초록 ▼

A multi-purpose combined ladder/cart assembly capable of being converted into a plurality of ladder and cart configurations, including an extension ladder, a step ladder, a load-carrying cart, a pull cart, and a hand truck. The multi-purpose combined ladder/cart assembly includes a plurality of fram

A multi-purpose combined ladder/cart assembly capable of being converted into a plurality of ladder and cart configurations, including an extension ladder, a step ladder, a load-carrying cart, a pull cart, and a hand truck. The multi-purpose combined ladder/cart assembly includes a plurality of frame members that are pivotal with respect to each other and capable of being retained in variety of desired positions in order to easily configure the assembly in any of its various configurations. The travel characteristics and center of gravity of the cart configurations of the assembly are variably selectable, depending upon the load to be carried, by simply selecting various combinations of differently sized wheels to attach to the assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly, comprising: a first frame having side rails and support members disposed between said side rails; a second frame pivotally connected to said first frame, said second frame having side rails and support members disposed between

What is claimed is: 1. A multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly, comprising: a first frame having side rails and support members disposed between said side rails; a second frame pivotally connected to said first frame, said second frame having side rails and support members disposed between said side rails of said second frame; said first and second frames being pivotally movable with respect to each other to configure said assembly into at least one type of ladder configuration; said first and second frames being further pivotally movable with respect to each other into a closed position to configure said assembly into a cart configuration; and a set of wheels connecting to the first frame capable of being arranged in a variety of possible configurations in order to provide a variably selectable center of gravity for said assembly in the cart configuration, wherein the center of gravity of said assembly in the cart configuration is capable of being changed by changing the configuration of the set of wheels connected to said first frame, wherein each of the possible configurations of said set of wheels provides said assembly with different traveling height and angle characteristics in the cart configuration, and wherein said set of wheels includes a first set of smaller wheels attached to said first frame and a second set of larger wheels attachable to said first set of smaller wheels, wherein a particular number of said larger wheels are selected to be attached to a respective number of smaller wheels in order to select the desired center of gravity for said cart configuration. 2. The multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly of claim 1, further comprising a handle frame pivotally connected to at least one of said first and second frames, wherein said handle frame is pivotally movable into a closed position to configure said assembly into a dolly configuration, further wherein said handle frame is pivotally movable into an open position to configure the assembly into a pull cart configuration. 3. The multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly of claim 1, further comprising a handle frame pivotally connected to at least one of said first and second frames, wherein said handle frame is pivotally movable into a closed position to configure said assembly into a dolly configuration, further wherein said handle frame is pivotally movable into an open position to configure the assembly into a pull cart configuration; said handle frame further comprising a storage area for storing said second set of larger wheels. 4. The multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly of claim 1, wherein said larger wheels are further matingly attachable to one another in order to form wheel assemblies having widths wider than a width of a single larger wheel alone. 5. The multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly of claim 1, wherein said smaller wheels do not interfere with the use of the assembly in any ladder configuration. 6. A multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly, comprising: a first frame having side rails and support members disposed between said side rails; a second frame pivotally connected to said first frame, said second frame having side rails and support members disposed between said side rails of said second frame; said first and second frames being pivotally movable with respect to each other to configure said assembly into at least one type of ladder configuration; said first and second frames being further pivotally movable with respect to each other into a closed position to configure said assembly into a cart configuration; and a set of wheels connecting to the first frame capable of being arranged in a variety of possible configurations in order to provide a variably selectable center of gravity for said assembly in the cart configuration., further comprising a handle frame pivotally connected to at least one of said first and second frames, wherein said handle frame is pivotally movable into a closed position to configure said assembly into a dolly configuration, further wherein said handle frame is pivotally movable into an open position to configure the assembly into a pull cart configuration, and wherein each of said first frame, said second frame, and said handle frame are pivotal about the same pivotal axis. 7. A multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly, comprising: a first frame having side rails and support members disposed between said side rails; a second frame pivotally connected to said first frame, said second frame having side rails and support members disposed between said side rails of said second frame; said first and second frames being pivotally movable with respect to each other to configure said assembly into at least one type of ladder configuration; said first and second frames being further pivotally movable with respect to each other into a closed position to configure said assembly into a cart configuration; and a set of wheels connecting to the first frame capable of being arranged in a variety of possible configurations in order to provide a variably selectable center of gravity for said assembly in the cart configuration, and a third frame pivotally connected to said first frame about a pivotal axis; wherein said set of wheels includes a first set of smaller wheels attached to said first frame and a second set of larger wheels attached to two of said smaller wheels adjacent to said pivotal axis of said third frame; said second frame being pivotally movable with respect to said first frame into an opened position to configure said assembly into a hand truck configuration; and said third frame being pivotally movable to form an angle with respect to said first frame for supporting a load in said hand truck configuration. 8. The multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly of claim 7, wherein said ladder configurations include a step ladder configuration and an extension ladder configuration. 9. The multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly of claim 7, further comprising a groove formed in at least one surface of at least one of said steps for containing a cord, wherein said cord can be utilized to retain an object being carried against the assembly. 10. The multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a plurality of receptacle support members attachable to at least one of said first and second frames on an opposite side of said assembly from said set of wheels, and a receptacle capable of being attached to and supported by said receptacle support members, wherein said receptacle support members and said receptacle allow said assembly to be utilized as a wagon when said assembly is configured in the cart configuration. 11. The multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly of claim 7, wherein said support members on at least one of said first frame and said second frame are substantially L-shaped, each L-shaped step having a foot supporting portion and a load bearing portion extending there from, wherein said foot supporting portion bears the weight of a user when said assembly is configured in a ladder configuration and said load bearing portion assists in bearing a load carried by the assembly when configured in the cart configuration. 12. The multi-purpose combination ladder/cart assembly of claim 11, wherein said load bearing portions of said support members of one of said first and second frames further mate with said support members from the other of said first and second frames when said first and second frames are configured into the closed cart position in order to provide a substantially flat carrying surface for objects.