Background and Summary of the Invention
This invention relates generally to wheeled utility carts. More particularly it relates to a sportsman's cart which is capable of transporting large heavy loads, such as freshly killed game, over rough terrain, yet is of knock-down construction for convenient storage and subsequent re-assembly.
Examples of other utility carts are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,979,338; 2,992,834; 3,222,100; 3,860,254; and 4,215,877. While these prior carts show the general concept of fold-down or knock-down construction, the present invention represents an improvement because of the unique organization and arrangement of its knock-down parts and the manner in which they assemble and disassemble. Moreover the invention is beneficial in its efficient use of materials to fabricate the various parts and the ease with which they can be assembled and disassembled. Still further, the invention is advantageous because the cart can carry a large load over rough terrain, and it is strong and durable. The cart possesses an attractive appearance as well.
The foregoing features, advantages, and benefits of the invention will be seen in the ensuing description and claims which should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention in accordance with the best mode contemplated at the present time in carrying out the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is is a rear perspective view of a utility cart embodying principles of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cart from the right front, on a slightly larger scale than the scale of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the left front further showing an optional accessory item in use with the cart.
FIG. 4 is a top plan half view of a part of the cart shown by itelf.
FIG. 5 is a full elevational view of one of the members shown in half view in FIG. 4, illustrating additional parts assembled to it.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another part of the cart shown by itself.
FIG. 8 is an elevational view of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a further part shown by itself.
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of still another part shown by itself.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate the general organization and arrangement of a utility cart 20 embodying principles of the present invention. Cart 20 is of a knock-down construction comprising the following principal parts: a basket 22; a pair of wheels 24, 26; and a combination operating handle and strut assembly 28. The wheels removably mount on the basket at opposite sides. The combination operating handle and strut assembly removably mounts at one end of the basket. The cart can be either pushed or pulled via the operating handle depending on the desire of the person operating it.
Details of basket 22 are seen in FIGS. 1-6. The basket comprises a continuous rectangular perimeter frame 30 which forms the top rim of the basket. The perimeter frame comprises two longer parallel sides 32, 34 and two shorter parallel sides 36, 38. The longer sides 32, 34 are disposed lengthwise of the cart and the shorter sides 36, 38 are disposed transversely, or widthwise, at the lengthwise ends of the basket.
Advantageously, the perimeter frame is formed from metal tubing, particularly thinwall electrical conduit. Nominal 3/4 inch conduit has been found quite suitable. This enables the entire perimeter frame to be fabricated from a single length of conduit, formed to the rectangular shape, and the two confronting ends joined, as by welding. In forming the conduit to the rectangular shape, it is bent into 90 degree curved segments 40 at the four corners of the rectangle.
The bottom and sides of the basket are formed by a series of transverse members 42, also preferably formed of the same type and size conduit as the perimeter frame. The illustrated embodiment incorporates five such members 42, and they are uniformly spaced apart from each other along the length of the basket. A 7.5 inch spacing has been found very suitable. Each member 42 is shaped from a single length of conduit to comprise a pair of parallel end segments 44, an intermediate segment 46 which is perpendicular to end segments 44, and 90 degree curved bend segments 48 which join segment 46 with segments 44.
Joining of members 42 with perimeter frame 30 is accomplished by cutting the ends of each member 42 into generally semi-circular concave shapes 50 and fitting them to substantially a semi-circular portion of the perimeter frame, as perhaps best seen in FIG. 5. The ends of the members 42 are joined to the perimeter frame by any suitable means, preferably welding. The result is a strong construction, but relatively lightweight in comparison to its strength.
Additional rigidity is imparted by means of two straight circular rods 52, 54 which are arranged lengthwise of the cart. Holes 55 are formed in any suitable manner through members 42 at the midpoints of the curved bend segments 48. The holes on the right side are in alignment, and rod 52 passes through them. The holes on the left side are likewise in alignment, and rod 54 passes through them. The two rods are joined to members 42, preferably by welding. Consequently the rods serve to tie the transverse members together near the bottom of the basket. While the rods impart addition stiffening to the basket, they are also useful for fabrication of the basket. The transverse members can be assembled to the rods before the perimeter frame is assembled to the transverse members.
The middle transverse member 42 is located essentially at the middle of the basket, as measured lengthwise. An axle mounting tube 56 of substantially square cross section is disposed parallel and joined to the underside of intermediate segment 46 of this third transverse member 42. Such joining is preferably by welding, the tube 56 being of suitable metal. The tube is symmetrically arranged laterally so that it projects just slightly beyond each side of the basket. Metal end pieces 58 are joined to the ends of tube 56, again preferably by welding. Each end piece contains a circular hole 60 at a level below its point of attachment to tube 56. The two holes 60 are in substantial alignment, their axes being collinear and transverse to the length of the cart.
Wheel 24 removably mounts to the right end piece 58 and wheel 26 to the left end piece 58. Each wheel has its own axle so that the wheels can rotate independently of one another. The preferred wheels are wire-spoked types having a central hub 62 on which a rim 64 is concentrically supported by means of multiple taut wires 66. A threaded shaft extends from each hub and passes through the corresponding hole 60. The shaft could be a headed bolt whose shank is passed through the hub and into the corresponding hole 60. One or more nuts 61 are threaded onto the threaded end of the stub shaft at the inside of the corresponding end piece and tightened by a suitable tool to secure the wheel in place. A pneumatic tire 67 is supported on the wheel rim 64. The organization and arrangement results in the bottom of the basket having a nominal ground clearance, i.e. when the basket is level and on level ground, slightly greater than the radius of the wheels, the wheels being of equal diameters.
Details of the operating handle and strut assembly 28 aer seen in FIGS. 1-3 3 and 7-10. The operating handle is designated by the numeral 68 and the strut by the numeral 70. Handle 68 comprises a straight tubular member 72 of the same type and size tubular electrical conduit used in the basket. A shorter member 74, of the same tubular electrical conduit, is arranged transversely at one end of member 72 to form a pair of short handle bars on opposite sides of the member. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the handle bars thus formed are preferably covered by elastomeric grips 76 for comfort in grasping. Member 72 joins to member 74 in the same fashion as the members 42 to perimeter frame 30. Triangular reinforcements 78 serve to strengthen the joint.
The opposite end of member 72 contains an attachment bracket 80. A second attachment bracket 82 is disposed on member 72 a short distance from bracket 80. These two brackets 80, 82 serve to cooperate with bracket structure 84 on the basket for removably mounting the assembly 28 on the basket. The bracket structure 84 on the basket comprises a first portion 86 mounted on the immediately adjacent, i.e. first, transverse member 42 and a second portion 88 mounted on side 36 of perimeter frame 32.
Attachment bracket 80 comprises a rectangular metal bar 90 at the end of member 72. Bar 90 is disposed transverse to the length of member 72 and is symmetrical with respect to the member. Triangular reinforcements 92 serve to strength the joint between the members, 72 and 90, the parts being once again joined by welding. A pair of end pieces 94 are attached to the ends of bar 90. They project away from the bar in the opposite direction from member 72 to form ears laterally spaced apart but laterally confronting each other. Each piece 94 contains a hole 96, the two holes being in alignment with each other. The structure of bar 90 and the two end pieces forms a bight for fitting onto the first portion 86 of bracket structure 84.
The bracket portion 86 comprises two pieces 98 forming ears which project downwardly from the member 42. The two ears 98 have aligned holes 100 and are spaced laterally apart, but slightly closer to each other than are pieces 94 to each other. This allows the aforementioned bight to fit over the ears 98 with pieces 94 overlapping ears 98 on the outside to bring holes 96 and 100 into alignment, one pair on one side, the other pair on the other side. The holes are of equal diameters for reception of pins 102 which are used to make the separable connection of the handle to the basket. An example of such a pin is shown in FIG. 10.
The pin comprises a nose end 104 containing a spring-loaded detent 106. The opposite end contains a wire 108 looped into a circle and passing through a small hole in the pin. When each pair of holes 96, 100 is aligned, a corresponding pin 102 can be inserted through them, nose end first. The spring-loaded detent is compressed during passage through the holes, but upon passing completly through, once again expands to an interference position to retain the pin in the holes. When an intentional pulling force is exerted on the pin via the wire ring, the resistance of the spring-loaded detent is overcome allowing the pin to be pulled out. This type of pin is particularly convenient for insertion and removal, and provides quite satisfactory retention when in use.
Bracket 82 has a central hole via which it fits onto member 72. The two parts 72, 82 are welded together around the hole. A first pair of laterally spaced ears 110 project to one side, and a second pair 112 to the opposite side. The first, or upper, pair of ears 110 contain aligned holes 114. With the bracket 80 pinned to the first portion 86 of bracket structure 84, member 72 can be swung upwardly about that pinned connection to fit ears 110 onto opposite sides of the second portion 88 of bracket structure 84. This second portion 88 of bracket structure 84 comprises a single downwardly directed ear which is located at the midpoint of side 36. It has a hole 116 which aligns with holes 114 allowing a third pin 102 to be passed through to make the removable connection thereby completing the removable attachment of the handle to the basket. With the handle so attached, the handle bars are disposed in upwardly and outwardly spaced relation to the basket at a level for convenient grasping by a typical individual.
FIG. 9 shows strut 70 by itself. It is a length of straight tubular electrical conduit 117, but of smaller diameter than member 72, and noticeably shorter. A hinge piece 118 having a hole 119 is attached to one end of conduit 117 and a cylindrical foot bar 120 is attached to the other end. A clevis 122 is attached centrally of bar 90 to project generally downwardly. It contains three pairs of parallel holes 125, 126, 128, one hole of each pair being in one side of the clevis and the other in the opposite side. The diameter of hole 119 is slightly larger than that of holes 124. The hinge piece 118 of the strut is received into the clevis and a dowel 130 is passed through the aligned holes 119, 124 to have a press fit with only holes 124. The strut is thereby pivotally mounted for swinging motion between a support position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2 and a stowed position shown in solid lines in the same FIG.
A stop pin 132 is pressed into holes 126 to span the clevis. It is disposed in the path of travel of the strut to limit the extent to which the strut can be swung downwardly, particularly defining a generally upright position for the strut when the strut is abutting the stop pin. The holes 128 are spaced from holes 126 a distance just slightly greater than the one half inch diameter of conduit 117. With the strut abutting the stop pin, a fourth pin 102 can be passed through holes 128 to span the clevis and hence prevent the strut from being swung upwardly away from its upright support position. This serves to lock the strut in place. After this fourth pin 102 has been removed, the strut can again be swung to the stowed position.
In the stowed position, conduit 117 is disposed between the lower ears 112, generally parallel with member 72. The ears have a pair of aligned holes 134 below the stowed strut and of the same size as holes 128. Having been removed from holes 128, the fourth pin 102 is now used to lock the strut in the stowed position by passing it through holes 134 to prevent the stowed strut from being swung downwardly.
From the foregoing description, the manner of operation of the cart should be reasonably apparent. When the cart is to be rolled either by pushing or pulling on the handle, the strut is preferably disengaged from the ground. A mere repositioning of the cart may not necessitate stowage of the strut if the strut is down. However, for movement over longer distances, the strut is usually retracted and stowed. Although the retraction and stowage of the strut is typically done manually, these procedures are quite convenient, particularly with use of the preferred pins 102.
The cart can be manipulated with relative convenience due to the independent axles for the two wheels and the appreciable road clearance. The handle gives good leverage for manipulation, and heavy loads can be transported with comparative ease when well balanced on the basket. The cart is especially useful in rough terrain, such as for hauling freshly killed game out of the woods. These functional attributes for hauling loads are embodied in a construction which nonetheless can be knocked down for convenient storage, such as in an automobile trunk or a pick-up truck, for transporting, or in a basement or garage. The construction is also conducive to a very attractive appearance, especially by painting and finishing. In practice, welding operation should be conducted with care to avoid sharp edges and excess weldment.
Representative dimensions are 36" for the length of the handle, and 45".times.16".times.8" for the basket. Since the disclosed construction for the basket will comprise significant spaces in the side and bottom of the basket, transport of a collection of smaller articles, such as pieces of camping gear, can be accomplished by using a liner 150 fitted to the basket as shown in FIG. 3. The liner covers the entire interior of the basket with its margin 152 wrapping around the perimeter frame and back into attachment with itself on the exterior. Such attachment is effected by any suitable separable means. The illustrated means of a series of snap fasteners 154 is especially convenient. The liner may be any suitable sheet-like material such as fabric or plastic.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be appreciated that principles are applicable to other embodiments.