Utility cart with integrated convenience features
View Patent ↗A mobile utility cart configured for bedside use by elderly or mobility-impaired individuals. The cart incorporates a mobile frame mounted on caster wheels and features an integrated urinal system, which includes a urinal inlet, a detachable urine container, and a connecting tube. The cart further provides multi-tier storage drawers for personal and hygiene items, an LED lighting system for nighttime illumination, a USB charging port for electronic devices, and an integrated waste disposal bin. This integrated design facilitates bedside toileting and care, organizes essential items, provides light, enables device charging, and manages waste, thereby reducing user movement and supporting enhanced safety and hygiene during nighttime use.
1 . A utility cart configured as a bedside personal care station, comprising:
a mobile frame configured for stability and maneuverability, the frame mounted on a plurality of caster wheels;
a handle ergonomically attached to the frame for user or caregiver operation;
an integrated urinal system comprising: a urinal inlet with a lid, the urinal inlet being externally accessible and mounted to the frame at an adjustable height; a urine container; and a flexible tube fluidly connecting the urinal inlet to the urine container, enabling hygienic fluid flow;
a drawer system integrated into the frame, the drawer system including an upper drawer and a lower drawer, wherein the upper drawer comprises multiple compartments configured for organizing hygiene items, the lower drawer is configured and sized to house the urine container during both active use and during storage, and the lower drawer includes a side-wall pass-through aperture through which the tube extends from the urinal inlet to the urine container, the urine container being detachably connected to the tube within the lower drawer to permit removal of the urine container by pulling out the lower drawer without rerouting the tube from the urinal inlet;
an LED light mounted to the frame, configured to provide soft-glow ambient illumination for nighttime bedside visibility without disrupting a user's sleep cycle;
a USB charging port integrated with the frame and connected to an internal power supply for charging electronic devices at bedside; and
a waste disposal bin built into the frame for hygienic waste containment.
2 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein the multiple compartments of the upper drawer are segmented into varying sizes and configured for organizing medications, small medical devices, and personal care items at an ergonomic height accessible from a seated or semi-reclined position.
3 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the plurality of caster wheels are lockable to secure the cart in place during use, preventing unintended movement.
4 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein the LED light is motion-activated to provide illumination upon detection of user movement.
5 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein the frame is constructed from aluminum, high-strength plastic, or a combination thereof.
6 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein the lid for the urinal inlet provides a seal to minimize odors.
7 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein the urine container has a leak-proof design and a volume capacity of at least 1 liter.
8 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein the tube is flexible, non-kinking, and made from medical-grade material resistant to urine and odors.
9 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein the upper drawer and the lower drawer each feature smooth-gliding runners for quiet operation, and the lower drawer includes a divider defining a compartment specifically sized to securely receive and contain the urine container.
10 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein the waste disposal bin includes a hinged lid configured to contain odors and accommodates standard small trash bags.
11 . The utility cart of claim 1 , wherein the caster wheels are swivel casters to enable 360-degree rotation for enhanced maneuverability.
12 . The utility cart of claim 1 , further comprising an integrated rechargeable battery configured to supply electrical power to the LED light and the USB charging port for cordless operation.