GB2206061A - A frame structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame structure has a base part 2 and at least two alternative upper parts 4 and 6. Either of the upper parts can be fitted to the base part by connection means 3 and 5. One upper part 4 is adapted to mount a rotatable mixing device 9 on the base part; the other upper part 6 is adapted to mount an open-topped container on the base part 2. A further alternative upper part is adapted to support a garbage bag. <IMAGE>

Description

A FRAME STRUCTURE The invention relates to a frame structure, particularly such a structure which can be used for providing a mixing device, a holding device, and for a storage device. It will be understood that the mixing device may be used for mixing cement, paints, compost, liquids and the like mixable material. The holding device may comprise a device for holding and transporting a load.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which is convertible between the uses described hereinbefore.

According to the invention there is provided a frame structure, comprising a first frame part for standing on a substrat and having connection means adapted for connection with a second frame part, the second frame part having connections means adapted for connection with the connection means of the first frame part, a third frame part having connection means adapted for connection with the connection means of the first frame part, the second frame part having mounting means for mounting a rotatable mixing device and the third frame part having means for mounting a holding device. the arrangement being such that either the second or' third frame parts are mountable on the frame part to provide a frame structure which can provide a mixillg device or a holding device There mav be a fourth frame part having connection means adapted for connection with the connection means of the first frame part, the fourth frame part havillg means for mounting a container with a collapsible neck.

The respective connection means may comprise spigot and socket means.

The spigot means mav comprise free frame end members of the first frame part acid the socket meals may comprise tree frame end members of the second third and fourth frame parts.

The second frame part may comprise spaced transverse frame elements idapt cd to support the mixing device for rotation.

The transverse frame elements may each include respective bearing means for the mixing device.

One of the bearing means may comprise a handle device by which the mixillg device may be rotatable.

The third frame part may comprise spaced lateral frame elements of the structure.

The holding device may comprise connection means adapted for connection with the spaced lateral frame elements.

The connection means of the holding device may comprise elements which are snap-engageable with the spaced lateral frame elements.

The spaced lateral frame elements may be elongate members and snap-engageable elements may comprise roll-lips of the holding device.

The holding device may comprise a realtively rigid open-topped wheel-barrow-type body.

The fourth frame part may comprise aii upright member adapted to mooiit and support the flexible iieck of the container.

The container may be a sack or bag.

The structure may comprise rotatable means for moving the structure over a substrate.

A frame structure embodying the invention is hereinafter described, bv way of example. with reference to the accompaiWiiig drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the frame structure; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the frame structure of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an exploded side elevational view of the frame structure in a different use; and Fig. 4 shows an end elevational view of the frame structure of Fig.

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Referring to the drawings there is shown a frame structure 1 comprising a first frame part 2 tor standing on a substrate and having connection means 3 adapted for connection with a second frame part As the second frame part 4 having connect ion means 5 adapted for connection with the connection means 3 of the first frame part 2. There is a third frame part 6 which has connection means 7 adapted for connection with the connection means 3 of the first frame part 2, the second frame part 2 having mounting means 8 for mounting a rotatable mixing device in the form of a cement-mixer kind. of drum 9.The third frame part 6 has means 10 for mounting a holding device in the form of a relatively rigid open-topped device like a wheel-barrow body 11. The second or third frame parts 4 and 6 are mountable on the first frame part 2 to provide the frame structure 1 which can provide a mixing device or a holding device.

The first frame part 2 comprises two spaced tubular frame elements 12 secured rigidly together by stay members 13 and rigidified by handle members 14. Tne first frame part 2 ia further rigidlled by cross-members R1 immediatelv below the front and rear connection means 3. There are wheels 15 by which the frame member may be rendered mobile over the surface.

The frame elements terminate in upwardly (as viewed directed connection means in the form of spigot members.

The second frame part 4 comprises transverse tubular frame elements 10. the connection means 5 being in ahe form of downwardly directed socket elements which are complementary with the spigot members 3.

