CA2191040A1 - Hand cart without toe plate - Google Patents
Hand cart without toe plateInfo
- Publication number
- CA2191040A1 CA2191040A1 CA002191040A CA2191040A CA2191040A1 CA 2191040 A1 CA2191040 A1 CA 2191040A1 CA 002191040 A CA002191040 A CA 002191040A CA 2191040 A CA2191040 A CA 2191040A CA 2191040 A1 CA2191040 A1 CA 2191040A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- load
- lever
- frame
- sleeve
- supporting member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/04—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment
- B62B3/06—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment for simply clearing the load from the ground
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
- B62B1/10—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels
- B62B1/12—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
- B62B1/10—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels
- B62B1/14—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/04—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/10—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/10—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape
- B62B3/104—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor characterised by supports specially adapted to objects of definite shape the object being of cylindrical shape, e.g. barrels, buckets, dustbins
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B2203/00—Grasping, holding, supporting the objects
- B62B2203/10—Grasping, holding, supporting the objects comprising lifting means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B2203/00—Grasping, holding, supporting the objects
- B62B2203/44—Clamping or supporting circumferentially
Abstract
There is described a cart for raising or lowering a load, comprising a ground engaging frame, a lifter means movably supported on the frame for up and down movement, straps for securing a load to the lifter so that the load need not be supported from a bottom surface thereof, and a way to selectively raise and lower the lifter and a load secured thereto.
Description
HAND CART WITHOUT TOE PLAT~
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hand carts and more particularly to hand carts capable of moving a load and lifting a load up to or down from an elevated position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand carts are often used in situations where the object that is picked up and carried by the cart has to be lifted above the surface over which the cart itself moves.
One such situation is the loading of gas cylinders onto welder trays.
Various attempts have been made in the past to provide hand carts capable of vertically lifting and lowering their loads. The various attempts to achieve this purpose have taken rather elaborate and complicated forms. Canadian Patent No. 972,777 describes a push bar lift assembly for enabling a hand cart to be lifted up stairs. A U-shaped push bar, positioned between the wheels and the lower support frame of the cart, is pivotally hinged on the lower support member to permit a relative movement of the wheels and the push bar, while a handle is positioned on the upper sliding member. The upward force applied to the handle by the operator is exerted through a sprocket and chain which permits a multiplication of the operator~s exerted force. Upward movement of the upper sliding member causes the lower sliding member to exert a force to push the inverted U-shaped push bar downward to contact the step and force the frame member upward. U.S.
Patents Nos. 2,560,131, 2,598,489, 2,710,759, 3,052,323, 3,704,799 and 3,907,138 provide examples of hand carts equipped with a secondary elevator platform or toe plate that is arranged for vertical movement on an upright frame structure.
Laid-open Canadian Patent No. 2,138,716 filed by the applicant herein describes a two-wheeled hand cart which can move a load up to or down from an elevated position. The frame of the cart is tiltable about its wheels like a conventional cart. A rotatable U-shaped leg is pivotably connected to the cart frame. To elevate a load on the cart's toe plate, the cart is tilted backwards so that the toe plate is angled upward allowing fingers attached to the underside of the toe plate to engage the elevated platform. The rotatable leg is then pivoted until it contacts the ground behind the cart. The cart is tilted forwardly to elevate the load to the level of the fingers connected to the elevated platform and the leg is pulled under the cart and held in the ground engaging position by an actuator spring connected between a crossbar located at the base of the pivotable leg and the main frame of the cart. The leg therefore supports the cart in an elevated position. The load can then be manually shifted onto the welder tray, for example.
This cart design works well in most situations and for most gas cylinders. There are situations however particularly involving oversized tanks or cylinders or if the welder tray is surrounded by a vertical lip where it is preferable that the cart be capable of supporting its load above the ground and then moved into a straddling position relative to the welder with the cylinder positioned above the welder tray. The tank can then be lowered directly onto the tray. The cart and attached tank need not therefore be tilted at all or supported by a pivotable leg which improves safety particularly when dealing with these oversi~ed loads. Nor i.s any manual shifting of the load from the toe plate to the welder tray required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a three or four-wheeled hand cart capable of moving a load and lifting a load up to or down from an elevated platform. Main components include a ground engaging frame which rigidly supports a vertically aligned rod, a cylindrical sleeve mounted slidably on the rod for up and down movement, means to fasten the load '_ 21 91 040 to the sleeve and a winch supported by the frame which operates a cable to raise and lower the sleeve and the attached cylinder. More specifically, the cable operates a lever pivotally connected to the sleeve so that when lifting the cylinder, a cam on the lever is forced against the cylinder which in turns biases the cylinder against the means, typically chains, connecting the cylinder to the sleeve. When it i8 desired to release the cylinder, the cylinder is simply lowered onto a supporting surface, the winch is operated to release the lever and the chains removed. The cart is then backed away which leaves the cylinder standing on the supporting surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the frame is mounted on a plurality of wheels for easy movement over the ground.
In a further preferred embodiment, means are provided to prevent the sleeve from rotating about its longitudinal axis.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hand cart which obviates and mitigates from the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand cart that can raise and lower a load without the need of a toe plate.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand cart capable of straddling a welder to facilitate loading and unloading of gas cylinders.
According to the present invention, then, there is provided a cart for raising or lowering a load, comprising ground engaging frame means, lifting means movably supported on said frame means for up and down movement, means for securing a load to said lifting means so that said load need not be supported from a bottom surface thereof, and means to selectively raise and lower said lifting means and a load secured thereto.
~ 2 I q l 040 According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of raising and lowering a load up to and down from an elevated position comprising the steps of securing the load to a vertically movable load supporting member supported on a ground engaging frame without supporting the load from a bottom surface thereof, selectively raising and lowering said load supporting member and a load secured thereto, and releasing said load from said load supporting member after said load is raised up to or lowered down from said elevated position.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a frame for a cart used to lift and lower a load relative to a piece of equipment having an elevated surface thereon to receive said load, comprising a ground engaging lower portion, and a load supporting upper portion, said upper and lower portions being adapted to straddle said surface so that said load can be lowered directly onto or lifted directly up from said surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, and will be better understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the present 25 hand cart;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the cart of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the cart of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a lever assembly forming part of the cart of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an opposite side, rear perspective view of the portion of the cart shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the upper part of the cart of Figure 1; and - 21qlO40 Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the cart of Figure 1 for supporting a load in a raised condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is initially made to Figure 1 showing the present cart in a three-wheeled configuration. The cart comprises, generally, a frame 5 and lifting means 40 that will be described in greater detail below to secure a load such as a gas cylinder or tank 50 to the frame and to then raise and lower the load as needed.
As shown in Figure 1, frame 5 comprises a cross member 6 welded or otherwise rigidly connected between a pair of parallel rails 7 to form an H-frame with the cross member 6 being located off-center towards the rear of the frame. A
ground engaging member such as a wheel 9 is connected to the forward end of each rail for rotation about an axle 10. A
vertical A-frame 15 connects adjacent to the rearward ends of rail 7 and extends upwardly, terminating at a horizontal crossbar 16 to which is connected a forwardly extending horizontal flange 18. A T-bar 20 is connected at one of its ends to plate 18 and extends diagonally upwardly to terminate at a welded-on cylindrical collar 24. Collar 24 is sized to fit the upper end of a vertical rod or guide tube 30 and is removably connectable to the tube such as by means of a set screw or bolt 26.
The lower end of rod 30 is welded or otherwise strongly connected to cross member 6 of the H-frame. A
bracket 32 extends rearwardly from adjacent the tube's lower end for a castered wheel 8 which permits the cart to be easily navigated over the ground. Obviously, wheels can be located at the rearward ends of rail 7 for a four-wheeled configuration if this is preferred over the three-wheeled version shown in the drawings.
To secure a tank 50 to the cart and to raise and lower the tank as required, the present cart makes use of lifting means 40 and means to raise and lower the lifting means. Generally, the raising and lowering means comprise a reversible ratchet-type winch 45 operatively connected such as by means of a winch cable 46 to the lifting means which include a sleeve 55 that slides up and down along guide tube 30. Winch 45 is conveniently connected to the underside of plate 18 and crossbar 16 of the A-frame such as by means of threaded fasteners. Sleeve 55 is itself adapted for a releasable connection to tank 50 which will move up and down with the sleeve as will be described below.
