WO2011119029A2

WO2011119029A2 - Cart

Info

Publication number: WO2011119029A2
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050199
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johan Willem Brak
Original assignee: Versluis Akoestiek B.V.
Priority date: 2010-03-23
Filing date: 2011-03-23
Publication date: 2011-09-29
Also published as: WO2011119029A3; NL2004452C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cart comprising a substantially rectangular surface (2), provided with wheels (3) for moving the cart over a ground surface, a first pair of bars (4) rotatable around a first rotation axis (7) extending substantially along a first side of the surface, wherein the bars (4) extend from the first rotation axis (7) with a directional component transversely of the first rotation axis and are situated at a distance from each other and each at a distance from the sides adjacent to the first side, a second pair of bars rotatable around a second rotation axis (9) extending substantially along a second side of the surface opposite the first side, wherein the bars (5) extend from the rotation axis (9) with a directional component transversely of the second rotation axis (9) and are situated at a distance from each other and each at a distance from the sides adjacent to the second side, and locking means (10) for blocking or releasing the rotation axes of the bars.

Description

Cart

The present invention relates to a cart, in particular to a cart for moving plate-like objects such as plasterboard, sheets of glass or wooden boards. In an embodiment the invention relates to a multifunctional cart which can on the one hand be used to transport objects and can on the other be converted to a worktable.

Many carts for displacing plate-like objects are known, and generally comprise a surface or floor plate provided on an underside with wheels, and on the upper side a trapezium-shaped construction against which the plates can be placed.

Such plate carts serve their purpose satisfactorily per se, although once the plates have been supplied therewith they are generally seen as being in the way in the spaces in which the plates have to be processed and during storage. Such situations occur for instance when a wall or ceiling frame must be covered with plates in a small room, since operations often still have to performed on the plates before the plates are actually arranged, and this also requires space.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cart which at least partially obviates the above stated drawbacks, or to provide a usable alternative.

The invention relates for this purpose to a cart comprising a substantially rectangular surface, provided with wheels for moving the cart over a ground surface, a first pair of bars rotatable around a first rotation axis extending substantially along a first side of the surface, wherein the bars extend from the first rotation axis with a directional component transversely of the first rotation axis and are situated at a distance from each other and each at a distance from the sides adjacent to the first side, a second pair of bars rotatable around a second rotation axis extending substantially along a second side of the surface opposite the first side, wherein the bars extend from the rotation axis with a directional component transversely of the second rotation axis and are situated at a distance from each other and each at a distance from the sides adjacent to the second side, and locking means for blocking or releasing the rotation axes of the bars. The bars provide the option of loading the cart with plates such as plasterboard. For this purpose they can be rotated to a side of the surface remote from the wheels and locked in such a position so that the plates can be placed thereagainst, wherein the plates rest partially on the surface of the cart extending on either side of the bars and lie partially against the bars. The bars of the two pairs can here be adjusted in the same manner in order to provide a stable support for the plates.

When the cart has been unloaded, the bars can be rotated in order to extend to the side of the surface with the wheels so that they form legs for the purpose of supporting the surface relative to the ground surface. The cart can in this way be utilized as (work)table for further processing of the plates, thus making a separate worktable unnecessary and so saving space. It is not necessary to explain that such an advantage applies not only at a location where plates are used but also for instance during transport in a delivery van, in which space is likewise scarce.

In order to allow the bars to lie wholly against the surface, the rotation axis can be situated on one side of the surface (instead of for instance on an end surface of the surface of the cart which, even without this intention, could still be a possible location). When the side with the wheels is chosen as this side, a very compact, flat cart can be obtained which can be used in this situation or can for instance be stood upright.

The rotation axis of the bars can comprise a physical shaft, wherein a pair of bars is connected rigidly to the axis in rotation direction and the locking means can be adapted to fix the angular rotation of the rotation axis relative to the surface. In such a case both bars of a pair are preferably connected rigidly to the axis so that they can be rotated together in simple manner.

