GB2299307A - Foldable and convertible hand trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

The two wheeled hand trolley can be folded without detachment of any parts, and can still be wheeled when in the folded position. The trolley comprises a wheeled central beam b, and folding body members h,g,i. A handle assembly e,f is connected with the wheels such that when the handle is in a lowered transport position the wheels are operative, and when the handle is raised the wheels are retracted and the body is lowered to the ground to facilitate loading/unloading. The body may be folded and the wheels swung into an in line position to one side of the central beam.

Description

LIFTING AND POLING HUD TROLLEY FOR DOMESTIC AND CCDmCIAL USE The present invention relates to a hand trolley for use in the garden, home, mobile home, boat, work/recreational/servi ce/industrial premises.

A typical hand trolley with 2 or 4 small wheels may have a low loading height, and can be designed for ease of storage when tipped on its side or end, but is not suitable for negotiating rough or soft ground. The trolley with large wheels is more suitable for rough or soft ground but, typically, cannot be stored easily and usually has a high loading height. The present invention combines the best features of both such trolleys.

The garden barrow with single wheel or 'ball' is convenient for rough ground and for ease of tipping, but has a high loading height, an awkwardly-shaped carrying space that is seldom level when in use, and inherent instability especially when heavily laden. Neither are most such barrows easy to store. The present invention corrects the faults listed above, and would replace conventional barrows for many tasks in the garden.

The present invention aims to provide large wheels for ease of working on rough or soft ground as well as smooth surfaces, a platform that rests on the ground for easy loading of heavy or 'difficult' objects, a lifting system to raise the platform clear of the ground when the trolley is to be moved, a rectangular carrying area that stays level and can be increased in volume according to the type of load being carried, and a rapid method of folding whereafter the trolley can be wheeled into its storage space.

The invention will now be described with reference to the Figs. 1-14 on Illustration Sheets 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3.

According to the present invention there is provided a transverse beam b. (Figs 1 and 4) that supports the folding float on each side of it, (Fig 10), each folding section of the float consisting of a base g, two folding side pieces h, and a folding end piece i. that also serves as a loading ramp (Fig 3). At each end of the beam b. there is provided a vertical unit to support the stub axle c. for the wheel a, the stub axle being able both to rotate the wheel through an arc of ninety degrees into the folded position (Figs 12 and 14) and to move up and down in relation to the transverse beam (Figs 2 and 3). Mounted at the bottom of the vertical unit is a guiding unit d. that is also free to move through ninety degrees to the folded position but retains a constant vertical position in relation to the beam (Figs 5 and 7).Except when the trolley is being folded and unfolded, both stub axle and guiding unit are locked at right angles to the direction of travel. A handle unit e. is free to rotate in a vertical arc around the stub axle c., but a lower extension incorporates a means of guidance in which the guiding unit described above runs (Figs 5 and 7). Thus, when the handle is lifted to approximately shoulder height the beam and float attached to it arg lowered on to the ground (Fig 8), and when the handle is pulled down to a comfortable pushing position the beam and float are raised (Fig 6), the guiding unit then locking in relation to the guidance system to prevent further movement between handle units and trolley (Figs 5 and 7). If the locked handles are then raised, the trolley will be tipped.

For folding, the handle units are unlocked and are raised vertically to unlock the stub axles and guidance units, the four side panels are unlocked and folded inwards, (Fig 9), the two base sections of the float are folded vertically (Fig 10), the end panels are folded outwards, and the wheels are swung oppositely through ninety degrees to lie one behind the other alongside the beam (Figs 11, 12 and 13), the handle units rotating with them and maintaining a constant distance apart (Fig 12).

Then, by tipping slightly sideways towards the wheels the weight of the folded trolley will be brought over the wheels, the wheels will make contact with the ground and the folded trolley can be wheeled into its storage space (Fig 14).

Other methods of altering the height of the float in relation to the ground are also considered for the invention, including springassistance applied to the system illustrated, the use of manual or power-operated screw jacks, pneumatic or hydraulic lifting systems, inclination of the vertical units that carry the wheels, and controlled swinging axles or rods that operate laterally or longitudinally.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying photographs and drawings taken from them of a simple working model that demonstrates the basic principles but not a chosen method of manufacture.

ILLUSTRATION SHEET 1/3 (Components and both capabilities) Fig 1. Shows the major components laid out for clarity (see below for identicication list) Fig 2. Shows the trolley in raised mode for travel Fig 3. Shows the trolley in lowered mode for loading/unloading Fig 4. Shows the trolley folded for storage ILLUSTRATION SHEET 2/3 (Raising and lowering capability) Fig 5. Shows the handle units having raised the float into travel mode Fig 6. Shows the entire trolley in the travel mode Fig 7. Shows the handle units having lowered the float for loading/ unloading Fig 8. Shows the entire trolley lowered for loading/unloading ILLUSTRATION SHEET 3/3 (Folding capability) Fig 9. Shows panels of one half of the float folded Fig 10. Shows one half of float folded and other half ready for raising Fig 11. Shows both halves of float folded Fig 12. Shows wheels half-folded for storage Fig 13.Shows wheels fully folded for storage Fig 14. Shows folded trolley inclined to one side for wheeling to place of storage.

REFERRING TO THE ILLUSTRATIONS, THE TROLLEY COMPRISES THESE MAIN COMPONENTS, WHICH FUNCTION As FOLLOWS: a. (Red and black) The two wheels, which are made large for good rough ground performance and ground clearance, and slim both to help access through narrow gaps and to impinge as little as possible on loadspace.

b. (Blue). The central transverse beam that supports the float, and the vertical units that support the wheels and their lifting and swivelling systems.

c. The stub axles that can be unlocked to swing through ninety degrees for folding, and that slide up and down in relation to the float as controlled by the lifting system operated by the handles.

d. The guidance units that have no vertical movement but which can be unlocked to follow the swinging arc of the stub axles when folding.

e. (Silver). The handle units that rotate around the stub axles, and raise and lower the float through the path of guidance units in the guidance system. Being linked by the handle cross-member, they also control the alignment of the stub axles and guidance units, unlocking them for folding when in the vertical position. Additional locking devices may also be considered.

f. (White). The transverse member of the handle unit. This can be adjusted fore and aft for convenience of use and compactness when storing, and vertical adjustment could also be included to assist comfortable operation. The vertical adjustment could also be used to fold the unit further for greater compactness in packaging and storing. The transverse handle unit allows the handle shafts to rotate when they are lifted vertically and the wheels are folded or unfolded.

g. (Dark green). The base sections of the float, that hinge upwards on the central beam for folding. When lowered, the inner edges rest on the sides of the beam preventing further downwards movement. Slight cut-aways in their sides allow the bases to clear the vertical units when folded.

h. (Yellow). The side sections of the float, that hinge down on the base for folding. When in the unfolded position, the inner ends are locked to the vertical units of the beam to secure the float bases (to which they are attached) in a horizontal plane in relation to the beam and to form a rigid structure.

The height of the side sections is made so that they butt-up head to head when folded and do not overlap.

i. (Orange). The end sections of the float. These can form ramps when loading, and hinge outwards for folding, a swinging hinge allowing folding in both directions.

j. (Not shown on model). Four vertical posts inclined slightly outwards can be inserted at each corner of the float to support tall side extensions in cloth or sheeting greatly to increase the volume of the trolley for the carriage of light, bulky its such as leaves and hedge clippings.

k. (Not shown on aodel). Retractable struts would be provided to hold the raised body level when the trolley is stationary.

The present invention could conveniently be made out of wood, metal, plastics or coSbinstions of such materials1 according to the preferences of the manufacturer.

Similarly, the proportions of the trolley and its wheels could be modified beyond those of the model shown to meet needs identified by a manufacturer's knowledge and research.

The ability of the trolley to be wheeled when folded would assist packaging for sale. A carton could be devised whereby the wheels protrude through the bottom, allowing the purchaser to wheel the trolley from the retail outlet rather than carry it.

The present invention incorporates the concept that, in place of the body described, other bodies, frames or apparatus may be connected directly to the transverse beam and/or the vertical units that locate the wheels and handles. The vertical units could be made to be easily detachable for applications where the supporting role of the beam can be undertaken by the body, frame or apparatus itself.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. A folding hand trolley comprising a wheeled beam b., a two-part body with folding bases g. and folding sides h. and ends i, means for raising and lowering the body through use of the handles e., and means for unlocking the wheels and their lift-control units through the handles and/or other locks to enable the wheels to be swung into line-ahead position on one side of the central beam and the folded body.

2. A folding hand trolley as claimed in Claim 1 wherein guide means are provided by vertical units at each end of the beam b. for the stub axles c. to move up and down in relation to the transverse beam and/or body, and to swing through ninety degrees to the direction of travel.

3. A folding hand trolley as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the guide means that allows the stub axles c. to swing through ninety degrees for folding also enables the guidance units d. that help control the vertical position of the stub axle c.to swing in the same arc. The guidance units d. are, however, fixed in vertical relation to the beam and/or body.

4. A folding hand trolley as claimed in the preceding claims wherein handle units e. are provided that are located on the stub axles c. and are free to rotate around them whilst maintaining a fixed horizontal angle of ninety degrees to them.

5. A folding hand trolley as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the handle units e. incorporate a guidance system for the guide unit d. As the handles e. are raised or lowered the beam and/or body of the trolley moves up and down in relation to the stub axles c. and thus the ground. When the beam and/or body is in the raised position, the guidance unit is locked in relation to the guidance system, and further lifting of the handles will cause the trolley to be tipped.

6. A folding hand trolley as claimed in the previous claims wherein the body consists of two independent units attached to each side of the transverse beam b. by means of hinging arrangements, with side panels h. hinged to fold inwards on to the base for storing, and the end panels i. to hinge outwards through ninety degrees to serve as a loading ramp, and through two-hundred and seventy degrees for storage or for tucking away when not required.

7. A folding hand trolley as claimed in Claim 6 wherein locking arrangements are provided to lock the side panels h. when upright to the vertical sections at the end of the transverse beam b., for locking the end panels i. in the upright or fully-folded positions, and for locking the folded portions of the body together as a single unit for storage.

8. A folding hand trolley as claimed in the preceding claims wherein retractable struts are provided to hold the raised body in a level position when the trolley is at rest.

9. A folding hand trolley as claimed in the preceding claims wherein the volume of the body can be greatly expanded by the attachment of vertical posts at each corner that support lightweight body panel extensions.

10. A folding hand trolley as claimed in the previous claims whereby the transverse beam and or vertical wheel-carrying units may be attached to other bodies, frames or apparatus.

11. A folding hand trolley substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying photographs, Figures 1-14.