Handcart

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11787458-B2
Application number	US-202016985892-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 5, 2020
Priority date	Aug 8, 2019
Publication date	Oct 17, 2023
Grant date	Oct 17, 2023

Abstract

A handcart may include a frame; a drive wheel rotatably supported by the frame about a rotation axis extending in a right-left direction; a prime mover configured to rotate the drive wheel; a bracket pivotably supported by the frame about a pivot axis extending in an up-down direction; and a non-drive wheel supported by the bracket about a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The non-drive wheel may include a first non-drive wheel and a second non-drive wheel, and the first non-drive wheel and the second non-drive wheel may be configured to be rotatable independent of each other.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A handcart comprising:
a frame;
a drive wheel rotatably supported by the frame about a rotation axis extending in a right-left direction;
a prime mover configured to rotate the drive wheel;
a bracket pivotably supported by the frame about a pivot axis extending in an up-down direction;
a non-drive wheel rotatably supported by the bracket about a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; and
a lock mechanism configured to lock pivot of the bracket with respect to the frame,
wherein
the non-drive wheel includes a first non-drive wheel and a second non-drive wheel,
the first non-drive wheel and the second non-drive wheel are configured to be rotatable independent of each other,
the lock mechanism includes:
a lock portion that is switchable between:
a lock state, in which the lock portion is engaged with the bracket, prohibiting the bracket from pivoting with respect to the frame; and
an unlock state, in which the lock portion is not engaged with the bracket, allowing the bracket to pivot with respect to the frame; and

an operation portion for a user to switch the lock portion between the lock state and the unlock state, and
the operation portion is exposed upward from the frame.

2. The handcart according to claim 1 , wherein in a top plan view of the handcart, the rotation axis of the non-drive wheel is offset from the pivot axis of the bracket.

3. The handcart according to claim 1 , wherein
the bracket includes a first arm and a second arm, and
the first non-drive wheel and the second non-drive wheel are disposed adjacent to each other between the first arm and the second arm.

4. The handcart according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a shaft member extending along the rotation axis extending in the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction;
a first bolt bolted to an end of the shaft member from an outside of the first arm; and
a second bolt bolted to another end of the shaft member from an outside of the second arm;
wherein the first non-drive wheel and the second non-drive wheel are rotatably supported by the shaft member.

5. The handcart according to claim 1 , wherein the prime mover includes a motor.

6. The handcart according to claim 5 , further comprising a battery mounting portion to which a battery is detachably attached,
wherein the motor is driven by electric power from the battery.

7. The handcart according to claim 1 , wherein
the frame includes:
a chassis frame; and
a rear wheel frame swingably supported by the chassis frame about a swing axis extending in a front-rear direction, the rear wheel frame extending in a direction perpendicular to the swing axis,

the drive wheel is supported by the chassis frame,
the bracket is supported by the rear wheel frame,
the handcart further comprises:
a second drive wheel rotatably supported by the chassis frame about a rotation axis extending in the right-left direction and configured to be rotated by the prime mover;
a second bracket pivotably supported by the rear wheel frame about a pivot axis extending in the up-down direction; and
a third non-drive wheel and a fourth non-drive wheel rotatably supported by the second bracket about a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and configured to be rotatable independent of each other,

the drive wheel and the second drive wheel are disposed forward of the first non-drive wheel, the second non-drive wheel, the third non-drive wheel, and the fourth non-drive wheel, and
in a rear plan view of the handcart, the swing axis is disposed above a straight line that passes (a) at least one of an upper end of the first non-drive wheel and an upper end of the second non-drive wheel and (b) at least one of an upper end of the third non-drive wheel and an upper end of the fourth non-drive wheel.

8. The handcart according to claim 7 , further comprising a differential mechanism configured to distribute power from the prime mover to the drive wheel and the second drive wheel.

9. The handcart according to claim 7 , wherein when the rear wheel frame swings with respect to the chassis frame, an upper surface of the rear wheel frame contacts a lower surface of the chassis frame such that a swing range of the rear wheel frame with respect to the chassis frame is restricted.

10. A handcart comprising:
a prime mover;
a chassis frame;
a front wheel unit supported by the chassis frame; and
a rear wheel unit swingably supported by the chassis frame about a swing axis extending in a front-rear direction,
wherein
the front wheel unit includes a first front wheel and a second front wheel configured to be driven by the prime mover,
the rear wheel unit includes:
a rear wheel frame extending in a direction perpendicular to the swing axis; and
a first rear wheel and a second rear wheel supported by the rear wheel frame,

the first rear wheel is supported by a first center pin, the first center pin being pivotably supported by the rear wheel frame around a first pivot axis extending in an up-down direction,
the second rear wheel is supported by a second center pin, the second center pin being pivotably supported by the rear wheel frame around a second pivot axis extending in the up-down direction, and
in a rear plan view of the handcart, the swing axis is disposed above;
a straight line that passes an upper end of the first rear wheel and an upper end of the second rear wheel; and
a straight line that passes an upper end of the first center pin and an upper end of the second center pin.

11. The handcart according to claim 10 , wherein the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel are non-drive wheels.

12. The handcart according to claim 10 , wherein the front wheel unit further includes a differential mechanism configured to distribute power from the prime mover to the first front wheel and the second front wheel.

13. The handcart according to claim 10 , wherein when the rear wheel frame swings with respect to the chassis frame, an upper surface of the rear wheel frame contacts a lower surface of the chassis frame such that a swing range of the rear wheel frame with respect to the chassis frame is restricted.

14. The handcart according to claim 10 , wherein the prime mover includes a motor.

15. The handcart according to claim 14 , further comprising a battery mounting portion to which a battery is detachably attached,
wherein the motor is driven by electric power from the battery.

16. The handcart according to claim 10 , wherein in a rear plan view of the handcart, the swing axis is disposed below a straight line that passes an upper end of the first front wheel and an upper end of the second front wheel.

Assignees

• Makita Corp

Inventors

• Kato Susumu
• Nashimoto Tomonobu
• Noji Shin
• Oishi Kohei
• Ifuku Yasuo

Classifications

• B62B5/0046 Primary

  One motor drives two wheels · CPC title

• B62B5/0053

  Arrangements of batteries · CPC title

• B62B5/0066

  Transmission of movement · CPC title

• B60B33/0042

  Double or twin wheels · CPC title

• B60B33/0068

  the swivel axis being vertical · CPC title