FR2627447A1 - Hand-operated folding trolley - has upper and lower load-carrying platforms on collapsible side supports for ease of operation - Google Patents

Abstract

The folding trolley, for carrying various types of loads that can be pushed by hand, consists of upper and lower load-carrying platforms (1, 3) linked by a collapsible frame on wheels or rollers (4). The upper platform is held up by lateral supports (9, 13) with the supports (9) at the front of the trolley connected to a handle (10). At the point where the supports join the handle here are stay rods (12) connected to the rear supports (13). Pushing the rear end of the top platform down collapses the rear supports when a downward pressure is applied to the handle. At the same time the lower platform and a central transverse hinge fold upwards, allowing the trolley to fold into a compact unit. ADVANTAGE - Design and operating simplicity.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device which can be folded in a single maneuver, which can be dismantled into several elements, multi-function mobile by means of casters, tiiini of boxes, for storing and carrying various objects.

 Many examples of a foldable object-carrying device were found in the current state of the art.

 French patent 2,502,568 describes a cart used for maintenance tasks in a hospital. It has a rigid base on which a U-shaped frame is positioned in the folded position.

 European patent 0 0; z3 873 describes a foldable trolley for supermarket. It has a fixed horizontal base on which are positioned uprights in the folded position.

 US patent 2 2I2 053 relates to a foldable cart for supermarkets, it has a rigid interior frame that folds down along vertical uprights.

 European patent 0 206 872 relates to a foldable cart for supermarkets. it has a rigid lower frame which folds down along vertical uprights.

 Foldable carriages in the current state of the art have many moving parts or joints, which makes manufacturing expensive, and, not very easy to use.

 The folding of the various carriages according to the current state of the art requires several manipulations, and sometimes forces the user to bend down.

 The present invention relates to a device that can be folded in a single maneuver, which can be dismantled into several elements, fitted with housings.

 The folding system in a single maneuver makes it possible to position the horizontal tray vertically, to grab it with the help of a handle, and to have the entire device on a vertical plane ready for storage or ready to be mobile at using the casters.

 It is intended for very varied applications such as trolley for super market, trolleys @ for domestic use, trolleys for office, tool trolley, or any other household or industrial application that can be envisaged with the compatibility of the device.

 The foldable device according to the present invention is perfectly suited to manufacturing using production means, manufacturing techniques, and materials, inexpensive and existing.

 The present invention more particularly aims to simplify the act of shopping in supermarkets by eliminating for the consumer the search for a cart belonging to the supermarket, the plastic bags generally given by distributors, the successive manipulations to empty his cart at checkout, then fill it, difficult transport of purchases when returning to his home.

 The subject of the present invention is an upper horizontal plate positioned between two lateral uprights, equipped at their four ends with rollers, removable or not, rotating on themselves, or fixed; these two lateral uprights are connected together by a frame in the form of .U used to push the assembly, at a point acting as an axis allowing this frame to pivot and descend 9th along the lateral upright, causing the pivoting of the upper plate with the help of a rod itself descending the along the side upright.

 In the position of use, the blocking of the assembly is ensured by a piece preventing any mobility of the U-shaped frame. For folding, it suffices to unlock this piece.

 The blocking thus carried out of the armature serving as a pusher causes perfect stability of the upper plate thanks to the tie connecting the lateral us t to the armature, which is blocked automatically.

 The device can be provided with a lower horizontal plate which is fixed on the lateral uprights, qFti when folding, folds around an axis or hinge in order to allow the complete folding of the assembly.

 The upper plate is fitted with angle brackets ensuring the stability of the boxes intended to be received there.

Other advantages and embodiments will emerge from the description which follows, based on the drawings in which:
- Figure I represents a perspective view of a foldable device according to the present invention in the unfolded position, and, m @ nie of boxes intended to receive objects.

- Figure 2 shows a front view of the foldable device
- Figure 3 shows a view of iace the foldable device m @ i of boxes, and various objects on> the lower plate.

 - Figure 4 shows a front view of the foldable device provided on the upper plate, boxes, and space for loose objects.

 - Figure 5 show in front view the foldable device, at the start of folding.

 - Figure 6 shows a front view of the foldable device, at the end of folding.

 - Figure 7 shows a front view of the foldable device in the folding position.

 - Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the upper plate.

 - Figure 9 shows on a larger scale a connection detail and slide of the upper plate and the side uprights.

 - Figure IO shows on a larger scale a connection detail between the top of the lateral upright and the frame serving as a pusher.

 - Figure II shows on a larger scale a connection detail between the top of the lateral upright and the frame serving as a pusher, in the locked position.

 - Figure 12 shows a perspective view of one possible embodiment of the housings.

 - Figure I3 shows in perspective another mode of possible rFalisation of the boxes.

- Figure I4 shows a perspective view of another possible embodiment of the housings
- Figure 15 shows in perspective the positioning of the boxes on a body mat.

 Figure I shows a device according to the present in = vention comprising an upper plate (I) provided at its angles with angles ('2) necessary for the stability of the housings, @ and an optional lower plate (9) fixed to the lateral uprights of which the ends are provided with rollers 4) which are rotary on themselves or fixed.

This optional lower plate is provided with an axis or char'e're: (5) allowing its folding upwards during the folding maneuver.

 The upper plate (I) supports housings (6) provided with retractable handles (7). These boxes are narrower at the base than at the top, which allows them to be built into each other in a pull-out fashion. Also, an additional cover (8) is placed inside one of the other boxes, so that, during the checkout, a box is already empty and allows immediate filling after verification and accounting of cashiers.

 The horizontal position of the upper plate (I) is ensured by lateral uprights; a lateral upright (9) connected by an axis to a spider (IO) serving as a pusher for the entire device, and which comes to be fixed on the front wheel; and, on the other hand, a lateral upright ( I3) connected, at its top by an axis to the lateral upright (9;), and, at its bottom, to the rear wheels.

At the point where the axis connecting the lateral upright is located
t9) and the frame (IO), a rod (I2) descends into the lateral upright (I3) at the level of the horizontal support of the plate (I '.).

 The frame (IO) is equipped with a horizontal bar (II) used to position the hands to push the whole device.

 The tracks of the front and rear wheels are different.

To allow and facilitate folding with the minimum space requirement, the front wheel track is narrower than the rear wheel track, which allows positioning when folding said front wheels into holes provided in the tray (I) .

2 shows a device according to the present invention, front view, locating the support points of the plate (1) which are located for one; at the intersection between the front lateral upright (9) serving as the axis of rotation of the plate (I), and, for the other; at the intersection of the rear side upright (I3) and the platform (I)
This anchor point, in the folding position, descends inside the rear lateral upright (I3).

 FIG. 3 represents a device according to the present invenrlon, front view provided with housings (6) occupying the entire length of the plate (I), and, of various loose objects on the lower plate (3).

 FIG. 4 represents a device according to the present invention, front view, fitted with housings (6) occupying part of the upper plate (2) on which loose objects can also be positioned.

 FIG. 5 represents a device according to the present invention, seen from the front, in the start of folding phase. The frame (IO) is unlocked from the upright (9) and pivots on the axis connecting it to this upright.

The optional lower plate (3) folds up on itself, upwards using the hinge.

 The rod (I2) slides along the upright (13) downwards.

The plate (I) pivots from the rear towards the front, using the anchor point between the rod (I2) and this mSQe plate, around the axis (I4), thus bringing the front of the plate (I) from the top of the lateral upright (9)
FIG. 6 represents a device according to the present invention, seen from the front, in the folding continuity phase.

 FIG. 7 shows a device according to the present invention, seen from the front, in the folding position.

 8 shows a detail of the upper plate (I), perspective view. The upper plate is provided with a pin (I4) connecting it to the lateral upright (9), and, with another pin (15) connecting it to the lateral upright (I3) and to the rod t 12). The upper plate (I) can tQre provided with a cross (I6) reinforcing its resistance. A cavity (I7) acting as a handle is provided at the front of the upper plate (I).

In the folding position, the handle (I7) is folded at the top of the assembly, and therefore easily gripped. Two holes (I8) are provided at the location on the plate, at the place where the front wheels (4) are positioned.

 Figure 9 shows a detail of the present invention on a larger scale, the connection and the sliding of the upper plate (I) with the lateral uprights (9) and (I3), and the rod (I2).

The two lateral uprights (9) and (13) are interconnected by means of a free axis, which can between a rivet (20) allowing their rotation around this axis (20). The lateral upright (I3) is provided with a staple-shaped cavity (I9), allowing the movement of the axis (15), connected to the rod (I2) itself integral with the frame (IO), along the upright (I3).

 Figure 10 shows a detail of the present invention on a larger scale; the connection between the armature (IO) and the lateral upright (9) provided with a locking system (23) in the unlocking and folding position of the assembly.

 The lateral upright (9) is provided with a staple-shaped cavity (22) in which slides an axis (21) connected to the frame (IO) and to the rod (I2), and, from an axis (Z4) ensuring the rotation of a piece 23) serving as a blocking system.

 Figure II shows a detail of the present invention on a larger scale; the connection between the armature (IO), the lateral upright (9), the rod (12) in the locked position using the piece (23 ), blocking the assembly in the unfolded position, using the device.

The axis (21) connecting the armature (IO), to the lateral upright (9) and to the rod (I2), is positioned in the fold of the cavity (22);
By a simple rotation on its axis (24), the part (23) blocks said axis (21) in the fold of the cavity.

 In this way, the top of the rod (I2) is blocked, its lower end also corresponding to the axis (I5), itself integral with the duplateau (I), thus finding itself blocked in a horizontal position useful for its function; the axis (I5) blocking in the fold (I9) of the upright cavity (I3).

 In the unlocked position as shown in Figure IO, the axis (2I) slides down along the cavity (22) of the upright (9). The axis (21) being integral with the rod (I2), when it descends, this also lowers the rod (I2) along the upright (I3). The base of the rod (12), or the axis (I5) drives down the rear of the plate (I) which rotates around the axis (I4) connecting it to the upright (9), and, therefore the front of the plate (I) approaches by describing an arc, from the upright (9) towards its top.

 The present system ensures perfect blocking of the assembly in particular of the plate (I), unlocking of the part (23), and, on the other hand, by a simple pressure on the frame (IO), once unlocked , automatic folding of the assembly.

 FIG. 12 represents one of the possible embodiments of the housings (6) .I1 is provided with a removable or retractable lateral face (25), provided with pins or pressures (26) clipping into cavities (27) provided for this effect.

 FIG. 13 represents one of the possible embodiments of the casings. The casing (28) is provided on its largest lateral side, with a system sliding on the top of the casing, using strips (30) along a groove (29) provided for this purpose.

 Figure 14 shows one of the possible embodiments of housings. The housing (31) is provided on its largest lateral side, with a face (32) equipped at its two ends with a reinforcement in the form of an arc of a circle , retracting into the folded position, in housings (33) provided for this purpose.

 The possibility of opening the largest lateral side of the box (ô) eliminates the handling of objects placed inside on the body mat.

 Figure 15 shows the positioning of the boxes on a cash register mat. The box (6) is positioned before the box, it opens quickly. The additional box provided (S) is placed at the end of the box, and receives inside the objects targeted by the cashier and driven by the conveyor belt (34).

Claims (8)

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S  1) Device foldable vertically in a single maneuver, movable by means of rollers (4) connected from each side to lateral uprights (9) and (13), supporting by means of axes (I4) and (I5 ), an upper horizontal tray (1), on which are positioned recessed boxes (6), for storing and carrying various objects.  2) device foldable vertically in a single operation, according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral upright (, 9) connecting the front wheel (4) to the upper plate (l), is articulated to the lateral upright (I3) going to the rear wheel, using an axis (20) ensuring the rotation of these different uprights; then extends beyond an axis (21) connecting it to the frame (IO) serving as a push rod to the and, also connecting it to the rod (12). This lateral upright (9) is provided at its top, above a staple-shaped cavity (22), with a pivoting part (23) around an axis (24) ensuring the blocking of the entire device.  3) device foldable vertically in a single maneuver, according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral upright (I3) connecting the wheel (4) rear to the lateral upright (9), is provided with a shaped cavity (19) of staple identical to the cavity (22) of the lateral upright (9) in which a pin (15) slides connected to the rod (12) and to the plate (1).  4) device foldable vertically in a single maneuver, according to claim 2, characterized in that the plate (I) is connected to the lateral upright (9) by means of an axis (I4) ensuring the rotation of said plate ( I) relative to the axis (I4).  5) device foldable vertically in a single maneuver according to claim 2 and claim 3, characterized by the rod (I2) connecting the lower plate (1), and the lateral upright (13), on the one hand, and, d 'other hand, the side upright (9) and the frame (-IO) serving as a pusher. The length of this rod (I2) being fixed; when in the folding position, this rod circulates simultaneously with a constant spacing along the cavities (I9) and (22) of the respective uprights (I3) and (9 ). And in the locking position for use, the ends ./ ..  ../ .. of the rod (I2) are automatically housed in the folds provided in the cavities (I9) and (22), are locked by the part (23), and, block in a stable horizontal position the plate (I).  6) device foldable vertically in a single maneuver according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the position of start of pliage.on unlocks the frame (10) connected villa rod (I2), by the axis (21), descending in the cavity (22), and, by transmission, lowering the axis (I5) in the cavity (I9) of the upright (13), thanks to the rod (I2) which goes from the axis (21) to the axis (I5), The descent of this axis (IS) connected to the plate (I) rotates the latter relative to the axis (14) connecting the plate (I) to the upright (9), which leads to a quick and easy vertical folding in one maneuver.  7) Device foldable vertically in a single operation according to claim I, characterized in that the upper plate (I) is provided with a handle (I7) positioned at the top of the system in the folded position, and, with two holes (I8) intended during folding to allow the front wheels (4) to pass.  C) Device foldable vertically in a single maneuver according to claims 2.3.5.6, characterized in that the rotation of the part (23) on its axis (24) connected to the upright (9) ensures the blocking of the entire device.  9) device foldable vertically in a single maneuver according to claim I, characterized in that the housings built into each other (6) are equipped with an opening on the largest side key (25) avoiding any manipulation to get out of objects, and are provided with an additional already embedded box (8).