NL2027783B1

NL2027783B1 - Foldable cart

Info

Publication number: NL2027783B1
Application number: NL2027783A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Yang Baoqing
Original assignee: Zhejiang Hengfeng Top Leisure Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-25
Filing date: 2021-03-19
Publication date: 2023-12-12
Also published as: KR200496460Y1; KR20210002200U; JP3234349U; FR3108577B3; FR3108577A3; NL2027783A

Abstract

A foldable cart (20) is disclosed according to the present disclosure. The foldable cart (20) has a frame (22) that is collapsible in a manner such that the cart (20) 5 basically has the same vertical height when in the collapsed and expanded configurations. The frame (22) has folding bar assemblies (42) on its sides. As the cart (20) is altered from the expanded to the collapsed configurations, the lower leg outer end (46) of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies (42) slides downward relative to the corresponding upper leg outer end (44) on the respective vertically 10 oriented pole (40). The pairs of folding bar assemblies (42) increase in height and decrease in length. As cart (20) is altered from the collapsed to the expanded configuration, the lower leg outer end (46) of each of the pair of folding bar assembly (42) slides upward relative to the corresponding upper leg outer ends (44) on the respective vertically oriented pole (40), and the pairs of folding bar assemblies (42) 15 decrease in height and increase in length.

Description

FOLDABLE CART

FIELD

This disclosure concerns hand-drawn carts. More particularly, the present disclosure concerns a foldable cart.

BACKGROUND

The conventional cart has a relatively large volume when in the collapsed configuration, and cannot be stored in a minimal amount of space. How to provide a cart with a relatively small volume is currently an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cart. In order to achieve the above object, the following technical solutions are provided according to the present disclosure:

A cart, which is adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, includes: a frame, where the frame has four sides, each side is formed by a pair of folding bar assemblies, the pair of folding bar assemblies of each side of the frame has opposite upper leg outer ends and opposite lower leg outer ends, the frame also has a vertically oriented pole at an intersection of the pair of folding bar assemblies of one side with the pair of folding bar assemblies of an adjacent transverse side, the upper leg outer end of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies is operatively connected to the vertically oriented pole, the lower leg outer end of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies is operatively slidingly connected to the vertically oriented pole, wherein when the cart is in the expanded configuration, each of the lower leg outer ends of the pairs of folding bar assemblies has a first distance to each of the corresponding upper leg outer ends of the pairs of folding bar assemblies along the respective vertically oriented poles, wherein when the cart is in the collapsed configuration, each of the lower leg outer ends of the pairs of folding bar assemblies has a second distance to each of the corresponding upper leg outer ends of the pairs of folding bar assemblies along the respective vertically oriented poles, and the second distance of each of the respective upper and lower legs outer ends is greater than the first distance of each of the respective upper and lower legs outer ends; four wheels, each of which is operatively attached to the frame adjacent to a bottom end portion of the respective vertically oriented pole;

a pliable liner that is connectable to the frame and that defines an open-top interior compartment of the cart when the cart is in the cart's expanded configuration; and a tow handle operatively connected to the frame.

Preferably, the tow handle is telescopable between an expanded configuration and a retracted configuration.

Preferably, the tow handle is connected to two of the vertically oriented poles via two connecting bars, and each of the connecting bars has a first end portion that is pivotally connected to the frame adjacent to the bottom end portion of the respective vertically oriented poles and an opposite second end portion that is operatively pivotally connected to the tow handle.

Preferably, each of the connecting bars extends downward in a sloped manner from the bottom end portion of the respective vertically oriented poles to the tow handle when the cart is adjusted from the cart's expanded configuration to the cart's collapsed configuration.

Preferably, the tow handle has a top end, and the tow handle is such configured that when the cart is in the cart's collapsed configuration and the tow handle is vertical and in the tow handle's retracted configuration, the top end of the tow handle does not protrude substantially above the remainder of the cart.

Preferably, each folding bar assembly in the pair of folding bar assemblies includes a single pair of crossed bars pivotally connected to each other.

Preferably, the cart further includes a collapsible bottom support assembly, the bottom support assembly includes a central hub and four bars, the four bars are each operatively pivotally connected to the central hub and operatively pivotally connected to the bottom end portion of a respective one of the vertically oriented poles.

Preferably, the central hub allows each of the four bars of the bottom support assembly to pivot downward therefrom and prevents the four bars from pivoting upward therefrom beyond horizontal.

Preferably, the cart further includes a shelf resting on the bottom support assembly below and spaced from the pliable liner

Preferably, the cart further includes a removable stiffing panel that is configured and adapted to be placed at the bottom of the interior compartment of the cart.

A cart, which is adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, includes:

a frame, where the frame has four sides, each side is formed by a pair of folding bar assemblies, the pair of folding bar assemblies of each side of the frame has opposite upper leg outer ends and opposite lower leg outer ends, the frame also has a vertically oriented pole at an intersection of the pair of folding bar assemblies of one side with the pair of folding bar assemblies of an adjacent transverse side, the upper leg outer end of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies is operatively connected to the vertically oriented pole, the lower leg outer end of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies is operatively slidingly connected to the vertically oriented pole, the frame is such configured and adapted that as the cart is altered from the cart's expanded configuration to the cart's collapsed configuration, the lower leg outer end of each of the pair of folding bar assembly slides downward relative to the corresponding upper leg outer end of the pairs of folding bar assemblies on the respective vertically oriented pole, and the pairs of folding bar assemblies increase in height and decrease in length, the frame is further such configured and adapted that as the cart is altered from the cart's collapsed configuration to the cart's expanded configuration the lower leg outer end of each of the pair of folding bar assembly slides upward relative to the corresponding upper leg outer end of the pairs of folding bar assemblies on the respective vertically oriented pole, and the pairs of folding bar assemblies decrease in height and increase in length; four wheels, each of which is operatively attached to the frame adjacent to a bottom end portion of the respective vertically oriented pole; a pliable liner that is connectable to the frame and that defines an open-top interior compartment of the cart when the cart is in the cart's expanded configuration; and a tow handle operatively connected to the frame.

Preferably, the tow handle is telescopically collapsible.

Preferably, the cart is such configured that two of the wheels can only revolve about a fixed common axis and the other wheels revolve about axes that are able to pivot relative to the fixed common axis.

Preferably, the cart further includes a shelf resting on the bottom support assembly below and spaced from the pliable liner.

Preferably, the frame has a same vertical height when the cart is in the collapsed configuration as when the cart is the expanded configuration.

Preferably, the tow handle is connected to two of the vertically oriented poles via two connecting bars, each of the connecting bars has a first end portion that is operatively pivotally connected to the frame adjacent to the bottom end portion of the respective vertically oriented poles and an opposite second end portion that is operatively pivotally connected to the tow handle.

This disclosure concerns hand-drawn carts. More particularly, the present disclosure concerns a hand-drawn cart that is collapsible in a manner such that the cart basically has the same vertical height when in the collapsed and expanded configurations so that the volume of the cart when in the collapsed configuration is relatively smaller in comparison to conventional foldable carts thereby allowing the cart to be stored in a minimal amount of space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the conventional technology, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only the embodiments of the present disclosure. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the provided drawings without creative work.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary cart in its expanded configuration.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the cart of FIG. 1 as it is being altered from its expanded configuration to its collapsed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 1 in its collapsed configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the cart of FIG. 1 in its expanded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the cart of FIG. 1 as it is being altered from its expanded configuration to its collapsed configuration.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation vie of the cart of FIG. 1 in its collapsed configuration.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the cart of FIG. 1 in its expanded 5 configuration.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the cart of FIG. 1 as it is being altered from its expanded configuration to its collapsed configuration.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the cart of FIG. 1 in its collapsed configuration.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the cart of FIG. 1 in its collapsed configuration.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the cart of FIG. 1 in its collapsed configuration.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the cart of FIG. 1 in its collapsed configuration.

FIG. 13 is a left side view of the cart of FIG. 1 in its expanded configuration with aliner, stiffening panel, and lower shelf shown exploded.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the cart of FIG. 13 with the liner, stiffening panel, and lower shelf assembled with a frame of the cart.

FIG. 15 is a rear elevation view of the cart of FIG. 13 with the liner, stiffening panel, and lower shelf assembled with a frame of the cart.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the cart of FIG. 13 with the liner, stiffening panel, and lower shelf removed for ease of illustration.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the cart of FIG. 13 with the liner, stiffening panel, and lower shelf removed for ease of illustration.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an exemplary cart in its expanded configuration.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the cart of FIG. 18 in its expanded configuration.

FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of the cart of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 18 in its collapsed configuration

Reference numerals in the written specification and in the drawing figures indicate corresponding items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of a collapsible cart 20 is shown in FIGS. 1-17. A second embodiment of a collapsible cart 120 is shown in FIGS. 18-21. Referring to the cart of

FIGS. 1-17, the collapsible cart 20 comprises a frame 22, a plurality of wheels 24, a tow handle 26. The collapsible cart may include a pliable liner 28 with a stiffener panel

30, and may include a bottom shelf or container 32 that is arranged below the pliable liner (all shown FIGS. 13-15).

The frame 22 of the cart 20 is generally rectangular with a pair of folding bar assemblies 42 on each side of the frame, and four vertically oriented poles 40 at the intersection of one pair of folding bar assemblies of one side of the frame with another pair of folding bar assemblies of an adjacent, transverse side of the frame. As shown in Figs. 1-17, the folding bar assemblies may be scissor bar assemblies whereas FIGS. 18-21 show a variation of folding bar assemblies comprising the left and right sides of the frame, as will be discussed below. Each folding bar assembly 42 of the pair of folding bar assemblies of a side of the frame preferably comprises a single pair of crossed bars that are pivotally joined to each other to form a scissor bar assembly.

Each scissor bar assembly of the pair of folding bar assemblies 42 of a side of the frame 22 has left and right upper leg ends and left and right lower leg ends. To form a pair of scissor bar assemblies of the side of the frame, the right upper leg end of one scissor bar assembly is connected with left upper leg end of the other scissor bar assembly, and the right lower leg end of one scissor bar assembly is connected with the left lower leg end of the other scissor bar assembly. Thus, one scissor bar assembly is connected end to end with another scissor bar assembly to form the pair of folding bar assemblies 42 for the side of the frame. The pair of folding bar assemblies 42 of each side of the frame have opposite upper leg outer ends 44, that is, the right upper leg end of one folding bar assembly and the left upper leg end of the other folding bar assembly in the pair of folding bar assemblies of the side of the frame. The pair of folding bar assemblies 42 of each side of the frame have opposite lower leg outer ends 46, that is, the right lower leg end of one folding bar assembly and the left lower leg end of the other folding bar assembly in the pair of folding bar assemblies of the side of the frame. As is typical with most folding bar assemblies, each folding bar assembly 42 is adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The upper leg ends of each of the folding bar assemblies 42 are closer to the corresponding lower leg end when the said folding bar assembly is in the expanded configuration (as shown in FIGS. 1,4,7) as compared to the collapsed configuration (as shown in FIGS. 3,6,9, 10). Similarly, the upper leg ends of each of the folding bar assemblies 42 are closer to each other when the folding bar assembly is in the collapsed configuration as compared to the expanded configuration.

The upper leg outer end 44 of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies may be operatively connected to the vertically oriented pole 40. For instance, a connector 48 may be fixedly mounted on the top or distal end of the vertically oriented pole, and the upper leg outer end 44 may be connected to the connector with a pivot pin. The connector 48 may be configured to connect the vertically oriented pole 40 with both the upper leg outer end 44 of a folding bar assembly of one side of the frame and the upper leg outer end of another folding bar assembly of an adjacent transverse side of the frame. The lower leg outer end 46 of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies may be operatively slidingly connected to the vertically oriented pole 40. For instance, a sliding connector 50 may be arranged below the upper leg outer end connector 48 to slide on the vertically oriented pole 40, and the lower leg outer end 46 may be connected to the sliding connector 50 with a pivot pin. The sliding connector 50 may be configured to slidingly couple the vertically oriented pole 40 with both the lower leg outer end 46 of a folding bar assembly 42 of one side of the frame and the lower leg outer end of another folding bar assembly of an adjacent transverse side of the frame.

When the cart 20 is in the expanded configuration, each of the lower leg outer ends 46 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies 42 has a first distance D1 to each of the corresponding upper leg outer ends 44 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies along the respective vertically oriented poles 40. The first distance D1 may be different for each upper leg and lower leg outer end but is generally preferably roughly the same. As the cart is altered from the cart's expanded configuration to the cart's collapsed configuration, the lower leg outer end 46 of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies 42 slides downward (and away) relative to the corresponding upper leg outer end 44 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies on the respective vertically oriented pole 40. So, when the cart is in the collapsed configuration, each of the lower leg outer ends 46 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies 42 is at a second distance D2 to each of the corresponding upper leg outer end 44 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies along the respective vertically oriented poles. The second distance D2 may be different for each upper leg and lower leg outer end but is generally preferably roughly the same. As the frame is altered from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, the pairs of folding bar assemblies 42 increase in height and decrease in length. The second distance D2 of each of the respective upper and lower legs outer ends 44,46 is greater than the first distance D1 of each of the respective upper and lower legs outer ends. Similarly, as the cart is altered from the cart's collapsed configuration to the cart's expanded configuration the lower leg outer end 46 of each of the pairs of folding bar assemblies 42 slides upward (and toward) relative to the corresponding upper leg outer end 44 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies on the respective vertically oriented pole 40. As the frame is altered from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, the pairs of folding bar assemblies 42 decrease in height and increase in length. In view of the arrangement of the folding bar assemblies 42 on the sides of the frame, the sliding motion of each of the lower leg outer ends 46 on the vertically oriented pole 40, and the fixed positioning of each of the upper leg outer ends 44 on the vertically oriented pole, the frame has the same vertical height VH when the cart is in the collapsed configuration as when the cart is the expanded configuration. And as described below in greater detail, the telescopically arranged tow handle 26 and downward motion of the connecting bars 60 from the tow handle to the frame also allows the cart as a whole to have the same vertical height when the cart is in the collapsed configuration as when the cart is the expanded configuration.

