Cart for transporting shock sensitive loads, or unstable loads

摘要

A cart with extensible axles for transporting shock sensitive loads, computers, luggage and the like, which cart is provided with a wheel base that is adjustable to fit the various sizes and weights of the loads supported on the cart. In a first embodiment, the wheel base is adjustable via a hollow tube having a pair of oppositely-disposed slots formed at the ends of the tube. Each axle of the cart has a J-shaped hook at its end remote from the wheel it carries, which hook rides in the slot disposed on the opposite end of the tube. The diameter of the tube is such that the two axles can pass only by the application of force to overcome the friction caused by the oppositely-moving snug-fitting axles. The slots are arranged on the bottom circumferential portion of the tube and are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube, but are spaced angularly with respect to each other about the outer circumference of the tube to aid in the frictional holding of the axles upon extension and retraction. The axles are made of spring material, to provide shock-absorbing qualities, and to prevent damage to the equipment being transported. In another embodiment, the axles are held in their chosen extensions by spring detent means cooperating with the hollow interior of the tube.