GB2170152A - Trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

A trolley (10) comprises a platform with an upstanding peripheral flange (12) to which is connected two U-shaped arms (16,18) at pivots (20), said arms being secured by a clip (22) in a first position, and having brackets (24) for retaining containers stacked on the platform. The arms may be swung away from their first position allowing access to the containers and allowing the trolley to be collapsed for easy storage. The trolley is suitable for transporting bird cages and means may be provided for locking several into a "train" so that they may be moved together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Trolley This invention relates to a trolley for transporting a plurality of containers which may be stacked thereon.

According to the present invention there is provided a trolley comprising a chassis having a rectangular platform for supporting a plurality of containers stacked thereon; means for locating the containers laterally; frame members upstanding from the chassis and including said lateral locating means, at least one frame member being movable between a first upright position, in which it is secured relative to a second frame member to retain and support laterally containers in the stack, and a second displaced position in which the containers are accessible and removable from the trolley.

Preferably the upstanding frame members are all displaceable into said second position so that the trolley is in effect collapsible for storage. Suitably the frame members are pivotally displaceable.

Preferably each frame member comprises a pair of uprights on either side of the platform and joined at their upper ends by a cross member. Means are suitably provided on the cross members for connecting them together in said first position, said connecting suitably comprising a spring clip.

Preferably the platform also includes said lateral locating means, the latter locating containers resting on the platform, and a lateral locating means on the upstanding frame members locating also containers higher in the stack. Suitably the lateral locating means on the platform takes the form of an upstanding peripheral flange.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, an embodiment is described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a trolley according to the present invention with cages stacked therein; and Figure 2 shows an expanded section of the cross members and clip means.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the trolley 10 com prises a chassis movable on castors 14 and having a rectangular platform around which is an upstanding peripheral flange 12. Two frame members 16, 18 are upstanding from the chassis, and are pivotable about hinges 20. Each frame member 16, 18 comprises a pair of uprights located one on either side of the platform and joined at their up per ends by a cross member. The frame members are angled mutually inwards at the upper portion of the uprights and are detachably joined at the cross members by a clip 22. Located on each up right is a flange 24 for laterally locating containers higher in the stack.

Both frame members 16, 18 are pivotable be tween a first upright position in which they are se cured together and a second displaced position in which the frame members may be lowered to the ground. For storage, both frame members can be displaced in the same direction so that they lie one above the other.

In the present embodiment the trolley is designed to transport exhibition cages 26 for show birds as shown in Figure 1; these exhibition cages conforming to certain specifications. The base of the platform and the interior of the flanges 24 may be padded so as to cushion the cages during transportation, to prevent the cages from being scratched and protect the birds from too bumpy a ride. Once the cages are loaded onto the platform and the frame members located in the upright position the cages are securely retained in the trolley.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of the clip 22 and the cross members of the frames 16, 18. The clip 22 is fast with one of the frames 18, and is reversibly attachable to the other frame 16.

It is possible to interconnect the trolleys by, for example, a ball and socket mechanism (not shown), allowing the trolleys to be linked together and moved as a "train". For easier identification and as a deterrent against theft a plaque may be affixed to the trolley on which details of the owner and/or the birds may be stamped.

A trolley, of the present invention, is not limited to the above example. Increasing the height of the frame members 16, 18 and adding further flanges 24 enables a higher stack to be achieved.

1. A trolley comprising a chassis having a rectangular platform for supporting a plurality of containers stacked thereon; means for locating the containers laterally; frame members upstanding from the chassis and including said lateral locating means; at least one frame member being movable between a first upright position in which it is securable relative to a second frame member to retain and support laterally containers in the stack, and a second displaced position in which the containers are accessible and removable from the trolley.

2. A trolley according to claim 1 in which said upstanding frame members are all displaceable into said second position.

3. A trolley according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a frame member is pivotally displaceable from said first position to said second position.

4. A trolley according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each frame member comprises a pair of uprights on either side of the platform which are joined at their upper ends by a cross member.

5. A trolley according to claim 4 wherein means are provided on said cross members for connecting them together in said first position.

6. A trolley according to claim 5 wherein said means comprise a spring clip.

7. A trolley according to any one of the preced ing claims wherein the platform also includes said lateral locating means.

8. A trolley according to claim 7 wherein the lateral locating means on the platform take the form of an upstanding peripheral flange.

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

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Trolley This invention relates to a trolley for transporting a plurality of containers which may be stacked thereon. According to the present invention there is provided a trolley comprising a chassis having a rectangular platform for supporting a plurality of containers stacked thereon; means for locating the containers laterally; frame members upstanding from the chassis and including said lateral locating means, at least one frame member being movable between a first upright position, in which it is secured relative to a second frame member to retain and support laterally containers in the stack, and a second displaced position in which the containers are accessible and removable from the trolley. Preferably the upstanding frame members are all displaceable into said second position so that the trolley is in effect collapsible for storage. Suitably the frame members are pivotally displaceable. Preferably each frame member comprises a pair of uprights on either side of the platform and joined at their upper ends by a cross member. Means are suitably provided on the cross members for connecting them together in said first position, said connecting suitably comprising a spring clip. Preferably the platform also includes said lateral locating means, the latter locating containers resting on the platform, and a lateral locating means on the upstanding frame members locating also containers higher in the stack. Suitably the lateral locating means on the platform takes the form of an upstanding peripheral flange. In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, an embodiment is described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a trolley according to the present invention with cages stacked therein; and Figure 2 shows an expanded section of the cross members and clip means. Referring firstly to Figure 1, the trolley 10 com prises a chassis movable on castors 14 and having a rectangular platform around which is an upstanding peripheral flange 12. Two frame members 16, 18 are upstanding from the chassis, and are pivotable about hinges 20. Each frame member 16, 18 comprises a pair of uprights located one on either side of the platform and joined at their up per ends by a cross member. The frame members are angled mutually inwards at the upper portion of the uprights and are detachably joined at the cross members by a clip 22. Located on each up right is a flange 24 for laterally locating containers higher in the stack. Both frame members 16, 18 are pivotable be tween a first upright position in which they are se cured together and a second displaced position in which the frame members may be lowered to the ground. For storage, both frame members can be displaced in the same direction so that they lie one above the other. In the present embodiment the trolley is designed to transport exhibition cages 26 for show birds as shown in Figure 1; these exhibition cages conforming to certain specifications. The base of the platform and the interior of the flanges 24 may be padded so as to cushion the cages during transportation, to prevent the cages from being scratched and protect the birds from too bumpy a ride. Once the cages are loaded onto the platform and the frame members located in the upright position the cages are securely retained in the trolley. Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of the clip 22 and the cross members of the frames 16, 18. The clip 22 is fast with one of the frames 18, and is reversibly attachable to the other frame 16. It is possible to interconnect the trolleys by, for example, a ball and socket mechanism (not shown), allowing the trolleys to be linked together and moved as a "train". For easier identification and as a deterrent against theft a plaque may be affixed to the trolley on which details of the owner and/or the birds may be stamped. A trolley, of the present invention, is not limited to the above example. Increasing the height of the frame members 16, 18 and adding further flanges 24 enables a higher stack to be achieved. CLAIMS

1. A trolley comprising a chassis having a rectangular platform for supporting a plurality of containers stacked thereon; means for locating the containers laterally; frame members upstanding from the chassis and including said lateral locating means; at least one frame member being movable between a first upright position in which it is securable relative to a second frame member to retain and support laterally containers in the stack, and a second displaced position in which the containers are accessible and removable from the trolley.

2. A trolley according to claim 1 in which said upstanding frame members are all displaceable into said second position.

3. A trolley according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a frame member is pivotally displaceable from said first position to said second position.

4. A trolley according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each frame member comprises a pair of uprights on either side of the platform which are joined at their upper ends by a cross member.

5. A trolley according to claim 4 wherein means are provided on said cross members for connecting them together in said first position.

6. A trolley according to claim 5 wherein said means comprise a spring clip.

7. A trolley according to any one of the preced ing claims wherein the platform also includes said lateral locating means.

8. A trolley according to claim 7 wherein the lateral locating means on the platform take the form of an upstanding peripheral flange.

9. A trolley substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.