GB2596921A

GB2596921A - Work site trolley for planar materials

Info

Publication number: GB2596921A
Application number: GB2108894.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Brown Michael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-22
Filing date: 2019-05-22
Publication date: 2022-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-22
Also published as: GB202108894D0; GB2576394B; GB2596921B; GB201808373D0; GB2576394A; GB201907233D0

Abstract

A trolley for carrying sheet materials comprising a base frame 12 having a plurality of wheels 16 for supporting said base frame above a ground surface, the base frame having an upper surface. Said trolley comprises one or more support member 30 extending above the base for constraining the sheet material on the trolley. The support member is pivoted relative to the base frame from an upright position into a horizontal position which is aligned with the base frame of upper surface. The support member may comprise one or more intermediate arms 28 which may be extendable telescopically to the desired length. The support member may be releasably lockable in the upright position and may be provided with a handle which may be rotatable and may comprise a manual actuator. The trolley may comprise a second set of wheels 16A which are a different diameter to the first wheels and may be located at the midpoint of the base frame. Said first or second wheels may comprise a brake for slowing the trolley and may be actuated by handle (66, see fig.2) or may have the brakes biased to a braking condition.

Description

Work Site Trolley for Planar Materials

INTRODUCTION

The present invention concerns trolleys for moving planar/sheet materials on site, such as plasterboard trolleys.

Conventional plasterboard trolleys are relatively simple in design and have a, typically rectangular, base frame supported on four caster wheels towards the corners of the base frame. An upright support frame provides a structure against which a board can be leant at a slight angle whilst an edge of the board is rested on the base frame.

Multiple boards can be leant in this manner one against the next on the upright support frame, which may be located centrally along the trolley or to one side.

Conventional trolleys are often unwieldy when fully laden and require significant effort to overcome the inertia caused by the weight of the trolley and boards. When it is necessary to change the direction of the caster wheels of a fully laden trolley, this increases the exertion on the user, requiring the user to yank or shove the trolley to get it moving.

There is also a risk of toppling one or more board of the leaning stack if the trolley is accidentally jerked or knocked on site. It is not uncommon for an individual on site to step onto a side of the trolley, e.g. when loading/unloading boards, which serves to destabilise the trolley. This is particularly problematic since the pivoting casters Once a trolley is in motion, it represents a further hazard since the weight of a fully laden trolley is difficult to halt quickly. Attempting to change the direction of movement of the laden trolley can cause it to topple. On a busy worksite with minimal open space available to move around, each trolley represents a sizeable obstruction that can block access around the site. However the desirable small footprint of the trolley is at odds with the desire to reduce the topple risk.

In order to avoid the large upstanding area of the boards on the trolley, it is often preferable to a user to have the boards presented as a more-stable flat pile, for example when it is intended to slide the top board off a pile to work on a board.

It is not uncommon for a trolley to be loaded up and then unloaded at the desired location onto a flat pile, laid on the ground on site. Laying boards down in this manner risks damage to at least the lowest board and a user must bend down to ground level to pick up the boards. The large surface area of the boards make them awkward to carry and the low level of the stack risks back pain/injury due to repeated lifting.

The relatively large footprint of boards when laid flat means that the boards can inhibit access around the site for other workers and may need to be moved. Lifting a stack of flat boards only to move them a short distance is time consuming. When boards are laid flat on the ground, there is also an increased trip hazard for workmen on site.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a trolley which mitigates or resolves one or more of the above-identified problems.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided: a trolley for carrying panels comprising: a base frame having opposing ends and a plurality of first wheels supporting the base frame above a ground surface, the base frame having an upper surface against which an edge of one or more panel on the trolley can rest in an upright orientation such that a majority of the weight of the one or more panel is supported by a panel edge on the upper surface of the base; one or more support member extending above the base in an abutment position for constraining a panel on the trolley in the upright orientation; where the first wheels are provided towards the base frame comprises one or more second wheel, the second wheel provided at a different height beneath the base frame than the first wheels.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trolley for carrying panels comprising a base frame having a plurality of wheels supporting the base frame above a ground surface, the base frame having an upper surface against which an edge of one or more panel on the trolley can rest in an upright orientation such that a majority of the weight of the one or more panel is supported by a panel edge on the upper surface of the base, the trolley comprising one or more support member extending above the base in an abutment position for constraining a panel on the trolley in the upright orientation, and the support member being actuatable relative to the base frame away from the abutment position and into a further position allowing the one or more panel to be laid in a flat orientation on the upper surface of the base frame.

