Abstract:
Disclosed is a wheeled handcart having a removable debris bin, a partition, a ramp for sweeping, raking or otherwise sliding debris into the cart or its bin, and pivotable handles, wherein the cart may be utilized with or without the debris bin, and wherein the cart may be utilized in a vertical or horizontal position. To assist in preventing the debris or other content of the cart from spilling out, a partition is provided that slidably engages within tracks formed on the interior of the cart. When the debris bin is not installed, the partition serves to keep debris and other contents within the cart. Handles are pivotably connected to the cart to allow not only a multitude of advantaged lifting angles, but also the lifting of the handles such that the handles will not interfere with the loading or unloading of the cart. Alternative embodiments provide an opening in the partition for providing access to the debris bin, and an opening, rearward of the cart, useful for the spreading of granular materials.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional patent application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/361,732 filed on Jul. 27, 1999, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,495. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to carts and, more specifically, to transportable handcarts having removable storage and debris transportation containers. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     There is a widespread need to facilitate the manual transportation of yard, house, and industrial debris and other materials. As a result, a variety of handcarts have been proposed. With many traditional handcarts, however, the bin or storage space is an integral, undetachable portion of the device; and, thus, the functionality of the device has been restricted. Additionally, with many traditional handcarts, the carts were unable to be effectively placed in a horizontal position to facilitate the insertion and removal of debris and other materials. Moreover, of those cart designs that can be placed in a horizontal position, many do not provide a ramp means for the user&#39;s ease in sweeping, raking, or otherwise sliding the debris or other materials into the cart. Such functionality is desirable so that the user need not lift such debris or other materials into the cart. 
     In an attempt to overcome some of these noted deficiencies, a number of carts having ramps have been patented. Examples of such devices may be seen with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 2,992,011 to Becan; U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,303 to Finocchiaro; U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,981 to Brenner et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,596 to Douglas; U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,728 to Pravettone; U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,567 to Pravettone; and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,277 to Coker. 
     None of the above handcart devices, however, disclose or teach the novel features of the present invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is readily apparent that a new and improved handcart is needed that has a removable debris bin, a partition for securing the contents within the cart and/or debris bin, multi-position or pivotable handles for facilitating the cart&#39;s maneuverability and function, and that has the capability of being utilized with or without the debris bin. It is further apparent that that a new and improved handcart is needed that has an opening in the partition for providing access to the debris bin, and that has an opening, rearward of the cart, useful for the spreading of granular materials. It is, therefore, to the provision of such an improvement that the present invention is directed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a handcart having a removable debris bin and pivotable handles wherein the cart may be utilized with or without the debris bin, and wherein the cart may be utilized in a vertical or horizontal position. 
     More specifically, the present invention comprises a cart, a debris bin, a partition, and a ramp. The cart is generally elongated and defined by a first side wall, a second side wall, an end wall, and a bottom wall. Formed at the end distal from the end wall is a ramp portion that serves as a debris sweeping ramp, when the cart is placed in a horizontal position, to allow the sweeping, raking or otherwise sliding of debris or other objects into the cart; thus, eliminating the need to lift the debris from the ground or flooring. The debris bin is generally rectangular-box shaped with an open end. To provide a means for removably securing the debris bin within the cart, recessed areas are formed on the exterior side walls of the debris bin which engage with protrusions formed on the interior of the cart. 
     To assist in preventing the debris or other contents of the cart from spilling out, a partition is provided that slidably engages within tracks formed on the interior of the cart. These tracks are formed at a position that is proximate to the opening of debris bin, when it is installed within the cart, to serve as a partial lid or cover. When the debris bin is not installed, the partition serves to keep debris and other contents within the cart. 
     In order to provide access to the debris bin, the partition may be provided with a central opening. Suitably configured, the partition opening may accommodate a soft-sided bin, such as a lawn and garden bag. Suitably configured, the partition further may accommodate a hose, the hose being useful for connection to a lawn and garden vacuum or blower, in order to provide for high speed filling of the bin. 
     The handles are pivotably connected to the cart to allow not only a multitude of advantaged lifting angles, but also to allow the lifting of the handles such that the handles will not interfere with the loading or unloading of the cart. Two wheels joined by an axle are attached to the bottom of the cart near the end wall to provide a means for easily rolling and maneuvering the cart and its contents. In addition, a plurality of hand holes or recessed areas, dimensioned for receiving a hand, are formed on the cart and the debris bin to facilitate the lifting, lowering, and maneuvering of the present device. 
     The cart may be provided further with an opening disposed in the rearward wall of the cart, the opening being selectively closeable through a plurality of positions, and being useful for the spreading of granular materials, such as lawn and garden fertilizers, grass seed, or the like, or feedstocks for animals. Channeling means may be provided within the cart to assist in directing such granular materials to the rearward opening. 
     Thus, an object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handcart having a removable debris bin. 
     Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handcart that can be utilized with or without the removable debris bin. 
     Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handcart that can be utilized in a vertical or horizontal position. 
     Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handcart having handles that are rotatable such that the handles may be placed in a plurality of positions. 
     Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handcart having a partition for keeping the contents within the cart or debris bin. 
     Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handcart wherein the partition provides an opening for providing access to the removable bin. 
     Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handcart having an angled bottom wall portion which serves as a ramp when the cart is placed in a horizontal position for facilitating the sweeping, raking, or otherwise sliding of debris or other objects into the cart or debris bin. 
     Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handcart having a plurality of wheels to provide a means for moving the cart and its contents. 
     Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is to provide a new and improved handcart having an opening disposed in the rearward wall of the cart, the opening being selectively closeable through a plurality of positions, and being useful for the spreading of granular materials. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying Figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     The present invention best will be understood through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective partially exploded view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective partially exploded view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the debris bin is removed and materials are strapped within the cart of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the rearward wall of the cart of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the partition of the present invention; and, 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of another alternative embodiment of the partition of the present invention. 
    
    
     As the reader doubtless will realize, the invention is susceptible of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the Figures and the descriptions referring thereto are to be regarded as only illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In describing the various embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, device  10  generally comprises cart  20  and debris bin  80 . More specifically, cart  20  is generally a rectangular-shaped open apparatus defined by first side wall  22 , end wall  32 , second side wall  34 , and bottom wall  35 . To facilitate the loading and/or unloading of debris D into and from cart  20 , a portion of the proximal end of bottom wall  35  is angled downward; thus, forming a ramp  36  wherein the proximal end of ramp  36  mates with the ground or flooring when device  10  is placed in the horizontal position, and the distal end of ramp  36  mates approximately with debris bin  80 , when installed. Preferably, first side wall  22  and second side wall  34  extend downward at the proximal end to engage ramp  36 , thus forming extension portions  37 ,  38 . When device  10  is placed in the horizontal position, bottom surfaces  39  of extension portions  37 ,  38  and the proximal end of ramp  36  rest upon the ground or flooring. 
     To provide means for rolling cart  20 , wheel assembly  40  is attached preferably at the distal end of cart  20  proximate to bottom wall  35 . Wheel assembly  40  generally comprises two wheels  42  rotatably connected via axle  44 . To accommodate wheel assembly  40  on cart  20 , raised areas  50  are preferably formed on the distal ends of first side wall  22 , second side wall  34 , and bottom wall  35  proximate to end wall  32 . Raised areas  50  are dimensioned for receiving wheels  42 . Axle  44  extends through throughholes  51  formed through raised areas  50  on first side wall  22  and second side wall  34 , and is attached to wheels  42  at each end through throughholes  45  formed through wheels  42 . Throughholes  51  of raised areas  50  are formed preferably at a position such that end wall  32  aligns with the outer circumference of wheels  42  and such that wheels  42  extend slightly beyond bottom wall  35 . It should be noted that larger or smaller wheels may be utilized to mechanically advantage the movement of cart  20 , and as such, the size and location of throughholes  51  and the size of raised areas  50  may be modified accordingly. Wheels  42  may be attached to axle  44  via eye pins, lug nuts, or other well known attaching means. Preferably, the length of axle  44  is approximately the width of cart  20  such that the outer edges of wheels  42  approximately align with first side wall  22  and second side wall  34 , respectively. It will be recognized that a tube, or other equivalent structure, may traverse between throughholes  51  for housing axle  44  and sheltering it from frictional contact with a load L (FIG. 3) and from the deleterious effects of any debris contained within cart  20 . 
     Extending approximately from the distal end of ramp  36  to raised areas  50  on the interior of first side wall  22  and second side wall  34  are protrusions  28  dimensioned for mating and snap-fitting with recessed areas  88  of debris bin  80  as further described below. 
