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WO2018150238A1 - Cash trolley - Google Patents

Cash trolley Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018150238A1
WO2018150238A1 PCT/IB2017/057539 IB2017057539W WO2018150238A1 WO 2018150238 A1 WO2018150238 A1 WO 2018150238A1 IB 2017057539 W IB2017057539 W IB 2017057539W WO 2018150238 A1 WO2018150238 A1 WO 2018150238A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
pin
condition
trolley
cash
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2017/057539
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gabriel Ignatius DIEDERICKS
Hendrik Daniel BAUERMEISTER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Purepro Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Purepro Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Purepro Pty Ltd filed Critical Purepro Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2018150238A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018150238A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B37/00—Wheel-axle combinations, e.g. wheel sets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2900/00—Purpose of invention
    • B60B2900/30—Increase in
    • B60B2900/331—Safety or security
    • B60B2900/3318—Safety or security by theft prevention
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05G—SAFES OR STRONG-ROOMS FOR VALUABLES; BANK PROTECTION DEVICES; SAFETY TRANSACTION PARTITIONS
    • E05G1/00—Safes or strong-rooms for valuables
    • E05G1/005—Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to trolleys, and, in particular, cash trolleys.
  • Cash trolleys for transporting bank notes and other valuables are well known in the art. They generally comprise a strengthened or reinforced case or housing for holding the notes/valuables, the case being fitted to wheels to facilitate movement. A handle is typically also provided to allow the case to be pulled/pushed in the intended direction.
  • a spoiling agent dispenser may be activated if/when a thief attempts to break open the case, which causes the spoiling agent to spoil, damage or irreversibly mark the notes/valuables in the case.
  • a thief attempts to break open the case, which causes the spoiling agent to spoil, damage or irreversibly mark the notes/valuables in the case.
  • a cash trolley comprising: a housing arranged to carry or transport bank notes and other valuables; a carrier arrangement fitted proximate the bottom of the housing to enable the housing to be pulled or pushed by an authorised person; and disabling means which, upon activation, disables the carrier arrangement, so as to prevent or severely hinder further movement of the housing.
  • the carrier arrangement includes a pair of wheels on opposite sides of the housing, with the disabling means being arranged to decouple the wheels from the housing.
  • the disabling means is arranged to totally separate or eject the wheels away from the housing.
  • the disabling means comprises: a movable arm arrangement that can be moved between an enabled condition, in which the wheels are coupled to the housing, to allow the housing to be pushed or pulled, and a disabled condition, in which the wheels are decoupled from the housing, to prevent any further movement of the housing; an actuator to move the arm arrangement from the enabled condition to the disabled condition; and a decoupling mechanism for at least one wheel to decouple the wheel from the housing.
  • the movable arm arrangement is pivotally mounted to a support post fitted to the bottom of the housing, so as to be pivotally movable between the enabled and disabled conditions.
  • the decoupling mechanism includes a tube for movably accommodating a rod, with the wheel being fitted to one end of the rod and the other end of the rod including an abutting member, with a spring being accommodated within the tube and being arranged to act against the abutting member.
  • the rod In the enabled condition, the rod is kept in place within the tube by the arm arrangement pressing against one side of the abutting member, with the spring pressing against the other side of the abutting member, so as to keep the rod in place in the tube, under tension.
  • the arm arrangement is moved away, to enable the spring to rapidly eject the rod into the housing, away from the tube, and in so doing, decouple the wheel from the rod.
  • an upper portion of the rear wall of the housing defines a slot or aperture for accommodating a handle.
  • the handle protrudes from the rear wall to enable the trolley to be pushed or pulled.
  • the rear wall of the housing typically falls flat against the ground, thereby pushing the handle inwardly into the housing, so as to prevent the handle from being gripped.
  • the actuator is mechanically connected to the arm arrangement with a cord or wire, or with any other type of connector.
  • the disabling means comprises: a retractable wheel shaft housing connected to the wheel of the carrier arrangement, the retractable wheel shaft being moveable between an enabled condition and disabled condition wherein the retractable wheel shaft housing is disengaged and decoupled with the wheel; a pin that is engaged with the retractable wheel shaft housing for holding the retractable wheel shaft housing in the enabled condition, the pin being displaceable between an enabled condition and disabled condition wherein the pin is disengaged with the retractable wheel shaft housing to enable the retractable wheel shaft housing to be displaced to the disabled condition; a cam that is engaged with the pin when the pin is in the enabled condition, the cam being displaceable between an enabled condition and a disabled condition wherein the cam is disengaged with the pin to permit the pin to move to the disabled condition; a cam activation lever which is displaceable between an enabled condition and a disabled condition for displacing the cam to the disabled condition; and an actuator arrangement, which
  • the cash trolley comprises a pin assembly having a balance pin that extends from a base/bottom face of the housing, which in combination with the wheel carrier arrangement are arranged to support the housing in substantially an upright orientation when the trolley is in the enabled condition, wherein actuation of the actuator arrangement displaces the balance pin against a bias between an extended, enabled condition and a retracted, disabled condition wherein the balance pin is biased into the housing.
  • the housing is fitted with a side mirror to enable the authorised person pushing or pulling the trolley to view any suspicious activity behind them.
  • Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a cash trolley according to the invention, comprising a housing fitted with a pair of wheels on either side at the lower end of the housing;
  • Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the cash trolley shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figures 3 and 4 show cross-sectional front and side views, respectively, of the trolley shown in Figures 1 and 2, the trolley being shown in an enabled condition;
  • Figures 5 and 6 show cross-sectional front and side views, respectively, of the trolley, similar to Figure 3, but with the trolley being shown in a disabled condition;
  • Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of a cash trolley according to a second embodiment of the invention, the cash trolley being shown in an enabled condition;
  • Figure 8 shows a rear perspective view of the cash trolley shown in Figure 7;
  • Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional side view of the cash trolley of Figure 7;
  • Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional and cut-away front perspective view of the cash trolley shown in Figure 7;
  • Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a balance pin assembly, camshaft assembly, and a first shaft and pin assembly of the cash trolley shown in Figure 7;
  • Figure 12 shows a detailed view of detail A of Figure 1 1 ;
  • Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a balance pin assembly, cam and shaft assembly, and a first shaft and pin assembly of the cash trolley in a disabled condition
  • Figure 14 shows a detailed view of detail B of Figure 13.
  • a cash trolley 10 comprises a housing 12 arranged to carry or transport bank notes and other valuables.
  • the trolley 10 includes a carrier arrangement 14 fitted proximate the bottom of the housing 12 to enable the housing 12 to be pulled or pushed by an authorised person.
  • the carrier arrangement 14 includes a pair of wheels 14.1 , 14.2 on opposite sides of the housing 12, with the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 being magnetically and releasably securable to rods 16.1 , 16.2, respectively (as best shown in Figures 3 and 5), fitted at the bottom of the housing 12.
  • the rods 16.1 , 16.2 will be described in more detail further below.
  • the cash trolley 10 further comprises disabling means 18 which, upon activation, disables the carrier arrangement 14, so as to prevent or severely hinder further movement of the housing 12.
  • the disabling means 18 is arranged to decouple the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 from the housing 12, as best shown in Figure 5, with the disabling means 18 typically being arranged to totally separate or eject the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 away from the housing 12.
  • the disabling means 18 comprises a centrally located movable arm arrangement 20 that is pivotally mounted to a support post 22 fitted to the bottom of the housing 12, so as to be pivotally movable between enabled and disabled conditions.
  • the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 are coupled to the housing 12, to enable the housing 12 to be pushed or pulled by an authorised person.
  • the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 are decoupled from the housing 12, to prevent any further movement of the housing 12 by an unauthorised person.
  • the disabling means 18 further includes an actuator 24 (typically in the form of a lever 26 fitted to the housing, or a remotely controlled actuator) to move the arm arrangement 20, via a connector 28 such as a cord or wire, from the enabled condition to the disabled condition.
  • an actuator 24 typically in the form of a lever 26 fitted to the housing, or a remotely controlled actuator to move the arm arrangement 20, via a connector 28 such as a cord or wire, from the enabled condition to the disabled condition.
  • the disabling means 18 further includes a decoupling mechanism 30 for each wheel 14.1 , 14.2, to decouple the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 from the housing 12.
  • each decoupling mechanism 30 includes elongate tubes 32.1 , 32.2 for movably accommodating the elongate rods 16.1 , 16.2, respectively.
  • the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 are fitted to one end (the outer end) of the rods 16.1 , 16.2 and the other, inner end of the rods 16.1 , 16.2 include abutting members 36.1 , 36.2, with a spring 38 being accommodated within each tube 32.1 , 32.2 and being arranged to act against the abutting members 36.1 , 36.2.
  • the rods 16.1 , 16.2 are kept in place within the tubes 32.1 , 32.2 by the arm arrangement 20 pressing against one side of the abutting members
  • the arm arrangement 20 is moved away, to enable the spring 38 to rapidly eject the rods 16.1 , 16.2 into the housing 12, away from the tubes 32.1 , 32.2, and in so doing, decouple the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 from the rods 16.1 , 16.2.
