Carts for transporting containers

Abstract

Various illustrative carts for transporting containers and methods of using carts for transporting containers are provided. In general, a cart is provided for removably attaching to a container. With the container attached to the cart, the cart is configured to transport the attached container from a first location to a second location, e.g., by a user rolling the cart from the first location to the second location. In an exemplary implementation, the cart can be configured to be positioned next to a container and attach automatically to the container in response to a user movement of the cart. The cart can also include a release mechanism that, with the container attached to the cart, is configured to be actuated to detach the container from the cart.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WOCARTS FOR TRANSPORTING CONTAINERSFIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to carts for transporting containers.BACKGROUND

[0002] Carpenters, handy persons, and other tradesmen (e.g., electricians, plumbers, internal design, etc.) often need to carry a container containing tools and / or other items to a jobsite. However, such containers are often heavy due to the contents of the container, which typically makes the container difficult to safely carry by hand to the jobsite, especially if only one person is carrying the container. In some instances, the container has an awkward shape and / or is large enough that one person cannot safely carry the container even if the container is not prohibitively heavy for solo carrying.

[0003] Various carts with wheels are known that can be used to transport a container. However, it is typically difficult for a person to load a heavy, large, and / or awkwardly-shaped container onto the cart. Loading an empty or partially filled container onto the cart may be possible, but that typically requires a time-consuming process of removing item(s) from the container before loading the container onto the cart and then reloading the item(s) into the container after the container has been loaded onto the cart.Additionally, a container loaded on a cart is susceptible to shifting in position on the cart during transport, which may cause one or more problems such as the container falling off the cart, unsafe maneuverability of the loaded cart on uneven terrain, unsafe maneuverability of the loaded cart on curved paths, unsafe maneuverability of the loaded cart around comers, unsafe maneuverability of the loaded cart up or down an inclined surface, the person moving the cart losing control of the cart due to the container’s shift in position, etc.SUMMARY

[0004] In general, carts for transporting containers and methods of using carts for transporting containers are provided.

[0005] In one implementation, a cart is provided that includes a frame, a first wheel, a second wheel, and a hook. The first wheel is positioned at a bottom of the frame and configured to roll on a support surface, the second wheel is positioned at the bottom of the frame and configured to roll on the support surface, and the hook is coupled to the frame and located between the first and second wheels. The hook is configured to releasably and selectively attach to a first container having a first width and to a second container having a second width that is greater than the first width.

[0006] The cart can vary in any number of ways. For example, the hook can be configured to be releasably seated in a recess of the selected first container or second container with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the selected first container or second container resting on the support surface. Further, the hook can be configured to be releasably seated in the recess with an additional container stacked on top of the selected first container or second container; the cart can also include a release mechanism operatively coupled to the hook, and, with the hook releasably seated in theAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO recess, the release mechanism can be configured to be actuated such that the hook is no longer seated in the recess; the hook can be configured to move automatically into the recess in response to the hook contacting a surface of the selected first container or second container; and / or the cart can also include an actuator operatively coupled to the hook, and the actuator can be configured to be actuated by a user such that the hook is seated in the recess. Further, the hook can be configured to move relative to the selected first container or second container between a first position, in which the hook is not seated in the recess, and a second position, in which the hook is seated in the recess; and / or the cart can also include a lock configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the lock prevents the actuation of the actuator, and an unlocked configuration, in which the lock does not prevent the actuation of the actuator. Further, the hook can be configured to be releasably seated in the recess with the hook positioned next to a rear side of the selected first container or second container; and / or the movement of the hook can also be relative to the frame, or the movement of the hook can be with the frame.

[0007] For another example, the hook can extend upwardly, the hook can be configured to be releasably seated in a first recess of the selected first container or second container, the first recess can open downwardly, the cart can also include a projection extending downwardly, the projection can be configured to be releasably seated in a second recess of the selected first container or second container, and the second recess can open upwardly. Further, the hook can be configured to be releasably seated in the first recess and the projection can be configured to be releasably seated in the second recess with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the selected first container or second container resting on the support surface; and / or the hook can be configured to be releasably seated in the first recess after the projection is releasably seated in the second recess.

[0008] For yet another example, the frame can define a handle, and a height of the handle can be adjustable relative to the first and second wheels and the hook.

[0009] For still another example, the first wheel can be at a fixed distance from the second wheel, and each of the first and second widths can be less than the fixed distance.

[0010] For another example, the first wheel can be at a distance from the second wheel that is configured to be adjusted between a maximum distance and a minimum distance, and each of the first and second widths can be less than each of the maximum and minimum distances.

[0011] For yet another example, the first and second containers can each have a same height.

[0012] For another example, the first container can have a first height, and the second container can have a second height that is different from the first height.

[0013] In another aspect, a system is provided that can include the cart and the first and second containers.

[0014] In one implementation, a cart is provided that includes a frame, a first wheel axle, a second wheel axle, a first wheel, a second wheel, a hook, and a lock. The first wheel axle is coupled to the frame and defines a first longitudinal axis. The second wheel axle is coupled to the frame and defines a second longitudinal axis that is coaxial with the first longitudinal axis. The first wheel is coupled to the firstAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO wheel axle and is configured to rotate about the first longitudinal axis to roll on a support surface. The second wheel is coupled to the second wheel axle and is configured to rotate about the second longitudinal axis to roll on the support surface. The first wheel is at a lateral distance from the second wheel that is configured to be adjusted between a maximum distance and a minimum distance. The hook is coupled to the frame and is located between the first and second wheels. The hook is configured to releasably attach to a container. The lock is coupled to the first and second wheel axles and is configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the first and second wheel axles are prevented from moving laterally relative to the frame, and an unlocked configuration, in which the first and second wheel axles are allowed to move laterally relative to the frame to adjust the lateral distance.

[0015] The cart can have any number of variations. For example, with the lock in the locked configuration, the lateral distance cannot be adjusted, and, with the lock in the unlocked configuration, the distance can be configured to be adjusted by moving the first and second wheel axles laterally relative to the frame.

[0016] For another example, the lock can include a first lock coupled to the first wheel axle and configured to move between the locked configuration, in which the first wheel axle is prevented from moving laterally relative to the frame, and the unlocked configuration, in which the first wheel axle is allowed to move laterally relative to the frame to adjust the lateral distance, and the lock can include a second lock coupled to the second wheel axle and configured to move between the locked configuration, in which the second wheel axle is prevented from moving laterally relative to the frame, and the unlocked configuration, in which the second wheel axle is allowed to move laterally relative to the frame to adjust the lateral distance. Further, the first lock can include a first pin, with the first lock in the locked position the first pin can engage the first wheel axle, with the first lock in the unlocked position the first pin can be out of engagement from the first wheel axle, the second lock can include a second pin, with the second lock in the locked position the second pin can engage the second wheel axle, and with the second lock in the unlocked position the second pin can be out of engagement from the second wheel axle. Further, the first lock can also include a first spring configured to bias the first pin into engagement with the first wheel axle, and the second lock can also include a second spring configured to bias the second pin into engagement with the second wheel axle.

[0017] For yet another example, with the first and second wheels at the minimum distance, the hook can be configured to releasably attach to the container having a first width; with the first and second wheels at the maximum distance, the hook can be configured to releasably attach to the container having a second width that is greater than the first width; and the second width can be greater than the minimum distance.

[0018] For still another example, the cart can also include a release mechanism coupled to the hook, and, with the hook releasably attached to the container, the release mechanism can be configured to be actuated such that the hook is no longer releasably attached to the container.

[0019] For another example, the hook can be configured to move upwardly relative to the frame and the first and second wheels to releasably attach to the container, and the hook can be configured to move downwardly relative to the frame and the first and second wheels to detach from the container. Further,Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO the cart can also include a crossbar coupled to the hook and extending between opposed legs of the frame, the crossbar can be configured to move upwardly along the frame to move the hook upwardly relative to the frame, and the crossbar can be configured to move downwardly along the frame to move the hook downwardly relative to the frame. Further, the cart can also include a second lock coupled to the crossbar and configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the crossbar and the hook are prevented from moving upwardly or downwardly relative to the frame, and an unlocked configuration, in which the crossbar and the hook are allowed to move upwardly or downwardly relative to the frame.

[0020] In another aspect, a system is provided that can include the cart and the container.

[0021] In one implementation, a cart is provided that includes a frame, a first wheel, a second wheel, a first hook, and a second hook. The first wheel is positioned at a bottom of the frame and is configured to roll on a support surface. The second wheel is positioned at the bottom of the frame and is configured to roll on the support surface. The first hook is coupled to the frame and is located between the first and second wheels in a substantially horizontal direction. The second hook is coupled to the frame and is located between the first and second wheels in the substantially horizontal direction. The first hook is configured to move substantially vertically relative to the frame by contacting a first surface of a container and the second hook is configured to move substantially vertically relative to the frame by contacting a second surface of the container to releasably attach the cart to a container.

[0022] The cart can vary in any number of ways. For example, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the container resting on the support surface, the first hook can be configured to be releasably seated in a first recess of the container and the second hook can be configured to be releasably seated in a second recess of the container. Further, the first hook can be configured to be releasably seated in the first recess and the second hook can be configured to be releasably seated in the second recess with an additional container stacked on top of the container; the first surface can overhang the first recess, the first hook can be configured to slide along the first surface before entering the first recess, the second surface can overhang the second recess, and the second hook can be configured to slide along the second surface before entering the second recess; the first hook can be configured to contact the first surface and be releasably seated in the first recess with the first hook positioned next to a rear side of the container, and the second hook can be configured to contact the second surface and be releasably seated in the second recess with the second hook positioned next to the rear side of the container; the cart can also include a release mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second hooks, and, with the cart attached to the container, the release mechanism can be configured to be actuated by a user to simultaneously move the first hook out of the first recess and the second hook out of the second recess; and / or a projection can extend downwardly, the first and second hooks can extend upwardly, and the projection can be configured to, prior to the first and second hooks being releasably seated in the first and second recesses, be releasably seated in a third recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface. Further, the cart can also include a first biasing element configured to bias the first hook upwardly, the cart can also include a second biasing element configured to bias the second hook upwardly, the first hook can extendAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO upwardly, the first recess can open downwardly, the second hook can extend upwardly, and the second recess can open downwardly.

[0023] For another example, the first hook can be configured to contact the first surface and the second hook can be configured to contact the second surface with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the container resting on the support surface.

[0024] For yet another example, the cart can also include a base extending between opposed legs of the frame, the first and second wheels can be positioned on opposed sides of the base, the movement of the first hook can also be relative to the base, and the movement of the second hook can also be relative to the base.

[0025] For still another example, the frame can define a handle, and a height of the handle can be adjustable relative to the first and second wheels and to the first and second hooks.

[0026] For another example, the cart can also include a release mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second hooks, and with the cart attached to the container, the release mechanism can be configured to be actuated by a user to detach the cart from the container.

[0027] For yet another example, the first hook can be configured to contact the first surface simultaneously with the second hook contacting the second surface.

[0028] For still another example, the cart can also include a projection extending downwardly; the first and second hooks can extend upwardly; the projection can be configured to, prior to the first hook contacting the first surface and the second hook contacting the second surface, be releasably seated in a recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface; and the recess can open upwardly.

[0029] In another aspect, a system is provided that can include the cart and the container.

[0030] In another implementation, a cart is provided that includes a frame, a first wheel, a second wheel, first and second hooks, and a pedal. The first wheel is coupled to the frame and is configured to roll on a support surface. The second wheel is coupled to the frame, is spaced substantially horizontally from the first wheel, and is configured to roll on the support surface. The first and second hooks are coupled to the frame and extend substantially vertically. The pedal is configured to, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface, be moved by a foot of a user relative to the frame and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to a container.

[0031] The cart can vary in any number of ways. For example, the movement of the first and second hooks substantially vertically upward can be configured to cause the first and second hooks to be seated respectively in first and second recesses of the container. Further, the cart can also include a projection extending downwardly, the first and second hooks can extend upwardly, and the projection can be configured to, prior to the first and second hooks being releasably seated in the first and second recesses, be releasably seated in a third recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0032] For another example, the first and second hooks cam ne configured to attach to the container with the container, the first wheel, and the second wheel resting on the support surface and with an additional container stacked on top of container.

[0033] For yet another example, the cart can also include a projection extending downwardly, the first and second hooks can extend upwardly, the projection can be configured to be releasably seated in a recess of the container, and the recess can open upwardly.

[0034] For still another example, the movement of the pedal can be configured to cause the first and second hooks to move a predetermined distance substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to the container, and the pedal can be configured to be moved again by the foot of the user to cause the first and second hooks to move the predetermined distance substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks from the container.

[0035] For yet another example, the cart can also include a base extending between opposed legs of the frame, the first and second hooks can extend upwardly from the base, the first and second wheels can be positioned on opposed sides of the base, and the movement of the pedal can be relative to the base. Further, the pedal can be pivotally attached to the base and pivotally attached to the first and second hooks, the cart can also include a plurality of linkages, each of the plurality of linkages can be pivotally attached to the base and pivotally attached to the pedal, the cart can also include a lock pivotally attached to the pedal, and the lock can be configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the pedal is prevented from being moved relative to the base, and an unlocked configuration, in which the pedal is allowed to move relative to the base. Further, the lock can be configured to move automatically between the unlocked and locked configurations; and / or the pedal can be configured to be moved again by the foot of the user relative to the frame and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks from the container.

[0036] For still another example, the cart can also include a base extending between opposed legs of the frame, the first and second hooks can extend upwardly from the base, the first and second wheels can be positioned on opposed sides of the base, the movement of the pedal can be relative to the base, the base can have an elongate slot formed therein, the cart can also include a rod slidably seated in the elongate slot, the movement of the pedal can be configured to cause the rod to slide in a first direction in the elongate slot, and the pedal can be configured to be moved again by a foot of the user to cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks from the container and to cause the rod to slide in a second direction in the elongate slot that is opposite to the first direction.

[0037] For another example, the cart can also include a base extending between opposed legs of the frame, the first and second hooks can extend upwardly from the base, the first and second wheels can be positioned on opposed sides of the base, the movement of the pedal can be relative to the base, the pedal can be pivotally attached to the base, the cart can also include a lock, and the lock can be configured to be moved laterally by a user from a locked configuration, in which the pedal is mechanically engaged withAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO the lock and prevented from being moved relative to the base, to an unlocked configuration, in which the pedal is not mechanically engaged with the lock and is allowed to move relative to the base.

[0038] In another aspect, a system is provided that can include the cart and the container.

[0039] In another implementation, a cart is provided that includes a frame, a first wheel, a second wheel, and first and second hooks. The frame has an upper portion and a lower portion. The first wheel is coupled to the frame and is configured to roll on a support surface. The second wheel is coupled to the frame, is spaced substantially horizontally from the first wheel, and is configured to roll on the support surface. The first and second hooks are coupled to the frame and extend substantially vertically. The upper portion of the frame can be configured to, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface, be moved by a user relative to the lower portion of the frame and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to a container.

[0040] The cart can have any number of variations. For example, the movement of the first and second hooks substantially vertically upward can be configured to cause the first and second hooks to be seated respectively in first and second recesses of the container. Further, the cart can also include a projection extending downwardly, the first and second hooks can extend upwardly, and the projection can be configured to, prior to the first and second hooks being releasably seated in the first and second recesses, be releasably seated in a third recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface.

[0041] For another example, the first and second hooks can be configured to attach to the container with the container, the first wheel, and the second wheel resting on the support surface and with an additional container stacked on top of container.

[0042] For yet another example, the cart can also include a projection extending downwardly, the first and second hooks can extend upwardly, the projection can be configured to be releasably seated in a recess of the container, and the recess can open upwardly.

[0043] For still another example, movement of the upper portion of the frame substantially vertically upward relative to the lower portion of the frame can be configured to cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to the container, and movement of the upper portion of the frame substantially vertically downward relative to the lower portion of the frame can be configured to cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks to the container. Further, the cart can also include a sleeve sleeved over the frame, and the sleeve can be movable between a first position, in which the sleeve prevents the upper portion of the frame from moving substantially vertically upward or downward relative to the lower portion of the frame, and a second position, in which the sleeve allows the upper portion of the frame to move substantially vertically upward and downward relative to the lower portion of the frame. Further, in the first position the sleeve can be sleeved over a pivot point between the upper and lower portions of the frame, in the second position the sleeve can not be sleeved over the pivot point, and the upper portion of the frame moving substantially vertically upward or downward can be configured to cause the upper and lower portions of the frame to be angled relative to one another at theAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO pivot point; and / or the sleeve can be configured to be manually moved by a user from the first position to the second position, and the movement of the upper portion of the frame substantially vertically upward can be configured to cause the sleeve to move automatically from the second position to the first position.

[0044] In another aspect, a system is provided that can include the cart and the container.

[0045] In another implementation, a cart is provided that includes a frame, a first wheel, a second wheel, a hook, and a base. The frame has a plurality of pairs of grooves formed in opposed legs of the frame. The first wheel is coupled to the frame and is configured to roll on a support surface. The second wheel is coupled to the frame and is configured to roll on the support surface. The hook is located between the first and second wheels and is configured to releasably attach to a container. The base is coupled to the hook. The base includes a body, a first pin, and a second pin. The body extends substantially horizontally between the opposed legs of the frame. The first pin is positioned at a first end of the body and is configured to be releasably seated in a first selected one of the grooves. The second pin is positioned at a second end of the body and is configured to be releasably seated in a second selected one of the grooves. The base is configured to move substantially vertically relative to the frame and thereby adjust a vertical location of the hook relative to the frame between a plurality of vertical locations defined by the plurality of pairs of grooves.

[0046] The cart can have any number of variations. For example, the base can also include a first bias element and a second bias element, the first bias element can be configured to bias the first pin laterally outward, the second bias element can be configured to bias the second pin laterally outward, and the first and second bias elements can be configured to urge the first and second pins into one of the plurality of pairs of grooves in response to the first and second pins becoming aligned with the one of the plurality of pairs of grooves.

[0047] For another example, the base can also include an actuator configured to be actuated by a user to cause the first and second pins to move laterally inward and out of engagement with the first and second selected ones of the grooves to allow the base to move substantially vertically relative to the frame. Further, the first and second pins can be configured to move laterally and automatically into engagement with third and fourth selected ones of the grooves in response to becoming aligned with the third and fourth selected ones of the grooves; and / or the actuator can be configured to be moved by the user from a resting configuration to an actuated configuration, and the base can also include a bias element configured to bias the actuator to the resting configuration. Further, the base can also include a lock configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the lock prevents the actuator from moving from the resting configuration to the actuated configuration, and an unlocked configuration, in which the lock allows the actuator from moving from the resting configuration to the actuated configuration. Further, the lock can also include a first lock and a second lock, the first lock can be configured to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the cart being pivoted from a normal position relative to the support surface to an angled position relative to the support surface and can be configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to the cart being pivoted from the angled position relative to the support surface to the normalAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO position relative to the support surface, and the second lock can be configured to be moved manually by a user between the locked and unlocked configurations; and / or the lock can be configured to move automatically between the locked and unlocked configurations, or the lock can be configured to be moved manually by a user between the locked and unlocked configurations.

[0048] For yet another example, the base can also include a lock configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the lock prevents the base from moving substantially vertically relative to the frame, and an unlocked configuration, in which the lock does not prevent the base from moving substantially vertically relative to the frame. Further, the lock can also include a first lock and a second lock, the first lock can be configured to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the cart being pivoted from a normal position relative to the support surface to an angled position relative to the support surface and can be configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to the cart being pivoted from the angled position relative to the support surface to the normal position relative to the support surface, and the second lock can be configured to be moved manually by a user between the locked and unlocked configurations; and / or the lock can be configured to move automatically between the locked and unlocked configurations, or the lock can be configured to be moved manually by a user between the locked and unlocked configurations.

[0049] For another example, the plurality of pairs of grooves can include a first pair of grooves and second pair of grooves, the base moving substantially vertically upward relative to the frame can be configured to cause the first and second pins from being seated in the first pair of grooves to being seated in the second pair of grooves, and the base moving substantially vertically downward relative to the frame can be configured to cause the first and second pins from being seated in the pair of second grooves to being seated in the first pair of grooves. Further, the base moving substantially vertically upward relative to the frame can be configured to cause the hook to be seated in a recess of the container to attach the cart to the container, and the base moving substantially vertically downward relative to the frame can be configured to cause the container to detach the cart from the container. Further, wherein the hook can extend upwardly, the hook can be configured to be releasably seated in a first recess of the container, the first recess can open downwardly, the cart can also include a projection extending downwardly, the projection can be configured to be releasably seated in a second recess of the container before the hook is seated in the first recess, and the second recess can open upwardly.

[0050] For yet another example, wherein the hook can be configured to be attached to a selected one of a plurality of containers, each of the plurality of containers can have a different height from the other containers, and each of the plurality of vertical locations can correspond to the height of one of the plurality of containers.

[0051] For still another example, the frame can define a handle, and a height of the handle can be adjustable relative to the first and second wheels, the hook, and the base.

[0052] In another aspect, a system is provided that can include the cart and the container.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0053] In another implementation, a cart is provided that includes a frame, a first wheel, a second wheel, first and second locks, an actuator, and a lock. The first wheel is coupled to the frame and is configured to roll on a support surface. The second wheel is coupled to the frame, is spaced substantially horizontally from the first wheel, and is configured to roll on the support surface. The first and second hooks are coupled to the frame and extend substantially vertically. The actuator is configured to, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface, be actuated by a user and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to a container. The lock is configured to move from a locked configuration, in which the lock prevents the actuator from being actuated, to an unlocked configuration, in which the lock allows the actuator to be actuated, in response to a predetermined movement of the cart by a user.

[0054] The cart can vary in any number of ways. For example, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the container resting on the support surface, the first hook can be configured to be releasably seated in a first recess of the container and the second hook can be configured to be releasably seated in a second recess of the container. Further, the first hook can be configured to be releasably seated in the first recess and the second hook can be configured to be releasably seated in the second recess with an additional container stacked on top of the container.

[0055] For another example, the cart can also include a projection extending downwardly; the first and second hooks can extend upwardly; the projection can be configured to, prior to the first and second hooks being attached to the container, be releasably seated in a recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface; and the actuator can be configured to be actuated with the cart in the normal position.

[0056] For yet another example, the actuator can be configured to be actuated again and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks from the container.

[0057] For another example, the lock can be configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, the actuator can include a pedal configured to be actuated by being moved by a foot of a user, and the predetermined movement can be the movement of the pedal. Further, the lock can be configured to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the pedal being moved again by the foot of the user.

[0058] For yet another example, the cart can also include a base extending between opposed legs of the frame, the first and second hooks can extend upwardly from the base, the first and second wheels can be positioned on opposed sides of the base, the actuator can include a foot pedal, and the actuation can be configured to move the foot pedal relative to the base. Further, the foot pedal can be pivotally attached to the base, pivotally attached to the lock, and pivotally attached to the first and second hooks, the cart can also include a plurality of linkages, and each of the plurality of linkages can be pivotally attached to the base and pivotally attached to the foot pedal. Further, the cart can also include a support attached to the base, the lock can be configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlockedAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO configuration, the lock can be engaged with the support with the lock in the locked configuration, and the lock can not be engaged with the support with the lock in the unlocked configuration.

[0059] For still another example, the lock can be configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, and the lock can include a ball configured to roll relative to the actuator between a first position, in which the ball abuts the actuator and prevents the actuator from being actuated, and a second position, in which the ball does not abut the actuator and allows the actuator to be actuated.

[0060] For yet another example, the lock can be configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, and the predetermined movement can be a pivoting of the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface. Further, the lock can be configured to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the pedal being moved from the normal position to the angled position; and / or the cart can also include a base coupled to the hook, the base can include the actuator, the lock, a body extending substantially horizontally between the opposed legs of the frame, a first pin positioned at a first end of the body, and a second pin positioned at a second end of the body, and the base can be configured to move substantially vertically relative to the frame and thereby adjust a vertical location of the hook relative to the frame between a plurality of vertical locations. Further, the base can have a guide rail formed therein, and the lock can include a ball configured to roll along the guide rail between a first position, in which the ball prevents the actuator from being actuated, and a second position, in which the ball allows the actuator to be actuated.

