Land vehicles – Wheeled – Body with bracketed-type or nonsuspended axles
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-26
2001-10-09
Krizek, Janice L. (Department: 3652)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Body with bracketed-type or nonsuspended axles
C414S011000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299185
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to dollies and the like that has a platform on wheels for moving objects, and more particularly to a wheeled device for single-handedly moving large folding tables, plywood sheets, doors, and other large objects.
2. Description of Related Art
Some existing dollies take the form of an upstanding steel framework on two wheels. A lower lip or blade on the framework serves as a platform. The user places the lower lip under a refrigerator or other object to be moved and then tilts the object and dolly so that the object is held on the lower lip with the object leaning against the rest of the framework. The user then wheels the dolly and object to another location with the object held that way.
Although effective for single-handedly moving many objects, the relatively large, heavy dolly is not entirely suited for moving many other objects, including large folding tables, plywood sheets, doors, and other large, flat objects. To better visualize the problem, consider the task of single-handedly moving several five-foot diameter, round, folding tables from a storage area to a hall where they will be set up for an event. The only practical way to position one of the tables on the dolly is with the round edge of the table on the lower lip of the dolly and the table top leaning against the dolly framework. In that position, the fill, five-foot diameter of the table extends crosswise on the dolly with the large flat table top surface extending perpendicular to the direction of travel (i.e., parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels). That configuration hinders movement of the dolly and table down narrow passageways and through narrow doorways.
The same problem applies to other large, flat objects such as large plywood sheets and doors that have a relatively large surface area and small thickness. Thus, a need exists for a better way to single-handedly move such objects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention alleviates the concerns outlined above by providing a small, lightweight, wheeled, carrying device that holds folded tables, plywood sheets, doors, or other such objects for single-handed movement edgewise relative to the direction of travel instead of crosswise. It holds the edge of the object on a wheeled support structure so that the large surface area of the object extends vertically and parallel to the direction of travel (perpendicular to the rotational axis of the wheel), as it would be if two men grasped the object and moved it by hand. Thus, it greatly facilitates single-handed movement of large, flat objects, especially when moving down narrow passageways and through narrow doorways.
To paraphrase some of the more precise language appearing in the claims, a device for single-handedly moving folding tables, plywood sheets, doors, and other large objects, includes a first component that is a rigid body of material having first and second oppositely facing sides. It may take any of various forms, including a circular piece of ¾-inch thick plywood with a 16-inch diameter. It has a size and shape enabling a person to carry it with one hand to a position adjacent an object to be moved. A knob, kitchen cabinet handle, or other suitable handle means may be mounted on the first component to facilitate carrying.
Channels, bolts, brackets, or other suitable holding means extend outwardly from the first side of the first component for holding the marginal edge portion of the object to be moved. The marginal edge portion is held so that is spaced upwardly a few inches from the floor and so that the flat surface extends vertically, facing the first side of the first component. A wheel is mounted on the second side of the first component to function as means for wheeling the first component and the object to be moved along a desired direction of travel. According to a major aspect of the invention, the wheel rotates about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the flat surface of the object to be moved so that the flat surface is parallel to the direction of travel.
To use the device, a user positions the object to be moved so that the flat surface extends vertically. Next, the user sets the marginal edge portion of the object to be moved upon the holding means that extends outwardly from the first side of the first component, with the flat surface of the object against the first side of the first component. Then the user grasps the object to be moved and wheels the combination of the device and the object to be moved along the desired direction of travel.
Thus, the invention significantly facilitates single-handed movement of folded tables, plywood sheets, doors, and other such object with a small, lightweight, wheeled, carrying device that holds the object for movement edgewise relative to the direction of travel instead of crosswise. The following illustrative drawings and detailed description make the foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention more apparent.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 310894 (1990-09-01), Smith
patent: 3306624 (1967-02-01), Goss
patent: 5158312 (1992-10-01), Lausch
patent: 5284410 (1994-02-01), Sare et al.
patent: 5318316 (1994-06-01), Shurtleff
patent: 5378103 (1995-01-01), Rolnicki et al.
patent: 5782477 (1998-07-01), Covert
patent: 6234499 (2001-05-01), Irwin et al.
Krizek Janice L.
Loyal McKinley Hanson
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