Abstract:
A collapsible wagon comprises integral bench seats and a folding construction that can be used to transport children or large household objects. The wagon folds in half to provide a suitcase-sized configuration for purposes of storage and transportation. The wagon further includes a pull handle, large wheels, seat belts, and drink holders.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in U.S. Patent Provisional No. 61/600,795 filed on Feb. 20, 2012 the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relate generally to a wagon that is collapsible into a storage configuration capable of being transported by manipulation of a handle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Having children necessitates a means to effectively transport the children and all of the children-adapted accessories in a manner that assists a parent/guardian&#39;s busy schedule. The means should also have the dual capacity to entertain, and, in some respects, confine the children in space so as to further assist a parent/guardian. Because lugging children and all of the necessities associated with children can be taxing, the means should be of light weight, compactable, and easily transportable. A child wagon provides such a means. 
     Child wagons are used extensively to assist parents and guardians with the transportation of their children and child&#39;s provisions. Child wagons provide a means to confine a child within a manageable area while affording the ability to transport the child about at a discretionary pace set by the parent/guardian controlling the wagon. An important benefit is that children tend to find the experience amusing and stimulating. Because having children requires the need to have relatively immediate access to a plethora of toys, accessories, and other provisions, wagons should be equipped with the means to carry these items. Furthermore, because the wagon itself becomes one of these accessories, it too should be compact and easily transportable. Therefore, it is desired to have a child wagon that is equipped with the additional features of collapsibility and transportability. It is further desired to improve on the confinement, marshalling, and entertainment capabilities a wagon. 
     Child wagons exist that are light weight and foldable into a compact configuration. However, these wagons fail to provide the all of the desired features of: child confinement; cargo spacing; entertainment capacity; a compact folding configuration; and, wheeled transportation means while in the compact folded configuration. It is an object of this invention to provide a child wagon that folds into a better compact configuration that is more conducive to transporting the wagon. It is a further object of this invention to provide a child wagon that can be transported on a set of wheels while in its compact configuration. It is a third object of this invention to provide a child wagon that exhibits the above beneficial features with no requirement to assemble/disassemble the wagon in order to place it into its extended/compact configuration. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a collapsible child wagon having integral bench seats. The wagon collapses into a compact configuration in a manner to afford the ability to maneuver the wagon about on a set of wheels. It is equipped with additional features such as bench seats, seat belts, cup holders, a washable protective bottom panel, and adequate cargo space. 
     The wagon comprises of a first section and a second section that is pivotly attached to each other so as to afford the ability to fold the sections onto each other. The sections are contoured so that the second section can fold into the first section, thus reducing the overall volume of the wagon in its collapsed configuration. In an extended configuration, each inside section of the wagon is equipped with bench seating and seat belts. This allows a child to be securely seated in a designated spot within the wagon. Cup holders are formed into the walls of the wagon for enhanced entertainment and utility. The wagon sections are designed to provide amble cargo space around the bench seat for adequate marshalling the child provisions. The wagon is provided with wheel wells, which also serve to reduce the overall volume of the wagon. Latches are attached to retain and secure the wagon in its extended and collapsed configurations. A panel is used to cover a bottom portion of the wagon while in an extended state and neatly attaches to the wagon while in a collapsed state. This panel allows a user to protect the wagon from dirt and debris and is easily removable for cleaning. An elongated handle is pivotally attached to a front portion of the front section to assist with maneuverability of the wagon. While in the collapsible configuration, the overall volume of the wagon is no more than an average aircraft carry-on luggage bag. Additionally, the elongated handle can be coupled to the wagon while in the collapsed configuration to allow a user to maneuver it about on the attached wheels. 
