Lightweight convertible transport cart

Abstract

A convertible cart for transporting objects including a frame, a first handle connected to the frame adjacent a first end of the frame, a second handle connected to the frame adjacent a second end of the frame, a first plurality of wheels connected to the frame adjacent the first end of the frame and a second plurality of wheels connected to the frame adjacent the second end of the frame. The first plurality of wheels are rotatably mounted to a tubular axle. The first plurality of wheels are casters rotatably interconnected to the frame. The handles are selectively movable between a first position perpendicular to the frame and a second position generally coplanar to the frame. The frame has a generally rectangular configuration and includes frame members which are telescopically connected to each other.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A convertible cart for transporting objects comprising: 
 a frame;    a first handle connected to said frame adjacent a first end of said frame;    a second handle connected to said frame adjacent a second end of said frame, said first handle selectively movable between a position perpendicular to said frame and a second position generally coplanar within said frame, said frame having a first axle member in engagement with said first handle, said frame having a second axle member in engagement with said second handle, said first handle rotatable between said first and second positions about said first axle member, said second handle rotatable between said first and second positions about said second axle member;    a first pair of wheels connected to said frame adjacent said first end of said frame, said first pair of wheels being rotatably mounted to a tubular axle; and    a second pair of wheels connected to said frame adjacent said second end, each of said second pair of wheels being a caster rotatably interconnected to said frame.    
     
     
         2 . The cart of  claim 1 , each of said first pair of wheels having a pneumatic tire affixed around a hub.  
     
     
         3 . The cart of  claim 2 , said hub being formed of a polymeric material having a central aperture, said central aperture receiving roller bearings therein, said roller bearings receiving said tubular axle therein.  
     
     
         4 . The cart of  claim 3 , said tubular axle having a pair of holes formed therein, said pair of holes receiving a cotter pin therein at an end of said tubular axle outwardly of the wheel.  
     
     
         5 . The cart of  claim 1 , each of said first pair of wheels having a thermoplastic tread bonded to a polymeric hub.  
     
     
         6 . The cart of  claim 5 , said polymeric hub having a central aperture therein, said central aperture receiving roller bearings therein, said roller bearings receiving said tubular axle therein, said polymeric hub having a plurality of holes formed therein and therethrough and extending in spaced radial relationship around said central aperture.  
     
     
         7 . The cart of  claim 5 , said thermoplastic tread having an outer surface suitable for rolling contact with an underlying surface, said outer surface having a domed configuration, said first pair of wheels being no more than eleven inches apart.  
     
     
         8 . The cart of  claim 1 , each of said second pair of wheels having a caster frame pivotally connected to said frame and extending downwardly therefrom, said caster being rotatably mounted within said caster frame.  
     
     
         9 . The cart of  claim 8 , said caster frame comprising: 
 a generally flat surface in parallel relationship with said frame, said flat surface being pivotally connected to said frame;    a first wing member extending transversely outwardly from said flat surface on one side of said flat surface; and    a second wing member extending transversely outwardly from said flat surface on an opposite side of said flat surface in parallel relationship to said first wing member, said caster being rotatably mounted between said first and second wing members.    
     
     
         10 . The cart of  claim 9 , each of said first and second wing members having a plurality of holes formed therein and therethrough in spaced parallel relationship downwardly from said flat surface.  
     
     
         11 . The cart of  claim 8 , said caster having a thermoplastic tread bonded to a polymeric hub.  
     
     
         12 . The cart of  claim 11 , said polymeric hub having a plurality of holes formed therein and therethrough and extending in spaced radial relationship around said caster.  
     
     
         13 . The cart of  claim 1 , said frame having a first frame member and a second frame member in telescopic relationship to each other, said frame having a generally rectangular configuration, said frame being fixable in either a telescoped position or a retracted position.  
     
     
         14 . The cart of  claim 13 , said second frame member having an end surface extending between said second plurality of wheels, said end surface having a plurality of holes formed therein and therethrough, said plurality of holes being in spaced relationship to each other and having a colinear central axis.  
     
     
         15 . The cart of  claim 13 , said first frame member having a first stair climber frame member affixed directly to and extending directly outwardly from an underside of one side of said first frame member, said first frame member having a second stair climber frame member affixed directly to and extending directly outwardly from an underside of an opposite side of said first frame member, said second stair climber frame being in parallel relationship to said first stair climber frame.  
     
     
         16 . The cart of  claim 15 , said first plurality of wheels being positioned adjacent respective outer surfaces of said first and second stair climber frames.  
     
     
         17 . The cart of  claim 1 , said first handle having a length which is less than a length of said second handle.  
     
     
         18 . A convertible cart for transporting objects comprising: 
 a frame;    a first handle connected to said frame adjacent a first end of said frame;    a second handle connected to said frame adjacent a second end of said frame, said first handle selectively movable between a first position perpendicular to said frame and a second position generally coplanar with said frame;    a first plurality of wheels connected to said frame adjacent said first end of said frame, each of said first plurality of wheels being a pneumatic tire affixed around a hub, said hub being formed of a polymeric material; and    a second plurality of wheels connected to said frame adjacent said second end, each of said second plurality of wheels being a caster rotatably interconnected to said frame.    
     
     
         19 . The cart of  claim 18 , said first plurality of wheels being rotatably mounted to a tubular axle, said hub having a central aperture receiving roller bearings therein, said roller bearings receiving said tubular axle therein.  
     
     
         20 . A convertible cart for transporting objects comprising: 
 a frame;    a first handle connected to said frame adjacent a first end of said frame;    a second handle connected to said frame adjacent a second end of said frame, said first handle selectively movable between a first position perpendicular to said frame and a second position generally coplanar with said frame;    a first plurality of wheels connected to said frame adjacent said first end of said frame; and    a second plurality of wheels connected to said frame adjacent said second end, each of said second plurality of wheels comprising: 
 a caster frame pivotally connected to said frame and extending downwardly therefrom; and  
 a caster rotatably mounted within said caster frame, said caster having a thermoplastic tread bonded to a polymeric hub, said polymeric hub having a plurality of holes formed therein and therethrough and extending in spaced radial relationship around said caster.