GB2514188A

GB2514188A - A foldable trolley and an auxiliary wheel for a trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2514188A
Application number: GB1308967.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Neil Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-17
Filing date: 2013-05-17
Publication date: 2014-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-17
Also published as: GB201308967D0; GB2514188B

Abstract

A foldable trolley (1, Figure 1), suitably a golf trolley, has a frame (1, Figure 1), two main wheels (8, Figure 1) and an auxiliary wheel 3 coupled to a wheel support 6. Auxiliary wheel 3 has a rotation plane parallel with the unfolded main wheels in a deployed position, and a rotation plane orthogonal to the unfolded main wheels in a stowed position. Auxiliary wheel 3 is coupled to wheel support 6, suitably comprising a ball end 55, via a linkage having an actuator 17, suitably comprising a socket 73 receiving ball 55, rotatable relative to wheel support 6 on axis A1 and a wheel arm 4 extending between actuator 17 and auxiliary wheel 3 rotatable about axis A2 rotatable about axis A1 at a point of intersection, and about axis A3 intersecting axis A2 and coplanar with axis A1 on an oblique plane P3, causing auxiliary wheel 3 to rotate about axes A1, A2 during stowing and deployment which may allow the wheels to be compactly stowed.

Description

A Foldable Trolley and an Auxiliary Wheel for a Trolley The invention relates to a foldable trolley, for example a golf trolley, and an auxiliary wheel for a foldable trolley that is provided with an actuating mechanism capable of moving the auxiliary wheel from a stored position to an in-use position where, in the stored position, the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel is orientated so as to minimise the folded size of the trolley and, in the in-use position, the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel is parallel with the in-use planes of the main wheels of the trolley. In so moving the auxiliary wheel between the two positions, the actuating mechanism causes the plane of the auxiliary wheel to be rotated through a predefined angle about a first. axis and to rotate the plane of the auxiliary wheel about a second axis that intersects the first axis in order to move the plane of the auxiliary wheel into the correct alignment. The second axis rotates about the first axis on the point of intersection which allows the auxiliary wheel to move clear of the mounting fixtures of the trolley.

Auxiliary wheel assemblies in general may be configured to be moved between stored and in-use positions without altering the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel, but this may limit the possibilities for space saving or limit the size of the auxiliary wheel in order to achieve targets for folded size. See for example US2008/252027 and t3S2005/121865. Alternatively, there are arrangements used where the auxiliary wheel is folded in stages to achieve a desired movement where the plane of rotation of the * auxiliary wheel is changed between the stored and in-use positions in order that a more compact folded size, in particular where a large auxiliary wheel is used, is achievable. However this is often at the expense of more complex user procedure with multiple steps and/or where the user is expected to manipulate wheel components directly and this may be awkward or inconvenient, and components may be mud-covered. See for example 1JS2009/066056. 1352010/176577 discloses an arrangement for moving an auxiliary wheel between a stored and in-use position in a single step where the assembly is rotated about an axis that is not orthogonal to any one of the principle planes of the trolley and therefore may introduce manufacturing difficulties and may limit the scope for connection to any remote driving device.

Furthermore the auxiliary wheel will most likely be rotated to the outside of the trolley through a longer path, reflex angle, as the inboard rotation may be impeded by the trolley structure.

In application W02012020241 the applicant of the present invention disclosed an arrangement for achieving a single step movement of an auxiliary wheel between a stored position and an in-use position, but this required a complex arrangement of component parts and movements.

The present invention aims to address these problems by providing a simple mechanism that can be driven to rotate on a single axis where the axis may be perpendicular to one of the principle planes of the trolley and the mechanism can be rotated inboard through a shorter path, obtuse angle, and with minimum incursion into space outside of the space envelope of the folded trolley.

