Abstract:
A portable cart, for use in camping, hunting and other outdoors activities carries canoes, small boats, game, injured parties or hauled cargo by hand. The portable cart can be converted to a canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, or to a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain, or to a cargo hauling gear cart, all of which can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back. The portable cart can be carried by hand or as a backpack over rough terrain. Its width can be varied to accommodate watercraft of varying widths. The cart has optional removable clamps for clamping a conventional transportable carrier, such as a stretcher or stokes-type rescue carrier bed, thereto. Another optional bicycle pull clamp includes an ant-tipping attachment resisting centrifugal force urging said cart to tip over during a directional turn of the cart-hauling bicycle. It is collapsible, so that it can be disassembled and carried in a canoe or small boat, and then reassembled at another destination along the canoe or boat&#39;s journey.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a portable cart, for use in camping, hunting, search and rescue, and other outdoors activities.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Various carts exist for carrying canoes and small boats by hand. Other outdoors-oriented carts exist for carrying game. In addition, wheelbarrows and small carts are used for transporting gear at outdoors locations. However, none of the existing carts can be converted to a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as a portable canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all of which can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a universally adaptable carrier cart.  
           [0004]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cart for carrying canoes and small boats by hand.  
           [0005]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide an outdoors-oriented cart for carrying game or injured parties.  
           [0006]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a small cart with a well for transporting gear at outdoor locations.  
           [0007]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as a portable canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all of which can be broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.  
           [0008]    It is yet another object to provide a portable cart which is either backpackable or which can be carried by hand.  
           [0009]    It is further another object to provide a portable search and rescue cart adapted to carry a stretcher or other carrier for an injured person such as what is referred to in the industry as a Stokes-type basket or other medical rescue equipment.  
           [0010]    It is yet another object to provide a carrier for transporting military equipment and ordance.  
           [0011]    It is yet another object to provide a cart-hauling clamp for pulling the portable cart behind a bicycle while resisting tipping over of the cart during directional change of the cart-hauling bicycle.  
           [0012]    It is also an object of the present invention to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    In keeping with these objects and others which may be apparent, the present invention relates to a portable cart, for use in camping, hunting search and rescue operations and other outdoors activities for carrying canoes and small boats by hand. It may also carry game, injured parties or be used for transporting gear at outdoors locations. It is a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as a portable canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a carry cart for transporting game or injured parties over long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all of which can be broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.  
           [0014]    The portable cart is under thirty (30) pounds, preferably twenty two (22) to twenty eight (28) pounds, so that it can be carried by hand or within a backpack over rough terrain. It is collapsible, so that it can be disassembled and carried in a canoe or small boat, and then reassembled at another destination along the canoe or boat&#39;s journey.  
           [0015]    To prevent flat tires, its wheels are preferably solid core tires which cannot get flat, with stainless steel bearings, over which the wheels rotate. A typical wheel has two press fit bearings adjacent to an integrally molded hub. While the typical wheel is about 2-3 inches wide, for transporting cargo or game on sand or granular terrain, the wheels may be wider, such as 4-6 inches in width.  
           [0016]    For hardiness, the material of the structural frame components is preferably a lightweight but strong material, such as, for example, 60-61 T6 fully anodized aluminum, or stainless steel.  
           [0017]    The portable cart can hold up to 500 pounds, and for manual pulling easily pulls 300 pounds. The portable cart is durable to carry heavy weight over rough terrain, such as rock-strewn dirt trails or sloping riverbank surfaces.  
           [0018]    To carry a canoe or boat, two horizontal load supports optionally include support cushions upon which the canoe or boat rests. The position of the horizontal load supports can be varied to accommodate various widths of the canoe or boat.  
           [0019]    To function as a game or rescue cart, a frame, such as a pair of U-shaped rails which are joined end to end, is provided upon the horizontal load supports to form a rounded rectangular frame, over which a taunt, but slightly stretchable, bed of fabric is placed, such as canvas or other flexible material, i.e., plastic or netting. The bed includes sewn loops through which portions of the U-shaped rails of the frame are inserted. Other fabric fasteners such as clips, zippers or eyelets can be also used.  
           [0020]    In an alternate embodiment, the boat support cushions are removable from the horizontal load supports and are replaced by a two piece clamp, which attaches by at least one fastener, such as a pair of screws, to the horizontal load supports of the cart. Conventional stretchers or personal rescue carriers, such as Stokes-type baskets, are clamped to the cart within the clamps on each respective horizontal load support. In this embodiment, the boat support cushions are attached to a thin plate, such as of ⅛ inch aluminum or otherwise, which has at least one fastener such as a pair of threaded studs, insertable with the respective hole or holes in the horizontal load supports, so that the boat support cushions can be removed and replaced by the stretcher-bearing clamps.  
           [0021]    To function as a wagon cart with a well for carrying gear, a hollow fabric well, such as of canvas, is draped between said horizontal load members and over and around the front and rear U-shaped brackets. A cover may be provided to cover the gear therein. The well and cover can also be made of other suitable flexible materials, such as plastic, netting or canvas.  
           [0022]    Kickstands may be optionally provided to stabilize the portable cart during rest or during loading of contents thereon.  
           [0023]    In yet another embodiment, an anti-tipping bicycle attachment is provided to attach the cart to a bicycle while preventing the cart from turning over during transportation.  
           [0024]    Furthermore, the cart of the present invention can be disassembled and broken down for hand held or back pack transport and it can easily be assembled for its varied uses. Moreover, when a boat or canoe is carried, the cart has a precision balance feature that rotates the wheels to maintain the cart in a horizontal stable position.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    The present invention can best be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the basic cart embodiment broken down for transport within and on the storage backpack;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backpack on a user, with the cart contained therein;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is an exploded inverted perspective view of the basic cart embodiment components, disassembled from their original transport configuration;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled boat cart;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled cart with a boat fastened for transport;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the components required to assemble the boat cart;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective of a typical wheel, showing two press fit bearings adjacent an integrally molded hub;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an axle locking member, installed on the assembled axle;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9 is a sectional elevation view, taken through lines  9 - 9  of FIG. 8, showing the locking member compressing and locking the axle joint;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat cart in its resting position, with a boat hull contacting the raised edge;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat cart with the boat hull positioned and fully installed, illustrating the precision balancing feature of the cart;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembled alternate embodiment cart, for hunting/gaming applications;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the inverted gaming cart, illustrating the framework fastening method;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the gaming cart, illustrating the attachment of the stretcher canvas material to the framework components;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment of the handlebar component to the locking receptacles on the framework;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 16 is a sectional elevation view, taken through lines  16 - 16  of FIG. 15, showing the locking receptacles acting on the installed leg of the handlebar;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the gaming cart, with a deer fastened for transport;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a further embodiment, a cart for transporting cargo, equipped with optional wide tires and axle for use on sand or granular terrain;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a fully loaded cargo cart, with the cover material partially cutaway to reveal its contents;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the cargo cart, illustrating the attachment of the canvas material to the framework components;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 21 is another exploded perspective detail view of the components for a stretcher hauling clamp of an alternate embodiment for a search and rescue cart;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the clamp embodiment shown in FIG. 21, showing the sliding action of the clamp therein, for quick removal of the stretcher therefrom;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the portable cart of the present invention, showing the clamp as in FIGS. 21 and 22 carrying a rescue stretcher;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the portable cart carrying a Stokes-type personal rescue carrier;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 25 is an exploded view of components of a further alternate embodiment for a support for removal of a boat support cushion therefrom;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for a hunting cart with an accessory racking system for transport of hunting gear, such as a tree stand chair, archery implements and firearms thereon;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 27 is an exploded detail view of a quick release clamp for rail fastening to the cart shown in FIG. 26;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 28 is an assembled elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 27 attached to a rail;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of a typical clamp for gear support for the cart as in FIG. 26;  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an anti-tipping attachment for connecting a bicycle to the portable cart of the present invention; and  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective of the components of FIG. 30.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0057]    As shown in the drawing FIGS.  1 - 20 , the present invention is directed to foldable cart  1 , for carrying a boat, such as a canoe, which can also function as a game cart or a wagon for carrying gear in outdoor field applications.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 1 shows cart  1  in a disassembled storage position with a pair of horizontal load support members  10  laid parallel adjacent to each other, supporting wheels  30  thereon. Wheels  30  are secured in place by a transverse connecting rod  31  through wheel hubs  30   a  and by one or more load securing straps  50 . Disassembled storage cart  1  is inserted within carry bag  120 , which includes ledge  121  and fabric loops  122  for holding bracket members  60 ,  70  and handle  80  outside of carry bag  120 .  
         [0059]    To transport portable cart  1  by hand carry straps  124   a  are attached to carry bag  120 . Conversely as shown in FIG. 2, to transport portable cart  1  upon the back of a user, carry straps  124  are attached to carry bag  120 , which supports portable cart  1  in a weight bearing manner, or else horizontal support members  10  are inverted to support portable cart  1  in a weight bearing manner, and carry bag  120  covers portable cart  1  in a non-weight bearing manner.  
         [0060]    To be disassembled in a carry position, U-shaped brackets  60 ,  70 , kickstand members  40 , wheels  30  and axle members  32  are inversely attached to horizontal load supports  10  to comprise a folded manually transportable cart.  
         [0061]    As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3, in the storage position, cart  1  includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart inverted horizontal load support members  10 . Support members  10  each have a front end  10   a  and a rear end  10   b . The front and rear ends  10   a ,  10   b  each have at least one axially placed receptacle aperture  12  extending longitudinally within each load support member  10 , for holding structural components therethrough in a storage position, such as axle members  32  for wheels  30 . In this storage position, axle members  32  are also inserted within aperture of  33  of axle connector  34 .  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 3 also shows horizontal load support members  10  having preferably a generally upside down U-shaped configuration when viewed in cross-section, wherein a generally flat member  10   c  has downwardly extending flanges  10   d,    10   e  including one or more linearly extending slots  10   f  for insertion of holding straps  50  therein.  
         [0063]    While size may vary, support member  10  is preferably sixteen (16) inches long and two and a quarter (2.25) inches wide. Each flange  10   d,    10   e  extends down about one (1) inch from flat member  10   c.  Slots  10   f  are preferably 2.125 inches wide and 0.1875 inches high, to accommodate straps  50 , such as, for example, standard 2-inch wide fabric straps.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 3 also shows horizontal load support members  10  being respectively demountably attached to a pair of vertical struts  20 , having apertures  21  and  22 . FIG. 4 shows vertical struts  20  optionally having at least one small hole  22 , such as kickstand receptacle aperture  22 , for insertion of optional kickstand  40  therein. Kickstand  40  is secured in place by a fastener, such as nylon set screw  37 . Set screws  37  also hold axle members  32  in the storage position through vertical struts  20 .  
         [0065]    Vertical struts  20  are preferably made from 1½×2-inch solid bar stock anodized aluminum, or stainless steel. Vertical struts  20  are preferably about 10.25 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1½ inches in depth.  
         [0066]    Also shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of larger holes  21 , such as holes which are 0.765 or 1.625 inches in diameter, are located on a front side of vertical strut  20 . Smaller hole  22  on the bottom accommodates kickstand  40 , which is preferably a hollow aluminum tube of 0.75-inch diameter and 16 inches in length.  
         [0067]    Larger holes  21  within vertical strut  20  are provided for weight reduction of portable cart  1 .  
         [0068]    On a side  23  transverse to the front  24  of each vertical strut  20 , at a lower portion  20   a  thereof, is provided a further hole  25  of about 1-inch in diameter for insertion of each axle member  32  therethrough. Hole  25  has a permanently affixed, bushing  26  therein, such as a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) bushing, to prevent wear and tear of each aluminum axle member  32  by the aluminum surface of hole  25 .  
         [0069]    As also shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and  6 , each wheel  30  is demountably attached at an end, respectively, to a pair of axle members  32 , with axle members  32  extending inwardly from and demountably attached to lower portion  20   a  of said respective vertical struts  20 , wherein axle members  32  are in a transverse relationship to horizontal load support members  10 . Fasteners,  36 , such as cotter pins, hold each wheel  30  upon each axle  32 . Each axle member  32  is received within each hole  25 , of each lower portion  20   a  of each vertical strut  20 . A compression groove  27  exists from the underside of vertical strut  20  to hole  25  and continues to further through hole  27   a , providing for compression of lower portion  20   a  of vertical strut  20 .  
         [0070]    To accommodate cargo, such as watercraft of varying widths, the distance between vertical struts  20  can be varied along the axle length by loosening and tightening the tightening member  28  and moving vertical struts  20  laterally apart or towards each other along axle members  32 .  
         [0071]    Although optionally a one piece axle may be used (not shown), preferably the pair of axle members  32  are held in opposite axial orientation by straight rigid axle connector  34 . Axle connector  34  has tightening member  35 , and a pair of receptacles  33  at the respective two ends of axle connector  34 , so that axle members  32  respectively extend outwardly from, and are demountably attached within, said axle connector receptacle bore  33 .  
         [0072]    While the axle may be optionally a one-piece axle (not shown), preferably the pair of connected oppositely extending axle members  32  form an axle for wheels  30 .  
         [0073]    Each axle member  32  is made of solid round stock of anodized aluminum or stainless steel, approximately 0.75 inches in diameter. At the wheel-supporting end  32   a , the diameter is about 0.59 inches in diameter with shoulders  32   b  of about 0.08 inches in height, transverse to the axis of axle member  32 . These shoulders  32   b  provide a resting surface to prevent axial movement of wheel  30  upon axle member  32 .  
         [0074]    As shown in FIG. 7, each wheel  30  rotates about press fit bearings  32   b,  while each wheel  30  is positioned upon each respective axle member  32  of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 6, at the opposite end of one axle member  32 , there is provided a hollow, threaded recess  32   c  of about 0.75 inches deep, to accommodate a connecting threaded member  32   d  of other axle member  32 , to axially connect both axle members  32  together within axle connector  34 , with a wheel  30  at each end.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIGS. 8 and 9 show how axle connector  34  is compensated along groove  38 , thereby locking axle members  32  within bushing  39 , which is within receptacle bore  33  of axle connector  34 , by tightening of tightening bolt  35   a  of tightening member  35 . Preferably bushing  39  is a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) bushing. Groove  38  is preferably {fraction (1/16)} to ⅛ inch, in width, which allows for the compression of axle connector  34  around axle members  32 . Tightening bolt  35   a  is inserted within a conventional receptacle which is a through hole at the proximal end and which is tapped with threaded grooves at the distal end, to allow for compression of axle connector  34 .  
         [0076]    [0076]FIGS. 4 and 6 also show at least one kickstand  40 , preferably a pair, respectively extending horizontally rearward from each lower portion of vertical struts  20 . Each kickstand member  40  extends rearwardly from the at least one kickstand receptacle aperture  22  of respective vertical struts  20  and each kickstand  40  is demountably attached within each respective kickstand receptacle aperture  22 . Each kickstand member  40  is preferably contoured so as to contact the ground to stabilize portable cart  1  is a parked position of rest.  
         [0077]    As shown in FIG. 5, to hold a canoe, game or cargo in place upon cart  1 , one or more adjustable load-securing straps  50  are slidably attached to both respective horizontal load supports  10  in a transverse relationship to load supports  10 . Straps  50  are preferably reinforced flexible canvas straps of about 2 inches in width.  
         [0078]    To complete portable cart  1  as a canoe or boat cart, FIG. 4 shows support cushions  13  mounted upon respective horizontal load supports  10 . Support cushions  13  are flexible, such as of rubber or foam, to support the weight of boat  2  thereon.  
         [0079]    [0079]FIGS. 10 and 11 show the precision balancing of boat  2  upon cart  1 , wherein the placement of boat  2  upon cart  1  causes cart  1  to rotate from a position of rest in FIG. 10 to a horizontal load position of FIG. 11, in the direction of the arrow.  
         [0080]    FIGS.  12 - 17  show how to convert portable cart  1  into a game cart. FIGS.  18 - 20  show how to convert cart  1  into a cargo wagon with a hollow well. First, in either situation, carry frame  55  is secured to horizontal load supports  10 . Although a one piece, generally rectangular frame (not shown) may be used, preferably frame  55  includes a pair of U-shaped brackets  60 ,  70  joinable together to form frame  55 .  
