GB2335906A

GB2335906A - Mobile platform assembly with detachable handle

Info

Publication number: GB2335906A
Application number: GB9807160A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Hodson Bebb
Original assignee: Linpac Mouldings Ltd
Current assignee: Linpac Mouldings Ltd
Priority date: 1998-04-02
Filing date: 1998-04-02
Publication date: 1999-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-02
Also published as: GB9807160D0; GB2335906B

Abstract

A mobile platform assembly mounted on wheels 2 has a deck 1 removably attached to which is a handle 10. Brakes 3 are applied to the wheels 2, preferably by rotation of a shaft 5, the assembly being arranged such that removal of the handle 10 is only possible when the brakes 3 are applied to the wheels 2, thereby releasing retaining means which hold the deck and handle together. Preferably the retaining means comprises spigots 17 on the handle 10 which engage in sockets 32 in the deck 1, the spigots 17 being retained in the sockets 32 by spring loaded catches 18 (most clearly seen in figure 2). The catches 18 may be displaced by rotation of the shaft 5 when the brakes 3 are applied to permit withdrawal of the spigots 17 from the sockets 32 and thereby removal of the handle from the deck when the assembly is in a braked condition.

Description

1 A MOBILE PLATFORM ASSEMBLY

Technical Field and Background Art

The present invention relates to a mobile platform assembly of the kind having a deck (such as a closed or open framework, platform, a chassis or other structure) mounted on rollers (typically cast.ored and/or non-castored wheels), a brake for the assembly and a handle removably attached to the deck for manoeuvring the assembly.

Assemblies of the kind mentioned are known and are sometimes referred to as dollies which are usually utilised for manually transporting loads on the deck. With conventional dollies the brake is usually in the form of a simple pad which is applied against a wheel to effect braking by adjustment of a mechanical linkage with a foot pedal or hand operated lever.

The handle is removably attached to the deck, usually for convenience of storing decks and handles separately when not in use. Also the handle may be removed so that it does not present an inconvenient obstruction during use of the platform assembly, for example when manoeuvring the assembly and its load into a restricted space. However it is recognised that mobile platform assemblies or dollies of the kind to which the present invention relates are far easier to manoeuvre under control through the handle rather than when the handle is removed. This is particularly so if a deck is loaded with heavy or cumbersome goods where it is often found that during manoeuvring without a handle, the deck and its load may move without control or adequate control to present a possible danger, hazard or disruptive force. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile platform assembly of the kind specified and which alleviates the likelihood of the assembly being used in a hazardous, dangerous or disruptive manner as aforementioned.

2335906 2 Statement of Invention and Advantages

Accordingly to the present invention there is provided a mobile platform assembly comprising a deck mounted on rollers; a brake adjustable between an applied condition for braking the assembly and a release condition permitting rolling of the assembly; a handle for manoeuvring the assembly, and retaining means adjustable between an engaged condition for retaining said hand le attached to the deck and a disengaged condition for permitting removal of the handle from the deck, and wherein adjustment of the brake from the release condition to the applied condition effects an adjustment of the retaining means from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition to permit removal of the handle f rom the deck when the brake is in it applied is condition.

By the present invention it is envisaged that during normal use of the platform assembly and when it is required to effect convenient removal of the handle from the deck, it is first necessary to ensure that the brake is adjusted to its applied condition so that the assembly is secured against rolling. As the brake is adjusted to its applied condition, the means retaining the handle attached to the deck is automatically adjusted to its disengaged condition where the handle may easily be removed from the deck. With conventional mobile platform assemblies or dollies it is possible for the handle to be easily removed from the deck whilst the brake is in its released condition so that the deck is permitted to move as the handle is removed; this movement of the deck may be inadequately controlled (especially if the handle is removed whilst the assembly is heavily loaded and on an incline). This problem is alleviated by the present invention in ensuring that the brake is applied before the handle can be removed. The present invention may permit the brake to be adjusted from its applied condition to its release condition whilst the 3 handle is removed from the deck so allowing the deck to be manoeuvred on its rollers as may be required for manoeuvring in confined spaces. However this latter release of the brake with the handle removed from the deck will be a conscious decision of an operative so that the operative may ensure that adequate control is available for safely manoeuvring the deck and- its load without the benefit of the handle.

Preferably the retaining means is biased from its 10 disengaged condition towards and into its engaged condition so that adjustment of the brake to its applied condition effects an adjustment of the retaining means against the aforementioned biasing. With this in mind the retaining means preferably has a catch member that is carried by either the handle or the deck to be displaceable relative thereto and is biased to snap engage between the handle and the deck as the handle is fitted to the deck. The aforementioned snap engagement will provide the engaged condition for the retaining means and adjustment of the brake to its applied condition can effect in displacement of the catch member against its biasing to adjust the retaining means to its disengaged condition. The biasing of the catch member is conveniently by use of resilient pads or springs. The catch member is preferably displaceable by pivotally mounting that member on either the handle or the deck although other forms of displacement may be utilised (such as linear movement of the catch member relative to the handle or deck on which it is carried) _. The handle may be attached to the deck by one or more spigots on the handle being received within a socket or respective 'sockets in the deck. In this latter arrangement the aforementioned catch member is preferably carried by the or a spigot (or indeed a catch member can be provided f or each spigot) so that the catch member or members snap engage with the deck as the spigots are fitted 4 to the sockets.

The rollers will usually be in the form of castored and noncastored wheels on the underside of. the deck with one or more of the wheels having a brake. The brake is conveniently a simple form of pad adjustable to bear on the circumference of the wheel to effect braking. Adjustment of the brake between its release and applied conditions may be achieved hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically. Preferably however the brake is adjusted by displacement of a mechanical linkage such as a shaft or bowden cable so that displacement of the linkage to effect in the applied condition causes the mechanical linkage to adjust the retaining means from its engaged condition to its disengaged condition. In a preferred embodiment the mechanical linkage for adjustment of the brake includes a rotatable shaft rotation of which during adjustment of the brake to its applied condition causes adjustment of the retaining means to its disengaged condition. This adjustment of the retaining means is conveniently achieved by having a shoulder or other abutment which is circumferentially displaceable as a result of rotation of the shaft to adjust the brake to its applied condition and this shoulder engages the retaining means to adjust it to its disengaged condition.

Drawings One embodiment of a mobile platform assembly or dolly constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:- Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates, in part section, a part of the assembly where the handle is attached to the deck, and Figure 2 is a section of part of the assembly taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 to show a socket and spigot engagement between the handle and the deck.

Detailed Description of Drawings

The mobile platform assembly illustrated has a deck in the form of a substantially flat rectangular platform 1 conveniently moulded in plastics and to the underside of which are fitted a pair of non-castored ground engaging wheels (not shown) towards the rear of the deck 1 and a pair of castored ground engaging wheels (one of which is shown at 2) towards the front of the deck 1. This arrangement for the deck wheels is conventional. Each of the castored wheels 2 has a brake in the f orm of a pad 3 which is adjustable by means of a linkage (not shown) in the castor 4 f or the wheel 2 so that the pad can either bear on the circumference of the wheel 2 to apply braking or be clear of the wheel 2 to release the wheel for free rotation. Adjustment of the brake pad 3 between its applied and released conditions is effected by rotation of a hexagonal shaft 5 which is rotatably mounted in bearings (not shown) on the deck 1 and is coupled to the linkage in the castor 4. Rotation of the shaft 5 about its axis simultaneously controls adjustment of the brake pads 3 for the two castored wheels 2. To achieve this the linkages in the castors 4 are arranged to operatively connect with the shaft 5 at opposite ends of the shaft. The structure of the castors 4, castored wheels 2, the brake pads 3 and control of the brake pads to apply and release braking may be conventional for dollies. Rotation of the shaft 5 is effected by a foot pedal 7 which is depressed to apply the brakes 3. Conventional means may be provided to maintain the brakes 3 in a condition where they are applied to the wheels 2 even though pressure is removed from the pedal 7 and until such time as the brakes are intentionally released, for example by the known technique of further depressing the pedal 7.

6 Attached to the deck 1 for convenience of manoeuvring the assembly is a handle 10 comprising a bracket 11 pivotally mounted at 12 on which are a pair of upstanding handle extensions 13. and 14 which will usually be interconnected at their upper ends by a handle bar (not shown) Projecting from the bracket 11 on the side thereof remote from the handle extensions. 13 and 14 are a pair of parallel tubular spigots 17 each having an axis 30. The spigots 17 are of rectangular section and rigid with hte bracket 11; they are also substantially identical in structure and operation. Housed predominantly within each spigot 17 is a lock or catch member 18 having a head 19 and a leg 20. The head 19 is presented from the end of the tubular spigot remote from the bracket 11. The leg 20 extends from the head 19 into the tubular spigot and has a foot 21 which is secured by a pivot pin 22 to the spigot 17. The.lock member 18 is bifurcated to present a second leg 24 which also extends from the head 19 into the tubular spigot 17 and has its free or distal end 25 bearing against the inner wall of the spigot 17. The head 19 forms with the leg 20 an internal shoulder which presents an abutment face 27 that is directed towards the bracket 11. The lock member 18 is formed of a material having resilient characteristics such as of appropriate plastics or metal so that its second leg 24 is in the form of a leaf spring the end 25 of which acts of the internal wall of the tubular spigot to bias the lock member 18 to pivot about its mounting 22 against the internal wall of the spigot 17 (opposite to the wall against which the end 25 of the leaf spring bears) so that the abutment face 27 on the head of the lock member is displaced radially outwardly from the axis 30 of the tubular spigot to project radially from the tubular spigot as shown in Figure 2.

Provided in the deck 1 and opening into a front side 35 face 38 of the deck are a pair of sockets 32. Only one 7 such socket 32 is shown, in part section in Figure 1 the other socket having conveniently been omitted to illustrate the tubular spigot 17 with t he abutment face 27 of the lock member 18 projecting therefrom. The sockets 32 are spaced and sized to correspond with the pair of spigots 17. To attach the handle 10 to the deck 1 the distal ends of the spigots 17 are inserted one each into the sockets 32. As the spigots are initially pressed into the sockets, the heads 19 on the lock members abut the deck 1 at the openings of the sockets. This initial abutment causes the lock members 18 to be displaced radially inwardly relative to the spigot axis 30 and against the biasing of the leaf spring 24 until the heads 19 are sufficiently displaced to enter the sockets 32 and slide along the inner walls of the respective sockets as the spigots 17 are pressed further into those sockets. It will be noted that the head 19 is provided with a tapered face 19a which provides a convenient lead-in surface that initially abuts the opening to the socket 32 and smoothly displaces the head of the lock member radially inwardly against its biasing spring 24. Eventually the distal ends of the spigots emerge from the sockets to permit the heads 19 of the lock members to be displaced by their leaf spring legs 24 radially of the axes 30 so that the abutment faces 27 snap engage over an abutment face 35 which is provided on the deck 1. Abutment between the opposing faces 27 and 35 (see Figure 2) prevents the spigots 17 from being withdrawn from their respective sockets 32 and thereby securely retains the handle 10 on the deck 1. In Figure 2, for convenience of illustration the handle bracket 11 has been omitted but in practice this bracket will usually be a close fit against the deck 1.

Integrally formed with the shaft 5 or secured to that shaft for rotation therewith are two cams 40 each having an abutment face 41. The cams 40 are associated one with each 8 spigot 17. When the shaft 5 is in a rotational position corresponding to the brake pads 3 being released from the wheels 2, the abutment face 41 is located -adjacent to a nose 42 integrally formed with and extending from the head 19 of the adjacent lock member 18. When the brake pads 3 are applied to the wheels 2 by depression of the foot pedal 7 the shaft 5 with its cam 40 is caused to rotate in the direction of arrow A. During this rotation the abutment face 41 is arranged to engage the nose 42 of the adjacent lock member 18 and cause the head 19 of the lock member to be displaced radially inwardly relative to the axis 30 and thereby the abutment face 27 to slide out of opposition to the deck face 35. When the brake pads 3 are fully applied to the wheels 2, the shaft 5 is rotated sufficiently for each face 41 to engage the nose 42 and displace the abutment face 27 clear of the wall of the socket 32 thereby permitting the spigots 17 to be withdrawn from their respective sockets 32 for removal of the handle from the deck 1.

With the handle 10 removed from the deck 1 it is possible for the brake pads 3 to be released from the wheels 2 thereby permitting the deck 1 to be manoeuvred on the wheels. However such release of the brakes 3 will result from a conscious decision of an operative knowing that the deck and any goods loaded thereon will have to be manoeuvred other than by use of a handle and accordingly appropriate care can be maintained to ensure that the manoeuvring is effected safely.

In Figure 1 only one control cam 40 associated with one of the spigots 17 has been shown while the second cam 40 associated with the second spigot 17 has been omitted for convenience of illustration.

9

Claims

1. A mobile platform assembly comprising a deck mounted on rollers; a brake adjustable between an applied condition for braking the assembly and a release condition permitting rolling of the assembly; a handle for manoeuvring the assembly, and retaining means adjustable between the engaged condition for retaining said handle attached to the deck and a disengaged condition for permitting removal of the handle from the deck, and wherein adjustment of the brake from the release condition to the applied condition effects in adjustment of the retaining means from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition to permit removal of the handle from the deck when the brake is in its applied condition.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 in which the retaining means is biased from its disengaged condition towards its engaged condition and adjustment of the brake to its applied condition effects in adjustment of the retaining means against said biasing.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2 in which the retaining means comprises a displaceable catch member which is biased to snap engage between the handle and the deck as the handle is fitted to the deck for said snap engagement to provide the engaged condition and adjustment of the brake to its applied condition effects in displacement of the catch member against its biasing to adjust the retaining means to its disengaged condition.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 3 in which the catch member is spring biased.

5. An assembly as claimed in either Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which the catch member is carried by the handle and biased relative thereto to snap engage with the deck.

6. An assembly as claimed in Claim 5 in which the catch member is displaceable on the handle by pivotable movement relative thereto.

7. An assembly as claimed in either Claim 5 or Claim 6 in which the handle is attached to the deck by a spigot on the handle being received within a socket in the deck and said catch member is carried by the spigot to snap engage with the deck as the spigot is fitted to the socket.

8. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims in which the brake is adjusted between its release and applied conditions by displacement of a mechanical linkage and displacement of said linkage to effect in the applied condition causes the mechanical linkage to adjust the retaining means from its engaged condition to its disengaged condition.

9. An assembly as claimed in Claim 8 in which the mechanical linkage comprises a rotatable shaft rotation of which during adjustment of the brake to its applied condition causes adjustment of the retaining means to its disengaged condition.

10. An assembly as claimed in Claim 9 in which the shaft carries an abutment which is circumferentially displaceable during rotation of the shaft to adjust the brake to its applied condition and said abutment engages the retaining means to adjust it to its disengaged condition.

11. An assembly as claimed in Claim 10 when appendant to Claim 3 in which the abutment engages the catch member 11 during said rotation of the shaft to cause displacement of the catch member to the disengaged condition of the retaining means. -

12. A mobile platform assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.