Convertible cart assembly

A dump cart includes a frame; a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to the frame by at least one axle; a bed frame pivotally coupled to the frame so that the bed frame may be pivoted relative to the frame between a lowered, hauling position and a raised, dumping position; a bed attached to the bed frame for receiving and hauling objects; a removable tow bar having a first end that may be attached to the frame and a second end that may be attached to a towing vehicle so that the towing vehicle may pull the dump cart; and a wheelbarrow attachment accessory that may replace the removable tow bar to convert the dump cart to a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow attachment accessory includes a draw bar; a mounting bracket attached to a first end of the draw bar that may be removably attached to the frame; a pair of handles attached to a second end of the draw bar that may be gripped by a user to move and maneuver the wheelbarrow; and at least one leg depending from the draw bar for supporting the draw bar and handles above the ground. The dump cart may also include a lift assist mechanism coupled between the frame and the bed frame for biasing the bed frame toward its raised, dumping position so as to assist a user in dumping objects from the wheelbarrow.

BACKGROUND

Carts are often pulled by lawn tractors or other towing vehicles to haul dirt, leaves, mulch, rocks, yard waste, and other objects. But lawn tractors are sometimes too big or unwieldy to reach certain areas, so manually-pushed wheelbarrows are often used instead. But purchasing, maintaining and storing both a cart and a wheelbarrow is expensive and requires extra storage space.

SUMMARY

The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of hauling devices by providing a cart assembly that can be pulled behind a lawn tractor or other towing vehicle much like a conventional cart and quickly and easily converted to a wheelbarrow so that it can be manually pushed or pulled into areas not easily reachable by the lawn tractor.

One embodiment of the cart assembly broadly comprises a cart; a tow bar that may be attached between the cart and a towing vehicle so that the towing vehicle may pull the cart; and a wheelbarrow attachment accessory that may replace the tow bar to convert the cart to a manually-pushed wheelbarrow.

An embodiment of the cart comprises a frame; a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to the frame; a bed frame pivotally coupled to the frame and shiftable between a lowered, hauling position and a raised, dumping position; and a bed attached to the bed frame for receiving and hauling objects. The cart may further comprise a lift assist mechanism coupled between the frame and the bed frame for biasing the bed frame toward its raised, dumping position so as to assist a user in dumping objects from the bed.

An embodiment of the tow bar has a first end configured to attach to the frame of the cart and a second end configured to attach to a towing vehicle so that the towing vehicle may pull the cart. A mounting bracket attached to the first end of the tow bar permits the tow bar to pivot from side-to-side relative to the cart and a mounting bracket attached to the second end of the tow bar permits the tow bar to pivot from side-to-side relative to the towing vehicle.

An embodiment of the wheelbarrow attachment accessory comprises a draw bar; a mounting bracket attached to a first end of the draw bar that may be removably attached to the frame of the cart; a pair of handles attached to a second end of the draw bar that may be gripped by a user to move and maneuver the wheelbarrow; and at least one leg depending from the draw bar and handles for supporting the draw bar and handles above the ground.

The cart assembly may further comprise a latching assembly for latching the bed frame in its lowered, hauling position and releasing the bed frame so it and the bed can be raised to their raised, dumping position. An embodiment of the latching assembly comprises a keeper attached to the bed frame, a latch mounted on the tow bar, and a latch mounted on the wheelbarrow attachment accessory.

The latch on the wheelbarrow attachment accessory engages the keeper when the bed frame is in its lowered, hauling position and comprises a housing, a spring-biased latch bolt shiftable in and out of the housing between an extended, latched position for engaging the keeper and a retracted unlatched position for releasing the keeper. The latch further comprises a latch handle pivotally coupled with the rear of the latch bolt and shiftable between an upright position for shifting the latch bolt to its extended position and a downward position for shifting the latch bolt to its retracted position. A handle grip is formed on the distal end of the latch handle. The handle grip facilitates shifting of the latch handle and also serves to stabilize the cart assembly while dumping objects from the bed. A user may step on the handle grip while dumping objects from the wheelbarrow to prevent the legs of the wheelbarrow attachment accessory from lifting off the ground or sliding on the ground.

Mechanisms for converting carts to wheelbarrows exist, but they typically employ folding handles and the like that are too flimsy for heavy-duty use. In the present invention, the wheelbarrow attachment accessory replaces the tow bar when the cart assembly is to be used in the wheelbarrow mode and thus provides a sturdier configuration.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the drawing figures, a cart assembly10constructed in accordance with various embodiments of the invention is illustrated. As described in more detail below, the cart assembly10can be converted for use in two different modes of operation: 1) a towing mode, shown inFIG. 1, in which the cart assembly10is pulled behind a lawn tractor12or other vehicle; and 2) a wheelbarrow mode, shown inFIGS. 4-9, in which the cart assembly10can be manually pushed or pulled much like a conventional wheelbarrow.

An embodiment of the cart assembly10broadly comprises a cart14; a tow bar16that may be attached between the cart14and the towing vehicle12when the cart assembly is to be used in the towing mode; and a wheelbarrow attachment accessory18that may replace the tow bar when the cart assembly is to be used in the wheelbarrow mode. The components of the cart assembly10may be of any size and shape and constructed of any materials without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, an embodiment of the cart14broadly comprises a frame20, a pair of wheels22rotatably coupled to the frame20, a bed frame24pivotally coupled with the frame20, and a bed26attached to the bed frame.

The frame20of the cart14includes a horizontally-extending crossbeam28and a pair of legs20depending from the ends of the crossbeam. The crossbeam28and legs30may be formed of a single piece of material that is bent to form the legs, or they may be formed as separate components and bolted, welded, or otherwise attached. In one embodiment, the crossbeam and legs are formed of 2″ tubular steel, but they may be formed of other suitable materials.

An embodiment of the frame20also includes a pair of spaced-apart, rearwardly-extending posts32that serve as mounts for the bed frame24as discussed below. The posts32extend transversely from the crossbeam28and may be bolted, welded, or otherwise attached to the crossbeam. The frame may also include a mounting plate34attached to and extending below the crossbeam28that serves as a mount for a lift assist mechanism as discussed in more detail below.

The wheels22are conventional and are attached to the legs30by axles and bearing assemblies36. Pneumatic or solid rubber tires38are supported on the wheels.

The bed frame24supports the bed26and connects it to the frame20. An embodiment of the bed frame24includes a pair of side rails40bolted or otherwise attached below the sides of the bed26, a transversely extending central rail42that interconnects the side rails below the central portion of the bed, and a transversely extending front rail44that interconnects the side rails below the front portion of the bed. The bed frame may be made of tubular steel or other suitable materials and may be bolted, screwed, or otherwise attached to the underside of bed with L-shaped brackets46or other fasteners.

An embodiment of the bed frame further includes a pair of U-shaped clamps48attached to the underside of the side rails40for connecting the bed frame24to the frame20. The clamps48are attached to the posts32on the frame20by bolts or pins that extend through aligned, horizontally-extending holes in the clamps and posts. This mounting arrangement permits the bed frame and bed to pivot relative to the frame between a lowered, hauling position shown inFIGS. 1, 5, and 9and a raised, dumping position shown inFIGS. 4 and 7.

The bed26is configured for hauling dirt, leaves, mulch, rocks, yard waste and other objects and is bolted or otherwise attached to the top of the bed frame24as discussed above. One embodiment of the bed26is tub-shaped with upstanding sidewalls, but it may also be flat or any other shape and size. The bed26is preferably formed of reinforced plastics or other synthetic resin materials, but it may also be made of aluminum, steel, or other materials.

The cart14may further comprise a gas strut, hydraulic cylinder, or other lift assist mechanism50coupled between the frame20and the bed frame24for biasing the bed frame24toward its raised, dumping position so as to assist a user in dumping objects from the bed26. In one embodiment, one end of the lift assist mechanism50is attached to the mounting plate34on the frame20and the other end is coupled with the central rail42on the bed frame24. This mounting arrangement applies a lifting force below a central portion of the bed26to evenly distribute the lifting force below the center of mass of the load carried in the bed.

Embodiments of the tow bar16and the wheelbarrow attachment accessory18will now be described in more detail. As mentioned above, the tow bar16and the wheelbarrow attachment accessory18may be interchangeably attached to the above-described cart14to convert it for either towing behind the towing vehicle12or for use as a wheelbarrow.

Referring again toFIG. 2, an embodiment of the tow bar16comprises an elongated, draw bar52, a frame coupler54attached to a first end of the draw bar for connecting the tow bar to the frame, and a hitch coupler56attached to a second end of the draw bar for connecting the tow bar to a lawn tractor or other towing vehicle. The draw bar may be formed of any materials and may be of any desired length, and in one embodiment is approximately 36″-60″ long and constructed of 2″ tubular steel.

One embodiment of the frame coupler54is a U-shaped bracket with vertically spaced-apart plates58that fit over and under the cross member28of the frame20. Vertically-aligned holes are formed in the plates58and the cross member28for receiving a mounting pin60. The frame coupler54and mounting pin60allow the tow bar16to swivel from side-to-side relative to frame20to increase the maneuverability of the cart assembly10.

One embodiment of the hitch coupler56is a U-shaped bracket with vertically spaced-apart plates62that engage a hitch or other mount on the towing vehicle12. Vertically-aligned holes are formed in the plates62and the hitch for receiving a mounting pin. The hitch coupler and mounting pin allow the tow bar to swivel from side-to-side relative to the towing vehicle12to further increase the maneuverability of the cart assembly10.

Referring toFIG. 3, an embodiment of the wheelbarrow attachment accessory18comprises a draw bar64; a frame coupler60attached to a first end of the draw bar64for connecting the wheelbarrow attachment accessory to the frame; a pair of handles68; and a pair of legs70. The components of the draw bar may be formed of tubular steel or any other suitable materials.

The draw bar64connects the handles68and legs70to the frame20of the cart14and may be any desired length and made of any suitable materials. In one embodiment, the draw bar is approximately 12″-48″ long and constructed of 2″ tubular steel.

An embodiment of the frame coupler66is a U-shaped bracket with vertically spaced-apart plates72that fit over and under the cross member28of the frame20. Vertically-aligned holes are formed in the plates and the cross member for receiving a mounting pin74. Locking bolts may be threaded through horizontally-extending holes in the frame coupler for locking the frame coupler against the cross member to prevent movement of the draw bar relative to the frame.

The handles68are attached to a second end of the draw bar64by a pair of mounting plates76that are bolted or otherwise attached to the draw bar. The handles68may be formed of several pieces of tubular steel that are interconnected with elbow joints or may each be formed of a single piece of steel or other material that is bent into the shape illustrated in the drawing figures. The ends of the handles may include grips78for assisting with gripping the handles.

The legs70depend form the draw bar64for supporting the draw bar and handles above the ground. In one embodiment, the legs are U-shaped and are connected between the frame coupler66and the handles. A brace80may interconnect the lower most sections of the legs to improve their rigidity and stability when engaging the ground.

The cart assembly10may further comprise a latching assembly for latching the bed frame24in its lowered, hauling position. An embodiment of the latching assembly comprises a keeper82attached to the bed frame24, a latch84mounted on the tow bar16, and a latch86mounted on and the wheelbarrow attachment accessory18. The latches84,86engage the keeper82when the bed frame24is in its lowered, hauling position.

Referring toFIG. 4, an embodiment of the keeper82comprises a U-shaped bracket with spaced-apart plates88that surround the tow bar16(when the cart assembly is used in the towing mode) or the draw bar of the wheelbarrow attachment accessory18(when the cart assembly is used in the wheelbarrow mode). The keeper82also includes a lip90that is held by one of the latches84,86when the bed frame24is pivoted to its lowered, hauling position.

Because the latches84,86on the tow bar16and wheelbarrow attachment accessory18operate in a similar manner, only the latch86on the wheelbarrow attachment accessory will be described in detail. Referring again toFIG. 4, the latch86comprises a latch housing92, a spring-biased latch bolt94shiftable in and out of the latch housing between an extended, latched position for engaging the keeper82and a retracted unlatched position for releasing the keeper. The latch86further comprises a latch handle96pivotally coupled with the rear end of the latch bolt94and shiftable between an upright position for shifting the latch bolt to its extended position and a downward position for shifting the latch bolt to its retracted position. An enlarged cam98is formed on the end of the handle that connects to the latch bolt. The cam98engages the latch housing92to retract the latch bolt when the handle is shifted downward as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7and allows the bolt to extend under the influence of the spring to its latched position when the handle is lifted upward to its latched position as shown inFIGS. 5 and 9.

The opposite end of the latch handle96is bent 90 degrees to form a handle grip100. The handle grip100also serves to stabilize the cart assembly when the latch handle96is shifted to its fully downward position as shown inFIG. 7. A user may step on the handle grip100while dumping objects from the wheelbarrow to prevent the legs of the wheelbarrow attachment accessory from lifting off the ground or sliding on the ground.

Use of the cart assembly10will now be briefly described. To use the cart assembly in its towing mode, the tow bar16is attached to the cart frame20and to the lawn tractor as shown inFIG. 1. To convert the cart assembly to the wheelbarrow mode, the latch84is first operated to unlatch the bed frame24and allow the bed frame24and bed26to raise as shown inFIG. 2. This provides better access to cart frame20for removing the tow bar16and attaching the wheelbarrow attachment accessory18. The tow bar16is then removed from the cart frame20by removing the attachment pin60and then pulling the tow bar from the cart frame20as shown inFIG. 2.

The tow bar16is then replaced with the wheelbarrow attachment accessory18by placing the mounting bracket66of the wheelbarrow attachment accessory18over the crossbeam28of the cart frame28and inserting the attachment pin74through the pin holes in the mounting bracket and the crossbeam as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Finally, the bed frame24and bed26are lowered until the keeper82on the bed frame is trapped by the latch94on the draw bar64.

Once attached, the wheelbarrow attachment accessory18allows the cart assembly10to be manually pushed, pulled or otherwise moved much like a conventional wheelbarrow. Specifically, an operator may grip the handles68, lift the legs70from the ground, and push or pull the cart to a desired location. To dump the cart bed26, the operator shifts the latch handle96down as shown inFIG. 6to retract the spring-loaded latch. The operator may then lift the bed26of the cart upwards as shown inFIG. 7to dump objects from the bed. While doing so, the operator may step on the handle grip100of the latch handle96to stabilize the cart assembly as described above. The lift assist mechanism50applies upward pressure to the bed frame24to assist the operator in lifting the bed. An operator may also dump the wheelbarrow without disengaging the latch94and without using the lift assist mechanism50by simply lifting the handles68such that the bed frame24, bed26, and legs70lift upward to tip the front end of the bed.

Other details of the cart assembly10are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,998,341, entitled MULTI-FUNCTION DUMP CART, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Although the invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.