         [0081]    Alternatively a clamp maybe provided to horizontal load supports  10  to carry a frame of a discrete transportable carrier directly thereon, as disclosed hereinafter with respect to FIGS.  21 - 24 . In that case, instead of the frame being integrally part of the portable chart, as in FIGS.  12 - 17 , in FIGS.  21 - 24 , the frame is clamped to the horizontal load supports  10  of portable cart  1 .  
         [0082]    Meanwhile further with respect to FIGS.  12 - 17 , U-shaped front bracket  60  extends horizontally forward from front-end receptacle apertures  12  of horizontal load supports  10 , wherein front bracket  60  is demountably attached within front-end receptacle apertures  12  at one end of horizontal load supports  10 .  
         [0083]    U-shaped rear bracket  70  extends horizontally rearward from oppositely positioned rear end receptacle apertures  12  of horizontal load supports  10  and rear bracket  70  is demountably attached within each oppositely positioned rear end receptacle aperture  12  of horizontal load supports  10 .  
         [0084]    [0084]FIG. 13 shows how frame  55  is secured to cart  1 . Each distal end of U-shaped front bracket  60  is inserted through apertures in respective ends  10   b  of horizontal supports  10  until each distal end engages a corresponding hole in each vertical support  20 , where they are held in place by pins  29 . Pins  29  engage lateral holes  18  in horizontal supports  10  and corresponding through holes  19  in distal ends of U shaped brackets  60 . Likewise, each distal end of U-shaped rear bracket  70  is inserted through apertures in respective ends  10   a  of horizontal supports  10  until each distal end engages a corresponding hole in each vertical support  20 , where it is also held in place by a pin  29 . Pins  29  engage lateral holes  18  in horizontal supports  10  and corresponding through holes  19  in distal ends of U shaped brackets  60 ,  70  of frame  55 .  
         [0085]    U-shaped brackets  60 ,  70  are preferably of hollow, anodized aluminum tubing of about 0.75 inches in diameter. The length of each distally extending side member thereof is about 23.50 inches and the width of the cross bar connecting the distal side members is about 21.63 inches. About 0.75 inches from each distal end is a scoring, to accommodate a clamp thereon, to form frame  55 .  
         [0086]    As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15 for pulling or pushing game or cargo upon portable cart  1 , handle  80  extends rearwardly at an upward angle from joints  71  of either U-shaped rear bracket  70  for pushing portable cart  1 , or from front U-shaped bracket  60  for pulling portable cart  1  (not shown). Furthermore, handle  80  may be permanently attached to either U-shaped bracket  60  or  70 , or handle  80  may be removable and demountably attached to either front U-shaped bracket  60  or rear U-shaped bracket  70 . Handle  80  has preferably two aluminum tubing connecting members about 22.5 inches in length, connected by a hand accommodating transverse bar of solid aluminum, and is 17.5 inches in width. Handle  80  includes connectors  81 , having distal sleeves, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sleeves  82 , permanently affixed thereto, which are insertable within joints  71  by locking member  72 , having threaded member  72   a  which passes through bore  71   a  of joint  71  and bore  81   a  of handle  80 . Compression groove  73  exists in joint  71 , providing compression of joint  71 .  
         [0087]    Handle  80  may optionally have an auxiliary extension member and clamp (not shown), so that it can be attached to the rear frame of a bicycle (not shown), to pull portable cart  1 .  
         [0088]    To carry game  3 , as shown in FIG. 17, or to carry an injured person in a rescue operation, FIG. 12 shows portable cart  1  having fabric stretcher  100  stretched tautly between horizontal load members  10  and preferably mounted over and around front and rear U-shaped brackets  60  and  70  of frame  55 , by threading brackets  60 ,  70  through fasteners such as sewn-in loops  102  of fabric stretcher  100 , which may alternatively be made of plastic or other taut load bearing material. Other types of fasteners can be used. For example, FIG. 14 shows that loop  102   a  is openable, and closed by fastener, such as zipper fastener  102   b.    
