CA2138716A1 - Hand cart - Google Patents
Hand cartInfo
- Publication number
- CA2138716A1 CA2138716A1 CA002138716A CA2138716A CA2138716A1 CA 2138716 A1 CA2138716 A1 CA 2138716A1 CA 002138716 A CA002138716 A CA 002138716A CA 2138716 A CA2138716 A CA 2138716A CA 2138716 A1 CA2138716 A1 CA 2138716A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ground engaging
- leg
- frame
- cart
- platform
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
- B62B1/10—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
- B62B1/002—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor convertible from a one-axled vehicle to a two-axled vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
- B62B1/10—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels
- B62B1/12—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
- B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
- B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B2203/00—Grasping, holding, supporting the objects
- B62B2203/10—Grasping, holding, supporting the objects comprising lifting means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B2206/00—Adjustable or convertible hand-propelled vehicles or sledges
- B62B2206/06—Adjustable or convertible hand-propelled vehicles or sledges adjustable in height
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention provides a hand cart for moving a load up to or down from an elevated platform comprising a frame including a load supporting plate and ground engaging wheels, the frame being pivotable about the wheels, a rotatable leg pivotally connected to the frame for movement between a first non-operative position and a second ground engaging position in which the wheels are elevated above the ground, and connectors provided on the load supporting plate for temporarily engaging the elevated platform, wherein engagement of the connectors with the platform and movement of the leg into its ground engaging position results in elevation of the load supporting plate to the elevation of the platform.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hand carts and more particularly to two-wheeled hand carts capable of lifting a load up to or lower a load down from an elevated position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand carts are often used in situations where the ob-ject that is picked up and carried by the cart has to be unLoaded in a position above the surface over which the cart is moved. One such situation is the loading of gas cylinders onto welder trays. Various attempts have been made in the past to provide hand carts capable of lifting their loads vertically up. The various attempts to achieve this purpose have taken rather elaborate and complicated forms. Canadian Patent No. 972,777 describes a push bar lift assembly for 1', enabling a hand cart to be lifted up stairs. A U-shaped push bar, positioned between the wheels and the lower support frame of the cart, is pivotably hinged on the lower support member to permit a relative movement of the wheels and the push bar, while a handle is positioned on the upper sliding member. The upward force applied to the handle by the operator is exerted through a sprocket and chain which permits a multiplication of the operator's exerted force. Upward movement of the upper sliding member causes the lower sliding member to exert a force to push the inverted U-shaped push bar downward to contact the step and force the frame member upward. U.S.
Patents Nos. 2,560,131, 2,598,489, 2,710,759, 3,052,323, 3,704,799 and 3,907,138 provide examples of hand carts equipped with a secondary elevator platform or toe plate that is arranged for vertical movement on an upright frame structure. Various kinds of mechanical or hydraulic jacks, associated with the frame structure, are required to obtain a mechanical advantage to assist the operator during the vertical lifting of heavy loads situated on the toe plate.
There is therefore still a need for a relatively simple, efficient, anclinexpensive hand cart capable of easily lifting 213871~
a load up to or lowering a load down from an elevated position.
A further need exists for a simple device that can readily be retrofitted to existing carts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a two-wheeled hand cart capable of easily lifting a load up to or lower a load down from an e:Levated position. Main components include a U-shaped rotating leg attached to a two-wheeled hand cart and fingers mounted under the toe plate. A stop bar is attached to the top portion of the U-shaped leg and is connected to the cart's vertical centre brace by a spring. These modifications can be retrofitted to existing two-wheeled hand carts. To lift the load up to an elevated platform, the toe plate fingers are secured to the vertical lip of the elevated platform; a f;nger engagement means adapter can be attached to platforms that do not have such openings. The leg assembly is then rotated down from its upright position until it rests on the floor, and the upper portion of the cart's frame is pushed forward, towards the platform. As the cart's wheels are lifted off the ground, the U-shaped leg is pulled under the cart by the spring until the stop bar rests against the cart's frame and the U-shaped leg sits forward of the axle.
With the cart in this elevated position, the toe plate is in a horizontal position at the same level as the platform thereby aLlowing the loading and unloading of the load without lifting.
Although the invention is described in connection with a wheeled cart, it will be appreciated that it can be used to equal advantage on carts filled with tracks, slides and the like.
According to the present invention, then, there is provided a hand cart for moving a load up to or down from an elevated platform, comprising frame means including a load supporting plate and ground engaging wheels, the frame means being pivotable about the wheels, leg means pivotally connected to the frame means for movement between a first non-operative position and a second ground engaging position in which the wheels are elevated above the ground, and connector means on the load supporting plate for temporarily engaging the elevated platform, wherein engagement of the connector means with the platform and movement of the leg means into the ground engaging position thereof results in elevation of the load supporting plate to the elevation of the platform.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided apparatus for connection to a hand cart having a frame pivotable about ground engaging wheels and a load supporting platform connected to the frame, the apparatus adapting the cart to move a load up to or down from an e]evated platform, the apparatus comprising leg means pivotably connectable to a frame of a hand cart for movement between a first non-operative position and a second ground engaging position in which the wheels of the cart are elevated above the ground, and connector means connectable to the load supporting plate of the hand cart for temporarily engaging the elevated platform, wherein engagement of the connector means with the platform and movement of the leg means into the ground engaging position thereof results in elevation of the load supporting plate to the elevation of the platform.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is a]so provided a method of adapting a hand cart for moving a load up to or down from a elevated platform, the hand cart having a frame pivotable about ground engaging wheels and a load supporting platform connected to the frame, the method comprising the steps of temporarily connecting the load supporting plate to the platform, rotating the cart about the temporary connection to elevate the wheels of the cart above the ground, and fixedly supporting the wheels in the elevated position by rotation of leg means pivotally connected to the cart into a ground engaging 2l387l~
position of the leg means wherein the load supporting plate is raised to the elevation of the platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, and will be better understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical two-wheeled hand cart less the wheels;
10Figure 2 is an exploded rear elevational view demonstrating the installation of the wheels and the rotating leg assembly on the hand cart;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the underside of the toe plate illustrating the attachment of the fingers to the said toe plate;
Figures 4 to 6 are side elevational views of the present cart which illustrate somewhat schematically the method of using the U-shaped rotating leg to raise the cart's toe plate to a horizontal position at the same level as the elevated platform;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the engagement means adapter attached to a platform lacking a vertical lip;
Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the finger engagement means adapter of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the underside of the elevated platform illustrating the attachment of the finger engagement means adapter to a platform lacking a vertical lip.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a typical two-wheeled hand cart assembly 1 comprising an inverted U-shaped frame 20 with a vertical centre brace 5 secured to the cart's frame by cross braces 6, a load carrying toe plate 2, and axle mounting brackets 4 with axle-mounting journal bearings 10 supported thereon. The uppermost cross brace 6 can have two holes 11 for attachment of a cylinder retaining safety chain. A hole 12 in vertical centre brace 5, located in the same horizontal plane as bearings lo, is provided for the attachment of one end of an actuator spring as will be described below.
The installation of a rotating leg assembly 7 is ilLustrated w:ith reference to Figure 2. Leg assembly 7 includes two axle bolts 9, two axle bolt jamb nuts 8, an lo actuator spring 16, and a U-shaped leg 14 with a transversely extending stop bar 19 attached to leg 14 at opposite sides thereof proximal to bearings 10. The rotating leg assembly replaces the straight axle normally used with two-wheeled hand carts. The two axle bolts 9, which pass through bearings 10, are used to rotatably secure ground-engaging wheels 13 and leg 14 to cart 1 and are threadedly secured in placed using axle bolt jamb nuts 8. Actuator spring 16 is connected at one of its ends to hole 12 in centre brace 5 and at the other of its ends to a similar hole 12 in stop bar 19. In the non-operative "up" position of leg 14 shown in Figure 4, spring16 advantageously biases the leg into frictional contact with centre brace 5.
With reference to Figure 3, at least one and preferably two or more spaced apart hooked fingers are connected to toe plate 2 such as by means of welds or threaded fasteners. Each finger 3 has a hook at one end and the fingers are attached with the hooks protruding from the forward portion of the toe plate (see Figure 3). As will be described below, fingers 3 are used to temporarily connect toe plate 2 to the welder tray. It will be apparent at this stage to those skilled in the art that leg assembly 7 and the toe plate fingers 3 can be retrofitted to existing two wheeled hand carts.
Figures 4 to 6 illustrate the operation of the present invention. First, a load such as an inert gas 213871~
cylinder 15 is loaded on toe plate 2 and strapped onto the frame of the cart with a security chain 34 (see Figure 4).
At this point, leg assembly 7 is held in its upright non-operative position above the horizontal plane of the wheel axle by spring 16. As depicted in Figure 5, once the cart has been moved next to an elevated platform 17 such as a welder tray, the cart is pivoted rearwardly in the direction of arrow A about wheels 13 until toe plate fingers 3 are sufficiently elevated to hook onto a vertical lip 26 of elevated platform 17. The operator then rotates leg assembly 7 down from its upright position in the direction of arrow B until it contacts the ground (see Figure 5). By then pushing the upper portion of the cart's frame forward in the direction of arrow C, the cart's toe plate fingers 3 pivot on vertical lip 26 of elevated platform 17 and wheels 13 are lifted off the ground (see Figure 6). This permit actuator spring 16 to pull leg 14 under the cart into a ground engaging position thereof until stop bar 19 contacts lower axle mounting brackets 4 and is biased thereagainst by spring 16. The operator can then al:Low the cart to tilt back slightly until leg 14 supports the cart in the fully elevated position thereof shown in Figure 6. With the cart in this elevated position, it will be seen that, ideally, the length of leg 14 from bolts 9 to the ground slightly exceeds the orthogonal distance from the bolts to the ground so that the lower (outer) end of leg 14 contacts the ground forwardly of the axle bolts. In this way, at least a portion of the cart's weight is used to compress stop bar 19 against brackets 4 which prevents or minimizes the chance of accidental collapse or disengagement of the leg assembly. In the absence of spring 16, the operator would simply use his hand or foot to fully rotate leg 14 into its ground-engaging position.
As can be seen in Figure 6, with the cart in this elevated position, toe plate 2 is aligned horizontally at the same level as platform 17 thereby allowing unloading without lifting. Once the loading or unloading is completed, the operator simply pushes the upper portion of the cart forward, returns leg assembly 7 to its upright position, lowers the cart onto its wheels, and disengages toe plate fingers 3 from the elevated platform.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by using the process depicted in Figures 4 to 6 with an empty hand cart, an operator can lower a load from an elevated position. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the lo art: that the stop bar 19 and/or the U-shaped leg 14 can incorporate adjustment means to adjust for elevated platforms of various heights. For example, leg 14 can include a plurality of pairs of axially aligned holes for connection to axle bolts 9. Similarly, the connection of stop bar 19 to leg 14 can be made adjustable towards or away from bolts 9 to ad~ustably vary the point of contact between bar 19 and brackets 4 when leg 14 is in its ground engaging position.
With reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9, there is shown a finger engagement means adapter 20 that can be readily attached to a platform 17 that otherwise lacks a lip 26 for contact with fingers 3.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are meant to be illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications, which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The only limitations to the scope of the present invention are set out in the following appended claims.
The present invention relates to hand carts and more particularly to two-wheeled hand carts capable of lifting a load up to or lower a load down from an elevated position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand carts are often used in situations where the ob-ject that is picked up and carried by the cart has to be unLoaded in a position above the surface over which the cart is moved. One such situation is the loading of gas cylinders onto welder trays. Various attempts have been made in the past to provide hand carts capable of lifting their loads vertically up. The various attempts to achieve this purpose have taken rather elaborate and complicated forms. Canadian Patent No. 972,777 describes a push bar lift assembly for 1', enabling a hand cart to be lifted up stairs. A U-shaped push bar, positioned between the wheels and the lower support frame of the cart, is pivotably hinged on the lower support member to permit a relative movement of the wheels and the push bar, while a handle is positioned on the upper sliding member. The upward force applied to the handle by the operator is exerted through a sprocket and chain which permits a multiplication of the operator's exerted force. Upward movement of the upper sliding member causes the lower sliding member to exert a force to push the inverted U-shaped push bar downward to contact the step and force the frame member upward. U.S.
Patents Nos. 2,560,131, 2,598,489, 2,710,759, 3,052,323, 3,704,799 and 3,907,138 provide examples of hand carts equipped with a secondary elevator platform or toe plate that is arranged for vertical movement on an upright frame structure. Various kinds of mechanical or hydraulic jacks, associated with the frame structure, are required to obtain a mechanical advantage to assist the operator during the vertical lifting of heavy loads situated on the toe plate.
There is therefore still a need for a relatively simple, efficient, anclinexpensive hand cart capable of easily lifting 213871~
a load up to or lowering a load down from an elevated position.
A further need exists for a simple device that can readily be retrofitted to existing carts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a two-wheeled hand cart capable of easily lifting a load up to or lower a load down from an e:Levated position. Main components include a U-shaped rotating leg attached to a two-wheeled hand cart and fingers mounted under the toe plate. A stop bar is attached to the top portion of the U-shaped leg and is connected to the cart's vertical centre brace by a spring. These modifications can be retrofitted to existing two-wheeled hand carts. To lift the load up to an elevated platform, the toe plate fingers are secured to the vertical lip of the elevated platform; a f;nger engagement means adapter can be attached to platforms that do not have such openings. The leg assembly is then rotated down from its upright position until it rests on the floor, and the upper portion of the cart's frame is pushed forward, towards the platform. As the cart's wheels are lifted off the ground, the U-shaped leg is pulled under the cart by the spring until the stop bar rests against the cart's frame and the U-shaped leg sits forward of the axle.
With the cart in this elevated position, the toe plate is in a horizontal position at the same level as the platform thereby aLlowing the loading and unloading of the load without lifting.
Although the invention is described in connection with a wheeled cart, it will be appreciated that it can be used to equal advantage on carts filled with tracks, slides and the like.
According to the present invention, then, there is provided a hand cart for moving a load up to or down from an elevated platform, comprising frame means including a load supporting plate and ground engaging wheels, the frame means being pivotable about the wheels, leg means pivotally connected to the frame means for movement between a first non-operative position and a second ground engaging position in which the wheels are elevated above the ground, and connector means on the load supporting plate for temporarily engaging the elevated platform, wherein engagement of the connector means with the platform and movement of the leg means into the ground engaging position thereof results in elevation of the load supporting plate to the elevation of the platform.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided apparatus for connection to a hand cart having a frame pivotable about ground engaging wheels and a load supporting platform connected to the frame, the apparatus adapting the cart to move a load up to or down from an e]evated platform, the apparatus comprising leg means pivotably connectable to a frame of a hand cart for movement between a first non-operative position and a second ground engaging position in which the wheels of the cart are elevated above the ground, and connector means connectable to the load supporting plate of the hand cart for temporarily engaging the elevated platform, wherein engagement of the connector means with the platform and movement of the leg means into the ground engaging position thereof results in elevation of the load supporting plate to the elevation of the platform.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is a]so provided a method of adapting a hand cart for moving a load up to or down from a elevated platform, the hand cart having a frame pivotable about ground engaging wheels and a load supporting platform connected to the frame, the method comprising the steps of temporarily connecting the load supporting plate to the platform, rotating the cart about the temporary connection to elevate the wheels of the cart above the ground, and fixedly supporting the wheels in the elevated position by rotation of leg means pivotally connected to the cart into a ground engaging 2l387l~
position of the leg means wherein the load supporting plate is raised to the elevation of the platform.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, and will be better understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical two-wheeled hand cart less the wheels;
10Figure 2 is an exploded rear elevational view demonstrating the installation of the wheels and the rotating leg assembly on the hand cart;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the underside of the toe plate illustrating the attachment of the fingers to the said toe plate;
Figures 4 to 6 are side elevational views of the present cart which illustrate somewhat schematically the method of using the U-shaped rotating leg to raise the cart's toe plate to a horizontal position at the same level as the elevated platform;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the engagement means adapter attached to a platform lacking a vertical lip;
Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the finger engagement means adapter of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the underside of the elevated platform illustrating the attachment of the finger engagement means adapter to a platform lacking a vertical lip.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a typical two-wheeled hand cart assembly 1 comprising an inverted U-shaped frame 20 with a vertical centre brace 5 secured to the cart's frame by cross braces 6, a load carrying toe plate 2, and axle mounting brackets 4 with axle-mounting journal bearings 10 supported thereon. The uppermost cross brace 6 can have two holes 11 for attachment of a cylinder retaining safety chain. A hole 12 in vertical centre brace 5, located in the same horizontal plane as bearings lo, is provided for the attachment of one end of an actuator spring as will be described below.
The installation of a rotating leg assembly 7 is ilLustrated w:ith reference to Figure 2. Leg assembly 7 includes two axle bolts 9, two axle bolt jamb nuts 8, an lo actuator spring 16, and a U-shaped leg 14 with a transversely extending stop bar 19 attached to leg 14 at opposite sides thereof proximal to bearings 10. The rotating leg assembly replaces the straight axle normally used with two-wheeled hand carts. The two axle bolts 9, which pass through bearings 10, are used to rotatably secure ground-engaging wheels 13 and leg 14 to cart 1 and are threadedly secured in placed using axle bolt jamb nuts 8. Actuator spring 16 is connected at one of its ends to hole 12 in centre brace 5 and at the other of its ends to a similar hole 12 in stop bar 19. In the non-operative "up" position of leg 14 shown in Figure 4, spring16 advantageously biases the leg into frictional contact with centre brace 5.
With reference to Figure 3, at least one and preferably two or more spaced apart hooked fingers are connected to toe plate 2 such as by means of welds or threaded fasteners. Each finger 3 has a hook at one end and the fingers are attached with the hooks protruding from the forward portion of the toe plate (see Figure 3). As will be described below, fingers 3 are used to temporarily connect toe plate 2 to the welder tray. It will be apparent at this stage to those skilled in the art that leg assembly 7 and the toe plate fingers 3 can be retrofitted to existing two wheeled hand carts.
Figures 4 to 6 illustrate the operation of the present invention. First, a load such as an inert gas 213871~
cylinder 15 is loaded on toe plate 2 and strapped onto the frame of the cart with a security chain 34 (see Figure 4).
At this point, leg assembly 7 is held in its upright non-operative position above the horizontal plane of the wheel axle by spring 16. As depicted in Figure 5, once the cart has been moved next to an elevated platform 17 such as a welder tray, the cart is pivoted rearwardly in the direction of arrow A about wheels 13 until toe plate fingers 3 are sufficiently elevated to hook onto a vertical lip 26 of elevated platform 17. The operator then rotates leg assembly 7 down from its upright position in the direction of arrow B until it contacts the ground (see Figure 5). By then pushing the upper portion of the cart's frame forward in the direction of arrow C, the cart's toe plate fingers 3 pivot on vertical lip 26 of elevated platform 17 and wheels 13 are lifted off the ground (see Figure 6). This permit actuator spring 16 to pull leg 14 under the cart into a ground engaging position thereof until stop bar 19 contacts lower axle mounting brackets 4 and is biased thereagainst by spring 16. The operator can then al:Low the cart to tilt back slightly until leg 14 supports the cart in the fully elevated position thereof shown in Figure 6. With the cart in this elevated position, it will be seen that, ideally, the length of leg 14 from bolts 9 to the ground slightly exceeds the orthogonal distance from the bolts to the ground so that the lower (outer) end of leg 14 contacts the ground forwardly of the axle bolts. In this way, at least a portion of the cart's weight is used to compress stop bar 19 against brackets 4 which prevents or minimizes the chance of accidental collapse or disengagement of the leg assembly. In the absence of spring 16, the operator would simply use his hand or foot to fully rotate leg 14 into its ground-engaging position.
As can be seen in Figure 6, with the cart in this elevated position, toe plate 2 is aligned horizontally at the same level as platform 17 thereby allowing unloading without lifting. Once the loading or unloading is completed, the operator simply pushes the upper portion of the cart forward, returns leg assembly 7 to its upright position, lowers the cart onto its wheels, and disengages toe plate fingers 3 from the elevated platform.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by using the process depicted in Figures 4 to 6 with an empty hand cart, an operator can lower a load from an elevated position. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the lo art: that the stop bar 19 and/or the U-shaped leg 14 can incorporate adjustment means to adjust for elevated platforms of various heights. For example, leg 14 can include a plurality of pairs of axially aligned holes for connection to axle bolts 9. Similarly, the connection of stop bar 19 to leg 14 can be made adjustable towards or away from bolts 9 to ad~ustably vary the point of contact between bar 19 and brackets 4 when leg 14 is in its ground engaging position.
With reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9, there is shown a finger engagement means adapter 20 that can be readily attached to a platform 17 that otherwise lacks a lip 26 for contact with fingers 3.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are meant to be illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications, which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The only limitations to the scope of the present invention are set out in the following appended claims.
Claims (22)
1. A hand cart for moving a load up to or down from an elevated platform, comprising:
frame means including a load supporting plate and ground engaging wheels, said frame means being pivotable about said wheels;
leg means pivotally connected to said frame means for movement between a first non-operative position and a second ground engaging position in which said wheels are elevated above the ground; and connector means on said load supporting plate for temporarily engaging said elevated platform, wherein engagement of said connector means with said platform and movement of said leg means into said ground engaging position thereof results in elevation of said load supporting plate to the elevation of said platform.
frame means including a load supporting plate and ground engaging wheels, said frame means being pivotable about said wheels;
leg means pivotally connected to said frame means for movement between a first non-operative position and a second ground engaging position in which said wheels are elevated above the ground; and connector means on said load supporting plate for temporarily engaging said elevated platform, wherein engagement of said connector means with said platform and movement of said leg means into said ground engaging position thereof results in elevation of said load supporting plate to the elevation of said platform.
2. The hand cart of claim 1 additionally comprising spring means connectable between said frame means and said leg means, said spring means normally biassing said leg means into one of said non-operative and said ground engaging positions thereof.
3. The hand cart of claim 2 wherein said leg means are of a predetermined length and include an inner end and an outer ground engaging end, said inner end being adapted for rotatable connection to pin means supported on said frame means, said leg means being rotatable relative to said pin means between said non-operative and said ground engaging positions of said leg means.
4. The hand cart of claim 3 wherein said ground engaging wheels are rotatably supported about said pin means.
5. The hand cart of claim 4 wherein the length of said leg means from said connection to said pin means to said ground engaging end thereof exceeds the orthogonal distance from said pin means to the ground when said leg means are in said ground engaging position thereof, whereby said ground engaging end of said leg means contacts the ground at a point between the vertical planes passing through said pin means and said frame means so that said leg means are compressively biassed into said ground engaging position thereof by the weight of said cart and any load on said load supporting plate.
6. The hand cart of claim 5 wherein said leg means include stop means thereon adapted to contact said frame means for limiting the rotation of said leg means relative to said frame means.
7. The hand cart of claim 6 wherein said leg means include a plurality of apertures formed adjacent said inner end thereof for adjustable connection to said pin means for varying the distance between said pin means and said ground engaging end of said leg means.
8. The hand cart of claim 7 wherein said stop means are movably connectable to said leg means for adjustably varying the point of contact of said stop means with said frame means, whereby said ground engaging position of said leg means can be varied to adjust the height of said load supporting plate relative to said platform.
9. The hand cart of claim 8 wherein said pin means comprise axle means for said ground engaging wheels and said leg means.
10. The hand cart of claim 9 wherein said connector means comprise hooked fingers extending forwardly from said load supporting plate, said hooked fingers being adapted for temporarily engaging said elevated platform.
11. Apparatus for connection to a hand cart having a frame pivotable about ground engaging wheels and a load supporting platform connected to said frame, said apparatus adapting the cart to move a load up to or down from an elevated platform, said apparatus comprising:
leg means pivotably connectable to a frame of a hand cart for movement between a first non-operative position and a second ground engaging position in which the wheels of the cart are elevated above the ground; and connector means connectable to the load supporting plate of the hand cart for temporarily engaging said elevated platform, wherein engagement of said connector means with said platform and movement of said leg means into said ground engaging position thereof results in elevation of the load supporting plate to the elevation of said platform.
leg means pivotably connectable to a frame of a hand cart for movement between a first non-operative position and a second ground engaging position in which the wheels of the cart are elevated above the ground; and connector means connectable to the load supporting plate of the hand cart for temporarily engaging said elevated platform, wherein engagement of said connector means with said platform and movement of said leg means into said ground engaging position thereof results in elevation of the load supporting plate to the elevation of said platform.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 additionally comprising spring means connectable between the frame and said leg means, said spring means normally biassing said leg means into one of said non-operative and said ground engaging positions thereof.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said leg means are of a predetermined length and include an inner end and an outer ground engaging end, said inner end being adapted for rotatable connection to pin means supported on the frame, said leg means being rotatable relative to said pin means between said non-operative and said ground engaging positions thereof.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said ground engaging wheels are rotatably supported about said pin means.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said predetermined length of said leg means from said connection to said pin means to said ground engaging end thereof exceeds the orthogonal distance from said pin means to the ground when said leg means are in said ground engaging position thereof, whereby said ground engaging end of said leg means contacts the ground at a point between the vertical planes passing through said pin means and the frame so that said leg means are compressively biassed into said ground engaging position thereof by the weight of the cart and any load on the load supporting plate thereof.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said leg means include stop means thereon adapted to contact the frame of a hand cart to limit the rotation of said leg means relative to the frame.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said leg means include a plurality of apertures formed adjacent said inner end thereof for adjustable connection to said pin means for varying the distance between said pin means and said ground engaging end of said leg means.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said stop means are movably connectable to said leg means for adjustably varying the point of contact of said stop means with the frame whereby said ground engaging position of said leg means can be varied to adjust the height of the load supporting plate relative to said platform.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said pin means comprise axle means for the ground engaging wheels of a hand cart and said leg means.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said connector means comprise hooked fingers adapted to extend forwardly from the load supporting plate when connected thereto, said hooked fingers being adapted for temporarily engaging said elevated platform.
21. A method of adapting a hand cart for moving a load up to or down from a elevated platform, the hand cart having a frame pivotable about ground engaging wheels and a load supporting platform connected to said frame, said method comprising the steps of:
temporarily connecting said load supporting plate to said platform;
rotating said cart about said temporary connection to elevate the wheels of said cart above the ground; and fixedly supporting said wheels in said elevated position by rotation of leg means pivotally connected to said cart into a ground engaging position of said leg means wherein said load supporting plate is raised to the elevation of said platform.
temporarily connecting said load supporting plate to said platform;
rotating said cart about said temporary connection to elevate the wheels of said cart above the ground; and fixedly supporting said wheels in said elevated position by rotation of leg means pivotally connected to said cart into a ground engaging position of said leg means wherein said load supporting plate is raised to the elevation of said platform.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the weight of said cart and any load supported on said load supporting plate compressively biases said leg means into said ground engaging position thereof.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002138716A CA2138716A1 (en) | 1994-12-21 | 1994-12-21 | Hand cart |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002138716A CA2138716A1 (en) | 1994-12-21 | 1994-12-21 | Hand cart |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2138716A1 true CA2138716A1 (en) | 1996-06-22 |
Family
ID=4154902
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002138716A Abandoned CA2138716A1 (en) | 1994-12-21 | 1994-12-21 | Hand cart |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2138716A1 (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-12-21 CA CA002138716A patent/CA2138716A1/en not_active Abandoned
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5489183A (en) | Hand truck for handling cylinders of compressed gas and the like | |
| US4632627A (en) | Loader, transport and worktable cart | |
| CA2477518C (en) | Hand trolley with winch operated lifting carriage | |
| US8814141B2 (en) | Methods and apparatuses for a small vehicle jack apparatus | |
| US6092787A (en) | Safe operating motorcycle lift and method | |
| US4913614A (en) | Piano moving apparatus | |
| US4981412A (en) | All terrain, variable fulcrum hand truck | |
| US5556076A (en) | Toilet lifting and transporting device | |
| US4865339A (en) | Hand truck | |
| US8696017B2 (en) | Chair with a height-adjustable seat | |
| US5971693A (en) | Handtruck with unloading assembly | |
| US4752173A (en) | Hand truck apparatus for lifting as well as transporting loads, such as solid core doors, and method of installing a door | |
| US4878800A (en) | Portable unloading platform and ramp | |
| US4735424A (en) | Utility hand cart | |
| US4692084A (en) | Lifting apparatus | |
| EP1476343A1 (en) | Hand truck materials handling device | |
| US6102369A (en) | Snowmobile jack stand | |
| US9550442B2 (en) | Loading device | |
| US20110089389A1 (en) | Lawn mower lift | |
| US5105913A (en) | Tilt mechanism for portable hoist | |
| CA2138716A1 (en) | Hand cart | |
| CA2191040A1 (en) | Hand cart without toe plate | |
| US5462257A (en) | Jack stand | |
| CA1174646A (en) | Gas cylinder transporting carrier | |
| JPS62289457A (en) | Jack |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |