Improvements in Hand Trucks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 29th Feh., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hand Trucks.
We, WILBERT RICHMAN, Poultry Dealer, of Salem, New Jersey, HARRY
JONES RICHMAN, Salesman, of Salem, New Jersey, WILLIAM HENRY STEHLE,
Butcher, of New York and Pacific Avenues, Atlantic City, N.J., and SOMERS
LOUDLAM DOUGHTY, Liveryman, of Atlantic City, N.J., all of the United States
of America, 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 :-
The invention consists of a novel construction of hand truck and appliances
therefor, whereby a box or package can be readily held thereupon and thus trans-
ported to any desired point, a suitable cant hook or holding device being adjustably
mounted on a stationary support secured to the body of said truck, whereby
efficiency and strength are attained, which is especially desirable in devices of this
character.
It further consists of novel details of construction, all as will be hereinafter set
forth.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 represents a plan view of a hand truck embodying the invention.
Figure 2 represents a section on line x, x, Figure 1.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.
Referring to the drawings:
A designates a truck, the same consisting of the longitudinally-extending bars B,
which are connected at their ends by means of the cross pieces C, C, the opposite
ends of said truck being provided with wheels F, which are journalled in suitable
bangers F attached to the truck, the other extremity of the latter being provided
with suitable legs G.
H designates spurs which are attached to the ends of the truck adjacent the
wheels, it being noted that in the present instance the pointed ends of the forward
screws H' which hold the hangers in position are extended through the bars B, and
held in place by the nuts H2, the projecting pointed portions of the screws H'
forming the spurs H.
D designates a longitudinally-extending arm, to which a suitable handle E may
be attached, said arm being in the present instance mounted and supported upon
the cross pieces C, C, and provided with one or more slots J and K, in which are
located the pins L and M, said pins being adapted to be engaged by the cant
hook N which is preferably curved, and has its forward end P pointed, as will be
understood from Figure 2, so as to readily engage the adjacent surface of a box or
parcel S', the opposite extremity of said hook N being provided with a series of
slots or recesses therein, each of the same consisting of an inlet portion Q which
extends thereinto a short distance, and meets the longitudinally-extending portion R,
the slots being in the present instance three in number, although it is evident that
the number may be varied according to requirements.
The operation is as follows:
The truck is placed in upright position against the side of an article to be
carried, in the present case a box, and the spurs H pierce the lower portion of said
side. When the cant hook is thrown over the opposite side of the box and the
truck is then lowered, whereby the pin M draws down the cant hook and forces its

page_text: point P into the side of the box opposite to the spurs H, so that the box is firmly
clamped by said point and spurs, and securely held on the truck.
When the box is to be removed from the truck, the latter is raised, and as the
pin M rises with the handle, it moves forwardly in the portion R of the slot,
whereby the cant hook is released and may be thrown up, thus removing its point
from the box, and the latter may then be landed on the floor, side-walk, etc., and
the truck may be run back from the box.
It is evident that the truck can be mounted on one, two, four or more wheels as
desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1st. A truck having a stationary transverse pin on the handle thereof, and a cant
hook which is formed with a T-shaped slot consisting of the inlet portion Q, and
the longitudinally-extending portion R, the latter adjustably receiving said pin, and
having its walls interlocked with said pin, substantially as described.
2nd. A truck provided with spurs at its forward end, and a swinging cant hook
at its rear end, said hook having an open T-shaped slot which freely receives a
stationary pin on the truck, substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of January 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.