GB2423972A

GB2423972A - Wheelbarrow towing hitch

Info

Publication number: GB2423972A
Application number: GB0504724A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Conrad Charles Salt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-08
Filing date: 2005-03-08
Publication date: 2006-09-13
Also published as: GB0504724D0

Abstract

A wheelbarrow is attached to a towing vehicle (2) such as a ride on mower or garden tractor by a hitch comprising a horizontal disc (1) or spoked wheel. The disc (1) or spoked wheel is free to rotate about its central axis (5) and a wheelbarrow can be attached to the disc (1) or spoked wheel via couplings (3) at its periphery.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Wheelbarrow Towing Hitch This device enables a conventional garden wheelbarrow to be towed behind a ride on lawnmower or garden tractor. The main problem it overcomes stems from the need for the towing vehicle to give the wheelbarrow lateral, or horizontal, stability. This is in marked contrast to the function of a vehicle pulling a two-wheel trailer, where the towing vehicle need provide stability in one plane only.

The device consists of a disc (I Fig I) mounted horizontally at the back of the mower (2 Figl) with a diameter similar to the distance between the handles of a wheelbarrow. This disc is free to rotate about its own axis in a horizontal plane, and the handles of the wheelbarrow are fastened to its perimeter by universal couplings (3 Fig!). The wheelbow is thus able to swing both vertically and horizontally with respect to the mower, in a way not dissimilar to that in which a two-wheel trailer can move in relation to a car.

However in the case of a wheelbarrow it is crucial that the handles are supported in a manner that provides horizontal stability, since they constitute two of the three sources of stability for the wheelbarrow as a whole. It is therefore important that the disc on which the handles rest is itself stable in a horizontal plane. This stability is given to the disc by three parallel bars, or brackets, on which it rests. These brackets are attached to the back of the mower. The central bracket (4 Figl) runs beneath the centre of the disc, where it is fixed to it by a pin or bearing (5 Fig!). The two outer brackets (6 Fig I) are approximately tangential to the circle formed by the disc, supporting it from below on its left and right but not restricting its freedom to rotate.

It may be necessary to provide wheels or rollers between the disc and its supporting brackets to facilitate the movement of the plate relative to the brackets.

Some ride on mowers have similar brackets from which are suspended grass collecting bins, and in these instances the disc may rest on these, with extension pieces where necessary.

It may be advantageous to use a tubular steel circle with one or more bars intersecting its centre, in place of a disc.

Claims

Wheelbarrow Towing Hitch I. A metal disc with universal couplings, suitable for attaching the handles of a wheelbarrow fixed near or on its perimeter, mounted on brackets by means of a bearing or bearings and so free to rotate around its own axis, which brackets can also be fixed to the rear of a ride on mower or garden tractor.
2. A disc as claimed in claim I, mounted on lengths of tubular steel which can be attached to the supports of a grasscoIlecting box on a ride on mower.
3. A tubular metal circle with one or more spokes and with the accoutrements of the disc claimed in claim 1.
4. A tubular metal circle as claimed in claim 3 which can be attached to the supports of a grass-collecting box on a ride on mower.