Wheelbarrow dump ramp

Abstract

The present invention is a wheelbarrow dump ramp. It provides a novel apparatus that can be removably attached to the side of a dumpster and may include a ramp for wheeling the wheelbarrow up to the level of the dumpster opening. The present invention further provides a recessed tire drop near the top of the ramp such that the front wheel of the wheelbarrow drops partially through the tire drop and movement of the wheelbarrow forward into the dumpster, or backward down the ramp, is resisted. The wheelbarrow can then be tilted forward and the contents dumped into the dumpster. The present invention may further provide one or more stop members that keep the wheelbarrow from being over-tipped and falling into the dumpster.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This patent application claims priority back to Provisional Patent Application No. 60/315,174, filed Aug. 28, 2001. Applicant's invention relates to a device for a wheelbarrow dump ramp. More particularly it relates to an apparatus that allows the user to wheel a standard, single-front wheel wheelbarrow up an incline ramp so that the wheelbarrow's contents may be deposited in a dumpster.

[0003] 2. Background Information

[0004] Conventional wheelbarrows exist in many forms and designs and are used to manually transport all sorts of materials and debris. Often, it is desirable to deposit the transported debris into a large dumpster for disposal. The difficulty lies in that such dumpsters are made to hold large amounts of materials and are, therefore, large containers. Generally, the openings for such dumpsters are on the top surface, or at a level well above the area where a wheelbarrow's contents are deposited upon tilting the wheelbarrow. This necessitates that the contents of the wheelbarrow be removed from the wheelbarrow to be placed into the dumpster, the wheelbarrow be lifted to a height adequate to allow the contents to be dumped from the wheelbarrow into the dumpster, or another means be created to move the contents from the wheelbarrow to the dumpster.

[0005] While this can create a difficulty for users who must occasionally dump the contents from wheelbarrows into dumpsters, there are many situations where users are required to repeatedly make such dumps. For example, construction sites regularly have dumpsters on site and personnel must regularly transport debris from the working area to the dumpster. Another instance of regular dumping is horse and farm applications. Because stalls and pens must be cleaned on a regular basis and the waste material disposed of on a regular basis, dumping from a wheelbarrow to a dumpster can be a necessity. In fact, some state and local ordinances require regular dumping of waste material into appropriate dumpster receptacles.

[0006] In such instances that require consistent and repeated dumping from a wheelbarrow to a dumpster, getting the debris from the wheelbarrow to the dumpster can be a problem. As discussed above, users generally have two choices, being: removing the material from the wheelbarrow and moving it to the dumpster such as by use of a shovel, or a user must raise the wheelbarrow to the level of dumpster opening. Both of these options can be extremely time consuming and, if the wheelbarrow is lifted manually, then the weight of the dumpster and debris can be the cause of injuries to the users.

[0007] Thus, there is a need for a device to make the dumping of debris from a wheelbarrow into a large dumpster easier, less time consuming, and less likely to cause injury to the user. Additionally, it would be advantageous for such an apparatus to be moveable from one dumpster to another, for the apparatus to facilitate the dumping of debris from the wheelbarrow by providing a means that makes tipping the wheelbarrow easier, and providing a means to keep the wheelbarrow under the control of the user such that the wheelbarrow itself is not tipped into the dumpster.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is a wheelbarrow dump ramp. It provides a novel apparatus that can be removably attached to the side of a dumpster and may include a ramp for wheeling the wheelbarrow up to the level of the dumpster opening. The present invention further provides a recessed tire drop near the top of the ramp such that the front wheel of the wheelbarrow drops partially through the tire drop and movement of the wheelbarrow forward into the dumpster, or backward down the ramp, is resisted. The wheelbarrow can then be tilted forward and the contents dumped into the dumpster. The present invention may further provide one or more stop members that keep the wheelbarrow from being over-tipped and falling into the dumpster.

[0009] It is an objective of the present invention to provide:

[0010] a. a ramp apparatus for wheeling a wheelbarrow up to the level of the opening of a dumpster;

[0011] b. an apparatus that is removably attachable to a variety of dumpsters;

[0012] c. a fixed or removable ramp;

[0013] d. a means for stopping forward progress of the front tire of the wheelbarrow at a specified point;

[0014] e. a solid base upon which the wheelbarrow lip can be rested for tilting the wheelbarrow forward and dumping the contents;

[0015] f. means for stopping the wheelbarrow from tilting too far forward and falling into the dumpster; and

[0016] g. an apparatus that is easy to use, saves time, and reduces injury to users.

[0017] In order to solve the difficulties presented in attempting to obtain these features, a dump ramp apparatus has been developed which provides for all of the above. Specifically, the present invention provides for a device that includes a ramp, tire drop, dump plate, and stop members. The present invention is removably attached to the dumpster so that the dump ramp can be removed from the dumpster for dumping into multiple receptacles, or for when the dumpsters are to be moved or emptied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1. is a perspective view of the present invention with the ramp removed.

