Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application in part disclosed and claims priority from subject matter disclosed in my earlier filed patent application Ser. No. 10/686,948, filed Oct. 15, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/431,839 filed May 7, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/989,376, filed Aug. 24, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,529, which is a continuation in part of my provisional patent applications, Ser. No. 60/233,138, filed Sep. 18, 2000, and 60/246,014 filed Nov. 6, 2000 which both disclose in part subject matter disclosed in my earlier filed patent applications filed under Ser. No. 09/226,838 filed Jan. 7, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,491, Ser. No. 09/479,344 filed Jan. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,671, and Ser. No. 09/745,116 filed Dec. 21, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,972. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a mission adaptable set of components for a multiple-purpose collapsible portable cart, which may convert to a utility table, for use in camping, hunting, search and rescue, and other outdoors activities. The cart can be easily assembled in a number of uses, and disassembled for easy transporting of the cart in a movable storage bin, a backpack or a hand-carried bag. A plurality of carts and related components may form a reconfigurable, modular, expandable, transportable, mobile medical critical care point of need field installation system.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Various single use carts exist for carrying canoes and small boats by hand. Other outdoors-oriented carts exist for carrying game. In addition, wheelbarrows and small carts are used for transporting gear at outdoors locations. However, none of the existing carts can be converted to a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as a rescue cart with a carrier for injured persons and be converted to a stationary utility table, as a portable canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all of which can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.  
         [0004]     Hirayama et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,358, discloses a mobile hospital system entirely constructed of interconnected shipping containers. These large containers form hospital rooms that can serve as surgical suites, examination rooms, storage, and a variety of infrastructure support facilities from supplying electrical power, water, and fuel to a communications center. These units can be transported by ocean freighters, helicopters, rail, or over land by tractor trailers. They can be set up remotely and then shipped out ready for use. They are moved to their final destination much as any cargo container; the movement requires a tractor to set them in place and roads to get them there, unless the set-up is on an airfield or at a dock. While the equipment inside each shipping container can be varied, the exterior box-like trailer shaped containers are large and fixed in shape.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mission-adaptable set of interchangeable components forming movable and stationary load supports and work surfaces.  
         [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile multi-purpose cart, which is quickly assembled or disassembled.  
         [0007]     It is also an object to provide a multi-purpose cart, which quickly converts from one use to another.  
         [0008]     It is further an object to provide a cart which as a stable, flat platform for supporting cooking devices, machinery, camera tripods and the like.  
         [0009]     It is yet another object to provide a caravan of components for a load support system, which is stable during transport over rough terrain.  
         [0010]     It is yet another object to provide a portable collapsible cart/utility table with minimal fasteners.  
         [0011]     It is yet another object to provide a portable collapsible cart/utility table, which can be stabilized in a position of rest.  
         [0012]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a universally adaptable carrier cart/utility table.  
         [0013]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a reconfigurable cart for carrying medical rescue stretchers, canoes and small boats by hand, which converts to a utility table for triage and emergency medical response.  
         [0014]     It is yet another object to provide a portable search and rescue cart/utility table adapted to carry a stretcher or other carrier for an injured person.  
         [0015]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an outdoors-oriented cart for carrying game or injured parties.  
         [0016]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a small cart with a well for transporting gear at outdoor locations, which can be converted to a stable utility table with a work surface.  
         [0017]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as a stationary work surface table, as a portable canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a rescue cart for injured persons, as a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all of which can be broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.  
         [0018]     It is yet another object to provide a portable cart/utility table which is either backpackable or which can be carried by hand.  
         [0019]     It is yet another object to provide a carrier for transporting military equipment and ordnance.  
         [0020]     It is yet another object to provide a cart-hauling clamp for pulling the portable cart/utility table behind a bicycle or motorized all terrain vehicle while resisting tipping over of the cart during directional change of the cart-hauling bicycle or all terrain vehicle.  
         [0021]     It is yet another object to provide a portable cart/utility table, which can be used as a wheeled cart on terrain or as a ski cart on snow.  
         [0022]     It is also an object of the present invention to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     In keeping with these objects and others, which may be apparent, the present invention relates to a universal mission-adaptable set of structural components forming a myriad of useful movable reconfigurable support carts or stationary utility tables, which can be rapidly and accurately deployed in the field with minimal or no tool assembly. The cart may be a convertible, multi-purpose portable cart, for use in camping, hunting, emergency response, search and rescue operations and other outdoors activities, such as for carrying canoes and small boats by hand. It may also carry game, injured parties or be used for transporting gear at outdoors locations. It is a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as a movable or stationary medical rescue carrier, cargo carrier, portable canoe or boat cart, which can be assembled with interfitting parts and with minimal fasteners. It can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a carry cart for transporting game or injured parties over long, rough terrain or snow, or as a gear cart, all of which can be broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.  
         [0024]     The cart/utility table is moved by manual pushing or pulling force applied to activate vehicle movement actuators, such as wheels upon terrain or skis upon snow or ice, wherein upon the exertion of force the wheels or skis cause forward or rearward movement of the portable cart.  
         [0025]     The cart/utility table is easily assembled or disassembled by connecting its parts together, or optionally assembled from a pre-set storage configuration in a carry pack to an assembled structure.  
         [0026]     The cart/utility table easily changes from one use to the other. For example, in one embodiment, a hollow cargo well may contain a second loose layer, which turns into a rescue stretcher when the second layer becomes taut when zipped up from a loose, relaxed state within the cargo well to a taut rescue stretcher for carrying injured persons thereon.  
         [0027]     In an alternate rescue embodiment, clamps can be provided on shortened horizontal support members to hold rails to hold medical rescue stretcher rails, and optional handles or pivotable kickstands can be further attached by clamps to the stretcher rails.  
         [0028]     In military applications, the height of the vertical struts can be lowered to keep the injured person on a low profile stretcher close to the ground, to avoid visible detection. In such a case, the handles can optionally easily rotate from a handle carry position to a stationary kickstand mode.  
         [0029]     The portable cart is preferably under thirty (30) pounds, preferably twenty two (22) to twenty eight (28) pounds, so that it can be carried by hand or within a backpack over rough terrain. It is collapsible, so that it can be disassembled and carried in a canoe or small boat, and then reassembled with minimal assembly steps and parts, at another destination along the canoe or boat&#39;s journey.  
         [0030]     To prevent flat tires, its wheels are preferably solid core tires, which cannot get flat, or made of cellular materials, such as medium density, micro-cellular urethane, with stainless steel bearings, over which the wheels rotate. A typical wheel has two press fit bearings adjacent to an integrally molded hub. While the typical wheel is about 2-3 inches wide, for transporting cargo or game on sand or granular terrain, the wheels may be wider, such as 4-6 inches in width.  
         [0031]     For maneuverability in snow-filled winter scenes, optional ski members, including skis, are attached to vertical braces having a length corresponding to the radius of the cart&#39;s wheels. The vertical ski braces are attached to the vertical struts where the wheel axles attach.  
         [0032]     For hardiness, the material of the structural frame components is preferably a lightweight but resilient and strong material, such as, for example, 60-61 T6 fully anodized aluminum, or stainless steel. In a substantially pre-assembled optional embodiment, in a storage position within a carry bag, the vertical struts are connected to horizontal supports, which are further engaged with rails to hold a cargo well or rescue stretcher. Pivoting of the horizontal supports about each respective longitudinal axis to a position of rest biases the resiliently engaged rails to return to their natural position of use when released from the storage position.  
         [0033]     These pivotable support and strut assemblies can be further strengthened by optional V-shaped braces, which are positioned where each vertical strut meets each corresponding horizontal support member.  
         [0034]     The portable cart/utility table can hold up to 500 pounds, and for manual pulling easily pulls 300 pounds. The portable cart/utility table is durable to carry heavy weight over rough terrain, such as rock-strewn dirt trails or sloping riverbank surfaces.  
         [0035]     To carry a canoe or boat, two horizontal load supports optionally include support cushions upon which the canoe or boat rests. The position of the horizontal load supports can be varied to accommodate various widths of the canoe or boat.  
         [0036]     To function as a game or rescue cart, the frame, such as a pair of U-shaped rails which are joined end to end, is provided upon the horizontal load supports to form a rounded rectangular frame, over which a taunt, but slightly stretchable, bed of fabric is placed, such as canvas or other flexible material, i.e., plastic or netting. The bed includes sewn loops through which portions of the U-shaped rails of the frame are inserted. Other fabric fasteners such as clips, zippers or eyelets can be also used.  
         [0037]     In an alternate embodiment, the boat support cushions are removable from the horizontal load supports and are replaced by a two-piece clamp, which attaches by at least one fastener, such as a pair of screws, to the horizontal load supports of the cart. Conventional stretchers or personal rescue carriers, such as Stokes-type baskets, are clamped to the cart within the clamps on each respective horizontal load support. In this embodiment, the boat support cushions are attached to a thin plate, such as of ⅛ inch aluminum or otherwise, which has at least one fastener such as a pair of threaded studs, insertable with the respective hole or holes in the horizontal load supports, so that the boat support cushions can be removed and replaced by the stretcher-bearing clamps.  
         [0038]     To function as a wagon cart with a well for carrying gear, a hollow fabric well, such as of canvas, is draped between the horizontal load members and over and around the front and rear U-shaped brackets. A cover may be provided to cover the gear therein. The well and cover can also be made of other suitable flexible materials, such as plastic, netting or canvas. An optional removable hard bottom substrate floor layer may be provided within the cargo well. While this floor layer may be of any hard material, materials such as lightweight aluminum, wood or marine polymer plastics are preferred.  
         [0039]     Furthermore, the cargo cart may have an optional handle from which may be draped a further optional accessory cargo bag. In the stretcher embodiment, where the upper layer is fastened taut, the handle may have a removable headrest pillow.  
         [0040]     Kickstands may be optionally provided to stabilize the portable cart/utility table during rest or during loading of contents thereon.  
         [0041]     In yet another embodiment, an anti-tipping bicycle attachment is provided to attach the cart to a bicycle while preventing the cart from turning over during transportation.  
         [0042]     In one embodiment, the cart/utility table has two wheels for cargoes weighing from 300-500 pounds. However, for heavier loads, such as for 600-1,000 pounds, an optional double axle version includes two pairs of overlapping wheels for heavier cargo. In this embodiment, the portable cart/utility table uses four wheels in the overlapped configuration, with an optional hard molded canister. In this overlapping, wheeled version, a long axle attaches a pair of front wheels and a short axle attaches a pair of rear wheels through the respective vertical supports, although the length of the axles can be reversed. Using four wheels doubles the carrying capacity of the cart/utility table, and the overlapped positioning of the pairs of wheels maintains a short wheelbase for compactness, for maneuverability and for climbing slopes or ledges.  
         [0043]     In the four-wheeled embodiment, double parallel rails may be provided for additional structural strength. The overlapping, dual axle, four-wheel version gives the user extra pivot points on rough terrain. For example, pushing down upon the optional handle enables the user to lift the further away distal wheels off the ground. Furthermore, pulling upon the handle enables the user to lift the nearer, proximal wheels off the ground.  
         [0044]     The accessory which is placed upon the vertical supports of either the two wheeled or four wheeled cart/utility table, such as the rescue stretcher, the boat cushion, the cargo cart, etc., can be attached permanently or by fasteners to each horizontal load support member of the portable cart/utility table. However, in an alternate embodiment, the horizontal supports have longitudinally extending channels to slide the accessories in on top of the horizontal supports. Furthermore, the accessory, such as a railed rescue stretcher, can be carried by a clamp which itself is attached to the horizontal support by insertion in such a channel, or the stretcher can be dropped in and clamped to a pair of rails forming the horizontal support.  
         [0045]     This clamp upon each horizontal support member may be a one-piece clamp with a full width top section and short end pieces, which mate with and slip into a T-shaped slot channel of the horizontal support member. Alternatively, the clamp may have a full width bottom member which mates with and slides into a T-slot of the horizontal support. In yet another embodiment, two short identical clamp members are inserted into the T-slots of the horizontal member at the two ends. Moreover, the clamping sections can have spring-like gripping action to be retained upon tubular members, such as medical rescue stretcher rails, or the clamps can use fasteners such as fasteners, such as thumbscrews or ball plungers for retention.  
         [0046]     In yet another embodiment, a covered canister can be held in place over the rails of the frame of the cart, in a stable position, by virtue of its weight being held in place upon the rails of the cart, wherein a concave, downward facing channel engages the linear, upper convex support surface of each rail.  
         [0047]     Furthermore, the cart of the present invention can be disassembled and broken down for hand held or backpack transport and it can easily be assembled for its varied uses. Moreover, when a boat or canoe is carried, the cart has a precision balance feature that rotates the wheels to maintain the cart in a horizontal stable position.  
         [0048]     The convertible cart/utility table of the present invention is just one of many modular embodiments which may be made of the present invention. Because of the interchangeability of the parts, the components of the convertible cart/utility table can also be used for assembling a boat hauling cart, a game hauling cart, a wheelbarrow-type hauling cart, a low profile stretcher, a high profile stretcher and a component of a mobile emergency medical treatment response system.  
         [0049]     Furthermore, in the rescue mode, the convertible cart/utility table allows for one person to transport an injured person instead of two on a stretcher. Because of the convertibility of the cart, when the person is brought to a triage situation for treatment and assessment, the wheels of the cart can be easily removed without tools and replaced by one or more kickstands to stabilize the cart.  
         [0050]     Therefore, in its broadest sense, the present invention is a movable support, such as a convertible cart/utility table, which is collapsible for storage and transport and is able to be assembled and dis-assembled for use in carrying a load, and alternatively functioning as a stationary utility table having stationary legs instead of wheels.  
         [0051]     In one embodiment, the convertible cart/utility table includes a pair of modular load support members which each includes at least one carrying strut extending downward therefrom and a carrier.  
         [0052]     The convertible cart/utility table is preferably carried by handles, which may be extensions of parallel rails constituting the load support member, or the handles may be separate handles having handle extension members nesting in a receiving member of the load support for receiving an adjustably removable handle extension member, such as a tube. The handles may be single grips extending coaxial to the first or the second horizontal frame rails of the movable support.  
         [0053]     In an alternate embodiment, the handles in a pivotable rectangular brace configuration, including a first set of manual grips extending between parallel connectors, which are further connected by a rotatable transverse bar, to enable the handles to be rotated up to a carrying position, or down to a storage position.  
         [0054]     These optional pivotable handles lock in an upper position for hauling the cart, and reverse to a lower position for storage, or in a low profile use, contact the ground surface for operating as a kickstand.  
         [0055]     In addition, the handles may optionally also pivot about their longitudinal axis downward to reach ground level to function as a kickstand for a low profile table cart, or may swing out of the way in a high profile cart when stored during travel or during the stationary utility table mode.  
         [0056]     By “low profile use” it is meant that the movable load support is positioned low to the ground to avoid detection, such as in military rescues. By “high profile use” it is meant that the movable load support is positioned higher up from the ground, such as for example, between 30 and 36 inches, more or less, to allow for access to the load. For example, if the load is an injured person in a rescue operation, the height is high enough to allow medical treatment personnel to conveniently treat the injured person. If the load is cargo, then the height of the high profile movable support, such as a cart, is convenient for stowing and removing the cargo being transported.  
         [0057]     These axially pivotable handles may slide within a hollow support rail, and be locked in place by fasteners, such as spring pins extending through respective holes in an outer wall of the hollow support rail.  
         [0058]     Preferably, the handle includes a first hand grip located coaxially to the handle shaft or tube and an outer second handle grip, which is located parallel to the handle shaft or tube, which is in rigid connection with the coaxial handle grip. Both parallel hand grips are connected by parallel brace members laid perpendicular to the hand grips. The handle member is lockable in at least two positions, such as an upward position for hauling the convertible cart/utility table and a downward position for using the handle as a kickstand in a low profile embodiment, or for storage in a high profile embodiment.  
         [0059]     These handles may be locked in place with a spring pin.  
         [0060]     The longitudinally extending structural frame rails of the movable support can each accommodate a handle extending therefrom, each frame rail having a connecting end and a handle attachment end, and a plurality of spring pin apertures for attachment of additional members.  
         [0061]     In a preferred embodiment, there are at least two spring pins, wherein a spring pin of the plurality of spring pins reversibly protrudes a spring pin aperture of the plurality of spring pin apertures located on each respective frame rail, such as a first horizontal tube.  
         [0062]     Preferably, for knockdown transport, each frame rail may be made of several components, such as a longitudinally extending mid section joined at each opposite end to longitudinally extending first and second connecting end portions. A first spring pin aperture is located on each lateral side of the connecting ends of the first horizontal tube and the second horizontal tube; and a second spring pin aperture is located on each top side of the connecting ends of the first horizontal tube and the second horizontal tube, a distance farther from the connecting end than of the first spring pin aperture. Other pin locations are applicable.  
         [0063]     These assembled frame rails together accommodate optionally one or more clamps, with at least one clamp in communication with a first horizontal tube and at least one other clamp in communication with the second horizontal tube, with both tubes forming the frame rails of the movable load support.  
         [0064]     In a further alternate embodiment, one or more transverse support bars, preferable at least two transverse support bars, are substantially perpendicular to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rail tubes, and may optionally be in communication with a clamp holding a carrier in removable communication with the clamp or clamps. The carrier may be a rescue stretcher, Stokes carrier, cargo bin, open cargo hauling well, rack or other load support means.  
         [0065]     The clamp may be attached to a strut through which accommodates axles therethrough for movement actuators, such as wheels.  
         [0066]     Optionally the clamp may be at least one clamp, reversible for accommodating a range of sizes of carriers, including a bottom surface, an opposing top surface, and a inside surface, a clamp front surface and an opposing clamp rear surface. The bottom surface includes a plurality of grooves for optionally receiving one of the horizontal support tubes of the frame rails, with the reverse top surface including at least one groove for optionally receiving a horizontal support tube. This reversible clamp has a first bore extending from its top surface to its bottom surface, for allowing a bolt to pass therethrough. The reversible clamp also includes a rail-accommodating aperture extending from the clamp&#39;s front surface to the clamp&#39;s rear surface for receiving a horizontal support tube of a frame rail, and the reversible clamp has a tightening knob for securely attaching the clamp to each respective horizontal support tube;  
         [0067]     The clamp also includes a latch to tighten a load support, such as a stretcher or other rail in place. So that the latch does not become loose, the threaded securing bolt of the latch, which is threaded into a threaded bore of the body of the reversible clamp, includes a bottom flange wider than the threaded bore, which includes a reciprocal flange recess to accommodate the flange of the threaded securing bolt. An optional fixed nut or flange is located at the end of the bolt, for preventing the separation of the joinable latch and main body parts of the reversible clamp and the bolt from the clamp.  
         [0068]     In a preferable embodiment, the clamp may be a heavy-duty clamp having a lower portion having a first concavity for insertion above the horizontal support tubes and a second concavity for slidable and removable insertion of a carrier or a second carrier, a top surface and a guide boss for removable attachment of an upper portion. The upper portion has a third concavity for slidable and removable insertion of a carrier and a guide recess for removable attachment to the lower portion. The heavy duty clamp includes a first latch rigidly connected to the clamp&#39;s lower portion, in communication with the first concavity for gripping the horizontal support tube of a frame rail of the load support carrier securely.  
         [0069]     The heavy duty clamp also preferably has a second latch, preferably at an upper end, which second latch is rigidly connected to an upper portion of the heavy duty clamp in communication with the third concavity for gripping the load support carrier securely.  
         [0070]     The heavy duty clamp may optionally support one or more rails holding a fluid catch under the load support carrier, to catch blood and other body fluids if the load support carrier holds an injured person being medically treated thereon.  
         [0071]     This second latch includes a lever latch for manual securing of the load support carrier and a clamping jaw for forming a frictional contact force between the latch and the frame rail of the carrier.  
         [0072]     When the carrier is a stretcher secured to the convertible cart/utility table, the pitch of the stretcher can be adjusted, such as for example, to raise or lower the head of the person being treated. In this case, the stretcher carrier has a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end of each rail is secured to a respective upper hook receptacle portion of the clamp and the rear end of each frame rail of the carrier is secured to a respective lower hook portions of the clamp, resulting in an elevation differential between the front end and the rear end of the second carrier. The clamps come in pairs so that the front and rear clamps on each side are equidistant from each other in length, with each secured to opposing horizontal support tubes of each frame rail.  
         [0073]     In such a case of the head portion of a medical stretcher or other carrier being raised higher than an opposite foot end, the height of the respective head and foot portions can be varied by placing the foot end in the lower hook portions of the foot clamps and the head end in the higher hook portion of the heavy duty clamp. Optionally, the height can be further varied by varying the height of each kickstand, wherein the rear kickstand is in a position of the clearance being a minimum, and the front kickstand is in a position of the clearance being a maximum, resulting in maximum height differential between the front end of the carrier and the rear end of the carrier.  
         [0074]     Additionally, the diameter of the upper latch jaw is effectively less then the inside diameter of the rail support concavity of the clamp for allowing the jaw to accommodate a change in pitch of the carrier, in case the carrier has to be tilted, such as for raising the head of an injured person being treated upon the load support carrier. This latch jaw includes cylindrical portions and a contact portion including a concave surface for evenly contacting the convex surface of the carrier&#39;s frame rail.  
         [0075]     Optionally, the kickstand may be a pair of kickstands, namely a front kickstand and a rear kickstand, adjustable in width and insertable through the clamping means and clamped onto each end of each horizontal support frame rail and extending substantially vertically therefrom.  
         [0076]     For further strength of the movable support in a stationary position of use as a utility table, the kickstand may include a substantially vertical left leg, substantially vertical right leg, and a kickstand connecting bar detachably extending horizontally between the left and right legs. Each of the left and right legs of the kickstand may include a lower end and a height adjustable member insertable to the legs by means of a swivel joint for allowing the legs to rotate freely.  
         [0077]     The height adjustable members adjust the height of each leg, preferably by insertion of a first pin, such as a locking pin or a spring pin, insertable within a selected aperture of a plurality of pin apertures in substantially vertical orientation, wherein the height adjustment member is removably insertable into each leg for a predetermined incremental height interval, such as about one inch.  
         [0078]     Besides this macroadjustment of the kickstand leg by selective insertion of the pin into a selected aperture, the height can be adjusted by a microadjustment means, including the kickstand having a screw end and the lower end of the leg includes a receptacle, for the screw end, for fine adjustment of the height of the movable support, where the distance between the edge of the leg of the kickstand and the lower edge of the height adjustment member is a clearance distance.  
         [0079]     The heavy duty clamp also includes an optional outside surface having a hinge for removably attaching at least one rotatable swivelable accessory therefrom, wherein the accessory is an examination or surgical lamp having a flexible or hinged neck, an instrument tray, an arm or leg limb platform support or a gravity or pump fed intravenous (IV) pouch support having an insertable vertical rod and a component for insertion into the vertical rod into the hinge.  
         [0080]     The hinge accessory may include a splitting attachment having an insertion pin for removable and rotatable communication with the hinge, and at least two hinges extending substantially vertically for additional components in a stacking arrangement, such as, for example, one instrument tray being elevated above another instrument tray.  
         [0081]     If there is a person with blood loss during surgery in the field, this convertible cart/utility table can also have an auxiliary fluid catch draining fluids into a closed shallow bucket.  
         [0082]     In addition, medical accessories and a power pack for lighting and for instrument power can be attached to the cart.  
         [0083]     In the basic cart mode a transverse member connecting the load support members is not necessary, as the downwardly extending struts accommodate the axles for one or more pairs of wheels, which act as transverse support members for the cart in its basic transportable cart embodiment.  
         [0084]     The load support member itself may be a) a resting member supporting a load thereon or, b) it may be a clamp. The clamp may be adjustable by a handle, which may have a stop to prevent complete unscrewing of the stud of the handle so that the clamp cannot come apart. The clamp can be a pair of jaws, or it can be a longitudinally extending slider clamp where the load support slides into a recess between two overhanging cantilevered members extending upward from the base.  
         [0085]     The convertible cart/utility table is also useful in military and emergency situations. For example, in addition to rescue of injured military or civilian personnel, the cart may be used in areas contaminated by toxic substances or weather related disasters. Besides moving an injured party in a triage situation to a treatment area in a detoxification environment caused by a weapon of mass destruction such as gas, smoke or other noxious particles, there may be a necessity for a wash of the persons so the contaminated persons can be brought by the convertible cart/utility table to a wash area where they are first immediately washed of surface contaminants. In this weapons of mass destruction treatment facility there can be any one of these pieces of equipment to wheel the injured persons to decontaminate them. If they are not ambulatory, for any further treatment they can be brought to the medical facility.  
         [0086]     The medical facility can set up as a fully operational ten (10) or more bed field hospital treatment facility with ten (10) or more sets of bins carried on ten or more carts, wherein each upper most bin shell container of each set of containers for each bin can be tilted and moved can be moved from a horizontal carrying position to a vertical stand upright position with drawers extending outward therefrom. A mobile hospital is modular in its design. If there is a need for more than ten (10) beds, then increment units of ten can be provided and deployed to a site. For rapid deployment, the convertible cart/utility table with cargo hauling bins can be hauled by all terrain vehicles in a rapid manner.  
         [0087]     In addition, the convertible cart/utility table easily converts without tools from either a wheeled embodiment to a fixed table embodiment wherein the wheels are replaced by one or more kickstands. When in the utility table mode, the cart can have extending therefrom, by clamps, one or more swivelable platforms supporting injured limbs of a person or medical supplies such as an instrument tray, a light, an I.V. tube pole, etc. In this case, the platform is pivotable, but not removable. It pivots like a hinge to any desired position.  
         [0088]     Auxiliary transverse bars can be added when in the fixed table embodiment. Additionally, there are micro and macro adjustments of the height of the cart depending on the need for access to the injured person on the cart. For example, there are macro adjustments in one-inch (1″) increments to raise the cart up and there is also a micro adjustment by a threaded member for up to a one-inch (1″) of micro adjustment.  
         [0089]     To hold rescue stretchers or other carrier rails, a heavy-duty utility clamp has a concave hook portion for dropping in a stretcher rail and a lower concave portion for dropping in a rail holding an auxiliary fluid catch basin or sling. However, one end of the stretcher can be put in a lower concave hook of the heavy-duty utility clamp to slant the position of the stretcher. Furthermore, by adjusting the transverse bars and/or the axles, the width of the utility table can be widened, so it is totally adjustable to fit any size carrier or stretcher.  
         [0090]     In addition, in order to raise the head of an injured party, raising one end and lowering the other end can slant the table portion. A preferable ten-degree (10°) adjustment can be done with the adjustable foot height and then there is an additional five degrees (5°) by adjusting the heavy-duty clamp and raising or lowering one end of the stretcher on the utility table.  
         [0091]     Hinged platform arm or leg board platforms may extend from a clamp attached to the frame rail of the utility table. The platforms swing out radially in a horizontal plane, to provide maximum adjustability for the position of the limbs of a victim or for the positioning of medical/surgical accessories, such as intravenous stands, instrument trays or examination lamps. It is further noted that attached to the auxiliary arm board platforms may be poles for supporting an intravenous fluid pack or a tent to repel insects from the treatment environment. While other suitable measurements may be used, these arm board platforms are preferably six inches (6″) wide and the leg boards approximately eight inches (8″) wide.  
         [0092]     The convertible cart/utility table also optionally includes a clamping means, which may be a latch, a pair of clamping jaws, a longitudinally extending slotted extrusion or a receptacle.  
         [0093]     The axle-carrying struts each have a lower end with an axle mounting means at the lower end and at least one axle extending through each axle-carrying vertical strut. Each axle has at least one vehicle movement actuator, such as a wheel or a ski, of a pair of vehicle movement actuators attached at opposite sides of the convertible cart/utility table, which also has a carrier attachable to the load support member, wherein when the carrier supports&#39; a load thereupon. Such a carrier may be a hollow well, a bin, a pair of rails, a rescue stretcher or Stokes carrier or other support surface or container. Optionally the carrier may be rotatable from a horizontal position of travel to an upright position as a shelved cabinet.  
         [0094]     The bins are preferably of fiberglass composite canisters that offer an alternative to traditional containerization of supplies. The combination of lids, bottoms, trays and drawers can be configured in various combinations providing flexibility form payloads to address variable deployment needs as they evolve. The designs allow payloads to be changed without the need to re-containerize supplies. Up to 500 pounds can be deployed by a single individual with a loaded bin mounted upon a cart of the present invention.  
         [0095]     The parts are easily assembled and disassembled without the necessity of tools. For example, the parts can be held together by clamps or receiving receptacles including a spring pin aperture for receiving a push pin for secure interconnecting of a component of the convertible cart/utility table, such as the handle tube within the receiving member of the load support member. The components can also be held in place by pins or other fasteners positioned within diametrically opposed transverse holes for allowing a through pin to extend therethrough. PINS While in simple embodiments the convertible cart/utility table includes a single pair of wheels attached by struts extending down from the load support members, in other embodiments the convertible cart/utility table includes two pairs of axle load supports and four vehicle movement actuators, such as wheels.  
         [0096]     To convert from a movable support, such as a convertible cart to a stationary utility table, the downwardly extending axle-supporting struts are detached by their clamping means from the load support members, and replaced by stationary kickstands, which contact the ground to maintain the utility table in a stationary position.  
         [0097]     One kickstand may be used with the wheeled struts still in place, although for maximum stability all wheeled struts are replaced by kickstands.  
         [0098]     The kickstand may be a single rod extending from the load support member to the ground, or it may be an H-shaped or U-shaped pair of downwardly extending rods connected by a widenable transverse member, to vary the width of the convertible cart/utility table.  
         [0099]     The convertible cart/utility table may also include at least one cargo bin removably connected to the load support member.  
         [0100]     Each of the cargo bins preferably includes a top shell container of a plurality of shells, each having a top outer surface and an opposing top inner surface; a bottom shell having a bottom outer surface and an opposing bottom inner surface. The top outer surface includes a boss arrangement and the bottom outer surface includes a recess arrangement corresponding with the boss arrangement, for aligning a plurality of the cargo bins to be vertically stacked one on top of each other in a caravan of bin-hauling carts. There may also be one or more intermediate shell containers.  
         [0101]     The bin of the convertible cart/utility table has one or more latches for removably connecting the top shell to the bottom or intermediate shell, wherein the latch is optionally lockable. Preferably, each bin is made of a sturdy, lightweight material, such as fiberglass.  
         [0102]     A top shell can be removed from the stack of bins and stood upright as a medical or other supply cabinet, which includes slidable drawers, anchored to and within the top shell of the cargo bin. Preferably, the top inside surface and the bottom inside surface of the shells of the bin each includes a foam lining for limiting the movement of contents within the cargo bins. Additionally, the shells further include one or more optional removable interior containers.  
         [0103]     The mission-adaptable components may therefore deploy a portable cargo bin having a cabinet system and at least one locking latch, and be secured to the collapsible cart/utility table, in a method including:  
         [0104]     i) in the case of the collapsible cart/utility table having vehicle movement actuators, such as wheels, securing the wheels in place to prevent movement,  
         [0105]     ii) applying force to tilt the collapsible cart/utility table about a first axis until a first rest position is reached, wherein the force is optionally applied to a pair of handles in connection with the collapsible cart/utility table, and the first axis of tilt being the vertex formed of the intersection between the bottom outer surface and a bottom front surface;  
         [0106]     iii) unlatching the straps holding the shells of the bin;  
         [0107]     iv) applying force to tilt the collapsible cart/utility table about a second axis until a second rest position is reached, wherein the second axis of tilt is the vertex formed of the intersection between the top outer surface and the top front surface;  
         [0108]     v) disengaging the latch or latches; and  
         [0109]     vi) separating the top shell from the bottom shell and the portable cart/utility table, allowing it to return to the first rest position or optionally to return fully to the initial standing position.  
         [0110]     The convertible cart/utility table may also include a modular load support member which includes at least one axle-carrying strut extending downward therefrom, a receiving member for receiving an adjustably removable handle tube and optionally a clamping means.  
         [0111]     The clamping means may be an extrusion slider clamp rigidly attached to the modular load support member, having a top clamp surface, an inside edge and an outside edge. The top clamp surface further includes a groove formation aligned with the inside edge and the outside edge for horizontally receiving a carrier therein.  
         [0112]     In this case, the axle carrying struts have a lower end with an axle mounting means at the lower end, at least one axle extending through each axle-carrying strut. Each axle has at least one vehicle movement actuator of a pair of vehicle movement actuators attached at opposite sides of the cart and a carrier attachable to the clamp, wherein when the carrier supports a load thereupon.  
         [0113]     The axle carrying struts may each includes a lower end with an axle mounting means at the lower end, at least one axle extending through each vertical strut and a plurality of transverse holes for resisting impact. A carrier is attachable to the load support member, wherein when the carrier supports a load thereupon. Additionally, each axle carrying strut may have a pair of support trusses for increased load support, the trusses being rigidly connecting the axle carrying support and the extrusion clamp.  
         [0114]     As a result, the convertible cart/utility table is mission adaptable for a variety of missions, and is not mission specific, such as for one particular task. The components break down into interchangeable parts, and are easily transported or stored for adaptability to a myriad of tasks in both friendly and hostile environments.  
         [0115]     In contrast to the bulky container modules of Hirayama &#39;358, the reconfigurable, modular, expandable, transportable, mobile medical critical care point of need field installation system of this invention is primarily for use in soft-wall environments, such as tents. Since no rigid room modules are shipped, the volume and mass of material to be transported is minimized. The portable cart/utility table is collapsible as is other related hospital equipment such as medicinal cabinets, oxygen equipment, and energy sources, all of which are mountable on carts with wheels that can be pulled into place by personnel. Packaged in shock mounted containers, entire multi-bed hospitals as well as individual units can even be air-dropped by parachute to the most remote and rugged disaster sites.  
         [0116]     In its simplest form, the field installation system of the present invention includes one or more portable medical utility tables carried by a transportation source, ranging from a simple manually operable cart convertible to the utility table itself, to motor vehicle or aircraft transportation carriers. Each cart is accompanied by one or more interchangeable clamps, which are rapidly deployable to form a medical patient utility treatment table from the components of the cart. Also in its simplest form, the one or more utility tables formed from each portable cart are accompanied by medical treatment equipment, from at least first aid equipment to more sophisticated equipment such as utility power sources, diagnostic equipment, one or more liquid and/or gaseous fluid sources, medical surgical accessories, such as trays, lamps, arm rests and stirrups and/or containers with medical supplies therein.  
         [0117]     The reconfigurable, modular, expandable transportable mobile medical critical care point of need field installation system includes one or more manually operable carts having a load support frame of at least one pair of parallel rails. The load support frame is removably engageable and attachable by a clamp, which itself is attachable to one or more pairs of axle supporting struts descending therefrom, with a respective axle extending through each pair of axle supporting struts. Each axle includes a pair of wheels, wherein each wheel is located at opposite end regions of each axle. Therefore each cart is convertible from a wheeled cart to a stationary medical utility table accommodating a patient thereon. Each medical utility table is adaptable to attach one or more medical accessories thereto.  
         [0118]     The portable cart/utility table of this invention, along with the many accessories and other cargo cart configurations can therefore be used as the basis for a transportable, medical critical care point of need field installation system. Since all units are collapsible and modular, they can be packaged in foam containers for extreme ruggedness. In addition to medical supply cabinets and oxygen therapy carts, other cargo carts can be used for energy sources, fuel and water tanks, communications equipment, tent air-conditioning, and other hospital infrastructure needs. Having a wheeled cart means that final positioning of the equipment after deployment is handled by personnel on the most rugged of terrain. Deployment can be by any transport means including trucks, rail, ship, boat, helicopter, and even transport aircraft making parachute air drops. A small crew can assemble the parts into a ten bed hospital in about one hour without heavy machinery and few, if any, tools.  
         [0119]     For example, a cargo cart of this invention can contain a large battery for DC electrical power and inverter and controller for AC supply. Solar collectors can be used to charge the battery. Alternatively, or in combination, a fuel cell or engine-powered generator can also be mounted on a cart.  
         [0120]     Equipment can be packaged as needed. An entire ten-bed hospital can be packaged as a single module for deployment, or modules of the same type of equipment, such as oxygen therapy carts, diagnostic medical imaging/Y-ray equipment, or cart/utility tables, can be packaged together from their suppliers and then shipped to a remote site so that they arrive at the disaster site simultaneously by different transporters originating from different locations. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0121]     The present invention can best be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0122]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the components of the basic cart embodiment broken down for transport within and on the storage backpack;  
         [0123]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the backpack on a user, with the cart contained therein;  
         [0124]      FIG. 3  is an exploded inverted perspective view of the basic cart embodiment components, disassembled from their original transport configuration;  
         [0125]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an alternate simplified embodiment where the vertical strut is permanently attached to a horizontal member in a “T” configuration;  
         [0126]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of an embodiment where the horizontal support is permanently affixed to the vertical strut by welding or other means;  
         [0127]      FIG. 3C  is an alternate embodiment where the vertical strut fits within a hole in the horizontal support and is fastened by a fastener.  
         [0128]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the assembled boat cart;  
         [0129]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the assembled cart with a boat fastened for transport;  
         [0130]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the components required to assemble the boat cart;  
         [0131]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective of a typical wheel, showing two press fit bearings adjacent an integrally molded hub;  
         [0132]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an axle-locking member, installed on the assembled axle;  
         [0133]      FIG. 9  is a sectional elevation view, taken through lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 , showing the locking member compressing and locking the axle joint;  
         [0134]      FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat cart in its resting position, with a boat hull contacting the raised edge;  
         [0135]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat cart with the boat hull positioned and fully installed, illustrating the precision balancing feature of the cart;  
         [0136]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the assembled alternate embodiment cart, for hunting/gaming applications;  
         [0137]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the inverted gaming cart, illustrating the framework fastening method;  
         [0138]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the gaming cart, illustrating the attachment of the stretcher canvas material to the framework components;  
         [0139]      FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of the attachment of the handlebar component to the locking receptacles on the framework;  
         [0140]      FIG. 16  is a sectional elevation view, taken through lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 , showing the locking receptacles acting on the installed leg of the handlebar;  
         [0141]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the gaming cart, with a deer fastened for transport;  
         [0142]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a further embodiment, a cart for transporting cargo, equipped with optional wide tires and axle for use on sand or granular terrain;  
         [0143]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a fully loaded cargo cart, with the cover material partially cutaway to reveal its contents;  
         [0144]      FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the cargo cart, illustrating the attachment of the canvas material to the framework components;  
         [0145]      FIG. 21  is another exploded perspective detail view of the components for a stretcher-hauling clamp of an alternate embodiment for a search and rescue cart;  
         [0146]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the clamp embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 , showing the sliding action of the clamp therein, for quick removal of the stretcher therefrom;  
         [0147]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the portable cart of the present invention, showing the clamp as in  FIGS. 21 and 22  carrying a rescue stretcher;  
         [0148]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the portable cart carrying a Stokes-type personal rescue carrier;  
         [0149]      FIG. 25  is an exploded view of components of a further alternate embodiment for a support for removal of a boat support cushion therefrom;  
         [0150]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for a hunting cart with an accessory racking system for transport of hunting gear, such as a tree stand chair, archery implements and firearms thereon;  
         [0151]      FIG. 27  is an exploded detail view of a quick release clamp for rail fastening to the cart shown in  FIG. 26 ;  
         [0152]      FIG. 28  is an assembled elevational view of the clamp of  FIG. 27  attached to a rail;  
         [0153]      FIG. 29  is an exploded perspective view of a typical clamp for gear support for the cart as in  FIG. 26 ;  
         [0154]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of an anti-tipping attachment for connecting a bicycle to the portable cart of the present invention;  
         [0155]      FIG. 31  is an exploded perspective view of the components of  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0156]      FIG. 32  is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the portable cart of this invention with four wheels, shown with a covered cargo-hauling bin;  
         [0157]      FIG. 32A  is a top plan view of the cover for a bin used with the cart as in  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0158]      FIG. 32B  is a top plan view of the bin used with the cart as in  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0159]      FIG. 32C  is an exploded view of the cover and bin as in  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0160]      FIG. 32D  is a side elevational view of the cover and bin as in  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0161]      FIG. 32E  is a front elevational view of the cover and bin as in  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0162]      FIG. 32F  is a front cross-sectional view thereof, taken along lines “ 32 F- 32 F” of  FIG. 32D ;  
         [0163]      FIG. 32G  is an exploded perspective view thereof;  
         [0164]      FIG. 32H  is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a load support has a plurality of spaced apart, downwardly extending axle carrying struts and a receiving member for a handle tube, has an upper pushpin aperture and a pair of opposite holes for a through pin to extend therethrough, showing two axles accommodating a pair of dual wheels in coaxial orientation;  
         [0165]      FIG. 32I  is a close-up perspective view of the receiving member and handle spring pin engaged in the receiving member as in  FIG. 32H ;  
         [0166]      FIG. 32J  is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a four-wheel cargo bin hauling cart showing stacked cargo hauling bins held in place in a boss and recess engagement; further showing a kickstand engaged to the handle;  
         [0167]      FIG. 32J A is a perspective view of a bin on a cargo hauling cart loaded with oxygen concentrator and compressor for filling oxygen tanks;  
         [0168]      FIG. 32J B is a side elevational view of the cart mounted equipment supplying oxygen from a concentrator to a patient in a field hospital environment;  
         [0169]      FIG. 32J C is a perspective view of the oxygen system of  FIG. 32J A being used to fill tanks with compressed oxygen in a mine environment;  
         [0170]      FIGS. 32K, 32L  and  32 M are side elevational views of the sequence of the disassembly of one of the cargo hauling bins to a deployed standing position with operable sliding draws;  
         [0171]      FIG. 32N  is a front elevational view of the standing bin as in  FIG. 32M ;  
         [0172]      FIG. 32N A is a rear perspective view of a sliding drawer showing channels for sliding drawer cover panel;  
         [0173]      FIG. 32N B is a front corner perspective detail of the drawer of  FIG. 32N A showing sliding panel in channel;  
         [0174]      FIG. 32O  is a local perspective view of an optional trailer hitch assembly;  
         [0175]      FIG. 32P  is a side elevational view of an all-terrain vehicle pulling the four-wheel cargo bin-hauling cart with the trailer hitch as in  FIG. 32O .  
         [0176]      FIG. 32Q  is a side elevational view of the four wheel cargo bin-hauling cart being unloaded from a vehicle, such as a military truck;  
         [0177]      FIG. 32R  is a perspective view of the four wheel cargo bin-hauling cart emerging from a cargo net lowered from an aircraft, such as a hovering helicopter;  
         [0178]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of one embodiment for an assembled frame of a portable cart with four wheels;  
         [0179]      FIG. 33A  is a bottom perspective view of the chassis and wheel portions thereof;  
         [0180]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a channeled horizontal load support member with an integral T-slot;  
         [0181]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the channeled horizontal load support member as in  FIG. 34 , shown with an extruded support cushion installed in a T-slot;  
         [0182]      FIG. 36  is a perspective view of the embodiment for an assembled cart with four wheels further incorporating horizontal support members with a T-slot;  
         [0183]      FIG. 37  is a perspective view of a horizontal support member with a clamp member having two short T-slot engaging members and a full-length top section;  
         [0184]      FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a horizontal support member with a clamp member having a full-length T-slot engaging bottom member and two short clamping top members;  
         [0185]      FIG. 39  is a perspective view of a horizontal support member with two short identical clamping members installed in the T-slots at the extreme ends;  
         [0186]      FIG. 39A  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a short clamp with a locking feature for positive locking against lateral shifting in the T-slot of the horizontal support member;  
         [0187]      FIG. 39B  is an end view of the short clamp of  FIG. 39A  engaged with tubing member and horizontal support member, both shown in crossection;  
         [0188]      FIG. 40  is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment for a rescue carrier cart with shortened horizontal supports and with a pivotable kickstand;  
         [0189]      FIG. 41  is a front elevational view of the kickstand portion of the rescue carrier cart as in  FIG. 40 ;  
         [0190]      FIG. 42  is a side elevational view of the rescue carrier cart as in  FIG. 40 , shown with the kickstand pivoted in a transportable position of rest;  
         [0191]      FIG. 43  is a side elevational view of a low profile military rescue carrier cart, shown with a handle;  
         [0192]      FIG. 44  is a front elevational view of the handle as in  FIG. 43 ;  
         [0193]      FIG. 43A  is a perspective view of a low profile rescue carrier cart shown with an alternate embodiment for a stretcher bearing assembly having a reversible handle/cart support;  
         [0194]      FIG. 43B  is an exploded perspective view of the stretcher-bearing tube components of the stretcher-bearing assembly of  FIG. 43A , showing interlocking spring-loaded pin and receptacle fasteners;  
         [0195]      FIG. 43C  is a detail view of the spring-loaded pin as in  FIG. 43B ;  
         [0196]      FIG. 43D  is a side elevational view of the assembled components of a low profile rescue carrier cart as in  FIGS. 43A, 43B  and  43 C;  
         [0197]      FIG. 43E  shows the low profile rescue carrier cart, in a side elevational view;  
         [0198]      FIG. 43F  is a perspective view of a reconfigurable modular rescue carrier cart transporting a stretcher atop an auxiliary fabric carrier slung underneath;  
         [0199]      FIG. 43G  is a perspective view of a reconfigurable rescue carrier cart transporting a stretcher atop an auxiliary multi-purpose waterproof bag slung underneath;  
         [0200]      FIG. 43H  is a perspective view of a reconfigurable modular rescue carrier fitted with a wooden slat platform atop multi-purpose waterproof bag for washing patients and catching effluent in bag;  
         [0201]      FIG. 43I  is a perspective view of a reconfigurable modular rescue carrier fitted with a multi-purpose waterproof bag filled with a measure of ice cubes as used for treating hyperthermia;  
         [0202]      FIG. 45  is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment for a four wheeled rescue carrier cart, shown with stretcher rails and with stabilizing tie rods, for use as a temporary stationary medical gurney;  
         [0203]      FIG. 46  is a top plan view thereof; shown without the stretcher rails;  
         [0204]      FIGS. 47, 47A ,  47 B,  48  and  49  show respective isometric, left side, top, front and right side views of the clamp used in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 40-46 ;  
         [0205]      FIG. 50  is an isometric view of a half piece thereof, shown with spring pins;  
         [0206]      FIG. 51  is an isometric perspective view of a further embodiment for a disassembled, single axle cart, stored in a carry bag;  
         [0207]      FIG. 51A  is a further perspective view thereof;  
         [0208]      FIG. 52  is an exploded perspective view of the cart as in  FIG. 51 , shown during assembly, wherein arrows indicate directional movement of rotation about the axis of the rails shown therein;  
         [0209]      FIG. 52A  is a perspective view thereof showing one wheel in place upon an axle;  
         [0210]      FIG. 53  is a close-up cutaway view of the spring stop member regulating outward movement of the optional rails of the cart of the present invention from a storage position to a position of use;  
         [0211]      FIG. 54  is an overall perspective view in partial cutaway of the cart showing the wagon portion in its cargo-carrying configuration;  
         [0212]      FIG. 55  is an overall perspective view of the cart of  FIG. 54 , shown in its rescue stretcher configuration;  
         [0213]      FIG. 56  shows a detail view of an optional ski attachment instead of wheels, for use in snow and winter environments;  
         [0214]      FIG. 57  shows a detail view of an optional platform base for supporting objects thereon;  
         [0215]      FIG. 58  is a perspective view of portable cart frame configured as a multi-victim stretcher;  
         [0216]      FIG. 59  is a perspective view of multi-victim stretcher using single fabric top surface cover;  
         [0217]      FIG. 60  is a perspective view of multi-victim cart frame reconfigured to accept separate stretchers;  
         [0218]      FIG. 61  is a perspective view of multi-victim stretcher using separate stretchers;  
         [0219]      FIG. 62  is an end view of wheel subassembly attachment mechanism in engaged position;  
         [0220]      FIG. 63  is an end view of wheel subassembly attachment mechanism in disengaged position;  
         [0221]      FIG. 64  is an end view of attachment clamp for tubular overhead bar;  
         [0222]      FIG. 65  is a perspective view of portable cart frame configured as an operating room table/gurney;  
         [0223]      FIG. 66  is a perspective view of operating room table/gurney;  
         [0224]      FIG. 67  is an end view of wheel brake mechanism in applied position;  
         [0225]      FIG. 68  is an end view of wheel brake in an off position;  
         [0226]      FIG. 69  is an end view of side rail adjustable clamp; and,  
         [0227]      FIG. 70  is a perspective view of adjustable clamp assembly.  
         [0228]      FIG. 71  is a diagrammatic flow chart of use of the convertible cart/utility table of the present invention in a medical emergency response triage environment;  
         [0229]      FIG. 72  is an exploded perspective view of the basic components of the convertible cart/utility table of the present invention, showing removable kickstand and wheel support components;  
         [0230]      FIG. 73  is an exploded view of the tubular frame component of the convertible cart/utility table of the present invention, with an alternate embodiment for a kickstand holding sleeve;  
         [0231]      FIG. 74  is an exploded perspective view of an assembled convertible cart/utility table in the utility table mode, showing an auxiliary power pack attached thereto and a medical stretcher above;  
         [0232]      FIG. 75  is a side elevational view of the convertible cart/utility table in the utility table mode as in  FIG. 74 , shown in a tilting feature with one portion of the utility table being raised higher than a higher opposite lower end proportion, and showing an optional body fluid captive collector;  
         [0233]      FIG. 76  is a detailed view of the height adjustable foot portion of the convertible cart/utility table as in  FIGS. 74 and 75 , as shown in the ellipse “ 76 ” in  FIG. 74 ;  
         [0234]      FIG. 77  is a detailed perspective view of a reversible clamp of the convertible cart/utility table as in  FIG. 43A ; shown in the detail callout “ 78 ” of  FIG. 43A ;  
         [0235]      FIG. 78  is a close-up rear elevational detail view of the clamp as in  FIG. 77 , shown in a reversed position, as shown in the detail callout “ 78 ” in  FIG. 43A ;  
         [0236]      FIG. 79  is a front elevational view of an optional heavy-duty clamp for the convertible cart/utility table as in  FIG. 72 , as shown in detail callout “ 79 ” in  FIG. 72 ;  
         [0237]      FIG. 80  is a detailed front elevational view showing a hook of the heavy-duty clamp as in  FIG. 79  showing the retraction of a stretcher rail support, allowing the stretcher rail to drop thereby selectively tilting the head or foot of the stretcher;  
         [0238]      FIG. 80A  is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of a stretcher clamp with a blade extended to support a stretcher rail in an upper position upon a notched or concave surface thereof;  
         [0239]      FIG. 80B  is a front elevation of the stretcher clamp of  FIG. 80A  with the upper stretcher rail supporting blade retracted, to support the stretcher in the lower position upon a notched or concave surface of a lower stretcher rail support blade;  
         [0240]      FIG. 80C  is a perspective view of the stretcher clamp in  FIGS. 80A and 80B  showing holes to accommodate accessory or IV poles;  
         [0241]      FIG. 80D  is top view detail of the hook end which supports the stretcher pole;  
         [0242]      FIG. 80E  is a crossection of the hook end of  FIG. 80D  showing side chamfers;  
         [0243]      FIG. 81  is a perspective view of the stretcher clamp for the tilted stretcher effected by the clamp retractor as in  FIG. 80 , which stretcher clamp allows for the tilting rotation of the stretcher rod;  
         [0244]      FIG. 82  is a perspective view taken at detail callout “ 82 ” in  FIG. 81 , showing the rotation thereof effectuating tilting of the latch;  
         [0245]      FIG. 82A  is a perspective view of all the parts constituting a stirrup kit for a stretcher, including stirrups, angled support bar assemblies, a tightening plate with a stirrup support hole, and a stirrup support blade;  
         [0246]      FIG. 82B  is a top schematic view of the two configurations of stirrup positions possible with the angled support bar assemblies;  
         [0247]      FIG. 82C  is a perspective view detail of one stirrup as mounted, using the stirrup kit;  
         [0248]      FIG. 83  is an exploded perspective view of a clamp for an auxiliary limb appendage support used in connection with the convertible cart/utility table as in  FIG. 72  or  FIG. 74 ;  
         [0249]      FIG. 84  is an exploded perspective view of the clamp as in  FIG. 83  showing intravenous support stanchion and a medical instrument tray.  
         [0250]      FIG. 85  is an exploded perspective view of the clamp of  FIG. 83  sharing a means for mounting a medical clamp;  
         [0251]      FIG. 86  is a perspective view illustrating an instrument tray set-up used in connection with the clamp as in  FIG. 83 ;  
         [0252]      FIG. 87A  is a perspective view of a universal accessory clamp with the clamping jaws in the closed position;  
         [0253]      FIG. 87B  is a perspective view of the clamp of  FIG. 87A  in the jaws-open position;  
         [0254]      FIG. 87C  is a side elevation of the universal accessory clamp with moving jaw open engaging tubing shown in crossection;  
         [0255]      FIG. 87D  is a side elevation of the universal accessory clamp clamped onto a tubing or rail shown in crossection;  
         [0256]      FIG. 87E  is a perspective view of the universal accessory clamp in use supporting two accessory poles;  
         [0257]      FIG. 87F  is a perspective exploded view showing the use of the universal accessory clamp for supporting an arm support panel;  
         [0258]      FIG. 87G  is a side elevational view in partial crossection of a surgical lamp support assembly mount;  
         [0259]      FIG. 87H  is a perspective view of a surgical lamp incorporating the improved mount of  FIG. 87G ;  
         [0260]      FIG. 87I  is a front elevation of the use of a pair of universal accessory clamps to support the front or back of a stretcher over a table using short legs;  
         [0261]      FIG. 88A  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a lower leg clamp attached to a lower horizontal tubing member with moving jaw in open position;  
         [0262]      FIG. 88B  is a perspective view of the clamp of  FIG. 88A , shown securely clamped around a leg; and,  
         [0263]      FIG. 89  is a perspective view of a reconfigurable, modular, expandable, medical utility table with many of the details and features of the previous Figures. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0264]     As shown in the drawing  FIGS. 1-89 , the present invention is directed to a mission-adaptable set of components forming a convertible cart/utility table. For example, the present invention may include foldable cart  1 , having a load support for carrying a load, such as a boat, such as a canoe, which can also function as a game cart or a wagon for carrying gear in outdoor field applications.  
         [0265]      FIG. 1  shows cart  1  in a disassembled storage position with a pair of horizontal load support members  10  laid parallel adjacent to each other, supporting wheels  30  thereon. Wheels  30  are secured in place by a transverse connecting rod  31  through wheel hubs  30   a  and by one or more load securing straps  50 . Disassembled storage cart  1  is inserted within carry bag  120 , which includes ledge  121  and fabric loops  122  for holding bracket members  60 ,  70  and handle  80  outside of carry bag  120 .  
         [0266]     To transport portable cart  1  by hand carry straps  124  are attached to carry bag  120 . Conversely as shown in  FIG. 2 , to transport portable cart  1  upon the back of a user, carry straps  124  are attached to carry bag  120 , which supports portable cart  1  in a weight bearing manner, or else horizontal support members  10  are inverted to support portable cart  1  in a weight bearing manner, and carry bag  120  covers portable cart  1  in a non-weight bearing manner.  
         [0267]     To be disassembled in a carry position, U-shaped bracket rails  60 ,  70 , wheels  30  and axle members  32  are inversely attached to horizontal load supports  10  to comprise a folded manually transportable cart.  
         [0268]     As shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 3 , in the storage position, in a preferred embodiment, cart  1  includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart inverted horizontal load support members  10 . Support members  10  each have a front-end  10   a  and a rear end  10   b . The front and rear ends  10   a ,  10   b  each have at least one axially placed receptacle aperture  12  extending longitudinally within each load support member  10 , for holding structural components therethrough in a storage position, such as axle members  32  for wheels  30 . In this storage position, axle members  32  are also inserted within aperture of  33  of axle connector  34 .  
         [0269]      FIG. 3  also shows horizontal load support members  10  having preferably a generally upside down U-shaped configuration when viewed in cross-section, wherein a generally flat member  10   c  has downwardly extending flanges  10   d ,  10   e  including one or more linearly extending slots  10   f  for insertion of holding straps  50  therein.  
         [0270]     Although apertures  12  are shown in the drawings, it is contemplated that other configurations may be applicable to horizontal load support members  10 , so long as other members, such as rails  60 ,  70  and so forth, may be attached thereto by fasteners, preferably in an axis parallel to the axis of horizontal support members  10 .  
         [0271]     While size may vary, support member  10  is preferably sixteen (16) inches long and two and a quarter (2.25) inches wide. Each flange  10   d ,  10   e  extends down about one (1) inch from flat member  10   c . Slots  10   f  are preferably 2.125 inches wide and 0.1875 inches high, to accommodate straps  50 , such as, for example, standard 2-inch wide fabric straps.  
         [0272]      FIG. 3  also shows vertical struts  20  optionally having at least one small hole  22 , such as kickstand receptacle aperture  22 , for insertion of optional kickstand  40  therein.  
         [0273]      FIG. 3  also shows horizontal load support members  10  being respectively demountably attached to a pair of vertical struts  20 , having apertures  21  and  22 . In one embodiment, horizontal load support members  10  can be demountably attached to vertical struts  20 , but in an alternate embodiment they can be permanently affixed to each other, such as in the alternate embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  
         [0274]     Moreover, while preferably horizontal struts are U-shaped, as in  FIG. 3 , in alternate embodiments other configurations can be used, as long as vertical strut  20  can be attached to horizontal support member  10 .  
         [0275]     For example, in  FIG. 3A  vertical strut  20 ′ is in a unified T-shaped member with horizontal support member  10 ′. In  FIG. 3B , vertical struts  20 ′ and horizontal support members  10 ′ are attached by weldment  20 ″. In  FIG. 3C , vertical strut  20 ′ is inserted in hole  10 ″ of horizontal support member  10 ′, and attached by fastener  10 ′″, such as a screw or other fastener. In these alternate embodiments shown in  FIG. 3A, 3B  or  3 C, horizontal load support members  10 ′ may be solid in cross sectional configuration. One such configuration shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B  and  3 C is that of a parallelepiped, namely a solid form, all of whose sides are parallelograms, such as rectangles, and whose opposite sides are parallel to one another.  
         [0276]     In another embodiment vertical strut  20  may be adjustable in length with a sleeve containing a telescopic shaft (not shown) and with a spring urging the shaft in and out of the sleeve, with a lock provided. Kickstand  40  is shown deployed in  FIG. 4 . Kickstand  40  is secured in place by a fastener, such as nylon set screw  37 . Set screws  37  also hold axle members  32  in the storage position through vertical struts  20 .  
         [0277]     Vertical struts  20  are preferably made from 1½×2-inch solid bar stock anodized aluminum, or stainless steel. Vertical struts  20  are preferably about 10.25 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1½ inches in depth.  
         [0278]     Also shown in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of optional larger holes  21 , such as holes, which are 0.765 or 1.625 inches in diameter, are located on a front side of vertical strut  20 . Smaller hole  22  on the bottom accommodates kickstand  40 , which is preferably a hollow aluminum tube of 0.75-inch diameter and 16 inches in length.  
         [0279]     Optional larger holes  21  within vertical strut  20  are provided for weight reduction of portable cart  1 .  
         [0280]     On a side  23  transverse to the front  24  of each vertical strut  20 , at a lower portion  20   a  thereof, is provided a further hole  25  of about 1-inch in diameter for insertion of each axle member  32  therethrough. Hole  25  has a permanently affixed, bushing  26  therein, such as a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) bushing, to prevent wear and tear of each aluminum axle member  32  by the aluminum surface of hole  25 .  
         [0281]     As also shown in  FIGS. 3, 4  and  6 , each wheel  30  is demountably attached at an end, respectively, to a pair of axle members  32 , with axle members  32  extending inwardly from and demountably attached to lower portion  20   a  of the respective vertical struts  20 , wherein axle members  32  are in a transverse relationship to horizontal load support members  10 . Fasteners,  36 , such as cotter pins, hold each wheel  30  upon each axle  32 .  
         [0282]     Each axle member  32  is received within each hole  25 , of each lower portion  20   a  of each vertical strut  20 . A compression groove  27  exists from the underside of vertical strut  20  to hole  25  and continues to further through hole  27   a , providing for compression of lower portion  20   a  of vertical strut  20 .  
         [0283]     To accommodate narrow or wider cargo, such as watercraft of varying widths, the distance between vertical struts  20  can be varied along the axle length by loosening and tightening the tightening member  28  and moving vertical struts  20  laterally apart or towards each other along axle members  32 .  
         [0284]     Although optionally a one-piece axle may be used (not shown), preferably the pair of axle members  32  are held in opposite axial orientation by straight rigid axle connector  34 . Axle connector  34  has tightening member  35 , and a pair of receptacles  33  at the respective two ends of axle connector  34 , so that axle members  32  respectively extend outwardly from, and are demountably attached within, the axle connector receptacle bore  33 .  
         [0285]     While the axle may be optionally a one-piece axle, such as shown as reference numeral  606  in  FIG. 33  herein, preferably the pair of connected oppositely extending axle members  32  form together an axle for wheels  30 .  
         [0286]     Each axle member  32  is made of solid round stock of anodized aluminum or stainless steel, approximately 0.75 inches in diameter. At the wheel-supporting end  32   a , the diameter is about 0.59 inches in diameter with shoulders  32   b  of about 0.08 inches in height, transverse to the axis of axle member  32 . These shoulders  32   b  provide a resting surface to prevent axial movement of wheel  30  upon axle member  32 .  
         [0287]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , each wheel  30  rotates about press fit bearings  32   b , while each wheel  30  is positioned upon each respective axle member  32  of  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , at the opposite end of one axle member  32 , there is provided a hollow, threaded recess  32   c  of about 0.75 inches deep, to accommodate a connecting threaded member  32   d  of other axle member  32 , to axially connect both axle members  32  together within axle connector  34 , with a wheel  30  at each end.  
         [0288]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show how axle connector  34  is compensated along groove  38 , thereby locking axle members  32  within bushing  39 , which is within receptacle bore  33  of axle connector  34 , by tightening of tightening bolt  35   a  of tightening member  35 . Preferably bushing  39  is a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) bushing. Groove  38  is preferably 1/16 to ⅛ inch, in width, which allows for the compression of axle connector  34  around axle members  32 . Tightening bolt  35   a  is inserted within a conventional receptacle which is a through hole at the proximal end and which is tapped with threaded grooves at the distal end, to allow for compression of axle connector  34 .  
         [0289]      FIGS. 4 and 6  also show at least one kickstand  40 , preferably a pair, respectively extending horizontally rearward from each lower portion of vertical struts  20 . Each kickstand member  40  extends rearwardly from the at least one kickstand receptacle aperture  22  of respective vertical struts  20  and each kickstand  40  is demountably attached within each respective kickstand receptacle aperture  22 . Each kickstand member  40  is preferably contoured so as to contact the ground to stabilize portable cart  1  is a parked position of rest.  
         [0290]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , to hold a canoe, game or cargo in place upon cart  1 , one or more adjustable load-securing straps  50  are slidably attached to both respective horizontal load supports  10  in a transverse relationship to load supports  10 . Straps  50  are preferably reinforced flexible canvas straps of about 2 inches in width.  
         [0291]     To complete portable cart  1  as a canoe or boat cart,  FIG. 4  shows support cushions  13  mounted upon respective horizontal load supports  10 . Support cushions  13  are flexible, such as of rubber or foam, to support the weight of boat  2  thereon.  
         [0292]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show the precision balancing of boat  2  upon cart  1 , wherein the placement of boat  2  upon cart  1  causes cart  1  to rotate from a position of rest in  FIG. 10  to a horizontal load position of  FIG. 11 , in the direction of the arrow.  
         [0293]      FIGS. 12-17  show another embodiment that converts portable cart  1  into a game cart. Alternatively,  FIGS. 18-20  show how to convert cart  1  into a cargo wagon with a hollow well. First, in either situation, carry frame  55  is secured to horizontal load supports  10 . Although a one piece, generally rectangular frame (not shown) may be used, preferably frame  55  includes a pair of U-shaped brackets  60 ,  70  joinable together to form frame  55 .  
         [0294]     Various fasteners may be provided to horizontal load supports  10  to carry objects, such as carriers, thereon.  
         [0295]     Alternatively, for example, a clamp may be provided to horizontal load supports  10  to carry a frame of a discrete transportable carrier directly thereon, as disclosed hereinafter with respect to  FIGS. 21-24 . In that case, instead of the frame being integrally part of the portable chart, as in  FIGS. 12-17 , in  FIGS. 21-24 , the frame is clamped to the horizontal load supports  10  of portable cart  1 . Other fasteners may include longitudinally extending channel slots, such as in  FIGS. 33-39  described further below.  
         [0296]     Meanwhile, further with respect to  FIGS. 12-17 , U-shaped front bracket  60  extends horizontally forward from front-end receptacle apertures  12  of horizontal load supports  10 , wherein front bracket  60  is demountably attached within front-end receptacle apertures  12  at one end of horizontal load supports  10 .  
         [0297]     U-shaped rear bracket  70  extends horizontally rearward from oppositely positioned rear end receptacle apertures  12  of horizontal load supports  10  and rear bracket  70  is demountably attached within each oppositely positioned rear end receptacle aperture  12  of horizontal load supports  10 .  
         [0298]      FIG. 13  shows how frame  55  is secured to cart  1 . Each distal end of U-shaped front bracket  60  is inserted through apertures in respective ends  10   b  of horizontal supports  10  until each distal end engages a corresponding hole in each vertical support  20 , where they are held in place by pins  29 . Pins  29  engage lateral holes  18  in horizontal supports  10  and corresponding through holes  19  in distal ends of U shaped brackets  60 . Likewise, each distal end of U-shaped rear bracket  70  is inserted through apertures in respective ends  10   a  of horizontal supports  10  until each distal end engages a corresponding hole in each vertical support  20 , where it is also held in place by a pin  29 . Pins  29  engage lateral holes  18  in horizontal supports  10  and corresponding through holes  19  in distal ends of U shaped brackets  60 ,  70  of frame  55 .  
         [0299]     U-shaped brackets  60 ,  70  are preferably of hollow, anodized aluminum tubing of about 0.75 inches in diameter. The length of each distally extending side member thereof is about 23.50 inches and the width of the cross bar connecting the distal side members is about 21.63 inches. About 0.75 inches from each distal end is a scoring, to accommodate a clamp thereon, to form frame  55 .  
         [0300]     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 15  for pulling or pushing game or cargo upon portable cart  1 , handle  80  extends rearwardly at an upward angle from joints  71  of either U-shaped rear bracket  70  for pushing portable cart  1 , or from front U-shaped bracket  60  for pulling portable cart  1  (not shown). Furthermore, handle  80  may be permanently attached to either U-shaped bracket  60  or  70 , or handle  80  may be removable and demountably attached to either front U-shaped bracket  60  or rear U-shaped bracket  70 .  
         [0301]     Handle  80  has preferably two aluminum tubing connecting members about 22.5 inches in length, connected by a hand accommodating transverse bar of solid aluminum, and is 17.5 inches in width. Handle  80  includes connectors  81 , having distal sleeves, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sleeves  82 , permanently affixed thereto, which are insertable within joints  71  by locking member  72 , having threaded member  72   a  which passes through bore  71   a  of joint  71  and bore  81   a  of handle  80 . Compression groove  73  exists in joint  71 , providing compression of joint  71 .  
         [0302]     Handle  80  may optionally have an auxiliary extension member and clamp (not shown), so that it can be attached to the rear frame of a bicycle (not shown), to pull portable cart  1 .  
         [0303]     To carry game  3 , as shown in  FIG. 17 , or to carry an injured person in a rescue operation,  FIG. 12  shows portable cart  1  having fabric stretcher  100  stretched tautly between horizontal load members  10  and preferably mounted over and around front and rear U-shaped brackets  60  and  70  of frame  55 , by threading brackets  60 ,  70  through fasteners such as sewn-in loops  102  of fabric stretcher  100 , which may alternatively be made of plastic or other taut load bearing material. Other types of fasteners can be used. For example,  FIG. 14  shows that loop  102   a  is openable, and closed by fastener, such as zipper fastener  102   b.    
         [0304]     As also shown in  FIG. 12 , handle  80  may include a pair of posts extending obliquely off of a horizontal axis of portable cart  1 , wherein a head rest cushion  85  extends between the posts to support the head and neck of an injured person being transported upon stretcher  100 .  
         [0305]      FIGS. 18-20  show that to carry cargo, hollow fabric cargo well  110  is attached in the same manner to frame  55 . Hollow cargo well  110  may also alternatively be made of plastic or other taut load bearing material, and covered by cover  112 .  FIGS. 18 and 19  also show wider wheels  130  for use on sand or granular terrain.  
         [0000]     Assembly and Disassembly  
         [0306]     The various embodiments of the mission adaptable multiple-purpose portable cart/utility table can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.  
         [0307]     For example, for making a canoe cart from the disassembled portable cart  1 , wheel-retaining members, such as cotter pins  36 , are taken out of axle members  32  in their stored position, and wheels  30  come out. Axle members  32  are then removed from between vertical struts  20 . The axle members  32  are then clamped in a horizontal use position into receptacles  33  of rigid axle connector  34 . Axle members are inserted between vertical struts  20  and locked in place. Wheels  30  are placed upon axle members  32  and secured by cotter pins  36 . Kickstand  40  is loosened from its rest position and placed in place in receptacles within vertical struts  20 . Canoe supporting cushions  13  are installed upon horizontal load supports  10  to support a canoe or boat thereupon. Straps  50  hold the canoe or boat installed upon cushions  13  in a secure transportable position.  
         [0308]     To convert portable cart  1  into a game cart as in  FIG. 17  or a rescue cart as in  FIG. 12 , kickstands  40  are removed and fabric stretcher  100  is installed on U-shaped frame members  60 ,  70  of frame  55  frames by fasteners such as sewn loops  102  thereof. U-shaped frame members  60 ,  70  are placed on horizontal load supports  10 , and kickstand members  40  are installed as braces for fabric stretcher  100 . Straps  50  are then installed to securely hold game or an injured party upon stretcher  100 . Then handle  80  is installed upon U-shaped bracket  60  or  70  of frame  55  to pull or push portable cart  1 .  
         [0309]     To convert portable cart  1  into a wagon to haul cargo, as in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , fabric stretcher  100  is removed and hollow well  110  is installed over U-shaped members  60 ,  70  of frame  55 .  
         [0310]     To make the portable chart  1  portable again, the components are disassembled in reverse into bag  120 . Strap or straps  50  are used as a carry handle or for backpack shoulder loops.  
         [0311]     While the rescue stretcher shown in  FIG. 12  has its own customized stretcher  100 , in another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 21-24 , to convert portable cart  1  to a retrofit disabled person-bearing transportable carrier cart for search and rescue operations, using conventional railed stretcher  230 , support cushions  13  are removable from horizontal load supports  10  and replaced by clamping assembly  200 . Clamping assembly  200  includes lower jaw  202 , and upper jaw  204 . While different jaw configurations can be used, the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 21-24  shows each having longitudinally extending recesses  206  and  208  therein to grip perimeter frame rails of a load supporting transportable carrier, such as conventional railed stretcher  230  therebetween, as shown in  FIG. 23 .  
         [0312]     Lower jaw  202  of clamping assembly  200  includes an engaging surface  210  with threaded studs  212  which are inserted into through-holes  214  of load supports  10 , and permanently locked with nuts  216 . Upper jaw  204  is provided with a pair of oblong through-slots,  218 , to allow upper jaw  204  to slide on upper surface of lower jaw  202 , when threaded T-handles  220  are loosened. As shown by the arrows in  FIG. 22  this sliding action allows for quick removal of any stretcher frame rail secured between jaw assembly  200 .  
         [0313]      FIGS. 23 and 24  are perspective views of a typical stretcher  230 , and a Stokes-type rescue basket  240 , securely clamped to portable cart  1  utilizing the previously described clamping assembly  200 .  
         [0314]     As shown in  FIG. 25  in this embodiment, instead of being permanently attached to each horizontal load support  10 , removable support cushion  13  is permanently attached to removable plate  302  with an adhesive  304 . This cushion assembly is removably attachable by nuts  316  and threaded studs  312 , to each horizontal load support  10 .  
         [0315]      FIG. 26  illustrates portable cart  1 , outfitted with a plurality of racking assemblies  400 , each comprising a rail clamp  410 , an upstanding post  424 , and a hanger clamp  430 . Rack assembly  400 , when used in conjunction with additional rack assemblies  400 , allows for transportation and quick removal of essential hunting gear such as a chair stand  440 , archery equipment  441 , and rifle  442 . Other related items such as knapsacks and bedrolls may be supported by rack assembly  400 , as well. Rack assembly  400  is easily disassembled from cart  1  upon reaching a chosen destination, and the components are conveniently transported within cart  1 &#39;s storage backpack, such as carry bag  120  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0316]     Also illustrated in  FIG. 26  are stabilizing assemblies  450  and  460 . Assembly  450  makes use of post  420 , which is friction-fit into an inverted rail clamp  410 . Assembly  460  comprises an inverted tubular sleeve  462 , optionally permanently welded to the handle assembly crosspiece. Sleeve  462  accepts kickstand post  424  in a similar fashion to rail clamp  410 . These assemblies  450   460  serve to brace the cart  1  when it is parked.  
         [0317]     Moreover, kickstand post  424  may be used with any embodiment having a handle, such as handle  80  of  FIGS. 12 and 17 - 19 , or handle  81  of  FIGS. 32 and 33 .  
         [0318]     Turning to  FIG. 27 , which is highlighted in  FIG. 26 , an exploded perspective close-up detail view of rail clamp  410  is presented. Clamping block  411  is provided with a bore  412  to receive post  424 , an attachment face  413  including a semi bore  414 , and notch  415 , and threaded bore  416 . Plate  417  includes semi bore  418 , through hole  419 , and protruding rib  420 .  
         [0319]     As shown in  FIG. 28 , when threaded knob  422  is inserted into hole  419  of plate  417  and tightened into threaded bore  416  of block  411 , clamping is achieved against frame member  60 . Rib  420  is secured within notch  415  by a camming action in the direction of arrow “A”.  
         [0320]      FIG. 29  shows cantilevered hanger clamp  430 , poised to slide down upstanding post  424 . Hanger clamp  430  is provided with a bore  431 , which is notched in a similar manner to clamping receptacles  71  of the handle assembly. The notch separates the body of hanger clamp  430  into two walls. Threaded knob  422  will compress the walls surrounding the notch, thereby tightening bore  431  around post  424 . L-shaped region  432  is integrally formed with the body of the hanger clamp, and provides a strong and durable support for transporting hunting or other gear.  
         [0321]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of an anti-tipping linkage  500 , which couples cart  1  to a bicycle. Linkage  500  counteracts cart rollover caused by centrifugal force as the bicycle negotiates turns.  
         [0322]      FIG. 31  illustrates the components of linkage  500 . Bicycle seat-stem compression clamp  510  is formed of a body portion  511 , and plate  512 , fastened by screws  513 . Bore  514  is angled so that clamp  510  remains perpendicular when installed on a typical bicycle seat-stem. Clamp  510  is provided with a bore  515  on rear face  516 , which accepts a shaft  520 . Pin  517  passes through clamp and fixes shaft  520  via a through-bore. Shaft  520  includes through-bore  522  at its distal end. Another through-bore  523  is provided slightly proximal of aperture  522 . When shaft  520  is inserted into coil spring  530 , hooked leg  531  of the spring will fit into bore  522 . A sliding collar  524  will then extend over leg  531  to prevent pull-out, and a pin  526  will be fitted into collar hole  525 , and into bore  523  of the shaft  520 , thereby securing the collar to the shaft and preventing removal of the coil spring.  
         [0323]     A shaft  540  is provided for the opposite end of coil spring  530 . Hooked leg  532  fits into bore  542  of the shaft, and collar  544  slides over and is fixed by pin  546 , fitted into collar hole  535  and shaft bore  543 .  
         [0324]     Support rails  550  and  551  are fixed to handle clamps  71  of cart  1 . The rails are bent into an inverted V configuration, and permanently affixed to block  552 . Block  552  is provided with bore  553 , into which the free end of shaft  540  is fitted. Pin  555  is inserted into through bore  554  of block  552 , and passes through bore  547  of shaft  540 , creating the continuous, secure anti-tipping linkage  500  between cart  1  and a bicycle. It is understood that during maneuvers of the bicycle, there will be no problems associated with a typical universal or pivot joint; the coil spring will absorb and disperse any rotational stresses, and will react as a 360° “living hinge”.  
         [0325]      FIGS. 32A-32G ,  33  and  33 A show an alternate embodiment  600  of the portable cart using four wheels  30  in an overlapped configuration. A hard molded cover  601  is illustrated although any cover or no cover can be used as well. Cover  601  covers bin  602  with lower overlapping edge cap  601   a  fitting over peripheral shoulder  602   a  of bin  602 . Bin  602  also has longitudinally extending concave channels  603 , which rest upon rails  604  of cart  600  of  FIG. 32 . Downward pressure of the weight of bin  602  and its contents helps stabilize bin  602  upon rails  604 , which may be optionally covered with rubber or other resilient linearly extending cushions.  
         [0326]     Although  FIG. 32  illustrates portable cart  600  with covered bin  602 , portable cart  600  can be used with other embodiments, such as, for example, boat cushions  13  shown in  FIG. 4 , framed rail stretchers  100  as in  FIG. 12 , the game cart of  FIG. 17 , the cargo cart of  FIG. 18 , the conventional rescue carriers of  FIGS. 23 and 24  or the gear rack of  FIG. 26 , among others.  
         [0327]      FIG. 32H  shows an exploded inverted view of an alternate embodiment for a ruggedized handle assembly, including handle  630  and handle shaft  626  with spring pin  628  lined up to enter the end of stanchion truss weldment  620 . Stanchion truss weldment  620  has two downward extending struts  632 , which accommodate axles  624  therethrough, which axles  624 , in-turn, attach to wheels  622 . Central bushing receptacle  634  accepts the end of handle shaft  626 . Receptacle  634  also has a lower pushpin aperture and a pair of opposite holes for a through pin to hold handle shaft in place.  FIG. 32H  also shows kickstand  640  stowable within handle shaft  626 .  
         [0328]      FIG. 32I  shows a close-up inverted view of receptacle  634 , showing handle shaft  626  located within truss weldment  620 , and held in place by spring pin  628  of handle shaft  626  and/or through pin  629 .  
         [0329]      FIG. 32J  shows a four wheel cargo hauling cart with kickstand  640  attached to kickstand attachment bracket  638 , which is part of handle  630 . Also shown are stacked cargo bin shell containers  634  held securely by straps  636 .  
         [0330]      FIG. 32J A shows bin  600  on a cargo hauling cart used as the basis for oxygen therapy in the field. Oxygen concentrator  2102  can be used directly for patient oxygen supply, or it can feed into compressor  2104  to supply oxygen for filling compressed oxygen tanks for use by other patients in remote venues.  
         [0331]     Oxygen therapy cart  2100  is shown in  FIG. 32J B supplying oxygen via a face mask to a patient on a mobile stretcher converted to a surgical utility table, directly from a concentrator  2102 .  
         [0332]     In  FIG. 32J C, cart  2100  is used in a mine, supplying oxygen from a tank to a miner. The tank was filled from oxygen supplied by concentrator  2102  and compressed air by compressor  2104 .  
         [0333]     Other deployment examples of these cargo-hauling four wheel carts are illustrated in  FIGS. 32Q and 32R . In  FIG. 32Q , a cart  600  with cargo bin  602  is shown being unloaded from a military or other emergency response truck, while in  FIG. 32R  a cart is shown being delivered to an emergency response pick-up site via a hovering helicopter, such as to an flooded community having no road surface access thereto.  
         [0334]     In the sequence of  FIGS. 32K, 32M , and  32 N, straps  636  have been detached from bin shell containers  634 , and the sequence of removal of top bin  634  is shown ending with a vertically oriented bin drawer cabinet  635  with a cover panel  639  removed, thereby exposing slidably openable drawers  642  on its front surface.  FIG. 32N  shows drawers  642  behind drawer retaining panel  639  in a cutaway view.  
         [0335]      FIG. 32N A shows a rear view of a drawer  642  with drawer slide  2110  and side drawer cover panel channels  2112 . There is also a similar front drawer channel  2114 . In the detail of  FIG. 32N B, drawer cover panel  2116 , preferably formed of polycarbonate or other suitable strong but slightly flexible flat substrate material, is shown sliding in side channel  2112  as pulled via manually graspable member  2118 , such as, for example, elastomer grommeted finger hole  2118 . This panel  2116  must seat within the groove of channel  2114  in the secure position before drawer  642  can be closed flush within bin  635 , to permit cover panel  639  to properly seat for latching.  
         [0336]     Lower bin  634  optionally contains related medical supplies for a field hospital, such as power packs, oxygen tanks, and other necessary medical supplies.  
         [0337]      FIG. 32O  is an optional hitch assembly  644 , which replaces the handle assembly. Hitch legs  646  are received into handle  630 .  
         [0338]     Spring pins  651  also participate in this coupling. Connector  646 , with hitch tongue  652 , form a structure engageable with receiver clevis  653  attached to all terrain vehicle  656 .  FIG. 32P  shows hitch  644  being used to pull cart  632  by all-terrain vehicle  656 .  
         [0339]      FIG. 33  shows a perspective view of the frame of cart  600 . Long axle  606  attaches front wheels  30  while short axle  605  attaches rear wheels  30  through respective vertical support pairs  20 . The use of four wheels doubles the carrying capacity of the cart of this invention while the overlapped positioning of the wheels maintains a short wheelbase for compactness and for maneuverability such as turning with fixed axles and the ability to easily climb ledges. For durability, the rails  604  may be a double pair of parallel rails.  
         [0340]     Double axled cart  600  has increased maneuverability, since user pushing upon an optional handle  81  enables user to lift the farther away, distal pair of wheels  30  off the ground, and the user pulling upward of handle  81  raises the nearer proximal wheels  30  off the ground.  
         [0341]      FIGS. 34 through 39  are concerned with an alternate embodiment of the horizontal load support member  10 . The alternate embodiment  610  has an integral T-slot channel  611  in its top surface to facilitate easy installation and removal of a variety of attachments, such as cushions  615  shown in  FIG. 35-36 , clamps  620 ,  630 ,  640 , shown in  FIGS. 37-39 , or platform  1450  shown in  FIG. 57 . Load member  610  can be conveniently extruded of aluminum or magnesium; it can be used either with the two-wheel cart  1  or the four-wheeled embodiment  600 .  
         [0342]      FIG. 35  shows a resilient cushion  615  installed in the T-slot  611  of support member  610 . This cushion  615  can be extruded of a variety of rubber or thermoplastic elastomers and serves the same purpose as cushion member  13  described above. A perspective view of  FIG. 36  shows cushions  615  installed on a four-wheel cart  600 .  
         [0343]     As described above, clamp assembly  200  is used to convert portable cart  1  to a disabled person-bearing transportable carrier cart. Three separate alternate embodiments of clamp assembly  200  are presented; all are compatible with the use of horizontal support member  610 .  
         [0344]      FIG. 37  shows a one-piece clamp  620  with full width top section  622  and short end pieces  621 , which mate with, and slip into the T-slot  611  of horizontal support member  610 .  
         [0345]      FIG. 38  shows clamp  630  with a full width bottom member  631  which mates with and slides into T-slot  611  of horizontal support  610 .  
         [0346]      FIG. 39  shows another alternate embodiment consisting of two short identical clamp members  640 , which are inserted into the T-slots  611  of member  610  at the two extreme ends.  
         [0347]     In all cases, the short clamping sections can be sized to offer spring-like gripping action on the tubular members, or fasteners, such as thumbscrews or ball plungers (not shown) can be used for retention.  
         [0348]     A preferred embodiment of short clamp  2122  is shown in  FIGS. 39A and 39B . It includes movable jaw  2124  separated from lower jaw  2126  by spring  2130  around a screw, with ratchet handle  2128  used to tighten onto a tubular member such as  2140 . A ratchet handle is provided to facilitate tightening in short arc strokes in confined spaces while providing high torque capability; it also provides a means for parking the handle out of the way once tightening is accomplished. Grooves  2132  facilitate sliding into the T-slot of horizontal support member  610 . Knob  2138  is used to tighten plate  2134  via screw  2136 . Plate  2134  presses against the side of member  610  thereby locking clamp  2122  within the T-slot, and preventing its inadvertent withdrawal.  
         [0349]      FIGS. 40-50  show alternate embodiments for converting a conventional hand carried, railed medical rescue stretcher to a lightweight wheeled version.  
         [0350]     For example,  FIGS. 40-42  show shortened horizontal support members  710  with tightening members  711 . Rails  713  are held either by clamps, such as shown in  FIGS. 37-39 , or alternatively through apertures in horizontal support members  710 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . Horizontal support members  710  are demountably attached to vertical struts  720  having extending therethrough transverse axles  732  supporting wheels  730 . Optional pivotable kickstand  740  is attached to rails  713  by clamp  800 .  
         [0351]     As also shown in  FIGS. 47-50 ; clamp  800  includes two jaws  801 ,  802  having aperture recess  803  for insertion of rails  713  therethrough. Clamp  800  is closed and tightened by fastener  804  operated by rotatable knob  805 . Internal spring pins  806 , as shown in  FIG. 47 , cooperate with fastener  804  and knob  805  to tighten clamp  800  about rail  713 . Internal grooves  807 ,  808  accommodate kickstand  740  in the respective positions of support and rest, as shown in  FIG. 40  and  FIG. 42  respectively.  
         [0352]      FIG. 43  shows an alternate embodiment for a military or emergency rescue carrier cart  900  with a profile set low to the ground, including shortened horizontal members  910  with tightening fasteners  911 . Rails  913  are also held by clamps as in  FIGS. 37-39 , or alternately through apertures in horizontal support members  910 , as in  FIG. 14 . Horizontal support members  910  are demountably attached to shortened vertical struts  920  to keep stretcher rails  913  close to the ground. Optional bent handle  945  is connected by clamps  800  disclosed in  FIGS. 47-50 , as discussed above.  
         [0353]      FIGS. 45-46  show how the stretcher version shown in  FIGS. 40-42  can be converted to a stationary medical gurney  1000 . Rails  1013  are supported by horizontal support members  1010 , which hare demountably attached to vertical struts  1020 , having axles  1032  supporting wheels  1030 . To stabilize gurney  1000 , horizontally extending tie rods  1036 ,  1037  are joined by threaded clamp  1038  or other fastening means.  
         [0354]     The major structural components of an alternate embodiment low profile rescue carrier are shown in  FIG. 43A . Latch clamps  1800  of stretcher bearing tube assemblies  950  support stretcher  1730  and also engage handles  630  at each end. Handles  630  may be rotated into an upward locking position or downward. Tube assemblies  950  include lateral spring pins  962  and upper spring pins  963  for proper placement of wheel assemblies comprising struts  920  having rail bearing clamps  910  operable by latch handles  911 .  
         [0355]      FIG. 43B  shows an exploded view of handles  630  engageable with stretcher bearing tube assemblies  950  of  FIG. 43A . Handles  630  are attached to short handle shafts  956  with spring pins  958  (as in detail callout  FIG. 43C ) within. Similarly, a coupling section detailed in  FIG. 43C  has spring pins  958  installed as shown. Spring pins  958  include bent leaf spring section  960  which tail end impinges on the inside of tube  956  or tube  952  while the other end is attached to spring pin button  962  which protrudes through a hole in the side of tube  956  or  952 . Buttons  962  couple with a tube mid sections  954  via holes near the ends of these tubes. Buttons  963  function as wheel set locators and fit into wheel set clamps for proper fixturing, as shown in  FIG. 43A .  
         [0356]     The low profile rescue carrier is also shown in the side elevational view of  FIG. 43D , which illustrates the feature of the handles  630  rotated to the downward position and functioning as kickstands.  
         [0357]     As shown in  FIG. 43E , the low profile rescue carrier is easily converted into a low profile transport rotating handles  630  from the kickstand support position to an upright handle position which is easily grasped by medical personnel. Short handle shafts  956  are shown in the optionally extended position in  FIG. 43E , to allow for clearance between the medic and the stretcher. The medic may drag the stretcher  1730  upon stretcher bearing assembly  950  as shown, or alternatively, push or pull the stretcher or other carrier bearing assembly  950  forward by reversing his or her orientation.  
         [0358]      FIG. 43F  shows a reconfigurable, modular rescue carrier  1700  transporting a stretcher  1730  atop an auxiliary fabric carrier  2141  slung underneath.  
         [0359]      FIGS. 43G through 43I  show the same rescue carrier  1700  as fitted with a multi-purpose waterproof bag  2142  slung under the top frame members. It is attached via flaps at its top edge which are placed over the side rails and then zippered in place.  
         [0360]      FIG. 43G  shows that bag  2142  does not interfere with the transportation or use of a stretcher  1730  which is placed over, and attached by clamps to horizontal parallel rails, of cart  1700 .  
         [0361]      FIG. 43H  shows bag  2142  used to catch water and effluent from a patient washing operation facilitated by frame members, such as wood slats  2144 , on the top surface of carrier  1700  for this purpose.  
         [0362]      FIG. 43I  shows a patient with hyperthermia upon carrier  1700  being treated in ice cubes  2146  within bag flexible  2142 .  
         [0363]     Carrier  1700  of  FIGS. 43F through 43I  is a free standing wheeled stretcher/litter stand which not only provides a platform for patient movement, but when utilized with the cargo carrier bins of FIGS.  32  to  32 R, assists in deployment and resupply of a mobile medical field installation system of which it is part. When accessorized, carrier  1700  is a mobile medical field facility in itself. Carrier  1700  can be provided with accessories, such as a second set of wheels in lieu of a kickstand, a flexible bin stored underneath, a waterproof bath tub bag, fluid capture bags, assorted accessory clamps, medical accessories, portable such as portable X-ray or other medical imaging diagnostic equipment, intravenous fluid dispenser supports, surgical instrument trays, portable lamp assemblies, arm rests, leg stirrup and patient support stretchers with rails clampable to the horizontal support arils of carrier  1700 . A typical unit&#39;s weight may vary, but is typically from about 57 pounds to about 135 pounds in weight, with a cargo carrying capacity of about 350 pounds to about 500 pounds.  
         [0364]     Carrier  1700  is unique in its ability to provide a functional surgical operating table which is lightweight and compact for transportation to remote previously inaccessible areas, such as ravines, flooded areas or riverbeds inaccessible to container trailers of Hirayama&#39;s mobile hospital. Carrier  1700  allows doctors and nurses to stabilize disaster casualties and to operate when necessary prior to evacuation transportation of a wounded patient. The carrier  1700  enables doctors and nurses to customize the utility table to the medical personnel&#39;s specific needs for treatment in seconds.  
         [0365]      FIGS. 51-53  show a further embodiment for portable cart  1101  which folds down to a disassembled storage position as in  FIG. 51  and which unfolds to an assembled position of use as in  FIG. 52 . Cart  1101  includes a pair of horizontal load support members  1110  laid parallel to each other, which rotate axially to move perpendicularly extending vertical struts  1120  outward from a position within a storage bag  1101   a , where vertical struts  1120  face each other&#39;s distal ends, to a position of use 90 degrees perpendicular to the storage position, where vertical struts  1120  extend in the same plane but outward from horizontal load support members  1110 .  
         [0366]     In this embodiment shown in  FIGS. 51-53 , the resilient rails  1178  are engaged to horizontal supports  1110  such that when in a position of storage the rails  1178  are biased to return to their normal position of use, when released from the storage position, thus causing vertical struts  1120  attached to horizontal supports  1110  to pivot upward and bow, thus increasing the strength of the cart.  
         [0367]     The same is true with other embodiments of the present invention. For example, placing a boat  2  upon cart  1  causes horizontal support members  10  and wheel axles  31  to bow, giving it the strength of an uncollapsible Roman arch. The same is true with respect to stretcher or cargo hauling embodiments shown in FIGS.  12 ,  17 - 19 ,  40 - 45  and  58 - 66 , for example, wherein putting weight makes the carrier portion taut and bows the frame members into a position of strength. Also the multiple floating overlapping rails as in  FIG. 14 , for example, bow the rails and strengthen the cart with a load supported thereon.  
         [0368]     Moreover, vertical struts  1120  can be further strengthened in place to horizontal supports  1110  by connecting braces, such as V-shaped braces  1121 .  
         [0369]     Wheels  1130  are held by axle  1131 , which in a storage position is placed within the storage bag  101   a . To lengthen cart  1101 , rails  1178  move away from each other within holes  1112  within horizontal supports  1110 , and are stopped from further movement by spring stop buttons  1171 .  
         [0370]      FIGS. 54-55  show portable cart  1201  which can be converted from a cargo hauling wagon configuration with cargo well  1290  attached to frame  1255 , to a rescue stretcher with taut rescue canvas or other stretcher  1292  when stretcher  1292 , which sits loosely above hollow well  1290  during the cargo hauling configuration, but which becomes taut when peripheral fasteners, such as zippers  1296 , snaps or the like tighten stretcher  1292  in place about frame  1255 .  
         [0371]     Optional kickstand  1240  or handle  1280  may be attached to cart  1201  by joints  1271 . A further accessory arm bag  1201   b  may be draped down from handle  1280  for further storage. An optional hard floor member  1294  may be provided below stretcher layer  1292  within cargo well  1290  for cargo hauling strength.  
         [0372]      FIG. 56  shows optional ski attachments  1330  for cart  1301 , wherein ski portions  1331  are attached by braces  1332  to vertical struts  1320 . The length of braces  1332  is equal to the radius of wheels  30  in previous embodiments.  
         [0373]      FIG. 57  shows optional platform base  1450  for supporting object such as camera tripods, cooking devices, ordnance, etc. upon cart  1401 . Platform base  1450  slides within channels  1411  and is secured in place by fasteners such as recessed hex nuts.  
         [0374]      FIG. 58  shows a portable cart frame of this invention configured as a cargo hauler or as a multi-victim stretcher. The cart includes two outer longitudinal horizontal parallel rigid load support frame members  1501 , which are preferably tubular. The cart also may include an optional center frame member  1502 , also preferably tubular, as well as optional transverse frame members  1503 , overhead tube frame  1505 , two vehicle actuators, such as wheels  30  and axle  32 . It is contemplated that in snow conditions the vehicle actuators can alternatively be skis, such as shown in  FIG. 56  herein.  
         [0375]     Also as shown in  FIG. 58 , fasteners, such as cotter pins  1504  are used to attach horizontal support members  1501  and  1502  within holes, such as circular holes for tubular shaped horizontal support members in transverse members  1503 .  
         [0376]     Also as in  FIG. 58 , vertical struts having the wheel subassembly with wheel  30  are attached to outer horizontal support members  1501 , such as tubes, with mechanisms  1506  which permit quick attachment and detachment. Attachment clamps  1507  secure overhead handle  1505  to outer ends of horizontal support members  1501 .  
         [0377]     Although not shown in the drawings, any of the embodiments herein shown in all the drawing  FIGS. 1-70  may have vertical length adjustment means (not shown), such as a sleeve containing a telescoping shaft, the sleeve having a spring means for urging the shaft in a selectably extendable manner out of the sleeve and a lock for locking the telescoping shaft into a selected extended position.  
         [0378]      FIG. 59  shows a single cargo or person hauling fabric top surface sheet  1512 , which can be made of canvas or similar material. Sheet  1512  preferably has sewn longitudinal pockets at the outer edges to accept horizontal support members  1501  and a central pocket  1513  to accommodate optional central frame member  1502  when inserted in direction  1514  as shown. Optional apron sections  1513  can be flipped over the side edges.  
         [0379]      FIG. 60  shows the frame of this cargo hauling or multi-victim cart readjusted to foreshorten the distance between transverse members  1503  by securing cotter pins  1504  in holes in horizontal support members  1501  and  1502  which are located farther in from the ends.  
         [0380]     As shown in  FIG. 61 , this adjustment can be used to accommodate separate stretchers  1525  with locating extensions  1526  and handles  1527 .  
         [0381]      FIGS. 62 and 63  show end views of the quick disconnect/connect mechanisms  1506  (in viewing direction “ 62 - 62 ” in  FIG. 58 ) with horizontal support member  1501  shown optional as tubular in cross section. Top clamping member  1532  has slot  1531  which permits it to slide from the locking position shown in  FIG. 62  to the unlocked position of  FIG. 63  thereby releasing side horizontal support member  1501  from the wheel  32  subassembly which continues below lower clamp jaw  1533 .  
         [0382]     In  FIG. 62 , spring  1534  is compressed since the locking shaft concentric with it has been threaded downward by turning handle  1530  in a clockwise direction.  
         [0383]     In  FIG. 63 , handle  1530  has been turned about 180 degrees counter-clockwise thereby permitting spring  1534  to push up on top member  1532  releasing horizontal support member  1501 .  
         [0384]      FIG. 64  is a partial end cross section (in plane “ 64 - 64 ” of  FIG. 58 ) of clamp  1507 . The split  1544  in clamp body  1540  permits selective grasping of horizontal support member  1501  as per the clamping force from screw  1542  as applied through knob  1541 . Stainless steel insert  1543  prevents collapse of the end of tube  1505  of the overhead assembly.  
         [0385]      FIG. 65  shows yet another embodiment of the cart of this invention as a frame for a portable operating room table or a gurney. This portable operating room table/gurney includes side horizontal support members  1550 , such as, for example, frame tubes, auxiliary side bars  1551 , transverse frame members  1552 , vertical struts  1553 , overhead support frames  1554 , overhead rails  1555 , trolley  1556 , and attachment clamps  1557 . The portable operating room table/gurney rides on four wheels  30  with axles  32 .  
         [0386]     The fully configured gurney is shown in  FIG. 66 . Additional features shown include flexible fluid capture collection sling  1562 , fluid collection tube  1563 , fluid collection tank  1564 , adjustable side clamp  1560 , side rest or surgical instrument table  1561 , wheel brakes  1558 , and overhead accessory  1569  for attaching lights or other surgical accessories.  
         [0387]      FIGS. 67 and 68  show the construction and operation of wheel brake assembly  1558 . Brake frame  1570  is rigidly attached to vertical strut  1553 . Upper pivot frame  1572  works in conjunction with handle/link  1574 , curved spring link  1573 , and plunger shaft  1575  to form an “over-center” mechanism with two stable states, clamped or unclamped.  
         [0388]     In  FIG. 67 , handle  1574  is pushed down into a snap-locked position pushing tip  1576  into contact with wheel  32  tire  1571  thereby contacting the top surface and deforming it to prevent wheel  32  from rotating.  
         [0389]      FIG. 68  shows the “brake-off” position which is obtained by lifting handle  1574  past the center position thereby lifting tip  1576  out of contact with tire  1571 .  
         [0390]      FIG. 69  is an end view of adjustable side clamp  1560  with side tube  1550  and auxiliary rod  1551  in cross section (see plane “ 69 - 69 ” in  FIG. 66 ). Instrument table  1561  attached to clamp body  1580  can be moved longitudinally along tube  1561  and locked in place as desired by turning knob  1581  which impinges the end of screw  1582  against horizontal support member  1550 .  
         [0391]      FIG. 70  shows an exploded view of attachment clamp  1557  used in a variety of locations on overhead frames  1554 . It includes main body  1590  with groove  1591 , outer clamp member  1593  with lip  1593  and screw  1596  with knob  1595 . In operation, lip  1593  pivots within groove  1591 ; tube  1554  is grasped by the concave surfaces of body  1590  and outer member  1593  as tightened by screw  1596 . A tube end  1594  which can represent a tube  1555  or an accessory  1568  is inserted in the hole in the end of body  1590  and locked.  
         [0392]      FIG. 71  is a flow chart showing the use of the convertible cart/utility table of the present invention in a medical emergency response triage environment.  
         [0393]     For example, in disaster medical care, triage is the medical screening of patients to determine their relative priority for treatment. Three groups are defined, the first is those casualties not expected to survive even with treatment, second is the group who will recover without treatment, and third the highest priority group who need treatment in order to survive.  FIG. 71  illustrates how the convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) of this invention can be utilized in this environment.  
         [0394]     For example, as in  FIG. 71 , incoming casualties  1650  arrive at triage center  1652  by ambulance, helicopter or otherwise. Here they are screened into the three categories, labeled “Type 1”, “Type 2” and “Type 3” and those who can be treated are then transported via exit path  1654  to field hospital unit  1656  by using a wheeled version of the Convertible cart/utility table (CCUT). After prep at a Pre-Operative Station, the patient is wheeled via path  1658  to the Operating Room (OR) where a table version of the Convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) is used in a utility table mode as an operating platform. Patient is then wheeled upon Convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) via path  1660  to the Post-Operative/Post Recovery station for monitoring, which may be done, on either a wheeled or table version of Convertible cart/utility table (CCUT). The patient may need further surgery, which would require transporting wheeled on Convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) back via path  1666  to the Pre-Operative Station. If Patient is sufficiently recovered, he or she is transported via path  1662  upon wheeled Convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) back to triage center  1652  vicinity for further transportation merging with others from triage in the outgoing exit queue path  1664 .  
         [0395]      FIG. 72  shows an exploded view of the major components of convertible cart/utility table (CCUT)  1700  for supporting stretcher  1730  thereon. These include axle support struts  1712  with rail clamps  1716  at the top ends and wheels  1718  located by axle  1715 . Kick stands  1704 , used with heavy duty rail clamps  1714 , convert convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) to the stationary utility table configuration. Adjustable feet  1710  provide a high friction surface and terrain adjustability. Macro adjustment of leveling or height is via multiple holes  1706 , in kickstand like  1704 , which accept spring pin  1713  attached near the end of foot extension  1708 . Side rails  1702  complete the basic structure.  
         [0396]      FIG. 73  shows side rails  1702 , which are mounted to kickstands  1704  by clamps  1714 , which engage tubing rails  1702 . Tubing rails  1702  have middle connecting tube  1723  and side tubes  1722 , connected by connectors, such as, for example, spring pins and holes.  
         [0397]      FIG. 74  shows convertible cart/utility table (CCUT)  1700  configured as a utility table with auxiliary power pack  1732  and stretcher  1730 .  
         [0398]      FIG. 75  shows the feature, which tilts the table top by adjusting the height of kickstands  1704  on different ends at different heights.  FIG. 75  also shows an optional body fluid capture collector  1760  such as a concave sling connected to a medical waste collector  1762 .  
         [0399]      FIG. 76  shows details of kickstand foot  1710 . Threshold shaft  1752  is screwed into nut  1754  and into foot extension  1713  thereby providing a micro adjustment of height up to about one inch. High friction pad  1756  and tilt adjustment ball and socket joint  1754  complete foot  1710 .  
         [0400]      FIG. 77  shows reversible clamp  1800 , as in  FIG. 43A , which is used with convertible cart/utility table (CCUT)  1700 . It includes housing block  1802 , with rail aperture  1812 , which clamps onto tubing  1722  via lever screw  1814 . Groove  1816  receives tubing rail  1730 , such as that from a stretcher, which rail  1730  is locked in place via over-center clamp  1804  with jaw  1808 , operable by actuator lever  1810 . The opposite grooves  1818 ,  1820  and  1822  are spaced laterally to accommodate stretchers of different widths. These can be optionally locked via a clamp  1806  having a jaw similar to jaw  1808 , which is moved to the desired groove  1818 ,  1820  or  1822 .  
         [0401]      FIG. 78  shows reversible clamp  1800  inverted to use the multiple width grooves  1818 ,  1820  or  1822 .  
         [0402]      FIGS. 79 and 80  show details of heavy duty clamp  1900 , which has upper block  1902  with groove  1904  to receive a stretcher side tube  1730 . Over-center latch  1906  locks stretcher tube via jaw  1910  and actuator lever  1908 . Lower block  1912  has side rail groove  1920 , holding rail  1722 , which groove  1920  is lockable via latch  1914  with jaw  1918  and lever  1916 . Lower extension  1922  accommodates either stretcher tube or fluid drape in groove  1924 .  
         [0403]     A preferred embodiment of heavy duty stretcher clamp  2150  is illustrated in  FIGS. 80A-80E . Clamp  2150  has body  2152  with a lower extension with a transverse hole to receive side tube  1722  (or its equivalent) which is locked via a fastener, such as a nylon tipped knob screw  2158 . The upper section of body  2152  has a groove to accept blade  1902  (or similarly shaped elements). Blade tightening panel  2154  uses a mechanical incremental moving device, such as a ratchet handle  2156 , for tightening blade  1902  in its appropriate position. Lower stretcher tube holder  2160  is used, for example, in a Trendelenberg maneuver; it is screwed to rectangular crossection cross member  2162 , which is also screwed into the bottom of body  2152 .  
         [0404]      FIGS. 80A and 80B  show blade  1902  in the extended position supporting stretcher  1730  tube at the upper position, and retracted with stretcher tube resting on holder  2162  respectively.  
         [0405]     The view of  FIG. 80C  shows the two accessory pole support holes  2164  which can be used for IV poles.  
         [0406]      FIGS. 80D and 80E  show details of the stretcher pole hook  1904 . The inner hook surface is preferably chamfered on each side  2168  of a central region  2170  to provide flat bearing surfaces to a stretcher tube in either tilt position as well as the flat position.  
         [0407]     The end view of clamp  1900  in  FIG. 81  shows that upper retaining latch block  1932  can pivot to permit stretcher tube  1930  to tilt relative to side rail  1722 .  
         [0408]     In the more complete perspective view of  FIG. 82 , it can be seen that the lower (foot) end of stretcher rail  1731  of stretcher  1730  is then supported by recess or groove  1924  in the lower extension  1922  of the second clamp  1900 .  
         [0409]     A kit  2180  of components for the attachment of stirrups using the preferred embodiment stretcher clamp  2150  is shown in  FIGS. 82A-82C . The kit includes two stirrups (or foot supports)  2182  with attached stirrup support rods  2184 , two bent stirrup support bars  2192  with attached rod clamps  2186 , stretcher clamp tightening plate with stretcher bar access hole  2196 , and stirrup blade extension  2200 . In operation, hole  2190  in stirrup rod clamp  2186  accepts rod  2184  which is then tightened by clamping screw with knob  2188 . Tightening plate  2196  with accessory pole support holes  2197  is substituted for part  2154  of stretcher clamp  2150 . Then stirrup blade  2200  is used in a second  2150  clamp spaced away from the end stretcher clamp. The distal end of bent stirrup support bar  2192  is then passed through both bar access holes  2198  in plate  2196  and  2200  respectively. Blade  2200  has two holes,  2204  and  2208 , in blade end  2200  to provide two positions of lateral support in clamp body  2152 .  
         [0410]     The detail drawing of  FIG. 82C  shows this arrangement with support bar fastener, such as, for example, retaining screw  2206  in blade  2200  (it can be used in addition or instead in hole  2199  of plate  2196 ). Note that blade  2200  is retained in body  2152  with a simple knob screw instead of a tightening plate.  
         [0411]      FIG. 82B  shows in schematic form two different positions of stirrups  2182  as provided by the bent angle of support bars  2192 . If angled inward as shown on the left, there is a smaller distance between the stirrups as for a gynecological exam. The larger distance between the stirrups can be used for more major abdominal surgery for both male and female patients.  
         [0412]      FIG. 83  depicts auxiliary pivotable medical support platform assembly  2000  including base  2001 , clamp insert  2002  and platform  2003 . This versatile mechanism clamps onto a side rail of the convertible cart/utility table (CCUT). Body limb member support  2004  holds a limb. Assembly  2000  has movable hinge section can swivel relative to clamp base  2016 .  
         [0413]      FIG. 84  shows medical support platform assembly  2000  with pole  2022  used to support intravenous (IV) bag  2026  with infusion line  2028 . Extension rod  2024  provides more height for proper infusion gravity head. Tray  2030  is similarly supported.  
         [0414]      FIG. 85  shows medical support assembly  2000  used to support gooseneck examination/surgical lamp  2040  attached to flexible neck conduit  2042  held in and movable arm support  2046 .  
         [0415]      FIG. 86  shows another use of medical support assembled  2000  to support multiple instrument trays  2050 .  
         [0416]     A universal accessory clamp  2250  is illustrated in  FIGS. 87A-87F . The parts of clamp  2250  can be understood by reference to  FIG. 87A , which shows a closed configuration and  FIG. 87B  which shows the open jaw position. Clamp frame  2252  has a recess to accept a portion of a structural tube, threaded holes  2262  provide for other attachments. Dual accessory pole clamp  2256  is attached to frame  2252  and provides accessory pole clamping holes  2258  which are clamped via fasteners, such as clamping screws with knobs  2260 . Swinging jaw  2254  is pivoted on spring pin axle  2266  and locked via swinging locking screw with knob  2270 , which pivots on spring pin axle  2264  and locks within clearance groove  2272 . Hole  2268  is provided for clearance of any protruding snap spring tips that may be used on tubing assemblies.  
         [0417]      FIGS. 87C and 87D  illustrate clamping around tube  1722  shown in crossection. Note gap  2274  which remains in the tightened clamped configuration to insure proper grip force on tube  1722 .  
         [0418]      FIG. 87E  shows clamp  2250  in use supporting two accessory poles  2166 .  
         [0419]      FIG. 87F  shows an exploded view of the use of clamp  2250  with arm support  2280 . Arm support panel  2282  is attached to arm support bracket  2284  which engages pole  2166  in hole  2286  and locking screw  2288 . The distal end of pole  2166  is then adjusted and clamped in one side of clamp  2256 .  
         [0420]      FIGS. 87G and 87H  show details of an improved surgical lamp  2281  incorporating a feature that mechanically precludes drop-down of lamp over accessory pole  2166 . Flange bracket  2285  is attached to gooseneck  2042  which is then attached to pole bracket  2287  with a blind hole at its lower end to accept accessory pole  2166 . The blind hole prevents drop-down. Transverse pin  2291  in pole  2166  fits in recess  2293  at the entrance of the blind hole to prevent lamp  2281  assembly from rotating on pole  2166 ; this gives lamp  2281  more stability and resistance to movement when lightly brushed against personnel. Pole  2166  supporting lamp  2281  is attached via pole clamp  2256  of clamp  2250 .  
         [0421]     Yet another application of universal accessory clamp  2250  is shown in  FIG. 87I . When a convenient flat table top exists, it can be converted into a base for a stretcher for holding or operating on a patient. This is accomplished by using a flat crossbar  2162  which is attached to a pair of clamps  2250  using threaded screw holes  2262 . The width of the crossbar is such that stretcher poles  1730  are conveniently gripped at the correct position. One such crossbar with attached clamps  2250  and short legs with feet  2295  is used at the front and at the rear of the stretcher. Each clamp  2250  has two accessory pole clamps which can be used to support one or more intravenous fluid dispensers (IV&#39;s) or transfusion bags as needed.  
         [0422]     A preferred embodiment of lower leg clamp  2300  is shown in  FIGS. 88A-88B . Clamp  2300  includes frame  2302 , which is pinned by pin  2312  to the end of lower tube  2316 . It has swinging clamping screw  2306  pinned at  2310  and swinging jaw  2304  pinned at  2314 . Swinging jaw  2304  has a clearance groove  2308  for locking screw  2306 . Clamp  2300  is simply placed at the desired position on leg  2318  and clamped around leg  2318  and tightened. This provides quick attachment or detachment or adjustment of the distance from foot  2320 . Pin  2330  facilitates up or down movement of leg  2318 . Note, all elements of clamp  2300  are permanently attached.  
         [0423]      FIG. 89  shows a portable medical utility table  2400  with many of the features and accessories described in the earlier drawings. It is an example of a “bed” serving one patient that can be one of many in a reconfigurable, modular, expandable, transportable, mobile, medical critical care point of need field installation system.  
         [0424]     It is further noted that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: a