Abstract:
An apparatus ( 10 ) for transporting items includes a platform section ( 14 ) dimensioned to support an item, a basket section ( 12 ) having a plurality of basket walls ( 18, 20, 22, 24 ) adapted to transition between an operative condition defining an internal receiving area for accommodating an item, and a folded inoperative condition, and a handle section ( 16 ) operatively connected to the basket section ( 12 ). The handle section ( 16 ) is adapted to transition between a first condition corresponding to the operative condition of the basket section ( 12 ) and a second condition corresponding to the folded inoperative condition of the basket section ( 12 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) further includes at least one forward wheel ( 46 ) to facilitate transport when the basket is in the operative condition and at least one rear wheel ( 54 ). The platform section ( 14 ) also may be adapted to transition between a stored condition and a platform support condition to support the item.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/312,919, filed Mar. 11, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a transport apparatus and, more particularly, to a foldable and/or convertible transport apparatus adapted to transport items including groceries, luggage or the like. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Various designs exist and are commonly known for foldable basket-style carts that are typically used for grocery shopping and for transporting small items. Also commonly known are foldable hand-truck style carts, commonly referred to as luggage carts and used for transporting suitcases, brief cases, small boxes and other items. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the present invention relates to a foldable cart that combines both aspects of known basket-style carts and luggage carts. Specifically, the apparatus may be capable of transitioning between a basket cart mode having a basket for storing items and a luggage cart mode where the basket is folded and a luggage support is utilized to convey luggage or large baggage. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for transporting items includes a platform section dimensioned to support an item, a basket section having a plurality of basket walls adapted to transition between an operative condition defining an internal receiving area for accommodating an item, and a folded inoperative condition, and a handle section operatively connected to the basket section. The apparatus further includes at least one forward wheel to facilitate transport when the basket is in the operative condition and at least one rear wheel. The platform section also may be adapted to transition between a stored condition and a platform support condition to support the item wherein in the supporting condition the platform section is arranged to support the item. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the basket wall members include front and rear wall members and a pair of side wall members extending between the front and rear members. The side walls are foldably connected relative to the rear wall, and fold to assume the folded inoperative condition. Each side wall may include a plurality of individual side or rod elements. The individual side elements may be adapted to fold relative to the rear wall to cause the side walls to assume the folded inoperative condition. The individual side elements may be adapted to pivot relative to the rear wall. 
         [0008]    A lock associated may be associated with the rear wall. The lock is dimensioned and adapted for releasably securing the basket section in the folded inoperative condition. The lock may be dimensioned to operatively connect the rear wall and the front wall when the basket section is in the folded inoperative condition. 
         [0009]    The handle section may include first and second handle elements. The first and second handle elements may be operatively connected to the side walls of the basket section. Each handle element may support a forward wheel. First and second rear wheels may be operatively connected to one of the basket section and the platform section. The handle section may be adapted to transition between a first condition corresponding to the operative condition of the basket section and a second condition corresponding to the folded inoperative condition of the basket section. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIGS. 1-2  are perspective views of the transport apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention illustrating the platform section and the basket section with the basket section in the operative condition for accommodating goods or items; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the transport apparatus illustrating the basket section in the folded inoperative condition and the platform section in the supportive condition for supporting an item such as luggage; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged isolated view of the area of detail of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  an enlarged isolated view of the area of detail of  FIG. 3  illustrating the lock for securing the walls of the basket section in the folded inoperative condition; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view illustrating the lock engaging select individual rod elements of the front and rear walls of the basket section; and 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7-11  are views illustrating a sequence of steps illustrating transition of the transport apparatus from the operative open and supporting conditions of the basket section and platform section, respectively, to the folded inoperative and stored conditions thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar components throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the transport apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Transport apparatus  10  is adapted to transition or convert between a device suitable for carrying groceries, goods, etc., in a basket-type arrangement as depicted in  FIGS. 1-2 , and a device suitable to transport boxes or small luggage, in a hand truck arrangement, as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Apparatus  10  is further adapted to fold to assume a stored condition. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , apparatus  10  includes basket section  12 , platform section  14  disposed beneath the basket section  12  and handle section  16  which is operatively connected to the basket section  12 . Basket section  12  includes a plurality of interconnected walls, specifically, base or bottom wall  18 , front and rear walls  20 ,  22 , and side walls  24  extending between, and connecting, the front and rear walls  20 ,  22 . Base, front and side walls  18 ,  20  and  24  are adapted to move or fold upon each other to assume the collapsed or folded inoperative condition of basket section  12  as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Basket section  12  further includes front and rear frames  26 ,  28  connected to base, front and rear walls  18 ,  20 ,  22 . Front and rear frames  26 ,  28  may be generally U-shaped including respective horizontal segments  26   h ,  28   h  and vertical segments  26   v ,  28   v  depending from opposed ends of the horizontal segments  26   h ,  28   h . Rear frame  28  may further include oblique lower end segments  28   l  ( FIG. 1 ) depending obliquely relative to vertical segments  28   v . Front and rear frames  26 ,  28  may include tubular elements or piping and may be manufactured from a suitable metallic or metal material. 
         [0019]    Base, front and rear walls  18 ,  20 ,  22  each includes a plurality of inner rod elements  30  arranged in a criss-cross and orthogonal manner to define a mesh arrangement. The upper ends of the rod elements  30  of the front and rear walls  20 ,  22  are connected to respective horizontal segments  26   h ,  28   h  of front and rear frames  26 ,  28 , and the lower ends are connected to lower rod elements  30  of the front and rear walls  20 ,  22 . Any means for connecting rod elements  30  are envisioned including with the use of fasteners, screws, welding or the like. In one embodiment, the upper ends of wire elements  30  are received within corresponding apertures within the horizontal segments  26   h ,  28   h  of the frames  26 ,  28 . 
