Accessory plate extension for wheelbarrow brake systems

An accessory plate accommodates a caliper brake disc system in either a retrofit kit or in the original construction of wheelbarrows, hand carts and other wheeled, slow speed vehicles. The accessory plate or extension plate is secured to an axle or hub providing means of attachment to a caliper system. The accessory plate may be modified to accept other accessories, including but not limited to electric motors, drum brake arms and accessories, lights, battery packs or other accessories pertinent to the vehicle's enhanced operation. A hub system may be optionally used and may help to accommodate the installation of an accessory plate and/or rotor disc and/or drum brake or drum brake actuator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to wheelbarrow accessory systems. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of an accessory plate to facilitate the use of disc brakes on a wheelbarrow, hand cart or other wheeled implement not having brakes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed embodiments include an accessory plate or extension plate used in either a retro fit kit or in original construction of a wheelbarrow, hand cart or other wheeled implement. The extension plate may be attached in roughly the axle area of a wheel and may extend for a distance toward the outer circumference of a wheel to support a caliper brake system. A hub may support a brake disc that rotates with the axle. The caliper may press upon the brake disc to slow down the rotation of the axle to slow down or stop the wheelbarrow.

Disclosed embodiments include specialized hub systems to artfully accommodate the disclosed accessory plate. Disclosed embodiments include a locking lever system used to lock a brake in a stopped position.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

100a disclosed embodiment in general200accessory plate203axle side of accessory plate200206brake side of accessory plate200209connection voids for brake attachment210arcuate attachment void defined within accessory plate200220arcuate wall section defining part of the arcuate attachment void210230irregular wall section defining part of the arcuate attachment void230235first radial curve section defining part of the arcuate attachment void230237second radial curve section defining part of the arcuate attachment void230240apex curve edge of axle side of accessory plate243first convex curve of axle side of accessory plate245second convex curve of axle side of accessory plate250upper straight edge of accessory plate253lower straight edge of accessory plate260convex curve of brake side265edge walls of accessory plate300caliper brake system310connection pins of caliper brake system300400wheel and hub configuration403disc receiver hub—threaded or unthreaded404bearing spacer405bearing or bushing406alternative rotor mounting configuration407bearing extension to receive accessory plate200409threaded hub portion to receive threaded disc plate415threaded inner hub425irregular lock nut430irregular outer surface of irregular lock nut425432inner smooth circular surface of irregular lock nut425500brake disc or brake rotor510spoke structure of brake disc500530interior irregular void defined by spoke structure510600tire700axle705inner axle730rim800lever system810clamp system of lever system812clamp ridge of clamp system814barrel retainer wall of clamp system817cuff receiver820cuff clip823brake lever825cuff release button827cable connection

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the associated drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

Referring toFIG. 1, a caliper brake system300is shown in fixed attachment to a disclosed accessory plate200or extension plate. In the illustrated example, the caliper brake system300comprises connection pins310that secure the caliper brake system to the extension plate. The extension plate may define connection voids209, shown inFIG. 11, to accept the connection pins310.

An accessory plate200may define an arcuate attachment void210. The unique shape of the arcuate attachment void210provides unique advantages in alignment and adjustable attachment of the accessory plate200to an axle or hub system wherein the accessory plate is adjusted in a curved or arcuate path to accommodate different wheel diameters and different brake disc diameters. The unique shape of the arcuate attachment void allows the walls of the void to be of near constant distance while allowing for arched movement of an axle or hub system.

An arcuate attachment void210may be comprised of or defined by a plurality of accessory plate edges, such edges or walls may comprise an arcuate wall section220, an irregular wall section230, with the irregular wall section attached to or part of a first radial curve section235and a second radial curve section237.

The shape or configuration of the accessory plate200provides unique advantages in mounding a brake system to a wheel system. The accessory plate is formed to minimize unnecessary volume and to not interfere with wheel movement or to catch debris during use. For example, a disclosed accessory plate200may comprise an apex curve240attached to or contiguous with a first convex curve243and a second convex curve245. The first convex curve243and the second convex curve245create finger holds useful for installation and prevents the accessory plate from blocking components near the axle.

Length of the accessory plate may be artfully achieved by an upper straight edge attached to or contiguous to the first convex curve343and by use of an lower straight edge253

Referring toFIG. 2A, an elevation view presents an accessory plate200and axle.FIG. 2Bpresents a top plan view of a disclosed embodiment, which includes a wheel and hub configuration400.FIG. 2Bfurther depicts a threaded disc receiver hub403.

FIG. 3depicts a perspective view of a tire600attached to a rim with the rim having an inner void configured to accept a wheel bearing, bushing or threaded inner hub415, the threaded inner hub securing a brake disc500or brake rotor. The brake disc500may be more firmly attached by use of an irregular lock nut425. An axle700may be retained within the hub system.

FIG. 4depicts a perspective view of a disclosed system100comprising an accessory plate200and an axle or bushing inserted though the arcuate attachment void of the accessory plate. The accessory plate200is attached to a caliper system300, with the caliper system retaining outer circumference areas of a brake disc500.

FIG. 7depicts a perspective view of a brake disc attached to a threaded inner hub415.

FIG. 8depicts a threaded inner hub415place through a center void of a rim730.

