US3729209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible carrier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-26
•
Granted: 1973-04-24
•
Expires: 1991-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A carrier including an upright support frame adjustably mounted on a wheel assembly which selectively orientates the wheels for movement of the carrier in the manner of a hand truck or alternatively in the manner of a four wheel supported cart. The support unit is vertically adjustable relative to the wheel assembly by means of a carrier mounting jack apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 A Litz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:29
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62B; B62B3/00; B62B3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A convertible carrier comprising an upright load support unit, a wheel assembly mounting said support unit, said wheel assembly comprising first and second wheel means simultaneously rotatable between first and second positions, said first wheel means, in said first position, being oriented generally perpendicular to said support unit in ground engagement for a rolling movement of the support unit in a first direction in the manner of a hand truck, said second wheel means, in the first position, being elevated relative to said first wheel means and out of engagement with the ground, said first wheel means, in the second position, being oriented in ground engagement at approximately right angles to the first position thereof for a lateral movement of the support unit, said second wheel means, in the second position, paralleling the first wheel means in ground engaging spaced relation thereto for cooperation therewith in rollingly supporting said support unit, each of said wheel means comprising a pair of wheels, said wheel means, in the second position thereof, defining a four-wheel support for said carrier for movement of a cart, said support unit including vertically oriented sleeve means along the opposed sides thereof, said wheel assembly comprising a pair of wheel units, each wheel unit including a vertically elongated shaft rotatably received within one of said sleeve means, a transverse axle fixed to the lower end of each shaft for rotation therewith, said axle extending perpendicular from one side of said shaft and mounting a wheel of the first wheel means thereon, said axle projecting from the opposite side of the shaft at an acute angle thereto and mounting a wheel of the second wheel means on the outer end thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A convertible carrier comprising an upright load support unit, a wheel assembly mounting said support unit, said wheel assembly comprising first and second wheel means simultaneously rotatable between first and second positions, said first wheel means, in said first position, being oriented generally perpendicular to said support unit in ground engagement for a rolling movement of the support unit in a first direction in the manner of a hand truck, said second wheel means, in the first position, being elevated relative to said first wheel means and out of engagement with the ground, said first wheel means, in the second position, being oriented in ground engagement at approximately right angles to the first position thereof for a lateral movement of the support unit, said second wheel means, in the second position, paralleling the first wheel means in ground engaging spaced relation thereto for cooperation therewith in rollingly supporting said support unit, each of said wheel means comprising a pair of wheels, said wheel means, in the second position thereof, defining a four-wheel support for said carrier for movement of a cart, said support unit including vertically oriented sleeve means along the opposed sides thereof, said wheel assembly comprising a pair of wheel units, each wheel unit including a vertically elongated shaft rotatably received within one of said sleeve means, a transverse axle fixed to the lower end of each shaft for rotation therewith, said axle extending perpendicular from one side of said shaft and mounting a wheel of the first wheel means thereon, said axle projecting from the opposite side of the shaft at an acute angle thereto and mounting a wheel of the second wheel means on the outer end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The carrier of claim 1, wherein said wheel means assume said first and second positions through a rotatable swinging of the wheel unit shafts, and means for selectively locking each wheel unit into rotatably adjusted positions corresponding to said first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The carrier of claim 2, including means for vertically adjusting said support unit relative to said wheel assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The carrier of claim 3, wherein said means for vertically adjusting the support unit comprises a jack apparatus engaged between the wheel assembly and support unit for effecting a vertical sliding of the support unit sleeves along said wheel unit shafts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The carrier of claim 4 wherein the sleeve means associated with each edge of the support unit is located slightly laterally thereof and orientated so as to converge upwardly toward the upper end of the support unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
192 words
A convertible carrier particularly adapted for large panel-like loads, said carrier including an upright support unit, said support unit having a front face incorporating a load receiving means, and a rear face, sleeve means fixed to the reaR of said support unit along the opposed side edges thereof, a vertically elongated shaft rotatably received through each sleeve means, each shaft mounting a first roller on the lower end thereof for rotation therewith between a first position perpendicular to the support unit and a second position parallel thereto, each shaft also mounting an elongated axle on the lower end thereof, said axle projecting at an acute angle from said shaft, a second wheel mounted on the outer end portion of said axle and orientated in laterally spaced relation to the first wheel, said axle and second wheel being rotatably swingable with said shaft and orientated in a first elevated position centrally to the rear of said support unit when the first wheel is orientated perpendicular to said support unit, and in a second position in rearwardly spaced generally coplanar alignment with the first wheel when said first wheel generally parallels said support unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
192 words
A convertible carrier particularly adapted for large panel-like loads, said carrier including an upright support unit, said support unit having a front face incorporating a load receiving means, and a rear face, sleeve means fixed to the reaR of said support unit along the opposed side edges thereof, a vertically elongated shaft rotatably received through each sleeve means, each shaft mounting a first roller on the lower end thereof for rotation therewith between a first position perpendicular to the support unit and a second position parallel thereto, each shaft also mounting an elongated axle on the lower end thereof, said axle projecting at an acute angle from said shaft, a second wheel mounted on the outer end portion of said axle and orientated in laterally spaced relation to the first wheel, said axle and second wheel being rotatably swingable with said shaft and orientated in a first elevated position centrally to the rear of said support unit when the first wheel is orientated perpendicular to said support unit, and in a second position in rearwardly spaced generally coplanar alignment with the first wheel when said first wheel generally parallels said support unit.
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) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |