Modular utility cart with removably positionable bins and drawer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10427702-B2
Application number	US-201715784815-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 16, 2017
Priority date	Oct 16, 2017
Publication date	Oct 1, 2019
Grant date	Oct 1, 2019

Abstract

The present device provides a modular utility cart having configurable storage features which provide secure transportation for both large and small items. The basic cart construction includes a bottom platform having casters connected to the underside thereof, a top platform positioned above the bottom platform by four corner posts. The top and bottom platforms, as well as the corner posts, include various structural features which provide the modularity to the utility cart. The supports include notches and pockets that allow for removable bins to be positioned along the supports, as well as supports for shelving of various sizes. The top platform has an integrated tool rail configured to support and suspend items such as hand tools, ladder racks, bins, and additionally includes an adjustable height handle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A modular utility cart comprising:
a bottom platform, said bottom platform including a bottom surface and a top surface, said bottom surface including a plurality of casters secured thereto to provide movement to said modular utility cart,
a plurality of support posts each having a bottom end and a top end, said bottom end of each said support post secured to said top surface of said bottom platform,
a top platform separated vertically from said bottom platform by said plurality of said support posts, said top platform including a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said top platform secured to said top end of said support posts, said support posts include a pair of first support posts and a pair of second support posts, wherein said top end of said first and said second support posts include at least one integrally formed intermeshing key, said intermeshing keys interlocking with conjugately shaped sockets formed into said bottom surface of said top platform, said first set of support posts are attached at a front end of said utility cart, said second set of support posts are attached at a back end of said utility cart, said top platform including an upstanding wall extending around the perimeter of said top platform wherein each said second support post is constructed to include an open faced U-shaped channel having a back wall and opposing sidewalls, said back wall including a plurality of open pockets, each open pocket having a top surface that is sized to cooperate with at least one bin to retain said at least one bin in position.

2. The modular storage cart of claim 1 wherein said top platform includes an integrated tool rail extending in a spaced and substantially parallel arrangement around the perimeter of said upstanding wall of said top platform to provide additional storage configurations, standoffs extending between an inner surface of said tool rail and an outer surface of said upstanding wall, said standoffs spaced apart around said perimeter providing several open grooves between said standoffs sized to cooperate with various hand tools and storage bins for secured storage thereof, said open grooves having both an open top and an open bottom to allow handles of tools placed within said standoffs to hang through said standoffs.

3. The modular storage cart of claim 1 wherein said first set of support posts are V-shaped when viewed from the top, having a radiused or beveled outer corner including a plurality of open notches along the length of each surface thereof and a plurality of cross braces for structural integrity, said cross braces also constructed and arranged to function as shelving supports that provide variable spacing for user configuration.

4. The modular storage cart of claim 3 wherein each said first support post includes an integrally formed bottom plate for attachment to said top surface of said bottom platform, said bottom platform including pockets that are conjugately shaped with respect to said bottom plates to hold said bottom plates in position under load.

5. The modular storage cart of claim 1 wherein said channel includes a plurality of integral shelves extending between said sidewalls.

6. The modular storage cart of claim 1 wherein slots are provided above the pockets in the form of openings that are constructed to allow at least one secondary platform to be slid into said slots and through to said first support posts where the distal ends of said secondary platforms are supported by said cross braces of said first support posts.

7. The modular storage cart of claim 1 wherein said top platform includes an ergonomic handle which may be rotated to provide different handle heights.

8. The modular storage cart of claim 7 wherein said top platform includes a pair of flanges extending outwardly from and positioned along opposite edges of one end of said top platform, each said flange is constructed as an open channel with a bottom portion of each channel being closed, a distal end of said channel sized to accommodate one leg portion of said handle, said handle U-shaped, having a first and second leg connected with a crossbar handle, whereby each leg is sized to be retained within said distal end of each said channel.

9. The modular storage cart of claim 8 wherein each said leg of said handle has a polygonal shape, whereby at least one side on said polygon abuts against said closed bottom portion of said channel to create a different fixed height for said crossbar of said handle.

10. The modular storage cart of claim 1 wherein V-grooves are provided along a top portion of said upstanding wall on said top platform for storage and transport of round items.

11. The modular storage cart of claim 1 , further including V-grooves positioned adjacent said tool rail to allow said tool rail to be utilized as an anchor point to stabilize round objects in said V-grooves with rope.

12. The modular storage cart of claim 1 wherein said ladder rack is constructed of a steel wire that is attachable to said tool rail via secured hooks.

13. The modular storage cart of claim 12 wherein said secured hooks are inserted into said tool rail, whereby a rear side of said ladder rack presses against a side surface of said top platform with terminating ends of said secured hooks secured against said bottom surface of said top platform to prevent said ladder rack from becoming dislodged from said cart during movement of said cart.

14. The modular storage cart of claim 13 wherein said ladder rack is comprised of a quadrilateral base, a U-shaped front bar, a pair of rear angled bars, a cross brace, and said secured hooks, said quadrilateral base sized to accept the width of a ladder.

15. The modular storage cart of claim 1 wherein said bottom platform includes a pair of steering casters and a pair of non-steering casters, said steering and said non-steering casters secured to integrally formed bosses positioned on said bottom surface of said bottom platform, said steering casters including a locking assembly that allows said steering casters to either rotate freely for steering or be locked in a straight position with a user activated actuator.

16. The modular storage cart of claim 15 wherein each said steering caster includes a locking cylinder secured to said steering caster, a locking pin selectively engagable and disengagable to said locking cylinder to lock or allow free turning of a swivel bearing for swivelable or unidirectional movement of the caster.

17. The modular storage cart of claim 16 wherein a user operated actuator assembly is carried on said bottom surface of said bottom platform connected to said locking pin on each of said steering casters, said actuator assembly including an actuator arm having a first end, a pivot point attached to said bottom surface of said bottom platform, and a second end, said first end positioned between steering casters, with each said locking pin connected to said first end of said actuator arm via drag links, said second end extending horizontally beyond a distal end of said bottom platform and moveable in a horizontal plane parallel to said bottom platform, whereby movement of said second end of said actuator arm in a first direction withdraws said locking pin from said swivel bearing on each steering caster to allow for swivelable movement of said steering casters and movement of said second end of said actuator arm in a second direction allowing said locking pin to engage said swivel bearing, locking said steering casters in a fixed position.

18. The modular storage car

Assignees

• Suncast Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Phillips William J
• Vogler Michael R

Classifications

• B62B5/064

  adaptable for different users, e.g. by means of pivoting elements · CPC title

• B62B5/0461

  with positive engagement · CPC title

• A47B2031/004

  having four vertical uprights · CPC title

• B62B3/02

  involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible · CPC title

• B62B3/10

  characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape · CPC title