Abstract:
A wheelbarrow has a main frame defining two laterally spaced-apart longitudinal portions, to which an axle is mounted with a wheel rotatably mounted thereto, and to which a body, such as a tub or flat bed, is mounted for carrying a load. Attached to the main frame are leg structures, each of which includes a straight base portion configured for aligning with and engaging the ground. Forward cross-braces are connected from a forward end of each base portion to a first point on the main frame, and rearward cross-braces are connected from a rearward end of each base portion to a second point on the main frame proximately adjacent to the first point. A lateral member extends from one longitudinal portion of the main frame to the other longitudinal portion, and a lateral cross brace extends from each leg structure to the lateral member.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to wheelbarrows and, more particularly, to a structural frame effective for use with a wheelbarrow.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The use of wheelbarrows of various designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, wheelbarrows of various designs and configurations heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of improving the stability of wheelbarrows by using improved frames are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.  
         [0003]     There are nonetheless, a number of drawbacks still associated with conventional wheelbarrows. For example, if conventional wheelbarrows are used to carry very substantial loads, they tend to be instable (resulting in a tendency for the wheelbarrow to tip over during use), unreliable, and have relatively short life expectancies. Accordingly, continuing research has been directed to the development of wheelbarrows having relatively substantial load bearing capabilities which are also more rigid and reliable than conventional wheelbarrows, and also have longer life expectancies than convention wheelbarrows.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     The present invention, accordingly, provides a wheelbarrow having a main frame defining first and second spaced-apart longitudinal portions. An axle is mounted on the main frame, and a wheel is rotatably mounted on the axle. A body, such as a tub or flat bed, is mounted to the main frame for supporting and carrying a load. A first leg structure is attached to the first longitudinal portion of the main frame, and includes a substantially straight base portion configured for aligning with and engaging ground when the wheelbarrow is placed in a stationary position. Similarly, a second leg structure is attached to the second longitudinal portion of the main frame, and includes a substantially straight base portion configured for aligning with and engaging ground when the wheelbarrow is in placed a stationary position.  
         [0005]     In one embodiment, cross-bracing is provided extending from each end of each base portion of each leg structure to the main frame.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment of the invention, the main frame, first leg structure, and second leg structure are fabricated from tubular steel, and are welded together.  
         [0007]     In another embodiment, a lateral member is positioned to extend between the first and second longitudinal portions of the main frame, and lateral cross braces are positioned to extend from the lateral member to the first and second leg structures.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, the main frame extends to define laterally spaced-apart rearwardly extending handles.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, body support members extend from the longitudinal portions of a forward portion of the main frame to form a first substantially triangular structure effective for supporting the body. A transverse member is preferably also connected between the triangular structures for reinforcing support of the body. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a wheelbarrow embodying features of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevation view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a wheelbarrow embodying features of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known elements have been illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. Additionally, for the most part, details concerning welded connections and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention, and are considered to be within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.  
         [0017]     It is noted that structural members depicted herein are preferably tubular members, though they may alternatively comprise other cross-section configurations such as square, rectangular, triangular, I-beam, U-beam, and the like. Structural members are preferably welded together, though any suitable means or combination of means, such as bolting, may be employed to join members together. The structural members may be fabricated from any of a number of different materials, such as steel, aluminum, or the like.  
         [0018]     For definitional purposes, the following terms will be used for referring to the fully assembled wheelbarrow in normal use. The term “horizontal” refers to the direction parallel to a surface (e.g., ground) on which the wheelbarrow is supported in normal use. The term “vertical” refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal direction. The term “front” or “forward” refers to the end of the wheelbarrow proximate to the wheel (described below) of the wheelbarrow. The term “rear” or “rearward” refers to the end opposite the front end of the wheelbarrow. The term “point” refers to an area approximating the size of a cross-section of a member proximate to the point.  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the reference numeral  100  generally designates a wheelbarrow embodying features of the present invention. The wheelbarrow  100  includes a main frame  102  configured for supporting a body  104  (e.g., a tub or flat bed). The main frame  102  further includes an axle  108  on which a wheel and tire  106  are axially mounted for facilitating movement of the wheelbarrow by a person in a conventional manner.  
         [0020]     The frame  102  includes a longitudinal portion  110  which extends generally through the length of the wheelbarrow  100 . As shown more clearly in  FIG. 4 , the longitudinal portion  110  preferably wraps less than 180° around the wheel and tire  106 , and two ends of the longitudinal portion  110  extend rearwardly from an opposing end of the wheel and tire  106  of the wheelbarrow  100  to form handles, to each of which handles handgrips are preferably positioned, the handgrips preferably comprising a material, such as rubber, nylon, or the like, that is effective for enabling a person to lift the rear end of wheelbarrow  100  in a conventional manner.  
         [0021]     As also shown in  FIG. 4 , the wheel and tire  106  are rotatably mounted to the axle  108 , which axle is secured to the wheelbarrow  100 , by means such as welding. The axle  108  is preferably fabricated from relatively heavy duty material effective for supporting heavy loads (e.g., stone and brick) in the body  104 .  
         [0022]     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the frame  110  further includes two leg structures  116  (only one of which is shown in  FIG. 1 ). Each leg structure  116  includes a forward portion  116   a  defining a first end  116   a ′ extending from a point  110   a  of the longitudinal portion  110  to a second end  116   a ″, a horizontal (as viewed in  FIG. 1 ) base portion  116   b  having a first end  116   b ′ extending from the second end  116   a ″ of the forward portion  116   a  to second end  116   b ″, and a rearward portion  116   c  having a second end  116   c ″ extending from the second end  116   b ″ of the base portion  116   b  to a first end  116   c ′ secured to a rearward point  10   b  of the longitudinal portion  110  of the main frame  102 .  
         [0023]     Two forward cross braces  118  and two rearward cross braces  120  are secured, preferably via welding, between the longitudinal portion  110  and each leg structure  116  to form a substantially triangular truss structure. More specifically, each forward cross brace  118  is preferably secured (e.g., welded) at a first end  118   a  proximate to the second end  116   a ″ of the forward portion  116   a  and the first end  116   b ′ of the base portion  116   b  of each leg structure  116 , and is preferably secured (e.g., welded) at a second end  118   b  proximate to a point  110   c  interposed between the points  110   a  and  110   b  of the respective longitudinal portion  110 . Each rearward cross brace  120  is preferably secured (e.g., welded) at a first end  120   a  proximate to the second end  116   b ″ of the base portion  116   b  and second end  116   c ″ of rearward portion  116   c  of each leg  116 , and is preferably welded at a second end  120   b  proximate to the point  110   c  interposed between the points  110   a  and  110   b  of the respective longitudinal portion  110 .  
         [0024]     In a preferred embodiment, two forward body support members  130  are welded at first ends  130   a  to a forward portion of the longitudinal portion  110 , and two rearward body support members  132  are welded at first ends  132   a  to the longitudinal portion  110 , and second ends  130   a  and  132   b  of respective of body support members  130  and  132  are welded together to form a substantially triangular structure effective for supporting the body  104 . A cross brace  134  (see also  FIG. 3 ) preferably extends proximately between the two second ends  130   b , though alternatively could extend proximately between the two second ends  132   b , for providing support to the tub  104 .  
         [0025]     The body  104  is secured to the frame  110  in a conventional manner using fasteners, such as bolts and nuts, rivets, and/or the like  140 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  depicts a rearward support bracing structure preferably incorporated into the main frame  102 . More specifically, a lateral member  302  extends between the longitudinal portions  110  of the main frame  102 . A first lateral cross brace  304  extends from the rearward portion  116   c  of one leg structure  116  to the lateral member  302 , and a second lateral cross brace  306  extends from the rearward portion  116   c  of an opposing leg structure  116  to the lateral member  302 .  
         [0027]     In operation, the wheelbarrow  100  is operable in a “stationary” mode, wherein it positioned substantially as shown in  FIG. 1 , with the base portions  116   b  of each leg structure  116  substantially aligned and engaged with a support surface  101 , such as the ground, floor, or the like. In the stationary mode, the wheelbarrow  100  may be loaded with stone, brick, dirt, or the like, or the same may be unloaded from the wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow  100  is also operable in a “mobile” mode, wherein a person (not shown) may grip the handles  112  and lift the rear portion of the wheelbarrow  100 , and then move the wheelbarrow as desired to a new location. When the new location is reached, then rear portion of the wheelbarrow  100  may be lowered and restored to a stationary mode. Because the operation of a wheelbarrow is considered to be well-known, its operation will not be described in further detail herein.  
         [0028]     In  FIG. 5 , the reference numeral  500  designates an alternative embodiment of the invention adapted for a body comprising a flat bed. To that end, the main frame  102  is configured substantially as depicted above with respect to  FIGS. 104 , but for the forward body support structure members  130  and  132 , which are preferably reconfigured as two forward body support members  530  (only one of which is shown in  FIG. 5 ), and two rearward body support members  532  (only one of which is shown in  FIG. 5 ), which rearward body support members  532  are positioned at an angle  506  (discussed below) more suitable for supporting a flat bed  504  rather than a tub. The flat bed  504  includes a lower portion  504   a  and an upwardly extending portion  504   b . An angle  506  between the lower portion  504   a  and the upwardly extending portion  504   b  is preferably greater then 90°, such as about 100°, 110°, or the like. Operation of the wheelbarrow  500  is substantially similar to the wheelbarrow  100 , but for the step of loading, wherein the flat bed  504  is adapted for more efficiently loading and carrying rectangular-shaped objects and objects having flat surfaces, such as bricks, wood, and the like. It is noted that the main frame depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  may alternatively be used with a flat bed if the space between the member  132  and the flat bed portion  504   b  is provided with a wedge-shaped spacer (not shown).  
         [0029]     By the use of the present invention heavy loads, such as a load of stones, bricks, dirt, and the like, may be moved using a wheelbarrow that is more rigid, more reliable, and able to greater loads with a greater life expectancy than is possible using wheelbarrows disclosed in the prior art.  
         [0030]     It is understood that the present invention may take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, the wheel and tire  106  may be supplemented with a second wheel and tire. Each of the portions  116   a ,  116   b , and/or  116   c  of the leg  116  may constitute separate members that are welded together. An engine may be positioned within the frame  102  under the body  104  for propelling the wheelbarrow, under the guidance of a person. Rear wheels may be provided for the wheelbarrow to enable a person to move the wheelbarrow without lifting the rear end of the wheelbarrow. It is understood, too, that the connection of the forward cross braces  118  to the leg structures  116  may be in closer proximity to the first end  116   b ′ of the base portion  116   b  of each leg structure  116  than is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 5 .  
         [0031]     Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.