Cart and dolly handle with stacking position

Abstract

A transport structure, such as a cart or dolly having a handle moveable from a first position to a second position is disclosed. In the first position, the handle extends outward from an edge of the cart or dolly and can be used for pushing or pulling the cart or dolly. In the second position, the handle is moved to extend generally parallel to an upper surface of the cart or dolly so that it can be stored or transported with the cart or dolly.

Claims

1. A transport structure with a detachable handle moveable from a first position to a second position comprising: a platform having a generally planar upper surface for supporting loads and a plurality of wheels connected to a lower surface; and, a detachable handle having a first end and a second end, the handle connected to the platform proximate the first end, the handle moveable from a first position extending upwardly and outwardly from the platform, to a second collapsed position extending generally parallel to the upper surface of the platform, wherein the handle includes a first bar extending a length of the handle and a second bar extending a length of the handle that is moveable toward the first bar to facilitate detaching the handle from the platform, and wherein the first bar is separated from the second bar by a hand clasping portion.

2. The transport structure of claim 1 wherein the platform is part of a dolly.

3. The transport structure of claim 1 wherein the platform is part of a cart.

4. The transport structure of claim 1 wherein the handle is rotatably connected to the platform.

5. The transport structure of claim 4 wherein the handle is connected proximate a first edge of the platform.

6. The transport structure of claim 1 further comprising a middle beam connected to a mid-portion of the first bar and a mid-portion of the second bar.

7. The transport structure of claim 6 wherein the the middle beam is hingedly attached to one of the first bar and the second bar to enable movement of the first bar toward the second bar.

8. The transport structure of claim 1 wherein the handle is extendable.

9. The transport structure of claim 1 wherein the platform is a molded plastic.

10. The transport structure of claim 1 wherein the platform includes a recess in the upper surface to accommodate the handle when the handle is in the second position.

11. The transport structure of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from plastic.

12. The transport structure of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from metal.

13. A dolly comprising: a generally rectangular platform having an upper support surface, the platform having a first side, a second side opposing the first side, a first end and a second end opposing the first end, and a plurality of wheels connected to a lower portion of the platform; a detachable handle structure connected to the platform, the handle structure having a first extended position for enabling one of pushing and pulling the dolly using the handle, and a second collapsed position, wherein the handle includes a first bar extending a length of the handle and a second bar extending a length of the handle that is moveable toward the first bar to facilitate detaching the handle from the platform.

14. The dolly of claim 13 wherein the handle includes a first end connected to the platform and a second end having a hand clasp portion.

15. The dolly of claim 13 wherein the handle is connected proximate the first end of the platform.

16. The dolly of claim 13 wherein the handle is connected proximate the first side of the platform.

17. The dolly of claim 13 wherein the handle is rotatably connected to the platform.

18. The dolly of claim 13 further comprising a recess in the upper surface of the platform for receiving the handle when the handle is in the second position.

19. The dolly of claim 13 wherein the handle is extendable from a first length to a second length greater than the first length.

20. The dolly of claim 13 wherein the platform is a molded plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one known dolly and handle with the handle inserted in the dolly for use;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the handle of FIG. 1 removed from the dolly;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another known dolly and handle with the handle inserted into the dolly for use;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the handle of FIG. 3 removed from the dolly;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dolly and handle in accordance with the present invention with the handle in a usable position;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dolly and handle of FIG. 5 with the handle in a collapsed position; and,

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of two stacked dollies having handles in the collapsed position in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

(10) The present invention is directed to transport structures, such as carts or dollies and other similar structures, and to handles for pushing or pulling the transport structures. The carts or dollies, and the handles, are typically formed from a molded plastic or other suitable material.

(11) Prior to the present invention, handles for moving a cart or dolly were only able to engage the cart or dolly in a single position (i.e., extending upward and outward from an edge of the cart or dolly). After pushing or pulling the cart or dolly to the desired location, the handle was then removed from the cart or dolly. The handles had to be separately stored or transported for later use with the cart or dolly.

(12) FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a first known dolly 10 and handle 12 system. FIGS. 3 and 4 disclose a second similar known dolly 14 and handle 16 system.

(13) As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom end of the handle 12 included hook-like features 18. These hook-like features 18 were inserted into corresponding structure in the dolly to enable pushing or pulling of the dolly by the handle 12. The handle 16 of the second known system has similar hook-like features 20.

(14) The present invention does not require separately storing or transporting handles for pushing or pulling carts or dollies. Instead, the handle of the present invention can be used in two different positions with respect to the cart or dolly. In a first position, the handle extends outward from the cart or dolly and can be used in a typical manner to push or pull the cart or dolly and any load thereon. In a second position, the handle is positioned against the dolly and can be stored or transported with the cart or dolly.

(15) FIG. 5 shows a dolly 22 in accordance with the present invention having a handle 24 connected to the dolly 22 at one end of the handle 24. The dolly 22 includes a generally rectangular platform 23 having an upper support surface 26. The platform 23 extends from a first side 28 to a second side 30, and from a first end 32 to a second end 34. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of wheels 36 are connected to the lower portion of the platform (typically, in the corner regions). Wheel guards 38 can be used to protect the wheels 36.

(16) In FIG. 5, the handle 24 is shown extending upward and outward in the first position for use in pushing or pulling the dolly 22. As shown, the handle 24 is connected at a lower end proximate the first end 32 of the platform 23. The handle 24 can similarly be connected to a side of the platform 23. The handle 24 extends upward to a hand grasping portion 40.

(17) FIG. 6 shows the handle 24 in a second position against the upper surface 26 of the platform 23. In this configuration, the dolly 22 and handle 24 can be stored or transported together. That is, the handle 24 does not have to be separately stored or transported as in the past. Moreover, the dollies 22 can be stacked, as shown in FIG. 7, without the handle 24 getting in the way.

(18) To accommodate movement of the handle 24 from the first position to the second position (and back to the first position), the handle 24 can be rotatably connected to the platform 23. The rotatable connection may also accommodate positioning the handle 24 in other positions between the first and second positions. The connection may also be provided with a locking mechanism to keep the handle 24 in the desired position.

(19) The platform 23 of the dolly is preferably a molded plastic. Moreover, the platform 23 can include projections and other structure for facilitating stacking of various containers or other items. The dolly can also have one or more openings and include ribbing structure.

(20) The handle 24 can be formed from metal or plastic or other suitable materials. Additionally, the handle 24 can be detachably connected.

(21) As shown in FIG. 5, the handle 24 includes a first bar 42 extending lengthwise through the handle structure 24, and a second bar 44 extending through the handle structure 24. The first bar 42 and second bar 44 are generally parallel, and are separated by the hand grasping portion 40 at one end and a middle beam 46 at a mid-portion of each of the first bar 42 and second bar 44. The middle beam 46 can include a hinge 47 to facilitate connection to the platform by enabling the first bar 42 and second bar 44 to move closer to each other.

(22) In accordance with one alternative, the upper surface 26 can include a recess for receiving the handle 24 in the second position. In this manner, the handle could be positioned flush or below (at least in part) the upper surface 26.

(23) In another alternative, the handle 24 can be slid or rotated to the lower portion of the dolly or cart. In this embodiment, the handle can be stored with the dolly when there is a load on the upper surface 26.

(24) In a further embodiment, the handle 24 can be extendable to different lengths. For example, the handle 24 can include a telescoping structure.

(25) Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.