Multifunctional scaffolding and pushcart convertible utility device

Abstract

A multi-functional utility apparatus that is convertible between a scaffold configuration and a pushcart configuration. A pivotal coupling assembly between first and second subframes allows the subframes to be expanded for use as a scaffolding or collapsed for use as a pushcart.

1 . A multifunctional utility device comprising:
 a support platform;   a first subframe assembly; and   a second subframe assembly;   wherein the first and second subframe assemblies are convertible between a first configuration forming a scaffolding with the support platform in an elevated position and a second configuration forming a pushcart with the support platform in a lowered position.   
     
     
         2 . The multifunctional utility device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second subframe assemblies are pivotally coupled to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The multifunctional utility device of  claim 2 , further comprising a third subframe assembly pivotally coupled between the first and second subframe assemblies. 
     
     
         4 . The multifunctional utility device of  claim 1 , wherein the support platform comprises a generally planar platform and a support frame, and wherein the support frame comprises at least one pin coupling for attachment of the support platform to at least one of the first and second subframe assemblies. 
     
     
         5 . The multifunctional utility device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second subframe assemblies comprises a parallel pair of siderails having a plurality of rungs affixed between the siderails and generally perpendicular thereto. 
     
     
         6 . The multifunctional utility device of  claim 5 , wherein the support platform is re-positionable at different elevations by placement of the platform onto selected corresponding pairs of the plurality of rungs. 
     
     
         7 . The multifunctional utility device of  claim 6 , wherein the support platform can be installed between front siderails of the first and second subframe assemblies, and positioned by sliding the support platform along the selected corresponding pair of rungs. 
     
     
         8 . The multifunctional utility device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second subframe assemblies comprise axial caster wheels extending axially from an end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The multifunctional utility device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second subframe assemblies comprises side caster wheels extending transversely outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         10 . The multifunctional utility device of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle that is repositionable from a first handle position generally aligned with the first subframe assembly in the first configuration and a second handle position generally perpendicular to the first subframe assembly in the second configuration. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus convertible from a rolling carrier to an elevated support structure, the apparatus comprising:
 a support platform;   first and second outer subframes; and   a central subassembly pivotally coupling the first and second outer subframes and allowing the first and second outer subframes to move between a rolling carrier configuration wherein the support platform is positioned at a first elevation and an elevated support structure configuration wherein the support platform is positioned at a second elevation higher than the first elevation.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the support platform is repositionable in the elevated support structure configuration to a plurality of different second elevations. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the central subassembly comprises first and second subassembly halves, and further comprising a first hinged connection between the first and second subassembly halves, a second hinged connection between the first outer subframe and the first subassembly half, and a third hinged connection between the second outer subframe and the second subassembly half. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising wheels for allowing movement of the apparatus in the rolling carrier configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising wheels for allowing movement of the apparatus in the elevated support structure configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a first set of wheels extending axially from the first and second outer subframes for allowing movement of the apparatus in the elevated support structure configuration, and a second set of wheels extending transversely from one of the first and second outer subframes for allowing movement of the apparatus in the rolling carrier configuration. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a handle positionable generally perpendicular to one of the first and second outer subframes in the rolling carrier configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the handle is repositionable to be generally aligned with one of the first and second outer subframes in the elevated support structure configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second outer subframes comprise a pair of generally parallel siderails and a plurality of rungs extending between and generally perpendicular to the siderails. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the support platform comprises at least one pin connector for engagement within a corresponding receiver of the first and second outer subframes. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the support platform further comprises at least one fin for sliding engagement with a rung of one of the first and second outer subframes. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the rung is affixed to an inside face of an upright siderail of one of the first and second outer subframes, and the support platform can be installed between the first and second outer subframes and positioned by sliding the at least one fin along the rung. 
     
     
         23 . A convertible pushcart/scaffolding apparatus comprising:
 a first subframe assembly comprising a first pair of generally parallel siderails and a first plurality of rungs extending between and generally perpendicular to the first pair of siderails, and a first pair of axial caster wheels extending axially from ends of the first pair of siderails;   a second subframe assembly comprising a second pair of generally parallel siderails and a second plurality of rungs extending between and generally perpendicular to the second pair of siderails, a second pair of axial caster wheels extending axially from ends of the second pair of siderails, and side caster wheels extending transversely from the second pair of siderails;   a central subassembly comprising first and second subassembly halves, and further comprising a first hinged connection between the first and second subassembly halves, a second hinged connection between the first subframe assembly and the first subassembly half, and a third hinged connection between the second subframe assembly and the second subassembly half, whereby the central subassembly allows the first and second subframe assemblies to be reconfigured between (a) an expanded configuration wherein the first and second subassembly halves are extended linearly and the first and second subframe assemblies are spaced a greater distance away from one another, and (b) a collapsed configuration wherein the first and second subassembly halves are folded against one another and the first and second subframe assemblies are spaced a lesser distance away from one another; and   a platform repositionable between an elevated position when the first and second subframe assemblies are configured in the expanded configuration and a lower position when the first and second subframe assemblies are configured in the collapsed configuration.   
     
     
         24 . The convertible pushcart/scaffolding apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the first subframe assembly, the second subframe assembly and the central subassembly bound an interior space having an open front in the expanded configuration, and wherein the platform is installable through the open front onto a selected corresponding pair of the first and second pluralities of rungs. 
     
     
         25 . The convertible pushcart/scaffolding apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second pluralities of rungs are affixed to interior sides of the first and second pairs of siderails respectively, and wherein the platform comprises first and second fins on opposite sides thereof for engaging the selected pair of rungs and allowing the platform to be installed by sliding into place along the selected pair of rungs.