TROLLEY

Abstract

A load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus having a frame comprising a base, the base comprising a front face, a rear face and two connecting faces arranged to form a supportive base with four corners. The trolley apparatus further includes a pivotable member connected to the frame, at least one wheel located at each corner of the base, a brake mechanism and a wheel brake apparatus, at least one handle member, an elongate member that connects the at least one handle members to the brake mechanism, and arranged in operative communication with the wheel brake apparatus and arranged to actuate the wheel brake apparatus such that actuation of any one of the at least one handle members decouples the brake mechanism. The elongate member is arranged to rotate and actuation of the at least one handle member rotates the elongate member. The elongate member is biased to the braked configuration.

Claims

1. A load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus, said trolley apparatus comprising: a frame comprising a base, said base comprising a front face, a rear face and two connecting faces arranged so as to form a supportive base with four corners; said trolley apparatus further comprising a pivotable member pivotably connected to said frame, said pivotable member configured to pivot between a first position and a second position; at least one wheel located at each corner portion of said base; a brake mechanism comprising a wheel unit and a wheel brake apparatus for engaging said wheel unit, said wheel unit comprising at least one wheel; at least one handle member located on said frame; an elongate member, said elongate member connecting each of said at least one handle members to said brake mechanism, and arranged in operative communication with the wheel brake apparatus and arranged to actuate the wheel brake apparatus such that actuation of any one of said at least one handle members decouples said brake mechanism; wherein said elongate member is arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis and actuation of the at least one handle member rotates the elongate member about its longitudinal axis; and wherein said elongate member is biased to the braked configuration.

2. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of said at least one handle member projects beyond the length of said pivotable member.

3. The load bearing manual handling apparatus of claim 2, wherein said at least one handle member is telescopic in a direction away from said frame.

4. The load bearing manual handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one handle member is located at an end of said elongate member.

5. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pivotable member comprises at least one hand accommodation portion.

6. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 5, wherein said pivotable member comprises a counterbalance unit configured to prevent rotation of the pivotable member unless a force is applied to the at least one hand accommodation portion.

7. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 6, wherein the counterbalance unit comprises at least one pneumatic member, the pneumatic member connecting said frame to said pivotable member.

8. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 6, wherein said counterbalance unit comprises two pneumatic members located at opposing distal ends of said frame.

9. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pivotable member is connected to said frame along the longitudinal axis of said frame.

10. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 9, wherein said frame comprises an upstanding portion extending along a portion of its longitudinal axis and in a direction away from said base, said pivotable member connected to said upstanding portion.

11. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the first position, said pivotable member is substantially parallel to the base.

12. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the second position, said pivotable member is substantially flat against said frame.

13. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein said brake mechanism comprises a cable connected to said elongate member.

14. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 13, wherein said brake mechanism comprises an elongate brake member coupled to each wheel of said wheel unit and wherein said elongate brake member is configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

15. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 14, wherein said brake mechanism further comprises at least one cam configured to transfer linear motion of said cable to rotational motion via said elongate brake member.

16. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 15, wherein said at least one cam comprises an arm in communication with said cable and said elongate brake member.

17. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel brake apparatus comprises a friction brake.

18. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate member extends along substantially the entire length of said frame.

19. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein said brake mechanism is located at the perpendicular intersection of the longitudinal axis of said base.

20. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 1, wherein said trolley apparatus comprises at least one load retention portion configured to retain at least a portion of a load on said trolley apparatus.

21. The load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one load retention portion comprises a retaining member and a retaining member acceptance portion.

22. The load bearing manual handling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said trolley apparatus further comprises a forklift carrying member configured to allow said trolley apparatus to be carried by a forklift truck.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description herein, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the trolley apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the pivotable member in the second position, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, the pivotable member in the first position, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged deconstructed view of the brake mechanism of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged deconstructed view of the cable of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged deconstructed view of the arm of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged deconstructed view of the wheel unit of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 7 depicts an enlarged, perspective view of the underside of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged, perspective view of the underside of the pivotable member of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 9 depicts an enlarged, perspective view of a handle member of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 10 depicts an enlarged, perspective view of the ratchet straps of trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 11 depicts an enlarged, perspective view of the hand accommodation portion of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and

[0053] FIG. 12 depicts enlarged, perspective view of a pneumatic member of a second embodiment of the trolley apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0054] With reference to FIGS. 1-11, an embodiment of a load bearing manual handling trolley apparatus 100 in accordance with the present invention is depicted. The trolley apparatus comprises a frame 115 comprising a base 105. The base 105 comprises a front face, a rear face and two connecting faces arranged so as to form a supportive base with four corners. The frame 115 further comprises an upstanding portion 165 extending along a portion of the frame's 115 longitudinal axis and in a direction away from the base 105. The upstanding portion 165 has a substantially rectangular body and extends in a direction normal to the base 105. The trolley apparatus 100 further comprises a castor wheel 120 located at each corner portion of the base 105.

[0055] The trolley apparatus 100 further comprises a pivotable member 110 pivotably connected to the frame 115, the pivotable member 110 configured to pivot between a first position (as shown in FIG. 2) and a second position (as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 8 and 9). In the first position, the pivotable member 110 is substantially parallel to the base and in the second position, the pivotable member 110 is substantially flat against the upstanding portion 165 at an acute angle to the normal axis of the base 105 of the frame 115.

[0056] The trolley apparatus further comprises a brake mechanism 125 comprising a wheel unit and a wheel brake apparatus 130 for engaging the wheel unit, the wheel unit comprising at two wheels 135, the two wheels 135 located at opposing sides of the base 105. The wheels 135 are fixed directional castor wheels.

[0057] The trolley apparatus 100 comprises two handle members 140 located on the frame 115. Each handle member 140 is telescopic in a direction T1, T2 away from the frame 115, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each handle member 140 can be independently telescopically extended outwards from the frame 115 and retracted back to the non-telescopic position shown in FIG. 2. The user can load the pivotable member 110 with a load, such as a plurality of panels, and telescopically extend the pivotable member 110 beyond the length of the load on the pivotable member 100 such that the user has easy access to each handle member 140 without interference of the load.

[0058] Each handle member 140 is substantially T-shaped to aid rotation of the handle member 140 about its longitudinal axis.

[0059] The trolley apparatus 100 comprises an elongate member 145, the elongate member 145 connecting each of the two handle members 140 to the brake mechanism 125, and arranged in operative communication with the wheel brake apparatus 130 and arranged to actuate the wheel brake apparatus 130 such that actuation of any one of the two handle members 140 decouples the brake mechanism 125. The elongate member 145 is arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis and actuation of the at least one handle member 145 rotates the elongate member 145 about its longitudinal axis. The elongate member 145 is biased to the braked configuration.

[0060] A handle member 140 is located at either distal end of the elongate member 145 and both handle members 110 are fixed and rotably coupled to the elongate member 145 such that rotation in wither handle member 140 corresponds to an equal rotation in the elongate member 145. The elongate member 145 extends substantially the entire length of the frame 115. A user can actuate a handle member 140 by twisting the handle member 140 about its longitudinal axis in a first direction to disengage the brake. The user can then remove the force on the handle member 140, or twist the handle member 140 in the opposing direction to engage the brake. The rotational motion of the handle member 140 is independent of the telescopic motion of the handle member 140.

[0061] The wheel brake apparatus 130 is located at the perpendicular intersection of the longitudinal axis of the base 105. The wheel brake apparatus 130 comprises four brake pads 170, two brake pads 170 located proximate each wheel 135 of the wheel unit. The brake pads 170 are arranged to engage with the wheels 135 of the wheel unit so as to urge the wheels 135 into a stationary braked position.

[0062] The brake mechanism 125 comprises an elongate brake member 175 coupled to each wheel 135 of the wheel unit. The elongate brake member 175 is a bar with hexagonal cross section configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The elongate brake member 175 extends between the two wheels 135 in a direction substantially parallel to the base 105. The brake mechanism 125 further comprises an inextensible cable 180 connected to the elongate member 145.

[0063] The brake mechanism 135 further comprises a cam 185 with the cable 180 being coupled to the cam 185. The cam 185 is configured to transfer linear motion of the cable 180 to rotational motion via the elongate brake member 175. The cam comprises an arm 190 in communication with the cable 180 and the elongate brake member 175 to increase the moment force of the cable 180 on the elongate brake member 175. The cable 180 is connected to the arm 190 at a first distal end and the cam 185 is connected to the arm 190 at a second distal end.

[0064] The brake mechanism 125 comprises two resilient members 195 operably coupled to the cable 180, the resilient members 195 biasing the brake mechanism 125 to a brake position, wherein the brake pads 170 are in contact with the wheels 135 and the motion of the wheels 135 are urged to become stationary. The resilient members 195 are connected to the elongate brake member 175 via the cam 185. Each resilient member 195 is also connected to a fixed portion of the brake mechanism 125. The resilient members 195 are springs.

[0065] When a force or tension is applied to the cable 180, the force is transferred to the cam 185 via the arm 190. The cam 185 is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the elongate brake member 175. In this way, a force is applied to each resilient member 195 such that each spring is extended and temporarily deformed. When tension is removed from the cable 180 the resilient members 195 return to their undeformed position, such that the elongate brake member 175 rotates to its braked position. When the resilient members 195 are under no deformation, the wheel brake apparatus is coupled, and the brake is engaged.

[0066] As both handle members 140 are independently connected to the brake mechanism 125, actuation of one handle member 140 will result in the same quantity of rotation of the cam 185 and the elongate brake member 175 as actuation of one of the handle members 140. In this way, only the rotation required to decouple the wheel brake apparatus is obtained when both handle members 140 are actuated.

[0067] When the wheel brake apparatus is engaged, the brake pads 170 are configured to engage with a portion of the wheels 135. Friction between the brake pads 170 and the surface of the wheels 135 of the wheel unit urges each wheel 135 into a stationary braked position. When the wheels 135 of the wheel unit are stationary, the frictional forces are such that resistance to wheel motion keeps the wheel stationary when subjected to standard forces the trolley apparatus experiences, in use. When the wheel brake apparatus is decoupled, the brake pads 170 are disengaged from the surface of the wheels 135.

[0068] In use, the user can actuate one of the handle members 140, and the rotational motion of the handle member 140 will be translated to rotate the elongate member 145. Such motion will increase tension in the cable 180 such that the cable 180 pulls on the arm 110. Motion of the arm 190 rotates the cam 195, which in turn rotates the elongate brake member 175. As the hexagonal bar of the elongate brake member 175 is coupled to an elongated round cam 185, as the elongate brake member 175 rotates, a force towards the wheels 135 will push the brake pads 170 downwards onto the wheels 135.

[0069] The pivotable member 110 comprises a telescopic hand accommodation portion 150 located centrally along long edge and at the perimeter of the pivotable member 110. The hand accommodation portion 150 comprises a locking member 155 configured to lock the hand accommodation portion 150 in each of the plurality of telescopically extended positions. The hand accommodation portion 150 comprises a non-telescopic position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, wherein substantially no portion of the hand accommodation portion 150 extends beyond the perimeter of the pivotable member 110.

[0070] The pivotable member 110 comprises a counterbalance unit configured to prevent rotation of the pivotable member 110 unless a force is applied to the hand accommodation portion 150.

[0071] FIG. 12 depicts a second embodiment of the trolley apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-11. The trolley apparatus 200 of FIG. 12 is substantially identical to the trolley apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-11 except that the trolley apparatus 200 of FIG. 12 comprises a pair of pneumatic members 160. The counterbalance unit comprises two pneumatic members 160, each pneumatic member 160 comprising a gas strut. The pneumatic members 160 are located at opposing distal ends of the pivotable member 110. Each pneumatic member 160 is connected at a first end to the upstanding portion 165 and at a second end to the underside of the pivotable member 110. The feature of the pair of pneumatic members 160 may be directly applied to the trolley apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-11.

[0072] Each pneumatic member 160 comprises an adjustable member 220 configured to adjust the location of the connection of the second end of the pneumatic member 160 to the pivotable member 110. The adjustable member 220 comprises a linear pathway 230 along which the second end of the pneumatic member 160 is configured to traverse. The linear pathway 230 is parallel to an edge of the pivotable member 110. The first end of each pneumatic member 160, namely the end of the pneumatic member 160 attached to the upstanding portion 165, is pivotably connected to the upstanding portion 165 to facilitate motion of the second end in the adjustable member 220.

[0073] The counterbalance unit comprises a locking unit configured to lock the pivotable member 110 in the first position and the second position. The counterbalance unit prevents unwanted pivoting of the pivotable member 110 in both directions about its longitudinal axis.

[0074] The pivotable member 110 is connected to the upstanding portion 165 of the frame 115 along the central longitudinal axis of the pivotable member 110. The width of the pivotable member 110 is such that a portion of the pivotable member 110 contacts the base 105 when the pivotable member 110 is in the second position. The pivoting motion of the pivotable member 110 is independent of the brake mechanism 125, such that the brake mechanism 135 can be actuated regardless of the position of the pivotable member 110.

[0075] The base 105 comprises a carrying member 200 configured to allow the trolley apparatus 100 to be carried by a forklift truck. The carrying member 200 comprises two hollow beams configured to house each respective fork of a standard forklift truck. In this way, the forks of a forklift truck can be inserted into the forklift carrying member to allow the forklift truck to carry and transport the trolley apparatus 10. The two beams of the forklift carrying member 200 extend the width of the base 105. The carrying member 200 is located on the underside of the frame 105.

[0076] The trolley apparatus 100 further comprises a load retention portion comprising two ratchet straps 205 configured to retain at least a portion of a load located on the pivotable member 110. The ratchet straps 205 are located on the equidistant on the length of, and on the underside of, the pivotable member 110 and are configured to extend about at least two faces of the pivotable member 110.

[0077] The trolley apparatus 100 comprises a load structure 215 extending the perimeter of the pivotable member 110. The load structure 215 extends perpendicular to the pivotable member 110 and is configured to support a load located on the pivotable member 110, in particular when the pivotable member 110 is in the second position.

[0078] The trolley apparatus 100 further comprises a load support member 210 located on the pivotable member 110 and configured in a first position to sit flush against the pivotable member 110. In a second position, the load support member 210 is configured to be pivoted to a position substantially perpendicular to the pivotable member 110. The load support member 210 provides a support surface to support a load located on the pivotable member 110, in use. The load support member 210 comprises two rectangular frames located equidistant on the pivotable member 110. The rectangular frames are configured to rotate towards the load structure 215 to support a load located on the pivotable member 110, in particular when the pivotable member 110 is in the second position. The load support structure 210 further supports loads located on the pivotable member 110 from moving while the trolley apparatus 100 is in transit.

[0079] The present invention is particularly advantageous as a large number of goods, such as stacks of plasterboards, can be transported safely with a means of firstly securing the goods onto the trolley apparatus and then pivoting the pivotable member to fit the apparatus and goods through restrictive areas such as corridors or doorways. Further, the deadman brake improves safety if a user loses control the trolley apparatus. The telescopic handle members allow the user to actuate the brake mechanism from an area of reduced danger non-dangerous area during the maneuvering of the trolley apparatus. The trolley apparatus acts as a workbench to action the goods, such as cutting or scoring boards loaded on the trolley apparatus.

[0080] As may be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings herein, numerous changes and modifications may be made to the above-described and other embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The components of the trolley apparatus as disclosed in the specification, including the accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative component(s) or feature(s), such as those disclosed in another embodiment, which serve the same, equivalent or similar purpose as known by those skilled in the art to achieve the same, equivalent or similar results by such alternative component(s) or feature(s) to provide a similar function for the intended purpose. In addition, the trolley apparatus may include more or fewer components or features than the embodiments as described and illustrated herein. For example, the components and features of FIGS. 1-12 may be used interchangeably and in alternative combinations as would be modified or altered by one of skill in the art. Accordingly, this detailed description of the currently-preferred embodiments is to be taken in an illustrative, as opposed to limiting the disclosure.

[0081] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprise (and any form of comprise, such as comprises and comprising), have (and any form of have, such as has, and having), include (and any form of include, such as includes and including), and contain (and any form of contain, such as contains and containing) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that comprises, has, includes, or contains one or more steps or elements possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that comprises, has, includes, or contains one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0082] The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It will be understood that the operational embodiments described herein are exemplary of a plurality of possible arrangements to provide the same general features, characteristics, and general system operation. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.