Wheelbarrow

Abstract

To provide a handcart which avoids local contact of a user's back to a handle when the user sits on a seat portion with the user's back facing the handle, thereby enabling the user to relax comfortably.SOLUTION: A handcart 1 includes right and left handle support pillars 31 that support, from below, right and left ends of a handle 25, the handle 25 supporting, from above, right and left front wheel leg portions 11 and rear wheel leg portions 12, and extending in the lateral direction. A seat portion 52 that protrudes substantially horizontally toward the front side so that a user can sit with their back facing the handle 25 is provided between the front wheel leg portions 11. A curved portion 61 that is curved backwardly so as to avoid local contact of the back to the handle 25 when the user sits on the seat portion 52 is provided at the center portion of the handle 25 in the horizontal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pushcart such as a silver cart or a walking cart. [Background technology]

[0002] This type of pushcart has left and right front wheel legs at its lower end that support the front wheels so that they can roll freely, and left and right rear wheel legs at its lower end that support the rear wheels so that they can roll freely, and it also has left and right handle support sections that support from below the left and right ends of the handle that extends in the left and right directions, allowing the user to walk safely while pushing the pushcart by holding the handle.

[0003] One such pushcart is known to have a seat portion that protrudes approximately horizontally forward from each front wheel leg, allowing the user to sit on this seat portion with their back to the handlebars (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-141237 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a user sits on the seat with their back against the handle, their back may come into contact with the handle in some places. In this case, even if the user sits on the seat, if they straighten their back, their back will come into contact with the handle, making it impossible for them to relax.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its purpose is to provide a pushcart that allows a user to relax comfortably when sitting on the seat with their back against the handle, by avoiding local contact of the back with the handle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is based on a pushcart that supports from above left and right front wheel legs that support front wheels at their lower ends so that they can roll freely, and left and right rear wheel legs that support rear wheels at their lower ends so that they can roll freely, and that is also equipped with left and right handle support sections that support from below both left and right ends of a handle that extends in the left-right direction. The handle is provided with a handle member extending in the left-right direction, bending portions that bend both left and right ends of the handle member rearward, and grip portions that extend rearward from the rear ends of the bending portions and are gripped by the user's hands, and the handle member is positioned forward of the handle support portion. Between the front wheel legs, a seat portion is provided that protrudes substantially horizontally forward so that a user can sit with his / her back to the handlebars. The left and right rear ends of the seat portion are supported by the front wheel legs. And the above Handle parts When seated on the seating surface, Handle parts The present invention is characterized by providing a curved portion that curves backward so as to avoid local contact of the back with the seat.

[0008] The seating surface portion is left and right The rear end may be supported rotatably around a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction relative to each front wheel leg, and may be configured to be convertible between a seating position in which it protrudes approximately horizontally forward relative to each front wheel leg, and a lying position in which it lies upward along each handle support portion, or a lying position in which it lies downward along each front wheel leg.

[0009] A storage basket is provided between the front wheel legs and has an opening that opens upward in a substantially horizontal position to store luggage inside. The seat portion may also serve as a lid that opens and closes the opening of the storage basket.

[0010] Furthermore, the curved portion may be provided with a buffer means for actively reducing the abutment of the back when the user sits on the seat surface portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In summary, the handle has a curved portion that curves backward in the center in the left-right direction so that when a user sits on the seat portion that protrudes forward approximately horizontally, the back of the user does not come into local contact with the handle. As a result, even when the user sits on the seat portion with their back to the handle, the curved portion prevents the back of the user from coming into local contact with the handle, allowing the user to sit up straight and relax in comfort.

[0012] The seat is supported rotatably around the horizontal axis of each front wheel leg, and can be switched between a seating position where it protrudes substantially horizontally forward relative to each front wheel leg, and a collapsed position where it reclines upward along each handle support or downward along each front wheel leg. This allows the frame to be switched from the seating position to the collapsed position when the user is not sitting on the seat, making the pushcart more convenient.

[0013] The seat also doubles as a lid to open and close the opening of the storage basket located between the front wheel legs, which allows the seat to shield the inside of the storage basket, improving the appearance while reducing the number of parts.

[0014] Furthermore, by using the seat portion as a lid for the storage basket, it is possible to efficiently ensure seating space on the seat portion while placing the storage basket between the front wheel legs.

[0015] Furthermore, by providing a cushioning means in the curved portion that actively cushions the back from contacting the seat when the user sits on the seat, the impact when the back of the user contacts the curved portion of the handle when the user sits on the seat with their back to the handle is effectively cushioned, thereby increasing the sense of relaxation when the user sits on the seat. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a pushcart according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front, with the seat portion converted into a seating position and the front and rear wheel legs unfolded. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 1 as seen from the side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pushcart of FIG. 1 as seen from the rear. [Figure 5] 1 with the seat portion in a reclined position. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 6 is a perspective view of the pushcart of FIG. 5 with the front and rear wheel legs folded down, as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 8 as seen from the side. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pushcart according to a second embodiment of the present invention, seen obliquely from the front, with the seat portion converted into a seating position and the front and rear wheel legs unfolded. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 11 as seen from the side. [Figure 14] 12 is a perspective view of the pushcart of FIG. 11 with the seat portion in a reclined position, as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 14 as seen from the front. [Figure 16] FIG. 15 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 14 as seen from the side. [Figure 17] 15 is a perspective view of the pushcart of FIG. 14 with the front and rear wheel legs folded down, as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 18 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 17 as seen from the side. [Figure 20]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pushcart according to a third embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front, with the front wheel legs and the rear wheel legs unfolded. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 20. [Figure 22] FIG. 21 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 20 as seen from the side. [Figure 23] 21 is a perspective view of the pushcart of FIG. 20 with the front and rear wheel legs folded down, as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 23. [Figure 25] FIG. 24 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 23. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pushcart according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front, with the front wheel legs and the rear wheel legs unfolded. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 26. [Figure 28] FIG. 27 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 26 as seen from the side. [Figure 29] FIG. 27 is a rear view of the pushcart of FIG. 26 as seen from the rear. [Figure 30] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the pushcart of FIG. 26 with the front and rear wheel legs folded down, as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a front view of the pushcart of FIG. 30. [Figure 32] FIG. 31 is a side view of the pushcart of FIG. 30 as seen from the side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, a pushcart according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a pushcart according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as seen obliquely from the front, with the seat portion in the seating position and the front and rear wheel legs unfolded. Fig. 2 shows a front view of the pushcart of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a side view of the pushcart of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 shows a rear view of the pushcart of Fig. 1.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, this pushcart 1 is used as a walking cart and includes a pair of left and right front wheel legs 11, 11, a pair of left and right rear wheel legs 12, 12, and a handle frame 13.

[0020] The left and right front wheel legs 11, 11 are provided with front wheels 14, 14 that are supported so as to be freely rollable at their respective lower ends. The lower ends of the front wheel legs 11 are connected to each other by a front frame 15 that extends in the left-right direction. Meanwhile, the left and right rear wheel legs 12, 12 are provided with rear wheels 16, 16 that are supported so as to be freely rollable at their respective lower ends. The rear wheel legs 12 are connected to each other at approximately their midpoints by a rear frame 17 that extends in the left-right direction. This rear frame 17 is connected in the left-right direction while protruding diagonally forward, ensuring space for the user's feet.

[0021] Brakes 21 that brake each rear wheel 16 are rotatably supported at the lower ends of the left and right rear wheel legs 12, 12. Each brake 21 is provided at the rear end of a brake arm 23 that extends in the front-to-rear direction and has its middle portion supported at the lower end of each rear wheel leg 12 so as to be swingable about a horizontal shaft 22. The front ends of each brake arm 23 are connected to both ends of a brake frame 24 that extends in the left-to-right direction. In this case, the brake frame 24 is connected in the left-to-right direction while protruding diagonally upward, ensuring space for the user's feet.

[0022] The handle frame 13 is equipped with a handle 25. The handle 25 is equipped with a handle member 26 extending in the left-right direction, bent portions 27, 27 that bend both left and right ends of the handle member 26 rearward, and grip portions 28 that extend rearward from the rear ends of the bent portions 27 and are gripped by the user's hands. A brake lever 29 for operating each brake 21 is provided below each grip portion 28. The front end of each brake lever 29 is supported by support brackets 30, 30 that are provided at both left and right ends of the handle 25, i.e., between each bent portion 27 and each grip portion 28.

[0023] Furthermore, the front end of each brake lever 29 is connected to the corresponding brake arm 23 via a brake wire (not shown) so as to be capable of braking. At this time, the front end of each brake arm 23 is connected to both ends of the brake frame 24, respectively, so that braking of the left and right rear wheels 16, 16 by each brake 21 can be performed by braking operation of at least one of the left and right brake levers 29, 29.

[0024] The handle frame 13 also includes handle support columns 31 that support the left and right support brackets 30 from below. Each handle support column 31 is formed in a generally circular cross section and extends vertically in a straight line, with its upper end inserted and fixed to the support bracket 30 from below. Each handle support column 31 is also supported from below by a handle support column support 32. Each handle support column 32 includes left and right side frames 33 that extend vertically in a straight line so as to be slidably inserted into the respective handle support column 31 from below, and a generally U-shaped lower end frame 34 that opens upward and has its left and right upper ends integrally connected to the lower ends of the left and right side frames 33.

[0025] Sliding brackets 35, 35 that slide up and down along the left and right frames 33, 33 are supported on the left and right frames 33, 33 of the handlebar column support part 32. The upper end of each front wheel leg 11 is rotatably supported on the front end of each sliding bracket 35 via a horizontal shaft 36. Meanwhile, the upper end of each rear wheel leg 12 is rotatably supported on the rear end of each sliding bracket 35 via a horizontal shaft 37. The sliding brackets 35 are connected to each other by a frame 38 extending in the left-right direction, and slide synchronously along the left and right frames 33, 33.

[0026] The front ends of rear links 42 are rotatably supported via horizontal shafts 43 on the outsides of the left and right positions of the lower end of the lower end frame 34, which is located below the left and right frames 33. The rear ends of these rear links 42 are rotatably supported via horizontal shafts 44 at approximately the middle positions of the rear wheel legs 12 (above the rear frames 17).

[0027] The rear ends of front links 45 are rotatably supported on the inside of both left and right positions of the lower end of each lower frame 34 via horizontal shafts 43. The front ends of these front links 45 are rotatably supported on horizontal shafts 46 at approximately the middle positions of the front wheel legs 11.

[0028] Between the front wheel legs 11, there is provided a seat portion 52 that protrudes substantially horizontally forward from the upper end of each front wheel leg 11 and allows the user to sit facing forward with their back to the handlebars 25. The seat portion 52 is equipped with a substantially U-shaped seat frame 51 that is arranged with both left and right side edges and the front edge of the seat portion 52 connected together. Both left and right tips (both rear ends) of the seat frame 51 protrude further rearward than the seat portion 52, and both protruding ends (rear ends) are rotatably supported on the upper ends of the front wheel legs 11 via horizontal shafts 54 that extend in the left-right direction.

[0029] The seat 52 is made up of a support plate (not shown) whose periphery is supported by the seat frame 51, and cushioning material 53 attached to the support plate, and is generally square in plan view. The seat frame 51, together with the handle support columns 31 and the handle support columns 32 (the left and right side frames 33, 33 and the bottom frame 34), is made from an extruded pipe made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, steel, or the like. In this case, the user sits on the seat 52 facing forward with their back to the handle 25, allowing them to sit comfortably and comfortably facing forward in the direction of travel of the stroller 1.

[0030] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the pushcart 1 in Fig. 1 when the seat 52 is in the lying position, as seen from diagonally forward. Fig. 6 shows a front view of the pushcart 1 in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 shows a side view of the pushcart 1 in Fig. 5.

[0031] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the vehicle is provided with a conversion mechanism 5 that converts the seating position (the position shown in Figures 1 to 4) in which the seat portion 52 protrudes substantially horizontally forward relative to the front wheel legs 11, and the lying position (the position shown in Figures 5 to 7) in which the seat portion 52 reclines downward along the front wheel legs 11. The conversion mechanism 5 is provided with a substantially U-shaped seat support frame 55 that is open to the seat frame 51 side (upper in Figure 2) and has both ends (both upper ends in Figure 3) rotatably supported via horizontal shafts (not shown) at approximately the middle of the left and right sides of the seat frame 51. A protrusion pin 56 that protrudes outward is provided at approximately the middle of the left and right sides of the seat support frame 55.

[0032] The conversion mechanism 5 also includes a seat arm 58, one end (lower end in FIG. 3) of which is rotatably supported via a horizontal shaft 59 on the base end side (lower side in FIG. 3) of the seat support frame 55 relative to the protruding pin 56, and the other end (upper end in FIG. 3) of which is rotatably supported via a horizontal shaft 57 at approximately the middle position (directly above the horizontal shaft 46) of each front wheel leg 11. When the base end side of the seat support frame 55 is rotated around the horizontal shafts at both ends in a direction pulling it forward, the seat arm 58 also rotates forward around the horizontal shaft 59 at the other end, the seat support frame 55 and the seat arm 58 are folded, and the seat portion 52 rotates around the horizontal shafts 54 at both other ends of the seat frame 51 and falls down along each front wheel leg 11. At this time, the protruding pin 56 abuts against the seat arm 58, converting the seat portion 52 from a seated position in which it protrudes approximately horizontally forward relative to each front wheel leg 11 to a reclined position along each front wheel leg 11.

[0033] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the pushcart 1 of Fig. 5 when viewed diagonally from the front with the front wheel legs 11 and the rear wheel legs 12 folded up. Fig. 9 shows a front view of the pushcart 1 of Fig. 8 when viewed from the front, and Fig. 10 shows a side view of the pushcart 1 of Fig. 8 when viewed from the side.

[0034] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, when the handle 25 is pushed downward, the sliding brackets 35, 35 that were located at the lower ends of the left and right frames 33, 33 with the front wheel legs 11 and rear wheel legs 12 unfolded, move upward to the upper ends of the left and right frames 33, 33. This upward movement of the sliding brackets 35, 35 causes the front wheel legs 11 to rotate rearward about horizontal axes 36, and the rear wheel legs 12 to rotate forward about horizontal axes 37. At this time, when the sliding brackets 35, 35 move upward, the left and right frames 33, 33 move downward relative to each other, and the front wheel legs 11 are pulled toward the handlebar support part 32 (rearward) via the front links 45, and the rear wheel legs 12 are pulled toward the handlebar support part 32 (forward) via the rear links 42, causing the front wheel legs 11 and rear wheel legs 12 to fold up.

[0035] At the center of the handle member 26 of the handle 25 in the left-right direction, a curved portion 61 is provided that curves backward so as to prevent the back of the user from locally contacting the handle member 26 when the user is seated on the seat portion 52. This curved portion 61 curves smoothly along the back of the user, and the back comes into contact with the handle member 26 in a manner that gently envelops it from the left and right directions without locally contacting the handle member 26.

[0036] Therefore, in this embodiment, a curved portion 61 that curves backward is provided in the left-right center of the handle member 26 so as to prevent the user's back from locally abutting against the handle member 26 of the handle 25 when the user sits on the seat portion 52 that protrudes substantially horizontally forward from the upper end of each front wheel leg portion 11. As a result, even when the user sits on the seat portion 52 with their back to the handle member 26, the curved portion 61 prevents the user's back from locally abutting against the handle member 26, and the user can sit up straight and relax when sitting on the seat portion 52.

[0037] Furthermore, seat portion 52 is supported rotatably around horizontal shafts 54 at the upper ends of each front wheel leg 11, and can be converted between a seating position in which it protrudes substantially horizontally forward relative to each front wheel leg 11, and a lying position in which it reclines downward along each front wheel leg 11. This allows seat portion 52 to be converted from the seating position to the lying position when not in use and the user is not seated on seat portion 52, making the handcart 1 more convenient to use.

[0038] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] In this embodiment, the configuration of the seat portion and the conversion mechanism is changed. Note that the configuration other than the seat portion and the conversion mechanism is the same as in the first embodiment, and the same parts are assigned the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a pushcart according to a second embodiment of the present invention, seen from diagonally forward, with the seat portion in the seating position and the front and rear wheel legs unfolded. Fig. 12 is a front view of the pushcart of Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 is a side view of the pushcart of Fig. 11.

[0041] 11 to 13, a seat portion 71 is provided between the front wheel legs 11, protruding substantially horizontally forward from the upper end of each front wheel leg 11 and enabling the user to sit facing forward with their back to the handlebars 25. The seat portion 71 is equipped with a substantially U-shaped seat frame 72 arranged with both left and right side edges and the front edge of the seat portion 71 integrally connected. Both left and right ends (both rear ends) of the seat frame 72 protrude further rearward than the seat portion 71, and both protruding ends are rotatably supported by the ends (front ends) of U-shaped brackets 73 fixed to the upper ends of the front wheel legs 11, respectively, via horizontal shafts 74 extending in the left-right direction.

[0042] The seat 71 is made up of a support plate (not shown) whose periphery is supported by the seat frame 72, and a cushion material 75 attached to the support plate, and has a generally rectangular shape that is relatively short in the front-to-back direction and long in the left-to-right direction in a plan view. The seat frame 72 is formed from a pipe extruded from aluminum, an aluminum alloy, stainless steel, steel, or the like. In this case, since the seat 71 has a generally rectangular shape that is relatively short in the front-to-back direction and long in the left-to-right direction, the user sits on the seat 71 facing forward with the handle 25 close to their back.

[0043] Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the pushcart 1 of Fig. 11 when the seat 71 is in the lying position, as seen diagonally from the front. Fig. 15 shows a front view of the pushcart 1 of Fig. 14, and Fig. 16 shows a side view of the pushcart 1 of Fig. 14 when seen from the side.

[0044] 14 to 16, a conversion mechanism 7 is provided which converts the seating position (position shown in FIGS. 11 to 13) in which the seat portion 71 protrudes substantially horizontally forward relative to the front wheel legs 11, and the lying position (position shown in FIGS. 14 to 16) in which the seat portion 71 is lying upward along the handle support columns 31. The conversion mechanism 7 includes slide rails 76 which extend along the left and right sides of the seat frame 72, seat links 78, 78 whose one end (the lower end in FIG. 11) is rotatably supported via a horizontal shaft 77 at an upper position of each front wheel leg 11 (above the horizontal shaft 46 of the front link 45), and seat pin members 79 whose left and right ends are connected to the other ends (the upper ends in FIG. 11) of the left and right seat links 78, 78 and which slide on the slide rails 76.

[0045] When the seat portion 71 is rotated upward around the horizontal axis 74 at the tip of the U-shaped bracket 73, each seat link 78 rotates upward around the horizontal axis 77, causing the seat pin material 79 to slide along the slide rail 76 and reach the end of the horizontal axis 74, thereby converting the seat portion 71 from a seated position in which it protrudes approximately horizontally forward relative to each front wheel leg 11 to a collapsed position in which it collapses upward along each handlebar support portion 31, i.e., the frames 33, 33 on both the left and right sides of the handlebar support portion 32.

[0046] Fig. 17 shows a perspective view of the pushcart 1 in Fig. 14 when viewed diagonally from the front with the front wheel legs 11 and the rear wheel legs 12 folded up. Fig. 18 shows a front view of the pushcart 1 in Fig. 17 when viewed from the front, and Fig. 19 shows a side view of the pushcart 1 in Fig. 17 when viewed from the side.

[0047] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, when the handle 25 is pushed downward, the sliding brackets 35, 35 that were located at the lower ends of the left and right frames 33, 33 with the front wheel legs 11 and rear wheel legs 12 unfolded, move upward to the upper ends of the left and right frames 33, 33. This upward movement of the sliding brackets 35, 35 causes the front wheel legs 11 to rotate rearward about horizontal axes 36, and the rear wheel legs 12 to rotate forward about horizontal axes 37. At this time, when the sliding brackets 35, 35 move upward, the left and right frames 33, 33 move downward relative to each other, and the front wheel legs 11 are pulled toward the handlebar support part 32 (rearward) via the front links 45, and the rear wheel legs 12 are pulled toward the handlebar support part 32 (forward) via the rear links 42, causing the front wheel legs 11 and rear wheel legs 12 to fold up.

[0048] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the user sits on the seat portion 71 that protrudes approximately horizontally forward from the upper end of each front wheel leg portion 11, even if the user's back is close to the handle 25 due to the approximately rectangular seat portion 71 that is relatively short in the front-to-back direction and long in the left-to-right direction, the curved portion 61 prevents the back from coming into local contact with the handle member 26, and the user can sit up straight and relax when sitting on the seat portion 71.

[0049] Furthermore, the seat portion 71 is supported rotatably around the horizontal shaft 54 ​​at the upper end of each front wheel leg 11, and can be converted into a seating position in which it protrudes substantially horizontally forward relative to each front wheel leg 11, and a lying position in which it is tilted upward along each handle support portion 31. This allows the seat portion 71 to be converted from the seating position to the lying position when not in use and the user is not seated on the seat portion 71, making the handcart 1 more convenient to use.

[0050] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0051] In this embodiment, the configuration of the seat portion and the conversion mechanism is changed. Note that the configuration other than the seat portion and the conversion mechanism is the same as in the first embodiment, and the same parts are assigned the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0052] Fig. 20 shows a perspective view of a pushcart according to a third embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front, with the front and rear wheel legs unfolded. Fig. 21 shows a front view of the pushcart of Fig. 20, and Fig. 22 shows a side view of the pushcart of Fig. 20.

[0053] As shown in Figures 20 to 22, a storage basket 81 is provided between the front wheel legs 11, and stores luggage inside through an opening (not shown) that opens upward in a substantially horizontal state. A substantially U-shaped support frame 82 that opens rearward is attached to both left and right side edges and the front edge of the opening of this storage basket 81. The left and right rear ends of this support frame 82 are rotatably supported on the upper ends of the front wheel legs 11 via horizontal shafts 83.

[0054] A seat portion 84 is detachably attached to the edge of the opening of the storage basket 81, i.e., to the support frame 82. The seat portion 84 is composed of a support plate (not shown) that forms the entire surface of the seat portion 84 and a cushion material 85 attached to the support plate, and has a generally rectangular shape that is slightly longer in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view. The seat portion 84 also serves as a lid that opens and closes the opening of the storage basket 81, and when the opening of the storage basket 81 is closed, the seat portion 84 is located in a seating position that protrudes generally horizontally forward from the upper ends of the front wheel legs 11.

[0055] Figure 23 shows a perspective view of the wheelbarrow 1 in Figure 20 when viewed diagonally from the front with the front wheel legs 11 and the rear wheel legs 12 folded up. Figure 24 shows a front view of the wheelbarrow 1 in Figure 23 when viewed from the front, and Figure 25 shows a side view of the wheelbarrow 1 in Figure 23 when viewed from the side.

