Flat top carrier deck

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to hand trucks and more specifically to a flat top carrier deck for transporting various articles which is sized to be received by a horizontal hand truck.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0005] It appears that carrier decks are not commercial available for retention by a horizontal hand truck.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a flat top carrier deck which is sized to be received by different sizes of horizontal hand trucks; is capable carrying different loads; and which does not have to be secured to a bottom of the horizontal hand truck.

[0007] The present invention provides a flat top carrier deck which is sized to be received by a horizontal hand truck. The flat top carrier deck includes a base plate, and at least one elevating gate. The base plate is preferably fabricated from a perforated sheet. Each elevating gate is engaged with the base plate. Each elevating gate is either disposed in a retracted or an extended position. Preferably, handle clearance scoring is formed in a first end of the base plate. The handle clearance scoring provides an outline for snapping out a handle clearance slot which receives a handle of the horizontal hand truck. Preferably, lift clearance scoring is formed on a second end of the base plate. The lift clearance scoring provides an outline for snapping out a lift clearance slot, which receives a lift of the horizontal hand truck. The flat top carrier deck is retained on the horizontal hand truck with the handle and lift clearance slots. However, handle and lift clearance slots may be formed in the base plate during manufacture. The handle and lift clearance scoring allow the flat top carrier deck to be used with horizontal hand trucks having different width handles and lifts.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flat top carrier deck which is sized to be received by different sizes of horizontal hand trucks.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flat top carrier deck which is capable of carrying different loads.

[0010] Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a flat top carrier deck which does not have to be secured to a bottom of the horizontal hand truck with fasteners or the like.

[0011] These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a flat top carrier deck in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of a base plate with handle and lift clearance scoring of a flat top carrier deck in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an end view of a flat top carrier deck with elevating gates in a retracted position in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of a flat top carrier deck with elevating gates in a retracted position in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top view of a flat top carrier deck in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a top view of a flat top carrier deck having handle and lift clearance slots in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of an elevating gate of a flat top carrier deck in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7ais an enlarged bottom view of an elevating gate of a flat top carrier deck in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of an elevating gate with the pull out legs flexed inward for insertion into a base plate of a flat top carrier deck in accordance with the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an elevating gate in an extended position of a flat top carrier deck in accordance with the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a flat top carrier deck disposed above a horizontal hand truck in accordance with the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a flat top carrier deck retained by a horizontal hand truck in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a flat top carrier deck retained by a horizontal hand truck with elevating gates in an extended position in accordance with the present invention.

[0025] With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded perspective view of a flat top carrier deck 1. The flat top carrier deck 1 includes a base plate 10, and at least one elevating gate 12. The base plate 10 is preferably fabricated from a perforated sheet. The perforated sheet is preferably fabricated from plastic, aluminum, steel or any other suitable material. With reference to FIG. 9, each elevating gate 12 engages the base plate 10. Each elevating gate 12 is either disposed in a retracted position or an extended position.

[0026] With reference to FIGS. 7-8, each elevating gate 12 includes a base frame 14, at least one pair of pull-out legs 16, and at least two pairs of retainer legs 18. The at least one pair of pull-out legs 16 and at least two pairs of retainer legs 18 extend from a bottom of the base frame 14. Each pair of pull-out legs 16 includes a first pull-out leg 20 and a second pull-out leg 22. A pull-out projection 23 is formed on a bottom of each pull-out leg. The pull-out projection 23 prevents each elevating gate 12 from being removed from the base plate 10 without squeezing the first and second pull-out legs together. The first and second pull-out legs are staggered apart to allow the first and second pull-out legs to be squeezed together for insertion into the base plate 10 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0027] Each pair of retention legs 18 includes a first retention leg 24 and a second retention leg 26. A retention slot 28 is formed at a bottom of each retention leg. The retention slot 28 is sized to receive a thickness of the base plate 10. Each retention slot 28 prevents the elevating gate 12 from being removed or pushed down without squeezing the first and second retention legs together. The first and second retention legs are squeezed together for insertion into the base plate 10 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0028] With reference to FIGS. 2-6, handle clearance scoring 30 is formed in a first end of the base plate 10. With reference to FIGS. 10-12, the handle clearance scoring 30 provides an outline for snapping out a handle clearance slot 32 for a handle 102 of a horizontal hand truck 100. Preferably, lift clearance scoring 34 is formed on a second end of the base plate 10. The lift clearance scoring 34 provides an outline for snapping out a lift clearance slot 36 for a lift 104 of the horizontal hand truck 100. The handle clearance slot 32 receives the handle 102 of the horizontal hand truck 100 and the lift clearance slot receives the lift 104 of the horizontal hand truck 100. The flat top carrier deck 1 is retained on the horizontal hand truck 100 with the handle and lift clearance slots. The handle and lift clearance scoring may be formed in the base plate 10 by pressure forming, heating, or with any other suitable process. However, the handle and lift clearance slots may be formed in the base plate during manufacture. The handle and lift clearance scoring allows the flat top carrier deck 1 to be used with horizontal hand trucks having different width handles and lifts.

[0029] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.