GB2347901A

GB2347901A - A trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2347901A
Application number: GB9906430A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Cutting
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-19
Filing date: 1999-03-19
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-19
Also published as: GB9906430D0; GB2347901B

Abstract

The invention provides a trolley for supporting and carrying a blower vacuum device, the blower vacuum device being of the type comprising a housing containing an impeller, an elongate blower/suction duct and a container for collecting debris drawn up through the blower/suction duct; the trolley comprising a supporting structure 2,4,8 to which the blower vacuum device can be connected; and wheel means 24 spaced apart from a lower end of the supporting structure and being connected to the supporting structure 2,4,8 at or near the centre of gravity thereof such that the supporting structure can be tilted thereabout.

Description

A TROLLEY This invention relates to a trolley for carrying a blower vacuum device.

Blower vacuum devices, more commonly known as garden leaf blowers, are a relatively recent introduction into the horticultural/municipal maintenance/garden maintenance market. Such devices typically consist of a motor driven fan which can be used to blow leaves and debris into a localise heap, and then converted to vacuum mode in order to suck the collected leaves and debris into an attached bag. The bag is detachable and the contents of the bag can be disposed of in an appropriate manner.

Some known blower vacuum devices are powered by an electric motor, whilst others are powered by internal combustion engines. Even with an empty collection bag, both types of device are heavy and difficult to manage, particularly when the bag is full of damp leaves. It is usual to provide a shoulder harness to carry the weight of the device but such shoulder harnesses can be awkward to use, and can cause backache and shoulder-ache as the strap cuts into the user's shoulder.

In order to use the blower vacuum device correct, and ensure efficient blowing or collection of debris such as leaves, it is important to keep the nozzle at an optimum distance and correct angle with regard to the ground. Failure to hold the device in the optimum position can greatly lengthen the time taken to clear debris. One of the problems with the shoulder harness is that it does not assist the user to maintain the device at the correct position with respect to the ground. Moreover, the act of pivoting the device about the shoulder strap mounting can have the effect of increasing the pressure on the shoulder thereby causing increased discomfort to the user.

In order to overcome many of the aforementioned problems, it has been suggested to provide a blower vacuum device with wheels. More particularly, in GB2304549, there is disclosed a device in which wheels are removably mounted at the foot of a collection duct. However, there are several problems inherent in the design disclosed in GB 2304549. Firstly, although the wheels provide some support, the user is still required to support the machine in the correct position and this can be as tiring as carrying the entire weight of the apparatus. Secondly, it is recognised that most leaf and debris clearing takes place in the autumn and early winter when the ground is soft. The relatively small wheels, close to the nozzle, disclosed in GB 2304549 can clog up and become difficult to rotate, and the consequence of this together with the weight of the device is that the wheels can dig into and score the ground. A still further problem is that the wheels can become a hindrance when working in confined spaces, for example beneath and between bushes and shrubs.

Although the wheels employed by the device of GB 2304549 are removable, the spring loaded mounting mechanism could make removal difficult, particularly in cold or wet conditions.

The present invention sets out to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and provide a means of conveying and using a blower device in a much more effective and comfortable manner.

The invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing a support trolley for carrying the blower vacuum device, the support trolley having a set of relatively large wheels mounted at or near the centre of gravity of the support frame such that the support frame and blower vacuum device mounted thereon can be tilted, and the device swivelled with ease.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a trolley for supporting and carrying a blower vacuum device, the blower vacuum device being of the type comprising a housing containing an impeller, an elongate blower/suction duct and a container for collecting debris drawn up through the blower/suction duct ; the trolley comprising a supporting structure to which the blower vacuum device can be connected; and wheel means spaced apart from a lower end of the supporting structure and being connected to the supporting structure at or near the centre of gravity thereof such that the supporting structure can be tilted thereabout.

The support structure typically is of elongate form and is configured so as to support the blower vacuum device along the greater part of its length.

The supporting structure can be formed as an integral structure, for example a moulded structure formed from a suitable plastics material. Alternatively, the supporting structure can comprise a framework formed from one or more frame members, for example of a metal tube such as mild steel tube.

The supporting structure may have a handle extending from an upper end thereof. Alternatively, a handle on the blower vacuum device may serve as the handle instead.

The wheel means can take the form of a roller ball or roller, but most preferably takes the form of a set of wheels, and in particular a pair of wheels, one disposed either side of the supporting structure.

The wheels are preferably of relatively large diameter, and typically have a diameter of at least 15cm, more usually at least 20cm, for example approximately 24cm. The wheels are also preferably of relatively wide construction, and the width typically is at least 3cm, more usually at least 5cm, for example approximately 8cm.

The wheels can be mounted on a pair of laterally extending struts extending outwardly at an angle with respect to the plane of the supporting structure. One or more bracing struts can also be provided between the laterally extending wheel struts and the supporting frame so as to provide a more rigid structure. Such bracing struts can be removable or capable of being disengaged. The laterally extending wheel struts can also be configured so as to be removable or disegageable from the supporting frame. Alternatively or additionally, the wheel struts can be foldable or hingedly mounted so as to enable them to be moved into a more compact configuration for storage or carrying.

The lower or forward end of the supporting structure is preferably provided with a skid which serves to maintain the conduit of the blower vacuum device at the optimum height above the ground. By using a skid, instead of a small wheel or castor, for example of the type shown in GB 2304549, problems of wheel clogging and scoring of the underlying surface do not arise.

In a further embodiment, the lower or front end of the support structure may be provided with means for moving or disturbing the leaves. Such means, which can take the form of a brush, assist in dislodging wet and compacted leaves prior to blowing or collection.

The support structure is typically provided with means for securing the blower vacuum device thereto. Such securing means can take the form of elastic straps or belts, by way of example.

The invention will now be illustrated, but not limite, by reference to the specific embodiment shown in the attached Figure 1 which is an isometric view of a trolley.

Referring now to the drawing, a trolley according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a support frame 2 formed from a pair of longitudinal frame members 4 linked at the upper end by a cross member 6 and intermediate cross members 8,10 and 12. At the lower end, the longitudinal members 4 are connected by means of a toe member, 14 the edge 16 of which is turned back to form a lip for supporting or retaining the nozzle of the leaf blower.

At the upper end of the support frame 2, is attached a handle 20, via a length of mild steel tubing 18. The handle 20 preferably is provided with rubber hand grips (not shown).

Secured to the intermediate cross member 10, for example by welding, are a pair of wheel struts 22 which are at an angle of approximately 30 with respect to the plane of the support frame. Wheel struts 22 are attached at their outer ends to wheels 24 which typically are formed from a plastics material. Wheels 24 have a diameter of approximately 24cm and a width of approximately 8cm. The wheels can be secured to the ends of the wheel struts 22 by any suitable retaining mechanism, for example a circlip arrangement.

The wheel struts 22 can, if desired, be hingedly mounted on the underside of the intermediate cross member 10. Thus, as shown, a pivot housing 26 can be welded to the bottom of the cross member 10, the pivot housing 26 having pivot pins 28 at either end thereof upon which the ends of the support strut 22 can be mounted.

In order to provide a more stable undercarriage for the trolley, a bracing strut 30 can be mounted between the support strut 22 and an upper part of the longitudinal frame members 4. Bracing strut 30 is pivotally mounted towards the lower end of the wheel strut 22 and is releasably secured to the longitudinal frame member 4 by virtue of a spigot end which passes through a hole in the frame member 4 and is secured by means of, example, a butterfly nut or thumb screw.

At the lower end of the support frame, a skid 32 formed from, for example, mild steel or a plastics material, is secured between the longitudinal frame members 4, for example by welding. Skid 32 is of channel section and presents a general concave surface to the ground. Instead of mild steel, a low friction material can be used, for example (PTFE"teflon"-RTM) or a similar low friction plastics material. Alternatively, the skid can be formed from a metal and coated with a friction reducing material such as PTFE.

In front of the skid, a brush or comb 34 formed from relatively stiff plastics bristles or tines is secured to the underside of the toe portion 16. The brush or comb 34 can be made removable so as to enable its replacement as it wears out or becomes damaged.

In order to facilitate use of the blower vacuum device, an actuating mechanism can be provided so that the device can be switched on and off from the handle 20. One such device is shown in Figure 1 as comprising a lever 36 extending into a rod 38 which terminates in an actuator 40 which in use engages the on-off switch of the vacuum device.

In use, a vacuum blower device, for example of the general design shown in GB 2304549, without the wheels, is rested on the support frame 2, such that the collection bag protrudes downwardly through the opening 42 defined by cross members 6 and 8 and the upper sections of longitudinal frame members 4. If desired, the blower vacuum device can be secured in place by means of elastic retaining straps (not shown) extending between the longitudinal frame members 4 and over the blower vacuum device.

The blower vacuum device is positioned such that the lower end of the collection conduit abuts against the upturned lip 16 on the toe 14 of the support frame, thereby holding the nozzle of the collecting conduit at the required distance above the ground. The skid 32 ensures that when the front end of the support is lowered to the ground the nozzle remains at the correct height above the ground.

In contrast to the wheels of the blower vacuum device disclosed in GB 2304549, the support frame of the invention takes the entire weight of the blower vacuum device. Even when the collection bag is full of damp leaves, the weight on the user is relatively modest.

The skid 32 ensures that the nozzle or collection conduit of the device can be kept at the required distance above the ground for optimum leaf collection whilst the comb or brush 34 enables compacted or wet leaves to be dislodged prior to blowing or collection.

By virtue of the fact that the wheels 22 are connected to the support frame 2 at or near the centre of gravity of the support frame, the frame and lower vacuum device can easily be tilted to lift the front end away from the ground when the trolley and device are moved. In circumstances when the wheels and trolley may be a hindrance, the device can simply be detached and used manually in the conventional fashion.

It will readily be apparent with numerous modifications and alterations can be made to the trolley shown in Figure 1 without departing from the principes underlining the invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A trolley for supporting and carrying a blower vacuum device, the blower vacuum device being of the type comprising a housing containing an impeller, an elongate blower/suction duct and a container for collecting debris drawn up through the blower/suction duct; the trolley comprising a supporting structure to which the blower vacuum device can be connected; and wheel means spaced apart from a lower end of the supporting structure and being connected to the supporting structure at or near the centre of gravity thereof such that the supporting structure can be tilted thereabout.
2. A trolley according to claim 1 wherein the supporting structure is configured to support the blower vacuum device over the greater part of its length.
3. A trolley according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the supporting structure is formed as an integral structure.
4. A trolley according to claim 3 wherein the supporting structure is formed as a moulded structure from a plastics material.
5. A trolley according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the supporting structure comprises a framework formed from one or more frame members.
6. A trolley according to claim 5 wherein the frame members are formed from metal tube such as mild steel tube.
7. A trolley according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the supporting structure has a handle extending from an upper end thereof.
8. A trolley according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wheel means takes the form of a set of wheels.
9. A trolley according to claim 8 wherein the set of wheels is a pair of wheels, one disposed either side of the supporting structure.
10. A trolley according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the wheels have a diameter of at least 15 cm, preferably at least 20 cm.
11. A trolley according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the wheels have a width of at least 3 cm, preferably at least 5 cm.
12. A trolley according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the wheels are mounted on a pair of laterally extending struts extending outwardly at an angle with respect to the plane of the supporting structure.
13. A trolley according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower or forward end of the supporting structure is provided with a skid.
14. A trolley according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower or front end of the support structure is provided with means for moving or disturbing leaves.
15. A trolley according to claim 14 wherein the means for moving or disturbing leaves takes the form of a brush secured to the lower or front end of the support structure.
16. A trolley according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support structure is provided with means for securing the blower vacuum device thereto.
17. A trolley according to claim 16 wherein the securing means take the form of elastic straps or belts.
18. A trolley substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
19. A combination of a blower vacuum device and a trolley as defined in any one of the preceding claims.