Land vehicles – Wheeled – Nesting vehicles
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-10
2001-01-23
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Nesting vehicles
C280S047290, C280S652000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176498
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to manually-operated utility carts of the type adapted to carry a portable receptacle such as a basket. More particularly, the invention relates to a utility cart that includes a lift mechanism so that the basket may be raised and lowered to position it at a convenient height.
The invention has particular utility for persons who need to transport various loads, but who have difficulty doing so due to age related functional limitations or other difficulties that adversely affect their mobility.
For example, persons with such functional limitations may find it difficult to carry a load of items in a basket to and from a laundry area. Once at the site, they may have difficulty loading the laundry from a basket into a washing machine, transferring the laundered load to a dryer arid then transferring the dried load back to the basket. Other examples of situations where transporting various loads can present difficulties are (1) transporting groceries and other items in a store and (2) transporting letters and packages in a mailroom.
Part of the problem involves the lifting and lowering of the basket between vertical positions that are convenient to a washing machine on the one hand and a dryer on the other. The positions that are most convenient vary from one appliance to another. Where strength and flexibility are reduced due to functional limitations, it is particularly difficult to lift a basket that is full of laundry, particularly when the laundry is wet.
The utility cart of the present invention resolves many of the difficulties referred to above and affords other features and advantages heretofore not obtainable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a manually operated utility cart for carrying a removable basket wherein the cart has a generally horizontal base with rollers mounted thereon. The front rollers are preferably mounted to swivel about a vertical axis to improve ease of handling. Mounted on the base is an upright frame that extends to a convenient height. Handles are preferably attached to the top of the upright frame at an ergonomically-determined position for the user.
Supported on the upright frame is a basket support assembly that is movable relative to the fixed upright frame between a raised position and a lowered position. Included in the basket support assembly are a pair of parallel generally vertical racks that extend upwardly from the bottom of the basket support.
A generally horizontal axle is journaled on the fixed upright frame and has a pair of pinions mounted at opposite ends thereof The pinions engage the racks so that rotation of the pinions serves to raise and lower the basket support.
The assembly also includes a means for rotating the axle by means of a handle or the like in such a way that a mechanical advantage is provided to the user. In this way, the operator, can, with minimum effort, raise and lower the basket carried on the support to a desired vertical position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2422862 (1947-06-01), Stottrup
patent: 2443236 (1948-06-01), Gallagher
patent: 2514824 (1950-07-01), Zenko
patent: 2881865 (1959-04-01), Lewis
patent: 3052323 (1962-09-01), Hopfeld
patent: 3118553 (1964-01-01), Rosenzweig
patent: 3429403 (1969-02-01), Drechsler et al.
patent: 3739879 (1973-06-01), House
patent: 4004825 (1977-01-01), Green
patent: 4258826 (1981-03-01), Murray
patent: 4655466 (1987-04-01), Hanaoka
patent: 4865346 (1989-09-01), Carlile
patent: 5385358 (1995-01-01), Adamson
patent: 5513873 (1996-05-01), Chen
patent: 5575605 (1996-11-01), Fisher
patent: 5577745 (1996-11-01), Birk
patent: 5938396 (1999-08-01), Audet
Murphy Kent W.
Sterns Harvey L.
Sterns Ronni S.
Avery Bridget
Creative Action, Inc.
Johnson Brian L.
Rankin, Hill Porter & Clark LLP
LandOfFree
Utility cart with lift mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Utility cart with lift mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Utility cart with lift mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2543063