Abstract:
The present invention provides a pushcart having a rotatable push bar disposed between a first support strut and a second support strut as well as a plurality of braking assemblies connecting to the push bar. By applying a force on the push bar, the braking assemblies release wheels disposed below a base plate, thereby moving the pushcart. On the contrary, by releasing the push bar, the braking assemblies stop the wheels, thereby stopping the pushcart. When not using the pushcart, the push bar and the base plate are folded and stored, thereby saving storage space and enhancing convenience.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a pushcart, particularly to a pushcart capable of braking. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a conventional pushcart  90  includes a push bar  91 , a base plate  92 , wheels  93  and support struts  94 . Each of the wheels  93  is provided on a bottom of the base plate  92 , while the two support struts  94  are disposed at each of two ends on top of a side of the base plate  92 . The push bar  91  and an auxiliary bar are then provided between the two support struts  94 . When transporting objects using the pushcart  90 , the to-be-transported objects are piled up on the base plate  92  of the pushcart  90  and are transported to the destination by pushing the push bar  91 . However, when moving objects to the base plate  92 , it is not possible to fix the pushcart  90  at a particular location and prevent it from sliding, especially on an unleveled road surface. In this way, the user has to tightly grasp the push bar  91  so as to keep the pushcart  90  at the original location while moving objects onto the base plate  92 , making the use of pushcart  90  inconvenient. When moving objects on unleveled locations, the pushcart may slide downward, because the user has to remove his/her hand from the push bar  91  of the pushcart  90  so as to move objects onto the base plate  92 , thereby making the use of the pushcart  90  inconvenient. Additionally, if objects are to be carried to several destinations, the pushcart  90  often has to be carefully stopped on a stable ground for temporarily unloading the objects midway, in order to prevent the pushcart  90  from sliding. 
         [0005]    In addition to the above drawbacks of the conventional design, after using the pushcart  90 , the pushcart  90  has to be properly folded and stored so as to save storage space. Consequently, improvements should be made to the conventional pushcart  90 , such that the pushcart is capable of braking, folding and storage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide a pushcart capable of easily controlling braking or moving, such that a braking assembly is released by applying a force on a first push bar, moving the pushcart. When releasing the first push bar, the braking assembly comes into contact with wheels of the pushcart, thereby preventing the wheels from moving and stopping the sliding movement of the pushcart. Additionally, another object of the present invention is to provide a pushcart capable of folding and storage. 
         [0007]    To achieve the above objects, the pushcart includes a base plate for carrying an object; a plurality of wheel assemblies are disposed below the base plate and include a plurality of wheels; a first support strut and a second support strut, being hollow and disposed on two ends of the base plate; a first push bar disposed between the first support strut and the second support strut; and a first braking assembly, having at least a first wiring and a first spring. The first wiring includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed on the first push bar, and the second end is connected to a first brake pad. The first wiring is provided on the inside of the hollow first support strut, while the first spring is disposed between the first brake pad and the wheel assembly, thereby moving or stopping the pushcart. 
         [0008]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a second braking assembly includes at least a second wiring and a second spring, wherein the second wiring includes a third end and a fourth end. The third end is provided on the first push bar, whereas the fourth end is connected to a second brake pad. The second wiring is provided on the inside of the hollow second support strut, whereas the second spring is provided between the second brake pad and the wheel assembly. 
         [0009]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pushcart includes a pivotal member, which is pivotally connected to the first push bar and is connected to the first wiring thereon. The pivotal member is an eccentric sleeve that is pivotally connected to the first push bar. A slot is then provided on an eccentric position of the eccentric sleeve, such that the slot is pivotally connected to the first wiring. 
         [0010]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first braking assembly further includes a connecting assembly to be connected to the first wiring and the first brake pad. 
         [0011]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wheel assembly includes a wheel holder, and the first spring is disposed between the first brake pad and the wheel holder of the wheel assembly. 
         [0012]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first brake pad is provided on the wheel holder of the wheel assembly. 
         [0013]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pushcart further includes a second push bar, which is provided between the first support strut and the second support strut. 
         [0014]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one bearing is provided between the wheel assembly and the base plate. 
         [0015]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base plate, having a first portion and a second portion, is pivotally connected to the first portion and the second portion via a pivotal assembly, wherein the pivotal assembly is a hinge. 
         [0016]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pushcart further includes a pedal assembly, which is provided on the first portion. The pedal assembly includes a locating member provided below the base plate; a control member provided below the base plate; and a locating lock connecting to the control member. By controlling the control member, the locating lock is located on the locating member, such that the first portion and the second portion of the base plate are folded by using the pivotal assembly. 
         [0017]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locating member is provided on the second portion and is extended below the first portion. The locating member has an opening for inserting into the locating lock. 
         [0018]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pedal assembly further includes a pedal frame, and the control member further includes a pedal, having an end pivotally connected to the pedal frame; a first wiring and a second wiring, wherein the second wiring includes a first portion and a second portion, such that the first portion is connected to the pedal, and the second portion is connected to the locating lock. 
         [0019]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pushcart further includes a first strut, which is disposed below the first portion and includes an opening for inserting into the locating lock; and a second strut, which is disposed below the first portion and includes an opening for inserting into the locating lock. 
         [0020]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locating lock further includes a second spring disposed between the first strut and the second strut. 
         [0021]    According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pedal assembly further includes a roller for changing the direction of the second wiring. 
         [0022]    In this way, the present invention has the advantages of braking the pushcart without applying any force on the first push bar, moving the pushcart by applying a force on the first push bar, and folding and storing the pushcart after using it. 
         [0023]    Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective view of the pushcart made according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional schematic view along the A-A line of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the pressing of the pushcart along the A-A line of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a side schematic view of the pushcart made according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side schematic view showing folding of the pushcart made according to the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional schematic view along the B-B line of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing the pedal assembly of the pushcart made according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view showing the actions of the pedal assembly of the pushcart made according to the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic perspective view of a conventional pushcart. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the pushcart  1  of the present invention includes a base plate  10 , a push bar assembly  20 , a plurality of wheel assemblies  30 , a braking assembly  40  and a pedal assembly  70 . The base plate  10  includes a first portion  12 , a second portion  11  and a pivotal assembly  13 . The pivotal assembly  13  is pivotally connected to the first portion  12  and the second portion  11 . Each of the wheel assemblies  30  is provided below the base plate  10 . Preferably, four wheel assemblies  30  are respectively disposed on the inside of four corners of the rectangular base plate  10 . The push bar assembly  20  is disposed at a side of the two ends of the first portion  12  of the base plate  10 , and the pedal assembly  70  is provided below the first portion  12  of the base plate  10 , thereby controlling the folding and storage of the pushcart  1 . The braking assembly  40  is disposed between the base plate  10  and each of the wheel assemblies  30 . By using the push rod assembly  20 , the braking assembly  40  can control the movement or braking of the pushcart  1 . 
         [0035]    The pivotal assembly  13  is preferably a hinge or a pivotal shaft body or an equivalent structure that can be rotatably and pivotally connected to the first portion  12  and the second portion  11  of the base plate  10 . 
         [0036]    Each of the wheel assemblies  30  includes a wheel holder  31  and a wheel  32 , being both disposed below the base plate  10 . A bearing  60  is provided between the first portion  12  of the base plate  10  and each of the wheel assemblies  30 , such that movement direction of the pushcart  1  can be freely controlled. The push bar assembly  20  includes a first support strut  21  and a second support strut  22 , which are hollow shaft bodies respectively disposed on the two ends of the first portion  12  of the base plate  10 . An auxiliary bar  25  is provided between the first support strut  21  and the second support strut  22 , while the first push bar  23  and the second push bar  24  are both connected to the two ends of the first support strut  21  and the second support strut  22 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the first braking assembly  40  includes a first wiring  41 , a first spring  42  and a first brake pad  43 , whereas the second braking assembly includes a second wiring, a second spring and a second brake pad (the second braking assembly is made of the same structures as those of the first braking assembly; not shown in the figure). The first wiring  41  and the second wiring are respectively disposed inside the hollow shaft body of the first support strut  21  and the second support strut  22 . The first wiring  41  is connected to an end side of the first push bar  23 , while the second wiring is connected to another end side of the first push bar  23 . Another end of the first wiring  41  is connected to a first brake pad  43  so as to actuate the first brake pad  43 , while another end of the second wiring is connected to a second brake pad to actuate the second brake pad. The first brake pad  43 , which is movably disposed on the wheel holder  31 , comes into contact with or becomes separated from the wheel  32 . Likewise, the second brake pad, which is movably disposed on the wheel holder, comes into contact with or becomes separated from the wheel. In other words, the relationship between the second braking assembly and other structures such as the support strut, wheel holder, etc. is the same or similar to the relationship between the first braking assembly and other structures such as the support strut, wheel holder, etc. The present invention preferably includes two braking assemblies. However, to protect the spirit of the present invention, the present invention includes only one braking assembly, given the equivalence of these two braking assemblies. When the first wiring  41  pushes the first brake pad  43  to become separated from the wheel  32 , the wheel  32  slides. A first spring  42  is provided between the first brake pad  41  and the wheel holder  31  for flexibly stretching or recovering the first brake pad  41  and the wheel holder  31 . When releasing the first push bar  21 , the first spring  42  restores the contact of the first brake pad  43  with the wheel  32 , thereby stopping the pushcart  1 . On the contrary, when pressing the first push bar  21 , the first spring  42  becomes pressed by the first brake pad  43  and becomes separated from the wheel  32 , thereby moving the pushcart  1 . Preferably, the first braking assembly  40  includes a connecting assembly  44 , which is connected to the first wiring  41  and the first brake pad  43 . A third spring  45  is provided on top of the connecting assembly  44  to recover the contact of the first brake pad  43  with the wheel  32 . 
         [0038]    The pivotal member  50 , which is pivotally connected to the first push bar  23 , is provided with a slot  52  on the eccentric position for being connected to the first wiring  41 . In this way, when pressing the first push bar  23 , the pivotal member  50  rotates, such that the first wiring  41  controls the movement of the first brake pad  43 . Preferably, the pivotal member  50  is an eccentric sleeve  51 , which is pivotally connected to the first push bar  23 . The slot  52  is provided on an eccentric location of the eccentric sleeve  51 , such that the slot  52  is pivotally connected to the first wiring  41 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , when pressing the first push bar  23 , the user can grasp the first push bar  23  and the second push bar  24  together, such that the first push bar  23  becomes near to the second push bar  24 , thereby pushing the push bars in an effort-saving manner. Consequently, when pressing the first push bar  23 , the eccentric sleeve  51 , which is pivotally connected to the two ends of the first push bar  23 , rotates, thus actuating the upward stretch of the first wiring  44 . Additionally, the first wiring  41  pulls up the connecting assembly  44 , such that the first brake pad  43  is pulled away from the surface of the wheel  32 , thus moving the pushcart  1 . When the first brake pad  43 , the first wiring  41  and the connecting assembly  44  are pulled upward, this will apply a force on the first spring  42  and then stretch the third spring  45  (See  FIG. 3 ). While braking the pushcart  1  and releasing the first push bar  23 , this can restore the contact of the first brake pad  43  with the wheel  32 , due to the restoring force exerted by the first spring  42  and the third spring  45 . In this way, the wheel  32  is unable to rotate and finally stops (See  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 , the pushcart  1  is capable of braking, folding and storing or stretching. To fold and store the pushcart  1 , the user steps on the pedal assembly  70 . By pushing the push bar assembly  20  forward, the pushcart  1  is folded and stored. By using the pivotal assembly  13 , the first portion  12  and the second portion  11  of the base plate  10  are folded and stored into a rectangular form, thereby saving space for storing the pushcart  1 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a locating member  80 , which is disposed on the second portion  11  of the base plate  10 , is located near to the first portion  12 . The locating member  80 , having an opening  81 , is extended below the first portion  12  of the base plate  10 , while the pedal assembly  70  has a locating lock  78  disposed on the pedal assembly  70  of the first portion  12  of the base plate  10 . When the locating lock  78  is inserted into the opening  81  of the locating member  80 , the first portion  12  and the second portion  11  of the base plate  10  are then fixed. On the contrary, while stepping on the pedal assembly  70 , the locating lock  78  becomes separated from the opening  81  of the locating member  80 , such that the first portion  12  and the second portion  11  of the base plate are folded and stored by using the pivotal assembly  13  (See  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the pedal assembly  70  includes a pedal frame  71 , a pedal  72 , a pair of third wirings  73 , a set of first struts  74 , a set of second struts  75 , a set of second springs  76 , a set of rollers  77  and a set of locating locks  78 . Also, an end of the pedal  72  is pivotally connected to the pedal frame  71 . Preferably, the pedal frame  71  includes a set of slides, such that the pedal  72  can be inserted into the slides for forward and backward sliding. The pedal frame  71  is provided with a pair of rollers  77 , while the two ends of the third wiring  73  are respectively connected to the pedal  72  and the locating lock  78 . Additionally, the third wirings  73  slide along with the rollers  77 , such that the third wirings  73  smoothly slide to and fro. Preferably, a locking member  79  is additionally disposed at the connection of the third wiring  73  to the pedal  72  and the locating lock  78 , so as to reinforce their connection. The first strut  74  and the second strut  75 , which are both fixed on a bottom of the first portion  12  of the base plate, are respectively provided with an opening  83  and an opening  82 , thereby locating the locating lock  78 . Additionally, a fourth spring  76  is disposed between the first strut  74  and the second strut  75 . An end of the fourth spring  76  is fixed on the locating lock  78 . In this way, when a force is applied on the first strut  74  and the second strut  75  by using the locating lock  78 , the second spring  76  restores the locating lock  78  to its original location. A protruding portion of the locating lock  78  becomes inserted into the opening  81  of the locating member  80  for locating purpose. The first strut  74  and the second strut  75  of the first portion  12  of the base plate  10  as well as the locating member  80  of the second portion  11  of the base plate  10  become located by using the locating lock  78  (See in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , when stepping on the pedal  72 , the pedal  72  pulls the third wiring  73 , thereby causing the rollers  77  to slide. In this way, by using the third wiring  73 , the pair of locating locks  78  is pulled away from the opening  81  of the locating member  80 , such that a force is applied on the fourth spring  76  of the locating lock  78 . In this way, the user can push the push bar assembly  20 , thus folding and storing the first portion  12  and the second portion  11  of the base plate  10 . To use the folded pushcart  1  again, the user stretches the pushcart  1  by pushing the push bar assembly  20  and then steps on the pedal  72 , such that the locating lock  78  slides toward the rollers  77 . When the pushcart  1  is completely stretched, the user releases the pedal  72 , such that the locating lock  78  becomes inserted into the opening  81  of the locating member  80  again, thereby stretching the pushcart  1 . 
         [0044]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.