Rollaway storage cart with collapsible legs

Abstract

The present invention discloses a portable work station that provides a strong work surface combined with a significant volume of secure tool storage. The disclosed invention allows a single user to collapse, load, transport, unload, assemble and move the apparatus to a specific work area without assistance. Once at the designated work site, the apparatus of the present invention can be locked in place, preventing unwanted motion during use. Further, the disclosed invention provides an adjustable height work surface that includes the ability to transport large construction materials safely.

Claims

1. A method for a single user to load a portable work station without applying weight bearing force comprising: placing the front surface of the portable work station in close proximity to a transport surface; pushing said portable work station towards a transport condition such that a secondary loading wheel contacts said transport surface; releasing a front latch mechanism; urging said portable work station further onto said transport surface such that said secondary loading wheel pivots a front set of collapsible telescoping legs upward; continuing to push said portable work station onto said transport surface such that a first set of roller wheels accepts the weight of said portable work station; pushing said portable work station further onto said transport surface until a rear set of collapsible telescoping legs contacts said transport surface; releasing a rear set of collapsible telescoping legs; continuing to push said portable work station onto said transport surface such that said second set of collapsible telescoping legs moves upward; continuing to push said portable work station further onto said transport surface such that a second set of roller wheels accepts the weight of said portable work station; moving said rear set of collapsible telescoping legs into the interior of said portable work station; and pushing on said handle bar until said portable work station is completely loaded onto said transport surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said portable work station comprises a combination mobile storage cart and adjustable height work bench.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1: is an overall view of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2A: describes the first step of loading the present invention into the bed of a pickup truck.

[0019] FIG. 2B: describes the second step of loading the present invention into the bed of a pickup truck.

[0020] FIG. 2C: describes the third step of loading the present invention into the bed of a pickup truck.

[0021] FIG. 2D: describes the fourth step of loading the present invention into the bed of a pickup truck.

[0022] FIG. 3A: describes the fifth step of loading the present invention into the bed of a pickup truck.

[0023] FIG. 3B: describes the sixth step of loading the present invention into the bed of a pickup truck.

[0024] FIG. 3C: describes the completed loading the present invention into the bed of a pickup truck.

[0025] FIG. 4A: describes a first embodiment of the top surface of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4B: describes a second embodiment of the top surface of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] As described briefly above, the apparatus of the present invention provides substantial improvement for the combination of work surface/tool storage devices. FIG. 1 shows the apparatus of the present invention 100. The apparatus has a rectangular volume 106 comprised of a front surface, a rear surface a first side surface and a second side surface. The rectangular volume has a bottom surface 107 as well as two internal cross braces [not shown]. The two cross braces form three separate storage compartments 117 and 118 that are used for storage. In a preferred embodiment, a top surface 110 is attached to one of the first side of the rectangular volume 106 such that it covers the storage compartments and is capable of being locked to secure the contents of the storage compartments. In a second embodiment, the top surface is divided into three separate parts allowing each of the storage compartments to be accessed individually. Each section of the top surface is suitably hinged to the rectangular volume in the same manner as the single piece top surface 110, but is not shown for clarity since this is well understood by those of skill in the art.

[0028] At the front of the rectangular volume a first set of roller wheels 111 are attached. Approximately two thirds of the way from the front surface of the rectangular volume along the long sides of the rectangular volume a second set of roller wheels 112. Each of these sets of roller wheels 111 and 112 are mounted to the rectangular volume of the apparatus in such a way as to avoid interference during loading and unloading. The combination of these wheels function to allow the apparatus to be rolled easily along a transport surface, for example the bed of a pickup truck or a flatbed trailer. At the rear end of the apparatus a handle bar 113 is attached. The handle bar 113 has two functions: first, to allow a user to easily pull or push the apparatus into/out of transport vehicles, and second, to activate the latch mechanism which releases the rear collapsing telescoping legs 130. Also on the rear of the apparatus are two latch buttons 114 that function to release the locking mechanism of the front collapsing telescoping legs 120. These latch buttons 114 are positioned near the ends of the handle bar 113 within easy reach of a user's thumbs.

