WO2018172932A2

WO2018172932A2 - Hitching cart mover

Info

Publication number: WO2018172932A2
Application number: PCT/IB2018/051858
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory NEWELL
Original assignee: Newell Gregory
Priority date: 2017-03-20
Filing date: 2018-03-20
Publication date: 2018-09-27
Also published as: WO2018172932A3

Abstract

The present application relates to cart moving device where a hitching assembly is attached to a jacking assembly, as from a conventional manual pallet jack. The geometry of the linkages creates both a lifting and rotating motion that allows the device-side hitch to simply engage with the cart-side hitch, securely lock to it, then rotate the device so that the rear maneuvering wheels are lifted up and out of contact with the ground. The device is suited to cart moving applications where a compact, low-cost and securely hitching device is desired.

Description

DESCRIPTION "HITCHING CART MOVER"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a powered cart mover comprising a hitching assembly that is attached to a jacking assembly, such as one from a manual pallet jack, that along with various modifications and features, allows an operator to use this device to quickly and easily connect with a cart via a secure engagement (hitching) system and move the cart by engaging the throttle to move the cart at the desired speed and turn the handle to direct the carts motion.

BACKGROUND ART

Carts of diverse designs, sizes, shapes and weight capacities are broadly used in manufacturing and distribution applications world-wide. Unlike pallets, which are also broadly used in such applications, they can be customized to suit the products being processed by a facility. While they may vary according to their specific requirements, their basic characteristics are generally the same. Most carts have four wheels, either two or four being swivel castor wheels and the balance being non-swivel wheels. Typically, a relatively strong structure exists near the lower perimeter of the cart connecting the four wheels and on which the cart chassis is built.

Many manufacturers of cart movers exist that have taken different approaches to their cart mover designs, with many different sizes and shapes of cart movers to match the many different shapes, sizes and load capacities of the carts in use. Generally, cart movers can be divided into three basic categories according to their design.

The first can be referred to as "tuggers". They only use their own weight to provide traction to their driven wheel, essentially connecting with the cart and then "towing" it along. They are really suited only to pulling a load as the articulation point makes pushing a cart difficult (same issue of pushing being like reversing a truck). They need to be quite large to have enough traction to move heavy carts, making them a poor fit for operating in tight quarters unless carts are light. When they are compact, they are only suited to low weight moving applications. Examples of such devices come from manufacturers such as DJ Products, CartMule and NuStar in the US.

The second are "leveraged tuggers" which are shaped more like a "L" with more of their bulk built into the handle height and typically with two large drive wheels at bottom drive by a differential to allow turning and with another pair of swivel castor wheels offset to allow them to stand upright. As more of their bulk is vertical, they typically they have a smaller footprint than conventional tuggers. They also have the advantage that they can use the cantilevered weight of the vertical portion of the "L" shape for increased traction to the driven wheels if needed, plus for heavier loads the operator can also push down on the handle to further increase the load being applied to the driven wheels. The main disadvantages of leveraged tuggers are in their ease-of- use as they are less stable than conventional tuggers and can be unwieldy when turning or maneuvering the cart. As with conventional tuggers, they are difficult to use in a pushing direction due to the articulation point and then to allow tight turning they require an extended articulation point so that the device can be turned within the arm extension, with the maximum turning radius will generally be less than the desired 180 degrees. The space occupied by the extension arm and the limited turn radius makes them a poor option for maneuvering loads in tight areas, despite their more compact size. Examples of such devices come from manufacturers such as Movexx in the Netherlands, Zallys in Italy and Mobile Industries in the US.

The third category of cart movers is a newer one, sometimes referred to as "lift movers" as they engage with a cart, or a hitch attached to a cart, by lifting up with some form of mechanical advantage or powered lifting. This lifting transfers some of the load from the cat to the driven wheel(s) and so allows the size and mass of the cart moving device itself to be much less. Some common problems with such movers is that while their compact size provides great maneuverability in tight quarters, they may suffer from reduced stability (due to their small footprint) and can be prone to tipping when encountering uneven flooring, they typically use omni-directional wheels that maintain contact with the ground when moving the load, again only suited to very level flooring, have a limited lifting stroke due to their compactness, have limited compliance to handle any irregularities in floor heights and are prone to unintended unhitching when floor irregularities are encountered which is a safety issue. When used under a cart to reduce the footprint and improve maneuvering in tight spaces, they typically are unable to provide full 180 degree turning which makes them more difficult in some applications to move around. Examples of such devices come from manufacturers such as Appleton in the US or Easymover from Sweden, the latter offering a device that only runs on compressed air and uses an air bag that is inflated to provide the upward force against the cart that is to be moved.

Other less common categories of cart movers include "camming movers" from manufactures such as PowerHandling in the US. Their PowerMover G-Series can "cam" under a heavy load and thereby transfer as much of the load as required to the drive wheel to overcome the inertia of the load. These movers are only suited to operating on very flat floors as any variation in floor height can result in the mover unhitching from the cart that is being moved. They are compact and offer excellent maneuverability but are relatively unstable and due to their high torque and compact size, expensive and suited to very heavy loads on flat floors.

Another less common category of movers are carts with integrated drive systems, commonly referred to as "powered carts". Here the drive system is permanently affixed to the cart. This makes for expensive carts and unless the cart is in constant use moving and rarely just storing or waiting, such units will be typically underutilized vs. having a mover that can be connected to a cart and then removed again. However, the benefit remains of the cars being the most compact and maneuverable of all options with the drive system being located entirely under the cart. Due to the cost of implementing in applications where many carts are used, which is the most common scenario, they are not being considered in this category in themselves.

Reviewing the various categories of cart moving devices available, it can be seen that all the solutions have shortcomings of some type, resulting in their having limited functionality in many cart-moving applications. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The hitching cart mover of the present invention takes a new and novel approach. The hitching cart mover is superior in all regards as compared to the other categories of movers. It is as compact as the smallest "lift mover" yet significantly more maneuverable, being able to offer more than 180 degrees of turning, significantly more stable, even over irregular flooring. It is also much easier to use than any other category of cart mover, is very quick to engage and disengage yet benefits from greatly enhanced safety as the secure hitching system ensures the device cannot become unintentionally unhitched from the cart, regardless of any floor irregularities such as ramps or uneven floor slab heights. Its lifting system is capable of far greater weight transfer than any other mover (using the hydraulic jacking system of a manual pallet jack) so can transfer more of the load to the driven wheel(s). It has more stability and is geared to provide both torque and speed which means it can be used to move carts at higher speeds while maintaining complete control, making it well suited to longer travel applications. Unlike conventional tuggers, it can push or pull carts equally well and can also maneuver much better in tight quarters having a much smaller total footprint and turning radius. Lastly, its design and componentry allow it to be built at a cost comparable to the least expensive conventional tuggers, despite it far greater functionality, safety and ease-of-use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is comprised of high load capacity, low cost, compact and versatile Hitching Cart Mover that can pull and push loads in various directions. Using the hydraulic pump and other components from a standard manual pallet jack, it raises and lowers the loads and with optional spring compliance features provides traction to the driven wheel while also providing the flexibility to accommodate differentials in floor heights as the cart is being moved.

Two main embodiments of the invention a re described below, being a single height hitching assembly and a multiple height hitching assembly, along with potential componentry and alternative design options which will be described with references to the accompanying drawings.

Note that Figures 1 - 34 describe the single height hitching system where from Figure 35 on, the multiple height hitching systems is introduced and described.