The support member may extend over a portion of a face of the one or more panel in the abutment position. The support member may extend from an edge of the panel at least part way along the panel face.

The support member may be pivotable relative to the base frame between the abutment and further positions.

The support member may be extendable between the abutment and further 25 positions.

A plurality of support members may be provided. The plurality of support members may be opposingly arranged. The plurality of support members may be arranged on opposing sides of a centre of the trolley. The opposing support members may be actuatable in a direction towards/ away from each other.

The support member may be actuatable into a plane in the further position that is aligned/parallel with the base frame or the upper surface thereof. The support member may extend outwardly from the support frame in a lateral direction in the further position.

The support member may comprise one or more intermediate arm extending from 5 the base frame and one or more elongate support arm, The support member may be substantially perpendicular to the intermediate arm and/or may be provided at a distal end of the intermediate arm.

A pair of intermediate arms may be provided and the support member may extend therebetween, thereby defining a support frame.

An end support member may extend from either/both end of the trolley. The end support member may be linearly actuatable towards/away from the end of the trolley. The end support member may comprise one or more angled abutment surface or flange, e.g. depending inwardly towards a central region of the trolley.

A side/edge support member may depend upwardly from an edge of the base frame and/or support surface in the abutment position. The side support member may comprise a flap member.

A central support member may depend upwardly from the base frame at a location in-between opposing sides of the frame. A central support member may extend in a longitudinal direction of the base frame, e.g. spanning a portion, a majority or all of the length of the base frame.

The one or more support member may be releasably lockable in the abutment position.

The one or more support member may be both linearly extendable/adjustable as well as pivotably actuatable.

A plurality of support members may be provided and arranged to contact one or more panel on opposing major faces or sides thereof, e.g. so as to constrain the one or more panel in-between said support members when in the upright orientation.

The trolley may comprise a handle, which may be attached to the base frame by 5 an intermediate arm. The handle may be provided on a support member.

The trolley may comprise one or more wheel towards each end of the trolley and one or more further wheel located part way along the trolley and/or in-between the wheels towards each end. The further wheel may have a greater diameter than the end wheels. The further wheel may extend beneath the trolley base frame by a greater height than one or more other wheel. The further wheel may bear a majority of the trolley weight.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a trolley for carrying panels the trolley comprising a plurality of wheels located towards each end of a trolley base frame and a central wheel located part way between each said ends, the central wheel extending beneath the base frame to a greater height than the wheels at each end, wherein the trolley comprises a brake for the central wheel.

The brake may be biased to a braking condition. A manual actuator may override the biasing of the brake in order to release the braking condition. The manual actuator may be biased to the braking condition. An auto brake function may be provided.

Two or more central wheels may be provided.

According to a further aspect, there is provided trolley for carrying panels comprising a base frame and a plurality of wheels supporting the base frame above a ground surface, the base frame having length and width dimensions and an upper surface against which an edge of one or more panel on the trolley can rest in an upright orientation such that a majority of the weight of the one or more panel is supported by a panel edge on the upper surface of the base, the trolley comprising a first support member supported above the upper surface of the base and oriented in an abutment position extending longitudinally relative to the length of the base frame for constraining a panel on the trolley in the upright orientation, and a second support member depending outwardly from an end of the base member, the second support member comprising an abutment surface that is offset in a lateral direction from the first support member and actuatable in a longitudinal direction relative to the base frame so as to selectively secure one or more panel in the upright orientation between the abutment surface and first support member..

The first support member may be positioned above and within the lateral edges/sides or a perimeter of the base frame. A pair of first support members may be provided.

The second support member may be located above and beyond an end of the base frame or outside a perimeter of the base frame. A pair of opposing second support members may be provided, e.g. at opposing ends of the base frame.

The abutment surface may be obliquely angled relative to a plane of the base 20 frame.

Any optional or essential features defined herein in relation to any one aspect of the invention may be provided with any other aspect of the invention where practicable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a trolley with a plurality of limbs in an extended configuration.

Figure 2 shows a front view of a further example of a trolley with a plurality of limbs in an extended configuration.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the trolley of Figure 2 with the limbs in a retracted condition.

Figure 4 shows first and second end views of a trolley with an end support member in a stored position.

Figure 5 shows first and second end views of a trolley with an end support member in a deployed position.

The specific embodiments of the invention described herein are referred to as panel trolleys and may encompass plasterboard trolleys. However there are a number of further panel materials that may be transported using such trolleys, including panes of glass, sheet metal components, wood or fibreboard panels, wire/mesh screens, grids, grilles or the like. All such panel types have in common that they have a significantly larger frontal length and width dimension that the depth of a lateral edge, resulting in panels that are generally rigid in form but awkward to handle.

First and second embodiments of the invention will now be described according to 20 figures 1 and 2. Whilst those figures show different designs, common numerals are used to denote equivalent or similar features in each of the designs.

The trolley described herein allows such panels 2 (shown in figure 2) to be moved around when oriented generally upright in a side-by-side arrangement. Such a trolley will typically be used on a worksite, e.g. a construction worksite or in existing factory, warehouse or retail premises. Environments of those types are often busy and so health and safety is an important concern alongside the productivity of people on site and the effectiveness of the trolley.

Trolleys of this type are manually pushed/pulled around a site a limited distance.

Whilst a drive system could be put in place for a trolley of this kind, it is not generally necessary and the trolleys are not intended to be used to move panels large distances, e.g. between sites.

The trolleys may also be used to a provide temporary storage structure for the panels 2, e.g. where the panels are not ready to be deployed/used or otherwise offloaded.

The trolley 10 comprises a base frame 12 with a length dimension that is greater than its width dimension so as to form an elongate trolley structure that is generally aligned with and/or symmetrical about a longitudinal/central axis 14.

The base frame 12 is generally planar in form and oriented horizontally. The base frame 12 sits on wheels 16, which engage the ground 4 beneath the base frame 12.

The base frame 12 in this example is generally rectangular in plan, having a pair of side frame members 18 extending along lateral edges of the base frame 12 and a pair of end frame members 20, or cross beams, which span the side frame members 18 at opposing ends of the base frame 12. The frame members may be formed of conventional, e.g. box section, steel beams although other materials or sectional profiles of frame member could be used if desired.

A further cross member 22 may span the side frame members 18 part-way, e.g. half-way, along their length.

The base frame members collectively define a upper base frame surface which is generally horizontally aligned. The upper surface of the base frame may have a cover member 13 provided thereon (shown in figures 4 and 5), such as a rigid sheet or mesh/grid screen member. The cover member 13 is profiled to be angled slightly towards the central axis 14, e.g. raised towards the outer lateral edges.

The base frame has wheels 16, e.g. castor-type wheels, towards each corner thereof. The wheels 16 are of conventional type and may be mounted on swivel mounts beneath the base frame 12 such that each wheel 16 can rotate about its rotational axis to permit rolling of the trolley 10 and can also swivel/pivot about a substantially vertical axis to permit a change in direction of the trolley.

There are provided two further wheels 16A, each mounted part-way along a respective side of the base frame 12 (e.g. at a mid-point thereof), i.e. beneath frame members 18 and/or cross member 22.

The further wheels 16A in figure 1 a larger in diameter and/or mounted in a lower position than wheels 16 and therefore contact the ground during normal operation so as to support a portion, e.g. a majority, of the weight of the trolley. This causes a slight rocking or see-sawing action of the trolley about the wheels 16A.

The further wheels 16A in figure 2 are smaller in diameter and/or mounted in an elevated position than the wheels 16, and therefore during normal operation, do not contact the ground 4.

The wheels 16A are mounted in a fixed orientation, i.e. without swivel mounts, such that the wheels 16A can only rotate about a rotational axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 14.

In the event, the trolley begins to tip over in a sideways direction (i.e. rotate about the longitudinal axis 14), the further wheels 16A in figure 2 engage the ground and prevent any further rotation. The further wheels 16A therefore prevent the trolley from toppling over.

The relative height of the further wheel 16A may be selected to allow a predetermine maximum degree of tipping. For example, for heavier load trolleys, the further wheel 16A is located closer to the ground, to reduce the maximum tipping angle, and therefore reduce the change of the trolley tipping over.

In the embodiment of figure 1, the further wheels are larger in diameter than the wheels 16 and provide ease of manoeuvrability of the trolley due to a majority of the load being transmitted through the two central wheels 16A. The smaller wheels 16 of figure 1 are each mounted on a further cross beam 24 beneath the base frame 12 such that the wheels 16 extend to nearly the same height as the further wheels 16A. However the surfaces of the wheels 16 are purposely slightly higher than the further wheels 16 to ensure the base frame can teeter slightly on the further wheels to favour greater engagement of the end wheels 16 at one end of the base frame over the other.

The relatively small height discrepancy ensure that the base frame remains generally horizontal but can tip slightly to one end or the other, particularly when unladen.

In the example of figure 2, a central wheel 16B is mounted at a central portion of the base (i.e. at a centre point of the longitudinal axis 14 and the centre point of a lateral axis 15 thereof).

The central wheel 16B may be of diameter greater than or equal to the wheels 16 and/or mounted at a height from the base that is greater than or equal to the wheels 16. As such the central wheel 16B may be weight bearing in normal use, e.g. akin to the wheels 16A in figure 1. The wheels 16 and the central wheel 16B may contact the ground simultaneously.

The central wheel 16B comprises two wheels rotatable about a common axis (e.g. provided in a side-by-side arrangement) and mounted to a common mount. The common mount may be fixed relative to the base to prevent rotation of the central wheel 16B about a vertical axis. However, if the trolley is pivoted about a vertical axis, one of the central wheels will rotate in a first direction and the other of the central wheels will rotate in an opposing direction, thereby allowing pivoting of the trolley about vertical axis at a central portion thereof. This allows the trolley to pivot "on the spot" without requiring the translational movement required when pivoting using castor type wheel arrangement. This increases the manoeuvrability of the trolley and allows it to work in compact spaces. In other examples, the central wheel(s) 16B could be mounted so as to permit swivel/rotation about the vertical axis.

Any or all of the wheels may have peripheral polymer/rubber material, e.g. akin to a tyre but typically being solid rather than of hollow/inflatable construction.

The trolley comprises a support member configured to support the panel 2 on the trolley. The support member comprises a first upstanding frame member 50 is mounted to the base adjacent the central longitudinal axis 14 thereof. The first support frame 50 comprises a pair of arms 52 at an end thereof, the arms 52 mounted to the base at opposing longitudinal ends thereof. The arms are connected via a substantially U-shaped member to define an upper end 56 of the support frame. A strut 58 extends between the base and the upper end 56 of the first support frame 50 to support the panel 2 and/or increase the structural strength thereof. A screen or grid/mesh 59 extends between the arms 52. The screen/grid 59 may extend only partially toward the upper end 56 of the first frame member 50.

A second upstanding support frame 60 is mounted adjacent a side 18 of the base and is rigidly fixed to the upper end 56 of the first support frame. The second upstanding support frame comprises a plurality of upstanding struts 62. The struts 62 are offset from the longitudinal ends of the trolley.

