Folding utility cart accessory device

A folding utility cart accessory device includes a frame having a pair of vertical supports and an upper horizontal member extending between an upper end of each vertical support. A pair of support arms are attached to the frame. A first pair of fasteners are attached to a lower horizontal member that extends between each vertical support. A second pair of fasteners are attached to a lower end of each vertical support. The first pair of fasteners are configured to removably secure to an upper horizontal member of a folding utility cart frame. The second pair of fasteners are configured to removably secure to a vertical member of a folding utility cart frame. In this way, the frame can be removably secured to either the front end or rear end of a folding utility cart to provide additional storage options.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an accessory device that removably attaches to a folding utility cart. More specifically, the present invention provides a folding utility cart accessory device that can removably secure to either the front end or rear end of a folding utility cart to provide additional storage options, allowing the user to hang chairs or other objects from the device for easy transport with the utility cart.

Folding utility carts are often utilized during outdoor recreation to transport and store various items. For example, folding utility carts are commonplace at the beach, on camping trips, and in other outdoor settings. These folding utility carts typically include a collapsible frame that supports a flexible central storage area. The storage area can be filled with items for transport, and the cart can be collapsed for more compact storage when not in use.

While the collapsible or folding utility cart provides many advantages, it also has its share of disadvantages. Particularly, the folding utility cart is limited in the amount of storage it provides, because it typically only includes the open central storage area. Once this area is filled with items, it is no longer possible to secure any additional items to the folding utility cart. Additionally, the flexible central storage area is not suitable for certain items, such as bulkier or oddly shaped rigid items. For example, a chair stored within flexible central storage area will often distend the lining and warp the storage area, making it difficult or impossible to store additional items. Umbrellas or other longer items may poke into the material of the storage area and cause it to contact the ground or other surfaces, potentially damaging the utility cart. Additionally, fragile items placed within the storage area may be damaged since there is no means of securing or separating the fragile items within the storage area of the folding utility cart.

Some devices exist in the known art that provide accessories for folding utility carts. However, these devices have several drawbacks. Some of these devices are insertable into the storage area of the folding utility cart to provide organizational features within the main storage area. However, these devices fail to provide additional storage means, since the storage area provided by the cart is still limited to its main storage area. Other devices provide more generic accessory attachments for folding utility carts and do not address the lack of storage options.

In light of the folding utility carts and related accessory devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in functional and structural elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing folding utility cart accessory devices, particularly with regards to addressing the lack of storage options present in conventional folding utility carts. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of folding utility carts and related accessory devices now present in the known art, the present invention provides a new folding utility cart accessory device wherein the same can be utilized for providing additional storage solutions for folding utility carts that expand their storage options beyond their main storage area.

The folding utility cart accessory device generally includes a frame having a pair of vertical supports and an upper horizontal member extending between an upper end of each vertical support. A pair of support arms are attached to the frame, which allows users to hang chairs or other items from the frame. A first pair of fasteners are attached to a lower horizontal member extending between each vertical support, and a second pair of fasteners are attached to a lower end of each vertical support. The first pair of fasteners are configured to removably secure to an upper horizontal member of a folding utility cart frame, while the second pair of fasteners are configured to removably secure to a vertical member of the folding utility cart frame.

One object of the present invention is to provide a folding utility cart accessory device that can be secured to either the front end or rear end of a folding utility cart, allowing a user to select a desired mounting location or to use two devices simultaneously, with one device attached to each end of the cart, for additional storage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding utility cart accessory device that includes collapsible support arms, allowing the device to be collapsed to a more compact configuration for storage when not in use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a folding utility cart accessory device that includes multiple rows of horizontal members with retaining members on the upper end thereof, such that multiple items can be secured to the horizontal members by attaching individual items to each retaining member.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a folding utility cart accessory device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the folding utility cart accessory device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a folding utility cart storage device that removably secures to a folding utility cart to provide additional storage options. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now toFIGS.1and2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the folding utility cart accessory device and a rear elevation view of an embodiment of the folding utility cart accessory device, respectively. The device includes a frame11defined by a pair of vertical supports12and an upper horizontal member13extending between and connecting the upper ends14of each vertical support12. The upper horizontal member13provides structural strength and rigidity to the frame11. The frame11also includes a pair of support arms15. In the shown embodiment, the support arms15are attached to the vertical members12toward the upper end thereof. The support arms15provide a storage location to hang chairs, bags with straps, or other items.

