Multiple use convertible vehicle

A multiple use convertible vehicle modified manually into various configurations, including a hand-towed cart, a hand truck, a hitchable trailer, a bicycle rack, a bed and a chair. The handle is attached to the main frame structure in an extended fashion and at an angle from a hitch bracket to use the vehicle as a hand-towed cart. Or, the handle is attached in a retracted fashion beneath the main frame to allow use of the vehicle as a hitchable trailer or a hand truck. Or, the handle is attached to the main frame at an angle from the hitch bracket to obtain a chair configuration. Or, the handle can be attached to the main frame in an extended fashion to form a bed configuration. Finally, the handle can be detached from the main frame structure, which can be mounted on a bike rack accessory, for use as a bicycle rack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multiple use convertible vehicle. More specifically, the vehicle can be conveniently converted manually into any of various configurations, including a hand-towed cart, a hand-truck/dolly, a vehicle-towed trailer, a sleeping platform and a chair.

2. Description of Related Art

There are many known kinds of handcarts and trailers, such as for transporting heavy objects over long distances and over difficult terrain. There is a need, however, for a vehicle that can be easily converted into a hand cart, hand truck or a trailer, depending upon the situation. For example, hunters need carts to carry heavy loads (carrion), such as deer or elk, which can weigh hundreds of pounds. The hunter needs to be able to transport this load from an out-of-the-way area, e.g., woods or forest, by hand to his/her load-pulling vehicle (e.g., garden tractor or bicycle) where the load can be transferred to the load-pulling vehicle. This invention fills this need by providing a multiple use convertible vehicle which can be converted easily by hand into a hand-towed cart configuration for manually pulling loads, or into a hand-truck configuration, or into a trailer configuration which can be attached by hitch to a load-pulling vehicle, such as a garden tractor or bicycle.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an individual, e.g., hunter or fireman, with the capability of transporting heavy objects (like deer or firefighting tools) either manually as a hand-towed cart or as a trailer attachable by hitch to a load-pulling vehicle.

The present invention fulfills this need by providing a multiple use vehicle in which the handle of the vehicle can be detached and reattached in several configurations to permit either the transportation of heavy objects manually in the configuration of a cart or as a trailer attachable by hitch to another vehicle.

In an alternative embodiment, the wheel frames (containing the tires) of the multiple use convertible vehicle can be repositioned manually either internally of the main frame structure or externally, depending upon the size of the load being transported and the desired configuration of the vehicle. In yet another embodiment, leg supports can be optionally attached to or detached from the structure.

International Patent No. WO 93/02879, published Feb. 12, 1993, teaches a multi-purpose modifiable vehicle capable of being converted among various configurations. The vehicle can be self-powered and is capable of being operated either on land or in water. It can also be configured alternatively between a manually towed cart and a hitched trailer. However, this patent lacks details regarding the manner in which the particular parts of the structure are assembled, e.g., there is no handle that is reattachable to convert the vehicle in the manner described in the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,387,093, issued to Schmied on Oct. 16, 1945, discloses a trailer in which the wheel can be moved alternatively between a forward and a rearward position.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,716, issued to Dahl on Jul. 20, 1993, discloses a general convertible transport handcart in which the handcart can be modified from a flat-bed to an upright (dolly) orientation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,892, issued to Branch on Nov. 2, 1993, discloses a dolly/handcart combination in which the handle can be detached and reattached between the two configurations.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,520, issued to Walker on Feb. 1, 1994, discloses a portable hunting stand and game carrier in which the structure can be alternatively converted between a hand cart and a stationary stand.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,109, issued to Murphy on Feb. 6, 1996 discloses a dolly with a removable handle that can be alternatively used as a handle or a hitch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a multiple use convertible vehicle which can be modified manually into various configurations, including a hand-towed cart, a hand-towed truck/dolly, a hitchable trailer, a bed, a chair and a bicycle rack depending upon the manner of attachment of a removable handle, removable wheel frames, a removable hitch bracket and a removable hitch, all mounted to a main frame structure.

