GB2358005A

GB2358005A - Power-assisted wheelbarrow

Info

Publication number: GB2358005A
Application number: GB0026416A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Trevor Robert Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-30
Filing date: 2000-10-30
Publication date: 2001-07-11
Also published as: GB9925694D0; GB0026416D0

Abstract

A power-assisted wheelbarrow has a single front wheel incorporating an electric hub motor 4. The tyre is directly mounted on the outside of the motor housing and the housing also has provision for fixing a drum brake or a disc brake rotor to it. The battery 6 is rechargeable and removably secured in a bracket 8 to the front of the wheelbarrow, above the wheel. A twist grip speed control 14 and brake lever are mounted on a handle and a display 9 showing the battery condition is between the handles.

Description

2358005 POWER ASSISTED WHEELBARROW WITH BRAKE The wheel barrow is a

commonly used device for transporting relatively moderate loads over small distances by man power. The chassis (1) is a simple construction providing fixing for a single wheel at one end and terminating in a pair of handles at the other, with the vessel (2) for the load in between, so that the wheel (3)provides a pivot point for lifting the load in addition to moving the load. There are supports on the underside of the chassis toward the handle end of the wheelbarrow so that it may be supported on a level plain when at rest as there is only one wheel (fig 1&2).

The wheelbarrow is often the only means by which to transport a load due to manoeuvrability and small physical size lending it to work in ares of limited access or uneven ground where, the damage caused by more substantial earth movers combined with their larger size means that they cannot operate. However operating a wheelbarrow requires a certain level of physical fitness and coordination in that the load must be supported and controlled by the user whilst they provide the means of propulsion. This makes the use of the wheelbarrow difficult when a load is transported over an uneven surface for example.

The invention addresses this by providing an electrically powered means of propelling a wheelbarrow of conventionally geometry in order to assist the user by relieving the amount of physical exertion required allowing more emphasis to be placed on controlling the load itself and reducing fatigue, particularly in instances where the operative is undertaking a multiple of physically demanding tasks such as excavation and removal of soil.

Additionally the braking facility which is drum brake or disc brake based addressess the need to control speed with a loaded barrow, particularly when fully laiden and descending a slope. Indeed when ascending a slope of a moderate length being able to lock the wheel of the barrow to negotiate difficult routes or obstacles is beneficial.

The design achieves this by replacing the wheel of the barrow with an electric hub motor (4) that is powered by a rechargeable nicad battery cell and is controlled by a twist type (14) throttle.The motor housing (4) is of such proportions to allow the direct fitting of a standard tyre and tube onto the motor by means of a tyre fittment ring (5). This component has been specifically designed to achieve the utilisation of standard tyres and tubes and make it possible to fit them to these hub type motors. It is intended that this component could be applied to a standard wheelbarrow configuration without the motor to make easier the removal of the tyre should the time arise when repairing or instating a new tyre or tube. It is foreseen that this tyre fittment ring (5) or adaptor could be injection moulded from plastic possibly poly propylene. (fig 4) The motor housing (4) is smaller in its overall diameter than that of of the standard tyre size for the wheelbarrow. The fittment ring therefore makes up the size of the motor housing to enable direct fitting of standard tyres and tubes to it. (fig 5 & 3) The outer face of the motor housing to one side in the hub area is faced to provide a flat surface (17) to accept a disc brake rotor (16) of a given drilling pattern for fixing. There is an faced internal surface to accomodate a drum brake system. To accomodate different disc diameters the caliper mount (19) is able to move along the wheellmotor support struts the at the front of the barrow (fig) and securely fix it at any point. This aligns the caliper (18) to disc rotor (16). The control for the braking is mounted on the in the grip area. (fig 6JU).

The battery unit is applied to a standard wheelbarrow by specialist brackets which would enable the fittment of the battery (6) in a discrete location on its chassis which would not hamper its operation (fig 7). A specialist chassis if designed would overcome the need for brackets (8) by integration of the unit into the chassis addition to the motor, controller and cabling.

There is a rotary twist type throttle (14) located on one of the handle bars of the wheelbarrow which allows for immediate control of the motor upon lifting the wheelbarrow therefore instant release once the grip is relaxed upon putting it down. (fig 6 W) The ignition (10) is to be key operated and located in an impact and weather proof housing which is to be located between the handle bars to the rear of the barrow. This housing is also to contain a simple metering system (11) which enables the user to monitor the status of the battery in terms of its level of charge and the rate at which it is being used. (fig 6) It is intended that the design may be applied in this way to production level ie as a kit that may be fitted to any chassis. In addition to the possibility of generating a specific chassis design therefore integrating the components into a specifically designed and manufactured chassis offering the option of a complete motorised wheel barrow device in contrast to a kit which provides the same facility to a standard off the self wheelbarrow.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which,- Figure 1 shows in side elevation a conventional barrow with the motor battery throttle and ignition installed.

Figure 2 shows in side elevation the position of the ignition and battery consumption meter.

Figure 3 shows exploded view showing the relation of the fittment ring, motor housing and tyre.

Figure 4 shows the fittment ring in section Figure 5 shows section of the hub motor with tyre installed using the fittment ring 3 Figure 6 shows ignition / battery meter detail Figure 7 shows front elevation detailing battery housing and brakets.

Figure 8 shows side elevation and front section detailing disc brake rotor and calliper with clamp fixing to the front struts and motor housing.

t- KEY TO DIAGRAMS 1 CHASSIS 2 VESSEL 3 TYRE 4 HUB MOTOR FITTMENT RING 6 BATTERY 7 REMOVABLE BATTERY CONNECTOR 8 BATTERY HOUSING BRAKETS 9 IGNITION AND BATTERY STATUS INDICATOR HOUSING IGNITION 11 LED. INDICATORS 12 POWER DISTRIBUTION CABLE 13 SPINDLE ENTRY SUPPLY TO MOTOR 14 THROTTLE CONTROL BRAKE CONTROL 16 DISC ROTOR 17 DISC ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE 18 DISC CALIPER 19 CALIPER CLAMP 1 In

Claims

Claim 1 A power assisted wheel barrow comprised of an assembly which attaches to a single wheeled barrow providing a means of power assistance and speed control, by providing a direct driven single wheel. A direct drive hub motor fits to the barrow replacing the conventional wheel and allows direct fitment of the tyre and tube by means of a fitment ring. This has the effect of making up the outer dimensions of the motor housing, being smaller than the inner dimensions of the tyre, to that of the inner diameter of the tyre and tube for fitting and provide a retention flange for fitting.

The motor housing is capable of accommodating two forms of brake system. the inner area of the housing around the hub has surface and fix points appropriate for the the installation of a drum brake, while the outer surface around the hub area of the motor/wheel is faced and drilled to accept a disc brake rotor. The calliper part of the disc brake is held by a clamp to the struts which support the wheel/motor and is movable along its length to allow alignment of the calliper to the rotor.

An ignition and means of monitoring battery status is mounted to the rear of the vessel or body of the barrow between the handles by means of simple brackets at load points. A rechargeable power source in the form of a battery pack is mounted to the front of the body or vessel above the wheellmotor via brackets which allow it to be removed for charging and locked in when in use.

Throttle and brake controls, levers respectively are handle mounted in a position close to the grip area.
claim 2. A power assisted wheel barrow comprised of an assembly which attaches to a single wheeled barrow providing a means of power assistance and speed control as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the fitment ring provides a manner of attaching a standard tyre an tube combination to a wheel which is of smaller size, without the use tyre levers or fitting machinery.
claim 3. A power assisted wheel barrow comprised of an assembly which attaches to a single wheeled barrow providing a means of power assistance and speed control as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the fitment ring provides a means of engagement between the tyre bead and a rim by an engagement flange.
claim 4. A power assisted wheel barrow comprised of an assembly which attaches to a single wheeled barrow providing a means of power assistance and speed control as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the fitment ring is non continuous in order to be of a tolerance which will allow the tyre and tube to be held onto the rim provide by the tyre itself an wheel/motor housing, acting as a brace between the two components once air pressure is increased in the tyreltube.
claim 5. A power assisted wheel barrow comprised of an assembly which attaches to a single wheeled barrow providing a means of power assistance and speed control as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the fitment ring is non continuous in order to maintain an adequate working tolerance and allow its removal from the wheellmotor once air pressure is removed from the tyre/tube.
claim 6. A power assisted wheel barrow comprised of an assembly which attaches to a single wheeled barrow providing a means of power assistance and speed control as claimed in any proceeding claim, wherein the faced surface of the wheel/motor housing can accept a drilling pattern for a disc brake rotor drilling.
claim 7. A power assisted wheel barrow comprised of an assembly which attaches to a single wheeled barrow providing a means of power assistance and speed control as claimed in any proceeding claim, wherein no more than one wheel is used.
claim 8. A power assisted wheel barrow substantially described herein with references to figures 1-14.