FR2690668A1 - Magazine distributor cart - comprises two tubular parts, one forming seat and other inclined for receiving bin, with one front and two rear wheels - Google Patents

Abstract

The tubular chassis (1,2) comprises two parts, the first (1) forming the seat and the second (2), inclined part, for receiving the bin (13,14). A front wheel (4) is fixed on a vertical axle (3) and there are two main rear wheels (6) of diameter greater than the front wheel (6). Each rear wheel (6) has two rollers (10) mounted on a curved arm (11), pivoted (12) near the main wheel axle (7) which is fixed to an arm (8) at the lower end of the second part (2). The second part of the chassis is formed from two parallel parts (41,42). The first part (41) has support arms (15,17) for the bin (13,14). These arms are pivoted (16,18) to move from an unfolded position, where they extend perpendicular to the part (41), to a folded position when the extend parallel to this part. ADVANTAGE - An ergonomic design offering useful transportation capacity and ensuring stability of the cart.

Description

DISTRIBUTOR TROLLEY. ESPECIALLY MAGAZINES. NEWSPAPERS.

PROSPECUS.

 The invention relates to a distribution trolley, more specifically intended for the distribution of flat products, such as in particular but not exclusively newspapers, magazines, prospectuses and other advertising printed matter.

 For some time now, the free press, as well as the dissemination of advertising printed matter, has experienced a continuous effort, never denied, implying the development of a particular organization to manage the distribution of such products. In fact, to make this distribution as profitable as possible, we seek to reduce the staff ensuring this distribution as much as possible, and consequently, we seek for each member of this staff, to increase their distribution capacities and therefore, the quantity magazines or product to distribute. It therefore quickly became necessary to develop trolleys capable of allowing the embarkation of a large quantity of products to be distributed.

 In general, these songs are criticized for their excessive weight for too small a quantity of documents to take away. In addition, they are often ill-suited to the terrain on which they are likely to evolve, relatively difficult to maneuver, and generally has clearly insufficient ergonomics.

 Among these means of transport, one can for example quote a trolley provided with two parallel wheels, commonly called "devil". They consist of a simple support resting on the two parallel wheels, and whose stability in static position is ensured by the tilting of said carriage on the lower part of the support. In addition to the efforts that this type of trolley involves for its progression, since it is necessary on the one hand to ensure the propulsion but also to ensure the balance of the trolley, it proves to be particularly unsuitable for crossing obstacles sidewalk style, water drainage channels etc ..., which are very common in urban areas.

 Trolleys are also known comprising two sets of wheels respectively front and rear, said rear wheels being in fact made up of two sets of three wheels capable of pivoting about an articulation axis, and intended in particular to allow the crossing of obstacles such as for example sidewalks. If certainly this type of trolley allows easier crossing of these obstacles, on the other hand it quickly appeared that the wheels were much too small, so that they generated significant stresses and repeated jolts causing in turn ruptures at the level of the structure.

 Finally, in general, the trolleys known to date are criticized for allowing boarding of only one type of product, newspapers, magazines, printed matter, thus making, particularly difficult, the concomitant distribution of several products, fashion more and more sought after in terms of profitability. Finally, given the poor ergonomics they develop, they induce in the long run for users significant pathological consequences, especially back.

 Finally, in order to meet the requirements of this type of distribution, it is important that this type of trolley is particularly compact, so that it can be easily stored in the trunk of an automobile, without requiring delicate handling. or long to implement.

 The object of the present invention is to provide a distribution carriage of the type in question, which is first of all ergonomic, which has a particularly small footprint while offering a relatively large useful carrying capacity, and finally which ensures a certain carriage stability. Another object of the invention is to design a stable trolley whatever the loads and other distributions of the products it contains, which can easily cross sidewalks and similar obstacles, without inducing vibrations and jolts harmful to the user.

Finally, the subject of the invention is a very easily dismountable carriage, in order to occupy a particularly reduced volume once dismantled, so that it can be easily transported in the boot of an automobile.

This distribution trolley is constituted by a tubular chassis, on which wheels are articulated, and comprises at least one container for receiving the products to be distributed. According to the invention, this chassis consists of two parts which are reversibly secured to one another:
- A first part intended to constitute the actual seat of the carriage;
- A second part intended to receive the handling tank and at the level of which the propulsion of the trolley is exerted, this said second part being inclined relative to the vertical.

 According to the invention, this carriage comprises a steerable front wheel, fixed on a vertical axis mounted idly in rotation and secured to said first part.

 In addition, it comprises two rear main wheels, of diameter greater than the diameter of the front steering wheel, each of said rear main wheels being provided with two rollers mounted on an arcuate articulated arm in the vicinity of the axis of said main wheels, said axis being secured to an arm reversibly mounted at the lower end of said second constituent part of the chassis.

 In other words, the invention consists first of all in proposing a trolley mounted on three wheels, ensuring in fact its stability, and made up of dismountable elements so as to provide a particularly reduced bulk especially when it is desired transport it to distribution areas.

 According to the invention, the principle of combining two rear wheels of relatively large diameter, and a front steering wheel, overcomes the many disadvantages generated by small diameter wheels, and in addition by associating a system of casters on an axis articulation, integral with the arm carrying said main wheels, it is easily overcome in this way all the problems of crossing obstacles of the sidewalk type.

 According to a first characteristic of the invention, the second part of the chassis comprises two folding arms, which in the unfolded position are perpendicular to said second part, and are each intended to receive a handling container.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, these two arms further comprise a planar element integral with said arm, at the level of which the bottom of each of said tanks is embedded, comprising a complementary member provided for this purpose
According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the axis of the main wheels is secured to an arm, in turn secured to the reversible end at the lower end of the second part.

 Advantageously, the constituent assembly of the chassis is made of an aluminum-based alloy thereby giving it robustness and lightness, while the tanks are conventionally produced by injection or molding of plastic material.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the assembly is removable in three essential parts:
- first of all the first constituent part of the chassis, to which the axis of the steering wheel is secured;
the second part of the chassis, to which the two arms carrying the handling bins are secured, arm which is folded over this part thus constituting a linear element once folded,
- And the two main wheels detachable from the base of this said second part.

 Finally, in order to encourage the crossing of sidewalks and other similar obstacles, the front steering wheel is in fact made up of a twin double wheel.

 Advantageously, each of the wheels is fitted with solid tires, significantly reducing the vibrations generated during the progression of the carriage.

 The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge from the example of embodiment which follows, given by way of nonlimiting indication in support of the appended figures.

 Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the carriage according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the steering wheel of the carriage according to the invention.

 Figure 3 is a sectional view of one of the support arms of the tanks provided with one of them according to the invention.

 FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the device for fixing one of the arms carrying the articulation axis of one of the main wheels, of which FIG. 5 is a sectional view.

 Figure 6 is a schematic side representation of the fastening member of the second part of the chassis on the first part.

 Figure 7 is a sectional view of the same member.

 Figure 8 is a schematic representation of the locking device according to the invention.

 There is shown in Figure 1 a carriage according to the invention. This basically consists of a chassis, comprising two parts, respectively a first part (I), having two elbows and one of whose ends receives a front steering wheel (4), and the other end of which is secured to a second part (2), inclined with respect to the vertical, and intended on the one hand, to receive a pair of main rear wheels (6), and on the other hand, support elements (15,17) of tubs distribution (13,14).

 These two parts are typically tubular, made from an aluminum alloy, and of square section, for example. They are joined together by fitting the lower end of said second part (2) hereinafter called propulsion part, in an element provided for this purpose, joined together, in particular by welding at the rear end of said first part (1) called the longitudinal hinge. There is shown in more detail in Figures 6 and 7 this particular element for securing the propulsion part (2) on the longitudinal hinge (1). This joining element, bearing the reference (33) comprises a tube (34) of dimensions greater than that of the main arm (41) of the propulsion part. This tube (34) is typically inclined at 60 relative to the horizontal. , and is welded to the longitudinal hinge (1). Thus, the main arm (41) is fitted into the tube (33), and is reversibly secured to the latter by means of a screw (35) - nut "handle" (36) assembly, capable of extending through an orifice (37) provided for this purpose both in the tube (33) and in the main arm (41).

 As can be seen in Figure 1, the propulsion part (2) is in fact made up of two elements, namely a first element (41) acting as main arm, coming to fit into the member (33) , and carrying the tray supports (15,17), and a second element (42), parallel to the first, and integral with the latter.

 The upper end of this element (42) comprises a handle (20) of ergonomic shape, capable of being able to be fitted by its axis (19) on the end of said element (42) and fixable thereon by any means suitable not shown.

 According to the invention, the carriage comprises a double front steering wheel (4), articulated on an axis (5), itself secured to a vertical bent axis (3) mounted for rotation at the front end of the hinge longitudinal (1).

 As a corollary, the trolley according to the invention comprises two main rear wheels (6), of diameter significantly greater than that of the front wheel (4) and typically close to 20 to 30 cm, each of the wheels (6) being independent of the one from the other, and articulated on a horizontal articulation axis (7). This axis (7) is itself secured to an arm (8), fixed at the lower end of the propulsion element (41) as will be described in more detail later.

