Abstract:
A cargo cart system with a cradle assembly includes a pair of support rails with generally sinuous upper and lower surfaces and at least one cross bar spanning the support rails. The sinuous upper and lower surfaces are maintained in mirrored relation with one another to define pairs of laterally spaced upper and lower support surfaces to support containers in a stabilized position. A method of assembling and retaining containers includes providing a plurality of the cradle assemblies; placing a first cradle assembly on the cart; placing a first row of containers upon the first cradle assembly; placing a second cradle assembly over the first row of containers; and, placing a second row of containers upon the second cradle assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to wheeled push carts, and more particularly to those adapted for transporting cylindrical containers.  
         [0003]     2. Related Art  
         [0004]     Beverages, such as drinking water and beer are commonly sold in large glass, plastic, or keg-type containers having volume capacities of about 5 gallons or more. As a result, the containers are relatively heavy and bulky, thereby making it difficult to carry the containers. As such, delivery persons typically use assistance devices, such as hand trucks and other types of carts to transport these containers. Unfortunately, even with the assistance devices, the containers can prove difficult to transport. In particular, the containers can roll or move about on a deck of the transport device, thereby causing the delivery person to make provisions, while transporting the containers, to prevent the containers from falling off the deck.  
         [0005]     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,414, which is assigned to the present applicants&#39; assignee, Magline, Inc., of Pinconning, Mich., a tray is disclosed for use with convertible hand trucks to facilitate transporting cylindrical containers. To enable multiple layers or stacks of containers to be transported, the tray is used in combination with an end support assembly. The end support assembly serves as an end wall opposite an upright handle of the convertible hand truck to abut containers at the ends of alternating stacked rows to maintain the containers in stacked relation relative to one another.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     One aspect of the invention provides a cradle assembly for use with a wheeled cart to facilitate transporting multiple cylindrical containers. The cradle assembly has a pair of support rails with generally sinuous upper and lower surfaces and at least one cross bar attached to the support rails to maintain them in generally parallel relation with one another. The sinuous upper and lower surfaces are maintained in mirrored or vertically aligned relation with one another to define pairs of laterally spaced, upper and lower support surfaces, respectively, for abutting relative containers to carry the containers in a stabilized position.  
         [0007]     Another aspect of the invention provides a method of assembling and supporting generally cylindrical containers on a wheeled cart. The method includes providing a plurality of cradle assemblies each having a pair of support rails with generally sinuous upper and lower surfaces with at least one cross bar attached to the support rails to maintain them in generally parallel relation with one another and in mirrored relation with one another to define pairs of laterally spaced, upper and lower support surfaces; placing a first cradle assembly on the cart with the lower support surface of the first cradle assembly resting on a portion of the cart; placing a corresponding number of the containers in abutment with the upper support surfaces of the first cradle assembly; placing a second cradle assembly over the containers resting on the first cradle assembly with the upper support surface of the second cradle assembly facing downwardly for abutment with the containers resting on the first cradle assembly; and, placing a corresponding number of the containers in abutment with the lower support surfaces of the second cradle assembly so that the second cradle assembly is sandwiched between the underlying first row of containers and the overlying second row of containers.  
         [0008]     Some potential objects, features and advantages that may be achieved by at least some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention include providing a cradle assembly that is readily attachable and detachable from a wheeled cart to facilitate transporting multiple rows of generally cylindrical containers, is stackable between an underlying and overlying row of containers to maintain the containers in a stable position, maximizes the number of generally cylindrical containers carried on a wheeled cart at one time, is durable, is easy to use, is of relatively simple design, is economical in manufacture and assembly, and in service has a long useful life. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Some of the objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in view of the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wheeled cart having a pair of upstanding handles at opposite ends of the cart with a cradle assembly constructed according to one presently preferred embodiment removably placed on the cart to facilitate transporting generally cylindrical containers;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cradle assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the cart with the cradle assembly raised therefrom;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the cart with a single cradle assembly supporting a plurality of containers on the cart; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of a cart having a single upstanding handle at one end of the cart with multiple cradle assemblies supporting a plurality of containers on the cart. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     Referring in more detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a vertically reversible cradle assembly  10  constructed for use with a wheel supported push cart  12  to facilitate transporting vertically supported rows of generally cylindrical containers  14  on the cart  12 . A single cradle assembly  10  can be used to carry the containers  14  in a pyramid arrangement, or, in stacked rows, with alternating rows having the same numbers of containers  14 , and with outermost containers being maintained at least in part by the handles  16 ,  18 . Otherwise, where the cart  12  has a single upstanding handle  16  ( FIG. 5 ), multiple cradle assemblies  10  can be used to maximize the number of containers  14  capable of being transported on the cart  12  at one time.  
         [0016]     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  4 , the cart  12  is represented here, by way of example and without limitations, as a six-wheeled hand propelled push cart, though it should be recognized that a cart having more or fewer wheels could be used in conjunction with the cradle assembly  10 , or a convertible hand truck could also be used (not shown), all readily available from Magline, Inc., of Pinconning, Mich. The cart  12  has a generally horizontal transport surface or platform  24  with laterally spaced sides  26 ,  27  extending between opposite front and rear ends  29 ,  30 . The platform  24  typically comes in standard widths of  12 ,  16  and  18  inches, though it is contemplated that the cradle assembly could be constructed to accommodate any cart width, as desired. The upstanding handle  16  or pair of handles  16 ,  18  generally extend from the platform  24  generally adjacent the opposite ends  29 ,  30  to facilitate pushing the cart  12 .  
         [0017]     The cradle assembly  10  has a pair of support rails  32 ,  34  spaced laterally from one another and operably connected and maintained in a generally parallel, fixed relation to one another by at least one, and, preferably, a plurality of cross bars  36 . The support rails  32 ,  34  are preferably constructed from a tubular metallic material, for example, steel or aluminum piping, which is typically extruded to provide a relatively economical, lightweight, and strong assembly. Other materials, such as high strength plastics, for example, could be used, as well as non-tubular constructions, if desired.  
         [0018]     Preferably, prior to joining the support rails  32 ,  34  to one another via the cross bars  36 , the support rails  32 ,  34  are formed, such as in a bending process, for example, whereupon upper and lower surfaces  38 ,  39  of the support rails  32 ,  34  are formed to take a generally curvilinear, sinuous shape over at least a substantial portion of their length. Upon being bent, the support rails  32 ,  34  are arranged in a laterally spaced, mirrored relation to one another, with a portion of the upper and lower surfaces  38 ,  39  transitioning between upper and lower peaks or lobes  40 ,  41 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , when in their mirrored relation, the uppermost surface of the lobes  40  preferably define a first imaginary tangential plane P 1  and the uppermost surface of the lower lobes  41  preferably define a second imaginary tangential plane P 2 , with the first and second planes P 1 , P 2  being generally vertically parallel to one another.  
         [0019]     With the support rails  32 ,  34  arranged in mirrored relation to one another, the cross bars  36  are attached to the support rails  32 ,  34 , such as through a weld joint or fasteners, in a laterally spaced relation to one another to maintain the support rails  32 ,  34  in a rigid, fixed relation. The cross bars  36  are represented here as being attached to the lower surfaces  39  of the support rails  32 ,  34  between the first and second planes P 1 , P 2  to provide maximum rigidity to the assembly  10  in torsion, and to prevent interference between the cross rails  36  and the platform  24  of the cart  12 .  
         [0020]     The upper and lower surfaces  38 ,  39  define a plurality of pairs of laterally opposed upper and lower lobular support surfaces  42 ,  43 , respectively, and represented here, by way of example and without limitations, as three upper support surfaces  42  and two lower support surfaces  43 . The upper and lower support surfaces  42 ,  43  preferably lie along generally arcuate longitudinal paths, and are sized to support the containers  14  against movement along the length of the cart  12 . In the preferred construction, the upper and lower support surfaces  42 ,  43  are constructed having generally the same curvilinear lobular form having a slightly larger radius than the containers  12 . The upper and lower support surfaces  42 ,  43  are spaced laterally along the length of the support rails  32 ,  34  to maintain the containers  14  in generally close proximity to one another. The lower support surface  43  of the middle cradle assembly in  FIG. 5  is shown here as being defined in part by the cross rails  36 , though the cross rails  36  could be positioned so as to avoid contacting the containers  14  during transport. It should be recognized that the upper and lower support surfaces  42 ,  43  could be spaced further from one another, or they may be constructed having stepped, generally linear sections, rather than being curvilinear, if desired.  
         [0021]     To facilitate maintaining the overall cradle assemblage CA in releasably secured relation to the cart  12 , at least one locating and retention member  44  extends from each of the support rails  32 ,  34  of the lower cradle assembly  10  for engagement with the sides  26 ,  27  of the platform  24 . The locating members  44  are constructed here, by way of example and without limitations, as generally L-shaped brackets or fingers. The locating members  44  are attached, such as by a weld joint or fastener, for example, to the lower surfaces  39  of the support rails  32 ,  34  of the cradles. The locating members  44  are preferably arranged opposite one another, with inner surfaces  46  ( FIG. 2 ) extending downwardly from the support rails  32 ,  34  to overlie the sides  26 ,  27  of the cart platform  24  in closely spaced abutting relation thereto to provide secure receipt of the cradle assembly, and to prevent lateral movement of the cradle assembly  10  relative to the platform while in use. The locating members  44 , though preventing lateral movement of the cradle assembly, allow the cradle assembly  10  to be lifted upwardly from the platform  24  to facilitate easy removal of the cradle assembly  10  from the cart  12 .  
         [0022]     Preferably, each support rail  32 ,  34  has a pair of end supports or legs  48  attached at their ends, such as, for example, through a weld joint or fasteners. The end supports  48  have end faces  50  positioned for a relatively close fit between the hand rails  16 ,  18  of the cart  12 . The cradle assembly  10  may, however, be easily set on the cart ( FIG. 3 ) to transport the containers  14 , and lifted from the platform  24  and removed to facilitate transporting non-cylindrical packages. The end supports  48  have flat bottom surfaces  52  arranged for supporting engagement with the platform  24  of the cart  12 .  
         [0023]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , when in use with a cart  12  having opposite hand rails  16 ,  18 , the cradle assembly  10  is placed on the platform  24  between the handles  16 ,  18  so that the lower lobular surfaces  39  of the support rails  32 ,  34  defining the second plane P 2  preferably engage the platform  24  along with the bottom surfaces  52  of the end supports  48 . The opposing locating members  44  overlie the sides  26 ,  27 , as discussed above, to prevent lateral shifting of the cradle assembly  10  while in use. With the cradle assembly  10  positioned on the cart  12 , a first row of containers  14  is placed in engagement with the respective upper support surfaces  42 . A second row, represented here as a pair of containers  14 , is then stacked on top of the first underlying row in a pyramidal configuration. Next, a third row of containers  14  is stacked on top of the second underlying row, such that the third row preferably has the same number of containers  14  as in the first row.  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , when in use with a cart  12  having a single hand rail  16 , a first cradle assembly  10  is placed on the platform  24 . One pair of end supports  48  is positioned adjacent the hand rail  16 , with the other pair of end supports  48  facing the other end of the cart  12 , with the bottom surfaces  52  of the end supports  48  and the lower surfaces  39  of the support rails  32 ,  34  defining the second plane P 2  engaging the platform  24 . The positioning members  44  overlie the exterior sides  26 ,  27 , as discussed above. A first row of containers  14  is first placed on the lowermost cradle assembly  10  so that the containers  14  are in engagement with the upper support surfaces  42 , as described above. To facilitate transporting the maximum number of containers  14  on the cart  12 , a second cradle assembly  10  is inversely placed or vertically reversed upon the first row of containers  14  so that the formerly upper support surfaces  42  of the second cradle assembly  10  are in abutment with upwardly facing surfaces of the first row of containers  14 . Accordingly, the first and second cradle assemblies  10  are in vertically spaced, mirrored relation. Additional containers, represented here, for example, as two containers  14 , are disposed in engagement with the upwardly facing formerly lower support surfaces  43  of the second cradle assembly  10  to form a second row of containers  14  in a staggered pyramidal configuration relative to the first row of containers  14 . To further facilitate transporting the maximum number of containers  14  on the cart  12 , a third cradle assembly  10  is placed upon the second row of containers  14  so that the lobular lower support surfaces  43  of the third cradle assembly  10  are supported on the upwardly facing surfaces of the second row of containers  14 . Accordingly, the second and third cradle assemblies  10  are in vertically spaced, mirrored relation. Additional containers, represented here, for example, as three containers  14 , are place in engagement with the upper support surfaces  42  of the third cradle assembly  10  to create a third row of containers  14  in a staggered configuration relative to the second row of containers  14 . Preferably, the third row of containers  14  is initiated by stacking a centrally located container, represented here as the middle container  14 , on the third cradle assembly  10  so that the cradle assembly  10  does not tip relative to the second row of containers  14 . Thereafter, the remaining containers  14  are stacked on the remaining lobular upper support surfaces  42 , and the maximum number of containers  14  are secured for transport on the cart  12 . It should be recognized that the rows of containers  14  are preferably removed from the third cradle assembly  10  in the reverse order from which they were stacked, thereby ensuring that the third cradle assembly  10  does not tip relative to the second row of containers  14 .  
         [0025]     It should be recognized that upon reading the disclosure herein, that one ordinarily skilled in the art of would readily recognize other embodiments than those disclosed herein, with those embodiments being within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure herein is intended to be exemplary, and not limiting. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.