Maintenance cart

The maintenance cart includes a cart comprising a primary section, a secondary section, and/or a connection mechanism. The primary section may include a body portion including a plurality of storage, a folding shelf attached to an end of the body portion, and a releasably connectable handle mechanism. The secondary section may includes a mop bucket supporting region and a plurality of rolling members. The connection mechanism if for releasably connecting the secondary section to an end of the primary section.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to mobile maintenance carts and, in particular, to such carts configured to transport buckets and waste containers used in the performance of sanitary maintenance duties.

Mobile carts for use in the performance of sanitary maintenance duties are known and have found wide application in a range of commercial maintenance functions. For example, a conventional maintenance cart includes a body portion having a platform supported by wheels or casters so that that cart is easily moveable. The platform supports a plurality of shelves for storing cleaning items. Adjacent the shelves, the body portion includes structure configured to support a refuse container.

This conventional maintenance cart is also configured to transport a mop bucket. In particular, a portion of the platform extends away from the shelves and provides a surface for receiving the mop bucket. The bucket can be placed on the platform by having someone lift the bucket off the ground and place it on platform. This approach has its own drawbacks. Mop buckets filled with cleaning solution are both heavy and hard to lift onto and off of the platform because of the possibility of spillage due to the sloshing around of the cleaning solution. If the bucket is left on the platform during mopping, the cleaner has to move the entire cart as he or she mops.

Another conventional cart includes an additional platform for receiving the mop bucket. The additional platform can be attached to the body portion of the cart. When the additional platform is attached to the cart's body portion, the overall length of the cart is increased. This increased length makes the cart more difficult to maneuver in hallways and around comers as well as fitting the cart into elevators or closets.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention includes a cart comprising a primary section, a secondary section, and a connection mechanism. The primary section includes a body portion including a plurality of storage shelves and having a first end and a second end, a folding shelf attached to the second end of the body portion and configured to fold relative to the body portion between a use position in which the folding shelf can receive an object and a storage position, and a handle mechanism including a gripping portion and an opening for holding a trash receptacle. The handle mechanism is releasably connectable to the body portion such that the gripping portion can be disposed adjacent to either of the first end and the second end of the body portion. The secondary section includes a mop bucket supporting region and a plurality of rolling members that fully support the mop bucket supporting region. Also, the connection mechanism is for releasably connecting the secondary section to the second end of the primary section when the folding shelf is in the storage position.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a cart comprising a primary section, a secondary section, and a connection mechanism. The primary section includes a body portion and a handle mechanism including at least one of a plurality of storage shelves and an opening for holding a trash receptacle. The body portion has a first end and a second end and a folding shelf attached to the second end. The secondary section includes a mop bucket supporting region and a plurality of rolling members that fully supports the mop bucket supporting region. The connection mechanism is for releasably connecting the secondary section to the second end of the primary section when the folding shelf is in the storage position.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a cart comprising a primary section, a secondary section, and a connection mechanism. The primary section includes a body portion including a plurality of storage shelves and having a first end and a second end and a handle mechanism including a gripping portion. The handle mechanism is releasably connectable to the body portion such that the gripping portion can be disposed adjacent to either of the first end and the second end of the body portion. The secondary section includes a mop bucket supporting region and a plurality of rolling members that fully support the mop bucket supporting region. The connection mechanism is for releasably connecting the secondary section to the second end of the primary section.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of using a cart comprising the steps of using a primary section of the cart and using a secondary section of the cart. The primary section includes a body portion including a plurality of storage shelves and having a first end and a second end and a handle mechanism including a gripping portion. The handle mechanism is releasably connectable to the body portion such that the gripping portion can be disposed adjacent to either of the first end and the second end of the body portion. The secondary section includes a mop bucket supporting region and a plurality of rolling members that fully supports the mop bucket supporting region.

The method can further include the steps of connecting the secondary section to a second end of the primary section, connecting the handle mechanism to the body portion such that the gripping portion is adjacent the first end of the primary section, removing the secondary section from the second end of the primary section; and/or connecting the handle mechanism to the body portion such that the gripping portion is adjacent the second end of the primary section.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1shows an embodiment of a maintenance cart100that comprises a primary section101and a secondary section402.

As shown inFIG. 2, the primary section101may include a body portion102having a first end122and a second end124. The body portion102can be supported by rolling members, such as two small rolling members108and two large rolling members110. The body portion102also may include a platform106, four uprights118, an upper frame126, and a plurality of shelves104.

Each upright118preferably is divided into three separate parts that do not touch one another (i.e., one part extends from the platform106to the lower side of the bottom shelf104, a second part extends from the upper side of the bottom shelf104to the lower side of the top shelf104, and a third part extends from the upper side of the top shelf104to the lower side of the upper frame126). Alternatively, each upright118can be a single member that extends from the platform106, through the shelves104, and to the upper frame126. Each upright118can have a cross-section that is cylindrical, square, or other desired shape.

The platform106can be generally rectangular and act as the base of the primary section101to which the large and small rolling members108,110are attached. The rolling members may be, for example, casters, wheels, or the like. InFIG. 1, the rolling members108are casters while the rolling members110are wheels. In the case of the casters, the casters108are inserted into and secured within caster sockets at the corners of the bottom surface128of the platform in a conventional fashion. In the case of the wheels110, an axle and wheel assembly is employed in which the axle fits within an axle socket in a snap fit fashion and wheels are secured to opposite ends of the axle in a conventional manner. In another embodiment, both the rolling members108and110can be casters. Although the maintenance cart shown inFIG. 1contemplates the use of two small rolling members and two large rolling members, the maintenance cart of the present invention may have the rolling members108and110be the same size. In addition, the cart may have more or less than four rolling members.

The platform106also preferably includes molded posts142formed on its top side130for the insertion into recesses in the bottom of the four uprights118. Each of the shelves104also can include posts (four on the shelf's bottom side and four on its top side) at its corners so that the posts can be inserted into recesses in the uprights118. AlthoughFIG. 1shows four uprights and two shelves, different numbers of shelves and uprights can be used.

The four uprights118are secured at the top by the upper frame126. The upper frame is formed with four posts on its bottom side for insertion into recesses in the four uprights. The upper frame may generally be rectangular or some other suitable shape. The upper frame and the uprights are attached to each other by any method known in the art.

A mop handle holder132can be releasably connected to the upper frame126at the first end122. The mop handle holder132is used to store mops or brooms while the janitor uses the cart. As seen inFIG. 3(b), the holder132includes slots206into which mop handles or the like can be inserted. For example, a mop's handle would snap into or sit in a slot206while its head sits on the platform106.

As shown inFIG. 3(c), a handle mechanism120can be releasably connected to the body portion102at the second end124. The handle mechanism120can include a gripping portion136. The handle mechanism120can be used by the janitor to push the cart by grabbing the gripping portion136.

The handle mechanism120also can include an opening140for holding a trash receptacle134, such as a garbage bag or waste basket, as shown inFIG. 1. The opening140preferably is adjacent to the gripping portion136and is configured in a conventional manner to hold the trash receptacle134. For example, in the case of using a garbage bag, the opening140includes two small oval bar sockets204formed in the center of each side of the side handle arms202. The sockets are dimensioned to closely receive opposite end portions of a pair of U-shaped steel bars208. The two steel bars208are press fit into and share the sockets204and are thereby pivotally secured therein. Each bar208is free to pivotally move between a lowered, or closed, position in which the bars rest against a ledge210which peripherally extends along an inward side of the opening140. The ledge210is a horizontal surface extending about an inward facing surface of the opening140. Protrusions212project outward from an inward surface of the opening140. The protrusions212are proximately located relative to the ledge210such that the bars208ride over the protrusions212as the bars reach the closed position against ledge210. The protrusions212serve to retain the bars in the down, or closed, position until a user releases the bars by pulling them up and over the protrusions. The purpose of bars208is to clamp the free ends of a plastic bag (not shown inFIG. 3(c)) against ledge210, whereby suspending the bag from the handle mechanism120downward.

Both the mop handle holder132and the handle mechanism120are adjustable so that both the handle and the mop handle holder can be attached to either the first end122or the second end124of the body102.FIGS. 3(a)-(c) andFIGS. 4(a)-(b) show the connection between the handle mechanism120and the upper frame126that allows for the releasable connection of the handle mechanism120to the body portion102.

FIG. 3(a) shows that the upper frame126includes a set of attachment protrusions214and a set of internal frame protrusions216on either side of the second end124. The attachment protrusion214is shown more clearly inFIG. 4(b). As shown inFIGS. 3(a) and4(a), the handle mechanism120includes a set of external handle protrusions220and a set of attachment slots218that mates with the attachment protrusions214. The attachment slots218are formed in such a way that, the attachment protrusions214can fit into the slots218. The handle mechanism120is rotated downward, as depicted inFIG. 3(c), so that the internal frame protrusions216are enveloped by the external frame protrusions220.

Although not shown inFIGS. 3(a)-(c), the first end122of the upper frame126also includes a corresponding sets of attachment protrusions and internal frame protrusions. These corresponding sets allow the handle mechanism120to be attached to the first end122when the cleaner desires.

The mop handle holder132also includes a set of attachment slots that mate with the attachment protrusions214on either the first or second ends of the upper frame126. The mop handle holder also has a set of external holder protrusions222, which envelop the internal frame protrusions216on either the first or second ends of the upper frame126. The attachment slots and external holder protrusions are the same as the attachment slots218and external handle protrusions220of the handle. Thus, the mop handle holder attaches to either side of the upper frame in the same way as the handle so that the handler and mop handle holder can switch places with each other.

Referring back toFIG. 2, a folding shelf138can be attached to the platform106at the second end124of the body portion102by conventional means. The folding shelf138can be folded between a use position (FIG. 2) and a storage position (FIG. 5). In the use position, the folding shelf138can hold mop buckets (as shown inFIG. 2), mops, trash bags, or other items. In the storage position, two connection points304are exposed, which are used for attaching the secondary section402, also known as a bucket or bucket dolly, to the primary section101, as seen inFIG. 7.

The folding shelf138is configured to fold upward relative to the platform106, as shown inFIG. 5. The folding shelf is permitted to fold through the use of a shelf-connection mechanism302that pivotably connects the folding shelf to the second end124of the body portion, as seen inFIG. 2. One example of a shelf-connection mechanism is the use of hinges. As shown inFIG. 6, a tab602and slot604system can be used to hold the folding shelf138in the storage position. When the folding shelf138is folded into the storage position, the tab602will mate with the slot604. Force will be required to remove the tab602from the slot604to return the folding shelf138to the use position.

The components of the body portion102, the mop handle holder132, the folding shelf138, and the handle mechanism120are all composed of plastic material by conventional molding process. Preferably, the components are formed of a structural foam comprising polyethylene as are components of typical sanitary maintenance carts in the industry.

FIG. 7shows the secondary section402and how the secondary section would attach to the primary section101. The secondary section may comprise a mop bucket404, a mop bucket supporting region406, and a plurality of rolling members408. The mop bucket may also include, but does not require, a wringer410, which is used to squeeze out excess water that is contained in the mop head (not shown).

The rolling members408of the secondary section, like the primary section, can be casters, wheels, or the like. In addition, although four rolling members408are depicted inFIG. 7, any number of rolling members can be used. For example, the number of rolling members may be any number that fully supports the mop bucket supporting region406.

The mop bucket supporting region406and mop bucket404can be separate components, with the mop bucket supporting region406configured to receive and support the mop bucket404, such as shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/227,443, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, the mop bucket supporting region406and mop bucket404can be an integrally formed, such as having rolling members connected directly to the bottom (mop bucket supporting region) of the mop bucket, as is known in the art.

The primary and secondary sections are connected together with a connection mechanism502, which may include the two connection points304attached to the primary section101(as seen inFIG. 7) and two corresponding apertures504in the secondary section402(as seen inFIG. 8(a); if the mop bucket and mop bucket supporting region are integral, these apertures can be provided in the bottom of the mop bucket).FIGS. 8(a)-(b) show how the connection points and apertures interconnect, as seen from the underside of the primary and secondary sections. In particular, the mop bucket supporting region406is lifted slightly such that the two connection points304are fit into the two corresponding apertures504. Gravity retains the connection potions304in the apertures504, to releasably connect the primary and secondary sections.

The materials for the connection mechanism are preferably made of metal because of the strength that is needed and the durability over a long period of time. However, the connection mechanism can also be made of plastic or a combination of plastic or metal.

Methods of using the cart will now be described. The cart100is initially in a more traditional configuration, as shown inFIG. 2, which does not have the secondary section attached. The mop handle holder132is adjacent to the first end122and the handle mechanism120is adjacent to the second end124. A trash receptacle (not shown) can be held by the handle mechanism120adjacent to the gripping portion136. The primary section can be used in this manner alone.

In one embodiment, the overall length of the primary section can be shortened in the following manner. If a trash receptacle is attached, it is detached from the handle mechanism120. As depicted inFIG. 7, the handle mechanism120and the mop handle holder132are then switched such that the handle mechanism120is placed adjacent to the first end122and the mop handle holder132is placed adjacent to the second end124. In addition, the folding shelf138at the second end124is folded upward into the storage position, also seen inFIG. 7. This configuration makes the primary section shorter and suitable for storage and/or suitable for attachment of the secondary section402. The primary section can be used in this shortened configuration.

If desired, once the overall length of the primary section is shortened, the secondary section402can be attached in the following manner. The secondary section402is attached to that the primary section102using the connection mechanism502, as depicted inFIGS. 8(a)-(b). The two connection points304are inserted into the apertures504and the bracket506is locked into position. Once the connection is made, the primary section101is attached to the secondary section402as a single unit, as shown inFIG. 1. This configuration allows the maintenance cart100to include the secondary section402with the mop bucket404without greatly lengthening the overall length of the maintenance cart. In another embodiment, the cart, as depicted inFIG. 1, may have the same size footprint as the original configuration, as depicted inFIG. 2. The primary and secondary sections can be used in this combined configuration.

It is noted thatFIG. 1shows that the large rolling members110have moved from the back of the cart to the middle of the cart due to the switching of the handle mechanism120with the mop handle holder132and the addition of the secondary section402. The large rolling members110in the center of the cart act as a pivot point, which gives the cart far greater mobility when the bucket contains cleaning solution.