HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE WHEELBARROW

Abstract

A height-adjustable wheelbarrow can include a loading trough attached to a tubular frame and a first wheel arranged at a front portion of the wheelbarrow. The front portion can be arranged with respect to a longitudinal direction of the wheelbarrow. A second wheel (can be arranged at a rear portion of the wheelbarrow. The rear portion can be arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction of the wheelbarrow. A device for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow can be formed to adjust a vertical position of the second wheel relative to the loading trough. This device can include a telescopic tube connected at a first axial end portion to the tubular frame and/or the loading trough (and at a second axial end portion to a mounting of the second wheel. The device can also include an actuating device positioned for adjusting a length of the telescopic tube.

Claims

1.-14. (canceled)

15. A height-adjustable wheelbarrow comprising a loading trough attached to a frame; a first wheel arranged at a front portion of the wheelbarrow, said front portion being arranged with respect to a longitudinal direction of the wheelbarrow; a second wheel arranged at a rear portion of the wheelbarrow, said rear portion being arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction of the wheelbarrow; a device for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow, the device configured to adjust a vertical position of the second wheel relative to the loading trough, wherein the device comprises: a telescopic tube connected at a first axial end portion to the frame and/or the loading trough and at a second axial end portion to a mounting of the second wheel, and an actuating device arranged at the telescopic tube, the actuating device configured to adjust a tube length of the telescopic tube.

16. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 15, wherein the telescopic tube comprises a first outer tube and a second inner tube arranged movably relative to the first outer tube, wherein the first outer tube is connected to the frame and/or the loading trough at the first axial end portion of the telescopic tube, and wherein the second inner tube is connected to the mounting of the second wheel at the second axial end portion of the telescopic tube.

17. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 16, wherein the first outer tube is connected to a mounting bracket arranged on an underside of the loading trough, wherein a first leg of the mounting bracket is attached to the underside of the loading trough and wherein a second leg of the mounting bracket is attached to the first outer tube of the telescopic tube.

18. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 16, wherein the actuating device is attached to a wall surface of the first outer tube and the second inner tube has a plurality of openings formed along a longitudinal axis (LA), and wherein the actuating device comprises a locking pin insertable into a respective one of the plurality of openings.

19. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 18, wherein the actuating device comprises a housing attached to the wall surface of the first outer tube, wherein a spring element is arranged inside the housing and is configured and positioned to act on the locking pin with a predetermined spring force, and wherein the locking pin is connected to a cable pull which is actuatable by a pull lever.

20. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 19, wherein the spring is a helical spring.

21. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 19, wherein the actuating device is configured such that: in a locked position of the actuating device, the spring element inserts the locking pin into one of the openings of the second inner tube with the predetermined spring force, and in an unlocked position of the actuating device the locking pin is removed from the one of the openings of the second inner tube via actuation of the cable pull.

22. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 21, wherein the spring element is configured to rest at a first axial end portion on an inner wall of the housing, and the spring element also rests at a second axial end portion on a bearing surface.

23. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow according to one of claim 19, wherein the cable pull extends along a central longitudinal axis of the spring element; and the pull lever is connected to the cable pull and arranged adjacent to a handle arranged at an axial end portion of a holm of the frame to move the locking pin against the predetermined spring force of the spring element out of one of the openings the second inner tube.

24. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 23, wherein: the cable pull extends through a housing opening of the actuating device into an interior space of the actuating device, on an outer wall of the housing in a region of the housing opening has a threaded bolt arranged to extend at least in part through the housing opening to bear against the outer wall of the housing, the threaded bolt being secured at a first axial end portion at the inner wall of the housing and the cable pull is passed through an opening formed along a central longitudinal axis of the threaded bolt.

25. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow according to claim 24, wherein: an adjusting element is positioned on the threaded bolt at a second axial end portion of the threaded bolt arranged outside the housing of the actuating device for adjusting a pretension of the cable pull, the cable pull being passed through an opening formed along a central longitudinal axis of the adjusting element, and wherein the pretension of the cable pull is adjustable via axial movement of the adjusting element along the threaded bolt.

26. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 15, wherein the telescopic tube is configured so that, in a parked state of the wheelbarrow, the telescopic tube is aligned substantially perpendicular to the ground or is inclined at a predetermined angle of inclination to the perpendicular alignment of the telescopic tube to the ground towards the front section of the wheelbarrow.

27. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 26, wherein the predetermined angle of inclination is 0? to 45?.

28. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 15, wherein the frame has a first holm and a second holm, wherein at least one handle is arranged at a respective axial end portion of the first holm and of the second holm adjacent the rear section of the wheelbarrow, wherein the at least one handle includes a first handle arranged at the first holm and a second handle arranged at the second holm that are extendable by a linkage extending between the first holm and the second holm.

29. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 15, wherein a first holm of the frame and a second holm of the frame have a first section adjacent the rear section of the wheelbarrow that bears at least in part against the loading trough and/or a is connected to the loading trough, and wherein the first holm and the second holm have a second section adjoining the first section and angled away from the first section at a predetermined angle, and wherein a joint or hinge is arranged between the first section and the second section for pivoting the second section relative to the first section.

30. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 29, wherein the first section and/or the second section of the first holm and the second holm are connected to each other by a reinforcing strut.

31. The height-adjustable wheelbarrow of claim 15, wherein the frame is a tubular frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a height-adjustable wheelbarrow according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a device for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the device for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the device for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an actuating device of the device for height adjustment of the wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0046] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the actuating device of the device for height adjustment of the wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0047] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the height-adjustable wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and

[0048] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the height-adjustable wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0049] Unless otherwise indicated, like reference signs denote like elements of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The height-adjustable wheelbarrow shown in FIG. 1 comprises a loading trough 12 attached to a tubular frame 10, a first wheel 14 arranged at a front portion 1a of the 30 wheelbarrow 1, said front portion 1a being arranged with respect to a longitudinal direction L of the wheelbarrow 1 and a second wheel 16 arranged at a rear portion 1b of the wheelbarrow 1, said rear portion 1b being arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the wheelbarrow 1. The first wheel 14 has a larger diameter than the second wheel 14.

[0051] The first wheel 14 has a larger dimension than the second wheel 16. The first wheel 14 is preferably provided with pneumatic tires. Alternatively, the first wheel 14 may, for example, be provided with solid rubber tires.

[0052] The second wheel 16 is designed as a rotary wheel, for example. Thus, easier maneuverability of the wheelbarrow can be achieved. Alternatively, the second wheel 16 may be of rigid design, for example.

[0053] Furthermore, the wheelbarrow 1 comprises a device 18 for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow 1, which is formed to adjust a vertical position P of the second wheel 16 relative to the loading trough 12, wherein the device 18 for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow 1 comprises a telescopic tube 22 connected at a first axial end portion 18a to the tubular frame 10 and/or the loading trough 12 and at a second axial end portion 18b to a mounting 20 of the second wheel 16, and comprises an actuating device 24 arranged at the telescopic tube 22 for adjusting a tube length of the telescopic tube 22.

[0054] Alternatively, the device 18 for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow 1 may be connected to the tubular frame 10 at the first axial end portion 18a.

[0055] The telescopic tube 22 comprises a first, in particular outer, tube 22a and a second, in particular inner, tube 22b arranged movably relative to the first tube 22a. Alternatively, the first tube 22a, in particular at the first axial end portion 22c of the telescopic tube 22, is connected to the tubular frame 10 and/or the loading trough 12. The second tube 22b, in particular at the second axial end portion 22d of the telescopic tube 22, is connected to the mounting 20 of the second wheel 16.

[0056] In particular, the first tube 22a is connected to a mounting bracket 26 arranged on an underside 12a of the loading trough 12.

[0057] A first leg 26a of the mounting bracket 26 is attached to the underside 12a of the loading trough 12, in particular welded, and wherein a second leg 26b of the mounting bracket 26 is attached, in particular welded, to the first tube 22a of the telescopic tube 22.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a device for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0059] The actuating device 24 is attached to a wall surface 22e of the first tube 22a, in particular at right angles to the wall surface 22e of the first tube 22a.

[0060] In this case, the second tube 22b comprises a plurality of, in particular circular, openings 28 formed along a longitudinal axis LA, and wherein the actuating device 24 comprises a locking pin 30 insertable into a respective one of the plurality of openings 28.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the device for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0062] The actuating device 24 comprises a housing 24a attached, in particular welded, to the wall surface of the first tube 22a. A spring element 32, in particular a helical spring, is arranged inside the housing 24a and acts on the locking pin 30 with a predetermined spring force F. The locking pin 30 is connected to a cable pull 36 which can be actuated by a pull lever 34.

[0063] The spring element 32 rests at a first axial end portion 32a on an inner wall 24a1 of the housing 24a, said inner wall 24a1 being in particular arranged perpendicular to the axial direction A of the spring element 32, The spring element 32 further rests at a second axial end portion 32b on a bearing surface 38, said bearing surface 38 in particular being arranged perpendicular to the axial direction A of the spring element 32.

[0064] The cable pull 36 extends along a central longitudinal axis MA1 of the spring element 32, in particular the helical spring. The cable pull 36 is formed, upon actuation of the pull lever 34, said pull lever being arranged adjacent to a handle 40a, 40b arranged at an axial end portion of a holm of the tubular frame 10, to move the locking pin 30 against a spring force F of the spring element 32 out of one of the openings 28 of the second tube 22b.

[0065] The cable pull 36 extends through a housing opening 24b of the actuating device 24 into an interior space 24c of the actuating device 24. On an outer wall 24d of the housing 24a in the region of the housing opening 24b a threaded bolt 42 is arranged extending at least in part through the housing opening 24b, in particular comprising a hexagonal head 42a bearing against the outer wall 24d of the housing 24a.

[0066] The threaded bolt 42 being secured at a first axial end portion 42a at the inner wall 24a1 of the housing 24a by means of a nut 46, and wherein the cable pull 36 is passed through an opening 48 formed along a central longitudinal axis MA2 of the threaded bolt 42.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the device for adjusting the height of the wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0068] In a first position P1, in particular in a locked position, of the actuating device 24 the spring element 32 inserts the locking pin 30 into one of the openings 28 of the second tube 22b with the predetermined spring force F.

[0069] In a second position P2, in particular in an unlocked position, of the actuating device 24 the locking pin 30 is removed from one of the openings 28 of the second tube 22b by actuation of the cable pull 36.

[0070] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an actuating device of the device for height adjustment of the wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0071] An adjusting element 50 screwed onto the threaded bolt 42 is arranged at a second axial end portion 42b of the threaded bolt 42 arranged outside the housing 24a of the actuating device 24 for adjusting a pretension of the cable pull 36. The cable pull 36 is passed through an opening 52 formed along a central longitudinal axis MA3 of the adjusting element 50,

[0072] Further, the pretension of the cable pull 36 is adjustable by axial movement of the adjusting element 50 along the threaded bolt 42.

[0073] The spring element 32 and the nut 46 further abut a plate-shaped end element 43, which forms a portion of the outer wall of the actuating device 24. The nut 46 is thereby fixedly connected to the end element 43.

[0074] In the illustration shown in FIG. 5, the spring element 32 is shown in a relaxed state in which the bearing surface 38 rests against a displacement element 44 of expanded diameter arranged on the locking pin 30. The displacement element 44 is welded to the telescopic tube 22 as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. The locking pin 30 is thereby axially movable in the displacement element 44.

[0075] A spherical member 36a is disposed at an axial end portion of the locking pin 30. The spherical element 36a is connected to an end portion of the cable pull 36 and secures it to the locking pin 30. The spherical element 36a is thereby firmly connected to the locking pin 30.

[0076] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the actuating device of the device for height adjustment of the wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0077] In the illustration shown in FIG. 6, the spring element 32 is shown in a tensioned state in which the bearing surface 38 is spaced apart from the displacement element 44 of expanded diameter arranged on the locking pin 30.

[0078] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the height-adjustable wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0079] The telescopic tube 22, in a parked state of the wheelbarrow 1, is aligned substantially perpendicular to the ground.

[0080] Alternatively, the telescopic tube 22 may be inclined at a predetermined angle ?1, in particular at an angle of inclination of 0? to 45? to the perpendicular alignment of the telescopic tube 22 to the ground, towards the front section 1a of the wheelbarrow 1.

[0081] FIG. 8 shows a rear view of the height adjustable wheelbarrow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0082] The tubular frame 10 has a first holm 54a and a second holm 54b, wherein at a respective axial end portion 54a1, 54b1 of the first holm 54a and of the second holm 54b, arranged in the region of the rear section 1b of the wheelbarrow 1, a handle 40a, 40b is arranged.

[0083] A first handle 40a arranged at the first holm 54a and a second handle 40b arranged at the second holm 54b are extendable by a linkage 56 arranged in the first holm 54a and in the second holm 54b respectively, which are not shown in FIG. 8.

[0084] The first holm 54a and the second holm 54b of the tubular frame 10 have a first section 58a, 58b in the region of the rear section 1b of the wheelbarrow 1, at which first section 58a, 58b they bear at least in part against the loading trough 12 and/or are connected, in particular welded, to the loading trough 12.

[0085] The first holm 54a and the second holm 54b of the tubular frame 10 comprise a second section 60a, 60b adjoining the first section 58a, 58b and angled away from the first section 58a, 58b at a predetermined angle.

[0086] A joint 62a, 62b or hinge is arranged between the first section 58a, 58b and the second section 60a, 60b for pivoting the second section 60a, 60b relative to the first section 58a, 58b. Alternatively, a hinge may be provided instead of the joint, for example.

[0087] The first section 58a, 58b and/or the second section 60a, 60b of the first holm 54a and the second holm 54b of the tubular frame 10 are optionally further connected to each other by a reinforcing strut 64.

[0088] While certain exemplary embodiments of a height-adjustable wheelbarrow, and methods of making and using the same have been shown and described above, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.