Abstract:
The present invention encompasses both apparatuses and methods for providing capabilities of facilitating utilitarian functions that are flexible in both their configuration and circumstances of utilization. In various embodiments, this multi-functional utility system is capable of being manually transportable, compactable, customizable, and is capable of operation in a variety of settings. In certain representative embodiments, the present invention includes folding legs, a base utility portion, a supplementary utility portion that is moveable relative to the base utility portion, and an assembly for arresting the motion of the supplementary utility portion, relative to the base utility portion. The supplementary utility portion is capable of assuming at least one closed disposition and at least one operative disposition, wherein the operative disposition is oriented at an angle between 0 and 180 degrees relative to the orientation of the supplementary utility portion when in the closed disposition.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention relates to utility systems that are capable of facilitating a multiplicity of utilitarian functions, and more particularly to a utility system that is capable of providing more than one area for facilitating utilitarian functions in an enclosure that is transportable and is capable of assuming both a closed disposition and at least one operative disposition.  
         [0005]     2. Related Art  
         [0006]     Utility systems that provide a multiplicity of utilitarian functions are well known. Often they attempt to provide a user of the utility system with capabilities that are adaptable to a variety of functions and settings. Among the factors involved in choosing between differing strategies employed in designing these utility systems are whether to specialize the utility system for particular projected uses or to generalize the utility system&#39;s capabilities to enhance its flexibility of application. Additional factors that can affect design decisions are the settings for use, transportation issues, positioning requirements, ease of use, adaptability between specialized uses, and storage needs.  
         [0007]     A variety of approaches have been attempted, encompassing both varying degrees of specialization and varying degrees of flexibility. Often, the prior approaches have incorporated a base utility section that can serve as a work bench, a closure that can be closed to enable the work bench and any included equipment to be secured and/or transported (commonly also incorporating a handle), and a form of support that can also be folded up for ease of storage or transportation.  
         [0008]     Prior art attempts have also regularly incorporated a main work surface, differing forms of enclosure, storage means for holding supplies or tools, and may also include auxiliary equipment such as a vise. Those that are designed to be portable generally also include a deployable support structure such as folding legs, and a type of clasp to hold the enclosure in a closed position. Often these prior designs take on the appearance of a work bench when in use, and may appear to be a large case if folded for portability.  
         [0009]     While such utility systems have provided a measure of assistance in accomplishing various utilitarian functions, the extent of their capabilities have also been limited. Generally, prior utility systems have not provided concurrent capabilities of utilizing both a base utility area and a supplementary utility area, wherein the supplementary utility area is maintainable in a particular disposition that provides the concurrent use capability, as well as capabilities of positioning the utility system for use in impromptu settings and capabilities of compacting the utility system for ease of use and transportation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention is a multi-functional utility system that is adaptable for meeting a wide variety of utilitarian purposes, including both those that are specialized in their requirements, as well as those that demand a significant degree of functional flexibility. The present invention incorporates both method and apparatus embodiments. Certain embodiments of the multi-functional utility system are capable of being arranged in specific configurations that are tailored to work best for certain dedicated functions, while other embodiments are arranged with adjustable configurations that are capable of being altered to suit the requirements of one task on one day, and then being altered again another day to suit the requirements of a different task. Among the methods described are those that can be adapted widely, as well as those that are best tailored to suit specific functions. In the description of the present invention herein, certain terms are intended to have specific meanings, and these terms and their specific meanings will be detailed were appropriate. One term used with a specific meaning herein is the term “utilitarian function”, wherein the specific meaning intended is its entire normal and full range of meanings, with only a few limited exceptions. These few limited exceptions refer only to actions that exclusively involve the storing, transporting, or positioning of the multi-functional utility system, per se.  
         [0011]     The present invention is characterized by a number of qualities. Among its cardinal features are the providing of at least one base utility portion and at least one supplementary utility portion. Both the base utility portion and the supplementary utility portion include at least one utility area each, and the multi-functional utility system provides concurrent capabilities of utilizing the base utility area and the supplementary utility area. The utility areas are characterized by their capabilities of facilitating the performing of utilitarian functions, when the multi-functional utility system is in use for performing utilitarian functions. The base utility portion and the supplementary utility portion are movably interrelated, with the interrelation taking the form of a pivoting hinge in certain embodiments. The base utility portion will generally first be situated in a disposition suitable for facilitating at least one utilitarian function, and the supplementary utility portion will then be moved from a closed disposition to an operative disposition. The operative disposition of the supplementary utility portion is at an orientation between 0 and 180 degrees relative to its closed disposition. A securing assembly arrests the motion of the supplementary utility portion in the operative disposition, so that both the base utility portion and the supplementary utility portion are concurrently available for facilitating utilitarian functions.  
         [0012]     Many embodiments of the multi-functional utility system will also incorporate a support structure that provides capabilities of positioning the multi-functional utility system for use. In several of these embodiments, the support structure will be selectively deployable. The support structure&#39;s selective deployability provides the capabilities of either electing to deploy the support structure and thereby enable positioning the multi-functional utility system in a condition which is suitable for facilitating utilitarian functions, or electing to switch the support structure from the deployed to the not deployed condition which is suitable for transportation or storage. The means by which the support structure positions the multi-functional utility system, the means by which the support structure operates, as well as the means by which it can be selectively deployed are all widely variable. The specific details of how the support structure accomplishes these means of positioning, operating, or deploying, in and of themselves, are not the subject of the present invention, but the combination of these means with the other aspects of the multi-functional utility system are within the scope of the present invention. Hence, it should be understood that the present invention encompasses any means by which the described positioning, operating, or deploying functions can be effected, when combined with the cardinal features of the multi-functional utility system. The means of positioning, operating, or deploying the support structure can be either manually or power operated. These means that are encompassed, when combined with the cardinal features, can include, but are not limited to, legs, which may be folding or telescoping; wheels; treads; skids; and any other appropriate form of transporting apparatus. Certain embodiments of the multi-functional utility system will also incorporate a handle for ease of transportation.  
         [0013]     The range of contents and means of facilitating utilitarian functions of the multi-functional utility system are essentially unlimited. These contents and means can include, but are not limited to, tools, work surfaces of varying designs and constructions, storage containers, supplies of materials, power supplying means, illuminations sources, tethering and clamping means, powered equipment, and any other form of equipment that is capable of providing a utilitarian capability. Additional means of facilitating utilitarian functions encompassed by the present invention are measurement facilitating capacities that provide the capability of utilizing an attribute of the multi-functional utility system to effect a measurement, and a capacity for integrating a “tool” form of capability into the multi-functional utility system, wherein said “tool” capability is often encountered as a separate entity in utilitarian circumstances unconnected with the present invention, such as providing a socket holding element that can connect with a plurality of differing size sockets for turning nuts or bolts. It is further within the scope of the present invention that the integrated tool capacity can also provide the capability of functioning separately from the multi-functional utility system. It should also be understood that a separated constituent of the multi-functional utility system, when that separated constituent is considered in combination with the remaining constituents of the multi-functional utility system, is encompassed by the scope of the present invention.  
         [0014]     A first object of the multi-functional utility system is to provide a user with the capability of selectively locating a utility system where and when required, without the need for additional infrastructure, such as a building to situate the utility system within. A second object of the multi-functional utility system is to provide a user with the capability of selectively configuring a mobile utility system. A third object of the multi-functional utility system is to provide a user with the capability of readily transporting and deploying a utility system. A fourth object of the multi-functional utility system is to provide a user with the capability of selectively adapting a utility system to facilitate a multitude of diverse tasks with differing requirements. A fifth object of the multi-functional utility system is to provide a user with the capability of reconfiguring the same utility system to suit differing task requirements. A sixth object of the multi-functional utility system is to provide a user with the capability of utilizing a readily available utility system that also can readily be configured to secure and protect the contents of the utility system. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the multi-functional utility system.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the first embodiment of the multi-functional utility system in an operative disposition.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts an expanded detail view of an area  210  of  FIG. 2  that includes the pivot control lever  120 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  depicts a “Hold Open Lever Locking Hinge”, part no. 1604A41, manufactured by McMaster-Carr®.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of a second embodiment of the multi-functional utility system in an operative disposition.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  depicts an expanded detail view of an area  512  of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  depicts a rear view of the second embodiment of the multi-functional utility system in an operative disposition.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  depicts a front view of the second embodiment of the multi-functional utility system in a closed disposition.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of the second embodiment of the multi-functional utility system in a closed disposition.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  depicts a left side view of a second embodiment of the multi-functional utility system in a closed disposition.  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  depicts an underside view of the first embodiment of the multi-functional utility system with the support legs in a closed disposition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]     In the following description, identical numbers indicate identical elements. Where an element has been described in one Figure, and is unaltered in detail or relation in any other Figure, said element description applies to all Figures.  
         [0027]     In  FIG. 1 a  first embodiment  110  of the multi-functional utility system is shown in an exploded view. The orientation of the first embodiment  110  as shown in  FIG. 1  will be a reference frame for the directions and relative position descriptions that follow, since this will be the most common manner in which a user will interact with the first embodiment  110  when it is in its operative disposition. Consequently, the side of the first embodiment  110  facing a viewer of  FIG. 1  will be referred to as the front and the opposite side will be referred to as the back; the side with the folding legs will be referred to as the bottom and the opposite side will be referred to as the top (these directions will also be used to refer to the supplementary utility portion, once the disposition of the supplementary utility portion relative to the base utility portion is specified first). Finally, the side of the first embodiment  110  to the viewer&#39;s left will also be referred to as the left side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the right.  
         [0028]     Primary parts of the first embodiment  110  are a base utility portion  112  and a supplementary utility portion  114 . The base utility portion  112  and the supplementary utility portion  114  are pivotally interrelated with a supplementary utility portion axle  116  rotating in base utility portion axle housings  118 . A pivot control lever  120  component of the right axle housing  118  provides the capability of selectively arresting the rotation of the supplementary utility portion  114  about the axle  116  when the supplementary utility portion  114  is in an operative disposition. Folding legs  122  serve as a support structure for the first embodiment  110 . Each folding leg  122 , when unfolded, is reinforced by a brace  124 .  
         [0029]     Both the base utility portion  112  and the supplementary utility portion  114  can assume a variety of configurations, with the particular aspects of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  describing only a representative configuration for purposes of illustration, and is not to be construed as limiting of the variety of the configurations that fall within the scope of the present invention. The left side of the base utility portion  112  receives a sliding drawer  126  and a drawer lid  128 . The right side of the base utility portion  112  receives a sliding drawer  130  and a drawer lid  132  that can serve both as a work surface and a cover for the contents of drawer  130 . A center drawer  134  and a drawer lid  136  that can serve both as a work surface and a cover for the contents of drawer  134  are received in the center of the front side of base utility portion  112 . Any of the drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134  or drawer lids  128 ,  132 , and  136  can be provided with stops (not shown) capable of holding the drawers or lids both at selected degrees of extension as well as unextended. Additionally, any of the drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134  or drawer lids  128 ,  132 , and  136  are capable of being removable from the base utility portion  112 , either individually or in combination. Moreover, any of the drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134 , either individually or in combination, are capable of being separated from the base utility portion  112  while their corresponding drawer lids  128 ,  132 , and  136 , respectively, can remain associated with the base utility portion  112 . Alternatively, any of the drawer lids  128 ,  132 , and  136 , either individually or in combination, are capable of being separated from the base utility portion  112 , while their corresponding drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134 , respectively, can remain associated with the base utility portion  112 . Optionally, the base utility portion  12  and the drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134 , as well as the drawer lids  128 ,  132 , and  136  are capable of being used when any permutation of the drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134  are partially extended from the base utility portion  112  and/or the drawer lids  128 ,  132 , and  136  are partially extended from the drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134  and/or the base utility portion  112 . For example, an artist may configure the multi-functional utility system as a mobile art studio workbench. The drawer lid  128  could then serve as a palette for oil paints, the tubes of which are kept in drawer  126 . The drawer  126  could be extended halfway from the base utility portion  112 , and the drawer lid  128  could be extended another quarter of the way past the left edge of the drawer  126 . The artist would then be able to mix paints on the drawer lid  128 , needing only to reach into the drawer  126  next to the drawer lid  128  (now functioning as a palette) to access another tube to add to the palette.  
