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 
     This patent application incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/986,239, filed on Nov. 11, 2004. 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 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     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. 
     2. History of the Related Art 
     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. 
     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. 
     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 
     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. 
     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 
       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: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with a tray extended into a working configuration for supporting a laptop computer or the like thereupon; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention with a tray extended into a working configuration for supporting a laptop computer or the like thereupon; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing a handle fully extended, the work surface orthogonally extended, and the lower shelf and support foot extended; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the work surface orthogonal to a chassis and the handle being in a recessed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed mode where the handle and work surface are in a recessed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of  FIG. 5  from a different side; 
         FIG. 7  is a frontal view of one embodiment of  FIG. 5  showing the deployable foot in a closed position; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an underside of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a brace unit of one embodiment used for securing a deployable foot to the chassis. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a carrier  10  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. The carrier  10  includes a set of wheels  12  for ease of transportation. One embodiment may also include a lower support shelf  14  for receiving luggage or the like. The carrier  10  includes a work surface  16  and a handle  18  that may be extended for purposes of control and transport. The handle  18  may extend via a pair of telescoping arms  22  that connect to a chassis  20 . As will be described in more detail below, the handle  18  may be extended to aid in the transportation of the carrier  10  and any luggage or other articles that may be placed on the lower support shelf  14 . The handle  18  may also be retracted to a lower position when the work surface  16  is orthogonally extended or when the carrier  10  is in a compact storage mode. In the embodiment shown, the work surface  16  has been pivoted outwardly to an orthogonal position relative to the telescoping arms  22  for use as a tray. In this mode, a computer or the like may be placed thereupon. The work surface  16  may be structurally stabilized and supported by virtue of a telescoping support arm  52 . It can also be seen that the work surface  16 , when orthogonally disposed, is in an elevated position in conjunction with the pivotally mounted, outwardly angularly oriented stabilization foot  50  wherein stabilization is afforded to the carrier  10 . Stabilization foot  50  is provided to further stabilize the carrier  10  and to prevent the assembly from tipping if too heavy of a load is placed on work surface  16 . The deployable stabilization foot  50  can be swung out and locked in place at an angle sufficient to stabilize the carrier  10  as will be discussed in more detail below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is a perspective view of the carrier  10  shown in a mode of operation wherein the handle  18  is fully extended upwardly, while the work surface  16  is in a position for the placement of an object, such as a laptop computer, thereon. The lower support shelf  14  is in an orthogonal position relative to the chassis  20 . A strap (shown in  FIG. 5 ) can be used to secure luggage or the like thereupon. As will be explained further below, in one embodiment, a handle release button  19  may need to be depressed before the handle  18  may be raised. In this particular view, work surface  16  is pivotally attached to a slide  24  which has been upwardly extended out of chassis  20  along telescoping arms  22  for positioning therealong and generally orthogonal extension out therefrom for the placement of the laptop computer or the like thereon for providing a work surface. In one embodiment, a release button  26  may need to be depressed before the slide  24  may be lifted causing the telescoping arms  22  to extend. In one embodiment, slide  24  locks into place and may be lowered after release button  26  is depressed. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the handle  18  has been fully extended upwardly from the carrier  10 . The telescoping characteristic of the telescoping arms  22  can also be seen from this view. When fully extended, the telescoping arms  22  may be locked into the fully extended position so that they will not unintentionally retract. In one embodiment, a handle release button  19  may need to be depressed before the handle  18  can be lowered and the telescoping arms  22  retracted. 
     In this particular configuration, the carrier  10  has been prepared for use as a work surface for support of an object, such as a laptop computer thereon. It can also be seen that in this embodiment a bag or the like may be placed upon the lower support shelf. The telescoping arms  22  pass through tube guides located on distal ends of the slide  24 . As shown, each section of the telescoping arms  22  are fully extended one from another and also fully extended from the chassis  20 . When fully extended from the chassis  20 , slide  24  may be raised, and the telescoping arms may be locked into place. In one embodiment, a release button  26  must be pressed to allow the slide  24  to be lowered down along the telescoping arms  22 . The slide  24  may be raised until flush with the bottoms of ring stoppers (not shown), at which point, the slide  24  locks into place. In the embodiment shown, the ring stoppers are placed at the top of a first telescoping section of the telescoping arms  22 , but the ring stoppers may be placed at any predetermined height. The ring stoppers prohibit the slide  24  from being raised to a height above a desired height. In one embodiment, the telescoping arms  22  have holes located below the ring stoppers for the slide  24  to lock into. In other embodiments, other locking mechanisms are contemplated for securing the slide  24  into place along the first section  32  of the telescoping arms  22 . As will be described below, when the lower support shelf is in a lowered position, a locking mechanism locks the lower support shelf into place. A release button can then be depressed in order to raise lower support shelf back against chassis  20 . Locking lower support shelf into place helps to provide support to carrier  10  and helps prevent carrier  10  from tipping over. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a side view of the fully extended carrier  10  of  FIG. 2 . It may be seen that an article of luggage secured thereupon can remain on lower support shelf during use of work surface  16 . The stability of the carrier  10  is enhanced by the supports  28  on the bottom of lower shelf  14 . Supports  28  help additionally stabilize carrier  10  when lower support shelf is in the orthogonal position. In one embodiment, lower support shelf  14  locks into place when in the orthogonal position. Additional stabilization is provided by the stabilization foot  50 . When the stabilization foot  50  is fully extended outwardly from chassis  20 , the moment forces caused by weight being placed on the work surface  16  are countered by the stabilization foot  50 . In the embodiment shown, the stabilization foot  50  is not exactly orthogonal to the chassis  20  when in the fully opened position. As will be explained in more detail below, the stabilization foot  50  rotates on an axis that is angled away from the chassis  20 . The tilted axis allows the foot assembly to be off the ground when in a closed position, while still contacting the ground when in a fully opened position. Latching member  66  can be seen from this view extending from a distal end of stabilization foot  50 . Latching member  66  secures stabilization foot  50  against the chassis  20  when in a fully closed position. It can also be seen that the telescoping support arm  52  angularly connects the work surface  16  and the chassis  20 . Once the work surface  16  has been orthogonally pivoted so that it is substantially perpendicular to both the telescoping arms  22  and the chassis  20 , the telescoping support arm  52  locks into place. From this view it can be seen that the telescoping support arm  52  is attached to the bottom of the work surface  16  via bracket  62 . The bracket  62  slides within a slot in the bottom of the work surface  16  to allow the carrier  10  to be more compactable when in the storage mode. A release button  64  must be depressed in order for the bracket  62  to be slid back towards the telescoping arms  22 , allowing the work surface  16  to be swung down. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , it can be seen that the stabilizing foot of  FIG. 1  is in a closed position, running alongside a bottom edge of the chassis  20 . When in this position, the stabilizing foot can be secured against the chassis  20  with the latching member  66 . In this view, it can be seen that the support arm transfers part of the load from work surface  16  to support brackets  54 . When work surface  16  is rotated outwardly to be substantially perpendicular to telescoping arms  22 , telescoping support arm  52  angles outwardly so that it is no longer parallel to the telescoping arms  22 . The telescoping support arm  52  pivots around the top of support brackets  54  to help support the weight of a load being placed on work surface  16 . Support brackets  54  are connected to chassis  20  with a plurality of screws  56  in order to distribute the weight of a load placed on work surface  16 . Additionally, telescoping arms  22  are stabilized by sheaths  29 . When work surface  16  is swung out to a position perpendicular to telescoping arms  22 , there are three points supporting work surface  16 : two telescoping arms  22  held in place by sheaths  29  and angled telescoping support arm  52  supported by brackets  54 . This configuration allows an object to be placed on the top of work surface  16  without the interference of handle  18  or telescoping arms  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the carrier  10  is shown in a mode of operation wherein the carrier  10  is in a fully collapsed storage configuration. In this collapsed state, the carrier  10  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. It may be seen that the handle  18  is fully collapsed relative to the top portion of the chassis  20  of the carrier  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 the side of the carrier  10  and securing the lower support shelf as will be discussed further below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  in particular, there is shown a perspective view of the carrier  10  wherein the strap  30  may be seen. In this particular embodiment, the strap  30  is shown securing the lower support shelf  14  of the carrier  10  against the chassis  20  in a collapsed position to further facilitate storage. Other ways of securing the lower support shelf against the chassis  20  are also contemplated such as, for example, a latch or a snap. Other ways of fastening are contemplated such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners. In an expanded condition as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower support shelf may become a surface upon which luggage or the like may be placed and any luggage can be secured thereto by the strap  30 . In  FIG. 6 , it can be seen that the work surface  16  fits within the chassis  20  in this collapsed mode of operation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a frontal view of the carrier  10  of  FIGS. 5 and 6  further illustrating various aspects thereof. From this view the stabilization foot  50  beneath the chassis  20  can be seen. When in an extended position, as in  FIG. 1 , the cantilever loading of an object placed on work surface  16  is transferred through the telescoping struts and the support arm to a mounting base that allows the support thereof. A latching member  66  on the end of stabilization foot  50  can also be seen. While stabilization foot  50  is not in use, it is secured against 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 handle  18  is at substantially the same level as the top of the chassis  20 . 
     The figure shows carrier  10  in a first mode of operation where work surface  16  is stowed within chassis  20 . Alternatively, work surface  16  may be stowed outside of chassis  20 , or in another manner that allows carrier  10  to be more compact when work surface  16  is not in use. In the mode shown, handle  18  is disposed relatively close to chassis  20  and slide  24  is disposed therebetween. Stabilization foot  50  is in a stowed position wherein stabilization foot  50  runs along a bottom edge of chassis  20 . Stabilization foot  50  attaches to chassis  20  at an attachment point. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  an underneath view of the carrier  10  can be seen. From this view, the bracket connecting the support arm to the desktop can be seen. The slot the bracket slides in when the desktop surface is lowered can also be seen. 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged, perspective view, of mounting base  58  connected to a corner of the chassis of the carrier. Mounting base  58  is secured to the chassis with a plurality of screws. In one embodiment, the chassis is formed from molded plastic, but other materials are contemplated depending on desired characteristics. When the stabilization foot is extended out, any load put on the desktop surface will create a moment force. The weight of a load placed on the desktop surface bears down on the arms and the stabilization arm causing a cantilever effect upon the chassis. 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, mounting base  58  transfers the load of the cantilevered desktop surface throughout a sufficient region of the chassis to provide adequate support. In order to transfer the load from the mounting base to the chassis, multiple screw races may be needed. 
     An axle  68  around which the stabilization foot rotates can also be seen. In one embodiment, axle  68  is not parallel to the chassis and the support arms, but instead the top of axle  68  is tilted at an angle of a few degrees. Tilting axle  68  allows the stabilization foot to provide support by having one end in contact with the ground when extended away from the chassis while the other end that is attached to the mounting base is not touching the ground. 
     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.