초록 ▼

A collapsible wheelbarrow is constructed with a pliable bin and pivotally connected handle members. The handle members are pivotally connected to a frame about first pivot axes, wherein the handle members may be moved outwardly away from an imaginary bisecting line of the wheelbarrow to provide easi

A collapsible wheelbarrow is constructed with a pliable bin and pivotally connected handle members. The handle members are pivotally connected to a frame about first pivot axes, wherein the handle members may be moved outwardly away from an imaginary bisecting line of the wheelbarrow to provide easier loading capabilities. The handle members may also be pivotally connected about second pivot axes to allow the handle members to pivot inward to reduce the width of the wheelbarrow for convenient storage. In an alternative embodiment, the handle members are rigidly connected to the frame.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A load carrying apparatus comprising:a frame defining a pair of first pivot axes and a pair of second pivot axes remote from said first pair of pivot axes;a ground-engaging member rotatably coupled to said frame;a pair of spaced-apart elongated handle members pivotally coupled to said frame; anda

1. A load carrying apparatus comprising:a frame defining a pair of first pivot axes and a pair of second pivot axes remote from said first pair of pivot axes;a ground-engaging member rotatably coupled to said frame;a pair of spaced-apart elongated handle members pivotally coupled to said frame; anda pliable bin removably coupled to said handle members, said bin adapted to receive a load therein;wherein said handle members are pivotally coupled to said frame about said respective first pivot axes such that said handle members are pivotally moveable between a first position and a second position remote from said first position, and are adapted to be pivotally coupled to said frame about said respective pair of second pivot axes such that said handle members are pivotally moveable between a third position and a fourth position remote from said third position. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle members are pivotally moveable between said first position, wherein said handle members engage against a portion of said frame, and said second position, wherein said handle members are pivoted outwardly from said frame. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle members are pivotally moveable between said third position, wherein said handle members engage against a portion of said frame, and said fourth position, wherein the free ends of said handle members are pivoted inwardly with respect to an axis of said frame. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second position is different from said fourth position. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first position is substantially identical to said third position. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame includes two spaced-apart side members interconnected by a cross member, said ground engaging member rotatably coupled between said side members. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said side members have C-shaped cross-sections defined by upstanding sidewalls and outwardly extending flanges. 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of said side members includes a first set of aligned apertures, and wherein each of said handle members includes a first bore extending therethrough, said first sets of aligned apertures defining said first pivot axes. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further including a pair of removable fasteners adapted to be routed through said first sets of apertures and said first bores, said handle members pivotally coupled about said respective first pivot axes by said removable fasteners. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of said side members includes a second set of aligned apertures, and wherein each of said handle members includes a second bore extending therethrough, said second sets of aligned apertures defining said second pivot axes. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further including a pair of removable fasteners adapted to be routed through said second sets of apertures and said second bores, said handle members pivotally coupled about said respective second pivot axes by said removable fasteners. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said removable fasteners are detent pins. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said removable fasteners are detent pins. 14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a portion of each of said side member tapers inwardly toward said ground engaging member, thereby causing said handle members to diverge as said handle members extend from said frame. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further including supporting members outwardly extending from said respective handle members and engageable with a ground surface. 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pliable bin is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of canvas, nylon, and rubber. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pliable bin includes retaining members to retain said pliable bin in a substantially stationary position. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said retaining members are straps. 19. A load carrying apparat us comprising:a frame including two spaced-apart side members interconnected by a cross member, each side member defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis spaced-apart from said first pivot axis;a ground engaging member rotatably coupled to said frame between said side members;a pair of spaced-apart elongated handle members pivotally coupled to said frame about either of said respective first or second pivot axes such that said handle members are pivotally moveable between a first position and a second position remote from said first position; anda pliable bin removably coupled to said handle members, said bin adapted to receive a load therein. 20. A load carrying apparatus, comprising:a frame including first and second spaced-apart side members interconnected by a fixed cross member, said first and second side members defining first and second pivot axes and first and second engagement surfaces, respectively, wherein said first and second engagement surfaces are oriented in a non-orthogonal manner with respect to said pivot axes;a ground-engaging member rotatably coupled to said frame between said side members;a pair of spaced-apart elongated handle members pivotally coupled to said frame about said respective pivot axes such that said handle members are pivotally moveable between a first position and a second position different from said first position; anda pliable bin removably coupled to said handle members, said bin adapted to receive a load therein;wherein said handle members engage said first and second engagement surfaces of said frame in said first position so as to facilitate steering of said apparatus. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said side members have C-shaped cross-sections defined by upstanding sidewalls and outwardly extending flanges, said sidewalls forming said first and second engagement surfaces of said frame. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said handle members are substantially locked within said side members in said first position due to said extending flanges, said sidewalls, and an inward force applied by the user during movement of the apparatus, thereby forming an integral steering unit that facilitates steering of said apparatus. 23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein a portion of said bin is removably coupled to said frame. 24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said frame includes first and second engagement members coupled to and extending outwardly from said side members, said handle members contacting said first and second engagement members in said first position so as to facilitate rotation of said frame and said handle members about said ground surface engaging member. 25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of said handle members includes an engagement member extending therefrom, said engagement members contacting said side members of said frame in said first position so as to facilitate rotation of said frame and said handle members about said ground surface engaging member. 26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said engagement surfaces are oriented substantially parallel to said pivot axes. 27. A load carrying apparatus, comprising:a frame including first and second spaced-apart side members interconnected by a fixed cross member, said first or second side member defining a pivot axis and an engagement surface, wherein said engagement surface is oriented in a non-orthogonal manner with respect to said pivot axis;a ground-engaging member rotatably coupled to said frame between said side members;a first elongated handle member pivotally coupled to said frame about said pivot axis such that said handle member is pivotally moveable between a first position and a second position different from said first position;a second elongated handle member connected to said frame a spaced distance from said first handle member; anda pliable bin coupled to said handle members, said bin adapted to receive a load therein;wherein said first handle member engages said engagemen t surface in said first position so as to facilitate steering of said apparatus. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said second elongated handle member is pivotally connected to said frame.