T-slot support members for a collapsible utility cart

Abstract

A collapsible utility cart may include a top support platform, a bottom support platform, a plurality of support members which may operably couple the top and bottom support platforms to each other and may each include a first end and a second end, and a mobility assembly which may include a wheel that may be operably coupled to the second end of each support member. Each support member may include a channel that may extend from the first end to the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of each support member. The channel may include a first wall, a second wall which may be coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel which may be between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion which may be offset from the first wall and second wall and may be accessible through the opening.

Description

[0001] T-SLOT SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR A COLLAPSIBLE UTILITY CART

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Example embodiments generally relate to collapsible utility carts and, in particular, relate to collapsible utility carts that are provided with T-slot support members for improved utility and versatility.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Utility carts may be commonly used in various settings ranging from dedicated workspaces such as labs, garages, construction sites and warehouses or other storage facilities to miscellaneous settings such as in offices, homes, restaurants, and many more. Within the various settings that utility carts may be used, utility carts may also be used for various purposes including but not limited to transporting objects, storing objects, working on objects, displaying objects, and many more. Utility carts may essentially be ubiquitously used in any sort of productive setting involving objects that may be desirable to transport due to their widely applicable and often simple design allowing the cart to be a useful resource in a large amount of use cases.

[0006] Existing utility carts may be rather simplistic and outdated in their design considering how they have come to be commonly used today. In this regard, users of utility carts may be using utility carts for more, and different, tasks than in the past. As such, there may be a need to develop an improved design for a utility cart that may be better suited for the increasingly wide variety of tasks for which utility carts may be utilized.

[0007] BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0008] Some example embodiments may provide for a collapsible utility cart. The collapsible utility cart may include a top support platform, which may include first and second halves, a bottom support platform, which may include third and fourth halves, a plurality of support members which may be vertically disposed to operably couple the top and bottom support platforms to each other and may each include a first end and a second end, and a mobility assembly which may include a wheel that may be operably coupled to the second end of each support member of the plurality of support members. Each support member may include a channel that may extend from the first end to the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of each support member. The channel may include an accessory support assembly that may be operably coupleable to an accessory. The accessory support assembly may include a first wall which may have a first inner surface, a second wall which may have a second inner surface and may be coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel which may be between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion which may be offset from the first wall and second wall and may be accessible through the opening.

[0009] Some example embodiments may provide for an accessory storage assembly for a collapsible utility cart. The accessory storage assembly may include a plurality of support members which may be vertically disposed to operably couple top and bottom support platforms of the collapsible utility cart to each other and may each include a first end and a second end, and a channel that may extend from the first end to the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of each support member. The channel may include an accessory support assembly that may be operably coupleable to an accessory. The accessory support assembly may include a first wall which may have a first inner surface, a second wall which may have a second inner surface and may be coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel which may be between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion which may be offset from the first wall and second wall and may be accessible through the opening.

[0010] Some example embodiments may provide for a support member for a collapsible utility cart. The support member may be vertically disposed to operably couple top and bottom support platforms of the collapsible utility cart to each other. The support member may include a first end and a second end. The support member may include a channel that may extend from the first end to the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support member. The channel may include an accessory support assembly that may be operably coupleable to an accessory. The accessory support assembly may include a first wall which may have a first inner surface, a second wall which may have a second inner surface and may be coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel which may be between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion which may be offset from the first wall and second wall and may be accessible through the opening.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0012] Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a collapsible utility cart according to an example embodiment; FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the collapsible utility cart in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an end view of the collapsible utility cart in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a close up view of the handle, top support platform and support member of the collapsible utility cart in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an isolated perspective view of a support member of the collapsible utility cart in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a close up angled view of the first end of the support member of the collapsible utility cart in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the first end of the support member of the collapsible utility cart in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of an accessory adapter for the collapsible utility cart in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the accessory adapter operably coupled to the channel in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the accessory adapter operably coupled to the channel in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the accessory adapter operably coupled to the channel in accordance with an example embodiment; and

[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates perspective views of three different support member cross sections in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0026] As indicated above, some example embodiments may relate to the provision of a collapsible utility cart 100 with an improved design. Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the collapsible utility cart 100 may include a handle 110, a top support platform 120, a middle support platform 130, a bottom support platform 140, a plurality of support members 150 and a mobility assembly. In some cases, the collapsible utility cart 100 may have a substantially rectangular shaped perimeter. In this regard, the collapsible utility cart 100 may include a first end 102 and a second end 104, and a first side 106 and a second side 108. The first end 102 and the second end 104 may both be equal to each other in length and may be shorter in length than each of the first side 106 and second side 108 of the collapsible utility cart 100. Additionally, the first end 102 may be disposed parallel to the second end 104, and perpendicular to each of the first and second sides (106, 108).

[0027] In some cases, the handle 110 may be a bar that may be disposed horizontally between a first support member 152 and a second support member 154 to allow for a user of the collapsible utility cart 100 to apply forces onto the handle 110 to move and steer the collapsible utility cart 100. In an example embodiment, the handle 110 may be operably coupled to the collapsible utility cart 100 at the first end 102 or the second end 104 of the collapsible utility cart 100 proximate to the top support platform 120 so that the handle 110 may be disposed at a comfortable position for the user of the collapsible utility cart 100 to interact with. The handle 110 of some example embodiments may also be adjustable. In this regard, the operable coupling of the handle 110 to the first and second support members (152, 154) may be pivotable such that the handle 110 may rotate to be made further away from, closer to, or simply at a different orientation to, the top support platform 120. The handle 110 may also be fixable in whatever angle or position the user may desire via the operable coupling of the handle 110 to the first and second support members (152, 154).

[0028] In some cases, the collapsible utility cart 100 may include two handles 110. In this regard, a first handle 112 may be horizontally disposed between the first and second support members (152, 154) at the first end 102 of the cart 100, and a second handle 114 may be horizontally disposed between the third and fourth support members (156, 158) at the second end 104 of the cart 100. In another example embodiment, the collapsible utility cart 100 may include four handles 110. In this regard, the handles 110 may not be bar shaped and extend horizontally between support members 150, but may instead include caps disposed at a first end of each support member 150 that the user may interact with to guide and move the cart 100. In another example embodiment, such as the one depicted in FIG. 1, the collapsible utility cart 100 may include six handles 110. In this regard, the handles 110 may include the first and second bar handles (112, 114) (e.g. one at each of the first and second ends (102, 104)) and four cap handles 110.

[0029] Each of the support members 150 may be disposed substantially vertically, and may be pivotably operably coupled to each of the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140) via respective hinge assemblies. In this regard, each support member 150 may include a first end 160 disposed proximate to the top support platform 120, and a second end 170 disposed proximate to the bottom support platform 140. The support members 150 may thus extend such a longitudinal axis 180 of each support member 150 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes 180 of each of the other support members 150, and substantially perpendicular to each of the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140). In some cases, the top support platform 120 may include a first half 122 and a second half 124, the bottom support platform 140 may include a third half 142 and a fourth half 144, and the middle support platform 130 may include a fifth half 132 and a sixth half 134. The first half 122, the third half 142, and the fifth half 132 may be pivotably operably coupled to the second half 124, the fourth half 144, and the sixth half 134, respectively, via respective hinge assemblies. In this regard, the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140) may each include two halves pivotably operably coupled to each other a midpoint of a length of each respective support platform (120, 130, 140). For example the top support platform 120 may include the first half 122, which may be pivotably operably coupled to the first support member 152, the second support member 154, and the second half 124. The second half 124 may thus be pivotably operably coupled to the first half 122, the third support member 156, and the fourth support member 158. The middle and bottom support platforms (130, 140) follow similar patterns regarding the operable coupling of their respective halves (132, 134, 142, 144).

[0030] As such, the collapsible utility cart 100 may be collapsible from a working state (i.e. the state depicted in FIG. 1) to a collapsed state (as indicated by the arrows 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2). Collapsing the cart from the working state to the collapsed state may require folding each of the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140) at the junction of the respective halves that comprise each of the support platforms. In other words, collapsing the cart 100 may pivot the first half 122, the third half 142, and the fifth half 132 relative to the second half 124, the fourth half 144, and the sixth half 134, respectively. Collapsing the cart 100 may also bring the first and second ends (102, 104) of the cart 100 closer together. In this regard, in the working state, the first and second support members (152, 154) at the first end 102 of the cart 100 may be disposed a distance away from the third and fourth support members (156, 158) at the second end 104 of the cart 100 that may be equal to a length of the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140). Also when the collapsible utility cart 100 is in the working state (i.e. the non-collapsed state), the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140) may all be planar surfaces disposed substantially parallel to each other, that they may each be capable of supporting objects thereon. In other words, in the working state, the first and second halves (122, 124) may be coplanar, the third and fourth halves (142, 144) may be coplanar, and the fifth and sixth halves (132, 134) may be coplanar. In the working state, the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140), and thus their respective halves (122, 124, 132, 134, 142, 144), may be disposed horizontally and perpendicularly to the support members 150. In some cases, the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140) may each include a lip that extends around the entire perimeter of each of the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140) that may help retain objects on respective ones of the support platforms by prohibiting the objects from rolling off the collapsible utility cart 100 in the working state.

[0031] On the other hand, in the collapsed state, the first end 102 may be disposed proximate to the second end 104, or in other words, the first and second support members (152, 154) may be disposed proximate to the third and fourth support members (156, 158), respectively. Also in the collapsed state, the first, third and fifth halves (122, 142, 132) may be coplanar with each other as a result of having pivoted approximately 90° relative to their respective orientations in the working state. The second, fourth, and sixth halves (124, 144, 134) may also be coplanar with each other in a similar manner as described for the first, third and fifth halves (122, 142, 132). In the collapsed state, the first, third and fifth halves (122, 142, 132) may be disposed substantially vertically and substantially parallel to the first and second support members (152, 154), and the second, fourth and sixth halves (124, 134, 144) may be disposed substantially vertically and substantially parallel to the third and fourth support members (156, 158). In the above descriptions, substantially vertically and substantially parallel should be taken to mean within 5° of being completely vertical, and parallel, respectively.

[0032] The mobility assembly may be operably coupled to the second end 170 of each support member 150, and may include a plurality of wheels 190. In some cases, the utility cart may include a total of four wheels 190, though more or less may also be used in other cases. The wheels 190 may be disposed at each of the four corners of the collapsible utility cart 100 shown in FIG. 1 in order to maximize the balance of the collapsible utility cart 100 and limit instability of the cart 100. Additionally, in some cases, the support members 150 may include a central bore from the manufacturing process of the support members 150 that will be described in more detail below. In this regard, the wheels 190 may operably couple to the support members 150 via the central bore formed in each support member 150. In an example embodiment, all of the wheels 190 on the utility cart may be caster wheels. In such cases, all of the wheels 190 may be capable of turning 360° to allow the collapsible utility cart 100 to travel in any direction regardless of the orientation of the cart 100. In some other cases, the wheels 190 operably coupled to the first and second support members (152, 154) disposed at the first end 102 may be caster wheels and the wheels 190 operably coupled to the third and fourth support members (156, 158) disposed at the second end 104 may be fixed wheels. In this regard, the collapsible utility cart 100 may be capable of being steered from the handle 110 at the first end 102 responsive to the caster wheels turning in a desired direction. In another example embodiment, the wheels 190 operably coupled to the third and fourth support members (156, 158) disposed at the second end 104 may be caster wheels and the wheels 190 operably coupled to the first and second support members (152, 154) disposed at the first end 102 may be fixed wheels. In this regard, the collapsible utility cart 100 may be capable of being steered at the second end 104 via the handle 110 responsive to the caster wheels turning in a desired direction. In some cases, the wheels 190 may be fitted with a parking brake on each wheel 190. Each parking brake may immobilize the respective wheel 190 to which it may be operably coupled. With the parking brake for each wheel 190 engaged, the collapsible utility cart 100 may be held in place and may not roll anywhere. This feature may be useful when work may be done on the collapsible utility cart 100 itself, or in other cases where the cart 100 may roll away from the user unintentionally.

[0033] In some cases, some parts of the collapsible utility cart 100 may be formed from structural foam. In this regard, the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140), and / or the handle 110 may be formed from the structural foam. In some embodiments, the structural foam may be a black or gray color which may be a traditional appearance for many structural foams. The use of structural foam to construct the cart 100 may allow the cart 100 to achieve a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio than standard injection molded utility carts while also being more cost effective to produce. In some cases, products formed from structural foam may achieve a weight reduction of approximately 10-20% compared to their injection molded counterparts. However, the collapsible utility cart 100 of some embodiments may also include portions that are formed via an injection molding process. In this regard, the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140) and / or the handle 110 may, in some other cases, be injection molded from impact modified polypropylene, which may allow for the components to be colored without impacting the structural integrity of the collapsible utility cart 100.

[0034] FIGS. 5-12 depict various view of the support members 150 according to example embodiments. As seen in the figures, each support member 150 may include a channel 200 formed therein that may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 180 of each support member 150. In other words, the channel 200 of some embodiments may extend from the first end 160 of each support member 150 to the second end 170 of each support member 150. In some cases, each support member 150 may be an aluminum extrusion. In this regard, the support members 150 may be manufactured by pushing heated aluminum or a heated aluminum alloy through a die (e.g. a mold) such that the support members 150 may include a desired cross section shape as included in the die. In some cases, the support members 150 can be made to be almost any length desired or required by the particular use case of the support members 150. As such, the channel 200 may also extend in the longitudinal direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis 180 of the support member 150, since the die may include structure that may correspond to the profile shape of the channel 200. In an example embodiment, the channel 200 may include a T-slot profile shape. In this regard, the channel 200 may allow the support members 150 to operably couple to each other or to other objects in a modular and / or uniform manner such that they may be highly customizable by the user. In some cases, adapters may be used to operably couple the channel 200 to another channel 200, or to an accessory 10, as will be described below in more detail. In some other cases, the support members 150 may be formed from other materials as well. For example, the support members 150 may be formed from a plastic material, a polymer material, a composite material (e.g. fiberglass), etc. All of these materials, and more, may possess the ability to be made into the support member 150 having the channel 200 and accessory support assembly 210, accordingly. However, for an optimized balance of durability and strength, the support members 150 may be aluminum (or aluminum alloy) extrusions.

[0035] The channel 200 of an example embodiment may include an accessory support assembly 210 which may be operably coupleable to an accessory 10. In this regard, the accessory support assembly 210 may free up space on the top, middle and bottom support platforms (120, 130, 140) by operably coupling the accessory 10, that may otherwise be stored on one of the support platforms (120, 130, 140) to one of the support members 150. There may be numerous advantages to this, chief among them may be to take smaller objects (i.e. accessories 10) off of the support platforms (120, 130, 140) to allow the support platforms (120, 130, 140) to have more open space to store larger and perhaps heavier objects or accessories 10. In some cases, the accessory support assembly 210 may include a first wall 220 which may have a first inner surface 222, a second wall 230 which may have a second inner surface 232, an opening 240 into the channel 200 between the first wall 220 and the second wall 230, and a base portion 250 offset from the first and second walls (220, 230) and accessible through the opening 240. In some cases, the opening 240 may be defined by the first wall 220 and the second wall 230, and may accordingly be formed between the first and second walls (220, 230), which, in an example embodiment, may be coplanar with each other. The base portion 250 may be disposed out-of-plane from the first wall 220, the second wall 230, and the opening 240. In this regard, the base portion 250 may be aligned with the opening such that the base portion 250 may be visible through, or accessible via, the opening 240. In some cases, the base portion 250 may be offset from the first and second walls (220, 230) by a distance of roughly between 8 mm to 8.5 mm, and the opening 240 may include a width roughly between 8 mm to 8.25 mm. In an example embodiment, the base portion 250 may be offset from the first and second walls (220, 230) by a distance of approximately 8.23 mm, and the opening 240 may include a width of approximately 8.13 mm.

[0036] As highlighted by FIGS. 8-10, in some example embodiments, the accessory 10 may operably couple to the accessory support assembly 210 via an accessory adapter 260. The accessory adapter 260 may include a set screw 270 and an anchor member 280. The set screw 270 may provide a tension force on the base portion 250 to fixedly operably couple the accessory adapter 260 to the accessory support assembly 210 such that the accessory adapter 260 may support the accessory 10 at a desired height along the channel 200. The anchor member 280 may be shaped to operably couple to the accessory support assembly 210 within the channel. In this regard, the anchor member 280 may include tabs 282 that may extend into the accessory support assembly 210 through the opening 240 and may be shaped to engage with the first and second inner surfaces (222, 232).

[0037] The anchor member 280 of some embodiments may include a threaded bore 305 that may extend through the anchor member 280, and through which the set screw 270 may be driven. As such, the set screw 270 may be driven through the threaded bore 305 in the anchor member 280 to contact the base portion 250. After contacting the base portion 250, any additional torque applied to the set screw 270 to drive it through the anchor member 280 may accordingly apply a tension force from the set screw 270 onto the base portion 250. As the set screw 270 applies the tension force to the base portion 250, the tabs 282 may engage the first and second inner surfaces (222, 232) which may increase the coefficient of friction between the tabs 282 and the first and second inner surfaces (222, 232). The accessory adapter 260 may thus be fixed at a desired vertical position along the channel 200 responsive to the tabs 282 engaging the first and second inner surfaces (222, 232) and the set screw 270 contacting the base portion 250. In an example embodiment, the tabs 282 of the accessory adapter 260 may enter the channel 200 perpendicular to the direction of extension of the channel 200 through the opening 240, or in some other cases, the tabs 282 may slide into the accessory support assembly 210 at either of the first end 160 or the second end 170 of the support member 150.

[0038] In some embodiments, such as the one depicted in FIG. 10, the accessory adapter 260 may be a hook 290 that may be configured to support the accessory 10 by hanging the accessory 10 on the hook 290. As shown in FIG. 10, more than one hook 290 may be disposed at the accessory adapter 260 to allow more accessories 10 to be hung from the accessory adapter 260. In some other cases, such as depicted in FIG. 11, a clip 300 may be disposed at an opposite side of the anchor member 280 from the tabs 282. In this regard, the clip 300 may be configured to operably couple to the accessory 10 such that the accessory adapter 260 may support the accessory 10 at the desired vertical position along the channel 200. The clip 300 may comprise a loop that may extend off of the anchor portion 280 such that accessories 10 that may include a compatible structure of their own (e.g. a clip on a measuring tape housing) may operably couple to the clip 300 quickly and easily.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 12, the support members 150 may include a variety of cross section profile shapes. In some cases, the support members 150 may include the center bore 310 mentioned above in reference to the mobility assembly. In this regard, for support members 150 that do include the center bore 310, the wheels 190 of the mobility assembly may operably couple to the support members 150 at the second end 170 thereof, via the center bore 310. As such, the wheels 190 may be threadedly operably coupled to the center bore 310 in some cases, or perhaps glued or otherwise adhered to the center bore 310 in other cases. In embodiments of the support members that do comprise the center bore 310, the base portion 250 of the accessory support assembly 210 may be an outer surface of the center bore 310. In some other cases, the support member 150 may not include the center bore 310. In such cases, the base portion 250 may be a separate portion of the support member 150 disposed approximately at a center of the support member 150, and aligned with the opening 240. In this regard, the accessory adapter 260 may operably couple to all three of the various cross sections depicted in FIG. 12 in the same manner as described above.

[0040] In some example embodiments of the collapsible utility cart 100, the cart 100 may include an accessory storage assembly 320. The accessory storage assembly 320 may include the plurality of support members 150 vertically disposed to operably couple the top and bottom support platforms (120, 140) of the collapsible utility cart 100 to each other, and the channel 200 formed in each support member 150 that extends from the first end 160 to the second end 170, parallel to the longitudinal axis 180 of each support member 150. In some example embodiments of the accessory storage assembly 320, the channel 200 may include the accessory support assembly 210 which may be operably coupleable to the accessory 10. As described above in detail, the accessory support assembly 210 may include the first wall 220 and first inner surface 222, the second wall 230 and the second inner surface 232, the opening 240 into the channel 200 between the first wall 220 and the second wall 230, and the base portion 250 offset from the first wall 220 and the second wall 230 and accessible through the opening 240.

[0041] Some example embodiments may provide for a collapsible utility cart. The collapsible utility cart may include a top support platform, which may include first and second halves, a bottom support platform, which may include third and fourth halves, a plurality of support members which may be vertically disposed to operably couple the top and bottom support platforms to each other and may each include a first end and a second end, and a mobility assembly which may include a wheel that may be operably coupled to the second end of each support member of the plurality of support members. Each support member may include a channel that may extend from the first end to the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of each support member. The channel may include an accessory support assembly that may be operably coupleable to an accessory. The accessory support assembly may include a first wall which may have a first inner surface, a second wall which may have a second inner surface and may be coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel which may be between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion which may be offset from the first wall and second wall and may be accessible through the opening.

[0042] The collapsible utility cart of some embodiments may include additional, optional features, and / or the features described above may be modified or augmented. Some examples of modifications, optional features and augmentations are described below. It should be appreciated that the modifications, optional features and augmentations listed below may each be added alone, or they may be added cumulatively in any desirable combination. For example, in some embodiments, each support member may be an aluminum extrusion. In some cases, the channel may include a T-slot profile. In an example embodiment, the accessory may operably couple to the accessory support assembly via an accessory adapter. In some cases, the accessory adapter may include a set screw and an anchor member. In an example embodiment, the anchor member may include tabs that may extend into the accessory support assembly through the opening and may be shaped to engage with the first and second inner surfaces. In some cases, the anchor member may include a threaded bore extending through the anchor member. In an example embodiment, the set screw may contact the base portion responsive to being driven through the threaded bore. In some cases, the tabs may engage the first and second inner surfaces responsive to the set screw contacting the base portion. In an example embodiment, the accessory adapter may be fixed at a desired vertical position along the channel responsive to the tabs engaging the first and second inner surfaces and the set screw contacting the base portion. In some cases, a clip may be disposed at an opposite side of the anchor member from the tabs. In an example embodiment, the clip may be configured to operably couple to the accessory such that the accessory adapter may support the accessory at the desired vertical position along the channel. In some cases, the accessory adapter may be a hook configured to support the accessory by hanging the accessory on the hook. In an example embodiment, the first and second halves, and the third and fourth halves, may be hingedly operably coupled to each other at midpoints of the top and bottom support platforms, respectively. In some cases, the collapsible utility cart may be collapsible from a working state to a collapsed state. In an example embodiment, in the working state, the first and second halves, and the third and fourth halves, may be coplanar with each other, respectively, and may be disposed horizontally and perpendicular to the channel.

[0043] Some example embodiments may provide for an accessory storage assembly for a collapsible utility cart. The accessory storage assembly may include a plurality of support members which may be vertically disposed to operably couple top and bottom support platforms of the collapsible utility cart to each other and may each include a first end and a second end, and a channel that may extend from the first end to the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of each support member. The channel may include an accessory support assembly that may be operably coupleable to an accessory. The accessory support assembly may include a first wall which may have a first inner surface, a second wall which may have a second inner surface and may be coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel which may be between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion which may be offset from the first wall and second wall and may be accessible through the opening.

[0044] Some example embodiments may provide for a support member for a collapsible utility cart. The support member may be vertically disposed to operably couple top and bottom support platforms of the collapsible utility cart to each other. The support member may include a first end and a second end. The support member may include a channel that may extend from the first end to the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support member. The channel may include an accessory support assembly that may be operably coupleable to an accessory. The accessory support assembly may include a first wall which may have a first inner surface, a second wall which may have a second inner surface and may be coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel which may be between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion which may be offset from the first wall and second wall and may be accessible through the opening.

[0045] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and / or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A utility cart comprising: a top support platform; a bottom support platform a plurality of support members vertically disposed to operably couple the top and bottom support platforms to each other, the plurality of support members each comprising a first end and a second end; and a mobility assembly, the mobility assembly comprising three wheels, each of the three wheels being operably coupled to one of the bottom support platform and the plurality of support members, wherein at least one of the plurality of support member comprises a channel that extends along a portion of the at least one of the plurality of support members between the first end and the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one of the plurality of support members, and wherein the channel comprises an accessory support assembly operably coupleable to an accessory, the accessory support assembly comprising: a first wall having a first inner surface, a second wall having a second inner surface, the second wall being coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion offset from the first wall and second wall and accessible through the opening.

2. The utility cart of claim 1, wherein each support member is an aluminum extrusion, and wherein the channel comprises a T-slot profile.

3. The utility cart of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of support members comprise an inner surface which faces the bottom support platform and an outer surface which faces away from the bottom support platform, and wherein the channel is disposed on the outer surface.

4. The utility cart of claim 1, further comprising an accessory adapter,wherein the accessory adapter comprises a set screw and an anchor member, and wherein the anchor member comprises tabs that extend into the accessory support assembly through the opening and are shaped to engage with the first and second inner surfaces.

5. The utility cart of claim 4, wherein the anchor member comprises a threaded bore extending through the anchor member, and wherein the set screw contacts the base portion responsive to being driven through the threaded bore.

6. The utility cart of claim 5, wherein the tabs engage the first and second inner surfaces responsive to the set screw contacting the base portion, and wherein the accessory adapter is fixed at a desired vertical position along the channel responsive to the tabs engaging the first and second inner surfaces and the set screw contacting the base portion.

7. The utility cart of claim 6, wherein a clip is disposed at an opposite side of the anchor member from the tabs, and wherein the clip is configured to operably couple to the accessory such that the accessory adapter supports the accessory at the desired vertical position along the channel.

8. The utility cart of claim 6, wherein the accessory adapter is a hook configured to support the accessory by hanging the accessory on the hook.

9. The utility cart of claim 1, wherein the top support platform comprises first and second halves which are hingedly operably coupled to each other, and the bottom support platform comprises third and fourth halves which are hingedly operably coupled to each other, and wherein the utility cart is collapsible from a working state to a collapsed state.

10. The utility cart of claim 9, wherein in the working state, the first and second halves, and the third and fourth halves, are coplanar with each other, respectively, and are disposed horizontally and perpendicular to the channel.

11. An accessory storage assembly for a utility cart, the accessory storage assembly comprising: a plurality of support members vertically disposed to operably couple top and bottom support platforms of the collapsible utility cart to each other, the plurality of support members each comprising a first end and a second end; and a channel formed in at least one of the support members of the plurality of support members that extends along a portion of the at least one of the plurality of support members between the first end and the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the at least one of the plurality of support members, and wherein the channel comprises an accessory support assembly operably coupleable to an accessory, the accessory support assembly comprising: a first wall having a first inner surface, a second wall having a second inner surface, the second wall being coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion offset from the first wall and second wall and accessible through the opening.

12. The accessory storage assembly of claim 11, wherein each support member is an aluminum extrusion, and wherein the channel comprises a T-slot profile.

13. The accessory storage assembly of claim 11, wherein the channel extends along a length that is at least 50% of the length the at least one of the plurality of support members.

14. The accessory storage assembly of claim 13, further comprising an accessory adapter, wherein the accessory adapter comprises a set screw and an anchor member, wherein the anchor member comprises tabs that extend into the accessory support assembly through the opening and are shaped to engage with the first and second inner surfaces, wherein the anchor member comprises a threaded bore extending through the anchor member, andwherein the set screw contacts the base portion responsive to being driven through the threaded bore.

15. The accessory storage assembly of claim 14, wherein the tabs engage the first and second inner surfaces responsive to the set screw contacting the base portion, and wherein the accessory adapter is fixed at a desired vertical position along the channel responsive to the tabs engaging the first and second inner surfaces and the set screw contacting the base portion.

16. A support member for a utility cart, the support member being vertically disposed to operably couple top and bottom support platforms of the collapsible utility cart to each other, the support member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the support member comprises a channel formed therein that extends along a portion of the support member between the first end to the second end and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support member, wherein the channel comprises an accessory support assembly operably coupleable to an accessory, the accessory support assembly comprising: a first wall having a first inner surface, a second wall having a second inner surface, the second wall being coplanar with the first wall, an opening into the channel between the first wall and the second wall, and a base portion offset from the first wall and second wall and accessible through the opening.

17. The support member of claim 16, wherein the support member is an aluminum extrusion, and wherein the channel comprises a T-slot profile.

18. The support member of claim 16, wherein the channel comprises a T-slot profile.

19. The support member of claim 18, further comprising an accessory adapter, wherein the accessory adapter comprises a set screw and an anchor member,wherein the anchor member comprises tabs that extend into the accessory support assembly through the opening and are shaped to engage with the first and second inner surfaces, wherein the anchor member comprises a threaded bore extending through the anchor member, and wherein the set screw contacts the base portion responsive to being driven through the threaded bore.

20. The support member of claim 19, wherein the tabs engage the first and second inner surfaces responsive to the set screw contacting the base portion, and wherein the accessory adapter is fixed at a desired vertical position along the channel responsive to the tabs engaging the first and second inner surfaces and the set screw contacting the base portion.

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