The first and second support frame are angled towards each other to define a substantially inverted V-shape (see figures 3 and 4).

The upstanding support members permit transportation panels in an upright orientation. Panels 2 may be stood on a panel edge on the upper surface of the base frame 12 and leant inwardly so as to come into contact with the arms 52, struts 58 and/or the upper end 56 across a face of the panel. A panel may extend upwardly beyond the upper end 56 if desired.

Multiple panels can be stood up in a face-to-face arrangement and leant onto each other in turn so as to build up an array of upstanding panels on the support member. For plasterboard, 10-20 panels may be supported although different weights, sizes and panel materials may allow greater or fewer panel numbers to be supported at once.

In examples of the invention, the width dimension of the base frame is typically shorter than the height dimension of the trolley and/or the panels stood thereon. It is generally preferable to hold the panels in the upstanding format since it will occupy a smaller floor area and thereby be easier to manoeuvre around a busy site.

In some embodiments, the support member is selectively actuatable as will be described below.

In figure 1, upstanding support frames 26 are provided on opposing sides of the central axis 14 and extend in a longitudinal direction. Each support frame 26 has a pair of intermediate arms 28 that are pivotably mounted at one end to an end/cross frame member 20 of the base frame. Each pair of intermediate arms 28 are joined by an elongate support arm 30 extending the whole length of the base frame to create a support frame that is in the form of an upside-down U shape over the base frame.

Each support frame, thus comprises an intermediate arm 28 at a first end of the base frame 12, an intermediate arm 28 at the opposing end of the base frame and a support 30 extending between the distal ends of said intermediate arms 28.

A pair of support frames are upstanding from the base frame and are tilted at a slight incline towards each other such that the support arms 30 are adjacent or touching whereas the proximal/pivoting ends of each support frame are spaced, on either side of the central axis, e.g. closer to the central axis than the lateral edges of the base frame.

The pair of support frames in this condition thus define a generally triangular support structure when viewed end on, or else a tent-like frame structure when viewed three-dimensionally.

The pair of support frames may be held in this configuration e.g. using a releasable catch or latch arrangement, or a releasable bolt/fastener.

The intermediate arms 28 are extendable/retractable to a desired length, i.e. to define a suitable spacing of the support members 30 from the central axis 14 of the base. The intermediate arms 28 are mounted within sleeves from which the arms 28 can extend/retract. Suitable releasable locking arrangements may be provided to selectively lock and release the desired arm length, e.g. of a type as hereinbefore described.

The support frames (i.e. intermediate arms 28) are biased towards the upright orientation, e.g. using gas springs (not shown), e.g. to help ensure alignment and/or to prevent the free fall of the support frames to a down condition. A soft fall operation could also be implemented using a rolling cam surface if desired.

The trolley 10 is convertible into a format which accommodates laying panels flat on the base frame 12. This is achievable by pivoting the intermediate support arms 28 (i.e. the central support frames including the support member 30) away from the upright orientation in the direction of arrows A. The opposing support frames are pivoted/lowered to an orientation in which they are substantially aligned with the upper surface of the base frame 12. In this condition, the support frames provide extension portions of the base frame and can thereby help to support the area of panels laid flat on the trolley.

In the laid flat condition, the intermediate arms 28 may be retracted to the required length, for example into a fully retracted condition.

The support frames can thus be considered to operate in a manner akin to length-30 adjustable wings which can be raised and lowered to achieve the different usage formats of the trolley 10. When laid flat, the panels will typically have greater length and/or width dimensions than the base frame surface. Therefore the additional area provided by the support frames will help ensure the panels are adequately supported towards their sides.

When laying the stack of panels flat on the trolley base frame surface, the end support members 34 can be extended to a position whereby the brackets 40 and bars 38 do not interfere with the panels, i.e. such that the brackets and bars are outside of the envelope defined by the flat panels.

Also the edge support formations 32 can be pivoted to a flat/down condition such that the panels can lie on the flat top surface of those formations.

When laid flat the panels are supported at a height above the ground such that they are presented in a manner that is easier to pick up panels from the stack. The raising of the panels above floor level presents less of a trip hazard since any contact with the stack will occur at shin/knee height, rather than with the feet of a passer-by.

The trolley can be manoeuvred around on the wheels when the stack of panels is laid flat or upstanding.

In the example of figures 2-5, the clay flat' configuration of the support member is not available. Instead the support member comprises a rigid support frame structure that is not reconfigurable.

In addition to the central support frames/structure described above, as shown in figures 3 and 4, a lateral edge support formation 32 is provided on the base frame 12. The edge support formation 32 comprises an upstanding lip/flange.

In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the edge support formation 32 comprises a plurality of pivoting flaps or tab-like members spaced along the lateral edge of frame member 18. The edge support formation 32 is movable between an upright orientation and a lowered orientation, i.e. lying flat on the upper surface of the base frame or co-planar therewith.

The edge support formation 32 serves as an abutment for the lower edge of a panel 2 in an upright orientation on the trolley. The edge support formation 32 thus prevent the lower edge of a panel from slipping beyond the lateral edge of the base frame, i.e. which would otherwise cause the panel to fall off the trolley 10.

End support members 34 are provided at opposing ends of the base frame 12. The end support members 34 each depend longitudinally beyond the respective end of the base frame 12. The end support members are fixed to, or integral with, a supporting limb 36 extending in a longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the supporting limb 36 is shaped so as to provide an elbow that extends in both a longitudinal direction and also a perpendicular direction (e.g. a vertical or horizontal direction).

A distal end of the limb 36 supports a lateral bar 38. The joint between the limb 36 and lateral bar 38 is T-shaped in figure 1 or right-angled in figures 2-5. The lateral bar may comprise a deformable/resilient material (e.g. rubber) to prevent damage to the panel 2. In a first configuration the later bar 38 is substantially horizontal (see figure 4).

In some embodiments, only a single end support member 34 is provided.

In some embodiments (as shown in figure 1), the lateral bar 38 has one or more bracket 40 mounted thereon. A pair of opposing brackets is provided on each bar 38 in this example. Each bracket 40 is slidable along the bar 38 and selectively lockable in place, e.g. by way of a releasable fastener or latch. A thumb screw may be used to tighten/release the brackets or a spring loaded pin or similar could engage openings along the length of the bar.

Each bracket is held above the plane of the base frame by the limb 36.

Each bracket depends inwardly from the bar in a direction towards the intermediate arms 28 and/or towards the base frame, e.g. in an opposing direction towards the opposing end support member 34 and/or bracket at the other end of the base frame.

Each bracket is obliquely tilted at a predefined/fixed angle with respect to the plane of the base frame. The brackets are offset slight from vertical so as to correspond to an angle of lean of panels mounted upright on the trolley.

The horizontal portion of the limb 36 is longitudinally adjustable in length by extending/retracting the limb 36 within a sleeve 42 on the support member. The sleeve is be provided between the first support frame 50 and second support frame 60 and is mounted one or both of the first support frame 50 and second support frame 60. A separate sleeve 42 may be provided for each of the extending limbs 36.

In some embodiments, the sleeve is mounted to the base frame 12, e.g. extending beneath the base frame.

The limb 36 may be selectively lockable/releasable at a desired longitudinal position using a suitable releasable fastening means, e.g. of the type already hereinbefore described.

The end support members 34 may thus be actuated between a fully retracted condition (in which the lateral bar 38 is adjacent the end of the base frame 12 and/or the first support member 50) (see figure 2) and an extended condition, in which the lateral bar 38 is longitudinally spaced from the end of the base frame (see figure 1).

The bars 38 may be less than or equal to the width of the base frame such that the lateral bars can also be moved between a lateral position towards the lateral edge of the base frame and a central pane comprising the central axis 14.