     With the joys of having children, comes the need to have a convenient means to transport the children and all of the child&#39;s provisions in a manner that will further assist a parent/guardian in confining and entertaining the child. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of a collapsible wagon depicted in an in-use state, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view if the collapsible wagon; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the collapsible wagon depicted in a collapsed state; 
         FIG. 4  is an environmental view of the collapsible wagon depicting a transported state; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective side view of the collapsible wagon depicting installation of a bottom panel cover portion  80 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  collapsible wagon 
               20  first section 
               21  second section 
               23  pivot pin 
               24  pin slot 
               25  first bottom panel 
               26  first sidewall 
               27  second bottom panel 
               28  second sidewall 
               29  second sidewall end 
               30  second open end 
               31  first open end 
               32   a  first latch 
               32   b  second latch 
               32   c  third latch 
               33  first sidewall end 
               34  latch recess 
               35   a  first wheel well 
               35   b  second wheel well 
               37  post 
               44   a  front wheel 
               44   b  rear wheel 
               45  wheel well 
               46  axle 
               56  first bench seat 
               57  recessed area 
               58  second bench seat 
               60  handle 
               61  grip 
               62  hinge 
               64  spring clip feature 
               70  cup holder 
               72   a  first seat belt 
               72   b  second seat belt 
               74  release clip 
               80  bottom panel cover 
               100  user 
               105  ground surface 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure will be made to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , which depict a collapsible wagon (herein described as a “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. The device  10  generally includes a first section  20  and a second section  21 . The first section  20  is pivotally attached to the second section  21  and foldable about a pair of pivot pins  23  being inserted into correspondingly aligned pin slots  24 . The pin slots  24  are located opposite from each other and are integrally-molded into first sidewall portions  26  of the first section  20 . The pivot pins  23  are preferably stationary cylindrical shapes integrally-molded into second sidewall portions  28  of the second section  21 . The first section  20  includes a flat first bottom panel  25  and a first sidewall  26  extending upwardly from a perimeter of the first bottom panel  25 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first bottom panel  25  has a generally semi-ovular shape and the first sidewall  26  has a curved profile matching the first bottom panel  25 . It can be appreciated that the first bottom panel  25  and corresponding first sidewall  26  can have alternative shapes, such as rectangular, square, or the like, and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. 
     The second section  20  includes a second bottom panel  27  and a second sidewall  28  extending upwardly from a perimeter of the second bottom panel  27 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second bottom panel  27  has a generally semi-ovular shape and the second sidewall  28  has a curved profile matching the second bottom panel  27 . It can be appreciated that the second bottom panel  27  and corresponding second sidewall  28  can have alternative shapes, such as rectangular, square, or the like, and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the second sidewall ends  29  of the second sidewall  28  extend past a second bottom panel open end  30  of the second bottom panel  27 . The second sidewall ends  29  extend into the first section  20  such that an exterior surface of the second sidewall  28  is in contact with an interior surface of the first sidewall  26 . As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the second section  21  has a slightly smaller diameter than that of the first section  20 , such that the second section  21  can be folded upon and reside within the first section  20  when in a collapsed state. The pin slots  24  within the first sidewalls  26  provide for folding and collapsing engagement of the second section  21  within the first section  20  in a compact manner. 
     The outside edges of the second bottom panel  27  at the second open end  30  extend outwardly beyond the second sidewall  28  having a combined dimension equivalent to the first open end  31 . The flat outside vertical edge of the first bottom panel  25  at the first open end  31  and the second bottom panel  27  at the second open end  30  make contact when the device  10  is in the unfolded and in-use state. 
     A first latch  32   a  is provided along an upper edge of the first sidewall  26  opposite the first open end  31  for engaging a latch recess  34  located upon a bottom surface of the second bottom panel  27 , being aligned with the first latch  32   a , to secure the device  10  in the collapsed state. A second latch  32   b  and a third latch  32   c  are disposed at each first sidewall end  33  for securing the second section  21  to the first section  20  when unfolded into the in-use state. The second  32   b  and third  32   c  latches provide a retention means by mechanically capturing corresponding post portions  37  which protrude outwardly from end portions of the second open end  30  to prevent the bottom panels  25 ,  27  from separating during use or in situations where force is applied to the seam created between the first section  20  and second section  21 . 
     In certain embodiments, the latches  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  are integrally-molded spring-biased hook latches that engage the latch recess  34  and post  37  portions of the device  10 . However, it can be appreciated that the latches  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  can be any suitable mechanical lock, latch, pin, clamp, or similar mechanism which can secure the sections  20 ,  21  together when in the in-use state. 
     The first section  20  comprises a pair of front wheels  44   a  and the second section  21  comprises a pair of rear wheels  44   b . Each pair of wheels  44   a ,  44   b  is rotatably coupled to the respective bottom panel  25 ,  27  opposite the respective open end portions  30 ,  31 . The pairs of wheels  44   a ,  44   b  are preferably attached by a central axle  46  that passes through a lower end of each section  20 ,  21 . Each section  20 ,  21  also includes respective wheel well portions  35   a ,  35   b  molded into exterior surfaces of the sections  20 ,  21  for aesthetic purposes and to minimize the overall size of the device  10 . 
     The first section  20  also includes a first bench seat  56  extending inwardly from the interior surface of the first sidewall  26  opposite the first open end  31 . The first bench seat  56  is envisioned to include such items as a cushion or padded top surface. A perimeter portion of the first bench seat  56  includes a circumferential recessed area  57  which forms a gap between the first bench seat  56  and the first sidewall  26  having a width being slightly larger than the thickness of the second sidewall  28 . The recessed area  57  receives the top edge of the second sidewall  28  when the second section  21  is folded into the collapsed state. A first seat belt  72   a  is affixed at opposing ends to the first bench seat  56 . The first seat belt  72   a  comprises a length adjustable belt release clip  74 . 
     The second section  21  also includes a second bench seat  58  extending inwardly from the interior surface of the second sidewall  28  opposite the second open end  30 . The second bench seat  58  comprises a second seat belt  72   b  having a belt release clip  74  and being affixed at opposing ends to the second bench seat  58 . A pair of cup holders  70  is integrally-molded or otherwise affixed to opposing interior surfaces of the second sidewall  28 . 
     The device  10  comprises an elongated handle  60  being rotatingly attached via a hinge  62  located at a center location of a lower edge of the first section  20  opposite the first open end  31 . The handle  60  is permanently attached to the first section  20  and is intended to provide for maneuvering of the device  10  when in the in-use state and includes an ergonomic grip end  61 . The handle  60  is rotatable by approximately two-hundred seventy degrees (270°) about the lower hinge portion  62  of the first section  20 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , when in the collapsed state, the handle  60  is rotatably positioned and secured to a bottom surface of the first bottom panel  25  using a “C”-shaped integral spring clip feature  64 . The gripping end of the handle  60  extends outwardly beyond the first and second open ends  30 ,  31  allowing a user  100  to maneuver the device  10  upon the front wheels  44   a  like a rolling suitcase over a ground surface  105 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective side view of the device  10  depicting installation of a bottom panel cover portion  80 . The bottom panel cover  80  comprises an accessory made using flexible or semi-rigid extruded plastic sheet having a perimeter shape matching a combined shape of the first bottom panel  25  and second bottom panel  27  portions. The bottom panel cover  80  may be placed upon or optionally fastened using snap fasteners or the like, to cover the first bottom panel  25 , the second bottom panel  27 , and the seam created therebetween, thereby forming a protective and washable surface when the device  10  is unfolded into the in-use state. It is also envisioned that the bottom panel cover  80  may be used to cover an end opening created when the device  10  is in the collapsed state. 
     The materials required to produce the device  10  are all readily available and well known to manufacturers of goods of this type. It is envisioned that the majority of the components used would be made of plastic in an injection or blow molding process. Such a process would require the design and use of custom molds. The remaining components of the device  10  such as the pull handle  60 , wheels  34 , axles, fasteners, latches  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c , and the like would best be procured from wholesalers and manufacturers that deal in goods of that nature and assembled at a final location. The relatively simple design of the device  10  and the material of construction make it a cost-effective design due to the relatively low material and labor costs involved. Final production of the device  10  would be performed by manufacturing workers of average skill. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  can be achieved by performing a series of steps: preparing the device  10  in the deployed state by pivoting the second section  21  outwardly away from the first section  20  until the first  31  and second  30  opens ends contact each other; securing the sections  20 ,  21  together by engaging the second latch  32   b  and third latch  32   c  to respective post portions  37 ; using the device  10  to transport children riders or other objects as desired; folding the device  10  from the in-use state to the collapsed state by temporarily disengaging the second  32   b  and third  32   c  latches from post portions  37  of the second section  21 ; allowing the second section  21  to pivot upwardly about an axis defined by the pivot pins  23 ; folding the second section  21  into the interior area of the first section  20  between the first sidewall  26 ; and, attaching the first sidewall  26  to the exterior of the second sidewall  28  by engaging the first latch  32   a  with the corresponding latch recess  34  to retain the device  10  in the collapsed state. 
     In the collapsed state, the device  10  can easily fit in the trunk of a car or even the overhead bin of an aircraft. In the in-use state, the device  10  can be used to transport child riders or other objects. The device  10  can be transported by a user  100  in a similar manner as a rolling suitcase by rotating the handle  60  until contacting a bottom surface of the first bottom panel  25  and securing via insertion into the “C”-shaped integral spring clip feature  64 . In this position, the handle  60  extends outwardly beyond the first and second open ends  30 ,  31  enabling the user  100  to maneuver the device  10  upon the front wheels  44   a  like a rolling suitcase over a ground surface  105 . 
     It can be appreciated that the operational steps can be performed in alternative order and as such any operational description of use should not be viewed as a limiting factor. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.