 In addition, a second arm (8 ') is also integral with the articulation axis (7) and consequently of the arm (8) and comprises at its posterior end an articulation axis (12), at the level from which an arcuate secondary arm (11) is articulated, of circular shape, typically describing a little more than half of a semicircle. The two ends of this arched arm (11) have rollers (10) mounted idly in rotation.

In fact, these rollers are intended to cooperate with the obstacles liable to be encountered when the carriage is pulled by the handle (20) allowing in particular the crossing of these obstacles. To do this, said rollers (10) cooperate with, for example, a sidewalk stop, which, following the opposition which it generates, blocks the rollers and induces the rotation of the shaft (8 ') relative to the articulation axis (12), and correspondingly, the lifting of the wheels (6) until said wheel is in contact with the upper part of the obstacle to be crossed, said rollers (10) then being on the same horizontal plane corresponding to the sidewalk.

 In fact, the dimension of the shaft (11), its point of articulation (12), located asymmetrically with respect to the arm (11) and the length of the arm (8 ') are chosen so that the crossing such obstacles only generate a jolt or constraint limited to the level of the wheel (6) and consequently to the level of the user of the trolley.

 The method of fixing the wheels (6) to the propulsion element (2) is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. The lower end of the propulsion element (41) has on either side a set of two brackets (25), welded at (26) on the arm (41). These two brackets define between them a space, capable of receiving the free end of the arm (8) for fixing the wheels (6). The arm (8) is reversibly secured to these brackets by means of a wing bolt (27), or any other suitable member.

 According to the invention, the carriage comprises two tanks (13 and 14), typically made of plastic by molding or by injection. These two tanks are reversibly fixed on supports of tanks respectively (15) and (17), integral with the propulsion element (41), and articulated on the latter respectively at the level of articulation axes (16 ) and (18), so that they can be folded along it. Typically, these two supports (15) and (17) have on their upper face a sheet (21), also made of aluminum alloy, of width greater than the dimension of the square section of said supports, intended to cooperate with elements (24) integral with the bottom (22) of said tanks. More precisely, the bottom (22) of each of the tanks has a recess (23) at the level of which two groove-shaped members (24) are symmetrically fixed, intended to cooperate with the lateral edges of the sheet (21).

In fact, these elements (24) are positioned one opposite the other in such a way that effective cooperation is obtained and free from any movement between the sheet (21) and these members (24). In fact, it is understood that it suffices to insert by sliding said trays for their positioning at the supports (15) and (17), and as a corollary, these trays can be removed just as easily.

 In another embodiment, the tank (14) is replaced by an element, for example made of plastic, closed on these three sides and on its bottom, and having on the front face of the carriage, an open face, intended to facilitate the user to grasp the elements and other products it contains

 This bin can advantageously be closed temporarily by means of a tarpaulin, fixed to it by any known means, and the closure of which can be achieved by a known system of loops and hooks, better known under the registered trademark VELCRO or by any known means, of the zipper type.

 In addition, the carriage thus formed can advantageously be equipped with a locking system, acting at the level of the front steering wheels (4). This blocking system has been shown in detail in FIG. 8. It basically consists of a tube (38), of circular section, capable of extending horizontally so as to be inserted between two consecutive radii of the one of the wheels (4). In other words; the tube (38) extends parallel to the axis of the wheels (4). This tube (38) slides in a tube (39), pierced with a circular conduit of dimensions substantially corresponding to those of the tube (38), and formed in the bent axis (3) supporting said steered wheels (4) .More specifically, one end of the tube (39) comes to level with the lateral surface of the axis (3), while the other end of said tube extends far beyond the lateral surface facing said axis. One end of the tube (38) is provided with a pedal (40). The tube (38) has in the vicinity of the middle of its length a lug (43), projecting relative to the diameter of the tube (38). In addition, this lug (43) can retract inside the tube (39), when the tube (38) slides inside the latter, the tube (39) being machined to have an internal groove in this effect, which however does not open on the side where the pedal is located, in order to avoid the total withdrawal of the tube (38) from the pierced tube (39). Finally, a spiral return spring (44) is positioned on the tube (38) between the end of the tube (39) and the pedal (40). This spring therefore induces the retraction of the tube (38) at the inside the tube (39) in the absence of any external constraint.

 The blocking is carried out by actuating the pedal (40) by the foot of the user, which induces the compression of the spring (44), and consequently, the translation of the lug (43) along the internal groove of the tube pierced (39), and therefore that of the tube (38), which then projects out of the pierced tube (39), between two spokes of one of the wheels (4). The lug is held in the extended position by a simple rotation of the user's foot on the pedal (40), which induces the positioning of the lug on one of the sides of the square tube constituting the axis (3 ). A reverse rotation allows its release, and therefore, under the action of the return spring (44), the withdrawal of the lug (43) and the tube (38) inside the drilled tube (39).

