a lock aperture in at least one of the rear longitudinal members. The lock aperture is adapted to receive a fixture to fix one of the front longitudinal members within the hollow interior of the rear longitudinal member. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, each of the two vertical members of the rear frame is substantially hollow and includes an opening to receive a drop pipe. Additionally, each of the two vertical members may include a transverse aperture for a fixture to interconnect the drop pipe to the cart. In one embodiment, the drop pipe is sized to be received within a portion of the livestock stall. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, each axle carrier includes an axle receiver, the axle receiver having a generally cylindrical shape extending within an interior of the axle receiver. Optionally, the cart may further include a first rear axle portion interconnected to a first one of the two axle receivers and a second rear axle portion interconnected to a second one of the two axle receivers. Accordingly, a first one of the two rear wheels may be interconnected to the first rear axle portion and a second one of the two rear wheels may be interconnected to the second rear axle portion. Additionally, or alternatively, each axle carrier further comprises at least two apertures formed transverse to a longitudinal axis of each axle carrier, the at least two apertures alignable with at least one aperture formed in the axle support. The cart may further include a fixture received within an aperture of an axle carrier aligned with an aperture of the axle support. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the two vertical members of the rear frame are spaced from the transverse member by an amount about equal to a diameter of the rear wheels. In this manner, the rear wheels and the transverse member are aligned with a second plane substantially perpendicular to the planar member. Thus, the cart may be positioned in a vertical configuration with the transverse member and the two rear wheels in contact with the ground, such as for storage. 
         [0018]    Optionally, the cart may include one or more of a grate plate and a livestock trough. The grate plate may be sized to be retained by the front and rear longitudinal members. In one embodiment the grate plate includes a frame which supports a mesh. The livestock trough optionally has grooves adapted to receive one or more of the front and rear longitudinal members. The grooves are substantially parallel. Optionally the grooves have a width about equal to a width of the rear longitudinal members. In one embodiment, the grooves have a depth selected to receive at least a portion of the rear longitudinal members. 
         [0019]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a tack cart. The tack cart generally includes, but is not limited to: (1) a rear axle; (2) a front axle; (3) two telescoping members extending horizontally between the rear and front axles and adjustably interconnecting the rear and front axles, the two telescoping members defining a plane; (4) a front wheel, interconnected to the front axle; (5) two rear wheels, interconnected to the rear axle; (6) a handle, interconnected to the front axle at a pivot point; and (7) two stall carriers protruding substantially vertically from the plane, the stall carriers adapted for interconnection to a livestock stall to be transported by the tack cart. Optionally, one or more of the front wheel and the rear wheel may comprise airless tires. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, at least one telescoping member extends behind the rear axle to define an equipment carrier. The equipment carrier includes a transverse member protruding vertically from the at least one telescoping member at a point behind the rear axle. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, a length of the rear axle is adjustable. In one embodiment, each of the two telescoping members further comprises: (i) a rear longitudinal member with a substantially hollow interior and an aperture distal to the rear axle; and (ii) a front longitudinal member with a width no greater than a width of the aperture of the rear longitudinal member. In this embodiment, the front longitudinal member is adjustably receivable within the hollow interior of the rear longitudinal member. Optionally, the tack cart includes an aperture in the rear longitudinal member to receive a fixture to fix the front longitudinal member in a predetermined position within the hollow interior. 
         [0022]    Optionally, the tack cart may further include one or more of: (i) a grate plate to be retained by the two telescoping members; and (ii) a livestock trough having grooves adapted to receive the two telescoping members. 
         [0023]    These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure contained herein. 
         [0024]    As used herein, “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together. 
         [0025]    It is to be noted that the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably. 
         [0026]    The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein. 
         [0027]    Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” 
         [0028]    The embodiments and configurations described herein are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the Summary of the Invention given above and the Detailed Description given below serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Additionally, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a livestock stall and tack cart of one embodiment of the present invention with the cart in a retracted configuration; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the cart of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the cart of  FIG. 1  with the wheels removed for clarity; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the cart of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a right side elevation view of the cart of  FIG. 1  with the wheels removed for clarity; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a left side elevation view of the cart of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the cart of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the cart of  FIG. 1  with the wheels removed for clarity; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is another front perspective view of the cart of  FIG. 1  with the cart in an extended configuration; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the cart in the extended configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of the cart in the extended configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the cart of  FIG. 9  showing the rear wheel carriers in an extended position; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  provides various views of a handle of the present invention for the cart of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  illustrates a bracket of one embodiment for the cart in a variety of views; 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  illustrates a front frame according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  provides a variety of views of a rear frame of one embodiment for the cart of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 17  illustrates a rear axle carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention in different views; 
           [0047]      FIG. 18A  is a cross-section view of a grate plate of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 18B  is a top plan view of the grate plate of  FIG. 18A  in a position of use with the cart of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 19A  is a perspective view of a trough of an embodiment of the present invention, the trough including recesses sized to receive the longitudinal members of the front and rear frame; 
           [0050]      FIG. 19B  is a front elevation view of the trough of  FIG. 19A ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 19C  is a right side elevation view of the trough of  FIG. 19A ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 19D  is a top plan view of the trough of  FIG. 19A  positioned on the cart of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0053]      FIGS. 20A  - 20D are photographs of the cart of embodiments of the present invention loaded with a variety of equipment. 
       
    
    
       [0054]    Similar components and/or features may have the same reference number. Components of the same type may be distinguished by a letter following the reference number. If only the reference number is used, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same reference number. 
         [0055]    To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Number 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 Cart 
               
               
                 4 
                 Width 
               
               
                 6 
                 Length 
               
               
                 10 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 12 
                 Coupling 
               
               
                 14 
                 Length 
               
               
                 16 
                 Interior width 
               
               
                 20 
                 Tongue 
               
               
                 21 
                 Length 
               
               
                 22 
                 Ring 
               
               
                 26 
                 Bracket 
               
               
                 28 
                 Plate member 
               
               
                 30 
                 Pivot aperture 
               
               
                 32 
                 Vertical axis 
               
               
                 34 
                 Supports 
               
               
                 36 
                 Handle aperture 
               
               
                 38 
                 Axle aperture 
               
               
                 44 
                 Front axle 
               
               
                 46 
                 Front wheel 
               
               
                 50 
                 Front frame 
               
               
                 52 
                 Planar member 
               
               
                 54 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                 56 
                 Width 
               
               
                 58 
                 Transverse member 
               
               
                 60 
                 Front longitudinal members 
               
               
                 62 
                 Interior width 
               
               
                 64 
                 Length 
               
               
                 66 
                 Outer protruding members 
               
               
                 68 
                 Length 
               
               
                 70 
                 Inner protruding members 
               
               
                 72 
                 Length 
               
               
                 74 
                 Chambers 
               
               
                 78 
                 Cavity between longitudinal members 
               
               
                 80 
                 Rear frame 
               
               
                 82 
                 Transverse member 
               
               
                 88 
                 Plane defined by transverse member and rear wheels 
               
               
                 90 
                 Rear longitudinal members 
               
               
                 92 
                 Aperture for front longitudinal members 
               
               
                 94 
                 Lock aperture 
               
               
                 96 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 98 
                 Length 
               