In such a case the locking means can comprise a form closure displaceable by means of a control member for the purpose of fixing the rotation axis at predetermined preferred rotation angles. When the rotation axis is fixed, the bars are then after all also fixed.

In a practical embodiment such a form closure can be embodied in that the axis is provided with a number of grooves in which a latch can be placed. These grooves can be arranged directly in the axis, although it is more robust for the axis to be provided for this purpose with a ring or wheel in which the grooves are incorporated. With the cart, and particularly with the surface of the cart, a latch can then be received which is movable between a position in which it is received in one of the grooves and a position in which it is out of reach of the grooves in order to allow rotation of the axis. Very simple to use is an embodiment in which the latch is connected to a foot-controlled leaf spring, which urges the latch under bias in the direction of the grooves, which bias can be released with a foot. Mechanical reversals of this construction are of course also possible, wherein the rotation axis is provided with a protrusion for co-action with a stop or for being received in a recess of a locking device intended for this purpose.

In a preferred embodiment the latch is provided with a bearing which is adapted to co- act with the groove in the axis, or preferably in the ring or the wheel. The bearing can have a substantially round cross-section, wherein the groove is formed as a substantially semicircular channel. The channel can have an opening angle here of for instance between 0 and 20 degrees, and in particular about 10 degrees, and the outer ends of the semicircle can be rounded so as to enable easy movement of the latch into and out of the opening. The latch can be formed from a leaf spring, and exert a predetermined force in the direction of the groove in order to define a threshold value for a force with which the latch can be displaced out of the groove. This force can be exerted by pushing on the bars. In this way the locking also forms a safeguard against overloading of the bars when they are used to push the cart forward. As soon as the pushing force becomes too great, the locking unlocks and the bar "clicks" loose. In order to precisely determine the force at which this takes place, the latch can be provided with one or more separate springs which can for instance be embodied as spiral spring. The force lies for instance between 50 and 250 N, and is particularly 100 N.

In an embodiment at least one of the sides connecting the first and the second side is provided with a protrusion, such as an (upright) edge or projection, to prevent the plates sliding off the cart and particularly the surface.

The protrusion can particularly comprise a projection rotatable around the rotation axis and extending from the rotation axis in one plane with the bars and toward the same side as the bars. Achieved in this way is that the protrusion only protrudes above the surface when the bars do so too, and the surface is free of protrusions when the bars are directed toward the side of the surface provided with wheels so as to thus be able to serve as table.

In a subsequent embodiment the mutual distance between the outer ends of at least one pair of bars remote from the rotation axis is adjustable. In this manner an angle at which the bars are positioned can - when the bars are provided with a hinge close to their connection to the rotation axis - be adjusted to the load to be transported.

For the purpose of setting and subsequently also locking the mutual distance between the outer ends of the bars remote from the rotation axis, the cart can be provided with at least one connecting bar which can be connected to the respective bars of one pair. The connecting bar can for instance have a fixed connection to one of the bars and a releasable connection to the second bar. The mutual distance between the outer ends of the bars remote from the rotation axis can preferably be set here to a plurality of mutual distances with at least one connecting bar. A plurality of connecting bars can be provided for this purpose, or a connecting bar which can be connected in different ways to the bars, wherein the different ways also define different distances between the bars.

In order to obtain a firm support of the plates or of the surface relative to a ground surface, the mutual distance between the outer ends of the bars of the two pairs of bars can be set to the same distance. It is further recommended that the at least one connecting bar can be received in a recess of a bar or is provided with a receiving space for a bar, so that the connecting bar in a non-active position does not cause inconvenience to a user of the cart or obstruct space between the bars, whereby the cart would be difficult to load efficiently. In an advantageous embodiment the pairs of bars have a preferred position in which the outer ends remote from the rotation axis are situated closer together than the outer ends directed toward the rotation axis, and extend with a directional component from the side of the surface remote from the wheels in order to support plates to be loaded onto the cart. Such a preferred position is for instance a position in which the outer ends remote from the rotation axis are situated further apart than the outer ends directed toward the rotation axis, and extend with a directional component toward the side of the surface directed toward the wheels in order to form legs for supporting the surface relative to a ground surface.

