US3637232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cart having collapsible legs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-10-02
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1989-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A cart having a frame, auxiliary wheels on the forward end of said frame, four depending legs adapted to swing rearwardly to a collapsed position, releasable means bracing said legs, and an operator for actuating said releasable means, and a safety lock normally maintaining said operator inoperative.
Inventors
- 👤 Elroy E Bourgraf
- 👤 Robert E Dunn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:21
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62B; B62B5/00; B62B5/0003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In a cart comprising, a horizontal frame, auxiliary wheels on the forward end of said frame, forward and rearward vertical legs pivoted at their upper ends to said frame, releasable means normally maintaining said legs vertically, and an operator mounted on said frame for releasing said releasable means, the improvement comprising, a safety lock mounted on said frame normally holding said operator in inoperative position, said safety lock including an elongated element pivotally mounted on said frame and having a latching slot portion, a transverse rod between said rear legs and receivable in said slot to block movement of said rear legs toward collapsed condition thereby forming a locking means, said elongated element being movable to an unlocked position to disengage said rod from said latching slot portion, a handle mounted on said elongated elemenT for movement between a first position blocking entrance of said rod into said slot portion and a second position opening said slot portion to receive said rod, said handle being movable to said first position when said safety lock is shifted to inoperative position, and to said second position before said legs are returned to their normal extended position, whereby said legs may be pivoted to collapsed condition underlying said frame by first pivoting said elongated element to disengage said slot from said rod and thereafter actuating said operator while said handle holds said rod out of said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a cart comprising, a horizontal frame, auxiliary wheels on the forward end of said frame, forward and rearward vertical legs pivoted at their upper ends to said frame, releasable means normally maintaining said legs vertically, and an operator mounted on said frame for releasing said releasable means, the improvement comprising, a safety lock mounted on said frame normally holding said operator in inoperative position, said safety lock including an elongated element pivotally mounted on said frame and having a latching slot portion, a transverse rod between said rear legs and receivable in said slot to block movement of said rear legs toward collapsed condition thereby forming a locking means, said elongated element being movable to an unlocked position to disengage said rod from said latching slot portion, a handle mounted on said elongated elemenT for movement between a first position blocking entrance of said rod into said slot portion and a second position opening said slot portion to receive said rod, said handle being movable to said first position when said safety lock is shifted to inoperative position, and to said second position before said legs are returned to their normal extended position, whereby said legs may be pivoted to collapsed condition underlying said frame by first pivoting said elongated element to disengage said slot from said rod and thereafter actuating said operator while said handle holds said rod out of said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cart according to claim 1 further comprising spring means normally urging said safety lock to its holding position, whereby as said legs are returned to vertical condition they are automatically locked.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a cart having a horizontal frame, handles on the rearward end of said frame, auxiliary wheels on the forward end of said frame, forward legs pivoted at their upper ends to said frame and adapted to swing rearwardly, a diagonal toggle brace extending from the lower ends of said forward legs to said frame adjacent said handles, rear legs pivoted at their upper ends to said frame, said rearward legs each being formed of an upper section pivotable forwardly, and a lower section hinged to said upper section and pivotable rearwardly, a diagonal brace extending from the lower ends of said rear legs to the forward portion of said frame, an operator for collapsing said legs comprising a bellcrank lever pivoted on said upper sections and having a first leg engaging at least one of said upper sections and a second leg engaging said toggle brace, an operating lever mounted on said frame and connected to said bellcrank lever to operate said lever to substantially simultaneously pivot said upper section and said brace to release said legs and permit them to collapse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a cart having a horizontal frame, handles on the rearward end of said frame, auxiliary wheels on the forward end of said frame, forward legs pivoted at their upper ends to said frame and adapted to swing rearwardly, a diagonal toggle brace extending from the lower ends of said forward legs to said frame adjacent said handles, rear legs pivoted at their upper ends to said frame, said rearward legs each being formed of an upper section pivotable forwardly, and a lower section hinged to said upper section and pivotable rearwardly, a diagonal brace extending from the lower ends of said rear legs to the forward portion of said frame, an operator for collapsing said legs comprising a bellcrank lever pivoted on said upper sections and having a first leg engaging at least one of said upper sections and a second leg engaging said toggle brace, an operating lever mounted on said frame and connected to said bellcrank lever to operate said lever to substantially simultaneously pivot said upper section and said brace to release said legs and permit them to collapse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cart according to claim 3 in which continued rearward pivoting of said forward legs forces said bellcrank lever to further urge said upper sections to pivot forwardly toward collapsed condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
A cart according to claim 3 in which said second leg has a slot engaging a pin on said toggle brace, said slot having a first surface engaging said pin to pivot said brace to permit collapse of said forward leg, and said slot having a second surface engaged by said pin to force said bellcrank lever against said upper section, whereby collapse of said forward legs assists in the collapse of said rear legs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A cart according to claim 3 in which said upper sections are fixed to a transverse bar journaled in and forming part of said frame, whereby pivoting one of said upper sections pivots the other of said upper sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cart according to claim 6 further comprising a transverse bar interconnecting said upper sections and to which said bellcrank lever is pivoted, and a safety lock secured to said frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |