US3887208A — Collapsible and portable utility cart

Claim 1

Independent Claim 339 words

A collapsible, portable, hand-and-vehicle-pullable utility cart and child''s stroller comprising in combination: a. cart body means including a generally planar first supporting member disposable selectively at both generally parallel and transverse attitudes relative to a supporting surface on which the cart is used, said body means also having at least two axially aligned supporting wheels rotatably connected thereto; b. said cart body means including a second generally planar supporting member pivotally connected adjacent a rearwardmost side of said first-mentioned generally planar supporting member and disposed to be foldable toward and away therefrom; said first-mentioned planar supporting member constituting a seat portion for a child to ride upon; said second planar member constituting both a seat back and a transverse rearwardmost support for any items carried in association with said first-mentioned supporting member; and said seat and seat back members having complementary abutment portions and link means for maintaining predetermined selective relative adjusted positions between fully open and folded close positions; c. drawbar means including a longitudinally extended drawbar attached to a forward side of said cart body means and having a free end projecting forwardly therefrom; d. an articulated cart-supporting leg having one end pivotally connected to said drawbar means at a point spaced forwardly of said cart body means, with the other end operatively engageable on the cart-supporting surface to maintain the cart in a stabilized, normal utility use condition when at rest on said wheels and not being pulled; e. child''s foot-supporting members attached to said articulated supporting leg; f. said articulated supporting leg being of composite form including second pivotal means interconnecting first and second composite-forming leg portions so as to facilitate selective relative folding movement of said leg portions; cooperative means on mid-leg portions to releasably lock them in rigid coextensive aligned conditions; and g. said pivotally connected supporting leg disposed so as to be adjusted between a forwardmost extended cart-stabilizing position and a rearwardly folded or retracted cart-pulling position, attendant movement of said cart supporting leg about said pivotal connection with said drawbar means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 339 words

A collapsible, portable, hand-and-vehicle-pullable utility cart and child''s stroller comprising in combination: a. cart body means including a generally planar first supporting member disposable selectively at both generally parallel and transverse attitudes relative to a supporting surface on which the cart is used, said body means also having at least two axially aligned supporting wheels rotatably connected thereto; b. said cart body means including a second generally planar supporting member pivotally connected adjacent a rearwardmost side of said first-mentioned generally planar supporting member and disposed to be foldable toward and away therefrom; said first-mentioned planar supporting member constituting a seat portion for a child to ride upon; said second planar member constituting both a seat back and a transverse rearwardmost support for any items carried in association with said first-mentioned supporting member; and said seat and seat back members having complementary abutment portions and link means for maintaining predetermined selective relative adjusted positions between fully open and folded close positions; c. drawbar means including a longitudinally extended drawbar attached to a forward side of said cart body means and having a free end projecting forwardly therefrom; d. an articulated cart-supporting leg having one end pivotally connected to said drawbar means at a point spaced forwardly of said cart body means, with the other end operatively engageable on the cart-supporting surface to maintain the cart in a stabilized, normal utility use condition when at rest on said wheels and not being pulled; e. child''s foot-supporting members attached to said articulated supporting leg; f. said articulated supporting leg being of composite form including second pivotal means interconnecting first and second composite-forming leg portions so as to facilitate selective relative folding movement of said leg portions; cooperative means on mid-leg portions to releasably lock them in rigid coextensive aligned conditions; and g. said pivotally connected supporting leg disposed so as to be adjusted between a forwardmost extended cart-stabilizing position and a rearwardly folded or retracted cart-pulling position, attendant movement of said cart supporting leg about said pivotal connection with said drawbar means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 339 words

