Abstract:
A transport and load cart in the form of a kick scooter is compact, has a low dead weight and is designed with dimensions that are suitable for transport by train or automobile, and which nonetheless ensures safe transport of bulky and heavy goods together with a person, while improving the handling and reducing the expenditure of force. The longer side of the loading platform is disposed transversely to the travel direction and in a rearwardly inclined and/or displaceable manner relative thereto, and the receiving compartment has a front-side slot for the rechargeable battery.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a load and/or transport cart in the form of a kick scooter, which comprises at least three wheels, a handlebar, a loading platform and a footboard that can be folded up and locked, wherein the two front wheels are configured with a steering and inclination mechanism for absorbing the centrifugal force during cornering, the handlebar is connected to the loading platform via at least one steering column, and a receiving compartment for a rechargeable battery is provided beneath the loading platform. 
     It is known that shopping carts provide great help for transporting purchased goods, without the purchased goods having to be carried. However, the shopping carts can generally only be moved at pedestrian speed, which greatly limits the operating range of these carts. While a bicycle including a shopping basket or saddle bags increases the operating range for transport, it is too bulky and not suitable for transporting heavy shopping goods, such as beverage crates. Conventional kick scooters or kickboards are also not suitable for this. 
     DE 10 2006 042 1129 A1 describes a load cart comprising three wheels, a fold-up footboard and a loading surface on the front side, on which the heavy, bulky loads can be loaded and transported, wherein the front wheels can be inclined relative to the roadway during cornering by bevel gears. 
     Moreover, a supporting structure that is provided with rollers and includes at least one grip element disposed on a rod assembly for guiding the supporting structure is known from DE 20 2008 006 764 U1. A skateboard is associated with the supporting structure as a standing platform for the user. The grip element is provided as a steering means for the rollers, which, together with the supporting structure, are disposed rotatably about a steering axle situated transversely to the at least one axis of the structure during the steering motion. 
     Moreover, load carts that are provided with three wheels are known from FR 2 926 961 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,525 B1. 
     The applicant moreover proceeds from a load and/or transport cart which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 8,631,892 B2. This load and/or transport cart comprises, beneath the loading platform, a triangular steering plate having two opposing ball heads, wherein each of the ball heads is seated in an articulated manner in a bearing at one end of the steering lever, wherein these levers at the respective other ends comprise a bearing for a further ball head of a triangular swinging fork, on the stub axles of which the front wheels are rotatably mounted. 
     All these solutions have the shared disadvantage that the carts have a relatively bulky and heavy design, provide limited handling and, due to their significant dimensions, are often not suitable for being transported by train and in the person&#39;s own car. 
     Loading surfaces that are disposed in front of the front wheels (see FR 2 926 961 A1, WO 01/72164 A1, EP 1 704 901 A1, WO 95/08466 A1, DE 102 04 478 A1, DE 81 28 047 U1) shift the center of gravity of the load into a position that is not always sufficient to ensure the safety of the cart, so that the user must apply the corresponding counter forces to ensure that the cart does not tilt forward. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Based on this prior art, it is the object of the invention to provide a transport and load cart in form of a kick scooter, which is compact, has a low dead weight and is designed with dimensions that are suitable for transport by train or in the car, and which nonetheless ensures safe transport of bulky and heavy shopping goods together with people, while improving handling and reducing the expenditure of force. 
     The solution according to the invention is based on the realization that the stability of upwardly projecting loads can be secured during travel by shifting the center of gravity downward by disposing the longer side of the loading platform transversely to the travel direction and in a rearwardly inclined and/or displaceable manner counter to the travel direction, and by the receiving compartment having a front-side slot for the rechargeable battery. 
     This makes it possible to significantly reduce the folded dimensions of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention, so that transport by car, by train or by bus is considerably facilitated. 
     In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, compactness is further achieved in that the steering and inclination mechanism comprises two axle shafts, which are located on a shared rotational axis and each have a rotationally fixed contrate gear, which are operatively connected to each other in a meshing manner via a steering gearwheel that is disposed perpendicularly to the rotational axis and a compensating gearwheel, wherein each axle shaft is provided with a wheel axle that is offset eccentrically to the rotational axis for the front wheel, the two wheel axles are disposed on a shared rotational axis aligned with each other, and the steering gearwheel and the compensating gearwheel have a rotational axis that coincides with the vertical steering axle, wherein the steering gearwheel is rigidly fixed in the steering axle for transferring the steering motion, and the compensating gearwheel can rotate freely, so that the contrate gear, together with the axle shaft, can carry out an opposing rotational movement with respect to the contrate gear, together with the axle shaft, during a steering motion, and the wheel axles define a plane of inclination for the loading platform. 
     Of particular advantage for the compact design is that the inclination and steering mechanism is accommodated in a gearbox housing that is joined from multiple pieces in a force-fit manner and made of injection molding, cast metal or sheet metal, or corresponding material combinations, wherein the steering axle is coupled to the footboard by way of a fork or a fork mount. 
