GB2133977A

GB2133977A - Garden tool trolley

Info

Publication number: GB2133977A
Application number: GB08301806A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Gordon Dunkley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-01-22
Filing date: 1983-01-22
Publication date: 1984-08-08
Also published as: GB8301806D0

Abstract

A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools is provided consisting of a wheeled base (1) having an upstanding support structure (4) which has clips (5) or other retaining means for releasably receiving the handles of long tools, the lower ends of the latter being located in the base (1) such as in recesses (61-65) in a board (6) carried by the base (1). The support structure (4) is shown consisting of an inverted U-shaped frame member having legs secured to the base (1) and having an upper cross piece (43) secured to a column (3) upstanding from the base (1) and provided with a wheeling handle (30). Holders (7, 33) for small tools such as trowels or hand shears are provided on the base (1) and column (3). Some recesses (61-65) may be of mesh form at the bottom so as to be self cleaning. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Garden tool trolley The object of this invention is to provide a trolley primarily for carrying garden tools in a convenient manner ready for use and which can also provide compact stowage of the tools e.g. in a garden shed, garage or similar locality. Practical advantages in these and other respects will be apparent from the following description.

According to this invention a trolley primarily for carrying garden tools is characterised by a wheeled base carrying upstanding support structure provided with clips or other retaining means for releasably receiving or holding the handles of tools, the base being adapted to receive lower parts of the tools located thereby.

A practical example of the garden tool trolley is shown in the accompanying drawings in which FIGURES 1 and 2 are front and rear perspective views respectively of the trolley.

FIGURE 3 is a detail view of a location recess, and FIGURE 4 is a detail view of a modified arrangement.

The base of the trolley is shown consisting of a rectangular frame 1 of angle section members and is provided with a pair of wheels 2 at the rear.

Upstanding from the rear of the base frame 1 is a column 3 provided with a handle 30 at its upper end and secured such as by welding to an upper part of the column is the cross piece 43 of an inverted U-shaped support frame member 4, the limbs of which are firstly forwardly directed horizontally at 41 and then provide downwardly inclined legs 42 welded to respective sides of the base frame 1 at the front of the trolley after which they further extend downwardly to provide feet 420 for firm support of the trolley in the free standing position and against rolling movement in such position. Other suitable support frame construction may be employed.

The upper part of the U-frame 4 carries clips 5 for releasably holding the handles of tools, some of the clips being carried by a rectangular frame 40 extending forwardly from the cross piece 43.

For suitable location of tools held by the clips 5, the base frame of the trolley receives location means shown in the form of a board 6 e.g. of multi-ply wood having recesses for receiving the lower parts of the tools. In the example shown openings are provided for this purpose through the board and are closed at the bottom by metal or other suitable mesh material 60 to support the tools yet permit moisture or dry earth dust to pass through in a self-cleaning manner. Variations in this respect are described later.

Whereas the manner in which tools are held and located on the trolley may be varied according to requirements, the convenient arrangement shown is as follows:- Clips 50 carried by the horizontal limb portions 41 of the U-frame 4 respectively receive the handles of a spade (indicated at S) and fork, the lower parts of which locate in slots 10 provided between cutaway sides of the base board 6 and the side members of the base frame 1. To minimise damage and rattling the bottom of each slot receives a pad 100 of rubber (see FIGURE 3) or other suitable cushioning material on which the blade of the spade S or the tines of a fork can rest.

The forward edge of the upper frame carries a series of clips 51-55 one of which 54 is for receiving a handle of long handled lawn edging shears, the closed blades of which locate in a forward transverse slot 64 in the base board 6, which slot is locally widened at 640 to accommodate the pivot bolt connection of the blades.

Another clip 52 is for receiving the stale of a broom indicated at B, the normally upper end of which locates in a hole 62 in the base board 6 so that the head of the broom is uppermost. A further clip 53 receives a rake handle, the slot 63 in the base board receiving the tined head of the rake.

End clips 51, 55 on forwardly projecting sides 400 of the upper frame 40 receive the handles of hoes, the blades of which locate in recesses 61, 65 in the base board 6. Thus the slot 61 receives the blade of a plain hoe and the recess 65 serves to locate the blade of a Dutch hoe. The outline of certain tools, viz. the spade S and broom B are shown carried by the trolley but other tools have been omitted for clarity.

Particularly in the case of long handled tools such as hoes, a rake and the broom B the positioning of the clips 51-3 and 55 in relation to corresponding recesses 61-3 and 65 is preferably such that the tools are forwardly inclined. This reduces the risk of the upper ends of the mounted tools striking the upper part of a person inclining the trolley rearwardly on wheeling it along.

Further features and refinements of the trolley are the provision of hooks 31, 32 on the column 3 for respectively carrying scissors and a ball or roll of twine whilst a sleeve 33 carried by the lower part of the column 3 is for receiving the closed blades of short or hedge trimming shears, the lower parts of the blades bearing against a pad 34 of rubber or other suitable material mounted on the column 3. Alternatively or additionally hooks may be provided elsewhere such as on the legs 42.

Rectangular box like receptacles 7 are welded or otherwise secured to the lower parts of the legs 42 of the U-frame 4 and/or to the base frame 1 and as shown may locate within the base frame 1 and within cutaway side parts 67 of the base board 6 or they may be in a raised position on the legs. These receptacles 7 are for receiving trowels or similar small tools.

The upper frame 40 receives a tray 44 for carrying a variety of small items as required such as packets of seeds, bulbs etc. or the frame 40 may receive a tube or similar receptacle.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing a comprehensive range of tools and other gardening items can be compactly and conveniently carried by the trolley for selection and use as required in a garden and similarly for stowage of the tools etc.

in a garden shed or garage immediately ready for use again. The handle 30 may be inturned i.e.

forwardly or it may be foldable or removable to minimise projection during stowage.

The width of the trolley including the wheels 2 preferably should not exceed two feet (600 mm) so that it can easily pass through a shed doorway or be wheeled along a garden path e.g. where the latter consists of flag stones of similar width. On removal of appropriate tools the trolley can be used as a sack type truck for carrying bags or other articles.

In a modification shown in FIGURE 4 the sleeve 33 for hedge shears H is shown mounted forwardly on the column 3, a recess 603 being then provided in the base board 6 for receiving and locating the blade points of the shears. The rear of the column 3 is also shown provided with a pair of rings 38 or other suitable holder for removably receiving a pot 8 or other container serving as a receptacle e.g. for weeds or other garden rubbish or which may be used for other purposes, such as for holding a quantity of fertiliser and/or plants.

Alternatively the container 8 may be secured direct to the column 3 such as by welding or may be detachably fitted such as by clip mounting. In the latter case the container 8 can be turned about the column 3 for convenient positioning or stowage.

A container 8 may be mounted or mountable in any of the ways described or in any other suitable manner on the column at an upper and/or lower part of the latter.

Instead of the base board 6 shown a suitably formed member may be provided such as a plastic moulding or a casting or pressing or it may consist of rigid sheet mesh material formed to provide the recesses and slots.

The base frame 1 may carry scrapers for removing mud from the wheels 2.

Although primarily intended for carrying garden tools in the manner described, the trolley is also capable of carrying tools and/or equipment for other purposes.

Claims

1. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools characterised by a wheeled base carrying upstanding support structure provided with clips or other retaining means for releasably receiving or holding the handles of tools, the base being adapted to receive lower parts of the tools located thereby.

2. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools when substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 6.3.84 Superseded claim 2 New or amended claims:

2. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools and according to claim 1 wherein the upstanding support structure comprises or includes an inverted U-shaped support frame member providing legs which are welded or otherwise secured to the base, and an upper cross piece carrying the clips or other retaining means for releasably receiving or holding the handles of tools.

3. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools and according to claim 2 wherein the upper crosspiece is welded or otherwise secured to a column upstanding from the base, the column having an upper handle for use in wheeling the trolley along.

4. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools and according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the legs of the support frame member extend below the base to provide feet for firm support of the trolley in the free standing position.

5. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools and according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base is recessed for receiving and locating the lower parts of tools carried by the trolley.

6. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools and according to claim 5 wherein the bottom of at least some of the recessing of the base is of mesh material to permit moisture or dry earth dust to pass therethrough in a self cleaning manner.

7. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools and according to claim 5 or 6 wherein at least some of the recessing contains a pad of rubber or other suitable cushioning material on which the lower end of one or more tools can rest so as to minimise damage and rattling.

8. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools and according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support structure of the trolley is such that long handled tools are carried by the trolley in a forwardly inclined manner to avoid or minimise possible injury to a person wheeling the trolley.

9. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools and according to any of the preceding claims wherein the upstanding support structure and/or base carry one or more holders for small tools such as trowels or short handle shears and/or for one or more containers.

10. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools and according to any of the preceding claims wherein an upper part of the upstanding support structure provides support for a tray or other container.

11. A trolley primarily for carrying garden tools when substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.