Abstract:
A foldable transport device includes a center frame, side frames each pivotably connected to the center frame at opposite sides thereof for angular movement to a folded position where the side frames folded over the center frame and to an unfolded position; and cross members releasably secured to and extending between the side frames when the frames are unfolded. A cover, supported on the frames, may be used to provide a sheltered a space within the unfolded frame. The side frames function as runners in the unfolded position and have wheels for use in the folded position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a combination carrier and campsite shelter that functions as a sled for transporting a person and equipment, a dolly for carrying equipment on wheels, and an outdoor shelter of the type used when hunting game and ice fishing. The device is readily towed by a person or a vehicle, and provides a seat for use in transit and at a campsite.  
         [0002]     Ice fishers and hunters often fish and hunt in remote locations that are not accessible by motor vehicle. Transporting heavy equipment is inconvenient and laborious especially on ice and snow covered ground. It is desirable when traveling on foot in relatively remote areas under such conditions to use a carrier supported on wheels or runners capable of carrying equipment. The carrier, which transports a person&#39;s equipment for hunting and fishing, preferably should be able to fold to a compact size for easier handling when not in use.  
         [0003]     Folding, ground-supported, manually transportable carriers to assist hunters and fishers with equipment are known and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,504,924; 5,295,556; and 5,897,131. It is desirable that such structures be easy to fold and unfold; yet be robust and rugged when assembled. The carrier should be lightweight to facilitate load carrying and should be able to be towed by a vehicle and pushed or drawn manually.  
         [0004]     Preferably, a carrier would provide shelter from cold and windy conditions usually present during ice fishing and hunting seasons. The carrier should provide a seat for use during transport and at a campsite. The device should be easy to convert from use as a sled, a wheeled carrier, and a shelter.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The invention relates to a folding ground supported carrier that is easily converted to a covered shelter having a seat. The device can stand vertically on a stabilized support and is enclosed by a cover supported on a frame assembly. The carrier can be tipped over for use as a sled and, in that position can be hitched to a vehicle, such as an all-terrain vehicle. The device can be folded and supported on wheels for use as a carrier, and hitched in the folded condition to a vehicle. Due to its tubular frame construction and light weight, the device can be readily pulled or pushed by a person without mechanical assistance.  
         [0006]     In realizing these and other advantages, a foldable, transport device according to this invention includes a center frame, side frames each pivotably connected to the center frame at opposite sides thereof for angular movement to a folded position where the side frames are folded over the center frame, and to an unfolded position; and cross members secured to and extending between the side frames when the frames are unfolded. A cover, supported on the frames, may be used to provide a sheltered space within the unfolded frame.  
         [0007]     Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric side view of a transport device according to the present invention with the frame unfolded and positioned vertically;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one of the side frames shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIGS. 3A, 3B  and  3 C are front, side and top views, respectively, of the center frame shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the device shown in  FIG. 1  showing the side frames folded;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is an isometric side view of the device shown in  FIG. 1  with the frame unfolded and positioned horizontally and including a platform;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is side view of a seat for use with the device shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary top view of the central portion of the device at an area  7  shown in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary side view of the central portion shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a rear view of one of the wheel axles of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a cover for enclosing the frame of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a fragmentary side view showing the device of Figure in a horizontal position supported on rails for use as a sled and hitched to a vehicle; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a fragmentary side view of the device of  FIG. 1  in the folded condition supported on wheels and hitched to a vehicle. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1 a  device supported on wheels or runners for transporting a person and equipment and providing a personal shelter of the type used when hunting or fishing. The device has a structural frame assembly that includes a center frame  10  and two side frames  12 ,  14 , which are supported on the center frame  10  for pivotal movement between an expanded or unfolded position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a retracted or folded position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The frames  10 ,  12 ,  14  extend longitudinally between a first or upper end and a second or lower end in the upright position of the device shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  4  and  10 .  
