GB2084940A

GB2084940A - Ride-on utility trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2084940A
Application number: GB8031188A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: FOKERD CHARLES REGINALD
Current assignee: FOKERD CHARLES REGINALD
Priority date: 1980-09-26
Filing date: 1980-09-26
Publication date: 1982-04-21

Abstract

The trolley (e.g. for assisting invalids or old people when working (e.g. gardening) at low levels) comprises a wheeled chassis (1), steering means (4, 6), propelling means, and an operator seat (8) which is mounted on the chassis (1) and is infinitely adjustable in height between upper and lower positions. The seat (8) may be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, whilst the steering means (4, 6) can be operated by a tray (5) supported thereon. The propelling means can be arranged to propel the trolley (T) through a predetermined distance by means of a manually-operable handle (7) and associated freewheel arrangement or an electrically- driven motor. The operator seat (8) is preferably mounted on the chassis (1) by means of a paralellogram or "lazy tong'' type linkage (9) and may be provided with a helical spring to prevent sudden impact of the seat (8) with the chassis (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Utility trolley DESCRIPTION This invention relates to a utility trolley for assisting in the performance of manual operations at varying height levels, particularly at ground level.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a utility trolley comprising a wheeled chassis steering means, means for propelling the trolley, preferably through a predetermined distance, and an operator seat which is mounted on the chassis and is infinitely adjustable in height between upper and lower positions.

If the trolley is propellable through a predetermined distance, then at least one wheel of the trolley may be rotated by a given amount which corresponds to that distance. Such propulsion may be effected by an operating lever freewheel arrangement provided in association with at least one of the wheels, such that the trolley is propelled through the predetermined distance, by moving the lever to operate the freewheel in the drive mode. Subsequently, the lever can then be returned to its initial position through the freewheel mode.

Preferably, the seat is mounted on the chassis, such that it can be rotated about a substantially vertical axis, apart from its being infinitely adjustable in height between the upper and lower positions, Advantageously, and particularly in relation to the use of the trolley for gardening, the lower position is substantially at ground level.

The trolley may be provided with additional accessories. For instance, if it is to be used as a gardening trolley, then the steering means may be associated with at least one front wheel of the chassis and could be operated by, say, a gardening tray which may also be used for other purposes, such as, carrying waste material, small garden implements or plants.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred form of gardening trolley in accordance therewith will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one side and the rear of a gardening trolley; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the the trolley shown in Fig. 1 but from the other side and front thereof and Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the trolley illustrating the infinitely adjustable means for raising and lowering the trolley seat between upper and lower height positions.

Referring to the drawings, a garden trolley T comprises a generally tubular metal chassis 1 having a pair of rear wheels 2 and a pair of front wheels 3. The pair of front wheels 3 is steerable by means of a generally vertical steering column 4 upon whose upper end is rigidly supported a gardening tray 5, by means of a tubular metal support frame 6.

The rear pair of wheels 2 can be rotated by means of a propelling handle 7 which, when pulled upwardly through approximately 90 degrees, propels the trolley through a predetermined distance, via a freewheel mechanism (not shown) associated with the axel of the rear pair of wheels 2.

Intermediate the front and rear pairs of wheels 2, 3 is located a seat 8 which is mounted for vertical movement upon a parallelogram or "lazy tong" type linkage 9 secured to the chassis 1. The seat 8 is infinitely adjustable in height between upper and lower positions by means of the linkage 9 and an associated operating handle 1 0. This handle 10 is associated with a hydraulic jacking mechanism 11, whereby on operation of the handle 10, the mechanism 11 actuates the linkage 9 to raise or lower the seat 8.

The front and rear pairs of wheels 3, 2 are provided with respective covers 12, 13, whilst, in one embodiment, the seat 8 may be pivotable about a generally vertical axis with respect to the parallelogram or "lazy tong" linkage 9.

In use of the trolley, an operator who wishes to perform some ground level gardening sets the height of the seat 8 at what is termed "a normal sitting level". Having sat in the seat 8 at this normal sitting level, the operator can then lower the seat to a height corresponding substantially to that of the chassis 1, whereby, at this lower position, ground level level gardening is facilitated. The operator's feet may be supported in a rest position on the front cover 1 3 on either side of the steering column 4.

When moving between gardening positions, the trolley can be propelled by an upward movement of the handle 7, through a predetermined distance by the operator. However, it will be appreciated, that any other suitable means of propelling the trolley T may be provided, instead of the handle/freewheel arrangement of the presently described embodiment. For instance, an electric motor may be provided, which operates over a predetermined time interval or distance, in order to move the trolley T along the ground.

The seat 8 and associated linkage 9 may be arranged such that the former can be raised to a level which is above the normal sitting level, whereby ready access to higher gardening locations can be provided, for instance, hedges and small trees.

The tray 5, which is used to steer the trolley T via the steering column 4 and front pair of wheels 3, may also be used to carry waste material, small garden implements or plants.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a utility trolley whose seat is infinitely adjustable in height between upper and lower positions whereby the trolley is particularly suitable for use by invalids or old people who would otherwise have difficultly in working at, say, ground level in a garden or at higher levels.

A safety feature is provided in the form of a helical spring 1 2 mounted in an upright manner upon a chassis cross member 13, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby should the seat 8 be caused to fall rapidly to its lower position, for instance, on failure of the hydraulic jacking device 11, then the impact of the seat 8 with the chassis 1 is cushioned to avoid injury to a seated operator.

Claims

1. A utility trolley comprising a wheeled chassis, steering means, means for propelling the trolley, and an operator seat which is mounted on the chassis and is infinitely adjustable in height between upper and lower positions.

2. A trolley according to claim 1, wherein the seat is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis.

3. A trolley according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said steering means is associated with at least one front wheel on the chassis and is operable by means of a tray supported thereon.

4. A trolley according to claim 3, wherein the tray is detachably located on said steering means.

5. A trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein said propelling means is arranged to propel the trolley through a predetermined distance.

6. A trolley according to claim 5, wherein said propelling means comprises a manually operable handle arranged to rotate an associated driving wheel by a predetermined angular amount.

7. A trolley according to claim 6, wherein the handle is connected to its associated drive wheel by means of a free wheel arrangement.

8. A trolley according to claim 5, wherein said propelling means comprises an electrically-driven motor.

9. A trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein the operator seat is mounted for vertical movement upon the chassis by means of a paralellogram or "lazy tong" type linkage.

10. A trolley according to claim 9, wherein the linkage is operable by means of a hydraulic jacking mechanism.

11. A trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein the operator seat, in its lower position and in use of the trolley, is at substantially ground level.

1 2. A trolley according to any preceding claim including resilient means mounted upon the chassis below the operator seat, to prevent sudden impact of the seat with the chassis.

1 3. A trolley according to claim 12, wherein said resilient means comprises a helical spring mounted in an upright manner upon the chassis.

14. A trolley according to any preceding claim including a pair of steerable wheels mounted at the front of the chassis and another pair of wheels mounted at the rear of the chassis, wherein at least one of said rear wheels is drivable by said propelling means.

1 5. A gardening trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.