Utility cart with lock box

The present invention relates to the field of utility carts with lock boxes. Such carts are often used as cleaning carts. They typically include a wheeled base with a storage unit mounted thereon, a handle for moving the cart and for hanging items thereon, such as waste bags, and a lock box mounted on top of the storage unit. These lock boxes typically have doors which can be locked closed, flip up tops which can be locked closed, and in one case a tambour door.

The utility cart of the present invention includes a lock box comprising a fixed housing portion mounted to the top of the cart storage unit, and a rotating housing portion rotatably mounted to the fixed housing portion. The fixed housing portion includes spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through arcuate back wall, and an open front. The rotating housing portion includes spaced sidewalls joined to a clear see through arcuate front wall, and an open back. The rotating housing portion is dimensioned such that it can be rotated rearwardly up and over the fixed housing to provide access to items stored in the fixed housing portion, or under the closed rotating housing portion. Alternatively the rotating housing can be rotated forwardly and downwardly to enclose all items in the lock box. The items located in the lock box are visible whether the box is opened or closed.

These and other features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the preferred embodiments and the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment lock box utility cart;

FIG. 2 is a close up front perspective view of the closed lock box mounted on the top tray of the utility cart;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the assembled fixed and rotating housing portions only in closed condition;

FIG. 4 is a close up front perspective view of the open lock box mounted on the top tray of the utility cart, also showing various cleaning supplies located on the top tray of the cart;

FIG. 5 is a close up rear perspective view of the lock box mounted on the top tray of the utility cart; and

FIG. 6 is a close up of the locking mechanism of the lock box.

In the preferred embodiment, utility cart 1 has a base platform 10 with wheels 11 , a storage unit 20 and a lock box 30 mounted atop storage unit 20 ( FIG. 1 ). Lock box 30 includes a fixed housing portion 40 which is mounted to the top 21 of the cart storage unit 20 , and a rotating housing portion 50 rotatably mounted to fixed housing portion 40 at axle pins 55 ( FIGS. 1-3 ). The fixed housing portion includes spaced sidewalls 41 joined to a clear see through arcuate back wall 42 , and an open front ( FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 ). The rotating housing portion 50 includes spaced sidewalls 51 joined to a clear see through arcuate front wall 52 , and an open back. Sidewalls 41 and 52 are preferably made of metal or rigid plastic, and arcuate back wall 42 and arcuate front wall 52 are preferably made of clear plastic.

Both fixed housing 40 back wall 42 and rotating housing 50 front wall 52 define about a quarter of a cylinder, except for the lower front portion 52 a of front wall 52 , and the lower rear portion 42 a of back wall 42 ( FIG. 3 ). Front wall portion 52 a and back wall portion 42 a extend generally straight down from their junction with the arcuate portions of front and rear walls 52 and 42 respectively.

The axel pins 55 pass through over lapping portions of sidewalls 51 and 41 near their rear and front edges respectively. Axel pins 55 are also located at approximately the center of the cylinder portions defined by arcuate front wall 52 and arcuate back wall 42 , respectively.

Rotating housing portion 50 is dimensioned just slightly larger such that it can be rotated rearwardly up and over the fixed housing 40 to open the front of fixed housing 40 and provide access to items located in the fixed housing portion ( FIG. 4 ). This also provides access to items located in forwardly of fixed housing 40 , which are enclosed under rotating housing portion when it is in its closed position. Rotating housing portion 50 can be rotated forwardly and downwardly ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to close the open front of fixed housing 40 , and to cover those items located outside of and forwardly of fixed housing 40 . Thus all items in the lock box are thereby enclosed, and lock box 30 can be locked closed using key lock 60 ( FIG. 6 ). The items located in the lock box are visible whether the box is opened or closed.

Platform 10 preferably extends forwardly of storage unit 20 , such that a cleaning bucket and sundry other items can be carried thereon. Storage unit 20 as shown is a cabinet with a closeable door, a handle 22 projecting rearwardly therefrom and an auxiliary platform 24 located atop handle 22 . Hanger brackets 23 are positioned on cabinet 20 .

The top 21 of cabinet 20 comprises a tray, in that it includes an upwardly extending perimeter sidewall 21 a projecting a short distance above top 21 . Top 21 is sometimes referred to herein as tray 21 . Referring to FIG. 3 , it can be seen that sidewalls 41 of fixed housing 40 extend downwardly further than the sidewalls 51 of rotating housing 50 , to define a mounting portion 41 a , shown shaded in FIG. 3 . Similarly, the generally straight back wall portion 42 a of fixed housing 40 extends straight downwardly from the arcuate portion of back wall 42 , further than the front wall 52 of rotating housing 50 extends downwardly, to provide a back wall mounting portion 42 b . These lower mounting portions 41 a and 42 b fit down inside the perimeter tray sidewall 21 a and are secured thereto, to hold fixed housing portion in place over approximately half of top 21 . A notch 41 c at the rear lower edge of each sidewall 41 prevents that portion of sidewall 41 from hitting the rear perimeter wall 21 a of tray 20 and interfering with the insertion of rear wall mounting portion 41 b into tray 20 adjacent the rear portion of perimeter wall 21 a.

Rotating housing portion 50 is approximately the same shape as fixed housing portion 40 , but is dimensioned just slightly larger than fixed housing 40 from sidewall to sidewall, and in the radius of its arcuate front wall, such that it can be rotated up and over fixed housing 40 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , or can be rotated forwardly and downwardly into its closed position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the bottom edges of sidewalls 51 and front wall 52 resting on top of tray sidewall 21 a . An alignment flange 56 is secured to the inside of each rotating housing sidewall 51 , and extends a short distance below the bottom edge of sidewall 51 ( FIG. 4 ). As rotating housing 50 is lowered into its closed position, alignment flanges 56 pass down to the inside of, and closely adjacent to their adjacent portion of tray perimeter sidewall 21 a . Alignment flanges 56 help align the sides 51 of rotating housing 50 relative to the top edge of perimeter wall 21 a , and prevent rotary housing from wracking or shifting sideways relative to perimeter wall 21 a.

A handle flange 53 of “L” shaped cross section is secured to and extends across the width of rotating housing 50 at the bottom edge thereof ( FIG. 2 ). A similar handle flange 54 is secured to rotating housing 50 at the top edge thereof ( FIG. 5 ). Handle 53 and 54 facilitate rotation of housing 50 between its opened and closed positions. A stop 45 projects from the back of fixed housing 40 to limit the rotation of housing 50 to its open position.

Lock 60 is located near the bottom edge of front wall 51 of rotating housing 50 . Lock 60 includes a key lock locking cylinder 61 with a depending lock arm 62 having a notch 63 in the lower extremity thereof. When lock 60 is rotated to its lock position, notch 63 closes over a detent pin 25 which projects inwardly from front perimeter sidewall 21 a . In this manner, rotating housing 50 can be locked in its closed position.

In use, various containers of cleaning products or other items can be placed in the top tray 21 atop storage container 20 ( FIG. 4 ). Lock box 30 is opened by unlocking and rotating housing portion 50 to its open position, making the items in lock box 30 accessible for use. A cleaning bucket and other items can be placed on the forward portion of platform 10 and a refuse bag 2 hung from handle 22 . Items can be removed from tray 21 , used, temporarily located on handle platform 24 , and ultimately located back on tray 21 . After use, lock box 30 can be rotated closed and locked shut by lock 60 , thereby denying access to items located on tray 21 .

Of course, it is understood that the forgoing is a description of preferred embodiments, and that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.