High Load Capacity Collapsible Carts
Patent No. US12275446 (titled "High Load Capacity Collapsible Carts") was filed by Dbest Products Inc on Sep 1, 2023.
What is this patent about?
’446 is related to the field of collapsible carts, specifically those designed for high load capacity and convenient storage. The background acknowledges the widespread use of such carts in both household and commercial settings, highlighting their utility in transporting objects while offering space-saving storage when not in use. However, existing designs often lack sufficient sturdiness in their sidewalls, particularly when handling heavy loads, creating a need for improved structural integrity in collapsible cart designs.
The underlying idea behind ’446 is to enhance the structural stability of a collapsible cart by incorporating a segmented sidewall design with a sliding track-and-member locking mechanism . This allows the sidewalls to fold for storage but provides a secure and rigid connection when the cart is in use. The key insight is to use a sliding member that bridges the joint between the panels, effectively preventing them from folding inward when loaded.
The claims of ’446 focus on a collapsible cart with a rigid frame that forms a compartment. The key feature is a right sidewall composed of two panels connected by a hinge, allowing it to fold inward. A track runs across the joint between these panels, and a sliding member engages this track. By sliding the member across the joint, the two panels are locked together, preventing the sidewall from collapsing. The claims specify the open and closed positions of the sliding member relative to the track and panels.
In practice, the user would extend the sidewalls outward to transition the cart from its closed, folded state to its open, usable state. The sliding members, initially positioned to allow folding, are then moved along their respective tracks to bridge and lock the hinged joints in the sidewalls. This creates a rigid, load-bearing structure. The cart may also include features like swivel wheels with locking mechanisms, a rigid cover panel that doubles as a seat, and a retractable handle for ease of transport.
The differentiation from prior approaches lies in the specific implementation of the sliding track-and-member locking system on the segmented sidewalls. While other collapsible carts exist, ’446 provides a mechanism that directly addresses the issue of sidewall instability under heavy loads. By securely locking the panels together, the design ensures that the cart can maintain its structural integrity and effectively transport heavy objects without collapsing, a problem that prior art designs have not adequately resolved.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2020s when ’446 was filed, collapsible carts were widely used for household and commercial purposes at a time when designs often struggled to provide sufficient sturdiness for transporting heavy objects due to their collapsible nature.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because a prior art reference, Shall (2003/0011173), discloses a similar collapsible cart, but it does not teach or suggest a collapsible cart that includes a track on the right panel with a slidable member to lock the panels together. Also, Shall does not teach a first fastener to selectively secure the first panel and the second panel in the open condition.
Claims
This patent includes 27 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 10, 16, and 22. The independent claims are generally directed to collapsible carts with folding sidewalls and various locking mechanisms to secure the sidewalls in an open position. The dependent claims generally add further details and features to the collapsible cart described in the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US12275446
- Application Number
- US18460131
- Filing Date
- Sep 1, 2023
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Jan 19, 2041
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents