Wheeled backpack cargo hauler

Abstract

A transport device in the form of a cart or cargo hauler is foldable to permit the device to be used in transport applications with narrow or constrained parameters. The device may be loaded or unloaded when folded or unfolded, providing a flexible implementation that improves ease of transport. The device may include one or more wheels or skis depending on a desired application. Handles may be provided that telescope and/or fold to provide a compact folded configuration. The transport device may be folded compactly so as to be carried with a backpack or shoulder harness. The handles may be attached to waist belt or shoulder harness to permit hands-free transport. The device is suitable for use over rough back country terrain or sand.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foldable transport device for transporting loads over a transport surface, comprising:
 a support member for supporting the device on the transport surface and including an upper extent;   a frame coupled to the support member, the frame being configured to support a load and including a first load beam with a load bearing portion that extends from below to above the upper extent of the support member in all folded/unfolded configurations;   a first rotating beam coupled to the frame by a first rotating joint;   wherein a portion of the first rotating beam near the first rotating joint is perpendicular to the load bearing portion when the device is in a fully unfolded state; and   wherein the portion of the first rotating beam is parallel to the load bearing portion when the frame is in a fully folded state.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member further comprises a wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1  further comprising a handle connected to the first rotating beam, wherein the handle is configured to be telescoping, collapsible or foldable. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment device for attaching the handle to a user for hands-free transport. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the attachment device is one or more of a waist belt or a shoulder harness. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second rotating beam coupled to the frame by a second rotating joint. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising the first rotating beam being configured to receive an urging force to actuate the first rotating joint. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6 , further comprising the second rotating beam being configured to receive an urging force to actuate the second rotating joint. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , further comprising the first and second rotating beam being configured to actuate the first and second rotating joint independently from each other to fold or unfold the device. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the first rotating joint is vertically offset from the second rotating joint. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the portion of the first rotating beam overlaps a corresponding portion of the second rotating beam and configured to lock the frame when the frame is in an unfolded state. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a load compartment suspended from the first load beam. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 3 , further comprising the handle being configured to rotate to align with the first second rotating beam. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bag support beam that is extendable or retractable and disposed above the upper extent of the support member. 
     
     
         15 . A foldable transport device for transporting loads over a transport surface, comprising:
 a support member with a largest dimension for supporting the device on the transport surface;   a frame coupled to the support member, the frame being configured to support a load and including a first outer load beam and a second outer load beam being distal from the first outer load beam, the first outer load beam and the second outer load beam being parallel to each other when the frame is in a fully folded state and in a fully unfolded state, the first outer load beam and the second outer load beam being connected via transverse load beam;   a rotating beam coupled to the first outer load beam and the second outer load beam via a first rotating joint and a second rotating joint, respectively, and including a portion that is parallel to the transverse load beam and perpendicular to the first outer load beam and the second outer load beam in all folded/unfolded configurations.   
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the compact folded configuration is sufficiently compact to be carried on a user's back or around a user's shoulder. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 15 , further comprising a handle connected to the rotating beam wherein the handle is configured to be telescoping, collapsible or foldable. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the handle is outboard of the wheels to increase stability and control. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 15 , further comprising the rotating beam being rotatable to align with the frame such that the first outer load beam, the second outer load beam, the transverse load beam and the portion of the rotating beam are coplanar.