A CARRIAGE FOR WINDING A TUBE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a carriage for winding a tube.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a carriage comprising a support frame provided with wheels for resting and sliding on the ground surface. The carriage further comprises a profiled roller, associated to the support frame, structured to enable the winding of a flexible tube. The frame further comprises a rest foot, arranged in a staggered position with respect to the wheels, and a handle for drawing the carriage.

[0003] The rest foot is configured to be arranged resting on the ground surface in a stable position of the carriage, in which the overall centre of gravity of the carriage, comprising the tube wound on the profiled roller, lies within the perimeter defined by the wheels and the rest foot.

[0004] A typical example of use of a carriage of the above-described type is for conservation and displacement of a flexible tube for irrigation, for example for gardening and small cultivations. The tube is normally conveyed, by means of the carriage, in the use position in a rolled configuration on the roller. In the use position, the tube is connected to a tap, by an appropriate connection associated to the roller, and is then unreeled by pulling the free end thereof.

[0005] During this unreeling step, the carriage tilts rather frequently, as the configuration of the rest foot does not guarantee a sufficient stability of the carriage. The tilting of the carriage, obviously, prevents the tube from unreeling in the desired way. If it does not tilt, the carriage, in any case, tends to be drawn by the tube, moving on its wheels.

[0006] An example of prior art carriage is disclosed in document EP2397432.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to provide a carriage for winding a tube which enables obviating the drawbacks of the currently available carriages. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention will more fully emerge from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in a non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, in which:

• figure 1 shows an isometric view of a carriage according to the present invention;
• figures 2, 3 and 4 show three different operating configurations of the carriage according to the present invention in a lateral view;
• figure 5 shows the carriage of figure 5, with some parts removed.

[0008] The carriage according to the present invention comprises a support frame (3) provided with wheels (4) for resting and rolling on the ground surface (G). In the illustrated embodiment, the frame (3) comprises a pair of shoulders (31), to each of which a wheel (4) is associated. The wheels (4) are arranged at a lower end of the shoulders (31).

[0009] The wheels (4) are preferably, but not necessarily, rotatable about a common rotation axis (X). As well as being connected to the shoulders (31), the wheels (4) can be connected to one another by means of a shaft, which is not visible in the appended figures, concentric to the rotation axis (X). The carriage is further provided with a profiled roller (6), rotatably associated to the frame (3) for enabling winding and unwinding of a flexible tube. The roller (6) is arranged above the wheels (4).

[0010] In the illustrated embodiment, the roller (6) has two lateral shoulders (61) having a larger diameter than a central portion, which is not visible in the appended figures. The roller (6) is located between the shoulders (31) of the frame (3) and is associated rotatably thereto about the rotation axis which, preferably, is parallel to the rotation axis (X) of the wheels (4). The carriage can be provided with a crank (H), solidly constrained to the roller (6) in rotation about the same rotation axis of the roller (6) with respect to the frame (3). The crank (H) can be associated to a shoulder (31), on the opposite side with respect to the roller (6), rotatably about the rotation axis of the roller (6).

[0011] As known to those skilled in the art, the roller (6) is provided with an internal conduit structured to enable the connection between the flexible tube and a water source, for example a tap or a pump. The internal conduit, which is not illustrated in detail, comprises a first connection, structured for enabling the connection with an end of the flexible tube, and a second connection, structured to enable connection to a water source. The second connection preferably protrudes from the roller (6) along a direction that is concentric to the rotation axis of the roller (6), across one of the shoulders (31) of the frame (3).

[0012] The carriage further comprises a rest foot (5), associated inferiorly to the frame (3). The rest foot (5) is configured so as to define, together with the wheels (4), a first rest perimeter of the carriage on the ground surface. In substance the carriage, according to the present invention, in a rest configuration, rests on the ground surface on the wheels (4) and the foot (5). The contact points or zones (R4) of the wheels (4) with the ground surface (G) and the contact points or zones (R5) of the foot (5) with the ground surface (G) define the vertices of a perimeter within which the overall centre of gravity of the carriage falls. In the rest configuration illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the projection to the ground surface of the rotation axis of the roller (6) is preferably in an intermediate position between a line that conjoins the rest zones on the ground surface of the wheels (4) and the contact point or zone with the ground surface of the rest foot (5).

