WO2008062162A1

WO2008062162A1 - Ramp for improved wheelbarrow usage

Info

Publication number: WO2008062162A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/004381
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hedley Roland Mickleburgh; Simon Eastwell
Original assignee: Hedley Roland Mickleburgh; Simon Eastwell
Priority date: 2006-11-21
Filing date: 2007-11-16
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: GB2455686B; GB0623192D0; GB0907080D0; GB2455686A

Abstract

A ramp in combination with a ratchet-wheel barrow is disclosed. The ramp is automatically power-driven to pull the barrow up towards the top of a waiting skip into which the barrow load will be emptied. Sensors (24,28) activate the ramp to carry the barrow upwards and are weight-sensitive so as to cut the ramp drive off automatically once the barrow has reached the top (19) of the ramp. In a preferred embodiment the ramp drive is a belt drive and the belt (27) edges under-run the ramp tread plates so as to tend to shed debris and prevent blockage of the belt drive in use.

Description

RAMP FOR IMPROVED WHEELBARROW USAGE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to wheelbarrows and ramps, such as are commonly used together to deliver materials from one level to another. The first part of the invention consists of a modified wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrows are well known and are generally successfully used but have three observed disadvantages that the invention seeks to eradicate. The first part of the invention consists of a modified wheelbarrow of both the single or two wheeled variety. The second part of the invention consists of a modified ramp to be used in conjunction with the aforementioned modified wheelbarrow.

The Problem to be Solved

The first disadvantage of conventional wheelbarrows is that there is no convenient means, other than putting them down or by application of the operator's strength, for preventing them from running back down a steep incline or ramp. The second observed disadvantage is that there is no convenient means for preventing the wheelbarrow from moving forward or back when shovelling out the contents. The third disadvantage is that the ability to climb a steep incline such as that posed by a ramp is limited by the operators' strength, and by the momentum that has been achieved on the approach. The disadvantage of ramps when used in conjunction with conventional wheelbarrows is that while they offer a solution, they also present an obstacle that has to be surmounted using the limited power potential of the operator.

Review of Art known to the Applicant

The applicant knows of the following published patent specifications which are relevant to this invention: GB593830 (Turner) GB1007221 (Ruston) DE3934234 (Rδtzel)

Turner's GB filing uses a ratchet activated by tipping the barrow to hold it still while it is emptied (see figure 1 and page 1 lines 64- 89). Ruston's GB filing is related to wheelbarrows with engines, but envisages using a ratchet and pawl gearing to allow the wheels to move at different speeds when going around corners (see figure 3 and page 3 lines 69 - 76). Rδtzel's filing is in German, but the translation for the abstract says:

"The wheelbarrow has two pairs of pneumatic wheels. The lower wheels (25) are set on the outside of two support consoles on the barrow frame and the upper wheels (26) are set on the inside of the consoles, inside the line of the lower wheels. The axle spacing is approx. half a step height and the wheels have diameters greater than the step height. The wheels can be braked by a ratchet brake which allows the barrow to be pulled up the steps, but prevents it running down the steps. For level transport the brake is released. ADVANTAGE - Safe movement up steps, smooth pulling action for negotiating steps."

None of these previous patent specifications solves the problems listed above. They modify the wheelbarrow, only, but they do not suggest or point the reader towards any solution of the overall problem which is how to adapt conventional barrows from a broad operational overall usage viewpoint into a wholly more efficient means of repetitive barrowing, transporting, and emptying in repetitive cyclic usage throughout an entire building or earth moving or gardening project. Outline of the Inventive Concept

The invention described herein seeks to overcome these disadvantages by the following means: -

The first and second described disadvantages of the conventional wheelbarrow are overcome by attaching to the wheel or wheels a reversible ratchet or ratchets or opposing ratchets. Whichever arrangement is used there would be a neutral position permitting conventional operation of the wheelbarrow. Ratchets both reversible with a neutral position and non reversible types that can be disengaged are well known. The direction of the ratchet effect can be selected either directly at the wheel or wheels or from the operating position or by the use of any other known means.

Setting the ratchet in forward only mode substantially prevents the wheelbarrow from attempting to run back down a slope when this is undesirable.

Setting the ratchet in one or other direction substantially prevents the wheelbarrow from moving inconveniently when shovelling out the contents from it in the opposite direction to the ratchet setting.

The means to do this can be selected from known alternatives as exemplified by the prior patent specifications listed above.

The third described disadvantage of a conventional wheelbarrow is substantially overcome by using the aforementioned modified wheelbarrow in conjunction with a modified ramp. The construction of the modified ramp is such that it provides an area over its length on which the operator can walk, and a powered moving belt or belts substantially over its length that are exposed so that the wheel or wheels of the modified wheelbarrow can engage with them. When the wheel of the wheelbarrow engages with the moving belt the wheelbarrow will be propelled along according to the direction of the belt and the setting of the ratchet. The operator of modified wheelbarrow and ramp can thereby set the direction of the belt and the ratchet to affect a power assisted ascent of the ramp. The ramp has mechanical, electronic or other known sensor systems at either end for detecting the presence of the wheel or wheels. A detection sensor at the lower end of the ramp is arranged to initiate the upward motion of the belt, but only if the loading is sufficiently heavy. The upper sensor requires a minimal loading to initiate the deactivation of the belt. The upper sensor is placed so that it also acts as an automatic safety cut off should anything be drawn into the belt mechanism. The loading required to operate the lower actuating sensor is sufficiently heavy so as to prevent the descending empty wheelbarrow from restarting the motion of the belt unnecessarily.

Only part of the belt width is exposed to contact with the barrow wheel, in that a margin at each edge runs under each embossed footplate. The area exposed is deliberately wider at the top of the ramp than at the bottom. The resultant effect is that as well as moving upwards, the belt is also continually emerging from under the footplates slightly. This helps prevent any debris spilt onto it from becoming wedged between the belt and the footplates.

Clearly the modified ramp itself is inventive or at the very least forms an essential feature of an inventive ramp-and-barrow combination.

Scope of the Invention

The scope of the invention is defined in the numbered claims at the end of this specification. The content of those claims is expressly incorporated into this disclosure by reference now. In outline however the scope of the invention centres around a ramp, having the features to be defined in Claim 1 and also having the following advantageous subsidiary features as optional additions:

• the ramp belt under-running the tread plates and with tapered exposure towards the top (in use) of the ramp;

• employing weight-sensitive sensors, over which the barrow runs in use, and the bottom, only, of the ramp; at the top as well; and occupying the wheel-width only;

• with a belt powered to run up, only, when triggered;

• with a stop at its top end region against which to run the barrow wheel prior to emptying the load;

• in combination with a one-way braked or ratcheted wheelbarrow. The invention includes within its scope a ramp, or a ramp-and-barrow combination, substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows in perspective a wheelbarrow modified to operate in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 2 shows in perspective, and drawn to approximately the same scale, a ramp embodying the invention.

These constitute the presently preferred ways of putting the invention into practice and will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The drawings are deliberately clear and simplified and the intended skilled addressee of this specification will be able to interpret them almost entirely from the text so far. For the avoidance of doubt, however, the following additional points are made.

The barrow of Figure 1 is an otherwise conventional hand-held single-wheeled barrow as will be immediately apparent from its perspective illustration.

It has one major modification. Its wheel hub 11 incorporates a settable ratchet mechanism, operable at the barrow user's choice to engage in forward, backward, or neutral modes as has previously been discussed. This mechanism can be selected from known alternatives as has also previously been stated.

A cable 12 leads from the hub 11 to a hand operable lever 13 pivotally mounted on one (14) of the barrow's two handles 14, 15. The means by which the cable is led under, and runs past the underside 16 of the barrow body 17 need not be illustrated as it can be selected again from known alternatives. The siting of the lever 13 is chosen so as not to impede the use of the handles 14, 15 by the barrow user when transporting a laden barrow; but is such as to enable him to "flick" the lever 13 either way with his thumb without necessarily letting go of the handle 14 with his hand.

A ramp for use with this barrow is illustrated in Figure 2 and is essentially an elongate metal uniform cross-section assembly whose main body 18 ends in respective top (19) and bottom (20) tread plates each hinged to respective opposite ends of the body 18 so that, in use, the bottom tread plate 20 gives a lead-in to the barrow advancing in the direction of arrow X whilst the top tread plate 19 has a fixed bar welded to its underside.

This bar 21 moves with the top tread plate 19 about the tread plate hinge 22 within the limits imposed by the bar abutting the underside of the main ramp body 18 as illustrated. In use, and again as illustrated, the bar 21 abuts the inside peripheral edge 23 (shown in broken line) of the skip, for example, up whose side the barrow is to be run with its load and then emptied into the skip.

The top tread plate 19 has another bar 24 fixed adjustably to its surface. This bar 24 acts as a stop against which the barrow wheel can be run when the barrow reaches the top of the ramp. The barrow can then be upended into the skip, safely, by running the barrow wheel against the stop 24, and pivoting the barrow about the wheel axis in one continuous tipping movement.

An electronic sensor 24 is located at the foot of the ramp immediately after the hinge 25 of the tread plate 20 but immediately before the emerging end run 26 of the belt 27. When the wheel of a loaded barrow (not shown in itself) hits the sensor 24, the belt 27 is automatically powered on to run upwards. The construction and powering of the belt run can be selected from known alternatives.

Another similar electronic sensor pad 28 is located in the surface of the top tread plate 19 and when the barrow wheel hits this one then the power drive to the belt 27 is automatically cut. Once the barrow has been emptied, the belt 27 remains inoperative because the sensor 28 keeps the belt drive cut whilst the sensor 24 is a weight-sensitive one and will not be activated as the wheel of the now empty barrow passes over it after being run down over either the belt or preferably one or other of the metal top surfaces 29, 30 of the ramp 27.

Alternatively sensors could be arranged to power the belt 27 to run down at a slow speed and so carry the barrow with it. Whatever arrangement is adopted, preferably the sensor pads are so sized as to be only approximately the wheel-width (i.e. the entire tread width) of the barrow.

The following claims define the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A ramp for use with a wheeled load carrying apparatus, the ramp including a tread and a powered moving belt or track extending along the length of the ramp from one end to the other wherein, and in use, the tread forms a walk-way along the ramp and the belt or track engages a wheel of a load carrying apparatus to convey same from one end of the ramp towards the other.

2. A ramp in accordance with claim 1, wherein one end of the ramp is adapted for support at a lower level, the other end of the ramp being adapted for support at a higher level whereby the load carrying apparatus may be transported by the belt or track between the two levels.

3. A ramp in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein a tread is provided to each side of the belt or track.

4. A ramp in accordance with claim 3, wherein opposed sides of the belt or track underlay a respective tread.

5. A ramp in accordance with claim 3 or 4, wherein the spacing between treads increases along the length of the ramp thus exposing an increasing width of belt or track.

6. A ramp in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the belt or track is continuous.

7. A ramp in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein a sensor responsive to load moving onto or on the belt controls a drive means powering the belt.

8. A ramp in accordance with claim 7, wherein the sensor is located at the one or the other or both ends of the ramp.

9. A ramp in accordance with claim 7 or 8, wherein a sensor at the one end of the ramp is arranged to detect the presence of the load carrying apparatus to start the means powering the moving belt and being preferably responsive to a load above a defined weight.

10. A ramp in accordance with claim 7 or 8 or 9, wherein a sensor at the other end of the ramp is arranged to detect the presence of the load carrying apparatus to stop the means powering the moving belt.

11. A ramp in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein a stop means is located at the other end of the ramp to arrest the movement of the load carrying apparatus.

12. A ramp in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the width of the belt or track is sufficient to engage with a wheel of a load carrying apparatus such as a wheelbarrow.

13. A ramp in accordance with any preceding claim in combination with a barrow comprising the load carrying apparatus, wherein the moving belt is located centrally of the ramp with treads to each side and overlying the side edges of the belt, the belt being, at least, the width of a wheel of the barrow.

14. A ramp in accordance with claim 13, wherein the wheel of the barrow includes a ratchet mechanism allowing rolling movement in one selected direction only.

15. A ramp in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the track is formed by a series of powered rollers.

16. A ramp in accordance with any preceding claim 1 to 14, wherein the belt is supported by a series of rollers.

17. A ramp, or a ramp and barrow combination, substantially as disclosed herein with, or without, reference to the drawings.