FIG. 9depicts an irregular lock nut425comprising an irregular outer surface425and a smooth inner circular surface432. The disclosed irregular lock nut425overcomes shortfalls in the art by providing extra secure attachment upon or within a brake disc500or brake rotor comprising an interior irregular void530. A brake disc500may comprise a spoke structure510that defines the outer walls of an interior irregular void530configured to comport with the irregular outer surface430of an irregular lock nut425.

The use of smooth lock nuts is also disclosed. The use of threaded brake rotors and threaded hub portions, see409FIGS. 17 and 403FIG. 2Bis also disclosed.

FIG. 10depicts a perspective view of a tire600having a rim730with the rim attached to or containing a treaded inner hub415, with the threaded inner hub inserted through or supporting a brake disc500and an irregular lock nut425securing the brake disc to the hub.

FIG. 11depicts a perspective view of an accessory plate200comprising an axle side203and a brake side206. The thickness or outer edges of an accessory plate200may be seen in the illustrated edge walls265. A convex curve260of the brake side206assists in fitting a plurality of caliper systems to the accessory plate.

FIG. 11further depicts an accessory plate200comprising a upper straight edge250, lower straight edge253, one or more connection voids209, an arcuate attachment void210defined by a plurality of wall shapes and wall attributes, the arcuate attachment void210may be defined by an arcuate wall section220, irregular wall section230and a first radial curve section235and a second radial curve section237.

FIG. 12depicts a plan view of the accessory plate ofFIG. 11andFIG. 12has been marked to show an apex curve240or apex curve edge as well as a first convex curve243and a second convex curve245of an axle side of an accessory plate.

FIG. 13Adepicts a perspective view of a tire, rim, brake disc and hub system.

FIG. 13Bdepicts a perspective view of aFIG. 13Abut includes an inner axle705.

FIG. 13Cdepicts an elevation view of a hub system comprising a bearing or bushing405and an inner axle705.

FIG. 14depicts a perspective view of a lever system800, the lever system attachable to a wheelbarrow handle or other handle, such as the handle of a hand cart or other wheeled tool or vehicle.

FIG. 15depicts a perspective view of a lever system comprising a clamp system810, the clamp system comprising a barrel retainer wall814and a clamp ridge812. A lever system may further comprise a cuff receiver817, a cuff clip820, a brake lever823, a cuff release button825and a cable connection system827.

FIG. 16depicts a perspective view of a tire600, brake disc500and related components.

FIG. 17depicts a hub system400comprising an alternative rotor mounting configuration406having a threaded hub portion409configured to receive a threaded disc rotor, a bearing spacer404and a bearing extension407, the bearing extension configured to support an accessory plate200. The bearing extension407overcomes shortfalls in the known related art by removing or insulating the accessory plate from the vibration and direct rotation of the bearings and axle. The bearing extension407may be inserted into the arcuate attachment void210of the accessory plate200.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

All the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims, should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses the disclosed embodiments and all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms.

Disclosed embodiments may include the following items:

Item 1. An accessory plate200comprising a first side and a second side with edge walls265between the first side and second side of the accessory plate, the accessory plate further comprising:a) an axle side203and an brake side, with the axle side comprising an apex curve edge240, the apex curve edge attached to a first convex curve and a second convex curve;b) a lower straight edge253attached to the second convex curve of the axle side, the lower straight edge attached to a convex curve260of the brake side;c) an upper straight edge250attached to the first convex curve of the axle side, the upper straight edge attached to the brake side of the accessory plate;d) the accessory plate defining one or more connection voids209at the brake side;e) on the axle side, the accessory plate defining an arcuate attachment void210; the arcuate attachment void further defined by arcuate wall section220attached to a first radial curve section235and a second radial curve section237with the first radial curve section and the second radial curve section attached to an irregular wall section230.

Item 2. The accessory plate of 1 in attachment with a hub system, the hub system comprising a disc receiver hub403, a bearing spacer404, a bearing405, a bearing extension407and accessory plate extension, a threaded hub portion409and a threaded inner hub415.

Item 3. The accessory plate of 2 including an irregular lock nut425, attached to the hub system, the irregular lock nut comprising an irregular outer surface430and an inner circular smooth surface432.

Item 4. The accessory plate of 3 including a brake disc500comprising a spoke structure530, the spoke structure defining an irregular void530comporting with the irregular outer surface of the irregular lock nut, with the irregular lock nut attached to the irregular void of the brake disc.

Item 5. The accessory plate of 4 including a caliper brake system300attached to the brake end of the accessory plate by use of the one or more connection voids of the accessory plate, the caliper brake system containing an outer circumference of the brake disc.

Item 6. The accessory plate of 5 including a cable with a first end and a second end, with the first end attached to the caliper brake system and the second end attached to a lever system800, the lever system comprising a clamp system810, a clamp ridge812, a barrel retainer wall814, a cuff receiver817, a cuff clip820, a brake lever823, a cuff release button and a cable connection827.

Item 7. A wheel and hub configuration400comprising a rotor mounting configuration406comprising a threaded hub portion409, the threaded hub portion configured to comport to a threaded rotor, the rotor mounting configuration further comprising a bearing spacer404and a distal bearing extension407, the distal bearing extension connected to an accessory plate200through an arcuate attachment void210defined within the accessory plate200, the accessory plate comprising an axle side2043and a brake side206.