GB2603917A

GB2603917A - Improvements in hand trollies with automated lifters

Info

Publication number: GB2603917A
Application number: GB2102281.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stanley Davis Winston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-18
Filing date: 2021-02-18
Publication date: 2022-08-24
Also published as: GB202102281D0

Abstract

A hand trolley comprising: a lifting means; lifting slide assembly frame 2 having a lifting platform 8. The lifting slide assembly engages with left and right side edges 13 of a main trolley frame body 10 via longitudinal channels (25, 22, 26, 29, see fig. 4). Interlocking tabs (23, 24) move within said channels for guiding the platform. An electric linear actuator lifts the slide assembly, said actuator being powered by a rechargeable battery with battery level indicator. The trolley also comprises a power switch and a two-speed control. The trolley may comprise two switches which determine a lower and upper height limit for the slide assembly. The trolley may also comprise forward extending removable stabiliser forks with a sensor switches for detecting the presence of the stabilisers. The trolley may be used to lift heavy items locating on a lifting platform to enable the lifted item to be more easily loaded into a van or suitable vehicle.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND TROLLIES WITH AUTOMATED LIFTERS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hand trollies used for moving boxes and goods. Background The use of hand trollies for moving heavy items is widely known and the trollies are generally a manually pushed frame with two or more wheels. To the lower frontal frame is a lifting platform onto which the items are placed. Some variations include a set of extra small wheels to the rear which fold downward on a hinged frame for added stability and ease of use. The frame shapes of the trollies are very similar but overall represent a repeated style of a basic frame with vertical sections of metal crossed with support bars to add strength for larger items such as; refrigerators.

Trollies of this type can be difficult to use and heavy items which require loading at height, for example; into the rear of a van, can prove testing. Therefore; variations for these hand trollies have been found and are cited as patents, as follows: This is shown in patent US20130181418 (BURTON, SIMONELLI, O'HARE, BECKSTROM) discloses a hand truck for carrying and lifting a load comprising spaced vertical columns each having a channel. Rollers are captured in each of said channels that are capable of vertical movement along its respective channel. A first toe plate is affixed to said columns and adapted to extend horizontally during use. A second toe plate is attached to the rollers and adapted to move vertically along said columns between upper and lower positions. The first and second toe plates are in nesting relationship when the second toe plate is in its lower position.

Patent DE102013102020 (FODER) discloses a hand truck (1) with an electric drive (9) for driving at least two coaxially arranged drive wheels (7a, 7b) of the hand truck (1), an operating part (15), a controller for controlling the electric drive (9) and an Inclination sensor (25) for determining an inclination position of the hand truck (1), the control being set up so that it holds the hand truck (1) in a desired inclination position via the electric drive (9).

Patent EP0288134 (GARRONI, BUICKEROOD) discloses a combination chair and cart unit comprising: a shaft (12) having ground engaging wheels (14) mounted thereon at the ends thereof; first and second U-shaped (18, 24) elements each having a pair of generally rigid sides (19, 36) and a crosspiece (32, 34) interconnecting first ends of the sides, the second ends of the sides being rotatably mounted on the shaft (12); a flexible sheet (33) secured at the ends thereof to and extending between the crosspieces of the first and second elements (18, 24) and passing partially about the shaft, said sheet having a pair of parts normally extending outwardly from said shaft and being in operative position angularly disposed relative to each other, third and fourth U-shaped elements (50, 66), each of the third and fourth elements including a pair of generally rigid sides (54, 68) and a crosspiece (52, 70) at first ends of the sides; means (64) pivotally connecting the sides (54) of the third element with respective sides (19) of the first element; means (72) pivotally connecting the sides (68) of the fourth element with respective sides (36) of the second element, said fourth element being movable from a first location extending upwardly and away from the second element to a second location extending downwardly and along the third element when the third element is in a position extending forwardly and downwardly from the first element; and means (56) coupling the adjacent ends of the third element with the ends of the fourth element when fourth element is in the first and second operative locations thereof.

Patent US3907138 (RHODES) discloses an electrically powered, two wheeled hand truck having telescoping frame parts, the inner frame part being raised and lowered by electric power means in the form of a rotatable screw shaft which engages a bearing nut fixed to the inner movable frame part. Rotation of the screw in a particular direction either lowers or raises the inner frame part. A DC motor is carried by the hand truck and powered by a battery voltage source also carried by the hand truck. Electrical switching means select the direction of rotation of the screw shaft for lowering or raising the inner movable frame part. Rapid and accurately controlled raising and lowering allows moving a load carried on the movable frame part from a raised position to a lowered position and vice-versa. A braking means holds the screw shaft when the motor is turned off so that the load does not slip. Starting the motor overrides the braking means to either raise or lower the load.

Patent U54049083 (GARVEY) discloses a trolley, and more particularly to a lifting trolley capable of raising and lowering goods. The lifting trolley includes a trolley frame, a drive mechanism, and a bearing mechanism. The bearing mechanism is vertically slidably connected to the trolley frame, and the drive mechanism is disposed on the trolley frame and drives the bearing mechanism to slide vertically. Compared with the prior art, the lifting trolley provided by the present invention saves time and effort, is accurate in positioning, and facilitates conveying of goods.

Patent US20070152413 (WHITE) discloses a hand truck (20) for transporting a load is disclosed. The hand truck (20) comprises a sub-frame (22) with a foot portion (47) extending therefrom so that the sub-frame is able to support the load, a main frame (21) engaged with the sub-frame (22) such that the sub-frame (22) is able to be extended and retracted with respect to a lower end (32) of the main frame (21), at least one wheel (62, 63) secured relative to the main frame (21) so that the truck 20 is able to be wheeled about, a motor (70), a controller (74) coupled to the motor (70) for enabling a user to control the operation of the motor (70), and a flexible linkage (77) coupling the motor (70), main frame (21) and sub-frame (22) together such that the motor (70) is operable to move the linkage (77) to thereby extend or retract the sub-frame (22).

Patent US20050110232 (DIBENEDETTO) discloses a hand truck which comprises a movable platform configured to lower a weight of a full beer keg to the ground from a height of a truck loading surface. The hand truck comprises a lowering mechanism comprising a controlled resistance device configured to lower the platform at a controlled rate. In one embodiment, the controlled resistance device comprises a plurality of springs and a pneumatic cylinder.

The prior art therefore shows that there is a need for a more effective hand trolly which provides an automated lifting platform that provides lifting of items using a more practical system.

The present invention aims to offer an improved automated lifting method on a hand trolly using a control operated lifting mechanism with two movably interlocked frames.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided a hand trolly with an automated lifter substantially comprised of a lifting slide assembly to which the lifting platform is attached at the bottom, which movably engages and interlocks with the right and left side edges of the main trolly frame body. To enable the lifting slide assembly to move upward and downward it is advantageously shaped with long channel tabs which movably slot into equally long channels located on the side edges of said main trolly frame body. Further to this; rear supporting slide tabs provide an elongated support onto which said slide assembly engages with during use.

Both the main trolly frame body and the lifting slide assembly are rectangular metal frame structures of similarity, having two main vertical members with supporting horizontally opposed cross members welded to them allowing for a completely flat profile on both sides. The main trolly frame body has a battery located centrally to its frame bottom located onto battery support sections, also metal, with the right and left sides of the said main vertical members having forward extending stabiliser forks, to provide additional stance stability when vertically parked. The stabiliser forks are removeable and at the rear of the forks are two sensor switches. The purpose of these switches is to inform the lifter when the stabilisers are removed. If they are not removed, lifting platform vvill park itself lOmm above the stabilisers. If only one fork is removed, the lifting platform will still park itself 10mm above the stabiliser fork. Only when both forks are removed, will the loading bay be fully lowered to ground level.

From the top centre of said battery is a vertically extending lift motor being the larger of two tube lengths forming an electric linear actuator, with the wider tube lift motor located onto the battery body providing a 12/24 Volt DC supply and the smaller tube movably inserted into the wider tube, able to extend and retract into it when in use. The top extremity of the electric linear actuator smaller tube locates and fits directly into the centre of the cross member at the top of the lifting slide assembly, therefore moving the lifting slide assembly as it rises and lowers the lifting slide assembly and as it descends back into the wider tube thereto. The lift motor is operated by the user by way of a on and off switch with at least a two-speed control situated and fixed to the upper underside of the right-hand vertical member, as shown. To the opposing side of the main trolly frame body is located a battery level indicator and charging point, to enable the trolly to be recharged using standard main electricity in the known way.

As the lifting platform and its right and left frame guards is attached horizontally to said lifting slide assembly, it travels upward and downward along with the lifting slide assembly when the switch on the control is operated by the user, lifting any items upward along the surface of the main trolly frame body.

To the bottom of the trolly are a pair of road wheels with rubber tyres set onto a standard axle ensemble and a set of folding rear wheels, in the known way with two handles for manually pushing the trolly provided, extending from the upper right and left of the main vertical members.

A limit switch is comprised of two switches situated at the same height on the opposite sides of the main frame connected in a failsafe configuration! should any one of these fail the other will operate instantaneously. These are both provided to ensure that the lifting platform does not exceed its upward travel and is located to the upper most height position on the vertical member below said battery level indicator and charging point.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the Patent Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hand trolly with an automated lifter which has all the advantages of the prior art hand trollies with automated lifters and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new hand trolly with an automated lifter which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hand trolly with an automated lifter which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hand trolly with an automated lifter which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a product available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved hand trolly with an automated lifter which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of figures

Figure 1 shows a dimensional view of the hand trolly with an automated lifter.

Figure 2 shows a frontal elevation view of the hand trolly with an automated lifter, with the lifter in the raised position.

Figure 3 shows a frontal elevation view of the hand trolly with an automated lifter, with the lifter in the lowered position.

Figure 4 shows a close end view of the main trolly frame body movably interlocked with the lifting slide assembly.

Figure 5 shows a side elevation view of the main trolly frame body movably interlocked with the lifting slide assembly.

Detailed description of figures

A typical embodiment of the coupling device is shown in Figure 1. It comprises the hand trolly with an automated lifter 1, which has automated lifter comprising a lifting slide assembly 2 with a horizontally attached lifting platform 8. A lifting slide assembly 2 is engaged and movably longitudinally interlocked with a main trolly frame body 10 by way of the right and left side edges 13 of the main trolly frame body 10 having longitudinal channels for longitudinal tabs which movably slot into said channels located on the side edges of the main trolly frame body 10 with further rear supporting slide tabs providing an elongated support onto which said slide assembly 2 movably engages with during use.

The main trolly frame body 10 and the lifting slide assembly 2 both have horizontal cross members 30 as structural formation of what are two metal frames derived of two main vertical members with supporting horizontally opposed cross members welded to them allowing for a completely flat profile on both sides. The lifting mechanism is powered by a battery 14 located centrally to the main trolly frame body 10 located onto battery support sections, also metal, with the right and left sides of the said main vertical members having forward extending stabiliser forks 16. The stabiliser forks 16 are removeable and at the rear of these forks are two sensor switches, the purpose of these switches is to inform the lifter when the stabilisers are removed. If they are not removed, lifting platform 8 will park itself lOmm above the stabilisers 16, If only one fork is removed, the lifting platform 8 will still park itself 10mni above the stabiliser. Only when both forks are removed, vvill the lifting platform 8 be fully lowered to ground level.

A vertically extending lift motor 12 being the larger of two tube lengths 12 and 5 which together form an electric linear actuator. Figure 1 shows the smaller tube 5 movably inserted into the wider tube which is the lift motor 12, this extends and retracts when in use moving the lifting slide assembly 2 upward and downward as it is attached uniformly to said smaller tube 5. The control of the action is provided by an on and off switch 3 with at least a two-speed control situated on the static vertical member of the main trolly frame body, which is opposite in location to a battery level indicator and charging point 9 and a limit switch 11 below handles 7 on the parallel vertical member of the frame body, as shown. limit switch 11 comprises two switches (the other one is situated at the same hight but on the opposite side of the frame) connected in a failsafe configuration, should any one of these fail the other will operate instantaneously This provides lifting for an item 4 place on the lifting platform 8 seated onto rear located frame guards 6 and 20 which are shaped flat metal planar sections located onto the supporting frame of the lifting platform.

For perambulation are a pair of road wheels with rubber tyres 18 and 21 set onto a standard axle ensemble and a set of folding rear wheels 15 on a tubed frame 17, in the known way. The folding rear wheels provide added stability for the trolly when in use and are a well published design in variations of trollies.

Figure 2 shows the hand trolly with an automated lifter 1A with lifting slide assembly 2A having cross members 30A and the horizontally attached lifting platform 8A. The main trolly frame body 10A seats behind the frontal moving lifting slide assembly 2A which is raised and lowered by the lift motor 12A being the larger of two tube lengths 12A and 5A which are the electric linear actuator. The control of this provided by an on and off switch 3A with at least a two-speed control situated on the static vertical member of the main trolly frame body 10A. The battery level indicator and charging point 9A and two handles 7A and 19 are on the parallel vertical members of the frame body 10A, as aforementioned.

The two rear frame guards 6A and 20A are shown in position to form the assembly of the lifting platform 8A with road wheels 18A and 21A below set and the battery 14A is shown positioned between two forward extending stabiliser forks 16A as described.

The hand trolly with an automated lifter 1B has the lifting platform 8B shown lowered in Figure 3 with the lifting slide assembly 2B and the main trolly body 10B over each other in this position as the smaller tube 5B is inserted into the wider tube which is the lift motor 12B. This operated by on and off switch 3B with a battery level indicator and charging point 9B, as shown.

Figure 4 The main trolly frame body 10C and the lifting slide assembly 2C are engaged and movably interlocked by way of the right and left side edges of the main trolly frame body 10C elongated having channels 22, 25, 26, 29 for elongated tabs 23 and 24 which movably slot into said channels located on the sides. To establish full support of the lifting slide assembly 2C further rear supporting slide tabs 27 and 28 provide an elongated support onto which said slide assembly 2C movably engages during use, or when lowered. The end of the electric linear actuator being the smaller tube 6C is shown perpendicularly attached into the lifting slide assembly upper end 2C to push it upward and pull it downward.

The assembly of the sliding and static frames is shown in Figure 5 wherein the main trolly frame body 10D engages with lifting slide assembly 2D with the lifting platform 8D, using the elongated tabs 23D inserted into elongated channels 22D with the supporting slide tabs 27 completing the stability of the movement when in use.

Claims

Claims 1) A hand trolly with an automated lifter comprising; a lifting slide assembly frame having a lifting platform where said lifting slide assembly engages with the right and left side edges of a main trolly frame body via longitudinal channels and with movably interlocked tabs therein located an electric linear actuator raises and lowers said lifting slide assembly being powered by a rechargeable battery with level indicator and controlled by an on and off switch with at least a two-speed control situated on said main trolly frame body.
2) A hand trolly with an automated lifter according to claim 1 wherein a supporting longitudinal tab movably engages with said edge of main trolly frame body.
3) A hand trolly with an automated lifter according to claim 1 wherein said lifting slide assembly frame and main trolly frame body both have horizontally opposed cross members welded to them allowing for a completely flat profile on both sides of each frame.
4) A hand trolly with an automated lifter according to claim 1 wherein said battery is located centrally to the bottom of aforementioned main trolly frame body onto battery support sections.
5) A hand trolly with an automated lifter according to claim 1 wherein a vertically extending lift motor uses an electric linear actuator to raise and lower said lifting slide assembly with is height travel limited by two limit switches.
6) A hand trolly with an automated lifter wherein vertically said extending lift motor actuator being the narrower of two tube lengths forming an electric linear actuator attached to the upper cross member of said lifting slide assembly, said smaller tube movably inserted into the wider tube, able to extend and retract into it when in use.
7) A hand trolly with an automated lifter according to claim 6 wherein said lift motor is mounted onto said battery and support sections.
8) A hand trolly with an automated lifter according to claim 1 wherein a hand trolly has forward extending removable stabiliser forks with sensor switches, located to either side of said battery of the bottom main trolly fame body.
9) A hand trolly with an automated lifter according to any preceding claim; including a system to automatically lift heavy items located on a lifting platform located on a lifting slide assembly frame, to enable the lifted item to be more easily loaded into a van or other suitable vehicle at height.