WO2025021732A1 - Multi-purpose pail and hand truck - Google Patents

Abstract

A combination pail (50) and hand truck (10) includes a frame (12) having a pair of upright first posts (14), a pair of rotatable wheels (22) attached to the frame, a pail fork and a noseplate (26). The pail is configured to support at least one pail. The noseplate is configured to support at least one item thereon. The pail fork (24) and the noseplate (26) are each movable between a respective deployed position and a respective stowed position. The pail fork and the noseplate are connected by a linkage (34), whereby, when the pail fork is positioned in the deployed position thereof, projecting forwardly from the first posts, the noseplate is positioned in the stowed position thereof, substantially uprightly orientated facing the first posts, and when the pail fork is positioned in the stowed position thereof, substantially uprightly orientated facing the first posts, the noseplate is positioned in the deployed position thereof, projecting forwardly from the first posts.

Description

Multi-Purpose Pail And Hand Truck

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from similarly -titled U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/528,488, filed July 24, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The disclosure relates to a hand truck, and, more particularly, to a pail and hand truck configured to support and transport at least one pail, at least one box, or a combination thereof.

[0003] Hand trucks are conventional tools utilized to assist with the transfer of items and objects. Hand trucks are often utilized to assist with the transfer of heavy items, such as full pails. One drawback of conventional hand trucks is that the heavy object often needs to be manipulated, e.g., tilted, to slide a noseplate of the hand truck underneath. Such manipulation is cumbersome and is exacerbated if the hand truck is being utilized to transfer a stack of objects, e.g., 5-gallon pails.

[0004] It would, therefore, be advantageous to manufacture a pail and hand truck configured to engage and support a 5-gallon pail or stack of pails without requiring manipulation thereto, while also being able to perform traditional hand truck transfer functions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] Briefly stated, one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a combination pail and hand truck including a frame having a pair of upright first posts; a pair of rotatable wheels attached to the frame; a pail fork configured to support at least one pail; and a noseplate configured to support at least one item thereon. Each of the pail fork and the noseplate are movable between a respective deployed position and a respective stowed position, and the pail fork and the noseplate are connected by a linkage. When the pail fork is positioned in the deployed position thereof, projecting forwardly from the first posts, the noseplate is positioned in the stowed position thereof, substantially uprightly orientated facing the first posts, and when the pail fork is positioned in the stowed position thereof, substantially uprightly orientated facing the first posts, the noseplate is positioned in the deployed position thereof, projecting forwardly from the first posts. [0006] In one configuration, the frame further includes a handle portion connecting the pair of upright first posts.

[0007] In any one of the previous configurations, the combination pail and hand truck further includes a pair of axle support plates, each axle support plate projecting rearwardly from a corresponding first upright post, and a wheel axle extending through the pair of axle support plates and having the pair of rotatable wheels attached thereto. In one configuration, the pair of axle support plates includes a plurality of pairs of co-axially aligned apertures, each pair of apertures being configured to support the wheel axle according to a selected wheel diameter of the attached wheels.

[0008] In any one of the previous configurations, the noseplate includes a generally planar support surface.

[0009] In any one of the previous configurations, the noseplate defines a width of approximately 36.83 cm and a depth of approximately 24.13 cm.

[0010] In any one of the previous configurations, the pail fork is spaced approximately 32.39 cm from a base of the frame in the deployed position of the pail fork.

[0011] In any one of the previous configurations, the pail fork includes a support surface having an arcuate front surface contour, an arc of which corresponds to an external diameter and curvature of a pail, whereby the surface contour is configured to fittingly mate with an external surface contour of the pail. In one configuration, the front surface contour of the pail fork defines a front surface contour diameter of approximately 28.73 cm.

[0012] In any one of the previous configurations, the combination pail and hand truck further includes a height adjustable sliding hook mechanism attached to the frame and configured to engage a pail or item supported by the truck. In one configuration, the sliding hook mechanism includes at least one sleeve slidably coupled with the frame and a cantilevered, forwardly projecting hook-shaped member connected thereto, configured to engage the pail or item supported by the truck.

[0013] In any one of the previous configurations, the linkage comprises at least one generally uprightly oriented connecting link, the connecting link having a first curvilinear portion and a second, inverse oriented curvilinear portion inflected about an inflection point, the connecting link being rotationally attached with the pail fork along the first curvilinear portion and rotationally attached with the noseplate along the second curvilinear portion. In one configuration, the pail fork and the noseplate define independent and coplanar axes of rotation, the connecting link being attached with the pail fork on one side of the coplanar axes of rotation and the connecting link being attached with the noseplate on an opposing side of the coplanar axes of rotation.

[0014] In any one of the previous configurations, the linkage is configured such that clockwise rotation of the pail fork causes counterclockwise rotation of the noseplate and clockwise rotation of the noseplate causes counterclockwise rotation of the pail fork.

[0015] Briefly stated, another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a combination pail and hand truck according to any one of the previous configurations, in combination with a cylindrical pail having at least one radially outwardly protruding ledge, wherein a support surface of the pail fork is configured to underly and support the radially outwardly protruding ledge of the pail.

[0016] In any one of the previous configurations, the pail is an 18.93 liter bucket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The following description of embodiments of the disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a front and side perspective view of an example pail and hand truck in accordance with the present disclosure, in a pail truck mode;

[0019] Fig. 2 is another front and side perspective view of the pail and hand truck of Fig. 1 in a pail truck mode, engaging a stack of 5-gallon pails;

[0020] Fig. 3 is a front and side perspective view of the pail and hand truck of Fig. 1 in a hand truck mode;

[0021] Fig. 4 is a front and side perspective view of the pail and hand truck of Fig. 1 in the hand truck mode, carrying a stack of boxes;

[0022] Fig. 5 is a side and rear perspective view of the pail and hand truck of Fig. 1 in the pail truck mode; and

[0023] Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the pail and hand truck of Fig. 1 in the pail truck mode with the wheels thereof removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0024] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the combination pail and hand truck, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. In describing the combination pail and hand truck, the terms proximal and distal are used in relation to the user, proximal being closer to the user and distal being further from the user. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

[0025] It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the disclosure, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

[0026] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Figs. 1-6, a combination pail and hand truck, generally designated 10, configured to support and transport at least one pail or bucket 50 (Fig. 2), at least one box 60 (Fig. 4), or a combination thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The combination pail and hand truck 10 includes a frame 12, e.g., a metallic frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 12 is constructed of a generally tubular, steel frame, but the disclosure is not so limited.

[0027] The frame 12 includes a pair of parallel upright first posts 14 terminating in a generally U-shaped handle portion 16 at a first or upper end of the first posts 14. As shown in Figs. 1-5, the handle portion 16 connects the first posts 14 together at the upper ends thereof and is angularly oriented relative to the first posts 14, e.g., defining an obtuse included angle 0 therebetween. Optionally, the frame 12 may also include one or more crossbars 15 extending between the pair of first posts 14, increasing the structural rigidity of the frame 12. In the illustrated embodiment, a first crossbar 15 extends between the pair of first posts 14 at upper ends thereof, proximate the transition from the first posts 14 to the U-shaped handle portion 16. In the illustrated embodiment, a second crossbar 15 extends between the pair of first posts 14 at approximately a midway point of the first posts 14.

[0028] Proximate a base end of the frame 12, the combination pail and hand truck 10 further includes a pair of axle support plates 18. As shown best in Figs. 5 and 6, each support plate 18 is generally C-shaped and projects rearwardly from a respective upright first post 14. The support plates 18 project substantially parallel with one another and define corresponding, co-axially positioned apertures 18a. A wheel axle 20 extends through the apertures 18a, having a pair of wheels 22 attached in a rotationally-fixed manner to the opposing ends thereof in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. In one configuration, the wheels 22 may take the form of 10” (25.4 cm) diameter wheels, but the disclosure is not so limited. Optionally, as shown in Fig. 6, the support plates 18 may define a plurality of pairs of co-axially positioned apertures 18a, each pair being configured for supporting a wheel axle 20 according to the selected wheel tire/diameter employed with the combination pail and hand truck 10.

[0029] As shown best in Figs. 1-4, the combination pail and hand truck 10 further includes a pail fork 24 and a noseplate 26. The pail fork 24 is selectively movable/rotatable between a deployed position (Figs. 1, 2, 5 6) and a stowed position (Figs. 3, 4), as will be described in further detail below. The noseplate 26 is also selectively movable/rotatable between a deployed position (Figs. 3, 4) and a stowed position (Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6), as also will be described in further detail below. The pail fork 24 is configured to support at least one pail 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the pail 50 may be a cylindrical pail having a radially outwardly protruding ledge 50a, at or proximate, the upper rim thereof. The pail 50 may include a plurality of spaced apart, radially outwardly protruding ledges 50a circumscribing the sidewall of the pail 50.

[0030] As shown best in Figs. 1 and 3, the pail fork 24 includes a support surface 24a having an arcuate/circular front surface contour 24b, e.g., a concave front surface contour. The front surface contour 24b takes the outline of a semi-circular cutout in the support surface 24a. The front surface contour 24b of the pail fork 24 is configured to fittingly mate with and receive a portion, e.g., approximately half, of the cylindrical external surface contour 50b of the pail 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the pail 50 takes the form of a 5-gallon (18.93 liter) bucket (but the disclosure is not so limited) and the arc of the front surface 24b corresponds to the external diameter and curvature of the 5-gallon bucket 50. In one configuration suitable for engaging a 5- gallon bucket, the front surface contour 24b defines a diameter D of 11 and 5/16” (28.73 cm), but the disclosure is not so limited. The support surface 24a is configured to underly and support the radially outwardly protruding ledge 50a of the pail 50.

[0031] The pail fork 24 is rotatably attached to the frame 12. As shown, the pail fork 24 further includes a pair of oppositely disposed, parallel sidewalls 24c extending substantially perpendicularly from the support surface 24a. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls 24c are positioned laterally outwardly of the upright posts 14, but the disclosure is not so limited. As shown best in Fig 5, a pair of pail fork support brackets 13 project rearwardly from the frame 12. As shown, each pail fork support bracket 13 projects rearwardly from a respective upright first post 14. The pail fork support brackets 13 project substantially parallel with one another and define corresponding, co-axially positioned apertures 13a. A pail fork axle 17 extends through the apertures 13a and into a rotationally-fixed attachment with the oppositely disposed sidewalls 24c, thereby enabling the pail fork 24 to rotate about the axis of the pail fork axle 17.

[0032] As the pail fork 24 is configured to engage the radially outwardly protruding ledge 50a of the pail 50 and the ledge 50a is positioned proximate an upper end of the pail 50 (or at least spaced from the base end), the pail fork 24 is elevationally positioned along the frame 12 at a corresponding height H (Fig. 6) to the ledge 50a, e.g., of a 5-gallon pail 50. In one configuration, the pail fork 24, in a deployed position thereof, is spaced upwardly a distance H of approximately 12 and 3/4” (32.39 cm) from the base of the frame 12. Advantageously, therefore, a pail 50 need not be manipulated, e.g., tilted, to slide any component underneath for support. Rather, in a pail truck mode, i.e., with the pail fork 24 in the deployed position (Figs. 1, 2, 5 6), projecting forwardly from the uprights posts 14 and substantially perpendicularly thereto, the combination pail and hand truck 10 is advanced, e.g., rolled, toward a first pail 50 until the pail fork 24 underlies and/or engages the ledge 50a of the pail 50.

[0033] The pail fork 24 is further configured, e.g., via the material and structural integrity thereof, to support the weight of more than one pail 50, stacked upon one another (as shown in Fig. 2). In the illustrated configuration, the combination pail and hand truck 10 is dimensioned to support approximately three, stacked 5-gallon pails. Accordingly, the combination pail and hand truck 10 may be advanced, e.g., rolled, toward a stack of pails 50 until the pail fork 24 underlies and/or engages the ledge 50a of the lowermost pail 50. Engaging the lowermost pail 50, and thereby supporting the entire stack of pails 50, without manipulating the stack of pails 50 is particularly advantageous. Subsequently, tilting the frame 12 rearward, i.e., in a direction generally opposite the projection of the deployed pail fork 24 (in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art) lifts the pail(s) 50 elevationally supported via the support of the pail fork 24. The combination pail and hand truck 10 may subsequently be rolled via the wheels 22.

[0034] To further assist with supporting a stack of pails (50), or other item(s), the combination pail and hand truck 10 may employ a height adjustable, sliding hook mechanism 28. Namely, a pair of parallel upright second posts 30, positioned between the first posts 14, extend from the first crossbar 15 to the second crossbar 15. The sliding hook mechanism 28 includes a pair of tubular sleeves 28a, each slidably coupled with a respective second post 30, and at least one plate 28b laterally extending between the sleeves 28a. In the illustrated embodiment, two plates 28b laterally extend between the sleeves 28a, but the disclosure is not so limited. A hookshaped member 28c projects forwardly from the plate 28b (or one of the plates 28b) in a cantilevered manner. Accordingly, when a stack of pails 50 or boxes 60 (or other objects) are supported by the combination pail and hand truck 10, the sliding hook mechanism 28 may be slidably adjusted to engage the uppermost pail 50 or box 60 (or other object) to further stabilize the stack. For example, the sliding hook mechanism 28 may be adjusted such that the cantilevered hook-shaped member 28c engages an upper rim or ledge of an uppermost pail 50.

[0035] As previously described, the combination pail and hand truck 10 also includes a noseplate 26. The noseplate 26 includes a generally planar support surface 26a. In one configuration the noseplate 26 defines a width of 14.5” (36.83 cm) and a depth Z of 9.5” (24.13 cm), but the disclosure is not so limited. As shown best in Figs. 3 and 4, the noseplate 26 is rotatably attached to a base end of the frame 12. The noseplate 26 includes a pair of oppositely disposed, parallel side plates 26b extending substantially perpendicularly from the rear of the side ends of the support surface 26a. In the illustrated embodiment, the side plates 26b are positioned laterally outwardly of the upright posts 14, but the disclosure is not so limited. As shown best in Fig 5, a noseplate axle 32 extends through coaxial apertures in the axle support plates 18 into a rotationally fixed attachment with the oppositely disposed parallel side plates 26b, thereby enabling the noseplate 26 to rotate about the axis of the noseplate axle 32. [0036] In a hand truck mode, i.e., with the noseplate 26 in a deployed position (Figs. 3, 4), projecting forwardly from, and generally perpendicular to, the upright posts 14, the combination pail and hand truck 10 may also be employed as a conventional hand truck and operated in a manner well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. As shown, for example in Fig. 4, the noseplate 26 may support one or more boxes 60 or other items thereon. As should be understood, the noseplate 26 may also support one or more pails 50 thereon. In the deployed position of the noseplate 26, the noseplate 26 may also extend substantially flat upon an underlying ground surface (not shown), stabilizing the truck 10 in an upright position without external stabilization, e.g., without support by a user.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the combination pail and hand truck 10 is configured such that in the pail truck mode (Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6), the pail fork 24 is positioned in the deployed position, i.e., projecting forwardly from and substantially perpendicularly to the upright posts 14, and the noseplate 26 is positioned in the stowed position. Conversely, in the hand truck mode (Figs. 3, 4), the noseplate is positioned in the deployed position, i.e., projecting forwardly from and substantially perpendicularly to the upright posts 14, and the pail fork 24 is positioned in the stowed position. In the stowed position, the pail fork 24 is substantially uprightly oriented, in facing engagement with (and substantially parallel to) the upright posts 14. Similarly, in the stowed position, the noseplate 26 is substantially uprightly oriented, in facing engagement with (and substantially parallel to) the upright posts 14.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the selectively rotatable pail fork 24 and the selectively rotatable 26 are inversely linked so that one is deployed while the other is stowed, and vice versa, advantageously simplifying the switch between pail truck and hand truck modes. As should be understood, however, the pail fork 24 and the noseplate 26 may be independently rotatable, such that, for example, both the pail fork 24 and the noseplate 26 may be simultaneously oriented in the deployed configuration for additional support and may alternatively both be oriented in the stowed configuration, e.g., for reduced storage footprint.

[0039] As shown, the combination pail and hand truck 10 includes a pair of generally uprightly oriented connecting links 34, each connecting a respective sidewall 24c of the pail fork 24 with a corresponding and underlying side plate 26b of the noseplate 26. Each connecting link 34 is rotationally attached at or proximate an upper end thereof with a respective sidewall 24c of the pail fork 24 and rotationally attached at or proximate a lower end thereof with a respective side plate 26b of the noseplate 26. The connecting link 34 of the illustrated embodiment is generally S-shaped, having a first curvilinear or arcuate portion 34a and an oppositely oriented, second curvilinear or arcuate portion 34b, inflected about an inflection point 34c. The pail fork axle 17 and the noseplate axle 32 define independent and coplanar axes of rotation. As shown best in Fig. 6, the upper end of the connecting link 34 is rotatably attached to the sidewall 24c of the pail fork 24 forwardly of the axis of rotation of the pail fork axle 17 and the lower end of the connecting link 34 is rotatably attached to the plate 26b of the noseplate 26 rearwar dly of the axis of rotation of the noseplate axle 32. Accordingly, clockwise rotation of the pail fork 24 results in counterclockwise rotation of the noseplate 26, via the connecting linkage 34, and vice versa. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the connecting linkage 34 may take other forms capable of performing inverse rotations of the pail fork 24 and the noseplate 26, as described herein. For example, the connecting linkage may take the form of a plurality of pivotably connected linkage segments resulting in the same inverse motions.

[0100] In one configuration, the pail fork 24 and the noseplate 26 may be selectively, manually rotated between the respective deployed and stowed positions thereof. Additionally, or alternative, a lever and linkage (not shown) may be employed to selectively move the pail fork 24 and the noseplate 26 between the respective deployed and stowed positions thereof, such as, for example, without limitation an over-the-center linkage, a detent-based linkage or the like. A lever may take the form of a hand operated lever, e.g., proximate the handle portion 16, or a pedal lever, proximate a base end of the frame 12.

[0040] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment(s) described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the present disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A combination pail and hand truck comprising: a frame having a pair of upright first posts; a pair of rotatable wheels attached to the frame; a pail fork configured to support at least one pail; and a noseplate configured to support at least one item thereon, each of the pail fork and the noseplate being movable between a respective deployed position and a respective stowed position; the pail fork and the noseplate being connected by a linkage, whereby: when the pail fork is positioned in the deployed position thereof, projecting forwardly from the first posts, the noseplate is positioned in the stowed position thereof, substantially uprightly orientated facing the first posts, and when the pail fork is positioned in the stowed position thereof, substantially uprightly orientated facing the first posts, the noseplate is positioned in the deployed position thereof, projecting forwardly from the first posts.

2. The combination pail and hand truck of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a handle portion connecting the pair of upright first posts.

3. The combination pail and hand truck of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a pair of axle support plates, each axle support plate projecting rearwardly from a corresponding first upright post, and a wheel axle extending through the pair of axle support plates and having the pair of rotatable wheels attached thereto.

4. The combination pail and hand truck of claim 3, wherein the pair of axle support plates includes a plurality of pairs of co-axially aligned apertures, each pair of apertures being configured to support the wheel axle according to a selected wheel diameter of the attached wheels.

5. The combination pail and hand truck of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the noseplate includes a generally planar support surface.

6. The combination pail and hand truck of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the noseplate defines a width of approximately 36.83 cm and a depth of approximately 24.13 cm.

7. The combination pail and hand truck of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pail fork is spaced approximately 32.39 cm from a base of the frame in the deployed position of the pail fork.

8. The combination pail and hand truck of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pail fork includes a support surface having an arcuate front surface contour, an arc of which corresponds to an external diameter and curvature of a pail, whereby the surface contour is configured to fittingly mate with an external surface contour of the pail.

9. The combination pail and hand truck of claim 8, wherein the front surface contour of the pail fork defines a front surface contour diameter of approximately 28.73 cm.

10. The combination pail and hand truck of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a height adjustable sliding hook mechanism attached to the frame and configured to engage a pail or item supported by the truck.

11. The combination pail and hand truck of claim 10, wherein the sliding hook mechanism includes at least one sleeve slidably coupled with the frame and a cantilevered, forwardly projecting hook-shaped member connected thereto, configured to engage the pail or item supported by the truck.

12. The combination pail and hand truck of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linkage comprises at least one generally uprightly oriented connecting link, the connecting link having a first curvilinear portion and a second, inverse oriented curvilinear portion inflected about an inflection point, the connecting link being rotationally attached with the pail fork along the first curvilinear portion and rotationally attached with the noseplate along the second curvilinear portion.

13. The combination pail and hand truck of claim 12, wherein the pail fork and the noseplate define independent and coplanar axes of rotation, the connecting link being attached with the pail fork on one side of the coplanar axes of rotation and the connecting link being attached with the noseplate on an opposing side of the coplanar axes of rotation.

14. The combination pail and hand truck of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linkage is configured such that clockwise rotation of the pail fork causes counterclockwise rotation of the noseplate and clockwise rotation of the noseplate causes counterclockwise rotation of the pail fork.

15. The combination pail and hand truck according to any one of the preceding claims, in combination with a cylindrical pail having at least one radially outwardly protruding ledge, wherein a support surface of the pail fork is configured to underly and support the radially outwardly protruding ledge of the pail.

16. The combination pail and hand truck according to any one of the preceding claims, in combination with a cylindrical pail, wherein the pail is an 18.93 liter bucket.