US20080098937A1

US20080098937A1 - Folding Furniture

Info

Publication number: US20080098937A1
Application number: US11/850,205
Authority: US
Inventors: John Green
Original assignee: Bush Industries Inc
Current assignee: Bush Industries Inc
Priority date: 2006-09-05
Filing date: 2007-09-05
Publication date: 2008-05-01

Abstract

A folding table has a top shelf with a primary bracket pivotably attached to the top shelf and to a base. A top brace extends from the primary bracket and clips to the top shelf while a bottom brace extends from the primary bracket and clips to the base. The folding table collapses into a compact configuration. A folding shelving system has shelves mounted upon two opposing support sides. A typical shelf is pivotally attached to the support sides at one end and clipped at another end. The sides may be rotated to engage or release the shelf from the clip. The shelving system collapses to a compact configuration. A quick assembly cart has two opposing side structures that are secured in a spaced-apart parallel arrangement by removable connecting tubes.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/824,548, filed Sep. 5, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention is directed to folding furniture comprised of 1) a folding table, 2) a folding desk, 3) a folding corner table, 4) a folding bookcase, and 5) a cart. More particularly, the subject invention is directed to the folding linkages associated with the majority of these pieces, such that they are flat and easily transportable in their collapsed configuration.
2. Description of Related Art
Ready-To-Assemble furniture typically is provided to a customer completely disassembled in discrete parts. Assembly of such discrete parts may be relatively straight forward, however, the mere existence of many parts that need to be assembled sometimes requires a large amount of time. A design is needed which provides high quality ready-to-assemble furniture which requires a minimum effort to assemble and install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the invention is directed to a folding table having a top shelf with a top surface and a bottom surface. The table also has a shelf connector attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf, a base and a first primary bracket having a first end pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf and a second end pivotally attached to the base. The table also has a first primary bracket top brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the first primary bracket and the second end is retained by the shelf connector. In the assembled state, the first primary bracket top brace supports the top shelf in a generally horizontal position and in the collapsed state; the folding table has a flat compact configuration suitable for transporting.
A second embodiment of the invention is directed to a shelving system comprised of two opposing support sides, wherein each side has a front support member having a length, a rear support member having a length, and a mounting bracket having a first end and a second end. The first end of the mounting bracket is pivotally connected along the length of the front support member and the second end of the mounting bracket is pivotally connected along the length of the rear support member. The side also has a base, wherein the front support member is pivotally connected to the base at one location and wherein the rear support member is pivotally connected to the base at another location, spaced apart from the first location. The pivotal connections securing the front support member, rear support member, mounting bracket and base, together define a parallelogram. The system has at least two shelves, wherein each shelf has associated with it a front shelf post attached to the front support member of each opposing support side and a rear shelf post attached to the rear support member of each opposing support side. Each shelf is pivotally secured at one location to one of either the front shelf post or the rear shelf post while each shelf at a spaced-apart location rests upon the other of the front shelf post or the rear shelf post.
A third embodiment of the invention is directed to a quick-assembly cart having two opposing side structures, wherein each side structure is comprised of an upper member, a lower member, and frame members therebetween. The frame members are rigidly attached to one another and to the upper and lower members. The cart also has removable connecting tubes extending between and securing the two opposing side structures in a spaced parallel relationship. At least one connecting tube is an axle through the lower member, wherein wheels are mounted to opposing ends of the axel to secure the axle and to provide a mechanism to roll the cart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a collection of folding office furniture;
FIGS. 2A and 2B represent perspective views of a folding table illustrated in FIG.1;
FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of the folding table;
FIG. 2D illustrates a side view of the folding table;
FIGS. 2E and 2F illustrate enlarged details of FIG. 2D;
FIG. 3A shows a front view of the folding table in the collapsed state;
FIG. 3B shows a side view of the folding table in the collapsed state;
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a folding desk;
FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate perspective view of a corner table;
FIG. 5C illustrates an end view of the corner table;
FIG. 5D illustrates a side view of the corner table;
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a perspective view of a folding bookcase in accordance with the subject invention;
FIG. 6C illustrates a side view of the folding bookcase;
FIG. 6D illustrates an enlarged portion of the folding bookcase illustrated in FIG. 6C;
FIG. 6E illustrates a front view of the folding bookcase;
FIG. 6F illustrates an enlarged portion of the folding bookcase illustrated in FIG. 6E;
FIG. 6G illustrates a side view of the collapsed configuration of the folding bookcase;
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a cart in accordance with the subject invention;
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate perspective views of a cart in accordance with the subject invention;
FIG. 7C illustrates a top view of the cart;
FIG. 7D illustrates a side view of the cart;
FIG. 7E illustrates an exploded perspective view of the cart; and
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a cart adapted to accommodated hanging files.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates each of the furniture items that will be discussed herein. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates a folding table 100, a folding desk 200, a folding corner table 300, a folding bookcase 400, a CPU cart 500, and a hanging file cart 600.
Directing attention to FIGS. 2A-2F, the folding table 100 is comprised of a top shelf 105 having a top surface 107 and a bottom surface 109. A shelf connector 110 is attached to the bottom surface 109 of the top shelf 105. The folding table 100 additionally has a base 115 and a first primary bracket 120 having a first end 122 pivotally attached to the bottom surface 109 of the top shelf 105 and a second end 124 pivotally attached to the base 115. The folding table 100 additionally has a first primary bracket top brace 125 having a first end 127 and second end 129 along a longitudinal axis 130. The first end 127 is retained by the shelf connector 110 and the second end 129 is pivotally attached along the length of the first primary bracket 120.
In the assembled state, as illustrated in FIG. 2D, the first primary bracket top brace 125 supports the top shelf 105 in a generally horizontal position and, wherein, in the collapsed state (FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B), the folding table 100 has a flat compact configuration suitable for transporting.
The folding table 100 additionally includes a base connector 135 attached to the base 115 and a first primary bottom bracket bottom brace 140 having a first end 142 and a second end 144 along a longitudinal axis 145. The first end 142 is pivotally attached along the length of the first primary bracket 120 and the second end 144 is retained by the base connector 135. The first primary bracket top brace 125 includes a segment 126 (FIG. 2C) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 130 at the second end 127. The first primary bracket bottom segment 141 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 145 at a second end 144. The shelf connector 110 and the base connector 135 are clips which accept the perpendicular segments 126, 141 of the braces 125, 140, respectively.
The folding table 100 additionally includes a first secondary bracket 150 having a first end 152 and a second end 154, wherein the bracket 150 is pivotally connected at the first end 152 to the bottom surface 109 of the top shelf 105 and is pivotally connected at the second end 154 with the base 115. Additionally, the first secondary bracket 150 is spaced from but parallel to the first primary bracket 120 to form a parallelogram comprised of the first primary bracket 120, the first secondary bracket 150, a line L1 intersecting with the pivotal connection of the first ends 122, 152 of the brackets 120, 150 with the top shelf 105 and a line L2 intersecting with the pivotal connection of the second ends 124, 154 of the brackets 120, 150 with the base 115. Through the use of such a parallelogram configuration, the top shelf 105 and the base 115 remain generally parallel to one another when the table 100 is assembled, as illustrated in FIG. 2D, and when the table 100 is collapsed, as illustrated in FIG. 3B.
As illustrated in FIG. 2D, the first primary bracket 120, the first secondary bracket 150 and the top brace 125 are secured to the bottom surface 109 of the top shelf 105 through an intermediate mounting strip 155.
Directing attention to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the table 100 may further include a handle 160 on the top shelf 105 which may be an aperture 162 extending through the top shelf 105.
Additionally the folding table 100 may include at least one wheel 165 mounted to the base 115, wherein in the collapsed state illustrated in FIG. 3B, the at least one wheel 165 has an axle 167 oriented in a direction non-perpendicular to the top shelf 105, such that in the collapsed state, the table 100 may be supported by the wheel 165 for transporting as can be seen in FIG. 3A.
It should be noted that while only a first primary bracket 120 and a first secondary bracket 150 with their braces and pivotal supports has been so far discussed, such an arrangement properly positioned relative to the top shelf may be sufficient to support the top shelf 105. However, in a preferred embodiment, a first primary bracket 120 with a first secondary bracket 150 on each side of the top shelf 105 is preferred and it is this embodiment that is illustrated in FIGS. 2A through 2F. It should be appreciated from inspection of FIGS. 2A through 2F, that the first primary bracket 120 and the first secondary bracket 150 on one side of the top shelf 105 have symmetric counterparts on the opposite side of the top shelf 105 and these counterparts will be referred to as the second primary bracket 120′ having a second primary bracket top brace 125′ and a second primary bracket bottom brace 140′. The operation of the second primary top bracket 120′, the second primary top brace 125′ and the second primary bottom brace 140′ operate in a similar fashion as those braces previously described and, therefore, these details will not be described again.
Directing attention to FIG. 2C, each top brace 125, 125′ includes a segment 126, 126′ extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 129, 129′ at the second end 127, 127′ of the braces 125, 125′. Furthermore, each bottom brace 140, 140′ includes a segment 141, 141′ extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 145, 145′ at the second end 144, 144′. The shelf connectors 110, 110′ and the base connectors 135, 135′ are clips which accept the perpendicular segments 126, 126′, 141, 141′ of the braces 125, 125′, 140, 140′. As illustrated in FIG. 2C, perpendicular segments 126, 126′ extend from the top braces 125, 125′ to form a common top cross-member 165 and the perpendicular segments 141, 141′ extend from the bottom braces 140, 140′ form a common bottom cross-member 167.
It should be noted that the first secondary brackets 150, 150′, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, are secured together utilizing a top bracket cross-member 170.
Briefly directing attention to FIG. 2D, the distance of line L1 is equal to the distance of line L2, while the length of the first primary bracket 120 between the pivot points is equal to the length of the first secondary bracket 150 between the pivots.
FIG. 4 illustrates a folding desk 200 having similar feature to the folding table 100 discussed with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3 however the top shelf 205 of the folding desk 200 has a greater width than the top shelf 105 of the folding table 100. However, the linkages and the operation of the folding table 100 and the folding desk 200 are similar.
FIGS. 5A through 5D illustrate a folding table 300 that may be utilized as a corner table to connect two adjacent pieces of furniture. In particular, the folding table 300 has a first primary bracket 320 that supports one portion of the top shelf 305 and fasteners 380 are attached to another portion of the top shelf 305 and adapted to be secured to an adjacent furniture piece such as the folding desk 200 (FIG. 1) for support. Just as before, the first primary bracket 320 has associated with it a first secondary bracket 350. However the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5A through 5D includes only a first primary bracket top brace 325 and does not include a first primary bracket bottom brace. Nevertheless, the operation of the remaining combination of parts is similar to that described with respect to the folding desk 100. Furthermore, as illustrated in 5A through 5D, the top shelf 305 has opposing sides 382, 384 disposed relative to one another at a desired angle which is illustrated in FIG. 5A. These opposing sides 382, 384 may be disposed relative to one another at right angles to provide a corner table.
FIG. 6A through 6G are directed to a folding bookcase 400. Just as with the folding table 100, only a single side of this folding bookcase 400 will be discussed with the understanding that the opposite side performs in an identical manner.
The folding bookcase 400 is comprised of two opposing support sides 405, 410 wherein each side 405, 410 is symmetric and, for purposes of this discussion, opposing side 405 will be discussed.
Opposing side 405 has a front support member 415 having a length and a rear support member 420 having a length. A mounting bracket 425 has a first end 427 and a second end 429, wherein the first end 427 of the mounting bracket 425 is pivotally connected along the front support member 415 and a second end 429 of the mounting bracket 425 is pivotally connected along the length of the rear support member 420. The opposing support side 405 has a base 430 and the front support member 415 is pivotally connected to the base 430 at one location 432, while the rear support member 420 is pivotally connected to the base 430 at another location 434. The first location 432 is spaced apart from the second location 434. A line L3 connecting the pivotal connections securing the front support member 415 to the rear support member 420 at the mounting bracket 425 and a line L4 connecting the pivotal connections securing the front support member 415 and a rear support member 420 to the base 430 form with the front support member 415 and the rear support member 420 a parallelogram.
The folding bookcase 400 has at least two shelves 435, 436 and for purposes of this discussion, shelf 435 will be discussed with the understanding that, not only shelf 436, but other shelves associated with the folding bookcase 400, may be identical.
In particular, shelf 435 has associated with it a front shelf post 440 attached to the front support member 415 and a rear shelf post 445 attached to the rear support member 420. The shelf 435 is pivotally attached to the rear support member 420 through a clamp 447, while the shelf 435 rests upon the front shelf post 440. It is also possible for the clamp 447 to be secured to the front shelf post 440 and for the shelf 435 to rest upon the rear shelf post 445.
