WHEELED CART WITH BRAKING SYSTEM

Abstract

A wheeled cart includes a collapsible basket assembly configured to transport a variety of objects placed within. A brake lever arm is pivotably attached to the basket assembly and pivotable about a brake lever arm axis. A brake lever arm distal end is engaged by a user's foot to move between a released position and a braked position. The brake lever arm includes a brake feature. An inside face of a wheel includes a plurality of stops radially disposed about its axis. In the braked position the brake feature is configured to be positioned between at least two of the plurality of stops of the respective rear wheel thereby preventing rotation of the wheel. In the released position the brake feature is configured to be positioned outside the plurality of stops thereby allowing rotation of the wheel.

Claims

1. A wheeled cart comprising: a basket assembly configured to transport a variety of objects placed within; a plurality of wheel assemblies rotatably coupled to the basket assembly; a brake lever arm pivotably attached to the basket assembly and pivotable about a brake lever arm axis, wherein the brake lever arm includes a brake lever arm distal end extending perpendicularly in relation to the brake lever arm axis, wherein the brake lever arm is configured to pivot by engaging the brake lever arm distal end between a released position and a braked position, wherein the brake lever arm includes a brake assembly; wherein at least one of the plurality of wheel assemblies includes a plurality of stops radially disposed about a common radial axis; wherein, in the braked position, the brake assembly is configured to be positioned between at least two of the plurality of stops preventing rotation of the at least one of the plurality of wheel assemblies; wherein, in the released position, the brake assembly is configured to be positioned outside the plurality of stops allowing rotation of the at least one of the plurality of wheel assemblies; and wherein the brake assembly includes a raised bump and a flexure formed by a slot, the flexure is not engaged by the raised bump when the brake lever arm is in either the released position or the braked position and the flexure is engaged by the raised bump when moving between the released position and the braked position.

2. The wheeled cart of claim 1, wherein the basket assembly is configured to collapse to a stored positioned and expand to an opened position.

3. The wheeled cart of claim 1, further comprising an axle rotatably coupling two of the plurality of wheel assemblies to the basket assembly.

4. The wheeled cart of claim 3, further comprising a connecting rod positioned behind the axle, where the connecting rod in the released position is higher in relation to the connecting rod in the braked position.

5. The wheeled cart of claim 1, wherein the brake assembly comprises a brake extension extending outwardly from the brake lever arm towards the one of the plurality of wheel assemblies in a direction parallel to the brake lever arm axis.

6. The wheeled cart of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheel assemblies comprise a left front swivel wheel assembly and a right front swivel wheel assembly.

7. The wheeled cart of claim 1, wherein the basket assembly comprises a rectangular floor defining a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge, wherein a front wall is pivotably connected to the front edge of the rectangular floor, and wherein a back wall is pivotably connected to the rear edge of the rectangular floor.

8. The wheeled cart of claim 7, wherein in the opened position the front wall and rear wall are perpendicular in relation to the rectangular floor, and wherein in the stored position the front wall is aligned with the rectangular floor and the back wall is adjacent to the rectangular floor.

9. A wheeled cart comprising: a wheel with a plurality of stops radially disposed about a common radial axis; a brake assembly configured to removably couple between at least two of the plurality of stops, the brake assembly comprising a raised bump and a flexure formed by a slot; a brake lever arm coupled to the brake assembly and pivotable about a brake lever arm axis, the brake lever arm comprises a brake lever arm distal end extending perpendicularly in relation to the brake lever arm axis, the brake lever arm is configured to pivot by engaging the brake lever arm distal end between a released position and a braked position; wherein, in the braked position, the brake assembly is configured to be positioned between at least two of the plurality of stops preventing rotation of the wheel; wherein, in the released position, the brake assembly is configured to be positioned outside the plurality of stops allowing rotation of the wheel; and wherein the flexure is not engaged by the raised bump when the brake lever arm is in either the released position or the braked position and the flexure is engaged by the raised bump when moving between the released position and the braked position.

10. The wheeled cart of claim 9, further comprising a basket assembly configured to collapse to a stored positioned and expand to an opened position.

11. The wheeled cart of claim 10, further comprising an axle rotatably coupling the wheel to the basket assembly.

12. The wheeled cart of claim 11, further comprising a connecting rod positioned behind the axle, where the connecting rod in the released position is higher in relation to the connecting rod in the braked position.

13. The wheeled cart of claim 9, wherein the brake assembly comprises a brake extension extending outwardly from the brake lever arm towards the wheel in a direction parallel to the brake lever arm axis.

14. The wheeled cart of claim 9, wherein the wheel is selected from a group consisting of a front right wheel, a left front wheel, a back right wheel and a back left wheel.

15. The wheeled cart of claim 10, wherein the basket assembly comprises a rectangular floor defining a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge, wherein a front wall is pivotably connected to the front edge of the rectangular floor, and wherein a back wall is pivotably connected to the mar edge of the rectangular floor.

16. A wheeled assembly comprising: a first wheel and a second wheel each rotatably coupled to a frame, the first wheel and the second wheel are aligned along a central axis, the first wheel comprises a plurality of stops radially disposed about the central axis; a brake assembly configured to removably couple with at least one the plurality of stops, the brake assembly comprising a raised bump and a flexure formed by a slot; a brake lever arm coupled to the brake assembly and pivotable about a brake lever arm axis, the brake lever arm comprises a brake lever arm distal end extending perpendicularly in relation to the brake lever arm axis, the brake lever arm is configured to pivot by engaging the brake lever arm distal end between a released position and a braked position; wherein, in the braked position, the brake assembly is configured to be positioned between at least two of the plurality of stops preventing rotation of the first wheel; wherein, in the released position, the brake assembly is configured to be positioned outside the plurality of stops allowing rotation of the first wheel; and wherein the flexure engages the raised bump when switching between the released position and the braked position and disengages the raised bump in either the released position or the braked position.

17. The wheeled assembly of claim 16, wherein the brake assembly comprises a brake extension extending outwardly from the brake lever arm towards the first wheel in a direction parallel to the brake lever arm axis.

18. The wheeled assembly of claim 16, further comprising a basket assembly configured to collapse to a stored positioned and expand to an opened position.

19. The wheeled assembly of claim 16, wherein the brake lever arm is configured to remain in the braked position or released position until moved to the other position.

20. The wheeled assembly of claim 16, further comprising a basket assembly having a rectangular floor defining a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge and a right edge, wherein a front wall is pivotably connected to the front edge of the rectangular floor, and wherein a back wall is pivotably connected to the rear edge of the rectangular floor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wheeled cart of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a right side perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a left perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1 now showing the wheeled cart halfway between a stored position and an opened position;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a left perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1 now showing the wheeled cart in the stored position;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the structure of FIG. 10;

[0037] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the structure of FIG. 10;

[0038] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1 now showing the rear wheels;

[0039] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an inside surface of a rear wheel of the structure of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 15 is a perspective view similar to view 13 now showing the right rear wheel removed and the brake assembly in the released position;

[0041] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 15 now showing the brake assembly in the braked position;

[0042] FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1 now showing the brake assembly in the released position:

[0043] FIG. 18 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 17 now showing the brake assembly in the braked position;

[0044] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the right axle end of FIG. 15;

[0045] FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the right axle end of FIG. 16;

[0046] FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the front swivel post before a wheel is attached; and

[0047] FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of the front swivel post of FIG. 21 now with a wheel attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a wheeled cart 10 of the present invention in an opened position 44. The wheeled cart has a basket assembly 12 (i.e. bucket or compartment) that is configured to transport a variety of objects placed within. The wheeled cart is collapsible meaning that it can collapse down to a smaller overall size for storage or transportation. FIG. 9 shows the wheeled cart during a transition from the opened position 44 to then a stored position 43 as shown in FIGS. 10-12.

[0049] The wheeled cart has four wheels being a left front wheel 14, a right front wheel 16, a left rear wheel 20 and a right rear wheel 30. Each wheel is rotatably attached to the basket assembly. The left rear wheel and the right rear wheel are aligned along a common rear axis 18. Yet, the left rear wheel is not rotatably connected to the right rear wheel such that the left rear wheel can rotate independent of the right rear wheel.

[0050] To the contrary, the left front wheel and the right front wheel comprise swivel wheels 49. A swivel wheel is understood by those skilled in the art, in that the wheel is able to rotate about a horizontal axis such that the wheel rolls upon a surface but the wheel assembly is also able to rotate about a vertical axis that is disposed ahead of the wheel axis, such that when the cart is moved the swivel wheel always tracks straight into the path the cart is being pushed. Most grocery carts used today use swivel wheels as the front wheels such that those skilled in the art are familiar with their use.

[0051] More specifically, FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the front swivel post 90 before a front wheel is attached. FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of the front swivel post 90 of FIG. 21 now with a front wheel attached. When the wheeled cart 10 is in use, the front swivel post is vertically disposed and acts as an axis that the front wheels 14, 16 can rotate about. As previously mentioned, the actual axis of (horizontal) rotation 94 of each front wheel is not aligned vertically with the front swivel post 90 but is instead disposed a distance behind it. Due to the distance differential, the front swivel wheels will rotate about the post 90 such that the front wheels 14, 16 always track in the same direction as the wheeled cart is being pushed.

[0052] During shipping of the product of the present invention, the front wheels 14, 16 are not attached to the front swivel post 90. As can be seen, the front swivel post 90 has an annular channel 92 formed around it. The front wheels are configured to either removably or permanently attach to the front swivel post by simply being pushed onto the swivel post. A spring-loaded capture mechanism is disposed within the front wheel such that it engages with the annular channel 92 for a secure connection. The spring-loaded capture mechanism allows for a quick connect feature speeding up assembly of the product by the end user. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, many forms of spring-loaded capture mechanisms can be devised to engage with the annular channel 92, as this teaching is not meant to limit the disclosure to any one specific configuration.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 15-16 which have the right rear wheel removed, a right brake lever arm 31 is pivotably attached to the basket assembly and pivotable about a right brake lever arm axis 32. The right brake lever arm includes a right brake lever arm distal end 33 extending perpendicularly in relation to the right brake lever arm axis. The right brake lever arm distal end is configured to be engaged with by a user's foot. The user's foot is able to step downward or upward to pivot the right brake lever arm by engaging the right brake lever arm distal end between a released position 40 as shown in FIG. 15 to the braked position 41 as shown in FIG. 16. To accomplish the means of braking, the right brake lever arm includes a right brake feature 34 that is configured to engage the right rear wheel in a locking manner.

[0054] Similarly for the left side, a left brake lever arm 21 is pivotably attached to the basket assembly and pivotable about a left brake lever arm axis 22. The left brake lever arm includes a left brake lever arm distal end 23 extending perpendicularly in relation to the left brake lever arm axis and is configured to be engaged with by a user's foot. The user's foot is configured to pivot the left brake lever arm by engaging the left brake lever arm distal end between the released position 40 and the braked position 41. Similarly, to accomplish the means of braking the left brake lever arm includes a left brake feature 24 that is also configured to engage the left rear wheel in a locking manner.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 14, which may be illustrating either the left or right rear wheel, on an inside face 25 of the left rear wheel it includes a plurality of stops 26 radially disposed about the common rear axis. Similarly, on an inside face 35 of the right rear wheel it includes a plurality of stops 36 radially disposed about the common rear axis. The plurality of stops can be formed in a multitude of shapes and sizes. In this embodiment there are eight stops that extend outwardly from the inside face of the wheel. It is understood that 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or any number of stops could be utilized that is consistent with this teaching. This then creates a plurality of pockets 27, 37 (i.e. receivers, gaps, holes) that the brake features 24, 34 can fit within. Thus, in the braked position the left and right brake features are configured to be positioned between at least two of their respective plurality of stops thereby preventing rotation of the left and right rear wheels. Accordingly, in the released position the left and right brake features are configured to be positioned outside their respective plurality of stops allowing rotation of the left and right rear wheels. Also shown is a release pin 29 that is used to attach the wheels to the rear axle ends 47, 48, and which can be depressed to then release the wheels after they were installed onto the rear axle ends 47, 48.

[0056] It will be understood that the right brake feature can take many shapes and sizes. Here, the right brake feature is in the form a right brake extension 38 extending outwardly from the right brake lever arm towards the right rear wheel in a direction parallel to the right brake lever arm axis. Likewise, the left brake feature comprises a left brake extension 28 extending outwardly from the left brake lever arm towards the left rear wheel in a direction parallel to the left brake lever arm axis.

[0057] It is understood that each braking assembly for the right and left sides may be operated independently. However, in this embodiment the left brake lever arm distal end is attached to the right brake lever arm distal end by a connecting rod 42 extending therebetween. The connecting rod makes it easy for one foot operation to then engage both the left and right braking assemblies.

[0058] When the basket assembly is in the opened position and all four wheels are on a ground level 45, the connecting rod is positioned behind the common rear axis away from the front wheels, where the connecting rod in the released position is higher in relation to the connecting rod in the braked position. This is intuitive for the user, such that pressing down on the connecting rod locks the brakes, whereas lifting up on the connecting rod releases the brakes.

[0059] The common rear axis 18 in this embodiment is a rear axle 46 attached to the basket assembly. The left rear wheel is rotatably attached to a left end 47 of the rear axle and the right rear wheel is rotatably attached to a right end 48 of the rear axle. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of a rear axle is not necessary. The rear axle is used herein to help stabilize the structural rigidity of the overall wheeled cart 10.

[0060] As shown in this embodiment, the left brake lever arm axis and the right brake lever arm axis are parallel to the common rear axis. Alternatively, it will also be understood that the left and right brake lever arm axes 22, 32 could have been aligned with the common rear axis 18, i.e. the rear axle 46.

[0061] It would be detrimental to the user experience if the brakes did not stay into their desired released or braked position. Therefore, the left and right brake lever arms are configured to remain in their respective braked positions or released positions until the user's foot moves them to the other positions. As best shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, this is accomplished with a raised bump 50 that is disposed within a slot 51. In either the released position (FIG. 19) or braked position (FIG. 20) the raised bump is disposed within the slot 51. Yet, when moving between the released and braked positions, the raised bump is forced into abutting engagement with the flexural piece of material 52. The flexural piece of material 52 flexes (i.e. bends) a small distance out of the way to allow the bump to pass thereby. This bump and slot feature may be repeated on both sides of each brake assembly. Furthermore, this bump and slot feature may be disposed on both the left and right sides. It will also be understood that a variety of comparable features that accomplish the same goal or retaining their respective brakes in the desired released or braked position may be used herein, as this teaching is not intended to limit it to the precise form shown and described herein.

[0062] As previously taught herein, the wheeled cart 10 is collapsible. To facilitate this capability, the basket assembly comprises a rectangular floor 60 defining a front edge 61, a rear edge 62, a left edge 63 and a right edge 64 which is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. A front wall 71 is pivotably connected to the front edge of the rectangular floor. A back wall 72 is also pivotably connected to the rear edge of the rectangular floor. In the opened position the front wall and rear wall are perpendicular in relation to the rectangular floor. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1-12, in the stored position the front wall is aligned with the rectangular floor and the back wall is adjacent to the rectangular floor.

[0063] To create sidewalls, the basket assembly comprises a left wall 73 that is pivotably connected at one end to the front wall and pivotably connected at another end to the rear wall. The left wall comprises a first plurality of individual struts, such that when folded, the plurality of struts can reduce in shape along with the rest of the basket assembly. Likewise, the basket assembly comprises a right wall 74 pivotably connected at one end to the front wall and pivotably connected at another end to the rear wall. The right wall comprises a second plurality of individual struts.

[0064] The basket assembly comprises a U-shaped handle 80 having a middle portion 81 connecting to a left extension 82 and a right extension 83. As best seen in FIG. 9, a left strut 84 is pivotably connected at one end to a distal end 85 of the left extension and connected at another end to the left edge of the rectangular floor, and wherein the left extension is pivotably connected to the left wall. A right strut 86 is pivotably connected at one end to a distal end 87 of the right extension and connected at another end to the right edge of the rectangular floor, and wherein the right extension is pivotably connected to the right wall.

[0065] Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0066] 10 wheeled cart [0067] 12 basket assembly [0068] 14 left front wheel [0069] 16 right front wheel [0070] 18 common rear axis [0071] 20 left rear wheel [0072] 21 left brake lever arm [0073] 22 left brake lever arm axis [0074] 23 left brake lever arm distal end [0075] 24 left brake feature [0076] 25 inside face, left rear wheel [0077] 26 plurality of stops, left rear wheel [0078] 27 plurality of pockets, left rear wheel [0079] 28 left brake extension [0080] 29 release pin [0081] 30 right rear wheel [0082] 31 right brake lever arm [0083] 32 right brake lever arm axis [0084] 33 right brake lever arm distal end [0085] 34 right brake feature [0086] 35 inside face, right rear wheel [0087] 36 plurality of stops, right rear wheel [0088] 37 plurality of pockets, right mar wheel [0089] 38 right brake extension [0090] 40 released position [0091] 41 braked position [0092] 42 connecting rod [0093] 43 stored position [0094] 44 opened position [0095] 45 ground level [0096] 46 rear axle [0097] 47 left end, rear axle [0098] 48 right end, rear axle [0099] 50 bump [0100] 51 slot [0101] 52 flexural piece of material [0102] 60 rectangular floor [0103] 61 front edge, rectangular floor [0104] 62 rear edge, rectangular floor [0105] 63 left edge, rectangular floor [0106] 64 right edge, rectangular floor [0107] 71 front wall [0108] 72 back wall [0109] 73 left wall [0110] 74 right wall [0111] 80 U-shaped handle [0112] 81 middle portion, U-shaped handle [0113] 82 left extension, U-shaped handle [0114] 83 right extension, U-shaped handle [0115] 84 left strut [0116] 85 distal end, U-shaped handle, left extension [0117] 86 right strut [0118] 87 distal end, U-shaped handle, right extension [0119] 90 front swivel post, vertical axis of rotation [0120] 92 annular channel, front swivel post [0121] 94 axis of rotation, horizontal axis, swivel wheel