GB2246544A - Wheelbarrow with hinged handles - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheelbarrow has a body 11 which can be emptied by gripping the handles 12 and lifting. The grip on the handles does not have to be changed throughout the lifting/tipping action as the handles hinge downward. The fingers of the operator will not get trapped between the handles and chassis due to stops 13. When the wheelbarrow is not in use the handles remain locked in the horizontal position due to magnetic plates 14. <IMAGE>

Description

WHEELBARROW WITH HINGED HANDLES This invention relates to a wheelbarrow with hinged handles Wheelbarrows are well known devices used for moving and tipping a variety of objects.

They comprise of a one-wheeled chassis with handles uponwhich a body of varied size and shape is mounted.

However, when tipping the contents of a wheelbarrow a strong grip on the handles cannot be maintained throughout the tipping action, as when the handles reach chest hight an adjustment in grip is necessary.

According to the present invention there is provided a wheelbarrow with hinged handles comprising a one-wheeled chassis, a body, and at the end of the chassis hinged handles, the handles having integral magnetic plates.

Therefore these handles will lock in the conventional carrying position, but hinge downward when the normal lifting and tipping action is begun, thus removing the necessity of releasing a strong grip on the handles at any time. These handles would have a stop to prevent the squashing of fingers.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompaying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the wheelbarrow being unused with the hinged handles locked in position due to the magnetic plates.

Figure 2 shows the wheelbarrow side-on, in the normal carrying position.

Figure 3 shows the wheelbarrow partly raised to tip, with the hinged handles beginning to move.

Figure 4 shows the wheelbarrow at full tip, with the hinges against the stops, the hands not having to have released their grip throughout the tipping action.

Figure 5 shows the details of the hinge, integral magnetic locking plates and the stop.

Refering to the drawing the wheelbarrow comprises a one-wheeled chassis 10 and a body 11 secured to the chassis. At the rear end of the chassis the hinged handles 12 are provided, the handles having integral magnetic plates to lock them in the ready to use position In order to use the wheelbarrow in the normal fashion the handles are as shown in Fig 2 and will not hinge upwards due to their shape. The handles will not drop if the wheelbarrow is put down before tipping comences due to the magnetic plates. When tipping comences as shown in Fig 3 the handles move on the hinges, enabling a smooth lifting action. At full tip, as shown in Fig 4,the load can be ejected from the wheelbarrow without any adjustment of grip throughout the tipping action, the fingers of the operator not being trapped between the handles and chassis due to stop 13.

Claims (4)

1 A wheelbarrow with hinged handles comprising a one-wheeled chassis, a body secured on the chassis, the chassis having downwardly hinging handles to enable a smooth lifting/tipping action without any alteration of grip on the handles.

2 A wheelbarrow with hinged handles as claimed in Claim 1 with handles that lock in the horizontal position when a tipping action is not being carried out.

3 A wheelbarrow with hinged handles as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 with a stop to prevent the fingers of the operator becoming trapped between the handles and the chassis.

4 A wheelbarrow with hinged handles substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawing.