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Stair-Climbing Wheel Design for Handtrucks

The Kickstarter failed, but the developers didn't give up and now it's on the market

By Rain Noe - May 9, 2016

in Product Design | Crowdfunding

Speaking of handtrucks, the UpCart can perform a trick that most others can't: Curb- and stair-climbing. While the end user still provides the motive power, the triangular configuration of the wheels makes it far easier to transform forward motion into upward motion. Have a look:

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Interestingly, a couple of years ago the UpCart was a failed Kickstarter project. Despite being a Kickstarter Staff Pick, in November of 2014 it fizzled with just $27,387 pledged towards a $100,000 goal. But the developers persisted and found the funding somewhere else, and today the UpCart is available for sale on Amazon.

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The Amazon reviews are generally positive, but the few one-star reviews harp on what you might guess by looking at images of the cart: It seems the object isn't very durable, with plastic parts and hinges failing under load. And it's got the same disappointing one-year warranty as the EROVR we looked at earlier.

The three-wheeled design, though patented by UpCart, is not unique. Here are several other companies producing similar products, though they look a lot flimsier than the UpCart design:

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The only one that looks truly durable is that HS-33 Hand Truck Stair Climber. That's obviously more of an industrial solution, but it's apparently popular; the $170 object is currently on back order.

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Adam Briscoe

8 years ago

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Been around for ages. You can get better ones. There's one at a school we do work at that is full metal and much more robust. The idea is nothing new. If they have a patent it won't do much. Easy to get around whatever they have one for as is stated other companies do the same

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Randall Tyner

8 years ago

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Hope they got a patent... regardless. I will make one in my garage for personal use. I am also curious if it conflicts with Dean Kamen's patented on the same design to move up / down stairs (cluster of wheels around a central axis) but with a motor and the intent to carry people.

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Tom B

8 years ago

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There was a pushchair a while back that used the same concept. I think I saw it on dragons den but I dont think it got backed...

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--AbQSgH1Y--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/19c5817ph14cxjpg.jpg

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