GB2284392A - Foldable handcart - Google Patents

Abstract

A base 10 pivoted along its rear edge to an upright frame member 11 supports a foldable container 20 which may be formed from a sheet of rigid corrugated plastics material. A plastics refuse sack 21 can be fitted inside the container 20, with its neck turned over the rim of the container, in order to hold the sack open. When the handcart is not is use, the container 20 may be folded down to lie substantially flat and the base 10 may be pivoted upwardly so that it lies substantially parallel to the plane of the upright frame member 11. The folded container 20 can be stored by wedging it between the base 10 and the upright frame member 11 [see Figure 2]. <IMAGE>

Description

Handcart This invention relates to a hand-cart particularly but not solely for use in the garden when collecting refuse.

Refuse sacks are often used outdoors e.g for collecting garden waste. These refuse sacks are heavy to carry, and often break, spilling their contents on the ground. Furthermore, refuse sacks are awkward to fill single handedly without another person to hold the neck of the sack open.

It has been proposed to provide a handcart for transporting refuse sacks, however these handcarts are bulky, and are therefore difficult to store when not in use.

We have now devised a handcart which alleviates the above mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a handcart, comprising a base pivoted to an upright frame member having a pair of wheels disposed along its lower edge, and a foldable rigid container, the base being pivotable down from a stored position to an in use position in which it supports the container.

In use, a refuse sack may be fitted inside the container, with the upper edge of the sack turned over the rim of the container in order to hold the sack open. Refuse and other objects can easily be deposited in the sack, which can be transported by wheeling the handcart across the ground.

Alternatively, the handcart may be used without a refuse sack, with the refuse and for other objects being placed directly into the container. When not in use, the container may be folded and the base pivoted up to lie against the upright frame member for storage.

Preferably the container comprises a box having four side walls and a lower end wall which can be folded flat to lie against each other when the handcart is not in use.

Preferably the box is formed from plastics material.

Preferably the box is formed from a corrugated material, which is light in weight, and is therefore easily transportable.

Preferably the base comprises a peripheral upstanding sidewall which holds the box in its folded out condition when it is rested on the base.

Preferably the base can be locked in the folded out condition to prevent it from accidentally folding in use.

Preferably a foot is provided on the base, so that the handcart may be stood in the upright position.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handcart in accordance with this invention, shown folded out for use; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the handcart of Figure 1, shown folded up for storage.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a handcart comprising a base 10 pivoted along its rear edge to an upright frame member 11 having a pair of wheels 12 attached to its lower edge. The handcart further comprises a foldable container 20.

The base 10 comprises a rectangular metal frame having sides which are L-shaped in section, and which define a peripheral upstanding sidewall 16 and flange 17.

The upright frame member 11 comprises an inverted Ushaped tube having its opposite lower ends interconnected by a shaft 18 which forms an axle for a pair of wheels 12. A horizontal cross member 13 extends between the uprights of the U-shaped tube at a point mid-way along their length. The upper horizontal portion 19 of the upright frame member 11 is bent outwardly, and in use forms a handle for the handcart.

Two L-shaped brackets 14 are joined at their opposite ends to the underside of the base 10, to form support legs.

A strut 15 is pivotally attached at one end to a sidewall of the base 10, its other end is provided with a slot (not shown) which can be engaged with a pin (not shown) attached to an upright of the frame member 10, to lock the base in its pivoted down position and prevent it from accidentally pivoting upwardly during use of the handcart. A similar strut is disposed on the opposite side of the base 10.

The foldable container 20 is formed from a sheet of rigid corrugated plastics material and comprises four side walls and bottom end wall (not shown) attached to one of the side walls. In use, the container 20 can be folded out to form a box having an opening at its top. The container seats within the L-section sides of the base 10, and is supported by the peripheral flange 17. The peripheral upstanding sidewall 16 of the base co-extends with the sidewalls of the container 20, to hold the container in its folded out state.

A plastics refuse sack 21 can be fitted inside the container 20, with its neck turned over the rim of the container, in order to hold the sack open.

When not in use, the container 20 is folded down to lie substantially flat, and the base 10 is pivoted upwardly so that it lies substantially parallel to the plane of the upright frame member 11. The folded container 20 can be stored by wedging it between the base 10 and upright frame member 11.

It will be appreciated that the handcart is extremely simple and lightweight in construction, yet when in use, forms a robust and versatile means of transporting refuse and other articles.

Claims (10)

Claims

1) A handcart, comprising a base pivoted to an upright frame member having a pair of wheels disposed along its lower edge, and a foldable rigid container, the base being pivotable down from a stored position to an in use position in which its supports the container.

2) A handcart according to claim 1 wherein said container comprises a box having four side walls and a lower end wall which can be folded flat to lie against each other when the handcart is not in use.

3) A handcart according to claim 2 wherein said box is formed from plastics material.

4) A handcart according to claims 2 or 3 wherein said box is formed from a corrugated material.

5) A handcart according to any of claims 2-4 wherein said base comprises a peripheral upstanding sidewall which holds said box in its folded out condition when it is rested on said base.

6) A handcart in accordance with any preceding claim wherein said base can be locked in the folded out condition to prevent it from accidentally folding in use.

7) A handcart in accordance with any preceding claim wherein a foot is provided on said base such that the handcart may be stood in an upright position.

8) A handcart in accordance with any preceding claim wherein objects may be placed directly into said container.

9) A handcart in accordance with any of claims 1-8 wherein a refuse sack is fitted inside said container in order to receive objects.

10) A handcart substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.