Abstract:
A collapsible utility cart that is composed of a pair of a plurality of interconnected frames that when in the usage state assumes a box-like configuration mounted on a plurality of wheels. There is a handle assembly that is mounted to the frames with this handle assembly being movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The frames that make up the utility cart body are to be collapsed in juxtaposition when in a collapsed position and said handle assembly is to be positioned against the frames when in the retracted position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to a utility cart and more particularly to a utility cart that is collapsible. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   There has long been known a substantial number of different transporting structures in the materials handling art. One such transporting structure is known as a utility cart. The utility cart is designed to be pulled by a handle by a user. Generally, the utility carts are useful when a user wishes to transport small items of cargo over a relatively short distance. 
   Utility carts find utility in both residences and commercial establishments. Typically, such a cart may be commonly used in conjunction with nurseries where it is desirable to transport potted plants from their location within the nursery to a purchaser&#39;s car or truck. Utility carts can also be of benefit when utilized in conjunction with homes where a homeowner can use the cart when performing of yard work such as planting of plants. 
   It is desirable in the constructing of such carts that in order to decrease the amount of space that the cart takes up during non-usage is to have the cart to be collapsible. In the past, the collapsing of such carts has not been to where the cart really assumes a minimal amount of space. It would be desirable to construct the cart to where a minimum amount of space is utilized in the collapsed position. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The basic embodiment of collapsible utility cart of the present invention comprises a bottom panel composed of a first base frame member and a second base frame member and a first bottom frame member and a second bottom frame member. The first bottom frame member is pivotally attached to the first base frame member. The second bottom frame member is pivotally attached to the second bottom frame member. The bottom panel is movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. The first bottom frame member being aligned with the second bottom frame member when in the extended position. The first bottom frame member being side-by-side with the second bottom frame member when in the collapsed position. A plurality of wheels are mounted on the base frame members. A first side panel frame is attached to the first base frame member. A second side panel frame is attached to the second base frame member. The first side panel frame being spaced a maximum distance from the second side panel frame when in the extended position. The first side panel frame located side-by-side with the first bottom frame member and the second side panel frame located side-by-side with the second bottom frame member when in the collapsed position. The utility cart includes a handle assembly defined as a first bar mounted about a first horizontal axis to the first base frame member. A second bar is mounted about a second horizontal axis to the second base frame member, the outer ends of both the first bar and the second bar are mounted to a first connector. A lower handlebar is pivotally mounted about a third horizontal axis to the first connector. When in the extended position the first bar forms almost a right angle with the second bar. When in the collapsed position the first bar being in juxtaposition with the second bar with both the first bar and the second bar capable of being located against the first bottom frame member and the second bottom frame member. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the first bottom frame member being identical in size to the second bottom frame member. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the first side panel frame being identical in size to the second side panel frame. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by defining that the first horizontal axis is located parallel to the second horizontal axis. 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that the third horizontal axis is oriented perpendicular to the first horizontal axis and the second horizontal axis. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the collapsible utility cart of the present invention showing the utility cart in its expanded and usage position; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the collapsible utility cart of the present invention showing the utility cart in a partially collapsed position; 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the collapsible utility cart of the present invention showing the utility cart in the totally collapsed position; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic representation generally in a top plan view of the base frame members and the cross brace members that are utilized in conjunction with the collapsible utility cart of the present invention showing the utility cart in the expanded configuration of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but showing the same members in their position when the collapsible utility cart is in the position shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the collapsible utility cart of the present invention taken along line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the collapsible utility cart of the present invention taken along line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the joint connecting between one of the handlebars and one of the base frame members of the collapsible utility cart of the present invention taken along line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a view between the front panel and one of the side panels of the collapsible utility cart of the present invention showing the mounting arrangement therebetween; 
       FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9  of the collapsible utility cart of the present invention but showing the front panel disengaged from the side panel; and 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the handle structure of the present invention with the handle cut and rotated ninety degrees relative to its mounting connector in order to see clearly the structural details of the handle structure. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown a utility cart  10  of this invention. The collapsible utility cart  10  includes a pair of parallel spaced apart base frame members defined as a first base frame member  12  and a second base frame member  14 . Base frame member  12  terminates at each end in a turned in end  16 . Base frame member  14  terminates at each end in a turned in end  18 . The turned in ends  16  face the turned in ends  18 . 
   Fixedly secured to the inside surface of base frame member  12  is a bracket  19 . Pivotally attached to the bracket  19  is a cross brace member  20 . Fixedly secured to the inside surface of base frame member  14  is a bracket  21 . Pivotally attached to the bracket  21  is a cross brace member  22 . The cross brace members  20  and  22  are pivotally connected together at pivot joint  24 . Fixedly mounted to the undersurface of the base frame member  12  are a pair of spaced apart caster wheel assemblies  26 . Fixedly mounted to the undersurface of the base frame member  14  are a similar pair of caster wheel assemblies  28 . The wheels  26  and  28  that are located at the front of the cart  10  are capable of three-hundred sixty degree turning movement plus normal rotational movement. The wheels  26  and  28  that are located at the back of the cart  10  are not capable of turning plus normal rotational movement. 
   Hingedly mounted by lineal hinge  31  to the inside surface of the base frame member  12  is a first bottom frame member  30 . Hingedly connected by lineal hinge  33  to the inside surface of the base frame member  14  is a second bottom frame member  32 . The bottom frame members  30  and  32  are of the same size and each are constructed of a plurality of rigid lineal interconnected bar members. The basic overall shape of each of the bottom frame members  30  and  32  are rectangular in configuration. The bottom frame members  30  and  32  will be covered with a screening layer (metal or plastic), which is not shown. 
   Fixedly attached on the upper surface of the base frame member  12  is a first side panel frame  34 . Fixedly mounted onto the upper surface of the base frame member  14  is a similar second side panel frame  36 . Side panel frames  34  and  36  are again of the same size and basically in the same configuration. Each of the side panel frames  34  and  36  are constructed to be basically rectangular in shape and constructed of a plurality of elongated bars. The first side panel frame  34  has a forward edge which has integrally mounted thereon a pair of spaced apart protrusions  38 . A similar pair of protrusions  40  are mounted on the front edge of the second side panel frame  36 . A front panel frame  42  has a pair of spaced apart hooks  44  and  45  mounted at each end edge of the front panel frame  42 . The front panel frame  42  is to be placed across the front of the utility cart  10  with each hook  44  connecting with protrusion  38  and hook  45  connecting with protrusion  40 . This will securely fix in position the front panel frame  42  relative to side panel frames  34  and  36  when the utility cart is in the expanded or usable configuration, which is shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. When the utility cart  10  of this invention is in the collapsed position, which is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the front panel frame  42  is to be pulled free from its connections with the side panel frames  34  and  36  and then is to be stored against the outside surface of the second side panel frame  36  being held in place thereon by a pair of blocks  46  which are fixedly mounted on the outside surface of the side panel frame  36 . It is to be understood that the front panel frame  42  will be constructed similarly on a basic rectangular shape of a plurality of rigidly interconnected bars which will be covered with a metal or plastic screening  48 . Both of the side panel frames  34  and  36  will also be covered with a similar type of screening  50 . 
   There is a rear panel frame  52  which is again constructed of a plurality of rigid interconnected bars having a basically rectangular shape and covered by a metallic or plastic screening  54 . Mounted on the left side edge of the rear panel frame  52  are a pair of spaced apart hook members  56 . A similar pair of hook members  58  are mounted at the right side edge of the rear panel frame  52 . Fixedly mounted on the aft edge of the first side panel frame  34  are a pair of protrusions  60 . Fixedly mounted on the aft edge of the second side panel frame  36  are a pair of protrusions  61 . The rear panel frame  52  can be stowed alongside the outside surface of the first side panel frame  34  and be held in place by a pair of blocks  62  which are fixedly mounted to the first base frame member  12 . Blocks  62  are basically similar to blocks  46  which are fixedly mounted onto the second base frame member  14 . The rear panel frame  52  is to be removed from its stowage position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and placed across the rear portion of the utility cart with each hook member  56  connecting with a protrusion  61  and each hook member  58  connecting with a protrusion  60  and the rear panel frame  52  extending between the side panel frames  34  and  36 . The thus formed utility cart  10  shown in  FIG. 1  has a top edge which is formed by the free upper edge of each of the frames  34 ,  36 ,  42  and  52 . The bottom frame members  30  and  32  form in essence a bottom panel that forms the bottom surface of the utility cart  10 . 
   The end  18  at the forward edge of cart  10  has a connector  64  pivotally attached thereto with the connector  64  being permitted to pivot about a first horizontal axis  66 . Note particularly  FIG. 8 . Pivotally mounted to the connector  64  is a first bar  68  with this bar  68  capable of pivotable movement relative to the connector  64  about a first vertical axis that is perpendicular to axis  66 . The bar  68  is capable of pivoting movement in the direction of arrow  70  while the connector  64  and also bar  68  are capable of pivoting movement in the direction of arrow  72  relative to the end  18 . 
