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A multi-function cart for storing and transporting emergency or other supplies. The multi-function cart comprises a shell and lid or 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 us

A multi-function cart for storing and transporting emergency or other supplies. The multi-function cart comprises a shell and lid or 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. 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. The multi-function cart can also be used recreationally. 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 plurality of tubes; anda first pair of hub brackets attached on the fist side of the shel

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 plurality of tubes; anda first pair of hub brackets attached on the fist 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 any of the interchangeable tubes can be inserted to form a handle for the shell, each hub bracket including an adapter that is 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 hub bracket on the first shell to an opposing hub bracket on the second shell. 2. The multi-function cart of claim 1, further comprising support ribs molded with the shell between hub brackets on the first and second sides of the shell. 3. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein at least one of the hub brackets comprises a portion extending near or through an opening in the lip, the portion being configured such that the tubes can be inserted through the opening and surrounding the portion to form a handle for the shell. 4. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein each shell further comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: a wheel assembly fixedly disposed proximate a lower rear portion of the shell;a wheel assembly fixedly disposed proximate a lower rear portion of the shell and a wheel removably attached proximate a forward half of the shell; anda wheel assembly fixedly disposed proximate a lower rear portion of the shell and a caster removably attached proximate a forward half of the shell. 5. The multi-function cart of claim 4, wherein two tubes are attachable as handles on an end of the shell opposite the wheel assembly to form a wheeled cart. 6. The multi-function cart of claim 4, wherein a tube is attachable as a handle at each corner of the shell to form a two-person carrier. 7. The multi-function cart of claim 4, 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 cart. 8. The multi-function cart of claim 1, wherein tubes are attachable in a downward position to bottom adapters of each hub bracket to form an elevated basin, and are attachable in a downward position to top adapters of each hub bracket when the shell is inverted to form an elevated work area. 9. The multi-function cart of claim 8, further comprising internal support ribs extending along an inner surface of the shell between hub brackets on the fist and second sides of the shell. 10. The multi-function cart of claim 9, further comprising a stiffening bar extending between hub brackets on each side of the shell. 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 upper adapters to form supports for the canopy. 12. The multi-function cart of claim 11, wherein the canopy includes an element selected from the group consisting of holes through which ends of the telescoping tubes are inserted, sleeves into which the tapered ends of the telescoping tubes are inserted, and receivers into which 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 8, 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. 15. The multi-function cart of claim 14, further comprising a fork stabilizer attached to and extending between the bicycle forks. 16. The multi-function cart of claim 14, 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 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. 18. A multi-function cart comprising: a first shell having a first side, a second side, and a lip along a top edge of the first and second sides, the lip having an opening on each of the first and second sides at a front of the shell; anda plurality of tubes;wherein the shell has a 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 pair of hub brackets being configured with means for storing one or more of the tubes;wherein each hub bracket also includes an adapter configured to receive one of the tubes, and wherein each of the pair of hub brackets includes a portion that extends to a corresponding opening, the portion configured such that one of the tubes can be inserted through the opening and secured to the portion to form a handle for the shell. 19. 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 first pair of hub brackets attached on the first side 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 an adapter 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 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 an adapter 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 hub bracket on the first shell to an opposing hub bracket on the second shell. 20. The multi-function cart of claim 19, wherein the first shell and the second shell can be secured to each other using a mechanism configured to draw the corresponding hub brackets of the first shell and the second shell together so as to create a seal between the first shell and the second shell.