Patent Description:
Wheeled transport devices or roller containers for distributing products from one location to another are common in warehouses and other commercial facilities. Wheeled transport devices may have braking mechanisms to allow for convenient user control while transporting.

Some varieties of wheeled transport devices have a braking mechanism which are applied by the wheeled transport device operator applying pressure by foot on a brake near the wheel of the wheeled transport device. Other varieties of wheeled transport devices have a braking mechanism which engages automatically by the operator manipulating a handle, for example.

<CIT> discloses a brake mechanism for a swivel castor. The brake mechanism features two cylindrical braking members that each engage a running surface of a wheel from above through a linear motion. The braking members may be connected by a connecting rod, which allows for simultaneous operation of the braking members.

<CIT> discloses a brake mechanism for a children's trolley. The braking mechanism is intended to be installed to an upright support arm extending from a live wheel axle. The brake mechanism features a bracket and a concave brake shoe hinged to the bracket for selective engagement with a running surface of the wheel from above. The brake shoe features a lever for foot operation.

<CIT> discloses a wheeled load carrier with a selective brake mechanism. The brake mechanism features a braking element, which engages an inner perimeter of a wheel from below through a linear motion and which is connected to a handle through a motion-converting linkage.

Especially for wheeled transport devices that use a foot engaging brake for swivel wheels, the method for engaging the brake is inconvenient and inefficient in terms of time. There is therefore a need to improve the braking mechanism to allow for convenient brake engagement for swivel wheels.

A novel wheeled transport device is therefore herein proposed.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wheeled transport device featuring at least one castor which has a wheel and a brake system which has a contact member with one opening which is defined by an edge. The contact member is configured to be manipulated between an applied state, where the edge is in contact with the wheel, and a released state where the edge is not in contact with the wheel.

One or more embodiments may include one or several features from the following itemized list:.

Considerable benefits are gained with the aid of the novel wheeled transport device. The brake system ensures that the wheeled transport device is stationary when not in use. The brake system may also ensure that the wheels of the wheeled transport device have brakes applied while the wheel is in any orientation. Especially with swivel wheels, the brake system ensures that swivel wheels have brakes applied while the swivel wheels are in any orientation.

An operator may operate the wheeled transport device via a handle and manipulate the brake system between applied and released states, where the brake system is automatically applied when the handle is released. The benefit of automatically engaging the brake system is that the operator can complete other tasks without having to manually apply a brake, and thus improve efficiency for handling goods. Further, the operator may load objects onto the wheeled transport device and if there is lateral force from the loading, the brake system ensures that the wheeled transport device is stationary. The auto-engaging brake system ensures that when the operator is away from the wheeled transport device, the wheeled transport device is secured and not prone to unintentional movement of the wheeled transport device due to the wheeled transport device being on a sloped surface for example. If the operator loses control, unintentionally releases the grip of the handle, or trips, the brake system may be automatically engaged. Unintentional movement of the wheeled transport device could cause serious injury to personnel and other people and may also damage surrounding objects causing unsafe situations and monetary losses.

While in use, the operator may use the handle to manipulate the brake system in a state where the brake is applied but the wheels of the wheeled transport device can still roll on the ground. As a result, this state allows the operator to apply the brakes slightly to control the braking force on the wheels. This is especially useful when the operator is transporting the wheeled transport device down a sloped surface and the operator wishes to slow down the travelling speed if, for example, there is a heavy load on the wheeled transport device.

The novel wheeled transport device may have a platform which has a height relative to the ground which may be lower than most roll containers. This is due to the low orientation of the brake system which does not obstruct the installment of the platform, as the platform may be installed on top of a top surface of a castor. This adds extra height to the wheeled transport device for mounting objects.

In the following certain exemplary embodiments are described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In the present context, a wheeled transport device refers to a vehicle suitable for transporting goods. An "operator" refers to a worker, personnel, or person who uses the wheeled transport device. On a general level, the proposed construction is based on the idea of providing a means to automatically apply a brake to a wheel, especially a swivel wheel, in any orientation of the wheel or swivel wheel. Further, the operator may manipulate a handle in order to manually control the brake force applied to the wheel.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a wheeled transport device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment, with <FIG> showing a section view of the wheeled transport device <NUM>. The wheeled transport device <NUM> has a frame <NUM> having a front side, a back side, a right side, a left side, and an upper section. According to this exemplary embodiment, the frame <NUM> is made of welded steel. The wheeled transport device <NUM> has a first handle <NUM> located in the upper section of the frame <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a first orientation of the first handle <NUM>, namely an orientation where an operator is not engaging with the first handle <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a second orientation of the first handle <NUM>, namely an orientation where an operator is engaging with the first handle <NUM>.

<FIG> <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the wheeled transport device <NUM> according to at least some embodiments. The wheeled transport device <NUM> has at least one castor <NUM>. The wheeled transport device has a brake system <NUM> which can be in an applied state and a released state. According to at least some embodiments, the brake system <NUM> can be in a relieved mode where the brake system <NUM> is partially engaged, and a fully engaged mode where the brake system is fully engaged. The brake system <NUM> has a release mechanism <NUM>. According to the illustrated embodiment, the brake system <NUM> has a first transmission line <NUM> connected to the first handle <NUM> at first end of the first transmission line <NUM>. The first transmission line <NUM> is connected to a motion converter <NUM> at a second end of the first transmission line <NUM>. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first transmission line <NUM> is mounted on the frame <NUM>. According to at least some embodiments, the first transmission line <NUM> is in the form of a long and narrow piece of hardware having a hinged point at the first end and having a slot <NUM> at the second end.

<FIG> illustrate a side view of the wheeled transport device <NUM> according to at least some embodiments. The motion converter <NUM> is at least partially mounted to the frame <NUM> and may be connected to the frame <NUM> via a motion converter hinge. A section of the motion converter <NUM> is free to move with respect to the frame <NUM>. The first transmission line <NUM> may be directly connected to the motion converter <NUM> and may be connected via the slot. The motion converter <NUM> is mechanically in contact with a contact member <NUM> at a motion converter connector <NUM>. The brake system <NUM> comprises the contact member <NUM>. According to at least some embodiments, the motion converter connector <NUM> is a ball bearing which has a ball bearing outer surface which is in contact with the contact member <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a bottom view of the wheeled transport device <NUM> according to at least some embodiments. <FIG> illustrate a side section view of the wheeled transport device <NUM>. The brake system <NUM> may have a shaft <NUM> that is connected to the motion converter <NUM> at a first end of the shaft <NUM>. The brake system <NUM> comprises the contact member <NUM>. The contact member <NUM> has a hinge mechanism <NUM> which connects the contact member <NUM> to the frame <NUM> via a contact member hinge. The hinge mechanism <NUM> may be a long and narrow piece of hardware which extends the body of the contact member <NUM>. The release mechanism <NUM> has a biasing mechanism <NUM> housed in a biasing mechanism housing <NUM>. The biasing mechanism <NUM> may be a compression spring. The biasing mechanism housing <NUM> is rigidly connected to the contact member <NUM>. The biasing mechanism <NUM> is connected to the biasing mechanism housing <NUM> at a first biasing mechanism end and is connected to the frame <NUM> at a second biasing mechanism end.

<FIG> illustrate a bottom view of the wheeled transport device <NUM> according to at least some embodiments. The castor <NUM> has a wheel <NUM> and a fork <NUM>, where the fork is connected to the center of the wheel <NUM> and has a vertical axis of rotation. Located at the center of the wheel <NUM> is a wheel axle <NUM>. The wheel <NUM> has a running surface <NUM> which is meant to be in contact with the floor. The running surface <NUM> may also come into contact with the edge <NUM> in the applied state. The fork <NUM> is axially connected to the frame <NUM>, allowing at least a portion of the fork <NUM> to rotate relative to the frame <NUM> about its axis of rotation.

According to the illustrated embodiment <FIG>, the contact member <NUM> is a planar surface which is parallel or substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the fork <NUM> of the castor <NUM>. The contact member <NUM> has an opening <NUM> defined by an edge <NUM>. According the at least some embodiments, the opening <NUM> is in the shape of a circle. According to the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the area that defines the opening <NUM> may be parallel or substantially parallel to the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the fork <NUM> of the castor <NUM>. The size of the opening <NUM> may be determined based on a desired contact point on the wheel <NUM>. That is, the size of the opening <NUM> may dictate where the edge is going to be in contact with the wheel <NUM>. For swivel wheels that turn in all orientations of a span of <NUM> degrees, and with the opening <NUM> positioned concentrically with the axis of rotation of the fork <NUM>, the radius of the opening <NUM> may range between x and y, where x is the radius of the fork <NUM> and y is about a distance calculated from the axis of rotation of the fork <NUM> to an outer edge of the wheel <NUM> minus <NUM>/<NUM> the diameter of the wheel <NUM>. Another method of determining the size of the opening is to ensure that the edge <NUM> will be mechanically in contact with the wheel <NUM> when the brake system <NUM> is in the applied state.

According to the illustrated embodiment <FIG>, the edge <NUM> may have a replaceable brake pad <NUM>. The brake pad <NUM> may be in contact with the castor <NUM> when the brake system <NUM> is in the applied state. The brake pad <NUM> may be positioned anywhere on the edge <NUM>. The brake pad <NUM> may be positioned on a portion of the edge <NUM> where the castor <NUM> of that opening <NUM> is most likely to be positioned so that castor <NUM> is frequently being applied the brakes at the location where the brake pad <NUM> is. For example, the operator may push the wheeled transport device <NUM> in a forward direction and a swivel wheel may be trailing behind meaning it is positioned, with respect to the opening <NUM>, opposite of the forward direction. Thus the brake pad <NUM> may be placed at this location so that the material of the edge <NUM> is not subject to a high cycle of wear and tear. Rather the brake pad <NUM> may be subject to a high cycle of wear and tear and may be replaceable for convenient maintenance. The brake pad <NUM> may span a portion of the edge <NUM> or may cover the entire edge <NUM>. The brake pad <NUM> may be connected to the contact member <NUM> by a fastener <NUM>, rivets, bolts, screws, or other connection known for replaceable brake pads.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a bottom view of the wheeled transport device <NUM> according to at least some embodiments. The illustrated embodiments illustrate the shaft <NUM> be connected to a first end of the wheeled transport device <NUM> and a second opposite end of the wheeled transport device <NUM>. According to the illustrated embodiment, the release mechanism <NUM> is located at the first and second ends of the wheeled transport device <NUM>. The portion of the release mechanism <NUM> at the second end of the wheeled transport device <NUM> may have similar components, such as the motion converter <NUM>, as the portion of the release mechanism <NUM> at the first end of the wheeled transport device <NUM>. According to the illustrated embodiment, there is a contact member <NUM> at the first end of the wheeled transport device <NUM> and there is not a contact member <NUM> at the second end of the wheeled transport device <NUM>. Other embodiments may have a contact member <NUM> at each of the first and second ends of the wheeled transport device <NUM>. According to the illustrated embodiment, there is a second handle <NUM> and a second transmission line <NUM> at the second end of the wheeled transport device <NUM> so that an operator may use the second handle <NUM> to manipulate the brake system <NUM> between the applied state and the released state. The release mechanism <NUM> at the second end of the wheeled transport device <NUM> is connected to the second transmission line <NUM>. The release mechanism <NUM> comprises the shaft <NUM> having two ends, each end connected to the release mechanism <NUM> at one of the ends of the wheeled transport device <NUM>.

The following paragraphs describe the usage of components of the wheeled transport device <NUM>.

