Patent Publication Number: US-2010123294-A1

Title: Cart for assisted pulling, non-assisted pulling, and powered riding

Description:
FIELD  
     The present inventions relate generally to carts, and more particularly to powered carts configured for optional riding. 
     BACKGROUND  
     Applicants have invented carts that allow for quick and easy conversion from (1) assisted-pull mode to (2) non-assisted-pull mode to (3) powered-ride mode. Applicants believe these carts will be particularly useful in a variety of areas, including countless recreational events. 
     By way of example, carts of the instant inventions can be used to provide assisted pulling or powered riding to the beach from nearby locations, such as nearby houses or nearby parking lots. Typically, trips to the beach require a variety of provisions, e.g., coolers, seats, shelters, food, games, fishing equipment, etc. Carrying even a small fraction of these provisions can be difficult. Applicants have found, by using carts of the instant inventions, desired items may be quickly and easily transported to the beach using, for example, the cart&#39;s powered-ride mode. In some situations, however, powered riding may not be appropriate. For example, if beach regulations prohibit riding motorized vehicles or restrict motorized vehicle use to particular time periods, users may continue on the beach with the assisted-pull configuration when appropriate. Similarly, some beaches may prohibit all motorized vehicle use. In these situations, users may convert the cart to non-assisted-pull configuration. 
     Similar uses and situations may exist in a variety of events, including, for example, sporting events, outdoor festivals, farmers&#39; markets, etc. 
     To briefly summarize some embodiments, carts comprise a platform with a seat-receptacle positioned on the platform. A seat is configured to be positionable in the seat-receptacle. Typical seats will include coolers. In other embodiments, seats may include pedestal seats. Still, some embodiments may include both or additional types of seats. A walled chamber is also positioned on the platform. Typically, the chamber will be defined on one side by the seat and on another side by walls extending up from the platform. Carts usually include at least one wheel in functional communication with a drive capable of rotating the wheel. Many carts will have two wheels in communication with a drive. Carts also include a handle-system. Handle-systems usually have a first operable position configured to allow a user seated inside the cart to control the drive and thereby provide powered riding. Handle-systems also usually have a second operable position configured to allow a user walking in front of the cart to control the drive and thereby provide powered pulling. Typically, the first operable position of the handle-system is configured to allow a user to steer the cart while sitting on the seat, and the second operable position is configured to allow a user to steer the cart while walking in front of the platform. 
     The above summary was intended to summarize certain embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention will be set forth in more detail in the figures and detailed description below. It will be apparent, however, that the detailed description is not intended to limit the present invention, the scope of which should be properly determined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
         FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of the cart; 
         FIG. 2  shows a different view of the cart of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side perspective view of a cart, with the handle-system in the first position, being used by a user; 
         FIG. 4  shows front perspective view of a cart, with the handle system in the second position, being used by a user; 
         FIG. 5  shows a partial view of the underside of a cart; 
         FIG. 6  shows a close-up view of a handlebar; and 
         FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show rear and side views, respectively of a cart. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF TYPICAL EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cart  2  according to the invention.  FIG. 2  shows another view of cart  2  with the seat removed to facilitate viewing. Referring to both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , cart  2  includes platform  4  having front  4   a,  back  4   b,  a length, a width, and a height H. The length of the platform is the distance from front to back and the width of the platform is the distance from side to side. 
     Cart  2  also includes at least one seat. In  FIG. 1 , seat  6  is a cooler positioned in seat-receptacle  8  on platform  4 . In  FIG. 2 , cooler  6  is removed to better see, inter alia, seat-receptacle  8 . Seat-receptacles may vary from embodiment to embodiment. Typically, seat-receptacles will comprise a space  8   a  defined by or on platform  4  that is at least large enough to receive a cooler. Seat-receptacle  8  may also include an arm  8   b  for extending across the width of platform  4  for securing cooler  6 . Arm  8   b  will typically be elastic to allow it to accommodate coolers of a variety of sizes, but in some embodiments, arm  8   b  may be rigid. Seat-receptacle  8  may also include vertical attachment bars  8   c.  Attachment bars  8   c  allow for variable vertical positioning of arm  8   b,  to accommodate coolers of a variety of sizes. 
     Cart  2  may optionally include another seat-receptacle, e.g., seat-receptacle  10  shown in  FIG. 2 . Seat-receptacle  10  is an aperture defined in the base of the platform  4  for engaging with the post  12   a  of pedestal seat  12 . Thus, in these and other embodiments, a user may alternate between one seat and another as needed, e.g., between cooler  6  and pedestal seat  12 . Still, in some situations a user may desire to operate a cart without a seat. Other embodiments include other seats and seat-receptacles, e.g., folding beach chairs and clamps configured to hold the chairs. Still, other embodiments may include a single seat-receptacle or may include additional seat-receptacles. 
     Cart  2  also typically includes walled chamber  14 . Typically, walled chamber  14  will be defined at least in part by wall  14   a  extending up from platform  4 , e.g., on three sides as shown. Chamber  14  may further be defined on another side by a seat in a seat-receptacle, e.g, cooler  6 . Other embodiments may include more or fewer walls (e.g., the back wall may be omitted), or may include more walls (e.g., a top wall). 
     Cart  2  also includes handle-system  22  having a first operable position and a second operable position.  FIG. 3  shows cart  2  with handle-system  22  in a first position. Handle-system  22  is configured to allow a user  24  seated inside cart  2  to control drive  20  when in the first position, thereby allowing for powered riding.  FIG. 4  shows cart  2  with handle-system  22  in a second position. Handle-system  22  is also configured to allow user  24  to control drive  20  when in the second position, thereby allowing for powered pulling. In addition to being configured to control the drive, the first handle-system position is configured to allow user  24  to steer cart  2  when seated, and the second handle-system position is configured to allow a user to steer cart  2  while walking in front of platform  4 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , handle-system  22  typically includes handlebar  22   a  and a tongue  22   b.  Tongue  22   b  commonly includes a first-portion  22   c  functionally connected to front-axel  28 , and a second-portion  22   d  functionally connected to handlebar  22   a.  In this embodiment, handlebar  22   a  is fixedly mounted to second-portion  22   d  of tongue  22   b  in the t-shaped configuration shown. Typically, first-portion  22   c  and second-portion  22   d  are pivotally connected at hinge  22   e.  In many embodiments, the first-portion of the tongue will be in substantially the same horizontal plane as the front axle (e.g., plus or minus 1 to 5 inches). Somewhat similarly, in many embodiments, the hinge connecting the first- and second-portions of the tongue will be in substantially the same horizontal plane as the front axle. Even more typically, the tongue&#39;s first-portion  22   c  extends in front of platform  4  for a distance and the tongue&#39;s second-portion  22   d  includes bend B to create an angle in the second portion. Typically, such a configuration is desirable for translating the rotation of handlebar  22   a  to side-to-side linear motion of first-portion  22   d,  thereby allowing for improved steering. 
     In most embodiments, handle-system  22  includes a rotating joint configured to allow at least part of said handle-system to rotate, e.g., independent of any steering function. For example in many embodiments, it will be desirable to configure a portion of the handle-system to rotate approximately 180° when moving the handle-system from the first position to the second position. In other embodiments, others may prefer less or more rotation. Referring to  FIG. 1 , rotating joint  18  can be seen on handle-system  22 . In this embodiment, rotating joint  18  is located on the second-portion of the tongue and is configured to allow handlebar  22  to rotate at least approximately 180° from the first position to the second position. This configuration allows the handlebar components to be oriented in substantially the same relative location in the first and second positions. For example, referring to the cart shown in  FIG. 1 , by tilting the second portion  22   d  of the tongue forward at hinge  22  and rotating an upper part of the second portion  22   d  at joint  18 , handle-system  22  can be converted to the second position. Most typically, rotating joint  18  will be releasably securable, allowing a user to secure the handlebars of the cart in the first and second positions. In many embodiments, joint  18  will include pin  18   a  to facilitate releasable securing. In other embodiments, joint  18  may be secured, for example, by clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of a threaded compression collar, or by a spring-loaded locking collar. 
       FIG. 5  shows a close-up view of the underside of cart  2 . In  FIG. 5 , the tongue&#39;s first-portion  22   c  can be seen. In addition, it can be seen that first portion  22   c  is operably connected to steering box  28   a  of front-axle  28 . Others embodiments may include other configurations. Cart  2  also typically includes at least one wheel  16  in functional communication with drive  20  for rotating the wheel. More typically, the two rear wheels of cart  2  to will be driven by drive  20 . Drive  20  may include a variety of motors or engines known in the art. In many embodiments, drive  20  will include centrifugal clutch  20   a  configured to allow the driveshaft  20   b  to rotate when the motor is turned off or is operating below a certain RPM. Such a configuration is useful, inter alia, to allow a user to pull carts when the drive is off or idling. As can also be seen, in some embodiments, drive  20  will be slightly recessed, or have a portion below the platform, to maximize chamber space and further hide the drive or minimize the cart&#39;s appearance of being powered. In such embodiments, sled  22   d  may be used to further protect or hide the drive. Drives of various embodiments may be gas or electric or a combination thereof. 
     Referring back to FIGS.  1 , 2 ,  3  and  4 , tongue  22   b  is typically bent near point B to create an angle such that handlebar  22   a  is operationally accessible to a user seated within the cart, e.g., on cooler  6 , when handle-system  22  is in the first position (see  FIG. 3 ). Bend B is also useful for placing the handlebar in the desired location when handle-system  22  is in the second position (see  FIG. 4 ). If employed, bend B may vary from embodiment to embodiment, but will typically create an angle a of about 150 degrees to about 170 degrees. 
       FIG. 6  shows a close-up top view of handlebar  22   a  including throttle  30  for controlling the output of the drive. Throttles of the instant inventions may vary, but are typically configured to allow a user to control the drive in both the first position and in the second position. In the embodiment shown, the throttle includes lever  32  mounted at point  32   a,  such that the lever is cantilevered, with the cantilevered portion extending distally. In many embodiments, the lever is positioned at a location on the handlebar such that when the handlebar is in the first position the lever is accessible by the thumb of one hand, e.g., the left hand. When the handle-system is in the second position, it can be appreciated that lever  30  is similarly positioned to be similarly accessible. Referring back to  FIG. 6 , lever  32  will typically be biased to a closed position, for example, requiring active depression of the lever to power the cart. Other embodiments may include other types of throttles. For example, in other embodiments, handlebars may include a pair of throttles, e.g., one on each handle or two on a single handle, which may be desirable on embodiments lacking a rotating collar to facilitate throttle access. Handlebars will typically be the location of other control components as well. 
     For example, many embodiments will include a governor-system  34  capable of regulating the cart&#39;s drive. Governor-systems are useful, inter alia, to regulate the cart&#39;s speed when the handle-system is in the second position. Governor-systems will vary from embodiment to embodiment, and in many embodiments, will be at least partially located on the handle-system. In the embodiment depicted, governor-system  34  includes a rotatable knob  34   a,  located on the handlebar, which can be manually adjusted to limit the motion of lever  32 . For example, the governor-system  34  may include a cam mounted on knob  34   a,  which through rotation, may block the path of a throttle lever. In many instances, knob  34   a  is sized and tensioned to be adjusted by hand without the use of tools. The governor-system may also be biased to at least partially block the throttle, such that active manipulation of the governor system is required to achieve higher speeds. In an alternative embodiment, the governor-system may include a position-detecting actuator configured to regulate a throttle when the actuator detects the second position. For example, the position-detection actuator may include a gravity-driven switch, e.g., mercury or swinging-pin, positioned on the handle-system to complete a circuit when the handle-system is in either the first or second position. In other embodiments, the governor-system may include a toggle switch positioned at hinge  22   e  that is moved by the handle-system&#39;s transition from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position. 
     Additionally, it will often be desirable to include starter  36 , emergency-stop or kill switch  37 , and brake  39 . Some embodiments may also include auxiliary switch  38 , to control other components, e.g., radio, lights, etc. Typically, it will be desirable to make the kill switch  37  easily accessible to a user when the handle-system is in the second position to allow for rapid turning off or disengagement of the motor. Components  36 ,  37 ,  38  and  39  are shown on one side of handlebar  22   a  (e.g. the right side), but in other embodiments the various components may be on either side or both. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , cart  2  also typically includes foot-rest  26  positioned in front of a seat-receptacle, e.g., receptacle  8 . Foot-rest  26  is typically defined by platform  4  and sized to receive the feet of users sitting in a seat. Cart  2  also typically includes a user-access  30  positioned near the front of platform  4  to allow a user to easily get into and out of cart  2  to transition between the first and second handle positions. User-access is typically defined by walls  14   a  and may be further defined by platform  4 , e.g., by defining a notch in the height of platform  4 . 
       FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show rear perspective and side views, respectively, of cart  2 . In these figures, platform  4  can be seen, along with seat  6 , and wall  14   a.  Additionally,  FIG. 7   a  provides a clear view of aperture  40  defined in platform  4 . Positioned within aperture  40  is the exhaust pipe  42  of the cart&#39;s drive. Typically, exhaust pipe  42  will be completely contained within the platform such that exhaust pipe  42  does not extend beyond the wall of the platform. For example, in the side view of  FIG. 7   b,  the exhaust pipe cannot be seen. The effect is that the cart can appear to be simply a non-powered cart. This effect is further facilitated by covering the drive, e.g. with portions of the platform or the sled as previously described. 
     Although carts of the instant invention have a variety of uses, typical embodiments will be particularly useful for those vacationing at the beach. By way of example, many beach-goers travel to the beach from nearby locations, such as nearby houses or parking lots. Using Applicants&#39; cart, food, drink, shelter, seating, games, fishing equipment, water toys, etc., may be quickly transported to the beach using the riding mode. Once to the beach, the handle-system can be converted to the second position to allow for powered pulling or non-powered pulling of the cart and the provisions contained inside it. A user&#39;s decision to use powered or non-powered pulling may depend on the regulations at a particular beach. For example, if the beach prohibited motorized vehicles during certain hours, a user could use non-powered pulling during periods of prohibition and powered pulling during periods of restriction-free access. Somewhat similarly, if a beach only prohibited powered riding, a user may use powered pulling to assist in the transport. Additionally, should a user learn on the beach, that powered motor vehicles are prohibited, the user may quickly and easily access a stop-switch located on the handlebar to kill the motor, thereby minimizing the detection of any unintentional infractions. Further, the embodiments having hidden or recessed exhaust pipes and motors are useful for not drawing attention when the cart is being properly used on beaches that prohibit motorized vehicles. 
     Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. The novel features are pointed out in the appended claims. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the general claims are expressed. It is further noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.