[0013] A handle (2) is superiorly associated to the frame (3). The handle (2) is mobile between a raised configuration (figures 1 and 2), in which it is at a higher level with respect to the roller (6), and a lowered configuration (figures 4 and 5), in which it is at a lower level with respect to the roller (6) than in the raised configuration. For this purpose, the handle (2) comprises a pair of stems (20), slidably associated to the frame (3). In particular, each shoulder (31) of the frame (3) is provided with a seating (32) for slidably housing a stem (20) of the handle (2). The stems (20) are preferably parallel to one another and are slidable on planes that are perpendicular to the rotation axis (X).

[0014] In the raised position, illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the handle (2) facilitates the drawing of the carriage for the displacement of the tube wound on the roller (6). By gripping the handle (2) it is in fact possible to rotate the frame (3) about the rotation axis of the wheels (4), so as to raise the rest foot (5) (in figure 2, a rotation of the frame (3) in a clockwise direction raises the foot (5) from the ground surface). In these conditions the frame (3) rests only on the wheels (4) and can easily be drawn.

[0015] Each stem (20) is advantageously provided with a lower end (21), facing towards the ground surface (G). The stems (20) are configured so that in the lowered position of the handle (2), the lower ends (21) protrude from the frame (3) below the wheels (4), so as to define a second rest perimeter on the ground surface, together with the rest foot (5), with respect to which the wheels (4) are raised. Moving towards the lowered position of the handle (2), the lower ends (21) enter first into contact with the ground surface (G) at the respective contact points or zones (R21) (figure 3). Thereafter, by moving the handle (2) into the lowered position, it is possible to raise the wheels (4) (figures 4 and 5). In the illustrated embodiment, each seating (32) is in the form of an open channel at both ends, in order to enable the exit of the lower end (21) of the relative stem (20).

[0016] The possibility of the stems (20) to protrude from below the frame (3) in order to bring the lower ends (21) into contact with the ground surface, by raising the wheels (4) from the ground surface, enables defining, together with the foot (5), a second rest perimeter. The second rest perimeter can be conformed in such a way as to increase the stability of the carriage during the unreeling of the tube. With reference to figures 4 and 5, if the unreeling is done by pulling the tube in a rightwards direction with a force (F), the lower ends (21), in the lowered position of the handle, raise the wheels (4), so that the carriage opposes the force (F) by resting on the lower ends (21) without being able to move on the wheels (4).

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels (4) are rotatable about a rotation axis (X) the projection of which on the ground surface (G) is in an intermediate position between the contact zones (R21) with the ground surface of the lower ends (21) and the contact zones (R5) with the ground surface of the rest foot (5). In other terms, the contact zones with the ground surface of the lower ends (21) are located at a greater distance from the contact zone with the ground surface of the rest foot (5) with respect to the wheels (4). This enables further improving the stability of the carriage. The lower ends (21) are preferably, but not necessarily, aligned along a line that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis (X).

[0018] The rest foot (5) preferably has a profiled member shape comprising a transversal portion (50) and two longitudinal arms (51), connected to the ends of the transversal portion (50). The two longitudinal arms (51), at the opposite end with respect to the transversal portion (50), are connected to the shoulders (31). The transversal portion (50) and the longitudinal arms (51) are reciprocally coplanar and are configured so as to be arranged in contact with the ground surface in the lowered position of the handle (2). In other terms, in the lowered position of the handle (2), in which the lower ends (21) are in contact with the ground surface and the wheels (4) are raised from the ground surface, the rest foot (5) enters into contact with the ground surface in a zone (R5) that comprises the transversal portion (50) and the longitudinal arms (51). The contact of the rest foot (5) with the ground surface is thus very stable, especially in the lowered position of the handle (2).

Claims

1. A carriage for winding a flexible tube, comprising a support frame (3) provided with wheels (4) for resting and rolling on the ground surface (G); a profiled roller (6), rotatably associated to the frame (3) for enabling winding and unwinding of a flexible tube; a rest foot (5), associated inferiorly to the frame (3) so as to define, together with the wheels (4), a first rest perimeter of the carriage on the ground surface; a handle (2), superiorly associated to the frame (3) and mobile between a raised configuration, in which the handle (2) is at a higher level with respect to the roller (6), and a lowered configuration, in which it is at a lower level with respect to the roller (6) than in the raised configuration; the handle (2) comprises a pair of stems (20), slidably associated to the frame (3), each of which is provided with a lower end (21);
characterised in that the stems (20) are configured so that in the lowered position of the handle (2), the lower ends (21) project from the frame (3) below the wheels (4), so as to define a second rest perimeter of the carriage on the ground surface, together with the rest foot (5), with respect to which the wheels (4) are raised.

2. The carriage according to claim 1, wherein the wheels (4) are rotatable about a rotation axis (X), and wherein the projection of the rotation axis (X) on the ground surface (G) is in an intermediate position between the contact zones with the ground surface of the lower ends (21) and the rest foot (5).

3. The carriage according to claim 1, wherein the wheels (4) are rotatable about a rotation axis (X), and wherein the lower ends (21) are aligned along a line that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis (X).

4. The carriage according to claim 1, wherein the support frame (3) comprises a pair of shoulders (31), each of which is provided with a seating (32) for slidably housing a stem (20) of the handle (2).

5. The carriage according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the rest foot (5) is shaped as a bar (5) connected to the shoulders (31) by means of two arms (51), and wherein the rest foot (5) is substantially parallel to the line joining the lower ends (21).

6. The carriage according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the rest foot (5) has a profiled member shape comprising a transversal portion (50) and two longitudinal arms (51), connected to the ends of the transversal portion (50) and to the shoulders (31).

7. The carriage according to claim 6, wherein the transversal portion (50) and the longitudinal arms (51) are reciprocally coplanar and are configured so as to be arranged in contact with the ground surface in the lowered position of the handle (2).

Ansprüche

1. Wagen zum Wickeln eines flexiblen Schlauchs, umfassend einen Stützrahmen (3), der mit Rädern (4) zum Aufliegen und Rollen auf der Bodenoberfläche (G) versehen ist; eine profilierte Walze (6), die drehbar mit dem Rahmen (3) assoziiert ist, um das Auf- und Abwickeln eines flexiblen Schlauchs zu ermöglichen; einen Auflagefuß (5), der mit dem Rahmen (3) unten assoziiert ist, um zusammen mit den Rädern (4) einen ersten Auflageumfang des Wagens auf der Bodenoberfläche zu definieren;
einen Griff (2), der mit dem Rahmen (3) oben assoziiert ist und zwischen einer angehobenen Konfiguration, in der sich der Griff (2) in Bezug auf die Walze (6) auf einer höheren Ebene befindet, und einer abgesenkten Konfiguration beweglich ist, in der er sich in Bezug auf die Walze (6) auf einem niedrigeren Niveau als in der angehobenen Konfiguration befindet; der Griff (2) umfasst ein Paar Stiele (20), die verschiebbar mit dem Rahmen (3) assoziiert sind, von denen ein jeder mit einem unteren Ende (21) versehen ist;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Stiele (20)
so konfiguriert sind, dass in der abgesenkten Position des Griffs (2) die unteren Enden (21) aus dem Rahmen (3) unter den Rädern (4) herausspringen, um einen zweiten Auflageumfang des Wagens auf der Bodenoberfläche zusammen mit dem Auflagefuß (5) zu definieren, in Bezug auf welche die Räder (4) angehoben sind.

2. Wagen nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Räder (4) um eine Drehachse (X) drehbar sind und wobei der Vorsprung der Drehachse (X) auf die Bodenoberfläche (G) in einer Zwischenposition zwischen den Kontaktzonen mit der Bodenoberfläche der unteren Enden (21) und dem Auflagefuß (5) liegt.

