Abstract:
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelbarrow comprising a storage unit, and a wheel assembly associated with the storage unit and having at least one wheel of a predetermined diameter. The wheelbarrow further comprises at least one gripping member, also associated with the storage unit, and adapted for manipulation of the wheelbarrow by an operator. The storage unit is formed with at least one wall extending along a direction tangent to the at least one wheel. The wheelbarrow is adapted to assume a first, ‘transport’ position in which the wheelbarrow is transportable about upon the wheel assembly, and a second, ‘L’ position in which the wheelbarrow has an essentially vertical orientation with respect to a surface, in which the wheelbarrow is supported by the wheel assembly and the wall.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/935,771 filed date 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to wheelbarrows, in particular, wheelbarrows adapted for assuming an L position. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Wheelbarrows are known in the art to provide a convenient way of transporting a desired amount of material or items from one place to another. Common wheelbarrows comprise a storage unit, two gripping handles and a wheel attached to the storage unit, wherein an operator grabbing the handles, may maneuver the wheelbarrow about upon the wheel. 
         [0004]    A variety of modification on common wheelbarrow have been suggested in the art in order to provide a more convenient maneuvering thereof, more storage space, means for stable positioning said wheelbarrow on the ground etc. 
         [0005]    Also known in the art are hand trucks which typically are L-shaped handcarts with handles at one end, two or more wheels at the base, with a small ledge to set objects on, flat against the floor when the hand-truck is upright. The objects to be moved, typically of regular shape, are tilted forward, the ledge is inserted underneath them, and the objects allowed to tilt back and rest on the ledge. Then the truck and objects are tilted backward until the weight is balanced over the large wheels, making otherwise bulky and heavy objects easier to move. 
         [0006]    One such modification is disclosed in GB794752 directed to a wheelbarrow which comprises a pair of side members extending substantially parallel and longitudinally of the wheelbarrow, and a transverse front member, the side members forming handle parts on their rear extremities and being downwardly and forwardly inclined, in the normal upright position of the barrow, from the handle parts to the wheel mounting position, to form rear support parts for the rear wall of the pan of the barrow and beyond that position being upwardly and forwardly inclined to meet the transverse front member with which they form a front support part for the front wall of the pan. 
         [0007]    Another modification regarding the capacity of the storage unit is disclose in U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,933 which directed to a folding wheelbarrow which can be constructed so as to utilize a wheelbarrow body which is adapted to be folded or manipulated from a normal position into a folded position. Such a body is attached to a wheel support serving to carry a normal wheel and handles. In order to achieve a satisfactory folding action each such body is constructed so as to have a bottom wall including at least two bottom panels, a front wall having at least two front wall panels and sides connected by the bottom wall panel and the front wall panel. A plurality of separate linkage hinges connect the bottom and front wall panels and the sides so as to permit motion of the panels and the sides during manipulation of the body from a normal position into a folded position. A latch or latch-type structure is preferably used to connect at least two parts which pivot relative to one another during such folding so as to hold the body in its normal position. 
         [0008]    Another modification regarding the dual-purpose wheelbarrow is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,712 which is concerned with a multi-function hand truck is convertible to allow lifting of a load at a spaced distance from the truck and/or is convertible for use as a wheelbarrow. A pair of lifting arms co-operate with the frame of the hand truck to extend outwardly therefrom and allow the frame of the hand truck to provide a mechanical advantage for lifting. The wheels of the truck are moveable rearwardly for conversion to a wheelbarrow mode. An open top container is positioned within the frame of the hand truck for receiving material. The multi-function hand truck is efficiently stored in a vertical orientation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelbarrow comprising a storage unit, a wheel assembly associated with said storage unit and having at least one wheel of a predetermined diameter, and at least one gripping member, also associated with said storage unit, and adapted for manipulation of said wheelbarrow by an operator; said storage unit is formed with at least one wall extending along a direction tangent to said at least one wheel whereby said wheelbarrow is adapted to assume a first, ‘transport’ position in which said wheelbarrow is transportable about upon said wheel assembly, and a second, ‘L’ position in which said wheelbarrow has an essentially vertical orientation with respect to a surface in which said wheelbarrow is supported by said wheel assembly and said wall. 
         [0010]    The storage unit may be further formed with a bottom extension adapted to provide support for the wheelbarrow allowing it to assume a third, ‘stationary’ position. In this position, the wheelbarrow may be positioned on a surface without an operator supporting it by said at least one gripping element. 
         [0011]    Said storage unit may be formed with a bottom, front and side walls, and may be designed such as to allow nesting of one wheelbarrow within a similar corresponding wheelbarrow, thereby allowing stacking of a plurality of wheelbarrows one on top of the other in a compact manner. 
         [0012]    The rim of the wall of said storage unit may be adapted for attachment thereto of a shoveling edge so that in said ‘L’ position, said shoveling edge is in contact with said surface and may be used to scoop a certain amount of material or items positioned on said surface into said storage unit. Alternatively, the shoveling edge may be integrally formed with said storage unit. The shoveling edge may be formed as a wedge, facilitating easier scooping of said material into said storage unit, and may be made of various materials, e.g. plastic, steel, etc. The scooped material/items may be, for example, sand, cement, bricks, etc. Said storage unit may further comprise a barrier wall adapted to prevent said material from falling out of the storage unit when said wheelbarrow is in said ‘L’ position. 
         [0013]    The bottom end of said storage unit may be formed with a foot-rest adapted to allow and operator, when said wheelbarrow is in said ‘L’ position, to apply pressure using his foot in order to scoop material into said storage unit. According to a specific embodiment, said foot rest may be constituted by said wheel assembly. 
         [0014]    Said storage unit may further comprise a protective cover adapted to protect any material within said wheelbarrow from exposure to rain, environmental damage etc. for example, when transporting the material from one location to another. The protective cover may be detachably attachable to the storage unit and/or be stored away within a pre-designed enclosure of the storage unit. The protective cover may be made of nylon, canvas etc. 
         [0015]    According to a specific embodiment, said storage unit may be formed of a first portion and a second portion, hingedly articulated to each other, each portion having a bottom wall, a front wall and at least one side wall extending from said bottom wall. The storage unit may assume a first storage position, i.e. ‘container position’, and a second storage position, i.e. ‘wheelbarrow’ position. 
         [0016]    In said container position, the front wall of said first portion may be essentially flush against the front wall of said second portion to form a uniform front surface, the bottom walls of each of the portions being spaced apart by said at least one side wall of each portion. In this position, the two portions of said storage unit may form a container, wherein in said ‘L’ position, said uniform front surface is adapted to support the weight of a material stored within said storage unit. According to a specific embodiment, said container is open at the end opposite said uniform front surface so as to allow top loading of material therein when said wheelbarrow is in said ‘L’ position. 
         [0017]    Said storage unit may comprise a securing mechanism adapted to securely connect said first portion to said second portion in order to said container from opening by rotation of one of said portions about the hinge. Said securing mechanism may be in the form of a latch arrangement, snapping arrangement, etc. 
         [0018]    The rim of each portion of said storage unit may be formed with a rail and said latch mechanism may be slidable along said rail. Thus, the securing mechanism may also secure the two portions when in the ‘wheelbarrow’ position, for example, by slidingly displacing the latch to the seam line between said first and said second portion, so as to embrace the rim of both portions. 
         [0019]    In said wheelbarrow position, the bottom wall of said first portion may be essentially flush against the bottom wall of said second portion to form a uniform bottom surface, the front walls of each of the portions being spaced apart by said at least one side wall of each portion. In this position, the two portions of said storage unit may form an open wheelbarrow storage unit surrounded by the front and side walls of each portion. In a ‘transport’ position, said uniform bottom surface is adapted to support the weight of a material loaded on said storage unit. 
         [0020]    Each of the portions may be perforated allowing transport of material requiring circulation of air etc. Said first and/or said second portion may be fitted with a lid adapted to cover the top end of the container at the ‘container’ position. The lid may be articulated to either of said portions, for example, using a hinge. The gripping element may be articulated to the first portion of said storage unit. 
         [0021]    According to a specific embodiment, said wheelbarrow may comprise a support frame. Said support frame may be formed of at least one longitudinal bar and at least one transverse bar, adapted to provide support for said storage unit. According to a specific embodiment, said support frame is formed of two longitudinal bars and several transverse bars providing the frame with required rigidity. Each of the two longitudinal bars may be formed with said gripping element. Each of said two longitudinal bars may also be telescopic, allowing the bars to extend so as to provide additional length to the frame when said storage unit is at the ‘wheelbarrow’ position. 
         [0022]    Said storage unit may be detachably attachable to/from said support frame. For this purpose, said storage unit may be fitted with at least one hook formed at the bottom wall thereof, whereby said storage unit may be hung on said at least one transverse bar of the support frame. Alternatively, the side and bottom walls of said storage unit may be formed with at least one longitudinal rib adapted to slide within at least one corresponding longitudinal rail formed within said longitudinal bar. This may provide further stability and prevent spontaneous disengagement of said storage unit from said support frame. 
         [0023]    The storage unit may also comprise a handle adapted for carrying said storage unit when in said ‘container’ position, thereby transforming it into a portable storage unit module. According to a specific embodiment, said handle may comprise the securing mechanism securing said portions to one another. The handle may also be used for attaching said storage unit to said support frame. 
         [0024]    Said support frame may also comprise a back support hingedly articulated to one of said transverse bars and adapted to provide support for the wheelbarrow when in positioned horizontally on said surface in a ‘transport’ position by assuming a position in which it extends between said support frame and said surface. Said back support may have a closed position in which it extends essentially in the direction of the longitudinal bars and an open position in which said back support extends perpendicularly to said frame, whereby, in a ‘transport’ position, said back support assumes the position described above. Said back support may be freely attached to said transverse bar so as to automatically assume its position be gravitational force. 
         [0025]    Said support frame may further comprise a rotatable platform hingedly articulated to a bottom transverse bar of said support frame and adapted to be tilted to become essentially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis in order to provide support for said storage unit and/or to various items positioned thereon. In this configuration, the wheelbarrow may be used as a hand truck. 
         [0026]    Said platform may be of greater dimension than the front walls of said first and second portions wherein when said storage unit is attached to said support frame, said platform may extend beyond said front wall. In this case, said platform may be provided with a shoveling edge as described previously with respect to said storage unit to provide convenient scooping of material into said storage unit. 
         [0027]    The wheel assembly of said wheelbarrow may be formed of two wheels mounted on a mutual axis, said wheels being spaced apart to provide said wheelbarrow with stability during both first and second position. The wheel assembly may be adapted to be detachably attached to the bottom of said storage unit or said support frame. Alternatively, said mutual axis may be integrally formed with said storage unit, wherein said wheels are adapted to be detachably attachable to said mutual axis. This may allow convenient storage of a plurality of wheelbarrows within a predetermined space, e.g. during shipment. 
         [0028]    The wheelbarrow may comprise two gripping elements adapted for the hands of an operator, each gripping element being formed with two gripping surfaces angled to each other, a first gripping surface being adapted for gripping in said first position of the wheelbarrow and said second gripping surface being adapted for gripping in said second ‘L’ position. Alternatively, each of said gripping elements may be formed as a closed frame having an inner circumference, and a single gripping surface adapted to be freely displaced along said inner circumference, allowing convenient gripping thereof both in said first ‘transport’ position and in said second ‘L’ position. 
         [0029]    According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, said wheelbarrow excluding said wheels, may be made of plastic and formed as a single injection molding element. 
         [0030]    According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage unit for a wheelbarrow comprising a first and a second storage unit portions, each portion comprising a bottom wall, a front wall and two side walls, said second portion being articulated to said first portion so as to allow rotation thereof about said first portion about an axis, said storage unit having at least two positions:
       a) a container position in which the front wall of said first portion is essentially flush against the front wall of said second portion to form a uniform front surface, the bottom walls of each of the portions being spaced apart by said side walls of each portion to form a container.   b) a wheelbarrow position in which the bottom wall of said first portion is essentially flush against the bottom wall of said second portion to form a uniform bottom surface, the front walls of each of the portions being spaced apart by said side walls of each portion to form wheelbarrow platform.       
 
         [0033]    According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a wheelbarrow made of a single injection molding element, said wheelbarrow comprising a storage unit, at least one gripping means and an attachment port for a wheel assembly; said storage unit being formed with at least one wall extending along a direction tangent to said at least one wheel such whereby said wheelbarrow is adapted to assume a first ‘transport’ position in which said wheelbarrow is transportable about upon said wheel assembly, and a second position in which said wheelbarrow has an essentially vertical ‘L’ position in which at least a portion of said wall and said at least one wheel rest one a single planar surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of a wheelbarrow according to the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1  when in first, ‘stationary’ position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1  when in a second, ‘transport’ position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1  when in a third, upright L-like position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4A  is a bottom isometric view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4B  is a bottom isometric view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1  without a wheel assembly; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a gripping element of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of another wheelbarrow according to the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 6  in a first, ‘stationary’ position; 
           [0045]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 6  in a second, ‘transport’ position; 
           [0046]      FIG. 7C  is a side view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 6  in an upright ‘L’ position; 
           [0047]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 8  when converted into a ‘container’ position; 
           [0049]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a wheelbarrow according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 10  without a storage unit at an upright position; and 
           [0051]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the wheelbarrow of  FIG. 10  without a storage unit at an angled position with deployed support legs. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wheelbarrow generally designated  10  is shown comprising a storage unit  20 , a wheel assembly  30  attached to the storage unit  20 , and a handling portion  40  integrally formed with the storage unit  20 . 
         [0053]    The storage unit  20  is formed of a bottom wall  22 , a front wall  24 , a rear wall  26  and two side walls  28 , defining together a storage space  21  therein. The walls  24 ,  26  and  28  taper outwardly from the bottom wall  22  so as to allow manufacturing of the storage unit  20  by single injection molding. The tapering of the walls may also facilitate nesting of one wheelbarrow  10  within the storage space  21  of another wheelbarrow  10  allowing convenient stacking of wheelbarrows  10  one on top of the other. A top edge  24   a  of the front wall  24  is formed with a shoveling edge  25  fitted for scooping/shoveling of material from the ground as will be explained in detail with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0054]    In the present example the shoveling edge  25  is made of metal secured to the edge of the front wall  24 , however the shoveling edge may be made of other material e.g. reinforced plastic material. 
         [0055]    The wheel assembly  30  comprises two wheels  32  mounted on a common axle  33  (shown  FIG. 4A ), each wheel being formed of a rigid core  34  and a tire  36 . The core  34  is made of strong plastic and the tire  36  may be made of rubber or other material, optionally more resilient. However, the core and tire may be integral as well. The common axle  33  is mounted to the storage unit as will be explained with respect to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
         [0056]    The handling portion  40  is formed of two extensions  42  extending upwardly at an angle from the storage unit  20  to serve as handles for the wheelbarrow  10 . Each extension  42  is formed at its distal end with a gripping portion in the form of a rectangular handle  44  defining a space  46  therein and having an inside circumference  48 . With further reference to  FIG. 5 , the handle  44  is adapted for the grip of an operator of the wheelbarrow and its inside circumference  48  is formed of two section  48   a  and  48   b  the purpose of which will be explained later. 
         [0057]    Turning to  FIGS. 3A to 3C , the wheelbarrow  10  is shown in several respective positions. At the ‘stationary’ position of  FIG. 3A , the wheelbarrow  10  rests on the ground G upon the wheel assembly  32  and on a rear support extension  27  of the storage unit  20 , wherein a load may rest securely within the storage unit  20 . The extension  27  is hollow and forms part of the storage space  21  of the storage unit  20 . Reverting to  FIG. 2 , the extension  27  extends almost throughout the width of the wheelbarrow  10 . Upon nesting, the extension of one wheelbarrow nests within the extension of another wheelbarrow. 
         [0058]    At the ‘transport’ position ( FIG. 3B ), the extension  27  is lifted off the ground G by gripping the handles  44 , allowing maneuvering of the wheelbarrow  10  about the ground G upon the wheel assembly  32  alone. When maneuvering the wheelbarrow  10 , an operator may conveniently place his hands on the first section  48   a  of the inside circumference of the handle  44 , allowing easy handling of the wheelbarrow  10 . Alternatively, the operator may opt to manipulate the wheelbarrow by gripping the handle  44  at its other portions  48   b  and  49 . In the ‘transport’ position, most of the load of the wheelbarrow  10  is evenly distributed and supported by the wheel assembly  30  rather than by the operator, allowing carrying great amounts of material. 
         [0059]    At the upright L-like position, the wheelbarrow  10  rests on the ground G supported by the wheels  32  of the wheel assembly  30  and over the front wall  24 , resting substantially flush over the ground surface G. The tapering angle of the front wall  24  with respect to the bottom wall  22  is designed such that in the ‘L’ position, it is essentially flush against the ground G. 
         [0060]    The shoveling edge  25  formed at the top end  24   a  of the front wall  24  allows scooping/shoveling a substantial amount of loose material or solid material (not shown) into the wheelbarrow  10  by pushing the wheelbarrow  10  forward against the material. When loading the wheelbarrow  10  with material, the pushing forwards movement may be aided by the operator presenting his foot either on the wheel assembly  30  or on the extension  27 . When unloading a loaded wheelbarrow  10 , an operator may place his hands on the second gripping section  48   b  and tilt the wheelbarrow  10  about the shoveling edge  25  (in direction of arrow  59 ) to cause material within the storage unit to be unloaded. 
         [0061]    According to a specific embodiment (shown in  FIG. 3B  by a dashed line), a barrier wall  29  is provided within the storage unit  20  adapted to prevent material loaded therein from falling out of the wheelbarrow  10  at the upright position of  FIG. 3C . The barrier wall  29  may be a removable article securely received within slots formed in the side walls  28  and base  22 , or it may be hingidly secured to the bottom base  22  and rotated about the bottom  22  of the storage unit  20  when not in use, e.g. during loading of the wheelbarrow  10 . 
         [0062]    Turning to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the wheel assembly  30  is attached to the storage unit  20  via its axle  33 . In assembly the axle  33  is inserted through bearings  23   a,  with the support members  23   b  acting on the axle  33  to prevent it from buckling upwards and for supporting the base wall  22  of the storage unit  20 . Once the axle  33  is inserted, the wheels  32  are mounted on each side of the axle to form the wheel assembly  30 . According to a specific embodiment (not shown), the axle is formed of two sections, each having a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal ends of the axle sections are adapted to be connected to each other using a snap/screwing engagement, the distal ends of the axle sections being adapted for mounting thereon of the wheels  32 . According to a specific design variation (not shown), the axle  33  is integrally formed with the storage unit  20  and the wheels are rotatably mounted thereon. 
         [0063]    It is appreciated that the wheelbarrow  10  is typically a single mold article (‘mono-block’). However component injection may be used for some particular portions, e.g. hand grips, for obtaining reinforced portions of the structure and for a multi-colored article. Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated an isometric view of another embodiment of the wheelbarrow according to the present invention, generally designated  110 , and comprising a storage unit  120 , a wheel assembly  130  attached to the storage unit  120 , and a handling portion  140 . 
         [0064]    The storage unit  120  is formed of two portions  120   a  and  120   b,  the first portion  120   a  having a bottom wall  122   a,  a front wall  124 , and two side walls  128   a,  and the second portion  120   b  having a bottom wall  122   b,  a rear wall  126 , and two side walls  128   b,  both portions defining a storage space  121  therein. The bottom walls  122   a  and  122   b  are substantially flush at the position illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0065]    The walls  124 ,  126 ,  128   a  and  128   b  taper slightly outwardly from the bottom walls  122   a  and  122   b.  The tapering of the walls may also facilitate nesting of one storage unit  120  within the storage space  121  of another storage unit  120 , allowing convenient stacking of storage units one on top of the other. A top end  124   a  of the front wall  124  is formed with a shoveling edge  125  fitted for scooping/shoveling of material from the ground as will be explained in detail with respect to  FIG. 7C . 
         [0066]    The portions  120   a,    120   b  of the storage unit  120  are pivotally articulated to each other at  152 , the purpose of which will be explained in detail later with respect to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0067]    The wheel assembly  130  comprises two wheels  132  mounted on a common axle  133  (similar to the embodiment shown  FIG. 4A ), each wheel being formed of a hard core  134  and a softer lining  136 . The common axle  133  is mounted on the storage unit as will be explained with respect to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0068]    The handling portion  140  is in the form of two arm extensions  142  extending upwardly at an angle from the first portion  120   a  of the storage unit  120 , serving as handles for the wheelbarrow  110 . Each extension  142  is formed at its distal end with a gripping portion in the form of gripping handle  144 . 
         [0069]    Turning to  FIGS. 7A to 7C , the wheelbarrow  110  is shown at its ‘stationary’, ‘transport’ and ‘L’ (up-right) positions, respectively. At the ‘stationary’ position, the wheelbarrow  110  rests on the ground G upon the wheel assembly  130  and on a foldable support leg  127  extending from the first portion  120   a  of the storage unit  120 , wherein a load may rest securely within the storage unit  120 . The support leg  127  is hingedly articulated to the bottom of the first portion  120   a  and is adapted to be rotated about an axis of a hinge  127   a  to be deployed when the wheelbarrow  110  is at the ‘stationary’ position. The support leg  127  is pivotally secured to the hinge  127   a  such that when the wheelbarrow  110  is brought to the ‘stationary’ position, gravitational forces pull it down, automatically deploying it. However, the arrangement my be such that the support leg  127  is retained at a first discrete position where it is collapsed and prevented from dangling below the wheelbarrow  110 , so as not interfere with manipulating thereof ( FIGS. 7B and 7C ), or at a second discrete position where it is deployed as in  FIG. 7A . 
         [0070]    At the ‘transport’ position ( FIG. 7B ), the support leg  127  is disengaged from the ground G and the wheelbarrow is lifted by gripping the handles  44 , allowing maneuvering of the wheelbarrow  10  over the ground G upon the wheel assembly  30  alone. In the ‘transport’ position, most of the load of the wheelbarrow  110  and its contents is distributed over the first portion  120   a  and supported by the wheel assembly  130  rather than by the operator, allowing carrying great amounts of material. 
         [0071]    In the upright, so-called ‘L’ position, the wheelbarrow  110  rests on the ground G supported by the wheel assembly  130  and front wall  124 . The tapering angle of the front wall  124  with respect to the bottom walls  122   a  and  122   b  is designed such that at the ‘L’ position, it is essentially flush against the ground G. 
         [0072]    The shoveling edge  125  formed at the top end  124   a  of the front wall  124  allows scooping a substantial amount of material (not shown) into the wheelbarrow  110  by pushing the wheelbarrow  110  forward, for example against a heap of material. When loading the wheelbarrow  110  with material, the pushing forwards movement may be aided by the operator presenting his foot either on the wheel assembly  130 . 
         [0073]    According to a specific embodiment a partial barrier wall  129  ( FIG. 7C ) is provided within the storage unit  120  between at a fore end of the first portion  120   a,  adapted to prevent material loaded therein from falling out of the wheelbarrow  110 , similar to the arrangement shown  FIG. 3C . The barrier wall  129  may be removed or rotated about the bottom  122  of the storage unit  120  during loading of the wheelbarrow  110 . 
         [0074]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , the wheel assembly  130  is attached to the storage unit  120  via its axle  133 . In assembly the axle  133  is inserted through bearings  123   a.  Once the axle  133  is inserted, the wheels  132  are mounted on each side of the axle to form the wheel assembly  130 . According to a specific embodiment (not shown), the axle is formed of two sections, each having a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal ends of the axle sections are adapted to be connected to each other using a snap/screwing engagement, the distal ends of the axle sections being adapted for mounting thereon of the wheels. According to another design variation (not shown), the axle is integrally formed with the storage unit  120 . 
         [0075]    Turning to  FIG. 9 , and with reference to  FIG. 6 , the storage unit  120  may assume at least one of two positions: a ‘wheelbarrow’ position and a ‘container’ position. In the ‘wheelbarrow’ position depicted in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the two portions  120   a  and  120   b  are oriented such that the bottom walls  122   a,    122   b  of the portions form a uniform bottom surface  122 , surrounded by the front wall  124 , rear wall  126  and side walls  128   a  and  128   b  of the portions. The portions  120   a,    120   b  are in contact via a rim  125   a,    125   b  of the first and second portion respectively. In this position, as previously described, the storage unit  120  serves as a storage unit of a wheelbarrow  110 . 
         [0076]    At the ‘container’ position ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ), the second portion  120   b  is rotated about the hinge  127   a  in the direction of arrow  160  (into the position illustrated by dashed lines in  FIG. 9  and as seen in  FIG. 10 ) such that the rear wall  126  thereof becomes flush with the front wall  126  of the first portion  120   b  to form a uniform surface. The portions  120   a,    120   b  are connected through the rims  125   c,    125   d.  In order to secure the two portions, latches  154  are provided along the rim  125   d  adapted to connect the latter rim to the rip  125   c  of the first portion  120   a.  the rims  125   c,    125   d  of the portions  120   a,    120   b  may be fitted with a sealing arrangement, e.g. a resilient rim or the like, such that at the ‘container’ position loose material and liquids may be contained in the confined space  221  ( FIG. 10 ). In this position, when the wheelbarrow  110  is positioned in the upright ‘L’ position, it may be top loaded with any desired load since the rims  125   a,    125   b  define an opening directed upwards. 
         [0077]    Turning now to  FIGS. 10 to 12 , a similar embodiment of a wheelbarrow  210  according to the present invention is shown, comprising a support frame  270  constituted by two longitudinal bars  272 , a top transverse bar  274  and a bottom transverse bar  276 . The support frame further comprises two support legs  227  (shown  FIG. 12 ) similar to the support legs  127  of the embodiment illustrated in connection with  FIGS. 7A to 7C , for supporting the wheelbarrow at the ‘stationary position’. 
         [0078]    The wheelbarrow  210  further comprises a pivotable platform  278  which, secured at a bottom of the support frame  270 , will be discussed in details later. 
         [0079]    The support frame  270  forms the skeleton of the wheelbarrow  210  and the handling portion  240  and wheel assembly  230  are attached thereon to form a part thereof. The storage unit  220  is constructed similarly to that disclosed in the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 to 9  and operates essentially the same way as with regards to the storage unit  120  previously described. The storage unit  220  is fitted for detachably attaching to the support frame  270 . At the attached position ( FIG. 10 ) it rests over the pivotable platform  278  and is attached to a secure latch  281  ( FIG. 11 ) for the purpose of which the storage unit  220  is provided with two hooks (not shown) allowing it to be easily attached and detached, though in a fast and secure manner. 
         [0080]    The storage unit  220  may be detached from the support frame  270  so as to create a portable storage unit. For this purpose, the storage unit  220  is formed with a carrying handle  225  ( FIG. 10 ) allowing an operator to easily carry the storage unit  220  from one location to another. 
         [0081]    The handling portion  240  of the wheelbarrow  210  comprises two angled handles  242  which are positioned within the longitudinal bars  272  which are hollow so as to form a telescopic member. Thus, the handles  242  may be extended when the storage unit  220  is in the ‘wheelbarrow’ position and retracted when the storage unit  220  is in the ‘container’ position. 
         [0082]    The pivotal platform  278  is articulated to the support frame  270  by a hinge  279 . In the ‘container’ position, the platform  278  may assume a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal bars  272 , being essentially flush with the support frame  270 . Alternatively, the platform  278  may assume a position perpendicular to the longitudinal bars  272  (shown  FIG. 11 ) so as to support the weight of the storage unit  220 . When the storage unit  220  is removed from the support frame  270 , the platform  278  may be extended as shown in  FIG. 11  to transform the wheelbarrow  210  into a hand truck. 
         [0083]    Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.