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Patent Abstract
An attachment which is readily installed on a conventional hand
truck, providing additional load bearing area and restraining points,
thereby increasing the utility of the hand truck, and making the
hand truck safer to operate. The attachment may be manually removed
from the hand truck, not requiring the use of any tools. The attachment
may also function as a storage rack, even when removed from the
hand truck.
Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A manually-removeable attachment used in combination with a
hand truck, the hand truck comprising a vertical ladder-back frame
including a plurality of horizontal cross-braces extending between
vertical side rails from an upper end of the frame to a lower end
of the frame, said frame having a handle at the top and axle-mounted
wheels at a bottom and a toe plate affixed to the bottom of said
frame and extending substantially horizontally from the front of
the frame, the attachment comprising: (a) a plurality of cage members,
each cage member comprising a lower cargo bearing section, a front
cargo restraining section and an upper cargo enclosing section,
the lower cargo bearing section supported by the toe plate and extending
forward, the front cargo restraining section comprising the vertical
portion of the cage member, and the upper cargo enclosing section
comprising the portion of the cage member extending from the front
cargo restraining section to the upper end of the frame; (b) a first
attachment means connecting the lower cargo bearing section of each
cage member to a horizontal cross-brace at the lower end of the
frame; (c) a second attachment means connecting the upper cargo
enclosing section of each cage member to a horizontal cross-brace
at the upper end of the frame; and (d.) a plurality of cross-supports
connecting the cage members.
2. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the first connecting means
comprises a hanger assembly, said hanger assembly having a bottom
end attached to the lower cargo bearing section and an upper end
configured into a hanger to fit over the horizontal cross-brace
at the lower end of the frame.
3. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the second connecting means
comprises a bracket connected to the upper cargo enclosing section,
said bracket adapted to fit over the horizontal cross-brace at the
upper end of the frame.
4. The attachment of claim 3 wherein the bracket is configured
in a "U" shape.
5. The attachment of claim 3 wherein the bracket is configured
in a "V" shape.
6. The attachment of claim 1 wherein the cage members are configured
in a "U" shape.
7. A manually-removeable attachment used in combination with a
hand truck, the hand truck comprising a vertical ladder-back frame
including a plurality of horizontal cross-braces extending between
vertical side rails from an upper end of the frame to a lower end
of the frame, said frame having a handle at the top and axle-mounted
wheels at a bottom and a toe plate affixed to the bottom of said
frame and extending substantially horizontally from the front of
the frame, the attachment comprising: (a) two cage members, each
cage member comprising a lower cargo bearing section, a front cargo
restraining section and an upper cargo enclosing section, the lower
cargo bearing section supported by the toe plate and extending forward,
the front cargo restraining section comprising the vertical portion
of the cage member, and the upper cargo enclosing section comprising
the portion of the cage member extending from the front cargo restraining
section to the upper end of the frame; (b) a first attachment means
connecting the lower cargo bearing section of each cage member to
a horizontal cross-brace at the lower end of the frame; (c) a second
attachment means connecting the upper cargo enclosing section of
each cage member to a horizontal cross-brace at the upper end of
the frame; and (d.) a plurality of cross-supports connecting the
cage members.
8. The attachment of claim 7 wherein the first connecting means
comprises a hanger assembly, said hanger assembly having a bottom
end attached to the lower cargo bearing section and an upper end
configured into a hanger to fit over the horizontal cross-brace
at the lower end of the frame.
9. The attachment of claim 7 wherein the second connecting means
comprises a bracket connected to the upper cargo enclosing section,
said bracket adapted to fit over the horizontal cross-brace at the
upper end of the frame.
10. The attachment of claim 9 wherein the bracket is configured
in a "U" shape.
11. The attachment of claim 9 wherein the bracket is configured
in a "V" shape.
12. The attachment of claim 7 wherein the cage members are configured
in a "U" shape.
13. A manually-removeable attachment used in combination with a
hand truck, the hand truck comprising a vertical ladder-back frame
including a plurality of horizontal cross-braces extending between
vertical side rails from an upper end of the frame to a lower end
of the frame, said frame having a handle at the top and axle-mounted
wheels at a bottom and a toe plate affixed to the bottom of said
frame and extending substantially horizontally from the front of
the frame, the attachment comprising: (a) two cage members, each
cage member comprising a lower cargo bearing section, a front cargo
restraining section and an upper cargo enclosing section, the lower
cargo bearing section supported by the toe plate and extending forward,
the front cargo restraining section comprising the vertical portion
of the cage member, and the upper cargo enclosing section comprising
the portion of the cage member extending from the front cargo restraining
section to the upper end of the frame; (b) a first connecting means
connecting the lower cargo bearing section of each cage member to
a horizontal cross-brace at the lower end of the frame; (c) a second
connecting means connecting the upper cargo enclosing section of
each cage member to a vertical side rail at the upper end of the
frame; and (d) a plurality of cross-supports connecting the cage
members.
14. The attachment of claim 13 wherein the first connecting means
comprises a hanger assembly, said hanger assembly having a lower
end attached to the lower cargo bearing section and an upper end
configured into a hanger to fit over the horizontal cross-brace
at the lower end of the frame.
15. The attachment of claim 13 wherein the second connecting means
comprises a universal mount connected to the vertical side rail.
16. A manually-removeable attachment used in combination with a
hand truck, the hand truck comprising a vertical ladder-back frame
including a plurality of horizontal cross-braces extending between
vertical side rails from an upper end of the frame to a lower end
of the frame, said frame having a handle at the top and axle-mounted
wheels at a bottom and a toe plate affixed to the bottom of said
frame and extending substantially horizontally from the front of
the frame, the attachment comprising: (a) two cage members, each
cage member comprising a lower cargo bearing section and a front
cargo restraining section, the lower cargo bearing section supported
by the toe plate and extending forward, and the front cargo restraining
section comprising the vertical portion of the cage member; (b)
a first connecting means connecting the lower cargo bearing section
of each cage member to a horizontal cross-brace at the lower end
of the frame; and (c) a plurality of cross-supports connecting the
cage members.
17. The attachment of claim 16 wherein the first connecting means
comprises a hanger assembly, said hanger assembly having a bottom
end supported by the lower cargo bearing section and an upper end
configured into a hanger to fit over the horizontal cross-brace
at the lower end of the frame.
18. A manually-removeable hand truck attachment which functions
as a storage rack when removed from the hand truck, the hand truck
comprising a vertical ladder-back frame including a plurality of
horizontal cross-braces extending between vertical side rails from
an upper end of the frame to a lower end of the frame, said frame
having a handle at the top and axle-mounted wheels at a bottom and
a toe plate affixed to the bottom of said frame and extending substantially
horizontally from the front of the frame, the attachment comprising:
(a) two cage members, each cage member comprising a lower cargo
bearing section, a front cargo restraining section and an upper
cargo enclosing section, the lower cargo bearing section supported
by the toe plate and extending forward, the front cargo restraining
section comprising the vertical portion of the cage member, and
the upper cargo enclosing section comprising the portion of the
cage member extending from the front cargo restraining section to
the upper end of the frame; (b) a first attachment means connecting
the lower cargo bearing section of each cage member to a horizontal
cross-brace at the lower end of the frame; (c) a second attachment
means connecting the upper cargo enclosing section of each cage
member to a horizontal cross-brace at the upper end of the frame;
and (d.) a plurality of cross-supports connecting the cage members.
19. A manually-removeable hand truck attachment which functions
as a storage rack when removed from the hand truck, the hand truck
comprising a vertical ladder-back frame including a plurality of
horizontal cross-braces extending between vertical side rails from
an upper end of the frame to a lower end of the frame, said frame
having a handle at the top and axle-mounted wheels at a bottom and
a toe plate affixed to the bottom of said frame and extending substantially
horizontally from the front of the frame, the attachment comprising:
(a) two cage members, each cage member comprising a lower cargo
bearing section and a front cargo restraining section, the lower
cargo bearing section supported by the toe plate and extending forward,
and the front cargo restraining section comprising the vertical
portion of the cage member; (b) a first connecting means connecting
the lower cargo bearing section of each cage member to a horizontal
cross-brace at the lower end of the frame; and (c) a plurality of
cross-supports connecting the cage members.
Patent Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/735,881, filed on Dec. 12, 2000, to which the inventor claims
domestic priority, and which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to hand trucks and particularly
to a hand truck attachment which readily attaches to a hand truck
thereby allowing different types, shapes and sizes of items to be
transported by the hand truck.
[0003] Conventional hand trucks are manually propelled and generally
comprise a frame with a handle on the upper end of the frame, wheels
at the lower end of the frame, and a toe plate attached at the lower
end of the frame, where the toe plate is generally perpendicular
to the frame. Items carried on the hand truck are stacked on the
toe plate, and the frame is rocked backwards, tilting on the wheels
so that the items rest against the frame as the hand truck is wheeled
to the desired location. However, the types, shapes and sizes of
items which may be transported on a conventional hand truck are
limited. Typically, a conventional hand truck works best for moving
boxes, bags, and barrels. Items which are not placed directly on
the toe plate may not be stable during transporting the hand truck,
and those items may fall off through the frame members, to the side,
or the front of the hand truck because the only points of support
provided by a conventional hand truck are at the toe plate and at
the frame supports. Small items and items which are not readily
stackable are even more difficult to transport by a conventional
hand truck, because of the lack of support points.
[0004] Various ideas have been proposed for modifying a conventional
hand truck to provide greater utility in transporting different
items. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,602 (Sanders) discloses
a hand truck for handling bulky freight. This hand truck has a large
cage or freight supporting surface with three walls, which may be
used to support and carry bulky freight such as loaf bread, plastic
foam objects and the like. However, the front of this hand truck
is open. When this hand truck is not being used, the side members
and the toe plate extension can be folded to permit the hand truck
to be carried by a supply truck or stored without occupying an undue
amount of space. The side members and toe plate extension are not
readily detachable from the hand truck.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,987 discloses an attachment to a conventional
hand truck which readily attaches to increase the ease of carrying
small articles. This attachment comprises a foldable panel system
which provides lateral support for articles loaded on the band truck.
The three panels include a back plate and two side plates. However
the only support provided at the front of the hand truck are straps
which extend across the two side plates. The attachment provides
no additional load-bearing area to the toe plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One embodiment of the disclosed invention is directed to
an apparatus which readily attaches to a conventional hand truck,
and may be manually removed, i.e., without tools, once use of the
hand truck has been completed. As a further advantage the present
invention provides additional load-bearing area to the toe plate
thereby increasing the capacity of a conventional hand truck. When
removed, the disclosed apparatus may also function as a storage
rack.
[0007] The conventional hand truck is comprised of a vertical ladder-back
frame which includes a plurality of horizontal cross-braces extending
between vertical side rails from an upper end of the frame to a
lower end of the frame. The frame typically has a handle at the
top and a pair of axle-mounted wheels at a bottom. The frame has
a toe plate affixed to the bottom, which extends substantially horizontally
from the front of the frame. One embodiment of the present invention
comprises a plurality of cage members, each cage member comprising
a lower cargo bearing section, a front restraining section and an
upper enclosing section. The lower cargo bearing section is supported
by the toe plate and extends forward. The front restraining section
comprises the vertical portion of the cage member, and the upper
enclosing section comprises the portion of the cage member continuing
backwardly to the upper end of the frame. A first connecting means
connects the lower cargo bearing section of each cage member to
a horizontal cross-brace at the lower end of the frame and a second
connecting means connects the upper enclosing section of each cage
member to a horizontal cross-brace at the upper end of the frame.
A plurality of cross-supports connecting adjacent cage members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed
invention attached to a conventional hand truck.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed
invention, detached from a hand truck.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a top view of an alternative means of attaching
the upper end of one embodiment to a conventional hand truck.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an alternative means of attaching
the lower end of one embodiment to a conventional hand truck.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of an alternative embodiment
of the disclosed invention attached to a conventional hand truck.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows how one embodiment of the disclosed invention
may be used as a storage rack.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows how an alternative embodiment of the disclosed
invention may be used as a storage rack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional hand truck comprises
a ladder-back frame 10, two vertical side rails, 12, a handle 14,
horizontal cross-braces 16, a toe plate 18, and wheels 22. One disclosed
embodiment of the invention comprises attachment 11, the attachment
comprising a plurality of cage members 24, each cage member comprising
a lower cargo bearing section 26, a front restraining section 28,
and an upper enclosing section 30. The cage members 24 may be constructed
of a malleable, moldable or weldable material, such as thin wall
mild steel tubing. If smaller items are to be carried on the hand
truck, it may be desirable to have more than two cage members 24
so that there will be less space between the cage members. The embodiment
shown in FIG. 1 has two cage members 24, which reduces the cost
and weight of the invention.
[0016] Each cage member 24 of attachment 11 may comprise three
different sections, the lower cargo bearing section 26, the front
restraining section 28 and the upper enclosing section 30. The lower
cargo bearing section 26 is generally horizontal, supported by the
toe plate 18 and extending from the front edge of the toe plate.
The front restraining section 28 is the generally vertical section
of each cage member which restrains cargo loaded on the hand truck
from sliding forward. From the generally vertical front restraining
section 28, each cage member 24 curves back at the top to connect
the cage member to the ladder back frame 10, the horizontal portion
of the cage member 28 forming the upper enclosing section 30.
[0017] The lower cargo bearing section 26 of each cage member 24
is supported by toe plate 18. The lower cargo bearing section 26
extends out beyond the front edge of the toe plate 18, following
a plane parallel to the plane of the toe plate, thus providing a
load bearing area which extends beyond the edge of the toe plate.
Connecting means, such as a lower hanger assembly 32, terminating
in a hanger 34, may connect each cage member 24 to a horizontal
cross-brace 16 of the hand cart. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the
lower hanger assembly 32 and hanger 34 may be constructed of flat
metal stock or of flattened tubing. The hanger 34 may be formed
at the upper end of the hanger assembly into a U-shaped configuration,
as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the hanger 34' may be formed
in a V-shaped configuration as shown in FIG. 4. For either configuration,
the lower hanger assembly 34 or 34' is hung on the horizontal cross-brace
16.
[0018] The front restraining section 28 of each cage member 24
is substantially vertical, extending from the end of the lower cargo
bearing section 26 at the lower end of the hand truck to the end
of the upper enclosing section 30 of the cage member. As shown in
FIG. 1, the front restraining sections 28 of each cage member 24
define a plane generally parallel to the plane formed by the ladder-back
frame 10 of the hand truck. The front restraining sections 28 provide
rigid support points for cargo transported by the hand truck. For
example, when transporting items such as cinder blocks, the front
restraining sections 28 provide front support to prevent the blocks
from tumbling from the front of the hand truck. The front restraining
sections 28 further provide support to items which do not readily
stack. For example, firewood is not easily transported by a conventional
hand truck because the rounded pieces tend to roll. However, the
present invention provides additional support points to firewood
so that it may be stacked and easily transported with the hand truck.
[0019] The upper enclosing section 30 provides horizontal containment
and support for cargo transported by the hand truck. The upper enclosing
section 30 extends from the top of the front restraining section
28 backward to the ladder-back frame 10 of the hand truck. As shown
in FIG. 1, the upper enclosing section 30 may be attached to a horizontal
cross-brace 16 of the ladder-back frame 10 by means of an attachment
bracket 36, where the attachment bracket is generally U-shaped as
depicted in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the attachment bracket 36 may
be generally V-Shaped and formed by connecting two plates together
at the top. As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the upper enclosing
section 30 may also be attached to a vertical side rail 12 using
a universal mount 36'. The universal mount is formed by terminating
the upper enclosing section 30 in the shape of a "U,"
configured to fit around each vertical side rail 12. The universal
mount 36' is further secured by a retaining pin 40, which may be
removed by hand.
[0020] Adjacent cage members 24 are attached to one another with
horizontal cross-supports 38. The cross-supports provide further
contact points for cargo carried on the hand truck. Side panels
constructed of metal screening, plastic, or other light weight materials
may be attached to the front or sides of the cage members 24 to
provide additional support or to enable transporting smaller items
with the hand truck without the items falling through the space
between the cage members.
[0021] An alternative embodiment 11' of the invention is disclosed
in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, each cage member 24' is comprised
of two different sections, the lower cargo bearing section 26' and
the front restraining section 28'. The lower cargo bearing section
26' is generally horizontal, and supported by the toe plate 18 and
extending from the front edge of the toe plate 18. The front restraining
section 28' is the generally vertical section of each cage member
which restrains cargo loaded on the hand truck from sliding forward.
Adjacent cage members 24' are attached to one another with horizontal
cross-supports 38'. In this embodiment 11', because there is only
one connection of each cage member 24' to the ladder-back frame
10 of the hand truck, the cage members may be constructed of a more
rigid material than the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1.
[0022] In addition to use of the disclosed invention for transporting
various items, such as cinder blocks, fire wood, and boxes, the
disclosed invention, when attached to a hand truck, provides a portable
storage rack for these items. This use may be accomplished by removing
simply lowering the handle 14 of the hand truck to the ground, so
that the ladder back frame 10 is parallel to the ground and resting
on the ground. Items may then be stored within the cage members
24.
[0023] However, attachment 11, as depicted in FIG. 1, is easily
removed from the hand truck by simply lifting attachment 11 upwards.
It is to be appreciated that no tools are required to remove attachment
11 from the hand truck, such that the attachment 11 is manually-removeable
from the hand truck. Another embodiment 11', shown is FIG. 2, is
removed from the band truck by simply removing retaining pin 40
and disengaging universal mount 36' from vertical side rail 12.
As with the embodiment 11 depicted in FIG. 1, the embodiment 11'
shown in FIG. 2 requires no tools to remove from the hand truck
and is manually-removeable. Attachment 11 or Attachment 11' may
be used, without the hand truck, as a storage rack. For example,
FIG. 6 shows attachment 11' removed from the hand truck and placed
on the ground or floor surface such that the attachment is resting
on front engagement members 28. Items may then be stored on attachment
11', such as firewood 45 or other items or materials, which might
otherwise roll or shift unless contained. This feature of the device
allows it to be multi-functional, such that it not only increases
the carrying capacity of a hand truck, but also provides a convenient
storage rack standing alone.
[0024] A third embodiment, attachment 11", is manually removeable
from the hand truck by simply lifting upwards, This embodiment may
also be used as a storage rack as shown in FIG. 7, with lower cargo
bearing sections 26' resting on the ground or floor surface.
[0025] While the above is a description of various embodiments
of the present invention, further modifications may be employed
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For example, the size, shape, and/or material of the various components
may be changed as desired. Thus the scope of the invention should
not be limited by the specific structures disclosed. Instead the
true scope of the invention should be determined by the following
claims. |