AU2012216650A1 - Wheelbarrow - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract 5 A wheelbarrow (10) comprising a bin (12) supported relative to a wheel (16). A pair of arms (18) are securable to the wheelbarrow (10), the arms (18) each comprising a first portion (36) securable to the wheelbarrow (10) and second portion (36) parallel to and offset from the first portion (38). The arms (18) are securable in a plurality of positions such that the second portions (38) of the 10 arms (18) can be oriented in a plurality of orientations relative to the first portions (38). CDo c'jq aDq Coq Coo 00 (D Co) LO aDO 0)r Co)a 0

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention title: "Wheelbarrow" Applicant: Dennis Craig York Associated provisional applications: Number 2011903709 filed 9 September 2011 The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 "Wheelbarrow" Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to a wheelbarrow. Background to the Invention [002] Wheelbarrows are commonly used in residential properties for moving around soil and other material. With the increasing number of relatively narrow blocks, there is often restricted access down the sides of the building to manoeuvre standard sized wheelbarrows. Even if the wheelbarrow can fit through the space available, passing through such narrow spaces can result in the wheelbarrow damaging wall surfaces, or injury to the person using the wheelbarrow if their hands get caught between the wheelbarrow handles and edges of the opening. [003] The present invention relates to a wheelbarrow designed to allow easier use when passing through such relatively narrow spaces. Summary of the Invention [004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provide: a bin supported relative to a wheel; a pair of arms securable to the wheelbarrow, the arms each comprising a first portion securable to the wheelbarrow and second portion parallel to and offset from the first portion; wherein the arms are securable in a plurality of positions such that the second portions of the arms can be oriented in a plurality of orientations relative to the first portions.

3 [005] Preferably a pair of side members is provided oriented generally horizontally and extending along each vertical side of the bin such that first portions of the arms are slidably received in ends of the side members. [006] Preferably the first and second portions of the arms each comprise a linear segment of a tubular member and a shoulder portion joins the first portion and the second portion of each of the arms. [007] In one embodiment, the side members and the first portions of the arms comprise hollow tubular members of square cross section such that the arms are receivable in the first side members in any one of four orientations. [008] The arms are preferably securable in a plurality of positions relative to the side members such that the length of the arms may be adjusted. [009] In a preferred embodiment, the arms include a plurality of holes along the length thereof and the side members each include a flexible locking member having a pin thereon provided to engage with one of the holes in the arms. [010] Preferably the locking members each comprise a flexible member secured at one end thereof to the side member such that the pins pass through holes provided in the side members to be received in one of the holes in the arms to lock the arms relative to the side members and second ends of the locking members can be lifted away from the side members to withdraw the pin from the side member. [011] In a preferred embodiment, the bin comprises an open topped receptacle having opposed side walls, a rear wall adjacent the arms, a front wall and a relatively short base wall. The front wall preferably includes a convex portion extending from an upper portion of the front wall over the wheel to the base wall. [012] In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the bin from the upper edge to the base wall is greater than the width of the bin. Preferably the depth from the upper edge to the base wall is at least 20% greater than the width of the 4 bin and the length of the bin is at least 80% greater than the width of the bin. Preferably the base wall of the bin is located at a height below the axle of the wheelbarrow. [013] Feet may be provided extending downwardly from the base wall such that the bin rests on the feet. The feet may each include a plate secured to the lower side thereof. [014] In one embodiment, there is provided a pair of further side members extending along each vertical side of the bin at an angle to the side members, the first portions of the arms being slidably receivable in ends of the further side members. [015] Preferably the further side members are secured such that the rear ends of the further side members are located below the rear ends of the side members. Brief Description of the Drawings [016] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which: [017] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention; [018] Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1; [019] Figure 3a is a top view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1; [020] Figure 3b is a side cross sectional view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 3a through the line A-A; [021] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1; [022] Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1 with the arms is a first orientation; [023] Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1 with the arms is a second orientation; [024] Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1 with the arms is a third orientation; 5 [025] Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1 with the arms is a fourth orientation in an extended position; [026] Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention; [027] Figure 10 is a lower perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 9; [028] Figure 11 a is a top view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 9; [029] Figure 11 b is a side view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 9; [030] Figure 12 is an exploded view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 9; [031] Figure 13 is an upper perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 9 with the arms is a first orientation in an upper position; and [032] Figure 14 is an upper perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 9 with the arms in a second orientation in a lower configuration. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [033] Referring to Figures, there is shown a wheelbarrow 10 in accordance with the present invention. The wheelbarrow 10 comprises a bin 12 supported on a frame 14. The frame 14 includes a wheel 16 and the wheelbarrow 10 also includes a pair of arms 18 such that the wheelbarrow 10 can be moved by holding the arms 18 and pushing the wheelbarrow 10 in a known manner. [034] The wheelbarrow 10 is provided a pair of side members 20 and 21 oriented generally horizontally and extending along each vertical side of the bin 12. The side members 20 and 21 are secured to opposed sides of the bin 12 adjacent the upper end thereof and each comprise a hollow tubular member. In the embodiment shown, the hollow tubular members have a square cross section. The side members 20 and 21 include securing plates 60 attached thereto and are secured to the side of the bin 12 by securing bolts 62 which pass through aligned holes in the securing plates 60 and the sides of the bin 12. [035] The rear ends of the side members 20 and 21 each include an opening for receiving an end of one of the arms 18. The arms 18 have a cross sectional shape complementary to that of the first side members 20 and 21 6 such that the arms 18 can be slidably received in the rear ends of the first side members 20 and 21. [036] The frame 14 includes comprises pair of wheel support members 24 and 25. The wheel support member 24 and 25 extend away from the bin 12 on either side of the wheel 16 and an axle 32 of the wheel 16 is supported between the wheel support members 24 and 25. [037] Each of the arms 18 comprises a first portion 36 and a second portion 38. Each of the first and second portions 36 and 38 comprise an elongate tubular member. The first portion 36 comprises a linear segment of tubular member an end of which is received in the opening in the rear end of one of the side members 20 or 21. The second portion 38 also comprises a linear segment of the tubular member that is parallel to the first portion 36 and offset from the first portion 36. A shoulder portion 37 joins the first portion 36 and the second portion 38 of each of the arms 18. The second portions 38 of the arms 18 are also provided with hand grips 39 [038] The arms 18 each include a plurality of holes 67 along the length thereof. The side members 20 and 21 each include a flexible locking member 64 having a pin 65 thereon provided to engage with one of the holes 67 in the arms 18. The locking members 64 each comprise a flexible member secured at one end thereof to the side member 20 or 21. The pins 65 of the locking members 64 pass through holes provided in the side members 20 and 21 such that the pins 65 can be received in one of the holes in the arms 18 to lock the arms 18 relative to the side members 20 and 21. Second ends of the locking members 64 however can be lifted away from the side members 20 or 21 to withdraw the pin 65 from the side members 20 and 21 and thereby allow the arms 18 to slide to a different position. The amount by which the arms 18 extend behind the wheelbarrow 10 can therefore be adjusted. [039] The arm members 18 can be inserted into the side members 20 and 21 in one of a plurality of angular orientations. In the present embodiment in which first portions 36 of the arms 18 and the side members 20 and 21 are each of square cross section, four orientations are possible. By changing the 7 orientation in which the arm 18 is inserted, the orientation of the second portion 38 of the arm 18 relative to the first portion 36 can be varied. [040] Figures 1 to 5 show a first orientation in which the second portions 38 of the arms 18 are offset inwardly of the first portions 36. Figure 6 show a second orientation in which the second portions 38 of the arms 18 are offset to be located outwardly of the first portions 36 of the arms 18. Figure 7 shows a third orientation in which the second portions 38 of the arms 18 are offset upwardly of the first portions 36 of the arms 18. Figure 8 shows a fourth orientation in which the second portions 38 of the arms 18 are offset downwardly of the first portions 36 of the arms 18. In Figure 8, the length of the arms 18 is also extended. [041] The bin 12 of the wheelbarrow 10 comprises a relatively narrow bin and the distance between the side members 20 and 21 is also relatively narrow to allow ease of movement of the wheelbarrow 10 through narrow spaces. The bin 12 is also relatively deep to provide greater stability to compensate for the narrowness of the bin 12. [042] The bin 12 comprises an open topped receptacle having opposed side walls 40 and 42, a rear wall 44 adjacent the arms 18, an angled front wall 46 and a relatively short base wall 48. [043] The front wall 46 includes a convex portion 47 extending from an upper portion of the front wall 46 over the wheel 16 to the base wall 48. Feet 50 are provided extending downwardly from the base wall 48 such that the bin 12 rests on the feet 50 when not in use. The feet 50 each include a plate 51 secured to the lower side thereof. [044] The dimensions of the relatively narrow and deep bin 12 provide a wheelbarrow 10 of sufficient capacity while remaining relatively stable and easy to manoeuvre through narrow areas. The depth of the bin 12 from the upper edge to the base wall 48 is preferably greater than the width of the bin 12. In a preferred embodiment, the depth from the upper edge to the base wall 48 is approximately 20% greater than the width of the bin 12 and the length of the bin 12 is approximately 80% greater than the width of the bin 12.

8 [045] The narrow bin 12 provides further advantages for use in confined spaces by the multiple orientations available for the arms 18. The second portions 38 of the arms 18 can be used in the outwards orientation (Figure 6) to provide a wider grip, or the inner orientation (Figures 1 and 5) to allow easier use of the wheelbarrow 10 in narrow spaces. The arms 18 can also be used with the second ends 38 thereof in the upper or lower orientations to provide further adjustment. It may be desired, for example, to have the second portions 38 of the arms 18 in the lower position to allow easier tipping of the wheelbarrow 10. [046] Figures 9 to 14 show a second embodiment of a wheelbarrow 10 in accordance with the present invention. The wheelbarrow 10 of Figures 9 to 14 is similar to that of Figures 1 to 8 and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. [047] The frame 14 in this embodiment extends upwardly and is connected to the side members 20 and 21. Front ends of the first side members 20 and 21 are joined by an interconnecting member 22 that extends generally horizontally across the front of the bin 12. [048] The wheel support members 24 and 25 each include a first end secured to the interconnecting member 22. The wheel support members 24 and 25 include a first end portion 26 adjacent the first end thereof, a second end portion 28 adjacent a second end thereof and an intermediate portion 27 joining the first and second end portions 26 and 28. Each of the first end, second end and intermediate portions 26, 28 and 27 comprises a linear segment of tubular member. [049] The first end portions 26 of the wheel support members 24 and 25 extend downwardly from the interconnecting member 22 and at an angle to the vertical in a direction towards the rear of the wheelbarrow 10. The intermediate portions 28 of the wheel support members 24 and 25 extend from the first portions 26 further towards the rear of the wheelbarrow 10 at a greater angle to the vertical. The second end portions 28 of the wheel support 9 members 24 and 25 extend generally parallel to the first side members 20 and 21. [050] The frame 14 is also provided with a pair of further side members 30 and 31. Each of the further side members 30 and 31 also comprises a hollow elongate member having an opening in a rear end thereof for receiving one of the arms 18. Front ends of each of the further side members 30 and 31 are secured to a corresponding one of the side members 20 and 21 adjacent the front end thereof. The further side members 30 and 31 extend away from the side members 20 and 21 at an angle thereto such that the rear ends of the further side members 30 and 31 are located below the rear ends of the side members 20 and 21. A brace member 34 is also provided extending between the rear ends of the side members 20 and 21 to provide additional stability. [051] The arms 18 can also be inserted into either the side members 20 and 21 (as shown in Figures 9 to 13) or into the further side members 30 and 31 (as shown in Figure 14). By changing the side members into which the arms 18 are inserted, the angle of the arms 18 relative to the wheelbarrow 10 can be modified to vary the position from which the wheelbarrow 10 is lifted. The arms 18 may also be inserted into the further side members 30 and 31 in any of the previously mentioned orientations. [052] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims (18)

1. A wheelbarrow comprising: 5 a bin supported relative to a wheel; a pair of arms securable to the wheelbarrow, the arms each comprising a first portion securable to the wheelbarrow and second portion parallel to and offset from the first portion; wherein the arms are securable in a plurality of positions such that the second 10 portions of the arms can be oriented in a plurality of orientations relative to the first portions.

2. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 1, wherein a pair of side members is provided oriented generally horizontally and extending along each 15 vertical side of the bin such that first portions of the arms are slidably received in ends of the side members.

3. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first and second portions of the arms each comprise a linear segment of a tubular 20 member and a shoulder portion joins the first portion and the second portion of each of the arms.

4. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 3, wherein the side members and the first portions of the arms comprise hollow tubular members of square 25 cross section such that the arms are receivable in the first side members in any one of four orientations.

5. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 4, wherein the arms are securable in a plurality of positions relative to the side members such that the 30 length of the arms may be adjusted.

6. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 5, wherein the arms include a plurality of holes along the length thereof and the side members each include a flexible locking member having a pin thereon provided to engage with one of 35 the holes in the arms. 11

7. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 6, wherein the locking members each comprise a flexible member secured at one end thereof to the side member such that the pins pass through holes provided in the side 5 members to be received in one of the holes in the arms to lock the arms relative to the side members and second ends of the locking members can be lifted away from the side members to withdraw the pin from the side member.

8. A wheelbarrow in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, 10 wherein the bin comprises an open topped receptacle having opposed side walls, a rear wall adjacent the arms, a front wall and a relatively short base wall.

9. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 8, wherein the front wall 15 includes a convex portion extending from an upper portion of the front wall over the wheel to the base wall.

10. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 8 or 9, wherein the depth of the bin from the upper edge to the base wall is greater than the width of the 20 bin.

11. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 10, wherein the depth from the upper edge to the base wall is at least 20% greater than the width of the bin and the length of the bin is at least 80% greater than the width of the bin. 25

12. A wheelbarrow in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base wall of the bin is located at a height below the axle of the wheelbarrow. 30

13. A wheelbarrow in accordance with any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein feet are provided extending downwardly from the base wall such that the bin rests on the feet. 12

14. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 13, wherein the feet each include a plate secured to the lower side thereof.

15. A wheelbarrow in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, 5 wherein there is provided a pair of further side members extending along each vertical side of the bin at an angle to the side members, the first portions of the arms being slidably receivable in ends of the further side members.

16. A wheelbarrow in accordance with claim 15, wherein the further side 10 members are secured such that the rear ends of the further side members are located below the rear ends of the side members.

17. A wheelbarrow in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side members are joined by an interconnecting member that 15 extends generally horizontally across the front of the bin.

18. A wheelbarrow substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 20 Dennis Craig York by his Patent Attorneys Armour IP