According to the present invention there is provided a foldable trolley comprising a frame, a pair of main wheels and an auxiliary heel; the foldable trolley being movable betweeh a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration; the auxiliary wheel being coupled to a wheel support and being movable between a stored position and an in-use position; in the in-use position the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel is parallel with a first plane, wherein the first plane is a first longitudinal plane of the foldable trolley and is parallel with the planes of rotation of the pair of main wheels of the foldable trolley in its unfolded configuration; in the stored position the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel is parallel with or substantially parallel with a second plane, wherein the second plane is orthogonal to the first plane; the foldable trolley further comprises a mechanism for moving the auxiliary wheel, wherein the mechanism requires only a single operation to move the auxiliary wheel between the stored position and the in-use position; the mechanism further comprises a linkage coupling the auxiliary wheel to the wheel support, wherein the linkage comprises an actuator rotatable relative to the wheel support on a first axis and a wheel arm assembly extending between the actuator and the auxiliary wheel, wherein the wheel arm assembly is rotatable on a second axis that intersects the first axis and rotates about the first axis on the intersect, and the wheel arm assembly is rotatable on a third axis that intersects the second axis, wherein the third axis and the first axis are coplanar on a third oblique plane, and wherein rotation of the actuator about the first axis causes the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel to rotate about said first axis and also causes the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel to rotate about said second axis.

The second plane may be a second longitudinal plane of the foldable trolley.

S Preferably the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel is coplanar with the first plane in the in-use position.

Preferably the first axis is perpendicular to the first plane.

The angular relationship given by the second axis and the third axis may be fixed at all times.

Preferably the wheel arm assembly comprises a spherical ball end and pin, and the mechanism comprises a housing fixedly connected to the wheel support, wherein the housing comprises a spherical socket for receiving the ball end and a channel for receiving the pin.

The pin may be a rotatable pin with parallel flats.

The wheel arm assembly may comprise a narrowing offset near to the spherical ball end.

The mechanism may be a user-operable mechanism comprising a trigger, such as a lever, handle, slider or similar, located remote from the auxiliary wheel such that movement of the auxiliary wheel between the stored position and the in-use position can be achieved by operation of said trigger without user contact with the auxiliary wheel.

Preferably, the trigger may be connected to the actuator by means of a cable.

Alternatively, the mechanism may be connected to a mechanism for moving the pair of main wheels of the foldable trolley between their folded configuration and their unfolded configuration so that an action of a user in moving the pair of main wheels also moves the auxiliary wheel between its stored position and its in-use position.

Preferably, the single operation causes rotation of the actuator about the first axis.

The wheel arm assembly may be provided with a crank along its length so that the second axis may not intersect the rotational axis of the auxiliary wheel.

The foldable trolley may be a foldable golf trolley.

The present invention also provides an auxiliary wheel for a foldable trolley of the type described above.

The invention disclosed provides an improved design whereby an auxiliary wheel for a trolley can be moved between a stored position and an in-use position, allowing for the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel to be moved through an angle of about 90 degrees, when actuated with a single-step user operation that can be made by lever or other mechanism positioned at a convenient place on the trolley remote from the auxiliary wheel, or made to be integral with the movement of the main wheels of the trolley.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an auxiliary wheel assembly in the stored position within a schematic representation of the main components of a foldable trolley in the folded configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the auxiliary wheel assembly in the in-use position within a schematic representation of the main components of the foldable trolley in the unfolded configuration; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the auxiliary wheel assembly in the stored position; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the auxiliary wheel assembly in the in-use position; Figure 5 is an exploded view of an alternative auxiliary wheel assembly in the in-use position; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the auxiliary wheel assembly of figure 5 in stages of operation between the stored position and the in-use position.

A trolley 1 is provided with an auxiliary wheel assembly 2 and main wheels 8 so that in-use trolley 1 is supported on, and can be manoeuvred on, an auxiliary wheel together with main wheels 8. Auxiliary wheel assembly 2 comprises a wheel assembly 3, a wheel arm assembly 4, an actuator assembly 5 and a wheel support 6. The auxiliary wheel assembly 2 may be connected to a frame 7 or any other structure of trolley 1.

