GB2123761A

GB2123761A - Foldable and adjustable trolleys

Info

Publication number: GB2123761A
Application number: GB08220253A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David L E Parkin
Original assignee: KENTINENTAL ENG
Current assignee: KENTINENTAL ENG
Priority date: 1982-07-13
Filing date: 1982-07-13
Publication date: 1984-02-08
Also published as: GB2123761B

Abstract

A trolley having a base comprising a pair of channel section members 10 each having a wheel 11 rotatably mounted at one end thereof and a pair of members 13 pivotally mounted together at their central portions 14 and each having end members 15 slidably located in the channels of the channel section members to enable the channel section members to lie juxtaposed or be rigidly spaced apart; a further pair of members 21, one end of each having a wheel 24 mounted thereon are pivoted one to each of the channel section members so as to be capable of lying juxtaposed thereto or to be rigidly located at an angle thereto. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to trolleys The invention relates to trolleys and more particularly to trolleys which can be collapsed or folded for transportation and which are of adjustable height.

According to the invention there is provided a trolley having a base comprising a pair of channel section members each having a wheel rotatably mounted at one end thereof, a pair of members pivotally mounted together at their central portions and each having end members slidably located in the channels of the channel section members to enable the channel section members to lie juxtaposed or be rigidly spaced apart, a further pair of members, one end of each having a wheel mounted thereon and one being pivotally mounted adjacent the other end to each of the channel section members so as to be capable of lying juxtaposed thereto or to be rigidly located at an angle thereto.

Preferably the other ends of the channel section members each have a pair of members slidably located in the channels and a cross member located above the pair of slidably mounted members for allowing height adjustment of the trolley base. Each of the slidably mounted members of each pair may be formed with apertures longitudinally spaced therealong so that a pin passed through an aperture in the channel members can engage with corresponding ones of the apertures in the slidably mounted members to achieve the height adjustment.

Each of the channel members may carry a bracket against which the respective further members are supported when located at an angle thereto. A toggle mechanism may be provided on each of the channel members to releasably lock the further members thereto.

A brake, which may comprise an eccentric cam arrangement, may be located on each channel member adjacent its wheel.

Flexible handles may be provided, one to assist in causing movement of the channel members towards one another, and one on each of the channel members to facilitate carrying when the trolley base is in its folded condition.

The foregoing and further features of the invention may be more readily understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a trolley base ready for use, and Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the trolley base of Fig. 1 folded for transportation.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown a trolley base, in position for use, comprising a pair of channel section members 10 each having a wheel 11 rotatably mounted at the lower end with an eccentric cam form brake 12 associated therewith.

A pair of tubular members 13 are pivotally mounted at 14 each having end members 1 5 slidably located in the channels of members 10. A flexible handle 1 6 is attached to the two top members 1 5 to facilitate movement upwards of the top members 1 5 when it is required to fold the trolley base to the position with members 10 juxtaposed.

A pair of box section members 1 7 are each attached across a pair of members 1 8 which are slidably mounted in the channels of members 10 at the top thereof. Apertures 1 9 are formed through members 1 8 equidistantly spaced therealong so that a pin or screw member 20, which locates through an aperture in the side of the channels of members 10 can be located in different ones of apertures 20 to enable height adjustment of members 17. The members 17 may accommodate a platform, or other assembly to be transported, thereon.

A pair of further members 21 are pivotally connected to members 10 at points 22 at a bracket 23 and each have a castor wheel 24 attached at the lower end thereof. The members 21 are releasably locked in the transporting position abutting brackets 25 carried on members 10 by a toggle locking mechanism 26. Spring urged locking pins 27 extending from the ends of each of members 21 locate in apertures 28 formed in brackets 29 carried on members 10 to achieve locking. When it is required to move members 21 to the folded condition toggle 26 is released and the member 21 pivotted to bring the wheels 24 beyond wheels 11 as shown in Fig. 2.

Flexible handles 30 are attached to members 10 to facilitate carrying ai the folded trolley base.

Hence a trolley base is illustrated which can be folded into a small size and can be opened for use to provide different overall heights. The trolley base is particularly useful for being used when transporting equipment, such as photocopiers, to premises for demonstration since it can be used with vehicles having different load beds.

1. A trolley having a base comprising a pair of channel section members each having a wheel rotatably mounted at one end thereof, a pair of members pivotally mounted together at their central portions and each having end members slidably located in the channels of the channel section members to enable the channel section members to lie juxtaposed or be rigidly spaced apart, a further pair of members, one end of each having a wheel mounted thereon and one being pivotally mounted adjacent the other end to each of the channel section members so as to be capable of lying juxtaposed thereto or to be rigidly located at an angle thereto.

2. A trolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the other ends of the channel section members each have a pair of members slidably located in the channels and a cross member located above the pair of slidably mounted members for allowing height adjustment of the trolley base.

3. A trolley as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the slidably mounted members of each pair is

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to trolleys The invention relates to trolleys and more particularly to trolleys which can be collapsed or folded for transportation and which are of adjustable height. According to the invention there is provided a trolley having a base comprising a pair of channel section members each having a wheel rotatably mounted at one end thereof, a pair of members pivotally mounted together at their central portions and each having end members slidably located in the channels of the channel section members to enable the channel section members to lie juxtaposed or be rigidly spaced apart, a further pair of members, one end of each having a wheel mounted thereon and one being pivotally mounted adjacent the other end to each of the channel section members so as to be capable of lying juxtaposed thereto or to be rigidly located at an angle thereto. Preferably the other ends of the channel section members each have a pair of members slidably located in the channels and a cross member located above the pair of slidably mounted members for allowing height adjustment of the trolley base. Each of the slidably mounted members of each pair may be formed with apertures longitudinally spaced therealong so that a pin passed through an aperture in the channel members can engage with corresponding ones of the apertures in the slidably mounted members to achieve the height adjustment. Each of the channel members may carry a bracket against which the respective further members are supported when located at an angle thereto. A toggle mechanism may be provided on each of the channel members to releasably lock the further members thereto. A brake, which may comprise an eccentric cam arrangement, may be located on each channel member adjacent its wheel. Flexible handles may be provided, one to assist in causing movement of the channel members towards one another, and one on each of the channel members to facilitate carrying when the trolley base is in its folded condition. The foregoing and further features of the invention may be more readily understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a trolley base ready for use, and Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the trolley base of Fig. 1 folded for transportation. Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown a trolley base, in position for use, comprising a pair of channel section members 10 each having a wheel 11 rotatably mounted at the lower end with an eccentric cam form brake 12 associated therewith. A pair of tubular members 13 are pivotally mounted at 14 each having end members 1 5 slidably located in the channels of members 10. A flexible handle 1 6 is attached to the two top members 1 5 to facilitate movement upwards of the top members 1 5 when it is required to fold the trolley base to the position with members 10 juxtaposed. A pair of box section members 1 7 are each attached across a pair of members 1 8 which are slidably mounted in the channels of members 10 at the top thereof. Apertures 1 9 are formed through members 1 8 equidistantly spaced therealong so that a pin or screw member 20, which locates through an aperture in the side of the channels of members 10 can be located in different ones of apertures 20 to enable height adjustment of members 17. The members 17 may accommodate a platform, or other assembly to be transported, thereon. A pair of further members 21 are pivotally connected to members 10 at points 22 at a bracket 23 and each have a castor wheel 24 attached at the lower end thereof. The members 21 are releasably locked in the transporting position abutting brackets 25 carried on members 10 by a toggle locking mechanism 26. Spring urged locking pins 27 extending from the ends of each of members 21 locate in apertures 28 formed in brackets 29 carried on members 10 to achieve locking. When it is required to move members 21 to the folded condition toggle 26 is released and the member 21 pivotted to bring the wheels 24 beyond wheels 11 as shown in Fig. 2. Flexible handles 30 are attached to members 10 to facilitate carrying ai the folded trolley base. Hence a trolley base is illustrated which can be folded into a small size and can be opened for use to provide different overall heights. The trolley base is particularly useful for being used when transporting equipment, such as photocopiers, to premises for demonstration since it can be used with vehicles having different load beds. CLAIMS

3. A trolley as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the slidably mounted members of each pair is formed with apertures longitudinally spaced therealong so that a pin passed through an aperture in the channel members can engage with corresponding ones of the apertures in the slidably mounted members to achieve the height adjustment.

4. A trolley as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each of the channel members carries a bracket which the respective further members are supported when located at an angle thereto.

5. A trolley as claimed in claim 4 wherein toggle mechanism is provided on each of the channel members to releasably lock the further members thereto.

6. A trolley as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a brake is located on each channel member adjacent its wheel.

7. A trolley as claimed in claim 6 wherein each brake comprises an eccentric cam arrangement.

8. A trolley as claimed in any preceding claim wherein flexible handles are provided, one to assist in causing movement of the channel members towards one another, and one on each of the channel members to facilitate carrying when the trolley base is in its folded condition.

9. A trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.