AU774298B2

AU774298B2 - The trolley

Info

Publication number: AU774298B2
Application number: AU14922/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jack Skender
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-26
Filing date: 2000-02-07
Publication date: 2004-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-07
Also published as: AU1492200A

Description

AUSTRALIA

The Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT 9 99 9 "A TROLLEY" e o 2 The present invention relates to a trolley.

It is common for employees of establishments such as hotels and bars to have to move full kegs of beer. Due to the weight of these kegs, moving them around can be a difficult task and can also result in injuries. It is often required to move the kegs through narrow spaces as well as up and down steps or stairs.

Currently it is common for this task to be performed using a standard trolley. This requires the keg to be tilted so that the base of the trolley can slide under the keg and for the trolley and keg to then be laid back, in order to wheel the trolley around. These tasks of putting the keg on the trolley and then holding or securing it to the trolley while moving it can be difficult. It is also common for these kegs to simply be dragged or tilted on one edge and rolled from place to place. These methods can place strain on the person moving the keg, which may result in injury. They also have the possibility of the keg being dropped or tipped over.

The apparatus of the present invention attempts to solve at least some of the problems with existing methods of moving kegs.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a trolley including a frame having a wheel means and means for receiving a keg and a pivotal latch means arranged to engage pivotally with a handle of the keg so as to enable the keg to be transported by the trolley.

oo The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a trolley in accordance with the present invention when engaged with a keg of beer.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the trolley of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of a latch means of the trolley of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the latch means of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a trolley in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 is an attachable base for use with the trolley of Figure Referring to the drawings there is shown a trolley 10 including first and second elongate members 12 and 14, first and second arcuate members 20 and 22 and a latch means 16. As shown, the first arcuate member 20 is uppermost whilst the second arcuate member 22 is lowermost.

The elongate members 12 and 14 are arranged parallel to each other and endwise interconnected at first lower ends thereof by a cross member 24. A handle member 18 is arranged such that a first end thereof is receivable between second upper ends of the elongate members 12 and 14. The first end of the handle member 18 is then secured between the second ends of the elongate members 12 and 14 by any suitable means.

The arcuate members 20 and 22 are each attached transversely to the elongate members 12 and 14 such that a midpoint of each arcuate member 20 and 22 rests between the elongate members 12 and 14. The first arcuate member 20 is attached to the elongate members 12 and 14 at a point generally adjacent midpoints of the first and second ends of the elongate members 12 and 14. The second arcuate member 22 is 0 attached to the elongate members 12 and 14 adjacent first lower ends of the elongate ooo* members 12 and 14. The arcuate members 20 and 22 have a radius of curvature such that when the trolley 10 is placed alongside a keg 32, the keg 32 is receivable within o: the arcuate members 20 and 22.

Referring to Figure 3, the latch means 16 is pivotally mounted about a pivot pin 34.

The pivot pin 34 is arranged to extend between the elongate members 12 and14above the first arcuate member 20. The latch means 16 includes a pivotally mounted bar member 33. The bar member 33 has transversely extending portions 36 and 38 at first and second ends thereof respectively. The portions 36 of 38 extend in opposite directions from the bar member 33. Each transversely extending portion 36 and 38 includes a respective inwardly facing lug member 40 and 42 generally aligned with the bar member 33.

The distance from the pivot pin 34 to the first end of the bar member 33 differs from the distance from the pivot pin 34 to the second end of the bar member 33. The distance from the pivot pin 34 to each end of the bar member 33 is such that each end is receivable within a handle 44 (as shown in Figure 1) of a different standard size/of i keg 32, when the trolley 10 is placed alongside the keg 32. Each transversely extending portion 36 and 38 and respective lug member 40 and 42 is arranged engage 15. with the handle 44 of a keg 32.

The elongate members 12 and 14 are provided with transversely extending members 26 adjacent the first ends thereof. An axle 28 is arranged to be connect between the transversely extending members 26. The axle 28 is provided with a wheel 30 at each end thereof The axle 28, the wheel 30 and the transversely extending members 26 are •go• arranged such that when the trolley 10 is in a vertical position, with the first ends of the elongate members 12 and 14 resting on the ground, the lowermost point of the wheels 30 are positioned above the ground as can be seen in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the latch means 16. In this embodiment, the elongate members 12 and 14 are provided with a plurality of downwardly angled slots 46, interconnected by a vertical slot 48. The pivot pin 34 rests in one of the slots 46 and may be moved between slots 46 via the vertical slot 48. This arrangement allows for different positions of the latch means 16 relative to the keg 32 and hence for a larger range of keg sizes to be connected the trolley Figure 5 shows an; alternate embodiment of a trolley 10 in accordance with the present invention. The trolley 10 includes outer elongate members 50 and 52. The outer elongate members 50 and 52 are connected to the elongate members 12 and 14 respectively by a plurality of cross members 54. The outer elongate members 50 and 52 are arranged generally parallel to the elongate members 12 and 14. Further, the outer elongate members 50 and 52 are positioned forward of the elongate members 12 and 14 such that the keg 32 is receivable within the outer elongate members 50 and 52 such that it rests on the elongate members 12 and 14 and the outer elongate members and 52. The trolley 10 also includes at least one base support member 60 arranged to extend between the elongate members 12 and 14.

15 Figure 6 shows a base portion 61 suitable for attachment to the trolley 10 of Figure

S

The base portion 61 includes an upright member 64, a base plate 66 and at least one connecting means 62. The base plate 66 is connected to a lower end of the upright member 64 adjacent a midpoint of an edge of the base plate 66. Each connecting means 62 is attached to the upright member 64 on an opposite side to the base plate 66. Each connecting means 62 comprises a transverse portion extending away from the upright member 64 and a downwardly extending portion at an end remote from the upright member 64.

The connecting means 62 of the base portion 61 are arranged to be able to rest on the base support members 60. The downwardly extending portions of the connecting means 62 secure the base portion 61 to the base support members 60;. With.the base portion 61 attached, the outer elongate members 50 and 52 and the base portion 61 then allow the trolley 10 to function as a standard trolley when required.

In use, the trolley 10 is placed alongside a keg 32 so that the keg 32 is received within the arcuate members 20 and 22. The correct end of the latch means 16 is selected for the keg size to be moved and this end of the latch means 16 is then rotated about the pivot pin 34 such that it is received within the handle 44 of the keg 32. By pulling on the handle member 18 of the trolley 10, the transversely extending portion 36 or 38 and the respective lug member 40 or 42 then engage with the handle 44 of the keg 32.

The trolley 10 and the keg 32 are then tilted back onto the wheels 30. When the trolley and the keg 32 are suitably reclined, the trolley 10 can then be wheeled around with the keg 32 safely secured to the trolley As the trolley 10 has no base, there is no requirement to lift any part of the keg before it is engaged with the trolley. Also, having the wheels 30 off the ground when the keg 32 is first engaged with the latch means of the trolley 10, requires less force to tilt the trolley 10 and the keg 32.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

:"fq DATED THIS 2 ND DAY OF FEBRUARY 2000 JACK SKENDER, 34 EVANDALE ROAD LANDSDALE WA 6065

Claims

2. The trolley defined in claim 1, wherein the pivotal latch is in the form of a dual reverse ended swinging hook as defined in fig 3
3. The trolley defined in claim 2, wherein the pivotal latch is adjustable by means of an elongated and slotted opening for further positioning of the pivotal latch support point as defined in fig 4. ~0 0. 0 0* 0 0* 0O 0 0* 0* Jack Skender. oooo .000. o* *o 0* ooooo0 10 May 2004 COMS ID No: SMBI-00741916 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:26 Date 2004-05-10