Patent Abstract:
A pallet truck steer wheel safety guard is provided. In combination with a steering assembly of a pallet truck, a steer wheel safety guard is disposed behind the steer wheel and defines a length parallel to the axis of rotation of the steer wheel. The safety guard defines a height perpendicular to such length, the height extending below the axis of rotation of the steer wheel. The safety guard includes a bumper, and may also include at least one strut extending from the bumper for attachment to the pallet truck.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The presently disclosed technology relates to a safety guard for a pallet truck. More particularly, the presently disclosed technology provides a safety guard for the rear steer wheel assembly of a pallet truck. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Pallet trucks are used to lift, pull, push, and move loaded pallets. A pallet truck typically includes a frame with two forks extending forwardly of the frame. Extending behind the frame is an operator handle, by which the pallet truck may be maneuvered by a worker. At least one steer wheel is provided behind the frame, and is turnable by movement of the operator handle; two steer wheels are often provided. The steer wheel(s), located behind the frame, is close to the feet of a worker using the pallet truck. 
   So configured, the pallet truck is pulled and pushed by a worker with the operator handle, the steer wheel(s) allowing for turning of the pallet truck by side-to-side orientation of the operator handle relative to the pallet truck frame. 
   In operation, the forks of a pallet truck may first be positioned beneath a loaded pallet. By thereafter pivoting the operator handle downwardly, a lifting mechanism of the pallet truck causes the frame and forks to raise, thereby lifting the loaded pallet from the surface upon which it had rested. Various lifting mechanisms have been provided in the art, which cause the forks and frame to lift the weight of the loaded pallet so that the pallet may thereafter be transported upon the pallet truck. Part of the weight of the loaded pallet truck is borne by the steer wheel(s) at the rear of the pallet truck. So loaded, the pallet truck may be pulled and pushed to a second location, and the load thereafter lowered and removed from the forks  24 ,  25 . 
   Various embodiments of pallet trucks are known, as disclosed in part in the following references, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes:
         U.S. Pat. No. 2,309,138   U.S. Pat. No. 2,488,521   U.S. Pat. No. 2,940,767   U.S. Pat. No. 2,462,007   U.S. Pat. No. 2,993,703   U.S. Pat. No. 3,026,089   U.S. Pat. No. 3,119,627   U.S. Pat. No. 3,188,107   U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,617   U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,985   U.S. Pat. No. 3,462,167   U.S. Pat. No. 3,567,240   U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,922   U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,211   U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,147   U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,338   U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,767   U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,901   U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,669   U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,972   U.S. Pat. No. D401,716   U.S. Pat. No. D419,741
 
In all such embodiments, at least one steer wheel is included at the rear of the pallet truck, near the location at which the operator of such a pallet truck is positioned during use of the pallet truck.
       

   Use of a pallet truck with a rear steel wheel (or wheels) subjects the operator to the risk of running over his/her foot with the rear steer wheel as the operator pulls the pallet truck toward himself or herself, a maneuver required in the use of such a pallet truck. Particularly with loaded pallet trucks, that risk may cause great physical injury to the foot. An operator&#39;s foot may slip to the wheel(s) while trying to pull the pallet truck toward the operator, or an operator may allow his/her foot to remain too long in the path of a steer wheel of a pallet truck rolling backwards. Furthermore, the feet of nearby co-workers are also at risk of injury from the rolling of such rear steer wheels. 
   In view of the wide use of pallet trucks and the risks of injury to operators thereof of running over one&#39;s own foot or the foot of a co-worker with a rear steer wheel, it would be desirable to provide a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A pallet truck steer wheel safety guard is disclosed. In accordance with certain aspects of certain embodiments of the present subject matter, a combination is provided of a pallet truck that includes a steering assembly and a steer wheel safety guard. The steering assembly includes at least one rear steer wheel, the rear steer wheel defining an axis of rotation residing in a horizontal plane. The axis of rotation may be turnable in the horizontal plane relative to the orientation of the pallet truck. The steer wheel safety guard is carried by the steering assembly and is turnable with the steering assembly relative to the orientation of the pallet truck. The safety guard is disposed behind the rear steer wheel, and defines a length parallel to the axis of rotation of the steer wheel. Further, the safety guard defines a height perpendicular to the length, the height extending below the plane of the axis of rotation of the steer wheel. 
   In accordance with additional aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, the steer wheel safety guard may further include a strut, the strut attached to the safety guard and extending to and attached to the steering assembly. In accordance with yet additional aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, the steering assembly may include a steering column, the strut being attached to the steering column. 
   In accordance with still further aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, an axle may be provided, wherein the rear steer wheel rotates upon the axle, and an axle strut may be provided extending from the safety guard to the axle and carried by the axle. 
   In accordance with other aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, a combination is provided that includes a pallet truck with a steering assembly turnable relative to the pallet truck. The steering assembly includes a rear steer wheel defining a width and rotating upon an axle. The axle may reside in a horizontal plane. The combination may further provide a steer wheel safety guard that includes a bumper disposed behind the rear steer wheel and a strut attached to the bumper and carried by the steering assembly. The safety guard may define a length parallel to the axle, the length approximating the width of the rear steer wheel. The safety guard may further define a height perpendicular to the length, the height extending below the plane in which the axle resides. 
