AU683303B2 - Trolley - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 AU ST RAL I A Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

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9qcc 9 9~ F~U~k 0 14c1\ Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor( s): Address for Service: Invention Title: DFib Y JOIIsOkawO DARRYL JOHN DONALDSON SANDERCOCKS PATENT ATTORNEYS Suite 6, 50-54 Robinson Street, DANDENONG VIC 3175

TROLLEY

Details of Associated Patent Application(s): No(s): Australian Patent Application No. 41867/89 filed on 25th August, 1989 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: CO 1 84or 21~ ~T94 941021.rmssp.070,donld&&,I la- 1 TROLLEY 2 3 This invention relates generally to trolleys or carts 4 and more particularly to hand trolleys for carrying loads.

One form of hand trolley currently in use comprises an 6 elongated frame having handles at one end, ground engaging 7 wheels at the other end and a load supporting section 8 adjacent the ground engaging wheels. Whilst trolleys of 9 this type have been found to be generally satisfactory they can be a problem where it is necessary to lift the load from 11 the trolley onto a platform. This is because the load 12 supporting section of the trolley is adjacent the ground and 13 it is necessary for the user to physically lift the load 14 from the trolley to the platform. This can not only be 15 heavy work but can create a risk of back injury to the user.

16 It is an object of the present invention to provide an 17 improved hand trolley which is versatile in operation and ~18 alleviates the aforementioned problem.

19 According to the present invention there is provided a 20 trolley comprising a frame assembly including a first and 21 second frame sections each having opposed end portions with 22 a main axis extending between the end portions thereof said 23 first frame section having first ground engaging means 24 disposed at or toward one end portion thereof, the second frame section being operatively connected to said first 26 frame section and having second ground engaging means S 27 disposed at or towards one end portion thereof, handle means 28 by which the trolley can be manually supported or 29 controlled, first and second load support members operatively connected to said frame assembly said second 31 load support member having a platform section and being 32 operatively interconnected between said first and second 33 frame sections, said first and second frame sections being 34 movable relative to one another so that the trolley can adopt first and second operating modes whereby, when in said 36 first operating mode with the trolley in its normal working 37 orientation for that mode said first and second frame 38 sections are in a first operating position relative to one _dl 2- 99*0 9 99 9 9 0 .99.

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a 999 9 9 S 9 *9 9 9 .9 99 9p 99 999 9 another whereby a load is adapted to be at least partially supported by the first load support member with the first ground engaging means being adapted to be in contact with the ground and the second ground engaging means being in a non-ground engaging position, and in the second operating mode when in the normal working orientation for that mode the first and second frame sections are moved into a position where both the first and second ground engaging means are adapted to be in contact with the ground and the second load support member is disposed in a support position in which position the platform section can carry a load, the platform section being disposed above the ground; wherein as the trolley is transformed from one operating mode to the other support of a load is transferred from one load support member to the other, and when the trolley is in the second operating mode the first and second frame sections can be moved relative to one another so as to cause the second load support member to adopt a range of operating positions in which the platform section is disposed at various selected heights above the ground, the attitude of the platform section relative to the ground being maintained substantially constant as the second load support member moves through the aforementioned range of operating positions.

This feature provides a significant advantage to the hand trolley of the present invention in that the platform section of the second load support member can be altered to a range of heights above the ground so that a load can be transferred from the platform section to an existing structure without the necessity of excessive lifting and the trolley can be used with a wide variety of existing structures. Furthermore, since the attitude of platform seition does not substantially change as it is moved through its range of positions it provides the trolley with a high degree of versatility.

Preferably the operative connection between the first and second frame sections together with operctive connection between the second load support member and the 961205.cmsdat.104f fallh.&mo, 2 3 first and second frame sections is such that when in the second operating mode the main axes of the first and second frame sections form a generally cross-shaped configuration and the platfomn section of the second load support member is disposed generally parallel to the ground. When in the first operating mode the main axes of the first and second frame sections and the platform section of the second load support member are more closely aligned.

Preferably the relative movement between the first and second frame sections is by way of relative rotational movement about an axis in a region intermediate their end :«:portions.