         [0089]    As also shown in FIG. 12, handle  80  may include a pair of posts extending obliquely off of a horizontal axis of portable cart  1 , wherein a head rest cushion extends between the posts to support the head and neck of an injured person being transported upon stretcher  100 .  
         [0090]    FIGS.  18 - 20  show that to carry cargo, hollow fabric cargo well  110  is attached in the same manner to frame  55 . Hollow cargo well  110  may also alternatively be made of plastic or other taut load bearing material, and covered by cover  112 . FIGS. 18 and 19 also show wider wheels  130  for use on sand or granular terrain.  
       Assembly and Disassembly  
       [0091]    For making a canoe cart from the disassembled portable cart  1 , wheel retaining members, such as cotter pins  36 , are taken out of axle members  32  in their stored position, and wheels  30  come out. Axle members  32  are then removed from between vertical struts  20 . The axle members  32  are then clamped in a horizontal use position into receptacles  33  of rigid axle connector  34 . Axle members are inserted between vertical struts  20  and locked in place. Wheels  30  are placed upon axle members  32  and secured by cotter pins  36 . Kickstand  40  is loosened from its rest position and placed in place in receptacles within vertical struts  20 . Canoe supporting cushions  13  are installed upon horizontal load supports  10  to support a canoe or boat thereupon. Straps  50  hold the canoe or boat installed upon cushions  13  in a secure transportable position.  
         [0092]    To convert portable cart  1  into a game cart or a rescue cart, kickstands  40  are removed and fabric stretcher  100  is installed on U-shaped frame members  60 ,  70  of frame  55  frames by fasteners such as sewn loops  102  thereof. U-shaped frame members  60 ,  70  are placed on horizontal load supports  10 , and kickstand members  40  are installed as braces for fabric stretcher  100 . Straps  50  are then installed to securely hold game or an injured party upon stretcher  100 . Then handle  80  is installed upon U-shaped bracket  60  or  70  of frame  55  to pull or push portable cart  1 .  
         [0093]    To convert portable cart  1  into a wagon to haul cargo, fabric stretcher  100  is removed and hollow well  110  is installed over U-shaped members  60 ,  70  of frame  55 .  
         [0094]    To make the portable chart  1  portable again, the components are disassembled in reverse into bag  120 . Strap or straps  50  are used as a carry handle or for backpack shoulder loops.  
         [0095]    As shown in FIGS.  21 - 24 , to convert portable cart  1  to a disabled person-bearing transportable carrier cart for search and rescue operations, support cushions  13  are removable from horizontal load supports  10  and replaced by clamping assembly  200 , comprised of lower jaw  202 , and upper jaw  204 , each having longitudinally extending recesses  206  and  208  therein to grip perimeter frame rails of a load supporting transportable carrier, such as stretcher  230  therebetween as shown in FIG. 23.  
         [0096]    Lower jaw  202  of clamping assembly  200  includes an engaging surface  210  with threaded studs  212  which are inserted into through-holes  214  of load supports  10 , and permanently locked with nuts  216 . Upper jaw  204  is provided with a pair of oblong through-slots,  218 , to allow upper jaw  204  to slide on upper surface of lower jaw  202 , when threaded T-handles  220  are loosened. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 22 this sliding action allows for quick removal of any stretcher frame rail secured between jaw assembly  200 .  
         [0097]    [0097]FIGS. 23 and 24 are perspective views of a typical stretcher  230 , and a Stokes-type rescue basket  240 , securely clamped to portable cart  1  utilizing the previously described clamping assembly  200 .  
         [0098]    As shown in FIG. 25 in this embodiment, instead of being permanently attached to each horizontal load support  10 , removable support cushion  13  is permanently attached to removable plate  302  with an adhesive  304 . This cushion assembly is removably attachable by nuts  316  and threaded studs  312 , to each horizontal load support  10 .  
         [0099]    [0099]FIG. 26 illustrates portable cart  1 , outfitted with a plurality of racking assemblies  400 , each comprising a rail clamp  410 , an upstanding post  424 , and a hanger clamp  430 . Rack assembly  400 , when used in conjunction with additional rack assemblies  400 , allows for transportation and quick removal of essential hunting gear such as a chair stand  440 , archery equipment  441 , and rifle  442 . Other related items such as knapsacks and bedrolls may be supported by rack assembly  400 , as well. Rack assembly  400  is easily disassembled from cart  1  upon reaching a chosen destination, and the components are conveniently transported within cart  1 &#39;s storage backpack, such as carry bag  120  shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0100]    Also illustrated in FIG. 26 are stabilizing assemblies  450  and  460 . Assembly  450  makes use of post  420 , which is friction-fit into an inverted rail clamp  410 . Assembly  460  comprises an inverted tubular sleeve  462 , optionally permanently welded to the handle assembly crosspiece. Sleeve  462  accepts post  424  in a similar fashion to rail clamp  410 . These assemblies  450   460  serve to brace the cart  1  when it is parked.  
         [0101]    Turning to FIG. 27, which is highlighted in FIG. 26, an exploded perspective close-up detail view of rail clamp  410  is presented. Clamping block  411  is provided with a bore  412  to receive post  424 , an attachment face  413  including a semi bore  414 , and notch  415 , and threaded bore  416 . Plate  417  includes semi bore  418 , through hole  419 , and protruding rib  420 .  
         [0102]    As shown in FIG. 28, when threaded knob  422  is inserted into hole  419  of plate  417  and tightened into threaded bore  416  of block  411 , clamping is achieved against frame member  60 . Rib  420  is secured within notch  415  by a camming action in the direction of arrow “A”.  
         [0103]    [0103]FIG. 29 shows cantilevered hanger clamp  430 , poised to slide down upstanding post  424 . Hanger clamp  430  is provided with a bore  431  which is notched in a similar manner to clamping receptacles  71  of the handle assembly. The notch separates the body of hanger clamp  430  into two walls. Threaded knob  422  will compress the walls surrounding the notch, thereby tightening bore  431  around post  424 . L-shaped region  432  is integrally formed with the body of the hanger clamp, and provides a strong an durable support for transporting hunting or other gear.  
         [0104]    [0104]FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an anti-tipping linkage  500  which couples cart  1  to a bicycle. Linkage  500  counteracts cart roll-over caused by centrifugal force as the bicycle negotiates turns.  
         [0105]    [0105]FIG. 31 illustrates the components of linkage  500 . Bicycle seat-stem compression clamp  510  is formed of a body portion  511 , and plate  512 , fastened by screws  513 . Bore  514  is angled so that clamp  510  remains perpendicular when installed on a typical bicycle seat-stem. Clamp  510  is provided with a bore  515  on rear face  516 , which accepts a shaft  520 . Pin  517  passes through clamp and fixes shaft  520  via a through-bore. Shaft  520  includes through-bore  522  at its distal end. Another through-bore  523  is provided slightly proximal of aperture  522 . When shaft  520  is inserted into coil spring  530 , hooked leg  531  of the spring will fit into bore  522 . A sliding collar  524  will then extend over leg  531  to prevent pull-out, and a pin  526  will be fitted into collar hole  525 , and into bore  523  of the shaft  520 , thereby securing the collar to the shaft and preventing removal of the coil spring.  
         [0106]    A shaft  540  is provided for the opposite end of coil spring  530 . Hooked leg  532  fits into bore  542  of the shaft, and collar  544  slides over and is fixed by pin  546 , fitted into collar hole  535  and shaft bore  543 .  
         [0107]    Support rails  550  and  551  are fixed to handle clamps  71  of cart  1 . The rails are bent into an inverted V configuration, and permanently affixed to block  552 . Block  552  is provided with bore  553 , into which the free end of shaft  540  is fitted. Pin  555  is inserted into through bore  554  of block  552 , and passes through bore  547  of shaft  540 , creating the continuous, secure anti-tipping linkage  500  between cart  1  and a bicycle. It is understood that during maneuvers of the bicycle, there will be no problems associated with a typical universal or pivot joint; the coil spring will absorb and disperse any rotational stresses, and will react as a 360° “living hinge”.  
         [0108]    It is further noted that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.