Land vehicles – Wheeled – Tiltable vehicles – stabilized by attendant or article
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-10
2001-12-25
DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Tiltable vehicles, stabilized by attendant or article
C280S079400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332620
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a dolly particularly adapted for facilitating removal and installation of brake drums on vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is very difficult to handle outboard brake drums on trucks and trailers in order to service or replace the drums or to perform service on the brakes and associated parts. Heretofore, the most common procedure in removing and installing brake drums has been by manual manipulation. This is extremely difficult and dirty work and is prone to cause injuries, including serious back injuries. These operations have caused a considerable amount of lost-time as well as workman's compensation claims for a shop proprietor.
Outboard brake drums, such as used on large trucks, can weight as much as 120 pounds each. They are very awkward to grasp and handle; they are positioned at a height that requires a person to stoop or bend; and they frequently are positioned beneath an overhead obstruction, such as a truck or trailer bed.
Overhead lifts, hoists or cranes might be considered a logical solution to these problems. However, it must be understood that vertical access to the brake drums often is difficult or impossible because of the overhead obstructions. In addition, such implements are prone to scratch or damage portions of the vehicle itself.
The present invention is directed to solving these problems by providing a very efficient, simple to operate and cost effective dolly which can be used by an operator. In fact, the dolly is readily operable by an operator's two hands and actually can be manipulated over a supporting surface with a single hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a simple, efficient and cost-effective dolly for facilitating removal and installation of brake drums on vehicles.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the dolly includes a frame having a cradle portion for supporting a brake drum. Wheels are rotatably mounted on the frame for moving the frame over a support surface, such as a floor, including into a position beneath the brake drum. A handle projects from the frame for manually manipulating the frame including into and out of said position. Elevating means are provided for raising and lowering the frame relative to the wheels to lift and lower the brake drum relative to the vehicle.
As disclosed herein, the cradle portion is concave generally in a curvature complementary to that of the brake drum. The frame includes stop means for abutting against an outside surface of the brake drum to facilitate defining the position of the frame beneath the brake drum. Latch means are movably mounted on the frame for latching engagement with the brake drum to hold the drum in the cradle portion of the frame.
A feature of the invention is to mount the wheel means on axle means below the frame, with the handle being elongated and connected to the frame on an axis spaced above the axle means. Therefore, the frame can be tilted about the axle means by raising and lowering the handle. In fact, the cradle portion of the frame is located forwardly of the wheel axle means to amplify this tilting movement.
As disclosed herein, the elevating means is a toggle linkage connected between the wheels and the frame. The linkage includes a first link arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to the axle means and an opposite end thereof to the frame. A second link arm is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the first link arm intermediate the ends thereof. A third link arm is pivotally connected to the second link arm spaced from the one end thereof. The third link arm is pivotally connected to the frame at a location spaced from its point of connection to the second link arm. The third link arm is extendable to effect relative pivoting of the second and first link arms and, thereby, movement of the axle means relative to the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the third link arm is provided as a turnbuckle type member to effect extending or retracting the third link arm. A manually rotatable crank is operatively associated with the turnbuckle member.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Barry Gerald E.
Mosher Charles L.
Thompson Anthony M.
Baker & Hostetler L.L.P.
DePumpo Daniel G.
Dunn David R.
Jennings Leo
SPX Corporation
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