GB2464738A

GB2464738A - Flat Pack Trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2464738A
Application number: GB0819628A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Charles Hudsmith
Original assignee: Crisp Clean Services Ltd
Current assignee: Crisp Clean Services Ltd
Priority date: 2008-10-25
Filing date: 2008-10-25
Publication date: 2010-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-25
Also published as: GB0819628D0; GB2464738B

Abstract

The trolley comprises a base frame 1 and a pair of upright frames 3 and 4. The base frame is formed from box section and the upright frames are both formed from substantially round section tube. The uprights may be secured to the base frame by screws inserted into plugs received in the ends of the round tube, which may also be used to secure castor wheels 2 to the base frame. The upright frames 3 and 4 may be spaced apart by tray supports 34 inserted into the uprights and held in place by trays 5 and 6.

Description

FLAT PACK TROLLEY

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a trolley which can be supplied in a flat pack configuration and assembled prior to use.

BACKGROUND

Cleaning trolleys usually comprise a generally horizontal base frame which is mounted on wheels, and at least one upright frame is secured to the base frame to carry trays for cleaning materials, mops, buckets etc. The majority of cleaning trolleys are supplied pre-assembled, being formed from lengths of round metal tube which are welded together.

However, the storage and transport costs associated with the supply of such trolleys are considerable.

Trolleys are known which can be supplied in a partly assembled or "flat pack" configuration for assembly by the customer. The frame members may be formed from box section tube. These are capable of producing a rigid structure, particularly at the points where frame members are joined perpendicular to each other. On the other hand, such an arrangement has certain drawbacks. Providing an inexpensive but effective way of securing screws in the ends of a box section is difficult, and in the case of trolleys having two or more upright frames there are a number of joints which must all be made, so that the assembly time is considerable.

Secure fixing into the end of round tube can be achieved using inexpensive turned or injection moulded plugs, but on the other hand it is more difficult to create simple, neat but firm perpendicular connections between two sections of round tube.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of flat pack trolley which uses inexpensive components, has firm yet simple connections, and requires a minimum number of screw fixings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a trolley comprising a base frame, a plurality of wheels for attachment to the base frame, and at least one upright frame for releasable attachment to the base frame, in which the base frame is formed from box section tube and the/each upright frame is formed from substantially round section tube.

With such an arrangement it is possible to provide firm but simple and inexpensive joints between the upright frame, or frames, and the base frame.

The/each upright frame may be secured to the base frame by screws inserted into plugs received within the ends of the round tube. To further simplify construction the screws also secure at least some of the wheels to the base frame. -3...

A preferred form of the trolley includes two upright frames joined by spaced tray support elements. The tray support elements may be engaged in holes in opposing inner faces of the upright frames and held in place by trays inserted between the said elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a typical example of a cleaning trolley in accordance with the invention, shown in an assembled state; Figure 2 is a further view of the trolley shown in a flat pack configuration; Figure 3 is a detailed view of the base frame of the trolley shown in the course of assembly; Figure 4 shows two upright frames being joined to the base frame; Figure 5 is a general view of a tray support element for use with the trolley.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the drawing shows a typical cleaning trolley which comprises a base frame 1 supported on four castor-type wheels 2.

A pair of upright frames 3 and 4 are attached to the base frame 1 to support trays 5 and 6 for holding cleaning materials, buckets 7 etc. Additional trays 8 and 9 may be supported on the base frame 1 as shown, and in addition, other attachments can be secured to the upright frames 3 and 4, as required.

As shown in Fig. 2, the trolley can be supplied in a flat pack form, with the upright frames 3 and 4, the trays 5, 6, 8 and 9, the base frame 1 and the other components all supplied separately.

Referring to Fig. 3, the base frame 1 is formed from a length of metal box section 10 which may be of substantially square or rectangular cross-section. The box section may be formed from a rolled strip with a longitudinal seam, which may be welded, or a box section extrusion etc. The base frame is turned upside down during assembly, as shown. The length of box section is bent into a U-shape to provide a front member 11 and two parallel side members 12 and 13 which in this example are connected by parallel bracing rods 14, 15 and 16 spanning the underside of the frame. A front guard 17 formed from a further length of rod is joined to the top of the front member 11 as shown. In this example the two front corners of the frame are also braced by plates 18 and 19 to which respective castor wheels 2 may be bolted, only one of which is shown in Fig. 3. Each wheel is secured by a bolt 20 which is inserted through the wheel mounting 21, a washer 22 and bearing ring 23 before passing through the plate 19 and being secured by a self-locking back nut 24.

Alternatively, the bolts 20 could be inserted through the box section 10 instead of using corner plates.

When the two front wheels have been affixed to the frame 1, the two upright frames 3 and 4 are secured to the base frame as shown in Fig. 4.

Each of the upright frames is formed from a length of substantially round section tube which is again formed into a U-shape comprising a top member 26 and two parallel upright members 27 and 28. The ends of the tube are closed by tubular plugs 29, e.g. plastic injection mouldings, which are a tight push fit into the tube. The frames 3 and 4 are easily affixed to the box section base frame 1 by screws 30 inserted through pre-drilled holes in the box section into the plugs 29. The screws 30 which hold the rear frame 4 are also used to secure two further castor wheels to the base frame I together with washers 22 and bearing rings 23. Since the cut and plugged ends of the tubes seat flat against the upper face of the box section base frame the joint is firm and rigid.

Referring to Fig. 5, the two upright frames are connected by four moulded tray supports 34 formed with curved ends 35 which snap around the uprights of the frames 3 and 4. The curved ends contain moulded pegs 36 which locate in pre-drilled holes in opposing inner faces of the uprights members to prevent vertical movement of the tray supports. In addition to preventing relative horizontal movement between the two frames 3 and 4 the tray supports hold the two trays 5 and 6 with their lips resting on the supports. When the trays are in position they prevent the pegs 36 from coming out of the upright frames and thus hold the tray supports in place without any need for screw fixings. If desired, the moulded tray supports may have moulded hooks 37 or other projections which are designed to hold various items. However, the tray supports are not necessarily injection moulded, and in a simple form they could each comprise a length of rod with perpendicular ends which are inserted into the holes in the upright frames.

The trolley is therefore very quick to assemble, requiring only four screws and two bolts, yet the assembled trolley is very rigid.

In a small trolley the front wheels 2 may be secured to the base frame 1 by the screws that hold the upright frame 3.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A trolley comprising a base frame, a plurality of wheels for attachment to the base frame, and at least one upright frame for releasable attachment to the base frame, in which the base frame is formed from box section tube and the/each upright frame is formed from substantially round section tube.
2. A trolley according to Claim 1 in which the/each upright frame is secured to the base frame by screws inserted into plugs received within the ends of the round tube.
3. A trolley according to Claim 2 in which the screws also secure at least some of the wheels to the base frame.
4. A trolley according to any preceding claim which includes two upright frames joined by spaced tray support elements.
5. A trolley according to Claim 4 in which the tray support elements are engaged in holes in opposing inner faces of the upright frames.
6. A trolley substantially as described with reference to the drawings.