CA2942480A1 - Wheelbarrow - Google Patents
Wheelbarrow Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2942480A1 CA2942480A1 CA2942480A CA2942480A CA2942480A1 CA 2942480 A1 CA2942480 A1 CA 2942480A1 CA 2942480 A CA2942480 A CA 2942480A CA 2942480 A CA2942480 A CA 2942480A CA 2942480 A1 CA2942480 A1 CA 2942480A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- chassis
- wheelbarrow
- side plates
- handles
- pair
- 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.)
- Pending
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- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- TVEXGJYMHHTVKP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-7-one Chemical compound C1C2C(=O)OC1C=CC2 TVEXGJYMHHTVKP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003414 extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000008676 import Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
- B62B5/0026—Propulsion aids
- B62B5/0033—Electric motors
- B62B5/0036—Arrangements of motors
- B62B5/0046—One motor drives two wheels
-
- 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
- B62B1/18—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is disposed between the wheel axis and the handles, e.g. wheelbarrows
- B62B1/24—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is disposed between the wheel axis and the handles, e.g. wheelbarrows involving tiltably-mounted containers
-
- 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
- B62B2203/07—Comprising a moving platform or the like, e.g. for unloading
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
A wheelbarrow having a load carrying body supported on a chassis. An electrically powered axle assembly is located at one end of the chassis and has a pair of wheels disposed at opposite sides of the axle assembly. The chassis includes a pair of side plates that extend downwardly to provide legs and a cross member extending between the side plates to maintain them in spaced relationship. A shelf extends between the side plates and is spaced below the underside of the body to provide a cavity to receive a battery. A pair of handles is secured to the side plates, one on each side of the body to transfer loads from the handles in to the chassis and the body is secured to the handles and side plates at a common connection.
Description
2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
3 [0001] The present invention relates to wheelbarrows
4 DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Wheelbarrows are the ubiquitous material moving device, having been used for 6 centuries and still widely used today. They consist of a load carrying body which is supported at 7 one end on a wheeled axle. The body is also supported on a pair of legs to provide a stable 8 support for the body. A pair of handles project from the opposite end of the body so the body and 9 legs can be lifted and the barrow moved along the ground on the wheel.
The body typically has upstanding sides to assist in containing the material, although it may simply be a platform or 11 other custom support in particular applications.
12 [0003] The prime motive power is of course manual with the operator lifting the load 13 supported on the body and providing the force to move it along the ground. Moving large 14 volumes of material may be arduous, but the simplicity of the wheelbarrow and its versatility means that it remains in widespread use. In some instances, such as where there is restricted 16 access or limited manoeuvrability, the wheelbarrow is the only practical way to move material to 17 or from a work site.
18 [0004] The arduous nature of the work limits productivity, particularly where relatively 19 heavy materials such as concrete have to be moved over undulating terrain. Attempts have been made in the past to motorise the wheelbarrow and provide the motive force.
However, such 21 efforts have failed to maintain the simplicity, ruggedness and versatility of the basic tool.
22 [0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above 23 disadvantages.
[0006] In general terms, the present invention provides a wheelbarrow having a load carrying 26 body supported on a chassis. An electrically powered axle assembly is located at one end of the 27 chassis and has a pair of wheels disposed at opposite sides of the axle assembly. The chassis 1 includes a pair of side plates that extend downwardly to provide legs and a cross member 2 extending between the side plates to maintain them in spaced relationship. A shelf extends 3 between the side plates and is spaced below the underside of the body to provide a cavity to 4 receive a battery. A pair of handles is secured to the side plates, one on each side of the body to transfer loads from the handles in to the chassis and the body is secured to the handles and side 6 plates at a common connection.
7 [0007] Preferably the body is pivoted to the chassis at its forward end to permit access to the 8 cavity.
9 [0008] Preferably also a directional switch is carried on one of the handles so as to be accessible to the operator while lifting the load. In one embodiment, the switch can be moved to 11 either side of a null position for movement in opposite directions.