The second frame part 4 is rigidified by the drum 9 which extends between and is supported by the transverse tubular frame members 10. The drum 9 has four handles 32 mounted around the widest part of its periphery by which it can be rotated about its axis. One frame member 16 mounts rotatable bearing discs 18 for a narrow end of the drum and the other of which mounts a triangular plate 19 which supports by means of three rotatable discs 22 a bearing 21 centrally mounted on the axis of rotation of the drum 9. The bearing 21 bears on the other three rotatable discs 22.The top disc 22 is mounted in a vertical slot 5o up which lt is withdrawn tr 1low the drum O and its bearing 21 to be removed and down which it falls to retain the bearing 21 from axial movement.

The third frame part 6 comprises lateral frame members 23 of the structure which are tubular and which have connection means which are in use downwardly directed socket members 7. The lateral members 25 are of U-shape, the limbs of which are on two parts 24 and 25 connected together by spigot and socket connections 26. The webs 27 of each 'U' are in use horizontal and provide in use mounting means by which clip- or snap- on roll edges 28 of the wheel-barrow kind of container 11 are snap-engaged with the third frame part 6.

There is a fourth frame part, not shown, which has frame elements having connection means in the form of downwardly open sockets for receiving the spigots of the first frame part. The fourth frame part has an upright support member fec mounting and supporting the collapsible neck of a container such as a sack or bag for example a polythene rubbish or garbage bag.

In use either the second, third or fourth frame parts 4 or 6 are mounted on the first frame part to provide a frame structure which is either a mixing device a wheel-barrow device, or a dust-bin or garbage storing device. The frame structure 1 is easily convertible between the different uses by removing one of the second, third or fourth frame parts from the first frame part by disconnecting the respective connection means by lifting the particular frame part 4 or 6 from the first frame part 2, and mounting another of the frame parts on the first frame part by offering up the sockets to the spigots and engaging one with the other.

The complete structure, in whichever use or mode it is employed, can be wheeled using the handles 14 and wheels 15. In the mixer use, the drum 9 is rotated using the handles 32 to mix material in the driim 0, the drum being supported bv the discs 22. which rotate therewith.

The drum may be rotated by a motor device, (not shozzli such as an electric motor.

In an alternative embodiment, the dpu-. 9 has a single handle, attached to the axial shaft one the side of the bearing 21 remote from the main part of the drum 9. The peripheral handles 32 illustrated give better purchase.

Claims (17)

1. A frame structure, comprising a first frame part for standing on a substrate and having connection means adapted for connection with a second frame part, the second frame part having connection means adapted for connection with the connection means of the first frame part, a third frame part having connection means adapted for connection with the connection means of the first frame part the second frame part havitig mounting meats for mounting a rotatable mixillg device and the third frame part having means for mounting a holding device the arrangement being such that either the second or third frame partsare mountable on the first frame part to provide a frame structure which can provide a mixing device or a holding device.

2. A structure according to Claim 1, including a fourth frame part having connection means adapted for connection with the connection means of the first frame part, the fourth frame part having means for mounting a container with a collapsible neck.

A A structure according to either preceding Claim. the respective connection means comprising spigot and socket means.

4. A structure according to Claim 3, the spigot means comprising free frame end members of the frame part and the socker means comprising free frame fetid members of the second third atid fourth frame parts.

5. A structure according to any preceding Claim, the second frame part comprising spaced transverse frame elements adapted to support the mixing device for rotation.

6. A A structure according to Claim 5. the transverse frame elements each including respective bearitig means for the mixing device.

7. A A structure according to any preceding claim wherein the mixing device comprises a handle device by which it is rotatable.

8. A structure according to any of Claims 1 to 4, the third frame part comprising spaced lateral frame elements of the structure.

9. A structure according to Claim 8, the holding device comprising connection means adapted for connection with the spaced lateral frame elements.

10. A structure according to Claim 9. the connection means of the holding device comprising elements which are snap-engageable with the spaced lateral frame elements.

11. A structure according to Claim iC, the spaced lateral frame elements being elongate members and snap-engageable elements comrisincr: roll-lips of the holding device.

12. A structure according to Claim 11, the holding device comprising a relatively rigid open-topped wieel-barrow-type body.

13. A structure according to any of Claims 1 to A, the fourth frame part comprising an upright member adapted to mount and support the flexible neck of the container.

14. A structure according to Claim 13, the container being a sack or bag.

15. A structure according to any preceding Claim, comprising rotatable means for moving the structure over a substrate.

16. A structure according to Claim 16, including handle means for guiding the structure.

17. A frame structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.