IP Library Patent Application 10968972
Patent Application
App. No. 10/968,972

Nestable cart

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
10/968,972
Abstract

Nestable cart includes a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, and left and right sides extending between the top and the bottom. The bottom may be configured for moving upwardly relative to a rear of the cart, so that the bottom is movable between a horizontally extended use or non-nesting position and a somewhat vertically extending non-use or nesting position. When the bottom is in its nesting position, a further cart may be inserted into a front of the cart for being nested substantially within the cart. The cart and the further cart may be configured for nesting together without interfering with each other.

Claims (49)

1 . A nestable cart, comprising:

a) a top;

b) a bottom spaced apart from the top;

c) a left side disposed between and connecting the top and the bottom;

d) the bottom being movably connected to a portion of the cart, the bottom being movable between a nesting position and a non-nesting position; and

e) in the nesting position the bottom being located adjacent the top, and in the non-nesting position the bottom being located at a distance from the top.

2 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) a right side is disposed between and connects the top and the bottom, the right side being spaced apart from the left side; and

b) the left and right sides are sized so that when the bottom is in its nesting position, then a further cart may be nested within the cart, the cart and the further cart being nested together in a smaller volume than a volume defined by the cart and a further cart located unnested side by side.

3 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) a rear is provided;

b) the bottom is hingedly attached to the rear side; and

c) in the nesting position the bottom extends along the rear.

4 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) the bottom is slidably attached to the left side.

5 . A cart as in claim 1 wherein:

a) a securing element is provided to secure the bottom to the left side when the bottom is in its non-nesting position.

6 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) an engagement element is provided for detachably engaging the bottom in its nesting position.

7 . A cart as in claim 6 , wherein:

a) the engagement element is provided adjacent the top.

8 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) a roller is provided for movably supporting the cart on a surface.

9 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) the left side includes an insulating panel.

10 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) an air flow passage is provided adjacent the left side, the air flow passage being configured for enhancing air flow from a lower to an upper portion of the left side.

11 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) an assist is provided on the cart for assisting in raising the bottom.

12 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) an assist is provided on the cart for assisting in lowering the bottom.

13 . A cart as in claim 11 , wherein:

a) the assist includes a piston.

14 . A cart as in claim 13 , wherein:

a) the piston includes a gas-filled piston.

15 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) an extendable shelf is provided on the cart.

16 . A cart as in claim 15 , wherein:

a) the extendable shelf is located adjacent the top.

17 . A cart as in claim 15 , wherein:

a) the shelf includes a front face, the front face extending at an angle relative to a front of the cart that is greater than 90°.

18 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) a wheel is provided on a lower portion of the cart for supporting the cart on a surface, the wheel being located so that, in use, when the bottom is in its nesting position, and a further cart is inserted into a front portion of the cart, a lower wheel on a further cart is insertable without interference between the wheel on the cart and the further wheel on the further cart.

19 . A cart as in claim 1 , wherein:

a) the bottom is movably attached to a rear portion of the cart for moving between the non-nesting position and the nesting position; and

b) the bottom extends away from the rear portion of the cart when the bottom is in its nesting position and in its non-nesting position.

20 . A cart as in claim 19 , wherein:

a) a pivot connection is provided between the bottom and the rear portion of the cart, the bottom being pivotably attached to the rear portion; and

b) the pivot connection being spaced sufficiently away from the rear portion of the cart so that when the bottom is in its nesting position, the bottom extends upwardly and sufficiently rearwardly away from a front portion of the cart, so that the bottom remains in its nesting position owing to the force of gravity.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2007
From: HALL, DONALD M.
To: M & E MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 019920/0927 →