Utility cart with lock box
A utility cart with lock box which includes a fixed housing portion mounted to the top of a cart storage unit, and a rotating housing portion rotatably mounted to the fixed housing portion. The fixed housing portion includes spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through arcuate back wall, and an open front. The rotating housing portion includes spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through arcuate front wall, and an open back. The rotating housing portion is dimensioned such that it can be rotated rearwardly up and over the fixed housing to provide access to items stored in the fixed housing portion, or under the closed rotating housing portion. Alternatively the rotating housing can be rotated forwardly and downwardly to enclose all items in the lock box. The items located in the lock box are visible whether the box is opened or closed.
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The present invention relates to the field of utility carts with lock boxes. Such carts are often used as cleaning carts. They typically include a wheeled base with a storage unit mounted thereon, a handle for moving the cart and for hanging items thereon, such as waste bags, and a lock box mounted on top of the storage unit. These lock boxes typically have doors which can be locked closed, flip up tops which can be locked closed, and in one case a tambour door.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe utility cart of the present invention includes a lock box comprising a fixed housing portion mounted to the top of the cart storage unit, and a rotating housing portion rotatably mounted to the fixed housing portion. The fixed housing portion includes spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through an arcuate back wall, and an open front. The rotating housing portion includes spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through arcuate front wall, and an open back. The rotating housing portion is dimensioned such that it can be rotated rearwardly up and over the fixed housing to provide access to items stored in the fixed housing portion, or under the closed rotating housing portion. Alternatively the rotating housing can be rotated forwardly and downwardly to enclose all items in the lock box. The items located in the lock box are visible whether the box is opened or closed.
These and other features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the preferred embodiments and the appended drawings.
In the preferred embodiment, utility cart 1 has a base platform 10 with wheels 11, a storage unit 20 and a lock box 30 mounted atop storage unit 20 (
Both fixed housing 40 back wall 42 and rotating housing 50 front wall 52 define about a quarter of a cylinder, except for the lower front portion 52a of front wall 52, and the lower rear portion 42a of back wall 42 (
The axel pins 55 pass through over lapping portions of sidewalls 51 and 41 near their rear and front edges respectively. Axel pins 55 are also located at approximately the center of the cylinder portions defined by arcuate front wall 52 and arcuate back wall 42, respectively.
Rotating housing portion 50 is dimensioned just slightly larger such that it can be rotated rearwardly up and over the fixed housing 40 to open the front of fixed housing 40 and provide access to items located in the fixed housing portion (
Platform 10 preferably extends forwardly of storage unit 20, such that a cleaning bucket and sundry other items can be carried thereon. Storage unit 20 as shown is a cabinet with a closeable door, a handle 22 projecting rearwardly therefrom and an auxiliary platform 24 located atop handle 22. Hanger brackets 23 are positioned on cabinet 20.
The top 21 of cabinet 20 comprises a tray, in that it includes an upwardly extending perimeter sidewall 21a projecting a short distance above top 21. Top 21 is sometimes referred to herein as tray 21. Referring to
Rotating housing portion 50 is approximately the same shape as fixed housing portion 40, but is dimensioned just slightly larger than fixed housing 40 from sidewall to sidewall, and in the radius of its arcuate front wall, such that it can be rotated up and over fixed housing 40 as shown in
A handle flange 53 of “L” shaped cross section is secured to and extends across the width of rotating housing 50 at the bottom edge thereof (
Lock 60 is located near the bottom edge of front wall 51 of rotating housing 50. Lock 60 includes a key lock locking cylinder 61 with a depending lock arm 62 having a notch 63 in the lower extremity thereof. When lock 60 is rotated to its lock position, notch 63 closes over a detent pin 25 which projects inwardly from front perimeter sidewall 21a. In this manner, rotating housing 50 can be locked in its closed position.
In use, various containers of cleaning products or other items can be placed in the top tray 21 atop storage container 20 (
Of course, it is understood that the forgoing is a description of preferred embodiments, and that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A utility cart comprising:
- a wheeled base;
- a storage unit located on and projecting upwardly from said wheeled base to a top surface having at least two upwardly projecting spaced top sidewalls projecting upwardly a short distance from said top surface;
- a lock box mounted on said top surface, said lock box including: a first housing portion mounted on said top surface of said storage unit, and a second housing portion rotatably mounted to said first housing portion; said first housing portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through an arcuate back wall having a first radius, and an open front;
- said spaced sidewalls of said first housing being seated between and mounted to said spaced top sidewalls;
- said second housing portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through arcuate front wall having a second radius, and an open back;
- said second housing portion being approximately the same shape as said first housing portion, but being dimensioned just slightly larger than said first housing portion from sidewall to sidewall, and in said radius of its arcuate front wall, such that said second housing portion is configured to be rotated rearwardly up and over said first housing portion to provide access to items stored in or in front of said first housing portion, and said second housing portion being configured to be rotated forwardly and downwardly to enclose all items in said lock box, with any items located in said lock box being visible whether said lock box is opened or closed.
2. The utility cart of claim 1 in which said storage unit also includes a top back wall projecting upwardly a short distance from said top surface; said back wall of said first housing portion of said lock box extending down inside said top back wall of said storage unit.
3. The utility cart of claim 2 wherein each said sidewall of said first housing portion including a lower edge which includes a notch therein adjacent said top back wall which projects upwardly from said top surface, which prevents that portion of each said sidewall of said first housing portion from hitting said top back wall and interfering with said back wall of said first housing portion of said lock box extending down inside said top back wall of said storage unit.
4. The utility cart of claim 2 in which:
- said second housing portion is rotatably mounted to said first housing portion by axle pins;
- said back wall of said first housing portion of said lock box and said front wall of said second housing portion of said lock box each define about a quarter of a cylinder, said arcuate front wall being joined to a lower front wall, and said arcuate back wall being joined to a lower rear wall, and said lower front wall and said lower back wall each extend generally straight down from their junction with said arcuate front and rear walls respectively;
- said sidewalls of said first housing portion having front edge portions and said sidewalls of said second housing having rear edge sidewall portions, said front edge portions of said first housing portion and said rear edge portions of said second housing portion overlapping;
- said axel pins pass through said over lapping front edge portions and rear edge portions of said first and sidewalls of said second housing; and said axel pins are also located at approximately the axis of said quarter cylinders defined by said arcuate front wall and said arcuate back wall, respectively.
5. The utility cart of claim 4 in which:
- a handle flange of “L” shaped cross section is secured to and extends across the width of said lower front wall of second housing portion.
6. The utility cart of claim 5 in which:
- said arcuate front wall of second housing portion includes a top edge, and a second handle flange of “L” shaped cross section is secured to said arcuate front wall of said second housing portion at said top edge thereof.
7. The utility cart of claim 6 in which:
- a stop projects from said back wall of said first housing portion to limit the rearward rotation of said second housing portion to its open position.
8. The utility cart of claim 7 in which:
- a lock is located on said lower front wall of said second housing portion;
- said lock includes a key lock locking cylinder with a depending lock arm having a notch in a lower extremity thereof;
- said storage unit including a top front wall projecting upwardly a short distance from said top surface, said top front wall including a detent projecting therefrom adjacent said lock when said second housing portion is in its closed position;
- said lock being rotatable to engage said notch with said detent to lock said second housing portion in its closed position.
9. A utility cart comprising:
- a wheeled base;
- a storage unit located on and projecting upwardly from said wheeled base to a top surface;
- a lock box mounted on said top surface, said lock box including: a first housing portion mounted on said top surface of said storage unit, and a second housing portion rotatably mounted to said first housing portion; said first housing portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through an arcuate back wall, and an open front;
- said second housing portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through arcuate front wall, and an open back;
- said second housing portion being dimensioned such that said second housing portion is configured to be rotated rearwardly up and over said first housing portion to provide access to items stored in or in front of said first housing portion, and is configured to be rotated forwardly and downwardly to enclose all items in said lock box, with any items located in said lock box being visible whether said lock box is opened or closed;
- said second housing portion is rotatably mounted to said first housing portion by axle pins;
- said back wall of said first housing portion of said lock box and said front wall of said second housing portion of said lock box each define about a quarter of a cylinder, said arcuate front wall being joined to a lower front wall, and said arcuate back wall being joined to a lower rear wall, and said lower front wall and said lower back wall each extend generally straight down from their junction with said arcuate front and rear walls respectively;
- said sidewalls of said first housing portion having front edge portions and said sidewalls of said second housing having rear edge sidewall portions, said front edge portions of said first housing portion and said rear edge portions of said second housing portion overlapping;
- said axel pins pass through said over lapping front edge portions and rear edge portions of said first sidewalls of said second housing; and said axel pins are also located at approximately the axis of said quarter cylinders defined by said arcuate front wall and said arcuate back wall, respectively.
10. The utility cart of claim 9 in which:
- a handle flange of “L” shaped cross section is secured to and extends across the width of said lower front wall of second housing portion.
11. The utility cart of claim 10 in which:
- said arcuate front wall of second housing portion includes a top edge, and a second handle flange of “L” shaped cross section is secured to said arcuate front wall of said second housing at said top edge thereof.
12. The utility cart of claim 11 in which:
- a stop projects from said back wall of said first housing portion to limit the rearward rotation of said second housing portion to its open position.