[0019] FIG. 2. is a front view of the present invention with the ramp removed.

[0020] FIG. 3. is a partial perspective view of the tire drop of the present invention with the ramp in place.

[0021] FIG. 4. is a side view of the present invention with the ramp in place.

[0022] FIG. 5. is a perspective view of the present invention with the ramp in place and a wheelbarrow on the ramp.

[0023] FIG. 6. is a perspective view of the present invention and wheelbarrow.

[0024] FIG. 7. is a perspective view of the present invention and wheelbarrow.

[0025] FIG. 8. is a perspective view of the present invention and wheelbarrow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 shows the present invention attached to a dumpster (100). The dump ramp (2) is comprised of a frame (34) made from upright frame members (16), a bottom frame member (28), and a dump plate (20). Extending generally horizontally from the frame (34) is a tire drop (12). The tire drop (12) is comprised of a tire drop back member (12A), tire drop side members (12B), and a tire drop front member (12C). The tire drop 12 circumscribes an aperture sized to receive a portion of the front tire or wheel (108) of a wheelbarrow (104). The tire drop (12) may be supported by brace members (18). The entire drop front member (12C) has a first ramp connection member (14) that is removably connectable to a second ramp connection member (30) attached to a ramp (32). The tire drop (12) is positioned on the frame (34) such that when the wheel (108) of the wheelbarrow (104) partially drops into the aperture of the tire drop (12), the front rim (106) of the wheelbarrow (104) is positioned over the dump plate (20) of the dump ramp (2). This allows the rim (106) of the wheelbarrow (104) to be supported by the dump plate 20 as the wheelbarrow (104) is tilted forward and the contents (not shown) are deposited into the dumpster (100). In order that the wheelbarrow (104) does not slide along the dump plate (20), or over-tilts and falls into the dumpster (100), stop members (22) are attached to the dump ramp (2) and extend above the dump plate (20). The dump ramp (2) is removably attached to the dumpster (100) by means of a top hanger (24) that is attached to the dumpster lip (102) of the dumpster (100). Further, foot members (26) are attached to the frame (34) near the bottom frame member (28) in order that the frame (34) remains substantially perpendicular to the ground.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the dump ramp (2). It attaches to the dumpster (100) by the top hanger (24) to the dumpster lip (102). FIG. 2 clearly shows the orientation of the dump plate (200) in regard to the stop members (22). It further shows the support of the tire drop (12) by the base members (18). While the tire drop (12) is shown at a specific point along the upright frame member (16) and the brace members (18) are shown attached to the tire drop (12) and the upright frame members (16) and at the bottom frame (28), this is not a requirement and the tire drop (12) can be attached to the frame (34) at any point along the upright frame member (16) such that the distance from the tire drop (12) to the dump plate. (20) is substantially the same as or slightly less than the height of the wheelbarrow (104).

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the connection of the ramp (32) to the tire drop (12). The first ramp connection member (14) is removably connected to the second ramp connection member (30) which is connected to the ramp (32). This allows the wheel (108) of the wheelbarrow (104) to be rolled up the ramp (32) and the wheel (108) partially inserted into the tire drop (12) where further rolling forward or backward is resisted. In this manner, a user (not shown) will not have the wheelbarrow (104) accidentally roll back down the ramp (32).

[0029] FIG. 4 is a side view of the dump ramp (2). It further shows the orientation of the frame (34). The foot members (26) rest against the side of the dumpster (100) maintaining the substantially perpendicular orientation of the dump ramp (2) to the ground. This further maintains the substantially parallel orientation of the tire drop (12) to the ground. FIG. 4 further shows the brace members (18) supporting the tire drop (12). The ramp (32) is removably attached to the dump ramp (2) by the second ramp connection member (30) to the first ramp connection member (14) at the tire drop front member (12C).

[0030] FIGS. 5 through 8 are additional views of the present invention showing its usage. In FIG. 5, a wheelbarrow (104) is shown rolling up the ramp (32). FIG. 6 shows the wheelbarrow tire (108) having engaged with the tire drop (12) of the present invention (2). FIGS. 7 and 8 show the wheelbarrow (104) being tilted over the dump plate (20) of the present invention (2).

[0031] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A dump ramp assembly for wheelbarrows for facilitating unloading of the contents of the wheelbarrows into a dumpster, said dump ramp comprising:

a frame, said frame removably attachable to said dumpster;

a tire drop attached to said frame, said tire drop having an aperture sized to partially engage a wheel from said wheelbarrow;

a first connection member attached to said tire drop and removably attachable to a second connection member;

said second connection member attached to a ramp;

a dump plate attached to said frame;

a stop member attached to said frame extending above said dumpster such that said wheelbarrow does not enter said dumpster.