In the hand-towed cart configuration, the handle is attachable to the main frame structure in an extended fashion and at an angle to the hitch bracket. In the hand-truck/dolly configuration, the handle is attachable in an extended position from the main frame. In the hitchable trailer configuration, the handle is attachable in a retracted or an extended position beneath the main frame to allow use of the vehicle as a hitchable trailer. In the bicycle rack configuration, the handle is detached from the main frame and one end of the externally mounted wheel frame is detached, forming a pivot point at the attached end. A bike rack accessory works cooperatively with the reconfigured cart, in such manner as to secure the cart to the back of a motor vehicle. One or more bicycles may then be mounted over the extended legs of the cart. Further, the handle can be attached to the main frame at an angle to obtain a chair configuration, and retractable/extendable and attachable legs can be used to provide additional support. Finally, the handle can be attached to the main frame in an extended fashion to form a bed configuration, and detachable and retractable legs can be used for vertical support.

Two removable wheel frames can be mounted to the main frame to provide either a narrow or a wide configuration, e.g., depending on the width of the loads being carried or the terrain. In the narrow configuration, the wheel frames are mounted inside the main frame. In the wide configuration, the wheel frames are mounted outside the main frame, thus providing a wider load-supporting surface.

Removable panels and sideboards are provided to give additional enclosing structure to the vehicle for carrying smaller objects, such as knapsacks, or for providing a surface when the vehicle is in the bed or chair configuration.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a multiple use convertible vehicle which can be converted alternatively between a hand-towed cart configuration, or a hand-towed truck/dolly configuration, both of which can be pulled using a handle, or a trailer configuration in which the vehicle can be hitched to and pulled by another vehicle, such as a garden tractor or bicycle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a multiple use vehicle in which the handle can be conveniently placed out-of-the-way within the main frame of the structure in the trailer configuration.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a multiple use convertible vehicle in which the wheels are mounted on wheel frames that are detachable and reconnectable in alternative positions inside or outside and to the center and rear of the main frame structure of the vehicle, depending upon the desired configuration.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a multiple use vehicle in which detachable and reconnectable legs are provided for converting the vehicle into a chair or bed structure.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a multiple use vehicle in which legs are provided that are selectively retractable or extendable.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a multiple use convertible vehicle in which an optional detachable deck and sideboard panels are provided to enclose and cover portions of the vehicle structure in any of the configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a multiple use convertible vehicle and, more specifically, a multiple use convertible vehicle which is manually convertible into various configurations including a hand-towed cart, a hand-truck/dolly, a hitchable trailer, a bike rack, a bed and a chair by conveniently attaching various. removable components to a main frame structure using attachment elements (e.g., pins).

FIG. 1shows the multiple use convertible vehicle in accordance with the invention in the configuration of a hand-towed cart100. At one of the ends of the vehicle is a hitch attachment bracket6, which attaches a hitch (not shown inFIG. 1) to the main frame1of the vehicle structure. In the configuration shown inFIG. 1, the handle structure3extends outwardly and at an adjustable angle from the front of the main frame1of the vehicle. Two removable wheel frames2, each having its own wheel21and its own all-terrain tire mounted on it, are attached to the main frame1using appropriate attachment elements, such as high strength pins9. The wheel frames2are shown mounted inside (i.e., “narrow-wheel” configuration), and centered between, the front and the rear of the main frame1inFIG. 1. However, the wheel frames2can also be mounted outside the main frame1and toward the rear, as will be discussed further below.

FIGS. 2A and 3show a plan view and elevation view, respectively, of the multiple use vehicle in the narrow-wheel, bike-towed cart configuration. The hitch bracket6, in this case, is shown attached to the front of the vehicle with a hitch7attached. The handle3is shown in an extended position. In an extended position, the handle3can be used as a tie-down or support for larger or longer loads. The handle3is attached to U-shaped brackets8on the main frame1using attachment elements9, such as pins.FIG. 3shows an elevational view of the multiple use vehicle in the narrow bike-towed cart configuration. In this view, the U-shaped brackets8are shown which provide points of attachment for the handle structure3using attachment elements9. Also, the U-shape of the brackets8provides a support for the handle structure until the pins9are attached. Details of the point of attachment of the handle3to the frame1are shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B. The handle3is shown resting on the bracket8. The bracket8is permanently attached to the main frame1, e.g., by welding. An attachment pin91is then inserted through the brackets and the handle structure and a hitch pin92is placed at the end of the pin91to hold the handle in place.

Also, inFIG. 2A, attachment holes11in the main frame1are shown, which provide points of attachment for the wheel frames2. In the configuration shown inFIG. 2A, the two wheel frames2are positioned inside the main frame1(corresponding to the “narrow-wheel” configuration). However, either or both wheel frames2can be mounted alternatively on the outside of main frame1as shown, for example, in the bed configuration ofFIG. 6or the hand-pulled cart inFIG. 18. The sides of the wheel frames2are generally U-shaped channels22, shown inFIG. 2B, which are attached to the main frame1using any suitable attachment elements, such as attachment pin200and hitch pin201.

When the wheel frames are both mounted on the outside, as shown inFIG. 18, the cart400is in the “wide-wheel” configuration. In this configuration, the cart has a wider surface on which to place or tie-down objects.

FIG. 11illustrates an exploded view of the multiple use convertible vehicle10according to the invention. As shown, through the middle of the main frame1is a long narrow rectangular support structure88on which the several support brackets8are mounted along its length. A hitch7attaches to the hitch bracket6using attachment elements. Also, a rear leg4and a front leg5are shown. Attachment elements,200and201, are used to fasten the T-shaped handle structure3to the brackets8on the main frame1in either an extended (load carrier/tie down configuration) or a retracted (trailer configuration) position.

If desired, the handle structure3, can be attached to the main frame1in a retracted position in which the handle portion of the handle structure3is flush against the rear edge of the main frame1. Moreover, the handle structure3can be attached to the brackets8of the main frame1in any position from the fully extended to the fully retracted positions, including intermediate positions, as desired, depending upon the load being supported and the terrain. For example, the handle structure3might be fully extended in the bicycle- or garden tractor-towed configuration for transporting longer loads.

FIGS. 4A,4B and4C show the handle structure3attached to the hitch bracket6in several possible arrangements depending upon the angle and the particular hole used in the arcuate set of attachment holes shown in the hitch bracket6. The particular position in which the handle structure3is attached, converts the multiple use convertible vehicle into a bicycle- or tractor-towed cart or hand-towed cart (i.e., with the handle positioned either horizontally level or at an angle inFIG. 4A), a bed (FIG. 4B) or a chair (FIG. 4C), depending upon the angle the handle makes with respect to the main frame1. When the handle3is completely detached, the multiple use convertible vehicle converts into a vehicle mounted bike rack (FIGS. 17A and 17B) as discussed more fully below.

The hitch7can also be attached to the hitch bracket6in various configurations, as shown inFIGS. 5A–5D, depending upon the desired height of the hitch7relative to the hitch mount on the vehicle, and the presence or absence of the handle3. The lowest position is shown inFIG. 5A; the intermediate position is inFIG. 5B; and, the highest position is inFIG. 5C.FIG. 5Dshows the placement of the hitch7in an upright orientation in the bracket6when the handle is attached, e.g., in the hand-towed cart configuration.

When it is desired to convert the multiple use convertible vehicle into a bed configuration, as shown in plan view inFIG. 6, and elevation view inFIG. 7, the handle structure3is removed from the front of the main frame1and is attached to the hitch support6at the rear of the main frame1. Rear legs4are then attached to the rear of the main frame1and additional legs41are attached to the distal ends of the handle structure3to provide vertical support. Front legs5are extended downward to provide additional vertical support for a user lying on the structure. Also, although only one of the wheel frames2is shown attached to the outer side of main frame1inFIG. 6, both wheel frames2may be attached to the main frame1instead of one, if so desired.