12 [0009] As a further preference, control circuitry for the axle is mounted on a side plate above 13 the shelf.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only 16 with reference to the appended drawings wherein:
17 [0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheelbarrow;
18 [0012] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1;
19 [0013] Figure 3 is a side view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1;
[0014] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1 configured to 21 provide access to a drive mechanism;
22 [0015] Figure 5 is a section on the line V-V of Figure 1;
23 [0016] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the chassis of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1;
24 [0017] Figure 7 is a view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1, [0018] Figure 8 is a detailed view of a control of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1;
26 [0019] Figure 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of Figure 8;
1 [0020] Figure 10 is a plan view of the control of Figure 8;
2 [0021] Figure 11 is a side view, partly in section, of an alternative embodiment of 3 wheelbarrow;
4 [0022] Figure 12 is a section on the line XII ¨XII of Figure 11;
and [0023] Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a further adaptation of the wheelbarrow of 6 Figure 1.
8 [0024] Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, a wheelbarrow 10 includes a body 12 that is 9 mounted on a chassis 14. An axle assembly 16 is located on the chassis at the forward end of the wheelbarrow 10 and has a pair of wheels 18 located on either side of the chassis 14. The chassis 11 is formed with a pair of legs 20 that are dimensioned to maintain the body in a stable orientation 12 when in contact with the ground. A pair of handles 22 extends rearwardly from the chassis 14 13 and a directional control 24 is mounted on one of the handles 22 adjacent its distal end.
14 [0025] The body 12 is formed from a sheet material, such as metal, and has a base 30 and upwardly directed sides 32 that flare outwardly. The forward portion 33 of the body 12 is 16 configured to provide a broad spout to facilitate pouring of a liquid from the body 12. It will be 17 appreciated that the configuration of the body 12 may conform to any preferred configuration, 18 including a simple platform if desired, and may be made of a size or shape suitable for the 19 intended purpose and of a suitable material including a molded plastic shell.
[0026] As best seen in Figure 4, the body 12 is pivotally connected to the chassis 14 by a pair 21 of lugs 34 that are welded to the body 12. The lugs are connected to the chassis 14 by bolts 36 22 that define a transverse pivot axis for the bolt 12.
23 [0027] The construction of the chassis 14 can also be seen in Figures 4 and 6 and has a pair 24 of side plates 40. Each of the side plates 40 has a downwardly projecting triangular portion, indicated at 42, that defines the legs 20. The lower ends 43 of the portions 42 are turned inward 26 to provide a flat horizontal surface at the end of the leg 20.
1 [0028] Upper edges of the side plates 40 have inwardly directed flanges 44 that provide a 2 planar generally horizontal support for the base 30 of the body 12 and enhance the rigidity of the 3 side plates 40. The side plates 40 are interconnected at their forward and rear by transverse cross 4 members 46, 48 respectively.
[0029] The forward cross member 46 is of similar height to the side plates 40 and has an 6 inturned flange 48 on its upper edge that overlaps the flanges 44. The rear cross member 48 is 7 planar and has a trapezoidal notch 50 on its lower edge. The extremities of the rear cross member 8 50 are of the same height as the triangular portion 42 and co-operate with the portions 42 to 9 provide lateral stability for the legs 20.
[0030] A shelf 52 extends between the side plates 40 between the lower edges 54 of the side 11 plates 40. The shelf 52 extends forwardly from the intersection of the triangular portion 42 with 12 the lower edge 54 to the forward cross member 46. A central portion of the shelf 52 adjacent to 13 the forward cross member 46 is removed to accommodate the axle assembly 16 and a pair of 14 retaining flanges 56 are formed on the front and rear of the shelf 52.
[0031] It will be appreciated that the chassis 14 may be fabricated from individual panels that 16 are welded and/or bolted together. In the embodiment shown, the side plates 40 and shelf 52 are 17 formed as a single piece with the side plates 40 folded up from the shelf 52. The transverse cross 18 members 46, 48 are then welded to the vertical edges of the side plates to provide a strong 19 unitary construction to support the body 12.
[0032] The location of the axle assembly 16 can be seen in Figures 4 and 5.
The axle 21 assembly is a commercially available electric drive, such as that available from Zhejang Import 22 and Export Company under reference number RP-T3-800B. It has a motor 60 that drives an axle 23 62 through a transmission 64. The axle is located in a housing 66 that rotatably supports the axle 24 62. The housing 66 is connected to the chassis 14 by a pair of saddle clamps 68 (Fig 5) that are bolted to the forward projections of the shelf 52.
26 [0033] The handles 22 are also connected to the side plates 40 above the legs 20. Each of the 27 handles 22 is formed from a tubular material which is cranked upwardly and outwardly so the 28 handles diverge from one another toward the rear. The handles 22 are secured to the side plate 40 , 1 by a bolt 70 that passes through the handle and side plate 40. Each of the handles 22 is also 2 secured by a lug 72, shown in greater detail in Figure 7, that projects outwardly from the side 3 plate 40. The handle 22 rests on the upper surface of the lug 72 so as to be positioned between 4 the base 30 of the body 12 and the lug 72. A bolt 74 passes through the base 30, handle 22 and lug 72 and is secured by a nut 76. The vertical loads placed on the handle 22 are therefore taken 6 by the lug 72 and transferred in to the chassis 14. The bolt 70 is spaced along the handle 22 and 7 arranged perpendicular to the bolt 74 to provide improved resistance to the turning moment 8 generated by the flared handles 22 when lifting a load in the body 12.
9 [0034] The distal end of one of the handles 22, typically the right hand handle, carries the directional control 24 that is mounted in a socket 82 welded to the handle 22.
The control 24 is 11 shown in Figures 8 to 10 and includes a paddle 84 that is mounted on a spindle 85 of a 12 potentiometer 86. The spindle 85 is rotatable so that the potentiometer provides a varying 13 control signal as the spindle is rotated. The potentiometer 86 is releasably secured in the socket 14 82, such as by screws 87, and oriented so the spindle 85 projects across the handle 22.
[0035] The paddle 84 has a pair of ears 88 that depends from an elongate body 90 that is 16 oriented along the handle 22 and away from the body 12. Each of the ears 88 has an aperture 92 17 that is complimentary to the cross section of the spindle 85.
Preferably, the spindle 85 has a D-18 shaped cross section with a flat to provide a secure torque transmitting connection between the 19 paddle 84 and spindle 85. In the free body condition, as illustrated by dashed lines in figure 9, the ears 88 diverge from the body 90 and require the application of a force to bring them parallel 21 and allow the spindle to pass through the apertures 92. Once located in the apertures, the force is 22 removed and the resilience of the ears causes the apertures 92 to engage the spindle 85 and 23 secure the paddle 84 on the spindle.
24 [0036] The potentiometer 86 functions as a directional switch that provides a varying output dependent on the position of the paddle 84 relative to the handle 22. The potentiometer 86 has a 26 central null position and permits movement of the paddle 84 to either side of the null position to 27 vary the output of the switch. The paddle 84 is located on the spindle 85 so that it may swing in 28 an arc lying in the plane of the handle 22 and is positioned on the handle 22 so it may be 29 manipulated in either direction by the thumb of the operator when grasping the handle 22.
[0002] Wheelbarrows are the ubiquitous material moving device, having been used for 6 centuries and still widely used today. They consist of a load carrying body which is supported at 7 one end on a wheeled axle. The body is also supported on a pair of legs to provide a stable 8 support for the body. A pair of handles project from the opposite end of the body so the body and 9 legs can be lifted and the barrow moved along the ground on the wheel.
The body typically has upstanding sides to assist in containing the material, although it may simply be a platform or 11 other custom support in particular applications.
12 [0003] The prime motive power is of course manual with the operator lifting the load 13 supported on the body and providing the force to move it along the ground. Moving large 14 volumes of material may be arduous, but the simplicity of the wheelbarrow and its versatility means that it remains in widespread use. In some instances, such as where there is restricted 16 access or limited manoeuvrability, the wheelbarrow is the only practical way to move material to 17 or from a work site.
18 [0004] The arduous nature of the work limits productivity, particularly where relatively 19 heavy materials such as concrete have to be moved over undulating terrain. Attempts have been made in the past to motorise the wheelbarrow and provide the motive force.
However, such 21 efforts have failed to maintain the simplicity, ruggedness and versatility of the basic tool.
22 [0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above 23 disadvantages.
[0006] In general terms, the present invention provides a wheelbarrow having a load carrying 26 body supported on a chassis. An electrically powered axle assembly is located at one end of the 27 chassis and has a pair of wheels disposed at opposite sides of the axle assembly. The chassis 1 includes a pair of side plates that extend downwardly to provide legs and a cross member 2 extending between the side plates to maintain them in spaced relationship. A shelf extends 3 between the side plates and is spaced below the underside of the body to provide a cavity to 4 receive a battery. A pair of handles is secured to the side plates, one on each side of the body to transfer loads from the handles in to the chassis and the body is secured to the handles and side 6 plates at a common connection.
7 [0007] Preferably the body is pivoted to the chassis at its forward end to permit access to the 8 cavity.
9 [0008] Preferably also a directional switch is carried on one of the handles so as to be accessible to the operator while lifting the load. In one embodiment, the switch can be moved to 11 either side of a null position for movement in opposite directions.
12 [0009] As a further preference, control circuitry for the axle is mounted on a side plate above 13 the shelf.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only 16 with reference to the appended drawings wherein:
17 [0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheelbarrow;
18 [0012] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1;
19 [0013] Figure 3 is a side view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1;
[0014] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1 configured to 21 provide access to a drive mechanism;
22 [0015] Figure 5 is a section on the line V-V of Figure 1;
23 [0016] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the chassis of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1;
24 [0017] Figure 7 is a view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1, [0018] Figure 8 is a detailed view of a control of the wheelbarrow of Figure 1;
26 [0019] Figure 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of Figure 8;
1 [0020] Figure 10 is a plan view of the control of Figure 8;
2 [0021] Figure 11 is a side view, partly in section, of an alternative embodiment of 3 wheelbarrow;
4 [0022] Figure 12 is a section on the line XII ¨XII of Figure 11;
and [0023] Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a further adaptation of the wheelbarrow of 6 Figure 1.
8 [0024] Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, a wheelbarrow 10 includes a body 12 that is 9 mounted on a chassis 14. An axle assembly 16 is located on the chassis at the forward end of the wheelbarrow 10 and has a pair of wheels 18 located on either side of the chassis 14. The chassis 11 is formed with a pair of legs 20 that are dimensioned to maintain the body in a stable orientation 12 when in contact with the ground. A pair of handles 22 extends rearwardly from the chassis 14 13 and a directional control 24 is mounted on one of the handles 22 adjacent its distal end.
14 [0025] The body 12 is formed from a sheet material, such as metal, and has a base 30 and upwardly directed sides 32 that flare outwardly. The forward portion 33 of the body 12 is 16 configured to provide a broad spout to facilitate pouring of a liquid from the body 12. It will be 17 appreciated that the configuration of the body 12 may conform to any preferred configuration, 18 including a simple platform if desired, and may be made of a size or shape suitable for the 19 intended purpose and of a suitable material including a molded plastic shell.
[0026] As best seen in Figure 4, the body 12 is pivotally connected to the chassis 14 by a pair 21 of lugs 34 that are welded to the body 12. The lugs are connected to the chassis 14 by bolts 36 22 that define a transverse pivot axis for the bolt 12.
23 [0027] The construction of the chassis 14 can also be seen in Figures 4 and 6 and has a pair 24 of side plates 40. Each of the side plates 40 has a downwardly projecting triangular portion, indicated at 42, that defines the legs 20. The lower ends 43 of the portions 42 are turned inward 26 to provide a flat horizontal surface at the end of the leg 20.
1 [0028] Upper edges of the side plates 40 have inwardly directed flanges 44 that provide a 2 planar generally horizontal support for the base 30 of the body 12 and enhance the rigidity of the 3 side plates 40. The side plates 40 are interconnected at their forward and rear by transverse cross 4 members 46, 48 respectively.
[0029] The forward cross member 46 is of similar height to the side plates 40 and has an 6 inturned flange 48 on its upper edge that overlaps the flanges 44. The rear cross member 48 is 7 planar and has a trapezoidal notch 50 on its lower edge. The extremities of the rear cross member 8 50 are of the same height as the triangular portion 42 and co-operate with the portions 42 to 9 provide lateral stability for the legs 20.
[0030] A shelf 52 extends between the side plates 40 between the lower edges 54 of the side 11 plates 40. The shelf 52 extends forwardly from the intersection of the triangular portion 42 with 12 the lower edge 54 to the forward cross member 46. A central portion of the shelf 52 adjacent to 13 the forward cross member 46 is removed to accommodate the axle assembly 16 and a pair of 14 retaining flanges 56 are formed on the front and rear of the shelf 52.
[0031] It will be appreciated that the chassis 14 may be fabricated from individual panels that 16 are welded and/or bolted together. In the embodiment shown, the side plates 40 and shelf 52 are 17 formed as a single piece with the side plates 40 folded up from the shelf 52. The transverse cross 18 members 46, 48 are then welded to the vertical edges of the side plates to provide a strong 19 unitary construction to support the body 12.
[0032] The location of the axle assembly 16 can be seen in Figures 4 and 5.
The axle 21 assembly is a commercially available electric drive, such as that available from Zhejang Import 22 and Export Company under reference number RP-T3-800B. It has a motor 60 that drives an axle 23 62 through a transmission 64. The axle is located in a housing 66 that rotatably supports the axle 24 62. The housing 66 is connected to the chassis 14 by a pair of saddle clamps 68 (Fig 5) that are bolted to the forward projections of the shelf 52.
26 [0033] The handles 22 are also connected to the side plates 40 above the legs 20. Each of the 27 handles 22 is formed from a tubular material which is cranked upwardly and outwardly so the 28 handles diverge from one another toward the rear. The handles 22 are secured to the side plate 40 , 1 by a bolt 70 that passes through the handle and side plate 40. Each of the handles 22 is also 2 secured by a lug 72, shown in greater detail in Figure 7, that projects outwardly from the side 3 plate 40. The handle 22 rests on the upper surface of the lug 72 so as to be positioned between 4 the base 30 of the body 12 and the lug 72. A bolt 74 passes through the base 30, handle 22 and lug 72 and is secured by a nut 76. The vertical loads placed on the handle 22 are therefore taken 6 by the lug 72 and transferred in to the chassis 14. The bolt 70 is spaced along the handle 22 and 7 arranged perpendicular to the bolt 74 to provide improved resistance to the turning moment 8 generated by the flared handles 22 when lifting a load in the body 12.
9 [0034] The distal end of one of the handles 22, typically the right hand handle, carries the directional control 24 that is mounted in a socket 82 welded to the handle 22.
The control 24 is 11 shown in Figures 8 to 10 and includes a paddle 84 that is mounted on a spindle 85 of a 12 potentiometer 86. The spindle 85 is rotatable so that the potentiometer provides a varying 13 control signal as the spindle is rotated. The potentiometer 86 is releasably secured in the socket 14 82, such as by screws 87, and oriented so the spindle 85 projects across the handle 22.
[0035] The paddle 84 has a pair of ears 88 that depends from an elongate body 90 that is 16 oriented along the handle 22 and away from the body 12. Each of the ears 88 has an aperture 92 17 that is complimentary to the cross section of the spindle 85.
Preferably, the spindle 85 has a D-18 shaped cross section with a flat to provide a secure torque transmitting connection between the 19 paddle 84 and spindle 85. In the free body condition, as illustrated by dashed lines in figure 9, the ears 88 diverge from the body 90 and require the application of a force to bring them parallel 21 and allow the spindle to pass through the apertures 92. Once located in the apertures, the force is 22 removed and the resilience of the ears causes the apertures 92 to engage the spindle 85 and 23 secure the paddle 84 on the spindle.
