Wheel barrow rack and method of storing a wheel barrow

A wheel barrow storage rack has an elongate vertically oriented body with a top end mounted near to a wall. A wheel barrow support is carried at a bottom end of the body. An adjustable bracket assembly is vertically positionally adjustable along the body. A wheel barrow catch is pivotally carried by the adjustable bracket assembly.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure is generally directed to wheel barrows, and more particularly to a storage rack and method for storing a wheel barrow.

2. Description of Related Art

Wheel barrows are known to be relatively large, cumbersome, and typically heavy objects, often being made of heavy duty steel and/or wood. Storage of wheel barrows can sometimes create problems for consumers because of their overall size, weight, and odd shape. Consumers often just tip a wheel barrow up on its front end and rest it against a wall with the bucket opening facing the wall. The wheel barrow can very easily and inadvertently tip back over away from the wall. Such an occurrence can cause injury to persons standing nearby or damage to cars or other objects located in close proximity to the wheel barrow. Wheel barrows also take up a relatively large amount of storage space and stick out quite far from the wall and, thus, can be easily and unintentionally bumped when stored.

Attempts have been made to provide storage solutions and devices for storing wheel barrows. A typical storage hanger or rack can be of a two-piece construction that mounts directly to a wall. Such products are usually fixed in place on the wall and, once installed, are not adjustable to accommodate different sized wheel barrows. To adjust the hanger for accommodating a different sized wheel barrow, the known hangers must be uninstalled, readjusted, and reinstalled on the wall surface.

Further, the consumer is often required to lift the wheel barrow off the ground in order to place it in one of these storage racks. This can be difficult for the ordinary user because of the generally heavy, cumbersome, and odd-shape of the wheel barrow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

A wheel barrow a storage rack and method for storing wheel barrows are disclosed herein. The disclosed rack and method help to solve at least two problems with prior known racks and methods. First, the user need not fully lift the wheel barrow in order to store it in the disclosed rack. Second, the disclosed rack is very easily adjustable to accommodate different size or length wheel barrows without having to remove and reinstall the rack.

The disclosed rack and method utilize an adjustable bracket assembly to accommodate different sized and shaped wheel barrows. The disclosed rack can be directly mounted to a surface or wall. The disclosed rack can be secured in place using screws, can be suspended from a rail without the need to use hardware for installation, or can be mounted using both techniques.

The terms upper or top, lower or bottom, forward or front, and rear or back are used herein in relation to the installed or mounted condition of the rack. These terms are used as reference in order to provide positional and spatial relationships, where beneficial, for ease of description and understanding of the invention.

Turning now to the drawings, one example of a wheel barrow storage rack20is shown inFIGS. 1-3. The rack20has a vertical oriented body22, which in this example is a wire-formed structure. The body22has a pair of elongate vertically extending side sections24and a plurality of horizontally oriented cross-bars26spaced apart vertically along the body and extending transversely or generally perpendicular to the side sections24. The cross-bars interconnect the side sections for structural rigidity. In this example, the cross-bars26can be discrete wires or structures welded to and between the side sections24. The storage rack20in this example has a wheel barrow support28carried at a bottom end of the rack and a rack mounting structure30at a top end of the rack. The rack20also includes an adjustable bracket assembly32that is selectively moveable along at least a part of the vertical length of the storage rack, as is described below.

In this example, the side sections24of the body22are formed from one continuous wire that extends downward from one side section, continues into the integral wheel barrow support28, and then extends upward into the other side section. As shown inFIGS. 1-3, the wheel barrow support28in this example is an up-turned hook structure defining a wheel barrow receiving area34. Each of the side sections24has a bent or angled rearward step36nearer the bottom end, and continues to a downwardly extending guide section37in each of the side sections. The guide sections37below the step36continue into an upwardly curved or upward facing concave curved section38. A cross-leg40extends between the pair of curve sections38and is upwardly curved and, thus, downwardly concave in this example, as best shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The receiving area34is defined between the guide sections37below the steps36, the curved sections38, and rearward of the cross-leg40.

As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in art, the particular configuration and structure of the vertical body22and the wheel barrow support28can vary and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. In different wire form examples, the wires can be bent in alternative manners and yet perform the requisite function of supporting a wheel barrow. Alternative materials such as plastic, can be used to form the body22, as desired. The body can be a flat panel with reinforcing ribs, be a plastic grid formation, or the like.

