Convertible stocking cart

Abstract

A wheeled cart has a generally flat base platform with a plurality of wheels supporting the platform above the ground. A handle frame extends upwardly from the rear end of the cart. The platform has a plurality of spaced, upwardly facing supports for releasably mounting accessories on the platform to extend upwardly from the platform. Accessories are provided for conversion of the cart between stocking and other purposes, including at least one horizontal support panel for supporting items at a location spaced above the platform and at least one vertical support frame for holding items at predetermined locations on the platform.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A wheeled cart, comprising: 
 a generally flat platform having a front end, a rear end, and opposite sides;    a plurality of wheels supporting the platform above the ground;    an upwardly extending handle frame extending upwardly from the rear end of the cart;    the platform having a plurality of spaced, upwardly facing supports for releasably mounting accessories on the platform to extend upwardly from the platform, each support comprising a socket and the sockets being arranged in pairs;    the accessories comprising at least one horizontal support panel for supporting items at a location spaced above the platform and at least one vertical support frame for holding items at predetermined locations on the platform; and    the vertical support frame having a pair of spaced legs and the horizontal support panel having a pair of downwardly depending legs at one end only of the panel, the legs on the frame and the panel being of predetermined shape and dimensions for sliding axial engagement in a selected pair of sockets.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the opposite sides of the platform taper inwardly from the rear to the front end of the cart, and the platform has a downwardly facing recessed area extending from the rear end to the front end, the platform being fixed and having no parts which move relative to the handle frame, whereby the front end of the platform of a second identical cart can be nested under the platform of the first-mentioned cart and into the downwardly facing, recessed area such that the platform of the second cart is positioned beneath the platform of the first-mentioned cart.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , including at least one rotatable member mounted on the cart and extending rearwardly from the handle frame adjacent the rear end of the platform, the rotatable member comprising guide means for engaging the platform of a second cart as it is nested under the platform of the first-mentioned cart.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handle frame has a horizontal, box supporting stand at its upper end for supporting a box.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein A wheeled cart, comprising: 
 a generally flat platform having a front end, a rear end, and opposite sides;    a plurality of wheels supporting the platform above the ground;    an upwardly extending handle frame extending upwardly from the rear end of the cart;    the platform having a plurality of spaced, upwardly facing supports for releasably mounting accessories on the platform to extend upwardly from the platform;    the accessories comprising at least one horizontal support panel for supporting items at a location spaced above the platform and at least one vertical support frame for holding items at predetermined locations on the platform: and    the supports include including a first pair of upwardly facing supports at a location spaced forwardly from the handle frame and located closer to the rear end of the cart than the front end of the cart, and the vertical support frame has having legs for releasable engagement in said first pair of supports to extend parallel to and spaced a short distance from the handle frame to define a compartment for holding empty boxes which have been folded flat between said handle frame and said vertical support frame, the compartment having an open upper end.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the supports include a second, forward pair of upwardly facing supports at the front end of the platform, and the accessories include a second vertical support frame for releasable engagement in said forward pair of supports.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the supports further include a rear pair of upwardly facing supports aligned with the forward pair of supports for releasably supporting said second vertical support frame in a stored position when not in use.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supports sockets include a rear pair of upwardly facing supports sockets at the rear end of the platform and the accessories include a horizontal support panel having a pair of legs being adapted for releasable axial sliding engagement in said rear pair of supports sockets to support the support panel horizontally at a location spaced above the platform.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the accessories further include a horizontal support platform of approximately the same dimensions as the base platform, the support platform having a forward end and a rear end, and hooks at the forward and rear end for releasable engagement over the second vertical support frame and handle frame, respectively, to hold the support platform horizontally at a spaced height above the base platform.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , including a basket for releasably mounting on the handle frame for holding small items.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1   claim 5 , wherein the supports comprise hollow posts having open upper ends for receiving said accessories.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said wheels comprise a forward pair of wheels and a rear pair of caster wheels, the handle frame has a pair of vertical legs on opposite sides of the platform, the handle frame legs having lower ends, and a mounting bar is secured across the lower end of each handle frame leg, each caster wheel being bolted to a respective one of said mounting bars.