[0056] As shown in Figures 23 to 25, when the handle 25 is pushed downward, the sliding brackets 35, which were located at the lower ends of the left and right frames 33, 33 with the front wheel legs 11 and the rear wheel legs 12 unfolded, move upward to the upper ends of the left and right frames 33, 33. This upward movement of the sliding brackets 35, 35 causes the front wheel legs 11 to rotate rearward about horizontal axes 36, and the rear wheel legs 12 to rotate forward about horizontal axes 37. At this time, when the sliding brackets 35, 35 move upward, the left and right frames 33, 33 move downward relative to each other, and the storage basket 81 is converted into a forward-leaning position such that the seat portion 84 is aligned with the front wheel legs 11 while avoiding interference with the rear frame 17, the brake frame 24, and the lower end frames 34 of the handlebar support portions 32. At the same time, each front wheel leg 11 is pulled toward the handlebar support section 32 (rearward) via the front link 45, and each rear wheel leg 12 is pulled toward the handlebar support section 32 (forward) via the rear link 42, and each front wheel leg 11 and each rear wheel leg 12 is folded.

[0057] The storage basket 81 is made of a soft, deformable material such as cloth or vinyl, and when the front wheel legs 11 and rear wheel legs 12 are folded, the bottom is deformed into a roughly wave-like shape due to interference with the rear frame 17, brake frame 24, and lower end frame 34 of the handle column support part 32, which extend in the left-right direction below the stroller 1. In this case, because the seat part 84 is attached to the edge of the opening of the storage basket 81, when the front wheel legs 11 and rear wheel legs 12 are folded, it leans forward along the front wheel legs 11 and is converted into a lying position.

[0058] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the user sits on the seat portion 84 that protrudes approximately horizontally forward from the upper end of each front wheel leg portion 11, the curved portion 61 prevents the user's back from coming into local contact with the handle member 26, and the user can sit up straight and relax comfortably on the seat portion 84.

[0059] Furthermore, the seat 84 also serves as a lid that detachably opens and closes the opening of the storage basket 81 provided between the front wheel legs 11, so the interior of the storage basket 81 is shielded by the seat 84, improving the appearance while reducing the number of parts. Moreover, by using the seat 84 as a lid for the storage basket 81, it is possible to efficiently ensure a seating space on the seat 84 while installing the storage basket 81 between the front wheel legs 11.

[0060] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0061] In this embodiment, the configuration of the seat portion and the conversion mechanism is changed. Note that the configuration other than the seat portion and the conversion mechanism is the same as in the third embodiment, and the same parts are assigned the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0062] Fig. 26 shows a perspective view of a pushcart according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, seen from diagonally forward with the front and rear wheel legs unfolded. Fig. 27 shows a front view of the pushcart of Fig. 26, Fig. 28 shows a side view of the pushcart of Fig. 26, and Fig. 29 shows a rear view of the pushcart of Fig. 26.

[0063] 26 to 29, the curved portion 61 curved in the left-right center of the handle member 26 is provided with a buffer means 9 that actively buffers the back from contacting the seat portion 84 when the user sits on it. The buffer means 9 is made up of a pad-like cushion material 91 formed horizontally to match the length of the curved portion 61 in the left-right direction, and a fastener 92 that fastens the cushion material 91 in a state where it is wrapped around the curved portion 61.

[0064] Figure 30 shows a perspective view of the pushcart 1 in Figure 26 when viewed diagonally from the front with the front wheel legs 11 and the rear wheel legs 12 folded up. Figure 31 shows a front view of the pushcart 1 in Figure 30 when viewed from the front, and Figure 32 shows a side view of the pushcart 1 in Figure 30 when viewed from the side.

[0065] As shown in Figures 30 to 32, when the handle 25 is pushed downward, the sliding brackets 35 move upward to the upper ends of the left and right frames 33, and this upward movement causes the front wheel legs 11 to rotate rearward about horizontal axes 36 and the rear wheel legs 12 to pivot forward about horizontal axes 37. At this time, the left and right frames 33 move downward relative to each other, and the storage basket 81 is transformed into a forward-leaning position such that the seat portion 84 is aligned with the front wheel legs 11 while the bottom portion is deformed into a substantially wave-like shape due to interference with the rear frame 17, brake frame 24, and lower end frame 34. Simultaneously, the front wheel legs 11 are drawn toward the handle column support portion 32 via the front links 45, and the rear wheel legs 12 are drawn toward the handle column support portion 32 via the rear links 42, causing the front wheel legs 11 and the rear wheel legs 12 to fold up.

[0066] Therefore, in this embodiment, a cushioning means 9 is provided in the curved portion 61 to actively cushion the back from contacting the seat portion 84 when the user sits on the seat portion 84. This effectively cushions the impact of the back of the user contacting the curved portion 61 of the handle member 26 when the user sits on the seat portion 84 with their back to the handle member 26, thereby enhancing the feeling of relaxation when the user sits on the seat portion 84.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various other modifications. For example, in the fourth embodiment, the shock-absorbing means 9 is configured by wrapping a horizontally elongated pad-like cushion material 91 around the curved portion 61 with a fastener 92. However, a shock-absorbing means may be provided over the entire area in front of the handle, including the handle member and the bent portions at both left and right ends, to actively reduce the contact of the back with the seat when the user sits on the seat. In this case, the shock-absorbing means may be configured by inserting a tube-shaped shock-absorbing material between the bent portions at both left and right ends of the handle member or by wrapping a strip-shaped shock-absorbing material around the bent portions.

[0068] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the seat portions 52, 71, 84 are adapted to be converted between a seated position and a reclined position, but the seat portions may also be fixed in a state in which they protrude forward approximately horizontally relative to each front wheel leg.

[0069] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the pushcart 1 is used as a walking cart, but it may also be used as a pushcart such as a silver cart. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1. Wheelbarrow 11 Front wheel leg 12 Rear wheel leg 14 Front wheels 16 rear wheels 25 Handle 31 Handle support 33 Left and right frame 52 Seat part 54 horizontal axis 61 Curved section 71 Seat part 74 horizontal axis 81 Storage Basket 83 horizontal axis 84 Seat part 9 Buffering means

Claims

1. A pushcart having left and right front wheel legs at the lower ends thereof for supporting front wheels so as to be freely rotatable, and left and right rear wheel legs at the lower ends thereof for supporting rear wheels so as to be freely rotatable, from above, and having left and right handle support columns for supporting from below both left and right ends of a handle extending in the left-right direction, The handle comprises a handle member extending in the left-right direction, bending portions that bend both left and right ends of the handle member rearward, and grip portions that extend rearward from the rear ends of the bending portions and are gripped by the user's hands, and the handle member is located forward of the handle support portion, Between the front wheel legs, a seat portion is provided that protrudes substantially horizontally forward so that a user can sit with their back to the handlebars, and left and right rear ends of the seat portion are supported by the front wheel legs, A pushcart characterized in that the handle member has a curved portion in the left-right center that curves backward to prevent the back of the user from locally contacting the handle member when the user sits on the seat.

2. 2. The pushcart of claim 1, wherein the left and right rear ends of the seat portion are supported so as to be freely rotatable about horizontal axes extending in the left-right direction relative to the front wheel legs, and the seat portion is configured to be convertible between a seating position in which it protrudes substantially horizontally forward relative to the front wheel legs, and a lying position in which it lies upward along the handle support portions or a lying position in which it lies downward along the front wheel legs.

3. A storage basket is provided between the front wheel legs, and is opened upward in a substantially horizontal position to store luggage therein.

2. The pushcart according to claim 1, wherein the seat portion also serves as a lid for opening and closing an opening of the storage basket.

4. 4. The pushcart according to claim 1, wherein the curved portion is provided with a buffer means for actively reducing the abutment of the back of the user when the user sits on the seat portion.

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