The body22disclosed in this example is an elongate, rigid, one-piece structure. In an alternative embodiment, the body can be formed from two or more pieces linked together with successively lower pieces suspended from or connected to adjacent upper pieces so that the body22can be folded or disassembled to a compact storage and/or shipping configuration. One such example is disclosed in a second embodiment of the invention described below. Further, the size of the rack20and, particularly, the body22can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. In one example, the body can extend to a full length of about 48 inches and will be suitable to support a vast range of wheel barrow sizes. However, the body can vary in length and/or width and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The mounting structure30in this example is a dual function arrangement. As illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, and in greater detail inFIG. 4, the mounting structure30includes a plastic cap or cover50that is snapped onto the top end52of the body22. In this example, the top end52is formed by the free ends54of the side section wires24creating the body22. As shown inFIGS. 1-3, the side sections24include rearwardly and inwardly bent sections56a, and56b, respectively, angled toward one another and terminating at short, upward extending parallel intermediate wire sections58. In side view, a somewhat tall, shallow C-shaped curved end60continues from each of the intermediate sections58and terminate at a rearwardly bent end62. The C-shaped portions60are rearwardly open or concave. A generally flat cross-piece64is welded to each of these ends62spaced rearward of the wire of the C-shaped portions60. The cross-piece64has a downward dimension sufficient to create a hook or capture region66between of the cross-piece64and the C-shaped portion60. A small cross-bar68is also provided extending between and welded near each of the and near a rearward extending, lower end of the C-shaped portions60. The cross-bar simply adds structural rigidity.

As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the configuration and structure of the top end52and mounting structure30can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In another example, the ends62can be bent rearward and then downward to create the hook, eliminating the need for the welded cross-piece64in this example, and yet perform the same function. The cap or cover50can be configured to snap onto the top end52of the body22. The cap50in this example has a pair of fastener receiving openings70. Fasteners can be passed through these openings to secure the rack20to a surface, such as a wall. The hook or capture region66of the top end52can be utilized to hang the rack20from a rail or other structure carried on the wall. The fastener openings70of the cap can be used with screws, nails, or the like to secure the rack20to a wall, if desired. Alternatively, one can both hook and fasten the rack20to a surface, if desired.

FIG. 8illustrates an alternative example of a rack mounting structure72. In this example, the rack is suspended from a rail71. The C-shaped portions60include ends62that are turned down in this example, eliminating the cross-piece64. The cross-bar68remains and again is welded spanning between the two intermediate wire sections58. A decorative piece73is attached to the C-shaped portions60and has a center section74integrally connected to flanking connectors75that are either molded or snapped onto the C-shaped portions60. The center section74can add additional rigidity to the mounting structure. A first attachment plate76is bent around or otherwise attached to the cross-bar68and has a first fastener opening77therein. A second attachment plate78is attached to the down-turned ends62of the C-shaped portions60and also has a fastener opening79therein. The mounting plates in this example are generally flat and can bear against a wall surface on opposite sides of the rail71. Thus, the two plates can sit flush against the wall and fasteners can be driven through the two fastener openings77and79to secure the rack20against a mounting surface.

FIGS. 5-7illustrate the general structure and movement of the adjustable bracket assembly32. As shown inFIG. 6, the adjustable bracket assembly or bail assembly32has an adjustable section80and a wheel barrow catch section82pivotally carried by the adjustable section. InFIG. 6, the adjustable section80is in a locked position on the body22and the catch section82is in a dropped or stored position. InFIG. 7, the adjustable section is shown in an unlocked position permitting vertical sliding movement of the assembly32relative to the body22. InFIG. 5, the adjustable section80is shown in the locked position and the catch section82is shown in a raised or released position pivoted upward relative to the locked adjustable section. The function and purpose of these movements are discussed in greater detail below when describing the function of the rack20.

FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate the structure of the disclosed catch section82. In this example, the catch section82has a transverse catch bar84extending laterally between a pair of C-shaped connector arms86. A plane of the connector arms86is oriented in this example generally perpendicular to the catch bar84. The catch bar84and connector arms86are fabricated as a unitary or integral wire-formed structure. Thus, one end of each of the C-shaped connector arms86continues into the ends of the catch bar84to form the catch bar. The opposite free ends of the connector arms86are bent to form a connection loop88that captures a portion of the adjustable section80as illustrated inFIGS. 5-7in this example. Thus, loops88can freely pivot relative to the adjustable section80so that the catch section82can be pivoted relative to the adjustable section.

FIGS. 10A and 10Billustrate the structure of the disclosed adjustable section80of the adjustable bracket assembly32in this example. The adjustable section80has a lower cross-member90, an upper cross-member92, and an intermediate cross-member94extending laterally between a pair of side bars96and generally parallel to one another. In this example, the side bars96lie in essentially parallel spaced apart and vertically oriented planes and are bent rearwardly within those planes to form a lower side bar portion98and an upper side bar portion100. The lower cross-member90extends integrally and laterally between and is formed as a continuation of the lower ends of the lower side bar portions98. Similarly, the upper cross-member92extends integrally and laterally between and is a continuation of the upper ends of the upper side bar portions100. In this example, the intermediate cross-member94extends between the upper side bar portions100spaced from the upper cross-member92. A body receiving gap102is defined between the upper and intermediate cross-members92and94, respectively. In this example, the body receiving gap102is sized such that the depth of the body22fits within the gap with some clearance when a plane defined by both the upper and intermediate cross-members and the upper side bar portions lies generally, or at least more nearly perpendicular, to the orientation of the body as shown inFIG. 7. If the adjustable section80is rotated to the locked position as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the upper cross-member92and intermediate cross-member94each move toward the side sections24of the body22, effectively closing the gap102. Friction acts to hold the adjustable section80, and thus the bracket assembly32in place.

As shown inFIG. 10B, a plane defined by the lower side bar portions98and the lower cross-member90is at an angle relative to the plane defined by the upper side bar portions100and the upper and intermediate cross-members92and94. The loops88of the catch section are formed around and loosely capture the lower cross-member90so that the catch section82is carried by the lower cross-member. As shown inFIG. 6, the weight of the catch section82, when allowed to freely hang from the lower cross-member90, rotates the adjustable section80to the locked position. As shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, the upper part of the adjustable section80, including the upper and intermediate cross-members92and94, is dipped-coated with a friction enhancing material such as neoprene, some other rubber or a low durometer or surface tacky material. The coating will greatly enhance the friction between the cross-members and the body22when the bracket assembly32is in the locked position.

As shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B, as well asFIGS. 1-3, both the wheel barrow support28and at least the catch bar portion84of the catch section82can also be dipped-coated or otherwise covered with a friction-enhancing material. The material can assist in retaining a wheel barrow in a stored position on the rack20as discussed below, as well as act as a scratch-resistant or protective barrier between the material of the rack20, which in this example is metal, and portions of a wheel barrow that contacts these components.

FIGS. 11-15Billustrate alternative configurations for several components of a wheel barrow storage rack in the form of a second embodiment of such a storage rack120. In this example, the rack120includes a catch section82of an alternative adjustable bracket assembly. The catch section82is identical to the catch section discussed above in the prior example.FIGS. 11-13show the rack120in this example as having a rack body122with an upper body section123aand a lower body section123b. The body sections123aand123bare pivotally connected to one another so that the rack120can be folded or collapsed to a storage or shipping configuration and can be disassembled. Again, the body122is formed of bent wire.

In this example, the upper body section123ahas a pair of spaced apart and vertically oriented side sections124awith lower ends that continue into an integral and transversely oriented cross-member125. The cross-member125is stepped rearward of the body sections123aby a pair of rearwardly bent steps126. A support bar128is received on, and in this example welded to, a top surface of the steps126and oriented generally parallel to the cross-member125. A gap is provided between the cross-member125and support bar128. The steps126are at an angle greater than 90° relative to the side section wires124a. Thus, the support bar128is slightly elevated relative to the cross-member125.

The lower body section123bincludes side sections124bthat are also generally vertically oriented. The top ends of the side sections124bterminate at downwardly facing, concave curved hooks130that curve forward relative to the orientation of the rack120. The hooks130in this example are received on the support bar128as shown inFIGS. 11-13to pivotally suspend the lower body section123bfrom the upper body section123a.

The side sections124bof the lower body section123balso continue integrally downward to form a wheel barrow support132. The wheel barrow support in this example is similar in construction to the wheel barrow support28in the prior example. However, in this example, a rearward step133in the side sections124bis positioned nearer the upper ends and the downward facing hooks130. Thus, a substantial portion below the steps133of the side sections124bis stepped rearward of the portion above the steps. However, in each rack example, the steps133position the support member rearward slightly relative to a plane of the body of the respective rack. Also, the wheel barrow support132in this example is formed of forward extending legs134from the side sections124bthat then bend upward into upward extending legs136. A cross-leg140extends between and integrally connects the upper free ends of the upward extending legs136. In this example, the cross-leg140, the upward extending legs136, and the forward extending legs134are each substantially more linear in comparison to the various corresponding segments of the wheel barrow support28described with respect to the prior example. Again, the structure and configuration of the wheel barrow support132can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention and perform the intended function of supporting a portion of a wheel barrow.

As shown inFIGS. 11,13,14A, and14B, the rack120has an alternative mounting structure150. The mounting structure150again in this example provides a dual attachment function. The mounting structure150permits hanging the rack120from a rail or other object on a surface and/or securely fastening the rack120to a mounting surface. In this example, the mounting structure150includes a cap or cover152secured to a top end154of the upper body section123a. The top end154is formed by free upper ends156of the pair of upper body side sections124a. Similar to the intermediate sections58in the prior example, the free ends156in this example generally extend vertically upward and are spaced slightly apart as shown inFIGS. 13 and 14B. Opposed interior surfaces of the wires of these free ends156include a pair of notches158extending in opposite directions into the wires and facing one another. As shown inFIG. 14A, the cap152includes a lower body part160with upwardly extending blind bores162for receiving the free ends156of the wires, and a middle side163. A rear side164of the body part160includes a horizontal slot formed therein. The cap152can be slid downward onto the free ends156of the side sections124a, with the free ends received in the bores162. When the slot164is aligned with the notches158, a substantially rigid or metal slug166can be slid into the slot164and notches to retain the cap152on the top end154of the upper body section123a.

The cap152in this example also includes an elongate, shallow C-shaped part167, when viewed from the side extending upward from the lower body part160to define a downwardly concave hook or capture region168region. The hook168can be hooked onto a rail or other object to suspend the rack120from a mounting surface. Again, the upper part167of the cap152in this example also has a pair of fastener openings170provided for receiving fasteners therethrough. Thus, the rack120can be suspended and/or securely fastened to a mounting surface as desired. In an organizer system, a rail can be provided for suspending any number of organizer components on a wall. The racks20and120are configured to be compatible with such an organizer system by simply hanging the racks from the rail provided as part of that system.

The rack120in this example has an adjustable bracket assembly178that includes the catch section82and an adjustable section180configured slightly different than the adjustable section80in the previous example. In this example, the adjustable section180has an intermediate cross-member94, an upper cross-member92, and a pair of side bars96constructed essentially identically to the prior example. The lower cross-member90of the prior example has been replaced by a pair of inward extending and slightly upwardly bent connector legs184. As shown inFIG. 11, the loops88of the catch section82are received over the connector legs182pivotally connecting the catch section to the adjustable section180in this example.

Again, the wheel barrow support132, portions of the catch section82, and the full cross-member, upper part of the adjustable section180can be dip-coated, or otherwise covered to enhance durability, scratch-resistance, and friction enhancement. Also, as shown inFIG. 11, the two separate body sections123aand123bcan pivot relative to one another and can be disassembled entirely. To disassemble the rack120ofFIG. 11, one may simply further rotate the lower body section123upward until the hooks130release from the support bar128. As shown inFIG. 13, in the in-use configuration, the back side of the side sections124bof the lower body section123bbear against the cross-member125because of the gap between the support bar128and cross-member125and because the higher elevation of the support member. Thus, the lower body section123will not loosely swing further rearward than the position shown.

FIGS. 16 and 17illustrate an installed wheel barrow storage rack120and a method of storing a wheel barrow. A mounting rail71is depicted as being mounted to a vertical surface200. The hook166of the mounting structure150of the rack120is shown hooked onto and suspended from the rail. Optional fasteners204can be received through the receiving openings170in the cap152, if desired, as shown inFIG. 16. A user should mount the rack120at an elevation adequate to receive and store a wheel barrow that is simply rolled into position as described below. In the in-use configuration, the lower body section123bis suspended by the hooks130from the upper body section123a. The adjustable bracket assembly178is shown in nearly an uppermost position on the body122.