A collapsible, portable, hand-and-vehicle-pullable utility cart and child''s stroller comprising in combination: a. cart body means including a generally planar first supporting member disposable selectively at both generally parallel and transverse attitudes relative to a supporting surface on which the cart is used, said body means also having at least two axially aligned supporting wheels rotatably connected thereto; b. said cart body means including a second generally planar supporting member pivotally connected adjacent a rearwardmost side of said first-mentioned generally planar supporting member and disposed to be foldable toward and away therefrom; said first-mentioned planar supporting member constituting a seat portion for a child to ride upon; said second planar member constituting both a seat back and a transverse rearwardmost support for any items carried in association with said firstmentioned supporting member; and said seat and seat back members having complementary abutment portions and link means for maintaining predetermined selective relative adjusted positions between fully open and folded close positions; c. drawbar means including a longitudinally extended drawbar attached to a forward side of said cart body means and having a free end projecting forwardly therefrom; d. an articulated cart-supporting leg having one end pivotally connected to said drawbar means at a point spaced forwardly of said cart body means, with the other end operatively engageable on the cart-supporting surface to maintain the cart in a stabilized, normal utility use condition when at rest on said wheels and not being pulled; e. child''s foot-supporting members attached to said articulated supporting leg; f. said articulated supporting leg being of composite form including second pivotal means interconnecting first and second composite-forming leg portions so as to facilitate selective relative folding movement of said leg portions; cooperative means on mid-leg portions to releasably lock them in rigid coextensive aligned conditions; and g. said pivotally connected supporting leg disposed so as to be adjusted between a forwardmost extended cart-stabilizing position and a rearwardly folded or retracted cart-pulling position, attendant movement of said cart supporting leg about said pivotal connection with said drawbar means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 339 words

A collapsible, portable, hand-and-vehicle-pullable utility cart and child''s stroller comprising in combination: a. cart body means including a generally planar first supporting member disposable selectively at both generally parallel and transverse attitudes relative to a supporting surface on which the cart is used, said body means also having at least two axially aligned supporting wheels rotatably connected thereto; b. said cart body means including a second generally planar supporting member pivotally connected adjacent a rearwardmost side of said first-mentioned generally planar supporting member and disposed to be foldable toward and away therefrom; said first-mentioned planar supporting member constituting a seat portion for a child to ride upon; said second planar member constituting both a seat back and a transverse rearwardmost support for any items carried in association with said firstmentioned supporting member; and said seat and seat back members having complementary abutment portions and link means for maintaining predetermined selective relative adjusted positions between fully open and folded close positions; c. drawbar means including a longitudinally extended drawbar attached to a forward side of said cart body means and having a free end projecting forwardly therefrom; d. an articulated cart-supporting leg having one end pivotally connected to said drawbar means at a point spaced forwardly of said cart body means, with the other end operatively engageable on the cart-supporting surface to maintain the cart in a stabilized, normal utility use condition when at rest on said wheels and not being pulled; e. child''s foot-supporting members attached to said articulated supporting leg; f. said articulated supporting leg being of composite form including second pivotal means interconnecting first and second composite-forming leg portions so as to facilitate selective relative folding movement of said leg portions; cooperative means on mid-leg portions to releasably lock them in rigid coextensive aligned conditions; and g. said pivotally connected supporting leg disposed so as to be adjusted between a forwardmost extended cart-stabilizing position and a rearwardly folded or retracted cart-pulling position, attendant movement of said cart supporting leg about said pivotal connection with said drawbar means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 102 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, wherein said articulated supporting leg is of composite form, and includes second pivotal means connecting first and second composite-forming leg portions together; said first pivotal connection and said second pivotal means of said supporting leg being so interrelated so as to cooperatively facilitate the selective adjustment of said foot supporting members in a predetermined position when said first and second leg portions are folded at approximately 90* relative to one another; and cooperating means on said drawbar means and on said articulated supporting leg to releasably lock said second leg portion to said drawbar means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, wherein said longitudinally extended drawbar includes a relatively fixed main drawbar and a relatively telescopically extensible and retractable auxiliary drawbar member cooperatively disposed therewith.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 36 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, wherein said drawbar includes handle means attached to said free end thereof in a manner facilitating 360* free relative movement of said handle means about the longitudinal axis thereof.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 34 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, further including adjustable transverse handle bar means attachable to said drawbar means for a child to hold on to when using the cart as a child''s stroller.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 57 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, further including a pair of auxiliary hand-grip members selectively attachable to and near the free end which is a forward end of said drawbar means, and said hand-grip members projecting transversely laterally from opposite sides thereof to facilitate easier collective pulling of said cart by two persons in side-by-side fashion.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 43 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, wherein said cart body includes means on and selectively extensible behind said body to materially reduce the distance of fall or drop of the cart when pulled down over steps and over sidewalk or road curbs.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 58 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, wherein said articulated cart-supporting leg includes a bracket attached toward a lowermost end thereof to facilitate remote actuating movement of said supporting leg by the user''s toe portion of the foot when placed in engagement therewith and drawn forwardly and/or pushed rearwardly about said pivotal connection with the drawbar as needed.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 45 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, wherein said drawbar means is a component detachably connected to said cart body, and said cart and its related components are all of a size to be readily stored within and carried by a hand-held openable-and-closeable carrying bag.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 57 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, wherein said elongated drawbar includes one end opposite the free end connectable with said cart body means, and said cart body means and said drawbar means include cooperative interengagement means for facilitating an adjustable connection of and a variable angle relationship for said drawbar means relative to said cart body.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 67 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, further including a hook thereon operatively connected to said drawbar means and spaced from said relatively foldable planar support members to accomodate handles of a shopping bag being carried by said cart and supported collectively thereby and by said relatively foldable planar support members when the cart is positioned with the drawbar means in a generally upright or vertical condition.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 69 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, further including at least one flexible and elastically expansible tie-down cord stored on means provided on said caRt body, and means on said cart and cord ends for removably connecting at least one end thereof to said cart body means and the other end operatively to the said drawbar means after overlaying one or more items to be carried upon said cart.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 89 words

