GB2396849A

GB2396849A - A collapsible cart

Info

Publication number: GB2396849A
Application number: GB0300155A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Tristan Mills
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-04
Filing date: 2003-01-04
Publication date: 2004-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-04
Also published as: GB0300155D0; GB2396849B

Abstract

A collapsible cart, such as a go-cart, includes a chassis 3 which can be readily dismantled such that the complete cart can be stored in or on a backpack (figure 3) for carriage. The chassis may comprise a plurality of telescopic channel sections, and a telescopic steering handle 9 may be provided which may be located at more than one location on the cart. A seat 5 and back-rest 7 may form part of the backpack, carry straps (27) being provided on the rear of said back-rest. Removable wheels 13, 15 may be replaced with skis or runners, and a kite may also be provided so that the cart can be used as a land yacht.

Description

A COLLAPSIBLE KART

The present invention relates to go-karts, and in particular to a kart which can be readily collapsed for carriage.

Small harts, more commonly known as go-karts, are traditional toys for children and give great pleasure. Typically, a kart will have four wheels, a chassis and a seat for the child. The kart can either be pushed by a second person or be allowed to freewheel down an incline, such as the side of a hill. Steering of the kart is typically achieved by means of a rope attached to the front axle on both sides or perhaps a fixed steering column.

Karts of the aforementioned type are well known and generally are well made to handle rough terrain. The chassis is rigid and the complete kart can be quite heavy. As a result, carriage of a prior art kart to a play area, such as the top of a hill, can be hard work and a significant deterrent to use of the kart.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention aims to overcome the problem of kart carriage, thereby providing a kart which is more attractive to both 2() the user and the parent, who typically ends up carrying the kart.

According to the present invention, there is provided a collapsible kart including a chassis, wherein the chassis can be readily dismantled such that the complete kart can be stored in or on a backpack for carriage. As a result, the size of the kart for carriage is significantly less than the size when assembled for use, thereby facilitating the carriage of the kart. Additionally, by carrying the kart in or on a backpack, the person carrying the kart will have both hands free for other uses.

3() Preferably the chassis is telescopic. More preferably, the chassis is formed from tubular components, the components preferably having a square or C shaped cross section for rigidity. Square section aluminium is particular preferred, due to its light weight. During assembly, the telescopic components can be extended and locked in position by any appropriate means. For example, biased pins may engage holes in the tubular structure.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the kart further comprises a chair having a seat and a back, wherein the seat and the back define the backpack. In such an embodiment, the seat and back may form a clam shell into which additional components of the kart can be stored for carriage. The seat and back may be pivotally attached and incorporate a locking mechanism for holding the two components closed for carriage.

A kart according to the present invention preferably includes a steering device which can be attached to more than one part of the chassis. For example, if the steering device is attached to a front axle of the kart, a user sitting or standing on the kart can control the direction of the kart. Alternatively, a steering device may be attached to the rear of the seat, for example, thereby enabling an adult, for example, to control the direction of the kart. This would be appropriate when a young child is sitting on the kart.

Preferably the steering device is telescopic, so that its total length when collapsed is readily accommodated in the backpack.

Although the kart according to the present invention is likely to incorporate three or four wheels, these are preferably removable so that larger or smaller wheels can be accommodated. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the wheels can be replaced by runners or skis to enable the kart to be used as a toboggan, for

example, in snow.

Brakes are preferably provided on the kart to enable a user to have better control down an incline. Although the brakes are preferably foot operated brakes, some form of hand operated device could alternatively be used.

As indicated above, the kart preferably incorporates the backpack as a component part of the kart in use. As a result, no additional equipment is needed, other than the kart itself, for carriage.

A kart according to the present invention preferably results in the backpack being no more than 400mm, preferably nearer 340mm, wide and no more than 450mm, preferably nearer 380mm, long when ready for carriage. Clearly, of course, these dimensions will be determined to a certain degree by the extended, in use, dimensions of the kart.

In a preferred embodiment, the kart preferably weighs less than 5kg, so can be readily carried by an adult or child.

It is envisaged that a kart according to the present invention may incorporate a kite, and possible outrigger wheels, so that the kart can be used as a land yachVsurfer. Further, by extending the telescopic shaft of the steering device, it may be possible to use the kart as a scooter.

For safety reasons, it is envisaged that a flashing beacon will be accommodated somewhere on the kart, so that the kart can be easily spotted by third parties, in use. For example, a flashing light may be positioned at the upper end of a 1.5 meter rod extending substantially vertically from the kart.

Other optional features of a collapsible kart according to the present invention will be envisaged by a person skilled in the relevant art.

A particular embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible kart according to the present invention ready for use; Figure 2 is a view the kart of Figure 1 in a partially collapsed position, prior to carriage; and Figure 3 is a view of the collapsible kart of Figures 1 and 2 in a fully collapsed position ready for carriage as a backpack.

With reference to the drawings, a collapsible kart 1 according to the present invention comprises a chassis 3, a seat 5, a back rest 7, a steering column 9, a front axle 11 with wheels 13 and a pair of rear wheels 15 attached to the seat 5. A cushion 17 is also shown positioned on the seat 5.

The chassis 3 is formed of telescopic C-sectioned aluminium lengths which 1() can be locked in position or released for storage by means of biased pins (not shown). Hence, the chassis can either take the extended arrangement shown in Figure 1 for use, or a retracted position as shown in Figure 2 for storage and transport.

The steering column 9 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is formed from rigid rods which can be locked in position or released for folding and storage (Figure 2). In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the steering column 9 may be formed telescopically. In any event, the steering column 9 is rigidly fixed to the front axle 11 such that the front wheels 13 can be redirected by movement of the steering column 9. The steering of the kart 1 is thereby achieved.

When the kart 1 is to be used, the chassis 3 is extended as shown in Figure 1. The user can then sit on the cushion 17 of the seat 5 and rest against the back rest 7 whilst gripping the handle 19 of the steering column 9. The kart 1 can then either be pushed by a second person or simply run down a hill or other incline under gravity. Although not shown in the drawings, brake pads can be mounted on footrests 21, such that the user can slow the motion of the kart by simply depressing the footrests 21 to urge the brake pads onto the front wheels 13 (or axles thereof).

When the kart 1 is to be transported, the chassis 3 is released and retracted into the seat 5. The steering column 9 is also folded or retracted for storage and the backrest 7 can then be pivoted forward about hinge 23 to close over the seat 5 in a clam shell action. A locking device 25 can be used to hold the back rest 7 and seat 5 together with the chassis 3 retracted. On the rear of the back rest 7 are positioned two adjustable shoulder straps 27, so that the collapsed kart can be carried for transport. In another embodiment (not shown), the back rest 7 and seat 5 can be held together in a closed arrangement by means of a peripheral zip.

Thus, the collapsed kart could look even more like a typical backpack. With this in mind, if appropriate the wheels 13,15 may be removed from the outside of the backpack and stored within the backpack for transport.

Although not specifically shown in the drawings, wheels having other sizes (perhaps larger or smaller) could be applied to the kart 1. The size of wheel may be dependent upon the type of terrain over which the kart is to be used.

Alternatively, if the kart is to be used on snow or ice, skis could be applied in place of wheels, thereby resulting in the kart becoming a toboggan or sledge.

Although it is envisaged that the kart will usually be carried by a user on his or her back, if preferred the chassis 3 could be partially or fully extended to act as a handle. The kart could then be pulled along with the rear wheels 15 running on the ground, as one pulls a wheeled suitcase for example.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the amended claim.

Claims

1. A collapsible kart including a chassis, wherein the chassis can be readily dismantled such that the complete kart can be stored in or on a backpack for carriage.

2. A kart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chassis is telescopic.

3. A kart as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the chassis is formed from l() tubular components.

4. A kart as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tubular components are Csectioned aluminium.

5. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chassis is locked in an extended position by means of biased pins.

6. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a chair having a seat and a back, wherein the seat and the back define the backpack.

7. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a steering device which can be attached to more than one part of the chassis depending upon how the kart is to be used.

8. A kart as claimed in claim 7, wherein the steering device has a telescopic shaft.

9. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising wheels which are removable.

10. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, which can accommodate runners or skis to enable the kart to be used on a grassy field or in snow.

11. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising brakes for controlling the motion of the kart.

12. A kart as claimed in claim 11, wherein the brakes are foot operated. s

13. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the backpack forms part of the kart when the kart is being used.

14. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the backpack is no more lo than 400mm wide, preferably 340mm wide, and no more than 450mm long, preferably 380mm long, when ready for carriage.

15. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, which weighs less than 5kg.

16. A kart as claimed in any preceding claim, which further incorporates a kite so that the kart can be used as a land yachVsurfer.

17. A kart as claimed in claim 16, further comprising outrigger wheels for stability.

18. A collapsible kart substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.