The surface can for instance comprise polypropylene, particularly foamed

polypropylene, and the bars aluminium, particularly anodized aluminium.

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the following non-limitative figures. Herein:

- Figures la-le show a cart according to the present invention in a first state;

- Figures 2a-2d show the cart of figures la-le in a second state;

- Figures 3 a, 3 b show a detail of the cart according to the present invention,

- Figures 4a, 4b show the cart of figures la-le in a third state; and

- Figure 5 shows a detail of an embodiment of a locking of the bars.

Figure la is a perspective top view of a cart 1 according to the present invention with a substantially rectangular surface 2, provided with wheels 3 for moving cart 1 over a ground surface. The cart has a first pair of bars 4 rotatable over an angle beta around a first rotation axis 7 extending substantially along a first side of surface 2, wherein the bars extend from the first rotation axis with a directional component transversely of first rotation axis 7 and are situated at a distance from each other and each at a distance from the sides adjacent to the first side. Cart 1 further has a second pair of bars 5 rotatable over an angle beta around a second rotation axis 9 extending substantially along a second side of surface 2 opposite the first side, wherein bars 5 extend from rotation axis 9 with a directional component transversely of second rotation axis 9 and are situated at a distance from each other and each at a distance from the sides adjacent to the second side. Cart 1 also has locking means 10 for blocking or releasing the rotation axes of the bars. The bars are mutually connected by a connecting bar 6 which in the shown situation holds them in a relative position which results in a trapezium-shaped support for plates 14 (shown in figure le). The cart is further provided with protrusions 12, 13 in the form of projections for the purpose of preventing plates from sliding off. These locking means will be further elucidated with reference to figures 3a and 3b.

Figure lb shows a side view of cart 1 of figure la as seen from direction A, and figure lc shows a side view of the cart of figure 1 a as seen from direction B.

Figure Id shows in detail a connecting bar 6 in a situation where it connects bars 4. The connecting bar is releasable from one of the bars 4 and can be arranged over the other bar 4 by rotation through the angle alpha so that it does not cause an obstacle during use. Connecting bar 6 is embodied for this purpose as a U-profile which fits round bar 4.

Figure le shows cart 1 of figure la, provided with plates which rest against bars 4, 5 and projections 12, 13.

Figure 2a shows a perspective view of cart 1 of figure la, wherein bars 4, 5 are rotated through the angle beta such that they extend toward the side of surface 2 so that they form legs which support the surface relative to the ground surface. Bars 4 are now mutually connected with a connecting bar 8 which holds them further apart on the side remote from rotation axis 7 than in the embodiment shown in figure la. A trapezium shape is once again obtained, which now provides for a stable placing on the ground surface. Although the angular rotation through the angle beta can be locked, further connecting bars 15, which connect bars 4, 5 to surface 2, are arranged for extra stability. Figure 2b shows a side view of cart 1 in the situation of figure 2a as seen from direction A, and figure 2c shows a side view of cart 1 in the situation of figure 2a as seen from direction B.

Figure 2d shows a detail of connecting bar 8, which consists of two parts which can be mutually connected and which can each be folded round a bar 5 when they are not mutually connected.

Figure 3a is a lateral cross-section of a detail of cart 1 of the foregoing figures, in which is shown an embodiment of the locking mechanism for rotation axis 7 of bars 4. Mechanism 10 consists of a wheel 19 which is arranged round a physical shaft and in which grooves 18 are arranged. Arranged in the grooves is a latch 17 connected to a spring 16 which obstructs rotation. The obstruction can be removed, and rotation thus be made possible, by moving the free outer end of spring 16 in the direction of arrow 20, this operation being possible with the foot.

Figure 3b is a perspective view of a detail of cart 1 of the foregoing figures wherein projection 13 is visible. Projection 13 is connected to rotation axis 7 and rotates through the same angle beta as bars 4. Projection 13 thus protrudes above surface 2 only when bars 4 are displaced upward.

Figure 4a shows a perspective bottom view of a subsequent situation of cart 1 of the foregoing figures, wherein bars 4 are placed in an inclining position relative to surface 2 in order to be used as pulling or pushing device for the cart. Because rotation axis 9 is situated on one side of the surface, in particular the side with wheels, bars 5 can lie against the surface and the upper side thereof is wholly flat and ready for displacing load, as shown in figure 4b. In addition to the shown situation, in which bars 4 and 5 of the two pairs of bars are placed at a different angle, it is also possible to place all bars 4 and 5 under the surface of the cart so that a wholly flat cart is created. Use is made here of the possibility of rotating the bars around rotation axes 11 so that they can be positioned adjacently of each other under surface 2.

Figure 4b shows a perspective top view of cart 1 in the situation of figure 4a. Visible is a recess 22 which is provided in the surface and can serve as handgrip for the purpose of lifting the cart in the situation in which bars 4 have also been folded to the wheel side of surface 2.

Figure 5 shows a detail of an embodiment in which a latch 23 is provided with a bearing 24 which is adapted for co-action with groove 26 in ring 25. Bearing 24 has a substantially round cross-section and the groove is formed as a substantially

semicircular channel 26. The channel has an opening angle of 10 degrees and rounded outer ends 27, 28. In order to precisely determine the force at which release takes place, the latch is provided with a spiral spring 29. In addition to the shown non-limitative embodiments, diverse modifications and variations are possible, all of which must be deemed as falling within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Cart, comprising:

- a substantially rectangular surface, provided with wheels for moving the cart over a ground surface;

- a first pair of bars rotatable around a first rotation axis extending substantially along a first side of the surface, wherein the bars extend from the first rotation axis with a directional component transversely of the first rotation axis and are situated at a distance from each other and each at a distance from the sides adjacent to the first side;

- a second pair of bars rotatable around a second rotation axis extending

substantially along a second side of the surface opposite the first side, wherein the bars extend from the rotation axis with a directional component transversely of the second rotation axis and are situated at a distance from each other and each at a distance from the sides adjacent to the second side;

- locking means for blocking or releasing the rotation axes of the bars.

2. Cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation axis is situated on one side of the surface so that the bars can lie against the surface.

3. Cart as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a pair of bars is connected rigidly to the axis in rotation direction and wherein the locking means are adapted to fix the angular rotation of the rotation axis relative to the surface.

4. Cart as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking means comprise a form closure displaceable by means of a control member for the purpose of fixing the rotation axis at predetermined preferred rotation angles.

5. Cart as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of the sides connecting the first and the second side is provided with a protrusion.

6. Cart as claimed in claim 5, wherein the protrusion comprises a projection rotatable around the rotation axis and extending from the rotation axis in one plane with the bars and toward the same side as the bars.

7. Cart as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the mutual distance between the outer ends of at least one pair of bars remote from the rotation axis is adjustable.

8. Cart as claimed in claim 7, comprising at least one connecting bar which can be connected to the respective bars of one pair for the purpose of setting the mutual distance between the outer ends of the bars remote from the rotation axis.

9. Cart as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mutual distance between the outer ends of the bars remote from the rotation axis can be set to a plurality of mutual distances with at least one connecting bar.

10. Cart as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the mutual distance between the outer ends of the bars of the two pairs of bars can be set to the same distance.

1 1. Cart as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one connecting bar can be received in a recess of a bar or is provided with a receiving space for a bar.

12. Cart as claimed in claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the pairs of bars have a preferred position in which the outer ends remote from the rotation axis are situated closer together than the outer ends directed toward the rotation axis, and extend with a directional component from the side of the surface remote from the wheels in order to support plates to be loaded onto the cart.

13. Cart as claimed in any of the claims 10-12, wherein the pairs of bars have a preferred position in which the outer ends remote from the rotation axis are situated further apart than the outer ends directed toward the rotation axis, and extend with a directional component toward the side of the surface directed toward the wheels in order to form legs for supporting the surface relative to a ground surface.

14. Cart as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the surface comprises polypropylene, particularly foamed polypropylene.

15. Cart as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the bars comprise aluminium, particularly anodized aluminium.