Patent ID: 6540242
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: B62B

Abstract:
A universal hand truck with integral load restraining device for transporting loads of varying geometric configuration comprising:an upright frame, said upright frame having an upper end and a lower end with a height measured therebetween, said upper end and lower end being substantially connected by a pair of generally vertical parallel tube sections with width measured therebetween, said parallel tube sections being further connected by a handle at said upper end, and a plurality of cross ties generally equally spaced between said upper end and said lower end of said upright frame with said upright frame defining a generally vertical load supporting surface of said upright frame; a toe plate, said toe plate fixedly attached to and extending generally perpendicular and forward from said lower end of said parallel tube sections of said upright frame, said toe plate defining generally a horizontal load supporting surface; a pair of rotatably mounted wheels mounted one on either side of said lower end of said vertical tube sections extend generally rearward from said lower-end of said upright frame; a slide track having a top end and a bottom end and a length therebetween, said slide track positioned approximately equidistant and parallel to said parallel tube sections with said length of said slide track substantially fixed to said cross ties of said upright frame, said bottom end of said slide track being substantially connected to top surface of said toe plate on said lower end of said upright frame, said slide track providing means for sliding attachment of a coaxial clamping bar, said coaxial clamping bar to project generally outwardly from said slide track of said upright frame and travel generally vertically up or down said slide track between said upper end and said lower end of said upright frame, said attachment means of said coaxial clamping bar to be pivotal allowing said coaxial clamping bar unrestricted vertical, horizontal and angular movement over length and width of said upright frame, said coaxial clamping bar comprised of a telescoping arrangement whereby a plurality of bar sections are slidably received one inside the other with provision for said bar sections to be locked together at a plurality of points providing a means for adjustment of said coaxial clamping bar to varying working lengths, a locking clamp arranged to be slidably positioned and locked at an infinite number of points on at least one of said bar sections of said telescoping arrangement-said locking clamp provided for with a plurality of downwardly extending load restraining fingers arranged to apply force to said load restraining fingers in a backward direction against said vertical load supporting surface of said upright frame, whereby said outwardly extending toe plate of said hand truck is slid under a load to be transported, said coaxial bar and said locking clamp is extended over said load said coaxial clamp bar is positioned and locked at a required working length and said locking clamp with said load restraining fingers is positioned contacting said load and locked; keeping said load in position back and against said vertical load supporting surface and resting on said toe plate when said hand truck is tilted back locating the load over said wheels in preparation for transport.