         [0030]     The drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134  are received in base utility portion openings  138 ,  140 , and  142 , respectively. The base utility portion openings  138 ,  140 , and  142  are also capable of being configured to provide utilitarian functions as well. For example, the side and bottom surfaces of the base utility portion openings  138 ,  140 , and  142  can be given specialized surface treatments (not shown) that have utilitarian functions. In the case of the artist example described previously, the bottom of the base utility portion opening  138  can serve as a secondary palette, to increase the available space for mixing paints, or can be provided with an absorbent surface to aid in the removal of paint from a brush. Another base utility portion opening  144 , disposed behind the base utility portion opening  142 , provides additional space for storage or configuration for other utilitarian functions.  
         [0031]     It should also be understood that the descriptions of the configurations and the utilitarian functions capable of being performed by the base utility portion  112  also apply to the supplementary utility portion  114 . Although the supplementary utility portion  114 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1-11 , is shown as being of substantially lesser thickness than the base utility portion  112 , this depiction is only for illustrative purposes, and it is within the scope of the present invention for the supplementary utility portion  114  to be of equal or greater thickness as the base utility portion  114 , and as such, the supplementary utility portion  114  could then include equal or greater quantities of equipment, space, or functional capabilities as the base utility portion  112 . Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to only a base utility portion  112  and a supplementary utility portion  114 , but can include additional utility portions (not shown), that can be interrelated with either the base utility portion  112  or the supplementary utility portion  114  in any permutation or arrangement that is suitable for facilitating utilitarian functions. It should also be understood that the either or both of the base utility portion  112  and the supplementary utility portion  114  are further subdivisible (not shown), and that these subdivisions can also be configured with capabilities of movement relative to each other, so that, for example, the supplementary utility portion  114  can be configured with a centerline folding articulation running from left to right side that allows the supplementary utility portion  112 , when in an operative disposition, to further hinge along the side to side centerline and thereby provide a partial hood or screen over the base utility portion  112 .  
         [0032]     Transportation of the multi-functional utility system  110 , when in a closed disposition, can be assisted by use of the handle  146  attached to the rear side of the base utility portion  112 . Also, a wheel assembly  148 , that includes at least one wheel  150 , can be integrated into a lower outside edge (the left, lower outside edge, as depicted in  FIG. 1 ). A grip  152  (depicted in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 9 ) disposed in the lower outside edge opposite the side wherein the wheel assembly  148  is disposed can be grasped to transport the multi-functional utility system  110  by rolling on the wheels  150  similarly to how a large suitcase is often rolled on integral wheels.  
         [0033]     A male electrical power connection  153 , fitted to the underside of the base utility portion  112 , can receive power from an extension cord (not shown) and then route that power through an aperture  154  to an electrical outlet  156  for powering electrical equipment. Either alternatively or additionally, a battery, which would often be rechargeable, can be disposed within the multi-functional utility system  110 , in base utility portion opening  144 , for example, to provide electrical power through the aperture  154  to outlet  156  when an outside source of electrical power is not available.  
         [0034]     The supplementary utility portion  114  can also be configured with holes  158  in its external casing  160  to enable fasteners (not shown) to be passed through the external casing  160 . The fasteners can be used to anchor the multi-functional utility system  110  to a surface or structure, when preferred. Alternatively, the holes  158  can also be disposed in the base utility portion  112  (not shown), or can be integrated into the folding legs  122  (not shown). A catch  162  can augment the control of the positioning of the supplementary utility portion  114  by limiting the rearward rotation of the supplementary utility portion  114 , were it to swing too far rearward for the conditions in which it is located. The catch  162  can also serve to stabilize the multi-functional utility system  110  by preventing unimpeded rearward momentum of a quickly pivoting supplementary utility portion  114 .  
         [0035]     A surface insert  164  provides additional utilitarian function capabilities by making available a broad work surface that substantially spans the width and depth of the base utility portion, even though the base utility portion also includes the various other components described above. Additionally, the surface insert  164  can itself be configured to provide additional functional capabilities through varying surface treatments or textures. The number of available varieties of these surface capabilities can also be expanded by utilizing both sides of the surface insert  164 . A supplementary utility surface  166  provides the supplementary utility portion  114  with a supplementary utility area available for providing functional capabilities. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the supplementary utility surface  166  is equipped with a plurality of peg holes  168  for inserting a variety of equipment, as well as a plurality of straps  170  that can be used to hold tools or other materials in readiness for use. The particular arrangement of functional capabilities depicted in  FIG. 1  are a representative selection shown only for illustrative purposes and are not limiting of the number, variety, or manner of arrangement of functional capabilities that the supplementary utility surface  166 , or the supplementary utility portion  114  as a whole, can be provided with. There also can be multiple supplementary utility surfaces  166 , as well as multiple surface inserts  164 , which can have varying configurations and varying dimensions. Significantly, the supplementary utility surface  166  can also be a locus of direct functional execution, such as a canvas support for a painter, in addition to a locale for the holding of tools. Effectively, the variety of capabilities which the supplementary utility portion  114  can be configured with is as diverse as the variety of capabilities which the base utility portion  112  can be configured with.  
         [0036]     In  FIG. 2 , the first embodiment  110  is shown in an operative disposition, with the drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134  fully received in the base utility portion openings  138 ,  140 , and  142 , respectively, and the surface insert  164  is disposed across the base utility portion  112 . The supplementary utility surface  166  is disposed across the supplementary utility portion  114 , and the pivot control lever  120  has arrested the supplementary utility portion  114  in an operative disposition. The area  210 , which includes the right axle housing  118  and the pivot control lever  120 , is shown in an expanded, detail view in  FIG. 3 . Latches  212  are disposed on the front side of the base utility portion  112 . The latches  212  cooperate with clasps  214 , disposed on the front (front being the relative position when the supplementary utility portion  114  is in the closed disposition) side of the supplementary utility portion  114  to provide a capability of locking the supplementary utility portion  114  in the closed disposition. It should also be understood that the multi-functional utility system is also capable of facilitating utilitarian functions when in the closed disposition. The outer surface of the supplementary utility portion  114  can be configured in a variety of ways that provide utilitarian functions, and the providing of just a single surface, without further capabilities, can also be instrumental in facilitating utilitarian functions. In addition, when the supplementary utility portion  114  is in the closed disposition, the drawers  126 ,  130 , and  134  are still available for use, as is the electrical outlet  156 .  
