A wheelbarrow device

Abstract

A wheelbarrow comprising: a collapsible frame; a wheel 4; and a fabric bucket 2, wherein the wheelbarrow has two configurations, a first configuration, Figure 1, where a load can be wheeled in the bucket, and a second configuration, Figure 9, where the frame is collapsed towards the wheel and the fabric bucket is folded over the frame and wheel to allow for transport. The bucket comprises a plurality of extending connectors 27 with frame securement means, which may be hook and loop, button, or press stud connectors, and are arranged to connect the bucket to the frame in the first configuration and the bucket around the frame in the second configuration. The frame may comprise one or more hinges (43, Fig. 2) or it may be coaxially telescopic at least in part. The wheel may comprise a solid or pneumatic tyre.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheelbarrow device, in particular a device for providing a portable wheelbarrow for transporting items; more particularly but not exclusively for transporting items on a beach. Background In many societies people enjoy going to the beach, and increasingly it is common for these people to enjoy the beach with a quantity of items, for example play items for children, food items for picnics, sun protection and the like. It can be difficult to transport such items onto the beach, particularly sandy and / or busy beaches, where multiple trips are undesirable. However a dedicated transport device such as a wheelbarrow may be difficult to transport to the beach, and / or standard wheeled devices can struggle and sink on sand for example. Prior Art WO 2021 024 230 (SHONFELD) discloses a collapsible wheelbarrow including a chassis, at least one frame element being removably connectable to the chassis such that the at least one frame element form a frame when connected to the chassis, a flexible load bin carried, in use, by the frame, and a wheel assembly carried by the chassis, wherein the wheel assembly includes a steerable wheel. DE 20 313 701 (HSU) discloses a folding wheelbarrow has a tubular frame with a fixed frame around a single wheel and with two rearwards facing stubs with open ends into which two side frames are pushed, which side frames are fitted with hand grips at the ends, and which skip has a fabric construction with hems through which the frames are pushed, wherein the front end of the skip is braced by a cross member bolted across the stubs and the side frames can be secured into the stubs in two different orientations; an operating setting and a storage setting with the frames closer together. US 3 826 511 (FRANK) discloses a collapsible beach tote cart, the combination of a frame and a beach ball relatively secured thereby, comprising a pair of frame elements supporting a fabric bag pivotally attached by a first cross bar hinged to both of said frame elements intermediate their ends, said first cross bar having a pair of arms pivotally connected to each other and means for locking said arms in an extended position, a second cross bar pivotally connected to at least one of said elements at one end and means for securing said second cross bar to hold said frame in an opened position, said second cross bar forming a handle, the opposite end of said pair of frame elements being spaced sufficiently to accommodate a spherical shaped ball when in the opened position, means at each end extending inwardly of said frame elements to releasably support said spherical ball whereby said spherical ball serves as the wheel for said tote cart. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a wheelbarrow device comprising a collapsible frame, a wheel, and a fabric bucket, the device arranged to wheel a load in the bucket in a first usage configuration, wherein the frame is arranged to collapse towards the wheel, and the bucket is adapted to fold over the collapsed frame and wheel fora second transport and storage configuration, wherein the bucket comprises a plurality of extending connectors with a frame securement means, arranged to connect the bucket to the frame in the first configuration and the bucket around the frame in the second configuration. In this way the device of the present invention provides a telescopic wheelbarrow with a collapsible frame, folding telescopically towards the wheel, with the bucket folding around the frame creating a bag. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises one or more hinges, so as to allow the configurations to be different widths. In some embodiments of the device the frame is arranged to fold, and in some embodiments of the device the frame is arranged to be coaxially telescopic at least in part; so as to allow for the configurations to be different lengths, so as to further improve storage and transport. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a pneumatic tyre on the wheel, and in other embodiments comprises a solid tyre on the wheel. It may be envisaged that the wheel may be large and bulbous, to improve movement on sand. In some embodiments of the device the frame includes a transverse rear bucket support, so as to support weight in the bucket, away from the wheel and improve balance. In some such embodiments of the device such transverse rear support includes a hinge, to allow for the device to be moved easily to the second configuration. In some embodiments of the device the bucket comprises a detachable securement means over the transverse rear bucket support, such that the bucket may be displaced from the rear support so as to allow for hinging. In some embodiments of the device the frame comprises two elongate side supports, which side supports are connected to an axle through the wheel. In this way the side supports may provide the structural rigidity required, and the side supports may be connected by hinges to the axle, so as to move between configurations, opening and closing the width of the side supports taper away from the wheel. In some embodiments of the device the bucket comprises a detachable securement means to connect over the side supports. Such securement means may comprise a plurality of extending strips, with a distal securement means. In some such embodiments of the device the frame securement means comprises a hook and loop means. In other such embodiments of the device the frame securement means comprises a button means. In some other such embodiments of the device the frame securement means comprises a press stud means. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in the first configuration; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in an intermediate configuration, with bucket removed; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in the second configuration, with bucket removed; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in the second configuration; and Figure 10 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 9. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a wheelbarrow device 99 comprising a collapsible frame, a wheel 4, and a fabric bucket 2, the device arranged to wheel a load in the bucket in a first usage configuration, wherein the frame is arranged to collapse towards the wheel, and the bucket is adapted to fold over the collapsed frame and wheel fora second transport and storage configuration. With particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a frame comprised by two elongate side supports 1, formed in stainless steel or powder-coated steel. The side supports have handgrips 14 at a first end, and extend to a second end which second end is connected to an axle 11. The axle passes through the wheel 4, and the side supports’ second ends are connected to the axle by pivot hinges 12, so as to allow for the side supports to open out for the first configuration and close to facilitate the second configuration. A connector 13 provides the connection between the axle and side supports, allowing and supporting a splaying movement of the side support 1 around the pivot hinges 12. Proximate the first end of the side supports there is a transverse rear support 32 which has hinges 43 at its connections to the side supports at the ends, and a central hinge 43. At the ends of the rear support are hinged two legs 3, which extend down vertically from the side supports to provide a means of standing the device in the first configuration. The connectors 13 provide resilient clips 44 for the legs 3 to be stored tight and coaxial the side supports in the second configuration. The bucket is a hard-wearing fabric, for example Nylon (RTM), fibre-reinforced and / or waterproofed cotton webbing. The bucket comprises a detachable securement means which allows securement of the bucket to the frame in the first configuration. This securement means comprises a plurality of extending strips 27 with hook and loop securement means such as Velcro (RTM). In this way, using the strips wrapped onto the side supports 1, the bucket 2 may be detachably secured around the side supports and using a wide flap extending strip 28 over the rear support 32 so as to hold the bucket in place and allow it to carry a load in the first configuration. The sides of the bucket have slits 26, which are joined together by buckles 29 so as to maintain integrity in the first configuration, and openable to allow the second configuration. The bucket has a rigid seamed bottom 21 and bipartite sides 24,25 and extends in a single part 22 to the rear support. Rigid taped seams ensure structural strength. The front of the bucket Is supported by a front support 33 which has hinges 43 at either end, and a central hinge 43. A lower front support 33 mirrors the front support and is joined thereto by side splints 34 which depend from the side supports 1, and include three hinges 43, such that the front supports and rear support are arranged to fold rearwards, as the side supports pivot inwards for the second configuration. The side supports are furthermore coaxially telescopic so as to telescope down for the second configuration. As can be seen in Figure 9, in the second configuration parts of the fabric bucket may be wrapped around the frame and wheel (for example rigid seamed bottom 21 around the wheel, and the rear part 22 over the collapsed frame 1) and connected to itself, using the extending strips attaching to pads (not shown) or areas of corresponding hook and loop material such as Velcro (RTM). The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A wheelbarrow device comprising a collapsible frame, a wheel, and a fabric bucket, the device arranged to wheel a load in the bucket in a first usage configuration, wherein the frame is arranged to collapse towards the wheel, and the bucket is adapted to fold over the collapsed frame and wheel for a second transport and storage configuration, wherein the bucket comprises a plurality of extending connectors with a frame securement means, arranged to connect the bucket to the frame in the first configuration and the bucket around the frame in the second configuration.

2. A wheelbarrow device according to claim 1 comprising one or more hinges.

3. A wheelbarrow device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the frame is arranged to fold.

4. A wheelbarrow device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the frame is arranged to be coaxially telescopic at least in part.

5. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim comprising a pneumatic tyre on the wheel.

6. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim comprising a solid tyre on the wheel.

7. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the frame includes a transverse rear bucket support.

8. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the transverse rear support includes a hinge.

9. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the bucket comprises a detachable securement means over the transverse rear bucket support.

10. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the frame comprises two elongate side supports.

11. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the side supports are connected to an axle.

12. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the side supports are connected by hinges to the axle.

13. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the bucket comprises a detachable securement means to connect over the side supports.

14. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein securement means comprises a plurality of extending strips, with a distal securement means.

15. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the frame securement means comprises a hook and loop means.

16. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the frame securement means comprises a button means.

17. A wheelbarrow device according to any preceding claim wherein the frame securement means comprises a press stud means.

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