With reference once again to Figures 1 and 2, tubular sleeve 55 is installed over tube 30 prior to the connection of collar 24. Once the collar is connected, tube 30 is rigidly held in vertical alignment relative to frame 5 and the sleeve is free to move up and down between collar 24 at the tube's upper end and bracket 32 near the tube's lower end. As will be seen most easily from Figures 1, 4 and 6, a pair of T-shaped brackets 56 and 57 are welded to sleeve 55 to extend forwardly relative to frame 5 towards the tank. The first sleeve 56 is located at or near to the top of the sleeve, and the second sleeve 57 is located at or near the sleeve's lower end.
A length of cylinder supporting strapping such as chain 75 is connected to an end 58 of each T-bracket such as by means of threaded fasteners and a washer 61. After wrapping around the gas cylinder, each length of chain is received into a slotted quick release 64 provided at the other ends 59 of the T-brackets. This feature will be seen most clearly from Figures 2 and 5. The chains therefore connect the cylinder to sleeve 55.
Prior to raising or lowering, it's preferable that the cylinder be biased against at least one of the two restraining chains to take up any slack and to prevent slippage of the tank relative to the frame due to its own weight. It's also of course necessary to move sleeve 55 up and down along tube 30. Both these objectives are accomplished using a dogleg lever 80 seen most clearly in Figures 4 and 5. Lever 80 in one embodiment constructed by the applicant comprises a pair of spaced apart ribs 81 welded or otherwise rigidly connected at a predetermined angle to respective extensions 82. A cam 84, which can be made of metal, is welded between the outer ends of the extensions and a sleeve 86 with an eyelet 90 thereon is connected between the outer ends of the ribs such as by means of a removable bolt 87. The eyelet 90 on sleeve 86 provides a point of connection for winch cable 46.
Lever 80 as thusly constructed is installed onto the cart with sleeve 55 between ribs 81. This is easily done by removing bolt 87 and sleeve 86, installing the dogleg over sleeve 55 and reconnecting the sleeve and bolt 86/87.
Lower T-bracket 57 includes a horizontally oriented, welded-on tubular sleeve 66 that fits between ribs 81 where they join with extensions 82. These joints are apertured for a pin 92 that can be inserted through these apertures and sleeve 66 to pivotably connect dogleg 80 to bracket 57 and sleeve 55. The dogleg pivots back and forth in the direction of arrow A-B as shown in Figure 4 and is normally biased in the direction of arrow A by a small spring 97 connected between sleeve 55 and cam 84.
As aforesaid, sleeve 86 located between the outer ends of the ribs includes an eyelet 90 for connection to winch cable 46. When the cable is winched in, the dogleg is initially pivoted in the direction of arrow s to force cam 84 against the side wall of tank 50. This forces the tank against chain 75 which prevents the tank from slipping past the chain as the tank is being moved. Further winching to rewind the cable will pull up on the dogleg to raise sleeve 55 and the tank or any other load chained or otherwise secured to the T-brackets.
A small tine 95 is welded to the rearward side of sleeve 55 opposite the connection to T-bracket 57. This tine 21 ql 040 is slidably received into a slot formed between two spaced apart strips of metal 98 that extend vertically upwardly from bracket 32 that also supports caster 8. The tracking of the tine within this slot prevents sleeve 55 from rotating relative to rod 30. Obviously if tube 30 and sleeve 55 were, for example, square in cross-sectional shape, or if they were interconnected by means of a longitudinally extending spline, relative rotation between these two components would be similarly prevented.
In operation, the cart is initially wheeled up to a standing tank and, with sleeve 55 in its lowered position on tube 30 as shown in Figure 2, chains 75 are used to lash the tank against the two T-brackets 56 and 57. Cable 46 is then winched in to tighten cam 84 against the tank and continued winching will raise the tank above the ground to the required height. The cart will then be wheeled into place straddling the welder so that the tank is held suspended over the welder tray. The winch is reversed to unwind cable 46 which initially lowers the sleeve until the chained tank comes to rest on the welder tray. With continued rewinding, cam 84 is biased away from the tank by spring 97. The chains are released and the cart is backed away to complete the operation. The reverse procedure takes place to remove a tank from the welder and transport it elsewhere. As will be appreciated, the tank need not itself be manually moved, shifted or even tilted at any stage of its handling.
It will be further appreciated that in the raised position, the force of gravity acting on the tank will increase the wedging force of cam 84 against the tank's wall to further ensure against any inadvertent slippage.
Modifications to the present design are of course possible. For example, cross member 6 of the H-frame can be telescopically adjustable for straddling different sized welders or other pieces of equipment. A-frame 15 can be fitted with handles for easy movement of the cart over the 21 ql 040 ground. Instead of tube 30 and sleeve 55 being associated telescopically, tube 30 could act as a rail or guide for a sleeve or a rod or even a separate framework that moves alongside the tube. Tube 30 might even be eliminated entirely in favour of, for example, two or more spaced-apart sliders that guide the up and down movement of the sleeve. Yet another alternative is to replace the tube/sleeve combination with, for example, a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder actuated, for example, by a foot pump. In another embodiment contemplated by the applicant, chains 75 can be replaced by clamps or vice-like pincers to positively secure the tank without the biasing force of lever 80. As will be appreciated however, chains are relatively cheap and automatically adjust to loads of different ~izes and shapes.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are meant to be illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications, which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The only limitations to the scope of the present invention are set out in the following appended claims.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hand carts and more particularly to hand carts capable of moving a load and lifting a load up to or down from an elevated position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand carts are often used in situations where the object that is picked up and carried by the cart has to be lifted above the surface over which the cart itself moves.
One such situation is the loading of gas cylinders onto welder trays.
Various attempts have been made in the past to provide hand carts capable of vertically lifting and lowering their loads. The various attempts to achieve this purpose have taken rather elaborate and complicated forms. Canadian Patent No. 972,777 describes a push bar lift assembly for enabling a hand cart to be lifted up stairs. A U-shaped push bar, positioned between the wheels and the lower support frame of the cart, is pivotally hinged on the lower support member to permit a relative movement of the wheels and the push bar, while a handle is positioned on the upper sliding member. The upward force applied to the handle by the operator is exerted through a sprocket and chain which permits a multiplication of the operator~s exerted force. Upward movement of the upper sliding member causes the lower sliding member to exert a force to push the inverted U-shaped push bar downward to contact the step and force the frame member upward. U.S.
Patents Nos. 2,560,131, 2,598,489, 2,710,759, 3,052,323, 3,704,799 and 3,907,138 provide examples of hand carts equipped with a secondary elevator platform or toe plate that is arranged for vertical movement on an upright frame structure.
Laid-open Canadian Patent No. 2,138,716 filed by the applicant herein describes a two-wheeled hand cart which can move a load up to or down from an elevated position. The frame of the cart is tiltable about its wheels like a conventional cart. A rotatable U-shaped leg is pivotably connected to the cart frame. To elevate a load on the cart's toe plate, the cart is tilted backwards so that the toe plate is angled upward allowing fingers attached to the underside of the toe plate to engage the elevated platform. The rotatable leg is then pivoted until it contacts the ground behind the cart. The cart is tilted forwardly to elevate the load to the level of the fingers connected to the elevated platform and the leg is pulled under the cart and held in the ground engaging position by an actuator spring connected between a crossbar located at the base of the pivotable leg and the main frame of the cart. The leg therefore supports the cart in an elevated position. The load can then be manually shifted onto the welder tray, for example.
This cart design works well in most situations and for most gas cylinders. There are situations however particularly involving oversized tanks or cylinders or if the welder tray is surrounded by a vertical lip where it is preferable that the cart be capable of supporting its load above the ground and then moved into a straddling position relative to the welder with the cylinder positioned above the welder tray. The tank can then be lowered directly onto the tray. The cart and attached tank need not therefore be tilted at all or supported by a pivotable leg which improves safety particularly when dealing with these oversi~ed loads. Nor i.s any manual shifting of the load from the toe plate to the welder tray required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a three or four-wheeled hand cart capable of moving a load and lifting a load up to or down from an elevated platform. Main components include a ground engaging frame which rigidly supports a vertically aligned rod, a cylindrical sleeve mounted slidably on the rod for up and down movement, means to fasten the load '_ 21 91 040 to the sleeve and a winch supported by the frame which operates a cable to raise and lower the sleeve and the attached cylinder. More specifically, the cable operates a lever pivotally connected to the sleeve so that when lifting the cylinder, a cam on the lever is forced against the cylinder which in turns biases the cylinder against the means, typically chains, connecting the cylinder to the sleeve. When it i8 desired to release the cylinder, the cylinder is simply lowered onto a supporting surface, the winch is operated to release the lever and the chains removed. The cart is then backed away which leaves the cylinder standing on the supporting surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the frame is mounted on a plurality of wheels for easy movement over the ground.
