GB2467328A

GB2467328A - Collapsible Trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2467328A
Application number: GB0901455A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Osborn
Original assignee: GOLFSTREAM Ltd
Current assignee: GOLFSTREAM Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-29
Filing date: 2009-01-29
Publication date: 2010-08-04
Also published as: GB0901455D0

Abstract

A collapsible trolley (10) is presented. The trolley comprises a base frame (12) to which a plurality of wheels (14a-b) are rotatably connected; and a foldable main shaft (16) pivotally connected to the base frame (12) at a base pivot (18), the foldable main shaft (16) comprising first (16a) and second (16b) shaft portions connected by a folding joint (20). The foldable main shaft (16) is movable between a collapsed position (fig. 1c) and an erect position (fig. 1a) by rotation of the foldable main shaft (16) about the base pivot point (18) and movement of the first (16a) and second (16b) shaft portions relative to each other about the folding joint (20). When in the collapsed position (see fig. 1c), the folding joint (20) is fore of the base pivot (18), and, when in the erect position (fig. 1a), the folding joint (20) is aft of the base pivot (18). Preferably the collapsible trolley includes locking devices to prevent folding of the main shaft around the folding point and movement of the main shaft around the base pivot.

Description

Collapsible Trolley

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a collapsible trolley, and more particularly to a collapsible trolley for carrying golf equipment or a small child, for example.

Background to the Invention

Collapsible golf trolleys for carrying a golf bag containing golf clubs, and collapsible child pushchairs or prams are well known. Such collapsible wheeled carriers can be cumbersome and difficult to move between erect and collapsed configuration, and typically require two-handed operation by a user.

Thus, the folding or collapsing of such wheeled carriers is not convenient.

Furthermore, when folded, they still occupy considerable storage space.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a collapsible trolley which enables a user to move it between and erect and collapsed configuration using only one hand.

Embodiments comprise a frame which collapses forwardly around a single lower pivot point. Thus, a collapsible trolley may be provided which can be conveniently and smoothly collapsed or erected with a single movement/action by the user. Embodiments may therefore be of particular use as a golf trolley or child pushchair or buggy for example.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible trolley comprising: a base frame to which a plurality of wheels are rotatably connected; and a foldable main shaft pivotally connected to the base frame at a base pivot, the foldable main shaft comprising first and second shaft portions connected by a folding joint; wherein the foldable main shaft is movable between a collapsed position and an erect position by rotation of the foldable main shaft about the base pivot point and movement of the first and second shaft portions relative to each other about the folding joint, and wherein, when in the collapsed position, the folding joint is fore of the base pivot, and, when in the erect position, the folding joint is aft of the base pivot.

The trolley may comprise a first locking device arranged to lock said foldable main shaft so as to prevent folding of the foldable main shaft about the folding joint. Further, the first locking device may be contained within the foldable main shaft and connected to a release which is operable to unlock the first locking device.

The trolley may have a second locking device arranged to lock said foldable main shaft in the collapsed position so as to prevent movement of the foldable main shaft about the base pivot. This may enable easy transportation of the trolley when collapsed or folded.

The same release may be used to operate both the first and second locking devices. In this way, operation of the trolley is simplified due to the reduced amount of controls that must be operated by the user. Preferably, such a release is also provided at (or at least close to) the part of the trolley which is held by a user's hand when the trolley is being pushed and/or guided by the user, such as a handle for example.

Further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which: Figure 1A is a side elevation of a collapsible trolley according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the trolley is in an erect configuration; Figure lB shows the collapsible trolley of Figure 1A when being moved from the erect configuration to a collapsed configuration; Figure 1C shows the collapsible trolley of Figure 1A when in a collapsed configuration; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a foldable main shaft of a collapsible trolley according to the invention; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a collapsible trolley having the foldable main shaft of Figure 2, wherein the trolley is in collapsed configuration; and Figure 4 shows a collapsible trolley according to an embodiment of the invention being used as a golf trolley.

Detailed description

Referring to Figures 1A, 1 B and 1 B, there is shown a side elevation of a collapsible trolley 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The trolley 10 comprises a substantially horizontal base frame 12 to which three wheels 14 (one front wheel 14a, and two rear wheels 14b) are rotatably connected, and a foldable main shaft 16 pivotally connected to the base frame 12 at a base pivot 18. The foldable main shaft 16 comprises first 16a and second 16b shaft portions connected by a folding joint 20.