               
                 100 
                 Vertical members 
               
               
                 102 
                 Opening 
               
               
                 104 
                 Drop pipe 
               
               
                 106 
                 Pin fitting 
               
               
                 110 
                 Axle support 
               
               
                 112 
                 Apertures for axle carrier 
               
               
                 114 
                 Fixture aperture 
               
               
                 116 
                 Length 
               
               
                 118 
                 Distance from transverse member 
               
               
                 120 
                 Rear equipment carrier 
               
               
                 124 
                 Axle carrier 
               
               
                 126 
                 Fixture aperture 
               
               
                 128 
                 Length 
               
               
                 130 
                 Receiver for axle 
               
               
                 134 
                 Rear axles 
               
               
                 136 
                 Fixture or bolt 
               
               
                 138 
                 Retention element 
               
               
                 140 
                 Rear wheel 
               
               
                 150 
                 Grate plate 
               
               
                 152 
                 Frame 
               
               
                 154 
                 Mesh 
               
               
                 156 
                 Bucket 
               
               
                 158 
                 Fan 
               
               
                 160 
                 Trough 
               
               
                 162 
                 Grooves 
               
               
                 164 
                 Chamber 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0056]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. All patents, applications, published applications, and other publications to which reference is made herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, the definition provided in the Summary of the Invention prevails unless otherwise stated. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8 , a livestock stall and tack cart  2  according to embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated in a retracted configuration. The cart  2  has an adjustable length  6  and width  4  as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 9-12 . The cart  2  generally includes: a handle  10 , a bracket  26  for a front wheel  46 , a front frame  50 , a rear frame  80 , and rear axle carriers  124  for rear wheels  140 . 
         [0058]    In one embodiment, the front and rear wheels  46 ,  140  are airless and provide a weight capacity of at least about 400 pounds for the cart  2 . In another embodiment, the wheels enable the cart to support at least about 900 pounds. Optionally, when a single front wheel  46  is used, the front wheel is larger than each rear wheel  140 . In one embodiment, the wheels  46 ,  140  and bearings of the cart  2  may allow the cart  2  to have a comparatively small turning radius, allowing for greater maneuverability in tight spaces, such as at livestock shows. 
         [0059]    The handle  10  is interconnected to the cart  2  such that a free end of the handle  10  may pivot around a substantially horizontal axis. Optionally, the handle  10  may be quickly released from the cart  2  by a user. In one embodiment, the handle  10  is pivotally interconnected to the bracket  26 . In another embodiment, the handle  10  is interconnected to the front frame  50 . 
         [0060]    The bracket  26  generally includes a plate member  28  and supports  34  extending from the plate member  28 . The supports  28  include apertures  38  to receive an axle  44  for the front wheel  46 . In one embodiment, the handle  10  is interconnected to the supports  34  above the axle  44 . However, the handle  10  may be interconnected to the cart  2  and the bracket  26  in other manners. Although only one front wheel  46  is illustrated, in another embodiment two front wheels are interconnected to the axle  44 . 
         [0061]    The bracket  26  is pivotally interconnected to the front frame  50 . In one embodiment, an aperture  30  in the plate member  28  defines a generally vertical axis  32  transverse to the front axle  44 . In this manner, a user may pull and steer the cart  2  by the handle  10  with ease through crowded, obstructed, or tight spaces. 
         [0062]    The front frame  50  generally includes a planar member  52 , a transverse member  58 , and front longitudinal members  60 . Protruding members  66 ,  70  extend substantially vertically from the front frame  50 . These protruding members  66 ,  70 , which are also referred to herein as “stall carriers,” prevent a livestock stall transported by the cart  2  from moving while the cart is in motion. In one embodiment, the front frame  50  includes inner protruding members  70  between outer protruding member  66 . The protruding members  66 ,  70  are spaced such that sections of a livestock stall may fit between adjacent members  66 ,  70  and/or  70 A,  70 B. Optionally, the inner protruding members  70  are longer than the outer members  66 . This may facilitate adding and removing equipment from the cart  2 . 
         [0063]    The protruding members  66 ,  70  may be substantially hollow with interior chambers  74 . The chambers  74  may be used to carry a variety of tools. For example, in one embodiment, the handle of a tool, such as a rake or broom, may be received within one of the chambers  74 . Optionally, the chambers  74  can receive a rod for an electric fan as illustrated in  FIG. 20D . 
         [0064]    The rear frame  80  generally includes a transverse member  82  with a vertical projection, rear longitudinal members  90 , and vertical members  100  for an axle support  110 . Although not illustrated, the rear frame may optionally include protruding members  66 ,  70  that are the same as, or similar to, the protruding members  66 ,  70  of the front frame  50 . 
         [0065]    The rear longitudinal members  90  are adapted to slidingly interconnect to the front longitudinal members  60 . In one embodiment, the front and rear longitudinal members  60 ,  90  have a telescoping relationship to allow the distance between the front frame  50  and rear frame  80 , i.e. the length  6  of the cart  2 , to be adjusted by a user. This ability to adjust the cart length  6  is advantageous in that the cart  2  can be configured to exactly accommodate one or more livestock stalls. For example, a user of the cart  2  may thus adjust the relationship of front and rear longitudinal members  60 ,  90  such that the protruding members  66 ,  70  abut a front end and the vertical projection of the transverse member  82  abuts a rear end of one or more livestock stalls being transported as generally illustrated in  FIG. 20D . Adjusting the length  6  thus ensures that the livestock stall is held securely in place and remains substantially stationary relative to the cart  2  while the cart  2  is in motion. In one embodiment, the front and rear longitudinal members  60 ,  90  may be adjusted such that the cart  2  has a length  6  of between about 5 feet and about 9 feet as may be suitable for accommodating existing livestock stalls. Those of skill in the art will recognize other lengths are suitable for the cart  2 . 
         [0066]    The longitudinal members  60 ,  90  are spaced apart to define a cavity or chamber  78 . In one embodiment, the chamber  78  has an interior width  62  of between about 11 inches and about 14 inches, or more specifically, about 12.5 inches. In this manner, equipment, such as boxes and/or buckets may fit at least partially within the chamber  78  and be supported by the longitudinal members  60 ,  90  as generally illustrated in  FIG. 20C . 
         [0067]    In one embodiment, the rear longitudinal members  90  each include an aperture  92  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) sized to receive at least a portion of the front longitudinal members  60  as generally illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, in another embodiment, the front longitudinal members 60 may include apertures to receive the rear longitudinal members  90 . 
         [0068]    The front and rear longitudinal members  60 ,  90  may include retention mechanisms such that the position of the front frame  50  may be fixed with respect to the rear frame  80 . In one embodiment, the front and rear longitudinal members  60 ,  90  include one or more means of fastening, such as clamps, bolts, and the like, for securing the front longitudinal members  60  in a fixed position to the rear longitudinal members  90 . Accordingly, at least one of the rear longitudinal members  90  may include a lock aperture  94  to receive a fastener, such as a bolt  96 . When received in the lock aperture  94 , the bolt  96  may contact a portion of a front longitudinal member  60 B to fix the front longitudinal member  60 B within the aperture  92 . Additionally, or alternatively, the front longitudinal members  60  may be frictionally retained by the rear longitudinal members  90 . Regardless, in one embodiment, the length  6  of the cart  2  is incrementally adjustable by the user. 
         [0069]    In one embodiment, one or more of the vertical members  100  are substantially hollow with an opening  102  at an upper end. In this manner, a user may insert a drop pipe  104 . The drop pipe may have a diameter selected to fit into a stall to be carried by the cart  2 . In this manner, the vertical members  100  can be adapted to vertically support stalls of a variety of different sizes produced by different manufacturers. The drop pipe  104  may be secured to the cart  2  by inserting a fixture through a pin fitting  106 . 
         [0070]    The axle support  110  is adapted to receive the axle carriers  124 . In one embodiment, the axle carriers  124  are received within apertures  112  of the axle support  110  the same as, or similar to, the telescoping arrangement of the front and rear longitudinal members  60 ,  90 . In this manner, the width  4  of the cart  2  may be selectively increased by the user. 
         [0071]    The axle carriers  124  include a protruding rod or axle  134  to which the rear wheels  140  are interconnected. The axles  134  have a predetermined length. In one embodiment, the axle length is up to about 4.5 inches. However, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the axles may have any predetermined length to receive suitable rear wheels  140 . Although the cart  2  is illustrated with fixed wheels, other types of wheels. such as wheels that may swivel around a vertical axis, may be used with the cart  2  of the present invention. 
         [0072]    In one embodiment, the axle support  110  and the axle carriers  124  include alignable apertures  114 ,  126  that may receive a fixture  136 , such as a bolt. Thus, the width  4  of the cart 2 may be selected, altered, and fixed by the user. Optionally, a retention element  138 , such as a wire loop, may be use to retain the bolt  136  in position through aligned apertures  114 ,  126  of the axle support  110  and axle carriers  124 . 
         [0073]    One of skill in the art will appreciate that the axle support  110  and axle carriers  124  may include any number of apertures  114 ,  126  such that the width  4  of the cart  2  may be altered by the user in a plurality of predetermined increments. In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 2 , each axle carrier  124  includes two apertures  126  that align with one aperture  114  in each half of the axle support  110 . Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , each axle carrier  124  may include a plurality of apertures, such as five apertures  126  (two of which are hidden by the axle support  110  in  FIG. 12 ) and each half of the axle support  110  may include a plurality of apertures  114 , such as two corresponding apertures  114 . 
