SE542523C2 - A hand-operated truck and the use thereof for lifting and moving flexible containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hand-operated truck (1) suitable for lifting and moving a flexible container. The truck comprises an elongated support frame (3), a pair of rotatable carrying wheels (7) rotatably connected to a lower part of the support frame so that the support frame is pivotably arranged in relation to the carrying wheels between an upright position and a rearwardly tilted transport position, at least one carrying element (6) connected to an upper part of the support frame (3) and projecting forwardly from the support frame, and the support frame is pivotably arranged in relation to the carrying wheels between the upright position and a forwardly tilted load position. The truck comprises two articulated arms (28) pivotably connected to the support frame and a pair of spaced apart rotatable support wheels (22) connected to the articulated arms and disposed at a distance from the support frame (3) on a front side of the support frame so that the support frame is allowed to pivot in relation to the support wheels.

Description

A hand-operated truck and the use thereof for lifting and moving flexible containers Technical field The present invention relates to a hand-operated truck. The invention also relates to the useof the truck for lifting and moving flexible containers.

Background Today, flexible containers are often used to transport material on building sites and industrialsites. A type of flexible containers is Flexible, Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC), also calledbulk bags, or big bags. This is an industrial container made of a flexible fabric. The FIBCnormally measures around 110 cm in diameter, and the height varies in from 100 cm up to200 cm, but is typically about 120 cm. The loading capacity is normally around 1000 kg. Thecontainers are provided with two or four lifting loops, which are used as attachment pointsfor lifting the container.

Since the containers are very heavy when they are loaded, it is difficult or even impossible fora human to move the loaded containers without any motor-driven lifting equipment.Transportation of the containers is done on pallets using a motor-driven pallet truck, or bylifting the containers in the loops using a lifting crane with a hook. A consequence of this isthat the containers are loaded at places outdoor, where it is easy to reach them with a motor-driven vehicle provided with a lifting crane, such as close to roads or parking places. This leadsto large numbers of loaded containers positioned on or close to roads and parking placeswaiting for further transportation, which may constitute obstacles for the traffic and humanswalking.

A traditional hand-operated truck cannot be used to transport the loaded containers since theloaded containers are too heavy to be moved onto the truck.

Thus, there is need of a device that makes it possible for a human to transport a loaded FIBCcontainer without the need of any motor-driven vehicle.

US3,233,764 discloses a hand truck comprising an elongated support frame and a pair ofrotatable carrying wheels rotatably connected to the support frame so that the support frameis pivotably arranged in relation to the carrying wheels between an upright position and area rwa rdly tilted transport position. The truck com prises a pair of ca rrying element connectedto an upper part of the support frame.

Summary lt is an aim of the present invention to at least partly overcome the above problems, and toprovide a hand-operated truck suitable for lifting and moving flexible containers, such as FIBC.

This aim is achieved by a hand-operated truck as defined in claim 1.

The truck comprises an elongated support frame and a pair of rotatable carrying wheels a pairrotatably connected to a lower part ofthe support frame so that the support frame is pivotablyarra nged in relation to the carrying wheels between an upright position and a rearwardly ti|tedtransport position. The truck further comprises at least one carrying element connected to anupper part of the support frame and projecting forwardly from the support frame, and thesupport frame is pivotably arranged in relation to the carrying wheels between the uprightposition and a forwardly ti|ted load position.

The truck comprises two articulated arms, wherein each of the articulated arms has one endpivotably connected to the support frame and the opposite end connected to one of thesupport wheels. Thus, the support frame can be pivoted forward and backward, with thecarrying wheels and the support wheels still on the ground.

The at least one carrying element is designed for supporting the loops of the container, andmore particular, the at least one carrying element is designed to be threaded into the loopsof the container. Due to the fact that the support frame is pivotably arra nged with respect tothe carrying wheels between the upright position and a forwardly ti|ted load position, itpossible to move the carrying element forward and downward in relation to the ground, sothat the carrying element reaches the loop of a flexible container standing on the ground infront of the truck, and by that allow the carrying element to be pulled through the loops ofthe container. Thus, is it possible to adjust the height of the carrying element to adapt to theheight of loops on the container by adjusting the amount of tilting of the support frame inrelation to the ground. The more the support frame is ti|ted, the shorter is the distancebetween the carrying element and the ground.

When the carrying element has been threaded into the loops of the container, the truck isti|ted backwards until the flexible container is stretched in a vertical direction. The truck isthen ti|ted further backward to the upright position at the same time as the carrying wheelsare moved forward towards the container, so that the container will rest on the support framewhen the truck is in the upright position. When the container rests on the support frame, thetruck is ti|ted backward to the transport position, and by that the container is lifted from theground. During lifting ofthe container, the load on the at least one carrying element is vertical.The support frame works as a lever on the container when the support frame is movedbackwards from the upright position to the rearwardly ti|ted position. The carrying element ispartly unloaded when the truck is in the transport position since the support frame willsupport the container. When the truck is unloaded, the container reaches the ground in avertical direction, which is advantageous for the user as well as for the ground and for thematerial in the container. The truck carrying the container is easy to operate in the transportposition, and can be moved forward as a traditional hand truck.

The truck according to the invention facilitates loading of the container on the truck. The truckenables vertical loading of the container, which is ergonomic for the user and gentle to theground or floor. Less force is needed to load the container compared to when a traditionalhand truck is used to carry the container.

With upright position is meant a position on or close to the vertical line. The support frame issubstantially aligned with the vertical line in the upright position.

The carrying element is disposed closer to the upper end than to the lower end ofthe supportframe. Preferably, the carrying element is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of thesupport frame. ln one aspect ofthe invention, the carrying element is fixedly connected to the support frame. ln one aspect ofthe invention, the support frame is designed to allow the angle ofthe supportframe in the forwardly tilted position to be more than 25° in relation to the upright position,more preferably more than 30° in relation to the upright position, and most preferably morethan 350. The more the support frame can be tilted, the greater adjustment of the height ofthe carrying element is possible. ln one aspect of the invention, the support frame is designed so that there is a free spacebelow the support frame when the support frame is in the upright position to allow thesupport frame to pivot in relation to the carrying wheels between the upright position and theforwardly tilted load position. Due to the fact that there is a free space below the supportframe, the support frame is allowed to be forwardly tilted. Traditional hand trucks arecommonly provided with forks or a plate disposed at the lower end of the support frame,which rests on the ground when the truck is in the upright position, and accordingly preventthe support frame from being tilted forward. ln one aspect ofthe invention, the lower end of the support frame ends at a distance from thelowest points of the carrying wheels when the truck is in the upright position. The largerdistance between the lowest points of the carrying wheels and the lower end of the supportframe is, the larger is the angle the support frame can be tilted in the forward direction.Preferably, the vertical distance between the lower end of the support frame and the lowestpoints of the carrying wheels is more than 50 mm, and more preferably more than 70 mm toprovide enough free space below the support frame when the truck is in the upright positionto allow the support frame to be tilted forward. ln one aspect of the invention, the truck is bottomless. There is no bottom, such as bottomplate or forks, protruding from the support frame for supporting the container. There is noneed of any bottom for supporting the container since the load is taken by the carrying element during lifting of the container. lt is advantageous not to have any bottom since it isdifficult to enter the bottom under a fully loaded container before it is lifted. ln one aspect of the invention, the vertical distance between the carrying element and thelower points of the carrying wheels when the truck is in the upright position is more than 1 m,and preferably more than 1.1 m. The vertical distance between the carrying element and thelower points of the carrying wheels when the truck is in the upright position may varydepending on height of the flexible container when the container is stretched. The existingflexible containers are commonly larger than 1 m and accordingly the vertical distancebetween the carrying element and the lower points of the carrying wheels when the truck isin the upright position should be more than 1 m and preferably more than 1.1 m so that thecontainer is stretched in the upright position. ln one aspect ofthe invention, the truck comprises at least one handle connected to an upperend of the support frame.

The truck comprises a pair of spaced apart rotatable support wheels disposed at a distancefrom the support frame on a front side of the support frame, wherein each of the supportwheels is pivotally connected to the support frame so that the support frame is enabled topivot in relation to the support wheels. Due to the fact that the support wheels are pivotallyconnected to the support frame so that the support frame is enabled to pivot in relation tothe support wheels, it is possible to roll the truck forward and backward with all ofthe supportand carrying wheels in contact with the ground independent ofthe angle ofthe support frame.The support frame is movable forward and backward between a rest position, in which thereis no force acting on the handle, and the load position, and the carrying wheels and thesupport wheels are in contact with the ground in the load position as well as in the restposition. A force must be acting on the handle to keep the truck in the transport position andload position. ln the transport position, the carrying wheels are in contact with the groundand the support wheels are above the ground. Due to the support wheels, the truck can standby itself in the rest position. Thus, the container is supported by the truck in the rest position,which facilitates the loading of the container on the truck. ln the transport position, thesupport wheels laterally support the container, and the carrying wheels carry the weight ofthe support frame and the loaded container. ln one aspect ofthe invention, the support wheels are arranged at a distance from each otherand so that free space is formed between the support wheels and the support frame forreceiving the container. The support wheels and the support frame are arranged so that aspace is defined between them for receiving the container. The distance between the supportwheels is adapted to the width of the container so that the support wheels partly enclose thecontainer and support the container. To adapt to a common flexible container, the distance between the support wheels preferably is more than 45 cm, and more preferably is more than50 cm. the truck comprises two articulated arms, wherein each of the articulated arms has one endpivotably connected to the support frame and the opposite end connected to one of thesupport wheels. Thus, the support frame can be pivoted forward and backward, with thecarrying wheels and the support wheels still on the ground. ln one aspect ofthe invention, the support frame is enabled to pivot in relation to the supportwheels about a transvers axis extending parallel to a rotational axis of the support wheels andat a distance from the rotational axis (R2) ofthe support wheels. Further, the support wheelshave a rotational axis in parallel with a rotational axis of the carrying wheels, and thetransverse axis is parallel to the rotational axis of the carrying wheels. ln one aspect of the invention, the truck comprises a rotatable shaft rotatably connected tothe support frame, and fixedly connected to the support wheels, and the shaft defines thetransverse axis. Thus, the support frame is able to pivot about the rotatable shaft. ln one aspect of the invention, the truck comprises a spring arrangement arranged betweenthe support wheels and the support frame so that a spring force is acting on the support framein a rearward direction when the support frame is in the forwardly tilted load position. Thespring arrangement provides a force on the support frame towards the upright position whichassists in stretching the container. ln one aspect ofthe invention, the spring arrangement is arranged between the support frameand the rotatable shaft. ln one aspect ofthe invention, the lowest points of the carrying wheels and the lowest pointsof the support wheels define a plane, the truck takes a rest position when there is no forceacting on the handle and the spring arrangement is released, and the support frame is inclinedan angle (a) between 5° and 15° in a forward direction with respect to an axis orthogonal tothe plane, when the truck is in the rest position. ln this embodiment, a longitudinal axis ofthesupport member forms an angle that is more than 5° and less than 15° with respect to theplane. The spring arrangement is biased in the load position so that a force is acting on thesupport frame towards the rest position, and the spring arrangement is released in the restposition. When the truck is in use, the plane defined by the support wheels and the carryingwheels is a horizontal plane and the axis orthogonal to the plane is vertical. Thus, the supportframe is slightly leaning forward in relation to the vertical axis when the truck is in the restposition. This means that there is a distance between a rear bottom part ofthe container andthe support frame when the truck is in the rest position and the container is stretched. Thisdistance makes it possible to roll the truck towards the container at the same time as thesupport frame is tilted backward and by that the lifting of the container is facilitated. ln one aspect of the invention, the at least one carrying element comprises at least two spacedapart carrying elements. The carrying elements are spaced apart in a direction perpendicularto a longitudinal axis of the support frame. ln one aspect of the invention, the at least one carrying element comprises at least threespaced apart carrying elements. The carrying elements are spaced apart in a directionperpendicular to a longitudinal axis ofthe support frame. ln one aspect of the invention, the carrying element is provided with a plurality of ridges inorder to increase the friction of the surface of the carrying element and by that prevent theloop ofthe container to glide off the carrying element. ln one aspect of the invention, the carrying element has an outer part protruding from thesupport frame, and the outer part is straight. The outer parts of the carrying element isstraight, i.e. not bent as a hook. This facilitates for the carrying element to be inserted into theloop ofthe container and to be pulled out from the loop.

Suitably, the support frame and the carrying element are made of metal.

The present invention also relates to the use of the truck according to the invention forcarrying flexible intermediate bulk containers provided with at least one loop, and the carryingelement is inserted into the loop during lifting and transportation ofthe flexible intermediatebulk container.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be explained more closely by the description ofdifferent embodimentsof the invention and with reference to the appended figures.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view from behind of an example of a ha nd-operated truck accordingto the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the truck.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the truck from above.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of another example of the truck in a rest position.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a carrying element in more details.

Fig. 6 shows a side view of the truck in a load position in front of a flexible container.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of the truck in the rest position loaded with the container.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the truck loaded with the container in an upright position.

Fig. 9 shows a side view of the truck loaded with the container in a transport position.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of another example of the truck according to the invention.

Detailed description ln the following, the truck will be described with reference to the use of lifting and carryingflexible containers. However, the use of the truck is not limited to carrying containers. Thetruck can be used for carrying many of different devices.

Figures 1, 2, and 3 show a first example of a hand-operated truck 1 according to the invention.Figure 1 shows a perspective view from behind of the truck, figure 2 shows a front view ofthetruck, and figure 3 shows the truck in a cross-sectional view from above. The truck 1 comprisesan elongated support frame 3 having upper and lower ends 3a-b, and at least one handle 5operatively connected to the upper end 3a ofthe support frame 3 as shown in figure 2. ln thisexample, the truck comprises two spaced apart handles 5. However, the truck may have onlyone handle. ln this example, the handles 5 are operatively arranged so that they projectrearwardly from the support frame.

The truck comprises at least one carrying element 6 fixedly connected to the upper end 3a ofthe support frame and projecting forwardly from the support frame. ln this example, the truckcomprises a pair of spaced apart carrying elements 6 attached to the upper end 3a of thesupport frame. The carrying elements 6 are arranged at a distance from each other along anaxis parallel to the rotational axis R1 of the carrying wheels. The carrying elements 6 aredesigned so that they can be treaded through the loops of a flexible container, and to carrythe container when it is loaded. ln an alternative embodiment, the truck may have one singlecarrying element or more than two carrying elements. Suitably, the support frame 3 and thecarrying elements 6 are made of metal, for example, steel or aluminium.

The truck 1 further comprises a pair of rotatable carrying wheels 7 rotatably connected to thelower end 3b of the support frame. The support frame 3 is pivotably arranged in relation tothe carrying wheels 7 between an upright position, as shown in figure 8, and a forwardly tiltedload position, as shown in figure 7, and between the upright position and a rearwardly tiltedtransport position, as shown in figure 9.

To allow the support frame to be pivoted between the upright position and the forwardlytilted load position, the support frame is designed so that there is a free space 10 below thesupport frame 3 when the support frame is in the upright position, as shown in figure 2. Toachieve the free space 10, the lower end 3b of the support frame ends at a distance d1 fromthe lowest points 12 ofthe carrying wheels when the truck is in the upright position. The largerdistance between the lowest points of the carrying wheels and the lower end of the supportframe is, the larger is the angle the support frame can be tilted in the forward direction.Preferably, the vertical distance d1 between the lower end of the support frame and thelowest points of the carrying wheels is more than 50 mm, and more preferably more than 70mm to provide enough free space below the support frame when the truck is in the uprightposition to allow the support frame to be tilted forward. Preferably, the support frame is designed to allow the angle of the support frame in the forwardly tilted position to be morethan 25° in relation to the upright position, more preferably more than 30° in relation to theupright position and most preferably more than 35 ° in relation to the upright position. Themore the support frame can be tilted, the greater adjustment of the height of the carryingelements in relation to the ground in the load position is possible.

The support frame can be designed in many ways. ln this example, the support framecomprises a pair of spaced apart legs 14 extending between the lower end 3b and the upperend 3a of the support frame, and a plurality of first support members 16 extending betweenthe legs in a transvers direction. The pair of legs 14 comprises first and second legs havingupper ends and lower ends, and the at least one handle 5 comprises a first handle connectedto the upper end ofthe first leg and a second handle connected to the upper end of the secondleg, and the carrying elements comprise a first carrying element attached to the first leg anda second carrying element attached to the second leg. ln this example, the support frame 3further comprises two second support members 18 attached to the legs and extending alongthe legs, partly at a distance from the legs, in order to strengthen the support frame. Thesupport frame 3 also comprises a first shaft 20 arranged between the pair of carrying wheels7 and defining a common rotational axis R1 for the carrying wheels, as shown in figure 3. Thecarrying wheels are rotatably connected to the first shaft 20. The shaft 20 also defines arotational axis for the tilting movements of the support frame 3 between the upright positionand rearwardly tilted transport direction.

The truck com prises a pair of spaced apart rotatable support wheels 22 disposed at a distanced2 from the support frame 3 on a front side ofthe support frame, wherein the support wheels22 are pivotally connected to the support frame 3 so that the support frame is allowed to pivotin relation to the support wheels, as shown in figure 3. The support wheels 22 are rotatableabout a rotational axis R2, as shown in figure 3. The support wheels 22 and the support frame3 are arranged so that a space 24 is defined between them for receiving the container, asshown in figure 2. The distance d3 between the support wheels, and the distance d2 betweenthe support wheels and the support frame depends on the size of the container. The distanced3 between the support wheels is adapted to the width of the container so that the supportwheels can partly enclose the container and support the sides of the container. For example,if the width of the container is 45x45 cm, the distance d3 between the support wheels 22should be larger than 45 cm, and preferably larger than 50 cm so that there is enough spacebetween the support wheels to receive the container. Further, the distance d2 between thesupport wheels 22 and the support frame should preferably be larger than 20 cm, andpreferably larger than 30 cm so that the support wheels can support the sides of the containerto prevent the container from swinging sideways.

The support frame is allowed to pivot in relation to the support wheels between the uprightposition and the forwardly tilted load position about a transverse rotational axis R3, as shownin figure 3. ln this example, the truck comprises a second shaft 26 rotatably connected to the support frame and fixedly connected to the support wheels 22, and the second shaft 26defines the rotational axis R3. The first shaft 20 and the second shaft 26 are arranged inparallel, as shown in figure 3. The first and the second shafts 20, 26 are also arranged in parallelwith the rotational axis R2 ofthe support wheels. The second shaft 26 is arranged at a distancefrom the rotational axis R2 ofthe support wheels. ln this example, the first and second shafts20, 26 are arranged at a distance from each other. ln this example, the support framecomprises two hollow sleeves 30 attached to the legs 14, and the second shaft 26 is runningthrough the sleeves 30 to allow the second shaft 26 to be rotated with respect to the supportframe about its longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the support frame may comprise one singlehollow sleeve attached to the legs 14.

The truck comprises two arms 28 arranged between the second shaft 26 and the supportwheels 22. Each arm has one end attached to the second shaft 26 and the other end rotatablyconnected to one of the support wheels 22. The support wheels 22 are rotatably connectedto the arms. ln one embodiment, the arms are fixedly attached to the second shaft 26. ln analternative embodiment, the two arms 28 are adjustably attached to the second shaft 26 sothat the positions of the arms are adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the second shaft26, and by that the distance between the arms, and accordingly the distance between thesupport wheels, is adjustable. Thus, the distance between the support wheels can be adaptedto containers of different sizes. This is, for example, achieved by having two second sleeves 32fixedly connected to arms disposed at opposite ends of the second shaft 26, and slidablyarranged along the second shaft, as shown in figure 2. The second sleeves 32 are arrangedmovable along the second shaft and can be locked to the second sleeves 32 when the distancebetween the support wheels is desired. For example, the second sleeves are provided with aplurality of holes and can be locked to the second shaft by means of screws. ln one aspect, the support wheels are arranged movable relative the support frame betweena folded position and an unfolded position. This will save space when the truck is not in use ortransported. lt is also possible to use the truck with the support wheels folded, which can beadvantageous ifthe container is wider than the distance between the support wheels.

Figure 5 shows an example of a carrying element 6 in more details. The carrying element isdesigned so that it can be threaded through one of the loops of the container. The carryingelement 6 is elongated. For example, the length of the carrying element is at least 3 cm, andpreferably at least 4 cm. Preferably, the carrying element 6 has a straight outer part 35 tomake it easier to thread the carrying element through the loop of the container. ln thisexample, the outer part 35 extends substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis ofthe legs14. However, the outer part 35 can also be slightly inclined upwards. ln this example, thecarrying element 6 is provided with a plurality of ridges in order to increase the friction ofthesurface of the carrying element and by that prevent the loops of the container to glide off thecarrying element. However, the carrying element can be designed in different ways in orderto increase the friction of the surface in contact with the loop. For example, the carrying element can be provided with recesses, ridges or grooves forming different patterns on thesurface, or the surfaces ofthe carrying element can be covered with a material of high friction.

Optionally, the truck comprises a spring arrangement 38 arranged between the supportwheels 22 and the support frame 3, as for example shown in figure 1. The spring arrangement38 is arranged so that a spring force is acting on the support frame in a rearward directionwhen the support frame is in the forwardly tilted load position. The spring arrangement 38provides a force on the support frame 3 towards the upright position. For example, the springarrangement 38 comprises a spring 40, such as a gas spring or a pneumatic spring, arrangedbetween the support frame 3 and the second shaft 26. ln this example, the springarrangement comprises a lever 41a attached to the second shaft. One end of the spring 40 ismovably connected to the second shaft 26 via the first lever 41a. The other end of the spring40 is movably connected to the support frame 3 via an attachment part 41b. ln this example,the spring arrangement 38 is arranged between the second support members 18 of thesupport frame 3 and the second shaft 26. The truck will take a rest position when there is noforce acting on the handle and the spring arrangement is released. ln the rest position, thespring does not provide any force on the support frame. When the support frame is tiltedforward, the spring arrangement will provide a force on the support frame in a rearwarddirection towards the rest position. The lowest points 12 of the carrying wheels 7 and thelowest points 42 of the support wheels 22 define a plane. ln one example, the rest position isapproximately aligned with the vertical line when the support wheels and the carrying wheelsrest on a horizontal ground.

Figure 4 shows a side view of another example of the truck. Elements corresponding to theones of the embodiment, shown in figure 1 - 10, are given the same reference numbers. lnthis example, the support frame is inclined an angle oL in a forward direction with respect toan axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the lowest points 12 of the carrying wheels 7 andthe lowest points 42 of the support wheels, when the truck is in the rest position. When thetruck is positioned on the ground, the axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the lowestpoints 12 of the carrying wheels 7 and the lowest points 42 of the support wheels 22 is thevertical line L. Suitably, the angle oL is between 5° and 15° when the truck is in the rest position,preferably the angle oL is between 5° and 10°. For example, the angle oL is about 6°. ln the following, operation of the truck during loading of a flexible container 45 provided withloops 46 will be explained with reference to the figures 6 - 9. Figure 6 shows the truck in a loadposition in front of the flexible container. Figure 7 shows the truck in the rest position loadedwith the container. Figure 8 shows the truck loaded with the container in an upright position.Figure 9 shows the truck loaded with the container in a transport position. ln a first step, the truck is moved close to the flexible container 45. ln a next step, the supportframe is tilted towards the container so that the flexible elements 6 are threaded into two of 11 the loops 46 of the container, as shown in figure 6. When the carrying elements have beenthreaded through the loops 46 of the container, the truck is tilted backward to the restposition while the flexible container is stretched in a vertical direction, as shown in figure 7.Due to the fact that the support frame is inclined an angle oL in a forward direction with respectto the vertical line, the |ongitudina| axis of the support frame is not parallel with the sides ofthe container, and the bottom of the container is at a distance from the lower end of thesupport frame, as shown in figure 7. ln a next step, the truck is tilted further backward to theupright position at the same time as the carrying wheels and the support wheels are movedforward towards the container, as shown in figure 8. The container is now in contact with thesupport frame, and sides of the container are substantially parallel with the |ongitudina| axisof the support frame. When the container rests on the support frame, the truck is tiltedbackward to the transport position, and by that the container is lifted from the ground, asshown in figure 9. During lifting of the container, the load on the carrying elements is vertical.The support frame works as a lever on the container when the support frame is movedbackwards from the upright position to the rearwardly tilted position. The support framesupports the container when the truck is in the transport position and the carrying elementsare at least partly unloaded. When the truck is to be unloaded, the support frame is tiltedforward to the rest position, and the container reaches the ground in a vertical direction,which is advantageous for the user as well as for the ground and for the material in thecontainer.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of another example of a truck 50 according to theinvention. Elements corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment, shown in figure 1 -10, are given the same reference numbers. The truck 50 comprises a support frame 52 andthree carrying elements 6a-c attached to the support fame 52. This truck 50 differs from thefirst embodiment in that it comprises three carrying elements 6a-c. The carrying elements 6a-b are arranged in the same way as in the first embodiment, and can be used to carry flexiblecontainers having two loops on the same side of the container. One of the carrying elements6c is arranged centrally on the support frame 52 and between the carrying elements 6a-b. Thecarrying element 6c can be used for another type of flexible containers having a large looparranged on each side of the container. This embodiment makes it possible to carry twodifferent types of containers. ln an alternative embodiment, the truck may have only thecarrying element 6c.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but may be varied andmodified within the scope of the following claims. For example, the number of carryingelements may vary. Further, the support frame can be designed in many other ways. Forexample, the support frame can be provided with support members to further support thecontainer during transportation ofthe container, such as a pair of plates having a flat surfaceadapted to be in contact with the container. ln an alternative embodiment, the supportwheels can be excluded. The number of carrying elements can vary between one and morethan two. The design ofthe carrying element can also vary. The truck can also be used to carry 12 other devices, such as boards or beams, provided with some lifting elements, such as a strapor a strip.

Claims (9)

m

1. A hand-operated truck (1; 50) comprising: - an elongated support frame (3; 52), and - a pair of rotatable carrying wheels (7) rotatably connected to a lower part (3b) ofthe supportframe so that the support frame is pivotably arranged in relation to the carrying wheelsbetween an upright position and a rearwardly ti|ted transport position, wherein the truckcomprises at least one carrying element (6; 6a-c) connected to an upper part of the supportframe (3; 52) and projecting forwardly from the support frame, and the support frame ispivotably arranged in relation to the carrying wheels between the upright position and aforwardly ti|ted load position, characterized in that the truck comprises two articulated arms(28) pivotably connected to the support frame and a pair of spaced apart rotatable supportwheels (22) connected to the articulated arms and disposed at a distance (d2) from thesupport frame (3; 52) on a front side ofthe support frame so that the support frame is allowedto pivot in relation to the support wheels.

2. The truck according to claim 1, wherein the support frame (3; 52) is designed so that thereis a free space (10) below the support frame when the support frame is in the upright positionto allow the support frame to pivot in relation to the carrying wheels between the uprightposition and the forwardly ti|ted load position.

3. The truck according to any of the previous claims, wherein the truck comprises a rotatableshaft (26) rotatably connected to the support frame, and the articulated arms (28) areattached to the rotatable shaft (26), wherein the support frame (3; 52) is arranged to pivot inrelation to the support wheels (22) about the rotational shaft.

4. The truck according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support wheels (22) arearra nged at a distance (d3) from each other and so that free space (24) is formed between thesupport wheels and the support frame (3; 52) for receiving the container.

5. The truck according to any of the previous claims, wherein the truck comprises a springarra ngement (38) arranged between the support wheels (22) and the support frame (3; 52) sothat a spring force is acting on the support frame in a rearward direction when the supportframe is in the forwardly ti|ted load position.

6. The truck according to claim 5, wherein the truck comprises at least one handle (5)connected to an upper end ofthe support frame, the lowest points (12) ofthe carrying wheels(7) and the lowest points (42) of the support wheels (22) define a plane, the truck takes a restposition when there is no force acting on the handle and said spring arrangement is released,and the support frame (3; 52) is inclined an angle (oL) between 5° and 15° in a forward directionwith respect to an axis orthogonal to said plane, when the truck is in the rest position.

7. The truck according to any ofthe previous claims, wherein said at least one carrying elementcomprises at least two spaced apart carrying elements (6a-c).

8. The truck according to any ofthe previous claims, wherein the at least one carrying element(6; 6a-c) has an outer part (35), and the outer part is straight.

9. Use of the truck (1) according to any of the claims 1 - 8 for carrying flexible intermediatebulk containers (45) provided with at least one loop (46), wherein the support frame is tiltedtowards the container to the forwardly tilted load position and the carrying element (6; 6a-c)is threaded into the at least one loop (46) of the container, and the truck is tilted backward tothe upright position while the flexible container is stretched in a vertical direction, whereinthe support wheels (22) and the carrying wheels (7) remain in contact with the ground whilethe support frame is tilted forward and backward between the upright position and theforwardly tilted load position.