The lower end of the second shaft portion 16b is pivotally connected to the base frame 12 at the base pivot 18 and the other (upper) end of the second shaft portion 16b is connected to the lower end of the first shaft portion 1 6a by the folding joint. The upper end of the end of the first shaft portion 1 6a is bent to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first shaft portion 1 6a so as to form a handle 22 for a user.

First 24a and second 24b (not visible in Figures 1A to 10) support struts are provided on opposite sides of the main shaft 16. Each support strut (24a, 24b) is pivotally connected to the base frame 12 at one end and pivotally connected to the first shaft portion 16a. The support struts 24 provide vertical support for main shaft 16 whilst also restricting rotation of the main shaft 16 about base pivot 18 when the main shaft 16 is in the erect configuration (as shown in Figure 1A).

As illustrated by Figures 1A, lB and 10, the foldable main shaft 16 is movable between an erect position (as shown in Figure 1A) and a collapsed position (as shown in Figure 10) by rotation of the foldable main shaft 16 about the base pivot point 18 and movement of the first 1 6a and second 1 6b shaft portions relative to each other about the folding joint 20.

When in the collapsed position, as shown in Figure 1C, the folding joint is forward of the base pivot 18. When in the erect position, as shown in Figure 1A, the folding joint 20 is aft of the base pivot 18. When between the erect and collapsed position, as shown in Figure 1 B, the first 1 6a and second 1 6b shaft portions move relative to each other about the folding joint 20.

Referring back to Figure 1A, the foldable main shaft 16 comprises a first locking device. The first locking device is contained within the foldable main shaft 16 and arranged to lock the foldable main shaft 16 when in the erect position so as to prevent folding of the foldable main shaft about the folding joint 20. The first locking device is connected to a release at the handle 22 which is operable to unlock the locking device so as to permit to folding of the foldable main shaft.

In the embodiment of Figures lA-iC, the foldable main shaft 16 is a hollow cylinder and the first locking device comprises a piston (inside the main shaft 16) movable between an extended position and a retracted position by operation of the release connected to the piston by a cable. When in the extended position, the piston extends from the first shaft portion 16a to second shaft portion 16b across the folding joint 20, thereby preventing the main shaft 16 from folding about the folding joint 20. When in the retracted position, the piston is entirely contained within the first shaft portion 16a so that it does not cross the folding joint 20. Thus, by operating the release to move the piston to the retracted position, the first locking device is unlocked so as to permit folding of the foldable main shaft 16 since the piston is moved so as to no longer extend into the second shaft portion 16b across the folding joint 20.

Resilient means, such as a spring, are provided in the foldable main shaft 16 so as to urge the piston to the extended position. In this way, the piston is arranged to be in the extended position when the release is not operated. Also, the piston is adapted to be urged from the extended position towards the retracted position by the upper end of the second shaft portion 16b when erecting the main shaft 16 from the collapsed position. In this way, the release need not be operated to enable the main shaft to be erected (i.e. unfolded). The first 1 6a and second 1 6b shaft portions snap-fit together and the first locking device is automatically locked when the main shaft 16 is moved to the erected position.

The trolley 10 also comprises a second locking device arranged to lock the foldable main shaft 16 in the collapsed position. In this way, movement of the foldable main shaft about the base pivot can be prevented when the trolley is in the collapsed position.

In the embodiment of Figures lA-iC, the second locking device comprises a hook 26 projecting upwardly from the base frame 12. The hook 26 is adapted to engage with a lip formed in the edge of the piston (not visible) through a hole (not shown) in the first shaft portion 16a when the foldable main shaft 16 is in the collapsed position.

As explained above, the piston (inside the main shaft 16) is movable between an extended position and a retracted position by operation of the release connected to the piston by a cable. When in the extended position, the piston is aligned with the hole in the first shaft portion 16a such that the hook 26 engages with the lip of the piston when the main shaft is in the collapsed position, thereby preventing pivotal movement of the foldable main shaft 16 about the base pivot 18.

When in the retracted position, the piston is aligned with the hole in the first shaft portion so that the lip does not engage with hook 26 when the main shaft is in the collapsed position, thereby enabling pivotal movement of the foldable main shaft 16 about the base pivot 18. Thus, by operating the release to move the piston to the retracted position, the second locking device is unlocked so as to permit pivotal movement of the foldable main shaft 16 about the base pivot 18 since the piston is moved so as to no longer engage with the hook 26.