         [0020]    Side walls  24  may comprise a plurality of horizontal rod elements  30  with respect to  FIGS. 1-2  and are connected at their respective ends to front and rear frames  26 ,  28  of basket  12 . The ends of rod elements  30  may be connected to vertical segments  26   v ,  28   v  of front and rear frames  26 ,  28  in a manner where the rod elements  30  pivot relative to the respective frames  26 ,  28 . Any means for permitting pivotal movement are envisioned, including, but, not limited to, screw and nut means, pins or the like. In one embodiment, the longitudinal ends of wire elements  30  incorporate mounting segments  32  ( FIG. 4 ) projecting radially inwardly to be received within correspondingly dimensioned apertures within vertical segments  26   v ,  28   v  of front and rear frames  26 ,  28 . The mounting segments  32  may rotate within the apertures of front and rear frames  26 ,  28 . 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , in conjunction with  FIG. 4 , a pair of outer side support members  34  extends between the front and rear frames  26 ,  28  adjacent the periphery of base wall  18 . The outer side support members  34  include opposed forward and rear arcuate end regions  36 ,  38  defining apertures. The forward arcuate end regions  36  of each support member  34  accommodate the ends of the lowest rod member  30  of the front wall  20 . The rear arcuate region  38  accommodate the ends of the rear most rod member  30  of the base wall  18 . The arcuate regions  36 ,  38  permit relative rotational or pivotal movement of the respective rod members  30  and the arcuate regions  36 ,  38  during movement between the operative and inoperative condition of the basket section  12  as will be discussed. 
         [0022]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-2 , handle section  16  includes handle bar  40  extending across basket section  12  and a pair of elongated handle elements  42  depending from opposed ends of the handle bar  40 . Handle bar  40  may include a padded or conformable surface dimensioned for engagement by the user. Elongated handle elements  42  are pivotally connected to the upper rod element  30  of side walls  24 . Any of the aforementioned means for effecting the pivotal connection are envisioned. In one embodiment, pivot pins  44  are utilized to connect and permit pivotal or rotational movement about the pins. A front control wheel or roller  46  is mounted to each lower end of handle elements  42 . Rollers  46  are multidirectional and may pivot about a vertical axis to permit maneuvering of the apparatus  10 . 
         [0023]    As best seen in  FIGS. 2-4 , a rectangular support bracket  48  is disposed beneath base wall  12 . Support bracket  48  includes side beams  50  and cross beams  52  extending between the side beams  50  and beneath base wall  18 . The front most cross beam  52  is connected to handle elements  42  with screw threads, nuts, pins or the like ( FIG. 3 ). The rear most cross beam  52  is connected to the base wall  18  with screws or the like (see  FIG. 4 ). Support bracket  48  provides support for base wall  18  during use. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , rear wheels  54  are mounted to rear frame  28  through axle rod  56  which extends between the oblique end segments  28   l  of the frame  28 . A bar-like stopper  58  also extends between and is connected to oblique end segments  28   l  of rear frame  54  adjacent axle rod  56 . Stopper  58  stabilizes platform section  14  as will be discussed. 
         [0025]    As best depicted in  FIG. 4 , platform section  14  defines a generally L-shape in plan view having front bar  60 , opposed side bars  62  extending from the front bar  60 , vertical bars  64  depending upwardly from the opposed side bars  62  and rear support bar  66  adjacent the lower surface of base wall  18  (see also  FIG. 3 ). Platform section  14  is connected to rear frame  28  with a rod  68  or the like extending through the opposed vertical segments  28   v  of rear frame  28 , and rear support bar  66 . Platform section  14  may pivot relative to rear frame  28  about axel rod  68 . Platform section  14  further includes support bars  70  extending between side bars  62  for supporting the luggage or large box. Vertical bars  64  contact stopper bar  58  mounted to rear frame  28  to position platform section  14  at a desired orientation for moving the luggage. 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , apparatus  10  further includes a lock  72  which is securable to rear wall  28  and/or front wall  26 . Lock  72  may define an element having opposed arcuate openings  74  connected through a bridge  76 . Arcuate openings  74  operatively engage rod elements  30  on each of the front and rear walls  26 ,  28  to retain the walls  26 ,  28  in juxtaposed relation as shown in  FIG. 3 . Other lock arrangements are also envisioned including hooks, clamps or the like. Releasable engagement may be achieved through a snap or frictional fit between the components. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 7-11  illustrate use of the apparatus  10 . In  FIG. 7 , apparatus  10  includes basket section  12  in the operative condition to receive goods, groceries or the like. Platform section  14  may also be utilized for support of other items.  FIG. 8  illustrates the first step in converting apparatus  10  to the hand truck capability. As shown, front wall  26  is lifted in the vertical direction of arrow “m” which causes base wall  18  and front wall  26  to pivot through the provision of arcuate regions  36 ,  38  of side support members  34  with respective rod members  30  of these components as discussed hereinbelow. Front wall  26  is continued to be displaced toward the position depicted in  FIG. 9 . During such movement, handle section  16  pivots about pivot pins  44  mounted to side walls  24  to assume a vertical position depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 10  illustrates apparatus  10  with basket in the folded inoperative condition and platform section  14  in the condition for transporting larger items or luggage. In this position, lock element  72  is secured to respective rod elements  30  of front and rear walls  26 ,  28  to secure the basket section  14  in the folded inoperative condition. Apparatus  10  may then be used as a hand truck with luggage or the like loaded on platform section  14 . Upon completion of use, platform section  14  may be pivoted upwardly about axle  68  to assume the stored condition of  FIG. 11 . 
         [0029]    Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.