초록 ▼

This disclosure describes a work site utility carrier that configures into a dolly and hand truck in its retracted mode and a work bench in its elevated mode. A lower receptacle formed as part of a chassis with wheels, and an upper receptacle are pivotally connected by a unique positioning apparatus

This disclosure describes a work site utility carrier that configures into a dolly and hand truck in its retracted mode and a work bench in its elevated mode. A lower receptacle formed as part of a chassis with wheels, and an upper receptacle are pivotally connected by a unique positioning apparatus. In a retracted position the two receptacles lie side-by-side with their top surfaces essentially planar. In this mode, the carrier serves as a dolly or a hand truck. In the elevated mode the second receptacle pivots up to station securely above the chassis, The top of the second receptacle becomes a work bench. The receptacles may comprise tool boxes. One or both tool boxes may include tool drawers. Unique latching mechanisms positively secure the carrier in either mode. The latching in an elevated mode is aided by the weight of the upper receptacle.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A work site utility carrier comprising: a first structure comprising a first top surface; a second structure comprising a second top surface; means for pivotally mounting said second structure in an elevated position above said first structure and for maintaining parall

The invention claimed is: 1. A work site utility carrier comprising: a first structure comprising a first top surface; a second structure comprising a second top surface; means for pivotally mounting said second structure in an elevated position above said first structure and for maintaining parallel relation at all times between said first and said second top surfaces; means for positioning said first and said second structures in a retracted position in which said first and said second top surfaces are substantially co-planar; a chassis for mounting said first structure at one end thereof; first and second wheel sets mounted on said chassis for floor contact; a pair of leg extensions mounted on the exterior end of said second structure and extending downwardly beyond the bottom of said second structure; a third wheel set mounted on said leg extensions; and a handle grip mounted between said leg extensions; said third wheel set adapted to position on an elevated flat surface; and said handle grip enabling a user to lift said carrier onto said elevated flat surface. 2. The carrier in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises: a first pair of legs hinged from an end portion of said first structure to a corresponding end portion of said second structure; a second pair of legs hinged from a central portion of said chassis to a central portion of said second structure; and means for latching said first and second leg pairs when said second structure is in either its said elevated position or retracted position. 3. The carrier in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said first and said second structures are 4-sided rectangular receptacles having a flat bottom and a planar open top surface. 4. The carrier in accordance with claim 3, further comprising: a hand-grip pivotally connected to an end of said second structure through which to apply upward force to said second structure for movement thereof from its said retracted to said elevated positions. 5. The carrier in accordance with claim 4, wherein said second receptacle further comprises one or more drawers and means for slidably mounting each said drawer within said second receptacle. 6. The carrier in accordance with claim 4, wherein said first receptacle further comprises a first flat closure for covering said first open top surface, and said second receptacle further comprises a second flat closure for covering said second open top surface. 7. The carrier in accordance with claim 6, wherein said latching means comprises means for releasably latching said second receptacle in its said retracted position and means for releasably latching said second receptacle in its said elevated position. 8. The carrier in accordance with claim 7, further comprising: means for powering the movement of the second structure in its vertical travel to reduce manual force needed to effect its movement back and forth between said retracted and said elevated positions. 9. The carrier in accordance with claim 8, wherein said first and said second flat closures each comprises a hinged 2-sided door, and each of said first and said second receptacles further comprises a lip extending around the interior area adjacent to said open top surface of said first and said second receptacles for supporting a respective 2-Suded door. 10. The carrier in accordance with claim 9, wherein said first wheel set comprises a pair of pneumatic tires, and said carrier further comprises releasable breaking means for preventing and enabling rotation of said pneumatic tires. 11. The carrier in accordance with claim 10, wherein said second wheel set comprises a pair of castor wheels, said first and second wheel sets enabling movement of said carrier as a dolly. 12. The carrier in accordance with claim 11, wherein said second structure further comprises means for hinging said leg extensions between a downwardly-facing position and an upwardly extending position, enabling a user to manually move said carrier on a surface using said hand grip. 13. A work site utility carrier comprising: a chassis comprising first and second wheel sets for floor contact; a first structure affixed at one end of said chassis and comprising a first open top surface; a second structure comprising a second open top surface; means for mounting said second structure on said chassis in an elevated position above said first structure, and in a retracted position supported on said chassis aside said first structure, said means comprising; a first pair of legs hinged from an end portion of said first structure to a corresponding end portion of said second structure; a second pair of legs hinged from a center portion of said chassis to a center portion of said second structure; and means for latching said first and second leg pairs when said second structure is in either its said elevated position or retracted position; said first and second top surfaces being substantially co-planar when said second structure is in its said retracted position. 14. The carrier in accordance with claim 13, wherein each of said first and said second structures are 4-sided rectangular receptacles having a flat bottom and a planar open top surface. 15. The carrier in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a hand-grip pivotally connected to a first end of said second stricture through which to apply upward force to said second structure for movement thereof from said retracted to said elevated positions. 16. The carrier in accordance with claim 15, wherein said second receptacle further comprises: one or more drawers, and means for slidably mounting each said drawer within said second receptacle. 17. The carrier in accordance with claim 15, wherein said first receptacle further comprises: a first flat closure for covering said first open top surface, and said second receptacle further comprises; a second flat closure for covering said second open top surface. 18. The carrier in accordance with claim 17, wherein said latching means comprises: means for releasably latching said second receptacle in its said retracted position and means for releasably latching said second receptacle in its said elevated position. 19. The carrier in accordance with claim 18, further comprising means for powering the movement of said second structure in its vertical travel to reduce manual force needed to effect its movement between said retracted and said elevated positions. 20. The carrier in accordance with claim 17, wherein said first and said second flat closures each comprises: a hinged 2-sided door, and each of said first and said second receptacles further comprises: a lip extending around the interior area adjacent to said open top surface of said first and said second receptacles for supporting a respective 2-sided door. 21. The carrier in accordance with claim 13, wherein said first wheel set comprises: a pair of pneumatic tires, and said carrier further comprises: releasable breaking means for preventing rotation of said pneumatic tires. 22. The carrier in accordance with claim 21, wherein said second wheel set comprises a pair of castor wheels, said first and second wheel sets enabling said carrier as a dolly. 23. The carrier in accordance with claim 22, further comprising a handle hingeably connected to said second structure for guiding said carrier when used as said dolly. 24. A work site utility carrier comprising: a chassis comprising; first and second wheel sets for floor contact; a first receptacle affixed at one end of said chassis, said receptacle comprising a first top surface; a second receptacle comprising a second top surface; and means for pivotally mounting said second receptacle on said chassis in an elevated position above said first receptacle, and in a retracted position supported on said chassis aside said first receptacle; said first and second top surfaces being substantially co-planar when said second receptacle is in its said retracted position. 25. A utility carrier in accordance with claim 24, wherein said first receptacle and said second receptacle are 4-sided. 26. The carrier in accordance with claim 25 wherein each of said first and said second receptacles comprise a flat bottom and a planar open top surface. 27. A work site utility carrier comprising: a chassis comprising first and second wheel sets; a first receptacle affixed at one end of said chassis and comprising a first top surface; a second receptacle comprising a second top surface; means for pivotally mounting said second receptacle on said chassis in an elevated position above said first receptacle, and in a retracted position supported on said chassis aside said first structure; said second receptacle pivotal mounting mean further comprising means for maintaining said first and said second top surfaces in substantially co-planar relation when said second receptacle is in its said retracted position and otherwise maintaining said first and second top surfaces in substantially parallel relation with each other. 28. A utility carrier in accordance with claim 27,wherein: said first receptacle and said second receptacle are 4-sided. 29. The carrier in accordance with claim 28, wherein: each of said first and said second receptacles comprise a flat bottom and a planar open top surface.