The frame 22 of the cart 20 also preferably comprises a collapsible bottom support assembly 54. The bottom support assembly 54 preferably comprises four bars 56 that are each operatively pivotally connected to a central hub 58 and extend therefrom. Each of the four bars 56 is also pivotally connected to the frame 22 adjacent to a bottom end portion of a respective one of the vertically oriented poles 40.

As the cart 20 is collapsed, the central hub 58 moves upward. The central hub 58 is preferably configured to limit the extent to which the bars 56 can pivot relative to the central hub, such that central hub cannot be moved lower than being in plane with the bars 56 of the bottom support assembly 54 when in the expanded configuration of the frame. Thus, when the cart 20 is in its expanded configuration, the bottom support assembly 54 is capable of supporting a downward acting load. Thus, the liner 28 need not carry the entire load of cargo placed in the cart 20. The liner 28 may be spaced from the bottom support assembly 54, and a shelf 32 or container (not shown) may be removably mounted on the bottom support assembly 54. Because the central hub 58 is preferably configured to limit the extent to which the bars 56 can pivot relative to the central hub, such that central hub cannot be moved lower than being in plane with the bars 56 of the bottom support assembly 54 when in the expanded configuration of the frame, the shelf 32 or lower container need not carry the entire load of cargo placed in the cart.

Each of the wheels 24 of the cart 20 is operatively attached to the lower portion of the frame 22 adjacent to a bottom portion of the respective one of the vertically oriented poles 20. Preferably, the two wheels 24 nearest the tow handle 26 are able to pivot about vertical axes that is swivel in addition to being able to rotate on their horizontal axles. The other two wheels 24 preferably do not pivot about a vertical axis (do not swivel) but rotate about their horizontal axles.

The tow handle 26 preferably comprises two telescopically attached sections.

The telescopable tow handle 26 is preferably operatively connected to the lower portion of the frame adjacent two of the vertically oriented poles 20 via two connecting bars 60.

Each of the connecting bars 60 has a first end portion that is operatively pivotally connected to the bottom end portion of the respective vertically oriented pole 40, and an opposite second end portion that is pivotally connected to the telescopable tow handle 26. Each connecting bar 60 is configured to extend downward in a sloped manner from the frame adjacent to the bottom portion of the respective vertically oriented pole 40 to the telescopable tow handle 26 such that the second end portions of the connecting bars move downward relative to the bottom end portions of the vertically oriented poles as the cart 20 is collapsed. When the cart 20 is collapsed, the telescopable tow handle 26 can also be collapsed such that it does not extend above the frame 22 of the cart.

The pliable liner 28 of the cart 20 rests inside the frame 22 when the cart is expanded and forms the open-top interior compartment of the cart. Each upper corner of the pliable liner is removably attachable to the top portion of a respective one of the vertically oriented poles 40. The pliable liner 28 may also comprises a plurality of flaps (not shown) having looped fasteners (such as Velcro®) that extend downward from the base of the pliable liner. The flaps may be used to secure the base of the pliable liner to the bars 56 and the central hub 58 of the frame 22. The pliable liner may include a pair of inverted pockets and a pliable fabric handle. The inverted pockets may be configured to receive the top-center portion of each of the side folding bar assemblies 42 for supporting the pliable liner 28 from the frame 22. The fabric handle may be configured to allow the center portion of the pliable liner 28 to be pulled upward which may in turn cause the pliable liner to pull upward on the bottom support assembly 54 of the frame 22 of the cart 20. The pulling force moves the central hub 58 of the bottom support assembly 54 of the frame 22 upward and collapses the cart 20 with a minimal amount of effort.

The pliable liner 28 may include the stiffening panel 30. The stiffening panel 30 may fit at the bottom of the liner and help hold the frame in the expanded configuration.

When it is desired to alter the configuration of the frame from the expanded configuration to collapsed configuration, the stiffening panel 30 may be removed.

When provided, the shelf 32 or lower container below the pliable liner 28 may be similarly configured. When it is desired to alter the configuration of the frame from the expanded configuration to collapsed configuration, the stiffening panel of the lower container or the shelf 32, as applicable, may be removed.

The cart may also be provided with a cover that is configured to protect the cart when the cart is in its collapsed condition. The cover may also reduce the likelihood that things will get snagged on the cart when the cart is in storage. The cover may include a pocket for holding the stiffening panel 30, and the bottom shelf 32 or the lower container stiffening panel, when the cart is in its collapsed condition. The stiffening panel on the pliable liner 28, and the lower container as applicable, may be comprised of four adjacent panels that are wrapped in fabric in a manner such that the stiffening panel can be folded like an accordion. When unfolded, the stiffening panel 42 can be placed in the bottom of the interior compartment of the cart 20. The stiffing panel 30 helps distribute loads of any cargo being carried in the cart 20 more evenly to the bottom support assembly 54 of the frame 22 and prevents the components of the bottom support assembly from being felt by children riding in cart. The stiffening panel of the lower container and/or the shelf may be similarly constructed.

