GB2082513A

GB2082513A - Folding luggage or shopping trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2082513A
Application number: GB8026978A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Norland Gazelle Travel Goods Ltd
Current assignee: Norland Gazelle Travel Goods Ltd
Priority date: 1980-08-19
Filing date: 1980-08-19
Publication date: 1982-03-10

Abstract

The trolley comprises a main frame (1) to which are pivoted a handle (6) and a load platform (11), the handle and platform being coupled together by link rods (16) so as to move in unison between their operative positions, as illustrated, and folded positions substantially coplanar with the frame (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Folding trolleys This invention relates to hand propelled folding trolleys, such as shopping trolleys and luggage trolleys.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a folding trolley comprising an upright frame a handle member pivotally connected to the upper portion of the upright frame, and a load platform pivotally connected to a lower portion of the upright frame, and wherein the handle member and load platform are coupled together for movement in unison between their respective operative and folded positions.

Two forms of trolley in accordance with the invention are described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 its a perspective view of a shopping trolley; Figure 2 is a partial side view of a luggage trolley; and Figure 3 is a scrap perspective view of the trolley of Fig. 2.

The trolley shown in Fig. 1 comprises a tubular metal upright frame 1 of inverted Ushape, carrying wheels 2 at the lower, free ends of its side arms 3, which are also braced by a transverse rod 4.

A handle member 6 also of inverted U shape has its free ends pivotally connected to the side arms 3 on a transverse pivot axis 7.

A pivoting latching bar 8 on the handle member co-operates with a keeper pin 9 to lock the handle in its upright operative position illustrated.

Another U shape frame 11 forms a load platform which is pivotally connected to the main frame at a transverse axis 1 2.

The platform 11 pivotally carries a support foot 1 3 which is braced in its operative supporting position by a simple toggle linkage 14.

The handle member 6 and the load platform 11 are positively coupled together by connecting rods 1 6 welded at their upper and lower ends to respective transverse bars 1 7 and 1 8 mounted between the side arms of the handle member and the load platform respectively. The upper bar 1 7 is offset above pivot axis 7, and the lower bar 1 8 is offset rearwardly of pivot axis 1 2.

To fold the trolley, the latch bar 1 8 is swung clear of pin 9 and the handle member can then be swung down about axis 7. This motion is transmitted by rods 1 6 to the platform 11, causing it to swing up about axis 1 2. In the folded position, the handle and platform lie closely adjacent each other substantially within the main frame member.

It will be noted that the handle member moves through an arc of about 180 and the load platform through about 90 , these different displacements being accommodated by gearing the linkage by proper proportioning of the distances of bars 1 7 and 1 8 from the pivot axes 7 and 1 2 respectively.

As the platform approaches its upright position the toggle linkage tends to break, allowing the foot 1 3 to swing down into the confines of the platform. Should the toggle fail to break, a slight shake or knock will free it.

The luggage trolley shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is generally similar to the trolley of Fig. 1 and corresponding reference numerals are used for corresponding parts of the two trolleys.

In this case a single connecting rod 1 6 is centrally located and instead of being welded at its Icwer end to lower bar 1 8 it is formed with a hook 1 9 engaging an eye 1 8A on the bar 18, which is not rotated but fast with the load platform 11. The hook and eye thus form a pivot connection between rod 11 and lower bar 18.

A further difference is that the wheels 2 are carried in this embodiment on the load platform, being rotatably mounted on the outer ends of bar 18, which constitutes a dead axle.

The platform has a fixed foot 1 3 and finally downward pivotal movement of the platform is limited by a stop bar 21 welded to the platform and having projecting free ends which abut the rear end of side arms 3 of the main frame. This arrangement relieves the operating linkage of load.

Other detail modifications will of course be possible within the scope of the present invention.

1. A trolley comprising a generally upright frame, a handle member connected pivotally to an upper portion of the frame, and a load platform connected pivotally to a lower portion of the frame, the handle member and platform being coupled together for movement in unison between respective operative and folded positions relative to the frame.

2. A trolley according to claim 1, wherein the handle member and the platform in the folded positions thereof are substantially coplanar with said frame.

3. A trolley according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle member is movable through substantially 180 from the folded position thereof to an operative position projecting upwardly from the frame, and the platform is movable through substantially 90 from the folded position thereof to an operative position projecting forwardly from the frame.

4. A trolley according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the handle member and platform rotate in the same direction about their respective pivotal connections during adjustment thereof between the folded and operative posi

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Folding trolleys This invention relates to hand propelled folding trolleys, such as shopping trolleys and luggage trolleys. In accordance with the invention there is provided a folding trolley comprising an upright frame a handle member pivotally connected to the upper portion of the upright frame, and a load platform pivotally connected to a lower portion of the upright frame, and wherein the handle member and load platform are coupled together for movement in unison between their respective operative and folded positions. Two forms of trolley in accordance with the invention are described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 its a perspective view of a shopping trolley; Figure 2 is a partial side view of a luggage trolley; and Figure 3 is a scrap perspective view of the trolley of Fig. 2. The trolley shown in Fig. 1 comprises a tubular metal upright frame 1 of inverted Ushape, carrying wheels 2 at the lower, free ends of its side arms 3, which are also braced by a transverse rod 4. A handle member 6 also of inverted U shape has its free ends pivotally connected to the side arms 3 on a transverse pivot axis 7. A pivoting latching bar 8 on the handle member co-operates with a keeper pin 9 to lock the handle in its upright operative position illustrated. Another U shape frame 11 forms a load platform which is pivotally connected to the main frame at a transverse axis 1 2. The platform 11 pivotally carries a support foot 1 3 which is braced in its operative supporting position by a simple toggle linkage 14. The handle member 6 and the load platform 11 are positively coupled together by connecting rods 1 6 welded at their upper and lower ends to respective transverse bars 1 7 and 1 8 mounted between the side arms of the handle member and the load platform respectively. The upper bar 1 7 is offset above pivot axis 7, and the lower bar 1 8 is offset rearwardly of pivot axis 1 2. To fold the trolley, the latch bar 1 8 is swung clear of pin 9 and the handle member can then be swung down about axis 7. This motion is transmitted by rods 1 6 to the platform 11, causing it to swing up about axis 1 2. In the folded position, the handle and platform lie closely adjacent each other substantially within the main frame member. It will be noted that the handle member moves through an arc of about 180 and the load platform through about 90 , these different displacements being accommodated by gearing the linkage by proper proportioning of the distances of bars 1 7 and 1 8 from the pivot axes 7 and 1 2 respectively. As the platform approaches its upright position the toggle linkage tends to break, allowing the foot 1 3 to swing down into the confines of the platform. Should the toggle fail to break, a slight shake or knock will free it. The luggage trolley shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is generally similar to the trolley of Fig. 1 and corresponding reference numerals are used for corresponding parts of the two trolleys. In this case a single connecting rod 1 6 is centrally located and instead of being welded at its Icwer end to lower bar 1 8 it is formed with a hook 1 9 engaging an eye 1 8A on the bar 18, which is not rotated but fast with the load platform 11. The hook and eye thus form a pivot connection between rod 11 and lower bar 18. A further difference is that the wheels 2 are carried in this embodiment on the load platform, being rotatably mounted on the outer ends of bar 18, which constitutes a dead axle. The platform has a fixed foot 1 3 and finally downward pivotal movement of the platform is limited by a stop bar 21 welded to the platform and having projecting free ends which abut the rear end of side arms 3 of the main frame. This arrangement relieves the operating linkage of load. Other detail modifications will of course be possible within the scope of the present invention. CLAIMS

4. A trolley according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the handle member and platform rotate in the same direction about their respective pivotal connections during adjustment thereof between the folded and operative posi tions.

5. A trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle member and platform are coupled by means so arranged that the load receiving space at the front of the frame is not impeded thereby when the handle member and platform occupy their operative positions.

6. A trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the handle member and platform are coupled together by rigid link means.

7. A trolley according to claim 6, wherein the platform includes a portion which protrudes rearwardly of the frame in the operative position of the platform, and the link means is pivoted to said platform portion.

8. A trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the frame includes fixed abutment means against which said platform abuts in the operative position thereof to relieve the means coupling the platform to the handle member of load.

9. A trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein releasable locking means is provided to secure the handle member in its operative position relative to the frame.

1 0. A trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 9, including a foot member connected pivotally to the platform adjacent the forward end thereof for movement between an operative position generally normal to the platform and a folded position substantially coplanar with the platform.

11. A trolley substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1 or Figs. 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.