A cart as defined in claim 12, further including a separate auxiliary frame member with means for attaching same to said cart body means and said drawbar means, said auxiliary frame member forming an auxiliary support forwardly beyond said first planar supporting member and providing generally coplanar laterally supporting surfaces at opposite sides of said drawbar means, to thereby increase the carrying utility of said cart when carrying multiple pieces of baggage and the like of the collective area size greater than that of said first-mentioned planar supporting member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 68 words

A cart as defined in claim 13, wherein one side of said auxiliary frame and cart body have cooperating male and female engagement parts, and said auxiliary frame and drawbar means have additional cooperative interengagement means to support a forwardmost side of said auxiliary frame at a point spaced forwardly apart from said male and female engagement parts when said auxiliary frame is assembled with the said cart.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 33 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, further including link means for releasably connecting said second planar supporting member in a predetermined relationship relative to said first-mentioned planar supporting member or seat portion.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 72 words

A cart as defined in claim 15, wherein said link means includes a first relatively short link member pivotally connected to one of said two planar supporting members and releasably connectable with the other to releasably lock same in closely continuous relationship; and said link means further including a substantially longer link member similarly connected to said planar supporting members for releasably locking said members in selectively greater apart angularly disposed relationship.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 117 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, wherein said articulated cart-supporting composite leg includes a first bracket attached to and near a lowermost end of said second leg portion, and a second bracket attached to and near the end of first leg portion nearest said second pivotal means; said second pivotal means including resilient-biased means to releasably lock said leg portions together in coextensive relationship to preclude undesirable and unwanted pivoting relationship therebetween; said first and second bracket means adapted to be operativety engaged by a foot and hand respectively of the user of the cart to effect pivotal movement of said second leg portion relative to said first leg portion during adjustment of said foot-supporting members.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 35 words

A cart as defined in claim 1, further including a universal type connecting device and vehicle attachable bracket means connectable with said universal type connecting device to facilitate towing of said cart by a vehicle.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-06-02	1978-12-02	1979-06-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-06-02	1982-12-02	1983-06-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-06-02	1986-12-02	1987-06-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Collapsible and portable utility cart

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