Title:

Mission adaptable portable cart/utility table arrangement

Document Type and Number:

United States Patent 7407177

Abstract:

A mission adaptable multi-purpose, collapsible portable cart/utility table, for use in emergency response and disaster situations, camping, hunting and other outdoors activities, which carries medical rescue carts, canoes, small boats, game, or hauled cargo by hand. It transports injured persons or cargo over long, rough terrain and it can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back. The cart has optional removable clamps for clamping a conventional transportable carrier, such as a stretcher or stokes-type rescue carrier bed, thereto. The objects being carried can be held by clamps, by fasteners, or through the use of insertions with longitudinally extending channels. It is collapsible, so that it can be disassembled and carried, and then reassembled at another destination along a wilderness journey.

Inventors:

Darling III, Charles W. (6 Wells La., Hampton Bays, NY, US)

Plaque It!

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/686,948 filed Oct. 15, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,465 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/686,948 filed on Oct. 15, 2003 which in part discloses and claims subject matter disclosed in my earlier filed patent applications, under 35 U.S.C. 120, Ser. No. 10/431,839 filed May 7, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,939 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/939,376, filed Aug. 24, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,529, which is a continuation in part of my provisional patent applications, Ser. No. 60/233,138, filed Sep. 18, 2000, and 60/246,014 filed Nov. 6, 2000 which both disclose in part subject matter disclosed in my earlier filed patent applications filed under Ser. No. 09/226,838 filed Jan. 7, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,491, Ser. No. 09/479,344 filed Jan. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,671, and Ser. No. 09/745,116 filed Dec. 21, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,972.

Claims:

I claim:

1. A movable medical support table, collapsible for storage and transport and able to be assembled and dis-assembled for use in carrying a load in a movable or fixed orientation, comprising: a modular load support member comprising a pair of axle carrying struts extending downward therefrom; each axle carrying strut each having a lower end with an axle mounting means at each said lower end, an axle extending through each said vertical strut, said axle having a pair of wheels attached adjacent said struts; a carrier attached to an upper end of said load support member, said axle carrying struts being between front and rear portions of said carrier, said carrier supporting a medical patient stretcher thereupon, said carrier comprising a pair of rails, each said rail having a pair of stretcher rail supporting clamps at front and rear portions thereof, said stretcher including a pair of stretcher rails having a patient support layer extending therebetween; and each clamp having a kick stand extending down therefrom.

2. The movable medical support table as in claim 1 further comprising said pair of rails, each extending through a transverse aperture in a respective horizontal support attached to upper ends of said struts.

3. A movable support, collapsible for storage and transport and able to be assembled and dis-assembled for use in carrying a load, comprising: a pair of detachable parallel and spaced horizontal support rods each with a first rod end and a second rod end; a first clamping means adjacent the first and second rod end of each said rod; a kickstand through each said clamping means and clamped onto each said end of each said horizontal support rod and extending substantially vertical therefrom; an axle supporting strut for each support rod in substantially vertical orientation located between each said kickstand, a second clamping mean for each strut for removably attaching said axle supporting strut to a horizontal support tube, an axle adjustable in length and rotatably connected to bottom ends of said axle support struts, and a vehicle movement actuator mounted adjacent each end of said axle; and each said first clamping means having a groove for supporting said load.

4. A movable support as in claim 3, further comprising a lower support rod removably attached to said kickstands at each end of said rods.

5. A movable support as in claim 3, wherein bottom ends of said kickstands each have a swivelable foot.

6. A movable support as in claim 5, wherein said foot comprises a first spring pin, each said leg further comprises a first plurality of spring pin apertures in substantially vertical orientation, said foot removably insertable into each kickstand such that said first spring pin enters a spring pin aperture of said first plurality of said spring pin apertures.

7. A movable support as in claim 6, wherein an interval of length between each spring pin aperture of said plurality of spring pin apertures is about one inch.

8. A movable support as in claim 5, wherein said foot further comprises a screw end and said kickstand has a receptacle for said screw end for fine adjustment of the height of said movable support cart.

9. A convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) for supporting a medical patient support stretcher thereon comprising: a pair of removable downwardly extending axle support struts, each said strut having a cart/utility table rail supporting clamp at a respective top end thereof and each said strut having a wheel at a respective lower end thereof; said wheels connected by an axle; a pair of cart/utility table rails engageable by said pair of cart/utility table rail supporting clamps located at said respective top ends of said downwardly extending vertical struts; a removable front kickstand including a pair of vertically extending kickstand members being connected by a transverse brace; a removable rear kickstand including a pair of vertically extending kickstand members being connected by a transverse brace; each said removable kickstand member of said removable front kickstand having a respective further cart/utility table rail supporting clamp accommodating a respective rail of said pair of cart/utility table rails therethrough; each said removable kickstand member of said removable rear kickstand having a respective further cart/utility clamp rail supporting clamp accommodating a respective rail of said pair of cart/utility table rails therethrough; each said pair of cart/utility table rails supporting a pair of respective front medical patient support stretcher rail accommodating clamps and rear medical patient support stretcher rail accommodating clamps; said front and rear medical patient support stretcher rail accommodating clamp pairs accommodating respective medical patient support stretcher rails of a medical patient support stretcher thereon.

10. The convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) for supporting a medical patient support stretcher as in claim 9 wherein each said stretcher rail accommodating clamp includes a respective upper recess and a lower recess to accommodate either a front or a rear portion of said medical support stretcher in a raised or lowered Trendelenberg position.

11. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 10, wherein each said stretcher rail accommodating clamp comprises a housing block, with a rail aperture, which said block clamps onto a stretcher rail via a fastener, each said stretcher rail clamp having a pair of grooves supporting said stretcher rails, which said stretcher rails are locked in place via an over-center clamp with a jaw, operable by an actuator lever.

12. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 11, wherein each said stretcher rail accommodating clamp includes opposite grooves, which said grooves are spaced laterally to accommodate stretchers of different widths, each said groove being optionally locked by a moveable jaw.

13. The convertible cart/utility clamp as in claim 12, wherein each said stretcher accommodating clamp can pivot to permit tilting relative to each said side rail.

14. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 9, wherein said kickstands and said stretcher rail clamps, convert said convertible cart/utility table (CCUT) to a stationary utility table configuration.

15. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 9, further comprising each said kickstand having adjustable feet providing a high friction surface and terrain adjustability with macro adjustment of leveling or height being accomplished via multiple holes in each said kickstand member, each said hole accepting a spring pin.

16. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 15, wherein each said cart rail is length adjustable with a plurality of connecting tubes forming said rail.

17. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 9, further comprising an auxiliary power pack.

18. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 9, further comprising an optional body fluid capture collector sling connected to a medical waste collector.

19. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 9, wherein each said kickstand member includes a high friction pad and a tilt adjustment ball and socket joint foot.

20. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 9, further comprising an auxiliary pivotable medical support platform assembly including base, clamp insert and platform, said assembly attachable onto a side rail of said convertible cart/utility table (CCUT).

21. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 9, further comprising a movable hinge section which can swivel relative to clamp base.

22. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 9, further comprising at least one medical instrument tray.

23. The convertible cart/utility table as in claim 9 wherein each said stretcher rail accommodating clamp comprises at least one recess in a reversible block having at least one recess on an opposite side thereof.

24. A movable medical support table, collapsible for storage and transport and able to be assembled and dis-assembled for use in carrying a load in a movable or fixed orientation, comprising: a modular load support member comprising at least one axle carrying strut extending downward therefrom; said at least one axle carrying strut each having a lower end with an axle mounting means at said lower end, at least one axle extending through each said vertical strut, each said axle having at least one vehicle movement actuator of a pair of vehicle movement actuators attached at opposite sides of said cart; a carrier attachable to said load support member, wherein when said carrier supports a medical patient stretcher thereupon, said carrier comprising a pair of rails, each said rail having a pair of stretcher rail supporting clamps at front and rear portions thereof, said stretcher including a pair of stretcher rails having a patient support layer extending therebetween; and said pair of rails each held by a said respective quick release clamps of said pair of stretcher rail supporting clamps, each said quick release clamp comprising a top clamping member having a slot permitting said top clamping member to alternately move from an open position to a clamping position over a lower jaw member connected to a respective load support member, said upper clamping member being lockable in said clamping position by a turnable handle alternately engaging said upper clamping member against said lower clamping member.

25. The movable medical support table as in claim 24 wherein said handle member is lockable in place.

26. A movable patient support table as in claim 24, wherein each said quick release clamp of said carrier is a quick release lockable stretcher rail supporting clamp.

27. The movable patient support table as in claim 24 further comprising two pairs of handle members each said handle member comprising a handle, a handle tube, and a grip; a pair of horizontal tubes for receiving said pairs of handle members, each said horizontal tube comprising a first tube section, a second tube section and a joining section for attaching said first tube section to said second tube section; said first tube section and said second tube section each having a connecting end and a handle attachment end, and a plurality of spring pin apertures for attachment of additional members; said joining section comprising at least two spring pins, a first joining end and a second joining end, said first joining end interlocking with a first connecting end of said first tube section, wherein a spring pin of said plurality of spring pins reversibly protrudes a spring pin aperture of said plurality of spring pin apertures located on said first tube section; said second tube joining end interconnecting with said connecting end of said second tube section, wherein a second spring pin of said plurality of spring pins reversibly protrudes a second spring pin aperture located on said second tube section; at least two pairs of clamping means, at least one pair in communication with said first horizontal tube and at least one pair in communication with said second horizontal tube; at least two transverse support bars substantially perpendicular to said pair of horizontal support tubes and in communication with said clamping means, said transverse support bars connecting said first horizontal support tube to said second horizontal support tube through said clamping means; a carrier in removable communication with said clamping means, said carrier being a stretcher; a first spring pin aperture is located on each lateral side of said connecting ends of said first horizontal tube and said second horizontal tube; and a second spring pin aperture is located on each the top side of said connecting ends of said first horizontal tube and said second horizontal tube, a distance farther from said connecting end than of said first spring pin aperture.

28. A movable support, collapsible for storage and transport and able to be assembled and dis-assembled for use in carrying a load, comprising: a pair of detachable horizontal support rods each with a first rod end and a second rod end; at least one clamping means; a pair of kickstands, namely a front kickstand and a rear kickstand, adjustable in width and insertable through said clamping means and clamped onto each said end of each said horizontal support rod and extending substantially vertical therefrom, said clamping means comprises at least one clamp, reversible for accommodating a range of sizes of carriers, said clamp comprising: a bottom surface, an opposing top surface, and a inside surface, a clamp front surface and an opposing clamp rear surface, said bottom surface comprising a plurality of grooves for optionally receiving said horizontal support tube, said top surface comprising at least one groove for optionally receiving said horizontal support tube; a first bore extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, for allowing a bolt to pass therethrough; a rail aperture extending from said clamp front surface to said clamp rear surface for receiving said horizontal support tube and having a tightening knob for securely attaching said clamp to said horizontal support tube; a bolt for tightening said rail to said clamp in securing said clamp; and a top latch.

29. A moving support as in claim 28, wherein said first bore further comprises a flange and said bolt further comprises a fixed nut at the end of said bolt, for preventing the separation of said top latch and said bolt from said clamp.

30. A moving support as in claim 29, wherein the head of said bolt comprises a lever-shaped knob.

31. A movable support as in claim 30, wherein said clamping means comprises at least one clamp having: a lower portion having a first concavity for insertion above said horizontal support tubes and a second concavity for slidable and removable insertion of a carrier or a second carrier, a top surface and a guide boss for removable attachment of an upper portion; said an upper portion having a third concavity for slidable and removable insertion of a carrier and a guide recess for removable attachment to said lower portion; a first latch rigidly connected to said lower portion in communication with said first concavity for gripping said horizontal support tube securely; and, a second latch rigidly connected to said upper portion in communication with said third concavity for gripping said carrier securely.

32. A movable support as in claim 31, wherein said second carrier is a fluid catch.

33. A movable support as in claim 31, wherein said second latch comprises: a lever latch for manual securing of said carrier, a jaw receiver, and a jaw for forming a frictional contact force between said latch and said carrier; the diameter of said jaw effectively less then the inside diameter of said jaw receiver for allowing said jaw to accommodate a change in pitch of said carrier; and said jaw comprising a cylindrical portions and a contact portion comprising a concave surface for evenly contacting the convex surface of said carrier.

34. The movable support, as in claim 33, wherein said rear kickstand comprises said feet in a position of said clearance being a minimum, and said front kickstand comprises said feet in a position of said clearance being a maximum, resulting in maximum height differential between said front end of said carrier and said rear end of said carrier.

35. A movable support as in claim 31, wherein said carrier is a stretcher secured to said cart with said clamping means; p1 said carrier having a front end and a rear end, said front end being secured to a pair of said upper portions of a first pair of said clamping means; said rear end of said carrier being secured to a pair of said lower portions of a second pair of said clamping means resulting in an elevation differential between said front end and said rear end of said second carrier; and, said first and second pairs of said clamping means being located equidistant in length from said front end of said carrier, each secured to opposing horizontal support tubes.

36. A movable support as in claim 31, wherein said upper portion of said clamp further comprises an outside surface having a hinge for optionally removably attaching at least one rotatable accessory.

37. A movable support as in claim 36, wherein said accessory is an instrument tray.

38. A movable support as in claim 36, wherein said accessory is an arm support.

39. A movable support as in claim 36, wherein said accessory is an IV support.

40. A movable support as in claim 39, wherein said component is chosen from the group consisting of: an IV support, an instrument tray and a lighting device.

41. A movable support as in claim 36, wherein said accessory comprises an insertable vertical rod and a component for insertion into said vertical rod.

42. A movable support as in claim 36, wherein said accessory comprises a splitting attachment having an insertion pin for removable and rotatable communication with said hinge, and at least two hinges extending substantially vertically for additional components.

43. A movable support as in claim 36, wherein said accessory is a flexible electrical light.

44. A movable support as in claim 36, further comprising a electrical power storage component.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mission adaptable set of components for a multiple-purpose collapsible portable cart, which may convert to a utility table, for use in camping, hunting, search and rescue, and other outdoors activities. The cart can be easily assembled in a number of uses, and disassembled for easy transporting of the cart in a movable storage bin, a backpack or a hand-carried bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various single use carts exist for carrying canoes and small boats by hand. Other outdoors-oriented carts exist for carrying game. In addition, wheelbarrows and small carts are used for transporting gear at outdoors locations. However, none of the existing carts can be converted to a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as a rescue cart with a carrier for injured persons and be converted to a stationary utility table, as a portable canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all of which can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mission-adaptable set of interchangeable components forming movable and stationary load supports and work surfaces.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile multi-purpose cart, which is quickly assembled or disassembled.

It is also an object to provide a multi-purpose cart, which quickly converts from one use to another.

It is further an object to provide a cart which as a stable, flat platform for supporting cooking devices, machinery, camera tripods and the like.

It is yet another object to provide a caravan of components for a load support system, which is stable during transport over rough terrain.

It is yet another object to provide a portable collapsible cart/utility table with minimal fasteners.

It is yet another object to provide a portable collapsible cart/utility table, which can be stabilized in a position of rest.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a universally adaptable carrier cart/utility table.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cart for carrying medical rescue stretchers, canoes and small boats by hand, which converts to a utility table for triage and emergency medical response.

It is yet another object to provide a portable search and rescue cart/utility table adapted to carry a stretcher or other carrier for an injured person.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an outdoors-oriented cart for carrying game or injured parties.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a small cart with a well for transporting gear at outdoor locations, which can be converted to a stable utility table with a work surface.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as a stationary work surface table, as a portable canoe or boat cart which can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a rescue cart for injured persons, as a game cart for transporting game over long, rough terrain, or as a gear cart, all of which can be broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.

It is yet another object to provide a portable cart/utility table which is either backpackable or which can be carried by hand.

It is yet another object to provide a carrier for transporting military equipment and ordnance.

It is yet another object to provide a cart-hauling clamp for pulling the portable cart/utility table behind a bicycle or motorized all terrain vehicle while resisting tipping over of the cart during directional change of the cart-hauling bicycle or all terrain vehicle.

It is yet another object to provide a portable cart/utility table, which can be used as a wheeled cart on terrain or as a ski cart on snow.

It is also an object of the present invention to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In keeping with these objects and others, which may be apparent, the present invention relates to a universal mission-adaptable set of structural components forming a myriad of useful movable support carts or stationary utility tables, which can be rapidly and accurately deployed in the field with minimal or no tool assembly. The cart may be a convertible, multi-purpose portable cart, for use in camping, hunting, emergency response, search and rescue operations and other outdoors activities, such as for carrying canoes and small boats by hand. It may also carry game, injured parties or be used for transporting gear at outdoors locations. It is a versatile portable cart which can interchangeably function as a movable or stationary medical rescue carrier, cargo carrier, portable canoe or boat cart, which can be assembled with interfitting parts and with minimal fasteners. It can be folded down and transported within the canoe or boat, as a carry cart for transporting game or injured parties over long, rough terrain or snow, or as a gear cart, all of which can be broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back.

The cart/utility table is moved by manual pushing or pulling force applied to activate vehicle movement actuators, such as wheels upon terrain or skis upon snow or ice, wherein upon the exertion of force the wheels or skis cause forward or rearward movement of the portable cart.

The cart/utility table is easily assembled or disassembled by connecting its parts together, or optionally assembled from a pre-set storage configuration in a carry pack to an assembled structure.

The cart/utility table easily changes from one use to the other. For example, in one embodiment, a hollow cargo well may contain a second loose layer, which turns into a rescue stretcher when the second layer becomes taut when zipped up from a loose, relaxed state within the cargo well to a taut rescue stretcher for carrying injured persons thereon.

In an alternate rescue embodiment, clamps can be provided on shortened horizontal support members to hold rails to hold medical rescue stretcher rails, and optional handles or pivotable kickstands can be further attached by clamps to the stretcher rails.

In military applications, the height of the vertical struts can be lowered to keep the injured person on a low profile stretcher close to the ground, to avoid visible detection. In such a case, the handles can optionally easily rotate from a handle carry position to a stationary kickstand mode.

The portable cart is preferably under thirty (30) pounds, preferably twenty two (22) to twenty eight (28) pounds, so that it can be carried by hand or within a backpack over rough terrain. It is collapsible, so that it can be disassembled and carried in a canoe or small boat, and then reassembled with minimal assembly steps and parts, at another destination along the canoe or boat's journey.

To prevent flat tires, its wheels are preferably solid core tires, which cannot get flat, or made of cellular materials, such as medium density, micro-cellular urethane, with stainless steel bearings, over which the wheels rotate. A typical wheel has two press fit bearings adjacent to an integrally molded hub. While the typical wheel is about 2-3 inches wide, for transporting cargo or game on sand or granular terrain, the wheels may be wider, such as 4-6 inches in width.

For maneuverability in snow-filled winter scenes, optional ski members, including skis, are attached to vertical braces having a length corresponding to the radius of the cart's wheels. The vertical ski braces are attached to the vertical struts where the wheel axles attach.

For hardiness, the material of the structural frame components is preferably a lightweight but resilient and strong material, such as, for example, 60-61 T6 fully anodized aluminum, or stainless steel. In a substantially pre-assembled optional embodiment, in a storage position within a carry bag, the vertical struts are connected to horizontal supports, which are further engaged with rails to hold a cargo well or rescue stretcher. Pivoting of the horizontal supports about each respective longitudinal axis to a position of rest biases the resiliently engaged rails to return to their natural position of use when released from the storage position.

These pivotable support and strut assemblies can be further strengthened by optional V-shaped braces, which are positioned where each vertical strut meets each corresponding horizontal support member.

The portable cart/utility table can hold up to 500 pounds, and for manual pulling easily pulls 300 pounds. The portable cart/utility table is durable to carry heavy weight over rough terrain, such as rock-strewn dirt trails or sloping riverbank surfaces.

To carry a canoe or boat, two horizontal load supports optionally include support cushions upon which the canoe or boat rests. The position of the horizontal load supports can be varied to accommodate various widths of the canoe or boat.

To function as a game or rescue cart, the frame, such as a pair of U-shaped rails which are joined end to end, is provided upon the horizontal load supports to form a rounded rectangular frame, over which a taunt, but slightly stretchable, bed of fabric is placed, such as canvas or other flexible material, i.e., plastic or netting. The bed includes sewn loops through which portions of the U-shaped rails of the frame are inserted. Other fabric fasteners such as clips, zippers or eyelets can be also used.

In an alternate embodiment, the boat support cushions are removable from the horizontal load supports and are replaced by a two-piece clamp, which attaches by at least one fastener, such as a pair of screws, to the horizontal load supports of the cart. Conventional stretchers or personal rescue carriers, such as Stokes-type baskets, are clamped to the cart within the clamps on each respective horizontal load support. In this embodiment, the boat support cushions are attached to a thin plate, such as of ⅛ inch aluminum or otherwise, which has at least one fastener such as a pair of threaded studs, insertable with the respective hole or holes in the horizontal load supports, so that the boat support cushions can be removed and replaced by the stretcher-bearing clamps.

To function as a wagon cart with a well for carrying gear, a hollow fabric well, such as of canvas, is draped between the horizontal load members and over and around the front and rear U-shaped brackets. A cover may be provided to cover the gear therein. The well and cover can also be made of other suitable flexible materials, such as plastic, netting or canvas. An optional removable hard bottom substrate floor layer may be provided within the cargo well. While this floor layer may be of any hard material, materials such as lightweight aluminum, wood or marine polymer plastics are preferred.

Furthermore, the cargo cart may have an optional handle from which may be draped a further optional accessory cargo bag. In the stretcher embodiment, where the upper layer is fastened taut, the handle may have a removable headrest pillow.

Kickstands may be optionally provided to stabilize the portable cart/utility table during rest or during loading of contents thereon.

In yet another embodiment, an anti-tipping bicycle attachment is provided to attach the cart to a bicycle while preventing the cart from turning over during transportation.

In one embodiment, the cart/utility table has two wheels for cargoes weighing from 300-500 pounds. However, for heavier loads, such as for 600-1,000 pounds, an optional double axle version includes two pairs of overlapping wheels for heavier cargo. In this embodiment, the portable cart/utility table uses four wheels in the overlapped configuration, with an optional hard molded canister. In this overlapping, wheeled version, a long axle attaches a pair of front wheels and a short axle attaches a pair of rear wheels through the respective vertical supports, although the length of the axles can be reversed. Using four wheels doubles the carrying capacity of the cart/utility table, and the overlapped positioning of the pairs of wheels maintains a short wheelbase for compactness, for maneuverability and for climbing slopes or ledges.

In the four-wheeled embodiment, double parallel rails may be provided for additional structural strength. The overlapping, dual axle, four-wheel version gives the user extra pivot points on rough terrain. For example, pushing down upon the optional handle enables the user to lift the further away distal wheels off the ground. Furthermore, pulling upon the handle enables the user to lift the nearer, proximal wheels off the ground.

The accessory which is placed upon the vertical supports of either the two wheeled or four wheeled cart/utility table, such as the rescue stretcher, the boat cushion, the cargo cart, etc., can be attached permanently or by fasteners to each horizontal load support member of the portable cart/utility table. However, in an alternate embodiment, the horizontal supports have longitudinally extending channels to slide the accessories in on top of the horizontal supports. Furthermore, the accessory, such as a railed rescue stretcher, can be carried by a clamp which itself is attached to the horizontal support by insertion in such a channel, or the stretcher can be dropped in and clamped to a pair of rails forming the horizontal support.

This clamp upon each horizontal support member may be a one-piece clamp with a full width top section and short end pieces, which mate with and slip into a T-shaped slot channel of the horizontal support member. Alternatively, the clamp may have a full width bottom member which mates with and slides into a T-slot of the horizontal support. In yet another embodiment, two short identical clamp members are inserted into the T-slots of the horizontal member at the two ends. Moreover, the clamping sections can have spring-like gripping action to be retained upon tubular members, such as medical rescue stretcher rails, or the clamps can use fasteners such as fasteners, such as thumbscrews or ball plungers for retention.

In yet another embodiment, a covered canister can be held in place over the rails of the frame of the cart, in a stable position, by virtue of its weight being held in place upon the rails of the cart, wherein a concave, downward facing channel engages the linear, upper convex support surface of each rail.

Furthermore, the cart of the present invention can be disassembled and broken down for hand held or backpack transport and it can easily be assembled for its varied uses. Moreover, when a boat or canoe is carried, the cart has a precision balance feature that rotates the wheels to maintain the cart in a horizontal stable position.

The convertible cart/utility table of the present invention is just one of many modular embodiments which may be made of the present invention. Because of the interchangeability of the parts, the components of the convertible cart/utility table can also be used for assembling a boat hauling cart, a game hauling cart, a wheelbarrow-type hauling cart, a low profile stretcher, a high profile stretcher and a component of a mobile emergency response system.

Furthermore, in the rescue mode, the convertible cart/utility table allows for one person to transport an injured person instead of two on a stretcher. Because of the convertibility of the cart, when the person is brought to a triage situation for treatment and assessment, the wheels of the cart can be easily removed without tools and replaced by one or more kickstands to stabilize the cart.

Therefore, in its broadest sense, the present invention is a movable support, such as a convertible cart/utility table, which is collapsible for storage and transport and is able to be assembled and dis-assembled for use in carrying a load, and alternatively functioning as a stationary utility table having stationary legs instead of wheels.

In one embodiment, the convertible cart/utility table includes a pair of modular load support members which each includes at least one carrying strut extending downward therefrom and a carrier.

The convertible cart/utility table is preferably carried by handles, which may be extensions of parallel rails constituting the load support member, or the handles may be separate handles having handle extension members nesting in a receiving member of the load support for receiving an adjustably removable handle extension member, such as a tube. The handles may be single grips extending coaxial to the first or the second horizontal frame rails of the movable support.

In an alternate embodiment, the handles in a pivotable rectangular brace configuration, including a first set of manual grips extending between parallel connectors, which are further connected by a rotatable transverse bar, to enable the handles to be rotated up to a carrying position, or down to a storage position.

These optional pivotable handles lock in an upper position for hauling the cart, and reverse to a lower position for storage, or in a low profile use, contact the ground surface for operating as a kickstand.

In addition, the handles may optionally also pivot about their longitudinal axis downward to reach ground level to function as a kickstand for a low profile table cart, or may swing out of the way in a high profile cart when stored during travel or during the stationary utility table mode.

By “low profile use” it is meant that the movable load support is positioned low to the ground to avoid detection, such as in military rescues. By “high profile use” it is meant that the movable load support is positioned higher up from the ground, such as for example, between 30 and 36 inches, more or less, to allow for access to the load. For example, if the load is an injured person in a rescue operation, the height is high enough to allow medical treatment personnel to conveniently treat the injured person. If the load is cargo, then the height of the high profile movable support, such as a cart, is convenient for stowing and removing the cargo being transported.

These axially pivotable handles may slide within a hollow support rail, and be locked in place by fasteners, such as spring pins extending through respective holes in an outer wall of the hollow support rail.

Preferably, the handle includes a first hand grip located coaxially to the handle shaft or tube and an outer second handle grip, which is located parallel to the handle shaft or tube, which is in rigid connection with the coaxial handle grip. Both parallel hand grips are connected by parallel brace members laid perpendicular to the hand grips. The handle member is lockable in at least two positions, such as an upward position for hauling the convertible cart/utility table and a downward position for using the handle as a kickstand in a low profile embodiment, or for storage in a high profile embodiment.

These handles may be locked in place with a spring pin.

The longitudinally extending structural frame rails of the movable support can each accommodate a handle extending therefrom, each frame rail having a connecting end and a handle attachment end, and a plurality of spring pin apertures for attachment of additional members.

In a preferred embodiment, there are at least two spring pins, wherein a spring pin of the plurality of spring pins reversibly protrudes a spring pin aperture of the plurality of spring pin apertures located on each respective frame rail, such as a first horizontal tube.

Preferably, for knockdown transport, each frame rail may be made of several components, such as a longitudinally extending mid section joined at each opposite end to longitudinally extending first and second connecting end portions. A first spring pin aperture is located on each lateral side of the connecting ends of the first horizontal tube and the second horizontal tube; and a second spring pin aperture is located on each top side of the connecting ends of the first horizontal tube and the second horizontal tube, a distance farther from the connecting end than of the first spring pin aperture. Other pin locations are applicable.

These assembled frame rails together accommodate optionally one or more clamps, with at least one clamp in communication with a first horizontal tube and at least one other clamp in communication with the second horizontal tube, with both tubes forming the frame rails of the movable load support.

In a further alternate embodiment, one or more transverse support bars, preferable at least two transverse support bars, are substantially perpendicular to the pair of longitudinally extending frame rail tubes, and may optionally be in communication with a clamp holding a carrier in removable communication with the clamp or clamps. The carrier may be a rescue stretcher, Stokes carrier, cargo bin, open cargo hauling well, rack or other load support means.

The clamp may be attached to a strut through which accommodates axles therethrough for movement actuators, such as wheels.

Optionally the clamp may be at least one clamp, reversible for accommodating a range of sizes of carriers, including a bottom surface, an opposing top surface, and a inside surface, a clamp front surface and an opposing clamp rear surface. The bottom surface includes a plurality of grooves for optionally receiving one of the horizontal support tubes of the frame rails, with the reverse top surface including at least one groove for optionally receiving a horizontal support tube. This reversible clamp has a first bore extending from its top surface to its bottom surface, for allowing a bolt to pass therethrough. The reversible clamp also includes a rail-accommodating aperture extending from the clamp's front surface to the clamp's rear surface for receiving a horizontal support tube of a frame rail, and the reversible clamp has a tightening knob for securely attaching the clamp to each respective horizontal support tube;

The clamp also includes a latch to tighten a load support, such as a stretcher or other rail in place. So that the latch does not become loose, the threaded securing bolt of the latch, which is threaded into a threaded bore of the body of the reversible clamp, includes a bottom flange wider than the threaded bore, which includes a reciprocal flange recess to accommodate the flange of the threaded securing bolt. An optional fixed nut or flange is located at the end of the bolt, for preventing the separation of the joinable latch and main body parts of the reversible clamp and the bolt from the clamp.

In a preferable embodiment, the clamp may be a heavy-duty clamp having a lower portion having a first concavity for insertion above the horizontal support tubes and a second concavity for slidable and removable insertion of a carrier or a second carrier, a top surface and a guide boss for removable attachment of an upper portion. The upper portion has a third concavity for slidable and removable insertion of a carrier and a guide recess for removable attachment to the lower portion. The heavy duty clamp includes a first latch rigidly connected to the clamp's lower portion, in communication with the first concavity for gripping the horizontal support tube of a frame rail of the load support carrier securely.

The heavy duty clamp also preferably has a second latch, preferably at an upper end, which second latch is rigidly connected to an upper portion of the heavy duty clamp in communication with the third concavity for gripping the load support carrier securely.

The heavy duty clamp may optionally support one or more rails holding a fluid catch under the load support carrier, to catch blood and other body fluids if the load support carrier holds an injured person being medically treated thereon.

This second latch includes a lever latch for manual securing of the load support carrier and a clamping jaw for forming a frictional contact force between the latch and the frame rail of the carrier.

When the carrier is a stretcher secured to the convertible cart/utility table, the pitch of the stretcher can be adjusted, such as for example, to raise or lower the head of the person being treated. In this case, the stretcher carrier has a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end of each rail is secured to a respective upper hook receptacle portion of the clamp and the rear end of each frame rail of the carrier is secured to a respective lower hook portions of the clamp, resulting in an elevation differential between the front end and the rear end of the second carrier. The clamps come in pairs so that the front and rear clamps on each side are equidistant from each other in length, with each secured to opposing horizontal support tubes of each frame rail.

In such a case of the head portion of a medical stretcher or other carrier being raised higher than an opposite foot end, the height of the respective head and foot portions can be varied by placing the foot end in the lower hook portions of the foot clamps and the head end in the higher hook portion of the heavy duty clamp. Optionally, the height can be further varied by varying the height of each kickstand, wherein the rear kickstand is in a position of the clearance being a minimum, and the front kickstand is in a position of the clearance being a maximum, resulting in maximum height differential between the front end of the carrier and the rear end of the carrier.

Additionally, the diameter of the upper latch jaw is effectively less then the inside diameter of the rail support concavity of the clamp for allowing the jaw to accommodate a change in pitch of the carrier, in case the carrier has to be tilted, such as for raising the head of an injured person being treated upon the load support carrier. This latch jaw includes cylindrical portions and a contact portion including a concave surface for evenly contacting the convex surface of the carrier's frame rail.

Optionally, the kickstand may be a pair of kickstands, namely a front kickstand and a rear kickstand, adjustable in width and insertable through the clamping means and clamped onto each end of each horizontal support frame rail and extending substantially vertically therefrom.

For further strength of the movable support in a stationary position of use as a utility table, the kickstand may include a substantially vertical left leg, substantially vertical right leg, and a kickstand connecting bar detachably extending horizontally between the left and right legs. Each of the left and right legs of the kickstand may include a lower end and a height adjustable member insertable to the legs by means of a swivel joint for allowing the legs to rotate freely.

The height adjustable members adjust the height of each leg, preferably by insertion of a first pin, such as a locking pin or a spring pin, insertable within a selected aperture of a plurality of pin apertures in substantially vertical orientation, wherein the height adjustment member is removably insertable into each leg for a predetermined incremental height interval, such as about one inch.

Besides this macroadjustment of the kickstand leg by selective insertion of the pin into a selected aperture, the height can be adjusted by a microadjustment means, including the kickstand having a screw end and the lower end of the leg includes a receptacle, for the screw end, for fine adjustment of the height of the movable support, where the distance between the edge of the leg of the kickstand and the lower edge of the height adjustment member is a clearance distance.

The heavy duty clamp also includes an optional outside surface having a hinge for removably attaching at least one rotatable swivelable accessory therefrom, wherein the accessory is an examination or surgical lamp having a flexible or hinged neck, an instrument tray, an arm or leg limb platform support or a gravity or pump fed intravenous (IV) pouch support having an insertable vertical rod and a component for insertion into the vertical rod into the hinge.

