Glass hand truck

A hand truck includes a frame, a handle attached to a rear side of the frame, a platform extending from a front side of the frame, a plurality of feet attached to an underside of the platform, at least one support member attached to the front side of the frame, and an axle supporting a plurality of wheels, wherein the axle is attached to the frame. The hand truck may include a standing configuration and a mobile configuration. In the standing configuration, the plurality of wheels and at least one of the plurality of feet contact a ground surface to support the hand truck such that the platform is arranged at an oblique angle with respect to the ground surface.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to hand trucks for carrying large or cumbersome objects.

BACKGROUND

Many people transport equipment or other objects in a delivery vehicle but require a way to transport the equipment or other objects beyond where the delivery vehicle travels. For example, large objects such as panes of glass must be transported from a parking area to a different location within a facility or building. A solution is to bring a hand truck in the delivery vehicle. Existing devices often fail to provide an efficient folding mechanism, acceptable ergonomics, and/or sufficient capacity for large cumbersome objects. There is a need for improved devices and methods for hand trucks designed for large cumbersome objects.

SUMMARY

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a hand truck comprises: a frame; a handle attached to a rear side of the frame; a platform extending from a front side of the frame; a plurality of feet attached to an underside of the platform; at least one support member attached to the front side of the frame; and an axle supporting a plurality of wheels, wherein the axle is attached to the frame, wherein: the hand truck comprises a standing configuration and a mobile configuration; and in the standing configuration, the plurality of wheels and at least one of the plurality of feet contact a ground surface to support the hand truck such that the platform is arranged at an oblique angle with respect to the ground surface.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a hand truck comprises: a frame comprising a left ‘U’ shaped member and a right ‘U’ shaped member; a platform attached to a front side of the left ‘U’ shaped member and to a front side of the right ‘U’ shaped member; a plurality of feet attached to an underside of the platform; and an axle supporting two wheels, wherein the axle is attached to the frame, wherein: the hand truck comprises a standing configuration and a mobile configuration; and in the standing configuration, the two wheels and at least one of the plurality of feet contact a ground surface to support the hand truck such that the platform is arranged at an oblique angle with respect to the ground surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6Billustrate embodiments of a hand truck100.FIG. 1shows the hand truck100holding at least one pane of glass10being manipulated by a user11. The hand truck100may include a frame101, a handle102attached to a rear side of the frame101, a platform110on a forward side of the frame101, at least one support member121-123on the forward side of the frame101, and at least one wheel145,146. The hand truck100may include a standing configuration (see, e.g.,FIG. 2) where the hand truck100can stand upright while supporting a large object (such as at least one pane of glass10) with minimal risk of tipping over. In the standing configuration, the hand truck100contacts the ground in at least three locations including each wheel145,146and at one location on the underside of the platform110(i.e., at least one of the feet111-114contact the ground). The hand truck100may also include a mobile configuration (see, e.g.,FIG. 1) where the user11pivots the hand truck100about the axle141such that the platform110(and the feet111-114) do not contact the ground and the hand truck100can roll via the wheels145,146and the axle141. The user11typically supports the hand truck100using at least one of the handle102and the frame101in the mobile configuration. References to a “wheel” herein are meant to include (i) a combination of a wheel and pneumatic or semi-pneumatic tire, (ii) a combination of a wheel and a solid rubber tire, (iii) a tire with a solid or non-removable hub, or (iv) any other appropriate wheel and/or tire.

In some embodiments, the frame101includes a left member103, a right member104, a lower plate132, an upper plate133, and at least one rear brace member107,108. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the left member103may be formed from a single component that is bent or formed in a ‘C’ or ‘U’ shape having a curved portion105, a front portion103.1, and a rear portion103.2. In some embodiments, the front portion103.1, the rear portion103.2, and/or the curved portion105are separate components that are attached to one another (e.g., by welding, mechanical fasteners, chemical fastening, or any other appropriate method). Although the curved portion105is shown at the top of the left member103, the curved portion105may be arranged at the bottom of the left member103, and the curved portion105may have any other appropriate shape (e.g., including a straight segment between the front portion103.1and the rear portion103.2). As shown inFIGS. 2-4, the right member104may be formed from a single component that is bent or formed in a ‘C’ or ‘U’ shape having a curved portion106, a front portion104.1, and a rear portion104.2. In some embodiments, the front portion104.1, the rear portion104.2, and/or the curved portion106are separate components that are attached to one another (e.g., by welding, mechanical fasteners, chemical fastening, or any other appropriate method). Although the curved portion106is shown at the top of the right member104, the curved portion106may be arranged at the bottom of the right member104, and the curved portion106may have any other appropriate shape (e.g., including a straight segment between the front portion104.1and the rear portion104.2).