Instead of using the removable handle legs41described above, an alternative vertical support for the handle3in the bed configuration is provided by attaching one of the wheel frames2to the handle3, as shown inFIG. 8A. Special attachment pins having a length generally about twice the length of those used elsewhere in the vehicle are used to fasten one of the wheel frames2to the handle3. The longer attachment pins are placed through the holes provided in the wheel frames2and through the holes in the handle3and a hitch pin is applied to hold the attachment pins in place.

FIG. 9Ashows the multiple use convertible vehicle configured for use as a chair. In this configuration, the handle3is attached at two places in the hitch bracket6, including one of the arcuately arranged holes. Also, rear legs4are attached to the rear of the main frame1and the front legs5are extended downward from the front of the main frame1to provide vertical support. A flat panel is attached to the handle3structure to provide a user with back support. The panel may be attached to the handle3structure with a U-shaped bracket640, also shown inFIG. 15E. The U-shaped bracket640is attached to the back of the panel, and at the top center of the panel. The holes on each arm of the bracket640are aligned with corresponding holes on the sides of the handle3structure. An attachment pin is then inserted through the bracket640and handle3structure, with a retaining pin inserted through the end of the attachment pin to secure the panel to the handle3structure. In addition, a rectangular deck is attached to the top of the main frame1to further support the user. The deck may have one or more pinned brackets attached along its edges that coincide with one or more holes along the perimeter of the main frame1, so that the pins are inserted into the holes.

FIGS. 9C and 9Dshow details of one of the two front legs5in a retracted and extended configuration, respectively. The front legs5are easily extended or retracted by sliding them along a channel within their respective support structures51. A tab at the top end of the front leg5moves along a slot52in the structure51and keeps the front leg5from being completely detached from the main frame structure1. However, the legs also can be easily removed or reattached, if desired.

FIGS. 12A and 12Bshow an alternative arrangement for attaching the legs to the main frame structure. In this arrangement, a pin208is permanently attached, e.g., by welding, to the main frame206at a position close to the ends of the frame. Pin208in this case is protruding out from the frame. Leg212is modified at one of its ends to include a small U-shaped channel204, e.g., by welding. A hole is provided through the U-shaped channel and through the opposite side of the leg structure to permit the passage of the pin208. In the position shown, the leg structure provides vertical support. However, the leg can be turned 180° and mounted to the same pin208, i.e., in an upward direction, to provide support for side boards.

The leg212is attached to the frame by placing the modified end of the leg onto the frame206, causing the pin208to protrude from the opposite side of the leg212and be held in place using a hitch pin210inserted through the transverse opening202in the tip of the protruding pin208as shown inFIG. 12A.

In order to provide support surfaces and enclosures in the bed or chair configurations, removable decks and side board panels can be optionally attached to the main frame1and handle structure3, as shown inFIGS. 8B,9A and9B. These can be made of any suitably firm material, e.g., plastic or wood material.

As shown inFIG. 8B, a flat surface is attached to the top of the structure by connecting rectangular panel members to the structure. More specifically, each panel member has pinned brackets630, shown more fully inFIG. 15D, wherein the pins are generally planar to the panel. The pins slidably insert into slots on the structure. In the preferred embodiment, two slots are located at the top of the rear legs4, two more at opposite ends of the parallel beam section of the handle structure3, and two more at opposite ends of the wheel frame2. The panels are thus supported by the wheel frame2and handle structure3. In addition, a single rectangular deck, such as that shown inFIG. 13, is placed over the main frame1and attached thereto by inserting pins attached to the perimeter of the panel into corresponding holes on the front and rear of the main frame. The main frame1and central rectangular structure88support the deck. The deck and panels together form a uniform flat surface upon which a person can lay.

InFIG. 13, two side panels304are shown attached to a center panel306with hinges302, e.g., piano hinges. Notches308and310are provided to ensure that the panel fits on the cart while also accommodating the hitch bracket6. In the wide-wheel configuration, the panels are all coplanar and horizontally arranged as shown. However, in the narrow-wheel configuration, the two side panels304are positioned in a vertical orientation (not shown) with respect to the center panel306in order to fit on the cart in the space provided between the two wheels.

InFIG. 14, a second panel arrangement is shown, comprising a front panel312, a back panel314and two opposite side panels316. The panels are equipped with bracket members, which connect the panels together to form a walled enclosure that attaches to the top surface of the main frame. More specifically, pinned brackets600(FIG. 15A), attached to opposite sides of the bottom of the front panel312, mate with holed brackets610(FIG. 15B), disposed on opposite sides of the bottom of the side panels316. Similarly, holed brackets620(FIG. 15C) attached to opposite sides of the top of the front312and back314panels, mate with pinned brackets630(FIG. 15D) attached at opposite sides of the top of the side panels316. A two-pin bracket650(FIG. 15F) is attached to the bottom center of the back panel314and fits into slots on the main frame1, thus attaching the back panel to the main frame1. A four-walled enclosure is thus formed along the perimeter of the main frame1, anchored by the back panel314. The resulting structure can be placed on the cart to provide an additional holding space for various objects, e.g., backpacks. The side panels316can be easily assembled or disassembled by connecting the bracket members on the panels together and placing the assembled box-like structure onto the cart when needed.

The above-mentioned panel members are also used to form surfaces in the bed and chair configurations. For instance, the front panel of the enclosure312forms the back support member in the chair configuration inFIGS. 9A and 9B. The U-shaped bracket640, shown inFIG. 14andFIG. 15E, is used to attach the front panel312to the handle3structure, as shown inFIG. 9A. Similarly, the two side panels316inFIG. 14are attached to the main frame1in the bed configuration, to form a surface for a person to lay upon, as shown inFIG. 8B.

FIGS. 17A and 17Bshow the multiple use convertible vehicle configured as a bike rack. To form the bike rack, the handle structure3is detached from the main frame1. The wheel frame ends2closest to the hitch bracket6are then detached from the main frame1, so that the wheel frame2pivots at the other end.

A bike rack accessory300, shown inFIGS. 16A–17Band19, is provided to hold the bike rack in place on any vehicle, such as truck T, equipped with a trailer hitch40. The bike rack accessory300comprises an elongated, rectangular, hollow beam42having an opening at one end and a boom56at the other end forming a T-configuration. The open end of the beam42is designed to fit inside the opening in the vehicle trailer hitch40. The boom56has a U-shaped channel along its length designed to receive the front end of the main frame1and hold the frame1in a vertical orientation.

A post44with an angled tip extends from the center of the beam42. An elevated rectangular spar48is attached to the upper part of the angled tip surface, so that the flat surface of the spar48is level with the top edge of the angled tip. The spar48has perpendicular side member50attached at each end, each having a hole through its side for receiving a retaining pin.

The spar48and perpendicular side members50are designed to support the detached ends of the wheel frames2when the bike rack is mounted on the adapter, as shown inFIGS. 17B and 19. The detached ends of the wheel frames2rest on the flat surface of the spar48and adjacent to the perpendicular side members50. The holes in the wheel frame2ends align with the holes in the perpendicular side members50, so that an attachment pin is inserted through the overlapping holes to secure the wheel frames2to the perpendicular side members50. A retainer pin is then inserted through a hole at the tip of the attachment pin. The bike rack is thus secured to the bike rack accessory300.

The bike rack accessory is connected to the car hitch by sliding the open end of the beam42into the opening in the car hitch40. A retaining pin52is then used to secure the bike rack accessory300to the car hitch. The retaining pin52slides through a hole on the side of the car hitch that overlaps a hole in the beam42. Once the bike rack and bike rack accessory are secured, one or more bicycles B can be mounted over the front legs5.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.