As mentioned previously, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a first orientation of the first handle <NUM>, namely an orientation where an operator is not engaging with the first handle <NUM> and <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a second orientation of the first handle <NUM>, namely an orientation where an operator is engaging with the first handle <NUM>. When the wheeled transport device <NUM> is stationary and the first handle <NUM> is not engaged by an operator, the first handle <NUM> is in the first orientation and the brake system <NUM> is in the fully engaged mode. When an operator desires the wheels <NUM> to rotate and thus cause the wheeled transport device <NUM> to be in a transportation state, the operator can change the orientation of the first handle <NUM> from the first orientation to an intermediate or the second orientation. The intermediate orientation of the fist handle <NUM> is an orientation where the first handle <NUM> is between the first orientation and the second orientation. When the first handle <NUM> is in the intermediate orientation, the contact member <NUM> is still in contact with the wheel <NUM>, however the wheel <NUM> is able to rotate about the wheel axis <NUM>. The change of the orientation of the first handle <NUM> may be accomplished by the operator grasping the first handle <NUM> with their hand and changing the orientation of the first handle <NUM> to the intermediate or the second orientation by rotating the first handle <NUM>, for example. Thus, when the first handle <NUM> is in the second orientation, the brake system is in the released state.

When the first handle <NUM> rotates from a first orientation to an intermediate orientation, the first handle <NUM> causes the first transmission line <NUM> to manipulate the contact member <NUM>. According to at least some embodiments, the first transmission line <NUM> is moved from a first transmission line position to an intermediate transmission line position. According to at least some embodiments, the first transmission line is moved from the first transmission line position to an intermediate transmission line position by moving upwards, thus causing a motion converter connector to be moved from a first connector position to an intermediate connector position. According to at least some embodiments, the motion converter connector is lifted by the slot <NUM>, and the slot <NUM> rotates the motion converter <NUM>. This causes the contact member <NUM> to be in the relieved mode from the fully engaged mode of the contact member <NUM>.

The motion converter <NUM> may have a ball bearing which is mechanically in contact with the contact member <NUM>. When the motion converter <NUM> is rotated, the motion converter connecter <NUM> may move where the ball bearing rolls on a bottom surface of the contact member <NUM>. When the handle is moved from a first orientation to an intermediate orientation, and thus the transmission line <NUM> causes the motion converter to rotate, the motion converter connecter <NUM> pushes on the contact member <NUM>. The contact member <NUM> is in contact with the wheel <NUM> and the force applied on the contact member <NUM> may relieve, at least partially, a braking force applied on the wheel <NUM>.

While the contact member <NUM> is in the fully engaged mode and in the relieved mode, the contact member <NUM> is mechanically in contact with the wheel <NUM>. However, during the fully engaged mode, the wheel <NUM> is not able to rotate about the wheel axle <NUM> and therefore the wheeled transport device <NUM> is configured to be stationary. During the relieved mode, the contact member <NUM> is also mechanically in contact with the wheel <NUM>, however the wheel <NUM> is able to rotate about the wheel axle <NUM> and therefore the wheeled transport device <NUM> is configured to be moved relative to the ground. When the handle <NUM>, the transmission line <NUM> and the motion converter <NUM> are oriented from the first positions to the intermediate positions, the contact member <NUM> is in the relieved mode.

At some point when the first handle <NUM> is moved into or through the intermediate orientation, the wheel <NUM> will start to rotate about the wheel axle <NUM>. This depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to: the weight of the load on the wheeled transport device <NUM>, the angle of the slope on which the wheeled transport device <NUM> is on and other factors.

When the first handle <NUM> rotates from the intermediate to the second orientation, in which the second orientation is depicted in <FIG> <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first handle <NUM> causes the first transmission line <NUM> to manipulate the contact member <NUM> into the released state. The contact member <NUM> is moved upwards and may be rotated simultaneously. The contact member <NUM> is allowed to be rotated because of the hinge mechanism <NUM> which is connected to the frame. When the handle <NUM>, the transmission line <NUM> and the motion converter <NUM> are oriented from the intermediate positions to the second positions, the contact member <NUM> is in the released state.

While the brake system <NUM>, and thus the contact member <NUM> is in the released state, the motion converter <NUM> may rotate to a position before it reaches a maximum position, in which the maximum position is where the contact member connector <NUM> is vertically above a motion converter hinge connector. The motion converter hinge connector is the rotatable connection between the motion converter <NUM> and the frame <NUM>. It is preferred that, while travelling from the applied state to the released state, the contact member connector <NUM> does not travel past the maximum position, so that the motion converter <NUM> is able to rotate back in the opposite direction, which is when the brake system <NUM> is moved from the released state to the applied state. According to at least some embodiments, the motion converter <NUM> rotates clockwise according to a view point while the brake system <NUM> is moved from the applied state to the released state and the motion converter <NUM> rotates counter-clockwise according to the same view point while the brake system <NUM> is moved from the released state to the applied state. According a different embodiment, the motion converter <NUM> rotates counter-clockwise according to the same view point while the brake system <NUM> is moved from the applied state to the released state and the motion converter <NUM> rotates clockwise according to the same view point while the brake system <NUM> is moved from the released state to the applied state.

According to at least some embodiments, manipulating the contact member <NUM> into the released state means that the contact member <NUM> moves upward at a distance away from the wheel <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the contact member <NUM> is at a distance from the wheel <NUM>. More specifically, the edge <NUM> of the opening <NUM> of the contact member <NUM> is at a distance from the wheel <NUM>. The edge <NUM> may have the brake pad <NUM> which is also at a distance from the wheel <NUM> while the contact member <NUM> is in the released state. When the edge <NUM> and thus the contact member <NUM> is at a distance from the whee1 <NUM>, the wheel <NUM> is able to rotate on a floor surface without any braking force applied from the contact member <NUM> and thus the wheeled transport device is able to be moved in a transportation state without any braking force applied on the wheels <NUM> from the contact member <NUM>.

The operator may push or pull the wheeled transport device <NUM> while maintaining the first handle <NUM> in an orientation where the brake system <NUM> is in the released state or the relieved mode. The operator may travel or walk to a different location with the wheeled transport device <NUM> in the released state.

When the operator wishes to stop the wheeled transport device <NUM>, the operator can release their grasp of the first handle or second handle <NUM>, <NUM>. At this point the first or second handle <NUM>, <NUM> is changed from the second orientation to the first orientation due to a biasing force of the biasing mechanism. Here, the brake system <NUM> will automatically default to the fully engaged mode of the applied state due to the brake system <NUM> being biased to cause the contact member <NUM> to come into contact with the wheel <NUM> with a high enough braking force caused by the biasing mechanism to cause the wheel <NUM> to stop rotating about the wheel axle <NUM>.

After the operator releases the first handle <NUM> and thus the first handle <NUM> is in the first orientation, the first handle <NUM> causes the first transmission line <NUM> to manipulate the contact member <NUM> into the applied state. Alternatively, the operator may keep a grasp on the first handle <NUM> and, in a controlled manner, move the handle <NUM> from the first orientation to an intermediate orientation of the handle <NUM>. According to at least some embodiments, manipulating the contact member <NUM> into the applied state means that the contact member <NUM> is biased to translate downwards and make contact with the wheel <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, <FIG> and in <FIG>, the contact member <NUM> is in contact with the wheel <NUM>. More specifically, the edge <NUM> of the opening <NUM> of the contact member <NUM> is in contact with the wheel <NUM>. The edge <NUM> may have the brake pad <NUM> which is thus also in contact with the wheel <NUM> while the contact member <NUM> is in the applied state. When the edge <NUM> and thus the contact member <NUM> is in contact with the whee1 <NUM>, the wheel <NUM> is unable to rotate on the floor surface and thus the wheeled transport device <NUM> is unable to be transported. Further, the fork <NUM> is also prevented from rotating about its vertical axis of rotation. The wheeled transport device <NUM> is therefore not in a transportation state.

The contact member <NUM> is biased to translate downwards and make contact with the wheel <NUM> due to a biasing mechanism <NUM>. According to at least some embodiments, the biasing mechanism <NUM> is in the form of a spring. During the released state, the biasing mechanism <NUM> is in compression and is making a connection between the contact member <NUM> and the frame <NUM>. As the operator maintains the first handle <NUM> in the second orientation, the first handle <NUM> and the first transmission line <NUM> applies a force to the biasing mechanism <NUM> to keep the biasing mechanism <NUM> compressed at a first biasing force and therefore the contact member is at a distance away from the wheel <NUM>. When the operator releases the first handle <NUM>, the contact member <NUM> is in contact with the wheel <NUM> in the fully engaged mode and the biasing mechanism <NUM> is compressed at a second biasing force which is less that the first biasing force. The second biasing force is applied onto the biasing mechanism housing <NUM> which is connected to the contact member <NUM> and therefore the contact member applies a braking force to the wheel <NUM>. The position of the biasing mechanism <NUM> contributes to the braking force. For example, if the edge <NUM>, where the edge <NUM> is connected to the wheel <NUM>, is located farther from the biasing mechanism <NUM> and closer to the rotatable connection between the frame <NUM> and the hinge mechanism <NUM>, the braking force would be more due to the biasing and moment forces.

When the operator manipulates the handle <NUM>, <NUM> into the intermediate handle position, the biasing force applied from the biasing mechanism <NUM> is now less than the first biasing force and greater than the second biasing force. However, since operator is applying force onto the handle, the braking force applied on the wheel <NUM> during the relieved mode may still be less than the braking force during the fully engaged mode.

A handle force is the force required by the operator in order to maintain the handle and brake system <NUM> in the released state, and thus prevent the release mechanism <NUM> from biasing to the applied state. A maximum biasing force is the force applied by the biasing mechanism <NUM> while the brake system <NUM> is in the fully engaged mode. According to at least some embodiments, a ratio of the handle force to the maximum biasing force is <NUM>:<NUM> or less, i.e. <NUM> to more than <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the ratio of the handle force to the maximum biasing force is <NUM>:<NUM> or less. According to another embodiment, the ratio of the handle force to the max biasing force is <NUM>:<NUM> or less. This may be an adequate ratio to enable the operator to maintain the handle in a released state to transport the wheeled transport device <NUM> comfortably for a certain period of time, while still exerting enough braking force onto the wheel <NUM>.

The second handle <NUM> may cause the release mechanism <NUM> to be manipulated between the applied and released state. The second handle <NUM> is a second option to cause the release mechanism <NUM> to be manipulated between the applied and released state. In other words, if an operator manipulates the second handle <NUM> between a first and second orientation of the second handle <NUM>, the contact member <NUM> can be in the released and applied state, without having to engage the first handle <NUM> between a first and second orientation.

According to at least some embodiments, the operator may engage with the second handle <NUM> and thus cause a second transmission line <NUM> to move a second motion converter at the second end of the wheel transport device <NUM>. When the second motion converter is rotated, the shaft <NUM> is rotated and causes the motion converter <NUM> at the first end of the wheeled transport device <NUM> to manipulate the contact member <NUM> to the relieved mode or the released state.

The second handle <NUM> may manipulate the contact member <NUM> in the same or similar manner as the first handle <NUM> manipulates the contact member <NUM>. The first handle <NUM> may be manipulated and the second transmission line <NUM> and the second handle <NUM> will not be affected or moved by this manipulation. Further, the second handle <NUM> may be manipulated and the first transmission line <NUM> and the first handle <NUM> will not be affected or moved by this manipulation. This is achieved by the slot <NUM> of each of the first and second transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>.

In an example usage, the end result of releasing the first or second handle <NUM>, <NUM> into a released orientation, is to release the contact member <NUM> from the wheel <NUM> or cause the brake system <NUM> to be in the released state. The operator may also manipulate the first or second handle <NUM>, <NUM> in an intermediate orientation which allows the user to control the braking force on the wheel <NUM> and where the contact member <NUM> may still be in contact with the wheel <NUM>.

The wheeled transport device <NUM> may have a platform for loading parcels or other objects. The height of the platform relative to the ground is found to be lower than common roll containers because the common brakes for swivel castors are located above the top surface of the castor in common roll containers. The contact member <NUM> in the proposed wheeled transport device <NUM> may be located below the top surface of the castor <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. The contact member <NUM> may be located near the top surface of the wheel <NUM> while in the released state. Since there is not an obstruction above the top surface of the castor <NUM>, the platform of the wheeled transport device <NUM> may be installed on the top surface of the castor <NUM> or immediately below it. This feature provides for more space for loading and unloading objects on the wheeled transport device <NUM>.

The benefit of the contact member having an opening is that a wheel, especially a swivel wheel may have a brake applied to it in any orientation of the swivel wheel.

The benefit of automatically engaging the brake system <NUM> is that the operator can complete other tasks without having to manually apply a brake. For example, the operator may stop the wheeled transport device <NUM>, step away from the wheeled transport device <NUM>, load a box onto the wheeled transport device <NUM> and engage with the first or second handle <NUM>, <NUM> to continue moving the wheeled transport device <NUM> and during this process, once the operator releases the first or second handle <NUM>, <NUM>, the wheeled transport device <NUM> has a brake system applied to prevent the wheels <NUM> from moving. This improves the overall efficiency of handling goods where wheeled transport devices are common. Additionally, the auto-engaging brake system <NUM> ensures that when the operator is away from the wheeled transport device <NUM>, the wheeled transport device <NUM> is secured and not prone to unintentional movement of the wheeled transport device <NUM> due to the wheeled transport device <NUM> being on a sloped surface for example.

A person skilled in the art may foresee several variants of the above described embodiment.

For example, another embodiment comprises the frame <NUM> without the upper section. The handle may be lower and therefore, the upper section of the frame <NUM> may not comprise the handle.

The handle <NUM>, <NUM> may be located in a lower section of the frame <NUM>. The wheeled transport device <NUM> may have more than one castor <NUM>. The castors may swivel and all or at least one of the castors may swivel.

According to at least some embodiments, the wheeled transport device <NUM> has only one handle and therefore the shaft <NUM> is not necessary. As a result, the wheeled transport device <NUM> may not have the second handle, the second transmission line, a second motion converter and the shaft <NUM>. The wheeled transport device <NUM> may have a motion converter that does not rotate. Alternatively, the wheeled transport device <NUM> may not have a motion converter and the transmission line <NUM> may be directly connected to the contact member <NUM>.

The transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM> may be a cable, a bar or other form or transmitting movement or energy or motion to the release mechanism <NUM> or to the contact member <NUM> directly. The handles <NUM>, <NUM> may be directly connected to the release mechanism <NUM>, thus the wheeled transport device <NUM> may not have a transmission line. The motion converter <NUM> may not be part of the release mechanism <NUM>. The contact member <NUM> may be a planar surface, or curved surface.

The wheeled transport device <NUM> may not have the biasing mechanism housing <NUM> and the biasing mechanism <NUM> may be directly connected to the contact member <NUM>. The biasing mechanism <NUM> may be a spring, a gas damper or a known component for exerting a force that stores energy in compression or tension or other biasing components known per se.

The contact member may move upwards or downwards between the applied and released states since the contact member may be located above or below a center axle of the wheel <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> may be circular or slightly circular. The shape of the opening <NUM> may accommodate the possible orientations in which the wheel <NUM> is subject to be in. For example, if a wheeled transport device <NUM> has a wheel <NUM> that can rotate <NUM> degrees, as opposed to <NUM> degrees for a standard swivel wheel, the opening may be in a shape of a semicircle or slightly larger to accommodate for the entire movement of the swivel wheel.

Claim 1:
A wheeled transport device (<NUM>) comprising:
- at least one castor (<NUM>), which comprises a wheel (<NUM>), and
- a brake system (<NUM>), which comprises a contact member (<NUM>), which comprises at least one opening (<NUM>), which is defined by an edge (<NUM>), wherein the contact member (<NUM>) is configured to be manipulated between:
∘ an applied state, in which the edge (<NUM>) is in contact with the wheel (<NUM>), and
∘ a released state, in which the edge (<NUM>) is not in contact with the wheel (<NUM>),
wherein
- the brake system (<NUM>) comprises a release mechanism (<NUM>), which is configured to selectively manipulate the brake system (<NUM>) to the released state,
characterized in that
- the release mechanism (<NUM>) is connected to the contact member (<NUM>) via a motion converter such that the motion converter allows the contact member to be manipulated between the applied state and the released state and wherein the motion converter is configured to rotate and cause the contact member (<NUM>), which is a planar surface, to be manipulated between the applied state and the released state.