Land vehicles – Wheeled – Extensible
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-07
2001-03-20
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Extensible
C280S079300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203031
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to dollies for file cabinets and more particularly to file cabinet dollies that are adjustable to accommodate different width file cabinets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
File cabinets are well-known useful devices for storing and organizing materials, particularly various types of files. File cabinets come in different styles but generally have a flat bottom, top and sides and have 2, 3, 4 or more drawers or compartments. A device of such a shape and size is rather cumbersome to move. Moreover, even a two-drawer legal or letter size file cabinet that is substantially filled with files is surprisingly heavy, making such a filled file cabinet very difficult and awkward for one person to move without assistance.
Various devices are known to transport articles, including file cabinets. One type of file cabinet dolly is known which, although adjustable, requires the use of nuts and bolts and tools to adjust for different width file cabinets. In addition, the frame pieces which define the rectangular open frame are welded at the corners and thus relatively expensive to manufacture.
A file cabinet dolly or caddy is needed which is simple in design, economical to construct, easy to assemble and which can be easily adjusted to accommodate different size file cabinets without the use of tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a file cabinet dolly is provided that includes an adjustable rectangular frame to accommodate different size file cabinets. The rectangular frame has four sides and in one embodiment is composed of a peripheral vertical edge flange portion and a generally horizontal web projecting interiorly from the flange portion. The rectangular frame is adjustable at least along two opposed frame sides to accommodate different file cabinet widths and includes two tabbed rails, located on the two adjustable opposed frame sides, each tabbed rail having a tab extending therefrom, and two slotted rails, located on the opposed frame sides and cooperating with the tabbed rails to provide adjustability. Each slotted rail preferably has a plurality of slots with the tab disposed in one of the slots when the frame is fully assembled. Each slot is complementary to said tab to permit each tab to be secured into one of such slots so that said tab rails and slotted rails define a desired frame extent (e.g. width) on opposed sides of said rectangular frame. In another embodiment, the slotted rails have only one slot and the frame is not adjustable.
The dolly includes structure for permitting low resistance movement of the dolly over a surface. Preferably, that structure is composed of a castor mounted at each corner of the rectangular frame.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tabs have a spring-like action and removably lock into a respective one of the slots.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tabbed rails and the slotted rails are in overlapping and interlocking engagement.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the castor located at each corner of the rectangular frame includes a castor stud and the castor studs fasten the straight rails to the tabbed and slotted rails in combination with fastening structure associated with the castor studs, which may be a push nut, for example, to secure each stud relative to the rails associated with such stud.
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Fischmann Bryan
Johnson Brian L.
Ryndak & Schwartz
SteelWorks, Inc.
LandOfFree
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