GB2323335A

GB2323335A - Trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2323335A
Application number: GB9704095A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Stokes; David John Townson
Original assignee: McKechnie UK Ltd
Current assignee: McKechnie UK Ltd
Priority date: 1997-02-27
Filing date: 1997-02-27
Publication date: 1998-09-23
Also published as: GB9704095D0

Abstract

A trolley 10 has a base 12 and wheels 16. The base defines first and second carrying areas 18,20 for containers 38. A handle 24 is used by an operator to propel the trolley 10. An extension 26 is provided at one end and is retractable into the trolley 10. When extended, the extension 26 can support a third stack of containers 38, preferably empty containers in a nested condition.

Description

A Dolly This invention relates to dollies.

Dollies are used in a number of industries for removing items from items from place to place. Generally, they comprise a wheeled trolley having a flat base for one or more (usually two) trays.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a dolly comprising movable base means defining at least one area for carrying a container, and extension means to provide an extension to the dolly to carry a further container.

The extension means is preferably mounted on the base for relative movement therewith between an extended position and a no-extended position.

Preferably, when the extension means is in the non-extended position, the extension means is retracted into the base means. Preferably, the extension means is slidable relative to the base means.

The extension means may be in the form of a frame, at least some of the sides of which may comprise elongate bars. The frame may be substantially rectilinear whereby first and second elongate bars, defining two opposite sides, may be receivable lengthwise into the base means when the extension means is moved to the non-extended position.

The base means may define a recess to receive a third elongate bar when the extension means is in the non-extended position.

Stop means may be provided on the ends of said first and second elongate bars to prevent removal of the extension when the extension means is moved to the extended position.

The base means may comprise a base member defining a plurality, preferably two, areas for carrying a plurality of containers, and may further include a plurality of wheels to enable the dolly to be moved from place to place. The extension means can preferably carry a plurality of containers in a nested condition.

Handle means may be provided for manipulating the base means.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a dolly; and Fig. 2 is a side view of the dolly shown in Fig. 1 carrying containers.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a dolly 10 comprising base means 12 in the form of a base member 14 and wheels 16, rotatably mounted on the base member. The base member 14 defines first and second carrying areas 18,20 separated by a ridge member 22.

A handle 24 is pivotally attached to the base means 12 and is used by an operator to propel the dolly 10 to desired positions.

Extension means 26 is provided at a front region 28 of the dolly. The extension means 26 is movable from an extended position (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) to a non-extended position (not shown) in which the extension means 26 is retracted to the base member 14.

The extension means 26 comprises first and second opposite elongate bars 30,32 and a third elongate bar 34 connected between the first and second elongate bars 30,32 to define a substantially rectilinear configuration. The first and second elongate bars 30,32 are slidably movable relative to the base member 14 to enable the extension means 26 to be slid into the non-extended position. An elongate recess 36 is defined in the front region 48 of the base member 14 and, when the extension means 26 is in the non-extended position, the third elongate bar 34 is received in the elongate recess 36.

In use, the dolly 10 carries containers 38 (see Fig. 2). Full containers are loaded into the areas 18,20 and, when these containers have been emptied, the empty containers can be arranged on the extension means 26 which is first pulled out from the front end region 28 of the base member 14. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of nested containers 38 can be carried by the extension means 26. Each of the elongate bars 32 is provided with a stop member 40 to prevent the extension means 26 being removed completely from the front end region 28 of the base member 14.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A dolly comprising movable base means defining at least one area for carrying a container, and extension means to provide an extension to the dolly to carry a further container.

2. A dolly according to claim 1, wherein the extension means is mounted on the base for movement relative thereto between an extended position and a non-extended position.

3. A dolly according to claim 2, wherein, when the extension means is in the non-extended position, the extension means is retracted into the base means.

4. A dolly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the extension means is slidable relative to the base means.

5. A dolly according to any preceding claim, wherein the extension means is in the form of a frame.

6. A dolly according to claim 5, wherein at least some of the sides of the frame comprise elongate bars.

7. A dolly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the frame is substantially rectilinear.

8. A dolly according to claim 7, wherein first and second elongate bars, defining two opposite sides, are receivable lengthwise into the base means when the extension means is moved to the non-extended position.

9. A dolly according to claim 8, wherein the base means defines a recess to receive a third elongate bar when the extension means is in the non-extended position.

10. A dolly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein stop means are provided on the ends of said first and second elongate bars to prevent removal of the extension when the extension means is moved to the extended position.

11. A dolly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base means comprise a base member defining a plurality of areas for carrying a plurality of containers.

12. A dolly according to claim 11, comprising two areas.

13. A dolly according to claim 11 or 12, comprising a plurality of wheels to enable the dolly to be moved from place to place.

14. A dolly according to any preceding claim, wherein the extension means can carry a plurality of containers in a nested condition.

15. A dolly according to any preceding claim, wherein handle means are provided for manipulating the base means.

16. A dolly substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.