Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand bars and hand barrows – Opposing jaws
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-13
2001-04-24
Cherry, Johnny D. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand bars and hand barrows
Opposing jaws
C294S102100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220638
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a carrying assembly for carrying planar objects (i.e., an object with planar surfaces which are relatively large when compared with the remaining portions and/or surfaces of the object) and/or sheet materials and more specifically to a carrying assembly which can carry planar objects, especially drywall, plywood and/or sheetstock of varying widths and/or thicknesses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a variety of fields and more particularly and importantly in the construction field, there exist a variety of planar objects (e.g., siding, plywood, window panes and drywall layers) which must be frequently moved and/or transported from one location to another. These planar objects present difficulties to a person who manually tries to transport and/or move them. Planar objects typically do not have areas and or portions which are amenable to gripping by a human hand. A person attempting to manually transport a planar object such as drywall must often assume both awkward bodily positions and strenuous hand positions to move and/or transport the planar object. These awkward bodily positions and strenuous hand positions can injure the person moving the planar object and, further, that person runs the risk of dropping and/or damaging such planar object. Consequently, there exists a need for carrying devices and/or assemblies which allow a person to more simply and efficiently carry one or more planar objects without having to assume strenuous bodily positions.
Although prior carrying assemblies have been designed to carry planar objects, these prior assemblies suffer from drawbacks. Particularly, prior art assemblies have been designed such that only very limited surface area of the carrying assembly actually contacts the planar object that is being transported and/or carried. These limited contact areas must support the entire planar objects that are being transported and, therefore, substantial pressure must be applied to these limited contact areas to secure the carrying assembly to the planar object. The pressure applied may damage the planar object especially if the planar object is made of materials that are less resistant to force and/or pressure, for example and without limitation, those materials that compose commercially available and conventional drywall or gypsum board.
Furthermore, planar objects come in a variety of thicknesses (i.e., those distances between two planar surfaces of one planar object) which must be accommodated by the carrying assembly used to carry and/or transport a particular planar object. Consequently, a carrying device must easily and/or automatically adjust so that a user of a particular carrying device can quickly and efficiently lift and/or elevate planar objects which have varying widths.
There is therefore a need for a carrying assembly which supports a planar object and/or sheet material, wherein the assembly contacts a large surface area of the planar object, wherein the carrying assembly can accommodate planar objects having a variety of thicknesses and wherein the user of the carrying device is not subject to strenuous bodily positions when using the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrying assembly for carrying and/or transporting planar objects in a manner that effectively and safely secures the planar objects within the carrying assembly and allows the planar objects to be carried without substantially damaging the objects or placing undue stress on the user of the carrying assembly.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carrying assembly for transporting a planar object which has at least two planar surfaces and a width between the planar surfaces. The carrying assembly comprises a handle portion having a cross member from which extends a first support member and a first support assembly which is attached to the first support member. The first support assembly includes a first bracket and a first gripping member, the first gripping member being selectively and operatively movable in relation to the bracket such that the planar object may be received between the first gripping member and the first support member.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for a user to use a carrying assembly. The user has an arm, a hand and a body. The carrying assembly has a cross member, a first and second support member attached to the cross member and a first and second support assembly attached to the first and second support members, the first and second support assemblies including a first and second bracket and a first and second gripping member. The method comprises the steps of: providing the carrying assembly; contacting a planar object with the first and second gripping members such that the planar object is received between the first support member and the first gripping member and such that the planar object is received between the second support member and the second gripping member; and elevating the planar object while maintaining the planar object between the arm and the body of the user.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1121130 (1914-12-01), Rafferty
patent: 2549918 (1951-04-01), Miller
patent: 2776856 (1957-01-01), Ingram
patent: 3150895 (1964-09-01), Lebre
patent: 3524670 (1970-08-01), Ilich
patent: 4174060 (1979-11-01), Porat
patent: 4349225 (1982-09-01), Collins et al.
patent: 5226688 (1993-07-01), Russo et al.
patent: 5685585 (1997-11-01), Wulff
patent: 2254282 (1992-10-01), None
Cherry Johnny D.
Chupa & Alberti P.C.
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