Land vehicles – Wheeled – Stable vehicles – handle-propelled
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-23
2002-12-24
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Stable vehicles, handle-propelled
C280S047350, C280S079200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06497423
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates generally to mobile maintenance carts and, in particular, to such carts specifically adapted to transport implements and waste containers utilized in the performance of sanitary maintenance duties.
2. The Prior Art
Mobile carts for use in the performance of sanitary maintenance duties are well known and have found wide application in a range of commercial maintenance functions. Typically, such carts comprise a wheeled elongate platform having a top surface dimensioned to support and transport a cylindrical or square refuse container or mop bucket. Projecting upward from the platform are three uprights which support a tray at an upper end. An intermediary tray is disposed beneath the upper tray, likewise supported by the uprights. Extending rearward from the cart at the upper end is a rectangular handle frame from which a refuse bag may be suspended.
U.S. Pat. No. 273,242, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a maintenance cart of the type described above. As described above, a waste receptacle or mop bucket may be positioned on the forward portion of the wheeled platform and transported thereby to locations requiring sanitary maintenance. The upper and lower shelves are typically used to store cleaning chemicals and paper products thereon, thereby rendering such material accessible to the user from two sides of the cart with regard to the lower shelf, and four sides of the upper shelf. The handle, in addition to providing a handgrip whereby the user may propel the cart, also includes attachment fasteners from which a refuse bag may be attached and suspended therefrom. The refuse bag is thus held open at the top so as to enable the user to conveniently fill the bag with assorted refuse material. The cart further provides various hooks and fasteners along the sides of the upper and lower shelves by which implements such as brooms, dustmops or brushes may be attached to the cart and transported thereby from work site to work site.
The cart described above has found widespread use in a variety of public settings such as airports, hospitals, schools and businesses. The carts have been found to be versatile in meeting the various needs of the sanitary maintenance field. However, because of the ubiquitous public applications in which such carts are used, it has been found that commercially available carts of the type described above have certain deficiencies attendant their use which prevent them from satisfying all of the needs of the user, particularly health and security needs.
For example, the cleaning chemicals used in various applications are frequently harmful if ingested or improperly handled. Storing such material on open and accessible shelves of the cart creates a risk that children or the elderly passing the cart may access the chemicals and be harmed thereby.
Secondly, some materials gathered by sanitary maintenance workers and placed in the rearward bag, particularly in hospital or clinical environments, are contagious or otherwise require isolation from the surrounding environment for health reasons. Available carts, with their open top rearward bags, do not provide the level of isolation necessary to avoid the risk of air-born contamination. Also, it is common for plastic bags to be used as liners inside the semi-rigid vinyl bag suspended from the handle. However, available carts do not have convenient, reliable means for keeping the inner bag from collapsing inside the outer liner. A collapsed inner liner bag is inconvenient to remove and could present a hazard if the contents thereof are hazardous.
Thirdly, there is a tipping risk associated with transporting full waste containers on the forward end of available carts. The high center of gravity of a full container may make it prone to tippage under certain conditions, particularly as a user negotiates turns. If filled with harmful or hazardous material, tippage of the waste container can result in an undesirable exposure of the surrounding environment to such material.
Finally, there is an as yet unmet need for a secure storage compartment in maintenance carts wherein security items such as keys may be stored. Such a compartment must be convenient and accessible to the user of the cart yet be inaccessible and hidden to others passing the cart.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned deficiencies summarized above with respect to commercially available maintenance carts are eliminated by the subject invention. A cart is provided having an upper and an intermediary shelf. A secure, lockable enclosure assembly is provided for residence between the space between the shelves, and defines upon the intermediary shelf a secure interior storage chamber for chemicals, cleaning sprays, and other potentially hazardous material commonly used in cleaning activity. A cover member is pivotally attached to a forward side of the handle and pivots rearward to enclose the top opening of the refuse bag suspended from the handle. The contents of the bag are thus isolated and the risk of unwanted exposure with the environment is eliminated.
A forward side of the intermediary tray is formed having an arcuate indentation positioned above the support surface of the wheeled platform. The arcuate indentation is disposed and shaped to receive therein an upper portion of a waste container situated upon the wheeled platform and supports and stabilizes the container against tipping forces.
In addition, a bag clamping system is incorporated into the cart handle and comprises forward and rearward clamping bars which operate to capture and pin upper portions of a refuse bag liner against an internal handle ledge, whereby keeping the liner bag in an open, uncollapsed, and safe orientation for convenient and safe removal.
Finally, the cover member described previously comprises a compartment base and a cover panel which define a storage compartment. The storage compartment is readily accessible to a user stationed behind the cart yet is hidden from view and secure from unauthorized access. The storage compartment provides a place for the storage of keys, or personal items of the user of the cart.
Accordingly, it is an objective to achieve a sanitary maintenance cart having enhanced security.
A further objective is to provide a sanitary maintenance cart having enhanced stability and means for deterring a waste container thereon from tipping.
Still a further objective is to provide a sanitary maintenance cart having lockable means for storing hazardous material.
Another objective is to provide a sanitary maintenance cart which encloses a refuse containing bag so as to deter exposure of the environment to its contents.
Yet another objective is to provide a sanitary maintenance cart having a secure and isolated compartment readily accessible to the user for personal effects.
Moreover, it is a further objective to provide a sanitary maintenance cart which conveniently and reliably maintains an inner bag liner in an open and uncollapsed condition.
A further objective is to provide an enhanced security sanitary maintenance cart which comprises relatively few component parts and which is readily and economically manufactured and assembled.
These and other objectives, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved by a preferred embodiment which is described in detail below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4350366 (1982-09-01), Helms
patent: D273242 (1984-03-01), Maza et al.
patent: 4685854 (1987-08-01), Bulle
patent: 4809897 (1989-03-01), Wright, Jr.
patent: D302064 (1989-07-01), Delmerico
patent: 4869518 (1989-09-01), Breveglierij et al.
patent: D330103 (1992-10-01), Andrews, Jr.
patent: 5340135 (1994-08-01), Wonberly
patent: D391032 (1998-02-01), Delmerico
Catalog page, Carts; Jani-Jack Limited, Coat Road, Martock, Somerset TA12 6EY, England. Publication date Oct., 1995.
Catalog page, Carts; Henkel KGaA/R GV, Verkauf RT/Floordress, Postfach 1100, 4000 Dusseldorf, Germany. Published at least as early as Jun., 199
Hawks David
Perelli Thomas
Dickson Paul N.
Lum L.
Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
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