Abstract:
Collapsible, substantially pre-assembled carts include a collapsible folding cart for hanging files with folding assemblies at each end of the cart, such ends being folded inwardly to a stored position and moveable to a deployed open position. Locking members removably are attached to folding assemblies and maintain the folding assemblies in a deployed position and such members are between spaced elongated legs, which have a caster on the lower ends thereof. A horizontal support is removably attached to the legs adjacent to the casters and remote from the locking members. Each locking member includes a handle generally medial thereof with a handhold usable to maneuver the cart. The locking member may include a rigid planar member or a U-shaped rigid member with spaced slots or keyholes that connect to spaced headed pins on the folding assemblies.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to storage devices and more particularly to movable carts. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present invention and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0003]    Carts, such as filing carts, are typically sold in a pre-assembled form or a form that requires some assembly. Pre-assembled carts are expensive to ship due to the volume a fully assembled cart occupies. Although a cart which requires assembly after purchase occupies less volume and may be less expensive to ship, it is time consuming to assembly many existing carts. Furthermore, many carts require additional tools to assemble, further complicating the assembly process. Many pre-assembled carts, as well as carts requiring initial assembly, cannot be disassembled, folded, or otherwise have their footprint easily reduced when the cart is not in use. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,481 granted on Sep. 3, 2002 to Stravitz, et al., discloses a movable cart having a collapsible frame configured to form a narrow lateral profile in a stored position and unfolded into an open position. The Stravitz cart comprises hinged side arms and a hinged tray interconnecting four cart legs. The top of the Stravitz cart is adapted to support a container. 
         [0005]    Given the foregoing, what is needed are carts which are easy to ship and assemble. Additionally, carts are needed which are easy to store while having superior rigidity when in a deployed condition. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the subject matter to be claimed, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the subject matter to be claimed. 
         [0007]    The present disclosure is directed to carts which may be shipped in a substantially assembled, thin-form factor and assembled after shipping or purchase. In some aspects, no tools are required to assemble carts in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         [0008]    In an aspect, a collapsible cart is disclosed which is designed to support and transport hanging files and may be folded into a stored position, allowing the cart to occupy a minimal amount of space when not being used. Furthermore, the cart may be shipped cost effectively in a thin form factor box. The collapsible cart includes folding assemblies at each end of the cart which may be folded from a stored position to a deployed position, locking members which removably attach to folding assemblies and maintain the folding assemblies in a deployed position, legs, wheels or casters, and a horizontal support removably attached to the legs of the cart. Each locking member preferably includes a handle usable to maneuver the cart. The cart sides respectively include a pair of elongated spaced channels which receive hanging file ends, enabling storage of hanging files within the cart without the provision of a filing tote or tub, as in Stravitz et al. 
         [0009]    In some aspects of the present disclosure, the cart includes one or more locking wheels or casters. 
         [0010]    In an aspect of the present disclosure, the locking member is a U-shaped rigid member having a handle and slots adapted to accept pins. The folding member is equipped with spaced pins. The locking member slides over a top portion of the folding member and engages the pins when the folding member is in a deployed position, thereby locking the folding member into place and providing structural reinforcement between the legs. 
         [0011]    Further features and advantages of the devices and systems disclosed herein, as well as the structure and operation of various aspects of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the Detailed Description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled collapsible cart, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a collapsible cart with the locking members and horizontal support exploded therefrom, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a collapsible cart being folded via folding assemblies; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a collapsible cart in folded configuration; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a collapsible cart; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a collapsible cart wherein locking members have been removed; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a collapsible cart being folded via folding assemblies; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a collapsible cart in folded configuration; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9A-C  are various views of a collapsible cart detailing a locking member having a U-configuration, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 10A-C  are various views a collapsible cart detailing a locking member having a flat configuration, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a square collapsible cart having solid sides, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The present disclosure is directed to collapsible carts, including collapsible hand carts for hanging file folders. Devices in accordance with the present disclosure may be shipped, sold, stored, or transported in a folded configuration, enabling more efficient space utilization. Furthermore, collapsible carts of the present invention may be assembled by users without additional hand tools. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an assembled collapsible cart  100 , in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, is shown. 
         [0026]    Collapsible cart  100  includes a pair of folding assemblies  102   a - b,  locking members  104   a - b,  static sides  106   a - b,  a horizontal support  110 , and wheels  112   a - d.    
         [0027]    Folding assembly  102  is a movable member which can be transformed from a folded position (shown in,  FIG. 4 ) to a deployed position (shown in,  FIG. 1 ). In the deployed position, folding assembly  102  spaces apart sides  106 , thereby providing structure to cart  100 . In an aspect, when in the deployed configuration, cart  100  is approximately as wide as a filing cabinet for holding hanging files. Each folding assembly  102  includes two hollow box legs  108   a - d  and two panels  114  (labeled, for clarity, only as panels  114   c - d  in  FIG. 1 ) interconnected by an inner hinge  116  (labeled, for clarity, only as inner hinge  116   b  in  FIG. 1 ) and connected to legs  108  via outer hinges  600  (shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 ). As will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein, inner hinge  116  may be a separate member such as a piano hinge, or the panel ends may be formed as interweaved hinge ends with a pivot rod interconnecting which interconnects and moves panels  114  from a deployed to a stored position, one way hinge, a locking rotation member and the like. Folding assembly  102  may additionally include one or more handles, hangars, loops, attachment points, and the like. 
         [0028]    Locking member  104  is attachable to folding assembly  102 , maintaining folding assembly  102  in a deployed position when attached. Locking member  104  attaches to folding assembly  102  via two or more spaced locking member connectors  118  (labeled, for clarity, only as connector  118   a  in  FIG. 1 ). Locking member  104  connects to and extends across both panels  114 , locking them in position and thereby locking folding assembly  102  in the deployed position. Locking member  104  extends the width of folding assembly  102  and is a snug fit between the spaced legs  108   c - d.    
         [0029]    In an aspect, locking member  104  is a U-shaped rigid member, shown more clearly in  FIGS. 9B-C , and attachable by placing locking member  104  over a top portion of folding assembly  104 . In this manner, the folding assembly  102  may be locked in the deployed position, thereby spacing static sides  106   a - b  apart. 
         [0030]    Locking member  104  preferably includes handle  120   b  which is arcuately shaped to provide a hand hold. Even if locking member  104  has no handle per se, locking member  104  is gripable by a hand of a user to maneuver the cart. 
         [0031]    Static side  106  is a rigid member which provides structure to cart  100 . Static side  106  may be a perforated or a solid member (as shown in  FIG. 11 ). As will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein, side  106  may be a variety of lengths, heights, or configurations. In an aspect, each static side  106  includes channel  122  (labeled, for clarity, only as channel  122   b  in  FIG. 1 ). Channel  122  is a rigid member adapted to hold the ends of hanging files. 
         [0032]    Horizontal support  110  is attachable to cart  102  via one or more support connectors  124  on each leg  108   a - d  (labeled, for clarity, only as support connector  124   a  in  FIG. 1 ). Horizontal support  110  provides structural support to the lower portion of legs  108   a - d.  Horizontal support  110  may be a flat platform. In another aspect, horizontal support  110  may be formed as a frame or cross beams. Horizontal support  110  is removable and attaches to legs  108  at horizontal support attachment connectors  124  which are identical to connectors  118  hereafter described. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded perspective view of cart  100  is shown, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, is shown. 
         [0034]    In an aspect, locking member  104  attaches to panels  114  via spaced two more locking member connectors  118 . Four spaced locking member connectors  118  attach locking member  104  to panels  114 . 
         [0035]    Locking member connector  118  includes an open ended slot  200  (labeled, for clarity, only as slot  200   a  in  FIG. 2 ) and a headed pin  202  (labeled, for clarity, only as pin  202   a  in  FIG. 2 ). Slot  200  is formed in locking member  104 . Pin  202  is preferably a headed pin having a shank affixed to panel  114  and a head spaced therefrom and extending parallel thereto. Slot  200  receives pin  202 , thereby interconnecting locking member  104  and folding assembly  102 . In another aspect, locking member connector  118  includes a keyhole slot and may include another fastener or connector apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein. 
         [0036]    In another aspect, locking member connectors  118  possibly may be omitted if U-shaped and placed over a portion of panels  114  and wedged between the legs  108   c - d,  thereby interlocking panels. 
         [0037]    Cart  100  may further include two or more, preferably four wheels, or castors  112 . Wheel  112  may be unidirectional or swivel. Wheel  112  may additionally comprise a wheel lock. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-8 , various perspective views depict the collapsible cart  100  being folded via folding assemblies  102 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, are shown. 
         [0039]    Folding assembly  102  includes inner hinge  116  and two outer hinges (labeled as outer hinges  600   a - d  in  FIG. 6 ). Outer hinges  600  connect folding assembly  102  to legs  108  and allow panels  114  to pivot relative to legs. In an aspect, outer hinges  600  are of the same design as inner hinge  116 , thereby reducing the unique part count of cart  100  and simplifying manufacturing. In another aspect, outer hinges  600  are one way hinges, another type of movable member, or configured in another manner apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the description herein. In an aspect, legs  108  may further include one or more physical stops which limit the outward movement of panels  114 . 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9A-C , various views of collapsible cart  100  are shown detailing the locking member  104  having a U-configuration, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         [0041]    As shown in the detailed view of  FIG. 9C , the cart is cut along cut line  901 - 901 , and depicts the locking member  104  as a U-shaped member having two arm portions separated by a distance equal to the width of panel  114 , plus a tolerance to allow a sliding fit as well as the thickness of the hinges. Pin  202  retains locking member  104  by interfacing with slot  308 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-C , various views of the collapsible cart  100  detailing locking member  104  with a flat configuration are shown, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         [0043]    In the detailed view of  FIG. 10C , in another aspect, locking member  104  is configured as a flat member. Locking member  104  locks onto folding member  102  via locking member connector  118 , such as slot  200  and pin  202 . 
         [0044]    Locking members  104  of the U-shaped configuration, the flat configuration, or another configuration apparent to those skilled in the relevant art reinforces the structure of cart  100  when cart  100  is in the deployed position. In particular, folding member  102  is reinforced and held in the deployed position by locking member  104 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  depicts the cart  100  in a square construction rather than the rectangular configuration of the other figures. 
         [0046]    While various aspects of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 
         [0047]    In addition, it should be understood that the figures, which highlight the structure, methodology, functionality and advantages of the present disclosure, are presented as examples only. The present disclosure is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be implemented in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures.