US2582435A - Wheeled carrier - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 15, 1952 E. A. HOWARD WHEELED CARRIER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1945 L71 H INVENTOR.

BY fa 2 3 ATTORNEY- 1952 E. A. HOWARD 2,582,435

WHEELED CARRIER Filed June 26, 1946 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 rill/III! 4 IIIIIIIIIIIII IN V EN TOR.

BY/l WM A T TOR/v5 Y.

E. A. HOWARD WHEELED CARRIER Jan. 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 26, 1946 VII/II/I/IIII/IIIIIIM I INVENTOR. 1%Mdfih1/M BY I A WW A TTOENE Y.

some for some people to lift or move.

used 1 in several different manners.

Patented Jan. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WHEELED CARRIER Edwar'dA. Howard, Altadena, Calif. Applicationlune 12.6, 1946, Serial No. 67933.

14 Cla ms. I

This invention has todo with a wheeled car rier and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, easily operated carrier of general utility.

There are many situations where objects or articles are to be handled or transported. For example, around a home there are variou objects to behandled or movedfrom time to ti such objects being sacKS, luggage, garbage and miscellaneous articlesoivarious forms. Suqh objects or articles are not always of great weight or bulk, but they are often diflicult and burden,-

Further. th matt r of carrying ro eries, or .thelike, and

of carrying small children, often becomes very burdensome. Again, thereare people'who render .services or perform tasks that require carrying loads,..as for example,-postmen usually carry bags of mail,,and.this at times becomes a ratherheavy burden.

It is a general object of my invention to pro- -.vide a carrier for use in situationssuch as Ihave outlined. The carrier that I have provided is light and easy to handle, and is .very simple to manipulate. The carrier is adjustable or collapsible so that it can be conveniently carried in an automobile, or the like, or can'be handled in limited quarters and stored in asmall space.

. It isa further object of mypresent-invention to provide a wheeled carrier adaptable to various uses and which works easily and efliciently when The structure that I have provided is so organized and balanced as to make it a carrier that can be used'to equaladvantage where it is desired or necessary that the object being handled be supported by resting it on a platform or where the object or article is such as to be advantageously hung or suspended from its upper end.

-may be removed to render the platform available for carrying objects such'as boxes, barrels, cans, etc.

Another object of my presentinvention jis'ito provide a Wheeled carrier of the general type referred to involving few simple inexpensive parts. The structure that I have provided can be easilyand cheaply manufactured of standard readily available materials, and it involvesfew asimple {parts that are easilyassembled and: which cooperate to form .a substantial, effective unit practical for general service such as Ihave outlined above.

It is another object of my invention to provide a carrier of the general type referred to which is collapsible or contractible into a simple, convenient form suitable for being handled in pub.- lic conveyances, in automobiles, or for being stored Where space is limited.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the iollowing detailed description of typical preferred forms ;and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the ac.- .companyine draw ngs, i w ch;

lEFig. 1 i s a side elevation of a typical preferred form f d v ce embo in my pre n ve t on, sh wing its ari u pr ipal parts in fu l wo king position, a basket being located above the pla orm a d a bag e g susp ded rom h handle. Fig. 2 is a front view or a personhandling the structure provided by the present inventi at o s o th fi ure an embod ment of the invention is shown collapsed and 1 carried on the shoulder, andat the other side of the figure an embodiment of the invention i sh w c0l ap ed and ed in e ban F g- 3 is aside View of the structure showing it with the ask tre v d th a d d w a d the structure ee o n loa w t er, and

showina th p at orm in a fully folded position,

and indicating an alternate position in which the platform may ea ne i A i a v ew similar to Fig. 1 showing the device without a load suspended from the handle and without the basket, and showing a load carried by the "platform. Fi ;5 is a front elev on of the structure showin it without any load whatever and without the basket. ,Fig. .6 is a irontelevation of the structure, showing the basket in place and showing a bag carried by the handle, being a view taken as indicated by line 6-.-6 on Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a plan view of thestructure, being a view taken as indicated byline 1-! .on Fig. 6. :Fig. ,8 is an enlarged, detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 8-3 on Fig. 4 with certain parts broken away to show in section and with parts broken Qout to compress the illustration. Fig. 9 is an onlarged detailed sectional view taken as indic ted by line 9- 9lo. Fig- 4. Fig. lo-is aneularged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line Iii-Ii! on Fig. 6. Fig. 1 1 isan isometric view of ,a modified form of construction show.-

:ing it without the basket ,and free of any load whatsoever. Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the structure employed in the modified form of device illustrated in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the construction followed in Fig. 11. Fig. 14 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line I4I4 on Fig. 13 and Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line I5-I5 on Fig. 14.

The structure that I have provided involves certain primary or essential elements, the formation and relationship of which I will set forth in detail. These various elements may be varied considerably in form and design or as to details of construction. For example, in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, I show one type or form of construction, whereas in Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive, I show another form or type of construction. In describing a typical form and application of the invention and in explaining typical uses of the device, I will first refer to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive. The structure that I have provided involves, generally, a main frame A, a pair of supporting wheels B, mounting means C for each wheel, a handle unit D shiftable relative to the frame 'A, a latch means E controlling the handle unit, "a platform F, means G adjustably supporting the platform from the frame A, a wheel support H for the platform F, a bag J suspended from the handle unit D, and a basket K carried by the frame A.

The frame A is, in effect, the part or element to which the various other parts or elements of the structure are connected, and in its pre- D, although they preferably extend upwardly and rearwardly somewhat as will be apparent from an examination of Figs. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings. The frame further involves a top 'rail II that extends between and connects the upper end portions of the side members I and a bottom rail I2 that extends between and connects the lower end portions of the side members II]. In the preferred arrangement of parts the top rail is located at the upper ends of the side members III while the bottom rail I2 is spaced somewhat above the lower ends of the side members so that the side members have downwardly projecting lower end portions which I will term legs l3. The legs I3 are of equal length and are preferably provided at their ends with caps such as rubber tips I4, or the like, so that they will not mar the fiOOr or the surface when the device is in a position such as is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The rails of the frame may be connected to the side members thereof in any suitable manner and in practice the particular construction involved for making these connections will be governed somewhat by the form or type of material employed in the construction of the frame members. In the case being described the frame members Ill, II and I2 are simple straight tubular parts, in which case I may employ any convenient construction suitable for joining tubes. In the drawings I have shown fittings I5 connecting the ends of the bottom rail I2 to the side members III. Each fitting I5 involves a tubular part I6 fast or tight on the member- ID that it engages and having a stud I'I projectmg laterally to enter the end of member I2. In practice the joints or connections between the several parts just referred to may be made secure or tight by 5 any suitable means and, if desired, and regardless of what means may be employed I may anchor the parts together as by providing indentations at points I8, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

The ends of top rail I I are secured to the members ID by suitable fittings I9. Each fitting I9 has a tubular part 20 fast or tight on the member 7 II) that it engages and has a stud 2| projecting laterally to enter the end of member I2. The fittings l9 like the fittings I5 may be secured to or made fast on the frame parts in any suitable manner.

The wheels B of the carrier are preferably simple light wheels of suitable size. For example, as shown in the drawings, they may be simple, disctype wheels, each having a hub 22 and havin a rim 23 to carry a tread or tire 24, such as a rubber tire, in the manner common to wheels used in devices of the type under consideration.

Each wheel mounting C supports or carries one of the wheels B and it is an important feature of my invention that the means C support the wheels B so that they are rearward of the frame A and also spaced or offset laterally from the frame A and are supported so that the space between the wheels is unobstructed or free of axles or other like parts.

In the preferred form of my invention each of the wheel supporting or mounting mean C involves a pair of angularly related struts having their inner ends secured or connected to spaced parts of the frame A and having their outer ends connected together rearward of and laterally ofiset from the frame A. One of the struts of means D is a lower strut 26 that projects rearwardly and laterally from the lower end portion of the frame while the other is what I will term the upper strut 21 which strut projects downwardly and laterally from the upper end portion of the frame A.

The strut 26 may be joined or coupled to the frame A in any suitable manner and to gain the desired structural effect I connect it to the lower end portion of the frame A. In the preferred 0 arrangement I connect the strut 26 to the frame A at or by means of the fitting I5 and in connecting the strut to the fitting I5 I may employ the same type of construction that I use in connecting frame member I2 to the fitting I5, that is, where tubular parts are employed it is convenient to provide the fitting I5 with a stud I! like the stud shown in Fig. 8, to fit into the end of I the strut 26.

The upper or long strut 21, which is in effect 60 an upright, has its upper end secured to the upper end portion of frame A, preferably opposite the top rail II. In the construction illustrated the fitting I9 provided to connect the top rail I I with the side member I0 is provided with a flattened 35 base 28 and a stud 29 projects from the base.

The strut 21 is tubular and its upper end is fiattened and carried on the stud 29. A nut 30 applied to the stud clamps the flattened end of the strut tight against the base 28.

The struts extend from the frame A to connect together at a point rearward of the lower end portion of the frame A and laterally removed from the frame. In the drawings I have shown a connection between the lower or outer ends of 75-the struts'which connection involves a head 31 oh the endef strut 2-6 I which head carriesa mem-' her having a threaded part 32 threaded-through the head and projecting from one 'endof the head toi'eceive and'hold the flattened end 33 of strut 27. A nut 34 clamps and holds the end 33 orthe strut 2'! in the manner shown in Fig. 9 of th drawings. The member carried by or thread ed ihtoth'e head 3-3 has a part 35 projecting from thebther endof the head, which part serves as a trunnion on which a wheel B is mounted. In theurawings-I 'haveshown a Wheel B mounted on trunnion part 35 through a bushing 36 and I haveShOWh thepart 35 provided at its oute'r end withfa head 31"which retains the wheel in place. Itwill be observed from the drawings that the part-carried by the head 3| to hold the strut 21 and toserveas a mounting and retainer for the wheel Bmay be a simple bolt, the shanl: of which 'Iorhisypart 35 having the head 3-! while the threaded end is engaged in the head 3| to carry the strut 21 and to hold the retaining nut 34. when the retaining nut 34 is made tight it not only clamps the strut in place but also looks the bolt member against turning and thus sets the entire assembly permanently in position.

It will be observed from the drawings that the struts 26 areconsiderably shorter than the struts 2'! and that the struts when coupled together and "to the frame A, as above described, form a structure with triangul'ar'parts at each side and which supported by the wheels 13 so that the struts 26 project forward and somewhat upward and inward from the wheels, while the frame A is disposed or carried in an angular position extending upwardly and rearwardly from the points where it is engaged by the struts 26' so that its lower end portion is somewhat forward of the wheels while its upper end portion 'is in sub- 's't'antial vertical alignment with the wheels or the axis of the wheel support. It will be appar- 'ent from an examination of the several figures on sheet 1 of the drawings that the structure just described can be readily rocked or tilted on the wheels B between a working position such as isshown inFigs. l and 4, and a position of rest such as is shown in Fig. 3. When the structure is working, as shown in Figs. 1 and l, the structure has its upper end tilted or rocked slightly tether-ear, lifting the tips of the legs l3 oif the ground or floor over which the structure operates, whereas when the structure is at rest it is tilted or rocked slightly forward and the tips of the legs bear on the floor or ground, the parts being maintained in this position through the action of gravity.

. It is particularly important to note that I have, 5

sult that the structure when in a folded or collapsed position such as is shown in Fig. 3, or

'suchas is illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, may be conveniently carried from a persons shoulder such as is shown at the right in Fig. -2-, "or can' be held or carried by the hand when the arm is depending at the side, allowing parts of the'body to enter or workbetween the wheels.