Although the shelf 435 rests upon the front shelf post 440, a bracket 455 may be utilized to restrain the motion of the shelf 435 relative to the front shelf post 440. In particular, the bracket 455 may be c-shaped, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, such that the front shelf post 440 contacts the inside of the bracket 455, thereby restraining lateral motion in a direction toward the bracket 455 and vertical motion.
Directing attention to FIG. 6C, in the upright position, the opposing side, such as opposing side 405, is angled with respect to the location at which the base 430 contacts the floor 460, such that gravity will urge the opposing side 405, 410 to rest against the wall 462 and that in such a position, the shelf post 440 is urged against the back surface 448 of the clamp 447 to lock the shelf 435 in place.
As illustrated in FIG.6C, opposing side 405 has a top 407 and a bottom 409. The width W of each shelf increases as the location of the shelf moves from the top 407 to the bottom 409 of the opposing support side 405.
Directing attention to FIG. 6F, a mounting plate 465 is attached to the mounting bracket 425, wherein the mounting plate 465 is adapted to be secured to a wall 462 when the folding bookcase 400 is in the upright position.
From inspection of FIGS. 6C and 6D, it can be appreciated that the parallelogram arrangement pivots and that by doing so, the relative position of the front shelf post 440 and the bracket 455 changes, such that when the opposing support side 405 is rotated counter-clockwise, at some point the bracket 455 will clear the front shelf post 440 and the shelf 435 may be pivoted counter-clockwise away from the front shelf post 440 to a position nearly parallel with that of the rear support member 420. The folding bookcase 40 may be rotated further counter-clockwise until the assembly assumes a collapsed configuration similar to that illustrated in FIG. 6G, which provides a compact configuration suitable for transporting.
FIGS. 7A through 7E illustrate a quick-assembly CPU cart 500 having two opposing side structures 505, 510 and, once again, it should be noted that opposing side structure 505 and opposing side structure 510 are symmetric to one another, such that with this understanding, only opposing side structure 505 will be discussed.
Opposing structure 505 has an upper member 515, a lower member 520 and frame members 522, 523, 524 therebetween, wherein the frame members 522, 523, 524 are rigidly attached to one another and to the upper member 515 and to the lower member 520.
Removable connecting tubes 530, 535, 540 extend between and secure the two opposing side structures 505, 510 in a spaced parallel relationship. At least one removable connecting tube 540 is an axle 542 extending through the lower member 520 wherein wheels 545 are mounted to opposing ends 547, 548 on the axle 542 to secure the axle 542 and to provide a mechanism to roll the cart 500.
As seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a single connecting tube 530 is attached at one end 517 of the upper member 515 of the opposing side structure 505. Additionally, a shelf 550 may be mounted between the lower member 520 of opposing side member 505 and the matching lower member on the opposing side structure 510.
FIG. 7E illustrates an exploded view of the CPU cart 500 and, more particularly, illustrates the removable connecting tubes 530, 535, 540 and the manner in which they are secured to the opposing side structure 505 and the opposing side structure 510. A decorative cover plate 555 may be secured to the opposing side structure 505 and a decorative cover plate 560 may also be mounted to the opposing side structure 510.
The shelf 550 may be used to support a computer cabinet or another object.
The CPU cart 500 illustrated with respect to FIGS. 7A-7E has a basic structure that may be utilized for other purposes. In particular, directing attention to FIG.8, a hanging file cart 600 is comprised of an opposing side structure 605 and an opposing side structure 610 wherein, just as before, opposing side structure 605 will be discussed with the understanding that opposing side structure 610 is identical to but symmetric with opposing side structure 605. The primary difference between the hanging file cart 600 and the CPU cart 500 is the lack of a shelf 550 (FIG. 7E) for the hanging file cart 600 and furthermore the introduction of an additional removable connecting tube. In particular, the hanging file cart 600 has removable connecting tubes 630, 635, 640 and 645, wherein tube 645 is an axle similar to that described with respect to the CPU cart 500. However, the upper member 615 of the hanging file cart 600 includes the removable connecting tube 635 located at one end 607 of the opposing side structure 605 and one end 612 of the opposing side structure 610. The upper member 615 also includes another removable connecting tube 640 at the other end 609 of opposing side structure 605 and one end 614 of the opposing side structure 610. The opposing side structures 605, 610 are spaced apart and the removable connecting members 635, 640 have support runners 645, 650 therebetween shaped and positioned to accommodate hanging files.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presently preferred embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A folding table comprised of:

a) a top shelf having a top surface and a bottom surface;

b) a shelf connector attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf;

c) a base;

d) a first primary bracket having a first end pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf and a second end pivotally attached to the base; and

e) a first primary bracket top brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the first primary bracket and the second end is retained by the shelf connector; and wherein in the assembled state, the first primary bracket top brace supports the top shelf in a generally horizontal position and wherein in the collapsed state, the folding table has a flat compact configuration suitable for transporting.

2. The folding table according to claim 1, further comprising:

a) a base connector attached to the base; and

b) a first primary bracket bottom brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, where the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the first primary bracket and the second end is retained by the base connector.

3. The folding table according to claim 2, wherein:

a) the top brace includes a segment extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the second end;

b) the bottom brace includes a segment extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the second end; and

c) the shelf connector and the base connector are clips which accept the perpendicular segments of the braces.

4. The folding table according to claim 2, further comprising a first secondary bracket having a first end and a second end, wherein the bracket is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of the top shelf and with the base, and wherein the first secondary bracket is spaced from but parallel to the first primary bracket to form a parallelogram comprised of the first primary bracket, the first secondary bracket, a line intersecting with the pivotal connection of the first ends of the brackets with the top shelf and a line intersecting with the pivotal connection of the second ends of the brackets with the base, such that the top shelf and base remain generally parallel to one another when the table is assembled and when the table is collapsed.

5. The folding table according to claim 4, wherein the first primary bracket, first secondary bracket and the top brace are secured to the bottom surface of the top shelf through an intermediate mounting strip.

6. The folding table according to claim 1, further comprising a handle on the top shelf.

7. The folding table according to claim 6, wherein the handle is an aperture extending through the top shelf.

8. The folding table according to claim 1, further comprising at least one wheel mounted to the base, wherein in the collapsed state the at least one wheel has an axle oriented in a direction non-perpendicular to the top shelf such that in the collapsed state the table may be supported by the wheel for transportation.

9. The folding table according to claim 8, wherein the axle of the at last one wheel is oriented in a direction generally parallel to the top shelf.

10. The folding table according to claim 1, further comprising:

a) a second primary bracket having a first end pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the top shelf and a second end pivotally attached to the base;

b) a second primary bracket top brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the second primary bracket and the second end is retained by the shelf connector; and

c) a second primary bracket bottom brace having a first end and a second end along a longitudinal axis, where the first end is pivotally attached along the length of the second primary bracket and the second end is retained by the base connector; wherein in the assembled state, the first locking element and the second locking elements of the first and second brackets support the top shelf in a generally horizontal position and wherein in the collapsed state, the folding table has a flat compact configuration suitable for transporting.

11. The folding table according to claim 10, further comprising a second secondary bracket spaced from but parallel to the second primary bracket to form a parallelogram comprised of the second primary bracket, the second secondary bracket, a line intersecting with the pivotal connection of the first ends of the brackets with the top shelf and a line intersecting with the pivotal connection of the second ends of the brackets with the base, such that the top shelf and base remain generally parallel to one another when the table is collapsed.

12. The folding table according to claim 10, wherein:

a) each top brace includes a segment extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the second end;

b) each bottom brace includes a segment extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the second end;

c) the shelf connector and the base connector are clips which accept the perpendicular segments of the braces;

d) wherein the perpendicular segments extending from the top braces meet to form a common top cross member and the perpendicular segments extending from the bottom braces meet to form a common bottom cross member.

13. The folding table according to claim 1, wherein the first primary bracket supports one portion of the top shelf and fasteners are attached to another portion of the top shelf adapted to be secured to an adjacent furniture piece for support.

14. The folding table according to claim 13, wherein the top shelf has opposing sides disposed relative to one another at right angles to provide a corner table.

15. A shelving system comprised of:

a) two opposing support sides, wherein each side is comprised of:

i) a front support member having a length;

ii) a rear support member having a length;

iii) a mounting bracket having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the mounting bracket is pivotally connected along the length of the front support member and the second end of the mounting bracket is pivotally connected along the length of the rear support member; and

iv) a base, wherein the front support member is pivotally connected to the base at one location and wherein the rear support member is pivotally connected to the base at another location, spaced apart from the first location, wherein the pivotal connections securing the front support member, rear support member, mounting bracket and base together define a parallelogram;

b) at least two shelves, wherein each shelf has associated with it a front shelf post attached to the front support member of each opposing support side and a rear shelf post attached to the rear support member of each opposing support side; and

c) wherein each shelf is pivotally secured at one location to one of either the front shelf post or the rear shelf post while each shelf at a spaced-apart location rests upon the other of the front shelf post or the rear shelf post.

16. The shelving system according to claim 15, wherein each shelf is pivotally secured at one location with a clamp to a shelf post and wherein each shelf further comprises a bracket to permit the shelf to rest upon the shelf post but also to restrain motion of the shelf post within the bracket.

17. The shelving system according to claim 16, wherein in the upright position, the two opposing sides are angled with respect to the base such that gravity will urge the opposing sides to rest against a wall and that in such a position the shelf posts are urged against the wall of the bracket to lock each shelf in place.

18. The shelving system according to claim 15, wherein each opposing support side has a top and a bottom and wherein the width a each shelf increases from the top to the bottom of the opposing support sides.

19. The shelving system according to claim 15, further comprising a mounting plate attached to the mounting bracket, wherein the mounting plate is adapted to be secured to a wall when the shelve system is in the upright position.

20. The shelving system according to claim 15, wherein the front support member and the rear support member of the two opposing side supports may be moved relative to one another resulting in the shelve system folding into a compact configuration suitable for transporting.

21. A quick-assembly cart comprised of:

a) two opposing side structures, wherein each side structure is comprised of:

i) an upper member;

ii) a lower member;

iii) frame members therebetween, wherein the frame members are rigidly attached to one another and to the upper member and to the lower member; and

b) removable connecting tubes extending between and securing the two opposing side structures in a spaced parallel relationship; wherein at least one connecting tube is an axle through the lower member, wherein wheels are mounted to opposing ends of the axle to secure the axle and to provide a mechanism to roll the cart.

22. The quick-assembly cart according to claim 21, wherein a single connecting tube attaches at one end of the upper member of the opposing side structure and further comprising a shelf mounted between the lower members of the opposing side structure.

23. The quick-assembly cart according to claim 21, wherein a pair of connecting tubes attaches, one at each end of the upper member of the opposing side structures, and wherein the opposing side structures are spaced apart and the connecting members have support runners therebetween shaped and positioned to accommodate hanging files.