GB2459932A

GB2459932A - Wheelbarrow with additional handles

Info

Publication number: GB2459932A
Application number: GB0808817A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Szeremeta
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-15
Filing date: 2008-05-15
Publication date: 2009-11-18
Also published as: GB0808817D0

Abstract

A wheelbarrow is provided with telescopic handles 5 which can be extended out forwardly so that the wheelbarrow may be lifted by two or more people using both the conventional handles 1 and forward handles. The handles may be housed in tubing 9 when not required, and may be released therefrom by pressing spring buttons 7 at the rear of the tubing so that they may be withdrawn and then locked in place. Spring buttons 7 at the front of the tubing retain the handles in their extended positions until similarly released. The handles are kept clean within the tubing when not required.

Description

Easy Lift Wheelbarrow

Patent Specification

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to a wheelbarrow with two telescopic handles which extend forwards towards and over the wheel. The primary benefit of including the telescopic handles is to make it easier for two or more people to carry or lift the wheelbarrow when containing heavy loads. As a result this additional facility can potentially reduce back and other injuries caused by individuals lifting the conventional wheelbarrow inappropriately/incorrectly.

BACKGROUND

The conventional heavy duty wheelbarrow consists of a hollow metal frame which is shaped in to provide the stabilising supports/legs (drawing I point 4), and two handles (drawing 1 point 1) to which a wheel (drawing 1 point 2) and pan (drawing 1 point 3) are attached. The user, when moving material, fills the pan and then lifts the handle upwards and pushes the wheelbarrow forwards with the wheel being the only part touching the ground.

*The ease with which the wheelbarrow can be pushed forwards or pulled backwards is dependant on the weight of the material in the pan as well as the terrain over which it is being moved. However, the conventional wheel barrow is sometimes used to carry or to lift material which can potentially result in personal injury. For example, where the terrain is unsuitable.

(can be too rocky, or may have to be carried over obstacles such as boulders, ramps and small walls etc) two or more users may lift the wheelbarrow. The lifting would usually be done by two (or more) people with one person holding the wheelbarrow handles and the other (s) holding the wheelbarrow frame usually around the wheel. This part of the wheelbarrow in certain conditions may be wet or covered in mud which makes the metal frame slippery and difficult to lift. Additionally, when lifting the wheelbarrow the second person has to bend over to a lower level than the person holding the wheelbarrow handles because the wheel is closer to the ground. This person runs the risk of personal injury if the wheelbarrow is not correctly lifted.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

This invention relates to incorporating two telescopic handles (drawing I point 5) to the traditional wheelbarrow to make lifting/moving easier and safer. The telescopic handles extends out forwards over and beyond the single wheel (Drawing 1). The telescopic handles fit inside hollow tubing which in turn is encased by the upper lip of the pan on the left and right hand sides but it also extends around the back of the wheelbarrow giving it further support.

The two moveable telescopic handles are shown in drawing 1 point 5. The outer tubing (drawing I point 9) on the lip of the pan is a "U" shaped configuration (drawing I point 6). The rigid inner tubing (drawing I point 8) within this to the left and right of the wheelbarrow contains the two telescopic handles. These handles move easily back wards and forwards with little friction. The telescopic handles are held in place by spring buttons (drawing I point 7). To release the telescopic handles a spring button is required to be pressed on the rigid tubing at the rear of the wheelbarrow. The handle can then be pulled out until it locks in to the extended position. A spring button in the tubing at the front of the wheelbarrow is required to be pressed to release the handle so that it can be returned into the original position. The telescopic handle is made of rigid material (metal) to prevent warping when used to lift heavy material. The modification will make the wheelbarrow easier to lift.

The wheelbarrow invention will now be described solely by way of example with reference to the accompanyrng 12 drawings which show the invention being applied I. Drawing 1. Shows one side of the wheelbariow with the telescopic handies iuiiy extended.

* Drawing 2. Shows The wheelbarrow from the other side with the telescopic handles fully extended.

* PA-GEL * Drawing 3.Shows the wheelbarrow side view with the telescopic handles fully extended.

* Drawing 4. Shows the back view of the wheelbarrow with the telescopic handles fully extended.

* Drawing 5. Shows the front view of the wheelbarrow with the telescopic handles fully extended.

* Drawing 6. Shows the top view of the wheelbarrow with the telescopic handles fully extended..

* Drawing 7. Shows the front view of the wheelbarrow with the telescopic handles fully retracted.

* Drawing 8. Shows the other side front view of the wheelbarrow with the telescopic handles fully retracted.

* Drawing 9. Shows the front view of the wheelbarrow with the telescopic handles fully retracted. , * Drawing 10. Shows the back view of he wheelbarrow with the telesthpc handles fully retracted.

* Drawing 11. Shows the side view of the wheelbarrow with the ttescopic hidles fully retracted.

* Drawing 12. Shows the top view of the wheelbarrow with the telescopic handles fully retracted A world wide patent search has been conducted by Innovate who have established that no patent exists for this invention.

ADVANTAGES

1. The wheelbarrow makes it easier to lift/move material over rough terrain.

2. The wheelbarrow can be lifted over obstacles more safely by two people.

3. The wheelbarrow can be lifted and tipped easily by two people into an average 6yd skip, instead of using a ramp. Using ramp can be more strenuous on the operatives who can also be a greater risk of injury by loosing balance and tipping off the ramp 4. The wheelbarrow can be carried conveniently and safely over new laid flooring with out damaging or dirtying it.

5. The wheelbarrow can be carried over small obstacles such as low walls and pot holes more easily and safely.

6. The wheelbarrow telescopic handles should remain cleaner than the metal frame around the wheel. As a result of the cleaner telescopic handles this should result the safer lifting of the wheelbarrow. When the wheel and the frame has been subject to mud, slurry and dirt the operatives are at risk of not being able to get a firm grip of the frame around the wheel. As a result they do not get a firm grip and risk the wheelbarrow being dropped with the potential consequence of personal injury.

7. The wheelbarrow results in less strain on the operatives back, arms and legs, because they are not lifting it from the frame around the wheel 8. The wheelbarrow enables the operatives to lift heavier loads more comfortably and safely.

Claims will be separately registered.

A world wide patent search was undertaken by Innovate who confirm no patent exists for this modification.

Claims

Statement of claims1. The telescopic handles either side of the bucket nm of the wheelbarrow can be extended and retracted (inserted back in to the tube encasement either side of the wheelbarrow). Drawing 1 point 5. Drawing 1 point 6.
2. The telescopic handles when extended makes it more easier and more safely to lift by two or more people. Drawing I point 5.
3. The telescopic handles enables the wheelbarrow to be lifted and tipped easily by two people into an average 6yd skip, instead of using a ramp. Using ramp can be more strenuous on the operatives who can also be a greater risk of injury by loosing balance and tipping off the ramp.
4. When the wheelbarrow is used as a usualltraditional wheelbarrow then the telescopic handles can be inserted back in to the tube encasement.
5. The telescopic handles enables the wheelbarrow to be carried conveniently and safely over new laid flooring without damaging or dirtying it.
6. The telescopic arms to the wheelbarrow enables it be carried over small obstacles such as low walls and pot holes more easily and safely.
7. The wheelbarrow telescopic handles should remain cleaner than the metal frame around the wheel As a result of the cleaner telescopic handles this should result the safer lifting of the wheelbarrow. When a traditional wheelbarrow is used to lift materials then on building sites etc then it is possible that this could be covered in mud and slurry. As a result operatives are at risk of not being able to get a firm grip of the frame around the wheel for lifting. As a result they run the risk of the wheelbarrow slipping out of their hands with the potential consequence of personal injury. Using the extendable arms minimises this risk.
8. Using the telescopic handles will result in less strain on the operatives back, arms and legs, because they are lifting the wheelbarrow not lifting it from the frame around the wheel
9. The telescopic arms when used enables two operatives to lift heavier loads more comfortably and safely.
10. The telescopic arms Click fl to place once it has passed ever a spring button.This prevents the telescopic arm from falling out of the tube encasement Drawing 1 points 6 and 7.