WO2007115370A1

WO2007115370A1 - Trolley

Info

Publication number: WO2007115370A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000470
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter March; Kenneth Bell
Original assignee: Austech And Design Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-10
Filing date: 2007-04-05
Publication date: 2007-10-18
Also published as: AU2007236552A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a trolley to transport mobile garbage bins. The trolley being characterized in that, said trolley incorporates a tray base, a containment frame located above the tray base, a ramp operatively connected to the tray base and drive means, wherein the ramp is movable between an open and a closed position and wherein the ramp, in the closed position serves with the containment frame to form an enclosure serving as a means of securing bins positioned on the trolley.

Description

Trolley

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a trolley to transport mobile garbage bins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile Garbage Bins (MGBs) are widely used throughout Australia and internationally for the collection of domestic and commercial refuse and also for the collection of materials for recycling and green organic refuse. A typical MGB is manufactured to certain standard sizes the most common sizes being 80 L, 120 L and 240 L. Such bins are typically designed to store waste temporarily, the waste being typically transferred to a vehicle by the use of comb lifting devices to lift and empty the bin. MGBs are typically suppled with 2 wheels on an axle and are regarded as being user friendly because of their versatility, strength and ease of handling. One person can easily manoeuvre even the larger size 240 litre MGB and the relative narrowness of the structure means that they can be situated more conveniently than perhaps a larger skip might be.

MGBs are thus popular in many locations, even where larger volumes of rubbish are likely to be collected. For example, hospitals, schools and other institutions often choose to maintain a number of MGBs in a location rather than a single larger bin. Typically the MGB is moved by hand to a convenient location for emptying purposes.

It is a simple task for one person to move one MGB. However, where several bins are im'olved, the person is then faced with the task of moving each bin separately, as the bins are not easily handled in multiples. It is to this situation that the present invention is addressed. The trolley of the present invention is adapted for the ease transport of a multiple of MGBs at once.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a trolley adapted for the transport of mobile garbage bins characterized in that, said trolley incorporates a tray base, a containment frame located above the tray base, a ramp operatively connected to the tray base and drive means, wherein the ramp is movable between an open and a closed position and wherein the ramp, in the closed position serves with the containment frame to form an enclosure serving as a means of securing bins positioned on the trolley.

Preferably, the enclosure formed by the ramp and containment is adapted to fit snugly around one or more mobile garbage bins.

Preferably, the enclosure formed by the ramp and containment is adapted to fit snugly around three mobile garbage bins arranged in alignment.

Preferably, the containment frame consists of one or more upright members supporting a rail, extending around three sides of a periphery of the enclosure, the rail and ramp together serving to secure any bins located on the trolley against unwanted movement.

Preferably, the trolley further includes a motor adapted to drive the trolley.

Preferably, the trolley incorporates a battery powered motor adapted to drive the trolley.

Preferably, the drive means includes a motor located in a lower housing positioned to the rear of the tray base, whereby the motor is driven through batteries also contained in the housing and wherein an upright drive handle includes all controls for the motor which may be operated through a joystick. In such an arrangement, it is convenient id, located below the tray base are front and rear wheels and respectively, the front wheels being freely steerable and the rear wheels being fixed direction wheels, and wherein the front and rear wheels are connected to the drive means.

Preferably, the trolley further includes brake, which may be a foot operated wheel brake. Preferably, the ramp is a platform attached to the tray base through a hinged connection, the hinged connection allowing the rotation of the ramp through greater than 90 degrees to allow movement of the ramp from the erect closed position to the open position.

Preferably the ramp is secured between open and closed positions by a movable locking arm. The locking arm conveniently takes the form of a rod extending from an inner face of the ramp, the locking arm being secured to a rear edge of the ramp through a pivoting connection, whereby the locking arm is movable relative to the ramp, the locking arm terminating in a bent section forming a locking pin. Thus, when the ramp is in the in the closed position the locking pin may be secured in a locking aperture in the containment frame thereby restricting any movement of the ramp, and whereby the locking arm may be released to open the ramp by raining the locking pin from the containment frame. Preferably, a stopper is located on the containment frame, the stopper serving serves both to limit movement of the ramp.

Preferably, an underside of the ramp includes a number of a number of strengthening, said strengthening ribs being tapered at their upper ends to allow a close fit of the ramp to any ground surface.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates in perspective view an upper portion of a trolley in accordance with the invention in a closed condition;

Figure 2 illustrates the trolley of figure 1 in side view; Figure 3 illustrates the trolley of figure 1 in side view in an open condition;

Figure 4 illustrates the trolley of figure 1 in use; and

Figure 5 illustrates a ramp mechanism of the trolley of figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description of the im'ention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the draλvings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

Shown in the drawings is a trolley 10 constructed in accordance with the invention. The trolley 10 is used to transport a number of mobile garbage bins 12.

The trolley 10 includes a tray base 14, a containment frame 16, pivotable ramp 18 and drive means 20.

The tray base 14 is a simple platform shaped to suit 240L mobile garbage bins. In the example under consideration, as can be seen from figure 4 the tray base 14 is adapted to hold and transport 3 mobile garbage bins 12 arranged front to back. This figure is of course arbitrary and larger or smaller trolleys can be constructed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Attached to the tray base 14 is the containment frame 16. In the embodiment shown the frame consists of corner upright members 22 and a rail 24. The uprights members 22 are approximately a half to two thirds of the height of the bins 12. The rail 24 extends along the two outer sides of the trolley and across the rear of the trolley thereby containing the bins 12 against any unwanted sideways movement. It can be appreciated that the trolley 10 is not generally expected to be moved at high speeds or in a manner likely to cause excessive sideways movement in the bins 12. However, it is considered appropriate and desirable to have some protection so that unwanted spills may be avoided, particularly where the trolley 10 may be driven around sharp corners or on inclines. Located below the tray base 14 are front and rear wheels 26 and 28 respectively. The front wheels 26 are steerable and the rear wheels 28 are fixed direction wheels. The wheels 26,28 are connected to the drive means 20. The drive means 20 includes a motor (not shown in the drawings) located in a lower housing 30 positioned to the rear of the tray base 14. The motor is driven through batteries also contained in the housing 30. An upright drive handle 32 includes all controls for the motor which may be operated through the joystick 34.

The trolley may also includes a foot operated wheel brake (not shown). In other embodiments of the invention trolleys may incorporate other kinds of braking systems.

Located at the front of the trolley 10 is the ramp 18. The ramp 18 may, as can be seen from the drawings be moved between a closed position (figures 1 and 2) and an open position (figures 3 and 4). Figure 5 explains in clearer detail the ramp opening mechanism.

The ramp 18 is a platform attached to the tray base 14 through a hinged connection 36. The hinged connection allows the rotation for the ramp through greater than 90 degrees to allow movement of the ramp 18 from the erect closed position to the open position.

The ramp 18 is moved between the open and closed positions and secured in a selected position with the assistance of a locking arm 38. The locking arm 38 takes the form of a rod extending from an inner face of the ramp 18 to the rail 24. The arm 38 terminates in a bent section forming a locking pin 39. Adjacent to the locking pin 39 is a locking handle 40 extending upwardly from the Operation of the locking arm 38 is detailed in figures 5(a), (b) and (c).

The arm 38 is secured to an edge of the ramp 18 through a pivot connection 42. Thus the arm 38 is relatively free to move relative to the ramp 18. In the closed position the locking pin 39 is secured in a locking aperture in the rail 24 thereby restricting any movement of the ramp 18. To open the ramp he locking pin 39 is lifted from the rail 24 and the arm is rested in a small section of angle forming a stopper 44. The stopper 44 is located on the inner edge of one side of the rail towards the back of the trolley 10. As the ramp 18 is lowered to the ground the handle 44 bears against the stopper 44. In this fashion the stopper 44 serves both to prevent excessive movement of the ramp and also as a resting point for the handle 40 and locking arm 38. Once the trolley has been loaded with the bins 12 it is a simple matter to release the locking arm from the stopper and secure the ramp 18 in the upright position

As can be seen from the drawings the ramp 18 is approximately the same height as the bins 12. This height is a useful compromise between the need to have a bin pushed up a gentle rather than severe slope on the one hand, and ensuring visibility for the operator of the trolley over the ramp on the other. Further, on the outer face of the ramp 18, which becomes the underside when the ramp is in the down position are a number of strengthening ribs 46 The ribs 46 are tapered at their upper ends to allow a close fit of the ramp to any ground surface.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A trolley adapted for the transport of mobile garbage bins characterized in that, said trolley incorporates a tray base, a containment frame located above the tray base, a ramp operatively connected to the tray base and drive means, wherein the ramp is movable between an open and a closed position and wherein the ramp, in the closed position serves with the containment frame to form an enclosure serving as a means of securing bins positioned on the trolley.

2. A trolley according to claim 1, further characterized in that the enclosure formed by the ramp and containment is adapted to fit snugly around one or more mobile garbage bins.

3. A trolley according to claim 1, further characterized in that the enclosure formed by the ramp and containment is adapted to fit snugly around three mobile garbage bins arranged in alignment.

4. A trolley according to claim 1, further characterized in that the containment frame consists of one or more upright members supporting a rail, extending around three sides of a periphery of the enclosure, the rail and ramp together serving to secure any bins located on the trolley against unwanted movement.

5. A trolley according to claim 1 , further characterized in that, the trolley further includes a motor adapted to drive the trolley.

6. A trolley according to claim 1, further characterized in that, the trolley incorporates a battery powered motor adapted to drive the trolley.

7. A trolley according to claim 1, further characterized in that, the drive means includes a motor located in a lower housing positioned to the rear of the tray base, whereby the motor is driven through batteries also contained in the housing and wherein an upright drive handle includes all controls for the motor which may be operated through a joystick.

8. A trolley according to claim 1, further characterized in that located below the tray base are front and rear wheels and respectively, the front wheels being freely steerable and the rear wheels being fixed direction wheels, and wherein the front and rear wheels are connected to the drive means.

9. A trolley according to claim 1 , further characterized in that the trolley further includes brake.

10. A trolley according to claim 9, further characterized in that the brake is a foot operated wheel brake.

11. A trolley according to claim 1 , further characterized the ramp is a platform attached to the tray base through a hinged connection, the hinged connection allowing the rotation of the ramp through greater than 90 degrees to allow movement of the ramp from the erect closed position to the open position.

12. A trolley according to claim 1, further characterized in that the ramp is secured between open and closed positions by a movable locking arm.

13. A trolley according to claim 12, further characterized in that the locking arm takes the form of a rod extending from an inner face of the ramp, the locking arm being secured to a rear edge of the ramp through a pivoting connection, whereby the locking arm is movable relative to the ramp, the locking arm terminating in a bent section forming a locking pin.

14. A trolley according to claim 13, further characterized in that when the ramp is in the in the closed position the locking pin may be secured in a locking aperture in the containment frame thereby restricting any movement of the ramp, and whereby the locking arm may be released to open the ramp by raining the locking pin from the containment frame.

15. A trolley according to claim 13, further characterized in that a stopper is located on the containment frame, the stopper serving serves both to limit movement of the ramp.

16. . A trolley according to claim 1, further characterized in that an underside of the ramp includes a number of a number of strengthening, said strengthening ribs being tapered at their upper ends to allow a close fit of the ramp to any ground surface.