GB2536528A

GB2536528A - A sack trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2536528A
Application number: GB1521723.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pickering Stephen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-09
Filing date: 2015-12-09
Publication date: 2016-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-09
Also published as: GB201421911D0; GB2536528B; GB201521723D0

Abstract

A sack trolley 100, adapted to carry differently dimensioned loads comprising a rigid upright frame 120, a base 140, connected to the frame 120 is a basket 160 mounted on the frame, wherein the basket has an opening and is adapted to pivot on a pivot (130, Fig 11). A locking means (180, fig13) may be adapted to lock the orientation of the basket, with respect to the frame. Other optional features of this invention are, at least one opening door attached to the frame to form a lid for the basket, and a removable rounded protrusion with a retaining lip. A second invention relates to at least one door provided on the frame, the door in the open position defines a side wall to stop articles falling off, and when closed defines a flat back to carry wide loads. A third invention relates to a removable support configured to support an item with a recess or hollow.

Description

A Sack Trolley

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sack trolley, in particular a sack adapted to carry differently dimensioned loads.

Background to the Invention

Conventional sack trolleys typically comprise a solid upright frame and a base upon which loads are supported and carried. The frame and base typically define an L-shaped structure with a pair of wheels located at the corner where the frame and the base connect.

On some sack trolleys the base is hinged with respect to the frame such that it may fold against the frame in order to save space, for example when the sack trolley is stowed.

Although sack trolleys are widely used and successful, there has tended to be limited variety between sack trolleys, with most comprising a rigid open formed frame.

Increasingly, health and safety legislation in many jurisdictions imposes ever lower limits on the safe weight a single person may carry, therefore necessitating the use of sack trolleys to carry a wider range of items. Factories and workshops therefore increasingly require a greater number of differently sized sack trolleys so as to enable differently sized items to be carried.

Furthermore, sack trolleys are best suited for carrying large objects with parallel planar faces, smaller objects, or objects with irregular faces are harder to stack securely on the base of the trolley and are more likely to fall off of a trolley during transport.

The present invention addresses all of the abovementioned disadvantages of conventional sack trolley systems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sack trolley comprising: a rigid upright frame; a base connected to the frame; and a basket mounted on the frame, wherein the basket is adapted to pivot with respect to the frame.

The sack trolley is adapted in order to carry a variety of objects of different sizes, shapes or dimensions. In use, larger, more regularly shaped objects may be placed on the base such that they are supported by either the upright frame or by the basket when the sack trolley is tilted during use. Smaller or irregularly shaped objects may be placed inside the basket such that they are supported by the base and sidewalls of the basket when they are carried using the sack trolley.

The basket, which ideally has an opening, is adapted to pivot with respect to the upright frame thereby enabling the basket to be oriented so as to prevent objects falling out of the basket or off of the trolley during use.

The trolley has wheels which are located at the base of the upright frame adjacent to where the frame connects with the base.

Preferably the basket pivots at least between an orientation wherein the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the upright frame and an orientation wherein the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the base of the trolley.

When a sack trolley is stationary it is typically positioned either vertically with the base parallel to the ground and the frame substantially perpendicular to the ground, or horizontally with the base substantially perpendicular to the ground and the frame substantially parallel to the ground. When the sack trolley is being used to carry objects between locations it will typically be oriented at some angle between the horizontal and vertical orientations.

Therefore, when the sack trolley is positioned vertically, with the base positioned against the ground, the basket can be oriented such that the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the base and to the ground, therefore objects placed in the basket cannot fall out. Similarly, when the sack trolley is positioned horizontally with the upright frame lying along and substantially parallel to the ground, the basket can be oriented such that the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the upright frame and to the ground, therefore objects placed within the basket cannot fall out.

Furthermore, when the basket is oriented such that the opening of the basket is 113 parallel to the upright frame, the basket, or the base of the basket may function as a back wall for the sack trolley against which objects positioned on the base of the trolley may be supported during transport. The basket may comprise a sidewall which in this orientation, is substantially parallel to the base of the sack trolley and may act either as an extension of the sack trolley base or as a secondary platform upon which objects to be transported may be placed. Objects placed on this sidewall will be supported by the base of the basket, and may be further supported by the other sidewalls of the basket acting to prevent the objects from falling off of the side of the trolley.

The basket may pivot over a greater range of orientations and is lockable in a plurality of different orientations with respect to the upright frame.