In most respects the multiple height hitching concept is equivalent to the single height hitching concept but provides the user more flexibility in the locating of the cart-side hitches. This can be an important cost saver as many facilities have a large number of carts and the single-height hitching assembly requires that all hitches be mounted within a few mm of the same ground height to allow the hitch engage process to function correctly. As the cart-side hitch must bear all the load and motive forces of the hitching cart mover and as it is essential to the concept that the hitch assembly remains relatively vertical and perpendicular to the ground. To achieve this dual goal, it is preferable that the cart-side hitch be mounted directly to the base frame of the cart which is typically located just above the wheel mounts and connecting the 4 castors / castor wheels together. However, the height of this frame will rarely be at the exact same height that the cart-side hitch needs to be mounted at, necessitating additional heavy-duty bracketry to bring it up to, or down to, the required height of the single height hitching system. The multiple height hitching system works on the same principles for both hitching and plunger pin locking of the hitching assemblies, but allows considerable variation in cart-side hitch height.

Figure 1 is a is a perspective view of a conventional manual pallet jack 20 with the handle oriented in a vertically upright orientation.

Figure 2 is the same view of Figure 1 but with the manual jack's chassis frame, including the forks and accompany front fork wheels and push-rod and lifting arm assemblies all separated from the jacking system 21.

Figures 3-4 shows the components of the single height engagement device-side hitching assembly 30, which when added to the jacking system 21, creates the single height

engagement version of the cart-moving device of the present invention.

Figure 5 is the same view of Figure 3 or 4 but fully exploded to show the general construction and components that comprise the single height hitching assembly 30, inclusive of safety plunger and omni wheels assembly. A compression spring 100 is included that improves the device's ability to absorb irregularities in floor height and angle which is mounted inside the compression spring housing 42 that is enclosed by a compression spring cover 43. This subassembly is assembled by standard fasteners into the hitching jaw plate 41. Traction spring eyebolts 101 are assembled on the front grid 44 that is mounted into the hitching jaw plate 41 with standard fasteners. A hitching retaining shaft 46 and removable hitching hooks 47 are assembled into the hitching jaw plate 41. A support 49 for traction springs 102 is mounted into the pivoting bracket and directional swivel lock 48, that can be comprised of cast and/or machined parts assembled by standard fasteners into the hitching jaw plate 41 with a pivoting shaft 45. Traction spring(s) 102 compress the hydraulic unit when the hitch is being lowered and are mounted at the bottom by the support 49 and at the top by adjustable traction spring eyebolts 101. Safety pin/plunger 103 is mounted into the safety pin/plunger plate 51. Cable guide support plate 52 for cable 104 is assembled into the safety plunger plate 51 using a standard spring pin and finally mounted into the hitching jaw plate 41 through the safety plunger 103. Cable window 53 and cable support plate 54 are mounted into the pallet jack handle and hydraulic assembly 21. Omni-directional wheels 105 are mounted into the omnidirectional wheels support 61.

Figure 6 shows all the main sub assembling's of the single height hitching cart mover assembly 10 with the hitching assembly 40, safety plunger assembly 50, omni wheels assembly 60, standard pallet jack handle and hydraulic assembly 21 and single drive wheel drive unit 70.

Hitching assembly 40 and safety plunger assembly 50 are assembled on the standard pallet jack handle and hydraulic assembly 21 with the pivoting bracket pins 22. Omni-directional wheels assembly 60 are mounted by standard fasteners into the single drive wheel drive unit 70 and then all this sub-assembly is mounted into the standard pallet jack handle and hydraulic assembly 21 using the left side mount plate 71 and right-side mount plate 72 along with support wheels 23. Throttle assembly 73 is mounted to the top of the tiller on the standard pallet jack handle and hydraulic assembly 21. Figures 7 and 8 shows front and rear views of the hitching cart mover assembly 10 assembled with a single drive wheel drive unit 70. Pallet jack handle and hydraulic assembly 21 is used to maneuver the machine and to lift and lower the hitching assembly 40 while the single drive wheel drive unit 70 will supply the motive power and control via the single centered drive wheel 74 (shown in close-up Figure 9).

Figure 9 is a close-up window view of the single centered drive wheel 74 of a single drive wheel drive unit 70 of Figure 8, located between the pallet jack support wheels.

Figure 10 is front perspective view of one example of cart-side hitch 80 that can be used attached to the cart. It should be noted that different sizes and shapes of cart-side hitch can be used for different applications or features with in some cases corresponding changes required to the hitch on the single height Hitching Cart Mover. A cart-side hitch plate 81 is mounted to the cart with standard fasteners or by welding or by other, quick-removable means. The latter being to allow the cart hitch to be easily moved on or off of or between carts as required. The cart-side hitch shaft 82 to hitch into the hitching assembly 40 can be assembled onto the cart- side hitch plate 81 with standard circlips, retaining it but also allowing it to rotate freely within the cart-side hitch plate 81 when the hitch is lifting or lowering. This helps to reduce wear in those parts in contact. To guide the hitching jaw plate 41 when lifting, cart-side hitch plastic guides 83 can be are assembled into the cart-side hitch plate 81 with standard fasteners, that the device-side hitch of the single height Hitching Cart Mover attaches with when the cart is to be moved.

Figure 11 is a side view of the single height Hitching Cart Mover in the lowered position and unhitched - so it is rotated back so that its rear maneuvering wheels are in contact with the ground. It is shown here as it approaches a loaded cart, which is also shown. This is an example cart with swivel and or fixed casters and with cart-side hitch 80 assembled as shown. The single height hitching cart mover assembly 10 is moved on the floor with three points of contact - the driving wheel 74 in the front and two omni-directional wheels 105 at the rear, providing a stable 3-point contact with the ground. This configuration also provides the operator of the hitching cart mover 10 a high degree of flexibility and accuracy in maneuvering the device when unhitched.

Figures 12 and 13 show the device-side hitching assembly 40 approaching the cart-side hitch 80, the cart-side hitch plastic guide 83 to center the hitching assembly 40 when it is entering the cart-side hitch 80 while ensuring a tight fit laterally into cart-side hitch plate 81, to avoid corresponding lateral movement when the single height hitching cart mover 10 is pushing or pulling in a direction approximately perpendicular to the cart.

Figure 14 shows an example of an approach prior to hitch engagement where the angle of approach is not aligned. In this case, because the hitching assembly 40 is comprised of a bent plate with a bend radius at its side, plus a space/gap between the hitching jaw plate 41 and the cart-side hitch plate 81. Together these features allow some degree of misalignment on the approach which once hitching commences, will be automatically corrected (and the single height hitching cart mover assembly 10 will become aligned with the cart-side hitch assembly 80). The alignment occurs first when the hitching jaw plate contacts the cart-side hitch plate 81 and secondly, as the single height hitching cart mover assembly 80 is hydraulically lifted, the cart-side hitch shaft 82 will act on the inclined plane hitching hooks 47 which will pull the cart- side hitch assembly 80 and hitching assembly 40 together in the exact same, aligned position each time. Figure 15 is a side view of the Hitching Cart Mover in the lowered position approaching a loaded cart. Here the single height hitching cart mover assembly 10 is shown tangent to the bottom of the cart-side hitch assembly 80 and ready to be lifted by the same principle as a standard pallet jack where the pallet jack handle 24 is pumped up and down which then pumps hydraulic fluid into a lifting piston, pushing the piston rod up and thereby lifting the device-side hitch assembly 40.

Figure 16 is a close-up view of the window from Figure 15 and Figure 17 is a section side view of Figure 16, showing the sectioned side view of the hitching process and in particular the safety pin/plunger 103 that will retract due to the incursion of the cart-side hitch plate 81 which compresses the internal spring that is pushing out on the safety pin/plunger.

Figure 18 shows a top view of the same stage of engagement where the safety pin/plunger is being compressed into the device-side hitch assembly 40 prior to its full engagement with the cart-side hitch assembly 80.

Figure 19 is side view of the single height Hitching Cart Mover 10 at a point in time during the hitching process with the device being accordingly rotated forward and lifting the omnidirectional maneuvering wheels up off the ground. It is at a stage where it is further, but not fully, engaged. The hitching cart mover 10 has been rotated forward by the action of the hitching jaw plate 41 coming into sliding engagement with the cart-side hitch plate 81, bringing the two into alignment and therefore lifting the omni-directional wheels 105 up off the ground.

In Figures 20, 21 and 22 the hitching process progresses further and the device-side hitch retaining shaft 46 is shown as it is about to enter the corresponding slots in the cart-side hitch plate 81. The hitch retaining shaft 46 is assembled with standard circlips to allow rotation as it rides up the edge of the afore-mentioned slots to avoid wear and to allow it to be easily replaceable.

Figure 23 shows the single height hitching cart mover 10 in the fully hitched position, thus it is fully inserted into the cart-side hitch 80 and so the following three conditions being met of i) the cart-side hitch shaft 82 is fully inserted into the hitching hooks 47; ii) the retaining shaft 46 is fully inserted into the corresponding slots of the cart-side hitch plate 81; and iii) the safety pin/plunger is fully inserted into the center corresponding pin/plunger hole of the cart-side hitch plate 81. Further, the hitching assembly 40 will be further rotated forward towards the cart and so the omni-directional wheels 105 will be lifted higher up off the ground.

Figure 24 shows the compression spring 100 being compressed due to the load on the cart. Compression spring 100 will help to maintain a load being applied to the traction wheel 74, which can be an important feature when uneven floors are needing to be navigated. Different load capacity compression springs can be mounted according to the application or in fact no compression spring needs be used at all if the application does not warrant it, such as if the floors are perfectly flat and smooth. Note that he safety pin/plunger will ensure the single height hitching cart mover 10 does not become disengaged with the floor, but that does not guarantee that the drive wheel will also have contact and traction with the floor. Greater spring travel in both the compression spring 100 and the compression spring in the drive arm of the single centered drive wheel drive unit (not shown) will improve the maintenance of drive wheel traction on uneven floors but will also increase the number of strokes required of the hydraulic lifting assembly to compress those two springs when engaging with a loaded cart. Figures 25 and 26 show the safety plunger 103 in the extended position where the plunger pin will be positioned inside the cart hitch plate 81 and guarantee a secure connection between the hitching cart mover 10 and the cart, even when an extreme occurrence may occur with ramps or otherwise uneven floors, as illustrated in Figures 27 and 28. In such situations, the single height hitching cart mover 10 will still not become unhitched because the safety plunger 103 will maintain the connection between the device-side hitch assembly 40 and the cart-side hitch assembly 80.

Figures 29 and 30 shows top views of the connection between the device-side hitch assembly 40 and the cart-side hitch assembly 80 and the spring activated safety pin/plunger 103 inserted into and therefore connected to the cart hitch plate 81.

Figure 31 shows the possibility to lift the near-side wheels of the cart to provide maximum traction to the driven wheel 74 or to lift this end of the cart for other reasons, such as if the cart has two wheels (far end) but two legs (near end).

Figure 32 shows the driven wheel 74 of the single drive wheel drive unit 70 below the pallet jack wheels 23 and in Figure 33 the case where the load is heavy enough that enough weight is transferred to the single height hitching cart mover 10 that both pallet jack support wheels 23 (located either side of the driven wheel) are pushed into contact with the ground. On some occasions, this may be desirable as it can provide better stability to the load.

Further to Figure 31, another reason for lifting a cart's front wheels may be to improve the angle of entry when navigating ramps. As shown in Figure 34, lifting the cart as in this example improves the angle of ramp transition that can be accommodated, as shown up to 5 degrees.

Figures 35-37 shows the same views as in Figures 3-5 but now for a multiple-height hitching system. The components are of a different design to achieve this but serve essentially the same functions as with the single height hitching system and so for simplicity in description have been ascribed the same component numbers in these figures as the previous. Note however the addition of component 44, being a cover plate to the tower 41 that protects the tower from knocks (such as if fabricated from stainless steel sheet metal). An additional item now included is the spring component 55 that pushes the row of pins into engagement. The combination of pins and spring steel replaces the previously referenced pin plunger which essentially consists of a pin with an internal spring.

Figures 38-39 show the equivalent views as previous Figures 6-7, now with the multiple-height hitching system vs. the previously described single height hitching system.

Figures 40-44 show a different embodiment of the same basic hitch engagement concept. In this case, to reduce cost with the additional hitching componentry required to accommodate multiple engagement heights, the shafts of the single height hitch design are replaced by specially designed profiles on the left and right sides of the engaging device-side hitch with correspondingly specially designed profiles on the cart-side hitch. These can be laser-cut plates that engage with each other in the required way as the device-side hitch is lifted up and into the cart-side hitch. As with the hook and pins design previously described, this custom profile hooking design more economically and more effectively achieves the same goal of pulling the device-side hitch up into hard and into parallel engagement with the cart-side hitch and provided the device-side hitch does not lower relative to the cart-side hitch (which the locking pins/plungers system ensures), the hitch connection remains very secure.

Figures 41 and 42 show the benefit of this multiple height hitch design where the hitching cart mover can, without any modification or adjustment, hitch with a cart that has its cart-side hitch set very low (Figure 41) or very high (Figure 42).

Figures 43 and 44 show in side view and section view a series of locking pins along the vertical length of the device-side hitching assembly (five pins shown) that serve the same purpose as the previously described plunger of the single height hitching system. They are now in multiple spaced locations and connected by a single sheet of spring steel 55 to lock cart-side hitch in whichever position it is set in within the height range that can be accommodated.

Figures 45-46 show a top view of the hitching systems starting to hitch together, with Figure 46 showing a sectioned view of the same pre-engagement stage with the locking pin deflected back by the cart-side hitch.

Figures 48-49 show the same views as in Figures 45-46 but at the next stage of engagement where he device-side hitch has fully engaged with the cart-side hitch, so the spring loaded pins have automatically sprung back out and therefore penetrated the corresponding openings in the cart-side hitch, locking the two together.

Figure 50 shows the possibility to lift the near-side wheels of the cart to provide maximum traction to the driven wheel 74 or to lift this end of the cart for other reasons (such as the reasons described on Figure 31). The sectioned close-up window within Figure 50 shows how the spring 100 compresses under such load and can in fact compress to a flat block if the weight is enough.

Figures 51-53 shows the arc that the device-side hitch scribes as the piston rod is extended vertically up when the device is not connected to a cart-side hitch. This rotation is a key feature of the hitching cart mover design as it is what allows the roll-in engagement of the device, angled back onto its rear omni-directional wheels and accordingly stable and easy to maneuver.

Figures 54-56 shows the same arc that the device-side hitch scribes as the piston rod is extended vertically up when the device is connected to a cart-side hitch and to a cart. Now as described above as the unit is jacked up, the rotation of the device-side hitch assembly initially creates the engagement into the cart-side hitch and then as it continues to rise and rotate and becomes fully hitched and secured (preventing any further rotation of the device-side hitch) this rotating motion transfers back to the device itself, rotating it forward and in the process lifting the omni-directional wheels up off the ground. This process occurs automatically as the operator pumps the jack and so is effectively "transparent" to the operator.

Figure 57 shows the optional fitting of swivel castor wheels instead of omni-directional wheels, either being suitable for the process and which is used being according to the application.

Figures 58-60 show another potential version of drive system where the two pallet jack support wheels are driven independently by two drive motors. In fact, the drive unit could be a single driven wheel on center, two independently driven wheels as shown in this Figure, or independently driven wheels that could then be autonomously operated, such as for self- driving or robotic application.

Figure 61 shows both how compact and how maneuverable this hitching cart mover is with 205 degrees of rotation possible and the depth when turning that is less than even the handle of the tiller. Compared to the prior art described at the beginning of this document, this is significantly better in both respects and therefore provides the operator excellent

maneuverability of the device and attached cart, particularly in tight quarters.

