Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7278643?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2014-04-19 23:08:47
Document Index: 661316671

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5']

Patent US7278643 - Compact cart - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA cart for transporting cargo is provided having a first extendable member having a roller coupled to the bottom end of the first extendable member and a connection point on the first extendable member proximate to the roller. The cart also has a second extendable member having a roller coupled to the...http://www.google.com/patents/US7278643?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7278643 - Compact cartAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7278643 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/791,639Publication dateOct 9, 2007Filing dateMar 1, 2004Priority dateMar 1, 2004Fee statusPaidAlso published asCN1950244A, CN100493973C, EP1730011A2, EP1730011A4, US7407171, US20050189738, US20080023942, WO2005091789A2, WO2005091789A3Publication number10791639, 791639, US 7278643 B2, US 7278643B2, US-B2-7278643, US7278643 B2, US7278643B2InventorsSteve RobersonOriginal AssigneeSteve RobersonExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (19), Referenced by (1), Classifications (19), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCompact cartUS 7278643 B2Abstract A cart for transporting cargo is provided having a first extendable member having a roller coupled to the bottom end of the first extendable member and a connection point on the first extendable member proximate to the roller. The cart also has a second extendable member having a roller coupled to the bottom end of the second extendable member and a connection point on the second extendable member proximate to the roller. The cart has a handle having a linkage that is coupled to the top ends of each of the first and second extendable members. One or more bands may be coupled to the connecting point of the first or second member and to a securing point located at any point between the ends of a member so as to secure the cargo in a position against the first and second members.
1. A cart for transporting cargo, comprising:
a handle coupled to the first extendable leg at a top end of the first extendable leg by a first fastener that permits the handle to pivot in relation to the first extendable leg about the first fastener, and to a second extendable leg at a top end of the second extendable leg by a second fastener that permits the handle to pivot in relation to the second extendable leg about the second fastener, wherein the handle may be pivoted about each of the first and second fasteners into an essentially parallel orientation respective to each of the first and second extendable legs;
wherein the first and second members lack a fixably coupled member between the first and second members proximate to the bottom end; and
one or more bands couplable to each of the first or second extendable legs at a first point on each of the first and second extendable legs and to a securing point distally located from the first point on the first or second extendable legs so as to secure the cargo against the first and second extendable legs such that the cargo maintains each of the first and second legs in a relatively fixed position.
2. The cart of claim 1, wherein the first and second fasteners are bolts.
3. The cart of claim 1, wherein the first and second fasteners are rods.
4. The cart of claim 1, wherein the first and second fasteners are rivets.
5. A collapsible cart, comprising,
first and second extendable legs, each extendable leg having a roller coupled proximate to a bottom end of the extendable leg and wherein the first and second extendable legs lack a member fixably coupled between the first and second extendable legs proximate to the bottom end of each of the first and second extendable legs;
a handle coupled to the first extendable leg at a top end of the first extendable leg by a first fastener and to a second extendable leg at a top end of the second extendable leg by a second fastener, the first and second fasteners configured so that the handle may be oriented about the first and second fasteners into a position that is substantially parallel to the first extendable leg and into a position that is substantially parallel to the second extendable leg; and
a securer couplable at a first end of the securer to one of the first and second extendable legs at a first point and couplable at a second end of the securer to one of the first and second extendable legs at a second point so as to secure cargo against both the first and second extendable legs and to maintain a relatively fixed relationship between the first extendable leg to the second extendable leg.
6. The cart of claim 5, wherein the handle is oriented about each of the first and second fasteners into the substantially parallel position respective to each of the first and second extendable legs when the first and second extendable legs are in a retracted position.
7. The cart of claim 5, wherein the handle is oriented about each of the first and second fasteners into the substantially perpendicular position respective to each of the first and second extendable legs when the first and second extendable legs are in an extended position.
For at least that reason (among others), smaller and more portable carts may be better suited for personal use in certain situations, such as airports, office buildings, etc. There, more personalized carts are typically configured with a fold-down ledge or base for holding the cargo against the vertical portion of the cart, which typically includes a handle, upon with the uses pulls or pushes the cart. These types of devices oftentimes also include an extendable handle in the vertical section so that when fully extended and folded-down, the device somewhat resembles the dolly described above.
These smaller types of carts also typically include a matrix of metal frame working and cross members to provide additional support and/or stability to the cart. The additional frame-working and cross members are typically in the plane of the vertical or base sections so that the cart may be collapsed as compactly as possible.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exist to overcome the problems and deficiencies described above.
FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting the cart 5 in an extended position supporting cargo 40 to be transported. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are many ways to configure the straps 17, 18 to secure the cargo 40 to the cart. In the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 4, a first strap 17 is attached proximate to the bottom end of a first member 11, routed around the cargo 40 and around the outside of the first member 11. A second strap 18 is attached to the bottom of member 10, routed around the cargo 40 and wrapped around member 11. Strap 18 may be coupled to the second strap 17 if so desired or to tighten the cargo 40 to cart 5. A person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that there are many ways to secure cargo 40 to the cart 5, based on the size of the cargo 40, the type of means securing the cargo 40 to the cart 5 (i.e., bungee cord, cable, adjustable strap, etc.), and the tension and length of the securing means.
FIG. 6 demonstrates an alternative embodiment of a cart 5 with a stabilizer 60 between the members 10, 11, positioned at a distance from the wheels 13, 14 in addition to stabilizer 50. The distance selected may relate to the type and size of cargo to be transported. The stabilizer 60 provides additional support to maintain the relative position of members 10, 11. The stabilizer 60, just like stabilizing 50, may be permanent or removable and may be set to one length or adjustable.
FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram of cart 5 from. FIG. 6 showing cart 5 as configured during transport of cargo. However, in this nonlimiting example, cargo 40 is removed from the diagram to more clearly depict the otherwise obscured aspects of cart 5.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any �preferred embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.
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