IMPROVED CART

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cart having a chassis (2) and a storage part (1), said cart arranged to be moved by means of a transportation means (4), such as a truck, a crane, or the like, for the purpose of dumping the contents of the cart storage part into, for instance, a container (28). A hinge (5) pivotally connects the storage part (1) to the chassis (2). The cart is formed with a lever (6) arranged to actuate the storage part (1). To effect dumping, the transportation device (4) is arranged to engage the chassis (2) and to move the cart in such a manner that said lever (6) engages a stationary abutment means (29), such as a container wall, said storage part (1), when actuated by the lever (6) as a result of continued movement of the cart relative to the stationary abutment means (29), arranged to pivot about the hinge (5) from an essentially horizontal position to an essentially vertical position in order to effect dumping.

Description: IMPROVED CART The present invention relates to an improved cart, and particularly to an arrangement in a cart of the kind having a chassis and a storage space and being arranged to be moved with the aid of a transportation means, such as a truck, a crane, or the like, for the purpose of dumping the contents of the cart storage space into for instance a skip-type container. Carts of this kind are used e.g. within the building industry on building sites where they may be used particularly as carts for waste material. The waste- material carts are filled with waste at the building site and when filled they may be transported in any suitable manner to and their contents be dumped in a collection receptacle, such as a waste-material skip-type container known as a skip. A prior-art cart for this application is a cart known as a feed cart comprising a storage part which is secured to a chassis. The chassis wheel-axle supports two large rubber wheels positioned in a manner ensuring that most of the weight of the fully loaded cart is on the two wheels. The cart is also equipped with a smaller wheel of swivel type placed at the rear part of the cart, making the cart easy to maneouvre in narrow spaces, such as corridors, door entrances, and the like. A severe dis- advantage inherent in this type of carts is that they are difficult to empty. This is true particularly when their contents are to be dumped into a collection receptacle, such as a skip-type container. Normally, the dumping operation is effected with the aid of a transportation device, such as a crane, a wheel-mounted fork-lift loader, or with the aid of a truck. Dumping with the aid of a crane involves the use of a four-end wire device the wire ends of which are secured in four loops disposed at the upper edge of the cart in the vicinity of the cart corners. The cart is then lifted and thereafter lowered into the collection receptacle. When the cart reaches the collection receptacle bottom an operator must enter the collection receptacle in order to disconnect the wire ends. All four wire ends must be disconnected, whereupon one of the wire ends must be secured in a lifting hook provided at the smaller wheel of the cart. The operator thereafter leaves the collec- tion receptacle, and the cart is lifted with the aid of the crane, causing the cart to automatically dump its contents. Thus, it is not sufficient to disconnect merely two of the four wire ends that are attached to the upper cart edges, since this will not cause the cart to tilt sufficiently to be completely emptied as it is being lifted while supported from the other two wire ends. Dumping with the aid of a wheel-mounted loader of fork-lift type or with the aid of a truck is effected by attaching the four wire ends to the forks of the wheel- mounted loader or truck, an operation which, however, causes the same problem as when a crane is used for the dumping operation. In addition, the lifting range of wheel-mounted loaders and trucks often is restπced vertically, for which reason it is not unusual that the wire ends must be made to such a short length that the cart cannot be lowered sufficiently far to rest on the bottom face of a collection receptacle, such as a skip- type container, because the fork members abut against the upper edges of the collection receptacle. It is likewise understood that the operator is subjected to considerable inconvenience and danger as he has to climb into and out of a collection vessel that may also contain boards, glass, stone, nails and similar objects. The object of the subject invention thus is to provide a cart that is easy to empty, that is operation¬ ally reliable and reduces the amount of manual work required while at the same time it exposes the operator to less risks for personal injuries during the dumping operation. These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by means of a cart as described in the following and defined in the appended claims. A presently advantageous embodiment of the invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of a cart according to the invention, Fig. 2 illustrates the cart of Fig. 1 in a lifted position, with a lever of the cart engaging a collection receptacle, such as a skip-type container, Fig. 3 illustrates the manner of unlocking a locking device of the cart of Figs 1-2, Fig. 4 illustrates the dumping position of the cart of Figs 1-3, Figs 5-8 are enlarged views of a part of the cart assuming the various positions illustrated in Figs 1-4, and Figs 9-12 illustrate the dumping of the cart of Figs 1-8 by means of a transportation device, such as a crane or the like. The cart illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a storage part 1 and a chassis, generally designated by reference 2. In accordance with the shown embodiment, the chassis 2 comprises a wheel-axle 50 supporting two large rubber wheels 51 the position of which is such as to ensure that most of the weight of a fully loaded cart is on the two wheels. The cart also comprises a smaller, swivel-type wheel 52 disposed at the rear part of the cart. The chassis 2 is also equipped with means 3 for engagement with a transportation device 4. In accordance with the shown embodiment the transportation device 4 comprises fork members and could for instance be a truck or a wheel-mounted fork-lift loader. In this case the engagement means 3 consists of two profile members configured to allow reception therein of said fork members. The wheels 51, 52 and the engagement means 3 are shown in dashed lines in Figs 1-8. (See also the right- hand part of Fig. 9 wherein the wheels 51, 52 and the engement means 3 are shown in continuous lines) . A hinge 5 hingedly interconnects the storage part 1 and the chassis 2. The cart is equipped with a lever 6 which in accordance with the shown embodiment is pivotally connected to the storage part 1 by means of a pivot 7 (see Fig. 5) . According to the shown embodiment the pivot 7 is positioned in the area of the front bottom edge of the storage part 1 and preferably essentially midway between the longitudinal edges of the cart, preferably intermediate the profile members forming part of the above-mentioned engagement means 3. In accordance with the shown embodiment the lever 6 is pivotally connected to a pusher rod 9 by means of a pivot 8 (see Fig. 5) . The pusher rod 9 is formed with a stop mechanism, generally designated 10, comprising a spring means 11 and an end abutment means 12. The storage part 1 comprises a stationary member 13, which in accordance with the shown embodiment is formed with an aperture for passage-through of the pusher rod 9. In accordance with the shown embodiment the spring means 11 is attached to the end abutment means 12, surrounds the pusher rod 9, and is held between the abutment means 12 and the stationary member 13. The cart is formed with a locking mechanism, generally designated by reference 15, which in accordance with the shown embodiment comprises a catch 16 which by means of a hinge mechanism 17 is attached to the storage part 1. In its latching position illustrated in Fig. 5, the catch 16 engages a lug 18 which is rigidly secured to the chassis 2. The locking mechanism 15 likewise com¬ prises a spring means 19 which is secured to the catch 16 and to the storage part 1, biasing the catch 16 to the latching position thereof. In accordance with the shown embodiment the catch 16 is formed with an aperture for passage-through of the pusher rod 9. The pusher rod 9 is formed with an outwardly flanged portion 14, for instance in the shape of a bead arranged intermediate the catch 16 and the stationary member 13. In accordance with the shown embodiment the catch 16 is formed with a tongue 20 which m the position of Fig. 5 engages a pedal-operated mechanism, generally desig¬ nated by 21. The pedal-operated mechanism 21 comprises a pedal 22 which is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot member formed on the chassis 2 and which is connected to a projecting member 24 via a link 23, said member 24, in the position of Fig. 5, engaging the above- mentioned tongue 20. The pedal-operated mechanism 21 comprises a spring 25 one end of which is attached to the link 23 and the opposite end of which is attached to the chassis 2, thus biasing the pedal-operated mechanism 21 to a position, illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein said mechanism does not actuate the catch 16 for movement thereof in the unlocking direction. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment the lever 6 comprises a locking device, generally designated by reference 26, which is arranged to secure the lever 6 in a transportation position, illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the lever 6 is folded inwards, towards the storage part 1. In accordance with the shown embodiment the lever 6 likewise is formed with a gripping jaw mechanism 27 positioned in the area of the lever end remote from the pivot 7. The cart is primarily arranged to be emptied by dumping of its contents into a collection receptacle, such as a skip-type container 28. The dumping function of the cart will be described m the following with reference to Figs 1-8. In the starting position, the lever 6 preferably is folded so as to assume its position of transportation and the locking mechanism 15 is in its locking position, as illustrated in Figs 1 and 5. Once the locking device 26 has been released manually or mechanically, the outer end of the lever 6 is pulled downwards, to the position appearing from Figs 2 and 6. In this position, the pivotal movement of the lever 6 has caused the pusher rod 9 to perform a longitudinal movement, resulting in the spring means 11 of the stop mechanism 10 making contact with the stationary member 13 and the outwardly flanged portion 14 of the pusher rod 9 engaging the catch 16 (see encircled area of Fig. 6) . The catch, however, still assumes its locking position. A transportation device 4, such as a truck, engages the engagement means 3, whereupon the transportation device 4 moves the cart to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 6, wherein the gripping jaw mechanism 27 engages a stationary abutment means 29, in this case formed by the upper frame of the skip-type container 28. Further movement of the cart by means of the transportation device 4 towards the stationary abutment means 29 causes the lever 6 to pivot to the position illustrated m Figs 3 and 7, and consequently the catch 16, when actuated by the outwardly flanged portion 14 of the pusher rod 9, will move to an unlocking or release position, in which the catch 16 may be moved past the lug 18. In this position, further movement of the pusher rod 9 in the unlocking, i.e. release position, i.e. to the left in Figs 3 and 7, is prevented by the contact interaction between the stop mechanism 10 and the stationary member 13, with the result that the lever 6 cannot pivot further in the unlocking, release direction, i.e. clockwise as seen m Figs 3 and 7. Additional movement of the cart relative to the stationary abutment means 29 in an upwards direction and/or a forwards direction towards the skip-type container in Figs 3 and 7 consequently causes the cart storage part 1 to pivot about the hinge 5 to the dumping position of Figs 4 and 8, in which the storage part 1 assumes an essentially vertical position. In accordance with the preferred embodiment as shown the large front rubber wheels 51 provide a cushioning effect in contact with the bottom of the storage space 1 in said essentially vertical dumping position (see Figs 4 and 8) . The contact between the spring means 11 and the stationary member 13 also causes the lever 6 to be urged against the stationary abutment means 29, ensuring safe and continuous engagement of the lever with the stationary abutment means 29 during the dumping movement. When the dumping is completed, the cart is moved downwards and/or backwards, the storage part 1 being pivoted back about the hinge 5 to its essentially horizontal position, and the pivotal movement of the storage part 1 to the essentially horizontal position causes the catch 16 to snap into position behind the lug 18, where it is held fast, thus again assuming its locking position. If needed, the lever 6 may thereafter be shifted to the upwards-folded transportation position shown m Figs 1 and 5. In accordance with the shown embodiment, the transportation device 4 retains the chassis 2 in an essentially horizontal position during the entire dumping motion of the storage part 1. Owing to the position of the lever 6 relative to the hinge 5 a moment of force is exerted on the storage part 1, causing the latter to perform the dumping motion. Figs 1-8 also show the pedal-operated mechanism 21 the function of which will be described in the following with reference to these drawing figures. The pedal-operated mechanism 21 is arranged to release the locking mechanism 15 independently of the lever 6. The operator, by depressing the lower part of the pedal 22 of Fig. 5 e.g. by means of his foot, may cause the catch 16 to move to the unlatched or release position illustrated in Fig. 7. This movement may be achieved without the lever 6 contacting a stationary abutment. For instance, the lever could instead assume its inwards-folded position of transportation, illustrated in the right-hand part of Fig. 5. Thereafter, the storage part 1 may be tilted about the hinge 5, e.g. manually with the aid of a handle 30 (see Fig. 1) in order to produce the dumping movement. Since the pedal-operated mechanism 21 is spring- biased to a position in which it does not affect the locking mechanism for movement thereof in the release direction (see Fig. 5), it is sufficient to release the pressure on the pedal 22 in order for the pedal-operated mechanism 21 to resume its original position. When a dumping operation has been effected in the latter manner or with the aid of the lever 6 the catch 16 therefore may lockmgly snap to the position wherein it is held by the lug 18, since the projecting member 24 does not urge the catch 16 to move to its locking position, when the pedal- operated mechanism 21 assumes the original position shown The pedal-operated mechanism 21 may be used e.g. when the contents of the storage space 1 are to be emptied from building scaffolding down into a skip-type container. The feature allowing the storage part 1 to be locked to the chassis 2 prevents the dumping movement when the lever 6 and/or the pedal-operated mechanism 21 is/are not operated. In the following, reference will be made to Figs 9- 12. These drawing figures illustrate dumping of the cart in accordance with the invention with the aid of a transportation device, such as a crane, etcetera. The storage part 1 of the cart is formed with two attachment points 31 and 32, in the form of loops in accordance with the shown embodiment, said attachment points being arranged in spaced apart-positions at a level somewhat below the rear wall of the storage part 1. The storage part 1 likewise is formed with a device 33 of a hook- or finger-like configuration disposed at the storage part front wall. The hook device 33 preferably is centred laterally on the cart. Preferably, the hook device 33 is slightly angled in the downwards direction. The loops 31 and 32 and the hook device 33 preferably are arranged on the external face of the storage part 1. A triple-branch lifting device 34, e.g. in the form of a length of wire, is connected to a transportation device of hoisting type, such as a crane or the like (not shown), by means of a wire 35. The loops 31 and 32 are e.g. via hook-shaped means (not shown) removably con¬ nected to two of the wire-length branches whereas the third wire-length branch is connected to the hook-shaped device 33 via an interconnection member 36, such as a loop. The interconnection member 36 preferably is manu- factured from a material having a comparatively heavy dead weight, such as iron. When the cart is lifted, the dead weight of the cart urges the interconnecting member 36 to automatically assume its locked position around the hook-shaped device 33. Fig. 10 illustrates the cart in a lifted position. In this position, the locking mechanism 15 assumes its locked position, latching the chassis 2 to the storage part 1. Fig. 11 illustrates the manner in which the cart is deposited inside a collection receptacle, such as a skip-type container 28. When the cart rests against the bottom of the collection receptacle and the lifting device 34 slackens, the dead weight of the inter¬ connection member 36 causes the latter to disengage from the hook-shaped device 33. The cart may thereafter be lifted to the position illustrated in Fig. 12 to be emptied, without staff having to enter into the collection receptacle. During the dumping operation, the cart is suspended from the loops 31 and 32. The invention provides a cart which is easy to empty, by using either the lever, or the pedal-operated mechanism, or the lifting device. The construction of the cart is such that much less manual labour is required for emptying purposes than is the case in the prior art. Owing to the sturdy construction of the cart the latter is also very reliable. Since the manual work to effect dumping is reduced and since dangerous lifts and manual work are eliminated e.g. in the handling of collection receptacles filled with waste, the inventive cart likewise reduces the risks that personal injuries may be incurred in connection with the dumping procedure. It is easily understood that some deviations may be made from the described embodiment. For instance, while being emptied with the aid of the lever 6, the cart need not be lifted. Instead, the cart may be positioned e.g. on a ramp, or the collection receptacle be in a sunk position, the cart being moved manually or by mechanical means at ground level until the lever comes into contact with a stationary abutment means. It is likewise under¬ stood that the cart need not be emptied into a collection receptacle but that its contents could be dumped e.g. onto the ground, in which case , when the lever is used to effect the dumping, the stationary abutment means may be formed by any suitable stationary means that is immobile relative to the cart movement. All varieties and modifications that are comprised by the basic inventive idea should be regarded to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An improved cart having a chassis (2) and a storage part (1) , said cart arranged to be moved by means of a transportation means (4), such as a truck, a crane, or the like, for the purpose of dumping the contents of the cart storage part into for instance a container (28), c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that a hinge (5) pivotally connnects the storage part (1) to the chassis (2), in that the cart is formed with a lever (6) arranged to actuate the storage part (1), and in that to effect dumping, the transportation device (4) is arranged to engage the chassis (2) and to move the cart in such a manner that said lever (6) engages a stationary abutment means (29) , such as a container wall, said storage part (1), when actuated by the lever (6) as a result of continued movement of the cart relative to the stationary abutment means (29) , arranged to pivot about the hinge (5) from an essentially horizontal position to an essentially vertical position in order to effect dumping. 