Cart with Movable Cradle

摘要

A cart for transporting a portable tank, such as a tank containing fluid and/or gas is disclosed. The cart enables transportation of large heavy tanks by a single user in a highly ergonomic manner. In an embodiment, the cart comprises a cart frame, wheels coupled to the cart frame, a tank-supporting cradle, a first actuator, a retainer, a control system and a power source. The cradle is movably secured with respect to the cart frame and movable by the first actuator between upright and inclined positions. The tank can be easily transported when the cradle is in the inclined position. The retainer captures the tank on the cradle. A second actuator may be provided to operate the retainer to capture the tank. The control system powered by the power source may operate all aspects of the cart including the first and second actuators.

主权项

1. A cart for transporting a portable tank, the cart comprising:
a cart frame for supporting the cart on a surface; wheels coupled to the cart frame; a tank-supporting cradle movably secured with respect to the cart frame and movable between (1) an upright position in which the cradle is upright with respect to the cart frame and in position for loading of the tank onto the cart and unloading of the tank from the cart, and (2) an inclined position in which the cradle is inclined with respect to the cart frame for supporting the tank during transport; a retainer mounted on the cradle and movable with respect to the cradle into a position which is aligned with a tank lifting element when the cradle is in the upright position to (1) engage the lifting element and load the tank onto the cart when the cradle is moved from the upright position toward the inclined position and (2) disengage the lifting element and unload the tank onto the surface when the cradle is moved from the inclined to the upright position and the tank is on the surface; a first actuator secured with respect to the cart frame and acting on the cradle to move the cradle back and forth with respect to the cart frame between the upright and inclined positions; a control system operative to control the first actuator; and a power source onboard the cart which provides electrical power to the control system and the first actuator.