AU2011200926A1 - Wheelbarrows - Google Patents

Abstract

C:\NRPorbr\DCC\PLW\34647 I_ IDOCl312011 - 16 A wheelbarrow supplied as a kit of component parts for subsequent assembly, wherein the parts are configured for assembly principally by means of a push-fit action whereby 5 components are rigidly coupled by frictional forces in the assembled structure and achieved without the use of tools.

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc. Actual Inventor: Nathan Pollock Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, I Nicholson Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000. Invention Title: "Wheelbarrows" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: C:\NRPonbl\DCC\PLVA3501902 1. DOC - 2/3/11 C NRPorbr\DCC\PLW\346487_ I DOC-/03/2011 WHEELBARROWS The present invention relates to wheelbarrows and more particularly to a wheelbarrow designed for sale in disassembled form with a facility for easy and quick assembly by the 5 purchaser. Most wheelbarrows consisting of a load-carrying tub mounted on a chassis having handles at its rear end, a single wheel at its forward end, and downwardly-extending legs at an intermediate position, are supplied in assembled form at the point of sale. The assembled 10 wheelbarrow is quite bulky, and not only does it occupy valuable storage/display space, its bulk means that it may not be easily transportable by the purchaser with a typical "family" sedan. Moreover the bulk of the assembled wheelbarrow gives rise to significant transportation costs from the manufacturer to the point of sale particularly if manufacture takes place overseas. Although it has been proposed to supply wheelbarrows in "knock 15 down" form for assembly following purchase so as to provide a reduced bulk for transportation and storage/display purposes, previous proposals for a user-assembled wheelbarrow tend not to be particularly straightforward to assemble and/or have resulted in a more complex structure which results in increased costs of manufacture. An example of this is shown in US patent application 2004/0256838 in which the chassis, with legs and 20 wheel is preassembled with the components being pivotally connected so as to swing out from a collapsed storage condition into an erected condition. The present invention in its preferred embodiments provides a wheelbarrow which is supplied as a series of separate components which can quickly be assembled without the 25 use of any tools. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a wheelbarrow supplied as a kit of component parts for subsequent assembly, wherein the parts are configured for assembly principally by means of a push-fit action whereby components are rigidly 30 coupled by frictional forces in the assembled structure and achieved without the use of tools.

C:NRPo\nb\DCCLW\3464871_l DOC-1103/2011 -2 According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a wheelbarrow supplied as a kit of component parts for subsequent assembly, the parts comprising: a. a tub with mounting structure at its underside; 5 b. a chassis with longitudinal arms which diverge from the forward end of the chassis to the rear end of the chassis; c. lifting arms engageable with the chassis arms to form a chassis assembly; d. legs engageable with the arms of the chassis assembly; and e. a wheel mountable at the forward end of the chassis; 10 wherein forward ends of the lifting arms are engageable with rear ends of the chassis arms with a taper fit by pushing one into the other to form a rigid frictional connection, the chassis assembly is engageable with the mounting structure at the underside of the tub by a taper fit between the arms of the chassis assembly and the mounting structure with the chassis assembly being pushed into position on the mounting structure to form a rigid 15 frictional connection, and the legs are engageable with the arms of the chassis assembly by a push-fit which provides a rigid frictional connection between the legs and the arms of the chassis assembly. According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a wheelbarrow supplied 20 as a kit of component parts for subsequent assembly, the parts comprising: a. a tub with mounting structure at its underside; b. a chassis with longitudinal arms; c. lifting arms engageable with the chassis arms to form a chassis assembly; d. legs engageable with the arms of the chassis assembly; and 25 e. a wheel mountable at the forward end of the chassis; wherein the tub forms a container within which the other components are packaged prior to assembly, the lifting arms are supplied as separate items from the chassis and forward ends of the lifting arms are engageable with rear ends of the chassis arms by a push-fit action which results in rigid coupling of the lifting arms to the chassis arms whereby the lifting 30 arms form a direct continuation of the chassis arms, and wherein the chassis assembly is engageable with the mounting structure at the underside of the tub, the mounting structure C :WPorb\DCC\PLW\3464871_I DOC-103/20l1 -3 having connections which retain the chassis and the lifting arms against displacement. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the chassis includes a transverse brace between its arms, and the mounting structure at the underside of the tub comprises longitudinal rails 5 which diverge at an angle corresponding to that of the arms of the chassis assembly whereby fitting of the chassis assembly to the mounting structure is effected by locating the chassis assembly so that its arms are adjacent to, and outside of, the rails of the mounting structure whereby a tight friction fit between the two is achieved by pushing the chassis assembly rearwardly relatively to the tub to move the arms into tight frictional 10 engagement with the rails, the mounting structure also including means engaging the transverse brace of the chassis when the chassis assembly has been pushed fully into position on the mounting structure whereby to lock the transverse brace against displacement vertically. 15 Preferably each leg is of a generally v shaped configuration with opposed limbs which are divergent upwardly, the upper end of each leg carrying an end fitting engageable with the arm of the chassis assembly, locking to the arm being effected by engagement of a section of the end fitting into a slot in the arm and pushing the leg to provide a friction locking effect achieved by the shaping of the slot. 20 Preferably the components additionally include at least one cross brace engageable with the two legs whereby to connect the legs to form a leg assembly for application to the chassis assembly, the cross brace being configured to provide a portion which engages with the mounting structure when the end fittings of the legs are applied to the arms of the 25 chassis assembly whereby during movement of the legs into locking engagement with the chassis arms, the said portion of the cross brace moves into friction locking engagement with the mounting structure. A version of the wheelbarrow design for heavy duty applications preferably comprises 30 struts locatable between the forward end of the tub and the forward end of the chassis to provide load-bearing support for the tub at that end.

C:\NRPonblDCC\PLW\3464871_1 DOC-110312011 -4 According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a wheelbarrow comprising a tub mounted on a chassis assembly consisting of an A-frame with longitudinal arms which diverge from the forward end of the frame to the rear end and a 5 cross brace extending between the arms, separate lifting arms having forward ends rigidly and non-adjustably coupled to the rear ends of the chassis arms to form direct continuations of the chassis arms, legs mounted to the arms of the chassis assembly, and a wheel mounted at the forward end of the chassis frame. 10 Embodiments 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 showing a wheelbarrow of the preferred embodiment in disassembled form with the tub acting as outer packaging for the other components; 15 Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a chassis frame and lifting arms for assembly to the chassis frame; Figure 2a is a view showing in enlarged detail the connection between the lifting arms and 20 chassis frame; Figure 2b is a view showing in enlarged detail the lifting arm when coupled to the chassis frame; 25 Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the chassis assembly formed by the chassis frame and assembled lifting arms is mounted to structure at the underside of the tub; Figure 3a is a view showing in enlarged detail the chassis assembly when coupled to the 30 mounting structure; C:RPonblDCC\PLW3464871_ DOC-1103/2011 -5 Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a leg assembly formed by coupling the two legs with cross braces; Figure 4a is a view showing in enlarged detail the cross braces when coupled to the legs; 5 Figure 5a is a view showing in enlarged detail a leg end fitting; Figure 5b is a longitudinal section through the leg end fitting; 10 Figure 5c is a transverse section through the leg end fitting; Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the leg assembly formed by the two legs and cross braces is fitted to the chassis arms and mounting structure; 15 Figure 6a is a view showing in enlarged detail the leg assembly when fitted; Figure 6b is a transverse section showing the leg end fitting engaged with the chassis arm; Figure 6c is a transverse section showing the manner in which the cross brace of the leg 20 assembly is fitted to the mounting structure; Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which a wheel assembly is mounted to the chassis frame; 25 Figure 7a is a view showing in enlarged detail the wheel assembly mounted to the chassis frame; Figure 7b is a transverse section corresponding to Figure 7a; 30 Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which side covers are mounted to the chassis arms for cooperation with the leg end fittings; C NRPotbi\DCC\PLWG464871_L DOC-l03/011 -6 Figure 8a is a view showing in enlarged detail the cover plate when mounted; Figure 8b is a transverse section through the cover plate when mounted to the chassis arms; 5 Figure 8c is a longitudinal section showing the cover plate when mounted to the chassis arms; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the assembled wheelbarrow; and 10 Figure 10 is a perspective view of a version of the wheelbarrow designed for heavy duty use. With reference to Figure 1 the wheelbarrow of a preferred embodiment of the invention is 15 supplied in "knock down" or disassembled form consisting of the tub 2 into which is packaged for transportation and storage the remainder of the components for assembly to form the wheelbarrow. These components principally comprise a chassis, lifting arms mountable to the chassis, legs mountable to the chassis and lifting arms, a wheel assembly mountable to the chassis, and a number of bracing and locking elements. The components 20 are packaged into the tub shown in Figure 1. As shown in this figure and also subsequent figures, the tub 2 is formed with a handle 4 at each side to enable the tub with the components packaged therein easily to be lifted and carried in the manner of a suitcase. With reference to Figure 2, the chassis is in the form of an A-frame 6 with opposed 25 divergent arms 8 and a cross brace 10 towards the rear end of the chassis. At the forward end portion of the chassis frame 6, each of the arms 8 carries a bracket 12 for receiving the wheel assembly as will be described subsequently. Figure 2 also shows two lifting arms 14 which are supplied separated from the chassis frame 6 and which are engaged with the arms 8 of the frame so as to form a chassis assembly. The chassis frame is fabricated from 30 tubular metal, steel for example, of rectangular cross section and engagement of the lifting arms 14 is effected by sliding forward end portions 14a of the lifting arms 14 into the rear C:\NRotb\DCCPTLWU4647I_ .DOC. /03/2011 -7 end portions of the chassis arms 8 as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. (These figures show the chassis frame 6 and arms 14 inverted relative to that configuration when assembled within the wheelbarrow). The lifting arms 14 are positively locked to the chassis arms 8 by simple spring locks which as shown consist of spring-loaded ball plungers 16 on the lifting 5 arms 14 engageable within corresponding apertures 18 in the chassis arms 8 when the end portion 14a of the lifting arm 14 has been pushed fully into the chassis arm. It is however to be noted that instead of using the spring-loaded ball plunger, other forms of spring lock with a "click-in" action may alternatively be used. The end portion 14a of the lifting arm 14 is designed to be a taper fit within the chassis arm 8 to provide a structurally strong 10 frictional connection between the two in order to carry the required loading when the wheelbarrow is in use. The chassis assembly consisting of the chassis frame 6 and lifting arms 14 is then mounted to the underside of the tub 2 by a simple slide action described with reference to Figures 3 15 and 3a. For this purpose the underside of the tub 2 carries mounting structure 20 for engagement with the chassis assembly. In the embodiment shown the tub 2 is moulded in a robust hard-wearing plastic material and the mounting structure 20 is fabricated from metal and has a base plate 20a firmly attached to the moulded tub, for example by screws, as part of the manufacturing process. It is however to be understood that the invention is 20 not limited to the use of tubs formed from moulded plastic and in alternative embodiments the tub could be fabricated from metal sheet. Principal components of the mounting structure at the underside of the tub are longitudinal side rails 22 which diverge rearwardly in conformity with the divergence of the arms of the chassis assembly and front and rear transverse members 24, 26 extending between the divergent rails 22. The transverse 25 members 24, 26 are of angle section with lower flanges 24a, 26a which project forwardly. The rails 22 are shaped to provide outwardly directed lips 22a at their underside. Firm, effectively "solid" connection of the chassis assembly to the mounting structure 20 of the tub is effected by a combination of a taper fit between the divergent arms of the chassis assembly and the corresponding divergent rails 22 of the mounting structure, by 30 engagement of the cross brace 10 of the chassis frame beneath the flange 24a of the forward transverse member 24, and by engagement of lugs 30 carried by each of the lifting C :WRPortblDCC\PLW\3464871f DOC-1/03/2011 -8 arms 14 beneath the flange 26a of the rear transverse member 26. The connection is effected as indicated in Figure 3 which shows the tub 2 placed on the ground face down, and the chassis assembly inverted. The chassis assembly is lowered 5 onto the tub with the cross brace 10 and lugs 30 positioned forwardly of the transverse members 24, 26, and the chassis assembly is then pushed rearwardly so that the divergent rails 22 and chassis arms are jammed tightly together and the cross brace 10 and lugs 30 are engaged beneath the flanges of the front and rear transverse members 24,26. The engaged condition of these components is clearly illustrated in Figure 3a. It is to be noted 10 that the rails 22 are cut away at their rearward ends to permit passage of the lugs 30 of the lifting arms. The taper fit between the rails 22 of the mounting structure and the chassis arms ensures that the chassis assembly is jammed as a tight friction fit onto the mounting structure 20, and the engagement of the lips 22a of the rails 22 beneath the arms and of the flanges 24a, 26a of the transverse members beneath the cross brace 10 and lugs 30 ensures 15 that the chassis assembly is locked to the mounting structure against vertical movement. The lugs 30 also engage into tapered slots at the rear corners of the mounting structure 20, to prevent lateral outwards movement of the lifting arms 14, and thereby to prevent the arms from "opening" outwardly when under load during use of the wheelbarrow. 20 In addition to the locking mechanisms just described, a spring loaded "click-in" type lock mechanism may be incorporated between the chassis arms and the side rails 22 of the mounting structure. Although this will not assist to any significant degree in retaining the chassis assembly to the mounting structure (the mechanisms described above do this perfectly adequately), it does provide the benefit of providing an audible indication that the 25 chassis assembly has been pushed fully into its locked condition on the mounting structure. Following mounting of the chassis assembly to the tub, the leg assembly is then fitted. The leg assembly is supplied as two separate legs 40 of generally V-shape, and two separate cross braces 42 to connect the legs 40 form the leg assembly. The legs and cross braces 30 are shown in Figure 4. Each cross brace 42 is of generally triangular form assembled from metal strip by bending and welding. End tabs 42a of the cross braces engage by sliding C:\NRPorb\DCCPLW\34647 1_L.DOC- M3/2011 -9 into brackets 44 on the legs 40 (see Figure 4a). When engaged with the legs, the cross braces provide substantial strength and stiffness for the leg assembly. Each cross brace 42 has at its upper end a substantially straight mounting portion 42b engageable with the base plate 20a of the mounting structure 20. In the embodiment shown, each leg 40 consists of 5 two metal limbs 46, for example of steel, interconnected at their lower ends by a moulded plastic foot 48. The foot 48 is shaped to provide a large surface area for contact with the ground so as to improve the stability of the wheelbarrow when resting on soft ground, sand for example. Each limb 46 carries at its upper end, and end fitting 50 in the form of a plastic moulding which is shown in detail in Figures 5a to 5c. The leg end fitting 50 10 comprises opposed parallel side walls 50a which engage with the opposite sides of the arms of the chassis assembly and, between these two walls, a lock member 50b of undercut cross section which engages into a profiled slot 60 in the chassis arms as will be described shortly. An integral mounting post 50c extends into the interior of the limb 46 and is attached thereto, for example by rivets, as part of the manufacturing process. 15 The profiled slots 60 each provide a wide entry portion 60a (see Figure 2b) for receiving the head of the lock member 50b followed by a narrowing locking section 60b so that when the lock member 50b is pushed rearwardly along the slot, the head will be engaged beneath the narrowing locking section and the stem of the lock member will move into 20 tight wedging engagement with the sides of the slot. With reference to Figure 6, the leg assembly is fitted to the chassis by lowering the assembly so that the end fittings 50 engage the chassis arms, their lock members 50b engage into the slots 60 in the chassis arms, and the mounting portions 42b of the cross 25 braces 42 are aligned with slots 20b in the base plate 20a. The leg assembly is then slid rearwardly so as to engage the lock members 50b of the leg end mouldings 50 into the narrow sections 60b of the slots 60 (see Figure 6b) and to move the mounting portions 42b of the cross braces 42 into the slots 20b so as to jam or taper fit the mounting portions 42b between the base plate 20a and the underside of the tub itself (see Figure 6c). When the 30 leg assembly has been pushed fully into position, the rear edges of the mounting portions 42b of the cross braces engage central mounting screws 70 between the tub 2 and base C:WRPorbDCC\PLW\3464871I.DOC.I3/2I I - 10 plate 20a and for this purpose the mounting portions 42b are formed with semi-circular recesses 42c at their rear edge for engagement with the screws 70. The screws thereby act as locators and load bearers for the cross braces at that point. It is also preferred that the underside of the tub itself will include raised detents or bumps over which the mounting 5 portion of the cross brace will ride when being moved into its final position to assist in its retention in that position. It is to be noted that each of the opposed side walls 50a of the leg end fittings 50 includes ribbed reinforcement so as to increase its stability and strength in its engagement with the side walls of the chassis arms. This assists in enabling the leg end fittings 50 to bear the torsional loading to which the leg assembly is likely to be 10 subjected during use and to thereby prevent damage to the lock members 50b when under such loading. The wheel assembly 80 consisting of wheel 82 and axle 84 is lowered into axle brackets 12 at the forward end of the chassis (see Figure 7) and is locked into position using a quick 15 release mechanism 88 of the same type as that used for fixing a bicycle wheel to a bicycle frame. As quick-release mechanisms of this type are in widespread use and are well known per se, a detailed description does not need to be given here. The engaged configuration of the wheel assembly is shown in Figures 7a and 7b. 20 Following the mounting of the leg assembly and the wheel assembly to the chassis assembly, a side cover 90 is snapped into position over each arm of the chassis assembly at the junctions of the leg end fittings 50 with the chassis (see Figure 8). The side cover 90 extends between the two limbs of the leg and has at each end portion a recess to receive the leg end fittings 50 whereby the fittings 50 are partially enclosed within the side cover 90 25 (see Figures 8a to 8c). The side covers 90 prevent the leg end fittings 50 from moving and thereby ensure the structural integrity of the assembly. The side cover 90 is snap-fitted onto the chassis arm by pushing the cover sideways onto the arm so that locking lips 90a at the inner edges of the arm engage over the inner side walls of the chassis arms. Internally, the side cover is provided with reinforcing ribbing 90b which engages the outer side walls 30 of the chassis arms when the side cover is in position. It is to be noted that under normal usage of the wheelbarrow it is the internal reinforcing ribbing 90b that will carry the C:WRfonbl\DCC\PLW\346487 1. DOC.1103/2011 - 11 primary loading applied to the side cover rather than the locking lips 90a whereby the locking lips do not need to be particularly rugged, merely sufficient to retain the side cover in position. 5 The assembled wheelbarrow is shown in Figure 9. The wheelbarrow can easily be assembled without the use of any tools simply by a series of push locking actions. Nevertheless the resulting structure is extremely robust and rugged. It is envisaged that the entire assembly could be accomplished in perhaps just two or three minutes with the purchaser following simple diagrammatic instructions. 10 An embodiment of the wheelbarrow for heavy duty use is shown in Figure 10 in its assembled state. Assembly takes place in the manner previous described except that the forward end portion of the chassis includes struts 100 which during assembly are pivoted or otherwise placed into engagement with the underside of the tub at its forward end and 15 snap locked or friction locked into position so as to provide structural support for the forward end of the tub directly from the chassis. Although the overall construction is fundamentally the same as that previously described, the legs are a little different in that the tubular limbs are interconnected at their lower ends by a rigid cross member, for example of steel welded to the limbs during fabrication in the factory. This rigid cross 20 member is concealed within a plastic foot moulding similar to that shown at 48. The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, although in the embodiment described major components including the chassis, lifting arms, and legs are principally 25 fabricated from tubular metal, steel in particular, they could be fabricated in alternative materials such as timber, plastic, and composite materials. Likewise, the mounting structure at the underside of the tub could be fabricated from a suitable material other than metal. The exact form of the fastenings between the components may also differ from those shown.

Claims (18)

1. A wheelbarrow supplied as a kit of component parts for subsequent assembly, wherein the parts are configured for assembly principally by means of a push-fit action 5 whereby components are rigidly coupled by frictional forces in the assembled structure and achieved without the use of tools.

2. A wheelbarrow according to claim 1, wherein the component parts comprise: a. a tub with mounting structure at its underside; 10 b. a chassis with longitudinal arms; c. lifting arms engageable with the chassis arms to form a chassis assembly engageable with the mounting structure at the underside of the tub; d. legs engageable with the arms of the chassis assembly; and e. a wheel mountable at the forward end of the chassis assembly. 15

3. A wheelbarrow according to claim 2, wherein the chassis has wheel mountings at its forward end for receiving a wheel assembly consisting of the wheel, an axle, and a quick-release axle fastening. 20

4. A wheelbarrow according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the tub forms a container within which the other components are packaged prior to assembly.

5. A wheelbarrow supplied as a kit of component parts for subsequent assembly, the parts comprising: 25 a. a tub with mounting structure at its underside; b. a chassis with longitudinal arms which diverge from the forward end of the chassis to the rear end of the chassis; c. lifting arms engageable with the chassis arms to form a chassis assembly; d. legs engageable with the arms of the chassis assembly; and 30 e. a wheel mountable at the forward end of the chassis; wherein forward ends of the lifting arms are engageable with rear ends of the chassis arms C:\NRPortbADCC\PLW3 464871 1.DOC.1/032011 - 13 with a taper fit by pushing one into the other to form a rigid frictional connection, the chassis assembly is engageable with the mounting structure at the underside of the tub by a taper fit between the arms of the chassis assembly and the mounting structure with the chassis assembly being pushed into position on the mounting structure to form a rigid 5 frictional connection, and the legs are engageable with the arms of the chassis assembly by a push-fit which provides a rigid frictional connection between the legs and the arms of the chassis assembly.

6. A wheelbarrow according to claim 5, wherein the chassis includes a transverse 10 brace between its arms, and the mounting structure at the underside of the tub comprises longitudinal rails which diverge at an angle corresponding to that of the arms of the chassis assembly whereby fitting of the chassis assembly to the mounting structure is effected by locating the chassis assembly so that its arms are adjacent to, and outside of, the rails of the mounting structure whereby a tight friction fit between the two is achieved by pushing the 15 chassis assembly rearwardly relatively to the tub to move the arms into tight frictional engagement with the rails, the mounting structure also including means engaging the transverse brace of the chassis when the chassis assembly has been pushed fully into position on the mounting structure whereby to lock the transverse brace against displacement vertically. 20

7. A wheelbarrow according to claim 6, wherein the lifting arms include abutments engaged with the mounting structure when the chassis assembly has been pushed fully into position on the mounting structure whereby to lock the lifting arms against vertical and lateral displacement 25

8. A wheelbarrow according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the longitudinal rails of the mounting structure include lips engageable beneath the arms of the chassis assembly so as to lock the arms against vertical displacement. 30

9. A wheelbarrow according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein each leg is of a generally v shaped configuration with opposed limbs which are divergent upwardly, the upper end of C :WRorb\CC\LW\346871_LDOC-1iV3/2011 - 14 each leg carrying an end fitting engageable with the arm of the chassis assembly, locking to the arm being effected by engagement of a section of the end fitting into a slot in the arm and pushing the leg to provide a friction locking effect achieved by the shaping of the slot. 5

10. A wheelbarrow according to claim 9, wherein the end fitting further comprises spaced parallel walls engageable with opposite sides of the chassis arm for carrying a torsional loading applied to the leg. 10

11. A wheelbarrow according to claim 9 or claim 10, further comprising at least one cross brace engageable with the two legs whereby to connect the legs to form a leg assembly for application to the chassis assembly, the cross brace being configured to provide a portion which engages with the mounting structure when the end fittings of the legs are applied to the arms of the chassis assembly whereby during movement of the legs 15 into locking engagement with the chassis arms, the said portion of the cross brace moves into friction locking engagement with the mounting structure.

12. A wheelbarrow according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a cover plate applicable to each of the chassis arms by a snap-in fitting to engage the end fittings of 20 the leg fitted to that arm.

13. A wheelbarrow according to any one of claims 5 to 12, further comprising struts locatable between the forward end of the tub and the forward end of the chassis to provide load-bearing support for the tub at that end. 25

14. A wheelbarrow according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein a wheel assembly comprising the wheel, an axle and a quick-release axle fastening is locatable in mountings provided at the forward end of the chassis. 30

15. A wheelbarrow supplied as a kit of component parts for subsequent assembly, the parts comprising: C:\NRPonbPDCC\PLW\3464871_ .DOC-I03/201 I - 15 a. a tub with mounting structure at its underside; b. a chassis with longitudinal arms; c. lifting arms engageable with the chassis arms to form a chassis assembly; d. legs engageable with the arms of the chassis assembly; and 5 e. a wheel mountable at the forward end of the chassis; wherein the tub forms a container within which the other components are packaged prior to assembly, the lifting arms are supplied as separate items from the chassis and forward ends of the lifting arms are engageable with rear ends of the chassis arms by a push-fit action which results in rigid coupling of the lifting arms to the chassis arms whereby the lifting 10 arms form a direct continuation of the chassis arms, and wherein the chassis assembly is engageable with the mounting structure at the underside of the tub, the mounting structure having connections which retain the chassis and the lifting arms against displacement.

16. A wheelbarrow according to claim 15, wherein the chassis is substantially in the 15 form of an A-frame in which its longitudinal arms diverge and are connected by a cross brace, and when the chassis assembly formed by the chassis frame and connected lifting arms is engaged with the mounting structure at the underside of the tub, engagement occurs between the cross brace of the chassis frame and a mating component of the mounting structure. 20

17. A wheelbarrow assembled from a kit according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. A wheelbarrow comprising a tub mounted on a chassis assembly consisting of an A-frame with longitudinal arms which diverge from the forward end of the frame to the 25 rear end and a cross brace extending between the arms, separate lifting arms having forward ends rigidly and non-adjustably coupled to the rear ends of the chassis arms to form direct continuations of the chassis arms, legs mounted to the arms of the chassis assembly, and a wheel mounted at the forward end of the chassis frame.