GB2127356A - Collapsible trollies - Google Patents

Abstract

The trolley comprises first and second tubular frames (1 and 2) inter- connected by joining members (10) pivotally connected to the first and second frames such that, in a condition of use, the first and second frames intersect to enable the second frame (2) to support load bearing means, the trolley being movable on e.g. wheels (11) secured to the first frame (1). When collapsed, frame (2) lies wholly within frame (1). The load may be a removable fitting (e.g. a bag or table top); a wheelbarrow body or a mesh basket. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to collapsible trollies This invention relates to improvements in or relating to collapsible trollies.

According to the present invention, there is provided a collapsible trolley comprising first and second frames interconnected by joining members pivotally connected to the first and second frames such that, in a condition of use, the first and second frames intersect to enable the second frame to support load bearing means, the trolley being movable on movement means secured to the first frame.

The phrase 'movement means' as used herein includes means rotatably mounted on an axle such as wheels, roller bearings and also includes skids and the like.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a collapsible trolley in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view, not to scale, of the trolley of Figure 1 in its collapsed state; Figures 3 to 7 are diagrammatic perspective views of a trolley similar to that shown in Figure 1 having various different attachments secured thereto; and Figure 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a heavy duty trolley in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a trolley in accordance with the invention.

The trolley comprises a first rectangular frame 1 having two longitudinal side members 2 and 3 and two transverse side members 4 and 5 and a second rectangular frame 2 having two longitudinal side members 6 and 7 and two transverse side members 8 and 9, the second frame 2 being of smaller dimensions than the first frame 1. The frames 1 and 2 may be made of any suitable material but for lightness and ease of fabrication metal tubing, such as steel or alloy tubing, is preferred. The surface of the tubing may be given any desired durable and/or ornamental finish.

The two frames 1 and 2 are connected by four connecting members 10, a first connecting member 10 being pivotally connected to point a on the longitudinal side member 6 of the second frame 2 and to point b on the longitudinal side member 2 of the first frame member 1 and a second connecting member 10 being pivotally connected to point d on the longitudinal side member 6 and to point con the longitudinal side member 2. Similarly, a third con necting member is pivotally connected to the longi tudinal side member 7 at point e and to the longitudinal side member 3 at point f, and the fourth connecting member is pivotally connected to the longitudinal side member 7 at point g and to the longitudinal side member 3 at the point h.The connection of the two frames 1 and 2 is such that, in a condition of use, as shown in Figure 1, the two frames are held in a predetermined relative position by the connecting members 10. The transverse side member 4 forms an axle for the mounting of movement means in the form of wheels 11 and the first frame 1 extends upwardly from the second frame 2 at an angle of approximately 45O to the second frame 2 although this angle may be varied.

The other transverse side member 5 of the first frame 1 forms a handle by which the trolley may be pushed or pulled along a surface.

As shown in Figure 1, in the condition of use, the second frame 2 extends substantially parallel to the surface on which the trolley is to be pushed or pulled and provides a framework for a load bearing platform 12 formed for example of wire mesh, wood, sheet metal or other suitable material.

When the trolley is in its collapsed condition, the second frame 2 lies in the same plane as the first frame 1 and wholly within the first frame leaving the wheels 11 free so that the trolley may be moved on its wheels 11 using the handle when in the collapsed condition. In this condition of the trolley, the distance dab is equal to the distance deb and to the distance bd.In order for the second frame 2 to lie wholly within the first frame 1 in the collapsed condition, it is of course necessary for the distance ab(or ef) + y z and dc(or gh) + x w where y is the perpendicular distance from point b ore to the transverse side member 4, z the perpendicular distance from the transverse side member 8 to the point a ore, x the perpendicular distance from the transverse side member 5 to the point d org and w the perpendicular distance from the transverse side member 9 to the point c or h.With the trolley 1 in the collapsed state or condition, it is merely necessary to raise the handle or transverse side member 5 pivoting the first frame 1 with respect to the second frame 2 so that the second frame 2 slides over the axle or transverse side member 4, the connecting members 10 rotating about the respective pivot points b, c, f and h on the frame into the positions of Figure 1, in which they brace the erected frames and hold them in the erected condition of use. It will be appreciated that during erection, of the trolley from its collapsed condition, the two connecting members connected to longitudinal side member 2 rotate in opposite directions about the respective pivot points b and c and similarly the two connecting members connected to longitudinal side members 3 rotate in opposite directions about the pivot points h and f.

In order to collapse the trolley from its condition of use, the transverse side member 8 of the second frame is first raised upwardly and then the frames 1 and 2 are moved toward one another so that the axle 4 may be slid under the transverse member 8 until the second frame 2 lies wholly within the first frame 1. Stops 13 are provided on both frames to ensure that the second frame 2 remains parallel to the first frame in the collapsed condition. Alternatively, some other form of locking means may be provided to hold the two frames substantially parallel to one another in the collapsed condition of the trolley. The trolley is light and flat in its collapsed condition and therefore may be stacked on top of other similar trollies.

Although any suitable form of pivotal connection between the connecting members 10 and the frames 1 and 2 may be used, it is envisaged that, where at least the ends of the connecting members are flat, apertures will be drilled through the tubular frames 1 and 2 and the connecting members at the required positions and nylon washers, or washers made of a material having a similar low coefficient of friction, will be interposed between the frame and the connecting member. Each nylon washer will have a flat face to engage the corresponding connecting member and a pivot pin made of steel will be inserted into the appertures and through the washer, the pivot pin being held in place by a washer and clip. Alternatively, the pivot pins may be held in place by a hexican bolt and recessed nut within the tubes.

Figures 3 to 7 are diagrammatic perspective views of a trolley similar to that shown in Figure 1 having various attachments secured thereto.

Thus, Figure 3 shows a trolley similar to that of Figure 1, wherein the second frame 2 forms a support for the base of a collapsible flexible canvas, plastics material or net bag 14. A third frame 15 parallel to the second frame 2 to stiffen the pen end of the bag 14 is detachably and pivotably connected to the first frame 1 at the required height. The second and third frames are connected by a verticl strut 16, one end of which is pivotally connected to the third frame 15 and the other end of which engages in an aperture in an aperture formed in the transverse side member 8. Such a bag would be useful for collecting rubbish, leaves, grass cutting, etc. or for transporting parcels or shopping. In another possible and similar embodiment (not illustrated) the third frame 15 could be used to support a table top or the like.

The flexible bag 14 is removable and as shown in Figure 6, may be replaced by a wheel barrow body 17 made of wood, metal, plastics material or fibre glass or, as shown in Figure 7, by a folding basket 18 formed from hingedly connected rigid frames made for example of wire mesh.

Also, as illustrated in Figure 4, the wheels 11 of the trolley may be replaced by nylon castors 19 and additional castors mounted on the transverse side members 8 and 9 of the second frame to allow the trolley to be moved sideways as well as forwards and backwards.

Figure 5 shows a trolley in accordance with the invention modified to accept a second platform 20 parallel to the first platform 12. The second platform 20 is pivotally and detachably connected at the required height to the longitudinal side members of the first-frame 1 and is supported by vertical struts 21 and 22 one end of each of which is connected by a swivel joint to the front transverse side member of the second platform 20, the other ends of the struts 21 and 22 removably engage in apertures 23 pro vided in the transverse member 8 allowing the trolleyto be collapsed when desired. Of course additional platforms could also be added at other heights.

Figure 8 shows a heavy duty trolley in accordance with the invention but without its wheels. Such a trolley would be capable of receiving a load bearing platform which is, for example, 6 feet (1.8 mi wide and 4feet (1.22 m) long.

As will be understood, in a trolley embodying the invention, the connecting members 10 connecting points c and d and h and g respectively when perpendicular to the second frame 2 determine the angle of the first frame relative to the second frame so that where the desired angle is 45" these connecting members should be positioned a distance away from the intersection of the two frames equal to their own length. The remaining two connecting members 10 serve to fix the position of the second frame member relative to the axle or transverse side member 4.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a collapsible trolley which may be of light yet strong construction and which may be simply and inexpensively manufactured using readily available materials. The basic trolley is adaptable and may be used in with various separate attachments to adapt if for different purposes. The trolley is versatile and it is envisaged that it will find application both in domestic and industrial environments. For example, it could serve as a readily and easily stored transporter both in the home and garden. In industry, it could serve on building sites and in factories for easy transportation of goods and materials, the basic trolley being especially useful for transporting awkward or long loads in view of its lack of side or end walls. The low height of the second frame in the described embodiments making for easy loading. It is also envisaged that a trolley embodying this invention could find application as a shopping or luggage trolley, in which application its collapsibility could well provide considerable savings in storage space.

Claims (15)

1. A collapsible trolley comprising first and second frames interconnected by joining members pivotally connected to the first and second frames such that, in a condition of use, the first and second frames intersect to enable the second frame to support load bearing means, the trolley being movable on movement means secured to the first frame.

2. A collapsible trolley according to claim 1, wherein, in the condition of use, the second frame rests across one edge of the first frame.

3. A collapsible trolley according to claim 2, wherein the movement means are secured to the one edge of the first frame.

4. A collapsible trolley according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the movement means comprise two wheels.

5. A collapsible trolley according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the movement means comprise two roller bearings.

6. A collapsible trolley according to claim 3, wherein the movement means comprise two roller bearings one mounted to each end of the one edge of the first frame and at least two additional roller bearings mounted on the second frame.

7. A collapsible trolley according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the roller bearings are swivel castors.

8. A collapsible trolley according to any preceding claim, wherein the load bearing means is a load bearing platform carried by the second frame.

9. A collapsible trolley according to claim 8, wherein one or more further platforms are detachably secured to the first frame substantially parallel to but spaced from the platform secured to the second frame.

10. A collapsible trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a third frame is detachably connected to the first frame so that, in the condition of use of the trolley, the third frame lies substantially paralllel to but spaced apart from the second frame to provide a support for a removable fitting, such as a flexible material bag or a table top.

11. A collapsible trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second frame provides a load bearing surface for a wheelbarrow body.

12. A collapsible trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second frame provides a load bearing surface for a collapsible container formed by hingedly connected rigid frames.

13. A collapsible trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second frame provides a load bearing surface for a wire or plastics mesh container.

14. A collapsible trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

15. A collapsible trolley comprising a first frame carrying movement means on which the trolley is movable in an erected condition of use and a second frame connected to the first frame by connecting members pivotally connected to the first and second frames so that the second frame lies within the first frame in a folded storage condition of the trolley and intersects the first frame to form a support for load bearing means in the erected condition of use, in which trolley: the first and second frames each comprise a pair of parallel side members; each side member of the first frame is connected to a corresponding adjacent side member of the second frame by first and second connecting members extending substantially parallel to the side members in the folded storage condition of the trolley, the first connecting member being pivotally connected to the side members of the first and second frames at first and second pivot points respectively, the second connecting member being pivotally cnnected to the side members of the first and second frames of third and fourth pivot points respectively; and the arrangement is such that the distance between the first and third pivot points plus the length of the first connectinbg member is equal to the distance between the second and fourth pivot points plus the length of the second connecting member.

15. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 26 April 1983 Superseded claims 15 New or amended claims: