US 4,589,508 A · Motorized wheelbarrow

Abstract

A motorized wheelbarrow employing an engine to drive the wheel of the wheelbarrow. A unique friction drive transmission mechanism allows the wheelbarrow to be driven in either a forward or a reverse direction and can also stand in neutral while at the same time allowing the wheelbarrow to be accelerated gradually. In addition, a tire with a traction tread, can be used for the wheel so that the wheelbarrow has adequate traction in order to avoid becoming stuck in wet or rough terrain. The bed of the wheelbarrow is also capable of being pivoted upwardly in order to empty the bed without disrupting or upsetting the gasoline engine. The bed is easily removed so that various types of beds may be used interchangeably with the current invention. Those bed types include a flatbed, a bucket similar to that commonly used in the construction trades, and a stretcher-like bed which employs an additional set of handles on the front of the wheelbarrow.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A motorized wheelbarrow comprising:

a frame comprised of a pair of handles, each handle having a leg securely attached thereto positioned so as to aid in supporting said wheelbarrow, means for maintaining said handles securely in place with respect to one another, mounting means attached to said handles and said legs for holding an engine;
a wheel mounted on said frame by connecting means such that said wheel is in position to bear the load of the frame and its cargo when the handles are lifted;
an engine mounted on said frame;
a friction drive transmission mechanism mounted on said frame such that power produced by said engine is capable of being transmitted to said wheel, said transmission mechanism comprising a friction wheel disposed between a pair of drive plates, said drive plates being in power transmission communication with said wheel, and means for causing said friction wheel to selectively engage one of said drive plates or rest between said drive plates such that the wheelbarrow will be driven selectively in the forward or reverse direction or may rest in neutral;
and
a bed pivotably attached to said frame and capable of carrying a load.

3 more elements

A motorized wheelbarrow for carrying cargo comprising:

a frame comprised of a pair of handles, each handle having a leg securely attached thereto, positioned so as to aid in supporting said wheelbarrow, means for maintaining said handles securely in place with respect to one another, mounting means attached to said handles and said legs for holding an engine and a friction transmission mechanism;
at least one wheel mounted on said frame by connecting means such that said at least one wheel is in position to bear the load of the frame and the cargo when the handles are lifted;
an engine mounted on said frame;
a friction drive mechanism having a control means comprising a friction wheel in power transmission communication with said engine and mounted such that it is disposed between a pair of spaced drive plates in power transmission communication with said at least one wheel, wherein said control means for operating said friction drive mechanism communicates with said friction wheel to cause selective lateral movement of said friction wheel such that it engages and turns either drive plate thereby causing the rotation of the drive plates to be transmitted to said wheel such that the friction drive mechanism is capable of moving said at least one wheel in both forward and reverse directions and also allowing said wheelbarrow to rest in neutral;
and
a bed capable of carrying cargo attached to said frame.

3 more elements

A motorized wheelbarrow comprising:

a frame comprised of a pair of handles, each handle having a leg securely attached thereto, positioned so as to aid in supporting said wheelbarrow, a means for maintaining said handles securely in place with respect to one another, a mounting means attached to said handles and said legs for holding an engine and a friction transmission mechanism;
a wheel mounted on said frame by a connecting means such that said wheel is in position to bear the load of the frame and its cargo when the handles are lifted;
an engine mounted on said frame;
a friction transmission mechanism mounted on said frame such that the power produced by said engine is capable of being transmitted to said drive wheel, said friction transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft which is capable of being turned by said engine, a first chain drive attached to said drive shaft, a second chain drive attached to a friction drive mechanism and a first continuous link chain mounted on said first and second chain drives, a sprocket wheel securely mounted to the side of said wheel, a third chain drive attached to said friction drive mechanism and a second continuous link chain mounted on said third chain drive and said sprocket wheel, said friction drive mechanism comprising a friction wheel securely attached to said second chain drive such that it will rotate in a generally horizontal plane and disposed between a pair of drive plates which rotate in a generally vertical plane, wherein a control means for operating said clutch is capable of moving said friction wheel such that it can engage and turn either drive plate, a means of connecting said drive plates together such that a predetermined space is maintained between said drive plates within which said friction wheel can rotate;
said third chain drive being mounted on the outside surface of one of the drive plates;
a bed capable of carrying cargo together with vertical and horizontal supports attached to said bed and which support said bed on said frame;
and
control means for operating said friction drive mechanism.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Motorized wheelbarrow

Life of this patent

Motorized wheelbarrow

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38