When the orientation of the basket is locked with respect to the upright frame it prevents the basket from pivoting unintentionally and causing objects carried within the basket or supported by the basket from falling off of the trolley. More particularly this prevents the basket from being pivoted by the weight of any objects positioned within the frame or from being pivoted unintentionally by a user. The basket may be lockable in a plurality of different orientations so that the basket can be locked in whatever orientation is most suitable for the use of the sack trolley for any given task.

Alternatively, the pivoting mechanism connecting the upright frame and the basket may produce a sufficient amount of friction to prevent the basket from pivoting unintentionally during normal use.

Preferably the locking means comprises a pivoting member connected to the upright frame wherein the pivoting member has one or more cross pieces which are adapted to be received by one of a plurality of catches, notches or grooves on the basket so as to lock the orientation of the basket with respect to the upright frame.

Inserting the cross piece into a different catch, notch or groove will result in the basket being locked in a different orientation and if the pivoting member comprises a plurality of cross pieces The pivoting member may be a rectangular frame wherein a first cross piece is defined by one edge of the frame and the opposite edge of the frame is attached to the upright frame such that the rectangular frame can pivot. Additional cross pieces may be located parallel to the first such that they cross the rectangular frame.

Preferably the basket is lockable in at least a position where the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the upright frame and a positon where the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the base.

The basket may further be lockable in one or more orientations between these two orientations. For example, the basket may be locked in a position such that the opening of the basket is horizontal when the trolley is tilted such that the base is off of the ground during transport.

Preferably the sack trolley is characterised in that in a first configuration the basket is locked in a position where the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the upright frame such that the base of the basket defines a substantially flat back wall to the sack trolley and sidewalls of the basket define sidewalls for the sack trolley; and in a second configuration the basket is locked in a position where the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the base of the trolley.

Preferably the basket may comprise a flat basket base and a plurality of sidewalls substantially perpendicularly to the basket base.

The basket may be in the form of a cuboid with a single face absent providing the opening. The basket may pivot about an axis through the opening face such that when the basket is oriented with the opening parallel to the upright frame the opening face of the cuboid basket and the upright frame lie in the same plane such that basket defines a back surface to the sack trolley and one of the sidewalls defines a surface parallel to the base of the sack trolley, therefore allowing objects to be placed on this sidewall in order to be carried by the sack trolley.

The basket may comprise drainage holes in order to prevent the basket from 113 becoming filled with water.

The base of the sack trolley is ideally dimensioned such that it is large enough to prevent the sack trolley from tipping even when the basket is oriented in order to extend as far out from the base as possible.

Preferably the basket comprises a pair of apertures for receiving a shaft that may be inserted such that spools of material can be wound onto or unwound from the shaft.

This allows the sack trolley to be used to transport spools of material such as wire to 20 a location where they are needed, the spools may then be wound off of the shaft on the trolley in use.

Preferably the upright frame and the base are connected by a hinge so as to permit the base to fold with respect to the frame.

This allows the basket and the base to be pivoted and folded so as to save space, this allows the sack trolley to be more compact when stored.

The sack trolley may comprise a protruding means adapted to engage with an item with a recess or hollow defined therein. Spools, reels or bobbins of material can be transported on the protruding means and material can be wound onto or off of them without removing them from the trolley. The protruding means may taper as the distance from the trolley increases in order to accommodate a variety of differently dimensioned recesses or hollows.

Ideally the protruding means is removable. Therefore, the sack trolley can be used with or without the protruding means depending upon the needs of the user.

Ideally the protruding means is mounted on the upright frame and adapted to pivot with respect to the upright frame. The range of angles through which the protruding means can pivot may be limited and may comprise a stowed orientation for use when an item is not placed on the means and an in use orientation where the weight of an item placed on the protruding means will hold the means in a specific orientation.

Ideally the protruding means is rounded or arcuate. This allows an item such as a spool, reel or bobbin placed on the means to be rotated such that material can be wound onto or off of the item without removing it from the trolley.

The protruding means may be dimensioned so as to receive items with differently dimensioned apertures to those received by a shaft passing through the basket.

Ideally the protruding means has a retaining lip. This retaining lip may be used to detachably connect the protruding means to the upright frame of the trolley.

The sack trolley may comprise a pair of doors. These doors may be provided on the basket or they may be provided on the upright frame of the trolley.

The doors may have a catch, bolt or other locking system to prevent them from opening unintentionally.