     One variant embodiment of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention provides for the gearbox housing to be made of injection molding or cast metal and to comprise: 
     a) an outer housing bottom, which is molded in the axial direction of the axle shafts and has an at least partially hemispherically shaped recess for a lower radial ball bearing; 
     b) an inner housing bottom, which is disposed perpendicularly to the axle shafts and extends with U-profile-shaped legs in the direction of the footboard, and the hemispherical shell of which is seated in the hemispherical recess of the outer housing bottom and carries a centrally vertically projecting shaft stub in a rotationally fixed manner, around which the compensating gearwheel is rotatably mounted, wherein the shaft stub penetrates the hemispherical shell and is guided into the lower radial ball bearing to absorb the steering motion; 
     c) a hemispherically designed shell of an inner housing top, which can be placed on the shell of the inner housing bottom and which comprises a further shaft stub, which extends in the direction of the shaft stub and is rigidly fixed to the shell and on which the steering gearwheel is rigidly fixed for transferring the steering motion and which penetrates the hemispherical shell of the inner housing top and is guided into an upper radial ball bearing to absorb the steering motion, wherein the upper radial ball bearing and the shaft stub are covered by a steering axle cover; and 
     d) an outer housing top, which can be placed on the inner housing top and has a base side comprising an opening and on which an intermediate plate having an opening that corresponds to the opening in the base side is inserted, in which the shaft stub is disposed in a freely rotating manner with the steering axle cover. 
     In a preferred refinement of the invention, the receiving compartment for the rechargeable battery is disposed above the inner housing top, wherein the battery compartment is formed by the space defined by the upwardly projecting wall region and the base of the outer housing top as well as the lower region of the loading platform, and the height of the handlebar can be adjusted in, and the handlebar can be locked in, the steering columns by way of a clamping and locking mechanism. The front-side openings in the wall region of the outer housing top and of the lower region of the loading platform can advantageously be covered by a battery flap that can be pivoted in the travel direction. 
     It is furthermore advantageous that the outer upper housing top is provided with a perpendicularly projecting, peripheral wall region that is open at the front, on which the loading platform, together with the wheel houses thereof molded into the steering columns, is insertably fixed so that, during a steering motion of the handlebar, the outer joint top and the outer joint bottom, together with the loading platform, can pivot about the steering axle defined vertically through the openings. 
     It is furthermore of particular advantage that pipe-section-like guide segments made of metal for inserting the handlebar pipe ends are provided in the steering columns of the loading platform, wherein at least two openings located vertically at a distance from each other are introduced into the wall of the handlebar pipe in accordance with the desired adjustment height of the handlebar, and that a respective mechanism for clamping, locking and releasing the handlebar pipe is disposed at the upper region of the steering columns, the pivotable grip of the handlebar pipe moving a locking pin into the opening of the handlebar pipe for locking, or moving the same out for releasing. 
     This makes it possible to adapt the height of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention to a size that is suitable for transport in the trunk of a car, on the bus or on the train. The loading platform is made of an injection-molded plastic part, and preferably of impact-resistant polyamide, wherein the pipe-section-like guide segments are embedded in the steering columns, whereby the weight of the load and/or transport roller according to the invention can be reduced. 
     In a further preferred variant embodiment of the invention, it is provided that all essential components of the load and/or transport cart are made of metal, wherein the gearbox housing is preferably fabricated from sheet metal and in particular comprises: 
     a) a lower gear plate having a recess for a lower tapered roller bearing accommodating the steering axle; 
     b) an upper gear plate having a molded extension for an upper tapered roller bearing accommodating the steering axle; 
     c) a fork mount, which vertically encloses the contrate gears, the steering gearwheel, and the compensating gearwheel, and the steering axle on the outside parallel to the steering axle direction and is formed of receiving panels and which has two upper bearing plates attached thereto and a lower bearing plate having axial guides for a shaft with a steering axle, on which the steering gearwheel is non-rotatably disposed and the compensating gearwheel is rotatably disposed, wherein the receiving panels of the fork mount have cut-outs which are associated with the contrate gears and through which the axle shafts are guided to the contrate gear and in which the axle shafts can be pivoted about the steering axle in accordance with the handlebar movement; 
     d) at least one inner and one outer bearing shell for each axle shaft, wherein the axle shaft is rotatably mounted in an angular ball bearing accommodated by the inner bearing shell and in a needle bearing accommodated by the outer bearing shell; and 
     e) a front plate and a rear plate, which are joined to the lower gear plate, the upper gear plate, the bearing shells, the bearing plates and the receiving panels of the fork mount by way of screw connections. 
