Abstract:
The present invention provides an improved electrician&#39;s cart having a set of wheels capable of rolling over various terrain types, ranging from indoors to outdoors. Vertical support rails extended upwards from the base are formed with spool bar receivers that are sized to removably receive a spool bar and retain it in place during use. The spool bars may be removed and replaced with different wire spools, and may be configured to accommodate any size or number of wire spool, depending on the need of an electrician. The present invention also may accommodate tools and other accessories, such as an umbrella for use when working outside, to be incorporated into the cart of the present invention. The present invention further includes an electrician&#39;s cart having a single layer of wire spools, and an electrician&#39;s cart which can be stood upright on its side provide a vertical array of wire spools.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/523,753, entitled “Improved Electrician&#39;s Cart,” filed on Jun. 14, 2012, and current co-pending, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/496,783, entitled “Improved Electrician&#39;s Cart,” filed on Jun. 14, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to utility carts. The present invention is more particularly, though not exclusively, related to utility carts for electricians to provide a portable workstation capable of storing multiple wire spools and related equipment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Utility carts are widespread in the construction industry. In fact, many carts are created for specific trades, such as a plumber&#39;s cart, and heating ventilation and an air conditioning (HVAC) cart, and the like, In order for the cart to be useful for a specific trade, it must take into consideration the various environments in which the cart will be used. For instance, when performing the initial electrical wiring for a building, a cart capable of rolling over rough terrain would be required. On the other hand, when performing the finish wiring inside an existing building, a cart capable of rolling through business or residential environments will be required, 
         [0004]    Several carts have been created for use by electricians, However, those carts available do not provide the electricians with suitable options for the various types of work that the electrician may encounter during his or her work. For instance, a wiring cart that is designed for inside wiring services is not capable of use in outside environments. Similarly, a cart designed for transporting wires suitable for indoor circuits is not capable of use for larger sized wires that are used in service or solar installations. 
         [0005]    In light of the above, it is advantageous to provide an electrician&#39;s wiring cart that accommodates virtually any project the electrician may be required to perform. It is also advantageous to provide a cart that may be used both inside on rough terrain and inside finished buildings. It is further advantageous to provide a cart that is adaptable for any wiring project, from large diameter wire spools used for electrical service and smaller diameter wire spools used for inside circuits. It is also advantageous to provide a cart that may be stood upright during use, enabling an electrician to save space or to prevent the cart from rolling, and a portable cart enabling an electrician to carry the cart through use of a pulling handle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An improved electrician&#39;s cart is provided and includes a base having a set of wheels capable of rolling over various terrain types, ranging from indoors to outdoors. Vertical support rails extend upwards from the base and are attached at the uppermost end with a tubular connecting bar that runs the perimeter of the cart. Each vertical support rail is formed with a number of spool bar receivers that are sized to receive a spool bar and retain it in place during use. The spool bars may be removed and replaced with different wire spools, and may be configured to accommodate any sized or number of wire spool. Accessories may also be incorporated into the cart of the present invention, and may include a number of accessory tubes mounted to the vertical rails, and can accommodate tools and other accessories, such as an umbrella, for use when working outside. A number of trays may also be configured for mounting through the spool bar receivers. In addition, to accommodate the various needs of an electrician, alternative embodiments of the present invention further includes an electrician&#39;s cart in a smaller scale comprising a single layer of wire spools, or a portable electrician&#39;s cart using a pulling handle, or an electrician&#39;s cart which can be positioned upright on the floor or ground to provide a direct pulling route from multiple wire spools, to save space during uses and storage, or to prevent the cart from rolling during use. 
         [0007]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the improved electrician&#39;s cart includes support rails attached to the base of the electrician&#39;s cart and oriented in a triangular shape. The support rails are reinforced with tubular connecting bars to further form a triangular prism frame. Further, in an alternative embodiment the triangular prism frame constructed of support rails and tubular connecting bars is constructed with a base without wheels. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout, and wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing the planar base with vertical support rails extending upwards from the base, the tubular connecting bars and removable spool bars that can be positioned in any number of spool bar receivers formed in the vertical rails; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing the vertical rails, the spool bar receivers, and the base having a number of wheels for easy movement of the cart; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of detail  3 - 3  of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention of  FIG. 2 , showing the spool bar receiver and the positioning of a spool bar within the channel formed in the vertical rail and secured in place for use; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing the placement of the spool bar within the spool bar receivers formed in the vertical rails extending from the base, and a separate exemplary spool bar showing the smaller diameter circumferential channel that engages the spool bar receiver to prevent the bar from moving during use; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing multiple wire spools on a spool bar placed in the spool bar receiver for use, and an accessory umbrella providing protection for the wires and a cart, positioned in the accessory tubes; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing a number of different sized wire spools positioned on spool bars with each positioned within a spool bar receiver, a pulling handle that attached to the base and provides for easy transportation of the cart, and a tray sized and configured to use the spool bar receivers for mounting to the cart; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing multiple wire spools positioned on a single layer of spool bars with each placed within a spool bar receiver on the connecting bar, and the base having a number of wheels for easy movement of the cart; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing multiple spool bars placed within spool bar receivers on the vertical support rails, wherein multiple wire spools may selectively be positioned, the base having a number of wheels for easy movement of the cart, and sidewalls enabling the cart to be stood upright during use; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing the cart which is stood upright on the floor using the sidewall on the cart, to provide a vertical array of wire spools, and to save space in confined areas and to prevent the cart from roiling during use; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing multiple spool bars placed within spool bar receivers on the vertical support rails, wherein multiple wire spools may selectively be positioned, the base having a number of wheels for easy movement of the cart, a supporting structure having columns and connecting bars, and a pulling handle placed underneath the cart while not in use; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing the cart which can be easily carried using the pulling handle and stood upright on the floor using the supporting structure on the cart, to provide a vertical array of wire spools, and to save space in confined areas and to prevent the cart from rolling during use; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention showing the planar base with support rails formed with a number of spool bar receivers extending upwards from the base at an angle to form a triangular shape with vertical and tubular connecting bars attached to the support rails and removable spool bars that can be positioned in any number of spool bar receivers; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the electrician&#39;s cart of  FIG. 12  showing the support rails, the spool bar receivers, and the base having a number of wheels for easy movement of the cart; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention with supports rails and tubular connecting bars oriented in the shape of a triangular prism having the base of an isosceles triangle; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention with supports rails and tubular connecting bars oriented in the shape of a triangular prism having the base of a right triangle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention is shown and generally designated  100 . Cart  100  includes a planar base  102 . Extending upwards from the base  102  are six (6) vertical support rails  104 . The upper end of each vertical support rail is attached to a tubular connecting bar  106  which forms a rigid frame having considerable strength. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment, base  102 , vertical support rails  104  and tubular connecting bars  106  are formed from high strength aluminum which provides significant strength yet is lightweight and easy to maneuver. Alternative embodiments may be manufactured using other materials known in the art, including but not limited to steel, high density plastic or resin, and fiber reinforced plastic composites such as fiberglass and carbon fiber. 
         [0026]    Each vertical support rail  104  is formed with a number of spool bar receivers  110 . The specific detail of the spool bar receiver  110  will be discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 3 . A removable spool bar  112  can be positioned in any number of spool bar receivers  110  formed in the vertical rails  104 . This versatility provides an electrician to customize the cart of the present invention for each specific project. 
         [0027]    A number of accessory tubes  108  may be mounted to the vertical support rails  104 , and the base  102  is equipped with a number of wheels  114  as is known in the art. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the electrician&#39;s cart  100  of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , detailing the vertical rails  104  and the positioning of the spool bar receivers  110 . Specifically, as shown in this embodiment, the spool bar receivers  110  are spaced vertically equidistant from each other, and initially spaced to accommodate a 500′ spool of 12 gauge wire on each spool bar  112 . In instances when larger spools must be accommodated, spool bars  112  may be separated. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an enlarged view of detail  3 - 3  of the electrician&#39;s cart  100  of the present invention of  FIG. 2  is shown. From this view, the shape of the spool bar receiver  110  is clear. Specifically, a spool bar  112  is formed with a channel  120  that is sized to receive the circumferential groove  124  of the spool bar  112  to prevent side-to-side movement of the spool bar  112 . The circumferential groove  124  is aligned with the spool bar receiver  110  and the spool bar  112  is advanced in direction  126  into a channel  120 . Once at the lower end  122  of the spool bar receiver  110 , the spool bar  112  is secured within the vertical rail  104  and secured in place for use. When necessary, the spool bar  112  may be removed simply by lifting the spool bar  112  and sliding it in reverse direction  126 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the electrician&#39;s cart  100  of the present invention and shows the placement of the spool bar  112  within the spool bar receivers  110  formed in the vertical rails  104  extending from the base  102 . An exemplary spool bar  112  is shown and includes a circumferential groove  124  having a diameter smaller than the spool bar receiver channel  120 , and having an end  128  sized to prevent the spool bar  112  from side-to-side movement during use. A separate exemplary spool bar  112  is shown as installed in the spool bar receivers  110  of vertical support rails  104 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is an end view of an exemplary embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart  100  of the present invention. In this configuration, multiple wire spools  130  and  132  are positioned on a spool bar  112  and placed in the spool bar receiver  110  for use. As shown, only two ( 2 ) of the six ( 6 ) available spool bar receivers  110  are being used in this configuration since the wire spools  130  and  132  are large, 
         [0032]    An accessory umbrella  134  is positioned such that an umbrella pole  136  is within the accessory tube  108  and provides protection for the wires and a cart. Accessory tubes  108  may also be used for elongated tools, such as a tool used to bend electrical metallic tubing (EMT). 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart  100  of the present invention is shown and includes a number of different sized wire spools  138  and  140  positioned on the spool bars  112  with each positioned within a spool bar receiver  110 . By selectively populating the spool bars with appropriate wire spools, and positioning the spools on the cart  100 , virtually any number or combination of wire spools and wire types may be accommodated. 
         [0034]    Cart  100  is also equipped with a pulling handle  142  attached to the base  102  and provides for easy transportation of the cart. The wheels  114  on the cart may be fixed, or they may rotate as is known in the art to provide steering. By fixing the wheels  114  on the opposite end of the base  102  than the pulling handle  142 , the cart  100  can be easily steered during use. Also, to provide an easier pulling surface for the user, a larger handle  144  may be provided. 
         [0035]    Cart  100  is also equipped with a tray  146  sized and configured to use the spool bar receivers  110  for mounting to the cart  100 . As shown, a tray  146  includes two posts spaced apart vertically for positioning into vertically adjacent spool bar receivers  110 . It is to be appreciated that larger trays  146  may be accommodated by using spool bar receivers  110  that are not adjacent, thereby providing for a larger tray or other device, such as a tool box. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention is shown and generally designated  200 . Cart  200  includes a planar base  202 . Extending upwards from the base  202  are eight (8) short vertical support rails  204 . The upper end of each vertical support rail is attached to a horizontal support rail  206  which forms a rigid frame having considerable strength. The rigid frame is constructed with high strength aluminum which provides significant strength yet is lightweight, however it is not meant to be limiting. It is contemplated that Cart  200  may be manufactured using other materials known in the art, including but not limited to steel, high density plastic or resin, and fiber reinforced plastic composites such as fiberglass and carbon fiber. 
         [0037]    Differently from the preferred embodiment where each vertical support rail is formed with a number of spool bar receivers, in an alternative embodiment  200 , instead of the vertical support rails, each horizontal support rail  206  is formed with a number of spool bar receivers  210 . A removable spool bar  212  can be positioned in any number of spool bar receivers  210  formed in the horizontal support rail  206 . This alternative embodiment  200  provides an electrician one (1) layer of spool bars positioned within the spool bar receivers  210  to customize the cart of the present invention depending on the need of the electrician. Alternative embodiment  200  may be more useful for more instant use of the cart with a few spools, relatively in smaller sizes, by an electrician working on a relatively small project. The base  202  is equipped with a number of wheels  214  as is known in the art, for easy movement of the cart during use. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  depicts another alternative embodiment illustrating the versatility provided by the present invention to customize the cart for an electrician. In  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention is shown and generally designated  300 . Cart  300  includes a planar base  302 . Extending upwards from the base  302  are side walls  304  wherein the end of each supporting member  306  is welded to support two vertical support rails  303 . The upper end of each vertical support rail  303  is attached to a tubular connecting bar  316  which forms a rigid frame having considerable strength. The rigid frame is constructed with high strength aluminum which provides significant strength yet is lightweight, however it is not meant to be limiting. It is contemplated that Cart  300  may be manufactured using other materials known in the art, including but not limited to steel, high density plastic or resin, and fiber reinforced plastic composites such as fiberglass and carbon fiber. Each vertical support rail  303  is formed with a number of spool bar receivers  310 . A removable spool bar  312  can be positioned in any number of spool bar receivers  310  formed in the vertical rails  303 . 
