Abstract:
A device with two arms ( 10, 12 ) in spaced-apart relationship for secure attachment to a wheel-barrow. A member ( 26 ) extends between the two arms ( 10, 12 ) and is engaged by an operator contacting the member ( 26 ) with their hip/waist area to assist in propelling the wheel-barrow.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to a device to assist propulsion of hand propelled vehicles and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to a device attachment to arms of vehicles such as a wheelbarrow to assist in the propulsion of the wheelbarrow.  
         DEFINITIONS  
         [0002]    Throughout this specification, reference to a vehicle is to be reference to a hand propelled vehicle including such devices as wheelbarrows, trolleys, hand-trucks, perambulators, push chairs, wheelchairs, or the like where the primary propulsion is by human endeavour pushing the vehicle.  
         BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    When dealing with vehicles as defined above, a significant problem can occur when attempting to push a large load. This can quite often happen when, for example, pushing a wheelbarrow full of bricks, cement, or other heavy load, particularly up an inclined slope.  
           [0004]    The wheelbarrow in concept and execution has changed very little. Lighter and stronger materials have been incorporated into its design and manufacture. The use of pneumatic tyres has been a notable advance, which has significantly improved manoeuvrability over rough and uneven terrain. This capability has depended upon the dexterity and ultimately upon the physical strength of the operator.  
           [0005]    Due to the design of the conventional wheelbarrow, the manner in which supporting, propelling, restraining and balancing forces are transmitted between the operator and the wheelbarrow have often resulted in injury to the operator. Such injuries include lower back strain; shoulder strain, and damaged: muscles, tendons or ligaments including those in arms and hands. In particular, injuries can occur to the spinal column. Attempts have previously been made to improve the use of wheelbarrows, though these attempts have not been universally satisfactory.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,232 to Bushon provides a strap between the handles of the barrow, which may be successively engaged by one of the thighs of an operator as the wheelbarrow is being pushed. Use of such as strap can be inconvenient at times, and may be difficult to effectively engaged, especially by an inexperienced operator.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,878 to Mroczka et al describes a wheelbarrow having a strap which is slung over the shoulder of an operator to assist in supporting the wheelbarrow, as well as partly assisting in pushing and pulling the wheelbarrow. Though this arrangement assists in supporting the barrow, it can be inconvenient or counterproductive in assisting to push or pull the wheelbarrow.  
           [0008]    It is an object of the invention to attempt to alleviate these and other limitations associated with the existing use of wheelbarrows and similar vehicles.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The inventive concept resides in a recognition that hand-propelled vehicles such as wheelbarrows are advantageously operated with the assistance of an aid which allows an operator to directly transmit to the wheelbarrow power from the legs via the relatively strong and stable hip/pelvic region, rather than relying primarily on the relatively weak and unstable spine/arm structure.  
           [0010]    Preferably, the spine/arm, structure still supports the wheelbarrow when travelling and steering, but this task is more easily and safely achieved as there is preferably less compression on the spine, and the spine is not inclined as far forward as it may be without the use of the aid. Balance against sideways tilting can preferably also be controlled by the hips also, rather than primarily through the arms and shoulders.  
           [0011]    Accordingly, the invention provides a device for assisting in the propulsion of a vehicle, the device including two arms for secure attachment to the vehicle in a spaced-apart relationship, the two arms having a member attached to the respective arms and extending between the arms; wherein the member is able to be contacted by the waist and hip region of an operator to assist in propelling the vehicle.  
           [0012]    The member may be flexible, or it may be relatively rigid. Preferably, though, the member is a flexible strap that is readily contacted by an operator.  
           [0013]    Preferably, the two arms are substantially parallel when fitted to the vehicle. More preferably, each of the two arms has a horizontal portion and an upright portion.  
           [0014]    Advantageously, the horizontal portion and upright portion are connected by an arcuate portion. More advantageously the horizontal, arcuate and upright portions are integral.  
           [0015]    Each of the arms may be connected to the vehicle by a connecting means attached to or integral with the horizontal portion. The connecting means may be in the form of a plate having at least one hole therethrough for fastening means. The connecting means may also be a sleeve which can pass over and engage in an appropriate manner a handle of the vehicle.  
           [0016]    The member is preferably attached to the upright portion. This attachment may be by means of a sleeve to which the member is attached, the sleeve passing over the upright portion and being releasably secured relative thereto. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view in partial breakaway of the device of FIG. 1 as fitted to a wheelbarrow; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 but showing an alternative embodiment. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    To refer to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a device for assisting in the propulsion of a vehicle, the device having two arms  10 ,  12 . Each of the arms  10 ,  12  has a generally horizontal portion  14  and an upright portion generally designated as  16  with there being an arcuate portion  18  connecting the horizontal portion  14  and upright portion  16 . The three portions  14 ,  16 ,  18  are preferably integral. To show they are made from a square-section metal extrusion, although this is only preferred and not essential. End caps  20  may be provided, if desired, so as to protect a user from any rough or raw edges.  
         [0021]    Securely attached to the horizontal portion  14 , preferably on an outer side thereof, is a connecting means  22  which, in this instance, is in the form of a flat plate. The plate  22  may be attached to the horizontal portion  14  by any suitable means such as, for example, bolts, screws, welding, gluing, or otherwise, as desired. Furthermore, it may be possible for it to be made integral with the horizontal portion  14 .  
         [0022]    The plate  22  has a number of holes  24  therethrough. The holes enable a fastening means such as a nail, screw, bolt, or the like to be used to attach the plate  22  and thus each arm  10 ,  12  to the vehicle.  
         [0023]    A flexible member  26  is provided is made of a suitable fabric such as, for example, a plasticised canvas, cotton canvas, or the like. Any suitable fabric may be used provided it possesses the necessary flexibility and strength to achieve the results required. At each end of the flexible member  26  is securely attached to a connecting sleeve  28 . This is normally by means of screws, rivets, or bolts  30 . The sleeve  28  is sized and adapted to pass over the upright portion  16  in a sliding but reasonably tight fit. It is intended to not extend along each of the arms  10 ,  12  beyond the upright portion  16 . To this end, screws or bolts  32  may be provided to act as upper and lower end stops for the sleeve  28 .  
         [0024]    When fitted to a vehicle such as a wheelbarrow (FIG. 2), the horizontal portions  14  are placed on or adjacent the arms  34  of the wheelbarrow, and the connecting means  22  is used to securely connect the device to the wheelbarrow. As stated earlier, this may be by bolts, screws, nails or the like. The horizontal portion  14  will be on the top of, or next to, the arms  34  as can be seen by the comparing the location of arm  10  to arm  12 .  
         [0025]    A bolt  32  above a sleeve  28  can be removed to enable sleeve  28  to be removed from upright portion  16 . The sleeve  28  can then be rotated to wind the flexible member  26  thereon until the flexible member  26  is quite tight. The sleeve  28  can then be placed on upright portion  16  and bolt  32  reinstated. This may be performed for one or both sleeves  28 .  
         [0026]    The outer end  36  of each of the arms  34  is, as usual, shaped like a handle. These are still able to be gripped by a user. However, when pushing with a large load in the wheelbarrow, up an inclined slope, or a combination of both, the user can lean forward slightly and the hip/pelvic portion of the user can press against the flexible member  26  to assist in propelling the wheelbarrow. In this way, not only the arm and leg propulsion, but the assistance of the hip and pelvic propulsion, provides increased forward momentum and stability.  
         [0027]    Further, driving the wheelbarrow directly from the hip and pelvis area has advantages that arise from permitting free movement of the operator&#39;s legs, in contrast with prior art arrangements in which the thighs must be pressed against a flexible strap. In such arrangements, the movement of an operator&#39;s legs is restricted as the thighs are periodically pressed against the strap. Using the thighs in this way is not suitable for restraining the progress of a wheelbarrow downhill by placing the strap behind the thighs.  
         [0028]    With the described device, there are two configurations with respect to the relative positions of the wheelbarrow and operator when negotiating a downhill slope.  
         [0029]    When the wheelbarrow precedes the operator, a restraining force is applied by inclining the body backward as far as possible. This inclination and the resulting force is limited by the user&#39;s feet fouling the cross-bracing of the wheelbarrow&#39;s support legs.  
         [0030]    When the user precedes the wheelbarrow, with back to barrow freedom of movement of legs and safe placement of feet becomes possible.  
         [0031]    The member  26  of the device, in this case, directly transmits the restraining force of the legs via the buttocks or lower back of the operator, to the wheelbarrow, preventing overrun.  
         [0032]    The contact with the member  26  will also assist in stabilising the wheelbarrow against rotational movement—when one arm  34  rises and the other arm lowers—which is a significant problem when carrying semi-fluid loads such as concrete and mortar.  
         [0033]    The device of FIG. 3 is generally identical to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, except the connecting means  22  is, in this instance, in the form of a sleeve  38  which is adapted to pass over the arms  34  of the wheelbarrow and to jam thereon. Arms  34  of wheelbarrows such as that illustrated generally increase in size along their length and, therefore, a sizeable jamming force may be able to be created. However, holes  24  (as in the past) may be provided for fastening devices, if desired.  
         [0034]    Alternatively connecting means may also be used. For example, worm-drive clamps (such as radiator hose clamps) may be used.  
         [0035]    Furthermore, the arms  10 ,  12  may be permanently attached to arms  34  of the wheelbarrow. In such a form, the horizontal portions  14  and arcuate portions  18  may not be required, with the upright portions  16  being attached directly to arms  34 . Also, the member  26  may be relatively rigid such as for example, a length of padded timber, steel, or the like.  
         [0036]    It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alterative aspects of the invention.