GB2182614A - Handling trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

A trolley has a wheeled framework 10 which supports an optionally wheeled platform 16 on which items 58 may be carried. The platform 16 is pivotally mounted on the framework 10, so that one end of the platform 16 can be placed over an above-ground support surface 30 and the framework can be pivoted to deliver the platform 16 onto the support surface 30 and then pivoted further to be loaded itself onto the support surface 30. Preferably the platform 16 is extendible so as to carry the item 58 fully onto the support surface 30 before the framework 10 is pivoted. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Demonstration trolley DESCRIPTION Field of the invention This invention relates to a demonstration trolley, which term as used herein means a trolley which is adapted notonlytotransportan item of equipment orthe like, but also to facilitate loading and offloading ofthe item,onto orfrom a supporting surface such as the deck of an estatecarorthe like.

Priorart Demonstration trolleys are known having wheeled palletswhich detach from a wheeled supporting framework to facilitate loading on to a supporting surface and off-loading therefrom. Such known trolleys have various disadvantages, including that of requiring re-location ofthepalletontheframe- work when off-loading.

Summary ofthe invention According to the invention, a demonstration trolley comprises a supporting framework provided with ground wheels, a platform pivotally mounted to the supporting framework, and means for retaining the platform in a generally horizontal position when the framework is standing stably on.its ground wheels on level ground, the arrangement being such thatthetrolleycan bewheeleduptoasupporting surface so that the nose of the platform is received thereover, and the framework can then be pivoted about its connection to the platform so as to transfer the weight of the platform to the supporting surface and can then be pivotedfurtheraboutthe said con nectionsoasto be loadedontothesupportingsur- face.

Preferably the platform has wheels, rollers orthe like so that it can move easily overthe supporting surface.

If the pivotal connection between the framework and the platform is arranged with respect to the centre of gravity of the platform and the normal centre of gravity of an item of equipment supported on the platform so that the platform tends to pivot relative to the framework in the other direction from the direction of relative pivotal movement during loading, then the means for retaining the platform generally horizontal may be a simple obstruction preventing pivoting in the first direction beyond a certain point. Because of the difference in directions, this does not interfere with the pivoting oftheframe- workasthetrolleyis loaded onto a supporting surface.

However, ifthe retaining means is a simple obstruction, there is the danger that a person mighttry to liftthetrolley as whole by lifting the end ofthe platform remote from the pivoted connection in which case the platform would tend to pivot about the framework and any item loaded on the platform might accidentally slip off. Accordingly, it is preferred to provide a releasable latching means which latches the platform to the framework in the generally horizontal position, and which is released before the framework is pivoted about the platform during loading ofthe trolley onto a supporting surface.

In a preferred embodimentthe platform isexten- dible, with its load-supporting surface being movable relative to a platform base portion, to which the pivotal connection with the framework is made. In use ofthis embodiment, the platform is normally retracted but during loading ofthe trolley onto asupporting surface the platform is extended, normally afterthe nose of the platform has been received over the supporting surface, so as to increase the extentto which an item on the platform is positioned overthe supporting surface before the framework is pivoted aboutits connection to the platform.Thistendsto ensure that the weight of an item on the platform is positioned over the supporting surface before the attempt is made to lift the framework from the ground,thus reducing the hazard oftheitem andtke trolley tending to fall offthe end ofthe supporting surface as the framework is pivoted relative to the platform. Following pivoting ofthe framework about its connectiontothe platform, itwill normally be preferableto retract the platform again.

When the platform is extendible, it is preferable to provide a latching means to latch the platform in its retracted position.

A preferred demonstration trolley embodying the invention has a supporting frameworkwhich includes a main frame normally extending upwardly and rearwardly from a pair of front ground wheels, the main frame having handles at its upper rear end, whilst a sub-frame extending rearwardlyfrom the main frame is mounted two a pair of rear ground wheels, which conveniently are relatively large diameter wheels with perimetertyres, therebyto facilitate manoeuvring the trolley up and down kerbs, steps and the like.

The supporting framework preferably also includes a part to which the platform is pivoted, this part preferably being adjustable in height on the main frame, sothatthe latching meanswill locatetheplat- form horizontally in a chosen position of height adjustment.

The platform preferably has wheels at its nose, at an intermediate position, and at its tail. These wheels successively come into use when the trolley is loaded onto a supporting surface.

The preferred arrangement is such that, when loading, the supporting framework pivotsforwardiy about its front ground wheels, the large rear wheels lifting from the ground.

The rear ground wheels preferably have brake means associated therewith.

The front ground wheels are preferably each pivotable about a vertical axis to assist steering, but can be locked against such pivoting before thetrolley is loaded onto a supporting surface.

In order to prevent uncontrolled rearward movement ofthe lower end ofthe supporting framework during loading,the said framework preferably inclu des a cross-piece at a convenient level to enable this framework to be comfortably restrained with a foot.

Embodiments ofthe invention will now be descri bed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a first embodiment oftrolley in accordance with the invention,the trolley having approached the supporting deck onto which it is to be loaded; Figure2 shows the trolley during progress of the loading manoeuvre; Figure 3 shows the trolley when fully loaded onto the deck; Figures4ato 4Ddiagrammatically illustratethe complete loading procedure; Figure shows a side elevation, corresponding to Figure 1,ofa second embodiment of the present invention, having an extendible platform; Figure 6shows the trolley of FigureS following ex- tension ofthe platform;; Figure 7shows the trolley of Figure 5 during progress ofthe loading manoeuvre with the platform extended; and Figure 8 shows trolley of Figure5 when fully loaded onto the deck.

Description ofembodiments Referring first to Figure 1, the illustrated embodiment oftrolley comprises a supporting framework, generally referenced 10, having front and rear ground wheels 12 and 14 and having pivotally mounted thereon a wheeled platform 16. In the condition shown, the trolley is standing stably on its ground wheels 12,14, and the platform is latched by latch 18 in a horizontal orientation in which it can carry an item of equipment generally centred above the trolley ground wheels to avoid risk oftipping.

Thus, when thetrolley is in the condition shown in Figure 1 ,the item on the platform can readily be transported by wheeling the trolley, which is equipped with handles 20 at the upper end ofthe supporting framework. The large rear ground wheels 14, preferably Polypropylene BMX wheels having perimetertyres,facilitate manoeuvring over kerbs, steps and the like. A brake on the rear, larger ground wheels 14 enables the trolley to stand stationarywhilst supporting the item of equipmentfor example during a demonstration of said equipment.

The rearwheels 14areshown in more detail in FigureS.

The supporting framework 10 com prises a main frame 22 which is, in the condition shown in Figure 1, inclined upwardly and rearwardly from the front ground wheels 12 at its lower front end to the handles 20 at its upper rearend. Thefrontground wheels 12 are pivotable about vertical axes to assist steering. A sub4rame 24 extends rearwardlyfrom the main frame 22 and the large rear ground wheels l4aremountedtosaidsub-frame.

The pivotal mounting 26 for the wheeled platform 16 is formed on a part 28 adjustable in height on the main frame 22 by means such as are illustrated at 29.

The horizontal platform 16 can thus support the item thereon at a convenient level, in particular a level suitable to facilitate loading onto a supporting surface such as the deck 30 of an estate car, and offloading from said surface.

Figure 1 shows the trolley approached to the deck 30 immediately priorto loading said trolley thereon.

Referring now to Figure 2, when the trolley is approached to the deck 30, the nose of the platform 16 advances over the platform and front wheels 32 of the platform engage the decksurface if the platform is adjusted to an appropriate height on the supporting framework. Subsequently, as the platform advances further, intermediate wheels 34 of the platform also engage the surface ofthe deck 30.

When the nose of the platform is resting on the deck, the latch 18 is released to allow relative pivotal movement of the platform 16 and supporting framework 10 (the nose ofthe platform will drop down if the platform is adjusted in height above the level of the deck). The front ground wheels 12 are locked in position facing forward. As indicated in Figure 2 by the arrow 36, the supporting framework 10 may now be pivoted forwardly about its front ground wheels 12, a restraining foot being applied to a cross-piece 38 on the sub-frame 24to control rearward move ment of thefront ground wheels.

First, the platform 1 6tends to pivot anti-clockwise about its nose wheels 32, but once the main frame 22 has crossed the half-way position the platform tends to pivot clockwise until it is lying flat on the deck.

Continued forward pivoting ofthe framework 10 pushes the platform 16 further onto the deck 30, the platform advancing freely on its wheels and the framework eventually being lifted clear of the ground. Finally al I the platform wheels, including the rear wheels 40, are engaged with the deck 30 and, as shown in Figure3,thepivoting movementofthe supporting framework 10 may then be continued to load the framework onto the deck 30 over the top of the plateform 16.It will be appreciated that the main frame 10 essentially consists of two side frames, held in laterally spaced relationship at the front end (where the front ground wheels are located), atthe cross-piece 38 on the sub-frame 24, and just below the pivotal connection 26, in orderto enable passage ofthe main frame pastthe item of equipment on the platform as the supporting framework pivots down ontop ofthe platform.The supporting framework 10 may also latch to the platform 16 in the loaded condition of Figure 3, if desired.

Off-loading is a reverse procedure to the loading manoevure above described. Re-latching of the platform to the supporting framework may take place automatically during unloading, by suitable design ofthe releasable latch 18.

For completeness, Figures 4Ato 4D illustrate in an alogousmannertoFiguresl to3useofthetrolley during loading of an item on to the deck of an estate car.

Afurther design of trolley, also embodying the present invention, is shown in Figures Sto 8. In many respects, thistrolley resembles the trolley of Figures 1 to 4 and identical reference numerals have been used for corresponding parts. The front and rear ground wheels 12, 14areshown in more detail in Figure 5, and the brake for the rear wheel 14 is shown schematically at 50. The details of the wheels shown in Figure 5may also apply to the trolley of Figures 1 to4.

In the trolley of Figures Sto 8the platform 16 is extendible, it being possible to move its loadsupporting surface 52 forwardly with respect to a platform lower portion 54. The pivotal connection 26 is made to the lower portion 54 of the platform. The nose wheels 32 of the platform are mounted on the extendible portion which includes the loadsupporting surface 52, while the intermediate wheels 34 and platform rearwheels 40 are mounted on the lower portion 54.

Normally, the platform 16 is retracted, and it is held in this position buy a releasable catch 56.

In use,thetroliey of Figures Sto 8 is brought upto a deck 30 inthesame manner as the trolley of Figures 1 to 4, so that the nose wheels 32 and intermediate wheels 34 of the platform 16 are positioned overthe deck 30, as shown in Figure 5. However, before the framework 10 is rotated about the connection 26, the catch 56 is released and the platform 16 is extended so that the trolley adopts the position shown in Figure 6.This carries an item 58 mounted on the platform 16 into a position in which it is wholly over the supportsurface 30, so that it has notendancyto topple offthe surface while the supporting framework 16 is pivoted about the connection 26 and loaded onto the surface 30. It will be noted that in Figure Sthe platform nose wheels 32 and intermediate wheels 34 are relatively close together, but that extension of the platform 16 carries the nose wheels 32 away from the intermediate wheels 34.

Following extension ofthe platform 16, the latch between the platform and the supporting framework is released and the supporting framework is rotated aboutthe connection 26 in the same manner as has been described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 7 shows an intermediate position during this rotation, corresponding to Figure 2.

Itwill be noted thatwhilethetrolley 10 istem- porarily in the position of Figure 7, a considerable bending stress may be applied to the connection between the extended portion ofthe platform 16 and the platform lower portion 54. Consequently, stop means (not shown) are provided to limittheextension ofthe platform 16so that no extension beyond that shown in Figures6 and 7 is possible. This ensures that the extent of overlap between the two portions of the platform remains sufficient for the connections between them to retain adequate strength and rigidity to withstand the forces likely to be applied in normal use.

Following completion ofthe rotational movement of the supporting framework 10 about the connection 26, the trolley will be supported on the deck 30 by the nose wheels 32 and intermediate wheels 34 of the platform 16. The rear wheels 40 of the platform, together with most ofthe supporting framework 10 and the platform lower portion 54, will be projecting over the end of the deck 30. These projecting parts are then pushed onto the deck while the platform 16 retracts again, so that the trolley assumes the position shown in Figure 8, which is analogous to Figure 3.

It will be noted that in the embodiment of Figures 5 to 8 the horizontal movement of the item mounted on thetrolley (which may be relatively heavy) takes place largely before the supporting framework 10 is rotated about the connection 26, and in particular that no horizontal movement ofthe item 58 is required during this rotation. Consequently, considerably less effort is required from the operator during the step of rotating the framework.

Various modifications of the above described arrangement are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A demonstration trolley comprising a supporting framework provided with ground wheels, a platform pivotally mounted to the supporting framework, and means for retaining the platform in a generally horizontal position when the framework is standing stably on its ground wheels on level ground, the arrangement being such thatthe trolley can be wheeled up to a supporting surface sothatthe nose of the platform is received thereover, and the framework can then be pivoted about its connection to the-platform so as to transfer the weight of the platform to the supporting surface and can then be pivoted further about the said connection so as to be loaded onto the supporting surface.

2. Atrolley according to claim 1 in which the said retaining means comprises a stop which obstructs relative pivotal movement between the platform and the framework in one direction when the platform is in the said generally horizontal position.

3. Atrolleyaccordingto claim 1 inwhichthesaid retaining means comprises a releasable latch.

4. Atrolleyaccordingto anyoneofthe preceding claims which has wheels, rollers or the like to facilitate movement over the supporting surface.

5. Atrolleyaccording to any one ofthe preceding claims in which the platform is extendible, with its load-supporting surface being movable relative to a platform base portion to which the pivotal connection with the framework is made.

6. Atrolley according tb claim Sin which a latching means is provided to latch the platform in its retracted position.

7. Atrolley according to any one ofthe preceding claims in which the supporting framework includes a main frame normally extending upwardly and rearwardlyfrom a pair offront ground wheels, the main frame having handles at its upper rear end, and a sub-frame extending rearwardly from the main frame and mounted to a pairof rear ground wheels.

8. Atrolley according to any one ofthe preceding claims in which the platform is pivotally mounted on a part of the supporting frameworkwhich is adjust- able in heightfrom the ground wheels oftheframework.

9. Atrolley according to any one ofthe preceding claims in which the platform has wheels at its nose, atan intermediate position, and at itstail.

10. Atrolley according to any one of the preceding claims in which, following the said receipt of the nose of the platform overthe supporting surface,the said pivotal movement of the supporting framework initially involves rotation aboutfront ground wheels, rear ground wheels of the framework lifting from the ground.

11. Atrolley according to any one ofthe preceding claims in which the framework has front ground wheels each pivotable about a vertical axis to assist steering, but lockable against such pivoting before the trolley is loaded onto a supporting surface.

12. A demonstration trolley substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.