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the lower plate132may be a flat plate with a flange on at least one edge and may be attached to the front portion103.1, the rear portion103.2, the front portion104.1, and the rear portion104.2. Similarly, the upper plate133may be a flat plate with a flange on at least one edge and may be attached to the front portion103.1, the rear portion103.2, the front portion104.1, and the rear portion104.2. In some embodiments, the lower and upper plates132and133each include (i) flanges that extend upward at their respective side edges (i.e., between the front and rear portions of the frame101) and (ii) flanges that extend downward at their respective front/rear edges (i.e., between the left member103and the right member104). The lower and upper plates132and133increase stability of the frame101and react shear loads.

The platform110is attached to the front portion103.1of the left member103and the front portion104.1of the right member104. As shown inFIG. 2, the platform110includes a lower portion110.1and an upright portion110.2. In some embodiments, the lower portion110.1is pivotably attached to the upright portion110.2such that the lower portion110.1has a deployed position (as shown in the drawings) and a retracted position (not shown) where the lower portion110.1folds up and against the frame101when the hand truck100is stored or not being used (see rotation direction R inFIG. 2). The lower portion110.1may be covered in rubber to grip objects (such as panes of glass10) and may also include a protrusion115to prevent objects from sliding off the lower portion110.1. The protrusion115may be thermoplastic polyethylene or any other appropriate material. In some embodiments, when the lower portion110.1is in the deployed position, the frame101and the lower portion110.1form an acute angle, which along with the protrusion115, prevents objects from sliding off the lower portion110.1. In other words, when the lower portion110.1rotates from the deployed position to the retracted position, the rotation angle is less than 90°. The platform110may be arranged at a 90° angle relative to the frame101where the mounting structure for the axle141is attached to the frame101at an oblique angle (see description of axle mount members143and144below) such that the platform110is not parallel to the ground when the hand truck100is in the standing configuration. In some embodiments, the lower portion110.1may include a biasing mechanism (including, for example, one or more of a detent, a spring, or any other appropriate mechanism) that biases the lower portion110.1toward at least one of the deployed position and the retracted position.

To support the hand truck100in the standing configuration, the underside of the lower portion110.1includes at least one foot that interfaces with the ground to secure the hand truck100(seeFIG. 1). In some embodiments, to match the acute angle described above, the two front feet111and112(closer to the outer edge of the lower portion110.1) are taller than the two rear feet113and114(closer to the frame101). The feet111-114may include a compliant material that ensures sufficient grip when the feet engage the ground. The feet111-114may also include a durable material. The feet111-114also raise the platform110off the ground to provide clearance between the object (such as a pane of glass10) and the ground. In some embodiments, the feet111-114provide a clearance between the bottom of the platform110and the ground of at least 1″.

On the front side of the frame101, the hand truck100includes at least one support member. In some embodiments, as illustrated in the drawings, the hand truck100includes three support members121,122, and123. However, the hand truck100may include any number of support members such as two, four, five, or more. The lower support member121is attached to the front portion103.1of the left member103and the front portion104.1of the right member104. The lower support member121may be attached at approximately the same height as the wheels145,146and, as shown in the figures, the lower support member121may be attached above the axle141(when viewed from the front or rear).

The middle support member122is attached to the front portion103.1of the left member103and the front portion104.1of the right member104. The middle support member122may be attached at approximately half the vertical height of the frame101and/or may be attached approximately half way between the lower support member121and the upper support member123.

The upper support member123is attached to the front portion103.1of the left member103and the front portion104.1of the right member104. The upper support member123may be attached at or near the connection between the curved portions105,106and the front portions103.1,104.1, respectively.

The length of the support members121-123may be approximately equal to (i) the width of the platform110or (ii) the total width between the outer surfaces of the two wheels145,146. However the length of the support members121-123may be any appropriate size ranging from (i) the distance between the front portion103.1of the left member103and the front portion104.1of the right member104to (ii) a multiple of the width of the platform110. In other words, the support members121-123may be as long as 1.5× the width of the platform110, 2× the width of the platform110, 3× the width of the platform110, 5× the width of the platform110, or any other appropriate length needed to accommodate large panes of glass10. The support members121-123may be a flexible or compliant material for interfacing with objects such as panes of glass10. In some embodiments, as shown in the drawings, the support members121-123may each be members having a box or “C” cross section, which are configured to attach replaceable and/or sacrificial components such as padding members124,125, and126, respectively. The padding members124-126may be a flexible or compliant material such as rubber or plastic and have a length that is equal to or longer than the length of the support members121-123. The padding members124-126may attach to the support members121-123using adhesive, mechanical fasteners (such as vertically extending pins), and/or any other appropriate attachment.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the lower rear brace member107and the upper rear brace member108are each attached to the rear portion103.2of the left member103and the rear portion104.2of the right member104. A handle102attaches to the lower rear brace member107and the upper rear brace member108. The handle102may be a single piece extending between the lower rear brace member107and the upper rear brace member108(as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4) or may be multiple components attached to one another. As shown inFIG. 3, the handle102may have straight segments extending rearward from the rear brace members107,108and a curved portion that is approximately semicircular or may have any other appropriate shape (such as oval, square, rectangular, triangular, etc.). The handle102extends rearward from the frame101to allow the user11to secure the hand truck100in the mobile configuration. The handle102allows the user11to carry an object (such as a pane of glass10) that is taller than the user11(i.e., the offset of the handle102allows the user11to step rearward from the frame101).

The hand truck100may include a strap135and articulating rod131for securing objects to the hand truck100(seeFIGS. 1-5). As shown inFIG. 1, the strap135is wrapped around an object (such as a pane of glass10) and each end of the strap135is attached to the articulating rod131. After the strap135is looped around the object, the handle136may be used to rotate the articulating rod131. Due to the cammed profile of the articulating rod131, rotation causes the strap135to be pulled in tension around the object. As shown inFIGS. 2-4, the articulating rod131extends between the lower plate132and toward and through the upper plate133where the handle136of the rod131is disposed above the upper plate133. There may be a bracket134attached to an upper side of the upper plate133that secures the articulating rod131. In some embodiments, each of the lower and upper plates132and133are attached to the front and rear portions of the left member103and of the right member104.

As shown in the drawings, the hand truck100may include axle mount members143and144. The left axle mount member143attaches to at least one of the front portion103.1and the rear portion103.2of the left member103. Similarly, the right axle mount member144attaches to at least one of the front portion104.1and the rear portion104.2of the right member104. In some embodiments, the left axle mount member143and the right axle mount member144are mirror images of one another. The axle mount members143and144extend rearward to attach axle141rearward of the frame101. In contrast, conventional hand trucks mount the axle immediately adjacent to the frame (i.e., close to or in between the front and rear frame portions). As shown inFIG. 6B, the distance between the front and rear frame portions (of left member103and right member104) is defined as X. Due to the axle mount members143and144, the distance D between the axle141and the front of the frame101is approximately 1.5×-3×. In addition, the axle mount members143and144are attached at an oblique angle relative to the frame101and thus relative to the ground (i.e., neither parallel nor perpendicular). In some embodiments, the axle mount members143and144are attached at an angle of approximately 75-89.9° with respect to the frame101(i.e., 0.1-15° from perpendicular) or any other appropriate angle. In some embodiments, the axle mount members143and144are attached at an angle of approximately 84° with respect to the frame101(i.e., 6° from perpendicular). The distance between the axle141and the feet111and112provides a larger more stable footprint compared to conventional hand trucks. This larger wheelbase (compared to conventional hand trucks), which is based on the length of the axle mount members143and144, allows the hand truck100to stand upright with reduced risk of falling over. The hand truck100is less likely to fall over because the distance (in a direction approximately parallel to the surface of the ground) between the center of gravity of the object (such as a pane of glass10) and the axle141is increased compared to conventional hand trucks.

The hand truck100may include a brake mechanism that includes a pedal156, a compressible cylinder155, and a lock bar151.FIG. 6Ashows a disengaged configuration for the brake mechanism andFIG. 6Bshows an engaged configuration. As shown inFIG. 6A, the pedal156is in an up position156awhen the brake mechanism is in the disengaged configuration. To move the brake mechanism from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration, the user11pushes the pedal156from the up position156ato the down position156b(as shown inFIG. 6B) such that the pedal156rotates about the axis of the lock bar151(the lock bar151may or may not rotate with the pedal156). When the pedal156is pushed down and rotates toward the engaged configuration, the lock bar151moves from its up position151a(disengaged configuration, seeFIG. 6A) toward its down position151b(engaged configuration, seeFIG. 6B). In the down position151b, the lock bar151contacts at least one of the wheels145,146to limit movement of the hand truck100. The lock bar151is constrained to move within channels157and158, which limit both (i) the minimum and maximum movement in the vertical direction (i.e., movement between the up position151aand the down position151b) and (ii) movement that is perpendicular to the frame. The brake mechanism may also include at least one resetting portion154that may be pressed to move from the engaged configuration back to the disengaged configuration. In some embodiments, the compressible cylinder155may include a biasing mechanism (including, for example, one or more of a detent, a spring, a hydraulic cylinder, or any other appropriate mechanism) that biases the components of the brake mechanism toward at least one of the disengaged configuration and the engaged configuration. A portion of the compressible cylinder155(such as the upper end) may be attached to a cross member152.

The components of the hand truck100may be formed of materials including, but not limited to, steel, machined aluminum, carbon composite, plastic, thermoplastic, tool steel, aluminum, stainless steel, other plastic or polymer materials, other metallic materials, other composite materials, or other similar materials. Moreover, the components of the hand truck100may be attached to one another via suitable fasteners, which include, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, rivets, welding, brazing, adhesive, or other mechanical or chemical fasteners.