Abstract:
The present invention provides a foldable, four-wheel trolley of simple, lightweight construction for use in connection with the transport and storage of items of the type typically used in connection with the operation of beauty salons or similar uses. Moreover, the trolley is easily foldable from an expanded, operating configuration into a compact, folded configuration easy to store and transport when not in use. The trolley has a recessed top tray that is removably connected to the foldable trolley frame, and a plurality of storage drawers are slidably mounted within the foldable trolley frame at locations beneath the top tray and supports for hair dryers.

Description:
[0001]     This is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/985,086 filed Nov. 9, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to portable trolleys or carts. More particularly, the invention concerns a foldable, wheeled trolley for use in connection with the transport of items in a beauty salon.  
         [0004]     2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     A large number of different types of wheeled trolleys or carts have been suggested in the past. For example, wheeled carts have long been used in convenience and grocery stores to transport items throughout the store. Similarly, wheeled carts are frequently used in garages and manufacturing facilities to hold and transport tools and various kinds of parts used in the conduct of the business.  
         [0006]     As a general rule, the prior art wheeled carts are of a sturdy, heavy-duty, bulky construction making them difficult and expensive to transport in commerce. Accordingly, prior art wheeled carts are typically disassembled for shipment and then are reassembled at the location of use. Because of the complexity of construction of many of the prior art wheeled carts, assembly of the carts at the point of use can be difficult and time-consuming.  
         [0007]     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight, four-wheeled trolley or cart of simple, lightweight construction for use primarily in beauty salons. Advantageously, the trolley is capable of being folded for a substantial reduction in size and shape making it easy to store when not in use and permitting it to be easily and inexpensively shipped in commerce. However, when the trolley is assembled into an operating configuration, it is quite stable and because of its unique design is capable of conveniently carrying a wide variety of tools and supplies of the character typically used in the operation of a beauty salon. More particularly, the trolley is provided with a readily accessible, recessed top tray for conveniently carrying small tools and supplies and a plurality of light-weight drawers slidably carried within the trolley frame below the top tray for carrying and storing larger tools and supplies. Additionally, in one form of the invention, readily accessible, side-mounted tool racks are pivotally connected to the top tray. When not in use these tool racks can be pivoted into a downward location proximate the sidewalls of the trolley frame to enable the trolley to be used in confined spaces.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable, four-wheel trolley of a simple, lightweight construction for use in connection with the transport and storage of items of the type typically used in connection with the operation of beauty salons.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the invention to provide a trolley of the aforementioned character which can be easily folded from an expanded, operating configuration into a compact, folded configuration making it easy to store and transport when not in use.  
         [0010]     Another object of the invention is to provide a trolley as described in the preceding paragraphs which, when assembled into an operating configuration, is strong, stable, easily maneuverable and convenient to use. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide such a trolley, which includes a readily accessible, recessed top tray that is removably connected to the foldable trolley frame and a plurality of storage drawers slidably mounted within the foldable trolley frame at locations beneath the top tray.  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to provide a four-wheeled trolley of the class described, which includes conveniently located, side-mounted supports for supporting hair dryers and other types of tools commonly used in the conduct of beauty salon operations.  
         [0012]     By way of brief summary, one form of the foldable, four-wheel trolley of the present invention comprises a supporting structure which includes first and second spaced-apart, generally parallel, upright side frames, each having an upper portion and a lower portion. A plurality of casters are rotatably connected to the lower portion of each of the first and second side frames. A plurality of foldable link assemblies foldably interconnect the first and second side frames to permit movement of the side frames between a first operating position and a second folded position. The foldable link assemblies each comprise first and second pivotally connected links, the first link being pivotally connected to the first side frame and the second link being pivotally connected to second side frame. A top member is removably connected to upper portions of the first and second side frames of the supporting structure when the side frames are in the first operating position and a plurality of drawers disposed between and slidably interconnected with the first and second side frames when the side frames are in the first operating position. Each of the drawers is slidably movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position relative to the supporting structure.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a generally perspective view of one form of the foldable trolley of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one form of the foldable trolley of the present invention showing the tool holder component of the apparatus folded downwardly and the drawers moved into an outward position.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the foldable trolley shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a generally perspective fragmentary view of one form of the supporting frame of the foldable trolley of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a generally perspective, fragmentary view similar to  FIG. 4 , but showing the supporting frame of the trolley in a folded configuration.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a generally perspective fragmentary, exploded view of the supporting frame of the foldable trolley and of certain of the components of the apparatus that are mounted on the supporting frame.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a generally perspective view similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing certain of the components of the apparatus in position on the supporting frame.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of side member of the apparatus of the invention that can be interconnected with the top member of the apparatus.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a generally perspective view of still another form of side member of the apparatus of the invention that can be interconnected with the top member of the apparatus.  
         [0022]      FIG. 10A  is a rear view of an alternate form of side panel of the invention that includes drawer guide rails that are adapted to slidably support the storage means of the invention for storing various articles.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10B  is a front view of the alternate form of side panel shown in  FIG. 10A .  
         [0024]      FIG. 10C  is a rear view of still another form of side panel of the invention that includes a differently positioned drawer guide rails that are adapted to slidably support the storage means of the invention for storing various articles.  
         [0025]      FIG. 10D  is a front view of the alternate form of side panel shown in  FIG. 10C .  
         [0026]      FIG. 10E  is a rear view of yet another form of side panel of the invention that includes drawer guide rails that are adapted to slidably support the storage means of the invention for storing various articles.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10F  is a front view of the alternate form of side panel shown in  FIG. 10E .  
         [0028]      FIG. 10G  is a rear view of still another form of side panel of the invention that includes differently positioned drawer guide rails that are adapted to slidably support the storage means of the invention for storing various articles.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10H  is a front view of the alternate form of side panel shown in  FIG. 10C .  
         [0030]      FIG. 10J  is a rear view of an yet another form of side panel of the invention that includes drawer guide rails that are adapted to slidably support the storage means of the invention for storing various articles.  
         [0031]      FIG. 10K  is a front view of the alternate form of side panel shown in  FIG. 10J .  
         [0032]      FIG. 10L  is a rear view of still another form of side panel of the invention that includes differently positioned drawer guide rails that are adapted to slidably support the storage means of the invention for storing various articles.  
         [0033]      FIG. 10M  is a front view of the alternate form of side panel shown in  FIG. 10L .  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is a generally perspective, fragmentary view showing the supporting frame of an alternate form of foldable trolley of the invention in a folded configuration.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]     Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , one form of the foldable trolley of the present invention is there shown generally designated by the numeral  14 . The foldable trolley of this form of the invention, which is specially designed for use in beauty salons for transporting articles from place to place, comprises a supporting structure  16  which includes first and second spaced-apart, generally parallel, substantially upright first and second side frames  18  and  19 . Each side frame has an upper portion and a lower portion and each includes a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart, generally parallel tubular columns  20  ( FIG. 3 ). Each of the columns  20  has an upper extremity  20   a  and a lower extremity  20   b . A plurality of vertically spaced, generally horizontally extending side panels  22  are connected to tubular columns  20  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Connected to each of the side panels  22  are guide means, here provided as drawer guide rails  24 , which are adapted to slidably support the storage means of the invention for storing various articles. The storage means is here provided as a plurality of storage trays or drawers of the configuration shown in the drawings as  26 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3  storage trays  26  include partition assemblies  28  which function to divide the trays into a plurality of article storage compartments.  
         [0036]     To enable the foldable trolley to be conveniently moved about within the beauty salon, a conventional, readily commercially available caster assembly  30  is rotatably connected to the lower extremity  20   b  of each of the tubular columns  20  of the first and second side frames  18  and  19  (See  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0037]     In order to enable the supporting frames of the apparatus to be folded from the first operating configuration shown in  FIG. 4  to the second folded configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , a pair of front, or first, foldable link assemblies  32  are connected to the front columns of the supporting frame and a pair of rear, or second, foldable link assemblies  34  are connected to the rear columns of the supporting frame. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , each of the first foldable link assemblies  32  comprise first and second pivotally connected links  36  and  38  respectively, while each of the second foldable link assemblies  34  comprise third and fourth pivotally interconnected links  40  and  42  respectively. First links  36  of each of the first link assemblies is pivotally connected to one of the columns  20  of the first side frame  18  and second links  38  of each of the first link assemblies is pivotally connected to one of the columns  20  of the second side frame  19 . In similar fashion, third links  40  of each of the second link assemblies  34  are pivotally connected to first side frame  18  and fourth links  42  of each of the second link assemblies are connected to one of the columns  20  of the second side frame  19 . Links  36  and  38  of each of the first link assemblies  32  are pivotally interconnected at their distal ends and links  40  and  42  of each of the second link assemblies  34  are pivotally interconnected at their distal ends so as to enable the link assemblies to fold from the operating configuration shown in  FIG. 4  into the folded configuration shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0038]     When the support structure  16  of the apparatus is in the operating configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , a molded plastic top member  46  is removably connected to the upper portions  20   a  of the columns  20  of first and second side frames of the supporting structure in the manner shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , molded plastic top member  46  has first and second article receiving recesses  46   a  and  46   b  for receiving various types of equipment and supplies of the character illustrated in phantom lines in  FIG. 1 . Top member  46  is also provided with a plurality of spaced-apart sockets  48  which are constructed and are arranged proximate each corner of top member  46  to closely, telescopically receive the upper extremities of the tubular columns  20  of the first and second side frames  18  and  19 .  
         [0039]     As indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the plurality of drawers  26  are disposed between the first and second side frames  18  and  19  of the supporting structure  16  when the side frames are in the first operating position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the drawers  26  are slidable along guide rails  24  between a first retracted position and a second extended position to gain access to the articles contained within the drawers.  
         [0040]     As is also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the foldable trolley of the invention also includes hair dryer support means connected to a selected one of the tubular columns  20  of one of the first and second side frames for removably supporting a hair dryer HD. This hair dryer support means here comprises a support member  50  that is constructed from a plurality of coils of heavy wire  52 , the proximal end of which is interconnected by any appropriate means to one of the supporting columns  20 .  
         [0041]     Also forming an important feature of the foldable trolley apparatus of the invention is a pair of oppositely disposed article support members  54  which extend from and are pivotally interconnected with the spaced-apart, parallel columns  20  which form a part of the each of the side structures  18  and  19  of the supporting structure  16 . More particularly, as best seen in  FIG. 3 , each of the support members  54  is provided with a bore  56  which closely receives a pivot bar  58 , the ends of which are received within slots  60  formed in the top portions  20   a  of the columns  20 . With this construction, each of the article support members  54  can be pivoted from the position shown in  FIG. 1  to the folded position shown in  FIG. 2 . As indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the article support members  54  is provided with a plurality of apertures  63  of various shapes that are adapted to removably receive brushes and other tools and implements of the character shown by the phantom lines in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0042]     When the foldable trolley of the present invention is in the operating configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , it may be conveniently rolled about the beauty salon so as to make the beauty equipment and supplies carried thereby readily accessible to the beauty technicians. When the apparatus is to be used in tight locations, one or both of the side members  54  can be pivoted into the lowered position wherein they reside proximate the side panels of the supporting structure. When it is desired to place the trolley in condition for shipment or storage, the trolley can be quickly and easily folded into a compact, folded configuration in the manner described in the paragraphs which follow.  
         [0043]     After removal of the equipment and supplies that are carried by the top and side members of the trolley, the side members  54  can either be folded into the stored configuration or alternatively they can be disconnected from the top member  46  by simply removing the pivot rods  58  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 6 . This done, the top member  46  can be separated from the supporting structure  16  by exerting an upward force on the top member sufficient to separate it from the supporting structure  16  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 6 . With the drawers  26  slidably removed from the interior of the supporting structure, the supporting structure can next be conveniently folded from the operating configuration shown in  FIG. 4  into the folded configuration illustrated in  FIG. 5 . This is accomplished by exerting an inward force on the linkage assemblies  32  and  34  proximate their inner pivot point that is sufficient to cause the linkage assemblies to fold inwardly in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 5 . As the linkage assemblies are folded inwardly sides  18  and  19  move into close proximity thereby substantially minimizing the volume occupied by the support structure  16  for convenience of shipping or storage.  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an alternate form of article support member of the apparatus of the invention is there shown generally designated by the numeral  70 . This alternate form of support member, which can be used in place of the previously described article support members  54 , can be pivotally interconnected with the spaced-apart, parallel columns  20  which form a part of the each of the side structures  18  and  19  of the supporting structure  16  (see  FIG. 3 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , support member  70  is provided with a bore  72  which closely receives a pivot bar, such as pivot bar  58 , the ends of which are received within slots  60  formed in the top portions  20   a  of the columns  20 . As also shown in  FIG. 8 , article support member  70  is somewhat more rectangular in shape than are support members  54  and is provided with a plurality of apertures of various shapes that are adapted to removably receive brushes and other tools and implements of the character shown by the phantom lines in  FIG. 1 . More particularly, article support member  70  is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart, generally circular-shaped apertures  73 , a generally rectangular-shaped aperture  75  and an elongated, generally oval-shaped aperture  77 . Article support member  70  is also provided with a smaller, generally oval-shaped aperture  79  and a generally figure-8-shaped aperture  81 .  
         [0045]     Turning next to  FIG. 9 , still another form of article support member of the apparatus of the invention is there shown generally designated by the numeral  82 . This alternate form of support member, which can also be used in place of the previously described article support members  54 , can be pivotally interconnected with the spaced-apart, parallel columns  20  which form a part of the each of the side structures  18  and  19  of the supporting structure  16  (see  FIG. 3 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , support member  82  is provided with a bore  84  which closely receives a pivot bar, such as pivot bar  58 , the ends of which are received within slots  60  formed in the top portions  20   a  of the columns  20 . As also shown in  FIG. 9 , article support member  82 , while being generally oval-shaped like support member  54 , is provided with a fewer number of article receiving apertures than the support member illustrated in  FIG. 8 . More particularly, article support member  82  is provided with a pair of spaced-apart, generally circular-shaped apertures  85 , a generally triangular-shaped aperture  87  and a generally oval-shaped aperture  89 .  
         [0046]     Referring next to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , an alternate form of side panel of the apparatus is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  92 . Side panel  92 , which can be used in place of the previously identified side panels  22 , is provided at either end with generally “C”-shaped connectors  92   a  that can be used to connect the panel to tubular columns  20  in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 11 . As best seen in  FIG. 10A , side panel  92  is also provided with a drawer guide rail  94 , that is adapted to slidably support the previously defined storage means of the invention, or storage drawers, such as drawers  26  (see  FIG. 3 ). As best seen in  FIG. 10B , side panel  92  includes a side wall  92   b  that is provided with the decorative indicia, shown here as comprising a multiplicity of spaced-apart, generally rectangular-shaped, decorative protruberances  96 . When a plurality of vertically spaced side panels  92  are interconnected with columns  20  (see  FIG. 11 ), the decorative protruberances  96  provide an attractive and distinctive appearance to the apparatus of the invention. As indicated in  FIG. 10A , side panel  92  has a first width A- 1  and a first height A- 2 . In this alternate form of the invention, the drawer guide rail  94  is spaced-apart from the bottom, or lower surface  92   c  of the panel by a first distance A- 3 .  
         [0047]     Turning next to  FIGS. 10C and 10D , still another form of side panel of the apparatus is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  98 . Side panel  98  is similar in most respects to side panel  92  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 10C and 10D  to identify like components. The primary difference between side panel  98  and side panel  96  resides in the different location of the drawer guide rail  100 . Side panel  98 , which can also be used in place of the previously identified side panels  22 , is provided at either end with generally “C”-shaped connectors  98   a  that can be used to connect the panel to tubular columns  20  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As best seen in  FIG. 10C , side panel  98  is also provided with a drawer guide rail  100 , that is adapted to sidably support the previously defined storage means of the invention, or storage drawers, such as drawers  26  (see  FIG. 3 ). In this alternate form of the invention, the drawer guide rail  100  is spaced-apart from the bottom, or lower surface  98   c  of the panel by a second distance B- 3 , which distances greater than first distance A- 3 .  
         [0048]     Turning now to  FIGS. 10E and 10F , still another form of side panel of the apparatus of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  102 . Side panel  102  is similar in many respects to side panel  92  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 10E and 10F  to identify like components. The primary difference between side panel  102  and side panel  92  resides in the differently configured outer surface, or side wall  102   b  of the side panel. As before side panel  102 , which can be used in place of the previously identified side panels  22 , is provided at either end with generally “C”-shaped connectors  102   a  that can be used to connect the panel to tubular columns  20  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As best seen in  FIG. 10E , side panel  102  is also provided with a drawer guide rail  94  that is identical in configuration, location and operation to that of side panel  92 . As depicted in  FIG. 10B , side wall  102   b , rather then being provided with decorative indicia in the form of a multiplicity of spaced-apart, generally rectangular-shaped, decorative protuberances  96 , is provided with a multiplicity of horizontally extending, decorative striations  104 . When a plurality of vertically spaced side panels  102  are interconnected with columns  20  (see  FIG. 3 ), the decorative striations  104  provide an attractive and somewhat different distinctive appearance to the apparatus of the invention. As indicated in  FIG. 10E , side panel  102  has a first width A- 1  and a first height A- 2 . As was the case with side panel  92 , the drawer guide rail  94  is spaced-apart from the bottom, or lower surface  102   c  of the panel by a first distance A- 3 .  
         [0049]     Turning next to  FIGS. 10G and 10H , yet another form of side panel of the apparatus is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  108 . Side panel  108  is similar in most respects to side panel  98  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 10G and 10H  to identify like components. As before side panel  108 , which can be used in place of the previously identified side panels  22 , is provided at either end with generally “C”-shaped connectors  108   a  that can be used to connect the panel to tubular columns  20  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As best seen in  FIG. 10G , side panel  108  is also provided with a drawer guide rail  100 , that is identical in configuration, location and operation to that of side panel  98 . As depicted in  FIG. 10H , side wall  108   b  of panel  108  rather than being provided with a multiplicity of spaced-apart, generally rectangular-shaped, decorative protuberances  96  is provided with a multiplicity of horizontally extending, decorative striations  104 . When a plurality of vertically spaced side panels  108  are interconnected with columns  20  (see  FIG. 3 ), the decorative indicia, or striations  104  provide an attractive appearance to the apparatus of the invention. As indicated in  FIG. 10G , side panel  108  has a first width B- 1  and a first height B- 2 . As was the case with side panel  98 , the drawer guide rail  100  is spaced-apart from the bottom  108   c  of the panel by a second distance B- 3 .  
         [0050]     Turning next to  FIGS. 10J and 10K , still another form of side panel of the apparatus of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  112 . Side panel  112  is also similar in many respects to side panel  92  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 10J and 10K  to identify like components. The primary difference between side panel  112  and side panel  92  resides in the differently configured outer surface of the side panel. As before, side panel  112 , which can be used in place of the previously identified side panels  22 , is provided at either end with generally “C”-shaped connectors  112   a  that can be used to connect the panel to tubular columns  20  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As best seen in  FIG. 10J , side panel  112  is also provided with a drawer guide rail  94  that is identical in configuration, location and operation to that of side panel  92 . As depicted in  FIG. 10J , side wall  112   b  of panel  112  rather then being provided with a multiplicity of spaced-apart, generally rectangular-shaped, decorative protuberances  96  is provided with decorative indicia in the form of a multiplicity of spaced-apart, generally circular-shaped apertures  114 . When a plurality of vertically spaced side panels  112  are interconnected with columns  20  (see  FIG. 3 ), the apertures  114  provide an attractive and somewhat different distinctive appearance to the apparatus of the invention. As indicated in  FIG. 10J , side panel  112  has a first width A- 1  and a first height A- 2 . As was the case with side panel  92 , the drawer guide rail  94  is spaced-apart from the bottom  112   c  of the panel by a first distance A- 3 .  
         [0051]     Turning next to  FIGS. 10L and 10M , yet another form of side panel of the apparatus is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  118 . Side panel  118  is similar in most respects to side panel  98  and like numerals are used in  FIGS. 10L and 10M  to identify like components. The primary difference between side panel  118  and side panel  98  resides in the differently configured outer surface of the side panel. As before side panel  118 , which can be used in place of the previously idenfified side panels  22 , is provided at either end with generally “C”-shaped connectors  118   a  that can be used to connect the panel to tubular columns  20  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As best seen in  FIG. 10L , side panel  118  is also provided with a drawer guide rail  100 , that is identical in configuration, location and operation to that of side panel  98 . As depicted in  FIG. 10M , side panel  118  rather then being provided with a multiplicity of spaced-apart, generally rectangular-shaped, decorative protuberances  96  is provided with decorative indicia in the form of a multiplicity of spaced-apart, generally circular-shaped apertures  114 . When a plurality of vertically spaced side panels  118  are interconnected with columns  20  (see  FIG. 3 ), the spaced-apart, generally circular-shaped apertures  114  provide an attractive appearance to the apparatus of the invention. As indicated in  FIG. 10L , side panel  118  has a first width B- 1  and a first height B- 2 . As was the case with side panel  98 , the drawer guide rail  100  is spaced-apart from the bottom  118   c  of the panel by a second distance B- 3 .  
         [0052]     Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.