It will also be appreciated that the resilient means provided in the foldable main shaft 16 (which urge the piston to the extended position) enable the lip of the piston to automatically engage the hook 26 when collapsing the trolley to the collapsed position and not operating the release. In other words, the release need not be operated to enable the main shaft 16 to lock to the base frame 12 when the trolley is collapsed (i.e. folded), since the first shaft portion 1 6a snap-fits together with the hook 26 of the base and the second locking device is automatically locked when the main shaft 16 is moved to the collapsed position.

Hence, it will be understood that the release is arranged to operate the first and second locking devices.

Referring now to Figure 2, a foldable main shaft 50 of a collapsible trolley according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in more detail.

The foldable main shaft 50 comprises first 50a and second 50b shaft portions connected by a folding joint 52. The first 50a and second 50b shaft portions are generally elongated hollow cylinders made of rigid material, such as metal, plastic or a suitable composite material for example.

One end of the first shaft portion 50a is bent to be substantially to perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first shaft portion 50a so as to form a handle 54 for a user. The other end of the first shaft portion 50a is pivotally connected to one end of the second shaft portion 50b by the folding joint 52. A bend in the range of approximately 1-10° is formed near the mid-point of the length of the second shaft portion SOb, the bend being in the same plane as the bend in the first shaft portion 50a. This slight bend formed in the second shaft potion SOb is simple provided to account for the position of a front wheel of the trolley when the trolley is in the collapsed configuration.

A solid insert 56 is provided in the second shaft portion SOb at the folding joint end of the second shaft portion SOb. A bore or cavity 58 is formed in the solid insert for receiving a rod or piston of the first shaft portion 50a.

A piston 60 is provided inside the first shaft portion 50a, the piston having a rod 62 projecting from its folding joint end.

The piston 60 (and its rod 62) is movable between an extended position and a retracted position by operation of the release lever (not shown) at the handle 54 end of the first shaft section 50a connected to the piston by a cable (not shown). When in the extended position, the rod 62 of the piston 60 extends from the first shaft portion 50a into the bore 58 of the solid insert 56 across the folding joint 52, thereby preventing the main shaft 50 from folding about the folding joint 52. When in the retracted position, the piston 60 is retracted into the first shaft portion 50a and the rod 62 does not extend into the bore of the solid insert 56 so that it does not cross the folding joint 52.

Thus, by operating the release to move the piston 60 to the retracted position, the folding joint 52 is unlocked so as to permit folding of the foldable main shaft 50.

Resilient means (not visible), such as a spring, are provided in the foldable main shaft 50 so as to urge the piston 60 to the extended position. In this way, the piston is arranged to be in the extended position when the release is not operated. Also, the rod 62 is adapted to be urged from the extended position towards the retracted position by the upper end of the second shaft portion 50b when erecting the main shaft 50 from the collapsed position. In this way, the release need not be operated to enable the rod 62 to enter the bore 58 when moving the main shaft 50 from the collapsed configuration to the unfolded configuration. The first 50a and second SOb shaft to portions thus snap-fit together and the main shaft is automatically locked in the unfolded configuration.

A hollow or recess 64 is formed in one side of the piston 60 near its handle end. The recess 64 is shaped such that it is provided with a lip 66 adapted to engage with a hook. A hole 68 is also formed in the first shaft portion 50a in the region of the first shaft portion which closely corresponds to the location of the recess 64 of the piston 60. In this way, the hole 68 and the recess 64 are adapted to at least partially align when the piston 60 is in the extended position and when the piston is in the retracted position.

Turning now to Figure 3, the base frame 70 of a collapsible trolley according to an embodiment of the invention is provided with an upwardly projecting hook 72. The lip 66 of the piston 60 is adapted to engage with the hook 72 of the base frame 70 through the hole 68 in the first shaft portion 50a when the foldable main shaft 50 is in the collapsed position.

As explained above in relation to Figure 2, the piston 60 is movable between an extended position and a retracted position by operation of the release connected to the piston by a cable. When in the extended position, the recess 64 of the piston is aligned with the hole 68 in the first shaft portion 50a such that the hook 72 engages with the lip 66 of the piston 60 when the main shaft is in the collapsed position, thereby preventing pivotal movement of the foldable main shaft 50 about a pivot.

When in the retracted position, the recess 64 of the piston 60 moved so sp that the lip 66 does not engage with hook 72 when the main shaft is in the collapsed position, thereby enabling pivotal movement of the foldable main shaft 50. Thus, by operating the release to move the piston 60 to the retracted position, the detachment of the foldable main shaft from the hook 72 of the base frame 70 is permitted since the lip 66 of the piston 60 is moved so as to no longer engage with the hook 72.

