GB2441180A - Folding trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding trolley that when deployed for use provides a rigid structure 1 to aid load distribution for the user when transporting goods, such as during shopping. The nature of its construction enables the rigid structure to fold to a small size when not in use through the strategic positioning of hinges 3 within the walls of the container. The structure is transported via a folding wheel base 2. The number of components required can be minimised my combining the walls and hinges from the same materials. This can be achieved through the use of materials such as polypropylene to form live hinges. Alternatively the living hinges may be replaced with separate components.

Description

<p>Folding Trolley This invention relates to a folding trolley device.</p>

<p>When walking to and from shops, shoppers often use a folding trolley to transport goods.</p>

<p>Most types of trolley mainly fall into two types of format, each with particular drawbacks. These either have a frame to provide a handle and support for a bag or container that can be difficult to fold into a compact shape, or alternatively they can be made from a flexible fabric that can be rolled into a compact shape but offers no support to the contents of the bag.</p>

<p>To overcome these problems the present invention proposes a folding trolley comprising a thin walled, storage container made of a rigid or semi rigid material, attached to a conventional folding wheel base assembly. The walls of the storage container comprise a specified arrangement of slots and hinges enabling the structure to fold for storage.</p>

<p>When deployed the walls of the container form a rigid structure with a high level of geometric stiffness to provide a handle for manoeuvnng the unit and to supports the contents without collapsing on itself, without the need of a frame.</p>

<p>The thin walled container is preferably provided by a polypropylene structure.</p>

<p>The hinges within the structure can be formed out of the same components as the container walls as live hinges.</p>

<p>Other materials may be used with similar material properties to polypropylene to make the thin walled container with integral hinging. For example polyethylene or creased card.</p>

<p>The choice of materials used to make the thin walled container need not have similar material properties to polypropylene if the hinges within the walls are formed from separate parts.</p>

<p>The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the folding trolley deployed with the aperture to insert contents open.</p>

<p>Figure 2 shows a profile of a live hinge indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1 Figure 3 shows an alternative method of forming hinges in the thin walled container, joining two parts.</p>

<p>Figure 4 shows the folding trolley deployed with the aperture to insert contents closed ready to be carried by the handle.</p>

<p>Figure 5 shows a profile of the geometric structure angled to be manoeuvred by hand.</p>

<p>Figure 6 shows the folding trolley with a fold bent as part of the storage procedure.</p>

<p>Figure 7 shows the folding trolley with fUrther folds bent as part of the storage procedure.</p>

<p>Figure 8 shows the folding trolley folding with the wheel assembly retracted for storage.</p>

<p>Figure 9 shows the folding trolley fully folded for storage.</p>

<p>In Figure 1 is shown the thin walled container I attached to a conventional retractable wheel base structure 2. The general arrangement of live hinges required to enable the container to fold are indicated by dotted lines 3.</p>

<p>Figure 2 shows an example of a profile suitable to create live hinges in polypropylene within the thin walled container. In this example the side of the recess forming the live hinge needs to match the specific direction of the fold.</p>

<p>In this example the suggested wall thickness for the container is 1mm. Other wall thicknesses are suitable. In Figure 4 is shown the preferred arrangement of slots 5, to enable the container walls to move freely in relation to the live hinges when folding.</p>

<p>In Figure 1 is shown in three quarter view showing the hinge and slot arrangement on two sides of the container. For the folding procedure to work the hinges and slots need to be arranged symmetrically on both sides of the container. Additional hinges not marked by dotted lines are required along the base of the container and along the middle of the back wall of the structure 4.</p>

<p>In Figure 4 is shown the arrangement of hinges and slots described which can change in proportion for the main body. Depending on the amount of turns the structure needs to fold, the number of hinges can be increased or decreased.</p>

<p>Stress relieving hinges 6 and hinges for the handle 7 are not essential depending on construction detail and material properties selected. The handle is indicated in this example by a slot 8.</p>

<p>Figures 4 and 5 show the box based shape made by the thin walled container.</p>

<p>indicating how it can create a robust structure if made from a rigid or semi rigid material.</p>

<p>Figures 6,7,8,9 show in stages how the structure successively folds into a compact format to be carried by hand.</p>

<p>Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the hinging arrangement suitable to be made by joining separate parts.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>Claims 1. A trolley comprising a container that is rigid to aid load

   distribution in use through a construction of stiff materials and geometric stiffness that is hinged in a manner that enables the structure to told to a small size when not in use.</p>

   <p>2. A trolley according to claim 1, in which the manner of folding is enabled by</p>

   <p>the layout of hinges explained in the description.</p>

   <p>3. A trolley according to claim 1, in which the material chosen to construct the container enables the inclusion of integral live hinges for folding.</p>

   <p>4. A trolley according to claim 1, in which an arrangement of slots enable the walls of the container to move freely to fold.</p>

   <p>5. A trolley according to claim 1, in which hinges are formed from.separate components if required * S * *** S... * * S... * S. * S S * S. IS *S * S I * . S. S</p>

   <p>S SS * SI</p>