GB2474898A - A collapsible frame for carrying a builders tonne sack - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible frame comprises a first and second rigid side frame members 100, 101, at least one cross frame member 104, 105 perpendicular to and connecting said side frame members in an open configuration, wherein two support bars 108 are rotatably mounted across (along) the side frame members, each bar being selectively rotatable and having two hooks 110. The two (four in total) hooks are designed for hanging a builder's bag / tonne sack (not shown), and suspending it off the ground for movement. The rotatable supports preferably have a ratchet and pawl mechanism (figure 3) to hold it at a rotational position. A cable may be operated to release the ratchet so as to drop / lower the rubble sack. The bag trolley is provided with wheels 102, and can be folded flat (figure 2). Straps and buckles may be utilised to help it retain its open state. With this cart, rubble / sand bags can be easily manoeuvred.

Description

Collapsible frame for transporting and depositing rubble bags

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to the transport and deposition of filled rubble bags, and in particular to a collapsible frame for this purpose.

[2] Frames for supporting rubble bags (also known as builders' bags or tonne bags) are known in the art.

[3] GB 2388301 to Nelson discloses a framework for supporting a waste disposal bag. Builders' rubble and the like is received in a bag which is held in an erected state by a framework of struts inserted at least partially in the bag. The framework may comprise two bottom diagonal struts, four vertical struts mounted on the diagonal struts, and four top edge struts attached to the tops of the vertical struts. The top edge struts pass through eyes provided at or near the top edges of the bag adjacent to its corners. Other arrangements of struts are also disclosed.

[4] Similarly GB 2401092 to Ayerst discloses a collapsible free-standing bag holder designed for use with varying types of refuse bags including domestic dustbin bags, builders' rubble sacks and garden refuse sacks. The holder comprises an open-ended cuboid having four sides made of cardboard and/or plastic sheets.

Two opposing sides may fold down their middle to collapse the bag holder when not in use. The holder is made of plastic or other inexpensive material and when inserted into the open end of the bag provides easy access and support and maybe retained in position by the use of bag slots. The bag holder incorporates two handles for easy removal and storage.

[5] Wheeled frames for supporting and transporting waste disposal bags and the like are known in the art.

[6] For example, GB 1418582 to Waidhof discloses a cleaning material dispenser unit comprising a frame, at least one wheel or roller at the lower end of the frame, a mounting at the upper end of the frame adapted to releasably support a refuse bag for used cleaning material, and an inverted generally U-shaped yoke at the upper end of the frame. Two limbs of the yoke are adapted to receive a roll of cleaning material such as paper or cellulose wadding, and the cross-member of the yoke is accessible as a handle by which the unit may be tilted about the wheel or roller axis for transporting. The mounting is annular and the refuse bag has its mouth folded or stretched thereover.

[7] Collapsible wheeled frames for transporting items are known in the art.

[8] US 2007052188 to Steadrnan discloses a hand trolley for transporting materials in rigid tubs or bins having a frame with upper and lower sections that are rotatably connected about a lower base section. The trolley includes a number of bracket lugs that are removably connected to the frame for attaching tubs or bins of various shapes and sizes. Wheels are attached to the trolley for moving the cart. These are connected by an axle through the lower base section. The trolley also includes a locking mechanism, the locking of which holds the lower base section in a transport position perpendicular to the upper section. Disengagement of the locking mechanism allows the lower base section to rotate to be parallel to the upper section for flat storage.

[9J Furthermore, GB 2331490 to Clover discloses a shopping trolley having a collapsible wheeled frame for supporting a flexible bag, the frame comprising first and second linkages each having four bars pivoted together at their respective ends. The linkages are held parallel and spaced apart by four cross-members so that the two linkages may be moved together between an opened-out setting where each bar lies substantially at right angles to its adjacent bars, and a collapsed setting. A bag comprising canvas or other strong fabric is fitted around the frame.

Brief Suinmry of the Inventioxi [10] It can be seen from the forgoing that a need has arisen for a means to support rubble bags in an open state for loading.

It would be advantageous to have such a means which was also able to transport the bags when full. It would be further advantageous to be able to deposit the bags easily when transported to the required location.

[11] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for supporting rubble bags in an open state and for transporting full rubble bags. It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for depositing rubble bags without a user having to lift said bags.

[12] To this end, a collapsible frame is disclosed comprising: two rigid side frame members, each having a top and a bottom; at least one cross frame member substantially perpendicular to and connecting said side frame members in an open state; four wheels to the bottom of said side frame members; and a drop mechanism comprising: two support bars rotatably mounted across said rigid side frame members, each bar having two supporting hooks attached thereto; and means for selectively rotating said bars.

[13] An advantage of the present invention is that rubble bags can be held open, transported, and deposited with one piece of equipment. A further advantage is that there is no need for a user to support or lift any of the weight of the bag to open, transport or deposit the bag. A yet further advantage is that the frame collapses for easy storage.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [14] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [15] Figure 1 shows the apparatus of the present invention in an open state.

[16] Figure 2 shows the apparatus of the present invention in a collapsed state.

[17] Figure 3 shows the drop mechanism of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[18] In the following, the term rubble bag (also known as builders' bags or tonne bags) is used to refer to those bags commonly used in the construction industry for containing rubble, also known as builders' bags or tonne bags, which are substantially cubic in shape, can support up to a tonne in weight, and have four eyelets for attaching to frames and the like.

[19] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1-3 wherein like numerals refer to like components, a collapsible frame is disclosed comprising: a first and a second rigid side frame member 100 and 101 respectively, each having a top and a bottom; at least one cross frame member substantially perpendicular to and connecting said side frame members in an open state; four wheels 102 to the bottom of said side frame members; and a drop mechanism comprising: two support bars 108 rotatably mounted across said rigid side frame members, each bar having two supporting hooks 110 attached thereto; and means for selectively rotating said bars.

[20] Preferably, the at least one cross frame member comprises two rigid cross bars 104, 105 and two flexible cross bars 106.

[211 The front rigid cross bar 104 and rear rigid cross bar are each connected at the top of said frame members, and have a first end hinged to said first frame member, and a second end connectable to and disconnectable from said second frame member.

[22] The flexible cross bars 106 preferably comprise straps connecting the bottom of the first frame member to that of the second frame member. Preferably, one or both of the straps comprise buckles 115 or other opening and closing means.

[23] The means for selectively rotating said drop mechanism bars preferably comprises, for each support bar: a ratchet 116 rigidly, concentrically mounted on said bar; a ratchet pawl 118 for co-operating with said ratchet; a lever 120; and a cable 122 having a first end attached to said pawl and a second end attached to said lever, for pulling said pawl out of co-operation with said ratchet and releasing said drop mechanism.

[24] To describe the components in fuller detail, the first and second rigid side frame members provide strength and rigidity to the structure of the frame and are preferably shaped as shown in the figures, although they may be other shapes which fit around a tonne bag or other bag to be transported. Preferably they are substantially flat to allow for easy storage in the collapsed state. The preferred shape as shown is substantially a U-shape, each side frame member having two vertical tubes, one to the front of the frame and one to the back of the frame, and a horizontal tube comprising the bottom of the frame. One of the vertical tubes is preferably curved away from the frame at its top to form a handle or allow attachment of a handle, although this is not a necessary feature of the invention. Rubber grips may be disposed thereon. Preferably, the tubes comprise extruded tubular steel, aluminium or other strong metal ormetal alloy, and the tubes may be welded together or connected by any other means known in the art for rigidly connecting metal tubes, or alternatively the frame may comprise one metal tube bent into the shape of the frame. As a further alternative, other materials may be used and the frame may not comprise tubes or a U-shape but may be a solid shape and may comprise any other rigid material. The defining features of the side frame members are to be rigid and to enable the other components to be attached thereto.

[25) The wheels are preferably mounted to the bottom of the rigid frame members in the locations shown in the figures, for optimal stability, although they may be in other locations.

Preferably, the wheels are mounted to a vertical tube of the rigid frame members and pivot 3600 about that tube. This provides the frame with the smallest possible turning circle, for optimal manoeuvrability. The wheels are as known in the art and preferably have pneumatic tyres suitable for off-road terrain as known in the art, to provide good traction on the often uneven ground of building sites and the like.

[26] The cross frame member or members may be any type of cross frame member as known in the art, and may comprise metal, fabric, wood, plastic or any material in any shape, rigid or flexible, which is collapsible by folding, disconnecting or any means. Preferably, as disclosed above, the cross frame members comprise two rigid cross bars connecting the tops of the rigid frame members and two flexible cross straps connecting the bottoms of the rigid frame members.

[271 The two rigid cross bars preferably comprise extruded tubular steel, aluminium or other strong metal or metal alloy.

Preferably, there is a front and a rear cross bar which are both mounted in the following way to the rigid frames (although it will be readily understood that there are many ways known in the art for attaching the bars to be hinged at one end and disconnectable at the other, all within the scope of the invention.) [28] Preferably the cross bars have a slightly smaller cross section than the bars of the rigid frame (at least at the ends), and fit snugly inside the bars of the rigid frame. Preferably, where each rigid cross bar meets the first rigid frame it is hinged, by slotting permanently inside the bar of the rigid frame and rotating therein. Where each rigid cross bar meets the second rigid frame, it slots removably inside the bar of the second rigid frame. Sprung pins 132 are disposed towards the second end of each cross bar, which communicate with holes towards the top of the front and rear of the rigid frame. To release the bar, the sprung pin is pressed, and the bar is lifted to a height at which the second end clears the rigid frame, then rotated by 900 to be parallel with the plane of the rigid frame for storage.

[29) The rear rigid crossbar may comprise a handle for steering the frame, and to this end rubber grips may be disposed thereon. The handle may be raised to be a comfortable height for a user to hold, and may be ergonomically shaped.

[30] A preferred folding arrangement is as follows. The front rigid cross bar is hinged to a vertical section of the rigid side frame and thus swings in the horizontal plane to fold parallel with the frame while remaining horizontal as shown in Figure 2. The rear rigid cross bar, which comprises the handle, is hinged to a vertical section of the frame as shown in Figure 2 therefore swings in the vertical plane to fold vertically as shown. An advantage of this is that the bars do not interfere with each other when folding. However, the bars may fold in any direction, and may be hinged from any part of the frame.

[31] The flexible cross bars preferably comprise fabric straps as known in the art, sewn or otherwise attached around the bottoms of the rigid side frame members by any means known in the art, with side-release buckles 115 or other opening and closing means as known in the art. With the buckles closed, the straps add strength to the frame when in an open state, without adding significant weight or requiring extra steps to fold the apparatus. With the buckles open, a full rubble bag can be deposited and the trolley can be moved away while the bag remains in place.

[32] The support bars are preferably horizontally, rotatably mounted to the rigid side frame members as shown. They preferably comprise extruded tubular steel, aluminium or other strong metal or metal alloy. The hooks preferably comprise cast or forged steel welded to the bars. The hooks may be any shape or material and may further comprise means for securing the bag to the hooks, such as clips, pegs or the like.

[33] As described above, the means for selectively rotating the drop mechanism bars preferably comprises, for each support bar: a ratchet, a pawl, a lever and a cable.

[34] The ratchet is rigidly, concentrically mounted on the bar, preferably close to the rear end of the bar, therefore the whole mechanism is located near the handle for ease of operation.

The ratchet pawl is aligned with the ratchet, for co-operating with ratchet. The pawl may be rotationally mounted on a support arm 130 which is rigidly connected to the frame and supports the components of the mechanism. The lever is preferably mounted the rear of the rigid side frame member, or close to the end of the rear rigid cross bar, that is, in a location close to where a user will position their hands to push the frame, therefore the user can release the bag without moving the hands. The levers are similar to bicycle brake levers as known in the art and therefore not described here in detail. The cable is as known in the art and has one end attached to the pawl and the other end attached to the lever. There may be a cable pulley 124 and/or cable guides 126, as known in the art, for guiding the cable and reducing the friction of the cable as it moves to release the pawl.

[35] To release the bag, a user pulls the levers by squeezing them as in a bicycle brake. The levers pull the cables, which pull the pawls away from the ratchets, the ratchets and attached support bars are then free to rotate under the weight of the bag attached to the hooks, the support bars rotate, the hooks fall to a downwards-pointing position, and the bag is released.

[36] To realign the hooks in an upwards-pointing position, a user manually rotates the support bars in the directions allowed by the pawis until the hooks point upwards. The pawis will then prevent them from falling down until the levers are again pulled.

[37] The drop mechanism preferably further comprises a spring 128 whereby said pawl is spring mounted. An advantage of this is that the rubble bag cannot be accidentally released.

[38] Alternatively, there may be other means for selectively rotating the drop mechanism. There may be an electrical mechanism operated by a button or buttons, or other mechanical means for rotating the hooks up and down to hold and release the bag respectively. The apparatus may further comprise means for releasing a clip, peg or other bag securing mechanism.

[39] Preferably, the side frame members and cross frame members are dimensioned to fit around a standard 1 tonne rubble bag. The hooks are preferably positioned within the frame to co-operate with the eyelets of a standard 1 tonne rubble bag. The frame is preferably tall enough to allow a filled bag hanging on the hooks to clear the ground and avoid the bag dragging on the ground, to avoid tearing.

[40] Preferably, the side frame members, cross frame members, and hooks are manufactured from strong and durable materials such as aluminium tubes, and thus can support at least up to one tonne in weight.

[41] Preferably, the hinges, the connecting means, and the components of the drop mechanism are manufactured from strong and hard-wearing materials as known in the art, and able to support one tonne in weight.

Claims (8)

1. Claims 1. A collapsible frame comprising: a first and a second rigid side frame member, each having a top and a bottom; at least one cross frame member substantially perpendicular to and connecting said side frame members in an open state; four wheels to the bottom of said side frame members; and a drop mechanism comprising: two support bars rotatably mounted across said rigid side frame members, each bar having two supporting hooks attached thereto; and means for selectively rotating said bars.
2. 2. The collapsible frame of claim 1 wherein said at least one cross frame member comprises two rigid cross bars connected at the top of said frame members, the rigid cross bars having: a first end being hinged to said first frame member; and a second end being connectable to and disconnectable from said second frame member.
3. 3. The collapsible frame of claim 2 wherein said at least one cross frame member further comprises two flexible cross straps selectively connecting the bottoms of the frame members.
4. 4. The collapsible frame of claim 1 wherein said side frame members, said at least one cross frame members and said hooks are dimensioned to fit around a standard 1 tonne rubble bag.
5. 5. The collapsible frame of claim 1 wherein said side frame members and said at least one cross frame members can support one tonne in weight.
6. 6. The collapsible frame of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively rotating said drop mechanism bars comprises, for each bar: a ratchet rigidly, concentrically mounted on said bar; a ratchet pawl for co-operating with said ratchet; a lever; a cable having a first end attached to said pawl and a second end attached to said lever, for pulling said pawl out of co-operation with said ratchet and releasing said drop mechanism.
7. 7. The collapsible frame of claim 6 further comprising a spring whereby said pawl is spring mounted.
8. 8. The collapsible frame of claim 1 wherein said drop mechanism can support one tonne in weight.