GB2111022A - Support bracket for a container wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheel support bracket for a refuse or other container to be conveyed over the ground and lifted by a forklift truck comprises a first plate-like element 4 which in use projects outwardly of the container and substantially horizontally and mounts a castor 9, or the like, a second plate-like element 2 spaced from and parallel to the first element 4 and a third plate-like element 3 extending between the first and second elements 2, 4 whereby in use of the bracket the tines of a forklift truck may be received vertically between the first and second elements 2, 4 and horizontally between the third element 3 and the container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dual purpose support bracket The invention relates to a dual purpose support bracket for articles that are to be conveyed over the ground and lifted buy a forklift truck, the articles being particularly but not exclusively refuse containers having a bottom opening.

According to the invention there is provided a support bracket for attachment to a refuse container and comprising a first plate-like element which in use project outwardly of the container and substantially horizontally and provides a mounting for a castor, wheel, roller or the like, a second plate-like element spaced from and parallel to the first element, a third plate-like element extending between and being integral with or secured to the first and second elements whereby in use of the bracket the tines of a forklift truck may be received vertically between the first and second elements and horizontally between the third element and the container.

Means may be provided for attaching the bracket to the container.

The first element may be provided with holes for the fixing thereto of the castor, wheel, roller or the like, and the attachment means may be such as to enable the bracket to be secured to the base or the side or both the base and the side of the container.

The bracket may further comprise a fourth platelike element parallel to and spaced from the third element and being integral with or secured to the first and second elements and being for positioning against a side of the container in use. The bracket may further comprise a strut extending in use upwardly and inwardly from the outer edge of the second element to the side of the container.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show alternative embodiment each in perspective view.

In the simple form shown in Figure 1 the bracket comprises a rectangle of steel plate bent transversely at three positions along its length to define respective portions 1,2,3 and 4.

When attached in use to a container having sloping sides, the portion 2 of the bracket projects outwardly from the side of the container and substantially horizontally. When the container is to be lifted, the tines of a fork lift truck are inserted beneath the portion 2 and raised to engage the underside of the portion.

Portion 3 is substantially vertical and of such height that the spacing between the portions 2 and 4 is sufficient for the entry of the tines therebetween.

The lower portion 4 comprises a square portion 4a underlying portion 2 and and a further portion 4b underlying the container 5. The portion 4a is provided with holes 8 for the fixing of a castor 9 to the underside of the bracket, whilst portion 4b is provided with holes 10 for the passage of bolts or screws for securing to the underside of the container.

The portion 1 is inclined to the vertical at an angle which matches the slope of the side of the container and it is provided with holes 11 for the passage of bolts or screws for fixing the portion to the side of the container.

In use of brackets provided with castors and attached to opposed sides adjacent to each of four corners of the container, the container can be conveyed over the ground on the castors, which in orther embodiments may be replaced by wheels, rollers or the like, whilst when it is required to lift the container, the tines of a forklift truck may be inserted vertically between the portions 2 and 4a of the bracket and horizontally between portion 3 of the bracket and the lower part of sides of the container.

The lateral projection of the portion 2 and its elevation from the ground by reason of the depth of the castor 9 and the portion 3 enable the drive of the truck clearly to see where he is to insert the fork, and the arrangement is an improvement over previous arrangements in which the fork had to be introduced under the base 7 of the container.

Whilst the bracket as shown in Figure 1 is made out of one plate of steel suitably bent, it is to be understood that a similar bracket may be made from two or more flat plates welded together to the shape shown. It is also to be understood that, for use with a container having vertical sides, the portion 1 of the bracket will itself be vertical. As an alternative to forming the bracket of steel, it may be formed of anodised aluminium alloy, of plastics or of other suitable material. If made of steel, the bracket may be galvanized and, if the container is also of steel, may be secured to the container by welding.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, numerals 1, 2, 3, 4a and 4b represent similar elements as in the Figure 1 embodiment. The bracket further comprises a diagonal strut 12 extending from the outer edge of portion 2 or upper edge of portion 3 upwardly and inwardly towards where a container will be in use of the bracket and at its top edge is integral with or secured to the upper edge of portion 1. The strut 12 provides extra support for the container when support either by a castor mounted under the portion 4a or by the tine of a forklift truck when engaging the underside of portion 2.

The bracket further comprises a vertical wall 13 having holes 14 for the passage of bolts for securing the wall to the side of the container. The wall 13 is particularly desirable if the container is constructed of weak material such as plastics in that in this embodiment any inadvertant inward mis-alignment of the tines of a forklift truck will be resisted by the wall 13 which, in a situation where this advantage is required, will be of stronger material than that of the container. As required by the shape of the container, the portion 1 may be vertical or the wall 13 may be inclined.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is similar to that of Figure 2, the difference being that the portion 4b, which is arranged as before to underly the container, is in the plane of the portion 2 instead of being coplanar with portion 4a. By this arrangement the container is elevated from the ground when supported by a caster mounted under portion 4a by the additional height of the portions 3 and 13.

The embodiment shown in Figure 4 is likewise similar to that shown in Figure 2, but in this embodiment the portion 4b is stepped downwardly from portion 4a by the distance of the step 14.

In a further embodiment, the portion 4b of the construction shown in Figure 4 is dispensed with altogether as shown in Figure 5, or may at least be substantially foreshortened so as not to project so far under the container, and the portion 14 may be provided with holes for securing to the side of the container. This construction is particularly suitable for use with a container having a bottom opening which might be obstructed by an element 4b underlying the container to a considerable distance from the edge thereof.

CLAIMS (Filed on 10.11.82) 1. A support bracket for attachment to a container and comprising a first plate-like element which in use projects outwardly of the container and substantially horizontally and provides a mounting for a castor, wheel, roller or the like, a second plate-like element spaced from and parallel to the first element, a third plate-like element extending between and being integral with or secured to the first and second elements whereby in use of the bracket the tines of a forklift truck may be received vertically between the first and second elements and horizontally between the third element and the container.

2. A support bracket according to Claim 1 wherein the first element is provides with holes for the fixing thereto of a castor, wheel, roller or the like.

3. A support bracket according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the first element mounts a castor, wheel, roller or the like.

4. A support bracket according to Claim 1,2 or 3, further comprising means may for attaching the bracket to the container.

5. A support bracket according to Claim 4 wherein the attachment means are such as to enable the bracket to be secured to the base or the side or both the base and the side of the container.

6. A support bracket according to any one of the preceding Claims, further comprising a fourth platelike element parallel to and spaced from the third element, being integral with or secured to the first and second elements and being for positioning against a side of the container in use.

7. A support bracket according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the bracket further comprises a strut extending in use upwardly in use upwardly and inwardly from the outer edge of the second element to the side of the container.

8. A support bracket for a container substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

9. A container provided with at least two support brackets according to any one of the preceding

Claims (1)

1. Claims.