GB2459083A

GB2459083A - A tipping wheelbarrow

Info

Publication number: GB2459083A
Application number: GB0804146A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Alfred Pearce
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-06
Filing date: 2008-03-06
Publication date: 2009-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-06
Also published as: GB0804146D0; GB2459083B

Abstract

A tipping wheelbarrow 1 comprises a body 3 for carrying a load and a wheel 5 mounted on an axle 7 that is carried by the lower end of a wheel strut 9 rigidly connected to the body. The axle is positioned by the strut beneath a forward portion of the body when the wheelbarrow is in a free-standing condition standing on the ground 23. A pair of transversely spaced-apart legs 11 is positioned to support a rear portion of the body when the wheelbarrow is in the free-standing condition. A framework 13 is also provided comprising rearwardly extending propelling handles 15, and forwardly extending body raising horns 17 fast therewith. The framework is pivoted relative to the ground by connections with the legs, the horns being connected at their free ends to the body by operating pivotal connections 21 at positions that are rearward of the axle. The arrangement is such that in use, and starting from the free-standing condition with the wheel and legs in contact with the ground downward force on the handles causes the framework to pivot relative to the ground, thereby causing the operating pivotal connections to be raised relative to the ground, thereby rotating the wheel rearwardly and tipping the body forwardly.

Description

A TIPPING WHEELBARROW

The present invention relates to a tipping wheelbarrow.

According to a first aspect of the invention a tipping wheelbarrow comprises a body for carrying a load, a wheel mounted on an axle that is carried by the lower end of a wheel strut rigidly connected to the body, the axle being positioned by the strut beneath a forward portion of the body when the wheelbarrow is in a free-standing condition standing on the ground, a pair of transversely spaced-apart legs positioned to support a rear portion of the body when the wheelbarrow is in the free-standing condition, a forwardly and rearwardly extending handle framework comprising rearwardly extending propelling handles, and forwardly extending body raising horns fast therewith, the framework being pivoted relative to the ground by connections with the legs, the horns being connected at their free ends to the body by operating pivotal connections at positions that are rearward of the axle when the body is in the free-standing condition, the arrangement being such that in use, and starting from the free-standing condition with the wheel and legs in contact with the ground, downward force on the handles causes the framework to pivot relative to the ground, thereby causing the operating pivotal connections to be raised relative to the ground, thereby tipping the body forwardly.

Some wheelbarrows in accordance with this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention in a free-standing condition; Figure 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of a wheelbarrow with a tipped body; Figure 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention in a free-standing condition; and Figure 4 is a side view of the second embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention with a tipped body.

With reference to Figure 1 a first embodiment of a tipping wheelbarrow (1) in accordance with the present invention is comprised of a body (3) for carrying a load, a wheel (5) mounted on an axle (7) that is carried by the lower end of a wheel strut (9) rigidly connected to the body, the axle being positioned by the strut beneath a forward portion of the body when the wheelbarrow is in a free-standing condition standing on the ground (23), a pair of transversely spaced-apart legs (11) positioned to support a rear portion of the body when the wheelbarrow is in said free-standing condition, a forwardly and rearwardly extending tubular framework (13) comprising rearwardly extending propelling handles (15). and forwardly extending body raising horns (17) fast therewith, the framework being pivoted (19) relative to the ground (23) by connections with the legs (11), the horns being respectively connected at their free ends to the body by respective operating pivotal connections (21) at positions that are rearward of the axle when the wheelbarrow is in the free-standing condition.

In this embodiment of the wheelbarrow the legs (11) are integral with the propelling handles (15) and the horns (17), and form an intermediate part of the framework (13).

In the wheelbarrow of Figure 1, on each side of the wheelbarrow (1) the propelling handle (15), leg (11) and horn (17) are provided by a single length of bent tubing, the legs (11) being of generally U-shape and connected by a generally transverse bar. However, in an alternative embodiment, not shown, the handle, legs and horn could be independently formed members that are then rigidly connected together.

In a yet further embodiment of the wheelbarrow, in the free-standing.

condition the rear end of the body (3) engages with the framework (13) to support the body (3) against rearward pivoting relative to the ground (23).

In use, the wheelbarrow (1) is placed in the free-standing condition as shown in Figure 1 on a suitable surface for example, but not limited to, the ground (23), a plank, or a tile, with the wheel (5) and the legs (11) in contact with the surface. The wheel (5) and legs (11) remain in contact with said surface throughout the tipping of the body (3).

With reference to Figure 2, a downward force is applied to the rearwardly extending propelling handles (15). The forwardly and rearwardly extending handle framework (13) is pivoted (19) relative to the ground (23), said pivoting action being provided by rocking engagement of the legs (11) with the ground (23). The horns (17) provide an upward force to the body (3) through the operating pivotal connections (21).

The distance between the axle (7) and the operating pivotal connections (21) is constrained to be constant by the wheel strut (9) rigidly connected to the body. The wheel (5) is free to rotate about the axle (7). As the body (3) and the operating pivotal connections (21) are thus raised, the wheel (5) rotates about the axle (7) and along the ground (23) in a rearward direction to maintain the distance between the axle (7) and the operating pivotal connections (21).

The wheel strut (9) is rigidly connected to the body (3) and therefore rotates about the operating pivotal connections (21) until it is sufficiently tipped forward to allow a load carried by the body (3) to be tipped out of the body (3). It is envisaged that the tipping action thus described provides a mechanical advantage to the user, particularly, but not exclusively, in the case of tipping a heavy load.

In an alternative embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention, a suitable attachment such as a clip may be provided between the body (3) and the framework (13) so arranged as to resist initial tipping of the body. This may be desirable in the case that, for example, the load in the body (3) is sufficiently heavy to initiate the tipping action without application of a downward force to the rearwardly extending propelling handles (15), or, in an alternative example, the wheelbarrow (1) is placed on a sloping surface such as, for example, the ground (23), such that the sloping surface changes the centre of gravity of the load in the body (3) so as to initiate the tipping action without application of a downward force to the rearwardly extending propelling handles (15).

In a further embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention, the legs (11) may be connected by a transverse bar adjacent to the base of the legs (11). This may be desirable in order to enable the wheelbarrow (1) to be placed in the initial tipping position on a plank, such that although the legs (11) are not in direct contact with the plank, the transverse bar provides an effective extension of the base of the legs (11) and the legs (11) are thereby pivoted relative to the plank, enabling the tipping action to be initiated.

In a further embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention, the handles (15) may be formed as one Continuous handle from one side to the other. This may be desirable to improve control of the wheelbarrow, particularly when tipping the body. Alternatively, the wheelbarrow may have separate handles in the manner of conventional wheelbarrows.

Strut supports may be provided between the body (3) and the wheel strut (9) to provide further stabilisation to the wheelbarrow.

In order to return the tipped wheelbarrow to the free-standing condition a user may lift and re-lock the emptied body (3).

In the wheelbarrow of Figure 1 the wheel strut (9) comprises of a pair of transversely spaced apart U-shaped members to support opposite ends of the axle (7), but it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the wheel strut could be of different shape.

With reference to Figure 3 a yet further embodiment of a tipping wheelbarrow (25) in accordance with the present invention is comprised of a body (27) for carrying a load, a wheel (29) mounted on an axle (31) that is carried by the lower end of a wheel strut (33) rigidly connected to the body(27), the axle (31) being positioned by the strut (33) beneath a forward portion of the body (25) when the body (25) is in a free-standing condition standing on the ground (49), a pair of transversely spaced-apart legs (35) positioned to support a rear portion of the body (27) when the wheelbarrow (25) is in the free-standing condition, a forwardly and rearwardly extending handle framework (37) comprising rearwardly extending propelling handles (39), and forwardly extending body raising horns (41) fast therewith, the framework (37) being pivoted relative to the ground (49) by connections (43) with the legs (35), the horns (41) being connected at their free ends to the body by operating pivotal connections (45) at positions that are rearward of the axle (31) when the wheelbarrow is in the free-standing condition, a respective link (47) provided between the lower end of each leg (35) and the rear end of the wheel strut (33) at a position on the body (27) that is forwardly of the pivotal connection (45) between the horns (41) and the body (27).

With reference to Figure 4, a downward force is applied to the rearwardly extending propelling handles (39). The forwardly and rearwardly extending framework (37) is pivotafly connected (43) to upper ends of the legs at an intermediate position between the handles (39) and the horns (41), which position is closer to the horns (41) than to the handles (39) in order to provide a mechanical advantage. The horns (41) provide an upward force to the body (27) through the operating pivotal connections (45).

The distance between the axle (31) and the operating pivotal connections (45) is constrained to be constant by the wheel strut (33) rigidly connected to the body. The wheel (29) is free to rotate about the axle (31). As the body (27) and the operating pivotal connections (45) are thus raised, the wheel (29) rotates about the axle (31) and along the ground (49) in a rearward direction to maintain the distance between the axle (31) and the operating pivotal connections (45).

The link (47) is provided between the lower end of each leg (35) and the body (27) connecting with the body (27) forwardly of the pivotal connection between the horns (41) and the body (27). This constrains the distance between the legs (35) and the body (27), thereby stabilising the legs (35) to which the forwardly and rearwardly extending framework (37) is pivotally connected (43).

The wheel strut (33) is rigidly connected to the body (27) and therefore rotates forwardly about the operating pivotal connections (45) until it is sufficiently tipped forward to allow a load carried by the body (27) to be tipped out of the body (27). It is envisaged that the tipping action thus described provides a mechanical advantage to the user, particularly, but not exclusively, in the case of tipping a heavy load.

In a yet further embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention, a suitable attachment such as a clip may be provided between the body (27) and the framework (37) so arranged as to resist initial tipping of the body (27).

In a yet further embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention, the legs (35) are connected by a transverse bar between the base of the legs (35).

In a yet further embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention, the wheel strut (33) may comprise of a pair of transversely spaced apart U-shaped members to support opposite ends of the axle (31).

In a further embodiment of a wheelbarrow in accordance with the present invention, the handles (39) may be formed as one continuous handle from one side to the other. Alternatively the wheelbarrow may have two handles.

In order to return the tipped wheelbarrow to the free-standing condition a user may place a foot on the transverse bar adjacent to the base of the legs (35) and apply an upward force on the handles (39).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tipping wheelbarrow comprising a body for carrying a load, a wheel mounted on an axle that is carried by the lower end of a wheel strut rigidly connected to the body, the axle being positioned by the strut beneath a forward portion of the body when the wheelbarrow is in a free- standing condition standing on the ground, a pair of transversely spaced-apart legs positioned to support a rear portion of the body when the wheelbarrow is in the free-standing condition, a forwardly and rearwardly extending handle framework comprising rearwardly extending propelling handles, and forwardly extending body raising horns fast therewith, the framework being pivoted relative to the ground by connections with the legs, the horns being connected at their free ends to the body by operating pivotal connections at positions that are rearward of the axle when the body is in the free-standing condition, the arrangement being such that in use, and starting from the free-standing condition with the wheel and legs in contact with the ground, downward force on the handles causes the framework to pivot relative to the ground, thereby causing the operating pivotal connections to be raised relative to the ground, thereby rotating the wheel rearwardly and tipping the body forwardly.
2. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 1 in which a clip is provided so arranged as to resist initial tipping of the body.
3. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the legs are connected by a transverse bar adjacent to the base of the legs.
4. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the wheel strut comprises a pair of transversely spaced apart U-shaped members to support opposite ends of the axle.
5. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the legs are integral with the propelling handles and the horns, and form an intermediate part of the framework, the pivoting action of the framework relative to the ground being provided by rocking engagement of the legs with the ground.
6. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 5 in which on each side of the wheelbarrow the propelling handle, leg and horn are provided by a simple length of bent tubing.
7. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 6 in which the legs are generally U-shape.
8. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of claims 5, 6 or 7 in which in the free-standing condition the rear end of the body engages with the framework to support the body against rearward pivoting relative to the ground.
9. A wheelbarrow as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the framework is pivotally connected to upper ends of the legs at an intermediate position between the handles and the horns, which position is closer to the horns than to the handles in order to provide a mechanical advantage.
10. A wheelbarrow as claimed in claim 9 in which a respective link is provided between the lower end of each leg and the body connecting with the body forwardly of the pivotal connection between the horns and the body.