   In accordance with additional aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, the rear steer wheel may be adapted to roll upon a surface below the axle, with the safety guard extending downwardly proximate to that surface. 
   In accordance with still further aspects of the present subject matter, the bumper may include flanges extending forward and adjacent to the rear steer wheel(s). Still further, an axle strut may be provided, extending from the bumper to the axle. The axle strut may define an aperture therethrough, with the axle disposed through the aperture. The axle strut may be disposed upon the axle inboard of the rear steer wheel(s), or outboard of the rear steer wheel(s). Further, the aperture may include a mounting slot adapted for passage of the axle therethrough. 
   In accordance with aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, a combination is provided of a pallet truck and a steer wheel safety guard. The pallet truck has a steering assembly including steer wheels and a steering column. The steer wheels reside on an axis of rotation. The steer wheels together define a side-to-side width along the axis of rotation, and further define a radius of rotation. The steering column may be in communication with the steer wheels to turn the axis of rotation relative to the pallet truck. The safety guard may include a bumper, the bumper being disposed behind the steer wheels. The bumper may define a length parallel to the axis rotation upon which the steer wheels reside, that length at least as great as the side-to-side width of the steer wheels. The bumper may further define a height perpendicular to the length, the height extending at least half of the radius of the steer wheels below the axle. The safety guard may further include a steering column strut, the strut having opposed ends. One end of such steering columns strut may be attached to the bumper and the other end may be attached to the steering column. 
   In accordance with additional aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, the steer wheels may be adapted to roll upon a surface below the axle and the safety guard may extend proximate to that surface. In accordance with yet additional aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, the bumper may further include flanges extending forward adjacent to the rear steer wheels. 
   In accordance with still further aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, an axle may be provided along the axis rotation of the steer wheels, and a axle strut may be provided extending from the bumper to the axle. The axle strut may define an aperture therethrough with the axle disposed through the aperture. The axle strut may be disposed upon the axle inboard of the rear steering wheels, or outboard of the rear steering wheels. In other embodiments, the aperture in the axle strut may include a mounting slot adapted for passage therethrough of the axle. 
   Additional aspects and features of the present subject matter are set forth in the appended drawings and in the detailed description below, or will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in this technology. It should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to specific features and elements may be practiced in various embodiments, and uses of the inventions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Variations might include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or aspects for those that are illustrated, referenced, or discussed herein, as well as the functional, operational, or positional reverse of various parts, features, aspects, or the like. It is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as presently preferred embodiments of the present subject matter, may include various combinations or configurations of the presently disclosed features, elements, or aspects, or their equivalents. Such embodiments may include combinations of features, parts, or aspects, or configurations thereof that are not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description. Additional embodiments of the present subject matter, not necessarily expressed in the summarized section, may include or incorporate various combinations of aspects of features, components, or aspects referenced in the summarized subjects above, and/or other features, components, or aspects as otherwise discussed in this disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments and others upon review of the remainder of this specification. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed toward one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. It should be noted that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale in all instances. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary pallet truck; 
       FIG. 2  is a first perspective view of a steering assembly of an exemplary pallet truck; 
       FIG. 3  is a second perspective view of a steering assembly of an exemplary pallet truck; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, attached to a steering assembly of a pallet truck; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. Features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a further embodiment. It is intended that the present application includes such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention. Selected combinations or aspects of the disclosed subject matter correspond to a plurality of different embodiments of the present invention. Certain features may be interchanged with certain devices or features not expressly mentioned, which perform the same or similar function. 
   The present subject matter may be more fully appreciated with reference to an exemplary pallet truck, an embodiment of which is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The pallet truck, generally  20 , is used to move a load  22  (depicted in phantom). The pallet truck  20  includes a frame  42  and forks  24 ,  25  extending forwardly from such frame. Forks  24 ,  25  may be rolled beneath load  22 , then the operator handle  38  pivoted up and down about handle pivot pin  40 , causing frame  42  and forks  24 ,  25  to raise, thereby also raising load  22 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a pallet truck includes at least one steer wheel  30  at the rear of the pallet truck. By moving operator handle  38  side to side, steer wheel  30  is caused to turn, thereby allowing for steering of pallet truck  20 . Operation of pallet truck  20  requires that an operator, generally A, lift, steer, push, and pull upon operator handle  38 . To do so, operator A is positioned near a steer wheel  30 . 
   Pallet truck  20  includes steering assembly  28 . An exemplary embodiment of a steering assembly  28  is depicted in greater detail in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . Operator handle  38  is attached to pallet truck  20  about handle pivot pin  40 . Pivoting operator handle  38  up and down about handle pivot pin  40  actuates the lifting mechanism of pallet truck  20 , raising and lowering frame  42  and forks  24 ,  25 . Swinging operator handle  38  side to side causes steering column  32  to turn steer wheels  30 . As can be seen particularly in  FIG. 3 , steering column  32  depends downwardly from frame  42 . Steer wheels  30  are mounted upon wheel axle  31 , which is disposed through steering column  32 . Wheel axle  31  is secured in steering column  32  with axle bolt  34 . 
     FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard in accordance with the present invention. The safety guard, generally  60 , includes a bumper  62  and a steering column strut  65 . Bumper  62  may be a rigid member, configured for placement behind the steer wheel of a pallet truck. More particularly, bumper  62  may be disposed proximate to the plane upon which the wheel of the pallet truck is to be operated, to thereby prevent accidental contact of the pallet truck steer wheels with the operator&#39;s foot. Safety guard  60  may also include flanges  72 , flanges  72  disposed to extend forward of bumper  62  and adjacent the rear steer wheel or steer wheels of the pallet truck. Steering column strut  65  is an elongated, rigid member. Steering column strut  65  includes strut end  66  which is attached to bumper  62 . Opposite strut end  66  may be included a tab  67 . Tab  67  may be used to mount safety guard  60  upon the steering assembly of a pallet truck. For example, tab  67  may be affixed to a steering column, such as steering column  32  in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . Such attachment may be made by bolting tab  67  to a steering column  32  through steering column strut hole  68 . Alternatively, tab  67  may be affixed to a steering column  32  by spot welding. Still alternatively, tab  67  may be affixed to a steering column  32  with use of a circumferential clamp, such as a hose clamp. Alternative methods of attachment of tab  67 , so as to result in a fixed structural assembly, may also be employed. Furthermore, tab  67  may alternatively be fixed upon other structures of a pallet truck steering assembly that turn with the steer wheel in other embodiments of pallet trucks. The embodiment of the safety guard depicted in  FIG. 4  includes lateral flanges  72 , but such flanges need not be provided in all instances. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard, of a configuration similar to that shown in  FIG. 4 , attached to a steering assembly of a pallet truck. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , safety guard  60  has been attached to steering column  32  with axle bolt  34 , axle bolt  34  having been disposed through tab  67  and through steering column  32 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a safety guard  60 . The embodiment of the safety guard  60  shown in  FIG. 5  includes a bumper  62 , a steering column strut  65 , a tab  67 , and flanges  72 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , however, also includes two axle struts  64   a,b . While two axle struts  64   a,b  are illustrated in  FIG. 5 , other embodiments may include only a single such axle strut  64   a  or  64   b . Axle struts  64   a,b  are elongated, rigid members, extending from bumper  62  for placement about a wheel axle  31  (such as shown in  FIG. 3 ) of a pallet truck. Axle struts  64   a,b  may include an axle hole  76   a,b , as illustrated for example in  FIG. 7 . Axle hole  76   a,b  may be defined within an axle strut  64   a,b  opposite the attachment of axle strut  64   a,b  to a bumper  62 . Axle hole  76   a,b  may be configured for the passage of a wheel axle  31  (see  FIG. 3 ) therethrough. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an axle strut  64   a,b  may be configured upon a safety guard  60  such that the axle strut  64  is carried by wheel axle  31  inboard of a wheel  30 , between a wheel  30  and steering column  32 ; such a configuration is depicted in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, the axle strut  64   a,b  may be configured upon the safety guard  60  such that, when mounted to a pallet truck, the axle struts  64   a,b  are disposed outboard of the steer wheel  30 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , opposite wheel  30  from steering column  32 . With reference to  FIG. 8  for illustration, in one embodiment safety guard  60  may include two axle struts  64   a,b  that are biased toward each other and that define axle holes  76   a,b  opposite bumper  62 . So configured, such a safety guard  60  may provide for snap-fit engagement of axle struts  64   a,b  over axle ends  36  of the steering assembly of a pallet truck. 
   Returning to  FIG. 5 , safety guard  60  with at least one axle strut  64   a  or  b  may also include an axle slot  74   a,b  leading to the aperture  76   a,b . Aperture slot  74   a,b  may be configured to allow passage into axle hole  76   a,b  of a wheel axle  31 , such that safety guard  60  may be installed upon a pallet truck without removal of a steer wheel  30  from the pallet truck steering assembly. For example, axle struts  64   a,b  may be inserted inboard of steer wheels  30 , on either side of steering column  32 , and interfitted on to wheel axle  31  by passing wheel axle  31  through axle slots  74   a,b , disposing wheel axle  31  in axle holes  76   a,b ; steering column strut  65  may then be affixed to steering column  32 , resulting in an assembled, installed, and functional pallet truck steer wheel safety guard. 
   A further embodiment of a pallet truck steer wheel safety guard in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , bumper  62  may be configured as a curvilinear shell. Although not illustrated in  FIG. 9 , such an embodiment of safety guard  60  may be attached to the steering assembly of a pallet truck as described above with reference to other embodiments of safety guard  60 . 
   As disclosed herein, the present invention provides a safety guard for a pallet truck steer wheel that protects the feet of operators of such a pallet truck from injury by such a steer wheel. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, modifications and variations may be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that aspects of various embodiments may be interchanged, both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to be a limitation of the invention as further described in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1