Multi-use palette

Abstract

 A multi-use pallet of the compact type for gathering refuse, rubbish and loose bulk objects from the floor or similar surfaces, comprising a gathering portion (2) developing in a principal plane (P) united with a handling portion (3) with a longitudinal axis (L) for being grasped by a user. The gathering portion (2) is united to the handling portion (3) by hinge means (10) and has stop means (15, 15') for selectively blocking the relative angle (β) formed between the longitudinal axis (L) and the principal development plane (P). The handling portion (3) comprises an essentially cylindrical body (8) with an external grip surface for the user and an internal cavity for the insertion of an elongated rod-like sleeve (9). The hinge means (10) comprise a pin (13, 13') inserted in respective adjacent elements (11, 12) of the portions (2, 3) for defining a connection pivotable between themselves.

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for domestic use, particularly a multi-use pallet of the compact type for gathering refuse, rubbish and loose bulk objects from the floor or similar surfaces.

State of the art

[0002] Palettes for gathering refuse are commonly known which comprise a gathering portion having a substantially planar shape with raised lateral borders for containing the refuse or rubbish, united to a handling portion for being gripped by the user. Generally, the palettes available are manufactured in plastics material by injection or thermoformation. Palettes manufactured in metallic material are also known for gathering heavier objects, for example sand, stones or snow. In all cases, the known palettes have the handling portion rigidly connected in fixed position, that is with a pre-established angle with respect to the gathering portion.

[0003] In a known configuration, defined herein as a lowered condition, the two above cited portions form between themselves an angle of zero or few degrees. In such configuration the palette has a prevailingly flat extension and has a rather reduced bulkiness, and may be stored in narrow spaces, with the gathering portion resting on the ground or on a vertical plane, possibly together with a small brush lodged in the sleeve portion. However, the use of such known palette obliges the user to bend towards the gathering surface and therefore is not very convenient or is even impossible to use for aged persons or for persons with motor problems.

[0004] In another known configuration, defined herein as an erect condition, the handling portion has an elongated housing which forms with the gathering portion an angle of about 90°, for the insertion of a stick having a sufficient height to allow use thereof in an erect position, thereby avoiding that the user bend to the ground during the refuse gathering phase. In this configuration, which is particular convenient for persons with articular problems, the palette is supported on the ground with the bottom of the gathering portion, and therefore a rather elevated bulk occurs both horizontally and vertically.

[0005] Up till now there are not known palettes which in themselves combine the advantages and the possibilities of use of both of the configurations.

Presentation of the invention

[0006] A principal aim of the present invention is to provide a palette of compact configuration which allows the use in either the lowered or erect position.

[0007] A particular aim is to provide a palette which saves space and which may pass from one configuration to the other without any modification and with a very simplified manoeuvre even by aged persons or persons with motor problems.

[0008] Another aim is to provide a multi-use palette having contained costs.

[0009] In accordance with one preferred aspect of the invention, there is provided a multi-use palette which comprises a gathering portion developing in a principal plane united with a handling portion with a longitudinal axis for being grasped by a user, characterised in that the gathering portion is united to said handling portion by hinge means, and there being provided stop means for selectively blocking the relative angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the handling portion and the principal development plane of the gathering portion.

[0010] Preferably, such blocking angle may vary between 0° and 120°.

[0011] Moreover, the handling portion is substantially cylindrical with an external surface adapted to be gripped by the user in lowered position and an internal cavity adapted for the insertion of a stick for use in erect position.

[0012] Preferably, the pivoting connection means comprise a fork formed in one of said portions and a lug formed in the other portion, pivotally united by means of a passing pin.

[0013] In this manner, by adjusting the angle formed between the two portions it is possible to pass from a palette in a lowered configuration to a palette in an erect position.

Brief description of the drawings

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent in light of the following detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a multi-use palette according to the invention, illustrated for illustrative and non-limiting purposes with the help of the attached drawing sheets in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a multi-use palette according to the invention in a first operative condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the palette of Fig. 1 in a second operative condition;

Fig. 3 is a partially sectioned rear view of the palette of Fig. 2 taken along a vertical plane;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the palette of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of a second preferred embodiment of a palette according to the invention;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the palette of Fig. 5.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0015] With reference to the figures 1 to 4 there is illustrated a multi-use palette according to a first aspect of the invention, globally indicated with the reference numeral 1, which essentially comprises a gathering portion 2 for gathering the rubbish and refuse united to a handling portion 3 for being gripped by the user.

[0016] The gathering portion 2 has a substantially planar bottom wall 4 which develops in a principal plane P and from which lateral containment borders 5 and a rear wall 6 extend substantially perpendicularly to the plane P. The front border 7 of the bottom wall 4 is rectilinear and fined down to facilitate the gathering of the refuse.

[0017] The handling portion 3 comprises a cylindrical or slightly tronco-conical body 8 with a longitudinal axis L, externally smooth or furrowed to favour the grip on the part of the user and is internally hollow, and possibly threaded, for holding the end of a rod-like sleeve 9, of which only a portion has been represented in Fig. 2.

[0018] Both of the portions 2, 3 may advantageously be manufactured in plastics or in metallic materials in accordance with the resistance and use for which they are destined.

[0019] According to one preferred aspect of the invention, the gathering portion 2 is united to the handling portion 3 by hinge means indicated globally with the reference numeral 10.

[0020] The hinge means 10 comprise, for example, a fork 11 formed at the end of the cylindrical body 8 of the handling portion 3 in which an appendix 12 is inserted which extends from the rear wall 6 of the gathering portion 2. The fork 11 is united to the appendix by means of a passing pin 13 with an axis H and a rounded head 14. Obviously, the position of the fork 11 and of the appendix 12 on the portions 2, 3 may be inverted without modifying the inventive concept.

[0021] In this manner, the handling portion 3 is pivotally connected to the gathering portion 2 so as to easily pass from the condition illustrated in Fig. 1, with angle β of few degrees for the use on the part of the user in lowered condition, to that illustrated in Fig. 2, with angle β equal to approximately 90° for the use on the part of the user in erect condition. Obviously, the configuration of Fig. 1 will correspond to a lesser bulk in the transversal direction which could be advantageous when the device is put away in storage or in a narrow space even with the sleeve 9 inserted.

[0022] Further in accordance with the invention, there are provided stop means, indicated globally with the reference numeral 15, for blocking the relative angle β formed between the principal plane P and the longitudinal axis L.

[0023] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 4, the stop means 15 are of the discontinuous type and are essentially constituted by a series of holes 16 formed radially on the appendix 12 with respect to the axis H and in angularly offset positions on the appendix 12.

[0024] The body 8 of the handling portion 3 has an axial cavity 17 in which a dead bolt 18 may slide against the contrasting action of a spring 19. It is possible to disengage the end of the dead bolt 18 from one of the holes by acting on an actuation knob 20 connected to the dead bolt 18 against the action of the spring 19 in order to permit the free relative rotation of the two portions 2, 3. Thereafter, after having determined the relative angle β between the two portions 2, 3, it is possible to release the dead bolt so that its end is inserted in the predestined hole 16 of the appendix 12 blocking the rotation between the two portions 2, 3.

[0025] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the stop means 15' are of the continuous type and are essentially constituted by a bolt 13' with a hexagonal head 22 fitted in a corresponding seat of one of the legs of the fork 11', and a butterfly nut 23 at the end opposite to the head 22. Expediently, the opposed planar faces of the appendix 12' and the internal faces of the legs of the fork 11' have a low or grained superficial finish for increasing the friction between the same. It is evident that by closing the butterfly nut 23, the counterpoised faces of the fork 11' and of the appendix 12' block the relative rotation of the due portions 2', 3' in the desired angle β.

[0026] Alternatively to the butterfly nut, cam type closure elements may be used, which are not shown in the drawings and which are within the skill of the person skilled in the field.

[0027] In use, when it is desired to use the palette 1 in lowered position, the handling portion 3, 3' is blocked with respect to the gathering portion 2, 2' blocking the stop means 15, 15' such that the axis L forms an angle of zero or few degrees with respect to the plane P. It is therefore possible to put the palette away in storage in an lowered condition, so as to occupy a minimum planar space.

[0028] When it is desired to use the palette in erect condition, that is without the need to lower oneself, the rotation of the portion 3, 3' with respect to the principal plane P may be blocked with the stop means 15, 15' so that the angle formed between the same is proximate to 90°, inserting then the sleeve 9, 9' in the internal cavity of the body 8, 8'. When it is desired to put the palette away in storage, the stop means 15, 15' may be unblocked and subsequently blocked so that the angle formed between the two portions 2, 3 is proximate to 0° so as to reduce also in this case the bulk in a transversal sense.

Claims

1. Multi-use pallet of the compact type for gathering refuse, rubbish and loose bulk objects from the floor or similar surfaces, comprising a gathering portion (2, 2') developing in a principal plane (P) united with a handling portion (3, 3') with a longitudinal axis (L) for being grasped by a user, characterised in that the gathering portion (2, 2') is united to said handling portion (3, 3') by hinge means (10, 10'), there being provided stop means (15, 15') for selectively blocking the relative angle (β) formed between the longitudinal axis (L) of said handling portion (3, 3') and the principal development plane (P) of said gathering portion (2, 2').

2. Palette according to claim 1, characterised in that said handling portion (3, 3') comprises an essentially cylindrical body (8, 8') with an external grip surface for the user and an internal cavity for the insertion of an elongated rod-like sleeve (9, 9').

3. Palette according to claim 1, characterised in that said hinge means (10, 10') comprise a pin or a passing screw (13, 13') inserted in adjacent elements (11, 11', 12, 12') of said portions (2, 2', 3, 3').

4. Palette according to claim 3, characterised in that said adjacent elements are constituted by a fork (11, 11') formed in said handling portion (3, 3') in which there is inserted an appendix (12, 12') formed in said gathering portion (2, 2') or vice-versa.

5. Palette according to claim 1, characterised in that said stop means (15) are of the discontinuous type.

6. Palette according to claim 5, characterised in that said stop means of the discontinuous type (15) comprise a plurality of holes (16) formed in said appendix (12) radially with respect to the axis (H) of said pin (13) and by a dead bolt (18) fitted into an axial cavity (17) of said body (8) against the contrast action of a spring (19).

Drawing