US4236723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hip cart
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-10-06
•
Granted: 1980-12-02
•
Expires: 1998-10-06
Abstract
Abstract The invention disclosed is a cart designed to carry a load and to be pulled behind a user when strapped to the user's waist or hips. Normally the cart contains a generally upright, adjustable-length load-support frame. A load-supporting means supports the load on the frame. A pair of wheels is attached to the distal end of the frame, and a pair of rigid, generally horizontal arms extends from the frame's proximal end out toward the user at an adjustable angle. A means for attaching the cart to the user's waist, preferably a strap, is located at the proximal end of the arms. In operation, a piece of luggage or other load is placed on the cart's frame and supported there by the load-supporting means which is usually a platform-like structure. The strapping means is then strapped to the user's lower torso so that the cart is positioned behind the user, its wheels resting directly on the ground. The user can then tow the load and cart behind him by walking or even running forward. The cart is designed so that, by adjusting the various adjustable features, the center of gravity is located only a small distance from the wheels, between the user and the wheels, for maximum carrying ease and comfort.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Lemmon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:19
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62B; B62B5/00; B62B5/06; B62B5/068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A cart comprising: (a) a load support frame having a proximal end and a distal end and comprised of two generally upright, spaced, parallel, adjustable-length rods and a plurality of lateral spacers fixedly mounted between said upright rods; (b) means for supporting a load on said frame; (c) a pair of wheels mounted by an axle on the distal end of said frame; (d) a pair of spaced parallel rigid arms adjustably mounted at the proximal end of said frame at an adjustable angle θ to said frame, said arms having a proximal end and a distal end; (e) means for connecting the proximal ends of said arms to the waist of a person, so that for a given load, the lengths of said rods as well as said angle θ may be adjusted to cause the center of gravity of said cart plus its load to lie vertically above a point located between said axle and said person, to cause said arms to extend in a generally horizontal direction, and to cause the lateral distance between said point and said axle to be small relative to the lateral distance between said point and said person.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A cart comprising: (a) a load support frame having a proximal end and a distal end and comprised of two generally upright, spaced, parallel, adjustable-length rods and a plurality of lateral spacers fixedly mounted between said upright rods; (b) means for supporting a load on said frame; (c) a pair of wheels mounted by an axle on the distal end of said frame; (d) a pair of spaced parallel rigid arms adjustably mounted at the proximal end of said frame at an adjustable angle θ to said frame, said arms having a proximal end and a distal end; (e) means for connecting the proximal ends of said arms to the waist of a person, so that for a given load, the lengths of said rods as well as said angle θ may be adjusted to cause the center of gravity of said cart plus its load to lie vertically above a point located between said axle and said person, to cause said arms to extend in a generally horizontal direction, and to cause the lateral distance between said point and said axle to be small relative to the lateral distance between said point and said person.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A cart according to claim 1 wherein said wheels are attached to said frame by a resiliently articulated connection so that shocks occurring when the cart is towed behind said user over irregular ground are at least partially absorbed at this connection to minimize surge forces transmitted to the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
A cart according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the lowermost lateral spacer extends beyond the lateral plane of said frame and serves as said axle, said lowermost lateral spacer being crank-shaped at each end and being rotatably adjustable relative to said frame; and (b) the cart further comprises: a pair of braces, said braces being rotatably mounted at one end on the crank-shaped portion of said lowermost lateral spacer; and means for securing the other ends of said braces at a plurality of positions on said rods, so that the position of said axle can be adjusted relative to the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A cart according to claim 1 wherein said frame has a proximal side and a distal side and said arms are rotatable relative to the frame to a position on the distal side of said frame so that the cart can be pushed by said person by means of the proximal end of said frame without interference from said arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cart according to claim 1 or 4 wherein said means for connecting the proximal end of the arms to the person is detachable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
162 words
A cart according to claim 3 wherein: (a) said frame has a proximal side and a distal side; the uppermost lateral spacer of said frame extends beyond the lateral plane of said frame and has a leg extending from each end, each leg being aligned parallel to said rods, and having a proximal end and a distal end; the means for supporting a load on said frame is a platform-like structure positioned at the distal end and on the distal side of the frame; the arms are mounted at the proximal ends of said legs, and are rotatable relative to the frame to a position on the distal side of said frame; and (b) said cart further comprises: two bracing bars, one end of each bracing bar rotatably mounted relative to the frame on the uppermost lateral spacer of the frame; means for securing the other end of each bracing bar to a plurality of positions on the nearest of said arms.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-02 | 1984-06-02 | 1984-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-02 | 1988-06-02 | 1988-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-02 | 1992-06-02 | 1992-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |