GB2539284A

GB2539284A - A levelling device

Info

Publication number: GB2539284A
Application number: GB1515272.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Waight Terence; Dodson Stuart
Original assignee: Sheringham Eng Ltd
Current assignee: Sheringham Eng Ltd
Priority date: 2015-06-13
Filing date: 2015-08-27
Publication date: 2016-12-14
Also published as: GB201510386D0; GB201515272D0

Abstract

An attachable levelling device for use with a piece of free-standing equipment such as, for instance, a wheelbarrow or ladder. Said device comprises an arched outer tube 4 and an arched inner tube 2 wherein said inner tube extends coaxially through the outer tube. The inner and outer tubes slide with respect to each other, the opposite ends of the inner tube resting in use on the ground at an angle to the vertical. Therefore, when said device is placed on uneven ground, the free-standing equipment remains substantially level. The attachment means may comprise two parallel panels 12. The coaxial tubes may have a circular or square cross-section and the ends of the inner tube may comprise feet 6.

Description

A LEVELLING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to levelling devices. It is particularly applicable to a device for levelling a piece of free-standing equipment when on uneven terrain. The invention is particularly, though not exclusively, suitable for levelling equipment such as wheelbarrows and ladders.

Review of Art Known to the Applicant Pieces of equipment designed to hold and transport heavy loads such as wheelbarrows and / or ladders are not suitable for use on uneven terrain due to instability as the terrain on which these types of equipment need to be used is often not level.

Summary of the Invention

In its broadest, independent aspect, the invention provides a levelling device for attachment to a piece of free-standing equipment, said device comprising an arched outer tube and an arched inner tube wherein said inner tube extends through and from each opposite end of said outer tube and said inner tube and said outer tube are slidable relative to one another, the opposite ends of said inner tube resting in use on the ground at which the equipment stands with each end resting at an angle to the vertical, whereby, when said device is placed on uneven ground, said equipment remains substantially level.

The term "tube" is intended to cover any suitably tubular item. In particular the term "inner tube" includes tubes which are solid tubes as well as hollow and which may have a cross-section of any appropriate shape.

The invention is particularly advantageous because it allows a piece of equipment designed to transport or support a heavy load to be used on uneven terrain and surfaces in a safe and stable manner, so that when placed on the terrain, the load remains level.

Preferably, the attachment means is secured directly to said outer tube. Further preferably, the attachment means comprises two parallel panels. This configuration is particularly advantageous because most wheelbarrows and / or ladders have two handles or legs which are to be removed and two parallel panels can easily and simply replace the original Legs.

Preferably, said angle of said inner tube to the vertical is no more than about 60°, further preferably said angle is no more than about 40° and further preferably still, said angle is no more than about 30°.

This angle is particularly advantageous because it is the angle at which the friction is particularly strong to support the equipment and items in a level position.

Between said inner tube and said outer tube, there may be a radial gap of at least 3mm 25 and preferably from about 5mm to about 7mm.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because the gap is the ideal amount to allow the inner tube and outer tube to slide freely relative to each other until the aforementioned angle creates enough friction to prevent further movement when the equipment is Level. Any Larger gap would result in not enough friction to stabilise the device and any smaller gap would prevent the tubes from being able to slide adequately.

Preferably, said inner tube comprises a foot at each of its opposite ends. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it provides added support and stability to the base of the inner tube.

Preferably, one at Least of said tubes is circular cylindrical in cross-section. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it is the simplest tube shape to construct.

Preferably, one at Least of said tubes is square in cross-section.

Brief Description of the Figures

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a levelling device; Figure 2 shows a view of the device from behind; Figure 3 shows a side view of the device; Figure 4 shows a view of the device, in use from behind; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the device, in use.

In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the levelling device 1 from above and not in use. The inner tube 2 can be seen extending through and from each opposite end of the outer tube 4. The inner tube 2 has two feet 6 screwed in place at each end. Each foot 6 comprises a flat portion 8 connected to a circular outer cap 10 which caps the end of inner tube 2. The outer caps 10 extend substantially perpendicular from the flat platforms 8. When the device is in use, the flat portions 8 of the feet 6 lie substantially flat on the ground.

Part of the inner tube 2 is surrounded by an outer tube 4 which is connected to two attachment panels 12 which, in use, attach the device to the free -standing piece of equipment which is required to be kept level. The attachment panels 12 are welded to the outer tube 4 at an angle which allows the inner tube 2 to rest at an angle "A" to the vertical when in use. This angle is described in further detail below. The inner tube 2 and the outer tube 4 are able to slide relative to one another. There is a gap between the inner and outer tube of 5mm. In this embodiment, the inner tube 2 is a substantially rigid solid tube.

