Patent Description:
The use of specialist caged trolleys, known as "roll cages", to assist in the transportation of goods to retailers, is well known. The roll cages have a base, which is approximately square with <NUM> x <NUM> dimensions, with castor wheels. Metal mesh sides are provided which create a trolley which is taller than it is wide and which can be filled with pre-packaged goods for redistribution to the shelves of a retailer. The roll cage is typically made entirely from metal with rigid mesh side panels locking together to form the rigid structure which retains the goods inside. The construction from metal and slot together arrangement, which allows the roll cage sides to be collapsed to facilitate stacking or nesting of the trolleys together when empty, inevitably results in parts of the roll cage rattling when moved. This is a particular problem where goods are being delivered to a retailer out of normal working hours in a mixed retail and housing area. This has resulted in retailers being unable to accept deliveries at certain times of day.

Furthermore, the metal construction results in a heavyweight product adding to the cost of transportation. The metal construction also makes the roll cages vulnerable to corrosion, making them unsuitable for or undesirable to use within the retail environment. Furthermore, damage to the metal components, particularly the mesh as the weakest and most vulnerable of the metalwork, can result in operator injury.

It is becoming increasingly commonplace for goods to be displayed in roll cages by retailers to avoid double handling, that is, the need for retail staff to transfer goods from the roll cage to the retail shelves. However, to remove this need for double handing and allow goods to be displayed in a roll cage requires aesthetically acceptable roll cages to be provided. It is also the case that the roll cages are difficult to clean making them vulnerable to dirt traps and potential soiling or contamination of the goods they are carrying.

Further examples of trolleys of the prior art are disclosed in the patent documents published under the following numbers <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome or alleviate the above described disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a trolley according to claim <NUM>.

By using a flexible member to create tension between a plurality of the components, for example, between the base and the frame or between adjacent connectors, the advantage is provided that the tension so created facilitates a structural integrity for the roll cage as well as preventing the components from rattling. Furthermore, by removing the metallic sides from the roll cage and replacing them with flexible material, such as tarpaulin, the weight of the roll cage is reduced, in turn reducing the overall transportation cost for retailers and goods distributors.

In a preferred embodiment the flexible member comprises at least one sheet material in use extending between a plurality of said components.

Using a sheet or fabric material allows the roll cage to be printed on, thereby allowing identifying livery (words, logos and colours) to be used and the roll cages can be easily identified as being those of a particular retailer. This also allows the roll cages to be used more within the retail store providing matching livery for the retailer. Furthermore, the fabric material allows visible safety and hygiene information to be printed onto the trolley and such fabrics can be easily cleaned.

In another preferred embodiment the components between which said sheet material extends comprise connectors.

The trolley may further comprise a clamp for fixing said flexible member to a said component and creating tension between said component and another component connected via said flexible member.

In a preferred embodiment the clamp comprises a tensioning clamp.

In another preferred embodiment the flexible member and said clamp comprise a ratchet strap.

By using clamps, for example, tensioning clamps or ratchet straps, the advantage is provided that tension can be exerted between the base and the frame, including extending through the flexible member where it is a sheet material, to pull both the base and the frame into engagement with the connectors, thereby creating a rigid structure. At the same time, this structure can be collapsed and dismantled for easy transportation.

In a further preferred embodiment the at least one connector comprises at least one pole.

The use of poles allows for the cage to be easily assembled and disassembled.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one connector is fixed to said base and said frame.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one connector is removably connected in use to said base and said frame.

In another preferred embodiment the connector comprise a pair of fixed connectors and a pair of removable connectors.

In a further preferred embodiment the connectors are attached to said flexible member.

By providing a pair of fixed connectors and a pair of movable connectors, the advantage is provided that the roll cage can be collapsed so that the trolleys can be stacked or nested together in a manner akin to that used with the metal roll cages of the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment the frame comprises a first foldable portion pivotable through substantially <NUM>° from a working condition to a storage condition.

The frame may further comprises a first fixed portion attached to said connector with said first foldable portion being capable of pivoting relative to said fixed portion.

In another preferred embodiment the base comprises a second foldable portion pivotable through substantially <NUM>° from a working condition to a storage condition.

The base may further comprises a second fixed portion attached to said connector with said second foldable portion being capable of pivoting relative to said fixed portion.

By having either a base or a frame or both components able to pivot provides an easy to operate mechanism for assembling and disassembling the roll cage between the working and storage conditions.

In a preferred embodiment the connection between at least one connector and at least one of said base and said frame comprises a cam surface which causes said connector to move in a direction when said connector and said base or frame are brought together to apply said attention to said flexible member.

In another preferred embodiment the cam surface comprises an at least partially conical surface formed on a surface of said connection.

By using a cam surface, and in particular a conical surface, the advantage is provided that the action of assembling the trolley, specifically the engagement of the connectors with the base and frame, causes the tensioning of the flexible member, thereby creating the required structural integrity for the roll cage.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-.

A trolley <NUM> is shown in six different embodiments in the figures. A first embodiment is shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The second embodiment is shown in <FIG>. A third embodiment is shown in <FIG> and a closely related fourth embodiment is shown in <FIG>. A fifth and larger version of the invention is shown in <FIG> and a sixth embodiment, very closely related to the second embodiment, is shown in <FIG> is a close-up of a portion of <FIG> but is used to illustrate a further embodiment.

The trolley or roll cage <NUM> includes a body <NUM> and a flexible member <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of the body <NUM> of the first embodiment of the invention, and <FIG> illustrates a flexible member <NUM> of the second embodiment of the present invention. This flexible member <NUM> is a type which can be used in the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> although the exact flexible member for the first embodiment is not shown.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the body <NUM> includes a base <NUM> to which wheels <NUM> are attached. The base <NUM> has a base frame <NUM> to which the castor type wheels <NUM> are attached. Also attached to the base frame <NUM> is a base platform <NUM> which is formed in two parts that can pivot relative to one another. A fixed base platform <NUM> is fixed to the base frame <NUM>, whereas the foldable base platform <NUM> is pivotally attached to the base frame <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, a plurality of connectors, in the form of poles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, are attached to the base <NUM>. The poles <NUM> and <NUM> are removable and attached to the base in a pair of recesses, in the form of receiving cups <NUM> and <NUM>, which are formed in the corners of the foldable base platform <NUM>. It should be noted that an additional pole 28a has been included in <FIG> and <FIG> to illustrate a storage location of the pole <NUM> when the trolley <NUM> is in a storage condition. The poles <NUM> and <NUM> are formed as frames with pairs of elongate members, the same heights as the poles <NUM> and <NUM>, joined together by connectors. These poles <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed to the base <NUM>, and in particular to the base frame <NUM> by any suitable fixing means and in this example, by bolting them together. Other fixing means, including but not limited to welding, could also be used.

Also forming part of the body <NUM> is a frame <NUM> which is located above the base <NUM> and is connected to the base via the poles, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. Like the base platform <NUM>, the frame <NUM> is formed in two parts, with a fixed frame portion <NUM> fixedly attached to the poles <NUM> and <NUM> and a foldable frame portion <NUM> pivotally attached to the fixed frame portion <NUM>. Further receiving cups <NUM> and <NUM> are formed in the corners of the foldable frame portion distal of the fixed frame portion <NUM> and these receiving cups engage the other ends of the poles <NUM> and <NUM> from those received in the receiving cups <NUM> and <NUM>. As a result, the receiving cups <NUM> and <NUM> are located in use in the operating condition directly above the receiving cups <NUM> and <NUM>.

Located along opposing edges of the base <NUM> and frame <NUM>, and specifically along opposing edges of the foldable base platform <NUM> and the foldable frame portion <NUM> are tensioning loops <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> four such tensioning loops <NUM> are provided on each of the edges of the foldable base platform <NUM> and the foldable frame portion <NUM> that are located between the poles <NUM> and <NUM> and between the poles <NUM> and <NUM>. These tensioning loops <NUM> together form pairs located one directly above the other.

Referring to <FIG>, a second embodiment of the present invention is a trolley <NUM> which has a base <NUM>, wheels <NUM> and a frame <NUM>. The poles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are all removably connected to the base <NUM> and frame <NUM> by insertion into receiving cups <NUM>. Detail of the ends of the poles, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG> which show that a cam surface, in the form of a conical end surface <NUM>, is provided on the ends of each of the poles.

The flexible member <NUM> is provided in the form of a sheet material. This sheet material is a reinforced tarpaulin material, which is commonly used in vehicle construction such as curtain sided lorries, although other materials, whether man made or natural fibre, may be used. This material can be easily printed onto and can be reinforced with metallic fibres, making it extremely difficult to cut or damage. The sheet material <NUM> is formed with sleeves into which the poles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are located and typically fixed so that the poles and sheet material cannot be separated. Gaps <NUM> are left in the end sleeves which receive the poles <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby exposing the poles and allowing them to be used as gripping handles for moving the trolley.

Operation of the trolley <NUM> will now be described initially in relation to the first embodiment, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, describing construction of the body <NUM>. The castor wheels <NUM> are attached to the base frame <NUM> along with the frame type poles <NUM> and <NUM>. The fixed base platform <NUM> fits between the bottoms of the poles <NUM> and <NUM> and the foldable base platform <NUM> is pivotally attached to the bottom of the frame type poles <NUM> and <NUM> allowing it to move between the working condition shown in <FIG> to a storage condition. That storage condition is with the foldable base platform <NUM> having rotated through a little over <NUM>° to rest against the poles <NUM> and <NUM>. The frame <NUM> is located directly above the base <NUM> with the fixed frame portion <NUM> fixed to the top of the frame type poles <NUM> and <NUM> and the foldable frame portion being movable from the working condition, shown in <FIG> to a storage condition. That storage condition requires the pivoting of the foldable frame portion <NUM> through <NUM>° downwards so as to engage the poles <NUM> and <NUM>.

The other components which form the body <NUM> are the removable poles <NUM> and <NUM> with opposing ends of the poles engaging the receiving cups <NUM> and <NUM> and <NUM> and <NUM>. The poles <NUM> and <NUM> are removable and the frame and base platform foldable in order to allow the trolleys <NUM> to be stacked or nested in a manner which is familiar to persons operating roll cages. This facilitates compact arrangements of the empty trolleys to ensure efficient transportation. Because the poles <NUM> and <NUM> can be removed it is important to lock the poles into place to ensure the structural integrity of the trolley. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> this is achieved using the flexible member. There are a number of different flexible members and ways in which the flexible member can be used to apply tension to the body <NUM> and ensure the structural integrity of the trolley <NUM>. In doing so, the various components previously described are locked together and it is this locking and the tension applied to the body that prevents the rattling of the components.

One way to achieve that is to use the tarpaulin type sheet material <NUM> shown in <FIG> and there are various configurations of this sheet material which can be used. The arrangement of the poles, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, along with the base <NUM> and frame <NUM> create a cuboid. The four vertical and rectangular faces of this cuboid can be described as a front face (F) between the poles <NUM> and <NUM>, a back face (B) between the poles <NUM> and <NUM>, a left side face (LS) between the poles <NUM> and <NUM> and a right side face (RS) between the poles <NUM> and <NUM>. A fixed and immovable sheet can be attached to the body <NUM> to cover the back face (B) with the tarpaulin material fixed to the poles <NUM> and <NUM> and to the rear edges of the fixed base platform <NUM> of the base <NUM> and the fixed frame portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

Two further sheets of the tarpaulin material <NUM> can be used to cover the left side and right side faces (LS and RS) with these sheets being attached to the poles <NUM> and <NUM> and <NUM> and <NUM> respectively. These sheets are not fixed to the base <NUM> and frame <NUM> permanently but can be attached to them using any suitable fixing to engage the tensioning loops <NUM>. For example, a tensioning clamp or latching clamp can be fixed at one or more locations on the top and bottom edges of the side sheet materials and these latching clamps can hook into and lock to the tensioning loops <NUM>. Alternatively, short ratchet straps can be provided which loop through the tensioning loops <NUM> and allow variable tension to be applied between opposing pairs of the tensioning loops. It would normally only be necessary to provide the ratchet straps or latching clamps at the top or the bottom of the sheet material with the other end being provided with hooks which simply hook into the tensioning loops <NUM>. In this embodiment, the components of the body, between which the flexible member or sheet material create tension are the frame <NUM> and the base <NUM>.

The above described examples provide a trolley or roll cage <NUM> with three covered sides (LS, B and RS and an open front face (F). This trolley can be used in a way that is familiar to persons skilled in the art of roll cages.

Turning to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in <FIG>, in this embodiment, the sheet material <NUM> and poles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are connected together as a single component. They are preferably, but not necessarily, separable from the base <NUM> and frame <NUM> and these components join together by the insertion of the pole ends into the receiving cups <NUM>. The tension in the flexible member <NUM> is created by the insertion of the poles, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> into the receiving cups <NUM>. In particular, it is the use of the conical cam surfaces <NUM> which pull the sheet material <NUM> taught as the conical cam surfaces <NUM> are pushed into the receiving cups <NUM>. This is illustrated in <FIG> which shows, in the left-hand image, the pole <NUM> not inserted into the receiving cup with the sheet material <NUM> pulling the pole in the direction D1. In the right-hand image, the pole <NUM> is inserted into the receiving cup <NUM> and the sheet material <NUM> is pulled taut, thereby applying a tensioning force in the direction D2.

In this invention it is the application of the tension applied by the flexible member or sheet material <NUM> between components of the body which creates the rigid structural integrity of the trolley <NUM>.

In the second embodiment the components of the base to which tension is applied by the flexible member or sheet material <NUM> are adjacent pairs of the poles, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG> the three portions of the sheet material <NUM> create a trolley with covered faces on the left side (LS), the rear side (B), the right hand side (RS) and an open front face.

Referring to <FIG>, which is split into four images labelled 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, these figures show a schematic plan view of the process of transferring the trolley from a working to a storage condition. This description is applicable to both the first and second embodiments described above. <FIG> shows the trolley <NUM> in a working condition, as seen in <FIG>, although with the frame <NUM> removed (this is shown in <FIG>). In order to move to the stored condition, shown in 5b, the pole <NUM> is removed from its receiving cup <NUM> and inserted into another receiving cup, adjacent the pole, <NUM>, close to the rear face (B). Similarly, the pole <NUM> is removed from its receiving cup <NUM> and is moved to a further receiving cup adjacent the pole <NUM> also close to the rear face (B). As a result, the right and left sides (LS) and (RS) have been moved and folded to adjacent the rear surface (B). The reverse of this process, as shown in <FIG> with the frame <NUM> being replaced in <FIG>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> when the poles have been located adjacent the back face (B), in the location indicated by the pole 28a, the foldable base platform <NUM> can be folded up and the foldable frame portion <NUM> folded down. Once this position is created the trolley is contained substantially between the frame type poles <NUM> and <NUM> with only the front portion of the base frame <NUM>, and its front wheels <NUM>, extending forwards. This base frame <NUM> has an A-frame construction familiar to persons skilled in this art to allow multiple trolleys to nest together and be rolled and transported as a train of trolleys. This nesting is illustrated in <FIG>, which shows a pair of the base frames <NUM>, with their wheels <NUM>, nested together in the formation used in the fully assembled trolleys <NUM> when in a storage condition.

Referring to <FIG>, a third embodiment of the present invention, somewhat similar to the first embodiment, is illustrated. The body <NUM> of the trolley <NUM> has a base frame <NUM> on which a base platform <NUM> sits. The four poles, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> extend up from the base platform <NUM> and engage the frame <NUM>, to create the working condition shown in <FIG>. The storage condition is shown in <FIG> with an intermediate condition illustrated in <FIG>. To move from the working condition to the storage condition, the poles <NUM> and <NUM> are removed and disengaged from the receiving cups in the foldable base platform and foldable frame portions <NUM> and <NUM>. This allows the foldable base platform <NUM> and foldable frame portion <NUM> to pivot through <NUM>° with the foldable base platform <NUM> sitting behind the foldable frame portion <NUM> in the storage condition. As can be seen in <FIG>, the poles <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed into further receiving cups in the fixed base platform <NUM> and fixed frame portion <NUM> for convenient storage and to limit the movement of the foldable base platform <NUM> and foldable frame portion <NUM>. Once in the storage condition, multiple trolleys can be nested together as shown in <FIG>.

A very similar embodiment to that just described is illustrated in <FIG>. This version is constructed for carrying heavier loads with the poles being more substantial than those previously described (only pole <NUM> is visible in <FIG>). The frame <NUM> and base platform <NUM> are formed from multiple aluminium slats which are laid parallel to each other and fixed within a frame to create a platform which is capable of carrying significant weights.

Referring to <FIG>, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The most significant difference between this fifth embodiment and the third and fourth embodiments just described is the width of the trolley, that is approximately the distance between the pairs of poles <NUM> and <NUM> and between poles <NUM> and <NUM>. These trolleys, as illustrated in <FIG>, are designed for use with larger articles such as furniture and as which the other trolleys can support and carry articles on the frame <NUM>. In order to provide additional structural support over this larger width, additional poles <NUM> and <NUM> are provided, as illustrated in <FIG>.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the protection which is defined by the appended claims. For example, in <FIG>, an alternative configuration of the second embodiment is shown in which the flexible member <NUM> is formed with integral shelves <NUM>. As a result, the sheet material is the outside and the shelves are formed internally. These can be removable solid shelves or can be also made from flexible sheet material such as wire reinforced tarpaulin to provide flexible shelving for lightweight products such as bread. Alternatively, rigid shelving could be provided which fixes to the body <NUM>.

There are various other configurations of flexible member which can be used in conjunction with the present invention. For example, longer ratchet straps can be used between the tensioning loops <NUM> create a trolley which has the base <NUM> and frame <NUM> pretension together using these ratchet straps, but without the sheet material and as a result, it is the ratchet straps which provide the flexible member <NUM> (such as the example shown in <FIG>). Once the ratchet straps are in place, the structural integrity of the body <NUM> has been created and other means for constraining items within the trolley can be provided. For example, a bag can be fitted into the top of the open frame <NUM> thereby allowing items to be placed into the bag. This can be used for placing rubbish or items to be recycled, can be used as a laundry bag or can be used for transportation of liquids, if a suitably strong and leakproof bag is provided. As a further alternative, the bag may be provided with hooks which attach to the tensioning loops <NUM> in the frame <NUM> and provided with some tensioning means, such as a tensioning clamp or tensioning latch at the bottom of the bag which attaches to the tensioning loops <NUM> in the base <NUM>.

The previous embodiments described in detail at the start of this description disclosed a three sided trolley with an open front. Other combinations of sheet material can be provided to cover more or less of the faces (F, B, LS and RS). As a further alternative, the pair of poles at the rear of the trolley <NUM>, that is the poles <NUM> and <NUM>, could be replaced with a single rigid sheet material which is connected to the base <NUM> and the frame <NUM>, thereby leaving only the poles <NUM> and <NUM>. A further development on from that rigid back surface is the removal of the poles <NUM> and <NUM> and their replacement with other locking members which ensure that the frame <NUM> is held in an upright condition. For example, triangular bracing arms between the frame and the rigid rear wall would ensure that the frame <NUM> remains in the working condition and would allow tension to be created between the base <NUM> and the frame <NUM> using the flexible member <NUM>.

In a further alternative embodiment, the use of the flexible members to provide the locking tension between the frame, base and poles may be removed. Instead, latching devices, such as the sliding latch is <NUM> shown in <FIG> can be provided to lock the poles to the frame and base. In order to prevent the components rattling it is also advantageous to produce at least some of the components from a plastic material. For example, the frame and base may be formed from metal components with the poles formed from plastic. In the example shown in <FIG>, the tensioning loops <NUM> are also provided and the latches illustrated therein are used in addition to the tensioning provided from the flexible member. However, the latches can work independently and as long as they prevent the rattling movement of the frame or base relative to the poles, then a roll cage which is able to move very quietly can be provided.

Claim 1:
A trolley comprising:
a base (<NUM>) having a plurality of wheels (<NUM>) attached thereto;
a frame (<NUM>) in use located above said base;
at least one connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in use joining said frame to said base; and
at least one flexible member (<NUM>) attached to and connecting a plurality of components from said base, said frame and at least one of said at least one connector characterised in that connecting said flexible member to said components creates tension between said connected components such that the tension so created facilitates a structural integrity of the trolley as well as preventing the components from rattling.