Patent ID: 7000939

Claim:
A wheeled carrier device, said device comprising: a support frame comprising at least two separate frame components movably inter-connected together defining a side elevational profile and an outer perimeter; and at least one retention element affixed to said support frame; and a rigid handle structure and at least one forwardmost wheel support unit and at least two rear wheel support units affixed to said support frame, each providing rolling support to said carrier device in their operative position, and each of said wheel support units including a wheel having an outer periphery and a central axis of rotation and wheel-attaching means including an arm structure, defining a plane; and said forwardmost wheel being movable between the first, operative position wherein said forwardmost wheel is erected to provide rolling support for said support frame and wherein the plane defined by said forwardmost wheel and said rear wheels extends substantially orthogonally to the side elevational profile of the support frame, and a second, stowed position of said forwardmost wheel, the plane defined by said wheel of said forwardmost wheel support unit being swept through an angle during movement of said wheel support unit between said first and second positions such that the plane defined by said wheel and its central axis of rotation in the second position of said forwardmost wheel support unit is substantially parallel with and substantially within the outer perimeter of said support frame; and releaseable latching means, for positively latching said forwardmost wheel support unit in both of said first and second positions thereof; the wheel of the at least one forwardmost wheel support unit, in the first, operative position thereof, being disposed in a plane parallel with the wheels of said rear wheel support units in their operative positions thereof, and being, in use, directed downwardly in said first, operative position thereof, and the wheel of the at least one forwardmost wheel support unit, in the second, stowed position thereof, being directed substantially toward the center of said support frame, and the at least one forwardmost wheel support unit further includes at least one bracing portion at least partly mounted to said forwardmost wheel support unit; and in a first operative position said bracing portion at least partly abuts said support frame, and in a second, stowed position at least a part of said supporting brace is detached from said abutment to said to support frame; and the at least two frame components in a first, operative position include at least one frame connector latch which latches the at least two frame components against movement in relation to each other, and in a second, non-operative position, the frame connector latch is in a disengaged status so that the separate frame components are movable in relation to each other.