# US 2017/0282947 A1 · Method and apparatus for wheelbarrow front end protection

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- Number: US 2017/0282947 A1
- Document ID: US20170282947A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/474,377
- Filed: 2017-03-30
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30
- Assignees: Vection Ltd.
- Applicants: Vection Ltd.
- Inventors: Mathew D. Meyer; Bryan Beard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282947A1

## CPC

- B62B 1/186: {comprising an additional wheel, e.g. mounted on the struts}
- B62B 5/0006: {Bumpers; Safety devices}
- B62B 2203/05: Rocking means for facilitating tilting of the cart, e.g. by loading
- B62B 2301/08: comprising additional wheels to increase stability
- B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M)

## Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are designed to be improvements over existing wheelbarrows. Certain embodiments comprise a frame, one or more weight-bearing wheels, and a pan. In certain embodiments, a wheelbarrow comprises a bight or a bumper having wheels. The wheels on the bight or bumper are located to the sides of a weight-bearing wheel. In certain embodiments, wheels located on each side of a bight or bumper portion allow a user to maneuver a wheelbarrow up or down a curb, or navigate stairs without causing damage to surfaces. Certain embodiments of the invention allow more efficient unloading of the contents of a wheelbarrow bed. Certain embodiments are designed to retrofit on existing wheelbarrows.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A wheelbarrow comprising:
a frame, said frame further comprising a first wheel, a first bar, and a second bar, wherein an axle of said first wheel is disposed between said first and second bars;
a pan attached atop said frame;
a bumper attached on the forward end of said frame;
said bumper comprising a first attachment member, a second attachment member, a cross member, a second wheel, and a third wheel;
said first attachment member oriented parallel and attached to said first bar;
said second wheel attached to said first attachment member;
said second attachment member oriented parallel and attached to said second bar;
said third wheel attached to said second attachment member; and
said cross member perpendicular and attached to said first attachment member and said second attachment member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The wheelbarrow in claim 1, wherein said cross member further comprises a gripping feature.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The wheelbarrow in claim 2, wherein said gripping feature comprises a flap projecting outward from said cross member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The wheelbarrow in claim 2, wherein said gripping feature comprises an opening in the cross member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The wheelbarrow in claim 1, wherein said second wheel and third wheel have a camber angle between 45° and −45° relative to said first wheel.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The wheelbarrow in claim 1, wherein said second wheel and third wheel aid in steering the wheelbarrow when said wheelbarrow is tilted forward.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device in claim 1, wherein said cross member is slideably attached to said attachment members.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The wheelbarrow in claim 1, further comprising a third attachment member attached to said first bar, and a fourth attachment member attached to said second bar, said second wheel disposed between said first attachment member and said third attachment member, and said third wheel disposed between said second attachment member and said fourth attachment member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The wheelbarrow in claim 8, wherein said bumper is formed from a single plate, said plate bent to form a bumper shape.

### Claim 10

A device for mounting on a forward end of a wheelbarrow frame, said device comprising:
a first pair of plates configured to accommodate a first portion of a wheelbarrow frame, said first pair of plates accommodates a first axle and a first wheel;
a second pair of plates configured to accommodate a second portion of a wheelbarrow frame, said second pair of plates accommodates a second axle and a second wheel; and
a front plate attaching to said first pair of plates and second pair of plates.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device in claim 10, wherein said front plate further comprises a gripping feature.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The device in claim 10, wherein said gripping feature comprises a flap projecting outward from said front plate.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The device in claim 10, wherein said first wheel and second wheel have a camber angle between 45° and −45°.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The device in claim 10, wherein said first pair of plates and said second pair of plates are connected with said front plate, formed from a single plate.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The device in claim 14, wherein said single plate is die cut.

### Claim 16

A device mounting on a forward end of a wheelbarrow frame, said device comprising:
a u-shaped member configured to mount on a first bar and a second bar of a wheelbarrow frame, said u-shaped member further comprising a cross member spanning between said first bar and second bar, and a first attachment end and a second attachment end flanking said cross member;
a first axle mounted on said first attachment end of said u-shaped member, a first wheel rotatable about said first axle, said first wheel having a camber angle between 45° and −45; and
a second axle mounted on said second attachment end of said u-shaped member, a second wheel rotatable about said second axle, said second wheel having a camber angle between 45° and −45°;
wherein said first wheel and second wheel aid in steering the wheelbarrow when said wheelbarrow is tilted forward.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The device in claim 16, further comprising:
a first attachment member, said first axle mounted between said u-shaped member first attachment end and said first attachment member; and
a second attachment member, said second axle mounted between said u-shaped member second attachment end and said second attachment member.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The device in claim 16, wherein said cross member further comprises a gripping feature.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The device in claim 17, wherein said cross member is connected to said first attachment member and to said second attachment member by a tab and slot connection.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The device in claim 16, wherein said u-shaped member, first attachment member, and second attachment member are interconnected forming a single body assembly.