Figures 62-66 show how the release handle 25 works in the various positions. Position A is the position the handle is moved to so that the operator can pump the handle assembly and this pumps the oil into the hydraulic jacking assembly 21, lifting the piston rod and with it the device-side hitch. Position B is an intermediate position where the handle is disengaged from the pump action and therefore easier to pivot. It is generally used when operating the hitch cart mover, when engaged with a cart or not engaged and being moved around on the rear omni-directional wheels or castors. If the operator pulls the handle up into Position C, which it will only stay in while the operator is pulling on the handle (spring return system exists to ensure this) the valve is moved to the release position and the hydraulic oil is able to be pushed out of the jacking cylinder. In this case, the spring(s) 102 pull the device-side hitch down, pulling with it the piston rod and pushing the oil back out of the jacking cylinder.

Position D is the release of the safety plunger/safety pins assembly 50 as shown in Figures 65 and 66. This release occurs only during the last portion of the upward travel of the release handle 25.

Figures 67-70 show the system used to maintain the hitching system 40 locked in straight position when traveling down until the lowest position. This system guarantees that hitching system 40 is not swivel and rotating freely when power hitching cart mover 10 is unhitch and unloaded. When the release handle 25 is activated in Position C or D (shown on Figure 62) the hitching system 40 can be rotated ± 7 degrees and it will automatically straighten while dropping down as shown on Figure 68 using the force of the traction springs 102. Pivoting bracket and directional swivel lock 48 will be guided and centered by the chamfer on both the left-side mounting plate 71 and right-side mounting plate 72.

PARTS GLOSSARY:

10 - Hitching Cart Mover Assembly

20 - Standard Pallet Jack

21 - Pallet Jack Handle and Hydraulic Jacking Assembly

22 - Pivoting Bracket Pin

23 - Pallet Jack Support Wheel

24 - Pallet Jack Handle

25 - Release Handle

30 - Safety Pin/Plunger and Omni-Directional Wheels Assembly 40 - Device-Side Hitch Assembly

41 - Hitching Jaw Plate

42 - Compression Spring Housing

43 - Compression Spring Cover

44 - Front Grid

45 - Pivoting Shaft

46 - Hitching Retaining Shaft

47 - Removable Hitching Hook

48 - Pivoting Bracket and Directional Swivel Lock

49 - Support for Traction Springs

50 - Safety Plunger/Safety Pins Assembly

51 - Cable Guide Support Plate

52 - Safety Plunger/Pins Plate

53 - Cable Window

54 - Cable Support Plate

55 - Spring Steel Plate - Maneuvering Wheels Assembly

61 - Omni-Directional Wheels Support

62 - Swivel Castors mounted on Support - Drive Wheel(s) Powered Drive Unit

71 - Left Side Mount Plate

72 - Right Side Mount Plate

73 - Throttle assembly

74 - Driving Wheel

- Cart-Side Hitch Assembly

81 - Cart Hitch Plate

82 - Cart Hitch Shaft

83 - Cart Hitch Plastic Guide

0 - Compression Spring

1 - Traction Spring Eyebolt

2 - Traction Spring

3 - Safety Pin/Plunger

4 - Cable

5 - Omni-Directional Wheel

Claims

1. A cart moving device comprising: a jacking assembly that can be actuated to extend a piston rod up, simultaneously lifting a device-side hitch assembly up; a drive system wherein a driven wheel is mounted between the support wheels, or the support wheels themselves are driven by one or more motors, such as battery powered electric motor(s), in each case providing a motive force to the cart moving device. a vertically oriented pivot axis centered through the piston rod and about which the connected handle assembly and support wheel(s) of the device pivot, allowing turning of the cart moving device relative to the device-side hitch assembly and, when connected to a cart, also relative to that attached cart;

2. The cart moving device as recited in Claim 1 wherein the jacking assembly, pivoting vertical axis, handle assembly and support wheel(s) are the same as from a conventional manual pallet jack with a hydraulic jacking cylinder assembly. The pallet jack frame with attached forks, the push-rod assemblies and attached front wheels mounted inside those forks and the lifting arms that rotate the cross shaft to actuate the push rods are all removed.

3. Further to Claim 2 wherein a feature between the non-pivoting part of the device and the pivoting device-side hitching assembly retains the two together when the device-side hitch is fully lowered, allowing the device to be maneuvered more easily without the device-side hitch rotating relative to the device.

4. The cart moving device as recited in Claim 1 wherein maneuvering wheels, such as omnidirectional wheels or swivel-castor wheels, are mounted to the drive unit chassis such that when the cart moving device is not connected to a cart, it can be tilted onto these supplementary wheels and remain stable on the ground.

5. The cart moving device as recited in Claim 1 wherein the same maneuvering wheels of Claim 3, such as omni-directional wheels or swivel-castor wheels, allow the unit to be stable when tilted back onto these wheels when being manueuved around unhitched.

6. A cart moving device comprising: a jacking assembly that can be actuated to extend a piston rod up, simultaneously lifting a device-side hitch assembly up; a device-side hitch that can engage with a cart-side hitch to establish a secure connection between the two hitches, thereby securely connecting the cart moving device to the cart. a device-side hitch assembly that includes a first connection with a piston rod that is raised up to hitch and a second connection through supporting arm(s) pivotably mounted to a non-lifting member, such as the thrust plate that the lifting cylinder is mounted to, so that when the piston rod is raised the device-side hitch is rotated as it is raised, relative to the device.

7. The cart moving device as recited in Claim 6 wherein the geometry of the aforementioned linkages is such that the device-side hitch rotates as it is raised by the piston rod and this rotation aids the engagement into the cart-side hitch.

8. The cart moving device as recited in Claim 6 wherein the geometry of the aforementioned linkages is such that the device-side hitch rotates as it is raised by the piston rod and after the hitches are locked together in parallel, thereby preventing any further rotation of the device-side hitch, the rotational component of this motion is transerred to the cart moving device itself, mating the deivce forwards and lifting the maneuvering wheels of Claim 4 up out of contact with the ground.

9. The cart moving device of Claim 6 wherein there is a compression spring or other compliant component/mechanism between the lifting piston rod and the device-side hitch assembly such that some vertical force is maintained on the device's driven wheel(s) should a transition onto a ramp or uneven flooring be encountered and where without such compliance the risk of losing traction with the ground would be greater.

10. Further to Claim 7, once the device-side hitch is fully raised into the cart-side hitch, a

spring-loaded pin, plunger or other interference feature automatically extends between the hitches such that the hitches can no longer disengage even if the device were temporally unsupported by the ground, such as when entering a down-ward ramp with the device pushing the cart, reducing greatly the possibility of the device unhitching itself

unintentionally from the cart and resulting in an uncontrolled descent of the loaded cart.

11. The cart moving device as recited in Claim 6 wherein the jack release lever pulls a chain, cable, rod or combination of the above and additional to sliding the hydraulic valve to open to allow the oil to flow out of the jacking cylinder, also retracts the spring-loaded locking pins / plungers (as described in Claim 8). As such, the locking of the device to the cart can be effected automatically while hitching while the disengagement and release of the device side hitch from the cart-side hitch can only be effected by conscious operator intervention.

12. The cart moving device as recited in Claim 6 wherein spring(s) are attached between the device-side hitch assembly and the jacking assembly so that when the valve is opened to allow the oil to flow out of the jacking cylinder and therefore lower the piston rod, the springs will pull the hitch assembly down.

13. The cart moving device as recited in Claim 6 where there is more clearance between the left side and right side of the female hitch than the male hitch when starting the hitching process, allowing the operator to be less precise when engaging with the cart-side hitch, but as the hitches engage with each other the gap si reduced, resulting in a tighter and more secure connection between the cat moving device and the cart.

14. The cart moving device as recited in Claim 6 wherein a hitch assembly includes mutltiple hitch connection positons on the device-side hitch mechanism such that a cart-side hitch can be mounted at various heights within a vertical range so that the same device can can engage with various carts with hitches at various heights, without any modification or adjustment being required to the device.