 The pedal (40) is advantageously made up of two parts, a first lateral part (45), inclined at 450 in order to be able to actuate the locking system, and a second front part (46), inclined at 30 relative to the horizontal. , allowing to unlock this system.

 It is therefore conceived in such a way that the trolley according to the invention proves to be particularly ergonomic, insofar as the forces exerted by the user are facilitated by the particular arrangement defined in the invention. We can also mention the large capacity of transportable products, in a small footprint, but also the increase in accessibility at the level of the trays of products to be distributed, the reduction in stresses and jolts exerted when crossing obstacles.

In addition, the easy dismantling of the trolley in its essential components, namely:
- the longitudinal hinge (1) provided with the double steering wheel (4);
- the propulsion element (2), with the supports (15,17) of folded tanks;
- the two main wheels (6) fitted with their fixing shaft (8) and the obstacle clearance system.

 In this way, the carriage thus dismantled proves to be very easily stowable in the boot of a car, without causing a significant bulk in the latter.

 Such a trolley naturally finds its application to the distribution, in particular in the urban sector, of all products, and more particularly magazines, printed advertising material, etc. In addition, given the availability of two independent bins, the selection of documents or products to distribute is simplified to the maximum, without requiring a displacement of the whole system, or of the other products.

Claims (9)

REVENITCATIONS  1 / Distribution trolley comprising a tubular chassis (1,2), on which the wheels (4,6) are articulated, and comprising at least one container (13,14) for receiving the products to be distributed, characterized:  - in that the chassis consists of two parts which are reversibly secured to each other:  a first part (1) intended to constitute the seat properly  called the carriage;  a second part (2), intended to receive the reception bin  (13,14) and at the level of which the propulsion of the carriage is exerted,  said second part being inclined relative to the vertical,  - in that it comprises a front steering wheel (4), fixed on a vertical axis (3) mounted idly in rotation and secured to said first part (1),  - And, in that it comprises two main rear wheels (6), of diameter greater than the diameter of the front steering wheel (4).  2 / Distribution trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said rear main wheels (6) is provided with two rollers (10) mounted on an arcuate arm (il), articulated (12) in the vicinity of the axis ( 7) of said main wheels, said axle (7) being integral with an arm (8) reversibly mounted at the lower end of said second part (2) constituting the chassis.  3 / Distribution trolley according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the second part (2) of the chassis consists of two parallel elements:  - A first element (41), fixed reversibly by interlocking at the level of the first part (1) of the chassis, comprising two support arms (15,17) of receiving tanks (13,14), said arms being articulated (16 , 18) on said element (41) at one of their ends, so that in the unfolded position, they extend perpendicular to said element (41), and in the folded position, they extend parallel to this element,  - And a second element (42), secured to said first element (41), and receiving a handle (20) intended to ensure the propulsion or the traction of the carriage.  4 / Distribution trolley according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the two support arms (15,17) comprises a planar element (21) integral with said arm, at which the bottom (22,23) is fitted of each of said tanks (13,14), having a complementary member (24) provided for this purpose.  5 / Distribution trolley according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the axis (7) of the main wheels (6) is secured to an arm (8), in turn secured reversibly to the 'lower end of the first element (41) of the second part (2) of the chassis.  6 / Distribution trolley according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the front steering wheel (4) consists of a double twin wheel.  7 / Distribution trolley according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the wheels (4,6) is fitted with solid tires. '  8 / Distribution trolley according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is provided with a system for blocking the progression of the trolley, acting at the level of the front steering wheels (4).  9 / Distribution trolley according to claim 8, characterized in that the blocking system consists of:  - A first tube (39), formed parallel to the axis of the steered wheels (4) at the level of the axis (3) of support of said wheels (4), and pierced with a cylindrical conduit, itself having a longitudinal groove,  - A second tube (38), capable of sliding in the conduit of the pierced tube (39), and having a lug (43) capable of cooperating on the one hand with said groove, and on the other hand with one of the ends said pierced tube (39), the tube (38) being intended to be inserted between the spokes of one of the wheels (4) when it projects out of the pierced tube (39),  - a pedal (40,45,46), integral with the end of the tube (38) opposite the  part of said tube interacting with the wheel (4), and capable of being actuated  by the user's foot,  - And, a return spring (44), mounted on the tube (38) between the tube (39) and the  pedal (40,45,46), intended to induce the retraction of the tube (3 '.) and of the lug (43) at  inside the pierced tube (39) in the absence of any external constraint.