3. Wagen nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Räder (4) um eine Drehachse (X) drehbar sind und wobei die unteren Enden (21) entlang einer Linie ausgerichtet sind, die im Wesentlichen parallel zur Drehachse (X) ist.

4. Wagen nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Stützrahmen (3) ein Paar Schultern (31) umfasst, von denen eine jede mit einem Sitz (32) versehen ist, um einen Stiel (20) des Griffs (2) verschiebbar aufzunehmen.

5. Wagen nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, wobei der Auflagefuß (5) als eine Stange (5) geformt ist, die mit den Schultern (31) mittels zweier Arme (51) verbunden ist, und wobei der Auflagefuß (5) im Wesentlichen parallel zur die unteren Enden zusammenfügenden Linie (21) ist.

6. Wagen nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, wobei der Auflagefuß (5) eine profilierte Elementform aufweist, die einen Querabschnitt (50) und zwei Längsarme (51) umfasst, die mit den Enden des Querabschnitts (50) und mit den Schultern (31) verbunden sind.

7. Wagen nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Querabschnitt (50) und die Längsarme (51) wechselseitig koplanar sind und so konfiguriert sind, dass sie in der abgesenkten Position des Griffs (2) in Kontakt mit der Bodenoberfläche angeordnet werden.

Revendications

1. Chariot pour enrouler un tube flexible, comprenant un cadre de support (3) pourvu de roues (4) pour reposer et rouler sur la surface du sol (G) ; un rouleau profilé (6), associé de manière rotative au cadre (3), pour permettre l'enroulement et le déroulement d'un tube flexible ; un pied d'appui (5), associé inférieurement au cadre (3) de manière à définir, avec les roues (4), un premier périmètre d'appui du chariot sur la surface du sol ; une poignée (2), associée supérieurement au cadre (3) et mobile entre une configuration surélevée, dans laquelle la poignée (2) se trouve à un niveau plus élevé par rapport au rouleau (6), et une configuration abaissée, dans laquelle elle se trouve à un niveau plus bas par rapport au rouleau (6) que dans la configuration surélevée ; la poignée (2) comprend une paire de tiges (20), associées de manière coulissante au cadre (3), dont chacune est pourvue d'une extrémité inférieure (21) ;
caractérisé en ce que les tiges (20)
sont configurées de telle sorte que dans la position abaissée de la poignée (2), les extrémités inférieures (21) dépassent du cadre (3) sous les roues (4), de manière à définir un second périmètre d'appui du chariot sur la surface du sol, avec le pied d'appui (5), par rapport auquel les roues (4) sont soulevées.

2. Chariot selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les roues (4) peuvent tourner autour d'un axe de rotation (X), et dans lequel la projection de l'axe de rotation (X) sur la surface du sol (G) se trouve dans une position intermédiaire entre les zones de contact avec la surface du sol des extrémités inférieures (21) et le pied d'appui (5).

3. Chariot selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les roues (4) peuvent tourner autour d'un axe de rotation (X), et dans lequel les extrémités inférieures (21) sont alignées le long d'une ligne étant substantiellement parallèle à l'axe de rotation (X).

4. Chariot selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le cadre de support (3) comprend une paire d'épaulements (31), dont chacun est pourvu d'un siège (32) pour loger de manière coulissante une tige (20) de la poignée (2).

5. Chariot selon la revendication 3 ou 4, dans lequel le pied d'appui (5) a la forme d'une barre (5) reliée aux épaulements (31) au moyen de deux bras (51), et dans lequel le pied d'appui (5) est substantiellement parallèle à la ligne joignant les extrémités inférieures (21).

6. Chariot selon la revendication 3 ou 4, dans lequel le pied d'appui (5) a une forme d'élément profilé comprenant une partie transversale (50) et deux bras longitudinaux (51) reliés aux extrémités de la partie transversale (50) et aux épaulements (31).

7. Chariot selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la partie transversale (50) et les bras longitudinaux (51) sont réciproquement coplanaires et sont configurés de sorte à être disposés en contact avec la surface du sol dans la position abaissée de la poignée (2).

Drawing