AU2004235588B2

AU2004235588B2 - Stackable trolley

Info

Publication number: AU2004235588B2
Application number: AU2004235588A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Denis Michael Walker
Original assignee: DISPLAYCO
Current assignee: DISPLAYCO
Priority date: 2003-12-02
Filing date: 2004-12-01
Publication date: 2011-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2024-12-01
Also published as: AU2004235588A1

Description

- 1 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant/s: Displayco Actual Inventor/s: Denis Michael Walker Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP 60 Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: STACKABLE TROLLEY Details of Associated Provisional Application No. 2003906678 dated 02 Dec 2003 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: File: 40655AUP00 - la FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a stackable trolley and in particular to a stackable trolley onto which can be secured a plurality of demountable shelves. The trolley has been developed for use as a storage and transportation system for plants and other 5 horticultural products and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and may in fact serve many other useful purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be 10 considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. It is typical for plants and other horticultural products to be transported from one place to another in trolleys. Such trolleys generally include a shelf sized to carry three standard size pot-plant trays. 15 Many prior art trolleys are relatively bulky and are not well adapted for efficient storage when not in use. Accordingly, the storage of these trolleys represents a significant burden. One prior art trolley, the subject of AU Patent No. 651447, attempts to overcome this burden by providing a collapsible trolley. The trolley includes a plurality of 20 downwardly extending mounting posts that terminate in a spigot formation. Corresponding sockets are provided in an upper portion of the trolley frame, such that when trolleys according to the invention are stacked, the spigot formations engage in the sockets, thereby to secure the trolleys against relative lateral displacement. It will be appreciated that stacking of the trolleys disclosed in AU 651447 may be 25 difficult due to care needed to be taken to accurately align the spigot formations and -2 sockets. Moreover, the construction of the trolleys may be made more difficult due to the need to provide the sockets and spigot formations, and to ensure correct sizing of the spigots formations relative to the sockets. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the 5 disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a stackable trolley including: a rectangular base tray; and four frame members each fixedly connected at or near a respective corner of the 10 tray and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to one planar side of the tray and terminating at one free end, each frame member having a locating formation disposed at one end thereof, each locating formation including a pair of orthogonal contact faces such that when two of the trolleys are stacked the locating formations engage complementary external surfaces of the free ends of 15 the frame members of a respective adjacent trolley to locate the trolleys in a stacked configuration, wherein at least one side of two or more of said frame members include one or more mounting lugs for supporting a rectangular shelf above the base tray. Preferably, each locating formation is generally "L" shaped and may be affixed to 20 the outside of each respective frame member. Preferably, the trolley is mounted on at least two wheels connected to one planar side of the base tray inward of the frame members. More preferably, the wheels are castor wheels. Even more preferably, at least one of the wheels includes a brake. In a particularly preferred form, the trolley is mounted on four wheels, each wheel being 25 connected to the base tray adjacent a respective corner.

-3 Preferably, the mounting lugs are configured to allow the shelf to be inclined at one or more predetermined angles with respect to the axis of the frame members. Preferably, the trolley is adapted to receive additional shelving units connected to the free ends of the frame members. More preferably, the additional shelving units are 5 demountable. Even more preferably, the additional shelving units include four end posts, each connectable with a respective free end of the frame members. In a particularly preferred form, two of the end posts correspond to each minor side of the rectangular base tray and are fixedly connected together by at least one cross member. Each end post preferably includes one or more mounting lugs for supporting 10 an additional rectangular shelf above the base tray. The mounting lugs may be configured to allow the shelf to be inclined at one or more predetermined angles with respect to the axis of the end posts. It is preferred that the length of each end post is less than the length of the major side of the rectangular base tray such that when in a demounted configuration, the 15 additional shelving units can lie substantially flat in the base tray. Preferably, one end of each end post includes a spigot formation and the other end includes a socket formation, such that the shelving units may be securely connected one on top of another. Preferably, the free end of each frame member includes a socket adapted to receive 20 a respective one of the spigot formations of the additional shelving units.

