GB575666A - Improvements in or relating to hand trucks - Google Patents

Abstract

575,666. Hand-trucks. ARMITAGE, H. R. March 31, 1944, Nos. 6061 and 23864. [Class 108 (i)] A hand-truck is provided with an extensible platform consisting of two longitudinal side members of telescoping tubular construction and two cross-rails constituting end members. As shown, the platform comprises front and rear tubes 1, 2 connected by longitudinal telescopic members 4a, 4b, 4c, the intermediate tubes 4b being connected by transverse bars 5. The platform may be extended to any one of three positions and maintained therein by a spring-pressed bolt engaging in a hole in, preferably, the central longitudinal tube. Each pair of wheels 12 is mounted on a bar 14 which passes through the end tubes 1 or 2 and is provided with stops 18 so that the front and rear bars may be moved transversely out of alignment with each other to permit the wheel to be turned up by the side of the platform for stowage purposes, and according to the second Provisional Specification the wheels may be swivelled on the legs so that they can all be made to lie parallel to the platform when the legs are swung up. Spring-pressed bolts retain the wheels in the down or up position and the wheels may be fixed or'have a castor action and may be supported on springs and the number of wheels may be varied. The draw-bar 10 is telescopic and is hinged to the front bar 1 and when not required for use is engaged by a clip 11 on a luggage rail 7 hinged to the bar 1 so that the draw-bar and rail may be folded flat on the platform in the collapsed position of the truck. A similar luggage rail is hinged to the rear bar 2. Instead of the draw-bar 10 a longitudinal telescopic guide rail may be provided supported by the ends of the truck or by the luggage rails, so that a person may walk beside the truck whilst pushing it along. The first' Provisional Specification describes a collapsable platform constituted by a lazy-tongs framework, the travelling wheels being carried by the end links of the frame on legs which are adjustable in height and are pivotally articulated to the platform so that they may be swung about their pivots to lie parallel with and close to the general plane of the platform. The luggage is secured by straps connected to rings on the ends of transverse rods attached to the platform at the crossing points of the lazy-tongs links and hinged rods attached to the end links of the frame prevent endurse movement. The handle may be constituted by jointed folding rods. Three or more wheels may be employed with or without one or more hinged supporting legs. The truck may be made of metal or plastics.