GB2488617A

GB2488617A - Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2488617A
Application number: GB1118259.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kathleen Ross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-24
Filing date: 2011-10-24
Publication date: 2012-09-05
Also published as: GB201118259D0

Abstract

A solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus 10 comprises a rigid hollow container 12 having a base 20 and front wall, a back wall and side walls 26 extending upwardly from the base 20, two oversized wheels 14 at or adjacent to the side walls 26 and which extend beyond the back wall, a telescopic first handle 16 at or adjacent to the back wall, and a second handle 18 extending from the side walls 26 and part way between the front wall 22 and back wall. A removable liner 46 for the interior of the container 12 and an elastically deformable cover for closing the container 12 may be provided.

Description

Solid-Fuel Transport And Storage Apparatus This invention relates to solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus.

Many properties still rely on solid fuel, such as coal and wood, for heating. Recently, there has been a resurgence in the preference for wood and coal burning stoves and fireplaces not only as a supplementary source of heat but also for aesthetic purposes.

However, the solid fuel must still be housed, and this is typically outside. Consequently, this involves a user moving a potentially heavy load of solid fuel from an outside location to an indoor location adjacent to the burner. For users in particular who are elderly or infirm this can be particularly difficult, and especially so when outside steps also have to be negotiated. Combined with the fact that such solid fuel burners are primarily used during and approaching the winter months, and thus a user may well also have to contend with inclement weather, the efficient collection and transport of the solid fuel can be hazardous.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus comprising a rigid hollow container having a base and front, back and sides extending upwardly from the base, two oversized wheels at or adjacent to the sides and which extend beyond the back, a telescopic first handle at or adjacent to the back, and a second handle extending from the sides and partway between the front and back.

Preferable and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 17, inclusive.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, and showing a removable liner being extracted in phantom lines; Figure 3 is a back elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is side elevational view of a second embodiment of solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus, in accordance with the present invention, and shown with a cover in an unfurled condition; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the cover in a furled condition; and Figure 7 is side elevational view of a third embodiment of solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus, in accordance with the present invention, and shown with a telescopic first handle doubling as a fold-over table.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus 10 which comprises a container 12, two oversized wheels 14 for supporting the container 12, and first and second handles 16, 18.

The container 12 is rigid and hollow, preferably being formed of stiff moulded plastics or metal. The container 12 comprises a preferably flat bottomed base 20, and continuous front wall 22, back wall 24 and opposing side walls 26 which extend contiguously upwardly from the base 20. The side walls 26 interconnect the front wall 22 and back wall 24, and beneficially the container 12 can be integrally formed as one-piece.

The wheels 14 are preferably oversized and are mounted for rotation at or adjacent to a lower rear edge between the back wall 24 and base 20. In this way, a majority of each wheel 14 preferably extends beyond the back wall 24 and the base 20, which benefits movement over obstacles, such as steps. To aid use during inclement conditions, such as snow, rims 28 of the wheels 14 are preferably shod with block treaded tyres 30. The tyres 30 may be solid, compressible one-piece or inflatable.

Additionally, the wheels 14 are preferably recessed into the side walls 26 of the container 12 so as to be flush or substantially flush. This is beneficial in preventing or limiting fouling of the wheels 14 on external objects, such as doorframes when manoeuvring therethrough. It may also be of benefit to extend the side walls 26 of the container 12 to partially cover the exterior side of each wheel 14, thereby limiting the opportunity for the wheels 14 to pick up and entrain outdoor detritus, such as leaves, mud and grass. Since the apparatus 10 is to be located indoors, it is beneficial that the wheels 14 are removable for cleaning.

The first handle 16 is provided at or adjacent to the back wall 24 of the container 12, and is length-adjustable. In this case, the length-adjustment is via a telescopic anangement wherein two spaced apart and parallel elongate rigid shafts 32 of the first handle 16 are slidable in complimentarily shaped elongate receivers 34 integrally formed as one-piece with the container back wall 24.

A grip 36 extends between proximal ends of the shafts 32 of the first handle 16.

Preferably, the grip 36 is ergonomically profiled to a user's hand, and may include a higher-friction sheathing to improve engagement with a user's hand. This would be beneficial for users with reduced grip strength or, for example, arthritis.

The first handle 16 is preferably retractable to a substantially concealed storage condition in or adjacent to a rim 38 of the hollow container 12. The first handle 16 typically also includes a releasable locking mechanism 40 whereby the first handle 16 can adopt and be locked at various positions of extension.

The second handle 18 is preferably pivotable about its mounting points to the side walls 26 of the container 12. The second handle 18 may form a rigid or flexible loop or hoop, and this case may be plastics, metal or even fabric, such as a rip-stop nylon strap.

The second handle 18 is positioned partway between the front wall 22 and back wall 24 of the container 12, and preferably midway or substantially midway therebetween. The second handle 18 has a longitudinal extent which is sufficient to clear an upper edge of the front wall 22 of the container 12.

Preferably, a further grip 42 is provided at the lower edge between the base 20 and the back wall 24. In this case, the further grip 42 is at or adjacent to a rotational axis of the wheels 14, and is preferably integrally formed as one-piece with the container 12. This thus allows a user to more easily grasp the container 12 via the further grip 42 and the first or second handles 16, 18 for tipping. As before, the further grip 42 may be ergonomically shaped to better receive a user's hand.

Although the base 20 may be slanted or stepped to accommodate the radius of the oversized wheels 14, a dedicated support element 44 may be included at or adjacent to the lower edge of the front wall 22 of the container 12. The support element 44 may be one or more feet, and each foot may be fixed or height-adjustable. If the apparatus 10 is to double as an occasional table, as will be described hereinafter, then the height-adjustment of the or each foot 44 is advantageous.

Optionally, the apparatus 10 may include a removable liner 46 to line the interior of the hollow container 12. The liner 46 is complementarily shaped to at least substantially conform to the hollow interior of the container 12. The liner 46 may conveniently be disposable, dispensing with the need for cleaning, and in this case utilising recyclable cardboard and paper to form a semi-rigid liner may be feasible. If the liner 46 is not intended to be disposable, then being formed of robust plastics or metal will enable separation from the container 12 for cleaning and reinsertion. Preferably, the liner 46 includes an out-turned lip 48 which is seatable on the rim 38 of the container 12, thereby simplifying removal and reinsertion.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus is described. Like references refer to parts which are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore further detailed description is omitted. As above, the apparatus 10 includes the container 12, oversized wheels 14 and first and second handles 16, 18. The apparatus 10 also further comprises a cover 50, which may advantageously be removable dependent on requirements.

The cover may be rigid, which allows the apparatus 10 to double as an occasional table, such as a side table or coffee table. In this case, the cover would preferably be hinged at its back wall edge to or adjacent to the back wall of the container 12. The cover would also be beneficially releasably lockable to prevent or limit solid fuel being transported or stored from falling out.

However, in this embodiment, the cover 50 is pliantly flexible and preferably elastic.

Solid fuel comes in all shapes and sizes, and typically a user will only want to make the fewest number of trips. To this end, by utilising an elastic cover 50 which extends from the upper edge of the back wall 24 and is releasably fastenable to or over the upper edge of front wall 22 of the container 12, solid fuel which protrudes out of the container 12 can be secured in place against the possibility of falling out during transported and storage.

In an alternative arrangement, the flexible elastic cover 50 may extend from the front wall 22 and be releasably fastenable at the back edge of the back wall 24, or may extend similarly side to side.

The cover 50 may also be fastenable at more than one upper edge or wall.

Beneficially, a retainer 52 is utilised to retain the flexible cover 50 in a furled or rolled condition when not in use. This may conveniently be one or more simple tie-back or straps.

To enable quick removal of the cover 50, push-fit fasteners 54, such as press-studs may be used.

Referring now to Figure 7, a third embodiment of the solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus is described. Again, like references refer to parts which are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore further detailed description is omitted. As above, the apparatus 10 includes the container 12, oversized wheels 14 and first and second handles 16, 18. The apparatus 10 may include the aforementioned flexible, preferably elastic, cover 50.

In this embodiment, the telescopic first handle 16 is modified to allow pivoting. Instead of utilising shafts, the first handle 16 uses a broad board member 56 to which the said grip 36 is attached. The board member 56 slides in a complimentarily shaped receiver 34, and includes a hinge 58 adjacent to its lower distal end. As the hinge axis clears the receiver 34, the hinge 58 effectively becomes released and the board member 56 can pivot allowing it to fold down to close an opening to the container 12. As such, the board member 56 can thus be used as a table or other supportive surface.

In the third embodiment, the hingable telescopic first handle 16 may work well in conjunction with the flexible cover 50 allowing selection by the user dependent on requirement.

Although the container is of square cross-section in the described embodiment, it can be of any suitable cross-section, including circular or oval.

The secondary handle may be replaced by a fixed handle on one or both sides, and/or down the back wall. The said fixed handle, however, may be provided in addition to the secondary handle.

It is thus possible to provide solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus which assists in the movement of solid fuel typically from an outside location to an indoor location in a safer manner, and then local storage in a convenient and aesthetically pleasing manner.

A greater volume of solid fuel can also be manually transported and stored than heretofore possible. The provision of a flexible and preferably elastic cover accommodates the irregular shape of the solid fuel, and allows more fuel to be safely carried. The provision of a rigid cover allows the apparatus to double as a table or other support element, such as a stool or seat. It is also possible to provide a pivotable telescopic handle which allows the container to be more easily manoeuvred whilst also providing an option of a cover. The oversized wheels which project beyond the base and back wall assist in dealing with larger obstacles, such as steps.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying drawings.

Claims

Claims 1. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus comprising a rigid hollow container having a base and front, back and sides extending upwardly from the base, two oversized wheels at or adjacent to the sides and which extend beyond the back, a telescopic first handle at or adjacent to the back, and a second handle extending from the sides and partway between the front and back.
2. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a removable liner which lines the hollow container and which is separable therefrom.
3. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the removable liner is rigid and complimentarily shaped to substantially conform to the interior of the container.
4. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the removable liner includes an outwardly turned lip which overlies a rim of the container.
5. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a grip at or adjacent to a rotational axis of the wheels.
6. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the grip is at an edge between the base and the back.
7. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cover for closing or substantially closing an opening to the container.
8. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed claim 7, wherein the cover is deformable to accommodate projecting solid fuel.
9. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the cover is flexible and the apparatus further comprising a retainer for retaining the cover in a furled condition.
10. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cover is a rigid lid, the lid being positionable horizontally when the apparatus is stood upright to function as a table.
11. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover is formed as part of the telescopic first handle, the first handle including a pivot at or adjacent to its tail end so that, when fully or substantially fully extended, the pivot is released to enable folding.
12. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the cover is detachable.
13. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheels include tyres with block tread.
14. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheels are flush or substantially flush with the sides.
15. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one support element at or adjacent to a front lower edge between the base and front.
16. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the support element is a foot.
17. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein a projecting extent of the support element is adjustable.
18. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, Figures 5 and 6, or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.AMENDED CLAIMS FILED AS FOLLOWSClaims 1. Solid-the! transport and storage apparatus comprising a rigid hollow container having a base and front, back and sides extending upwardly from the base, two oversized wheels at or adjacent to the sides and which extend beyond the back, a telescopic first handle at or adjacent to the back, a second handle extending from the sides and partway between the front and back, and a cover for closing or substantially closing an opening to the container, the cover being deformable for accommodating projecting solid thel.2. Solid-thel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, thrther comprising a removable liner which lines the hollow container and which is separable therefrom.("I 3. Solid-the! transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the removable liner is rigid and complimentarily shaped to substantially conform to the interior of the container.4. Solid-thel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the removable liner includes an outwardly turned lip which overlies a rim of the container.5. Solid-thel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, frirther comprising a grip at or adjacent to a rotational axis of the wheels.6. Solid-the! transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the grip is at an edge between the base and the back.7. Solid-thel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is flexible and the apparatus thrther comprising a retainer for retaining the cover in a thrled condition.8. Solid-thel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is formed as part of the telescopic first handle, the first handle including a pivot at or adjacent to its tail end so that, when thlly or substantially fully extended, the pivot is released to enable folding.9. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover is detachable.10. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheels include tyres with block tread.11. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheels are flush or substantially flush with the sides.12. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one support element at or adjacent to a front lower edge between the base and front.13. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the support element is a foot. c\J14. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein a projecting extent of the support element is adjustable.(0 15. Solid-fuel transport and storage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, Figures 5 and 6, or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.