GB2349126A

GB2349126A - A steerable trolley which uses differential braking of the rear castors

Info

Publication number: GB2349126A
Application number: GB9909129A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Paul Cutmore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-22
Filing date: 1999-04-22
Publication date: 2000-10-25
Also published as: GB9909129D0

Abstract

A trolley comprises a platform (2) for supporting goods to be transported, a pair of rear castors (5A, 5B) and at least one front castor (6A) supporting the platform, and brakes (8A, 8B) for each rear castor which can be operated independently of each other by control means (9) via the cables (7A, 7B), whereby the trolley can be steered left or right by operating the brake on either of the rear castors.

Description

The : Steerable Trolley The present invention relates to improvements to stearable trolleys.

Various types oftrolleys have been proposed. A common trolley is the type used in supermarkets which have three or tour wheels in the form of castors supporting the trolley frame. With its castors, it is possible to move the trolley both forwards and backwards as well as sideways which makes it manoeuvrable. A difficulty with this trolley is that it does not steer well since when it is attempted to turn the trolley when it has speed in a first direction the castors swivel and the momentum of the trolley keeps it moving in its first direction.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a trolley comprising : a) a plattorm for supporting goods to be transported, b) a pair of rear castors supporting the platform, c) at least onc front castor supporting the platform. and d) a brake for each rear castor which can be operated independently of each other, whereby the trolley can be steercd Icft or right by operating the brake on one of the rear castors.

Preferably both brakes can be operated siniultaneously as well as each independently.

Preferably a handle is provided to drive the trolley, and preferably the brakes are operated from the handle. The handle may be in the form of a horizontal bar with control means adjacent each end of the bar to operate each brake. The control means may be in the form of a single shaft extending parallel to the handle bar, the ends of the shaft sliding in slots adjacent the ends of the bar, said ends o) the shait controlling each brake.

Preferably the brakes are mounted on each castor and remotcly operated. The brakes may be operated by a cable connected to a lever or other control means.

In one embodiment of the invention the brakes include a band which tightens around part of the wheel on a castor. The castor may include a circumferential groove to accommodate the band.

The groove may be V-shaped to accommodate a V-shaped band.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure I shows a perspective view of a trolley, and Figure 2 shows a more detailed perspective view of one rear castor of the trolley of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a trolley 1 which is particularly suitble for supermarkets. Trolley I has a platform ibr supporting goods to be transported which includes a wire basket 2 supporte on a frame 3. Frame 3 has a handle in the form of a horizontal bar 4.

Frame 3 is supporte by a pair of rear castors 5A. 5B and a pair of front castors 6A, 6B. Rcar castors 5A. 5B each have a brake which arc operated by cables 7A,7B repsectively, Cables 7A, 711 are connected at one end to brake shoes 8A. 8B (as more fully described with reference to Figure 2) and at the other end to brake control means in the form of a single shaft 9 extonding parallel to the handle bar 4. The ends 9A,9B of the shaft 9 slide in slots IOA. I08 adjacent the ends of the bar, whereby the ends 9A, 9B of the shafl control each brake.

In normal use. the trolley is pushed using handle 4 in a similar manner to any standard supermarket trolley known in the art. If it is desired to turn the trolley to the lefl. the left hand end 9A of the shah 9 is pulled so that it slides in slot IOA towards the handle 4. This action pulls cable 7A and operates the brake on castor 5A so turning the trolley 1 to the left. Similarly, if it is desircd to tum the trolley to the right, the right hand end 9B of the shaft 9 is pullcd so that it slides in slot 10B towards the handle 4. This action pulls cable 7B and operates the brake on castor 5B so turning the trolley 1 to the right.

The brakes for each rear castors are remotely operated and can be operated independently of each other. If it is desired to stop the trolley, such as on an incline, both brakes can also be operated simultaneously by pulling the left and right hand end of shaft 9 so that both ends 9A, 9B slide in slot 10A and 10B. instead of shaft 9, other control means should be provided such as levers (e.g. similar to bicycle brakc levers) to operate cables 7A, 7B.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown an enlarged view of castor SA (castor 5B may be identical). Castor 5A includes a wheel 11 with a V-shaped groove 12 around its circumference.

Wheel 11 is supported by a fork with fork arms 13A,13B carrying a pin 14 about which the wheel rotates. The top of the forks 13AJ 3B arc supporte by a bearing plate 15 forming part of a swivel mcchanism (not shown). The brake includes a brake shoc in the form of V-shaped band 8A in the V-shaped groove 12. The band 8A is connected at one end to the bearing plate 15 and at the other end to cable 7A. When cable 7A is pulled, band 8A tightens around the wheel 11 preventing it from rotating. A swivel 16 is provided to prevent cable 7A from twisting when the castor SA swivels, and the cable 7A preferably runs through the pivotal axis of the castor, i. e. through the centre of bearing plate 15.

It is thought the V-shaped band will allow any debris collecte to fall out of the groove 12, but other shapes of bands and grooves could be used.

The invention may take a different form to that specifically described above. For cxamptc instcad of the construction of brakes on the castors shown in Figure 2, another method of braking the rear castors could be used. Also the trolley of the invention may bc other than a supermarket trolley, c. g. an airport luggage trolley or general goods trollcy. The trolley could be powered instead of pushed manually and it may be in the form of a vehiclc.

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

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A trolley comprising a platform for supporting goods to be transported, a pair of rear castors supporting the platform, at least one front castor supporting the platform, and a brake for each rear castor which can be operated independently of each other, whereby the trolley can be steered left or right by operating the brake on one of the rear castors.
2. A trolley as claimed in claim 1, in which both brakes can be operated simultaneously as well as each independently.
3. A trolley as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which a handle is provided to drive the trolley, and the brakes are operated from the handle.
4. A trolley as claimed in claim 3, in which the handle is in the form of a horizontal bar with control means adjacent each end of the bar to operate each brake.
5. A trolley as claimed in claim 4, in which the control means is in the form of a single shaft extending parallel to the handle bar, the ends of the shaft sliding in slots adjacent the ends of the bar, said ends of the shaft controlling each brake.
6. A trolley as claimed in claim 1, in which the brakes are mounted on each castor and remotely operated.
7. A trolley as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 when dependent on claim 5, in which the brakes are operated by a cable connected to the control means.
8. A trolley as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the brakes include a band which tightens around part of the wheel on a castor.
9. A trolley as claimed in claim 8, in which the castor includes a circumferential groove to accommodate the band.
10. A trolley as claimed in claim 9, in which the groove is V-shaped to accommodate a V shaped band.
11. A trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.