- 3a BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stackable trolley according to the invention; -4 Figure 2 is a side elevation of a plurality of the trolleys of Figure 1, shown in a stacked configuration; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the trolley of Figure 1 shown with additional shelving units attached with shelves in a horizontal configuration; and 5 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the trolley of Figure 1 shown with additional shelving units attached with shelves in an inclined configuration. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, the trolley 1 includes a rectangular base tray 2 having a frame member 3 fixedly connected adjacent each corner 4, and extending in a direction 10 generally perpendicular to the plane of the tray to terminate at a free end 5. A locating formation 6 with a pair of orthogonal contact faces defining a generally "L" shaped cross section, extends from the opposing end 7 of each frame member. As best shown on Figure 2, when two or more of the trolleys are stacked, the locating formations 6 engage the free ends 5 of the frame members of the adjacent trolley to secure the stacked 15 trolleys against relative displacement. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame members 3 are formed from steel rectangular hollow section; however, it will be appreciated that many other alternatives may be used, such as angle-section, circular-section, channel-section, etcetera. In these embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the locating elements is chosen to 20 complement the cross-sectional shape of the frame members. The locating formations 6 shown in the drawings are configured to engage around the outermost corners of the rectangular hollow section 3 and thereby to secure the stacked trolleys against relative lateral displacement. However, in other (not shown) embodiments the locating formations are configured to engage around the innermost 25 corners of the rectangular hollow section. It will be appreciated that in other (not -5 shown) embodiments only two of the "L" shaped locating formations are used. In such cases, the locating formations are provided on external outer surfaces of diagonally opposing frame members. In still further (not shown) embodiments, the locating elements are not of "L" shaped cross section, but rather take the form of planar locating 5 plates extending from the other ends 7 of the frame members, the plates in combination secure the stacked trolleys against inadvertent relative lateral displacement. Moreover, it will be appreciated that many alternative forms of locating elements can be used to provide a similar degree of stability for the stacked trolleys. The illustrated locating formations 6 are welded to the frame members 3. 10 However, in alternative embodiments the locating elements are screwed, riveted or chemically fastened to the frame members. The trolley is mounted on four castor wheels 8, each of which is connected to the underside of the base tray 2, adjacent a respective corner 4 and inward of the frame members 3. The positioning of the wheels ensures that stacking of the trolleys is not 15 impeded. In the illustrated embodiment, two of the wheels include a brake 9 so that the trolleys can be secured in position during transport. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments (not shown), more or less of the wheels may include a brake 9. In alternative embodiments (not shown), only two wheels are provided on one minor side of the rectangular base tray. In this way, lifting the trolley on the opposite 20 minor side of the rectangular base allows the trolley to be manoeuvred about on the two wheels. Each of the frame members 3 includes a mounting lug 10 to support an additional rectangular shelf 11 above the base tray 2. Each lug is engageable with a respective mounting slot 12, which are located on each of the minor sides of the shelf.

