Human-powered pallet carrier

A pallet carrier operable to be powered by a human, the pallet carrier comprising:

• a front frame;
• a rear frame;
• a first linear actuator;
• a second linear actuator;
• a drive train;
• a handlebar;
• a seat;
• and a braking system, the front frame supported by a pair of front driving wheels, the rear frame supported by a rear driving wheel, the rear driving wheel pivotally mounted to the rear frame with the first actuator, the pair of front driving wheels mounted to the front frame, the front frame including a pair of pallet forks, the pallet forks attached to the second linear actuator, the rear frame including a pair of beams, which, when mated with the pair of pallet forks, together, form a pallet loading zone, each pallet fork and each beam having at least one dolly wheel, the drive train, the handlebar, the seat and the braking system mounted on the front frame.

A method of loading a pallet using a human powered pallet carrier, the pallet carrier including:

• a front frame;
• a rear frame;
• a first linear actuator;
• a second linear actuator;
• a drive train;
• a handlebar;
• a seat;
• and a braking system, the front frame supported by a pair of front driving wheels, the rear frame supported by a rear driving wheel, the rear driving wheel pivotally mounted to the rear frame with the first actuator, the pair of front driving wheels mounted to the front frame, the front frame including a pair of pallet forks, the pallet forks attached to the second linear actuator, the rear frame including a pair of beams, which, when mated with the pair of pallet forks, together, form a pallet loading zone, each pallet fork and each beam having at least one dolly wheel, the drive train, the handlebar, the seat and the braking system mounted on the front frame, the method comprising:
• lowering the carrier to a loading position, thereby engaging the dolly wheels;
• releasing each pallet fork from each beam;
• aligning the pallet forks with the pallet;
• driving the front frame to locate the pallet forks in the pallet;
• mating each pallet fork with each beam;
• and actuating the linear actuators to raise the carrier from the loading position into a transporting position.