In a further preferred embodiment, means are provided to prevent the sleeve from rotating about its longitudinal axis.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hand cart which obviates and mitigates from the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand cart that can raise and lower a load without the need of a toe plate.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand cart capable of straddling a welder to facilitate loading and unloading of gas cylinders.
According to the present invention, then, there is provided a cart for raising or lowering a load, comprising ground engaging frame means, lifting means movably supported on said frame means for up and down movement, means for securing a load to said lifting means so that said load need not be supported from a bottom surface thereof, and means to selectively raise and lower said lifting means and a load secured thereto.
~ 2 I q l 040 According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of raising and lowering a load up to and down from an elevated position comprising the steps of securing the load to a vertically movable load supporting member supported on a ground engaging frame without supporting the load from a bottom surface thereof, selectively raising and lowering said load supporting member and a load secured thereto, and releasing said load from said load supporting member after said load is raised up to or lowered down from said elevated position.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a frame for a cart used to lift and lower a load relative to a piece of equipment having an elevated surface thereon to receive said load, comprising a ground engaging lower portion, and a load supporting upper portion, said upper and lower portions being adapted to straddle said surface so that said load can be lowered directly onto or lifted directly up from said surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, and will be better understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the present 25 hand cart;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the cart of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the cart of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a lever assembly forming part of the cart of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an opposite side, rear perspective view of the portion of the cart shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the upper part of the cart of Figure 1; and - 21qlO40 Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the cart of Figure 1 for supporting a load in a raised condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is initially made to Figure 1 showing the present cart in a three-wheeled configuration. The cart comprises, generally, a frame 5 and lifting means 40 that will be described in greater detail below to secure a load such as a gas cylinder or tank 50 to the frame and to then raise and lower the load as needed.
As shown in Figure 1, frame 5 comprises a cross member 6 welded or otherwise rigidly connected between a pair of parallel rails 7 to form an H-frame with the cross member 6 being located off-center towards the rear of the frame. A
ground engaging member such as a wheel 9 is connected to the forward end of each rail for rotation about an axle 10. A
vertical A-frame 15 connects adjacent to the rearward ends of rail 7 and extends upwardly, terminating at a horizontal crossbar 16 to which is connected a forwardly extending horizontal flange 18. A T-bar 20 is connected at one of its ends to plate 18 and extends diagonally upwardly to terminate at a welded-on cylindrical collar 24. Collar 24 is sized to fit the upper end of a vertical rod or guide tube 30 and is removably connectable to the tube such as by means of a set screw or bolt 26.
The lower end of rod 30 is welded or otherwise strongly connected to cross member 6 of the H-frame. A
bracket 32 extends rearwardly from adjacent the tube's lower end for a castered wheel 8 which permits the cart to be easily navigated over the ground. Obviously, wheels can be located at the rearward ends of rail 7 for a four-wheeled configuration if this is preferred over the three-wheeled version shown in the drawings.
To secure a tank 50 to the cart and to raise and lower the tank as required, the present cart makes use of lifting means 40 and means to raise and lower the lifting means. Generally, the raising and lowering means comprise a reversible ratchet-type winch 45 operatively connected such as by means of a winch cable 46 to the lifting means which include a sleeve 55 that slides up and down along guide tube 30. Winch 45 is conveniently connected to the underside of plate 18 and crossbar 16 of the A-frame such as by means of threaded fasteners. Sleeve 55 is itself adapted for a releasable connection to tank 50 which will move up and down with the sleeve as will be described below.
With reference once again to Figures 1 and 2, tubular sleeve 55 is installed over tube 30 prior to the connection of collar 24. Once the collar is connected, tube 30 is rigidly held in vertical alignment relative to frame 5 and the sleeve is free to move up and down between collar 24 at the tube's upper end and bracket 32 near the tube's lower end. As will be seen most easily from Figures 1, 4 and 6, a pair of T-shaped brackets 56 and 57 are welded to sleeve 55 to extend forwardly relative to frame 5 towards the tank. The first sleeve 56 is located at or near to the top of the sleeve, and the second sleeve 57 is located at or near the sleeve's lower end.
A length of cylinder supporting strapping such as chain 75 is connected to an end 58 of each T-bracket such as by means of threaded fasteners and a washer 61. After wrapping around the gas cylinder, each length of chain is received into a slotted quick release 64 provided at the other ends 59 of the T-brackets. This feature will be seen most clearly from Figures 2 and 5. The chains therefore connect the cylinder to sleeve 55.
Prior to raising or lowering, it's preferable that the cylinder be biased against at least one of the two restraining chains to take up any slack and to prevent slippage of the tank relative to the frame due to its own weight. It's also of course necessary to move sleeve 55 up and down along tube 30. Both these objectives are accomplished using a dogleg lever 80 seen most clearly in Figures 4 and 5. Lever 80 in one embodiment constructed by the applicant comprises a pair of spaced apart ribs 81 welded or otherwise rigidly connected at a predetermined angle to respective extensions 82. A cam 84, which can be made of metal, is welded between the outer ends of the extensions and a sleeve 86 with an eyelet 90 thereon is connected between the outer ends of the ribs such as by means of a removable bolt 87. The eyelet 90 on sleeve 86 provides a point of connection for winch cable 46.
Lever 80 as thusly constructed is installed onto the cart with sleeve 55 between ribs 81. This is easily done by removing bolt 87 and sleeve 86, installing the dogleg over sleeve 55 and reconnecting the sleeve and bolt 86/87.
Lower T-bracket 57 includes a horizontally oriented, welded-on tubular sleeve 66 that fits between ribs 81 where they join with extensions 82. These joints are apertured for a pin 92 that can be inserted through these apertures and sleeve 66 to pivotably connect dogleg 80 to bracket 57 and sleeve 55. The dogleg pivots back and forth in the direction of arrow A-B as shown in Figure 4 and is normally biased in the direction of arrow A by a small spring 97 connected between sleeve 55 and cam 84.
As aforesaid, sleeve 86 located between the outer ends of the ribs includes an eyelet 90 for connection to winch cable 46. When the cable is winched in, the dogleg is initially pivoted in the direction of arrow s to force cam 84 against the side wall of tank 50. This forces the tank against chain 75 which prevents the tank from slipping past the chain as the tank is being moved. Further winching to rewind the cable will pull up on the dogleg to raise sleeve 55 and the tank or any other load chained or otherwise secured to the T-brackets.
A small tine 95 is welded to the rearward side of sleeve 55 opposite the connection to T-bracket 57. This tine 21 ql 040 is slidably received into a slot formed between two spaced apart strips of metal 98 that extend vertically upwardly from bracket 32 that also supports caster 8. The tracking of the tine within this slot prevents sleeve 55 from rotating relative to rod 30. Obviously if tube 30 and sleeve 55 were, for example, square in cross-sectional shape, or if they were interconnected by means of a longitudinally extending spline, relative rotation between these two components would be similarly prevented.
In operation, the cart is initially wheeled up to a standing tank and, with sleeve 55 in its lowered position on tube 30 as shown in Figure 2, chains 75 are used to lash the tank against the two T-brackets 56 and 57. Cable 46 is then winched in to tighten cam 84 against the tank and continued winching will raise the tank above the ground to the required height. The cart will then be wheeled into place straddling the welder so that the tank is held suspended over the welder tray. The winch is reversed to unwind cable 46 which initially lowers the sleeve until the chained tank comes to rest on the welder tray. With continued rewinding, cam 84 is biased away from the tank by spring 97. The chains are released and the cart is backed away to complete the operation. The reverse procedure takes place to remove a tank from the welder and transport it elsewhere. As will be appreciated, the tank need not itself be manually moved, shifted or even tilted at any stage of its handling.