The figures show auxiliary wheel assembly 2 for use with a fold-flat arrangement where main wheels 8 of trolley 1 fold so that the planes of rotation of main wheels 8 are coplanar in the folded configuration. In the unfolded configuration the planes of rotation of main wheels 8 are parallel with a first longitudinal plane P1 of trolley 1 and spaced symmetrically either side of first plane P1. A second plane P2 can be defined that is orthogonal to first plane P1 and may be a second longitudinal plane of trolley 1.

Wheel support 6 has openings at 98,99 for receiving members of frame 7 of trolley 1 and is fixedly connected to frame 7. Frame 7 carries the main wheels 8 and the mechanism (not shown) for folding the main wheels 8. Wheel support 6 is provided with cut-out 97 to allow clearance for wheel arm assembly 4 and actuator assembly S as auxiliary wheel assembly 2 moves between the stored position and the in-use position. Cut-out 97 cooperates with components of wheel arm assembly 4 and/or actuator assembly 5 to limit the movement of auxiliary wheel assembly 2 and provide positive location in the stored position and the in-use position.

Actuator assembly 5 comprises an actuator 17, a housing 18 and a cable assembly 19.

Actuator 17 is rotatable on a first axis Al. Towards end 71, actuator 17 is provided with a bore 73 and partial spherical socket 74 with centre on first axis Al for receiving wheel arm assembly 4. At end 71, actuator 17 is also provided with surface 75 for receiving housing 18.

Actuator 17 at end 72 is provided with disc 76. Disc 76 is provided with grove 77 and anchor point 78 for receiving cable assembly 19. Cable assembly 19 comprises a cable 91 with ends 93,94, and a barrel nipple 92 fixedly connected to cable 91. Cable 91 is located in grove 77 of actuator 17 and nipple 92 is located in anchor point 78 such that applying a pulling force on either end 93 or 94 will cause actuator 17 to rotate on first axis Al. Actuator 17 may be provided with grove 80 on surface 75 for receiving a sealing member such as an 0-ring (not shown) . Towards a mid point, actuator 17 is provided with a shaft 79 with centre line on first axis Al for connecting actuator 17 to wheel support 6.

Housing 18 is provided with surface 85 for receiving actuator 17 on surface 75 such that actuator 17 can rotate with respect to housing 18 on first axis Al. Housing 18 is provided with partial spherical socket 81 with centre on first axis Al and slot 82 with surfaces 83,84 for receiving wheel arm assembly 4. Housing 18 is provided with cut-outs 86,87 to provide operating clearance for wheel arm assembly 4.

Actuator assembly 5 is received by wheel support 6 such that housing 18 is fixedly connected to wheel support 6 and actuator 17 can rotate on first axis Al, supported on shaft 79, but cannot move axially. Cable 91 may be connected to a remote driving device (not shown).

Wheel arm assembly 4 comprises a bracket 13, a wheel arm 14, a spindle 15 and a pin 16. wheel arm assembly 4 is rotatable on a second axis A2. Second axis A2 intersects first axis Al and describes an acute angle, angle 6, with first axis Al. A2' and A2'' denote the positions of second axis A2 when auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is in the stored position and the in-use position respectively. A third oblique plane P3 can be defined where third plane P3 is orthogonal to a plane P4 that contains axes A2' and A2' and where third plane P3 contains first axis Al.

Spindle 15 at end 51 is provided with cylindrical surface 53 with centre line on second axis A2. At end 52, spindle 15 is provided with a spherical ball end 55 with centre on second axis A2 at a point Z. Towards a mid point, spindle 15 is provided with a second cylindrical surface 54 that is concentric with surface 53. spindle 15 is received by actuator assembly 5 such that spindle 15 can rotate on surface 54 within bore 73 of actuator 17 on second axis A2 and ball end 55 is supported in socket 74 of actuator 17 and socket 81 of housing 18 as spindle 15 rotates on second axis A2.

Ball end 55 is provided with bore 56 with centre line on a third axis A3 where third axis A3 intersects second axis A2 at point Z and defines an acute angle, angle I, with second axis A2 such that third axis A3 lies on third plane P3. Pin 16 is provided with cylindrical surface 61 and parallel flats 62,63. Pin 16 is received into bore 56 of spindle 15 on surface 61 such that pin 16 can rotate within bore 56 on third axis A3 and protrudes beyond ball end 55 at either end. Pin 16 is received by actuator assembly 5 such that protruding ends of pin 16 are located in slot 82 of housing 18 and surfaces 62,63 are guided by surfaces 83,84 of slot 82 so that pin 16 can move to rotate about point Z on third plane P3 but no other movement of pin 16 with respect to actuator assembly S is possible. Thus third axis A3 can also only rotate about point Z on third plane P3 and ball end 55 of spindle 15 can only rotate about pin 16 on third axis A3.

Spindle 15 is provided with a reduced section surface 57 between surface 54 and ball end 55, offset from second axis A2 on axis A4, to provide operating clearance and surface 57 cooperates with cut-outs 86,87 of housing 18 as spindle 15 rotates on second axis A2. Spindle 15 may be provided with groove 58 on surface 54 for receiving a sealing member such as an o-ring (not shown) Wheel arm 14 is tubular section with outer surface 44 and inner bore 45. wheel arm 14 is provided with a crank 43 along its length such that an axis AS and an axis AG can be defined that describe an obtuse angle, angle e, with intersect at a point Y. At.end 42, wheel arm 14 receives surface 53 of spindle 15 on bore 45 and is fixedly connected to spindle 15 such that axis A5 is coaxial with second axis A2. Axis AG is arranged to be parallel with first plane P1 when auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is in the in-use position and parallel with second plane P2 when auxiliary wheel assembly is in the stored position. Although not essential that axis A6 is defined in this way, it is convenient for describing the geometry of auxiliary wheel assembly 2. At -10 -end 41, wheel arm 14 is received by bracket 13 on surface 44.

Bracket 13 is provided with opening 33 for receiving wheel arm 14 on surface 44 and bracket 13 is fixedly S connected to wheel arm 14. Bracket 13 is provided with an axle 32 on an axis A7 for receiving wheel assembly 3. Axis A7 intersects axis AG of wheel arm 14 at a point X. Axis A7 is arranged to be perpendicular to first plane P1 when auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is in the in-use position, and perpendicular to second plane P2 when auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is in the stored position.

Wheel assembly 3 comprises a tyre 11 and a wheel 12.

Wheel 12 is provided with a hub 21 with bore 22 for receiving wheel arm assembly 4 whereupon wheel assembly 3 is rotatably connected to axle 32 of bracket 13 and rotatable on axis A7. Wheel assembly 3 is arranged such that the plane of rotation of wheel assembly 3 is coplanar with first plane P1 when auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is in the in-use position, and the plane of rotation of wheel assembly 3 is parallel with second plane P2 when auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is in the stored position.

The geometry of auxiliary wheel assembly 2 can be fully described by the independent variables: angle e, distance X-Y, distance Y-Z and distance X-Z. First axis Al, second axis A2 (angle 5), third axis A3 (angle) and third.

plane P3 are defined accordingly.

In operation, as auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is moved from the stored position to the in-use position, a pulling force is applied to end 93 of cable 91 and this causes actuator 17 to rotate on first axis Al in a clockwise sense -11 -when viewed on arrow A. As actuator 17 rotates on first axis Al, second axis A2 and spindle 15 will rotate in the same sense about first axis Ai to follow a conical path with apex at point Z. It will be understood that the angular relation between second axis A2 and third axis A3 is fixed at all times as defined by angle 3, so that as second axis A2 rotates about first axis Al, third axis A3 will also move with respect to first axis Al to maintain angle constant.

This relationship is best described by angle p where angle p is measured relative to first axis Al.

As actuator 17 rotates on first axis Al and second axis A2 rotates about first axis Al, third axis A3 will move to rotate on third plane P3 about point z to increase angle p and spindle 15 will rotate on ball end 55 about pin 16 in a clockwise direction when viewed on arrow B. At a midpoint of the movement when second axis A2 passes through third plane P3, angle p will reach a maximum value and from there forward, third axis A3 will move to rotate on third plane P3 about point Z to decrease angle p and spindle 15 will continue to rotate on pin 16 in a clockwise direction when viewed on arrow B. At the end of the movement, angle p will have returned to its starting value. As spindle 15 rotates on pin 16 and second axis A2 rotates about first axis Al, spindle 15 will be caused to rotate on second axis A2 in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed on arrow C. Therefore, as auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is moved from the stored position to the in-use position, the plane of rotation of wheel assembly 3 will move from the stored plane parallel with second plane P2 to the in-use plane parallel with first plane P1 with wheel assembly 3 centred on first plane P1.

-12 -As auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is moved from the in-use position to the stored position and a pulling force is applied to end 94 of cable 91, the reverse sequence is true.

In a preferred embodiment, first axis Al is perpendicular to first plane P1, and therefore aligned with the other two principal planes of trolley 1. This simplifies manufacturing of the component parts of the auxiliary wheel assembly and provides for easier connection of cable assembly 19 to any driving means (not shown).

However, first axis Al can be arranged to be at any other angle to suit specific design objectives and, as such, it may not be in alignment with any one principle plane.

Wheel arm assembly 4 and actuator assembly 5 can be provided with simple seals such as 0-rings to prevent ingress of dirt and moisture and so maintain efficiency and prolong operating life.

In a preferred arrangement, cable assembly 19 of actuator assembly 5 may be connected to a remote mechanism (not shown) so that auxiliary wheel assembly 2 can be operated by a remote slider or lever or other device and, using some type of bi-stable arrangement or latching arrangement, the auxiliary wheel assembly 2 may be secured in both the stored position and the in-use position. In an alternative arrangement, cable assembly 19 actuator assembly may be connected to be integral with the mechanism (not shown) that moves the main wheels S of trolley 1 from the stored position to the in-use position so that wheel assembly 3 of auxiliary wheel assembly 2 moves in unison wit*h main wheels S between the two states. The locking or latching arrangement provided for securing the main wheels 8 in position will then also serve to secure auxiliary wheel -13 -assembly 2 in position. In a simple arrangement, cable assembly 19 of actuator assembly 5 may be omitted and actuator 17 may be provided directly with a lever and latching arrangement (not shown) capable of providing the S rotary effort to move the auxiliary wheel assembly 2 between the stored position and the in-use position and securing in place.

Auxiliary wheel assembly 2 has been described by way of a wheel arm assembly 4 cOntaining a cranked wheel arm 14.

This is convenient for illustrating the geometry of wheel arm assembly 4 with clearly defined axes AS and A6 arranged to be aligned at angle 0 and effective distances defined by X-Y, Y-Z and X-Z. However a cranked wheel arm is not essential and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that spindle 15 may be connected to axle 32 of bracket 13 by other means whilst observing the same geometrical requirements.

Accordingly, in an alternative and preferred arrangement of the same embodiment shown in Fig 5, wheel arm assembly 4 is provided with an extended bracket 13', replacing wheel arm 14, and spindle 15 is connected directly to bracket 13'. At end 31, bracket 13' is provided with axle 32 to receive wheel assembly 3 on axis A7 and towards a midpoint 34, bracket 13' is provided with opening at 35 to receive spindle 15 on second axis A2 and a clamping arrangement 36 to secure spindle 15 in position so that spindle 15 can be fixed with respect to bracket 13' but the position of spindle 15 may be altered to adjust the alignment of wheel assembly 3 with first plane P1 in the in-use position.

Wheel support 6 is provided with planar faces 95,96 and auxiliary wheel assembly 2 can be arranged such that in -14 -the stored position a tangent face on tyre ii. of wheel assembly 3, in the region of 23 (Fig 3), is coplanar with faces 95,96 such that in the stored position trolley 1 will stand on a stable three point platform provided by faces 95, 96 and 23 for convenience of storage. In an alternative arrangement, wheel assembly 3 may be moved so that it is inboard of faces 95,96 to increase the swing of auxiliary wheel assembly 2 and so to change characteristics of trolley 1 such as to increase the angle that trolley 1 assumes with the ground when in the unfolded configuration. Bracket 13' may be provided with extension 37 with face 38 that is coplanar with faces 95,96 of wheel support 6 when auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is in the stored position such that trolley 1 will stand upright on faces 95,96 and 38. Extension 37 of bracket 13' folds underneath wheel support 6 as auxiliary wheel assembly 2 is moved from the stored position to the in-use position to maintain ground clearance at bracket 13' in use.

Figure 6 shows the stages of operation of the auxiliary wheel assembly of Fig 5. Fig 6a shows the auxiliary wheel assembly in the stored position, Fig 6b shows the auxiliary wheel assembly in a mid position as it is moving from the stored position to the in-use position, and Fig 6c shows the auxiliary wheel assembly in the in-use position.

The auxiliary wheel assembly is shown in particular for use with a foldable trolley where the main wheels use a fold-flat configuration. The auxiliary wheel assembly may also find favour in other applications where the folding arrangements are different but where it would provide for a more compact folded size and/or ease of use.

Claims

-15 -Claims: 1. A foldable trolley comprising a frame, a pair of main wheels and an auxiliary wheel; S the foldable trolley being movable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration; the auxiliary wheel being coupled to a wheel support and being movable between a stored position and an in-use position; in the in-use position the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel is parallel with a first plane, wherein the first plane is a first longitudinal plane of the foldable trolley and is parallel with the planes of rotation of the pair of main wheels of the foldable trolley in its unfolded configuration; in the stored position the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel is parallel with or substantially parallel with a second plane, wherein the second plane is orthogonal to the first plane; the foldable trolley further comprises a mechanism for moving the auxiliary wheel, wherein the mechanism requires only a single operation to move the auxiliary wheel between the stored position and the in-use position; the mechanism further comprises a linkage coupling the auxiliary wheel to the wheel support, wherein the linkage comprises an actuator rotatable relative to the wheel support on a first axis and a wheel arm assembly extending between the actuator and the auxiliary wheel, wherein the wheel arm assembly is rotatable on a second axis that intersects the first axis and rotates about the first axis on the intersect, and the wheel arm assembly is rotatable on a third axis that intersects the second axis, wherein the -16 -third axis and the first axis are coplanar on a third oblique plane, and wherein rotation of the actuator about the first axis causes the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel to rotate about said first axis and also causes the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel to rotate about said second axis.
2. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second plane is a second longitudinal plane of the foldable trolley.
3. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plane of rotation of the auxiliary wheel is coplanar with * the first plane in the in-use position.
4. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the first plane.
5. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the angular relationship given by the second axis and the third axis is fixed at all times.
6. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 5 wherein the wheel arm assembly comprises a spherical ball end and pin, and the mechanism comprises a housing fixedly connected to the wheel support, wherein the housing comprises a spherical socket for receiving the ball end and a channel for receiving the pin.
7. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 6 wherein the pin is a rotatable pin with parallel flats.

-17 -
8. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 6 wherein the wheel arm assembly comprises a narrowing offset near to the spherical ball end.
9. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mechanism is a user-operable mechanism comprising a trigger, such as a lever, handle, slider or similar, located remote from the auxiliary wheel such that movement of the auxiliary wheel between the stored position and the in-use position can be achieved by operation of said trigger without user contact with the auxiliary wheel.
10. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 9 wherein the trigger is connected to the actuator by means of a cable.
11. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mechanism is connected to a mechanism for moving the pair of main wheels of the foldable trolley between their fdlded configuration and their unfolded configuration so that an action of a user in moving the pair of main wheels also moves the auxiliary wheel between the stored position and the in-use position.
12. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the single operation causes rotation of the actuator about the first axis.
13. A foldable trolley as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wheel arm assembly is provided with a crank along its length so that the second axis may not intersect the rotational axis of the auxiliary wheel.

-18 -
14. A foldable trolley as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the foldable trolley is a foldable golf trolley.
15. An auxiliary wheel for a foldable trolley of any preceding claim.
16. A foldable trolley or an auxiliary wheel for a foldable trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.