24 [0036] The potentiometer 86 functions as a directional switch that provides a varying output dependent on the position of the paddle 84 relative to the handle 22. The potentiometer 86 has a 26 central null position and permits movement of the paddle 84 to either side of the null position to 27 vary the output of the switch. The paddle 84 is located on the spindle 85 so that it may swing in 28 an arc lying in the plane of the handle 22 and is positioned on the handle 22 so it may be 29 manipulated in either direction by the thumb of the operator when grasping the handle 22.
- 5 -1 [0037] The potentiometer 86 is connected by wires 94 to a control board 96 that is mounted 2 on the inside of the side plate 40 and protected by the flanges 44. The wires 94 extend from the 3 potentiometer 86 through the interior of the handle 22 and in to the interior of the chassis 14 4 through a hole in the side plate 40. The control board 96 is available from Curtis Instruments Inc.
under reference number 1212-2401and regulates the speed and direction of rotation of the axle
under reference number 1212-2401and regulates the speed and direction of rotation of the axle
6 62 in response to variations in the control signal from the potentiometer 86 resulting from
7 movement of the paddle 84. Electrical power for the motor is provided by a pair of batteries 98
8 that are mounted on the shelf 52 and secured in situ by straps 100 that engage the retaining
9 flanges 56. Additional functions for the control board 96 are located on the rear cross member 48 and include an on-off switch and a charging port.
11 [0038] Access to the batteries is provided by the pivoting mounting of the body 12 on the 12 chassis 14. Release of the bolts 74 from the lug 72 allows the body to pivot forward to the 13 position shown in Figure 4 and expose the batteries 98 and control circuits 96. In use, the body is 14 retained on the chassis 14 and the batteries protected in the cavity formed between the base 30 of body 12 and the shelf 52 of the chassis 14. The axle assembly protects the batteries from 16 incursions from the forward edge.
17 [0039] With the body secured, a load can be placed in the body and the distal ends of the 18 handles 22 grasped in a conventional manner to lift the legs 20 clear of the ground. The paddle 19 84 is conveniently within reach of the thumb of the operator 22 and can be manipulated by the operator without having to release the handle to move the wheelbarrow 10 either forwards or 21 rearwards. Moving the paddle 84 down toward the handle 22 activates the motor for forward 22 movement and the further it is moved, the greater the speed. Similarly, pushing the paddle 94 23 away from the handle causes the wheelbarrow to move rearward. The directional and speed 24 control is therefore intuitive and can be used without interrupting the normal operation of the wheelbarrow or releasing the grip from the wheelbarrow.
26 [0040] It will be seen therefore that the provision of the chassis provides a strong, relatively 27 lightweight construction that properly supports the body 12 while retaining the functionality of a 28 conventional wheelbarrow. The provision of the cavity between the shelf and base of the body 29 properly protects the batteries and the pivotal mounting of the body on the chassis permits ready 1 access to the batteries when required. The controller on the handle 22 also ensures control of the 2 wheelbarrow when in use without jeopardising the ability to support the load in a stable manner.
3 [0041] A further embodiment of the wheelbarrow 10 is shown in figures 11 and 12 and like 4 reference numerals will be used ot describe like components with a suffix "a" added for clarity.
In the embodiment of Figures 11 and 12, access to the batteries is facilitated by the mounting 6 arrangement of the body 12a on the chassis 14a. The lugs 34a are formed with a forward facing 7 notch 110 that engages a rod 112 extending between side members 40a. At the rear of the body 8 12a, a pair of U-shaped cleats 114 are welded to the underside of the floor 30a and are engaged 9 by respective ones of a pair of hooks 116. The hooks 116 are secured to a rod 118 that extends between the side frames 40a and is cranked at one end to provide a handle 120.
11 [0042] In normal use, the body 12a is secured on the chassis 14a by the notch 110 and the 12 hooks 116 engaging the cleats 114. The hooks have a decreasing radius so as to pull down on the 13 cleats as the rod 118 is rotated by the handle 120. When access to the batteries or control is 14 required, the rod 18 is rotated to release the hooks from the cleats and the body 12a can pivot about the 112 to the position shown in Fig 4. The provision of the notches 110 also allows the 16 body 12a to be removed entirely from the chassis 12a, and so enables different configurations of 17 the body 12a to be exchanged quickly and simply without the need for additional tools or 18 specialised fitting. In this way, the body 12a may easily be changed for a platform or larger 19 capacity body where conditions require.
[0043] It will also be noted from Figure 12 that the handles 22a are modified at their 21 attachment to the side frames 40a to have a quadrant cross section. A
pair of flats 120 are formed 22 on two adjacent sides to provide a greater bearing area between the handles and side frame.
23 [0044] A further adaptation of the wheelbarrow is shown in Figure 13 with like reference 24 numerals identifying like components with a suffix "b" added for clarity. In the arrangement of Figure 13, a prow 130 is secured to the forward cross member to facilitate tipping and 26 manoeuvering of the barrow 10b. The prow 130 has a pair of struts 132 secured to the front cross 27 member 46a at spaced locations. The struts 132 project forwardly to meet on the centreline of the 28 wheelbarrow 12b and forward of the wheels 18b. A brace 134 extends upwardly from the struts 29 132 to the front portion 33b. In use, the prow 130 engages the ground as the wheelbarrow 10b is 1 tipped and permits the wheels 18b to be lifted from the ground. The prow provides a central 2 pivot point that allows the wheelbarrow lob to be "shaken to release the contents of the body 3 12b. The prow may of course be made removable but it will be appreciated that the chassis 14b 4 provides a secure attachment for the prow with sufficient inherent rigidity t osupport the load in the manner envisaged.
6 [0045] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific 7 embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without 8 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.
9 The entire disclosures of all references recited above are incorporated herein by reference.
11 [0038] Access to the batteries is provided by the pivoting mounting of the body 12 on the 12 chassis 14. Release of the bolts 74 from the lug 72 allows the body to pivot forward to the 13 position shown in Figure 4 and expose the batteries 98 and control circuits 96. In use, the body is 14 retained on the chassis 14 and the batteries protected in the cavity formed between the base 30 of body 12 and the shelf 52 of the chassis 14. The axle assembly protects the batteries from 16 incursions from the forward edge.
17 [0039] With the body secured, a load can be placed in the body and the distal ends of the 18 handles 22 grasped in a conventional manner to lift the legs 20 clear of the ground. The paddle 19 84 is conveniently within reach of the thumb of the operator 22 and can be manipulated by the operator without having to release the handle to move the wheelbarrow 10 either forwards or 21 rearwards. Moving the paddle 84 down toward the handle 22 activates the motor for forward 22 movement and the further it is moved, the greater the speed. Similarly, pushing the paddle 94 23 away from the handle causes the wheelbarrow to move rearward. The directional and speed 24 control is therefore intuitive and can be used without interrupting the normal operation of the wheelbarrow or releasing the grip from the wheelbarrow.
26 [0040] It will be seen therefore that the provision of the chassis provides a strong, relatively 27 lightweight construction that properly supports the body 12 while retaining the functionality of a 28 conventional wheelbarrow. The provision of the cavity between the shelf and base of the body 29 properly protects the batteries and the pivotal mounting of the body on the chassis permits ready 1 access to the batteries when required. The controller on the handle 22 also ensures control of the 2 wheelbarrow when in use without jeopardising the ability to support the load in a stable manner.
3 [0041] A further embodiment of the wheelbarrow 10 is shown in figures 11 and 12 and like 4 reference numerals will be used ot describe like components with a suffix "a" added for clarity.
In the embodiment of Figures 11 and 12, access to the batteries is facilitated by the mounting 6 arrangement of the body 12a on the chassis 14a. The lugs 34a are formed with a forward facing 7 notch 110 that engages a rod 112 extending between side members 40a. At the rear of the body 8 12a, a pair of U-shaped cleats 114 are welded to the underside of the floor 30a and are engaged 9 by respective ones of a pair of hooks 116. The hooks 116 are secured to a rod 118 that extends between the side frames 40a and is cranked at one end to provide a handle 120.