The hinge accessory may include a splitting attachment having an insertion pin for removable and rotatable communication with the hinge, and at least two hinges extending substantially vertically for additional components in a stacking arrangement, such as, for example, one instrument tray being elevated above another instrument tray.

If there is a person with blood loss during surgery in the field, this convertible cart/utility table can also have an auxiliary fluid catch draining fluids into a closed shallow bucket.

In addition, medical accessories and a power pack for lighting and for instrument power can be attached to the cart.

In the basic cart mode a transverse member connecting the load support members is not necessary, as the downwardly extending struts accommodate the axles for one or more pairs of wheels, which act as transverse support members for the cart in its basic transportable cart embodiment.

The load support member itself may be a) a resting member supporting a load thereon or, b) it may be a clamp. The clamp may be adjustable by a handle, which may have a stop to prevent complete unscrewing of the stud of the handle so that the clamp cannot come apart. The clamp can be a pair of jaws, or it can be a longitudinally extending slider clamp where the load support slides into a recess between two overhanging cantilevered members extending upward from the base.

The convertible cart/utility table is also useful in military and emergency situations. For example, in addition to rescue of injured military or civilian personnel, the cart may be used in areas contaminated by toxic substances or weather related disasters. Besides moving an injured party in a triage situation to a treatment area in a detoxification environment caused by a weapon of mass destruction such as gas, smoke or other noxious particles, there may be a necessity for a wash of the persons so the contaminated persons can be brought by the convertible cart/utility table to a wash area where they are first immediately washed of surface contaminants. In this weapons of mass destruction treatment facility there can be any one of these pieces of equipment to wheel the injured persons to decontaminate them. If they are not ambulatory, for any further treatment they can be brought to the medical facility.

The medical facility can set up as a fully operational ten (10) or more bed field hospital treatment facility with ten (10) or more sets of bins carried on ten or more carts, wherein each upper most bin shell container of each set of containers for each bin can be tilted and moved can be moved from a horizontal carrying position to a vertical stand upright position with drawers extending outward therefrom. A mobile hospital is modular in its design. If there is a need for more than ten (10) beds, then increment units of ten can be provided and deployed to a site. For rapid deployment, the convertible cart/utility table with cargo hauling bins can be hauled by all terrain vehicles in a rapid manner.

In addition, the convertible cart/utility table easily converts without tools from either a wheeled embodiment to a fixed table embodiment wherein the wheels are replaced by one or more kickstands. When in the utility table mode, the cart can have extending therefrom, by clamps, one or more swivelable platforms supporting injured limbs of a person or medical supplies such as an instrument tray, a light, an I.V. tube pole, etc. In this case, the platform is pivotable, but not removable. It pivots like a hinge to any desired position.

Auxiliary transverse bars can be added when in the fixed table embodiment. Additionally, there are micro and macro adjustments of the height of the cart depending on the need for access to the injured person on the cart. For example, there are macro adjustments in one-inch (1″) increments to raise the cart up and there is also a micro adjustment by a threaded member for up to a one-inch (1″) of micro adjustment.

To hold rescue stretchers or other carrier rails, a heavy-duty utility clamp has a concave hook portion for dropping in a stretcher rail and a lower concave portion for dropping in a rail holding an auxiliary fluid catch basin or sling. However, one end of the stretcher can be put in a lower concave hook of the heavy-duty utility clamp to slant the position of the stretcher. Furthermore, by adjusting the transverse bars and/or the axles, the width of the utility table can be widened, so it is totally adjustable to fit any size carrier or stretcher.

In addition, in order to raise the head of an injured party, raising one end and lowering the other end can slant the table portion. A preferable ten-degree (10°) adjustment can be done with the adjustable foot height and then there is an additional five degrees (50°) by adjusting the heavy-duty clamp and raising or lowering one end of the stretcher on the utility table.

Hinged platform arm or leg board platforms may extend from a clamp attached to the frame rail of the utility table. The platforms swing out radially in a horizontal plane, to provide maximum adjustability for the position of the limbs of a victim or for the positioning of medical/surgical accessories, such as intravenous stands, instrument trays or examination lamps. It is further noted that attached to the auxiliary arm board platforms may be poles for supporting an intravenous fluid pack or a tent to repel insects from the treatment environment. While other suitable measurements may be used, these arm board platforms are preferably six inches (6″) wide and the leg boards approximately eight inches (8″) wide.

The convertible cart/utility table also optionally includes a clamping means, which may be a latch, a pair of clamping jaws, a longitudinally extending slotted extrusion or a receptacle.

The axle-carrying struts each have a lower end with an axle mounting means at the lower end and at least one axle extending through each axle-carrying vertical strut. Each axle has at least one vehicle movement actuator, such as a wheel or a ski, of a pair of vehicle movement actuators attached at opposite sides of the convertible cart/utility table, which also has a carrier attachable to the load support member, wherein when the carrier supports a load thereupon. Such a carrier may be a hollow well, a bin, a pair of rails, a rescue stretcher or Stokes carrier or other support surface or container. Optionally the carrier may be rotatable from a horizontal position of travel to an upright position as a shelved cabinet.

The parts are easily assembled and disassembled without the necessity of tools. For example, the parts can be held together by clamps or receiving receptacles including a spring pin aperture for receiving a push pin for secure interconnecting of a component of the convertible cart/utility table, such as the handle tube within the receiving member of the load support member. The components can also be held in place by pins or other fasteners positioned within diametrically opposed transverse holes for allowing a through pin to extend therethrough. PINS

While in simple embodiments the convertible cart/utility table includes a single pair of wheels attached by struts extending down from the load support members, in other embodiments the convertible cart/utility table includes two pairs of axle load supports and four vehicle movement actuators, such as wheels.

To convert from a movable support, such as a convertible cart to a stationary utility table, the downwardly extending axle-supporting struts are detached by their clamping means from the load support members, and replaced by stationary kickstands, which contact the ground to maintain the utility table in a stationary position.

One kickstand may be used with the wheeled struts still in place, although for maximum stability all wheeled struts are replaced by kickstands.

The kickstand may be a single rod extending from the load support member to the ground, or it may be an H-shaped or U-shaped pair of downwardly extending rods connected by a widenable transverse member, to vary the width of the convertible cart/utility table.

The convertible cart/utility table may also include at least one cargo bin removably connected to the load support member.

Each of the cargo bins preferably includes a top shell container of a plurality of shells, each having a top outer surface and an opposing top inner surface; a bottom shell having a bottom outer surface and an opposing bottom inner surface. The top outer surface includes a boss arrangement and the bottom outer surface includes a recess arrangement corresponding with the boss arrangement, for aligning a plurality of the cargo bins to be vertically stacked one on top of each other in a caravan of bin-hauling carts. There may also be one or more intermediate shell containers.

The bin of the convertible cart/utility table has one or more latches for removably connecting the top shell to the bottom or intermediate shell, wherein the latch is optionally lockable. Preferably, each bin is made of a sturdy, lightweight material, such as fiberglass.

A top shell can be removed from the stack of bins and stood upright as a medical or other supply cabinet, which includes slidable drawers, anchored to and within the top shell of the cargo bin. Preferably, the top inside surface and the bottom inside surface of the shells of the bin each includes a foam lining for limiting the movement of contents within the cargo bins. Additionally, the shells further include one or more optional removable interior containers.

The mission-adaptable components may therefore deploy a portable cargo bin having a cabinet system and at least one locking latch, and be secured to the collapsible cart/utility table, in a method including:

i) in the case of the collapsible cart/utility table having vehicle movement actuators, such as wheels, securing the wheels in place to prevent movement,

ii) applying force to tilt the collapsible cart/utility table about a first axis until a first rest position is reached, wherein the force is optionally applied to a pair of handles in connection with the collapsible cart/utility table, and the first axis of tilt being the vertex formed of the intersection between the bottom outer surface and a bottom front surface;

iii) unlatching the straps holding the shells of the bin;

iv) applying force to tilt the collapsible cart/utility table about a second axis until a second rest position is reached, wherein the second axis of tilt is the vertex formed of the intersection between the top outer surface and the top front surface;

v) disengaging the latch or latches; and

vi) separating the top shell from the bottom shell and the portable cart/utility table, allowing it to return to the first rest position or optionally to return fully to the initial standing position.

The convertible cart/utility table may also include a modular load support member which includes at least one axle-carrying strut extending downward therefrom, a receiving member for receiving an adjustably removable handle tube and optionally a clamping means.

The clamping means may be an extrusion slider clamp rigidly attached to the modular load support member, having a top clamp surface, an inside edge and an outside edge. The top clamp surface further includes a groove formation aligned with the inside edge and the outside edge for horizontally receiving a carrier therein.