         [0037]     In  FIG. 3 , an expanded view of the right axle housing  118  and the pivot control lever  120  show how a disposition securing assembly  310  capable of arresting the supplementary utility portion  114  in an operative disposition can be integrated into the cooperative interrelation between the base utility portion  112  and the supplementary utility portion  114 . The disposition securing assembly  310 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3  includes an adaptation of the commercially available McMaster-Carr® Hold Open Lever Locking Hinge, catalog # 1604A41, depicted as part  410  in  FIG. 4 . The pivot control lever  120  is essentially the same as the hinge lever  412  of the McMaster-Carr® Hold Open Lever Locking Hinge  410 . The McMaster-Carr© Hold Open Lever Locking Hinge  410  operates by providing a pivoting interrelation between the leaves  414  and  416 . One of the leaves,  414  for example, is generally fastened to a door (not shown) by screws threaded through apertures  418 , while leaf  416  is fastened to a door frame (not shown) by screws threaded through apertures  418 . A rotational axis  420  is directed along the longitudinal length of the McMaster-Carr® Hold Open Lever Locking Hinge  410 , which has a rotational axle  422  that terminates at one end in the hinge lever  412 . Leaf  416  is in a fixed relationship with barrel sections  424 , and leaf  414  is in a fixed relationship with barrel sections  426 . The barrel sections  424  and  426  are capable of rotating about the axis  420 , but will rotate in opposite directions when the McMaster-Carr® Hold Open Lever Locking Hinge  410  is pivoting. The physical configurations of the leaves  414  and  416  can be altered without impairing or significantly altering the operation of the McMaster-Carr® Hold Open Lever Locking Hinge  410 . For the adaptation for use as the disposition securing assembly  310 , the leaves  414  and  416  will be altered in form, but not in functional relationship. In the disposition securing assembly  310 , the barrel sections  424  and  426 , the hinge lever  412  (becoming the pivot control lever  120  when adapted) and the rotational axle  422  (now rotating about axis  312  and becoming the rotational axle  314  of the disposition securing assembly  120 ) remain in substantially the same relationship as they had in the McMaster-Carr® Hold Open Lever Locking Hinge  410 . The primary modifications are to the forms of the leaves  414  and  416 . The leaf  414 , which remains in a fixed relationship with barrel sections  426 , is transformed into a rotating hub  316 , that is concentric about the rotational axle  314 . The leaf  416 , which remains in a fixed relationship with barrel sections  424 , is transformed into an integrated, fixed relationship (not shown) with the base utility portion axle housings  118 . The rotating hub  316  passes through the base utility portion axle housings  118  and extends inward to a fixed relationship with the supplementary utility portion  114 . In operation, the rotating hub  316  and the transformed leaf  416  rotate about axle  314  in opposite directions. Because the rotating hub  316  is in a fixed relationship with the supplementary utility portion  114 ; and the transformed leaf  416  is in a fixed relationship with the base utility portion axle housing  118 , and hence a fixed relationship with the base utility portion  114 ; rotation of the rotating hub  316  and the transformed leaf  416  about the axle  314  provides for a rotational relationship between the base utility portion  112  and the supplementary utility portion  114 . The pivot control lever  120  can then operate in a comparable manner as the hinge lever  412  to provide the capability of selectively arresting the rotation of the supplementary utility portion  114 , relative to the base utility portion  112 , when the supplementary utility portion  114  is in the operative disposition. The adaptation of the McMaster-Carr® Hold Open Lever Locking Hinge  410  to utilization as the disposition securing assembly  310  is representative of, but not limiting of the variety of means by which the selective arresting of the relative rotation of the supplementary utility portion  114  can be effected. It is well understood by those of skill in the art that a substantial assortment of mechanisms can provide similar functions, and the adaptation of any other means capable of functioning in this manner is also within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0038]     In  FIG. 5 a  second embodiment  510  of the multi-functional utility system is shown from the left side with the second embodiment  510  in an operative disposition. The second embodiment  510  primarily differs from the first embodiment  110  in the means by which the second embodiment  510  arrests the rotation of the supplementary utility portion  114 , when the supplementary utility portion  114  is in an operative disposition. The area  512 , which is shown in an expanded detail view in  FIG. 6 , includes a retaining strut  514  with which the second embodiment  510  arrests the rotation of the supplementary utility portion  114 . In  FIG. 6  the retaining strut  514  is shown from the left side, arranged in a disposition in which it arrests the rotation of the supplementary utility portion  114 . The retaining strut  514  is pivotally connected to a strut anchor  610  which is affixed to the base utility portion  112  of the second embodiment  510 . Located substantially at the end of the retaining strut  510  that is opposite of the end pivotally connected to the strut anchor  610  is a rounded strut flange  612 . The strut flange  612  is received within a catch notch  616  formed in the strut catch  614 . The catch notch  616  is configured to allow the strut flange to be selectively pushed into or pulled from the catch notch  616 , and is also configured to hold the strut flange  612  within the catch notch  616  unless the strut flange  612  is pulled from the catch notch  616 .  
         [0039]     In  FIG. 7 , a rear view of the second embodiment  510  is shown in an operative disposition with the folding legs  122  unfolded to support the second embodiment  510 . The retaining strut  514  is inserted within the catch notch  616  (not shown). The handle  146  fits within a handle recess  710  and is pivotally anchored at its top side  712  to the base utility portion  112 . The holes  158  are seen to extend through the supplementary utility portion  114 , so that attachments to another structure from the rear can be made. The assembled disposition of the wheels  150  is seen to be partially recessed and to be partially extending beyond the rear profile of the second embodiment  510  so that when the second embodiment  510  is at a diagonal angle to the ground, with the right side downward and the folding legs  122  folded up, the second embodiment  510  will rest on the wheels  150 .  
         [0040]     In  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 , the second embodiment  510  is shown in a closed disposition from a front and a perspective view, respectively. In  FIG. 8 , with the folding legs  122  fully folded, it can be clearly seen that the wheels  150  are arranged so as to provide the capacity to roll the second embodiment  510  upon the wheels  150  by holding the second embodiment  510  at an upward angle, from left to right. The grip  152  disposed on the opposite side of the wheels  150  can be seen in  FIG. 9  to provide a suitable handhold for transporting the second embodiment  510  by rolling on the wheels  150 . An optional lock  810  is engaged with the right latch  212  to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the second embodiment  510 . In  FIG. 9  it can also be seen that the outer surface of the supplementary utility portion  114  provides a broad region that can be adapted to provide additional utilitarian functions.  
         [0041]     In  FIG. 10 , a view from the left side of the first embodiment  110  in a closed disposition with the legs  122  fully folded shows the partially recessed wheels  150 , and the handle  146  suitably positioned for grasping. The disposition of the wheels  150  is just one embodiment&#39;s option for facilitating the transporting of the present invention. Additional means of utilizing wheels to facilitate transportation include the employment of larger wheels (not shown) that can also be disposed in the general vicinity of where the wheels  150  are disposed. These larger wheels can be a permanent installation, or a detachable component, and can be particularly well suited to provide capabilities of easing the transportation of the present invention in settings that do not provide smooth surfaces for rolling upon. Additionally, the legs  122  can be alternatively configured with a mechanism similar to those of ambulance gurneys (not shown). In this embodiment, the legs would provide the options of both selectively deploying embodiments of the multi-functional utility system at varying heights, as well as provide the capability of rolling the multi-functional utility system on the wheels of such a gurney support. Rolling the present invention on gurney support wheels could be effected whether or not the gurney supports are extended, and even on just a fraction of the gurney support wheels in combination with the grip  152 .  
         [0042]     In  FIG. 11 , a view from below of the first embodiment  110  shows the disposition of the legs  122  when fully folded. The bottom surface of the base utility portion  112  can be configured to provide a depressed region  1110  that the legs  122  can be folded up into. The relative placement of the male electrical connection  153  can also be best seen in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0043]     In view of the above, and in view of the claims following, it will be seen that the various objects and features of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained. The examples contained herein are merely illustrative and are not intended in a limiting sense.