Cart with automatic positioning handle and independently positionable wheels

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a cart or pick-up truck capable of transporting a load on level ground, hills and inclines and up stairways and the like wherein the operator thereof is capable of maintaining a constant erect position during operation, regardless of the contour of the terrain over which the cart is driven. The cart includes a frame having a rotatable upward handle portion, the handle portion being rotatable in a direction away from and toward the operator and having a stop when rotated in a direction toward the operator so that the rotatable portion of the handle is never rotated to the point where it is coaxial with the remaining portion of the frame. The cart also includes a pair of individually rotatable wheels, each wheel having a rotatable shaft whereby the wheels individually seek their own level, depending upon the terrain over which the cart is pulled or pushed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hand truck comprising a substantially upright frame member extending in a plane, a platform extending from the lower end of the frame member transversely to said plane,   a pair of wheels,   means mounting the wheels on the lower end of the frame member for respective independent rotation about axes parallel to said plane on the side opposite to that on which the platform is located,   a handle pivoted to rotate freely on the upper end of the frame about an axis parallel to the wheel axes,   and stop means on the frame and handle for confining pivotal movement of the handle to a position above the platform.   
     
     
       2. A hand truck in accordance with claim 1 in which the means mounting the wheels for rotation on the frame each comprises an arm mounted at one end on the frame member for respective independent 360° rotation about a first axis, each wheel being mounted at its center on the other end of the arm for rotation about a second axis.   
     
     
       3. A hand truck in accordance with claim 2 in which the first axis of each arm is on the other side of the frame member and spaced therefrom, said first axis passing through support means located on the other side of the frame member and extending transversely therefrom. .Iadd. 4. A hand truck comprising:   a. a body member,   b. a first and second wheel   c. first means secured to said body member for mounting said first wheel for rotation said first means including   d. a first axle member secured to said body member and having a first predetermined axis,   e. a second axle member secured to said first axle member for continuous 360° rotation about a circular path, the plane of said circular path being normal to said first predetermined axis, said first predetermined axis being on a line passing through the center of said circular path,   f. said wheel being mounted on said second axle member for 360° rotation therearound   g. said second axle member of said first means secured to said body for rotation in said circular path independently of rotation of said first axle member associated therewith,   h. second means secured to said body member for mounting said second wheel for rotation, said second means including   i. a third axle member secured to said body member and having a third predetermined axis,   j. a fourth axle member secured to said third axle member for continuous 360° rotation about a circular path, the plane of said circular path being normal to said third predetermined axis, said third predetermined axis being on a line passing through the center of said circular path,   k. said wheel being mounted on said fourth axle member for 360° rotation therearound   l. said fourth axle member of said second means secured to said body for rotation in said circular path independently of rotation of said third   
     
     
        axle member associated therewith. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 5.  A hand truck as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first predetermined axis and said third predetermined axis lie along the same line. .Iaddend..Iadd. 6. A hand truck as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first axle member and said second axle member are integral with each other. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 7. A hand truck as set forth in claim 6 wherein at least some of the planes of rotation of each of the circular paths are each spaced from said first and third axle members. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 8. A hand cart as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second and fourth axles each include an elbow portion at an angle with the axes of said second and fourth axles respectively, and bearing means secured around each of said first and third axles respectively, said bearing means also being secured to each of said elbow portions respectively. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 9. A hand truck as set forth in claim 5 wherein at least some of the planes of rotation of each of the circular paths are each spaced from said first and third axle members. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 10. A hand cart as set forth in claim 9 wherein said second and fourth axles each include an elbow portion at an angle with the axes of said second and fourth axles respectively, and bearing means secured around each of said first and third axles respectively, said bearing means also being secured to each of said elbow portions respectively. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 11. A hand truck as set forth in claim 4 wherein at least some of the planes of rotation of each of the circular paths are each spaced from said first and third axle members. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 12. A hand cart as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second and fourth axles each include an elbow portion at an angle with the axes of said second and fourth axles respectively and bearing means secured around each of said first and third axles respectively, said bearing means also being secured to each of said elbow portions respectively. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 13. A hand truck comprising: a. a body member,   b. a wheel, and   c. means secured to said body member for mounting said wheel for rotation, said means including   d. a first axle member secured to said body member and having a first predetermined axis,   e. a second axle member secured to said first axle member for continuous 360° rotation about a circular path, the plane of said circular path being normal to said first predetermined axle, said first predetermined axis being on a line passing through the center of said circular path,   f. said wheel being mounted on said second axle for 360° rotation therearound, wherein said second axle includes an elbow portion at an angle with the axis of said second axle and bearing means secured around said first axle for 360° continuous rotation therearound, said   
     
     
        bearing means also being secured to said elbow. .Iaddend..Iadd. 14.  A hand truck comprising: a. a body member,   b. a first and second wheel   c. first means secured to said body member for mounting said first wheel for rotation and second means secured to said body member for mounting said second wheel for rotation, said first and second means each including   d. a first axle member secured to said body member and having a first predetermined axis,   e. A second axle member secured to said first axle member for continuous 360° rotation about a circular path, the plane of said circular path being normal to said first predetermined axis, said first predetermined axis being on a line passing through the center of said circular path,   f. each said wheel being mounted on said second axle member for 360° rotation therearound, wherein said second and fourth each include an elbow portion at an angle with the axis of said second and fourth axles respectively, and bearing means secured around each of said first and third axles respectively, said bearing means also being secured to each of said elbow portions respectively. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 15. A hand truck as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first predetermined axis and said third predetermined axis lie along the same line. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. A hand truck as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first axle member and said second axle member are integral with each other. .Iaddend.