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A foldable utility cart (10) includes a pair of spaced, parallel frame members (22). A collar (50) is disposed about each of the frame members (22) and is slidable therealong. A pair of front legs (40) and a pair of rear legs (46) are pivotally connected to the collars (50). The front and rear legs

A foldable utility cart (10) includes a pair of spaced, parallel frame members (22). A collar (50) is disposed about each of the frame members (22) and is slidable therealong. A pair of front legs (40) and a pair of rear legs (46) are pivotally connected to the collars (50). The front and rear legs (40, 46) each support a wheel (44, 48). The collars (50) can be moved from a raised position where the legs (40, 46) and wheels (44, 48) are folded adjacent each other, to a lowered position where the legs (40, 46) and wheels (44, 48) are extended to support the cart (10) for movement on the ground. The cart (10) includes a moveable basket carrier assembly (18). The basket carrier assembly (18) includes toothed racks (110) that are connected to channel members (24) for movement therealong. A ratchet clutch (136) is used to permit up or down movement of the racks (110) and to maintain the racks (110) at any desired vertical position.

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1. A utility cart, comprising:a pair of spaced, generally parallel frame members having upper and lower ends;a collar disposed about each of the frame members and slidable therealong;a pair of front legs each having first and second ends, the first end connected to one of the collars and the second

1. A utility cart, comprising:a pair of spaced, generally parallel frame members having upper and lower ends;a collar disposed about each of the frame members and slidable therealong;a pair of front legs each having first and second ends, the first end connected to one of the collars and the second end supporting a wheel;a pair of rear legs each having first and second ends, the first end connected to one of the collars and the second end supporting a wheel;a lift bar connected to each of the collars, the lift bar being movable from a raised position where the collars are raised along the frame members and the legs and wheels are moved toward each other, to a lowered position where the collars are lowered along the frame members and the legs and wheels are moved away from each other such that the front and rear legs are generally parallel with each other and the wheels are extended to support the cart for movement on the ground.2. The cart of claim 1, further comprising links connected pivotally at one end to the lower ends of the frame members and connected pivotally at the other end to the front and rear legs at a location intermediate the first and second ends. 3. The cart of claim 1, further comprising:a bight portion that connects the first and second legs;a shelf connected to the bight portion and extending rearwardly toward the frame members; andstraps connected between the rear of the shelf and the frame members, the straps being under tension when a load is carried by the shelf.4. The cart of claim 3, further comprising a bumper connected to the bight portion and extending forwardly therefrom.5. The cart of claim 1, further comprising:a basket; anda basket carrier assembly for moving the basket up and down, the basket carrier assembly including:a pair of spaced, generally parallel channel members having upper and lower ends;a pair of toothed racks connected to the channel members and slidable therealong;a basket-supporting platform connected to the racks and projecting forwardly of the cart;a shaft disposed adjacent the racks and supported for rotation about a horizontal axis;a pair of pinions carried by the shaft, the pinions being in engagement with the racks;a driven pulley carried by the shaft;a drive pulley disposed adjacent the racks and supported for rotational movement about a horizontal axis; a crank arm having a handle connected to the drive pulley; anda drive belt reeved about the drive pulley and the driven pulley, whereby rotation of the crank arm will cause the pinions to be rotated so as to move the racks relative to the channel members.6. The cart of claim 5, wherein the drive pulley is included as part of a ratchet clutch that permits the drive pulley to be rotated in either direction and stopped in any desired position.7. The cart of claim 5, wherein the basket is connected to the racks by a hinged platform that can be pivoted between a folded position and an extended position, the connection between the platform and the platform being provided by:a pair of generally L-shaped arms extending forwardly of the racks;a generally vertically oriented slot in each arm, an indent in the upper edge of each arm, and a stop extending forwardly of each arm;first and second pins projecting laterally from each side of the platform, the first pin being disposed in the slot and the second pin adapted to fit within the indent, whereby when the platform is extended, the underside of the platform engages the stop and the first pin engages the upper end of the slot, and when the platform is raised, the second pin fits within the indent. 8. A utility cart, comprising:a pair of spaced, generally parallel channel members having upper and lower ends;a pair of toothed racks connected to the channel members and slidable therealong;a basket connected to the racks and projecting forwardly of the cart;a shaft disposed adjacent the toothed racks for rotation about a horizontal axis;a pair of pinions carried by a shaft, the pinions being in engagement with the racks;a driven pulley carried by the shaft;a drive pulley supported for rotational movement;a crank arm having a handle connected to the drive pulley; anda drive belt reeved about the drive pulley and the driven pulley, whereby rotation of the crank arm will cause the pinions to be rotated so as to move the racks relative to the channel members.9. The cart of claim 8, wherein the drive pulley is included as part of a ratchet clutch that permits the drive pulley to be rotated in either direction and stopped in any desired position.10. The cart of claim 8, wherein the basket is connected to the racks by a hinged platform that can be pivoted between a folded position and an extended position, the connection between the platform and the racks being provided by:a pair of generally L-shaped arms extending forwardly of the racks;a generally vertically oriented slot in each arm, an indent in the upper edge of each arm, and a stop extending forwardly of each arm; first and second pins projecting laterally from each side of the platform, the first pin being disposed in the slot and the second pin adapted to fit within the indent, whereby when the platform is extended, the underside of the platform engages the stop and the first pin engages the upper end of the slot, and when the platform is raised, the second pin fits within the indent. 11. A utility cart, comprising:a frame having a pair of spaced tube members having upper and lower ends, a pair of spaced channel members having upper and lower ends, the tube members and the channel members being disposed parallel with each other, the channel members being disposed between the tube members, the tube members and the channel members being connected to each other by upper and lower braces and intermediate brackets;a wheeled support connected to the frame, including:a collar disposed about each of the tube members and slidable therealong;a pair of front legs each having first and second ends, the first end connected to one of the collars and the second end supporting a wheel;a pair of rear legs each having first and second ends, the first end connected to one of the collars and the second end supporting a wheel;links connected pivotally at one end to the lower portion of the tube members and connected pivotally at the other end to the front and rear legs at a location intermediate the first and second ends;a lift bar connected to each of the collars, the lift bar being movable from a raised position where the collars are raised along the tube members and the legs and wheels are moved toward each other, to a lowered position where the collars are lowered along the tube members and the legs and wheels are moved away from each other such that the front and rear legs are generally parallel with each other and the wheels are extended to support the cart for movement on the ground;a basket carrier assembly connected to the frame, including:a pair of toothed racks connected to the channel members and slidable therealong;a platform connected to the racks and projecting forwardly of the cart;a shaft connected to the intermediate brackets for rotation about a horizontal axis;a pair of pinions carried by the shaft, the pinions being in engagement with the racks;a driven pulley carried by the shaft;a drive pulley connected to the upper brace for rotation about a horizontal axis;a crank arm having a handle connected to the drive pulley; anda drive belt reeved about the drive pulley and the driven pulley, whereby rotation of the crank arm will cause the pinions to be rotated so as to move the racks relative to the channel members;a basket disposed on the platform; anda handle connected to the upper brace. 12. The cart of claim 11, further comprising:a bight portion that connects the first and second legs;a shelf connected to the legs and the bight portion and extending rearwardly toward the tube members;straps connected between the legs and the tube members, the straps being under tension when a load is carried by the shelf; anda bumper connected to the bight portion and extending forwardly therefrom.13. The cart of claim 11, wherein the drive pulley is included as part of a ratchet clutch that permits the drive pulley to be rotated in either direction and stopped in any desired position.14. The cart of claim 11, wherein the basket is connected to the racks by a hinged platform that can be pivoted between a folded position and an extended position, the connection between the platform and the racks being provided by:a pair of generally L-shaped arms extending forwardly of the racks;a generally vertically oriented slot in each arm, an indent in the upper edge of each arm, and a stop extending forwardly of each arm;first and second pins projecting laterally from each side of the platform, the first pin being disposed in the slot and the second pin adapted to fit within the indent, whereby when the platform is extended, the underside of the platform engages the stop and the first pin engages the upper end of the slot, and when the platform is raised, the second pin fits within the indent. 15. The cart of claim 11, wherein the basket is made primarily of welded wire rod and comprises:a bottom wall having a rear upstanding flange and a front edge;a rear wall connected hingedly to the upstanding flange;a front wall connected hingedly to the front edge of the bottom wall, the front wall including a hinged gate that can be moved relative to the front wall;side walls defined by telescoping rods, the rods extending between:the intersection between the bottom wall and the upstanding flange; andthe upper edge of the front wall;a U-shaped upper perimeter rod, the rod being connected hingedly to the upper edge of the rear wall and the upper edge of the front wall;a spring-biased sleeve at the intersection of the upper perimeter rod and the front wall; anda pair of handles included as part of the upper perimeter rod.