  • a special tool is used to retract the rod 16.1 , 16.2 back into their respective tubes 32.1 , 32.2, against the bias exerted by the spring 38. Once this has been done, the arm arrangement 20 may be reinserted into position between the abutting members 36.1 , 36.2.
  • an upper portion of the rear wall 40 of the housing 12 defines a slot or aperture 42 for loosely accommodating a handle 44.
  • a major portion 40.2 of the rear wall 40 defines a door 40.2 that is hingedly connected 40.8 to a longitudinally extending edge 40.10 on a minor portion 40.4 of the rear wall 40.
  • the door 40.2 is provided with a keyhole 40.6 for receiving a key/actuator that can unlock/lock a locking arrangement (not shown) that is provided in the housing 12 for facilitating the locking and unlocking of the door 40.2.
  • the handle 44 protrudes from the rear wall 40 to enable the trolley 10 to be pushed or pulled.
  • the rear wall 40 of the housing 12 typically falls flat against the ground, thereby pushing the handle 44 inwardly into the housing 12, so as to prevent the handle 44 from being gripped.
  • the housing 12 is made from a metal, such as steel, and is thus already relatively heavy.
  • a cash trolley designated generally by reference numeral 100.
  • the cash trolley 100 comprises an enclosed hollow housing 1 12 that is similar to the housing 12 shown in Figures 1 to 6, but one difference being that the housing 1 12 is shaped as a trapezoid or gold bar, in which side walls taper towards a front wall of the housing 1 12. .
  • the housing 1 12 is, however, similarly arranged to carry valuables such as bank notes, bank coins, etc.
  • the housing 1 12 comprises a pair of substantially parallel, first and second flat faces 1 12.2 and 1 12.4 at the front and rear of the housing 1 12.6 and 1 12.8 respectively, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings.
  • the height of the first face 1 12.2 is less than the height of the second face 1 12.4, as best shown in Figure 9.
  • a top face 1 12.10, and an opposite bottom face/base 1 12.13, and a pair of first and second side faces 1 12.1 1 and 1 12.1 2 extend peripherally between the first and second faces 1 12.2 and 1 12.4 to define the enclosed trapezium shaped housing 1 12 of the cash trolley 1 10 in accordance with the present embodiment.
  • a portion of the second flat face 1 12.4 at the rear end 1 12.8 of the housing 1 12 defines a hinged door 1 1 2.14 that can be locked to the housing 1 12 by means of a locking arrangement (not shown).
  • a key hole 1 13 is shown in the door 1 12.14 for receiving a key/actuator (not shown) for activating and deactivating the locking arrangement (not shown) to allow an authorized person to lock and unlock the door 1 12.14.
  • a retractable handle arrangement 1 14 comprises an elongate, horizontally extending handle portion 1 14.2 that extends outwardly from a slot 1 16 that is disposed at a top end 1 12.15 of the second flat face 1 12.4 of the housing 1 12.
  • the handle portion 1 14.2 is shaped and dimensioned such that it can slide through the slot 1 16.
  • the handle portion 1 14.2 and slot 1 16 are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12 as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings.
  • the handle arrangement 1 14 comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced handle arms 1 14.4 and 1 14.6 which connect the handle portion 1 14.2 to a handle locking plate 1 14.8 that is loosely accommodated within the housing 1 12.
  • the handle locking plate 1 14.8 is in the shape of an elongate bar that is dimensioned such that it cannot slide through the slot.
  • the handle locking plate 1 14.8 is engaged within the housing 1 12 with an intermediate section 140.7 of a first handle body 140.4 of a handle locking arrangement 140, as will be described below.
  • the handle arrangement 1 14 further comprises a pair of rest arms with only one rest arm 1 14.10 being shown, and the other (not shown) being symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing 1 12.
  • the rest arms rest on top of the tie bar 140.6 when the trolley is in the enabled condition.
  • the first handle body 140.4 is operably biased in an enabled condition so that intermediate section 140.7 thereof is engaged with the handle locking plate 1 14.8, so that the handle locking plate 1 14.8 is held in position against an inner surface of the second face 1 12.4.
  • the handle arrangement 1 14 is prevented from loosely sliding inside the housing 1 12 when the trolley is in the enabled condition, and the handle portion 1 14.2 and the handle arms 1 14.4 and 1 14.6 remain extended out of the housing 1 12 when the trolley is in the enabled condition.
  • the cash trolley 100 further comprises an actuation arrangement 1 18 that comprises a substantially upright actuator shaft 120, i.e. first shaft, from which extends a pair of longitudinally spaced first and second levers 122 and 124 respectively.
  • the first lever 122 is a handle lever as will be explained below
  • the second lever 124 is an activation lever for first and second shaft and pin assemblies, as will be described below.
  • a pair of longitudinally spaced first and second arms 126 and 128 are disposed between the first and second levers 122 and 124, as shown more clearly in Figure 10 of the drawings.
  • the housing 1 12 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced arm stopper plates 130 and 132 that extend inwardly into the housing 1 12 from an inner surface of the second flat face 1 12.4 of the housing 1 12.
  • the arm stopper plates 130 and 132 are arranged to engage with the first and second arms 126 and 128 when the first shaft 120 is released and urged downwardly into the housing 1 12 by first and second springs of the actuator arrangement 1 18, as will be described below.
  • a first end region 120.2 of the first shaft 120 protrudes outwardly from the top face 1 12.10 of the housing 1 12.
  • the first end region 120.2 of the first shaft 120 has a transversely extending slot (not shown) that accommodates an actuator pin 132 i.e. first release pin, which, when released from the slot (not shown) activates the actuation arrangement 1 18, as will be described below.
  • the first release pin 132 is connected to a wire or cord 132.2 that is connected to a bracelet 132.4 which is configured to receive the wrist of a user/authorized person operating the trolley 100, and with which the wire 132.2 can be tugged so as to remove the actuator pin 132 from the slot (not shown) provided in the first end region 120.2 of the first shaft 120.
  • the actuator arrangement 1 18 comprises a first spring 136 that is accommodated in a bushing 137 that is provided inside the housing 1 12. As shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, the busing 137 accommodates the spring 136 which surrounds a portion of the first shaft 120 that is located inside the housing 1 12 near the first end region 120.2 of the first shaft 120.
  • the first spring 136 is compressed between an inner surface of the top face 1 12.10 and upper portion of the handle locking plate 1 14.8 such that the first and second arms 126 and 128 respectively, are spaced above the first and second arm stopper plates 130 and 132 when the trolley 100 is in an enabled condition, so as to permit the trolley 100 to be pushed and pulled by the user via a carrier arrangement 300 that is fitted proximate to the bottom face 1 12.13 of the housing 1 12.
  • a second spring 138 also surrounds another portion of the first shaft 120 that is located inside the housing 1 12 near a second end region 120.4 of the first shaft 120.
  • a spring stopper plate 1 34 extends inwardly into the housing 1 12 from an inner face of the second flat face 1 12.4 below the second arm stopper plate 132.
  • the second spring 138 is placed under compression between the spring stopper plate 134 and second lever 124 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • the compression of the first spring 136 between the upper portion of the handle locking plate 1 14.8 and inner surface of the top face 1 12.10 accordingly causes the second spring 138 to be compressed against the spring stopper plate 1 34.
  • the trolley 100 comprises a handle locking arrangement 140 which comprises the tie bar 140.6 from which extends a pair 140.2 of opposite first and second handle bodies.
  • a handle locking arrangement 140 which comprises the tie bar 140.6 from which extends a pair 140.2 of opposite first and second handle bodies.
  • the second handle body (which is not shown) is symmetric with the first handle body 140.4 about the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12.
  • a handle locking lever 140.10 extends outwardly from a lower section of the first handle body 140.4. In the enabled condition, as can be seen in Figures 9 and 10, the first lever 122 rests on top of the handle locking lever 140.1 0.
  • first and second handle bodies 140.2 are spaced transversely apart by the tie bar 140.6.
  • a first hinge pin 142 connects the first handle body 140.4 to the second side face 1 12.12.
  • a second hinge pin (not shown) that is symmetric with the first hinge pin 142 with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12, connects the second handle body (not shown) to the first side face 1 12.1 1 of the housing 1 12.
  • a torsion spring 140.8 is provided about the first hinge pin 142 and another torsion spring (not shown) is provided about the second hinge pin (not shown).
  • the torsion springs bias the pair of handle bodies 140.2 in an enabled condition in which the lower section 140.7 of the handle body 140.4 as shown in Figure 10 of the drawings, engages the handle locking plate 1 14.8 and holds the handle locking plate 1 148 engaged against an inner side of the second face 1 12.4 of the housing 1 12, as mentioned above.
  • camshaft assembly 150 that is in communication with a first shaft and pin assembly 200 of a second wheel 304 of the carrier arrangement 300 that is fitted proximate bottom face 1 12.13 of the housing 1 12.
  • the camshaft assembly 150 is also in communication with a pin balance assembly 180 as will be described in more detail below.
  • the camshaft assembly 150 is also in communication with a second shaft and pin assembly (not shown) of a first wheel 302 of the carrier arrangement, the second shaft and pin assembly is symmetric with the first shaft and pin assembly 200 about the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12.
  • the pin balance assembly 180 comprises a balance pin 182 that extends downwardly from the bottom face 1 12.13 and operably balances the housing 1 12 in an upright, substantially vertical position when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • the balance pin 182 comprises an outwardly extending portion 182.2 that engages with the ground and facilitates, along with the carrier arrangement 300, the balancing of the trolley 100 when the housing 1 12 is oriented substantially upright with respect to the ground.
  • the pin 182 further comprises an inwardly extending portion 182.4 that is housed within a vertically extending cover 184 that is connected to the inner surface of the first face 1 12.2.
  • the inwardly and outwardly extending portions 182.2 and 182.4 are separated by a first circumferentially extending groove 182.6 that is located inside the housing 1 12 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled and disabled conditions as shown in Figures 9, 10 and 13 of the drawings.
  • a pin assembly spring i.e. third spring 185 surrounds the inwardly extending portion 182.4 of the pin 182, and a first washer 186 is seated over the pin 182 in a second circumferentially extending groove (not shown) that is provided on the pin 182 near an end region 182.4a of the inwardly extending portion 182.4.
  • the third spring 185 is compressed against the washer 186 and spring seat 184.2 that extends upwardly into the cover 184 from a floor 184.2 that is spaced upwardly from the bottom face 1 12.3 of the housing 1 12, so that the outwardly extending portion 182.2 can remain extended out of the housing 1 12 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • the third spring 185 is held in the compressed position by a second release pin, i.e. pin assembly release pin 188 that is engaged with the first groove 182.6 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • the second release pin 188 is housed in a first spring housing 190 that extends transversely away from the spring seat 184.2, and within which the first pin 188 is longitudinally displaceable relative to the spring housing 190.
  • the spring housing 190 has a closed end 190.2 that has a passage opening (not shown) through which a rear portion 188.2b of the second release pin 188 extends.
  • the second release pin 188 accordingly has an elongate body 188.2 that has a front portion 188.2a and the rear portion 188.2b.
  • the front portion 188.2a has a head 188.4 which engages the first groove 182.6 on the balance pin 188.2.
  • the second release pin 188 further comprises a third circumferential groove 188.6 on the pin body 188.2 that is inwardly spaced from the head 188.4, and which separates the front portion 188.2a from the rear portion 188.2b.
  • the third groove 188.6 accommodates a second washer 188.8 which engages a washer abutting portion
  • a fourth spring 192 is provided between the second washer 188.8 and the closed end 190.2 of the first spring housing 190.
  • the rear portion 188.2b of the body 188.2 extends through the passage opening (not shown) at the closed end 190.2 of the spring housing 190.
  • the rear portion 188.2b of the body 188.2 passes through an opening (not shown) that is provided on a front end of a bent clevis member 194 as shown in Figure 13 of the drawings.
  • the rear portion 188.2b terminates in a threaded region 188.2c which grips to a wall that defines the opening (not shown) that is provided in the clevis member 194.
  • a third hinge pin 196 extends from the clevis member 194 and connects the clevis member 194 to a pin assembly activation lever 152 of the camshaft assembly 150.
  • the camshaft assembly 150 comprises an elongate second shaft 154 that extends below the floor 184.2 and horizontally across the housing 1 12 in between the first and second side faces
  • the activation lever 152 protrudes substantially centrally from the second shaft 154.
  • the camshaft assembly 150 further comprises an arrangement of pin engaging members, i.e. a cam arrangement 156 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced pin engaging members, i.e. cams, protruding from the second shaft 154.
  • the cam arrangement 156 has a first pair of activation cams (not shown) on one side of the cam activation lever 152 which are disposed towards the second side face 1 12.12, and a second pair of first and second activation cams 157 and 158 which are symmetric to the first pair of activation cams (not shown) with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12, and which are disposed towards the first side face 1 12.1 1 of the housing 1 12.
  • a camshaft assembly activation lever 160 protrudes transversely away from the second shaft 154 and is disposed between the first pair of activation cams (not shown).
  • the first shaft and pin assembly 200 comprises a first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 that has a first end region 202.1 which is connected, preferably by means of an interference fit, to a hub (not shown) of a wheel 304 of the carrier arrangement 300.
  • the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 accommodates a retractable wheel shaft 204 that comprises a head region 206 that seats in the first end region 202.1 when the trolley is in the enabled condition.
  • the retractable wheel shaft 204 further comprises a neck region 208 that connects the head region 206 to a body region 210 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204.
  • the first retractable wheel shaft 204 terminates in a trailing end 210.12 that is shaped as a hexagonal button.
  • the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 has a pair of opposite ball seats 212 defined by an inwardly extending circumferential recess (not shown) which accommodates steel balls 214 that are arranged to drop into a space 208.2 that is defined between the head region 206 and body region 210 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204 when the trolley 100 is in the disabled condition.
  • the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 further comprises a second seat 218 for a retractable wheel shaft housing release pin, i.e. third release pin 220, of the first shaft and pin assembly 200.
  • the third release pin 220 has a trailing end 220.2 that is accommodated in the second seat 218 so as to lock the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 in position within the hub (not shown) of the wheel and thereby prevent the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 from voluntarily disengaging with the hub of the wheel 304.
  • the third release pin 220 also comprises a leading end 220.4 that is engaged with the first activation cam 157 of the second pair of cams when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition, as shown more clearly in Figure 1 1 of the drawings.
  • the first shaft and pin assembly 200 further comprises a second spring housing 230 that circumscribes a portion of the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 proximate the first end region 202.1 of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202.
  • the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 is slidably displaceable within, and relative to the second spring housing 230. However the movement of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 is prevented by the third release pin 220 which seats in the second seat 218 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • the second spring housing 230 accommodates the third release pin 220, and has an opening 230.2 at a closed end 230.4 thereof through which the leading end 220.4 of the third release pin 220 extends and engages the first activation cam 157 of the second pair of cams of the cam arrangement 156 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • the third release pin 220 has a third circumferentially extending groove 220.6 that is located inside the second spring housing 230, and disposed towards the leading end 220.4 of the third release pin 220.
  • a third washer 222 is supported in the third groove 220.6.
  • the second spring housing 230 has a spring abutting portion 232 that extends away from the second seat 218 and partially surrounds a portion of the trailing end 220.2 of the third release pin 220 that is accommodated in the second seat 218.
  • a fifth spring 224 is provided between the third washer 222 and spring abutting portion 232, and the engagement of the first activation cam 157 on the third release pin 220 causes the third release pin 220 to be urged inwardly into the second spring housing 230 against the bias of the fifth spring 224, such that the trailing end 220.2 remains positioned in the seat 218 so as to hold the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 in an enabled condition which enables the first end region thereof 202.1 to remain engaged with the hub (not shown) of the wheel 304 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • a fourth release pin 224 has a trailing end 224.2 that extends transversely inwardly into the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 ahead of a trailing end 210.12 of the body 210 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204, so as to engage the trailing end 210.12 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204, and thereby hold the first retractable wheel shaft 204 seated within the first end region 202.1 of the retractable wheel shaft housing 202, in order to prevent the first retractable wheel shaft 204, i.e. the head region 206, from moving inwardly into the first wheel shaft housing 202 towards a trailing end 202.4 of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202.
  • the first shaft and pin assembly 200 further comprises a third spring housing 240 that is longitudinally spaced from the second spring housing 230, and is connected to the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 proximate a trailing end 202.4 of the retractable wheel shaft housing 202.
  • the third spring housing 240 covers the fourth release pin 224.
  • the third spring housing 240 has an opening 240.2 at a closed end 240.4 thereof, through which a leading end 224.4 of the fourth release pin 224 extends and engages the second activation cam 158 of the second pair of cams of the cam arrangement 156, as shown in Figure 1 1 of the drawings.
  • the fourth release pin 224 has a fourth circumferentially extending groove 224.6 that is located inside the third spring housing 240 and disposed towards the leading end 224.4 of the fourth release pin 224.
  • a fourth washer 226 is provided in the fourth groove 224.6.
  • the third spring housing 240 has a second spring abutting portion 242 that extends away from the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202, and partially surrounds a portion of a body of the fourth release pin 224 that is proximate the trailing end 224.2 of the fourth release pin 224.
  • a sixth spring 228 is provided between the fourth washer 226 and second spring abutting portion 242.
  • the engagement of the second activation cam 158 with the leading end 224.4 of the fourth release pin 224 causes the fourth release pin 224 to be urged inwardly into the third spring housing 240, such that the trailing end 224.2 of the fourth release pin 224 is located inside the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 ahead of the trailing end 210.12 of the retractable wheel shaft 204. Accordingly, the action of the second cam 158 on the fourth release pin 224 urges the fourth release pin 224 inwardly into retractable shaft housing 202 against the bias of the sixth spring 228 that is placed under compression when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • a fifth washer 250 circumscribes a portion of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202, and is located between the second and third spring housings 230 and 240 respectively, and abuts the third spring housing 240.
  • a fifth circumferentially extending groove (not shown) is provided on the exterior of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 for accommodating the fifth washer 250 in between the second and third spring housings 230 and 240.
  • a seventh compressed spring 252 extends between the fifth washer 250 and third spring abutting portion that is partly defined by an exterior portion of the second spring housing 230, so as to retain the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 in an enabled condition wherein the trailing ends 220.2 and 224.2 of the third pin 220 and fourth pin 224 respectively, are respectively located in the second seat 218 and inside the wheel shaft housing 204 as described above.
  • an inner portion of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 defines, proximate the trailing end 202.4 thereof, an inwardly extending circumferential channel 202.2 that extends longitudinally between a front end 202.6 of the channel and rear end 210.16 of the channel 202.2.
  • An eighth spring 254 circumscribes a trailing end region 210.14 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204. The eighth spring 254 is compressed between an inner surface of the hexagonal button 210.12 and the rear end 210.16 of the channel 202.2, when the fourth release pin 220 is positioned inside the first retractable wheel shaft 204 and abuts an outer surface of the hexagonal button 210.12.
  • the trolley 100 also comprises a second shaft and pin assembly (not shown) that is symmetric to the first shaft and pin assembly 200 with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12, and the pins thereof are arranged to engage with the first pair of activation cams (not shown) of the cam arrangement 156 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • a second shaft and pin assembly (not shown) that is symmetric to the first shaft and pin assembly 200 with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12, and the pins thereof are arranged to engage with the first pair of activation cams (not shown) of the cam arrangement 156 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
  • the user will ordinarily tug the wire 132.2 to release the actuator pin 132 from the slot formed though the first region 120.2 of the actuator shaft 120.
  • the first and second compressed springs 136 and 138 respectively are released from compression and enable the first actuator shaft 120 to drop downwardly into the housing 1 12.
  • the force of compression which was acting on the first and second springs 136 and 138 urges the handle lever 122 to engage the handle locking lever 140.10.
  • the pair of handle bodies 140.2 pivot about the pivot axis of the first hinge pin 142 and second hinge pin (not shown) such that the handle locking lever 140.10 pivots inside the housing in the direction of the first face 1 12.4 so as to provide clearance for the first lever to move downwardly into the housing 1 12.
  • the springs 140.8 will bias the handle locking arrangement 140 back to the enabled condition.
  • the actuator shaft 120 continues to drop inside the housing 1 12 until the first and second arms 122 and 128 land on, and are arrested by, the arm stopper plates 126 and 132.
  • the second lever 124 engages the camshaft assembly activation lever 160 which will cause the cam activation lever 152 to pivot about the pivot axis of third hinge pin 196 in the clockwise direction.
  • the pivotal motion of the cam activation lever 152 causes the clevis member 194 to pivot in unison with the cam activation lever 152 between an enabled condition wherein the second release pin 188 is in engagement with the first groove 182.6 in the balance pin 182, and a disabled condition wherein as the clevis member 194 is pivoted, the second release pin 188 is pulled away from the first groove 182.6 so as to allow the third compressed spring 184 to bias the balance pin 182 inwardly into the cover 184, until the balance pin is fully retracted inside the cover 184 and thereby stowed within the housing 1 12.
  • the camshaft assembly 150 is caused to respond to the pivotal motion of the clevis member 194 and is accordingly displaced relative to the third and fourth pins 220 and 224 respectively of the first pin and shaft assembly 200 between an enabled condition, wherein the cam arrangement 156 engages the third and fourth release pins 220 and 224 respectively of the first pin and shaft assembly 200 so as to hold the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 in the enabled condition as described above, and a disabled condition wherein the cam arrangement 156 is displaced away from engagement with the third and fourth pins 220 and 224 respectively in order to enable the fifth and sixth springs 224 and 228 respectively, of the first pin and shaft assembly 200 to respectively bias the third and fourth pins 220 and 224 out of engagement with the second seat 218 and trailing end 210.12 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204.
  • the eight spring 254 biases the trailing end 210.12 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204 towards the front end 202.6 of the channel 202.2.
  • the head region 206 is simultaneously displaced towards the front end of the channel 202.2 until the space 208.2 in the neck region 208 aligns with the ball seats 212.
  • the balls 214 drop into the space 208.2 and disallow further displacement of the first retractable wheel shaft 204 inwardly into the first shaft housing 202.
  • the head region 206 engages an inwardly extending circumferential flange 202.8 of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 which has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the head region 206.
  • the hexagonal button 210.12 engages the front end 202.6 of the channel 202.2.
  • the abovementioned mechanism occurs simultaneously on the first wheel 302 of the carrier arrangement 300.
  • the wheels 302 and 304 are accordingly disengaged with the housing 1 12 upon activation of the actuation arrangement 1 18.
  • the combination of the retraction of the balance pin 188 into the housing 1 12 and the disengagement of the carrier arrangement 300 results in the housing 1 12 falling flat on the second face 1 12.4.
  • the handle portion 1 14.2 is urged by the ground inside the housing 1 12 through the slot 1 16 against the bias of the torsion springs acting on the pair of handle bodies 140.2.
  • the weight of the contents (i.e. bank notes, coins, etc.) in the trolley 100 makes it difficult for the trolley to be picked or slid along the ground.

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Abstract

This invention relates to a cash trolley comprising a housing arranged to carry or transport bank notes and other valuables. The cash trolley further comprises a carrier arrangement fitted proximate the bottom of the housing to enable the housing to be pulled or pushed by an authorised person; and disabling means which, upon activation, disables the carrier arrangement, so as to prevent or severely hinder further movement of the housing.

Description

CASH TROLLEY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
THIS INVENTION relates to trolleys, and, in particular, cash trolleys.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cash trolleys for transporting bank notes and other valuables are well known in the art. They generally comprise a strengthened or reinforced case or housing for holding the notes/valuables, the case being fitted to wheels to facilitate movement. A handle is typically also provided to allow the case to be pulled/pushed in the intended direction. Nowadays, as a security feature many cash trolleys are fitted with a spoiling agent dispenser. This dispenser may be activated if/when a thief attempts to break open the case, which causes the spoiling agent to spoil, damage or irreversibly mark the notes/valuables in the case. Of course, once the thief has forcibly taken the case, it is only a matter of time before he/she overcomes or neutralises the spoiling agent dispenser, to gain access to the contents of the case.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cash trolley which, upon activation by an authorised person, disables the wheels, to prevent (or at least greatly reduce the chances of) the trolley from being taken or removed in the first place (and to prevent damaging or staining the contents of the trolley).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a cash trolley, the cash trolley comprising: a housing arranged to carry or transport bank notes and other valuables; a carrier arrangement fitted proximate the bottom of the housing to enable the housing to be pulled or pushed by an authorised person; and disabling means which, upon activation, disables the carrier arrangement, so as to prevent or severely hinder further movement of the housing. In an embodiment, the carrier arrangement includes a pair of wheels on opposite sides of the housing, with the disabling means being arranged to decouple the wheels from the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the disabling means is arranged to totally separate or eject the wheels away from the housing. In an embodiment, the disabling means comprises: a movable arm arrangement that can be moved between an enabled condition, in which the wheels are coupled to the housing, to allow the housing to be pushed or pulled, and a disabled condition, in which the wheels are decoupled from the housing, to prevent any further movement of the housing; an actuator to move the arm arrangement from the enabled condition to the disabled condition; and a decoupling mechanism for at least one wheel to decouple the wheel from the housing.
In an embodiment, the movable arm arrangement is pivotally mounted to a support post fitted to the bottom of the housing, so as to be pivotally movable between the enabled and disabled conditions.
In an embodiment, the decoupling mechanism includes a tube for movably accommodating a rod, with the wheel being fitted to one end of the rod and the other end of the rod including an abutting member, with a spring being accommodated within the tube and being arranged to act against the abutting member. In the enabled condition, the rod is kept in place within the tube by the arm arrangement pressing against one side of the abutting member, with the spring pressing against the other side of the abutting member, so as to keep the rod in place in the tube, under tension. In the disabled condition, the arm arrangement is moved away, to enable the spring to rapidly eject the rod into the housing, away from the tube, and in so doing, decouple the wheel from the rod. In an embodiment, an upper portion of the rear wall of the housing defines a slot or aperture for accommodating a handle. In the enabled condition, the handle protrudes from the rear wall to enable the trolley to be pushed or pulled. In the disabled condition, the rear wall of the housing typically falls flat against the ground, thereby pushing the handle inwardly into the housing, so as to prevent the handle from being gripped.
In an embodiment, the actuator is mechanically connected to the arm arrangement with a cord or wire, or with any other type of connector. In an embodiment, the disabling means comprises: a retractable wheel shaft housing connected to the wheel of the carrier arrangement, the retractable wheel shaft being moveable between an enabled condition and disabled condition wherein the retractable wheel shaft housing is disengaged and decoupled with the wheel; a pin that is engaged with the retractable wheel shaft housing for holding the retractable wheel shaft housing in the enabled condition, the pin being displaceable between an enabled condition and disabled condition wherein the pin is disengaged with the retractable wheel shaft housing to enable the retractable wheel shaft housing to be displaced to the disabled condition; a cam that is engaged with the pin when the pin is in the enabled condition, the cam being displaceable between an enabled condition and a disabled condition wherein the cam is disengaged with the pin to permit the pin to move to the disabled condition; a cam activation lever which is displaceable between an enabled condition and a disabled condition for displacing the cam to the disabled condition; and an actuator arrangement, which upon actuation, displaces the cam activation lever between the enabled and disabled conditions. In an embodiment, the cash trolley comprises a pin assembly having a balance pin that extends from a base/bottom face of the housing, which in combination with the wheel carrier arrangement are arranged to support the housing in substantially an upright orientation when the trolley is in the enabled condition, wherein actuation of the actuator arrangement displaces the balance pin against a bias between an extended, enabled condition and a retracted, disabled condition wherein the balance pin is biased into the housing.
In an embodiment, the housing is fitted with a side mirror to enable the authorised person pushing or pulling the trolley to view any suspicious activity behind them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a cash trolley according to the invention, comprising a housing fitted with a pair of wheels on either side at the lower end of the housing;
Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the cash trolley shown in Figure 1 ;
Figures 3 and 4 show cross-sectional front and side views, respectively, of the trolley shown in Figures 1 and 2, the trolley being shown in an enabled condition; Figures 5 and 6 show cross-sectional front and side views, respectively, of the trolley, similar to Figure 3, but with the trolley being shown in a disabled condition; Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of a cash trolley according to a second embodiment of the invention, the cash trolley being shown in an enabled condition;
Figure 8 shows a rear perspective view of the cash trolley shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional side view of the cash trolley of Figure 7;
Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional and cut-away front perspective view of the cash trolley shown in Figure 7;
Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a balance pin assembly, camshaft assembly, and a first shaft and pin assembly of the cash trolley shown in Figure 7; Figure 12 shows a detailed view of detail A of Figure 1 1 ;
Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a balance pin assembly, cam and shaft assembly, and a first shaft and pin assembly of the cash trolley in a disabled condition; and
Figure 14 shows a detailed view of detail B of Figure 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, a cash trolley 10 comprises a housing 12 arranged to carry or transport bank notes and other valuables. The trolley 10 includes a carrier arrangement 14 fitted proximate the bottom of the housing 12 to enable the housing 12 to be pulled or pushed by an authorised person. The carrier arrangement 14 includes a pair of wheels 14.1 , 14.2 on opposite sides of the housing 12, with the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 being magnetically and releasably securable to rods 16.1 , 16.2, respectively (as best shown in Figures 3 and 5), fitted at the bottom of the housing 12. The rods 16.1 , 16.2 will be described in more detail further below.
The cash trolley 10 further comprises disabling means 18 which, upon activation, disables the carrier arrangement 14, so as to prevent or severely hinder further movement of the housing 12. In particular, the disabling means 18 is arranged to decouple the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 from the housing 12, as best shown in Figure 5, with the disabling means 18 typically being arranged to totally separate or eject the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 away from the housing 12.
In an embodiment, the disabling means 18 comprises a centrally located movable arm arrangement 20 that is pivotally mounted to a support post 22 fitted to the bottom of the housing 12, so as to be pivotally movable between enabled and disabled conditions. In the enabled condition, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 are coupled to the housing 12, to enable the housing 12 to be pushed or pulled by an authorised person. In the disabled condition, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 are decoupled from the housing 12, to prevent any further movement of the housing 12 by an unauthorised person.
The disabling means 18 further includes an actuator 24 (typically in the form of a lever 26 fitted to the housing, or a remotely controlled actuator) to move the arm arrangement 20, via a connector 28 such as a cord or wire, from the enabled condition to the disabled condition.
The disabling means 18 further includes a decoupling mechanism 30 for each wheel 14.1 , 14.2, to decouple the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 from the housing 12. In an embodiment, each decoupling mechanism 30 includes elongate tubes 32.1 , 32.2 for movably accommodating the elongate rods 16.1 , 16.2, respectively. The wheels 14.1 , 14.2 are fitted to one end (the outer end) of the rods 16.1 , 16.2 and the other, inner end of the rods 16.1 , 16.2 include abutting members 36.1 , 36.2, with a spring 38 being accommodated within each tube 32.1 , 32.2 and being arranged to act against the abutting members 36.1 , 36.2. In the enabled condition, the rods 16.1 , 16.2 are kept in place within the tubes 32.1 , 32.2 by the arm arrangement 20 pressing against one side of the abutting members
36.1 , 36.2, with the spring 38 pressing against the other side of the abutting members 36.1 , 36.2, so as to keep the rods 16.1 , 16.2 in place in the tubes 32.1 ,
32.2, under tension. In the disabled condition, the arm arrangement 20 is moved away, to enable the spring 38 to rapidly eject the rods 16.1 , 16.2 into the housing 12, away from the tubes 32.1 , 32.2, and in so doing, decouple the wheels 14.1 , 14.2 from the rods 16.1 , 16.2.
Once decoupled, to reinsert the wheels 14.1 , 14.2, a special tool is used to retract the rod 16.1 , 16.2 back into their respective tubes 32.1 , 32.2, against the bias exerted by the spring 38. Once this has been done, the arm arrangement 20 may be reinserted into position between the abutting members 36.1 , 36.2.
Turning back to Figure 2 and Figure 3, an upper portion of the rear wall 40 of the housing 12 defines a slot or aperture 42 for loosely accommodating a handle 44. A major portion 40.2 of the rear wall 40 defines a door 40.2 that is hingedly connected 40.8 to a longitudinally extending edge 40.10 on a minor portion 40.4 of the rear wall 40. The door 40.2 is provided with a keyhole 40.6 for receiving a key/actuator that can unlock/lock a locking arrangement (not shown) that is provided in the housing 12 for facilitating the locking and unlocking of the door 40.2.
In the enabled condition, the handle 44 protrudes from the rear wall 40 to enable the trolley 10 to be pushed or pulled. In the disabled condition, the rear wall 40 of the housing 12 typically falls flat against the ground, thereby pushing the handle 44 inwardly into the housing 12, so as to prevent the handle 44 from being gripped. The housing 12 is made from a metal, such as steel, and is thus already relatively heavy.
In addition, the additional weight of the contents of the housing 12 will make it practically impossible to lift the housing 12 once it is lying flat against the ground
(with the flat rear wall 40 further preventing any unauthorised person from lifting and running away with the housing 12). In an embodiment, the housing 12 may be fitted with a side mirror to enable the authorised person pushing or pulling the trolley to view any suspicious activity behind them. In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figures 7 through to 14, there is shown a cash trolley designated generally by reference numeral 100. The cash trolley 100 comprises an enclosed hollow housing 1 12 that is similar to the housing 12 shown in Figures 1 to 6, but one difference being that the housing 1 12 is shaped as a trapezoid or gold bar, in which side walls taper towards a front wall of the housing 1 12. . The housing 1 12 is, however, similarly arranged to carry valuables such as bank notes, bank coins, etc.
The housing 1 12 comprises a pair of substantially parallel, first and second flat faces 1 12.2 and 1 12.4 at the front and rear of the housing 1 12.6 and 1 12.8 respectively, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings. The height of the first face 1 12.2 is less than the height of the second face 1 12.4, as best shown in Figure 9. A top face 1 12.10, and an opposite bottom face/base 1 12.13, and a pair of first and second side faces 1 12.1 1 and 1 12.1 2 extend peripherally between the first and second faces 1 12.2 and 1 12.4 to define the enclosed trapezium shaped housing 1 12 of the cash trolley 1 10 in accordance with the present embodiment.
A portion of the second flat face 1 12.4 at the rear end 1 12.8 of the housing 1 12 defines a hinged door 1 1 2.14 that can be locked to the housing 1 12 by means of a locking arrangement (not shown). As can be seen in Figure 8 of the drawings, a key hole 1 13 is shown in the door 1 12.14 for receiving a key/actuator (not shown) for activating and deactivating the locking arrangement (not shown) to allow an authorized person to lock and unlock the door 1 12.14.
A retractable handle arrangement 1 14 comprises an elongate, horizontally extending handle portion 1 14.2 that extends outwardly from a slot 1 16 that is disposed at a top end 1 12.15 of the second flat face 1 12.4 of the housing 1 12. The handle portion 1 14.2 is shaped and dimensioned such that it can slide through the slot 1 16. As can be seen in Figure 8 of the drawings, the handle portion 1 14.2 and slot 1 16 are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12 as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. The handle arrangement 1 14 comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced handle arms 1 14.4 and 1 14.6 which connect the handle portion 1 14.2 to a handle locking plate 1 14.8 that is loosely accommodated within the housing 1 12. The handle locking plate 1 14.8 is in the shape of an elongate bar that is dimensioned such that it cannot slide through the slot. In the enabled condition, as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, the handle locking plate 1 14.8 is engaged within the housing 1 12 with an intermediate section 140.7 of a first handle body 140.4 of a handle locking arrangement 140, as will be described below. The handle arrangement 1 14 further comprises a pair of rest arms with only one rest arm 1 14.10 being shown, and the other (not shown) being symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing 1 12. As can be seen in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, the rest arms rest on top of the tie bar 140.6 when the trolley is in the enabled condition.
The first handle body 140.4 is operably biased in an enabled condition so that intermediate section 140.7 thereof is engaged with the handle locking plate 1 14.8, so that the handle locking plate 1 14.8 is held in position against an inner surface of the second face 1 12.4. In this way, the handle arrangement 1 14 is prevented from loosely sliding inside the housing 1 12 when the trolley is in the enabled condition, and the handle portion 1 14.2 and the handle arms 1 14.4 and 1 14.6 remain extended out of the housing 1 12 when the trolley is in the enabled condition. The cash trolley 100 further comprises an actuation arrangement 1 18 that comprises a substantially upright actuator shaft 120, i.e. first shaft, from which extends a pair of longitudinally spaced first and second levers 122 and 124 respectively. For the purpose of the current embodiment, the first lever 122 is a handle lever as will be explained below, and the second lever 124 is an activation lever for first and second shaft and pin assemblies, as will be described below. A pair of longitudinally spaced first and second arms 126 and 128 are disposed between the first and second levers 122 and 124, as shown more clearly in Figure 10 of the drawings. As shown in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, the housing 1 12 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced arm stopper plates 130 and 132 that extend inwardly into the housing 1 12 from an inner surface of the second flat face 1 12.4 of the housing 1 12. The arm stopper plates 130 and 132 are arranged to engage with the first and second arms 126 and 128 when the first shaft 120 is released and urged downwardly into the housing 1 12 by first and second springs of the actuator arrangement 1 18, as will be described below.
As shown in Figures 7 to 9 of the drawings, a first end region 120.2 of the first shaft 120 protrudes outwardly from the top face 1 12.10 of the housing 1 12. The first end region 120.2 of the first shaft 120 has a transversely extending slot (not shown) that accommodates an actuator pin 132 i.e. first release pin, which, when released from the slot (not shown) activates the actuation arrangement 1 18, as will be described below. The first release pin 132 is connected to a wire or cord 132.2 that is connected to a bracelet 132.4 which is configured to receive the wrist of a user/authorized person operating the trolley 100, and with which the wire 132.2 can be tugged so as to remove the actuator pin 132 from the slot (not shown) provided in the first end region 120.2 of the first shaft 120. The actuator arrangement 1 18 comprises a first spring 136 that is accommodated in a bushing 137 that is provided inside the housing 1 12. As shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, the busing 137 accommodates the spring 136 which surrounds a portion of the first shaft 120 that is located inside the housing 1 12 near the first end region 120.2 of the first shaft 120. The first spring 136 is compressed between an inner surface of the top face 1 12.10 and upper portion of the handle locking plate 1 14.8 such that the first and second arms 126 and 128 respectively, are spaced above the first and second arm stopper plates 130 and 132 when the trolley 100 is in an enabled condition, so as to permit the trolley 100 to be pushed and pulled by the user via a carrier arrangement 300 that is fitted proximate to the bottom face 1 12.13 of the housing 1 12.
A second spring 138 also surrounds another portion of the first shaft 120 that is located inside the housing 1 12 near a second end region 120.4 of the first shaft 120. As can be seen in Figure 9 of the drawings, a spring stopper plate 1 34 extends inwardly into the housing 1 12 from an inner face of the second flat face 1 12.4 below the second arm stopper plate 132. The second spring 138 is placed under compression between the spring stopper plate 134 and second lever 124 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition. The compression of the first spring 136 between the upper portion of the handle locking plate 1 14.8 and inner surface of the top face 1 12.10 accordingly causes the second spring 138 to be compressed against the spring stopper plate 1 34.
As can be seen in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, the trolley 100 comprises a handle locking arrangement 140 which comprises the tie bar 140.6 from which extends a pair 140.2 of opposite first and second handle bodies. As can be seen in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, only the first handle body 140.4 is shown and the intermediate section 140.7 thereof is engaged against the handle locking plate 1 14.8. The second handle body (which is not shown) is symmetric with the first handle body 140.4 about the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12. A handle locking lever 140.10 extends outwardly from a lower section of the first handle body 140.4. In the enabled condition, as can be seen in Figures 9 and 10, the first lever 122 rests on top of the handle locking lever 140.1 0. The pair of first and second handle bodies 140.2 are spaced transversely apart by the tie bar 140.6. A first hinge pin 142 connects the first handle body 140.4 to the second side face 1 12.12. A second hinge pin (not shown) that is symmetric with the first hinge pin 142 with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12, connects the second handle body (not shown) to the first side face 1 12.1 1 of the housing 1 12. As shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, a torsion spring 140.8 is provided about the first hinge pin 142 and another torsion spring (not shown) is provided about the second hinge pin (not shown). The torsion springs bias the pair of handle bodies 140.2 in an enabled condition in which the lower section 140.7 of the handle body 140.4 as shown in Figure 10 of the drawings, engages the handle locking plate 1 14.8 and holds the handle locking plate 1 148 engaged against an inner side of the second face 1 12.4 of the housing 1 12, as mentioned above.
As can be seen in Figures 9 to 14 of the drawings, there is shown a camshaft assembly 150 that is in communication with a first shaft and pin assembly 200 of a second wheel 304 of the carrier arrangement 300 that is fitted proximate bottom face 1 12.13 of the housing 1 12. The camshaft assembly 150 is also in communication with a pin balance assembly 180 as will be described in more detail below. The camshaft assembly 150 is also in communication with a second shaft and pin assembly (not shown) of a first wheel 302 of the carrier arrangement, the second shaft and pin assembly is symmetric with the first shaft and pin assembly 200 about the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12.
The pin balance assembly 180 comprises a balance pin 182 that extends downwardly from the bottom face 1 12.13 and operably balances the housing 1 12 in an upright, substantially vertical position when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition. The balance pin 182 comprises an outwardly extending portion 182.2 that engages with the ground and facilitates, along with the carrier arrangement 300, the balancing of the trolley 100 when the housing 1 12 is oriented substantially upright with respect to the ground. The pin 182 further comprises an inwardly extending portion 182.4 that is housed within a vertically extending cover 184 that is connected to the inner surface of the first face 1 12.2. The inwardly and outwardly extending portions 182.2 and 182.4 are separated by a first circumferentially extending groove 182.6 that is located inside the housing 1 12 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled and disabled conditions as shown in Figures 9, 10 and 13 of the drawings.
As shown in Figures 1 1 and 13 of the drawings, a pin assembly spring, i.e. third spring 185 surrounds the inwardly extending portion 182.4 of the pin 182, and a first washer 186 is seated over the pin 182 in a second circumferentially extending groove (not shown) that is provided on the pin 182 near an end region 182.4a of the inwardly extending portion 182.4. The third spring 185 is compressed against the washer 186 and spring seat 184.2 that extends upwardly into the cover 184 from a floor 184.2 that is spaced upwardly from the bottom face 1 12.3 of the housing 1 12, so that the outwardly extending portion 182.2 can remain extended out of the housing 1 12 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
As shown in Figures 9, 1 1 and 13 of the drawings, the third spring 185 is held in the compressed position by a second release pin, i.e. pin assembly release pin 188 that is engaged with the first groove 182.6 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition. The second release pin 188 is housed in a first spring housing 190 that extends transversely away from the spring seat 184.2, and within which the first pin 188 is longitudinally displaceable relative to the spring housing 190. The spring housing 190 has a closed end 190.2 that has a passage opening (not shown) through which a rear portion 188.2b of the second release pin 188 extends.
The second release pin 188 accordingly has an elongate body 188.2 that has a front portion 188.2a and the rear portion 188.2b. The front portion 188.2a has a head 188.4 which engages the first groove 182.6 on the balance pin 188.2. The second release pin 188 further comprises a third circumferential groove 188.6 on the pin body 188.2 that is inwardly spaced from the head 188.4, and which separates the front portion 188.2a from the rear portion 188.2b. The third groove 188.6 accommodates a second washer 188.8 which engages a washer abutting portion
188.10 of the spring housing 190. A fourth spring 192 is provided between the second washer 188.8 and the closed end 190.2 of the first spring housing 190. The rear portion 188.2b of the body 188.2 extends through the passage opening (not shown) at the closed end 190.2 of the spring housing 190. The rear portion 188.2b of the body 188.2 passes through an opening (not shown) that is provided on a front end of a bent clevis member 194 as shown in Figure 13 of the drawings. The rear portion 188.2b terminates in a threaded region 188.2c which grips to a wall that defines the opening (not shown) that is provided in the clevis member 194. A third hinge pin 196 extends from the clevis member 194 and connects the clevis member 194 to a pin assembly activation lever 152 of the camshaft assembly 150. As can be seen in Figs. 1 1 and 13 of the drawings, the camshaft assembly 150 comprises an elongate second shaft 154 that extends below the floor 184.2 and horizontally across the housing 1 12 in between the first and second side faces
1 12.1 1 and 1 12.12 respectively. The activation lever 152 protrudes substantially centrally from the second shaft 154. The camshaft assembly 150 further comprises an arrangement of pin engaging members, i.e. a cam arrangement 156 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced pin engaging members, i.e. cams, protruding from the second shaft 154. The cam arrangement 156 has a first pair of activation cams (not shown) on one side of the cam activation lever 152 which are disposed towards the second side face 1 12.12, and a second pair of first and second activation cams 157 and 158 which are symmetric to the first pair of activation cams (not shown) with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12, and which are disposed towards the first side face 1 12.1 1 of the housing 1 12. A camshaft assembly activation lever 160, as shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, protrudes transversely away from the second shaft 154 and is disposed between the first pair of activation cams (not shown). As can be seen in Figures 1 1 to 14 of the drawings, there is provided a first shaft and pin assembly 200 for the wheel carrier arrangement 300 in accordance with the invention. The first shaft and pin assembly 200 comprises a first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 that has a first end region 202.1 which is connected, preferably by means of an interference fit, to a hub (not shown) of a wheel 304 of the carrier arrangement 300. The first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 accommodates a retractable wheel shaft 204 that comprises a head region 206 that seats in the first end region 202.1 when the trolley is in the enabled condition. The retractable wheel shaft 204 further comprises a neck region 208 that connects the head region 206 to a body region 210 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204. The first retractable wheel shaft 204 terminates in a trailing end 210.12 that is shaped as a hexagonal button.
As can be seen in Figures 1 1 and 14 of the drawings, the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 has a pair of opposite ball seats 212 defined by an inwardly extending circumferential recess (not shown) which accommodates steel balls 214 that are arranged to drop into a space 208.2 that is defined between the head region 206 and body region 210 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204 when the trolley 100 is in the disabled condition.
As shown in Figures 1 1 and 14 of the drawings, the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 further comprises a second seat 218 for a retractable wheel shaft housing release pin, i.e. third release pin 220, of the first shaft and pin assembly 200. As can be seen in Figures 13 and 14 of the drawings, the third release pin 220 has a trailing end 220.2 that is accommodated in the second seat 218 so as to lock the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 in position within the hub (not shown) of the wheel and thereby prevent the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 from voluntarily disengaging with the hub of the wheel 304. The third release pin 220 also comprises a leading end 220.4 that is engaged with the first activation cam 157 of the second pair of cams when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition, as shown more clearly in Figure 1 1 of the drawings.
As can be seen in Figure 14 of the drawings, the first shaft and pin assembly 200 further comprises a second spring housing 230 that circumscribes a portion of the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 proximate the first end region 202.1 of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202. As can be seen in Figure 1 1 and 13 of the drawings, the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 is slidably displaceable within, and relative to the second spring housing 230. However the movement of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 is prevented by the third release pin 220 which seats in the second seat 218 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition. The second spring housing 230 accommodates the third release pin 220, and has an opening 230.2 at a closed end 230.4 thereof through which the leading end 220.4 of the third release pin 220 extends and engages the first activation cam 157 of the second pair of cams of the cam arrangement 156 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
As shown in Figure 14 of the drawings, the third release pin 220 has a third circumferentially extending groove 220.6 that is located inside the second spring housing 230, and disposed towards the leading end 220.4 of the third release pin 220. A third washer 222 is supported in the third groove 220.6. The second spring housing 230 has a spring abutting portion 232 that extends away from the second seat 218 and partially surrounds a portion of the trailing end 220.2 of the third release pin 220 that is accommodated in the second seat 218. A fifth spring 224 is provided between the third washer 222 and spring abutting portion 232, and the engagement of the first activation cam 157 on the third release pin 220 causes the third release pin 220 to be urged inwardly into the second spring housing 230 against the bias of the fifth spring 224, such that the trailing end 220.2 remains positioned in the seat 218 so as to hold the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 in an enabled condition which enables the first end region thereof 202.1 to remain engaged with the hub (not shown) of the wheel 304 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
As best shown in Figure 12 of the drawings, a fourth release pin 224 has a trailing end 224.2 that extends transversely inwardly into the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 ahead of a trailing end 210.12 of the body 210 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204, so as to engage the trailing end 210.12 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204, and thereby hold the first retractable wheel shaft 204 seated within the first end region 202.1 of the retractable wheel shaft housing 202, in order to prevent the first retractable wheel shaft 204, i.e. the head region 206, from moving inwardly into the first wheel shaft housing 202 towards a trailing end 202.4 of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202.
As best shown in Figure 12 of the drawings, the first shaft and pin assembly 200 further comprises a third spring housing 240 that is longitudinally spaced from the second spring housing 230, and is connected to the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 proximate a trailing end 202.4 of the retractable wheel shaft housing 202. The third spring housing 240 covers the fourth release pin 224. The third spring housing 240 has an opening 240.2 at a closed end 240.4 thereof, through which a leading end 224.4 of the fourth release pin 224 extends and engages the second activation cam 158 of the second pair of cams of the cam arrangement 156, as shown in Figure 1 1 of the drawings. The fourth release pin 224 has a fourth circumferentially extending groove 224.6 that is located inside the third spring housing 240 and disposed towards the leading end 224.4 of the fourth release pin 224. A fourth washer 226 is provided in the fourth groove 224.6. The third spring housing 240 has a second spring abutting portion 242 that extends away from the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202, and partially surrounds a portion of a body of the fourth release pin 224 that is proximate the trailing end 224.2 of the fourth release pin 224. A sixth spring 228 is provided between the fourth washer 226 and second spring abutting portion 242. The engagement of the second activation cam 158 with the leading end 224.4 of the fourth release pin 224 causes the fourth release pin 224 to be urged inwardly into the third spring housing 240, such that the trailing end 224.2 of the fourth release pin 224 is located inside the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 ahead of the trailing end 210.12 of the retractable wheel shaft 204. Accordingly, the action of the second cam 158 on the fourth release pin 224 urges the fourth release pin 224 inwardly into retractable shaft housing 202 against the bias of the sixth spring 228 that is placed under compression when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition.
As can be seen in Figures 1 1 and 12 of the drawings, a fifth washer 250 circumscribes a portion of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202, and is located between the second and third spring housings 230 and 240 respectively, and abuts the third spring housing 240. A fifth circumferentially extending groove (not shown) is provided on the exterior of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 for accommodating the fifth washer 250 in between the second and third spring housings 230 and 240. A seventh compressed spring 252 extends between the fifth washer 250 and third spring abutting portion that is partly defined by an exterior portion of the second spring housing 230, so as to retain the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 in an enabled condition wherein the trailing ends 220.2 and 224.2 of the third pin 220 and fourth pin 224 respectively, are respectively located in the second seat 218 and inside the wheel shaft housing 204 as described above.
As shown in Figure 12 of the drawings, an inner portion of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 defines, proximate the trailing end 202.4 thereof, an inwardly extending circumferential channel 202.2 that extends longitudinally between a front end 202.6 of the channel and rear end 210.16 of the channel 202.2. An eighth spring 254 circumscribes a trailing end region 210.14 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204. The eighth spring 254 is compressed between an inner surface of the hexagonal button 210.12 and the rear end 210.16 of the channel 202.2, when the fourth release pin 220 is positioned inside the first retractable wheel shaft 204 and abuts an outer surface of the hexagonal button 210.12.
As mentioned above, the trolley 100 also comprises a second shaft and pin assembly (not shown) that is symmetric to the first shaft and pin assembly 200 with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the housing 1 12, and the pins thereof are arranged to engage with the first pair of activation cams (not shown) of the cam arrangement 156 when the trolley 100 is in the enabled condition. It will therefore be appreciated that any action that occurs on the first shaft and pin assembly 200 will also occur on the second shaft and pin assembly, and for the purpose of the current example, the operation of the cash trolley 100 between an enabled and disabled condition will only be explained in relation to the first shaft and pin assembly 200. In use, as can be seen in Figures 7 to 14, when the trolley 100 is supported by the carrier arrangement 300 and balance pin 182 in a substantially upright orientation, and it is desired to move the trolley 100 to a predefined destination, the user can tilt the housing 1 12 towards the ground so that the second face 1 12.4 faces the ground. In so doing, the outwardly extending portion 182.2 of the balance pin 182 is lifted from the ground and thereby enables the user to pull or push the trolley 100 on the carrier arrangement 300. In a case of an emergency, or when it is desired to disable the trolley 100, the user can release the first release pin 132 from engagement with the slot (not shown) in the first actuator shaft 120, and in so doing activate the actuator arrangement 1 18. The user will ordinarily tug the wire 132.2 to release the actuator pin 132 from the slot formed though the first region 120.2 of the actuator shaft 120. Upon release of the actuator pin 132, the first and second compressed springs 136 and 138 respectively are released from compression and enable the first actuator shaft 120 to drop downwardly into the housing 1 12. As the first shaft 120 drops downwardly into the housing 1 12, the force of compression which was acting on the first and second springs 136 and 138 urges the handle lever 122 to engage the handle locking lever 140.10.
Upon engagement of the handle lever 122 with the handle locking lever 140.10, the pair of handle bodies 140.2 pivot about the pivot axis of the first hinge pin 142 and second hinge pin (not shown) such that the handle locking lever 140.10 pivots inside the housing in the direction of the first face 1 12.4 so as to provide clearance for the first lever to move downwardly into the housing 1 12. Once the first lever 122 has been displaced downwardly and is cleared from the handle locking lever 140.10, the springs 140.8 will bias the handle locking arrangement 140 back to the enabled condition.
The actuator shaft 120 continues to drop inside the housing 1 12 until the first and second arms 122 and 128 land on, and are arrested by, the arm stopper plates 126 and 132. The second lever 124 engages the camshaft assembly activation lever 160 which will cause the cam activation lever 152 to pivot about the pivot axis of third hinge pin 196 in the clockwise direction. The pivotal motion of the cam activation lever 152 causes the clevis member 194 to pivot in unison with the cam activation lever 152 between an enabled condition wherein the second release pin 188 is in engagement with the first groove 182.6 in the balance pin 182, and a disabled condition wherein as the clevis member 194 is pivoted, the second release pin 188 is pulled away from the first groove 182.6 so as to allow the third compressed spring 184 to bias the balance pin 182 inwardly into the cover 184, until the balance pin is fully retracted inside the cover 184 and thereby stowed within the housing 1 12.
As the clevis member 194 is pivoted between the enabled condition and disabled condition, the camshaft assembly 150 is caused to respond to the pivotal motion of the clevis member 194 and is accordingly displaced relative to the third and fourth pins 220 and 224 respectively of the first pin and shaft assembly 200 between an enabled condition, wherein the cam arrangement 156 engages the third and fourth release pins 220 and 224 respectively of the first pin and shaft assembly 200 so as to hold the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 in the enabled condition as described above, and a disabled condition wherein the cam arrangement 156 is displaced away from engagement with the third and fourth pins 220 and 224 respectively in order to enable the fifth and sixth springs 224 and 228 respectively, of the first pin and shaft assembly 200 to respectively bias the third and fourth pins 220 and 224 out of engagement with the second seat 218 and trailing end 210.12 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204. Upon movement of the third and fourth pins 220 and 224 out of engagement with the second seat 218 and trailing end 210.12 of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 respectively, the eight spring 254 biases the trailing end 210.12 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204 towards the front end 202.6 of the channel 202.2. As the trailing end 210.12 is urged towards the front end 202.6 of the channel 202.2, the head region 206 is simultaneously displaced towards the front end of the channel 202.2 until the space 208.2 in the neck region 208 aligns with the ball seats 212. At this point, the balls 214 drop into the space 208.2 and disallow further displacement of the first retractable wheel shaft 204 inwardly into the first shaft housing 202. As can be seen in Figure 14 of the drawings, as the first retractable wheel shaft 204 is displaced towards the trailing end 202.4 of the shaft housing 202, the head region 206 engages an inwardly extending circumferential flange 202.8 of the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 which has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the head region 206. Simultaneously, the hexagonal button 210.12 engages the front end 202.6 of the channel 202.2. The disengagement of the third release pin 220 from the seat 218, along with the force with which the head region 206 and hexagonal button 210.12 of the first retractable wheel shaft 204 engage the circumferential flange 202.8 and front end 202.6 of the channel 202.2 respectively, enable/activate the seventh spring 252 to urge the fifth washer 250 against the third spring housing 240 so as to bias the first retractable wheel shaft housing 202 inwardly into the housing 1 12. It will be appreciated that the disengagement of the third release pin 220 from the seat 218 in conjunction with the action of the seventh spring 252 against the third spring housing 240, enables the retractable wheel shaft housing 202 to freely move inwardly into the housing 1 12 relative to the second spring housing 230, out of engagement with the hub (not shown) of the wheel 304.
As mentioned previously, it will be appreciated that the abovementioned mechanism occurs simultaneously on the first wheel 302 of the carrier arrangement 300. The wheels 302 and 304 are accordingly disengaged with the housing 1 12 upon activation of the actuation arrangement 1 18. The combination of the retraction of the balance pin 188 into the housing 1 12 and the disengagement of the carrier arrangement 300 results in the housing 1 12 falling flat on the second face 1 12.4. As the trolley 100 falls flat on the second face 1 12.4, the handle portion 1 14.2 is urged by the ground inside the housing 1 12 through the slot 1 16 against the bias of the torsion springs acting on the pair of handle bodies 140.2. In addition, the weight of the contents (i.e. bank notes, coins, etc.) in the trolley 100 makes it difficult for the trolley to be picked or slid along the ground.

Claims

A cash trolley comprising: a housing arranged to carry or transport bank notes and other valuables; a carrier arrangement fitted proximate the bottom of the housing to enable the housing to be pulled or pushed by an authorised person; and disabling means which, upon activation, disables the carrier arrangement, so as to prevent or severely hinder further movement of the housing.
The cash trolley according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier arrangement includes a pair of wheels on opposite sides of the housing, with the disabling means being arranged to decouple the wheels from the housing.
The cash trolley according to claim 2, wherein the disabling means comprises: a movable arm arrangement that can be moved between an enabled condition, in which the wheels are coupled to the housing, to allow the housing to be pushed or pulled, and a disabled condition, in which the wheels are decoupled from the housing, to prevent any further movement of the housing; an actuator to move the arm arrangement from the enabled condition to the disabled condition; and a decoupling mechanism for at least one wheel to decouple the wheel from the housing. The cash trolley according to claim 3, wherein the movable arm arrangement is pivotally mounted to a support post fitted to the bottom of the housing, so as to be pivotally movable between the enabled and disabled conditions.
The cash trolley according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the decoupling mechanism includes a tube for movably accommodating a rod, with the wheel being fitted to one end of the rod and the other end of the rod including an abutting member, with a spring being accommodated within the tube and being arranged to act against the abutting member, such that in the enabled condition, the rod is kept in place within the tube by the arm arrangement pressing against one side of the abutting member, with the spring pressing against the other side of the abutting member, so as to keep the rod in place in the tube, under tension, and such that in the disabled condition, the arm arrangement is moved away, to enable the spring to rapidly eject the rod into the housing, away from the tube, and in so doing, decouple the wheel from the rod.
The cash trolley according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an upper portion of the rear wall of the housing defines a slot or aperture for accommodating a handle, such that in the enabled condition, the handle protrudes from the rear wall to enable the trolley to be pushed or pulled, and in the disabled condition, the rear wall of the housing typically falls flat against the ground, thereby pushing the handle inwardly into the housing, so as to prevent the handle from being gripped.
The cash trolley according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the actuator is mechanically connected to the arm arrangement with a cord or wire, or with any other type of connector.
The cash trolley according to claim 2, wherein the disabling means comprises: a retractable wheel shaft housing connected to the wheel of the carrier arrangement, the retractable wheel shaft being moveable between an enabled condition and disabled condition wherein the retractable wheel shaft housing is disengaged and decoupled with the wheel; a pin that is engaged with the retractable wheel shaft housing for holding the retractable wheel shaft housing in the enabled condition, the pin being displaceable between an enabled condition and disabled condition wherein the pin is disengaged with the retractable wheel shaft housing to enable the retractable wheel shaft housing to be displaced to the disabled condition; a cam that is engaged with the pin when the pin is in the enabled condition, the cam being displaceable between an enabled condition and a disabled condition wherein the cam is disengaged with the pin to permit the pin to move to the disabled condition; a cam activation lever which is displaceable between an enabled condition and a disabled condition for displacing the cam to the disabled condition; and an actuator arrangement, which upon actuation, displaces the cam activation lever between the enabled and disabled conditions.
The cash trolley according to claim 8, comprising a pin assembly having a balance pin that extends from a base/bottom face of the housing, which in combination with the wheel carrier arrangement are arranged to support the housing in substantially an upright orientation when the trolley is in the enabled condition, wherein actuation of the actuator arrangement displaces the balance pin against a bias between an extended, enabled condition and a retracted, disabled condition wherein the balance pin is biased into the housing.
0. The cash trolley according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is fitted with a side mirror to enable the authorised person pushing or pulling the trolley to view any suspicious activity behind them.
PCT/IB2017/057539 2017-02-14 2017-11-30 Cash trolley Ceased WO2018150238A1 (en)

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ZA2017/01088 2017-02-14
ZA201701088 2017-02-14

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3710895A (en) * 1970-09-18 1973-01-16 Walter Kiddie & Co Inc Cart with brake and retention system
US5558027A (en) * 1995-02-23 1996-09-24 Williams; B. Arvell Self contained safe caster system
CN101954839B (en) * 2010-09-19 2012-11-21 宁波英特赛电子安全设备有限公司 Concealed cabinet caster
US20130249681A1 (en) * 2010-12-07 2013-09-26 Csir Transportation of valuables
CN204024313U (en) * 2014-08-22 2014-12-17 王丽暄 A kind of theft proof strongbox
US20160136997A1 (en) * 2014-11-14 2016-05-19 Alan Polad Brake Mechanism for Mobile Currency Vaults

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3710895A (en) * 1970-09-18 1973-01-16 Walter Kiddie & Co Inc Cart with brake and retention system
US5558027A (en) * 1995-02-23 1996-09-24 Williams; B. Arvell Self contained safe caster system
CN101954839B (en) * 2010-09-19 2012-11-21 宁波英特赛电子安全设备有限公司 Concealed cabinet caster
US20130249681A1 (en) * 2010-12-07 2013-09-26 Csir Transportation of valuables
CN204024313U (en) * 2014-08-22 2014-12-17 王丽暄 A kind of theft proof strongbox
US20160136997A1 (en) * 2014-11-14 2016-05-19 Alan Polad Brake Mechanism for Mobile Currency Vaults

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