2. A cart as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the chassis (2) is arranged to be maintained in an essentially horizontal position by said transportation device (4) while the storage part (1) performs the dumping movement. 3. A cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the lever (6) is arranged to actuate the storage part (1) with a moment of force sufficient to cause said dumping movement of the storage part (1) . 4. A cart as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the lever (6) is connected to the storage part (1) ahead of the hinge (5) in the area of the front portion of the storage part (1), which portion is in a lowered position during dumping. 5. A cart as clajmed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a locking mechanism (15) latches the storage part (1) to the chassis (2) in order to prevent unintentional dumping movements, and in that the lever (6) is arranged to affect the locking mechanism (15) such that the locking mechansim (15) assumes its release position when the cart is being moved with the lever (6) in engagement with the stationary abutment means (29) . 6. A cart as claimed in claim 5, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that a pivot (7) pivotally connects the lever (6) with the storage part (1) , in that a pivot (8) connects the lever (6) with a pusher rod (9) , said rod (9) being movable so as to affect said locking mechanism (15), in that the cart is formed with a stop mechanism (10) , and in that the locking mechanism (15) comprises a catch (16) which in the locking position engages a projecting lug (18) which is rigidly arranged on said cart, said lever (6), when engaging said stationary abutment means (29) , arranged to initially perform a pivotal release movement upon continued movement of said cart relative to the stationary abutment means (29) , said pivotal movement being transformed into a preferably longitudinal movement of said pusher rod (9) , said movement of said pusher rod (9) bringing said pusher rod (9) to actuate the catch (16) for disengaging said catch from said lug (18), resulting in unlatching of said locking mechanism (15), whereafter said stop mechanism (10) is arranged to prevent further pivotal release movement of the lever (6) , continued movement of said cart relative to the stationary abutment means (29) thereafter producing said actuation on and consequently emptying of the storage part (1) . 7. A cart as claimed in claim 6, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that said locking mechanism (15) is formed with a spring means (19) biasing the catch (16) to the latching position thereof, in that the pusher rod (9) is formed with a member (14) which upon said movement of the pusher rod is arranged to press against the catch (16) against the action of said spring bias to allow said catch (16) to be moved out of engagement with the lug (18) by said pusher rod (9) . 8. A cart as claimed in claim 6 or 7, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that the stop mechanism (10) is secured to the pusher rod (9), and in that the stop mechanism (10) moves into contact with a stationary member (13) on said cart, when the catch (16) is moved to the release position, said contact between the stop mechanism (10) and the stationary member (13) preventing further movement of the pusher rod (9) and thus of the lever (6) m the unlatching direction once said release position is attained. 9. A cart as claimed in claim 8, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d m that the stop mechanism (10) comprises a spring means (11) and a stop member (12), said spring means (11) positioned between said stationary member (13) and said abutment (12) . 10. A cart as claimed in any one of claims 6 - 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that via the pivot (7) the lever (6) may be pivoted to, and by means of a locking device (26) preferably be locked in a position of trans¬ portation wherein it is folded inwards close to the cart, the direction of said pivotal movement being opposite to that of the pivotal release movement. 11. A cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the storage part (1) may be latched to the chassis (2) by means of a locking mechanism (15) for preventing unintentional dumping movements, and in that a pedal-operated mechanism (21) is arranged to actuate the locking mechanism (15) , said locking mechanism (15) arranged to be unlatched upon actuation of the pedal-operated mechanism (21) to allow said dumping movement of the storage part (1) . 12. A cart as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the cart chassis (2) has a wheel-axle (50) supporting at least one wheel (51) arranged, in said essentially vertical position, to engage said storage part (1) in order to dampen said dumping movement of said storage part (1) .

Inventors: BLOM FREDRIK, BLOM KENT, HANSEN STEFAN, BLOM, FREDRIK, BLOM, KENT, HANSEN, STEFAN
Applicants: BLOM FREDRIK, BLOM KENT, HANSEN STEFAN, BLOM, FREDRIK, BLOM, KENT, HANSEN, STEFAN
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B66F9
IPC codes: B62B3, B66C3, B66F9