It will be further appreciated that in the raised position, the force of gravity acting on the tank will increase the wedging force of cam 84 against the tank's wall to further ensure against any inadvertent slippage.
Modifications to the present design are of course possible. For example, cross member 6 of the H-frame can be telescopically adjustable for straddling different sized welders or other pieces of equipment. A-frame 15 can be fitted with handles for easy movement of the cart over the 21 ql 040 ground. Instead of tube 30 and sleeve 55 being associated telescopically, tube 30 could act as a rail or guide for a sleeve or a rod or even a separate framework that moves alongside the tube. Tube 30 might even be eliminated entirely in favour of, for example, two or more spaced-apart sliders that guide the up and down movement of the sleeve. Yet another alternative is to replace the tube/sleeve combination with, for example, a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder actuated, for example, by a foot pump. In another embodiment contemplated by the applicant, chains 75 can be replaced by clamps or vice-like pincers to positively secure the tank without the biasing force of lever 80. As will be appreciated however, chains are relatively cheap and automatically adjust to loads of different ~izes and shapes.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are meant to be illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications, which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The only limitations to the scope of the present invention are set out in the following appended claims.
Claims (24)
1. A cart for raising or lowering a load, comprising;
ground engaging frame means;
lifting means movably supported on said frame means for up and down movement;
means for securing a load to said lifting means 50 that said load need not be supported from a bottom surface thereof; and means to selectively raise and lower said lifting means and a load secured thereto.
ground engaging frame means;
lifting means movably supported on said frame means for up and down movement;
means for securing a load to said lifting means 50 that said load need not be supported from a bottom surface thereof; and means to selectively raise and lower said lifting means and a load secured thereto.
2. A cart according to claim 1 wherein said frame means includes a substantially upright support.
3. A cart according to claim 2 wherein said lifting means include a sleeve axially movable relative to said upright support for up and down movement.
4. A cart according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said means for securing a load to said lifting means comprise strap means and means for biasing the load or a part of the load against said strap means when the load is supported by said lifting means.
5. A cart according to claim 4 wherein said means for biasing said load against said strap means comprise a lever pivotally attached to said lifting means, said lever being adapted for movement between a first normal non-biasing position and a second position for biasing the load against said strap means.
6. A cart according to claim 5 wherein said means to selectively raise and lower are connected to said lever for moving said lever into said second position thereof and to raise and lower said lifting means.
7. A cart according to claim 6 wherein said lever includes a cam member thereon to frictionally engage said load when said lever is pivoted into said second position thereof.
8. A cart according to claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein said lever is pivotally connected to said sleeve.
9. A cart according to any preceding claim further including means substantially preventing rotation of said lifting means relative to said frame means.
10. A hand cart for raising and lowering a load, comprising:
a frame having ground engaging wheels;
a load supporting member selectively movable along a vertical axis;
means to guide the movement of said load supporting member, said means to guide being supported on said frame;
means for securing the load to said load supporting member so that the load need not be supported from a bottom surface thereof; and means for selectively raising and lowering said load supporting member and a load secured thereto.
a frame having ground engaging wheels;
a load supporting member selectively movable along a vertical axis;
means to guide the movement of said load supporting member, said means to guide being supported on said frame;
means for securing the load to said load supporting member so that the load need not be supported from a bottom surface thereof; and means for selectively raising and lowering said load supporting member and a load secured thereto.
11. The hand cart of claim 1 additionally including means for biasing the load against said means for securing so that said load is held substantially immovably relative to said load supporting member.
12. The hand cart according to claims 10 or 11 wherein said means for biasing the load against said securing means comprises a lever pivotally attached to said load supporting member whereby said lever is movable from a first normal position to a second working position for biasing the load against said securing means.
13. The hand cart of claim 12 wherein said means to guide comprise a substantially upright support and said load supporting member comprises a sleeve operatively associated with said upright support to guide the up and down movement of said sleeve.
14. The hand cart of claims 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein said means for selectively raising and lowering said load supporting member and a load secured thereto includes a cable extending between said load supporting member and means for adjusting said cable.
15. A hand cart according to claim 14 wherein said means for adjusting said cable is a winch attached to said frame.
16. The hand cart of claim 15 wherein said cable is adapted to move said lever from said first to said second position thereof during raising and lowering of said load supporting member.