As explained above, it will also be appreciated that the resilient means provided in the foldable main shaft 50 (which urge the piston 60 to the extended position) enable the lip 66 of the piston 60 to automatically engage the hook 72 when collapsing the trolley to the collapsed position and not operating the release. In other words, the release need not be operated to enable the main shaft 50 to lock to the base frame 70 when the trolley is collapsed (i.e. folded), since the first shaft portion 50a snap-fits together with the hook 72 of the base frame 70 and automatically locked to the base frame when the main shaft 50 is moved to the collapsed position.

Turning now to Figure 4, an embodiment of the invention is shown being used as a golf trolley. The trolley is similar in design and construction as that shown in Figures lAto 10. For this reason, the same reference numerals in Figures 1A to 1C and Figure 4 refer the same (or similar) features, and a detailed description of how the trolley can be moved between erected and collapsed configurations will be omitted. Instead notable features which are provided so as to cater for the addition of a golf bag 78 to the trolley are noted, namely the provision of: a crossbar 80 connected between the first 24a and second 24b support struts: seating means 82 against which a golf bag 78 can be seated and supported; and an opening 83 in the base frame 12 enabling a golf stand bag (a golf bag having a mechanical foot at its base for standing the bad on a surface) to be catered for.

The seating means 82 comprise a pair of diagonally projecting blocks 84 of rigid material on each side of the base frame 12. The base of a golf bag 78 can then be located against the blocks 84 so as to seat the golf bag 78 on the base of the erected trolley in an upwardly slanted configuration which is substantially parallel to the foldable main shaft 16. The upper end of the golf bag 78 is then supported by the crossbar 80.

The crossbar 80 is a rigid strut connected between the first 24a and second 24b support struts. This engages with a clip 86 of the golf bag 78 to support and hold the bag in place. The clip 86 is movable between a locked and unlocked configuration, which prevents and allows removal of the golf bag 78 from the trolley, respectively.

The opening provided in the base of the frame enables a downwardly projecting support or projection from a golf bag 78 to be catered for since it can project through opening in the base to the surface on which the trolley is positioned.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A collapsible trolley comprising: a base frame to which a plurality of wheels are rotatably connected; and a foldable main shaft pivotally connected to the base frame at a base pivot, the foldable main shaft comprising first and second shaft portions connected by a folding joint, wherein the foldable main shaft is movable between a collapsed position and an erect position by rotation of the foldable main shaft about the base pivot point and movement of the first and second shaft portions relative to each other about the folding joint, and wherein, when in the collapsed position, the folding joint is forward of the base pivot, and, when in the erect position, the folding joint is rearward of the base pivot.
2. The collapsible trolley of claim 1, further comprising a first locking device arranged to lock said foldable main shaft so as to prevent folding of the foldable main shaft about the folding joint.
3. The collapsible trolley of claim 2, wherein said first locking device is contained within the foldable main shaft and connected to a release which is operable to unlock the first locking device so as to permit folding of the foldable main shaft.
4. The collapsible trolley of claim 3, wherein said first locking device comprises a rigid member movable between an extended position and a retracted position by operation of the release.
5. The collapsible trolley of any preceding claim further comprising a second locking device arranged to lock said foldable main shaft in the collapsed position so as to prevent movement of the foldable main shaft about the base pivot.
6. The collapsible trolley of claim 5, wherein the second locking device comprises a latch adapted to cooperate with the foldable main shaft so as to restrict pivotal movement of the foldable main shaft about the base pivot.
7. The collapsible trolley of claim 5 wherein the foldable main shaft comprises a movable portion movable between a locked position and an open position by operation of a release.
8. The collapsible trolley of claim 5, 6 or 7, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the release is further operable to unlock the second locking device so as to permit pivotal movement of the foldable main shaft about the base pivot.
9. A golf trolley for carrying a golf bag, the golf trolley comprising: a collapsible trolley according to any preceding claim; and seating means adapted to receive and support the golf bag on the trolley in a upwardly slanted orientation;
10. The golf trolley of claim 9, further comprising a crossbar adapted to engage the golf bag so as to secure the bag against the trolley.
11. The golf trolley of claim 9 or 10, wherein the base frame of the trolley comprises an opening arranged to cater for a golf bag having a support projecting from its base by enabling the support to project through the opening when the golf bag is supported by the trolley.
12. A collapsible trolley substantially as herein described above with reference to the accompanying figures.