Wheel assembly toe guard

Abstract

A toe guard for a wheel assembly may include a first sidewall and a second sidewall, each sidewall including an opening configured to engage a shaft of the wheel assembly. The first sidewall and the second sidewall may each further include one or more notches. The toe guard may also include a first locking pin configured to engage with at least one of the recesses of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Additionally, the toe guard may include: one or more support plates connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and a front plate configured to engage with at least one of the support plates or to connect with at least one of the side walls.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. application No. 17 / 722,163, filed on April 15, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a wheel assembly toe guard having enhanced maneuverability. Background Art

[0004] Pallet trucks are used to lift, pull, push and move loaded pallets. A typical pallet truck comprises a frame with two forks extending forward from the frame. A handle extends behind the frame by which the pallet truck operator can steer the pallet truck. Typically, at least one steering wheel is provided behind the frame, which steering wheel(s) can be turned by movement of the handle and which is usually located close to the operator's feet.

[0005] In such a configuration, the pallet truck may be pulled and pushed by an operator using a handle, with the steering wheel(s) allowing the pallet truck to be turned via the left-right orientation of the handle relative to the pallet truck frame.

[0006] In operation, the forks of the pallet truck can first be positioned under the loaded pallet. When the operator pivots the handle downward, the lifting mechanism of the pallet truck raises the frame and forks, thereby lifting the loaded pallet from the surface on which it was previously placed. Various lifting mechanisms have been provided in the prior art, which enable the forks and frames to lift the weight of the loaded pallet so that the pallet can be transported on the pallet truck. Part of the weight of the loaded pallet truck is borne by the (one or more) steering wheels at the rear of the pallet truck. Once loaded in this way, the pallet truck can be pulled and pushed to another location, and thereafter the goods are lowered and removed from the forks.

[0007] The use of a pallet truck with rear steerable wheel(s) exposes the operator to the risk of having his or her feet rolled over by the rear steerable wheel(s) when the operator pulls the pallet truck towards himself or herself (a maneuver required when using such a pallet truck). Particularly for a loaded pallet truck, this risk can result in serious physical injury to the feet. When trying to pull the pallet truck towards the operator, the operator's feet may slip over the wheel(s), or the operator may allow his or her feet to remain for too long in the path of the pallet truck's steerable wheel(s) rolling backwards. Furthermore, there is also a risk that the feet of nearby colleagues may be injured by the rolling of such rear steerable wheel(s).

[0008] In view of the widespread use of pallet trucks and the risk of injury to operators, it would be desirable to provide a pallet wheel assembly toe guard. However, in many such embodiments, the toe guard includes a fixed or rigid connection to one or more components of the pallet wheel assembly, such as an axle or steering column. Therefore, there is a need for an improved toe guard with more flexibility and enhanced maneuverability. Embodiments of the present disclosure address this and other considerations. Summary of the invention

[0009] According to certain embodiments of the disclosed invention, a toe guard for a wheel assembly is disclosed. The toe guard may include a first side wall and a second side wall, each side wall including an opening configured to engage with an axle of the wheel assembly. Each side wall may also include one or more notches. The toe guard may also include a first locking pin configured to engage with at least one of the notches of the first side wall and the second side wall. Additionally, the toe guard may include: one or more support plates connecting the first side wall and the second side wall; and a front plate configured to engage with at least one of the support plates or to connect with at least one of the side walls.

[0010] In some embodiments, the toe guard may include a second locking pin, and the one or more recesses may include a first recess and a second recess. The first locking pin may be configured to engage with the corresponding first recess of the first side wall and the second side wall, and the second locking pin may be configured to engage with the corresponding second recess of the first side wall and the second side wall. In some embodiments, the corresponding first recess of the first side wall and the second side wall may be disposed on a first side of the steering column of the wheel assembly, and the corresponding second recess of the first side wall and the second side wall may be disposed on a second side of the steering column. In some embodiments, the first side and the second side may be opposite to each other. This configuration allows the first locking pin to engage with the steering column when the second locking pin is disengaged from the steering column, and vice versa.

[0011] In some embodiments, one or more notches can be disposed along respective top edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0012] In some embodiments, the front plate may include one or more bumpers extending from a bottom edge of the front plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, the front plate may be configured to adjustably engage with at least one support plate such that a gap between the front plate and the ground is adjustable.

[0014] In some embodiments, at least one of the front plate and the support plate may be disposed parallel to each other.

[0015] According to certain embodiments of the disclosed invention, a system comprising a pallet truck and an associated toe guard is disclosed. The system may include a pallet truck, which itself may include a steering column and a rear steering wheel, which rear steering wheel can rotate around an axis, and the axis is steerable in a horizontal plane relative to the pallet truck through the steering column. The system may also include a toe guard, which itself may include a first side wall and a second side wall. Each side wall may include an opening configured to engage with the axis, a first recess and a second recess. The toe guard may include: a first locking pin, which is configured to engage with the first recess of the first side wall and the second side wall and a second locking pin, which is configured to engage with the second recess of the first side wall and the second side wall. The toe guard may include: one or more support plates, which connect the first side wall to the second side wall and a front plate, which is configured to adjustably engage with at least one of the one or more support plates.

[0016] According to certain embodiments of the disclosed invention, a method of engaging a toe guard with a wheel assembly is disclosed. The method may include positioning the toe guard so that a first side wall and a second side wall of the toe guard engage an axle of the wheel assembly via corresponding openings. The method may include engaging a first locking pin with corresponding first recesses of the first side wall and the second side wall. The method may also include engaging a second locking pin with corresponding second recesses of the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0017] Further implementations, features, and aspects of the disclosed technology and advantages provided thereby will be described in more detail below, and can be understood with reference to the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and which illustrate various implementations, aspects, and principles of the disclosed technology. In the drawings:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary pallet truck.

[0020] 2 is a perspective view of a steering assembly of an exemplary pallet truck.

[0021] Figure 3A is a left front perspective view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 3B is a left rear perspective view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 3C is a left rear perspective view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 3Dis a left rear perspective view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 3E is a left rear perspective view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 4A is a left front exploded perspective view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 4B is a left rear exploded perspective view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 5A is a top view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 5B is a front view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 6 is a side view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig. 7A is a side view of a wheel assembly toe guard engaged with a steering column according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 7B is a side view of a wheel assembly toe guard partially disengaged from a steering column according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 8 is a front view of a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a pallet truck having a wheel assembly toe guard according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Some implementations of the disclosed technology will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosed technology can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the implementations set forth herein. The components described below as constituting the various elements of the disclosed technology are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Many suitable components that will perform the same or similar functions as the components described herein are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the disclosed apparatus and methods. Such other components not described herein may include, but are not limited to, for example, components developed after the disclosed technology development.

[0036] It will also be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not exclude the presence of additional method steps or the intervening method steps between those steps explicitly identified.

[0037] The present subject matter may be more fully understood with reference to an exemplary pallet truck found in the prior art and depicted in FIGS. 1-2 . A pallet truck (generally 20 ) is used to move a load 22 (shown in phantom). The pallet truck 20 includes a frame 42 and forks 24 , 25 extending forwardly from the frame. The forks 24 , 25 may be rolled under the load 22 and then the operator handle 38 is pivoted up and down about the handle pivot pin 40 to raise the frame 42 and forks 24 , 25 and thereby also raise the load 22.

[0038] As shown in FIG1 , the pallet truck includes at least one steering wheel 30 at the rear of the pallet truck. By moving the operator handle 38 side to side, the steering wheel 30 is turned, thereby allowing steering of the pallet truck 20. Operation of the pallet truck 20 requires an operator (usually A) to lift, steer, push and pull the operator handle 38. To do this, the operator A is positioned near the steering wheel 30.

[0039] The pallet truck 20 includes a steering assembly 28. An exemplary embodiment of the steering assembly 28 is depicted in greater detail in FIG. 2. An operator handle 38 is attached to the pallet truck 20 about a handle pivot pin 40. Pivoting the operator handle 38 up and down about the handle pivot pin 40 actuates the lift mechanism of the pallet truck 20 to raise and lower a frame 42 and forks 24, 25. Swinging the operator handle 38 side to side causes a steering column 32 suspended downwardly from the frame 42 to turn a steering wheel 30. The steering wheel 30 is mounted on an axle 36 disposed through the steering column 32.

[0040] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology, examples of which are shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E , FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B , FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B , Figure 6 , FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Wherever convenient, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0041] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3E , FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B , FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B , Figure 6 , FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B and Figure 8 Embodiments of a wheel assembly toe guard according to the present invention are depicted and are therefore described concurrently herein.

[0042] like FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B and FIG. 7A to FIG. 7BAs shown in , the wheel assembly toe guard 100 can be used with various types of mobile equipment that include at least one wheel. In particular, the wheel assembly toe guard 100 can be used with a pallet truck of the type having a rear steering wheel 30 that is rotatable about an axis 36 that is maneuverable in a horizontal plane relative to the pallet truck via an attached steering column 32. The toe guard 100 can include a first side wall 102 and a second side wall 104 that are configured to engage or contact one or more components of the steering assembly 28 (such as the rear steering wheel axle 36 and / or the steering column 32). That is, the toe guard 100 can be configured to engage with the steering assembly 28 such that the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 are each positioned between the wheel 30 and the steering column 32, as shown in . Figure 8 . The distance between the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 can vary depending on, for example, the size of the steering column 32 or the spacing of the wheel 30 relative to the wheel assembly piston (not shown). In some embodiments, the inner distance between the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 can be approximately 2.19 inches, wherein the width of each side wall is approximately 0.4 inches.

[0043] Additionally, the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 may include openings 106, 108, respectively, configured to engage the shaft 36. FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B As shown in FIG. 1 , the openings 106, 108 may not be connected or rigidly fixed to the shaft 36, but may instead be configured to be in a manner consistent with whether the toe guard 100 is in the first position ( Fig. 7A ) or the second position ( Figure 7B ) and engage differently with shaft 36, as further described below. In some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the openings 106, 108 may include an opening distance D1 of approximately 1.00 inches and be offset from the bottom edge of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 by an angle A1 of approximately 23.0 degrees. The openings 106, 108 may also extend into the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104, terminating in a circle having a diameter D3 of approximately 1.06 inches, the center of which may be disposed at a distance D4 of approximately 1.03 inches above the bottom edge of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104. In some embodiments, particularly as Figure 3E , the openings 106, 108 may be configured as a vertical or downwardly facing (rather than at an angle A1) U-shape extending from the bottom edges of the first and second side walls 102, 104. Such a configuration may provide the benefit of increasing the security of the toe guard 100 when the toe guard 100 is engaged with the shaft 36, particularly when the toe guard 100 is configured with only a single locking pin, as discussed further below.

[0044] In particular FIG. 4A to FIG. 4BAs shown in FIG. 1 , the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 may also include first recesses 110, 112 and second recesses 114, 116, respectively. In some embodiments, in particular, as Figure 4A and Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first recesses 110, 112 and the second recesses 114, 116 can be disposed along the top edges of the first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 104. In some embodiments, the first recesses 110, 112 and the second recesses 114, 116 can be configured to have different shapes and / or sizes relative to each other. For example, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , although both the first recesses 110, 112 and the second recesses 114, 116 can be configured as hook-shaped or L-shaped, the second recesses 114, 116 can be configured as deeper openings than the first recesses 110, 112. In some embodiments, in particular, Figure 3D , the first recesses 110, 112 and / or the second recesses 114, 116 can be configured as through holes of various shapes and / or sizes through the first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 104, as discussed further below. As described further below, such different shapes and / or sizes can enable the first recesses 110, 112 and the second recesses 114, 116 to support different functions and / or positions of the toe guard 100.

[0045] like FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , the toe guard 100 may further include: a first locking pin 118 configured to engage with the first recesses 110 and 112 of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104; and a second locking pin 120 configured to engage with the second recesses 114 and 116 of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104. In particular, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B , the first locking pin 118 and the second locking pin 120 can include a central elongated member M that is connected to one or more end caps E to help prevent the first locking pin 118 and the second locking pin 120 from moving from side to side after engaging the first recesses 110, 112 and the second recesses 114, 116, respectively, during operation of the toe guard 100, as discussed further below. As discussed above, the size of the first locking pin 118 and the second locking pin 120 can vary depending on the width of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 and the shape / size of the first recesses 110, 112 and the second recesses 114, 116. In some embodiments, the elongated member M can be approximately 2.688 inches long. The end cap E can be approximately 0.07 inches wide and include a circular shape having an outer ring O and an inner recessed ring I. The end cap E can be configured to contact the outer side of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 ( Figure 3B), or may be configured to contact the inner sides of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 ( Figure 3C ). In some embodiments, in particular Figure 3C As shown in FIG. 1 , the end cap E of the first locking pin 118 may be configured to contact the inner side of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104, while the end cap E of the second locking pin 120 may be configured to contact the outer side of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104, or vice versa. The outer ring may have a diameter of approximately 0.75 inches, while the inner concave ring I may have a diameter of approximately 0.31 inches. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B and 7A to Figure 7B , the first locking pin 118 and the second locking pin 120 may be removable such that they may be placed within and removed from the first recesses 110, 112 and the second recesses 114, 116, respectively. This feature provides the benefit of enabling an operator to easily and efficiently engage or disengage the toe guard 100 with the steering assembly 28.

[0046] The first notches 110, 112 and the second notches 114, 116 may be configured such that when the toe guard 100 is engaged with the steering assembly 28 (eg, FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B ), so that the openings 106 and 108 are engaged with the shaft 36, the first recesses 110, 112 can be provided on the first side 33 of the steering column 32, and the second recesses 114, 116 can be provided on the second side 34 of the steering column 32. In some embodiments, the first side 33 and the second side 34 of the steering column 32 can be opposite to each other. Such relative configuration of the first recesses 110, 112 and the second recesses 114, 116 enables the first locking pin 118 to engage with the steering column 32 when the second locking pin 120 is disengaged from the steering column 32, and vice versa. That is, when the toe guard 100 is in the first position ( Fig. 7A ), as discussed above, the second locking pin 120 can engage with the steering column 32 while the first locking pin 118 is disengaged from the steering column 32. When the toe guard 100 is placed in the second position ( Figure 7B ) (such as when an operator may inadvertently kick the toe guard 100 in an upward direction), the first locking pin 118 may engage with the steering column 32 while the second locking pin 120 disengages from the steering column 32. FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B As shown in , and described further below, such a configuration ensures that the toe guard 100 remains securely engaged with the steering assembly 28 without requiring rigid fixation to one or more components of the steering assembly 28 .

[0047] The first recesses 110, 112 and the second recesses 114, 116 can be configured with different shapes and / or sizes relative to each other to help support the first and second positions described above of the toe guard 100. For example, the second recesses 114, 116 can be configured as deeper hook-shaped openings to ensure that the toe guard 100 is in the first position ( Fig. 7A ), the second locking pin 120 is seated far enough inside the second recesses 114, 116 to keep the toe guard 100 firmly engaged with the steering column 32. On the other hand, the first recesses 110, 112 can be configured as shallow hook-shaped openings to ensure that the toe guard 100 is firmly engaged with the steering column 32 when the toe guard 100 is in the second position (i.e., when the toe guard 100 is in the first position for most of the time in use). Figure 7B ), the first locking pin 110 is seated far enough inside the first recesses 110 , 112 to limit the range of motion of the toe guard 100 relative to the steering column 32 (i.e., only when the toe guard 100 is in the second position, for example, when an operator accidentally kicks upward).

[0048] like FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , the toe guard 100 may further include one or more support plates 122 connecting the first side wall 102 to the second side wall 104. The toe guard 100 may further include a front plate 124 configured to engage with the one or more support plates 122 and / or at least one of the first side wall 102 and / or the second side wall 104. Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 1 , the front plate 124 may include one or more holes 126, while the support plate 122 may include one or more holes 128. Figure 4B and Figure 5A As shown in FIG. 1 , hardware 130 (e.g., screws, washers, hex nuts, etc.) can be used to securely fasten the front plate 124 to the support plate 122 using the holes 126 and 128. For example, one or more screws can be inserted into one or more washers, both of which are inserted through the holes 126 and 128, respectively. Then, one or more hex nuts can be screwed onto the ends of the screws, respectively, to keep the front plate 124 tightly fastened against the support plate 122, as shown in FIG. Figure 5A Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that any type of hardware of similar function may be used to fasten the front plate 124 to the support plate 122 and / or the first side wall 102 and / or the second side wall 104 .

[0049] In some embodiments, the front plate 124 can be configured to adjustably engage at least one of the one or more support plates 122. In such embodiments, the hardware 130 can be loosened and / or removed, such as FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B, so that the gap between the front plate 124 and the ground can be adjusted. For example, to adjust the front plate 124 so that it sits closer to the ground, the hardware 130 can be loosened and / or removed so that the front plate 124 can slide downward relative to the support plate 122 while still keeping the holes 126 and 128 aligned so that the hardware 130 can be used as described above. In some embodiments, as Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 1 , the hole 126 can include a more elongated shape than the hole 128 so that the front plate 124 can be easily adjusted upward and downward relative to the support plate 122. In some embodiments, the front plate 124 can provide a minimum clearance of about 0.50 inches from the ground, and a maximum clearance of about 0.625 inches. This adjustable feature provides the following benefits: the toes and / or shoes of operators of any size are protected from contacting the wheel assembly 28 when using the toe guard 100.

[0050] In some embodiments, the front plate 124 may be adjustably fastened to at least one support plate 122 such that the front plate 124 and the fastened support plate 122 are disposed parallel to each other, such as Figure 3B In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4B , Figure 5B and Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the front plate 124 may include one or more bumpers 132 extending from the bottom edge of the front plate 124. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B and Figure 5B As shown in FIG. 1 , the bumpers 132 may be curved, of the same size, and / or disposed on the right and left sides of the bottom edge of the front plate 124, respectively. Figure 5B As shown in FIG. 1 , the bumpers 132 may be separated by a space D5 of approximately 3.00 inches, with a width D6 of each bumper 132 being approximately 2.75 inches.

[0051] Fig. 9 An operator P is illustrated transporting a load 222 (in phantom) using a pallet truck 200 with a toe guard 100 engaged to a wheel assembly 280. As shown, the pallet truck 200 may be of the type having a rear steerable wheel 300 that is rotatable about an axis 360 that is maneuverable in a horizontal plane relative to the pallet truck 200 through an attached steering column 320. The pallet truck 200 may include an operator handle 380 that is attached to the pallet truck 200 about a handle pivot pin 400. Pivoting the operator handle 380 up and down about the handle pivot pin 400 may actuate a lift mechanism of the pallet truck 200, raising and lowering a frame 420 and forks 240, 250. Swinging the operator handle 380 side to side may cause the steering column 320, which is suspended downward from the frame 420, to turn the steerable wheel 300. The steerable wheel 300 may be mounted on the axis 360.

[0052] As described herein, to engage the toe guard 100 with the wheel assembly 280, the operator may position the toe guard 100 with the shaft 360 such that the opening 106 of the first side wall 102 and the opening 108 of the second side wall 104 are respectively engaged with the shaft 360 ( FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B During this step, the first locking pin 118 and the second locking pin 120 may be disengaged from the toe guard 100. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B . The operator may then engage the first locking pin 118 with the first recesses 110, 112 of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 so that the first locking pin 118 is seated inside the first recesses 110, 112. The operator may then engage the second locking pin 120 with the second recesses 114, 116 of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 so that the second locking pin 120 is seated inside the second recesses 114, 116. In some embodiments, the first locking pin 118 may not be removable from the toe guard 100. That is, the first locking pin 118 may be fixed to the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 via the first recesses 110, 112. In such embodiments, as discussed above, after positioning the toe guard 100 including the first locking pin 118 with the shaft 360, the operator may only need to engage the second locking pin 120 with the second recesses 114, 116 of the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104. In some embodiments, the toe guard 100 may include only a single locking pin (e.g., the second locking pin 120). In such embodiments, after positioning the toe guard 100 with the shaft 360, the operator may only need to engage the second locking pin 120. As discussed above, such a configuration having only a single locking pin may be used in conjunction with the vertical or downward facing U-shaped openings 106, 108 to help prevent the toe guard 100 from becoming dislodged from the wheel assembly 280 when in use.

[0053] The embodiments described above allow the toe guard 100 to be engaged with the wheel assembly 280 when the wheel 300 is already in place. In other embodiments, the wheel 300 may be removed prior to engaging the toe guard 100 with the wheel assembly 280. In such embodiments, the first recesses 110, 112 and / or the second recesses 114, 116 may be configured as through holes in the first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 104 so that the first locking pin 118 and / or the second locking pin 120 or other alternative types of fasteners (e.g., screws, nuts, etc.) may be inserted through the through holes and fastened in place. The wheel 300 may then be assembled on the wheel assembly 280.

[0054] In some embodiments, as described above, an operator can adjust the gap between the front plate 124 and the ground by adjusting the hardware 130 (e.g., loosening, tightening) and moving the front plate 124 up and / or down relative to at least one adjustably engaged support plate 122.

[0055] As used herein, the terms "about" or "approximately" for any numerical values ​​or ranges indicate suitable dimensional tolerances that allow a portion of a component or a collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein. More specifically, "about" or "approximately" may refer to a range of values ​​of ±20% of the stated value, for example, "about 90%" may refer to a range of values ​​from 71% to 99%.

[0056] Although certain implementations of the disclosed technology have been described in conjunction with what are currently considered to be the most practical and various implementations, it should be understood that the disclosed technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0057] This written description uses examples to disclose certain implementations of the disclosed technology, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice certain implementations of the disclosed technology, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined methods. The patentable scope of certain implementations of the disclosed technology is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A toe guard for a wheel assembly, the toe guard comprising: A first side wall and a second side wall, each side wall comprising: an opening configured to engage an axle of the wheel assembly; and one or more notches; a first locking pin configured to engage at least one of the notches of the first sidewall and the second sidewall; one or more support plates connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; and A front plate is configured to engage with at least one of the one or more support plates or to connect with at least one of the side walls.

2. The toe guard according to claim 1, wherein: The front plate includes one or more bumpers extending from a bottom edge of the front plate.

3. The toe guard according to claim 1, wherein: The front plate is configured to adjustably engage at least one of the one or more support plates such that a gap between the front plate and the ground is adjustable.

4. The toe guard according to claim 1, wherein: The front plate and at least one of the one or more support plates are arranged parallel to each other.

5. The toe guard according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more notches are disposed along top edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

6. The toe guard of claim 1 , further comprising a second locking pin, in: The one or more notches include a first notch and a second notch, The first locking pin is configured to engage the first notch, and The second locking pin is configured to engage the second notch.

7. The toe guard according to claim 6, wherein: The first recess is configured to be disposed on a first side of a steering column of the wheel assembly, The second recess is configured to be disposed on a second side of the steering column, and The first side and the second side of the steering column are opposite to each other.

8. The toe guard according to claim 7, wherein: The first locking pin is configured to engage the steering column when the second locking pin is disengaged from the steering column.

9. The toe guard according to claim 7, wherein: The second locking pin is configured to engage the steering column when the first locking pin is disengaged from the steering column.

10. A system comprising: Pallet truck, comprising: Steering column; and A rear steering wheel, which is rotatable about an axis which is maneuverable in a horizontal plane relative to the pallet truck via a steering column; and A toe guard comprising: A first side wall and a second side wall, each side wall comprising: an opening configured to engage the shaft; a first notch; and a second notch; A first locking pin configured to engage the first notches of the first side wall and the second side wall. a second locking pin configured to engage with second notches of the first side wall and the second side wall; one or more support plates connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; and A front plate is configured to adjustably engage at least one of the one or more support plates.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The front plate includes one or more curved bumpers extending from a bottom edge of the front plate.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The front plate is configured to adjustably engage at least one of the one or more support plates such that a gap between the front plate and the ground is adjustable.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The front plate and at least one of the one or more support plates are arranged parallel to each other.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The first notch and the second notch are disposed along top edges of the first side wall and the second side wall.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The first recess is configured to be disposed on a first side of the steering column and the second recess is configured to be disposed on a second side of the steering column, the first side and the second side of the steering column being opposite to each other.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein: The first locking pin is configured to engage the steering column when the second locking pin is disengaged from the steering column; and The second locking pin is configured to engage the steering column when the first locking pin is disengaged from the steering column.

17. A method of engaging a toe guard with a wheel assembly, comprising: positioning the toe guard such that a first sidewall and a second sidewall of the toe guard engage an axle of the wheel assembly via respective openings; engaging a first locking pin with respective first notches of the first side wall and the second side wall; as well as Engage a second locking pin with corresponding second notches of the first side wall and the second side wall.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The respective first recesses and the respective second recesses are disposed along respective top edges of the first side wall and the second side wall.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The respective first recess is configured to be disposed on a first side of a steering column attached to the wheel assembly, and the respective second recess is configured to be disposed on a second side of the steering column, the first side and the second side being opposite to each other.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein: The first locking pin is configured to engage with a steering column attached to the wheel assembly when the second locking pin is disengaged from the steering column; and The second locking pin is configured to engage the steering column when the first locking pin is disengaged from the steering column.

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