         [0074]    Notably, in one embodiment, the front and rear longitudinal members  60 ,  90  may be only about 16 inches apart at their widest point. Additionally, or alternatively, a width  4  (illustrated in  FIG. 7 ) of the cart  2  including the rear wheels  140  may be not greater than about 2 feet, allowing the cart  2  to traverse crowded or tight passages and spaces. In one embodiment, the cart  2  of the present invention is sized to be loaded directly onto a livestock trailer and transported by a vehicle, without the need to remove the stalls from the cart  2 . 
         [0075]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13-17 , a variety of detailed views of elements of the cart  2  according to embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated. Although various dimensions are provided to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the elements of the cart  2 , it is expressly contemplated that dimensions may be varied in the cart  2  that still comport with the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
         [0076]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , the handle  10  generally includes a coupling  12 , a tongue  20  with a ring  22  for grasping by the user. The coupling has a length  14  of between about 12 inches and about 16 inches. In one embodiment, the coupling  12  includes an interior aperture with a width 16 of between about 9.3 inches and about 7.2 inches and, in another embodiment, about 8.25 inches. The tongue  20  has a length  21  of between about 24 inches and about 36 inches. Optionally, one or more of the coupling  12  and tongue  20  may be constructed from pieces of 2 inch by ⅛ inch angle iron that are welded together. 
         [0077]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , the bracket  26  is formed of a sheet material that is between about 0.2 inches and about 0.3 inches thick. The plate member  28  of the bracket  26  includes the pivot aperture  30 . The pivot aperture  30  may receive a fixture to interconnect the bracket  26  to front frame  50 . The pivot aperture  30  may be substantially centered in the plate member. In one embodiment, the plate member  28  has a width of between about 3 inches to about 7 inches and a length of between about 6.2 inches and about 10.3 inches. 
         [0078]    The supports  34  are substantially parallel and are generally perpendicular to the plate member  28 . Apertures  36 ,  38  for the handle  10  and front axle  44  are formed through each support  34 . In one embodiment, the axle apertures 38 have a diameter of about 0.75 inches and are between about 0.75 inches and 1.25 inches from free ends of the supports  34 . The handle apertures  36  are about 0.56 inches in diameter and are spaced about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches from the support  34  free ends. 
         [0079]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , the front frame  50  include the planar member  52  which may have a width  56  of between about 10 inches and about 14 inches in one embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the planar member  52  may be about ⅛ inch thick. An aperture  54  with a diameter of about 0.56 inches for a fixture interconnected to the bracket  26  is formed through the planar member 52. 
         [0080]    The front longitudinal members  60  have a length  64  of between about 50 inches and about 70 inches. The front longitudinal members  60  are separated by a width  62  of between about 11 inches and about 14 inches, or optionally, about 12.5 inches. In one embodiment, an exterior width of each of the front longitudinal members is between about 1.25 inches and 1.75 inches and, in another embodiment, about 1.5 inches. Optionally, the front longitudinal members  60  may be made of square metal tubing, such as 1.75 inch square steel tubing with a thickness of about 0.12 inches. 
         [0081]    The protruding members  66 ,  70  are positioned substantially flush to the transverse member  58 . In one embodiment, the outer protruding members  66  have a length  68  of between about 5 inches and about 9 inches. The inner protruding members  70  are spaced between about 1.5 inches and about 3.5 inches from interior edges of each outer protruding member  66 . In another embodiment, the inner protruding members  70  are spaced about 2.5 inches from the interior edges such that the inner protruding members  70 A,  70 B are separated by between about 4.4 inches and about 4.6 inches. In one embodiment, the inner protruding members  70  have a length  72  between about 8.5 inches and about 12.5 inches. 
         [0082]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , the transverse member  82  of the rear frame  80  has a length of between about 14.7 inches and about 16.8 inches, or optionally, about 15.75 inches. Optionally, the transverse member  82  has a vertical extension which extends between about 1 inches and about 3 inches above the rear longitudinal members  90 . 
         [0083]    The rear longitudinal members  90  have a length  98  of between about 50 inches and about 70 inches. The rear longitudinal members  90  are spaced between about 11 inches and about 14 inches apart. In one embodiment, the longitudinal members are about 12.5 inches apart. In one embodiment, an exterior width of each of the front longitudinal members is between about 1.5 inches and 2.0 inches and, in another embodiment, about 1.75 inches. The rear longitudinal members  90  are substantially hollow and include apertures  92  with an interior width about equal to, and not less than, the exterior width of the front longitudinal members  60 . 
         [0084]    In one embodiment, the vertical members  100  have a length of between about 6 inches and about 10 inches. In this manner, the rear wheels  140  are spaced below a plane defined by top surfaces of the rear longitudinal members  90 . The axle support  110  has a length  116  of between about 22 inches and about 19 inches. The axle support  110  may be substantially hollow and have apertures  112  with an interior width that is about equal to, and slightly larger than, an exterior width of the axle carriers  124 . In one embodiment, the width of the apertures  112  is between about 1.25 inches and about 2.0 inches. 
