Method and apparatus for wheelbarrow front end protection

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are designed to be improvements over existing wheelbarrows. Certain embodiments comprise a frame, one or more weight-bearing wheels, and a pan. In certain embodiments, a wheelbarrow comprises a bight or a bumper having wheels. The wheels on the bight or bumper are located to the sides of a weight-bearing wheel. In certain embodiments, wheels located on each side of a bight or bumper portion allow a user to maneuver a wheelbarrow up or down a curb, or navigate stairs without causing damage to surfaces. Certain embodiments of the invention allow more efficient unloading of the contents of a wheelbarrow bed. Certain embodiments are designed to retrofit on existing wheelbarrows.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wheelbarrow comprising:
 a frame, said frame further comprising a first wheel, a first bar, and a second bar, wherein an axle of said first wheel is disposed between said first and second bars; 
 a pan attached atop said frame; 
 a bumper attached on the forward end of said frame; 
 said bumper comprising a first attachment member, a second attachment member, a cross member, a second wheel, and a third wheel; 
 said first attachment member oriented parallel to said first bar, and attached to said first bar; 
 said second wheel attached to said first attachment member; 
 said second attachment member oriented parallel to said second bar, and attached to said second bar; 
 said third wheel attached to said second attachment member; and 
 said cross member perpendicular and attached to said first attachment member and said second attachment member, 
 wherein the second wheel and the third wheel are configured to engage the ground simultaneously to aid in steering the wheelbarrow when the wheelbarrow is tilted forward, and 
 wherein said cross-member extends forward beyond the circumference of the second wheel and the third wheel. 
 
     
     
       2. The wheelbarrow in  claim 1 , wherein said cross member further comprises a gripping feature. 
     
     
       3. The wheelbarrow in  claim 2 , wherein said gripping feature comprises a flap projecting outward from said cross member. 
     
     
       4. The wheelbarrow in  claim 2 , wherein said gripping feature comprises an opening in the cross member. 
     
     
       5. The wheelbarrow in  claim 1 , wherein said second wheel and third wheel have a camber angle between 45° and −45° relative to said first wheel. 
     
     
       6. The wheelbarrow in  claim 1 , wherein said cross member is slidably attached to said attachment members. 
     
     
       7. A wheelbarrow comprising:
 a frame, said frame further comprising a first wheel, a first bar, and a second bar, wherein an axle of said first wheel is disposed between said first and second bars; 
 a pan attached atop said frame; 
 a bumper attached on the forward end of said frame; 
 said bumper comprising a first attachment member, a second attachment member, a cross member, a second wheel, and a third wheel; 
 said first attachment member oriented parallel to said first bar, and attached to said first bar; 
 said second wheel attached to said first attachment member; 
 said second attachment member oriented parallel to said second bar, and attached to said second bar; 
 said third wheel attached to said second attachment member; 
 said cross member perpendicular and attached to said first attachment member and said second attachment member; 
 a third attachment member attached to said first bar, and a fourth attachment member attached to said second bar, 
 said second wheel disposed between said first attachment member and said third attachment member; and 
 said third wheel disposed between said second attachment member and said fourth attachment member, 
 wherein the wheelbarrow is configured to roll in a forward direction with at least two wheels with rollable engagement with the ground, 
 wherein an axis of rotation of the second wheel is not perpendicular to the axle of the first wheel, and 
 wherein an axis of rotation of the third wheel is not perpendicular to the axle of the first wheel. 
 
     
     
       8. The wheelbarrow in  claim 7 , wherein said bumper is formed from a single plate, said plate bent to form a bumper shape.