         [0022]     The side frames  12 ,  14  are formed of bent cylindrical tubing having a circular cross section. A rail  24  of the side frame  12  passes through upper and lower pivot tubes  18  and  22 ; a rail  26  of the side frame  14  passes through upper and lower pivot tubes  16  and  20 . The pivot tubes are welded to washers  23  located above and below each pivot tube. The rail  24  includes a leg  28  at the second end that extends below the pivot tube  22  and supports a wheel  30  on an axle for rotation on the leg  28 . Similarly, the rail  26  includes a leg  32  at the second end that extends below the pivot tube  20  and supports a wheel  34  on an axle for rotation on the leg  32 . The side frame  12  includes a lower rail  36 , and the side frame  14  includes a lower rail  38 . The lower rail  38  of the side frame  14  terminates in a transverse strut  40 , which is welded to the upper rail  26  at the leg  32 . The lower rail  36  of the side frame  12  also terminates in a transverse strut  42 , which is welded to the upper rail  24  at the leg  28 . The side frame  14  includes struts  44 ,  45 ,  46 , arranged parallel to the strut  40  and welded to the rails  26  and  38 . Similarly, the side frame  12  includes struts  48 ,  49 ,  50 , arranged parallel to the strut  42  and welded at each end to the rails  24  and  36 .  
         [0023]     At the first end of the device, the side frame  12  includes a forward strut  70 , extending between the rails  24  and  36  and being stabilized and secured to the rail  24  by a strut  71 . The strut  70  extends transversely from the upper end of the rail  24  and then angles downwardly to join the upper end of the rail  36 . The rail  24 , the forward strut  70 , the rail  36  and the strut  42  can be formed from a single piece of tubing. The side rail  14  includes a forward strut  72 , extending between the rails  26  and  38  and being stabilized and secured to the rail  26  by a strut  73 . The strut  72  extends transversely from the upper end of the rail  26  and then angles downwardly to join the upper end of the rail  38 . The rail  26 , the forward strut  72 , the rail  38  and the strut  40  can be formed from a single piece of tubing. The lower legs  32 ,  28  are each stabilized by a gusset  74 ,  76  respectively. The strut  46  carries two posts  52 ,  53 , welded to the strut  46  and extending in a forward or upward direction. Similarly, the strut  50  carries two posts  54 ,  55 , welded to the strut  50 , extending in a forward or upward direction, and aligned, respectively, with the posts  52 ,  53 . When the frame assembly is unfolded and standing upright for use as a shelter, the position shown in  FIG. 1 , the side rails  12 ,  14  are interconnected by tubular arms  56 ,  58 , which engage the posts  52  through  55  on the struts  46 ,  50 . The upper struts  70 ,  72  of the side frames  12 ,  14  are interconnected also by a bar  60  at the first or upper end of the device.  
         [0024]     The strut  44  carries a tube  62 , secured by a weld to the strut  44  and by a gusset  63  to the rail  38 . The strut  48  carries a tube  64 , secured by a weld to the strut  48  and by a gusset  65  to the rail  36 . The lower struts  40 ,  42 , have secured to them tubes  66 ,  68 , respectively, which are secured to the associated rails  38  or  36  by a gusset  67  or  69 , respectively. When the frame assembly is unfolded and resting on the rails  36 ,  38  for use as a sled, the position shown in  FIG. 5 , the side rails  12 ,  14  are interconnected by inserting one of the tubular arms  56  in the forward tubes  62 ,  64 , and by inserting the other tubular arm  58  in the rear tubes  66 ,  68 .  
         [0025]     Turning now to  FIGS. 3A-3C , the center frame  10  includes a longitudinal center rail  78 , an upper transverse rail  79  and a lower transverse rail  80 . Preferably each of the rails  78  through  80  is formed of square tubing, and the transverse rails  79 ,  80  are secured by welds to the center rail  78 , where the attachment is stabilized and strengthened by gusset plates  82 . The transverse rail  79  includes a post  84 , aligned with the rail  78 ; the transverse rail  80  also supports a post  86 , which is aligned with the post  84 . The rail  80  also carries a handle  88  that extends away from the rail  80  in the opposite direction from the location of the post  86 . Each axial end of the transverse rail  79  is welded to one of the pivot tubes  16 ,  18 . Opposite axial ends of the transverse rail  80  are welded to the tubes  20 ,  22 .  
         [0026]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an assembly for securing the side frames in the folded position at the forward and rearward posts  84 ,  86 . When the frame assembly is folded, the side frames  12 ,  14  are secured against movement relative to the center frame  10  by placing a pair of plates  110  over the side frames such that each of the plates overlaps the side frames  12 ,  14 . The plate  110  has a hole through which one of the posts  84  or  86  is inserted, thereby bringing the plate into contact with the folded side frames. Each post  84 ,  86  is formed with a transverse hole  114 . Then a D-pin  112  is inserted through the lateral hole  114  formed in each post. The D-pin  112  has a head  116  that carries a pivoting strap  118 . When the D-pin  112  is inserted in the hole  114 , the strap  118  is passed over the end of the shank of the D-pin  112  that is opposite the head  116 . This secures the D-pin  112  in position on the post  84 ,  86 , retains the plate  110  in its position, and prevents the side frames from pivoting relative to the center frame  10 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  shows the details of the attachment of a typical wheel axle  104  to the leg  32 , the gusset  74  and the strut  40 . A head  106  of the axle  104  is welded at  108  to the gusset  74  and the strut  40 . A shank  120  of the axle  104  is relieved locally at  122  to conform to the contour of the leg  32  and is welded to the leg. A jam nut  124 , fitted over threads  126  and a shank portion  128 , is welded to the axle at  130 . The wheel  34  is supported for rotation on the shank portion  128  and is secured to the axle  104  by a threaded nut (not shown) engaging the threads  126 .  
         [0028]     In operation, the frame assembly is folded into the position shown in  FIG. 4  by removing the bar  60  and the arms  58 ,  56  from the frames. The side frames  12 ,  14  pivot with respect to the center frame  10  due to rotation of the rails  24 ,  26  within the pivot tubes  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 , such that the side frames  12 ,  14  lie across the center frame  10  on the side from which the posts  84  and  86  are located. When the frame is folded, the wheels  30 ,  34  become aligned with the rails  24 ,  26  so that the device can be towed or pushed while supported on the wheels.  
         [0029]     The frame assembly can be tipped over from the vertical position of  FIG. 1  to the horizontal position of  FIG. 5  for use as a sled supported on rails  36 ,  38 . When the frame assembly is in the position of  FIG. 5 , the arms  56 ,  58  will have been removed from their engagement with the posts  52 ,  54  and  53 ,  55  and are relocated so that one arm  56  is inserted in the tubes  62 ,  64  and the other arm  58  is inserted the tubes  66 ,  68 . The first or upper end of the device is now a forward end and the second or lower end is now a rearward end. A platform  90  can be supported on the rails  24 ,  26  and  78  and on transverse rails  79 ,  80 . Attachment holes  91  are provided at opposite ends of the transverse rails  79 ,  80  and at the midpoint of the center rail  78  of the center frame  10 . The platform  90  is secured by removable fasteners (not shown) that extend through corresponding attachment holes  92  in the platform and the attachment holes  91  in the rails. The platform  90  is formed with two larger holes  93  for carrying two large buckets (not shown), corners  95  that are relieved to accommodate the pivot tubes  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and slots  100  that accept the arms of the handle  88 . The platform  90  has four smaller holes  97  to receive clamping spools  94 ,  96  located on the underside of a seat  98 , shown in  FIG. 6 , which is supported on the upper surface of the platform. The clamping spools  94 ,  96  are secured to the platform  90  by suitable attachments (not shown) to releasable secure the seat  98  on the platform. A suitable seat  98  for use with the device is the folding stadium seat available commercially from MATPRO having product number Q23-1164.  
         [0030]     The frame assembly can also be used unfolded and upright as a shelter by placing a cover, such as a fitted cover  102  of  FIG. 10 , over the top, sides and back of the unfolded frame assembly, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Preferably holes  103  are dug in the ground or drilled in ice to receive the wheels  30 ,  34  so that the struts  40 ,  42  are supported on the surface of the ice or ground. Then the legs  28 ,  32  and wheels  30 ,  34  are placed in the holes to stabilize the covered frame assembly. The cross members  56 ,  58  are used to support the chair  98 , whose clamping spools  94 ,  96  engage the cross members ( FIG. 6 ), with the cross members in the position shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  shows the transport device tipped over for use as a sled and hitched at its forward end by an attachment  132  on the bar  60  to a vehicle V, such as an all-terrain vehicle.  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  shows the device folded, supported on its wheels  30 ,  34  for use as a dolly, and hitched to the vehicle V. Due to its tubular frame construction and light weight, the device can be readily pulled or pushed by a person without powered assistance.  
         [0033]     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.