17. A hand cart for raising and lowering a load comprising:
a frame having a substantially upright support and ground engaging wheels;
a sleeve slidably supported by said upright support for up and down movement relative to said frame;
straps for securing the load to said sleeve so that the load need not be supported from a bottom surface thereof;
a lever assembly supported by said sleeve and movable between a first normal non-biasing position and a second position for biasing the load against said straps;
a cable extending between said frame and said lever;
and means for adjusting said cable for raising and lowering said sleeve and a load secured thereto.
a frame having a substantially upright support and ground engaging wheels;
a sleeve slidably supported by said upright support for up and down movement relative to said frame;
straps for securing the load to said sleeve so that the load need not be supported from a bottom surface thereof;
a lever assembly supported by said sleeve and movable between a first normal non-biasing position and a second position for biasing the load against said straps;
a cable extending between said frame and said lever;
and means for adjusting said cable for raising and lowering said sleeve and a load secured thereto.
18. A hand cart according to claim 17 wherein the means for adjusting said cable is a winch.
19. A hand cart according to claims 17 or 18 wherein said cable is attached to said lever for moving said lever from said first position into said second position thereof.
20. A hand cart according to any of the preceding claims wherein said straps are chains.
21. A hand cart according to any of the preceding claims wherein said frame further comprises at least three ground engaging wheels.
22. A hand cart according to any preceding claims including a resilient member biasing said lever into said first position thereof.
23. A method of raising and lowering a load up to and down from an elevated position comprising the steps of:
securing the load to a vertically movable load supporting member supported on a ground engaging frame without supporting the load from a bottom surface thereof;
selectively raising and lowering said load supporting member and a load secured thereto; and releasing said load from said load supporting member after said load is raised up to or lowered down from said elevated position.
securing the load to a vertically movable load supporting member supported on a ground engaging frame without supporting the load from a bottom surface thereof;
selectively raising and lowering said load supporting member and a load secured thereto; and releasing said load from said load supporting member after said load is raised up to or lowered down from said elevated position.
24. A frame for a cart used to lift and lower a load relative to a piece of equipment having an elevated surface thereon to receive said load, comprising:
a ground engaging lower portion; and a load supporting upper portion, said upper and lower portions being adapted to straddle said surface so that said load can be lowered directly onto or lifted directly up from said surface.
a ground engaging lower portion; and a load supporting upper portion, said upper and lower portions being adapted to straddle said surface so that said load can be lowered directly onto or lifted directly up from said surface.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002191040A CA2191040A1 (en) | 1996-11-22 | 1996-11-22 | Hand cart without toe plate |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002191040A CA2191040A1 (en) | 1996-11-22 | 1996-11-22 | Hand cart without toe plate |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2191040A1 true CA2191040A1 (en) | 1998-05-22 |
Family
ID=4159299
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002191040A Abandoned CA2191040A1 (en) | 1996-11-22 | 1996-11-22 | Hand cart without toe plate |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2191040A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106882731A (en) * | 2017-04-14 | 2017-06-23 | 滁州艾普机电科技有限公司 | A kind of pipe fitting toter |
| CN109334746A (en) * | 2018-11-23 | 2019-02-15 | 新疆工程学院 | A kind of device that gas cylinder is moved into gas cabinet |
| CN112548978A (en) * | 2020-12-11 | 2021-03-26 | 安徽尚纬电缆有限公司 | Easy-to-take and easy-to-place material storage rack for short energy storage battery connecting cable |
-
1996
- 1996-11-22 CA CA002191040A patent/CA2191040A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106882731A (en) * | 2017-04-14 | 2017-06-23 | 滁州艾普机电科技有限公司 | A kind of pipe fitting toter |
| CN109334746A (en) * | 2018-11-23 | 2019-02-15 | 新疆工程学院 | A kind of device that gas cylinder is moved into gas cabinet |
| CN109334746B (en) * | 2018-11-23 | 2023-09-08 | 新疆工程学院 | Device for moving gas cylinder into gas cylinder cabinet |
| CN112548978A (en) * | 2020-12-11 | 2021-03-26 | 安徽尚纬电缆有限公司 | Easy-to-take and easy-to-place material storage rack for short energy storage battery connecting cable |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |