WO1994015869A1

WO1994015869A1 - Wheel trolley and ramp element intended for such a wheel trolley

Info

Publication number: WO1994015869A1
Application number: PCT/NL1994/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Smeitink
Original assignee: Lipro International B.V.
Priority date: 1993-01-13
Filing date: 1994-01-11
Publication date: 1994-07-21
Also published as: ZA94179B; AU5867294A; NL9300062A

Abstract

A wheel trolley for supporting a wheel (2) of a motor vehicle, in particular a wheel having a punctured tyre, comprising a frame (1) having a bottom face (3), which frame (1) is supported by running wheels (13, 8) positioned on a front (12) and rear wheel axis (7) and has front and rear transverse supporting elements (4, 5) located at a distance above the bottom face (3) and mounted between two essentially parallel longitudinal sides (6) of the frame (1). Furthermore, the wheel trolley comprises a ramp element (20) consisting of a separate plastic member having an essentially triangular or trapezoidal longitudinal section which is delimited by a ramp face (21) and a bottom face (22). The plastic member can be stored in or on the frame (1) when the wheel trolley is in its storage position.

Description

Wheel trolley and ramp element intended for such a wheel trolley.

The invention relates to a wheel trolley for supporting a wheel of a motor vehicle, in particular a wheel having a punctured tyre, comprising a frame having a bottom face, which frame is supported by running wheels positioned on a front and rear wheel axis and has front and rear transverse supporting elements located at a distance above the bottom face and mounted between two essentially parallel longitudinal sides of the frame, and a ramp element for driving the wheel onto the frame. The invention also relates to a ramp element intended for such a wheel trolley.

Many embodiments of wheel trolleys according to the preamble are known, for example from ΝL-A-8105013. In the case of this wheel trolley, the ramp element consists of a wedge-shaped flap which can be swivelled about the rear axle of the frame. When the damaged wheel of the vehicle is driven onto the wheel trolley, an actuating element connected to the flap effects the turning up of the flap of its own accord. In its turned-up position, the flap, in conjunction with the rear axle of the wheel trolley, forms the rearmost transverse supporting element for the wheel. When the wheel is driven off the frame, the flap comes into contact with the ground first by means of its corners located near the rear axle, as a result of which the frame can not move further backwards and the flap eventually comes to lie flat on the ground. In order to transport the known wheel trolley, it is possible to bring the wheel trolley into a storage position, in which the flap comes to lie substantially inside the frame. The disadvantage of such wheel trolleys is that their assembly from a large number of parts, which have to be manufactured with great accuracy, is relatively expensive. Since a wheel trolley intended for use in the case of emergencies will normally be used very rarely, its cost price will prevent wide-spread usage. In addition, the use of a wheel trolley of this kind is problematic, since in its folded-out state the wheel trolley is of considerable length, which makes handling difficult when positioning the wheel trolley in front of the wheel to be supported. Moreover, when a wheel trolley of this kind is used commercially, for example at a garage, blocking the frame when the wheel is being driven off the frame poses a problem as undesirable damage is caused when the corners of the ramp element act on the garage floor. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a wheel trolley of the kind mentioned in the preamble, which overcomes said disadvantages and which can be produced at a cost price and with handling properties which make it suitable for wide-spread usage. This object is achieved by a wheel trolley of the kind mentioned in the preamble, which is characterized in that the ramp element consists of a separate plastic member having an essentially triangular or trapezoidal longitudinal section which is delimited by a ramp face and a bottom face, which member can be stored in or on the frame when the wheel trolley is in its storage position. Thus it is possible first to position the lightweight plastic member in front of the relevant vehicle wheel and subsequently placing the frame against it. By suitably designing the plastic member, it can be stored in or on the frame in the storage position, so that the wheel trolley only takes up little space.

In an advantageous embodiment, the plastic member is provided with two parts projecting on either side, which are in line with the running wheels of the wheel trolley which are located on the rear wheel axis, when the wheel is driven off the frame, in such a manner that the frame bears against the projecting parts of the plastic member by means of said running wheels. The projecting parts are preferably telescopic elements which can be pushed into and out of the plastic member, as a result of which the plastic member can be placed in the frame in the storage position. Because of the wedging action of the plastic member, it is simple to block the frame against backward movement when the vehicle wheel is being driven off the frame. As the area with which the plastic member contacts the ground is large, damage to the ground is prevented.

In a further embodiment, the plastic member is provided with coupling means for connecting the plastic member to the frame when the wheel is being driven onto the frame. Preferably, the coupling means consist of permanent magnets mounted on the plastic member, which can provide a magnetic connection with the metal parts of the frame. Advantageously, the plastic member is higher at its highest crosscut side than the rear transverse supporting element of the frame, as a result of which the frame no longer has a tendency to slide forwards when the wheel is being driven onto the wheel trolley. Further advantageous embodiments of the wheel trolley according to the invention are described in the subclaims and will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a side view of an embodiment of the wheel trolley according to the invention in folded-out operating position,

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the frame of the wheel trolley of Figure 1,

Figure 3 shows a side view of the wheel trolley of Figure 1 in the storage position,

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the ramp element of the wheel trolley of Figure 1.

The wheel trolley shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 comprises a frame 1 for supporting a vehicle wheel 2 indicated diagrammatically. The frame has a bottom face 3 and front and rear transverse supporting elements 4 and 5, respectively, which are located at a distance above the bottom face and mounted between two essentially parallel longitudinal sides 6 of the frame. Near its rear end, the frame is provided with two running wheels 8 positioned on either side on a rear wheel axis 7 outside the longitudinal sides 6, which running wheels 8 are mounted on a rear axle 9. At its front end, the frame comprises a carrier 10 which accommodates a front axle 11 having two running wheels 13 mounted on the front wheel axis 12, which carrier can be swivelled about a hinge pin 14 which extends transversely to the longitudinal median plane of the frame. Thus, the carrier 10 can be swivelled between a folded-out operating position (Fig. 1) and a folded-in storage position (Fig. 3) . The hinge pin 14 is located below the front transverse supporting element 4 and the carrier 10 comprises two flange parts 15 positioned on either side outside the longitudinal sides of the frame, which flange parts 15 bear against the front transverse supporting element 4 in the operating position (Fig. 1) of the wheel trolley. The flange parts 15 are connected by means of a cover plate 16. In addition, the frame is provided with a recess 17 for accommodating the front axle 11 in the storage position of the wheel trolley (Fig. 3) . In this case, the recess 17 divides the bottom face 3 into two parts.

The wheel trolley also comprises a ramp element which consists of a separate plastic member 20 having a trapezoidal longitudinal section. Said plastic member can be stored in or on the frame 1 in the storage position of the wheel trolley (Fig. 3) . Before the vehicle wheel is driven onto the frame, the plastic member is positioned in front of the relevant damaged vehicle wheel and subsequently the frame 1 is placed against the plastic member. The plastic member is then positioned between the running wheels 8. The plastic member 20 is provided with coupling means 23 in order to connect it to the frame 1 while the wheel is being driven onto the wheel trolley. Figure 2 clearly shows that the plastic member can be positioned between the running wheels 8 so that displacement of the plastic member and the frame relative to one another is prevented.

Figure 3 clearly demonstrates that the illustrated wheel trolley allows a very substantial reduction of the dimensions so that, in its storage position, the wheel trolley can easily be transported. The shape of the plastic member can readily be adapted to the frame used.

The plastic member 20 shown in Figure 4 is of essentially hollow construction, for example a structure formed by longitudinal and transverse ribs which is lightweight, yet strong. The ramp face 21 on which the wheel drives may be provided with a groove pattern or may consist of a grid, as may the ground face 22. Furthermore, the member 20 is provided with permanent magnets 23, which act on the rear metal transverse supporting element 5 when the member 20 and the frame 1 are placed against one another. Of course, it is also possible to use other means, such as for example clamping means or hooks, as coupling means. However, a magnetic coupling has the advantage that it can easily be effected and can also be disconnected relatively easily. The plastic member is higher on the side 24 facing the frame than the rear transverse supporting element 5 of the frame (Fig. 1) . This prevents the frame from sliding forwards when the vehicle wheel drives from the plastic member 20 onto the frame l. Furthermore, Figure 4 clearly shows a telescopic element 25 which can be pushed into and out of the plastic member 20. Said element, together with a similar element mounted on the opposite side of the member 20, serves to block the frame when the vehicle wheel is being driven off the frame. To this end, both elements 25 are pulled outwards and the member 20 is positioned behind the frame. As a result of the positioning of the elements 25 (cf. Fig. 1) , the frame bears against the member 20 only through the running wheels 8 when the vehicle wheel is being driven off. As a result, said member 20 will lock itself between the ground and the frame, like a locking wedge, thereby preventing damage to the ground. By pushing the elements 25 in again, the member 20 can be placed between the longitudinal sides inside the frame in the storage position.

In order to prevent a vehicle wheel, in particular a driven wheel, from driving out of the wheel trolley, it is advisable to use a locking member, whose one end is connected with the aperture 26 in the frame while the other end is provided with a hook which is hooked into an aperture of the vehicle wheel. The locking member may consist of, for example, a chain whose links can be hooked

Claims

1. Wheel trolley for supporting a wheel of a motor vehicle, in particular a wheel having a punctured tyre, comprising a frame having a bottom face, which frame is supported by running wheels positioned on a front and rear wheel axis and has front and rear transverse supporting elements located at a distance above the bottom face and mounted between two essentially parallel longitudinal sides of the frame, and a ramp element for driving the wheel onto the frame, characterized in that the ramp element (20) consists of a separate plastic member having an essentially triangular or trapezoidal longitudinal section which is delimited by a ramp face (21) and a bottom face (22) , which member can be stored in or on the frame (1) when the wheel trolley is in its storage position.

2. Wheel trolley according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic member (20) is provided with two parts (25) projecting on either side, which are in line with the running wheels (8) of the wheel trolley which are located on the rear wheel axis, when the wheel is driven off the frame (1) , in such a manner that the frame bears against the projecting parts (25) of the plastic member by means of said running wheels.

3. Wheel trolley according to claim 2, characterized in that the projecting parts (25) are telescopic elements which can be pushed into and out of the plastic member.

4. Wheel trolley according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic member

(20) is provided with coupling means (23) for connecting the plastic member to the frame when the wheel is being driven onto the frame.

5. Wheel trolley according to claim 4, characterized in that the coupling means consist of permanent magnets (23) mounted on the plastic member.

6. Wheel trolley according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic member is higher at its highest crosscut side (24) than the rear transverse supporting element (5) of the frame (1) .

7. Wheel trolley according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame comprises a carrier (10) which accommodates any running wheel (13) mounted on the front wheel axis and can be swivelled about a hinge pin (14) which extends transversely to the longi¬ tudinal median plane of the frame in such a manner that the carrier can be swivelled between a folded-out operating position and a folded-in storage position of the wheel trolley.

8. Wheel trolley according to claim 7, characterized in that the carrier (10) accommodates two running wheels (13) mounted on a front axle, which are positioned on either side, outside the longitudinal sides (6) of the frame, in the storage position of the wheel trolley.

9. Wheel trolley according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the hinge pin (14) is located below the front transverse supporting element (4) , and in that the carrier (10) comprises at least one flange part (15) bearing against the front transverse supporting element (4) in the operating position of the wheel trolley.

10. Wheel trolley according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the frame (1) is provided with a recess (17) for accommodating the front axle (11) in the storage position of the wheel trolley.

11. Ramp element intended for a wheel trolley according to one of the preceding claims.