Abstract:
A hand operated utility cart with an extended handle assembly capable of supporting extra long loads. The preferred embodiment includes a kick stand allowing for a free standing, horizontally level cart, a curved handle bar assembly with a threaded aperture allowing the load to remain in a horizontal position during operation and a locking hand brake system. The hand operated utility cart can be quickly broken down and reassembled to allow for easy transportation and storage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application serial No. 60/154,829 filed Nov. 12, 1999 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     This relates to United States Disclosure Document Number 430471, filed Jan. 29, 1998 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to new and useful improvements of hand operated utility carts and more particularly to a process for transporting hunting game and equipment. It relates to hunting carts used in transporting game from the hunting site. 
     The use of carts is known in the prior art. Carts have been utilized for the purpose of transporting items. By way of example the prior art disclosed in the U.S. Pat No. 5,673,928 to Jury a folding portable cart, U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,556 to Mullin a multipurpose hunting cart, U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,196 to Michno a portable deer cart and tree stand, U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,040 to Fails a deer stand and game carrier, U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,497 to Ponczek a deer carrier, Design U.S. Pat. No. 391,734 to Melgey a cart for transporting harvested deer and Design U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,189 to Swartzlander a cart. 
     Prior hunting carts have had many disadvantages. One major difficulty is that other hunting carts are too low to the ground. This results in dragging the cart, hanging up on ground obstructions, and requires excess strength for pulling the cart. Additionally previous deer carts have had the main body of the cart built between the wheels of the cart. This inhibits the loading of the deer onto the cart. The deer must be loaded carefully between the wheels and frequently moved to avoid rubbing by the wheels. Another difficulty has been load stability. 
     Specifically regarding Design U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,189 discloses a collapsible, two-tier cart with a ‘T’ bar handle assembly. In order to keep the load from obstructing the wheels, this patent had to incorporate a two level design. This has resulted in excess weight designed into the cart. The straight ‘T’ bar design of the handle assembly places the load at an angle when transporting in a hand operated mode. This design results in the main body of the cart being on an incline causing the load to be off balance and making it difficult to maneuver. This incline also makes it difficult to operator the cart in a push mode. In this design, the placement of the wheels on the outside of the main carrying deck results in the need for a wider cart to transport similar size loads. 
     Previous designs have had many flaws. The principle object of this invention is to provide a cart that provides easy maneuverability in both a pushing and pulling direction while maximizing load area and provides load stability through the use of an extended handle assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide a machine that allows for weight and balance stability. A further object of the invention is to provide a machine with an extended handle assembly allowing for full walking stride without striking foot heels against cart. Other objectives of the invention are to provide a machine as narrow as possible for maneuverability without sacrificing stability, that reduces back strain potential, that allows comfort in pulling, that easily operates in a push or pull mode, that has clearance to overcome ground obstructions, that is quiet while being used, that assembles in minutes, that allows for easy loading/unloading, that breaks down for storage and transportation purposes. 
     Another object of the invention is to allow for the load to be level during operation, allow for easy break down by one person, to allow for one or two man operation. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
     In light of the above mentioned shortcomings of the known prior arts, the present invention was developed. The invention is a hand operated utility cart which includes an extended handle assembly capable of supporting extra long loads, a primary platform and a modified bicycle fork assembly. 
     The cart includes a single platform mounted on top of two independent front bicycle fork assemblies. An extended handle assembly includes a long rectangular member, a bicycle handle bar with stem, an extended kickstand and a hand lock breaking system secured to the platform. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objectives of its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings along with its descriptive matter in which there is illustrated embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan front view of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a plan rear view of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG.  4  and FIG. 5 is a plan side view of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a plan top view of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a plan bottom view of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic transverse cross-section of a platform of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of the platform of the embodiment of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic transverse cross-section of a platform of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section of the platform of the embodiment of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the kickstand of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
     Turning first to FIG. 1 in which like reference numbers indicate like elements, there is shown an exploded view of a cart  1  of the present invention. The cart includes a single platform  3 , two independent front bicycle fork assemblies  5  and an extended handle assembly  7 . 
     The platform  3  is typically about 1 to about 2½ feet above the ground, preferable about 1½ to about 2 feet above the ground. The platform width is typically about 20 to 36 inches and its length is about 2 to about 5 feet preferably about 30 to about 52 inches. 
     The platform  3  includes two ¾ inch box tubes which are 36 inches long  2 , 4 , six ¾ inch box tubes which are 24 inches long  6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 16  and three ¾ inch box tubes which are 12 inches long  18 , 20 , 22 . These items are joined by a rigid immobile relationship by welding. Overall dimensions of the platform  3  are 25½ inches by 36 inches but are not limited to this size. Two holes are drilled through each member  2 , 4  1⅜ inches from each side of center and two holes are also drilled through members  18  and  22  about 1⅜ inches from each side of center. Two 1 inch by 1 inch angle irons which are 12 inches long  24 , 26  are also welded to the bottom side of the main platform members  12 , 14  and  16  about 1 inch on each side of center. 
     The platform  3  is shown as having a flat planar upper surface and a flat planer lower surface. However, in a second embodiment  200 , the bars can be curved to form an upper surface having a concave cross-section in the transverse direction (FIG. 8) and a straight cross-section in the longitudinal direction (FIG.  9 ). In a third embodiment  300 , the bars can be curved to form an upper surface having a concave cross section in both the transverse direction (FIG. 10) and longitudinal direction (FIG.  11 ). If desired the bars can be curved to form an upper surface having a straight cross-section in the transverse direction and concave cross-section in the longitudinal direction (not shown). 
     In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 shows two bicycle fork assemblies  5  secured with members  32 , 34 , 36 , 38 , which are typically 4 inch carriage bolts  32 , 34 , 36 , 38  secured to the main platform. Each fork assembly  5  is secured by two of the carriage bolts  32 , 34 , 36 , 38 . Removal of any one of the two carriage bolts  32 , 34 , 36 , 38  for the respective fork assembly  5  forms a hinge. Each individual fork assembly  5  includes fork mounts  28 , 30  and bicycle forks,  40 , 42 . The fork mounts  28 , 30  are 3¼ inches by 2 inches by ⅝ inch flat stock steel with a 1 inch hole through its center and two ¼ inch holes through its sides which are perpendicular to the 1 inch center hole and each about 1⅜ inches from center. The distance between each fork mount  28 , 30 , and a respective bolt securing a brake to the fork assembly  5  is typically a minimum of 2½ inches. This will insure for proper clearance of the brake cable. The fork mount  28 , 30  is joined to the bicycle forks,  40 , 42  by a rigid immobile relationship by welding. Bicycle forks  40 , 42  are 20 inch front bicycle forks but are not restricted to that size. 
     Each bicycle fork  40 ,  42  has a stem  40 A, a first prong  40 B and a second prong  40 C. Each bicycle fork  40 ,  42  has a fork  40 ,  42  first end and a fork  40 ,  42  second end. The stem  40 A has a stem first end and a stem second end. The stem first end is joined to the respective bicycle fork mount  28 ,  30 . The stem  40 A extends downwardly from the respective bicycle fork mount  28 ,  30  to the stem second end. The first prong  40 B and the second prong  40 C both extend downwardly from the stem second end to the fork  40 ,  42  second end where the two prongs of the respective fork are releasably attached to opposed sides of the respective wheel. 
     The wheel supports shown by FIG. 1 are U-shaped forks, and there are no elements of the cart between the wheel supports in a space of from ground level to a height of at least about 50% of the height of the platform lower plane above the ground level. Preferably, there are no elements of the cart between the wheel supports in a space of from ground level to a height of at least about 75% of the height of the platform lower plane above the ground level 
     In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, there is shown in FIG. 1, wheels  44 , 46  which are 20 inch wheels secured to the forks using a quick release skewer  74 , 76 . The wheel size is based upon the fork size used in the present invention. 
     To accomplish an important function of the invention, there is shown in FIG. 1, members  48 , 50  which are each an ATB Caliber Brake Set secured to each fork assembly  5  by means of a 2¾ inch bolt  51  (FIG. 2) having a ¼ 20 thread and a ¼ 20 nut  53  (FIG.  3 ). 