When panels are loaded onto the trolley in an upright configuration as described above, either or both end support can be slid to a longitudinal position wherein the lateral bar 38 abuts an upright end of the panel. The panels can thus be sandwiched between opposing support members. This can be repeated on both lateral sides of the trolley as well as both longitudinal ends of the trolley to secure a panel in place.

Using the support formations described above, panels can be laterally constrained and/or longitudinally constrained as well as prevented from toppling. This provides a particularly secure support structure for transporting the panels on the trolley 10.

The lateral bar 38 is rotatable (e.g. between the first position substantially vertical position and a second substantially horizontal position). In the vertical position (see figure 3), the lateral bars 38 are removed from the plane of the first support frame 50, and therefore a panel 2 can be removed from either of the end of the trolley. Additionally, this allows for a more compact storage configuration.

The limb 36 maybe rotationally mounted within the sleeve 42. Alternatively, the lateral bar 38 is rotatably mounted to the limb 36.

A brake 64 is provided to retard the speed of the trolley or prevent unwanted movement thereof. The brake 64 is operatively connected to the central wheel 16B to prevent rotation thereof. This prevents translational movement and pivoting movement of the trolley. Additionally or alternatively, the brake 64 is operatively connected to the wheels 16.

To help manoeuver the trolley manually a handle formation 66 is provided on either or both end support member 34. The handle 66 comprises a lateral bar. The handle 66 may comprise a soft/deformable material to allow easier grip thereof.

The handle 66 is rotatable allowing flexible operation of the trolley (e.g. the handle may be rotated to a vertical position to provide leverage to pivot the trolley).

The brake 66 comprises a lever 67 that is depressed to activate the brakes. The lever 67 is located at an end of the base, such that the lever can be depressed by the operator's foot. The lever 67 may lock into position in the depressed state, such that the brake remains activated.

In an alternative embodiment, the handle 66 comprises a brake release lever. This is shown in figure 1 but could equally be applied to figures 1-5. An autobraking system is employed so that the trolley is passively safe. This requires the operator to actively engage the brake release lever to disengage the brakes and allow movement of the trolley. If the brake lever is released, the brake is re-engaged and the trolley is halted.

A brake cable runs through the end support member 34 or from the brake lever, and extends to beneath the base frame, where it is attached to a brake on one or more of the wheels. The brakes may comprise brake pads or similar and are biased to a braking condition. Upon actuating the lever, tension in the brake cable overcomes the biasing force and releases the brakes, allowing the central wheels to rotate. When the lever is released or manually actuated back to the braking condition, the brakes will be reapplied.

The end support member 34 (i.e. limb 36) on which the handle/lever is provided may be static, i.e. non-extendable to ensure the correct length/tension in the brake cable. However the opposing end support 34 may be freely adjusted so as to selectively engage upstanding panels on the trolley. Thus the panels can be slid into contact with the static support member 34 and then trapped in place by sliding the opposing support member 34.

As shown in more detail in figure 2, the trolley comprises a plurality of apertures configured to allow lifting of the trolley using a forklift or the like. A first plurality of 30 apertures 68 are provided within the grid/mesh 59. The apertures 68 comprises a frame 70 at a periphery thereof to prevent deformation of the grid-mesh A second plurality of apertures are provided by a plurality of upstanding eyelets 72 provided on a side 18 of the base adjacent the second support frame 60. The eyelets 72 are aligned with the first plurality of apertures 68, to allow a forklift tine to pass therethrough.

Alternatively, the apertures are provided in the base 12. For example, as shown in figure 5, a rectangular cross-section channel extends across the width of the trolley.

The trolley comprises a securing mechanism to secure the panel 2 onto the first support frame 50. The securing mechanism comprises an extendable strap 76 deployable from a reel or the like (i.e. in a similar fashion to a car seatbelt). The extendable strap comprises a hook or the like configured to engage the cover the base cover 13 and/or the edge support formation 32. The base cover 13 comprises a plurality of holes staggered in the transverse direction to allow the hook to engage different portions of the cover 13. This allow the strap 76 to secure varying amounts of panels, whilst maintaining a tight connection between the strap the and panel 2.

As shown in the right hand side of figure 5 a series of connection formations may be provided in the base or cover 13 for releasable connection with the strap, i.e. for hooking onto. The connections could comprise pins, opposing hooks or similar. The formations are provided below the upper surface of the cover 13.

The trolley provides a stable but easily manoeuvrable structure that can safely bear a significant weight of boards or panels thereon.

Claims

Claims: 1. A trolley for carrying panels comprising: a base frame having opposing ends and a plurality of first wheels supporting the base frame above a ground surface, the base frame having an upper surface against which an edge of one or more panel on the trolley can rest in an upright orientation such that a majority of the weight of the one or more panel is supported by a panel edge on the upper surface of the base; one or more support member extending above the base in an abutment position for constraining a panel on the trolley in the upright orientation; where the first wheels are provided towards the base frame comprises one or more second wheel, the second wheel provided at a different height beneath the base frame than the first wheels.
2. A trolley according to claim 1, where the one or more second wheel is raised relative to the first wheels such that it does not contact the ground in normal operation, the second wheel configured to engage the ground during a rotation of the trolley about a substantially horizontal axis to prevent further rotation thereof.
3. A trolley according to claim 1, where the one or more second wheel is lower than the first wheels relative to the base frame such that it contacts the ground in normal operation and bears a portion of the trolley weight.
4. A trolley according to any preceding claim, where the base frame and/or support member extends in a longitudinal direction, the trolley comprising a plurality of second wheels, the second wheels spaced in a transverse direction.
5. A trolley according to any preceding claim, where the second wheels are provided adjacent a side of the base.
6. A trolley according to any preceding claim, where the second wheel is provided proximal a longitudinal midpoint of the base.
7. A trolley according to any preceding claim, where the second wheel comprises a different diameter than the first wheels.
8. A trolley according to any preceding claim, comprising one or more third 5 wheel.
9. A trolley according to claim 8, where the third wheel is located proximal a longitudinal and/or transverse midpoint of the base.
10. A trolley according to any of claims 8 or 9, where the third wheel comprises a plurality of wheels.
11. A trolley according to any of claims 8-10, where one of the second wheel(s) and the third wheel(s) is rotatable about a vertical axis and the other of the second wheel(s) and third wheel(s) is not rotatable about the vertical axis.
12. A trolley according to any preceding claim, where the second and/or third wheel comprises a brake.
13. A trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member comprises one or more arm extending from the base frame and one or more elongate support arm, a portion of the support member being substantially perpendicular to the arm and/or provided at a distal end of the arm.
14. A trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member comprises an end support member extending from either/both end of the trolley comprising a limb that is linearly actuatable towards/away from the end of the trolley and one or more abutment surface mounted on the limb configured to engage the panel on the trolley.
15. A trolley according to claim 14, wherein the abutment surface comprises a laterally extending cross bar.
16. A trolley according to any of claims 14 or 15, where the abutment surface is 35 rotatable.
17. A trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein the base frame comprises an edge support member depending upwardly from an edge of the base frame and/or support surface in the abutment position.
18. A trolley according to claim 17, wherein the edge support member comprises a lip member.
19. A trolley according to any preceding claim, comprising a handle for manoeuvring the trolley on its wheels, the handle being provided on a support member or an intermediate arm and spaced from the base frame.
20. A trolley according to any preceding claim, comprising a brake on one or more wheels, wherein the brake is biased to a braking condition, the trolley comprising a manual actuator to override the biasing of the brake in order to release the braking condition.
21. A trolley according to claim 20, where the manual actuator is located on the handle.
22. A trolley according to any preceding claim, comprising a strap extending from an upper end of the support member and removably secured to the base so as to retain an upright panel against the support member.
23. A trolley according to claim 22, where the strap is resiliently extendable.
24. A trolley according to claim 22 or 23, where the base comprises plurality of securing features configured to allow securing of the strap at different locations on the base.