3004703

Patent Application

Application No

3004703

Filing Date

May 10, 2018

The Technology

The Title

WHEELBARROW STORAGE DEVICE

IPC

G06T7/20

Description

WHEELBARROW STORAGE DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to storage devices, and more particularly to a storage device that is adapted for storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner.

"The wheelbarrow and mini-storage cabinet is a space saver having a portable, convenient and stress free way of storing and securing your handy wheelbarrow plus the added room for mini-storage within it's structure for most garden tools. So get ready to roll into your present and future garden."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In numerous applications - for example, in construction, landscaping, and gardening - storage of various items such as, for example, tools and equipment, in an organized and space-saving manner is essential for efficient operation. One of the most useful tools and, therefore, being present in almost all applications in construction, landscaping, and gardening, is the wheelbarrow for its simplicity and simple use while enabling manual transport of substantially heavy loads. While there are numerous storage racks, shelfs, and cabinets in use for storing various items in an organized and space-saving manner, the wheelbarrow is typically just left in some manner such as, for example, upside down on the ground or floor, leaned on one side against a wall, or leaned front down against a wall, thus unnecessarily taking up space, posing a tripping hazard, and/or becoming unbalanced and tipping. It is desirable to provide a storage device for storing various items that is adapted for also storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner. It is also desirable to provide a storage device for storing various items inside an enclosure that is adapted for also storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner. It is also desirable to provide a storage device for storing various items that is adapted for also storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner and that comprises wheels for enabling moving the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a storage device for storing various items that is adapted for also storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage device for storing various items inside an enclosure that is adapted for also storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage device for storing various items that is adapted for also storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner and that comprises wheels for enabling moving the same.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelbarrow storage device. The wheelbarrow storage device comprises a base. A wheelbarrow holding structure is connected to a front portion of the base for holding a wheelbarrow. A storage structure is disposed between the wheelbarrow holding structure and a rear end of the base for enabling storage of items. According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelbarrow storage device. The wheelbarrow storage device comprises a base. A wheelbarrow holding structure is connected to a front portion of the base for holding a wheelbarrow. A storage structure is disposed between the wheelbarrow holding structure and a rear end of the base for enabling storage of items. The wheelbarrow holding structure comprises a first abutment disposed at a bottom of the wheelbarrow holding structure for abutting a front of a tray of the wheelbarrow and a second abutment disposed above the bottom of the wheelbarrow holding structure for abutting a top edge of the tray at a rear portion of the wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow holding structure further comprises at least a side securing element for limiting movement of the rear portion of the wheelbarrow towards a left-hand side or a right-hand side of the wheelbarrow storage device. According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelbarrow storage device. The wheelbarrow storage device comprises a base. A wheelbarrow holding structure is connected to a front portion of the base for holding a wheelbarrow. A storage structure is disposed between the wheelbarrow holding structure and a rear end of the base for enabling storage of items. The wheelbarrow holding structure comprises a first abutment disposed at a bottom of the wheelbarrow holding structure for abutting a front of a tray of the wheelbarrow and a substantially flat surface extending upwardly and rearwardly from the front portion of the base for abutting a top edge of the tray at a rear portion of the wheelbarrow. The flat surface is oriented rearwardly at a predetermined angle between the flat surface and a horizontal such that a center of gravity of the wheelbarrow is located behind the first abutment. The wheelbarrow holding structure further comprises at least a side securing element for limiting movement of the rear portion of the wheelbarrow towards a left-hand side or a right-hand side of the wheelbarrow storage device. According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelbarrow storage device. The wheelbarrow storage device comprises a base. A wheelbarrow holding structure is connected to a front portion of the base for holding a wheelbarrow. A storage structure is disposed between the wheelbarrow holding structure and a rear end of the base for enabling storage of items. The storage structure comprises an enclosure for enclosing the items therein. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheelbarrow storage device. The wheelbarrow storage device comprises a base. A wheelbarrow holding structure is connected to a front portion of the base for holding a wheelbarrow. A storage structure is disposed between the wheelbarrow holding structure and a rear end of the base for enabling storage of items. The wheelbarrow storage device comprises wheels rotatably mounted to the base.

The advantage of the present invention is that it provides a storage device for storing various items that is adapted for also storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner. A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a storage device for storing various items inside an enclosure that is adapted for also storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner. A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a storage device for storing various items that is adapted for also storing a wheelbarrow in a space-saving and substantially secure manner and that comprises wheels for enabling moving the same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1a to 1c are simplified block diagrams illustrating in front perspective views a wheelbarrow storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, without wheelbarrow, with wheelbarrow, and door opened, respectively;

Figure 1d is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a rear view the wheelbarrow storage device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1e is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a cross-sectional detailed view the first abutment of the wheelbarrow storage device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1f is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a front view the side securing elements of the wheelbarrow storage device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1g is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a front detailed view the locking element of the wheelbarrow storage device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1h is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view the rearward orientation of the front wall of the wheelbarrow storage device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and,

Figure 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view the wheelbarrow storage device according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

Referring to Figures 1a to 1h, a wheelbarrow storage device 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The wheelbarrow storage device 100 comprises base 102 having a wheelbarrow holding structure connected to a front portion of the base 102 for holding a wheelbarrow 10 and a storage structure disposed between the wheelbarrow holding structure and a rear end of the base 102 for enabling storage of items such as, for example, various items used in gardening, landscaping, or construction, as will be described hereinbelow. The wheelbarrow holding structure comprises a first abutment 108 disposed at a bottom of the wheelbarrow holding structure for abutting a front edge 14F of tray 12 of the wheelbarrow 10, as illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b. A second abutment is disposed above the bottom of the wheelbarrow holding structure for abutting a rear portion of the wheelbarrow. Preferably, the second abutment comprises a substantially flat surface 104 extending upwardly from the front portion of the base 102 and is adapted for abutting a rear portion 14R of a top edge of the tray 12. Alternatively, the second abutment may comprise means for abutting: a rear portion 14R of a top edge of the tray 12; an inside bottom surface of the tray 12; or, for abutting handles 13 of the wheelbarrow 10, such as, for example, a forward extension of top surface 112. Preferably, the flat surface 104 forms a front wall of an enclosure – together with side walls 110R and 110L, rear wall 124, top wall 112, and the base 102 - of the storage structure for enclosing the items therein, as illustrated in Figures 1a, 1c, and 1d. For example, the base 102 is provided having a flat top surface forming a shelf 122.1 for placing the items thereon. Depending on design preferences one or more additional shelfs 122.2 may be placed a predetermined distance above the shelf 122.1 to enable storage of a larger number of items. Optionally, the additional shelfs may be removable or be placed at different distances in a conventional manner. Access is enabled, for example, via door 114 disposed in the front wall 104 and hingedly mounted thereto 116 which can easily be opened using door knob 118 and is secured using a conventional magnetic catch. Alternatively, one or more doors may be placed in the side walls 110R and 110L, and/or the rear wall 124, enabling access while the wheelbarrow 10 is placed on the front wall 104. For example, two doors 115U and 115L are placed in each side wall for enabling access to the shelfs 122.2 and 122.1, respectively, with the upper door 115U being hinged for opening rearwardly and the lower door 115L being hinged for opening downwardly for facilitating opening of the same in confined space. Further preferbly, the rear wall 124 is adapted for storing larger elongated items 20 such as, for example, rakes, brooms, shovels, etc. by providing securing mechanism 126 such as, for example, a conventional broom stick holder or hanger, and, optionally, bottom abutment 128, as illustrated in Figure 1d. As is evident to one skilled in the art, the side walls 110R and 110L, may also be adapted for storing larger elongated items 20 in a similar fashion. Optionally, the rear wall 124 is extended above the top wall 112 providing on its front side space 125 for advertisement, for example, when the wheelbarrow storage device 100 is used for display. The first abutment 108 comprises, for example, a groove disposed in the base 102 or an upward extension of the front of the base 102 for securely abutting the – typically rolled - front edge 14F of tray 12, as illustrated in Figure 1e. Preferably, drainage holes 107 are disposed in the base 102, as indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 1e, in order to drain rain water, for example, when the wheelbarrow storage device 100 is placed outside. Preferably, the wheelbarrow holding structure comprises left-hand and a right-hand side securing elements 106L and 106R for limiting movement of the rear portion of the wheelbarrow towards a left-hand side or a right-hand side of the wheelbarrow storage device, as indicated by the block arrows in Figure 1f. Particularly, wheelbarrows having a funnel tray forming a pouring lip tend to move about pivot 16. The side securing elements 106L and 106R may be provided, for example, by extending the side walls 110L and 110R to protrude the front wall 104 in a forward direction on both sides. Alternatively, side securing elements may be provided for abutting an inside wall of the tray 12. For example, one or two side securing elements are mounted onto the flat surface 104 above the door 114 – one element approximately extending a width of the tray inside or two elements spaced apart accordingly. Further preferably, the wheelbarrow holding structure comprises locking element 120 adapted for securing the tray 12 to the flat surface 104 by engaging a rear portion of a - for example, rolled - top edge 14R of the tray 12. The locking element 120 comprises, for example, an eccentric disk 120A rotatably mounted to the front wall 104 – at a distance thereto that is sufficient for engaging the top edge 14R of the tray 12 - in a conventional manner using threaded bolt 120B secured by a threaded nut and a washer on the opposite side of the flat surface 104. The disk 120A is rotatably movable between an open position I for placing and removing the wheelbarrow 10 and a locking position II for abutting the rear portion of the top edge 14R of the tray 12, thus preventing forward movement of the rear of the wheelbarrow 10. Alternatively, a conventional sliding bolt or securing bolt mechanism may be employed with the bolt engaging the top edge 14R of the tray 12 when in an extended position. Further preferably, the wheelbarrow holding structure comprises adjusting element 105 having the locking element 120 mounted thereto. The adjusting element 105 being slideable movable up/down parallel to the front wall 104, as indicated by the block arrow in Figure 1f, enables securing of different size wheelbarrows 10. Further preferably, the adjusting element 105 comprises left-hand side and right-hand side shoulders 105AL and 105AR extending downward therefrom for abutting a respective left-hand side and right-hand side of the tray 12 of the wheelbarrow 10. The adjusting element 105 is slideable mounted in a conventional manner, for example, tongues disposed in the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the shoulder element 105 fit into respective grooves disposed in the side securing elements 106L and 106R. Optionally, different adjusting elements 105 may be provided, with the different adjusting elements 105 being adapted for accommodating different shapes of the rear portion of the tray 12. For example, the transition to the shoulders 105AL and 105AR are shaped for accommodating different radii of the rear corners of the edge 14R of the tray 12. Further preferably, the flat surface 104 is oriented rearwardly from the front portion of the base 102 at a predetermined angle α – for example, in the range between 50° and 70°, preferably, about 60° - between the flat surface 104 and horizontal 18 such that a center of gravity 16 of the wheelbarrow 10 is located behind the first abutment 108, as illustrated in Figure 1h, enabling leaning of the wheelbarrow 10 against the flat surface 104 due to its own weight. While reducing the storage space to some extent, the provision of the rearwardly oriented flat surface 104 facilitates storing of the wheelbarrow 10 by simply engaging the front edge 14F of the tray 12 with the first abutment 108 and moving the handles 13 rearwardly until the top edge 14R of the tray 12 is in contact with the flat surface 104. In case the wheelbarrow storage device 100 is only used as a storage cabinet in a fixed location, the wheelbarrow 10 may be sufficiently secured by leaning against the rearwardly oriented flat surface 104 and, therefore, the locking element 120 may be omitted. Referring to Figure 2, the wheelbarrow storage device 100 is provided with wheels 130 mounted to the base 102, enabling moving of the same with the items and the wheelbarrow 10, for example, from a storage location – storage shed or shop - to a work location – section of garden, field, or construction site. Preferably, the wheels 130 are enabled to swivel about vertically oriented axes 132 - for example, the wheels 130 are provided as four conventional locking swivel casters - to facilitate maneuvering of the wheelbarrow storage device 100 when moving the same. For example, all wheels 130 are enabled to swivel, as illustrated in Figure 2. Alternatively, only the front wheels are enabled to swivel, allowing, for example, provision of larger diameter rear wheels placed to the right and the left of the side walls 110R and 110L, respectively, to facilitate maneuvering of the wheelbarrow storage device 100 over uneven terrain with the front wheels slightly lifted off ground. Further preferably, handles 134 are provided at the rear of the wheelbarrow storage device 100 to facilitate handling and moving of the same. For example, the handles 134 are mounted to the rear wall 124 or as an extension of: the rear wall 124; or the side walls 110R and 110L. The wheelbarrow storage device 100 may be made of various materials - such as, for example, plywood, fiberboard, sheet metal, or plastic material, assembled in a conventional manner - depending on the intended use and desired appearance. Optionally, the area comprising the first abutment 108 may be lined with a sheet metal when the wheelbarrow storage device 100 is made of a material that potentially wears off during repeated placement and removal of the front edge 14F of the tray 12 such as, for example, plywood, fiberboard, or plastic material. Preferably, the dimensions of the wheelbarrow storage device 100 are determined to accommodate most of the commercially available wheelbarrows and to provide sufficient space for storage of items, as well as sufficient area of the top surface 112 to provide a small work area or area for temporarily storing items. For example, the wheelbarrow storage device 100 has: a length L of approximately 1m; a width W of approximately 0.75m; and a height H of approximately 1m. Further preferably, the first abutment 108 is placed a sufficiently small distance D above ground – for example, in the range between 10cm and 15cm - for facilitating placement and removal of the front edge 14F of the tray 12 onto/from the first abutment 108 without necessitating substantial lifting of the wheelbarrow 10. Optionally, the wheelbarrow storage device 100 is provided as components for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) assembly. For example, the components - the base 102, the side walls 110R and 110L, the rear wall 124, the front wall 104, the top wall 112, and the shelf 122.2 – are provided such that the base 102, the rear wall 124, the front wall 104, the top wall 112, and the shelf 122.2 are sandwiched between the side walls 110R and 110L for simple assembly. The components may be made as panels made of plastic material such as, for example, Low-Density PolyEthylene (LDPE) in a conventional manner and may comprise connecting elements for assembly without additional fasteners. The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A wheelbarrow storage device comprising: a base; a wheelbarrow holding structure connected to a front portion of the base for holding a wheelbarrow; and, a storage structure disposed between the wheelbarrow holding structure and a rear end of the base for enabling storage of items.

2. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 1 wherein the wheelbarrow holding structure comprises: a first abutment disposed at a bottom of the wheelbarrow holding structure for abutting a front of a tray of the wheelbarrow; and, a second abutment disposed above the bottom of the wheelbarrow holding structure for abutting a rear portion of the wheelbarrow.

3. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 2 wherein the second abutment is adapted for abutting a portion of a top edge of the tray.

4. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 3 wherein the wheelbarrow holding structure comprises at least a side securing element for limiting movement of the rear portion of the wheelbarrow towards a left-hand side or a right-hand side of the wheelbarrow storage device.

5. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 4 wherein the second abutment comprises a substantially flat surface extending upwardly from the front portion of the base.

6. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 5 wherein the flat surface is oriented rearwardly from the front portion of the base.

7. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 6 wherein the flat surface is oriented rearwardly at a predetermined angle between the flat surface and a horizontal such that a center of gravity of the wheelbarrow is located behind the first abutment.

8. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 3 wherein the second abutment comprises a substantially flat surface extending upwardly and rearwardly from the front portion of the base and wherein the flat surface is oriented rearwardly at a predetermined angle between the flat surface and a horizontal such that a center of gravity of the wheelbarrow is located behind the first abutment.

9. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 6 wherein the at least a side securing element comprises a left-hand and a right-hand side securing element protruding from the left-hand side and the right-hand side, respectively, of the flat surface.

10. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 5 wherein the wheelbarrow holding structure comprises a locking element adapted for securing the tray to the flat surface by engaging a rear portion of a top edge of the tray.

11. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 10 comprising an adjusting element having the locking element mounted thereto, the adjusting element being slideable movable up/down parallel to the flat surface.

12. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 1 wherein the storage structure comprises at least a shelf for placing the items thereon.

13. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 12 wherein the storage structure comprises an enclosure for enclosing the items therein.

14. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 13 wherein the enclosure comprises at least a door.

15. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the base.

16. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 15 wherein the wheels are mounted to the front portion and a rear portion of the base and wherein the wheels mounted to at least one of the front portion and the rear portion are adapted to swivel about an axis oriented substantially vertical.

17. A wheelbarrow storage device comprising: a base; a wheelbarrow holding structure connected to a front portion of the base for holding a wheelbarrow; and, a storage structure disposed between the wheelbarrow holding structure and a rear end of the base for enabling storage of items, the storage structure comprising an enclosure for enclosing the items therein.

18. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 17 wherein the wheelbarrow holding structure comprises: a first abutment disposed at a bottom of the wheelbarrow holding structure for abutting a front of a tray of the wheelbarrow; and, a second abutment disposed above the bottom of the wheelbarrow holding structure for abutting a rear portion of a top edge of the tray, the second abutment comprising a front wall of the enclosure having a substantially flat surface extending upwardly from the front portion of the base.

19. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 18 wherein the flat surface extends rearwardly from the front portion of the base and wherein the flat surface is oriented rearwardly such that an angle between the flat surface and a horizontal is sufficiently small for a center of gravity of the wheelbarrow being located behind the first abutment.

20. The wheelbarrow storage device according to claim 18 wherein the front wall comprises a door.

ABSTRACT

A wheelbarrow storage device is provided. The wheelbarrow storage device comprises a base. A wheelbarrow holding structure is connected to a front portion of the base for holding a wheelbarrow. A storage structure is disposed between the wheelbarrow holding structure and a rear end of the base for enabling storage of items.

Application as Filed Unavailable

Availability, Prices and Terms

Region	Country	Purchase Price	Licensing Available
North America	Canada
North America	Mexico
North America	United States of America
Europe	Albania
Europe	Belarus
Europe	Bosnia and Herzegovina
Europe	Croatia
Europe	Iceland
Europe	Liechtenstein
Europe	Monaco
Europe	Montenegro
Europe	Norway
Europe	Republic of Moldova
Europe	Russian Federation
Europe	San Marino
Europe	Serbia
Europe	Switzerland
Europe	The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Europe	Turkey
Europe	Ukraine
European Union	Austria
European Union	Belgium
European Union	Bulgaria
European Union	Cyprus
European Union	Czech Republic
European Union	Denmark
European Union	Estonia
European Union	Finland
European Union	France
European Union	Germany
European Union	Greece
European Union	Hungary
European Union	Ireland
European Union	Italy
European Union	Latvia
European Union	Lithuania
European Union	Luxembourg
European Union	Malta
European Union	Netherlands
European Union	Poland
European Union	Portugal
European Union	Romania
European Union	Slovakia
European Union	Slovenia
European Union	Spain
European Union	Sweden
European Union	United Kingdom
Asia	Armenia
Asia	Azerbaijan
Asia	Brunei Darussalam
Asia	China
Asia	Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Asia	Georgia
Asia	India
Asia	Indonesia
Asia	Japan
Asia	Kazakhstan
Asia	Kyrgyzstan
Asia	Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Asia	Malaysia
Asia	Mongolia
Asia	Philippines
Asia	Republic of Korea
Asia	Singapore
Asia	Sri Lanka
Asia	Tajikistan
Asia	Thailand
Asia	Turkmenistan
Asia	Uzbekistan
Asia	Viet Nam
Oceania	Australia
Oceania	New Zealand
Oceania	Papua New Guinea
Middle East	Bahrain
Middle East	Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Middle East	Israel
Middle East	Oman
Middle East	Qatar
Middle East	Saudi Arabia
Middle East	Syrian Arab Republic
Middle East	United Arab Emirates
South America	Brazil
South America	Chile
South America	Colombia
South America	Ecuador
South America	Peru
The Caribbean	Antigua and Barbuda
The Caribbean	Barbados
The Caribbean	Cuba
The Caribbean	Dominica
The Caribbean	Dominican Republic
The Caribbean	Grenada
The Caribbean	Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Caribbean	Saint Lucia
The Caribbean	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The Caribbean	Trinidad and Tobago
Africa	Algeria
Africa	Angola
Africa	Benin
Africa	Botswana
Africa	Burkina Faso
Africa	Cameroon
Africa	Central African Republic
Africa	Chad
Africa	Comoros
Africa	Congo
Africa	Cote d'Ivoire
Africa	Egypt
Africa	Equatorial Guinea
Africa	Gabon
Africa	Gambia
Africa	Ghana
Africa	Guinea
Africa	Guinea-Bissau
Africa	Kenya
Africa	Lesotho
Africa	Liberia
Africa	Libya
Africa	Madagascar
Africa	Malawi
Africa	Mali
Africa	Mauritania
Africa	Morocco
Africa	Mozambique
Africa	Namibia
Africa	Niger
Africa	Nigeria
Africa	Rwanda
Africa	Sao Tome and Principe
Africa	Senegal
Africa	Seychelles
Africa	Sierra Leone
Africa	South Africa
Africa	Sudan
Africa	Swaziland
Africa	Togo
Africa	Tunisia
Africa	Uganda
Africa	United Republic Tanzania
Africa	Zambia
Africa	Zimbabwe
Central America	Belize
Central America	Costa Rica
Central America	El Salvador
Central America	Guatemala
Central America	Honduras
Central America	Nicaragua
Central America	Panama

Contact Agent

Applicant Name

John Williams