GB2247650A - A garden trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

The trolley comprises a main framework (2) mounted to a set of rear wheels (17). The main framework (2) provides pivotal fixing positions for a refuse bag assembly (4), a base assembly (3), and a handle assembly (5). The handle assembly (5) is connected to the base assembly (3) via a tie rod (8) and to the refuse bag assembly (4) via a connecting plate (7). Hence. by manually operating the handle assembly (5) in a upwards or downwards motion the base assembly (3) and refuse bag assembly (4) move into their operational or storage positions respectively. A lock-out lever releasably secures all the moving pans in their operating position. Long handled garden tools are carried on the garden trolley in a lower tool holder (11) and in spring tool cups (13). Larger garden tools are stored in the storage tray (15) and by a strap assembly. A small tool container (14) is located at the lower rear of the garden trolley. <IMAGE>

Description

GARDEN TROLLEY The invention relates to a garden trolley.

In a domestic environment garden tools are generally stored in a garage or garden shed and such items as a wheelbarrow or similar piece of equipment are generally stored outside ie behind a garage or shed due to the fact that they do not collapse or fold flat for easier storage. Garden tools like rakes, spades, hoes etc are sometimes stored by hanging them on hooks or nails within the garage or shed or alternatively by leaning them against a wall. If the tools are not racked or retained in some manner it is very easy for them to become entangled whilst in store hence making it difficult to remove for use.

In general when garden tools are required for use they are collected in bulk from the storage area and carried to the place of work. Alternatively they are placed in a wheelbarrow or similar and wheeled to the required location at which point they are normally removed from the wheelbarrow and placed on the ground reasonably close to the work area. This action has the disadvantage of the user having to continually bend over to retrieve a tool hence causing additional work effort and possible back ache. It is only upon unloading the wheelbarrow or similar piece of equipment of the garden tools that the wheelbarrow becomes free for loading with garden waste such as grass cuttings or other bulky items like peat, compost etc.

According to the invention there is a garden trolley capable of providing one or more of the-following features.

A wheeled framework capable of stowing large garden tools such as forks, spades etc and smaller items.

A foldable base assembly which is automatically activated by the motion of the upper handle member of the trolley.

A foldable refuge sack holder assembly which is automatically activated by the motion of the upper handle member of the trolley.

A foldable handle member which is directly attached to the main wheeled framework and use to push or pull the trolley around and indirectly attached via tie rods/connecting arms to either the base assembly or refuse sack holder assembly or alkernatively to both of these items. Hence activation of the foldable handle member automatically moves the other items into a stored or use position.

A side mounted upper and lower tool storage facility for the storage of long handled items such as rakes, hoes etc directly attached to the wheeled framework.

A storage tray located in the base area for the heads of the large hand tools such as spades and forks directly attached to the wheeled framework.

A storage basket for the storage of small hand tools directly attached to the lower rear area of the main wheeled framework.

The trolley incorporates two large diameter wheels which are secured to the main framework assembly via a line axle which runs in an outer sleeve. The outer sleeve being directly connected to the base/side of the main framework.

The main framework forms the backbone of the trolley and consists of two fabricated side members and a lower foot assembly. The side members are spaced apart so as to allow for the pivoted items such as the handle, båse assembly etc to be intergrated into the framework on assembly.

The base assembly of the trolley consists of a formed 'L' shaped leg member to which a foot beam is laterally welded to the shortest leg, a base plate, used to form a shelf onto which large items such as peat bags etc can be carried and a pivot lug. The base assembly is attached via a pivot lug and a tie rod to the handle assembly located at the top/rear of the main framework.

The handle is pivoted at its front end and is free to rotate between the faces of the side members. At a set distance from this point a lug is positioned on the underside face of the handle member for the direct attachment of a tie rod. The mechanical arrangement of the pivot points and lugs on both the handle and the base assemblies is such that when the handle is lifted from its vertical storage position to its horizontal use position the base assembly moves in a similar manner.

The trolley also incorporates a refuse sack holder assembly which consists of two tubular frameworks welded to a central column/pivot leg member. The whole assembly is attached by bolting to the top/front face of the main framework. The refuse sack assembly is indirectly attached via its lug and a small connecting plate to the front end of the handle member. The mechanical arrangement being such that the refuse sack assembly will automatically open and close as the handle is moved accordingly. The use the mechancial system as described above enables the trollies user to rapidly fold or unfold the equipment. The simple action of just moving the handle member makes the trolley easy to use and convenient to store when not in use.

To enable large gardening tools to be stowed and conveniently carried on the trolley a 'U' shaped storage tray is located on one side in the base area for hand tools such as spades, forks etc. The working heads of which are retained in the base of the tray and the handles secured by a strap assembly located further up the main framework.

Other tools such as rakes, hoes etc are held in position on the other side of the base area by a lower tool holder which locates the ends of the handle members in a storage rack with the upper part of the handle/pole being secured by standard spring tool cups mounted at the top end of the framework.

To accommodate the storage of small tools such as trowels, hand forks etc the trolley is also fitted with a small storage basket located in the upper base area.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which FIG 1 - is a side elevation of one embodiment of a trolley according to the invention.

FIG 2 - is a view taken in the direction of arrow 'A' of Fig 1.

FIG 3 - is a view taken in the direction of arrow 'B' of Fig 2.

FIG 4 - is a side elevation oP the trolley with the handle, refuse sack holder assembly and base assembly in the stored position.

Referring to the drawings a trolley 1 comprises of a main framework assembly 2 into which the base assembly 3 refuse bag assembly 4 and handle assembly 5 are secured via pivot pins 6a, 6b, 6c resp, the main framework assembly 2 is constructed from two side beam assemblies 2a joined at the base by a lateral spacing member 2b. The spacing member 2b sets the gap between the side beam assemblies 2a and also acts as a foot rest for the trolley when in the stored position. Also connected to the main framework assembly 2 is the outer axle sleeve 18.

The base assembly 3 consist generally of an 'L' shaped leg member 3a and a lateral member 3b, welded at 90 to the shorter leg of the 'L' shaped member 3a, to form a foot rest. A base plate 3c is secured to the top face and centre line of the 'L' shaped leg member 3a. Together with a tie-rod connection lug 3d. The 'L' shaped leg member 3a is predrilled to accept a pivot pin 6a which is laterally secured between the two side beam assemblies 2a hence allowing the base assembly 3 to pivot freely.

The refuse bag assembly 4 consist of two tubular frames 4a welded to form a central trough, this profile being used to retain a flexible cord assembly which secures a standard plastic refuse sack on the tubular framework 4a.

The tubular framework 4a is attached to a central column 4b which in turn is held in position between the two side beam assemblies 2a by pivot pin 6b. The central column 4b was a tie rod connection lug 4c welded to its base end.

The handle assembly 5 primarily consist of a shaped member 5a which has secured to its underside a tie rod connection lug 5b.

The front end of the handle assembly 5 is flattened and drilled to accept the connection of the upper connecting plate 7. The rear end of the handles shaped member 5a is capped by a plastic hand grip 5d.

The upper connecting plate 7 consist of a flat bar with radiosed and drilled ends and is directly connected at one end to the refuse bag holder assembly lug 4c and at the other end to the front end of the handles shaped member 5a by pivot pins 9.

A further tie rod 8 is secured by pins 10 to the handle lug 5b and to the base assemblies tie rod connection lug 3d. By moving the handle assembly 5 in a downward motion the connecting tie rod 8 and plate 7 move in a prescribe manner which results in the refuse bag assembly 4 and the base assembly 3 folding inwards towards the front face of the main framework 2.

Similarly by pulling the handle assembly 5 in an upwards motion the refuse bag assembly 4 and base assembly 3 unfold into their use or operative position.

To enable long handled tools to be carried on the trolley a lower tool holder 11 is secured to one side beam assembly 2a. The lower tool holder 11 consist of a channel section which has three holes drilled in its upper horizontal face. This construction allows for a round section member to pass through the upper hole and rest on the lower horizontal face of the section below. In order to retain the upper part of the member3 An upper tool holder plate 12 is secured to the top part of the same side beam member 2a by bolting using the holes 12b. The upper tool holder plate 12 is used to support three standard spring tool cups 13 the centres of which correspond to the hole centres in the lower tool holder 11.

A small tools container 14 is positioned laterally at the rear of the trolley and secured to the side beams 2a this container consist of an open five sided box.

Located on the opposite side to the lower tool holder 11 is a storage tray is this generally consist of a 'U' shaped member manufactured in thin sheet material and is secured to a side beam 2a. The 'U' shaped member is fitted with lateral fwd and aft stopper rods 15a so as to prevent the heads of the tools from falling off the trolley when in motion. An upper strap/plate assembly 16 is fixed above the storage tray 15 and consist of a plate member 16 secured to the mating side member 2a and a strap assemblies 16a fixed to the plate member 16.

The trolley is fitted with two large diameter wheels 17 which are fixed to the main framework 2 via an axle 18a which runs in an axle sleeve 18. The wheels are secured to the axle by push on self gripping end caps 19.

When the trolley is in use all the main moving parts are locked on position by a lock-out lever 20. The lock out lever 20 consist of a flat bar which is drilled and fixed a one end to the centre hole of the upper connecting plate 7 by a pivot pin 20a at a set position along the lock out lever 20 length. An open mouthed slot 20b is used to lock out the whole mechanical system by engaging with the shank area of the upper tool holders fixing bolt 12b to unlock the mechanism the lock out lever 20 is disengaged from the bolt 12b by lifting the lever in an upwards motion hence removing the slotted area away from the bolt 12b.

The lever is fitted with a plastic hand grip 20c.

An additional hand grip 21 is provided at the top/rear face of the trolley to act as a steady when activating the handle assembly 5.

Claims (3)

1. A garden trolley comprising of a wheeled framework, a foldable base assembly, a foldable refuse bag assembly, a means of connecting the foldable base and refuse bag assemblies to a foldable handle assembly. Such that when the handle assembly is operated the base and refuse bag assemblies automatically move in a controlled motion to an open or closed position, a means for releasably securing the handle assembly in the open position thereby locking out the handle assembly, connecting members and foldable base and refuse bag assemblies into a fixed "in use position, a means for providing storage and restraint of gardening tools, a small tools container for storage.

2. A garden trolley as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a means is provided to attach a standard refuse bag.

3. A garden trolley substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.