Improvement in Folding Wheelbarrows.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvement in Folding Wheelbarrows.
I, ROBERT RIACH THOM, Free High Manse, 12, London Road, Kilmarnock,
Scotland, Minister of the Free Church of Scotland, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
My purpose in this invention is to produce a onewheeled barrow or similar
vehicle, capable of being quickly folded so as to occupy small space. I effect
this by means of a special construction of the body and legs, so that the legs cross
each other when the vehicle is opened out for use. The bottom, which forms the
backbone of the vehicle, is made very narrow, and has at one end a fork in which
the wheel rotates; and the end or ends and the sides to which the legs are fixed
are so hinged as to fold flat or nearly so when the vehicle is collapsed.
Dated this 27th day of September 1898.
ROBERT RIACH THOM.
Improvement in Folding Wheelbarrows.
I, ROBERT RIACH THOм, Free High Manse, 12, London Road, Kilmarnock,
Minister of the Free Church of Scotland, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This my invention relates to wheelbarrows and vehicles of similar construction,
and consists in an improved form of such wheelbarrow or other similar vehicle,
so that it can be folded together laterally, so as to occupy but small width, thus
enabling it to be stored in a narrow space, and to be very convenient for trans-
port. This improved form of wheelbarrow is made with only one wheel.
My invention consists in forming the bottom very narrow, with the wheel fork
(preferably of metal), fixed to one end of the same; the sides being hinged to the
bottom, and the end or ends hinged to the sides in such manner that the sides
incline outwards at equal angles when the vehicle is in use, while the end or
ends are disposed transversely to the sides, and the legs cross each other and
incline outwards at their bases,
By turning the end or ends parallel to the sides and closing these together, the
legs assume a position parallel to each other, and the whole occupies but a narrow
width.
•
In order that my invention may be fully ascertained and understood, I append
drawings in whinh".

page_text: Fig. 2 is a plan showing the same open for use.
Fig. 3 is a plan showing the barrow folded.
Fig. 4 is a transverse section showing position of legs when the barrow is
open.
Fig. 5 is an end elevation showing groove for end post, and fastening catch.
A indicates the bottom or backbone of the vehicle, and a the fork, in which is
fixed the axle b upon which the wheel B rotates. C and D indicate the sides
which are hinged to the bottom A by hinges and d. To the side C is hinged
by hinges & the front end E, which when open as shown in Fig. 2 occupies the
whole front end of the barrow, by reason of its sides being cut to the same angles
as the sides C and D) assume when at their widest position, the extent of this
opening being limited by the hinges c and d, and by the bevel of the lower edge
of the sides. The handles c and d are fixed to the sides.
To the side C is fixed in any convenient manner a leg G, and to the side D a
similar leg G, these being arranged one in front of the other in such manner
that the one can cross the other so as to assume the position shown in Fig. 4.
It will be seen that if the ends E be folded to the position shown in Fig. 1.
the sides and handles of the barrow can then be folded closely parallel to each
other so as to occupy but a small space as shown in Fig. 3.
In some cases I find it necessary to attach an end post which is rigidly fixed at
a convenient angle to the front end of the bottom or backbone of the barrow; in
such cases I attach strips h¹ to the end E, the space between which forms a groove
for the reception of the end post H. If necessary, the latter may be rendered
more rigid by the employment of a stay or stays which connect the endpost H
with the fork a.
The end E may be held in position when opened, by any convenient description
of catch, but I prefer to employ a fastening in which a pin automatically enters
an eyed, the pin el being attached at right angles to the front end E, and the
eve d² to the side D.
When required, a back end X, shown in dotted lines, may be hinged to one side
in the same manner as the front end E. It may be fastened in the same way.
Barrows according to this invention may be made either of wood or any other
suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
1. A folding wheelbarrow constructed and operated substantially as described
and shewn.
2. A folding wheelbarrow in which two sides are hinged to the bottom in such
manner that they can be inclined outwards to a limited extent, and in which an
end is hinged to one of these sides in such manner that it can be either parallel
to the sides, or turned so as to occupy a position transverse to the sides, substantially
as described and shewn.
3. In a folding barrow the combination of a bottom or back bone, two sides
hinged thereto, an end hinged to one of the sides, two legs attached to the sides
in such manner as to cross each other when the barrow is opened, a handle or
handles and a wheel, substantially as described and shewn.
4. In a folding barrow the combination of a bottom or backbone, two sides
hinged thereto, two ends hinged to the sides, two legs attached to the sides in
such manner as to cross each other when the barrow is opened, a handle o
handles and a wheel, substantially as described and shewn.
5. In a folding barrow the combination of a bottom or backbone, two sides
hinged thereto, an end hinged to one of the sides, an end post supporting the
end, two legs attached to the sides in such manner as to cross each other wher
the barrow is opened, a handle or handles, and a wheel, substantially as described
and shewn.

page_text: 6. In a folding wheel barrow the combination of a very narrow bottom or back-
bone to which the sides are hinged, with legs that are parallel to each other when
the vehicle is closed, but cross cach other when it is opened, substantially as
described and shewn.
7. In a folding wheel barrow having sides so hinged as to fold upwards, legs
that cross each other when the vehicle is opened, but which assume a parallel
position when it is closed, substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 7th day of December 1898.
ROBERT RIACH THOM.