[0029] Both sets of collapsing telescoping legs 120 and 130 have disposed along their length height adjustment holes 122 and 132 respectively. The height adjustment holes 122/132 are used to allow the user to set the working height of the top work surface 110. In a preferred embodiment the height adjustment holes 122/132 are stabilized by a spring-loaded detents. In a second embodiment the height adjustment holes 122/132 are stabilized by a lynch pins. Since both of these methods are well understood by those of skill in the art they are not shown in detail to aid in clarity; however, the lack of a detailed discussion is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Further, numerous other means for stabilizing the height adjustment holes could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0030] Both sets of collapsing telescoping legs 129 and 130 have cross braces to provide lateral stability. Cross braces 126 and 128 serve to stabilize the front set of collapsing telescoping legs 120, while cross braces 136 and 138 serve to stabilize rear set of collapsing telescoping legs 130. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has a -pair of cross braces on each set of collapsing telescoping legs, it will be understood that more or fewer cross braces could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0031] The front set of collapsing telescoping legs 120 has a set of fixed wheels 125 attached to the ends. The rear collapsing telescoping legs 130 have a set of swivel wheels 135 attached to the ends. The combination of these wheels 125 and 135 allow a user to easily move the apparatus about when the collapsing telescoping legs are in the deployed position. In the collapsed state the wheels 125/135 disappear into the rectangular volume of the apparatus as discussed below in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. The combination of the fixed wheels 125 and the swivel wheels 135 allow a user to easily maneuver the apparatus of the present invention even when the top surface 110 is loaded with material.

[0032] As well as the set of fixed wheels 125 attached to the ends, the front set of collapsing telescoping legs 120 has a secondary loading wheel 127. This secondary loading wheel 127 is located at the center of the cross brace 128 and serves to prevent the front set of collapsing telescoping legs 120 from hitting the transport surface onto which the apparatus is being loaded, thereby preventing any damage to that surface. This is particularly important when loading the apparatus of the present invention into a pickup truck.

[0033] FIGS. 2 and 3 provide a discussion of the method of operation of apparatus of the present invention. Starting with FIG. 2A, a user has positioned the apparatus 100 at the rear of a pickup truck 500 with the front collapsing telescoping legs 120 touching the tailgate 510. At this time the weight of the apparatus 100 is entirely supported by the collapsing telescoping legs 120 and 130. Note that at this time the secondary loading wheel 127 is in close proximity to the tailgate 510, such that any movement of the apparatus 100 toward the front of the pickup truck 500 will cause the secondary loading wheel 127 to contact the tailgate 510. Note also at this time that the first set of wheels 111, while located over the tailgate 510, have not yet taken up the weight of the apparatus 100.

[0034] FIG. 2B details the release of the front leg locking mechanism 129 by depressing the latch buttons 114 at the rear of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 2A. By pushing the latch buttons 114 in direction A, the locking mechanism 129 is released allowing the front collapsing telescoping legs 120 to rotate upwards into the rectangular volume of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 2A. At this time the weight of the apparatus 100 is taken up by the first set of roller wheels 111 of FIG. 2A. Also at this time the secondary loading wheel 127 [FIG. 2A] has contacted the tailgate 510 of pickup truck 500 such that the set of collapsing telescoping legs 120 never touches the tailgate 510. It is important to note that at no time during the loading/unloading of the apparatus does the user bear any of the weight.

[0035] Looking now at FIG. 2C, the user has begun pushing the apparatus 100 into the pickup truck 500 in direction B using the pull bar 113 while maintaining the depression of the latch buttons 114 in direction A. As the front collapsing telescoping legs 120 pivot in direction C, some of the weight of the apparatus 100 is transferred to the first set of roller wheels 111 which now rest on the tailgate 510. In FIG. 2D the apparatus of the present invention has moved into the pickup truck bed 515 in direction E a sufficient distance to allow the front collapsing telescoping legs 120 to disappear into the rectangular volume. At this time the second set of roller wheels 112 attached to the rectangular volume are positioned over the tailgate 510 and the rear collapsing telescoping legs 130 are in contact with the tailgate 510. The user now pushes the pull bar 113 downward in direction D releasing the latching mechanism 139 for the rear collapsing telescoping legs 130 allowing the rear collapsing telescoping legs 130 to rotate upwards.

[0036] Turning now to FIG. 3A, the user has continued to urge the apparatus 100 further into the pickup truck 500 in direction E. Since the pull bar 113 has been pushed in direction D and remains there, rear collapsing telescoping legs 130 rotate upwards in direction F toward the rectangular volume of the apparatus 100. At this time the full weight of the apparatus 100 is transferred from the rear collapsing telescoping lens 130 to the tailgate 510 via the second set of roller wheels 112. Again it is important to note that at no time is any of the weight of the apparatus 100 borne by the user. In FIG. 3B the user has pushed the apparatus 100 further into the bed of the pickup truck 515 in direction E such that the rear collapsing telescoping legs 130 are now parallel to the rectangular volume. At this point the user will push the rear collapsing telescoping legs 130 in direction G until they disappear into the rectangular volume of the apparatus. FIG. 3C shows the apparatus 100 fully inserted into the pickup truck 500 and the rear collapsing telescoping legs 130 placed entirely within the rectangular volume. At this point in time the apparatus 100 is ready for transport.

[0037] Note that while a pickup truck was described for this process it is exemplary only and in not meant as a limitation on the scope of the invention. For example, the apparatus could just as easily be loaded onto a flatbed trailer or a stationary work bench.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 4, two embodiments of the present invention are shown. FIG. 4A shows the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 100 of the present invention. In this embodiment a single top surface 110 is used to form the top work surface to covering all three of the storage compartments 117 and 118. The top surface 110 has a lock that allows the contents of the compartments 117 and 118 to be secured. Note that the locking mechanism is well understood by those of skill in the art and is not shown for clarity; however, the lack of detailed discussion of the locking mechanism should not be considered as a limitation on the scope of the invention.

[0039] In FIG. 4B a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown. This second embodiment has the same three separate storage compartments 117 and 118, hut rather than a single cover, three separate top surfaces 110A, 110B and 110C are shown. In this embodiment, each of the separate top surfaces 110A, 110B and 110C operate independently but form a single top working surface when closed. Each of the top surfaces 110A, 110B and 110C are also capable of being separately locked thereby providing security for the items stored in the storage compartments 117 and 118. As with the first embodiment described above the locking mechanism is well understood by those of skill in the art and is not shown for clarity; however, the lack of detailed discussion of the locking mechanism should not be considered as a limitation on the scope of the invention.

[0040] One advantage of the present invention is the ability of a single user to load/unload a large portable work surface capable of storing tools and moving materials. This is accomplished through the use of locking, collapsing telescoping legs that disappear into a rectangular volume.

[0041] A second advantage of the present invention is that it provides secure storage for tools and materials. The apparatus of the present invention has at least two embodiments, each with the capability to securely store tools and materials.

[0042] A third advantage of the present invention is the ability to move materials safely about a work site. This is accomplished through the stabilized collapsible telescoping legs and associated cross bracing.

[0043] A fourth advantage of the present invention is that the height of the top surface may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of work site situations. Each of the sets of collapsing telescoping lens of the apparatus has a series of holes disposed along its long axis. These holes use a locating means to lock the collapsing telescoping legs at a specific height.

[0044] A fifth advantage of the present invention is that at no time during the loading/unloading process does the user bear any of the weight of the apparatus. This is accomplished via the two sets of rectangular volume mounted wheels. Thus even if the apparatus is loaded with materials, the user never bears any of the weight significantly improving safety.