GB2406833A

GB2406833A - Trolley for bottles

Info

Publication number: GB2406833A
Application number: GB0420175A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Frank Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-11
Filing date: 2004-09-10
Publication date: 2005-04-13
Also published as: GB0321284D0; GB0420175D0

Abstract

A trolley (10) is provided with wheels (28) at a first end (14) and a trolley at a second end (16) opposite the first. In a first position, a frame (12) of the trolley lies flat on a surface (40). In this position the wheels (28) are spaced clear of that surface. When the second end (16) is raised via the handle (70) , the trolley tilts to a second position in which the wheels (28) come into contact with the surface on which the trolley is located, and the frame (12) is raised clear of that surface. In this position the trolley (10) can be manually manoeuvred. The trolley (10) is particularly useful for the transportation of pressurised fluid containers such as gas bottles (50). When a gas bottle (50) is received in the trolley in the first position, this is a very stable configuration and can be used for storage, or for transportation on a transportation vehicle, such as a truck. The trolley therefore provides both for a configuration where the gas bottle (50) can be conveniently and easily manoeuvred over short distances by manual manoeuvring of the trolley, and a stable configuration for transportation on a vehicle.

Description

TROLLEYS AND METHODS OF TRANSPORTING BOTTLES OR THE LIKE

This invention relates to trolleys and to methods of transporting bottles or the like.

The invention has particular application where the trolley is adapted to receive a bottle or the like, in particular one containing a hazardous substance, such as a gas.

Gas bottles, because of their shape and weight, are renowned for being difficult to transport safely. Over short distances, it is known to use a wheeled trolley. Examples are disclosed in US 5,131,670, US 4,135,725, US 5,806,867, US 2002/0074755, FR 1548600, and GB 2266280. For greater distances, it is necessary to load the bottle, perhaps with other bottles, on to a vehicle such as a lorry, truck, trailer, car, train, boat or aeroplane for transportation. It is known for gas bottles to be tied with rope, or stacked around with other items on such a transportation vehicle. This can lead to unstable and hence dangerous arrangements. It is also time consuming to securely tie each individual bottle or to stack bottles in such a way that they are in a stable arrangement.

Whereas the known trolleys provide a convenient means for moving a gas bottle or the like across relatively short distances, for example to a transportation vehicle, they do not increase the stability of the bottle when positioned in a transportation vehicle.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a trolley that is both convenient for manual manoeuvring of the trolley over relatively short distances, and that provides a stable and secure arrangement when loaded onto a vehicle for transportation.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a trolley comprising a frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first and means for rolling engagement attached at or near the first end of the frame, wherein the trolley is adapted to be moveable between a first position in which the means for rolling engagement is clear of the surface on which the trolley is located, and a second position in which the means for rolling engagement is in contact with said surface for rolling engagement therewith, movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position being achieved, in use, by raising the second end of the frame.

Thus, by providing a trolley that is adapted to be moveable between a first position in which the means for rolling engagement is clear of a surface on which the trolley is located, and a second position in which the means for rolling engagement is in contact with said surface for rolling engagement therewith, the trolley overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing a trolley that in the first position is secure and suitable for safe transportation on a transportation vehicle of a cargo such as, for example, a gas bottle, and that in the second position is suitable for manual manoeuvring of the cargo. This avoids the need for unloading the cargo from the trolley for loading onto a vehicle for transportation and also removes the need for separate means for securing the cargo in place on the transportation vehicle.

Preferably, the frame is adapted to receive at least a part of a bottle or the like.

Preferably, the means for rolling engagement comprises a pair of wheels.

Preferably, the trolley further comprises a handle adapted to raise the second end of the frame. This arrangement provides a simple yet convenient way of raising the second end.

20The handle may be integral with the frame. This arrangement provides that the handle is always readily available.

Preferably, the handle is telescopically or foldingly mounted to the frame. This arrangement has the advantage that when not in use the handle may be telescopically retracted into or folded on the frame to reduce the dimensions of the trolley.

Alternatively, the handle may be separate from the frame. Such a separate handle may be adapted to attach to the frame. Alternatively, such a separate handle may be adapted to attach to a part of a bottle or the like received in the frame. The provision of a separate handle has the advantage that the frame is of a more simple construction that is also lighter in weight. By providing a separate handle, a user may use a single handle for attachment to a number of individual bottles or trolleys separately.

Preferably, the trolley further comprises at least one securing fixture for securing a bottle or the like to the frame. The at least one securing fixture may comprise a strap, cord or tension spring attached to the frame. This provides a simple, quick and reliable means for securing the bottle to the trolley.

Preferably, the frame is provided with a non-slip portion adapted to contact said at least a part of a bottle or the like when, in use, the bottle or the like is received in the frame. This provides the advantage of additional security by increasing the frictional engagement between the bottle and the frame.

Preferably, the frame is provided with means for accommodating differently sized bottles or the like. This reduces the need for a large range of trolleys to accommodate different size bottles.

Preferably the frame, when the trolley is in the first position, is substantially horizontal, and the trolley further comprises means to prevent the frame being moved beyond a vertical position. The preventing means may comprise a portion of the frame extending beyond the means for rolling engagement. This is an advantageous safety feature. If the frame were to be moved beyond the vertical position, the weight of the trolley and cargo (such as a gas bottle) may tend to force the means for rolling engagement towards the user. This is potentially dangerous. The provision of the preventing means limits the movement of the frame to the vertical position, such that there is no risk of losing control of the trolley and cargo in that manner.

Preferably, the frame has a bottom surface that is provided with a nonslip portion for contacting the surface on which the trolley is located when in the first position. This increases the frictional engagement between the trolley and the surface on which it is located, thus preventing slippage when the trolley is in the first position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transporting a bottle or the like comprising the steps of: providing a trolley including a frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first, and means for rolling engagement attached at or near the first end of the frame, the trolley being in a first position, in which the means for rolling engagement is clear of a surface on which the trolley is located; retaining at least a part of a bottle or the like within the frame; raising the second end of the frame to move the trolley to a second position, in which the means for rolling engagement is in contact with said surface; and moving said trolley by rolling said means for rolling engagement.

Preferably, the method further includes the step of placing the trolley in the first position on a vehicle for transportation.

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of a trolley in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the trolley in the first position with a bottle received in the frame; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a removable handle; and Figure 4 is a side view corresponding to figure 2, but showing the trolley in the second position, and with the removable handle attached to the bottle.

With reference to the figures, there is shown a trolley 10 comprising a generally rectangular frame 12, having a first end 14 and a second end 16 opposite the first end. The frame is comprised of a pair of facing, substantially L-shaped end sections 18, 20 interconnected by a pair of relatively longer substantially L-shaped side sections 22, 24.

The longer sides of the L-shaped sections 18-24 define substantially vertical sides of the trolley, with the relatively shorter parts of the Lshaped sections 18-24 forming a substantially horizontal bottom surface of the trolley. The bottom surface may be provided with one or more non- slip portions (not shown). Webs 26 may be provided in order to stiffen the frame construction. The stiffening webs 26 may extend between the respective longer and shorter parts of the L-shaped sections 18-24. Preferably, the frame is constructed of a lightweight material, such as aluminium or plastic.

Whereas the frame 12 has been described as being rectangular, it will be appreciated that it could be any suitable shape. Also, the frame 12 need not be made of L- shaped sections 18-24, but could instead be constructed of box-sections, or any suitably shaped members.

At the first end 14 of the frame, a pair of projections 22a, 24a extend beyond the end section 18. The projections are illustrated as being integral with the side sections 22, 24 of the frame respectively. However, it will be appreciated that the projections 22a, 24a could be separate parts, and these need not extend in the same plane as the side sections 22, 24. More than two projections 22a, 24a could be provided. Alternatively, a single projection could be provided.

The projections 22a, 24a each have a bottom surface 26 that extends at an angle away from the bottom surface of the frame as defined by the shorter L-shaped parts of sections 18-24, for a purpose to be described below.