The attachment panels 12 comprise triangular shaped sections with a perpendicular panel 13 with holes 14 for holding screws to attach to the wheelbarrow or other piece of equipment.

In use, the attachment panel 12 attaches to a piece of free standing equipment such as a wheelbarrow. In the envisaged embodiment, the original legs (not illustrated of the wheelbarrow are first removed and the device 1 is attached with panels 12 to the wheelbarrow in place of the original legs. When placed on uneven terrain, the inner tube 2 slides within outer tube 4 to a point, enabling the wheelbarrow to remain level.

Figure 2 shows a view of the device from behind and shows the upright orientation of the device when in use. It can be seen from Figure 2 that, in use, the protruding lengths of the inner tube 2 face downwards with the upper curve within outer tube 4 above. In use, when the wheelbarrow is placed down on an uneven surface, for example, on steps, a sloping area or a bumped surface, the inner tube 2 slides within outer tube 2 until the point at which the friction between the inner and outer tubes prevents further movement and the wheelbarrow and its contents are held in place, horizontally level. This is caused specifically by the angle at which the inner tube 2 sits to the vertical. This angle can be seen more clearly in Figure 3.

The side view in Figure 3 shows the angle of the inner tube 2 to the vertical when the device is used to level a wheelbarrow. In this embodiment the angle "A" of the inner tube to the vertical from a side view is between 15° and 30°. This particular angle range is thought to provide the ideal amount of friction between the inner and outer tube to prevent further movement of the outer tube along the inner tube when the device is in use when the piece of equipment is placed on uneven terrain.

Figure 4 shows the device 1 in use, attached to a wheelbarrow in place of the original wheelbarrow Legs. It can be seen that the wheelbarrow is placed down on a step with each foot 6 resting at a different level. The outer tube 4 has moved along the inner tube 2 to a position that enables the wheelbarrow to remains Level, despite being placed on an uneven surface and the two feet 6 resting at different levels. The device 1 works to keep the wheelbarrow level regardless of the weight of the load being carried.

Figure 5 provides an image showing the attachment means when the device is in use, from a perspective side view. This image clearly shows the angle of the inner tube 2 to the vertical. The attachment plates 12 and the angle to which they are welded to the outer tube 4 is also clearly shown.

Modifications can be made to the described and illustrated embodiments whilst remaining within the scope of the invention.

For example, in alternative embodiments the inner tube is hollow and / or comprises a bendable material such as aluminium. In the aforementioned embodiment, the inner and outer tube are both circular cylindrical whereas in alternative embodiments the tubes are square or oval in cross section or any other cylindrical shape possible.

In alternative embodiments, the attachment means comprises just one panel or a plurality of panels. In a further alternative embodiment, the attachment means comprises a hook or other suitable means of attachment In alternative embodiments this angle "A" is varied dependent on the piece of equipment for which it is designed. In alternative embodiments the angle to the vertical is varied between 0° and 65°. If the angle if 65° or over, the device will be unstable. Similarly if the angle is 0° or below the device will be unstable.

Claims

Claims 1. A levelling device for attachment to a piece of free-standing equipment, said device comprising an arched outer tube and an arched inner tube wherein said inner tube extends through and from each opposite end of said outer tube and said inner tube and said outer tube are slidable relative to one another, the opposite ends of said inner tube resting in use on the ground at which the equipment stands with each end resting at an angle to the vertical, whereby, when said device is placed on uneven ground, said equipment remains substantially level.
2. A levelling device according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means is secured directly to said outer tube.
3. A levelling device according to claim 2 wherein said attachment means comprises two parallel panels.
4. A levelling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein said angle of said inner tube to the vertical is no more than about 60°.
5. A levelling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein said angle of said inner tube to the vertical is no more than about 40°.
6. A levelling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein said angle of said inner tube to the vertical is no more than about 30°.
7. A levelling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein between said inner tube and said outer tube there is a radial gap in the range of about 3mm to about 7mm and preferably about 7mm.
8. A levelling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein said inner tube comprises a foot at each of its opposite ends.
9. A levelling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein one at least of said tubes is cylindrical in cross-section.
10. A levelling device according to any of the preceding claims wherein one at least of said tubes is square in cross section.
11. A piece of free standing equipment fitted, or supplied, with a levelling device in accordance with any of the preceding claims.
12. A levelling device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.