Preferably the second load support member is operatively connected to each of the first and second frame 15 sections by respective connections each connection being capable of providing for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and linear movement at substantially right angles to I: the pivot axis. The pivot pin may be defined by part of the structure of the frame members. In one preferred form 20 each connection comprises a pivot pin on one of the frame sections or the second load support member receivable 6 within an elongated guide which is on the other of either the frame section or the second load support member.

Preferably when in the second operating mode the connection between the first and second frame sections and the second load support member is such that the second load support member can be moved laterally with respect to the frame assembly between a forward position and a rearward position of the trolley.

This has the advantage that the platform section of the second load support member can be moved into a position where it overlies or is immediately adjacent the structure to which the load is to be transferred.

The trolley may further include control means for controlling movement of the second load support member and frame sections when the trolley is in the second operating tR mode. In one preferred form the control means comprises a V1*\ lever operable catch operatively connected to the first 961205,cmsdat.104. fa11ah.&m,3

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frame member the catch being selectively engageable in recesses on the second frame section to hold the first and second frame members in position relative to one another.

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*a a a a SaS a a a a a *a.a 961205, cwsdat. 104.*fa13.sh.ame,3 4 1 In at sr embodiment the control means comprises a lever 2 actuataDle worm gear operatively connected to one of the 3 frame members and engageable by a pinion operatively 4 connected to the other frame section so that rotation of the worm gear causes the relative movement between the two frame 6 sections.

7 In yet another form, it comprises an arm operatively 8 connected to one of the frame members the arm having a 9 series of teeth thereon which are adapted to engage a member on the other frame section to hold the two frame members in 11 selected disposition relative to one another.

12 The trolley may further include biasing means which 13 urges the first and second frame sections from their 0 14 position relative to one another which they adopt when in 15 the first operation mode towards a position which they adopt 16 when in the second operating mode. The biasing means may S"t 17 comprise a pneumatic piston/cylinder assembly having gas 18 therein which is compressed when the two frame sections move 19 into the relative position which they adopt when in the 20 first operating mode. In addition to or alternatively to 21 the above the biasing means may include a compression spring 22 operatively connected to one of the frame members which when oco, 23 the two frame sections are in the position relative to one 24 another which they adopt when in the first operating mode is under compression.

26 In one preferred form, the first frame section 27 comprises a pair of generally parallel spaced apart 28 longitudinal members interconnected by cross members so as 29 to form a rigid structure. Preferably the handle is provided at one end of the longitudinal members of the first 31 frame member and the first ground engaging means is disposed 32 towards the other end of the longitudinal members. The 33 ground engaging means may comprise a pair of wheels mounted 34 on an axle secured between the longitudinal members.

Preferably the first load support member is disposed at or 36 near the end of the longitudinal members adjacent the first 37 ground engaging means. The first load support member may 38 comprise a support stand or plate which is secured to or 5 1 formed integral with the end of the first frame section the 2 support stand or plate projecting generally laterally with 3 respect to thu main axis thereof. Thus in the preferred 4 form, the first frame section and its associated first ground engaging means and first load support member are 6 basically in the form of a two wheel hand trolley. The- 7 first load support member may be hingedly connected to the 8 first frame member so that it can move from its normal 9 operating position to a position where it is aligned with the main axis of the first frame member.

11 The second frame section of the main frame assembly may 12 also comprise a pair of longitudinal members and cross 13 members arranged to form a rigid structure similar to that 14 described above. Preferably the second ground engaging means are in the form of a pair of wheels on an axle secured 16 at one end of the longitudinal members.

17 In the preferred embodiments described above the first 18 and second load support members are described as separate 19 units. It will be appreciated, however, that the first and 20 second load support members could be formed as a single 21 unit. For example, the second load s'upport member could be 22 constructed in the form described above with the first load 23 support member being defined by a laterally extending member 24 extending from one end of the second load support member.

According to another aspect of the present invention 26 there is provided a trolley of the type described above 27 except that the trolley does not include a first load 28 support member. The second load support member may include 29 a seat portion at one end thereof which can be lowered onto a bath or other device.

31 Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter 32 be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in 33 which:- 34 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of trolley according to the present invention 36 shown in the first operating mode; 37 Figures 2 and 3 are schematic forward and rearward 38 perspective views of the trolley shown in Figure 1 with the

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6 1 trolley in its second operating mode; 2 Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of a second 3 embodiment of trolley according to the present invention; 4 Figure 5 is a schematic side elevation of a third embodiment of trolley according to the present invention; 6 and 7 Figure 6 is a partial view of a trolley according to 8 the present invention showing a further modification.

9 Referring to the drawings, the trolley indicated at 1 comprises a main frame assembly 3 having a first frame 11 section 4 comprised of longitudinal members 5 and cross 12 members 8 with handles 7 being provided at one end thereof.

13 The main frame assembly 3 further includes a second frame 14 section 11 comprising longitudinal members 12 and c-oss 15 members 13. The second frame section 11 is secured to axle 16 6 on the first frame member so that the two members can 17 rotate relative to one another.

18 First ground engaging means 15 in the form of wheels 16 19 are mounted on an axle 17 secured to the first frame section 4. Second ground engaging means 21 in the form of wheels 22 21 mounted on axle 23 are secured to the second frame section 22 11.

23 The trolley further includes a first load bearing •24 member 25 in the form of a support stand or plate 26 which forms part of the first frame section 4. The second load 26 bearing member 30 comprises a support platform section 31 27 which is operatively connected to both the first frame 28 section and the second frame section. Connection of the 29 second load bearing member to the frame sectJins is by means of elongated slots 38 disposed at each end of the second 31 load bearing member 30 which receive respective cross 32 members of each of the first and second frame sections 33 these cross members acting as pivot pins so that the support 34 platform section 31 can slide forwardly or rearwardly relative to the main frame assembly in the direction of 36 arrow A as indicated in Figure 3.

37 Control means 35 is provided to control and retain the 38 two frame sections in a selected disposition relative to one P. ~s rs~u 7 1 another. As shown in Figures 1 to 3 the control means 2 comprises an arm 36 secured to a cross member of the first 3 frame section 4, the arm having a series of teeth 37 formed 4 thereon which are adapted to engage against cross member 13 on the second frame section so that the height of the 6 support platform section 31 when in the second operative- 7 mode can be adjusted.

8 The control means 35 shown in Figure 4 comprises a push 9 rod 50 which is operatively connected to the first frame section 4 and capable of movement relative thereto in the 11 direction of its main axis. The push rod 50 is operable by 12 actuating lever 51 and has a detent 52 at its other end.

13 The control means 35 further includes a plate 54 which is 14 secured to second frame section 11. Plate 54 has a series of recesses 53 therein which are adapted to selectively 16 receive the detent 52 therein so as to hold the two frame 17 sections in position relative to one another.

18 The control means 35 shown in Figure 5 comprises a 19 crank 63 secured to the first frame section 4 the crank 63 having a worm gear 60 at one end thereof. The worm gear 21 co-operates with pinion 61 formed on the second frame 22 section 11, the pinion 61 being fixed to the second frame 23 section. This rotation of the crank 63 will cause the worm 24 gear 60 to rotate and due to its engagement with pinion 61 will permit the two frame sections to rotate relative to one 26 another thereby permitting the frame sections to move from 27 their relative position which they adopt when in the first 28 operating mode to a range of positions which they adopt when 29 the trolley is in the second operating mode. It will be apprecaited that as an alternative to manually operated 31 crank 63, the worm gear 60 could be driven by a motor of 32 suitable form.

33 As shown in Figure 4 there may further be provided one 34 or more piston/cylinder assemblies 75 interconnected between the two frame sections. The piston/cylinder assemblies may 36 contain gas which when the frame sections are in the 37 position relative to one another which they adopt when in 38 the first operating mode is compressed. Thus the compressed II III 8 1 gas tends to bias the frame sections so that they are urged 2 towards the position they adopt in the second operating 3 mode. This arrangement provides an advantage to the 4 operator in overcoming the weight of the load when moving from the first to the second operating mode.

6 A compression spring 70 may be provided on one of the- 7 frame sections which is adapted to be compressed when the 8 two frame sections are in the first operating mode. The 9 compression spring 70 acts in a similar manner to the piston cylinder assemblies described above. It will be appreciated 11 that the piston/cylinder assemblies 75 and the compression 12 spring 70 can be used separately or in combination and can 13 be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments described 14 in Figures 1 to 3, Figure 4 or Figure 15 Figure 6 shows a modification to the load support 16 member 25. In this modification member 25 is pivotably 17 mounted to the first frame section by means of hinges 77 so 18 that it can move from the position shown in Figure 6 to a 19 position in which it is in the same plane as the first frame :i 20 section. Links 78 are adapted to hold the support member in 21 the described position.

22 The operation of the trolley is as follows. The 23 trolley is initially in the configuration shown in Fig. 1 24 with the two frame sections 4 and 11 being disposed generally in or approaching the same plane. In this 26 configuration, the trolley operates in the same fashion as a 0 27 normal two wheel hand trolley the load being carried on the 28 first load bearing member 29 If the load is required to be placed on a table or platform above the surface upon which the trolley travels, 31 the trolley is first placed on the ground so that both the 32 first and second wheels 16 and 22 engage the ground. In 33 this position, the load will now be resting on the second 34 load bearing member 30 because of the horizontal disposition of the trolley. The operator then restrains movement of the 36 second ground engaging wheels 22 by for example, placing his 37 feet on the axle 23 and lifts the handles 7. This causes 38 the trolley to adopt the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and I BLL~Y ~6R*Annrllllm*s~3-n-~T1- 9 the load is raised to a height above the ground upon which the trolley is disposed. The trolley is retained in this position by the control means Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

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Claims (4)

1. A trolley characterised by a frame assembly (3) including a first and second frame sections 11) each having opposed end portions with a main axis extending between the end portions thereof said first frame section having first ground engaging means disposed at or toward one end portion thereof, said second frame section (11) operatively connected to said first frame section and having second ground engaging means (21) disposed at or towards one end portion thereof, handle means by which the trolley can be manually supported or controlled, first and second load support members (25, operatively connected to said frame assembly with said second load support member (30) having a platform section (31) and being operatively interconnected :between said first and second frame sections 11), said first and second frame sections 11) being movable relative to one another so that the trolley can adopt first and second operating modes whereby, when in said first operating mode with the trolley in its normal working orientation for that mode said first and second frame sections 11) are in a f4,rst operating position relative to one another and a load is adapted to be at least partially supported by the first load support member (25) with the firsts ground engaging means (15) being adapted to be in contact with the ground and the second ground engaging means (21) being in a non-ground engaging position, and in the second operating mode when in the normal working orientation for that mode said first and second frame sections 11) are moved into a position where both the first and second ground engaging means (15, 21) are adapted to be in contact with the ground and the second load support member is disposed in a support position in which position the platform section (31) can carry a load, the platform section (31) being disposed above the 970a11.cmzdat.104, falluh.ame.1O I 11 ground; wherein as the trolley is transformed from one operating mode to the other support of a load is transferred from one load support member to the other, and when the trolley is in the second operating mode said first and second frame sections 11) can be moved relative to one another so as to cause said second load carrying member (30) to adopt a range of operating positions in which the platform section (31) is disposed at various selected heights above the grc'ind, the attitude of the platform section (31) relative to the ground being substantially the same as the second load carrying member (30) moves through said range of operating positions.

2. A trolley according to Clail 1 wherein the operative connection between the first and second frame sections 11) together with operative connection between the second load support member (30) and the first and second frame sections 11) is such that when in the second operating mode the main axes of the first and second frame sections 11) form a generally cross- shaped configuration and the platform section (31) of said second load support member (30) is disposed generally parallel to the ground and when in said first operating mode the main axes of the first and second frame sections 11) and the platform section (31) of the second load support member (30) are more closely aligned.

3. A trolley according to Claim 2 characterised in that the relative movement between the first and second frame sections 11) is by way of relative rotational movement about An axis in a region intermediate their end portions.

4. A trolley according to Claim 3 characterised in that Vthe second load support member (30) is operatively connected to each of said first and second frame

970811.cmvdat 104,f&auh. ame!11 I 12 members by respective connections 13, 38) each connection being capable of providing for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and linear movement at substantially right angles to the pivot axis. A trolley according to Claim 4 characterised in that each said connection comprises a pivot pin 13) on the frame sections 11) or the second load support member (30) receivable within an elongated guide (38) which is on the other of either the frame sections (4, 11) or the second load support member 6. A trolley according to Claim 5 characterised in that when in the second operating mode the connection S 15 between the first and second frame sections 11) and the second load support member (30) is such that :the second load support member (10) can be moved laterally with respect to the said frame assembly .between a forward position and a rearward position of the trolley. 9t* 7. A trolley according to Claim 6 further characterised by control means (35) for controlling movement of the second load support member (30) and frame sections (4, 25 11) when the trolley is in the second operating mode. 8. A trolley according to Claim 7 characterised in that said control means (35) comprises a lever operable detent (52) operatively connected to the first frame section said detent (52) being selectively engageable in recesses (53) on the second frame section to hold the first and second frame sections in position relative to one another. 9. A trolley according to Claim 7 characterised in that said control means comprises a crank actuatable worm igear (60) operatively connected to one of the frame sections and engageable by a pinion (61) operatively 970811,cmadat,104 fallsh.ame,12 13 connected to the other frame section so that rotation of the worm gear (60) causes the relative movement between the two frame sections 11). 10. A trolley according to Claim 7 further characterised by biasing means (70,75) which urges the first and second frame sections from the first position relative to one another which they adopt when in the first operation mode towards a position which they adopt when in the second operating mode. 11. A trolley according to Claim 10 characterised in that said biasing means comprises a pneumatic piston/cylinder assembly (75) having gas therein which 15 is compressed when the two frame sections move into the first position which they adopt when in the first operating mode. eS* 12. A trolley according to Claim 11 characterised in that said biasing means further includes a compression spring (70) which when the two frame sections are in the first position relative to one another which they adopt when in the first operating mode is under compression. Dated this llth day of August, 1997 SANDERCOCK COWIE PATENT ATTORNEYS FOR DARRYL JOHN DONALDSON 970811.cmasat t104 fa1h.b ma 13 14 ABSTRACT A trolley characterise& by a frame assembly (3) including a first and second frame sections 11) each having opposed end portions with a main axis extending between the end portions thereof said first frame section having first ground engaging means (15) disposed at or toward one end portion thereof, said second frame section (11) operatively connected to said first frame section (4) and having second ground engaging means (21) disposed at or towards one end portion thereof, handle means by which the trolley can be manually supported or controlled, first and second load support members (25, 30) operatively connected to said frame assembly with said second load 15 support member (30) having a platform section (31) and being operatively interconnected between said first and second frame sections 11), said first and second frame sections 11) being movable relative to one another so that the trolley can adopt first and second operating S.. modes whereby, when in said first operating mode with the trolley in its normal working orientation for that mode said first and second frame sections 11) are in a first operating position relative to one another and a load is .4 adapted to be at least partially supported by the first load support member (25) with the firsts ground engaging :means (15) being adapted to be in contact with the ground and the second ground engaging means (21) being in a non- ground engaging position, and in the second operating mode when in the normal working orientation for that mode said first and second frame sections 11) are moved into a position where both the first and second ground engaging means 21) are adapted to be in contact with the ground and the second load support member (30) is disposad in a support position in which position the platform section (31) can carry a load, the platform section (31) being disposed above the ground; wherein as the trolley is transformed from one operating mode to the other support of a load is transferred Irom one load support member to the 970811,cmadat104 .fallah.am.14 I 15 other, and when the trolley is in the second operating mode said first and second frame sections 11) can be moved relative to one another so as to cause said second load carrying member (30) to adopt a range of operating positions in which the platform section (31) is disposed at various selected heights above the ground, the attitude of the platform section (31) relative to the ground being substantially the same as the second load carrying member moves through said range of operating positions. :oo 9 9 S S S 970811. msdat.104.fanllh.ame.15 L