Pivoted Load Support Patents (Class 280/33.996)
  • Patent number: 11958522
    Abstract: A nestable shopping cart includes an upright frame, an upper angle support and a pair of tie bars extending out from the upright frame. A tray is pivotally connected to the upright frame. The tray includes a utility position and a nested position. The tray includes a tapered front and at least one side. A slope plate is mounted to at least one side of the tray. In the nested position, the nestable shopping cart is nested with another nestable shopping cart, resulting in a nesting gap of about 11 inches between the shopping carts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Zutler, Kevin Chow, Harry Wellington
  • Patent number: 11767047
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for foldable containers for manual and robotic use. In one embodiment, an example foldable container may include a first container wall, a second container wall configured to rotate outwards in a first direction with respect to the first container wall, and a bottom container platform configured to rotate outwards in a second direction with respect to the first container wall. The bottom container platform may include an automatic locking mechanism configured to engage with the second container wall when the foldable container is in an unfolded position, where the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Some embodiments may include a number of wheels. The foldable container may be configured to be transported using (i) the plurality of wheels via manual pushing, and (ii) robotic manipulation to lift and move the foldable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dragan Pajevic, Tim Martin, Kaushal Mehta, Stephen T. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11724728
    Abstract: A nestable shopping cart has an upright frame, and a tray pivotally connected to the upright frame. The tray includes a utility position, a nested position, an inside, and an outside. Further included is a perimeter wire surrounding the tray and a tapered front. The perimeter wire surrounds the outside of the tray until the tapered front, and then the perimeter wire surrounds the inside of the tapered front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Zutler, Kevin Chow, Harry Wellington
  • Patent number: 11548544
    Abstract: A nestable shopping cart includes an upright frame, an upper angle support and a pair of tie bars extending out from the upright frame. A tray is pivotally connected to the upright frame. The tray includes a utility position and a nested position. The tray includes a tapered front and at least one side. A slope plate is mounted to at least one side of the tray. In the nested position, the nestable shopping cart is nested with another nestable shopping cart, resulting in a nesting gap of about 11 inches between the shopping carts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Zutler, Kevin Chow, Harry Wellington
  • Patent number: 11440573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manually movable and stackable trolley having a supporting device, wherein, when two trolleys are stacked, a rear region which is only taken up by the rear trolley and a front region which is only taken up by the trolley in front are produced, wherein the supporting device is assigned an electronic weighing device which is equipped with a first and a second weighing cell. The two weighing cells are arranged such that, in the stacked state, the first weighing cell of the rear, inserted trolley is within the rear region, and the second weighing cell of the inserted trolley is outside the front region, and, conversely, the first weighing cell of the trolley in front is outside the rear region, and the second weighing cell of the trolley in front is within the front region, wherein the first weighing cell is directed downwards from the at least one supporting device and the second weighing cell is directed upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Patent number: 11383745
    Abstract: A trolley (10), primarily for use as a roll cage, includes a base (16) with wheels (18) and a frame (40) located above said base (16). Poles (28, 30, 32, 34) are used to join the frame to the base and a flexible member (14) such as a tarpaulin sheet with latching clamps or a ratchet strap, are used to create tension between the components, to ensure the integrity of the trolley and to reduce the generation of noise when the trolleys is moving in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Andrew Turner
  • Patent number: 10766516
    Abstract: A modular cart assembly includes a first cart and an identical second cart. Each cart has a latching assembly that vertically slides along the cart and a coupling arm spaced apart from the latching assembly. The first cart is coupled to the second cart by positioning the first cart next to the second cart, vertically sliding the latching assembly of the first cart along the first cart until the latching assembly of the first cart couples to the coupling arm of the second cart, and vertically sliding the latching assembly of the second cart along the second cart until the latching assembly of the second cart couples to the coupling arm of the first cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Cannon Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Clemance Bernard Finstad, Thomas J. Raway, Bruce L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10729236
    Abstract: A reconfigurable carrying device, such as a cart, is provided for storing and/or transporting objects. The cart may include a first storage section for receiving the objects, and a second storage section pivotally attached to the first storage section. The second storage section may be movable upwards relative to the first storage section to be positioned on top of the first storage section in a first mode of operation of the cart and may be movable downwards relative to the position in the first mode of operation to be positioned adjacent to the first storage section in a second mode of operation of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC
    Inventor: Bernard S. Martin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10532756
    Abstract: A collapsible cart assembly for storing and transporting a plurality of objects on a jobsite includes a box for containing objects on a jobsite. A plurality of wheels is each rotatably coupled to the box to roll along a support surface. A plurality of shelving units is provided and each of the shelving units is telescopically coupled to the box. Each of the shelving units selectively support objects for storage and for transportation. Moreover, each of the shelving units is positionable in a deployed position having the shelving units being distributed upwardly from the box and being spaced apart from each other. Each of the shelving units is positionable in a collapsed position having the shelving units being stacked on the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Vasil Rekhviashvili
  • Patent number: 10151139
    Abstract: A multi-compartmentalized utility cart for storage, transport and or deployment of a quadrangle of four private voting terminals for generating paper ballots (one being ADA-compliant), or alternatively two four private voting stations plus a private VVPB tabulation station, all without moving the equipment off the multi-cart. The present invention provides the foregoing complete with multiple on-board optional deployable privacy panels and optional curtains attached to the cart at each station to enclose a voter standing or seated in front of the voting terminal or ballot box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventors: Gary V Abel, Joseph Wilson
  • Patent number: 10068407
    Abstract: An example cart inventory system and associated methods are described. The example cart inventory system includes a cart and a detection system. The cart includes a frame, and a shelf movably mounted to the frame and configured to be positioned between an extended position and a folded position. A top surface and a rear surface of the shelf include first and second identifiers, respectively. The detection system is configured to detect the first identifier when the shelf is in the extended position and detect the second identifier when the shelf is positioned in the folded position. In the extended position, the top surface is oriented upwards relative to horizontal and the rear surface is disposed against the frame. In the folded position, the rear surface is oriented upwards relative to horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Jones, Aaron James Vasgaard, Nicholaus Adam Jones, Robert James Taylor
  • Patent number: 9656611
    Abstract: A transportable ski rack is configured to be both mounted directly on a vehicle or indirectly on a bicycle rack mounted on a vehicle and also be manually transported. The ski rack has forward and rear frame members, ski retaining brackets extending between and interconnecting the frame members, and wheels connected to both frame members. Dual handles are connected to the forward frame member, the handles being rotatable from a first position in which the handles extend outward for maintaining the ski rack in spaced relation to a vehicle when the ski rack is mounted on the vehicle and at least one of the handles extend outward for manually transporting the ski rack, to a second position in which both handles are rotatable towards the forward frame member for storage of the ski rack. A removeable storage box is located between the frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Gadi Beer
  • Patent number: 9550509
    Abstract: A manually movable transporting apparatus that is nestable with like transporting apparatuses has a chassis equipped with longitudinal members, which carries a loading device which is mounted on the chassis so as to be movable about respective horizontal axes and rests on at least one support. A supporting element is provided at the front end of the loading device and at least one inclined deflector surface is arranged in the rear region of the apparatus, which drops obliquely towards the rear and being designed to receive the supporting element of a further identical transporting apparatus driven onto the surface. At least one clearance is formed next to each support, and wherein each deflector surface is located in a clearance. When two transporting apparatuses are nested, each deflector surface of one transporting apparatus takes up the clearance assigned to the deflector surface of the other transporting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Patent number: 8870209
    Abstract: A connector for releasably attaching a vehicle such as a shopping cart to a wheelchair includes a pivoting frame that is mounted for use on the cart by a front attachment device and that can be releasably attached to the wheelchair by the chair's occupant. The frame is pivoted to an in-use position and aligned with the wheelchair for attachment. The frame can also be readily released from attachment to the wheelchair by the chair's occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Assembled Products Corporation
    Inventor: Steven S. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20140203528
    Abstract: The manual shopping chair includes a frame supported by a left rear wheel, a right rear wheel, a left front caster wheel and a right front caster wheel. A wheel lock disk with a plurality of radially extending slots is connected to each rear wheel. Springs urge lock bars toward the slots to lock both wheels. The lock bars are manually held out of the slots during movement. A mast is clamped to the frame front. A pair of basket support tubes are pivotally attached to the mast by a shaft in vertical slots. A basket is clamped to basket tubes. The basket is pivotable from a storage position to an upright position. Hooks hold the support tubes in an upright position. The mast top edge is lower than a seat mounted on the frame for nesting multiple shopping units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Allen Bussinger, Jeffry R. Frahm
  • Publication number: 20130140778
    Abstract: A method of making a shopping cart includes forming a frame capable of supporting a plurality of basket assembly types, selecting from the plurality of basket assembly types a first basket assembly defining a first basket assembly type; and connecting the first basket assembly to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Rick Stauff, Gary Vande Berg, Roy Watson
  • Publication number: 20110089652
    Abstract: A material handling cart for transporting a load of materials is provided. The material handling cart includes a base frame, a support frame coupled to the base frame, and a shelf coupled to at least one of the support frame and the base frame, the shelf pivotable between a raised position in which the shelf is adjacent the support frame and a lowered position in which the shelf is seated atop of the base frame, the shelf configured to receive the load of materials. The material handling cart also includes a flexible restraining member removably coupled to the support frame, the flexible restraining member configured to be adjustably tensioned about the load of materials to secure the load of materials to the base frame and the support frame during transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Robert H. Unnerstall, JR., Robert B. Helms, Rich Osterreicher, Mark Harsy
  • Patent number: 7837205
    Abstract: The invention concerns a collapsible compartment of a shopping cart comprising a seat panel for closing leg holes avoiding small objects or groceries to fall out. The panel has a rear edge having a tube-shaped portion hingely connected to the swinging rear wall of the compartment. The panel may be urged in an up or down position thanks to a cam element positioned longitudinally on the tube-shaped portion so as to face a vertical wire of the swinging rear wall of the collapsible compartment acting as a spring. The cam is also positioned radially on the tube-shaped portion so as to strike the vertical wire when the seat panel is pivoted from either the down position to the up position or the up position to the down position. The invention is also directed to a shopping cart including the same collapsible compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Cari-All Products Inc.
    Inventor: Gilles Simard
  • Patent number: 7681892
    Abstract: The Invention is a wheeled military vehicle that may be stacked one on top of another for efficient transportation aboard an aircraft such as a helicopter. A tubular frame reinforces the fenders of the military vehicle, allowing a first vehicle to support the weight of a second vehicle and to withstand the load applied by rigging. A pintle hook is connected to the military vehicle by a hinge and has a deployed and a folded position. The hinged pintle hook allows a combination of the military vehicle and a trailer to be shortened selectably so that the combination will occupy a reduced space within the fuselage of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: American Growler
    Inventors: Curtis T. Crews, William R. Crisp
  • Patent number: 7673889
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and handling a cargo platform is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having a cradle beam that receives the cargo platform. The cradle beam supports a lower surface of the cargo platform. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism operably associated with the cradle beam and actuates to securely fasten the cargo platform to the frame when the cargo platform is rested upon the cradle beam. The apparatus also includes a plurality of wheel assemblies for wheeling the frame along a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James S. Wells, Anibal J. Garcia, Myles A. Rohrlick, John B. Simmons, Benjamin A. Harber, Thomas K. Reiner
  • Publication number: 20090309322
    Abstract: A stocking cart conveyance may include three tiers, wherein the lower and middle tiers are substantially full length and the upper tier is substantially shorter to improve user sight lines, cart maneuverability, and/or accessibility to items in the middle tier. The upper tier in illustrative embodiments may be approximately 70-80% of the length of the full length tier(s) so as to maintain significant storage volume while still providing improved access, maneuverability, or sight lines. The upper tier may optionally be hinged so as to further improve user accessibility to items placed on the second tier. In illustrative embodiments the carts may longitudinally nest into one another to reduce the space needed to store the carts, and in certain embodiments the carts may be configured to nest when the upper tiers are in an upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Erich Selvig, Chris Johnson
  • Patent number: 7559736
    Abstract: A wheeled cart having a bed, two side walls, a front wall and an open end which is connected to a towing vehicle. The bed of the cart is raised or lowered to be inclined toward the open end to load the cart. The bed is level when the cart is loaded. A latch secures the rack within the cart and the latch is manually releasable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Streett Mohan
  • Patent number: 7448634
    Abstract: A display rack has a longitudinal axis, and includes vertically stacked and coextensive grid members that are removably connectable. Each grid member has a pair of oppositely spaced arms equidistantly spaced from and parallel to the axis and further includes a mesh patterned central body that spans across a distance between the arms. A mechanism is included for supporting the grid members at both a vertically stacked position and a vertically non-stacked position. The grid member supporting mechanism is completely detachable from the grid members and is independently transportable therewith. The arms are connected to each other when the grid members are stacked and are disconnected when the grid members are not stacked. Selected arms have male and female portions. The male portions are telescopically conjoined with the female portions when the grid members are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Bart Raub
  • Patent number: 7407170
    Abstract: A short-nosed wheeled walking aid has (a) a substantially horizontal base member having a front perimeter, a rear perimeter, a right perimeter and a left perimeter; (b) a front wheel assembly mounted to and supporting the base member adjacent the front perimeter, (c) a rear wheel assembly mounted to and supporting the base member adjacent the rear perimeter, (d) at least three upright right panels mounted on the base member, (e) a hand grip spaced behind and substantially parallel to the upright rear panel having a ground height (height off the ground, measured from the plane on which the wheels rest) of from about thirty to about forty inches, and (f) a seat assembly mounted to the exterior side of the rear panel, the seat assembly including a seat member translatable from a substantially vertical posture substantially parallel to the rear panel to a substantially horizontal posture substantially normal to the rear panel. A method of assisting the ambulation of a person employs the wheeled walking aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Ann Williams
  • Patent number: 7407169
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a shopping cart includes a gate pivotally mounted to a rear portion of the shopping cart and a seat member made from a plastic material. The seat member is mounted to the gate of the shopping cart via a pivot mechanism to extend in a position to support a child within the shopping cart. The seat member includes a generally curved concave portion having an apex adjacent the gate and a generally straight portion on a side of the seat member opposite the apex of the generally curved concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Splain, Robert D. Peota, Alexandre Hennen, Allan Cameron, Mark T. Ryan, David L. Pruitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7303198
    Abstract: A trolley includes a front wheel assemblie (12) and a rear wheel assembly both assemblies mounted on a trolley frame. The front wheel assembly (12) includes a fixed wheel assembly (24) to aid control of the trolley. In one form the front wheel assembly (12) includes a pair of swivel castors (18) and a fixed wheel assembly (24) disposed between the castors (18). The front wheel assembly (12) is designed so that when the castors (18) swivel from their orientation for forward travel, the fixed wheel assembly (24) is caused to be lifted off the ground. The trolley also includes a camming device which is operative to lift the front wheel assembly (12) off the ground when the trolley is moved into a nested configuration with a like trolley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Brian John Higgins
  • Publication number: 20070267829
    Abstract: A shopping vehicle includes a wheeled chassis supporting a main cart and a utility portion. The main cart includes a front portion and a rear portion with the utility portion extending rearward from the rear portion of the main cart. The utility portion includes a generally horizontal platform and a generally vertical support structure. The support structure extends generally upward and generally perpendicular relative to the generally horizontal platform. The platform and the support structure of the utility portion, in combination with the rear portion of the main cart define a first cargo zone behind the main cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Robert W. Ash, Mitchell W. Knoll, William D. Splain, Larry S. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 7243929
    Abstract: The utility cart has a first pair of corner posts, a second pair of corners posts, a shelf, a front support bar, a pair of parallel side support bars, and a back support bar, which is particularly suited for supporting a drawstring garment bag for receiving garments being dispatched from a conveyor dryer. For added support and rigidity, the utility cart is also provided with a pair of parallel side support bars, each side support bar extending from a first corner post to a second corner post. For added ease of movement, the utility cart can also be provided with swivel-wheel caster assemblies on each of the four posts. The utility cart and drawstring garment bag can be provided as a kit along with a wedge member and a set of size separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Glen R. Suchecki
  • Patent number: 7168715
    Abstract: A collapsible cart for transporting multiple items having a horizontal platform with wheels for maneuvering, and a plurality of detachable baskets mounted on basket supporting assemblies. The basket supporting assemblies are pivotally mounted so as to be capable of independent deployment and stowing to facilitate loading and unloading in turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Neil Friedman
  • Patent number: 7080844
    Abstract: A transportable cart having a basket with a lift mechanism that raises the unit to the cargo floor height of the vehicle, and also used to lower the basket to a comfortable working height for the user while shopping. A slide mechanism includes a frame member, a set of guide rails, a plurality of wheels and rollers to guide the basket and frame assemblies into and out of the vehicle. A plurality of legs and base frame members connected by a plurality of cross members and hinges that are foldable to a compact arrangement and fits in place alongside the basket inside the vehicle. Wheels or casters attached to the base frame that contacts the ground when the cart is unloaded from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Gilbert Bobby Espejo
  • Patent number: 7017920
    Abstract: A shopping trolley (10) has a basket (11), handle (12) and front and rear wheels (13, 14). The basket (11), tapered in plan view, has side walls (15, 16) interconnected by a front wall (17). The rear wall (19) is hingedly connected to the side walls (15, 16) and engages the rearward end of the floor (22), which is hingedly connected to the side walls (15, 16) or front wall (17). The floor (22) is downwardly inclined from the rearward end to the forward end. When the trolley (10) is nested with a similar trolley, the rear wall (19) is swung inwardly and upwardly, causing the floor (22) to be swung upwardly to be behind the front wall (17). Alternative the floor (22) may be folded e.g. in a concertina-like fashion, to be behind the front wall (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Fraser
  • Patent number: 6953199
    Abstract: A container assembly designed for the collection, temporary storage and transport of refuse, waste material or other objects including a housing having a hollow interior in which the refuse is collected and stored and further including a supplementary support structure movably mounted on the housing and selectively positionable between an operative position and a stored position. The supplementary support structure is at least partially defined by a support platform which, when in the operative position, extends outwardly from a sidewall or other exterior surface portion of the housing and is structured to support and have mounted thereon one or more objects or containers of additional refuse material, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: John Cyril Malloy, III
  • Patent number: 6932363
    Abstract: A collapsible and portable cart for universal use in a wide variety of residential and commercial environments, transporting different and various items, while shopping, gardening, laundry, transporting boxes or luggage, etc. The cart has base portion with wheels, which enable to move over the ground and a first foldable basket for heavy loads; and the rapper portion, that has a second foldable basket. Base portion is pivotally connected to the upper portion by link arms and secured by locking mechanisms. Both baskets have locking mechanism to keep the foldable screens in an upright position. The portable universal cart includes a receptacle with compartments, having different devices, to make the use of the cart more pleasing, safe and with more comfort for the user. The portable universal cart has different configurations according the user's need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Eduardo Felipe D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 6880838
    Abstract: A cart for transport of material, such as tools, equipment, supplies and the like on curved surface roofs of a building or other structure which as a varying or changing slope. The cart has a base frame mounted on rear wheels and forward casters. The base frame attaches by a rope or cable to an anchor point on the roof. An equipment basket is suspended at pivot points between supports extending above the base frame. The basket and its contents thus remain in a level, stable position on the roof as the cart is moved to various locations over the curved roof surface during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: STP Nuclear Operating Co.
    Inventor: Eric Hjorth
  • Patent number: 6869097
    Abstract: A multi-level personal utility cart includes a handle having an upper portion, opposing side portions and a lower portion, a first basket assembly including panels at the front, sides, and bottom thereof, the first basket assembly being supported by the handle, a second basket assembly including panels at the front, sides, and bottom thereof, the second basket assembly being supported by the handle, the first basket assembly being positioned atop the second basket assembly, and the first and second basket assemblies being pivotally supported to the handle, so that the first and second basket assemblies are collapsible into a compact and substantially planar structure. An access door to the lower basket assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Mind Wurx, LLP
    Inventors: James G. Prather, Miguel Orozco
  • Patent number: 6866289
    Abstract: A multi-level personal utility cart includes a handle having an upper portion, opposing side portions and a lower portion, a first basket assembly including panels at the front, sides, and bottom thereof, the first basket assembly being supported by the handle, a second basket assembly including panels at the front, sides, and bottom thereof, the second basket assembly being supported by the handle, the first basket assembly being positioned atop the second basket assembly, and the first and second basket assemblies being pivotally supported to the handle, so that the first and second basket assemblies are collapsible into a compact and substantially planar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Wynd Wurx, LLC
    Inventor: James G. Prather
  • Patent number: 6773081
    Abstract: A cabinet for conveying medicine which occupies a small space when not in use and which can hold the various sizes of medicine buckets. A plurality of medicine bucket supporting members (3a, 3b) for supporting multiple stages of medicine buckets (7) are provided on a movable base member (2). The medicine bucket supporting members (3a, 3b) are juxtaposed on the base member (2) with a predetermined distance therebetween. The medicine bucket supporting members (3a, 3b) are positioned so that, when a plurality of the cabinets (1) are juxtaposed with all of the medicine buckets (7) removed, the medicine bucket supporting members (3a, 3b) do not interfere with the base member (2) of an adjacent cabinet (1). Whereby, the medicine bucket supporting members (3a, 3b) of each cabinet (1) can be disposed so as to abut against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Shuji Aoyama, Akitoshi Honryo
  • Patent number: 6698772
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with umbrella types of folding strollers includes a platform with two casters disposed under opposite rear corners thereof. A pair of members are attached to the platform and extend vertically a predetermined distance from two opposite front corners. The pair of members each include a ninety degree radius turn and continue to extend in a direction away from the rear of the platform. The pair of members each terminate in a loop, at least one of the loops having an axial offset wherein an end thereof is disposed further away from a center of the apparatus than is the remainder of the loop. A rod with an offset weight at a first end is provided. The main longitudinal axis of the rod includes a jog at an opposite second end. The rod can be inserted through the loop having the axial offset only if the offset weight is held vertically above the main longitudinal axis of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Carma Dee Cervantes
  • Patent number: 6565102
    Abstract: A folding storage assembly includes a first panel having first and second end portions, a second panel having first and second end portions, and a third panel having first and second end portions. The first panel is pivotally connected to the second panel. In addition, the third panel is pivotally connected to the first panel. The folding storage assembly is movable between an in-use position and a stowed position. In the in-use position, the first panel extends laterally from the second end portion of the third panel and the second panel projects upward from the second end portion of the first panel. In the stowed position, the first and second panels are positioned substantially flush with the third panel. Moreover, the storage assembly may include at least one fastening member for fastening the assembly to the front wall of a basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Michael E. Buckley, III
  • Patent number: 6536786
    Abstract: A stackable, vehicle-shaped, pushcart designed for transporting small children and cargo that can be stacked with a plurality of other pushcarts in a small confined space. The pushcart includes a lightweight frame assembly, an upward extending handle assembly, and a pivoting vehicle-shaped body. The vehicle-shaped body is disposed horizontally over the frame assembly and pivots upward on its rear section around a support member. The frame assembly is designed to be horizontally stacked with longitudinally aligned adjacent pushcarts when the body is disposed vertically. The frame assembly includes two front caster wheels and two rear large diameter wheels. The vehicle-shaped body includes a fully extending floor and has a unique outer shape thereby enabling the body to be vertically aligned so that the pushcart can be slid together and horizontally stacked in a compact manner with other similar pushcarts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: K & M Engineering
    Inventor: Kambiz Katoozian
  • Patent number: 6533297
    Abstract: An improved shopping cart with a floating basket: The basket is moveable in response to downward and/or lateral forces applied against the basket. The ability of the basket to move in response to such forces reduces the tendency for the shopping cart to tip over. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the shopping cart basket moves downward as the basket is loaded. In another embodiment, the shopping cart basket pivots upon application of a lateral force to the basket. A further embodiment combines both the vertical movement and pivoting movement of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Lee Saccani
  • Patent number: 6394470
    Abstract: In a six-wheel stock cart 10 including a dolly frame 1 having a nesting construction, free casters 2 attached to bottom surfaces of the dolly frame 1 that are near four corners of the dolly frame, a pair of stationary casters 3 attached to a bottom surface of a substantially intermediate portion of the dolly frame, and a dolly plate 4 pivotably attached to a site that is near a rearward end portion of the dolly frame, the stock cart is nested based on operation of the four free casters 2 after a plane defined by lower ends of the stationary casters 3 is positioned above a plane defined by lower ends of the four free casters by pivoting the dolly plate 4 upward. Therefore, the stock cart can be freely nested in a direction of a shorter dimension of the stock cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Kawajun Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Takanao Shirai
  • Patent number: 6340168
    Abstract: A convertible chair and walker assembly for providing additional support for persons with limited mobility. The convertible chair and walker assembly includes a frame assembly, a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame assembly adapted for facilitating the movement of the frame assembly and a seat assembly pivotally coupled to the frame assembly which is adapted to being selectively positioned with respect to the frame assembly in multiple positions including an adult seat position, a child seat position, a walking position, and a tray position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: Norman Woleen
  • Patent number: 6331009
    Abstract: A trolley control wheel assembly adapted to be fitted to a trolley having a longitudinal axis of travel includes (1) an array of castors; (2) a fixed wheel or wheels adapted to be positioned at or near the load center of the trolley or at or near the center of the array, and (3) bias and damping to provide controlled contact between the wheel or wheels and a surface on which the trolley is intended to travel. The bias damping may jointly comprise a gas strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Work Systems Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Wesley Wilkinson