US 6,390,496 B1Granted

Adapter apparatus for assisting transportation of a wheel barrow

OwnerTodd R Eicherinventor

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Abstract

In a wheel barrow having a load carrying container disposed between a rotatable wheel and a handle, an adapter apparatus is disclosed for assisting transportation of the wheelbarrow. The adapter apparatus includes a frame having a first and a second end and an axle having a first and a second side. The axle extends through the frame and the rotatable wheel such that the rotatable wheel rotates about the axle. Additionally, the axle pivotally supports the wheel barrow such that pivotal movement of the wheel barrow about the axle and relative to the frame is permitted. A rotatable device is secured to the frame so that the container is disposed between the axle and the rotatable device. The arrangement is such that in a first mode of operation of the apparatus, the wheel barrow is supported by the frame and is transported on the rotatable wheel and the rotatable device for transportation of the load disposed within the container. In a second mode of operation of the apparatus, the handle of the wheel barrow is lifted relative to the frame such that the wheel barrow is pivoted about the axle for unloading the load from the container.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An adapter apparatus for assisting transportation of a wheelbarrow, the wheelbarrow including a pair of elongated handle members, a load carrying container disposed between the pair of handle members and attached thereto, and a front wheel rotatably supported by an axle extending through forward ends of the pair of handle members, the adapter apparatus comprising:

a frame including a pair of side members;
an adapter axle having first and second ends, said adapter axle being configured to extend through said forward ends of said pair of handle members and said front wheel after said axle of said wheelbarrow has been removed, and forward ends of said pair of side members of said frame being pivotally connected to said first and second ends of said adapter axle for permitting pivotal movement of said pair of handle members and said container relative to said frame;
and
a pair of rear wheels rotatably secured to a rearward end of said frame so that the container is disposed between said elongated axle and said pair of wheels, wherein in a first mode of operation of said adapter apparatus, the pair of handle members are supported by said frame and is transported on the front wheel and the pair of rear wheels for transportation of the load disposed within the container, and in a second mode of operation of said adapter apparatus, the pair of handle members are lifted relative to said frame such that the pair of handle members and the container are pivoted about said adapter axle for unloading a load from the container.

1 more element

a frame including a pair of side members;
an adapter axle having first and second ends, said adapter axle being configured to extend through said forward ends of said pair of handle members and said front wheel after said axle of said wheelbarrow has been removed, and forward ends of said pair of side members of said frame being pivotally connected to said first and second ends of said adapter axle for permitting pivotal movement of said pair of handle members and said container relative to said frame;
a pair of rear wheels rotatably secured to a rearward end of said frame so that the container is disposed between said elongated axle and said pair of wheels;
and
a height adjusting device secured to said frame for adjusting a position of said pair of rear wheels relative to said frame so that in a first disposition of said height adjusting device, the container is in an elevated position for permitting transportation of said wheelbarrow and when said height adjusting device is disposed in a second disposition, the container is in a lowered ground engaging position so that transportation of said wheelbarrow is inhibited, wherein in a first mode of operation of said adapter apparatus, the pair of handle members are supported by said frame and is transported on the front wheel and the pair of rear wheels for transportation of the load disposed within the container, and in a second mode of operation of said adapter apparatus, the pair of handle members are lifted relative to said frame such that the pair of handle members and the container are pivoted about said adapter axle for unloading a load from the container.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/982,066Filed 17 Oct 2001 · us provisional application
Priority: 2 Jul 2001
Granted: 21 May 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

B62B 1/24
In which the load is disposed between the wheel axis and the handles, e.g. wheelbarrows: involving tiltably-mounted containers
B62B 1/186
In which the load is disposed between the wheel axis and the handles, e.g. wheelbarrows: comprising an additional wheel, e.g. mounted on the struts
B62B
Hand-propelled vehicles