[0061] For another example, the lock can be configured to be moved manually by a user from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration, the lock can be configured to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, the actuator can include a pedal configured to be actuated by being moved by a foot of a user, and the predetermined movement can be the movement of the pedal.

[0062] In another aspect, a system is provided that can include the cart and the container.

[0063] In another aspect, a method of using a cart as described herein is provided.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0064] This disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0065] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one implementation of a cart;

[0066] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of one implementation of a method of using a cart;

[0067] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of another implementation of a cart;

[0068] FIG. 3B is another perspective view of the cart of FIG. 3A;

[0069] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 3 A attached to one implementation of a container;Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0070] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 3C;

[0071] FIG. 3E is another perspective view of the container of FIG. 3C;

[0072] FIG. 3F is yet another perspective view of the container of FIG. 3C;

[0073] FIG. 3G is a cross-sectional perspective view of a lower portion of the cart of FIG. 3 A;

[0074] FIG. 3H is another cross-sectional perspective view of a lower portion of the cart of FIG. 3A;

[0075] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an intermediate portion of the cart of FIG. 3A;

[0076] FIG. 3 J is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 3A;

[0077] FIG. 3K is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 3A;

[0078] FIG. 3L is an assembled perspective view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 3K;

[0079] FIG. 3M is a perspective, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 3A with a release mechanism of the cart in a resting configuration;

[0080] FIG. 3N is a perspective, partially transparent view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 3M with the release mechanism of the cart in an actuated configuration;

[0081] FIG. 30 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 3A with the release mechanism of the cart in the resting configuration;

[0082] FIG. 3P is a side cross-sectional view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 30 with the release mechanism of the cart in an intermediate configuration between the resting configuration and the actuated configuration;

[0083] FIG. 3Q is a side cross-sectional view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 30 with the release mechanism of the cart in the actuated configuration;

[0084] FIG. 3R is a perspective cross-sectional view of the cart of FIG. 3A with a crossbar housing omitted;

[0085] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another implementation of a cart;

[0086] FIG. 4B is another perspective view of the cart of FIG. 4A;

[0087] FIG. 4C is a side cross-sectional view of the cart of FIG. 4A with the cart in an angled position;

[0088] FIG. 4D is a side cross-sectional view of the cart of FIG. 4A with the cart in a normal position;

[0089] FIG. 4E is a perspective view of a base of the cart of FIG. 4A;

[0090] FIG. 4F is a perspective view of an actuator of the cart of FIG. 4A;

[0091] FIG. 4G is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 4A with the actuator of the cart in a resting configuration;

[0092] FIG. 4H is a perspective, partially transparent view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 4G;

[0093] FIG. 41 is a perspective, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 4G;

[0094] FIG. 4J is a side perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 4G;

[0095] FIG. 4K is another side perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 4G;Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0096] FIG. 4L is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 4A with the actuator of the cart in a actuated configuration;

[0097] FIG. 4M is a perspective, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 4L;

[0098] FIG. 4N is a side cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the cart of FIG. 4A with the actuator in the resting configuration;

[0099] FIG. 40 is a side cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the cart of FIG. 4A with the actuator in an intermediate configuration between the resting configuration and the actuated configuration;

[0100] FIG. 4P is a side cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the cart of FIG. 4A with the actuator in the actuated configuration;

[0101] FIG. 4Q is a side cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the cart of FIG. 4A with the actuator in another intermediate configuration between the resting configuration and the actuated configuration;

[0102] FIG. 5 A is a side view of a lower portion of another implementation of a cart, a side view of the container of FIG. 3 A, and a side view of a portion of another container stacked on the container;

[0103] FIG. 5B is a partial perspective view of the cart and the containers of FIG. 5 A;

[0104] FIG. 5C is another side view of the lower portion of the cart of FIG. 5 A located closer to the containers than in FIG. 5A and with a release mechanism of the cart in a lower position;

[0105] FIG. 5D is another side view of the containers and the lower portion of the cart of FIG. 5C with the release mechanism of the cart in an upper position;

[0106] FIG. 5E is a partial perspective view of the cart and the containers of FIG. 5D;

[0107] FIG. 5F is another side view of the lower portion of the cart of FIG. 5D located closer to the containers than in FIG. 5D;

[0108] FIG. 5G is a partial perspective view of the cart and the containers of FIG. 5F ;

[0109] FIG. 5H is another side view of the containers and the lower portion of the cart of FIG. 5F with the release mechanism of the cart in the lower position;

[0110] FIG. 51 is a partial perspective view of the cart and the containers of FIG. 5H;

[0111] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another implementation of a cart;

[0112] FIG. 6B is another perspective view of the cart of FIG. 6A;

[0113] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a lower portion of the cart of FIG. 6A;

[0114] FIG. 6D is a rear view of the cart of FIG. 6A with the cart at a minimum height and with the wheels at a minimum distance apart;

[0115] FIG. 6E is a rear view of the cart of FIG. 6A with the cart at an intermediate height between the minimum height of the cart and a maximum height of the cart;

[0116] FIG. 6F is a rear view of the cart of FIG. 6A with the cart at the maximum height;

[0117] FIG. 6G is a rear view of the cart of FIG. 6D with the wheels at a maximum distance apart;

[0118] FIG. 6H is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 6A;Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0119] FIG. 61 is a side, cross-sectional, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 6A with a wheel actuator of the cart in a resting configuration;

[0120] FIG. 6J is a side, cross-sectional, partially transparent view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 61 with the wheel actuator of the cart in an actuated configuration;

[0121] FIG. 6K is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 61;

[0122] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another implementation of a cart;

[0123] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 7A;

[0124] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 7A with the cart attached to another implementation of a container;

[0125] FIG. 7D is another perspective view of the cart and the container of FIG. 7C;

[0126] FIG. 7E is another perspective view of the cart of FIG. 7A;

[0127] FIG. 7F is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 7C;

[0128] FIG. 7G is an assembled perspective view of a hook adjustment mechanism of the cart of FIG. 7A;

[0129] FIG. 7H is an exploded perspective view of the hook adjustment mechanism of FIG. 7G;

[0130] FIG. 71 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 7A with the hook adjustment mechanism in a resting configuration and at a first vertical location relative to a frame of the cart;

[0131] FIG. 7J is a perspective cross-sectional view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 71 with the hook adjustment mechanism in an actuated configuration;

[0132] FIG. 7K is a perspective cross-sectional view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 71 with the hook adjustment mechanism in the resting configuration and at a second vertical location relative to the frame of the cart;

[0133] FIG. 7L is a top perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 7A with the hook adjustment mechanism in the resting configuration;

[0134] FIG. 7M is a top perspective view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 7L with the hook adjustment mechanism in the actuated configuration;

[0135] FIG. 7N is a perspective, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 7A with a safety lock of the cart in an unlocked configuration;

[0136] FIG. 70 is a perspective, partially transparent view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 7N with the safety lock of the cart in a locked configuration;

[0137] FIG. 7P is atop, cross-sectional view of the hook adjustment mechanism of FIG. 7A with the hook adjustment mechanism in the resting configuration and with the safety lock of the cart in the unlocked configuration;

[0138] FIG. 7Q is a side view of the hook adjustment mechanism and the safety lock of FIG. 7P;Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0139] FIG. 7R is a side, cross-sectional view of the hook adjustment mechanism and the safety lock of FIG. 7P;

[0140] FIG. 7S is a top, cross-sectional view of the hook adjustment mechanism of FIG. 7A with the hook adjustment mechanism in the resting configuration and with the safety lock of the cart in the locked configuration;

[0141] FIG. 7T is a side view of the hook adjustment mechanism and the safety lock of FIG. 7S;

[0142] FIG. 7U is a side, cross-sectional view of the hook adjustment mechanism and the safety lock of FIG. 7S;

[0143] FIG. 7V is a side view of the cart of FIG. 7A in a normal position and attached to the container of FIG. 3D;

[0144] FIG. 7W is a side view of the cart and the container of FIG. 7V with the cart in an angled position;

[0145] FIG. 7X is a side view of the cart and the container of FIG. 7V with the cart in another angled position;

[0146] FIG. 7Y is a top, cross-sectional view of a portion of another implementation of a hook adjustment mechanism with the hook adjustment mechanism in a resting configuration;

[0147] FIG. 7Z is a top, cross-sectional view of the portion of the hook adjustment mechanism of FIG. 7Y with the hook adjustment mechanism in an actuated configuration;

[0148] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another implementation of a cart;

[0149] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 8A;

[0150] FIG. 8C is another perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 8A;

[0151] FIG. 8D is another perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 8 A;

[0152] FIG. 8E is a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 8A and another implementation of a container;

[0153] FIG. 8F is a side, cross-sectional, partially transparent view of the cart and the container of FIG. 8E with hooks of the cart in a lower position;

[0154] FIG. 8G is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 8A with the hooks of the cart in an upper position;

[0155] FIG. 8H is a side, cross-sectional, partially transparent view of portions of the cart and the container of FIG. 8F;

[0156] FIG. 81 is a side, cross-sectional, partially transparent view of the cart and the container of FIG. 8F with the hooks of the cart in the upper position;

[0157] FIG. 8 J is a perspective view of the cart and the container of FIG. 8H;

[0158] FIG. 8K is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 8 A;

[0159] FIG. 8L is another perspective, cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 8 A;

[0160] FIG. 8M is a side, cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 8A with a safety lock ofAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO the cart in a locked configuration;

[0161] FIG. 8N is a side, cross-sectional view of the portion of the cart of FIG. 8M with the safety lock in an unlocked configuration;

[0162] FIG. 9A is perspective view of another implementation of a cart;

[0163] FIG. 9B is another perspective view of the cart of FIG. 9A;

[0164] FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9A;

[0165] FIG. 9D is another perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9A with a stand of the cart in a stowed configuration;

[0166] FIG. 9E is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9A with the stand of the cart in an extended configuration;

[0167] FIG. 9F is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9A;

[0168] FIG. 9G is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9A;

[0169] FIG. 9H is another perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9A;

[0170] FIG. 91 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9A with a pedal of the cart actuated, hooks of the cart in an upper position, and a safety lock of the cart in a locked configuration;

[0171] FIG. 9 J is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 91;

[0172] FIG. 9K is a perspective view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 91 with the safety lock of the cart in an unlocked configuration;

[0173] FIG. 9L is a perspective view of the pedal of the cart of FIG. 9A;

[0174] FIG. 9M is another perspective view of the pedal of FIG. 9L;

[0175] FIG. 9N is yet another perspective view of the pedal of FIG. 9L;

[0176] FIG. 90 is a perspective view of a slider of the cart of FIG. 9A;

[0177] FIG. 9P is another perspective view of the slider of FIG. 90;

[0178] FIG. 9Q is a perspective, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9A without the pedal actuated and with the safety lock in the unlocked configuration;

[0179] FIG. 9R is a perspective, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9Q with the pedal actuated and with the safety lock in the unlocked configuration;

[0180] FIG. 9S is a perspective, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9R with the pedal actuated and with the safety lock in the locked configuration;

[0181] FIG. 9T is a perspective, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9S with the pedal actuated and with the safety lock in the unlocked configuration;

[0182] FIG. 9U is a perspective, partially transparent view of a portion of the cart of FIG. 9T without the pedal actuated and with the safety lock in the unlocked configuration;

[0183] FIG. 9V is a perspective view of another implementation of a cart with the cart attached to the container of FIG. 3D;Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0184] FIG. 9W is a perspective view of the cart of FIG. 9V with the container omitted;

[0185] FIG. 9X is a perspective view of a portion the cart of FIG. 9W;

[0186] FIG. 9Y is a perspective view of a pedal of the cart of FIG. 9 V;

[0187] FIG. 9Z is another perspective view of the pedal of FIG. 9Y; and

[0188] FIG. 9AA is a perspective view of a slider of the cart of FIG. 9V.

[0189] It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0190] Certain embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices, systems, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0191] Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape.

[0192] Various illustrative carts for transporting containers and methods of using carts for transporting containers are provided. In general, a cart is provided for removably attaching to a container. With the container attached to the cart, the cart is configured to transport the attached container from a first location to a second location, e.g., by a user rolling the cart from the first location to the second location. In an exemplary implementation, the cart can be configured to be positioned next to a container and attach automatically to the container in response to a user movement of the cart. The cart being configured to attach automatically to the container may ease user experience and / or may help ensure secure attachment of the cart to the container. The cart can also include a release mechanism that, with the container attached to the cart, is configured to be actuated to detach the container from the cart.

[0193] In an exemplary implementation, the cart can be configured to attach to the container with the container resting on the ground or other support surface. A user thus does not need to lift the container onto the cart or otherwise lift the container to load the container onto the cart. Containers are often heavy due to contents of the container, some containers have an awkward shape, and / or some containers areAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO large enough that one person cannot safely carry the container even if the container is not prohibitively heavy for solo carrying, so the user not needing to lift a container may improve user safety and / or may allow one person, who could not alone lift the container onto the cart or carry the container by hand to a desired location, load the container onto the cart. Similarly, the cart can be configured to detach from the container without the user needing to lift the container off the cart or otherwise lift the container to unload the container from the cart.

[0194] In an exemplary implementation, the cart can be configured to attach to the container with the container being loaded, partially or fully, with contents. This can allow a single user to attach the container to the cart, even if the container is too heavy, too large, and / or too awkwardly-shaped for the single user to lift or carry by hand. A user thus does need to empty any contents from the container before loading the container onto the cart and does not need to wait to load any contents into the container until after the container has been attached to the cart, which may save time and / or improve user safety. Similarly, the cart is configured to detach from the container without the user needing to empty any contents from the container before unloading the container from the cart.

[0195] In an exemplary implementation, the cart can be configured to securely attach to the container to prevent movement of the container relative to the cart. Thus, during transport of the cart, e.g., as the cart is being pushed or pulled, the container cannot shift in position relative to the cart, which may avoid one or more problems such as the container falling off the cart, unsafe maneuverability of the loaded cart on uneven terrain, unsafe maneuverability of the loaded cart on curved paths, unsafe maneuverability of the loaded cart around comers, unsafe maneuverability of the loaded cart up or down an inclined surface, the person moving the cart losing control of the cart due to the container’s shift in position, etc.

[0196] In an exemplary implementation, the cart can be configured to attach to the container with the container and the wheels of the cart resting on the ground or other support surface without the container resting on a flat shelf of the cart that is underneath the container during the attachment or thereafter when the cart is transporting the container. Indeed, the cart does not include a flat shelf on which the container could possibly rest. Various carts with flat shelfs are known, but the container must be positioned on the flat shelf before the cart can be used to transport the container, such as by lifting the container onto the flat shelf or the flat shelf being slid under the container. Lifting the container onto the flat shelf and flat shelf being slid under the container are each typically difficult for a heavy, large, and / or awkwardly-shaped container.

[0197] In an exemplary implementation, the cart can be configured to be reused any number of times with the same container and with any number of different containers. In other words, the cart can be configured to be repeatedly attached to and detached from each of a plurality of containers, which may allow a single cart to be purchased by a user for transporting multiple containers and / or to be used at many different locations.

[0198] In some instances, a user may desire to simultaneously transport more than one container using the cart. With the container attached to the cart, one or more additional containers are configured to be stacked manually (e.g., by hand or by using a machine or other stacking aid) on top of the container toAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO allow two or more containers to be transported simultaneously using the cart.

[0199] The systems, devices, and methods described herein are applicable to but are not limited to transporting containers configured to contain various types of tools (e.g., toolboxes configured to contain drills, drill bits, hammers, wrenches, saws, nails, screwdrivers, etc.), such as containers used by carpenters, handy persons, and other tradesmen (e.g., electricians, plumbers, internal design, etc.) to contain tools and / or other items (e.g., helmets, safety vests, water, paperwork, fire extinguishers, etc.). The systems, devices, and methods described herein also apply to transporting other types of containers used to contain other types of items, such as containers used at warehouses, supply rooms, etc. to contain and transport goods for sale, containers used in the food service industry to contain and transport kitchen supplies and / or food, containers used to contain and transport livestock feed, containers used at health care facilities to contain and transport medical equipment, etc.

[0200] FIG. 1 illustrates one implementation of a cart 10 configured to transport a container 12. The cart 10 is configured to removably attach to the container 12. The cart 10 includes a plurality of hooks 14, a release mechanism 16, a plurality of wheels 18, and a frame 20.

[0201] In an exemplary implementation, the plurality of hooks 14 of the cart 10 can be configured to releasably connect to the container 12. In an exemplary implementation, the plurality of hooks 14 of the cart 10 can be configured to be releasably seated in a plurality of recesses 22 of the container 12, e.g., with each one of the hooks 14 seated in a corresponding one of the recesses 22. The plurality of hooks 14 being seated in their respective ones of the plurality of recesses 22 is configured to removably attach the cart 10 to the container 12. In an exemplary implementation, the plurality of hooks 14 can be configured to move into their respective ones of the plurality of recesses 22 in response to a movement of the cart 10 by a user. The movement of the cart 10 that causes movement of the hooks 14 into the recesses 22 can be different for different carts. Various exemplary implementations of cart 10 movement configured to seat the plurality of hooks 14 in their respective ones of the plurality of recesses 22 are discussed further below.

[0202] In an exemplary implementation, the release mechanism 16 of the cart 10 can be configured to be actuated by a user to detach the cart 10 from the container 12. The release mechanism 16 is configured to be actuated on demand to allow a user to decide when to detach the cart 10 from the container 12, e.g., when the container 12 has been transported to a desired location using the cart 10. In an exemplary implementation, the actuation of the release mechanism 16 can be configured to disengage the plurality of hooks 14 from the plurality of recesses 22. The release mechanism 16 can have any of a number of configurations. Various exemplary implementations of the release mechanism 16 are discussed further below.

[0203] In an exemplary implementation, the plurality of wheels 18 of the cart 10 can be configured to facilitate rolling of the cart 10, and any containers attached thereto, from a first location to a second location. In an exemplary implementation, the cart 10 can include two wheels 18, but another number of wheels 18 can be used. In some implementations, the plurality of wheels 18 are at a fixed distance relative to one another, which may ease manufacturing of the cart 10 and / or may reduce overall cost of the cart 10.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WOIn other implementations, a distance between the plurality of wheels 18 is configured to be adjustable, which may facilitate attachment of the cart 10 to differently sized containers. In general, the wheels 18 being farther apart from one another allows for the cart 10 to attach to and transport larger containers as compared to the wheels 18 being closer together. Various exemplary implementations of the plurality of wheels 18 are discussed further below.

[0204] Whether the plurality of wheels 18 are at a fixed distance relative to one another or are at an adjustable distance relative to one another, the plurality of hooks 14 can be located between the plurality of wheels 18 in a left-right direction, as in this illustrated implementation. The areas of attachment of the cart 10 to a container will thus be located between the plurality of wheels 18, which may help provide stability during transport.

[0205] In an exemplary implementation, the frame 20 of the cart 10 can be operably attached to the plurality of hooks 14, the release mechanism 16, and the plurality of wheels 18. In an exemplary implementation, the frame 20 can define a handle of the cart 10 configured to be held manually (e.g., by hand or by using a tool or holding aid) to facilitate rolling of the cart 10 between locations. The frame 20 can have any of a number of configurations. Various exemplary implementations of the frame 20 are discussed further below.

[0206] In an exemplary implementation, the container 12 can be configured to contain one or more items therein, as discussed above. Various exemplary implementations of the container 12 are discussed further below. Various implementations of features of containers are discussed further in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 9,132,543 entitled “Rolling Container Assembly With Adjustable Storage Units” issued Sep. 15, 2015, U.S. Patent No. 9,566,990 entitled “Container With Pivotable Side Latch” issued Feb. 14, 2017, U.S. Patent No. 9,643,629 entitled “Rolling Container Assembly With Adjustable Storage Units” issued May 9, 2017, U.S. Patent No. 10,106,180 entitled “Transportable Container” issued Oct. 23, 2018, and U.S. Patent No. 10,787,186 entitled “Container Assembly With Adjustable Mount Structures” issued Sep. 29, 2020, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0207] FIG. 2 illustrates one implementation of a method 100 of using a cart to transport a container. The method 100 of FIG. 2 is described with respect to the cart 10 and the container 12 of FIG. 1 for ease of explanation but can be similarly used with other implementations of carts and containers described herein.

[0208] The method 100 includes positioning 102 the cart 10 next to the container 12. In general, the cart 10 being next to the container 12 allows the cart 10 to be near enough to the container 12 to allow the plurality of hooks 14 to be at an effective attachment distance from the container’s plurality of recesses 22 to be seated in the plurality of recesses 22. The cart 10 can be positioned 102 next to the container 12 by a user, for example, rolling the cart 10 to be adjacent to the container 12.

[0209] The method 100 also includes, with the cart 10 positioned 102 next to the container 12, moving 104 the cart 10 to attach the cart 10 to the container 12 by moving the cart’s plurality of hooks 14 into the container’s plurality of recesses 22. As mentioned above, the movement of the cart 10 that causes movement of the hooks 14 into the recesses 22 is different for different carts. In general, the user 10Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO moves the cart 10 relative to the container 12 to attach the cart 10 to the container 12.

[0210] In some instances, the container 12 is the only container that the user desires to transport using the cart 10. In other instances, the container 12 is one of a plurality of containers that the user desires to transport simultaneously using the cart 10. In such instances, the method 100 includes stacking 106 one or more additional containers on top of the container 12 that has been attached to the cart 104. The container 12 and each of the one or more additional containers can have a same size and shape as any of the other containers or can have a different size and / or shape from any of the other containers. One of the one or more additional containers is stacked directly on a top of the container 12, and each additional one of the one or more additional containers is stacked either on the top of the container 12 or on a top of a previously stacked one of the one or more additional containers. In an exemplary implementation, the container 12 includes a connection element, e.g., a latch, a protrusion, a depression, etc., configured to connect to a corresponding connection element of another container to secure the containers in position relative to one another, which may allow all of the container 12 and the one or more additional containers to be transported safely using the cart 10 without any one or more problems occurring, e.g., any of the containers falling off the cart 10, any of the containers shifting in position relative to the cart 10 or each other during transport using the cart 10, etc.

[0211] Instead of or in addition to stacking one or more additional containers on the container 12 after the container 12 has been attached to the cart 10, one or more additional containers can already be stacked on the container 12 when the container 12 is attached to the cart 10.

[0212] Implementations of stacking containers are discussed further in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 9,132,543 entitled “Rolling Container Assembly With Adjustable Storage Units” issued Sep. 15, 2015, U.S. Patent No. 9,566,990 entitled “Container With Pivotable Side Latch” issued Feb. 14, 2017, U.S. Patent No. 9,643,629 entitled “Rolling Container Assembly With Adjustable Storage Units” issued May 9, 2017, U.S. Patent No. 10,106,180 entitled “Transportable Container” issued Oct. 23, 2018, and U.S. Patent No. 10,787,186 entitled “Container Assembly With Adjustable Mount Structures” issued Sep. 29, 2020, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0213] Once the one or more additional containers are stacked 106 on top of the container 12, if any, the container 12 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, are transported 108 using the cart 10. For example, the container(s) are transported 108 by a user holding the frame 20, e.g., holding a handle defined by the frame 20, and pushing and / or pulling the cart 10 to roll the cart 10. In an exemplary implementation, during the transportation 108 of the container(s), the container 12 is attached to a front of the cart 10 and the cart 10 is tilted backward toward a user who is pushing the cart 10.

[0214] Once the container 12 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, have been transported 108 to a desired end location, the release mechanism 16 of the cart 10 is actuated 110 by a user to detach the cart 10 from the container 12 and, if present, the one or more additional containers. In some implementations in which the one or more additional containers are stacked on the container 12, some or all of the one or more additional containers are removed from the container 12, e.g., by being manually removed from the container 12, before actuating 110 the release mechanism 16. As mentionedAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO above, the release mechanism 16 is different for different cars. In general, the actuation 110 of the release mechanism 16 causes the cart’s plurality of hooks 14 to be released from the container’s plurality of recesses 22. The release mechanism 16 is configured to be actuated once to release all of the hooks 14 from the recesses 22.

[0215] With the cart 10 detached from the container 12, the method 100 can be performed any number of additional times to attach the cart 10 to the same container 12 or to a different container.

[0216] FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate one implementation of the cart 10 and the container 12 of FIG. 1 as a cart 200 configured to transport a container 202. FIGS. 3 A and 3B show the cart 200 as a standalone element. As shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B, the cart 200 includes a plurality of hooks 204, a release mechanism 206, a plurality of wheels 208, and a frame 210. FIG. 3C shows the cart 200 attached to the container 202. FIGS. 3D-3F show the container 202 as a standalone element.

[0217] In general, the cart 200 in this illustrated implementation is configured to attach automatically to the container 202 in response to the cart 200 being moved relative to the container 202 from an angled position to a normal position. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the cart 200 in the normal position in which the cart 200 is at a substantially perpendicular angle to the ground or other support surface on which the wheels 208 are resting. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that an angle may not be precisely perpendicular but nevertheless be considered to be substantially perpendicular for any number of reasons, such as manufacturing tolerances and sensitivity of measurement equipment. In the angled position, the cart 200 is inclined relative to the ground or other support surface on which the wheels 208 are resting.

[0218] The cart 200 being rotated in a first direction, shown by a first arrow Al in FIG. 3 A, is configured to move the cart 200 from the normal position to the angled position with the wheels 208 resting on and remaining on the ground (or other support surface) during the rotation. The wheels 208 thus define pivot points for the cart 200. The cart 200 being in the angled position, positioned next to the container 202, and rotated in a second direction, shown by a second arrow A2 in FIG. 3A, is configured to, with the wheels 208 being on and remaining on the ground (or other support surface), move the cart 200 from the angled position to the normal position and automatically cause the cart’s plurality of hooks 204 to be seated in the container’s plurality of upper recesses 216 and thus attach the cart 200 to the container 202. The second direction is opposite to the first direction, e.g., the second arrow A2 points in a direction opposite to the first arrow Al . The cart’s release mechanism 206 is configured to be actuated to move the plurality of hooks 204 out of the plurality of upper recesses 216 to detach the cart 200 from the container 202. With the hooks 204 no longer being seated in the upper recesses 216, the cart 200 is configured to be rotated in the first direction to move the cart 200 from the normal position to the angled position with the wheels 208 being on and remaining on the ground (or other support surface).

[0219] The container 202 in this illustrated implementation is a 22 inch toolbox, but the container 202 can have another size and / or can be another type of container. In this illustrated implementation, the container 202 is a rectangular box but can have another shape.

[0220] As variously shown in FIGS. 3D-3F, the container 202 includes a body 212, a lid 214, a plurality of upper recesses 216, and a plurality of overhangs 218. The body 212 of the container 202 includes aAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO front side 212a, a back side 212b, a left side 212c, a right side 212d, a top side 212e, and a bottom side 212f. The bottom side 212f is configured to rest on the ground or other support surface.

[0221] The lid 214 of the container 202 is configured to move between an open position, in which container 202 is open and an internal storage cavity (obscured in the figures) in the body 212 of the container 202 is accessible, and a closed position, in which the container 202 is closed and the internal storage cavity is inaccessible. The lid 214 in the closed position is located at the top side 212e of the body 212. The lid 214 thus defines atop of the container 202. In some implementations, the lid 214 in the open position is completely removed from the body 212. In some implementations, the lid 214 in the open position remains attached to the body 212, e.g., via at least one hinge, via at least one tether, or otherwise attached.

[0222] As mentioned above, the container 202 includes the plurality of upper recesses 216 that are configured to releasably seat the plurality of hooks 204 of the cart 200. The plurality of upper recesses 216 open downwardly. The upper recesses 216 are located on the back side 212b of the container 202. The upper recesses 216 are each inset in the container’s back side 212b in a direction toward the container’s front side 212a, which facilitates seating of the hooks 204 in the upper recesses 216, as discussed further below. Each of the upper recesses 216 has a size and shape configured to seat one of the cart’s hooks 204. Each of the upper recesses 216 has a rectangular box shape in this illustrated implementation, but other shapes can be used.

[0223] The container 202 includes two upper recesses 216 in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of upper recesses 216. In some implementations, a container can include a single upper recess. Including more than one upper recess may allow for a more secure connection with the cart 200 than if only one upper recess is used, e.g., by allowing at least one recess to be offset laterally left and at least one recess to be offset laterally right from a center of the back side 212b of the container’s body 212.

[0224] Each of the plurality of upper recesses 216 is located below the top side 212e of the body 212, is located above the bottom side 212e of the body 212, and is located laterally inward from the left and right sides 212c, 212d of the container’s body 212, e.g., a first upper recess 216 located a first distance laterally from the left side 212c of the body 212 and a second upper recess 216 located a second distance laterally from the right side 212d of the body 212. In an exemplary implementation, as shown in this illustrated implementation in FIG. 3F, the plurality of upper recesses 216 are spaced a first distance DI apart from one another and are each located a same distance laterally off center to be located a same distance away from their closest one of the left and right side 212c, 212d. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that values may not be precisely equal but nevertheless be considered to be substantially equal for any number of reasons, such as manufacturing tolerances and sensitivity of measurement equipment. The plurality of upper recesses 216 each being located the same distance laterally off center may help balance the container 202 on the cart 200 with the container 202 attached to the cart 200, which may make rolling of the cart 200 easier and more controllable for a user.

[0225] The container 202 includes the plurality of overhangs 218 at the container’s back side 212b.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WOEach of the plurality of overhangs 218 hangs over one of the plurality of upper recesses 216, which facilitates seating of the hooks 204 in the upper recesses 216, as discussed further below.

[0226] As shown in FIG. 3D, the container 202 includes a lower recess 220 at the container’s back side 212b. The lower recess 220 opens upwardly. The lower recess 220 is inset in the container’s back side 212b in a direction toward the container’s front side 212a, which facilitates seating of a lip 222 of the cart 200 in the lower recess 220, as discussed further below. The lower recess 220 has a size and shape configured to seat therein the cart’s lip 222, which facilitates seating of the hooks 204 in the upper recesses 216, as discussed further below. The lower recess 220 has a rectangular box shape in this illustrated implementation, but other shapes may be used.

[0227] The lower recess 220 is located below the top side 212e of the body 212, is located above the bottom side 212f of the body 212, and is located between the left and right sides 212c, 212d of the body 212. The lower recess 220 is a single recess centered laterally on the back side 212b of the container’s body 212, which may help ensure that the pair of upper recesses 216 located to the left and right of center are each aligned properly with the cart 200 during seating of the cart’s hooks 204 in the container’s upper recesses 216, as discussed further below.

[0228] The container 202 includes a plurality of lower recesses in this illustrated implementation, the lower recess 220 that is centered laterally on the back side 212b of the container’s body 212 and two additional lower recesses 220a located to the lateral sides of the centered lower recess 220. One of the additional lower recesses 220a is located to the left of the centered lower recess 220 laterally inward of the left side 212c of the container’s body 212, and the other one of the additional lower recesses 220a is located to the right of the centered lower recess 220 laterally inward of the right side 212d of the container’s body 212. The container 202 thus includes three lower recesses 220, 220a in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of lower recesses, e.g., one, two, four, etc. In implementations in which the container includes only one lower recess, the one lower recess being centered laterally on a back side of the container’s body may help ensure that the container’s upper recess(es) are each aligned properly with the cart 200 during seating of the cart’s hooks 204 in the container’s upper recess(es).

[0229] As mentioned above, the cart 200 in this illustrated implementation includes the plurality of wheels 208, the frame 210, and the lip 222. The plurality of wheels 208 are configured to facilitate rolling of the cart 200 from a first location to a second location along with the container 202 if attached to the cart 200 and any containers stacked on the container 202 attached to the cart 200. The cart 200 in this illustrated implementation includes two wheels 208 that are at a fixed second distance D2 from one another. The second distance D2 is large enough to allow a container up to 22 inches wide to be attached to the cart 200 without interfering with the rolling of the wheels 208. The second distance D2 being larger than in this illustrated implementation allows the cart 200 to attach to container larger than 22 inches. The second distance D2 being smaller than in this illustrated implementation allows a container having a maximum size less than 22 inches to be attached to the cart 200. The cart 200 in this illustrated implementation is configured to attach to a container having a size that is less than 22 inches, for exampleAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO a container that is 20 inches wide or 17 inches wide, provided that the container’s upper recesses are spaced apart at a distance that allows the cart’s hooks 204 to be seated in the upper recesses.

[0230] The frame 210 of the cart 200 is operably attached to the plurality of hooks 204, the release mechanism 206, the plurality of wheels 208, and a base 226 of the cart 200. As shown in FIGS. 3H and 31, the frame 210 in this illustrated implementation includes an inner frame 210a, which defines a handle of the cart 200, and includes an outer frame 210b. The inner frame 210a, and thus the handle, in this illustrated implementation has a U shape with opposed legs of the “U” disposed in the outer frame 210b and extending upwardly so a bottom of the “U” that connects the legs is located upwardly at a top of the cart 200.

[0231] The frame 210 in this illustrated implementation is configured to adjust in height, which may make the cart 200 easier to use for users of different heights and / or may allow the handle to be increased in height to extend over the container 202 when attached to the cart 200 and, if present, one or more additional containers stacked on the container 202. In general, the frame 210 has a telescoping configuration in which the inner frame 210a is movable relative to and within the outer frame 210b to adjust a height of the frame 210 and thus a height of the handle.

[0232] In other implementations, a cart’s handle has a fixed height, which may ease manufacturing of the cart and / or may reduce overall cost of the cart.

[0233] The cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B includes a handle adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the height of the frame 210 and thus a height of the handle. The handle adjustment mechanism is configured to be actuated by a user to selectively adjust the height of the frame 210 to a desired height. The handle adjustment mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations.

[0234] In this illustrated implementation, the handle adjustment mechanism includes a crossbar 228, shown in FIG. 31, that is movably attached to each of the opposed legs of the inner frame 210a. The crossbar 228 is biased outward laterally into engagement with the inner frame 210a by a bias element 230, which is a coil spring in this illustrated implementation. In this illustrated implementation, as shown in FIG. 3R, the crossbar 228 includes left and right halves 228a, 228b connected together with the bias element 230. The cart 200 includes a crossbar housing 232 configured to house the crossbar 228 and the bias element 230 to protect the crossbar 228 and the bias element 230. The crossbar housing 232 is also movably attached to and extends between the opposed legs of the inner frame 210a.

[0235] The handle adjustment mechanism also includes a handle actuator 234 configured to be actuated by a user to allow adjustment of a height of the inner frame 210a and thus a height of the frame 210. The handle actuator 234 is a depressible button in this illustrated implementation that is configured to be pushed downward by a user to be actuated. The actuation of the handle actuator 234 is configured to apply a force to the bias element 230 that causes compression of the bias element 230, which causes the crossbar 228 to move inward laterally, e.g., each half 228a, 228b of the crossbar 228 to move laterally inward, and thus out of engagement with the inner frame 210a. As shown in FIG. 3R, each half 228a, 228b of the crossbar 228 includes a sloped surface 228c, 228d that slopes downward and laterally outward. As the handle actuator 234 is pushed downwardly, the handle actuator 234 is configured to slide along the slopedAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO surfaces 228c, 228d to urge each half 228a, 228b of the crossbar 228 inward laterally and compress the bias element 230.

[0236] With the crossbar 228, e.g., the first and second halves 228a, 228b of the crossbar 228, out of engagement with the inner frame 210a, the inner frame 210a, and thus the handle, is configured to be moved up or down relative to the outer frame 210b by sliding the legs of the inner frame 210a up or down within the outer frame 210b. The inner frame 210a includes a stop member 210c at a lower end of each of the legs of the inner frame 210a. One of the stop members 210c, representative of both, is shown in FIG. 3H. The stop members 210c are configured to abut the crossbar housing 232 when the inner frame 210a has reached a maximum height to prevent the inner frame 210a from being removed from the outer frame 210b.

[0237] De-actuation of the handle actuator 234 is configured to release the force applied to the bias element 230 as the handle actuator 234 moves upwardly and slides along the sloped surfaces 228c, 228d, which causes decompression of the bias element 230, which causes the crossbar 228 to move outward laterally, e.g., each half 228a, 228b of the crossbar 228 to move laterally outward, and thus back into engagement with the inner frame 210a. The inner frame 210a is configured to stay in this selected position relative to the outer frame 210b until (and if) the handle actuator 234 is actuated again to adjust the handle height up or down.

[0238] As mentioned above, the cart 200 includes the lip 222. The lip 222 includes a projection extends downwardly from the base 226. The lip 222 is formed integrally with the base 226 in this illustrated implementation, which may facilitate molding of the lip 222 and the base 226 as a single element, but can instead be a separate component from the base 226. The lip 222 extending downwardly is configured to facilitate seating of the lip 222 in the container’s lower recess 220 that opens upwardly. The lip 222 extends downwardly to a location above a bottom of the wheels 208. Thus, with the wheels 208 resting on the ground G (or other support surface), the lip 222 will be located a distance D3 above the ground G (or other support surface), as shown in FIG. 3B. The lip 222 not extending all the way to the ground G (or other support surface) allows the lip 222 to be seated in the container’s lower recess 220, as discussed further below. The lip 222 is a single lip in this illustrated implementation but, similar to that discussed above regarding the container’s lower recess 220, the cart 200 can include more than one lip 222 or the lip 222 can be omitted.

[0239] As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3J-3L, the cart 200 includes a foot support 236. The foot support 236 extends rearwardly from the base 226. The foot support 236 is formed integrally with the base 226 in this illustrated implementation, which may facilitate molding of the foot support 236 and the base 226 as a single element, but can instead be a separate component from the base 226. The foot support 236 is configured to be contacted by a foot of a user, e.g., with the user’s foot on a top surface 236a of the foot support 236, to assist the user in moving the cart 200 from the normal position to the angled position, or from one angled position to another angled position. The foot support 236 extending rearwardly is configured to facilitate a user easily accessing the foot support 236 with their foot.

[0240] In this illustrated implementation, the base 226 includes a front base portion 226a and a rear baseAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO portion 226b that are attached together to form the base 226, as shown in FIGS. 3K and 3L. The rear base portion 226b includes the foot support 236. In some implementations, the base is a singular element.

[0241] As mentioned above, the cart 200 includes the plurality of hooks 204 that are configured to be releasably seated in the plurality of upper recesses 216 of the container 202, e.g., with each one of the hooks 204 seated in a corresponding one of the upper recesses 216. The plurality of hooks 204 extend upwardly, which facilitates seating of the hooks 204 in the upper recesses 216 that open downwardly.

[0242] As shown in FIGS. 3G and 3 J, each of the hooks 204 includes a ramp surface 204a. The ramp surfaces 204a are angled and each slope downwardly and forwardly. The ramp surfaces 204a are configured to slide along the container’s overhangs 218 to assist in seating the hooks 204 in the container’s upper recesses 216, as discussed further below.

[0243] The cart 200 includes two hooks 204 in this illustrated implementation, which is equal to a number of the container’s upper recesses 216, but can include another number of hooks 204. In some implementations, a container can include a single hook. Including more than one hook may allow for a more secure connection with a container than if only one hook is used, e.g., by allowing at least one hook to be offset laterally left and at least one hook to be offset laterally right from a center of the cart’s base 226.

[0244] Each of the plurality of hooks 204 is located laterally inward from left and right sides of the cart’s base 226, e.g., a first hook 204 located a first distance laterally from the left side of the base 226 and a second hook 204 located a second distance laterally from a right side of the base 226. In an exemplary implementation, the plurality of hooks 204 are spaced the first distance D 1 apart from one another and are each located a same distance laterally off center to be located a same distance away from their closest one of the left and right sides of the base 226. The plurality of hooks 204 are thus spaced the same first distance DI apart from one another as the container’s plurality of upper recesses 216 to allow the hooks 204 to be securely seated in the upper recesses 216. The plurality of hooks 204 each being located the same distance laterally off center may help balance the container 202 on the cart 200 with the container 202 attached to the cart 200, which may make rolling of the cart 200 easier and more controllable for a user.

[0245] Each of the hooks 204 is movably coupled to the base 226 of the cart 200. As shown in FIGS. 3G, 3 J, and 3K each of the hooks 204 includes a passageway 204b that extends through a base portion 204d of the hook 20d and that is configured to receive a rod 238 extending substantially vertically, e.g., substantially up and down, in a cavity 240 formed in the base 226. Each of the hooks 204 is operatively coupled to a bias element 242 configured to urge its associated hook 204 upwardly to bias the hook 204 to an upward position. A default position of each of the hooks 204 is thus the upward position. As shown in FIGS. 3G and 3 J, the bias elements 242 in this illustrated implementation are coil springs coiled around their respective associated rods 238 but can have another configuration. Only one of the bias elements 242, cavities 240, and rods 238 is shown in each of FIGS. 3G and 3J.

[0246] With the cart 200 positioned next to the container 202, the hooks 204, e.g., the hooks’ ramp surfaces 204a, are configured to slide along a surface of the container 202, e.g., along respective ones ofAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO the container’s overhangs 218. The sliding of the hooks 204 against the container 202 applies a downward force to the hooks 204 that overcomes the bias force applied to the hooks 204 by their respective bias elements 242 and thus causes the hooks 204 to move downwardly in the cavity 240 with the hooks 204 sliding downwardly along the rods 238. Eventually a top 204c of each of the hooks 204 will slide past the overhangs 218 so the downward force is no longer being applied to the hooks 204 by the container 202. Without the downward force being applied to the hooks 204, the bias elements 242 are configured to urge their respective hooks 204 upwardly to their upward position in respective ones of the upper recesses 216 of the container 202. FIG. 3M shows one of the hooks 204 seated in one of the upper recesses 216, representative of both hooks 204 and upper recesses 216.

[0247] As mentioned above, the cart 200 includes the release mechanism 206 that is configured to be actuated by a user to detach the cart 200 from the container 202. The actuation of the release mechanism 206 is configured to disengage the plurality of hooks 204 from the plurality of upper recesses 216. The release mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations.

[0248] The release mechanism 206 in this illustrated implementation includes a depressible button 206a, shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, 3G, and 3J-3Q, that is configured to be pushed downward by a user to be actuated. As shown in FIG. 3 J, the button 206a of the release mechanism 206 is operatively coupled to a rod 244 extending substantially vertically in the cavity 240 formed in the base 226. The button 206a is also operatively coupled to a bias element 246 configured to urge the button 206a upwardly to bias the button 206a, and thus the release mechanism 206, to an upward position. A default position of the button 206a is thus the upward position. The bias element 244 in this illustrated implementation is a coil spring coiled around its associated rod 244 but can have another configuration.

[0249] The release mechanism 206 in this illustrated implementation also includes a support 206b, shown in FIG. 3K, operatively coupled to the depressible button 206a. The support 206b includes wings 206c located on either side of the button 206a. Each of the wings 206c overlies the base portion 204d of one of the hooks 204, as shown representatively in FIG. 3M for one of the wings 206c with the base portion 204d obscured by the wing 206c. Each of the wings 206c includes a passageway 206d extending therethrough that overlies the passageway 204b of the wing’s associated one of the hooks 204 and that is configured to receive respective ones of the rods 238 that extend through respective ones of the hooks 204. The bias elements 242 operatively coupled to the rods 238 are thus configured to urge their associated wings 206c upwardly to bias the wings 206c to an upward position and thus provide further upward bias to the release mechanism 206. A default position of the release mechanism 206 is thus the upward position.

[0250] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3K-3N, the cart 200 includes a cover 248 configured to cover the support 206b of the release mechanism 206. The cover 248 is configured to help protect the support 206b. In this illustrated implementation the cover 248 and the support 206b are separate elements. In some implementations, the cover 248 and the support 206b are integrally formed.

[0251] In this illustrated implementation the hooks 204 and the release mechanism 206 are separate elements. In some implementations, the hooks 204 and the release mechanism 206 are integrally formed.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0252] As shown in FIG. 3K, the button 206a of the release mechanism 206 includes a pair of holes 206e extending therethrough in a horizontal, front-to-back direction. The cart 200 includes a pair of pins 250 that are each configured to be movably seated in one of the holes 206e of the button 206a, as shown in FIGS. 3O-3Q. Each of the pins 250 is biased forwardly by a bias element 251. The bias elements 251 are each a coil spring in this illustrated implementation, but another type of bias element can be used. Only one of the pins 250 and bias elements 251 is shown in FIG. 3J. The bias elements 251 are omitted in FIGS. 3K and 3O-3Q for clarity of illustration.

[0253] With the button 206a of the release mechanism 206 in the resting configuration, as shown in FIG. 30, the pins 250 are urged outwardly by the base 226, e.g., the front base portion 226a. As the button 206a of the release mechanism 206 is pushed downwardly and moves from the resting configuration toward the actuated configuration, as shown in FIG. 3P, the bias elements 251 are configured to urge their respective pins 250 forwardly as the pins 250 become aligned with corresponding openings 226c formed in the base 226. With the release mechanism 206 in the actuated configuration, as shown in FIG. 3Q, the pins 250 have become aligned with their respective base openings 226c and have moved into their respective base openings 226c under the force of their respective bias elements 251.

[0254] The method 100 of FIG. 2 shows one implementation of attaching the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B to the container 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F. The method 100 is discussed again below with particular references to the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B to the container 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F.

[0255] The method 100 includes positioning 102 the cart 200 next to the container 202, for example by rolling the wheels 208 of the cart 200 along the ground G (or other support surface) to position the cart 200 to be adjacent to the container 202. The cart 200 is positioned 102 behind the container 202 next to the container body’s back side 212a and in the angled position with the cart 200 inclined away from the container 202. A user holding the cart’s handle 210a holds the cart 200 in the angled position.

[0256] With the cart 200 positioned 102 next to and behind the container 202, the cart 200 is moved 104 from the angled position to the normal position to attach the cart 200 to the container 202 by moving the cart’s plurality of hooks 204 into the container’s plurality of upper recesses 216. As the cart 200 is moved 104 from the angled position toward the normal position, e.g., by a user rotating the cart 200 in the second direction A2, the lip 222 will enter the lower recess 220 of the container and the ramp surfaces 204a of the hooks 204 will slide along the container’s overhangs 218 until the hooks 204 clear the overhangs 218 and pop upwardly into the container’s upper recesses 216.

[0257] One or more additional containers can optionally be stacked 106 on top of the container 202 before and / or after the container 202 is attached to the cart 200.

[0258] Once the one or more additional containers are stacked 106 on top of the container 202, if any, the container 202 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, are transported 108 using the cart 200. For example, the container(s) are transported 108 by a user holding the frame 210, e.g., holding the inner frame 210a, and pushing and / or pulling the cart 200 to roll the wheels 208 of the cart 200 on the ground G or other support surface. In an exemplary implementation, the cart 200 is tilted backward toward the user during the transport 108. Before beginning to transport 108 the cart 200, the user canAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO choose to step on the foot support 236 to aid in moving the cart 200 from the normal position to the angled position by inclining the cart 200 backwards, e.g., by rotating the cart 200 in the first direction Al.

[0259] Once the container 202 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, have been transported 108 to a desired end location, the release mechanism 206 of the cart 200 is actuated 110 by a user to detach the cart 200 from the container 202 and, if present, the one or more additional containers. As discussed above, the actuation 110 of the release mechanism 206 includes the user pushing the button 206a, which causes the hooks 204 to move downwardly relative to the container 202 and out of their respective upper recesses 216. The cart 200 can then be moved away from the container 202.

[0260] With the cart 200 detached from the container 202, the method 100 can be performed any number of additional times to attach the cart 200 to the same container 202 or to a different container.

[0261] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate one implementation of the cart 10 and the container 12 of FIG. 1 as a cart 300 configured to transport a container (not shown in FIGS. 4A-4D). FIGS. 4A-4D show the cart 300 as a standalone element. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cart 300 includes a plurality of hooks 304, a release mechanism 306, a plurality of wheels 308, and a frame 310.

[0262] In general, the cart 300 in this illustrated implementation is configured to attach automatically to a container in response to the plurality of hooks 304 of the cart 300 being moved substantially vertically relative to the container. The wheels 308 remain on the ground G or other support surface during the vertical movement of the hooks 304. The vertical movement of the hooks 304 relative to the container is configured to automatically cause the hooks 304 to be seated in a container’s plurality of recesses, e.g., plurality of upper recesses, and thus attach the cart 300 to the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the vertical movement of the hooks 304 can be a longitudinal translation of the hooks 304 without rotation of the hooks 304. The hooks 304 moving longitudinally instead of rotationally for attachment of the cart 300 to a container may allow for the hooks 304 to more easily and securely enter recesses of the container and / or may allow for a less complicated mechanism to move the hooks 304.

[0263] The cart’s release mechanism 306 is configured to be actuated to move the plurality of hooks 304 out of the container’s plurality of recesses to detach the cart 300 from the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the hooks 304 are configured to move substantially vertically relative to the container to move out of the container’s plurality of recesses opposite to the substantially vertical movement of the hooks 304 into the container’s plurality of recesses. With the hooks 304 no longer being seated in the cart’s plurality of recesses, the cart 300 is configured to be attached back to the same container or to a different container.

[0264] The plurality of wheels 308 and the frame 310 of the cart 300 are generally configured and used similar to the plurality of wheels 208 and the frame 210, respectively, of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B and are thus not particularly described again. As shown in FIGS. 4B-4D, the cart 300 includes a handle adjustment mechanism, a foot support 336, and the frame 310 of the cart 300 includes inner and outer frames 310a, 310b that are generally configured and used similar to the handle adjustment mechanism, the foot support 226, and the inner and outer frames 210a, 210b, respectively, of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B and are also not particularly described again.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0265] While the cart 200 of FIGS. 3 A and 3B includes a single lip 222 extending downwardly from the base 226 of the cart 200, the cart 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B includes a plurality of lips 322 extending downwardly from a base 326 of the cart 300. FIG. 4E shows the base 326 as a standalone element. The plurality of lips 322 are formed integrally with the base 326 in this illustrated implementation, which may facilitate molding of the plurality of lips 322 and the base 326 as a single element, but can instead be separate components from the base 326. The base 326 is a singular element in this illustrated implementation but can instead be a plurality of elements, as discussed herein.

[0266] The plurality of lips 322 in this illustrated implementation are each configured as a stand to help stably position the cart 300 in a normal position. The plurality of lips 322 each extend downwardly to be substantially aligned with a bottom of the wheels 308 with the cart 300 in the normal position. Thus, with the cart 300 in the normal position and the wheels 308 resting on the ground G (or other support surface), the plurality of lips 322 will also be resting the ground G (or other support surface), as shown in FIG. 4D (only one of the lips 322 is shown in FIG. 4D). The plurality of lips 322 include two lips in this illustrated implementation but the cart 300 can include only one lip 322 or can include more than two lips 322.

[0267] FIG. 4D shows that with the cart 300 in the normal position, the cart 300 is substantially perpendicular to ground with an angle of about 90 degrees being between a longitudinal axis XI of the cart 300 and the ground G (or other support surface). A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a value may not be precisely at a value but nevertheless be considered to be about that value for any number of reasons, such as manufacturing tolerances and sensitivity of measurement equipment.

[0268] FIG. 4C shows the cart 300 in an angled position inclined backwards. The angle between the longitudinal axis XI of the cart 300 and the ground G has decreased to be an acute angle less than 90 degrees. The value of the acute angle will depend on how much the cart 300 is tilted backwards. The wheels 308 of the cart 300 in the angled position are still resting on the ground G but the lips 322 of the cart 300 are located a distance above the ground G to allow the wheels 308 to roll freely for transportation of the cart 300 and any containers loaded to the cart 300. The lips 322 are thus configured as a wheel lock. With the lips 322 resting on the ground G, the lips 322 are configured to lock the wheels 308 in rotational position relative to the frame 310. The wheels 308 are unlocked with the cart 300 in the angled position with the lips 322 located above the ground G.

[0269] As mentioned above, the cart 300 includes the plurality of hooks 304 that are configured to be releasably seated in a plurality of upper recesses of a container, e.g., with each one of the hooks 304 seated in a corresponding one of the upper recesses. The plurality of hooks 304 extend upwardly, which facilitates seating of the hooks 304 in the upper recesses that open downwardly.

[0270] The cart 300 includes two hooks 304 in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of hooks 304, e.g., one, three, four, etc. Each of the plurality of hooks 304 is located adjacent to one of left and right sides of the cart’s base 326, e.g., a first hook 304 located adjacent to the left side of the base 326 and a second hook 304 located adjacent to the right side of the base 326. In an exemplary implementation, as in this illustrated implementation, the plurality of hooks 304 are spaced the first distance D 1 apart from one another and are each located a same distance laterally off center. The pluralityAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO of hooks 304 are thus spaced the same first distance DI apart from one another as the plurality of upper recesses 216 of the container 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F to allow the hooks 304 to be securely seated in the upper recesses 216 of the container 202. The plurality of hooks 304 each being located the same distance laterally off center may help balance the container 202 on the cart 300 with the container 202 attached to the cart 300, which may make rolling of the cart 300 easier and more controllable for a user.

[0271] Unlike the hooks 204 of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B that are configured to move relative to the base 226 of the cart 200, the hooks 304 of the cart 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B are in a fixed position relative to each other and to the base 326 of the cart 300. The cart 300 includes an actuator 302 configured to be actuated to move the base 326, and thus the hooks 304, relative to the frame 310. FIG. 4F shows the actuator 302 as a standalone element.

[0272] A first actuation of the actuator 302 is configured to move the hooks 304 upwardly to move the hooks 304 into upper recesses of a container. A second actuation of the actuator 302 is configured to move the hooks 304 downwardly to move the hooks 304 out of the container’s upper recesses. The first and second actuations of the actuator 302 can then be repeated any number of times to attach the cart 300 to the same container or to different containers.

[0273] The actuator 302 includes a plurality of pedals 302a and the release mechanism 306. The plurality of pedals 302a are configured to be actuated in the first actuation. The actuator 302 includes two pedals 302a in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of pedals 302a, e.g., one, three, four, etc. The release mechanism 306 is configured to be actuated in the second actuation.

[0274] The actuator 302 is operatively coupled to first and second rods 360, 362 of the cart 300. The actuator 302 includes a first plurality of openings 302b that seat therein the first rod 360. The first rod 360 extends substantially horizontally between the wheels 308. The first rod 360 is attached to the wheels 308 and defines an axle about which the wheels 308 are configured to rotate to roll along the ground G or other support surface.

[0275] The first rod 360 is operatively coupled to a bias element 364 configured to bias the first rod 360 upwardly. In this illustrated implementation, the cart 300 includes two bias elements 364 operatively coupled to the first rod 360 but can include another number. The bias elements 364 are coil springs in this illustrated implementation but can be another type of bias element, e.g., another type of spring, an elastic band, etc.

[0276] The actuator 302 includes a second plurality of openings 302c that seat therein the second rod 362. The second rod 362 extends substantially horizontally between the opposed legs of the frame 310. The second rod 362 is attached to the frame 310 and in particular to the outer frame 310b of the frame 310. One or both of the first and second plurality of openings 302b, 302c can include a different number of openings than shown in this illustrated implementation.

[0277] The base 326, and thus the hooks 304, are also operatively coupled to the first and second rods 360, 362 of the cart 300. The base 326 includes a third plurality of openings 326a that seat therein the first rod 360 and includes a fourth plurality of openings 326b that seat therein the second rod 362. One or bothAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO of the third and fourth plurality of openings 326a, 326b can include a different number of openings than shown in this illustrated implementation.

[0278] The third plurality of openings 326a are each an elongate slot that extends in a front-to-rear direction. Each of the elongate slots 326a has an upward extension 326e at a forward end of the elongate slot 326a. The first rod 360 received in the third plurality of openings 326a is configured to slide in the elongate slots 326a in response to actuation of the actuator 302. A direction that the first rod 360 slides in the elongate slots 326a depends on whether the actuator 302 is being actuated in the first actuation, e.g., actuated to attach the cart 300 to a container, or in the second actuation, e.g., actuated to detach the cart 300 from a container.

[0279] The actuator 302 is configured to be actuated in the first actuation by pushing one or both of the actuator’s pedals 302a downward, such as by being pushed down with a foot or a hand of a user. Pushing one of the pedals 302a is configured to cause the other pedal 302a to also be pushed downward since the pedals 302a are each part of the actuator 302. The downward movement of the pedals 302a is configured to move the actuator 302 from an unactuated configuration, in which the actuator 302 is in a first position shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, 4G-4K, and 4N, to an actuated configuration, in which the actuator 302 is in a second position shown in FIGS. 4L, 4M, and 4P.

[0280] With the actuator 302 in the first position, the first rod 360 is positioned at a rearward end of the elongate slots 326a of the base 326. Pushing the pedals 302a downward is configured to cause the actuator 302 to rotate in a first rotational direction R1 (see FIG. 4N) about a pivot point defined by the second rod 362 and the second openings 302c of the actuator 302 through which the second rod 362 extends. The rotation of the actuator 302 in the first rotational direction R1 causes the first rod 360 to slide in the elongate slots 326a from the rearward end of the elongate slots 326a toward a forward end of the elongate slots 326a. Because the first rod 360 is attached to the wheels 308, the wheels 308 move in a rearward to forward direction in response to the actuator 302 rotating in the first rotational direction R1 . Additionally, because the first rod 360 is operatively coupled to the base 326, the base 326 moves upwardly in response to the actuator 302 rotating in the first rotational direction Rl. FIG. 30 shows the wheels 308 having moved forwardly, the base 326 having moved upwardly, and the first rod 360 located at the forward ends of the elongate slots 326a but not yet in the upward extensions 326e at the forward ends of the elongate slots 326a. The actuator 302 is not yet in the second configuration in FIG. 30. Because the first rod 360 is biased upwardly by the bias elements 364, the first rod 360 moves upward automatically, due to force applied by the bias elements 364, into the upward extensions 326e at the forward ends of the elongate slots 326a when the first rod 360 reaches the forward ends of the elongate slots 326. FIG. 4P shows the first rod 360 located in the upward extensions 326e at the forward ends of the elongate slots 326a.

[0281] The base 326 moving upwardly causes the hooks 304, which are in a fixed position relative to the base 326 as discussed above, to also move upwardly. Thus, with the cart 300 positioned next to a container, the upward movement of the hooks 304 is configured to cause the hooks 304 to move into upper recesses of the container to attach the cart 300 to the container. Accordingly, actuating the actuator 302 in the first actuation to move the actuator 302 from the first configuration to the second configurationAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO is configured to cause the cart 300 to attach to a container.

[0282] As mentioned above, the cart 300 includes the release mechanism 306 that is configured to be actuated by a user to detach the cart 300 from a container to which the cart 300 is attached. The actuation of the release mechanism 306 is configured to disengage the plurality of hooks 304 from the plurality of upper recesses in which the hooks 304 are seated. The release mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations.

[0283] The release mechanism 306 in this illustrated implementation includes a depressible button of the actuator 302 that is configured to be pushed downward by a user to be actuated. With the actuator 302 in the second position, the actuator 302 is configured to be actuated in the second actuation by pushing the release mechanism 306 downward, such as by being pushed down with a foot or a hand of a user. Pushing the release mechanism 306 downward is configured to cause the actuator 302 to rotate in a second rotational direction R2 (see FIG. 4Q) about the pivot point defined by the second rod 362 and the second openings 302c of the actuator 302 through which the second rod 362 extends. The second rotational direction R2 is opposite to the first rotational direction Rl. The actuation of the release mechanism 306, is configured to overcome the force applied to the first rod 360 by the bias elements 364 to allow the first rod 360 to slide downwardly out of the upward extensions 326e at the forward ends of the elongate slots 326a and then slide rearwardly in the elongate slots 326a toward the rearward ends of the elongate slots 326a. FIG. 4Q shows the first rod 360 in an intermediate position in the elongate slots 326a en route back to the rearward ends of the elongate slots 326a.

[0284] The method 100 of FIG. 2 shows one implementation of attaching the cart 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B to a container. The method 100 is discussed again below with particular references to the cart 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B to the container 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F.

[0285] The method 100 includes positioning 102 the cart 300 next to the container 202, for example by rolling the wheels 308 of the cart 300 along the ground G (or other support surface) to position the cart 300 to be adjacent to the container 202. The cart 300 is positioned 102 behind the container 202 next to the container body’s back side 212a and in the normal position. With the cart 300 positioned 102 next to and behind the container 202, the actuator 302 is actuated in the first actuation to cause the hooks 304 to move upwardly into the container’s upper recesses 216.

[0286] One or more additional containers can optionally be stacked 106 on top of the container 202 before and / or after the container 202 is attached to the cart 300.

[0287] Once the one or more additional containers are stacked 106 on top of the container 202, if any, the container 202 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, are transported 108 using the cart 300. For example, the container(s) are transported 108 by a user holding the frame 310, e.g., holding the inner frame 310a, and pushing and / or pulling the cart 300 to roll the wheels 308 of the cart 300 on the ground G or other support surface. In an exemplary implementation, the cart 300 is tilted backward toward the user during the transport 108, as shown for example in FIG. 4C. Before beginning to transport 108 the cart 300, the user can choose to step on the foot support 336 to aid in moving the cart 300 from the normal position to the angled position by inclining the cart 300 backwards.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0288] Once the container 202 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, have been transported 108 to a desired end location, the release mechanism 306 of the cart 300 is actuated 110 by a user to detach the cart 300 from the container 202 and, if present, the one or more additional containers. As discussed above, the actuation 110 of the release mechanism 306 includes the user pushing the button, which causes the hooks 304 to move downwardly relative to the container 202 and out of their respective upper recesses 216. The cart 300 can then be moved away from the container 202.

[0289] With the cart 300 detached from the container 202, the method 100 can be performed any number of additional times to attach the cart 300 to the same container 202 or to a different container.

[0290] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate one implementation of the cart 10 and the container 12 of FIG. 1 as a cart 400 configured to transport a container, shown in FIGS. 5 A and 5B as the container 202 of FIGS. 3D- 3F. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the cart 400 includes a plurality of hooks 404, a release mechanism 406, a plurality of wheels 408, and a frame 410.

[0291] In general, the cart 400 in this illustrated implementation is configured to attach automatically to a container in response to the frame 410 of the cart 400 being moved substantially vertically relative to the container. The wheels 408 remain on the ground G or other support surface during the substantially vertical movement of the frame 410. The substantially vertically movement of the frame 410 relative to the container is configured to automatically cause the cart’s plurality of hooks 404 to be seated in a container’s plurality of recesses, e.g., plurality of upper recesses, and thus attach the cart 400 to the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the vertical movement of the hooks 404 into and out of the container’s plurality of recesses can be a longitudinal translation of the hooks 404 without rotation of the hooks 404. The hooks 404 moving longitudinally instead of rotationally for attachment of the cart 400 to a container may allow for the hooks 404 to more easily and securely enter recesses of the container and / or may allow for a less complicated mechanism to move the hooks 404.

[0292] The cart’s release mechanism 406 is configured to be actuated to allow the frame 410 to be moved substantially vertically again relative to the container to move the plurality of hooks 404 out of the container’s plurality of recesses to detach the cart 400 from the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the hooks 404 are configured to move substantially vertically relative to the container to move out of the container’s plurality of recesses opposite to the substantially vertical movement of the hooks 404 into the container’s plurality of recesses. With the hooks 404 no longer being seated in the cart’s plurality of recesses, the cart 400 is configured to be attached back to the same container or to a different container.

[0293] The plurality of wheels 408 of the cart 400 are generally configured and used similar to the plurality of wheels 208 of the cart 200 of FIGS. 4A and 4B and are thus not particularly described again. As shown in FIGS. 4B-4D, the cart 400 includes a handle adjustment mechanism and a foot support 446 that are generally configured and used similar to the handle adjustment mechanism and the foot support 226, respectively, of the cart 200 of FIGS. 4A and 4B and are also not particularly described again. In this illustrated implementation, the foot support 446 is also an axle about which the wheels 408 are configured to rotate to roll along the ground G or other support surface.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0294] As mentioned above, the cart 400 includes the plurality of hooks 404 that are configured to be releasably seated in a plurality of upper recesses of a container, e.g., with each one of the hooks 404 seated in a corresponding one of the upper recesses. The plurality of hooks 404 extend upwardly, which facilitates seating of the hooks 404 in the upper recesses that open downwardly.

[0295] The cart 400 includes two hooks 404 in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of hooks 404, e.g., one, three, four, etc. In an exemplary implementation, as in this illustrated implementation, the plurality of hooks 404 are spaced the first distance DI apart from one another and are each located a same distance laterally off center. The plurality of hooks 404 are thus spaced the same first distance DI apart from one another as the plurality of upper recesses 216 of the container 202 of FIGS. 4D-4F to allow the hooks 404 to be securely seated in the upper recesses 216 of the container 202. The plurality of hooks 404 each being located the same distance laterally off center may help balance the container 202 on the cart 400 with the container 202 attached to the cart 400, which may make rolling of the cart 400 easier and more controllable for a user.

[0296] The hooks 404 in this illustrated implementation are in a fixed position relative to each other and to the outer frame 410b. The hooks 404 extend upwardly from a support rod 402. The support rod 402 extends substantially horizontally between legs of the frame 410 and is fixedly attached to the frame 410, e.g., to an outer frame 410b of the frame 410. The frame 410 in this illustrated implementation includes inner and outer frames 410a, 410b.

[0297] Each leg of the frame 410 in this illustrated implementation includes a first portion 410b' and a second portion 410b" (see FIGS. 5B-5I) that are pivotally attached to one another at a pivot point 410c, for example at a pivot pin. The outer frame 410b includes the first portions 410b' and the second portions 410b". As discussed further below, the first and second portions 410b', 410b" of the frame 410 are configured to facilitate attachment of the cart 400 to a container and to facilitate detachment of the cart 400 from a container.

[0298] As mentioned above, the cart 400 includes the release mechanism 406. A first actuation of the release mechanism 406 is configured to allow the frame 410 to be moved relative to a container to attach the cart 400 to the container using the hooks 404. A second actuation of the release mechanism 406 is configured to allow the frame 410 to be moved again relative to the container to detach the cart 400 from the container. The release mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations.

[0299] The release mechanism 406 in this illustrated implementation is operably coupled to and extends around the frame 410. The release mechanism 406 includes a support rod 406a extending substantially horizontally between the legs of the frame 410. A sleeve 406b is located at each end of the support rod 406a with each of the sleeves 406b extending around one of the legs of the frame 410, in particular the outer frame 410b of the frame 410. The sleeves 406b each extend around a perimeter of their respective legs of the frame 410 in this illustrated implementation. The legs of the outer frame 410b have a substantially cylindrical shape and a substantially circular cross-sectional shape in this illustrated implementation, and the sleeves 406b each have a corresponding substantially cylindrical shape and substantially circular cross-sectional shape. Other shapes of the legs and sleeves 406b can be used, such asAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO having a substantially ovular cross-sectional shape, having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, or other shape. Having a substantially cylindrical shape and a substantially circular cross-sectional shape may facilitate smooth sliding of the release mechanism 406 over the frame 410, as discussed further below.

[0300] The release mechanism 406 is configured to move relative to the frame 410 between lower and upper positions. FIGS. 5 A and 5B show the release mechanism 406 in the lower position. In the lower position, the sleeves 406b of the release mechanism 406 are each sleeved around the pivot point 410c at their respective leg of the frame 410. The release mechanism 406 in the lower position is configured to prevent the first and second portions 410b', 410b" of the frame 410 from pivoting at the pivot points 410c, e.g., because the sleeves 406b are covering the pivot points 410c and block the pivoting motion. In the upper position, the sleeves 406b of the release mechanism 406 are sleeves around the legs of the frame 410 but are not sleeved around the pivot point 410c at their respective leg of the frame 410. The release mechanism 406 in the upper position is configured to allow the first and second portions 410b', 410b" of the frame 410 to pivot at the pivot points 410c, e.g., because the sleeves 406b are not covering the pivot points 410c and thus do not block the pivoting motion.

[0301] As in this illustrated implementation, the cart 400 can include a bias element operatively coupled to the release mechanism 406 and configured to bias the release mechanism 406 to the lower position. The bias element in this illustrated implementation is obscured in the figures but includes a coil spring in each leg of the frame 410, e.g., the outer frame 410b, although other type of bias element can be used. The release mechanism 406 being biased to the lower position may help prevent premature pivoting of the frame 410.

[0302] The method 100 of FIG. 2 shows one implementation of attaching the cart 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B to a container. The method 100 is discussed again below with particular references to the cart 400 of FIGS. 4A and 4B to the container 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F.

[0303] The method 100 includes positioning 102 the cart 400 next to the container 202, for example by rolling the wheels 408 of the cart 400 along the ground G (or other support surface) to position the cart 400 to be adjacent to the container 202. The cart 400 is positioned 102 behind the container 202 next to the container body’s back side 212a and in the normal position. FIG. 5C shows the cart 400 moved closer to the container 202 than shown in FIGS. 5 A and 5B and with the cart 400 positioned 102 behind the container 202 next to the container body’s back side 212a and in the normal position. The release mechanism 406 is in the lower position in FIGS. 5A-5C, and the support rod 402, the release mechanism 406, and the foot support 446 are axially aligned in a vertical direction in FIGS. 5A-5C.

[0304] With the cart 400 positioned 102 next to and behind the container 202, the release mechanism 406 is actuated in the first actuation by moving the release mechanism 406 upwardly relative to the frame 410. For example, the release mechanism 406 can be moved upwardly by a foot or a hand of a user pushing the release mechanism 406 upwardly. The first actuation of the release mechanism 406 moves the release mechanism 406 from the lower position to the upper position.

[0305] With the release mechanism 406 in the upper position, the first and second portions 410b', 410b’Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO at each leg of the frame 410 are allowed to pivot at their associated pivot point 410c. In response to the frame 410 being pushed downwardly, e.g., by a user holding the handle defined by the inner frame 410a pushing down on the handle, to move 104 the cart 400 relative to the container 202, the first and second portions 410b', 410b" at each leg of the frame 410 pivot at their associated pivot point 410c. Before pivoting the frame 410, the first and second portions 410b', 410b" attached together are coaxially aligned. The pivoting of the frame 410, e.g., the outer frame 410b, causes each of the first portions 410b' of the frame 410 to no longer be coaxially aligned with their respective second portions 410b" of the frame 410. The second portions 410b" of the frame 410 each rotate counterclockwise as the downward force applied to the frame 410 causes the wheels 408 to roll backwards and the second portions 410b" of the frame 410 to pivot. The release mechanism 406 is thus configured as an axle lock that locks the axle 446 of the wheels 408 in position with the release mechanism 406 in the lower position. FIGS. 5D and 5E show the release mechanism 406 in the upper position after the frame 410 has been pushed downwardly to pivot the frame 410. The axle 446 is not locked with the release mechanism 406 in the upper position.

[0306] As shown in FIG. 5C, with the release mechanism 406 in the lower position, the wheels 408 are a first distance D4 from the back side 212b of the container 202. As shown in FIG. 5D, with the release mechanism 406 in the upper position, the distance of the wheels 408 from the back side 212b of the container 202 has increased to a second distance D5. The first portions 410b' of the frame 410 are at substantially the same distance from the back side 212b of the container 202 with the release mechanism 406 in the lower position and the upper position.

[0307] With the release mechanism 406 in the upper position and with the frame 410 in its pivoted configuration, as shown for example in FIGS. 5D and 5E, the cart 400 is moved 104 closer to the container 202 by rolling the container 202 closer to the back side 212b of the container 202. This movement 104 of the cart 400 causes the cart’s hooks 404 to be positioned under their respective ones of the container’s upper recesses 216, as shown in FIGS. 5F and 5G.

[0308] With the cart’s hooks 404 positioned under their respective ones of the container’s upper recesses 216, the frame 410 is then moved 104 again relative to the container 400 to pull the hooks 404 upwardly into their respective ones of the container’s upper recesses 216 to attach the container 202 to the cart 400, as shown in FIGS. 5H and 51. This movement 104 of the frame 410 is an upward movement of the frame 410, e.g., by a user holding the handle defined by the inner frame 410a and pulling up on the handle. The upward movement of the frame 410 relative to the container 202 causes the release mechanism 406 to move automatically from the upper position to the lower position, which causes the first and second portions 410b', 410b" of the frame 410 to pivot back to their coaxially aligned position. The first and second portions 410b', 410b" of the frame 410 are thus prevented from pivoting until the release mechanism 406 is actuated again. The hooks 404 will thus remain seated in the container’s upper recesses 216 until the release mechanism 406 is actuated again.

[0309] One or more additional containers can optionally be stacked 106 on top of the container 202 before and / or after the container 202 is attached to the cart 400. In this illustrated implementation, a second container 202' is stacked on the container 202 before the container 202 has been attached to theAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO cart 200. The second container 202' in this illustrated implementation is another one of the containers 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F.

[0310] Once the one or more additional containers 202' are stacked 106 on top of the container 202, the container 202 and the one or more additional containers 202' are transported 108 using the cart 400. For example, the containers 202, 202' are transported 108 by a user holding the frame 410, e.g., holding the inner frame 410a, and pushing and / or pulling the cart 400 to roll the wheels 408 of the cart 400 on the ground G or other support surface. In an exemplary implementation, the cart 400 is tilted backward toward the user during the transport 108. Before beginning to transport 108 the cart 400, the user can choose to step on the foot support 446 to aid in moving the cart 400 from the normal position to the angled position by inclining the cart 400 backwards.

[0311] Once the containers 202, 202' have been transported 108 to a desired end location, the release mechanism 406 of the cart 400 is actuated 110 by a user by moving the release mechanism 406 from the lower position to the upper position to allow the cart 400 to be detached from the container 202 by moving the frame 410 similar to that discussed above with respect to attaching the cart 400 to the container 202 but with the frame 410 being moved downward relative to the container 202 to release the hooks 404 from the upper recesses 216 and then moving the cart 400, e.g., rolling the cart 400, away from the container 202. The stacked container 202' can be unstacked from the container 202 before or after the cart 400 has been detached from the container 202.

[0312] With the cart 400 detached from the container 202, the method 100 can be performed any number of additional times to attach the cart 400 to the same container 202 or to a different container.

[0313] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate one implementation of the cart 10 and the container 12 of FIG. 1 as a cart 500 configured to transport a container (not shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B). FIGS. 6A and 6B show the cart 500 as a standalone element. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the cart 500 includes a plurality of hooks 504, a release mechanism 506, a plurality of wheels 508, and a frame 510.

[0314] In general, the cart 500 in this illustrated implementation is configured to attach automatically to a container in response to the plurality of hooks 504 of the cart 500 being moved substantially vertically relative to the container. The wheels 508 remain on the ground G or other support surface during the vertical movement of the hooks 504. The vertical movement of the hooks 504 relative to the container is configured to automatically cause the hooks 504 to be seated in a container’s plurality of recesses, e.g., plurality of upper recesses, and thus attach the cart 500 to the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the vertical movement of the hooks 504 into and out of the container’s plurality of recesses can be a longitudinal translation of the hooks 504 without rotation of the hooks 504. The hooks 504 moving longitudinally instead of rotationally for attachment of the cart 500 to a container may allow for the hooks 504 to more easily and securely enter recesses of the container and / or may allow for a less complicated mechanism to move the hooks 504.

[0315] The cart’s release mechanism 506 is configured to be actuated to move the plurality of hooks 504 out of the container’s plurality of recesses to detach the cart 500 from the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the hooks 504 are configured to move substantially vertically relative to theAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO container to move out of the container’s plurality of recesses opposite to the substantially vertical movement of the hooks 504 into the container’s plurality of recesses. With the hooks 504 no longer being seated in the cart’s plurality of recesses, the cart 500 is configured to be attached back to the same container or to a different container.

[0316] The plurality of wheels 508, the frame 510 (which includes inner and outer frames 510a, 510b), a handle adjustment mechanism (which includes a handle actuator 534 and a crossbar), a lip 522, a base 526, a crossbar housing 532, and a foot support 536 of the cart 500 are generally configured and used similar to the plurality of wheels 208, the frame 210 (which includes the inner and outer frames 210a, 210b), the handle adjustment mechanism, the lip 222, the base 226, the crossbar housing 232, and the foot support 236, respectively, of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B and are thus not particularly described again.

[0317] The frame 510 in this illustrated implementation is configured to adjust in height. As mentioned above, the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 500 is configured to adjust the height of the frame 510 and thus a height of the cart’s handle. The handle adjustment mechanism is configured to be actuated by a user to selectively adjust the height of the frame 510 to a desired height. The handle adjustment mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations. As mentioned above, in this illustrated implementation, the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 500 is configured and used similar to the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 500 thus includes a crossbar (obscured in the figures), which is attached to each of the opposed legs of the inner frame 510a, and a handle actuator 534, which is configured to be actuated by a user to allow adjustment of a height of the inner frame 510a and thus a height of the frame 510.

[0318] The frame 510 is configured to move between a minimum height position and a maximum height position. The handle adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the frame 510 to be adjusted at any height between, and including, the minimum height position and the maximum height position. FIGS. 6A and 6B show the frame 510 at the minimum height position. In general, the frame 510 has a telescoping configuration in which the inner frame 510a is movable relative to and within the outer frame 510b to adjust a height of the frame 510 and thus a height of the handle.

[0319] FIGS. 6D-6F illustrate one implementation of height adjustment for a cart 500' using the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 500 of FIGS. 6A and 6B. The cart 500' shown in FIGS. 6D-6F is the same as the cart 500 of FIGS. 6A and 6B except that the inner frame 510a' of FIGS. 6D-6F has a different shape than the inner frame 510a of FIGS. 6 A and 6B.

[0320] FIG. 6D shows the cart 500' at a minimum height Hl . The height of the cart 500' is measured between a top of the handle, e.g., top of the inner frame 510a', and a bottom of the wheels 508. As also shown in FIG. 6D, a carrier body of the cart 500' has a height H2 with the cart 500' at its minimum height Hl . The carrier body of the 500' is the portion of the cart 500' to which the inner frame 510a' is configured to move to adjust the height of the cart 500'. The carrier body height H2 extends between a top of the crossbar housing 532 and the bottom of the wheels 508.

[0321] With the cart 500' at its minimum height Hl, a bottom of the frame 510, e.g., a bottom of theAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO inner frame 510a', is configured to rest on the ground G (or other support surface) on which the wheels 508 are also resting. The frame 510, e.g., the inner frame 510a', in this illustrated implementation is thus configured as a stand to help stably position the cart 500 in a normal position. The cart 500' may often be stored at its minimum height Hl, so the frame 510 providing stability to the cart 500' at its minimum height Hl may facilitate stable storage of the cart 500' without the cart 500' rolling or tipping over.

[0322] FIG. 6F shows the cart 500' at a maximum height H3. The carrier body of the cart 500' has the same height H2 with the cart 500' at its maximum height H3 as with the cart 500' at its minimum height Hl . The hooks 504 will thus be properly positioned for attachment to or detachment from a container even with the cart 500' at its maximum height H3. The inner frame 510a' does not extend below the outer frame 510b with the cart 500' at its maximum height H3.

[0323] FIG. 6E shows the cart 500' at an intermediate height between the minimum and maximum heights Hl, H3 of the cart 500'. The illustrated intermediate height is only one of a plurality of possible intermediate heights that a user can choose between the minimum and maximum heights Hl, H3 of the cart 500'. The carrier body of the cart 500' has the same height H2 with the cart 500' at the intermediate height of FIG. 6E, and any other possible intermediate height, as with the cart 500' at its minimum and maximum heights Hl, H3. The hooks 504 will thus be properly positioned for attachment to or detachment from a container regardless of the cart’s height. The inner frame 510a' does not extend below the outer frame 510b with the cart 500' at the intermediate height of FIG. 6E but does extend below the outer frame 510b with the cart 500' at some possible intermediate heights.

[0324] In this illustrated implementation, a distance between the plurality of wheels 508 is configured to be adjustable. The plurality of wheels 508 are adjustable between a first distance Wl, shown in FIG. 6D, and a second distance W2, shown in FIG. 6G, in this illustrated implementation. In other implementations, the plurality of wheels can be adjustable between more than two distances, e.g., three, four, etc.

[0325] In this illustrated implementation, the first and second distances Wl, W2 are preset. The plurality of wheels 508 being the first distance Wl apart is configured to allow the cart 500 to be attached to a container having a first size without interfering with the rolling of the wheels 508. The plurality of wheels 508 being the second distance W2 apart is configured to allow the cart 500 to be attached to a container having a second size, which is larger than the first size, without interfering with the rolling of the wheels 508. For example, the plurality of wheels 508 being the first distance Wl apart can be configured to accommodate a container that is 17 inches wide, and the plurality of wheels 508 being the second distance W2 apart can be configured to accommodate a container that is 22 inches wide.

[0326] The cart 500 includes a wheel adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the distance between the plurality of wheels 508. The wheel adjustment mechanism is configured to be actuated by a user to selectively adjust the distance between the wheels 508 to a desired distance, which in this illustrated implementation is one of the two preset distances Wl, W2. The wheel adjustment mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations.

[0327] In this illustrated implementation, the wheel adjustment mechanism includes a pair of wheel actuators 570a, 570b. Each of the wheel actuators 570a, 570b is associated with one of the cart’s twoAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO wheels 508. Each of the wheel actuators 570a, 570b is configured to be actuated independently to adjust a lateral distance of its associated one of the wheels 508. In other implementations, a single wheel actuator can be configured to be actuated to adjust the lateral distance of both wheels 508.

[0328] As mentioned above, the cart 500 includes a base 526. A pair of rods 572 extend substantially horizontally in the base 526. Each of the rods 572 is associated with one of the cart’s two wheels 508. Only one of the rods 572 is shown in FIG. 6H as representative of both rods 572. Each of the rods 572 defines an axle about which its associated one of the wheels 508 is configured to rotate to roll along the ground G or other support surface. The rods 572 are coaxial with one another to facilitate the wheels 508 being at an even level.

[0329] The cart 500 includes a pair of rod housings 574. Each of the rod housings 574 houses one of the pair of rods 572. Each of the rod housings 574 includes first and second passageways that are in communication with each other. The first passageway of each rod housing 574 extends substantially horizontally, e.g., left to right, and seats its associated rod 572 therein. Each rod 572 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis within its associated rod housing 574 to allow the wheels 508 to rotate, but each rod 572 is fixed longitudinally relative to its associated rod housing 574. The second passageway of each rod housing 574 extends substantially perpendicular to its associated first passageway, e.g., front to rear, and is open at least at the rear of the second passageway.

[0330] Each of the wheel actuators 570a, 570b is associated with one of the two rods 572 and one of the two rod housings 574. One of the wheel actuators 570a, 570b, the second wheel actuator 570b on a right side of the cart 500, is discussed further below as representative of both wheel actuators 570a, 570b. The second wheel actuator 570b is also shown in FIGS. 6I-6K. FIGS. 61 and 6J show the base 526, but the rod 572 and the rod housing 574 associated with the second wheel actuator 570b is not shown.

[0331] The wheel actuator 570b includes a pin 570c, a lever 570d, and a bias element 570e. A body of the pin 570c extends in the second passageway of its associated rod housing 574. As shown in FIG. 6K, the pin 570c includes a pair of extensions that extend laterally from opposed sides on the pin 570c in a rearward portion of the pin 570c.

[0332] The lever 570d is operatively coupled to the pin 570c. The lever 570d is chamfered and includes a sloped surface engaged with the pin 570c, e.g., with the pair of lateral extensions of the pin 570c. The sloped surface extends upwardly and rearwardly.

[0333] The bias element 570e is configured to bias the pin 570c in a forward direction toward its associated one of the rods 572 and to bias the lever 570d upwardly. The bias element 570e is a coil spring coiled around the pin 570c in this illustrated implementation but can be another type of bias element.

[0334] The wheel actuator 570b is movable between a resting configuration, shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, 6H, 61, and 6K, and an actuated configuration, shown in FIG. 6J. With the wheel actuator 570b in the resting configuration, the lever 570d is in a default, upper position. With the wheel actuator 570b in the resting configuration, which is the default configuration of the wheel actuator 570b, the pin 570c is urged forwardly by the bias element 570e into the second passageway of the rod housing 574 and intoAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO engagement with the rod 572. The wheel 508 associated with the wheel actuator 570b is thus locked from moving laterally. The wheel actuator 570b is thus configured as a lock configured to lock a lateral, or side-to-side (left to right) position of the wheel 508 associated with the wheel actuator 570b.

[0335] With the wheel actuator 570b in the actuated configuration, the lever 570d is in a lower position that is below the lever’s upper position. With the wheel actuator 570b in the actuated configuration, the pin 570d is urged rearwardly by the lever 570d out of the second passageway of the rod housing 574 and out of engagement with the rod 572. The wheel 508 associated with the wheel actuator 570b is thus free to be moved laterally by a user either pulling the wheel 508 outwardly toward achieving the second width W2 or pushing the wheel 508 inwardly toward achieving the first width W 1.

[0336] The wheel actuator 570b is configured to be actuated by a user to move the wheel actuator 570b from the resting configuration to the actuated configuration by the user pushing downwardly on the lever 570d. The cart 500 in this illustrated implementation also includes a finger hold 576 located below the movable lever 570d configured to support a finger of the user actuating the lever 570d with another finger to help the user more easily push the lever 570d downwardly. The downward movement of the lever 570d applies a force to the pin 570c that overcomes a bias force of the bias element 570e and causes the pin 570c, e.g., the pin’s lateral extensions, to slide along the sloped surface of the lever 570d. The upward and rearward slope of the lever’s sloped surface urges the pin 570c to move rearwardly relative to the rod 572 and the rod housing 574 to be out of engagement with the rod 572 and to no longer be located in the second passageway of the rod housing 574. The wheel 508 is now free to be moved laterally.

[0337] The user releasing the lever 570d is configured to automatically move the wheel actuator 570b from the actuated configuration to the resting configuration due to the bias element 570e biasing the pin 570c forwardly.

[0338] As mentioned above, the cart 500 includes the plurality of hooks 504 that are configured to be releasably seated in a plurality of upper recesses of a container, e.g., with each one of the hooks 504 seated in a corresponding one of the upper recesses. The plurality of hooks 504 extend upwardly, which facilitates seating of the hooks 504 in the upper recesses that open downwardly.

[0339] The cart 500 includes two hooks 504 in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of hooks 504, e.g., one, three, four, etc. In an exemplary implementation, as in this illustrated implementation, the plurality of hooks 504 are each located a same distance laterally off center.

[0340] The hooks 504 in this illustrated implementation are in a fixed position relative to each other. The cart 500 includes a hook adjustment mechanism 502 that is attached to the hooks 504. The hooks 504 are integral with the hook adjustment mechanism 502 in this illustrated implementation but can be separate elements from the hook adjustment mechanism 502. The hook adjustment mechanism 502 is configured to be actuated to move the hook adjustment mechanism 502 relative to the frame 510 and thus move the hooks 504 relative to the frame 510.

[0341] The hook adjustment mechanism 502 is configured to move upwardly to move the hooks 504 upwardly into upper recesses of a container. The hook adjustment mechanism 502 is also configured toAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO move downwardly to move the hooks 504 downwardly out of the container’s upper recesses. The upward and downward movements of the hook adjustment mechanism 502 can be repeated any number of times to attach the cart 500 to the same container or to different containers.

[0342] In this illustrated implementation, the hook adjustment mechanism 502 includes a crossbar 503, which is slidably attached to each of the opposed legs of the frame 510, e.g., the outer frame 510b, and to a central support rod 505 extending substantially vertically between the opposed legs of the frame 510. The central support rod 505 extends between the base 526 and the crossbar housing 532. The central support rod 505 includes a plurality of openings 505a configured to selectively engage the release mechanism 506. Each of the plurality of openings 505a corresponds to a hook 504 height appropriate for the hooks 504 to be seated in upper recesses of a container. The central support rod 505 includes three openings 505a in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of openings 505a, e.g., two, four, etc. Only the lower two of the openings 505a are visible in FIGS. 6B-6G because the uppermost opening 505a is obscured in the figures by being engaged with the release mechanism 506.

[0343] The hook adjustment mechanism 502 also includes the release mechanism 506, which is configured to be actuated by a user to allow the hook adjustment mechanism 502 to be moved upwardly or downwardly. The release mechanism 506 in this illustrated implementation is generally configured and used similar to the wheel actuators 570a, 570b of the cart 500. The release mechanism 506 thus includes a pin 506a, a lever 506b, and a bias element (obscured in the figures), as shown in FIG. 6C. The cart 500 in this illustrated implementation also includes a finger hold 576 located below the movable lever 506b of the release mechanism 506 configured to support a finger of the user actuating the lever 506b with another finger to help the user more easily push the lever 506b downwardly.

[0344] The release mechanism 506 is configured to be actuated by a user to move the release mechanism 506 from a resting configuration to an actuated configuration by the user pushing downwardly on the lever 506b. The downward movement of the lever 506b applies a force to the pin 506a that overcomes a bias force of the release mechanism’s bias element and causes the pin 506a, e.g., the pin’s lateral extensions, to slide along a sloped surface of the lever 506b. The upward and rearward slope of the lever’s sloped surface urges the pin 506a to move rearwardly relative to the central support rod 505 to be out of engagement with the central support rod 505 and to no longer be located in any of the central support rod’s openings 505a. The hook adjustment mechanism 502 is now free to be moved substantially vertically.

[0345] The user releasing the lever 506b is configured to allow the release mechanism 506 to move automatically from the actuated configuration to the resting configuration due to the bias element biasing the pin 506a forwardly. If the pin 506a is aligned with one of the central support rod’s openings 505a when the lever 506b is released, the pin 506a moves forwardly into the opening 505a. If the pin 506a is not aligned with one of the central support rod’s openings 505a when the lever 506b is released, the pin 506a moves forwardly into one of the openings 505a when the hook adjustment mechanism 502 is slid upwardly or downwardly to a position along the central support rod 505 at which the pin 506a is aligned with one of the openings 505a.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0346] The method 100 of FIG. 2 shows one implementation of attaching the cart 500 of FIGS. 6A and 6B to a container. The method 100 is discussed again below with particular references to the cart 500 of FIGS. 6A and 6B to a container.

[0347] The method 100 includes positioning 102 the cart 500 next to the container, for example by rolling the wheels 508 of the cart 500 along the ground G (or other support surface) to position the cart 500 to be adjacent to the container. The cart 500 is positioned 102 behind the container next to the container body’s back side and in the normal position. With the cart 500 positioned 102 next to and behind the container, the hook adjustment mechanism 502 is moved upwardly along the central support rod 505 to cause the hooks 504 to move upwardly into respective upper recesses of the container.

[0348] One or more additional containers can optionally be stacked 106 on top of the container before and / or after the container is attached to the cart 500.

[0349] Once the one or more additional containers are stacked 106 on top of the container, if any, the container and, if present, the one or more additional containers, are transported 108 using the cart 500. For example, the container(s) are transported 108 by a user holding the frame 510, e.g., holding the inner frame 510a, and pushing and / or pulling the cart 500 to roll the wheels 508 of the cart 500 on the ground G or other support surface. In an exemplary implementation, the cart 500 is tilted backward toward the user during the transport 108. Before beginning to transport 108 the cart 500, the user can choose to step on the foot support 536 to aid in moving the cart 500 from the normal position to the angled position by inclining the cart 500 backwards.

[0350] Once the container and, if present, the one or more additional containers, have been transported 108 to a desired end location, the release mechanism 506 of the cart 500 is actuated 110 by a user to allow the hook adjustment mechanism 502 to be moved downwardly along the central support rod 505 to cause the hooks 504 to move downwardly out of the respective upper recesses of the container. The cart 500 can then be moved away from the container.

[0351] With the cart 500 detached from the container, the method 100 can be performed any number of additional times to attach the cart 500 to the same container or to a different container.

[0352] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate one implementation of the cart 10 and the container 12 of FIG. 1 as a cart 600 configured to transport another implementation of a container 601. FIGS. 7C and 7D show the cart 600 attached to the container 601. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7E show the cart 600 as a standalone element. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cart 600 includes a plurality of hooks 604, a release mechanism 606, a plurality of wheels 608, and a frame 610. FIG. 7F shows the container 601 as a standalone element. The container 601 is generally configured and used similar to the container 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F.

[0353] In general, the cart 600 in this illustrated implementation is configured to attach automatically to a container in response to the plurality of hooks 604 of the cart 600 being moved substantially vertically relative to the container. The wheels 608 remain on the ground G or other support surface during the vertical movement of the hooks 604. The vertical movement of the hooks 604 relative to the container is configured to automatically cause the hooks 604 to be seated in a container’s plurality of recesses, e.g.,Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO plurality of upper recesses, and thus attach the cart 600 to the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the vertical movement of the hooks 604 into and out of the container’s plurality of recesses can be a longitudinal translation of the hooks 604 without rotation of the hooks 604. The hooks 604 moving longitudinally instead of rotationally for attachment of the cart 600 to a container may allow for the hooks 604 to more easily and securely enter recesses of the container and / or may allow for a less complicated mechanism to move the hooks 604.

[0354] The cart’s release mechanism 606 is configured to be actuated to move the plurality of hooks 604 out of the container’s plurality of recesses to detach the cart 600 from the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the hooks 604 are configured to move substantially vertically relative to the container to move out of the container’s plurality of recesses opposite to the substantially vertical movement of the hooks 604 into the container’s plurality of recesses. With the hooks 604 no longer being seated in the cart’s plurality of recesses, the cart 600 is configured to be attached back to the same container or to a different container.

[0355] The plurality of wheels 608, the frame 610 (which includes inner and outer frames 610a, 610b), a handle adjustment mechanism (which includes a handle actuator 634 and a crossbar), a lip 622, a base 626, a crossbar housing 632, and a foot support 636 of the cart 600 are generally configured and used similar to the plurality of wheels 208, the frame 210 (which includes the inner and outer frames 210a, 210b), the handle adjustment mechanism, the lip 222, the base 226, the crossbar housing 232, and the foot support 236, respectively, of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B and are thus not particularly described again. The cart 600 in this illustrated implementation includes two wheels 608 that are at a fixed distance from one another.

[0356] The frame 610 in this illustrated implementation is configured to adjust in height. As mentioned above, the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 600 is configured to adjust the height of the frame 610 and thus a height of the cart’s handle. The handle adjustment mechanism is configured to be actuated by a user to selectively adjust the height of the frame 610 to a desired height. The handle adjustment mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations. As mentioned above, in this illustrated implementation, the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 600 is configured and used similar to the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 600 thus includes a crossbar 632, which is attached to each of the opposed legs of the inner frame 610a, and a handle actuator 634, which is configured to be actuated by a user to allow adjustment of a height of the inner frame 610a and thus a height of the frame 610.

[0357] The frame 610 is configured to move between a minimum height position and a maximum height position. The handle adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the frame 610 to be adjusted at any height between, and including, the minimum height position and the maximum height position. FIGS. 7A and 7B show the frame 610 at the maximum height position. FIG. 7E show the frame 610 at the minimum height position. In general, the frame 610 has a telescoping configuration in which the inner frame 610a is movable relative to and within the outer frame 610b to adjust a height of the frame 610 and thus a height of the handle.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0358] As mentioned above, the cart 600 includes the plurality of hooks 604 that are configured to be releasably seated in a plurality of upper recesses of a container, e.g., with each one of the hooks 604 seated in a corresponding one of the upper recesses. The plurality of hooks 604 extend upwardly, which facilitates seating of the hooks 604 in the upper recesses that open downwardly.

[0359] The cart 600 includes two hooks 604 in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of hooks 604, e.g., one, three, four, etc. In an exemplary implementation, as in this illustrated implementation, the plurality of hooks 604 are each located a same distance laterally off center.

[0360] The hooks 604 in this illustrated implementation are in a fixed position relative to each other. The cart 600 includes a hook adjustment mechanism 602 that is attached to the hooks 604. The hooks 604 are integral with the hook adjustment mechanism 602 in this illustrated implementation but can be separate elements from the hook adjustment mechanism 602. The hook adjustment mechanism 602 is configured to be actuated to move the hook adjustment mechanism 602 relative to the frame 610 and thus move the hooks 604 relative to the frame 610.

[0361] The hook adjustment mechanism 602 is configured to move upwardly to move the hooks 604 upwardly into upper recesses of a container. The hook adjustment mechanism 602 is also configured to move downwardly to move the hooks 604 downwardly out of the container’s upper recesses. The upward and downward movements of the hook adjustment mechanism 602 can be repeated any number of times to attach the cart 600 to the same container or to different containers.

[0362] In this illustrated implementation, the hook adjustment mechanism 602, which is also shown in FIGS. 7G-7M, includes a base 603 and the release mechanism 606. The base 603 is slidably attached to each of the opposed legs of the frame 610, e.g., the outer frame 610b. The frame 610, e.g., the outer frame 610b, includes a plurality of grooves 611 configured to selectively engage the release mechanism 606. Each leg of the frame 610, e.g., the outer frame 610b, includes corresponding grooves 611. The release mechanism 606 is configured to engage two corresponding grooves 611 at a time, e.g., one groove 611 in each leg. FIGS. 7A and 7C show grooves 611 in the right leg of the frame 610, e.g., the outer frame 610b. FIGS. 7E and 7I-7K show grooves 611 in the left leg of the frame 610, e.g., the outer frame 610b. Each corresponding set of grooves 611 corresponds to a hook 604 height appropriate for the hooks 604 to be seated in upper recesses of a container. The frame 610, e.g., the outer frame 610b, includes three corresponding sets of grooves 611 for a total of six grooves 611 in this illustrated implementation but can include another plural number of sets of grooves 611, e.g., two, four, etc. Only the upper two of the openings grooves 611 are visible in FIGS. 7A, 7C, and 7E because the lowermost set of grooves 611 is obscured in the figures by being engaged with the release mechanism 606.

[0363] The release mechanism 606 is configured to be actuated by a user to allow the hook adjustment mechanism 602 to be moved upwardly or downwardly. As shown in FIGS. 7G-7M, the release mechanism 606 in this illustrated implementation includes an actuator 606a, a pair of pins 606b, a first pair of bias elements 606c, and a second pair of bias elements 606d.

[0364] The base 603 and the actuator 606a each include an opening 603c, 606e that are aligned to define a handle opening 607, as shown in FIGS. 7G and 7H. FIG. 7H illustrates the base opening 603c being inAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO the upper and lower housings 603a, 603b.

[0365] The base 603 at least partially houses each of the actuator 606a, the pair of pins 606b, and the first and second pairs of bias elements 606c, 606d. As shown in FIG. 7H, the base 603 includes an upper housing 603a and a lower housing 603b. The release mechanism 606 is configured to move relative to the base 603 to allow for movement of the hooks 604 relative to the frame 610, as discussed further below.

[0366] As shown in FIG. 6H, opposed sides, e.g., left and right sides, of the actuator 606a of the release mechanism 606 are each attached to one of the first pair of bias elements 606c. The first bias elements 606c are thus opposed to one another. Each of the first bias elements 606c is a leaf spring in this illustrated implementation, but another type of bias element can be used. Each of the first bias elements 606c is associated with one of the pair of pins 606b and is configured to bias its associated one of the pins 606b radially outwardly, e.g., the left-side pin 606b to the left and the right-side pin 606b to the right. The pins 606b are thus configured to be biased into engagement with a corresponding pair of the grooves 611.

[0367] Each of the pins 606b has a free end that is configured to extend laterally beyond the base 603, as shown in FIGS. 7G, 71, 7K, and 7L. Each of the pins 606b is at a fixed position relative to the base 603 in a front-rear direction and is configured to move laterally, e.g., left-right direction, relative to the base 603.

[0368] The second pair of bias elements 606d are each attached to the actuator 606a and to the base 603. Each of the second bias elements 606d is a coil spring in this illustrated implementation, but another type of bias element can be used. The second bias elements 606d bias the actuator 606a forwardly, e.g., in a direction toward the hooks 604.

[0369] Each of the pins 606b includes an opening therein that is defined in part by a sloped surface of the pin 606b that slopes rearwardly and laterally outward. The actuator 606a includes a pair of posts 606f that each extends into an associated one of the pins’ openings and engages the sloped surface. As discussed further below, the pins 606b are movable between an extended configuration, in which the posts 606f are located at a first end of the sloped surface, and a retracted configuration, in which the posts 606f are located at a second, opposite end of the sloped surface.

[0370] The actuator 606a of the release mechanism 606 is configured to move between a resting, default configuration, shown in FIGS. 7G, 71, 7K, and 7L, and an actuated configuration, shown in FIGS. 7J and 7M. With the actuator 606a in the resting configuration, the actuator 606a is in a forward position relative to the base 603 due to the force applied to the actuator 606a by the second bias elements 606d, and the pins 606b are in the extended configuration due to the force applied to the pins 606b by the first bias elements 606c. In the extended configuration, the pins 606b extend laterally beyond the base 603. With the actuator 606a in the actuated configuration, the actuator 606a is in a rearward position relative to the base 603 because the force applied to the actuator 606a by the second bias elements 606d has been overcome, and the pins 606b are in the retracted configuration because the force applied to the pins 606b by the first bias elements 606c has been overcome. In the retracted configuration, the pins 606b do not extend laterally beyond the base 603. The pins 606b thus retract into the base 603. In some implementations, the pins 606b may not retract fully into the base 603 as in this illustrated implementationAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO since the pins 606b need to only retract far enough to allow the hook adjustment mechanism 602 to move relative to the frame 610, as discussed further below.

[0371] The actuator 606a is configured to be moved by a user from the resting configuration to the actuated configuration by pulling the actuator 606a rearwardly. The handle opening 607 is configured to receive therein at least one of the user’s fingers to ease the actuation of the actuator 606a. The rearward movement of the actuator 606a is configured to compress the second bias elements 606d. The rearward movement of the actuator 606a is configured to cause the posts 606f of the actuator 606a to move rearwardly and slide along their respective sloped surfaces of the pins 606b. The sliding of the posts 606f along the pins’ sloped surfaces is configured to cause the pins 606b to move laterally inward relative to the base 603 and thus move from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration. The pins 606b cannot move rearwardly with the actuator 606a because, as mentioned above, each of the pins 606b is at a fixed position relative to the base 603 in a front-rear direction.

[0372] With the actuator 606a in the actuated configuration, and thus with the pins 606b in the retracted configuration, the pins 606b are not seated in any of the cart’s grooves 611. The hook adjustment mechanism 602 is thus free to slide upwardly or downwardly along the frame 610, e.g., by being pushed upwardly or downwardly by a user, to adjust a location of the hooks 604. FIG. 71 and 7L show the actuator 606a in the resting configuration, and FIGS. 7J and 7M show the actuator 606a in the actuated configuration. Thus, none of the pins 606b are visible in FIGS. 7J and 7M since the pins 606b are retracted into the base 603.

[0373] The actuator 606a does not need to remain in the actuated configuration during the upward / downward movement of the hook adjustment mechanism 602 because the frame 610, e.g., opposed legs of the frame 610, provides a stop surface configured to prevent the pins 606b from moving laterally outward under the force of the first bias elements 606c. The actuator 606a can, however, at a user’s personal preference, remain actuated during some or all of the upward / downward movement of the hook adjustment mechanism 602.

[0374] When the hook adjustment mechanism 602 is moved upward or downward enough for the pair of pins 606b to align with a pair of the grooves 611, the pins 606b are configured to automatically into the grooves 611, e.g., move from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, under the force of the first bias elements 606c. The actuator 606a is also configured to move automatically from the actuated configuration to the resting configuration under the force of the second bias elements 606d. FIG. 7K shows the hook adjustment mechanism 602 moved upwardly from its position in FIGS. 71 and 7J with the actuator 606a in the resting configuration and the pins 606b in the extended configuration. If the user is actuating the actuator 606a when the pair of pins 606b align with a pair of the grooves 611, the user can either choose to continue moving the hook adjustment mechanism 602 to align the pair of pins 606b align with another pair of the grooves 611 or can release the actuator 606a to cause the pins 606b to become seated in the grooves 611.

[0375] The handle adjustment mechanism 602 includes a lock 609 configured to prevent the actuator 606a from being unintentionally actuated, thereby improving safety. The lock 609 is configured to moveAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO between a locked configuration, in which the actuator 606a is prevented from being actuated, and an unlocked configuration, in which actuation of the actuator 606a is allowed. FIGS. 7G and 7H show the lock 609 in the unlocked configuration.

[0376] The lock 609 is configured to slide laterally between the locked and unlocked configurations, e.g., by being slid left or right by a user. The lock 609 is configured to be slid to the left to move from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration and to be slid to the right to move from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, but the left and right lateral movements can be reversed.

[0377] In the unlocked configuration, an extension 609a of the lock 609 is aligned with a lock opening 606g formed in the actuator 606a. As the actuator 606a is pulled rearwardly, the actuator 606a slides around the lock 609 with the extension 609a in the lock opening 606g.

[0378] In the locked configuration, the extension 609a of the lock 609 is misaligned from the lock opening 606g. Instead, the extension 609a at least partially abuts a rearward facing surface 606h of the actuator 606a. The actuator 606a thus cannot be pulled rearwardly relative to the base 603.

[0379] The lock 609 is configured to be moved manually by a user between the locked and unlocked configurations. In some instances, the user may not move the lock 609 to the locked configuration after adjusting the hook adjustment mechanism 602 to a desired height. The hook adjustment mechanism 602 may thus appear to be secured at a desired height since the pins 606b are seated in a pair of grooves 611, but if the actuator 606a is actuated, the hook adjustment mechanism 602 is allowed to slide substantially vertically relative to the frame 610 even if the user does not want the hook adjustment mechanism 602 to slide.

[0380] The hook adjustment mechanism 602 in this illustrated implementation includes a safety lock configured to prevent accidental actuation of the actuator 606a. The safety lock is configured to move automatically between a locked configuration, in which the actuator 606a is prevented from being actuated, and an unlocked configuration, in which actuation of the actuator 606a is allowed. FIGS. 7N and 7P-7R show the safety lock in the unlocked configuration. FIGS. 70 and 7S-7U show the safety lock in the locked configuration.

[0381] The safety lock in this illustrated implementation includes a pair of guide rails 613 and a pair of balls 615. Each of the guide rails 613 has an arcuate shape in this illustrated implementation. Each of the balls 615, which can be made of steel and / or other material, is configured to roll along an associated one of the guide rails 613. Each of the safety locks is located adjacent to one of the pins 606b. With the safety lock in the unlocked configuration, each ball 615 is located at a first end of its associated guide rail 613 and, in this location, is located out of the rearward / forward movement path of the actuator 606a. The actuator 606a is thus allowed to be actuated with the safety lock in the unlocked configuration. With the safety lock in the locked configuration, each ball 615 is located at a second, opposite end of its associated guide rail 613 and, in this location, is located in the rearward / forward movement path of the actuator 606a. The actuator 606a is thus prevented from being actuated with the safety lock in the locked configuration, whether the lock 609 is in the unlocked configuration or in the locked configuration.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0382] The safety lock is configured to be in the unlocked position with the cart 600 in a normal position. The cart 600 is shown in the normal position in FIGS. 7A-7E and 7V. The safety lock is configured to be in the locked position with the cart 600 in an angled position. Carts are typically rolled on the ground (or other support surface) in the angled position, so preventing the actuator 606a from being unintentionally actuated during the rolling of the cart 600 may improve user safety and / or help prevent loss of control of the cart 600 during rolling of the cart 600. The cart 600 is shown in angled positions in FIGS. 7W and 7X with the cart 600 at a first angle P in FIG. 7W and a second, larger angle 0 in FIG. 7X. FIGS. 7V-7X show the cart 600 attached to the container 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F.

[0383] The safety lock is configured to move automatically from the unlocked position to the locked position in response to the cart 600 moving from a normal position to an angled position. The angling back of the cart 600 to the angled position is configured to cause the balls 615 to roll in a first direction along their respective guide rails 613 under the force of gravity. The balls 615 cannot roll in the first direction until the cart 600 has been angled to at least a threshold angle, e.g., about 4°, about 5°, about 6°, about 7°, about 8°, about 9°, about 10°, about 11°, about 12°, or other angle. For example, if the threshold angle is greater than the first angle of FIG. 7W, the balls 615 will not roll along the guide rails 613 in response to the cart 600 being moved to the angled position of FIG. 7W whereas the balls 615 will roll along the guide rails 613 in response to the cart 600 being moved to the angled position of FIG. 7X. The safety lock is configured to move automatically from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the cart 600 moving to the normal position from the angled position. The angling back of the cart 600 to the angled position is configured to cause the balls 615 to roll in a second, opposite direction along their respective guide rails 613 under the force of gravity.

[0384] The method 100 of FIG. 2 shows one implementation of attaching the cart 600 of FIGS. 7A-7E to a container. The method 100 is discussed again below with particular reference to the cart 600 of FIGS. 7A-7E to the container 601 of FIGS. 7C, 7D, and 7F.

[0385] The method 100 includes positioning 102 the cart 600 next to the container 601, for example by rolling the wheels 608 of the cart 600 along the ground G (or other support surface) to position the cart 600 to be adj acent to the container 601. The cart 600 is positioned 102 behind the container 601 next to the container body’s back side 612b and in the normal position. With the cart 600 positioned 102 next to and behind the container 601, the hook adjustment mechanism 602 is moved upwardly along the frame 610, e.g., the outer frame 610b, to cause the hooks 604 to move upwardly into respective upper recesses of the container.

[0386] One or more additional containers can optionally be stacked 106 on top of the container 601 before and / or after the container 601 is attached to the cart 600.

[0387] Once the one or more additional containers are stacked 106 on top of the container 601, if any, the container 601 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, are transported 108 using the cart 600. For example, the container(s) are transported 108 by a user holding the frame 610, e.g., holding the inner frame 610a, and pushing and / or pulling the cart 600 to roll the wheels 608 of the cart 600 on the ground G or other support surface. In an exemplary implementation, the cart 600 is tilted backwardAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO toward the user during the transport 108, as shown for example in FIG. 7W and in 7X. Before beginning to transport 108 the cart 600, the user can choose to step on the foot support 636 to aid in moving the cart 600 from the normal position to the angled position by inclining the cart 600 backwards.

[0388] Once the container 601 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, have been transported 108 to a desired end location, the release mechanism 606 of the cart 600 is actuated 110 by a user to allow the hook adjustment mechanism 602 to be moved downwardly along the frame 610, e.g., the outer frame 610b, to cause the hooks 604 to move downwardly out of the respective upper recesses of the container. The cart 600 can then be moved away from the container 601.

[0389] With the cart 600 detached from the container 601, the method 100 can be performed any number of additional times to attach the cart 600 to the same container 601 or to a different container.

[0390] FIGS. 7Y and 7Z illustrate another implementation of a hook adjustment mechanism 602'. The hook adjustment mechanism 602' is generally configured and used similar to the hook adjustment mechanism 602 of FIGS. 7G and 7H and is thus not particularly described again. In this illustrated implementation, the hook adjustment mechanism 602' includes a base 603', a release mechanism 606', and a lock 609', and the release mechanism 606' includes an actuator 606a', a pair of pins 606b', a first pair of bias elements 606c', and a second pair of bias elements 606d'. FIG. 7Y shows the actuator 606a' in a resting configuration and the pins 606b' in an extended configuration. FIG. 7Z shows the actuator 606a' in an actuated configuration and the pins 606b' in a retracted configuration. In this illustrated implementation, the hook adjustment mechanism 602' does not include a safety lock.

[0391] FIG. 8A illustrates one implementation of the cart 10 and the container 12 of FIG. 1 as a cart 700 configured to transport a container. FIG. 8 A shows the cart 700 as a standalone element. As shown in FIGS. 8A-8D, the cart 700 includes a plurality of hooks 704, a release mechanism 706, a plurality of wheels 708, and a frame 710. FIG. 81 shows the cart 700 attached to another implementation of a container 701. FIGS. 8E, 8F, 8H, and 8 J also show the container 701. The container 701 is generally configured and used similar to the container 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F.

[0392] In general, the cart 700 in this illustrated implementation is configured to attach automatically to a container in response to the plurality of hooks 704 of the cart 700 being moved substantially vertically relative to the container. The wheels 708 remain on the ground G or other support surface during the vertical movement of the hooks 704. The vertical movement of the hooks 704 relative to the container is configured to automatically cause the hooks 704 to be seated in a container’s plurality of recesses, e.g., plurality of upper recesses, and thus attach the cart 700 to the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the vertical movement of the hooks 704 into and out of the container’s plurality of recesses can be a longitudinal translation of the hooks 704 without rotation of the hooks 704. The hooks 704 moving longitudinally instead of rotationally for attachment of the cart 700 to a container may allow for the hooks 704 to more easily and securely enter recesses of the container and / or may allow for a less complicated mechanism to move the hooks 704.

[0393] The cart’s release mechanism 706 is configured to be actuated to move the plurality of hooks 704 out of the container’s plurality of recesses to detach the cart 700 from the container. As in thisAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO illustrated implementation, the hooks 704 are configured to move substantially vertically relative to the container to move out of the container’s plurality of recesses opposite to the substantially vertical movement of the hooks 704 into the container’s plurality of recesses. With the hooks 704 no longer being seated in the cart’s plurality of recesses, the cart 700 is configured to be attached back to the same container or to a different container.

[0394] The plurality of wheels 708, the frame 710 (which includes inner and outer frames 710a, 710b), a handle adjustment mechanism (which includes a handle actuator 734 and a crossbar), a lip 722, a base 726, a crossbar housing 732, and a foot support 736 of the cart 700 are generally configured and used similar to the plurality of wheels 208, the frame 210 (which includes the inner and outer frames 210a, 210b), the handle adjustment mechanism, the lip 222, the base 226, the crossbar housing 232, and the foot support 236, respectively, of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B and are thus not particularly described again. The cart 700 in this illustrated implementation includes two wheels 708 that are at a fixed distance from one another.

[0395] The frame 710 in this illustrated implementation is configured to adjust in height. As mentioned above, the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 700 is configured to adjust the height of the frame 710 and thus a height of the cart’s handle. The handle adjustment mechanism is configured to be actuated by a user to selectively adjust the height of the frame 710 to a desired height. The handle adjustment mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations. As mentioned above, in this illustrated implementation, the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 700 is configured and used similar to the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 700 thus includes a crossbar, which is attached to each of the opposed legs of the inner frame 710a, and a handle actuator 734, which is configured to be actuated by a user to allow adjustment of a height of the inner frame 710a and thus a height of the frame 710.

[0396] The frame 710 is configured to move between a minimum height position and a maximum height position. The handle adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the frame 710 to be adjusted at any height between, and including, the minimum height position and the maximum height position. FIGS. 8A, 8E, and 8F show the frame 710 at the minimum height position. In general, the frame 710 has a telescoping configuration in which the inner frame 710a is movable relative to and within the outer frame 710b to adjust a height of the frame 710 and thus a height of the handle defined by the inner frame 710a.

[0397] As mentioned above, the cart 700 includes the plurality of hooks 704 that are configured to be releasably seated in a plurality of upper recesses of a container, e.g., with each one of the hooks 704 seated in a corresponding one of the upper recesses. The plurality of hooks 704 extend upwardly, which facilitates seating of the hooks 704 in the upper recesses that open downwardly.

[0398] The cart 700 includes two hooks 704 in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of hooks 704, e.g., one, three, four, etc. In an exemplary implementation, as in this illustrated implementation, the plurality of hooks 704 are each located a same distance laterally off center.

[0399] Similar to the hooks 204 of the cart 200 of FIGS . 3A and 3B that are configured to move relative to the base 226 of the cart 200, the hooks 704 of the cart 700 of FIG. 8 A are configured to move relativeAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO to the base 726 of the cart 700. Unlike the hooks 204 of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B that are configured to move automatically into upper recesses of a container in response to engaging the container, e.g., the hooks 204 engaging the overhangs 218 of the container 202, the hooks 704 of the cart 700 of FIG. 8 A are configured to be moved manually into upper recesses of a container, similar to the hooks 304 of the cart 300 of FIGS. 4A-4D and to the hooks 604 of the cart 600 of FIGS. 7A and 7B that are configured to be moved manually into upper recesses of a container.

[0400] The release mechanism 706 of the cart 700 is attached to the hooks 704 and defines a hook adjustment mechanism. The hooks 704 are movably attached to and are separate elements from the release mechanism 706, and thus from the hook adjustment mechanism, in this illustrated implementation. The release mechanism 706, and thus the hook adjustment mechanism, is configured to be actuated to move the release mechanism 706, and thus the hook adjustment mechanism, relative to the frame 710 and the base 726 and thus move the hooks 704 relative to the frame 710 and the base 726.

[0401] The release mechanism 706 is configured to be actuated by a user to allow the hooks 704 to be moved upwardly or downwardly. The release mechanism 706 is movable between a resting configuration, shown in FIGS. 8F, 8H, and 8 J, and an actuated configuration, shown in FIGS. 8C, 8D, 8G, 81, and 8K- 8M. FIG. 8N shows the release mechanism 706 in an intermediate configuration between the resting and actuated configurations. With the release mechanism 706 in the resting configuration, the hooks 704 are in a lower position relative to the base 726. With the release mechanism 706 in the actuated configuration, the hooks 704 are in an upper position relative to the base 726.

[0402] As shown in FIGS. 8C, 8D, and 8G-8N, the release mechanism 706 in this illustrated implementation includes a pedal 706a, a plurality of linkages 706b, a safety lock 706c, and a support base 706d. The pedal 706a defines the foot support 736. The safety lock 706c defines a second foot support 737 of the cart 700, as shown in FIGS. 8M and 8N. The support base 706d is in a fixed position relative to the base 726 of the cart 700.

[0403] The pedal 706a includes a base 706e and opposed arms 706f extending forwardly from opposed sides, e.g., left and right sides, of the base 706e. An upper surface of the pedal base 706e defines the foot support 736. The safety lock 706c is pivotally coupled to the pedal 706a at a lower surface of the pedal base 706e. A lower surface of the safety lock 706c defines the second foot support 737.

[0404] Each of the pedal arms 706f is pivotally attached to one of the hooks 704 at an end of the arm 706f opposite to the pedal base 706e. Each of the pedal arms 706f is pivotally attached to two of the plurality of linkages 706b at an intermediate portion of the arm 706f located between the pedal base 706e and the end of the arm 706f that is opposite to the pedal base 706e. The two linkages 706b pivotally attached to each pedal arm 706f are located on opposite sides, e.g., left and right sides, of their associated pedal arm 706f. The release mechanism 706 thus includes four linkages 706b in this illustrated implementation, although another number of linkages 706b is possible. For example, the release mechanism 706 can include two linkages 706b with each of the linkages 706b attached to one of the pedal arms 706a. Having more than one linkage 706b pivotally attached to each of the pedal arms 706a may provide more strength and stability to the release mechanism 706 than if only one links 706b is pivotallyAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO atached to each of the pedal arms 706a.

[0405] The linkages 706b in this illustrated implementation each include an elongate plate, although other configurations are possible, such as an elongate rod. Each of the linkages 706b has a rounded rectangular shape in this illustrated implementation, but other shapes are possible.

[0406] The pedal 706a is configured to be actuated, e.g., by the pedal base 706e being pushed by a foot or a hand of the user, to selectively move the release mechanism 706 between the resting and actuated configurations and thus to selectively move the hooks 704 upwardly or downwardly. The pedal 706a is thus configured as an actuator. The actuation of the pedal 706a that is configured to cause the upward movement of the hooks 704 corresponds to an “attach” functionality of the release mechanism 706. The actuation of the pedal 706a that is configured to cause the downward movement of the hooks 704 corresponds to a “release” functionality of the release mechanism 706. As discussed further below, actuation of the pedal 706a is configured to cause the pedal 706a to pivot relative to the hooks 704, to cause pivoting of the linkages 706b relative to the base 726 and the support base 706d, and to cause pivoting of the safety lock 706c relative to the base 726 and the support base 706d. Directions of the various pivoting motions define whether the hooks 704 move upwardly or downwardly.

[0407] The pedal 706a is configured to be moved downwardly, e.g., the pedal base 706e pushed downwardly by a user’s foot or hand pushing on the foot support 736, relative to the base 726 and the frame 710 to move the release mechanism 706 from the resting configuration to the actuated configuration. The pedal 706a is thus configured to move in an opposite direction, downwardly, from the hooks 704, which move upwardly. The safety lock 706c is atached to the pedal 706a and thus is configured to move downwardly with the pedal 706a. The pedal 706a is configured to be moved upwardly, e.g., the pedal base 706e pushed upwardly by a user’s foot or hand pushing on the second foot support 737, relative to the base 726 and the frame 710 to move the release mechanism 706 from the actuated configuration to the resting configuration. The pedal 706a is thus configured to move in an opposite direction, upwardly, from the hooks 704, which move downwardly. The safety lock 706c is atached to the pedal 706a and thus is configured to move upwardly with the pedal 706a.

[0408] The safety lock 706c is configured to prevent accidental actuation of the release mechanism 706, with the release mechanism 706 in the resting configuration. The safety lock 706c is thus configured to prevent accidental upward movement of the pedal 706a. The safety lock 706c is configured to move automatically between a locked configuration, in which the release mechanism 706 is prevented from being actuated, and an unlocked configuration, in which actuation of the release mechanism 706, e.g., pushing of the pedal 706a, is allowed. FIGS. 8F, 8H, and 8J show the safety lock in the unlocked configuration. FIGS. 8C, 8D, 8G, 81, and 8K-8M show the safety lock 706c in the locked configuration. In this illustrated implementation, the safety lock 706c is configured as a lever.

[0409] With the release mechanism 706 in the resting configuration, the safety lock 706c is in the locked configuration. The safety lock 706c includes a lower lip 706g, and the support base 706d includes a lower lip 706h. As shown in FIG. 8M, with the release mechanism 706 in the resting configuration, the safety lock lower lip 706g is engaged with the support base lip 706h. The engagement of the safety lockAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO lower lip 706g and the support base lower lip 706h locks the safety lock 706c in position relative to the support base 706d until (and if) the pedal 706a is actuated. The pedal 706a attached to the safety lock 706c is thus prevented from being actuated until a force is applied to the pedal 706a, e.g., an upward force to the pedal base 706e, that is strong enough to disengage the safety lock lower lip 706g and the support base lower lip 706h.

[0410] The safety lock 706c and the support base 706d also each include an upper lip 706i, 706j. With the release mechanism 706 in the resting configuration, the safety lock upper lip 706i is not engaged with the support base upper lip 706j.

[0411] With the release mechanism 706 in the actuated configuration, the safety lock 706c is in the unlocked configuration. As shown in FIG. 8N, with the release mechanism 706 in the actuated configuration, the safety lock upper lip 706i is engaged with the support base upper lip 706, and the safety lock lower lip 706g is not engaged with the support base lower lip 706h. The disengagement of the safety lock lower lip 706g and the support base lower lip 706h allows the pedal 706a, which is attached to the safety lock 706c, to be actuated, e.g., for a downward force to be applied to the pedal base 706e, and move downwardly. The downward movement of the pedal 706a is configured to automatically cause the safety lock lower lip 706g and the support base lower lip 706h to become engaged. The release mechanism 706 is thus locked in the actuated configuration until (and if) the release mechanism 706 is actuated again.

[0412] The method 100 of FIG. 2 shows one implementation of attaching the cart 700 of FIGS. 8 A and 8B to a container. The method 100 is discussed again below with particular reference to the cart 700 of FIGS. 8A and 8B and to the container 701 of FIGS. 8E, 8F, and 8H-8J.

[0413] The method 100 includes positioning 102 the cart 700 next to the container 701, for example by rolling the wheels 708 of the cart 700 along the ground G (or other support surface) to position the cart 700 to be adj acent to the container 701. The cart 700 is positioned 102 behind the container 701 next to the container body’s back side 712b and in the normal position. With the cart 700 positioned 102 next to and behind the container 701, the release mechanism 706 is actuated, e.g., the pedal 706a is actuated by being pushed upwardly, to cause the hooks 704 to move upwardly into respective upper recesses 716 of the container 701. FIG. 81 shows the hooks 704 seated in the container’s upper recesses 716.

[0414] One or more additional containers can optionally be stacked 106 on top of the container 701 before and / or after the container 701 is attached to the cart 700.

[0415] Once the one or more additional containers are stacked 106 on top of the container 701, if any, the container 701 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, are transported 108 using the cart 700. For example, the container(s) are transported 108 by a user holding the frame 710, e.g., holding the inner frame 710a, and pushing and / or pulling the cart 700 to roll the wheels 708 of the cart 700 on the ground G or other support surface. In an exemplary implementation, the cart 700 is tilted backward toward the user during the transport 108. Before beginning to transport 108 the cart 700, the user can choose to step on the foot support 736 to aid in moving the cart 700 from the normal position to the angled position by inclining the cart 700 backwards. A downward force applied to the foot support 736 by a user stepping on the foot support 736 will not cause the release mechanism 706 to be actuated becauseAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO the pedal 706a of the release mechanism 706 is in its lowermost position with the release mechanism 706 in the actuated configuration and the cart 700 attached to the container 701 with the hooks 704 seated in the container’s upper recesses 716.

[0416] Once the container 701 and, if present, the one or more additional containers, have been transported 108 to a desired end location, the release mechanism 706 of the cart 700 is actuated 110 again by a user to cause the hooks 704 to move downwardly out of the respective upper recesses 716 of the container 701. The cart 700 can then be moved away from the container 701.

[0417] With the cart 700 detached from the container 701, the method 100 can be performed any number of additional times to attach the cart 700 to the same container 701 or to a different container.

[0418] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate one implementation of the cart 10 and the container 12 of FIG. 1 as a cart 800 configured to transport a container. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the cart 800 includes a plurality of hooks 804, a release mechanism 806, a plurality of wheels 808, and a frame 810.

[0419] In general, the cart 800 in this illustrated implementation is configured to attach automatically to a container in response to the plurality of hooks 804 of the cart 800 being moved relative to the container. The wheels 808 remain on the ground or other support surface during the movement of the hooks 804. The movement of the hooks 804 relative to the container is configured to automatically cause the hooks 804 to be seated in a container’s plurality of recesses, e.g., plurality of upper recesses, and thus attach the cart 800 to the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the movement of the hooks 804 into and out of the container’s plurality of recesses can be a rotation of the hooks 804 that moves the hooks 804 substantially vertically upward. The hooks 804 rotating instead of longitudinally translating for attachment of the cart 800 to a container may allow for the hooks 804 to enter recesses of the container and “grab” the container.

[0420] The cart’s release mechanism 806 is configured to be actuated to move the plurality of hooks 804 out of the container’s plurality of recesses to detach the cart 800 from the container. As in this illustrated implementation, the hooks 804 are configured to move relative to the container to move out of the container’s plurality of recesses, e.g., by rotating in a direction opposite to the rotational movement of the hooks 804 into the container’s plurality of recesses. With the hooks 804 no longer being seated in the cart’s plurality of recesses, the cart 800 is configured to be attached back to the same container or to a different container.

[0421] As shown in FIGS. 9A-9D, the plurality of wheels 808, the frame 810 (which includes inner and outer frames 810a, 810b), a handle adjustment mechanism (which includes a handle actuator 834 and a crossbar), a lip 822, a base 826, a crossbar housing 832, and a foot support of the cart 800 are generally configured and used similar to the plurality of wheels 208, the frame 210 (which includes the inner and outer frames 210a, 210b), the handle adjustment mechanism, the lip 222, the base 226, the crossbar housing 232, and the foot support 236, respectively, of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3 A and 3B and are thus not particularly described again. The cart 800 in this illustrated implementation includes two wheels 808 that are at a fixed distance from one another.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0422] The frame 810 in this illustrated implementation is configured to adjust in height. As mentioned above, the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 800 is configured to adjust the height of the frame 810 and thus a height of the cart’s handle. The handle adjustment mechanism is configured to be actuated by a user to selectively adjust the height of the frame 810 to a desired height. The handle adjustment mechanism can have any of a variety of configurations. As mentioned above, in this illustrated implementation, the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 800 is configured and used similar to the handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The handle adjustment mechanism of the cart 800 thus includes a crossbar, which is attached to each of the opposed legs of the inner frame 810a, and a handle actuator 834, which is configured to be actuated by a user to allow adjustment of a height of the inner frame 810a and thus a height of the frame 810.

[0423] The frame 810 is configured to move between a minimum height position and a maximum height position. The handle adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the frame 810 to be adjusted at any height between, and including, the minimum height position and the maximum height position. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the frame 810 at the minimum height position. In general, the frame 810 has a telescoping configuration in which the inner frame 810a is movable relative to and within the outer frame 810b to adjust a height of the frame 810 and thus a height of the handle defined by the inner frame 810a.

[0424] As in this illustrated implementation, the cart 800 can include a flexible handle strap 811 to facilitate user handling of the cart 800. The flexible handle strap 811 is attached to the frame 810, e.g., the inner frame 810a.

[0425] As in this illustrated implementation, the cart 800 can include a stand 813 to help stably position the cart 800 in a normal position. The stand 813 in this illustrated implementation is configured to be selectively moved manually by a user between an extended configuration, in which the stand 813 is configured to rest on the ground or other support surface, and a stowed configuration, in which the stand 813 is configured to not rest on the ground or other support surface. FIGS. 9A, 9D, 9G, 9H, 9J, and 9K show the stand 813 in the stowed configuration. FIG. 9E shows the stand 813 in the extended configuration.

[0426] The stand 813 can have a variety of configurations. As in this illustrated implementation, the stand 813 can be configured as a kickstand configured to be pivotally moved with a foot or hand of a user between the extended and stowed configurations. The stand 813 is an elongate plate in this illustrated implementation but can have another configuration, such as an L-shaped foot, a substantially cylindrical bar, etc.

[0427] As mentioned above, the cart 800 includes the plurality of hooks 804 that are configured to be releasably seated in a plurality of upper recesses of a container, e.g., with each one of the hooks 804 seated in a corresponding one of the upper recesses. The plurality of hooks 804 extend upwardly, which facilitates seating of the hooks 804 in the upper recesses that open downwardly.

[0428] The cart 800 includes two hooks 804 in this illustrated implementation but can include another number of hooks 804, e.g., one, three, four, etc. In an exemplary implementation, as in this illustrated implementation, the plurality of hooks 804 are each located a same distance laterally off center.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0429] Similar to the hooks 204 of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B that are configured to move relative to the base 226 of the cart 200, the hooks 804 of the cart 800 of FIGS. 9A and 9B are configured to move relative to the base 826 of the cart 800. Unlike the hooks 204 of the cart 200 of FIGS. 3A and 3B that are configured to move automatically into upper recesses of a container in response to engaging the container, e.g., the hooks 204 engaging the overhangs 218 of the container 202, the hooks 804 of the cart 800 of FIGS. 9A and 9B are configured to be moved manually into upper recesses of a container, similar to the hooks 304 of the cart 300 of FIGS. 4A-4D, the hooks 604 of the cart 600 of FIGS. 7A and 7B, and the hooks 704 of the cart 700 of FIG. 8A that are configured to be moved manually into upper recesses of a container.

[0430] The release mechanism 806 of the cart 800 in this illustrated implementation defines a hook adjustment mechanism. The hooks 804 are integral with the release mechanism 806, and thus with the hook adjustment mechanism, in this illustrated implementation. The release mechanism 806, and thus the hook adjustment mechanism, is configured to be actuated to move the release mechanism 806, and thus the hook adjustment mechanism, relative to the frame 810 and the base 826 and thus move the hooks 804 relative to the frame 810 and the base 826.

[0431] The release mechanism 806 is configured to be actuated by a user to allow the hooks 804 to be moved upwardly or downwardly. The release mechanism 806 is movable between a resting configuration, shown in FIGS. 9A-9H, and an actuated configuration, shown in FIGS. 9I-9K. With the release mechanism 806 in the resting configuration, the hooks 804 are in a lower position relative to the base 826. With the release mechanism 806 in the actuated configuration, the hooks 804 are in an upper position relative to the base 826.

[0432] As in this illustrated implementation, the release mechanism 806 can include a pedal 806a and a safety lock 806e. The pedal 806a is shown as a standalone element in FIGS. 9L-9M. As discussed further below, the pedal 806a and the safety lock 806e are configured to interact to allow for movement of the hooks 804 and thus for attaching the cart 800 to and detaching the cart 800 from a container.

[0433] The pedal 806a includes a base 806b, opposed arms 806c extending forwardly from opposed sides, e.g., left and right sides, of the base 806b, and a crossbar 806d extending between the arms 806c at an end of the arms 806c opposite to the base 806b. One of the hooks 804 is at an end of each of the arms 806c.

[0434] As shown in FIG. 9M, the pedal 806a also includes a pair of protrusions 806h that define a slot 806i therebetween. The pedal 806a and the safety lock 806e are keyed. The slot 806i defines a keyhole configured to receive a key of the safety lock 806e, as discussed further below. As in this illustrated implementation, the pair of protrusions 806h can be formed on the crossbar 806d of the pedal 806a.

[0435] The pedal 806a in this illustrated implementation defines the foot support and the hooks 804. The foot support in this illustrated implementation includes first and second foot supports 836a, 836b. An upper surface of the pedal base 806b defines the first foot support 836a. A lower surface of the pedal base 806b defines the second foot support 836b.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0436] The pedal 806a is configured to be actuated, e.g., by the pedal base 806b being pushed by a foot or a hand of the user, to selectively move the release mechanism 806 between the resting and actuated configurations and thus to selectively move the hooks 804 upwardly or downwardly. The pedal 806a is thus configured as an actuator. The actuation of the pedal 806a that is configured to cause the upward movement of the hooks 804 corresponds to an “attach” functionality of the release mechanism 806. The actuation of the pedal 806a that is configured to cause the downward movement of the hooks 804 corresponds to a “release” functionality of the release mechanism 806. As discussed further below, actuation of the pedal 806a is configured to cause the pedal 806a to move relative to the base 826 and thus move the hooks 804 relative to the base 826. A direction of the pedal’s movement relative to the base 826 defines whether the hooks 804 move upwardly or downwardly.

[0437] The pedal 806a is configured to be moved downwardly, e.g., the pedal base 806b pushed downwardly by a user’s foot or hand pushing on the first foot support 836a, relative to the base 826 and the frame 810, to move the release mechanism 806 from the resting configuration to the actuated configuration. The pedal 806a is thus configured to be pushed in an opposite direction, downwardly, from movement of the hooks 804, which move upwardly. As discussed further below, the safety lock 806e is configured to move with the pedal 806a when the pedal 806a is actuated to lock the release mechanism 806 in the actuated configuration.

[0438] The pedal 806a is configured to be moved upwardly, e.g., the pedal base 806b pushed upwardly by a user’s foot or hand pushing on the second foot support 836b, relative to the base 826 and the frame 810, to move the release mechanism 806 from the actuated configuration to the resting configuration. The pedal 806a is thus configured to be pushed in an opposite direction, upwardly, from movement of the hooks 804, which move downwardly. As discussed further below, the safety lock 806e in an unlocked configuration is configured to allow the actuation of the pedal 806a with the release mechanism 906 in the actuated configuration.

[0439] The safety lock 806e is configured to prevent accidental actuation of the release mechanism 806, e.g., the pedal 806a. The safety lock 806e is thus configured to prevent accidental movement of the pedal 806a. The safety lock 806e is configured to move between an unlocked configuration, in which actuation of the release mechanism 806 (e.g., pushing of the pedal 806a) is allowed, and a locked configuration, in which actuation of the release mechanism 806 (e.g., pushing of the pedal 806a) is prevented. FIGS. 9A- 9H and 9K show the safety lock 806e in the unlocked configuration. FIGS. 91 and 9J show the safety lock 806e in the locked configuration.

[0440] As in this illustrated implementation, the cart 800 can include a visual indicator 807 (see FIG. 8D) that indicates to a user whether the safety lock 806e is unlocked. The user may thus easily visually notice that the safety lock 806e is unlocked and lock the safety lock 806e if desired so the pedal 806a is not accidentally pushed to move the hooks 804. The visual indicator 807 is provided on a cover 826a of the base 826 in this illustrated implementation but can be provided elsewhere.

[0441] The visual indicator 807 can have a variety of configurations. For example, as in this illustrated implementation, the visual indicator 807 can include an unlocked padlock symbol etched in, printed on,Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO adhered to as a sticker, or otherwise on the cart 800. For another example, the visual indicator 807 can include text etched in, printed on, adhered to as a sticker, or otherwise on the cart 800.

[0442] The safety lock 806e is configured to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the actuation of the release mechanism 806, e.g., pushing of the pedal 806a. Thus, with the release mechanism 806 in the actuated configuration, the safety lock 806e is configure to automatically be in the locked configuration. The hooks 804 may thus be automatically locked in the upper position to help prevent accidental disengagement of the hooks 804 from a container.

[0443] The safety lock 806e is configured to be moved manually from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration. A user must therefore take an action, e.g., manually move the safety lock 806e, before the hooks 804 are moveable from the upper position to the lower position, which may help prevent accidental disengagement of the hooks 804 from a container.

[0444] The safety lock 806e can have a variety of configurations. As in this illustrated implementation, the safety lock 806e can include a slider 806f and a bias element 806g configured to apply a bias force to the slider 806f. The slider 806f is shown as a standalone element in FIGS. 90 and 9P.

[0445] As shown in FIGS. 90 and 9P, the safety lock 806e includes a tooth 806j . The tooth 806j is configured as a key configured to interact with the pedal 806a, e.g., with the pair of protrusions 806h of the pedal 806a. With the safety lock’s tooth 806j seated in the pedal’s slot 806i, e.g., with the key 806j seated in the keyhole 806i, the safety lock 806e is in the locked configuration. Without the safety lock’s tooth 806j being seated in the pedal’s slot 806i, e.g., without the key 806j being seated in the keyhole 806i, the safety lock 806e is in the unlocked configuration.

[0446] In the illustrated implementation of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the cart’s pedal 806a includes a single pair of protrusions 806h and the cart’s safety lock 806e includes a corresponding single tooth 806j. However, a cart’s pedal 806a can include a plurality of pairs of protrusions and the cart’s safety lock can includes a corresponding plurality of teeth.

[0447] FIGS. 9Q-9U illustrate the interaction between the pedal 806a and the safety lock 806e. FIG. 9Q shows the hooks 804 in the lower position and the safety lock 806e in the unlocked configuration. Thus, in FIG. 9Q, the pedal 806a may be actuated, the safety lock’s tooth 806j is not seated in the pedal’s slot 806i, and the bias element 806g is compressed. The safety lock’s tooth 806j abuts one of the pedal’s protrusions 806h under the force of the bias element 806g.

[0448] FIG. 9R shows the pedal 806a having been actuated from its position in FIG. 9Q. Thus, in FIG. 9R, the hooks 804 are in the upper position. The pedal 806a being actuated moves the pedal 806a relative to the slider lock 806e such that the safety lock’s protrusion 806j becomes aligned with the pedal’s slot 806i. The slider lock 806e is thus free to slide automatically in a first direction 809a under the force of the bias element 806g from the unlocked configuration, shown in FIG. 9R, to the locked configuration, shown in FIG. 9S. Thus, in FIG. 9S, the safety lock’s tooth 806j is seated in the pedal’s slot 806i, which prevents the pedal 806a from being actuated. Also in FIG. 9S, the bias element 806g is decompressed.

[0449] At a user’s discretion, the safety lock 806e can be moved manually from the lockedAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO configuration of FIG. 9S back to the unlocked configuration by sliding the safety lock 806e in a second direction 809b, as shown in FIG. 9T. For example, the user can use their foot or hand to move the slider 806f. With the safety lock 806e in the unlocked configuration, the pedal 806a can be actuated again, e.g., by the user pushing on the second foot support 836b, to move the hooks 804 from the upper position to the lower position, as shown in FIG. 9U.

[0450] The method 100 of FIG. 2 shows one implementation of attaching the cart 800 of FIGS. 9A and 9B to a container. The method 100 is discussed again below with particular reference to the cart 800 of FIGS. 9A and 9B.

[0451] The method 100 includes positioning 102 the cart 800 next to a container, for example by rolling the wheels 808 of the cart 800 along the ground (or other support surface) to position the cart 800 to be adjacent to the container. The cart 800 is positioned 102 behind the container next to the container body’s back side and in the normal position. With the cart 800 positioned 102 next to and behind the container 801, the release mechanism 806 is actuated, e.g., the pedal 806a is actuated by being pushed downwardly, to cause the hooks 804 to move upwardly into respective upper recesses of the container and to cause the safety lock 806e to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration.

[0452] One or more additional containers can optionally be stacked 106 on top of the container before and / or after the container is attached to the cart 800.

[0453] Once the one or more additional containers are stacked 106 on top of the container, if any, the container and, if present, the one or more additional containers, are transported 108 using the cart 800. For example, the container(s) are transported 108 by a user holding the frame 810, e.g., holding the inner frame 810a, and pushing and / or pulling the cart 800 to roll the wheels 808 of the cart 800 on the ground or other support surface. In an exemplary implementation, the cart 800 is tilted backward toward the user during the transport 108. Before beginning to transport 108 the cart 800, the user can choose to step on the foot support, e.g., the first foot support 836a, to aid in moving the cart 800 from the normal position to an angled position by inclining the cart 800 backwards. A downward force applied to the foot support by a user stepping on the foot support will not cause the release mechanism 806 to be actuated because the pedal 806a of the release mechanism 806 is in its lowermost position with the release mechanism 806 in the actuated configuration and the cart 800 attached to the container with the hooks 804 seated in the container’s upper recesses.

[0454] Once the container and, if present, the one or more additional containers, have been transported 108 to a desired end location, the safety lock 806e is moved manually from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration and, with the safety lock 806e unlocked, the release mechanism 806 of the cart 800 is actuated 110 again by a user, e.g., by pushing on the second first foot support 836b, to cause the hooks 804 to move downwardly out of the respective upper recesses of the container. The cart 800 can then be moved away from the container.

[0455] With the cart 800 detached from the container, the method 100 can be performed any number of additional times to attach the cart 800 to the same container or to a different container.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO

[0456] FIGS. 9V and 9W illustrate another implementation of a cart 800'. The cart 800' of FIGS. 9V and 9W is generally configured and used similar to the cart 800 of FIGS. 9A and 9B and is thus not particularly described again except for some differences discussed below. FIG. 9V shows the cart 800 attached to the container 202 of FIGS. 3D-3F. FIG. 9W shows the cart 800 not attached to the container 202 but with the cart’s hooks 804' in an upper position configured for attachment to the container 202 or other container.

[0457] In this illustrated implementation, the cart 800' does not include a flexible handle strap 811 but does include a pair of handle holds 811' to facilitate user handling of the cart 800. The handle holds 811' are attached to the cart’s frame 810', e.g., inner frame 810a'.

[0458] In this illustrated implementation, the cart 800' includes a stand 813' to help stably position the cart 800 in a normal position. Unlike the stand 813 of the cart 800 of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the stand 813' in this illustrated implementation, as shown in FIG. 9X, includes a shelf 813a'. The shelf 813a' provides a surface against which a user may press, e.g., with a foot or hand, to facilitate pivoting of the stand 813' between its extended and stowed configurations. The stand 813' is shown in the stowed configuration in FIG. 9X.

[0459] In the illustrated implementation of FIGS. 9V, 9W, and 9Y-9AA, the cart’s pedal 806a' includes two protrusions 806h' and the cart’s safety lock, e.g., slider 806f, includes two corresponding teeth 806j'. Instead of each of the safety lock’s teeth 806j ' sliding into a slot defined by a corresponding pair of protrusions of the pedal 806a', each of the safety lock’s teeth 806j ' slides into a space adjacent its corresponding protrusion 806h' of the pedal 806a.

[0460] FIGS. 9Y and 9Z also show that the hooks 804' in this illustrated implementation have a different shape than the hooks 804 of the cart 800 of FIGS. 9A and 9B.

[0461] One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, this disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0462] The present disclosure has been described above by way of example only within the context of the overall disclosure provided herein. It will be appreciated that modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims may be made without departing from the overall scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WOWhat is claimed is:

1. A cart, comprising: a frame; a first wheel positioned at a bottom of the frame and configured to roll on a support surface; a second wheel positioned at the bottom of the frame and configured to roll on the support surface; and a hook coupled to the frame and located between the first and second wheels, the hook being configured to releasably and selectively attach to a first container having a first width and to a second container having a second width that is greater than the first width.

2. The cart of claim 1, wherein the hook is configured to be releasably seated in a recess of the selected first container or second container with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the selected first container or second container resting on the support surface.

3. The cart of claim 2, wherein the hook is configured to be releasably seated in the recess with an additional container stacked on top of the selected first container or second container.

4. The cart of claim 3, wherein the hook is configured to move relative to the selected first container or second container between a first position, in which the hook is not seated in the recess, and a second position, in which the hook is seated in the recess.

5. The cart of claim 4, wherein the movement of the hook is also relative to the frame.

6. The cart of claim 4, wherein the movement of the hook is with the frame.

7. The cart of claim 4, wherein the hook is configured to be releasably seated in the recess with the hook positioned next to a rear side of the selected first container or second container.

8. The cart of claim 2, further comprising a release mechanism operatively coupled to the hook; wherein, with the hook releasably seated in the recess, the release mechanism is configured to be actuated such that the hook is no longer seated in the recess.

9. The cart of claim 2, wherein the hook is configured to move automatically into the recess in response to the hook contacting a surface of the selected first container or second container.

10. The cart of claim 2, further comprising an actuator operatively coupled to the hook; wherein the actuator is configured to be actuated by a user such that the hook is seated in the recess.

11. The cart of claim 10, further comprising a lock configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the lock prevents the actuation of the actuator, and an unlocked configuration, in which the lock does not prevent the actuation of the actuator.

12. The cart of claim 1, wherein the hook extends upwardly; the hook is configured to be releasably seated in a first recess of the selected first container or second container, the first recess opening downwardly;Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO the cart further comprises a projection extending downwardly; and the projection is configured to be releasably seated in a second recess of the selected first container or second container, the second recess opening upwardly.

13. The cart of claim 12, wherein the hook is configured to be releasably seated in the first recess and the projection is configured to be releasably seated in the second recess with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the selected first container or second container resting on the support surface.

14. The cart of claim 12, wherein the hook is configured to be releasably seated in the first recess after the projection is releasably seated in the second recess.

15. The cart of claim 1, wherein the frame defines a handle; and a height of the handle is adjustable relative to the first and second wheels and the hook.

16. The cart of claim 1, wherein the first wheel is at a fixed distance from the second wheel; and each of the first and second widths is less than the fixed distance.

17. The cart of claim 1, wherein the first wheel is at a distance from the second wheel that is configured to be adjusted between a maximum distance and a minimum distance; and each of the first and second widths is less than each of the maximum and minimum distances.

18. The cart of claim 1, wherein the first and second containers each have a same height.

19. The cart of claim 1, wherein the first container has a first height, and the second container has a second height that is different from the first height.

20. A system comprising the cart and the first and second containers of claim 1.

21. A cart, comprising: a frame; a first wheel axle coupled to the frame, the first wheel axle defining a first longitudinal axis; a second wheel axle coupled to the frame, the second wheel axle defining a second longitudinal axis that is coaxial with the first longitudinal axis; a first wheel coupled to the first wheel axle and configured to rotate about the first longitudinal axis to roll on a support surface; a second wheel coupled to the second wheel axle and configured to rotate about the second longitudinal axis to roll on the support surface, the first wheel being at a lateral distance from the second wheel that is configured to be adjusted between a maximum distance and a minimum distance; a hook coupled to the frame and located between the first and second wheels, the hook being configured to releasably attach to a container; and a lock coupled to the first and second wheel axles and configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the first and second wheel axles are prevented from moving laterally relative to the frame, and an unlocked configuration, in which the first and second wheel axles are allowed to move laterally relative to the frame to adjust the lateral distance.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO22. The cart of claim 21, wherein, with the lock in the locked configuration, the lateral distance cannot be adjusted; and with the lock in the unlocked configuration, the distance is configured to be adjusted by moving the first and second wheel axles laterally relative to the frame.

23. The cart of claim 21, wherein the lock includes a first lock coupled to the first wheel axle and configured to move between the locked configuration, in which the first wheel axle is prevented from moving laterally relative to the frame, and the unlocked configuration, in which the first wheel axle is allowed to move laterally relative to the frame to adjust the lateral distance; and the lock includes a second lock coupled to the second wheel axle and configured to move between the locked configuration, in which the second wheel axle is prevented from moving laterally relative to the frame, and the unlocked configuration, in which the second wheel axle is allowed to move laterally relative to the frame to adjust the lateral distance.

24. The cart of claim 23, wherein the first lock comprises a first pin; with the first lock in the locked position, the first pin engages the first wheel axle; with the first lock in the unlocked position, the first pin is out of engagement from the first wheel axle; the second lock comprises a second pin; with the second lock in the locked position, the second pin engages the second wheel axle; with the second lock in the unlocked position, the second pin is out of engagement from the second wheel axle.

25. The cart of claim 24, wherein the first lock further comprises a first spring configured to bias the first pin into engagement with the first wheel axle; and the second lock further comprises a second spring configured to bias the second pin into engagement with the second wheel axle.

26. The cart of claim 21, wherein, with the first and second wheels at the minimum distance, the hook is configured to releasably attach to the container having a first width; with the first and second wheels at the maximum distance, the hook is configured to releasably attach to the container having a second width that is greater than the first width; and the second width is greater than the minimum distance.

27. The cart of claim 21, further comprising a release mechanism coupled to the hook; wherein, with the hook releasably attached to the container, the release mechanism is configured to be actuated such that the hook is no longer releasably attached to the container.

28. The cart of claim 21, wherein the hook is configured to move upwardly relative to the frame and the first and second wheels to releasably attach to the container; and the hook is configured to move downwardly relative to the frame and the first and second wheels to detach from the container.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO29. The cart of claim 28, further comprising a crossbar coupled to the hook and extending between opposed legs of the frame; the crossbar is configured to move upwardly along the frame to move the hook upwardly relative to the frame; and the crossbar is configured to move downwardly along the frame to move the hook downwardly relative to the frame.

30. The cart of claim 29, further comprising a second lock coupled to the crossbar and configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the crossbar and the hook are prevented from moving upwardly or downwardly relative to the frame, and an unlocked configuration, in which the crossbar and the hook are allowed to move upwardly or downwardly relative to the frame.

31. A system comprising the cart and the container of claim 21.

32. A cart, comprising: a frame; a first wheel positioned at a bottom of the frame and configured to roll on a support surface; a second wheel positioned at the bottom of the frame and configured to roll on the support surface; and a first hook coupled to the frame and located between the first and second wheels in a substantially horizontal direction; and a second hook coupled to the frame and located between the first and second wheels in the substantially horizontal direction; wherein the first hook is configured to move substantially vertically relative to the frame by contacting a first surface of a container and the second hook is configured to move substantially vertically relative to the frame by contacting a second surface of the container to releasably attach the cart to a container.

33. The cart of claim 32, wherein, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the container resting on the support surface, the first hook is configured to be releasably seated in a first recess of the container and the second hook is configured to be releasably seated in a second recess of the container.

34. The cart of claim 33, wherein the first hook is configured to be releasably seated in the first recess and the second hook is configured to be releasably seated in the second recess with an additional container stacked on top of the container.

35. The cart of claim 33, wherein the first surface overhangs the first recess, and the first hook is configured to slide along the first surface before entering the first recess; and the second surface overhangs the second recess, and the second hook is configured to slide along the second surface before entering the second recess.

36. The cart of claim 35, further comprising a first biasing element configured to bias the first hookAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO upwardly; and a second biasing element configured to bias the second hook upwardly; wherein the first hook extends upwardly; the first recess opens downwardly; the second hook extends upwardly; and the second recess opens downwardly.

37. The cart of claim 33, wherein the first hook is configured to contact the first surface and be releasably seated in the first recess with the first hook positioned next to a rear side of the container; and the second hook is configured to contact the second surface and be releasably seated in the second recess with the second hook positioned next to the rear side of the container.

38. The cart of claim 33, further comprising a release mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second hooks; wherein, with the cart attached to the container, the release mechanism is configured to be actuated by a user to simultaneously move the first hook out of the first recess and the second hook out of the second recess.

39. The cart of claim 33, further comprising a projection extending downwardly; wherein the first and second hooks extend upwardly; and the projection is configured to, prior to the first and second hooks being releasably seated in the first and second recesses, be releasably seated in a third recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface.

40. The cart of claim 32, wherein the first hook is configured to contact the first surface and the second hook is configured to contact the second surface with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the container resting on the support surface.

41. The cart of claim 32, further comprising a base extending between opposed legs of the frame; the first and second wheels are positioned on opposed sides of the base; the movement of the first hook is also relative to the base; and the movement of the second hook is also relative to the base.

42. The cart of claim 32, wherein the frame defines a handle; a height of the handle is adjustable relative to the first and second wheels and to the first and second hooks.

43. The cart of claim 32, further comprising a release mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second hooks; wherein, with the cart attached to the container, the release mechanism is configured to be actuated by a user to detach the cart from the container.

44. The cart of claim 32, wherein the first hook is configured to contact the first surface simultaneously with the second hook contacting the second surface.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO45. The cart of claim 32, further comprising a projection extending downwardly; wherein the first and second hooks extend upwardly; the projection is configured to, prior to the first hook contacting the first surface and the second hook contacting the second surface, be releasably seated in a recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface; and the recess opens upwardly.

46. A system comprising the cart and the container of claim 32.

47. A cart, comprising: a frame; a first wheel coupled to the frame and configured to roll on a support surface; a second wheel coupled to the frame, spaced substantially horizontally from the first wheel, and configured to roll on the support surface; first and second hooks coupled to the frame and extending substantially vertically; and a pedal configured to, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface, be moved by a foot of a user relative to the frame and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to a container.

48. The cart of claim 47, wherein the movement of the first and second hooks substantially vertically upward is configured to cause the first and second hooks to be seated respectively in first and second recesses of the container.

49. The cart of claim 48, further comprising a projection extending downwardly; wherein the first and second hooks extend upwardly; and the projection is configured to, prior to the first and second hooks being releasably seated in the first and second recesses, be releasably seated in a third recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface.

50. The cart of claim 47, wherein the first and second hooks are configured to attach to the container with the container, the first wheel, and the second wheel resting on the support surface and with an additional container stacked on top of container.

51. The cart of claim 47, further comprising a projection extending downwardly; wherein the first and second hooks extend upwardly; the projection is configured to be releasably seated in a recess of the container; and the recess opens upwardly.

52. The cart of claim 47, wherein the movement of the pedal is configured to cause the first and second hooks to move a predetermined distance substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to the container; and the pedal is configured to be moved again by the foot of the user to cause the first and secondAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO hooks to move the predetermined distance substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks from the container.

53. The cart of claim 47, further comprising a base extending between opposed legs of the frame; the first and second hooks extend upwardly from the base; the first and second wheels are positioned on opposed sides of the base; and the movement of the pedal is relative to the base.

54. The cart of claim 53, wherein the pedal is pivotally attached to the base and pivotally attached to the first and second hooks; the cart further comprises a plurality of linkages, each of the plurality of linkages being pivotally attached to the base and pivotally attached to the pedal; and the cart further comprises a lock pivotally attached to the pedal, the lock being configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the pedal is prevented from being moved relative to the base, and an unlocked configuration, in which the pedal is allowed to move relative to the base.

55. The cart of claim 54, wherein the lock is configured to move automatically between the unlocked and locked configurations.

56. The cart of claim 54, wherein the pedal is configured to be moved again by the foot of the user relative to the frame and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks from the container.

57. The cart of claim 53, wherein the base has an elongate slot formed therein; the cart further comprises a rod slidably seated in the elongate slot; the movement of the pedal is configured to cause the rod to slide in a first direction in the elongate slot; and the pedal is configured to be moved again by a foot of the user to cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks from the container and to cause the rod to slide in a second direction in the elongate slot that is opposite to the first direction.

58. The cart of claim 53, wherein the pedal is pivotally attached to the base; and the cart further comprises a lock, the lock being configured to be moved laterally by a user from a locked configuration, in which the pedal is mechanically engaged with the lock and prevented from being moved relative to the base, to an unlocked configuration, in which the pedal is not mechanically engaged with the lock and is allowed to move relative to the base.

59. A system comprising the cart and the container of claim 47.

60. A cart, comprising: a frame with an upper portion and a lower portion; a first wheel coupled to the frame and configured to roll on a support surface; a second wheel coupled to the frame, spaced substantially horizontally from the first wheel, andAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO configured to roll on the support surface; and first and second hooks coupled to the frame and extending substantially vertically; the upper portion of the frame is configured to, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface, be moved by a user relative to the lower portion of the frame and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to a container.

61. The cart of claim 60, wherein the movement of the first and second hooks substantially vertically upward is configured to cause the first and second hooks to be seated respectively in first and second recesses of the container.

62. The cart of claim 61, further comprising a projection extending downwardly; wherein the first and second hooks extend upwardly; and the projection is configured to, prior to the first and second hooks being releasably seated in the first and second recesses, be releasably seated in a third recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface.

63. The cart of claim 60, wherein the first and second hooks are configured to attach to the container with the container, the first wheel, and the second wheel resting on the support surface and with an additional container stacked on top of container.

64. The cart of claim 60, further comprising a projection extending downwardly; wherein the first and second hooks extend upwardly; the projection is configured to be releasably seated in a recess of the container; and the recess opens upwardly.

65. The cart of claim 60, wherein movement of the upper portion of the frame substantially vertically upward relative to the lower portion of the frame is configured to cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to the container; and movement of the upper portion of the frame substantially vertically downward relative to the lower portion of the frame is configured to cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks to the container.

66. The cart of claim 65, further comprising a sleeve sleeved over the frame; wherein the sleeve is movable between a first position, in which the sleeve prevents the upper portion of the frame from moving substantially vertically upward or downward relative to the lower portion of the frame, and a second position, in which the sleeve allows the upper portion of the frame to move substantially vertically upward and downward relative to the lower portion of the frame.

67. The cart of claim 66, wherein, in the first position, the sleeve is sleeved over a pivot point between the upper and lower portions of the frame; in the second position, the sleeve is not sleeved over the pivot point; andAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO the upper portion of the frame moving substantially vertically upward or downward is configured to cause the upper and lower portions of the frame to be angled relative to one another at the pivot point.

68. The cart of claim 66, wherein the sleeve is configured to be manually moved by a user from the first position to the second position; and the movement of the upper portion of the frame substantially vertically upward is configured to cause the sleeve to move automatically from the second position to the first position.

69. A system comprising the cart and the container of claim 60.

70. A cart, comprising: a frame having a plurality of pairs of grooves formed in opposed legs of the frame; a first wheel coupled to the frame and configured to roll on a support surface; a second wheel coupled to the frame and configured to roll on the support surface; a hook located between the first and second wheels and configured to releasably attach to a container; and a base coupled to the hook, the base comprising: a body extending substantially horizontally between the opposed legs of the frame, a first pin positioned at a first end of the body and configured to be releasably seated in a first selected one of the grooves, and a second pin positioned at a second end of the body and configured to be releasably seated in a second selected one of the grooves; wherein the base is configured to move substantially vertically relative to the frame and thereby adjust a vertical location of the hook relative to the frame between a plurality of vertical locations defined by the plurality of pairs of grooves.

71. The cart of claim 70, wherein: the base further comprises: a first bias element configured to bias the first pin laterally outward, and a second bias element configured to bias the second pin laterally outward; and the first and second bias elements are configured to urge the first and second pins into one of the plurality of pairs of grooves in response to the first and second pins becoming aligned with the one of the plurality of pairs of grooves.

72. The cart of claim 70, wherein the base further comprises an actuator configured to be actuated by a user to cause the first and second pins to move laterally inward and out of engagement with the first and second selected ones of the grooves to allow the base to move substantially vertically relative to the frame.

73. The cart of claim 72, wherein the first and second pins are configured to move laterally and automatically into engagement with third and fourth selected ones of the grooves in response to becoming aligned with the third and fourth selected ones of the grooves.Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO74. The cart of claim 72, wherein the actuator is configured to be moved by the user from a resting configuration to an actuated configuration; and the base further comprises a bias element configured to bias the actuator to the resting configuration.

75. The cart of claim 74, wherein the base further comprises a lock configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the lock prevents the actuator from moving from the resting configuration to the actuated configuration, and an unlocked configuration, in which the lock allows the actuator from moving from the resting configuration to the actuated configuration.

76. The cart of claim 75, wherein the lock is configured to move automatically between the locked and unlocked configurations.

77. The cart of claim 75, wherein the lock is configured to be moved manually by a user between the locked and unlocked configurations.

78. The cart of claim 75, wherein the lock comprises: a first lock configured to: move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the cart being pivoted from a normal position relative to the support surface to an angled position relative to the support surface, and move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to the cart being pivoted from the angled position relative to the support surface to the normal position relative to the support surface, and a second lock configured to be moved manually by a user between the locked and unlocked configurations.

79. The cart of claim 70, wherein the base further comprises a lock configured to move between a locked configuration, in which the lock prevents the base from moving substantially vertically relative to the frame, and an unlocked configuration, in which the lock does not prevent the base from moving substantially vertically relative to the frame.

80. The cart of claim 79, wherein the lock is configured to move automatically between the locked and unlocked configurations.

81. The cart of claim 79, wherein the lock is configured to be moved manually by a user between the locked and unlocked configurations.

82. The cart of claim 79, wherein the lock comprises: a first lock configured to: move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the cart being pivoted from a normal position relative to the support surface to an angled position relative to the support surface, and move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration inAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO response to the cart being pivoted from the angled position relative to the support surface to the normal position relative to the support surface, and a second lock configured to be moved manually by a user between the locked and unlocked configurations.

83. The cart of claim 70, wherein the plurality of pairs of grooves includes a first pair of grooves and second pair of grooves; the base moving substantially vertically upward relative to the frame is configured to cause the first and second pins from being seated in the first pair of grooves to being seated in the second pair of grooves; and the base moving substantially vertically downward relative to the frame is configured to cause the first and second pins from being seated in the pair of second grooves to being seated in the first pair of grooves.

84. The cart of claim 83, wherein the base moving substantially vertically upward relative to the frame is configured to cause the hook to be seated in a recess of the container to attach the cart to the container; and the base moving substantially vertically downward relative to the frame is configured to cause the container to detach the cart from the container.

85. The cart of claim 84, wherein the hook extends upwardly; the hook is configured to be releasably seated in a first recess of the container, the first recess opening downwardly; the cart further comprises a projection extending downwardly; and the projection is configured to be releasably seated in a second recess of the container before the hook is seated in the first recess, the second recess opening upwardly.

86. The cart of claim 70, wherein the hook is configured to be attached to a selected one of a plurality of containers; each of the plurality of containers has a different height from the other containers; and each of the plurality of vertical locations corresponds to the height of one of the plurality of containers.

87. The cart of claim 70, wherein the frame defines a handle; and a height of the handle is adjustable relative to the first and second wheels, the hook, and the base.

88. The cart of claim 70, wherein the hook is one of: integrally formed with the base, and an independent element attached to the base.

89. A system comprising the cart and the container of claim 70.

90. A cart, comprising: a frame;Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO a first wheel coupled to the frame and configured to roll on a support surface; a second wheel coupled to the frame, spaced substantially horizontally from the first wheel, and configured to roll on the support surface; first and second hooks coupled to the frame and extending substantially vertically; an actuator configured to, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface, be actuated by a user and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically upward to simultaneously attach the first and second hooks to a container; and a lock configured to move from a locked configuration, in which the lock prevents the actuator from being actuated, to an unlocked configuration, in which the lock allows the actuator to be actuated, in response to a predetermined movement of the cart by a user.

91. The cart of claim 90, wherein, with the first and second wheels resting on the support surface and with the container resting on the support surface, the first hook is configured to be releasably seated in a first recess of the container and the second hook is configured to be releasably seated in a second recess of the container.

92. The cart of claim 91, wherein the first hook is configured to be releasably seated in the first recess and the second hook is configured to be releasably seated in the second recess with an additional container stacked on top of the container.

93. The cart of claim 90, further comprising a projection extending downwardly; wherein the first and second hooks extend upwardly; the projection is configured to, prior to the first and second hooks being attached to the container, be releasably seated in a recess of the container by pivoting the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface; and the actuator is configured to be actuated with the cart in the normal position.

94. The cart of claim 90, wherein the actuator is configured to be actuated again and thereby cause the first and second hooks to move substantially vertically downward to simultaneously detach the first and second hooks from the container.

95. The cart of claim 90, wherein the lock is configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration; the actuator comprises a pedal configured to be actuated by being moved by a foot of a user; and the predetermined movement is the movement of the pedal.

96. The cart of claim 95, wherein the lock is configured to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the pedal being moved again by the foot of the user.

97. The cart of claim 90, further comprising a base extending between opposed legs of the frame; the first and second hooks extend upwardly from the base; the first and second wheels are positioned on opposed sides of the base;Attorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO the actuator comprises a foot pedal; and the actuation is configured to move the foot pedal relative to the base.

98. The cart of claim 97, wherein the foot pedal is pivotally attached to the base, pivotally attached to the lock, and pivotally attached to the first and second hooks; and the cart further comprises a plurality of linkages, each of the plurality of linkages being pivotally attached to the base and pivotally attached to the foot pedal.

99. The cart of claim 98, further comprising a support attached to the base; wherein the lock is configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration; the lock is engaged with the support with the lock in the locked configuration; and the lock is not engaged with the support with the lock in the unlocked configuration.

100. The cart of claim 90, wherein the lock is configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration; and the lock comprises a ball configured to roll relative to the actuator between a first position, in which the ball abuts the actuator and prevents the actuator from being actuated, and a second position, in which the ball does not abut the actuator and allows the actuator to be actuated.

101. The cart of claim 90, wherein the lock is configured to move automatically from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration; and the predetermined movement is a pivoting of the cart from an angled position relative to the support surface to a normal position relative to the support surface.

102. The cart of claim 101, wherein the lock is configured to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration in response to the pedal being moved from the normal position to the angled position.

103. The cart of claim 101, further comprising a base coupled to the hook, the base comprising: the actuator, the lock, a body extending substantially horizontally between the opposed legs of the frame, a first pin positioned at a first end of the body, and a second pin positioned at a second end of the body; wherein the base is configured to move substantially vertically relative to the frame and thereby adjust a vertical location of the hook relative to the frame between a plurality of vertical locations.

104. The cart of claim 103, wherein the base has a guide rail formed therein; and the lock comprises a ball configured to roll along the guide rail between a first position, in which the ball prevents the actuator from being actuated, and a second position, in which the ball allows the actuator to be actuated.

105. The cart of claim 90, wherein the lock is configured to be moved manually by a user from theAttorney Docket No.: 059799-601F01WO locked configuration to the unlocked configuration; the lock is configured to move automatically from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration; the actuator comprises a pedal configured to be actuated by being moved by a foot of a user; and the predetermined movement is the movement of the pedal.

106. A system comprising the cart and the container of claim 90.

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