11 [0042] In normal use, the body 12a is secured on the chassis 14a by the notch 110 and the 12 hooks 116 engaging the cleats 114. The hooks have a decreasing radius so as to pull down on the 13 cleats as the rod 118 is rotated by the handle 120. When access to the batteries or control is 14 required, the rod 18 is rotated to release the hooks from the cleats and the body 12a can pivot about the 112 to the position shown in Fig 4. The provision of the notches 110 also allows the 16 body 12a to be removed entirely from the chassis 12a, and so enables different configurations of 17 the body 12a to be exchanged quickly and simply without the need for additional tools or 18 specialised fitting. In this way, the body 12a may easily be changed for a platform or larger 19 capacity body where conditions require.
[0043] It will also be noted from Figure 12 that the handles 22a are modified at their 21 attachment to the side frames 40a to have a quadrant cross section. A
pair of flats 120 are formed 22 on two adjacent sides to provide a greater bearing area between the handles and side frame.
23 [0044] A further adaptation of the wheelbarrow is shown in Figure 13 with like reference 24 numerals identifying like components with a suffix "b" added for clarity. In the arrangement of Figure 13, a prow 130 is secured to the forward cross member to facilitate tipping and 26 manoeuvering of the barrow 10b. The prow 130 has a pair of struts 132 secured to the front cross 27 member 46a at spaced locations. The struts 132 project forwardly to meet on the centreline of the 28 wheelbarrow 12b and forward of the wheels 18b. A brace 134 extends upwardly from the struts 29 132 to the front portion 33b. In use, the prow 130 engages the ground as the wheelbarrow 10b is 1 tipped and permits the wheels 18b to be lifted from the ground. The prow provides a central 2 pivot point that allows the wheelbarrow lob to be "shaken to release the contents of the body 3 12b. The prow may of course be made removable but it will be appreciated that the chassis 14b 4 provides a secure attachment for the prow with sufficient inherent rigidity t osupport the load in the manner envisaged.
6 [0045] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific 7 embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without 8 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.
9 The entire disclosures of all references recited above are incorporated herein by reference.
Claims (5)
1. A wheelbarrow having a load carrying body supported on a chassis, an electrically powered axle assembly located at one end of the chassis and a pair of wheels disposed at opposite sides of the axle assembly, said chassis including a pair of side plates that extend downwardly to provide legs and a cross member extending between the side plates to maintain them in spaced relationship, a shelf extending between the side plates and spaced below the underside of the body to provide a cavity to receive a battery, and a pair of handles secured to the side plates, one on each side of the body to transfer loads from the handles in to the chassis, said body being secured to the handles and side plates at a common connection.
2. The wheelbarrow of claim 1 wherein the body is pivoted to the chassis at its forward end to permit access to the cavity.
3. The wheelbarrow of claim 1 wherein a directional switch is carried on one of the handles so as to be accessible to the operator while lifting the load.
4. The wheelbarrow of claim 3 wherein the switch can be moved to either side of a null position for movement in opposite directions.
5. The wheelbarrow of claim 1 wherein control circuitry for the axle is mounted on a side plate above the shelf.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2942480A CA2942480A1 (en) | 2016-09-20 | 2016-09-20 | Wheelbarrow |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2942480A CA2942480A1 (en) | 2016-09-20 | 2016-09-20 | Wheelbarrow |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2942480A1 true CA2942480A1 (en) | 2018-03-20 |
Family
ID=61685141
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2942480A Pending CA2942480A1 (en) | 2016-09-20 | 2016-09-20 | Wheelbarrow |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2942480A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112758156A (en) * | 2021-02-23 | 2021-05-07 | 南京信息职业技术学院 | Labor-saving hand-pulling type shopping trolley based on electric drive triangular wheel |
-
2016
- 2016-09-20 CA CA2942480A patent/CA2942480A1/en active Pending
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112758156A (en) * | 2021-02-23 | 2021-05-07 | 南京信息职业技术学院 | Labor-saving hand-pulling type shopping trolley based on electric drive triangular wheel |
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