     In a further preferred embodiment of this variant embodiment, two upwardly projecting steering columns in the form of a cut sheet metal piece that is bent multiple times are attached to the upper gear plate by way of screw connections, wherein the cut sheet metal piece is formed of a base leg that faces the gear plate and has cut-outs for the molded extension in the upper gear plate accommodating the upper tapered roller bearing and for attachment, an outer wall section projecting perpendicularly upward from the base leg, an oblique wall part projecting outwardly from this wall section, and a side wall part projecting perpendicularly upward from the latter, and that a box-shaped base part is provided, which can be placed on and attached approximately at the height of the inwardly extending oblique wall parts, and a support, panel for forming the receiving compartment for the insertion of the rechargeable battery on the front side is disposed on the base legs of the two steering columns, wherein the box-shaped loading platform is inserted into the base part and held there. 
     According to one preferred refinement of the invention, at least two holders, disposed on top of each other, for the handlebar pipe having a locking mechanism for adjusting the height of the handlebar are provided in the upper region of the side wall part of each cut sheet metal piece. The side wall part is provided with a removable outer facing, which covers the holders for the handlebar pipes and imparts appropriate shaping to the side wall parts. 
     In a further embodiment of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention, the loading platform comprises a base that is provided with a rim to receive a transport container in a stable manner. The base of the loading platform is advantageously provided with a detent mechanism, the catch lug of which engages with a spring-loaded rocker in a detent opening introduced into the base part of the transport container in a securing manner or is designed so as to be movable out of the same. 
     According to a further embodiment of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention, this transport container is composed of a base part that is adapted to the base of the loading platform, a front part, and a rear part, which are hinged to the base part by way of hinges, wherein the opening angle between the front and rear parts is dimensioned so that at least three beverage crates can be stacked on top of each other, wherein the front and rear parts can be connected to each other in a securing manner by a flexible adjustable tightening strap. However, the transport container can also be formed of a front element having a reinforced base or of a flexible container or sack, without departing from the invention. 
     The loading platform is made of an injection-molded plastic part or cast metal, or is made entirely of sheet metal, or a combination of materials. Impact-resistant polyimide or cast aluminum are particularly suitable. 
     In a further embodiment of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention, the end of the footboard which is located at the front in the travel direction comprises a connecting element having two legs that are mutually spaced apart and parallel to each other, wherein a supporting roller is rotatably mounted in the legs at the front end of the connecting element for stably folding up the footboard, and the legs are provided with a recess that is introduced in the direction of the upper face of the footboard for receiving a splined shaft, which is disposed between the U-profile-shaped legs or receiving panels of the fork mount and is disposed in alignment with the recess in an opening of the legs or receiving panels, wherein a pivotably mounted lever between the legs or receiving panels is provided for locking and releasing the footboard, and a through-hole for receiving a joint axis is provided in the web for folding up the footboard, the joint axis being guided through a respective opening in the U-profile-shaped legs of the inner housing bottom which enclose the connecting element. 
     It is particularly advantageous for folding the footboard up and down if the footboard is provided with a worm gear mechanism that is driven by a motor and is operatively connected to the joint axis. 
     In a further variant embodiment of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention, the handlebar is provided with a brake actuating device, a device for accelerating, a bell, an indicator light, headlights and a cockpit, which includes a compartment having a transparent cover for reading and accommodating a telecommunications device in a water-proof manner, a connection that is connected to the rechargeable battery for charging the telecommunications device, a display device for the charge state and the safety of the rechargeable battery, and a speed indicator. 
     It is further of particular advantage that the footboard comprises a foldable and height-adjustable standing seat for the driver, wherein this standing seat is composed of two legs, a U-shaped arch comprising a backrest at the center, and two tubular rods in which the legs are inserted, the height of which can be adjusted and fixed, wherein the tubular rods are rotatably mounted in bearing brackets that are rigidly installed on the footboard, and wherein the tubular rods are fixed in the vertical position and in the folded position, and a saddle can be installed for the seat in place of the backrest. 
     A prop is provided for particularly easy handling of the transport and/or load cart according to the invention when folding up the footboard, the prop ensuring stability to prevent toppling over in the forward direction. 
     A further variant embodiment of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention provides for the rear wheel of the load and/or transport cart to comprise an electric wheel hub motor for driving purposes. 
     However, the invention also covers a design where the two front wheels, or all wheels, are configured with electric wheel hub motors, wherein in curves the wheel located on the inside rotates more slowly than the wheel located on the outside by way of electronics as a function of the steering action. 
     Likewise, however, the two front wheels can be driven by only one motor, which is connected to the wheels via a differential gear. In this case, the rear wheel is designed as a swivel wheel. The drive motor can be accommodated in the hollow axle shaft of the front wheel in a space-saving manner, for example. 
     In this way, the load and/or transport cart according to the invention can be variably designed for different drive forms. 
     It is further advantageous if the footboard, the gearbox housing, and preferably the outer housing bottom, the outer housing top, the inner housing top, and the inner housing bottom, are injection-molded parts made of impact-resistant plastic material, whereby the load and/or transport cart according to the invention remains lightweight, but nonetheless compact for transport and handling. The invention, of course, also provides that the essential components of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention are made of metal, for example cast metal, or are entirely made of sheet metal. 
     Further advantages and details will be apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     The invention will be described in more detail hereafter based on two exemplary embodiments. 
       FIGS. 1 to 28  show the first exemplary embodiment of a load and transport cart according to the invention made of injection-molded plastic parts or cast metal, and  FIGS. 29 to 35  show the second exemplary embodiment of a load and transport cart in a sheet metal design. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the load and/or transport cart while driving straight ahead; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the gearbox housing for the steering and inclination mechanism in a perspective view; 
         FIG. 3  shows an enlarged perspective view of the outer housing top connected to the outer housing bottom; 
         FIG. 4  shows an enlarged perspective view of the inner housing top connected to the inner housing bottom; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective top view onto the footboard coupled to front wheels, axle shafts, inner housing bottom and housing top; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the inner housing top; 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of the steering and inclination mechanism comprising contrate gears, steering gearwheel, compensating gearwheel and axle shafts in the inner housing top and the inner housing bottom; 
         FIG. 8  shows an illustration of the composition of the axle shaft with wheel axles in a perspective view; 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the outer housing top in a top view; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective bottom view of the outer housing top; 
         FIG. 11  shows a view of the outer housing top comprising an inserted intermediate plate according to  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective exploded view of the handlebar, loading platform, battery and outer housing top; 
         FIG. 13  shows a perspective illustration with the loading platform placed onto the outer housing top; 
         FIG. 14  shows a view according to  FIG. 13  comprising a cover panel for the battery compartment; 
         FIG. 15  shows a schematic illustration of the inclination and steering mechanism with a plane of inclination during cornering; 
         FIG. 16  shows the composition of the inner housing bottom in a top view with an inserted lever; 
         FIG. 17  shows the composition of the inner housing bottom in a bottom view with a lever locked on the splined shaft; 
         FIG. 18  shows a perspective illustration of the footboard in a top view; 
         FIG. 19  shows a perspective illustration of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention in the folded-up state; 
         FIG. 20  shows an illustration of the handlebar at the steering columns of the loading platform; 
         FIG. 21  shows a schematic illustration of the mechanism for adjusting the handlebar height; 
         FIG. 22  shows a perspective illustration of the handlebar from the driver&#39;s side; 
         FIG. 23  shows an illustration of the handlebar from the front; 
         FIG. 24  shows an illustration of the loading surface in a top view without a transport container; 
         FIG. 25  shows an exploded view of the transport container; 
         FIG. 26  shows a detail for retaining the transport container on the loading surface; 
         FIG. 27  shows a sectional illustration of the footboard with a folded-down standing support; 
         FIG. 28  shows a sectional illustration of the footboard with a folded standing seat; 
         FIG. 29  shows an exploded view of the cuboid gearbox housing in sheet metal design; 
         FIG. 30  shows an exploded view of the steering gearwheel, compensating gearwheel, contrate gears, axle shafts and bearing plates; 
         FIG. 31  shows a perspective illustration of the gearbox comprising a fork mount that is opened on the side; 
         FIG. 32  shows an exploded view of the front region of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention comprising a loading platform in sheet metal design; 
         FIG. 33  shows a perspective top view onto the steering columns that are attached to the upper gear plate in sheet metal design; 
         FIG. 34 a    shows an illustration of the support panel for the replaceable battery; 
         FIG. 34 b    shows an illustration of the support panel with the replaceable battery placed thereon; and 
         FIG. 35  shows a perspective illustration of the load and/or transport cart according to the invention with a folded-up footboard and folded-out prop. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  shows the basic design of the load and/or transport cart  1  according to the invention, comprising the two front wheels  2  and the rear wheel  3 . 
     The longer side LS of the loading platform  4  is located transversely to the travel direction FR and assumes a position relative thereto that is inclined slightly toward the rear so as to ensure sufficient stability of the load during travel. The angle of inclination α is approximately 5°. However, it is also possible to longitudinally displace the loading platform  4  in or against the travel direction so as to achieve as low a center of gravity of the load as possible. 
     The loading platform  4  comprising the handlebar  43  is located between the two front wheels  2  and  2   a . A multi-piece gearbox housing  5  is disposed beneath the loading platform  4 , the gearbox housing being composed of an outer housing top  6 , an outer housing bottom  7 , an inner housing top  8 , and an inner housing bottom  9  (see  FIG. 2 ). The outer housing top  6  and the outer housing bottom  7  are provided with an upper and a lower hemispherical recess  10  and  11 , respectively, which together form a ball-head-shaped receiving space  12  when the outer housing top  6  is placed on the outer housing bottom  7  and connected by way of screws ( FIG. 3 ). A hollow ball head  13 , which is composed of a hemispherical shell  14  of the inner housing bottom  9  and a hemispherical shell  15  of the inner housing top  8 , is mounted in the steering axle LA in this receiving space  12 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . A shaft stub  17 , which is held non-rotatably in the wall  18  of the shell  14  and is mounted with the stub end  19  thereof penetrating the wall  18  in a radial ball bearing  20 , projects centrally from the base  16  of the shell  14  and, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , vertically upward into the interior of the shell  14 , the radial ball bearing being accommodated in the lower hemispherical recess  11  of the outer housing bottom  7 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the assembled gearbox housing  5  comprising the mounted footboard  53 , from which the positions of the rotational axis DA of the axle shafts  27  and  28 , the wheel axles  35  and  36 , and the steering axle LA are apparent. 
       FIG. 6  shows a bottom view of the inner housing top  8 , the shell  15  of which non-rotatably carries a shaft stub  21  projecting upward centrally in the direction of the shaft stub  17  of the inner housing bottom  9 . The shaft stub  21  penetrates the shell  15  and the end  22  thereof is mounted in a radial ball bearing  23 , which is accommodated in a steering cover  24 . The inner housing top  8  is placed onto the inner housing bottom  9  and is attached thereto by way of screws, which are not shown. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of the axle shafts  27  and  28  that are provided with the contrate gears  29  and  30 , the steering gearwheel  31 , and the compensated gearwheel  32  in association with the inner housing top  8  and the inner housing bottom  9 . Recesses  25  and  26  are introduced into the shells  14  and  15  of the inner housing bottom  9  and housing top  8  diametrically opposite each other in the direction of the axle shafts  27  and  28 , the axle shafts  27  and  23  comprising contrate gears  29  and  30  attached non-rotatably thereto being guided through these recesses into the interior of the hollow ball head  13 . The two contrate gears  29  and  30  are in meshing engagement with an upper steering gearwheel  31  and a lower compensating gearwheel  32 , wherein the upper steering gearwheel  31  is non-rotatably attached to the shaft stub  21  of the inner housing top  8 , and the lower compensating gearwheel  32  is rotatably mounted on the shaft stub  21  of the inner housing bottom  9  and is surrounded by the ball head  13  in a cane-like manner. 
     The rotational axes D of the steering gearwheel  31  and of the compensating gearwheel  32  coincide with the steering axle LA defined perpendicularly to the rotational axes DA of the axle shafts  27  and  28 , wherein the axle shafts  27  and  28  are mounted in the outer housing bottom  16  in ball bearings so as to be radially and axially rotatable about the rotational axis DA, which are not shown. 
     The outer housing top  6  and the outer housing bottom  7  can thus pivot together with all installations and attachments during a steering motion about the steering axle LA. 
     The axle shaft  27  or  28  is made of a hollow shaft  33  having an eccentrically integrally molded flange  34 , on which a respective wheel axle  35  or  36  for the front wheel  2  or  2   a  is disposed. The wheel axles  35  and  36  are located on a horizontal line L relative to each other, however—as is shown in  FIG. 8 —disposed offset at a distance e from the rotational axis DA of the axle shafts  27  and  28 . 
     The two front wheels  2  and  2   a  are rotatably mounted on the wheel axles  35  and  36 , respectively, and are provided with a braking device, which is not shown in detail. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , which show the outer housing top  6  in a perspective top view and bottom view. The outer housing top  6 , the base side  37  of which has a shell-like design and is provided with the hemispherical recess  10  for the hollow ball head  13 , comprises a peripheral wall region  38 , which projects upwardly from the base side  37  and is open at the front. 
     The base side  37  is provided with supports  39  for placing on an intermediate plate  40 , into the center of which an opening  41  is introduced for receiving the shaft stub  21  that is rotatably mounted in the steering axle cover  24 . This opening  41  is associated with an opening  41   a  in the base side  37  of the outer housing top, through which the shaft stub  21  is guided. The supports  39  are designed so that the intermediate plate  40  can be held securely by the surrounding wall region  48 .  FIG. 11  shows the outer housing top  7  comprising the inserted intermediate plate  40 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the loading platform  4  comprising integrally molded steering columns  42  and the outer housing top  6  in an exploded view. The mechanism for adjusting the handlebar height is described in more detail hereinbelow. Facing the outer housing top  7 , the loading platform  4  comprises wheel houses  44 , which are integrally formed into the lower portion of the steering columns  42 , and a base part  45 , which is delimited at the front and back by an upwardly projecting rim  46 , so that a loading surface  47  that is secured to prevent the load from sliding is created. The length and width dimensions of the loading platform  4  are selected such that the wheel houses  44  are able to enclose the upwardly projecting wall region  38  of the outer housing top  6 , and a receiving compartment  48  for at least one replaceable rechargeable battery  49  that can be inserted in the front for supplying the wheel hub motor with power is formed beneath the base part  45  and the intermediate plate  40 . 
     Openings  50  having upwardly projecting ridges  51  at the front are provided in the upwardly projecting rim  46 , and a cover panel  52  having corresponding plug-in openings  50   a  for covering the receiving compartment  48  can be detachably and pivotably fixed on the ridges.  FIG. 13  shows the loading platform  4 , which has been plugged onto the outer housing top  6  and  FIG. 14  shows the cover panel  52  that has been removed at the front from the ridges  51 . 
     The inclination and steering mechanism of the two front wheels  2  and  2   a  functions as follows. The steering motion about the steering axle LA is transferred via the steering gearwheel  31  to the contrate gears  29  and  30  by the deflection of the handlebar  5  to the left or right. During the steering motion to the right, for example, the steering gearwheel  31  drives the contrate gear  29  of the axle shaft  27  counterclockwise and it drives the contrate gear  30  of the axle shaft  28  clockwise, which is to say in opposing directions. The axle shafts  27  and  28 , together with the wheel axles  35  and  36  thereof, accordingly move forward or back in opposing rotational directions, whereby the wheel axles  35  and  36  are no longer disposed in a horizontal line L in relation to each other and define a plane of inclination NE, whereby the loading platform  4  becomes inclined to the right or the left relative to the roadway (see  FIG. 15 ). 
     As a result of the steering and inclination mechanism thus formed, the two front wheels  2  are inclined toward the roadway during cornering, whereby the load cart  1  can counteract the centrifugal force acting in the curve. In this way, the loaded load cart  1  can be safely steered in the curve. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the inner housing bottom  9  comprises two U-profile-shaped legs  54  and  55 , which are disposed or integrally molded on the shell  14  in the shape of a fork  56 . 
     Mutually aligned openings  57  for receiving the joint axis GA located perpendicularly to the legs  54  and  55  are introduced into the two legs  54  and  55 , and an opening  58  for a splined shaft  59  is introduced into one of the legs  54  or  55 , the splined shaft likewise being disposed perpendicularly between the legs  54  and  55 . This splined shaft  59  is associated with a lever  60 , which is pivotably disposed between the legs  54  and  55  and which is mounted about a pivot axis SA in an opening  58   a  in the legs  54  or  55 , wherein the lever  60  securingly engages behind the splined shaft  59  or releases the locked connection upon actuation. 
     The footboard  53 , on which the driver stands comfortably with one leg, is connected to the inner housing bottom  9  via a joint axis GA, so that the footboard  53  can be folded up as needed or be disconnected for assembly. 
     The footboard  53  has a base body  61  (see  FIG. 18 ), at the end  62  of which facing away from the travel direction the rear wheel  3  is mounted, including a wheel hub motor (not shown), wheel house  63  and brake light  64 . A connecting element  66 , which can be inserted between the legs  54  and  55  of the inner housing bottom  9 , is integrally molded onto the end  65  of the base body  61  which is located at the front in the travel direction FR, the connecting element comprising two legs  67  and  68  that are mutually spaced apart and parallel to each other and have a web  69 , in which a through-hole  69   a  is introduced close to the front end  65  of the base body  61 . The connecting element  66  is inserted into the space between the legs  54  and  55  until the openings  57  in the legs  54  and  55  are congruent with the through-hole  69   a  in the web  69  and the joint axis GA can be guided through the openings  7  and the through-hole  69 . The footboard  53  can then be folded up about the joint axis GA. To secure the footboard  53  against folding up, open recesses  70  are introduced into the legs  67  and  68  in the direction of the upper footboard face TO, in which the splined shaft  59  will be seated and secured by the lever  60 . If the footboard  53  needs to be folded up, the lever  60  is actuated, whereby the splined shaft  59  is released so that the footboard  53  can carry out the desired folding movement. 
     Folding the footboard  53  up or down can be carried out manually, or by a worm gear mechanism (not shown) that is driven by a motor and operatively connected to the joint axis GA. 
       FIG. 19  shows the load and/or transport cart  1  according to the invention in the folded-up state. So as to increase the stability of the load and/or transport cart  1  according to the invention, a roller  71  is rotate mounted at the front end of the legs  67  and  68  of the connecting element  66 . This ensures a three-point bearing of the front wheels  2  and  2   a  with the roller  71 . 
     The arrangement of the handlebar  43  at the steering columns  42  is apparent from  FIG. 20 . The two handlebar pipes  72  are integrated into the steering columns  42  so as to be height-adjustable. At least two pipe-section-like guide segments  73 , which are disposed on top of each other and made of metal, are provided for this purpose, into which the handlebar pipes  72  are inserted. As is shown schematically in  FIG. 21 , the jacket of the handlebar pipes  72  has at least two openings  74 , which are situated vertically at a distance from each other and located at the desired height. A respective adjusting mechanism  75  is provided in the upper region of the steering columns  42  for clamping and releasing the adjusted height of the handlebar pipe, the grip  76  of the mechanism being used to move a locking pin  77  into and out of the opening  74  of the handlebar pipe  72 . 
     As is further apparent from  FIG. 22 , the handlebar  43  is provided with a device  78  for actuating a brake, which is not shown, at the front wheels  2  and  2   a , a device  79  for accelerating, by way of which the power demand of the wheel hub motor installed as the drive system at the rear wheel  3  can be regulated, a bell  80  or a horn, an indicator light  81 , headlight  82  (see  FIG. 23 ), and a dashboard  83 . The dashboard  83  comprises a compartment  84  having a transparent cover for accommodating a communication device in a water-proof manner and reading the same, such as a smart phone or iPhone, a connection for charging the telecommunications device, a display device for the charge state of the battery, and a speed indicator (see  FIGS. 22 and 23 ). 
       FIG. 24  shows the position of the loading surface  47  of the loading platform  4 , the longer side LS of which is disposed transversely to the travel direction and the base of which has an inclination of 5° toward the rear counter to the travel direction. 
     An appropriately adapted, separately transportable transport container  85  comprising transport goods  85   a  (see  FIG. 25 ) can be placed on the loading surface  47  of the loading platform  4 , the container being formed of a base part  86 , a front part  87  and a back part  88 . The front part  87  and back part  88  are hinged to the base part  86  by way of integral hinges, which are not shown, and can thus be opened, wherein the opening angle between the front part  87  and the back part  88  is dimensioned so that a maximum of three beverage crates can be stacked on top of each other. The front part  87  and the back part  88  can be connected by a flexible strap, the length of which is adjustable, to ensure a secure position of the transported goods. 
     So as to retain the transport container  85  securely in a way that prevents sliding, a detent mechanism  89  is integrated into the upwardly projecting rim  46  of the base part  45  of the loading platform  4 , the catch lug  90  of the mechanism engaging with a spring-loaded rocker  91  in a detent opening  92  introduced into the base part  86  in a securing manner, or being designed so as to be movable out of this opening upon actuation of the rocker  91  (see  FIG. 26 ). 
     If the travel distance is long, it is advantageous to provide a foldable and height-adjustable standing seat  93  for the driver.  FIG. 27  shows a detail of the standing support  93  in the folded-down state, and  FIG. 28  shows it in the folded-up state. 
     The standing seat  93  is composed of two legs  94  and  95  of a U-shaped arch  97  comprising a backrest  96  at the center, and two tubular rods  98  and  99 , in which the legs  94  and  95  are inserted without play and adjustable and fixable in terms of their height. The tubular rods  98  and  99  are rotatably mounted in bearing brackets  100 , which are rigidly installed on the footboard  53 , wherein the tubular rods  98  and  99  can be locked in the vertical position and in the folded-up position, for example by a spring and bolt system. As an alternative to the backrest  96 , it is also possible to install a saddle for the seat. 
     A preferred drive concept for the load and/or transport cart  1  according to the invention provides for the rear wheel  3  to be driven by a wheel hub motor. However, it is also possible to drive each of the front wheels  2 ,  2   a  by a wheel hub motor and to design the rear wheel  3  as a swivel wheel, or to drive all the wheels directly by wheel hub motors. It goes without saying that the axle shafts  27  and  28  for the front wheels  2 ,  2   a  must be designed and adapted accordingly. This, however, does not imply a departure from the invention. 
     All essential assemblies in Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the load and/or transport cart  1  according to the invention, such as the footboard  53 , the loading platform  4 , the outer housing bottom  7 , the outer housing top  6 , the inner housing top  8 , and the inner housing bottom  9 , are injection-molded parts made of impact-resistant plastic material or cast metal. 
     Exemplary Embodiment 2 
     The load and/or transport cart  1  described in more detail in the following example differs from that of Example 1 only in that the main assemblies are made of sheet metal. The reference numerals of Example 1 remain for those components that are not modified. 
       FIG. 29  shows the cuboid gearbox housing  5 , which is composed of an upper gear plate  101 , a lower gear plate  102 , a plate  103  located at the front in the travel direction, and a rear plate  104  facing away from the travel direction, and inner and outer bearing shells  105 ,  106 ,  107  and  108 . The upper gear plate  101 , the lower gear plate  102 , the front plate  103 , the rear plate  104  and the bearing shells  105  to  108  are joined to the gearbox housing  5  by way of screw connections  109 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 30  in conjunction with  FIG. 29 , each axle shaft  27  or  28  carrying a rotationally fixed contrate gear  29  or  31  is associated with an inner bearing shell  105  or  106  and an outer bearing shell  107  or  108 . The inner bearing shells  105  or  106  comprises a bearing seat  110  for a respective angular ball bearing  111 , and the outer bearing shells  107  or  108  comprise a bearing seat  112  for a needle bearing  113 , between which the axle shaft  27  or  28  for carrying out the steering motion is rotatably accommodated. 
     The steering axle LA is guided in a hollow shaft  114  in a rotationally fixed manner. The hollow shaft  114 , in turn, is fixed in the steering gearwheel  31  and the compensating gearwheel  32 , wherein a tapered roller bearing  116 , disposed on a first upper bearing plate  115 , and a second upper bearing plate  117  are associated with the steering gearwheel  31 , and a further tapered roller bearing  119  disposed on a lower bearing plate  118  is associated with the compensating gearwheel  32 . 
     By way of screw connections  121 , the bearing plates  115 ,  117  and  118  are attached to a fork mount  120 , which vertically encloses the contrate gears  29 ,  31  and the steering gearwheel  31  and compensating gearwheel  32  on the outside, parallel to the steering axle direction (see  FIG. 31 ). 
     The upper tapered roller bearing  116  is seated in a molded extension  122  of the upper gear plate  101 , and the lower tapered roller bearing  119  is seated in a recess  123  of the lower gear plate  102 , so that the steering axle LA is vertically securely guided. 
     The fork mount  120  is formed, for example, of two receiving panels  124  and  125 , which are attached to each other and are bent several times in the contour of the bearing plates  115 ,  117  and  118 , of which the receiving panels  124  in each case have a cut-out  126 , which extends horizontally approximately centrally in the plane of the axle shafts  27  or  28  and through which the axle shafts  27  or  28  can be guided in the direction of the wheel axles  35  or  36  and can carry out a horizontal pivoting movement upon actuation of the handlebar. The receiving panels  125  form the legs  54  and  55  of the fork mount  120 , which—as was already described in paragraph hereinabove—are connected to the footboard  53  via the joint axis GA so as to be able to fold up. 
       FIG. 32  shows an exploded view of the composition of the front region of the load and/or transport cart  1  comprising the loading platform  4 , steering columns  42 , battery  49  and gearbox housing  5 . The two steering columns  42  are composed of a cut sheet metal piece  146 , which is bent multiple times and is formed of a base leg  124  facing the upper gear plate  101 , an outer wall section  128  projecting perpendicularly upward from the base leg  127 , a wall part  129  projecting obliquely away from the wall section  128 , and a side wall part  130  projecting perpendicularly upward from the latter. 
     Cut-outs  131  for the molded extension  122  are worked into the base leg  127 . 
     As is apparent from  FIG. 33 , the base legs  127  are fixed directly to the upper gear plate  101  by way of screw connections  132 . 
     Further referencing  FIG. 32 , an angled panel  133  is disposed on the base leg  127 , the angled panel comprising an approximately horizontal wall part  134  for supporting the battery  49 , a rear wall section  135  projecting perpendicularly from the wall part  134  as a stop for the battery  49 , a wall section  136  extending horizontally from the rear wall section  135  in the direction of the footboard  53 , and retaining sections  127  that are bent obliquely inward in the direction of the base leg  127  at the front horizontal wall part  134  (see  FIG. 34 a   ). The retaining sections  137  are supported on the base leg  124  and are latchingly engaged in such a way that the battery  49  seated on the wall part  134  assumes a position that is slightly inclined in the travel direction and corresponds to the inclination of the loading platform  4  (see  FIG. 34 b   ). The angle of inclination α is approximately &lt;5°. 
     A box-shaped base part  138  is disposed and attached above the battery  49  along the obliquely outwardly projecting wall part  129 . The likewise box-shaped loading platform  4 , which assumes a slightly rearwardly inclined position of &lt;5°, for example, in relation to the driving direction FR, is likewise located in the box-shaped base part  138 . Dimensioning of the loading platform is discussed hereinabove. 
     The receiving compartment  48  for the replaceable battery  49  is located between the base part  138  and the wall part  134 . The receiving compartment  48  can be closed or opened by the cover panel  52  that is pivotable in the travel direction FR. 
     Holders  139  for the attachment of the handlebar pipes  72  of the handlebar  43  are provided in the upper region of the upwardly projecting side wall parts  130  of the steering columns  42 . The side wall parts  130 , together with the holders  139  thereof, are covered by appropriately shaped cover panels  140 . 
     A mounting  141  for a prop  142  for propping the load and/or transport cart  1  when the footboard  53  is folded up are provided on the front plate  103  of the gearbox housing  5 . When not used, this prop  142  is horizontally inserted in a recess  143  of a front cover  144  that is attached to the gearbox housing  5  and can be moved vertically out of the recess  143  to support the load and/or transport cart  1 . This is shown in  FIG. 35 .