         [0085]    In one embodiment, the vertical members  100  and axle carrier  110  are spaced from the transverse member  82  by a predetermined distance  118 . In one embodiment, the distance is between about 4 inches and about 7 inches. The rear frame  80  thus defines an equipment carrier  120 . The equipment carrier 120 may be sized to hold a variety of different equipment associated with showing livestock. The vertical projection of the transverse member  82  may extend a predetermined height above the rear longitudinal members  90  to further support items transported on the equipment carrier  120 . In one embodiment, the equipment carrier  120  functions to hold a blower, a fan, or similar livestock-related equipment securely in place while the cart  2  is in motion, in a manner similar stall elements supported by protruding members  66 ,  70  of the front frame  50 . Thus, the cart  2  may transport both livestock and livestock-related equipment at the same time. 
         [0086]    In one embodiment, the distance  118  is selected to align the transverse member  82  with a plane  88  tangent to the rear wheels  140 , as illustrated in in  FIG. 6 . The plane  88  is substantially parallel to the pivot axis  32 . In this manner, the cart  2  may be stored in a vertical alignment supported by the rear wheels  140  and the transverse member  82 , for example, when the plane  88  is parallel to the ground. 
         [0087]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , the axle carrier  124  may have a length  128  of between about 7.5 inches and about 10 inches. In one embodiment, the rear axle  134  is a unitary element that passes through each axle carrier  124 A,  124 B, such as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Optionally, the rear axle  134  may comprise a first axle portion  134 A and a second axle portion  134 B as generally illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, in one embodiment, the axle carriers  124  each include a receiver  130  for one of the rear axle portions  134 A,  134 B. The receiver  130  may be a generally cylindrical structure projecting within an interior of the axle carrier  124 . Optionally, the rear axle portions  134 A,  134 B may be welded or otherwise interconnected to the receiver  130 . In one embodiment, the rear axle  134  projects from about 3.5 inches to about 5.5 inches from the axle carrier  124 . 
         [0088]    The axles  44 ,  134 , front frame  50 , and rear frame  80  may be made of any suitable material, particularly metals or metal alloys, including but not limited to angle iron and aluminum. 
         [0089]    Referring now to  FIG. 18A , a grate plate  150  for a cart  2  is generally illustrated. The grate plate  150  may be used in conjunction with the cart  2  of all embodiments of the present invention. The grate plate  150  generally comprises a frame  152  and a web or mesh  154 . The mesh  154  may comprise metal grating with apertures of any desired size. The frame  152  can be formed of angle iron spaced to fit over the longitudinal members  60 ,  90  as illustrated in one embodiment in  FIG. 18B . 
         [0090]    Referring now to  FIG. 19 , a livestock feeding/drinking trough  160  for the cart  2  is illustrated. The trough  160  may be used in conjunction with carts  2  of all embodiments of the present invention. The trough  160  is configured to releasably mate with the cart  2  such that the trough  160  is held securely in place while the cart  2  is in motion. 
         [0091]    In one embodiment, the trough  160  comprises grooves  162  for receiving the longitudinal members  60 ,  90  of the cart  2 . Optionally, the grooves  162  are sized to frictionally retain the longitudinal members  60 ,  90 . Additionally, or alternatively, a latch, fastener, or other retention mechanism may be provided to selectively secure the trough  160  to the cart  2 , such as by pinning or clipping the trough to the longitudinal members. In this manner, inadvertent and unintended movement of the trough with respect to the cart  2  is reduced or eliminated. 
         [0092]    As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the trough  160  may be heavy and awkward to move when its chamber  164  it is filled with feed or water. Accordingly, in one embodiment the trough  160  may be held in place by the cart  2  such that livestock can eat and/or drink from the chamber  164  without requiring the trough  160  to be offloaded from the cart  2 . In one embodiment, the trough  160  has a height selected to enable livestock to eat or drink from the chamber  164  when the trough is on the cart  2 . Optionally, a drain plug may be positioned within the chamber  164  to drain liquids from the trough. 
         [0093]    Referring now to  FIGS. 20A-20B , photographs of carts  2  of embodiments of the present invention are shown loaded with a variety of equipment.  FIG. 20C  illustrates a cart  2  configured to carry a bucket  156  and a grate plate  150 . The bucket  156  is received within the cavity  78  between the front and rear longitudinal members  60 ,  90 .  FIG. 20D  shows a cart  2  carrying a livestock stall generally vertically supported as well as a fan  158  with its pole received in a protruding member of the front frame  50 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that the cart  2  of embodiments of the present invention may be configured to transport blocking chutes, stalls, fans. shavings. feed, hay, coolers, an upright blower stand, and other equipment and tack used at livestock shows. 
         [0094]    The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications of the invention are possible, and also changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow. 
         [0095]    The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description of the Invention, for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments of the invention may be combined in alternate embodiments other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description of the Invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         [0096]    Moreover, though the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g. as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable, and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable, and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges, or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.