-6 Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the trolley is adapted to receive additional shelving units 13, which are releasably connected to the free ends 5 of the frame members. Each of the additional shelving units includes four end posts 14, which are connectable to a respective free end of the frame members of the trolley. Each end post 5 includes a plurality of mounting lugs 10 to support additional rectangular shelves 11 above the base tray 2. Two of the end posts correspond to each minor side of the rectangular base tray and are fixedly connected together by two cross members 15, to thereby define two separate end frames for the shelving unit. One or more rectangular shelves 11 are mounted between the end frames, thereby providing additional shelf 10 space above the base tray and also serving to connect the opposing end frames. The mounting lugs of the shelving units 13 are configured to allow the additional shelves to be inclined at one or more predetermined angles with respect to the axis of the end posts. One end of each end post 14 includes a spigot formation (not shown) and the other 15 end includes a socket (not shown), such that the shelving units may be securely stacked one on top of another. The free end 5 of each frame member 3 also includes a socket (not shown) adapted to receive a respective one of the spigot formations of the shelving units. The length of the end posts 14 is less than the length of the major side of the 20 rectangular base to allow the end frames of the shelving units to be efficiently stored within the space defined by the base tray and the free ends of the frame members. It will be appreciated that this arrangement advantageously allows the trolley of the present invention to be stored within a minimal space when in a demounted configuration. It will be further appreciated that the illustrated trolley is relatively simple to 25 construct compared to prior art trolleys. It should be noted that the locating formations -7 are simply welded onto the outer corners of the rectangular hollow section as shown in the drawings, and have relatively high construction tolerances compared to the locating means provided on prior art trolleys. The locating formations of the illustrated embodiment are also relatively easy to align with the associated free ends of the frame 5 members, thereby facilitating ease of stacking the trolleys when not in use. Also, the illustrated end frames improve the stability of the shelving units compared to the separate demountable end supports used in prior art devices such as that disclosed in AU 651447. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that while the invention has been 10 described with reference to specific embodiments, it may in fact be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A stackable trolley including: a rectangular base tray; and four frame members each fixedly connected at or near a respective corner of said 5 tray and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to one planar side of the tray and terminating at one free end, each frame member having a locating formation disposed at one end thereof, each locating formation including a pair of orthogonal contact faces such that when two of said trolleys are stacked said locating formations engage complementary external surfaces of the free ends of 10 said frame members of a respective adjacent trolley to locate said trolleys in a stacked configuration, wherein at least one side of two or more of said frame members include one or more mounting lugs for supporting a rectangular shelf above the base tray.

2. A stackable trolley according to claim 1, wherein each locating formation is 15 generally "L" shaped

3. A stackable trolley according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each locating formation is affixed to the outside of each respective frame member.

4. A stackable trolley according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein said trolley is mounted on at least two wheels connected to one planar side of the base tray inward 20 of said frame members.

5. A stackable trolley according to claim 4, wherein said wheels are castor wheels.

6. A stackable trolley according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein at least one of the wheels includes a brake. -9

7. A stackable trolley according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said trolley is mounted on four wheels, each wheel being connected to said base tray adjacent a respective corner.

8. A stackable trolley according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each frame 5 member includes one or more mounting lugs for supporting the rectangular shelf above the base tray.

9. A stackable trolley according to claim 8, wherein said mounting lugs are configured to allow said shelf to be inclined at one or more predetermined angles with respect to the axis of said frame members.

10 10. A stackable trolley according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said trolley is adapted to receive additional shelving units releasably connected to the free ends of said frame members.

11. A stackable trolley according to claim 10, wherein said additional shelving units are demountable. 15

12. A stackable trolley according to claim 10 or claim I1 wherein said additional shelving units include four end posts, each connectable with a respective one of the free ends of said frame members.

13. A stackable trolley according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein two of said end posts correspond to each minor side of the rectangular base tray and are fixedly 20 connected together by at least one cross member.

14. A stackable trolley according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein each said end post includes one or more mounting lugs for supporting an additional rectangular shelf above the base tray. - 10

15. A stackable trolley according claim 14, wherein said mounting lugs are configured to allow said shelf to be inclined at one or more predetermined angles with respect to the axis of said end posts.

16. A stackable trolley according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the length of 5 each end post is less than the length of the major side of the rectangular base tray such that when in a demounted configuration, said additional shelving units can lie substantially flat in said base tray.

17. A stackable trolley according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein one end of each end post includes a spigot formation and the other end includes a socket formation, 10 such that said shelving units may be securely connected one on top of another.

18. A stackable trolley according to claim 17, wherein the free end of each frame member includes a socket adapted to receive a respective one of the spigot formations of said additional shelving units.

19. A stackable trolley substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the 15 embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.