13. The utility cart of claim 12 in which:
- a lock is located on said lower front wall of said second housing portion;
- said lock includes a key lock locking cylinder with a depending lock arm having a notch in a lower extremity thereof;
- said storage unit including a top front wall projecting upwardly a short distance from said top surface, said top front wall including a detent projecting therefrom adjacent said lock when said second housing portion is in its closed position;
- said lock being rotatable to engage said notch with said detent to lock said second housing portion in its closed position.
14. The utility cart of claim 9 in which:
- a stop projects from said back wall of said first housing to limit the rearward rotation of said second housing portion to its open position.
15. The utility cart of claim 9 in which:
- a lock is located on said lower front wall of said second housing portion;
- said lock includes a key lock locking cylinder with a depending lock arm having a notch in a lower extremity thereof;
- said storage unit including a top front wall projecting upwardly a short distance from said top surface, said top front wall including a detent projecting therefrom adjacent said lock when said second housing portion is in its closed position;
- said lock being rotatable to engage said notch with said detent to lock said second housing portion in its closed position.
16. A utility cart comprising:
- a wheeled base;
- a storage unit located on and projecting upwardly from said wheeled base to a top surface;
- a lock box mounted on said top surface, said lock box including: a first housing portion mounted on said top surface of said storage unit, and a second housing portion rotatably mounted to said first housing portion; said first housing portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through an arcuate back wall, and an open front;
- said second housing portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through arcuate front wall, and an open back;
- said second housing portion being dimensioned such that said second housing portion is configured to be rotated rearwardly up and over said first housing portion to provide access to items stored in or in front of said first housing portion, and is configured to be rotated forwardly and downwardly to enclose all items in said lock box, with any items located in said lock box being visible whether said lock box is opened or closed;
- said front wall of said second housing portion of said lock box having a bottom edge;
- a lock being located near said bottom edge of said front wall of said second housing portion;
- said lock includes a key lock locking cylinder with a depending lock arm having a notch in a lower extremity thereof;
- said storage unit including a top front wall projecting upwardly a short distance from said top surface, said top front wall including a detent projecting therefrom adjacent said lock when said second housing portion is in its closed position;
- said lock being rotatable to engage said notch with said detent to lock said second housing portion in its closed position.
17. A utility cart comprising:
- a wheeled base;
- a storage unit located on and projecting upwardly from said wheeled base to a top surface having at least two upwardly projecting spaced top sidewalls projecting upwardly a short distance from said top surface;
- a lock box mounted on said top surface, said lock box including: a first housing portion mounted on said top surface of said storage unit, and a second housing portion rotatably mounted to said first housing portion; said first housing portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through an arcuate back wall, and an open front;
- said second housing portion including spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through arcuate front wall, and an open back;
- said second housing portion being dimensioned such that said second housing portion is configured to be rotated rearwardly up and over said first housing portion to provide access to items stored in or in front of said first housing portion, and is configured to be rotated forwardly and downwardly to enclose all items in said lock box, with any items located in said lock box being visible whether said lock box is opened or closed;
- each said second housing sidewall including an inside facing its said opposite sidewall, and also having a bottom edge; and
- an alignment flange extending from said inside of each said second housing sidewall downwardly a short distance below said bottom edge of said sidewall, such that as said second housing is lowered into its closed position, said alignment flanges pass closely adjacent to one of said top sidewalls, to help align said sidewalls of said second housing and prevent said second housing portion from wracking or shifting from side to side relative to said top sidewalls.
18. The utility cart of claim 1 in which said arcuate back wall of said first housing comprises a clear see through arcuate back wall.
19. The utility cart of claim 9 in which said arcuate back wall of said first housing comprises a clear see through arcuate back wall.
20. The utility cart of claim 16 in which said arcuate back wall of said first housing comprises a clear see through arcuate back wall.
21. The utility cart of claim 17 in which said arcuate back wall of said first housing comprises a clear see through arcuate back wall.
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- “Consumer Crafts”; Jul. 7, 2014; https://web.archive.org/web/20140707175211/http://www.consumercrafts.com/store/details/catalog/storage-general-multi-use-organizers/5301-10.
- Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Geerpres first edition on carts.
- Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Geepres second edition.
- Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Geerpres first edition both painted.
- Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Geerpres second edition on carts.
- Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Rubbermaid.
- Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Venmop.
- Prior to Oct. 9, 2014, Royce Rolls.
Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 21, 2018
Date of Patent: Oct 6, 2020
Assignee: Geerpres, Inc. (Muskegon, MI)
Inventors: Joseph J. Fodrocy (Muskegon, MI), Anton D. Jerovsek (Grand Haven, MI), Jeffrey R. Kolbe (Muskegon, MI), Scott E. Ribbe (West Olive, MI)
Primary Examiner: David O Reip
Application Number: 16/138,295
International Classification: B62B 3/00 (20060101); E05B 65/52 (20060101); B62B 5/06 (20060101);