         [0039]    A number of accessory tubes  308  may also be mounted on the base  302 , and attached to the vertical support rail  303 . Accessory tubes  308  may be used for umbrella or elongated tools, such as a tool used to bend electrical metallic tubing (EMT). The base  302  is equipped with a number of wheels  314  as is known in the art, for easy movement of the cart during use. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the electrician&#39;s cart  300  of the present invention when it is stood upright on the floor using the side wall  304 , An electrician can selectively stand the cart upright when an electrician needs to save space for the electrician&#39;s cart  300  or to prevent the cart  300  from rolling, during his or her use. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  depicts another alternative embodiment illustrating the versatility provided by the present invention to customize the cart for an electrician. In  FIG. 10 , a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention is shown and generally designated  400 . Cart  400  includes a planar base  402 . Extending upwards from the base  402  are side walls  404  wherein the supporting structure  416  having columns and connecting bars is welded to support two horizontal support rails  406 . The upper end of each column on the supporting structure  416  is attached to the bottom end of the horizontal support rails  406 , forming a rigid frame having considerable strength. The rigid frame is constructed with high strength aluminum which provides significant strength yet is lightweight, however it is not meant to be limiting. It is contemplated that Cart  400  may be manufactured using other materials known in the art, including but not limited to steel, high density plastic or resin, and fiber reinforced plastic composites such as fiberglass and carbon fiber. Each horizontal support rail  406  is formed with a number of spool bar receivers  410 . A removable spool bar  412  can be positioned in any number of spool bar receivers  410  formed in the horizontal support rails  406 , 
         [0042]    A pulling handle  408  is attached to the base  402  and provides for easy transportation of the cart. The pulling handle  408  is placed underneath the base  402  when it is not in use and pulled out when easy transportation of the cart is necessary. In addition, the base  402  is equipped with a number of wheels  414  as is known in the art, for easy movement of the cart during use. The wheels  414  on the cart  400  may be fixed, or they may rotate as is known in the art to provide steering. 
         [0043]    The alternative embodiment  400  provides for a smaller embodiment than the preferred embodiment. The alternative embodiment  400  of the present invention will be manufactured as 20″ in width, 20″ in height, and 30″ in depth, forming a smaller electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention, for its portable use on relatively small projects. However, by adopting a number of removable spool bars  412  which can be positioned in any number of spool bar receivers  410 , this alternative embodiment  400  of the present invention can accommodate up to twelve (12) spool bars of 12″ wire, 
         [0044]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the electrician&#39;s cart  400  of the present invention when it is stood upright on the floor using the supporting structure  416  having columns and connecting bars and horizontal support rails  406 . An electrician can selectively stand the cart upright when an electrician needs to save space for the electrician&#39;s cart  400  or to prevent the cart  400  from rolling, during his or her use. In addition, using a puffing handle  408  located underneath the electrician&#39;s cart  400 , an electrician can portably carry the cart  400  without rolling the wheels  414  to transport the cart  400 , and stand the cart  400  upright on the floor. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention is shown and generally designated  500 . Cart  500  includes a planar base  502  equipped with a number of wheels  514  as is known in the art Extending at an angle upwards from the base  502  are four ( 4 ) support rails  504 , with each pair of support rails  504  forming a triangular base. A tubular connecting bar  506  attached to the apex of each triangular base, forming a triangular prism frame having considerable strength and rigidity. Vertical members  507  extending from the base  502  further attaches to the apex of each triangle to provide further structural strength and rigidity. Cart  500  is formed from high strength aluminum which provides significant strength yet is lightweight and easy to maneuver. The use of aluminum is not meant to be limiting and it is contemplated that Cart  500  may be manufactured using other materials known in the art, including but not limited to steel, high density plastic or resin, and fiber reinforced plastic composites such as fiberglass and carbon fiber. 
         [0046]    Each support rail  504  is formed with a number of slotted spool bar receivers  510  and circular spool bar receivers  516 . The slotted spool bar receiver  510  is substantially similar to spool bar receiver  110  discussed above and shown in  FIG. 3 , the details and description of which are fully incorporated herein. The circular spool bar receiver  516  is a circular hole formed into the support rails. A removable spool bar  512 , substantially similar to spool bar  112 , can be positioned in any number of slotted spool bar receivers  510  or circular spool bar receivers  516  formed in the support rails  504 . A number of accessory tubes, trays, or handles may be mounted to the cart  500  as well. This versatility provides an electrician the ability to customize the cart of the present invention for each specific project. 
         [0047]    The cart  500  can accommodate numerous spool sizes due to its shape. The bottom of the triangular prism frame is wider to accommodate larger sized spools and the top is narrower to accommodate smaller sized spools. Further, there are no subsequent rails before or after the support rail  504  to inhibit the size of the spools used. This gives the electrician a greater degree of customization when choosing which spools to use. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  is a side view of cart  500  showing a face of the triangular prism frame made of support rails  504 , tubular connecting bars  506  and vertical members  507 . As shown, one of the triangular bases of the triangular prism frame includes two support rails  504  extending upwards from the base  502  at an angle and attaching to one another. Vertical member  507  attaches between the apex of the triangle formed by the support rails  504  and the base  502  to provide additional strength and rigidity to the triangular prism frame. The support rails  504  are substantially equal in length, however the lengths of the support rails  504  are not meant to be limiting. Various lengths and resulting triangle shaped configurations are contemplated without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , an alternative embodiment of the electrician&#39;s cart of the present invention is shown and generally designated  600 , The cart  600  includes a triangular prism frame comprising support rails  604 , tubular connecting bars  606 , and vertical support members  607 . The support rails  604  are oriented to form an isosceles triangle base and tubular connecting bars  606  connect the bases together at each point of each triangle, forming the triangular prism frame. On each base, a vertical support member  607  is attached to provide additional rigidity and strength to the frame. The support rails  604  are substantially equal in length, however the lengths of the support rails  604  are not meant to be limiting. Various sizes, lengths, and triangle shaped configurations are contemplated, as shown in  FIG. 15 , without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The Cart  600  is constructed with high strength aluminum which provides significant strength yet is lightweight, however it is not meant to be limiting. It is contemplated that Cart  200  may be manufactured using other materials known in the art, including but not limited to steel, high density plastic or resin, and fiber reinforced plastic composites such as fiberglass and carbon fiber. 
         [0050]    Formed into the support rails  604  are spool bar receivers  610 . A removable spool bar  612  can be positioned in any number of spool bar receivers  610  formed in the support rails  604 . As shown, the spool bar receiver  610  is a circular hole formed into the support rail  604 . It is contemplated that the spool bar receiver  610  may be slotted substantially similar to spool bar receiver  110  discussed above and shown in  FIG. 3 . The cart  600  can accommodate numerous spool sizes due to its triangular shape. As a triangular prism, the bottom of the cart  600  is wider to accommodate larger sized spools and the top is narrower to accommodate smaller sized spools. This gives the electrician a greater degree of customization when choosing which spools to use, Further, there are no wheels attached allowing the placement of the cart  600  at a location without worry of the cart  600  rolling away. Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a variation of the electrician&#39;s cart  600  is shown and generally designated  620 . The electrician&#39;s cart  620  is substantially similar to electrician&#39;s cart  600  and wherein like reference numerals designate like elements. The cart  620  includes a triangular prism frame comprising support rails  604 , tubular connecting bars  606 , and vertical support members  607 . The support rails  604  are oriented to form a right-triangle and tubular connecting bars  606  connect the triangular bases together at each point of each triangle, forming the triangular prism frame. Instead of using additional support members to provide additional strength and rigidity to the frame, the electrician&#39;s cart  620  utilizes several different sized support rails  604 . 
         [0051]    Formed into the support rails  604  are spool bar receivers  610 . A removable spool bar  612  can be positioned in any number of spool bar receivers  610  formed in the support rails  604 . The cart  620  can accommodate numerous spool sizes due to its triangular shape. Further, the frame may be repositioned for the user to utilize different support rails. By placing the cart  620  on different sides, different support rails become available for use, This gives the electrician a greater degree of customization when choosing which spools to use. 
         [0052]    While there have been shown what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.