WO1986000054A1

WO1986000054A1 - Two-wheel carriage pulled by a person by means of a flexible pole

Info

Publication number: WO1986000054A1
Application number: PCT/FR1985/000145
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Claude Paul Germain Desplanques
Original assignee: Desplanques Jean Claude Paul G
Priority date: 1984-06-08
Filing date: 1985-06-07
Publication date: 1986-01-03
Also published as: EP0183756A1

Abstract

Two-wheel carriage (25) arranged to be pulled by a person by means of a flexible pole (38) and for carrying loads which are generally transported on the back of a person. The carriage may be modified according to the bulkiness of the load and/or the width of the path by adjusting the lateral position of the wheels or by bringing them from an axle situated under the platform (31) to a rear axle (28). The carriage does not hinder the movements of the person which pulls the carriage and may be reduced to a compact object, running or not for its transportation. The flexibility of the pole enables to absorb the shocks occurring at each step when walking. There is also disclosed an alternative embodiment wherein the pole is bendable.

Description

TWO WHEEL TROLLEY WITH FLEXIBLE HANDLE.

The present invention relates to a two-wheeled cart intended to be towed by a human being by means of a flexible drawbar and making it possible to transport various loads usually transported on the back of a man. The invention further relates to a trolley capable of being modified as a function of the size of the load transported and the difficulties of the journey to be made, or even to be transformed into a compact object for its transport or storage.

The transport of a load placed on the back of a man allows only to make limited journeys, at reduced speeds. It also imposes on the human body a constraint that increases with the duration of the portage.This constraint can persist after exercise and sometimes cause muscle and / or bone damage.

Such a transport on the back of a man discourages people who are reluctant to exercise. It is also not recommended for young people with unstable physical development.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by eliminating, totally or partially depending on the difficulties of the journey, the fatigue due to the carrying of the load. Another object of the invention is thus to allow the transport of large loads by people of weak physical build.

The invention also makes it possible to considerably increase the distances which can be traveled, to increase the speed of movement, the running step, and to increase the weight of the load transported, while preserving the user from the problems of immediate or long-term health.

According to the invention, the trolley is arranged so that, along the width of the route to be traveled, the rolling axis can be moved at will. For a sufficiently wide path, the wheels are placed laterally relative to the plate load support; their spacing is adjusted according to the size of the load, and they are then immobilized in the lateral direction. In this position, the weight of the load is supported substantially entirely by the wheels, the user having to provide that tensile force. When the route is very narrow, the wheels are moved backwards, and the two half-axles are retracted below the platform, the load is then at least partially supported by the back of ... the user. When a load is present on the platform, it is preferably fixed as close as possible to the rear rolling axis, in order to minimize the load carried by the user.

According to the invention, the carriage is connected to the user using a drawbar which is designed to be flexible in traction as in compression, in order to absorb the shocks caused by walking. Indeed, it should be specified that the linear speed of a point located at the level of the belt of a walking human being is not constant, but results from successive accelerations and decelerations. Conversely, the carriage equipped with its load tends to have a constant speed, due to its inertia.

Thus, the advantage of the aforementioned flexible connection is to avoid exerting a hammering effect on the user, which would quickly become untenable.

According to the present invention, one of the ends of the drawbar is provided with a retractable axis oriented perpendicular to said drawbar and making it possible to adapt the carriage / drawbar assembly to the size of the user. The other end of the drawbar is fitted with a locking device allowing instant connection and removal of the drawbar-user link. When the carriage occupies the position in which the wheels are brought back, and when the user faces a steep climb, it is possible to cancel the flexibility of the drawbar using suitable locking means provided on this one.

The user is provided with a belt on which is fixed a curved support plate. This plate is connected to an axis by the intermediary of a flexible connection intended for the junction with the drawbar. Such a flexible connection is arranged so as not to impede the movements of the user. His hands remain free, and he can lower himself, kneel, move back, rotate 180% on the spot and combine all these movements. Whether the wheels of the trolley are in the lateral or rear position, the trolley follows the user, and the large diameter of the wheels limits the tractive effort to a very low value, which becomes negligible on good ground and level.

When released from its load, the cart can be transformed into a compact and rolling object. For this purpose, it suffices to place the wheels at the rear and, by contrast, to fix the drawbar, equipped at each of its ends with a retaining pin, between the two bent ends of a spar extending under the plate. In this state, the carriage can be held in the hand and rolled, in push as in traction. It can also be easily placed in a railway car luggage net, in the latter case, the drawbar will be stored parallel to the carriage, and the load placed on the tray.

To further reduce the overall size, the wheels can be placed flat on the tray.

The displacement of the wheels from one axle to the other, as well as all the other removable mechanical connections, can be carried out instantaneously without the aid of any tool.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carriage according to the invention, in a first mode of use, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the carriage of Figure 1 in a second mode of use, Figure 3 is a side view of the carriage in the first mode of use, loaded with a backpack, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carriage transformed into a compact rolling object, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear of the carriage in the first mode of use, coupled to a user, the Figure 6 is a perspective view of the carriage in the manual transport position, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the carriage in its state of maximum compactness, Figure 8 is a detail view in longitudinal section of an element of the carriage of the figures 1 to 7, Figure 9 is a v eu side detailed of another element of the carriage, Figure 10 is a detailed sectional view of means associated with the attachment of the wheels of the carriage, Figure 1 1 is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a element of the cart of the invention, FIG. 12 is a partial view of the element of FIG. 11, Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the element of Figures 1 1 and 12, and Figure 14 is a partial sectional view of the element of Figures 1 1 to 13. In Figures 1 to 7 is described a carriage with two wheels intended to be towed by man by means of a flexible drawbar, and to transport loads usually transported on the back of a man.

The carriage comprises a central tubular beam 26. The two ends of the tube 26 are bent in the same plane. One of the bent ends, indicated at 27, has a series of perforations intended to allow the carriage to be adapted to the size of the user. At the other angled end of the spar 26 is mounted an axle 28. In the central region of the spar 26 is provided a frame part 29 having two bores which receive half-axles 30. The part 29 is also intended for fixing 'a plate 31 on the spar. The plate 31, which receives the load to be transported, is equipped at its upper surface with a device 32 for fixing the load

Below the plate 31 are fixed two bearings 33 each provided with a clamping screw 34, making it possible to immobilize the two half-axles 30 during a procedure for adjusting the spacing between two wheels 25 which equip the carriage.

The axle 28, as well as one end of each half-axle 30, is fitted with a locking device 35 intended for instant mounting and dismounting of an associated wheel 25. The other end of each half-axle 30 is provided with a stop 36 to prevent it from separating from the frame 29.

The perforated part 27 of the spar receives a drawbar 38, intended to transmit to the carriage the traction force exerted by a user.

Referring to Figure 8, the drawbar 38 consists mainly of three tubes 9, 10, 1 1 of different diameters but with a common axis. At one end of the drawbar 38 is provided a cylindrical element 2 integral with the tube 10 and the functions of which are as follows: (i) it maintains a pin 1 which will be used during the transformation of the carriage into a compact rolling object, (ii) it receives a movable axis 3 equipped with a spring and allowing the drawbar to be fixed on the carriage, and (111) it holds an anchor point for the transmission of the tensile force. At the other end of the drawbar 38 is provided a cylindrical element 14 whose functions are as follows: (i) it maintains a second axis 16, (it) 11 receives an axis 15 provided with an elastic ring 37 and allowing locking and instantaneous unlocking of the link between the drawbar 38 and the user, (iii) it receives the associated end of the tube 9 and (iv) it receives the associated end of the tube 11.

The tube 1 1 receives at its other end a cylindrical element 7 equipped with a locking means and arranged to cancel when desired the axial flexibility of the drawbar 38. The tube 10 slides inside the tube 1 1 and receives at one of its ends a cylindrical element 13 received sliding on the tube 9. Outside the tube 10 is fixed a ring 5 on which is able to lock the element 7. The tube 9 is integral with the cylindrical element 14 and receives at its other end a cylindrical element 8 which slides inside the tube 10. The cylindrical elements 13 and 8 are interconnected by a set of elastic connections 12. These connections are stressed when the drawbar is subjected axial compression. Inside the tube 10 there also slides a cylindrical element 6 which is connected to the element 2 by a flexible non-elastic connection. The element 6 receives the elastic connections 12, which are also intended for a damping effect when the drawbar is stressed in tension. The cylindrical element 2 is connected to the associated end of the tube 9 by a flexible non-elastic connection 4 which limits the damping in traction.

As shown in Figure 5, the user wears a waist belt equipped with a curved support plate 19. With reference to Figure 9, on the plate 19 is fixed, by means of a member in in the form of a rubber "diabolo" 18 forming an elastic ball joint, a cylindrical axis 17 capable of locking and unlocking instantly on the drawbar 38 by entering the element 14. With reference to FIG. 10, the hub of each wheel 25 has a groove 23 in which a centering pin 24 takes place to hold the wheel on the axle. The axis 24 is crossed by a flexible rod 22 held in place by an element 21 secured to the axle. In one side of the hub is formed a conical bore 20 intended to allow, during the mounting of the wheel on the axle, the erasure of the locking pin 24, to make this mounting instantaneous. Disassembly is also carried out quickly by pressing manually on the rod 22.

Referring to Figures 1 1 è 14 is now described a variant of a drawbar for the carriage of the invention. This variant offers a further reduced weight and size. The drawbar shown in Figures 1 1 and 13 consists mainly of an outer tube in two parts 44,47, in which slides a tube 41.

On the tube portion 4 is received an element 43 in the shape of a "V". The ends of the two branches of the "V are connected to each other by an elastic link 42 which passes through the inner tube 41. The two parts 44, 47 of the outer tube are connected to each other by a joint (Figure 12) The articulation can be locked in an upright position by a ring 45 capable of coming to bear on a ring 46 integral with the tube 47.

More specifically, the articulation consists of two cylindrical elements 50, 51 connected together by a rubber rod 48 forming a hinge, the ends of which are respectively embedded in the elements 50, 51. The associated end of the tube 41 is provided with a non-elastic flexible link 49 connected to the element 51 and which limits the stroke of the inner tube 41. It is thus possible to fold the two tubular parts 44, 47 together when the drawbar is not in use, to advantageously limit its size. The elastic element 42 provides the necessary flexibility of the drawbar in tension as in compression. Furthermore, the flexible link 49 limits the mutual movement of the inner and outer tubes.

Finally, the rubber rod 48 is designed so that its axis does not coincide with the axis of the two elements that it connects, and this in order to create a preferential folding orientation of the drawbar.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but includes any variant, modification or technical equivalent within the reach of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. Trolley with human traction, of the type comprising two wheels (25) and a transport platform (31), characterized in that it further comprises a central beam (26) supporting two central half-axles (30) and a rear axle (28), the two wheels being able to be selectively mounted on the rear axle (28) or on the half-axles (30), and a flexible drawbar (38) arranged to connect the carriage to the user.

2. Trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that the drawbar (38) comprises a plurality of tubular elements (9, 19, 1 1;

41, 44,47) sliding between them and elastic means (12; 42) connecting lesdlts tubular elements so as to give the drawbar a flexibility in traction and compression.

3. Trolley according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it further comprises means (5, 7) for canceling the flexibility of the drawbar.

4. Trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a support plate (19) able to be fixed to a belt of the user, and on which is fixed by means flexible ball means (18) a locking pin (17) which can be removably connected to one end of the drawbar (38), thereby ensuring the transmission of the tensile force without hampering the movements of the user.

5. Trolley according to claim 4, characterized in that the drawbar (38) is equipped at its free end with a locking device for the removable connection of the drawbar and said locking pin (17) of the support plate ( 19), the locking device comprising, in combination, a pin (15) and a rubber ring (37).

6. Trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drawbar (38) has, at its two ends, two axes (1, 16) arranged to penetrate respectively into holes formed in the two bent ends of the beam (26), so as to ensure the attachment to one another of the drawbar and the beam when the carriage is not used, it must take the form of a compact object, rolling or not.

7. Trolley according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastic means comprise an elastic link (42) passing through a tube interior (41) and the two ends of which are connected to the two branches of a "V" -shaped portion (43) of an exterior tube.

8. Trolley according to claim 7, characterized in that the drawbar is made in two parts (44, 47) connected by a rubber rod (48), mechanical means being further provided for selectively maintaining said two in alignment. parts (44,47), thus making the drawbar foldable.

9. Trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises, fixed below the platform (31), a central mount (29) in which are formed two transverse bores and two lateral bearings ( 33) of respective axes common with said bores and provided with clamping screws (34), this arrangement allowing the reception of the two central half-axles (30) and their immobilization in any chosen transverse position.

10. Trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the ends of the half-axles (30) and of the axle (28) have the form of tubes, and in that at each end is associated with a radial axis (24) urged by flexible return means (22), which passes through the wall of the tube so as to be able to enter an annular groove (23) provided in the hub of the wheel (25), said hub also having at its insertion edge has a tapered bore (20), thereby ensuring instant mounting and dismounting of the wheel on its axle.