In this case, the axle carrying struts have a lower end with an axle mounting means at the lower end, at least one axle extending through each axle-carrying strut. Each axle has at least one vehicle movement actuator of a pair of vehicle movement actuators attached at opposite sides of the cart and a carrier attachable to the clamp, wherein when the carrier supports a load thereupon.

The axle carrying struts may each includes a lower end with an axle mounting means at the lower end, at least one axle extending through each vertical strut and a plurality of transverse holes for resisting impact. A carrier is attachable to the load support member, wherein when the carrier supports a load thereupon. Additionally, each axle carrying strut may have a pair of support trusses for increased load support, the trusses being rigidly connecting the axle carrying support and the extrusion clamp.

As a result, the convertible cart/utility table is mission adaptable for a variety of missions, and is not mission specific, such as for one particular task. The components break down into interchangeable parts, and are easily transported or stored for adaptability to a myriad of tasks in both friendly and hostile environments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can best be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the basic cart embodiment broken down for transport within and on the storage backpack;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backpack on a user, with the cart contained therein;

FIG. 3 is an exploded inverted perspective view of the basic cart embodiment components, disassembled from their original transport configuration;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an alternate simplified embodiment where the vertical strut is permanently attached to a horizontal member in a “T” configuration;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an embodiment where the horizontal support is permanently affixed to the vertical strut by welding or other means;

FIG. 3C is an alternate embodiment where the vertical strut fits within a hole in the horizontal support and is fastened by a fastener.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled boat cart;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled cart with a boat fastened for transport;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the components required to assemble the boat cart;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective of a typical wheel, showing two press fit bearings adjacent an integrally molded hub;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an axle-locking member, installed on the assembled axle;

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevation view, taken through lines 9 - 9 of FIG. 8, showing the locking member compressing and locking the axle joint;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat cart in its resting position, with a boat hull contacting the raised edge;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the boat cart with the boat hull positioned and fully installed, illustrating the precision balancing feature of the cart;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembled alternate embodiment cart, for hunting/gaming applications;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the inverted gaming cart, illustrating the framework fastening method;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the gaming cart, illustrating the attachment of the stretcher canvas material to the framework components;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the attachment of the handlebar component to the locking receptacles on the framework;

FIG. 16 is a sectional elevation view, taken through lines 16 - 16 of FIG. 15, showing the locking receptacles acting on the installed leg of the handlebar;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the gaming cart, with a deer fastened for transport;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a further embodiment, a cart for transporting cargo, equipped with optional wide tires and axle for use on sand or granular terrain;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a fully loaded cargo cart, with the cover material partially cutaway to reveal its contents;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view, inverted, of the cargo cart, illustrating the attachment of the canvas material to the framework components;

FIG. 21 is another exploded perspective detail view of the components for a stretcher-hauling clamp of an alternate embodiment for a search and rescue cart;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the clamp embodiment shown in FIG. 21, showing the sliding action of the clamp therein, for quick removal of the stretcher therefrom;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the portable cart of the present invention, showing the clamp as in FIGS. 21 and 22 carrying a rescue stretcher;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the portable cart carrying a Stokes-type personal rescue carrier;

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of components of a further alternate embodiment for a support for removal of a boat support cushion therefrom;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for a hunting cart with an accessory racking system for transport of hunting gear, such as a tree stand chair, archery implements and firearms thereon;

FIG. 27 is an exploded detail view of a quick release clamp for rail fastening to the cart shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an assembled elevational view of the clamp of FIG. 27 attached to a rail;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of a typical clamp for gear support for the cart as in FIG. 26;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an anti-tipping attachment for connecting a bicycle to the portable cart of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the components of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the portable cart of this invention with four wheels, shown with a covered cargo-hauling bin;

FIG. 32A is a top plan view of the cover for a bin used with the cart as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 32B is a top plan view of the bin used with the cart as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 32C is an exploded view of the cover and bin as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 32D is a side elevational view of the cover and bin as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 32E is a front elevational view of the cover and bin as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 32F is a front cross-sectional view thereof, taken along lines “ 32 F- 32 F” of FIG. 32D;

FIG. 32G is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 32H is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a load support has a plurality of spaced apart, downwardly extending axle carrying struts and a receiving member for a handle tube, has an upper pushpin aperture and a pair of opposite holes for a through pin to extend therethrough, showing two axles accommodating a pair of dual wheels in coaxial orientation;

FIG. 32I is a close-up perspective view of the receiving member and handle spring pin engaged in the receiving member as in FIG. 32H;

FIG. 32J is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a four-wheel cargo bin hauling cart showing stacked cargo hauling bins held in place in a boss and recess engagement; further showing a kickstand engaged to the handle;

FIGS. 32K, 32 L and 32 M are side elevational views of the sequence of the disassembly of one of the cargo hauling bins to a deployed standing position with operable sliding draws;

FIG. 32N is a front elevational view of the standing bin as in FIG. 32M;

FIG. 32O is a local perspective view of an optional trailer hitch assembly;

FIG. 32P is a side elevational view of an all-terrain vehicle pulling the four-wheel cargo bin-hauling cart with the trailer hitch as in FIG. 32O.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of one embodiment for an assembled frame of a portable cart with four wheels;

FIG. 33A is a bottom perspective view of the chassis and wheel portions thereof;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a channeled horizontal load support member with an integral T-slot;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the channeled horizontal load support member as in FIG. 34, shown with an extruded support cushion installed in a T-slot;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the embodiment for an assembled cart with four wheels further incorporating horizontal support members with a T-slot;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a horizontal support member with a clamp member having two short T-slot engaging members and a full-length top section;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a horizontal support member with a clamp member having a full-length T-slot engaging bottom member and two short clamping top members;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a horizontal support member with two short identical clamping members installed in the T-slots at the extreme ends;

FIG. 40 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment for a rescue carrier cart with shortened horizontal supports and with a pivotable kickstand;

FIG. 41 is a front elevational view of the kickstand portion of the rescue carrier cart as in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a side elevational view of the rescue carrier cart as in FIG. 40, shown with the kickstand pivoted in a transportable position of rest;

FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of a low profile military rescue carrier cart, shown with a handle;

FIG. 44 is a front elevational view of the handle as in FIG. 43;

FIG. 43A is a perspective view of a low profile rescue carrier cart shown with an alternate embodiment for a stretcher bearing assembly having a reversible handle/cart support;

FIG. 43B is an exploded perspective view of the stretcher-bearing tube components of the stretcher-bearing assembly of FIG. 43A, showing interlocking spring-loaded pin and receptacle fasteners;

FIG. 43C is a detail view of the spring-loaded pin as in FIG. 43B;

FIG. 43D is a side elevational view of the assembled components of a low profile rescue carrier cart as in FIGS. 43A, 43 B and 43 C;

FIG. 43E shows the low profile rescue carrier cart, in a side elevational view;

FIG. 45 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment for a four wheeled rescue carrier cart, shown with stretcher rails and with stabilizing tie rods, for use as a temporary stationary medical gurney;

FIG. 46 is a top plan view thereof; shown without the stretcher rails;

FIGS. 47, 47 A, 47 B, 48 and 49 show respective isometric, left side, top, front and right side views of the clamp used in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 40-46;

FIG. 50 is an isometric view of a half piece thereof, shown with spring pins;

FIG. 51 is an isometric perspective view of a further embodiment for a disassembled, single axle cart, stored in a carry bag;

FIG. 51A is a further perspective view thereof;

FIG. 52 is an exploded perspective view of the cart as in FIG. 51, shown during assembly, wherein arrows indicate directional movement of rotation about the axis of the rails shown therein;

FIG. 52A is a perspective view thereof showing one wheel in place upon an axle;

FIG. 53 is a close-up cutaway view of the spring stop member regulating outward movement of the optional rails of the cart of the present invention from a storage position to a position of use;

FIG. 54 is an overall perspective view in partial cutaway of the cart showing the wagon portion in its cargo-carrying configuration;

FIG. 55 is an overall perspective view of the cart of FIG. 54, shown in its rescue stretcher configuration;

FIG. 56 shows a detail view of an optional ski attachment instead of wheels, for use in snow and winter environments;

FIG. 57 shows a detail view of an optional platform base for supporting objects thereon;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of portable cart frame configured as a multi-victim stretcher;

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of multi-victim stretcher using single fabric top surface cover;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of multi-victim cart frame reconfigured to accept separate stretchers;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of multi-victim stretcher using separate stretchers;

FIG. 62 is an end view of wheel subassembly attachment mechanism in engaged position;

FIG. 63 is an end view of wheel subassembly attachment mechanism in disengaged position;

FIG. 64 is an end view of attachment clamp for tubular overhead bar;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of portable cart frame configured as an operating room table/gurney;

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of operating room table/gurney;

FIG. 67 is an end view of wheel brake mechanism in applied position;

FIG. 68 is an end view of wheel brake in an off position;

FIG. 69 is an end view of side rail adjustable clamp; and,

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of adjustable clamp assembly.

FIG. 71 is a diagrammatic flow chart of use of the convertible cart/utility table of the present invention in a medical emergency response triage environment;

FIG. 72 is an exploded perspective view of the basic components of the convertible cart/utility table of the present invention, showing removable kickstand and wheel support components;

FIG. 73 is an exploded view of the tubular frame component of the convertible cart/utility table of the present invention, with an alternate embodiment for a kickstand holding sleeve;

FIG. 74 is an exploded perspective view of an assembled convertible cart/utility table in the utility table mode, showing an auxiliary power pack attached thereto and a medical stretcher above;

FIG. 75 is a side elevational view of the convertible cart/utility table in the utility table mode as in FIG. 74, shown in a tilting feature with one portion of the utility table being raised higher than a higher opposite lower end proportion, and showing an optional body fluid captive collector;

FIG. 76 is a detailed view of the height adjustable foot portion of the convertible cart/utility table as in FIGS. 74 and 75, as shown in the ellipse “ 76 ” in FIG. 74;

FIG. 77 is a detailed perspective view of a reversible clamp of the convertible cart/utility table as in FIG. 43A; shown in the detail callout “ 78 ” of FIG. 43A;

FIG. 78 is a close-up rear elevational detail view of the clamp as in FIG. 77, shown in a reversed position, as shown in the detail callout “ 78 ” in FIG. 43A;

FIG. 79 is a front elevational view of an optional heavy-duty clamp for the convertible cart/utility table as in FIG. 72, as shown in detail callout “ 79 ” in FIG. 72;

FIG. 80 is a detailed front elevational view showing a hook of the heavy-duty clamp as in FIG. 79 showing the retraction of a stretcher rail support, allowing the stretcher rail to drop thereby selectively tilting the head or foot of the stretcher;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of the stretcher clamp for the tilted stretcher effected by the clamp retractor as in FIG. 80, which stretcher clamp allows for the tilting rotation of the stretcher rod;

FIG. 82 is a perspective view taken at detail callout “ 82 ” in FIG. 81, showing the rotation thereof effectuating tilting of the latch;

FIG. 83 is an exploded perspective view of a claim for an auxiliary limb appendage support used in connection with the convertible cart/utility table as in FIG. 72 or FIG. 74;

FIG. 84 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp as in FIG. 83 showing intravenous support stanchion and a medical instrument tray.

FIG. 85 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 83 sharing a means for mounting a medical clamp and,

FIG. 86 is a perspective view illustrating an instrument tray set-up used in connection with the clamp as in FIG. 83.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawing FIGS. 1-70, the present invention is directed to a mission-adaptable set of components forming a convertible cart/utility table. For example, the present invention may include foldable cart 1 , having a load support for carrying a load, such as a boat, such as a canoe, which can also function as a game cart or a wagon for carrying gear in outdoor field applications.

FIG. 1 shows cart 1 in a disassembled storage position with a pair of horizontal load support members 10 laid parallel adjacent to each other, supporting wheels 30 thereon. Wheels 30 are secured in place by a transverse connecting rod 31 through wheel hubs 30 a and by one or more load securing straps 50 . Disassembled storage cart 1 is inserted within carry bag 120 , which includes ledge 121 and fabric loops 122 for holding bracket members 60 , 70 and handle 80 outside of carry bag 120 .

To transport portable cart 1 by hand carry straps 124 are attached to carry bag 120 . Conversely as shown in FIG. 2, to transport portable cart 1 upon the back of a user, carry straps 124 are attached to carry bag 120 , which supports portable cart 1 in a weight bearing manner, or else horizontal support members 10 are inverted to support portable cart 1 in a weight bearing manner, and carry bag 120 covers portable cart 1 in a non-weight bearing manner.

To be disassembled in a carry position, U-shaped bracket rails 60 , 70 , wheels 30 and axle members 32 are inversely attached to horizontal load supports 10 to comprise a folded manually transportable cart.

As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3, in the storage position, in a preferred embodiment, cart 1 includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart inverted horizontal load support members 10 . Support members 10 each have a front-end 10 a and a rear end 10 b . The front and rear ends 10 a , 10 b each have at least one axially placed receptacle aperture 12 extending longitudinally within each load support member 10 , for holding structural components therethrough in a storage position, such as axle members 32 for wheels 30 . In this storage position, axle members 32 are also inserted within aperture of 33 of axle connector 34 .

FIG. 3 also shows horizontal load support members 10 having preferably a generally upside down U-shaped configuration when viewed in cross-section, wherein a generally flat member 10 c has downwardly extending flanges 10 d , 10 e including one or more linearly extending slots 10 f for insertion of holding straps 50 therein.

Although apertures 12 are shown in the drawings, it is contemplated that other configurations may be applicable to horizontal load support members 10 , so long as other members, such as rails 60 , 70 and so forth, may be attached thereto by fasteners, preferably in an axis parallel to the axis of horizontal support members 10 .

While size may vary, support member 10 is preferably sixteen (16) inches long and two and a quarter (2.25) inches wide. Each flange 10 d , 10 e extends down about one (1) inch from flat member 10 c . Slots 10 f are preferably 2.125 inches wide and 0.1875 inches high, to accommodate straps 50 , such as, for example, standard 2-inch wide fabric straps.

FIG. 3 also shows vertical struts 20 optionally having at least one small hole 22 , such as kickstand receptacle aperture 22 , for insertion of optional kickstand 40 therein.

FIG. 3 also shows horizontal load support members 10 being respectively demountably attached to a pair of vertical struts 20 , having apertures 21 and 22 . In one embodiment, horizontal load support members 10 can be demountably attached to vertical struts 20 , but in an alternate embodiment they can be permanently affixed to each other, such as in the alternate embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Moreover, while preferably horizontal struts are U-shaped, as in FIG. 3, in alternate embodiments other configurations can be used, as long as vertical strut 20 can be attached to horizontal support member 10 .

For example, in FIG. 3A vertical strut 20 ′ is in a unified T-shaped member with horizontal support member 10 ′. In FIG. 3B, vertical struts 20 ′ and horizontal support members 10 ′ are attached by weldment 20 ″. In FIG. 3C, vertical strut 20 ′ is inserted in hole 10 ″ of horizontal support member 10 ′, and attached by fastener 10 ′″, such as a screw or other fastener. In these alternate embodiments shown in FIG. 3A, 3 B or 3 C, horizontal load support members 10 ′ may be solid in cross sectional configuration. One such configuration shown in FIGS. 3A, 3 B and 3 C is that of a parallelepiped, namely a solid form, all of whose sides are parallelograms, such as rectangles, and whose opposite sides are parallel to one another.

In another embodiment vertical strut 20 may be adjustable in length with a sleeve containing a telescopic shaft (not shown) and with a spring urging the shaft in and out of the sleeve, with a lock provided. Kickstand 40 is shown deployed in FIG. 4. Kickstand 40 is secured in place by a fastener, such as nylon set screw 37 . Setscrews 37 also hold axle members 32 in the storage position through vertical struts 20 .

Vertical struts 20 are preferably made from 1½×2-inch solid bar stock anodized aluminum, or stainless steel. Vertical struts 20 are preferably about 10.25 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1½ inches in depth.

Also shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of optional larger holes 21 , such as holes, which are 0.765 or 1.625 inches in diameter, are located on a front side of vertical strut 20 . Smaller hole 22 on the bottom accommodates kickstand 40 , which is preferably a hollow aluminum tube of 0.75-inch diameter and 16 inches in length.

Optional larger holes 21 within vertical strut 20 are provided for weight reduction of portable cart 1 .

On a side 23 transverse to the front 24 of each vertical strut 20 , at a lower portion 20 a thereof, is provided a further hole 25 of about 1-inch in diameter for insertion of each axle member 32 therethrough. Hole 25 has a permanently affixed, bushing 26 therein, such as a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) bushing, to prevent wear and tear of each aluminum axle member 32 by the aluminum surface of hole 25 .

As also shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 , each wheel 30 is demountably attached at an end, respectively, to a pair of axle members 32 , with axle members 32 extending inwardly from and demountably attached to lower portion 20 a of the respective vertical struts 20 , wherein axle members 32 are in a transverse relationship to horizontal load support members 10 . Fasteners, 36 , such as cotter pins, hold each wheel 30 upon each axle 32 .

Each axle member 32 is received within each hole 25 , of each lower portion 20 a of each vertical strut 20 . A compression groove 27 exists from the underside of vertical strut 20 to hole 25 and continues to further through hole 27 a , providing for compression of lower portion 20 a of vertical strut 20 .