Attached to the projections 22a, 24a is a pair of wheels 28. As illustrated, an axle extends between the two wheels 28. However, it will be appreciated that the wheels may instead be individually mounted to the respective projections 22a, 24a, although this would lead to an increase in the number of parts. Additionally, it will be appreciated that instead of a pair of wheels, there may be more than two wheels or there may be a single wheel or, for example, a roller. The wheels are illustrated as being disposed outside of the projections 22a, 24a. However, if required, the wheels may instead be located inside the projections 22a, 24a. This would provide a more compact trolley.

The trolley is shown in figure 2 in a first, secure position. The trolley 1O is in a substantially horizontal position on a surface 40. It will be seen that the wheels 28 are mounted such that when the trolley is in the first position, the wheels 28 are clear of the surface 40. The optional non-slip portion or portions on the bottom surface of the trolley frame 12 act to increase frictional engagement between the frame 12 and the surface 40 to prevent slippage.

In each of figures 2 and 4, the trolley 10 is shown with a bottle 50 in situ. The bottle 50 is of a standard construction for a pressurised fluid; comprising a generally cylindrical pressure chamber 52, a base rim 54 and a neck portion 56. The neck portion includes at least one handhold 58. The body 52 may include a strengthening weld bead 60 around the circumference at substantially a mid-height of the bottle. Recesses 62 may be provided in the side sections 22, 24 of the frame 12 in order to accommodate the weld bead 60. The invention has particular application to bottles containing hazardous substances, such as explosive or highly inflammable gas or liquid.

The bottle 50 is held in place by gravity and by frictional engagement with the frame 12. One or more non-slip portions may be provided on the frame in order to increase the frictional engagement between the bottle and the frame.

Additional means may be provided for securing the bottle 50 to the frame 12. For example, one or more straps, cords or tension springs (not shown) may be attached to the frame 12 to be passed over the bottle 50 for a more positive securement of the bottle to the frame. Additionally or alternatively, one or more cords or tension springs 64 may be provided on the frame at the second end 16 in order to pass through the at least one handhold 58 in the bottle 50. The straps or cords could, at least in part, be elastic.

The securing fixture could comprise an integral part of the frame 12. For example, an additional portion of the frame could be provided extending substantially perpendicularly to the base of the frame 12 for receiving the base rim 54 or at least a bottom section of the pressure chamber 52 of the bottle 50. Such embodiments are not illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that many alternative, suitable securing fixtures could be provided.

In figure 3, there is illustrated a handle 70. The handle is of simple construction, comprising a substantially X-shaped loop of wire, in which two legs 72a, 72b are joined by a cross-piece 74, hooks 76 are provided at the ends of the legs 72a, 72b opposite the cross- piece 74. The cross-piece 74 is provided with a covering 78 for improved comfort.

As seen in figure 4, the handle 70 is adapted to be connected to the bottle 50 by means of the hooks 76 engaging the at least one handhold 58. In this manner, the handle may be removably attached to the bottle 50 for manual manoeuvring thereof. The handle 70 may alternatively be adapted to attach to a part of the frame 12. This would have the advantage that the force exerted by the user through the handle could not act to urge the bottle 50 away from the frame 12, as may be the case when the handle attaches to the bottle.

Instead of a removable handle, the handle may be integral with the frame 12. This embodiment is not illustrated. The integral handle could be telescopically attached to the frame or could be foldingly attached to the frame, such that when not in use the handle could be moved to a storage position by telescoping or folding the handle. Such an arrangement provides a trolley that takes up less space, when the handle is not in use, than it would otherwise.

It will be appreciated that the removable handle described and illustrated in the foregoing is merely illustrative. Any suitable handle could be used. For example, a simple J-shaped hook would perform the function of the handle.

In fact, there is no need for a handle at all For example, a user could simply pull on the second end 16 of the trolley frame, or could grasp the bottle 50, for example by the handhold 58. Due to the securement of the bottle to the frame, a user grasping a handhold 58 of a bottle 50 could therefore manoeuvre the trolley.

When the second end 16 of the frame is raised a sufficient amount, the wheels 28 come into contact with the surface 40 on which the trolley 10 is located, and the bottom surface of the frame 12 is raised clear of that surface. This brings the trolley to a second, transportation position as illustrated in figure 4. To return the trolley 10 to the first position, the user lowers the second end 16 of the frame until the bottom of the frame 12 contacts the surface 40 and the wheels 28 are once again raised clear of the surface.

In use, a user would load a bottle 50 onto the frame 12 of the trolley 10 whilst the trolley is in the first position. If any releasable securing fixtures are provided, such as the straps, cords or tension springs, then the user will attach these in place. The trolley has particular utility for the loading and unloading of a pressurised fluid bottle 50 onto a vehicle for transportation (not shown). The user first secures the bottle 50 to the frame 12 while the trolley 10 is in the first position. The user then raises the second end 16 of the frame in order to bring the trolley 10 to the second position, at which point the user is able to wheel the trolley 10 to the transporting vehicle. The trolley and bottle combination is then loaded onto the transportation vehicle, the trolley 10 being placed in the first position.

This provides a stable configuration for safe and secure transportation of the bottle on the vehicle. Once at its destination, the bottle and trolley combination can be unloaded from the transportation vehicle and then, by moving the trolley 10 to the second position, the bottle and trolley combination can be wheeled to a desired location. The bottle 50 is then removed from the trolley 10.

Whereas in the foregoing description has been made with reference to a bottle, it will be appreciated that the invention applies equally to other containers such as, for example, drums or canisters. Thus, reference in the claims to a bottle or the like should be construed as encompassing drums, canisters and the like. Indeed, the trolley could be adapted to receive any suitable cargo. In addition to the trolley in the first position being suitable for transportation on a transportation vehicle, the trolley in the first position may be suitable for general storage of, for example, gas bottles.

Claims

Claims 1. A trolley comprising: a frame having a first end and a second

end opposite the first; and means for rolling engagement attached at or near the first end of the frame, wherein the trolley is adapted to be moveable between a first position in which the means for rolling engagement is clear of the surface on which the trolley is located, and a second position in which the means for rolling engagement is in contact with said surface for rolling engagement therewith, movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position being achieved, in use, by raising the second end of the frame.
2. The trolley of claim 1, wherein the frame is adapted to receive at least a part of a bottle or the like.
3. The trolley of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means for rolling engagement comprises a pair of wheels.
4 The trolley of any preceding claim, further comprising a handle adapted to raise the second end of the frame.
5. The trolley of claim 4, wherein the handle is integral with the frame.
6. The trolley of claim 5, wherein the handle is telescopically or foldingly mounted on the frame.
7. The trolley of claim 4, wherein the handle is separate from the trolley and is adapted, in use, to attach to the frame or, when dependent on claim 2, to a part of said bottle or the like.
8. The trolley of any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising at least one securing fixture for securing the bottle or the like to the frame.
9. The trolley of claim 8, wherein the at least one securing fixture comprises a strap, cord or tension spring attached to the frame.
10. The trolley of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the frame is provided with a non- slip portion adapted to contact said at least a part of a bottle or the like when, in use, the bottle or the like is received in the frame.
1 1. The trolley of any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the frame is provided with means for accommodating differently sized bottles or the like.
12. The trolley of any preceding claim, wherein in the first position the frame is substantially horizontal, the trolley further comprising means for preventing movement of the frame beyond a vertical position.
13. The trolley of claim 12, wherein said preventing means comprises a portion of frame projecting beyond the means for rolling engagement.
14. The trolley of any preceding claim, wherein the frame has a bottom surface that is provided with a non-slip portion for contacting the surface on which the trolley is located when in the first position.
15. A method of transporting a bottle or the like comprising the steps of: providing a trolley including a frame having a first end and a second end opposite the first, and means for rolling engagement attached at or near the first end of the frame, the trolley being in a first position, in which the means for rolling engagement is clear of a surface on which the trolley is located; retaining at least a part of a bottle or the like within the frame; raising the second end of the frame to move the trolley to a second position, in which the means for rolling engagement is in contact with said surface; and moving said trolley by rolling said means for rolling engagement.
16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of placing said trolley in said first position on a vehicle for transportation.
17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16 using the trolley of any one of claims 1 to 13.
18. A bottle transporting trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.