GB2233612A

GB2233612A - Manual transporter device

Info

Publication number: GB2233612A
Application number: GB9008822A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barkley Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-19
Filing date: 1990-04-19
Publication date: 1991-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2010-04-19
Also published as: GB2233612B; GB9008822D0; GB8908908D0

Abstract

A manual transporter device has wheeled means 3 at one end and handle means 4 at the other end, and, between the two, generally flat load support means 1 which, when the device is being loaded, extend in a plane close to and generally parallel to the ground. The device is foldable into a storage position, in which the wheeled means and the handle-means overlie the load support means. <IMAGE>

Description

Manual Transporter Device This invention relates to transporter devices, and in particular to manual transporter devices.

Of small load carrying transporters the best known is the wheel-barrow, which is typically an elevated open container supported above the ground by a wheel at the front and two legs behind. Extensions to the rear form handles which assist the lifting of the load within the fixed container by using the wheel as a fulcrum.

Transportation of the load is in the lifted position the operator pushing the device forward on it's rotating wheel.

Wheelbarrows are however very unstable and a major drawback is the height of the container's perimeter over which any load to be transported must at first be lifted enabling the load to be placed safely within the container. Wherever a device employs a raised surface on which loads must be placed to facilitate their transportation, the problem of first lifting the load is always encountered.

According to the invention there is provided a manual transporter device having wheeled means at one end and handle means at the other end, and, between the two, generally flat load support means which extend in a plane close to and generally parallel to the ground.

In a preferred arrangement the load support means is liftable from a loading position, wherein the load support means lies on the ground, to a transporting position wherein the load support means is held above the ground.

The wheeled means acts as a fulcrum to allow the load support means to be lifted using the handle means.

Preferably, the load support means is configured to present little or no resistance to loads being tranversely moved onto the load support means by rolling, pushing or dragging, when said means are in the loading position.

The load support means is as close as possible to the ground and constructed so as to have a strength and rigidity sufficient to support the loads for which the transporter is designed to carry. The edges of the low-loading plate provide little or no resistance to load being rolled, pushed, dragged, or 'walked' onto it.

That which forms the leading part of the low-loading plate provides fixing for the wheel-guard and axle support. That which forms the rear part of the lowloading plate provides fixing for the handle extensions.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig.1 is an elevational view of the low loading transporter; Fig.2 is a plan view of the low loading transporter; Fig.3 illustrates the low loading transporter in its compacted storage position; and Fig.4 is an elevational view of the low loading transporter in its compacted storage position.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the lowloading transporter comprises a low-loading plate or platform - 1, the plate is designed to carry loads without unreasonable flexing and to this end may incorporate deformations, ribbing, or other means enabling it to maintain it's rigidity. Note that the downward angled edges of the platform 8 offer little or no resistance to loads being pushed or dragged onto the platform. The platform itself may provide a base on which removable containers may be positioned and if necessary secured, for the transport of friable, liquid or other loads for which the containers will be designed. Wheel guard/axle support -2, the wheel -3, on it's axle -7, with handle extensions -4. In Fig.1 and Fig.2 the low-loading transporter is shown ready for use, the rotating components at 5 and 6 being 'locked' into a fixed position enabling a load placed on the plate -1, to be lifted by raising the handles 4, and moving forward on the wheel - 3, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 illustrate the low-loading transporter in its compacted storage position, the wheel -3, and its guard -2, having been rotated about 5; the handle extensions - 4, having been rotated about 6.

The principal advantage that this low-loading device offers is it's juxtaposition to the surface on which loads may be found and their consequent ease of removal by transverse movement - making lifting unnecessary.

Claims

1. A manual transporter device having wheeled means at one end and handle means at the other end, and, between the two, generally flat load support means which extend in a plane close to and generally parallel to the ground.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the load support means is liftable from a loading position, wherein the load support means lies on the ground, to a transporting position wherein the load support means is held above the ground.

3. A device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the wheeled means acts as a fulcrum to allow the load support means to be lifted using the handle means.

4. A device according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the load support means is configured to present little or no resistance to loads being transversely moved onto the load support means by rolling, pushing or dragging, when said means are in the loading position.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a frame that is mounted on the load support means, and on which the wheeled means are mounted.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle means comprise two backward-leading elongate members.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the handle means are formed from a substantially U shaped member which is mounted on the load support means.

8. A device according to any preceding claim that is foldable from its operating position into a storage position, in which the wheeled means and the handle means overlie the load support means.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the wheeled means are pivotably mounted on the load support means.

10. A device according to claims 8 and 9 further comprising means to releasably lock the device in its operating position.

11. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the load support means are reinforced to increase rigidity.

12. A device according any preceding claim wherein the load support means comprise means to secure a load thereon.