Cart for transporting shock sensitive loads, or unstable loads

Claim 1

A cart axle for transporting shock-sensitive computer equipment, components, and the like, comprising: a main carrying base upon which is supported items to be transported, said main carrying base having a first axle with a wheel attached thereon, and a second axle with another wheel attached thereon, said wheels rollingly supporting said main carrying base for movement; said main carrying base further comprising means for mounting each of said first and second axles for selective and independent extension and retraction of said axles with respect to said main carrying base so as to accommodate various sizes and various weights of loads carried by said main carrying base; said means for mounting comprising tube means for mounting said axles in overlapping relationship therein, said tube means having a first open end and a second open end spaced from said first open end, and a first slot adjacent said first open end and a second slot adjacent said second open end, each said slot being formed along a portion of the circumference of said tube means and extending from adjacent a respective said open end toward the center of said tube means, said tube means causing said axles to be held at a selected extension by friction between the inner surface of said tube means and the outer surfaces of said axles; each of said first and second axles comprising a hook means at the end thereof remote from the end to which said wheel is attached, said hook means riding in a respective one of said slots disposed opposite thereto at one of said open ends opposite to the open end adjacent said attached wheel of said axle, whereby upon extension of said axle, said hook means abuts against the closed end of the respective slot to stop movement thereof, said axles overlapping in said tube means for at least some of the extensions thereof.