To accommodate narrow or wider cargo, such as watercraft of varying widths, the distance between vertical struts 20 can be varied along the axle length by loosening and tightening the tightening member 28 and moving vertical struts 20 laterally apart or towards each other along axle members 32 .

Although optionally a one-piece axle may be used (not shown), preferably the pair of axle members 32 are held in opposite axial orientation by straight rigid axle connector 34 . Axle connector 34 has tightening member 35 , and a pair of receptacles 33 at the respective two ends of axle connector 34 , so that axle members 32 respectively extend outwardly from, and are demountably attached within, the axle connector receptacle bore 33 .

While the axle may be optionally a one-piece axle, such as shown as reference numeral 606 in FIG. 33 herein, preferably the pair of connected oppositely extending axle members 32 form together an axle for wheels 30 .

Each axle member 32 is made of solid round stock of anodized aluminum or stainless steel, approximately 0.75 inches in diameter. At the wheel-supporting end 32 a , the diameter is about 0.59 inches in diameter with shoulders 32 b of about 0.08 inches in height, transverse to the axis of axle member 32 . These shoulders 32 b provide a resting surface to prevent axial movement of wheel 30 upon axle member 32 .

As shown in FIG. 7, each wheel 30 rotates about press fit bearings 32 b , while each wheel 30 is positioned upon each respective axle member 32 of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 6, at the opposite end of one axle member 32 , there is provided a hollow, threaded recess 32 c of about 0.75 inches deep, to accommodate a connecting threaded member 32 d of other axle member 32 , to axially connect both axle members 32 together within axle connector 34 , with a wheel 30 at each end.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show how axle connector 34 is compensated along groove 38 , thereby locking axle members 32 within bushing 39 , which is within receptacle bore 33 of axle connector 34 , by tightening of tightening bolt 35 a of tightening member 35 . Preferably bushing 39 is a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) bushing. Groove 38 is preferably 1/16 to ⅛ inch, in width, which allows for the compression of axle connector 34 around axle members 32 . Tightening bolt 35 a is inserted within a conventional receptacle which is a through hole at the proximal end and which is tapped with threaded grooves at the distal end, to allow for compression of axle connector 34 .

FIGS. 4 and 6 also show at least one kickstand 40 , preferably a pair, respectively extending horizontally rearward from each lower portion of vertical struts 20 . Each kickstand member 40 extends rearwardly from the at least one kickstand receptacle aperture 22 of respective vertical struts 20 and each kickstand 40 is demountably attached within each respective kickstand receptacle aperture 22 . Each kickstand member 40 is preferably contoured so as to contact the ground to stabilize portable cart 1 is a parked position of rest.

As shown in FIG. 5, to hold a canoe, game or cargo in place upon cart 1 , one or more adjustable load-securing straps 50 are slidably attached to both respective horizontal load supports 10 in a transverse relationship to load supports 10 . Straps 50 are preferably reinforced flexible canvas straps of about 2 inches in width.

To complete portable cart 1 as a canoe or boat cart, FIG. 4 shows support cushions 13 mounted upon respective horizontal load supports 10 . Support cushions 13 are flexible, such as of rubber or foam, to support the weight of boat 2 thereon.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the precision balancing of boat 2 upon cart 1 , wherein the placement of boat 2 upon cart 1 causes cart 1 to rotate from a position of rest in FIG. 10 to a horizontal load position of FIG. 11, in the direction of the arrow.

FIGS. 12-17 show another embodiment that converts portable cart 1 into a game cart. Alternatively, FIGS. 18-20 show how to convert cart 1 into a cargo wagon with a hollow well. First, in either situation, carry frame 55 is secured to horizontal load supports 10 . Although a one piece, generally rectangular frame (not shown) may be used, preferably frame 55 includes a pair of U-shaped brackets 60 , 70 joinable together to form frame 55 .

Various fasteners may be provided to horizontal load supports 10 to carry objects, such as carriers, thereon.

Alternatively, for example, a clamp maybe provided to horizontal load supports 10 to carry a frame of a discrete transportable carrier directly thereon, as disclosed hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 21-24. In that case, instead of the frame being integrally part of the portable chart, as in FIGS. 12-17, in FIGS. 21-24, the frame is clamped to the horizontal load supports 10 of portable cart 1 . Other fasteners may include longitudinally extending channel slots, such as in FIGS. 33-39 described further below.

Meanwhile, further with respect to FIGS. 12-17, U-shaped front bracket 60 extends horizontally forward from front-end receptacle apertures 12 of horizontal load supports 10 , wherein front bracket 60 is demountably attached within front-end receptacle apertures 12 at one end of horizontal load supports 10 .

U-shaped rear bracket 70 extends horizontally rearward from oppositely positioned rear end receptacle apertures 12 of horizontal load supports 10 and rear bracket 70 is demountably attached within each oppositely positioned rear end receptacle aperture 12 of horizontal load supports 10 .

FIG. 13 shows how frame 55 is secured to cart 1 . Each distal end of U-shaped front bracket 60 is inserted through apertures in respective ends 10 b of horizontal supports 10 until each distal end engages a corresponding hole in each vertical support 20 , where they are held in place by pins 29 . Pins 29 engage lateral holes 18 in horizontal supports 10 and corresponding through holes 19 in distal ends of U shaped brackets 60 . Likewise, each distal end of U-shaped rear bracket 70 is inserted through apertures in respective ends 10 a of horizontal supports 10 until each distal end engages a corresponding hole in each vertical support 20 , where it is also held in place by a pin 29 . Pins 29 engage lateral holes 18 in horizontal supports 10 and corresponding through holes 19 in distal ends of U shaped brackets 60 , 70 of frame 55 .

U-shaped brackets 60 , 70 are preferably of hollow, anodized aluminum tubing of about 0.75 inches in diameter. The length of each distally extending side member thereof is about 23.50 inches and the width of the cross bar connecting the distal side members is about 21.63 inches. About 0.75 inches from each distal end is a scoring, to accommodate a clamp thereon, to form frame 55 .

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15 for pulling or pushing game or cargo upon portable cart 1 , handle 80 extends rearwardly at an upward angle from joints 71 of either U-shaped rear bracket 70 for pushing portable cart 1 , or from front U-shaped bracket 60 for pulling portable cart 1 (not shown). Furthermore, handle 80 may be permanently attached to either U-shaped bracket 60 or 70 , or handle 80 may be removable and demountably attached to either front U-shaped bracket 60 or rear U-shaped bracket 70 .

Handle 80 has preferably two aluminum tubing connecting members about 22.5 inches in length, connected by a hand accommodating transverse bar of solid aluminum, and is 17.5 inches in width. Handle 80 includes connectors 81 , having distal sleeves, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sleeves 82 , permanently affixed thereto, which are insertable within joints 71 by locking member 72 , having threaded member 72 a which passes through bore 71 a of joint 71 and bore 81 a of handle 80 . Compression groove 73 exists in joint 71 , providing compression of joint 71 .

Handle 80 may optionally have an auxiliary extension member and clamp (not shown), so that it can be attached to the rear frame of a bicycle (not shown), to pull portable cart 1 .

To carry game 3 , as shown in FIG. 17, or to carry an injured person in a rescue operation, FIG. 12 shows portable cart 1 having fabric stretcher 100 stretched tautly between horizontal load members 10 and preferably mounted over and around front and rear U-shaped brackets 60 and 70 of frame 55 , by threading brackets 60 , 70 through fasteners such as sewn-in loops 102 of fabric stretcher 100 , which may alternatively be made of plastic or other taut load bearing material. Other types of fasteners can be used. For example, FIG. 14 shows that loop 102 a is openable, and closed by fastener, such as zipper fastener 102 b.

As also shown in FIG. 12, handle 80 may include a pair of posts extending obliquely off of a horizontal axis of portable cart 1 , wherein a head rest cushion 85 extends between the posts to support the head and neck of an injured person being transported upon stretcher 100 .

FIGS. 18-20 show that to carry cargo, hollow fabric cargo well 110 is attached in the same manner to frame 55 . Hollow cargo well 110 may also alternatively be made of plastic or other taut load bearing material, and covered by cover 112 . FIGS. 18 and 19 also show wider wheels 130 for use on sand or granular terrain.

Assembly and Disassembly

The various embodiments of the mission adaptable multiple-purpose portable cart/utility table can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.

For example, for making a canoe cart from the disassembled portable cart 1 , wheel-retaining members, such as cotter pins 36 , are taken out of axle members 32 in their stored position, and wheels 30 come out. Axle members 32 are then removed from between vertical struts 20 . The axle members 32 are then clamped in a horizontal use position into receptacles 33 of rigid axle connector 34 . Axle members ar

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