A first pair of fasteners16are attached to a lower horizontal member27extending between each vertical support12. In the shown embodiment, the first pair of fasteners16are hook shaped with an open lower end18that receives a portion of the folding utility cart's frame. In other embodiments, the first pair of fasteners16can include additional securement features, such as a spring-loaded clamp, as one example. A second pair of fasteners17are attached to a lower end22of each vertical support12. In the shown embodiment, the second pair of fasteners17are straps that wrap around a portion of the frame of the folding utility cart. As shown inFIG.2, the straps can be held in place via hook material26on one side of the strap removably connecting to loop material28on an opposing side of the strap. In other embodiments, other suitable fastening elements such as snaps, buckles, or the like may be attached to the straps. Further, while the straps are shown at as a fixed length, other embodiments may include straps that are adjustable in length.

In the shown embodiment, the frame11includes additional middle horizontal members19that extend across the vertical supports12, such that they are positioned between the upper horizontal member13and the lower horizontal member27. The total number of middle horizontal members19may vary. The middle horizontal members may also include additional retaining members20. The retaining members20allow users to attach or hang items from the horizontal members19. In the shown embodiment, the retaining members20extend or project upwardly from an upper surface21of each horizontal member19. This positioning of the retaining members20keeps the width of the overall frame11more narrow for more compact storage when not in use.

Referring now toFIG.3, there is shown a side elevation view of an embodiment of the folding utility cart accessory device. The support arm15may also include a retaining member23attached to a distal end thereof, which may also be a projection extending upwardly from an upper surface25of the support arm15. This provides a horizontal support for hanging (SeeFIG.6, (61)) chairs or other items, while the retaining member23prevents such items from slipping off the support arm15. In some embodiments, the support arm15is pivotally attached24to the vertical member12. This allows the support arm15to be movable between a collapsed position parallel to the vertical supports12and a deployed position extending perpendicularly outwardly from the vertical supports12. A locking mechanism such as a ball detent, set screw, or other similar device may be utilized to maintain the support arm15in either the deployed position or the collapsed position. The support art 15 can connect to an interior side of the vertical support12such that it collapses downwardly to be contained between the pair of vertical supports12, which allows for more compact storage of the device. However, the attachment point or pivot point24of the support arm15is not intended to be limited to one area, and the support arm15can be attached in a variety of ways, be pivotally adjustable, or be fixed.

Referring now toFIG.4, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the folding utility cart accessory device removably secured to a folding utility cart. A general example of a folding utility cart is presented. Generally, such folding utility carts30include a pair of end frames31that are connected by an expandable and collapsible scissoring-type central support frame34. The overall shape of the flexible storage container35is generally defined by the end frames31and the collapsed or expanded state of the central support frame34. Each end frame31includes an upper horizontal member32connecting to a pair of vertical members33which defines the general structure of the end frames31. A handle36at one end of the cart allows for the cart to be pulled or pushed in transport.

In order to attach the frame11of the accessory device to the folding utility cart30, the first pair of fasteners16are configured to removably secure to the upper horizontal member32of a folding utility cart end frame31. This provides a general mounting point and support for the frame11. Further, the second pair of fasteners17are configured to removably secure to the vertical members33of the folding utility cart end frame31. The straps wrap around the vertical members33to further secure the frame11in place and prevent it from moving or falling off as the folding utility cart30is in transport. Further, in the shown embodiment, the support arms15extend in a direction opposing the first pair of fasteners16. This allows items to be secured to the support arms without hanging into and potentially obscuring the utility cart storage area35.

Referring now toFIG.5, there is shown a perspective view of the retaining elements of an embodiment of the folding utility cart accessory device. The retaining elements20can be utilized to hang any desired item that can be supported on the device. For example, a hat52may be hung from the retaining element20, or a strap53of a bag51. The retaining elements20are positioned along the middle horizontal member19such that enough space is provided for hanging individual items.

Referring now toFIG.6, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the folding utility cart accessory device in use. As shown, the accessory device frame11can be secured to either end or both ends of the folding utility cart, because its operation does not interfere with the utility cart handle. The frame11that is secured to the end of the cart opposing the handle can also provide additional handles by way of the support arms15, allowing another user to assist with pushing or pulling a heavier cart. The opposing support arms15can be utilized to hang a plurality of chairs61or other objects, which allows the user to transport and store additional items with the folding utility cart outside of its main storage area.

While the present invention is shown utilized with one example type of folding utility cart, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to operating with a single type of folding utility cart. The present invention can function with different shapes, sizes, and types of utility carts, including such carts that do not have folding capabilities. As long as a utility cart includes a first portion which can connect to the first pair of fasteners and second portion that can connect to the second pair of fasteners, the present invention will be compatible for use with that utility cart.