Patent ID: 6237925
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: B62B

Abstract:
A hand truck comprising:an upright load bearing frame of fixed geometry having a front side, a load plate rigidly fixed to said load bearing frame at said front side, a rear side, a wheel axle, rotatably secured to said frame, and two carriage wheels rotatably mounted to said load bearing frame by said wheel axle; anda load shifting assembly disposed to move the center of gravity of said load bearing frame, said load shifting assembly having bearings fixed to said load plate, an auxiliary axle rotatably supported by said bearings, a retractable first ground engaging member fixed to said auxiliary axle, and a mechanical linkage, wherein said linkage includes a manual operating lever pivotally secured to said wheel axle, a first linkage member fixed to said operating lever, a second linkage member having a first end pivotally joined to said first linkage member and a second end pivotally joined to said auxiliary axle by a third linkage member, said third linkage member having one end pivotally joined to said second end of said second linkage member and another end fixed to said auxiliary axle,wherein said auxiliary axle is disposed to move said first ground engaging member selectively into a first position engaged with the ground and into a second position disengaged with the ground, andwherein said operating lever projects along only one lateral side of and extends upwardly towards the top of said frame, and terminates at a handle extending only part of the width of said frame.