FR2787052A1 - Carriage with wheels for garden tools has vertical square-section column accommodating bin and having flanges at top and bottom with spring clips in grooves and sockets holding tools - Google Patents

Abstract

The two wheels (3) are held on an axle on one side of the square base (2) which forms a flange projecting outside of the lower end of the hollow square column (4). A bin may be accommodated inside the column, which supports a second flange (5) with a maneuvering handle (6) at the top. The bottom flange has cups (9) which receive the ends of the long handles (7) of the tools. The top flange has grooves (12) with spring clips (13) to hold the handles near the spade or rake heads.

Description

TOOL HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT AND STORAGE

HANDLE TOOLS

  The present invention relates to a device for storing and moving tools with handles, in particular for garden tools such as rakes, spades or the like. The storage of garden tools with a bulky handle is generally done by simple deposit on the ground with support of the handle

  against a wall, or by hanging on a rack fixed to the wall.

  If necessary, the user takes the tools individually in order to transport them by hand or in a wheelbarrow over the work area; regularly a tool runs out which requires one or more trips

  to the storage location.

  The present invention provides a storage and transport device to facilitate the use and handling of garden tools, in particular providing access to each tool individually and also allowing the

  joint movement of all equipment.

  The tool holder device according to the invention is in the form of a carriage mounted on wheels and provided with an operating handle; it further comprises a plurality of structures each allowing the maintenance of a tool with a handle in a vertical or substantially vertical position, each support structure consisting of a housing open upwards for positioning the free end of the handle tool and, above this housing, means allowing a releasable blocking of an intermediate part of the handle of the tool, between its two ends, which means are arranged on the same vertical axis as said housing, or substantially

on the same vertical axis.

  After placing the end of the handle of the tool in the housing provided for this purpose on the carriage, the user positions the central or upper part of this handle on the releasable blocking means. The tool is thus stored inverted, handle down and part of the tool up; its assumption of responsibility is carried out by embedding after release of

superior locking means.

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  These releasable blocking means advantageously consist of a blocking device preferably of the snap type, arranged in

a recess opening.

  According to another characteristic, the carriage comprises a plurality of individual housings for receiving the free ends of the tool handles, which housings have a generally cylindrical or frustoconical shape

  of vertical or substantially vertical axis, provided with a bottom.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the tool carriage consists of a lower base mounted on wheels, from which extends an intermediate structure leading to an upper plate; the housings of the tool holding structures are fitted in the lower base and the means allowing the releasable blocking of the tool handles are fitted

  on the edge of the upper plate.

  The lower pedestal can be in the form of an inclined plate, one of its ends forming a ground support edge and its end

  opposite being provided with wheels mounted at the ends of an axis.

  Still according to the invention, in particular to facilitate manufacture, the lower base, the intermediate structure and the upper plate are produced independently and then assembled by any suitable means (fitting,

  welding, fixing screws, rivets ...).

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the intermediate structure is in the form of a box open on its top and the upper plate is provided with an access opening in said box. This box is preferably open on one of its faces and it is provided with one or more shelves or

storage bins.

  However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by

  the following description of a particular embodiment, given only

  by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tool carriage in accordance with the invention, seen from the front; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tool carriage of Figure 1, seen from the rear / 4;

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  - Figure 3 is a side view of the tool carriage; - Figure 4 shows the tool carriage seen from behind; - Figure 5 is a top view of the tool carriage; - Figure 6 shows the lower base of the tool carriage, seen in isolation from above; - Figure 7 is a side view of the lower base of Figure 6; - Figure 8 is a sectional view along 8-8 of Figure 6; - Figure 9 shows the upper plate of the tool carriage, in isolated top view; - Figure 10 is a side view of the upper plate illustrated in Figure 9; - Figure 11 is a perspective view of the intermediate structure in the form of a box of the tool carriage in accordance with the invention; - Figure 12 is a front view of the box of Figure 11; - Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the box, according to 13-13 of Figure 12; - Figure 14 is a cross section of the box along 14-14 of Figure 12; - Figure 15 is a perspective view of the removable shelf inserted in the box of the tool carriage; - Figure 16 is a side view of the shelf illustrated in Figure 15; - Figure 17 is a detail view illustrating the rear attachment system of the shelf positioned in the box of the tool carriage; - Figure 18 is a detail view illustrating the attachment system before

  the shelf positioned in the tool carriage box.

  As it appears in Figures 1 to 5, the tool carriage 1 consists of a lower base 2 mounted on wheels 3, from which extends an intermediate structure 4 in the form of a box surmounted by a plate

  upper 5 provided with an operating handle 6.

  The long base 2 and the upper plate 5 project beyond the periphery of the box 4 and the corresponding projecting crowns comprise a plurality of individual arrangements making it possible to maintain in a vertical or substantially vertical position tools with long handles 7, in particular garden tools like spade (s), rake (s) or others. Each structure of

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  holding consists of a housing 9 arranged in the base 2 and in which can be embedded the free end of the tool handle 7, and a releasable locking means 10, arranged on the edge of the upper plate 5 , to receive an intermediate part of the handle of the tool, between its two ends. The holding structures 9, 10 are distributed around the box 4, except on the front of the cart where the operating handle is located 6. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the cart has nine

  tool holding structures: three on each side and three on the rear.

  The housings 9 arranged in the lower base 2 have a generally cylindrical or frustoconical shape; they are open upwards towards the upper plate 5 and they are provided with a bottom 11 forming the support base

  from the end of the tool handle.

  Each housing 9 is associated with a releasable blocking means 10 disposed on the same vertical axis or substantially on the same axis. These releasable blocking means 10 each consist of a recess opening 12 in which is positioned an open snap ring 13, forming a sort of elastic clamp. The flexibility of the snap ring 13 is adapted to allow the interlocking of the intermediate part of the handle of the tool by a simple push to allow its effective retention during transport and storage, and to allow its removal without much difficulty, by

simple traction.

  The dimensions of the housings 9 and of the elastic rings 13 are adapted to the current sizes of the tool handles 7; in particular they allow the

  reception of different sleeve diameters.

  To simplify the manufacture of this tool carriage, the lower base 2, the intermediate box 4 and the upper plate 5 are produced

  independently of each other and then assembled together.

  The lower base 2, shown in isolation in FIGS. 6 to 8, consists of a plate produced by molding of plastic material, of the polypropylene type for example. This tray has a generally square shape; it has a central well with a bottom 16, in which is intended to position the base of the box 4. Around the central well 15 there are the housings 9 arranged by

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  groups of three at the rear end 17 and on the lateral sides 18.

  These housings 9 have a generally frustoconical shape; they are open upwards and their bottom 11 has a central orifice 20 allowing the evacuation of

rainwater in particular.

  Parallel grooves 21 are arranged at the front end 22 of the base 2, on its upper face, intended to reinforce the structure and to form a non-slip footrest. Just in front of the grooves 21, we note the presence of three additional housings 9 ', identical to the housings 9

  mentioned above, the function of which will be explained below.

  Near the front end 22 of the base 2, we also note the presence of openings 24 in the lateral sides 18, allowing the passage and the locking by snap-fastening of an axis 25 (FIG. 3) at the ends of which are

mounted on both wheels 3.

  The underside of the rear end 17 of the base 2 serves as a ground support edge during the immobilization phases of the carriage. As the wheels 3 raise the front end 22 of the base 2, the latter is in a slightly inclined position back and forth during said immobilization phases (see Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 in particular). This feature simplifies the

design of the lower base 2.

  The upper plate 5, shown in isolation in Figures 9 and 10, is made in one piece by molding of plastic material, such as polypropylene. It has a generally square shape provided with an extension 26 slightly inclined upwards, at its front end, in which is

  fitted the operating handle 6.

  The plate 5 has a central opening 27 of generally square shape, on the periphery of which is intended to position the head of the box

intermediate 4.

  On the rear end 28 and on the lateral sides 29 of the plate 5, there can be seen the releasable locking means 10 of the tool handles 7 constituted by the embedding openings 12 each associated with a

open snap ring 13.

  The snap rings 13 are made in one piece with the plate 5. They

  are in fact made up of two elastic tongues 30 arranged opposite.

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  The ends of these tongues 30 are shaped to facilitate the fitting of the tool handles; in this case, they have a

  bead 31 of generally cylindrical shape.

  Note that one can also consider making the snap rings 13 (plastic or metallic) independently of the plate 5 and fixing them by embedding by means of screws, for example, in the bottom of the

openings 12.

  A storage bin 32 is provided between the handle 6 and the central opening 27. On the other hand, five through holes 33, arranged between the storage bin 32 and the central opening 27, allow the passage of tool sleeves. complementary 34 (Figure 1), for their storage. It can be small tools with a small handle, in which case it is the tool part which acts as a locking member against the upper face of the plate 5. It can also be tools with long handles, the free end comes to be embedded in

  the housings 9 'of the base 2, if one of the three central orifices 33 is used.

  The holes 9 'of the base 2 also serve as embedding elements for the free ends of the tool handles, in the case where the positioning of the upper plate 5 is reversed, that is to say in the case where the handle 6 is arranged on the side of the support edge 17, for example for reasons of

  ease of operation due to the presence of a single wheel axle 25.

  The intermediate box 4, shown in isolation in FIGS. 11 to 14, is in the form of a parallelepiped open in the lower part, in

upper part and front.

  This box 4 has a bottom 34 and two lateral sides 35 which are extended by two returns to the square 36 and 37 oriented inwards. It can be obtained

  by stamping and bending a metal sheet, steel for example.

  The two returns to the square 36 and 37 form the lateral sides of

the front opening.

  The box 34 also includes means allowing the reception of a removable storage shelf or shelf 41 accessible by its

front opening.

  This shelf 41, visible in isolation in FIGS. 15 and 16, is produced by stamping and folding a sheet of steel; it consists of a tray

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  42 provided with a rear return 43 forming a gripping member on one-piece hooks 44 arranged in the bottom 34 of the casing 4, and with a double front return 45 forming a hooking member on lateral openings 46

  arranged in the returns 37 of said box 4.

  The hooks 44, two in number, are illustrated in detail in Figure 17; they are produced by a stamping and folding operation of the bottom 34 of the box 4. The lateral openings 46 are illustrated in detail in FIG. 18; they are obtained by stamping and they have a general trapezoidal shape adapted to allow positioning and removal of

  The shelf 41 easily while ensuring effective blocking.

  The shelf 41 is inclined downwards from the front towards the rear of the box, in order to best stabilize the stored products, in particular during transport maneuvers. Of course, several shelves of the same kind can be

  fitted on the height of the box 4.

  If the shelf (s) 41 are removed, the box 4 can serve as a tray for

  storage for various tools or accessories.

  The tool carriage is assembled by embedding the base of the intermediate box 4 in the well 15 of the lower base 2, then by joining the two elements by means of screws or rivets (visible in

  particular in Figures 1 and 3).

  In FIGS. 12 and 13 in particular, it is noted that the base of the box 4 has a bias cut 48 somewhat reducing the height of its facade. This cutout 48 compensates for the inclination of the base 2 when the wheels 3 and the bearing edge 17 rest on the ground, so that the box 4 is positioned vertically or substantially vertically in

  this stationary position of the carriage.

  The front part of the box 4 is arranged on the side of the wheels 3.

  The upper plate 5 is embedded on the head of the box 4 and the two elements are joined together by means of screws or rivets 49

visible in Figures 1 and 2.

  The head of the box 4 can be placed on the periphery of the opening 27 of the plate 5, and in this case a positioning rebate can be provided in the frame defined by said opening 27. It is also possible to envisage positioning

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  the head of the box 4 against the external faces of the border which delimits the opening 27, the internal face of the upper veil of the plate 5 then serving to

positioning face.

  As seen above, the upper plate 5 can be positioned so that its operating handle 6 is located on the side of the wheels 3, or else on the side of the support edge 17 of the base 2, depending

  user preferences, for example.

  As an accessory element, a removable storage bin can be provided to position itself in the opening 27 of the upper plate 5, partially embedded in the upper part of the box 4. On the periphery of this opening 27, it is also possible provide for the presence of protruding pins to secure a plastic bag intended to serve as a garbage bag in particular. Alternatively, the tool carriage in accordance with the present invention may consist of a lower base and an upper plate of the same kind as those described above, secured to a simple chassis

  tubular that can receive a canvas-like covering, for example.

  Also, the trolley according to the invention can have more than two wheels; the upper plate may include additional hooks serving as hooks for various accessories. Still according to an alternative embodiment, the flat shelf or shelves of the box can be replaced by one or more trays hung in an identical or similar manner. The snap rings 13 constitute a simple and effective means for detachably locking an intermediate part of the sleeves

  tools whose free end is embedded in the lower housing 9.

  However, other types of locking means can be envisaged, such as for example a removable locking hook positioned on the front of a recess opening, elastic snap studs fixed on the front of an opening or a clamping tab

  associated with elastic blocking studs.

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Claims (10)

- CLAIMS -   1.- Tool holder device for transporting and storing tools with handle, in particular for garden tools such as rake (s), spade (s) or others, characterized in that it is in the form of a carriage (1) mounted on wheels (3) and provided with an operating handle (6), which carriage (1) comprises a plurality of structures each allowing the maintenance of a tool (7) in a vertical or substantially vertical position vertical, each holding structure consisting of - a housing (9) open upwards for positioning the free end of the tool handle (7) and, above said housing (9), - means (10) allowing a releasable blocking of an intermediate part of the handle of the tool (7), between its two ends, which means (10) are arranged on the same vertical axis as said housing (9), or substantially on the same vertical axis.   2.- Tool holder device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (10) allowing a releasable blocking of the tool handle (7) consist of a releasable blocking device (13) disposed in an opening mounting (12).   3.- Tool holder device according to any one of claims 1 or   2, characterized in that the releasable blocking device which is arranged at the level of the embedding opening (12) of each holding structure   The tool consists of an open snap ring (13).   4.- Tool holder device according to any one of claims 1 to   3, characterized in that it comprises individual housings (9) for receiving the free ends of the tool handles (7), which housings (9) have a generally cylindrical or frustoconical shape with a vertical axis or   substantially vertical, provided with a bottom (11).   5.- Tool holder device according to any one of claims 1 to   4, characterized in that it consists of a lower base (2) mounted on wheels (3), from which extends an intermediate structure (4) leading to an upper plate (5), the housings (9 ) tool holding structures being arranged in the lower base (2) and the means (13) allowing the releasable blocking of the tool handles (7) being arranged on the edge of the upper plate (5). 2787052   6.- Tool holder device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a lower base (2) in the form of an inclined plate, one of the ends (17) of which serves as a ground support edge and of which the opposite end is   provided with wheels (3) mounted at the end of an axle (25).   7.- Tool holder device according to any one of claims 5 or   6, characterized in that it comprises an operating handle (6) arranged in the upper plate (5).   8.- Tool holder device according to any one of claims 5 to   7, characterized in that it comprises a lower base (2), an intermediate structure (4) and an upper plate (5) produced independently and   assembled by any appropriate means.   9.- Tool holder device according to any one of claims 5 to   8, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate structure (4) in the form of a box open on the top, and an upper plate (5) provided with an opening   access (27) in said box (4).   10.- Tool holder device according to any one of claims 2 to   9, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate structure in the form of a box (4) open on one of its faces and provided with one or more   shelves or storage bins (41).