ITMI20001242A1 - MULTIPURPOSE FOLDING TROLLEY - Google Patents

Description

Description of the industrial invention from

Foldable multipurpose trolley

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a folding multipurpose trolley; in particular, it relates to a folding trolley suitable for combined use both as a tool for transporting loads and heavy objects in various ways, and as a means of locomotion according to the scooter principle. Prior art

From the current state of the art, a large number of more or less ingenious solutions of multi-purpose trolleys or vehicles on folding wheels are known, which can be adapted to the transport of loads of different characteristics and shapes (for example loads of strongly dimensioned and geometrically variable, loads that cannot be overturned or placed - for example some appliances or furniture, golf club bags, a set of crates, suitcases or folders stacked, some containers for liquids -, rigid packaging in a single container or loads consisting of a set of separate small items - for example a large weekly grocery). Sometimes the function of a means of transporting objects has been combined with the possibility of use as a means of locomotion, in particular according to the principle of the scooter. Various solutions of portable and folding scooters are also known, sometimes also having the function of a trolley, with extremely simplified mechanics and very small dimensions, suitable to be advantageously used as an emergency vehicle, or for short journeys inside department stores, airports. , pedestrian areas closed to traffic, port areas. The simplicity of the mechanics and structure of the scooter allows for extremely high miniaturization and weight reduction, and the possibility of using a similar vehicle in combination with public transport or with the car, where it can be transported without often encumbering more than one small to medium-sized hand luggage. The known solutions of scooters / trolleys have been limited to the transport of objects and / or luggage resting on three or four wheels and pushed or pulled manually. However, this transport principle is not the most suitable for transporting bulky loads of elongated shape, which cannot or should not be laid down, for example along roads or very steeply sloping floors, or inside narrow spaces such as typically that of a lift for people, a bus or an airplane. A problem underlying the present invention is the provision of a trolley for combined use as a means for loading and transporting a load both on a single axle and on two axles of wheels sliding on the ground. This problem is solved by a multipurpose folding trolley having the characteristics indicated in Claim 1.

A second problem underlying the present invention is to provide a basic structure of a folding multipurpose trolley that allows use, both as a means of transporting things and for locomotion, according to the principle of the scooter.

This problem is solved by a multipurpose folding trolley having the characteristics indicated in Claim 2.

An advantage of a multipurpose trolley according to the present invention is the fact that it can be made as an extremely versatile object according to various methods of use: a particular embodiment combines the previous methods of use with the possibility of being carried, folded, over the shoulder. or on the shoulders as a backpack, and to also be used as a rigid or semi-rigid transport frame (as for example the shoulder frames were used in the past for the transport of window glass), and possibly as a makeshift means for transporting children.

The multipurpose trolley according to the present invention can also be made with very small weights and dimensions, facilitating its use in unforeseen situations (for example from the unexpected transport of an appliance to use as a means of locomotion and transport for the breakdown of the car). or, in a particularly advantageous way, for use in cities and pedestrian areas closed to traffic: often a bicycle lends itself badly to a city route heavily fragmented by traffic lights, sidewalks, roads (and possibly steps) to cross, while the possibility of making the multipurpose trolley liftable and manageable with one hand can be essential for such use.

List of figures

Further advantages of the present invention will become more evident to those skilled in the art following the detailed, non-limiting description of a particular embodiment illustrated with the help of the following figures, of which

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a multipurpose trolley according to the present invention;

Figure 2 represents a schematic side view of the multipurpose trolley of Figure 1;

Figure 3 represents a way of using the multipurpose trolley of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a second way of using the trolley of Figure 1;

Figures 5a and 5b show a way of adapting the trolley of Figure 1 from use as a scooter, or the use of Figure 3, and adapting it to the way of use of Figure 4;

Figure 5 schematically shows a detail of the adaptation of Figures 5a and 5b;

Figures 5d and 5e are a view according to a side view, of two different ways of using the fold 41 of Figure 5a while using the multipurpose trolley of Figure 1 as a scooter;

Figure 5f shows a section of the rear part of a variant embodiment of the multipurpose trolley according to the present invention;

Figure 6a shows a schematic plan view of the multipurpose trolley of Figure 1;

Figure 6b shows a way of carrying the trolley of Figure 1 over the shoulder;

Figure 6c shows a use of the trolley of Figure 1 as a rigid shoulder frame, carried as a backpack;

Figure 6d is a schematic side view of a trolley of Figure 1 with an anatomically shaped bottom;

Figure 7a schematically shows a detail of a different preferred embodiment of a multipurpose trolley according to the present invention;

Figure 7b shows a schematic view of the section planes and viewpoints used in Figures 7c-d;

Figure 7c schematically shows a section of the rear end of the multipurpose trolley of Figure 7a, according to a section plan M-M;

Figure 7d schematically shows a section of the rear end of the multipurpose trolley of Figure 7a according to a section plane

N-N, normal to the M-M plane of Figure 7c;

Figure 8 finally shows a third preferred embodiment of a multipurpose trolley according to the present invention.

Detailed description

Figures 1 and 2 are a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of a multipurpose trolley according to the present invention; this trolley comprises a table, indicated globally with the reference number 1, and shaped in such a way as to define one or more loading surfaces P on which to transport people and / or things: in the particular example shown, the table 1 advantageously has a central portion 14 lower (when both the front 2 and rear 3 wheels are resting on the ground) than its raised front 7 and rear 9 ends. The central portion 14 constitutes a platform where a user of the trolley can stand up while maintaining the

(¥ as close as possible to the ground, so that the user, not having to raise and lower his center of gravity excessively, does not have to make too much effort to push the scooter. The upper faces 10 and 11 of the raised ends front 7 and rear 9 are instead coplanar to the loading surface P (thus defining a single loading surface P).

The table 1 is equipped with one or more front steering wheels 2, and with one or more rear wheels 3, on which it can slide (with only one front wheel 2 and rear 3, the multipurpose trolley can be considered a scooter in the proper sense of the term ); the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 has two rear wheels 3 and a single front steering wheel 2 controlled by a handlebar 4 through the column 5, integral with the handlebar 4. The front wheel 2 is connected to the column 5 with a connection reversible 6, for example made with a joint that can be disconnected and reconnected and which, as schematized in Figure 3, allows the aforementioned column 5 to be folded forward or folded down onto the table 1 without necessarily having to disconnect the joint; the configuration of Figure 3 represents the use of the multipurpose trolley according to the present invention as a typical trolley that a user on the ground pulls, or possibly pushes, the table 1 loaded with objects of various kinds, making it slide on the front 2 and rear 3 wheels, all resting on the ground.

Returning to Figures 1 and 2, the multipurpose trolley further comprises a tilting pallet 8 hinged to the edge 90 of the rear end 9 of the table 1 so as to be able to rotate around an axis parallel to that of the rear wheels (or wheels) 3. These rotations are limited between a first extreme configuration, in which the pallet 8 is in a position approximately orthogonal to the loading plane P, and a second extreme configuration in which the pallet 8 is folded on the rear end 9 of the table 1 (these two positions extreme positions are represented in Figure 2 with broken sections; the first extreme position will be determined for example by a rigid mechanical stop of the tilting pallet 8 against a part of the table 1, while the second extreme position is obtained for example by resting the pallet 8 on a elastic rubber gusset 130); moreover, in the first extreme configuration, the vane 8 is coplanar to a tangent Ptg plane (in one or more points P1 to the tread of the rear wheel (s) 3: this position allows use of the multipurpose trolley as shown in Figure 4, i.e. making it slide only on (or on) the rear wheels 3 and keeping the board 1 in a strongly inclined or almost vertical position with respect to the ground, while a load C, which for reasons of space or other reasons is preferable to move in an approximately vertical position, is placed on the pallet 8 and on the support surface P of the table 1 in such a way that the vertical line passing through its center of gravity G passes near the rolling axis of the rear wheels (or wheels) 3, and can be easily moved to one side and on the other of this axis by varying the inclination of the table 1. This method of use is, for example, particularly convenient for handling household appliances, stacked bottle crates, mobile liquids, large packaging (for example televisions, personal computers). Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the rear wheels 3 need not necessarily be fixed in the aforesaid position, but can be fixed on an adjustable support which for example allows them to slide perpendicularly to the Ptg plane, so as to adapt to the dimensions and the position of the center of gravity G of the load C. According to a further aspect of the present invention, when the multipurpose trolley is used as a scooter, the driver can lower the blade 8 with his heel so that suitable raised parts 12 on the lower face of the pallet 8 through corresponding openings 13, made on the rear end 9 of the board 1, they press against the tread of the rear wheel (s) 3, so as to stop their rolling. In this way it is avoided that the tread has to protrude through the openings 13 above the upper face 11 of the rear end 9, on the loading surface P: it instead remains below it, in the retracted position. The embossed parts 12 can for example be obtained with pads of elastomeric material or by suitably conforming the same material as the blade 8. During braking, the aforementioned rubber block 130 is compressed, its elasticity being such as not to excessively increase the force necessary to press the vane 8, and constitutes a return mechanism which returns the vane to the rest position resting on the end 9 of the table 1 when the vane 8 is unloaded, at the end of braking.

In a variant not shown, the openings 13 may be absent, and the raised part (s) 12 may compress a flexible wall (for example of elastomers), a cantilevered elastomer sheet or other braking element interposed between the relief 12 is the tread to be braked, so that the interposed element, by transmitting the pressure exerted by the relief 12 to the tread, brakes it. According to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, this blade 8 is wider than the front end 7 of the table 1: this makes it particularly easy for the user, when using the multipurpose trolley as a scooter, to reach this rear brake with a foot; in fact in many scooters according to the current state of the art the braking maneuver is made very difficult by the small size of the rear brake, as it is difficult for a driver to identify it with a foot groping in a position behind the shoulders, not visible, to operate it with a movement unnatural and the driver's attention is often turned to the unexpected that he is facing (for example an obstacle to avoid which appeared suddenly) and which made braking necessary. Furthermore, braking with two braking rear wheels 3 is more effective. Furthermore, the multipurpose trolley is made more stable in this way when it is placed on all its wheels (front 2 and rear 3).

Figures 5a-b-c schematically show a use of the multipurpose trolley of Figure 1 as a crate trolley. According to this method of use, the stem 5 handlebar assembly 4 can be disconnected from the front wheel 2 and split into three pieces, the handlebar 4 and two segments 50 and 51 of the column, of equal length.

The two segments 50 and 51 of the column 5 are inserted in suitable housings (for example through holes 15, 15 'obtained on the vertical walls 16, 16' of the raised front 7 and rear 9 ends of the table 1) so as to be coplanar, together at the upper surfaces 11 and 10 of the ends 7 and 9, to the loading surface P for the loads C which are loaded on the multipurpose trolley used as a crate holder; the handlebar 4 is inserted into another housing 17 on the front edge 7 of the table 1, and for example locked with a spring pin (not shown) or another similar known locking system, so that it can be used to lift the front end of the table 1 and slide the multipurpose trolley (with or without load C) only on the rear wheels 3 as a crate holder, as shown in Figure 4, already described. Advantageously (Figure 5c) the graft 40 of the handlebar 4 on the column 5 has a curvature 41 in order to move the user's knuckles away from the loading surface P during use as a crate holder. The curvature 41, during use as a scooter, can be used advantageously to orient the handlebar 4 according to the user's preferences, i.e. oriented with the curvature 41 forward, to have more directional stability, or backwards, to approach the bust of the user, as schematically represented in Figures 5d and 5e.

According to other particular embodiments not shown, the segments 50 and 51 to obtain a single loading plane P can be more than two; in this case two of them, when the multipurpose trolley is used as a scooter, are used as stem 5 of the handlebar 4, while the others can be housed under the rear raised end 9 of the table 1, as illustrated in Figure 5f: advantageously such rear end can be shaped in such a way as to define one (or more) compartments 95 to house the remaining tubular segments 51, 51 'or other accessories such as for example a removable seat 96 (to be mounted on the upper surface of the table 1, for example in the suitable seat 97, during use as a scooter), a net to hold a load C such as a weekly shopping, straps, ties, etc.

Alternatively, according to an embodiment not shown, when the segments 51 and 51 'are more than two, it is possible to make them with pipe pieces of different diameters so as to house those of smaller diameter within two or more of larger diameter. which, when used as a scooter, are used as a stem 5.

Figures 6a-b-c-d show a method of use made possible by a further variant of preferred embodiment of a multipurpose trolley according to the present invention: fixing points 18, 18 '(for example holes) for one or more shoulder straps 19 or straps that allow you to carry the multipurpose trolley over the shoulder (if only one strap or shoulder strap 19 is used) or over the shoulders like a backpack using two shoulder straps 19. The distance D-ι between the two points of upper fastening 18 advantageously is greater than the distance D2 between the two lower fastening points 18 ', as is done for common mountain backpacks. Preferably, the multipurpose trolley is dimensioned in such a way that, when transported as a backpack, the rear wheel (s) 3 fall approximately to the height of the hips of the ergonomic model of an average user (obviously the dimensions of the trolleys identified by this criterion will vary according to the ergonomic model adopted, the somatic parameters of the population distribution considered, and it may be appropriate to make the trolley according to a standardized range or with adjustable fixing points).

The multipurpose trolley illustrated in Figure 6c can be carried as an unloaded but also loaded backpack, by lowering the tip-up pallet 8 and using it as a rigid or semi-rigid shoulder frame. A suitable anatomical conformation of the lower surface 20 of the table, which adapts to the conformation of a man's back, 1 can facilitate this use. It is equally advantageous to give the wheels shapes as free of edges and protrusions, and with wide connecting radii.

In the example of preferred embodiment described above, the wheels (2, 3) have a diameter of approximately 150 mm and the two rear wheels (3) are placed at a distance of about 320 mm from each other, with a shape with few edges (and these with large radii of connection);

the bottom 20 of the board 1 (which is totally about 700 mm long) is raised from the ground by a height of between about 25 and 50 mm, the lowered and walkable central part (14) of the board 1 has a length of about 400 mm; the handlebar 4 in the mode of use as a scooter is positioned at a height of approximately 800-850 mm from the ground, the handlebar column 4 has an inclination of approximately 10 ° with respect to the vertical and can be disassembled into handlebar 4 and two segments tubulars 50, 51 of equal length and approximately equal to 400 mm.

Figures 7a-b-c-d schematically represent a further form

// of particular construction, in which both the front 2 and rear 3 wheels are mounted on supports 21 fixed to the table 1 with suitable reversible fastening devices 200, for example dovetail guides 22 locked with spring pins 222: in this in this way the wheels can be detached from the table 1 to transport it as a backpack without them coming into contact with the neck and the legs of the conveyor.

Figure 7b is a schematic representation of the section planes used in Figures 7c and 7d.

The reversible fixing of the wheels (2, 3) to the board 1 makes it possible to fix to the latter, for example, wheels (2,3) of different diameters (depending on the regularity of the roads and the user's preferences) or ice skates or small skis. The seats 220 for fixing the dovetail guides on the table 1 can be designed and arranged according to numerous variants, leaving considerable freedom to the designer: for example (Figures 7c and 7d), arranging three seats 220 on the rear end 9 side by side between them in symmetrical positions with respect to the center plane in the longitudinal direction Pmer (i.e. the section plane L-L in Figure 7b) of the multipurpose trolley, it is possible to use the latter as a scooter with only one rear wheel 3 inserted in the central rear guide 220 "to have greater maneuverability in curves and less rolling friction, while for the transport of loads C two rear wheels 3 are inserted in the rear lateral guides 220 ', 220"'. In addition, the seats for the dovetail guides can be arranged on both lower faces 110,111 (respectively horizontal and inclined) of the rear end 9 of table 1: in

in this way the wheel supports 21 can be inserted into the guides

dovetail vertical 221 ', 221 ", 221"' (for example during use

as crate holder - Figure 7d) or horizontal 220 ', 220 ", 220"' (for example

during use as a traditional trolley or as a scooter - Figure 7c)

adapting to the prevailing direction of the weight of the load C. The guides a

dovetails can also be arranged along or transversely

to the direction of travel of the carriage, depending on the strength of the pins

spring or other devices used to lock the guides themselves, so

to offer maximum strength of the fasteners thus obtained

to the stresses during the sliding of the trolley (which generally are

mainly along the direction of travel, while the stresses

along the wheel axles are generally smaller).

Alternatively as fastening means 200 can be adopted

suitable quick fasteners known.

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment

of a multipurpose trolley according to the present invention,

according to which the front 2 and / or rear 3 wheels are mounted on

supports (21) which can be folded on the lower bottom 20 of the

table 1 or alternatively on the upper surface, reducing the

overall dimensions of the trolley when not in use.

"

Claims (21)

CLAIMS 1. Multi-purpose trolley, comprising a table (1), which can slide on one or more front steering wheels (2) and one or more rear wheels (3), and shaped in such a way as to define at least one loading surface (P ) suitable for the transport of people and / or things, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a tilting pallet (8) hinged to the edge of the rear end (9) of the table (1) so as to be able to rotate around an axis parallel to that of one or more rear wheels (3) - comprised between a position substantially orthogonal to the at least one loading surface (P) and a position folded over the rear end (9), and so that the tip-up pallet (8) in position orthogonal to the at least one loading surface (P) is substantially coplanar to a Ptg plane tangent to the tread of the one or more rear wheels (3) in such a way as to allow the multipurpose trolley to advance by sliding only on one or more rear wheels (3). 2. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a handlebar (4) connected to a column (5) which is adapted to drive the one or more front steering wheels (2) by means of a reversible connection (6). 3. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that by lowering the tilting blade (8) it can compress the tread of the one or more rear wheels (3) so as to stop its rolling. 4. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least a central portion (14) of the table (1), when both the front (2) and rear (3) wheels are resting on the ground, is lower than the faces upper ends of the raised front (7) and rear (9) ends of the table (1). 5. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 4, characterized in that the upper faces of the raised front (7) and rear (9) ends are coplanar to at least one loading surface (P). 6. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two rear wheels (3). 7. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rear end (9) of the table 1 comprises at least one opening (13) in correspondence with each of the one or more rear wheels (3), and the pallet (8) in correspondence of each opening (13), it has a relief (12) able to enter the at least one opening (13) and to press against the tread of the corresponding rear wheel (3) so as to stop its rolling when the tip-up blade (8) is lowered and pressed. 8. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 2, characterized in that the stem (5) of the handlebar (4) can be tilted forward without disconnecting the reversible connection (6). 9. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 2, characterized in that the column (5) can be separated into at least two segments (50, 51) which can be inserted in suitable housings (15, 15 ') of the table 1 so as to be coplanar with the loading surface (P). 10. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 2, characterized in that the handlebar (4) can be inserted and locked on the front edge of the table 1 so as to constitute a handle for sliding the multi-purpose trolley only on one or more rear wheels ( 3). 11. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one shoulder strap (19) so as to be able to carry said multi-purpose trolley over the shoulder. 12. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 11, characterized in that it comprises two shoulder straps (19) so that it can be carried on the back like a backpack. 13. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 12, characterized in that the lower surface (20) of the table (1) has an anatomical conformation adapted to adapt to a human back. 14. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that the supports (21) of the one or more front (2) and rear (3) wheels are fixed to the table (1) with reversible fixing means (22). Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 14, characterized in that the reversible fastening means (22) comprise dovetail guides. 16. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 14, characterized in that the table (1) has on its rear end (9) at least three reversible fixing means (22) in symmetrical positions with respect to the center line, in the longitudinal direction, of the multi-purpose trolley. 17. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 14, characterized in that the reversible fastening means (22) are fixed at least on an inclined lower face (111) of the rear end 9 of the table (1). 18. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 14, characterized by the fact that the reversible fixing means (22) are fixed at least on a lower horizontal face (110) of the rear end 9 of the table (1) · 19. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a removable seat (96). 20. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rear end (9) of the table (1) defines at least one compartment (95) suitable for housing at least the removable seat (96) and / or the segments (50, 51) ) of the steering column (5). 21. Multi-purpose trolley according to Claim 1, characterized in that the front (2) and / or rear (3) wheels are fixed on foldable supports (21).