AU2021356295A1

AU2021356295A1 - Trolley

Info

Publication number: AU2021356295A1
Application number: AU2021356295A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sherif Girgis; Edward Joseph Khoury
Original assignee: Girgis Innovations Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Girgis Innovations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-07
Filing date: 2021-10-06
Publication date: 2023-05-25
Also published as: WO2022073064A1; AU2021356295A9

Abstract

A trolley (10) comprising a frame (12) comprising base portion (13) and an upright portion (15) extending upwardly from the base portion (13). A handle (20) is attached to an upper end of the upright portion (15). A plurality of wheels (16) are secured to the frame 12 adjacent the base portion (13) and a plurality of cross members (52) extend across the upright portion (15) of the frame (12). A plurality of containers (14) are provided, each including a support member provided to engage over one of the cross members (52) to support the container (14) from the frame (12). Each of the containers (14) is offset rearwardIy relative to a container (14) located below.

Description

“TROLLEY”

Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a trolley.

Background to the Invention

[002] Trolleys are commonly used for carrying shopping and other items. Known trolleys comprise a relatively upright container having wheels on a lower end and a handle for pulling. Such trolleys can be difficult to manoeuvre and to load and unload.

[003] The present invention relates to a trolley having improved features to aid in effectively supporting items, unloading and loading items from the trolley and manoeuvring the trolley and storing the trolley when not in use.

Summary of the Invention

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a trolley comprising: a frame comprising base portion and an upright portion extending upwardly from the base portion; a handle attached to an upper end of the upright portion; a plurality of wheels secured to the frame adjacent the base portion; a plurality of cross members extending across the upright portion of the frame; and a plurality of containers, each container including a support member provided to engage over one of the cross members to support the container from the frame; wherein each of the containers is offset rearwardly relative to a container located below.

[005] Preferably the frame further comprises a first side member having a lower portion and an upper portion, a second side member having a lower portion and an upper portion and a front member connecting between forward ends of the lower portions of the first and second side members, wherein the cross members extend between the upper portions of the first and second side members.

[006] Preferably the upper portions of the first and second side members extend upwardly from the lower portions at an angle to the vertical.

[007] Preferably the cross members comprise elongate members extending between the first and second side members and the support members comprise hooks extending outwardly from rear walls of the container.

[008] Preferably each of the containers comprises a flexible receptacle supported from a container support frame such that the hooks extend outwardly from the container support frame.

[009] In a preferred embodiment, the container support frame comprises an upper ring and a lower frame member located below a rear side of the upper ring such that the lower frame member engages with the upright portion of the frame of the trolley when the hooks are engaged with the cross member.

[010] Preferably the upper ring comprises front and rear frame members and first and second side frame members and wherein the first and second side frame members angle inward toward the front frame member such that the upper ring is generally trapezoidal in shape.

[011] Preferably the lower frame member is supported below the rear frame member by uprights and struts extending from ends of the lower frame member to the adjacent frame side members.

[012] Preferably the hooks extend outwardly from the struts. [013] Preferably each of the containers is of the same dimensions to allow interchanging of the positions of the containers on the frame.

[014] Preferably a top wall of each of the containers is pivotally connected to the rear wall such that the top wall can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position.

[015] Preferably the containers are provided also with pockets on outer surfaces thereof.

[016] In ap preferred embodiment, the trolley further comprises a drive motor to drive one or more of the wheels, wherein the handle includes a force sensor provided to sense the force applied to the handle to move the trolley forward or backward such that when a force is detected on the handle in a direction to move the trolley forward, the drive motors are activated to provide a forward driving force to the wheel and when a force is detected on the handle in a direction to move the trolley backward, the drive motors are activated to provide a backward driving force to the wheels.

[017] Preferably the handle includes telescoping front and rear sections in side portions thereof such that the first sensor detects relative movement of the front and rear sections.

[018] Preferably the front and rear sections are spring biased by springs such that forward movement of the trolley by action on the handle compresses the springs.

[019] Preferably the rear sections of the first and second side portions of the handle are provided with the force sensors located within tubular sensor housings.

[020] Preferably the drive motors comprise hub motors located within hubs of the wheels. Brief Description of the Drawings

[021] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[022] Figure 1 is a first upper perspective view of a trolley in accordance with the present invention;

[023] Figure 2 is a second upper perspective view of the trolley of Figure 1 ;

[024] Figure 3 is a top view of the trolley of Figure 1 ;

[025] Figure 4 is a front view of the trolley of Figure 1 ;

[026] Figure 5 is a rear view of the trolley of Figure 1 ;

[027] Figure 6 is a first side view of the trolley of Figure 1 ;

[028] Figure 7 is a second side view of the trolley of Figure 1 ;

[029] Figure 8 is a bottom view of the trolley of Figure 1 ;

[030] Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of the trolley of Figure 1 showing the storage containers removed from the frame;

[031] Figure 10 is a first upper perspective view of the frame of the trolley of Figure 1;

[032] Figure 11 is a second upper perspective view of the frame of Figure 10;

[033] Figure 12 is a front view of the frame of Figure 10;

[034] Figure 13 is a side view of the frame of Figure 10;

[035] Figure 14 is an exploded view of the frame of Figure 10;

[036] Figure 15 is an upper perspective view of one of the storage containers of the trolley of Figure 1 ;

[037] Figure 16 is a top view of the storage container of Figure 15;

[038] Figure 17 is a side view of the storage container of Figure 15;

[039] Figure 18 is an exploded view of the storage container of Figure 15;

[040] Figure 19 is a side view of the frame of Figure 10 in a collapsed configuration;

[041] Figure 20 is an upper perspective view of the frame of Figure 10 in the collapsed configuration;

[042] Figure 21 is close-up view of a cup holder of the frame of the trolley;

[043] Figure 22a is a perspective cross sectional view of the controller of the trolley; and

[044] Figure 22b is a side cross sectional view of the controller of the trolley. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[045] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a trolley 10 comprising generally a frame 12 and a plurality of containers 14. The frame 12 includes a plurality of wheels 16 and the containers 14 are attachable to and releasable from the frame 12. The frame comprises generally a base portion 13 and an upright portion 15. The base portion 13 extends generally horizontally adjacent the ground in use and the upright portion 15 extends upwardly away from the base portion 15 at an angle to the vertical. A handle 20 is connected to an upper end of the upright portion 15 of the frame.

[046] The frame 12 comprises generally a first side member 18 and a second side member 19. The first side member 18 is located in use adjacent a first side of the containers 14 and the second side member 19 is located in use adjacent a second opposite side of the containers 14.

[047] The first side member 18 comprises a lower portion 22 and an upper portion 23. The lower portion 22 comprises an elongate member oriented generally horizontally in use such that the lower portion 22 extends along a first side of a base wall 24 of a lowermost of the containers 14. The upper portion 23 comprises also an elongate member extending upwardly from a rear end of the lower portion 22 such that the upper portion 23 extends along a first side of a rear wall 26 of each of the containers 14 in use.

[048] The second side member 19 also comprises a lower portion 22 and an upper portion 23. The lower portion 22 comprises an elongate tubular member oriented generally horizontally in use such that the lower portion 22 extends along a second side of the base wall 24 of the lowermost container 14. The upper portion 23 comprises also an elongate tubular member extending upwardly from a rear end of the lower portion 22 such that the upper portion 23 extends along a second side of the rear walls 26 of the containers 14 in use.

[049] The lower portions 22 of the first and second side members 18 and 19 are angled towards each other such that forward ends thereof are closer together than rear ends. Forward ends of the lower portions 22 of the first and second side members 18 and 19 are connected to opposed ends of a front member 28. The front member 28 also comprises an elongate tubular member.

[050] The lower portions 22 of the first and second side members 18 and the front member 28 therefore form the base portion 13 of the frame. The upper portions 23 of the first and second side members 18 and 19 form the upright portion 15 of the frame 12.

[051] The frame 12 includes first and second rear wheels 16a and a single front wheel 16b. Each of the front and rear wheels 16 is mounted to the distal end of a wheel mount 30 mounted to the frame 12. The wheel mount 30 for the front wheel 16b is mounted to the front member 28 adjacent a midpoint thereof. The wheel mounts 30 for the rear wheels 16a are each mounted to the upper portions 23 of the first and second side members 18 and 19 adjacent lower ends thereof.

[052] The wheel mounts 30 are each pivotally mounted to the frame 12 such that the wheels 16b may pivot about the frame 12 between an extended and a collapsed position.

[053] The handle 20 comprises a U-shaped member extending between upper ends of the first and second side members 18 and 19. The handle 20 therefore comprises a first side portion 32 extending outwardly from the upper end of the first side member 18, a second side portion 34 extending upwardly from the upper end of the second side member 19 and an intermediate portion 33 connecting upper ends of the first and second side portions 32 and 34. The handle 20 may be grasped by the intermediate portion 33 in use to manoeuvre the trolley 10.

[054] One or more of the wheels 16 of the trolley 10 is provided with a drive motor. In the embodiment shown, the drive motor comprises hub motors located within the hubs of the rear wheels 16a.

[055] The handle 20 is provided with a force sensor incorporated therein. The force sensor is provided to sense the force applied to the handle 20 to move the trolley 10 forward or backward. The force detected by the force sensor is used to control operation of the drive motors in the wheels 16. In particular, when a force is detected on the handle 20 in a direction to move the trolley 10 forward, the drive motors are activated to provide a forward driving force to the wheel 16. When a force is detected on the handle 20 in a direction to move the trolley 10 backward, the drive motors may be activated to provide a backward driving force to the wheels 16.

[056] In the embodiment shown, the force sensors are provided within the first and second side portions 32 and 34 of the handle 20. The first and second side portions 32 and 34 each comprise a front section 36 and a rear section 37 where the front and rear sections 36 and 37 are mounted for telescoping movement relative to each other. In the embodiment shown, the rear sections 37 of the first and second side portions 32 and 34 of the handle 20 are received within the front sections 36.

[057] The front and rear sections 36 and 37 are spring biased by springs 38 such that forward movement of the trolley by action on the handle 20 compresses the springs 38. The rear sections 37 of the first and second side portions 32 and 34 of the handle 20 are provided with the force sensors located within a tubular sensor housing 40. The action on the handle 20 and compression or expansion of the springs 38 is detected by the force sensors and used to control operation of the drive motors within the wheel 16. A control 74 is also provided adjacent the force sensor. The control includes buttons provided to control operation of the drive motors and the force sensor.

[058] The trolley 10 is provided with a battery 68 to power the drive motors. The battery 68 is provided within a platform 70 extending between the lower portions 22 of the side members 18 and 19.

[059] In the embodiment shown, there are provided two containers 14 for storage of items to be carried by the trolley 10. As mentioned, each of the containers 14 includes a base wall 24 and a rear wall 26. The containers 14 also each include side walls 42, a front wall 43 and a top wall 44. The rear wall 26 and the base wall 24 are oriented at an obtuse angle to each other, corresponding to the angle between the lower portions 22 and the upper portions 23 of the first and second side members 18 and 19. The side walls 42 taper inwardly from adjacent the rear wall 26 towards the front wall 43, corresponding to the angle between the lower portions 22 of the first and second side members 18 and 19.

[060] The top wall 44 and the base wall 24 of each of the containers 24 are generally parallel. The top wall 44 is pivotally connected to the rear wall 26 such that the top wall 44 can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position. A closure, such as a zipper 54 is provided to seal the periphery of the top wall 44 around the periphery of the side walls 42 and the front wall 43.

[061] As can be seen in Figure 18, the front wall 43, the side walls 43, the rear wall 26 and the base wall 24 are formed from as a single open topped receptacle 56. A container support frame 58 is provided internally within the receptacle 56 to provide strength to the receptacle 56. In the embodiment shown, the receptacle 56 is formed from a flexible material and the container support frame 58 provides the shape. The receptacle 56 and the top wall 44 may also be formed from an insulating material.

[062] The containers 14 are provided also with pockets 60 on outer surfaces thereof. In the embodiment shown, the pockets 60 are provided on the side walls 42.

[063] The container support frame 58 comprises an upper ring 76 (as best seen in Figure 18) defining the shape of the open upper end of the receptacle 56. In the embodiment shown, the upper ring 76 comprises front and rear frame members 78 and 79 and first and second side frame members 80 and 81 . Each of the frame members 78-81 are linear and the first and second side frame members 80 and 81 angle inward toward the front frame member 78 such that the upper ring 76 is generally trapezoidal in shape.

[064] A lower frame member 82 is provided below the rear frame member 79. The lower frame member 82 is supported below rear frame member 79 by uprights 84. Struts 84 are also provided extending from ends of the lower frame member 82 to the adjacent frame side members 80 and 81. [065] Each of the containers 14 includes a support mechanism such that the container 14 is releasably engageable with the frame 12. The support mechanism in the embodiment shown includes support members 50 provided extending outwardly from the rear walls 26 of the containers 14. The support members 50 are provided to engage with cross members 52 extending between the upper portions 23 of the first and second side members 18 and 19.

[066] The cross members 52 comprises elongate members extending between the upper portions 23 of the first and second side members 18 and 19. A lower cross member 52 is provided extending between the side members 18 and 19 such that when the lower container 14 is engaged with the lower cross member 52, the base wall 24 is located adjacent the base portion 13 of the frame 12. The support members 50 comprise hooks 51 which can be received over the upper side of the cross member 52 such that the container 14 is engaged with the cross member 52.

[067] The hooks 51 extend outwardly from adjacent ends of the rear frame member 79. In the embodiment shown, the hooks 51 extend outwardly from adjacent upper ends of the uprights 84. When the hooks 51 are engaged over the cross member 52, the lower frame member 82 engages with the upright portion 15 of the frame 12 below the cross member 52 in order to support the upper ring 56 of the container support frame 58 generally horizontally. The receptacle 56 then hangs below the container support frame 58.

[068] The second upper container 14 is to be supported from the trolley 10 such that the base wall 24 thereof is located above the top wall 44 of the lower container 14. The cross member 52 provided for the upper container 14 extends between the first and second side members 18 and 19 such that when the hooks 51 are engaged with the upper cross member 52, the base wall 24 of the upper container 14 is located just above the upper wall 23 of the lower container 14. The front wall 43 of the upper container 14 is offset rearwardly from the front wall 43 of the lower container 14. Therefore, either container 14 may be easily removed from the frame 12 for filling or emptying and the lower container 14 also still accessed while both containers 14 are connected to the frame 14. [069] Both of the containers 14 are of the same dimensions such that either container 14 may be used as the upper or lower container 14. Also, the rear frame member 79 includes a central handle portion 86. The central handle portion 86 comprises a U-shaped portion extending rearwardly which can be grasped to assist moving the container 14.

[070] When the container 14 is removed from the frame 12, the frame 12 may be collapsed for easy transport or storage. As described previously, the wheel mounts 30 are pivotable relative to the frame 12. The handle 20 is also pivotally mounted to the upper ends of the first and second side members 18 and 19 via first hinges 64 such that the handle 20 can be folded around relative to the side members 18 and 19. The first and second side members 18 and 19 also include second hinges 65 therein located at the wheel mounts 30. Upper sections of the upper portions 23 of the first and second side members 18 and 19 can therefore be pivoted relative to lower sections of the upper portions 23 and the lower portions 22. The frame 12 can therefore be collapsed as shown in Figure 19.

[071] Operation of the pivoting of the frame 12 to the collapsed position is controlled by an actuator 61. The actuator comprises a bar 62 extending between the first and second side members 18 and 19 below the uppermost cross member 52. The bar 62 may be pulled toward the cross member 52 to move an internal pull link, which releases the first and second hinges 64 and

65 to allow the frame 12 to be collapsed.

[072] The frame 12 of the trolley 10 includes also a bag hook 66. The bag hook

66 is provided on the uppermost cross member 52 and may be used for hanging a bag from its straps. The frame 12 is also provided in the embodiment shown with a cup holder 72. The cup holder is attached to an upper end of one of the side members 18 or 19.

[073] 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

1 . A trolley comprising: a frame comprising base portion and an upright portion extending upwardly from the base portion; a handle attached to an upper end of the upright portion; a plurality of wheels secured to the frame adjacent the base portion; a plurality of cross members extending across the upright portion of the frame; and a plurality of containers, each container including a support member provided to engage over one of the cross members to support the container from the frame; wherein each of the containers is offset rearwardly relative to a container located below.

2. A trolley in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a first side member having a lower portion and an upper portion, a second side member having a lower portion and an upper portion and a front member connecting between forward ends of the lower portions of the first and second side members, wherein the cross members extend between the upper portions of the first and second side members.

3. A trolley in accordance with claim 2, wherein the upper portions of the first and second side members extend upwardly from the lower portions at an angle to the vertical.

4. A trolley in accordance with claim 3, wherein the cross members comprise elongate members extending between the first and second side members and the support members comprise hooks extending outwardly from rear walls of the containers.

5. A trolley in accordance with claim 4, wherein each of the container comprises a flexible receptacle supported from a container support frame such that the hooks extend outwardly from the container support frame.

6. A trolley in accordance with claim 5, wherein the container support frame comprises an upper ring and a lower frame member located below a rear side of the upper ring such that the lower frame member engages with the upright portion of the frame of the trolley when the hooks are engaged with the cross member.

7. A trolley in accordance with claim 6, wherein the upper ring comprises front and rear frame members and first and second side frame members and wherein the first and second side frame members angle inward toward the front frame member such that the upper ring is generally trapezoidal in shape.

8. A trolley in accordance with claim 7, wherein the lower frame member is supported below the rear frame member by uprights and struts extending from ends of the lower frame member to the adjacent frame side members.

9. A trolley in accordance with claim 8, wherein the hooks extend outwardly from the struts.

10. A trolley in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the containers is of the same dimensions to allow interchanging of the positions of the containers on the frame.

11. A trolley in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a top wall of each of the containers is pivotally connected to the rear wall such that the top wall can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position.

12. A trolley in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the containers are provided also with pockets on outer surfaces thereof.

13. A trolley in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a drive motor provided to drive one or more of the wheels, wherein the handle includes a force sensor provided to sense the force applied to the handle to move the trolley forward or backward such that when a force is detected on the handle in a direction to move the trolley forward, the drive motors are activated to provide a forward driving force to the wheel and when a force is detected on the handle in a direction to move the trolley backward, the drive motors are activated to provide a backward driving force to the wheels.

14. A trolley in accordance with claim 13, wherein the handle includes telescoping front and rear sections in side portions thereof such that the first sensor detects relative movement of the front and rear sections.

15. A trolley in accordance with claim 14, wherein the front and rear sections are spring biased by springs such that forward movement of the trolley by action on the handle compresses the springs.

16. A trolley in accordance with claim 15, wherein the rear sections of the first and second side portions of the handle are provided with the force sensors located within tubular sensor housings.

17. A trolley in accordance with any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the drive motors comprise hub motors located within hubs of the wheels.