Abstract: A two-wheeled hand truck structure incorporates a primary frame, adapted in use to assume a vertically inclined position and having a forwardly projecting, load supporting, nose portion. The frame comprises an open framework with side rails connected by cross rails and at its upper end has a handle portion which can be grasped by the user to propel the truck. The cross rails comprise generally U-shaped plastic bars, each having a base wall portion, spaced apart opposing wall portions extending generally parallelly therefrom, and end wall portions integrally joining the base wall portion and opposing wall portions. Internal rib sections extend integrally from each base wall portion at angles one to another at spaced intervals over the length of the cross rails and integrally join with the opposing wall portions.

Abstract: A two-wheeled hand truck or dolly with an attached stair climber construction which comprises a body member having a retaining flange overhanging both sides of the body, such flange having two portions spaced from one another by a gap. One of the flange portions is tapered adjacent the gap both longitudinally and transversely. The other portion of the flange tapers inwardly from the one edge of the body. A flexible, resilient, C-shaped synthetic plastic wear member removably embraces the flange, and extends the length of the latter.

Abstract: A hand truck having a wheeled upright frame is provided at its lower end with a load-supporting nose member swingable between raised and lowered positions, the nose member being biased to its raised position and provided with detent means for releasably latching the nose member in its lowered position. The nose member is pivoted to the upright frame in such manner that when the nose member is in its lowered, load-supporting position the nose member abuts and is supported by the upright frame member, thereby reinforcing the nose member without the need for external bracing. The upright frame carries an extensible and retractable sub-frame to enable the truck to be used for transporting loads of greatly varying height.

Abstract: A hand truck construction comprising a wheeled, upright frame having at its lower end a load-supporting nose member swingable between raised and lowered positions. The nose member is spring biased to its raised position and the frame and the nose member are provided with a releasable latch mechanism for releasably latching the nose member in its lowered operative, load bearing position. Flexible, reinforcing cables extend between the frame and the nose member to maintain the latter substantially normal to the frame under heavy loads, the connection of the cables being such as to assure movement of the cables to positions inwardly of the sides of the frame in response to movement of the nose member to its raised position, thereby enabling the cables at all times to be maintained within the confines of the frame.

Abstract: A self-storing lift gate assembly for trucks or the like in which a lift platform may be selectively located in an operative load lifting relationship upon a power driven lift linkage or in a compact folded stored position upon the linkage. The platform is so arranged that, when stored, the lift linkage underlies and supports the platform and releasable latch means are engaged between the platform and the assembly frame to retain the platform and linkage in the stored position. The latch means includes one or more pins on the platform which, when the platform is in its operative load lifting relationship relative to the linkage, engage a bed extension plate to establish the upper limit of movement of the platform and to restrain the platform against transverse movement relative to the frame, such as might be encountered during transferring articles between the platform and the load carrying bed of the truck.

Abstract: A two-wheeled hand truck or dolly structure wherein a primary frame is mounted on a pair of wheels and a generally forwardly disposed nose part is connected to project forwardly from the primary frame. The primary frame is made up of side rails connected by cross rails and one of the improvements is concerned with the shape of the side and cross rails which are configured so that they may receive elongate semi-rigid strips bearing information of an advertising or identifying character.