     Pivotably attached to the exterior of first side wall  22  and second side wall  34  near the proximal end of cart  20  are preferably two handle supports  66  for receiving and securing the distal end of handles  64 . Handles  64  are generally L-shaped members and are secured to handle supports  66  by any well-known means such as welding, bolting, or eyepinning. At the proximal end of handles  64  are handle grips  70  dimensioned for snugly receiving the proximal ends of handles  64 . 
     To facilitate the movement and lifting of cart  20 , a plurality of handle  64  positions are allowed by way of pivotably attached handle supports  66 . More specifically, handle supports  66  are attached such that handle supports  66  pivot from a generally parallel position, relative to side walls  22 ,  34 , to a generally perpendicular position, relative to side walls  22 ,  34 . Through the use of well known means such as snap fittings, or protrusion and aperture mechanisms, handle supports  66  are locked into a plurality of positions. 
     The positioning of handle supports  66  and the length of handles  64  are such that when handle supports  66  are positioned in a parallel position relative to side walls  22 ,  34 , the proximal ends of handles  64  and handle grips  70  do not extend past bottom surfaces  39  of extension portions  37 ,  38 , so that when cart  20  is placed in the horizontal position, handles  64  and handle grips  70  do not interfere with bottom surfaces  39  resting upon the ground or flooring. 
     Advantageously, the position of handles  64  may be adjusted by the user and so oriented as to provide for the user&#39;s ease and comfort while using cart  20 . For example, the user may adjust the handles  64  to such a convenient angle as will provide for his comfort and maximum leverage when using cart  20  as a conventional wheelbarrow; i.e., in a slightly off horizontal position; or, as a handtruck; i.e., in a slightly off-vertical position. 
     To further assist in lifting and maneuvering cart  20 , preferably, hand slots  24 , dimensioned for receiving the hand, are formed at the distal end of cart  20  on side walls  22 ,  34  proximate to raised areas  50 , end wall  32 , and surface  75 . It should be noted that additional hand slots  24  may be positioned along cart  20  to provide further assistance in maneuvering the device. 
     Provided are securing straps  72  having fastening means  74 . In order to provide an attaching means for straps  72 , preferably, strap slits  26  are formed on both sides of cart  20  in side walls  22 ,  34  near surface  75 . Each strap slit  26  has an opposing strap slit  26  generally positioned directly across on the opposite side wall. In use, straps  72 , extending through strap slits  26 , are utilized to help secure a load L within cart  20  when device  10  is used without debris bin  80 . Alternatively, although not necessary, when debris bin  80  is utilized, straps  72  can be used to provide additional securing means for securing debris bin  80  within cart  20 . 
     Partition  52  is provided to assist in containing debris D or other contents within debris bin  80 , when debris bin  80  is utilized, or within cart  20 , when cart  20  is used without debris bin  80 . Formed preferably along first side wall  22  and second side wall  34 , generally perpendicular to bottom wall  35  and near the distal end of ramp  36  are preferably two tracks  56 ,  58 , one on each side wall  22 ,  34 . Tracks  56 ,  58  are dimensioned to slidably receive and engage partition  52 . In the preferred embodiment, the length of partition  52  is approximately equal to the width of side walls  22  and  34 . In use, after a user has filled cart  20 , partition  52  may be slid onto cart  20 , thereby securing the contents within cart  20 . Alternatively, or as an additional component of device  10 , the length of partition  52  is approximately equal to the width of debris bin  80  such that the opening of debris bin  80  is substantially covered when debris bin  80  is in cart  20 . In use, after a user has filled debris bin  80 , partition  52  may be slid onto cart  20  thereby securing the contents of debris bin  80 . 
     To assist in inserting and removing partition  52  from tracks  56 ,  58 , preferably, hand slot  54 , dimensioned for receiving a hand, is formed generally in the center of partition  52  near the end distal from bottom wall  35 . 
     Debris bin  80  is preferably and generally rectangular-box shaped with an open end and is, more particularly, defined by side walls  92 ,  96 , end wall  94 , bottom wall  98 , and top wall  100 . Formed on the exterior of side walls  92 ,  96  are recessed areas  88  dimensioned to mate with and to snapfit or slide within with protrusions  28  of cart  20 ; thereby, removably securing debris bin  80  within cart  20 . Formed on the distal end of debris bin  80  on side walls  92 ,  96 , end wall  94 , and bottom wall  98  are recessed areas  86 , dimensioned for receiving raised areas  50  of cart  20  such that bottom wall  98  of debris bin  80  rests approximately flush against bottom wall  35  of cart  20  when debris bin  80  is engaged within cart  20 . 
     To assist in inserting and removing debris bin  80  to and from cart  20 , preferably, two recessed hand grips  82 ,  84 , dimensioned for receiving a hand, are formed to the exterior of debris bin  80 . Hand grip  82  is positioned generally near the center of top wall  100 , and hand grip  84  is positioned on end wall  94  generally near top wall  100 . Known within the art, each hand grip  82 ,  84  has a lip or lips formed therein to provide the user a means for securely grabbing and griping debris bin  80 . 
     Device  10  best may be manufactured of high impact plastic materials such as are well-known in the art, and formed in accordance with traditional plastic molding processes. It will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art that cart  20  may be provided with an end wall  32  having an outward taper according to traditional wheelbarrow designs. Additionally, cart  20  may be provided with side walls  22 ,  34  having similarly outwardly tapering walls. 
     Best seen with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, cart  20  may be further provided with opening  102  disposed within end wall  32 . Opening  102  is disposed proximate bottom wall  35  and is advantageously positioned so as to be useful for the spreading of granular materials, such as lawn and garden fertilizers, seed, or the like, or feedstocks for animals, or liquids. Accordingly, opening  102  may be selectively opened and closed through a plurality of positions with the use of cover  104 . Cover  104  may be attached through the use of hinge pin  106 . Alternatively, cover  104  may be provided in a sliding gate and channel arrangement. Other arrangements will be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the art. 
     In order to efficiently channel granular materials through opening  102 , cart  20  further may be provided with channeling means, shown as walls  108 . It will be appreciated that walls  108  may be formed integrally with cart  20 , or may be provided in removable form, wherein walls  108  are shown in FIG. 6 in “phantom line” to suggest removability of same. 
     Debris bins of varying shapes and sizes may be provided to accommodate application of the device in a variety of fields of use. For example, but not by way of limitation, the debris bin  80  can be provided with top wall  100  having an arcuate shape; or, in combination with modified side walls  92 ,  96 , and an arcuately shaped top wall  100 , the bin can be provided with a mushroom-shaped cross-section. 
     Similarly, debris bin  80  may be provided with any of a variety of paper or plastic liners for catching and holding debris D, and for the user&#39;s ease in disposal. Alternatively, a paper-type debris bin may be provided, in combination with retaining clips, for the user&#39;s ease and convenience. 
     In order to accommodate such paper or plastic liners, partition  52  may be provided in alternative form. Best seen with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, alternative partition  152  is provided with central partition opening  154 . Partition opening  154  is disposed such that soft-sided bin  180 , shown in the form of a conventional paper lawn and garden bag, may be affixed thereabout through the use of retaining clips or the like. Partition  152 , accordingly, provides an opening allowing the user to directly access bin  180  for sweeping, raking, or placing debris directly into the bin, while retaining much of the functionality of the partition described hereinabove. 
     Suitably configured, and best seen with reference to FIG. 8, partition  252  further may be provided to accommodate a hose, the hose being useful for connection to a lawn and garden vacuum or blower, in order to provide for high speed filling of bin  80 ,  180 . In such form, partition  252  is provided with filters or screens  254 ,  258 , walls  256 , and debris intake port  260 . In such form, a vacuum or blower hose, suitably configured, may be attached to partition  252  at debris intake port  260 . Debris-laden air is directed into bin  80 ,  180 , wherein the debris is deposited. Air is recirculated to the environment by passing through filters or screens  258 ,  254  via air exhaust ports  262 . It will be seen in FIG. 8 that arrows A designate the airflow path. 
     Furthermore, without departing from either the scope or spirit of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the bin securing function of protrusions  28  and mating recessed areas  88  may be provided through alternative means, as with simple clips, pin and hole arrangements, spring detent-type pins and cooperating recesses, or the like. Similarly, protrusions  28  and mating recessed areas  88  may be reversed in their locations such that protrusion  28  is carried by bin  80  and recessed area  88  is carried by cart  20 . The locations of protrusions  28  and recessed areas  88  may be varied about the periphery of their respective carrying members in order to suit the configuration of cart  20  and the needs of the field of application of the invention. 
     Additionally, it will be apparent that ramp  36  may be provided having one or more hinges at the location where the distal end of ramp  36  meets bottom wall  35 . With such a configuration, ramp  36  may serve to replace partition  52 . 
     The above detailed description of preferred and alternative embodiments, then, have been provided for exemplary purposes only and are not meant, nor should they be read, to limit the scope or spirit of the present invention; rather, the invention hereof is limited only by the appended claims.