The pair of doors may be provided on the opening of the basket such that they provide a lid for the basket. A lid may allow the basket to store irregularly shaped items at any orientation of the basket without risking items falling out of the basket.

When the basket is orientated such that the opening is parallel to the upright frame the doors may be opened to provide side supports to prevent objects placed on the base of the trolley from falling off of the trolley during transport.

A means may be provided to limit how far the doors may open in this configuration such that the doors are properly supported when acting as sidewalls.

Alternatively, the doors may be provided on the upright frame such that in a first configuration the doors are open and define side walls to prevent objects falling off of the side of the sack trolley, and in a second configuration the doors are closed and define a substantially flat back portion to the sack trolley which supports objects placed on the base during transport.

A means may also be provided to limit how far the doors may open in this configuration.

The basket may be capable of being pivoted to an orientation where the opening of the basket is coplanar with the closed doors such that the closed doors define a lid for the basket in this orientation.

Multiple pairs of doors may be provided, for example one pair of doors may be provided on the basket and another pair may be provided on the upright frame, in 20 this configuration one pair may act as side supports for objects placed on the base and another pair may act as a lid for the box simultaneously.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sack trolley comprising: a rigid upright frame with a base connected thereto, characterised in that at least one door is provided on the frame, which in a first configuration is closed, so defining a substantially flat back portion of the frame in order to carry relatively narrow loads; and in a second configuration is capable of being open, so defining a substantially open form back portion of the frame in order to carry relatively wide loads.

Optionally the, or each, door is removable. Ideally however the, or each, door is hinged and is lockable in the first and second configurations so as to provide slanted or angled guides or side fenders which help to retain items with a circular cross section, such as a barrel or gas bottle or reel of wire.

Preferably a pair of doors is provided and each is hingeably connected to lateral sides (vertical uprights) of the frame and abut along a central axis of the frame. The doors are ideally lockable in the second configuration.

The lock for locking the doors in the first configuration includes a sprung release catch which is lifted in order to release the doors thereby preventing them from opening inadvertently. Alternatively the lock may have a latch form or include a clip or a magnetic lock which ensures the doors are held closed so as to define a flat back to the sack trolley.

Advantageously the lock in the second configuration may include a latch, catch, clip or a magnetic lock which ensures the doors are held back so as to define an angular form into which larger or circular objects may be received.

The base and frame together tend to define an L-shaped structure on which loads are supported and carried. A pair of wheels is located at the apex of the frame and the base. An advantage of the opening (or removable) doors is that when a barrel is received on the base of the sack trolley, a portion of the barrel extends rearwards beyond the frame and so has its centre of gravity positioned closer to the frame of the sack trolley, thereby rendering it easier to lift the barrel and not requiring the frame to be tipped as far back in order to safely move the barrel or cylindrical item.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a removable support that is adapted to fit onto a sack trolley and which is configured to engage an item with a recess or hollow defined therein, thereby enabling the item to be transported by the sack trolley.

Ideally the removable support enables the sack trolley to receive and carry cylindrical structures with hollows, such as a reel of wire, a reel of rope or a similar wound material that is carried on a reel or bobbin.

Preferably the removable support has a portion that fits on or in the sack trolley and a protruding portion that is arcuate on which the reel of wire is supported. The protruding portion advantageously has a raised lip or annulus which acts to retain the reel of wire and prevents it from falling off the sack trolley.

The sack trolley may be configured to receive a generally cylindrical structure, such as barrel, plant pot, gas cylinder or reel of wire or similar wound material in the second configuration. Side wheel guard flanges are positioned in order to guard the wheels and so as to provide a wider footprint of the base portion for receiving larger or cylindrical items.

The sack trolley and base portions are ideally formed form mild steel reflective surface preferably comprises a metallic material; such as for example brushed metallic metal. Other materials, such as synthetic plastics or aluminium stainless steel or a combination thereof may also be used.

The sack trolley is ideally spray coated and may comprise a steel frame onto which parts, such as hinges and locks, are spot welded.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a sack trolley as herein described, comprising the steps of: forming a frame and fitting a base thereto and forming connections means to the frame on which at least one door is mounted and forming locks on the frame for locking the at least one door in first and second configurations.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is an overall view of one embodiment of a sack trolley according to the present invention and shows two doors in a first configuration; Figure 2 is a side view of the sack trolley of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an overall view of the sack trolley in a second configuration and illustrates the first sprung lock retracted so as to permit the doors to move from a first configuration to a second configuration; Figure 4 is an illustration of another embodiment of a sack trolley, with guard panels for the wheel and shows the doors in the second configuration; Figure 5 shows a side view of the sack trolley of Figure 4 with the doors in the second configuration supporting a barrel with a portion of the barrel extending rearwards beyond the frame of the sack trolley Figure 6 is an overall photographic view of one embodiment of the sack trolley with its doors open; Figure 7a shows an overall view of one embodiment of a removable support that is adapted to fit onto a sack trolley; Figure 7b shows an overall view of a second embodiment of a removable support that is adapted to fit onto a sack trolley and depicts a tapering protruding means; Figure 8 is a side view of the removable support in Figure 7a fitted on a sack trolley and shows an arcuate protuberance for receiving a reel of wire; zo Figure 9 shows the removable support on a sack trolley carrying a reel of wire; Figure 10 is an overall view of a sack trolley according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the basket oriented parallel to the upright frame; Figure 11 is an overall view of the sack trolley with the basket oriented parallel to the upright frame with spools of wire in the basket; Figure 12 is an overall view of the sack trolley with the basket oriented parallel to the base with spools of wire in the basket; Figure 13 shows the lock means locking the basket in an orientation parallel to the base of the sack trolley; Figure 14 shows the sack trolley lying horizontally with the basket parallel to the upright frame and spools of wire in the basket; Figure 15 shows a lock means disengaged from the basket; Figure 16 shows the lock means locking the basket in an orientation parallel to the upright frame; and Figure 17 is an overall view of the sack trolley with the basket oriented parallel to the base.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring to Figures 10 to 17 there is shown an embodiment of the sack trolley 100 comprising a rigid upright frame 120; a base 140; a basket 160 adapted to pivot with respect to the frame 120; a locking means 180 adapted to lock the orientation of the basket 160 with respect to the frame 120 and a pair of wheels 220.

The sack trolley further comprises a protruding means 240 adapted to engage with an item with a recess or hollow such as a spool, reel or bobbin 300. An example is shown in Figure 7b which depicts an overall view of a second embodiment of a removable support that is adapted to fit onto a sack trolley and depicts a tapering protruding means with a retainer at its end in the form of a loop of wire.

The upright frame 120 is constructed from welded metal piping, the frame comprises a pair of uprights 122 each connected to an opposite side of the base 140 at one end and a handle 124 at the other.

The uprights are bent backwards shortly before the handles 124 so as to orient the handles 124 such that they will be substantially horizontal when the sack trolley 100 is being wheeled from one location to another. The handles 124 are rubberized to improve a user's grip and comprise handguard to protect the user's hands during use.

A pair of secondary uprights 126 are located behind the primary uprights 122 and are also connected to the base 140 at their lower ends. The secondary uprights 126 curve and are connected to the primary uprights 122 at a point further than half way along the length of the primary uprights 122 from the base 140 to the handles 124.

Pivot apertures 128 pass through the secondary uprights 126 adjacent to where the secondary uprights 126 are connected to the primary uprights 122. Pivot pins 130 pass through the pivot apertures and connect to basket 160.

113 Two horizontal members 132, 134 connect the two primary uprights 122 below the handles 124 providing structural support to the upright frame 120. The protruding means 220 is supported by the upper horizontal member 132 and the locking means 180 is connected to the lower horizontal member 134.

The base 140 comprises a flat base sheet 142 of metal connected to the ends of the uprights 122, 126. When the base is horizontal it is in contact with the ground and the wheels 200 are held off of the ground, therefore the trolley is prevented from rolling. The base 140 is dimensioned so as to prevent the trolley from tipping over in use. In use objects may be placed on the base 140 and the sack trolley will then be tipped backwards such that the wheels 200 are in contact with the ground and the base 140 is not. Objects placed on the base 140 will be supported by the base 140 and the upright frame 120 such that they can be transported.

The base comprises a back guard 144 which is in the form of a sheet of metal substantially perpendicular to the base sheet 142 and is supported by the uprights 122, 126. The back guard 144 extends along the entire back edge of the base sheet 142 and in use prevents objects from sliding backwards off of the base 140 between the uprights 122, 126 or into the wheels 200. This prevents objects from falling off of the trolley 100 while being transported, prevents objects from either stopping or slowing the wheels 200 rotating and prevents objects from being damaged by contact with the rotating wheels 200.

The back guard 144 also allows objects narrower than the separation between the uprights 122, 126 to be transported on the base 140 even when the basket 160 is pivoted upwards such that it does not provide a back support for objects on the base 140. The back guard 144 further provides support for objects which are low enough that they could slide below the basket 160 even if it pivoted such that it is parallel to the upright frame 120 and providing a back support for the trolley 100.

This allows objects to be carried on the base 140 of the trolley and in the basket 160 simultaneously.

The flat base sheet 142 is shaped as a rectangular sheet of metal with corners 113 removed to provide space for the wheels 200, the back guard 144 conforms to the back edge and to the edges of the removed corners so as to act as a wheel guard. The back guard 144 is also in supported by both secondary uprights 126 and both primary uprights 122.

The basket 160 is in the form of a cuboid with a single face forming an opening 162 into the basket 160. The basket 160 comprises a flat planar base 164 and four sidewalls 166, 168, 170, 172, perpendicular to the base and to each other.

The pivot pins 130 connect to the left and right sidewalls 170, 172 just below the opening 162 and closer to the back sidewall 168 than to the front 166. This allows the basket 160 to pivot about the pivot pins 130 and vary its orientation with respect to the upright frame 120, the basket can pivot between an orientation where the opening 162 is parallel and coplanar to the primary uprights 122 and horizontal members 132, 134 of the upright frame 120, through an orientation where the opening is parallel to the base sheet 142 to an orientation where the opening 162 and the tops of the left and right sidewalls 170, 172 are in contact with the lower horizontal member 134.

When the basket 160 is in its first configuration with the opening 162 parallel and coplanar to the primary uprights 122 and horizontal members 132, 134 of the upright frame 120 (shown in Figures 2, 3, 6 and 8), the front sidewall 166 is parallel to the base sheet 142 and can be used as a smaller secondary base upon which objects to be transported by the sack trolley 100 can be placed. During transport objects placed on this sidewall will be supported by the basket base 164 and prevented from falling off of the sides of the trolley 100 by the left and right sidewalls 170, 172. Meanwhile objects may also be placed on the base sheet 142, during transport these objects will either be supported by the back guard 144, the primary uprights 122, the tops of the sidewalls 166, 168, 170, 172, or by the front edges of objects stored within the basket.

In this configuration the trolley 100 can be lain down such that the basket 160 and the upright frame 120 are horizontal (shown in Figure 6), this may be useful for storing a number of items that will need to be removed individually and subsequently 113 be replaced such as tools.

When the basket is in its second configuration with opening 162 parallel to the base sheet 142 (shown in figures 1, 4 and 5), objects can be placed inside the basket 160 and in transport they will be supported by the sidewalls 166, 168, 170, 172. These objects are enclosed on all four sides so are unlikely to fall off of the trolley, this may be useful when transporting objects down or along contours of slopes or in other occasions where the orientation of the trolley might cause objects placed on the base 140 to fall off.

Objects stored in the basket 160 in this configuration do not need to be stackable in the manner objects supported on the base 140 need to be, for example the basket 160 could be used to transport a large number of balls, whereas the base 140 would not.

Objects can still be placed on the base 140 in this configuration where they will be supported by the uprights 122, 126 and the back guard 144. This increases the effective surface area where objects can be placed on the sack trolley 100 and increases its carrying capacity.

A pair of apertures 174, 176 are formed opposite each other in the back sidewall 168 and the front sidewall 166, these allow a shaft (not shown) to be inserted through the aperture. Reels, bobbins or spools of materials such as wires may be threaded onto the shaft such that material may be wound off of or onto them without removing them from the trolley.

The basket further may comprise further apertures 178 in or adjacent to the basket base which acts as a drainage hole to prevent the basket from filling with water.

The sack trolley could further comprise a pair of doors (not shown) which could either be hinged along the top edges of the left and right sidewalls 170, 172, or along the primary uprights 122.

If the doors were provided on the basket 160 when closed they would provide a lid 113 for the basket opening 162 independent of the orientation of the basket 160 with respect to the upright frame 120, this would allow the basket 160 to be used to carry irregularly shaped non stacking objects when oriented with the opening 162 parallel to the upright frame 120 in addition to when the opening was parallel to the base 140. Furthermore, when the basket is oriented with the opening parallel to the upright frame 120 the doors may be opened such that they act as side barriers and help to prevent objects placed on the base 140 from falling off of the side of the trolley.

If the doors were provided on the uprights 122, then when the basket 160 is oriented such that the opening 162 is coplanar to the uprights 122 the doors may be closed such that they provide a lid to the opening 162 and prevent any objects from falling out of the basket 160. Alternatively, the doors may be opened such that they provide side barrier to objects placed on the base 140 from falling off of the trolley 100.

The basket may be provided with cut-outs or vents in the sidewalls 166, 168, 170, 172 in order to reduce the weight of the basket, but these may prevent the basket from being used to carry smaller objects and objects such as wires stored in the basket 160 may become caught in the vents, therefore these are an optional feature.

The locking means 180 comprises a pivoting member 182 with a pair of parallel bars 184 and a first and second crosspieces 186, 188 connected to the lower horizontal member 134 by a pair of hinges 190. A first catch 192, second catch 194, and third catch 196 are provided on the rear sidewall 168 of the basket 160. In order to lock the basket in the first configuration with the opening 162 parallel and coplanar to the primary uprights 122, the second crosspiece 188 is inserted into the first catch 192 (as shown in Figure 8). In order to lock the basket in the second configuration with the basket opening 162 oriented parallel to the base 140 the first crosspiece 186 is inserted into the third catch 196 (as shown in Figure 5).

Alternate orientations of the basket 160 may be locked by inserting the second crosspiece 188 into the third catch 196, or by inserting the first or second crosspieces 186, 188 into the second catch 194. These orientations correspond to the basket 160 being angled between the first and second configurations and may 113 correspond to the basket opening 162 being parallel to the ground when the sack trolley 100 is tilted for transport.

The first catch 192 is an elongate groove which extends from a lower portion rear sidewall 168 formed from a folded sheet of metal. The second catch 194 is hook which extends from an upper portion of the rear sidewall 168. The third catch 196 is a lip formed along the top of the rear sidewall 168, where the sidewall meets the opening 162.

The parallel bars 184 are bent in between the first and second crosspieces 186, 188 in order to achieve the desired locations of the crosspieces 186, 188.

The wheels 220 have an axle 222 which is connected to the back guard 144 and the secondary uprights 126 such that they are at the back of the trolley 100 and allow the trolley to be tipped backwards about the axle 222 during transport without part of the trolley 100 being brought into contact with the ground.

The protruding means 240 is mounted on the upper horizontal member 132 of the upright frame 120. The protruding means comprises a rigid back plate 242 and a protuberance 244. The back plate 242 is attached to the frame such that it can pivot between an orientation where the protuberance 244 projects outward horizontally substantially parallel to the base 140 (as shown in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 16) or upwards vertically substantially parallel to the uprights 122, 126 of the frame 120 (as shown in Figures 14, 15 and 17). The protruding means 240 may be detachable from the frame 120.

The protuberance 244 tapers as away from the back plate 242 so as to allow a variety of items with differently dimensioned recesses to engage with the protuberance 244. The protuberance 244 has an arcuate profile so as to facilitate the rotation of any spool of material engaged by the protuberance 244. The protuberance has an aperture 246 at its end defined by a curved metal rod that allows items to be attached to the protruding means 240.

The back plate 242 is designed such that at the orientations where the protuberance 244 is parallel to the base 140 or parallel to the uprights 122, 126, the back plate 242 will come into contact with the uprights 122, 126 and limit further rotation of the protruding means 240.

Referring to Figures 1 to 9 there is shown an embodiment of a sack trolley 100 with two doors 102 and 104. . Doors 102 and 104 are in a first configuration -that is they are closed and locked in that configuration by sprung lock 110. The sprung lock 110 serves to fix the doors 102, 104 in the closed configuration.

In this configuration a substantially planar back surface is provided by the doors 102, 104 for receiving objects on the sack trolley 100.

The sack trolley 100 also includes a base 112 and a pair of wheels 114 located at the apex of the frame 108 and the base 112.

Figure 2 shows a side view that reveals the L-shape of the sack trolley 100.

The doors 102, 104 are attached to a frame 108 of the sack trolley 100 by hinges 106 so as to allow each door 102, 104 to pivot about the frame.

The doors 102, 104 are a pair of flat, rectangular sheets that form a continuous surface when the doors 102 and 104 are arranged adjacent to one another in the closed configuration.

To arrange the doors 102, 104 in the first configuration the sprung lock 110 is adjusted so as to be displaced upwards in order to allow the doors to move about the hinges 106 so as to be closed and in an alignment suitable for receiving the sprung lock 110. This is achieved by moving the sprung lock 110 in an upwards direction to compress a spring 111. Once the doors 102, 104 are arranged in the closed configuration the sprung lock 110 is released so as to allow the sprung lock 110 to engage with the doors 102, 104.

The sprung lock 110 includes a channel 116 on an underside section for receiving an upper section of the doors 102, 104. In this way when both doors 102, 104 are arranged to slot into the channel 116 the doors become fixed in the closed configuration. Displacement of the sprung lock 110 permits the doors 102, 104 to swing about their hinges to the open/ajar configuration.

The sprung lock 110 includes an arm 110A, a body 110B and a spring 111. The spring is located on the arm 110A, and the arm 110A is mounted on a horizontal section of the frame 108 through an aperture (not shown), wherein the arm is moveable in one axis, up and down, through the aperture.

Movement of the arm 110A up and down through the aperture (not shown) causes the spring 111 to be compressed and released. The spring 114 is compressed when lifting the sprung lock 110. In this way the sprung lock 110 engages securely to the doors when released as the spring 111 holds the sprung lock 110 in the released position and force must be applied to compress the spring in order to disengage the sprung lock 110 from the doors 102, 104.

The arm 110A is also free to rotate within the aperture (not shown) so as to allow the position of the body to be altered.

The body 110B includes the channel 116 that engages with the doors when closed.

The open configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4 reveals how the doors 102 and 104 are arranged to provide a shaped surface for receiving objects, in particular rounded objects that may otherwise roll off a sack trolley.

Figure 3 shows the open configuration of the sack trolley 100 wherein the doors 102, 104 are in an open or ajar configuration so as to provide a non-planar surface upon which an object is placed in use. Advantageously this can serve to 'cup' an objected to prevent it rolling off the sack trolley 100, for example to securely hold an object with a rounded outer face.

The opening of the doors 102, 104 is restricted by the base 112 that includes a lip 118 which extends perpendicular to the base 112 so as to serve as a barrier to prevent the doors 102, 104 opening beyond a certain point. The doors 102, 104 are held against the lip 118 in use by the object being carried in the sack trolley 100.

In Figures 4 and 5 a second embodiment of the sack trolley 200 is shown wherein the wheels 114 include guards 115 to protect the wheels 114. The guards 115 comprise a rectangular section that covers a forward facing part of the wheel. The guards 115 aid with the receiving and removal of objects from the sack trolley 200 by enabling objects to be rolled across the base forward of the wheels 114 without causing damage to the wheels.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9 there are shown various view of a removable support 200 that is adapted to fit onto a sack trolley 100. Figure 8 shows a side view of the removable support 200 and an arcuate protuberance 202 that is welded to a rigid back plate 208. Back plate 208 has an edge 209 with a lip 210 and a retaining edge 211 for connecting it to the sack trolley 100. Protuberance 202 receives a reel of wire 210 and Figure 9 shows the removable support 200 on the sack trolley 100 carrying a reel of wire 300.

The removable support 200 is formed form pressed sheet steel or stainless steel or aluminium or it may be formed from an injection moulded synthetic plastics material.

Variation to the aforementioned embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, the sack trolley may include a hinged section between the frame and the base, which is optionally lockable, so as to permit folding for stowage.

Claims

Claims 1. A sack trolley comprising: a rigid upright frame; a base connected to the frame; and a basket mounted on the frame; wherein the basket is adapted to pivot with respect to the frame.
2. A sack trolley according to claim 1 wherein the basket pivots at least between an orientation wherein an opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the upright frame and an orientation where the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the base.
3. A sack trolley according to any preceding claim comprising a locking means capable of locking the basket in a plurality of different orientations with respect to the upright frame.
4. A sack trolley according to claim 3 wherein the locking means comprises a pivoting member connected to the upright frame wherein the pivoting member has one or more cross pieces which are adapted to be received by one of a plurality of catches, notches or grooves on the basket so as to lock the orientation of the basket with respect to the upright frame.
5. A sack trolley according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the basket is lockable in at least a position where the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the upright frame and a positon where the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the base.
6. A sack trolley according to claim 5 characterised in that in a first configuration the basket is locked in a position where the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the upright frame such that the base of the basket defines a substantially flat back wall to the sack trolley and sidewalls of the basket define sidewalls for the sack trolley; and in a second configuration the basket is locked in a position where the opening of the basket is substantially parallel to the base of the trolley.
7. A sack trolley according to any preceding claim wherein the basket comprises a flat basket base and a plurality of sidewalls substantially perpendicularly to the basket base.
8. A sack trolley according to any preceding claim wherein the basket comprises a pair of apertures for receiving a shaft may be inserted such that spools of material can be wound onto or unwound from the shaft.
9. A sack trolley according to any preceding claim wherein the upright frame and the base are connected by a hinge so as to permit the base to fold with respect to the frame.
10. A sack trolley according to any preceding claim comprising a protruding means adapted to engage with an item with a recess or hollow defined therein.
11. A sack trolley according to claim 10 wherein the protruding means is removable.
12. A sack trolley according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the protruding means is mounted on the upright frame and is adapted to pivot with respect to the upright frame.
13. A sack trolley according to claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein the protruding means is rounded or arcuate.
14. A sack trolley according any of claims 10 to 13 wherein the protruding means has a retaining lip.
15. A sack trolley according to any preceding claim comprising a pair of doors.
16. A sack trolley according to claim 15 wherein the doors are provided on the opening of the basket such that they provide a lid for the basket.
17. A sack trolley according to claim 15 wherein the doors are provided on the upright frame such that in a first configuration the doors are open and define side walls to prevent objects falling off of the side of the sack trolley, and in a second configuration the doors are closed and define a substantially flat back portion to the sack trolley which supports objects placed on the base during transport.
18. A sack trolley according to claim 17 wherein the basket is capable of being pivoted to an orientation where the opening of the basket is coplanar with the closed doors such that the closed doors define a lid for the basket in this orientation.
19. A sack trolley substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 10 to 17.
20. A sack trolley comprises: a rigid upright frame with a base connected thereto, characterised in that at least one door is provided on the frame, which in a first configuration is closed, so defining a substantially flat back portion of the frame in order to carry relatively narrow loads; and in a second configuration is capable of being open, so defining a substantially open form back portion of the frame in order to carry relatively wide loads.
21. A sack trolley according to claim 20 wherein at least one door is removable.
22. A sack trolley according to claim 20 or 21 wherein at least one door is hinged.
23. A sack trolley according to claim 20, 21 or 22 wherein at least one door is lockable in the first configuration.
24. A sack trolley according to any of claims 20 to 23 wherein at least one door is lockable in a second configuration.
25. A sack trolley according to any of claims 20 to 24 wherein a pair of doors is provided and each door is hingeably connected to lateral sides of the frame and the doors abut along a central axis of the frame.
26. A sack trolley according to any of claims 20 to 25 wherein a first lock is provided to lock the doors in the first configuration.
27. A sack trolley according to any of claims 20 to 26 wherein a second lock is provided to lock the doors in the second configuration.
28. A sack trolley according to claim 26 or 27 wherein the first and second locks are from the group comprising a latch a catch or a magnetic lock.
29. A sack trolley according to any of claims 26 to 28 wherein the first lock is located on the midway axis.
30. A sack trolley according to claim 29 wherein the first lock is located on a spring in order that a single member locks the doors in the first configuration.
31. A sack trolley according to any of claims 20 to 30 has a pair of wheels located at an apex of the frame and the base and is configured to receive a generally cylindrical structure such as a barrel, a plant pot, a gas cylinder or a reel of wire or similar wound material in the second configuration.
32. A sack trolley according to any of claims 20 to 31 wherein the fame and the base are hingeably connected so as to permit the base to fold with respect to the frame.
33. A method of manufacturing a sack trolley according to any of claims 20 to 32 comprising the steps of: forming a frame and fitting a base thereto and forming connections means to the frame on which at least one door is hingeably mounted.
34. A removable support adapted to fit onto a sack trolley and which is configured to engage an item with a recess or hollow defined therein, thereby enabling the item to be transported by the sack trolley.
35. A removable support according to claim 34 wherein a protruding means is provided to engage an item with the recess or hollow of a reel or bobbin.
36. A removable support according to claim 34 or 35 wherein the protruding means is rounded or arcuate.
37. A removable support according to any of claims 34 to 36 wherein the protruding means has a retaining lip.
38. A sack trolley substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.
39. A removable support substantially as herein described with reference to figures 7 to 9.