GB2177659A - Low loader garden truck - Google Patents

Abstract

A truck for garden use has a flat bed 1 which can be held in an inclined position to facilitate loading of self-propelled garden machinery or heavy materials. Handle bars 4 can be used to support bulky loads which overhang the truck, and a hinged retainer 3 is provided. Three interlocking bins may fit on to the truck bed and locked in position giving the facility of sorting garden rubbish as it arises. If not overloaded, each bin can be lifted and the contents tipped into the appropriate receptacle (compost bin, incinerator, etc.). A detachable basket for small garden tools clips onto the handle bars. A towing hitch for use with a garden tractor and a winch for loading heavy objects can be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Low loader garden truck This invention relates to a multi-purpose low loader garden truck.

For more than a century the traditional wheelbarrow has been the generally accepted means of transporting garden materials and equipment. It is inefficient in that up to half the weight of the load has to be lifted by the operator in addition to the energy required to provide forward or backward motion. With a two-wheeled truck (properly balanced) no lifting is necessary and it is more manoeuvrable being capable of turning within it's own length.

A loaded wheelbarrow can only be emptied by tipping the contents on the ground. Alternatively, the contents must be removed by hand if they are to be deposited in a container such as a compost bin or incinerator.

A wheelbarrow cannot be used to transport garden machinery (such as a motor cultivator) over surfaces likely to be damaged if the machinery is too heavy to lift and place in the wheelbarrow. Nor can it be used to transport bulky loads such as a panel of a sectional garden shed which if laid flat, would cover the handles of the wheelbarrow and render it unusable.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a flat bed low-loader truck fitted with a pair of wheels and a handle bar at one end.

To facilitate loading of heavy items or self-propelled machinery the truck is tilted so that the front end touches the ground.

Although intended primarily for manual operation, a towing hitch is fitted for use with a garden tractor.

In another aspect of the invention a combination is provided which comprises a truck as broadly defined above and a co-operating set of three shallow and three deep heavy duty plastic containers.

The shallow containers interlock on top of the deep containers which are held in position on the truck by the handle bar frame at the rear, a hinged retainer at the front and by upstands at the sides.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure I shows in elevation the truck with the bins outlined in broken line.

Figure 2 shows in perspective the construction of the truck with the wheels omitted.

Referring to the drawings (Figure 2) the truck comprises a flat bed 1 on an angle frame 2 fitted with a hinged retainer 3 at the front end. A tubular handrail 4 with angle supports 5 is bolted to the frame. Side retainers 6 also stiffen the frame where the axle 7 is fitted.

A detachable plastic trough for small garden tools such as trowels and secateurs clips onto the handle bar.

The wheels are fitted with pneumatic tyres approximately 400mm in diameter and rotate independently on ball bearings to facilitate manoeuvring.

The truck is provided with three identical bins which are standard heavy duty containers manufactured for palletisation. Additionally, three shallower bins can be provided to increase the carrying capacity of the truck by placing them on top of the deeper bins.

Low loader garden truck This truck is designed to replace the conventional wheelbarrow and is intended primarily for domestic use in larger gardens.

It consists of two main components - a flat-bed truck with hinged retainer and a number of loose containers which can be clamped in position on the truck by the operation of the hinged retainer.

It will perform a variety of duties and these may be summarised as follows: (A) Truck only Transporting heavy items or garden machinery over surfaces (such as lawns or paving) that would otherwise be damaged. To facilitate loading, the truck is held in the inclined position by means of a built-in screw-jack (optional). It is particularly useful for moving motor cultivators over grass paths, the cultivator being driven directly on to the truck, thereby avoiding the need to temporarily replace the tines with transport wheels.

2. Transporting long, heavy items such as small tree trunks or planks.

3. Moving heavy static objects such as stone or concrete flower bowls, paving slabs, etc. (A winch could be fitted if required).

4. Moving relatively lightweight bulky items such as parts of sectional timber buildings. These would be carried vertically, supported by the handle bar.

(B) Truck with bins 5. Performing all the functions of a traditional wheelbarrow with greater efficiency and carrying capacity. If properly balanced, no energy is needed to lift the truck (as with a single-wheeled barrow) and it is more manoeuvrable, being capable of turning within it's own length.

For weeding and site clearance the truck is especially useful as the rubbish arising can be sorted instantly into combustible material, incombustible material and material suitable for composting by virtue of the three bins provided. Hoes, rakes, etc.

are conveniently held by passing the handles through the container hand-holes, whilst a small trough is provided for trowels, secateurs etc.

Provided they are not overloaded, the bins can be lifted and the contents tipped into the incinerator, dustbin or compost bin as appropriate. This is not possible with a wheelbarrow, the contents of which can only be tipped on to the ground or unloaded by hand.

6. The truck is designed so that the bins can be inverted and locked in position on the truck to form a mobile workbench. Alternatively, they can be used independently on any flat surface as trestles to support planks to form a low scaffold.

7. It is intended that the bins should be standard palletisation heavy duty plastic containers and that they could transport liquids as well as solids.

For this application lids would probably be needed to prevent spillage.

8. Although intended primarily for manual operation, the truck could be fitted with a towing hitch for use with a garden tractor.

Claims (7)

1. A two-wheeled flat bed low-loader hand-operated truck which can be inclined to facilitate loading.

2. A truck as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a towing hitch is fitted to the frame.

3. A truck as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein loose interlocking bins are provided and retained in position by contact with the angle supports at the rear, the hinged flap at the front and the side retainers.

4. A truck as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein a detachable tool basket is provided and clipped to the handle bars.

5. A truck as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein two cleats are provided attached to each vertical side of the truck bed.

6. A truck as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein a hand-operated winch is fitted to the frame.

7. A truck substantially as described herein with reference to figures land 2 of the accompanying drawings.