   In a similar manner, second bar  74  is pivotally connected about a second horizontal axis to a connector  76  which in turn is pivotally connected about a second vertical axis that is perpendicular to the second horizontal pivot axis relative to end  16 . The first horizontal axis is parallel to the second horizontal axis. The result is the bars  68  and  74  can be located in an extended position where the bars  68  and  74  can assume an almost right angle configuration relative to their longitudinal dimensions, which is shown in  FIG. 1 , and can also be located abutting each other but still extended when the utility cart  10  is in the collapsed position as shown in  FIG. 2 . The bars  68  and  74  in  FIG. 2  extend outwardly from the utility cart  10  but the bars  68  and  74  are capable of pivoting up against the forward edge of the utility cart  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , due to pivoting occurring about the first and second horizontal axes. The outer end of each of the bars  68  and  74  are pivotally connected together by a handle connector  78 . Mounted on the handle connector  78  by pin  82  is a lower handlebar  80 . Pin  82  provides a third horizontal axis for pivoting movement of lower handlebar  80 . This third horizontal axis is perpendicularly oriented to the first and second horizontal axes. The pin  82  passes through bifurcated opening  83  formed in connector  78 . Lower handlebar  80  is formed at its outer end in a U-shaped bracket  85 . U-shaped bracket  85  has a flat inside surface  87 . Flat surface  84  of a connector  90  is to abut against surface  87  preventing pivotable movement between lower handlebar  80  and upper handlebar  92 . Pin  94  secures connector  90  to bracket  85  by pin  94  passing through holes  97  and  99  formed in bracket  85 . Pin  94  passes through holes  77  and  79  of connector  90 . Cotter pin  96  secures the pin  94  in place. Upper handlebar  92  can be disengaged from bracket  85  by removing of pins  94  and  96  which will permit bracket  85  to be secured to a tractor hitch (not shown). In  FIG. 11 , the pin  94  appears to be mounted horizontal. Actually, it is vertical. Bracket  85  has to connect with a strap shaped protrusion of a trailer hitch and to pin  94  is “dropped in” to connect with the strap of the trailer hitch. In  FIG. 11 , the lower handlebar  80  is cut at  81  and the upper handlebar  92  is cut at  95  and U-shaped bracket  85 , in area  89 , is rotated ninety degrees (depicted by arrow  91 ) in order to clearly observe the inside of connection  90  and cotter pin  96 . 
   When the bars  68  and  74  are located in the abutting position and directly adjacent the front edge of the utility cart  10 , the handle assembly formed by lower handlebar  80  and upper handlebar  92  can be pivoted over and rest on the top edge of the utility cart  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3  which is the retracted position. The overall result when in the collapsed position shown in  FIG. 3  the utility cart  10  assumes a minimal amount of space facilitating stowage. The handle connector  78  can be referred to as a mid-joint which connects the bars  68  and  74 . 
   With the utility cart  10  in the position shown in the expanded or usable configuration, which is shown in  FIG. 1 , the collapsible utility cart  10  can be readily pulled by an individual by using upper handle member  92  and is capable of being rolled by caster wheel assemblies  26  and  28  to any desirable position. An appropriate load would be contained within the internal compartment of the collapsible utility cart  10  which is enclosed by the side panels  34  and  36  and the front panel frame  42  and the rear panel frame  52 . 
   Let it now be assumed that the user wishes to move the collapsible utility cart  10  to the collapsed position shown in  FIG. 3 . The user first removes the front panel frame  42  and mounts it in its stowage position directly against the side panel frame  36 . The user then proceeds to disengage the rear panel frame  52  and mount such directly against the first side panel frame  34 . The user then applies a slight force at the pivot joint  24  which will cause the cross brace members  20  and  22  to assume a slight angular configuration relative to each other. The user can then move the first base frame member  12  toward the second base frame member  14  which will result in the cross brace members  20  and  22  being located substantially side-by-side and also the bars  68  and  74  being located side-by-side. The movement of the base frame members  12  and  14  toward each other is represented by arrows  84  and  86  in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . During this movement, the bottom frame members  30  and  32  pivot about their hinge axis  88  until the bottom frame members  30  and  32  are also located substantially side-by-side abutting each other. The bottom frame members  30  and  32  will be located between the side panel frames  34  and  36 . As previously mentioned, the handle  80  is then pivoted to rest against the top edge of the collapsible utility cart  10  which comprises a retracted position. 
   The discussion included in this patent is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible and alternatives are implicit. Also, this discussion may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. These changes still fall within the scope of this invention. 
   Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. It should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.