Handtruck with unloading assembly

In a handtruck comprising a load plate having a load carrying surface, a side rail assembly extending upwardly from and in mechanical communication with the load plate, and a pair of wheels in mechanical communication with the side rail assembly, the improvement comprising:

• a push plate having a load engaging surface, the load engaging surface extending substantially perpendicular to the load carrying surface;
• and
• an extension assembly in mechanical communication with the side rail assembly, the extension assembly pivotably mounted to and the push plate, the extension assembly configured to move the push plate between a loading position and an unloading position while maintaining the substantially perpendicular orientation of the load engaging surface with respect to the load carrying surface, the extension assembly comprising:
• a handle assembly having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of the handle assembly being pivotably mounted to the side rail assembly so that the handle assembly is moveable between a storage position wherein the upper end of the handle assembly is spaced apart from the side rail assembly by a distance D1 and an unload position wherein the upper end of the handle assembly is spaced apart from the side rail assembly by a distance D2 which is greater than D1;
• a first linkage having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the first linkage attached to the lower end of the handle assembly so that, when the handle assembly is in its storage position, the lower end of the first assembly is in a retracted position, the lower end of the first linkage being in an extended position when the handle assembly is in its unload position;
• a second linkage having a rearward end and a forward end, the rearward end of the second linkage being pivotably attached to the lower end of the first linkage, the forward end of the second linkage being pivotably attached to the push plate, so that, when the handle assembly is moved from the storage position to the unload position, the first linkage is moved from its retracted position to its extended position, thereby moving the push plate from its loading position to its unloading position while maintaining the substantially normal orientation of the load engaging surface relative to than load carrying surface;
• at least one strut attached to the second linkage, the strut extending towards the push plate.

An unload assist mechanism for attachment to a handtruck including a load plate having a load carrying surface, a side rail assembly extending upwardly from and in mechanical communication with the load plate, and a pair of wheels in mechanical communication with the side rail assembly, the unload assist mechanism comprising:

• a push plate having a load engaging surface, the load engaging surface extending substantially perpendicular to the load carrying surface;
• and
• an extension assembly in mechanical communication with the side rail assembly, the extension assembly pivotably mounted to the push plate, the extension assembly configured to move the push plate between a loading position and an unloading position while maintaining the substantially perpendicular orientation of the load engaging surface with respect to the load carrying surface;
• a handle assembly having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of the handle assembly being pivotably mounted to the side rail assembly so that the handle assembly is moveable between a storage position wherein the upper end of the handle assembly is spaced apart from the side rail assembly by a distance D1 and an unload position wherein the upper end of the handle assembly is spaced apart from the side rail assembly by a distance D2 which is greater than D1;
• a first linkage having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the first linkage attached to the lower end of the handle assembly so that, when the handle assembly is in its storage position, the lower end of the first linkage is in a retracted position, the lower end of the first linkage being in an extended position when the handle assembly is in its unload position;
• a second linkage having a rearward end and a forward end, the rearward end of the second linkage being pivotably attached to the lower end of the first linkage, the forward end of the second linkage being pivotably attached to the push plate, so that, when the handle assembly is moved from the storage position to the unload position, the first linkage is moved from its retracted position to its extended position, thereby moving the push plate from its loading position to its unloading position while maintaining the substantially normal orientation of the load engaging surface relative to the load supporting surface;
• and
• at least one strut in mechanical communication with one of the second arms, each strut extending towards the push plate.