FIGS. 18-21 show an alternate embodiment of a cart 120 utilizing a different configuration of folding bar assemblies 142 on the left and right sides of the cart. The embodiment of the cart in FIGS. 18-21 may include scissor bar assemblies 42 as previously described on the front and rear sides of the frame of the cart. The embodiment of the cart in FIGS. 18-21 may include a collapsible bottom support assembly 54 as previously described. The cart of FIGS. 18-21 may include a tow handle 26, wheels 24, liner 28, shelf 32, and/or stiffening member(s) 30 as described previously.

Each of the left and right sides of the frame of the cart of FIGS. 18-21 comprises a pair of folding bar assemblies 142 that include a pair of crossed bars 180,182 that are pivotally joined to each other, and a linkage 184. Each pair of crossed bars 180,182 of the folding bar assembly of the pair of folding bar assemblies of the left and right sides of the frame has left and right upper legs and left and right lower legs.

Each pair of pivotally connected crossed bars of the folding bar assembly has a long bar 180 and a short bar 182. The long bar 180 of each pair of crossed bars in the folding bar assembly has an upper leg outer end 144 operatively coupled to the vertically oriented pole 40. As described previously, the connector 148 may be fixedly mounted on the top or distal end of the vertically oriented pole 40, and the upper leg outer end 144 of the long bar 180 of the crossed bars may be connected to the connector with a pivot pin. The opposite inner ends of the long bars 180 of the crossed bars of the pair of folding bar assemblies 142 may be pivotally connected together.

That is, making reference to the orientation shown in Figure 19, the right lower leg end of the long bar 180 of the crossed bars of the left folding bar assembly 142L is pivotally connected with the left lower leg end of the long bar 180 of the crossed bars of the right folding bar assembly 142R. The short bar 182 of each pair of crossed bars in the folding bar assembly 142 has a lower leg outer end 146 operatively coupled to the vertically oriented pole 40. As described previously, the sliding connector 150 may be arranged below the upper leg outer end 144 to slide on the vertically oriented pole 40.

The opposite ends of the short bars of the pairs of pivotally connected crossed bars of the pair of folding bar assemblies may be pivotally connected with the respective linkage 184. That is, making reference to the orientation shown in Figure 19, the right upper leg end of the short bar 182 of the crossed bars of the left folding bar assembly 142L is pivotally connected with linkage 184 of the left folding bar assembly, and the linkage 184 of the left folding bar assembly extends to the long bar 182 of the crossed bars of the right folding bar assembly 142R. Again, making reference to the orientation shown in Figure 19, the left upper leg end of the short bar 182 of the crossed bars of the right folding bar assembly 142R is pivotally connected with linkage 184 of the right folding bar assembly, and the linkage 184 of the right folding bar assembly 142R extends to the long bar 180 of the crossed bars of the left folding bar assembly 142L.

When the cart 120 of FIGS.18-21 is in the expanded configuration, each of the lower leg outer ends 146 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies 142 has a first distance

D1’ to each of the corresponding upper leg outer ends 144 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies along the respective vertically oriented poles 40. The first distance D1’ may be different for each upper leg and lower leg outer end but is generally preferably the same. As the cart is altered from the cart's expanded configuration to the cart's collapsed configuration, the lower leg outer end 146 of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies 142 slides downward (and away) relative to the corresponding upper leg outer end 144 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies on the respective vertically oriented pole 140. So, when the cart is in the collapsed configuration, each of the lower leg outer ends 146 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies 142 is at a second distance D2’ to each of the corresponding upper leg outer end 144 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies along the respective vertically oriented poles. The second distance D2’ may be different for each upper leg and lower leg outer end but is generally preferably the same. As the frame is altered from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration, the pairs of folding bar assemblies 142 increase in height and decrease in length. The second distance D2’ of each of the respective upper and lower legs outer ends 144,146 is greater than the first distance D1’ of each of the respective upper and lower legs outer ends. Similarly, as the cart is altered from the cart's collapsed configuration to the cart’'s expanded configuration the lower leg outer end 146 of each of the pairs of folding bar assemblies 142 slides upward (and toward) relative to the corresponding upper leg outer end 146 of the pairs of folding bar assemblies on the respective vertically oriented pole 140. As the frame is altered from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, the pairs of folding bar assemblies 142 decrease in height and increase in length. In view of the arrangement of the folding bar assemblies 142 on the sides of the frame, the sliding motion of each of the lower leg outer ends 146 on the vertically oriented pole 140, and the fixed positioning of each of the upper leg outer ends 144 on the vertically oriented pole, the frame has the same vertical height VH’ when the cart is in the collapsed configuration as when the cart is the expanded configuration. And as described below in greater detail, the telescopically arranged tow handle 26 and downward motion of the connecting bars 60 from the tow handle to the frame also allows the cart as a whole to have the same vertical height when the cart is in the collapsed configuration as when the cart is the expanded configuration.

In a specific embodiment, a double-decker cart is provided according to the present disclosure, which includes a vehicle body and wheels arranged at the bottom of the vehicle body. The vehicle body is composed of vertical poles 40 and other pipe fittings. The vertical poles 40 are arranged at four corners of the vehicle body, and an upper bracket 5, a sliding connector 50 and a lower bracket are sequentially arranged along each of the vertical poles 40. Two deckers of storage platforms, that is, the middle decker and the lower decker, are provided among the vertical poles 40. The middle storage platform is composed of first bottom pipes and a first bottom connecting bar. The first bottom pipes are in a cross shape. Inner ends of the first bottom pipes are rotatably connected with the first bottom connecting bar, and outer ends of the first bottom pipes are rotatably connected with the sliding connectors. While the first bottom connecting bar is pulled upward, other components move inward accordingly along with the first bottom connecting bar and are collapsed. The lower storage platform is a bottom support assembly 54 having four bars 56. The four bars 56 are each operatively pivotally connected to a central hub 58 and extend therefrom. The bars 56 are in a cross shape. Inner ends of the bars 56 are rotatably connected with the central hub 58 and outer ends of the bars 56 are rotatably connected with the lower bracket. This lower storage platform can be collapsed synchronously with the middle storage platform.

In this embodiment, the double-decker cart has two deckers of storage platforms, which is able to store many articles. These articles can be classified and stored in the two deckers. While the first bottom connecting bar is pushed downward and the vertical poles 40 move away from each other, the components extend accordingly outwards, and the two deckers of storage platforms of the double-decker cart are collapsed. While the first bottom connecting bar is lifted upwards and the vertical poles 40 approach each other, the components move inward accordingly, and the two deckers of storage platforms of the double-decker cart are collapsed.

In order to achieve a better technical effect, and to provide enclosure and sealing for the peripheral side of the middle storage platform while the double-decker cart is expanded, and to enhance the stability of connection and fixation of the structure of the double-decker cart, a folding assembly is arranged between adjacent vertical poles 40, and the folding assembly is able to be expanded or collapsed along with the movement of the vertical poles 40. Specifically, the folding assembly includes cross pipes which are intersected with each other, a first pipe and a second pipe of the crossed pipes are rotatably connected at the center of the intersection, the first pipe is rotatably connected with the upper bracket, and the second pipe is rotatably connected with the sliding connector 50.

Exemplarily, different sizes and different numbers of folding assemblies may be provided according to the length or width of the double-decker cart to meet the collapsed effect of double-decker carts of different sizes.

One set of folding assemblies are arranged in the width direction of the double- decker cart, that is, one set of folding assemblies are arranged between the adjacent vertical poles 40 at the front and rear sides, and the folding assemblies include first frontinclined pipes and second front inclined pipes. Specifically, at the front side of the double-decker cart, the first front inclined pipe and the second front inclined pipe are rotatably connected at the center. One end of the first front inclined pipe is rotatably connected with the upper bracket of a first vertical pole of the adjacent vertical poles 40, and another end of the first front inclined pipe is rotatably connected with the sliding connector 50 of a second vertical pole of the adjacent vertical poles 40. One end of the second front inclined pipe is rotatably connected with the sliding connector of the first vertical pole of the adjacent vertical poles 40, and another end of the second front inclined pipe is rotatably connected with the upper bracket of the second vertical pole of the adjacent vertical poles 40. Similarly, the same arrangement is adopted at the rear side of the double-decker cart, which will not be repeated here.

Two sets of folding assemblies are arranged in the length direction of the double-decker cart, that is, two sets of folding assemblies are arranged between the adjacent vertical poles 40 on the left and right sides, the two sets of folding assemblies are rotatably connected with each other, and the folding assemblies include first lateral inclined pipes and second lateral inclined pipes. Specifically, the first lateral inclined pipe and the second lateral inclined pipe of the first set of folding assemblies are rotationally connected at the center, and the first lateral inclined pipe and the second lateral inclined pipe of the second set of folding assemblies are rotationally connected at the center. One end of the second lateral inclined pipe of the first set of folding assemblies is rotatably connected with the upper bracket of the first vertical pole 40 of the adjacent vertical poles 40, and one end of the first lateral inclined pipe of the first set of folding assemblies is rotatably connected with the sliding connector 50 of the first vertical pole 40 of the adjacent vertical poles 40. Another end of the second lateral inclined pipe of the first set of folding assemblies is rotatably connected with one end of the first lateral inclined pipe of the second set of folding assemblies, and another end of the first lateral inclined pipe of the first set of folding assemblies is rotatably connected with one end of the second lateral inclined pipe of the second set of folding assemblies.

Another end of the first lateral inclined pipe of the second set of folding assemblies is rotatably connected with the upper 5 of the second vertical pole of the adjacent vertical poles 40, and another end of the second lateral inclined pipe of the second set of folding assemblies is rotatably connected with the sliding connector 50 of the second vertical pole 40 of the adjacent vertical poles 40.

For better technical effects, a pull bar is provided on the front side of the vertical poles 40, and the pull bar 8 is configured to pull the vehicle body, so that the vehicle body is able to move through the rotation of the wheels. The pull bar is rotatably connected with the vertical poles 40 to facilitate adjustment of the direction of force applied to the vehicle body.

For better technical effects, a tipping bucket is provided on the rear side of the vertical poles 40, and the tipping bucket is configured to provide an additional storage platform to store long items. The tipping bucket is rotatably connected with the vertical poles 40.

In this embodiment, the four corners of the double-decker cart are composed of four vertical poles 40, and storage platforms are formed in the middle portion and the lower portion among the four vertical poles 40. The left and right sides are in double-X shapes formed by the first lateral inclined pipes and the second lateral inclined pipes, and the front and rear sides are in single-X shapes or single-X shapes formed by the first front inclined pipes and the second front inclined pipes. The upper brackets and the lower brackets are respectively fixed at the upper and lower ends of the vertical poles 40, and the sliding connectors 50 are slidable along the vertical poles 40. A front wheel frame or a rear wheel frame for mounting wheels is connected to the lower side of the lower brackets. While the double-decker cart is collapsed, the central hub 58 is lifted upwards, the first bottom connecting bar drives the first bottom pipes to rotate, and the sliding connectors 50 slide down, thereby driving the vertical poles 40 to approach each other, and the first bottom pipes and the second bottom pipes of the two deckers of storage platforms are automatically collapsed upwards, and the double- decker cart is finally collapsed into a bundle. Therefore, the double-decker cart is convenient to be expanded or collapsed.

It should also be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open- ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Moreover, use of identifiers such as top, bottom, front, back, left, right, inner, outer, first, second, and third should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position or time sequence between limitations. Still further, the order in which the steps of any method claim that follows are presented should not be construed in a manner limiting the order in which such steps must be performed, unless such and order is inherent.

As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only according to the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

Conclusions

A cart (20) adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the cart (20) comprising: a frame (22) having four sides, each side being formed by a pair of folding bar assemblies (42), wherein the pair of folding bar assemblies (42) on each side of the frame (22) has opposite upper leg ends (44) and opposite lower leg ends (46), the frame (22) further has a vertically oriented post at an intersection of the pair of folding bar assemblies (42 ) on one side with the pair of folding bar assemblies (42) on an opposite side, the upper leg end (44) of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies (42) being operatively connected to a vertically oriented post (40), the lower leg end (46) of each of the pairs of folding bar assemblies (42) is operably and slidingly connected to the vertically oriented pole (40), with the cart (20) when in the deployed configuration, each of the lower leg ends (46) of the pairs of folding bar assemblies (42) ) has a first distance from each of the corresponding upper leg ends (44) of the pairs of folding bar assemblies (42), as viewed along the respective vertically oriented poles (40), the cart (20) when in the collapsed configuration, each of the lower leg ends (46) of the pairs of folding bar assemblies (40) are a second distance from each corresponding upper leg end (44) of the pairs of folding bar assemblies (42) as viewed along the respective vertically oriented posts (40), the second distance from each of the ends of the respective upper and lower legs (44, 46) is greater than the first distance from each of the respective ends of the upper and lower legs (44, 46); four wheels (24), each wheel (24) operatively attached to the frame (22) proximate a lower end of the vertically oriented pole (40); a flexible covering (28) connectable to the frame (22) and defining an open-top interior space of the cart (20) when the cart (20) is in the deployed configuration of the cart (20); and a tow bar (26) operatively connected to the frame (22).

The cart of claim 1, wherein the tow bar (26) is telescopically movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration.

The cart according to claim 2, wherein the tow bar (26) is connected to two vertically oriented poles {40} via two connecting beams (60), each of the connecting beams (60) having a first end hinged to the frame (22) near the lower end of the respective vertically oriented posts (40), and having an opposite second end operatively and hingedly connected to the hitch.

The cart of claim 3, wherein each of the tie beams (60) extends diagonally downward from the lower end of the vertically oriented poles (40) to the hitch (26) when the cart (20) is adjusted from the (20) ) extended configuration of the cart to the (20) collapsed configuration of the cart.

The cart of claim 4, wherein the tow bar (26) has an upper end and the tow bar (26) is configured such that when the cart (20) is in the collapsed configuration of the cart (20), and the tow bar handle ( 26) is vertical and in the retracted configuration of the tow bar (26), the top end of the tow bar (26) does not extend substantially above the tow bar.

The cart of claim 1, wherein each folding bar assembly (42) of the pair of folding bar assemblies (42) comprises a single pair of crossed bars (180, 182) hingedly connected to each other.

The cart of claim 1, wherein the cart (20) further comprises a collapsible bottom support system (54) including a central connector (58) and four bars (56), each of the four bars (56) operable and pivotable are connected to the central coupling piece (58), and are operatively and hingedly connected to the lower end of one of the vertically oriented posts (40), respectively.

The cart of claim 7, wherein the central link (58) allows each of the four bars (56) of the bottom support system (54) to pivot downward, and prevents the four bars (56) from pivoting upward beyond a horizontal direction.

The cart of claim 7, further comprising a shelf resting on the bottom support system (54) and spaced beneath the pliable lining (28).

The cart of claim 1, further comprising a removable rigidity panel (30) configured and adapted to be positioned at the bottom of the interior space of the cart (20).

11. A cart (20) adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the cart (20) comprising: a frame (22) having four sides, each side being formed by a pair of folding bar assemblies (42), wherein the pair of folding bar assemblies (42) on each side of the frame (22) having opposite upper leg ends (44) and opposite lower leg ends (46), the frame (22) further having a vertically oriented post at an intersection of the pair of folding bar assemblies (42) ) on one side with the pair of folding bar assemblies (42) on an opposite side, the upper leg end (44) of each of the pair of folding bar assemblies (42) being operatively connected to a vertically oriented post (40), the lower leg end (46) of each of the pairs of folding rod assemblies (42) is operably and slidingly connected to the vertically oriented pole (40), the frame (22) being arranged and adapted so that when the cart (20) is changed from the deployed configuration of the cart ( 20) to the collapsed configuration of the cart (20), the lower leg end (46) of each pair of folding bar assemblies (42) slides downward relative to the corresponding upper leg end (44) of the pairs of folding bar assemblies (42) on the respective vertically oriented pole ( 40), and the pairs of folding bar assemblies (42) increase in height and decrease in length, the frame (22) being arranged and adapted so that when the cart (20) is changed from the collapsed configuration of the cart (20) to the deployed configuration of the cart (20), the lower leg end (46) of each pair of folding bar assemblies (40) slides upward relative to the corresponding upper leg end (44) of the pairs of folding bar assemblies (42}, on the respective vertically oriented pole (40), and the pairs of folding rod assemblies (42) decrease in height and increase in length; four wheels (24), each wheel (24) operatively attached to the frame (22) proximate a lower end of the vertically oriented pole (40); a flexible covering (28) connectable to the frame (22) and defining an open-top interior space of the cart (20) when the cart (20) is in the deployed configuration of the cart (20); and a tow bar (26) operatively connected to the frame (22).

The cart according to claim 11, wherein the tow bar {26) is telescopically retractable.

The cart according to claim 11, wherein the cart (20) is arranged such that two of the wheels (24) can only rotate about a fixed common axis and the other wheels (24) rotate on axles that can pivot with respect to the fixed common axis.

The cart of claim 11, wherein the cart (20) further comprises a collapsible bottom support system (54) including a central connector (58) and four bars (56), each of the four bars (56) operable and pivotable are connected to the central coupling piece (58), and are operatively and hingedly connected to the lower end of one of the vertically oriented posts (40), respectively.

The cart of claim 14, wherein the central link (58) allows each of the four bars (56) of the bottom support system (54) to pivot downward, and prevents the four bars (56) from pivoting upward beyond a horizontal direction.

The cart of claim 11, further comprising a shelf resting on the bottom support system (54) and spaced beneath the pliable liner (28).

The cart of claim 16, further comprising a removable rigidity panel (30) configured and adapted to be positioned at the bottom of the interior space of the cart (20).

The cart of claim 11, wherein the frame (22) has the same vertical height when the cart (20) is in the collapsed configuration as when it is in the deployed configuration.

The cart of claim 11, wherein the tow bar (26) is connected to two vertically oriented poles (40) via two connecting beams (60), each of the connecting beams (60) having a first end hinged to the frame (22) near the lower end of the respective vertically oriented posts (40), and having an opposite second end operatively and hingedly connected to the hitch (26).

The cart of claim 19, wherein each of the tie beams (60) extends diagonally downward and at an angle from the lower end of the vertically oriented poles (40) to the hitch (26) when the cart (20) is adjusted from the expanded configuration of the cart (20) to the collapsed configuration of the cart (20).