Support accessory with additional wheel for hand truck

Abstract

A support accessory for a hand truck with an additional wheel, characterized in that it comprises a frame (1) attachable to the chassis (2) of a hand truck (3) by means of fastening means (4), said frame (1) comprising a foldable arm (5) at the end of which is provided an auxiliary wheel (6), said auxiliary wheel (6) being configured to rest on the ground when the hand truck (3) is tilted, supporting at least part of the weight of the transported load.

Description

Support accessory with additional wheel for hand truck OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention, as its title indicates, is a support accessory for a handcart, consisting of an additional wheel. This innovation offers advantages previously unknown within current technology. The present invention is characterized by the special functional and constructive characteristics of the elements that form part of the invention, so that they all contribute to achieving a support accessory by means of an additional wheel for a hand truck, which aims to provide a better distribution of the weight of the assembly formed by the hand truck and the load during its use. TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the field of manual load handling, and more specifically within the scope of hand trucks used for moving packages in industrial, commercial, logistical, and domestic environments. In particular, the invention relates to hand trucks equipped with rolling elements, designed to facilitate the transport of loads by manual operation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of handcarts are known in the prior art. These carts are widely used for the manual transport of boxes, sacks, or other objects by tilting the frame backward to allow movement on its wheels. However, in known solutions, the weight of the wheelbarrow and its load rests primarily on the main wheels and the effort exerted by the user through the handle. This configuration forces the user to exert considerable effort to keep the wheelbarrow balanced while moving, especially when transporting heavy or bulky loads. Some forklifts incorporate auxiliary elements intended to improve stability or maneuverability, although such solutions often involve complex structures, additional mechanisms, or configurations that do not allow for effective adaptation of the center of gravity during use. Therefore, there is a need for an improved hand truck that reduces the effort required by the user, improves the stability of the assembly and facilitates transport maneuvers, without significantly increasing the construction complexity of the device. With reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although various designs of handcarts are known, the existence of any other that presents structural and constitutive technical characteristics equal or similar to those presented by the invention claimed herein is unknown. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an accessory for a hand truck, designed to improve stability, safety, and ergonomics during the transport of loads, especially when the hand truck is used in an inclined position. The accessory incorporates an additional wheel that acts as an intermediate support element, allowing part of the load's weight to be supported by the wheel and not exclusively by the user. The accessory is designed to attach securely to the hand truck chassis, integrating seamlessly as a complementary element that does not interfere with the truck's normal operation. It comprises a frame that serves as a supporting structure and supports a folding arm with an auxiliary wheel at its end. This configuration allows the additional wheel to make contact with the ground when the hand truck is tilted for movement, creating a supplementary support point that reduces the effort required to hold the load aloft. The folding arm allows the attachment to be stowed when not in use, maintaining the maneuverability and original size of the forklift, and extended when additional support is required. In this extended position, the auxiliary wheel rotates freely, automatically adapting to the direction of travel and changes in direction, which facilitates maneuvering and reduces friction with the ground. Additionally, the attachment incorporates a tilting support system that works in conjunction with the folding arm, allowing for different working positions depending on the forklift's tilt or the weight of the load being transported. This feature adds versatility to the assembly and allows the attachment's behavior to be adjusted to different usage situations, such as clearing curbs. The invention also includes the incorporation of handles attachable to the hand truck's grips, which have a curved geometry that defines lateral gripping zones oriented towards the load. This configuration improves ergonomics, promotes a more natural user posture, and facilitates the application of pulling and tilting forces more efficiently and stably, reducing fatigue during the transport of heavy loads. Overall, the invention provides a simple and robust technical solution that significantly improves the use of conventional hand trucks, increasing safety, reducing the user's physical effort, and optimizing the stability of the assembly during load transport, without the need to substantially modify the original structure of the hand truck. Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Similar or equivalent procedures and materials to those described herein may be used in the practice of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complete the description being made and in order to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by figures in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 is a perspective representation of the hand truck in an upright position. Figure 2 is a side view of the hand truck in a vertical position. Figure 3 is a perspective representation of the hand truck in a vertical position, half-deployed. Figure 4 is a side view of the hand truck in a vertical position, half-deployed. Figure 5 is a side view of the hand truck in an inclined position. Figure 6 is a side view of the hand truck in an inclined position. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION As shown in the figures, the support accessory with an additional wheel for a hand truck comprises a frame (1) intended to be securely attached to the chassis (2) of a hand truck (3). The frame (1) is attached to the chassis (2) by means of fastening devices (4), such as screws, clamps, or other equivalent elements, which allow for a firm and secure connection, adaptable to different models of hand truck. The frame (1) comprises a foldable arm (5) that can be extended or retracted. An auxiliary wheel (6) is mounted at the free end of the arm (5), allowing it to rotate freely relative to the arm (5), thus permitting unrestricted rotation while the hand truck is in motion. This arrangement enables the auxiliary wheel (6) to automatically adapt to the direction of travel and changes in direction, reducing friction with the ground and facilitating maneuvering, especially when the hand truck is tilted and carrying a load. The frame (1) further comprises a tilting support (7) associated with the arm (5), which can be unfolded and rest on said arm (5) in order to stabilize its position and support the stress during use. In a preferred embodiment, the arm (5) comprises a plurality of grooves (8) arranged along its length, into which a stop (9) located at the end of the tilting support (7) can be selectively fitted. This configuration allows the support position of the arm (5) to be adjusted according to the usage requirements and the tilt angle of the hand truck. The auxiliary wheel (6), when it comes into contact with the ground during the tilting of the hand truck (3), helps to support a significant portion of the weight of the transported load, improving the overall stability and reducing the physical effort required by the user. The free rotation of the auxiliary wheel (6) also facilitates greater maneuverability of the hand truck, allowing for smooth and controlled movement even on uneven surfaces. Additionally, the hand truck support accessory with an additional wheel comprises handles (10) configured to attach to the original grips (11) of the hand truck (3). Each handle (10) has a curve (12) that defines two lateral gripping zones facing the load, allowing for a natural and separate grip by the user's hands. The curvature (12) of the handles (10) promotes an ergonomic posture while using the hand truck, facilitating the application of pulling, lifting, and tilting forces more efficiently and stably. This configuration helps reduce user fatigue and improves control of the hand truck during load transport, especially in situations requiring prolonged maneuvers or the movement of heavy loads. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it, it being noted that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other modes of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

1. A support accessory for a hand truck with an additional wheel, characterized in that it comprises a frame (1) attachable to the chassis (2) of a hand truck (3) by means of fastening means (4), said frame (1) comprising a foldable arm (5) at the end of which is provided an auxiliary wheel (6), said auxiliary wheel (6) being configured to rest on the ground when the hand truck (3) is tilted, supporting at least part of the weight of the transported load.

2. A support accessory for a hand truck with an additional wheel, according to claim 1, characterized in that the arm (5) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

3. A support accessory for a hand truck with an additional wheel, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary wheel (6) is mounted so that it can rotate freely with respect to the arm (5). 4.A support accessory by means of an additional wheel for a hand truck, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises a pivoting support (7) configured to unfold and lock onto the arm (5).

5. A support accessory by means of an additional wheel for a hand truck, according to claim 4, characterized in that the arm (5) comprises a plurality of slots (8) configured to selectively receive a stop (9) disposed at the end of the pivoting support (7).

6. A support accessory by means of an additional wheel for a hand truck, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the accessory comprises at least one handle (10) attachable to a grip (11) of the hand truck (3). 7.Support accessory by means of an additional wheel for a hand truck, according to claim 6, characterized in that the handle (10) has a curvature (12) that defines two lateral gripping zones oriented towards the load.