     Turning to FIG. 7 brake cable steady mounts  60 , 62  each with a threaded hole, are permanently welded to members  24  and  26  at approximately a 30 degree angle about 10 inches from the front bar  16  of the platform  3 . A brake cable  100  extends from one brake set  48  (FIG. 1) through the two steady mounts,  60 , 62 , to a second brake set  50  (FIG.  1 ). Secured to the brake cable  100  between the steady mounts  60 , 62  is a yoke hanger mount  98 . A second brake cable  102 , which is secured to a yoke hanger mount  98  at the side nearest the platform  3 , runs through a third steady mount  64  and is then attached to a locking hand brake  58 . The locking hand brake  58  is attached to the transverse handle bar stem assembly  56 . The platform  3  also has end caps  78 ,  80 ,  82  and  84  (FIG.  1 ). 
     In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, there is shown in FIG. 7 the extended handle bar assembly  7 . The primary piece is a 2 inch by 1 inch by 36 inch longitudinally arranged steel box tubing  52 . Two {fraction (5/16)} inch holes, which go entirely transversely through longitudinal tubing  52  and angle iron members  24 , 26 , are located about ½ inch and about 11½ inches from the front base  16  of the platform  3  and are for securing the assembly to the angle iron members  24 , 26  (FIGS.  4 , 5 , 6 ). A third hole which is about ⅜ inches in diameter, goes through steel box tubing  52  and is located about 6 inches from the transverse handle bar stem assembly  56 . This third hole is used to secure the kickstand  54  to the extended handle bar assembly  7  by means of a 2½-inch bolt, having a ⅜ inch 16 thread, and a ⅜ inch 16 nut. A smaller secondary screw is threaded through the kickstand mount into main tubing  52  and is used to eliminate twisting and turning of the kickstand. A final {fraction (5/16)} inch hole is drilled into tubing  52 , and member  96  (FIG.  7 ), a 1 inch by 6 inch steel tube, which has been welded into the inner diameter of longitudinal tubing  52 . A ¼ inch 20-flange nut  94  is welded to tubing  52  with its center lining up with that of the final {fraction (5/16)}-inch hole as described above. A 1 inch long ¼ inch 20 threaded eye bolt  92  is then screwed into the flange nut  94  located on tubing  52 . Eyebolt  92  penetrates through nut  94 , tubing  52  and tube  96  and finally a stem  57 A of the bicycle handle bar assembly  56 . This helps to prevent the possible twisting of the bicycle handlebar assembly  56 . Eyebolt  92  can also be used to fasten a load that extends beyond the front of the platform to the bicycle handlebar assembly  56 . 
     Typically, the tubing  52  extends 2 to 3½ feet from the platform and the transverse handlebar stem assembly  56  has a U-shaped portion  57  and handle portions extending from the U-shaped portion having handles  88 , 90  and the locking hand brake  58  mounted on the handle portions, and the stem  57 A provided with four screws for securing the U-shaped portion  57  (FIG.  1 ). Also typically the transverse handle bar stem assembly  56  extends a distance “D” of about 5 to about 12, preferably about 6 to about 8 inches, above the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal tubing  52  (see FIG.  5 ). The handlebar assembly has a width “T” typically about 12 to about 30 inches. 
     Still in FIG. 7 there is a 1 inch by 2 inch by ⅛ inch flat stock steel plate, member  104 , with a 1 inch hole drilled though the center that is welded to the end of tubing  52  at the end nearest the handle bar assembly  56 . The stem of the bicycle handlebar assembly  56  slides through the hole of member  104  and into the 1 inch steel tubing  96 . The bicycle handlebar assembly  56  is secured to tubing  52  with an expander bolt and wedge. 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, the final piece shows a welded stop for single direction operation, namely, a small piece of round stock member  110  ½ inch length ¼ inch diameter, welded to the kick stand mount to prevent the kick stand from going past perpendicular when in use. 
     If desired, the kickstand may comprise a modified flattened bracket  110 A (FIG. 5; the welded stop  110  for single directional operation; a spring  110 B; and a washer  110 C slipped between the spring  110 B and the bracket  110 A for added tension. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.