Wheeled device

The invention is concerned with a wheeled device, in particular for conveniently transporting and well-organised storing of tools and/or parts. The prior art discloses many types of wheeled devices, also called "utility cart" or "tool caddy". Among them are wheeled devices which remain in the same upright position during both at rest and riding, and they can therefor be called "non-tilting". As an example thereof, US-A-4,976,450, discloses a "non-tilting" type wheeled device for mechanics with pivotal trays, caster wheels at each four corners and a heavy counter weight.

Another type of known wheeled devices is designed to ride in a position tilted from the upright rest position, and this type can therefor be called "tilting". The present invention is concerned with this type of "tilting" wheeled device.

The closest prior art for the present invention is presented by US-A-4,457,527 disclosing a "tilting" type wheeled device for electricians having reels below removable storage bins next to and above each other, and which is designed to be reformed into a step ladder by removing the storage bins and replacing the reels by rungs.

Further relevant prior art "tilting type" wheeled devices are presented by the following documents: US-A-5,378,005 is related to the field of woodcrafting and discloses a frame with superimposed drawers and at its back stays (114, 116) to wrap power cord thereabout (col. 4, li. 57-62). US-A-5,240,264 and US-A-5,207,723 disclose a frame with a single drawer or superimposed drawers, respectively, behind a hinged door such that the drawers are not directly externally accessible under all conditions. US-A-5,484,160 is related to the field of gardening and discloses a frame with compartments and drawers which are only accessible from inside, and reels above said drawers. US-A-5,588,659 is related to the field of woodcrafting and discloses a frame with superimposed drawers and hinged toolcarriers thereabove and a free space therebelow. US-A-5,333,885 is related to the field of fishing and discloses superimposed freely accessible compartments to contain a box or bin. US-A-5,013,055 is related to the field of gardening and discloses a frame with a single large, tilted utility box with a hinged door. The invention is characterised by the combination of features as indicated in claim 1. Preferably, standard parts are applied, e.g. the drawers, the wheels, the spring rules, the reels, to keep the cost price low. Convenient application and professional appearance are most important items. In particular assembling and maintenance workers have particular benefits.

An elaboration is given on the basis of the drawing. Fig. 1 is the front view. Fig. 2 is the side view. Fig. 3 is the sectional side view according to the line III-III in fig. 1. Fig. 4 is the back view. Fig. 5 is the bottom view. Fig. 6 is the sectional bottom view according to the line VI-VI in fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a principle illustration of the mounting part. Indicated dimensions are in millimeters.

List of parts: <dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>1.</dt><dd>device</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>frame (box like)</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>running wheel</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>reel</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>tube or wire</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>strip</dd><dt>7</dt><dd><img file="EP0983181B1_D0001.tif" />shaped hole</dd><dt>8</dt><dd>spring rule house</dd><dt>9</dt><dd>measuring tape</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>grip end rule</dd><dt>11</dt><dd>push bar</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>push button</dd><dt>13</dt><dd>release button rule</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>passage hole tube or wire</dd><dt>15</dt><dd>drawer</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>hand grip drawer</dd><dt>17</dt><dd>bottom of recess for drawer</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>stop for drawer</dd><dt>19</dt><dd>U-bracket</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>grip</dd><dt>21</dt><dd>cross bar</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>scissors</dd><dt>23</dt><dd>support</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>side panel</dd><dt>25</dt><dd>back panel</dd><dt>26</dt><dd>upper panel</dd><dt>27</dt><dd>bottom panel</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>string</dd><dt>29</dt><dd>mounting hole</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>mounting part</dd><dt>31</dt><dd>disc</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>core</dd><dt>33</dt><dd>disc</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>stop for drawer</dd><dt>35</dt><dd>shaft pin</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>stepper face</dd></dl>

The reel 4 can preferably be split up in two along a plane substantially perpendicular to the centre line of rotation of the reel. Therefor the reel can be conveniently filled with tube or wire 5 that is supplied in a coil of convenient diameter. The reel can therefor be designed as shown in fig. 6. Alternatively the reel is comprised of a substantial plane, flat disc 31 and a similar disc 33 but with a central coaxial projecting part 32 projecting from the plane, to make the core of the reel. Both discs are mutually clamped by releasable fixing means on the shaft pin 35. The reels 4 are preferably conveniently removable supported such that replacement or filling of the reel 4 takes minimum time. In stead of three, there can be less or more reels 4. There can be reels at different levels as well, e.g. two levels on top of each other. Reels of differing diameter are possible as well.

Preferably, the passage hole 14 has its edge covered with a harsh material, e.g. rubber, such that the tube 5 is securely held in the hole to prevent slipping from the hole. The tube 5 is uncoiled from the reel via the passage hole 14. The stops 18 and 34 for the drawer 15 prevent the drawer 15 from unintentional removal from the device, and make sure that the front is flush with the device's front if the drawer is closed. The tube 5 is e.g. electrical wire, glass fiber cable, cable, compressed air tube, string, etc.

While the spring rule house 8 is positioned on a large distance from the front face of the device according to the drawings, and a push button 12 and a push rod 11 are provided to actuate the release button of the spring rule, the spring rule house can also be positioned such that said release button is directly accessible from the front of the device to the finger of a controlling person, e.g. because said button 13 projects at least partly from said front. With the measuring tape 9 the appropriate length of the tube 5 to be taken from the reel can be measured. Different measure devices in stead of a spring rule are possible as well, however a spring rule a cheap and reliable standard part offering much comfort.

The drawer 15 can be filled with smaller, loose trays, e.g. in two rows of four trays each, extending behind each other in the width-wise direction of the drawer. Said trays are e.g. filled with the necessary parts, and they are easily removable for e.g. refilling.

The side walls of the device bulge outwards (fig. 5) and the wheels preferably do not project from the side walls, such that there is less risk for bumping or jawing when driving with the device.

The U-bracket 19, extending over at least virtually the height of the device, can be eliminated as well, and the handle 20 can be replaced as well by e.g. a handle mounted on the upper panel 26, being e.g. a U-bracket the legs of which first extend upward from the panel 26 and then to the back such that the middle of the U projects above or outside the back panel 25. The shaft extending between the wheels 3 can extend within the device as well, such that it is invisible.

The scissors 22 is connected to a string that is shortened and payed out automatically, and is therefor e.g. coiled on an automatic reel. In this way the scissors 22 can not be lost and can be used to cut the tube 5. In this way different tools can be connected to the device as well, such that it can be brought to some distance from the device to be used there, while storing happens at least virtually automatic. The string can be stretchable as well, like elastic band.

The back panel 25 has a pattern of mounting holes 29 to selectively clamp one or more mounting parts 30. In this way e.g. tools can be suspended from the back side. The pattern offers flexibility of the lay out of the tools to be suspended. It will be appreciated that the same is applicable to the other side of the device. The pattern can be shaped different as well. The shape of the mounting holes 29 can be different as well, e.g. depending on the type of mounting parts that are used. In this embodiment the mounting parts are easily removable, so called hang-in parts. However they can be permanently provided as well, e.g. by screw or clinch fasteners, such that no pattern of mounting holes 29 is visible in that case. The mounting parts can also be embodied such that the tools are clamped thereon, e.g. by yielding brackets known as such. Fig. 7 shows several mounting parts to be hung in the holes 29.

The stepper face 36 at the bottom side can be used to hold the device during tilting. The two wheeled embodiment serves users comfort: is automatically braked and well controllable. The large wheels allow driving over rough surfaces. However, a multi wheeled embodiment, e.g. with a caster wheel at each corner, is possible too.

Different from the device as indicated in the drawing, it can have merely drawers or merely reels or differently stored tube or wire or equivalent. To prevent automatic extension of one or more drawers by tilting forward from the backward tilted drive position to the upright rest position, convenient brake-or stop means can be provided for such. According to a preferred embodiment the drawers can be guided along inclined drawer guides extending upward toward the front, wherein the inclination angle is preferably about 5° or 10° with the horizontal in the rest position of the device. In stead the drawers can have an inclined bottom to arrive at the same effect such that the drawer rises some during extension. Different alternatives are e.g. a stop that is merely active in the area if the drawer is fully or almost fully closed, such as an edge, such that the drawer must be lifted some prior to extension, or a magnet closure, but a manually actuated mechanical locking mechanism as well. To allow that the device can be layed on its back, e.g. for transport in a car of the so called station wagon type, it is preferable to provide the drawers such that no contents can roll or slide therefrom if the device is on its back. The drawer is therefor e.g. provided with a lid. Alternatively at least one of the trays in the drawer is provided with a lid. Most preferred is the provision of the device with a recess for a drawer having a top sheet 37 at a small distance above the upper side of the drawer in it, which sheet, in top view, at least substantially covers the drawer, such that no contents can be lost from the drawer. The distance between the top of the drawer and the top sheet depends on the dimensions of the parts and/or tools that are stored in the drawer, and is preferably about one cm. to a maximum. The top sheet can be completely closed, but can have holes or be e.g. a grid, the openings of which are small such that parts and/or tools can not fall therethrough or are hooked therein. The top sheet 37 can be integral with the drawer guide for the drawer immediately above. As a further preferred means for transport on its back, e.g. to move the device on its back in a space the height of which is smaller than that of the device standing upright, the device can have one or more further wheels at some distance above the wheels 3, e.g. at its back close to the handle.