GB2403466A

GB2403466A - Article carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2403466A
Application number: GB0315316A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-03
Filing date: 2003-07-03
Publication date: 2005-01-05
Also published as: GB0315316D0

Abstract

A carrying device (1) comprises a webbing belt (2) which is passed around an item (3) to be transported and tightened securely with a ratchet buckle (4). The item (3) and belt (2) are suspended from a pair of carrying poles (6, 7) by two respective sets of suspension straps (5) disposed on opposite sides of the item (3). The straps (5) may be slideable along the belt (2) before tightening to allow for differently sized items (3). The device (1) and item (3) can be carried by two persons (8, 9), each holding an end of one carrying pole (6, 7) in either hand, over terrain which is impassable to wheeled vehicles. The article can be a plant pot such as a tub (3).

Description

1 2403466

TRANSPORTATION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to apparatus to transport heavy or unwieldy articles without the use of vehicles. More particularly, but not cxclusivcly, it relates to apparatus permitting the manual transportation of such articles on uneven terrain, such as during landscaping or construction work.

While the transportation of large and heavy items on wheeled vehicles, such as trolleys, carts, fork lift trucks and the like, is an efficient method on hard and level ground, there are situations in which it is not appropriate. Few vehicles can negotiate uneven terrain, such as that produced during landscaping and garden remodelling, and fewer still can do this without leaving damaging tracks, etc. The conventional wheelbarrow is versatile, but may be unstable when loaded with large items, and one still has the problem of lifting the item into and out of the wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrows are particularly awkward to manoeuvre up and down steps. Moving items by crane requires significant expense and preparation.

Smaller items can simply be picked up and carried in one or both arms, but there are limits on the weight that can be carried in this way (often considered to be 25kg). Also, if an article is large enough to involve any degree of bodily stretching or twisting, the safe weight is much lower. In any case, many articles do not have convenient handholds for manual handling.

It is not uncommon to need to position large and bulky items (e.g. in landscape gardening, urns, tubs, planters and the like) in a preselected place, regardless of the convenience of access. 'I'he manpower available to move such items is often limited.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide apparatus allowing the transport of a heavy and/or bulky item, especially in conditions where wheeled vehicles may be inappropriate or unable to gain access.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided transportation apparatus comprising belt means engageable around an article to be transported and provided with selectively adjustable tightening means, two suspending means each extending from the belt means and adapted to be disposed on substantially diametrically opposed sides of the article, and a pair of elongate carrying pole means adapted to extend substantially horizontally, each engageable with a respective suspending means.

One or each suspending means may be mounted slideably to the belt means so that its position may be adjusted to allow for different shapes of article and/or belt lengths.

Preferably, there are provided four suspending means so disposed that two said suspending means extend adjacent one to the other.

The tightening means may comprise selectively releasable ratchet means.

The belt means is preferably so flexible as to conform substantially to the shape of an article on being tightened.

The carrying pole means may comprise elongate solid or hollow members, adapted to be manually graspable or provided with graspable handle means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transporting an article comprising the steps of providing transportation apparatus as described in the first aspect above, fastening said apparatus grippingly around the article, engaging the pair of carrying pole means, and causing the two carrying pole means to be lifted on first and second opposite sides of the article, to raise and move the apparatus and article.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a perspective view of a carrying device embodying the invention, in position around a tub; and Figure 2 is an elevation of the carrying device and tub shown in Figure I being carried by two people.

Referring now to the Figures, and to Figure I in particular, a carrying device 1 comprises a belt 2 of woven polypropylene or nylon webbing, arranged to extend substantially horizontally around an article to be transported, here a tub 3 of terracotta or stone. The belt 2 is provided with a ratchet buckle 4, allowing it to be tightened securely around the tub 3, etc. and then released when required. A first pair of suspension straps 5 extend upwardly from the heft 2, each having a loop at its upper end. A second pair of similar suspension straps (not visible) extend upwardly from the belt 2 on an opposite side of the tub 3. A lower end of each suspension strap S is slideable along the belt 2 to adjust its position for carrying differently-sized articles. A pair of elongate carrying poles 6, 7 are respectively engaged within the upper loops of the first and second pairs ol suspension straps. The poles here comprise a piece of aluminium tubing; tubing of other metals, wooden poles and the like may also be used if desired.

As shown in Figure 2, the tub 3 can easily be lifted and transported by just two carriers 8, 9.

A first carrier 8 grasps one carrying pole, 6, 7 in each hand while standing between the poles 6, 7 to a first side of the tub 3, while a second carrier 9 grasps one carrying pole 6, 7 in each hand while standing between the poles 6, 7 to a side of the tub 3 opposite to the first. The tub 3 is then lifted offthc ground 10 in a substantially vertical lift by each carrier 8, 9. This is both the most efficient and the safest lifting method. The carriers 8, 9 then walk off in unison, carrying the tub 3 between them, to a desired position, where the tub 3 is replaced on the ground 10 in a substantially vertical descent. If necessary, it can be lifted, moved and replaced until it is exactly in position. The ratchet buckle 4 is then released, and the whole carrying device is removed from the tub 3.

The belt 2 is sufficiently flexible to fit around and grip a wide range of shapes. Where the article to be carried does not have the downwardly tapering form shown, and there are no convenient ribs, rims, handles or the like beneath which the belt 2 could be arranged, all that is necessary is to tighten the belt 2 further to improve its frictional grip.

I'he carrying device I may even be usable to carry saplings, specimen plants and the like, as long as the belt 2 can be positioned around a container therefor or root bail thereof so that the carrying poles 6, 7 are level with or above the ccutre of gravity of the item carried.

For weights too great for two carriers 8, 9 to lift, four people may be used, each taking one end of one pole. Alternatively, longer carrying poles 6, 7 may be used, to allow further carriers to lift the device 1. It may also be desirable to provide yokes or the like to allow some of the weight of the article to be supported on the shoulders of the carriers 8, 9 rather than by their hands alone.

The carrying device I thus allows a team of just two carriers to lift and transport a wide range of items which are too heavy or bull;y to be lifted unaided. Such a team will be able to cope with uneven ground or obstacles, such as steps, far more easily than a wheeled vehicle of similar carrying capacity. The item carried is also less liable to damage than if carried by other methods. The belt grips the item evenly from all sides, and the suspension straps, a degree of resilience in the carrying poles and the legs of the carriers combine to isolate the item from the jolts and bumps that it could suffer on a wheelbarrow cart or the like.

While the invention has been described above primarily in terms of transporting horticultural items, it would also be of use in general construction work or other situations in which bulky items require moving but wheeled or tracked vehicles cannot easily be used.

Claims

1. A transportation apparatus comprising belt means engageable around an article to be transported and provided with selectively adjustable tightening means, two suspending means each extending from the belt means and adapted to be disposed on substantially diametrically opposed sides of the article, and a pair of elongate carrying pole means adapted to extend substantially horizontally, each engageable with a respective suspending means.

2. A transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or each suspending means is so slideably mounted to the belt means that its position may be adjusted to allow for different shapes of article and/or belt lengths.

3. A transportation apparatus as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, provided with four suspending means so disposed that two said suspending means extend adjacent one to the other.

4. A transportation apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tightening means comprises selectively releasable ratchet means.

5. A transportation apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, where the belt means is so flexible as to conform substantially to the shape of an article on being tightened.

6. A transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the belt means comprises a resilient material.

7. A transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the belt means comprises a material having a resilient weave.

8. A transportation apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying pole means comprise elongate solid or hollow members, adapted to be manually graspable or provided with graspable handle means.

9. A transportation apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the carrying pole means comprise resilient elements.

10. A transportation apparatus substantially as described herein and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.

11. A method for transporting an article comprising the steps of providing transportation apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, fastening said apparatus Trippingly around the article, engaging the pair of carrying pole means, and causing the two carrying pole means to be lifted on first and second opposite sides of the article, to raise and move the apparatus and article.

12. A method of transporting an article substantially as described herein and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.