초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a multi-function cart for storing and transporting emergency or other supplies. The multi-function cart comprises two shells that can be secured together to form a transportable storage container. When separated, each shell is convertible into various configurati

The present invention is directed to a multi-function cart for storing and transporting emergency or other supplies. The multi-function cart comprises two shells that can be secured together to form a transportable storage container. When separated, each shell is convertible into various configurations that can be used to sustain life during and after a disaster as well as to clean-up and rebuild after a disaster has occurred. The multi-function cart can also be used recreationally. In this manner, the multi-function cart enables victims to quickly care for themselves, and encourages victims to immediately begin the clean-up and rebuilding process. Each shell is convertible into different configurations using various tubes. Hub brackets on opposing sides of the shell include adapters to which any of the tubes can be connected. The tubes can be connected to the adapters in an upward or a downward orientation to form different configurations.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A multi-function cart comprising: a first and a second shell, wherein each shell comprises: a first side;a second side opposing the first side;a lip extending along a top edge of the first and second sides;a set of wheels;a plurality of tubes; anda first pair of hub brackets attached on the first

1. A multi-function cart comprising: a first and a second shell, wherein each shell comprises: a first side;a second side opposing the first side;a lip extending along a top edge of the first and second sides;a set of wheels;a plurality of tubes; anda first pair of hub brackets attached on the first side of the shell and a second pair of hub brackets attached on the second side of the shell, each of the hub brackets being positioned on the sides of the shell so that an opening is formed between the lip and the hub bracket into which an of the interchangeable tubes can be inserted to form a handle for the shell, each hub bracket including a top and a bottom adapter that are each configured to allow any of the tubes to be attached thereto, each hub bracket also having at least one hole through which a tube can be inserted, each pair of hub brackets being aligned on the corresponding side of the shell so that one or more tubes can be stored along the surface of the shell by inserting each tube through a corresponding hole in each hub bracket of the pair of hub brackets, and so that the first shell can be secured to the second shell when the second shell is aligned with the first shell by connecting each top adapter on the first shell to an opposing top adapter on the second shell. 2. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein each of the adapters and the tubes include corresponding holes through which a connector may be inserted to connect a tube to an adapter. 3. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein the lip includes a hole proximate each corner of the shell for securing the tubes to the lip by inserting a connector through each lip and a corresponding tube when the tubes are used as handles. 4. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein two tubes are attachable as handles on the end of the shell opposite the set of wheels to form a wheeled cart. 5. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein a tube is attachable as a handle at each corner of the shell to form a two-person carrier. 6. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein two tubes are attachable as handles on the end of the shell opposite the set of wheels, and tubes are attachable in an upward position to each of the top adapters to form a bulk carrier. 7. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein tubes are attachable in a downward position to each of the bottom adapters to form an elevated basin, and are attachable in a downward position to each of the top adapters when the shell is inverted to form an elevated work area. 8. The multi-function cart of claim 7, further comprising leg support bars that are attachable between a pair of tubes of the elevated work area or basin. 9. The multi-function cart of claim 7, further comprising shell support bars, wherein each shell support bar is configured to attach between top adapters on opposing sides of the shell. 10. The multi-function cart of claim 9, further comprising a surface that is configured to be placed on top of the lip of the shell or on top of the shell support bars to provide a table or elevated work area. 11. The multi-function cart of claim 9, further comprising a canopy assembly, the canopy assembly comprising telescoping tubes and a canopy, wherein the telescoping tubes are attachable in an upward position to the shell support bars to form supports for the canopy. 12. The multi-function cart of claim 11, wherein one end of the telescoping tubes is tapered, and wherein the canopy includes holes through which the tapered ends of the telescoping tubes are inserted. 13. The multi-function cart of claim 11, wherein the canopy includes an opening for draining water collected in the canopy when the canopy is used in an inverted configuration. 14. The multi-function cart of claim 11, wherein the canopy assembly is configured to allow the canopy to be formed separate from the multi-function cart and utilized as a stand-alone device. 15. The multi-function cart of claim 1, further comprising a pair of bicycle forks that are configured to attach to the bottom adapters in the same manner as the tubes, and a yoke bracket for connecting together two tubes that are attached to the shell as handles to form a yoke thereby converting the shell into a cart or trailer. 16. The multi-function cart of claim 15, further comprising a universal adapter that connects to the yoke bracket, the universal adapter being configured to attach to a bicycle or other vehicle and including swivel joints to allow swiveling in vertical, horizontal, and rotational directions. 17. The multi-function cart of claim 15, wherein the bicycle forks each include a plurality of notches at various heights to enable wheels of different diameters to be connected to the bicycle forks. 18. The multi-function cart of claim 17, wherein the notches are spaced to allow wheels having diameters between 10 and 26 inches to be connected to the bicycle forks. 19. The multi-function cart of claim 15, further comprising brakes for braking the cart or trailer. 20. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first and second shells include a drain plug. 21. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein the first and second shells are lockable together, and the multi-function cart is lockable to a structure via one or more of the hub brackets. 22. A multi-function cart comprising: a first and a second shell, each shell having a set of wheels attached on one end, and a lip extending along a top edge of the sides; anda plurality of interchangeable tubes;wherein each shell has a pair of hub brackets attached on opposing sides of the shell, each pair of hub brackets being configured with corresponding holes for storing one or more interchangeable tubes;wherein each hub bracket also includes a top and a bottom adapter, each adapter being configured to receive any of the interchangeable tubes, each of the hub brackets being positioned on the sides of the shell so that an opening is formed between the lip and the hub bracket into which any of the interchangeable tubes can be inserted to form a handle for the shell, and so that the first shell can be secured to the second shell when the second shell is aligned with the first shell by connecting each top adapter on the first shell to an opposing top adapter on the second shell. 23. A multi-function cart comprising: a plurality of tubes;a first shell comprising: a first side;a second side opposing the first side;a lip extending along a top edge of the first and second sides;a set of wheels; anda first pair of hub brackets attached on the first sides of the first shell and a second pair of hub brackets attached on the second side of the first shell, each of the hub brackets being positioned on the sides of the shell so that an opening is formed between the lip and the hub bracket into which any of the interchangeable tubes can be inserted to form a handle for the shell, each hub bracket including a top and a bottom adapter that are each configured to allow any of the tubes to be attached thereto, each hub bracket also having at least one hole through which a tube can be inserted, each pair of hub brackets being aligned on the corresponding side of the first shell so that one or more tubes can be stored along the surface of the first shell by inserting each tube through a corresponding hole in each hub bracket of the pair of hub brackets; anda second shell comprising: a first side;a second side opposing the first side;a lip extending along a top edge of the first and second sides;a balancing block; anda first pair of hub brackets attached on the first side of the second shell and a second pair of hub brackets attached on the second side of the second shell, each of the hub brackets being positioned on the sides of the shell so that an opening is formed between the lip and the hub bracket into which any of the interchangeable tubes can be inserted to form a handle for the shell, each hub bracket including a top and a bottom adapter that are each configured to allow any of the tubes to be attached thereto, each hub bracket also having at least one hole through which a tube can be inserted, each pair of hub brackets being aligned on the corresponding side of the second shell so that one or more tubes can be stored along the surface of the second shell by inserting each tube through a corresponding hole in each hub bracket of the pair of hub brackets;wherein the hub brackets on the first and second shell are aligned so that the first shell can be secured to the second shell when the second shell is aligned with the first shell by connecting each top adapter on the first shell to an opposing top adapter on the second shell.