Swivelable and unidirectional platform truck

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9650060-B2
Application number	US-201514854797-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 15, 2015
Priority date	Sep 15, 2015
Publication date	May 16, 2017
Grant date	May 16, 2017

Abstract

In general, the present invention provides a platform truck. More specifically, the present invention provides a platform truck comprised of a base member, a handle, a pair of swivel caster wheels depending from the bottom surface back end of the base member, a pair of swivel-lock caster wheels depending from the bottom surface front end of the base member, and a user-activated actuator assembly carried on the bottom surface of the base allowing the front swivel-lock casters to be switched between a unidirectional position and swivelable position to more easily negotiate tight turns and doorways is disclosed. Also included is a handle that is stowable within the base portion of the platform truck so that the platform truck may include one or two handles, whereby a handle may be included on one or both ends of the platform truck.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A platform truck comprising of:
a base member having a front end, back end having sockets formed along at least one edge thereof, a top surface for receiving items thereon, and a bottom surface;
a sub-frame for supporting said base member, said base member extending over and around said sub-frame, said sub-frame including a pair of frame members constructed from a rectangular shaped tubing extending from said front end to said back end, said frame members arranged to be substantially parallel with each other and aligned with said sockets so that arm portions of a handle are storable within said frame members with a handle bar portion of said handle extending between said frame members;
a handle having a handle bar portion and opposing arms with lower ends constructed and arranged to be carried within said sockets on said base;
a pair of back end swivel caster wheels secured to said back end of said sub-frame;
a pair of front end swivel-lock caster wheels secured to said front end of said sub-frame; and
a user activated actuator assembly carried on said bottom surface of said sub-frame and connected to a locking pin on each said front end swivel-lock caster wheel permitting for unidirectional or swivelable movement of said front end swivel-lock caster wheels;
whereby said base member is removable from said sub-frame and replaceable to said sub-frame without disassembly of said sub-frame, said sub-frame forming a complete mobile vehicle.

2. The platform truck of claim 1 , wherein said base member is constructed from plastic and said sub-frame is constructed from metal.

3. The platform truck of claim 1 , wherein said base member is constructed from metal and said sub-frame is constructed from metal.

4. The platform truck of claim 1 , wherein each said front end swivel-lock caster wheel includes a mounting member attached to said bottom surface of said sub-frame, a bearing support, said mounting member and said bearing support separated by a bearing for rotational movement therebetween about a substantially vertical axis, a fork connected to said bearing support, a locking cylinder secured to said mounting member, a locking pin slidably mounted within said locking cylinder for engaging and disengaging said bearing support, said locking pin selectively movable between a swivel and a unidirectional position, and a caster wheel supported by said fork for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation, said horizontal axis of rotation being offset from said substantially vertical axis.

5. The platform truck of claim 4 , wherein said locking cylinder includes at least one guide for guiding said locking pin as it traverses a bore within said locking cylinder.

6. The platform truck of claim 1 , wherein said actuator assembly includes an arm having a first end, central portion attached to said bottom surface sub-frame forming a pivot point, and a second end, said first end secured to said locking pin on each said front end swivel-lock caster wheel.

7. The platform truck of claim 6 , wherein said first end is positioned between said front end swivel-lock caster wheels, said second end extending horizontally through a slotted sub-plate secured across the distal ends of said pair of frame members, and moveable in a horizontal plane parallel to a bottom surface of said sub-frame between a first position which allows said front end swivel-lock caster wheels to pivot and a unidirectional position locking said front end swivel-lock caster wheels in a position that aligns with a longitudinal axis of said platform truck.

8. The platform truck of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said back end swivel castor wheels includes a wheel brake.

Assignees

• Suncast Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Kopp Robert G
• Thuma Michael G
• Vogler Michael R

Classifications

• B62B2301/0467

  combined with means for braking the wheel · CPC title

• B62B2501/06

  Materials used · CPC title

• B62B5/04

  Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement · CPC title

• B62B3/02

  involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable or convertible · CPC title

• B62B2301/0463

  by blocking the rotation at a position · CPC title