Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to trolleys for facilitation of transportation and emptying of cassettes, such as those used to collect waste matter for disposal from toilets in recreation vehicles (RVs) and caravans.

Background to the Invention

RVs and caravans may be provided with built in toilets, installed for use by occupants. However, mobile homes, RVs and caravans cannot, by their nature, be connected to permanent plumbing. Mobile homes, RVs and caravans may be temporarily connected to plumbing at camping sites when that is provided. However, such connection requires the RV or caravan user to plumb the toilet themselves, which may be undesirable and may also be unsanitary. Accordingly, the most common types of toilet arrangements for RVs and caravans do not involve direct connection to plumbing facilities.

Waste holding tanks may be used to hold the waste until it can be disposed of. As a suitable disposal site may not be accessible directly from the RV or caravan, removable waste receiving cassettes may be used in mobile homes, RVs or caravans instead. These removable cassettes collect waste from the toilet, for later disposal. Such cassettes allow the waste to be contained in a sealed container until the cassette can be removed from the RV or caravan, emptied and replaced. Two common types of toilets using cassettes are portable toilets such as the "Porta Potti" type sold by Thetford and the "BI-POT" sold by Fiamma, and permanently installed cassette toilets, such as the "Thetford Cassette Toilet".

In portable toilets of the type mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the lower part of the toilet is in the form of a cassette, which when full is detached from the upper part and carried to a disposal site for emptying. In the case of installed cassette toilets, an exterior hatch in the side of the RV or caravan is provided through which the cassette can be slid substantially horizontally before being moved to a disposal site for emptying. Cassettes may hold around fifteen to twenty-five litres of waste, and, generally, they must be tipped on their end in order to be emptied. Therefore, when full, cassettes can weigh up to twenty-five kilograms and can be difficult to handle and

empty. This is a problem especially when a waste disposal site is located some distance from the RV or caravan.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet cassette trolley including: a frame with wheels; and a cassette support structure pivotably mounted on the frame and moveable between a receiving orientation, in which a cassette may be placed substantially horizontally in the cassette support structure, and an emptying orientation, from which a cassette in the cassette support structure may be emptied, wherein the frame is height-adjustable.

Such an arrangement allows the trolley to be adjusted until the cassette support structure is the correct height to receive a cassette from, for example, an RV or caravan by sliding the cassette out of an external hatch in the side of the RV or caravan and onto the cassette support structure.

Preferably, when in the receiving orientation, the cassette support structure is arranged to allow a cassette to be slid into it substantially horizontally. This makes it easy to control the movement of the cassette and slide the cassette between the RV or caravan and the cassette support structure, as the cassette does not fall under its weight, either into or out of the cassette support structure.

Preferably, the trolley is collapsible into a stowed configuration. This allows the trolley to be stowed in a small area when it is not in use, without taking up all of the space it requires when in use. Preferably, the frame includes two leg arrangements, pivotably mounted to one another in a scissor configuration, and the cassette support structure can be raised and lowered by changing the relative angle between the two leg arrangements. This provides an easy way of changing the height of the cassette support structure, without complex mechanisms or machinery to raise and lower the cassette support structure relative to the ground. Preferably the trolley collapses into a stowed configuration, and the stowed configuration is achieved by pivoting the leg arrangements and the cassette support structure until they are substantially parallel.

Preferably, the cassette support structure includes a carriage, including an underside support and lateral retaining means for holding a cassette in the carriage,

wherein one side of the carriage is open to receive a cassette slid into the cassette support structure when in the receiving orientation.

Preferably, the cassette support structure is arranged to be rotated by approximately 90 ^Q between the receiving and emptying orientations. This allows the cassette to be received in an orientation in which it does not empty, and subsequently reoriented so that it can be emptied when it has been positioned appropriately. In this case, the open side of the cassette support structure is preferably arranged to be substantially at the top of the cassette support structure when it is in the emptying orientation. This means that the cassette does not fall out of the open side when the cassette support structure is in the emptying orientation.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet cassette trolley including: a frame with wheels, the frame including two leg arrangements, pivotably mounted to one another in a scissor configuration, a cassette support structure pivotably mounted on a top end of one of the leg arrangements and moveable between a receiving orientation, in which a cassette may be placed substantially horizontally in the cassette support structure, and an emptying orientation, from which a cassette in the cassette support structure may be emptied, wherein the trolley is height-adjustable by means of altering the orientation of the two leg arrangements relative to each other, and wherein the trolley collapses into a stowed configuration, with the stowed configuration being achieved by pivoting the leg arrangements and the cassette support structure until they are substantially parallel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawings does not supersede the generality of the foregoing description of the invention. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a trolley according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2a shows a further perspective view of the trolley of Figure 1 ;

Figure 2b shows a detail of the trolley shown in Figure 2a;

Figure 3a shows a perspective view of the trolley Figures 1 and 2 holding a cassette;

Figure 3b shows a side view of the trolley shown in Figure 3a;

Figure 4 shows different configurations of the trolley of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5a shows a perspective view of the trolley of Figure 3a in an alternative configuration;

Figure 5b shows a side view of the trolley shown in Figure 3a;

Figure 6 shows the trolley of Figures 1 to 5 as it is being folded down into a stowed configuration. Figure 7 shows the trolley of Figure 6 in a stowed configuration.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a trolley 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The trolley 1 includes a frame 10 and a cassette support structure in the form of a carriage 50. The frame 10 includes first and second substantially rectangular leg arrangements 12, 22. The first leg arrangement 12 includes first and second substantially parallel spars 14a, 14b, and distal and proximal cross-braces 18, 20, perpendicular to the spars 14a,b and parallel to one another. The spars 14a, 14b are the same length and are longer than the cross-braces 18, 20, which are also the same length. The second leg arrangement 22 includes third and fourth spars 24a, 24b, each the same length, and distal and proximal cross-braces 28, 30, each the same length, perpendicular to the spars 24a,b and parallel to one another. Once again the spars 24a, 24b are longer than the cross-braces 28, 30.

The cross-braces 28, 30 of the second leg arrangement 22 are slightly shorter than those of the first leg arrangement 12. This allows the second leg arrangement 22 to fit through the first leg arrangement 12 inside spars 14a, 14b. The two leg arrangements 12, 22 are pivotably joined to one another approximately midway along their respective spars 14a,b, 24a,b.

Mounted on each of the spars 14a, 14b of the first leg arrangement 12, is a 90 ^Q bracket 32a, 32b, each of which is positioned to abut the corresponding spar of the second leg arrangement 22. The brackets 32a,b prevent the two leg arrangements 12, 22 from pivoting away from parallel to each other by more than a predetermined amount. The two leg arrangements 12, 22 therefore give the frame 10 an 'X' shape when viewed from the side.

At a distal end of each spar 14a,b, 24a,b, a pair of wheels 34a,b, 36a,b is provided, mounted on axles parallel to the pivot axis between the two leg arrangements 12, 22. The wheels 34a,b 36a,b allow the trolley 1 to be rolled along the surface on which the frame 10 stands. A handle 40 is provided, which is mounted on each of the spars 14a,b of the first leg arrangement 12, in the region of their proximal ends. The handle 40 extends substantially parallel to the spars 14a,b, beyond their proximal ends. The handle 40 is pivotably mounted on the spars 14a,b, so that it can be rotated by around 180 ^Q to be parallel to and adjacent to the first and second spars 14a,b. Two retaining catches 42, 44 each can releasably encircle one of the spars 14a,b at their proximal end, and also encircle the handle 40. The retaining catches 42, 44 can therefore be used to hold the handle 40 parallel to the spars 14a,b and extending further than the spars 14a,b.

Also at the proximal end of the first leg arrangement 12, the carriage 50 is pivotably mounted on the first leg arrangement 12 by pivotal mounting of the proximal cross-brace 20 on the first leg arrangement 12.

The first leg arrangement proximal cross-brace 20 also forms part of the carriage 50. Three identical mutually parallel bars, in the form of two lateral bars 52a, 52c equally laterally spaced from central bar 52b extend away from the first leg arrangement proximal cross-brace 20, perpendicular thereto. At the distal end of the bars 52a,b,c, a cross bar 54 is attached to the bars 52a,b,c. The cross bar 54 extends substantially parallel to the first leg arrangement proximal cross-brace 20. The ends 54a, 54b of the cross bar 54 are bent to become perpendicular to both the cross bar 54 and the bars 52a,b,c.

The carriage 50 further includes two struts 56a, 56b, attached to the first leg arrangement proximal cross-brace 20 and extending away from the cross-brace 20 parallel to the bent ends 54a, 54b of the cross bar 54. At the distal ends of the struts 56a, 56b, a 'U' shaped side bar 58 is provided. The side bar 58 has a central region parallel to the cross-brace 20. Extending in the same direction as and parallel to the bars 52 are two lateral extensions. Each lateral extension is joined to both a strut 56 and one of the ends 54a,b of the cross bar 54. The bars 52 therefore provide a base to the carriage 50, and the side bar 58 provides lateral sides and a rear retainer for the carriage 50.

Extending further along the axis of central bar 52b on the other side of cross bar 54 is a bump stop 59.

Figure 2a shows a further perspective view of the trolley 1 of Figure 1 , and Figure 2b shows a detail from Figure 2a. As can be seen from Figure 2b, central bar 52b has a plurality of hooks 60 extending outwardly away from the axis of the central bar, away from the carriage 50 towards the frame 10. These hooks 60 are arranged to abut cross- brace 30, and prevent it from sliding along central bar 52b. Each hook 60 therefore supports the frame 10 in one of a number of configurations, in each of which the carriage 50 is at a different height above the ground. In all positions of the frame 10 while the hooks 60 of the carriage 50 lock with the second leg arrangement proximal cross brace 30, the carriage 50 is in the same receiving orientation, i.e. with its base (bars 52) substantially parallel to the ground. The carriage height can be adjusted by pushing the two leg arrangements 12, 22, towards being parallel with one another, until the hook 60, on which the second leg arrangement proximal cross-brace 30 has been abutting, is clear. By choosing which of the hooks 60, the second leg arrangement proximal brace 30 abuts under gravity, the height of the carriage 50 above the ground can be adjusted to a number of different positions.

The orientation of front hook 61 differs from that of hooks 60. Front hook 61 prevents carriage 50 from raising in height until the carriage is raised above cross-brace 30. This reduces the likelihood of inadvertent height changes occurring while the trolley is in transportation mode. Figure 3a shows the trolley 1 of the present embodiment carrying a cassette 70 on the carriage 50. The cassette 70 is retained in the carriage 50 by the 'U' shaped side bar 58, which, in the present embodiment, matches the dimensions of the cassette 70. The cassette 70 can be slid into and out of the carriage 50 substantially horizontally along the top of the bars 52a,b,c (shown in Figure 1 ). In use, the trolley 1 is wheeled until it is aligned with the exterior hatch of an RV or caravan, for example. Figure 3b, shows a side view of the trolley 1 of Figure 3a, with the cassette 70 in the carriage 50. The trolley 1 can then be wheeled, with the cassette 70 in the carriage 50, to a disposal site, where the cassette 70 can be emptied.

The vertical adjustment allows the carriage 50 to be positioned to receive a cassette 70 substantially horizontally for a range of different heights of cassette storage. Figure 4 shows three different positions of the frame 10, providing three different heights for the carriage 50. This is useful as different RVs or caravans 100, in the present embodiment (although it will be appreciated that the trolley could be used in any situation where a cassette or the like is used), have different heights above the ground.

Additionally, if the RV or caravan 100 is positioned on an upward slope, the relative height of the front and back of the RV or caravan 100 from the ground will be different. This will alter the height of an exterior hatch 1 10 in the RV or caravan 100 through which the cassette 70 is removed. The adjustability of height of the carriage 50 allows a cassette 70 to be slid out of an exterior 1 10 hatch despite such differences.

Once the cassette 70 is in the carriage 50, a strap 80 is attached to the 'U' shaped cross bar 58 on both sides, to hold the cassette 70 in the carriage 50.

Figure 5a shows a perspective view of the trolley 1 of the present embodiment with the carriage 50 in an orientation where the cassette 70 carried in the carriage 50 can be emptied. In this Figure, the carriage 50 has been rotated about first leg arrangement cross-brace 20, by around 90 ^Q . The cassette 50 is held in the carriage by detachable strap 80 attached to the carriage 50. Over rotation of the carriage 50 is prevented by the cassette abutting the handle 40 of the trolley 1. The cassette 70 includes a dispensing spout 75, which is rotated out of its stowed position, to point downwardly and allow the waste to flow out of the cassette 70. The waste flows out of the cassette 70 under the effect of gravity. As the carriage 50 is rotated, the second leg arrangement proximal cross-brace 30 no longer abuts any of the hooks (60 in Figure 2b). The frame 10 is therefore moved to its lowest position, in which brackets 32a,b prevent further relative rotation of the first and second leg arrangements 12, 22, before the carriage 50 is rotated. This corresponds with the lowest position of the carriage 50 above the ground, which serves to reduce splashing as the waste falls from the cassette as it is emptied.

Figure 5b shows a side view of the orientation of the carriage 50 shown in Figure 5a. The carriage 50 is rotated by lifting the carriage handle 59. The spout 75 of the cassette 70 extends beyond the wheels 36 of the frame attached to the first and second spars 14. This allows the cassette 70 to be discharged into a normal toilet 120, or a designated discharge site, without the need for a special toilet to allow the frame to travel further underneath the toilet 120. The cassette 70 is retained against further rotation of the carriage 50 by the handle 40. If the cassette 70 is particularly heavy relative to the trolley 1 , the second leg arrangement proximal cross brace 30 can be held down, or weight attached thereto, in order to counterbalance the cassette 70. A brake may be added on wheels 36a,b to prevent the trolley from moving. The brake may be engaged when a cassette is being loaded onto the trolley and when a cassette is being discharged, and the brake may be disengaged when the trolley is being moved.

Figure 6 shows the trolley 1 of the present embodiment being folded down into a stowed configuration, and Figure 7 shows the trolley in its stowed position. The retaining catches 42, 44 have been released, allowing handle 40 to rotate down through 180 ^Q , to be substantially parallel to the first and second spars 14a, 14b. The two leg arrangements 12, 22 have been relatively rotated towards being parallel to one another so as to flatten the frame 10. Additionally, after the leg arrangements 12, 22 were brought together, the carriage 50 has been rotated about first leg arrangement proximal cross-brace 20, so that the bars 54 are substantially parallel to the leg arrangements 12,

22. Holding strap 80 can wrap around and secure the trolley in folded-up mode ready for transportation.

A specific example of an embodiment of the invention has been described above, purely by way of example, and various changes, additions, and modifications may be made to the description without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.