The handle D is preferably a simple U shaped ipartor element formed of one piece or length of material-end when so formed has an upper cross 6 bar that 1 will call a grip 4n and has spaced depending arms 4| which serve to connect the harrdle element to the frame A. The arms 4| preferably connect to the side members Ill of'the frame and; inthe arrangement illustrated the arms 4| and side members II] are telescopically engaged. that is,- -the arms ll slidably fit into the upper ends of the frame members It. Th-rough this cbnstruct-ion the handle element is adjustable or shiftable relativeto the frame between an ex-'- tended or u positionsuch as it will be left-in during normaluse of the device and which is shown'in Figs. 1 and 4 ofthe drawings; and a down or collapsed position such as is-shown in Fig.3 of the drawings. It will be apparent that by varying the position of the handle element relative to the frame A I change the position of the grip -40 relative to the frame and it will be apparent that-the means E that I am about to describe may be such as to provide for setting or holdin'g the' handle in any desired position. I have referred to but two positions of the handle element as, in practice, that is all that is generally necessary since the grip E5 is convenient for a person when standing when the handle element is in the up position shown in Figs. 1 and 4. and it is convenient for handling the device as shown in'Fig. 1 when the handle element is collapsed'or down,'as shown in Fig. 3.

The latch means E -provided to control the handle element that I have just described "may be any suitable latch'or fastening device. In the drawingsI have shown latch pins 59 carried by the fittings I9 and normally urged by a spring 5i to engage or look into openings 52 in the arms of the'handle. Asingle spring 5'! acts under com pression between the heads 53 on the lock pins and the construction is such that whenever an opening 52 is moved into register with a lock pin the pin ordinarily moves forward to enter the opening. I provide an operator or operating means for the lock pins so that they can be released frofn the openings 52 when desired. In the particular construction illustrated a simple flexible member such as a chain 55 is provided at' the'exterior of 'the structure, for instance, im-

mediately outside of the top rail 1 I of the frame, and pins 56 project from the heads 53 to receive and hold the ends of the chain. It will be apparentthat by pulling on the-chain both heads '53 can be operated against the spring 5! to retract the lock pins simultaneously. It is to be observed that through this simple latch construction I provide a dependable structure which is not subject to accidental operation since it will ordinarily require deliberate operation to release both l'ock pins simultaneously, and it is not likely 'that'they' could he released accidentally or by a child.

The platform F thatI have provided is adapted to be arranged at and to project forward from the lower end portion of the frame A and although it may be varied widely in form and In the construction illustrated each of these con;-

nections involves a plate fixed on one side of its-supporting leg t3, a central stud 66 projecting from the plate 65, one or more oil'set lugs 61 projecting from the plate 85, a fiat end part 68 on the arm BI and a threaded member 69 carried by the stud and clamping the end part 68 to the plate 65. The end part 68 has a plurality of openings formed in it to receive the stud or studs 61 when the plate 69 is in various rotative positions on the stud 66. I prefer to arrange and proportion the parts just described so that the connections between the arms 6! and the legs l3 can be set with the platform substantially horizontal and projecting forward, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, or can be set in a completely folded position such as is shown in full lines in Fig. 3, or in the alternately folded position such as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. It will be apparent that when the end parts 68 are clamped to the plates 65 by the members69 with the lugs 61 engaged in the openings I0 the connections are secure and dependable and that it is a simple matter to adjust or change the connections in that all that is required is that the members 69 be released, allowing the end parts 68 to be moved away from the plates 65 far enough to disengage the plates 61 from the lugs.

The wheel support or supports H that I provide for the platform F may or may not be employed, as circumstances require. However, ordinarily it is advantageous to provide the platform with one or more supporting wheels H. In the case illustrated I have shown two small wheels H supporting the platform F, each wheel being carried in a simple castor bracket 12 so that the wheels swivel or readily track or have a castoring action as the device is manipulated. The wheels H are located at a most advantageous point beneath the platform or plate 60 and they are so mounted and of such diameter relative to the other parts of the construction as to support the frame A through the platform so that the legs of the frame are out of engagement with the ground during normal use of the carrier, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. By providing a pair of spaced castor type wheels beneath the platform F, as I have just described, I provide a construction that is ,freely movable, very easy to steer, and which is safe and stable.

The bag J provided to be supported from the handle D is generalIy, a utility bag designed to carry various objects or articles. However, in accordance with my invention it is advantageous to employ a bag such as is ordinarily used to handle mail and, therefore, I have shown this type of bag in the drawings. The bag J, as shown in the drawings, is a simple, conventional type of bag, open at the top, and to connect it to the handle D a plurality of rings or fasteners 15 is provided on the top or rim of the bag to be engaged and held by hooks 16 on the arms 4| of the handle element. As a further means of supporting the bag either to serve in place of or in addition to the rings and hooks, I provide a strap ll across the top or mouth of the bag, which strap may be engaged against the grip portion of the handle element in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1, 6 and 7 of the drawings. When I employ both the rings and hooks and the strap, as I have shown in the drawings, the bag is very securely and dependably fastened to the handle D. It is important to note that I can arrange the bag J held by the fastening means just described either to hang forward of the handle D, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, or to the rear of the handle, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1. In arranging the bag at the forward side of the handle the hooks and/or the strap can be employed to fasten the bag to the handle D and the lower end portion of the bag is arranged to bear on or against the top rail l I of the frame A. When the bag is in this position its center of gravity is somewhat farther forward than when in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, and furthermore, it is held so that it is stable or not free to swing. When the bag is allowed to han to the rear of the handle, as shown in Fig. 1, it hangs straight down and it is free to swing somewhat from its upper end or point of suspension.

The basket K is provided to be carried by the frame A to project forward therefrom in a manner to overhang or overlie the platform F and, in practice, the form, shape, size and construction of the basket may be varied, as circumstances require. For general use I prefer to provide a basket K formed of heavy fabric or the like and reinforced with a suitable metal frame, and if children are to be carried I form the basket K so that it forms a seat or chair for an infant or small child.

The basket K illustrated in the drawings involves, generally, a flat bottom which is preferably normally horizontal or substantially so, and the bottom, if it is to be used as a seat, may be a panel or board of stiff material. Where the basket is formed primarily of fabric or the like the seat or bottom 80 is covered with fabric. The basket further includes vertical sides 8|, a back 82 and a front 83. The frame construction that I provide to carry the aforementioned parts of the basket support the said parts so that they form a substantially rectangular open-topped box-like structure and where the basket is to be used to carry a child the seat or bottom 80 is supported a suitable distance above the platform and the front 83 is provided with leg openings 84 located to allow the childs legs to project forward from the basket so that the feet may rest upon the forward portion of the platform F.

The frame that I have provided to carry the fabric or flexible parts of the basket includes a back bar 85 which extends across the back of the basket somewhat above the upper edge of the bag part 82, side members 86 which depend from the bar 85 to be joined together at lower ends by a spreader 8i, forwardly projecting arms 88 carried by the side members to support the sides 8| from their upper edges, and a front bar 89 may extend between the forward ends of the arms 88 to support the front 83 from its upper edge.

The basket K constructed as I have above described, is releasably connected to the frame A. In the case illustrated I provide a pair of. spaced hooks 99 on the top bar 85 to engage over the top rail ll of the frame A and when the hooks are engaged over the top rail of the frame the spreader 81 that extends between the side members bears against the front of the frame. In the particular case illustrated the spreader bears on the fittings 15.

In using the structure that I have provided it can be handled or manipulated with the handle D either collapsed or retracted, as shown in Fig.

3, or extended, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6 of the drawings. For most ordinary use it is desirable that the handle be extended. However, if the device is being carried, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, it is desirable that the handle be collapsed or contracted. It will be readily apparent that the carrier can be used for various different operations. For instance, if it is desired to carry a heavy or bulky object such as a garbage pail: P, the. bag- J and the seat K. are-removed and. the objectto be carried is placed on the platform. F in the manner shown in Fig. 4- f the drawings; If it is desired to carry groceries or like articles, or to carry achild, the seat K is employed and the platform is left in position so that the child may sit on the top 80 of the basket with its feet on the platform F, as will be apparent from an examination of Fig. 1 of the drawings. In such case, if necessary, the bag J can be also handled by the device, in which case it can. be allowed to hang from the handle in the manner shown in full lines in Fig. 1, and will in no way interfere with the child in the basket K. If it is desired to merely handle an object such as the bag J it can be attached to the handle D either to lie against the front of the frame and handle, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1,. or to depend from the cross baror grip of the handle in the manner shown in full lines in'Fig- 1.

When the device is to be carried, as for instance on a public conveyance or in congested places, the-handle can be collapsed and if a. bag is being carried, as for instance a bag such as is employed to carry mail, it can be attached to the handle either in the manner shown at the left or in the manner shown at the right in Fig. 2, and in either case the device will assume a position where the wheels are to the front and rear of the user and the device is allowed to hang freely in a natural, convenient position.

If it is desired to store the device or arrange it in a limited space it can be folded either to the position shown in full lines or to that shown in dotted. lines in Fig. 3, in which case the frame, platform wheels and their support, and the handle, fold into a compact unit: and the basket detached from the other parts can be handled independently, and if a bag is. included the bag can, of course, be folded or nested with the other parts so that the entire assembly form a simple, compact unit very easy to store.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive, I show a frame A formed somewhat differently than the frame above described, and I show a simplified handleD and a modified construction of the means C and of the platform F.

In this form of the invention the frame is formed of strap iron or the like. and involves, generally, side members l t a top rail H and a bottom rail 52 The bottom. rail is shown riveted to the side members and the side members carry fittings ic near their upper end portions, which fittings serve as means. for attachment of the struts 21 and of the arms l'l' of the means C and.

respectively.

The means (3 involves short struts: 26* and long struts ill corresponding, generally, inform, shape and arrangement with the strutsabove described, except that th y are strips rather than tubes. The lower outer ends of the struts 26 and 21 joined together by a member 32 which carries a clamp nut 35*. A part 35' projects from the part 32 to carry the wheel. In the construction shown in Fig. 12 the part 32 is not threaded to either of the struts but the strutsare clamped between the nut 3 and a second nut-34' threaded on art 32 The piatformF may involve a base'portion 65 with integrally formed rearwardly projecting arm's fil joined to the legs l3 by suitablefastening means G.

The fittings'ii at the upper; end portions of the irame rriembers it have the upper ends of the struts fl 'fastened to them at 29 and each fitting 19 has spaced side parts between which the arms 41 fit and are secured by pivot pins NH. The side parts. I00 have upwardly projecting ears I02 and sleeves Hi3 are carried on the arms so that they can be dropped down over the ears so they form. fasteners retaining the handle D in an extended or up position, as shown in Fig. 11. In this form of the invention I show a spreader H0 between the two means C carrying the wheels, which spreader extends between the connected outer end portions of the struts as shown in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings. This strut may be eliminated if the frame structure is generally heavy and sturdy enough. However, if the structure is made of light material it is desirable.

From the foregoing description. of the form of the: invention shown in Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive, it will be apparent that the structure there shown is very similar to that first described, except the handle D is pivotally connected to the. frame A and there is the strut H0 between the wheels and the constructions employed at the various points of connection are varied to accommodate the form of material employed. 4

It is to be understood that in carrying out my invention I prefer to employ, wherever possible, light, durable materials. For instance, in the form of the invention first described I prefer to employ tubing formed of light material such as is common in aircraft construction, and likewise in forming the invention as last described I may employ strips of lightweight material. By employing light materials and by providing a structural arrangement and formation of parts that is simple and which involves few parts, the device, as a whole, is very light, making it easy and con venient to handle and making it practical to emthat I have hereinabove be limited or restricted to the specific detailsherein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. -A carrier of the character described including, a frame including spaced parallel side members joined by transverse upper and lowerrails, a pair of wheels, a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a handle shiftably connected to the frame, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, the handle including a transverse grip and depending arms slidably carried by the side members of the frame, and latch means holding the arms against movement relative to the frame. 1

2. A carrier of the character described includ ing, a'frame including spaced parallel side members joined by transverse upper and lower rails, a pair of wheels, a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at thelower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a handle shiftably connected to the frame, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, the handle including a transverse grip and depending arms slidably carried by the side members of the frame, and latch means holding the arms against movement relative to the frame including spring pressed lock pins carried by the frame to engage the arms and an operating member for the pins.

3. A carrier of the character described including, a frame including side members and top and bottom rails connecting the side members, a pair of wheels, a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a handle shiftably connected to the frame, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, a platform carried by the lower end portion of the frame to project forward therefrom, and a basket carried by the frame forward thereof and to overlie the platform, the basket having a hook engaging the top rail of the frame.

4. A carrier of the character described including, a frame, a pair of wheels, and a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a handle shiftably connected to the frame, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, the handle including a transverse grip, arms depending from the grip and having sliding engagement with the frame, and hooks on the arms above the frame to carry a bag.

5. A carrier of the character described including, a frame including side members and top and bottom rails extending between the side members, a pair of wheels, and a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a handle shiftably connected to the frame, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, each support including a lower strut connected to the frame at the bottom rail and an upper strut connected to the frame at the top rail, the struts being connected together where the wheel is supported.

6. A carrier of the character described including, an elongate frame including, substantially parallel side members extending longitudinally of the frame, transverse rails between the side members at the upper and lower end portions of the frame, and fittings joining the rails to the said members, a pair of wheels, and a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a handle carried by the upper end portion of the frame, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, each support including a short lower strut joined to one of said fittings for connection to the lower end portion of the frame and a long upper strut connected to the upper end portion of the frame, the struts being connected together where the wheel is supported.

'7. A carrier'of the character described including, a frame having spaced parallel side members and transverse top and bottom rails connecting the side members, a pair of wheels, 2. support for each wheel of said pair including a lower short strut having its inner end connected to the lower end portion of the frame and extending rearwardly and laterally therefrom, a long upper strut having its upper end connected to the upper portion of the frame and extending downwardly and laterally therefrom, the outer ends of the struts being connected together and a wheel supporting member carried by the struts where their outer ends are connected together, a platform including a base and rearwardly projecting arms connected to the lower end portion of the frame, a wheel support for the platform. a basket carried at the front of the frame and having hooks engaging the top rail of the frame and having a bottom disposed above the platform, the basket having leg openings to accommodate the legs of a child sitting on the bottom so its feet may rest on the platform, a handle including a transverse grip and depending arms slidably engaging the side members of the frame, the side members having hooks to carry a bag, and a latch carried by the frame operable to engage and hold the arms of the handle, the handle being movable between a retracted position where the grip is close to the top of the frame, and an extended position where the grip is a substantial distance above the frame.

8. A carrier of the character described includ ing, a rectangular frame including tubular side members and transversely disposed top and bottom rails connecting the side members, there being portions of the side members extending below the bottom rail forming legs, a pair of wheels and a support for each wheel of said pair including a short lower strut having its inner end connected to the frame where the lower rail connects to one side member of the frame, a long upper strut having its upper end connected to the frame where the top rail connects to the said side memher, the lower strut extending rearwardly and laterally from said side member, the upper strut extending downwardly and laterally from said side member and the outer ends of the struts being connected together, and a wheel support carried by the struts where their outer ends are connected together, a platform including a plate and arms projecting rearwardly from the plate to the frame, means adjustably pivotally connecting the arms of the platform to the legs of the frame, castor wheels supporting the platform,

' a basket including a fabric body and a reinforcing frame for the body which reinforcing frame has hooks engaging over the top rail of the first mentioned frame supporting the basket with the bottom thereof spaced above the platform, the front of the basket having leg openings to accommodate the legs of a child sitting on the bottom of the basket so its feet may rest on the platform, a handle including a U-shaped member with a transverse grip portion and depending arms slidably received in the side members of the first mentioned frame and hooks on the arms of the handle to carry a bag, and latch means carried by the top rail of the first mentioned frame including spring pressed pins engageable with the arms of the handle and an operating member for simultaneously operating the pins to withdraw them from the arms of the frame.

9. A carrier of the character described including, a substantially flat elongate rectangular frame including substantially parallel side members extending longitudinally of the frame and connected by transverse rails, a pair of wheels, and a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when the lower ends of said members rest on the ground, a U-shaped handle connected to the upper end portion of the frame and including a transverse hand rail and parallel legs projecting therefrom parallel to and engageable within the side members of the frame, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, each support including a lower strut joined to the lower end portion of one of said frame members and extending rearwardly and laterally therefrom and an upright strut joined to the rear end of the lower strut and to the upper end portion of said frame member to be substantially vertical when the lower end of said frame member rests on the ground.

10. A carrier of the character described including, a substantially flat elongate rectangular frame including substantially parallel side members extending longitudinally of the frame and connected by transverse rails, a pair of wheels, a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a handle shiftably connected to the frame and projecting from the upper end of the frame to extend parallel with the transverse rails of the frame. the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, a substantially horizontal platform pivotally carried by the lower end portion of the frame to project forward therefrom. and supporting wheels carried by and located beneath the platform.

11. A carrier of the character described including, a straight rectangular frame, a pair of wheels, a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a U-shaped handle at the upper end portion of the frame projecting from the frame in a plane parallel therewith, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, a

substantially horizontal platform pivotally carried by the lower end portion of the frame to project forward therefrom, and a basket carried by the frame forward thereof and having a substantially horizontal bottom spaced above the platform, the basket having leg openings to accommodate the legs of a child sitting on the bottom of the basket so its feet may be rested on the platform.

12. A carrier of the character described including, a straight rectangular elongate frame, a pair of wheels, and a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a U-shaped handle shiftably connected to the frame to project from the upper end thereof and in a plane parallel therewith, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, the handle including a part to receive and hold a bag or like object, said part having exposed portions forming hand grips.

13. A carrier of the character described including, an elongate rectangular frame, a pair of wheels, an independent support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, a U-shaped handle shiftably connected to the upper end of the frame, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, a platform, means pivotally connecting the platform to the lower end portion of the frame to project forward therefrom, and a wheel support carried by and located beneath the platform.

14. A carrier of the character described including, an elongate rectangular frame, a pair of wheels, a support for each wheel extending rearwardly and laterally from the frame to support the wheel outward and rearward of the frame at the lower end portion thereof so the frame extends upward and rearward when its lower end rests on the ground, an elongate U-shaped handle shiftably connected to the frame to project from the upper end thereof to extend in a plane parallel therewith, the wheels being carried by the supports so the space between them is wholly unobstructed, a platform carried by the lower end portion of the frame to project forward therefrom and castor wheels carried by and supporting the platform.

' EDWARD A. HOWARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,374,379 Klein Apr. 12, 1921 1,409,838 Emery et al. Mar. 14, 1922 1,576,075 Tisdell Mar. 9, 1926 1,790,711 Johnston Feb. 3, 1931 1,820,728 Calls Aug. 25, 1931 2,243,312 Fiala May 27, 1941 2,368,752 Duis Feb. 6, 1945 2,414,017 Carr et a1. Jan. 7, 1947 2,414,941 Freis Jan. 28, 1947 2,415,392 Morehouse Feb. 4, 1947 2,419,422 Shulem Apr. 22, 1947 2,443,847 Williamson June 22. 1948

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