GB2293095A

GB2293095A - Trolley with lockable castors

Info

Publication number: GB2293095A
Application number: GB9418460A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Richard Sladden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-14
Filing date: 1994-09-14
Publication date: 1996-03-20
Also published as: GB9418460D0

Abstract

At least one wheel 2 on a castored trolley 1 is lockable against swivelling to assist steering. The swivel hubs 4 of the front pair of castors may be acted on by push rods 13 actuated by a lever mechanism 5 - 9 on the trolley and spring loaded at 14. The rod 13 may act on a brake lining, possibly knurled, or engage with teeth on the hub (Figs 3a - c). <IMAGE>

Description

Castored Trolleys This invention relates to an arrangement for facilitating the steering of a castored trolley.

Shopping trolleys, for example of the type used in supermarkets, have been designed to be easily manoeuvred around the aisles of the shop. This ease of movement is achieved by means of castors which are fitted to the wheels such that they are all able to swivel. However, when the trolley is required to turn around a sharp corner, for example at the end of an aisle, the wheels swivel in the opposite direction to that in which the trolley is being pushed. This makes the trolley difficult to control, and it then requires a substantial force to manoeuvre the trolley around the corner.

I have now devised an arrangement which alleviates the problem outlined above without affecting the ease of movement of the trolley under normal circumstances.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an arrangement for a castored trolley to facilitate the steering thereof, comprising means for locking at least one castor against swivelling, and means for selectively actuating the locking means.

Preferably the arrangement is adapted to be fitted to a trolley to enable the front pair of castors to be locked against swivelling. Preferably the actuating means comprises a control handle which actuates the locking means when it is urged towards the existing handle of the trolley.

Preferably the actuating means comprises a push rod which is coupled to the locking means. The locking means may comprise geared teeth, a brake lining or knurled profile coupled to a swivelling hub of the castor.

The arrangement preferably comprises a return spring which enables the castors to return to normal swivelling operation when the locking means are de-actuated. The return spring is preferably coupled to the push rod.

It will be appreciated that, in use, the castors are locked against swivelling when it is desired to manoeuvre the trolley around a corner: I have found that makes it considerably easier to negotiate such corners.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of a trolley fitted with an arrangement in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the trolley of Figure 1; FIGURE 3a is a view of a castor fitted with a locking means according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3b is a view of a castor fitted with a locking means according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and FIGURE 3c is a view of a castor fitted with a locking means according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a standard trolley 1 having a frame 10, a basket 11, a handle 12 and castors 2 is fitted with an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, shown generally at 3, to facilitate steering of the trolley. The arrangement or mechanism 3 comprises locking means 4 which are fitted to the two front castors of the trolley 1, and a control handle 5 for actuating the locking means 4. The control handle 5 comprises an upper section 6 and a lower section 8, coupled at their junctions to respective pivot points 7, which are situated approximately three quarters of the way down the back of the trolley 1. Joints 9 are coupled to the lower section 8 of the control handle 5, allowing the mechanism 3 to be conveniently fitted around the basket 11 and frame 10 of the trolley 1.Forward-facing push rods 13 are coupled to the joints 9 at one end and to the locking means 4 at their opposite ends. The locking means 4 comprises a mechanism connected to the hub of the castor 2 which, when actuated locks the hub section which facilitates the swivelling aspect of the castor. The push rods 13 are fitted with a return spring 14.

Referring to Figure 2, in use, when the control handle 5 is urged towards the trolley handle 12, the mechanism 3 is actuated. The movement of the upper section 6 of the control handle 5 causes reciprocal movement of the lower section 8 via the pivot points 7. This, in, turn, faces the push rods 13 in the direction of the locking means 4. The push rods 13 actuate the locking means on the respective castors 2, such that the castors 2 are immediately locked against swivelling irrespective of their angular positions.

Referring to Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, three types of locking mechanism for locking the hub section of the castor are shown. Figure 3a shows a castor 2, the hub of which is fitted with a locking means 4 comprising a section having a knurled profile. When the locking mechanism is actuated, the push rod 13 is formed against section 18 of the locking means 4 such that it is pressed into contact with the knurled section 15.

The friction produced between the knurled section 15 and the contact section 18 locks the hub of the castor 2 and prevents it from swivelling. Figure 3b shows a castor 2, the hub of which is fitted with a locking means 4 comprising geared teeth 16. When the locking means is actuated, the push rod 13 protrudes between the teeth 16, causing the hub of the castor 2 to lock and thereby prevent it from swivelling. Finally Figure 3c shows the castor 2 having a locking means 4 comprising a brake lining 17. When the locking mechanism is actuated, the push rod 13 contacts the brake 19 which is then urged against the brake lining 17. Again, the friction produced by contact between the brake 19 and the brake lining 17 locks the hub of the castor 2 and prevents it from swivelling.

Referring back to Figure 2, when the mechanism 3 is deactuated, i.e. when the control handle 5 is released, the return spring 14 forces the push rod 13 to return to its normal position, thereby releasing the locking means 4 enabling the trolley 1 to return to normal use.

The arrangement according to the present invention is advantageous is that it enables the castors of the trolley to be controlled no matter which angle or position they are in.

It may also be fitted to existing trolleys, thereby enabling cheap and efficient improvement thereof.

Claims

1) An arrangement for a castored trolley to facilitate the steering thereof, comprising means for locking at least one castor against swivelling, and means for selectively actuating the locking means.

2) An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, which is arranged for locking the front pair of castors against swivelling.

3) An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the actuating means comprises a control arranged to actuate the locking means upon being urged towards the handle of the trolley.

4) An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the actuating means comprises a push rod which is coupled to the locking means.

5) An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the locking means is coupled to a swivelling hub of the or each castor.

6) An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a return spring for returning the castor or castors to normal swivelling operation when the locking means are de-actuated.

7) An arrangement for a castored trolley to facilitate the steering thereof, the arrangement being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8) A castored trolley provided with an arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, to facilitate the steering of the trolley.