A wheel barrow206can be positioned forward of the rack120with a wheel208and a front lip210of the wheel barrow bucket212positioned nearest the wheel barrow support132. In order to store the wheel barrow206, a user simply grasps the handles214of the wheel barrow206and raises the handles upward, which lowers the front lip210of the bucket212into the wheel barrow support132. The guide parts of the side sections124bguide the bucket into the receiving area and the cross-leg140retains the bucket in the receiving area of the wheel barrow support. The user then continues to raise the wheel barrow206by the handles214until a rear lip216of the bucket210is positioned adjacent the body122of the rack120.

The adjustable bracket assembly178may have been previously positioned in a proper location along the body122, or can be positioned easily in a proper location on the body122once the wheel barrow is raised into the stored configuration shown inFIG. 17. The adjustable bracket assembly178can be moved vertically along the body122to a desired position when oriented as shown inFIG. 7. Once in the proper position, the adjustable section180can be rotated or simply released, and it will drop to the locked position ofFIGS. 5 and 6. The user can, as needed, raise the wheel barrow catch section82to the raised or released position as shown inFIG. 5to position the rear lip216of the wheel barrow against the body122of the rack120. The catch section82can then be lowered or dropped so that the catch bar84bears against the rear lip216of the wheel barrow206. The weight of the wheel barrow may tip rearward, but the structure of the catch bar, connector arms, and adjustable section are such that the catch bar will very easily retain the wheel barrow in the upright, stored position as shown inFIG. 17.

In the disclosed examples, the adjustable sections80and180are shown with the portions (92or182) connected to the catch section82positioned on the forward side of the rack120, i.e., on the same side that the wheel barrow is stored. In an alternative example, though not shown, the adjustable sections80and180could be reversed when installed on the body122so that the connecting portions (92or182) to the catch section are on the back side of the body. In such an orientation, the weight of the wheel barrow, if it is inclined to tip rearward, would increase the friction between the adjustable sections80or180and the body22or122, and particularly between the upper and intermediate cross-members90,92and the side sections of the body. Tests of prototypes have shown that the wheel barrow storage racks ofFIGS. 20 and 120work equally well, regardless of orientation of the adjustable section as disclosed herein but that it is easier to release the catch section in the orientation shown in the drawings. In this alternate configuration, the catch section82would be reversed when connected to the adjustable sections80or180.

The disclosed racks and methods allow for easy, convenient wheel barrow storage for the user. The user simply rolls the wheel barrow up to the wall with the front lip of the wheel barrow rear the support. The user then need only lift the handles of the wheel barrow, raise it up vertically, and attach the catch section to the rear lip of the wheel barrow. If utilized with an elongate support rail system, the rack position can also be horizontally adjusted along the rail as desired by the user for versatile, easy, and convenient storage of a wheel barrow.

The disclosed racks can be made using a wide variety of materials and components. In one example, wire components of various gages, as desired, can be utilized. A cast aluminum rail gripper can be employed along with the skeleton to provide a strong structure to handle the load imposed on the rack. However, other materials can be employed alone or in combination, such as plastics, alternative resins, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, sheet metal, mesh, or the like.

The disclosed racks can be formed of welded, bolted, screwed and/or hinged components. The racks can also be provided in various sizes and forms to accommodate a wider variety of sized and shaped items to be stored. The disclosed racks potentially has relatively unlimited length or size capability. The disclosed racks can alternatively be constructed from hollow tubing and be capable of telescoping to different lengths and/or widths. The racks could be used to store other wheeled items as well as other garage tools and outdoor tools.

The disclosed racks may be only one-piece in assembled condition and can come from the manufacturer fully assembled. Alternatively, the racks can come in assembled or unassembled parts. In one example, the racks can be folded up when not in use to take up less space and to keep the lower portion of the rack out of reach of small children. The disclosed racks can be constructed having two or more pieces suspended together, or can be one piece without folding capability. Also, the adjustable assembly bracket may be formed as one piece where pivoting the catch section will also pivot the whole bracket to lock or unlock.

The racks can also adjust to accommodate various sized and shaped wheel barrows without being removed or uninstalled. The disclosed racks and methods prevent the need for lifting the entire weight of the wheel barrow for storage. Instead, the wheel barrow need only be rolled to position and tilted into place in the rack. This makes installation safer and easier for the user. However, the racks can be installed at higher positions that may require lifting a wheel barrow upward in order to store it on the rack.

Although certain wheel barrow storage racks and methods have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.